To Protect

This chapter brought to you by alcohol the authors best friend...:: nearly falls off the chair trying to get the last drink of sake:: Though the first half has been done perfectly sober. OH and all those warnings, promises, well if you don't like those, turn back now... If you like this story you can go to FF.net and read the shorter cut version. :-) OH AND REVIEW PLEASE!

(unedited conversation)

RoMayDrako: last but not least how woould you like to be recognised for your service
aguila75757: what service?
RoMayDrako: you techicnically beta's it even if it's not a perfect work
RoMayDrako: And special thanks to Aguila75757 who spelled checked it, grammer scanned it, and helped me slow the F down.
RoMayDrako: Just sounds so genaric
aguila75757: LOL
aguila75757: well you ARE the writer
RoMayDrako: True
aguila75757: yep so i'll leave it up to you

(If you would like to guest beta let me know, just know I like it to be back in 24 hours or you will be replaced.)

**-_-**

Gravel crunched under Ichigo's boots as he walked towards Renji. Water dripped off of his body leaving a trail. The orange hair boy had a predator's stride; each move was a promise of retribution. Crouching down beside Renji, Ichigo's hand reached out brushing against the red hair that was still held back. A coughing fit shook the red head splattering blood unto Ichigo's shoes.

The Shinigami was hurt, looking only a few inches there was an ugly wound where the flesh of his shoulder was gouged, scraped away. Further down his side was covered road rash. Nothing to bad except for Renji's leg. The bone pressed against the skin threatening to tear through. Even in jeans one could see the break. Ever so lightly Ichigo touched the fracture.

Pain, Renji's eyes snapped open.

"Shh, it's just me." Ichigo kept his voice low.

"I...I...Ichigo... how's Yuzu?"

"Worried about you."

The red head's face contorted in pain. "I told them Yuzu was dead, it's the only way she's not here now."

"They believed you?"

Renji nodded as Ichigo began to unravel the barbed wire around the Shinigami's wrists. It made Ichigo sad to see the usually smoothly tan skin marred with deep cuts. Blood dripped on the ground then washed away. Carefully Ichigo inspected the cuts on Renji's wrists. God he wanted so bad to pull the red head into his arms and hug him. He resisted instead he stood and faced the thugs.

"I'm here, let him fucking go."

"No hi for your old friend Yokochini." The leader with the weird piercings stated coolly. "Over there ready to kill your brother is Deaf-"

Deaf was almost as tall as Chad, also half jap, half french, just as muscular, and as his nickname stated he was deaf. He went on to introduce the rest of the thugs. Junn, which was thin framed, bald, and carried a thin bamboo stick. Sakura, was a long black haired, purdy boy, he wore tight clothes that screamed out he was gay. The rest Yokochini indicated he forgot, calling them from A to P stating that they didn't matter.

"Are you going to let Renji go or am I going to kick some ass and put you back in the hospital?" Ichigo growled.

Yokochini laughed, "No, first you’re going to have to please us before we do."

"Bastards!"

Renji twisted so he could watch the unfolding circumstances. The darkness would have to wait to claim him. Through the haze he watched as Ichigo was struck by Yokochini. Then shoved by E, only to be punched by Junn. The Shinigami substitute staggered his hands remained at his sides his fingers tightly closed into fists.

An order was shouted to Ichigo from Yokochini, but he couldn't hear it because of a loud crash of thunder. What ever it was, Ichigo was moving towards the wall bridge. Slowly ever slowly he took off his shirt. Then the orange haired boy took off his pants, and then he spread his hands out and leaned against the wall. Renji stared at Ichigo in nothing but his boxers.

For being human he was well built. Each muscled toned, ripping the surface of the skin, yet he was so thin and frail looking. He wanted so bad to reach out and touch the pale skin. Taste it, then maybe, claim Ichigo has his. No, it was not the time to thin about that they still were in danger. A Shinagami should know better then to get distracted. Mentally Renji scolded himself.

Deaf pulled over a cooler and sat near Renji.

"Watch the show." Deaf said barely understandable.

Lightning lit the scene, fallowed shortly by a rumble of thunder. Junn approached Ichigo, then with a well practiced swing struck. Junn began to strike Ichigo repetitively with great force. Once, twice, three times, four? It didn't matter after awhile they all ran together. The orange haired teen refused to show any pain or emotion, but he could see the bruises and blood that was covering his body. Screaming Junn struck Ichigo in the stomach hard with his bamboo stick.

Ichigo thought he felt his innards explode as the stick broke. The broken edge scrapped across his bruised ribs causing a nearly bone deep ragged scrapes. Cursing Junn jammed the broken side of his stick into Ichigo's upper arm. Blood poured down Ichigo's side dripping unto the ground. The droplets forming a small pool. Blankly Ichigo stared at the blood around his feet.

"Think your one tuff bastard!" Junn spat in Ichigo's face.

Following the rules, Ichigo only glared, he didn't talk, he was only allowed to scream. Taking a cheap shock Junn kicked the feet from under Ichigo. Once on the ground Junn kicked Ichigo's ribs hard one cracking. Then placed a foot on Ichigo's throat. Ichigo's eyes held their void look as he lay sprawled on the ground, he refused to struggle.

"Didn't Yokochini tell you not to fall?"

In reply, Ichigo blink, his face showing only his rage.

"You’re not amusing me Ichigo." Their boss growled walking over.

Small spiked brass knuckles slipped unto P's knuckles. Removing his foot, Junn picked up offending teen by the hair. With a small flick of a hand Yokochini motioned for the lesser subordinate to strike. Strike he did square to Ichigo's solar plexus. Breath escaped Ichigo's lungs in a wheeze. P's other fist came around and connected with the side of Ichigo's head. Again the knuckles struck Ichigo this time in the ribs. Each time the brass knuckles caused for holes that bleed.

Ichigo's violent nature screamed to be let out, screamed at him to fight. Screamed to at least verbally let something slip.

"Scream for me Ichigo." Yokochini ordered.

"Fuck you." The orange haired boy wheezed.

Brass knuckles connected with Ichigo's head an inch behind his ear. Stars exploded in Ichigo's eyes. He felt his hair snap before he connected with the ground. It took a few seconds to get his site back, but when Ichigo looked up they were prepared for the next assault.

Grabbing the chains that surrounded Renji, Deaf picked up the Shinigami. Effortlessly he moved Renji over the raging water. Both boys eyes met, then Renji's eyes rolled into the back of his head. He was unconscious again, Ichigo yelled for him but instantly felt himself restrained. Spinning around in whose ever grasp Ichigo glared at Yokochini.

"If he drops you know I can kick all of your asses myself." The Shinigami substitute hissed.

"Sakura quit masturbating and get over here." Yokochini ordered.

"I can't help it boss," Sakura pouted. "There's something about a tenderized guy that makes me so hard."

There was silence as everyone stared at Sakura. Rain drummed down and thunder continued to roll. The storm was just getting worse. As if to break the tension P punched Ichigo blindly. Ichigo grunted as the blow nearly landed on extra sensitive area between his legs.

"He's yours make him scream." Yokochini looked so smug.

"His, WAIT WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Ichigo screamed suddenly afraid.

P, Yokochini, and Junn turned back to the bon fire. Everyone else, but Deaf turned their back to them. Sakura grabbed Ichigo by the hair and held a nail file to Ichigo's jugular vein. In quick strides he walked Ichigo towards the river. Passion filled he shoved Ichigo unto the cooler. Then before Ichigo had time to move he tore away Ichigo's shorts.

This was making Ichigo's head spin. What was going to happen to him, why did Sakura tear off his shorts? Something hot and slimy ran over his neck. Ichigo closed his eyes trying so hard to deny what was going to happen. He could feel something hard pressing against his ass hole. Holding his breath Ichigo froze as he felt something slowly painfully entering him.

"Scream for me I can feel you want to." Sakura said seductively as he dug point tipped nails into Ichigo's side.

"No, no, no, please don't!" It was panic in its purest form.

Sakura buried himself all the way in till his nuts squished against Ichigo's buns. "I already did."

Nothing had ever been shoved up Ichigo's ass except the thermometer when he was a kid. This however did not compare. It hurt; Ichigo cried retreating in wards not wanting to register what was happening to him. In tune to the rocking cooler Ichigo felt blinding pain, he couldn't deny it. Screaming loudly Ichigo's inner world opened up to him. It was easier now to slip further into his inner world.

This couldn't be happening to him.

//'Giving up Ichigo?'// A hollow voice hissed.

Ichigo remained in his darkened world his face in his hands. He rocked back and forth, pressing his legs tight against his chest. Ashamed at being violated so easily. When it was all over He would return. Infuriated his hollow self stormed over to him. Hichigo pulled the orange haired self up to his feet. Disgusted Hichigo looked into what looked like a dead mans eyes, Ichigo wouldn't even fight him.

//'This is not a place where you can just go hiding King when things go a little bad.// The hollow growled//'I thought you were the king but.// Hichigo laughed/. //'You really are pathetic for pulling yourself into your mind to hide... You’re afraid for that shit of a Shinigami Renji... You should have slit his goddamn throat when you had the chance.'//

The muscles in Ichigo's face twitched, but he didn't say anything.

//'Fine, if you won't do something, then I'm taking over.'//

It drove Sakura wild pounding into his unresponsive victim. It was kind of like fucking a corpse, but of course this victim was breathing. Pleasure pulsed through out his body, his back arched. Sweat beaded his face from the excursion of his evil deed. Sakura loved it most of all when there was no fight. He was almost to his orgasm, digging his nails further he thrust Ichigo harder against his self. Closing his eyes he moaned loudly.

Finally the addictive feeling of release spread from his lower half up like a tsunami.

Bending over he bit into Ichigo's neck hard before cuming inside of Ichigo. Blood tricked down Ichigo's shoulder. For a few seconds he remained still. Then finally Sakura pulled out, using his hand he squeezed as much filth off of his penis as he could. Coldly he wiped it on Ichigo's cheek. His hand teasing Ichigo's red bleeding ass.

"You’re a good screw."

"HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHA!!!!!"

In a flash Ichigo spun around, his fingers wrapped around Sakura's penis and twisted. Blood spurted into the air. A horrible scream tore from Sakura's throat. Forcibly Ichigo shoved the detached penis into Sakura's mouth. Using the momentum Ichigo slammed Sakura head first into the ground. Still laughing he looked around at the other men who were now on their feet. Slowly Ichigo licked his lips, blood lust shown in his eyes.

Hichigo had taken over.

"Good screw huh? I thought it was a mosquito biting my ass."

"Y... Y... YOUR FRIEND IS DEAD!" Boss screamed.

In a flash Hichigo was across the clearing, leaping over the bon fire he grabbed the gold chain and tore both piercings from the body. Boss screamed and held his face rolling on the ground. Hichigo smirked laughter never quitting. One by one he went after them. They either tried to run or tried to attack him. Either way Hichigo hunted them down and attacked them individually. Not to concerned with killing them. They were just too weak.

It was a matter of two minutes and blood soaked bodies littered the ground. Wild eyes searched around till they found the last man standing. Deaf.

He stood still holding Renji, his eyes wavered to horrified from what he saw. Suddenly a scream came from his lips and he dropped Renji. The river quickly over took him away. Ichigo inside of him struggled alive. Hichigo screamed and tried to keep in control.

"NO, NO, NO, YOU HID YOU LOST YOUR RIGHT."

"BUT THIS IS MY... BODY... RENJI."

Snap, Ichigo was back, rushing towards the river he jumped in. He tried desperately to swim towards Renji. In the darkness he couldn't see where he was. Lightning mercifully flashed giving Ichigo an eye shot of red hair slipping under the muddy surface. Shortly before the spot Ichigo dove under and let the current take him down.

His hand connected with chains. Luck was with him.

Ichigo struggled upwards the current pulling them both down stream at a high rate of speed. Breaking the surface the impacted some debris, hugging Renji he struggled towards the shore. Renji gasped for air his body tense like he was about to struggle.

"I... Ichigo... I... I... I can't swim." Renji gasped, awake.

"I don't fucking care, relax."

The branch Ichigo was holding unto snapped. Something hard connected with him, and he grasped unto it. Slowly they were being tugged looking up he saw Kon face first in the grass, he had managed to throw the biggest thing he could find with a rope attached. Ichigo adjusted his grip on the bike tire and Renji. Water rushed over them, who knew how much time the hand.

Wrapping his legs tight around Renji he started grabbing debris pulling them towards the shore. he felt an inhuman strength surge through him. Renji's partly free arms gripped his legs. Then when it seemed it would never come to try land Ichigo's hand grasped the retainer wall. The little lion plush was on the edge cheering him on.

**-_-**

The doors to the ER swung open. Two ambulances were on the way ten more were on the hospital. Another group of teenagers believed associated with the two teens that had just arrived. A cell phone call was made, they had traced it boys on the bank. One was naked and bleeding profusely from a deep gash that happened when he struck by debris. He had a hold of the retaining wall but was unable to pull them up. The second boy was in chains having been found unconscious.

"Take the red head teen into room four, I want x-rays... SOMEBODY GET THE WIRE CUTTERS!" A lead woman doctor shouted. "Take the orange haired boy to room three and get him breathing, check for head trauma!"

Ishida Hospital was jumping, all doctors were being paged. Sirens filled the tense air as more and more ambulances arrived. There would have been more but they were detoured to other hospitals. Shaking her head the doctor continued on to room three, hopefully they could bring this teen back.

The phone rang to the Kurosaki clinic, Isshin immediately picked up the phone. "Dr. Kurasaki how can I help you?"

"Hi, Dr. Kurasaki its Sessimi sectary from Ishida hospital, I'm calling on the behave of the on call doctor Dr. Shin. Tonight several teens came in badly hurt, I recognize one of them as your son Ichigo."

Something felt so wrong so fast. "Was there a red head with tattoos?"

"Um, yes, Ichigo was found holding him... Do you know him?"

"Their both my sons." Isshin rubbed his forehead.

"O!" Sesshimi paused over the phone. "Can you come down to the hospital-"

"I know what your going to say, but I am a doctor you can say it now." Isshin sighed.

"Well Ichigo is in unstable condition, it's still unclear his injuries however, we think he was raped. Your second son-"

"Renji."

"Renji, has a fractured leg they want to take him up to surgery ASAP to repair it, few broken rib one witch punctured his lung, and he suffers from a cracked vertebra."

"Take care of them both, I'll be down there in a little bit."

Hanging up the phone Ichigo called another person.

**-_-**

It took until morning for Ishida Hospital to clear Renji and Ichigo for transfer to the smaller Kurosaki clinic. Once Renji had awoken he found only maddening hours laying on his back fighting reality. It drove him even crazier when he was moved into a small room with Ichigo. Silence from the orange haired teen was so unnerving. Each hour that Ichigo didn't wake up Renji wanted to scream. Hell, the only way he knew Ichigo still lived was the fogging of the mask.

Only thing worse was the human division of justice enforcement, or police, who kept poking around. Something about three dead teens, and a horrifying mutilation of another. One even threw his precious remote on the floor after clicking off the TV.

Ug, Renji could just kick something right now. Of course his legs refused to work. Isshin swore they would come back. Man he wished to be in the soul society were they had healers to fix this.

"Ichigo wake up!" Renji growled poking Ichigo on the arm.

Renji began a repetitive motion staring up at the ceiling. He was on the right side, his IV's barely fitting into the windowless corner. Ichigo lay on the left side where there was room for his oxygen IV's and a chair. Both beds shoved together. Last night had been a very busy night at the clinic. An accident, unexpected birth, careless child, the list went on and on.

Soft footsteps signaled someone entering the room.

"If Onii-San wakes up he's going to break your finger." Karin warned.

"I thought your dad was keeping you girls out."

There was a hesitation before Karin replied. "It's not going to be last time I see him busted up."

Renji didn't reply, he could feel her staring at him. Just knowing she was starring at him for answers made him uncomfortable. He could hear her move before she came into his line of site. Once Karin came into site she began to do something, Renji assumed was his toes.

"You really can't a feel a thing can't you." Karin blurted out.

Renji shook his head. "No, but your dad assured me I will again."

"O... Brother hasn't woken up?"

In response to her question Renji wiggled his fingers, playing on Karin's earlier joke. Slowly Ichigo's sister walked around to Ichigo's side of the bed and pulled the chair close. She gripped Ichigo's hand and stared at her brother. Her finger ran over a split on Ichigo's finger. Short hair slipped down to block the black haired girls face.

"I herd Ichi-nii, and Yuzu talking once." Karin said softly. "They talked about how much he loved Orihime and Rukia. How they constantly hit on him, trying to win his heart. Ichi-Nii loved them both, Orihime meant most to him, then you came along." There was a pause. "Of those two, he choose you! YOU, who ever you really are."

Karin laughed mirthlessly as Renji put a hand on his face digesting her words.

"Such a foolish idiot, choosing me over him."

"I know you feel nothing for him." Karin snapped. "My brother gave away his heart so foolishly."

"Yeah well I never asked the bastard to fall in love with me!" Renji snapped back though he couldn't lie to himself.

Silence feel over them. 'Of those two, he choose you.' It kept repeating in Renji's mind. Time passed it only felt like a moment till he felt something small and powerful press on his chest. Slowly he peered under his hand that was still firmly pressed against his eyes. A baboon with black markings, and a snake for a tail sat on his chest; Zabimaru. Glancing to his left he saw Karin sleeping.

//"You crippled this body."// It was a statement, not a question.

"Falling asleep again Zabimaru." Renji replaced his hand. "I said feeling and movement should come back."

Paw like pressure moved up his chest, then he felt Zabimaru staring down at him. It was almost irony how Zabimaru was compared to Renji. The Baboon sniffed his snake hissing at something. Feeling a little moody Renji batted at his zanbatou soul and promptly felt two sharp fangs pierce his skin. Zabimaru's snake tail had bitten into his hand.

//"This crippleness, it'll do you good."// The snake bit harder. //"Time to think what that orange hair boy means to you so it stops distracting you in battle... Or can we fight him again and end your misery?"//

"ZABIMARU LET ME GO!" Renji screamed not daring to pull his hand away.

//"Swipe at me again I won't be so merciful."// Zabimaru warned allowing his question to go unanswered.

"I'M SORRY, OW!"

//"Don't take to long, I can't wait till our next fight."//

With that Zabimaru was gone. Blood trickled down Renji's hand were the fangs punctured his hand. Groaning he turned his head to stare at Ichigo. It was almost peaceful watching Ichigo sleep. His chest steadily rising and falling. However, there was sadness in knowing how frail the usually strong teen was. Reaching over Renji touched Ichigo's cheek.

It was so cold.

Pushing orange hair aside Renji studied the face more. Feelings unfamiliar stirred up again. Should he do what he dared? Or was it just fate, after all it was two times today someone hinted on it. Slowly Renji trailed a finger along the lines of Ichigo's jaw. Despite his age, they were still smooth, no sign of a beard started. Almost instantly Renji pictured Ichigo with Isshin's beard and smiled. Ichigo would look so stupid with a beard.