TZC: Ichigo and Zangetsu, Chapter 3 part 2
Sogyo no Kotowari and Katen Kyokotsu manifested side by side. Looking directly at their spirit forms had been known to cause some inexperienced zanpakutou to become ill, due to the eerie double exposure look their dual physical natures lent them. Even their words seemed to have a bit of an echo. It had never caused Zangetsu much trouble, even though he was one of the youngest zanpakutou. Faced with both of them at the same time, he was very thankful of that. He braced himself for what would surely be an…interesting conversation.
Greetings, Zangetsu.
Hiya, Zangetsu!
Zangetsu had a vaguely traumatic flashback to his previous conversation with Isshin’s zanpakutou before he remembered his manners and shook it off.
Good day to you both.
He could let them lead the conversation, as he had with so many others, but…
Was there something you needed?
But he wasn’t actually masochistic.
Actually, Zangetsu, there is something-
Condoms!
Zangetsu stared. In his defense, he had never discussed human contraceptives with the spirit of another zanpakutou before, much less one as manic as Katen Kyokotsu was just then.
I…beg your pardon?
Condoms! Since little Ichigo’s finally discovered sex and all, he’ll probably need some and Shunsui…
Zangetsu considered it to be incontrovertible proof of a divine benevolence that Sogyo no Kotowari interrupted his partner there.
Really, Katen Kyokotsu. Mind your manners. That is not what we came to discuss and it is not appropriate besides.
No?
No.
Oh, well.
Zangetsu screwed up his courage, cleared his throat and re-entered the conversation.
I do not believe it would be necessary in any event, since Ichigo’s father is a medical doctor who runs a clinic. No doubt he could have a ready supply from there, if he chose.
He decided not to mention that he was certain Ichigo would never ask his father for anything of the sort, no matter who had prompted the urge to do so. He shook himself out of that train of thought and focused on his guests.
You never did say what you did come here for.
Sogyo no Kotowari glanced reflexively to a point just over Zangetsu’s left shoulder and Katen Kyokotsu’s manic grin fell off his faces. Zangetsu raised an eyebrow. This did not look promising. After a few beats, they slipped their masks back on, even if the effect was a bit more subdued than before. It was Katen Kyokotsu who spoke, calmly and quietly, with a soft, ironic grin on his faces.
Seireitei is more enlightened than the living world, but that does not mean we have completely moved beyond hate.
Sogyo no Kotowari took up the explanation.
We want to be sure Ichigo knows that no matter who he is or who he chooses to be with, he is never without allies.
Zangetsu read between the lines to see what they weren’t saying outright. “It will be hard, because he’s Ichigo and because even if he isn’t gay, he’s still not normal. Jyuushirou and Shunsui can be called on for support or help or even intimidation if needed.” He smiled, feeling somewhat at ease for the first time in hours.
I understand. Thank you.
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The scent of plums and flowers hit Zangetsu’s nose. He turned to see Tobiume balancing lightly on the bar between two window panes, looking down into the sideways building. He drifted over to her, remembering the cheerful and vibrant zanpakutou spirit who’d greeted him on his and Ichigo’s entrance into the Soul Society. The fact that they were supposed to be enemies hadn’t seemed to enter Tobiume’s mind at all.
It had been a long time since Tobiume had been cheerful about much of anything. Zangetsu didn’t try to imagine what his world would be like if something like that happened to Ichigo. If Ichigo was ever broken that completely, it would only be because Zangetsu was no longer around to prevent it. Tobiume’s voice broke the silence.
I told Momo the rumors about Ichigo. I tell her everything I hear. I keep hoping…
She trailed off and just stood there for a few moments longer. Then she turned towards Zangetsu with a look of surprised wonder on her face.
She laughed.
And, for the first time since the traitor Aizen faked his death, Zangetsu saw that blindingly happy smile Tobiume had given him on that very first day.
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Normally, Fuji Kujaku was exactly as flamboyant, arrogant and bloodthirsty as his shinigami. In that moment, he was quiet. He held his tail down behind him and his usual brilliant jewel tones had been softened to pale blue and lavender. Unlike earthly peacocks, Fuji Kujaku tended to change the colors of his feathers on a whim, endlessly searching for the most beautiful combination. When he spoke, his voice was as soft and wistful as his manner and his colors.
It all really is beautiful, isn’t it?
Yes.
As though he only needed confirmation, Fuji Kujaku nodded and left the same way he always did. He spread the wings that would never really lift him in flight and fell backwards off the sideways building for a ways before he disappeared. Zangetsu let him go.
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A single drop of blood falling from thin air announced Nameless’s arrival a few seconds before his appearance in Ichigo’s inner world. This zanpakutou had given up his name in order to give his shikai before it was earned. He waited for his shinigami to give him a new name to replace the one that had fallen by the wayside. Zangetsu wasn’t sure who had first called him “Nameless,” but he supposed it was hardly the worst placeholder he could have received. Nameless fully manifested, showing a few more gaping wounds than Zangetsu remembered from his last visit.
Greetings, my friend. I would ask if you are well, but…
Nameless snorted, and even that sound hinted at the hoarseness Zangetsu knew he would hear when the other zanpakutou spoke. Screaming constantly every time one’s shinigami went into battle was bound to take a toll, after all. Especially when that shinigami was Zaraki Kenpachi.
I’m just fine.
As you say.
Zangetsu couldn’t help but empathize with Nameless to an extent. He had gone quite a while with Ichigo trying to use him without knowing of his existence, much less his name. However, he had known beyond a shadow of a doubt that Ichigo would call his name eventually. Ichigo could be overprotective until the end of time, but he could only be stubborn to a point. Once it had been made clear to him that he needed Zangetsu and Zangetsu’s power to protect those he loved, he’d been willing to take whatever steps were necessary. Nameless didn’t even have that.
Nonetheless, he did not want to hear about how fine Nameless was like it was the first time that particular denial had seen the light of day. Either he was fine and it didn’t need to be discussed or he wasn’t and was probably going to trip up soon and land himself and his shinigami in the Fourth Division. Again.
Eleventh Division. What could you do?
Zangetsu gave himself a mental shake. Enough woolgathering. Moving on, please.
Was there something you needed, Nameless?
Nah. Jus’ wanted to come bug you. We couldn’t care less who yer boy’s fucking.
Lovely.
Zangetsu’s tone of voice said a couple different thing within that single word. “I do not have time for this,” for one. “Get out,” for another. His eyes, which had suddenly gone cold and hard, said “Watch your fucking mouth about my shinigami, or I’m going to hurt you.” Nameless grinned as he got the message. He always liked to push Zangetsu right up to the edge of violence, much like Kenpachi did with Ichigo. Breaking Zangetsu’s composure was a game Nameless played every time he visited.
Zangetsu was not playing today. He shifted his weight onto the balls of his feet and waited while Nameless got with the program, already. The other zanpakutou’s eyes widened and he almost-almost-flinched. Zangetsu shifted his weight back, let his eyes go shuttered again and just generally tucked in a few of his sharp edges that he’d pulled out during this conversation. It was another message: “If you leave now, I’ll let you go.” Nameless, gave a grim smile, nodded and disappeared, leaving only a slowly fading pool of blood behind. Zangetsu resisted the urge to roll his eyes. They had nearly this exact same conversation-both spoken and unspoken-every single time Nameless entered Ichigo’s inner world. You’d think he’d at least anticipate it.
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Six distinct pops next to Zangetsu’s left ear announced the arrival of Orihime’s Shun Shun Rikka. Normally, the little fairies would have had no way into Ichigo’s inner world, but Zangetsu made an exception for them. As the sentient manifestations of Orihime’s spiritual power, which she had gained after repeated exposure to Ichigo’s, the Shun Shun Rikka could be considered Zangetsu’s children. He was convinced that, had things turned out a bit differently, they would have been her zanpakutou. He felt a surge of paternal pride mixed with a tinge of worry at their appearance. Before, they’d always had to manifest as the hairpins first. They had clearly gotten stronger. Nonetheless, he hadn’t expected Orihime to hear the “news” so soon. Zangetsu mentally braced himself and smiled in welcome. Predictably, Tsubaki was the first to speak and Shuno the first to communicate. Tsubaki was definitely more Ichigo’s son than the rest of the bunch.
Well? Let’s hear it!
I beg your pardon.
Tsubaki! Sorry, Zangetsu, you know how he is.
I do.
Zangetsu paused and took in the five nervous and fidgeting fairies and their angry, not-worried-about-anything-dammit brother. He decided to take pity on them.
Orihime has heard a rumor going around school that Ichigo is homosexual. You are here because the rumor included my name as that of the mysterious male lover that even his closest friends didn’t know about. Unlike most of the students at the school, Orihime knows better and has sent you to attain confirmation.
Does she know better, Zangetsu?
Yes and no. I am most certainly not Ichigo’s lover. And Ichigo loves Orihime as much as he is capable of loving someone he feels he must protect.
Zangetsu watched their faces fall as they took in his words. He fought to keep his face neutral and his fists unclenched. He did not want to do this, did not want to shatter their illusions or Orihime’s hopes. He waited for one of them to respond, and Shuno did not disappoint him.
That…isn’t the same as the way Orihime loves Ichigo.
No. It is not.
The Shun Shun Rikka had no reply to that. After a moment, they silently left Ichigo’s inner world and returned to their anxiously waiting mistress. Zangetsu sighed heavily and spoke into the sudden emptiness.
I’m sorry.
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Zangetsu turned, and Zabimaru was sitting there as though he had been the whole time. Zangetsu wondered briefly if he would have noticed that, seeing as he was occasionally more aware of the absence of his closest comrade among the zanpakutou than of his presence.
Then again, I suppose the silence would have been a clue.
Shaddup, ya dork, I ain’t been here the whole time an’ you know it.
Zangetsu smiled. After a beat, Zabimaru looked away slowly, one head turning after the other. Zangetsu waited. He was not content for his friend to follow where he led. No matter which way their shinigami went from here, he still wanted Zabimaru to walk beside him. He didn’t have to wait long.
It ain’t true, is it. He ain’t gay. Renji’d know.
Ichigo does not even know at this point, my friend, and I do not know enough to be certain. I wish I did. As to Renji, I believe Ichigo would endeavor to keep such knowledge from him for as long as humanly possible.
The nue considered that for a moment before replying.
Ya didn’t say no.
No. I suppose I didn’t.
Hmph. Good ‘nuff. Gotta go, my idiot shinigami’s gettin’ in over his head again.
Until later, then.
Later, Zangetsu.
Zangetsu’s smile lingered on his usually stoic face even after Zabimaru was gone.
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Sode no Shirayuki drifted in to stand beside Zangetsu. He relaxed in the presence of his oldest friend, the only person who knew his name even before Ichigo did. After a while, she spoke softly but firmly, like falling snowflakes or cutting sleet.
Coward.
Probably, yes.
You’d all lie to yourselves forever if Rukia and I weren’t here, wouldn’t you?
Without you and Rukia, we would hardly exist as we are to lie to each other, would we?
We’re giving you a chance to work this out yourselves before we step in and start knocking heads. Demurely, of course.
Of course.
Unlike the others, she didn’t leave but stood there with him for a time. Waiting.
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Ichigo appeared in his inner world standing by Zangetsu’s side and immediately dropped down to sprawl on the ground.
Make them go away.
Zangetsu looked down at Ichigo and thought of all the zanpakutou who’d visited him today. Some were friends and always welcome, some were curious, some were walking wounded and some were acting as nothing more than mouthpieces for their shinigami. He wondered briefly if it would ever occur to Ichigo to use him like that. Probably-no, definitely not. Zangetsu was born from Ichigo’s soul and his innate spiritual power. He literally would never have existed without Ichigo. Nonetheless, he knew that the one who gave him life viewed him as a partner and an equal, not a tool. Ichigo was his shinigami, not his master. For a master, he would not have spent all day fending off nosy zanpakutou spirits.
Zangetsu?
Lost in thought, Zangetsu started at the sound of Ichigo’s voice.
Yes?
You okay? You were looking at me kinda funny.
Zangetsu was still looking down at his shinigami, but it suddenly struck him as wrong somehow. He dropped to the ground beside Ichigo, putting them eye to eye. He smiled, and it was the first smile he’d given anyone all day that had no intention save as an expression of happiness. Zangetsu thought it felt good on his face.
Nothing is wrong. It has merely been a long day.
He raised one eyebrow and let his smile take on a slightly ironic tinge.
And I have spent nearly all of it “making them go away.”
Yeah, I figured they were sending their sneaky little zanpakutou spies. There’s no way that many shinigami want to hear how I’m doing in school or how many hollows I’ve seen lately. I mean-Soi Fon? What the hell?
That is a question I dare not contemplate.
The sky over Ichigo’s physical body was already dark, but the sun shone in his inner world as he and Zangetsu laughed together.
end.