(Day 4)
Oh, in the name of–
Tensa turned aside, seeing a member of the Fourth he hadn't seen before. Fantastic. The young woman was staring at him with mouth agape, eyes briefly flicking to the door he had come through. Slowly, as to not frighten her more, did he raise his hands to show he meant no harm. 'Please, I–'
The woman snapped out of her stupor and raised her own arm, ready to cast a kidō if necessary. 'How did you escape?!' she demanded.
'Your captain–'
'What about her?!'
'Bring me to her, please'. To make the woman less wary of him, Tensa swayed on his feet. It had the desired effect. The healer immediately rushed to his side to keep him from falling. 'Thank you'.
'Captain, you said?'
'Yes. I need her assistance'.
'You are in luck', the woman said. 'She is in her office. You think you can walk? It is not far'.
'I think I will manage'.
The healer steadied him, waiting for a moment to see if he would stay steady. When Tensa didn't keel over, she started to guide him to the office of her captain. She kept a slow pace, which Tensa didn't mind. He barely had to act to make his knees buckle out from under him. It was slightly terrifying to feel so weak while in bankai. Hopefully, he wouldn't revert back to shikai.
Tensa nearly bumped into the healer as she came to a halt in front of a pair of doors. She gave a rapt knock and waited for an answer.
'Come in'.
The woman opened the door and held it so Tensa could walk in as well.
Isane rose from her chair as she saw the hooded spirit enter her office. 'Thank you for bringing him, Furuya-san. You are dismissed'.
The woman gave a curt bow before leaving.
'T-Tensa-san'.
The Quincy Zanpakutō was startled as Hanatarō seemed to materialise out of his peripheral. The lieutenant slowed his approach, his face showing concern.
'Is everyt-t-thing alright, T-Tensa-san?'
'Uhm…no, I–' Tensa sighed-he had been doing that a lot lately-taking a moment to organise his thoughts. 'I am here on Ichigo's behalf, he requested for one of you to come down and check up on Getsu'.
'Is something wrong with Shiba-san?' Isane asked as she rounded her desk.
Tensa shook his head, 'No, it is Getsu. He has fainted'.
Hanatarō immediately headed out of the door. Isane and Tensa following.
'What happened?' Isane asked.
'Ichigo accidentally removed Getsu's mask'.
'But…that is a good thing, right?'
'It is', Tensa confirmed. 'However, it appeared the prolonged wear of the mask has severely drained Getsu of his energy. He fainted once it had come off'.
They reached the door and quickly descended the stairs that hid behind it. With each step, the sound of a child crying became more prominent.
Within seconds, they reached the cell. Isane was the first one to go in, kneeling down next to her patient. Her eyes drifted to the spirit that laid unconscious on the ground, widening as they took in his appearance.
'Can you–Can you wake him u-up?'
Isane blinked, slightly taken off guard. She quickly recovered and offered an assuring smile. 'I will try'. Quickly casting a kaidō, Isane started by looking the spirit over.
The spirit was in terrible shape, both physically and spiritually. His energy was dangerously low and erratic. She could feel a conflict inside his core, two sides fighting when they should work together.
No wonder he has fainted, Isane mused. Fortunately, it seemed the spirit was merely exhausted. His body was already working hard on bringing the energy level back to normal, something that would take a day or two. The only thing that bothered her was the conflicting sides.
'Will he be okay?' Ichigo asked.
Isane hummed, taking her hands back. 'Tensa-san is right. He is merely exhausted. He will wake on his own with time'.
'H-how long?'
'Two days? Maybe three'.
Her answer seemed to break the boy's heart.
'Have I– Have I hurt him that b-bad?'
Before Isane could even think of a reply, someone answered for her.
'No'.
The two looked behind them, finding Tensa walking over with Hanatarō in tow.
'You have not hurt him, Ichigo'.
'But this happened because of me!' Ichigo argued. 'I did this to him'.
Tensa knelt down and pulled his wielder into an embrace. 'I want you to listen to me, Ichigo. And I need you to listen well. You have done nothing wrong. Getsu has not felt any pain when you removed his mask. He has merely fainted from exhaustion'.
'H-how do you know?'
'This has happened before', Tensa said. 'I promise, Ichigo. Getsu is fine. Kotetsu-san has said so, as well. Has she not?'
Ichigo hummed.
'I would not lie to you about this, you know that'.
That seemed to make Ichigo feel guilty. 'I'm sorry, Tensa'.
'It is alright'.
Seeing the two were in their own world, Hanatarō deemed it safe to address his captain. He rounds the two and knelt down by her side.
'Uhm…are we going to move t-them?'
Isane raised an eyebrow, not understanding where the question had come from until she took a look around. The cell was completely trashed. Whole sections of the floor were missing, even some parts of the outer wall. The pulled-off wood was mostly swiped to one side of the space but Isane noticed some nails and wood fragments here and there. It was a miracle Ichigo had not injured himself.
'Yes, that will be for the best', she agreed.
'How will we move Getsu-san?' Hanatarō asked.
'I shall carry him'.
The captain and lieutenant looked at Tensa.
'I don't t-think that is wise, T-Tensa-san', Hanatarō said.
'I can handle it', Tensa assured. 'He weighs nothing to me'.
'I agree with my lieutenant', Isane said. 'We shall–'
'Let me rephrase it', Tensa cut in. 'If you so much as lay a finger on him, you will get hurt'.
Is he seriously threatening us? Isane thought.
'Oh, I see'. Hanatarō nodded. When the lieutenant saw the expression of his captain, he quickly explained. 'Getsu-san doesn't like to be t-touched'.
'He is unconscious', Isane pointed out.
'True, but I don't t-think we should chance it', Hanatarō said.
Isane nursed her bottom lip, not entirely convinced. She eyed the two spirits in question, also giving the cell another once over. It would only be a handful of steps. She sighed, 'Alright. We will prepare the cell across'.
The two healers vacated the cell, allowing the two a moment alone with the unconscious spirit. Once they stood outside the barred cubicle, Isane turned to her lieutenant.
'Could you get an additional futon? Something tells me Shiba-san won't let himself be pried away from his Hollow's side'.
Hanatarō gave a small smile and nodded, going to the cabinet near the stairs to get the requested item-and some more. In the meantime, Isane opened up the other cell door and went to the stone slab. She took the futon that was placed atop and dragged it to the middle of the space.
'Captain, a little help, p-please'.
Isane looked up to see a mountain of linen. She easily spotted a few makura, a folded up taoruketto, mōfu and a kakebuton.
'I only asked for a futon, Yamada-san'.
Her lieutenant turned a little so he could look around the stack of linen he was holding. 'I know, I just don't want Sh-Shiba-san or his spirits to be uncom-m-mfortable'.
'You know we aren't supposed to have favourites', Isane scolded gently.
'Do you want me to b-bring some back?'
'No… I'll allow it, just this once'.
Hanatarō smiled at her, happy to see his captain was starting to warm up to Ichigo and his spirits. With practiced ease, he put everything on the floor and together, they put everything into order.
Once they were both satisfied, they went back to the demolished cell.
'Tensa-san, if you could?' Isane asked.
The hooded spirit nodded, turning his attention to the child in his arms. He nudged the boy gently, rousing him from the light sleep he had fallen into. Ichigo yawned, freeing his eyes from sand with his fist.
'I need to carry Getsu over', Tensa told. 'Do you think you can walk on your own?'
Ichigo hummed, sounding more asleep than awake. He turned slightly and wiggled, prompting Tensa to let go off him. The boy slid off the spirit's lap and trudged over to the cloak in the corner, picking it up by the collar and hugging it.
With his arms free, Tensa shifted to get into proper lifting-someone-up position. He wedged an arm under Getsu's knees and shoulder and rose with ease. Tensa adjusted his hold, making sure his grip wouldn't slip and the other would be supported proper. Assured he wouldn't drop the other, Tensa started to walk; Ichigo trailing behind him with the cloak.
With care, Tensa lowered his counterpart on one of the futons. Ichigo was quick to claim the other one, simply falling over, his face right into the pillow. He turned his head, watching how Tensa fussed over Getsu to make sure he would be comfortable.
'Will you stay with us, Tensa?'
The Quincy Zanpakutō paused, 'I cannot, I am sorry'.
'Why not?' Ichigo pressed. 'Getsu likes it more when we are all together–'
'I am aware, Ichigo', Tensa cut in. Glancing at his wielder, he noticed Ichigo had been taken aback by his tone. With a sigh, he explained. 'Believe me, I want nothing more than stay by your sides. However, considering the circumstances, it is in our best interest if I stay outside. In case something should happen'.
It was clear Ichigo wasn't happy with the reasoning. He hugged the cloak a bit tighter, his face vanishing in the fluffy trim.
'You should sleep, you have had a long day', Tensa said as he covered Getsu with the mōfu.
'Only if you sleep, too', Ichigo argued.
'Ichigo–'
'Uhm, if I m-may?'
Ichigo, Tensa and Isane looked at Hanatarō.
'T-Tensa-san, I understand why you p-prefer to stay awake. However, it's clear the lack o-of sleep is affecting you', Hanatarō said. 'Would you b-be able to rest if I s-stayed here?'
'I cannot ask of you to stay', Tensa tried to dismiss. 'You are a lieutenant, you must have more important duties–'
'Yamada-san?' Isane interrupted.
'Yes, Captain?'
'You are hereby dismissed until your next shift', the captain stated. 'I'm sure Iemura-san and I are able to handle the rest of today'.
'T-Thank you, Captain'.
Isane nodded and handed over the key, 'Don't lose it. If something happens, you can wake me, no matter the time'.
'Hai, Captain'.
Satisfied, Isane turned back to her patient and his spirit. 'I bid you two a good night. I will return tomorrow with breakfast'.
Tensa was at a loss of words. He hadn't expected the captain to give her consent. The woman shot him a pleased smile before leaving, confusing him even more. Hanatarō even had a futon at the ready for him to use, which made Tensa suspect they had anticipated this could happen. They are a lot more cunning than I would have given them credit for.
'Where would you like t-to sleep?' Hanatarō asked.
'Uhm'. Tensa looked at Getsu and Ichigo. In all honesty, he preferred to be between them. That way, if anything would happen, he could act more effectively and efficiently. However, he didn't have the heart to force Ichigo from Getsu's side. That would leave the place closest to the entrance. 'Next to Ichigo, please'.
As Hanatarō prepared the futon, Ichigo settled down beneath the mōfu as Tensa had suggested earlier. He was still holding on to the cloak, having shifted his embrace so he was clutching the sleeve.
'Say, Yamada-san?'
The lieutenant looked up, 'Yes?'
'The camaras, of how good a quality are they?' Tensa asked.
'T-They are decent enough. You can recognise people on t-them but most d-details are lost', Hanatarō answered. 'It's more to observe, really'.
'So, if I were to take off my hood…'
'T-They won't be able t-to see any defining features', Hanatarō assured. 'To make sure, I-I'll dim the lights for you. The camaras have n-night vision but it's only in grey-tones'.
'That will suffice, thank you'.
Hanatarō finished up the futon and left the cell. Tensa took the opportunity to move over. Ichigo was already half-asleep, his left hand having snuck under the covers to hold Getsu's right.
The light started to dim and Tensa took off his coat. While he didn't mind wearing his hood in general, it had started to become a bit suffocating after six days of wear. He folded his coat and placed it beside him.
'T-Thank you for t-trusting me'.
'You do not have to thank me, you have more than earned it', Tensa said. 'I, on the other hand, should be thanking you. I have done nothing to earn your trust, yet you have given it to me'.
Hanatarō scratched his cheek nervously, 'I've been told I-I'm a bit too t-trusting sometimes'.
'That may be so. Nevertheless, I am grateful to be one of those you have chosen to place your trust in'.
'You're welcome, I suppose', Hanatarō mumbled a bit flustered. 'You should sleep, T-Tensa-san. I'll wake you up when n-needed'.
'Again, thank you, Yamada-san', Tensa said. 'If the night becomes to dreadful, feel free to help yourself to one of the books'.
'I will'.
With that, they settled into silence. Tensa shifted to get more comfortable, shamelessly snuggling beneath the warm mōfu. Before he could even find the perfect position, Tensa had drifted off.
#
TO BE CONTINUED
BLEACH – Tite Kubo
