Shirou awoke and immediately felt the sourness of his body and realized that he was both shirtless and covered in bandages. At the same time, Archer stood over him with a disproving stare, and on seeing that Shirou immediately looked away.

"Look…' the young Magus begins to say. "I know that what I did was stupid using the Shinigami's Bankai like that but I have to do it otherwise Saber would have died and I can't allow that to happen!'

"Archer then let out a weary sigh. "And do you realize that in trying to save Saber you could easily get yourself killed…and accomplish nothing?"

Shirou then looked away from the Servant unable to find an answer.

"Wielding a Bankai even a projected one is not like wielding a Noble Phantasm. "For it magnifies the user's spiritual power far more than what a human is normally capable of in their living body and as such can easily get overwhelmed by the Bankai's power" He then narrows his eyes. "And in the worst-case scenario such a surge of power could have torn your entire body apart' Archer spat angrily. "It was only by the faintest of miracles that either of you managed to survive!"

"Shirou then stood quiet and began to shake his fists. "I know…but I'm sorry…' said with dejected resolution. "I just couldn't stand there and do nothing she was about to get killed…and as long as she is alive…it doesn't matter what happens to me"

Archer then stared hatefully at Shirou. "If you value your life so little and care about your ideals so much…" he then around and walked out of the room. "Then why won't go out and die on your own…" he then gave the magus one last enraged look. "And save everyone else from your foolishness"

After leaving. Shirou held his head down and remained silent unable to deny or counter any of the Archer's words or his guilt and shame.

Meanwhile at the Ryudun Temple Caster was scrying with her crystal ball watching over the Shinigami captains and other Servants.

Then her master Kuzuki approached her.

"Is there something on your mind?" He asked stoically.

Caster then let out a smile and chuckle. "I just find it ironic that after all the plans and schemes I had in making some of the Servants and Masters into my allies I never once thought all of us would be willing to join in just to get rid of the Shinigami…' she then frowns. "Even if it's just for convenience"

Kuzuki then remained quiet for a moment and spoke up. "With all seven Servants together do you believe it will be enough to defeat the Shingmai?"

Caster then smirked. "Well with that particularly troublesome one out of the way, I would say yes…so long as we all play our parts accordingly" She then shifted the images within her crystal ball. Which showed Kenpachi, Ichigo, and Byakuya.

"Out of all the Captain level shingmai, there are three that pose the greatest threat in this war. Kenpachi Zaraki who with his ever-growing strength, was able to overcome Berserker's God Hand, Ichigo with a Zanpakuto that is on the level of an anti-fortress noble phantasm and can release it causally and Byakuya…' she then focuses her gaze on the captain. "Who is strong enough to take out Saber in an instant"

"Hmm…" Kuzuki pondered. "And do you have any plans in dealing with them?"

Caster nodded. "Some are a work in progress. However, the biggest challenge is to determine how to eliminate these Captains without the others coming to their rescue, and in regards to those like Kenpachi it could take multiple Servants to take that Monster down" She then flickered through images of Tōshirō Hitsugaya unleashing his Zanpakuto Hyōrinmaru in it's Shikai and Bankai form.

And cunning grin crept up her face when she noticed how the air became drier the more the captain used his sword's abilities...

Later at the Emyia residence...

Shirou stood silent as he still thought over what Archer said to him and then looked over at his wounded body and then remembered how he felt his body getting frozen from the inside out by projecting Daiguren Hyōrinmaru. It felt as if the entire Arctic blizzard had wrapped around his body and could feel his every freezing solid the longer he tried to maintain that form.

It was obvious that if Rin and Archer hadn't saved Him and Saber then...

His thoughts however were interrupted when a familiar face entered his room. They had long violet hair and eyes with a red-pink ribbon, and fair skin, and wore a white dress with a black sash and white sandals.

"Sakura?" Shirou called and the woman smiled at him.

"It's good to see that you are all right Shirou," she said gently. "It must have been quite some accident for you to get injured this badly"

Shirou then paused for a moment and then looked away from her and his body. "How is...Rin holding up?"

Sakura gave the slightest hints of a frown but smiled again. "She is doing fine if a bit shaken...how about you?"

Shirou then remains quiet again and begins flexing his right hand. "I...I don't know" he admitted. "I mean I always wanted to help people...but sometimes I feel I am doing more harm than good"

Sakura remained silent momentarily in thought and then let a light chuckle.

"Shirou...you should never feel ashamed of helping people and I can imagine many people would be worse off if you didn't..." Her expression then softened and she lowered her head silently. 'I know I would have..."

Emyia then stared at Sakura for a moment and then looked down at himself. "I guess you're right about that...but even so I wonder if that is always the case"

Sakura then looked at Shirou trying to decide what to say, but before she could Rin Tousaka came through the door and looked over to Shirou, and let out a sigh of relief.

"Good so you are awake" Rin commented rather bluntly. "I hope you don't intend to do anything more reckless"

Shirou then looked away in shame not at the moment. "Not at the moment no"

Rin then let out of huff. 'Well good because you are still far from recovery" She then about to sit down next to Shirou until she noticed Sakura. "Oh, I'm sorry but were two in the middle of something?"

Sakura paused for a moment and then smiled at both Shirou and Rin. "It's nothing...' she said and then looked away and began to walk out of the door. "In fact...I just realized that I have urgent business with my family"

Rin then blinked. "Alright well stay safe Sakura," she said and then turned her gaze back at Shirou.

Sakura then looked over to Rin and cast an unreadable expression on her. 'Of course..." she said lowly and then walked out of the room.

Upon leaving Rin proceeds to heal Shirou's back with her magic. " I managed to treat most of your wounds but there are still severe frost burns that need to be dealt with, so you properly won't be able to fight for a least a few more days"

Shirou then nodded. "Yeah...and what about Saber how is she doing?"

Rin held an annoyed look. "She is recovering much better than you even with all those cuts she got and will be good as new in the morning" She then glared at Shirou. 'But I suggest that you worry more about yourself"

Shirou then looked away. "Rin I..."

"Look Shirou" she cut him off. "I am not blaming you for saving Saber, But even so you should start taking care of yourself more"

Shirou then gripped his hands. "Why should it matter-"

"Because it isn't normal Shirou!" Rin snapped and Emyia looked at her surprised.

"It's one thing to risk your life to save someone you care about and another thing entirely to have your entire life only focus on saving people"

Shirou then gripped both of his hands in frustration. '"And what is so wrong with that!" He snapped and glared directly at Rin. "why should it matter if I die or not when I rescue someone's life!?"

Rin then stared at Shirou for a moment then let out a deep breath. "I think it is best...that both of us get out of the house for a bit and get ourselves some fresh air to cool off our heads. She then turns her back. "I will even send Archer and Berseker to watch over you if any of the Shinigami or their associates get involved. She then narrowed her eyes at Shirou. "Or do you have a problem with that?" Shirou looked away from Rin and let out a deep breath.

"No...I don't"

Later within Fukuyi Park Shirou was wondering by himself alone as he throughout over Archer's Sakura's and Rins's words and upon walking through the park he could feel the dark disturbances in the area born from the loss and despair of so many lives taken at once and remembered how he as a child was powerless to save anyone…or even himself during the great fire.

The screams of suffering became so great that he had to cover his ears to block out their screams and prevent himself from being driven insane.

He would have eventually died in that Hell…had his father Kiritsugui not rescued him and taught him about his ideals of being a hero of justice…

But upon accepting those ideals…he couldn't find any other meaning but saving other people let alone himself just as Rin criticized him for and in the end, it nearly resulted in both him and Saber getting killed.

To Shirou, he didn't know what to do anymore. For if the shinigami were powerful enough for someone like Saber to get defeated so easily and overwhelm an immortal powerhouse like Berserker…what chance does he have?

Can he truly be a hero of Justice…if he is unable to save anyone even at the cost of his own life?

"Hey, are you alright?"

A familiar voice called out to Shirou and he immediately recognized it before turning around and meeting Ichigo Kurosaki in his shingmai with his zanpaktou wrapped around his back.

Shirou immediately projected Bakuya and Kanshou before getting into a fighting stance but Ichigo raised both of his hands. While Archer kept his bow ready Berserker gripped his axe ready to strike on his master's orders.

"Relax, I am not going to fight you" Ichigo responded with his hands in the air. "I was just wondering why you look so down in the dumps?" He asked and Shirou while still unease readied his two noble phantasms.

"Are you serious!?" Shirou spatted. "It was because one of you Shinigami harmed one of my friends!"

Ichigo then folded his arms and his expression softened. "So you want revenge is that it?"

Shirou then looked and the grip of his swords began to shake. "No it's…I…" he then lowered his blades. "When I sense Saber was in danger I ended up getting both myself and her nearly killed and…" he then dispersed his swords…I wonder if I should continue fighting in this war…"

Ichigo then stared at Shirou for a moment and let out a deep. "Well let me ask you this…is Saber still alive?"

Shirou stood silent for a moment and then nodded.

"Then that should be enough…" he responded bluntly.

'But my actions cou-'

"But they didn't" Ichigo cut Shirou off. "Thinking about how things might turn out, could turn out doesn't come close to being as important as how they turn out, and if you are worried that you might get her killed next time. Then that means you have to get stronger"

Shirou looked at Ichigo in confusion and then turned his head away. "But I tried to get stronger but it never seems enough…"

Ichigo then raised his right eyebrow at Shirou. "Not enough in terms of power?" He then shook his head. "Nah you have plenty of potential for that" he corrected. "The one thing you lack kid…is resolve"

Shirou then looked at Ichigo in confusion. "Resolve?"

Ichigo then began to walk around Shirou and drew out his zanpakuto. "You can have all the talent, potential, and power in the world…but unless you have the resolve to bring about and use it properly. All of it is useless…" he then gazes back at Shirou and points his zanpaktou at him. "If you allow your fears to consume you"

Shirou then knitted his brow. "My fears?"

"Your fear of endangering your comrades, your fear of failing to save them, your fear of not being strong enough, is what impedes your resolve, stifles your instincts, and turns you into one that needs to be protected instead of one who protects" Ichigo explained and then sheathed his zanpaktou. While Shirou looked at Ichigo in awe. "If you want to save those you care about, then you need to push forward, do not allow doubt to cloud your mind, and train yourself so that you can become strong enough to protect them"

He then smirked back at Shiryo "And if you can do all of that…then you just might be able to win"

Shirou then took in Ichigo's words and looked back at himself. All this time he thought he had resolved to be a hero of justice…but in the end, he was just running away from his fears, doubts, and guilt…or worse yet using those ideals he followed just to serve his selfish purpose to make himself happy even at the expense of his own life…and at the expense of making people who care about him feel sorrow over his death. He then gripped both of his hands. But no more…his hazel eyes then focused with determination.

'If I want to protect and save lives including those I care about I cannot just keep being sorry for myself or worry about what may or may not happen…' he then took in a deep breath. 'I need to focus on becoming stronger face my fears and be thankful for what I can accomplish and maybe just maybe…I can become a hero justice'

Archer however growled in irritation and anger.

"As if having resolve would change anything" he muttered bitterly to himself before looking over the group once more. While Illyasviel couldn't help but smile at Ichigo's words even Berserker dispit his enraged state and gave off an expression of subtle respect.

Shirou then looked towards the shingmai. "Thank you I… need to hear that," He said sincerely and Ichigo smiled at the man.

"No problem," he said cheerfully.

"Anyway there is one more question I like to ask' Shirou begins to question. "Just what do you Shinigami plan to do with the holy grail if you manage to win this war?"

Ichigo then furrowed his brow. "Nothing...because I don't-"

But he then stopped himself when sensed and noticed Illyasviel from the woods and glared at him menacingly...yet almost pleadingly.

The Shinigami then sighed. "...want the grail... aside from sealing it away. I don't think other Shinigami want anything to do with it either"

Shirou then winded his eyes for a bit at that answer. "So…none of you want to make a wish on the grail?"

Ichigio shrugged. "Pretty much" he then gave Shirou an agitated and uncomfortable look. "And besides I have…rather unpleasant experiences with wish-granting stuff like that"

The young magus looked for understanding. "I see so…we both have the same goal…but still on different sides"

Ichigo then snorted. "Hey don't give me that look" spat Shirou who looked at the shinigami confused. "Just because we have noble causes doesn't mean we can't still fight and enjoy it," he said cheekily with a smirk. "In fact like to test myself against, Saber and Archer the other servants, and when this is all over even you if you're up for it"

Shirou then then looked at Ichigo in puzzlement. "You mean like in the fight to test your skills…like a knight or a warrior?"

Ichigo then chuckled. "I'll admit…I may have started fighting to protect those that I love and the innocent… but I am not going to deny I do it for the thrill of it as well"

Shirou then looked a the shinigami chuckled to himself and rubbed his back. "I can't say I enjoy fighting…but if it means to test my skills to get stronger I am more than willing to accept the challenge and win!" Shirou announced by offering his hand and Ichigo shook it.

"So what is you named?" The Substitute Shinigami asked

"Emiya…and yours?"

"Ichigo Kurosaki"

And it was from here on to different sides of the battlefield that an unlikely friendship was formed and while they will still one day fight each other and their allies for the grail. It would be a battle not just to protect the innocent and avoid tragedy, but to test against other's strength and drive them both to become stronger.

Archer In turn couldn't help but look at the two in rage…before looking away at them. Complimenting whenever he still had the resolve to carry out his own current goals. While Illvasyviel looked at the Servant with a both curious and concerned expression.

Later on within the darkened basement of the Matou residence. Sakura leans against a wall...

"So Sakura...how did it go?" A dark yet gentle voice spoke up and Sakura lowered her head.

"She still seems to care about Shirou..." she then frowns. "While caring nothing about me..."

A Dark sigh whispered from the Dark. "As expected..." The voice growled lowly. "And what of Shirou?"

Sakura stood quiet for a moment. "Of that, I don't know...for I rather he not get involved in this further if it can be helped" Her voice then became bitter as she remembered How close Rin and Shirou had gotten when the former attended his wounds. "But unfortunately...I am afraid that such a conflict is inevitable..."

"I see...so have you made your decision?"

Sakura then thought long and hard after hearing the man's words and flashed through everything she had gone through: from the separation of her sister to the training she had undergone with her grandfather, to meeting Shirou, and now the one who gave her the means to fight back against her suffering.

But she knows that if he undergoes this path she will commit deeds that will never be forgotten or forgiven.

Yet if she backs out now...she may never have the chance to be truly free.

"I have..." Sakura answered while grabbing hold tenderly of a dark twisted bandaged cclaw-likehand from the shadows of the chamber.

And she did her eyes transformed into a dark pale pupliless crimson. While chilling smile crept along her face