(Day 3)
Ichigo let out a soft, broken whine as he roused from his much needed slumber for the umpteenth time. Honey-brown lashes parted ever so little, allowing the onsetting tears of frustration to fall down flushed cheeks. He didn't understand why sleep failed to claim him in full. He was so tired. Exhausted to the bone both physically and mentally but still his mind refused to let him get the rest he so desperately needs.
He tried to turn, hoping a change in position would be the answer to his restlessness. The blankets were too heavy. His body too weak to move. He was stuck. Forced to lay on his back and pray sleep would come again. Pray that this time, it would stay.
A hand gently cupped his face, tilting his head to the side. A calloused thumb wiped away the tears-and the paths their predecessors had taken-from his left cheek.
Ichigo sniffed and peered through his lashes that he couldn't open up further even if he tried. The still spilling tears and the darkness made him basically blind, but he didn't need his sight to know who was standing at his bedside.
'Ten...sa'.
The hand left his face and Ichigo wanted to capture it so badly. To hold on to someone who understood his plight, to channel some of Tensa's calm to sooth his own upset. He demanded his limbs to obey, screamed at them to move just this little bit.
All his efforts accomplished was a pathetic grunt of exertion.
It wasn't all in vein. Tensa must have noticed his distress as the other hand landed on his other cheek, cleaning the salted water with a few wipes of the equally rough thumb.
Even in the darkness, unable to discern the floor from the wall, Ichigo knew Tensa's face broke its usual aloof expression. A string of mumbles fell from the other's lips, the gentle hold on Ichigo's growing more firm.
Tensa had made a decision.
'Ichigo–'
'Do it', Ichigo interrupted in a whisper. 'I trust you'. Everything was better than this.
His words were exactly what Tensa needed to hear.
With an ease that made Ichigo jealous, Tensa removed the blankets and lifted him from the bed. The spirit settled his wielder against his chest, shifting his hold as to carry him comfortably. Ichigo only yawned, his head resting on the curve of Tensa's neck and shoulder.
Making sure the coast was clear, Tensa waited a brief moment before going through the door. Ichigo buried his face in the crook of the spirit's neck, shielding his eyes of the light that illuminated the hallways.
Knowing time was of the essence, Tensa used hirenkyaku. He didn't want Ichigo to fall asleep, quite yet. Nor did he want someone to discover their absence before they got to their destination.
After a handful of steps, Tensa stopped before a door. Ichigo turned his head slightly to look at it while his spirit opened it.
'He's close', Ichigo murmured, weakly grasping for his chest.
'Who is?' Tensa asked as he went through the doorway.
'You know who'.
So he doesn't know. Not that it mattered. The fact Ichigo was aware that the origin of the so called "void" in his chest, was nearby, was enough.
'That, I do', the spirit said as he closed the door and started to descent the stairs.
With each step, Ichigo became more restless. His fingers tightening their hold on the spirit's hood, pulling at it weakly but more frequently the further down they went.
As Tensa reached level ground, Ichigo eyed their surroundings. They were flanked by small spaces, each sealed off by thick bars of white stone.
A...prison? The idea both scared and confused Ichigo. Why was there a prison beneath a hospital? Why was the source of the void in his chest down here?
How long have they been here and did they spend that time alone?
As Tensa walked through the corridor, Ichigo felt himself gravitate towards the right. They were close, he could feel it.
By the time they reached the end, Ichigo was actively trying to wriggle out of his spirit's hold. Tensa didn't seemed to be inconvenienced at the slightest. Barely having to adjust his grip to prevent the boy from escaping, and falling to the ground as a result.
'Be patient, Ichigo', Tensa scolded gently. 'There is no need to hurry'.
Ichigo disagreed. Didn't Tensa understand? The source was so close, just behind those bars!
Much slower than he would have liked did Tensa kneel down. Ichigo fussed, wanting nothing more than worm his way into the cell. If only he wasn't so tired, so weak, he could–
At once, his feeble escape attempts were aborted. His eyes had caught movement in the shadows and a glint of reflected light. Ichigo swallowed hard; whatever inhabited this cell, the source of the void he felt in his chest, it did not look human.
'Something wrong?' Tensa asked.
Ichigo shook his head, 'No…Just surprised'.
'You are not afraid?'
'No'.
As if to test his words, the shadow launched itself at the bars. The speed with which it moved too fast for Ichigo to track. One moment, it had been at the back, the next, a claw was reaching at him.
Adrenaline fuelled his exhausted body. Ichigo scrambled back as far as he could, pressing his back firmly against Tensa's chest. His shout of fright-which could have alerted others of their position-was muffled by Tensa's hand.
Ichigo stared at the being behind the white stone pillars, unable to tear his eyes away.
A black mask with white lines acted as the being's face. Golden irises in pools of ink bore straight in Ichigo's own brown on white. Long, white hair had tangled and matted from its stay, betraying a lack of care that made Ichigo feel upset.
'You were saying?' Tensa said, nudging the boy from his thoughts.
A determined frown settled on Ichigo's face. 'I'm not scared of him', he stated with firmly. Whatever, or whoever, this creature was, it was the source of the void. They were sad, lonely and hurting, just like Ichigo was.
'Do you want to go in?'
'Yes'.
Shifting his hands under Ichigo's arms, Tensa lifted him off his knee and on his own feet. Ichigo held on to the spirit's arms, knowing full well his legs couldn't support his weight.
'I am going to give you a bit of energy. It will not last long. Do you understand?'
Ichigo nodded, not questioning how such a thing was possible.
The effect was instantaneous. His head was still mid-nod when a surge of energy flooded his body. The fatigue that had him bedridden vanished without a trace. With eyes full of wonder did Ichigo look down, watching how his legs moved at his command sans delay.
'Do not waste it', Tensa reminded before letting go.
For the first time since he had woken up, Ichigo stood on his own two feet. He swayed slightly, swinging his arms to keep his balance. Once he was confident he wouldn't fall, Ichigo turned his full attention to the being locked in the cell.
They no longer reached through the bars. Instead, they paced from left to right. Their body tense.
Without fear, Ichigo walked up to the stone pillars.
The creature turned abruptly, grabbing one of the bars. With violence did they shake it, growling as it didn't even budge an inch.
Ichigo's heart ached at the sight. He reached up, having to stand on his tiptoes to reach the claw wrapped around the pillar. 'It's okay', Ichigo assured as he patted the hand. 'We won't hurt you'.
There was a shift in the air.
Slowly, the claw slid down, allowing Ichigo to reach it more easily. The boy smiled as his heels touched down, clasping his hands around the large fist the best he could. 'See? It will be fine'.
Tensa looked at the two, glad to see his fear had been unnecessary. Just like Rukia had said, Ichigo didn't need to remember to know them. They had been ingrained in the very being of his soul. Without even realising it, Ichigo was calming Getsu down. Manipulating the spiritual energy that had been raging within the spirit, soothing the Hollow energy back to a candle flame.
Unfortunately, Tensa would have to distract his counterpart. He couldn't open the door if Getsu was aware of it, the Hollow would try to escape.
Bracing himself for what was to come, Tensa unlocked the door. The click betrayed his actions and Getsu immediately looked at the door. That's when Tensa attempted to merge.
The Hollow recoiled from the bars, grabbing his head in agony.
'No, no, no!' Ichigo reached out for the creature. 'It's okay! It's okay!' Looking around, Ichigo found the door had opened. The boy scrambled over, running as fast as his legs would allow him to. He rounded the last bar, entering the cell and flinging himself at the being.
In his haste, Ichigo tripped. He managed to stumble a few paces, prolonging his fate long enough to change it. Awkwardly, Ichigo caught himself on the creature's knee. 'It's okay!' he breathed out, hoisting himself back to his feet. 'I'm here'. He wrapped his arms around the being's mid-section the best he could.
The pain diminished as quick as it had appeared. The Hollow heaved a ragged breath, his body trembling from tension. He didn't understand, what had hurt him? With each involuntary twitch of his muscles, he became more aware of a gentle pressure around his waist.
A soft yawn reached his ears.
The Hollow looked down, finding the child from before squeezing his waist.
There was something...odd about them. Something wrong. The Hollow didn't like it one bit.
Before the spirit could remove the child from his person, they looked up. Messy orange locks fell aside, revealing brown eyes partially hidden by eyelids. The boy graced him with a tired smile.
'I'm sorry I'm late', the boy apologised. Another yawn had the boy lean into the Hollow, his strength waning quickly. 'But I'm here now, so you don't have to be sad anymore, m~kay?'
That bright, orange hair with streaks of gray. Those sweet, chocolate brown eyes. Getsu had seen them before. This boy was important. This boy...wasn't supposed to be a mere boy.
King.
Aibō.
The two voices, which always had been at odds, spoke up in unison.
This boy was his king? Getsu nudged the child, nearly sending him to the ground. So weak and fragile, the opposite of what he knew his king was. What had happened to him?
Unable to form words, Getsu crooned in question.
'I'm fine', Ichigo assured, even as he felt the last bit of energy drain away. He yawned, slinking against the spirit. 'Just very tired'.
Noticing that the boy was losing strength, Getsu picked him up. Ichigo didn't object, sleep tugging at his conscious, ready to take him away once he let his guard down. On determination alone, Ichigo forced his eyes open. 'Can I sleep here?'
As if Getsu would let his king out of his sight in such a fragile state.
Nudging the boy with a low hum, Ichigo smiled in gratitude. Finally, the boy allowed his eyes to close and for sleep to claim him.
Seeing his regressed hing sleep so quick made Getsu decide that resting was very important. One tended to recover faster when they can rest comfortably, after all. Shifting the small king to his right, Getsu searched his confinement for something soft.
In the corner.
Gold flicked to the far left corner, locking onto something white. Going over, he pulled it from the pile of rubble. It was a cloak. A long, white cloak with fur lining that had somehow survived Getsu's tantrum.
With a single sweep of his tail, Getsu cleared a small area of rubble. His talons clicked against the stone underground as he circled the spot. Deeming it suitable, the hollowfied spirit laid down, placing his charge against his side.
Ichigo continued to sleep undisturbed. With the void in his chest filled, his back warmed by the Hollow's body heat and a soft blanket, Ichigo was in the seventh heaven of comfort. Combined with how severe his exhaustion was, even the apocalypse wouldn't be able to rouse him.
Getsu hummed, pleased to have his king back. Although, his state was worrisome. He had no spiritual pressure and barely any spiritual energy. It was slowly coming back, Getsu could tell that much. However, to ensure survival, that recovery had to go much, much faster.
Without disturbing his regressed king, Getsu sneaked a claw under the makeshift blanket. Placing his palm on the boy's stomach, he carefully began to transfer some of his own spiritual pressure.
The boy remained asleep, unaware of what his spirit was doing. However, barely a minute had passed when a frown appeared. Ichigo grunted, his right hand weakly grasping at his chest.
Getsu, stop.
The Hollow pulled his claw back, head snapping up. His eyes locked with a pair of blue, framed by brown hair and a black hood. Other.
Tensa gave a shaky smile. It had been ages since Getsu had last referred to him as "Other". Strangely, it did not bother him as much as the many other nicknames Getsu had used throughout the years.
Do not give him more, you are hurting him.
Getsu looked back at his king, finding him shifting restlessly beneath the cloak. Crooning softly in apology, Getsu laid down fully, having no other option than to wait until his king woke up.
On the other side of the bars, Tensa sighed in relief. If Getsu had continued to feed Ichigo his spiritual pressure, it may have triggered a hollowfication. With the fragile state their wielder was in, Tensa didn't want to chance it being too much for the boy to handle.
That and Tensa didn't think Captain Kotetsu would take it very well if her patient would've gone and got himself hollowfied in the dead of night.
Actually, Tensa doubted anyone in the Gotei Thirteen would be thrilled.
With a slight shake of his head, Tensa allowed himself to sink onto the wooden bench at the end of the hall. His heart was still beating at an increased pace from his attempted merger. He knew it would be painful but hadn't expected to be that intense.
Probably because he is hollowfied.
Looking back at his counterpart and wielder, Tensa found Getsu looking at him.
What?
A wave of curiosity flooded the back of Tensa's mind, a hint of possessiveness and anger mixed within. (Why are you there? Come here!)
No, I have to stay here for now.
The anger flared to become the prominent emotion. (Because of them?)
Someone has to act as translator.
The curiosity faded all together, leaving anger and possessiveness vying for majority. (They will harm you.)
Tensa scowled, I can take care of myself, thank you very much.
Getsu growled, eyes narrowing. (You are weakened!)
So are you! Tensa snapped.
They stared at one another, neither willing to concede.
Eventually, Tensa closed his eyes, taking a breath to recollect himself. Look, neither of us are in the best of shape. We won't win against an army of Soul Reapers, such a feat is a challenge even when we are all in top form.
Getsu huffed but did not argue.
With a sigh, Tensa continued. Believe me when I say that I-to a certain extent-share your frustration. However, we cannot afford to let that frustration fuel our actions.
To Tensa's amusement, Getsu shifted at his words. Moving his tail to curl beneath Ichigo's feet.
We just need to play along. Show them we are not a threat and they will leave us be. Can you do that?
Getsu growled with displeasure. He didn't want to play nice with the enemy. He wanted to tear them apart, make them regret having ever laying a hand on any of them.
I am aware of that, that is why I am staying here. I will handle the politics. All you have to do is not harm or murder anyone.
Possessiveness filled the back of Tensa's mind.
Yes, I do plan on having Ichigo staying with you. Tensa assured. All I ask is for you to trust me.
Trust. That word made Getsu feel angry. Not at the Other, but himself. With a low growl, Getsu averted his head.
Thank you.
Tensa slumbed against the wall, grateful to have his counterpart's cooperation. It took a load of his shoulders to know Getsu was aware of the stakes and would try to behave. It gave the Quincy Zanpakutō a piece of mind he had been derived off for the past two days.
Still, no matter how much he wanted to take his wielder's example and rest, Tensa couldn't let his guard down. Not yet, anyway. However, if he didn't do something fast, his exhaustion would get the better of him.
Hopefully, they won't miss the bench too much.
#
TO BE CONTINUED
BLEACH – Tite Kubo
