[Update 12.17.13 - I suppose now that I've plotted out, albeit mentally, everything I plan to do within this story, it is now a good time for me to properly introduce you to Touari, my OC. It starts off within the latter bit of the time skip, just before the lost shinigami arc technically starts. There will be some canon and possible timeline alterations. I will do my best to stay away from anything terribly cliche regarding OCs. I know there will possibly be questions regarding tidbits here and there, and I will get this out of the way. I will not give anything away, and everything that seems confusing at one point or another will be fully explained later on down the line. I know who I want Touari to end up with, and I will not disclose who just yet.

Bear with be during Part I - Part II is when this story will get more interesting. Also, all parts will be here.]

A/N: This is my second Bleach story. A story about my OC - Touari Ueda. I normally don't condone OC's but this girl has been in my head and I intend to make her an awesome OC and not cheesy. Please R&R and enjoy!

Part I

The Awakening

Chapter 1

Stood before her were two people; people she didn't know, but were somehow familiar. A tall man with vibrant emerald green eyes, and dark brown hair. A woman with fair beauty and icy blue eyes, her long white hair softly whirling around her slender frame in the wind. She didn't know where she was, but she felt oddly at home, and in a familiar place. Yet she felt uneasy. All she knew beyond the people before her was the feeling of wind and the strong smell of earth. The man seemed to be speaking, but she heard nothing, and she couldn't even read his lips. The longer he went on, the more upset and impatient he became. Beside him, the fair woman's eyes grew sad, and had placed a hand upon his shoulder. An attempt at calming him.

Suddenly their bodies shivered and morphed into two dragons. One a soft blue, the other a moss green. Their long snakelike bodies twining around each other, seemingly endless. Their faces close to her, eyes piercing her very being. Willing her to understand. She didn't understand, however. She couldn't. She just kept staring dumbly into the two pairs of eyes that have been haunting her for the past year and a half.

She woke up breathing heavily, her heart pounding. The cold breeze that came in from her open window making her shiver. She looked at the digital clock on her desk and groaned. It was 3:24 in the morning. She sat up and closed the window before laying back down and curling up on her bed. She never understood that reoccurring dream. She sighed and closed her eyes only to see those eyes staring back at her. She wouldn't be falling back asleep, at least not for a while.

By the time she woke up again, the sun was shining happily in the sky, a bright Wednesday morning. She blinked until her eyes adjusted and stretched, but she still felt tired. Looking at the clock, she realized that she would be late for school. Her alarm must have not went off. Quickly, she slipped out of bed, went and took care of whatever she needed to in the bathroom, and then got dressed in her school uniform. As she walked down the stairs, carrying her school bag, she found the house was already empty, short of herself. After grabbing a banana from the kitchen for breakfast, and her bento out of the refrigerator for lunch, she walked over to the front door. She read the note that was on the small table in the hallway that lead to the front door.

Touari,

I'll be home late again tonight. I'm sorry.

Please make sure you get something to eat.

-Dad

Of course her father wouldn't be home until late, if at all. Ever since her mother left them out of nowhere when she was thirteen, around four years ago, she saw her father less and less. More often than not, she felt she lived alone. After they moved to Karakura Town two years ago, she had hoped her father would stop sulking and burying himself in work, but her hope died quickly. She balled up the note, tossed it back onto the table, and left the house.

By the time she was at Karakura High, she was definitely late. She didn't like being late, as it was top on the list of things she hated, second being loose fitting clothes. She always made sure to be on time, or even early. It was the best way not to draw attention to herself. She didn't know how to handle attention. She didn't have any friends, or enemies, and she never broke any rules or turned in homework late. She was a nobody, and she liked it that way since that is what she was used to since her family fell apart.

She stood in front of the classroom door, her stomach doing nervous back flips. Briefly she thought about escaping and just going back home or to the dojo, but then she shook her head and pushed her nervousness aside. She modestly slid the door open, trying not to draw too much attention, but to her chagrin the teacher immediately threw the chalkboard eraser in her direction, which slammed loudly against the door, and called out her name.

"Ueda Touari! Glad you could grace us with your presence. Please take your seat and don't make a habit of being late. This is unbecoming of one of my top students."

After clumsily closing the door and placing the eraser back on the ledge at the bottom of the chalkboard, sort of as a peace offering, she bowed low. "I'm sorry, Ochi-sensei. I will not be late again." Then Touari quickly made her way down the aisle left of the middle row of desks, and sat in her assigned seat which was to the left of Ishida and behind Kurosaki. She buried her face in what she hoped was the correct book, her cheeks burning with embarrassment, trying to not think of all the eyes staring at her.

As class resumed and the attention on her diminished, she relaxed into her seat and gave a thankful sigh. Touari then became aware of the almost tangible depression rolling off the guy in front of her. Kurosaki Ichigo was strange and possibly bipolar. Touari didn't know what to make of him, since every few months he seems to flip and change personalities. Lately he was his grumpy, brooding self. The past few months she felt nothing but depression coming from him as she sat behind him. It made her school life suck just a little more than usual. He had mostly stopped talking to his, for the lack of a better term, gang of weirdos, and was always staring at this wood thing with a skull on it. Strange guy, indeed. Though she was thankful he had stopped running out of the classroom at random times.

To her right, Ishida Uryu kept glancing at her. Touari never liked it when he looked at her like that. It was as if he could see right into her, like he knew all of her secrets, desires, and fears. It would have bothered her more if she hadn't been crushing on him for the past year. Though she knew it would never happen, she didn't really exist to most people, and she always thought that he and Kurosaki were together, given the way Ishida practically guards and protects him from any punks that try to mess with him. She would never admit it, but Touari was glad that Ishida noticed her. It was sometimes comforting, at least when he wasn't staring at her, even though they never spoke to each other.

In an attempt at ignoring the sapphire eyes that were on her, she nonchalantly angled herself so she was facing more towards the windows, making as if she was daydreaming. She wasn't, really. Touari's eyes landed on the girl she knew as Inoue Orihime, of course everyone knew who she was. She was the most sought after girl in school. Though the boys, and a few girls, who did want to be with her were stupid not to see that it would never happen. Touari knew that Inoue was in love with the strange guy, Kurosaki Ichigo. Touari really didn't understand that one. She often caught Inoue gazing at Kurosaki with longing. Today, however, she was gazing at him with a mixture of longing and worry, her brow knit together in a frown. Peculiar.

Touari's eyes then traveled to the empty desk that was a few seats behind Inoue. Seems Sado Yasutora didn't show up today, again. Perhaps that big guy was sick. Turning her attention back to the teacher, she began to take notes on whatever Ochi covered.

It was lunch time, so Touari pulled out her bento from her bag and began to make her way to the roof of the school building as it was a nice day. She found herself alone as she began to eat, but that didn't last long. She heard the door open and a handful of students, the gang of weirdos, showed themselves. Ishida, Inoue, Kurosaki, Arisawa, Asano, and Kojima found a place to sit and eat.

Touari casually watched them from the corner of her eye. Kurosaki seemed antisocial, even as Arisawa and Asano were trying to cheer him up with their usual antics. Kojima was texting, no doubt some older woman, on his cell phone like always. Ishida was glancing at her again, talking lowly to Inoue, who also looked in her direction briefly. They seemed to be having a private conversation. What were they up to? She tried reading their lips and caught a strange word. Reiatsu? What is that?

Touari decided to look away and focus on eating her lunch, but she was no longer hungry as she felt those eyes staring at her. Setting her half eaten bento in her lap she looked up at the clouds in the sky, then closed her eyes as she felt the breeze pass by her. Then she saw those two pairs of eyes from her dream again, and jumped, her eyes flying open. Just so happened to be the same moment when she heard a male voice say her name.

"Ueda-san."

Touari looked over at Ishida who was now standing near her with Inoue at his side.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Inoue-san and I were wondering if you would mind company," said Ishida, his sapphire eyes locking onto her hazel ones.

Touari noticed the uncharacteristic smile gracing Ishida's handsome features. She immediately blushed crimson, shaking her head in reply. She finally tore her eyes away from his and focused on the bento in her lap. They both sat in front of her, Inoue nibbling on melon bread and Ishida drinking tea out of a bottle. There was an awkward silence for a moment.

"How come you're always alone, Ueda-san?"

Touari looked up at Ishida, a frown set upon her lips. "I prefer it that way." She watched as understanding flitted across his features for the barest of moments. Her eyes then caught the concern on Inoue's face.

Inoue reached over and grabbed one of Touari's hands. "It's not safe for someone like you, us, to be alone. Would it be alright if we became friends, Ueda-san?"

Touari couldn't take the concern that was all too plainly written on her face, and so she pulled her hand out of Inoue's grasp. It was too much, and she didn't understand what Inoue meant. It's not safe for someone like her to be alone? "Excuse me, but what do you mean, Inoue-san?"

"She means that people with higher than normal reiatsu are in danger of hollow attacks."

There it was again, that word. Her brow knitted in confusion. "I'm sorry, what?"

"You see them, don't you? Big, ugly, masked creatures that feed on souls," said Ishida, his eyes studying her intently.

If she was to be honest, Touari had definitely seen creatures of that description before. Sometimes she heard unearthly howling as well. Though she had never been attacked by one. She saw ghosts too, which would creep her out just as much as these hollow things they were talking about. At first it was more like she sensed other beings, then she could make out hazy outlines, and eventually she saw them as clear as she saw Ishida and Inoue right now.

"Ah, so you have, Ueda-san."

Touari stared dumbly at Ishida. How did he know if she had or not? She didn't say anything. The tone played around the school, signaling lunch was over and that it was time to return to their classes. Everyone that was on the roof stood up and made to return back to class. Touari caught the curious glances from everyone but Kojima as they left. Ishida and Inoue still stood before her.

Inoue gave her a piece of paper with two sets of numbers and corresponding names. "Here, those are our cell phone numbers. Please let us help keep you safe, Ueda-san."

Touari stared at the piece of paper for a moment before tucking it into her sweater pocket. "I'm pretty sure I'm capable of protecting myself. I've never been attacked before and I probably never will. We should head back to class. Thank you for your concern. Excuse me," she said, pushing passed them and making her way to the door.

"Ueda-san, don't be afraid to ask us for help. You can count on us," said Ishida, just before Touari disappeared into the school.

Touari was laying in her bed, unable to sleep. She felt anxious and whenever she tried to sleep, she saw those two pairs of eyes again. Looking at the clock, she noticed that it was late. 11:43 pm. Touari sighed, and got up. She would go for a run, perhaps it would calm her or at least make her tired enough to sleep. So she changed into her running clothes, which consisted of tight black cloth pants, a matching tank, and a blue jacket. She went down stairs and put on her running shoes before leaving and heading towards a nearby park. Touari had left her cell phone and everything else behind. She wouldn't need it.

By the time she got to the park, she had built up her heart rate enough to transition into jogging, so she did. The cool air felt good, and she lost herself in just focusing on her breathing as her pace became faster. It had been several minutes before she heard something that made her stop in her tracks instantly. A loud, unearthly howl sounded and it was close, too close. She knew what it was and panic began to set in. Touari hoped at that moment that it wouldn't be coming for her, that Ishida and Inoue were wrong today.

Touari immediately turned and ran in the opposite direction of the howl. She only made it so far before something barreled into her from behind and knocked her down to the ground, effectively knocking the wind out of her. The hollow flipped her over roughly and pinned her body to the ground with a massive, clawed hand.

"Mmm," it cooed, flicking it's large tongue out. "You look tasty, but I wish to have more fun with you before I consume your soul."

The hollow raked her torso with its claws as it flung her ruthlessly against a tree. Touari had hit the tree at an odd angle and she heard a sickeningly loud series of cracks. Probably because the ribs on her right side were all broken, and shattered now. Then she was rolling down a slight hill, the sound of metal clinking together filling her ears.

The hollow hovered over her crumpled form, overly happy as it watched her struggle to breathe and stay alive. "Your soul popped out of your body already? You're very weak for one with such reiatsu. No matter, it's time to eat you. Hopefully you taste as good as those pitiful shinigami."

Touari's eyes lulled around in her head, trying to grasp the situation. She remembered intense pain, but all she felt was sluggish, and breathing was hard. No pain. Perhaps she was in shock or something. Whatever it was, she was grateful for the reprieve. The hollow had said something about her soul coming out of her body, and she briefly wondered what that meant before her eyes locked on the skeletal jaws that were open wide and descending towards her.

I don't want to die. I don't want to die. I don't want to die. Not yet. Please, stop!

In her peripheral vision she saw a blue light speeding towards the hollow that was a hairsbreadth from consuming her. There was a loud screeching sound before the hollow dissolved and disappeared. Relief washed over her as she stared blankly at the now empty space above her, tears falling down the sides of her face.

"Ueda-san!"

That voice sounded familiar but she couldn't place it at the moment. Suddenly blue eyes were there, in front of her. She knew this person.

"Ueda-san, stay with me. I don't think it would be wise for me to put you back into your body just yet. I already made some phone calls. Help is on the way."

Her body? Touari began to look around, her eyes caught the chain in the grass next to her and started to follow it. She was stopped by a gentle hand turning her head to look back into those blue eyes.

"Don't look, Ueda-san. It's bad. Thankfully your chain of fate is intact, meaning you'll live," said Ishida, as he cupped her face between his hands, trying to keep her attention on him. If it were any other time, Touari would be blushing.

Chain of fate? She heard sirens not too far away. "I'm sorry," she managed to say.

Sapphire eyes grew questioning. "What for? It's not your fault you were attacked, Ueda-san. I should have come to your aid sooner."

Touari remembered the pretty blue light from before, her eyes taking in his ridiculous white outfit. "What are you?"

Something set alight in those blue eyes. "I'm a Quincy," he answered with pride. There was a pause as he took in her dumbfounded expression and then he added, "I'll explain it to you after we get you taken care of, Ueda-san."

Touari managed a nod. The sirens were very close now and she heard two male voices calling out Ishida's name. Then they were surrounding her, asking questions or rattling off commands. Before long, her world went black.