Hello my wonderful readers. First off, I lied, they will not be going to Soul Society it just would have been too long. Secondly, in a review it was brought to my attention that my point of views were a bit confusing, so hopefully this chapter is better. Thirdly, this chapter gives you a peek into what Ashwina's powers are, and I would love to see if any of you can guess :)

Thank you so much for all the review, favorites, and follows; they make my day shine

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, only Ashwina and the occurrences and people related to her presence.

Enjoy!

Bounty

Chapter 3- Hopeful Resolve

Ashwina and Urahara sat peacefully, the girl clad in only her underwear as she sunbathed while the lecherous old fool peeked at the dimples on her back, right above her rounded pantied bottom. She ignored him, instead watching as the children dangled their spit over the edge of the chasm, tormenting Ichigo even more. Ashwina had to admit, they were pretty hilarious when they weren't bugging her.

Ichigo has now been in the shaft for over 70 hours. It was a sick and twisted way to gain his shinigami powers back, but something wasn't sitting right with her. There really shouldn't be a way for him to gain his shinigami powers back. Even with his heritage, the kid was still technically a living human. Gaining them through a shinigami was possible due to his already immense spiritual pressure and bloodline, but awakening his own powers while still alive? That just didn't add up. Kisuke had to have a plan, and unfortunately, she was having a hard time figuring this one out. Which was pissing her off.

"Stop staring, pervert."

He waved his fan, laughing as if she had told him a joke. "Oh, but Bounty Hunter-tan, how can I not look when you're laying there? You shouldn't tease an old pervert like me.~" She scoffed once before suddenly vanishing, leaving behind a small cloud of smoke. "I'm going to find some candy, call me if anything interesting happens." Urahara looked up, as she waved once from the top of the ladder, 500 feet away from the spot she had just been occupying. "I hate when she does that."

Ashwina hummed to herself, looking through the cupboards before deciding on a big bag full of sweet candy sticks. She bent down, wiggling her hips as her hands reached for the candy. "Hm, now that's a round butt I haven't seen for a long time," a deep voice said, causing Ashwina's hips to stop swaying as she shoved the candy into her mouth. Lazily, Ashwina stood, turning her head to look back at the counter behind her. A black house cat stared back, it's golden eyes dancing with laughter. "Aa, it's been a while since I've seen such a fine looking pussy."

The cat laughed, it's deep voice reverberating throughout the room. "It's good to see you Ashwina, have you been keeping Kisuke in line?" The silver haired girl nodded, shoving another candy stick into her mouth. "Trying to, that idiot really might get in trouble if he doesn't kick this lolicon phase." She hopped up onto the counter, sitting with one leg bent to her chest while the other swung in the air. "What have you been up to Yuroichi?"

Stretching, the cat lied down beside the girl, purring unconsciously as her hand ran across the top of its head. "Training a few brats to invade soul society, but that's not why I'm here." Ashwina nodded once, rubbing her fingers over the black fur. "Aa, it's about her showing up, right? Yeah, that old bat doesn't concern me. That useless bird won't find me until I'm already in Soul Society."

"Be that as it may, I'm more concerned by the fact she has appeared here. There must be a reason for it, considering the last time you two met..." Yuroichi trailed off, noticing the girls eyes darken at the mentioning of their last encounter. Not to mention, the once gentle petting had now turned to harsh pats on the head. "Ne, that old woman needs to butt out of my life already. It's creepy right? She keeps popping up, following me everywhere. I think she's gone even more senile, wouldn't you agree Yuroichi?" Her hand stopped it's patting, only to grip the cat's fur harshly. The cat hissed, scratching the girl once at the evil aura suddenly pouring from her body.

"Maybe if you weren't such a bullheaded moron, you would know why she was here, and she would stop trying to find you!"

"You mean stalk me." Ashwina pouted, a candy stick hanging from her mouth as she glared at the bright pink lines on her hand. "Why'd you scratch me? Meanie."

Yuroichi sighed, looking up as if asking the gods to take mercy on her. Without warning, she jumped from the counter and exploded into a puff of smoke. Two tanned feet appeared on the floor, and the smoke cleared, leaving her in all her naked glory. She turned, facing Ashwina head on with a mischievous smirk. Ashwina merely stared, a look of complete indifference on her face. The purple haired woman scowled, snatching a piece of candy.

"Dammit, you didn't even react that time. I remember when you were a prude, I've trained you too well," Yuroichi continued to grumble, even as Ashwina chuckled lightly. "Well yeah, Ero-sensei. I did learn from the best." Yuroichi smiled at that and laughed brightly. "Very true!" They laughed for a few more moments before Yuroichi grew silent, a serious look on her face.

"Ashwina, you're going to the Soul Society aren't you?" The girl nodded once, lifting her arm to show off the golden chain. "Yeah, don't really have a choice, though. Kisuke has unfortunately dragged me into this suicidal escapade." The chain jingled softly as she put another piece of candy in her mouth, Yuroichi watching it closely as it shined brightly in the kitchen lights. "So, you've attached the chain of Justice to Ichigo then." Ashwina nodded once, chewing on the candy stick lazily. "Which means you two are linked together until you take him in." Yuroichi grabbed the golden chain, holding it limply in her hand. "No matter how far apart, the chain will never stop or break." The silver haired girl nodded again, looking at Yuroichi with a raised eyebrow. "You can also turn the chain invisible, right?" Once again the girl nodded, her eyes narrowing suspiciously at the woman. "What's up with the third degree, homes?"

"I have a request for you."

"No."

"What whyyy? It'll be really awesome, you can play ninja!"

Ashwina glared at the woman, her lips pulled into a deep frown. "Because I don't wanna be any more a part of this then necessary. I just want to enjoy the show, Homes." Yuroichi stared intently at the girl, her eyes losing their playfulness. She had a disappointed look on her face, her lips pulled down into a deep frown. This girl was too lazy, for someone with such power to merely sit back and watch the bloodbath that was in the making; it sickened Yuroichi no matter how much she liked the girl.

"Ashwina."

The girl held up her hand, the chain hanging limply from it as she looked away from the feline woman. Her eyes were unreadable, almost emotionless in fact.

"Don't, Yuroichi." She hopped off the counter, her feet making only the whisper of a sound. "I'm not in this, no matter how much you want me to be, I'm not. It's forbidden, and you know it." She kept her back to the woman, her long braids waving back and forth as she began walking away from the kitchen. "So save your breath, this isn't my war."

"Yet." Yuroichi appeared in front of the girl, her eyes baring down, gold on green. "You mean to say, this isn't your war yet. Because we both know what's going to happen once everything falls into place. Kuchiki's death sentence is only the fuse that's going to light the bomb Aizen has waiting." She gripped Ashwina's right arm, bringing it up to the girl's face. Ichigo Kurosaki's name stared back at her. "And this is the key to you becoming one of the greatest chances we have in this war. No matter what Kisuke has planned, that kid down there is just that; a kid."

Ashwina ripped her arm away, unable to keep the eye contact with Yuroichi. Fed up with the girl's antics, Yuroichi gripped her chin and forced her to look her in the eyes. They stared one another down, gold eyes filled with a determined glare locked on indifferent green.

Finally, Ahswina broke eye contact again, pulling her head out of the death grip with a defeated sigh. "Jesus Yuroichi, fine. I'll do whatever you want me to do, just stop with all this serious jibber jabber, man." Yuroichi smirked, but deep down, she still wasn't convinced. But, she'll take what she can get. "That's more like it, now here's what I need you to do. I need you to infiltrate the Soul Society, and be our eyes on the inside."

Ashwina's P.O.V.

I sat in silence, watching as Urahara explained to a now screaming Ichigo about his soul chain eating itself. "Man, this shinigami stuff sure can be gross." I tossed some chips into my mouth, munching away as Ichigo continued to scream in agony. Kisuke was still talking, trying to act vague and intimidating, telling the kid to turn into a shinigami or else we'd have to kill him. "Oy, Kisuke! Don't you dare let my bounty die! I've got rent due this month, homie, and if I can't pay, then I expect full compensation!"

"Ne, what's that sound? It sounds like a pesky fly, eating free food. I wonder if it would go away if I just got rid of it all," Kisuke talked to the air, waving his fan brightly. "What do you think Ururu?" The small girl, who was sitting beside me quietly, nodded once. "It seems that would be the best course of action, Urahara-san."

"Oy, you're supposed to be on my side, Ururu."

The girl turned her doe eyes on me, a small chip hanging cutely from her own mouth. "What was that, moocher-san? I couldn't hear you over the pesky fly." My lips puffed out in a pout, and I snatched the shared bowl of chips away. "That's it, I'm not going to share with a traitorous brat, so scat little brat." I waved my hand at her, not even glancing in her direction. "Oh, the fly keeps getting louder."

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

We both stopped, looking back to the hole of despair. Ichigo's transformation had finally begun. "Hm, I wonder if he'll make it." His screams escalated, echoing across the desert for miles. I stuffed some more chips into my mouth, before slowly standing and handing the bowl to the small girl. "Why don't you stay here little dudette-" I looked down, only to see she had disappeared. My eyes traveled back to the hole, watching as the girl got into a defensive pose as Jinta scramble out.

"Preparing 'Rescue Mission'."

Urahara reached down, stopping the girl from whatever she had planned on doing. "Wait." She looked back at him, her eyes falling on me as I appeared by his side. "You have to carefully watch him." He pulled the girl back, putting distance between her and the hole. I stepped forward, looking down at the screaming kid. His face was starting to be taken over by the white substance that could only be a hollow's mask.

"Usually, when a person is turning into a hollow, their soul will explode and then regroup. But his order is very random. His body is still the same, however, it's starting with the mask." Kisuke stared down the hole as well, his eyes flashing with interest. I turned back, knowing exactly what he was thinking as eight masked figures appeared in my own minds eye. However, Kisuke wasn't going to admit to that, so instead he rambled on about how the kid was resisting hollowfication.

I continued to watch with a sick fascination as Ichigo's face was consumed by the white mask. It had red lines slowly appearing across it's smooth surface, but Ichigo's eyes were lost. 'He's been pulled into his inner world, I wonder what he'll find there.' I couldn't help but want to know what a weird kid like Ichigo's inner world was even like. It was probably a dark place, covered with pictures of naked men. I mean come on, what 15 year old boy doesn't want to see a girl in nothing but her underwear. A gay 15 year old boy, that's who.

"His zanpakuto is probably a big buff guy in a speedo."

"What?"

I looked up, only to find three sets of wide eyes staring back. "What what?" They all shook their head at me, pulling close together. "I told you she was loony." The little red haired devil glanced at me. "Yes, we should have listened to you earlier, she's obviously not right in the head." They all nodded, glancing back at me with disapproval. Tick marks appeared on my head as they continued to whisper, as if I couldn't hear every word.

"What the hell are you idiots on about?"

Urahara stood up, his fan waving wildly as he smiled brightly. "Nothing at all, Bounty Hunter-tan!~ Don't worry too much about it, it might do more harm to your already fragile mentality." I raised an eyebrow at him, scowling as he kept smiling. "You guys are retarded." With that, I looked back down the hole, only to jump back as an explosion blew out of the hole, a figure in black and white came racing up and into the air. Urahara grabbed the children, leaping far away with them wrapped in his coat. A chilling wave of spiritual pressure passed over my body, sending a shiver down my spine as I slowly turned back to where it had landed.

Smoke blew around, slowly revealing the masked figure of Ichigo. The chain connecting us clanged wildly, the tremendous wind blowing it around like paper. He stared down the kiddies, reaching slowly for the sheathed sword on his back. Instinctively, I gathered energy in my hand and feet, preparing to jump. However, I stopped as he pulled the broken sword from it's guard effectively smashing it into his mask.

He reached up, pulling the remaining piece away, revealing the scowling face we all love and know. I couldn't help but smile and fall back on my heels, relaxing at the sight. 'So the idiot actually did it. Kudos to you, Dandelion Head.'

"Congratulations," Kisuke quickly whipped out that damned fan, a ridiculous smile on his face. "You have completely changed into a shinigami, good job!~" I could only watch in amusement as Ichigo smashed the hilt of his sword into the creep's face. "Shut up, since I came back alive that means you'll be dead!" A deadly aura surrounded the kid as he stared down at the fallen shop keeper. 'Ah, how could I've forgotten how lame he is.'

Ichigo continued to yell, proclaiming how he would murder Kisuke, only to be shot down as the idiot turned it around to Ichigo being in the perfect mood to change. I sighed, bored already by Kisuke's explanation of his next test. Turning back around, I stared back down the hole and waved at Tessai as he prepared to leap out. "Oh, Tessai-san, you were simply marvelous down there, Doll. A+ for the day." If he hadn't been right in front of me, I would have missed the faint dust of pink beneath that glorious mustache. "Thank you, Ashwina-san. It pleases me greatly to know you enjoyed my skills."

I smiled sweetly, looking up at the man expectantly. His sunglasses glinted in the faux sunlight as his muscles bunched as he bowed his head. "I will prepare your cookies right away, Ashwina-san." Then he was gone, walking briskly to the ladder. I waved my arm once, staring at him as he went. "Thank you, Doll, but don't rush," I turned back, facing the two idiots who were now 'Training'. Watching as Urahara chased the kiddo around the sand, I promptly turned the opposite way. "I have to get back in shape if I want to be of any use for this suicide mission."

Third Person P.O.V.

A large raven sailed through the sky, its bright yellow eyes scanning the ground below. Its eyes squinted in concentration, passing slowly over each building below. Suddenly, a rock sailed through the air, smashing into the bird's head making it squawk in pain. It glared down, eyes locking onto the irritated silver eyes of an old woman. It squawked loudly, chastising the woman for its abuse. The old woman's glare intensified as she tossed another rock up and down, silently threatening the bird. Huffing indigently, the crow swooped low, landing on a bench in front of the woman.

It squawked once, ruffling its feathers at the woman. "Don't get lippy with me, you useless shit. It's been over a day, and you have yet to take me to Ashwina." The crow glared, squawking loudly back. "What do you mean, 'what do I expect?' I expect you to do your job and find that little brat." She reached forward, grabbing its beak and bringing its face close to hers. "Don't tell me those eyes of yours are finally failing you now of all times." The crow glared at her, letting out a muffled squawk. "Well then, where is she?"

"I believe I can be of assistance."

As one, the crow and old woman turned to glare at the black house cat. "Butt out, this isn't your conversation you nosy little turd." Yuroichi's eyes widened in shock, her small mouth opening in shock. "Did you just call me a turd, you old hag?" Electricity shot between the old woman and the cat, both sneering at one another with ugly faces. "Yes, because that's exactly what you are Yuroichi Shihoin, a nosy little turd. Now be gone, Mitus knows exactly what he's doing." The bird's chest puffed up at the praise, it waved its large wing silently shooing away the cat.

The cat glanced once at the crow before howling in laughter. "That useless old bird couldn't find the sun! Admit it, those special eyes you gave it are failing in its old age." Insulted, Mitus spread its wings, intent on pecking the insolent cat to death, but was stopped as the old woman grabbed it around the beak once more. She stared him down once again, her eyes searching his intently. "Hm, you might be onto something there, turd. Mitus, where is my seal?" The bird stared warily at his mistress, uncertainty reflecting in his yellow eyes.

Slowly, he moved forward, touching his beak gently to her left cheek before moving back. The old woman looked at him sadly, a soft sight escaping her lips. "It seems the turd is right, old friend. Oh well, we knew this day was going to come." Petting the bird gently on his head, the old woman turned back to the black feline watching the two with gloating eyes. "Regardless, I do not need your help, so run home little turd."

Sticking her tail in the air, Yuroichi huffed once before turning the opposite way. "Fine, be a stubborn old hag, see if I help you again. Have fun on your snipe hunt." With that, she hopped off the tree branch, walking away from the old woman.

"Oh, nosy turd, if you see the brat, tell her that I request her presence at once. She can't hide away forever."

Yuroichi turned her head, scrutinizing the old woman. "I'll pass along the message, just don't expect her anytime soon, she's still pretty pissed from the last time you 'requested her presence'." The old woman waved her hand lazily. "Ah, that brat will get over it eventually." Yuroichi stared blankly back, a sweat drop forming on her head at the memory of the harsh treatment her body had received earlier that day. "If that's what you want to believe." The old woman only laughed, Mitus watching the cat with disdain from her shoulder. Yuroichi sighed before turning to leave again.

"Oh, and Yuroichi," the cat's ears perked at the use of her name. "It's simply delightful to see you again." With a wry smirk, Yuroichi continued walking, her tail held high with pride.

"Same to you, Nirrti."

Ashwina's P.O.V.

A sneeze ripped through my body, and I rubbed my nose, glaring around me conspiratorially. "Someone's talking about me..." Reaching into the bag of cookies Tessai had given me, minutes after he had left to make them might I add, I stuffed one into my mouth as I took in the desolate area. Nodding once, I dropped down onto my behind with a very ladylike grunt. I could still hear Ichigo's "training" in the distance, but they were far enough away I wouldn't be disturbed.

Popping one last cookie into my mouth, I shoved the bag away before dropping my hands into my lap, my fingertips touching, forming a spade. Breathing in once, I closed my eyes as I exhaled slowly. I captured the energy flooding my body and redirected it all to the center of my hands. I could feel the seals on my palms tingle at the outflow of energy, forming the compact ball of light I had envisioned in my minds eye. It came so naturally, it felt like breathing.

Slowly, I opened my eyes to stare down at the collected energy. It had no defined color, shimmering like rippling water it intermingled different spectrum of colors. I spread my hands apart, creating a thin line of pure energy before lifting one arm up and dropping the other down. The energy spread, glowing brightly before solidifying. Once the light died down, a shimmering doorway stood before me. Ancient runes swept across it, never staying the same for longer then a few seconds.

Smirking, I reached forward to grasp the iron lever. "I still got it, baby." Pushing the door open, I stared into the pit of light, ever changing colors rippling past, almost obscuring my view of the other side. However, I leaned forward, my head pushing through the current to stare inside. A massive stone platform swept passed, nearly smacking my forehead. I glared at it, watching as it floated around, the massive black chains hanging from the corners keeping completely still.

"Oy, don't be an ass, I haven't had time to visit for a while." The platform groaned as it started another rotation, once again almost smashing into my face. "If you want to act like that, I won't give you a treat," I held five cookies in front of my face, waving it enticingly to the platform. Slowly, it turned around once again, bringing a giant stone face directly in front of mine. Its eyes were closed, then again, I had never seen them open so that wasn't a surprise. Its large mouth opened wide, releasing the most foul yawn I have ever encountered. "Nasty dude, maybe I should have brought you Mentos instead," I waved my hand, fanning the smell away. The mouth pulled down into a frown, the bottom lip sticking out ever so slightly.

I sighed, trying to ignore the giant puppy dog face. "Alright, fine, catch." Tossing the cookies, I smiled as the mouth opened wide before munching quietly in content. A bright smile met my own as it finished chewing, a small murmur of noise announcing its happiness with the treat. "Alright, now that you've forgiven me you big oaf, won't you be a sweetheart and find that bastard's door for me?" The mouth twisted, as if in thought before opening wide once again. "What the hell? You're telling me I have to bribe you with cookies now? You greedy oaf, what am I supposed to eat?" It ignored me, its mouth hanging open resolutely.

"You so owe me, Dollface made these for me."

I tossed the last of the cookies into its mouth, sighing as I watched them disappear, never to touch my taste buds. "Man, what a waste." Another happy murmur of indistinct noise met my ears and the platform lowered, its face leaving my vision. Hopping through, I leaned back on the platform, lazily watching the doors pass by. My eyes stared impassively at one, broken and burned, hanging uselessly from its hinges. I could see the black and red miasma behind it, white specks that almost looked like stars floating innocently inside of it. Slowly, I tore my eyes away from it, blocking it from my mind.

Another murmur of noise floated through the air, alerting me to the doorway at the very end of the top row of doors. The platform came to a halt in front of it, and I stepped off, facing the gigantic chained door. It was solid black, chained firmly shut, the handle destroyed. "Alright, I didn't think this through at all," I sighed to myself, realizing how much I regretted that particular temper tantrum now.

Raising my hand, I knocked against the metallic door, listening as it echoed everywhere at once. I heard a shuffle on the other side of the door, almost like a puppy scratching at it to be let out. "Hey Buddy, mind opening the door?" There was another shuffle before a very distinct click was heard. I ducked down, a sudden blast bursting through the door leaving a perfectly singed hole in its place. Groaning, I stood back up to peek into the hole. "Come on Buddy, don't be like that." There was another click. Suddenly, I was staring down the barrel of a very shiny gun.

Quickly, I dropped to the ground again as another shot fired through the same hole. "Stop fucking around, man! I need your help dude, can't you just drop it already?!" There was no response, I looked up as the chains started to recede from the door. Ever so slowly, the door cracked open, revealing deep abysmal darkness.

'Apologize.'

The words reverberated quietly, spreading across the cosmic space around me. I glared up at the door, my lips pulling into a pout. "Why the hell should I, it was your fault, dude." The door slammed shut in my face, the chains wrapping quickly back around it. Slapping my hand to my face, I glared back at the door before huffing and turning away. "Fine, I don't need you anyway. I'll be leaving now, see you on the flip side homie." I walked to the edge of the doorway's stoop, looking out into the cosmic space as I waited for the platform.

I waited a few moments, hands stuffed deep in my pockets, but there was no response from the doorway. I glanced back, looking at the door from the corner of my eyes. The bullet hole had been patched over, leaving the door solid and chained once again. 'Fine, he's not the only stubborn one here.'

The silence ticked on as I tapped my foot impatiently. Still there was no response, not a single sound behind me. A vein began to throb on my forehead at the never ending silence. Whirling around, I stomped back to the door and kicked it once. The sound echoed back at me, over and over again. "Alright, you win mother fucker. I'm fucking sorry." I waited, but nothing happened. Sighing, I turned around and slid down the door. The jagged stone dug into my skin, but I ignored it, leaning my head back to stare at the miasma above.

"Alright, listen, I'm sorry I locked you away and blew up the door. I might have overreacted a bit, but you gotta admit you were at fault to." I blew my bangs out of my eyes, looking up as the chains slowly began to recede. "I really need you right now," I closed my eyes, remembering Yuroichi's disappointed eyes. "There's people counting on me, don't have a single clue why, but those dumb fucktards are." The door slowly creaked open. Opening my eyes, I stared up at two bright green eyes looking at me back through the darkness.

'I am sorry as well.'

Smirking, I reached my hand up through the doorway. An intangible hand made completely of smoke connected with mine. "So, we're cool dude?" The smoke flew out of the door, becoming a humanoid figure, the only distinct feature being the bright green eyes. 'Always, you are my master, I would never leave your side.' I sighed once before standing back up and brushing the dust from the shorts. "Well, then let's get going, we got a lot of training to do, baby."

I held my hand out, gripping the smoke as it solidified into a long black shaft. A black blade, curved wickedly in opposing directions, glinted in the soft light of the miasmic stars. Swinging once, I brought the scythe up and around, leaning it easily against my shoulders. "Now then, let's go be happy-go-lucky heroes and save the damsel in distress." Soft laughter rang through my head, soft and whimsical as if it were made of air.

I whistled once, a low tune that hung heavily in the air. Slowly, the murmur of noise got closer, and I hopped onto the platform. It bounced off of the black door's stoop, heading back towards the original shimmering doorway. There I could see Kisuke's basement, and I hopped off, leaping through the doorway. It closed with a quiet snap, leaving only a small puff of light blue smoke.

"Oh, I guess I should warn you now." There was a giant wave a energy that flew past in the distance, sending shock waves of dust and wind all around. Raising my hand to block out the sand, I squinted past the dirt, watching as the very distant figure Ichigo slumped against his zanpakuto asleep. I smirked as Kisuke reached down to grab his hat from the ground, his zanpakuto's shield broken. "We're going to Soul Society."

"And we're following that dandelion headed idiot."

Well, there we have it. So, like I said out mystery woman was introduced, yet still a mystery (ooooooooooh ^(*o*)^) Also, I'd really like to see your guys' guesses on her powers. No, she is not going to be a superpowered megalord that Ichigo can't even face, so don't worry. Alrighty, next chapter, TO SOUL SOCIETY~ I promise :)

Please Review, they make me super happy and help feed my muse monster

Thanks for reading

GhostDoor out, Baby!