Author's Note: Next chapter I'm moving to Starrk's graduation and his life as a real shinigami. :) Hehe!

"Pop quiz!" Shunsui announced, stark naked and lying in bed. Starrk lifted his head from his pillow, his eyes wide. Hadn't he left the Academy today? He was rather sure they didn't announce quizzes in bed… "What is the most intriguing sexual fact you know? Go!" He pointed right at him and Starrk's mouth dropped open.

"Err… I know plenty of intriguing sexual facts." He said after a moment and Shunsui grinned. "Perhaps I should go last?" He would likely be able to easily put them both in the shade. Shunsui laughed and turned his attention to Juushiro, who gave him a very naughty smile.

"Did you know that when Lupe licks you in the hollow of your back you scrunch up your face in the most adorable way?" He said and Shunsui actually blushed as Starrk laughed.

"Ah, you need to lick him for me now. I can't wait to see it!" He said merrily as Shunsui growled at them both, giving them a look that promised a very interesting punishment. Then he suddenly smiled.

"Ah, Juu! And did you know that you get the most adorable look when he licks your toes?" He said in a warm, insinuating tone and it was Juushiro's turn to blush. "I would like to see that again… perhaps tonight, eh?" He said and Starrk smiled. There was really no reason they couldn't do it again tonight. Classes were closed tomorrow for a holiday and he was going to spend the night. Tomorrow, he would have to leave. Shunsui and Juushiro were both going to spend the day with Juushiro's family and while they were quite friendly, inviting him would still be quite odd. "Now, what's yours?" Starrk hesitated. He had many good ones but most were rather off putting. There was one very innocent one but…

"You know how I think I might have been a hollow?" He said cautiously and Kyoraku's smile suddenly faded as Juushiro frowned a little. He almost regretted mentioning it but he forged on. "Part of the reason I think so is because I remember the strangest things… like, did you know that if you lose a strawberry up a hollow's arse it will completely vanish in a few minutes?" He said and they both stared at him, trying to absorb the information. "Utterly gone! And hollows don't make waste so we were actually searching for the damned thing. I swear I lost it and then it was gone." It had been an odd ending to the night. Juushiro choked a little as Shunsui laughed.

"Oh kami! …Tell me, Lupe, what in hell were you doing shoving strawberries up another hollow's arse?" He said with mock severity and Starrk pretended to think about it. He actually remembered the incident perfectly.

"Oh… yes. It was a costume. I was supposed to be the god of wine, but we didn't have any grapes. So I became the god of strawberries." He said sincerely and that triggered more laughter. Juushiro joined in this time, smiling. "Then we managed to find some tea cakes and I became the god of strawberry shortcakes – "

"Oh kami, stop!" Shunsui wheezed as Juushiro coughed a little. But instead of tapering off, the coughing increased and Starrk stared as blood started to drip between his fingers. Shunsui quickly had an arm around him, supporting the stricken man. "Juushiro?" He gently rubbed his loves' back as he struggled to regain his breath.

"Sorry… all the stupid things… to trigger an attack…" He wheezed out, but the coughing just wasn't dying down. Starrk bit his lip, suddenly feeling guilty. That innocent laughter could start such a thing…

"Oh kami… Lupe, I hate to do this to you but can you go? You can't come with us to the Fourth." Shunsui said softly and Starrk nodded, his heart twisting. His night with them had suddenly vanished but that was unimportant compared to Juushiro's health. And what bothered him was what Shunsui had anticipated… that he couldn't be beside Juushiro's side.

"Of course." He murmured before adding. "I'm sorry." That was stupid and he knew it. Sure enough, Juushiro gave him a weak smile.

"Don't… be. Rather die… than give up laughing…" He rasped out before coughing again. Starrk quickly dressed as Shunsui helped Juushiro into a sleeping robe, then donned his own. He left through the back as they departed from the front.

It hurt, but there was nothing he could do to help them with this.

The next couple weeks were very hard on him, but Starrk suffered through it silently.

In a way, the difficulties he was having made him feel selfish. How could he be thinking of himself at a time like this? But he couldn't help the ache inside, the way he missed the two men who shared his nights. It was more than just the sex. It was the conversations they had, the quiet games they played before they moved on to the bedroom. He was missing them. And the reason they were gone was a deep pain in his heart.

After a while he heard that Juushiro was recuperating on his family estates. The white haired taichou was very popular and one of his admirers mentioned it. Starrk wanted to pump the girl for every detail but held back. He didn't want to betray too much interest. He considered making a trip to the Ukitake families' estates but kept putting it off. It wasn't wise. He needed to stay away. It was what they wanted.

But finally the strain became too much. He simply had to see how Juushiro was doing. Putting his abilities to the test, he set himself to scout out Juushiro's family estates. He approached it like he would have a very important mission, when he'd been an Espada. He moved carefully and cautiously, making sure he was overlooking nothing.

It was, perhaps, overkill. There were no watchers on the Ugendo. There were a few guards but they were clearly largely ceremonial, meant to keep away thieves. They were not meant to repel a serious invader. There were some kido wards but again, they were geared towards normal intruders. None of that could keep him out and Starrk slipped inside as easily as breathing.

What he found there made him smile. Juushiro was sitting at the edge of a very beautiful pond, feeding the carp with a smile. He was wearing a white and blue yukata and his hair slid down it like a cloud of moonlight. For a moment, Starrk was dazzled by the image he presented.

Shunsui was there too, napping in the light of the dying sun. His straw hat was over his face and he looked wonderfully comfortable, using his kimono as a blanket. They just seemed so right together and for a moment, Starrk hesitated. What if they told him to go away? What if they took him to task for even coming? A tight knot twisted under his heart at the thought. Then he shook it aside. If he was going to be rejected, he was going to be rejected. Standing there dithering like an idiot would not help. Carefully checking the house he nodded. There was no one close. Then he gently touched the two taichou with his reiatsu and Juushiro looked up, surprised, as Shunsui's soft snores stuttered.

"Lupe?" Juushiro said softly as Shunsui pushed his hat aside with a frown. Starrk stepped out of the trees. He'd hidden himself quite well. He quickly walked over, a small box in hand. It was a gift and he knew it was one that would be appreciated.

"You shouldn't be here." Shunsui's tone was flat and Starrk flinched slightly before meeting his eyes. They were wary and assessing, somehow reminding him of the last time they had fought. Then Juushiro set a hand on Shunsui's arm and his lover glanced at him, breaking the contact.

"Shunsui. I'm sure he's being careful." Juushiro said, a gentle admonishment. Shunsui's lips tightened before he shook his head, a silent disagreement. "And it must have been difficult for him, not knowing what's been happening. Lupe, would you like to take a seat?" Starrk met warm brown eyes and nodded, moving to sit down by Juushiro's other side. Shunsui sighed but did not protest further.

"I got these for you." He said softly before offering Juushiro the box. He took it, a touch surprised and opened it before smiling in pleasure.

"Ohagi! Thank you." Juushiro said, looking at the box. "And what are these?" Accompanying the traditional Japanese sweets were some things that were most definitely not Japanese in nature. Starrk blushed slightly before glancing at Shunsui. He was still looking at him with that thoughtful look. It worried him.

"Chocolate covered marzipan. I got them for you." He said softly. He knew Shunsui liked those particular treats. His expression became surprised for a brief moment before grey eyes softened. Shunsui smiled at him and Starrk felt the knot in his chest loosen. "I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have come but… it's been so long…" He looked down for a moment, then up again as Juushiro touched his arm.

"Don't worry about it. What do you think of the gardens?" He asked and Starrk glanced around. He had very limited experience with gardens, but some of the trees looked a bit odd to him. The pond, though, was absolutely beautiful. He especially loved the fish in it.

"It's gorgeous. Those koi fish… they are so large. I've never seen anything like them." He said and Shunsui suddenly laughed. "Huh?" Starrk looked over, surprised and saw that Juushiro was smiling.

"The fish were a gift from Yachiru, stolen from the Kuchiki manor." He explained as Shunsui smiled. "Bya-kun has no idea what's going on. I haven't had the heart to tell him… and I don't want to give them back." He admitted with a slight blush and Starrk couldn't help but smile. "What do you think of the trees?" Juushiro sounded a bit wistful. "I trim them myself, although I know I don't really have the talent for it." He admitted and Starrk glanced around at the trees again.

"They're a bit odd, but they suit the place." Knowing Juushiro had done it himself made it nicer, somehow. "I – oh. Someone is coming." And it was someone with a bit of reiatsu sensing as well. A very minor power, a person who would never be a shinigami, but not one of the servants. Not that he would have wanted a servant to see him either. They talked, everyone did. "I should be going. When will you be coming home?" He let all his wistful longing enter his voice. Juushiro blushed as Shunsui's smile deepened.

"Perhaps another week." Juushiro said softly and Starrk nodded. "Thank you, Lupe."

"It was nothing." He said before vanishing into the trees. A few moments later the door to the gardens opened and a woman stepped out. Juushiro's sister, Starrk assumed. He could see the family resemblance, if he tried. She was carrying a small plate with little red shapes.

"Brother? I made you some ohagi… oh. You already have some?" She stopped in confusion as she saw the little box. "And… are those chocolates?" Starrk couldn't help but smile at the surprise in her voice. Juushiro laughed and offered her one. She accepted it with a smile.

"Yes, I thought you would like those." Shunsui said easily, covering the minor lapse. "And we can always use more ohagi, eh? Thank you Jennu." He took the plate as she settled down beside them. Starrk smiled slightly. That was sweet.

He couldn't be part of it though. Ignoring the slight pain in his heart at the thought, Starrk departed the garden.

All he could do for his two lovers was be discreet.

Some time later.

"…We really should break it off." Shunsui said in a low tone and Juushiro flinched. He knew, by all logic, that Shunsui was right. Lupe would only cause them trouble. And yet…

"I don't want to. Do you?" He asked and Shunsui looked away. It was more than enough of an answer. "I… care for him." Lupe was simply adorable. That sweet smile of his, the warmth in his grey eyes… but it was more than that. His personality was simply charming. He knew so many interesting things and could always make them laugh. He was a clever young man with interesting thoughts, competent and caring. Despite the way they were trying to keep him at arm's length, he was slipping into their hearts. Shunsui looked at him and Juushiro met troubled grey eyes.

"I care for him too. That's why we should break it off, before it becomes more." He said softly and Juushiro bit his lip.

"Isn't it already?" He asked quietly and Shunsui closed his eyes. "Remember what you told me. We should enjoy him while he's here. Why cause ourselves pain before we must?" Yes, it would hurt to lose him. But pushing him away now would hurt just as much and then Lupe would be truly alone. Apparently, he'd had no luck in attracting any women and even less luck at making friends. They were really all the young man had. Juushiro had hopes for that though. He'd already spoken to Rukia about the young man and she'd agreed to take Lupe under her wing. Hopefully he could make some female friends, particularly among the younger set. They were less likely to be disgusted by his differences. "And he's different than the others. Stronger, wiser." Lupe was so wary, so careful.

"No one is perfect, Juushiro. And that's no way to live." Shunsui said in a low tone and Juushiro nodded sadly. "But I suppose you're right. I don't think I could let go even if I wanted to." He sighed before smiling. It was a crooked, unhappy smile. "You know, I was thinking. Perhaps I'll give him a ticket to the ball. Wouldn't it be nice to have him there?" He said and Juushiro choked a little.

"You go from talking about giving him up to that?!" It seemed absolutely schizophrenic. The ball was a very large, noble event that Kyoraku was bound to attend. His family was trying, with a notable lack of success, to marry him off. Shunsui had actually been betrothed three times and managed to weasel out of it each time. Twice by so offending the prospective bride that her family cut it off, and the third by pure chance. The poor girl had died in an accident only a week before the wedding. Tragic but also fortuitous for them. "Why would you want to?" As the second son and current heir to a very powerful noble clan, Shunsui had a few extra tickets he could give out. It was acceptable to give them to non-nobles, if they were notable in some way. Lupe certainly qualified but it was still a very odd decision. Shunsui sighed.

"My family is thinking of betrothing me again. You know I can't just refuse. So I was thinking I would take Lupe and introduce him to anyone my family particularly likes. Perhaps he can take the heat off me, eh?" He said lightly and Juushiro thought it was mildly insane. "And even if he doesn't perhaps the young ladies' families will decide I'm not worth the trouble again. Remember that one year where I wore that beautiful yellow – "

"I think this is a better idea than that was." Juushiro said hastily. The outfit Shunsui had worn had been the talk of the whole Seireitei, but not in a good way. It was actually fortunate he had a reputation as a womanizer or someone would surely have questioned his sexuality by now. As it was, they just thought he was desperate to maintain his freedom to prong as many ladies as he liked. "Perhaps you could lend him some clothes. I doubt he has anything appropriate." The yukata Lupe often wore to their house were nice, but not fancy enough for a noble ball. Juushiro doubted he had anything finer, though. Why would he? Shunsui nodded thoughtfully.

"You're right. I could even have something fitted to him, there's plenty of time. He should be graduating soon, shouldn't he?" Shunsui mused and Juushiro nodded. Lupe had been pushed up a level already. His skills were phenomenal and his book learning was progressing rapidly since the problems with his math skills had been ironed out.

"Early next year. He'll still be a cadet at the ball but given what he did, that shouldn't be a problem." Fame faded quickly but it only took a small reminder for people to remember the valiant young cadet. It wasn't every day that a recruit defeated an arrancar and saved a taichou. Shunsui's story for the Seireitei Communications had been quite popular, too. "You really want to do this?" Juushiro asked wonderingly. It did seem like Shunsui was going from one extreme to another. His lover shrugged.

"Why not? And then you don't need to come." He said and Juushiro winced. As a single man he got an invitation and he usually attended for Shunsui's sake, but he honestly hated it. He was not an eligible bachelor, with his disease. The other noble families might have overlooked that if he were a high noble like Shunsui, but he wasn't. Juushiro was honestly thankful for that but it left him acting as a wallflower while Shunsui was forced to dance. "I won't mind Juu. I know it's tedious for you."

"Tedious is nothing compared to how it is for you." Juushiro said softly as Shunsui shook his head with a smile.

"But Juu, I love dancing!" He said lightly but Juushiro wasn't fooled. Yes, Shunsui loved dancing. He didn't love it nearly as much when he knew he was being pushed and measured, forced into a mold he absolutely did not want. "Don't worry, Lupe can keep me company and cut in when I've had enough. Just a bit of coaching and he'll be perfect. And how irritated some people will be when they realize who he is!" Shunsui sounded very cheerful about it and Juushiro couldn't help but smile.

"Just don't make him any enemies. He has enough already." He cautioned. That was a remote fear, though. Everyone would know who was really to blame. "Ah, it's up to you. Just remember to get him some clothes." If Shunsui forgot that, Lupe would be terribly underdressed. That would just be awkward for him.

"Of course! Now, would you like to play some go?" Shunsui asked and Juushiro smiled. Soon they were enjoying some tea as they played. To his vague disappointment, Lupe did not appear. But they were home a bit early. He would probably make an appearance in a couple days.

Juushiro honestly couldn't wait to see him again.

"How do I look?"

Really good. Like, seriously good. Lilinette said and Starrk smiled, running a hand over his formal kimono. Well, Shunsui's originally. But his kind lover had had it fitted to him, so it was his now. They were similar in size but Starrk was a bit slimmer, with a slightly lighter build. He was also just a touch taller but that was almost unnoticeable.

The kimono and hakama he was wearing were a very formal black. He had a matching haori with delicate, silver embroidery. The fabrics were all much richer than he could ever have afforded, even second hand. Starrk ran a hand over the haori, smiling slightly. It felt wonderful under his palm.

The one thing he wore that really reflected himself, though, was his necklace. He'd recently found it in the Rukongai. It was the claw of a wolf, strung on a leather thong. It hardly matched the rest of his clothes but Starrk didn't care. This one thing was for him. It reflected him completely.

Actually, I think it does look good with your kimono. It takes all that formality and gives it a sort of barbarian chic. I bet the girls will think so too. Lilinette commented and Starrk arched an eyebrow at the thought before hesitating. Did he even want to attempt to court a woman anymore? He quickly decided he didn't. He was too lost on his current bed partners. He would feel like he was leading her on. I'm so glad you just decided that. I didn't want to say it but I think you're falling in love.

"Love… is this foolish, Lilinette?" He said softly. He'd never come close to falling in love in Los Noches, not once. But could he have, if Aizen's shikai had not been distorting his thoughts? Starrk thought it was possible. The shikai had convinced him he was a hollow and incapable of such things. There was a brief pause from his zanpakuto.

Love is usually foolish, Lupe. She said softly and Starrk blinked at the use of his false name. It suddenly seemed very meaningful to him and he smiled. Perhaps he should start thinking of himself that way. He was Lupe…

Shaking aside the whimsy he left the Academy. This was a day off, largely due to the ball. It was the inaugural ball of the season and many of the students and some teachers were required to attend, so the academy had made the best of a bad thing and simply given them all the day off. It was better than dealing with half-empty classes. Everyone else appreciated the rest.

He went directly to the ball, presenting his scroll to the gatekeeper. The man examined it minutely, clearly checking to make sure the seal of the Kyoraku clan was authentic. Lupe wasn't too surprised. No doubt party crashers could be a problem. Soon he was admitted and he glanced around, admiring the room.

"Gorgeous." He whispered, gazing around. The room was vast and seemed like a strange hybridization of the height of European and Japanese culture. But then, debutante balls were likely not a Japanese custom. No doubt Soul Society had stolen the idea, since it was very useful for any culture with a hereditary nobility. Leaving that thought aside Starrk just examined the room for a moment. There was marble everywhere. A soft white lined with grey and filled with delicate crystals, it was both gorgeous and expensive. Delicate columns of it held up the ceiling and were hung with delicate, Japanese style paper lanterns. The walls were decorated with murals that were most certainly done in the Japanese style, gorgeous, beautiful landscapes. Above, the ceiling was embossed with the symbols of all the greatest clans and gilded heavily. Starrk didn't even want to think about how much that would have cost. There was also a large dance floor, tiled with exotic hardwoods in a geometric pattern –

"Lupe!" That voice made him smile. Shunsui was slipping easily through the crowd, murmuring pleasantries to a few people as he did. Then his smile faded as he noticed the slight flush, the minute dilation of his lover's pupils. Shunsui had already been drinking and it was very early. While he drank all the time, the effects were usually unnoticeable. This time he'd been indulging more heavily and it was showing, just a bit. "I'm so glad you could make it! Here, have a cocktail, they're delicious." Shunsui pressed a glass on him with a smile and Starrk was honestly intrigued. The thing was three colors, red, yellow and green. It also had…

"My god. Is that a piece of ice frozen into the shape of a monkey?" Starrk regarded the drink with some alarm as Shunsui laughed. "And it has a paper umbrella… with cherries stuck on. How many brain cells will this kill?" He was about to take a sip before he noticed the coup de gras. "And did someone use sugar and egg white to etch an elephant on the side of the glass?" He knew that trick from a party Gin had thrown. It had been rather a lot of fun but he considered that sort of thing, on a glass, to be a warning about the contents. Shunsui blinked at him before looking at the glass curiously.

"Is that how they do that? I've always wondered. Lupe, you know the most amazing things!" Shunsui marveled as he lifted up his glass. Stark noticed that his was etched with a leaping dolphin. "As for your brain cells, oh, I don't know. A few million?" He said cheerfully and Starrk winced. "I'm sure you have more to spare than me! Drink up!" Starrk considered refusing but then considered the likelihood that Shunsui would just finish both their drinks. Deciding that it was an absolute certainty, he took a sip of his drink. It was alarmingly delicious.

Say goodbye to those millions of brain cells, for sure. If that didn't kill 'em the rest of this night will. Lilinette sounded highly entertained. Shunsui spoke softly, then, catching his attention. Slightly drunk or not, the taichou was still fully in control of himself.

"You remember our plan?" He asked and Starrk nodded. Tonight, he was going to be Shunsui's faithful wingman. Although in quite a different way from the usual. Normally, a wingman helped his partner find a receptive lady. His job was to rescue Shunsui from eligible, interested noblewomen. He was quite sure he could handle it, after Shunsui's coaching. The key was confidence and he certainly knew how to be that!

It worked perfectly. Starrk deeply enjoyed himself, cutting in whenever a partner was getting a touch too interested in Shunsui. That happened quite a lot… he would have been surprised but Shunsui had explained his position. As a taichou and the current heir to the Kyoraku clan – his older brother was dead – he would be a great catch to any woman. All the young ladies on the make were bound to send glances his way and if any got the idea that he was interested he might end up betrothed again. He needed to be social but not too social. It was a delicate balance.

Starrk helped him maintain it and had a great time dancing. He was very good at dancing… he'd only had a few lessons but he was naturally agile and had a great sense of timing. A few of the young women seemed interested but Starrk didn't delude himself. The girls here were nobles, often quite high ones. They might like him but their parents wouldn't.

The only thing he didn't like about the evening was the alcohol Shunsui kept pressing on him. Starrk tried to stretch it out, but it was hard. He had nothing even close to Shunsui's bottomless capacity. By the time they were done, he was feeling entirely too good.

"Damn you. I can't afford to be drunk." Starrk growled to his partner, but without too much heat. Poor Shunsui… he wasn't showing it much but Starrk knew him very well by now. He was as tense as a wound up spring. But Starrk knew his own situation wasn't great. Plenty of the students who had harassed him were present at this event. Fortunately they mostly hadn't seemed to recognize him in his finery, associating so closely with a taichou. But he couldn't count on that and he was in no condition to handle an ambush.

"Oh Lupe, don't worry. You can come home with me." Shunsui said and Starrk almost stumbled. He'd assumed they were going back to the academy, although he'd be in danger as soon as they parted. There would be plenty of young noble students heading to their rooms and they would likely be drunk. Perfect circumstances for trouble to happen. "I'm just keeping my faithful wingman out of trouble. Completely normal, eh?" Starrk looked into Shunsui's face and realized he wasn't just a little drunk now. He was extremely drunk. So drunk that he was moving very carefully, with a slow deliberateness. Starrk wasn't even sure Shunsui could defend himself at the moment.

"…I think you might need me to keep you out of trouble. A taichou getting robbed and murdered in an alleyway while he's dead drunk… it would be such an ignoble way to go." He commented as he put an arm around Shunsui's waist. His friend and lover looked wounded but then stumbled, almost going down. That arm around him was all that saved him. "Very well, I'll go home with you." Surely Shunsui's public drunkenness would be explanation enough. Starrk hoped so, at least. He thought they were skirting a fine line now but he'd been left with little choice.

Going home alone wasn't safe for either of them.