Work Text:
Searching for flowers
A thin, tall young looking man entered a realm filled with blood and bones. Despite that it seemed calm. He collapsed at the foot of one of the boney piles and heaved a great sigh.
“Why have you come here?” A woman's voice rang out. “This is not a peaceful place.”
“I'm sorry to intrude, I simply could no longer go on, I needed to rest.”
“There is no rest in hell. You fight and die a thousand times over.”
“Again I'm sorry, I was just so weary.”
“I'll allow you to move on if you do not seek battle.” She paused for a moment, “I think I remember you, you're one of Aizen’s minions.”
The man let out a wry chuckle, “ I wouldn't say minion.”
She came closer to him, “You did his bidding, no?
He rubbed his eyes to clear his vision, as she approached she seemed to shift between flesh and bone. “Well! Yes and no. Some of the others did whatever he asked, I simply wanted to sleep and not have people die when they came into contact with us. Lord Aizen gave us that freedom. For that I did as he asked.” He ran a hand over his face in a move of frustration. “I really didn't want to fight those guys. I just couldn't stand being so lonely all the time. Everyone died when they came near us, it was nice to have ‘friends’. That's why we joined him.”
She now stood next to him. With his heightened senses he could tell, she reeked of blood. “Take my humble advice and leave this area, I can tell you're strong and that will draw others in for a fight.”
“I beg your pardon, I'm unable to comply, I simply am unable to move any further.”
“Since you are so polite I'll summon someone to assist you.” She whispered into the air and a beautiful butterfly fluttered off. The flesh/bone hand rested on his shoulder. “It won't take him long.”
“Pardon my asking, but aren't you one of them?”
“I was! So was he.”
He glanced up at her in confusion, “...but aren't you supposed to be the righteous ones? Lord Aizen always cursed the shinigami saying they were goodie goodies and it disgusted him,”
“Aizen had a problem with authority and it ended up being his downfall.”
The man glanced around nervously, “Is he here too?”
“He's not dead, he's damned to rot away in a dark chamber from which there is no escape.”
“Ah!” Was a whispered reply.
A brilliant crash of lightning shot through the air. The woman smiled. “He's here, don't be afraid he's different from when you last saw him.”
The man gave them a sweet smile. “Retsu, it's not our usual meeting time.”
She waved a hand over the seated figure. “I called you so you could help this gentleman.”
They glanced at each other. Recognition flashed in their eyes.
“You!!” They both said.
“Why are you here?” The seated man asked.
“It's complicated.” Was the response. “Retsu said someone needed my help.”
“Yeah me,” the shaggy brown head bowed. “I'm too tired to move.”
“Oh dear, we can't have that.”
The exhausted man known to others as the number one espada Coyote Starrk found himself lifted and placed over the deceptively strong shoulder of former Gotei thirteen captain Jushiro Ukitake, as if he was no more than a sack of rice.
Before he was able to leave, the woman called Retsu called out. “You know you'll have to call for him. Or I will.”
Jushiro let out a laughing sigh. “He's gonna be so dramatic about it you know!” He stated.
“Isn't he always?”
“He's been pretty serious lately, at least last I saw him.”
“You two are talking about the guy that killed me?” Starrk grumbled from his over the shoulder position.
“Yes!” The woman answered. She looked so serene as she answered. There was something in that calm demeanor that made his guts twist in fear. Not like the women in Hueco Mundo. Harribel was lethal in her own way, and her girls were pretty terrifying if someone threatened their mistress. This woman….this was death.
“I just want to find Lilynette, she must be so scared all alone in this place.”
“We'll find her,” Jushiro claimed. “Hell is vast but we have resources. But you have to rest first. You can't carry on like this.”
“She doesn't deserve to be in this place.” Starrk continued.
“No! You're right, she doesn't. But this is where the dead with high spiritual pressure go, or the truly evil ones.”
“I know one or two of them.”
“I think we all do. Are you ready?”
“Yes?” Was Starrk’s reply. He wasn't sure what to expect. His body was shifted for better weight disbursement.
“Okay, off we go.”
The trip was over before he realized it had begun.
Jushiro placed him on the ground and promptly sat down beside him. “Have you looked for her since you arrived?”
Starrk was a little woozy from the speedy trip. “Uh….no. No I didn't. There was some disorientation when I first got here.” He found himself taking in the sight of this realm. It was quite unlike the previous one of blood and bones. This was placid and calming. For a moment he thought he heard a wind chime.
Jushiro picked up one of the plump little pillows he had created since appearing in hell. He found he was able to create little things, like his personal space and the pillows he enjoyed so much. They reminded him of Shunsui and his love of plush objects. The man always had comfy overfilled chairs and couches and even a huge bed that could easily fit a family.
He had laid the pillow on his lap and was going to offer it to Starrk for a nap in a few seconds.
Starrk on the other hand came to the sudden realization that he was not able to stay upright one second longer. His body went limp and he landed perfectly on the pillow, much to Jushiro’s surprise.
A merry chuckle flowed from the former captain, “Well, I guess you weren't kidding about being so tired.”
An embarrassed Starrk blinked, which was pretty much all he was able to do. “Sorry, you can push me off if you wish.”
“No no, you're fine. Do you want me to tell you what happened after you were sent here?”
“Actually, that'd be nice. I miss the outside.”
“Me too!”
Jushiro told him all he was able to tell. There was a gap in the story from when Aizen’s little experiment, Wonderweiss, had injured him and rendered him unconscious. He could only tell the story from his own perspective. He had only gained consciousness when they returned to the seireitei, and he woke up to find Shunsui holding his hand and Unohana concentrating on his wound.
“I didn't even get to see them bring Sosuke back for his trial. Lisa later showed me pictures.”
“Sorry, Lisa? I don't know that name. Lord Aizen told us all about the current lineup of squads.”
“Oh she was one that was fighting the lady espada, and squad lineup's change all the time.”
“Oh that was Harribel, Tier Harribel. She was decent, I liked her, Lilynette hung around her and her girls.”
“Oh I see.” Ukitake had begun to pet his hair for lack of a better word. Starrk didn't mind as he found it very comforting. “Did you have many friends in Hueco Mundo?”
Starrk sighed, “Not like I had hoped to. When Lord Aizen found us, we were alone surrounded by bones of dead hollows. I was so tired of being alone and that's when I split myself and created Lilynette. He claimed to have many friends that wouldn't die around us.” The petting continued. “He was kinda right. I mean they didn't die, but they weren't really friendly.”
“That's such a shame.” Ukitake crooned sympathetically.
“So how'd you end up in hell? You seemed like such a nice person.”
“Ah that! Well beings with strong spiritual pressure are sent here when they can't be absorbed back into the reishi of Soul Society. That's why Retsu, I and Yamamoto-sensei are here.”
“Whoa that old man is here too? When did he die? Did Wonderweiss do it?”
“No it happened later, but from what I was later told, he did lose his arm in fighting that kid.” Jushiro frowned. “He died when the Quincies invaded Soul Society. And I did too.”
“I'm sorry, I have no idea what a Quincy is.”
“They're humans with special powers.”
“Like Orihime?” The hand paused petting him.
“Ah! I forgot that you know of Orihime.”
“She was usually under Ulquiorra’s care, but she did make an occasional appearance. She seemed nice, Lilynette liked her too.”
“Was this Ulquiorra one of the friends?”
Starrk shook his head, “He was mostly under Lord Aizen's control, I tried not to get too close. He kept an eye on things, acting like a spy. Too sneaky for my liking “
“Oh and as for your question about Orihime’s power, that was a different set of humans with enhanced powers.” Jushiro was lightly twirling the brown hair.
Starrk attempted to sit up, but just flopped back onto the pillow. “You didn't say how you got here yet.”
Ukitake smiled down at him, “Not now, you should rest, storytime can wait.”
“...but, but.” He let out a huge yawn. “Geez! Alright.”
Ukitake continued to stroke the hair under his fingers. It wasn't the same texture or color as Shunsui's, but it was nice to have someone to pass the time with. Since he no longer needed physical sleep, he simply closed his eyes and relaxed in his placid world.
Starrk woke later and insisted on the story time. So Jushiro started at the beginning about how he had been a sickly child and the whole saga of Mimihagi.
“It became necessary for me to sacrifice myself to stabilize the royal realm and the other worlds. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make since Mimihagi saved my life all those years ago and he was part of the Soul King. I had to send him back.”
“What about him?”
“By him I assume you mean Shunsui. We said our goodbyes the night before. I made him promise to not look back, to not search me out in case I had to actually make that sacrifice.”
Starrk hesitantly reached up and twirled a strand of the usually silver hair. “Is this a result”
“Yes, sort of. The black came later when I came here. It's what my hair is supposed to look like. Here I have no sickness, I have my own full power. Outside this special place, I don't look like this. I'm the guardian of hell's gate.”
“I like it, it suits you.”
“I wonder what Shunsui would think of it.”
“I don't want to think about him,” Starrk snipped. “So what happened to this Mimihagi?”
Jushiro sighed deeply, “He was ripped from me, it drained all my reiatsu and there was no way to recover.” He had unconsciously begun to stroke the hair of the former espada again.
Since hell didn't follow the flow of time from any of the other worlds, it was some time before Jushiro heard the huge gates unlock and open. He became instantly alert. A massive flow of spiritual pressure made its presence known.
He relaxed again. It was someone he knew very well. He sent out a questing tendril of power to guide the visitator to his side.
“What're you doing here, Shunsui?”
“I got a message.”
Jushiro's brow creased, “ I didn't send any messages.” He had a sudden realization, “Retsu?”
“The one and only.”
“I see you've made a comfy spot for yourself, and even found a lost puppy.”
Starrk grew angry and roared, “Puppy?....puppy, I'll show you puppy.” Jushiro strong-armed him back to his lap.
“Shun, stop it.” He scolded. “ That was uncharastically cruel, what's gotten into you?”
Starrk noticed that the big man was watching him like a hawk. “Nice eye patch, does that make you only half observant?” The remaining eye narrowed which Starrk took as a challenge. He reached up and began to twirl a length of hair again. That lit a fire in the large captain. Starrk saw the jealousy ignite. He wasn't usually confrontational, but this was the man that killed him and Lilynette. He was feeling petty.
Ukitake could feel the tension between the two, he gently pulled Starrk’s hand away from his hair. And glowered at Shunsui until the feral fire left his eye.
“I will not allow fighting here, both of you behave.” He threw one of the plump pillows at Shunsui's head and gave Starrk a light thump on the forehead.
“You always did temper my moods, Ju. It's been too long without you at my side.” Kyoraku took off his hat and set it to the side.
“Time has no meaning here, you know. How long has it been?”
“Fourteen years!”
“It's only been a few moments here.”
“So how long has Mr Espada been with you?”
“It's been a few days. I think.” Jushiro brushed a few stray hairs behind his ear. “Are you going to behave and listen now?”
“Anything for you.”
“Do you think you can manage to sit up?” Jushiro nudged Starrk's shoulder, “Enough time should have passed for you to regain some strength.”
“Yeah… I think so.” The Espada drawled. “If it's been a few days that should be enough.” He slowly sat up.
“So!” Kyoraku fiddled with his hat on the ground, “Why exactly am I here?”
“Well I can't leave the gate.”
“Why would you?”
“Oh, oh yeah sorry I guess I kinda jumped over that small fact. Speaking of small…” Jushiro trailed off. “You're needed to help find someone.”
“Someone who's going to be very pissed off.” Starrk added.
Shunsui's lone eye narrowed suspiciously. “Just spit it out already, I don't have time for games,” A muffled thump was heard as another pillow smacked against his head.
“Has your patience worn that thin?” Familiar green eyes were boring holes into him. “This is a humanitarian mission.”
The leader of the Gotei-13 hung his head. “This is what I miss most about having you at my side.”
“I'm sorry, love but…things had to happen the way they did for the sake of the combined worlds.” Jushiro stood up and walked the short distance between them, setting himself almost, but not quite on Kyoraku's lap. “Since I'm required to remain here, we need you to accompany Starrk, to search for the girl.”
“Yeah you know, the one you killed.” Starrk once again not above being petty about all of this. Again he saw a hint of fire in that one eye and knew he hit a nerve.
“Retsu knew this, and summoned me?” Shunsui laughed awkwardly. “This is her way of punishing me, isn't it?”
Jushiro reached up and twirled the long strand of hair that fell over Shunsui's face, “You know she holds no ill will about what happened.”
“What? You killed that woman too?”
Shunsui took a deep breath, “In a manner of speaking. I did have a hand in it.”
“Stop!” Jushiro placed his hands on either side of Shunsui's face. “Again, it was something that had to be done, we needed Zaraki to be at full strength. It was the only way.” He gently stroked the face under his fingertips. “She willingly did it, just like I did.”
Ukitake and Starrk could tell that a sob was being choked back.
After a few awkward moments, “Well let's get this shindig moving then.” Shunsui clapped his hands together, picked up his hat and rose. “This is not going to be easy.” He said as a warning to Starrk. Before they left, Shunsui reached out and lightly grasped a length of Jushiro's hair, “This is very different, I'm trying to decide if it suits you or not.”
Jushiro blushed, “This is what it's supposed to look like. I told you that.”
“You did, but I'm so used to the silvery color, I'm undecided.”
Jushiro playfully batted his hand away and gave him a shove, “Get going already, that poor child must be terrified being all alone for so long”
“I can't believe I have to work with you instead of fighting you.” Starrk yawned.
“Well if it hadn't been for Souske and the fact you're a hollow, I suppose we could have been friends.”
“We did have a lot in common. Other than the fact you killed me.”
Shunsui let out a mirthless chuckle. “That's gonna be a barrier between us, isn't it?”
“You're damn right it is.” Starrk huffed.
Shunsui just pulled his hat over his eyes and motioned that they continue on their journey.
They passed through several layers of hell, not finding the child. Starrk was becoming more anxious as they went along.
“It's been years since we were sent here, what if she got absorbed by something by now?”
“Faith.”
“No such thing here.” Starrk plonked down on a large rock. “I gotta rest.”
“I'll ask around if anyone might have seen her.” Kyoraku wandered off. An hour later he returned and sat down on another rock. “I got a couple of leads.” Pulling a hidden sake jug from a special hiding place in his uniform he took a large swallow and passed it to Starrk.
After the first sip, Starrk made a face, “Whew! That's not tea or water.” He passed it back.
“No it's not.” Shunsui stated with a grin.
“Hard question time, and I want an honest answer.” Starrk scratched his nose. “Why'd you kill her?”
“Ah!” Shunsui was taken aback by the blunt question. “I am not proud of this answer, but it was instinct. Her popping into my shadows like that startled me, it was a knee jerk reaction.” He took another long swallow of sake. “I don't normally go around killing children.”
“But adults are fine?”
“If the situation warrants it, yes.”
“Did I?” He glanced over at the tall shinigami, but was met with the hat pulled down to cover his face. “Can't answer that one, huh?” There was only stony silence from the man.
“If I had been a regular arrancar, without Lord Aizen's influence, would you have killed me then?” Starrk continued his questions.
“In that instance…only if you were a menace.”
Starrk scraped a hand over his face in frustration. “All I ever wanted was friends and a safe place to nap. As I told your friend, I don't remember much of anything prior to becoming aware of myself in the desert, I don't know if I was a good or bad person. Or how many other hollows I absorbed. I just knew that I was lonely and wanted a friend, so I tore my soul apart and there was Lilynette.”
“I'm sincerely sorry.” Kyoraku bowed his head. “When you're under the command of someone else, you follow orders to the best of your ability. We were both told to kill the opposition.”
“Your sword ability is children's games, very dangerous games. What the hell is your bankai like?”
“I could never have released it in that situation because it encompasses everyone in the area, friend and foe. I don't like to use it. Jushiro was right to warn me against it.”
“Alright that's left me mildly traumatized, I no longer wish to know.”
“Good.”
“I reckon I've rested enough for now. I'm just anxious to find Lilynette.” Starrk stood and stretched.
They continued on with the search for several more hours without realizing it. Starrk would stop occasionally as if trying to get his bearings.
“Trying to sense her?” Shunsui asked as they stopped once more.
“Yeah! But there's so much raw power here, it's all muddied together. I can't get a decent bead on her.”
“I'm probably a hindrance here, she's likely to remember that I'm the one that killed her and is hiding. You should go on ahead, maybe she'll come out with just you.”
This time it was Shunsui who had to rest.
“Couldn't hurt.” Starrk continued forward with a shrug.
As he took another long sip of sake, Shunsui almost swore that he saw something vaguely child sized moving around the structures. Hell had a way of playing with your vision.
There to the left. It moved again. He pretended to not notice anything out of the ordinary.
Another swallow of sake.
It crept closer. Then one huge dash and it was on him, biting his arm hard. He grabbed it by the collar.
Such swearing.
“Calm down, Starrk and I came to find you.”
“Starrk's here?” She continued to struggle. “...but why you? You killed me.” She swung at him.
Starrk, having heard the swearing and knowing who it was, had come racing back. “...I tried to tell you not to dive into the shadows, but you didn't listen.” He scolded.
“I just thought it was a good idea.” She struggled to get away from her captor. Starrk nodded at the captain and he released her. She ran and threw her arms around him. “I was so scared.” She wailed.
Starrk patted her head. “Well we found you now.”
Kyoraku smiled softly at the idyllic reunion. Then there was a flicker of movement, the girl drew back her arm, then drove her fist directly into the stomach of her partner knocking the wind out of him.
“What the hell took you so long, you lazy ass? I was terrified.” She was so mad she began to cry, then kicked his shin.
Once he regained his air he yelled back, “I was in a whole different part of this place, what'd you expect me to do? I did look for you.”
She turned her back to him and crossed her arms petulantly. “...not enough.” She grumbled.
Shunsui had begun to notice the movement of the huge guardians of hell that were separate from Jushiro. “I hate to interrupt such a touching reunion, but we should get moving before those big guys notice the power spikes.”
Before they left, Lilynette stomped over to Shunsui before he was able to stand up and kicked his shin hard enough to instantly bruise. He yelped loudly but smirked because ultimately he knew he deserved it.
“Let's go.” He broke into shunpo.
Starrk grabbed Lilynette in an under the arm fashion, like a piece of luggage and chased after, “Hey! Why didn't we do this before?” While Lilynette screeched in impotent rage.
“Would you have been able to track her in sonido?”
“Oh well, probably not.”
“That's why, then.” They raced back to the gates, passing briefly through Unohana’s territory. “Just passing through, Retsu.” Kyoraku called out. A bloody femur bone flew in their direction, not intending to hit them, just as a warning.
“How'd you know that was her area?”
Shunsui paused a moment before answering, “I'd know our bloody angel anywhere.” He actually sped up.
The gates were soon visible, and Ukitake’s small, placid area was just to the left of that.
“We made it, Ju-chan.” Shunsui's deep voice called out.
A large creature entered the realm, “So I see.” It shrank back to regular size.
Starrk was transfixed, “What was that?” He placed Lilynette on the ground and at first she shrank back seeing the scary looking being.
“Oh!...Umm, that's how I look as guardian.” Jushiro pushed a clump of hair behind his ear. “I did tell you I look different when I'm here in my little created world.”
“I didn't think it would be that different.”
Shunsui pulled Jushiro into a tight embrace. “No matter what, you're still lovely to me.”
“That's unfair, you're half blind.” Jushiro teased.
Lilynette finally spoke up, “You, you geezer. What're you doing here? Why'd you look like that monster?”
“I am not a geezer.” Ukitake pouted. “I look like that, because I am the guardian of that gate.” He pointed to said object. “And I'm here, because I died.”
“What about him?” She pointed at Kyoraku.
“Not dead.” Said Shunsui and gave a quick thump to his chest.
“I'm confused.” She sounded on the verge of tears.
“You're safe now,” Jushiro tried to console her, “You and Starrk.”
Starrk sat back down and fiddled with the plush pillow that remained where it had fallen. “So what's the end game here? You found us and reunited us, but where do we go from here?”
Shunsui also sat, pulling Jushiro along onto his lap, who burrowed into the embrace. “Well I guess for now, you remain here, it's the safest place to be.”
“Can we get out of here?”
Kyoraku made a low humming sound, “Unknown. A legitimate withdrawal from hell is unheard of. Many escapes have been tried and failed.”
Starrk asked Jushiro the same question, “I'm honestly not sure, like Shunsui said, escapes happen frequently but all are doomed. I can't even get out, being the gatekeeper is a hefty job.” Jushiro shook one of the chains attached to his body. He buried his face against Shunsui's neck. “...well there was that one time with Ichigo's family, but that was like a fantasy, an unusual circumstance.”
Shunsui rubbed his temple, “I'd have to go digging in the archives and ask a scientist or two. An actual extraction from hell's grasp has never really been contemplated before.”
Starrk nearly shouted, “Yes! Do that.”
Lilynette had sunk to the ground when Starrk had, and just had a look of confusion written on her face. “I don't get it, I thought they were the enemy.”
Bitterness tinted Starrk's voice, “Only because of Lord Aizen saying so.”
“So…not enemies?”
Jushiro smiled warmly at her, “No!”
“You gonna take me seriously and fight me?”
Forming a huge ‘X’ in Front of his body, “Absolutely not. Fighting children is wrong, fighting a girl child is worse.”
“That's some messed up bullshit, girls are strong fighters too.”
“I know they are, I'm friends with several, well was…” He sighed. “I just draw the line at fighting children.”
“I'm not a child!” Angry tears were forming at the corners of her eyes again.
Trying to soothe her ruffled feathers, “I know hollows age differently, so do shinigami. But I just can't get past the appearance, you remind me of my younger siblings, minus the language, I've sworn to protect the young, not fight them.”
“But I'm strong.” She wailed and buried her face against Starrk's arm.
Starrk loosened her grip on his arm, and draped it across her shoulder, pulling her close. “So we just stay here in your small kingdom in hell?”
“Yes! It would be best. The creatures outside of this sphere of tranquility don't dare enter. You two will be safe.” Ukitake was a bit distracted by playing with the fuzzy chest under his hand. “Umm it's been so long.” He murmured.
Starrk looked away, it was slightly embarrassing to see such a display. Lilynette just closed her eyes. He glanced down at her, “You tired?”
“Yeah!” Was the sleepy reply. “I feel like I don't have to be scared anymore.”
Starrk nodded, “I agree, it's a very peaceful and safe feeling. No more fight or flight response.”
They all stayed seated for a long time. Eventually Kyoraku shifted Ukitake to the side, “I can't stay any longer, I still have business to take care of.”
“You'll find out if there's a way for us to get out of here?” Starrk spoke up.
“Absolutely, I'll set up a meeting with our scientists and check the archives.” He let out a gusty sigh, “I wish I could get you too, love.” His hand cupped Jushiro's cheek.
“Things had to happen how they happened.”
“Alright I need to go, don't get your hopes up too high.” He spoke to Starrk, “There's no guarantee that it's even remotely possible. But I'll try my damnedest. Perhaps Jushiro can even create a pocket like this, just so you can have privacy if you wish.” Jushiro nodded.
“I guess we have to be content with that,” Sighed the former Espada.
“I'll return when I find out anything.” He quickly kissed Jushiro and Shunsui left with a bow as he passed through the gate.
Time passed quickly everywhere but hell. They had no sense of how much time had passed. Other than Lilynette growing a bit.
Shunsui and Jushiro sent occasional messages to each other, one time the message from Jushiro mentioned that when/if they were able to extract Starrk and Lilynette that appropriate clothing for a teen girl needs to be brought along. He had managed to get something for her to wear. She outright refused the dress he first presented to her.
Years went by until one day Ukitake noticed some strange yet slightly familiar reiatsu outside the gates. He changed into his gatekeeper form, which still scared Lilynette.
He slowly pushed open the gate to confront whomever this was.
“Uncle!” A cheery voice called out. No one had called him Uncle in a long time.
Before him stood two men, obviously related to each other. It took a bit for his brain to process who this was. “Kazui?” His voice thundered in his gatekeeper form.
He sunk back to his favored form, “Kazui is that really you?” The boy had grown so much. His gaze swung to the other man, “That must mean you're Ichigo?”
“Hi Jushiro,” Was the reply.
“I can't believe it.” Jushiro was stunned.
“Mom's here too.” The young man pointed to the ground. Jushiro squinted and saw rapid waving, he waved back just as enthusiastically.
“What are you doing here?”
“Shunsui called and asked us to meet them here, I guess they're a little behind.”
“Oh?” His thoughts tumbled and finally clicked into place. “I think I know.” He felt the shift in energy as a senkaimon gate opened near Orihime.
Ichigo and Kazui drifted below to greet the newcomers. Shunsui was in the lead followed by Kurotsuchi along with a few assorted lab technicians. Technical equipment was hauled along also.
Kyoraku noticed Ukitake remaining at the gate and leapt upward, “Hey there handsome.” A broad smile across his face.
Jushiro slipped a hand over his own mouth to keep from chuckling out loud. “Shunsui, your hair….”
“What?”
Ukitake reached out and brushed along where his scar was. The hair at his temple has turned gray. And now that he was up close Jushiro also noticed the sprinkling of gray in his facial hair. “It looks great.”
“...but you were laughing.” Kyoraku pouted.
“It was just a shock, that's all.” He scraped his fingers through the stubble. “I like it,” He leaned in very close and whispered in the left ear, “It's very sexy.”
Shunsui gave him a quick squeezing hug and signaled for the others to ascend to their location. “We're gonna have to do the testing in your haven, I'm sure the chain process won't work out here for Starrk and the girl.”
Just a little overwhelmed at the thought of so many in his safe space, Jushiro simply nodded and entered back through the gate.
The hollow pair were waiting with anticipation as they could sense the numerous spiritual pressures.
Kurotsuchi poked his head out the door and hollered, “Kurosaki, please bring that woman up here too, what are you lingering around for?” Ichigo let out a surprise chirp, scooped up Orihime and made a leap for the gate.
“Now you, woman, try your way to heal them and break the chains that bind them here.” Kurotsuchi grouched.
Shyly she approached the former Espada. He had never done her any direct harm, but he was still one who had obeyed her kidnappers.
“It's okay if you can't do it, I understand, we're not friends.” Starrk spoke quietly.
“Well I kinda am,” piped up Lilynette. “We spoke a lot. Especially when you were being a lazy ass.” Her foot swung sideways and kicked Starrk's ankle.
Most everyone snickered.
“It's good to see you, Lilynette and you too Mr. Starrk.”
“Geez told you before, stop with the mister crap, it's just Starrk.” He made a grumpy face.
“Just get on with it.” Scolded an irritated Kurotsuchi.
Orihime called out her special powers, first trying on Lilynette then moving on to Starrk.
Shunsui noticed that Jushiro had stayed back at the entry gate so he glided up next to him. Taking the familiar pale hand he laced their fingers together. “You're kind of the resident expert here, do you think this will work?”
Jushiro sadly shook his head. “I'm not even sure Mayuri can do anything. Whatever he has planned is bound to be dangerous.”
“I kinda feel worse about Starrk and the girl. The whole fight was complete nonsense just to stroke someone's ego and high aspirations.”
Several hours passed. Ichigo finally called it quits for his wife, “Enough, she's exhausted.” He nodded at Starrk, “I'm really sorry it didn't work.”
“It had to be tried.” Kurotsuchi grumped. “Now let the experts work.”
Ichigo looked like he was going to say something to the scientist, but thought better of it. He scooped up Orihime and maneuvered to leave, bowing to Shunsui and Jushiro.
Starrk sat up and motioned to Shunsui who landed beside him. Motioning him even closer he murmured, “I don't know if I trust this guy, I think he's the one who fought our own scientist and that fact is terrifying.”
Kyoraku let out a little snort, “Yeah that sounds about right. Did your scientist have any ethics at all?”
“Ethics?” Starrk laughed nervously. “We're hollows, we're not exactly known for such things.”
“Maybe for some, but you seem to be the rule breaker on that front.”
“Yeah we're fucking special.” Bitterness tinted his reply. He glanced at Kurotsuchi, “Just what were you going to do?”
“Oh a wonderful new process that I've been dying to try out.” He wiggled his fingers excitedly. “We extract your soul, and place it into a gigai, the guardians won't even notice you've gone missing since your body will still be here in stasis.”
Panic shot across Starrk's face, “What’d’ya mean extract our souls? No way… not happening, not now, not ever.”
Lilynette clutched his arm tightly. “Starrk!” She cried.
“ENOUGH!” Shunsui's voice boomed. “OUT, now.” He pointed toward the gates, “Get your shit and leave.”
Jushiro took on gate guardian form and pushed the gates open.
Shunsui sank to the ground and sighed deeply. “I'd have never let him come if I had known his plan, he just gave some vague explanation. I had pinned my hopes on an escape for you two, that I failed…..I failed.” He dragged a hand over his face.
“Aren't you supposed to keep up with what those around you are doing?”
“As Captain-Commander…yes I should be kept up to date on things, unfortunately sometimes the chain of command breaks down when not enough information is given.”
“Mayuri is pretty notorious for not disclosing his full intent.” Jushiro joined them once again, curling up on Kyoraku’s lap.
“...and he and I have a pretty adversarial relationship. He clearly set it up to try to make me look foolish, and like the fool that I am, I fell for the crumbs of hope he gave me.” Jushiro slowly stroked the distressed brunet’s hair.
“Don't belittle yourself over things you have little control over, love.”
“Hey! Someone forgot a package.” Lilynette pointed to a large shopping bag.
Shunsui let out a quick chuckle, “That actually might be for you. I asked Ichigo and Orihime to bring along some clothing suitable for a young lady, no dresses of course.”
Lilynette scrambled for the bag and began to empty it gleefully. Much “oohing” and “ahhing" was heard. “I gotta try these on.”
Ukitake had formed a sanctuary just for them, soon after they arrived in his domain. He went on further to form a separate room for the slowly growing Lilynette so she would have some privacy.
When she returned, she had on a pair of khaki pants and a red tee-shirt.
“Looks great, kid.” Stated Starrk encouragingly.
“Some are a little big, but it's okay. It's not like anyone's gonna see me here.”
Shunsui smacked his forehead, “I should have had them bring something for you too, Starrk.”
Starrk just waved a dismissive hand, “It’s fine, as long as she's happy I'm good. Besides with her growing, that other outfit was…. inappropriate. I didn't think it was all that great in the first place, but she said she didn't mind.” He smiled, “Besides it was easier to form clothes for me than a temperamental girl, Jushiro had already made me some, I just chose to wear this.” He tugged at his old Espada uniform.
Jushiro noticed that Shunsui had tensed up and poked his shoulder, “What's wrong?”
“So informal I see.”
Starrk caught on right away as he saw that jealous fire light up in the big man's eye. “What'd you expect me to call him after all this time?” He challenged.
Kyoraku deflated. “No you're right of course.”
“My silly bear.” Ukitake began to twirl that long hair over his lover's face. “Even Lilynette calls me that.”
“It's just…..well you've been mine for so long it's hard to share. I suddenly realize how finite our relationship has become.”
A loud slap sounded.
“Stop it.” Jushiro chided. “I know you've always been protective-jealous, but you can't honestly be jealous of the dead.”
“Oh but I am, I can no longer spend every waking hour worshipping you, loving you….well I can but it's not the same as having you with me. I'm jealous that someone else, who used to be a foe, is the one that claims that time.” He took a deep breath, “I've always been irrational when it comes to you.
Ukitake ran his hand soothingly over where he had slapped. “I know, and I'm sorry.”
“I knew our time together was always going to be a limited thing, I still did not expect it “ He pressed his cheek into the hand. “You've always been my light.”
“I should go. I can't remain away from Soul Society much longer.” He stood up, Jushiro clinging to his arm.
“Don't do anything rash, love.”
“Who me?” Kyoraku tried to joke. “I miss you so much, my precious.” He bent down and kissed Jushiro's forehead.
Before he left, Starrk approached and held out his hand. “There's always going to be some hard feelings between us, but I've come to accept a lot. I don't hate you, I never did. But you were right when you said we just follow the orders we're given. That's all it was.” Shunsui clasped his hand.
“Yes we can agree on that. I felt no animosity toward you, it was just a fight I had to win.” He looked at Lilynette who was shuffling her feet nervously. “I never…”. He drew a large breath, “Kids..” He put up his hand to forestall her comment about not being a kid, because hollows defy aging, “...are off limits usually and I'm sorry for my part in sending you here.”
“Thanks.” Was her subdued reply.
“Now, I really must leave even though my heart lingers here forever.” He pulled Jushiro in for a tight hug and searing kiss that made the two hollows blush.
“I'll try to stop by when I can.” The gates opened and he floated through with a wave.