This chapter is longer because some major awesomeness is about to go down XD I'm aware that "Tia Harribel" is really "Tier Harribel" and "Apache" is "Apacci" but y'know what? I don't care. I like the original names better and there is no way in Singapore (lol) I'm going to go back and change everything! T_T

And, much to my dismay, I won't be able to include every character in this story, but I'll try to have almost everyone make a cameo appearence. Especially in the later chapters, which explain more about the war.

Chapter 6: Red Star

Outlaw was the common definition of an Arrancar. They were dangerous, but never hard to apprehend. To become an Arrancar you have to travel to and live in Hueco Mundo, where the sunlight never strikes. Within Hueco Mundo's moonlit white sands you would hunt down one of the monsters that lurked in the shadows and kill it, bringing its head to a Sheriff in a town so he/she could add "Arrancar" to the wanted poster. To become a Vasto Lorde, on the other hand, you must be unmatched in combat - kill multiple monsters, kill multiple Arrancar and other people who stand in your way - and you must be recognized as one of the best.

"So why do they call you Red Star?" Lilynette couldn't help but ask as she sat behind Harribel on the front steps of the Inn where they were staying. She traced the outline of the crimson shape stitched into Harribel's back with her finger, humming the lyrics to an old song Starrk would sometimes sing to her when she couldn't sleep at night.

"Well, red is the color of blood when outside the body," She told the girl carefully, "Sharks are drawn to it. Also, in heraldry, red means to be a Warrior or Martyr. A star represents excellence - being a noble person. So, I am a Noble Warrior. I always make sure that what I'm fighting for is right. Apache, Mila, and Sun-Sun like to think that they're following in my footsteps, and that whatever I do is right, no matter what."

"So how'd you get stuck with Aizen?" Lilynette questioned, now tracing the seams in the older woman's cut-off jacket. "What he was fighting for wasn't right."

"I didn't know that at the time," Harribel answered wearily. They were both waiting for Starrk to return from his little trip to the outskirts of Town, but Harribel was actually hoping for Ulquiorra to show up.

Not too far away, Starrk's errand was interrupted when he was attacked by a litter of coyote pups. They were stumbling around and tugging on his coat with their little teeth, their eyes a bright blue. They were fuzzy and probably not even a week out of the den. "Why do I bother?" He uttered, glancing at Casco for help. His horse simply turned the other way. His self-proclaimed mission was to wait for an Espada to come by, take him to be cleared by Kurosaki, and then find out what said Espada knew about Aizen.

He just hoped it would be Ulquiorra to save him the trouble.

The pups made a bleak attempt to chew holes in his clothes, but then they whimpered and drew back. A shadow loomed over him, and his senses tingled of repulsive... cat. Starrk felt the barrel of the gun press against the back of his head. Despite his current situation, he smirked, "It's been a while... Grimmjow."

The Desgarrón scoffed, "What the hell're ya doin' out here?"

"Waiting," Starrk replied despondently.

Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, wearing nothing beneath his vest and blue jeans that were now completely covered in sand, holstered his gun and snorted, "I can tell. That damned Ulquiorra is wasting my time, so he'd better be here already." He trekked over to his cream coated horse, Pantera, and marched back over to where Starrk was encouraging the pups back into the den under the rock where they emerged from. "Night Wing is here, right?"

"Nope. Just the Stars and Los Lobos," Starrk bowed at the mention of his own name.

Grimmjow had been moving on his own since his Fraccion were initially killed during a battle in Karakura shortly before the war. That resulted in Tousen Kaname blowing his arm off as a punishment, but upon the capture of Orihime Inoue he earned it back. There were some strange things that happened in the Mid-West that should never be questioned: 1. Flashing lights coming from a giant saucer in the sky? Just keep your mouth shut. 2. Annoying red-headed girl with the ability to heal missing limbs like an angel? Just... nod and go with it.

Starrk brushed off his hat on his pant and replaced it neatly on his head, "The Sheriff is expecting all the Espada to arrive soon. Glad you could join us."

"The Sheriff can go die," Grimmjow snarled, mounting his horse. "Need a ride?"

Starrk felt his instinct spark and he glanced over into the distance, "How about we ride out to meet the King?"

"I'm the King," Grimmjow uttered, offering out his hand. Starrk, who had walked from town, grabbed hold of the gesture and was slung up onto Pantera's back. They bolted out towards the gang riding in their direction, two horses tied to a wagon. Barragan's gang was, really, just a caravan. King himself was far too old to ride anymore, and the last time Starrk saw him he had talked about retiring.

"Barragan!" Grimmjow exclaimed as the caravan slowed to a crawl. The old man was perched in back of the wagon, arms crossed. "Old timer, have you received any word from Night Wing that shady bastard?"

Barragan sighed, "No respect... I met him just yesterday. He went to find Szayel and Nnoitra, and then he's going to bring them back with him to Karakura." His heavy eyebrow arched, "Coyote Starrk, you're radiating. What have you been doing since we last saw each other?"

Starrk blushed faintly, and he cleared his throat, "I... uh... How have you been, Barragan? You're getting younger by the minute."

King flashed a smirk, "Alright, alright, you win. We'll continue when we settle in town. Guys, keep moving! Bring my to the Sheriff's office!"

Grimmjow turned his horse and jogged off ahead of them, unable to resist the question, "I think he meant: Who have you been doing since we last saw each other?" He received a swift punch to kidney. "OW! It's just a question!"

Word spread through Seireitei like wild fire, whispers and shouts of Soifon's return. Suzumebachi limped down the dusty road, carrying the wounded rider with her. The town's court, home to the Central 46, loomed over her, casting her in a shadow. Soifon fell from her horse's saddle as she paused before the steps.

The Assassin shifted and forced herself to stand, clutching at the blood leaking from her side. She felt hands on her shoulder, "Soifon! Soifon, are you alright?"

"Get away from me, Ukitake," She hissed, shoving him back. "Just hold my horse!"

"You've been shot!" Juushiro Ukitake exclaimed, but then he took Suzumebachi's reigns.

"No shit!" Soifon seethed, limping up the steps. She fell into the doors to get them open and advanced into the massive room where the 46 and one additional members were sitting in their chairs high above, crimson trailing behind her.

"Soifon, Head of the Assassination Squad!" The additional member boomed, "Report! Why are you bleeding and where is your partner?" It was a priority to put the safety of Seireitei before the health of yourself. Soifon sometimes wondered if that was the best thing, or if they were just too impatient to get what they want.

"I-I found out that the Espada have information on Aizen Souske," She clutched at her wound tighter, "We..." she gagged on blood, seething about the metallic taste on her tongue, "We were heading back to make our reports when we were ambushed by a group of Arrancar. Omaeda didn't make it, and I was shot in the lung..."

"What kind of information?" One member questioned. Ever since the assassination of the first group of Central 46 by Aizen Souske himself a whole new wave had to be appointed.

"Aizen's rebuilding his army," She told them, sounding wheezy, crimson dripping off her chin, "He plans on destroying Karakura and then us... The Espada are gathering to stop him. Ulquiorra Cifer is currently the brains of the operation, but he seems to know what he's doing...Th-that's all I..." Darkness crept into her vision. "...I...know..." The floor rushed up.

Black…

…"Will she make it?"

"I... I don't know. I'm trying my best but I can only do so much!"

Her heart pulsed in her ears. Those voices were so familiar, but so annoying.

"Unohana you're the best there is! You have to save her!"

"Hitsugaya back off! Isane, give that to me! OK, Soifon, this is going to hurt because if I sedate you you may not make it!"

A sharp pain, ripping, slicing. She's felt worse, but this is still terrible. She knows she's on the verge of screaming but she's pinned, She can't tell if she's trashing, struggling...

"Alright, the bullet is out! I'm going in to patch her up."

It doesn't hurt so much now. It's so... quiet.

"Soifon... Soifon can you hear me?"

Soifon's head rolled and her dull gray eyes snapped open to the face hovering over her. "Unohana... You freaking suck. That hurt like all hell you damn bitch!" She noticed Hitsugaya was clutching at his nose, and Isane and Ukitake were leaning over her new stitches. "But, you fixed me. Thank you."

"I'm surprised you made it," Retsu Unohana remarked, "First of all your lung was punctured, and during your struggle you broke Toshiro's nose." The small boy cursed at Soifon and stormed off. "How are you feeling?" Unohana was the best doctor in Seireitei, and she had taken Isane Kotetsu under her wing. Soifon saw her on a regular basis because she tended to get minor scrapes and bruises from performing assassinations.

"Better," She forced herself to sit up, clutching her side as it shifted uncomfortably. "You have to admit, this isn't the worst shape I've been in."

Unohana shook her head and glanced up when Komamura Sajin entered the room, a paper in his hand. "Forgive me for intruding, but due to Soifon's report, Yamamoto-sama has requested for a team to be stationed in Karakura for the time being. Myself, Hitsugaya, Zaraki, Ukitake, Kuchiki, and Kyoraku are to follow Soifon to Karakura." Sajin was one of those questions that didn't need an answer. 3: Giant fox-like man? Just... walk away.

Soifon twitched, "That won't leave much protection for Seireitei."

Ukitake spoke up, "But you said it yourself Aizen's aims are to destroy Karakura first."

She shot him a crooked glare, "That's what Ulquiorra Cifer said. I'm just the messenger." Gripping her stitches, she pulled down her shirt and then slipped on her vest, which was on the dresser beside her. "When do we leave?"

"As soon as everyone's ready," Komamura answered, ears twitching, "Which it doesn't seem two of you are very... prepared." Unohana forced Soifon to lift her shirt so she could bandage up her side and prevent the stitches from breaking, and Hitsugaya yelped when Isane touched his nose. "I'll... go get Zaraki. We'll regroup outside the Town Hall." He turned and stalked out the door.

This was going to be an interesting trip.

"Harribel," Barragan greeted as he stepped off the wagon, "You look just as stunning as ever."

Red Star flushed, "Thank you, King. You look good yourself." Starrk rolled his eyes and dismounted Pantera. "Oh, and hello Grimmjow. It's been a while since I've seen you, too."

Grimmjow jumped down and snickered, "Yeah, yeah. No offense, I was hoping to never see any of you again, but desperate times call for desperate measures." He scowled at Ichigo when the Sheriff emerged from his office with Shinji at his side. "Ugh, sometimes I forget why I even agreed to helping in the first place. Hey, Kurosaki. You're still a douche."

Ichigo pinched the bridge of his nose, "Don't make me regret my decisions." Despite their petty bickering, Ichigo had saved Grimmjow's life, and Grimmjow wasn't one for settling scores unless his pride counted on it—and in this case, his pride did count on it. He owed Ichigo his life, and he also needed to give that Nnoitra character a nice kick in the ass. "Welcome to Karakura, this is Shinji Hirako of the Vizards as you may know. He's going to be watching your every move."

Barragan frowned, "I'm getting too old for this..."

Lilynette jumped on Starrk, clinging to his waist. She glanced under his arm towards the distance, and just over the hill two horses appeared, their riders familiar to the girl. She tugged his coat and pointed to them, "Starrk, isn't that Ulquiorra?"

Starrk stared over his shoulder, "Ah, right on time. Szayel is with him." He noticed everyone was staring at him, and then past him to the gunslingers in the background.

"Where's Nnoitra?" Barragan muttered, "Night Wing was supposed to bring both him and Szayel."

"Something must have happened," Hirako figured.

Starrk waved his hat and Ulquiorra returned the gesture. He and Aporro galloped towards them, one man shorter than they should have been. "I'm sorry to return like this," Ulquiorra remarked when they joined the group, "but we have some bad news."

Szayel sighed, "I was supposed to meet Nnoitra so we could rendezvous with Ulquiorra, but he was kidnapped by a group of Arrancar." He smirked, "Fortunately for us, I know where they took him. It's one of Aizen's hideouts."

Ichigo tapped his chin, "Alright... so what do you propose?"

"Saving him," Ulquiorra admonished, "We're going to need every Espada left, and we can't afford to loose him."

The Sheriff nodded, "Szayel, do you know where the hideout is?" Her received a nod. "Alright, perfect. Here's what you're gonna do: Ulquiorra, you're staying with me to explain everything. Starrk; Harribel, why don't you two go with Szayel and get Nnoitra?"

Starrk quirked an eyebrow, "Sending in more Espada to get captured? Very smart thinking, Kurosaki."

"You guys are too good to get caught. If ya do, I'll send my Vizards after ya." Hirako grumbled a complaint, but Ichigo camel-kicked him and continued, "But I trust you'll get the job done."

Starrk and Harribel exchanged awkward glances. "Well," Harribel droned, folding her arms, "I guess I'll get the girls and we'll head out right away." She turned and stalked off to the barn.

"Can I come?" Lilynette asked, tugging Starrk's sleeve. He stared down at her long and hard, considering it but also noting reasons as to why he should make her stay behind. "I won't get in the way, I promise!"

He sighed, "Alright, you can come."

"Yes!"

Kurosaki lead Ulquiorra over to the station and Hirako returned to the building beside it. Barragan ordered that his Fraccion find rooms in the Inn and they left, leaving Los Lobos with Szayel. Szayel was otherwise known as "Fornicarás", his chestnut brown horse Gabriel, and unlike the other Espada he tended to stay out of the eyes of the public. He was a genius, and he was really wanted for performing strange experiments on captured people who tried to bring him in.

Starrk realized he would be stuck with him and shuddered, turning away.

"So, Los Lobos... I haven't seen you in a while." Szayel was one messed up cookie, but his voice sounded distraught. Concerned, Starrk faced him with a quirked eyebrow. The other gunslinger sighed, tousling his pale pink hair, "When Kurosaki defeated Aizen I thought everything would just go away, Starrk. I thought we were finally... done." His gaze wandered off to stare at something without focus, adjusting his glasses to they sat properly on the bridge of his nose. "What are we goin' t' do? We may not be enough to stop him now."

Starrk's eyes wandered to him impassively, and after several moments he answered, "Yeah, I thought so, too. Szayel, our time's up."

"You know that better than any one, huh?" Szayel figured, casting a weary glance at the Espada.

Lilynette gripped Starrk's sleeve, "Starrk, what's he talking about?"

"Nothing," Starrk told her quietly, "It's nothing." He hung his head, holding her close. "It's nothing at all." I'm not the one who brought her into this war. She may have brought herself, and I've warned her. I've warned her countless times. She wouldn't listen. But I'm the one at fault...

Shut up.

Clearing his mind from its foggy daze, Starrk pushed Lilynette away as the Stars appeared with the horses at the reigns. Harribel approached Starrk with Casco in her left grip and Tiburon in the right. She handed Starrk's horse off to him, acknowledging his dark expression. "Are you alright, Coyote?" She was the only one to call him Coyote when she was worried, but that only made him feel like he was going crazy.

"Yes," He replied nonchalantly, "I'm fine. Always was, always am." He could tell she didn't believe him, but she shrugged it off and mounted her horse. Starrk frowned. He realized that if he was her, he wouldn't believe Starrk either.

He felt the anxiety bubble in his gut and for once nearly puked.

"Hideout numero uno," Szayel mused as he pointed to the cavern dug out in the side of the canyon. "Nnoitra should be in there." The sun had swung into its midpoint by the time they reached the hideout. Laying on the edge of the cliff nearby, Starrk studied the Arrancar patrolling outside through binoculars, passing them off to Harribel so she could observe as well. "The Arrancar rotate every few hours. Usually two are keeping watch at a time."

"We need to make a quiet entrance," Starrk remarked, "No guns or they'll know we're here."

"Easy enough," Sun-Sun whispered and shuffled off.

"Where're you goin'?" Szayel hissed, but Harribel cut him off. Sun-Sun winked and disappeared around the corner, followed by Mila who had the weirdest smirk plastered on her face that Szayel had ever seen, which was saying a lot.

"Just watch," Harribel coerced, punching his shoulder. She gave him the binoculars to view the patrolling Arrancar. "My girls like to compare themselves to their favorite animals. They're skilled—they learned how to fight. There are two classes of animals on the food chain: the predators, and the prey. As Stars we believe being the prey is weak of us." She paused for several moments, watching the shadows move to the peak above the Arrancar. "We learned to live like predators. Kill-" Mila and Sun-sun dropped down from above in unison, knives sinking deep in the throats of the Arrancar. "-or be killed. We prefer the former."

Mila licked the blood from her blade, winking at Szayel. He grinned, "Stunning. Shall we go, then?"

"Oh, yeah," Apache mused, jumping up. Lilynette giggled and tailed after her like a puppy, practically skipping with the boundless excitement of anticipation. She was crazy like that.

Starrk's lips pressed into a thin line. A coyote let loose a fore-warned howl in the distance, making his gut twist. This wasn't going to end well, but still he followed them towards the cave. There was no use in turning back now.

He would have to brave the heart of the darkness, whether he liked it or not.

Next chapter preview: She worked at the wires briskly, her ears stinging with every gunshot that echoed from Mila's revolver in such a tight space. "Defuse it, Apache! Defuse it or this whole place will collapse!"