Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. I only own Asuna.
I know I have another story to update but I couldn't get this one my head so I decided to post it. Please review.
She didn't remember much of her past, to be honest she didn't remember anything. The only thing she managed to remember was her own name and she always wondered if it even was her name. And even though no matter how hard she tried to remember, she always ended up having a headache.
She did get some flashbacks here and then but the images were always blurred. It always happened when she found herself either alone or lost in her own little world, and every time it happened it always appeared and then vanished before she could even concentrate.
She remembered when Kisuke -the man who had took her under his wing when he found her laying motionless in front of his shop- told her about being a Soul Reaper and explained everything there was needed to know.
It wasn't long after that her spiritual pressure started returning and only then had she started to re-learn the things she had forgotten. She remembered asking the man if he knew more about her past but he merely replied, "That's something your going to have to figure on your own, Asuna."
And that's what she tried to do and every now and again when she had her free time, she always found herself in the underground training room of the Urahara's Shop. And this was what she always did in her free time.
Training.
She couldn't get enough of it. She always found herself pushing her body to the limit and had believed that with hard work, she could accomplish things better and become stronger if she wanted to find out more about her past.
It was also then that she met the woman Yoruichi Shihōin. At first, the girl paled when she found that the talking black feline wasn't a he but a she in disguise but as time passed, the two women grew on each other.
Kisuke didn't know if it was because of the girl's fierce determination to become stronger or if it was because Asuna Kuchiki looked so much like her father.
But whatever reason it was, the girl seemed to spark something within Yoruichi and the woman at last minute decided to take Asuna under her wing, teaching the girl everything she knew, taking her with wherever she traveled.
Asuna was thrilled to no point when she started seeing improvement in herself and someday, her unanswered. questions would finally be answered, she just didn't know it would be so soon.
Grey eyes watched on with fascination as fireworks took to the night sky, exploding in different colors and in different shapes.
She could see and hear the people gasp in awe and excitement as they moved about, trying to get a closer view or just in her case, to enjoy it.
Her eyes closed lightly as she sat on a rooftop, her knees pressed against her chest, she simply couldn't help but feel free.
For a moment there was nothing around her, just the fireworks exploding, the peace and quiet and for a moment, she felt at peace.
Feeling something vibrate in her pocket, the girl's hand fumbled for the device and pulled it out.
A glum look appeared on her face as she then flipped the phone shut and glanced up at the sky before standing up. "Thank you." Turning around, the girl simply disspeared from the spot, leaving all traces of her ever being there.
"Are you sure your up for this, Chad?" Kisuke Urahara questioned the tall boy as he leaned against the wall, patiently waiting for the rest of the gang to show up.
The boy merely nodded his head. "Yes-," the sound of footsteps reached their ears and the two men glanced towards the owner of the footsteps.
Clad in a simple black shihakushō, the familiar face greeted Kisuke's line of vision and a small smile spread on his lips. "Well, well. If it isn't Miss Asuna." Chad stared at the girl curiously, he could sense a lot of spiritual pressure coming from this girl and he suspected she wasn't here to buy cookies.
Asuna merely smiled back, her grey orbs flickering towards Chad and she sweat dropped. "Wow your really tall," she instantly slapped her hands over her mouth and sighed. "I'm sorry that came out wrong."
Chad merely raised a hand. "Its fine." She blinked and let her hands drop to her side before extending her hand towards him.
"I'm Asuna Kuchiki," Chad blinked in surprise as his eyes widened.
He stammered for words. "D-did you just say Kuchiki?" She nodded her head and yet again let her hand drop before rubbing the back of her head and glanced at Kisuke.
He seemed to catch her hesitation and patted Chad's arm. "Let's wait for everyone else to arrive and then I'll explain." Chad merely nodded his head as he wondered how could this girl have any relation to Rukia and sat down once again.
Asuna glanced around and furrowed her brows. "I'm assuming everyone's still at on their way." Kisuke nodded and Asuna turned around as she heard footsteps approach them and soon found herself staring at a owner of bright orange hair.
"Well, well, if it isn't Ichigo and right on time! Welcome to the club." Chad stood up at Ichigo's arrival as Asuna merely stood next to Kisuke.
Ichigo blinked confused at Chad and seemed surprised to see his friend standing there. "Hey, Chad. What are you doing here?"
"Rukia saved me once. I want to help her out as much as I can." He replied. "I'm going, too."
"Huh?"
"What's the matter? Are you hard of hearing or something?" Another voice said while the owner approached them and Ichigo turned around as he found himself staring at Uryū. "I don't take defeat well, especially when it's at the hands of a Soul Reaper. So I'm going, too." Uryū announced.
"So, I guess we're all present and accounted for!" Ichigo yet again was surprised when Orihime stepped from the shadows.
"Orihime?" He questioned in disbelief and she nodded bowing forward slightly.
"Yes! I got the message, too." Ichigo glanced around, his eyes landing on Asuna for a split second before he started to freak out.
"Hold on a second. Can somebody please tell me what the hell is going on here?" Ichigo demanded and Asuna glanced towards the black feline that just appeared.
"You're a little slow on the uptake, are you?" Yoruichi questioned as Ichigo's eyes landed on the cat.
Orihime smiled. "Yoruichi!" She greeted the feline and Asuna had to hide a smile as said cat stared at Ichigo in his eyes.
"Kid, don't tell me you didn't notice the increase in the hidden powers of these three friends of yours. There have been so many clues. You need to be more observant than that if you want to survive. While you were training and trying to regain your Soul Reaper powers, the three of them were also training in their own way." Yoruichi stated and continued, "Instead of asking stupid, meaningless questions, you ought to be thanking them."
Ichigo's eye twitched slightly and he pointed a finger shakingly at the cat. "A freakin' cat just spoke to me!"
"His name is Yoruichi. And he's not just a cat!" Orihime corrected him and Asuna stared at her in surprise. So everyone here believed that Yoruichi was a he. That was amusing.
Uryū sighed and adjusted his glasses, "It is hard to get use to." He replied and Chad nodded.
"I'm still adjusting to it myself…" Chad admitted as Ichigo's eyes then flickered towards Asuna, only then noticing her fully. She was clad in a standard shihakushō, but she seemed awfully familiar. And if he looked closely, she resembled Rukia's brother, Byakuya but that was impossible.
Noticing everyone's attention on Asuna, Kisuke clapped his hands. "Alright, alright, come on, everybody! Let's take this little party inside the store; there are things we can't talk about out here in the open." He gestured for them to head inside.
Once they all climbed down the long ladder leading to the training grounds, Orihime was to first to react to its massive size as she clasped her hands together. "Whoa! This is so incredible! Who knew there was something this humongous below the shop! Isn't it amazing?"
"I guess." Ichigo dead-panned.
Tessai on the other hand felt teary-eyed and took Orihime's hand while the other used a handkerchief to wipe his tears. "What a heart-warming reaction. It's such a pleasure to have you on this trip, my dear."
"Well, the pleasure is all mine, Mr. Tessai." Orihime felt a little embarrassed at first. She scratched her head with a blush showing on her cheeks.
"Right," once again gaining everyone's attention, Asuna shifted lightly on her feet. "Alright, everyone, your attention, please? All eyes over here." Kisuke called as he gestured towards Asuna.
"Everyone this is Asuna Kuchiki." He gestured towards Asuna as Ichigo's eyes widened but before he could even ask, he continued. "To answer everyone's questions, yes I did say Kuchiki. No questions asked. No grudges held against her. We didn't come here to fight amongst each other." Asuna sighed as she glanced at the ground.
"She will tell you the truth when she's read and no without further ado", Kisuke snapped his fingers and the gate appeared in a comical fashion. "Voilà! This is the gate that leads to the Soul Society. It's called a Senkaimon or tunnel world gate. I'm gonna tell you all how to successfully pass through it. But first, we need to change one thing."
Asuna stood aside as Kisuke took the end of his cane and used it to bring Ichigo's soul out his body. Everyone stared in wonderment as Chad caught Ichigo's limp body.
"Wow." They all muttered under their breaths as a tick mark appeared on Ichigo's forehead.
"Hey, how about giving me a little warning next time, Urahara?!" Ichigo yelled comically to which the man merely smiled.
"I wondered how you changed your clothes so fast!" Orihime stated as she stared at Ichigo's limp body. "So Ichigo, you're not inside this Ichigo anymore?"
"Don't talk about me like I'm some doll with changeable outfits!" Ichigo muttered darkly.
"Alright, listen up. Unlike normal gates, this one has a spirit particle conversion machine." Kisuke once again gained everyone's attentio by this and Ichigo frowned.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Ichigo asked.
"I'll explain. As you already know, the Soul Society is a spirit world. Unless you are in spirit form, it's impossible to enter. Right now, only two of you can cross through as a spirit: Ichigo and Asuna, a Soul Reaper. The conversion machine will transform the rest of you into spirits as well." Urahara explained.
"So you're saying the gate will let us pass through without extracting our souls?" Uryū asked for confirmation.
Asuna watched as Kisuke nodded his head. "Yes. Passing through the conversion machine will allow you to stay in your present forms."
"Alright, we understand!" Ichigo blurted out as he tried walking past Kisuke. "Let's get going-." He was stopped by Urahara's cane jabbing him in the side. Ichigo leaned one hand against a rock wall while the other soothed his aching hip.
Wincing, Asuna closed her eyes. "That must have hurt." She mumbled shaking her head.
"But there's a catch: the window of time the gate can be kept open for you is only…four minutes long."
All of them stared at Urahara with enlarged eyes. "But…is that gonna be enough time?" Ichigo asked.
Asuna was the only one calm about the situation. "Ordinarily, no." Kisuke deadpanned. "In fact, the whole scheme is a little shaky. Four minutes with the gate is all I can give ya. After that, it will close, and anyone who hasn't made it through yet will be trapped forever in the Dangai, the Precipice World between this world and the Soul Society."
Four minutes isn't a long time, and who knows what will happen if they were to be trapped in the Precipice World. "How will we ever make it?" Orihime asked.
"Go forward." Yoruichi said. "Remember what I told you about the connection between heart and soul. You must have no doubt, have no fear. Do not think about those you are leaving behind. The will to go forward will be your guide, and don't look back. Only those who can do these things can follow me through the gate and survive."
Ichigo stepped in front of the group, speaking for all of them when he said, "We all know this already or we wouldn't still be here. Quit with all your preaching, and let's do this thing, now!"
"And you understand that if you lose, you can never return to this life again, right?"
"Then all I need to do is win, huh?" Ichigo said.
Yoruichi continued to stare at Ichigo with his yellow eyes. "Exactly."
The Senkaimon lit up from being activated by Kisuke and Tessai. "So, everybody ready? As soon as it opens, run in as fast as you can."
"Right." Ichigo deadpanned.
"Good luck." Kisuke's eyes flashed towards Asuna, and she knew what he meant by that. She nodded her head and smiled lightly.
Asuna instantly followed the group as they rushed in the moment the gate opened. The light engulfed them inside of it. Right when it went away and everyone was gone, the clock started ticking, counting down the four minutes.