I tried avoiding Orihime for a while, which wasn't very hard. She stayed in her room, the only time her door opened was when Ulquiorra brought her food.
I headed over to Starrk's room where I got to see Lilynette elbow him awake.
"Is this a bad time?" I asked.
"No," he groaned, "You seem to have perfect timing for this kind of thing."
I scratched my head, "Yeah, it sure is convenient sometimes."
"So, do you remember anything?" He asked.
"Not really," I answered, "Why are people asking me that?"
"Because you're carrying around your sword," he pointed to Zangetsu. "Before you lost your memories you would carry it around with you everywhere. After you hit your head I hadn't seen you anywhere near it. You passed out for a week after the day after you came here the first time."
"I guess that makes sense," I sighed.
"Also," he continued, "your way of speaking has changed as well, you're less formal when you speak compared to before."
"Really? I hadn't noticed," I admitted, "is it bothering you?"
"No, it's fine if you talk like this. I don't like all that stuff anyways. It seems too lonely."
I smiled, "I'm glad that I met you Starrk. You're the only one I seriously talk to."
"What about Aizen?" he raised his brow.
I blushed, "He's different."
"What does that mean?" I heard from behind me Aizen's voice.
"You know what I meant," I turned my head.
"Maybe, but I want to hear you say it," he said wrapping his arms around me.
My blush spread further, "You're precious to me," I muttered.
"What was that?" he teased.
"You heard me," I replied.
Gin came in, "Sorry to interrupt your little moment, but Aizen you need to take care of something."
Aizen sighed, "You have the worst timing." He let me go and walked away with Gin.
"I swear I'm not doing it on purpose," he held up his hands.
"Well it was nice meeting you Starrk, but I think I'm done for today," I said.
"That's alright, come back anytime," he lied back down.
I passed by Ulquiorra, "Ichigo, could you come with me? That woman refuses to eat until she sees you."
"Sorry, but I don't think I can," I replied.
He went on, "I'm getting tired of forcing her to eat her food, please just hear her out."
I sighed, "Fine, I'll come along."
When we got to Orihime's room, the food was already there. She was sitting there with a determined look on her face.
"Ichigo," she said.
I sat next to her, "Eat your food first."
She nodded, "Alright." After eating she turned to me.
"Is it so hard to eat what you're given?" I asked.
"Well it's hard to trust anyone here," she admitted.
"But you trust me?" I raised an eyebrow.
"I know you don't remember me, but I know who you are."
"Who I was," I corrected. "I don't know what kind of person you think I am, but I'm not that person."
"But there are so many people waiting for you back home," her voice cracked a bit, "Yuzu, Karin, Chad, Uryuu, and Rukia."
"Just stop," I was starting to form a headache, "You know I don't know any of those names."
"It doesn't matter!" she was practically yelling, "These people are important to you!" I could feel my head pounding like a drum, "You have to remember them!"
I snapped, "WHAT IF I DON'T WANT TO REMEMBER THEM?" The pounding in my head didn't stop, "Don't ask for me again," I stormed out of the room.
I went to Aizen's room and plopped on the bed. I yelled into the pillow, punching it. "Stupid Orihime, I don't want to remember anymore. I'm afraid of what they hold."
I turned over and stared at the ceiling as I slowly drifted to sleep.
