(Day 7)
The couch had quickly become Getsu's favourite spot in the room. Once seated in the corner, he had a complete overview of the space. If he so pleases, he could even turn his head a bit and look outside. Able to enjoy the sight the courtyard was to behold this time of year.
Well, it would have been, had it not been for all the nosey Soul Reapers swarming the place. How did Getsu know they were nosey? Simple: they weren't from the Fourth.
Sure, they could have been patients. A handful of poor souls who had recovered enough to walk around for some fresh air but not enough to be released from care. However, Getsu-or rather, Tensa-hadn't sensed any of them in the building prior to today. On top of that, he recognised some of the faces of Ichigo's time at the academy; most of them were (ex-)members of the Thirteenth.
And none of them were remembered for good reasons.
They want to hurt King.
Maim them first.
They want to kill King.
Kill them first.
Protect King.
Kill.
A throbbing in his skull had Getsu pinch his eyes shut. On memory, he found the cord he needed and pulled, bringing down the blinders. Nosy little shits. He didn't need their meddling on top of all the other crap that was going on right now.
A gentle tug at his sleeve had the voices turn down their volume.
'Ano...Getsu?'
Getsu opened his eyes as he turned towards his wielder. Ichigo looked up at him with concern, though he was making an attempt to make it less obvious.
'Are you okay? You look upset'.
The question caught him slightly off guard. How in the world did he notice? Getsu chanced a quick glance past Ichigo, surveying the state of the room. Pillows, blankets and towels were spread over the ground, chairs had been placed at random spots.
Ichigo had been playing some game where he wasn't allowed to touch the ground. It required him to jump, climb and other unconventional means to get from place to place. Ichigo had been completely engulfed in his little game last time Getsu checked.
So what had made him break focus and check on his spirit?
'Getsu?'
Dammit! Pay attention! The spirit covered the hand on his sleeve with his own, removing it from his person. 'I was just thinking a bit too much, is all'.
'About bad things?' Ichigo asked.
'None I'm willing to share'.
'But my mom told me that it helps if you talk about bad stuff with friends and family', Ichigo pressed. 'It will make you feel better'.
Again, with his mother. Getsu had started to develop a weakness for this young version of his wielder bringing up his deceased mother. Maybe because I almost killed the woman once, he mused.
Feeling another tug, Getsu sighed. 'It's about things you've forgotten. I'm not making you relive it'.
'So once I remember, then you will tell me?' Ichigo asked unsure.
'Sure, if you remember to ask, I'll tell you'.
Ichigo frowned. There was something with the way Getsu had spoken that rubbed him the wrong way. Ichigo didn't think the other was lying, Getsu never lied to him. It was more like Getsu knew something Ichigo did not. Probably another thing I can't remember.
'Well, if you won't tell me now... let's do something fun, instead', Ichigo proposed. If they did something fun, Getsu wouldn't think of something bad. Or, that was what his father had said, at least.
Looking around the messy room, Ichigo had his amnesic brain work overtime to come up with an activity both parties would enjoy. His face lit up as his eyes landed on the needed equipment. With a smile, he hurried over to the nightstand and grabbed some paper and pencils.
'Let's draw!'
'I don't know. I've never drawn before', Getsu said. 'I don't think I will be good at it'.
'You don't have to be good, you need to have fun doing it', Ichigo countered. He pointed with a pencil at the spirit, face as serious as he could muster. 'Besides, I challenge you. You cannot back down from a challenge'.
That only applies to combat, Getsu mentally corrected. However, the spirit would be lying if he said he wasn't amused by the child's determination. 'Fine, I'll play along', Getsu said, accepting the paper and pencil offered to him. 'What's the challenge?'
'Hmm...' Ichigo tapped his chin with the bud-end of his pencil, eyes aimed at the ceiling as he thought.
Honestly, he was a bit surprised Getsu agreed so quickly. Normally, it took a lot more persuasion to get the spirit to do something outside of his interests. Although, severe boredom also tended to make Getsu more inclined to try things.
'What about... a sunrise?'
Getsu quirked a brow. 'A sunrise?', he repeated. 'Don't you mean sunset?'
Ichigo shook his head, 'No, I mean sunrise'.
'Only a sunrise?'
'No. It just has to include a sunrise'.
'And what is the goal of this challenge?' Getsu asked. 'To see who draws it better?'
'No, it is to see what it means to you'.
'What a sunrise means to me?' Getsu frowned, already regretting to have agreed to indulge his wielder.
The lack of understanding made Ichigo self-conscious. He began to fidget with the pencil, trying to come up with the words he needed to explain his reasoning properly. 'Like, a sunrise is the start of a new day. Anything can happen, unlike by a sunset, where it already has happened', he said. 'So, we draw how we see a sunrise'.
I don't know what age he's supposed to be but they sure as Hell don't come up with these kinds of challenges. Getsu pinched the bridge of his nose as he tried to wrap his mind around Ichigo's explanation. 'So, lemme get this straight. You want me to draw, what I think of as, the essence of a sunrise?'
'I suppose?' Ichigo said a bit unsure.
Getsu sighed and rephrased, 'What we hope the next sunrise will be like?'
Brown eyes widened, shining sickeningly bright as a smile appeared on Ichigo's face. He bounced on the balls of his feet, pointing at his spirit, 'Yes! That! Exactly that!'
While pleased to have decoded his wielder's idea, Getsu wasn't all too thrilled about the objective. If he had to draw, he rather drew something a lot more simplistic. Yet, the way Ichigo was beaming at him...
'Fine'.
Somehow, Ichigo's smile got even brighter. 'Yay!' Quickly, the regressed lieutenant gathered some more supplies and brought them to Getsu. He then put the basket with the rest on the table between the bed and the couch. With that done, Ichigo climbed on the bed, which still had some paper and pencils. 'And no peeking!' he warned before setting to work.
Now his wielder's enthusiasm could no longer distract him, Getsu had to face the consequences of his actions. What in Hell's name had possessed him to agree to this?
Oh, right. It made Ichigo happy.
Sometimes, Getsu longed to the time his heart wasn't beating. Back when Ichigo's happiness did not matter, only his survival. Everything was so much simpler back then.
Not that Getsu would give up the bond he had with Ichigo now but if there was a way to have both...
The spirit shook his head. Dwelling on such useless thoughts would get him nowhere except maybe into a downwards spiral. Let's just put something on paper and get this stupid thing over with. Don't want him to start crying.
What do I hope the next day will bring? It was a strange question. Never had Getsu pondered what the next day would bring. Sure, there had been times where he was unsure whether Ichigo would survive the hour-the fight with Byakuya and Ulquiorra being an example.
The mere thought of those battles made the voices return, echoing within his skull.
You are approaching this from the wrong angle, Tensa said, breaking through the noise.
Getsu shot his counterpart a glare, I didn't ask for help, brat.
Then don't mind me as I think out loud, Tensa replied. You are trying to find a moment where this question applies to you. Which, quite frankly, I don't believe you have. However, you don't need to use a memory. Otherwise, Ichigo wouldn't be able to draw anything, as he has amnesia.
Fair point, Getsu thought to himself.
My belief, is that this question is supposed to be interpreted as follows: What are you fighting for? What keeps you going?
What keeps me going when everything goes to shit, huh? Getsu summarised. As the question formed in his head, the spirit found his eyes gravitate towards Ichigo. His wielder was busy selecting which colours to use. Testing a few and dismissing them when it wasn't the right shade. Involuntarily, Getsu felt his lips twitched.
Easy.
Answer in mind, Getsu set to work.
He hadn't intended to get so invested in this "challenge" his wielder had thrust upon him. Really, he had started with just stick figures and some lines to convey the overall idea, ready to call it day. However, when he looked at that finished product, Getsu wasn't satisfied. At that point, Ichigo had still been working furiously and it made the spirit feel…not good. If Ichigo was going to give it is all, he should as well. From there, it kind of spiralled out of control.
Since this had been his first time drawing-let alone holding a colouring pencil-the spirit had opted for something simple. Well, he had thought it was simple. Turns out, drawing people was a lot harder than he had expected it to be. After a few tries, Getsu forwent the details and kept to silhouettes, which worked in his favour in the grand scheme of things.
Placing the blue pencil down, Getsu took a moment to admire his work. Not half bad.
'Are you done?' Ichigo asked.
Getsu looked over his shoulder, 'Yeah. You?'
'Yup!' Ichigo waved his piece in the air as he quickly got off the bed. He hurried over. 'Can I see? Can I see?' he asked eagerly.
The spirit offered the paper. Brown eyes widen in awe as small hands accepted it with utmost care.
'Wow'. Ichigo stared at the drawing, his eyes losing that innocent shine as he traced the human shapes with his hand.
'I didn't know I meant that much to you'.
'Aibō?'
In a blink, the maturity had vanished. 'That's us, right?'
'Yeah. You like it?'
Ichigo nodded eagerly, bouncing on his feet. 'Can I keep it?'
Getsu shrugged, 'Sure'.
'Yay!' Ichigo quickly ran to the nightstand by his bed, placing the drawing there before hurrying back. He lunged at the spirit, wrapping his arms around his neck. 'Thank you!'
Getsu froze, arms awkwardly at his side as his wielder attempted to strangle him. He felt something soft and damp press against his jawbone, the sound that followed foreign to his ears. Ichigo then jumped back, still beaming as he went to get his own drawing.
Confused, Getsu touched the slightly wet spot on his jaw. The fuck was that? All he got was Tensa's amusement and it made him decide not to dwell on this. He probably wouldn't like the answer anyway.
'Ahem... so, what did you draw?'
'Everyone!' Ichigo said, showing the drawing with pride.
For someone who looked like they were three, Ichigo had drawn exceptionally well. The lines were clean and the colours were neatly within them. That on its own wasn't what captured Getsu's attention. It was that he recognised the setting, the canal.
Ichigo had gone for a breakfast picnic. The page almost burst from the people drawn on it. And Getsu knew every single one of them.
Ichigo's mother and father were sitting on the blanket, each holding a bundle containing one of his sisters. His wife was revealing the content of the basket she was holding to Tatsuki, whose reaction was mixed at best. Sado was fishing and Uryu was reading a book. Even his captain was present, hugging a bunny toy.
'I couldn't fit everyone in, so I had to make another one!' Ichigo said, revealing a second piece of paper.
This one was much simpler. It featured Ichigo in the middle, face mostly obscured by a camera.
'I thought it would be fitting. Like I am taking a photo of the first drawing', Ichigo explained. Getsu didn't hear him, though. His eyes were glued to the other two figures in the drawing.
To Ichigo's left, stood Tensa. He was holding the camera steady. One hand laid on Ichigo's shoulder. On the right, Getsu looked at himself. His drawn counterpart had knelt to be on the same height, pointing at something.
His hand shook as he reached for the paper. Ichigo happily handed it over, bouncing on the balls of his feet. Getsu paid that no mind, eyes glued to the drawing
It shouldn't have such an effect on him. He knew Ichigo cares about him. His wielder had proven that to him over and over again throughout the years.
But this was different. This boy before him wasn't the same man he would move heaven and earth for. Didn't have the memories of their trials. Didn't even have the same mental capacity.
And that was just it, wasn't it?
'–it'.
Getsu blinked, pushing down his uneasiness at having butterflies wreaking havoc inside his stomach. 'What didya say?'
'It's for you now ', Ichigo repeated. 'You can keep it'.
I can't keep it. The words lay on the tip of his tongue, threatening to spill and upset his wielder, he was sure. He swallowed, erasing the sentence and forming a new one. 'Why don't you hold on to it for now?' he proposed, handing the drawing back. 'It would be a shame if it were to get damaged'.
'Oh, I didn't think of that'. Ichigo quickly brought the drawing to the nightstand as well. On a whim, he took a pencil and scribbled something on the back.
'What are you doing?'
'Write your name on it', Ichigo said. 'If you ever lose it, they will know to whom it belongs'.
Getsu settled back into the couch, accidentally bumping the wall with his head. He hissed in pain, lack spots obscuring his vision as his headache returned full force. He was fortunate Ichigo had his back turned or else his wielder would have witnessed the break-in his façade.
It's getting out of hand. Nursing his temples, Getsu attempted to soothe the pounding within his skull. What the fuck are they using to keep us out, anyway?
Not a tenshintai from Kisuke, I am sure.
The sudden voice in his head caught him off guard. Eyes opened up wide to allow bright gold to flicker over to where his counterpart was. Tensa met his gaze, the book he had been reading now on his lap. The other seemed surprised, although the amount of concern that radiated off of him made it difficult to be sure.
You look horrible.
As if you have a right to talk, Getsu snapped back. Ya look as old as your shikai.
Tensa scowled but otherwise ignored the jab, you should rest.
I ain't sleeping.
I did not say you should.
But it's what you're implying.
With a sigh, Tensa got up and walked over, taking place beside his counterpart. We both know you need to rest. You will only get worse until you do.
It's not that bad, Getsu tried to argue. I've had worse, I can hold out.
'Getsu?' Ichigo's voice brought him back.
The spirit hummed, nursing his head. 'What is it?'
'Do you have a headache?'
Stop being so goddamn perceptive! Getsu glared at Ichigo, who didn't even flinch.
'You should get some rest', Ichigo said.
'Not you, too', Getsu groaned.
'It will help!' Ichigo said. 'I will be–' he stopped, continuing in a whisper, 'I will be real quiet'.
'That's not–' Getsu sighed. He had no qualms arguing with Tensa, they were counterparts for a reason. Ichigo, on the other hand, had already made it very clear what he thought withholding information. Especially regarding Getsu's mental state.
That Ichigo couldn't remember that, or that he was currently a damn toddler, made no difference.
'... alright', Getsu relented. 'I will lie down, is that good enough for you?'
Ichigo nodded.
Getsu eyed his right, seeing Tensa pat his lap in invitation. Heaving a sigh of defeat, Getsu laid down. The moment he laid somewhat comfortably, fingers nestled into his hair.
What do you think you're doing?
Helping you relax.
Ichigo threw the white cloak as high as he could, partially covering the spirit. Tensa used his free hand to adjust it.
I don't want to sleep, Getsu protested, barely fighting back a yawn.
Then don't.
The familiar sound of pencils had Getsu's attention back to his wielder. Ichigo had gathered his drawing supplies and brought them over. Snatching one of the pillows and blankets he had used to play "the floor is lava", he made himself comfortable to draw.
Within arms reach of his spirits.
The light and quick scratching of lead on paper send Getsu back. The low pulse of spiritual pressure soothed the worries that had been brewing since Ichigo had collapsed.
For a brief moment, Getsu was sent back to the past. To when Ichigo was still in school, working feverishly on his homework. To days when Zan and he would laze around in nice weather. To long last moments of peace.
His mind was tricked for just a fleeting moment, but that was as long as his body needed to drift off.
#
TO BE CONTINUED
BLEACH – Tite Kubo
