Chapter 5: is it finally over?

Isshin looked up at Chad from the photo in his hands, he had just finished explaining everything to Chad, what really happened ten years ago, how Ichigo had snapped and killed his own mother and twin brother. Or so everyone had believed.

Isshin had heard rumours of a man who had fitted Shiros' description. Chad just stared at Isshin in shock and wonder; he had known Ichigo for 4 years now. Yet he had never known how dark his past had been. Looking down at the defeated man in front of him he felt sorrow and pity. "I never thought he'd survive to come back, but why in such a manor?" Isshin sighed wondering what was going on with his two sons, when Rukia came running in a huge smile on her face.

Ichigo watched the man walk in thinking that this some new torture or is he here to help him. "Ichigo?" the man asked. Ichigo tried to speak but found his throat dry from screaming, so he just nodded. The man seemed to understand; he came over and suddenly stopped as he noticed the knife stuck in his hand. "Look Ichigo my names Renji I'm with the police I'm going to get you out of here, but first I need to get that knife out of your hand." Ichigo just nodded preparing himself as he watched Renji lean down and pull the knife out.

Renji was shocked when he pulled that barbaric knife a pulled it out, he heard the man next to him groaned and passed out. He wasn't surprised. Ichigo looked like a skeleton, they mustn't have been feeding him much, he looked at the blood cover knife and shuddered, using its tip he put it in the lock around the guys wrist after a little bit of fiddling it clicked open, revealing one very bruised and swollen wrist; probably from all the pulling.

He unlocked all the other restraints finding a similar sight to the first. This boy had been through so much and at such a young age. Renji leant down and picked up Ichigo, who weighed next to nothing after weeks of starvation. Carrying the unconscious boy he made his way up two flights of stairs before he felt the boy stirring, he put the boy in a standing position as he watched him worriedly; Ichigo smiled and muttered "Thanks". Renji half supporting the kid led the way to the front door.

Shiro was running down stairs taking them two at a time. He had seen Grimmjow walking around covered in blood and had gotten a really bad feeling about Ichigo. He rounded the corner and saw the door wide open, running in he saw the pools of blood, the empty shackles and no Ichigo. He felt a rage coming into him he ran towards the entrance and stopped as he saw the outline of two people walking towards the exit, one clearly not being able to walk on his own.

Ichigo blinked in the light, his eyes used to darkness hurt with the sudden brightness, and the warmth! How good it was, his endless shivering would soon be over. He was free! No more pain any more rape just back to his old life as soon as possible. He sighed as he realized how long that would take.

He felt a prickling on the back of his neck like some was watching them, he looked behind them and saw Shiro standing there looking angry, and holding a gun. Ichigo tried to warn Renji but was too weak so instead he pointed, he saw Renji turn and his eyes widen as he reached for his own gun, but not before a shot was fired.

Ichigo on instinct pushed Renji down and fell on top of him as he felt a familiar burning feeling in his lower leg splintering the already damaged limb. He collapsed nearly passing out. He didn't know how much more of this he could take; both physically and emotionally. The wounds all over his body had reopened and were bleeding profusely. Ichigo rolled on to his back thinking that this is finally the end… he closed his eyes feeling himself fade into darkness.

"What?" Isshin yelled jumping of the coach, "you found him?" Rukia just nodded before saying. "Renji located their hideout and went in alone; we still don't know what state he's going to be." Isshin nodded heading towards the car with Chad following him. "I'll drive" Rukia said.

They all got in the car and drove towards his son, he was playing through a whole lot of scenarios in his head each worse than the one before it. But nothing prepared him for the horror of what he saw.

Ichigo was leaning on someone, they both turned, one reaching for his gun, they heard the shot and both men fell. Jumping out of the car he ran towards his son but stopped when Renji stood not injured meaning the one shot was Ichigo!

Ichigo lay on the ground not moving as Isshin ran to his side tears sliding down his face. He couldn't lose another family member. He knelt beside his son and saw the full horror of what had happened these past three weeks.

He was pale, his cheeks had sunken and he had dark bands around his eyes, his ribs sticking out from a very sunken chest, there were cuts and stab wounds all over his body, some obviously very recent as they were still bleeding.

He heard Chad approach and take a deep breath as he saw his friend, lying there completely motionless in an ever growing pool of his own blood. He looked around and saw that the white haired version of Ichigo was raising the gun again taking aim at Isshin, but Renji was faster he fired a bullet straight through Shiros' forehead.

Isshin looked away from Shiro and down at Ichigo, he felt for a pulse and found a weak one. "He's still alive!" they called an ambulance and one soon arrived.

The paramedics took one look at the youth lying on the ground and knew there wasn't much hope, they loaded him into the van and drove to the nearest hospital as fast as they could, with the others following in a car behind.

The next few days were torture to his family and friends. They hated seeing him look like that so weak and helpless but what hurt most was the medical report. Isshin could remember exactly what the doctor had said.

"We found three bullets and removed them, he has multiple stab wounds some newer then others, luckily none of his internal organs were damaged, he is showing signs of severe starvation and lack of nourishment. The bones in his right leg were completely shattered by a bullet, and he has lost a lot of blood, a mount that most people don't survive."

Isshin never left his sons' side he watched as all his friends from school came to visit some crying and others bearing gifts, all trying to cope with the fact he may never wake up.

Isshin was informed by the police that Shiro was dead, truly dead this time, Grimmjow and Ulquiorra had been captured and were facing life or execution for their crimes, this wasn't the first time they'd been involved in something like this. But it would be their last.

Thinking back he remembered meeting them and hearing one gloating about how he loved slicing Ichigo up and hearing him scream for mercy. While the other remained silent. He was later informed that he had raped Ichigo multiple times.

It had been a week since he had been found but still showed no sign of ever waking up. Isshin stared as his son groaned and moved a little, calling for the nurses at once.

Ichigo open his eyes to see white, lots of white, he saw faces too some happy while others crying, he saw his dad but blacked out before saying anything. He remembered coming to a few other times but never longer than a couple of seconds.

Isshin watched his son slip in and out of consciousness all day, according to the nurses this was a good sign, his body was starting to heal. His friends arrived wearing party hats and blowing noise makers, it Isshin a moment to remember it was Ichigos' sixteenth birthday today, he remembered the present he had gotten a few days before this all started. Even the two police officers were there as well, he owed them so much.

His head hurt, there was so much noise he tried to speak to tell them to shut up but found himself unable to. He opened his eyes and suddenly everything was quiet except a steady beep beep beep noise which he soon realised was a heart monitor.

So he was in the hospital. Looking around he was shocked to see all his friends and his father and sisters staring at him as though he was a ghost. He opened his mouth to speak but it was so dry, he looked around spying a glass near a jug of water, he raised a shaking hand and pointed, he was shocked by the appearance of the hand. The skin was pulled tight across it the bones almost showing through.

His father poured him a glass of water and held it to his lips, slowly allowing it to trickle down his throat it felt wonderful. He laid back his whole body hurt he slipped back into sleep.

Isshin watched as his eyes close. "Happy birthday" he whispered. He felt a hand on his shoulder and saw Yuzu and Karin. He hugged them both saying it was going to be ok. His friends all looked happier seeing him awake, even if it was only for a few minutes.

It had been about two days before he woke up again. His father never left his side. His throat felt better and he wasn't as sore. Looking around he saw Isshin sleeping leaning on the bed and his sisters next to him, also sleeping. His father stirred and sat up, smiling instantly when he saw him awake.

His dad woke his sisters Yuzu started crying in relief and joy at seeing him awake. Looking around he saw a pile of presents and birthday card, he was surprised it meant he slept through his birthday, which means it's been about a month since this all started.

"How long has it been?" He managed to croak. Isshin looking down said. "You were gone just over three weeks, you've been in the hospital about one and a half." Over a month? Ichigo was shocked he didn't realize it had been so long. "But you're back now and more or less in one piece." Isshin said smiling weakly. Ichigo tried to sit up but fell back in a cry of pain as his chest, arms and shoulders pretested at the unfamiliar movement. He put a hand to his stomach as it growled, he was shocked at how flat it was I guess that shows how little he had eaten, sighing he closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

About 3 weeks later Ichigo took in a deep breath of fresh air shielding his eyes. After weeks of hospital food and rehab and doctors constantly pestering him waking him during the night, forcing him to walk and slowly build his strength back.

But now he had been discharged, his life could finally get back to normal, he still had all his mental and physical scars, but they would fade in time. Looking around he saw all his friends and family standing there ready to great him.

Isshin watched his son walk towards them, a smile on his face; he couldn't believe it was finally over. He had heard the whole story from Ichigo, he couldn't believe what he had been through, and it was horrible. He hugged his son happy to have him back, he was still unnaturally thin but that would change with time and good food.

Ichigo smiled and hugged each of his friends, he was going to be ok, Shiro was gone for good and the others were locked away for good. He could heal for good. Turning away from the hospital he walked towards home, never wanting to leave again, he smiled and knew that everything was going to be ok.

So what did you guys think? Was the ending to happy? It was my first fanfic so I wasn't sure how exactly to end it or if it would be any good.

I hope you enjoyed it, please let me know what you think.