Chapter 1 - The Crow

Mankind has been in a constant struggle for survival since their creation. Creatures of darkness, the creatures of Grimm set their sights on man and all of their creations. The two sides clashed and it seemed the world would fall into the darkness, that is before the spark. Change was ignited and from man's resourcefulness and ingenuity they found the tools that would help them even the odds against the darkness. This power was named dust and with it man was able to cast a light in the darkness. In the shadows absence, man was able to find strength, civilization and life. However, all sparks eventually die and when it is gone darkness will return to the world.

To continue their fight against the darkness the huntsman and huntresses where born. Wielding the power of dust they helped forge the four kingdoms and walls that protected them. These huntsman where trained at an early age in one of several schools where they learned to control dust, forge their weapon and most importantly fight the monsters of the darkness.

Not everyone had the advantage of living inside the kingdoms protected by the huntsman, many families were forced to live outside their walls protection. All these people had where each other and the occasional Huntsman traveling through on a mission.

Outside of the cities several small communities were formed, all of which traded with one another to ensure their survival. One such community was formed outside the walls of Mistral, one of the four kingdoms. Honestly you couldn't even call it a community since only a handful of families even lived there, it was mostly a town of single couples or widows.

The largest family and the one that held the highest status was the Kurosaki family. Isshin and Masaki Kurosaki the parents of three children, were both born outside the kingdoms such as their children. After meeting in a trading community the two soon were married with a child on the way. This was twelve years ago and during that time their first child, a boy they named Ichigo Kurosaki has grown. A few years after Ichigo's birth they also had a pair of twins they named Karin and Yuzu.

Because they lived half a day's travel from any other community they had to sustain themselves, but most importantly they have to protect themselves from the Grimm. This job was given to Isshin, a self taught swordsman and hunter. On Ichigo's tenth birthday Isshin took him on his first hunt and that was the day Ichigo saw his very first Grimm. A giant bear like creature covered in dense black fur and on it's head and several other parts of it's body white bone covered it's skin. This bone was several inches thick and acted like armor for the giant beast. The black fur, white bone plating and red patterns that cover it are all natural characteristics of any Grimm.

A year after seeing his first Grimm Ichigo was given his blade named Zangetsu for his thirteenth birthday. Living outside the walls of the kingdom is not a life many would want let alone enjoy yet, that's all Ichigo has ever known. To protect himself and his family it was inevitable for his blade to be forged and gifted to him.

Today Isshin and Ichigo were just getting back home from the nearest community, a small trading post of fifty people. There are some things that require trade and the most important are clothing, tools, and water. Opening the door Isshin set his sword on a weapons rack next to the door, while Ichigo rested his small katana like blade against the wall. To Isshin's surprise Ichigo was able to wield this blade with little training and his natural talent was incredible. Even though it looked light the blade easily weighed close to thirty or forty pounds and reached close to five feet in length. The handle was wrapped in a black and red cloth in a traditional katana style and darned a complex diamond shape guard. The blade itself was pitch black and had a slight curve to it. Making sure it was securely in its sheath Ichigo leaned it against the wall under the weapons rack.

Looking at his father he had already made his way into the kitchen and was currently putting the supplies they traded for in their places. Walking over Isshin handed him a bottle of water from the fridge and put a hand on his head and said, "You did good today Ichigo, now go and rest up a bit before your mother gets home." Giving him a push towards the couch Isshin walked down the hallway and slipped into one of the rooms.

Covering his mouth as a yawn escaped, Ichigo sat down on the couch. Running a hand through his messy orange hair he closed his eyes and leaned back. Propping his feet up on the coffee table he chugged down half the bottle of water before putting it down. Sliding down further into the comfort of the coach it wasn't long before he fell asleep.

As the front door opened two young girls ran in one having short black hair and the other a long light brown. They were followed by a beautiful young women with shoulder length curly orange hair. The two girls instantly ran up and jumped onto the couch while yelling, "Ichigo." Hearing them Ichigo woke up as the two wrapped him into a hug. Holding them back Ichigo smiled and looked up to see his mother by the door.

Seeing all three of her kids smiling Masaki couldn't help but smile as well. Walking past them into the kitchen she said, "Come on girls, let your brother rest and help me get dinner ready."

Looking up they both said, "But Mom we just got home?"

"I know but Ichigo has been on a long trip with his father the last two days and needs some rest. I'm sure he'd like to enjoy a nice dinner that his sisters helped make."

Jumping up the two girls ran over to Masaki and started grabbing things to cook seemingly at random. Still smiling Ichigo curled back up and let his eyes close once again. As he was beginning to drift off a loud animal like roar ripped through the area. In an instant Isshin was running back into the living room as Ichigo was getting up and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Grabbing his sword from the weapons rack Isshin turned back to meet Masaki, wrapping an arm around her he gave her a quick kiss and said, "I love you."

Pulling away Isshin opened the door and called for Ichigo who picked up his giant sword and followed his father out the door.

Karen looked to Masaki and asked, "Why is this happening again mom?"

Wrapping her arms around the two girls she said, "The Grimm are very dangerous monsters that don't know anything but their instincts to hunt. Your father and big brother are going to stop them like they always do, so don't worry girls."

As Isshin and Ichigo rushed towards the roar Isshin pulled his blade from his sheath while Ichigo did the same and attached the sheath back by slipping a strap that was attached to it over his shoulder. Running past a farming plot they came into a clearing before the treeline of the forest thickened. From the darkness of the forest several pairs of red eyes shined through the black void right at the two. As the first of the Grimm broke through the treeline the giant wolf like Grim stood on his back feet and roared. As it dropped back down to all fours three more of these beowolves appeared from the trees and let out a loud howl before charging towards Isshin and Ichigo.

Stepping in front of his son Isshin said, "Ichigo stay behind me and make sure none of them get past us." Offering a quick nod Ichigo watched as his dad charged into the center of the Grimm and started cutting them down. Every time he delivered a killing blow the Grimm would start to disintegrate, leaving behind black dust that blew away in the wind. When he killed the four in front of him a dozen more broke through the tree line. It seemed like an endless horde of them kept coming, it didn't take long before Isshin was completely surrounded by the Beowolves.

Seeing Isshin starting to be overwhelmed Ichigo rushed towards him sword ready to strike down the nearest Grimm. Slicing completely through a Beowolves torso Ichigo used the momentum from the swing to turn himself around and build up more speed. Turning all the way around his sword crashed into a beowolf and easily cut through him, but continued and crashed into the ground. From the force his blade dug deep into the earth and Ichigo couldn't pull it out. As he struggled to free his sword A beowolf took the chance and rushed at him. Swiping his face with his giant claws it sent Ichigo flying, landing on the ground his head whiplashed and smacked into the ground.

Barely conscious Ichigo brought his hand up to try and fell what happened yet, all he could feel was the warmth of his blood gushing from the right side of his face. Unknowing to him the Grimm's claws dug deep into the side of his head and with chunks of flesh it also ripped out his right eye. As blood began to flow into his left eye he could barely see when the beowolf dug its fangs into his chest. As the beast ripped a giant piece from his chest Ichigo cried out in pain. The pain only lasted a few seconds before Ichigo's body began to go numb as blood kept gushing from his wounds. The last thing Ichigo was able to hear before passing out was his father crying out his name.

Once Ichigo began to gain consciousness once again the pain hit him like a train. Holding onto his side he cried. Panting heavily he wiped the blood from his face and tried to open his eye, when he could only see from the one he tried to wipe the blood away once again. Just as before he couldn't see from his right eye. Holding his hand up he could only make out the basic blurry shape of it. Letting his head lay back down he gripped his side once again and felt the steady flow of blood from the large wound.

Looking to his left he saw his sword still sticking from the ground. Turning over Ichigo laid on his stomach and once he did a sharp pain shot through him as one of his broken ribs pierced into his side. Using his left arm to drag himself and his right to try and keep pressure on his wound he crawled towards his sword. As he crawled a trail of blood stained the ground leading back to the giant pool that he had been laying in. Reaching the blade he used it to prop himself up and winced from the pain in his chest. By know he was having incredible difficulty breathing and in return started coughing, which just caused more pain in his chest.

Finally getting into a sitting position he leaned up against his blade and leaned his head back. Opening his eye he blinked a few times to get the blood out of it. Once his eye was finally adjusted he looked around and tried to make out something with his blurry vision. Looking in the direction he knew was his home tears began to build up in his eye, as he saw the rubble it was turned into.

Letting his head fall limp the tears kept falling into his lap and started to wash the traces of blood on his clothes away. Due to a mix of the injuries and crying Ichigo began to hyperventilate, as he was unable to calm his breathing he quickly passed out once again.

At the edge of the treeline a man wearing a dark gray buttoned shirt along with dark pants stepped into the clearing. His red tattered cap flapped in the wind behind him, pulling his sleek black hair back he looked over the clearing. After noticing a man lying dead on the ground he placed his hand onto a sword's handle that was strapped to the back of his waist. Giving the area a quick look over for any Grimm the man kept a defensive stance until seeming satisfied.

Shaking his head he said, "I should have figured this would have happened sooner or later. Maybe if I didn't make camp so close by."

Continuing looking over the field a figure in the distance gained his attention, after looking at it for a moment he was shocked. Running over to it as fast as he could the sight would forever be etched into his mind. Under his breath the man said, "I can't believe it, a kid?"

Kneeling down the man pulled away Ichigo's torn shirt and looked at the extent of the damage to his torso. A giant hole about six inches wide and all the way down to the bone. Pulling the cap off his back he wrapped it around Ichigo's torso and tied it tightly. To his surprise a groan of pain came from him, which caused the man to fall back and look on with surprise.

After calming down he took a few deep breaths and said, "Calm down Qrow if I don't he'll die, I can't let anyone else die."

Pulling Ichigo's orange hair back, he looked at the damage to his head. Four deep lashes running from his forehead to his chin were bleeding heavily. Seeing his right eye completely ripped from it's socket and blood pouring from the empty hole made him gag. Ripping off one of his sleeves Qrow used it as another makeshift bandage and wrapped it around Ichigo's head.

Picking Ichigo up he held him in both of his arms and turning to look at the blade in the ground, Qrow asked, "How the hell do you wield that kid?"

Grabbing the giant blade he laid it on the ground, taking the sheath from Ichigo's back he put the blade in it and slung it over his shoulder. Holding Ichigo across his arms he started walking back the way he came. Offering one last look back at the destroyed town Qrow shook his head, "I've seen this happen so many times, yet I still can't stop blaming myself." .

All Ichigo could feel was the cold wind beating against him, as he opened his eyes he knew exactly where he was. The giant skyscrapers hanging above an endless pit of nothing, this was his inner world. Currently he was laying on the side of one of these giant buildings seemingly defying gravity itself. Looking around Ichigo stood up and was surprised when he didn't feel any pain coming from his chest or his head. Putting a hand on his side he felt for the giant wound he knew was there, touching it a small jolt of pain ran up his body. Pulling up his shirt to look he saw his entire chest and torso wrapped in a giant bandage, shaking his head Ichigo asked, "How on earth?"

From behind him a voice called out, "It's been a long time Ichigo. You know you don't have to be on the brink of death to come here."

Turning around to face the voice he'd heard several times he found the man it came from. A tall man wearing a black robe that was tattered at the bottom. To match the dark clothing he had long black hair and a trimmed goatee. The only hint of color on him was the white collar of his robe that was ragged and torn.

Once again the man called out, "You haven't lost the ability to speak have you?"

Shaking his head Ichigo said, "No, it's just I'm not really sure what's going on."

"What is there to be confused about? It's quite clear what happened, you just don't wish to believe it. Do you expect something to change just because you wish it to?"

Shaking his head Ichigo said, "No of course not, I just don't know right now!"

Walking closer, the man reached out and touched the wound on Ichigo's chest and asked, "Can you feel that?"

Shaking his head Ichigo said, "Yeah I hurts a little."

"While the wounds have mostly closed they still aren't fully healed. It's only been a week since the attack, so it will take a while until the are fully healed. Just don't strain yourself once you wake back up."

Laying back down Ichigo stared up at the sky and a few tears began to build up in his eye. Like his tears dark clouds began to form above him and block off the sun. Once a tear fell from his eye rain began to fall as well. Looking down at Ichigo the man said, "There wasn't anything you could have done Ichigo. You can't dwell on the past forever or you'll never move forward."

Ichigo asked, "What's the point to move on without them, I've never had anything but them."

"Ichigo what have I always told you since you first learned my name."

Wiping away the tears from his eye Ichigo sat up and sighed when he felt a faint pain from his side. Looking up at the man he was now turned around and looking off at something in the distance. Seeing him Ichigo asked, "Zangetsu, what is it?"

Zangetsu just waved it off and said, "It isn't anything important. Now then, back to what I asked earlier."

Slowly standing up Ichigo said, "When I was in some of my first fights you'd always say abandon your fear, look forward. Move forwards and never stop. You'll age if you pull back. You'll die if you hesitate."

Turning back to Ichigo, Zangetsu said, "While I have said that many times that isn't what I was wanting you to remember."

Looking up at with Ichigo asked, "Then what do you want me to remember?"

Holding out his hand ran drops began to collect. Facing Ichigo he said, "Ichigo I hate the rain. When your heart is in chaos, this sky becomes clouded. When you are sad, rain falls so terribly easy. Can you understand the horrible feeling of being pelted by rain when you're all alone in this solitary world? If only to stop the rain, I shall lend you any strength. If you trust in me, I won't let a single drop of rain fall from that sky. Ichigo, trust me you are not fighting alone."

Walking up Zangetsu put a hand on Ichigo's head and said, "I'll always be by your side through anything and everything. If you ever need strength I'll lend it and if you ever need guidance i'll show you the way."

Once again the tears began to fall and Ichigo leaned into Zangetsu. "Thank you, Zangetsu." While it was very muffled he could still make it out.

"Just know I'm always here whenever you need it. However, you should go back it has been a rather long time and the people that helped you are becoming unsettled by your condition."

Nodding Ichigo's body began to slowly fade away and leave Zangetsu alone once again. Turning back around Zangetsu started off once again, "You will become much stronger Ichigo, just please find someone new to love so the rain will stop falling."

As Ichigo slowly opened his eye he looked around to find himself lying in a bed in the center of a dark room. The only light coming from a small window above his bed that lite up a small amount of the room including the closed door across from him. Looking to his left there was a small nightstand with a large glass of water on it. Sitting up Ichigo winced a little as his chest tightened, looking down he noticed the same giant bandage from earlier, "Guess someone has been caring for me."

Looking to his right he saw Zangetsu leaning against another night stand and he smiled. Before he could reach out and grab it there was a knock at the door. Ichigo tried to speak but he couldn't speak.. Another second passed and there was another soft knock on the door. A few seconds passed before the door slowly opened to reveal a young brown haired women holding a small leather bag.

Offering a smile she said, "It's good to see that you're awake, I was starting to worry you wouldn't wake up." Placing the bag on a small side table by the bed she grabbed a large roll of goss, bandage and a small tub of ointment. "I'm going to change your bandages real quick, it might hurt so just be prepared for a little discomfort."

She began unwrapping the large bandage from Ichigo's head and lastly took off the large goss pad that has been soaked in blood. Ichigo tensed as the pad was pulled from his head, he could feel each part that had been attached from the dry blood rip causing several jolts of pain. When it was fully off the women reached for the small tub of ointment and applied a small amount to a piece of goss and began to dab it around the wound. Being careful not to apply to much force she eventually covered the entire wound with the antibiotic ointment.

As she began to wrap the new bandage Ichigo quietly asked, "It's gone isn't it?"

Tieing off the bandage the women nodded saying, "I'm sorry. There was nothing we could do, when you got here it was already gone."

Looking down Ichigo said, "I understand, thanks for taking care of me."

Offering a small smile she packed up her supplies and walked out of the room softly closing the door behind her. As the door shut Ichigo was left alone in a barely lit room with his thoughts, which is all he could ask for at the moment.

Outside the room the nurse ran into Qrow as he was walking towards Ichigo's room. Offering a smile she said, "He's awake, you can visit him if you'd like."

"Thanks, but I think I'll give him some time to think things over before I do."

As she walked away she said, "That boy's going to need someone to look after him. Do you know where his parents or any family members are?"

Shaking his head Qrow said, 'He's the only person that survived that attack, I doubt he had family anywhere else either. I'll figure something out though."

Qrow gave one last look back at Ichigo's room before turning around and leaving. The small hospital they were in was located in Kuchinashi a small city south of Mistral's capital. Due to it's size and the distance from Mistral's government it's mostly home to outcasts and thieves. However it has slowly been turning around but it's doubtful it will get much better than it is.

Looking around the city wasn't anything special, there were several run down buildings and even fewer that weren't falling apart. The hospital was probably the best kept building in the entire city and it wasn't anything to look at. Walking down the street Qrow made his way to a small pub which was probably the second best kept building in town.

It was a large two story building made of simple materials. It definitely didn't look appealing but that doesn't matter when you're the only place in town that sells liquor. The run down atmosphere the building creates is probably suiting to the people that normally visit the place anyway. Walking through the saloon style door he walked into the crowded pub. Dozens of men were sitting up at the long bar that ran across the far wall. Between that and the door were ten round wooden tables all holding around six men.

Making his way through the sea of drinking men none of them paid him any mind as he took a seat at the bar. Signalling the bartender the faunus girl walked over. Most likely in her early thirties she was a short cat fanus with blonde hair. Wiping a glass she asked, "What can I get ya?"

"Take a whiskey form the top shelf and a shot glass."

As the bartender went to get his bottle and glass, Qrow turned around and looked over the crowd. This being the town it is there was a large amount of fanous and surprisingly they mostly were drinking and playing cards with humans to. Qrow just thought, 'That's something you'll only see in a town like this, a place where humans and famous act the same.' Turning back around the bartender had already dropped off the bottle and a shot glass and Qrow began to drink.

After finishing the bottle Qrow finally picked himself up from the bar and after leaving some money for the whiskey he left. Stumbling out of the bar Qrow made his way back to the hospital. The entire way he was stumbling over himself and once the hospital was in sight he finally fell to the ground. Using a light post he slowly picked himself up and stumbled through the hospital front door. With the help of the nurse he made it back to the chair in the waiting room. Slumping down into it, it didn't take him long to pass out.

Staring at the door like he had been for hours Ichigo hasn't moved much. It's been three days since he's woken up and from everything the nurse has told him he's tried to come to turns with it. The fact that his entire family and the small town he lived in is gone. That he barely survived and should have honestly died before he got here and the fact that he's lost a part of himself he can never get it back.

The last three days have mostly been Ichigo trying to accept this new reality with the help of Zangetsu, the only thing he has left. Earlier this morning was the first time he was able to actually get out of bed and walk around, with the help of the nurse at least. Now he was uncertain, what could he possibly do from here. He had nothing and when he tried to pick up Zangetsu for the first time he fell to the ground grabbing his side as pain rocketed through his body.

As it slowly subsided Ichigo used the bed to help him get back up and had to leave Zangetsu lying on the ground. Sitting back down he just sighed, "How am I going to do this?"

Looking down to his side a small amount of blood began to stain the bandage as a result of Ichigo reopening part of his wound. Holding onto the bandage to give the wound some pressure Ichigo lied back against the headboard. 'If only I didn't rush in and thought it through more. Maybe none of this would have happened. If I didn't doubt him maybe dad would still be alive and everyone else.' As this thought came to mind the door to his room opened.

Qrow walked in and for the first time in over a weak got a good look at Ichigo's condition. Looking at the bandage covering his chest and head Qrow remembers the state Ichigo was in when he found him. Turning his attention away from Ichigo he walked to the corner of the room and sat in the empty chair facing the bed.

Ichigo studied every detail of Qrow he could see. The fairly normal outfit he was wearing was offput by the red cap and the sword he had in his back. Ichigo thought, 'It's about three or four feet long nothing crazy. The dial at the base of the blade with all the gears must alter the blade in some way, and there are several small breaks in the sword that are all about the same length apart. Do the gears curve the blade or maybe they extend it?'

Shaking his head Ichigo thought, 'Why do I care what his sword does? It doesn't matter, I should be wondering who the hell he is. He's either the man the nurse was talking about that brought me here or he's got the wrong room.'

Staring at Qrow a bit longer Ichigo finally asked, "You're the guy that brought me here aren't you?"

Qrow just cracked a grin, "Yeah I'm the one who brought you here kid. A thank you would be normal after getting someone's help."

"Yeah thanks for dragging me into this paradise. Should have just left me there to die, would have been easier on both of us." Ichigo said as he looked down to Zangetsu.

"You don't mean that kid, I know you aren't in the greatest position but you're alive. That's something to be greatly for."

Ichigo just laughed, "Be grateful? For what? The fact I can barely walk without it hurting? The fact I don't have my right eye anymore? Or maybe the fact that I can't fucking lift my sword anymore!" Slamming his fist into the bed Ichigo yelled, "Which one should I be grateful for!"

Surprised Qrow looked back up at Ichigo who was currently looking down at his sword and holding onto his side. Letting out a small sigh Qrow stood up and walked over to Ichigo's side. Leaning down to pick up Zangetsu stopping when Ichigo asked, "Who are you?"

Without looking up he said, "I'm Qrow, a Huntsman. Who are you?"

Watching Qrow lean Zangetsu back up against the small side table a small smile crept onto Ichigo's lips. "I'm Ichigo, Ichigo Kurosaki. I'm not really anything right now."

Heading back to the door Qrow said, "Well with a blade like that I wouldn't be surprised if you became a Huntsman. Every Huntsman needs a quality weapon."

"Thanks for picking Zangetsu up, he's all I have left. And now it's almost like when I got him for the first time, not even being able to really pick him up with one hand."

"We are going to be here a while Ichigo so you have plenty of time to get your strength back."

As Qrow opened the door Ichigo asked, "Why are you doing all of this for me? Why stay?"

Without turning around Qrow said, "I couldn't just leave you all alone especially in your condition." Closing the door behind him Qrow quietly said to himself, "I have to, it's probably my fault after all." With that Qrow made his way out of the hospital and back towards the pun in town.

Hey Everyone I'm finally back. This is the rewrite, well more of a reimaging of Hollowfied Huntsman. It's going to take a different focus I.E. Qrow is going to be the mentor to Ichigo and it's going to deal more on their time together. So there's going to be a lot of original stuff for a while until I feel it's time to connect it to the current RWBY events. Anyway this is what I finaly came up with after deciding it would be best to just rewrite the story. It won't be the exact same but it should have a similar feal to it so hopefully you guys like it. Also I know I used a lot of the original opening for the old story in this one, I thought it would still fit so I used it. Chapters are probably going to be around this length, it's fairly easy for me to get it done and edit in a week or two with eveything I have going on. So expect updates about every week to two weeks, I'm really going to hold myself to the two week deadline at the latest.

Lastly anyone that's wondering where the Story of the Cero Espada rewrite is, it's coming. I've been working on the first chapter, so I'll have it out soon. Haven't decided exactly what to call it yet but I got a few really good ideas from some people that I'm deciding on. I can say that rewrite should be up in two weeks at the latest. So I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter and if you have any questions post a review or message me and I'll try my best to answer them. Love all you guys and thanks for sticking with me through everything.