TALA'S POV

I opened my eyes to find myself standing near the room that I slept in. I quickly looked around, trying to figure out how I got here. Had I gone unconscious and somehow walked over here? Was it some kind of sleep walking? I scrunched my face as I thought about it. The lost thing I recalled was being pursued by the bullies, then that voice in my head. I had a bad feeling about all this.

It was still slightly dark out, so I crept inside and stealthily plopped onto my bed. Exhaustion overcame me, and I quickly fell asleep.

I was aroused by the noises from the room. Shuffling of feet, the sounds of equipment and clothing being moved around, beds being made; all normal sounds of the barracks coming alive. I propped myself up while my eyes adjusted to the light of the morning. I kept a sideways frown as I watched for a bit, before joining in the hustle and bustle of morning.

I could tell that the others were trying to inadvertently avoid me. Despite that I knew they were trying to hide it, it was plain to the eye. I sighed and walked out shortly. Lucky for me, I had gotten good at getting ready for the day rather quickly.

As I left I could hear some mutterings, but I tuned them out, not wanting to really know what they were discussing behind my back. I frowned, dropping my shoulders. This was bothersome. First seclusion, then picked on by bullies? I didn't want to imagine what would be next. Something trivial that would add up in my piling bucket, but would add to the pressures that I felt from knowing the future.

Well, if they wouldn't accept me, then I would just have to leave it alone. No point in pushing against it. As I thought about this, I paused in my step. Didn't the most memorable character fight for recognition? Didn't they go against the flow and still reach out to others, even when they got hurt? I wondered if that would be required of me. Then again, I wondered if it was alright to fade out. The timeline would be set, and I would become an extra to this world.

I shook my head. Extras got killed. If I valued my life, I needed a place here. Besides, there were people I wanted to protect and help here. I couldn't do that as an extra.

With a renewed determination, I grabbed some food and hurried to a new training area. This time, one that I wouldn't be disturbed while I meditated.

I set out my zanpakuto in front of me and closed my eyes, breathing deep. There was no wind, nor any sound as I allowed my mind to enter the world of sea and flames. Before I got too deep in there, my ears picked up the sound of footsteps and I instantly shot back out, alert and wondering who ha d already found me this time. I sincerely hoped those men were not around. The footsteps stopped a distance off and I pretended to be immersed in my meditation.

As I continued this pretending, I heard Rangiku's voice in the distance. I could barely make out the sounds, but it sounded like she was calling for Taichou. Was Toshiro missing? That couldn't be it. Whoever was behind me, tched then I heard their receding footsteps. I stiffened. Could it be that Toshiro was the one behind me?

I heard his voice as he answered Rangiku. They began to talk back and forth, but far enough and low enough that I couldn't make out what they were saying. I groaned. My meditation was completely ruined now. I figured I might as well satisfy my curiosity and rose from my spot. I quietly followed the sounds of their voices and stopped when it was easy to discern what they were saying.

"Nani? How?" I heard Toshiro say.

"No one knows. Last night they found the four; battered, burned, and unconscious," Ragiku said.

"Four? That's how many bullies chased me down." Had something happened? Was my memory lapse part of this? I listened, hoping to learn more.

"Who did this?" Toshiro asked, and I eagerly crept closer, desiring to know.

"We don't know. They vanished before anyone could arrive," Rangiku said.

"Hm."

I quietly sighed. So no one really knew except the four who had been attacked. I didn't even know if they were the ones who bullied me. Perhaps I was jumping to conclusions.

I rose and headed back to my spot for meditation. However, I could not completely immerse myself. My thoughts kept running with that bit of information and I sighed as I stood. I drew my zanpakuto and decided to begin zanjutsu. The movements that had become habitual, allowed my mind to calm. I began switching up the routine.

After about an hour I spotted some white in the corner of my eye and I stopped my routine.

"Uh, Taichou. Konichiwa," I said in greeting.

"Hm," he mumbled and I felt a sweat-drop fall down the side of my face.

"Something the matter?" I asked. He slightly cocked his head to the side. "Someone get attacked?" I pressed and he flinched. I let out a long sigh.

"How..." I heard him mutter under his breath.

"This time, I overheard you speaking with Rangiku-san," I said with a shrug.

"Oh," he said.

"I know it's not polite to eavesdrop, but the conversation hit close to home for me," I said. His eyes showed a bit of mild curiosity. "Last night... I was chased... by four men..." I said very softly. He froze and I offered a regretful smile. "I don't know what happened. My memory is a bit foggy about it after a certain point. That's why I listened in. Gomen," I apologized. He just stared at me and I felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze.

"Why did they 'chase' you?" he asked and I bit my lower lip.

"I can't tell you," I said lowering my gaze.

"Why," he said calmly, though the questioning tone seemed to be missing in his one word.

"I... it's... it's none of your business," I managed to say. He folded his arms and I knew that stance. He would not back down. I snapped my mouth shut and he frowned.

"Tala-san," he said in a low, warning tone. I shook my head, not willing to say another word. "Hiding secrets from your commander is not wise," he said slowly. I knew that. Everyone with common sense knew that. But with so many secrets at this point, having one more was hardly significant. He released a breathy growl of frustration and I met his stare.

"Histugaya Taichou. I am under no obligation to tell you about my personal life, just like you are under no obligation to me about yours," I said fiercely.

"And yet you already know about mine," he countered back and I flinched.

"I observe a lot of things. If you really want to know what is going on in someone else's life, you do the same. Study, watch and listen," I said pointedly.

"You haven't been stalking..."

"On the contrary. I find info and gleam things from what I observe. Much in the same way that Aizen and others do. I already know you catch on to subtleties, which is why I don't feel like I don't have to explain what is going on in my life. If you were actually interested, you could figure it out on your own," I said condescendingly. His fist clenched and I figured I had struck a nerve. "You only care about yourself and the squad as a whole. You couldn't care less about the individual," I growled out in frustration.

"That's not..." he began but I scowled and turned my back to him.

"I don't have time to listen to excuses, or argue. And neither do you. Arrancar will show up soon and you'll be called out to help deal with it," I said coldly before using my shunpo skills to leave.