"IF you were to be returned to an Arrancar, do you think you could find a way to escape?"

Karin's question bounced around his head. Could he escape if he were returned to two legs? He would have hands for starters, and that would be a big help. He'd gain a huge boost of power as well. The Quincy had fed him a good amount and he would be far stronger than his last time on two legs.

There was, of course, the other factor here. It was clear they had let him evolve as far as they were basically willing to let him go. He'd never been so afraid in his life as he'd been chained down in the middle of that pit with Hashwald holding a glowing blade of light over his face. It was either implement the next phase of his plan and set himself on the path to becoming an Arrancar again, even if it meant he would be putting his nonexistent faith in Yhwach, or have his mask shattered and be forever trapped at this level of power.

He has kept his promises. Everyone who has sired cubs has been transformed and the whole family moved out of this pit. I planned on this course of action anyhow, I just never figured I'd be courting a woman I knew. Granted, it makes it a lot easier, and faster. I don't do rape and it will be easier to convince Karin to let me mount her than some hysterical, tied up, screaming woman who would be just as likely to try and find a way to kill me while I slept. Although, I don't think it will take much convincing, he mused as he eyed her patiently waiting for his response while absently toying with the box of condoms. There will be some satisfaction in knowing that it's Ichigo's sister who will be carrying my seed, and a bit more over the fact she technically asked me. From what I have learned of her, she seems worthy enough; far more than any other option I will be getting anytime soon.

Karin moved over and checked her clothing to see if it was dry while he held his inner debate. She didn't seem afraid of the prospect of letting him mate her, more annoyed than anything, and he doubted any of that annoyance was directed at him. Studying her sharply reminded him that she was human, and if he was going to do this, he was going to make sure she understood just what she was getting herself into. It would be silly to assume she knew much, if anything, of typical hollow culture or what he expected in a mate.

"You are willing to mate with me?" he asked, just to be certain.

"I don't see that we have much of an alternative, at least not yet. I did tell them that if they broke your mask, I would vindictively let you eat me."

He couldn't help but to laugh at that and give his head a shake. She really was a woman worthy of his seed. "Since we are mating and not just fucking for sport, there will be several things different. As my mate, I will be expecting certain things of you. Guarding my back, sharing your meals, and lifting your tail, figuratively in this case, during each heat to offer me more offspring are the primary things expected of a mate."

"I got no problems with any of that, but I understand hollows seldom go into heat, hence the request for mating every heat. Us humans, on the other hand, do so very frequently. No offence, but I don't want to spend my entire life pregnant if we end up trapped her until death do us part."

That was true enough. He'd forgotten how fertile humans were. The thought of offspring was a pleasant one, but he didn't want to be drowned in cubs either. It was foolish to introduce more into the den while the first batch wasn't weaned and ready to go.

"Since we have no idea how events are going to unfold, how about this? I will concede to this mating, and after this hell is over, or when the children are old enough to fend for themselves if we are still stuck here, we can negotiate more matings," she offered.

He could live with that and agreed. Besides, there was a good chance Ichigo would murder him if they did escape for tainting his little sister. From what he'd learned, the hybrid and their sire were both very protective of the two girls. Ichigo just may offer her a cat skinned rug for a birthing present.

"We will share a nest, no more hiding in the corner. We will be pack."

"I wasn't hiding in the corner," she rolled her eyes at him. "I just wasn't going to invite myself into your nest and intrude into your personal space. It is yours after all and you didn't have to spare me in the pit. I wasn't going to start demanding you give your stuff to me."

That was… actually considerate of her. He should have thought of that, after all he'd had to smack her brother over the head about nest sharing too. Just because Karin seemed to understand him better in a more instinctual and attitude level didn't mean she automatically knew everything there was to know about hollow culture. That was why there were having this conversation after all. He didn't know much about human culture, but he was certain having sex for the first time was a big thing, especially with someone you weren't married to.

"Please tell me there isn't some sort of 'subservient to your mate' bullshit?" Karin asked with a look that just dared him to say there was, or that he expected it of her.

"I don't go too much for that shit. I do expect a pregnant mate to be smart and keep holed up in the den until the cubs come and she recovers enough to join me in the hunts again. Or to stay beside the cubs as a second line of defence in the face of danger."

"I can live with that since it's commonsense. You don't go into battle with a broken ankle if you can help it and jumping into a scuffle with a belly bigger than a sumo or leaving babies unguarded is just stupidity. Other than consummating, do hollows have any rituals beforehand?"

"No. Most of the time talking is saved until after you pinned down the woman in heat and taken her the first time," he admitted carefully.

Karin did raise an eye at his response but gave her head a shake combined with a sigh. "I suppose it has something to do with proving your strength and ability to protect woman and cubs, right? If you can't pin her down, you aren't worthy of being a sire."

"Exactly," he confirmed, pleased with her understanding and lack of judgmental glare. Ichigo had been aghast when he learned how hollows mated from Nel.

Karin opened her mouth, no doubt to ask another question, but a muffled 'yelp' from the other cell cause both of them to look towards the wall separating them from Starrk and Nanao.

"Seems like those two are already at work," she chuckled while raising an eye.

"Who knew Starrk even knew how to use it," Grimmjow joined his chuckle to her own.

"Alright, what's going to be the best way to do this? You are a hell of a lot bigger than I am so I can think of two ways to try this. One is with you on your back and me straddling you, but I can't picture that would be too comfortable for you, or me for that matter. You have a solid bulk and I think trying to straddle you would kill my hips quickly."

"No," he agreed. The thought of being on his back with his belly and throat vulnerable was enough to put his hackles up, even though she had no fangs or claws with which to threatened even his softest skin. It would be uncomfortable to balance on his back as well.

"The other way is with you on top in a more traditional, feline manner. If we dig a furrow in the sand for your hindquarter, a mound for my knees, and stack up all the pieces of clothing we have, it might let us line up without you having to strain your back too much."

"That should work," he agreed, rising to his feet and using his massive paws to dig out a furrow until he hit the sandstone floor. Karin helped him pile sand into a mound shaped more like a square pyramid before layering all the bedding onto it.

"Should have asked for lube," she grouched as she opened the box and dug out a square package. "Lay on your side for a moment so I can slip this on. Hopefully, your barbs won't go through the rubber. It's thick and flexible, so we should be alright."

"Is that what is in those square things? I caught Ichigo with them once and he just blushed and shouted at me to mind my own business when I asked what it was."

Karin laughed and gave her head a shake. He watched her take the ring of plastic out of its packaging and use one of the hollow claws to puncture a hole in the middle. He shifted to his side and watched as she ran a hand over his shaft a few times, mindful of the barbs, before rolling the plastic over him. It felt strange at first, but it wasn't uncomfortable. When she was done the tip of his cock was sticking out the end. She seemed satisfied with the result anyhow and rose, dusting her hands off and removing the uniform she pulled on earlier. He felt a flash of disappointment that she left the bra on, but his eyes became riveted to her sex as the black panties came off. She did seem to be a little nervous, but she wasn't exactly shaking in fear or apprehension.

"Oh, I forgot to ask. Are you going to have to mount me every half an hour or something like a lot of wild felines do, or is a few times going to be enough?" she asked as she made herself comfortable on their make shift mound.

"Every half hour or so, but the mating will be quick," he assured her.

"So just like a real feline. Great. So much for a good night's rest," she moaned.

"At least it will be quick, and only for one night," he pointed out.

"Touché."

She settled into place and he moved around behind her. He licked his lips as he looked at the broad hips and the legs spread and ready for him to plunge in. If it was one thing he really hated about his current form, it was that sex was over quickly. He moved into place and lined his hips up with hers. The sand mound helped, and he didn't have to lower himself too much. That was going to make it easier on his back and shoulders. He rubbed himself against her slit a few times, pleased that the plastic surrounding him didn't damping the feeling too much. The most sensitive part, the tip, was plastic free and he shivered in delight at the feeling of her soft, warm folds against it.

He moved slowly, not wanting to hurt her least she take her weapon to his head, or side. He was going to be exhausted after mating and Karin was vindictive enough to make him suffer if he pissed her off. Her body shook beneath his and he paused to give her time to calm down.

"What are you doing?" she asked, and he realized that she wasn't shaking in fear, but in laughter.

"Going slowly so it won't hurt so much," he answered with a growl, annoyed that she was laughing at him.

"No offence, but in your feline form you are not that big. Bet your Arrancar form is well hung though," she mused.

"Tcu, fine I will tear right in and see how you like it," he growled.

"Tear right… oh," she laughed again. "I'm going to tell you a secret, one not even Ichi-nii knows, as it's none of his business. I haven't been a virgin in three years. Life on edge tends to make things like 'waiting around for some so call 'Mr Right' just a little superfluous. I've had a few partners over the years."

Now that he hadn't been expecting. Ichigo's little sister wasn't all innocent like her big brother expected. He could understand why she would never have told Kurosaki such news, let alone her sire. The boys who would have dared to touch her would never be seen from again, let alone found.

"Damn, sounds like you lost your virginity before he did," he laughed.

"Probably. I've had more spare time to do so anyhow." They shared a chuckle before she spoke again, soothing the last bit of his ruffled pride. "I do appreciate the thought you were giving to the situation though. Go ahead and slip in. I am relaxed enough it should be okay."

He did so, sighing in bliss as her heat enveloped him. She didn't tense beneath him at all and even let out a soft sigh of her own.

"Damn, those barbs covered by the rubber really feel good," she moaned pleasantly.

The sound went right to his shaft. It had been an exceptionally long time since he'd last gotten laid, when he was still an Arrancar actually. He rutted against her quickly, pleased with the little pants of pleasure she gave under him and the way she rocked back to meet his forward thrusts. He didn't last very long, a curse of his feline state, and he felt himself shiver with release. He barely had enough strength to remove himself from her before he collapsed in exhaustion, yet another curse of his Adjucus state.

"Well, that wasn't too bad on the hips or knees," she commented. "Roll onto your side so I can check the rubber."

He was more than willing to do so and went prone on the sand. This was one of the many reasons it was unwise for hollows without a pack to mate. It took a lot out of them and they were vulnerable for a good minute or so, at least after the first round. By the time morning came around he would be ready to sleep for the whole day.

"Thought so, it slid off when you retracted. It looks good enough for another round though as we are not exactly concerned with it developing a tear or being unable to hold in semen so much as keeping me safe from your barbs. The box should make it through this. I'm going to cut holes in a few others before the lights go out and I can't see."

He didn't care what she did. He was just feeling content and honestly couldn't wait until the next round. His claws kneaded the sand and his tail twitched slightly in pleasure. Oh yes, this was going to be a very pleasant night, even if it was giving Yhwach what he wanted, sort of. He had no plans on still being here by the time she had their litter.

I wonder if I should warn her that three cubs are the smallest litter to have been birthed yet? he mused sleepily.

(POV)

Well, he was definitely a feline, there was no mistaking that. The condoms worked perfectly, almost TOO perfectly as they made his barbs feel like very pleasurable ribs inside of her. Her only lament was that he wasn't bigger to really fill her up. For more than a brief moment, she wondered how well hung his Arrancar form had been, even if it meant he would lose the barbs. She knew a good number of toys, some even in her lockbox at home under her bed, that could simulate such things anyhow. He was up every half an hour or so, nosing eagerly at her hips, but not demandingly. She wondered where he was getting the stamina from, for he certainly seemed exhausted after each round.

It was a lot warmer being curled up in the pile of makeshift blankets with him. Grimmjow's body gave off a lot of heat and it was damn nice having a companion with sharp fangs and even sharper claws guarding her back.

If he wasn't a big cat, I got a strong feeling he would be purring, she mused amused. Ichi-nii is going to skin him alive when he finds out, if Dad doesn't beat him to it. Ah well, he is hardly the worst partner I have ever had. There was that one, single brain celled barbarian I took to bed that thought he was some sort of gift to women. For someone so well hung, he'd certainly sucked in bed, and for someone who could spend hours running up and down a field, his stamina was abysmal.

She'd had six partners over the last three years, well, seven if she counted Grimmjow now. They hadn't all been bad and had served their purpose of calming her nerves down after a really bad week of exterminations, konso, and exams. The fact neither side had been looking for a relationship helped. Not that any human could really form a true relationship with her for they couldn't see what she could see or do what she could do. The few men that could were all Ichigo's friends and that was just wrong, combined with a lack of attraction to any of them. She refused to have anything less than full trust in a relationship devoid of any real secrets. Hiding a surprise present was one thing, keeping the fact you were the but-kicker of ghosts was something else.

It was bad enough when Ichi-nii was playing stupid with us. I would never do that to a partner. Of course, at this rate I will be lucky enough to get back home in one piece, let alone find someone worth dating… or even have time for dates. You would think the Gotei 13 would get off their asses and end this bloody war already so we can all go back to normal lives.

That wasn't really a fair demand considering the power of the force they were fighting, and she knew they were doing the best they could with what they had. At least they were deputizing the spiritually aware humans to deal with the hollows and plus souls Living side instead of trying to prosecute them for having abilities they shouldn't. That was certainly a step up from the earlier days when Ichigo had first started to bash their heads in. Heck, she half expected that they would find ways to deputize more humans to help keep things in the Living Realm from going completely out of control.

Grimmjow was out like a light now. As promised, he'd mounted her just about every half hour all night long. Her hips and lower back were a little sore from maintaining the position and she wondered if his own hind legs and lower back were sore as well. He was far too heavy to rest his weight on her and she appreciated that he'd done his best to balance his weight off her, especially as the night wore on and his limbs started to tremble in exhaustion.

The thought she had forcefully been holding at bay suddenly sprang upon her. She was going to be a mother. Dear lord, was she even ready? She knew nothing about raising children. Did she even want children? After mulling that thought over in her mind, she decided that giving her father grandchildren and her sister nieces and nephews wasn't bad. Yuzu would be thrilled and after her father was done killing Grimmjow, he would be ecstatic as well. This just wasn't the real reason to have children and she definitely didn't feel ready for them, even if several of her high school friends already had kids of their own now. Twenty-three wasn't a bad age to have kids at and she was on her final year of university, well, she was a bit behind now due to her kidnapping, but it wouldn't be too much to retake these last six courses and finish of her doctorate in sports injury care.

Then there was their race to factor in. They were going to be part hollow. Did that mean they would be unable to live in her home, invisible to almost the entire world? Would she have to move here, or to soul society? What if the shinigami considered them abominations and decided to kill them, or tried to give them to that freak Kurotsuchi? Well, she knew in those cases her brother would murder them, and she reiterated the arguments she had used on Nanao to herself.

But what if they are savage beasts? They will be part hollow after all. What if my own children decide I look like dinner, or Yuzu? Will they suffer that constant hunger all hollows seem to suffer from? Will they need to hunt and eat other hollows like Grimmjow does? Will they even feel a connection to me after they grow up? Or will they be humans trapped in the body of beasts, forever shunned and forced to live in hiding?

At least she wasn't alone in all of this. Nanao was in the same wagon, as were all the other women here. That helped ease her mind a little. When this war was over, she and her children wouldn't be the only ones struggling through this.

Maybe they will be more like the Arrancar and vizard. After all, they will be half and half. It's not like my human life was really going anywhere. Other than schooling, most of my time was devoted to training and dealing with spiritual world spill off. Hell, I can't even name any close friends anymore, just acquaintances. Other than Yuzu and Tatsuki, I wonder if anyone even noticed I was missing. A few of my teachers probably have, but none of my classmates would really notice.

The light clicked on and she flung an arm over her eyes as she was suddenly blinded. It drove all her thoughts to a grinding halt. Grimmjow twitched, but otherwise didn't stir. Realizing she was naked save for her bra, she crawled out of the nest and gathered her now dry clothing from where it was hanging on the bars. She slipped into it just in time for Hana to come around with her morning meal. He had a mournful look on his face and he kept his eyes down as he offered her the tray with a full, real meal on it! Fish, rice, assorted pickled vegetables, a cup of steaming tea, and utensils were all aligned on the tray.

"That looks positively divine," she darn near drooled, every morose thought now fully banished for the time being and taking Hana by surprise. He glanced up at her shyly while waiting for the outer door to unlock so he could put the tray down in the safety cage.

"Are you okay, Karin-san?" he asked shyly.

"Lil' sore in the hips from holding such an awkward position half the night, but otherwise just fine," she offered him a smile that seemed to lighten him up a lot. "We had enough condoms to get the job done anyhow, so no inner tearing at least."

He let out a sigh of relief, and oddly didn't seem mortified or embarrassed by her statement. "Oh, that's good. You will get meals like this all the time now."

"If I knew that, I might have talked Grimmjow into mounting me sooner," she mused.

"If I knew that, I might have mentioned it," came a sleepy reply from their now shared nest.

"Hush you, and get your beauty rest," she smiled at him. Sleepy blue eyes glared half-heartedly at her, before he rested his head on his paws and his eyes slid closed. "Is there any chance of getting a bowl of water to give us both a rub down, and some muscle relaxing cream? If my hips are sore, his own must be as well. He did his best to keep his weight off me."

"Actually, it would probably be his shoulders that are hurting the most," Hana offered shyly. "I will see if I can get you anything."

"Thanks." She gathered her tray and tucked happily into her meal, saving a bit of the fish for her partner. Grimmjow was more than happy to eat the half she saved him when he stirred enough to do so.

He may be resting, but I got a feeling it's more of a doze to regain his strength than real slumber. I guarantee it if anything resembling a threat came by, he would be up on his paws with fangs bared faster than you could blink.

Hana did manage to get her a bowl of water, real washcloths, and even a clean Yukata to wear at lunch. It was a simple white one with yellow flowers on the lower half, but it was clean and far warmer than her threadbare clothing. It seemed to be made from wool or some other thick material used for fall weather. She handed what was left of her shirt and pants to Hana to dispose of. If the mating did take, her belly would be growing to the point her clothes wouldn't fit anymore anyhow. It wasn't like she was attached to them, save her bra and underwear as she wasn't about to ask Hana to get her another pair of those. Unlike her outer clothes, her underclothes were still in relatively good shape. With a fresh yukuta she could even wash them and hang them to dry without needing to worry about flashing people.

She washed herself and Grimmjow down, for he still had a few specs of blood he hadn't been able to reach from his bonus meal yesterday. Remembering what Hana had commented on about his shoulders, she took the moment to give them a good massage, something that had him groaning in pleasure with his tail twitching softly as she worked the muscles along his back and shoulder blades, by passing the hole going through his body.

"Fuck, that feels good. Sorry I can't return the favour," he groaned in pleasure.

"I'll live. Besides, you are the one that is going to have to bust us out of here. I will be burned out from labour and not likely to be moving around much, not to mention saddled with a kid."

"I would…"

"Run and get help," she interrupted firmly. "Failure to escape would probably mean death, at least for you. They are not going to off assets just because daddy went rogue, and it's not like I could stop you from running so soon after giving birth, so I doubt they will blame me. Besides, now that they know who I am, it is very unlikely they will kill me when they can use me to torment Ichi-nii."

"They could give you to another," he pointed out. "They probably would actually."

"Che, I am a fucking Kurosaki, numb nuts. I can take anything they want to try and dish," she snorted, affronted at the suggesting she would break so easily. Did the thought of being raped by another hollow scare her? Yes it did. So did heights, but that didn't stop her from climbing Tokyo tower during a school trip and starting defiantly at the ground, even as her heart hammered in her chest in fear.

Grimmjow stared at her for a moment, then burst into laughter. She glared at him for a moment, before joining in. It was official, they were both insane.

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