Title: The Becoming (a.k.a. The Eleven Laws of Soul Society V2)
Rating: T (Just to be safe)
Genre: Drama/Angst/Romance
Characters: Ichigo Kurosaki

Summary: How long does it take for a hero to turn into a villain? To what extent will a man go to win back the one he loves? How can one gain the world but not lose his soul?

Author's Notes: Salutations to everyone who has opened this fan fiction! This is my third multi-chapter bleach fan fiction. This is more Ichigo-centered compared to the previous two. I think this will also be a bit longer compared to the other two. It will have more than ten chappies with more than 3500 words per chappy. Hopefully, I can finish this in six months time. And I hope that you will support this fic!

This is an edited version of The Eleven Laws of Soul Society. If you have read the first version of this fanfiction, the author recommends you to skim through the first two chapters after the prologue. However, the main plot is still the same. Thank you.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach! If I did then this story would not have been fan fiction.

Without further ado,

a/n: Greetings! This is the first chapter of my Bleach fanfiction. All parts in 1st person POV are a part of Ichigo's letter to Ichikyou. Some dialogues and essay not part of the letter will be separated by an HR line. The author will indicate the purpose of that in the beginning of each chapter.

Moon-chan thanks ChevalierAirumel for beta-ing.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

"It is the process by nature in which only the organisms best adapted to their environment tend to survive and transmit their genetic characteristics in increasing numbers to succeeding generations while those less adapted tend to be eliminated."

Chapter One: The Theory of Natural Selection

To Ichikyou, son of Kuchiki Rukia,

I will address to you as such to avoid misinterpretation, misconceptions, or any ill-meaning it could bring. I leave you this letter not in hopes that you will know the real story. Rather, I tell you this to let you decide for yourself what you should believe in. I write in a formal language (not in hopes to imitate Sir William Shakespeare) because the level of my formality will gradually decrease as I continue to write. I am an educator not a bard. My only hope for you is finish reading this letter.

I will begin my story neither the day I lost my mother nor the moment I met your mother. I will start with how I traded my name Ichigo Kurosaki, the humble math teacher, for Owarino Nozomi, the gallant warrior. And it cost no more than colour of my hair and the life of my dearest friend, Abarai Renji.

I was clueless when I arrived in Soul Society. I had no recollection of my previous endeavours. I was wondering aimlessly around the forest of the eightieth Rukongai of Soul Society, when I heard a couple of thugs following me. Thinking I was no match against such individuals, I ran as fast as my feet could carry me. And pretty soon, my zorii ripped and I tripped. I crawled away but I was grabbed by the collar of my kimono. A man threw me to the ground like I was a rock for stone-skipping. I was more surprised when I saw that the person who threw me in the air was an old man. He looked like a weary old man; his stance slouched. He had loose skin and his wrinkles perfectly fitted where he smiled gleefully. Kashira-sama (1)(what I soon called him) inspected if I was worthy to be taken in as a kariru tsuwamono.

I am not certain if you know what a kariru tsuwamono is. A tsuwa, as he is usually called, is a warrior for hire; a gladiator if you know what I mean. He takes part in a shi no odori or dance of death. People would watch tsuwas fight to death. And to be a tsuwa in the eightieth district was indeed an honour as much as a struggle for any soul. And even though I did not like what I would become, I had to accept it. Otherwise, I would have died that very same day.

I continue on with my story. I was given a katana and then taken to my quarters. I had been told that my roommate was Owarino Nozomi, the best among the tsuwas. A man introduced himself to me. At first I thought he was Owarino. This man I met was what could readily be described as a common street punk. He adorned his body with striking black tattoos. His stance clearly aired arrogance and his fiery red hair indicated only one thing: trouble. But later on, I found that this man was no random street punk; he was once a proud lieutenant of the sixth squad of the Court of Pure Souls. No one knew or cared about of his great reputation. This was, after all, the eightieth district of Soul Society.

"I take it from your stance that you're new here." He offered a handshake (which of course I 'gladly' rejected). "Touchy, eh? Well, the name's Abarai Renji. Guys here call me Akai.(2)"

I have have no idea why I had no recollection whatsoever of Renji. Despite that, something told me that I could trust the man with my life. And throughout the remainder of his life, he had proven himself worthy of a true friend and comrade. Though he lived no more than another six months, he had touched my life. He was my partner in crime. It was only a year after his death that I recalled who he really was. If Renji were still among the departed, he could have stopped my folly.

Indeed, death was no man's ally; even for me.

Though he was a close acquaintance, his death never really made a dent in my afterlife. As a proposition, the death that really affects one's life is the one that he caused. If I may put it simply, the people I killed are the ones that affected me most. You may be surprised to hear this. Though I was the one that killed your father, his death is not the one that affected me most. Beleive it or not. It was Owarino Nozomi's death that 'touched' me most. I did not only take his life, but I took his name and almost everything from him (even his hair colour). The only thing I spared was his bloody unrecognizable corpse and his ragged kimono. It wasn't the first life I took, but it was the most merciless way I had snatched anyone's life.

It happened during my first days as a tsuwa. I was relieved when I was awakened by the opening of the sliding doors. Who knew what could have happened to me if I didn't. Even though the man that opened the door was a bit shorter than me and less frightening that Renji, he radiated a feel of dominance and mastery. His long auburn hair suggested that he could be a nobleman. His features were well-formed to the point one would say he was good-looking. My mouth was agape as he approached me. The man stood quietly looking at me from head to toe. I knew that he despised my very existence. He knew that I was favoured by Kashira-sama.

"Greetings, you must be the stray kitten Kashira-sama picked up." He spoke with a hint of disgust. "You know, I despise insects like you. Though that old geezer might be hesitant in taking your life, I have no second thoughts."

As if by instinct, I flash stepped away from him. He pounced and threw me out in the open. It was to my surprise; however, I landed on my two feet and slid backwards. He reappeared a meter from me and drew out his katana. Without thinking, I too unsheathed my sword and blocked his attack. Using my karate skills I learned in grade school, I jabbed his face and I made a run for. I knew I lacked the experience and confidence to knock him out.

I found myself in quadrangle. The other tsuwas gathered around leaving me and Nozomi at the centre of attention. I saw a glimpse of Renji. "Man, you've got to help me!" I shouted to him as if pleading for my life. He shook his head and mumbled that these were one of the things that I needed to do on my own. I thought it was hopeless. I fell on my knees admitting my fate. Yes, I, Ichigo Kurosaki was willing to accept defeat without even trying to win.

My attacker snickered like a maniac. "What's the matter? Don't you have the balls to protect your life?" I threw a glare as sharp as a dagger at him. He continued. "I apologize. I believe it is good manners to introduce yourself to the one who you will kill. I am Owarino Nozomi." Then, he held out his katana and slid his finger down the blade. "Kagayaku na Kagami, hikaru!(3)" he shouted. His katana illuminated almost hindering my vision. He glided towards me. I trusted my impulse and I was left with an injured left shoulder. I winced at the pain as his blade grazed through my shoulder blade. I immediately felt the loss of blood. I was losing to him. I hopped backwards and knelt to the ground.

"You're even worse than a gutless chicken." He chuckled resting his katana over his shoulder. "I wouldn't be surprised if your mom died because of your cowardliness."

At that instant, he drew the line. I wanted him to take back what he said to my mom. I gathered all my strength and struck as many blows as I could. But, I still couldn't get through his resolve. What was worse was that my sight was getting blurry. The large loss of blood had overcome my adrenaline rush. I needed to think fast if I wanted to survive. That was when I heard the whispers in my head.

"Tell me, boy, has fear clouded you judgement so much that you can't fight back?"

"Who are you?" Everything around me froze. An old man wearing a coat appeared standing atop a giant cleaver-like sword with a bandage on its handle. I looked at the man from head to toe. I knew that had met him somewhere, but I wasn't sure where. He jumped of the sword and took hold of it. I repeated my question. "Who the hell are you?"

"The question is 'who are you?'" he replied with another question.

I found myself back to where I was; Owarino standing a meter from me. Then, something came over me. It felt like an impulse yet it felt like a desire. Without thinking, I swung my sword and shouted two words that were unfamiliar to me. "Getsuga Tensho" A slash of white light came from my sword. I was stunned by what had just happened. I saw a couple of drops of blood seep from his forehead. I stared at it. But, it wasn't enough to wash away what he said about my mom. I cut through his left shoulder. I never felt like that before.

I wanted to see more blood.

When I was about to wipe of the blood from my katana, I saw that it had already taken a different shape. I was surprised how familiar-looking the sword was, but I was certain that it was the first time I had seen it. It had become the giant cleaver-like sword I had seen seconds ago. I clasped its handle with both my hands and tried to slice through Owarino. Our swords clash and went flying leaving me and Nozomi in a hand-to-hand battle. I jabbed his face. He kneed my abdomen and took out a knife under his kimono. I evaded his attacks by grabbing his wrist and then twisted his arm and took his knife. Now, I was the one in control. I was beginning to love every second of it.

I could have stopped there by aiming the knife at his throat. But why stop there? I stabbed his lower trunk and I punched him so many times in the face that my knuckles hurt. He stood wobbly but he still managed to insult me. Knowing I had the upper hand, I picked up my sword and blasted a Getsuga Tensho almost ripping him apart. He never failed to look at me with that much intent to kill; his eyes filled with hatred. And that same face still haunted me to this very day for I sometimes saw the images of him following me in the corridors of Court of Pure Souls.

I could have killed him without further ado. I did not. After my second Getsuga Tesho, I grabbed him by the neck. "Take back what you said about my mother." I grind my teeth. I took his sword and I stabbed him. It felt so fulfufilling; it still wasn't enough. He fell to the ground half dead. I jabbed repeatedly loosing count by the time I reached a hundred. By this time, my hands were completely covered in blood. I could not stop myself, not even when he stopped moving.

"Man, that's enough. The bastard's dead." I was brought back to reality when Renji tapped my shoulder. I cannot imagine what I could have done if he did not stop right there and then. When I had gotten a hold of myself, I shrieked at my blooded hands. I shook the corpse hoping that I could bring him back to life. I dug my face in soiled my hands.

"What have I done?" I shouted.

"It doesn't matter now." Renji replied. "He's dead."

"But, I killed him."

"Suck it up." He picked up my katana and handed it to me. "Nozomi," he continued. I knew I was the one he was referring to. "Kashira-sama wants to see you immediately."

I realized I had not yet introduced myself to him. "But, my name is not—"

"Kurosaki Ichigo, right?" Before I could ask another question, the other tsuwas called me. "You shouldn't keep the master waiting." He smiled and left. I looked for him the entire week, but I could not find him. When we met, I had forgotten that he knew my real name. I was too preoccupied with my first shi no odori that time.

When I was summoned by Kashira-sama, I was afraid. I thought that he would execute me for killing his best warrior. I was prepared for the worse, but what happened was contrary to what I expected. When I entered Kashira-sama's quarters, he greeted me with a jolly smile and a sincere congratulation. He told me to sit and have a drink of tea.

"You killed that self-centred son of a bitch, right?" he began. "I could not expect less of you. I knew that from the moment I picked you up." He sipped. "You know what this means, right? You do realize your privileges as Owarino Nozomi."

I shook my head. "But sir, I am not Owarino Nozomi. My name is—"

"No, you are Owarino Nozomi.(4)" He cut me off. "When I die, you will inherit everything I own. You will follow my footsteps. You will be declared the most powerful of all warriors." He chuckled heartily. "But before anything else, please tell the errand boy to buy a brown dye for your hair. I don't want you standing out because of your hair."

He signalled me to leave. I bowed and left the room. I had other things to do that night. The house helpers set up the bonfire to cremate the late Nozomi. I requested I be the one to throw his body in the flames. I observed how the fire devoured his body. I uttered a silent prayer for his soul. The moment I threw the bloody kimono in the flames was the same time the name Ichigo Kurosaki disappeared in the flames. Believe it or not, I became another person just overnight... and every drop of blood spilled was worth it.

Life after that become boring for the next month. By morning, I was learning everything I can in the battlefield. In the afternoon, I was educating myself about all I need to know about Soul Society. And when darkness fell, I practice my Mathematics making sure that my skills won't dull. This was the routine day after day after day.

And Kashira-sama had been almost like a father to me. He spoiled like I was his only son. He gave me everything what I asked for and all just for a price. I just had to win for him. What trailed behind all of those wonderful things had an even greater price; one that I could not even imagine. And it was worth no less than the life of Abarai Renji. And indeed, no amount would be more sufficient for such a prize.

Coincidence or not, the day Renji died was the same day the world knew me as Owarino Nozomi. It was on by debut as tsuwa. It was my first shi no odori. Renji died in the battlefield and couldn't deserve any nobler death. It is my sincerest wish that he was born into a peace life. And I also hope that you, Ichikyou, will find a friend like that.

Renji's death happened during the climax of my first shi no odori. There were only two of us in ring of action against seven opponents. The crowd cheered. They shouted, "Spare no one." You cannot imagine how ready I was to face death yet again. But, Renji said that we would survive this. I slashed through one of the opponents and the crowd roared harder. I split another man. He dropped dead in front of me. The images of the deceased Owarino flashed before my eyes. I panicked. I dropped to my knees and buried my face in my palms. I just wished everything would stop.

"Man, you've got to snap out of it." He shouted as he ran towards me. Seeing I was open, two opponents rushed towards me. In an effort to save me, Renji blocked one of the opponents. However, he failed to realize there was another one. A katana was thrust into his stomach. He fell to the ground. The trauma had taken over me. I couldn't bear to lose my good friend. I stood up, clenched my sword, and lost myself.

The next thing I saw was a pile of lifeless bodies scattered over the arena. The name Owarino Nozomi echoed in the arena. They were rejoicing... for me. However, I wasn't. I ran towards Renji. I knelt beside him. I told to get up. The fight was over. We won. He just smiled and chuckled.

"There's nothing more that can be done." He panted. "This is fate... for you to live and me to die."

"What about Rukia?" I asked. I surprised to have mentioned her name though having idea who she was at that time. Her name lingered on my lips. However, I was cautious to say her name again. "Where is she?"

Renji laughed. "She's waiting for you." He paused. "She always has. Now, the fate of Soul Society rests in your hands." He dropped dead. I shook him hoping to revive him but to no avail. I stood up and uttered a silent prayer. I clasped my hands tighter. I lost not only a friend but a brother. I vowed to myself that I wouldn't anything like this happen again.

I grew stronger, drowning myself in riches, power, and fame. Eventually, the existence of Abarai Renji became no more than a dream. I did not seek to look for your mother. I was content. Not even a trace of Ichigo Kurosaki could be found. The day that I became known as Owarino Nozomi was the day Soul Society lost all hope of redemption. And maybe from the beginning, it was Renji's death that would my slow descent to hell. He could have stopped me. He would have.

But, as you can see now, Ichikyou, I have already sentenced myself to hell.

The death of Abarai Renji was all in vain.

a/n: That was the first chapter. Here are some of the meanings of numbered items in the chapter.

*The definition of 'natural selection' was taken from answers(dot)com.

(1) Kashira is master. So, Kashira-sama is kind of a title for the old man.
(2)It translates to 'red'. I think it's a cool punky nickname for Renji.
(3)In English, it is 'bright mirror, shine!'
(4)Owari no Nozomi, if I am not mistaken means last hope. This will be Ichigo's name in the coming chapters.

If there are any hazy parts or any other unclear things discussed in this chapter, please do not hesitate to ask.

Love lots,
Moon-chan