A/N: I will always take constructive criticism, but flames will be used for melting marshmallows during the summer. Thank you. Please review this story.

Warning: This story is OOC'ness. If you're not into yaoi or male/male relationships, please don't read any further. There are no lemons in this story, sorry for those looking for it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, or the characters. My plot bunnies own this story, but I love borrowing the characters for my own stories. I own nothing but my plot bunnies and the stories they give me.

Summary: Someone is going around raping women around Karakura Town, who is in his twenties, slim build, with orange hair. What happens with Ichigo.

A/N: Hey guys, this is my first Bleach story I posted, and it's been a very long time since I last posted anything. When reviewing, and I hope you do, please keep this in mind. I have had a lot of stories that have come to mind, but with my work schedule that's usually not possible anymore. Since this whole COVID-19 pandemic thing started, I'm having to work from home, which leave plenty of time for me to write another story or two.

Anyway, this is a Bya/Ichi story, and this is my favorite pairing. My other preferred Bleach pairings are Grimm/Ichi and Ren/Ichi. I do occasionally go looking for other pairing with Ichi and without. I also love Mpreg stories too. The only other stories I read or write for are Vampire Knight, mostly for the Kana/Zero pairing.

Any way on with the story and I hope you enjoy.

Cheers,

Peaches

THE BERRY AND THE BLOSSEM

_ Current time _

Ichigo is sitting on a park bench wondering what had happened. He had had a really, really shitty night. He had gone home to find all of his thing thrown out on the front lawn of his Father's house. He was just so confused. What could he have done? He had gone to his friend's house. He went to Renji first, then Chad, but they turned him away with their doors slammed into face. Why? It didn't make any sense at all. These were good friends of his, his best friends since middle school. So why were they turning him away?

He just kept sitting there trying to figure it out, but more importantly, where he was going to go. If Chad and Renji were turning him away, so would the others too...more likely, right? Next thing he knew, there was an explosion of pain on the right side of his face and he is knocked over onto his side. He raises his hand to his face and looks to see Rukia is glaring hateful eyes at him, yelling things. Most of it doesn't make sense. All he understood was something about Orihime being attacked and she says it was Ichigo who attacked her. Rukia continues to yell at him, but he begins to understand what is going on. He was being blamed for the attack. Rukia, when she has finished, flips him off and storms out of there.

Ichigo watches as she practically runs off but is startled when a deep male voice speaks up behind him. He looks to find Byakuya there. He looks away, not knowing what to say. " I don't know what is going on Kurosaki, but I would like to hear from you what has been going on." Ichigo looks up surprised, as no one has wanted to listen to him before. Ichigo opens his mouth to begin to speak, but all that comes out is a broken sob. He shakes his head as things really begin to sink in. He has lost everything, his family, friends, and his home. He has nothing left. Once the one sob is broken lose, the flood gates have been opened and he can't seem to stop them. Completely embarrassed, he shakes his head and places his face in his hands with his elbows resting on his knees.

Byakuya, sits there and waits for him to finish. This is, after all, a most difficult time for young Kurosaki. When the young man is finished for now, he speaks again. " I would like to hear things from your side. Come stay the night with me, and we can talk at my place." Ichigo is shocked that Rukia's brother, who he though couldn't stand his guts, was offering him a warm place to stay the night. As hurt as he was about Rukia's behavior towards him, he couldn't do anything to cause problems between the siblings. "Thank you, but I won't cause problems between you and Rukia, and I couldn't do that."

Byakuya was surprised. After what had just happened, Ichigo was still thinking of his relationship with his Sister. This put a small, almost hidden smirk on the man's face. "Do not concern yourself about my relationship with Rukia. She is an adult, and we will be fine. As for you, if I am understanding your situation correctly, you have nowhere to go tonight. Is this not correct Kurosaki?" he asked. Ichigo sat there for a moment, then shook his head negatively. "Come then. There is a spare bedroom you can stay in tonight." He got up and started to walk away, expecting Ichigo to follow.

Once back at Byakuya's place, home, mansion, whatever, Ichigo changed into the night clothes offered by Byakuya and waited on the couch for him to get back from the kitchen. It only took him a few minutes and handed a cup of hot cocoa to Ichigo. Ichigo took it, took a sip and began his story. "You have been keeping up with the news about the series of attacks on women, correct?" At Byakuya's nod, well...

_Flash Back_

"And another attack last night at 11:15 pm, this time on a 25-year-old woman, mother of two. Report states she was on her way home from a late-night shift, when she was sexually assaulted. She is the sixth victim to give a description of her attacker, matching the previous descriptions. This male is said to be around 5'6" to 6'5", 20 to 30 years old, Slim build, and orange spiked hair. The police say's if you see anyone matching this description, to call the police immediately."

Ichigo couldn't believe what he was hearing. He fits that description perfectly; except he knows he isn't the attacker. Renji pipes up with his own comment. "Dude, if you weren't with us last night, I would think that was you." Ichigo turns and faces Renji, good to know you have my back and have such strong faith in me dick head." Ichigo scowls at him. Renji just grins, "I know, right?" clearly not understand he just seriously pissed Ichigo off. "It's a good thing you were with us at the bar last night and you have a really good alibi." was the only other comment Renji gave in his obliviousness.

The next night, Ichigo was walking home late from his shift at work, when he was stopped by the police. They hauled him downtown to the jail. They had asked him a bunch of questions, where he was coming from, where he was going, what he was doing out so late, and others while often repeating some of the questions. He ended up spending the night there, unable to call his Dad or friends. They kept telling him they will allow him once they were done for the night. He never got a chance to make that call. They threw him in his cell, but he was only there for a few hours before they came to let him out. By then it was 8 am the next morning. "We're letting you go. The DNA proves your innocence and there's also the fact there was another attack last night while we had you in custody. You're free to go." the office said.

He was given his things and sent on his way. He tried to call his Dad, knowing he would have been worried for him, but there was no answer. He continues his way home, and tried again, but still no answer. When he finally got home, all his things were left on the lawn in front of the house and a note on top of the pile of things. 'You are no Son of mine. Never call me or your Sisters again!' Ichigo didn't understand. His Pop was turning him away and won't even talk with him?

Ichigo picked up what he could carry and went to Chads to see if he can put him up for a while. He knocked and when the door opened, he was shocked to get a fist in his face before the door was slammed shut. He was lying where he had landed trying to figure what was happening to everyone around him. First his Dad, and now Chad. Chad had been his longest and oldest friend who knew him better than anyone one else. Feeling down hearted, he tried going to Renji's next. He knocked on the door and started calling out for Renji. When Renji answered the door, he said, "Renji, I don't know what's going on with everyone. Have they all gone insane?" All he got in return was a kick to the gut, and another slammed door.

When Ichigo could pick himself back up, he went to the park and sat on the bench. It was early evening by then and nowhere to go. He figured if he supposed two best friends were behaving this way, then the others would too. He knew it had to do with the attacks, but they knew he was innocent. They knew Ichigo looked like the attacker, but each time an attack happened, he was always with someone as an alibi. If only they would allow him to speak, they would know it wasn't him last night. He sat there for hours thinking. That's when Rukia found him, hitting him and yelling something about Orihime and him being the attacker.

_Back to the present_

This is incredible to Byakuya. By now young Kurosaki is exhausted. He helps the young man get into bed and decides to get to the truth in the morning for sure. Byakuya is in bed reading, trying to calm his mind enough to sleep when yelling could be heard. Byakuya jumps out of bed and runs down the hall to Ichigos room. "Guys don't leave me! I didn't do this; you know I didn't! I couldn't! Why won't you listen to me?" Ichigo in a heart-breaking whisper. Byakuya turns the light on to see the young man is tossing and turning in his sleep with tears running down his face. "Pop, please just listen to me. I couldn't attack those women. You know me better than that."

Byakuya doesn't hesitate any longer. He goes to wake up the other. "Kurosaki, wake up." He says shaking him. Ichigo jumps with a start, looking around the room when his eyes land on Byakuya. "I'm sorry if I woke you up Byakuya." Ichigo apologizes. "You did no such thing. I was still awake in bed. Do you need anything?" Ichigo just shakes his head no and barely manages a thank you and he lays his head back on the pillow. His eye is still open, but now distant. Byakuya gets up and turns the lights off.

The next morning, Ichigo is found in the kitchen, fixing breakfast. "I made Pancakes and bacon if you would like to join me. It appears I have nowhere to be today." Byakuya sighs, looks at the other, and simply asks, "Lost your job?", only to get an affirmative nod from him. Byakuya advises he must go to work and asks Ichigo to stay for the day. "I would like to talk more when I get back if you don't mind." All he receives in response is a quick nod.

Byakuya heads off to work. He is sure Ichigo is telling the truth about his innocence, but he wants to be sure. Throughout the day, he makes phone calls and gathers what he needs. It had been a long and tedious day, but in the end it had been worth it. He gets home and announces his arrival. "Kurosaki, I would like you to stay here with me. As you can see, I have plenty of room, and I would also like to offer you a job as well. I have been doing a little research into you. I know you are innocent of the attacks that have been happening. To be honest I have done my own investigation where you are concerned.

Ichigo scowls at the other ready to yell at him. "Please understand Kurosaki. I needed documented proof of your innocence for what I'm about to offer you." Ichigo's anger delates as fast and it inflated. "What?" he asks. Byakuya then continues, "I know of your education is not just what can be found in your grades in college. My Investigator is about ready to retire, and I need to find someone who can replace him. You are not yet skilled enough to do so, but I think if you work with him and get trained properly, you can. You have other skill sets that would be very useful to me. I have been on the receiving end of threats lately and in need of a bodyguard. With the stories I have heard, I believe you would be able to fill that role, again with more training. I don't want an answer from you yet. Take time to think about this. Let me know what you decide. If you agree, then we can talk more about benefits and pay." Ichigo nods and Byakuya turns to head to his office.

Ichigo is stunned but think about the offer he does. He thinks long and hard, He thinks for a week. He finally makes his decision and goes to see Byakuya one night when he gets home from work. He knocks on the office door and waits for the voice that would allow him to enter. when he gets it, he goes in and sits down in one of the chairs across from the older man. He waits until he has his undivided attention. "I have been thinking long and hard about your offer for the jobs. I think I would like to take you up on the offer. I was really not wanting to deliver goods to customers all my life anyway."

Byakuya nods and the first thing he says is, "First thing I want you to get into the habit of is how to address me. While on the job, call me Kuchiki at the very least if you cannot add the honorifics. Second, I have an instructor lined up to teach you about being a bodyguard and stealth. One of the best that could be found. Her name is Shihouin, Yoruichi shihouin. You will begin on Monday." Ichigo nods. "Thank you" is all he says. Byakuya nods and goes back to work, while Ichigo gets up to leave.

For the next several months, Ichigo meets with Shihouin every day for long hours at a time for his training. He learns how to fight better at hand to hand then he ever has before, weapons, pressure points to knock a person out, stealth in all situations, and much more. Even when he's not with shihoin, he practices to the point when his stealth is now second nature. His footsteps are silent no matter the circumstances where Byakuya used to tell if he was close by. Ichigo is finding himself apologizing more and more these days to Byakuya for being so silent that he scares him from time to time...which does cause him to laugh a little, if only silently.

Byakuya had been watching Ichigo and his progress very carefully. He personally doesn't like that infernal woman, that Shihoin, but he wanted the best trainer he could find for his bodyguard duties. He was told the training would be 2-3 years for the level being asked for, but Byakuya felt it would be worth it. Truth is, he doesn't need a bodyguard, but saw that Ichigo was drowning with nothing to do and as the kanji is used for his name, one who protects, it suites him. He's providing Ichigo with something he can do. Hopefully by the time his training is over, the serial rapist will have been caught and Ichigo's life more or less back to normal.

His only problem currently is how well or how fast really, Ichigo is learning. Really, it's unprecedented. He knew Ichigo was a fast learner, but this is ridiculous. What should have taken 2-3 years is taking him 9 months to master. Shihoin reports he's about ready to take on his guard duties and to move on to the next step.

Byakuya sighs, thinking about Ichigo. He was always afraid to confess to Ichigo before everything went down with the rapist and the loss of his friends as a result. He had always dreaded the time he knew Rukia would come home with Ichigo and announce they were together. Now, he's disgusted with himself since he feels relief that the current situation has kept that from ever happening.

Once it's announced that his training with Shihoin is completed, he then gets more training with his investigator, Kisuke Urahara. Once again, Ichigo excels at this also. Urahara, informs him that Ichigo can take over as his investigator in a couple of months and he would be ready to retire.

Meanwhile, Byakuya doesn't mention to Ichigo that Rukia has been coming by to visit him while he's been so busy training. Ichigo is trying to move on with his life, but with the rapist still on the loose that's really hard to do. Rukia has been living with her boyfriend of several years, Renji and they have been very busy lately, so her visitation is very infrequent at best. Unfortunately, one day, she and Renji had a huge fight and she goes to Byakuya's place late one night. "Brother, may I come in? I need to speak with you." Byakuya is about to say something, when Ichigo comes down the hall with a towel around his hips and another around his shoulders while one side is lifted to continue to dry his hair. "Kuchiki, who is that. You know you are not supposed to answer the door. That's my job."

Byakuya watches his sister's reaction to Ichigo staying in his home. The reaction is one he has expected unfortunately. "What is HE doing here dear 'BROTHER'! Why are you letting this..this...THING stay in your home! You know what he did to Orihime! Why would you do this! You let this, this MONSTER live with you in your home! You are no better than he is!" she screeched, and she ran off. Byakuya closed the door and turns and see Ichigo heading towards his bedroom. "Ichigo..." he starts, but Ichigo is shaking his head. "Go after her Kuchiki, she is your Sister, your only family you have left. I will go pack my bags and find somewhere to stay for tonight." Ichigo said. "You will do no such thing. This is your home. Yes, Rukia is Sister and the only family I have left, but she is an adult. She is, like your other friends, are thinking with their emotions and not with their heads. If they were, they would realize you are not the one that had attacked Orihime. They would have allowed you to talk and they could have checked out your story just like I did. Once the attacker is caught and I believe he will be, you will be cleared with your friends." Byakuya finishes.

Ichigo shakes his head. "Thank you for sticking by me and believing in me. I know my name will be cleared with them, but they are no longer friends of mine. We had been friends for a long time. I fought and bleed for all of them, had a lot of good and bad memories with each of them, but through it all I had their backs believing no matter what they would have mine. When I needed them to believe in me the most, they scorned me and turn me away. Some friends they turned out to be. I think what hurts the most is my old man. He used to tell me that no matter what he would always be there for me, I could always to go him if I needed to. what a bunch of bullshit that was. I don't know how I would react if this asshole is caught. "

"He will be caught. You just need to have faith Ichigo, he will be found, and your innocence will be proved. Just have faith. Your friends will come back to you." Ichigo just shakes his head and says, "I can't, I just can't Kuchiki. The only thing I have faith in anymore is you. Don't you get it? My friends, my Father as well as my own Sisters all turned their back on me. But you, someone who always scowled at me and telling me to stay away from your sister, who hated me even… you listened to me and checked my story. You gave me a home, a job, and your faith in me. You were there for me when the people who should have been left me in the cold. They are no friends or family of mine. All I have is you Kuchiki, you are all I have had for the past year and a half. Even if my innocence is proven, it won't change the past." Ichigo then turns to leave to head back to his room, Leaving Byakuya to stare after him with an incredible ach pounding in his heart.

The next morning, Ichigo and Byakuya are in the back of the limousine, and Byakuya can't get what Ichigo said out of his mind. He decides to set one thing straight. "Kurosaki, I want to correct something you said last night." Ichigo was curious. He said many things last night. What part did Byakuya want to correct? "And that is...?" "The part where you thought I hated you. I never hated you, not once." Ichigo was confused. He remembers all the times Kuchiki had warned him to stay away from his sister, always calling him names and telling he wasn't welcome in his home. "I don't get it. Then why would you..." but Ichigo never got the chance to finish his question. "Because I was jealous of Rukia's relationship with you, afraid she would come home one night to say you were seeing each other. You were always so bright, and your personality could friends of anyone, including your once enemies to any cause you deem important. I didn't want to ever hear of your attraction to her or her getting hurt just from being around you. You were too young to understand what I wanted with you, so I had to chase you away. I have liked you for a long time and the feelings kept growing instead of fading with time as I had hoped. I am not asking for anything more than a friendship outside of your employment, but I did want you to know that I never hated you."

Ichigo was stunned, but a grin was spreading on his face. "Byakuya, I have been gay for a long time, and all of my friends knew it, even Rukia. I have always liked you as well, but couldn't bring myself to confess, to afraid that you would laugh at me or worse. I have had a few nightmares of that sword that you have hanging behind your desk at home being swung in my direction. I happen to like where my head is." Ichigo chuckles. Byakuya smirks and looks to Ichigo. "As do I." He looks sideways at Ichigo and contemplates his next move. It doesn't take too long as he decides to give in to what he's always wanted to do. He lifts his hand to pull Ichigo to him and kisses him. Ichigo moans, and just as things heat up, the driver opens the door and announces their arrival. "We have arrived Sir." Byakuya sits back and smirks at Ichigo, who is by now sporting a very bright blush of his face.

_ 2 months later _

Ichigo has had a really rotten day. Byakuya and asked him to investigate a very questionable individual who wants to do business with his company, but something about this guy is really off. He decides he needs to run the frustration off. Once they make it back home from the office, he dresses for the run and heads over to inform Byakuya of his run. Since they have another guard that sticks close by for the evening, he can relax and do what he wants. Right now, that is running. "I'm heading out for a run." He announces and receives only a nod as acknowledgement.

He heads out and as usual, every where he runs, the women get out of his way like he has the plague. He continues to run for another ½ mile when he's stopped by the police…again. They take him in, again, and escort him to the interrogation room. He waits for the interrogating office to come in to ask him to check the records to show he's not the one they are looking for.

The Police Chief walks in, only it a new one. The Chief introduces himself and begins to ask questions. "Where were you the night of June 24th, a couple of weeks ago between the hours of 6-8pm?" Ichigo looks at him and says I was at home with Byakuya Kuchiki. I am not the man you are looking for. I have a file from the previous Chief of Police that give proof that I was not the serial rapist you are looking for. I am also willing to provide again if need a blood sample, and a mouth swab or any other samples you may ask for to prove the DNA doesn't match mine.

The Chief completely ignores what he was told and continue to interrogate him, but Ichigo has refused to answer any further questions and asks for his one phone call that he knows he can use. He was refused his call. Once they were done, he's shown to the holding tank. It's full of men whose eyes light up at the site of him. It's shortly after that Byakuya shows up at the police station with an attorney named Jushiro Ukitake.

"Hello, my name is Jushiro Ukitake and I am the representing attorney for one Ichigo Kurosaki. I would like to see my client now if you wouldn't mind Chief." It was a very polite demand that no one dared to refuse or argue over. This attorney is one of the best attorney's ever known. "We will have him in one of our rooms for you to meet up with him in private in a few moments." The Chief turns and yells for one of his officers to get Kurosaki ready to meet with his attorney. A few minutes later, the officer returns to whisper something in the Chiefs ear. "Excuse me for a moment. There is something I must check out." He turns and walks away.

Once he knows he's out of sight, he runs to the holding cell to see his suspect had been beaten and from the looks of it, raped in the holding cell they use for the hard-core criminals. He clenches his teeth as he turns to the officer with him, "How could this have happened!? I told you to take him to a private cell so he could stand trial! Why would you put him in this holding cell!? Go call for an ambulance before he dies in there!"

Ichigo was rushed to the hospital with a police guard. The doctors work diligently trying to save his life. He has a fractur to his skull, both arms pulled out of socket, the tibia of the right leg broken in two places and the left foot all but shattered to pieces. The left eye socket shattered and then there's all the swelling, bruises, and internal damage done. Ichigo had been in surgery for hours trying to fix all the damage. As it turns out, he had also been raped in that holding cell.

The doctor had finally come out from surgery, "Byakuya Kuchiki?" "Yes?" he responds as he leaps up and jumps to the doctor. "He's made it through surgery, but the damage is extensive. He will need a lot of care once he's released, but that may not be for some time. He's currently in a medically induced coma to allow him a chance to heal. He will need also physical therapy. One more thing Mr. Kuchiki, he's been raped. He may need help for that trauma as well." Byakuya is devastated, the man he loves has been reduced to this. How, how could this have happened? He nods but is too stunned to say anything. The Attorney he hired to represent Ichigo was there. "Byakuya, I will get to the bottom of this and find out what happened at the station. I'll get my investigator on it and will sue the hell out of the police and the city for this."

Byakuya is escorted to the ICU room that Ichigo is in, sits and holds his hands. He cries, he rants, he talks, and he tells Ichigo that he loves him. He sits there for days and nights, waiting for Ichigo to wake up. He waits for two months, taking care of business in Ichigo's room, eating sleeping, and living in the room with Ichigo. After two full months, one day, 13 hours, and 5.48 minutes, Ichigo wakes up and moans for Byakuya. He's there the next second, looking into the eyes he has been longing to see for far too long. "I'm here. I'm getting a nurse to get the doctor.", he says as he pushes the call button. The nurse walks in and he's the patient is awake and goes to fetch the doctor.

Another month goes by and Byakuya is sitting on the couch at home with Ichigo curled up into his side watching the news on TV. They have been dating for a couple of years now, and this is one of the few times that Byakuya is able to just relax at home with Ichigo. Ichigo still can't walk and needs help, but the therapy is working…at least physically. He is however unable to get a therapist for the rape trauma he's had to go through.

They are watching the news as it is Byakuya preferred form of TV. "And in breaking news tonight, the Serial attacker is caught and is in police custody. At 4:05pm earlier this evening, Fukushu Fir was caught and apprehended in the act of attacking another woman. Here is a video someone took from their phone of his arrest." As it so happens, he is remarkably close to resembling a resident of Karakura Town, and Ichigo's picture pops up. This is Ichigo Kurosaki, who looks almost exactly like Mr. Fir and one of the Biggest differences is the huge scar that runs down the left side of his face. We were told this scar is at least 15 years old. The person continues to drone on and on about the attacks and the attacker, but Ichigos eyes are glued to the picture of the attacker. There are a few other differences between them. The attacker is about 10 years older; his hair is down to his mid back. The hair and eye color are similar and not the same.

It doesn't matter to Ichigo though. The old gang had accused him of attacking Orihime based on her word, but there was at least one very big difference. That scar on his left cheek, is old. It was there when Orihime had been attacked and yet she had still blamed him. He could understand a little bit with Orihime. The trauma of the rape will mess with people minds; but that doesn't change the rest of his once friends.

Ichigo couldn't take it anymore. He got up, announced he was going his room and with the wheel chair he had to use, he left. Byakuya watched the whole thing. The time he had mentioned a few years ago is going to happen now. Ichigo's innocence was proven. Now how long before his old friends come to see him to apologize to him?

As it turns out, not as fast he was expecting it. Rukia knows Ichigo was living with Byakuya and he really expected her at least to come running to the house to speak with him, but so far weeks had passed and not a word from her or any of Ichigo's old friends. Byakuya is about ready to call Rukia, but one thought and only one thought stops him. This is not his business to fix as much as he wants to because he knows it's tearing his lover apart. It's hard to watch, but all he can do is watch and comfort the younger man.

As Ichigo comes out of his physical therapy, Orihime runs into Ichigo coming to the exit of the medical clinic they go to. She is overjoyed. "Kurosaki-Kun..Kurosaki-Kun, I have looking everywhere for you!" Ichigo just sits in his chair, gives her an indifferent look, and wheels away without a word. A week later, Ichigo is walking, ok wheeling, down the sidewalk with Byakuya, heading home when they run into another person. "Ichigo", Renji says, but Ichigo turns and leaves.

When they get home, Ichigo goes to the weight room Byakuya put in for him, yelling and spitting fire every time he opens his mouth. Most of what he says doesn't make much sense as most of it is mumbled. "Ichigo, come sit with me. I understand you are upset about running in to Abarai today, but what has you so upset that you would be fuming smoke out of your ears." "I keep running into people from my old gang. It's not just Renji today, but I ran into Orihime last week at the clinic, and others. I don't understand why they would try to greet me after all this time when they know what they have done to me. Why not just leave me alone. I have been fine…ish without them." Byakuya now understands what is happening. Ichigo may have been able to somewhat move on, but the wound from the betrayal of all his friends and his family is still an open and seething wound that has yet to heal, made worse by his own trauma

"Ichigo, I believe it may be time to bring closure on that time of your life as best as you can, and you're never going to get it unless you deal with it. You have an opportunity for that closure. Take it and move forward. Remember, you are not alone. I am here with you." Ichigo thinks on it and nods his head in consent. "Only one problem. I don't have any of their numbers anymore." Byakuya chuckles. "I still have Rukia's number and I will call her to have everyone come here." again Ichigo nods.

Two weeks later, everyone starts to show up and Byakuya shows them into the front room, including Ishin except for Ichigos Sisters. When everyone is there, Byakuya goes to get Ichigo. "Ichigo, everyone is here, including your Father, but not your sisters." Ichigo is shocked, but nods and heads on out. Once in the front room, he turns to Ishin, "I will speak with you alone." No one expected Ichigo to be in a wheelchair and Ishin is devastated to know that something happened in all of the years he hadn't spoken to him. He follow's Ichigo.

Ichigo shows him to Byakuya's office and invites his Father to sit in a chair. Ichigo then goes to the window behind Byakuya's desk and stares out. Ichigo, not knowing where to start, says as much. He starts out soft and slow, volume increasing towards the end, yelling, "You used to say you would always be there for us, no matter what. when I got into fights because of my hair, because I was gay, or for some other lame ass reason, you always listened before you acted. What was so different about this time? What was it that I couldn't even tell you that it wasn't me, but someone else?! Why was this time so different?! You kicked me out of the house, I lost all my friends, lost my job and had no place to go! If it wasn't for Byakuya, I'm not sure how I would have survived! Why would hearing the news of someone else being caught make a difference if you couldn't even hear me out?!", he finishes as tears stream down his face, seethingly looking at his Father.

With his head hung low and tears falling from his eyes, Ishin can only stare at his hands as he begins. "I know I have failed you and there is no way to make up for what I did or how I acted. I don't have any excuses. Even hearing your description on the news, I should have stood by your side and defended you; but I just couldn't believe it was you. Years ago, your Mother was attacked and raped by a man named Aizen Sosuke. He was one of her University professors that became obsessed by her. He confessed he loved her and wanted to start seeing her, but she refused him. She told him she was seeing me, and he became enraged. He stalked her everywhere and the first time she came over to my house, he waited outside patiently is what the police thought. He took her when she left my house that night and raped her. It took a while and a lot of therapy and support to overcome what happened. There were still days she needed that support. When I heard your description of these attacks, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I was so stuck on what the news reporters were saying, what had happened to your Mom, I didn't even think to realize it wasn't you who had done it. It's not an excuse, but to let you know."

Well that certainly explained a lot, but the damage had been done, and Ichigo isn't sure if he can go back to having a relationship with his Father or if he wants to. He is so very hurt by everything that has happened. "I understand what happened to Mom! I found and read the articles that was printed in the paper. I did investigate what happened to her, when I was investigating my own situation. It still doesn't change what happened with us! You kicked me out, and my Sisters wouldn't talk to me.! Family is supposed to be there for each other when no one else will! You and the girls turned your backs on me! Do you know I had considered taking my own life, and probably would have if it wasn't for Byakuya finding me that same night? How would you have felt if you couldn't find me or if you had found out about my suicide and then my innocence? How would the girls have felt? No one except Byakuya listened to me, he checked me out, investigated and found I was innocent even before the attacker was caught."

Ichigo turn back to the window and taking a deep calming breath before continuing. "Byakuya says I need closure and he's right, but it's not going to happen today. I don't know what I want. I am so filled with anger, even rage and hatred for every one of you that I don't know what I want. I think I will start going to therapy myself in between my work hours. I don't know if I will ever want a relationship with any of you guys again, but I will not decide now. That will be done later. For now, I ask that you don't call and don't check on me. You have lost that right. Same for the girls. Please leave. Dealing with you has exhausted me and I still have to deal with my old supposed friends." Ichigo turned and left the room, and Ishin in the chair. When the door closes, Ichigo can hear his Father crying.

He goes back to front room where everyone else is. He looks around to everyone he once called his friends, "Byakuya says I need closure, and I know I am not going to find it tonight. I have laughed and cried with all of you. I have fought with and bleed with all of you. I stood by each of you when things went to shit. But each of you have shown me, that my choice of friends were poor choices. I have just told Ishin that I think I therapy to help me past all of this, but right now I am so filled with anger, even rage and hatred for every one of you. I won't sit here and listen to apologies or excuses, at least not now. I will need time to figure out what I want." He turned and headed straight back to his room.

After Ichigo left the room, everyone turned to leave with tears free falling down their faces. They start filing out of the house, being escorted by Byakuya. Rukia being the last to leave, turn to him. "Brother, the things I have said to you..." she tried to say but was interrupted. "Rukia, I am in a similar boat as Ichigo where you are concerned. You have accused me of something horrendous and didn't consider I would have investigated what was going with him before opening my door to him or extending employment. You, just like your friends accused but didn't look beyond Orihime's pain. She, I can understand. She was traumatized by what happened. You have followed like a blind sheep. Even after the breaking news of the real identity of the attacker, you never came to speak with Ichigo or me about your behavior; like you could hide from it and the consequences. I will need time also to think on things, much like Ichigo does." Byakuya then closed the door on her, not giving her time to respond.

Byakuya went to go check on his lover. Ichigo is found in the garden, crying his heart out. Byakuya, rushes to him to gather him in his arms. He holds him as he sobs his hearts pain, as he screams and yells his souls' anguish, he holds him through all of it. It's only after he falls asleep, does Byakuya takes him to their bed. He gets a washcloth, wets it with warm water, and cleans Ichigo's face. He puts it away and climbs into bed next to his heart.

_ Time Break _

5 years have passed, Ichigo attends therapy to deal with the betrayal of his Family and friends as well as the trauma of his own rape. He is just getting to the point of being able to talk to them without losing his shit. He can somewhat smile at their jokes and attend celebrations. His sisters graduated from University and they asked him to go to their graduation. For his sister's sake, he is really trying hard to move passed and he is making progress. It has become apparent however, that things will never be the same. The damage is done. Things will never be the same between him and his friends, his family. Their relationships with him is still strained.

One day at BBQ at Ishin's house, Renji comes up to him. "Ichigo, will you ever be able to forgive us for what happened?" He missed his relationship with Ichigo so much, that he couldn't take it anymore. He needed to ask. He hadn't meant it to be heard by everyone though. Everyone stopped talking to hear what Ichigo had to say. Ichigo looks at Renji straight in the eyes, with a sad little smile on his face. "I have already forgiven everyone for what happened, but Renji, forgiveness does not mean I trust you, any of you. I trusted you all to have my back like I did with all of you. That trust was broken. I don't know if I will be able to trust any of you again, but the forgiveness was already given."

Orihime comes up to him and asks, "What happened that left you in a wheelchair?" Yes, at this point, he can walk very little… from the bed to the bathroom and back with difficulty, but full use of his legs will never happen again. "Before I answer that, I think it's time I told all of you about what happened to me since I was kicked out."

As Ichigo get to what happened to him in the holding cell, they were horrified. Ichigo had won the law suite against the police station, the Chief of Police, and the City for what happened to him and was awarded, in total, a large sum of money. Ichigo didn't want it, but wanted it known what happened to him when it shouldn't have.

Renji's eyes lost some of their gleam at this, but like Ichigo, offered a sad little smile and a nod of his head. They all knew they have killed a part of that once bright soul that was their precious friend all those years ago and there is no real salvation for what was done.

_ THE END _

A/N:

Thank you for reading this story. It was sad, but one that was stewing for quite sometime in my head. Please do leave a review to tell me what you think, but as I said in the beginning. This is intended to be a long one shot. I will not be adding any more chapters or a part 2 to this story.

If you feel this story was rushed, I do apologize.

Thanks for reading,

Peaches