AbhorsenSabriel87: All right, time for the next chapter.
Shirokata: You know, you haven't done any reviewer responses yet...
Sabriel: Um... I'll do them at the end of the chapter.
Shirokata: --nods-- Fine then.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its affiliates.

((Chapter 3))

---Waking from his nightmare, Hitsugaya refused to open his eyes yet. He could feel his clothes once more covering his aching body, and the mild pressure of a blanket resting over him. His entire self hurt, though dully, as if it had happened days ago instead of only hours. Had it... had it all really happened? Was it all a nightmare?

---"Hitsugaya-taicho?" The voice timidly calling to him was female, and one he knew well. It relieved him that the person speaking to him was not the heartless monster of his nightmares, but the kind and playful fukutaicho who gave him Hell day after day to keep him from being too serious. Hesitantly, he opened his eyes.

---"Matsumoto-san?"

---Daylight pouring in from the window made her hair shine like gold, and her pale face was contorted with worry and hope. She was dishevelled, her clothing wrinkled and her hair a fluffy, frizzy mass that desperately needed a comb. It was obvious that she was the one to move him to his bed, and thusly stayed at his side through the night. Even still, if what had happened was real... she would know! As soon as the thought passed through his head, he realized the complications of such a discovery and sat up quickly.

---Big mistake.

---Searing pain shot through his lower torso, forcing a short cry from his lips as he fell back, curling up on his side away from his lieutentant. He barely heard her confused shout of his name, could hardly feel her hand grasping his shoulder. Tears stung his eyes as he forced them shut, clenching his jaw to prevent any sobs from getting away from him.

---It had been real. It had all happened, and now one of his most trusted friends knew all about it.

---"Tōshirō, what is it? Why are you in pain?" Blinking his eyes open again, he couldn't look at her. If she didn't know (how could she not have?), then he would have to lie to her. And he didn't want to lie to her face; she didn't deserve such deception.

---"I... I called you here... yesterday... to tell you to... forward my missions elsewhere," he gasped through the irritated shockwaves in his bowels. "I've been... feeling ill. Yesterday... it became much... worse."

---"I understand, taicho," the woman explained, leaning back from her captain. "Do you need anything? I can go fetch a medic, I'm sure they'll come-"

---"No," he gasped sharply. "No, they have... worse wounds to treat. Just... make sure... nothing... comes my way... for a while."

---"...All right, Tōshirō," came the murmured response. Her hand left his shoulder to gently brush his hair, though he flinched at the touch. It reminded him of his torment, even though he knew a different person with far different intentions. He simply lay there, all muscles tense in an attempt to keep the pain from going any further, and he heard Rangiku stand, walk to the door, and open it. There was a short pause, then she exited, closing the door and walking down the hall. As soon as he was sure she was gone, he pushed himself onto his elbow, biting his lip to keep from crying out in pain.

---She didn't need to know. No one did. His entire team would be disgraced if anyone knew about this attack... about his pitiful attempt at protecting himself. No, none would know about this. Not Rangiku, not Jyuushiro...

---Not even- correction, especially not Momo.

---After a few tries, Tōshirō eventually got to his feet. They tembled with even his slight weight, threatening to collapse beneath him at any given moment. Staggering over to a wall, he used the support to move himself over to the door and open it. He needed to get out of these clothes, take a bath, wash away anything he could that would condemn him. He was so intent on his goal, his need to hide everything, that even the pain was pushed as far back into his mind as he could. Staggering down the hall, he distantly wondered where Hyōrinmaru was, as he had not worn her sheath at the time of his kidnapping. Normally, he could easily sense her energy, always a comforting coolness against his back and a soft whisper in his mind. She rarely raised her voice to him (other than a warning), and they never argued (unlike the many reports of the 6th Division Lieutenant and his zanpakuto's infamous disputes). He worried for her safety, though it was currently hazed by the pain and his need to somehow cleanse himself of the sin forced upon him.

---The walk down the hall seemed to take much longer than normal, and each staggering step ached more than the last. When he finally reached the shower, he felt ready to collapse. However, he continued to the bath and turned the tap. Steaming water filled the sunken hole quickly, and Hitsugaya slid down the wall into a kneeling position, shakily untying his uniform and removing it from his battered body. Bruises covered the captain's arms, chest, and sides, and he saw dried blood and semi-circle wounds. Bite marks, he remembered with a shudder; the bastard had particularly liked his shoulders and neck. As his hand reached for the ties of his hakama, it froze. He didn't want to see what had been done, didn't want to be reminded further. So, instead, he turned off the tap and slipped in without removing them. The fabric soaked almost instantly, billowing in the water as he lowered himself in, hissing sharply as the hot water stung his wounds. His skin slowly becamse used to the heat, and he sighed, relaxing his muscles. He closed his eyes, thinking of all the healing kido he knew. They would not take away the ache, nor the memories, but they would at least remove the physical evidence outwardly.

---"Honestly, that can't have really been your first time... could it?"

---"Damnit!" With a sharp crack, his hand his the wall, breaking two tiles where his fist connected. He could feel the dull pain, as well as the cool drip of blood down his hand. Pulling it back, he looked at his bleeding knuckles with interest for a moment. It was real, pure, unconditional pain. Nothing like what Ichimaru had done. Nothing he had to worry about. The blood dripped off his hand into the water, and the boy sighed, lowering it into the steaming liquid as well.

---There was nothing he could do. All he could do was heal as fast as possible and get back to his life, hopefully without anyone knowing what had happened.

---Unfortunately, a certain silver-haired captain had other plans.

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Sabriel: End of another chapter.
Shirokata: And so, time for reviewer responses.
Sabriel: Right.

HiKu64 - Thank you very much for the lovely review. Your opinion actually matters quite a bit to me, and I thank you for the compliments. I encourage you to go to for a free online reading of the Bleach mangas if you wish to learn more about the series.
Shirokata: And Ichimaru is a crafty bastard. You will find more of this in later chapters, as well as the hoped for sequal.

Decembre - Thank you for the compliment. Though I actually despise this pairing, writing rape fics comes to me naturally. And it simply for this fact that the pairing exists.
Shirokata: Also, this author has no claim to considering rape "pairings" as true pairings.
Sabriel: Absolutely. If both aren't willing, it isn't true. And, of course, I will try to keep Ichimaru as creepy as possible.

TheGypsyGirl - Thank you very much. I like being complimented on my writing. Also, I hope that you enjoy the rest of the story as it unfolds.

Vixen-Ra - You honestly scare me. Don't worry, though; I can promise that the chapter after this will have much more detail. I'm glad I didn't go overboard.

LiTtOcHiNeZcHiQ - Ichimaru is an evil, soulless bastard whose sole reason for existance in the entire plotline of Bleach is to be a traitor and nuisnace. I hope to eventually kill him, but that unfortunately will not happen in this story. However, keep reading; you may be surprised at where things go.

Hell's Angel - Here you are. Hope it was fast enough for you.

Ichixrenji-smexy love - As it as, if you just read the last chapter. And anyone would agree that it certainly was theft; before, during, and after.

wanderingypsy - Thank you for the compliments and the support. I would also gladly kill Ichimaru, but he will not die in this current fic. But as I said; keep reading and see what happens.

Mercyonthesoul - Thank you.

HunterKai - Well, here you have it. Don't hold your breath waiting for the next one, though. I don't know when I'll have it done.

hirari - That's actually kind of scary. Mind telling me which one you think it is so that I don't count you as a psychic or a crazy stalker?

Jack - - Thank you for the good will. I hope to finish this story, if only to get it out of my head.

Sabriel: Well, that's all of them so far.
Shirokata: Next chapter will be around when it is.
Sabriel: In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, as bland as it may be.
Shirokata: R&R readers.
Sabriel: Until next time.