(Day 2)

To say Isane was shocked to find an unknown soul-dressed from head-to-toe in black-at her patient's bedside, would be downplaying her reaction.

She had just finished her morning rounds through the patient ward, a task she had to postpone due to the early captains meeting. Isane ended her route at the Special Care room, as it was closest to her office.

Lieutenant Yamada would have returned already, resuming his observation of their high-risk patient. He had looked rather tired during the meeting, more so than usual. It wouldn't have surprised her if she found him on the sofa, struggling to stay awake (that is, if he hadn't already succumbed to his exhaustion).

She hadn't been wrong. Her lieutenant had dozed off on the sofa, a blanket covering his body and a pillow stuffed under his head.

But then she found a hooded soul standing by her patient's bed and she assumed the worst. That her gut had been right. That Lieutenant Shiba's state was the result of foul play and the culprits had come to finish the job.

She didn't hesitate. Raising her arms and firing a kidō at the unknown. It wasn't strong, couldn't be without incantation and her level of power, but it would hold the soul in place long enough for her to cast a better one.

To her horror, her bakudō was flicked aside like a fly. It crashed into the floor, blackening the wood with the condensed energy.

The noise had woken up her lieutenant. Hanatarō fell from the sofa, head flicking around in panic. When his eyes fell on her, the lingering drowsiness evaporated. He scrambled to his feet, waving his hands at her.

'No, Captain! He's n-not–!'

'You know him?' Isane cut off, not lowering her arms or allowing her eyes to drift from the black-clad soul.

Her lieutenant nodded frantically, 'Yes! He's Lieutenant Sh-Shiba's Zanp-p-pakutō Spirit'.

At that, Isane quirked a brow, arms losing their tension in her confusion. His Zanpakutō? She eyed the spirit across the room, who had yet to break his gaze away from the injured soul occupying the bed. But I thought

'One half, actually', the spirit corrected.

'So, Lieutenant Shiba has two Zanpakutō Spirits', Isane said. 'I wasn't aware of that'.

'It is not something that tends to come up in conversation', the spirit replied. His voice was soft but with a cold edge, almost accusatory with how even he spoke.

'What about your other half?' Isane asked. 'Where is–'

'Getsu is still downstairs', the spirit answered. 'I had a suspicion his presence would not be appreciated'.

Even if she wanted to, she could not doubt his statement. If the Hollow had escaped, there is no way she wouldn't have known by now.

Lowering her arms, Isane started to fidget with the hem of her sleeves. 'What's your name?'

The spirit shook his head in response, prompting Hanatarō to speak up. 'His n-name is T-Tensa, Captain'.

Tensa? Isane mulled the name over in her head. Shiba's bankai is called Tensa Zangetsu, if I remember correctly.

'I presume my presence here is not an issue', Tensa stated more than asked. Which was a shame considering it would have been a very good question. To Isane her knowledge, there were no rules concerning Zanpakutō Spirits. There were only regulations about zanpakutō, but those could hardly be applied to the manifested spirits.

Or couldn't they?

'It is highly unusual', Isane admitted. 'However, if you behave and stay out of the way of those attending to your master, I don't see why you cannot stay'.

They already had needed to break one of the regulations because of Shiba's Hollow. At least this way, she could let the Zanpakutō Spirit stay with his master and keep the Hollow locked up. A win-win for everyone.

'I will be on my best behaviour'. The way the spirit said it left no room to doubt their honesty.

'Oh and Captain?' Hanatarō spoke up. 'T-Tensa-san was kind enough to let me t-take some of his spiritual energy. I have put it in t-the refrigerators'. The lieutenant glanced at the mini-refrigerator in the corner for emphasis. 'Also, Captain K-Kuchiki has come b-by to–'

'Visit? Yes, I had my suspicions she had gone here', Isane said, eying the bed with their patient.

Hanatarō followed her gaze, 'He has shifted t-to sleeping. He should be wak-k-king up soon'.

'That's good to hear', Isane said. 'Why don't you go get a good meal? I will stay here until you return'.

'Hai, Captain'. The lieutenant turned to the spirit, 'I'll be b-back soon'.

Tensa shook his head, 'Take your time, lieutenant. We are not going anywhere'.

With an embarrassed smile, Hanatarō nodded and quickly left the room.

The moment the door fell closed behind her, Isane turned her attention to the spirit. 'How did you get here?'

A light but forced chuckle came from the spirit, 'I was wondering how long it would take for someone to ask that of me'.

'Well?' Isane pressed.

'I have no intention of telling'.

'Anyone or me specifically?'

'Neither'.

Pursing her lips in displeasure, Isane went over to the bed. Her hands glowed a soft green, gently pulsing with her power. The spirit noticed her and pulled back, allowing her free access to her patient.

Her eyes widened at what her cursory scan told her.

'Is something the matter?'

Shaking her head, Isane pulled her hands back. 'No, not at all'.

'You seem puzzled'.

'No, I– His recovery rate is just astounding' , she said. 'I hadn't expected it after the slow start of yesterday'.

'Your lieutenant said the same thing', Tensa told. 'His body merely needed some time to get over the shock'.

Isane slowly nodded in agreement. That did make sense. But it felt...incomplete. She was well aware of how fast the young lieutenant recovered, he was infamous for it. But after the slow start of yesterday, she thought it was due to him being still alive at the time.

Was it something else then?

She looked back at the spirit, who had taken up his place at his wielder's side once more. He was holding Shiba's hand, rubbing his thumb over the back in slow waves.

'So you are one of the two spirits that make up his Zanpakutō', she began.

He glanced her way briefly, 'I am, yes'.

'Are you, like, the full Soul Reaper part?' Isane asked.

'No'.

'No?' Isane echoed.

'Ichigo is a mix of different races, as such, so are both Getsu and I', Tensa told.

'Then he must be more Hollow than Soul Reaper'.

'He is not', Tensa said curtly. 'We are both a mix, one that is skewed towards Soul Reaper'.

'What, really?!' Isane looked at the spirit, not sensing an shimmer of Hollow pressure.

'Getsu has the misfortune of it being more dominant', Tensa told. 'Whereas I am better at hiding it'.

'Better? He doesn't even try'.

'Getsu is proud on the powers he represents, just as Ichigo is proud to wield them', Tensa told, his voice edging on scolding. 'While I have my pride in mine, as well. I understand it can make others uncomfortable'. The spirit sighed, 'I do not like it but it makes dealing with others easier and gives Ichigo less trouble'.

'Well, fortunately it doesn't happen too often, right?' Isane said.

Tensa remained silent but not in an agreeing manner.

'Wait, how often does Lieutenant Shiba materialises you?'

Tensa didn't answer. His eyes trained on his wielder. He was sure he saw something. It had been the tiniest of twitches. One easily overlooked or brushed off. It had been a miracle Tensa had even noticed it while occupied.

Ichigo's fingers tensed.

Without excusing himself, Tensa shifted all his attention to his wielder. Eyes moved rapidly behind closed eyelids, a slight frown forming as they wouldn't open.

Seeing the boy struggle, Tensa let his hand go through the orange mess. 'Hush, take it easy', he murmured as he subtly transferred some of his spiritual energy over.

Ichigo hummed, relaxing at the touch. Tensa continued to go through the child's hair until brown eyes finally revealed themselves. The spirit's hand slid down to cover that of his wielder, giving it a small squeeze that was weakly returned.

A strained croak came from Ichigo's throat as he tried to focus, his eyes going all over the place in search of something. When they landed on Tensa, Ichigo offered a tired smile.

A weight fell off Tensa's shoulders, relief causing him to answer the smile with one of his own.

But then, water started to gather and flow over flushed cheeks. The frown deepened and Ichigo made a noise.

Isane was at his bedside in a heartbeat. Ichigo's eyes opened up again at her presence. He became restless, making strangled whines as he tried to move away from her and towards Tensa.

'It's alright, Shiba-san', Isane assured. 'I am a healer. I am not going to hurt you'.

A sob wrenched itself from the boy's throat as he shook his head just enough to be noticed. The weak grip he had on Tensa's hand increasing.

Seeing this, Isane backed off. 'Please, Shiba-san. I only want to help'.

Ichigo shook his head again at her request. He turned to Tensa, eyes pleading. Another sob wrecked through the boy and this time, Ichigo pinched his eyes shut in pain.

'I know', Tensa mumbled. He moved his hand to cover his wielder's chest, 'It hurts, doesn't it?'

A shaky hum was Ichigo's answer.

'Captain Kotetsu can help you feel better', Tensa said. 'Right, Captain Kotetsu?'

Even though her patient wasn't even looking, Isane nodded. 'I just want to see if there is anything unusual. I will bring you to sleep afterwards'.

Again, Ichigo shook his head. Soft, trembling whines vibrating in his throat as he pulled Tensa's hand.

The spirit eyed the captain, slowly reaching for his wielder. Isane didn't object and Tensa picked Ichigo up. Mindful of the IV that was attached to the boy, he sat back down.

'I know it hurts', he murmured, rubbing circles on his wielder's back. Discretely, he transferred over some spiritual energy.

Ichigo clung to him, trying to communicate but unable to make himself legible through the sobs that were forced out of him.

'Of course I will stay', the spirit promised. 'I won't leave your side for even a second'.

Taking that as permission, Isane let her hands light up a soft green. Ichigo didn't flinch away from her this time. He held on to the spirit as tight as he could, eyes pinched shut in fear and pain, soft sobs the only sound he made.

I don't see anything amiss, Isane thought with a frown. Just to be sure, she hovered above her patient's torso but couldn't find the cause of the apparent agony Ichigo was in.

'The headache can be explained by his amnesia. However I am concerned about the pain he feels in his chest'.

'It isn't pain'.

Isane looked at the spirit, trying get a read on him. 'You know what it is'.

'I do'. Tensa nursed his own chest as he spoke, 'It's desperation, loneliness, fear, confusion and anger. All wrapped up into an aching emptiness within our heart'.

The captain frowned slightly at the answer. It was more detailed than she expected, yet told her nothing she could work with. Isane didn't think the spirit was lying, more the opposite. He was trying to tell her something.

'Is there anything I can do?'

'No', the spirit said. 'He will get used to it with some time'.

Isane pursed her lips, not thrilled at the fact she couldn't help her patient more. It was clear Ichigo was suffering and it was her job to put an end to that. She didn't want to fail her patients. Especially not those who have given so much.

Ichigo was calming down. His sobs turning to the occasional hiccup and sniffle.

'Better?' Tensa asked.

Ichigo shook his head, 'Tired'.

'I am afraid you will be feeling tired for a small while'.

'Don wanna'.

Seeing her patient was lucid, albeit exhausted, Isane saw the opportunity to get some answers to a few urgent questions.

'Shiba-san?'

Ichigo didn't respond to her.

Tensa gave the boy a gentle nudge, 'It is not polite to ignore her'.

Ichigo hummed, turning his head. 'Not Shiba'.

Amnesia. Kotetsu feigned surprise, 'You are not Shiba Ichigo?' she asked.

The boy pressed his head into his pillow as he shook his head, 'My name's Kurosaki'. The "r" sounding more like a "w" as he pronounced his name. 'I dunno Shiba'.

'Oh, how embarrassing', Isane said. 'I'm so sorry, Kurosaki-san. I never have been good with names', she lied.

At that, Ichigo smiled a little. 'It's okay'. He could relate to that. 'Are you my doctor?' he asked.

'No, that would be my lieutenant, Yamada-san', Isane told. 'I am his boss. I oversee if all the patients are properly cared for, and provide assistance to the ones treating them'.

Ichigo hummed in understanding. Whether he actually understood was debatable.

'How are you feeling?' she asked.

Sluggishly and with a lot of effort, Ichigo moved his left hand to his chest. 'My head and chest hurt a lot'.

'From what I can tell, you aren't hurt physically. Which is good', Isane relayed. 'However, what it is that you feel, remains unanswered'.

'If I am not hurt, why am I hurting?' Ichigo asked.

'People can get hurt in many ways, Kurosaki-san. Even after they are healed', Isane told. 'I believe you are suffering from the after effects of what has hurt you. Hopefully, it will fade with time'.

'I'm hurt?'

'You don't remember?'

Ichigo shook his head a little, not wanting to risk upsetting the ones pounding in his head.

'Don't worry about it, Kurosaki-san. I'm sure it will come back to you with time', Isane assured.

Her patient didn't seem convinced but didn't argue with her further. Even if he wanted to, a yawn would have interrupted him.

'Why don't you try to sleep again?' Isane proposed.

'Okay'.

'I will have someone check up every hour. If something changes, you can pull the rope near his bed'.

Tensa looked at the cord in question to show he understood. Isane dimmed the lights before leaving the spirit alone with his wielder.

#

TO BE CONTINUED

BLEACH – Tite Kubo