Disclaimer: I only write for the enjoyment for all fans and fiction buffs. I do not own any of the bleach characters or content nor am I really suggesting anything, just purely fictional work.

I am planning for this to become an actual story for a period of time, not planning to compress the plot. Also I am not sure what I am planning to keep the rating so I will leave it at M for now because I have my own views on expression.

As for the story content, I have decided to keep a few critical characters that I enjoyed and like the most. You may call it bias, and you are correct, however I believe that some of the characters if included will act as obstacles and buffers to the plot which may dilute the story I imagine. I believe it is in the best interest of this story and my writing style to remove a few characters while adding a few new ones.

This will be a Ichigo X Tia story eventually, she is my favorite character of course. Kind of a spoiler but there will be a connection between the two, I do not plan to make this into a rated X MA+ gratuitous romance, but there will be some.

Prologue: Liberation

Several years later…

One man, who stayed his course unchanged by the challenges, wielding his ideals, changed the scope of the spirit world; Ichigo Kurosaki - the man who transcending as a human past both hollow and shinigami forged friendships between what seems the light and dark. However this brittle moment of peace between hollow and shinigami is beginning to crumble as inherent differences, the old ways, begin to resurface; all while humans are caught in between.

Like a beacon of hope, the blazing sun slowly crawls over the skies of Karakura town revealing the peaceful town that has served as the eye of many storms. The green lush countryside encompasses the ever bustling city as townsfolk prepare for the new day, the sound of people and vehicles slowly drown the silence only be shushed by Ichigo's long given sigh, as the shinigami substitute carefully scouts the skies on the office building next to Urahara's shop.

"It's been several years now, hasn't it?" a familiar voice approaches, a carefree voice belonging to Urahara Kisuke as he joins for the sunrise blossom. "Now that you are out of school, do you have any idea where you want to go with your life?"

It has been indeed several years now, four to be exact, since he defeated Aizen on this mortal plane, a defining moment for the hero from Karakura. Shinigami against shinigami, shinigami against hollows, shinigami with hollows, and even hollow against hollows, the strife that tore apart souls of the spirit worlds all seems to be but over. Few friends were lost, yet more were gained, however not all sides were as lucky as these scars etch permanently in their minds and souls.

"I am not sure; maybe live the life that was put on pause for so many years since…" Ichigo replies softly. That day that sealed Ichigo's fate into the struggle between shinigami, humans, and hollows, that day where tender motherly love was stripped from the young soul.

"It seems fighting is what I've done, what I've known, perhaps I would like to build and shape the world in other ways." His comment was naive, and Ichigo himself knew it, but it is that unbending willpower that shaped and changed for this present moment now. "I'm going to go for a walk," Ichigo adds amidst the solemn silence, "thank you for everything."

The streets themselves are just as he remembered, busy with life, drama, and happiness that he sought to fight and protect. Just another ordinary day. These were also the streets he shared with his best of friends, Orahime, Ishida, and Chad. However, life continues like his steps and people come and go. Orihime and Ishida have gotten together and now they're just a few weeks into their travels to see the world outside the mellow town. Chad had also left to go travel as well. And that just leaves me. Ichigo contemplates on his new found freedom and independence from them, but also a growing emptiness. [Ishin's voice] Oh, Ichigo when are you going to make me proud and bring back a wife? I want grandchildren you know. Your mother would be so proud to see her little boy all grown up. Ichigo quickly buried the thought.

"It has been really eventful…" Ichigo mumbles to himself. It has been months since the last hollow attack which have been subsiding and less frequent. Hollows, those monsters that prey on the remaining human soul, savages from Hueco Mundo. Wrong. There was good in them, in us, Ichigo recalling his other half. There was Nel and her fraccion and there were those under Aizen's influence. But they also show love, respect, and honor as well to each their own. It just all seems like a war that has gone on so long that it just numbs down to second nature. It was pointless.

Shifting back towards the world in front of him, nothing of suffering and fear existed. Not too far, a child following his mother crossing street, doused in innocence and youth triumphantly waving his snack. We have our innocents to protect… and so did they… all of us do.

This moment in time shatters as screams of the crowd erupt gripping Ichigo's attention. Looking down the street, from the commotion, a speeding motorcycle rampages through the streets, swaying and barely avoids grazing citizens roar through. And from order spawns chaos, as Ichigo remembers that we share this Karakura with assholes as well.

Yet an uneasy knot formed in his stomach, as the cycle streaks ever close to the child halfway across. Fears lead to suspicion which his insticts translated into a realization of danger. It was easy to stand, shit happens, even the most horrible of events to the undeserving. But knowing the strong bond between a mother and son reminded by only the emptiness inside him prompted action.

But there wasn't enough time to think. Instinctively Ichigo ran forward into the streets, like a missile homed in on its target with a mission. He dives, catching the child in an embrace gazing into the frightened surprised child's gaze. "You are safe." His final remnants of momentum push them both just barely avoiding the malicious rider who curses them passing by. Ichigo finally lets go as the child heads towards a mother looking on with an expression of joy. A content expression melting into horror as tire screeching begins. A pursuit car behind the cycle, disguised as a civilian car was attempting to stop.

Against there was no time, but it was too late. In the spirit realm, Ichigo knew he was powerful, blessed with a gift to preserve his way of life, his friends, and peace. But even in the mortal realm, he was governed by the rules of nature and the laws. He turned towards the mother and child and briefly smiles, an inappropriate and mismatched trade of expression and closes his eyes.

… "As with the ying and the yang, his judgment is only half complete. For he sees till now through the eyes of the light, now he will be tested from the darkness. We will see if he is worthy and true to the heart. Do not disappoint me… Kurosaki Ichigo…" …

*So my entire plan for my story needed Ichigo to die, or find a way to liberate (hence the title) himself from his current situation. I thought it was really inappropriate to have him be defeated by some punk or thug since he can fight, but also needed his character show in "this final moment." I planned for several scenarios however in my case I chose the least "cheesy" course. However, now that Ichigo is free, let the main story proceed.