Day 18:

Riku is woken up by the feeling he was being watched.

'That's funny, I could have sworn someone was here a minute ago?' He thinks to himself.

Sora wakes up shortly after he does and hugs him,"God morning Ri. Are you okay?"

"I'm not entirely sure Sor."Riku shakes his head.

He continues, "Anyways let's get ready for our search."

They both head to the bathroom and take a shower to wash the sleep outta their eyes. They then dry off and get dressed.

As Sora's getting dressed Riku walks up and embraces Sora from behind,"Ri... you startled me!"

"Sorry there Sor, I just wanted to thank you for last night. You really put my mind at ease." Riku explains as he gives him a gentle kiss.

Sora smiles,"It was my pleasure Ri. What are friends for?"

"Anyways, if I'm gonna find him I need to start searching as early as possible." Riku comments.

Sora adds,"Yeah the fewer captains that are around the easier it'll be to find him."

A knock comes to the door,"Are you awake Riku chan?"

He goes to answer it, and finds Hanataro there.

"Oh hi there Hanataro. What's going on buddy?"Riku asks.

Hanataro responds,"I came to tell you that you don't have to train today. The Captain Commander called a captain's meeting."

"Okay thanks Hanataro. I'll let Sora know when he wakes up." Riku replies.

He then shuts and locks the door, turning to Sora he smiles,"Looks like we have a free day Sor. The captain's are in a meeting."

"Oh well that's a good thing. Now we have a full day to look for...oh darn I forgot his name again."Sora comments.

Riku shakes his head,"Typical Sora."He kisses Sora deeply.

They head out in search for the guy that helped Riku... Ulquiorra Cifer.

"So this is going to be difficult." Riku analyzes.

Sora turns to him,"What do ya mean Ri?"

"Well usually he finds me Sor. I have no idea how to find him?"Riku explains.

Sora starts looking around, as does Riku. But after about 4 hours they can't find anything.

Sora walks up to him,"I don't think he's around Ri."

"I think we may need to ask someone to help us find him." Riku decides.

Sora tilts his head in confusion,"Any ideas who would know how to find him?"

"I have one idea, Ichigo might be able to help."Riku responds.

Sora comments,"I'll go see if I can find him, maybe Urahara can tell me where he is."

So Sora heads to the Senkai gate that leads to the living world. He arrives outside the town and goes to find Urahara's Shop.

As Sora is trying to find Ichigo Riku continues to search in hopes of finding Ulquiorra. He then recalls when he trained with Ulquiorra, how he sensed where he was.

Riku then stops and sits on the ground in a meditative state.

After a while Sora returns with Ichigo, they see Riku on the ground silent.

"What is he doing Ichigo?"Sora questions.

Ichigo replies silently,"He's trying to sense his power, or Reiatsu Sora."

"Can he find him that way, really?" Sira wonders.

Ichigo adds,"It is possible Sora, if Riku can concentrate and focus."

"I know he can, I just hope the captains don't get word that he's around here." Sora adds.

Ichigo responds,"I don't think they would mind if they know I'm out here overlooking this."

Riku all the sudden opens his eyes and looks at Sora.

"Did you find him Riku?"Sora questions.

He responds,"Yeah he isn't that far from here. But after I found him he disappeared again."

"Like you said Riku, he's trying to stay away from Aizen's eyesight."Ichigo comments.

Riku nods in agreement,"Yeah I remember Ichigo. We need to move quickly if we want to find him."

Sora helps Riku up and they head to where Riku last sensed he was.

As they start walking toward the area, night falls.

Soon Sora sees him coming,"Uh guys I think he found us."

They look up and see Ulquiorra walking toward them.

"I sensed you were looking for me Riku-chan." Ulquiorra asks.

Riku responds,"I have some things I need to ask you."

"I am willing to help you in what ways I can, but now out here. I need to ask you three to come with me." Ulquiorra requests.

Sora ask,"What do you mean?"

"Aizen has eyes and ears everywhere friend. I don't need him finding out how to use Riku against us." Ulquiorra adds.

Ichigo comments,"I understand, we'll follow you Ulquiorra."

"I thank you friends, and may I add, it is good to see you after so long a time Kurosaki. I hope there are no hard feelings." Ulquiorra questions.

Ichigo responds,"Well there was when I first heard that Aizen was after you and Grimmjow."

"Well now you know I mean no ill will to you or the reapers." Ulquiorra explains.

Sora interrupts,"You guys we need to go before Aizen finds us."

Ulquiorra nods as he leads them to his safe house he found.

"I have put a protection spell in place, so Aizen can't find us here." Ulquiorra explains.

Sora looks around,"It doesn't look like much. But I'm guessing it serves its purpose huh?"

"Indeed it does Sora-chan. Now about your questions Riku?"Ulquiorra adds.

Riku starts explaining,"Well you see while I was training the past few days the abilities I awoke keep showing up when I'm provoked."

"I see, well not to worry you but that is how us Espada use our power. I should have warned you ahead of time, I'm sorry friend." Ulquiorra apologizes.

Ichigo responds,"Oh yeah I remember now, that is how you fought us."

"Indeed Kurosaki, but you need to be careful about how you use them. They are powerful but dangerous." Ulquiorra warns.

Riku responds,"Yeah I found that out the hard way...twice."

"But in time you will gain control over them. Your training with the reapers will help. As will training with us Espada."Ulquiorra adds.

Sora exclaims,"So it was you that Riku met those few days back? I Didn't know you were trying to help him. I'm sorry for my behavior 2 nights ago."

"It is okay Sora-chan, you didn't know who I was. You acted according to your instincts."Ulquiorra comments.

Ichigo adds,"Well now know what all is going on. We need to get back before the Captain Commander finds you two gone."

"Yes that is true. The last thing I need is the Seireitei trying to find me and leading Aizen right to me." Ulquiorra adds.

Riku asks,"Will I see you again Ulquiorra? I'm actually getting used to being around an Espada."

"I will be around Riku, but you won't see me. I have to keep away from Aizen." Ulquiorra explains.

Riku nods,"I understand friend. I'll keep my senses alert for you"

"I will as well... friend." Ulquiorra adds as he heads into the safe house he found.

Sora, Riku, and Ichigo head back to the Seireitei and are greeted by Soi Fon.

Soi walks up to them,"Riku the captain commander wants to see you. Follow me please."

She takes him to the Captain Commander's barracks. Riku walks in and bows to the captain.

"Welcome Riku-chan. I need to talk to you."Yamamoto asks.

Riku questions,"Is everything okay sir? Am I in trouble?"

"No Riku I was just going to tell you something I heard from Soi Fon and Yoruichi." Yamamoto explains.

Riku asks,"What is going on sir?"

"They have gotten word that three individuals have been seen in the area." Yamamoto adds.

Riku looks at Yamamoto,"Any idea who they are sir?"

"We know that one is Grimmjow." Yamamoto continues.

Riku looks at the floor,"Is there any information as to who the others are?"

"Well there is little information on the other two. Only a couple reapers have seen the other two." Yamamoto adds.

Riku wonders,"Maybe I can ask someone about the other two. Who are the people that know the other two?"

"Ichigo is one that knows the other two. Some reapers here know one of them."Yamamoto explains.

Yamamoto clears his throat,"Actually Riku that is why you're here. I was wondering if you might know one of them?"

"I will help you the best way I can sir."Riku explains.

Yamamoto stands and walks to the balcony,"Can you tell me what happened when you went missing last Thursday?"

"That was when I trained with Urahara..." Riku remembers.

Yamamoto nods,"Yes that is true. When you finished training, Urahara said he sent you back here, but Sora never found you."

"Well I was..." Then Riku remembers the promise he gave Ulquiorra,"I'm sorry sir I gave him my word I wouldn't say anything."

Yamamoto questions Riku,"So you were with this individual?"

"Yes sir, but don't worry he means us no harm. He has been helping me with my abilities sir." Riku explains.

Yamamoto turns to Riku,"We have seen that Riku."

"I didn't mean to cause any trouble sir. But now I think I know why it has been happening. So now I can figure out a way to use them." Riku adds.

Yamamoto warns,"It's fine Riku, just be careful how you use those abilities."

Riku bows respectfully and heads out of the billet and toward where he left Sora and Ichigo.

They see him coming as Ichigo calls to him,"Hey Riku! What was that about?"

"Oh the captain commander just wanted some information about last Thursday."Riku answered.

Ichigo comments,"Oh yeah that was when you disappeared after you left Urahara's shop."

"Yeah he wanted to know if I knew about the guys that have been seen around the Seireitei." Riku continues.

Sora questions,"What did you say Riku? Did you tell him about Ulquiorra?"

"I couldn't Sora, I gave Ulquiorra my word I wouldn't say anything." Riku adds.

Ichigo asks,"How did the captain commander take that?"

"He was okay with it, he told me to be careful in what I do from now on."Riku responds.

Sora comments,"Well we had better get to bed Riku."

"Yeah before captain Byakuya worries" Riku adds

Ichigo waves goodbye to them and heads home, whereas Sora and Riku head to the squad 6 Manor.

They get undressed, lay down, and fall asleep embracing each other.