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[heavenlychain]

1: [PLAYER INFORMATION]
Name ( Or internet handle ): Angel / angelcide
IM: I have Plurk ( username; Angelcide )
E-Mail: Angelcide_1019@yahoo.com


2:[CHARACTER INFORMATION]
Name: Zangetsu / Tensa Zangetsu
Fandom: Bleach AU
Journal: heavenlychain
Image: ( See "Age / Appearance" )


3:[ CHARACTER INFORMATION II ]
Age/Appearance: This version of Zangetsu looks something like a cosmic blender mixed all the versions of Zangetsu up together, and spat them back out. Bodily, he's a little shorter than Ichigo, and when he first appears, he's sporting the unraveling bandages from the Mugetsu final form; like so.

His eyes are also two different colors.

And finally, his sword form is less of a sword, and more of a piece of a sword like so. ( Image is an edit of fanart by bustercloud on DeviantArt )


History:
Zangetsu's Bleach wiki page
However, this version of Zangetsu is part of a fanmade AU by tamedhollow, and the summary of where the timeline deviates for this Ichigo ( and his zanpakutou by proxy ) can be found here

Personality:

Because of the way Bleach, and thus Ichigo's mind, and soul have been portrayed, the three-sides relationship between Ichigo, Zangetsu, and his inner hollow is easier explained by an excerpt of Sigmund Freud;

The Id is the core portion of the tripartite model of the human psyche; Id, Ego and Superego. The Id lives in the utter darkness of the unconscious; above it, and in part born from it, is the Ego, the partially conscious realm, which we recognize as our own identity; above the ego, also in part unconscious, is the Superego with its severe moral whip, lashing at the Ego from on high with guilt.

The Ego is like a rider who is attempting to rein in the greater strength of the powerful horse (the Id) while using the strength of the horse itself (in part) to do it. The rider cannot be separated from his horse, yet is impelled to lead the horse to where it wants to go. So the Ego must translate the will of the Id into action as if that action were its own.

Above the horse and rider flies the attached Superego, often demanding an abrupt turn or halt. The Ego, sandwiched between, aware of the outside reality, and the only part of the trio to actually respond to experience, has to satisfy both unconscious forces. The Id is unseen, hidden, indwelling, shapeless and contains all passions and instinctual energy. It is that which is pulsating at birth and houses all innate needs and bodily demands. It is from the Id that the Ego takes its shape and parts of its "horse power" or energy. But the Id doesn't know what it wants. It simply wants. And it has two primary drives: libido and aggression.

The Id screams up from the basement of the mind to the Ego, which attempts to rein it in with rational thought, to hold it steady and gratify its demands with one eye on the outside world. The Id knows nothing of the Out There; no light has formed an idea of a "neighbor" or a "parent" or anything external to its incessant bodily demands. It bleats and yells and surges through dreams and whispers to the consciousness of the Ego via images and obsessive behavior and slips of the tongue and constant internal demands. This is how it makes its presence known.

Now, if one applies this to Bleach, the "pile of instincts" that hollows are said to be would easily identify ichigo's inner hollow as a representation of the Id; all passion, no rationality. Only bent on fighting, winning, and with no sense of self-control whatsover. Then, Ichigo himself is the Ego; the consciousness that deals with the outside world, who tries to balance responsibility with desires, and must try to find equilibrium between the Id, and the Super Ego. The Super Ego being represented by Zangetsu/Tensa Zangetsu. Tensa Zangetsu who is calm, and collected, yet still attempting to keep Ichigo on the proper path to not only keep him alive, but also to help Ichigo find some form of inner peace.

Tensa Zangetsu, and Zangetsu are one, and the same. They are both the calm, rational, reasonable parts of Ichigo. The one to help Ichigo stay alive in combat, to lend Ichigo greater strength, and to do that without demanding that Ichigo fight to use it every single time he needs it. However, Ichigo does come to abuse this relationship a little. In Soul Society, a shinigami would have a very intimate relationship with their zanpakutou, but Ichigo had not so much as spoken to his zanpakutou since rescuing Rukia. Ichigo had not even seen Tensa Zangetsu's form before his father told him how to willfully enter his inner world. Because of this, Zangetsu was understandably put out with his young charge. He was frustrated with Ichigo, more than angry, though. Frustrated that Ichigo is so confused, and has - up until that point - merely tried to push down, and not think about the inner hollow. Obviously, as Ichigo's fight with Ulquiorra shows, Ichigo can not do that without consequence.

Tensa Zangetsu knows this. As he says to Ichigo " I know your soul completely, for we are one. There are no secrets between us." Tensa Zangetsu almost "loves" Ichigo, though in his own way. It's the relationship between a sword, and it's wielder - Ichigo gives him purpose, and drive. In return, Tensa Zangetsu gives Ichigo his power, and takes the hits that Ichigo wouldn't normally survive. Because of this, when Ichigo is happy, Tensa Zangetsu is happy. When Ichigo's resolve is so deeply shaken, Tensa Zangetsu will resort to whatever he needs to, including tough love, to ensure Ichigo finds his strength of self, again.

For himself, Tensa Zangetsu prefers a peaceful existence. He states that he is not fond of concrete, and glass, and after living in a totally submerged city, he craves sunlight, and the hope it inspires in Ichigo more than he can bear. Zangetsu prefers more lush, natural surroundings, like bright, sunny skies, green forests and animals. Oddly enough, Ichigo's Inner Hollow professes to demand the same things. His reason for fighting with Ichigo is different from the hollow's; which are all self serving. Zangetsu does not wish to leave Ichigo; he merely wishes to see Ichigo achieve his true potential and to fight as the same partnership they had before Ichigo's resolve wavered, and he let his fears get the better of him. Zangetsu just wants to be a zanpakutou, and to fight for a good, strong master, again.

The final time Ichigo saw, or spoke to Tensa Zangetsu, the zanpakutou, and hollow sides of Ichigo's power were merged into a single entity, indicative of Ichigo's fight with himself to repais his resolve, and to fully grasp his own power. Ichigo had come to the inner world to demand that Tensa Zangetsu teach him the 'Final Getsuga Tenshou'. Tensa Zangetsu had refused outright, but instead of telling Ichigo exactly why he wouldn't do it, he forced Ichigo to fight, and tried to make Ichigo work out for himself why his zanpakutou wouldn't teach him the technique.

In a way, the unorthodox teaching method works. For months - though time moves differently in the inner world - they fought one another, and in all that time Tensa Zangetsu did not actually say why he wouldn't. But, with his zanpakutou withdrawing support, and thus power, from Ichigo, Ichigo's version of his sword began to break inside the inner landscape. Blow, after blow that Ichigo tried to block ended with the actual blade in his hand being broken into several pieces. But, despite continuing to fight, Ichigo notices that if Tensa Zangetsu really didn't want to teach him, he would have hidden, and despite how angry the merged form of his zanpakutou is, Ichigo notes that "there is nothing but sadness coming from his blade". Frustrated, and having become desperate, Ichigo tries something extreme when his zanpakutou next attacked; he dropped what was left of his sword, entirely.

Tensa Zangetsu's blade not only cut Ichigo, but pierced him through the chest so far, that a fair amount of blade protruded from Ichigo's back, as well. But, the laws of the inner world are different than any other world's. Tensa Zangetsu lowered his head, and ruefully complimented Ichigo on being clever. Then, he proceeds to explain that the Final Getsuga Tenshou is something that can only be learned by "accepting my blade". Ichigo says that having Tensa Zangetsu's sword through his chest doesn't hurt, and the zanpakutou tells him that since he accepted the blade entirely, it wouldn't hurt, and what's more; Tensa Zangetsu informs Ichigo that the knowledge of how to use the Final Getsuga would flow into him along with the sword.

But, as the sword started to disappear, and the ocean submerging Ichigo's inner world evaporated, Ichigo noticed that Tensa Zangetsu was crying. He asks his zanpakutou why he wept, and Tensa Zangetsu says only that Ichigo will know why he was crying when he learned the Final Getsuga, that this battle, and the reason why Tensa Zangetsu didn't want to teach Ichigo was very simple.

Ichigo wants to protect his friends. But Tensa Zangetsu wanted to protect Ichigo.

In the end, though Ichigo gave up his demi-god-like powers, he gained another chance at a normal life. But, Tensa Zangetsu performed one final, massive act of devotion to his master. He allowed Ichigo to destroy him.
But, a zanpakutou is both born, and dies with their wielder. Because Ichigo was not dead, then neither was Zangetsu. But, the zanpakutou was severly weakened, and went into a dormant state. In oblivion he felt nothing, saw nothing, and was aware of nothing pertaining to the outside world. Zangetsu has not even been truly conscious for almost two years.
However, when Ichigo first merged with his hollowfied side in a bid to regain his zanpakutou, Zangetsu started to stir. But it was much too soon for any sort of appreciable recovery to have taken place. Zangetsu is a broken zanpakutou; a mish-mashed, confused conglomerate of all the forms he has had over Ichigo's former career as a shinigami. He is confused, and full of all sorts of conflicting sensations, because like Ichigo who merged with his 'darker' half, Zangetsu has been pushed into taking on more humanity to wake from his dormant state. And so, he is very conflicted about being externalized; part of him is happy to be able to see, and speak with Ichigo again, but most of him is sad because he is not a very good weapon right now. So, as a zanpakutou that has been largely externalized into his own body thanks to absorbing so much of Ichigo's humanity, Zangetsu is much more emotive than he used to seem. He feels hunger, he feels thirst. He has bodily needs, and functions that he is not used to. It is frightening in some ways, and simply annoying in others.

He is trying first, and foremost, to find a means of regaining the trust he once had in Ichigo. Their relationship - even as a sword, and master, not just allies - has been deeply shaken. But, Zangetsu still considers himself a good, loyal zanpakutou, and so he strives to make this bizarre situation work as best as he is able.



Power:
* Zanjutsu Mastery: Tensa Zangetsu has absolute mastery over bankai. All of Ichigo's attacks, and abilities he learned from Zangetsu, so it follows that Tensa Zangetsu would haver perfect mastery over them all. However, this has become only kowledge now that neither Ichigo, nor Zangetsu have the power levels they once did. Zangetsu understands Ichigo's powers, and abilities intimately. Even better than Ichigo does, in fact. But he is weak, and unable to put this knowledge to use.

*Sword Form; Despite not being a fully functional blade, Zangetsu does still have a sword form. He can change from a person, into the hilt, tsuba, and a very short length of blade. ( insert pic )

*Reiatsu Sense: Unlike Ichigo, who is terrible at sensing reiatsu, Tensa Zangetsu is quite adept at sensing other spiritual power. However, when it concerns Ichigo, Tensa Zangetsu can sense him even from several miles away. He is also quite adept at sensing the souls around him, and using that to get a feel for who he is speaking to, or dealing with. Rather than engaging in conversation, Zangetsu much prefers to stare, and consciously feel what he can from the other party.

Sexual Preferences/Orientation: Zangetsu, being the Super Ego, has always been largely asexual. Carnal urges are muted for him, just because of what he is. However, now that he has his own form independent of Ichigo, he will have to come to grips with the problems any young man has to face; hormones.
Zangetsu will do his utmost to repress any urges. Worst case scenario, he would sneak off to hide, and take care of himself. But, also due to his new body, he has no particular inclination to men, or women. Therefore he could be considered purely bisexual, and as likely to find a man as attractive as a woman.


Reason for playing:
Bleach wiki's explanation of what a zanpakutou is.
Because in BN Ichigo, and his inner hollow are merged, Toastbat, and I reasoned that Tensa Zangetsu would "inherit" parts of Ichigo's humanity, instead. This would allow TZ to be able to be externalized, and walk around outside Ichigo in his own body. The fact he is outside of Ichigo also keeps Ichigo from having a sword in his hand any old time he wants one. We want to RP out the rebuilding of the relationship between Zangetsu, and Ichigo if Ichigo were to do something so drastic as to merge with his inner hollow.

I also have enjoyed playing Zangetsu in an interactive setting. He's quiet, and attentive, and though he can be painfully honest, he never does things purposefully to hurt. He's a teacher for Ichigo, but I love the idea of being able to play with a zanpakutou learning about why his wielder is so bent on helping others. Maybe even making close friends ( nakama ) of his own.

5: Samples

First Person: Here

Third-Person 1:

It's all darkness, and the constriction on all sides. No need to breathe, and that should feel odd, right? It doesn't, though. It's all, strangely....comforting.
This place, this blackness isn't as frightening as it seemed. It's warm, and fluid, and so inviting. A place to forget all the pain, and the hurt. Let go, that darkness whispers with wordless caressing fingers; Let go, forget, give it all away.
A pleasant warmth, and it's so quiet here. Blessedly quiet, blessedly warm, and all that pain that feels like it's been weighing him down his entire life just melting away. But the timelessness is broken by a sudden burst of sensation. There is no I, and no sense of self, but the pain pierces deep, rebounding off of whatever was left of the survival urge, and sending unwanted awareness throughout the whole.

Wake up. I must wake up.
He is in danger.

Awareness of self, of form. Thought brings about a skull, smell brings about a face. Strength brings about a body, and touch brings about hands. Hands that tighten around something that might have been solid? Might even have been metal. Hands tangle in something that might have been fabric if it weren't so weighty, but as soon as his drowning thoughts turn to the fabric, it's like an explosion . Bright, and sudden, and a mess of sightsoundsmelltaste. So much so, his mind almost shies away from it -

...Ichigo. You are alive. You are free of your responsibility. The beast is dead. But you need me. Why do you still need me?

A tearing pain. The lurching last beat of a heart. Oh no. What are you doing to us, master?!

He thrashed harder, wanting to scream, or maybe cry, but most of all wanting to fight against that forgetfulness, now. To pour everything he had into this battle. Only this fight wasn't against an opponent he could see, hear, or even touch. He fought to hold onto the sense of self, the will to remember. To know himself. To reawaken.

So cold...it is so cold! I feel it, I smell the snow -

Snow? There was no snow in the inner world. Not Ichigo's. Ichigo was all fire, and passion! No room for snow. Newly remembered, and imperfectly remade, eyes open and attempt to bring this new, strange world into focus. A world that was cold, and visceral.
All at once, in one monumental, starling burst of insight, he ( Ossan - Zangetsu - Tensa Zangetsu that is my name ) knew he was outside. Outside of the soul that he shared. And hot on the heels of that realization came a wave of panicked vertigo. And then? Blessed unconsciousness.

In the first three breaths that Zangetsu had taken outside of his wielder's soul; he had fainted

Third Person 2

Zangetsu curled up tightly on his futon, breathing hard, sweat starting to shine on his back and chest.
“Nnn… Unh…” His head jerked back painfully, cracking his neck, but he didn’t care. His left hand gripped the edge of the chest of drawers, trying to stabilize his body. Legs splayed every which way, trembling, toes curling and catching on his sheets. Another frustrated whine was muted by teeth set against his lower lip. Damn. His groin was filled with sick, wet, and burning heat. He thrust his hips up into his smooth, lotioned hand but it was hardly productive.

Zangetsu trembled, and once more felt a flare of anger – which only intensified his lust. Ichigo wasn’t the type to masturbate much, but despite that, Zangetsu was aware of how he used the process to relieve tension. The reason why Zangetsu was engaging in such a strange, and ultimately unsuccessful method of relieving tension all started with snow drops. Innocuous little flowers at first glance, a gift of snow drops in an ice blue, and violet planter had provoked an unbidden memory. A memory of a snow white blade, and the soft sound of windchimes, and laughter. Unexpectantly, the zanpakutou had felt a warm flush come unbidden along with the memory of Kuchiki Rukia’s zanpakutou. He had tried to push it away, but the sensation lingered. Even his usual calming methods; meditation, and tending to the vast array of potted plants he had collected within Ichigo’s hostel room had not done the trick of banishing the foreign sensation completely. When that didn’t work, Zangetsu had fallen back on exerting himself with zanjutsu practice until he fell into an exhausted sleep.

But the next afternoon in bed, his fantasies had crept up on him. His much more human body had reacted. Strongly. So now, here he was; helpless, caught in the throes of drugged pleasure, where the goodness that shot up with every pump of his hand just wasn’t enough. He could never remember Ichigo having so much trouble reaching orgasm before so why must he? It was starting to drive him mad with need. More fantasies rose unbidden in his mind’s eye; the curve of a mouth, moist, and pink, and calling to him to rise. Rise, and fight against her. The sound of black, and white blades meeting, and parting with a reverberating ring. The chill of her presence, and the strength of a winter tempest all contained in the starfield of her eyes. He imagined her leaned over him, running the tip of her blade down to lock in the tsuba of his. Two swords, so different, and yet so strong in their respective ways. He imagined the sparkling white of hakuren meeting the fiery blackness of getsuga. He imagined how hissing against her strength had made him feel so invigorated. So strong

Two more hard thrusts into the cavern of the his hand and his breath caught. Then he moaned, and finally his orgasm ripped open, hot and viscous inside his hand. Again, again. Too much , he thought numbly, as his hips rode out the pleasure. Worth it. His body slackened in relief.

There was no snow spirit above him, no one else’s hands. The hand still rubbing his arousal would be longer, thinner, more gaunt. Zangetsu could still feel his cock weeping, and he willed his hand to stop. He couldn’t take having to go through that again, not when it took so long, when it was so torturous. Not when it wasn’t the real thing. His cramped left hand reached up, above his head to the nightstand for a tissue, and he shoved the lotion in it’s drawer and closed it.
No one else ever needed to know about the shame that was settling heavy underneath his ribs.