AN: Hi everyone, sorry I am so late in updating, but I just had writer's block. Anyway, enjoy!

Bleach Stay Night Chapter 4: Trouble on the Horizon

- - SHIROU P.O.V. - -

I woke up to the sound of three people sleeping beside me. I looked around. Rin and Sakura were cuddled up together and didn't show any signs of separating, while Saber was using my arm as a hugging pillow. I didn't want to wake them up, because they all have raging tempers in the morning, so I ventured into my inner world.

"Good Morning Shirou," Senken greeted.

"Hi Senken. Just thought I'd come visit because I currently find myself unable to move from the position I'm in," I replied.

"Hehe…your troubles with women have always amused me, Shirou," Senken told me in response.

"So anyway, you up for some practice?" I asked.

"Practice? I am always ready whenever you need me Shirou. What would you like to practice?" he enquired.

"Hmm…should practice making Broken Phantasms and firing them like arrows? Archer used it for all sorts of things during the Grail war," I mused.

"Making Broken Phantasms? Ah yes, you do need some practice in that area. Very well, why don't we begin?" Senken gestured to an area of the barren wasteland of Unlimited Blade Works that contained some archery targets.

- - SABER P.O.V. - -

I woke up to the sound of the doorbell. "Coming!" I yelled. As I got up, I saw that I had my body curled around Shirou's arm. I quickly blushed, and then quickly donned a simple one-piece dress. I opened the door.

"Good morning Lieutenant Pendragon!" Rukia Kuchiki greeted.

"Good morning Miss Kuchiki. Did you need something?" I asked.

"Last night, Captain Emiya told me to drag Ichigo's lazy butt over here at 5 AM. His reason, I do not know," she replied.

"Shirou said that? Hmm…let me go check. Wait here," I commanded.

"Yes, Lieutenant!" she cried in response. I went inside the house and gently shook Shirou.

"Shirou," I whispered. "Rukia Kuchiki is here with Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki."

- - SHIROU P.O.V. - -

I was panting hard after my extensive training. Good thing that time flows differently within our inner worlds.

"It seems Saber is calling for you Shirou," Senken reported.

"Well then, I'd better see what it's about," I mused. With just a thought, I found myself leaving my inner world. Opening my eyes, I found myself staring into Saber's face.

"Good morning Saber," I greeted her with my signature grin.

"Shirou, Rukia Kuchiki is here as you ordered. She brought the Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki with her," she informed me.

"Alright. Give me a few minutes. Invite her in to the living room and give her some breakfast and tea, if she hasn't had any. Don't give any to Ichigo Kurosaki. He'll wait till after his training," I told her. She nodded, and then walked out of the room. I donned a simple shirt and a pair of jeans, and then went to join her.

"Good morning, Miss Kuchiki," I greeted.

"Good morning, Captain Emiya," she replied. I turned to face Ichigo Kurosaki.

"Good morning, Ichigo Kurosaki. I don't believe you and I have ever been introduced, seeing as I only recently became Captain. I am Captain Emiya of Squad 9. To my right is one of my lieutenants, Lieutenant Pendragon. My other lieutenant, Lieutenant Tohsaka, and her sister are still asleep, but they will join us later. They really aren't morning people," I chuckled.

"What did you want with me so fucking early? Oh, and call me Ichigo, I'm not into all that formality crap," he told me.

"Very well then Ichigo," I replied, agreeing to his request. "In the battle last night, I noticed something very peculiar about the way you were fighting. Since we all know that you will be a very important player in the war against Aizen, I reported my concerns to the Head Captain, and he has given me permission to work with you on fix this problem," I told him.

"What problem?" he asked.

"It was the look in your eyes. Though I saw your Captain-level strength, the look in your eyes last night was not one of confidence, but one of fear. Do you have any idea as to why that would be the case?" I asked him.

"That has nothing to do with you," he spat, turning his head away from me. I then realized it. Something was amiss.

"Answer my question Ichigo," I commanded forcefully.

"You're not the boss of me. I can deal with it myself," I spat back.

"You can't help me even if you do know. You've never experienced anything like this before have you!" he yelled. "None of you Soul Reapers have! Not Urahara, not Rukia, not you, not your lieutenants, no one! No one knows what it's like to have your something try to take over your very soul!" he yelled.

"Is it your Zanpakutou spirit?" I inquired.

"It's definitely not Old Man Zangetsu! And I don't even know what it could be!" he yelled.

"Ichigo! Calm down! If you calm down, we can determine what it is that is trying to take over your mind, and then we can determine the proper course of action, even if that means training with someone else," I yelled. At this, he slowly started to calm down. After I was sure he was calm, I asked my next question.

"Have you entered your inner world recently?" I asked.

"Huh? Oh, no, not since my fight with Kenpachi," he replied.

"You fought Kenpachi to a standstill, and you're still breathing? Wow," I complimented. "But anyway, while you were in there, what did you see?" I asked.

"I saw someone that looked exactly like me, except he had white hair, a reverse-colored shikausho, and black sclera with golden eyes," he replied.

"Hmm…have you talked to Urahara?" I asked.

"No. But why would Hat-and-Clogs know anything about this?" he questioned.

"I just have a feeling that Urahara is the type of person that knows way too much," I replied. "Anyway, let's start by asking him. Then we can proceed from there. But first, let me wake up Rin and Sakura so that they can join us. Have you two had breakfast yet?" I inquired.

"Uh, no, Captain Emiya," Rukia Kuchiki replied.

"Once Rin and Sakura are ready, why don't you join us for breakfast? I'll get started on the cooking," I told them.

"You can cook Captain?" Rukia asked me.

"I'm the one who does all the cooking around here, because Rin admits that my cooking is better than anything she could ever make, and Saber can't cook for her life. That may change with Sakura around; she was my protégé after all," I mused, walking off.

- - 2 hours later, after breakfast - -

"Holy shit, what did you put in there? That breakfast was fucking amazing! If you and Yuzu made a meal together, I think the world would be broken," Ichigo said.

"Maybe I'll plan something with her," I retorted.

"Calm down you two," Rin shouted.

As she did, I grabbed Ichigo by the collar, and simply commanded, "All of you, follow me," as I Flash-stepped out of the house.

- - At Urahara Shoten - -

"What the hell man? You didn't have to drag me by the collar like that!" Ichigo yelled.

"What's done is done, Ichigo, put it behind you as a minor annoyance. We have bigger things to worry about right now," I commanded. "Ah, good morning Mr. Urahara," I greeted, smiling.

"Why'd you have to come so early?" he complained, yawning.

"Ichigo has a little problem that he'd like help dealing with. We think that you may know something," I told him.

"Why don't you come inside? Your lieutenants can join us," he suggested.

"Very well. One other thing, one of Aizen's arrancar has betrayed him and come to us as an ally. She knew us in life and wishes to be with us and not with Aizen. Could I get a gigai for her?" I asked.

"First we'll deal with Ichigo, and then I can get you a gigai for her," he replied.

"Alright then. Ichigo?" I looked over at him.

"Uh, yeah. So anyway, recently there's been this thing inside my head that's been trying to take over my mind and body, and it's definitely not Zangetsu," he stated.

"Hmm…what did it look like?" Urahara asked.

"It looked like me, except it was all white, and had golden eyes with black sclera," Ichigo replied.

"To me, it sounds like you have an inner hollow problem, Ichigo," Urahara concluded.

"An inner…what?" Ichigo asked, dumbfounded.

"An inner hollow. Remember the Shattered Shaft Ichigo?" Urahara asked.

"Yeah," Ichigo replied.

"When you came out of the Shattered Shaft, you had both a shihakusho of a Soul Reaper and a Hollow mask. What I think happened is that you started to Hollowfy after encroachment, but you unlocked your Zanpakutou's power at the same time that your mask finished forming, leaving you with both powers," Urahara explained. "But don't worry Ichigo, I have someone you can talk to," Urahara told him reassuringly.

"You mean Shinji Hirako?" Ichigo asked. Urahara looked shocked.

"How do you know him Ichigo?" Urahara asked.

"He transferred in to my class to try to recruit me," Ichigo replied.

"To answer your question, yes, you will be training with Shinji Hirako. They are the only other Soul Reapers who have ever had this problem," Urahara confirmed.

"Ichigo," I called, looking for his attention. "Even if you don't want to join them, you should go there anyway. I'll even come with you," I offered.

"Captain Emiya, sorry to interrupt, but they don't really like the 13 Court Guard Squads all that much," Urahara interrupted.

"I don't care. I couldn't care less what they think of me. I don't judge people based on other people's opinions. I judge them based on my own opinions," I rebutted. He sighed.

"Alright then, I'll take you to them. Are your lieutenants joining us?" Urahara asked me. I sensed that Rin wanted to say something, but I had already decided on the best course of action.

"Shirou…" she began.

"Rin," I interrupted. "While Saber and I take Ichigo to his training, I want you to stay here with Miss Kuchiki. You two should train in Zanjutsu with Urahara. Your Kido is more than good enough. If you have extra time, try to practice the higher Hados and Bakudos. See how high you can get without using the incantation," I commanded. She grumbled, clearly unhappy. I walked up to her and put my mouth by her ear.

"Rin," I whispered, "If you listen to me now, I'll give you a treat tonight." She shivered at the close contact, then, realizing what I had said, she smirked, and licked her lips. Oh damn. I think she misunderstood what I said. I was planning on making her favorites for dinner, but I think she means…that. Plus there's Sakura to worry about…Sakura! I completely forgot!

"Sakura," I called.

"Yes, Senpai?" she answered.

"I want you to come with us," I commanded.

"Yes, Senpai," she said, her usual smile.

"Actually, Saber, I want you to stay here as well. You'll train them in Zanjutsu, and then they'll help you with your Kido. Understood?" I asked. She pouted, clearly unhappy with my change of mind. But then, after a bit of thought, she understood, and then nodded, acknowledging the command. "Well then Urahara, lead the way," I told him.

"Follow me," he replied, and Flash-stepped out.

- - At the Vizards' HQ - -

"Well, this is it. This is as far as I can take you," Urahara told us. As he left, I looked in front of us. We were in front of a seemingly abandoned warehouse. But it isn't. I can feel the Spiritual Pressure of multiple people inside, though it seems muted. Most likely they have a barrier masking this place. I sighed.

"What are we going to do about this barrier?" Ichigo asked me.

"Senpai, are you…" Sakura began.

"You have the right idea Sakura," I replied. I don't need to use Shikai for this. It certainly helps that I can use magecraft while in a gigai. I loaded a bullet into the chamber, and spoke the two keywords that signified my usage of magecraft. "Trace…on," I spoke, materializing a small dagger in my right hand. It was a strange dagger that I had chosen, but one that I knew all too well. There's only one thing I know of that can get us through this barrier. Rule Breaker, the dagger that belonged to Caster during the Grail War. But it brings back bad memories for me, considering that it was the Noble Phantasm that took Saber away from me. For the rest of our lives, it was Rin that was bonded to her, not me. But bygones are bygones, and we're all together now. Now is not the time to mope about it. I flipped the dagger around in my hand, and filled it with prana to activate it. "Rule…Breaker," I spoke softly, pricking the barrier. I then let the projection dissipate. I heard a noise. Looking in front of me, I saw that a small crack had formed in the barrier where I had pricked it with Rule Breaker. Slowly, the cracks expanded, encompassing the entirety of the barrier. "Stand back," I commanded, pulling both Ichigo and Sakura a good foot away from the barrier. With a sound akin to that of breaking glass, the entire barrier shattered. Immediately we saw that the door to the warehouse was opening.

"Hey! What do you think is the big deal, going and shattering our…" he stopped. He looked at me, then at Sakura, then at me, and then at Ichigo. "Ichigo. I can see that you've decided to join us, but what the hell are you doing with a Soul Reaper Captain and an arrancar?" he asked.

"Why don't we have this talk inside, Shinji?" Ichigo asked him. So this was Shinji Hirako.

"You're right Ichigo, this isn't a place for a talk like this. Follow me, Captain. The arrancar stays outside, though," Shinji told me.

"I'm afraid that I cannot agree to that last condition, Shinji Hirako," I told him calmly. "This particular arrancar was, in life, my lieutenant's younger sister. She recently found us and has betrayed Aizen in order to stay with us. I cannot allow her to remain outside herself where she may be killed by someone loyal to Aizen."

"You said she betrayed Aizen?" he asked. I nodded.

"In that case, she is most welcome to join us. What about you?" he asked.

"I don't really have much of a connection to Aizen personally. When Aizen betrayed the Soul Society, I was just the lieutenant of Squad 13, under Captain Ukitake," I replied.

"Ukitake, huh?" he mused. It seems that he is familiar with Captain Ukitake.

"How do you know Captain Ukitake, Shinji Hirako?" I asked, suspicious.

"That's a long story. Let's just say that my companions and I hate Aizen just as much as you do; maybe even more," he replied.

"I'll believe your word for now, but keep in mind that you will have to explain yourself at some point. Very well, enough dillydallying outside, let's go in," I gestured. Shinji led us inside the warehouse, where we were led to a couch. After we were seated, Shinji called his companions to meet us. When the rest of the members saw us, they smiled upon seeing Ichigo, and froze as their gaze drifted to Sakura and me.

"Shinji, who let a Captain in here?" a short, blond girl asked.

"I like him, he looks kinda cute. But wait, is that…" another said.

"Shinji, what is an arrancar doing here?" the blond girl asked him.

"According to the Captain, she was his lieutenant's younger sister when they were alive. She apparently betrayed Aizen to be with her sister," Shinji replied.

"Oh…Betrayed Aizen, huh?" a white haired man asked. Wait, that tattoo!?

"Um…you, with the white hair…" I began.

"Yeah? What do you want, kid?" he replied.

"Do you know a certain Shuhei Hisagi?" I asked. The tattoo is identical. 69.

"Hmm…I don't remember one. Why?" he asked, glaring at me.

"It's because he has a tattoo on his face that looks exactly like the one you have," I replied.

"Anyway, what did you come here for, Captain?" Shinji asked.

"After last night's battle with Aizen's arrancar, I realized that Ichigo had a certain problem. I spoke with Urahara, and we concluded that he has an inner hollow, and that he's afraid of it," I replied.

"And this concerns you…why exactly?" Shinji asked, puzzled.

"When I spoke to the Head Captain last night, I mentioned it to him, and we both agreed that Ichigo's presence will be instrumental in deciding the outcome of the war against Aizen. As such, he ordered me to investigate Ichigo's problem and make sure that he is at his full power when we face Aizen," I concluded. "In other words, I'm under orders to be here."

"We'll have to start by helping him conquer his inner hollow. Then it's on to harnessing that power and extending the length of time he can use it," Shinji told me.

"Is conquering an inner hollow similar to attaining Bankai?" I asked.

"Actually, the process is very similar. He essentially has to beat his inner hollow in a fight," Shinji replied.

"Hmm…I never actually fought my Zanpakutou's spirit. Instead, we sort of talked it though, and came to an understanding about things. Basically, I accepted him for who he is, and then he informed me that Bankai was now available for me to use," I concluded. I won't tell them that Senken is pretty much a version of me from the future of an alternate timeline. That would make it confusing. "Have any of you tried that with your inner hollows?" I inquired.

Shinji was puzzled. "We've never tried that before, but we'd be willing to try," Shinji decided. "Alright Ichigo, let's head downstairs to begin," Shinji said, and dragged Ichigo away by the collar.

"Senken, can you hear me?" I thought, finding him within Unlimited Blade Works.

"Yes I can Shirou. What is it you need?" he asked.

"Can you enter other inner worlds besides those of Rin and Saber, being the irregular Zanpakutou spirit that you are?" I asked.

"Hmm…I've never tried it. As you said, I can enter Rin and Saber's inner worlds to converse with their Zanpakutou spirits, but I've never tried someone else. Though, Saber's inner world is weird because she was a Heroic Spirit before dying, and so she has the spirits of all her Noble Phantasms in there, in addition to Ou no Ken," Senken mused. "But why do you ask?"

(AN: Ou no Ken is Saber's Zanpakutou. Expect to hear about her (Ou no Ken is female) in later chapters).

"I was wondering if you could enter Ichigo's inner world and help him peacefully communicate with his inner hollow," I answered.

"Hmm…I think it's possible, but I may be only able to coerce him into materializing, Shirou," Senken finished.

"That's good enough. Once he's out, I can restrain him if he gets out of hand," I replied.

"At which point I can force him back in," Senken finished.

"Alright, thanks Senken. Be ready when I ask you to start." I told him. I turned my attention to Sakura.

"Sakura, why don't we head down to join them?" I asked her.

"Alright then, Senpai," she replied. I grabbed her hand gently, and we left the room.

- - (END OF CHAPTER) - -

Woo! That was a LONG chapter!

Next time on Bleach Stay Night:

"Yo, King, it's been a while, huh?"

"Where is Zangetsu!"

"You know, you may suck Kingie, but that Captain dude over there is pretty strong. Alright, I'll help ya, but I've got a couple of conditions. First…"

R&R please?