Do I Belong? (Bleach)

Huh... My Appetite's Been Ruined...

Groaning, I plopped on the bed and snuggled into the pillow. As much as I don't like the idea that I'm still in the Changeling place. But this bed is really comfy and I'm really tired.

Who knew that fighting your own zanpatuko would be so exhausting?

Hopefully, while I was fighting, no one came here to check up on me. I just don't want to bother explaining. 

You will need to get ready soon, my zanpakuto-I'm not sharing his name yet for dramatic reasons-stated. 

"I know," I muttered into the pillow. "But I don't want to be too sore when I go to rescue Toshiro. I'll probably have to fight if we're not careful." The effects of regaining my memories hadn't helped much, so I'm more sore than humanly possible. 

I allowed my eyes to close for a bit, hoping to get at least half an hours worth of sleep.

There was a knock on my door causing me to open my eyes. I just wanted to sleep!

"What is it?" I snapped, sitting up and facing the door as someone opened it a bit and peeked through.

"Apologies, but your mother wants you to join her for dinner, Princess."

I inwardly groaned and rolled off the bed. "I'll be there in a minute. You can leave," I waved him off and walked to my closet to change, just as I heard the door close. Considering that I had ripped my current kimono before, I didn't think it would be a good idea to wear it. Especially since everyone thinks I joined their side again. 

 I snorted at the thought. Yeah, I don't think so.

I quickly changed and made my way down to the dining area. The kimono I am now sporting was basically the same as the last one, but instead all of the purple was replaced with blue. 

I quickly made my way to the dining room, remembering my mother as a not very patient person. Ugh, why did I even like her? 

Thinking back, I realized that I was never really exposed to anything else growing up. It was either my impatient, quick to anger mother, or the stoic guards that never really interacted with me. I was never allowed to visit the nearby villages or the World of the Living. That didn't stop me from trying though. 

When I entered the dining room, it was the exact same as I remembered it. The obnoxiously large table, with my mom-of course-sitting at the end, but the other seats were empty, and they were going to remain that way for all eternity. Probably not, but you know what I mean.

"Ah Makoto. Good for you to join us," Joo spoke evenly. Though I think saw a flicker of a smirk. Like she knew something I didn't. I wouldn't be very surprised as she did like to keep secrets from me a lot as I grew up. 

"Well, I am here anyways," I retorted, instantly regretting it. Would the old me really say something like that? 

Joo chuckled, causing me to relax a bit. "Yes, I suppose that's true. Come now child, take a seat." She gestured to her right, the seat I always took in the past. 

I sat down, waiting for her to begin eating, as it is customary for changelings. After Joo began, I gratefully joined in, my hunger barely being held back. 

As we ate, Joo began speaking, much to my surprise. "I'm glad that despite your time in the Soul Society, changeling habits remained."

I nodded. "Of course, Mother. With your help, I'm sure any habits that the Soul Reapers have thrust upon me will diminish." 

"So you admit that you have changed."

I shrugged. "You can't spend as much time away as I have and not change in some way. Losing my memory certainly didn't help." Crap. Was that too casual?