TZC: Ichigo and Zangetsu, Chapter 3, part 1
Benihime was the first to show up. Zangetsu could have predicted that. If Kisuke Urahara wasn’t obsessed with Ichigo, Zangetsu would eat his cloak. She slunk in between the buildings and sidled up behind Zangetsu as he politely pretended he didn’t notice her presence.
So, I hear Ichigo is…
Zangetsu turned slowly toward her, flicking his eyes momentarily between her face and her point of entrance in a subtle rebuke. She grinned unrepentantly even as her hand reflexively came up to brush a shock of her dark red hair out of her eyes in the only tell she had yet to train away. Zangetsu allowed one corner of his mouth to twitch slightly upward as he answered her.
Oblivious to and ignorant of all forms of physical contact that do not involve breaking bones and spilling blood, as usual.
That so…? Grapevine says otherwise.
As do many female admirers who might otherwise be “attacking” him.
Well now, that’s different then, isn’t it?
She left without saying goodbye.
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Minazuki was next, with Itegumo dutifully drifting along behind her. Zangetsu smiled calmly as the two manifested in front and to the left of him. He always enjoyed their visits, rare though they were. They brought such serenity with them. As usual, Minazuki spoke while Itegumo remained silent and watchful unless spoken to.
I have reason to believe that the current rumor about Ichigo contains inaccuracies. Should he ever wish to obtain information of a more delicate nature concerning this matter, please inform him that he may come to the 4th division and speak to Retsu or Isane in confidence.
I will. Thank you. Good day Minazuki, Itegumo.
There is no need to thank me. Good day, Zangetsu.
Good day, Zangetsu.
And then they were gone.
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Hoozukimaru slouched into existence in Ichigo’s inner world and eyed Zangetsu in what he surely thought was a threatening manner.
Fuckin’ kidding, right?
Get out.
Hoozukimaru tossed a rude gesture over his shoulder as he left.
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The temperature dropped as Hyourinmaru coiled his icy form around the building Zangetsu was sitting on. The dragon brought his head level with Zangetsu and bared his teeth in a particularly feral-looking grin.
Toushirou doesn’t want to know. He doesn’t even want to know the details of what it is he doesn’t want to know about. He says that if this nonsense ever interrupts his work again, he’ll use my bankai to kill everyone involved, and he means everyone.
Zangetsu couldn’t help it. He burst out laughing. Hyourinmaru looked both amused and pleased with himself.
I will try to make sure that never happens, then.
Hyourinmaru offered him another draconic grin and left with a chill breeze across Zangetsu’s face and a sound of cracking ice.
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Senbonzakura manifested directly in front of Zangetsu and precisely three feet away. His voice and expression were cold, but his eyes were full of conflicting emotions that Zangetsu didn’t try to identify.
Regarding the matter of Ichigo Kurosaki’s…preferences.
It has nothing to do with the house of Kuchiki. I see no need to discuss it.
Very well. See that it doesn’t.
He disappeared without another word. Zangetsu closed his eyes for a moment and contemplated the myriad ways in which Ichigo’s interactions with the shinigami had taught them both about mercy.
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Ryuujin Jakka swept in like a wildfire and just stood there, motionless and speechless. Zangetsu wasn’t about to apologize for Ichigo, but he did offer a compromise.
I have heard of a policy employed by a foreign human military regarding this situation. I believe it is called “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
The first zanpakutou nodded once and left.
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Suzumebachi buzzed past Zangetsu’s left ear to hover in front of his face. His shinigami’s violent demeanor was reflected in his vicious snarl.
If you get in our way, we’ll kill you.
What possible reason would we have for getting in your way?
The insectiod zanpakutou snarled again and vanished like a shadow. Zangetsu just shook his head. Honestly, some people.
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Hisagomaru manifested in Ichigo’s inner world, tensed as though he expected to be hit and looking around curiously. As soon as he spotted Zangetsu, he relaxed and dropped his eyes. Zangetsu, who had long been of the opinion that a few self-esteem classes would do the majority of the shinigami and zanpakutou of the Fourth Division a world of good, chose to ignore the typically mixed messages. Which is not to say that he didn’t do a bit of gentle prodding to get things moving.
Hisagomaru?
H-hi, Zangetsu. S-sorry to be a b-bother. If you want me to leave, I’ll-
Nonsense. You are welcome to visit. Ichigo and I do not bar the door to our friends.
Okay. I-okay. Thank you.
Zangetsu waited, but Hisagomaru seemed to be struggling with what he wanted to say. Zangetsu tried not to sigh, knowing it would be taken wrong. He knew exactly what this was about, but he had a hunch that Hisagomaru needed to be the one to actually say it.
Did you need something, my friend, or is this merely a social visit.
Oh! I’m s-sorry! I am bothering you! I’ll-
Hisagomaru.
Zangetsu’s voice was firm but still gentle, and it stopped the flow of words as surely as a healing kidou stopped the flow of blood. Zangetsu knew the other zanpakutou could stammer and apologize for days if left to his own devices, so he decided to take matters into his own hands.
You are not the first to come to me today with questions and you will not be the last. I am not offended. Ask what you will.
Hisagomaru hemmed and hawed a bit more, chewed on his lip nervously and finally just blurted it out.
Is Ichigo-does he like other, um, guys?
He may, he may not. We haven’t spoken on the matter.
Oh. So, you’re not…
No.
Hisagomaru was silent for a long while after that. Zangetsu just waited silently, sensing there was more to come.
If Ha-If Ichigo was…
He trailed off again, seemingly unable to finish articulating the thought. Zangetsu answered anyway. He had a feeling this was the truly important part of this conversation, the question that Hisagomaru had visited Zangetsu’s admittedly intimidating home to ask.
It would change nothing between us. In the final analysis, he is my shinigami and I am his zanpakutou. That is a relationship unlike any other and nothing can sever it.
Hisagomaru seemed stunned. He stared, his mouth moved as if to form words but no sound came out. His expression was frozen somewhere between terrified, relieved and…hopeful. Finally, he found his voice.
Nothing…
Suddenly his face cleared and he gave a blinding smile that nonetheless made Zangetsu very, very worried.
Thank you, Zangetsu! I have to go.
He bowed deeply and vanished before Zangetsu could stop him. For the first time all day, Zangetsu wished another zanpakutou had stayed longer. Well, there was more than one way to skin a hollow. He cast his mind out through his link to the other zanpakutou, looking for one in particular.
Minazuki.
Zangetsu. I am surprised to hear from you so soon. I thought you would be rather too busy to talk today.
I have been and I will be. This is not a social call.
How may I be of assistance, then?
Hisagomaru just visited me. Minazuki, I think-
I am aware, as is Retsu. We will look after him.
Zangetsu let out a breath he hadn’t even been aware of holding. Minazuki and Retsu would not allow Hisagomaru or Hanatarou to harm themselves. Good.
Thank you.
Thank you for alerting me, even though it was unnecessary. Good day, Zangetsu.
Good day, Minazuki.
Zangetsu relaxed and released the mental contact with the head of the Fourth Division’s zanpakutou. And he waited for the next visitor to cross the threshold of Ichigo’s inner world.
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Haineko leapt out of nowhere and landed lightly in front of Zangetsu. The feline zanpakutou stretched and yawned, showing a rather impressive mouthful of very sharp-looking teeth. Zangetsu raised an eyebrow and wondered exactly who among the Tenth Division zanpakutou was rubbing off on whom, considering. She padded lazily over to him and looked up to pin him with the sharpest stare he’d seen all day. Zangetsu favored her with a particularly vicious version of one of Ichigo’s favorite smirks.
Haineko.
It’s not fair, you know that?
You don’t say.
Oh, I do. “It’s always the cute ones” and “They’re always gay, taken or batshit” and on and on and freaking on.
Does getting her drunk help?
God, I wish. I blame you for this, you know.
If you must.
Hmph. Tell Ichigo congratulations on finally getting his head on straight.
I will, should he ever do so.
Hah! Later, Zangetsu.
Good day, Haineko.
Zangetsu smirked again as Haineko left. Talking with her was always more fun than it really should be.
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Hiya, Zangetsu! Nice ta meetcha, sorry to be a stranger considerin’, but you know shinigami and secrets…
Zangetsu turned at the sound of an unexpected voice coming from the opposite direction from where most of the zanpakutou entered and was greeted with the sight of an unfamiliar zanpakutou spirit. Who on earth could this be? The stranger gave a manic grin in the midst of his ceaseless stream of words. A psychedelic swirl of colors burst into existence around his form, spinning madly before settling into a matching grin just above the spirit’s head.
That was when it clicked. This was Isshin’s zanpakutou. He’d completely forgotten the man even had one.
…so glad his boy’s finally realized…
And it would have taken on quite a few of Isshin’s…quirks after so long in virtual isolation.
…because that’s a father’s love! Heeey, if Isshin is Ichigo’s father, does that make me-
No.
Zangetsu killed that train of thought with a quick, decisive denial and one of Ichigo’s best glares. Not that it stopped the other zanpakutou at all.
…going to talk to Ichigo about this himself soon...
Zangetsu winced inwardly. His poor shinigami… The other zanpakutou’s swirl of color took on a distinctly leering tone, though Zangetsu really couldn’t figure out how.
…maybe some visual aids might be in order for that…
Zangetsu made a firm note to himself to somehow warn Ichigo about this impending disaster without mentioning that he’d heard about it from Isshin’s too-damn-talkative zanpakutou.
As soon as he figured out how to make him shut up and leave already.
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