Note: This chapter you get some background for Ichigo, and so does Rukia. We see them move along as friends or maybe more? Enjoy, oh and I don't own bleach (though I would so like to)

Chapter 2: A Wounds Beginning

Ichigo stood in his spot as Ulquiorra walked up to him. Rukia walked down the stairs around the corner but stopped when she saw the two guys. She moved back a few feet and listened in.

"I'll ask again, why are you in school now Kurosaki?"

"And I'll answer again, you have no right"

"So that's how it is? It wasn't my fault the end result is what it is right now"

"But you helped move it into this direction"

"And, it was your father's fault for picking up the bottle"

"You bastard!" Ichigo raised his hand to punch the man but was too late. Ulquiorra caught it in the air and punched Ichigo in the face. Ichigo let out a grunt. Rukia covered her mouth from gasping out loud. Ulquiorra's knee cause up with speed and met Ichigo's abdomen. He let out another grunt and fell to his hands and knees as a hot flash of pain waved in. When he spit Rukia could see blood come out.

"Well that was nothing. I am pretty sure you have gotten worse but I warn you Ichigo, if your dad doesn't pay, you will. Remember what happened to your mother? Do you want that for Yuzu and Kari- he wasn't able to finish Ichigo's sisters' name/ Ichigo uppercuted him so fast Rukia didn't even know when he stood up how fast he moved "Shit" Ulquiorra fell back a few steps and held his almost broken jaw. "You're lucky we're on school grounds. Aizen wants his money; don't forget to pass the message on"

"You wish" Ichigo said as he wiped his bleeding mouth dry.

"I would pound your ass so hard right now, but I know you can get worse when you leave here. Saves me from the work." On that note he walked away leaving Ichigo alone. After making sure he was gone, Ichigo walked over to the wall and slid down with his back against it. Rukia couldn't take it and ran to him. She got on her knees and was in front of him. He was looking down with his eyes closed and didn't look up until Rukia put her tiny palm on this knee.

"Rukia, what are you…did you see?"

"And I heard. Ichigo, what just happened there? Why did you just fight Mr. Schiffer?"

"Because he is a lying bastard, that's why" a trail of blood ran down Ichigo's mouth from his busted lip. Rukia lifter her hand and slowly wiped it away. Their eyes met for a moment until he looked away.

"What's wrong?"

"Rukia no matter how weird and clichéd this is gonna sound, you need to stay away from me okay?" he looked back at her and she could see pain in his eyes. He was saying it but didn't mean it.

"Why, I won't understand of you don't tell me"

"The less you understand the better" Ichigo stood up but Rukia had to hold his arm and push his stomach up to get him to stand. He turned down the hall and began to walk away. Rukia was about to call out to him but the bell rang. The gang came from down the stairs and kids began filling the hallway.

"Hey Rukia, what's wrong?" Momo asked walking next to her best friend.

"Nothing, let's get to class." She nodded and followed. When Rukia walked, she hoped to see Ichigo in his seat staring out his window. When she stepped in, he wasn't there, and it was like that for the rest of the day.

Ichigo held his stomach and walked out the school. The staff sucked if they let a bleeding student walk out un detected. Well as far as undetected as Ichigo knew. He didn't know that Rukia was looking out the window, staring at him. Ichigo muttered to himself as he walked down the street. He had no idea where he was going but he sure as hell didn't want to be stuck in school.

After an hour of walking, Ichigo was in front of the cemetery gates. They were large iron gates that went around the whole lot. Ichigo pushed it open and walked to a spot in the back near a large tree. The stone was small and simple. It read MAKAKI KUROSAKI. MOTHER, WIFE, AND FRIEND RIP. Ichigo couldn't get the date on because of the money, but what was given was good enough. He braced against the tree and slide down until he was sitting. He pulled in one knee and rested his hand on it.

"Mom, why did it have to happen to you?" Ichigo closed his eyes as unwanted memories came flooding in.

"Hey mom, is dad mad at me?" a 10 year old Ichigo asked his mother as they held hands and walked.

"No honey, he was angry at Mr. Schiffer but he took it out on you."

"What did Mr. Schiffer do, he's always so nice to Karin, Yuzu, you, dad, and me."

"Well, one day when you're older, you'll know why your dad was mad" just then rain began to fall. Ichigo clutched the grocery bag tighter as Ulquiorra walked up to the two.

"Masaki, I don't see why Isshin is angry at me"

"Well it may be the fact that you gave him the" she looked at Ichigo, "stuff and told him it was okay to use"

"He could have said no"

"But you're a professional dealer, how could he say no? And now he's and addict and using up all our money behind you. And we're out and he's gone off to the bottle because of withdrawal"

"Still I don't see why he's mad at me" Masaki huffed and grabbed Ichigo's hand tighter. She pulled him across the street when he called her out. "I wanted to say goodbye"

"What do you mean?" Masaki's eyes widened sa she saw a car coming. He pushed Ichigo out the way and a loud crash was heard.

"Mom! Mom! Mom wake up, mom!" Ichigo yelled as he pulled her bleeding head onto his lap.

"Ichigo, promise me something" she croaked out.

"Mom" Ichigo cried harder.

"Always protect your sisters" Ichigo cried harder and before the ambulance could reach, Masaki had died in her son's arms.

"Well I kept my promise." Ichigo held out his arms. "I have the scars to prove it. How did a woman like you marry a bastard like him? A drunk druggie whose one mission in life is to- Ichigo was about to finish when his phone rang. He dug into his gray pants and pulled it out. "Hello?"

"Ichigo, where are you!" Yuzu screamed through the phone. Ichigo jumped up fmo his spot.

"Is he back already!"

"No he's on the way from the shipment place for more supplies!"

"Okay stay calm, take Karin into your room and do your homework. I'm with mom right now so I'll be back in a few minutes"

"Okay"

"Sorry mom, duty calls" Ichigo picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder. He sprinted out the cemetery all the way home. When he reached the clinic door and shoved it open he saw Yuzu and Karin on the top of the stairs. They were frightened and looked a bit relieved that it was Ichigo who walked through the doors.

"Ichigo" they both said. The twin 10 year olds ran down to him. "Why did you leave school?" Karin asked.

"That's not important. Since he had to go to the warehouse, he probably bought some more stuff on his way back. So we don't much time until he comes back"

"I wish he would just stay out when he drank and stuff"

"Don't hold your breath kiddo" Ichigo patted Yuzu on her head. "Go to your rooms okay?" just then the door flew open.

"Ichigo, get your sorry ass out here!" the twins eyes got teary but Ichigo just smiled at them. Ichigo turned around and looked at Isshin.

"What?"

"Get out here" Ichigo walked out the door and was on the steps. His father smelled of weed and alcohol. In his hand was a half empty Hennessy bottle.

"What?"

"Why did you leave school early today?"

"How do you know that?"

"I was contacted and the person said you were missing from all afternoon classes."

"Why do you care?" Ichigo didn't get to blink when a fist connected with his face. He cursed as he held his broken jaw and looked back at his father. Yuzu and Karin were watching from the window and started to tear up a bit. Isshin looked up and saw them. They were too slow.

"Get out here!" he drunkenly yelled. His daughters looked at him and slowly walked out.

Rukia heard a scream and walked into the direction. What she saw made her cringe. It was Ichigo was standing in front of two frightened girl. She moved a bit closer to listen in.

"They aren't part of this, they don't deserve to see you like this" Ichigo said as he kept the two girls safe behind him. A drunk Isshin just walked up and pushed Ichigo to the side.

"Why are you crying huh?" he asked. They two girls just stood frozen in terror. Isshin raised his hand to hit but Ichigo promised his mother. He sprinted and tackled Ishhin down.

"Get back in the house!" he yelled and they obliged. Rukia watched in horror as Ichigp pinned the man down. "What kind of father would hit his own children like that?" he yelled. Isshin picked up the bottle from the ground and smashed it in frustration.

"Get off me!" he yelled.

"Not until you cool down!" Ichigo yelled. Rukia couldn't believe her eyes. Isshin picked up and shard of the glass and waved it up at him son. Ichigo managed to move his face but didn't expect him to push Ichigo over into the glass. "Shit!" Ichigo rolled over with the shard in his hand. "I don't know how mom could have married someone like you" Ichigo stood up and watched as Isshin's eyes look to the ground in shame. "Why do you have to hit me? Why did you have to listen to him? She's dead because of you and as soon as I turn 18 next year, I'm taking the twins with me. You don't deserve to be near them"

Ichigo walked into the house as he pulled out the glass from his hand. Rukia felt tears run down her face. He got all those wounds from his own father. His own father! And she just saw what happened there. He protected his sisters from their father. But how did Mr. Schiffer fit into all of this? He told Ichigo that he would get worse when he got home. How'd he know that? Aren't teachers supposed to help the kid when their family is abusive?

NOTE: this was a longer chapter but I decided to cut it in half cause so much ppl have been subscribing I didn't want to keep you waiting too long. Don't forget to review or PM cause they help me to write faster and more. I don't have a beta so the grammer might be bad.