Hey there meme12 here! I'm really sorry about the late chapter. Life interfered and there will be more interference this month due to drum roll please… Exams. I will try to update but it will probably take a while, but regardless of that please sit back and enjoy the following chapter.

Picking up the pieces Chapter 11: Harsh truths and Empty words

Previously: The truth is out and Ichigo goes crazy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach and their characters

Unohana shun po quickly to the scene. The moment Hisagi had came running in with the fukutaichos she knew something was up and immediately she grab a team of healers and they headed to the scene. Upon reaching the group was shock. The surrounding barracks and buildings have been destroyed; debris were raining all around them. A gasp and all eyes trained on the broken figure of the Twelfth Division captain. The scientist was covered head to toe in his own blood and various wounds ranging from stabbings to burns. The scientist was barely hanging on but there was pure hatred in his uninjured right eye as he remained lying on the ground; both his legs broken and bent in awkward angles. The silence was overwhelming and Unohana focuses on the only undamaged area where Ichigo was. The orange head was kneeling on the ground cradling a very emaciated figure. Her eyes widening when he realises that the figure in Ichigo's arms was Shiro.

"What happened here?" "Mayuri happened that's what it was." Eighth division captain managed to pull himself out from the debris; followed by Ukitake who was helping the still out-cold Kensei with Toushiro who seemed to be in an almost shock. "We will explain…right now it is best we get medical attention for everyone..." A roar cuts through the conversations and all gazed rested on the pile of debris that shifted and all the captains watched as the monstrosity that wrecked havoc on Seireitei burst through the debris.

The creature was severely injured; with its skin almost all burnt off; revealing the muscle beneath. It was also bleeding from severe wounds and Toushiro inwardly winced at the awkward angel which the creature's limbs were displaying clear signs that they were broken. The creature crawled out of the debris, slumping to the ground due to being unable to support its weight but it was evident that it was already on its route to self healing as the skin re-grew over the muscles that were previously exposed. "What is that thing…!?" A weak chuckle and Shunsui glares at the broken Mayuri. "He…'s…per…fect…! You…can…never…kill…him…" "You…!" Toushiro growls but was held back by Jushiro. The creature immediately heads in Ichigo's direction. "Ichigo!" Renji shouts and prepares to shun po over when a familiar Twelfth division fukutaicho shun po in front of the creature and stabs it. "No!" Mayuri shrieks despite his broken condition as the creature seemingly froze and releases a dreadful shriek as it begins to bleed from the wound and started to melt.

Creature's POV

It hurts… All I wanted is for it to end and what better way than to be killed by the one I can't destroy. I crawled towards him, and lunge forward only to have someone stab me. I scream at the pain…my whole body burns and I glance down to see my dear sister. She is wounded as well probably by the man who created me… How ironic… To be destroyed by my own flesh and blood. She has water coming out from her eyes… What do you call that again…? Was it…tears…? She says something and I could barely hear her but I knew what she had said… "I'm sorry... Until we meet again." I can't help but feel a floating feeling once again. That happiness…of being free for such a short time… I stretched my arm out…intending to touch my sister one last time as my vision blurs but I know it was futile as I see white bone instead of an arm… I just wanted to tell her…there's no need to say sorry nee chan… I'm glad I met you… I'm glad that I…saw…the…sky…

Normal POV

The creature melted away leaving nothing but a skeleton. The captains watched as Nemu drops to her knees. With a trembling hand she strokes the skull that dissolved into ashes as soon as she laid hands on it. The fukutaicho says nothing as the ashes were blown away by the wind, the final evidence of her brother…gone. "Useless… Useless all the way till the end…" Red was all Nemu could see as she shun po towards her creator at neck breaking speed and her hand dangerously close to Mayuri's neck. "He wasn't useless." "He is and so are you stupid girl. He is nothing more than a tool for my plan!" With those words Mayuri continues to laugh crazily while the other captains couldn't help but feel angry and sick to the pit of their stomachs at the insanity of the Twelfth Division Captain. Nemu grits her teeth in anger and she raises her hand to strike only to be stopped by Shunsui. "Let me go Kyoraku taicho." "He is not worth it Nemu." The girl glares at the captain who just shakes his head. "What's wrong girl? Kill me! Kill me you pathetic worm!" Nemu's body trembled in rage but the firm grip by Kyoraku was stopping her from doing any damage but the girl knew…no matter what she did…her brother can no longer...

"Useless till the end…how weak…" Mayuri laughs crazily while Nemu could only tremble in anger as her vision became blurry with tears of anger. Shunsui says nothing but immediately pulls Nemu close, hiding her away from her creator while Unohana kneels in front of Ichigo. "Kurosaki san, it's over… It's alright… Shiro's safe…" Ichigo says nothing for the moment before uttering his words so softly that Unohana had to strain her ears to hear him. "…Safe…?" Unohana nods. "Yes…he's safe but he needs help so you have to let him go…" Ichigo's grip tightens on Shiro and Unohana gaze sadden.

"Kurosaki san…Shiro needs help. I promise you, he will be safe with me… You want to help him right?" A slow nod and the captain smiles sadly. "Then please let me help him." There was a split second of silence and the Fourth division was afraid that she will have to knock out the male when Ichigo's grip on Shiro loosens and she manages to take Shiro from the orange head. "Unohana taicho." "We don't have time. We have to get Shiro, Muguruma Taicho and Kurotsuchi to the Fourth Division for treatment." She eyed the scientist with disgust. "A dead man will not do well for a re-trial." Mayuri scoffs at Unohana but winced as he was unceremoniously dragged off to the Fourth Division.

Fourth Division

"All done." "Thank you so much Inoue you have been a really great help." "It's nothing Isane san, I'm glad I could help." The girl blushed and rubs her head in embarrassment at the praise. Inoue had remained in the Fourth Division as she had promised Ichigo. The urban haired girl glanced worriedly out of the window in the direction where she had sensed the massive reiatsu. "Kurosaki kun…" Inoue murmurs worriedly but her thoughts were soon pushed away when she senses Ichigo's reiatsu and hears the commotion. "Unohana taicho!" "Is the room prep for surgery?" "Yes, who is the vic…" Isane stilled and Inoue casually looks in Isane's direction. "Isane san what's…"Her eyes widen as she sees the bloodied individual in Unohana's arm…his blood dripping off a pale limb. Inoue shakes her head fighting the urge of the bad feeling forming in her gut until she sees Ichigo standing there, covered in blood…Shiro's… "No…" "Inoue san." The girl turns to face Unohana. "I will need help for the operation." "I-I understand…" Unohana went ahead and Inoue approaches Ichigo. "Kurosaki kun…" "… Orihime…save him…" "I will, I promise." With that, the girl immediately dashes after Unohana leaving the other healers to fuss over the captains and Ichigo.

With Renji

The red head gritted his teeth as he sped urgently to the Fourth Division. They had lost contact with Ichigo after he had felt his reiatsu explode. The next thing they know was Unohana telling them that Ichigo is currently at the Fourth Division through a Hell Butterfly and Renji immediately headed to the Fourth Division without waiting for the Soutaicho's approval."I shouldn't have let him go alone… That Hollow could have..." Gritting his teeth, he silently promises to kill the creature instantly if he even finds one hair missing from Ichigo. The red head reaches the Fourth Division only to see Ichigo sitting in a chair covered in blood. "Ichigo! Shit…medic!" "Abarai taicho, Kurosaki san in fine. The blood does not belong to him." "What…then who…" Renji questions but he froze when he sees the sadness and the guilt in Ichigo's eyes. "Ichigo, koi what happened?" No response and Renji tries again. "Ichigo please tell me!?"

Ichigo's POV

I can't…feel anything now… It's as if I've been plunged underwater and everything is muffled all around me… I can't focus on anything now…all I see is the blood that coated my shihakusho and my hands… I stare down at my hands…they were caked with dried blood…Shiro's blood… I felt my breath hitched. All this time… Shiro had been innocent and I with my own hands have…have… My vision blurs as I stare at my hands. I couldn't erased the image from my mind. Shiro protecting me from the creature and I stabbed him…with my own sword… My hands begun to tremble as I recalled the feeling of the warm blood oozing onto me as Shiro had laid on me, bleeding from his wounds… His body when I carried him was so light and cold…Icy cold… I release a sob as Shiro's frail smile came into my mind once more. "I've failed him…"

Normal POV

"I've failed him…""What…?" Ichigo looks at Renji with a pained expression. "He's innocent, he always was and I…I…" Renji's eyes widen in realisation but it soon hardens. "Ichigo listen to me, that Hollow is tricking you. He's nothing but a cold hearted murderer…" "He's not Renji! He isn't…" Ichigo shouted as Renji was stunned by the orange's head outburst. "He didn't do anything… That massacre was someone else and Shiro was framed by Kurotsuchi just for that sick bastard's experiments and I…I…didn't believe him… I hurt him…" Ichigo stares at his bloodied hands, his memories of Shiro filling his mind. "I...I…" Renji immediately holds Ichigo close and he inwardly begins to curse himself for letting his kind hearted wife deal with the creature. "That damn Hollow will pay…!" "It will be best if you do not do so." Renji spun around coming face to face with his previous captain. "Kuchiki Taicho…!" "…Shiro is innocent." The red head's reiatsu flared. "Taicho…no Byakuya are you as equally blinded as your lover about that thing!" Byakuya says nothing before he turns on his heels. "Follow me Renji, let the nurses look after Ichigo." "Where are we going?" "To see Kurotsuchi."

Renji felt his confusion heightened as he loosens his grip on Ichigo and stands only to feel his lover's grip on his arm. "Wait." Byakuya pauses in his steps. "It will be best if you wait here Ichigo." "I'm going." "Please Ichigo, koi. I will handle this…" "Please…" Renji was startled at Ichigo's grim determination and desperation in his gaze. "I need to know, I need to know what he went through…" Ichigo murmured as he his hands curled into a fist. "Ichigo…" Byakuya stares at Ichigo for a moment before nodding. "I understand, this way." With that, Ichigo immediately followed Byakuya with Renji right beside him.

With Shunsui

The Eighth division was staring calmly at Mayuri who was just glaring back at me. "If you want to say something, just say it." "I haven't even voiced anything Mayuri." The scientist scoffed. "I can tell by the way you are looking at me. You want answers." Shunsui shuts his eyes for a moment to quell his boiling anger. The captain wanted nothing then to just draw his sword against the male and force him to his knees for the crime he has committed against Shiro. "Oh well, since you want them so much I will tell you… That Hollow was so wild…he refused to break. It took so long before I could get him so tame…" Mayuri grinned sickeningly and Shunsui felt sick to the pit of his stomach; silently he thanked Unohana in his heart for keeping his lover and Toushiro away from the room knowing fully well that the latter captain would have already drawn his sword at those words.

"You know you are being recorded." Mayuri scoffs. "Of course I know. That wretched girl is helping you now but it doesn't faze me one bit." Shunsui glared and Mayuri just grinned. "Lighten up, aren't you always the main supporter for relaxation Kyoraku taicho?" The male just glared further but his gaze suddenly shifted to the door and Mayuri barked a laugh. "Oh well it seems I have more guests outside and the special VIP is here…" Shunsui says nothing but exits the room to confirm his suspicion.

Outside Mayuri's hospital room

"May I know why you have brought Ichigo and Renji here?" "They have the right to know." The straw hat male stares at Byakuya and his eyes darts over to the couple. Ichigo was staring straight at the crazed scientist with eerie calmness while Renji's gaze darted between Mayuri's form in the bed and Ichigo. "What is going on here, Kyoraku!? How did Mayuri get hurt this badly…?" Renji's questions went unanswered as Kyoraku approach Ichigo. "You will not want to hear this Ichigo." "…I have to. I need to know what Shiro went through…" Brown eyes gazed determinedly at the older male and Shunsui stares back, trying to even his gaze but eventually the older male sighs and tilts his straw hat. "…Byakuya is right… You deserve to know, so does Renji…" The red head blinked in confusion. "What are we hearing?"

Kyoraku stares straight at Renji. "The truth that had been hidden for 10 years… The truth both you and Ichigo had refused to believe… The truth on Shiro's innocence." Renji was stunned and was about to argue when Ichigo gripped his hand tightly. "Ichigo…" "…He…saved me…" "What?" Ichigo looks up and Renji was taken aback by the guilt and sadness in his eyes. "When that creature attacked, he blocked the attack in my stead and I… I stabbed him with Zangetsu…" Renji was stunned into silence once more as his brain registers his lover's words. That hollow had nothing to gain from saving Ichigo…if that's the case then everything he knew…was a lie…? The red head's gaze travelled to the Twelfth division captain lying in the bed and he felt his blood freeze when he sees the sickening grin on said captain's face.

"He didn't… No…" Kyoraku and Byakuya remains silent as he sees the realisation mixed with denial in Renji's expression while Ichigo just stares at Mayuri through the glass with eerie calmness but his anger was evident by his hands having balled into fists so tight that some of the dried blood had chipped off. "Ichigo…it may not be the best…" "I'm listening to every word he says…it's the least I can do because I owe Shiro that much…no I owe him too much and living with that truth…is the only way I can repent even if the guilt kills me in the end." Kyoraku stares at the determined brown orbs and eventually sighs. "If you must then." The eighth division captain led Ichigo and the equally stunned Renji into the hospital room and was met with Mayuri's sickening grin. "Oh my how nice to see you both again…" Ichigo's reiatsu flared in anger. "Kurotsuchi…" "Now, now don't be mad. You are just in time for the story. Although, I wonder how much you and Abarai taicho can take?"

Renji schools his features into a neutral tone in order to hide his stun expression but he knows that it is futile due to the sickening grin forming on the male's face. "Enough with the games Mayuri. Tell us what you did." The smile fell and Mayuri sneered at the Eighth division captain. "Can't you let a man build up the suspense?" "Why?" Mayuri turns his face to stare at the orange head who had suddenly spoken. "Why did you do it?" "Hmm…?" "Why…choose Shiro?" Mayuri stares at Ichigo curiously before the sickening grin once again etched on the male's face. "Oh there are many reasons…your Hollow is unique… His reiatsu is so much better to stabilize the creature and letting me have control. After all, too much wild Hollow instincts and you see what happened…10 years ago." Ichigo bit his lip in anger. "And the people…those villagers that your monster attacked…doesn't it hurt you knowing that something you created killed them!?" Mayuri laughs. "Those are just minor setbacks…those pitiful souls should be thankful that they served a higher power and helped paved the way…!"

Ichigo's reiatsu flashed and Renji immediately placed a comforting hand on Ichigo's shoulder to calm him while the captain continued. "I wanted to create a soldier so powerful and perfect. To prove everybody including that pesky Kisuke that I was a stronger scientist! All my previous experiments failed and I just wanted so much but to throw in the towel… But then I saw your Hollow and I realised that perfection had been starring in my face all along…!" The shinigamis tried to suppress the fear at the insane glint in Mayuri's eyes as the male continued. "So bit by bit I stole his DNA and created my marvel but it wasn't enough… It…I needed more of him. This was why I created that lovely little scene and made him the main star." A stunned silence that was interrupted by Renji's choked sentence. "You…framed him…" "Give the man a price! Took you 10 years to see the answer…oh no I told you. Guess you really match that baboon of a zanpakuto isn't it eh?" Mayuri continued to laugh crazily as the horrifying realisation dawned on to Renji's face and the male felt sick to his bone overriding his anger of the insult towards him and his zanpakuto.

"Now, now, we haven't even got to the main highlight yet! Didn't you want to know what Shiro went through eh Kurosaki?" The male sniggered with sick delight and Shunsui moved to get Ichigo out of the room. "Continue." Mayuri momentarily stopped laughing and Shunsui pauses in his steps. "What?" Ichigo just stared at Mayuri and for a brief second the scientist felt a chill ran down his spine at the pure anger and hatred in the male's eyes directed solely at him. The scientist recomposed himself with a grin; a sweat drop ran down his cheek. "It was as if it was just yesterday when they brought that beautiful specimen in. Those unique eyes blazing with so much determination and defiance…sure it was troublesome. "Initially he was all 'I will never bow to you!' attitude snarky little thing…even after I cut his limbs off to see how fast it will regenerate he didn't even scream. Took out so much joy from my experimenting…" Mayuri muttered darkly similar to a child who had his favourite toy taken from him while the shinigamis paled and Ichigo's fist was clenched so tightly that the nails had cut into his skin.

"But then…I found out that by uttering a certain name or threatening anyone important to this person brought out the anger in him. Protectively if I may say so…" "A name?" Mayuri grins. "I found out his Achilles heel was you…Kurosaki Ichigo." The orange head was stunned. "What?" "Don't make me repeat myself boy, it's you Kurosaki Ichigo substitute shinigami of Seireitei! You are his weak point!" "What do you mean!?" Mayuri grinned sickly. "Or I need is to threaten your safety and he becomes so obedient…so compliant." Ichigo felt his stomach dropped and his throat tightening in fear as he choked out his question. "…Compliant..?" Mayuri's grinned, his eyes ablaze with insanity. "I operated on him without anaesthesia and took out his organs and amputate each one every hour to study the regeneration curve before ripping away his reiatsu." Ichigo felt his heart stopped at the words and Mayuri laughs crazily as if he had been telling an incredibly joke only he understood. The crazed scientist continued to laugh while Shunsui looked away to quell his anger; Renji's face turned deathly pale and Ichigo balled his fists even tighter in his anger. "You…are insane…" Mayuri stops laughing. "Oh this is just the beginning wait until you hear the other juicy parts…"

Outside the operating theatre

"What's taking it so long…!?" Hisagi murmured worriedly. After ensuring that his friends were in good hands, he had sensed the reiatsu only to see the medical team ushering a bloody being into the operating theatre. He didn't need to look twice to see that it was Shiro and he had tried to follow the team into the operating theatre but he was stopped by the healers and forced to wait for the operation to finish. Hisagi gritted his teeth; he hated waiting more than anything in this world and it has been 2 hours of Shiro being locked in the operating theatre. "Shiro…be safe…please…" Hisagi murmurs as he rests his head on his hands when he sense a familiar reiatsu."Kira." "Is Shiro alright?" "I don't know…the medical team is still working on him I'm not sure how long more it will take…"

Hisagi was cut short as the doors open and Inoue steps out. "Inoue san! How's…" Both Vice captains felt their blood froze as they eyed the blood on the girl's surgical robes but they soon snapped to attention when they notice her shoulders were trembling. "Inoue san?" "…He…He will live…but…" Inoue felt her throat constricts and the fukutaicho felt the fear creep into their stomach when Unohana steps out, placing a gentle hand on Inoue's shoulder before she spoke. "Shiro's injuries are extensive. He's currently stabilized but the next 24 hrs are critical." "Can we see him?" The captain stares at the worried fukutaicho. "I wouldn't advise it now especially since his immune system is currently fighting off an infection, he has to be in a sterile environment for now until he has regain some immunity…" "We can just look at him right? Please Unohana san."

The captain was quiet for a while as she eyed the worried Hisagi and Kira before she spoke. "The medical team is transferring him now. I will let you to see him but…" Blue eyes gaze at the group seriously. "You must all keep calm when you see his condition. No matter what…"

With Ichigo

Regret was all the orange head could feel. If he had been numb before by the same emotion, it was un-comparable to what he is feeling now. Mayuri had continued his blood chilling story with so much enthusiasm with his eyes lit with insanity. The madness and the experiments that he had subjected the albino to… The full force of the words hit him and Ichigo felt his gut churned and he immediately lurched over and vomited. "Ichigo!" Renji exclaimed as he ran over to help his wife while Mayuri grinned. "What's wrong berry? A little too much for your taste?" Mayuri laughs crazily but stops short when he feels a blade at his throat and shifted his gaze to stare at the normally calm Eighth division captain.

"My, my, the normally relaxed you getting worked up…? It's probably the end of the Eighth division!" Mayuri cackles despite the sword at his throat and Shunsui bit his lip, his knuckles turning white as he gripped his sword tightly. "You…monster…" "Kukuku…Ahahahahahaha! Oh how the mighty have fallen! Even if I stand trial I will be let off with a slap on my wrist and go on my little merry way. Who will defend a Hollow huh!? You I have no doubt and probably those puny gang of vice captains but then what about the Soutaicho and the Council? Treason? A small price to pay but for experimenting on the one thing that eats us…? Ha you wish!" Mayuri continues to laugh insanely as Shunsui's hand trembled. The straw hat captain wanted nothing more than to kill the man before him…to let his sword play her games on him until he was dead. But he couldn't…killing this man could not rewind time…it couldn't erase the pain and suffering Shiro had went through. Shunsui forced his sword back into the sheath while Mayuri grinned with the mirth in his eyes. "Aww, holding back already? No fun."

Shunsui gritted his teeth and force himself to walk stiffly away from the scientist. "You inhumane being…" "Call me whatever you want but I'm doing everything for science. That creature? Just a sacrificial pawn to pay for the future besides he should be glad to be a part of it…" The words rang too loudly in Ichigo's ears and the orange head finds himself staring at his bloodied hands once more. The blood had already dried and was beginning to chip off but it was blood…Shiro's… The orange head gritted his teeth as pure hatred rolled off him in waves. "Damn you Mayuri!" "Don't blame me Ichigo after all, weren't you the one that sent him to me in the first place? Weren't you the one that let me take him!?" Ichigo flinched at the hard truth before him. It was true, there was no point denying or making any excuses. It was him that sent Shiro to Mayuri… With these hands…these blood stained hands…

At that point a commotion could be heard outside and before Shunsui could react; the door slams open revealing a fuming Shuuhei. "Hisagi fukutaicho, what is…" The scarred face male spots Ichigo and immediately grabs him and slams him into the wall. "You bastard!" "Shuuhei please!" "Oi let him go!" Kira exclaims as he tries to pull his best friend away from Ichigo and Renji rushes to pull the two apart. "You damn bastard…do you know what you did to him! Did you know what this sick man did to him!?" "Oh he knows…" Shuhei whips his head to face Mayuri and felt his blood froze in his veins at the sickening grin. "I told him after all… Two hours and forty-five minutes of wonderful story time…" Hisagi's grip on Ichigo loosens and he immediately switched his attack on Mayuri but was held back by Kyoraku. "Let me go!" "He is not worth it Hisagi!" Kyoraku states as his grip on the man tightens as said male tries to lunge at Mayuri who just cackles from his bed. "Oh let him, the trial will be dropped anyway once I'm dead." Mayuri laughs insanely and Shuuhei growls as Kyoraku pulls him away and the male pinned his glare on Ichigo. "It's your fault…! If you had believed him he wouldn't be in this state!" Shuuhei roared while Ichigo remained silent and Renji shielded him.

"Ichigo didn't know…" "He should know… Shiro was a part of his soul…a part of Zangetsu…! Couldn't you feel it!?" The room fell into a stunned silence while Shuuhei looks away, trying to contain his tears of anger. The silence was soon broken as Ichigo slowly rose to his feet. "…see…him…" Shuuhei whips his head in Ichigo's direction. "I need to see Shiro." "You don't have the right…" "Shuuhei…" "He hurt Shiro for 10 long years and you just want to let him walk near Shiro!?" Shuuhei roared and Kyoraku fell silent feeling his retort died on his tongue. "Please, I need to see Shiro…" "Ichigo…" "In your f…" "Sure." All eyes turn on to Kira who had remained silent throughout the exchange. "Kira are insane…?" Shuuhei trails off when he sees the sadness in Kira's eyes. "He needs to see…the harm he has done with his own hands…" Shuuhei says nothing as Kira turns away with the full intention of guiding them to see Shiro. "Tell me when its dead." Shuuhei growls at Mayuri but nevertheless forces himself out of the door as Mayuri's cackles haunted him.

The group walked on in silence, tensions were running high and no one spoke in fear of exploding in rage. Ichigo was numbed all over, Mayuri's words constantly re-playing in his brain. The experiments, the testing…the almost… Ichigo desperately swallowed back bile and looks up when he realises that the others have stopped. He sees Orihime trying her best to hold back tears as she stares into a room from the glass windows. A pit of dread forms in his stomach as the girl turns to him but couldn't speak. Ichigo steps forward and gazed in, his eyes widening. Inside, Shiro laid there on the bed. Numerous bandages wrapped around his emaciated form. An oxygen mask covered his face and numerous bags of fluids were attached to him. Both Kyoraku and Byakuya were grateful that their lovers were not present, knowing that Shiro's condition would send both males into a fit. They watched as Ichigo staggered closer to the glass. They watched as he placed a trembling hand on the glass that separated them from Shiro.

It was the first time Ichigo finally realised how fragile Shiro actually is. Those 10 years of insults and beatings…his anger all unleashed onto an innocent being. Ichigo wanted to run into the room, to just cradle Shiro close. He needed to feel Shiro's breathing…to hear it… As if knowing his thoughts Unohana stepped forward, her hand gently but firmly gripping Ichigo's shoulder. "His immune system is very frail…we cannot take the risk…" Ichigo's fist tightens. "Please…I need to…" Unohana shakes her head; she could feel herself wavering at the pleading tone Ichigo issued to her but the health of her patients are the main priority. "Please understand Ichigo. I cannot do so… Shiro needs to rest." Ichigo couldn't find the words to retort as the guilt begins to swallow him whole. As his body beginning trembling, Inoue steps forward and squeezes the male's shoulder in an effort to comfort him. It was at that point that Ichigo could no longer hold back his tears as he drop to his knees, murmuring the words that were now pointless... "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…Shiro."

To be continued