It had been hours since Ichigo had shoved Nimaiya aside and pulled the two from the forge. He still didn't know what had overcome him to interrupt the God of Swords amidst the forging of his zanpakutō. By all means, his interference should have butchered the process to Hell with no chances of it resulting in a functional blade (even if Hell had taken a liking to him). Yet, Ichigo had gotten this strange sense of foreboding as he watched the man work. Nimaiya didn't know Zangetsu as well as Ichigo does. The man didn't know the story behind them, the trauma and emotional torment each had gone through to get where they were now. Zangetsu needed the touch of someone who truly understood him – both sides of him – to reveal his true form.
And what a form it was.
Ichigo just could not take his eyes off the two blades. Every time he thought he had stared at them long enough, his wrists would rotate, allowing whatever light present to show him a new angle to admire them at.
The larger blade – which he held in his right hand – was similar to his previous Shikai in shape. The grip at the base had a handle protruding from it, roughly the length and width of Ichigo's forearm. There was a thin, hollowed-out portion that ran along the blade's length and reoccurred in the handle. There was no question about which part of Zangetsu this blade represented.
The other blade was significantly smaller in size compared to its counterpart. The shape was more akin to an oversized trench knife rather than an actual sword. Unlike the larger blade, this one had an enclosed handle. The cutting edge having been elongated to also act as a handguard. It was a much more subtle weapon, which suited the spirit that embodied it much better.
Despite their different appearances, it was clear these two were a package deal. Not only was their colour scheme identical - both were as black as the darkest night - but their distinct designs also complimented each other. The shorter blade was for close combat, whereas the large sword granted more reach. Any shortcomings one fighting style would bring, the other could solve.
The light caught the razor-sharp edge of both blades and Ichigo found himself staring again. Hell, he couldn't wait to actually use these two in combat. He had no idea how to dual-wield and – if he thought about it – now was possibly the worst moment to have to relearn how to fight. Nevertheless, Ichigo was a fast learner. He figured- well, hoped, that duel-wielding would come as easily as fighting itself had done. Surely, his spirits would know how to fight. If Ichigo listened to his – or rather, their – instincts, he should be fine.
Probably.
Maybe.
Wait. If he hadn't been holding two very sharp weapons, Ichigo would have facepalmed. There was no need for him to wait until tomorrow to fight. He knew for a fact a certain someone would be thrilled to be his sparring partner.
Lowering his arms to the ground, Ichigo closed his eyes. After a decade of almost daily practice, Jinzen came as second nature to him. The shift was immediate but smooth, his conscious retreating to the Mindscape inside his soul. When he opened his eyes, he was greeted with an unfamiliar sight.
Green. Ichigo turned around, finding nature surrounded him. Trees, bushes, grass and plants as far as the eyes could see. Which wasn't far considering the trees blocked his view.
I don't remember there being a forest here, Ichigo mused. Wanting a better grip on his surroundings, Ichigo propelled up with a strong step of Shunpo. He broke through the canopy, launching himself into the dark, star-filled sky.
It was nothing like the city he had become so accustomed to over the years. All he could see was a sea of leaves, only broken up by the occasional building. Yet, it didn't strike him as odd. On the contrary, this environment felt right. How often had he heard either half of Zangetsu voice their displeasure at the lack of nature? He remembered vividly how, despite their disdain for the Mindscape having changed to reflect Karakura Town, they never complained about the parks. They were always in one of the few scattered around. Getsu even went as far as to limit their sparring sessions to the town so the bit of nature they had wouldn't get damaged.
So, this is how it was supposed to be.
Ichigo wasn't granted a lot of time to admire his new Mindscape. A light buzzing in the back of his head put his body on alert. Ichigo pivoted, arm raising to meet the white blade aimed at his neck with his own. Sparks sprung into existence at the clash, obscuring Ichigo's view as gleeful, maniacal laughter filled his ears.
'Took ya long enough to come here, Aibou!' Getsu shouted over the clashing of their swords. 'Finally managed ta tear yer eyes away from us?'
'Can't a man appreciate his weapons?' Ichigo asked as his face flushed in embarrassment.
'Betcha wanted to do more than just appreciate us'. Getsu swung his arm in a large arc, launching a Getsuga Tenshō. Ichigo dodged it with Shunpo, feeling the energy lick at his feet.
Ichigo only smiled as he evaded another attack and countered. Getsu knew him well. 'That's why I'm here'.
Their battle stretched over hours. Only swords were used, both sides giving it their all.
Suddenly, Ichigo's vision was obscured by red. He went to turn but was a tad too late. Ichigo winced.
'Too slow', Getsu purred into his wielder's ear.
Ichigo looked down, finding the blade entering his left side and exiting his right. 'I am so glad I don't feel this'.
The hollow-zanpakutō feigned disappointment, 'A shame, really'. With a flick of his wrist, the blade slipped out of his wielder's body; leaving not even a droplet of blood.
Once the blade cleared his side, Ichigo twisted his torso. Even though he knew there would be no lingering effects, Ichigo couldn't help but check whenever Getsu had stabbed him somewhere lethal. 'Shall I ask Grimmjow if he wants to fight you again?'
Getsu stabbed the blade in the ground, leaning on it. 'If you can manage to convince him'. The spirit sighed, eyes going up as he reminisced on his fight. 'I would love to play with the kitty again'.
'Shouldn't be too hard', Ichigo said as he picked up whatever it was Getsu had thrown at him. 'Just got to push his buttons a little bit'.
'Ooh, what's this? Does the pure-hearted King have an evil bone in his body?'
'Oh hush you'.
Getsu stuck out his tongue in response. Ichigo rolled his eyes and turned towards the object in his hands. It was some kind of clothing. Judging by the length and the sleeves, Ichigo guessed it was a coat. 'This is yours?'
'Wow, did you figure that out all on your own?'
Ichigo gave his spirit a look before tossing the coat over. Getsu snatched it and, in one motion, draped it over his shoulders.
'Anything else?' Getsu asked.
'Now you mention it, yes'. Ichigo looked around, 'Where is Zan?'
Getsu pouted in annoyance, 'Laying in the grass somewhere'. Straightening his back, the spirit dismissed the blade. 'Want me to bring ya to him?'
'If you're offering'.
'Only if ya can keep up... ', Getsu said. He then shot his wielder a smirk, 'Old man'.
Two sonic booms spread throughout the mindscape in unison. Weapon and wielder rushed over the roof of green; one cackling with glee, the other shouting obscenities. They zig-zagged, both horizontally and vertically. Getsu trying to stay ahead while Ichigo was right on his heels.
Determined to make his zanpakutō eat his words, Ichigo took a chance. Instead of following, he made a guess as to which direction Getsu would go. His mind predicted up, his gut said left.
Ichigo went left.
The hollow-zanpakutō yelped as he was tackled from the side. The two went crashing through the canopy, destroying many branches and even felling a tree or two on their way down.
Ichigo smirked victoriously as he rolled off his spirit. Getsu merely glared at him, though the lilt of his lips betrayed his amusement.
'I don't know whether to be proud or insulted ya listened to yer instinct just to tackle me'.
'Hmm, definitely proud', Ichigo said. 'It means I did learn after all those years'.
Getsu breathed out a chuckle, 'I suppose so'.
Ichigo got back on his feet and offered his hand. Getsu was tempted to smack it away but accepted. The spirit dusted himself off, leaving his clothes in pristine condition before starting to walk.
'If ya had hit me a second later, we might have crashed into Shades', he said. 'Could've dog-piled him'.
Ichigo barked out a laugh at the mental image, 'I will try to aim my tackles better, next time'.
Getsu turned around, walking backwards for a few paces. 'See that you do'. When he faced ahead, he threw his arms up, 'I'm back~'
They stepped into a small clearing, the light of the stars illuminating the area just enough to discern colours.
'Must you always be so loud?' Zan asked.
'Only when I want to annoy people'.
'So, basically all the time?' Ichigo stated.
'Yep', Getsu said.
Zan eyed his wielder from where he laid, 'Shouldn't you rest?'
Ichigo offered an apologetic shrug, 'I would if I could'.
'Don't be too harsh on the boy', Getsu tutted, his hands on Ichigo's shoulders. 'He's allowed to have a little fun'.
'Boy?' Ichigo looked at his spirit. 'First I'm old and now I'm a boy?'
'I am older than you but look younger, I can call you whatever the fuck I want'.
Ichigo rolled his eyes, pretending to be annoyed. 'Whatever you say, peacock'.
Getsu raised an eyebrow at the strange insult, two whole seconds passed before realisation hit. 'You asshole!' He jabbed a finger in his wielder's side. 'You did noticed!'
'Of course, I did!' Ichigo said. 'You've worn the same thing for nearly two decades'.
Getsu crossed his arm with a huff, a blue hue on his face. 'Normally, I would try to kill you right now. But I'm in way too good a mood to let it bother me'.
'Lucky me'.
'If the two of you are done making noise', Zan spoke up. 'I would like to watch the stars in peace'.
Ichigo sat down. Getsu scoffed but joined, sitting down at Ichigo's other side.
'You out just to enjoy the change in scenery?' Ichigo asked.
'No', Zan replied. 'We woke up simultaneously'.
Ichigo frowned, 'That's weird'.
'Is it?' Getsu questioned. 'Because, last I checked, you got two asaushi, now'.
'Wait'. Ichigo sat up, looking at both spirits. 'This is permanent?'
'Sure is. We don't have to share a body anymore', Getsu revealed. 'Which means someone cannot hide like a coward every time I want to spar'.
Zan groaned, 'You and I have very different connotations with the word "sparring".
'It ain't fun if no-one dies', Getsu whined. 'It's not like it's permanent, or anything'.
'It isn't pleasant, either'.
'What? You say "not dying" is a good motivation in a fight?' Getsu asked in mock shock. 'I never would have guessed since Ichigo just doesn't seem to care'.
'Come on, I only died two times', Ichigo defended.
'In one day!' Getsu shouted. 'One time? I can overlook that. It happens to the best of us. But two? Come on!'
'I will try not to die again'.
'You better. With how strong ya are, it would be your own damn fault if it happens again'.
At the subject of dying, Ichigo looked down. 'You guys think I can win?' he asked with uncertainty, his voice much softer.
'Not with that attitude', Getsu scolded. 'You are the strongest being in all the worlds'.
'Not to mention, you fight for another', Zan added.
Orihime and Kazui were the first to come to mind.
'That wannabe-king won't stand a chance', Getsu said confidently.
Ichigo smiled, 'Thanks, I…I needed to hear that'.
'Why don't you lay down and rest?' Zan suggested.
'Already? But I want to go another round!' Getsu complained.
'You already have had two'.
'Two?' Ichigo echoed confused.
'We fought before you arrived', Zan told with a sigh. 'He didn't give me much choice'.
'You can run and hide all ya want, I will find and catch ya', Getsu grinned. 'And don't act like you didn't enjoy it, yer were smiling ear to ear'.
Ichigo gasped, 'He smiled?!'
'Sure did. Should have seen his face, like a boy on Christmas', Getsu said with a grin.
'You must be projecting', Zan denied.
'Why would I? Unlike someone here, I am not afraid to say it', Getsu declared. 'I don't have ta share a body, I've got kick-ass clothes, my wielder is goddamn powerful and I live in this wonderful green world! Best day of all my lives, hands down'.
'I do like the change in scenery', Zan admitted.
'Oh God', Ichigo whispered. 'You were right. He can smile!'
'You act as if you have never seen me smile before'.
'Because you never do', Ichigo argued. 'I think I have seen Getsu smile - and I mean, genuinely smile - more than you and he is half hollow'.
'I highly doubt-'
'Nah, he's right, ya know', Getsu agreed. 'Ya don't smile often. Even in Bankai, it's hard ta get ya ta smile'.
Zan eyed the two, 'Does that... bother you?'
'No, not at all', Ichigo assured. 'It makes it all the more rewarding when you finally do grace us with a smile', Ichigo said.
'It's like a challenge', Getsu agreed.
'You two are incorrigible', Zan stated.
'Aw, thank you'.
Ichigo nudged Getsu's shoulder as if to scold him. Before he could, however, a yawn erupted from him.
'Tired, huh?' Getsu said.
Blinking slowly, Ichigo nodded.
'Then sleep', Zan said.
Ichigo shook his head, even as exhaustion was now pulling at his conscious. 'Can't sleep', he mumbled.
'Ya don't have ta go if ya don't want to', Getsu said. Ichigo lost the strength to stay upright and leaned against his spirit. Getsu scowled over Ichigo's shoulder, sending his counterpart a glare. 'Ya can stay here. We'll wake ya when needed'.
Ichigo hummed, eyes already drooping. Getsu carefully laid his wielder down. The young man didn't make a sound, already deep asleep.
'Yer lucky he didn't realise it', Getsu said.
'I could say the same to you', Zan replied. 'Whatever happened to "never lying" to him?'
'It wasn't a lie'. Getsu placed his chin on his palm to support his head. 'I just got a bit carried away'.
'That might have been for the best'.
They lapsed into silence.
'Say, you were part of the man once', Getsu said after a while. 'What do you think our chances are?'
Zan did not reply. Which, in itself, was a clear answer.
'Really? Not even a fifty-fifty?' Getsu asked, miffed at the prospect their wielder wasn't strong enough.
'Yhwach is a very powerful man. What we have seen is but a fraction of his true strength'.
'Ya kidding me? Yer telling me he wasn't even trying when he offed that old geezer?'
'Don't ask questions if you want to hear a specific answer', Zan said. 'You will only end up disappointed'.
Silver irises melted into gold. Getsu gritted his teeth, barely keeping his anger in check. His hands balled into fists, palms protected by Hierro against the nails that dug into them.
Ichigo groaned, turning on his side to facing Getsu. The hollow-zanpakutō stilled as he felt his wielder prod his spiritual-pressure with his own, sluggishly attempting to soothe it.
The rage dwindled. Getsu closed his eyes with a frustrated sigh, 'Goddammit, Aibou'. With a shake of his shoulders, the cloak fell down his arms.
'You have grown soft', Zan said.
'So have you', Getsu muttered as he covered his wielder. Ichigo was quick to pull it closer, wrapping himself in the warm fabric. Once he settled down, a contented sigh passed his lips.
'Only for him', Zan corrected.
'Only for him', Getsu agreed.
The two remained silent for a while. Neither particularly motivated to pursue the subject to its conclusion. Why would they if it was so easy to pretend everything would turn out alright? Should they waste their time discussing possible ways to delay fate? Try to come up with some elaborate scheme that was doomed to fail? Why bother when they could also live their last few days enjoying what they had managed to achieve? Why die trying if you could also die happy?
'How far are you willing to go?' Zan asked, surprising Getsu. It was normally the hollow-zanpakutō who cracked first.
'As far as it takes', Getsu replied without hesitation.
'And what about paths we have taken in the past?'
Getsu snarled, his eyes burning brighter than ever before. 'Even if we are willing, I doubt King would agree'.
'You truly believe he wouldn't use it if it could save his family and friends?'
'He promised-'
'That we would "never have to go through that again", Zan reminded.
The realisation hit Getsu like a train. He stared at his wielder in shock, feeling slightly betrayed. Sonofabitch.
'I suppose he didn't want to lie to us, either', Zan mused.
'So what, he will die no matter what we do?' Getsu asked. 'Then what does any of this even matter?! What are we fighting for if not his life?!'
'His peace of mind'. Zan turned back to look at the sky. 'Will he perish amidst battle, unable to save those he treasures? Or will he take his last breath with no regrets?'
Getsu turned his face away, nursing his chest. Wishing, not for the first time, his heart never started to beat.
'It isn't fair', Zan stated simply. Voicing what his other half was thinking. 'No one should have to make such a decision.
With a snarl, Getsu fired a Cero to his left, obliterating one of the skyscrapers in the distance. 'Damn it! Damn it all to Hell!'
Zan sighed, silently agreeing with his counterpart. Ichigo shifted at the outburst, groaning in displeasure as he rolled on his other side.
'I…I don't want to lose this, Zan', Getsu said. 'Not after all the shit we've been through to get here'.
'Believe me, I am no less upset than you are', Zan said, turning his head to look at their wielder. 'I want to see him grow, turn grey and die with a smile. Then live a long, long afterlife before meeting his end in an honourable battle'.
Getsu gave an empty chuckle, 'I rather not have him die at all but, yeah. That sounds good'.
'I'm afraid all we can do is hope he will grow strong enough to live'.
The Hollow-zanpakutō sighed in reluctant agreement. 'Tch, who knows. Maybe he will go against the odds again'.
Zan prayed to whatever God that was listening that Getsu was right.
#
END
#
I will be honest, I wrote this story just to have a reason to give Getsu different clothes. He is wearing the clothes of his Cacao Society alt from the mobile game "Bleach: Brave Souls". I thought it would be nice to give him some clothes of his own. He has been Ichigo's – forever sixteen-looking – clone for over a decade at this point in the story. I think it is high time for him to dress into something more fitting for a hollow-zanpakutō.
Zan is dressed mostly the same, only he doesn't always wear his coat from this point on. Think to when he revealed his true identity in the manga. Maybe it will change if he gets an alt as well.