(Day 6)

Black-nailed fingers trembled as they were forced to move delicately, instructed to weave three unequal bundles together. Every intended slow turn of the wrists was met with protest, the joints twisting farther than required. Matted white eventually slipped from calloused fingertips, escaping the unsteady hold that attempted to tame them.

A string of curses drifted on a drawn-out breath, dry lips pulling into a sneer. Fingers tensed, nails digging into the partially braided hair. The onslaught of pulls and claws was too much for the bundles to bear, unravelling until nothing of the work remained.

Getsu fisted whatever strands he still had in his palms, glaring at the traitorous tresses and disobeying digits as if they had personally offended him. Never before had braiding his hair been this challenging. He could do it blindfolded, behind his back, upside-down and underwater. To struggle with a task he had mastered decades ago, when the biggest obstacle right now was the uncomfortable chair he was seated on, was not doing his mood any favours.

Would you like me to braid it?

Gold drifted away from the mess that was his hair towards his counterpart.

After days of non-stop drawing, Ichigo's fixation on creating art had subsided. He had thrown the sketchbook on the bed in a fit of frustration, upset he didn't know what to draw anymore. Let alone having the motivation to get anything on paper.

Tensa had suggested reading, knowing it had been an activity their wielder had enjoyed from a young age. Ichigo had eagerly agreed, asking what books they had. His eyes shined when Tensa told him it was mostly works of Shakespeare, his favourite author.

"Will you read with me?" Ichigo had asked, so excited and hopeful that Getsu couldn't fault Tensa for agreeing so easily.

Shaking his head, Getsu combed through his hair again. Nah, King needs yer attention more than I do. Sides, it gives me somethin' ta do.

Suit yourself. Tensa glanced up briefly when it was Ichigo's turn to read aloud the foreign text. You are forgetting a few strands.

Lips curled up to reveal sharp teeth, gold narrowing in warning. Getsu reached back, his nails nicking the back of his neck as he gathered the rogue tresses and brought them forward. The sting that followed told him he had actually managed to draw blood. While it was nothing his High-Speed Regeneration couldn't fix in seconds, the fact it happened only aggravated him more.

He fisted his hair in one hand, holding it taut while he put the nails of his right against it. Before he could act out, Ichigo let out a heavy sigh.

'Are you done reading?' Tensa asked.

The boy nodded, rubbing his eyes. 'The words are blurring'.

Placing a bookmark between the pages, the Quincy Zanpakutō closed the book. 'Then it will be best to take a break', he said, placing the tome on the nightstand.

Bleary brown strayed, taking a look around the room for something else to fight the boredom with. They settled on the other spirit in the room, 'What are you doing?'

Getsu changed his grip, pretending he wasn't just seconds away from cutting off a majority of his hair. 'Nothin', jus' failin' ta braid'.

'Braid?' Ichigo echoed. 'I can braid'.

'I know', Getsu dismissed.

'May I braid it?'

The offer was tempting. 'I dunno...don't think yer hands are big enough'.

'They are!' Ichigo objected, showing his hands to prove it. Hands that fit into an adult's palm. 'See? They're big enough or I couldn't have braided your hair...' he trailed off, looking at his hands as if seeing them for the first time. '... last time?'

'Is something wrong?' Tensa asked.

Ichigo frowned, staring at his flexing fingers. Fingers that were calloused from decades of fighting with a sword. 'I... I don't-' He angled his head back, looking at Tensa, 'Were my hands bigger before?'

'Alright, fine!' Getsu interjected. 'Ya can braid it if ya wan' it so bad'.

The frown lifted and Ichigo clapped his hands together, 'Really? Thank you!'

With reluctance, Getsu got up from the uncomfortable chair and dragged it closer to the bed. Tensa and Ichigo moved aside, making space for him to sit. Getsu hopped on the bed with them, planting his boots on the seat of the chair, his back facing his counterpart and regressed wielder.

A small chest leaned against his back, short arms reached over his shoulders. Petite hands gathered the loose tresses and pulled them back.

'Wow, your hair is super long', Ichigo said, staring at the waist length waterfall in awe.

'And severely tangled', Tensa added. 'We cannot braid it like this. We need to comb it first'.

'Yeah', Ichigo agreed. 'Do we have one?'

'Here'.

Ichigo's eyes widened as Tensa offered him a glowing blue comb. Gingerly, he took it from the spirit's hands, feeling the power that pulsed through it but unable to understand it.

'Look, Getsu! Look!'

An "oomph" was forced from Getsu's mouth as Ichigo jumped against his back, arm thrown over his shoulder to show the comb.

'Isn't it pretty?' he asked, waving it in the spirit's face. 'Tensa is a magician!'

Getsu rolled his eyes, ignoring the waves of amusement rolling off his counterpart. 'It's nice'.

'Uh-hum! I bet it will make your hair really shiny', Ichigo said before withdrawing. He fell back, landing on Tensa's lap.

'Remember to be gentle, Ichigo. We do not want to cause any discomfort', Tensa cautioned.

Ichigo nodded, 'Can you hold it?'

'Of course'.

They set to work. Tensa secured a handful of hair in a tight vice, allowing Ichigo to comb the ends and slowly work his way up.

The little bit of spiritual pressure that Ichigo had recovered calmed down at the simple task. His face set in a serious scowl. Combing Getsu's hair wasn't something to be taken lightly, after all.

With Tensa's help, he restored the white mess to its rightful glory. It shone in the room's light, shimmering as it moved.

'Yer finally done combing?'

'Yep', Ichigo said. 'It looks really pretty. Like snow!'

'I believe ya', Getsu waved off. 'Jus' braid it already'.

Tensa began to part the hair in three but Ichigo tugged his sleeve.

'Let's do fishgrate', he said.

'If you wish'. Tensa divided the hair again, this time in four equal bundles. Together with Ichigo, they weaved them in a set pattern. After each cycle, Tensa cast a silent, low-level bakudō to keep it in place.

They were halfway down Getsu's back when a knock on the door interrupted them.

'Kurosaki-san?' Isane's muffled voice called out.

The doorhandle lowered and Ichigo's eyes widened.

'A minute!'

There was some mumbling behind the door before the handle was pressed down further.

A shout had them all by surprise, followed by the door handle springing back up, leaving the door closed. More muffled arguing followed.

'Huh, I wonder who is with her', Ichigo mused as he and Tensa finished braiding.

Getsu leaned forward as soon as the fingers let go of his hair. He didn't get far, a hand on his shoulder keeping him in place.

'No, I will open it', Tensa said.

With a sneer, Getsu sat back. Ichigo was quick to distract him, using his arm as a pole, he swung around to land on the spirit's lap. The Hollow Zanpakutō immediately reached out, holding the child so he wouldn't accidentally tip over and fall.

'Look at it! Look at it!' Ichigo chanted with excitement. 'Look how nice we made it'.

Tensa smiled as Getsu brought the braid forward, easily swept up by their wielder's request. Satisfied that the diversion had succeeded, he went to the door and opened it slightly.

Two people stood behind it. One was the captain of the Fourth, who had tried to open the door regardless of Ichigo's request. The second one was someone Tensa was well familiar with.

'Oh, Tensa-san', Isane said. 'I have a visitor for Kurosaki-san. Can she come in?'

'I do not see why not'.

Stepping aside, Tensa allowed their guest to enter. As soon as she passed the thresshold, brown eyes whipped around.

'Rukia'.

A large grin spread across the boy's face. He wiggled in Getsu's hold, trying to break free. The Hollow Zanpakutō glared at the tall woman as he allowed his wielder down.

Rukia, knowing exactly what Ichigo was going to do, knelt down. The boy leapt into her arms, wrapping his own around her neck.

'I've missed you', he said, giggling when he was lifted off the ground.

Rukia balanced him on her hip, 'You have indeed. I came by almost every day but you were always sleeping'.

'Really?' Ichigo looked at his spirits, 'Why didn't you wake me?'

Getsu waved a hand, 'I didn't know, either'.

'You needed your rest more', Tensa said.

Ichigo pouted, hugging Rukia a bit tighter. 'You should have told me', he complained.

'Uhm, well...' Isane began awkwardly. 'I will come back at the end of visitation hours or after lunch...' She timidly closed the door, leaving the four alone.

At once, the tightness in Getsu's shoulders eased. Both spirit's their pressure flowing a tad more freely.

Tensa cast a subtle kidō on the door and let his hood fall. He shook his head a bit, combing the mess back with his hand. 'How have you been, Captain?'

'It's going...well', Rukia said. 'There is just so much to do and so little time... I hope I can get it done'.

Getsu manipulated the chair on which his feet rested, kicking it aside so it faced the room. Rukia took the invitation and sat down, placing Ichigo on her lap.

Ichigo pointed over her shoulder, 'Look what I made'.

Rukia turned around, seeing the whole backwall was covered in drawings.

'My, haven't you been busy', she said, her eyes landing on every paper for a spell. One in particular caught her eye. 'I know that one'.

How could she not, when it was herself that was drawn?

Ichigo followed her gaze, angling his head while squinting. 'The one with the white lady and Getsu?'

'Yes, I-' She looked down at him, 'Do you remember that?'

The child cocked his head, 'That happened?'

'Oi, Rukia'.

Both captain and lieutenant looked at Getsu.

'Don't question what he knows, jus' accept what he does'.

'Knows what?' Ichigo asked. 'Did that happen? Did you two fight? Why did you fight?'

Getsu let his chin fall in his awaiting palm, with his free hand he gestured at Ichigo. As if to say: look what you have done.

'It is nothing to worry about', Rukia assured. 'Getsu was helping me become stronger'.

Ichigo settled at that, 'Like training?'

'Yes. He is my sparring partner'.

'Oh~' Ichigo nodded. 'I was watching, then'. Brown looked back at the drawing. 'I don't remember how that fight went...it must have been really cool'.

'Do you want me to tell you?'

'You will?!' Ichigo said, bouncing on her knees in excitement.

Rukia looked up, glancing at both spirits. Tensa had no objections, observing the scene from his place on the sofa. Getsu had his hands up, signing once her eyes landed on him.

"Don't jar his memory".

She could do that.

With a smile, she turned back to Ichigo. 'I don't see why not'.

Picking her words carefully, Rukia retold the story of how the particular fight in question was fought. Whenever she was uncertain, she would glance at the two spirits for guidance. Either Getsu or Tensa would nod or shake their head, sometimes even signing a bit to elaborate. Depending on their response, she would change her sentence and continue.

Ichigo didn't seem to mind. He was hanging from her lips, absorbing every word she spoke to convert them into a sick action movie in his head.

Unfortunately, the story was long and Ichigo had been awake for quite a while. As Rukia explained how Getsu had escaped being frozen solid, Ichigo could feel a yawn creeping up. He fought against it, pursing his lips and pinching his eyes in the hope of keeping it in.

It was no use.

His mouth opened wide, letting out a long yawn that he still tried to stifle with his hands. Rukia paused her storytelling, bouncing him a bit on her knee.

'Tired?'

Ichigo shook his head, 'No, no, continue'.

'Next time'.

'No, please!' Ichigo tugged at her haori, 'Finish it! I can stay awake'.

Rukia tapped her chin, 'But Kotetsu-san will get upset if I keep you up. I don't want to hinder your recovery'.

Ichigo sat back, sad but understanding her point.

'Tell you what. You lay down in bed and I will continue until you fall asleep'.

Ichigo perked up, 'Deal!'

Two strong hands lifted him up from Rukia's lap. Ichigo let his head fall back, revealing Getsu as the culprit. He was put on the bed, which already had the covers drawn back. Ichigo didn't complain, pulling them up to his chin and looking at Rukia expectantly.

As promised, she continued the tale. His eyelids grew heavier and he struggled to keep them open. With pitiful groans, he fought against his body's needs. Shifting under the covers in discomfort.

Something settled in his hair. Sharp edges scratched his skin superficially while soft stumps massaged his scalp.

Ichigo hummed as Getsu carded his fingers through his hair. The Hollow Zanpakutō watched bemused as his wielder fell victim to his ministrations. Brown eyes hid behind eyelids, a ghost of a smile on his lips as sleep claimed him. Within minutes, the regressed lieutenant was snoring softly.

'He falls asleep quite quickly, doesn't he?' Rukia noted, adjusting the covers to lay better over Ichigo's shoulders. 'Is he still tired alot?'

'S'not as bad as before', Getsu murmured. 'Can't wait for 'im ta be back ta normal. I dunno how ta deal with 'im like this'.

'You are doing what you can and that's enough'.

Getsu hummed, not disagreeing but not agreeing, either. He settled his hand on Ichigo's chest, a soft green glow coating alabaster skin and permeating the layer of fabric.

Taking notice, Rukia spoke up, 'What are you doing?'

'Givin' him a lil' boost', Getsu said. 'Should help 'im recover faster'.

'No!' It had slipped out before she had a chance to stop it. Rukia stared at the spirit with eyes like a deer caught in headlights. The glow dimmed, nails digging into the fabric as he formed a fist.

'Somethin' is wrong', Getsu accused. 'What is it?'

'I-I don't know what you-'

'I may be tired but I hella ain't stupid', Getsu snapped in a low voice. 'Spit it out! What's going on?!'

Rukia cast her eyes down, 'They... they plan to purify Ichigo once he has recovered'.

Whatever colour still resided in the Hollow Zanpakutō's skin, was drained away at those words.

'I promise you, I am doing everything I can to prevent it from happening', Rukia said. 'Renji is speaking with Urahara and I am compiling notes of instances that will counter possible arguments in favour of the decision-'

'It ain't their fucking decision ta make!' Getsu snapped. 'Why the fuck- where did this come from? I haven't done shit!'

'When you took over Ichigo's body a few days back, you injured a handful of healers and got into the way of Ichigo's medical care', Rukia explained. 'The fact you hollowfied, didn't do you any favours, either'.

'It ain't my fault those healers are weak as shit! I had ta undo a seal ta buy 'im more time! If it wasn't fer me, King wouldn't be here!'

'And I believe you', Rukia said. 'I know you would never do anything that could jeopardise his life and I am gathering evidence to prove it'.

'Tch, evidence? Like Hell that's gonna work. All they care 'bout is what I am and they'll happily paint my actions ta suit that narrative! No evidence in ta world is gonna fix that'.

'That's not true!' Rukia snapped back. 'It worked on me, didn't it? And Orihime and Urahara and Yamada! When faced with the facts, our view of you changed!'

'It weren't the facts and ya know it'. Getsu fisted his hands, nails digging into his palm. 'It's cuz ya trust 'im ta make the right call and keep me in check'.

Rukia bit her tongue. She hated to admit it but the spirit wasn't wrong. Without Ichigo acting as a mediator, she wouldn't have believed the intentions of the spirit to have been any good.

Getsu sat down on the nightstand, the weight of the future too much for his legs to bear. 'I knew this was gonna happen one day. I just... didn't think he wouldn't-' His eyes strayed to the boy who laid restlessly on the bed. 'And now it is 'appening and I realise how hypocritical I've been'.

'There was no way to predict this would ever happen', Tensa said.

'Yet it's foolish of me not ta think it possible'. Getsu looked at his counterpart, 'Did ya know?'

'It has been something I considered a possibility', Tensa admitted with a sigh, standing up from his seat.

'Why didn't ya tell me?'

'I will not burden you with knowledge I am not even certain of myself', Tensa said, placing a hand on the other's shoulder. Getsu didn't shake him off, allowing him to manipulate his pressure. 'Captain?'

'Yes?'

'If you require more evidence, I suggest the video footage of the holding cells'. Tensa tugged his hood back on, 'I have done what I can, it is up to you to show them'.

Rukia nodded, 'I will. Thank-'

For a second time that day, a knock interrupted them.

'Yes?' Rukia called over her shoulder.

The door was opened up, Isane looking in. 'Visiting hours are up, Kuchiki-san'.

'Then I will take my leave'. The short captain rose, giving her lieutenant a last look. Her eyes shifted to the spirits, 'I will do what I can'.

Getsu didn't respond. Tensa only nodded, having taken up his cover as the "shy, young boy" once more.

She waited outside the room for Isane to close the door. Once the tall woman turned to her, she spoke.

'I need to see the security footage of the holding cells'.

#

TO BE CONTINUED

BLEACH – Tite Kubo