Author Note: Don't worry, I'm still going to be working on From Two Separate Worlds I just wanted to put this up and see what kind of responses it gets.

Warning: Non-canon couples. Please don't get on my back about them; they'll pretty much only be there this chapter.

Disclaimer: Bleach and its characters belong to Tite Kubo.

Chapter 1: The Chance of a Lifetime

He was gone…turned to dust before my very eyes. I told myself that it was enough that he reached out to me in his final moments but a big part of me was unsatisfied. What would have happened between us had he survived? I had no way of knowing and there wasn't really anyone I could blame; Ichigo hadn't been in control of himself and not even Orihime could have saved him at that point but both still felt responsible. I was grateful that Orihime had at least helped him understand the heart enough for him to actually see that I was always there for him even when he didn't need or want me to be. Did he realize what he meant to me…did I mean something to him? There were so many questions that would never be answered.

I sat solemnly by the riverside, lost in my thoughts once again but not so lost that I was unaware of the presence behind me.

"I'm not going to kill myself, Orihime. There's no need for you to follow me around."

If I was, it would have been a long time ago, I thought.

She sheepishly came out from around the wall at the corner, where she was had been watching me, and came to sit next to me. I sighed as she gave me that look of pity and regret again.

"I'm sorry it's just…you don't seem to be coping well at all." She spoke carefully, as if her words would send me over the edge.

"It will take many years for me to move on…I did love him more than anything else after all."

"I know what it's like to lose a loved one…"Her voice went soft, no doubt she was thinking about her brother."But I had Tatsuki there to make the pain easier to bare but…you don't have anyone." Tears started to form in those gray orbs.

"I have you." I told her, hoping to stop the tears before they could start. She looked at me in surprise before giving me a huge smile.

"That's right…I'll always be here if you need me." I appreciated the offer but I knew I would never really seek her out for comfort or support despite seeing her as a friend; I didn't tell her that though.

"There you are!" We turned at the new voice.

"Uryu!" Orihime cried happily and ran over to hug her boyfriend.

I stayed where I was, watching them sadly. Remembering that I was there, Orihime released him and put some distance between them, hoping to spare me the pain from watching their display of happiness. Surprisingly, it was me that the quincy was looking for.

"Kisuke wants to see you." I frowned at the mention of the former captain.

"Did he say why?" I asked, reluctant to see the man.

"No."

I frowned but still rose to follow the two to the Urahara Shop. I hesitated outside the door, remembering all the unpleasant questions I endured there. I sighed then opened the door.

"Ah! Just the person I wanted to see." The shady shop owner exclaimed, walking towards me.

"What do you want?" He snapped his fan open and brought it up to his face, no doubt to cover his smirk.

"Why don't we all sit down first?"

He gestured for us to follow him, which I reluctantly did so. I knew I should have left right then but I was curious. He opened the door to the sitting room and waited for us to walk in first.

"Ichigo?" Orihime cried out, surprised to see the substitute soul reaper already sitting at the table. "What are you doing here?"

"Kisuke dragged me here…wouldn't explain why."

He glared at Kisuke then spotted me standing behind Orihime. He looked to the side, eyes darkened by guilt. I walked into the room and took a seat without addressing him. I've already told him many times that I don't blame him.

"So…" Kisuke looked towards me from his seat across the table when everyone was seated. "Do you miss him?"

There was a tense silence after that question.

"What the hell?"

Ichigo slammed his fist on the table, glaring at the man. "Why would you ask such a thing?" Kisuke ignored him and kept staring at me, waiting for my answer.

"Yes." I replied, glaring at the man.

"Would you do anything to get him back?" My eyes narrowed further.

"What is this about?" I asked tensely, regretting my decision to go there.

"I believe I've invented a device that will reunite you with your lost love."

"What?" We all exclaimed in unison.

He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a small cube made of smooth metal. It was about the size of his palm and seemed to radiate its own spiritual pressure. I couldn't take my eyes off it. This thing can help me see him again? I desperately wanted it but I wasn't the type to foolishly believe in something.

"What exactly does it do?" I asked.

"It isn't possible for me to revive him…however, I can send you to an alternate timeline where he is still alive."

"Alternate timeline?"

"Indeed. There are in fact many timelines besides our own and they can be very similar to ours or completely different." He held the cube up. "This device can send you to one of them. However, there is no way of knowing how similar that timeline will be or what point in time of that timeline you will be sent to."

"Can it send me back far enough to save him?"

"It's possible." I was completely convinced at that point.

"How does it work?" I could feel everyone's eyes on me but I ignored them and kept my eyes locked with Kisuke's.

"You just have to fill it up with your spiritual pressure."

"Why did you make such a thing? Surely it wasn't solely meant for her." Uryu suddenly asked.

"I actually started researching time travel after my exile." He looked down at the cube as his mind thought back on the past.

"I hoped to find a way to go back and stop Aizen but this was all I could figure out. However…" He smiled my way. "Now that Aizen is sealed away, I no longer have a need for this so I'm giving it to you."

He held it out for me to take. I stared at it then tentatively reached out for it. It wasn't as heavy as I expected it to be and it easily rested in the palm of my hand.

"I can't guarantee its success." Kisuke warned me.

"What would happen if it fails?" Orihime asked worriedly.

"It'll suck out all her spiritual pressure and send her to an empty void…where she'll die."

I ignored Orihime's horrified gasp; I stared down at the device in my hand and thought about the one in a lifetime chance that was just offered to me. The thought of seeing him again and possibly saving him spurred me on and I easily disregarded the risks. However, I still had some questions.

"Why me?" I looked back up at Kisuke. "Why give it to me? There are others who have regrets of their own and would be willing to accept the risks to have some kind of closure." Kisuke shrugged.

"I'm sure there are but I feel you need it the most." There was a subtle compassion in his eyes that confused me but I didn't mention it.

"Are you actually going to do this?" Orihime asked me, grabbing hold of my arm.

I peered into her worried eyes and felt some guilt. I carefully placed the device on the table and placed my hand over hers. I gave a gentle squeeze but couldn't really bring myself to smile.

"I want this." I told her.

She pulled her hand away and hunched forward in her seat, hiding her face behind her bangs. Her boyfriend put a reassuring hand on her shoulder and gave me an encouraging nod.

At least he understands why I'm doing this.

I glanced Ichigo's way and saw that guilt in his eyes again.

"I know you still blame yourself, Ichigo." He looked my way, startled. "But I don't…nor do I blame Orihime." Ichigo glanced her way then met my eyes once more.

"If anyone is to blame, then it's me. I failed to protect him…I failed to protect the one I love." Ichigo went to protest but a look from Uryu made him stop.

"That's why I'm willing to sacrifice myself…not just for the chance to see him again but for the chance to save him." No one said anything so Kisuke stood up and made his way over to me.

"You can't be in a gigai." He told me with an apologetic look before thrusting the end of his cane against my forehead.

The gigai fell to the ground as I was pushed from it. I closed my eyes with a grimace as memories flashed in my mind with the return of my arrancar form. I subconsciously brought a hand up to cover the number tattooed onto my left shoulder. I took a deep breath and forced myself to focus on Kisuke once more.

He pulled something else from his sleeves and I recognized it as the bracelet Orihime had to wear when she said her goodbye before leaving for Hueco Mundo. There was a green gem embedded in it this time though.

"I modified the bracelet so that it will not only mask your spiritual pressure but also make it appear as if you are wearing a gigai while remaining invisible to others." Kisuke explained as I slipped the bracelet on.

I watched the gem glow as it took in some of my spiritual pressure. I brought my hand up to where my hollow hole was but felt only skin. I felt my forehead and found that my mask was gone too.

"To undo the effect of the bracelet you need only send a burst of spiritual pressure to it."

I tried it out and it worked just like he said. He showed me how to reset it then handed it over so I could slip it back on. He was giving me that compassionate look again but said nothing more.

Orihime stood up and quietly called my name. I turned her way and gently brushed her tears away. She cried even harder and threw herself into my arms. The old me probably would have cried along with her but my heart had changed after my beloved's death. However, I still cared for her so I wrapped my arms around her and let her cry on my shoulder while silently running my hand up and down her back.

"It will take a while for your spiritual pressure to return after you arrive." I looked up at Kisuke's words then nodded to show I understood. "I also suggest you go by another name; the name you have now is too much like the other espadas'."

I agreed; I also didn't want to be associated with that name any longer…it reminded me too much of my failure. I took a moment to think up a name to use.

"Akira…Akira Yukimura. I'll go by that name." I said with a slight smile.

"That's a good name; it suits you." Kisuke smiled.

"Will you know whether the device failed or not?" I didn't really want to bring up the potential failure again, especially since Orihime was still coming to terms but I needed to know.

Kisuke slowly shook his head. I gripped Orihime's shoulders and gently pushed her away. I waited till she was looking at me before speaking.

"You won't know whether I make it or not but I want you to assume that I do and that I'll succeed…I rather you forget me but I know you would refuse to but please do this for me. Don't regret that you couldn't change my mind and feel that you are responsible for any of this…that's all I ask."

I knew my words were making this even harder for her but she needed to hear them. The tears were still falling but she still nodded decisively. Reassured slightly, I released her and turned to face the device once more.

"You sure you want to leave now?" Uryu asked, stepping forward to gently lead Orihime away from me.

"Yes…I won't be able to focus on anything else if I waited."

"You better change your clothes then. I already prepared an outfit for you. You'll find it in the bathroom."

I gave Kisuke my thanks and went to change. I was relieved to see that the outfit was a simple pair of jeans and t-shirt. I was a bit startled to see Kisuke waiting for me just outside the bathroom door. There was a solemn look in his eyes.

"It's possible that Aizen will win in that timeline."

"I won't let him." He seemed surprised by how heatedly I said this. "I've never trusted him and only followed him because Ulquiorra did."

I didn't mention that deep down I also blamed Aizen for Ulquiorra's death; none of this would have happened if he never recruited us. "I might have to go against Ulquiorra but I refuse to let Aizen succeed."

"You'd really go against the man you love?"

"As long as he lives…it's impossible for me to really be with him anyway." It hurt to admit that but I knew it was true.

"I'm glad I'm sending a possible savior." I chuckled humorlessly at his choice of words.

"Savior? I'm no savior."

I walked past him and reentered the room where the others were still waiting. My gaze instantly landed on the device that was still on the table where I had left it. I bent over and picked it up once more. Thinking about what I was about to do, I felt I was holding Ulquiorra's very future in the palm of my hand.

I slowly brought my other hand up and gently placed it on top. I looked up at the others as I began filling it with my energy. Orihime still looked like she wanted to stop me but she was no longer crying. She leaned into Uryu's chest as he wrapped an arm around her waist. Kisuke tipped his hat and gave me an encouraging smile. Ichigo stared silently then gave a solemn nod.

Maybe he thinks I'll end up killing his counterpart.

Filled with my energy, the device began to glow a pale bluish color. I gripped it tightly and gave everyone a smile.

"Thank you for everything…goodbye."

My vision filled with white and I felt an intense pull on my very soul. It felt like I was traveling at a great speed yet my body wasn't moving. My hair and clothes whipped about for a bit then everything suddenly went still. I moved slightly and felt something tickling my arms and neck. I opened my eyes and looked up at the blue sky above me. I slowly sat up and looked around at the wooded area I ended up in.

"It looks like it worked but…where am I? How far back did I end up?"

I started walking around and realized that I was in the park in Karakura town. I froze when I felt a burst of familiar energy.

"Yammy? He's alive?"

Filled with hope, I made my way to where I sensed him then stopped right at the edge of the tree cover. My heart started pounding and my body shook with both happiness and sorrow when I saw who was standing not too far from him.

"It's him."

Author Note: I guess I should explain that the timeline my oc character just arrived in is actually the canon one so the events in it will follow the anime. However, we'll also get flashbacks about her timeline and her relationship with her Ulquiorra and Orihime.

Ulquiorra is my favorite bleach character so I really hope to do him justice and hopefully not kill him off. WHY KUBO? WHY? :(

I never expected the first chapter to be this long but there was a lot of explanation that was needed. The next probably won't be as long.

Please Review.