A/N: Hello all! This chapter took a while to write but I like how it turned out, mostly. I titled it 'Time' because of time is a main factor in this chapter; we get a look into Asami's background, the beginning of Ichigo's training - including his Zanpakuto spirits, a peek at Chiro and Toshiro, a hint at the future events and a flashback - but who was the one having the flashback? You'll find out soon... (also if you listen to music while you read, listen to Licht und Schatten from Tokyo ghoul OST cause it fits well with this chap).

Also I posted this earlier than expected, I intended it to be posted on friday but I didn't wanna wait - so enjoy :D

Italics + ' = Thoughts (Etc. = 'What is that?')

Bold + '' = Inner Hollow/Secondary Spirit (Etc. = ''Fucking Quotation marks!'' He roared)

Italics + '' = Zanpakuto Spirit (Etc. = ''Do not hesitate, Ichigo'' Zangetsu said)

I DONT OWN BLEACH!

Chapter 7: Time - Dragons Shadow ARC

''Asami Urahara... daughter of exile Kisuke Urahara'' I say and everyone's eyes go wide, jaws drop and some such as Kuchiki flinch ''She was my student, I privately taught her how to fight, over the course of three decades she kept getting stronger in all four areas of basic combat. Her Kido was so proficient that she created her own set of Hado and Bakudo, what took the Kido corps a day to create took her less than half an hour. Her Hakuda was quick and powerful, she could perform a flawless Ikkotsu after her third attempt and she became capable of matching my own Shunpo. She attained Bankai for her blades within three months and has connections to extremely powerful allies, I have guessed she is capable of matching myself''.

''She had become afflicted with a virus after a mission in the Rukongai that forced her under Hollowification while in the Rukongai, she eventually defeated what she claimed was a manifestation of the hollow Reiryoku and gained the ability to use hollow powers... of course when central 46 found out they were fuming, she was put with a target on her back and I told her of the events occurring and allowed her to escape, that was 70 years ago'' I grimace ''She had also obtained a... unusual ally and power''.

I take a breath ''Akuma, otherwise known as the god of hell... and the origin of her Goka''.

''Good to see you all made it'' I cross my arms ''Get over here Kurosaki''.

The orange-haired Kurosaki obeyed and walked over to me from the rock he was sitting on ''So.. what do I do?''.

''We'll be doing this the fast way, though it will be painful'' I warn and he nods determinedly ''Hold still then''.

I appear behind him, my fist glowing with a green-hued flame as I strike him in the back directly where his heart is located. Only an impact is made, no puncture. The hollowfied hell-bound energy rejecting any foreign Reiryoku from a soul, in this case the weakened form of Sode no Shirayuki. She fell forward only for me to catch her, quick as a flash.

''Go now, return to your wielder.. Jikan Ramos'' I say softly as a silver hue glows over her body before she explodes into Reishi, her manifested form disappearing but reappearing inside my inner world. She can have the company of my other spirits until we can return her to Rukia, so maybe ten days... or months. Ichigo's normally huge sword was now missing, though that was likely due to the lack of Asauchi.

''That wasn't painful'' Ichigo's voice cut in, I snap my head around and found him frowning at me ''Is there a delay?''.

''Not really'' I frown in turn ''Only humans, Quincy's and souls without Reiatsu can't feel pain''.

''Well I'm half-human and Shinigami since Rukia turned me into one right?'' He said.

I blink ''I forgot about that''.

''How did you know that?'' He narrowed his eyes.

''My father'' I brush off and point behind him where he was standing cheerfully introducing Inoue to Hachi, Ishida nearby.

''...I'm glad my dad isn't the only crazy father'' He said dryly ''If first impressions are anything to go by''.

''Yep'' I reply dryly.

''Anyway you should train with him, he'll help you attain Shikai... actually, never mind I'll train you first, then Ishida then Sado'' I say as my brain unconsciously runs through dozens of possibilities.

He raised an eyebrow ''Why the sudden change?''.

''My father would rather dissect you with his eyes than train you to the bone like I will'' I explain ''However I will ask this now, since I'll give you the choice of two methods of training''.

He nodded for me to continue, which I do ''The first choice is straight up training out here in the training ground for six days, it'll put you up to a level of a 3rd seat maybe... possibly lieutenant level. The second choice is within Jikan Yari, a specially ability of mine. You will train for six months in there, likely putting you up to a captain level, though six months will pass and your body and soul will age that long, while on the outside world only six days will pass''.

''You can do that?'' He said in slight awe.

''Mm, I won't explain it in depth'' I dismiss ''Though every hour outside Jikan Yari translates into a day and a quarter inside, so it allows for good training''.

''I can imagine'' Ichigo said.

''Have you given an excuse to your family?'' I ask.

He nodded ''I told them I was going out of town with some friends, Yuzu wouldn't let me go for a good hour''.

''How'd your old man take it?'' I probe, carefully keeping the mild nervousness out of my voice.

''Surprisingly well'' He frowned ''I assume you knew about my father through yours''.

''You catch on fast'' I smirk slightly ''Anyway lets get on with it... Ishida-Baka!''.

''Stop calling me that!''.

''Be back here in five days or I'll kick your ass!'' I bellow, he paled slightly and nodded rapidly. I turn to my side and with each of my fingers of my right hand outstretched as if I was holding a ball, I gingerly push forwards through the air till they meet resistance. I pull the unclassed Reishi particles into my fingertips and slowly pull back. Slowly an object appears out of thin air, ripples around it like it was being pulled out of the water. I yank on it to speed up the process, revealing a long blue and gold spear, aged but not weak by any means.

A spear, only five feet in length and with two draconic designs on the length of it in gold while the rest of it was sea blue. A silver blade on each side of the weapon elike a double-sided spear. I chuck it up into the air like a javelin, it reaches the peak of its arc and begins falling back down to earth. Its splits in two sections like a Sansetukon before falling back down to the ground, the bladed points digging into the ground a few feet away from us, the middle part of the weapon bobbing up and down in the air, hanging as low as the tying chains would allow. It looked like an archway, standing seven foot tall due to it growing because of the activation.

I reach out like before, my hand disappearing into the rippling air inside the archway ''Jikan Yari, Uketorimasu''. (Time Spear, Receive).

''Uh... you'd probably explain who Akuma is Yama-jii, since the senior captains are the only ones to have met him'' Kyoraku suggested seriously.

I give a nod of acknowledgement ''Akuma, like I said, is the 'god' of hell and is the person responsible for creating, maintaining and controlling the dimension. He is a very literal god, to the extent that his power far exceeds my own. I do not know the details, but at some point in time he came into contact with Asami and she was taken under his wing, like I did. She obtained unique hell-bound powers, hers in the form of Goka and its other forms. She and him became something akin to siblings almost, though that is from her quote. Akuma resides in hell, though he can leave whenever he wishes but prefers not to''.

''Is he a threat?'' Aizen frowned.

''As it stands, no. He is not an ally, though if the occasion rose he claimed he would fight alongside those who try to kill the soul king'' I answer, the well-respected captain of the 5th nodded and his face creased into a concerned frown.

''What should be done with this Asami then? She is obviously strong enough to be considered a serious threat'' Aizen asked.

''She will be dealt with after Rukia Kuchiki has been dealt with, as central 46 has put that above all else'' I say and he nods respectfully ''Once she is dealt with we will seek Asami out, she is powerful to the point where it would be better if we settle things verbally... if she were to fall in battle I have no doubt her allies Chiro Urahara, Toshiro Hitsugaya, Kisuke Urahara, Yoruichi Shihouin, Tessai Tsukabishi and Akuma himself would seek out revenge, which would not end in our favour''.

A nod of agreement spread throughout the room, before I hail onto another topic of the meeting... namely the Kuchiki who was recently imprisoned.

The air glowed purple, rippling more violently before a flash of purple appears. I retract my hand just as the flash spread out to encompass the whole inner frame of the archway, creating a small oval in the middle with vein-like lines tracing outwards and connecting to the spear-made frame. It seemingly pulsed while giving off small particles and a purple glow.

''Enter'' I say to my orange-haired student, walking into the purple portal as I hear his footsteps falling in step. The feeling of walking into the portal felt like walking into a wall of water, slowing your movements and making you feel heavy. You only saw darkness, yet the flow of Reishi forced you forwards despite any protests the occupants may have; similar to the Dangai. It was pitch black, you wouldn't be able to see or hear others while here until you broke through, which we were about to.

The whole journey only felt like seconds but in reality it was days (on the inside), I narrowed it down to your perception of time is influenced and is confused so it only feels like a few seconds. When we reached the exit it felt as if you fell through a window minus the painful glass, though the gentle impact of our bodies touching the invisible exit shattered what seemed to be the glass only for the shards to fade away.

Behind us was our entry point, pitch black darkness with wind flow coloured purple, also sending off the purple particles. The hole in the universe disappeared with a wave of my hand, leaving us in my world. It took on the nature of a summery forest; lush green grass and tree's, the occasional river or pond, mountains off in the far distance. An 18th century wooden house stood off not far behind us by a river surrounded in tree's and other shrubbery.

''Wow...'' Ichigo said in awe ''How the hell did you create this?''.

''Its technically a manifested form of my inner world, but is recreated with Kido and is a separate object and isn't affected by my inner world or spirits unless I intentionally allow it. Its essentially a mini-dimension in a sense, so it is habitable''.

''Remind me to ask you to teach me this at some point'' Ichigo chuckled slightly.

''It'll be far more difficult for you, since my time/space abilities made this far easier than it should be... after all making a dimension isn't child's play'' I say and he nods.

''So.. what do we do now?'' He asks.

''We've got some time before dinner'' I say ''So we're going to work on getting you into your inner world''.

''How do I do that?'' He questioned, I disappear and reappear behind the wooden house. I find the Asauchi laying against the wall where I left it, so I wrap a hand around it and disappear again, this time appearing back at Ichigo. I sit down in the Jinzen position and point to the position in front of me, he obeyed and mimicked my position as I hand him the Asauchi and he places it on my lap like I have my Zanpakuto.

''This is called Jinzen... Breathe and relax, don't try to force yourself into it and you should wake up there... if you find anyone else in your inner world, trust them with your life'' I instruct, he nods and closed his eyes and followed my instructions to the letter. His breathing slowed and his posture wasn't guarded, a sign he was in the process of entering his inner world - if he does or doesn't has yet to be seen.

After a minute his Reiatsu stills, a sign one has entered their inner world. I reach out and touch the Asauchi in his lap, careful not to disturb him.

''Don't follow your own wishes, just because one lack a heart does not mean they are heartless in nature... old man''.

I blink, taking in the fact I was sitting on the side of a skyscraper and the clouds were going down... or was that sideways?

''Yo''.

I jump back to my feet in surprise and mild fear, I spin on my heel only to freeze over at the sight of my photo negative double. He wore the same clothing as I did though the black and white inverted, his eyes a hollow black and eye iris, blue tongue and slightly insane smile on his face.

''Uh... hi?'' I say uncertainly ''Who are you?''.

''Oh forget my manners'' He said with a fake bow and dripping sarcasm ''My names *****''.

His voice was muffled when he said the last word, I frown at him trying to replay and decipher the word but he waves a hand.

''I guessed ya wouldn't hear ma name, ya got to be strong enough ta hear it'' He grinned ''And yer pretty weak, so till ya get strong enough ta hear ma name... ya gotta train with that bitch''.

''She's not a bitch'' I scowl ''Cold, yes''.

''Whatever'' The unnamed Zanpakuto scoffed ''Where tha hell is tha old man? Is he pussying outta seeing you?''.

''Old man?'' I question.

''Yeah he's the other spirit in 'ere, doesn't wanna see ya in fear of being rejected or some shit like that'' His spirit spoke.

''Why would I reject him?'' I frown.

''Cause he tried supressin' me and become yer Zanpakuto instead, saying it was common sense or some shit like that''.

''Why?''.

He turned his gaze on me ''Ya even know what I am?''.

''A hollow'' I say firmly.

''Right'' He nodded ''Alright come on out old man or I'll spill all yer secrets!.. not that ya have many''

For a moment nothing happened, like he didn't exist. Then a person appeared behind the hollow, not threating but he had a look of suppressed shame on his face... the way his jaw was clenched and his posture rigid. His eyes mostly concealed behind his sunglasses, long ragged dark brown hair fell to his shoulders. His tall and lean frame wore a black and slightly red overcoat with the collar of a white dress shirt poking out, the overcoat flowing with the non-existent breeze and black boots and pants.

''Hello, Ichigo'' The man greeted with a nod, though the action was as rigid as the rest of him.

''Hey'' I greet ''Why were you hiding from me?''.

He noticeable flinched ''...I assumed that you would not want to see me, as I had attempted to dethrone your Zanpakuto''.

''Well I can't blame you, since it is common sense'' I shrug ''Asami said to trust anyone in my inner world with my life, so I trust the both of you''.

''You took that bitches words to heart?'' The hollow scoffed ''Ya got a hollow and a Quincy in ya that you only just met and ya trust em?''.

''Your a Quincy?'' I blink at the stiffer old man, who had taken to glaring at the hollow.

He turned back to me ''Yes I am... I had hoped to fade away with my powers hidden-''.

''Fade away?'' I say with a tinge of anger ''Why would you want to fade away?!''.

The old man stared at me with widened eyes, clearly not expecting my reaction ''You don't want me to fade away?''.

His voice was puzzled but held a small glimmer of hope ''Of course not''.

''Why?''.

''Why else?'' I scoff ''Just because your a spirit doesn't mean that your any less of a person than anybody else, besides I think I'd go insane with him around''.

''Oi!'' The person in question yelled, causing me to snicker and I catch a small smile on the older mans face ''Tch, whatever. Go off an train with Miss Bitch and get strong, get Shikai and then I'll get to kick your ass all I like''.

''Sure...?'' I say uncertainly before chuckling slightly, turning my gaze to the old man ''Is it possible for you to teach me some Quincy things too?''.

The old mans face lit up, his facial muscles fighting not to beam in happiness ''I would be happy too''.

I grin at the pair of them before pausing ''Uh... how do I get out of here?''.

''Ya better ask Miss Bitch when ya get back, cause I ain't doing this next time'' His hollow said as Ichigo began seeing darkness in the corners of his vision ''See ya later, King!''.

''King?'' I ask, perplexed, before I can get a response the darkness consumes my vision and I feel the sensation of falling for only a few moments before my vision slowly returns, it was blurry at first but faded back to normal. I was in the same position as before - Jinzen? - while Asami was leaning against the trunk of a tree, calculating brown eyes watching me.

''How'd it go?'' She asked, getting to her feet and stretching.

''...interesting is a word for it I guess'' I sigh making her raise an eyebrow ''Apparently I have the spirit of a Quincy and the spirit of a Hollow in me''.

Instead of the surprise I had imagined she kept her calculating stare as she spoke ''A Hybrid then... I would assume your Zanpakuto spirit and hollow are one being?''.

''Well there was an albino copy of me and when he said his name it got all muffled, he said a lot of things that would point to that''.

''Hm'' She hummed, putting a hand on her chin in thought ''If you have a Quincy manifestation and a Hollowfied Zanpakuto manifestation it would likely give you the potential to perform Shinigami, Hollow and Quincy powers - a good skillset to have if you willing to train for it''.

''If it means I can get revenge at that lieutenant and save Rukia then I will'' I grin, she nods and draws her right blade and points it at me. In turn I get to my feet and form a stance and hold the lighter sword in front of me.

''For the next sixty days from now I will make your life a training hell, I will beat into you as much knowledge and combat skill as possible. We'll start with Zanjutsu then Hakuda, Hoho, Kido, Hollow Powers and Quincy Powers'' Asami explained ''Are you ready?''.

I nod and charge forth at her.

''Five years later and I still can't beat you'' I groan as Chiro heals the numerous wounds on my body.

Chiro giggled ''Mm, though your still improving''.

''You always say that'' I sigh making her wrap her arm around me and pulled me into a hug. Despite she has done this for almost a year to 'stop me from being sad' it still made my face flush, thankfully Yoruichi wasn't here - her teasing made it all the more embarrassing. She pulled back and giggled at my expression before pulling me up from my sitting position, her cheeks with a faint innocent blush.

''There, does the hug make you feel better?~'' She sung happily leading me towards the ladder.

''Shut up'' I growl out in embarrassment but she only giggles again.

''Ne, Toshi'' She called.

''What?''.

''You wanna go to that ice cream shop down a few streets?'' She asked, her face gaining a slightly brighter blush.

''Why do you want to go so suddenly?'' I ask.

''W-Well they have this really nice vanilla and strawberry ice cream that's only on for this week'' She smiled brightly ''Please?''.

I sigh, she really liked that shop and dragging me in there... or any sweet shop for that matter ''Sure''.

''Yay!'' She chirped and did a little skip in her step as she ran towards the ladder ''Lets go~''.

'Why do I let her do this to me...'

''You know you like it'' His hollow teased mercilessly ''You wanted to pull her into the hug, kiss her, trail down her neck and-''.

'SHUT UP YOU PERVERT!'

''Have you decided if you'll join them?'' I ask, looking at my long-time friend as I adjust my bucket hat.

''On the trip to soul society?'' The man sighed ''I don't see a point; I'm an exile, they've already got Asami to help and I'm out of practice''.

''Now, Now Isshin'' I smile, whipping out my fan ''This could be a good chance to see your son in action, not to mention stretch your limbs a bit - we both know even the senior captains would be in trouble if you released your Shikai''.

''That may be so Kisuke, but this is something Ichigo has to do alone isn't it?'' He said as his face turned solemn ''Though if what your daughter said is true about what is coming then I will not hesitate to back you guys up''.

''I appreciate that, Isshin'' I smile a genuine smile as I snap my fan shut ''But that's not for a good year or so, we've got time to train''.

''Still seems impossible though'' He smiled slightly ''Though seeing what your daughter has done so far, I guess it isn't such a wild idea after all''.

''Mm'' I agree ''Let us hope our children are strong enough when the time comes, the last thing I need is losing my daughters''.

Isshin nodded solemnly ''I hear you''.

A lone hollow walked through the endless desert of Hueco Mundo... its mind empty of thought as it tried to think of something, though it was hopeless since there was nothing but desert. A Vasto Lorde, the pinnacle of a hollows power, yet the most soul-tearing loneliness anybody could think of.

The hollow heard a slight scuffle of the sand behind it, as it turned its head around it found itself looking at a person... a Shinigami.

It tensed up and prepared for a fight, but it would wait for the damnable reaper to make a move. For some reason it didn't draw its weapon, her posture didn't indicate it was of any threat, like she though of it as nothing more than a rock.

I let out a growl but the Shinigami doesn't flinch, instead it walks closer forcing it to tense up even more to prepare to avoid a close-range attack but instead it never came. The hands remained at its sides as it walked pasted the hollow like it wasn't there, she walked up the dune they were on and reached the top, eyes dismissively scanning the area.

It suddenly turned its gaze back towards the hollow, to which the person spoke in an even yet kind tone.

''Where are we going?''.

''Rukia''.

My violet eyes turn from my cell window over my shoulder to see Renji standing on the opposite sides of the bars, a scowl reminiscent of Ichigo on his face.

''What is it, Lieutenant Abarai?'' I say with the Kuchiki mask and tone, causing his eyebrow to twitch.

''Your lucky that your human friend was saved by the criminal Asami'' He sneered ''But it doesn't matter, once your trial is done they'll be hunted down and executed themselves''.

''You seem pretty confident about beating Beelov-san'' I say with a little bit of sarcasm.

''She got a lucky shot'' He growled.

''I doubt you'd ever reach her level'' I say and turn my head away.

'Her show of strength... I've never seen anything like it... not even Nii-sama can compare...'

A dimension away, a lone man dressed in a top hat and red tuxedo sat at an old Victorian table with a cup of tea in his hand. The man took a sip of his tea while looking over the army of his, training away at a steady pace. His room as messy as ever, though he didn't care.

His gaze turned over to the wall behind him where a calendar hung on the wall, many days crossed out. He set down his tea cup onto the plate and stood up, his low-heeled boots trudging across the fine dark oak wood floor. Instead of interacting with the calendar, he reached down to a cardboard box where a dozen other calendars inside. He reached down and pulled out the one n the top of the pile, skipping through the pages until he reached July next year.

''July 17th, the day everything goes to shit''.

''Captain...'' Rangiku whispered softly as she looked at the pictures of Toshiro Hitsugaya and Isshin Shiba, one a criminal and the other MIA, considered KIA. Five years have passed since the icy cold captain disappeared after breaking out of jail, it bothered her. He had hollow powers? shouldn't we have tried to help them instead of out-casting them? More-so how did they escape? The walls of the 2nd division were made from Sekkiseki, even the captain commander would have trouble breaking through that.

Anytime a question along those lines were raised, Soi Fon blamed the young girl Chiro for breaking the wall while using an Illusion Kido to distract the camera. It came a quite a shock when we got the news, she never came across as the type to use Kido. However after the Kido corps were ordered to search for any other spells in the division (for safety reasons) they came across dozens of secret tunnels with Kido hiding them, some tunnels led to 'innocent' things such as Ukitake's candy stash or the 11th divisions lieutenants office (best friend of Chiro). Most were far more worrying, such as the ones that led to the 12th's vault and the archives under central 46.