The moment Getsu had sensed an unfamiliar signature, his instincts took over his exhausted mind. He was weakened and unstable, in no shape to fight while protecting his wielder. To flee and hide was the only viable option.

Adrenaline was released into his system, making his aching muscles forget how tired they were. He grabbed his wielder, cradling him to his chest and made a dash for the darkest corner of the cell. There, the shadows would obscure him and the wall would provide protection against sneak attacks.

Getsu couldn't shake the feeling Hueco Mundo would be better. The air was fresher and they had allies there, strong ones that would protect them with their lives. But they couldn't go there. Because going meant leaving Tensa behind and that was out of the question.

This was the best he could do, the safest he could get and it made him shake with anger. It wasn't enough. It wasn't nearly enough!

On the other side of the bars, Isane descended the stairs. She was completely unaware of the the on-edge Hollow in the cell. Isane walked over to Tensa, giving him a nod in greeting. 'Good morning, Tensa-san'.

'Good morning, Captain', Tensa replied, quickly getting back on his feet. He swayed a bit, having to lean against the stone pillar for support.

'Oh my'. Isane walked over to assist, only to have a snarl freeze her on the spot. Her head snapped towards the cell-which appeared empty on first glance-and found a pair of golden rings stare straight into her gray.

She swalled hard. Suddenly, the bars didn't make her feel so safe anymore.

'I advise to keep your movements slow', Tensa said. 'Getsu does not trust you'.

Doesn't trust me? With what?! Isane pursed her lips, her brows knitting into a frown. I'm the healer, for crying out loud!

'Please, do not take it personal', Tensa said, almost sounding amused. 'He doesn't trust anyone'.

'He trusts my lieutenant', Isane pointed out.

Tensa eyed her, 'You know and yet you insist on coming here yourself?'

'I will not let my lieutenant in the same room as a Hollow', Isane stated firmly. 'I value him too much to expose him to such a risk'.

Tensa hummed, tone disapproving. He turned away from her, facing the cell. 'A shame. Getsu wouldn't have minded his presence'.

Isane followed his gaze. She had to squint her eyes, force them to adjust to the scarce lighting-she made a mental note to install more lamps here-in order to see.

There. In the far left corner, she found the hunched-over, humanoid form of the spirit. Molten gold stared straight into her soft grey, daring her to come closer and find out what the consequences would be.

'I would recommend against going inside', Tensa said. 'Getsu is not feeling well. He needs some time to recuperate'.

'But he behaved so well before', Isane said. 'Surely I could go in now he is no longer hollowfied'.

'He behaved because there were stone pillars between you', Tensa said. 'I would suggest getting Hanatarō-san'.

'Like I said, I won't let my lieutenant go into a cage with a Hollow', Isane stated firm. 'Can't he come over like he did yesterday?'

A snarl came from the cell, answering her question. He could but he wouldn't.

Tensa turned to the cell, facing his counterpart. He made eye contact with Getsu before speaking. 'If you really cannot wait or want to let Hanatarō-san do it... I suppose there is a way'.

Getsu glared at him, objecting for all he was worth with just his eyes. Tensa shook his head.

Play along.

'What is it?' Isane asked.

'You would have to leave your zanpakutō behind'.

Isane reached for the hilt on reflex. As her fingers brushed her weapon, a deep growl erupted from the cell. Surprised, the captain looked at the spirit behind the bars. Getsu was actively snarling at her, eyes trained on her hand. Slowly, she moved her fingers away and the sound died down.

'I don't know', Isane said unsure.

'As I said, Getsu is not feeling well. The fact Ichigo is in such a fragile state doesn't help, either', Tensa said. 'If you go inside armed, he will take that as a declaration of ill intent'.

I take his growling as a declaration of ill intent, Isane thought. 'What if he tries to harm me?'

Tensa chuckled. He knew better than anyone Getsu would never do such a thing. It was beneath him. No, if Getsu attacked, it was to kill.

Let's not say that.

'Captain, I assure you; if you leave your zanpakutō behind and be transparent with your actions, Getsu will let you be'.

I severely doubt that. Isane turned back to the cell that contained the so-called "Zanpakutō Spirit". She narrowed her eyes; the overhead lighting in the corridor didn't reach all the way back in the cells. The Hollow's retreat to the far wall made it harder for Isane to get a proper look at him. After a moment, her eyes began to adjust to the scarce lighting and she could observe the spirit with more scrutiny.

As much as the spirit terrified her, Isane would be lying if she said his appearance wasn't worrying. It was clear to her that he was not in good health, both physically and mentally.

Most notable was his clothing, or rather, the lack there of. Aside from his tattered jeans and vest, spirit wasn't wearing anything. Despite the temperature of the room, his exposed skin shimmered with sweat. Small tremors wrecked through his body, his fingers twitching involuntary. His bare chest, painted with black markings, expanded as he took in air with haggard breaths.

Dark rings contrasted heavily against the ghostly pale complexion. The divide was only slightly softened by the severe flush that coloured the spirit's cheeks. His hair reached down all the way to his waist. Tresses of matted white clung to his face, caging the golden irises that burned with wavering intensity.

Even his spiritual pressure was unstable. While the spirit was making an attempt to keep it under wraps, it was too rambunctious for him to handle in his current state. It continued to slip from him, lashing out violently. Isane could feel the conflict between the two "markers" in the spiritual pressure. The hollow markers were drowning out the Soul Reaper makers, which was trying to reign its rowdy counterpart in despite the odds stacked against it. If she hadn't been looking at the spirit directly, she would have sworn there was an enraged espada kept inside the cell.

Yet, it was his arms that Isane kept returning to. Or rather, what the spirit held in his arms. Ichigo was cradled like a precious doll, head resting comfortably in a clawed hand. The boy hadn't made a sound since she had come down, sleeping peacefully within the spirit's hold.

'I know it might be hard to believe, but Getsu is not one to attack unprovoked. He will not lay a finger on you if you go in'.

'How can you be so certain?' Isane asked.

'We are both part of the same soul; We are each other's counterparts', was the answer she received.

Nursing her bottom lip, Isane considered her next move. As the captain of the Fourth, it was her duty to provide her patients with the best care. She was to be an example for the rest of the division. The honour of her rank and reputation was on the line.

'All I have to do is leave my zanpakutō here and he won't attack me, that is what you're saying, right?'

'That is correct'.

Nodding in understanding, Isane stepped away from the cell. She swiftly detached her sheathed blade from her obi and placed it on the bench. Turning on her heel, she faced the cell.

It will be fine, it will be fine. I just go in, check on Shiba-san and get back out. Isane took a deep breath, focussing on gathering her wits and stomping down her nerves. Don't show fear. Don't make sudden movements. Just like with animals, only this one can understand and speak the Human language.

After a few minutes of prepping herself mentally, Isane deemed herself as ready as she could ever be. As she stepped towards the door, she felt the spirit's eyes lock on to her. Isane ignored it. She had to be careful to act as casual as possible. Retrieving the key, she unlocked the door and entered the cell.

The cool touch of a blade's edge on her neck had Isane her blood ran cold. Her body froze, ignoring her desire to turn around as something whispered in her ear, "leave".

And then it was gone.

Isane resisted the urge to suck in a breath. It'd felt as if her heart stopped beating. Shaken up as she was, her calm façade crumbled. Her eyes betrayed her fright as she looked at the spirit. The Hollow Zanpakutō hadn't moved since she had set foot inside the cell, nor had his eyes strayed from her.

It was clear to Isane that the spirit did not want her here. Everything about him was screaming at her to "go away". Warning her in no uncertain terms she would be forfeiting her life if she continued to push his boundaries.

Slowly, Isane raised her arms. The spirit tensed in response. Holding out her hands, Isane showed she wasn't carrying anything with her. 'I am a healer. I am not here to harm you', she said. 'Do you understand?'

Getsu blinked at her. Isane wasn't sure but it seemed his eyes dimmed in their intensity. His jaw trembled as he mulled over his thoughts. As he opened his mouth to speak, he snapped it shut a second later, a look of discomfort forming on his face.

A light tapping pulled both their attention towards the bars. Tensa raised his wrists to chest height and began to move his hands in a purposeful manner. The captain was surprised when her brain immediately translated the gestures to words.

"For someone who can speak with their hands, you rely too much on your voice to communicate".

Sign language? Isane turned back to the other spirit, seeing him snarl at his counterpart. Seizing the opportunity, Isane tapped with her left foot. Gold swept back to her and she began to move her hands while she spoke. 'I mean no harm to you or Shiba-san. I only need to check his vitals for any anomalies. Do you understand?'

Getsu was visibly taken aback by her. His eyes flicked between her and the other spirit. Slowly, he lowered to the ground, maintaining eye contact with the captain. He laid his wielder on the ground, comfortably wrapped in his blanket. Getsu didn't raise, staying crouched over his sleeping king. His hands shook as he brought them up to reciprocate her gesture. With twitching fingers he signed back to her in, what she could only describe as, heavily accented Sign language. "No trust".

'I am placing a lot of trust in you right now to not kill me, which you can very easily. I even let my zanpakutō outside to show I am not harbouring any ill will. The least you can do, is let me do my job'.

"I don't owe you anything".

'I am not doing this for you. I am doing this for Shiba-san', Isane shot right back. 'He is my patient and I will do my best to give him the best treatment I can'.

At the mentioning of his wielder, Getsu lost the fire in his eyes.

'I only need to place my hand on his chest or back to gauge his recovery', Isane explained.

Black nailed claws disappeared into white palms as Getsu hesitated. Every fibre in his being was shouting at him to keep his king safe and away from others. He knew the captain didn't trust him. The second he let his guard down she would snatch Ichigo away. However, a small voice pointed out to him the captain was speaking the truth. In his current state, Getsu couldn't offer his king much help. The captain had been tasked to nurse Ichigo back to health and oversee his road to recovery.

It was hard to curb what his gut told him to do. His instincts screamed louder and louder as Getsu moved back and sat down with his back against the wall. He locked eyes with her and signed, "Do it quickly".

Isane didn't need to be told twice. She gave a nod and walked over, her pace firm but not hasty. She swallowed as she knelt down by the pile of fabric and padding, only a meter between her and the Hollow Zanpakutō. His spiritual pressure brushed against her, like a million tiny needles pickling her skin.

Ignore it. Ignore it.

Gently, as to not rouse the regressed lieutenant, Isane pulled the blanket back he used as a blanket. Ichigo did not react, continuing to sleep peacefully, blissfully unaware to the building tension around him.

With her non-dominant hand, Isane reached out. She was fully aware of the spirit's eyes on her and made sure every move she made was slow and visible. Her fingers splayed as they made contact with her patient, her palm pressing featherlight against his back.

When neither host or Hollow reacted, Isane began to cast the kaidō. A soft, green light enveloped her hand, spreading to coat the immediate skin she came into contact with.

'He seems to be recovering well', she noted after a moment. 'Better than I had anticipated, even'.

A firm "thump" made her look up. Clawed hands signing, "You done?"

Isane nodded, 'As good as'. She placed the cloth back before raising to her feet. The spirit mirrored her to maintain eyelevel.

Having done her duty and not wanting to overstay her welcome, Isane turned to make her exit. She was slightly surprised when the Hollow did not follow her or try to jump her now her back was turned. Actually, she couldn't even feel his eyes on her anymore.

As she reached the door, her curiosity got the best of her. Isane looked over her shoulder to find the spirit sitting beside his host. His crossed arms supported by his raised knees, head angled to watch both the door and the child at the same time. Though, from what she could tell, the sleeping child had his complete attention.

Isane didn't know what to make of it. She turned back and unlocked the door. Before she locked it again, she glanced at the hooded spirit. 'You said he wasn't feeling well?'

'Hollowfication has a price, Kotetsu-san', Tensa replied. 'One Getsu is still paying for'.

'Is there anything I can do?'

Tensa eyed her curiously, 'Give me five minutes'.

Without questioning, Isane pulled the door open and let the spirit inside.

The Hollow snapped his head up towards his counterpart. Isane could have sworn his lips twitched upwards as the hooded spirit neared.

Tensa picked up the overcoat on his way. Once he reached his counterpart, he knelt down. With care, Tensa draped the warm clothing over the bare shoulders, letting his hands linger to rearrange the mess that was Getsu's spiritual energy. The Hollow leaned back into the other's touch, eyelids falling to a close.

The air changed. The pressure watering down. The Hollow markers, which had neigh overtaken the whole signature, settled. For the first time since the spirit had materialised, Isane could sense with clarity that a Hollow was only part of what he was.

One hand left the shoulder and the spirit opened his eyes, revealing sterling silver irises opposed to the molten gold he's had for the past few days. He sighed, as if a load had been removed from his shoulders. This time, his hand barely shook as he placed it over the one left on his shoulder in silent appreciation.

The hooded spirit murmured a question; if Isane read his intonation correctly. The Hollow's lips pulled to the side as he considered it before nodding. Tensa tightened his grip briefly before raising to stand.

The captain opened the door again and let the young man out. As she closed and locked the cell, Isane found the scene hadn't changed much. The Hollow had shifted a bit closer to his sleeping host, the coat pulled tightly around his shoulders. His back was flush with the wall, head angled to rest against the surface as well.

Now the Hollow nature was somewhat balanced out, the spirit didn't come across as a cornered animal. He seems so exhausted, Isane noted. Her gaze drifted to the room behind her, taking in the demolished state in a new light. Such a difference.

'Something wrong, Captain?'

Isane shook her head. 'I will be back to bring lunch'. With that, the captain vacated the basement.