#glacialdeath

Thematic Headcanons. A series of subject-specific headcanons you can ask your favorite blog and muse.

hc + 🗡 for a weapon-themed headcanon

The form of Ichigo's Zanpakuto has gone through so many changes over the years of Bleach, and I think it's really fitting. Originally, his borrowed powers manifested as a cumbersome, overly-large katana...thing. Pfft. I feel like this represented how his powers were unstable, unwieldy, and affected the world (and people) around him.

Later, after regaining his powers (and dying), his Zanpakuto was more like a Shinigami's, more stable, but still somewhat immature. Like him. I think his perpetual Shikai is a representation of his hypervigilance, to an extent. Plus, if you think about it, he's never had an Asauchi...I think it might be a bit 'weird' to try to fit yourself into a container that doesn't feel right, and you don't really know how to do so.

I'm not entirely sure how to describe and think about his Bankai. Perhaps his is a representation of how...straightforward Ichigo is, at least on the surface. He has a goal, and it's to protect. If you're just looking at the Bankai and him as a person, and not seeing him, he's very straightforward and simple. "It's just a katana." "He's just [_____]."

After he regains his powers, for my interpretation, Ichigo has two swords, and the bigger of the two is different, when compared to the canon duals.

The smaller of the pair isn't changed (partially because I'll cry if I have to draw more swords right now), and...honestly? This is basically just his 2nd Shikai form with a gap in the middle. (lol) I chose this because, during those 18 months without his powers (thank you Silk for helping me with figuring that out, I'm too biased for my own good), he pushes everyone away. And he's lonely, lying to himself that he's fine, that this is what he wants. He practically jumps at the opportunity to regain some type of power, but by then, he's hurt himself and everyone he was friends with. I've been thinking that his 2nd Shikai form is very...dangerous to himself. The lack of a guard is normal for him, but now the blade can hit him too, if he's not careful. I'll believe that it's intentional.

His 2nd Bankai form is very similar in this aspect, the sharp, pointed guard, and the points (however soft) along the back of the blade. I think Zangetsu is mirroring his subconscious self-sabotage and hurt.

Sadly, I haven't thought much about what changes (if any) happen to the Shikai and Bankai forms after reforging. Maybe I'll have him use a Tachi and Wazikashi pair, like Katen Kyokotsu's sealed form, to follow the trend of his Bankai being smaller. Not sure yet.

Jugram raised an inquisitive eyebrow, judging by the wording and tone of her voice, he could tell he was not going to like whatever piece of information she was about to share. But at this point, he had come to accept the situation and that he may very little to no control over the events that unfold while being in Soul Society.

However, it didn't he had resigned himself or he had no agency at all. On the contrary, now that he'd started to physically recover from Auswahlen, and some self-reflection, he had decided to make the best out of this unfortunate situation. After all, what did he have to lose? At the very least, he might be able to salvage a bit of his pride, trying to stand rather than crawl in defeat and self-pity.

'Tell me.' He said, direct. He didn't like to beat around the bush and fortunately she wasn't the type either. As much as he disliked to admit, they had a bit more in common than he thought. Not a lot, but enough to relate to one another when need be.

Over the course of the last weeks, he had slowly managed to develop a sort of entente cordiale with Captain Kuchiki. He didn't trust her, probably would never, she probably didn't either. At least, entirely.

But enough for her to confine critical information regarding the on-going situation with her hierarchy and the aftermath of this war. A very good start to, he hoped, a successful path to get out of his place soon enough.

@glacialdeath inquired: “After all you’ve been through, how do you still find it in your heart to care?” ;; For Ukitake :>

Sad Dialogue Sentence Starters | Accepting!

         "What a strange question, Rukia," the Captain responds, expression shifting into a warm smile. "I find, in our work, it can become all too easy to stop seeing the souls we guide - and the hollows we battle - as the people they are, or once were. We dehumanize them so easily, reducing them to simple statistics. One more fight. One more soul sent on. They all have minds of their own, feelings, pride that can be wounded as easily as any physical body. All too often I see other shinigami losing sight of their honor in pursuit of victory. It is a terribly sad thing, to betray yourself in such a grave manner."

         "But, more to the point, I suppose it is simply who I am. If I were to stop caring about you, about those under my command, about old friends, how would I be any better than those we fight? Those heartless hollows, killing innocents; I would be no better than them. Every life has value. Every individual matters. What I have endured in my life, even the loss of those dearest to my heart, has only served to strengthen these beliefs."

         His expression darkens, eyes narrowing. "If I ever turned my back on my compassion, I would not be worth following. Your trust, and the trust of all those in the Thirteenth, would then be misplaced. I could never allow that to happen. But...Rukia, why this sudden curiosity? Has something occurred? If you need to talk, you know I will listen."

@glacialdeath

Being free to walk around was a strange thing for the Zanpaktou spirit, but had found she quite enjoyed it. Even if she occasionally got yelled at by her Master by lightly freezing the occasional person for being annoying. Still, Sode no Shirayuki favored her Master's attention over most anyone else.

Which explained the way Sode no Shirayuki had all but floated into Rukia's room, not really paying any attention to the time. She was bored. Who else was she going to bother but her Master? "Are you sleeping?"

Whoa, Kuchiki Rukia telling him to relax? That was rare considering how she was always yapping about how important it was for him to stay 'sharp' & ready to fight should a hollow start causing trouble suddenly. But speaking of hollows, there hadn't been many of them showing up in the past few days-- maybe Rukia was right. This was a good opportunity to finally have some fun.

It was easy to forget sometimes with all the madness going on in his life that he was still only a teenager... & despite him teasing Rukia all the time by calling her old (which, by human standards, she truly was), in shinigami years, she must be quite young too, he guessed.

"Well-- there are like these stands where they have these games you can play, usually shooting a target with some sort of toy gun and you can win prizes by hitting all the targets. Oh and of course there are the rides, the ferris wheel-- I think it'll be easier for you to understand how it works when we get there. So let's go?"

@glacialdeath asked: "you look a little lost."

He blinked, attention drawn back over his shoulder at the familiar voice, gaze settling upon the newly appointed 13th lieutenant. Ever since the war, the captains had been a bit more transparent with the abilities each squad possessed in an effort to ensure that a repeat of Aizen's betrayal couldn't take them by such a surprise again. Thus, with Rukia's appointment, he'd been informed by his own captain to show her his Bankai. Especially since they'd been assigned to a new mission together that was projected to take a few days in the mortal realm.

Agreeing to meet out in a secluded area.....one which he'd been sure was just a bit farther ahead to the right. Definitely not a mile back in the opposite direction. "The forest all looks the same to me."

Shifting his stance so that he fully faced her he kept one hand upon one of the three hilts at his side, the posture more of a relaxed one than anything else. "Did they tell you anything about my Zanpakutō?"

@glacialdeath said : "What good can you do if you're dead?"

"All that matters is what I can do right now. Who I can help while I still can.." Why would her life matter beyond being able to do what she's capable of? It wasn't as if Nix was purposely rushing headlong into danger to meet her end. The fact was simply her body tended to move faster than her at times when the situation has little time. More often the woman was able to keep a level head and make calculated decisions. Some choices did end up being to put her own safety at risk for the sake of others instead.