Death and the Strawberry

This chapter is NOT beta’d, but I promise to replace it with the beta’d chapter as soon as possible.

Review Replies- Kera-Izaki: I know, yay! Summer! Too bad my summers are busier than the winters D= But still, it’s sunny so who cares!
Nusku: Heh, I don’t think Ichigo would take kindly to the strawberry jokes =D
MasterAkira: Of course Ichi always knows best, and when he doesn’t, then Stark is there to correct him =3
XoXgaaraXoX: You will see some of the espada’s responses in this chapter, and some in later chapters.
Shadowoflight: I wonder about Aizen too…I mean, he went to Soul Society instead of hell, so that has to count for something, right?
Lynzee: Unfortunately there isn’t much sexiness in this chapter, but there will be if not in the next chapter, than the one after.
Yakumo: StarkxIchigo is just HOT!
AnimeAngelSister: Don’t worry about it, even though I love reviews I do not demand them in order to write =)

Death and the Strawberry: Chapter 13

Stark sat on the ground with Ichigo curled in between his legs. The younger arrancar wasn’t used to sonido and it made him feel a little sick. They were close to the area where they had last found the Vasto Lordes, but so far they had found nothing. It could be because Stark was still carefully concealing their reiatsu and was just about ready to release some, despite the risk, when they showed up.

Ichigo slept through the entire thing, which amused Stark. He would have to tease his lover about it later. One moment Stark was staring out into the endless white sands, and then they were surrounded by twenty Vasto Lordes, all staring down at them. “Tch. I was wondering when you guys would show up.”

“You have brought our King.” One stated and reached out to caress a strand of orange hair. Stark had to force himself to not knock the hand away for daring to touch what is his. The Vasto Lorde sensed his animosity and chuckled, pulling his hand back. “We aren’t going to take our King from his Protector.” He said. “We can release his seals now, or when we get back.”

“Get back? Get back to where?” Stark asked suspiciously and held Ichigo tighter to him.

“To our King’s castle, of course.”

At first Stark questioned exactly how there could be a ‘castle’ when Aizen and the other espada would have found it if it existed. The Vasto Lorde led them to a large, blank expanse of desert and lifted his hand. A dark portal opened and they stepped through easily but Stark hesitated. Why did they need to go to this patch of desert in order to go to a different world? But he shook those questions from his mind and stepped in after them.

Unlike in Hueco Mundo where it was always twilight, the world that they had stepped into may have a sun, but it could not be seen through the mass of clouds blocking the sky from view. There were plants, but they were scarce and few. It looked like a dying land. In the middle of the vast place a castle gleamed duly in the sparse light with numerous carvings depicting snarling gargoyles and heavenly angels.

Stark was not impressed. It was grand and all that, but he was more concerned about if there were good places to sleep.

“This realm is separate from the world of Hollows and Shinigami. The King was never intended to live in Hueco Mundo, this is his home.”

“You do not need a ‘King’s Key’ to enter it, like the Shinigami King?” Stark asked in curiosity.

“No, such a thing is too easily made. There are only a few select people that are taught where the entrance to this realm is and it cannot be entered by accident.”

“Hm.” He glanced down as Ichigo began to stir in his arms.

“We will remove the seals now.”

The Vasto Lorde that had been leading them reached out a clawed hand, placing it on Ichigo’s forehead. The arrancar that had just been about to wake up jerked, his eyes snapping open. “Ah!” The seals that had been binding his power were ripped from his body and reiatsu, making it painful for his soul which was not used to the power of it yet. “AH!” He screamed and Stark dropped to his knees with a grunt, still holding Ichigo in his arms firmly.

Slowly the mask above his left eye changed, breaking apart and reforming across his forehead in the shape of a crown. His entire body arched whiles his limbs stiff and twitching. He began to convulse and Stark held him tightly against him, gritting his teeth with the strength it took to keep him still.

And then it was over. The clothing that Ichigo was wearing was all but shredded, providing him with little modesty. Steam rose from his body as he panted in exertion, trembling slightly from the unusual amount of energy his body was consuming. It felt like he had just peaked from an adrenaline rush and was crashing down.

“Ichigo.”

The hollow King opened his brown eyes and blinked up at the man that was caressing his face. “Stark?”

“How do you feel?”

“Ungh…” He sat up in Stark’s arms and took in the Vasto Lorde surrounding him and the strange light-headedness he was experiencing. “I’m fine…where are we?”

“Your castle.” Stark said as he began to explore Ichigo’s body, checking it for injuries and then settling for burying his nose into Ichigo’s hair.

“I don’t remember having a castle.”

“It is yours none the less, your majesty.” The Vasto Lordes kneeled before their king, bowing their heads submissively.

“Oh…” Ichigo yawned, his eyes drifting shut. “I’m so tired…”

“Your body is under a lot of strain right now…you need to get used to having all of this power.” The Vasto Lorde said, once again rising to their feet. “We have quarters already prepared for you and your…” His eyes flicked to Stark. “Mate.”

“Great, thanks.” Ichigo tried to push himself away from Stark to stand but instantly felt woozy and fell back with a groan.

“I’ll carry you, little King.” Stark said with amusement clear in his voice. Ichigo scowled at him darkly.

“Shut up.”

They walked through the halls of the castle and up a grand staircase to Ichigo’s room. Stark and Ichigo both were thankful that it wasn’t the endless white of Hueco Mundo. The bed room was magnificent. The bed was large and looked great for taking naps. There were numerous couches and chairs that also looked very comfortable… While Stark critiqued the napping aesthetics Ichigo eyed the rich gold, purple and red colors adorning the room. Anything was better than white, after all.

Stark set Ichigo down onto the bed and turned to glare at the Vasto Lorde who were still standing there. “We will take our leave, please call us if you need anything.” They all gave a deep bow and left.

Stark flopped down onto the bed as well and sighed heavily. He looked over at the sleeping Ichigo and brushed his hand over the mask across his forehead. He eyed Ichigo’s torn clothes and took of his kimono, putting it onto the orange haired arrancar carefully so as to not wake him. Ichigo stirred slightly and curled against him. “Stark…”

The first espada paused and glanced at Ichigo’s eyes. Still asleep. He smiled slightly and maneuvered him around so he could pull the blankets up over him. He wasn’t particularly cold, but he also got under them so he could snuggle closer to Ichigo. He leaned against the numerous pillows that were quite comfortable and looked down at his sleeping mate. Stark was curious to see what extent his powers were, but that could wait until he was rested.

Stark closed his eyes, not to sleep but to simply enjoy Ichigo’s body pressed against his.

In Hueco Mundo Aizen sighed and rubbed his temples. Apparently somebody had seen fit to spread around the knowledge that Ichigo was the Hueco Mundo King. Which wouldn’t have been a problem except the damn boy was no longer in the hollow world, let alone Las Noches. Apparently a few of them thought that it was not right of him to keep Ichigo’s powers sealed away when he was so important, but most of them could be silenced permanently. It was the ones that he couldn’t that were the problem.

Already the espada were getting shifty and Yammy, espada number 10 and 0 was demanding that he reveal their king. Halibel was also asking after the boy (most likely fueled by her lover Neliel who always had a soft spot for Ichigo) and Grimmjow was out right demanding that ‘his’ Ichigo be brought back. As if it was that easy.

Word was spreading to the lower ranks and thus to the other hollows, Menos Grande and Gillian alike. They were getting restless with Aizen’s rule and most had already decided that Aizen should no longer be in power. He slumped forward in his throne in an uncharacteristic sign of agitation and Gin patted his shoulder.

“It just wasn’t the time.”

Aizen fought not to snort at the proclamation for fear of angering his lover. Aizen had bet everything he had on this, and now he had nothing more. The hollows will no longer follow him unless he was backed by the King and Ichigo would never serve under him…and Aizen Sousuke bowed to no man. Besides there was no way Ichigo would throw the hollows into destroying the Shinigami King, too much rested on the balance for that.

He sighed heavily as Gin stroked his hair soothingly. What good was a King if he had no subjects?

LINE

For those who really want to know, I will talk a little about Ichigo’s new strength in the next chapter.

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