Zangetsu sighed. Above him, dark clouds floated through usually blue skies. The boy was troubled, he knew that for certain. He walked along one of the many featureless buildings. The booted footsteps of the vast city's only inhabitant echoed off tall walls before becoming inaudible. A drop of water landed on Zangetsu's hand. Lately, it seemed, rain fell more easily in this world than usual.
Zangetsu hated the rain.
It gave him a feeling akin to that of a shipwrecked man.
Utterly alone.
Rain sharpened the already intense solitude.
The sky formed an ethereal bridge between himself and Ichigo, and through it, Zangetsu knew the condition of the boy's heart. Regardless of external circumstances or appearances, the sky of this world always showed Ichigo's true feelings.
Zangetsu felt an overwhelming sadness.
He wanted to help the boy.
It seemed that Ichigo still wanted to forge ahead by himself. The sky never lied. Rain would fall soon, unless Ichigo listened. He had to listen.
Trust in me, Ichigo. You are not fighting alone. I will lend you any strength you need, if only to stop the rain.
Two raindrops fell onto his sunglasses.
More began to patter on his head and on the roof of the skyscraper.
He looked to the sky.
What's wrong, Ichigo?
The rain began to fall harder.
Zangetsu sighed again.
Ichigo could not stop the rain on his own.