If Ichigo could erase one memory forever from his mind, it would, without a doubt, be the moment Orihime woke up from her unconscious state for the second time that evening.

He knew that it wasn't going to be pretty, when reality crept in. It would be the calm after a storm, the wreckage laying around as evidence of what had occurred, overwhelming. Ichigo knew, and braced himself for this moment - but he would never be able to prepare enough for the heartbreak he would feel himself.

A few moments after Ichigo had phoned the police, Ishida Ryuuken had appeared at the door with a group of female nurses to provide assistance, some additional supplies in tow. He had let them in quickly, and pointed in the direction that they needed to go.

Ryuuken had explained that it would be easier to leave Orihime where she was, as most of the supplies needed were available at the Kurosaki Clinic, and that he just brought a few extra supplies for precautionary reasons. Isshin was also happy to see that Ishida had brought a few of his skilled nurses with him, as Yuzu and Karin were too young to be involved with this assisting in this particular case. It was also a little too personal. They'd probably have to explain it to them at some point, but that would wait until later.

They began taking samples to run tests with the supplies from the Rape Kit. Ichigo cringed at the words. He had heard them saying other words that made his stomach twist, such as "STDs" and pregnancy", and it took all he had not to pass out. The very thought of Orihime with any of those things - he couldn't even say the words pregnancy or STD in his head or it might become real - made him want to go back and finish the job.

He was seeing red, and for a moment he imagined what his hollow would say and do about the situation. In this instance, he think they would be on the same page.

Let's kill them all.

Ichigo forced himself to take deep breaths in attempt to calm himself down.

Awhile passed and his dad and Ishida Ryuuken finished collecting samples. Blood tests, swab tests, saliva. All were checks for that bastard's DNA for evidence and to see what she had been drugged with... the nurses had inspected her clothes and removed all evidence they could find. Upon waking, Orihime would give them a urine sample as well.

Ryuuken left the room where Orihime was staying and headed a few rooms down, the nurses closely behind. They had finished collecting data.

Ichigo sighed, not wanting to leave the entry room. He was exhausted from being so angry. His long form leaned against the door panel, cell phone still clutched tightly in his hands.

A small voice from the room over caught his attention.

"Kurosaki-kun?" it called and Ichigo's heart dropped, his breath catching in his throat. It was time to go back inside. She needed him.

He made his way into the room, eyeing the figure on the cot. She had been changed into a hospital gown, and cleaned. She looked considerably better, but he did not take any relief in that.

Confused and disorientated, Orihime scanned the room around her, her eyes wide and panic and confusion evident on her face. Ichigo was there, next to Isshin, which brought her some comfort. Her whole body hurt, sore from prior incidents that she couldn't seem to remember. When she tried to think back to what happened, it all came up blank, like a fog that was too thick to see through.

The only thing she really did remember was her dream, with the pitch black sky and rumbling thunder. When the sky had finally lightened to a gray, little yellow orbs had appeared- which then turned out to be her Shun Shun Rikka. What that had to do with everything else, she had no idea. None of it made any sense, and the more she thought about it, the less she seemed to recall, though she wasn't so much as interested in her dreams as she was to why she was laying in a hospital bed to begin with.

She would've been concerned under normal circumstances. Waking up in the hospital and not remembering why would be pretty stress inducing for anyone, but what was sending her over the edge was the look plastered on Ichigo's face. Something terrible had to have happened for him to look the way he did. She could feel his emotions radiating off him, much like before when he still had his powers.

She took in her arms and legs, and noticed some bruises lightly speckled her pale flesh. She also noticed she was no longer wearing her floral skirt or favorite ruffled top, but a hospital gown that someone – hopefully not Ichigo – had changed her into.

Orihime hoped it wasn't as bad as it seemed to be; maybe she had fell down the stairs and that's why she couldn't remember – after all, she was very clumsy and Ichigo was always very protective of her, getting on her for tripping over her own feet. Maybe little blue men had zapped her brain away right before she fell and that's why she couldn't remember…

"Wha….what happened?" Her voice came out small and weak, wavering in fear. She could feel her lip quivering, scared of what she would find out… it was all so confusing! She remembered all the pain, being hit, and a bedroom, but trying to piece together all of it seemed impossible. It was like she had the pieces to the wrong puzzle all mixed in a box.

"Inoue….I…ah…." Ichigo sputtered, unsure of where to start. His hand found its way to his hair once again, wishing away this whole mess.

"Orihime-chan, you're in the hospital. Can you tell me if you remember anything?" Isshin's voice came. Orihime frowned.

"I don't remember much of anything…I was at a party with my friends…and I met a nice guy…or no, that's not right…" Orihime trailed off, wrinkling her nose. Ichigo could barely take the suspense. He did not want to tell her what had happened. He briefly wished they could all just lie to her and pretend like nothing happened, if only to protect her from the pain and heartbreak she was going to feel…but he knew that was wrong, and would never do it.

This was something he could not protect her from. His jaw clenched for the thousandth time that night.

"I thought I had met a nice guy, because he saved me from two mean girls in the bathroom…we were talking and then…then that's it really…it's kinda fuzzy after that…why…why am I here? Did I fall down the stairs or something? I've always been really clumsy, you know! It's not that big of a deal because I'm super strong like a superhero! I eat-"

"Orihime-chan," Isshin began, gently Orihime. He was nervous about how this was going. He exchanged glances with his son who had a pained expression on his face. He decided to try and jog her memory further. "Did he give you anything to drink?" Isshin pushed, hoping to lead her closer to the conclusion. Orihime thought briefly before she nodded slowly and mumbled, "I think so." Isshin sighed.

"Orihime-chan…I have to tell you what happened, and I know it's going to upset you but you must know. That boy you met drugged you, which is why I imagine you don't remember anything after you drank it, as it was really strong… too strong, almost." Isshin finished, the implication hanging in the air. Ichigo's eyes darkened at that piece of information, and Orihime looked horror struck by this news. Ichigo could see the questions brewing behind her eyes.

"What? I was…drugged? But why?" she stammered, and Ichigo had to force himself not to run out of the room right then and there. The innocence and naivety reflected clearly in her tone, and Ichigo groaned inernally. She was so innocent, so naive.

After this conversation she never would be again. He clenched his fist, and couldn't stop himself from slamming it down angrily. Orihime looked at him, concerned.

She did not deserve it. These would be her last few moments with her innocence fully in tact, once he told her she would no longer be the same.

How were they supposed to do this?

"Orihime-chan, is there anything else you remember? I'll answer your questions in just a moment, but I need to know if there's anything else you remember. What happened after you sipped the drink he gave you?" Isshin prodded quietly, taking the lead. He glanced at his son carefully, assessing his mental state. This was not something Ichigo was equipped to fight.

Orihime thought for a moment and looked Isshin square in the eye. "I woke up here in the Kurosaki Clinic. That's all I really remember. The more I think about it, the less I seem to recall."

Ichigo stiffened, alarmed at what she had just said. Something was off here.

"Inoue, are you sure you don't remember anything after passing out?" Ichigo asked, interrupting his father who had been about to speak.

"I'm sorry Kurosaki-kun, but no, I don't." Orihime replied, looking at him worriedly.

"So you don't remember waking up?" Ichigo asked quietly, glancing carefully to gage her reaction. She looked dumbfounded, as did Isshin.

"What do you mean waking up?" Orihime asked, confused. "Was I asleep for a nap or something?" She was growing more frightened by the second. Why would she be napping at a party? The two men in the room with her seemed to have been hit by some devastation that went beyond her being drugged... what could have happened?

"Inoue, I came…I went to save you... there was two guys... they had you alone upstairs, unconscious. As I was getting you out of there…trying to get you away from them…you woke up. You pushed one of those guys away from you because he wouldn't let you go, and when I finally got to you, you told me that you were in pain... I carried you out of the bedroom the moment Ishida and Chad arrived. You passed back out after that. You don't remember?"

Ichigo searched Orihime's eyes and all he could find in her eyes was confusion and fear.

"I don't remember... I don't really understand what happened..."

Ichigo looked to his father who seemed to have a concerned expression on his face. He would have to fill in his father later on that part of the story, but Ichigo knew that was weird.

Why wouldn't she remember that? Was she drugged so heavily that she couldn't recall what happened when she woke up the first time since it was still in her system? Is that normal? Questions raced through his mind. He just wanted to make sure she was okay, mentally and physically.

"Kurosaki-kun…why…why would he do that? I mean, why was I drugged? What did they want from me upstairs?" Orihime asked quietly. Ichigo could feel his face turning red, uncomfortable with he words that were about to be said.

He did not want to tell her that that guy had raped her, and worse still that another guy had participated….Ichigo felt sick and disgusted. It was hard to believe people like that were even human. He had met Espada with stronger moral codes.

How was he expected to say the words that would be responsible for shattering her heart into a million pieces? Those horrible, wretched words that would be life changing? Words he would never say to anyone, but now he had apply them and say them to her? In what way would Inoue be able to put those little shards back together once he spoke the words that would connect all the dots in her head? He did not want to. This was beyond his strength; this was his limit. This would not only break her, but him too. He would die a thousand times over if it meant he could make all of this untrue.

But with any match Ichigo had ever taken place in, he knew he could not give up. He knew what he had to do.

"Inoue… when he drugged you, he did it for his own selfish reasons…we -I, was too late to stop him from what he did…he, uh, he…took advantage of you, Inoue. I am so sorry." Ichigo said quietly, averting his eyes carefully. He hoped she'd understand the meaning behind his words, as naïve as she was. He did not want to elaborate. He did not want to say that word.

"Took advantage of me? What do…wait…you don't mean…oh….oh no…!" Orihime squeaked, her eyes widening. She looked down into her lap, tears pooling and falling onto her hospital gown, blurring her vision. She began to hiccup uncontrollably, her breathing uneven. Her sobs echoed in the infirmary.

The first thing she felt was horror. The second was embarrassment. Then shame.

"That explains why I'm so sore...I can't believe someone touched me that way…I can't believe all this happened…And Ichigo saw?" She was going to puke.

In that moment, Ichigo hated himself more than ever before.

Failure! You have failed her again!

"I'm afraid my son told you the truth, Orihime-chan….I am terribly sorry…no woman deserves this..."

Orihime couldn't stop the gasps that came from her mouth. The news was just too much to take in. Her body began shaking and she clutched herself, as if hoping to block out anything that might touch her.

Ichigo averted his eyes, unsure of what to do. Would it be appropriate to hug her? Pat her on the back? He didn't know how to comfort anyone in normal circumstances, what should he do now?

As Ichigo was figuring out what to do, a blur of black and blue streaked in front behind him. It was Tatsuki, and she was on a mission. "Orihime!" She gasped, sliding to a stop in front of the girl's bed. "Orihime, I'm here!" The girl whispered, flinging her arms around her friend. Orihime flinched momentarily, but then quickly relaxed in her best friend's arms, sobbing.

"He….he…touched me Tatsuki!" Orihime squealed between sobs. Ichigo cringed, and he wondered how many shatters could his heart take before there was nothing left?

Orihime wiped her eyes and looked up. As Ichigo had watched the scene before him, Ishida and Chad had appeared behind him quietly, taking in the conversation and scene before them in disbelief, in anger.

Isshin took the opportunity to politely excuse himself, as the police were outside and there was much work to be done and much to discuss. They all sat at Orihime's bedside silently offering support.

:.:

Minutes ticked by before Orihime said anything else. Everything was quiet; the only sound coming from the room was that of Orihime's muffled sobs. Tatsuki was holding her friend in her arms, comforting her like a mother would, trying to whisper words of comfort in Orihime's ear. Ichigo was thankful Tatsuki was here to provide her comfort he did not know how to. He stood silently, arms crossed, watching. trying to calm his thoughts and his own emotions.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Isshin returned.

"The police are outside and they're going to want to talk to you, Orihime-chan. I've talked with them already, but they are ready to talk to you if you are ready to meet with them. I can give you a few minutes if needed." Isshin said. Orihime pulled away from Tatsuki to utter a small "okay".

Isshin gave Ichigo a nod, a quiet acknowledgement.

"My head is spinning." Orihime said quietly, and clutched her head as though it would stop by doing so. Tatsuki had not left her side.

"Orihime, I'm so sorry I wasn't there! I was trying to get to you…I'll never forgive myself as long as I live!" Tatsuki said, and for the first time in a very long time, he saw Tatsuki shed a tear, the guilt evident in her eyes.

"Don't….don't blame yourself, Tatsuki! It's all my fault! I was the one who ran off!" Orihime whispered, hugging her best friend close. Ichigo moved to sit on the end of her cot, letting her know that he was there for support too. It was all he could do.

"Do you remember anything?" Tatsuki asked.

"I don't remember anything that happened to me, no…just…everything right before...Kurosaki-kun says I woke up some time during my rescue but I don't remember that…"

Ishida glanced at Ichigo and Ichigo nodded in acknowledgement. There was something worse about her being awake to witness the egregious crime committed against her that made him ill. She had been naked and vulnerable… and awake to see the evil firsthand.

Ichigo swallowed, his racing thoughts getting the best of it.

The next time I cross paths with them, I will finish what I started. It was a promise.

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Andddddd I'm sorry kiddies, but it's ending there. This chapter was 100% exhausting! It took me so long because I rewrote it multiple times!

Also, sorry for the delay. Just know that none of my stories are on hold except for Rose Colored Glasses, so don't worry. I know, I'm slow…but in my defense, my home town was flooded and it's been fun trying to get readjusted.

Please leave a review!