Day 2:
The next day begins with the Emperor summoning Li Shang and Mulan to his throne bow as they enter,"Yes Your Excellency?"
"Due to the events of last night, I am going to ask you two to stay here." The Emperor instructs.
Mulan is shocked,"But... Your Excellency. What about helping Sora?"
"No Mulan the Emperor is right. Those two could come back and attack the Emperor." Li Shang comments.
Mulan responds,"I understand Captain, my apologies Your Excellency."
Just as Mulan turns to go wake Sora, he shows up behind them.
"Sorry to interrupt Your Excellency." Sora bows respectfully.
The Emperor questions,"What is wrong Sora?"
"Those two guys from last night are back. I have to go help them find Riku." Sora explains.
Mulan and Shang say at once,"Good luck Sora. We need to protect The Emperor, just in case those two come back."
"Okay, good luck to you as well guys." Sora bows and walks out.
He gets to the hallway and sees Kairi and the same two guys from last night.
Kairi walks up to Sora," They came back Sora. They say they wanna help find Riku."
"Hey there Sora, did you sleep well?" Ichigo questions.
Sora looks to the floor,"Not really guys. I couldn't stop worrying."
"I know the feeling Sora, I have been there before." Ichigo tries to console Sora.
Kairi says worried,"I just hope Riku is okay Sora."
"He is Kairi, I can tell he has a fighter's spirit." Izuru reassures.
Sora comments," Let's go guys, I have a friend to find and bring back."
Ichigo and Izuru nod in agreement and they leave.
As they scout around the area, Izuru and Ichigo get used to the area.
Meanwhile the two guys have taken Riku to a hidden cave in the mountains.
Riku regains consciousness only to find that two guys are standing in front of him.
"Who the hell are you?! And where have you... huh?"Riku tries to move but finds that he is restrained to the wall.
One guy taunts Riku,"Ah so you are awake boy."
"I am Sosuke Aizen, and this is my acquaintance, Gin Ichimaru."The guy answers.
Aizen speaks,"We have been watching you the past couple of days boy."
"What for?" Riku continues to question.
Gin explains,"Captain Aizen believes that you can help us revive "them".."
"What do you mean by "them" ?"Riku questions them.
Aizen explains,"You see we lost a few, shall we say...allies."
Back outside, the three scouts find themselves in the mountain encampment.
"Man where did they go?"Sora asks frustrated.
Ichigo stops so suddenly that Sora doesn't notice. He almost bumps into him.
Izuru calls to Sora," Hey Sora watch out!"
Sora looks up and sees Ichigo.
"Hey watch where you're going Sora. You almost knocked me over."Ichigo turns to Sora.
Sora apologizes," Sorry Ichigo I'm just worried."
"Riku is fine Sora, I'm sure of it." Izuru tries to comfort Sora.
Sora asks," So why did you stop Ichigo?"
"Well Sora, you see us soul reapers can sense what we call Reiatsu. It tells us where our comrades, and our enemies are, which are called Hollows." Ichigo explains.
Sora is impressed,"Wow sounds really helpful in a tight spot. But what are...?"
"I figured you would ask Sora... Hollows are evil spirits that prey on the living for their souls."Ichigo answers
Izuru continues,"And it is our job as reapers to kill the hollow before they hurt humans."
"Well that sounds kinda scary, but cool in the same process." Sora adds.
"It is Sora. And I'm guessing Aizen is close, right Ichigo?"Izuru questions.
Ichigo nods,"Yup he's close. But I don't see anywhere he could be hiding.
"I have an idea Ichigo, since I have been here before I might know where they are." Sora takes the lead.
Ichigo watches Sora," Any ideas where he could be Sora?"
"Well the only cave I know of around here was back near the encampment, but I don't think there is another one around here?" Sora explains.
Sora is now curious,"So about the two we're after... what is their story?"
"Well they are ex captains that betrayed the Seireitei." Izuru explained.
Sora exclaims,"What?! That sounds awful."
"That isn't the half of it Sora, they also almost killed a few reapers." Ichigo continues.
Sora responds,"Oh my that really is awful. Are the people okay?"
"It was Sora, and yes one has fully recovered from the incident." Izuru answers.
Ichigo calls to them,"Hey you guys, I think I found them."
They run up to the summit, Sora is having a hard time following Ichigo and Izuru, but he is fueled by his connection to Riku.
They arrive at the summit, but they see nothing.
Sora questions,"Are you sure they went this way Ichigo?"
"Yeah I can sense Aizen..he's close." Ichigo states.
Izuru walks around and the calls out to them,"Hey guys I found it!"
They walk over to a hidden cave.
"No wonder I couldn't find it, this cave is new, someone just made it recently." Sora comments.
Ichigo comments,"This has to be it Izuru. He has to be in there."
They head into the cave and look around as they explore the cave.
"Shhh... we don't want them to know we're here."Izuru tells Sora.
They finally find an opening, and as they look down into the room Sora gets flustered.
Sora looks down and sees... Riku and the two guys.
Sora exclaims,"Riku...? Oh no we need to get down there...now!"
As he turns to run Izuru stops him,"No Sora, that is what they want you to do. If you run down there without a plan they will kill you."
"Yeah that is how Aizen schemes Sora. He wants you to charge down there into their trap."Ichigo explains.
Sora nods in agreement, as they think up a a plan.
Izuru speaks a plan,"Ichigo me and you can distract them while Sora gets Riku outta here, okay?"
Night falls as they think of a way to free Riku.
"Hey guys look.. They're gone." Sora comments.
Ichigo looks around,"Well that was..weird?!"
"Anyways, now we can get Riku without any trouble." Izuru adds.
Ichigo warns,"Lets get going, but be careful Sora. They could still be around."
They jump down into the room, Ichigo cuts Riku free and they all head for the palace.
As they get to the palace gates, they are greeted by Aizen and Gin.
"It figures you couldn't leave us be...Ichigo." Aizen grumbles angrily.
Ichigo responds," Damn straight Aizen. I'll never let you roam free and hurt friends of mine."
"Ichigo, you and Sora get Riku inside. I'll hold them as long as I can."Izuru tells them.
Ichigo helps Riku into the palace gates, where they see Kairi, Mulan, and Li Shang.
Mulan exclaims,"Sora... you're back! And... oh my... Riku?!"
"Yeah we found him in the..." Sora turns to see Ichigo head outside.
Sora asks,"Hey where are you going?"
"I have to help Izuru. He won't last long against the both of them." Ichigo answers.
Sora argues,"I won't let you go alone, I'll help you."
With no time to argue Ichigo agrees and they head outside, only to see Izuru having a hard time dealing with the two ex captains.
While watching Izuru struggling against the two, Ichigo decides he has to do something.
"Sora... get back now!" Ichigo warns.
Sora is confused,"Why Ichigo? I can help."
"What I'm about to do might put you in harms way." Ichigo explains.
Sora agrees and backs off to a safe distance.
Ichigo then takes his blade off his back and swings it around. As he does the ribbon on the end wraps around his arm, he places his other hand on his sword arm.
Sora is shocked for a few minutes, then regains himself, as he then stands beside Ichigo.
Sora nods at Ichigo,"We take them together friend."
With no time to argue Ichigo nods in agreement,"You have heart Sora."
Sora smiles, as Ichigo charges at Aizen and Gin. Sora then uses Curaga on Izuru, healing his wounds.
As Sora turns to help Ichigo, Aizen and Gin leave the battle.
"Cowards!" Sora exclaims.
He then turns to Ichigo, who soon returns to his normal state.
Sora questions,"Ichigo, what was that you just did?"
"It is called a soul reapers Bankai state Sora. We do that to take on tougher opponents." Ichigo explains.
They hear someone walk up, it's Kairi with Riku.
"Riku! You okay man?"Sora is overjoyed.
Riku looks at Sora," Yeah I think so. I feel like I have been hit by a Neoshadow. But I'm good."
He then sees the two in black and freaks out,"Who are these guys Sora?"
"Oh my apologies, I am Lieutenant Izuru Kira of the 3rd squad of soul reapers. And this is my friend Ichigo Kurosaki, the deputy soul reaper of our world's town." Izuru explains.
Ichigo greets him,"Nice to finally meet you Riku-san."
"Do you know why they kidnapped you Riku-san?" Izuru asks.
Riku answers,"Well they said something about lost allies."
Izuru and Ichigo look at each other with a pissed look on their faces.
"They are trying to bring them back here. Damn those bastards!" Ichigo curses.
Li Shang walks up," You had better get some rest Sora, Riku."
"Okay thanks captain Li." Sora agrees.
Riku questions the two reapers,"Will you be back friends?"
"It is possible Riku, but we need to gather more intelligence. And send a report to the head captain." Izuru explains.
Riku responds,"Okay then, we'll see you guys in the morning."
The three friends head to their rooms, Riku gets in his room and falls asleep, Kairi does the same.