Title: Zan and Zin

Genre: General

Characters: Ichigo and Zangetsu

Summary: Theoretical piece on the discussion between the two as of chapter 540.

Notes: None

Rating: K+

Zan and Zin

"Zangetsu?" The thought passed through Ichigo's mind. "Zangetsu and Juhabach are one and t he same?"

How though can that be? Zangetsu actually cared about his safety while Juhabach had no problems throwing away his own men to further his plotting. No... Juhabach had no problem throwing away his own family Zangetsu had made it clear that it was his job to protect him.

But from what? Was it really the loss of his powers or was it from his own hollow. His hollow had become with his powers, but wasn't the Quincy also once Shinigami. That was why he was able to preform blunt when his powers reawakened. He was full blood because of that, right? Or had he in reality managed to learn blunt through Zangetsu. If Zangetsu was representative of his abilities inherited from Juhabach, then wouldn't that mean he should have learned blunt sooner.

Something was off. Something needed to be explained. Perhaps it was time for the truth to come out. This time Ichigo spoke so that the spirit could here him. "Zangetsu. What are you?"

There came a moment of silence before Zangetsu spoke again. "A memory."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It is not incorrect to say that I am representative of him as well as your heritage as one of his blood line."

"Why did you hide that from me, that I was a Quincy?"

"Strange isn't it how I had you learn of your Shinigami blood instead."

"What reason would Juhabach have for me learning of my Shinigami powers before my Quincy abilities? This is a part of his plan, isn't it?"

"Think Ichigo."

Silence came. Then after a few minutes Ichigo spoke. "Wouldn't allowing me to have my Shinigami powers allow me to interact first with the Shinigami/ Did he want me to think of them as monsters? They may have a problem, but they're human. So he failed."

"Juhabach and I are not the same person."

"That's a bit hard to believe."

"As I told you, I'm a memory."

"As I also said, what does that mean."

"What does a memory represent?"

"A memory represents something that once was." Realization came to Ichigo. "You aren't Juhabach. You're who he used to be."

"There was a time that he didn't see the Shinigami as monsters despite the fact they did see themselves as monsters."

"Why though..." Ichigo frowned. "Why is it that he changed his view point."

"To prove one is a monster or one is not, how much fighting must first occur? Is your hollow a monster or am I?"

"Neighter."

"But bother are, if used the wrong way. Juhabach went down the wrong path, thus he became a monster and those who were once monsters switched places."

"In other words it is my choice whether to become a monster or not."

"It is time to say goodbye."

"What ever for?"

"You've accepted the truth."

"So you're just going to go away?"

"Do you remember when you lost your powers?"

"Yes."

"Good-bye is only forever in death. So do not die Ichigo."