After Aizen left the room I changed clothes and left. I wasn't looking where I was going and I bumped into someone.
I was standing face to face with another man, he was older, with what looked like a crown on top of his head. He had bushy eyebrows and a moustache. He had two scars across his face.
"Watch where you're going," he huffed.
"Sorry," I bowed. He walked past me grumbling about something.
"Ichigo?" I turned to see Ulquiorra standing there with a tray of food.
"Hi," I greeted, "who was that?" I gestured to the mumbling old man.
"That was Barragan," he answered.
I thought about it for a while before turning towards Ulquiorra. "So is that for me?"
He nodded. I ate the food right there and let him take it away.
"When you're done come to Starrk's room," I shouted to him as he was walking away.
I thought about why I was remembering things a lot recently when I came across Starrk's room. I walked in to see Lilynette asleep on the couch. Starrk was on his balcony talking with someone. He had sunglasses, black hair and darker skin.
"I'll tell Aizen," the man spoke.
"Thanks Tosen," Starrk yawned. "Nice to see you Ichigo," he greeted.
I watched as Tosen passed by me, "It's rare to see you awake before Lilynette."
"Well Tosen needed to talk about something so that's why I'm up," he sighed. "I guess Lilynette is just tired. She and Grimmjow went at it for hours."
I heard a loud crash at the door. I looked over to see Grimmjow had kicked open the door. I saw Lilynette pick up her head with drool still on her face.
Starrk sighed, "You could have just knocked."
"Shut up," he growled, "I'll come in however I damn please."
"Hi Halibel," I greeted her as she walked in.
She simply nodded to me.
Lilynette jumped up from the couch and she and Grimmjow were at it like cats and dogs.
Halibel decided to enjoy the show from the balcony as well.
"Here I was thinking I could get in a nice nap," Starrk scratched his head.
"Sorry about that," I apologized.
"No, it's fine, it's not your fault," he turned towards Halibel. "So how come you're here?"
"Do I need a reason?" she retorted.
"What am I looking at?" I turned to see Ulquiorra standing in the doorway. "You should be setting an example, not picking useless fights."
"Who invited you here?" Grimmjow growled.
"Ichigo did," he replied, "though I'm not sure why he did."
I smiled, "Well, you came."
"I did," he said.
"Why did you invite him into my room?" Starrk asked.
"Should I have not?" I asked.
He sighed, "Well, it doesn't matter all that much, what's done is done. But, you're amazing Ichigo."
I blinked, "What makes you say that?"
"What, you mean you haven't figured it out yet? Everyone here is in here because of you, for one reason or another," he smiled, "With the exception of Lilynette and myself of course."
I stared at him in disbelief, "But... Don't you... Why... I'm confused." I scratched my head, "Everyone is gathered here because of me. But I'm not that great. Am I?"
"Well we aren't here because we like each other," he gestured towards everyone. "The only other time I've seen us be together was when Aizen called for a meeting. I don't think you quite grasp the profound effect you have on people."
"So, Aizen has the same effect on people," I inferred.
"Not quite," he replied, "We follow him for his strength, we hang around you for a different reason."
"What is that reason?" I asked.
"That," he answered, "I have yet to find out."
I felt arms wrap around my waist as someone nuzzled into my neck. I turned my head to see Aizen.
"Hello Ichigo," he cooed. "I need you to come with me for a moment."
