Of Buildings and a Plain of Snow

Chapter 3: My name is Zangetsu

No, you got the name wrong; Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo Dumbasses.

The yuki-onna shielded her eyes delicately with her fan as the light threatened to blind her. As they adjusted Sode no Shirayuki turned to where she had just exited from the dark place she had been, and watched it disappear into nothing. There would be no turning back now. She mused to herself that she must had been in there for a while for her eyes to be so weak, as for day after day she had looked at the snow covered landscape of her inner world; so white and beautiful it would blind oneself as easily as the sun would.

Looking around her, Sode no Shirayuki gasped at how, in its own way, this inner world was as beautiful as her own. Its marvel lied in its intricacy, a giant city that was a perfect replica down to the last detail. Cars, shops, tall buildings that stretched on seemingly endlessly into the sky; the only thing missing was the people that usually would have flooded the streets. Although having the city deserted suited Shirayuki just fine, she didn't deal to well with people, quite ironic considering the form she takes. She preferred the quiet... There was something strange about this world, but it was probably nothing.

There was only one thing that spoiled the beauty and wonder of this inner world, and that was the sky. What should have been a rolling expanse of blue was covered in dark, perpetually looming clouds that looked as though they would unleash their full wrath at any moment. It gave one a feeling of gloom and depression, Sode no Shirayuki decided that she did not like this at all. It was like when Rukia was upset, the lovely white clouds would become a stormy grey and the soft snowflakes would become hailstones that stung and drew blood.

And the feeling that something was strange about this inner world continued to pulsate at the back of her consciousness as well. Something was out of place but here it seemed so natural to this inner world that you barely noticed it. Determined to get rid of this annoying feeling in the back of her mind, Sode no Shirayuki attempted to figure out this puzzle. It seemed that at the moment she was the only one around, that wasn't it. There was nothing that wasn't meant to be there like, well, a dancing elephant or something of the sort. That would laughable. Gravity was working just fine, here was nothing floating about and her feet were planted firmly on the side of the building where she was standing. . . . .

Wait a moment... the side of the building? That wasn't right...

Sure enough, when Shirayuki looked down, she concluded that she definitely on the side of the tall building, and not on top of it. When Shirayuki looked up (or more correctly, to her right) she saw the sky, with the clouds travelling the wrong way. Looking to her left... Sode no Shirayuki saw that it was a long, looooong way down.

Oh how I detest heights...

Sode no Shirayuki let out a noise that if it was made by someone that didn't have a noble air like Shirayuki, would have been labelled as a girly little squeal. She clutched onto the flag pole that was next to her like a lifeline, looking at the ground below her (to her left X3 I don't know why that makes me laugh but it does!!) with wide, frightened eyes. She was debating what in the world she was going to do to prevent herself from falling to her death when she heard an amused laugh from behind her and a deep, masculine voice reassuring her "Don't worry, you will not fall."


Sode no Shirayuki whipped her head around at the sound and was unnerved to find no one there, she nearly yelled out in shock when she felt strong fingers wrap themselves around her hands and gently pry them from their death grip on the pole. Shirayuki turned her head around again, this time more slowly; to come face to face with what only could be another zanpaktou.

He looked to be a 30-40 year old man. He dressed entirely in black with a large, ripped, overcoat that went over the top. His face was rugged, with a stubbly beard and long, unkempt brown hair. His dark brooding eyes were almost completely hidden by his sunglasses. He had a mysterious air, and even a fool could tell that he was powerful just by looking at him. He held himself in such a way that he was not an easily discarded man, and his spiritual pressure was completely suffocating. Realising her discomfort, the man lowered his reiatsu so she could breathe properly again; showing an amount of control that the owner of this world clearly didn't have.

There was an uncomfortable silence for a moment as they looked at each other. Then realising that the man had said something, Shirayuki snapped back to reality.

"P-pardon." She stuttered. What in the world was she doing, the ice-queen of soul society, stuttering in front of this man whom she didn't even know.

The man once again smirked at her, but it wasn't a cruel smirk it was one of amusement and Shirayuki felt a blush creep up the back of her neck, but she ordered it back down just like a noble should.

"I asked for your name."

At least that she could answer. "My name is Sode no Shirayuki."

"A lovely name," The man answered, and brought her hand to his lips. "May I call you Shirayuki?"

This time Shirayuki blushed outright and coughed, she hadn't even realised that he was still holding on to her hand. She had to admit, she didn't exactly want to let go. But she did so anyway. Nobility. She wrenched her hand out of his grasp and looked away, still blushing. Sadly she looked to her left instead of her right and saw the 'drop' down. She squealed and jumped again. The man reached out and grabbed her shoulders to steady her.

"I told you that you will not fall." He looked at her in the eye again and it felt like he was staring straight through her. His strong voice slowly reassured her and got her to look away from the dizzying sight. It had an air of command that, unlike so many others was neither proud nor cold.

Adopting a lighter tone to make her feel better, he joked "I wouldn't have thought you were afraid of heights."

Sode no Shirayuki smiled in spite of herself. "I'm not afraid of heights," she lied "but I am not used to a place like this. I suppose I will be, eventually." She shivered then. Eventually. How long would she be here?

"Are you aware of how I got here?" Shirayuki inquired. Perhaps this man could give her some answers to things she had been wondering about for a while.

"You would have gotten here through the soul transfer." The man replied.

Shirayuki froze. (Plum-chan could you not have picked a better word?) The soul transfer? That was impossible! Rukia had transferred her powers to a human, not another shinigami. This had to be a shinigami's inner world, for the surroundings were much more distinct than if the person were human. And the chances of a Kurosaki Ichigo having a zanpaktou spirit, a unique zanpaktou spirit at that... Should have been absolutely none. Although considering all the things she knew about this human boy, it may not have been impossible.

"So this..." Shirayuki began.

The man nodded "Yes, this is the inner world of Ichigo Kurosaki."

"Hmmm, I never expected a human soul to be able to cope with it." Sode no Shirayuki mused.

"There is always a first time for everything." The old man said wisely.

Thinking, Shirayuki then asked the old man, "Do you know what is happening outside?"

Seemingly understanding my question, the man answered, "As of yet, my wielder has passed out, the hollow has been defeated."

Defeated?

That was definitely news to her. When exactly had this happened? And how had the hollow been purified if she wasn't there to help?

Voicing these thoughts directly to the old man he answered with a wry smile. "It is my theory that you must have been between the two worlds while the battle was taking place. I apologize but I may have had to draw on your reiatsu so I was able to battle properly."

That explained why she couldn't move back there in the first place. It also explained why the hollow had been purified without her help. Nevertheless, it was still astounding.

"So… what will happen now?" Shirayuki asked.

"I suppose that you will be staying here for quite some time."

Sode no Shirayuki sighed sadly.

"What is troubling you?" asked the old man.

"I am worrying about my wielder, without me she will be in danger, and I will have no way of contacting her in soul society."

The man seemed in thought for a moment, and then spoke up, "She will have no way of returning to soul society without you, and because of that she will likely stay with Ichigo. And knowing him, he will protect her with his life. As shall I..."

With his words Sode no Shirayuki felt strength and reassurance flow into her. She trusted this man to fulfil his promises and even though she had only just known him for a short time, she felt that he spoke the truth. Yes, Rukia would be safe, and one day she would return to her and give her hell for all this… perhaps followed by a hug.

"Just one thing I ask of you…" He spoke softly.

"Yes?" Shirayuki answered immediately. She owed this to him.

"I ask of you to tell me about Soul society, and the other shinigami there."

Sode no Shirayuki smiled at this request, for all he looked, he really had never been to Soul society, and his knowledge was not as boundless as his demeanour suggested.

"Of course, I will give you all the information you need about Soul Society." Shirayuki smiled warmly at him.

And without warning, she walked up to him and stuck out her hand delicately. "A deal then?"

The old man looked shocked for a moment, then quickly recovered and clasped her hand with his. "Yes, a deal."

Upon making the deal they looked up at the sky, as a small part of the cloudy sky turned blue, and the whole world they lived in seemed brighter. They just looked up for a while, enjoying the peace and quiet, the serenity. Shirayuki broke the silence with a question.

"Just one more thing…" She began.

"What is it Shirayuki-san?" He answered back, still looking at the sky.

"Well, it's just that you have my name, but I never got yours." Sode no Shirayuki teased in a light hearted voice.

The man turned to her, smiled whole heartedly, and gave a deep bow. "Shirayuki-san…"

"My name is Zangetsu."


Authors note:

Whoa, what a contrast to the last chapter, don't you just want to daaaaaaaaaaaw? And I also apologise for the slight OOCness but I don't exactly care, I only allow people to flame if they actually write better than I do, so Nyah. I reeeeeaaaaly am trying to get the chapters out quicker and I believe I should get a few up over the term one holidays, so far everything is going..... Just as planned *insert twisted smile and dramatic colour change*. See ya laters everyone!!

Co-Authors note:

Yo! Tis I! The great TsugiNoMai-sama, don't think just because plum-chan gets things done over the holidays that I will, I'm far less motivated than she will ever be! It's so bad... anyway I have anime to get through, I've no time to be too annoying right now... same anime as plum-chan, I'll take a potato chip...

Chapter Preview:

Last weeks winner was Fanficssuck!!!! The answer was Itoshiki-sensei from Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei. Guess this week's anime reference in my A/N to be getting a preview for the next chapter!!!! ... Just as planned... MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!