:::::::

The sound of a blade slicing through hay broke the silence, followed by a clap.

A ten year old girl stood sweating profusely and breathing heavily, sword in hand. In one swift motion, she sheathed her blade and smiled at her one-man audience.

"How was that Onii-chan?" she asked, her voice excited.

The man smiled appreciatively. "You're getting better," he replied, kicking one half of the hay flat. "Tighten your grip and use more power, okay?"

She nodded and he backed away as she unsheathed her blade once more. Usually, she wasn't a fighter, but her brother insisted that she learn to fight for her safety in the future. The girl didn't like how the blade felt in her hands - it didn't feel... right - but she knew her brother was just trying to help her.

She took a deep breath, tightened her grip, and swung with all her might. The hay severed into halves as it fell against the floor uselessly. Her brother smiled. "Better."

She squealed at the praise and sheathed her sword. The girl wasn't a warrior and she didn't see herself ever using these lessons in the future, but she practiced anyway to not disappoint her brother.

He patted her head gently. "I'm proud of you. You'll be a great fighter in the near future, Orihime."

She smiled tenderly and grabbed his hand, keeping it on her head.

"Thank you, Onii-chan."

:::::::

The sword was taller than his body and heavier in his grip, but he was told to wield it. As his opponent ran towards him, he brought up the onyx blade and blocked the oncoming attack with a grunt.

"Use your legs!"

His father sat on the side, watching his sons progress, coaching him when necessary. He saw the ten year old boy as a fighter, a protector, in the next few years. It was required to teach him how to use a sword to be able to protect what was his.

Thin arms encircled around his neck and he relaxed into the grip as his wife kissed the top of his head. "Don't be too hard on him now, love."

The man grinned and crossed his arms. "Come now. He's practically a stick! I have to train him somehow."

The boy blocked another attack and swung at his opponent, growling as they deflected the blow. He was much taller and way more experienced!

"Now now, Kurosaki-san. We can't have you getting frustrated, now can we?" the opponent said and lazily swiped at him again. The boy, in return, blocked the attack and pushed the sword away.

The mother frowned. "Dear, don't you think he's at a disadvantage? Urahara-san is a full grown adult."

Her husband turned his head around and poked her cheek, making her frown disappear. "It's alright. It's better this way. Means it'll be easier in the future. Just trust me, Masaki."

The woman, Masaki, hummed and rested her chin on his shoulder. "I suppose. But if he hurts our son, I'll grab my blade and show you how it's done. Okay, Kurosaki Isshin?"

Isshin grinned and playfully saluted. "Yes ma'am. But Ichigo will be just fine." He turned his head back to his son, who just blocked another attack. "Get on the offense boy!"

The boy, Ichigo, just groaned loudly before swinging his sword at Urahara, who grinned in return.

A future protector.

:::::::

Screams, blood, and fire were everywhere. Swords were drawn, battles were engaged and bodies were strewn about. But she didn't care.

She didn't care at all.

Orihime ran through the fields, her legs stomping against the wet soil. Rain poured over the forest, but that didn't stop her.

Her brother was in danger.

He had told her to stay back and wait, but she didn't listen. As soon as she saw him grip sword tightly as he gave her a sad smile, she knew something was wrong. As soon as he didn't say he'd return back to her, she knew something was very wrong.

And she followed him as he left, grabbing her own blade in the process in case she needed it.

And she really needed it.

She didn't know she'd walk in a battlefield when she followed her brother. She didn't know that she'd have to dodge falling, decapitated bodies when she ran. She didn't even know that she'd promise to help people when they begged for life.

But she did.

"Onii-chan!" Orihime called, pushing her wet bangs out of her face. Quickly, she dug into her kimono and pulled out the blue hairclips her brother had gave to her, pinning back her hair and running again. Her sword was still in her hand, sheathed. Orihime refused to pull it out, not wanting to fight anyone and shed someones blood. She absolutely refused.

"Onii-chan!" she cried, frantically looking around the area.

Too much blood. Such big fires. So many bodies.

The stench.

The visual.

It was sickening.

Orihime had to choke back a sob as she truly took all of this in. Absorbed it completely. Everyone was dying, and she didn't even know who they were!

She would help them, after she helped her brother.

"Onii-cha-"

Two large hands gripped her upper arms tightly and her eyes widened. Quickly, she was pulled into a hard chest and she screamed. Instantly, a hand covered her mouth.

"It's me."

Her brother.

Tears welled in her eyes and she spun her head around. There stood her brother, his brown hair caked with blood and a frown in place. Orihime smiled shakily, breathing out a sigh of relief.

He was alright.

"I told you to stay back. Why are you here? You shouldn't see this!" he nearly yelled, the worry clear in his voice.

"I was worried about you. Y-You were acting funny," she replied meekly.

"Go back home," he commanded.

"Will you return?"

He didn't answer.

"Just go back," he said, and Orihime didn't miss the sadness in his voice. Her bottom lip quivered.

"I won't leave without you."

"It's dangerous here."

"I want to help! People are -"

Her words were cut off with a gasp as she saw a silver blade plunge through her brothers chest. He cried out and dropped to his knees, the sword leaving his body as blood trickled out of his mouth and chest. Orihime's eyes widened in shock and she backed away numbly.

Sora's breathing became erratic as he held a hand to his chest and looked at his sister. She was pale. She was scared.

She was in danger.

"Run..." he croaked out. Her eyes moved from his and dropped to his hand, and then to his attacker who he had yet to see. She didn't move and he heard the feet behind him shuffle. "RUN!"

She jumped, turned, and was about to run, but she stood her ground. If she ran, she would be leaving her brother to die alone. He would bleed out on the filthy ground in the rain, and she would be gone.

She didn't want that.

Orihime gripped the hilt of her sword and pulled it free, turning to face the man. Brown hair fell just above his shoulders and a kind smile plastered itself onto his face. Mischief danced in his brown eyes.

False politeness.

Orihime fixed herself into a fighting stance, ready to attack. At first, she refused to use her weapon, but her brother's life was on the line.

She needed to save him.

"Interesting," she heard the man mutter. Her eyes narrowed and she tightened her grip.

"Run..." her brother said breathlessly, before falling to the ground, panting heavily. "Please... Just go."

"I'll show you I can fight, Onii-chan," Orihime said determinedly. "I can do it..."

"'Onii-chan'?" the man said questioningly before letting a mischievous grin grace his features. "Interesting indeed."

And he was gone.

He ran faster than her eyes could see, and she was left staring blankly at the spot he last stood. No man should've been able to run that fast. It was impossible!

Her brother groaned and she proved herself wrong as she quickly made it to his side. Her wide eyes scanned over his body and tears welled up.

There was nothing she could do.

He'd been laying there for too long, his blood pouring out of his body, for her to save him. For her to do anything.

She felt useless.

He was always protecting her. He was always teaching her to protect herself and others if necessary. He taught her how to basically heal a person in six days sooner than the given time. He taught her everything! He did everything!

What should I do?

Her hands went up to her hair and she gripped it tightly.

What should I do?

Sora gave a small, strained smile.

What can I do?

Nothing.

Orihime threw her head back and screamed. Sora could only watch as she sobbed uncontrollably over his body, a pained smile on his face. He knew he was too far gone to heal and he knew she was trying to figure out something to do. But there was nothing. He was dying.

She would be alone. He didn't want that.

She didn't want that.

"I'm sorry, Orihime..."

And he closed his eyes.

:::::::

Ichigo ran through the fields, kicking away bodies in his path. His sword was stained with blood from others who dared to attack him. Even though he'd never really fought in an actual battle, he had to say he was doing pretty well. His father taught him well.

Not that he'd ever admit it.

Ichigo struck down another man who tried to slice his sword through his neck, and continued running. Though he wasn't worried, he needed to find his father. It was a surprise attack and he wasn't anywhere near the man when it started.

"Dad!" Ichigo called, passing by another body. "Oi, Dad!"

The rain had stopped long ago, and yet the fires were still licking his unprotected arms. But the pain didn't register when he knew his family was in possible danger. Both his father and mother were skilled in swordsmanship, so he wasn't particularly worried. However, his sisters could barely walk straight at their age, making him more concerned about them. Ichigo knew his parents could protect themselves while he watched over his siblings.

At least that's what he thought, until he turned the corner.

His father was bloodied and panting as he stood in front of his wailing sisters and equally bloodied mother. She was lying on the ground, her back to him.

Immediately, he could tell something was wrong.

Isshin's grip was extremely tight on his sword, damn near drawing blood from the pressure. His teeth were clenched behind lips that were in a tight line. His eyes burned with rage and unforgiveness.

Blood pooled under his mothers body and stained hers and his sisters kimonos. She wasn't moving.

She wasn't moving!

Ichigo's own grip tightened considerably and he glared murderously at the pale skinned man, who was wearing a wide grin under his squinted eyes. His grin widened as he turned towards the new presence.

"Another?" the man questioned.

Neither answered.

The mans grin grew even wider, if that was possible. "Well that's interestin'." He swung his sword onto his shoulder lazily. "Ya might want ta protect yer son as well. Ya already lost yer wife."

Ichigo's eyes widened in disbelief as he quickly looked towards his mother. Isshin glared at the man, who was facing his son.

The boy quickly ran to his mothers side and pulled her body on her back. He gasped.

A large hole sat in the middle of his mothers chest.

Ichigo saw red.

He let out a war cry, attacking the man with his sword at speeds he didn't know he possessed.

"Oh? Was I not supposed ta say that?" the man said, amusement thick in his voice.

He didn't feel like himself. Ichigo felt like something else was fighting for him. But he didn't care. All he cared about was the pain and anger he felt, shining raw in his eyes, as he sliced a clean cut into the mans leg.

His mother was dead.

This man had murdered his mother!

He would murder him.

Ichigo went to stab the man in his midsection, but he suddenly disappeared. The boy looked around frantically to find his prey, who was standing at the top of a tree.

How did he get there?

"Looks like I don' have much time ta play anymore, boy," he said with a backwards step. "Say 'bye bye' ta mommy fer me."

And he was gone.

Reality came crashing down on his shoulders as his vision cleared. Ichigo wobbled a bit and slowly turned to face his family. His father was now sitting by his mothers side with his sisters in his arms. They were still sobbing loudly and that only seemed to make his heart clench at the sight more.

His grip tightened and he bowed his head.

A tear escaped his eye, followed by more. Soon, he was on his knees, sobbing loudly, desperately, angrily.

His mother was dead. The woman who had raised him. The woman who he loved dearly. The woman who he had swore to protect with his life.

She was gone.

And he couldn't do anything.

:::::::

A/N: Just slap me and call me horrible. I started yet another story when I'm a horrible updater...er? And on top of that, this is a short chapter one. And on top of THAT, it's so angsty!

Lord help me.

I changed a few things, obviously. Hope that doesn't bother you.

Please leave a review and let me know how this went. Chapters will get longer, almost as long as Of Protectors and Princesses.

Ja ne!