Was it her or were the buildings somehow different seeming?

Warily glancing about, Rukia suspected they were, or at the very least the sword had been doing some spring cleaning since the buildings looked a little..straighter. Casting quick looks down to her shihakusho every few minutes, she advanced further along the large gray side of the skyscraper. Where was he? Rukia had expected the spiritual form of the Zanpaku-to to appear behind her with his cloak flowing in the wind like some kind of dashing- she had to stop comparing the baka-sword to Mr. Rochester. Ishida had recommended Jane Eyre and a few other old classics translated from English to Japanese the first day of the vacation her Taichou had oh-so kindly granted for her saying she hadn't seen her human friends in a while.

Rukia concurred, but could've done without certain things-namely a certain orange-haired idiot. Since Ishida's book list had drawn a thinly disguised sneer from Ichigo and a sharp thwack from her book bag to his head seconds later. The baka had deserved it...making fun of her precious books like that! Nodding to herself in agreement about the sub's increasing idiocy-rather than decreasing the longer they knew each other, it perhaps did escape her notice, the figure watching her avidly from a distance.

(*)*)*)*)*)*)

Why wasn't she making faces, or-or showing any signs of maltreatment? Ichigo took a moment to glower at the sword laying across Rukia's knees, remembering all the times he had suffered Zangetsu's rough treatment. Unless the old man was gentle with her...fooled 'cause of her girly outward appearance-? He shuddered at the mental image that conjured up.

Rukia could be as sugary sweet like any other real girl but when it came down to it, she could hit as hard as any guy he knew- or better. Little bitch... scowling to himself, the orange-haired Shinigami sub favored the plain gold-guard and red hilted Zanpaku-to in his lap with another disapproving glare. He was definitely not looking forward to meeting Ice woman again.

Not after the sub-zero freeze she had oh-so delicately dealt out by the tips of her tiny fingers.

"Well, get going Kurosaki-kun!"

Ichigo didn't miss the cheery note in Urahara's voice. "I'm going! I'm going!" his amber eyes shot death-glares to the man sitting with a folded knee on a nearby boulder; he just knew the perverted shopkeeper was hoping for another glimpse-perhaps a peek up Rukia's skirt if she managed to release Zangetsu.

The wink and slight wave off of the white paper fan only added to the classic gleeful image of a dirty old man.

He just hoped Zangetsu wasn't showing his age and trying to steal peeks either.

Shaking his head even harder to rid his thoughts especially of that image, he closed his eyes determined to face whatever the so-called most beautiful sword in- correction- the living world threw at him.

(*)*)*)*)*)*)

She walked back and forth. Nothing. This was aggravating. When she wanted..well not really, since she wished it were her own Zanpaku-to, so Rukia couldn't rightly say she wanted to see him. But damned Urahara and his ridiculous ideas! She preferably wanted to see the shopkeeper die a painful- drawn out death for suggesting they try simply exchanging Zanpaku-tos.

Both had been repulsed by physical shock at the merest touch of their rightful sword hilts. But then... her mind worked furiously, aided by the fact that he was nowhere in sight. Maybe it had been a onetime fluke, the night before had only been the initial discharge of their respective powers colliding- sure the mindscape was different, but maybe if she called her...

In truth she was willing to try anything. Even if it was grasping at straws.

"Are you there..Sode no..Shirayuki?" Rukia whispered, wishing with all her might that the beautiful kimono-clad Yuki-onna would appear before her in sedate elegance.

Instead however...

"That. Is not my name." The distinct tones resonated from behind her carrying a mild affront to them.

Rukia whirled about, her heart in her throat. "You-!"

There he stood, taller than her yet not quite reaching Ichigo's 5'8 height. Slender arms encased in sleeves that ended in tatters, legs in slim form-fitting pants, the cloak that resembled more a dress the longer she looked at it, flowed about past knee-height despite the lack of wind.

"I didn't see you!" She had been terribly disappointed that her own sword hadn't answered the call, but a little more than relieved that he had appeared. The only thing was, she felt like a traitor with that relief. So, it only contributed to her crossness when he pointed back to a slanting neighboring skyscraper saying as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I was over there."

She wanted to strangle something really badly now. "Why didn't you-"

He looked back at her impassively, then it occurred to her that she hadn't called him. Great..this was really going well. She vindictively hoped that baka Ichigo was having as many problems if not more with her Sode no Shirayuki. Perverted baka Urahara and his stupid ideas!

First thing's, first. "Zangetsu.." strangely she liked the way his name rolled off her tongue. "I am going to be your wielder for now-"

"I heard everything that was said." He interrupted carelessly. "I knew you were to be my wielder from the moment you appeared in this mindscape. However.." somehow Rukia didn't like that tiny smirk lifting one corner of his mouth. "To be my wielder you must first say my name."

Her mouth opened and closed several times, each time the articulation less and less coherent. Finally she managed to get out, "your name is Zangetsu! I'm no fool! That's-" then something from the inner recesses of her memory came into recall. Hadn't Ichigo said once...that Zangetsu was an old man? She was sure this was no old man!

The sword shook his head slightly in some disappointment.

"I believe the time for that lesson is in order." his right arm lifted from his side, fingers snapping. "If you are worthy of bearing me as your Zanpaku-to.."

She let out a startled cry as a wave of light washed over them.

"..then find me...Rukia!"

When she opened her eyes, she found he had disappeared, leaving behind a thousand swords with black blades and four-pronged guards stuck blade-down into the level surfaces of the buildings.

(*)*)*)*)*)*)

Ichigo felt the coldness on his face and opened his eyes. The snow had stopped for which he was glad, realizing for the first time the chill seeping through his thin shihakusho. The sword had disappeared from his sash which made his searching fingers halt momentarily at the scathing crystalline female tones.

"Why have you come?" The stunningly beautiful woman came into being from the very air it seemed. A slight icy nip brushed across his skin- what he was fast coming to know as her trademark.

"I'm here to wield you, Sode no Shirayuki." As with everything, his confidence shone in his voice. For Zangetsu such willful strength had been enough, which he assumed would also impress her. However, Ichigo was somewhat taken aback by the white sword's response.

A silvery laugh rippled throughout her delicate form, faded blue eyes narrowing in mirth.

"Is that all a Zanpaku-to means to you, Kurosaki Ichigo? As an instrument, a means of protecting those whom you would extend your hand to, by wielding a sword as though it is a dumb horse and you its master?"

Horse..that sounded familiar. "N-No! You've got it all wrong! I never..." the words wouldn't come. True, he never spoke to Zangetsu unless he was dying or in need of guidance on a battlefield. Perhaps he had taken his partner a little...for granted.

But, certainly he had never thought of Zangetsu as a horse! His eyes flashed dangerously, his jaw clenching. "I am here to wield you, Sode no Shirayuki. I will not leave until you yield the sword in your hand to me." His gaze drifted down to the curling white ribbon and slender white tang attached to the circular guard. The slim fingers tightened minutely.

The sword she had, was the true Zanpaku-to. Urahara had told he and Rukia as much. The one the spirit wielded...

"I see you will not be put off then." Her hand half rose, for a moment Ichigo had hopes that she would quietly concede the Zanpaku-to to him. But, these were dashed as snowflakes began to drizzle from the sky. "Your persistence is most unusual for a human," for a moment it seemed the coldness in her eyes lessened, her mouth relaxing in a thin, straight line. "However, know this, I will never release for anyone other than Kuchiki Rukia..willingly. You must prove yourself worthy of bearing me as your Zanpaku-to, Kurosaki Ichigo!"

The whipping winter wind grew stronger, flakes spun faster, harder until the Zanpaku-to's form had melted away into them leaving only the call of a howling blizzard to swallow up the plain.

(*)*)*)*)*)*)

She had gone through four rows without finding anything. Though as a matter of course, Rukia had no idea what to look for. They all looked the same, were lifeless without a glow or a spark to let her know which was the true one. But, then again, she had to remember with some aggravation at the ridiculousness of it all.

Zangetsu wanted her to find him.

So, there wouldn't be any hint or clue to go by. Her brow creased, her hand fisting around the black hilt of the fourth one deep in the row. Stupid sword...flinging the one she had over her shoulder, she moved on clearing out the row as she went with barely a glance at them. The most obvious thing would be for the real Zangetsu to be the very last one.

The sooner she got this over with...but then the sword wasn't a bad sort. Certainly not what she was used to, him being a male after all. Though Rukia had never said anything, knowing how inflated Ichigo's ego would get...she had always thought that...his bankai was kind of nice.

So, then wasn't she lucky in a way to be able to call that power her own? ..If even-

Suddenly she sensed it.

A change in the still air as energy coursed on a wavelength.

Rukia turned slowly, her eyes falling on the sword that glowed with an iridescent, indigo light.

There he was.

(*)*)*)*)*)*)

The woman was interesting. Her reactions especially were of interest to the sword who remained, static. Unmoving where she had tossed him. Being the first one on the first row, he had entertained the notion that while Ichigo's intelligence was sometimes questioned, the human had at least possessed the desire to wield him as a sword.

Therein lay the heart of the matter.

If Kuchiki Rukia wanted to wield him then all else would fade away, leaving nothing but he- as the true form of the Zanpaku-to sealed ready for her command to release him.

Yet she hadn't done so.

Her heart was plain to his eyes as keen though invisible as they were.

Kuchiki Rukia wanted not to wield another sword save the other, Sode no Shirayuki. It was this desire, selfish and self-defeating that wouldn't allow her to see the indigo hued glow that surrounded the single black sword lying farthest away.

This, the sword had to admit, was the most disappointing.

Their connection faint through the spirit ribbon that had fused them together, strengthened minutely. The sword perceived her thoughts then, the subtle change that brought them closer. He allowed the air to vibrate. Reiatsu that contained remnants of Ichigo's coalesced with that of ice. Lacking the snow Zanpaku-to, even then her reiatsu still possessed a touch of icy coolness that was somehow pleasant to him.

Rukia..

Her saw her eyes widen, her lips part. He particularly enjoyed the various expressions she made. Surprise. Annoyance. Anger. Then chagrin at herself. In such a form without lips to speak or a throat to modulate even the most guttural of sounds; the sword wanted to laugh.

She was adorable; alternately frowning and berating herself without words.

Then, she came, bending slightly. For a moment, the hand she extended, reaching for his hilt was reminiscent of another.

Say it. Now.

But, that was all gone now. She, not Ichigo was his wielder.

"T-Tensa Zangetsu-?"

He tried not to mind her hesitance.

(*)*)*)*)*)*)

Tensa...

It took more than a moment for her to recall the name of Ichigo's ban-kai. That was the most logical answer, right? Tensa Zangetsu...

She liked the name.

The outfit she had woken up in, the swords she saw now were all the ban-kai. So, was it possible-?

Maybe. The possibility of it wasn't so far-fetched as for her to disregard the notion. Ichigo had said Zangetsu was old, this one...was young as far as she could tell. Irritably her mind conjured up the slight half-smirk/smile and that damned hood hanging over his face! From all outward appearances she was positive he was a young man! So, did that mean...

Zangetsu was old and Tensa Zangetsu was young?

She had never heard of any Zanpaku-to changing in appearance with each release phase. Then, was that why...he had seemed almost insulted being called by the shikai name? Rukia scowled to herself, what had she done to deserve such a enigmatic spirit? Mr. dark and mysterious indeed!

But... her eyes fell on the first sword she had taken from the original row, the resonation came from it. She had to wonder...just how would Byakuya nii-sama take it- if of course a solution wasn't found and she remained with the black moon cutter as a Zanpaku-to?

Rukia thought somehow she didn't really want to imagine his reaction. Rather focus on the present as her fingers slipped around the black and red hilt, uncertainty making her voice a quiet tremor.

"T-Tensa Zangetsu-?"

Like before, light flashed, the false swords vanished into it, melding into the spiritual form of the true Zanpaku-to, bent on one knee.

"You understood..." the tiny smile was back. "Finally. Took you long enough."

"As if I had any help from you!" She snapped then realized in a way...it was wrong. But, he didn't seem to care. "I am yours then," in his hands, latent reishii from the atmosphere gathered, Rukia felt the subtle drain on her power as the Zanpaku-to took shape. The familiar hilt appeared then the guard seemingly smaller than she remembered, then instead of the scabbard, black bandages were wrapped about the dark as night tang shaded on the cutting edge with the same indigo hue as his aura.

Her eyes ran over it, a small sense of pride replacing even if momentarily her doubts. This was hers now. With a slight nod from him, her hand extended, grasping the hilt. Rukia lifted it up, watching as the bandages unraveled becoming coal black links of a long chain.

"So.. this is really you." There was awe in her voice, understanding filled her that the other sword had been afterimage left behind from Ichigo. "You're amazing." She hadn't meant to say so much aloud, particularly after being annoyed with the sword about ten minutes previously. However, she found it wasn't a bad thing, as another smile curved his mouth.

She discovered this was one was by far the most pleasing. It didn't seem like he was sneering at her now. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard... it was with these thoughts in mind that she knelt suddenly, placing the newly won blade aside. A tiny smirk was on her lips as she raised her hands to hover on either side of the hood.

"It's only fair that I get to see what you really look like now that you're mine..." Rukia couldn't explain the unexpected impulse, her fingers curling around the black fabric that had a roughness to it. She just knew she had to see his face.

With a simple flick of her wrist, she had thrown it back, revealing the smooth expanse of youthful skin, narrow yet expressive dark brown eyes and the thick strands of tousled dark hair falling around his countenance.

For moments neither spoke, then his eyes crinkled a little in the corners, amusement a thin curve of his mouth- what Rukia judged to be a very masculine approach to a grin, despite her rising annoyance at constantly being his source of entertainment, her heartbeat sped up just the slightest even though she didn't know why. It was just a grin, for Gods sakes!

"Like..what you see?" The faintest hint of a tease, bordering on oh-so seriousness was a somewhat deadly combination Rukia found.

She couldn't help it, she blushed.

-TBC...

AN: no real manga timeline and this isn't IchiRuki so please stop asking. I have some plans for Hichi so there is no fusion since I definitely liked Tensa's design pre-fusion mangaverse. Thanks for reading.

No flames-haters-stupid comments!

Please review C:

PS: The title means: Indigo Dye