TZC: Ichigo and Zangetsu C3, B side: Katen Kyokotsu and Sogyo no Kotowari
Katen Kyokotsu manifested in their shared home a split second before Sogyo no Kotowari. He turned a slow circle, taking in everything around him. He stood on a rocky, windswept beach. Before him was his own boneyard beneath a forest of sakura trees. Now that he was back, the sound of laughter echoed through the trees and across the water. A wind from over the ocean swept past him to rattle the bones and set the sakura petals flying. Completing the circle brought him around to face the ocean, the storm perpetually raging over it and Sogyo no Kotowari, looking faintly amused.
Yes, Katen. Our world. Satisfied?
And it was their world, all four of them. Katen and Sogyo’s homes had been bridged by the strength of their attachment to each other from shortly after their shinigami’s first meeting-even before either of them achieved shikai. Over time, with the deepening of the bonds between them, the two worlds merged. Became one.
Yeah. Satisfied.
Katen smiled at his partner, not the least bit surprised to have his thoughts so easily predicted. Might as well expect Shunsui not to know him-at this point in their lives, either scenario was equally ridiculous. Sogyo no Kotowari pointedly raised an eyebrow as Jyuushirou and Shunsui manifested at the water’s edge and walked over.
We have a report to give, Katen. This is not the time to be…reminiscing.
Normally, Sogyo didn’t bother with euphemisms, at least not when he was dealing with Katen. But, if he was willing to play along…
Are you suggesting that I’m trying to shirk responsibility? Would I do that?
It wasn’t Sogyo who answered, but Jyuushirou.
Yes. Without guilt or hesitation. And then you’d “convince” Shunsui to join you.
The tone of his voice left no doubt as to how much convincing Jyuushirou thought such an enterprise would actually require. Shunsui grinned unrepentantly, but took that as his cue to speak up, nonetheless.
Aaaanyway, how’d it go?
Katen’s voices were pitched higher with enthusiasm.
It was great! Man, you should have seen-
Sogyo no Kotowari took over the report by the simple expedient of slapping his hands over Katen Kyokotsu’s mouths.
Zangetsu looked a bit…frazzled. Understandable, given that he has been defending his home against invaders and his shinigami against those who may or may not choose to plot against him all day.
Katen rolled his eyes at Sogyo’s assessment of the situation, but didn’t try to speak again. Jyuushirou took a step back, closer to where Shunsui was standing behind him. Lightning danced over the waves behind them, as Shunsui wrapped an arm around his chest. Katen reached up and curled his hands around Sogyo’s wrists. He gently removed the other zanpakutou’s hands from his mouths, and pulled them down to rest against his hearts. The four of them stood there, caught in the memories of another time, another carefully-covert uproar, and the people who’d helped them get through to the other side of it. Eventually, Katen broke the silence.
I don’t think they’re going to break just because they’re expected to.
Sogyo nodded in agreement.
Yes. From what we saw, Ichigo is strong enough to face even his own demons, whatsoever they may be, and Zangetsu will not allow him to do so alone.
Jyuushirou frowned at that.
You saw that much, just while you were delivering our message?
We did. Ichigo is very spiritually present in his inner world, even when his consciousness is elsewhere.
And Zangetsu?
An inference drawn from the fact that, according to the flow of energy in his realm, he chose to confront any visitors from a position that put him between them and the spot where Ichigo normally manifests.
Shunsui raised an eyebrow at Katen, receiving a cheerful grin in return. He turned to Jyuushirou.
Well, I do believe that’s what we were looking for, wasn’t it?
Yes. Yes it was.