Wow...I just noticed...I've written over, like, 6 or 7 chapters for this story for the whole summer! :o I never written this much in a whole year! This story might get alittle more interesting at this point, I hope. Sadly, school starts next monday for me, so I won't be able to write as much as I did. Sorry to everyone who reads my stories. :'( But, hopefully, if I find time, I'll start back on it again. Bye-bye, for now...:D Also, I like to thank everyone for reviewing and reading this story! You guys are my inspiration to write! :) (Heh he, I like smilies...:D!) Hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I loved writing it! (Sorry if this one seems more shorter than the others...:3)

Chapter 11: To Be In Love

The school day at Karakura First High School went by in a speedy blur, as Ashley eagerly waited for lunch to arrive. She and Uryu had almost every class together, except one, so they had that time to talk and laugh together. The thought of what had happened never even crossed their minds; they were too busy joyfully enjoying each other's company. Sadly enough, all the two of them ever talked about was the piles and piles of homework they were receiving; it was one of these times that Ashley thanked God that she lived with the most smartest guy at school. Ashley told Uryu that, as he just laughed about it, telling her that he does what most people at the school don't ordinarily do: study. Ashley got a kick out of that, knowing full well how some of the students are.

And now Ashley was in Art class, just minutes away for it to be lunch. This time, there was no art project assigned, but instead it was more of a free day, doing whatever the students wished to do: start on homework, chat with the people at their table, play games or read. And that was exactly what Ashley was doing, reading one her most favorite books of all time: Dracula. Uryu had the book stacked on his book shelf, surprisingly to Ashley, letting her read it a few times. Ashley was kind of glad that he was interested in the same books she read, with one question continuing to pop up in her mind: Since when was he interested in the vampric culture? But Ashley was able to ignore that, now stuck in the world that Bram Stoker has created. "Uh, are you reading Dracula, Ashley?" Ichigo asked Ashley suddenly, as Ashley popped her head over toward Ichigo, who gave her an interested look; it seemed to her that he was also a fan of Bram Stoker, just as she is. Ashley perked up by that soon, as she said, "Oh, yeah. I sure am. It's an enriched classic and it's also my most favorite novel in the world. I never get tired of reading it." Ichigo smiled by that, his arms resting down on the table infront of him. "That's cool; so am I. Have you read Bloodline yet? I haven't, but I heard it's more about Dracula's son." Ashley nodded toward Ichigo, picking her feet up on the chair; her knees rested against her chest. "Yeah, I read that, and the sequel, Bloodline: Reckoning. It's really great. I enjoyed it."

"I'm not really interested in those kind of books," Orihime finally spoke up; Ashley looked over at her, curiously. "A bit too scary for me." Ashley smiled sweetly by Orihime's nervous look, probably afraid that she had hurt Ashley's feelings from that. "Oh, that's just fine, Orihime." Ashley reassured her; Orihime smiled back, letting out a quirky giggle. "You know, the Bounts were kind of like vampires, if I remember correctly." Ichigo announced, as Ashley silently rolled her eyes from that. Oh, how she wished Ichigo wouldn't have brought them up in this conversation. "Hey, you're right, Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime agreed, looking over at Ashley. "I remember Urahara-san telling us that. Do you know about them, Ashley-chan?"

I was hoping that I wouldn't be able to hear about this ever again... Ashley thought hatingly in her mind. She hated--no, she despised the Bounts and everything about them. Ashley knew they were filler characters, not even apart of the actual storyline, but that was one of the reasons why she didn't like them. "Oh yeah, I know about them," Ashley mumbled, grinding her teeth down in anger. "A sad sack of soul-sucking monsters who no one cares about. That's all I remember from it." Orihime suddenly gasped, her brown eyes wide with shock. "A-Ashley-chan! That's horrible! How can you say such a thing?" Ashley looked at Orihime sympathetically, sighing out. "I'm really sorry Orihime, but that's how I truly feel about them."

"Does that mean you also hate Yoshino?" Ichigo suddenly asked, the same anger and jealousy she felt before coming back; she felt as if she was back in her world, watching Uryu fall for her infront of her eyes. She hated that feeling she felt when she saw Yoshino and Uryu together: it felt as if her heart and her insides were slowly, and pain-stakingly being ripped out of her body. But, even though it wasn't something that she's all that happy about, she felt relief when Yoshino finally died. She knew Uryu could absolutely hate her for feeling like that, as her friends around her all felt the opposite.

"No comment." Ashley plainly said, as she continued to read her book, once again. Both Ichigo and Orihime were shocked by Ashley's reply: both their brown eyes were wide with alittle bit of shock and confusion, but Orihime was the most shocked and confused. "But, Ashley-chan! How can you say that?! Ishida-kun was so much in love with her, and he was absolutely devastated when she died! He didn't talk to anyone for so long, and--"

"I know that!" Ashley shouted, slamming her book down on the table; the other students in listening range looked at her in bewilderment. Feeling the other student's stares pierce through her, Ashley said more calmly and softer, "That's why. That's why I can't decide if I hate her or not. Part of me wants to like her for helping Uryu out, protecting him when he couldn't protect his powerless self, but the other part of me wanted to hate her for making Uryu love her; making him decieve all of you. I know it's all over and forgotten with, but I still can't decide on this. Do I hate her? Or don't I? And...I have this feeling that Uryu hasn't forgotten about her. I sometimes see him with this off distance, lonely kind of look. He still thinks about her...and he still loves her..."

"Oh, Ashley-chan...I never knew you felt this way..." Orihime said in such a apologetic tone, that Ashley actually thought that she might cry at any moment. "You never forget about your first love," Ichigo explained, agreeing to Ashley's statement. "But I would have thought that he would be over her by now. I guess not." Ashley sighed in, a lock of her hair, once combed behind her ear, fell down her shoulder, silently. She was about to comb it back behind her ear, where it previously was, but Orihime suddenly grabbed her wrist before she could; Ashley looked down at Orihime, who had a solemn look about her. "Ashley-chan," Orihime began. "I've been noticing the way you act around Ishida-kun and well...um..." Orihime gazed her eyes down to the floor, then her lap, and then at the table. Ashley started to wonder in her mind what she was about to say, as Orihime finally said, "Ashley-chan...you're in love with Ishida-kun, aren't you?"

"Wh...What? What in the world are you talking about, Orihime?" Ashley giggled jokingly, a small blush started to form on her cheeks. In love with Uryu? Ashley could not think of one reason why Orihime would ask Ashley something like that. Sure, Ashley did like Uryu, but only as a friend, nothing more than that. Was it because they were living together and they spend all the time with one another? Ashley began to wonder, but she still thought as Uryu as a really great friend. Nothing more. Ashley did look up to him: with his smartness, his kind heart, his gentle smile, his wonderful sense of humor that always, always made her laugh, his great sewing ability, and so much more that she couldn't think of. The list would go on and on, but she still thought of Uryu as a friend.

"She's right, Ashley." Ichigo said, as Ashley looked over at him with skepticalism. Ichigo, as well thinks that? Ashley wondered. What on Earth could she have done to make them think this? "I've seen the way you look at him, the way you act around him; it's too obvious. You really love him, I know it." Before Ashley could even think of what to say back to Ichigo, the bell soon rang: ending class, and starting lunch. The classroom soon emptied in no time, hungry students flying out in no time at all; the only people left were Ashley, Orihime, and Ichigo. Orihime stood up, while Ichigo walked a few steps ahead, as she slung her bag over her shoulder; she smiled kindly down at Ashley, "I know all of this might be confusing to you now, Ashley-chan, but you should really think it all over. I'm sure you'll soon see your true feelings you have for Ishida-kun." Orihime walked away from Ashley then, with Ichigo right beside her. Using Orihime's advice she just gave her, Ashley sat in her seat, frozen, with so many thoughts in her mind. "I can't be...no, it's not possible," Ashley muttered to herself, staring down at the book laying down on the table infront of her. "He's just a friend. Uryu's just...--"

"I'm what?" Uryu asked, hovering behind Ashley, bag over his shoulder, looking down at her curiously. Ashley suddenly jumped up from her seat as she shouted, "Ah! Uryu! You're here!!" She scratched the back of her head, giggling perkily. Uryu also laughed along from Ashley's nervousness, from Uryu's sudden appearence. "Oh, I'm sorry, Ashley. Did I scare you? Sorry about that." Uryu's voice softly played beautifully in Ashley's head, like a hymn being sung by angels. Her eyes sparkled radiantly, "Oh, no, no not at all. I'm fine, really. I just didn't expect you so soon." Uryu smiled sweetly down at her, noticing she was still as nervous as ever, as he looked down at the layed down book on the table. He recognized it, immediately.

"You're reading Dracula again? Well, you weren't kidding when you said you can't stop reading it." Uryu chuckled to himself, as he carefully picked up the book by it's spine. Ashley giggled softly, a bit embarassed, as she started to pack up all of her things in her bag. "Y-Yeah. I'm really into vampires. They fascinate me." Uryu smirked playfully from Ashley's statement, "Indeed they do. They are truly interesting creatures."

"Just like the Bounts?" Ashley asked, a strain in her voice; it even pains her physically to say their name. Uryu's blue eyes widened from that one question Ashley asked, as he looked down at her. "H-Huh? Um, yeah. I guess they are. So, you also know about them?" Ashley never wanted to go over this again, especially with Uryu, but that question suddenly blurted out of her mouth, without her knowing. "Yeah, I do," Ashley sighed, hoping Uryu wouldn't know how she really felt about them. She thought hard of a good enough term to describe them to him, "They were...a strange bunch, but they really were interesting to me."

"Interesting," Uryu nodded, as he watched Ashley finally zip her bag closed, now holding one of the straps with both of her hands. Before Ashley could fling her bag over her shoulder, Uryu stepped up, "I'll carry that for you, if you like." Ashley smiled sweetly from Uryu's kindness; Uryu was very kind, kinder and more gentler than she could ever wish to be, Ashley knew. But she could tell Uryu wanted to do this, not that he felt he had to or just to be nice to her, from the way he looked at her with his soft, gentle blue eyes. "Sure, if you want to." Ashley said as kindly as she could, while she saw Uryu's face light up in an instant. He very quickly took her bag and slung it over his other shoulder. "So, are you ready for lunch?" Uryu asked. Ashley nodded from eagerness, "Oh, yeah! Most definitely!"

"That's great!" Uryu smiled sweetly, as he shoveled through his bag and brought out two medium-sized pure white boxes with a small cloth wrapped over both of them. "Ohh, food!!" Ashley giggled hyperily, drool just edging it's way out of her mouth; the smell of rice, dumplings, and something else that she couldn't quite recognize, oozed it's way out of the bento boxes and in her nostrils. "I made them before we left this morning," Uryu laughed melodically from Ashley's impression, as Ashley embarassingly wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "Th-Thanks, Uryu." Ashley timidly took the top bento box, surprised by how heavy it felt in her arms. "It's my pleasure," Uryu turned on his heel then, gracefully spinning toward the doorway. "Come with me, Ashley. I've a got a place in mind where we can eat." Ashley tilted her head to the side, "You mean that secret place you showed me before?"

"No." Uryu sternly said, locking his gaze upon Ashley. "I'm never taking you to that place ever again. Not when...that happened." Ashley's fingers clawed their way into the cloth that was tied around the bento box in her arms, feeling apprehension creep upon her spine. "U..Uryu..." She managed to choke out. But Uryu's fiery gaze soon changed into a more calm, gentler one. "I'm sorry, Ashley," Uryu apologized in the most sweetest way he could, but it just made Ashley blush even more. "There are so many things that has happened, in such short time. You arriving in this world, Ryuken calling for you constantly over something I wish he'd let go, then you almost getting killed by that Espada, and me causing you terrible, unimaginable pain that both of us could have avoided." Uryu sighed in then, letting out a short chuckle; he smirked down at Ashley, "I must be a real joy to be with, aren't I?"

Even though she knew it was probably a rhetorical question, she answered anyway. "Yes, you are. I've never felt any more joyous when I'm with you, Uryu." Uryu let out another laugh, thinking Ashley was joking around, once again. "You know I was rhetorically speaking, right?" Ashley nodded once, a small smile forming on her lips, "Yeah, I know. But, I'm realistically speaking." Uryu's eyes grew larger behind his rectangle spectacles, as Ashley's kindness toward him suddenly made him blush a pinkish color. "You've done so much for me, Uryu. More than anyone would probably never do for me. Being here in your world, living with you in your house, it's like a--no, it's exactly like a dream come true for me. I love it here, I love the way I'm living here, and there is absolutely nothing that I would want to change."

"Would you say," Uryu began, swallowing a lump in his throat; Ashley looked up at him, with curious brown eyes. "Would you say that...you would want to stay here? Forever?" As long as I'm next you, through it all, then yes. Of course I would. Ashley thought it over in her mind, finding herself unable to speak it outloud. Why was that? She wondered, looking up at Uryu's sparkling blue eyes; they seemed full of hope, and...what was it called? That look, on his face, that he thought she would say 'No, the sooner I'm back home, the better.' Ashley could not think of nothing that described that desperate look. But, Ashley wondered, does it mean that he wanted her to stay, or is he just trying not to hurt her feelings? Confused, Ashley asked in a low voice, "Do you want me to stay?"

Uryu's night-blue eyes widened from Ashley's sudden question then, thinking over the actual answer in his mind, There's nothing in this world that I want more than for you to stay here, with me. But, what would Ashley think about him, if he said it outloud? Uryu feared that it may just lead Ashley farther and farther away from him, since he thought of himself coming on too strongly toward Ashley in the past few days. Why he would do such a ludicrous thing, he knew not. But it was true. Ever since her arrival in his world, Uryu felt feelings he had never felt before: happiness, prosperity, joy, and no sense of sadness or loneliness never came up in him. And if Ashley ever does get a chance to return to her world, he fears that that same loneliness and sadness he felt, when Yoshino died, will come back.

Uryu tried to think up a better way to answer her, but he found none. "I think..." Uryu began, noticing Ashley's anticipating face. "I...I think we should hurry up and eat this food, before it gets cold. Come on." Uryu turned on his heel once again, his back facing Ashley, as he started to slowly walk toward the door. "Oh, u-uhm, okay..." Ashley muttered quietly, slowly walking behind him; Uryu could feel the disappointment and hurt in her low voice, as he grounded his teeth down in frustration, once again doing what he does best: hurting and disappointing Ashley in everything he does.

I know I hurt you, once more, Ashley. I'm so very sorry. I'm nothing but a failure to you, aren't I? Nothing I ever do will make you happy. Nothing. Oh, you'll never know how miserably bad I want to see you smile from me...laugh from me...become happy from me...

For lunch, Uryu took Ashley over to a place alittle more closer to the school. Lines and lines of cherry blossom trees were well in sight, the cotton-candy pink cherry blossoms gracefully flowing in the same rhythm as the wind. The grass below the trees was a healthy greenish color, each blade cut evenly with one another. No one was around, luckily, the only sound around was the wind and the slushing sound of the trees swishing in the wind. It couldn't have been more perfect, Ashley began to wonder, as she sat against a random tree, with the bento box sitting infront of her. She gazed up at the cherry blossoms, as if they were the best thing she's ever seen before, "Oh, the cherry blossoms are so beautiful! Wow..." Small pink petals danced beautifully in the wind, a few of them landing around where Ashley was: one on her shoulder, a few entangled in her hair, piles of them landing in her lap and a some of them layed peacefully on her bento box. She raked them away from her lap and her lunch with the back of her hand, but more just kept on dropping. "Ah, they're everywhere!" Ashley whined, trying to easily pluck out some petals from her hair; she squinched in pain from accidentally pulling out a few strands of her hair.

"Be careful, now." Uryu chuckled secretly behind his hand, as he sat beside Ashley, on his knees; he carefully and slowly combed his fingers through Ashley's hair, very tenderly pulling out the petals that had refused to come out when Ashley tried to pull them out. "You gotta be gentle when it comes to something as fragile as these cherry blossom petals; if you're not too careful," Uryu then took the petals in the palm of his hand, the ones he plucked out of Ashley's hair, and he tightly squeezed them in his hand; soft crunching sounds were heard from the cause of it. He opened his hand up again, pieces of crumbled cherry blossom petals falling down on the ground, next to Ashley; they were soon swept away, with the wind. "Before you know it, it will all fall apart."

"Th-Thanks, Uryu." Ashley could hear her heart pound loudly in her chest, from hearing Uryu speaking of comparison of cherry blossom petals and fragility. Uryu smiled sweetly from Ashley timidness, as he flicked away a petal, that landed on Ashley's shoulder, with his slim finger. "There's no need to thank me. I'm glad to help." Ashley's heart pounded faster then, now just by listening to Uryu's peaceful voice. There was just something about Uryu, and his whole perfect-shaped being that made her feel so safe, and so unbelievably happy. She couldn't help but smile absolutely sheepishly, from just being so close to him.

"What's the smile for?" Uryu asked curiously, as he took a bite of rice with his chopsticks; he chewed, silently. Ashley didn't even notice Uryu opening his bento box, since she was so lost in her thoughts. Ashley smiled in a more calmly manner, as she slowly untied the cloth around the bento box. She stared down at the rice, dumplings, and ramen that was contained in the small compartments of the box. "Well, actually," Ashley began, rubbing her thumbs over the bamboo-made chopsticks that she now held; Uryu carefully watched her. "It's you...Uryu. I don't know why, but I always catch myself smiling when I'm even near you. It's not a bad thing, but it confuses me."

Ashley-chan...you're in love with Ishida-kun, aren't you? Orihime's sudden words rang in Ashley's head, over and over, like a broken record. Ashley was bewildered on why Orihime had asked something that was too obviously untrue. But, as Uryu stared at her cluelessly, she started to think it all over again. Being in love with Uryu...even back in her world, Ashley never felt that. But, if she wasn't in love with him, then why did she feel so totally jealous when she saw him and Yoshino together? Why did she feel so angered when other people talked about other characters being together with him? She hated that, the hate she's never felt before. Is it true? Can I really be...?

"Uhm, Ashley? Ashley!" Uryu shouted, shaking Ashley's shoulders rapidly, which was the reason why she quickly snapped out of her thoughts. "H-Huh? What...?" Ashley blinked, looking up at Uryu's worried face, confusingly. "Oh," Uryu sighed in, relieved. "You really...spaced out on me so suddenly. You were thinking about something troubling you, right? Can you tell me about it? I'll help you out as best as I can." Uhm, okay, Uryu. Orihime just asked me if I was in love with you, and I'm just thinking that it might be true. Can you help me with that? Ashley thought aimlessly in her mind, once again getting lost in her mind. But, luckily, she soon shot out of her mind this time, looking up at Uryu with a slight blush; with the sunlight reflecting off of his glasses, he seemed like such a gorgeous god now. Quickly, she thought of something that wasn't bothering her that much, but it seemed worth mentioning to her. "Oh, it's just that we've been piled down with a week's worth of homework, and it just seems so exhausting and hard to do in just a few days. I've never had this much homework that could take months to do!"

Uryu grinned from Ashley's reaction over something so small and easy to take care of, no matter what she thought. "Oh, is that all? No need to worry, Ashley. I'll help you on the homework, and we'll be done in no time. No worries at all." His smile... Ashley began to think, gazing dreamily up at Uryu's beautiful, angelic face. That warm, kind smile...it's the greatest thing I've ever seen, since I've arrived here. He's just so remarkably beautiful... Uryu continued to smile down at Ashley, as a smile in return soon played on her lips, "Thank you so much, Uryu! I'd really love that!" Uryu leaned his back against the tree then, his bento box laying silently and barely touched beside him, with his arm resting against his knee. Ashley couldn't help but think how thoughtful and handsome Uryu looked, as she took a few quick bites of the rice and dumplings.

After a few minutes have passed, she pushed away her half eaten bento box aside, leaning her back against the tree, just inches of space between her and Uryu. "How is it?" Uryu asked Ashley, through the arkward silence. Ashley smiled timidly, glancing down at the bento box laying beside her, hoping not to see Uryu's longing gaze that pierced her. "It's delicious, Uryu. I love it. You're a...fantastic cook, you know." Ashley blushed a deep pink shade, embarassed by her sudden compliment on Uryu's cooking; she imagined seeing his confused, strange look. But, surprisingly, Ashley felt something push down on her head; she looked over at Uryu curiously, to see him smiling down at her, with his hand resting down on her head, ruffling her head like a small child. "Heh. Thank you, Ashley. I appreciate that very much." Ashley couldn't help but smile wider than she ever did, from hearing Uryu's kind words, and feeling the warmth of his strong hand patting her head.

Moments and moments passed by quickly after that, as Ashley yawned tiredly then, rubbing her stomach that was too full of all the rice, dumplings, and ramen she ate; Uryu's hand still rested atop of her head, as Ashley saw him look up at the clear blue sky. Ashley could feel tiredness overcome her quickly, as she felt her eyes getting heavier and heavier. Her eyes closed slowly, sleep finally coming to her, as her whole body leaned limply against Uryu; her head layed against his shoulder, as Uryu's hand went from her head to her shoulder. Uryu looked down at Ashley's sleeping body, becoming slightly shocked at first, but soon calmed down when he heard her snore softly. His dazzling blue eyes gazed down at her sleeping face, as he couldn't help but think how peaceful she looked. Uryu gripped his hand around Ashley's shoulder, laying the side of his head softly on her head. "It's been such a long day," Uryu sighed, as his eyes slowly closed. "For...both of...us.."

The clouds rolled on by as usual, while Uryu instantly fell asleep. Ashley smiled quietly while she slept, dreaming of nothing but Uryu and his wonderful, beautiful self-being...