Hello everyone and welcome to my first Bleach story! This will be different from canon in many ways so be wary of that.

Also to my readers, about my first Naruto story I took it down because I just didn't like the way I started it so I scrapped the idea and have been thinking of trying something different. As for my other two fics, I know I know it's been more than a month since an update. I've got too many idea's, too much to stay concentrated or inspired enough on just one or two. I'll try to get back to them, but I can't promise much with these other idea's, and my work.

This will be a Powerful Ichigo fic letting you know now.

Now disclaimer: I don't own Bleach...sadly...

Warning: Mature content not suitable for young readers

Now on with the story!

The Story of the Protector

Prologue: The Beginning

If one word could describe what Kurosaki Ichigo could feel at this moment right now it would have to be called helplessness. As of right now the young nine year old Kurosaki had never felt so utterly helpless and weak as he sat their on the cold, wet ground. His spiky orange hair was soaked by the rain and his brown eyes were filled with fear. His eyes were staring up at a terrifying sight of some type of monster hovering over him with its mouth set in a twisted grin. It's entire body was covered in brown fur while its head, if Ichigo could even call it that, looked like a white skull with red markings and red eyes glaring him down in a hungry gaze. Lastly hovering over the beasts head was a long antenna-like object which at the end had the form of a small girl smiling down at him in a wicked fashion.

However it was not this that scared Ichigo nor did it make him feel this overwhelming feeling of helplessness no it was the fact that his mother, Masaki Kurosaki, the center of his entire family was running toward him screaming his name to move as the monstrosity, no one but him and his mother could see, seemed ready to kill him him with its claw reared back ready to plunge through him. He was scared for his mother who was too close that the hit would hit her instead, but he couldn't speak nor utter a word for he was too shocked at the monstrosity to say anything.

Before this even happened the day had started off pretty normal for Ichigo, he woke up bright and early and got ready for school played with his two young fraternal twin sisters and ate breakfast with the family as always. He went to school meeting his childhood friend Tatsuki Arisawa along the way and after school he and his mother went to his annual day at the Dojo so he could train with Tatsuki.

Okay Ichigo would admit it to himself that today had been a bit less the normal as he had been seeing a lot more apparitions or weird images more then usual. He's been seeing so many people others couldn't see and it confused him since today he's been seeing them more then ever before. He didn't tell anyone of this though since he didn't want anyone to worry or the fact that he's been feeling something welling up inside him. He didn't know what that feeling was, but as to not worry anyone he kept quiet about it.

For as long he could remember Ichigo had always been able to see things others couldn't and do things many others his age or even those older then him could not do like running faster, jumping great heights or even have more endurance then most of his age group. The only ones who seemed to know about this was his parents, his father and mother. He himself had always been confused as to why he was like this, but he never questioned it and went along with it either way as it seemed to always placate his little sisters who always liked to watch him do these amazing feats since due to their young age saw it as cool.

So yes, Ichigo felt today had been rather strange, but now as he was faced with his monstrosity before him and the threat of his mother about to be impaled by this thing and killed before his very eyes was something that scared him the most. The very thought of his mother being killed made him want to shout in outrage, scream and yell in denial, but the possibility of it happening and right infront of him was increasing every step she took toward his form.

He wanted to yell at her to stay away from him, but he couldn't speak or utter a single word yet the need to protect his mother was weighing down on the young Kurosaki so much so that it was causing him to turn his gaze back toward the monster before him and though the beast found it amusing he glared with all he could.

He promised his mother he would protect her, protect his family, and protect all that which he cares for, his mother, father, Karin and Yuzu, Tatsuki and the rest of his friends.

He'd be damned before he let's anyone hurt them in any manner...he would keep his promise no matter the cost!

'I will protect Kaa-san...I won't let this thing hurt her!'

Somehow the young 9 year old kept himself awake since he could feel a slight numbing feel causing him to feel drowzy, he wouldn't fall, No! Not when his mother was in danger! He would not let it happen by whatever means and though the young Kurosaki didn't see it, but the monstrosity saw was his brown eyes started to glow.

''Sochi run! Get out of there!'' his mother's cries echoed through his ears, and like many children his age he didn't listen yet unlike so many others he stood tall glaring with all he had at the monstrosity before him and with all, but a breath the young Kurosaki spoke.

''I won't let you hurt kaa-san...I won't allow it!'' he yelled whilst he glared at the monster with anger yet the thing seemed to grin in sheer amusement of it all. To see him struggle and squirm under his sheer presence was plainly amusing to see. Originally the beast had planned to lead the little brat away from the woman, but this boy was in its way and it was famished for souls and a young innocent child would be a great appetizer.

''Hehe boy you have no idea of what I am, but I will enjoy devouring your soul before I feast upon the main course.'' the monster spoke whilst its eyes if Ichigo could call them that seemed to avert towards his mother running toward him desperately yelling at him to run away. Upon seeing this and seemingly able to interpret what the monster said caused the young Kurosaki to narrow his brown orb into the monsters golden sinister ones.

And as if some switch had been flipped, deep inside the young boy, within the very depths of his soul something cried out, spilled forth and seemed to break the very chains of its mortality. It came out in small unnoticeable ways with the mysterious glow in Ichigo's eyes. However very soon upon glaring up at the monster with all the anger he could muster, with all the hate and rage his 9 year old boy could drag forth...

Only then did on that stormy rainy night, as the bolts of thunderous lightning rumbled and struck true was a maelstrom pure power unleashed...

''LEAVE KAA-CHAN ALONE!''

In a yell so fierce for one so young the young Kurosaki closed his eyes and unknowingly his entire body erupted in a blue fiery blaze of raw power, the very ground cratered and the monster before him once grinning now stumbled back from the sheer release of the boy's mysterious power. His mother, Masaki, stood frozen in sheer shock at the sight before her, but unlike the monster's eyes who were wide in fear her brown orbs were staring at her eldest son in sheer surprise.

'No...sochi...has his power...released this early!?' was what she thought before her sons yell broke her from her stupor causing her to blink and doing so she only saw one thing before her entire vision went black from the surge of her sons power coming down upon her, and the hollow.

That sight was of Ichigo's body glowing completely blue as raw spiritual flames of power came off his body seemed to surround his unconscious form before they enveloped his body in a protective shell. The monster so taken back could only utter its words out in a shaken terrified tone such was its fear as the raw thick spiritual power washed over its form and the very pressure of which caused the beast to fall to its knees as an immense weight seemed to press down on him unshakable and unbearable to the beast.

It's golden orbs once filled with twisted sinister amusement dilated in shock and fear as it stared at this child-no this was no child!-this was by no means a mortal for no mortal had this type of power and in such an abundance like this. No, this power such uncontrollable power caused the beast only think of one thing as it looked at its once thought appetizer in growing fright.

'This thing is no mortal...what is he...this power is like that of shinigamis, but so much more...he has to die...he must DIE!' growing in desperation the behemoth broke out in a desperate charge raising its claw ready to cleave the young Kurosaki in half and end the young boy's life right then and there.

That proved to be his last mistake as the spiritual power engulfing Ichigo seemed to sense its intent acted accordingly when its master is threatened, and the last thing the hollow, famed Grand Fisher saw before his entire body was engulfed in a bright blue beam of a spiritual energy was the glaring eyes of a formless figure deep within the spiritual blue flames.

Boom!

What happened next was almost a soundless, but very tremendous explosion that any other normal person would have thought they felt as if a sudden shockwave blew them off their feet. But in the eyes of those with spiritual ties would have seen the giant blue pillar that pierced the very black stormy skies or the roar of something in the ravaging storm.

It would only be a few short minutes later as the downpour only got stronger did a figure appear amidst the rain and the figure came running down the wet muddy slope near to the river bed where the person who's voice could be identified as male shouted out in urgency.

''Masaki! Ichigo!'' the worry in the man's voice was evident and only when lightning struck among the skies did the mans appearance show. He was fairly tall around 6'1 with a middle aged complexion. He bore a stubble among his face, his spiky black hair was damp from the rain as his black eyes scanning the ground for his wife and son in worry. He wore simply garments being a white long sleeved shirt and blue jeans with simple brown shoes.

This man was Kurosaki Isshin the husband of Kurosaki Masaki and father of the Kurosaki siblings...

Once he spotted a prone figure his heart suddenly froze before he skid down the riverbank only to see his wife laying on the ground quickly he checked her over and sighed in relief when he found her to only be unconscious. However his relief soon ended when his gaze turned upward only to freeze upon the sight at which he soon found. For before him as he held his wife's unconscious form was near the edge of the riverbank close to the river itself was another prone form however unlike Masaki this figure was still standing upright even if the form seemed to be slack in all sense of motor function. Holding down his unease Isshin gently held up his wife and walked toward the prone form and just as he got a clearer view the worry in Isshin's heart only grew tenfold It was only when he saw who it was taht isshin felt as if had been stabbed in the heart, guilt flooding every fiber of his being when he saw who it was.

It was his son, but everything about his son had changed for not only was his eldest child standing upright seemingly normal, but it was the bone white mask with red markings detailing the left eye that was covering his sons face that chilled Isshin to the bone. Its blank black eye holes bore dully ahead of him with no sense of movement. But soon the mask slid off his sons face to reveal his dull brown orbs which showed that his son was not there and by sheer will alone was still standing yet the faint glowing blue outline of his pupils were evident that something Isshin theorized had come true. However the most shocking of all things, was the weapon he held tightly in his hands.

Unconscious as Ichigo was the grip he had on the strange weapon was there and the weapon itself seemed as tall as his son and resembled that of giant clever, white bandages were seen wrapped around the giant blade seemingly into a makeshift sheathe. However just as Isshin marveled at the weapons appearance it suddenly glowed blue before it dissipated into blue particles and with it Ichigo himself slowly fell to his knees causing his fathers eyes to widen.

The boy deep within the recesses of his mind actually thought he'd heard his father yell out his name in worry...

Just before his world turned completely dark...

Next Day

Kurosaki Isshin sighed as he stood at the entrance of Urahara Shoten with said owner standing beside him. While Isshin wore simple clothing from the day before the other person was a man that stood 6'0 with light blond wavy hair with a light stubble. He had light skin, and grey eyes which stared out at the stormy weather ravaging Karakura Town as the mans face was set into an impassive expression, but a hint of pity was seen in his eyes. The man wore a white green stripped bucket hat while he wore a dark brown coat with a white diamond shape pattern detailing the bottom of the coat. Underneath this he wore a simple dark green shirt and pants while on his feet he wore wooden sandals.

Leaning against the door frame the light blonde held his simple cane down as the two men stared out as the rain came pouring down. Both with their minds reeling to what had transpired not one day ago.

''Kisuke, were you able to clear up this mess? So they wouldn't come to find what had transpired?'' Isshin asked his voice serious and cold, colder than it had ever been in years, and the bucket hat wearing blond gave a subtle nod bringing a small sigh of relief from Isshin.

''Yes, I've wiped the area clean of all evidence of any spiritual activity, and including the spiritual residue left behind by Grand Fisher's demise. Plus with the reiryoku surge while it may have been detected I was able to cloak its location making the recon teams they would send to a different location.'' Isshin gave another nod just before Kisuke looked towards the silent man.

''For what its worth, I apologize for not getting there in time...'' his words were filled with mourning while Isshin lit up a cigarette. Inhaling the smoke he exhaled it a he stared up at the dark stormy skies covering Karakura Town. His black eyes were filled with a range of emotions from sadness, anguish, anger, self-loathing and so much more.

''It's not your fault it's mine, and besides while no one was hurt it did affect my son...'' the mention of his pride and joy made him grow solemn. While his boy wasn't physically hurt he could not say the same for his mental state. Not only did he come face to face with a Hollow especially one like Grand Fisher at such a young age he had unlocked that which Isshin had so desperately didn't want his son to unlock.

His powers, his very heritage...

He knew it would happen, but not this soon, and not in such a way that could have effected Ichigo's mental state! Most shinigami that came in contact with Grand Fisher were never heard from again or those that escaped were haunted for days with their encounter of the hollow. And his 9 year old son had encountered the hollow and still came out alive, but he was still a child who hadn't ever come across such a thing before.

He would have felt proud if not for the fact Masaki or Ichigo could have died, and he would have been helpless to stop it from happening.

Sensing his friends state Kisuke gave a sigh, ''Don't worry Isshin I've run a thorough check on him, and the boy has shown a remarkable rate of spiritual recovery after letting loose such a tremendous amount of spiritual power. While I can't say much on his psyche I can assure you his reiryoku levels are stable if monstrously high...hell in a year or two they will be higher than my own..'' he said with a small chuckle which was true the moment he felt the surge of spiritual power explode from the boy it alerted him instantly as it blanketed the entire city of Karakura for a few seconds at least.

''I think the recovery in spiritual power came from his mothers side of the family, but I can at least think he got his immense reserves from me.'' Isshin said with a small smile.

''True, and let's hope he can learn to control such immense reiryoku because the only thing shielding him from being detected by Soul Society is Kisuke's cloaking device.'' a masculine voice spoke causing the two to look behind them to see a black cat walking toward them. Its golden orbs peered at the two with a bit of amusement, but all around seriousness of the situation at hand.

''Ah Yoruichi, how are they?'' Isshin asked the black cat which just stretched before laying down.

''Asleep mostly, your daughters are asleep at Ichigo's side which thankfully to Kisuke's reiryoku suppressing device is suppressing his reiatsu from affecting the two. Masaki on the other hand is at his side hasn't left since she woke up.'' the cat said causing Isshin to sigh before looking to Kisuke.

''We can talk later Kisuke, I need to go check up on Masaki...'' he said before he started to walk into the shop, but just as he reached the door to the hallway. He heard Kisuke speak to him making him stop in place.

''Isshin, keep in mind now that Ichigo has unlocked his powers... he will need to be ready for whats to come. With the threat of Soul Society ever finding out about him increased because of this incident he will need to be ready to face them or anyone else should the time arise.'' he said as Isshin just tilted his head down.

''...I know Kisuke...'' and from there the blond just pushed his hat down as Isshin walked in to check up on his family. Leaving the two behind Yoruichi peered up at Kisuke with a serious look in the cats golden eyes.

''Kisuke, there is something very strange about that boy I checked his reiryoku signature, and it didn't feel anything like that of a shinigami. Do you have any idea why?'' the cat asked with a narrowed gaze, but Kisuke just remained unresponsive as he looked out at the pouring rain. His thoughts moving on to what could possibly happen in the next few days.

With Isshin

Despite the situation his family was in Isshin could only smile at the sight before him when he opened the door Ichigo was resting in. His 9 year old son lay in the middle asleep in a futon, but both Karin and Yuzu were snuggled into their brothers futon. Ichigo's sister's cared deeply for him, looked up to him as any younger sibling would. Then again Ichigo had always been there for his sisters, helped raise them as best he could. Isshin had even been called a few times from Ichigo's school that he'd beaten up bullies that picked on his sisters.

He couldn't have been more proud at those moments!

Looking at his family he still remembered why his two youngest children were here. He brought them along for both their safety, there was no telling who was in Karakura now looking out for any potential suspect, especially with what happened to his son. He had to be cautious of everything now. Plus he brought the two so they could be here for Ichigo since he told the two their big brother was sick. As he looked at the scene it brought great amount of joy to see the sight.

Then his gaze swept to find his beautiful loving wife Masaki at Ichigo's side looking down at him with saddened eyes. Her hands rested atop Ichigo's forehead merely toying with his orange locks. The sight of her in turmoil made Isshin feel even worse considering the situation Ichigo was in now that he had unlocked his power.

Walking towards his wife he kneeled beside her just staring down at their three children. The silence between the two dragged on for hours before Masaki decided to break it.

''Isshin, what are we going to do? With sochi unlocking his powers they will eventually come for him, and that's not the only group that's gonna be on the lookout for him now.'' Masaki whispered as to not wake her three sleeping angels. However she did look toward her husband who looked back at her for the longest moment before his gaze rested on Ichigo.

''…..We tell him... we tell him what we can, he will wonder what that hollow was, and ask questions. Of course we don't need to tell him about everything at least until he is older, but with all that's happened the boy needs to know where he comes from.'' he said causing Masaki to frown, but she knew that with her and Isshin's ties it would be irresponsible to not tell her firstborn where he came from.

Of what he was...

''And then...?'' she asked, but she already had a suspicion of what her husband would say. Their son had unlocked his power all of it in a desperate attempt to safe her, to protect her from the hollow. To leave him clueless afterwards would just be irresponsible for the both of them.

''….I'll have Kisuke begin his training...we both know he's going to have enemies now, and he's gonna need to be able to fend for himself should that time ever come. I don't have my powers anymore, and neither do you so we can't protect him like we want to, no matter how much we wish to. Trust me Masaki if there was any other choice I would take it in a heartbeat...but Ichigo is gonna need to learn to harness his power, and reach his full potential to face his enemies.'' he said causing the woman to frown. She didn't like it, but Isshin had a point neither she nor did he have any of their power back ever since the incident all those years ago. So for Ichigo to protect himself he was gonna need to learn how to fend for himself.

''...But will he understand...'' she said just before Isshin pulled her close.

''He's a smart boy he is our son after all he has your smarts, and my stubborn attitude so he'll understand now why don't we get some rest, and let the kids sleep, okay?'' he said where she gave a slow nod. Leaning down Masaki kissed her children's foreheads before her eyes lingered on Ichigo for a few moments longer.

'I may not have power to protect you sochi, but I can at least help you for whats to come...'

With that final though Masaki and Isshin left the room knowing full well the talk with her son was going to be difficult. It would probably be their toughest challenge as parents, to tell their firstborn, their loving boy...

Was no longer a human...

Completely unknown to the Kurosaki's, deep within the depths of Ichigo's very soul was a vast plain of forestry filled with tree's, grasslands and mountains in the far distance. However when it was usually sunny, bright and warm, the sky was now filled with thundering dark clouds and light drizzles.

This was the representation of Kurosaki Ichigo's soul...

On the tallest tree that overlooked the vast grasslands stood a figure, a man to be exact. He was rather tall with a lean build. He had the appearance of a middle-aged man with high-cheek bones, a pale complexion, a stubble and long ragged black hair with brown highlights. His attire consisted of a tattered white dress shirt with an upturned collar and cuffs, black pants, low-heeled boots, and a long, amorphous black overcoat with burgundy highlights that flared out with tattered ends. Over his eyes he wore brown-tinted, semi-transparent wraparound sunglasses.

The mysterious man stood at the tallest point of the tree just gazing upwards at the sky with a small solemn expression. As if despairing at the sight of the storm that covered the vast world of Ichigo's soul. As he did he spoke, speaking out to the world that seemingly left this single man to be the only existence that resided there.

"Too early...this has come too early...but than, fate works in mysterious ways I guess. I...no...we await to see you, our wielder. Sleep well, Ichigo."

Finished speaking he looked down on a lower branch to see someone that was much shorter than himself. In fact it was a carbon copy of Ichigo himself only with white hair, gold eyes, deathly white skin with a white shihakusho covering his body. The inverted Ichigo looked back up at the older man with dull gold eyes before seemingly giving a nod. Than he disappeared through the branch, slipping into the darkness.

And with his disappearance, the man closed his eyes and waited for the storm to pass...waiting for the inevitable meeting between himself and Kurosaki Ichigo.

Seems the future was one not even he would be able to predict...

For the future...seemed to be a very bleak one.

Short I know, but it built the foundation nonetheless.

So, as you can see big changes, Masaki never died and Ichigo unlocked his powers 6 year's earlier than in canon.

Constructive Criticism is always appreciated!

That said, bye!

Sochi: Son

Kaa-san/chan: Mother

Tou-san: Father