Day 9:

Riku is awoken again by a vision of the guy in white.

"You okay Ri? You tossed and turned quite a bit last night." Sora wonders.

Riku responds,"Yeah I'm okay Sor. I just can't stop thinking about that guy. His face just keeps showing up in my dreams."

Sora looks at Riku with a concerned look on his face.

"Well we had better get going or we'll be late for training Ri."Sora comments.

Riku responds back,"Yeah I guess so. I just hope I can focus today."

Sora and Riku get up and get dressed, as Riku is getting dressed Sora hugs him from behind.

"You'll be okay Ri. And maybe when we get finished with training we can have our own personal session." Sora comforts Riku with a soft kiss.

Riku purrs in Sora's ear,"I will look forward to it Sor."

So Sora heads off to the squad 10 barracks, and Riku heads toward the Senkaimon near Byakuya's manor.

He arrives in Karakura Town near Urahara's shop, Urahara walks out to greet him.

"Hey there Riku-chan. You sleep well?" Urahara walks up to Riku.

Riku bows respectfully," Morning Urahara sensei, and not really but I'm okay."

"Let me guess, that guy in white again huh?" Urahara questions.

Riku nods," Yes sir. I just can't get him outta my mind."

"So are ya up for training Riku-chan?" Urahara questions.

Riku nods,"Yes sir, I will try my best today."

"Good answer kiddo. They have already sent over your training partner. Go on downstairs." Urahara instructs, as Riku walks downstairs.

When he gets there he sees Jushiro waiting,"Are you ready Riku-cahn?"

"Yes captain sir. I am ready,"Riku answers.

They take their places in ready stance, and then run at each other.

Their blades clash over and over again. It looks as though neither have an advantage.

Jushiro comments," You are getting better Riku-chan. With more training you will be as good as Izuru one day."

"Thanks sir, that is very much appreciated." Riku responds.

They run at each other and their blades keep clashing with each other.

Soon Jushiro looks at Riku,"Hey let's up this session shall we Riku?"

"Sure sir, I don't mind a little challenge." Riku responds

So Jushiro does just that, he swings his sword around till it turns into two swords held together by a string.

Riku is awestruck by what Jushiro did. As he stands there frozen in shock, Jushiro charges him and strikes him pretty hard.

Riku cringes in pain as he falls to his knees. Jushiro walks up to him.

"Sorry about that Riku. I thought you were ready, my apologies."Jushiro apologizes.

Riku shakes his head," No Jushiro, sir. It was my fault. I should have been more focused."

"Well can you continue Riku?" Jushiro asks.

Riku nods in response," Yes sir I can continue."

Jushiro gets in ready stance, as does Riku. They charge each other again and their blades clash over and over again.

Soon enough Riku gets a grip on Jushiro's pattern of fighting and lands a hard strike on him.

"Wow, you have improved quite a bit Riku-chan. I'm impressed." Jushiro compliments.

Riku nods," Thank you sir, you are a skilled fighter too. I have never seen anything like what you did in all my years of fighting the Heartless."

"Well that is enough for today Riku. I need to head back and see if they found out anything about Aizen yet." Jushiro bows to Riku and then leaves.

Riku does the same and heads upstairs to Urahara. He notices Riku walk up the stairs.

Urahara waves his fan smiling,"How did it go Riku-chan?"

"A little better Urahara sensei. I think I'm getting the hang of the reapers ways of fighting." Riku responds.

Urahara chuckles,"I see, I can tell you have gotten better kiddo. Maybe one day you can train against the best of us and win?"

"Thanks Urahara, but let's not get ahead of ourselves yet. I still have a lot more to learn."Riku comments.

Urahara adds,"Well you head on to the Seireitei and catch up with Sora. I'll be here for awhile."

"Thanks Urahara. See you tomorrow."Riku bows, waves bye and leaves.

As he heads to the Senkai gate near the shop he sees Ichigo.

Riku waves," Hey Ichigo! Where you headed?"

"I was just headed back to the Seireitei to give a report on a hollow I just found wandering around."Ichigo responds.

Riku comments,"Well I'm headed there as well. I need to see how Sora is doing."

"Well then let's get going." Ichigo leads the way to the Senkai gate.

As they get to the Seireitei they are greeted by Uryu, Orihime, and, Chad.

Orihime waves and walks up," Hey there Ichigo, where were you? We waited here and you never showed up."

"I was drawn away by a hollow, sorry about that Orihime" Ichigo explains.

Uryu shakes his head," What are Aizen and Gin thinking? It doesn't make any sense."

"I don't think they are thinking at all, Ishida." Chad adds.

Riku nods,"That would make more sense. I could tell from the last time I was with them."

"So can we hang out now Ichigo?"Orihime asks.

Ichigo nods,"Yeah I just got to turn this report in and I'll be back later."

Ichigo heads to the head captain to turn in a report about the hollows attack on the town.

As he does that Riku and the others head toward the squad 10 barracks. Ichigo soon joins them and then Sora comes out of the training area.

"How did it go today Sora?" Uryu questions.

Sora looks up," It went okay I guess. I had to train against Captain Toshiro's Lieutenant."

"Ouch, that had to hurt, Sora." Ichigo responds chuckling under his breath.

Riku smiles,"Well if it means anything, I had to train against Captain Jushiro."

"What really?! What was that like?" Sora exclaims.

Riku responds," It was an experience that's all I can say."

"Well we had better get going or we won't have much time to talk." Chad adds.

Sora nods as they head toward the squad billet. It's where all the reapers take their breaks when not training.

The friends sit around a table, Orihime sits between Ichigo and Chad, as Sora sits beside Riku.

They sit around and enjoy the food that was prepared for the reapers there, as they talk about the things that transpired over the past few days.

Orihime comments," So you two have been through a lot huh?"

"Yeah, but thanks to the reapers around here we are able to get through it."Riku responds.

Uryu wonders,"I'm curious though, what Aizen is planning?"

"It isn't anything good you can be sure of that Uryu." Ichigo states.

Night falls as the friends conversation continues.

Orihime comments," So your training has been interesting huh Riku?"

"Yeah, and the fact I can't stop thinking about that guy in white doesn't help." Riku adds.

Sora grumbles,"I just wish I knew what they wanted from Riku."

"They want to restore them two to this dimension Sora," a voice joins them.

They look up and they see Izuru walks up. He sits between Uryu and Ichigo.

Riku questions,"Where ya been Izuru? You have been gone for 2 days."

"Me and Shuhei have been trying to locate Aizen." He answers.

Sora asks,"Any luck Izuru?"

"Not much luck Sora. But Head Captain Yamamoto is sending out another search party tomorrow." Izuru explains.

Ichigo adds," I hope they find something. It is starting to get ridiculous."

"Yeah and seeing that guy in white in my dreams doesn't help." Riku comments.

Uryu adds," Yeah we heard from Urahara about it. I wish there was something we could do to help."

"It's okay Uryu, I need to figure it out on my own. But if I need any help I'll let you know." Riku comments.

Ichigo nods," We'll be there for you Riku, after all what are friends for."

"Thanks guys, it means a lot to have friends like you and Sora here." Riku adds.

Uryu interrupts," My apologies but we need to head back before it gets too late."

"Oh really, well see you sometime soon then guys." Sora replies.

The three leave for the living world, Izuru stays for a while.

Izuru asks,"So Riku, you see that guy everytime you fall asleep?"

"Yup so far it has happened everytime. It is hurting my training too, plus it's driving me crazy." Riku adds.

After a few minutes Izuru leaves. Sora and Riku stay there for a while.

Now that they are alone, Sora then moves closer to Riku.

Riku moves his hand up to where it is on Sora's back, he then moves it to Sora's leg causing Sora to blush.

Sora whispers,"Not here Ri, please. We need to keep it secret from the reapers."

"You have a point Sor. Sorry about that. Let's go get some rest for tomorrow" Riku agrees.

They both head to the room and take a shower together and after they dry off they go to bed.

After laying there relaxing for a few minutes they fall asleep.