Retribution

By

PND

Part 3

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

Rating: T

Warnings: Slightly AU from the Hueco Mundo Arc. Spoilers for Chapters 314...more like ignoring anything past that all together... Yaoi.

Characters: Stark, Lilinette, Yumichika

AN: Sorry it's a little short, but I wanted to get this part out of the way.

For Chica (and Marcus) because they seem to like this story. Hope you enjoyed your trip home!

Yumichika laid next to Lilinette in the dark, breathing in her scent as she slept. She cuddled against his chest, as if desperate for any contact. He was beginning to feel bad for the poor girl. After his refusal to sleep in Stark's arms Yumichika promptly asked where Lilinette's quarters where and if she'd mind if he could sleep there with her. She hadn't refused and Stark had stayed quiet. Yumichika knew that Stark wasn't completely happy about it, however. He could feel the espada's spiritual pressure very dimly from the door of Lilinette's bedroom. He was just outside, probably making sure Yumichika didn't try to escape.

The entire set-up was much different than Stark's pile of cushions he called a bed. Lilinette had a real bed, much too small for two people, but Yumichika managed by holding her close to him and keeping his arms wrapped around her small waist.

He didn't want to admit it, but he was growing fond of the girl. He'd only known her for two days, but she seemed much too sweet to be part of this.

Stark wasn't exactly something Yumichika had in mind when he thought of arrancar. Stark seemed polite enough and hadn't really mentioned Aizen at all. Yumichika was worried that when Aizen found out about him, he would die. He supposed death could be worse than this, so why bother complaining about it? He let out a soft sigh and rested his forehead against Lilinette's back, wondering how much longer he would be there. At that thought, his chest tingled. How much longer? That question didn't seem as firm as he wanted it to. It was too hesitant; as if he wasn't sure he wanted to leave.

He wanted to leave. There was no doubt he'd like to not be here, but the idea of leaving them was another problem. He liked them.

Lilinette cuddled closer to the warm body next to her, only barely in her small amount on consciousness wishing it were Stark instead. She should have felt pleased knowing that Yumichika wanted to be with her more than Stark, but she knew that that upset her master, too. Maybe she should invite Stark in to sleep as well. It seemed like a good idea.

"Stark," she called gently, feeling him near by. "Come inside."

The door quietly swung open and Stark appeared in the doorway. Lilinette wasn't surprised he'd actually responded. Stark was a proud man, but he wasn't so proud as to turn down anything he wanted. Of course Lilinette knew that Stark didn't want her like he wanted Yumichika. Still, she thought as she turned on her side and pressed tightly against Yumichika, giving Stark just enough room to squeeze onto the mattress. It's the best I'm going to get.

Stark's arms snaked around her and to Yumichika, encompassing them both in his desire to reach the shinigami. Lilinette knew better than to be excited by the closeness and the fact she was pressed tightly between the two men's bodies. Stark didn't care for her and she didn't know what she felt about Yumichika. It was useless to get her hopes up about anything.

She reached a hand up to run through his hair, gazing at him until his eyes slowly drifted closed and sleep overcame him. She always worried about Stark. He took things much too seriously, or maybe she just didn't take them seriously enough. Whatever the case, Lilinette was determined to make him relaxed and happy more than anything, even if it did cost her own happiness. Stark was worth it.

Hopefully Yumichika would be too.

Yumichika lay there silently, contemplating the position he was in. He should probably try to escape, but there wasn't much use. He didn't know where his zanpakuto was and that stupid narcissist weapon wouldn't even answer him when he called to it. His kido was rusty at best and while he was quite good at hand to hand combat, he didn't think he stood a chance against an armed arrancar.

He'd just have to wait for Ikkaku to save him.

Somehow it made him feel weak.

He pushed himself into a sitting position and looked down at Lilinette, she looked adorable sleeping there. He reached out his hand to brush away some hair that had gotten caught on her lips, but Stark's hand clamped down on his wrist in midair.

"Yumichika," Stark's voice is a bit heavy with sleep and his eyes are half closed, but he could tell that the arrancar would react to anything immediately. "Come with me."

Yumichika resisted the urge to swallow and carefully climbed over Lilinette, doing his best not to wake her, but it was hard since Stark's hand was still tight around his wrist.

"What's going on?" Lilinette asked, sitting up to become more aware of her surroundings.

"I'm sorry we woke you. Now, go back to sleep," Stark commanded gently.

Lilinette nodded and laid back down, her eyes on the ceiling. Yumichika gave a soft sigh and turned to Stark. He knew she wouldn't be getting any more sleep tonight.

In the hallway Stark released his hold and the two walked in heavy silence for several minutes. Yumichika didn't say anything when they passed the Arrancar's bedroom. He felt a little glad that they weren't going there.

"Where are we going?" he asked quietly, breaking the common silence they'd been sharing.

"Aizen wants to see you."

Something in Stark's voice made Yumichika look at him. There was anger in his eyes. The shinigami frowned and stopped in the hallway.

"What does he want?"

"How should I know?" Stark's eyes narrowed and he reached out a hand to get a hold on Yumichika again. "Quit wasting time."

"I can get there by myself, thank you."

"Don't act so haughty," Stark warned, growing tired of Yumichika's mouthiness already. He was surprised when Yumichika immediately stopped resisting.

"I'm sorry."

Stark was the one who stopped this time, staring in wonder at the shinigami.

"I'm sorry I've caused you so much trouble, Stark. It's unfair of me to only worry about things I care about when you've gotten yourself into tremendous trouble because of me."

"Don't worry about it," Stark sighed, shaking his hair away from his face. "It's not your fault, so don't think it is. I was the one who dragged you here."

"You saved my life."

"For a selfish reason," Stark muttered, now staring at the floor.

Yumichika watched him as they continued to walk. He pulled in a slight breath and touched Stark's shoulder. "Everyone deserves to be selfish at one time or another. I know I am...even with you."

"What do you mean?"

"I used Lilinette to make you angry yesterday. That was unfair of me and I should make it up to both you and Lilinette."

"What are you going to do?"

"I hadn't come to that yet," Yumichika shrugged. "Something..."

Stark stopped outside of two magnificent doors and knocked. They were bid to enter and Stark walked in, Yumichika following a step behind.

Yumichika didn't like the overwhelming spiritual pressure that was crushing the air around him. The room was filled with arrancar, all sitting off in the shadows on either side of the door. Aizen was seated on a throne in the back of the room, watching them with amusement evident on his face. Yumichika couldn't suppress a look of distaste.

"Now, Yumichika, isn't it?" Aizen leaned back in his throne. "From the 11th division, Ayasegawa Yumichika, captured by one of my espada. How entertaining."

Yumichika didn't answer or even look at him, casually surveying the large room. Aizen chuckled, "No need to act like you don't hear me. Whether or not you show it, I know you're listening."

"You were only introducing me. I didn't know there was a reason for me to pay attention to something like that. I already know who I am."

"Do you?" the ex-captain's eyebrow raised. "Is that why you're still here?"

"What do you mean?"

Stark was the only one standing close enough to feel Yumichika's carefully pieced together façade quiver. The shinigami merely blinked, but it was enough for Stark to feel something was wrong.

"You could have escaped several times by now. Why haven't you?"

"One shinigami against a horde of your best? Those odds don't seem to be tilting in my favor, Sir."

"I was always surprised someone as intelligent as you joined the eleventh," Aizen chuckled warmly. "They all seem like such brainless animals. It's surprising to see someone with your degree of intelligence there. I'm fairly certain you're smarter than even most of my espada. You'd have no real trouble escaping this place. So tell me, what is the real reason you're still here?"

Stark glanced at Yumichika. Aizen seemed to hold some kind of deference for the shinigami. The espada was beginning to wonder whether or not Yumichika was a run of the mill shinigami or not. He hadn't much experience with them, but he was beginning to get the feeling that there was more to Yumichika than he let on.

End part 3.

Sorry for any mistakes.