I looked at Aizen as he spoke. But God, was my Japanese starting to fail me. So I silently sipped on my tea, pretending I was listening and understanding. I glanced over to Nnoitra from the corner of my eyes. He was doing the same.

I looked away from him and continued looking at Aizen. I felt a hand on my thigh. I jolted, nearly hitting my knee on the table. I glanced over to Nnoitra, he was confused by my reaction. Who else would-- I looked to my thigh, seeing a gloved hand on it, oh.

I focused my gaze back on Aizen. Szayel hummed, his fingers drumming against my thigh. I lifted my cup to my lips. I nearly spilt my tea. He squeezed my thigh right as I was about to take a sip. "Interesting," he mumbled.

The tea was piping hot, and he was lucky I didn't throw the goddamn cup at him.

I placed my hand over his and swatted it away. I crossed my legs and refocus on Aizen. A hand went back on my thigh. I glared at the pink-haired freak, why is he doing this? An experiment of some sort? I pushed his hand away. Only to have him put it back. I let out a quiet sigh of defeat as I picked up the cup.

Szayel jolted beside me and Nnoitra moved a little. I looked at the two, noticing they were glaring at each other. I blinked, no surprise they hate each other. But I guessed Nnoitra kicked Szayel under the table. At least his hand was off me.

"Hands off her," Nnoitra hissed.

"Why does that matter? She belongs to every single one of us," Szayel hissed back.

"She's my damn prey."

"You're only saying that because you're desperate."

I stared ahead, ignoring the two arguing in between me. "Ned?" my head perked up as I brought my attention to Aizen. "Yes, Lord Aizen?" I asked. He eyed me for a second, "Is something bothering you?" so he was observing me since I was in class. Now, that was scary. I glanced at the two from the corner of my eyes. I shook my head, "Nothing is bothering me," I smiled, "I'm fine, Lord Aizen."

Aizen hummed then continued with his lecture, plan or whatever he called it. The two Espadas beside me went silent. But I could feel the tension between the two. I nervously sipped on my tea. I crossed my leg the other way. I kept squirming in my seat because goddamn, was the seat so uncomfortable.

It was like sitting on a throne made out of concrete. Maybe it was made out of concrete. How did the Espadas even stay still for so long?

I glanced over to Luppi, who was leaning his face on his hand. He looked bored. I wouldn't blame him. Ulquiorra had his full attention on Aizen while Starrk next to him had his chin propped on his hands with his eyes closed. Was he having a nap in the middle of the meeting? On these chairs?

Imagine having that type of talent. I want that.

I came to a realization, I wasn't even trying to pay attention. I was starting to let my mind get distracted by every small thing in the room. From Ulquiorra taking micro sips from his cup to how many times Szayel ran his hand through his hair. I even noticed Starrk's chest rising and falling as he slept through the meeting. And how Nnoitra's bracelets just jingle gently as he moved his wrist.

It was oddly calming. Especially with Aizen's smooth voice in the background.

I was starting to feel sleepy. My head dangerously lulled to the side. I blinked and squinted my eyes as an attempt to keep myself awake. I pinched on my thighs, assuring I was still awake and needed to stay awake. I closed my eyes for a second, not realizing my head just landed on someone's shoulder.

I was hoping it was mine. But I think it was Nnoitra's.

Nnoitra shoved me awake, which caused me to immediately sit up straight. "Sorry," I mumbled to him, taking the cup in my hand. He made a noise, sounding like he was annoyed. I understood that. I rubbed my face and patted my cheek gently. I rubbed my eyes under my glasses. I blinked a few times before focusing back on Aizen.

Staying up was surprisingly tough.

I must've fallen asleep. Because I blinked and suddenly Aizen was ending the meeting. My head was leaning against the chair and lulled to the side. I immediately corrected my posture, feeling a little embarrassed. I adjusted my glasses and fixed my hair a little. Everyone got off their chair and I followed, struggling a little to push the chair away from the table.

I rubbed my eyes as I dragged my feet out of the meeting room. Hope no one noticed that. My eyebrows furrowed, That's dumb. Someone definitely saw me falling asleep. I continued walking down the hallway as I made my way to my room. "Shortcake!" with that nickname, I immediately recognized who it was.

I turned, "Hi, Luppi," smiling at him. Luppi went to my side, turning me around with a hand on my shoulder. "You fell asleep during the meeting, didn't you?" he teased, patting my shoulder. My cheeks heated up from embarrassment. I scratched the back of my head, "I-I couldn't help myself," I laughed nervously, "It was so quiet and calm."

"Quiet and calm, huh?" he repeated, "You're getting comfortable with us pretty quick," he added. That made me realized. And a feeling of dread settled inside me. I shouldn't be feeling comfortable around them. They were the enemies. They were only keeping me here to use me. Only to use my abilities.

I laughed nervously, "Improvise, adapt, overcome," I shrugged. I looked away from him, holding myself, "I mean, I guess that's the thing about me, I just get along with everyone and I'm good at adapting to the situation," I muttered, "I'm very aware I'm not even supposed to grow an attachment to any one of you," I continued, "Pretty sure, I haven't." Yay me.

"Eh? Not even me?" he placed his hand to his chest, pouting. I laughed a little at his reaction, "It would be nice to get to know you a little longer," I said, "You seem like a decent person." Luppi smiled a little, "But I think you have grown attached to someone," he spoke, his lavender eyes glinted, "Who were you always with?"

"If you haven't grown an attachment to him, he might have grown an attachment to you."