Chapter 36 - Her Name?

A/N: Very short chapter. Sorry about that. In hindsight, I should have left this as part of chapter 35, but I separated it due to it feeling like a full scene originally. A lot of it got cut during the editing process, though, hence its current state. Next chap won't be this short...

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'Is she a playful type?' Jin wondered. Honestly, he didn't mind what type of personality his Zanpakuto had so long as it wasn't a psychopath who hated his guts.

Out of curiosity, he probed, "May I ask your name?"

"You may ask, but your ears are yet incapable of hearing it."

Sighing, Jin remorsefully grumbled, "How do you suggest I reach the point of learning your name, then?"

"There is no need to fret, for you will hear it when it is needed."

"Aren't we supposed to fight as a test or something?"

"We do not require something so crude. Only time."

"...Alright, then. Even if you can't tell me your name yet, I hope we can get along in the future."

In response, the lady only raised the corners of her purple lips into a bizarre smile.

Although intrigued by the spirit's actions and words, Jin decided to take things slow, so he started off by pointing at the Sitar and asking, "You play that?"

The woman turned her head and stared at the long stringed instrument as though she could see through her blindfold. Her smile faded, and in a noticeably melancholy tone, she answered, "There was a time when I did."

Brows wrinkling at her response, Jin mumbled, "What do you mean by that?"

'Aren't Zanpakuto spirits born alongside the Soul Reaper? Or was I mistaken?'

"It is as it sounds. There was a time when its sound echoed clear, but it has been long since a note played from its strings."

Puzzled, Jin tilted his head slightly and rhetorically asked, "Aren't Zanpakuto spirits born alongside the Soul Reaper?"

"Yes, according to your memories."

"No offense, but that doesn't make sense. I'm genuinely curious why you speak like you've been around for a while."

"I am aware. One day, it will make sense to you. For now, let us simply enjoy some tea in this quiet and peaceful place."

"I need strength, though, as I'm sure you're aware."

"Do you really need it immediately, or do you simply wish to grasp that which you admire?"

Jin paused. He rested his chin on his fist and mumbled, "Perhaps it is the latter, but I'd rather not die due to carelessness, either."

"You might have urgency, but all fruits take time to ripen."

Sighing, Jin gave up on learning his Zanpakuto's name for the time being. Instead, he settled for improving their relationship as much as possible. As such, he simply followed his curiosity and asked, "Since I'm hitting a brick wall, I'll ask this instead: why stop playing the instrument?"

"The ears of whom it was meant to be heard by no longer wish to hear its song."

Slightly troubled by the spirit's vague words throughout the conversation, Jin let slip a small sigh again. Then, he cautiously asked, "Would you be willing to play it again?"

"You will be able to hear it after you can hear my name."

"Too bad, then. Was just a bit curious. I'll look forward to listening to it in the future, then," Jin replied, hiding a vague sense of disappointment.

The lady silently nodded and smiled.

Unable to find any immediate topics of conversation at this point, Jin sipped the tea again. On a second taste, he didn't find anything strange about it other than the unusual flavor. If he was to compare clashing flavors, he thought brisket topped with dill pickles might clash more by a small margin. The taste steadily grew on him, though.

Meanwhile, the lady sipped her tea as well with her face focused toward Jin. As he consumed the final few drops, she smiled and said, "It is good that you were able to come here, Jin. Or would you prefer I call you Felix?"

Heart skipping a beat, Jin choked on the tea. After coughing a few times, his eyes narrowed, and he coldly replied, "I haven't heard that name in a long time, and don't care about it now after leaving it behind. I am just Jin."

"If you say so, Jin. There is no need for you to be wary of me, though, for we are, for all intents and purposes, one and the same."

Jin frowned. He was really starting to wonder how long this spirit existed within his soul and how much it knew.

'This is far different from what I expected. It's much harder to handle a character I don't know, especially one like this. I really didn't expect to hear my old name here at all, either, so she might know everything about my past life as well…'

"You wonder if I know your past?"

"..."

"You are an open book to my eyes, Jin," The lady said with a gentle smile.

"And you're a closed book to me," He grumbled in response.

"For now, perhaps."

Jin fell silent.

'Perhaps I was a bit impatient. Just meeting my Zanpakuto spirit on the first try is already a big step in the right direction.'

While Jin fell into thought, the lady said, "You should probably head back. Although your time here was short, it took you longer to reach here than you might have realized."

Raising a brow, Jin asked, "Are you able to perceive the outside from here?"

"Yes, and the six hours you set for yourself have almost passed."

"Hmm. That's unfortunate. I'll come back later, then."

"Please do."

Pulling from his experiences with his geass, he forced his consciousness back outside. Within the mostly dark landscape, his soul vanished from in front of the lady like a fading vapor. After he disappeared, the lady rested her Sitar against her shoulder again and quietly said, "It was pleasant to see your face again, brother. I look forward to the day you can remember my name and hear my song again."

The words echoed through the void, wholly unheard by any ear.