Recap (for the gravity of the moment):

Luna could not stop smiling. But still, she wondered, if this was based on her wish, then where was… Her thoughts were cut off by a sudden knocking at the door (now closed).

Ms. Ochi went over to it and opened it to someone outside that she could not see.

"Ah, there you are, Schiffer! Try not to be late next time." Luna froze.

And Ulquiorra Schiffer stepped through the doorway.

(Oh, I'm not sure if I have to do this for every chapter, but) Disclaimer: I do NOT own BLEACH.

Luna could barely breathe as she stared at Ulquiorra—the actual, real, "flesh-and-blood" Ulquiorra--, who was walking to his seat next to a window.

Holy crap, she thought. This cannot be happening. It's him…it's him! He, like the others, looked exactly like his manga and anime counterparts, besides the fact that he was wearing a school uniform and his hollow mask (and from what she could see of it, his hole) was gone. His pale, thin frame rivaled Luna's, and his large green eyes still carried that apathetic expression. The tear lines had not disappeared.

"Oh, by the way, Schiffer-kun, we have a new student today! Say hello to Luna Douglas, she's sitting right next to Shinji!"

On the way to his seat, Ulquiorra stopped momentarily, and his eyes swiveled to meet Luna's red ones. She stopped breathing, but felt a faint blush creep onto her cheeks.

"Nice to meet you," he said in a low voice. There was nothing in his expression or voice that sounded like he cared. Luna was unable to speak and just nodded shakily. She found use of her throat again as soon as he looked away and continued on to his seat.

As Ms. Ochi continued teaching, Luna suddenly felt light-headed and her vision blurred. She held her head in her hands again, only to be shaken by Shinji, who wasn't grinning. "Hey, you alright, Luna-chan?"

"Uh yeah, I'm fine, thanks. I'm just… a little sensitive to bright light." She snuck a peek at Ichigo; his face was turned to Ulquiorra's direction, but she could not see his expression. She could guess what it was, though.

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At lunchtime, Luna felt like staying in the classroom; the sun had become way too bright, after all, and if she went outside she might collapse. However…

She looked to where Ulquiorra was still sitting and put her head down on the desk. If I stay in here, my cheeks might explode from embarrassment. He seemed to be concentrating on texting something (with his cell phone, duh).

A grating noise made her look up again. Ulquiorra had stood up from his seat and was walking out of the classroom. She hid her head, determined not to meet his eyes again, until she heard his footsteps disappear down the hallway. With that, she sighed and shaded her eyes against the sun's glare to look out the window.

Well, Luna, there he is. Ulquiorra's in your CLASS and you don't have the guts to tell him how you feel. I mean, it must be serious after what happened this morning when you saw him!

"Right," Luna mumbled. "Or maybe he'd just cero me."…Gah! I'm talking to myself again!!

She was interrupted by a girl's voice in front of her. "Hey, Luna-san, want to go outside and eat?" It was Orihime! Luna's heart jumped for the umpteenth time and she said sheepishly, "Uh, sorry Orihime, I'm pretty sensitive to bright light."

"Oh," Orihime said in disappointment, but she immediately perked up. "Well, I can get you some food if you want!"

"Oh, that's okay, I'm not really--growl—hungry… Eheheh…"

Orihime giggled and ran off, calling over her shoulder, "Don't worry, I'll get you some food right now! Just stay put!" All Luna could do was sit there as her stomach made vicious sounds. A little while later…

"So, Luna-san is from America?"

"Yeah. I, um, can't remember much about it though." Luna took a large bite out of her bun.

"Ah I see." Orihime spread some more wasabi sauce on hers, making Luna's face scrunch up a little.

"You really like eating stuff like that, don't you, Orihime?"

"Yep! It tastes really good! Wanna try?"

"Uh, no, I'm good," Luna laughed cautiously. "Well, it reminds me of what my mom cooks, actually."

"That's great! Maybe I can come over to your house sometime and try her cooking!" Orihime smiled like a little kid and Luna had to smile back. "Yeah, maybe."

Then the bell rang and everyone filed back into class. Luna looked away from the front when Ulquiorra returned, but thankfully Orihime didn't notice. In fact, most of the people were trying to ignore him, Orihime included. Others found distraction by whispering about Luna; she could tell because they kept throwing glances her way. She sank lower into her chair. Even in Japan it's the same…no…even in Bleach.

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Luna had been told that she would have to join at least one club in this school, so when school ended she decided to call her mother about coming home late. Unfortunately, she had forgotten to bring her phone with her. Not only that, but she had no idea what her home phone number was. "Ah jeez", she grumbled as she walked downstairs.

She met Keigo and Mizuiro on the way down. Keigo instantly squealed, "Hey Luna-chan, wanna do something fun after school?!"

Luna tried to edge away from him. "Uh, no thanks, Keigo, I've gotta get home soon."

His face turned blubbery. "Aw that's no fair, Luna-chan!"

"Sorry, but I really gotta get home. You could, um, ask someone else like Ichigo to go with you!"

"Aw, but Ichigo never hangs out with me anymore…" He was interrupted by Mizuiro, who smacked him in the back of the head and said brightly, "Forget about Asano-san, Luna, you should go before your parents worry."

"Asano-san my ass! Jeez, what the hell is wrong with you, Mizuiro? Aren't I a precious friend anymore?!" Luna tried not to laugh as she walked outside.

On the way home, Luna could not stop thinking about her "predicament", if you could call it one. How could this happen? I mean, I know shooting stars are supposed to grant wishes, but this is ridiculous! And since I've already met Ulquiorra…She slowed down… Does that mean I have to go back now? Or will I stay here and live like this???

…Alright, she thought. Tonight, I'm going to go out and try to see as much of Tite Kubo's world as I can, even if I don't see Ulquiorra again. Because when morning comes, I might not be here anymore. On that note, she continued home with a determined expression on her face.

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Luna decided to tell them that she was meeting up with a couple of people from school and they were hanging out. Surprisingly, her parents were much more lenient to the idea of her walking around at night than they would have been in New York City. Nonetheless…

"Luna, you have your phone right? And make sure to keep it on ALL THE TIME! And take a jacket too! It might get too cold!" Her father just sat back and laughed as her mom fussed over her. "And here, bring some money!"

"Jeez Mom, I'll be fine, no worries!" She finally managed to make it out of the doorway before her mother tried to make her wear multiple jackets. "I'll see you guys in an hour or so, okay? And I'll call you if I have any problems. See ya!" She grabbed her hat and hopped off the front steps.

"Ah. Where to first? Oh damn, I should've bought a map. Oh wait, there's a grocery store. Maybe they have one."

Luna walked into the normal-looking store (dundundun…) with the door jingling. She found a map pretty quickly and waited in the long line behind the counter, from where she heard a familiar stammering voice and familiar loud one.

"S-Sorry for the wait! Here's your lunch and your change!"

"Oi, Hana! Hurry up, there's tons of customers today!"

"O-Okay, Ganju-san!"

Hanatarou and Ganju?! Oh shi—She didn't have time to run away because she suddenly found herself at the counter. Hanatarou gave her a hesitant smile and said meekly, "Welcome! What would you like?"

Luna found herself stammering. "Uh, I just—this map—˝

"Oh the map? That will be, er, 120 yen, please!"

"Right!" For the second time that day she fumbled with her stuff, but after a while managed to pull out the money.

"Thank you and have a nice day!"

"You too, Hanatarou!" Then she ran out of the store as fast as she could before he or Ganju could say anything.

Outside, Luna stood panting with the slightly crumpled map in her fist. She then straightened up and smiled. "Well, two characters, I mean people, down, several more to go!"

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About 45 minutes later, Luna had already seen Orihime's house, Ishida's dad's hospital, and the Kurosaki Clinic (where there was a loud argument about someone knocking down someone using his feet). She decided to see if she could find Urahara Shoten, and was now on the way to what looked like an empty lot on the map. Then she paused in front of the park a ways from the school.

Oh yeah, she remembered. If Ulquiorra was in school, which wasn't in the manga, then this world is either way ahead in the story already or is a little different. And if it's a little different, that might mean everyone here is just a normal person. But if that crater is still there…Luna started running towards the dimly-lit park to confirm it. She stopped and heaved a sigh of relief when she saw a large crater and crack in the ground, which had both been clumsily half-filled in through construction work. Then she continued on her way to the shop.

A few minutes later she found it and almost jumped up and down in glee. There it was—Urahara Shoten, exactly like in the manga. There seemed to be a light on in one of the windows. Luna was about to move on when she realized something again. Urahara should know if there can be parallel universes, right? I should ask now before I have to go. She moved towards the little shop and would have continued if it weren't for the large hand that suddenly registered itself on her shoulder. Turning around slowly, Luna gulped when she saw the towering figure of Tessai.

"Good evening, young lady. Do you have some business with Urahara Shoten?"

"Um, yes…sir." Sir? "I need to ask Mr. Urahara about something. Is he-is he available?"

"Hmm…" He looked towards the shop, then back at Luna. "Well, we're about to close up, but I'm pretty sure he can spare a moment."

Phew. Oh wait. Not good. I'm gonna have to speak to Urahara himself! Tessai kept his heavy hand on her shoulder as he steered her towards Urahara Shoten. Luna swallowed hard.

They finally reached the store and, when Tessai opened the door, he called out, "Mr. Urahara! There is a young lady who would like to speak to you about something!"

"Oh really?" Called back the optimistic voice of Urahara-san. "Well hurry up, bring her in!"

They walked past the long rows of goods and candies until they reached one of those Japanese sliding doors, which was illuminated from beyond. Tessai slid the door open and gestured for Luna to sit down on the clean floor of a small room, linked to other rooms from the back. She looked up as she sat down and saw the former 12th Division Captain come out of one of the back doorways and sit down in front of her. And she gulped. Again.

"Uh, hi, my name is Luna Douglas!" She gave a quick bow.

"Why hello there, Luna, I'm Mr. Urahara, at your service. What can I do for you?"

"Uh…" Luna found it hard to get started.

"Well? What is it, young lady? No need to be so nervous!"

She took a deep breathe and said, "Well, I was wondering if it is possible for there to be parallel universes." She looked at Urahara timidly, whose ridiculous hat hid his expression.

"Parallel universes, you say?" He switched his fan from one hand to the other. "Why would you ask that?"

"Um, not much of a reason…I just—wanted to know."

"Right…Hmm, well, technically speaking, there can be," he said airily. "I mean, it's not impossible, but I don't want to get into the whole science of the thing right now."

Luna saw that he was questioning her, so she tried to get a better answer out of him. "Well, I mean, if there was a Soul Society and a Hueco Mundo in one…but not in the other. If someone knew about everything that was going to happen in the other universe."

Urahara stopped fanning himself. The silence was deafening.

"…I see. Well, that's entirely possible too, seeing as how many planes of existence never overlap each other. Yes…yes, that's very possible."

"Ah I see." Luna fidgeted with her jacket zipper and stood up. "Well, thank you for your time. I have to go home now." She was about to leave when he said, "Are you from around here, Luna-chan?"

Luna stopped. She turned back around to face him and replied hesitantly, "…No, sir." She turned around and smiled slightly. "Well, I'm pretty sure you're Mr. Urahara, previous 12th Division Captain of Soul Society before you made the Hougyoku, and friends with Shihouin Yoruichi. Unless I'm in the wrong universe."

He looked up.

Luna laughed sheepishly and said, "Um, don't worry, I know a lot more than that but I can't stay in this world for long. And please, please don't tell Ichigo about this." She dropped into a very low bow.

Finally Urahara laughed lightly and said, "Don't worry, I won't! You seem like a very interesting person, Luna. It was nice to meet you."

"It was nice to meet you too, Mr. Urahara." Then she left and went back out.

Luna stopped in front of the shop's front door because a small movement near a stall had caught her eye. She looked around where it had occurred and saw a supposedly limp little turtle doll on a box of candy. Luna walked over to it and picked it up.

"Are you…Nova?" She said carefully.

At the mention of its name, the little creature suddenly blinked at her. She almost dropped him but managed to hold on. "Sorry about this, but you're one of my favorite characters!" Then Luna gave him a quick hug. Urahara and Tessai made some noise of surprise, and the mod soul teleported out of her hands to somewhere she couldn't see. She laughed nervously and called to Urahara, "Um, if you see Nova can you tell him I'm sorry?" Then she ran out of the store.

As the front door closed, Urahara commented, "Well, she seemed very interesting."

"Indeed," Tessai nodded.

"Anyways," Urahara said, turning to the small turtle doll, which was now huddling in a corner, "you can come out now, Nova, she's gone."

Nova just shook his head and hid in his shell.

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On the way home, Luna giggled when she remembered the sudden cringe Nova had given her when she hugged him. "I hope I didn't scare him too badly." Then she suddenly bumped into someone coming the other way.

"Oi, watch where you're going, woman," he complained.

"Sorry…" She gasped. She had just bumped into Grimmjow! And Nnoitra was standing right behind him! They were wearing school uniforms, but neither of them looked like high-school students.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Move, lady." Grimmjow's blue eyes looked down at her impatiently.

"R-right! Sorry," Luna stammered as she took off at a run.

As she rounded the corner, Nnoitra remarked, "She was kinda cute, wasn't she? Maybe I'll pay her a visit sometime." A wide grin spread over his face.

"Shut up, you goddamn pervert. Anyways, mess around later, we gotta meet up with Ulquiorra now."

"Yeah, yeah." They strode on and slunk into the shadows of a back alley.

The scene with Urahara was very embarrassing to write, but I hope I did it okay. If there's any problems, please tell me and I'll gladly try to fix it :. I'm not sure when I'll upload the next chapter, since I got all this vacation homework I haven't done yet. Jeez, my school sucks. At least they could lay off the homework so people could have more time to do important things!...Like upload fanfics.