Day 16:

Sora wakes up to see Riku still unconscious, but sleeping soundly. Sora gets up gets a shower and then kisses Riku on the forehead before he walks out.

As he walks out he sees Byakuya steadily finishing his paperwork,"Morning Sora. How did you sleep?"

"No not really captain. I'm worried about..."Sora is interrupted,"Riku?"Byakuya questions.

Sora nods,"He will be fine Sora. I can sense that he is a fighter."Byakuya consoles Sora.

"Is anything going on today captain Byakuya? And is there any information on Aizen and Grimmjow?" Sora questions.

Byakuya nods,"A little bit Sora. The Captain Commander sent Ichigo and Jushiro out to find them."

"I hope they find them, I want to give them a little payback."Sora grumble under his breath.

Byakuya comments,"I know Sora, but that is not the way to go about it. Seeking revenge is not what Riku would want you to do."

"Yeah I know, I just can't stop thinking about what happened out there." Sora then says under his breath,'And what happened the night before last to Riku.'

Byakuya kind of heard Sora,"Sora you seem troubled about something. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Y-yeah Byakuya, I'm fine. It's just something happened to Riku the night before last that even he can't explain." Sora explains.

Byakuya looks up from his paperwork to pay full attention to Sora,"Can you explain what happened Sora? Maybe we can help?"

"Well while we were sleeping Riku all the sudden, well it was like he was possessed or something." Sora starts to explain.

Byakuya is a little shocked,"What?! Did you tell the captain commander this?"

"No I haven't had the chance yet. But I guess I can tell him today." Sora adds.

Byakuya nods"Yes I believe it is best for you to tell him about it first then return to me."

"Yes Captain Byakuya. I will head there now." He bows and leaves for the captain commanders barracks.

Sora heads toward the squad 1 barracks to talk to the captain commander. He comes across Izuru.

Izuru greets him,"Hey there Sora! How are you this morning?"

"I'm doing pretty good thanks Izuru. Just a little worried about Riku is all." Sora explains.

Izuru nods,"I know the feeling Sora. I have been there before."

"Maybe I should go take a break for a while. I'll head to the billet for a while." Sora comments as he walks toward the billet the reapers rest in after training.

He sees Captain Sajin Komamura of squad 7 and Uryu Ishida sitting and talking.

Uryu calls to Sora,"Hey over here Sora!"

Sora walks over to them and sits down,"Hey guys what's going on?"

"We were just talking about what happened with Aizen" Sajin responds.

Sora looks at the floor with a worried look, Izuru notices his look,"You okay Sora?"

"Yeah I'm fine Izuru, just worried about Riku."Sora responds.

Sajin nods,"Ah yes we were told by Captain Byakuya what took place."

"I just hope he wakes up soon, I miss hanging out with him." Sora comments.

Uryu looks puzzled,"I wasn't here yesterday, what happened Sajin?"

"Riku was training with Soi Fon and Yoruichi yesterday Uryu." Sajin starts to explain.

Uryu nods,"Yes those two are indeed tough training partners. So what happened?"

"Well, as they were training Riku activated what we think is his Bankai state." Sajin continues.

Uryu is shocked,"What?! But him and Sora aren't reapers? How did he do that?"

"We aren't sure Uryu, but from what I heard during Izuru and Momo's reports Riku looked similar to the espada we fought a long time ago."Sajin adds.

Uryu is still shocked by Sajin's words,"I just can't believe what I'm hearing. Does the Captain Commander know about this?"

Night falls on the Seireitei as they continue their conversation.

"He knows somewhat of the events. But to get more information he needs to talk to Riku." Sajin continues.

Sora interrupts"I'm sorry friends, but I have to go. Maybe Riku will wake up soon, and I don't want him to worry where I am."

"It is fine Sora, go and see if he's awake."Sajin comments.

Uryu consoles Sora,"I'm sure he will, he doesn't seem like the type to keep his friends worrying."

"Yeah you're right Uryu, I need to stop worrying. He'll be fine in a few days, maybe sooner." Sora says with a smile.

Sajin nods,"That's the spirit Sora. Positive attitude is the way to look at this."

"I know Sajin and thanks for your company."Sora bows to the two and leaves.

He heads toward the Kuchiki Manor forgetting about the Captain Commander for now.

As he walks toward the Manor he comes across Kaname,"What brings you out here Sora?"

"I was just getting some air and talking with Captain Sajin and Uryu."Sora explains.

Kaname nods,"Sajin is very knowledgeable, especially when you have a heavy heart."

"Yes he certainly is, I just hope things will get back to normal soon." Sora comments.

Kaname says as he walks away,"Don't worry Sora, Riku is a fighter. He will be fine in a day or two."

Sora then walks into his and Riku's room, as he shuts the door behind him he sees a guy in white standing over Riku.

"Hey you! Get away from him you bastard!" Sora exclaims as the guy looks up at him and then back down at Riku.

Sora then draws his sword and runs at the guy. Anticipating this kind of behavior the guy stops Soras strike mid swing with his bare hand.

Sora is startled by the guys reaction time and by what he did to stop his attack,"Who are you? How can you do that?"

The guy then pushes Sora over, Sora falls backwards on his butt.

"Please boy, you are nothing to me. But... you do mean something to him." The guy analyzes.

Sora is still in shock,"Who are you? And what do you want?"

"I am called Ulquiorra Cifer, the Cuarto Espada. I am the one who taught your friend how to beat Aizen, Sora." Ulquiorra explains.

Sora questions,"H-how do you know me?"

"You are a friend of Riku's, his 'best friend' I might add."Ulquiorra comments.

Sora finally gets to his feet,"You aren't like that other one we met in the fight against Aizen. You seem different."

"You certainly are a smart one aren't you Sora? Well I have to go before the reapers find me here." Ulquiorra uses Sonido and vanishes.

As Ulquiorra leaves Retsu knocks on the door. Sora walks over and opens it.

Retsu asks puzzled,"Who were you talking to Sora? There is no one here."

"A guy in white just left Retsu." Sora responded.

Retsu is shocked,"What?! You need to inform the captain commander."

Sora nods and runs out of the room toward the captain commander's barracks.

He bows respectfully to Yamamoto,"I'm sorry for disturbing you sir, I have some news."

"What is it Sora-chan?" Yamamoto responds.

Sora explains,"I saw a guy in white show up in Riku's room tonight sir."

"Who was it Sora? Was it the same one you saw with Aizen?"Yamamoto questions.

Sora shakes his head,"No sir, this one had black hair, pale skin with green lines down his face, and a white mask piece on the backside of his face."

"That is the same Espada that Ichigo encountered 3 years ago in Los Noches" Yamamoto explains.

Sora asks,"Is this a bad thing sir?"

"I cannot say at this time. I need more information. You need to get back to Riku and make sure he's okay." Yamamoto instructs.

Sora bows respectfully and leaves, as he heads back to the squad 6 Manor he is stopped by Soi Fon.

She walks up to him,"Hello there Sora Is everything okay?"

"Yes ma'am Captain Soi Fon. I am doing fine thanks." He responds.

Soi looks at him,"I am sorry for what happened with Riku's training. I didn't know that would happen."

"It is okay Captain Soi, I don't blame you or Yoruichi. It's one of those things you can predict to happen."Sora smiles.

Soi smiles back,"Thank you Sora-kun. It means a lot to me."

Sora bows to Soi Fon and then makes his way to the squad 6 billet.

When he gets there he sees Byakuya just finishing up his paperwork.

He looks up at Sora,"Welcome back Sora, how did your day go?"

"It was pretty good captain sir. I was able to talk to the captain commander as well. But I didn't tell him about what happened night before last I forgot."Sora explained.

Byakuya nods,"It is okay Sora. You will get another chance to tell him. Now it is time to get some rest."

"Yes sir, I'll just check on Riku and then I'll get some rest." He adds as he heads toward the room.

As he gets in the room and shuts the door he sees... Riku's awake!

Sora exclaims,"Riku! You're awake! I'm glad to see you're okay"

"Hey... Sor... yeah I'm not a hundred percent... but I'll get there." Riku says in a low raspy voice.

Sora runs over to Riku and hugs him,"I was so worried about you Ri."

"Ow Sor... that kind of hurts."Riku cringes in a little bit of pain.

Riku gets up and goes to the bathroom to change his clothes. As he does Sora walks up behind him.

Riku is shocked,"Sor, what are you doing?"

"I really missed you Ri. Don't worry me like that again please?" Sora looks up at him with sad eyes.

Riku turns to him,"I won't I promise."

"We should get some sleep Sor."He then lifts Sora's chin up into a soft kiss.

Sora whispers through the kiss,"Yeah you're probably right Ri. But we need to spend some time together tomorrow, please?"

Riku recalls the events of the night before last and he tenses up.

"Ri, are you okay? You are tense all of the sudden?" Sora questions Riku's behavior.

Riku walks away from Sora,"I'm fine Sor, I'm just a little tired is all."

Sora is still confused by his lovers actions, 'Maybe it's the events that happened night before last that is bothering him?' He thinks to himself.

After they walk back into the room Riku lays down and so does Sora. Sora wraps his arms around Riku, he doesn't respond to Sora at all.

The two fall into a silent sleep.