Summary: An attack on his family and country, Ichigo is the last surviving child and the rightful King to the throne. Despite this fact, he has no intention of taking back the throne for he doesn't know if he can face his past and prepare for what the future holds.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach

Prologue : In the End was My Beginning.

It was all too familiar, the smoke, the flames, the screams, the sound of steel hitting against steel. It came to life all over again. The battle cries echoed even through the castle's stonewalls. Unfortunately, the ramming of the large wooden doors echoed through too, frightening everyone that had been instructed to stay inside. Sobbing started now, they knew they were close; their efforts had not stopped the enemy.

He felt his mother's hand wrap around his as she pulled him away from the crowd. He hadn't realized how scared he was until that moment, his body felt rigid. Tears began to form in his eyes,

"Ichigo, come with me…" His mother's voice was soothing, hurried but soft. She guided him through the crowd and up the guarded stone steps that lead to a large room. Outside the room the Queen and her son were met with at least twenty soldiers including a very familiar knight,

"Kaien!" Ichigo ran to him, the knight picked him up and held him in a tight embrace. The Queen looked into Kaien's eyes and he knew what he feared the most had come true.

"Is it ..?"

"Yes…they will be here soon" She whispered and showed a worried face to Kaien while her son's back was turned.

"My daughters…"

"Safe...inside."
The Queen moved past him and the soldiers, she turned back,

"Follow me." She ordered. Kaien did so with Ichigo still in his arms. The Queen and the men entered to witness the twin girls crying in the corner of their bedroom. She rushed to them and grabbed them both,

"There, there, girls, everything will be alright…shhh" She tried her best to sooth them. The girls hugged their mother and held on tightly to her dress.

"Ichigo…" The Queen looked over her shoulder to him and held out a hand. Kaien put down the young boy so he could run to his mother. She pulled him into the hug. Ichigo didn't show his tears though he wanted to; he wanted to stay strong for them, for his mother and sisters.

"Mother…" He sniffled,

"I'll protect you…I'll protect all of you." The Queen smiled gently and kissed his forehead,

"Thank you Ichigo…but it's a parents job to protect their children first."
Suddenly she heard the stomping of feet, armor, and swords coming up the stairs. The soldiers began to pull out their own swords, getting ready for the attack.

The mother kissed her children one last time and stood up. Ichigo held his sisters,

"Ichigo, no matter what happens, stay behind me…"

Before Ichigo could respond, the door was now beginning to be slammed against.

"Men! We have sworn to protect our Queen, her children, and their legacy! Today will not be the day we break those vows." Kaien yelled out to encourage his men. The soldiers roared with confidence ready to meet their enemy. Kaien looked back to the Queen, she gave an apologetic smile and he returned her with a determined smile, the one his family was known for.

The doors busted open and suddenly everything faded to black...

A/N: I know it was a short prologue but what do you think? Please let me know, it's my first fanfiction and I have a lot of idea's for this story. If you liked it please review, follow, or favorite!

Thank you for reading!

EDIT: So sorry this got accidentally deleted but I'm still working on it! :")