Prize of Victory

Warnings: M/M, anal, post character death

Ukitake walked home from another long day at the office. With Aizen now in power and most of the Taichou either dead or enslaved, his was one of the only divisions still running.

The other was the 4th still commanded by Unohana. Now more than ever it was a full hospital. Some of the divisions had been utterly annihilated during the war, such as the 1st and the 11th. Some had been taken over, such as the 12th by Szayel. The rest of the survivors now answered to either him or Toshiro from the 10th.

“Former 10th.” He reminded himself sadly.

The divisions had been reorganized into only 4 plus the science division ran by Szayel. Aizen himself ran the first, he ran the second, Toshiro ran the third, and Unohana‘s 4th remained unchanged.

“There you are. You are running late again.” A young, female voice broke him out of his thoughts before he could work himself into another depression about how he should have died and others live.

“Lilinette-chan.” He greeted her softly with a warm voice.

“It’s Lilinette-SAMA to you, Shiro-chan.” She snapped and his smile just widened ever so slightly.

It was an argument the two had been having for the last 5 years, ever since….

“Oi.” She jumped up to smack the back of his head.

Ukitake caught her arm gently, twisting her about so she spun and landed with her back facing him.

“I hate it when you do that.” She cursed at him, spinning to face him once he let her arm go.

He produced a lollipop from his sleeves and her eyes fell upon it like any child’s. She licked her lips and looked from it to him and back again several times. He handed it over and she all but snatched it from his hand before falling into step beside him as they continued on their way back to his home.

His home had become their home. Because of how much reiatsu Starrk exerted, Ukitake’s family had been moved elsewhere. A part of him was happy he was permitted to live in his own home and continue to watch out for a division, but another part of him ached that he had survived.

As inevitably happened on his trek home, he recalled the day of their defeat so clearly:



His lungs burned as he tried to breath through the hole that had been punched through his chest by the newest Arrancar to join the field. He didn’t know what was going on anymore but the rise and fall of various reitasu told a bit of the story.

A body collapsed not far from his and he forced dust and blood caked eyes to open. He saw the tattered black remains of a shinigami’s uniform, and the weak pulse of his oldest friend washed over him.

“Shunsui.” Ukitake managed to gurgle out.

“Hey, still alive?” His friend asked with a small smirk.

Ukitake couldn’t answer, his mouth too full of blood. A heavy reiatsu landed before them and Ukitake had barely enough strength to turn his head and see Starrk standing before them followed by what looked like several wolves made out of reiatsu.

“Yare, Yare, looks like you won.” Shunsui commented.

“Ha, of course we did.” The wolves taunted, sounding an awful lot like Lilinette.

“Won?”

Ukitake sent what was left of his senses out to discover most of his comrades reiatsu were now gone and the rest were strongly diminished.

“In the flavour of good sport, can I ask the Victors for a favour?” Shunsui asked, and then coughed violently.

It was only then Ukitake realized his best friend since child hood was laying in a puddle of blood far larger than his own and blood was caked to his face.

“And what might that be?” The wolves demanded.

Shunsui ignored them and looked at the still silent Espada.

“I don’t want my Fukutaichou hurt in the expected aftermath. Could you Claim her for me please?” He asked.

“What?!” Ukitake had thought shocked.

Judging by the look on Starrk and the wolves faces they were just as surprised by the request as he was; although if it was the request itself or the fact Shunsui was even familiar with the hollow concept of Claiming was never answered.

“You have achieved Victory, so it is you right. Please. I care about my Nanao-chan a great deal.”

Shunsui’s voice was starting to fade and gurgle.

“Like hell.” Lilinette growled.

“I will.” Starrk spoke over her.

“Nani?!” All the wolves turned to growl at him.

“Nanao you said?” He asked.

Shunsui gave his head a small nod. “Ise Nanao.” He confirmed. “I know I am being greedy, but can I have one last request please?” At this point Shunsui’s voice was nothing more than a gurgling whisper.

“Shunsui.” Ukitake coughed out and tried to move.

He was stopped by two of the wolves noticing his movements and pinning him down with their paws.

He could see Shunsui’s mouth moving shortly before he felt his friends reiatsu extinguish forever. He watched as Starrk impassively closed the now dead mans eyes before turning to look at him.

“Can I kill him?” Lilinette almost begged.

“Ile.” Starrk answered.

To Ukitake’s surprise Starrk walked over to him and hoisted him up into his arms. He felt his vision blur; half from his blood loss and half in tears for his now deceased friend.



He had learned the last request Shunsui had asked of the 1st Espada was to Claim him as well if able. Starrk had been able and now he was bound to the Arrancar. It had not been a pleasant experience undergoing the binding, but it was the only way Aizen would let any of the remaining taichou live.

“At least Nanao-san was spared being bound.” He thought with relief.

Being essentially raped by the man that had killed the one she loved (and the father of her only child) would have devastated her far more than Shunsui’s death alone had.

He had been shocked when they discovered she was pregnant. Either Shunsui knew he was not going to come back or he just finally broke her will down. The one night they had each other was apparently enough for Shunsui to get the job done.

The two arrived at his estate and Lilinette disappeared somewhere into the mansion while he headed to his rooms to change out of his uniform.

“ ‘take-ji.” A boisterous voice yelled as soon as he passed the first garden.

“Hello Hana-chan.” He greeted the small girl as the five year old ran into his arms.

Nanao followed behind her daughter, a soft smile on her face as she also politely greeted him home.

Ukitake produced another lollipop out of his sleeve and Hana’s eyes lit up on it just like Lilinette’s had. He set her down and looked at her expectantly.

“Can I please have it ‘take-ji?” She begged, looking up at him with the cutest expression he had ever seen.

“Of course.” He smiled down at her and handed it over.

Hana cheered and disappeared with it back into the garden.

“I wish you wouldn’t spoil her.” Nanao sighed.

“Who else do I have to spoil?” He pointed out.

Nanao conceded his point with a small nod of her head.

“How….. How are the divisions doing?” She asked sadly.

“Better.” He answered. “It’s still just the four but things have settled down and more or less returned to normal.”

“And the Arrancar?” She asked.

“There was an incident today, but I heard Grimmjow-san dealt with it.”

“What kind of incident?” She demanded.

“Someone went after the two he Claimed I believe. The reports I received said the man in question was ‘dealt with.’” He answered. “Speaking of Claims, it should be about time mine is refreshed.” He thought to himself.

Apparently Claims could diminish if left alone for too long, and the closer the two were in strength the faster it degraded. Starrk’s Claim on him lasted about a year when left alone and it had been just about a year since it had been refreshed.

“I see. Hana-chan insisted we cook you dinner tonight. Will you join us?” Nanao asked, breaking him out of his thoughts.

“Of course. How could I ever say no to Hana-chan?” He answered with a smile. “Let me get changed and freshened up and I will join you in an hour.” He promised.

Nanao nodded her head and went to hunt down her daughter. Ukitake continued on his trek to his room, changing out of his uniform for more casual clothing and took a quick shower.

Dinner was a wonderful affair and he still wondered how Hana could get more food on her then in her. He tucked her into bed later that night and broke to her request to read her a bedtime story as he did most nights.

Nanao watched them silently and escorted him out of their collection of rooms.

“You have no idea how much your help means to me in raising her.” Nanao confessed as she walked him to the main entrance or her suite.

“I am just happy I can be here for her.” He assured her.

“I miss him so much.” Nanao sighed.

“As do I. But us grieving over his sacrifice so we could live is not what Shunsui would have wanted us to do.” He tried to console her, and himself.

She nodded her head but he could still see the trace of tears in the corner of her eyes.

“If only we had more time. If only I hadn’t been so stubborn with him.” She sighed.

“Hind sight is almost always perfect.” He agreed. “If I knew now what I did then, than perhaps more people would still be alive.”

He felt tears threaten his own eyes as he thought of everyone who had died, including his two former third seats and most of his previous division. The war had taken so many away from them.

“Good night, Nanao-san.”

“Good night, Ukitaki-san.” She returned and closed the door behind him.

He meandered through the halls of his estate, now quiet since only the four of them lived here and at this time of night even Lilinette would be asleep. Little Hana had inherited her fathers reiatsu strength and was blissfully protected from the 1st’s overwhelming power.

A quick scan of his estate proved that everyone was asleep now except for him and one other. The other was making his way towards him and Ukitake sighed before changing course to intercept the other.

If Nanao hadn’t been here, hadn’t born his best friends child, he probably would have just asked for death by now, but he could not do that. So many still looked up to him for guidance in this dark time.

He came across the other in one of the open gardens, the sky crystal clear and shinning with a million stars as the full moon reflected in the koi pond. Not a word was spoken between them as he approached the other and began to remove his clothing.

“If Shunsui had known what the Claiming involved, would he have still asked Starrk to do so?” Ukitake couldn’t help but to wonder each time it was refreshed.

Completely naked now he got down to his hands and knees and waited, eyes closed for the coming humiliation.

He heard the other sigh above him shortly before the sound of rustling clothes reached his ears.

Neither one of them ‘enjoyed’ doing this, but it was the only way Aizen would not only suffer him to live, but to stay in command of his Division. A calloused finger ran down his spine before reaching his tail bone and continuing down to the hole that would soon be violated.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Starrk asked, as he had the other four times.

“Hai.” Ukitake answered without hesitation, as he also had the other four times.

He could feel the other nod before the finger slipped inside of him. He winced at the pain but held still as the other started to prepare him. One became two, and then three. The fingers left but returned shortly coated with oil.

He bit his lip and felt a small sense of relief that his face was hidden behind a curtain of long, white hair. The fingers left again and he braced himself for the coming pain. Hands held his hips still and he let out a gasp as the other started to wrap his reiatsu around him.

He hated this part the most as he forced his own reiatsu to surrender to the other, to accept the other as dominate. Starrk started to push in and even with the preparation he felt his walls stretch painfully.

He breathed heavily and prayed he wouldn’t dissolve into a coughing fit when he so desperately needed to breathe. He just had to breathe. He felt the other finally reach the end and settle against him, giving them both a chance to adjust to the tight and slightly painful fit.

Then Starrk moved, pulling out before thrusting back in, and with the forward thrust a wave of reiatsu invaded Ukitake’s body from the inside, pouring through his channels and conquering his own reiatsu. That wave was accompanied by a rush of sinful pleasure.

He let out a gasp at the sensation and his hands clenched as he tried to remind himself it would soon be over for another year. Each forward thrust poured more of the Espada’s reiatsu into him, and each thrust left his body sweating from the intense pleasure of it.

He felt like his body was ready to explode. One of the hands left his hips and brushed his hair to one side to reveal his neck. The end was finally coming and he mentally prepared himself for the finish.

Sharp canines bit into the side of his neck and began to drink his blood, and with it a portion of his reiatsu was pulled into his Master as well as all the excess reiatsu that had been pumped into him, leaving only what was required to bind his own to his Master’s whim.

His eyes shot open and he came hard as sharp and unbearable pleasure suddenly shot through his body as the binding was completed. He felt the semen from the other also shot into him and both of them convulsed as the binding finished.

It was by pure blind luck he happened to be looking at that particular bush where a pair of familiar golden eyes stared back at him, causing him to freeze in shock.

“Is that…” But the eyes were already gone and he wondered if he didn’t imagine it.

Starrk’s dead weight rested against him and he fell to his chest, unable to support both of their weights. The Claiming always left them both mentally and physically exhausted. He slowly managed to untangle their bodies, wincing as the other exited his body and fluid gushed down his legs leaving a sticky trail.

He looked around once more but saw no sign of eyes, golden or otherwise.

“ I must be losing my mind.” He sighed to himself before pulling the blanket Starrk had brought with him over both of their bodies.

They lay in silence, neither one of them able to walk and stared up at the stars.

“Do you regret it?” Starrk suddenly asked.

“Yes and no.” Ukitake admitted. “I miss him so much. He was like a brother to me and some days I wish I had died and he had lived. But, there are others here who need me and if this is the only way I can be here for them, then so be it. Shunsui gave his life so we could live and I would not be able to call myself his friend if I denied him that which he gave his life for.

“Besides, if I had died that day who would be here to take care of Nanao-san and Hana-chan? Or the remaining Shinigami who survived the war?”

“I would probably get more sleep.” Starrk grunted. “Lilinette has been teaching her a large number of various ways to annoy me.” He grunted.

That earned a weak chuckle out of him. Lilinette was indeed fascinated with the child and he could only guess at the mischief those two were getting into while he was at work. Lord knows what was going to happen when Hana truly started to come into her power and could keep up with Lilinette and her mischief making ways.

“Truthfully, if Shunsui was still here it would be worse. He knew ways to annoy people without ever having to even get up.” He chuckled in memory at all the things they had done together in their academy days to their instructors.

He heard a soft snore from beside him and turned his head to see the other already fast asleep. Ukitake gave his head a small shake before pulling the blankets more firmly around them and permitting himself to drift off as well.

From a different set of bushes Golden Eyes stared back at the two sleeping figures before darting off, cursing itself for how close it had come to being discovered.


The Escapees

Black paws padded softly as the small black cat leaped up onto the window sill and scratched at the glass. A moment later the window opened and the cat jumped into the room, glancing about.

“They are all asleep.” Rukia assured it.

Nodding, the cat shimmered before disappearing to be replaced by a naked woman.

“Any luck?” Rukia asked as Yoruichi pulled on a set of clothes.

“Some.” She admitted.

“Who did you find? Were they alright? Where are they being held?” Rukia started to demand.

Yoruichi held up a hand to forestall the questions and Rukia fell silent. The woman looked about the room of the abandoned house they had claimed to make sure they were indeed alone before speaking.

“I only found a few survivors, but among them were Karin and Yuzu.” Yoruichi reported.

Rukia’s face lit up with joy.

“We should tell Ichigo at once.”

“No.” Yoruichi hissed, taking the other woman by surprise. “No.” Yoruichi repeated softly. “I found them but….”

“But what? Are they hurt?” Rukia asked concerned.

Yoruichi shook her head.

“It would seem Karin has become….. Close to the one holding her.”

“Close?” Rukia asked confused. “Who has them?”

“Both appear to be under the watch of Grimmjow.”

“Why would he be watching them?” Rukia asked confused.

“Bait? A weapon? I don’t know, but it would seem he has at least taken an interest in Karin.”

“What do you mean?” Rukia asked, her voice displaying how dry her throat had suddenly become.

“When I finally found them, they were engaged.” Yoruichi explained.

“Engaged?” Rukia question confused. “Oh! Oh Kami.” She gasped.

Yoruichi just nodded her head as the other woman caught on.

“Has he…”

“Not yet. But others have been. I also found Orihime and Tatsuki. The first has been Claimed by Ulquiorra, the second seems to be under his watch.”

“Poor Orihime.” Rukia’s eyes widened in horror.

Nel had warned them about Hollow Claiming and had even gone into detail about what it involved. With such a clear Victory the former Espada was positive they would find signs of it.

It would seem Nel was right. At least in Orihime’s case.

“I found two others before I returned. One was Nanao. The other.” Yoruichi paused.

“Who?” Rukia asked.

“The other was Ukitake-taichou. I think he saw me but I am not sure.”

Rukia’s face lit up briefly at the news her Taichou was still alive before it fell as she realized what that might mean.

“Is he….”

“Alive and well, all things considering. He has been Claimed by Starrk from what I saw.” Yoruichi confessed.

“Still no signs of Niisan then?” Rukia asked.

“No. I haven’t been able to catch sight of him, but I wasn’t able to swing by the Kuchiki manor this trip. I will try next time, but we need to be extra careful not to trip any alarms.

“I only spotted Ukitake because he was walking home. The other four are being held in houses in the 1st district, so security wasn’t very tight.”

Rukia nodded her head in understanding.

“I am going to get some sleep. Slipping in and out of Soul Society is tiring work, as is hiding from all the scans and people.”

“Right. I got first watch tonight. I think we should tell Ichigo his sisters are alive. This has been so hard on him thinking his entire family is dead.”

Yoruichi made to protest, but stopped.

“You know him best. I’ll leave the decision up to you. But Rukia…… what I saw going on between Karin and Grimmjow seemed consensual. I am not sure he could handle the thought of his enemy gaining dominance over his younger sister.”

“I understand.”

Yoruichi retreated, leaving Rukia to guard the sleeping survivors alone. All seven of them.

“Niisan, please tell me you are alright.” She silently prayed.



This part with the Escapee's is actually it's own chapter but it's so short I threw it on the end of this one.

Before I started this story I wrote out the pairings. As much as it pained me to kill off Shunsui, it was required for the story. Starrk and Ukitake are not, nor well they be, in a 'relationship.' I can't recall if it has been mentioned in story yet, but by Aizen's law all Shinigami Taichou class MUST be Claimed or killed.

Huge hugs for those of you that reviewed and thank you to those who took the time to rate. I will not be focusing on the Escapee's much, if at all except for when they cross paths here. Not a lot of excitement happens with them outside of crossing paths. Most of the story is from Karin, Grimmjow, Orihime and Byakuya's POV inter-spaced with others.

Next chapter: We meet Byakuya. His chapter is very dark and most of the warnings on the front are intended for his chapters.