Author's Note: Yes I am alive. Sorry about the wrong info! Truly I am – I just had no idea how I was going to retype all of this – yet this is proof of how different this will be from the original. This chapter alone is far more different than the previous chapter one. Also there will be no flashback sequences like the original as I found writing the flashback scenes ruined the mood of the story and somehow took my muse away for continuing this story. I would love to hear what you guys think in a review and if I should continue writing. Thanks and enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. All rights are reserved.

Chapter One (Rewrite)

Waking up from an inconsolable nightmare had him upright in bed in an instant, as pale moonlight draped in and illuminated a boy with long, dark orange hair. Sweat accumulated through the rough hours of sleep, clinging closely to his robes his hair matted with sweat… His hands shook as well as his body… how many times now did it make? 10? 20? He had lost count after the sixth night… it didn't matter how tired he was he always awoke the same.

Getting up from his covers – standing up and grabbing a cloth that laid against his side table – wiping away the gathered wetness that formed around his face and neck. Every time his eyes closed a horrid and gruesome face appeared along with high volume screeches that had him turning over each night. He was only ten years of age and his nightmares still made him terrified even though his father always told him that they only belonged to the world of make believe. Yet, he always considered his father and his life as part of that make believe world.

His whole ten years of growing up was exactly out of a fairy tale with masquerades, sword-fighting, and getting waited on hand and foot. A Prince he was… he was always referred to as 'Prince' never by his own name… sometimes he felt lonely and even lonelier when his nightmares ended.

His servant – a women who had long blond hair that was tied behind her back, and blue eyes with a complexion of pure ivory – always checked up on him, Mari, was her name. "The nightmare again?" her voice drifted, his eyes targeting the direction seeing his door open and Mari walking and stopping at his bedside.

Setting the cloth back on the side table and nodded his little head. "My Prince, I wish I could tell you the nightmares will go away in time. Although that would be a lie. I wish I could offer you some words of comfort…" she expresses, however her words did offer him comfort in a way. Mari had cared for him ever since he could remember – replacing the places where his father couldn't pick up… His father was a King – always busy with paper work and dealings of the kingdom. He loved his father, though… what little kid wouldn't? He looked up to his father and wanted to be like him when he grew up.

Mari presented him with a clear glass of water, he accepted it and grabbed ahold of the thin glass drinking it greedily. His robes dragged along the pale-white tile while he combed his long hair with the side of his hand. Silver eyes just as illuminating as the pale moon above. At some point, his thoughts led him to wanting to know why he had been plagued by endless nightmares.

Why he was chosen to watch over and over…. the war… the lost lives…, death. No one wanted to witness those tragedies. So why… why him?

He had asked himself that over the years until the nightmares stopped and forgot he even had them. The nightmares made him stronger, tougher; able to deal with the world's blind truths. At some point in his life he had matured from his ten year old self – experienced more, knowledge was power some would say others would say power… he had that, too. In the form of his sword. The correct term was Zanpaukto.

His father's second in command, Titus, had taught him about Zanpauktos and their many powers. Through Zanjutsu (swordsmanship) each Zanpaukto is unique: the swords are reflections of a Shinigami's power and soul. Shinigami being the operative term of what he was… yes he was a Shinigami. A creature of death.

Many sword lessons and private lessons later Ichigo had discovered the world that had been hidden from him. At first, when he heard the voices it reminded him of the night terrors that plagued his younger years. Although, his father, who had told him the truth – the truth of his home.

The Soul Kingdom – his father being the Soul King and him being the Soul Prince. The truth was a lot to handle and at some point that little boy was replaced; replaced by a seeker… a seeker of knowledge and truths and information. With gaining knowledge and power Ichigo was envied by his people and his father proud. His father watched over him his whole life watching him countering his fears and learning to be brave in the face of danger. Conquering everything and succeeding in every little thing he did.

Soon enough he found himself on missions his father ordered of him. With each mission he gained experience – soon that experience evolved into something far greater. Until his missions became history – and in that made his existence revered to others. The simple wording of 'Prince' evoked happiness and fear at the same time.

He was currently walking his way towards the throne room. The point where the whole kingdom came alive. He heard his footsteps echo through the hall – many steps later he pushed double doors open to reveal a spacious and grand throne room.

"I see you've made it in record time, my son." A gruff, but gentle voice reverberated throughout the grand room. He didn't lose his footing when the doors closed behind him continuing his pace until he stopped only inches from his father – the Soul King.

"I've returned from the outer cities of the living world dealing with the influx of Hollow activity." He reported taking a short glance around the throne room. He could see his father's second in command, Titus, behind him to the right – Mari was standing to the left of himself in her usual position – overlooking the room for signs of danger. Although – when he continued to glance to his father's guard he saw soft smiles gracing their faces – it had been a long while since the kingdom's atmosphere was this light. His gaze softened for the moment.

"Is there any new assignments that should be made available to me?" He asked his father. Considering himself able to do more than simply dealing with Hollows so it surprised him when his father suggested going to the Soul Society. When he was younger he read a lot about the Soul Society and the Gotei Thirteen.

"It has come to my esteemed attention from the Captain Commander of the Gotei Thirteen that a Soul Reaper that was a former Captain has committed several unspeakable crimes down in the living world and in the Soul Society as well as breaking out of Mugen prison below Central forty-six. Due to central forty-six being down as the representatives have all been executed by said prisoner. I want you to bring back the escapee and bring him back to be executed by my hand. I will handing you authority in the matter – whatever decisions the Gotei make have to be considered through you." All he could do was gawk – he hadn't heard his father speak that much in a single sitting – what made even more unbelievable was the seriousness of his father's voice and the severity of his words promised.

He bowed his head in acceptance he was no longer dealing with childish problems for once in his adult life he was handed a problem that affected not just him or the people around him – he was dealing with a person of his own mind set. A seeker.