CHAPTER ONE
First Meeting

Ashlynn's Point Of View

I walked down the streets to Urahara shop. I knocked on the door, and waited, "Come on in, the door is open." I entered the wood scented shop to see a man in green clothing and a green hat, with a fan in front of his face, "What can I do for you, young lady?"

"I need a gigai. Can you make one for me?" his fan closed, revealing a shocked face.

"A what?"

"Don't play dumb. I need a gigai for a special mission I'm on. Please, you must help me. I'm trying to run away from someone, but they can't see humans, and, if I'm in a gigai, maybe he won't recognize me. You have to help. Please?" I got down on my knees. I was a pretty good liar. I got good practice from all those years of lying to Grimmjow about his fusses with Ulquiorra. Luckily he didn't notice I was an arrancar. Aizen had given me an old soul reaper uniform as well.

"I see. Come to the back and I can measure your height and get one made, okay?" I nodded and followed him to what looked like a tailor room. Thirty minutes later, and a thank you, I left the shop wearing my gigai. I topped it off with a red beret, hiding my hollow mask. I took out a piece of paper. I wrote a note at the top.

Ok, guy who makes gigais, enemy number one. I thought and wrote. I folded the paper and tucked it back into my pocket. I walked into an alley and closed my eyes after buying and changing into jeans and a T-shirt, "I sense a rather strong reatsu. But it is also weak, health wise. It's nearby." I opened my eyes and jumped to the roof of the building. I saw an overview of the town, then saw someone in a white cape, with waist length snow white hair about fifteen feet away from me. I stood in awe when he turned around and I saw his eyes catch the sun, sending off a warm mocha shade of brown.


Ukitake's Point Of View

Can she see me? I looked at the petite girl as she looked at me. Or seemed to.

"Can you help me? I'm lost." she held her wrist and rubbed her toe against the roof cement.

"So you can see me?" I rubbed my forehead, "Are you a soul reaper?"

"Um, kind of. Um, you see, I left Seretei after graduating from the Academy and came here. I went to Urahara's shop and got a gigai, so I've been living in the World of the Living for the past few years. I just moved here though. I'm Ashlynn... Minchatu." I went to her and extended my hand, then shook hers with mine.

"I'm Jushiro Ukitake, captain of Squad Thirteen in the Court Guard Squads. Pleasure to meet you. You can call me Jushiro, if you want." She smiled at me, a little too wide.

I chuckled at her eagerness, "Um, do you by any chance have any time to show me around. I'm so lost and I don't think a map will help any." I patted her back.

"Of course. I know this place pretty well, so I would be happy to show you around." I kept my hand around her shoulder as I led her around. She kept alert for something, like she was searching for something, or someone.


Ashlynn's Point Of View

It was hard for me to stay concentrated as Captain Ukitake led me around Karakura Town, "This is the little shopping center if you want to find clothes and shoes." I nodded as he continued talking, but I soon got lost thinking about his voice. His voice is so gentle and kind. It's not what I'm used to. Grimmjow would always yell at me and hit me. Absentmindedly, I leaned into his side and yawned.

"Are you tired?" I blushed as I left his side.

"I'm sorry. I guess I am pretty tired. I had a long trip, and I guess it just caught up with me." he laughed, his smile was soft and warm.

"Then how about this: I'll get a gigai from Urahara and I will treat you to a nice dinner, to welcome you here. You up to that?" I smiled again and nodded.

"That would be great! Thank you Captain Ukitake." I bowed slightly, but he took my shoulder and gently brought me back up.

"I told you to call me Jushiro, didn't I?" I thought it was Grimmjow talking at first, since Grimmjow would always ask things like that, only much angrier, so I closed my eyes and looked away, "Are you okay? I'm not going to hit you." I reopened my eyes and blushed a deeper pink as I looked at him again.

"I-I'm sorry. I was just used to getting yelled at a lot." he touched my cheek.

"Is that why you moved here? To get away from it?" I turned away again and rubbed my arm subconsciously, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked a personal question like that."

"No, no, it's fine. Really. I like to talk about it. It helps me vent." I breathed deeply.

"Then we can go to dinner right now if you want. Urahara's shop it across the street, and be already has a gigai waiting fir me, so I can pick it up, we can go to dinner, and you can tell me all about yourself." he put my hand on his elbow and he led me to Urahara's shop.

"Hey Kisuke, I'm here!" a loud crash came from the kitchen.

"Ah, Jushiro! I'll get your gigai. It will be ready in a few minutes." Jushiro sat down in a rocking chair on the porch. He raised a tissue to his mouth and gave a few coughs. He lowered the tissue, and I saw drops of blood seeping into it. He saw my worried face and smiled.

"It's okay. I'm fine. This always happens." I nodded, but my worried face remained.

"Here it is! Do you want to go ahead and put it on?" Jushiro stood up and got into the gigai. Theman in green looked at me, "It is nice to see you again. How is that gigai fitting?"

"Um, fine I guess. It's still a little snug, but I'm sure it'll be fine." he smiled and put his fan over his face. I knew he started smiling as Jushiro put his hand on my back.

"Thank you Kisuke. I'll be on my way now. Good bye." they both waved at each other and Jushiro and I left, "Now, on to dinner."


Ukitake's Point Of View

I knew this place pretty well, so I took her to the little bistro just a few minutes away from Urahara's shop. Her eyes looked full of wonder as she looked at all the food in the dsplay case. I could have sworn I saw her drool a little.

"Table for two?" I smiled at the waitress and nodded, "Right this way please." I followed behind Ashlynn to our table. We sat down and she took her menu.

"I've never been to a place like this. It's so beautiful. Everything here is beautiful." she gazed at the flowers in a vase that was in the middle of the table. She reached over and took a pink rose from it, then breathed in it's scent, "Mmmmm, this smells good." I laughed a bit. She looked at me, then back to the rose. She got up from her chair and went to me. Bending down, she tucked the rose in my hair.

"What was that for?" she smiled and sat back down, shrugging at the same time.

"Pink looks good with white. I couldn't help it. So, tell me about yourself." I leaned back and began my story.

"Oh, nothing really important. I am the captain of Squad Thirteen, I have five brothers and two sisters. I have tuberculosis, that was why you saw blood in the tissue earlier today. It is also why I have white hair." I pointed to my hair and accidentally knockked the flower from my ear. I smiled and tucked it into my chest pocket on my shirt, "I don't have a lieutenant for my squad, unlike the other twelve. My two third seats do the lieutenant's work. What about you? Tell me about yourself."


Ashlynn's Point Of View

My heart felt like it had stopped when he asked me to tell about myself, "W-Well, there's nothing really to say. I lived in a place where I couldn't stand anyone, my superior was a blood thirsty bastard who only wanted to fight, so I came here. When I left Seretei, I came here briefly to get a gigai. After a few years, I finally moved here." he listened intently. He really cares about me and my past. Wow, he is so kind. Our food arrived and we started to eat. World of the Living food tasted better than Hueco Mundo's by a ginormous level. I finished my meal in about ten minutes flat.

"Wow, you were pretty hungry." I blushed when I saw that his plate was still two thirds full.

"Excuse me. That was rude, scarfing down my meal like that." I gave a small giggle, to which was rewarded with a kind and soft smile.

"It's fine. You were pretty hungry, so I can understand. I get like that all the time. I'm full actually. Want to do anything else while you're out? I would be more than happy to go with you so you don't get lost." we both laughed.

"Sure. I would like that. Is there a park nearby? I would love to get some fresh air and see the flowers." he paid the check and took my hand.

"Yes there is. Would you like me to take you?" I nodded and he helped me up, "Then let's go. The sunset here is beautiful." I kept finding myself blush as we walked back outside. The streets were almost empty as the sun began to set. I saw the park and our pace quickened. We kept passing glances at each other, and a smile came across his face, "So, you want to rce do you? You're on." he vanished from my sight, but I soon saw him running ahead of me. With ease he beat me onto the bridge, and I stopped beside him, panting with him in unison, "That was some good foot-" his eyes grew wide and he suddenly started to cough. Blood fell to the cement.

"Jushiro!" I held his shoulders as he continued to cough. Blood formed a small pool under him. His coughs settled slightly.

"I'm okay. This happens all the time." he barely finished the sentence when another coughing fit consumed him. I made him sit down and lean against the column. I put his hair behind his ears and took a ponytail holder I had and tied it back. I felt his head.

"You fell like you have a slight fever." my beret fell to the side of my face, "Hang on, I've got an idea." I took the beret and knelt beside the creek, then put the beret in the water. I wrung it out and carried it back to him, then put it on his forehead, "That should help."

"Thank you." I smiled and rubbed the rest of the blood from his lips. My face was inches away from his.

"No problem. Let's just not do anymore races, okay?" he smiled and nodded.

"Okay."

"So, how long are you going to be here?" he waited a few seconds before answering.

"A week I think. Two tops." I lowered my head.

"Oh, okay. So, where are you staying?"

"I'm not sure yet. Maybe at Orihime Inoue's. She lives in a three bedroom apartment. What about you?" I never really thought of where I would be staying.

"Um, I might be staying in a hotel. My stuff hasn't been moved in yet." he shook his head.

"No you're not. I'm sure Orihime can spare the free room for you. She's a very hospitable girl." My confidence went down.

"Is Orihime your girlfriend?" He laughed loudly.

"Of course not! She is merely sixteen. She just gives us soul reapers a place to stay when we visit here." I smiled again, a glimmer of hope burned inside me.

What is this feeling? I feel, all tingly... and happy... and... my heart... it's racing out of my chest... what is... this feeling? I've never... felt like this before... I feel happy... and something else. He's so kind... His eyes and smile... they're so warm and... am I? Could this be... what Gin was talking about? Could I be... in love?

Flashback

"Gin, what are you talking about? You confuse me so much." I walked down the hallway, talking to Gin.

"I'm talking bout love Ashlynn. I loved someone in Seretei before I came here. She was beautiful, and everytime I saw her blue eyes, I felt all weird, like I was floating. Ya need ta love ta survive Ashlynn. Don't take that for grantide if ya do find it." he flash stepped away, making me feel even more confused.

End Flashback


Ukitake's Point Of View

Something screamed at me. Something in my subconscious called out to me to kiss her. I tried to ignore it, but as I saw her smiling, I felt compelled to give in. No, I can't kiss her. I just met her a few hours ago!

You will only be here a week Jushiro.

Sogyo No Kotowari?

Yes. Haven't you noticed how she's been acting?

No, not really.

Idiot.

Hey!

Look at her. She's constantly showing a nervous face. Whenever women like someone, they always show that face. I looked at Ashlynn, who kept a smile on her face.

How do you know? Are you this ladies man all of the sudden.

You really are an idiot sometimes.

Your point?

I've seen about twently plus women in your squad look at you the same way Jushiro. Look closely at Ashlynn. She is showing genuine love. Now, if you don't kiss her now, I'll materialize in the middle of the night and wake your sorry ass up and then beat it into a pulp for being stupid enough for letting her go.

Okay okay! Geesh. Just give it time. I've still got a week.


Ashlynn's Point Of View

"Jushiro? Are you alright?" Jushiro snapped out of his blank stare and looked at me.

"Y-yeah. I'm fine. Just, thinking a bit." I tilted my head.

"About what?"

"Mmm, stuff." I put my hands on my hips.

"Now, why don't I believe that? Hey, there's the sunset!" I helped Jushiro up and we looked over the water. The sun was beginning to change the sky's colors to an orange pink color, "Beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you." he put his hand on his mouth.

"W-what? Did you just say I was more beautiful than the sunset?" his hand lowered, revealing a blush.

"I didn't mean to. It sort of slipped." a tear filled my eyes.

"No one has ever told me I was beautiful. Thank you." he put his hand on mine.

"Anytime." I suddenly found myself locking my lips with his. I tried to pull away, but he returned the kiss to me, stopping me from wanting to pull away. His hand went to my back and pulled me to him. I snaked my hands behind his neck and wisted my fingers into his long white hair. I could taste little hints of his blood on his lips. We pulled back slowly, smiling at each other before embracing. He held me gently but firm, both of us oblivious to the blue haired demon standing in the air above us. I sighed deeply.

Wow


Ukitake's Point Of View

Wow Grimmjow's Point Of View


Damn.