"Ha!" Starrk grinned as he slashed through another hollow, causing it to vanish into black dust.

You've already tripled your quota and it's only been two days. You might want to slow down. Lilinette advised and Starrk shook his head. He was frankly enjoying himself. Yeah, I know you are. But I still think this is going to bite you in the ass somehow.

"Perhaps." She actually had a relatively good point and he knew it. He could think of a few ways, offhand, that this could cause him trouble. The big one was, of course, the nature of the bait he was using to bring hollows in. He would never have dared do it in Soul Society. Here in Karakura town there were fewer prying senses to detect his baffling reiatsu transformation.

Aizen had used his shikai to trick Starrk into believing he was a hollow. In the process, he had accidentally taught his son how to alter his reiatsu so it was strangely hollow-like. Without the masking of Aizen's shikai it was clearly a strange, mutated version, but basic hollows weren't that bright. Just that wouldn't have brought them close to him, though. However, Starrk also knew another trick. He'd infused his reiatsu with a libidinous quality. To powerful hollows, that was part and parcel of any sexual come on. Basic hollows couldn't do it and the scent of it drew them in, bringing them to where their more powerful cousin could feast. Not a trick most powerful hollows ever used, since basic hollows were nearly worthless in terms of power. But it was working extremely well for Starrk.

Yeah, a bit too well. What happens if you clear this whole place out and can't make your quota next week? Lilinette said and Starrk paused. That had occurred to him as a possible problem.

"You might be right. I'll take a break." He said before decisively pulling in his lure. His reiatsu went back to being pure shinigami, which was something of a relief. The transformation he'd been doing had been mildly uncomfortable. Had it felt like that when he was in Los Noches? Maybe that also helped to explain why he'd slept so much.

He was about to leave the park when something completely unexpected happened. A strange, half-hollow reiatsu touched his own and Starrk blinked as he realized it felt oddly familiar. Where had he…? Then a young man suddenly appeared in front of him and his eyes widened in shock as he recognized the orange hair. Briefly, his mind flashed back in time.

Tired, unhappy, wishing he wasn't here at all… but Aizen ordered and what Aizen wanted, Aizen got. Starrk was determined to get this done and over with as quickly as possible. He didn't know who the intruders were and didn't care. He didn't give a damn about anything at the moment. The final battle was almost here and to him, all it meant was that he'd been pried out of his comfortable nest.

"Sorry about this." He apologized as he gently set a hand on the girl's shoulder. What was her name again? Orihime Inoue, yes, that was it. "It annoys me that I have to be doing this." Holding the girl hostage this way… it was a reprehensible tactic. Looking up from her he met shocked brown eyes. Then he adjusted his grip. "I'm going to borrow her." His sonido was second to none and these two fighters had both exhausted themselves on other targets.

He was away with the girl before the blows landed.

Then his mind came back to the present and Starrk could see the horrified realization on the other man's face. This was quite unlike his meeting with Shunsui. With Kyoraku, Starrk had been expecting the meeting. Dreading it, yes, but he'd been mentally preparing for it. This was completely different. He'd been caught completely cold by someone he'd almost forgotten and Starrk followed his first instinct.

He ran away. Like most first instincts, it was open to endless recriminations later. But right now he simply acted and did his utmost to lose the other man. It was surprisingly easy. Kurosaki Ichigo might be the savior of Karakura town and hollow hunter without peer, but he clearly hadn't been trained in the same school of stealth that Starrk had been. Pausing in an alleyway, he peered out before biting his lip.

Smooth Starrk, really smooth. Lilinette commented and Starrk snarled.

"Shut up!" He knew she was right though. His reaction had practically screamed 'guilty conscience'. There would be no way to convince Ichigo that he was an innocent soul now. "Great, just great." Starrk muttered to himself. What was he to do? Perhaps he could –

"Hi there!" That hail almost made him jump out of his uniform. Turning around he tried to calm his beating heart as he looked into the face of the boy he'd met earlier. Keigo, yes. And with him was another terribly familiar face. But to his sharp relief, Orihime Inoue only smiled at him with a faintly puzzled air. "Lupe! Hi! Have you met Ichigo yet? This is Inoue!" Keigo said cheerfully and Starrk was rather grateful to the young man for distracting him from his woes.

"Ah, not exactly." Did that even count as a meeting? They certainly hadn't spoken much. He bowed to Inoue, who pinked a little at the gesture. "I am pleased to meet you, Inoue-san." He said. Keigo laughed.

"You don't have to be so formal! So what are you doing here?" He asked as Starrk glanced back out the alleyway. That half-hollow reiatsu was moving around… and it felt denser? He wasn't sure what that meant. "Hey, you know, if you're not feeling well Orihime is great at healing things."

"Um?" That actually interested him and he remembered. Part of the reason Aizen had wanted Inoue had been her incredible healing ability. Although technically, it wasn't healing at all… it was a rejection of changes in an object. Theoretically she could have used that rejection ability to, oh, put together a broken plate. There would really be no difference. "That's an interesting idea." He said before frowning. He'd just lost Ichigo to his senses and while his own reiatsu was under lockdown, he didn't like it. Perhaps he should get moving… but how to get rid of these two?

"Not feeling well? What's wrong, Lupe-san?" Inoue asked and he hesitated. That was a question he would like an answer to.

"I'm not entirely certain. I feel nauseated in the mornings especially but random things can also trigger it." He said honestly. "Kira said I have a reiatsu pattern in my abdomen. Perhaps you could take a look?" He really would like that. And it almost got his mind off Kurosaki Ichigo. Orihime smiled cheerfully before calling on her hairpins. A golden shield touched him and Starrk stood still, experiencing it curiously. This was the first time he'd been touched by her healing light.

"That's strange… you don't seem to be unwell, Lupe-san. But there's a very powerful buildup of reiatsu." She said uncertainly. "If I didn't know better I would think it's alive. Some kind of growth? Do you want me to reject it?" A growth? That didn't sound good. Starrk frowned for a moment before nodding.

"If you could." He said and she nodded before concentrating.

And then the most agonizing pain he'd ever imagined in his life hit him. Starrk doubled over with a scream as it felt like his abdomen was being ripped apart. It was more painful even than Shunsui's death blow had been, worse than that little trick Halibel had played on him… it felt like death and even when Orihime's shield shattered he was unable to move, shuddering and retching with reaction.

"Oh Lupe I'm so sorry I don't know what went wrong!" Inoue was saying frantically as Keigo tried to help. Starrk gasped, shaking as the teen put an arm around his shoulders.

Holy shit Starrk! Don't do that again, that almost killed you! Lilinette sounded terrified and Starrk blinked. It almost tore a hole in your reiatsu! You would've bled to death from it! Starrk swallowed at that. It was very difficult to tear a hole in someone's reiatsu. Hollows generally didn't bother… it was easier to just kill someone and take everything. But when it was done, it was almost always a fatal wound.

"I – I don't think we should try that again." Although he had no idea why it had gone so wrong. Orihime's power was healing. How could it be so hurtful to him? Something about restoring him to his prior state… his body had rejected the attempt? Orihime nodded, looking terribly worried. Starrk let them help him up –

"YOU!" He jerked as a black blade went through the air he'd just been occupying. A hand knocked Orihime back and she landed on her butt with a cry. "Orihime, get away from him! Keigo, run!" Ichigo ordered as Starrk fumbled out his zanpakuto. To his horror, he realized that Ichigo was already in bankai. And he honestly didn't dare use his shikai. It was a wonderful power, true, but not friendly to buildings in the least bit. No one had forbidden him to use it but Starrk wasn't stupid. Some property damage was inevitable but…

For completely sealed against a bankai, he lasted a surprisingly long time. It was a good minute before Ichigo pinned him against a wall, his sword under his chin, forcing his head up. Starrk grimaced, his hands flat against the wall. He'd lost his weapon in the conflict. Inoue and Keigo were both watching, wide eyed.

"Ichigo, what are you doing? He's the shinigami assigned to Karakura town!" Keigo said as Orihime spoke.

"Kurosaki-kun, what are you doing? Please let him go!" Orihime appealed to her friend and Ichigo spoke sharply, not taking his eyes off the man under his weapon.

"Don't you recognize him Inoue? He's the bastard who kidnapped you from me and Kenpachi!" Ichigo snarled and Starrk gasped softly as his head was pushed back further as Ichigo raised his blade. He could feel a thin trickle of blood sliding down his neck. There was a soft gasp and he turned his eyes just enough to see Orihime putting her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide with realization.

"Coyote Starrk." She whispered. Starrk wasn't too surprised. He hadn't talked to her much but they had been introduced and given the stress of the situation it was no wonder she would remember him. "But… h-how…" Keigo was just confused, looking between them. Starrk spoke through gritted teeth.

"I am a shinigami." He said before attempting to stand on tip toes. Anything to get the pressure off his neck. It didn't help, Ichigo just pressed the blade against him more firmly.

"Bullshit! Tel me what you're doing here." Ichigo demanded and Starrk groaned to himself. This was becoming extremely uncomfortable.

"What happens when a hollow's soul is purified by a shinigami's blade?" He asked and Ichigo looked rather confused as he responded.

"It goes to Soul Soc – oh." Brown eyes went wide as Ichigo realized the implications of what he'd just said. Although Starrk was aware of a slight problem… Ichigo had never really seen him as an arrancar. He'd seen him as he was, unaffected by Aizen's shikai. Hopefully, he wouldn't compare notes with Orihime. "Um." Ichigo hesitated as he realized he likely was holding a genuine shinigami against a wall, sword at his throat. He carefully drew back and Starrk sighed in relief as he was able to drop back from his toes. Reaching up he shakily wiped off a bit of blood. "You… your soul was purified?"

"Yes. Kyoraku Shunsui defeated me on the battlefield." Starrk said briefly, glancing at the other two. They were looking at him wide-eyed. Keigo was figuring out what was happening just from the conversation. Then he looked back at Ichigo. "Please, could you not spread this around? It might be difficult for me." That was an understatement. Ichigo frowned at him.

"No one knows?" His tone was dubious. Worried about his intentions, no doubt. Starrk shook his head.

"Kyoraku taichou and Ukitake taichou both know. No one else." He said quietly, hoping the substitute soul reaper would respect that. The frown on his face lightened and Ichigo finally nodded before letting his bankai go. Starrk relaxed a bit further as he saw that.

"Um, sorry. Although why did you run away from me?" Ichigo asked, still suspicious. Starrk hesitated before going with the truth.

"You surprised me. I didn't even remember you until I saw you." He said honestly. It was pathetic, really. He hadn't even known who Ichigo was, or Kenpachi for that matter. He hadn't cared to ask, he'd just carried out Aizen's orders without the slightest bit of curiosity. Starrk hated to think of that mindset, now. So hopeless and empty… he wasn't that person anymore. He was Lupe. Yet, he still kept his old name, within his mind at least. It was odd.

No it's not. In a lot of ways, Lupe is still a mask. Starrk is everything you are, good and bad. Lilinette said and Starrk blinked at the thought. Perhaps she was right. Fortunately, everyone around him seemed to be relaxing.

"So Ukitake picked you to take over in Karakura town when I go to University. I see… have you been here long?" Ichigo asked and Starrk shook his head. "Would you like me to show you around?" Starrk hesitated.

"Err… possibly some other time? I'm a bit tired." He actually felt sick, exhausted and in dire need of sustenance. "And hungry. Isn't it about supper time?" He was pretty sure of that, honestly. That made Keigo start.

"Oh no! I'm really late! I'll catch you guys later! Good luck, uh, Starrk? Lupe?" Starrk winced before giving the teen a hard look. "Lupe, right! Later!" He took off running as Orihime bit her lip.

"I should be going too… although, would you like to join me for supper Lupe-san? I'm having salmon roe sushi with chocolate and pickles!" She said with a smile and Starrk blinked. That sounded… strangely appealing. Deciding that as good as it might sound it wouldn't taste great coming back up, he shook his head with a smile.

"I have some potatoes waiting for me, but thank you." He said easily and she dimpled before hurrying off. Ichigo was giving him an odd look, though. "Hm?"

"Where are you staying? The Urahara shoten?" He asked and Starrk blinked. He had no idea what that was.

"No, I'm staying in a park." Ichigo gave him a disbelieving look and Starrk continued, a touch defensively. "I have a tent, a camp stove, everything I need. And there's a firepit for grilling." He'd commandeered one for his potatoes. They had been buried in the coals and were waiting for him to get back. There was a chance someone would be using the fire pit but hopefully he'd manage to retrieve them. If not, he had other things to eat.

"…Huh. Well, would you like me to show you around tomorrow then?" Ichigo asked and Starrk nodded. He was supposed to be working with the substitute shinigami, it might be wise to get to know him. And maybe he could find out what an Urahara was. He honestly had no clue.

"Tomorrow." He would be able to find Ichigo easily. Finally making an escape, he went back to his camp. The camp stove soon got put into use as he used it to heat up some baked beans. Along with a potato and some pickled vegetables, it made an acceptable meal. Licking his lips, Starrk wished he had more fresh vegetables. But he had nothing to keep them cool with. Perhaps next time he came back from Soul Society he would bring a kido cooler filled with vegetables.

If he was going to be Karakura's shinigami for a long time, he should probably make his home away from home comfortable.

"…And this is Urahara's candy shop." Ichigo finished his tour of Karakura town and Starrk smiled as he sorted through the items on display. Candy… he really wanted some candy. Would this shop owner accept Soul Society currency? Almost certainly.

"Thank you very much for showing me around. I really appreciate it." Starrk said sincerely. Today, he'd been introduced to several of Karakura town's more colorful residents, including Don Kanonji. That had been strange to say the least. Starrk intended to avoid the man as much as possible. The offer to teach him the arts of ghost hunting had just been too odd, even for a former Espada.

"It was nothing. I want to apologize for how I acted." Ichigo said and Starrk flicked him a glance before smiling. The teen was looking down, quite embarrassed about his behavior.

"It was my fault as well. I should never have run from you like that. Forgive me?" He said before offering Ichigo a hand. The young man took it with a real smile. It was almost dazzling.

"Only if you forgive me." He said easily and Starrk nodded with a smile. Then he glanced back at the candies.

"I'm just dying for a candy now. Would you like some?" He asked and Ichigo shook his head. Picking out an assortment of malt balls, sour candies and saltwater toffee's, he made his way to the cash register. The heady scent of sugar was almost making his mouth water. A young boy rang him up and Starrk had to ask if they took Soul Society currency. They did but the exchange rate was rather painful and Starrk winced a bit as he made his payment. He really, really wanted the candy though.

"You know, you should probably get a gigai." Ichigo remarked as they walked away, Starrk already sucking on a sour pucker. It was doing exactly what it advertised on the wrapper. Coughing a little, he responded.

"Then I would have to find a place to store it. And I'm really not interested in owing anyone." He said. One thing that living in Los Noches had taught him was that favors often weren't really free. Barragan had been bad for that but Gin and Aizen had both been worse.

"You're sure you haven't met Urahara? He'll make you work like a dog for his help." Ichigo said with a smile. "But until I leave, you can keep it at my house. Everyone else does." He sounded more than a touch exasperated. Starrk couldn't help but laugh as he tore into his bag of malt balls. He quickly crushed a few, absolutely loving the flavor of chocolate and the texture of the malt.

"I'll think about it. I'm planning to go back to Soul Society soon." The thought of seeing Shunsui and Juushiro again… Starrk desperately wanted to go home. And Soul Society was his home, now.

"Oh, you have a girlfriend?" Ichigo asked and the innocent nature of the question almost made him choke on a malt ball. He coughed a little before favoring his new friend – were they friends? – with a small smile.

"Oh no. My luck with women is rather poor." He said easily, remembering how Kira had put it. Ichigo looked a touch puzzled and Starrk wondered if he would ever hear the rumors. Possibly not, but possibly he would, if Rukia or Renji told him.

"Really? You're awfully handsome, I'd have thought they would be flocking to you." Ichigo said and Starrk sighed to himself. He would have thought so, too. They certainly had been in Los Noches. Of course, that hadn't just been due to his physical charms. His position as Primera had been a huge lure.

As fun as it was to hang out with Ichigo, though, the young man had obligations in the real world. They parted ways and Starrk found a place on the roof of a building, quietly munching his candy as he watched the people go by. Maybe Ichigo was right. Maybe he should get a gigai and start really interacting with the world, rather than observing it from on high. Although… would a gigai adversely affect the whatever-it-was in his belly? And how was he going to find out what that was? The incident with Orihime alarmed him.

You know, Starrk, I've been thinking. Lilinette said softly and Starrk frowned. She sounded very serious. I'm really sure this is something you were meant to do. I can think of one way you can find out… go to Los Noches and see if you can find your medical records.

"My… Lilinette, that could take weeks!" Szayel's filing system had been pretty good, to begin with, but at this point? Not so much. "And that's if I could find it at all." After the way his lab had been torn apart that was a fifty fifty chance at best. "And when could we do it? They might not pick up on a single garganta but…" If he had to make multiple gargantas his chances of getting caught rose exponentially. "Not to mention that I wouldn't be in Karakura town or Soul Society for days. What is someone needed me for something?" What if Rukia tried to send him a hell butterfly? There was an exasperated sigh from his zanpakuto.

I know! Maybe you can see if you can get some leave or something? Tell them your granny died? I don't know! She said and Starrk rolled his eyes. His granny? Ukitake knew he didn't have one. You know what I mean!

"I know. I'll think about it." If his situation got any worse he would get serious about it. For now, though, he was more interested in going home and finding time to spend time with his lovers. In fact, he was planning to do that tomorrow. Hopefully Shunsui and Juushiro would be available. If not, he would just have to try again some other time.

He was a patient man. He could wait.

"Mmm. You know what I love the most about you, Lupe?" Shunsui said, idly tracing a pattern on his bare chest. Juushiro was curled up on his other side, Starrk lying comfortably between the two of them.

"No, what?" He asked, feeling warm, happy and very satisfied. They'd played with the bondage gear again tonight and he'd been the star victim. Not that he minded. No, quite the opposite, he loved it when both his lovers were feeling demanding.

"You make it so we're not afraid to try new things." Shunsui said and Starrk looked at him curiously. He was smiling, his grey eyes warm. "All these things… I never would have done them with just Juushiro and I. I would have been too afraid of hurting him." He said and Juushiro stirred.

"I'm not breakable, you know." He said, mildly offended. Shunsui laughed, reaching over to gently stroke pure white hair.

"Oh, I know, I know! But I still would have been afraid because I wouldn't have known what I was doing. With Lupe, it's different. He knows all the little tips and tricks that no one tells you. Like that ankle spreader bar and that we had to be careful not to put too much pressure on his thighs. How would I have known that?" Shunsui asked which was definitely a valid question. "Or the right way to use a cock ring. That was shockingly fun!" He said with a charming smile and Starrk laughed softly.

"Hmmm… you do have a point. I never would have dared touch it without his coaching." Juushiro admitted and Starrk found he was blushing. All this praise was getting to him a bit.

"If you both keep that up, I might get a swelled head. And I am just an unseated shinigami, you know." Starrk reminded them and Juushiro chuckled softly, kissing him on the cheek. Starrk closed his eyes, enjoying the contact.

"As soon as a spot comes available you're up for a promotion. And after that, you should make fukutaichou." Juushiro promised and that abruptly drained the pleasure out of the evening. How would he ensure he didn't make fukutaichou? Starrk honestly wasn't sure.

"Lupe?" A warm hand encircled his chin and Starrk found himself looking into concerned grey eyes. "Is something wrong?" Shunsui's voice was warm and concerned. Starrk blinked before giving him a small smile.

"Nothing important." He said firmly before kissing his mate soundly. Then he did the same to Juushiro, determined not to think of it.

The future would just have to take care of itself.