(Day 4)
Today had been absolutely amazing! Well, maybe "amazing" was a bit of a strong word. But it had been a lot better than the last two days; that, Ichigo was certain of.
It had been only yesterday when Ichigo could barely keep his eyes open. His body had hurt so much, every muscle sore and aching. The worst had been the pull in his chest. Like his heart was a taut rope that was strung too tight. Treats slowly snapping, leaving only one to hold everything together.
But then Tensa had saved him. Once the moon had risen high into the sky, Tensa had taken him from his bed and brought him to where he needed to be. Or rather, with whom.
How could he have forgotten about Getsu? It didn't matter he had amnesia, or that he had remembered the second he had laid eyes on that mask. No, Ichigo should have realised it the moment he woke up and felt that unbearable strain in his chest. The instant his arms had wrapped around Getsu's waist, Ichigo had felt the pull vanish completely.
He had fallen asleep within a minute.
And what a sleep it had been. Ichigo couldn't remember a time he had slept so nice as last night. Not that it meant much, considering his amnesia, but still! When he had woken, Ichigo had felt well-rested and ready to tackle the day. There hadn't been any lingering aches or discomfort to dampen his mood. As if the last two days had been but a bad dream.
Just thinking about how much he had improved overnight made Ichigo giddy. Pushing off with his foot, he started to spin around in place. It didn't take long for the room to start spinning faster than him. With a chuckle, Ichigo put down his foot and came to an abrupt stop. Two, no, three rooms were overlapping and tilting and Ichigo giggled as his equilibrium was offset.
He stumbled, arms waving in an attempt to maintain upright. The world slanted up and Ichigo took a step back, right into a patch of broken up floor. The giggles changed to a shout of panic. The two-centimetre drop being too much his dizzy brain, leaving Ichigo at the mercy of gravity. Brown eyes widened briefly before pinching shut, waiting for the painful collision with the floor.
It didn't come.
Ichigo opened an eye, looking up to find gold staring at him from behind a black mask. Getsu.
A low hum of disapproval thrummed in Getsu's throat as he put the boy back on his feet. Ichigo swayed a bit, keeping a hold on the claw that had caught him until he had his sense of balance back.
'Thank you'.
Getsu grumbled, taking his hand back. Ichigo looked down at that, pushing the tips of his index fingers together.
'I'm sorry. I will be more careful', he promised.
All Ichigo got was a huff. Getsu turned around and dragged himself back to the heap of fabric in the back of the cell. He circled it once before laying down to resume his nap.
He is resting a lot, Ichigo noted, a frown forming on his face. While it wasn't unusual for Getsu to sleep whenever he was bored, he only did so when there wasn't anything else that could entertain him. And if Ichigo could find ways to amuse himself, then Getsu should be able to, as well.
That left fatigue as the reason for Getsu's lethargy. But that also didn't sound right. So far, all Ichigo had seen him do was walk back and forth a few times, that was it. Even if his exhaustion came from the past days, it shouldn't have been so bad today. A good night's sleep did wonders, after all. Ichigo knew that first hand.
If he isn't bored or tired, then why does he sleep so much? Ichigo couldn't help but wonder in concern. As he tried to come up with a good explanation, his eyes strayed to Getsu's mask. There was something about that mask. It wasn't a bad thing, per se. However, it wasn't a good thing, either.
How does it stay put, anyway? There weren't any straps to keep the mask in place. It just seemed to stick to Getsu's face, somehow. It couldn't be glue. Ichigo was certain Getsu usually didn't wear the mask. Now that Ichigo thought about it, Has he ever worn it for so long?
Again, something told Ichigo the answer was "no". Getsu doesn't wear the mask that often. He doesn't wear it for so long, either. Getsu only wore it when it was needed and, right now, it wasn't needed.
Maybe that's why he is so tired, Ichigo mused. But why hasn't he taken it off, then?
Perhaps he thinks he needs it.
Ichigo jumped in place, that hadn't been his own voice that was in his head just now, was it? Brown quickly looked around, trying to find who had spoken to him. It wasn't Getsu, that he knew. The only other person down here was Tensa but he was busy reading a book.
Weird. Shaking his head, Ichigo reset his thoughts. "He thinks he needs it", huh? That makes a kind of sense. If only Ichigo knew why Getsu believed he still needed to wear his mask. Unfortunately, Ichigo couldn't ask him. Getsu wasn't talking-or signing for that matter-and Ichigo could only get so far with reading body language and interpreting sounds.
Oh! Ichigo's eyes widened as an idea came to him. I can trick him! It was the perfect plan! Nothing could go wrong.
With confidence he really shouldn't have, Ichigo went to Getsu. He knelt down and reached for the mask, only to freeze when golden irises revealed themselves. His bravado vanished instantly and Ichigo pulled his hand back, a blush colouring his face at being caught.
'Oh, uhm…sorry'.
Getsu angled his head in question.
'I, uh…' Ichigo looked aside, trying to think of a good excuse as to why he wanted to touch the other's mask. '…wanted to see if you were sick?' Yeah, that's a good reason. 'I mean, you sleep so much and don't eat at all… I'm worried'. Which wasn't even a lie. 'So…can I feel your forehead?'
Even though the mask obscured all but golden eyes, Ichigo could see his request had made Getsu uncomfortable. The large reptilian tail moved over the ground, curling closer around Getsu's body as he eyed Ichigo with caution.
'I-I promise I will be gentle', Ichigo added.
Getsu's eyes strayed to Ichigo's hands, which were playing with the obi of the white hospital yakuta. A bit of the tension that had crept into his shoulder's vanished. Getsu settled back down with a gruff hum, giving Ichigo permission.
Ichigo smiled in relief and victory. Carefully, he reached out again. Making sure his touch would be as soft as possible. His fingertips landed on the mask's surface, applying the slightest bit of pressure. Ichigo could feel Getsu freeze at his touch and for a spell, he thought he was hurting the other. He wanted to retract his arm but found the limb disobeying.
It doesn't hurt him.
Ichigo blinked at the realisation that didn't feel like it was completely his own. He let his digits glide over the mask, drawing a low rumble from Getsu's throat. Giggling at the sound, Ichigo forgot his concerns and let his fingers dance over the black surface. To his delight, Getsu began to purr even louder.
Outside of the cell, Tensa watched the unfolding scene with amusement. If only those Soul Reapers could this with their own eyes. To bear witness to the "Big Bad Inner Hollow" they claimed Getsu to be, be completely at the mercy of his regressed "host". Ichigo didn't have to keep his "Hollow" under control, Getsu was more than happy to follow his lead, no matter who of the two was stronger.
By now, Ichigo was determined to discover how loud Getsu could purr. With a devilish smirk, Ichigo took out his secret weapon: his right hand. As the second set of fingers landed on the mask, Getsu was in heaven. He nuzzled the two palms, wanting more of that addicting soft touch that made his mind melt into a puddle of pure bliss.
The more Getsu leaned into the small hands, the more difficult it became for Ichigo to keep upright. A more eager nudge had the boy lose his balance. In a panicked attempt to stay standing, Ichigo reached out for anything to keep him from hitting the floor. His fingers hooked behind the mask… and it came off.
Brown eyes widened in horror as hairline cracks spread to every inch of skin. Ichigo didn't even register landing on the floor or the mask turning to dust in his hands. The monstrous, lizard-esque exterior crumbled away, revealing an exhausted, pale young man.
Golden irises rolled back as Getsu lost consciousness, his arms collapsing under his weight. Ichigo yelped as Getsu fell on top of him, effectively trapping him.
'G-Getsu?' With hands that shook as much as his voice did Ichigo nudge the other. When Getsu didn't more or react, tears began to gather in the boy's eyes. 'Getsu…please. Wake up'.
Metal on metal drew Ichigo's attention, seeing Tensa hurrying towards them.
'I-I didn't mean to', the boy managed out through a sob.
Tensa knelt down by their side. Swiftly but with care, Tensa rolled Getsu over, freeing Ichigo from his predicament. The boy quickly crawled to Tensa's side, burying his face into his side.
'I'm sorry! I didn't mean to. I'm sorry!'
'It is alright, Ichigo', Tensa said, wrapping an arm around the boy. 'You did not hurt him. He is merely exhausted'.
Ichigo didn't respond to him, continuing to cry into the coat. As Tensa rubbed his wielder's back in order to soothe him, he let his eyes stray back to his other half. Getsu did not look good.
His clothes were torn, leaving him with rags that were barely held together by threads. The fabric was drenched in sweat, making it cling to his body. Getsu's face had a severe blue hue, indicating a fever of some sort. Something his breathing seemed to substantiate. It was shallow and sounded hampered, each intake of air barely expanding his chest. Not even his spiritual pressure was exempt. It was low and unruly, like a candle flame fighting a draft.
Tensa nursed his bottom lip in worry. He was aware of the strain hollowfication put on one's body and mind. He had seen Getsu and Ichigo suffer the drawbacks a handful of times. But never had they looked as bad as Getsu did now.
I should not have let this go on for so long. They have never stayed in their hollowfied form for more than a day. Of course, five would be too much for him to handle.
A muffled mumbling pulled Tensa from his thoughts.
Ichigo was still crying but was now looking up at him, 'Doc…tor. He needs- He needs a doctor'.
I do not think a healer will make much of a difference. His eyes lowered to his hands, finding them shaking. Unfortunately, I am in no state to help him, either. The lack of sleep and proper nutrition was seriously starting to wear him down-he didn't know how they kept them materialised but it did not feel quite right. Maybe it is for the best. If not for him then it will at least put Ichigo more at ease.
'You are right'. Tensa gently removed his regressed wielder's hands off his person, cupping them in his own. 'I shall get Yamada-san. You stay here with Getsu'.
Through sobs, Ichigo managed a semi-legible 'okay'.
Tensa offered a comforting smile, hoping to encourage his wielder. 'He will be alright, I promise'. Shifting Ichigo's hands in his right, Tensa took Getsu's left and placed it into the small ones. 'You keep him company'.
Ichigo hummed, holding the pale hand on his lap.
'I will return as fast as I can', Tensa said before raising to his feet. Ichigo nodded, a sob wracking through his small frame. It is only for a moment. Determined, Tensa hurried out of the cell and headed up the stairs.
As he reached the door, Tensa felt faint. He more-or-less crashed into the door. Taking advantage of his blunder, the spirit leaned against it; waiting impatiently for the light to return to his eyes. I do not have time for this! Blindly, Tensa searched for the doorknob. The cold metal acted as an orientation point for the lock. With more effort than Tensa likes to admit did he manage to open it. The door swung open and Tensa stumbled out, a cry of surprise sounding to his left.
#
TO BE CONTINUED
BLEACH – Tite Kubo
