Day 15:

Riku awakens to the sight of Sora snuggled closely to him, he sits up and looks at Sora.

The events from the past night play in his mind, he shutters and then gets up and heads to the shower to wash the sleep outta his eyes.

He keeps thinking back and seeing Xehanort's face in his mind. He shakes his head to try and forget the images he sees.

He gets out of the shower and dries off, as he walks back toward the room to get dressed, he doesn't notice that Sora gets up and embraces him from behind

"Morning Ri." He purrs in Riku's ear.

But Riku just stands there,"N-not now Sor. We have training to get to." He says with a nervous voice.

Sora is surprised by his behavior, usually he returns his show of affection, but now Riku is distancing himself. He recalls back to his second journey, Riku did the same thing then.

He can think of only one thing that could be wrong, Riku is afraid of something. Maybe what happened last night? Or is it something else entirely?

None the less Riku walks out without saying a word to Sora. So Sora leaves as well, they go their separate ways for their training.

As Riku is walking toward the Senkai Gate, Izuru rus up,"Hey Riku! The Captain commander needs to see you."

'I wonder what's going on? Am I in trouble?' He thinks to himself.

They make their way to Yamamoto's billet, when they get there they bow to the head captain.

"You wanted to see me sir?" Riku wonders.

Yamamoto nods,"Yes Riku-chan. I wanted to ask you about yesterday."

Riku starts to worry even more, afraid he did something wrong to anger the head captain.

"Am I in trouble?" Riku questions.

Yamamoto shakes his head,"No, no child you are not in any kind of trouble. I was just curious about the way you fought against Aizen is all."

Riku starts sweating a little, worried about if the head captain knows what he did,"Well I will try and answer any questions you have to the best of my knowledge."

Yamamoto then stands up and walks out to his balcony overlooking the Seireitei.

"I was told in a report given to me by Izuru and Momo about the way you outsmarted Aizen. I just want to know how you did it is all?" The captain questions.

Riku walks out to the captain,"I am not entirely sure sir. Is everything okay sir?"

"That depends Riku you see now that Aizen and Grimmjow know what you are capable of they will come after you." Yamamoto explains.

Riku starts to worry,'Can I beat them I wonder?'

The head captain goes back and sits down, Riku follows him back into the room.

"I see a lot of spirit in you and Sora-chan."Yamamoto comments.

Riku looks at the old captain," Really sir? I was wondering if we were getting better."

"If you too keep focused you can do whatever you set your mind to young warrior." Yamamoto consoles Riku.

Riku bows respectfully,"Thank you sir, we'll keep at it sir." He then leaves to head toward the Senkai gate again.

As he gets near the gate he sees Kisuke waiting for him," Hey there kiddo how did you sleep last night?"

"Not so well Urahara... I had this image of someone tormenting me all night."Riku shakes his head.

Urahara asks worried,"Is everything okay? Do you need a little time to get yourself together?"

"No, no I'm okay Urahara sensei. So have they sent anyone yet today?

Riku questions hopefully.

Urahara nods and motion to Riku to follow him, and so he does. They end up in the squad 2 dojo.

Riku looks around,"What are we doing here Urahara? Isn't his the squad 2 dojo?"

"You're right kiddo, you see I have to run the shop today. And I don't have the time to worry about you and your training partner." Urahara explains.

Night falls as Urahara and Riku walk inside the squad 2 dojo.

Riku nods,"Oh okay Sensei I understand. I wish you good luck today."

"You are gonna need it more than me kiddo. You are gonna face one of the best reapers in this place today." Urahara continues.

Urahara then leaves, as he does Riku is stopped by four kunai pinning him to the back wall,"Hey who...?"

Two lady reapers show up,"You need to pay more attention kiddo."

"Yeah the enemy can show up from anywhere, and hit you at anytime."The other one adds.

Riku looks at the two ladies,"Hey wait I know you two. You're..."

"I am Captain Soi Fon of squad 2 and commander of the Stealth forces."She explains.

The other one adds,"And I am Flash Master Yoruichi Shihoin. You are going to be trained by us today kiddo."

Riku removes the kunai from around him and responds,"I am honored to be trained by you two. I have heard from the others how good you are."

"First you will train against Yoruichi. She will test your speed, and ability to think on the run."Soi instructs.

Yoruichi adds,"I hope you're ready kiddo, cause this won't be easy."

"I will give it my best ma'am."Riku responds.

Soi Fon walks to the side of the area,"You may begin now!"

As soon as she gives the word Yoruichi disappears. Riku tries looking around for her but can't find her.

She soon reappears behind him kicking him to the floor.

"You have to be faster than that to beat me."She encourages.

Riku stands back up and they both get in ready stance,"I won't let you get the drop on me again." He comments.

Yoruichi then vanishes again, Riku starts to focus and try to sense where she is.

He turns and strikes her with pretty good accuracy,"That was a nice hit kiddo. Your training with Captain Byakuya has done you well."

"Thanks Yoruichi. But it is a result of all the training I've had." Riku adds.

They both get in ready stance again, but this time when Yoruichi disappears Riku can't react quick enough. He gets hit in the back kind of hard.

She smiles,"You need to keep your head in the fight at all times Riku. Don't let your guard down."

Riku the remembers what Ulquiorra said to him: 'Hone your senses. Don't let your guard down for even a moment, child.'

As he remembers back, Yoruichi tries to strike him but she is stopped. Riku has grabbed her arm in mid strike.

"Wha... how did you...?" Yoruichi is surprised by the newly found speed of Riku.

Riku glances up at her,"I think you know the answer reaper. Look deep within your mind."

"So that is what the Captain commander meant?" Soi says to herself.

As she is thinking Rikulets Yoruichi go and then strikes her with a slashing motion from his hand, hitting her hard.

Soi exclaims,"Back off Yoruichi, NOW!"

Yoruichi vanishes and reappears beside Soi Fon.

"Riku is that what I think it is?" Yoruichi questions.

Riku calms himself,"I... I'm not sure Yoruichi? I thought it was like what you reapers do?"

"I don't think so Riku."Soi comments.

Yoruichi turns to Soi Fon,"Is that what he did against Aizen Soi?"

"I think so, from what the captain commander said." Soi adds.

Yoruichi looks shocked,"But how can he do that? He isn't a reaper like you guys."

"You are right Yoruichi... he isn't a reaper. His power is like the Espada!" She exclaims.

Izuru walks into the squad 2 dojo,"That is enough Soi, Yoruichi."

"Yeah I think he's right Soi." Yoruichi comments as she points to Riku unconscious on the dojo floor.

Izuru exclaims,"RIKU!"

"Get him to his room Izuru, I will get Retsu." Soi instructs.

Izuru helps Riku up and gets him back to the squad 6 billet. As he gets there Soi walks up with Retsu and Isane.

Isane asks,"Is he okay Izuru?"

"Yeah I think so. He is just unconscious." Izuru responds.

Retsu looks at Isane,"Stand outside and wait for Sora to return Isane."

Just as Isane gets outside she sees Sora walk up,"Hey there Isane. What happened?"

"Sora, Riku passed out during training today." She explains.

Sora is shocked,"What?! Is he okay? How bad was it?"

"He is fine Sora, he just passed out. Retsu is in there to make sure he didn't hurt himself too bad." Isane continues.

Retsu soon walks out of the room,"Everything is okay Sora. He just had a minor bruise on his back from the training. But with rest he'll be fine, come Isane, Izuru."

As they leave Captain Byakuya walks up,"Hello Sora. How did your training go today?"

"I did pretty good sir. I had to train against Captain Kenpachi and his Lieutenant Yachiru Kusajishi." Sora explained.

Byakuya nods,"I see, and what did you think of their fighting styles?"

"Well Kenpachi is a crazy but strong fighter. Whereas Yachiru is unpredictable." Sora responds.

Byakuya nods,"Yes this is true. I have fought Kenpachi in the past."

"Really?! I didn't know you two fought?"Sora comments.

Byakuya adds,"Yes and he still can't live it down that I won."

"Yeah he doesn't seem like the one to lose easily." Sora adds.

Byakuya comments,"I just hope Riku didn't overdo it this time."

Sora looks over at their room and sighs heavily,"Me too Captain Byakuya. We have been trying so hard to learn how to beat Aizen. Maybe a little too hard?"

"I will talk to the captain commander and see what he thinks. I will let you know tomorrow." Byakuya explains.

Sora nods"Thank you Captain sir, I need to go check on Riku excuse me."

Sora walks to the room, walks in and locks the door behind him.

As he walks to the bathroom and takes his clothes off he worries about Riku.

'Riku... please be okay. I don't know what I'll do if something were to happen to you.' He thinks to himself.

After he gets finished in the bathroom he lays next to Riku, gives him a soft kiss on the forehead as he holds Riku in a warm embrace.

He soon falls asleep next to his lover.