Chapter Ten: Pack

Yoshiro stared at the Vasto Lorde that stood before him and his pack. He wouldn't deny there was a nervousness to be had, since he could feel that it was stronger than him.

"This would be my luck, wouldn't it?" He thought worriedly to himself. "I become a Vasto Lorde and not five minutes later another Vasto Lorde shows up. What makes things worse is that since I've only just obtained my new form. I'm still unfamiliar with all my new power. If this guy is looking for a fight, I can hold him long enough for the others to make a safe escape, but I probably wouldn't be walking away from it."

"Kit, don't jump to conclusions just yet about coming to blows with this one." Interjected the fox woman from his mind. "He has yet to show any hostile aggression, in fact, he seems more curious if anything. You may have a good chance of resolving this without a fight. You wouldn't want to upset Luppi by getting yourself killed after all?"

"Can we keep focused on the situation on hand instead of on my boy crush?"

"Ah, so you admit it!"

"This is not the time for this!"

Taking a moment to reassess things, he realized his inner hollow was right. The albino bat-like Vasto Lorde didn't come across as hostile. In fact, it did seem more inquisitive at the moment. Yoshiro hoped he could work with this but first, he needed to make an order or two.

"I need you all to listen very closely to me if things start going sideways. You'll need to turn tail and run while I keep this guy busy." Yoshiro spoke

"You can't be serious!" Luppi interjected

"This isn't negotiable!" Yoshiro retorted with more force than he had intended. "You would all just get killed trying to fight this guy. Now, just be ready to move if needed."

Luppi and the twins kept quiet knowing they wouldn't win this argument. Yoshiro stared down the bat-like Vasto Lorde and began to approach. The other hollow watched him curiously as he neared but also noticeably tensed up. Yoshiro stopped a few paces in front of him.

"What brings you to my pack?" The fox-like hollow asked.

The other hollow just looked at him curiously without saying anything. It was then Yoshiro noticed something about the other hollow. "You can't talk because of your mask I see. Can you at least answer my question through some kind of gesture?"

The other hollow nodded his head up and down.

"Do you mean my pack any harm?" Yoshiro asked his fellow Vasto Lorde. The other hollow shook his head. Yoshiro relaxed a little at that but still maintained his guard just in case. "Can you communicate in some clearer way by chance?" The hollow nodded and leaned down then used his finger to write in the sand. "Ulquiorra Cifer?" Yoshiro mused reading what was written. "Is that your name?" He received a nod. "What brought you here to me and my pack?" Yoshiro wondered aloud.

'I had stumbled across your pack from a distance and kept watch for a bit. You're the first group I've come across in what seems like ages. I only decided to approach once I felt your transformation to a Vasto Lorde.' Ulquiorra wrote out in the sand after a minute. The fox hollow mulled over what was written. The whole part of approaching him once he transformed made sense. An incredibly small number of hollows ever reached the height of hollow evolution. Though, what garnered his attention most was the other part of the statement. Yoshiro understood all too well what being by yourself. In a place like Hueco Mundo for long periods was nothing short of miserable. He'd always be thankful for Luppi choosing to accompany him.

"Tell me Ulquiorra are you lonely? From what you've explained that seems to be the case." Yoshiro chimed "How about a proposition of sorts?" Ulquiorra looked at him for a moment before giving a nod. "How would like to join my pack? You won't have to be all by yourself anymore. All I ask in return is that you help myself and the others when needed?"

The bat hollow seemed un-sure of his offer, he looked away and stared up at the moon. Seemingly in deep thought about the proposition that had been presented before him. He looked back towards Yoshiro and locked his eyes with the fox hollows and gave a nod of his head.

Yoshiro felt quite a bit of relief at the confirmation. "Good to have you with us then Ulquiorra. Let's go introduce you to the others." The fox hollow stated turning on his heel with Ulquiorra following.

*Two Months Later*

A few months had passed since Ulquiorra joined the group. Despite his lacking ability to speak, he got by just fine with gestures and writing in the sand. Though if one thing was apparent was his total lack of social skills. Though with hollows being hollows it didn't seem to come as much of a surprise. Yoshiro on his part worked to help him become more adept with such things. While the others, mainly the twins had been a little wary about letting such a powerful hollow join. They eventually came to warm up to the bat hollow in time.

A dynamic had set in, once the twins had grown comfortable with him. It had become routine when the twins needed to hunt, Ulquiorra or Yoshiro would join them as a supervisor of sorts. Which helped considering Ulquiorra seemed to possess the sharpest sensing ability amongst the group. Luppi welcomed him well enough but Yoshiro noticed that the Adjucahs seemed to cling more tightly to him in response.

That was something that had begun to plague Yoshiro's mind a bit, what did Luppi mean to him exactly? He knew the dynamic between the two had slowly but steadily changed into something more. Between the constant sharing bed space with each other, constantly waking up wrapped around one another. Treating each other as very close friends instead of simple associates. Despite the fact, nothing serious physically or emotionally had happened between the two. Plus, there was another thing to add to it, his still present feelings for Apacci.

Regardless of all the time that had passed and Yoshiro recognizing his growing feelings for Luppi. He couldn't let go of the first person he held such strong and true affection for. Yoshiro understood well that he could spend centuries traversing around Hueco Mundo and never see any sign of her or the others. Would it be ok then to move on and find comfort in another who may be willing to grant it? Would it be ok to perhaps love another while holding onto the fond memories of the past? If he was being honest there was no easy answer to such things but he did know one thing. He would need to speak with Luppi one on one and find out just how the Adjuchas felt towards him.

"I need to hunt again, it's been some time since I last did," Luppi announced.

Yoshiro felt a poke on the shoulder and turned to see Ulquiorra pointing off in the distance. The fox hollow reached out with his senses and soon enough felt what Ulquiorra had detected.

"There's a group of Adjucahs out in that direction. None of them feel all that strong, one of the twins could easily kill them all I'd say. But they'll satisfy your hunger for a while at the very least." Yoshiro stated, "Still, want me to come along just to be safe?"

"Concerned for my safety, are you?" Luppi replied coyly.

"Yes," Yoshiro replied without missing a beat.

Luppi chuckled a little at the response before bringing up one of his tentacles and placing it gently on the side of the fox hollow's face. "Your concern is appreciated but I can handle this just fine. I'll be back before you know it."

Yoshiro grumbled a little but ultimately didn't argue and let Luppi leave on his own. Off a short distance away the rest of the group watched the interaction. Ulquiorra seemed to be simply watching and analyzing. While the twins had their own thoughts.

"They both obviously have a thing for one another," Yin spoke to her sister.

"Honestly they should find a nice private place and fuck already. The sexual tension is as obvious as the moon in the sky." Yang spoke back.

"You know I can hear you two right?" Yoshiro yelled out not even bothering to turn his head towards the sisters. The twin immediately clamped their mouths shut.

Luppi made his way steadily across the sands as he locked in on his would-be prey. As he traveled his mind wandered a little and immediately focused on the very first thought, Yoshiro. The fox-like Vasto Lorde was such an enigma compared to other hollows but not in a bad way. On the contrary, he found himself very much enjoying being around Yoshiro. More so than he had ever thought himself capable of with anyone. Indeed, Luppi found he was questioning himself in ways he didn't think he ever would as a hollow.

When he had first joined up with Yoshiro it was out of the debt and gratitude for having saved his life. That and the protection having such a powerful hollow around granted. Then at some point, he wasn't sure when but slowly and surely things started changing. They talked more friendly amongst each other, he began waking up wrapped around the fox hollow. Enjoying the pleasant sensation such action brought. Not to mention how much his growth as a hollow improved since joining up with Yoshiro. He had little doubt that he had grown as much as he had only because of Yoshiro's help. Luppi wasn't a fool he understood what these emotions and feelings ultimately meant. That was the interesting thing, as a hollow such things should be beyond him. Yet, he here was with them, and Yoshiro was the one who in some manner brought it out. But that also presented some difficulty.

He could tell that Yoshiro felt something similar but seemed to struggle to say it. Not that he was much better, but it was more complicated in Yoshiro's case. He knew Yoshiro's heart still held some longing for the Vasto Lorde woman he had first been with before his turning. He tried to ignore the ping of jealousy he felt at that thought. He would need to talk with Yoshiro's privately when a good enough opportunity presented itself. Perhaps he could manage something once his hunt was completed. Speaking of which he was just about to reach the area of his prey.

Luppi scoffed at the now-dead hollows around him, that had been weak just as Yoshiro had said. Still, a meal was a meal, and he couldn't complain as he began to feed. He devoured the first and felt his hunger begin to subside and his power rise. He ate the second and felt his power grow even further. Then he consumed the third and his power spiked again but then something changed. He felt his strength swell and swell and swell until his body couldn't seem to contain it anymore. His strength raised once more and then his body seemingly exploded with raw power.

Yoshiro snapped his head towards Luppi's direction as he felt the hollow's power rise so suddenly. "Did something go wrong?" He muttered with worry as he looked towards the others. "You three stay here, I'll go check things out." He didn't wait for any sort of reply as he took off with all his speed. It didn't take long for Yoshiro to make it to the location he suddenly stopped in place from what he saw. Standing not that far in front of him was Luppi but he was drastically different.

No longer was he in his large form now his body was human in shape standing only maybe an inch or two taller than Apacci. His body was shaped very petite one could even say effeminate. It was covered in an armor-like carapace that hugged his frame. On his back was a backpack-like apparatus that held eight tentacles. He had short, curly though unevenly cut black hair and lavender eyes. His hollow mask still covered his whole face though it left enough space open around his mouth. It still possessed the three distinctive pink diamonds above his left eye.

"Holy shit he's a Vasto Lorde now." Yoshiro mouthed to himself in his shock, when he had come rushing over. He hadn't honestly expected to find this, which suddenly brought a thought to mind. He quickly reached out with his senses to gauge Luppi's new power. Luppi was quite powerful indeed, as all Vasto Lorde's inherently are. Though he noted that the effeminate hollow wasn't as strong as himself or Ulquiorra.

"You had me worried when I felt the unexpected rise of reiatsu. I have to admit this's a surprise but a pleasant one." The fox hollow stated as he walked forward.

Luppi chuckled in response. "I imagine so, can I just say how amazing it is to be a Vasto Lorde? Also, it feels fantastic to be on two legs again and having proper arms and hands."

"I felt the same way when I evolved as well, you look nice by the way," Yoshiro spoke as he stopped in front of Luppi.

"How nice of you to say, I do look rather adorable, I think," Luppi replied as he swayed his body a little side to side via his hips. "Your tails are still prettier than my tentacles though."

Yoshiro couldn't keep himself from laughing a little at that. "I won't argue that, I suppose we should get back to the others."

"Actually Yoshiro I would like for us to talk a bit since it's just the two of us at the moment," Luppi replied, a hint of seriousness in his words.

"You want to talk about us?"

"That obvious?"

"Not much else I can think you want to talk about." Yoshiro piped up

"A fair point and yes that is what I want to talk about." Luppi retorted

"Well then," Yoshiro said as he rubbed the back of his head and took a moment to find the right words. "guess there's no other real way for me to say this. When it comes down to it Luppi I like you a lot. You were the first I found in this kami-forsaken place who didn't try to kill me on the spot. You took away my loneliness and kept at my side and somewhere along the way. I really can't say when, I just started to see you as something more. I know as hollows such emotions are kind of weird for us to have but that's how it is."

Luppi was quiet for a moment before speaking up his voice soft and his eyes staring right into Yoshiro's. "I admit it's odd that I feel these sorts of things I used to think we as hollows were incapable of it. You managed to prove me wrong though in that regard. Much like with you I'm not sure when I began to feel this only that I came to realize that I did. I suppose you saving me and being my first real companion in this place has a lot to do with it. You're someone who's become very special to me Yoshiro. You're probably the only person I'll ever feel so strongly for in such a manner."

"I really would like to have something with you I'm just not sure if it would be appropriate is all."

"You refer to your past relationship with that Apacci woman before your death and turning?" Yoshiro simply nodded, Luppi took a hand and cupped the side of Yoshiro's face. "I understand that you don't wish to forget about her, nor will I ever expect you to. You've shared with me the history that the two of you have, ask yourself this though. Do you truly want to deny what can make you happy for something you may never have again? We've discussed this all before we may never run into her and the others you mentioned. We could spend centuries traveling and never so much as find a sign."

"And if we ever do?" Yoshiro replied softly.

Luppi slid his hand behind Yoshiro's head and pulled him down gently so their faces were only a few inches apart before speaking. "Then we shall cross that bridge should ever manage to reach it. However, we are still hollow's, beings who live first and foremost by their instincts. So tell me Yoshiro, what are your instincts telling you?"

Yoshiro was quiet and just simply looked at Luppi. After what seemed like hours but only seconds, he gave his answer in a whisper.

"I want you."

Yoshiro moved his face closer, the portion of his mask over his mouth opening enough to show his lips. He pressed his against Luppi's, it was soft yet electrifying all at once. His tails and Luppi's tentacles swished about in delight at the pleasant feeling. Then the kiss turned more aggressive and passionate, he felt Luppi's tongue ask for entrance into his mouth and he obliged. He moved his hands to the effeminate hollow's hips and pulled him closer. He felt Luppi's hands slide up and down his chest and abs, then time seemingly melted away.

About an hour later the two arrived back to the others, who were greeted to a curious sight. After all, they didn't expect to see Yoshiro giving Luppi a piggyback ride. Granted, there was also the surprise from the others from seeing Luppi's new form.

"What happened exactly since you two have been gone?" Yang questioned

"Long story short, Luppi became a Vasto Lorde, and we worked somethings out between us." Yoshiro summarized

Ulquiorra looked inquisitive at his two fellow Vasto Lorde's or at least what constituted as that for him. It was rather difficult to gauge his expressions with how thoroughly his mask covered his face.

"Looks like they finally fucked." Yang spoke

"About freaking time." Replied Yin

"We can hear you." Yoshiro and Luppi piped up together. The two sisters promptly shut their mouths.

*Three Months Later*

Time had passed since Luppi and Yoshiro's admittance towards one another. It didn't change the dynamics of the group too much in all honesty. The only real change was that the two would head off somewhere to be alone. To have time between just the two of them in private every now again. Currently, the effeminate Vasto Lorde was watching over the twins as they hunted. Leaving Yoshiro and Ulquiorra alone for the time being. Even though the three Vasto Lorde's no longer had a need to hunt, the twins still needed to. So a schedule was agreed upon on who would watch over them as they hunted. Yoshiro was sitting in the sand patiently waiting when Ulquiorra took a spot next to him.

"Something on your mind Ulquiorra?" The fox hollow asked in curiosity.

The bat hollow gave a simple nod and wrote in the sand. 'I don't quite understand.'

"What do you mean exactly?"

'The relationship between you and Antenor.'

"Ahhh, I see what you mean now." Yoshiro replied in understanding "What I and Luppi have is unique, to say the least, especially for our kind. It's rather hard to explain in all honesty such things work in mysterious ways. I would know to a degree considering my history. What I can say in confidence is this. You'll come to understand once the right person comes along to help make you see. That's what I've come to gather in my experience."

'Is it really that simple?' Ulquiorra wrote in return.

"It's anything but simple Ulquiorra." Yoshiro retorted with a small chuckle. "Like I said before my friend it just takes the right person to come along I think. I know that properly understanding and expressing emotion is something that you somewhat struggle with. Give it time along and patience, it will become clearer eventually. Who knows, the right person to help you see things the clearest might come along one of these days."

Ulquiorra didn't make any response other than just a simple nod of his head. The two simply sat side by side, looking at the moon. After a few minutes, Ulquiorra's head turned suddenly, and then Yoshiro felt why.

"It seems a group of Adjucha's and even a Gillian have wandered close to us. Interestingly from what I can sense only one, in particular, feels all that powerful at least for an Adjuchas. Let's go check it out, the others will be able to find us easily enough." Yoshiro stated as went off towards the other hollows with Ulquiorra in tow.

It didn't take very long to reach the location, they stopped on a peak overlooking their targets of interest. Making sure to keep their energy subdued to keep hidden for the moment. There were six in total, one looked like some giant worm, one looked like some weird skeleton with a long ponytail of sorts, another looked like some sort of bull, another some kind of weird gorilla, another was just a Gillian. However, it was the last one that looked to be the leader and interested him the most. He was the smallest and looked like some kind of cat, a panther of sorts he gathered.

"Keep up here Ulquiorra, I'll head down first," Yoshiro spoke up and received a nod from his fellow Vasto Lorde. He jumped from his positioning and landed about 50 yards in front of the group. The group of hollows immediately focused on him. They seemed to be eyeing him warily and with caution, they knew what he was when they saw him. "Well, hello there." Yoshiro greeted

The cat-like hollow took a few steps forward. "What does a Vasto Lorde want with us?" It asked gruffly.

"Simple really, I felt you lot wander into the area I use currently as my territory. I had nothing better to do and decided to look for myself. You, in particular, catch my interest." Yoshiro said motioning towards the cat hollow.

The hollow in response narrowed his eyes a little. "Why such an interest in me?"

"You feel pretty strong for an Adjucha, you might even make Vasto Lorde soon. Perhaps I can assist with that, I have my own pack you see. I, two other Vasto Lorde's one of whom evolved under my guidance. Along with two other Adjucha's as well. I can offer protection and possibly even get you to the final stage of evolution. Your companions could benefit by becoming stronger themselves, they are not weak per se. Though the Adjucha's in my pack could fight the lot of them and win." The fox hollow explained.

The panther hollow contemplated the offer for a few moments before speaking. "What do you get out of this deal?"

Yoshiro shrugged his shoulders. "More faces to have around, talk, and shoot the shit with. I don't need to explain how insanely dull it tends to be around here. Anything to do is better than nothing to do in my opinion."

The panther hollow was quiet as he weighed the pros and cons before finally giving his answer. "Fine then, we'll join only because it betters the chances of becoming stronger. What's your name by chance?"

"Yoshiro Abe, you?"

"Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez" The now identified Grimmjow replied before gesturing to the rest of his group and introducing them. "That's Shawlong Koufang, Edrad Liones, Yylfordt Granz, Di Roy Rinker, Nakeem Grindina."

"Nice to meet you all," Yoshiro spoke up as he signaled with his hand. A moment later Ulquiorra was at his side. "This's Ulquiorra Cifer, he's one of the other two Vasto Lorde's in my group. The other is Luppi Antenor and the two Adjucha's are twins named Yin and Yang. You'll meet them soon enough." Yoshiro turned on his heel and began to walk, the others following in turn.

"You're an interesting guy Yoshiro." Grimmjow mused as he walked beside the fox hollow.

"How so?" Yoshiro questioned

"I can't imagine others would have been so gracious as you."

"I could've just brutally killed you all instead, but I imagine you wouldn't have liked that." Yoshiro joked in return.

That got a genuine laugh out of Grimmjow. "I won't argue that one, I wonder what kind of crazy story you have to tell."

"What makes you think that?"

"Call it a hunch," Grimmjow replied

"Well, you're certainly not wrong." Yoshiro mused "I tell you my story as we travel to the others."