Merry Christmas, everyone!! (I know, I'm sort of late on that...) but...

Happy New Years', everyone!! ( I know I'm up on that! Heh he...:D)

Please review, if you like this chapter!!! :)

Chapter 14: The Espada Return

Afterwards, when Ashley and Uryu were finally done with their passionate, and alittle sensual, make-out session, Ashley went back upstairs to her room, as Uryu stayed downstairs to cook the dinner: Steak and gravy, with sweet corn and potatoes. Back in her room, Ashley layed on her back on the bed, while she was talking on her cell phone, with Orihime, who just called her a few minutes ago. It was, obviously, about why she and Uryu weren't at the school for the whole day, and Ashley had no choice but to tell her the truth, since she couldn't think of anything else she knew Orihime would believe. She explained to Orihime that it was actually Uryu's idea to stay home, which she humbly accepted, but Ashley just couldn't find it in her heart to tell her of the incident that happened last night, which Ashley guessed on why Uryu decided for him and her to stay home today; Ashley did find it in her to tell Orihime about her and Uryu's new romantic relationship although, "Oh, and did I mention about the unbelievably passionate and wonderful make out moment me and Uryu just had?" There was a very long, almost about three minutes, pause from the other line, but Ashley did hear Orihime gasp, before the silence started. Finally, Ashley heard Orihime say, weakly, "You and...Ishida-kun...d-did...?" Ashley couldn't help herself but smile incredibly sheepishly, knowing how strange and impossible it must sound to Orihime now, as Ashley kicked her feet up and down in the air, her black flower printed skirt flowing up and down with her motions, "Yes, we did!! Oh, Orihime, you were right! You were absolutely, positively, right!! I am in love with Uryu, and guess what? He's also in love with me!! It was one of the most amazing moments I have ever had with him since I've been here!!!"

"Ashley-chan, that is so wonderful!!!!" Orihime squeaked loudly through the phone, whenever she knew Ashley was finished; Orihime was louder than Ashley was, in fact. "I can totally see you two together, holding hands, kissing so romantically...so beautiful!!! Awww!!!! I'm so happy for you, Ashley-chan!!! This is so great!!!" Ashley then jumped off of the bed, now positioning herself to sit at the edge of the bed, before she replied, hyperily, "Oh, thank you so much, Orihime!! It's just all so wonderful; Uryu was always the one I've always wanted to be with, even back in my world, I felt the same way. There's just no one I know who is as perfect and beautiful and strong as my Ishi-kun is." Orihime squealed extremely squeaky through the other line once again; Ashley could tell that Orihime was probably jumping up and down in utter excitement, from how her voice was. "Awww!!! Your Ishida-kun!!!! How cuuuuuutttteeeee!!!!!!!"

Outside of Ashley's room, Uryu was just infront of her door, his fist just inches away from the oak wood; Uryu was about to call for Ashley, since dinner was finished, but Uryu could have sworn the he heard Ashley squeal out his name a few times. Interested immediately, Uryu sneakily pressed his ear against the door to eavesdrop upon his new love, "Uryu is just too handsome for words! I'm cereal, Orihime!!" Cereal? Doesn't she mean, serious? Uryu started to wonder, but immediately snapped out of his thoughts, to listen to more of Ashley's conversation with Orihime, probably on the phone, he knew, "I just...never knew I could love someone this much, as I do Uryu. He's my whole world now, Orihime...and I want to protect him more than anything, but I...my powers are still unawakened; it's very frustrating, you know. I want my powers now, so I can train with them, and then, with my new powers at last, I can finally protect Uryu, just as he protects me. If only..."

Uryu simply pulled his ear away from Ashley's door then, wondering to himself how long Ashley has felt what she just said then. Uryu didn't even hear Ashley say her goodbyes to Orihime on the phone, or the sound of her foot steps approaching the shut door; he was too lost in his revolving thoughts, Oh, Ashley...how long has she felt this way? My love...why didn't you tell me this in the first place? Were you afraid that I'd be angry at you? No, Ashley, never in this entire world will I ever be angered by what you ever do. Never. Let me just protect you, Ashley. You don't have to do a thing for me; just being beside me is good enough. Uryu's thoughts were soon shut out once more, as he heard the door open, and saw Ashley take one step out, only to be confused to see Uryu standing infront of her, "Oh, Uryu. H-Hello. Is something wrong?"

All Uryu did at this moment was smile just so beautifully and said, "No, Ashley, I'm just fine. Perfectly fine, in fact. I just came up to tell you that dinner's all ready now. Are you hungry?" Before she answered, Ashley closed the door behind her, and turned back to Uryu, "Oh, yeah, I am. Lets go, then." Ashley and Uryu walked off to the kitchen then, while Uryu eagerly took a tight hold of Ashley's hand in his, their fingers laced together. Ashley blushed pink from the warm feeling she felt, as she smiled up at Uryu, only to see him with a sort of troubled look about him. Seeing this, and feeling worriment about him quickly, Ashley asked, "Um, is there something wrong, Uryu? You don't look so good..." Ashley stared up at Uryu then, as both of them just stopped where they were, right infront of the stair case. Uryu laughed harmonically, with a shining smile; Ashley could feel herself breathe out in relief, and her heart beat in happiness, as Uryu looked down at Ashley with kindness in his eyes, "Why wouldn't I feel good? I'm with you, and I'm crazy in love with you, after all."

Ashley could absolutely feel the tears welling up in her eyes, as she tackled Uryu into a loving embrace, while squealing in delight, "Awww, Ishi-kuuunnn!!!! You're so sweeeeettttt!!!!!" The impact of Ashley's sudden embrace was extremely strong for once, as Uryu quickly took hold of the stair rail as tightly as he could, "Woah, now. Remember we're still infront of the descending staircase, right?" Uryu quietly laughed to himself at his own joke, but he didn't hear Ashley laugh at it, as he knew she would. But instead, hugging his whole back, and her head laying on his top back, Ashley silently sobbed to herself, her hold around Uryu's waist, very tight. "Oh, U-Uryu..." Ashley weeped, as Uryu did what he could to look at Ashley from behind him; unfortunately, her long, soft, brunette bangs were covering almost all of her face. "Ashley...Ashley, darling, what on Earth is wrong? Oh, I didn't upset you, did I? I'm terribly, terribly, horribly, sorry for doing such a thing."

Uryu could feel Ashley soon loosen her grip around him, as Uryu finally took this chance: Uryu did one of his all-too famous graceful spins, now being infront of Ashley, as he pulled her into a deep, strong embrace, as he softly whispered in Ashley's ear, "I'm deeply sorry, Ashley, my love. If I only knew..." Ashley shook her head rapidly, as Uryu felt her do on his chest, while he looked down at her with the softest of blue eyes, as Ashley whimpered, "No, Uryu...it's n-not that. I'm just...I'm just still so unimaginably happy that I'm actually with you...I still think it's so unbelievable that you're in love with me. In love with me, of all people; someone as me, who is just so boring and ordinary, compared to you, Uryu. I'm just so--"

"Shh, now. Shh," Uryu quietly shushed Ashley, as he tenderly slid his fingers through Ashley's hair, "Please don't say such things about yourself, Ashley. Don't say such things about my darling. My beautiful, sweet hearted, darling, what you say about yourself is not even close to true. You're nowhere near boring or ordinary, trust me; you're kind, sweet, beautiful, alittle bit too hyper at times, very smart, and one of the most greatest people I've come to love." Ashley started to smile absolutely bigger than she's ever smiled, her smile edging all the way to her ears, "Oh, Uryu, thank you so much! I love you with all of my heart...my baby..." Ashley hugged around Uryu's waist tighter this time, so tight, that she actually thought that her arms might fall off; Ashley then suddenly felt small spiritual pressure weighing down on her, but it wasn't enough pressure for her to drop to her knees. Only one explanation could Ashley think of for it: A very weak, and maybe even small, or medium-sized, hollow.

"Listen, love," Uryu spoke through the romantic, silence embrace moment, as Ashley slowly blinked her eyes a few times, "There's a hollow nearby here. I'm going to go and take it out, and then I'll come back, I promise. It probably won't take long." Ashley then whined in disappointment, her lower lip quivering, as she looked up at Uryu with the most saddest of eyes she tried to make, "Aw, come on, Uryu! Please don't go! Besides, it's just some weak hollow, right? Stay here, with me, and let Kurosaki take care of it! He lives close here, right? Please, Uryu?" Ashley could easily tell that her 'disappointment' act was working on him, as she saw Uryu's eyes start to soften from Ashley's sad face, and she actually saw his lower lip quiver, also; it was becoming harder and harder to say no to Ashley, nowadays. Uryu started to wonder in his mind. Uryu knew Ashley was right; the hollow was weaker than a rock, and Ichigo did live a few miles off of where he lived. Who's to know if he's rushing toward the hollow as this moment is happening?

From looking up at Uryu's thoughtful face, Ashley could tell that her act wasn't working anymore. So, thinking of a much more ingenious idea, Ashley stepped on the tip of her toes, so she would be just underneath Uryu's jaw-line; Ashley started to leave trails of kisses all over his neck and jaw-line. Through all the kisses, she whispered, "Oh, please, Uryu? I'll miss you so terribly, and I wouldn't have nothing to do...no one to kiss...what will I do...? Uryu..." Now with his back against the wall that was beside the staircase, Uryu leaned his head all the way back, letting Ashley kiss the rest of his neck, his jaw-line, and she even went down to his collar bone. Uryu couldn't help but laugh to himself; all from Ashley's kisses she was smothering with him, yes, but also, "So, you want me to stay that badly, now do you? So badly, that you'd seduce me into staying? How clever of you, my love. You are very lucky that it's impossible for me to say no to you."

Still kissing all over the area inbetween Uryu's neck and collar bone, Ashley smiled, partially to herself, from her victorious feat, but she still wanted to continue kissing him; Ashley wanted to, oh so badly, unzip Uryu's fastener shirt, just to where the top part of his chest showed and kiss him continously there. But Ashley knew that that was going just a little bit too far; Ashley had her hands roaming all over Uryu's front, stopping at his stomach, now slowly cradling his hips. All from this sensuality that was happening, Uryu had to admit it: he loved every minute of it. "Ashley," Uryu let out a soft moan, entangling his slim fingers in Ashley's hair, as he placed her face in his hands tenderly, as he pressed his lips onto Ashley's, hard, making it into a deep, deep kiss.

Ashley couldn't help herself but also moan in pleasure through the kiss, now sliding her hands up to Uryu's face, holding it tightly inbetween her hands. The pleasurable kiss lasted much more longer than any other kind of kiss Ashley and Uryu have ever shared, until Uryu finally broke it, "Oh, Ashley..." Uryu breathed in and out heavily, trying to take in a couple breaths of air. Ashley also took in a few breaths here and there, but when she took in enough of air, Ashley pulled Uryu into yet another romantic kiss. Uryu tried to muffle for Ashley to stop, but he soon found himself into the second kiss: with his one hand behind her head, and his other supporting her back, he dipped her down very low, almost to the point where Ashley almost touched the floor. And then, this time, Ashley released the kiss, wrapping her arms around Uryu's neck tightly, just in case he accidentally dropped her to the floor; Ashley would make sure that Uryu came down with her.

"Well, I can see you're in a better mood, now aren't you?" Uryu laughed beautifully, as he then placed his other hand underneath Ashley's knees, picking her up in his arms, bridal style. It was just so unexpected to Ashley then, that she actually squealed out, "Ah!! U-Uryu!!!" Hoping he could calm Ashley, even just alittle bit, Uryu planted a soft, tenderful kiss on her forehead, "Shh, love, shh. There's no need to get excited, is there? Let's go on and eat now, alright?" Ashley felt herself suddenly nod in agreement to Uryu's statement, as Uryu smiled that so loving smile that Ashley never got tired of, as he started to slowly step down the steps, towards the kitchen.

Dinner started out at very slow and silent start; both Uryu and Ashley made their own plates with a little bit of everything, as they sat extremely close to each other, to the point where the front legs of the chairs touched. That, and their only free hands were held together, fingers laced; it was hard for Ashley to eat with one hand at first, but she soon got used to it in no time. Uryu had stopped eating a few times here and there, only to look down at Ashley and watch her eat, "So, how is it? Does it taste alright?" Uryu finally ask through the arkward silence, as Ashley stopped eating from his question, putting down the fork beside the plate infront of her. Ashley swallowed down the last chunk of sweet potato, that was on her plate, in one gulp, now looking up at Uryu; Ashley softly placed her other hand on top of her's and Uryu's laced together hands that were resting on top of the table, "Oh, it's just so wonderful, Uryu. It's really delicious, thank you."

"Yes, delicious and wonderful, just exactly like you, my love." Uryu stated romantically, laying a soft kiss on Ashley's head, while Ashley couldn't help but blush just so pinkishly, "Thank you, Uryu." Was all Ashley could ever think of saying. Uryu then released the grip he once held on Ashley's hand, as he moved his hands towards her face, his palms now just underneath her jaw-line. Uryu oh-so tenderly placed a soft kiss upon Ashley's lips, while Ashley accepted it: she tightly gripped at Uryu's sleeves, as she began to roam her hands up to his shoulders, all the way down to his stomach, slithering her arms around his waist. As she did such an action, Uryu dropped his hands down to Ashley's shoulders, very softly rubbing his thumbs over the sides of her neck. Just the touch of Uryu's warm hands against her skin, made Ashely let out a short, muffled, giggle through the kiss; Uryu kept on rubbing his thumbs over Ashley's neck though, as if he didn't hear her giggle.

But, as he continued, Ashley couldn't help herself but let out a few chuckles and giggles as she finally backed away from the kiss, "U-Uryu! Th-that tickles!!" Uryu laughed along with Ashley, harmonically, as he laced his fingers with Ashley's, just as they had previously been. "Oh, I'm sorry; I didn't know," Uryu said in such a apologetic tone, which almost made Ashley want to cry; Uryu picked up one of Ashley's hands close to his face, as he started to leave trails of sweet and tenderful kisses all around her fingers to her wrist, "Please forgive me." Ashley blushed a dark red color this time, since the kisses Uryu made all over Ashley's hands seemed to have tickled her even more, as she eagerly stood up from her chair; but only a little bit too fast. That, and Uryu was still sitting so close to her: Ashley didn't watch what she was infront of, and, thanks to that, she tripped over the chair leg, and fell forward, where Uryu was still sitting. Fortunately, Uryu stood up quickly, catching Ashley in his arms, "Be careful now, love. You're lucky I was here, when I was." Even though she knew that if Uryu wasn't here when he was, Ashley probably would have broken something or worse, she laughed, with her head laying silently against Uryu's chest, "Ha ha, you think? Well, it wouldn't have been the first time; you wouldn't believe how clumsy a girlfriend you have, Uryu." Uryu then sighed out, in what sounded like annoyance to Ashley, which made her worry for a moment, but he soon let out a soft laugh, "Oh, really? Honestly, you need to start to watch where you walk, Ashley. I won't always be here to catch you, as I want to." Ashley giggled hyperily, raising her head up to kiss the hollow base of Uryu's neck, before she began, "It's not really such a bad th--"

But, before Ashley could finish, it all suddenly came down: huge amounts of spiritual pressures weighed down on both of them unexpectedly, that neither of them had a chance to react to it. Still held tightly in each other's arms, both Ashley and Uryu dropped down to their knees, the chair behind Uryu falling over from such an impact. "Ah! U-Uryu!!!" Ashley whimpered fearfully, the sweat drops rising up, with the huge spiritual pressure, out of her face; she held onto Uryu's shirt, tightly, to the point where Ashley was practically digging her fingernails into his skin. "Shh, it's okay. I got you." Uryu, even though Ashley knew that both Uryu and her were just miles away from the truest of dangers, still remained the most calmest one. And from just hearing Uryu's soothing voice, Ashley soon became calm and collected again; Ashley released her too-tight grip on Uryu, and slipped her arms around his neck, instead. "Uryu...I'm scared," Ashley had actually admitted; back in her world, Ashley would never admit her true feelings to anyone about anything, not even her family or her closest friends. But here, in Uryu's world, Ashley felt like expressing her deepest of feelings toward Uryu, no matter how embarassing they were. Uryu, still his serene self, held his arms much more tighter around Ashley's waist, quietly whispering in her ear, with a hint of small smile, "That's okay, too. There's absolutely nothing to worry about; at least, for you, that is. Once this spiritual pressure's died down, I'll--"

But Ashley knew exactly what Uryu was about to say, before she could let him finish; remembering the last arrancar attack, Ashley interrupted Uryu, mid-sentence, "No, you won't!!!" Ashley screamed as loudly as her lungs would allow her, while she forcefully pushed Uryu away from her; Uryu crashed his back against the fallen chair behind him, while he landed on his bottom, for he was previously sitting on his knees. And now, Uryu was profoundly dumbfounded by Ashley's sudden act against him; he stared down at her with such wide blue eyes, "A-Ashley...? What...What in the world has gotten into you?" But, unfortunately, Uryu's confusion just angered Ashley even more, "What's gotten into me? How about what's gotten into you!!! How could you ever go back to that?! Don't you remember what happened to you last time?!!"

And for once, Uryu was a loss for words; he had nearly forgotten about that dreadful night, or, at least Uryu wanted to forget about it. That flesh-cutting spear splitting in through his stomach, the pool of blood forming around himself and Ashley, and Ashley's desperate cries to resuscitate Uryu back to life. "I just...don't want to ever see you like that again; it's too much, Uryu," Ashley's weak, and cracked-up voice made Uryu snap out of his thoughts immediately, as he looked down at Ashley to see her with such a painful look on her face. "I don't want to sound so selfish, but," Ashley continued, while she gazed down at the wooden floor below her, tear at the edges of her eyes just begging to fall down her face, "The only way I'll accept you going out there, is if I come with you. I...I'll try what I can to not be in your way. Believe me, I know when I'm in the way and not needed. I--"

"Ashley, darling, please stop," Uryu started before Ashley had time to finish, as he gently brushed away any strands of her hair that fell down her face and shoulders, with the back of his soft hand. "Please stop saying such untrue things about yourself. There is no possible way you could be in the way; Ashley, you must know, that I need you more than anyone in this world and in yours as well. You must believe me." Ashley knew, deep, deep in her heart, that Uryu was right; Ashley wiping away any tears that started to fall down, as she looked up at Uryu and said, "Y-Yeah...you're right...Uryu..." Unbeknownst to Ashley, Uryu lips curled into a small smirk, as he tenderly lifted Ashley's head up, with his index finger and thumb softly gripping the bottom of her chin, "Hey, now, whatever happened to 'Ishi-kun'? You know, I like that; especially when it comes from you, and only you."

Ashley couldn't help herself but smile absolutely widely by Uryu's recent statement: Uryu actually liked it when Ashley called him by her nickname she always had for him for so many years? Ashley could not believe it for herself. In the end, forgetting all of her revolving thoughts, Ashley said, with that same wide smile, "Aww...My Ishi-kun!!" Uryu's spectacular blue eyes shined brightly like constellations, as he let out a soft chuckle, "That's more like it." Ashley, also, wanted to laugh along with Uryu, but that same strong spiritual pressure, although it had weakened, still felt weighed down on her. Ashley couldn't just ignore it; it frightened her; it was familiar to her. Ashley wanted to so much to keep it in her thoughts, but she suddenly found herself saying, "It...It's...Ulquiorra...and--and there's another one with him..."

"I know," Uryu simply stated, as he softly placed his slim hand on top of Ashley's head, "...but, he won't hurt you anymore." Ashley knew that that horrible encounter with Ulquiorra was just a month or so back, but, she can still remember how he wrapped his cold and dead hands around her neck to the point where she couldn't breath no more. And it still confused her so; back in Ashley's world, Ulquiorra was always her most favorite Espada, right next to Szayel Aporro and Grimmjow. But still, Ashley began to wonder to herself, if those Espadas were truly out there, then Ashley knew that Ichigo and the others were out there also; Ashley could never find it in her to forgive herself if Orihime was out there, and she wasn't. Clearing out any continuing thoughts in her mind, Ashley began to slowly stand up, with the help of Uryu, of course. "Is there something wrong?" Uryu asked Ashley worriedly, with an arm wrapped around her shoulder for support. "We...we need to..."

But Uryu already knew what Ashley was going on to, before she could even finish; Uryu wrapped his other free arm around Ashley's shoulders, pulling her closer to him, laying his head on top of Ashley's, "Yes, yes, I know; you're absolutely right. But, I just fear for you coming along with me. I'm not so sure about th--" Softly clutching Uryu's arms still wrapped around her, Ashley immediately interrupted Uryu, "No, Uryu," She started out more calmer than previously, "I will be alright, really; you're going to protect me, I know, and that's all I'll ever need." After her statement said, Ashley couldn't help herself but grin so sheepishly. Uryu tried to smile along with her, but all he could think of was how much of a failure he is to protecting Ashley: he failed to protect her against Ulquiorra's first appearence, against the arrancar that nearly killed him, and mostly, Uryu could not protect Ashley against himself. But, what could he ever say to persuade Ashley to stay back? In the end, all Uryu could think of doing was just smiling beside Ashley.

With the wall clock ticking and tocking here and henceforth, and also with such an awkward silence everywhere in the house, Ashley waited as patiently as she could for Uryu to get ready upstairs, for the upcoming fight that they will soon be facing. While waiting on him, Ashley paced all around the kitchen and in the living room also, the spiritual pressure of the Espadas still pounding down on her; luckily it had lowered down enough for her to walk around. "Oh my God," Ashley whimpered, as she, shakingly, placed her hands over her face, sloppily dropping herself down on the couch behind her. "It's nice to meet you...Quincy." Ulquiorra's first chilling words he spoke to Uryu still haunted her, unendingly. Ashley knew that she and Uryu would definitely meet up with Ulquiorra; but it still feared her on what was about to come. I just hope that Ulquiorra won't use neither of his resurrecciones... Ashley began to wonder in her mind, even though she already knew that Ulquiorra wasn't that stupid to release any of his resurrecciones in open view.

"Are you having second thoughts about this?" Uryu asked from behind Ashley, as he leaned his whole front over her, placing tenderful kisses all over Ashley's neck. Ashley couldn't help herself but let out a soft moan, thanks to that. "N-No...I'm alright, really," Ashley began to say, as she turned herself around to take a clear look at Uryu; she immediately noticed something different about him: the most noticable thing that Ashley noticed was that he wasn't wearing the casual attire he previously wore. But, instead, Uryu was wearing one of his Quincy outfits that Ashley easily recognized as the one he wore to Hueco Mundo. Ashley could soon feel herself blush a deep pinkish color; she had nearly forgotten how beautiful Uryu looked in his outfit. "Oh...y-you're wearing..."

"Yeah," Uryu smiled one of his beautiful, heart-breaking smile, as he walked his way around the couch, now infront of Ashley; she looked up at him, curiously, "...it's a new one I made a few weeks back; I really never had a chance to wear it yet, so I thought that this would be a good chance to." Ashley couldn't think of anything else to do but to just nod along with Uryu, but also remembering that she was in a world where the Hueco Mundo Rescue Arc has not yet happened. And very soon, Uryu became his serious self in no time, "We should go now." Ashley immediately stood up from where she was, walking toward the front door, "Y-Yeah. I'm ready."

"Ashley," Uryu called for Ashley, just before she was about to open the door, while she turned her attention back to Uryu. "You might need this," Uryu stated, as he threw over something silver and thin Ashley's way; being clumsy, Ashley almost dropped it, but her index finger caught it by the small hole at the top. Ashley immediately recognized it as one of Uryu's Seele Schneiders. "A...Seele Schneider...?" Ashley murmured mostly to herself, but knowing Uryu had heard her, Ashley looked over at Uryu, "Why would I...?" It's because you're a Quincy, darling, Uryu was about to speak it outloud, but very soon kept it locked up in his thoughts. Uryu knew all along; he knew that Ashley was a Quincy, even before he saw Ashley use a Seele Schneider on the arrancar a few nights back. But, Uryu could never find it in himself to actually admit it to her; all just to protect her.

"Alright, let's go then," Ashley said, as she opened the front door with just one rotate of the door knob. Behind her, Uryu watched Ashley stand on the top stone step outside, just before he went outside with Ashley, "Please forgive me."