But you're so good at it. [he says, finally giving something of a laugh. It's shallow and somewhat humorless, but more like himself than the sullen creature he's been during this conversation.

Never stop moving forward. Hesitate and die. Look back, and die. There were no options except these.]

I've been up against worse odds, buddy. I'll manage. [Zangetsu looks at the hand and gives... something almost like a warm smile? An expression that is much more often found on Ichigo's face than his own. He grabs it and allows himself to be helped up and steadied, his clothes damp already from the steady, light rain]

Oh, I will. It ain't all it's cracked up to be! This Hollow part of me is drivin' me just about crazy with the hunger out there. [if that was one thing about being where he actually belonged, it was that he wasn't struck with such intense emptiness and hunger. In here, he felt complete. Because things were as they should be, after all] But... it's giving me plenty of ideas for things we should ask Ichigo for! [he feels.. somewhat less exhausted than he was before. But he still needed significant rest]

Now, if you don't mind... even manifesting here is slowing me down. I need to just... take a big ol' nap. [as he says it, his body begins flaking away at the edges, disappearing back into Ichigo's deep consciousness] Think about if you have any more questions and I'll answer 'em when I wake up, before I step back out.