The morning passed by slowly and uneventfully for everyone at the Kurosaki clinic. Everyone had returned from their quick errands, and Orihime even had a few new visitors – Mizuiro and Keigo. They had been unaware of any of the events that had happened until the police showed up, having been in a different area upstairs. After Koen and Orochi were arrested, Mizuiro and Keigo questioned Tatsuki about what had happened. She had given them a short, clipped explanation, saying Orihime was assaulted and then ran off with Chad and Uryu, leaving the two boys confused and worried for their classmate.

"We were so worried, Inoue-san! We would have come sooner if we had known what had happened! We didn't know what was going on or anything. We're glad you're okay though." Keigo stated, looking uncomfortably at the girl in the cot. Her sweat pants were baggy and only her toes poked through, revealing them curled into the sheets beneath her. She offered her classmates a small smile.

"Arigatou to you both, but could you guys do me a favor? Just…don't mention anything to anyone at school. I'm sure they'll hear some stuff, but just don't mention anything…I'll tell them some of it when I return."

"Of course, Inoue-san, we're not really sure who's all heard about it anyway, or what anyone knows. The party was held by a student from a different school, though it was close. This will be the one time the news isn't coming from my cell phone." Mizuiro commented, an embarassed expression on his face.

"Thank you, then. And thank you for the flowers, they are beautiful." Orihime said, turning her attention to the window. She began to day dream once again, and Mizuiro and Keigo took it as a sign that they should be going.

"We're going to head out, but if anything happens or if you guys need anything, just call. Feel better, Inoue-san."

"Hai…"

As Keigo and Mizuiro were exiting, Isshin stepped in, clearing his throat. Orihime turned her attention back down to Earth.

"Good afternoon, Inoue-chan. How are we feeling today?"

"I'm okay, Kurosaki-san." Orihime replied, her voice small and meek. This was the moment she had been apparently waiting for.

"Well, I have some news for you, Inoue-chan. The results of the tests are in." His words hung poignant in the air, and the group perked up, attention on Isshin. Tatsuki moved to Orihime's bed, and wrapped her arms around Orihime's arm, offering support. Ichigo also moved to stand beside her, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder to let her know was there, too. Ishida and Chad moved by her feet.

Everyone formed around Orihime in a protective shield, preparing to block out anything bad that might happen within the next few seconds.

"Yes, Kurosaki-san. What are the results…?"

"Are you okay with me disclosing in front of everyone or would you prefer to do this in private?" Isshin asked, already knowing the answer.

"They can stay." Orihime said, squeezing Tatsuki's hand. This would be embarrassing, but she didn't want to be alone no matter what.

"Well, I did a standard pelvic exam, and swabbed for DNA and semen. We also took your clothing and swabbed that as well. The only thing found was some hair and a some minor ripping of the genitalia where he forced entry, which is conclusive with rough penetration. The physical evidence indicates the extent of the trauma to that area is minimal, and it seems he did not get very far when my son burst in as there was no semen or sperm cells found whatsoever. I think it's safe to say there is no chance of pregnancy, however I do feel better knowing you took the morning after pill as a precaution."

He paused, letting her digest the news. She had a small smile on her face, relief setting in.

"In about a month we will take a pregnancy test, just to be safe and for peace of mind since we can't determine a pregnancy at this stage anyway, but again, just based on length of time and the evidence that shows he did not get very far, I feel confident in telling you it is highly, highly unlikely."

As for STDs, you're negative on that front too. This is the best possible outcome of these tests. Again, I will retest for STD's in a few weeks, but it looks like he had barely started his assault when my son arrived. Of course, there was some bruising and cuts on your body, as you most likely were not being handled with care both before and after the interruption, but those will heal in a few days. Now the main healing journey will be in regards to psychological support. These situations are traumatizing and require familial support as well as other resources as needed. We can take on that journey one day at a time, though. I am confident you will be successful in that regard."

"Oh, thank goodness!" Orihime cried, relief prominent in her features. It was a relief to hear that that man hadn't been allowed to do as much damage as he would have liked, and that he hadn't taken her future from her. She felt a tiny bit better knowing her hadn't been able to get very far in his assault as well.

A smile shown through on her face as waves of stress fell off spilled off her shoulders much like her golden hair. She had gotten a little bit of control back in her life. Tatsuki was hugging her and she hugged her back, feeling Ichigo's hand tighten on her shoulder. It was still traumatizing to know that man had touched her like that, had seen the most intimate part of her and had began to take it for himself, but at the very least, she was now free from him after today, at least in the physical form. No children, no diseases would come of it. She had her own demons she would work though, but she knew in time it would come. She hoped, at least.

"That's great news Dad." Ichigo said hoarsely, a glint of happiness showing in his eyes. He would not have looked at her any differently if there had been bad news, but to know she didn't have to deal with anymore of him was the best thing he'd heard the past two days. It was still hard to hear about the bruising on her body and the ripping due to forced entry -and the word penetration was about all that he could take- but he put that at the back of his mind for now.

"Yes. The only exception is the AIDS/HIV test, which takes a lot longer to return results. I'll let you now when they come through, but going off the rest of the examination, I have a feeling it's negative as well. I'm happy for that, Inoue-chan. I know today is still going to be hard for you, so let's just get the rest of it out of the way, yeah? We'll go down to the police station as soon as you're ready to go."

"Okay, Kurosaki-san. And thank you so much for everything you've done for me. I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay you…"

"Now, now, none of that! There will be absolutely no hospital bill for you to worry about that's for sure, and you owe me nothing! This is why I came into this profession, to help people. You have done so much for my son, you are someone worth helping. I am sorry this had to happened to you, but there is no need for thanks. Consider it a small payback for dealing with my hot headed son for so long."

"Hey!"

Inoue smiled at the kind man in front of her and said, "Hai." Her eyes shown with appreciation and love, but there was a little amusement in her eyes as well that was directed at Ichigo.

"I think I'm ready to go right now. I could use some fresh air...let me just comb my hair a little…" Orihime got up and headed towards the bathroom. She had to put on a brave face for her friends. It was a little easier with the good news she was just given.

:.:

The car ride over had been a quiet one. Orihime lost herself looking out the window again. Ichigo wondered if she would ever return to her talkative self. He knew it had only been a day, but it was so different from her usual rambling that it worried him. The drastic change in such a short time made him spiral, worried if she would ever be somewhat herself again.

He wanted to know what she was thinking desperately.

Ichigo insisted he come with to the station, as did everyone else. Only a few people could fit in the car, so Isshin drove Ichigo and Tatsuki along, while Ishida and Chad stayed at the clinic to set up Orihime's bed and went to get clothes from her apartment. When asked how they were going to get Orihime's clothes without going through her drawers, Ishida huffed, offended. "I am going to dump everything in a bad. I will not be trifling through her personal items."

"We're here."

Orihime nodded, fear clinging to her heart. She shook away her thoughts. She had nothing to fear. Ichigo, Tatsuki, and Kurosaki-san were with her and she was safe. She now had the power to make sure no other girl was hurt the way she was. She could do it.

They filed into the station and Orihime felt like everyone was staring at her. She was sure they knew who she was and why she'd come – Isshin had phoned saying they would be in shortly, and the police station was a small one. This was probably one of the bigger happenings in a while, atleast in regards to actual World of the Living business, so her case was probably already being talked about.

"Inoue Orihime?" A voice called, and she turned to see the police man she saw last night at questioning. She nodded, nervous.

"Hello, I'm Officer Adachi Taro. I believe you remember me from last night. How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling a little better, thank you." Orihime replied quietly, to which the officer nodded.

"Well, there's no need to draw this out and make you sit here longer than needed. I already got all the information I needed from you last night, so unless you remember anything else, we can go right in and do the identifying."

"No, there's nothing else."

"Alright then, follow me."

They walked through a long hall, Ichigo right behind Orihime, Tatsuki taking up the rear. He had the urge to grab her hand and squeeze it in comfort, but suppressed it. Her boundaries had been broken enough the last few days, he wasn't going to contribute. It was odd to him, though, to ever have the urge to hold her hand – it wasn't his usual behavior. He usually shied away from contact, especially with girls, though it was always different with Orihime. He knew she needed him and everyone else now more than ever, and he knew she would never ask.

They reached a room with a giant glass window, and behind it was nothing but a white wall. Ichigo knew this was a one way mirror, so that they could see the attackers but the attackers would only see the reflection of themselves.

"Alright, so we're going to file everyone in from the party last night with a few others. Identify who's who as best as you can."

A second later, a chain of people began filling the room one after the other, all looking extremely pissed off. Orihime had her eyes averted, waiting until they were settled into the white room before she took her first and only look at the man who assaulted her.

"Him, right there…with the slightly spiky hair. That's the one who introduced himself to me as Koen."

The officer nodded, confirming what he already knew. "Yes, his identification does state that as his name. We just had to be sure that you knew that so that there was no false conviction. Any one else familiar?"

"Well…." Orihime looked at the two females in the room as well. She didn't know what part they played, but she knew they had been in the bathroom with her that evening, harassing her.

"The two women….I don't know what part they played in everything, but they had attacked me in the bathroom that evening and tried to beat me up. I think they may all be friends."

"Ah, yes. Your friend here had us take them into custody on account of them trying to prevent your rescue. They apparently knew about the whole thing and often help the two men who assaulted you. At least the blonde one does, the two men confirmed that last night. This appears to be the dark-haired girls first time with the whole "operation" as they so call it."

Tatsuki nodded, anger plaguing her features. The nerve.

Orihime swallowed, disgusted by the people behind the glass. She remembered the two girls well. The image of them cornering her into the bathroom struck a chord with her, their behavior so reminiscent of Loly and Menoly. One aggressive, one along for the ride. Both cruel.

"Which one was the other man? Kurosaki-kun, who was the one that helped Koen?" Her voice was low, and her eyes were attentive on him. Ichigo's face was contorted in digust looking at their faces, and his eyes were locked on one man in particular.

"That one." Ichigo said, pointing to the man. "His name was Orochi, if I remember correctly. An appropriate name if there ever was one." Ichigo quipped. His death glare did not break.

Orihime nodded, moving closer to the glass until her fingers pressed lightly against it.

"I don't remember his face at all. Just Koen's. It was just me and Koen talking and drinking punch. He must have come in later."

"That's all we needed. We just had to be sure, it's protocol. These two men will be prosecuted. As for the women, we'll question them some more to determine how deep their involvement is and go from there. Thanks."

Orihime nodded, lost in thought. Her eyes scanned the two faces before her, committing their images to her memory. This would be the only look she would spare them. Then she would look forward, and never look back.

:.:

Sorry it was so short! There will be more soon - and sorry about the wait!