guess whose back? and mostly exhausted whew! thank you for loving the story and taking the time to read this!

thank you tderwes24 for reading, loving and encouraging me.

dieredpineapple can't have starrk having competition buhahah he already does as you will find out later. or at least in his mind he does. i am glad you loved the smut=0 MMM COOKIES haha i will always work for sweets!

fuusunshine as always thank you. your like my beta and my soundboard which makes you awesome

Change everything you are

And everything you were

Your number has been called

Fights and battles have begun

Revenge will surely come

Your hard times are ahead

You've got to be the best

You've got to change the world

And use this chance to be heard

Your time is now

You've got to be the best

You've got to change the world

And use this chance to be heard

Your time is now.

Stepping out of the gate with some of the most powerful shinimagi in the Gotei 13 Renji experienced an acute state of surrealism. His four closest friends immediately went to their respective pillars and he felt his heart clench at the sight of them readying themselves for battle. Izuru and Shuuhei were calm and collected, Shuuhei inspecting the pillar and figuring out a battle strategy, Izuru sitting calmly on the side of his pillar legs crossed. Ikkaku had a wild grin on his face eagerly awaiting battle and Yumichika pulled his sword out and began to inspect his reflection, some things never change after all. The shinigami he was standing with were ready, Yamamoto at the head, when they heard a rip in the sky as Aizen approached.

As he stood with the group of shinigami he watched as a gargantua opened in the sky. Aizen stepped to the edge of the gargantua and surveyed the group, Yamamoto the first one to break the tense silence

"I see we made it in time."

Aizen's eyes narrowed "made it in time? Exactly what are you referring to?" He stepped out of the gargantuan and approached "I am well aware this isn't Karakura town, but that means nothing to me."

With a sideways glance over his shoulder the defected captain commanded "Starrk, Barragan, Halibel, come." Three more gargantua's opened beneath Aizen and his stomach dropped, if he had to guess he would say Aizen had probably just called the top 3 espada to appear. Looking from one gargantua to the other Renji did not like what he saw.

The first gargantua held an older man who was short and built like a bull; he had a thick black obi around his waist accented with strands of gold and a large circular gold embellishment resting on his left hip. His uniform had a black fur collar with golden arm bands around his wrists that were also accented with black fur. His hair, mustache and eyebrows were all pure white and on top of his head rested a bone crown. Renji wondered if this was the strongest. His uniform was certainly the most intricate perhaps he was indeed the strongest, if that was the case Renji did not want to go up against him. Six other Arrancar stood behind him.

In the next a tall female appeared with three other women standing behind her. The female had a jacket that zipped up obscuring her face from the tip of her nose down, her bright green eyes taking in the scene like a hawk, her hair was cut very cropped and shaggy save for two skinny yellow ponytails that hung down. Her jacket he noticed barely covered her generous breasts and ended just beneath them, her stomach was bare and tan just like the rest of her. Her obi was black like the others and tied low beneath her belly button barely holding up her pants that had a sharp dip at the sides by her hip showing off her perfectly toned physique. Renji could recognize the raw strength in the woman and quickly deduced she also seemed to be the most intelligent and definitely did not want to battle with her, as he was frequently told intelligence was not his strong suit. She had three other female Arrancar standing behind her similar to how the older man had some standing behind him. They must be their minions or something he concluded.

Finally in the gargantuan closest to him a small girl stood by a tall shaggy haired man, the girl was in tiny white shorts accented with black as was the Arrancar style, and a vest that barely covered her breasts. Her arms were clad with long handless gloves, her green hair ended just below her chin. On her head rested a hollow mask, like a helmet that covered her left eye with a red flame like design shooting upward from her eye toward her forehead. On the right side a horn protruded from the top. She stood with a tall, broadly built man clad in a white robe with a large black obi around his waist he yawned looking less than thrilled at being here. Renji could relate, the man straightened up and looked around to reveal grey blue eyes, his wavy brown hair hit just below his chin where the bottom jaw of a hollow mask rested around his neck and he sported a goatee. His yellow hilted zanpaktou was tucked into the left side under his black obi; he wore gloves that covered his hands as he covered his mouth in yet another yawn. Renji smirked, he wanted to fight this man because surely it would be a simple battle, and all he had to do was make him tired which didn't appear to be too hard.

Aizen's voice interrupted his thoughts "If Karakura town is in soul society then I will simply kill you here and make the king's key in soul society" he declared looking down his nose at the gathered shinigami. Renji felt his throat tighten at that, they could not allow Aizen to get to soul society no matter what.

Renji watched as Yamamoto called forth his zanpaktou and surrounded the three defectors in fire. The older man sat on a throne made of bones and commanded his minions to the pillars, yes Renji thought, surely he is the strongest. He watched as his friends engaged them in fighting, Shuuhei easily defeating the blonde one with the crab claw, Izuru weighing down the flying bird one, Yumichika managed to get one just like him who kept blathering on about beauty, if possible Yumichika was glowing when he defeated the man; Ikkaku was the only one who was defeated. Renji shook his head, all because the fool wouldn't use his bankai, the pillar stayed standing only because he had someone intervene on his behalf. Once the fights at the pillars had ended it was time to go full force, as the old man on the throne had the last two of his minions bow before him and declare soon everyone would be defeated. In a flurry of flash steps and sonido the arrancar and shinigami arranged themselves. Renji moved quickly, picking a spot in the sky far from the others so as not to be disturbed or distracted while fighting. He looked up to see his opponent was the lazy looking man and small girl he had seen earlier, he smiled wider this guy was just who he wanted to fight. Soi fon was threatening one of the other arrancar and the small girl was straining against the man's hand that was holding her back calling her a bitch, he couldn't help but chuckle at how right the girl really was. The atmosphere was crazy tense and Renji felt his muscles tighten in anticipation as he knew he was being sized up.

Starrk looked at his opponent, definitely a strong shinigami that much he could tell. The man was over six feet like himself except he was well muscle and of a broader build, his blood red hair was tied in a high tail and it stuck out everywhere giving him the I just stuck my finger in an electrical socket look. He wore a bandanna around his forehead that had jagged black tattoos that wove their way down his neck and onto his chest. Starrk suddenly had the urge to trace those tattoos with has hand and to feel the hot flesh underneath them. Blinking his eyes as if to bring himself back to the task at hand he focused on the flame haired shinigami's auburn eyes, they were radiating determination, his mouth was drawn in a tight and serious line. Starrk let out a sigh, this man was no pushover, yet Starrk found himself strangely drawn to the inked red head he wanted to be close to him, but did not want to fight him, more like fuck him, he thought to himself as he tried to maintain control.

The fighting had begun everywhere else but yet neither arrancar in front of him had moved, was the guy truly that lazy or was he waiting for Renji to make the first move? He glanced at the girl, he certainly didn't want her to get hurt arrancar or not.

"That girl" he said startling both of the arrancar "could you send her off somewhere?"

The man cocked his head "why should I?" His voice deep and rich it shot straight to Renji's groin. Goddamnit! He thought to himself, of all fucking times to be attracted to someone and it's a damn arrancar who is trying to kill me. He shook his head thinking about the girl again, why was he thinking like that?!

"Because" he said much calmer than he felt "I can't fight at my full power if she's here. Do you not have the same problem?"

"What the hell! What was that?!" The girl screeched, her voice he thought sounded like an angry cats having sex.

"Pipe down Lilinette" the brunette spoke again "that's fine. You don't have to fight at your full strength and I won't as well." Renji's eyes widened and his jaw dropped.

"The hell you mean by that?"

"This stuff" the man stated simply scratching the back of his neck "doesn't sit well with me. What say we pretend to fight each other and take it easy while the others do their thing?" Renji gaped at him, was this guy insane? Well, he smirked; at least I know he is lazy.

"Sorry buddy" he grinned ferally "I'm afraid I can't do that." The handsome man's eyes narrowed slightly and eyebrows furrowed

"You're sure?" He drew his sword "ah man" and charged at him. Renji raised his blade just in time and the two were face to face with each other, staring into each other's eyes; the man's eyes he noticed were as if the ocean had been infused into a stone of slate, behind them he could see the intelligence and even…kindness? No, he must be mistaken; their faces only inches from each other as they met in their first go. Normally this would be a touching romantic moment however the man was trying to kill him. He grunted and pushed back against the power he felt from the man. Jumping apart he swung at the man only to have him dodge at the last minute, he charged again this time making contact and hearing the squeal of metal on metal.

"You're not bad with a sword" he told his opponent.

The burette looked amused "but I really don't like using it. You're sure we can't take it easy?" He queried again, hoping the red head would cave and say yes. He had no desire to fight someone, if anything he wanted to peel the clothes off this man and savor his lean muscular body, run his fingers through that crimson hair and see his face twisted in pleasure. Fighting was definitely not on his mind when it came to this fierce, gorgeous fighter.

"No we can't."

"Good grief" he sighed thoroughly exasperated. Renji pointed to where Matsumoto and Hinamori were fighting

"Look, they're sure as hell going all out! What the hell's your problem? Why aren't we going all out over here too?!" He demanded. Starrk eyed him curiously; his opponent's blood ran hot that was for sure. His brash, unruly personality was giving him a slight headache but more than anything made him curious. The deep red eyes that studied him were intelligent and calculating, despite his exterior Starrk could tell this man was nothing short of brilliant and he found himself wondering if that brilliance translating into a brilliant lover. Shaking his head he responded

"No."

"The hell?!"

"You aren't fighting me for real, why should I fight you for real?" Renji admitted the espada had a point there.

"Fine, get ready!" He charged and the espada dodged, he continued to charge and each time the espada avoided his blade. Pulling back panting he looked below him to see Shunsui and Utitake speaking to the arrancar girl, he wasn't surprised when he saw Utitake pull out a giant box of candy, no doubt he had it stashed in his robe for Toshiro. Renji started to chuckle, then giggle and then burst out into a full blown belly laugh, Utitake glared up at him as he pointed and laughed at them.

"Did he just give Lilnette candy?" The espada asked honestly confused, Renji was laughing so hard he was crying.

"Yes" he managed between breaths "he usually gives it to Toshiro, the captain fighting the woman" he pointed toward Hallibel and Toshiro.

Starrk shrugged "he looks like a child, like Lilnette. Why would he bring candy to a battle?"

Renji roared with laughter "to kill you with sweetness?" This got even a laugh from the espada. Renji composed himself eventually and stood facing the espada once again, their blades met again in a delicate dance of metal on metal, ups and downs and dodging and striking. It was wearing Renji out but he refused to show his bankai so soon, especially since the espada had yet to release his sword.

"Are you ready to get serious?"

"I told you" the brunette said sighing "I don't want to fight you at all. I feel as though if we weren't enemies we could be friends." Renji looked at the man, startled, but before he could think he found himself agreeing.

"I do too espada, unfortunately that isn't our path. But I will tell you my name, Renji Abarai vice-captain of squad 6 under Byakuya Kuchiki."

"Then I shall do you the same favor Renji, I am Starrk Coyote, primera espada" the brunette said pulling the glove off his left hand showing his gothic 1 tattoo. Renji's eyes almost bugged out of his head. Damn the first espada he had to be shitting him, well be careful what you wish for and he had wished to fight his man.

"Primera you say?" He grinned wickedly "this will be fun!" Starrk puffed out a sigh at that and Renji could swear he saw the man's eyes roll slightly.

"If I use my bankai will you fight me for real, with your resurrection?"

Starrk shrugged "do you wish it?"

"Hell yea I do!"

"Then I will Renji" I will do it for you he thought in his mind.

To be honest Starrk had no need to go into his resurrection to defeat this man, but if that was what this vibrant man wanted he would gladly do it; meanwhile his mind was working overtime in trying to figure out how to have his cake and eat it too so to speak, when it came to Renji Abarai. Grinning that he had figured it out he called Lilynette to him.

"Let's do this Lilynette" he said placing a hand on her head.

i realized i had stopped doing my qotc stuff. BUT don't let my spazziness disturb you, it happens often.

this updates qotc: top 3 places you want to see before you die!

me-ireland, new zealand and japan