Author's note: Is anyone reading this story? Lack of reviews makes me sad. Two chapters with hardly any…
Starrk drew his calligraphy with intense concentration to detail.
Apparently, Aizen had once taught the optional course on calligraphy. That had interested Starrk and he'd decided to apply for it. When Aizen had taught it there had been a waiting list. Now, the class was half-full at best. Starrk wasn't too surprised. The poor fellow who'd taken it over had done so in hopes of becoming popular with the ladies, from what he could tell. He was quite good at calligraphy but not a great teacher and certainly didn't have the presence that Aizen had.
He's not bad looking but he really needs to work on that air of desperation he's got whenever a girl talks to him. Lilinette commented and Starrk grimaced. He was still no expert on wooing a woman but even he could see where the poor fellow was going wrong.
"I admit, if someone approached me like that I would find it off putting." He murmured. He'd gotten all kinds of propositions but all of them had been quite confident. Hollows never had an ego problem, in his experience. "Not that I can help him. My experience is still nil on the female front." He'd tried out a few of Kyoraku's lessons on some of the girls in his new classes and while they seemed to enjoy it, none of them took him seriously. Did they think he was joking, when he asked if they wanted to take a walk with him?
Probably. When are you going to see those two taichou again? Lilinette asked and Starrk smiled to himself at the thought. He was meeting with them regularly, now. Shunsui had given him some intense and private lessons on concealing his reiatsu and skulking about. Starrk could now reliably sneak out of the Academy and into their house without detection… well, except by the two people he desperately wanted to meet.
"Tonight." He'd acquired some toys in the Rukongai recently. If Shunsui and Juushiro were available they would have a very interesting night. If not, he would just deliver them before making an exit. Several times, he'd arrived to find that his lovers were hosting a party or had other guests. When that happened he simply left, as quietly as he'd come.
Why are you even trying to court the girls here when you've got these two guys on your string? Lilinette asked and Starrk paused for a moment. It was a good question. He did prefer the male gender and he'd discovered a great fondness for the two of them. They both reminded him a bit of himself, in different ways.
Shunsui pretended to be a lazy wastrel, most of the time. But the truth was, it was a mask. Behind it he was the powerful, intelligent man Starrk had faced on the battlefield. That reminded him of himself because he'd always been lazy, sleeping his days away and pretending he cared about nothing. That had been a mask too, because he couldn't let anyone know how the coming destruction of Karakura town troubled him. More than that, it had been a mask generated by Aizen's shikai. The masking of his true nature had left him feeling hollow, but he wasn't a true hollow. The dichotomy had helped created that strange, artificial mask in his mind. Now, he was wearing a mask again, but that mask was of Lupe, the young, somewhat innocent cadet. It seemed that he was doomed to always be something that was not quite true…
Juushiro reminded him of himself in a very different way. He was calm and sweet and peaceful. Starrk knew from Lilinette that he had a similar air of peace, and he knew he tended to be calm and sweet when he was not angered. That was what was very different about them… Ukitake seemed to be more sad than angry, when something terrible happened. Starrk's anger, on the other hand, was a dark and terrible thing. A few times he'd felt a naked desire to kill, but managed to throttle it. Surviving here meant not murdering his fellow cadets in a fit of pique.
But Lilinette's question was still unanswered. Starrk gave it a good bit of thought before he finally replied.
"Because I would like to belong here." He said softly and felt her sadness. "As wonderful as my lovers are, they will never acknowledge me. We will always be sneaking, finding dark little places and hidden times." Once, Shunsui had taken him in a broom closet. It had been hot and dirty and dangerous, and Starrk had loved every moment of it. But it also symbolized the problem he was facing. "Do I want to be a dirty little secret, Lilinette? Is this what I want with my life?" He asked her sadly and she was silent for a moment.
I don't know Starrk. But if you're going to date a girl, make sure you really like her. I don't want you hurting someone to try an' fit in. She warned and Starrk nodded. So far, he'd only approached a few women. His inclinations in that area went towards petite brunettes.
"I won't approach anyone I am not attracted to." He pledged to her and felt her satisfaction. Idly, he ran the rest of the girls in his class through his mind before finally deciding that none of them would do. "At least I'm in the accelerated program now." That was helpful. He'd left all of his old class behind and his new class was more interested in progressing swiftly than harassing the only openly male inclining student. He felt Lilinette's agreement.
It's better now. And at least you have friends, sort of! She said and he laughed. Shunsui and Juushiro were still astronomically above him, but they were his friends in a sense. Starrk smiled as he continued his calligraphy. Who would have thought the two men who had tried to kill him and very nearly managed it would become so important to him?
Finishing his work, Starrk checked the time before nodding. He tried to arrive just before they were going to bed. Typically, he left immediately after they finished. Once in a while, he stayed, but that was usually when classes were closed at the Academy. Most of the cadets went to visit their families on such occasions. No one had to know that Starrk was going somewhere quite different.
Slipping out he quickly concealed his reiatsu and began taking a randomized path designed to shake off any watchers. His reiatsu sensing was excellent – it always had been – and tonight he knew he had a tail. Frowning, Starrk considered what to do.
I'll help you Starrk. Call up your shikai. Blinking, Starrk pulled his sword and spoke his command. I can give you a bit more… you'll be speeded up now. Use it to vanish!
"Speeded up?" That was intriguing. Briefly, Starrk wondered what his bankai would be like. He was working on it every chance he got. Unfortunately, since it required manifesting Lilinette the chances were few and far between. He couldn't call her out in front of the other cadets. Concentrating very hard on concealing his reiatsu, he moved with incredible speed. The person following him thought he was concealing his reiatsu adequately, but he thought he was dealing with a cadet. Not the Primera Espada.
Hehehe! Starrk quirked an eyebrow at Lilinette and she explained as he continued to stalk. That's the problem everyone has with you. They think they're dealing with a cadet. Even if they know what you did, they don't know what you are… or who trained you.
"Oh yes." He breathed. She was absolutely right. Aizen, Tosen and Gin had trained him. He hadn't been motivated but Aizen had been able to concentrate him on his lessons. He was the Espada who had fought one of the most powerful taichou in the Gotei 13 and very nearly won. It had been close, at the end. It was no wonder that those facing him kept making fatal mistakes.
The man was taken entirely by surprise. A booted foot hit him in the back, knocking him to the ground and then Starrk had his gun pressed firmly against the man's neck. The stranger was wearing a black outfit that concealed his body and Starrk frowned slightly. He'd honestly thought one of his fellow cadets was getting clever. Now he was starting to wonder.
"Who are you?" No answer. "Why are you following me?" Also no answer. Starrk growled, pinning the man in place with a knee in his back before searching him roughly. There was nothing that screamed his identity but the amount of concealed weapons were a strong hint. "I honestly thought you were one of my fellow cadets, trying to ambush me. But you're not, are you?" Starrk asked and again, there was no answer. "You were set to spy on me." Briefly, he considered killing the man. But then he decided that would be far too hostile for a first contact. "Tell whoever sent you that I will not be so gentle a second time." He said before releasing the man and stepping back, his sword ready. The stranger climbed to his feet before regarding him for a moment, then bowing before shunpo'ing away. Starrk stayed alert and wary for a moment, but the man was definitely gone. Relaxing, he put his zanpakuto away and continued to his destination.
When he got there, Shunsui and Juushiro were sharing a cup of tea. Starrk paused for a moment, just watching them. He was honestly very glad now he hadn't managed to kill them. The Gotei 13 had such wonderful people in it. It made him wonder how Aizen could have betrayed them.
His mind doesn't work like yours. I don't think he even has friends. Lilinette commented and Starrk nodded. He was sure she was right. Then he stepped into the room and they both glanced over with smiles.
"Lupe! We were hoping you would come today. It's been a wonderful day and we got you something!" Shunsui said before leaving the table. Juushiro just smiled at him warmly and Starrk blinked as Shunsui rooted through the refridgerator. "Where did I – ah yes, here it is!" He pulled out a small waxed box and brought it over with a smile. "A small treat from your favorite bakery."
"You shouldn't have." Starrk said, touched, as he took the little confection. Until he'd become their lover, he hadn't really experienced much in the way of sweets. No one had bothered with them in Los Noches and there were very few treats at the academy. Opening the box, he smiled. It was a pistachio macaron, his favorite. "Thank you."
"Have some tea, they go perfectly with tea." Shunsui invited and Starrk smiled as he dropped the bag he'd brought before taking a seat at the table. It made a suspicious clunking sound that caught Kyoraku's attention. "Whatever is that?"
"Some toys." He said easily and Shunsui's eyes lit up. It surprised him a little, sometimes, that the two taichou hadn't explored very many things. But then, the Seireitei seemed strangely repressed and visiting sex shops in the Rukongai was probably not the sort of thing taichou did. Whatever the reason behind it, Starrk knew he was introducing them to new and exotic experiences. "You remember that time you tied me up? This is the more elaborate version." They'd experimented with bondage and come to the conclusion that they liked it, so he was sure they would like this. Juushiro was blushing but Shunsui was delighted.
"Oh, don't tell me! Let me see if I can guess what they're for." He said before picking up the bag and rifling through it. Starrk watched with a smile as he slowly ate his macaron, enjoying the beautiful flavor. It did go very well with the green tea. "Well, this is obvious…" That was the blindfold. It was a nice one, resembling a sleep mask. "So are these…" Those were the leather handcuffs. They were lined with fur and had a chain that could be shortened or lengthened, depending on the needs of the moment. "Oooh, Lupe, how kinky!" That was the ball gag. Starrk smiled as Juushiro looked quite embarrassed but also interested. "Whatever is this?" Kyoraku had pulled the largest thing out of the bag and was regarding it with puzzlement. "Hmm… there's another one? Bars with cuffs on the end… oh, this is interesting. I see what they do but what are they called?"
"Spreader bars. I thought we might use one tonight." Starrk said easily. He had a position in mind for himself if the two of them found it interesting.
"On yourself, I would assume?" Shunsui said and Starrk nodded. Then the taichou smiled charmingly. "You're so good to us! Although I think I might like to see Juushiro in this someday… what a beautiful sight that would be…"
"Shunsui!" Juushiro finally laughed, shaking his head. "Maybe someday." He said with a smile and Starrk also smiled. He was tempted to suggest that Shunsui could try them, too, but he knew better. Shunsui had problems with being penetrated, but that wasn't the only thing that bothered him. He'd actually attempted to let them tie him up but they'd been forced to cut the ropes when Shunsui had almost hyperventilated. Starrk really didn't want to know what past experience had caused that reaction. Juushiro had gently scolded Shunsui afterwards for not knowing his own limits, as they had comforted him.
"What in kami's name is this?" Shunsui was looking at one of the smaller pieces and Starrk finished the last of his cookie, blushing lightly. He honestly wasn't sure they would ever use that. He considered it a bit advanced. But it was small and cheap so he'd gotten it anyway.
"That's a cock ring. It's used to deny a man his orgasm." He explained as Kyoraku looked slightly taken aback. "It's rather useful in certain kinds of bondage play, but keeping it on too long can cause damage." Then he grinned. "And there is nothing worse than going to a healer with a naughty ouchie. Believe me, I know." That had been, without a doubt, one of the most embarrassing moments of his life. It hadn't involved a cock ring though. It had been much worse than that.
"I would never be able to show my face in the Fourth again! Let's save that for some other time." Shunsui said firmly, dropping it back into the bag. Starrk nodded. If he was going to be the one tied up, he didn't want them playing with the cock ring. He was the one who really knew how to use it. Going to the medics at the Academy for a naughty ouchie… he honestly had no idea how he would explain something like that. "You know, this is all very interesting… do you think we could get started?" He was clearly very eager to play. Starrk finished his tea before standing.
"Certainly." He couldn't wait to show them the position he had in mind for himself. And he thought that Shunsui would have a great deal of fun putting on the cuffs and bars. Juushiro less so, but he would definitely enjoy the final effect. Soon Kyoraku was enjoying putting on the cuffs and other toys and before long, he was ready.
"My kami that is sexy." That voice behind him made Starrk smile. Juushiro did sound rather awed.
"Isn't it? Lupe, you always have the best ideas." Shunsui's voice was warm and approving and Starrk blushed lightly. He couldn't see either of them. He was wearing the blindfold and the rest of the bondage gear was in place. He was kneeling on the bed, the spreader bar holding his knees out while his hands were cuffed tightly behind his back. "I see now why you didn't want the gag." Starrk gasped as a warm hand slid over his ass, pausing to slide over his genitals. He was already aroused just by the act of being put into the bondage gear and that hand found his length, teasing him slowly. "Juu, do you want to?"
"Yes, definitely." The bed moved as weight was added to it and Starrk made a small whining sound of need as his hair was gripped. This his face was guided down, letting him take in the treat waiting between those thighs. Starrk began to suck, taking his time as warm fingers opened him, spreading lube and making sure he was ready for penetration. His shinigami lovers were always so careful with that. He honestly appreciated it. There was no limping home, raw and nearly bleeding…
Warm breath against his entrance surprised him, particularly when it was followed by a warm, wet tongue, working on that puckered opening. Starrk moaned softly, letting the vibrations tease the person in front of him. He was relatively sure that was Juushiro, although he couldn't be entirely certain.
"Oh kami Starrk." Yes, definitely Juushiro. Starrk played with that length, wrapping his tongue around the throbbing erection. "You are so beautiful." That hand was stroking his hair now, running through the heavy strands. Starrk loved the gesture, feeling that flutter in his chest again. Was this love, what he was feeling?
Then Shunsui's cock began to slowly go inside him and Starrk groaned at the feeling. The familiar burn was quickly overwhelmed by pleasure, as that thick organ began to please him. How good it felt, pressing so firmly against his prostate. And by now, Shunsui was a master at finding it. Starrk felt hyper aware of his body, in the complete darkness imposed by the blindfold, and he felt it as a few pearly drops of precum leaked form his aching member. He whimpered beseechingly and tried to press his hips back, begging Shunsui mutely for more. But the shinigami was taking his time, fully seating himself in the warm body beneath him before chuckling in his ear.
"So impatient…" He murmured before rocking against him, making him groan. If his mouth hadn't been occupied Starrk would have called him a tease. Then Shunsui took pity on him, drawing back out before hammering back in. The hard, passionate thrust made Starrk jerk in pleasure, his body catching fire at the contact. His erection was begging for contact, but there was nothing Starrk could do about it. He was helpless with his hands cuffed so firmly behind his back.
Bringing his attention back to Juushiro, Starrk concentrated on taking that hot piece of meat deep in his throat. He felt it as his nose nudged black curls. It was curious, but his eyebrows were not the only thing that had maintained Juushiro's original hair color. The sound Juushiro made… Starrk's toes curled in reaction, a shot of fire going to his groin at the sound. That jolt of desire joined another jolt, as Shunsui found his prostate again. Starrk hummed, deep in his throat, wondering how long they could keep this up. The stimulation was already overwhelming.
The answer was quite a while. He was whimpering almost continuously, his body covered in sweat as Shunsui's cock pummeled his insides ruthlessly. Juushiro was writhing under his mouth, whispering endearments as he gripped brown curls, guiding Starrk to just the right places. Starrk shuddered as a hand reached under him, gripping his cock and fisting him in time with the strokes inside. He was almost there. Just a little bit more…
That bit more came as Shunsui dug his thumb into the tip of his aching member, just as the cock inside him hit him hard. Starrk came with a muffled scream as the intense pleasure rolled over him. There was a gasped warning and he was ready as Juushiro followed, swallowing the cum as he felt the cock in his throat pulse, felt the pleasure he was giving to the white haired man. Shunsui was the last… he came with a guttural groan and Starrk deeply enjoyed the feel of it, the way the hot cum coated his insides. Perhaps it was a strange thing to savor, but he did. It seemed like it was proof to him of something…
They were all left panting and breathless from the force of their orgasms, but far from exhausted. No, there was more. Starrk knew that for certain. He slowly freed his face from Juushiro's softening cock, panting as he let go of that flesh. Gentle hands touched his cheeks but didn't remove the blindfold.
"A few minutes to rejuvenate, then we switch places. I can't wait to feel your talented throat on me." Shunsui said in his ear, his voice warm with promises. Starrk shuddered in desire but…
"If we're going to switch places you need to wash your cock." He said firmly and smiled to himself at the choking sound in front of him. "We all know where it's been and that place is not clean." Not something arrancar had to worry about. Starrk suddenly wondered. If he'd been shinigami all this time, he must have been going to the bathroom but he honestly couldn't recall it. How…?
Don't ask questions like that, Starrk. You really don't want to answers. Lilinette advised and he promptly shoved the thought into a deep, dark box. If she said he didn't want to know then he really, really didn't want to know. There was a laugh behind him and Starrk smiled as a warm hand gripped his face, lips kissed his cheek as a rough beard rubbed against his skin.
"Oh Lupe, you are adorable. And you're right. I'll go freshen up while the two of you play, hmm?" Shunsui said and Starrk nodded with a smile. He felt the bed move as Shunsui left and then a warm hand gripped his chin, pulling him into another warm, loving kiss.
There was a lot of the night to go, but he knew one thing about it. It was going to be wonderful.
"This is beyond annoying!" Starrk spat as he felt Lilinette's sad agreement.
Why can't we catch this guy? Gutting him would be so much fun. She said wistfully and Starrk growled his agreement. There would be no mercy this time, if he finally managed to corner his third spy.
The first had been followed by a second, more skillful than the first. Starrk had flushed him out and beaten him up a bit, with a warning that he was going by the 'three strikes, you're out' rule. So whoever was sending them had clearly upped the ante.
The third man they'd sent was like a frustrating ghost. Starrk knew he was there. He guessed that ninety percent of the shinigami population would be oblivious, but his reiatsu sensing really was phenomenal. He kept catching flickers, little hints that there was something back there. Once or twice he'd even managed to get a good look, but each time it eeled away like a cloud of smoke. The result was a truly frustrating game of cat and mouse. It had been going on for an entire half-hour, to his intense disgust.
The one consolation he had was that the spy wasn't succeeding in his mission, either. If his goal had been to find out what Starrk did on his evenings out, the man was failing miserably. Instead they were wandering through the Rukongai as Starrk tried everything in his power to shake the man or flush him out. It was beyond annoying!
"…I give the fuck up." Starrk finally snarled. It was absolutely hopeless. He couldn't get rid of this watcher and the man just wasn't giving up. He completely abandoned stealth and flared his reiatsu in a scream of blue power. It headed towards the heavens in a manner reminiscent of Kenpachi Zaraki when he removed his eyepatch, but with less damage to the surroundings. Then he stalked off, openly, letting his irritated reiatsu flow around him like a cloak. The few people on the streets at this hour instantly got out of his way. Launching into shunpo he went right back to the Academy. Pausing at the gates, he gave one last angry flare before stalking inside.
He knew he was acting like a brat, but he absolutely didn't care.
Soi Fon frowned as she listened to the report of one of her top men.
The first man she'd sent to spy on the young cadet had mostly been out of idle curiosity. After his feat in the Rukongai, Lupe was bound to be a person of interest for the future. That meant it was time to begin a dossier on him. That was routine with anyone who clearly had taichou class potential. Hitsugaya had had a file while he was still in the Academy, for very similar reasons.
Of course, Hitsugaya's file had only included his favorite restaurants and the names of his friends. It hadn't held the ugly details that Lupe's did, the fights and attempted ambushes. Perhaps it was no surprise that the young cadet had become paranoid and caught her first man. So she'd sent a second, higher member of her forces. He'd come back with a black eye, a split lip and a good assortment of bruises along with a threatening message. Soi Fon had taken that message seriously, so she'd finally dispatched one of her top agents.
He hadn't been caught by the recruit, which did not surprise her. It did surprise her to find that he'd been detected and essentially failed on his mission. It wasn't a terrible failure – that would have been getting caught – but he was clearly mortified by his lapse. Her lips quirked upwards as her officer described how the young man had finally lost his patience and stalked off in a huff. It reminded her that for all of his power, he was still little more than a child.
"This cadet is remarkable. It is a shame we cannot bring him into the Onmitsukido." She murmured to her officer. He nodded, his head still down. "You did well not to be caught. Please return to your duties." She said in dismissal and he nodded again before vanishing in a burst of shunpo. Sighing, she wished she could recruit the man for the Second. Alas, such a public reputation was not good for someone in her unit. And as proficient as the man was at hiding his reiatsu, he couldn't shield it all the time. The instructors at the academy reported that he shone like a sun, when he was relaxing himself. The essence of the Onmitsukido was to be underestimated and disregarded. No one could ever disregard Lupe Ruiz y Mendoza.
Still, what was the recruit protecting so assiduously? Soi Fon considered it before coming to a decision. She would find out herself. However good Lupe thought he was, however good he actually was, he would not be able to detect the head of the Onmitsukido, the taichou of the Second. If he did, she would give him her haori on the spot.
He would have earned it.
Fortunately, the loss of her haori did not come to pass.
Using all of her skill and subtlety, Soi Fon shadowed the cadet. He did not sense her, although he still took a winding, circuitous path clearly designed to throw off any watchers. It made her wonder again. Paranoia was certainly called for, in his position, but what was he hiding? What did he not want people to know?
Then he reached a certain house and she knew exactly what he was hiding.
"Those two fools. What do they think they are doing?" She sighed, resting her forehead in her hands. Shunsui and Juushiro didn't know it, but she was very well aware of their inclinations and activities. So was Soutacihou Yamamoto and for centuries, the Onmitsukido had been quietly covering for his beloved students. Not that they needed a great deal of covering for. They were usually very prudent… until now. What was possessing them to have an affair with an openly homosexual recruit?
Although, given how subtle the young man clearly was, perhaps their decision was not as addled as it seemed. Soi Fon considered the likelihood that anyone else would stumble over them and rated it extremely low. It had taken her own skill to penetrate Lupe's ruses. But still, the young recruit was a marked man. Sooner or later he would suffer, and suffer cruelly. Shunsui and Juushiro had to know that. Why…?
Shaking her head, she departed swiftly. This really wasn't her business. She would add it to their files. Shunsui's and Juushiro's dossiers were already in the blackest part of the Onmitsukido's records, and Lupe's would join them. Only her top officers, the men and women she trusted implicitly, would have access to this information. Yamamoto would be informed at their next private briefing. If something needed to be done, he would decide. Although judging from his prior actions, he would do nothing but order her to keep taking care of Shunsui and Juushiro. The young cadet would mean nothing to him.
Ultimately, Lupe was on his own.