The moonlight was gentle as Muten Natsu obediently followed Retsu Unohana into his room.
Even Muten Natsu himself didn't know why, but when Retsu Unohana repeated herself a second time, he instinctively felt uneasy.
As far as he knew, no one had ever dared to make Retsu Unohana repeat herself a third time.
Perhaps this was what people meant by the power of gentleness.
The bed, once so familiar, suddenly felt a little strange with an extra person beside it.
Muten Natsu lay flat on one side, well-behaved, carefully keeping his distance.
Retsu Unohana pulled the thin blanket over him. "Even if it's hot, you still need to keep yourself covered."
Lying on her side next to him, she lifted a hand and tidied his soft hair. "I didn't notice before, but after not seeing you for so many years, you've really grown."
"It's… not that much."
"Back when you were always by my side, you grew a little every day, so it wasn't very noticeable. Later…" Retsu Unohana didn't continue.
Later, Muten Natsu had been locked away in Muken.
When he came out, his body had been burned beyond recognition by Hellfire.
The next time they met was now.
Retsu Unohana gazed at his profile.
When she had first brought Muten Natsu to Seireitei, she arranged for him to stay next door to her. That way, if anything changed in his condition, she could step in to treat him immediately.
On one hand, this came from a healer's sense of responsibility. On the other, it was also driven by curiosity about Muten Natsu's condition.
Although Muten Natsu eventually broke free of Hollowfication, Retsu Unohana's role in that had been limited. The greater part had been played by that strange doll.
Whether it was the Hollowfication of souls or the peculiar black flames, there were far too many unanswered questions.
Any doctor, when faced with an unusual illness, would inevitably pay closer attention to their patient.
It was the result of both emotion and reason working together.
Emotionally, there was sympathy for the patient's suffering.
Rationally, there was curiosity about the condition itself.
So when did things begin to change?
Late at night, sensing a shift in Muten Natsu's Reiatsu, Retsu Unohana rushed to his room. His tightly furrowed brow relaxed the instant she drew near, and he slipped peacefully into sleep, curling up against her like a small kitten…
After realizing he had problems sleeping, Muten Natsu began clinging to her. He studied hard, helped out wherever he could, and lingered in her room, reluctant to leave…
Waking suddenly in the middle of the night, she would see Muten Natsu tiptoeing closer and lying down beside her…
Growing used to his presence, waking every morning to see his cute sleeping face…
When Muten Natsu was accepted into the Shin'ō Academy, even though there were student dormitories, he still ran back every day, insisting it was to make dinner for her…
When Muten Natsu officially became a Shinigami and graduated from the Shin'ō Academy, he chose the Fourth Division without hesitation…
All those memories swept through her mind, and Retsu Unohana found herself unable to pinpoint exactly when the nature of their relationship had changed.
What Retsu Unohana could be certain of was this: on those nights when Muten Natsu slept peacefully, with him by her side, she slept especially soundly as well.
That kind of unguarded trust and reliance brought a deep sense of reassurance.
"Let's not think about that anymore." Gently holding Muten Natsu's hand, Retsu Unohana gathered her thoughts. "Go to sleep."
Feeling the familiar warmth in her palm, Muten Natsu's fingers tightened slightly without him even realizing it.
In the endless darkness of Muken Prison, it was precisely this warmth he clung to in his memories, the reason he was able to endure for so long.
"Mm." Muten Natsu replied softly and closed his eyes.
"Do you want to hear a lullaby?"
Muten Natsu muttered quietly, "No… no need…"
"Mm, it's not that you don't want to. You just don't need it." Retsu Unohana's lips curved gently as she began to hum in a low voice.
"Sleep now~
Sleep now~
My dearest treasure~"
Her ethereal voice echoed beneath the moonlight, drifting slowly into the realm of dreams.
Within the eternal song~
Unknowing eyes~
Close gently~
I am right here~
As I weave by hand~
This world's unchanging cycle~
Live on, and be strong~
...
"La la la la la~"
Early in the morning, Orihime Inoue cheerfully prepared breakfast for four out of habit. She then opened the door to Muten Natsu's room.
"Muten~ It's ti—"
Her voice cut off abruptly as she stared blankly at the scene on the bed.
Warm morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, turning soft and gentle as it wrapped around Retsu Unohana, casting a hazy, dreamlike glow over her.
She lay on her side, one fair arm propping up her cheek. Her smooth black hair fell loosely in gentle disarray, carrying an elegance even in her relaxed, languid posture.
Beside her, Muten Natsu was still fast asleep, curled into himself, both hands tightly holding Retsu Unohana's hand.
Orihime Inoue had seen Muten Natsu sleeping countless times before, but this was the first time she noticed a peaceful smile resting at the corners of his lips.
Retsu Unohana lifted her gaze toward Orihime Inoue, then gently pulled her hand free and nudged Muten Natsu.
"Alright, it's time to get up."
"Mmm…" Muten Natsu mumbled indistinctly, instinctively nuzzling closer into Retsu Unohana's arms.
Retsu Unohana reached out and tugged lightly on his ear.
"Get up."
Following her pull, Muten Natsu sat up, still groggy. He rubbed his face a few times before finally waking up properly.
"Breakfast is ready," Orihime Inoue said, then turned and left the room.
Didn't Muten Natsu sleep on the couch last night?
Then how did this—
Still half-asleep, Rukia Kuchiki yawned and glanced toward Muten Natsu's room.
"Just as I thought."
Orihime Inoue blinked. "Huh?"
Why did Rukia Kuchiki look like she had expected this all along?
"It's always been like this." Noticing Orihime Inoue's confusion, Rukia explained casually.
"Muten often goes to the captain's room in the middle of the night."
"Ah…" Orihime Inoue blinked again. "Oh."
…How do you know that?
After a quick morning cleanup, everyone set off together toward the mall.
Rukia Kuchiki and Orihime Inoue hadn't originally planned to go, but Muten Natsu, worried about a repeat of last time, strongly insisted that they all move together.
"Malls in the World of the Living really are different~" Retsu Unohana said as she looked at the wide variety of clothing on display. "I should have brought Isane along."
"Isane-san…" Muten Natsu pictured the tall, white-haired older woman in his mind. "She'd probably have trouble dealing with a place this crowded."
Isane Kotetsu was Retsu Unohana's lieutenant, responsible for assisting her with various duties. She had a rather introverted personality.
Bringing her to such a busy place would indeed be a challenge.
"That's true," Retsu Unohana chuckled softly. "But if you were with her, it would probably be fine."