Wow...I guess I was able to pull in one more chapter...yayyy!!!!! :D I know, for sure, that this one will be the last one I do for summer vacation; you know, since school starts Monday...:'( But I'll try as hard as I can to write as much chapters during all the homework and studying, don't worry! ^_^; So until that time comes, please enjoy this last chapter for just a while! (It won't be long, I'm sure!) But this chapter is much longer than the last one, so that's good! Also, the dream Ashley has in this chapter, is pretty similar to the one I had, but that was a long time ago. I barely remember it now...:o

Sayonara for now!

Soul-san

Chapter 12: Will I Ever Love You?

The sun slowly began to sink over the horizon around Karakura Town, the day beginning to end, once again. The wind had stopped blowing, which was the reason why the cherry blossom trees refused to sway. The school day was at an end, the end-of-the-day bell echoing through the school. There was barely anyone around now, just the last people finally leaving school and heading back home. Orihime and Ichigo walked back to their homes together, just as Orihime hoped; she blushed cotton-candy pink from just being close to him. Right after Ichigo and Orihime had left, though, there came a sudden Hollow alert on Rukia's soul pager; she and Chad, who was there when her soul pager went off, ran off in the direction of the Hollow the soul pager led them to. But, unfortuneatly, Uryu and Ashley were still asleep under the same tree that they had lunch under.

"Urnh..." Ashley mumbled softly, as she soon fluttered her eyes open; it had taken her awhile for her vision to be clear: at first it was a blurry orange color, then it started to get clearer to the point where she could see the line of trees infront of her. She blinked her eyes a few times, until she could see the sinking sunset over the horizon. "Wh..." It was hard for Ashley to find her voice, since she still felt exhaustion in her body; but she did feel something weigh down on her head. She thought it was someone's spiritual pressure weighing down on her, but thought otherwise from looking up and seeing Uryu's head silently resting on top of her's. "U-Uryu..." Ashley blushed, still unable to get her voice back. She couldn't see his face, but she saw his chest move up and down rhythmically, slowly breathing. He's...sleeping? Ashley thought in her mind, softly smiling to herself just by thinking how peaceful and sweet Uryu's sleeping face must look like.

But all of that was soon lost from Ashley's mind as she stared up at the sky that was mixed with oranges, pinks, and yellows: Sunset. "Ah!" Ashley gasped, gently pushing Uryu's sleeping figure away from her. "Aw, man! How long did we sleep?!" Ashley soon went over to Uryu, his whole body now leaning against the tree, his head resting on his shoulder. "U-Uryu...Uryu! Wake up!!" Ashley called out to him, gently shaking his shoulders; he made no move to wake up. "We fell asleep, Uryu! Wake up! Wake up!!" Instead of shaking his shoulders as she did before, Ashley slapped his cheeks gently, but not hard enough to leave a red mark she hoped. Finally, Uryu opened his eyes very slowly, blinking them a few times to adjust his vision. "Uh...?" Uryu slowly sat up from where he was, rubbing away the remaining sleep that was in his eyes. "Wh...at...?" Uryu looked over at Ashley sleepily, to see her with a strange, anxious look on her face. Uryu soon became his serious self in no time, as he asked, "What's wrong, Ashley?"

"Look around you!" Ashley said, stretching her arm up infront of them: to the silent trees, the dark orange sky, and the sun that was sinking down. Uryu gasped in shock, just as Ashley did, from seeing the setting sun. "Sun down, already?! How long did I sleep?!" Ashley didn't answer him at once, but she stood up from where she once sat, flinging her bag over her shoulder; she gripped the strap around her fist. "Apparently, too long. There's no hope in going back to the school, now. The day's pretty much done." Uryu nodded once to Ashley's true statement, as he also stood up and hanged his bag over his shoulder. "Yeah, you're right. I guess all we can do now is go home."


On the way back home, Uryu and Ashley talked continuously, about random things that popped up in their minds, while the sun still slowly sinked down over the town. They were just miles away from home, and it was nearly dusk now; the street lights would be coming on soon, Ashley knew. Uryu was walking ahead of her now, as she walked closely behind him. Ashley hated walking down any kind of street, especially at night, alone, even though she never did that before and Uryu was with her. Her parents never let her go out at night, for the same reason why she wouldn't. Ashley saw what happens to girls like her, walking down unknown streets at night all by herself; people would find her dead in the nearest ditch or find herself either raped, almost near death, or worse.

Ashley goggled her eyes left and right, repeatedly, hearing her heart pound loudly from any sign of movement she saw or heard. Uryu, of course, noticed how frightened she was. He said as softly as he could, "Hey," Ashley jumped from Uryu's low voice as she looked up at him; Uryu smiled sweetly, "I know how afraid you must be, but it's okay. I'm here, and I promise I won't let anything get you." Ashley could feel herself become less afraid now, from just hearing Uryu's gentle words; they both had stopped walking, as it had now started to get dark. Ashley couldn't find her voice to say anything, so she just nodded in understanding. "And," Uryu continued, his back facing Ashley; Ashley looked up at him, curiously. "If you still do feel frightened, then you can grab the back of my shirt, or..." He held out his hand infront of Ashley then, smiling sweetly, "You can take hold of my hand."

Ashley's mouth hanged open, agape, as she stared down at Uryu's open, palm up, hand. She wanted to so badly hold his hand, but she couldn't lift her hand out to take it. "Just think it over, okay?" Uryu pulled his hand back down to his side then, as he continued to walk on; Ashley timidly followed behind him. I...really want to hold his hand...so badly! I want to feel his warmth I felt before...it's the most sweetest thing in the world to me...but, why do I feel like I shouldn't? He's the one that offered it, so why? Uryu, I... Ashley's hand was just inches, inches away from Uryu's; their hands brushed against each other every now and then. As Ashley bit down her bottom lip and gulped down a lump in her throat, she shakily slid her fingers down Uryu's palm, slowly entwining her fingers with his. Uryu squeezed Ashley's small hand, knowing how fragile she must be; he smiled in relief that Ashley accepted him.

"Ah! Ashley-chan! Ishida-kun!!" Ashley heard someone familiar shout out; it sounded like Orihime to her, the way her voice sounded so hyper and squeaky. Hands still linked, Uryu and Ashley turned around to see Orihime there, with Ichigo beside her, with a sweet smile on her face. "Oh, hey, Orihime, Ichigo. What's up?" Ashley asked, as she started to think why both of them were walking together, but loving Ichigo and Orihime to one day end up together, she smiled in the end. "Well," Orihime began, with a short chuckle. "You guys didn't show up for any of the classes after lunch; I was kind of worried about you two."

Still gripping Uryu's hand tightly, Ashley smiled by Orihime's worriment, and both Orihime and Ichigo noticed it when they looked down and saw Ashley and Uryu's hands laced together. Orihime wanted to squeal in delight from such a sight, and embrace Ashley extremely tight, but she managed herself to keep it in. "So, where were you two, and what were you doing?" Ichigo asked, scratching the back of his bright orange head, as Orihime looked up at him with shock and confusion in her big brown eyes. Didn't he notice how close Ashley and Uryu were? With their hands gripped? Orihime started to wonder, as she saw a blush form on both Ashley and Uryu's faces; it must've been something pretty embarassing, Orihime knew.

"U-Um, w-well..." Ashley studdered nervously, staring down at the concrete ground below her; she tapped her feet together, anxiously. Orihime noticed Ashley's uneasiness from Ichigo's question, and Uryu as well, as she saw him turn his head to the side, his blush becoming deeper. "It's...n-none of your c-concern..." Uryu softly said, almost into a whisper. Both Ashley and Uryu weren't even looking each other's way, both of them looking the opposite way, but they still held onto each other's hands as if they were glued together. Orihime knew they didn't want to talk or to speak of what had happened during lunch; she knew it must have been something that they wouldn't want to bring up in a normal conversation...

"Oh, well!! We should be going now! Let's go, Kurosaki-kun!!" Orihime squeaked perkily, as she pushed Ichigo past Uryu and Ashley, as Ichigo confusingly shouted out, "Wha--?! Why are we leaving, Inoue?! They haven't answered me yet!! Inoue!" They were soon out of sight in no time, as Uryu and Ashley just stared down the street from where Orihime had led Ichigo toward, forcibly. "What was...that about?" Ashley finally asked, all through the arkward silence; she couldn't find a way to blink her eyes. "I...I have no clue, myself." Uryu said, as the moonlight washed over him and Ashley, while the stars twinkled up in the sky. Uryu, of course, noticed the moon-lit night, with the bright, blinking constellations. "Wow, it has gotten late; we need to head home, quickly." Uryu explained, finally gazing down at Ashley, as Ashley looked up at him and nodded once; Ashley still had a tight grip on Uryu's hand, no matter how badly her palm sweated from it.

"Yeah, you're right, Uryu," Ashley nodded once again, her heart pounding loudly in her chest; she always felt truly excited when she said his name. "But, how are we gonna get there any quicker?" Ashley knew she didn't need to ask such an absolutely obvious question, but she just felt like asking it for some reason. Uryu then smirked playfully down at Ashley, which she loved more than anything. "Why do you ask the most obvious things in the world?" Uryu chuckled, a beautiful sound to Ashley's ears as she smiled sheepishly up at him. "Hirenkyaku, yay!!" Ashley cheered excitedly, her smile never faded away during this moment. But Uryu didn't use Hirenkyaku as Ashley thought he would. Instead, he finally released his hold on Ashley's hand, as he placed his hands on her shoulders and looked down at her, sternly. "Remember this, Ashley," Uryu began, as Ashley soon became fearful on what he was about to say. "Remember to...close your eyes! You'll get all dizzy again..." Ashley sighed in relief, glad it wasn't something serious, as she thought it would be; she laughed playfully, nodding once to his statement. "Yes! I'll be sure to remember that!"

Uryu laughed charmingly along with Ashley, from just seeing her once again getting excited about something so small. "So, are you ready?" Ashley instantly nodded many times, from excitement, as she also jumped up in joy. "You bet I am!!" A smirk soon played it's way upon Uryu's lips, when he saw Ashley's reaction. Uryu then nodded to himself, as he walked closer toward Ashley; Ashley looked up at him, curiously wondering what he was going to do. And what he thought of doing, Ashley would have never, not in a thousand years, have guessed what he was about to do. Carefully and in a quick flash, he scooped Ashley up in his arms, bridal-style; Ashley could feel herself blush a thousand shades of red. "Ah! U-Uryu!!" Ashley squealed, as she felt absolutely uncomfortable in Uryu's arms, even though it's what she's always dreamed of. Uryu smiled sweetly down at her, "It'll be much faster this way, don't worry." Ashley swallowed a lump in her throat, as her hands shakily gripped the strap of her bag, that layed down on her stomach. "B-But...w...what if I fall...?" Ashley studdered, so unbelievably nervously, as she tried to think of the best excuse she could, to get out of this. "I will never, ever let that happen." Uryu said, with such stern and pride in his voice when he said it; Ashley could feel his grip tighten around her shoulders and under her knees. "It'll be okay, Ashley. Just close your eyes and relax. We'll be home before you know it, I assure you."

Uryu...his words, his beautiful face, his gentle touch...everything about him; I love it so much...Orihime, you were right. You were right all along. I...I'm... Ashley thought in her mind for so long, as she looked up at Uryu's face, his blue eyes sparkling. Slowly, Ashley started to sink into Uryu's arms, as she finally felt herself feeling more at ease. She gently layed her head against his chest, closing her eyes, while she pulled her bag close to her chest. "Okay...thank you, Uryu.." And in a quick flash, both Ashley and Uryu were gone.


It wasn't even close to a minute when Uryu appeared infront of his house, with Ashley still in his arms, her eyes still closed. Uryu sighed in, as he walked toward the door; he stopped, a few inches infront of it, as he looked down at Ashley, who still kept her eyes shut tight. Uryu smiled by how innocent she looked, knowing she was trying her best not to open her eyes. "Ashley, you can open your eyes now. It's over." Uryu's sweet breath blowed over Ashley's face, as she slowly fluttered her eyes open. "Wha...? Already?" Ashley blinked many times, as she looked up at Uryu, curiously. "Already," Uryu repeated, nodding down at Ashley. Ashley blushed a shade of pink, from seeing how gorgeous Uryu looked with the moon light hitting against his face.

"U-Um, you can put me down now, Uryu." Ashley said as straightforward as she could, but in the end it sounded nervous and anxious. Uryu flinched back, blushing shades and shades of red, as if just now realizing he still had a hold of her in his arms. "Oh, y-yes," Uryu said in such a nervous state, as he gently placed Ashley back on the ground, removing his arm away from under her legs, but he still had his arm around her shoulder for support. "Sorry about that." Ashley shook her head, showing Uryu that he shouldn't be apologizing about something so small. "No, it's all right. There's no need to apologize." Uryu carefully watched Ashley then, as she went up to the door, and twisted the door knob, as the door creaked open. Ashley tilted her head back, gazing over at a thoughtful-looking Uryu; she smiled as sweetly as she could, "We shouldn't be out here in the cold. We should go inside and bundle up, right?"

"Y-Yes..." Uryu said off-distantly, once again feeling himself blush more deeper, from when he heard her say, 'bundle up'. He knew Ashley probably didn't know what she said at that moment, but he managed to smile halfheartedly by that. But when Uryu finally left his thoughts, he saw that Ashley wasn't infront of him anymore, but he saw her walk over to the kitchen table inside. "A-Ashley!" Uryu shouted as he immediately walked inside and closed the door behind him; he looked over at her, as he saw her walk around the table for a few seconds, then went over toward the stove. As he walked beside her, he noticed Ashley brush her fingertips over one of the burners, her eyes staring down at it. "Um, are you hungry, Ashley? I'll make you something, if you wish."

He's so... Ashley, once again, began to get lost in her thoughts, as she moved her fingers over toward the next burner, which was beside the previous one. ...So kind, so sweet, so gentle. I wish I could be like that...to be a great person such as you, Uryu. I'm just so glad that you were...born and still alive. Ashley was so into her revolving thoughts, that she didn't even feel the hot tears welling up in her eyes. Right when the first few tears started to run down her cheeks, Ashley immediately snapped back to reality and quickly rubbed away the tears; she hoped that Uryu hadn't noticed. But, unfortunately, her hope was for naught.

Uryu gasped loudly, as he watched Ashley desperately wipe away her running tears. "A-Ashley! What's wrong?!" Uryu shouted, instantly running to her side, gripping her shoulders tightly in his fists. "Ashley!" Despite from hearing Uryu's desperate cries, Ashley laughed softly, as if it was no big deal to her. "I-It's nothing, Uryu. Nothing for you to worry about." Her tears kept on spilling on, not wanting to be held back; Ashley rubbed them away quickly, ignoring the burning pain she felt in her eyes.

"Like hell it is!!" Uryu suddenly swore out so angerily at Ashley, as Ashley just stood there, frozen from his sudden outburst; her tears still flowed down her cheeks to no end. Her lower lip quivered from such fear she felt from Uryu just now, and Uryu noticed. Uryu back down, releasing his firm grip he previously had on Ashley's shoulders. "I...I'm so sorry, Ashley. I...don't know what just came over me." Ashley didn't show not one kind of emotion from Uryu's deep apology, as she stared down at the wooden floor, holding her one shoulder that burned from Uryu's too tight grip. "Oh, Ashley...please, please forgive me for such an act. I didn't mean to--" Uryu took one step toward Ashley, as Ashley instantly took one big step back, away from him; her back touched the white wall behind her. Uryu stood still when Ashley stepped back, wishing, hoping he knew a way to ease her from not hurting her as he just did. Taking a chance, a risk, Uryu stepped forward, stretching out his hand for Ashley to grab, but she didn't move. "Ashley, I--"

Before he could get any closer, Ashley quickly dashed toward the stairs for her room, as she shouted, "Stay away from me!!" She slammed the door shut, loudly, as there came a vibration through the whole house from it. Uryu stood there for a few seconds, wondering aimlessly through his mind on what just happened: they were so happy and cheerful at first. They slept so wonderfully, beside each other, underneath the flowing cherry blossoms. They walked back home together, hand in hand, happy, yet anxiously and embarassed too. And now, back home, Ashley suddenly burst into tears infront of Uryu for no reason he knew of, and because of that he yelled at her when he had absolutely no right to. Now Ashley's very, extremely upset with him, for good enough reasons why she should be. It took Uryu in no time to realize he hurt her, once again; the only thing he knows how to do for Ashley. He can't protect her as he wants to, and he can't save her from her and his enemies, as he dreadfully wants more than anything; as much as he wants to protect her. And to love her...he can not find a way to ever do that.

"I...I do...so much..." Uryu's lower lip quivered, just as Ashley's did when she felt frightened by Uryu's outburst on her, as his hands shakily turned into fists on the table. "D...Dammit!!!!!" Uryu screamed, as loud as his lungs would let him, as he smashed his fist down on the table with all of his might. The table shaked from the violent vibration, as a few plates that were laying there, fell off of the table and instantly broke into small pieces from the impact to the floor. "A...Ashley...I...I..." Uryu quivered once again, letting his whole body sink into the floor. He slammed his hands on the floor, leaning his front all the way down, to the point where his forehead touched the floor. Right there, he cried silently...

In her room, Ashley, as well, started to cry silently to herself. She had her back against the closed door, looking down at the wooden floor, her tears falling down from her cheeks to the floor. "Wh-Why...? I...I..." Ashley choked through her cries, as she began to get lost in thought. Wh-Why? How? This shouldn't have had to happen! N-No! It's all my fault...for running away from Uryu like that. I know he was just worried about me...he just wanted to know why I had suddenly burst into tears like that...it's not his fault! I'm such an idiot...I mean, so what he yelled at me? Ichigo always yells at Rukia for almost everything, but I know that he's just worried about her...not really angry at her.

Ashley then smiled to herself, wiping away the remaining tears. "Heh. Look at me. Uryu must really hate me right now; I don't blame him. Probably thinking of a good and faster way to get me back home..." Ashley finally took a few steps toward her bed, as she sat at the very edge of it; she entwined her fingers together, looking down at her lap. "I just want Uryu to be happy...nothing more." Ashley sighed out exhaustedly, as she decided to go to bed early than she usually does. Usually she and Uryu have a conversation here and there before she goes to bed, but not this time. They usually have dinner together before either of them go to bed, but not this time. They would say their good-nights to each other...but not this time.


Midnight came unusually quick, as both Ashley and Uryu were asleep, both in their separate rooms, which was across from each other. Ashley would always have the best and the most wonderful dreams about Uryu, every single night; even on her first night in this world, she dreamed of him. But, tonight, she didn't just dream of Uryu...there was more...

It was a bleak place. The sun was not shining anywhere, and the clouds were darkening up in the sky, hinting that rain was about to come. This place was not peaceful, nor joyous at all; the grass growed into a healthy green color, but there was something about it that made it seem dead. Burnt up wood, furniture and other nessecities were all around this place, as if a terrifying fire erupted. Nothing felt alive. But, this place was vaguely familiar to Ashley somehow, but no matter how hard she thought of it, she couldn't tell if she's been or seen this place or not. But it was so familiar to her...

I've been here before, I just know it, Ashley began to think in her mind, but still couldn't find out where she could have seen this place. She looked all over this unknown, dreadful place, when she suddenly caught a glimpse of Uryu, just a few feet away from her right side. "Uryu!!" She called out to him, as he just looked out the distance, with a strange look on his face. "Uryu...? Uryu!!" Ashley ran quickly to his side, waving her hand hyperily, in his face. Still, he had that look on his face, as if he didn't notice Ashley. Ashley immediately knew something must be troubling him, "Huh? Is there something wrong, Uryu? What is it?" Ashley gazed up at him, curiously, just now noticing a pure white bandage was cleanly wrapped around his head. "Oh, Uryu!" Ashley gasped, shockingly. "Your head! Are you hurt? What happened?" No answer. He didn't answer any one of the many questions she gave him, as his eyes were frozen, staring out. "Uryu...why aren't you talking to me? Answer me!" Ashley shouted desperately, tightly gripping his sleeve. And just like he did, he didn't answer her, nor did he even have the decency to look down at her; but, in all the eternity it felt as, he moved his feet foward, slowly walking away from Ashley.

Ashley watched him from behind, to see him walking toward an unknown, far off, figure. "Who...?" Ashley started to wonder, not even bothering to finish what she was going to say, as she followed behind Uryu. As they got more closer to the figure, Ashley started to recognize it's features that should belong to a girl, and when she was close enough...she recognized the figure instantly: Yoshino. Ashley's whole body froze at that point, as Uryu just continued to walk toward her. "N-No..." Ashley studdered panickingly, gripping chunks of her hair in her fists. "No! No! Uryu, get away from her!!! Please!" But, he did not listen; Uryu made his way over toward Yoshino, smiling so lovingly, as both of them embraced each other tightly.

"Don't you dare touch him!!!" Ashley screamed with such anger and jealousy, as she was going to race her way over to them and pull them apart, but she found herself frozen to the ground. Full of distress and confusion, Ashley looked down and saw that her ankles were chained together, which made her unable to move. "N-No...No!!!!!" Ashley screamed as loud as she could, tears welling in her eyes. "Uryu, please get away from her!! She...She doesn't love you like I do!!!!!"

Ashley noticed Yoshino grit her teeth together, even at the distance she was at. Ashley knew it wasn't out of jealousy or some kind of so called "love". She did NOT love Uryu, at least not the in the way Ashley did. Ashley finally knew now, that she was in deep love for Uryu, for everything he is, and everything she is not. Ashley loved the way he smiled, the way his mouth moved when he talked, the way his beautiful blue eyes shined, even they way he walked and talked. Nothing anyone will ever do or say could change her mind about Uryu. But, then...

"Goethe!!" Yoshino called her doll out, as it's firery being soon appeared beside her; Uryu had never let go of her. "Burn her." Her doll said nothing by her cruel order, as the doll rushed it's way toward Ashley. He tossed huge fire balls Ashley's way, as Uryu still acted as if he didn't see her. "N...Noooooo!!!!!!" Ashley screamed as loud as she could, the fire balls just inches away from burning her to an absolute crisp.


"Noooooo!!!!!!" Ashley screamed loudly in her bed room, instantly rising up in her bed, sweat trinkling all over her forehead and neck. She breathed heavily, as the wall clock slowly ticked on. "Oh..." Ashley breathed in, touching her arms, her face, her neck, any part of her body to see if she was really burned. She tossed the covers off of her, as she pulled her legs close to her; Ashley pulled up her pajama pants all the way up, and thankfully there were no burn marks anywhere. All just a dream, a nightmare even; Ashley sighed in relief from that. "Oh, thank goodness."

"Ashley!!!!" The door instantly slammed open, as Uryu quickly rushed toward Ashley's bedside, in a state of panic. "Are you okay?! What happened?! You were screaming, and...you..." Trying her best to forget what had happened before, between her and Uryu, Ashley smiled smally, "Oh, don't worry. It was just a bad dream, is all..." Uryu's eyes seemed to be filled with constant worriment, and even remorse from before. "Would you...like to tell me about it? If it'll help you?" Ashley looked up at Uryu's face once again, with wonderment in his eyes; Ashley knew that he wanted to know.

"She...She took you away from me..." Ashley wimpered softly, tears just waiting to fall down; she quickly wrapped her arms around Uryu's neck, as she cried, "Oh, Uryu!! I was so afraid! You were so close to me, and yet...I couldn't reach you! You were...g-gone..." Uryu very gently wrapped his arms around Ashley's waist, voicing soft hushes in her ear, "Shh, Ashley, shh. It all was just a dream, just a dream. I'm right here, and I will not ever, ever leave you." Ashley shakingly nodded to Uryu's most kind and gentle words, as Ashley wiped away the tears that had fallen down her cheeks. "Don't." Uryu softly whispered to Ashley, as he lifted her face up; her eyes were beginning to turn into a soft reddish color. Uryu went over toward the small table next to Ashley's bed, and took the handkerchief that was laying on the table; he very tenderly dabbed it against Ashley's reddened eyes. "Your eyes will get all red if you rub them like that; this is much more better, don't you think?"

Ashley smiled by Uryu's kindness, and from the sight of his wonderful smile, nodding once. "Y-Yeah, you're right. Thanks, Uryu." Uryu chuckled softly, as he placed the handkerchief back where it once was, on top of the small table. "It's fine, really. You don't need to thank me." It soon became quiet once again, with an arkward silence, as the wall clocked ticked on repeatedly. Ashley sighed in, not wanting Uryu to leave, not just yet; she wanted to talk with him, just alittle more longer. "Uryu..." Ashley softly whispered very lowly, but Uryu heard her very clearly; he looked down at her, with curious eyes, "Um, yes? What is it, Ashley?"

She smiled once more, mostly to herself, as she soon dropped her leg over the edge of the bed, the other bent close to her chest; she softly layed her chin upon her knee. "Well, I..." Ashley began, as she stared down at the bed mattress before her: the cover was nearly on the ground, from when she forcefully pulled it off of her, and the sheets wrapped around the mattress were wrinkled everywhere, from where she and Uryu were sitting. Uryu slowly moved closer to Ashley now, wanting more than anything to reach out and caress her cheek so tenderly; anything ease her remaining pain away. "I'm so sorry...about before...Uryu..." Ashley muttered so very quietly, but Uryu had heard her. His eyes soon became remorseful, "Ashley, no--"

"Please don't blame yourself, Uryu." Ashley said in a more louder tone, cutting off Uryu before he could finish; Uryu's mouth hanged open, but no words came out. He waited patiently, as Ashley continued, "It's not your fault, Uryu, it's mine. I should've...I should've told you why I was crying in the first place; you had all the right to yell at me, I know. You were just worried about me, right? That's fine. I just...I was just so--"

This time, it was Uryu's turn to cut in, "No, Ashley, stop." Uryu spoke as gentle, and soft as he could, tenderly placing his hands on Ashley's shoulders; Ashley could feel the tears swarming around her eyes, as she tried her utmost best to fight them away. "It's most certainly not your fault, Ashley. I should have taken your feelings into consideration first, but...I'm an idiot. I didn't think at all, and I've caused you more pain, just as I always do. I...had no right to shout at you, in such a barbaric manner. I...yes, just as you said, I was worried about you; I'm always worried about you, Ashley. Every night I worry how you sleep, how you dream..." Uryu had stopped then, mid-sentence, to let out a soft chuckle from his lips before he went on, "I even worry on how you snore so quietly...even loudly at some times." Ashley couldn't help but also laugh by Uryu's, mostly untrue statement, as she gripped her small hands around his wrists; Uryu's hands were still gently gripping Ashley's shoulders.

"I don't snore!" Ashley giggled happily, as Uryu shook his head in defiance. "Oh, yes you do; I hear it from all the way in my room. But, don't worry. I think it's a beautiful sound." Uryu's wonderful comment about her snoring entered through her eardrums, echoing in her mind over and over again. Ashley immediately stopped her laughing, looking up at Uryu with such a dark red blush on her face; even in the darkness, it showed clearly. "Th-Thank you...Uryu," Ashley said in a more softer tone, as low as a whisper, but Uryu looked down at her with his gorgeous eyes, clearly hearing exactly what Ashley said. "It's no problem at all." Uryu said sweetly, as he stood up from her bed, his back facing Ashley; he tried to hide the blush, that was starting to take form on his face, away from Ashley. "W-Well, it looks like you've calmed down now. If you're alright now, I think I'll just go back--"

"W-Wait." Ashley whispered, quickly and shakily grabbing the bottom of Uryu's shirt, before he could completely walk away. Uryu had stopped in his tracks, when he felt Ashley lightly pull his shirt with her small hand. Uryu tilted his head back, to look down at Ashley's face, only to see that her blush never faded away. "What's wrong?" Uryu asked worriedly, once again taking his place back on her bed, sitting more closer to her; he reached his hand out to touch hers, which was gripping the sheets tightly, but soon pulled back as he saw her dunk her head down in...maybe embarassment? Uryu couldn't help but smile by that as he kindly asked, "Would you like for me to stay here?" All Ashley did was nod her head once, not even daring to look up at Uryu, as her grip on the sheets below had loosened. Uryu could see, very easily, that there was something else that Ashley wanted to ask.

Carefully, Uryu very gently placed his soft hand on top of Ashley's head; once again, Ashley felt that same wonderful warmth as before. She nodded her head once as before, as she lifted her head up slowly, "Will you...sleep with me tonight?" Uryu wasn't shocked or even disgusted by her request, as Ashley thought he'd be, but all he did was smile down at her, as if it was not such a big deal to him. But, Uryu knew how painful and fragile Ashley must have felt, and he would do almost anything for her, no matter how ridiculous it may sound. "If that is what you wish, then yes. Yes, I will sleep right beside you, even hum you a few lullabies, if you want."

Uryu sleeping beside me, keeping me calm by humming sweet, tenderful lullabies to me...how beautiful. It's not what I would imagine...but I do know that it's all perfect. Ashley smiled to herself, by her recurring, happy thoughts, as she looked up at Uryu. "Y-Yes. That would be so wonderful, Uryu. Thank you."

At that time, Uryu and Ashley quietly layed in the bed, as Uryu pulled the cover over both of them; Uryu murmured soft hushes in Ashley's ear, as he wrapped his strong arms around her, gently. And soon, Uryu slowly layed his head against Ashley's, his nose nuzzling into strands of her hair; he started to hum soft lullabies into her hair. To Ashley, it was like angels were singing to her so very beautifully; Ashley knew Uryu had an amazing voice, and that he could probably sing good, but...it was absolutely marvelous. Only listening to him sing for just a few seconds, Ashley immediately felt herself fall asleep.

And this time, she dreamed of nothing but Uryu and his beautiful being. No Yoshino. No chains keeping her away from him. She smiled to herself in her sleep, as she murmured here and there, "Uryu...I love you..."