Chapter Seven: Old Flames
An excited Delancey hurried to pushed massive doors open for them to enter quickly. It had been a couple days since she and Lilynette seen or hear from each other. The last time was the day before Xandra was 'brought' back and for Delancey's sake no one had told her what happened in the Arena.
The younger arrancar sped into the space looking for her friend to only find that two figures waiting patiently. Well, one was. Xandra, behind Delancey sees an half sleeping Starrk sprawled out on a large pillow like cushion. While an impatient Lilynette; arms crossed, foot tapping against the floor and an expression that was written with annoyance.
"What the hell Delancey! You should have been here hours ago!", snapped the little blonde.
The crimson eyed girl didn't try and take the other on, "Sorry I was doing some training stuff but look who came with me!" she said, dismissing the topic.
Lilynette groaned in a hum as she looked passed Delancey to see Xandra, who smiled weakly. "H-hey Lilynette", the woman greeted her friend.
To Starrk's surprise, his partner's expression darkened. Lilynette didn't know how to react to Xandra and what happened. She felt so... wounded. First, her one and only actual friend other than Starrk leaves and didn't come back. Then Xandra is put on display and humiliated like that? And took it all! She hardly fought back! Lilynette looked up to the woman and it pained to see that happen. She could have been in the Arena with Xandra, she could have been with the others to kill Xandra. That's the only reason for the Arena, to die, to kill and to execute.
Starrk was expecting the little blonde to scream and throw a punch. That didn't happen, instead, she just grabbed Delancey's wrist "Let's go" Lilynette mumbled before pulling her playmate away from Xandra. Red eyes looked in confusion between her friend and foster mother, completely innocent to the situation but not for long.
The Primera's husky voice hummed "Didn't expect that".
"I did but... " Xandra sighed in dismay " I don't blame her for being upset at me, I did leave abruptly" she took a seat beside Starrk.
He hummed tiredly, "She got over that long ago, it's what happened in the Arena the other day that's bothering her". the Primera informed.
With one eye slightly open, the Espada saw the woman's expression flash with anxiety and fear. Something about that made him feel uncomfortable because Xandra never feared anyone. Never. Then it clicked, Aizen. That was a topic Starrk didn't want to adventure in with Xandra. It's not that he cares, he just doesn't want the complication of Xandra's situation. He's already had a taste of it, literally.
The woman's expression only seemed to drown deeper and deeper into that human emotion called self petty. He had to admit, it didn't look good on her, not one bit. Starrk watched as her coloured lips parted, "That... There's nothing i can do about that". She said, voice filled with pain. Between Grimmjow and Delancey she had been distracted from the agonizing memories of the horrible amount of weakness Aizen forced her to dismay before everyone.
Starrk briefly regretted his carelessness, he knew how much she hated being seen as weak not that he understood why. At the same time, it's what makes her so strong, so powerful and on a level he can't reach. Not that he'll really admit that last part. There was a reason Xandra doesn't have a number anywhere on her body.
Xandra's breath paused when she felt fingers gently slid through her black locks to caress her cheek affectionately. Surprised yellow eyes looked to the Primera for answers.
The Espada stared into her eyes with a feeling neither of them could explain. Something about the silence was comforting to her, almost reassuring. While he took the moment to take in Xandra's appearance. Noticing all the little growths, changes and that she still looked damn good in that uniform; which was now filled out in all the right places. Unlike Grimmjow, Starrk wasn't one for constant trouble that Xandra brought with her. It's way too tiring, once was more than enough.
"You'll be fine", he finally said before retreating his hand back. Xandra bit her bottom lip, the anticipation of his words left her feeling... haunted for something more. The last time she had received any kind of physical contact from the Primera was long before Grimmjow was in the picture. When they were together, her and Starrk.
For reasons unknown to her, a blush brightened her cheeks. She looked away from his stare with an expression of dissatisfaction and he caught it. A strong urge bubbled violently inside of him, fighting it. Or not.
He groaned under his breath "damn it". Starrk knows how much trouble she brings with her but none of it will be brought his way if no one finds out. The Espada sees the confusion on Xandra's face when he pulls her wrist and leads her body onto his. Shock then sets in her eyes when their lips crush harshly against one another. He feels her body stiffened on top his but the irritation in him gives Xandra no mercy.
When they pull away, it's clear of how guilty she feels. Her eyes give it away everytime. The woman sits up, unintentionally straddling the Primera under her. She blinks at him bewildered before anger sets in.
Xandra whines her arm back to give him a good punch in the stomach, "The hell was that for?!" she snapped.
His breath hitched from the hit, it didn't hurt much. Starrk watched as she gently whipped her wet lips on her sleeve, not an ounce of guilt found him. Their current position not helping but one outburst was enough. It drained him.
"Don't take it all seriously Xandra, it was just a welcome back greeting", he explains in that usual nonchalant tired tone of his.
She bit her lip, forcing herself not to blush again from his half ass attempt to validate their kiss. "R-right".
'besides', they both thought
'Grimmjow would kill me', her chest throbbed.
'And she would let him', Starrk thought.
The thought of the Sexta invaded her mind with vengeance and the man under her warmth didn't need eyes to see that. It wasn't too long ago they had separated but her body longed for the company of the electric blue eyed espada. No matter how badly Xandra craved in the moment, there are more important matters in need of her attention.
Starrk rose a brow at how quickly the woman had yet again changed her expression, no longer lustful and now focused. Xandra cleared her throat as she shifted her body off the Primera, standing in her original spot before their passionate exchange. "I'll be back for Delancey since Lilynette has her captive", she joked. Xandra, before her leave would have gladly left the girl in his care and know safety would be there. Sadly, Xandra feels the opposite and wants Delancey as close as possible to her. Grimmjow and his Fraccion being an expectation of course.
"Don't be like that Xandra", Starrk interjected.
She narrowed her yellows eyes at him, "Be like what?" she mocked with attitude in her tone.
He groaned tiredly, "Like you can't trust me to keep her safe".
A pained expression flashed through Xandra at his comment on her actions, she looked away from him, making her hair cover the conflict she was feeling "It's not you that I don't trust Starrk but him".
instantly he knew she was referring to Aizen, not that he blamed her. Starrk knows what that soul reaper has done to Xandra, everything. From Xalia to the reason why she ran from Las Noches. Little does Grimmjow know, she came to see him before leaving, how else was she to escape? No one knows and it'll stay that way.
His tired expression remained plastered on his features, "You worry too much about Delancey when it should be yourself to worry about".
Their eyes met once again, "I shouldn't have to warn you to watch yourself before others around here Xandra".
Xandra's hands tightened into a fist, that's her third warning. Damn. First Syzal, then Grimmjow and now Starrk. The urge to hurry back to her safe haven boiled hot within her even more now, senses and intuition screaming at how right they were.
Nnorita was obviously hunting for her.
A lump in her throat made it hard to swallow, that arrancar now Espada was the absolute last being she wished to meet in these white walls. Not in fear of being unable to take him on, Xandra knows how powerful she is. What makes it so dangerous is that like the other Captains and Espada's numbered four or higher, she's unable to unleash her Resurreccion within or near Las Noches. Meaning, she'd have to take on Nnorita as she is and nothing more. This rule crippled her more than the others because simply of how Aizen treats her before everyone, like a used rag doll to openly humiliated at his choosing.
"Duty noted"she spat out bitterly before storming out. Starrk watched her figure disappear before his vision went pitch black.
Behind the door, Xandra covered her mouth. That kiss triggered a memory or more, allowed her to recall the dream she had last night. Remembering how Grimmjow was in it and that they kissed as well. For anyone normal, it would have made them bashful and giddy to have that sort of dream with someone they care about. No Xandra, kisses have a completely different meaning for her.
She bit down on her coloured lip, anxiety kicked in. This was bad, really really bad. The need to get back to her quorders turned extremely urgent. Thankful for the reassurance of Delancey's safety from Starrk, Xandra could truly care for her well being. the woman wasted no time in using her Sonido to quickly and efficiently get around undetected. Only a selective crowd knew how to find her Reiatsu; some good and not.
With caution, she sped through the white halls. Taking the time to scout each direction before continuing onward. Don't get her wrong, she's not a coward, she's playing smart. Why get yourself all beaten if you don't have to. Xandra wasn't one for meaningless confrontation like the other males in Las Noches. If the woman could get through a full day without any physical issues, it was a win. For her. Others? Not so much, especially that spooned dipshi-
Xandra's breath paused when a slight sensation of another Reiatsu, a low groan rumbled in her chest. If there was anyone more annoying than Nnorita... it was this guy. A cocky smirk made her skin crawl, "Well don't you seen a little on edge" Ggio greets in an over confident tone.
She just stares at him with grimace, making the golden eyed male all the more amused. The hell is going on today? Return of the exs? This is not Real World. Though... for some odd reason, there's a trend here.
The woman huffed, "Yeah seeing your damn face doesn't help with that" Xandra crossed her arms under her chest, increasing more exposed lush chocolate skin and Gigo's unwanted attention.
His smirk grew "Nice show" commenting on her revealing mid-drift, did she always looked this curvaceous? Widened hips, slightly thicker waist and a bust more filled out. It was highly alluring to the arrancar and Xandra was noticing his wicked intentions.
She rolled her yellow eyes "Suck my ten inches Ggio" The girl retorted, rejecting his unspoken invitation, "I have somewhere to be".
The Fraccion snickered "More like someone to do. That Sexta not satisfying you enough?" he added in that arrogant tone, showing Xandra his hidden jealousy. See what she meant by rag doll? Thanks Aizen, really.
Angry, her lips curled in a devilish smirk of her own as she strutted in a seductive manner closer towards Ggio, leaving only inches between them. A finger alluringly danced along the lining of his white uniform, Gigo's chest tingled with cocky anticipation in believing the situation would go his way.
"Ggio" Xandra's tongue rolled in a tempting hiss, eyes purposely enticing his "The only thing that wasn't satisfactory was fucking you". She smirked in triumph at the the priceless scowl that lasted only moments.
The woman snickered, not giving Ggio time to retaliate before wavy black hair passed him by. Only seconds did his usual cocky smirk appeared to curl his lips again, Ggio turned in the direction of her figure walking away from him. "Keep telling yourself that" He added, confident in having the last word. She'll come around again, they always do. Little did he know, once was all he ever getting.
Xandra sighed as she reached half way to her destination, the day had drained her energy. She couldn't believe what happened in a matter of minutes! Honestly, what a second day back in this hell. She shouldn't have expected anything less. Well, Starrk didn't really upset her like Ggio. Xandra knew the unpleasant feeling called guilt would settle in once again but... those two were all in the past... not a massive issue like Aizen.
Disaster
Should have saw it coming, the dream was another warning. Unthinkably the woman ended up in front of her own room. Surprised at herself for having such self restrain, for once. A hand tiredly pushed the door open enough for her figure to slip in. Darkness engulfed Xandra, only moonlight that begged its way into the small square window played a meaningless role for light. Feet dragged across the room to have her body free fall onto a stiff bed of softness.
The past two days of her being back, seemed to have lasted an eternity and she was finally alone. The solidarity of her room allowed for Xandra to fade back to the day she ran away, how free she felt... scared... alone... content. She longed for it again, longed for the human world, for...
Xandra groaned lowly, her face buried itself into the sheets. No, enjoy the alone time. Tomorrow, that's what things start. When she gets her act together and focus on the task at hand. The plan Kisuke and Yoruichi helped with and the reason to why she allowed Grimmjow to capture her. Okay not really allowed, since it all happened sooner than planned. A plan that neither she or Grimmjow would like. Xandra's chest stung, not liking how much she has to lie and pretend with Grimmjow...But it'll pay off in the end. Right?