Author's Note: Before we get to the story there are a few things that I would like to say:

First, I wanted to give a shout-out to xTKx, my new IchiHitsu friend and say "Thank You!" because you totally helped me figure out how I wanted to get this story started, which I was actually having a lot of issues with.

Second, I've decided I wanted to try and try out an AU story and there are a lot of new things I'm trying out, like characters I've never really worked with before and stuff like that so if some characters seem OOC at times I apologize, just let me know and I'll definitely try and fix it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

Prologue

Ichigo Kurosaki was walking along a deserted street at night; one that he had walked about one hundred times before. He knew every single pebble on the street and it was an easy bet that the orange haired teenager would be able to navigate the street effortlessly even when blindfolded. But despite his familiarity with this particular street, Ichigo had never been too fond of the endless nights that always began at this particular location.

Good riddance; I just need to finish my business here and then I can leave this wretched place forever and I never have to look back.

Ichigo finally reached what would seem like anyone else to be a dead end; but the carrot top knew better. He walked over to a rather large grouping of mismatched bricks that any average person might dismiss as a simple building error. After knocking in a very distinct pattern the block of bricks swung back like a door, revealing a man who had been silently waiting in the shadows.

"Kurosaki, the boss wants a word with you." The tall and lanky man said as he split the silence, his voice echoing around the long, dark tunnel. "I dunno what it's about, but it's got him in a right foul mood and you should know that it takes a lot to get under the boss's skin."

"As a matter a fact, I was just on my way to talk to him. I have a few things I need to sort out." Ichigo had hoped that the boss wouldn't find out about his plans, but very few things went unnoticed by the boss of the biggest gang in Shinkou City.

"Good luck with that man," the other man said, "I definitely don't envy your position, Kurosaki. You're going to have to have one hell of a speech to get'cha self out of this one."

The two men finally approached an antique door that looked very out of place, just like most everything else. It was, of course locked. The male ahead of Ichigo uncovered a small keypad that was carefully concealed by a small cloth; both men entered their respective numbers and waited until the door swung open to reveal a large crowded room. It was easy to see that all the men inside were either smoking, drinking, or surrounded by groups of women. The male that had escorted Ichigo thus far made his way over to a pair of huge eloquent and extravagant looking doors at the far back of the dark room, but not before whispering, "I'll tell 'im that you've arrived. Just wait here until he is ready to see you."

Ichigo merely smirked before looking around the familiar space; it hadn't changed one bit since he had been gone. In one of the far corners of the room there were a couple of couches where a pair of men were playing cards while smoking cigars and drinking. The majority of the room was filled with tables and on the far wall near the couches there was a stage where strippers would occasionally come out and perform at night as a special treat by the boss. Right across the room from the stage was the bar area, which was always the most crowded part of the room.

"Well well, if it isn't the Ichigo Kurosaki…" A voice came from behind the strawberry as he felt someone's hand smack him hard on the shoulder.

"I don't have time for games today, Renji." Ichigo said without even bothering to move a muscle in acknowledgement to the redhead.

"Come on… don't be like that, Strawberry." Renji shouted as he grinned while slapping Ichigo on the back again. However as soon as the grin had appeared it was gone, replaced with a serious frown. Renji looked around to make sure no-one was watching them before continuing. "You know man, you gotta be more careful… Rumors have been going around and people have been talking… about you leaving."

"They aren't rumors." Ichigo stated bluntly as he turned around to face the one person he had been able to trust one-hundred percent these past few years.

"Do you have a fucking death wish, Ichigo?" Renji almost shouted in surprise, "The boss isn't going to let you go easily… you know that, right? He doesn't take to losing people well, especially someone as useful as you."

"You should know as well as anyone that I only joined this damn gang to protect my family, but now the best way to protect them is to get as far away from here as possible." Ichigo noticed the doubtful look on his friend's face before continuing, "I'm sorry it had to come to this man, but I have to do whatever it takes to keep them safe and if that means skipping town that's what I gotta do."

Renji frowned, he knew that Ichigo had a point but they had been like brothers ever since elementary school. They had originally planned to join the gang and fight their way to the top together to make Shinkou City a safer place for everyone but then all of a sudden Ichigo decides to pull this crap and decides to just move away. "What the hell Ichigo? This isn't part of our plan."

"Actually, it's just the thing we need. We were never going to get to the top the way we were going. Just face it Renji, we serve no purpose other than to do the boss's dirty work."

"Well, if you're leaving then I'm going too. I have no reason to be here."

"No, that's not true. You need to stay here, Renji." Ichigo insisted as he set his large hand on top of the pineapple's shoulder.

"Wha-" Renji started, still confused, but he was interrupted by an adamant Ichigo.

"Just trust me on this man. Even though every part of me is begging to cut all ties to this place, I can't help but have the gut feeling that-"

"Kurosaki."

Ichigo and Renji froze instantly and very slowly Ichigo turned around to see one of the boss's personal flunkies standing so close he could feel the man's rancid breath on his face. Crap! How much did he hear? If he finds out that we aren't loyal to the gang, there's no doubt he'll go to the boss in hope of some kind of payment. Luckily for the two teenagers, the man didn't seem to have noticed let alone heard anything.

"The boss is ready for you." The man grunted, "Hmph… I've been told to bring you in." The large bulky man that Ichigo recognized as a man named Yammy yanked Ichigo's arm hard enough that Ichigo thought he might pull it out of its socket. The brute in front of Ichigo that went by the name of Yammy had always been known for his anger issues and aggressiveness, and it certainly played a huge part in getting him a position in the boss's personal guard.

Ichigo didn't even attempt to struggle; he knew it would not end well if he did. He sent a warning look in Renji's direction before being forcefully led over to the large doors at the far end of the room.

Yammy pounded on the doors with his fist with such force Ichigo was sure the doors would cave, but they stayed unmoved and still as if they were made of steel. A few moments of awkward silence passed before the doors finally opened and the two men entered.

Ichigo had been taken to the boss's almost an hour ago. What is taking so long? Renji thought as he stood up and walked over to the ominous doors behind which Ichigo had disappeared. The redhead was just about to knock, and demand to be let in when the doors flew open and a group of men quickly ran in from behind him before promptly slamming the door in his face. Renji simply stood in front of the door dazed, still not exactly sure what had just happened. It was a few minutes later that the doors opened once again, but this time there was just a single figure that Renji could see and as the figure approached he recognized…

"Ichigo…" Renji breathed slowly as the orange haired teenager walked past him breathing rather hard. Ichigo silently mouthed 'later,' as he rushed past the redhead before hastily leaving through the door through which he had originally entered.

Renji could only imagine what had happened while Ichigo had been in with the boss. He had noticed a few black and blue marks that were bound to turn into some nasty bruises on Ichigo's face, neck and arms and was pretty sure that he also saw a small number of cuts on his arms as well. Of course the boss wouldn't take well to what Ichigo had to say. I'm sure Ichigo ended up having to fight his way out.

Renji started to make his way back to the table he had been sitting at when something in his head suddenly clicked. Those guys! The ones that rushed in right before Ichigo came out… they must have been reinforcements to try and knock some 'sense' into him. Renji scratched his head, confused. I don't ever remember seeing any of those guys around here before… but judging by how fast Ichigo came out of that room, they must not have been that tough.

"What are you gonna about that Kurosaki guy, boss?"

"We don't need to do anything quite yet, Ichigo Kurosaki will come back to us soon enough… given the right reasons." The man in the large chair simply smiled, which made a chill fly down the spine of every single person in the room.

"But boss-" the man started to protest but was swiftly interrupted by the other.

"Are you questioning my methods? Do you believe that all will not work out as I have predicted?" The other man didn't dare reply, for fear of any consequences that might come with it.

"Ichigo Kurosaki might think that he can just leave us behind, but he will soon find out that once you join our little family you never truly leave. He will always be a part of this place and well; I don't much feel like saying goodbye to someone with his talents just yet…" The man paused and laughed and then a sudden thought struck him that made him let out a small chuckle. "This many just work out better than I had originally thought. Ichigo Kurosaki is going to prove a very valuable person indeed."

A/N: Sort of a slow start, I know... but I felt that this was a really important scene and I promise we will definitely see some Toshirou next chapter! In the meantime, pleaseeeee review!