Chapter 4: Orihime Inoue and Rukia Kuchiki
"Hey, Kurosaki! We're back!!" Uryu shouted, with Ashley behind him, as they both entered the Kurosaki Residence. His home was just as it had been before they left, and it was as quiet as ever. Ashley then crossed over toward the staircase, gripping her hand on the railing. "Hm, maybe he's up in his room." Ashley guessed, pointing her index finger at the door toward Ichigo's room from up the stairs. "Yeah, you're right--huh?"
Ashley looked up at Uryu's skeptical face, wondering why he looked so confused. Curious, Ashley followed Uryu's gazed toward the door to Ichigo's room, which was now open...and seeing Orihime Inoue stepping out from his room, and skipping toward the stairs. But Orihime stopped in her tracks when she saw Ashley and Uryu. "Ishida-kun...? What are you doing here?"
"I should ask you the same thing, Orihime," Uryu chuckled softly, as Orihime then looked over at Ashley, quizically. Ashley smiled shyly up at Orihime, while giving her a small wave, "Um, hey. It's n-nice to meet you." Uryu looked up at Orihime then at Ashley, "Oh, yes. Orihime, this Ashley. Ashley, you already know Orihime, right?"
"Oi! There you two are!!" Ichigo shouted, as he walked out of his room, with Chad and Rukia behind him. "I was wondering when you two were coming back." Ashley chuckled softly as she looked up at Ichigo, and Rukia and Chad who looked down at Ashley with bewilderment. "Kurosaki-kun, do you know her?" Orihime asked, turning her attention to Ichigo. "Uh, yeah. Sort of." Ichigo answered, scratching his dandilion-colored head. "But I think it would be better if we talk about this inside my room."
In Ichigo's room, everyone began to get settled in, Ashley sat in the desk chair Ichigo offered her, Rukia and Orihime sat on his bed, and Ichigo, Chad, and Uryu decided to stand up all of them dispersed around the room: Ichigo leaned against the wall beside his desk, Chad was standing against the closet door, and Uryu was standing a few inches behind Ashley. "So, what's going on, Ichigo?" Rukia asked, breaking the limitless silence. Ichigo huffed out a sigh, scratching his orange head, as he looked over at Ashley. "You've been telling this story so many times since you arrived. Mind if I tell them?" Ashley smiled up at Ichigo, relieved she would not be able to retell it. "Be my guest."
Ichigo retold the story about Ashley's current situation just as she wanted, getting everything mostly right. Ichigo did leave out a few things here and there, but they weren't really that important, so Ashley didn't say anything about it. During Ichigo's explanation, whenever he did forget something, Uryu would always whisper to Ashley, 'He forgot about so and so,' or 'He forgot something again.' Everytime that he did this, Ashley would nod along and let out a soft chuckle. Luckily Ichigo didn't notice.
"And that's about it, I think," Ichigo said, as he turned toward Ashley and Uryu, who was beside her, his hand resting on the tip of the chair Ashley was sitting in. "Is that right?" Before she answered, Ashley thought it over if she should tell Ichigo that he left out a few small things. But it was then she decided not to, just in case he would get upset about it. "Oh, yes. That was perfect, Ichigo."
"So, you're really from a different world?" Orihime asked, as Uryu stifled a laugh; Ashley looked up at Uryu--holding back a chuckle--then she turned back to Orihime. "Yeah, I am. I know it might seem kind of weird, but it's true." But Orihime smiled sweetly then, as if it was something normal to her. "Don't worry, Ashley-chan! Thinking about it gets me all excited--a different world, similar to this one! It's so exciting to even think about it!!"
"Do you think Aizen is behind this?" Rukia wondered, turning her attention to Ichigo. "That's what I thought at first, too," Ichigo explained. "But, what would he need Ashley for? He has the Hogoku, the arrancar, and the Espadas. He has all he needs to start an all-out war with us."
"Uh, I think Ichigo's just repeating what I said," Ashley whispered to Uryu, who nodded in agreement to her statement. "Seems like it to me, as well." Uryu said, as Ichigo turned his attention to Ashley. "Uh, right? That's what you told me and Uryu, didn't you?" Ashley stared up at Ichigo in bewilderment for a second or two, wondering if he heard what she just said to Uryu. "Um," Ashley muttered. "Yeah, that's right."
"In any case," Rukia sighed, standing up from where she was, and walking over to Ashley, arms crossed. "This world isn't like yours, I hope you know. You can't just go walking around willy nilly whenever you want to. You can see hollows, and that means hollows can see you too. You won't be able to do anything but run if you confront one or more of them. You need to stay somewhere in safety until you return home."
"Yeah, you're right, Rukia," Ashley nodded in agreement to Rukia's statement, as she looked over at Ichigo. She hoped that Ichigo wouldn't mind her staying with him for a while. "Um, Ichigo? You don't mind if I stay with you, right?" She wanted more than anything to ask Uryu, but she thought it wouldn't be right to ask him straight out. "Um, well," Ichigo paused, thinking of a good and nice way to let her down easily. "Sorry, Ashley. I don't think you can. It's so chaotic with my dad and sisters, and it's been even more chaotic since Rukia moved into my sisters' room. Even if you could, there's no way I'd let you sleep on the couch or floor, and you might get clausterphobic if you sleep in the closet. I hope you understand."
"Yeah, Ichigo." Ashley chuckled softly, feeling a sense of relief that she would not be able to stay. "I understand, don't worry. But...Orihime?" Ashley looked over at Orihime, as Orihime gave her such a sad, sympathetic look with her big brown eyes. "I'm really, really, sorry Ashley. I wish you could stay with me, but my apartment's too small for anyone else to live in. It's bad enough that Toshiro and Rangiku are living there. I'm really sorry, Ashley."
Again, another sense of relief relished over her, knowing that she would not be able to stay with Orihime, either. "It's okay, Orihime. I understand, don't worry...um, Chad?" Ashley turned to Chad, hoping for another turn down, as she saw Chad's face fall. "Oh...uh, sorry to say this, but my house is a wreck. I don't anyone can live there, and I don't have an extra bed for you to sleep in. Sorry." Once more, relief swept over her so quickly, like a passing hurricane. There was one choice left. The choice that Ashley wanted to start with in the beginning. Trying to hide her excitement of actually living with Uryu in his house, Ashley turned around and looked up at Uryu, whom looked down at her. "Um, Uryu? You're my last choice...do you have room for one more?"
"Yeah, sure. I've got plenty of room." Uryu said with a sweet smile; in her mind, Ashley couldn't help but squeal for joy. "But, the guest room still needs some decorating. I've never used it; no one has, I don't think. But, I'm sure you can handle that on your own, right?" Ashley couldn't help but let out a small chuckle of excitement, "Yeah, no problem! Thanks, Uryu!!"
"Alright!!" Orihime squealed, as she jumped up from the bed, and skipped her way toward Ashley. "Now that that's settled, come on, Ashley-chan!! Me and Rukia will show you around town!! Go sight seeing, go eat, go to the mall, anything you want!!" Ashley looked up at Orihime's cheerful and happy exterior, as she started to feel a bit disappointed. Truth be told, she wanted to immediately head over to Uryu's house with him and start decorating her room. Unfortuneately, she could not think of a way to let her down easily. But, she had to try at least. "Oh, um, thank you very much for the offer, Orihime, but I was hoping to get over to Uryu's house and start remodeling my new room. I'm really, really sorry, I am, I hope you can understand. Maybe we can go next week?"
"Sure, no problem!!" Orihime giggled, excitedly. Ashley wondered if there was anything in this world that could ever disappoint Orihime. Right now, Ashley could not think of anything that would. "You've had a very long day today, haven't you? You should just rest up for the day. And enjoy the time you have here!" Ashley smiled by Orihime's true statement, glad that she understood, and whispered a silent 'Thank God' to herself. "Thank you so much for understanding, Orihime."
"I think you should go with them," Uryu suggested, as Ashley's face fell in disappointment when she looked up at him. She wanted to so much go and see her new room for which she will be staying in a for a long while. "You should go out: meet new places, new people, new everything that you can never find in your world. After all, you never know when you'll be going back to your world: it could be today, or tomarrow, or even in the next five seconds. Go on. Have fun here with that time you have here." Ashley wanted to say something to change his mind, but she had to admit it: Uryu was right, as he always was. "I guess you're right," Ashley sighed in defeat. "Maybe it wouldn't hurt to go out and see the city for what it is."
"Alrrrriiiiiiiggggghhhhhttttt!!!!!!" Orihime squealed harmonically, while she took a quick grab of Ashley's wrist; Ashley was beginning to wonder if this was really a good idea. "Come on, Ashley! I think I'm gonna make you some of my favorite chocolate-covered bean dip!" Before she was completely out of the room, Ashley grabbed the edge of the door way with her only free hand; she found that Orihime was incredibly strong. "If I'm not back by dawn, it's because Orihime killed me with her poison she calls food!!"
"Let's go!! No time to waste!!" Orihime giggled excitedly, as she pulled Ashley completely away from the door. Rukia slowly walked behind Orihime and Ashley, glad it wasn't her this time. In Ichigo's room, Ichigo, Uryu, and Sado all fell into silence after the girls left. "Well," Ichigo said, breaking the long silence. "All I can say is good luck to her." Chad nodded to Ichigo's statement, and Uryu smiled half-heartedly as he pushed his glasses up to the bridge of his nose. "What's the smile for, Uryu?" Ichigo asked, as he just then noticed a small smile plastered on Uryu's face. Uryu flinched back from Ichigo's question, surprised and shocked that he noticed. But Uryu was able to remain his calm self as usual, "Um, no. It's nothing...nothing at all."
Dusk was approaching quickly on the three girls, as they were just seating themselves at a local restaurant right after they finished their busy day shopping. First, the girls headed over to the mall, which Ashley loved, since she is such a shopaholic--well, when it comes to CDs and gothic stuff she is. Ashley picked out a few CDs from her favorite Jrock artists and Rukia bought a medium sized stuffed bunny animal, when they headed over to the toy store. And Orihime bought a few food items from the grocery store next door, promising Ashley to make her some of her delicious chocolate bean dip.
"Hello, my name's Yuuki and I'll be serving you for tonight," A young woman, around the age of twenty, blond hair up in a high ponytail, came up with a small tablet in hand and a pen in the other. "What drinks will you girls have?" Ashley looked through the list of beverages on the menu quickly, immediately knowing what she'll have, "Um, I'll have a Dr. Pepper, please."
"Oh, that sounds nice! I'll have one too, please!" Orihime squeal delightedly, as she placed her menu down on the wooden table. Rukia skimmed through the list of drinks as well, as she put it down on the table after a minute passed, "Um, I'll just have a glass of water." The waitress nodded her head along with the orders she recieved, writing each down on her tablet. "Two Dr. Peppers and a glass of water. Got it. I'll be back with that and to take your meal orders." Once the waitress was out of sight, the three girls went into conversation as they did. "Ashley, I've noticed something," Rukia began as she looked ahead of her: Rukia and Orihime sat beside each other, as Ashley sat in the cushioned bench infront of them. "Ishida-san...he seems to have taken a liking to you--I mean, I'm not saying your a bad person or anything, it's just...it's really not like him to be so close to someone so fast. It makes me wonder, that's all." Orihime nodded along with Rukia's statement, as she looked over at Ashley. "Kuchiki-san's right. It's seriously not like Ishida-kun to act this way. I mean, well, the only person he's ever been this close to was..."
"Yes, I know." Ashley said, before Orihime could continue. "The past bount, Yoshino Soma, right? Yes, I know it all. He was so much in love with her, and then..." Ashley clenched her fists tightly on her knees, under the table, as the waitress came back putting the three drinks beside them. "There are your drinks!" She said, perkily. "Now, what are we having to eat?" All three girls were silent for a moment or two then, but Orihime spoke up. "Um, I'll have the fried teriyaki with the french fries, please." Rukia once more looked through the menu, as she declared, "I'll just have a small salad."
"Okay," The waitress said as she wrote down Orihime and Rukia's orders. She then turned to her head over to Ashley, who has not decided her order yet. "And you, ma'am? What are you going to have?" Ashley did not answer her, but she stood up from where she sat, her hands clenched into fists. "Um, I'm not really feeling that hungry now. I think I'll just go ahead to Uryu's. Thanks so much, Orihime, Rukia. Today was a blast." Without letting Orihime or Rukia speak, Ashley sprinted out of the restaurant, ignoring all the quizical expressions everyone gave her. But on her way out, Ashley heard Orihime shout, "Wait, Ashley! You don't even know the way to his house!"
Orihime was right, Ashley knew. Ashley had not one clear idea where Uryu lived, only which district he lived in; but even if she found that district, she still knows not what his house looks like. Walking down the lonely, cold, and dark streets of Karakura-cho, it felt like hours to Ashley as small constellations twinkled up in the night sky. "This is no use," Ashley sighed, as she leaned against a nearby wall; she couldn't help but shiver from it's cold temperature. "I might as well just sleep here tonight; there's no way I'll be able to find his house." Ashley then slid down on the concrete ground, pulling herself closer into her small, black, hoodie.
"You know I said you could stay at my house, right?" Uryu said jokingly beside Ashley, as she looked up at him with confusion and wonder. Ashley wanted to ask him how he found her, but she already knew that he found her by her spiritual pressure. Before Ashley could think of anything else to say, Uryu slid down the concrete ground with her, sitting beside her. "It's past dusk, you know," Uryu said, as he stared up at the starry night sky. "If I didn't know any better, I would have thought Orihime's poison killed you." Ashley was about to stifle a laugh from that, but suddenly felt herself letting out a small giggle. "Oh, no. Luckily, I was able to dodge that bullet. I was just...tired and wanted to go back as soon as possible, you might say."
"I see. I won't press anymore on you with this subject, then." Uryu said, dole-like, as Ashley looked up at him to see what he was feeling. It was hard to see his facial expression, since he had his head dangled down, and his silky black bangs covered his face like a curtain. "Uryu...?" Ashley called to him, in the most softest and sweetest tone she could make. "Is...something wrong?" Uryu lifted his head back up, from Ashley's sudden worryment over him, as he looked down at Ashley with troublesome blue eyes. "Um," Uryu paused for a moment, thinking over if he should or should not tell Ashley what he was going to say. But Uryu knew it was about more about her than she could even knew. Uryu knew she deserved to know. "Well, Ryuken called again." Ashley was silent after Uryu announced that, as a sudden sense of fear flowed through her. Ashley did not want to ever go back to that place, that hospital. All for the reason that Uryu's father did not believe her story and that he said that Ashley's world and everyone in it doesn't exist. "I...don't want to go back there." Ashley stated outloud, which was meant to stay in her thoughts; she said that outloud without her realizing it.
"I know you don't," Uryu said softly as Ashley snapped her head up at Uryu, wondering if he could read her thoughts. But she then cupped her hand over her mouth, finally realizing that she said a thought outloud; she cursed herself for doing so. "But, don't worry. I won't be taking you back there unless you want to go." Uryu said, as he stared back up at the night sky once again. "But, what if he comes by the house?" Ashley asked, staring up at Uryu; he was glowing brilliantly from the moonlight that reflected off of him. Ashley thought that he looked so handsome and godlike, that she was wondering if he was really human. Uryu smiled playfully then, as he turned his attention back to Ashley. "Ever heard of Hide and Seek?" Ashley could not help but let out a chuckle from Uryu's hilarious statement, as she jokingly said, "Oh, yeah. I think I've heard of that somewhere." Uryu smiled smally from that, as he looked up at the sky again, letting out a soft gasp. "Oh, the moon's already out? It must be getting late, then. We should head back now." Uryu started to stand back up on his feet as he said this, wiping his white fastener shirt of dirt and wrinkles. Ashley stood up as well, but as she did, she started to have a strange feeling inside of her. She felt something push down on her, but it was a weak push. Ashley looked around her, seeing not one soul in sight; Uryu watched her, closely. "Is something wrong, Ashley?"
"I think a Hollow's nearby," Ashley announced, as Uryu shifted his blue eyes at her. "A Hollow? Really? Are you sure?" Ashley nodded to every kind of question Uryu gave her, as she started to walk down the dark alley way that was just beside where she once sat. "Ashley, wait!!" Uryu shouted, as he stepped up beside her, before she could walk any further. "This is dangerous, you know." Ashley did not answer Uryu, although, as she looked ahead of what was infront of her. Uryu followed Ashley's gaze, as both he and her saw a hollow at the end of the alley, glared at them with piercing, evil, yellow eyes. It was crouching on the ground, probably getting ready to attack Uryu and Ashley. "Souls....give me..." The Hollow growled under it's breath, as it's yellow-ish eyes shut into slits in the delight of munching on both of Uryu and Ashley's souls. "Stand back, Ashley." Uryu demanded to Ashley, as he stepped infront of her. "Whatever power you do posess, you cannot control it, since it is not awakened yet." As he was saying this, Uryu started to roll up the cup of his right sleeve above his wrist, letting his Quincy cross dangle down on his wrist. "It's been a while since I've used my actual powers." Uryu held out his right arm then, as Ashley waited impatiently to see Uryu's amazing new bow and powers be released. Uryu's bow formed from the cross quickly, it's magnificent light shining on everything around it. It was amazing, so beautiful, so illuminating, that Ashley could not look away from it, even if she tried to. "S...SOOOOUUUULLLLLLSSSSS!!!!" The Hollow screeched loudly, as he ran his way forward toward Uryu and Ashley. But before he could get in any close range, Uryu quickly formed an arrow and the Hollow dispersed in thin air in a matter of seconds. Ashley couldn't help but let out a sigh of amazement.
"Uryu, that was amazing! Absolutely, positively amazing!!" Ashley shouted gleefully, while clapping her hands in excitement. Uryu's bow then disappeared, as darkness once again welcomed them. "We should go, now. You need your rest, after all." Uryu said, as he turned the opposite way and started to walk out of the alley. "Um, sure. I'm right behind you." Ashley said, walking a few inches behind Uryu, wondering what Uryu was thinking about at this moment.
"Make yourself at home," Uryu told Ashley as she and him stepped inside the two story house. Uryu closed the door behind him, and he walked beside Ashley--who was in awe of Uryu's house. "It's pretty late now, so I'll tell you where everything is in the morning. I'll lead you up to your room for now." Uryu said, as he began to walk toward the staircase, with his hand on the wooden-made rail. Ashley nodded once at Uryu, as she followed him up the stairs.
Uryu led Ashley down a short hallway, just stopping at the first door. "This will be your room," Uryu explained, as he pointed over at the door across from that one. "That's my room over there. If you need something, then just call for me." Uryu started to turn the door knob, as the door opened slowly, with a few creaking sounds here and there. "While you were out with Orihime and Rukia, I came back here and fixed up the room for you." Uryu explained, as Ashley slowly walked in the room, step by step. Ashley was awestrucken by how big and neat she thought the room was. The was of a pure whte, the floors made of wood, a neat computer desk empty like the walls, and the other tables. It was empty, yes, but Ashley loved this room like it was her own room back in her world. She began to wonder if her room was still the same as before she left. "Wow, this is awesome." Ashley could not think of anything that could describe the room and the moment.
"You really like it?" Uryu asked, as Ashley turned to face him; her face glowed in excitement. "Of course I do! It's so cool, and big!!" Ashley, literally, jumped up and down with adrenaline. "Glad to hear it," Uryu laughed by Ashley's reaction. "You should go to bed now. It's been such a long day for you. Rest up, and you can decorate this room with whatever you like tomarrow, okay?"
"Yes! Good night, Uryu!" Ashley said, perkily, as she walked toward the bed, and sat at the edge of it."Good night, sleep tight, Ashley." Uryu gave Ashley one more smile before he closed the door. After he left, Ashley layed her head against the soft pillow, and she instantly fell asleep.