"So," he began as he glanced at Yoruichi. "You said you were the captain of a squad?"

Yoruichi examined a pretty trinket as the stall owner rambled about the price of said trinket. She turned to give him a sideways glance. She studied him for a second, golden eyes shining, before turning back to the trinket.

A second passed before the beautiful Shinigami answered. "Yeah, I'm the current captain of the 2nd division."

Shirou hummed thoughtfully. If this was the level of strength of a captain… this might be more dangerous than he and Arturia originally thought. While he was confident that Saber and he could take down Yoruichi if need be, he wasn't sure if he could do the same with 13 captains of equal strength. Maybe the other captains wouldn't be as strong as her? What about the man that had followed her before? Urahara was it?

"And what about Urahara-san?"

"Hm?" Yoruichi turned to give him her full attention, trinket no longer in hand. "Oh? Why so curious?" A grin. "Are you jealous? Don't worry, he's just my underling. I only have you in my eyes."

Shirou felt his cheeks burning. "It's not like that! I just asked because I'm curious about Urahara-san's position…"

Yoruichi blinked. "Hoh, so you swing that way?" She grinned ferally. "I didn't expect that from the wandering swordsman."

Huh? What was she talking about? "Swing that way? Swing what way? What are you talking about?"

A long silence ensued.

Hm? What was wrong with everyone?

"Shirou-kun…" Shirou turned to face Rangiku who had given up on another trinket in lieu of facing him fully. "Are you serious?"

Serious? Why wouldn't he be serious? What was going on?

"What are you talking about? Of course, I'm serious. Why wouldn't I be?"

Another silence filled the air. Both Yoruichi and Rangiku stared at him in disbelief. He began to slowly feel uncomfortable.

"Arturia do you have any clue what's happening?" Shirou tilted his head as he inwardly asked.

"I am not quite sure. Maybe it has something to do with asking about Urahara-san's position? Is it possibly rude? Maybe asking without him around is considered swinging?"

"Hm. Maybe?"

Shirou cleared his throat. "Oh, I see."

Both Yoruichi and Rangiku looked offended when he broke the tense silence.

"Do you… really see?" Rangiku asked slowly.

"Yes." Shirou responded coolly.

Both women sighed in relief.

"I realize I may have been rude in asking Urahara-san's position." He mused as he scratched his chin. "I'll be sure to ask him next time."

Yoruichi froze. She took a second to glance at his completely serious features. And then another to look at Rangiku's frozen features. And then,

She laughed. Honestly laughed, as she clutched her stomach as if to stop it from spilling out.

Shirou blinked. Had he been wrong?

He shook his head. "Arturia?"

"I am not quite sure either Shirou. Shinigami are weird"

He sighed as he nodded his head.

Shinigami were weird.

Yoruichi shook her head. The guy was hilarious. Over the course of the 2-hour tour of Seireitei, she had come to know Shirou, the wandering swordsman, a little better. He was fun, he was cute, he was adorable.

He was also completely clueless.

Or maybe it was better to say that he was selectively clueless. Hadn't he blushed when she teased him? Maybe he had a weird childhood? He may have been a sheltered child.

She shook her head once more. Shirou-kun was cute… but that also brought up questions.

Why was he so clueless? Assuming he had an unstable childhood, or he had no friends… how did he become the wandering swordsman? Didn't he need to have friends to learn how to treasure bonds? What had happened to those friends? Why was he working alone now? Why didn't he take payments? Why wouldn't he rest?

Yoruichi studied him secretly. The way he talked and the posture he had when he walked suggested someone of high birth. Maybe not a born noble, but someone who was used to manners. He couldn't be someone born in Rukongai.

Where would someone like that exist? The tells he had were too subtle to be something he had picked up to help disguise himself. That could only mean that he had lived and grown up in a situation where those manners were needed. She had scoured the Shinigami Academy records and hadn't found anyone of his description. Maybe a declining noble house? An orphan of an exiled noble house?

She sighed audibly. Too many mysteries surrounded the boy. She would have to go investigate more records. She visually slumped as she dreaded the work she could imagine it would take.

"Are you alright Yoruichi-san? You seem tired."

Hm? She glanced up to find Shirou smiling at her. Quite observant of him. Had he been watching her so closely? She opened her mouth to tease him once more when -she noticed.

"How do you smile like that?"

Shirou's smile faltered. Oops. She hadn't meant to do that. "Excuse me?"

"Just, your smile. It's very bright." Yoruichi explained even as she turned back to study another trinket.

"It's something I haven't seen in many experienced Shinigami."

Shirou grew silent as he contemplated his answer.

A second passed. Two, ten, a minute, two, an hour passed without an answer.

Maybe she shouldn't have asked such a personal question? She had tried to give him time to find his answer, but it seemed it wasn't likely to be found in time.

And just as she approached the doors that would open to reveal the council, he murmured something.

Hm? She turned back to face him fully even as she opened the doors.

Another gorgeous smile filled his face. He nodded, as if to affirm his answer to himself.

"It's because I'm living my dream."

His dream? What was his dream?

But her question was drowned out by the pressure that exploded out of the doors. The doors opened to reveal the council of captains and the soutaichou who was currently menacingly glaring at her.

Ah, she was late wasn't she.

Oops.

Gin slid open the door to Aizen-fukutaichou's private room. He took two steps inside, sliding the doors close as he did so, and sat seiza on the tatami mats. The sun shone softly through the windows, creating a soft atmosphere of light.

It was cold.

Aizen sat seiza not too far from him, a calligraphy brush in his hand, creating a world of words. The beauty of the words didn't escape Gin even as he tilted his eyes down to the tatami mats.

"A beauty isn't it?"

There was no need to answer. Both Aizen and he knew the answer.

"Yes." He answered anyways. There was no getting around Aizen when he was in the mood.

"I wonder if this is how the soul king feels." Aizen mused as he returned to concentrating on the painting. "Just casually taking a brush and creating a beautiful world. Expressing the emotions he remembers as pieces of art that lay unattended. Just like our world."

Gin nodded. He may not agree with Aizen's methods, but Aizen really had a way with words that made you doubt anything and everything.

"What do you have for me today?" Aizen asked as he finished his calligraphy up. Leaving the beautifully crafted world to dry up and crinkle.

"I have just arrived from a mission to retrieve the Wandering Swordsman."

"I see."

Silence ensued as Aizen sat there looking at the calligraphy painting, lost in thought.

"And? What was he like?"

"Stupidly naïve. Ignorant. Clueless. Idealist."

Aizen hummed thoughtfully.

Another long silence ensued.

Time passed as Gin sat there, studying Aizen's reaction. Aizen didn't so much as move during the wait. He sat there, almost as if he was a stone statue.

An hour had passed. Gin had to give Aizen some credit. How did he create such a perfect persona when he did stuff like this? How could he sit stone still for hours on end and still have a perfect smile?

Aizen abruptly got up. "A shame."

"I guess it's about time for me to find out for myself."

Aizen walked towards the doors as he put on his haori.

He slid open the door and walked outside. He stopped for a second, asking Gin a silent question.

Are you coming?

Gin shook his head. And as Aizen slid the door close-

"You know," Gin began slowly. The door stopped as Aizen stilled. "Even if it was in a different way."

"He reminded me of you."

Another long silence passed as the winds softly blew into the room from the courtyard.

Gin didn't need to turn around to see Aizen's calculating stare.

"…Oh?"

The doors slid close, the wind no longer filling the room.

Strangely, the sweat on his back felt even colder.

Shirou gulped as Yoruichi left his side to walk over to an empty spot next to two captains.

He took a second to observe the room. A couple windows filled the dojo like room. Allowing the beautiful rays of the setting sun to soak into the room. Beautiful wooden floors, polished to perfection, and one podium where an old man sat looking over everyone.

The pressure overwhelmed him as his nose did it's best to identify the numerous powers filling the room.

It didn't really matter in the end. All 13 people standing in the room were strong. Very strong.

And Shirou could feel it. They felt like minor heroic spirits, people who were either on the verge of becoming a legend of their own right or were great warriors. But that wasn't important. He knew they would be this strong. The "problem" was the old man in the middle, he wasn't on the verge of becoming a legend-

He was a legend.

Shirou sighed. What had he gotten himself into?

"Shirou. It is rude to sigh in the presence of royalty."

He straightened his back. Right, he would need to give the image of being politely independent. And strong enough to be so.

"Greetings," He began as he bowed traditionally. "My name is Emiya Shirou. I have come today with an invitation from Ichimaru Gin and Matsumoto Rangiku. I hope we can get along."

For a second nobody answered. Another passed as Yoruichi wryly grinned and sent him a thumbs up.

"Well," A man drawled out. "I wasn't expecting someone like you that's for sure."

Shirou gave the man a quick glance and had to rub his eyes to make sure what he was seeing was real.

Shirou watched incredulously as the man waved at him lazily.

He was wearing a hideous pink cloak, one that reminded him of a sakura petal. A straw hat over his head, messy chest hair proudly displayed, and an unkempt beard painted a very rough image.

However, his posture spoke otherwise. Lazy, but on alert, he reminded Shirou of someone he knew.

An unnamed swordsman sitting atop a hill.

The man smiled at Shirou's silent observation. "I'm Kyouraku Shunsui. Captain of the 8th, pleasure meeting you."

Shirou gave a sharp nod.

"Be careful Shirou." Arturia said as he studied the man. "The lazy types are dangerous."

"I will." Shirou replied internally.

"However," The captain- Kyouraku-san- spoke as he finished his own observation of Shirou. "Considering you don't have breasts, I don't really care too much about you."

Silence.

A moment passed as everyone tried to wrap their heads around what they heard. An incredulous expression appeared on Shirou's face. Had…had he just heard that correctly?

Three sighs broke the silence. The soutaichou, a somewhat pale man, and an elderly but elegant man all turned to the lazy captain to express their exasperation.

Shirou slowly turned to give Yoruichi a glance of disbelief. Hadn't he been told to keep upmost politeness and respect for the captains?

Yoruichi gave her customary cat like grin.

Shirou shook his head as the lazy man and the pale man began to argue the manners that should be used within the courtroom.

The old man just sat there as if this was common.

What the fuck was going on?

He had seen many types of people over the years of ruling Seireitei. Ever since he had created the academy, he had always been on the lookout for better, stronger people. He was no longer the peerless warrior that sought out stronger and stronger opponents without defeat, but he was still a warrior in his own right. And the young man in front of him now, even with his stupid expression of disbelief, rekindled a sense long forgotten. Because even he had been a teacher once, looking for potential students. And this Emiya Shirou reminded him.

One of infinite potential.

Only a couple of others gave him this sensation. Kyouraku was one. Ukitake another.

… Aizen the third.

And now a fourth in Emiya Shirou.

"Interesting."

He perked up at that. "Ryuujin? Is that you."

"Have you gone senile already? Of course, it's me. No one else can talk to you in your head, can they?"

A small smile rose up. "How have you been old friend. You have been silent these past few decades."

"There has been nothing of importance recently. And you know where to find me if you need me. You need only call."

"Of course." He replied internally as he shook his head.

"Let's get back on track, shall we? The boy."

"What about him?"

"He's special. His existence… is anchored into the realm very lightly. Almost as if he shouldn't be here."

Yamamoto took a second to study the boy who was even now confusedly watching the two quarrelling brats.

"He doesn't belong. But… my existence calls out for him just the same."

Yamamoto's eyes narrowed at that. "What do you mean?"

Ryuujin Jakka's voice took an impish tone. "If he had been born before you, maybe he would have been the one to wield me."

Yamamoto blinked. Someone on his level? He hadn't seen someone like that… in a long time.

He grinned as his blood began pumping. He hadn't been this excited since the early days of conquest. Maybe… maybe he had found someone important.

He would need to convince the boy to stay no matter what. Regardless of the boy's values or plans, he was too valuable and dangerous to be left alone.

He steadied himself as he knocked his staff against the hard floor. Silence once again reigned as everyone turned to face him.

Someone strong enough to wield Ryuujin Jakka.

Maybe he could retire a little earlier.

The old man knocked his staff on the floor as everyone fell silent.

Shirou gulped. That sounded strangely ominous.

And as Shirou raised his gaze to meet the old man's, he caught sight of the staff that must have created the ominous sound.

His eyes found it, and-

He was staring at hills.

"Oh?"

Shirou slowly turned, to come face to face with a nobleman. One with the brightest golden hair, red eyes, and a smile that warmed his soul. Wearing elegant red robes, the man reminded Shirou strangely of the sun.

"Well isn't this a surprise?" the man said as he crossed his arms.

"What a beautiful soul you have."

Shirou narrowed his eyes. The fact that this spirit had come into his soul could mean only one thing.

"A zanpakuto spirit?" He had thought it impossible to grasp parts of a soul into his own soul but obviously something had changed.

"Indeed." The man smiled as he glowed infinitesimally. "I am Ryuujin Jakka."

Shirou cocked his head in confusion. What made 'Ryuujin Jakka' different? He had tried saving both Rangiku's and Gin's zanpakuto within his reality marble with minimal results. What had changed?

"Nothing." The beautiful man replied even as he slowly grew brighter. "Nothing has changed with your soul. I am fundamentally different from those brats. They are a part of the soul of a regular Shinigami."

A smile. "I on the other hand, am not born from Yamamoto's soul. Precious as he is, I am my own existence."

Wait. Yamamoto?

"Yamamoto?" Shirou began slowly, "As in the soutaichou Yamamoto."

"Indeed."

Shirou felt dizzy. Where was Arturia when he needed her?

"I am right here, Shirou."

The two turned to face the new arrival, a beautiful woman shining just as bright as Ryuujin Jakka was shining. A woman wearing lapels of gold and blue, exuding a presence of nobility and right.

She was a king. The king destined to lead.

"Well met." She did a small curtsy. "I am King Arturia Pendragon. Welcome to Shirou's soul."

Ryuujin Jakka blinked. "Hello. I am Ryuujin Jakka, the remnant fire."

"Indeed, I've been introduced to you before."

"Hm?" He cocked his eyebrows.

"Yes, I have met Yamamoto-san within the throne."

"The throne?"

"Yes. The throne is where all the heroic spirits within Shirou's reality marble resides. It is where Yamamoto-san resides as well."

Ryuujin Jakka blinked once more in contemplative silence.

"Interesting." He turned to face Shirou before gesturing at him. "Brat… interesting. Everything about your soul, your existence, your women,"

"Is special."

Shirou blinked as Saber's cheeks brightened. How had he known that?

"You don't belong. Yet you will influence just the same. I have high hopes for you."

He paused, as if to study Shirou's soul once more. His eyes raked the lonely fields of the reality marble, littered with swords resting upon one another. His eyes filled with a peculiar emotion when he noticed his own sword planted within a hill. His noble sword, one filled with the brightness of the sun and the darkness of the dead.

It seemed oddly peaceful. In a way that he hadn't ever seen himself being.

"You are a sword."

There was no question. Just a statement, with a hint of wonder.

"Yes." A neutral tone, one of acceptance.

"…" Ryuujin Jakka didn't take his eyes off the hills. The hills strongly reminded him of his own domain of power. Of fire. Of death.

"A sword," He began even as he knew the answer as surely as he knew his own name. "Forged within fire and death."

A tentative silence. Wind blew through the hills, as if soothing the souls within. All three souls stood in contemplative silence as they watched the massive gears that ever so slowly ticked.

"Yes."

A single word broke the silence, the wind carrying the soft word throughout the entirety of his soul.

Yes. The boy would do well.

AN: Hey guys. Sorta guilty for uploading so late. Sorry about that. Mandatory army service coming up. Been feeling sad. xD

I know some people have been arguing that Saber has been too OOC within the story. While I can see where you guys are coming from, I do believe that a Saber that had stayed within Shirou's soul for so long and had finally been able to meet him would be more possessive of him. At least that was my reasoning. You will see her becoming more into her original character as the story progresses.

I also made the old man Yamamoto a bit more of an impish man. I don't know why, but he always struck me as a tired warrior. One who no longer wanted to rule with an iron fist, but did so anyways to keep the order. It's just as much of a journey for me as it is for you guys. I'm not quite sure which direction I will use to develop him further. I'm sorry if he is OOC.

Anyways, sorry for the late update. Cheers.