"Riku!"

Renji was barely able to change the direction of his attack when Sora suddenly flew out of nowhere, tackling Riku in a hug and knocking him to the ground. Kairi quickly followed in after him, casting a quick glance at Renji before turning back to her friends.

"What is it Sora?" Riku asked, sitting up but doing nothing to move Sora from his lap.

"Axel's alive! And Unohana and some other dude might be able to make it so Roxas and Namine can be their own people!" Sora cried excitedly.

"Um…wow that's a lot to take in at once," Riku muttered, running a hand through his silver hair.

"I'm so happy!" Sora practically gushed.

"Is he always like this?" Renji asked Kairi, pointing to Sora.

"Yeah," Kairi answered. "You get used to it."

"If you say so."

"So…are we ever going to look for the Keyhole?" Riku asked, finally shoving Sora off and standing up, helping the other stand up as well.

"Let's go now," Sora suggested.

"I thought you guys were allowed to go anywhere without a Taicho trailing you," Renji said, not even bothering to question about the Keyhole.

"Unohana is going to push for us going free. So we're off!" Sora said brightly.

Riku grinned at Renji. "I'll look forward to training with you when we get back."

"Likewise."

ARARAR

"There are newcomers in the Seireitei?"

"Yes Aizen-sama."

Aizen regarded the girl before him, smirking. "Thank you for reporting, Hinamori-chan. Before long, I will be free from Gin's control."

The girl raised her head, eyes shining with happiness. "I knew you were good Aizen-sama. I always knew it. I knew you would never betray the Soul Society. It's all Gin."
"Yes, it is. I promise I will come back to you, Hinamori-chan," Aizen continued. "Now go back, quickly, before you are missed."

Hinamori nodded quickly before fleeing from the room. Seconds later a figure appeared to the left of Aizen.

"Your orders, Aizen-sama?"

"Go play with them a little. I want to see what their powers are."

"Of course, Aizen-sama."

ARARAR

"There isn't any sign of a Keyhole anywhere," Kairi sighed as they reached the courtyard where their Gummi Ship had landed.

"Where is our Gummi Ship?" Sora asked, staring at the empty space where it had been.

"We'll ask about it later. I just want to get to the other side of that," Riku said, pointing to the big gate before them.

"Let's just open it then," Riku said with a shrug.

"Good luck with that," a voice said from behind them.

They turned around to see Soi Fon standing there.

"Hi, Soi Fon. Why do you say that?" Kairi asked.

"That gate can only be opened by the Shinigami on the other side. I'll have him open it for you," Soi Fon said. "Just stay out of trouble, please. Open the gate!"

At her shout the gate started rising, two gigantic hands gripping the bottom and shoving it up, a little at a time. Kairi gaped when she saw who was opening the gate. He was like a giant!

"Come on. It's rude to stare," Sora teased, dragging her through with Riku right behind them.

"Thanks!" Riku called.

"Well this is certainly a change of scenery," Kairi muttered as they began walking through the streets made of dirt.

The houses that lined the streets were crooked and looked as though they were about to fall apart and the overall feeling of the place was dismal and sad, wearing away at their once happy mood.

"It's sad here," Sora commented. "I don't think the Keyhole would be here."

"What does the mood of a place have to do with anything? You saw where the Keyhole was last time," Riku said.

Sora shrugged. "I know. This place just seems too dismal."
At that moment, a scream pierced the air. Sora slid to a halt, quickly identifying where the scream had come from before turning to the right, running towards the sound with Riku and Kairi right behind him.

It was a woman, clutching her child to her as several Shadows circled closer and closer to them. Riku was the first in action, whacking the Heartless away before anyone else could even move. The woman didn't stick around to thank them. She grabbed her child and ran as fast as she could once the Heartless were gone.

"Well I'm glad my work is appreciated," Riku grumbled.

"She was scared Riku!" Kairi protested. "You can't blame her."

"So you are the ryoka that have recently invaded the Soul Society," a cool voice said from behind them.

This time it was Sora to react first, spinning around and lunging. His keyblade was caught easily in a pale white hand. Sora's eyes widened as he stared up at the person before him. His eyes were seemingly dead, no emotion at all to be found within them as emerald tear marks streaked down his face. It really looked like he was crying. Wild black hair fell down to his shoulders, half of his head protected by some sort of bone helmet.

"Who the hell are you?" Riku demanded. "And who are the ryoka?"
"Ryoka. Intruders. I am Ulquiorra. I am only here to test your abilities," he said calmly, releasing Sora's keyblade and stepping back.

"Test our abilities?" Riku growled. "Like hell!"

Riku lunged, sending Way to Dawn right at the helmet part of his head only to have Ulquiorra catch the blade in his bare hand again, easily ripping it from Riku's grasp and sending it flying through the air behind him. He spun and blocked Sora's attack with his forearm, kicking Riku in the stomach and slamming him into one of the buildings without turning to look at him.

Kairi lunged then only to be cast aside easily, her breath being forced from her lungs as she hit the ground. Sora fought the urge to run to her. He drew away from Ulquiorra, quickly analyzing the situation. Riku was gasping for breath as was Kairi.

"Sorry guys. I hope you don't get mad at me for not warning you properly," Sora muttered. "Final Form!"

Riku and Kairi suddenly vanished as Sora felt power race through his veins, Bond of Flames appearing in his right hand, Oblivion in his left. He lunged at Ulquiorra again with Bond of Flames, charging up Thundaga in Oblivion before jumping away, grinning when powerful bolts of lightning rained down on Ulquiorra. His grin died when, much to his dismay, Ulquiorra was seemingly unaffected by the spell, small singe marks in his hair and on his white hakama and haori.

Sora raced forward, sending Oblivion crashing into the skull helmet only to have Ulquiorra seize Oblivion and yank it out of his grasp, sending it several feet away. Sora called it back quickly, jumping back before Ulquiorra attacked him. His eyes flickered to Ulquiorra's hands which were now flickering with red light. Ulquiorra raised his hand and sent a beam of red light streaking towards him.

Sora ducked into a roll, barely managing to dodge the attack before sliding forward, slamming Bond of Flames into Ulquiorra's leg. His eyes widened in shock. It was like striking metal for all the damage it did!

Ulquiorra seized the opportunity to slam his foot into Sora's chest. Sora felt pain lance through him as he hit the ground, wincing when he felt several ribs crack under the damage. All at once, Final Form died out and Riku and Kairi reappeared, both gasping for breath.

"My work here is done," Ulquiorra said softly before promptly vanishing.

"Sora? Are you okay?" Kairi demanded.

"Broken ribs," Sora managed to get out.

"Same here," Riku hissed.

"Oh god…can you guys walk?" she asked, fear seeping into her voice.

"Just…get back to the Taichos. Tell them…we need help," Riku gasped.

Kairi nodded, leaping to her feet and sprinting away from them.

ARARAR

Riku and Sora were ejected from the hospital in only two hours. Things had been explained to the other Taichos. Everything they had told Unohana the rest of the Taichos now new which meant they were given free reign without being tailed all the time. Riku was given a room in the Squad 6 barracks but he had refused, instead staying with Sora in the room he had been given in the Squad 11 barracks.

"The way they heal things here is even more impressive then our cure spells," Sora commented as he cuddled into Riku's chest.

"Different worlds, different abilities. Kairi was telling me about that Spiritual Pressure. It might come in handy while we're here. I'm wondering if we could get the same results using our magic power," Riku mused, absentmindedly running his hand through Sora's hair.

Sora grabbed the hand, kissing Riku's palm before leaning up and pressing his lips to Riku's firmly. The taste of Riku's lips was something he was still getting used to and he found he was quickly becoming addicted to it.

Riku was surprised by Sora's sudden boldness but found he couldn't complain, pressing back against his lips firmly, smirking inwardly when Sora tried to suppress a shudder. His fingers quickly found Sora's spine, dancing up and down them, mimicking the shivers of pleasure that zipped through him. He had never ever suspected to end up in this position, Sora wrapped tight in his arms as they kissed.

Sora quickly grew tired of their kiss, lightly flicking his tongue out to trace the seam of his lips. Riku granted him access and Sora explored the warm and wet cavern that tasted solely of Riku, a dark taste that was frighteningly addicting. Before long, Riku began battling him for dominance though it wasn't necessary. Sora gave in willingly, delighting in the feel of Riku straddling his hips and pinning him to the mattress as he had his way with Sora's mouth.

Eventually, the need of oxygen made itself known and they pulled away. Riku nuzzled Sora's neck lovingly, planting several soft kisses there.

"I love you, Sora."

"I love you too, Riku," Sora whispered, twirling his arms around Riku's shoulders and tugging him closer, loving the feeling of having Riku firmly in his arms.

Riku shifted to the side before wrapping his arms tightly around Sora's smaller frame, hugging him to his chest securely as sleep began to overtake him. Sora smiled once before drifting off to sleep.

ARARAR

Axel was tired. He was really tired. But he couldn't sleep. The window above him let moonlight stream inside, dimly lighting the empty room in the Squad 4 barracks. But there was something missing. A short blondie with pretty blue eyes and a shy disposition to hide the truly deep side of his mind.

Roxas…I can't wait to be near you again. I've gone through hell for you…

Axel knew it was a bad idea to try and walk in his condition. He was both mentally and physically spent and he had not gotten a minute of sleep since he had first showed up in the Seireitei. But he couldn't help it. He needed to do something to his mind off of Roxas and the best thing he could think of, was a long and quiet walk.

He slipped out of his room easily and made his way outside, finding that his energy gave out there.

"This good enough," he murmured, sitting down on the ground and leaning against the cold wall, sucking in a deep breath of fresh air.

So…if Sora defeated Xemnas then that means Roxas and I are the only ones left in the Organization, Axel mused. Dem…I wonder why I haven't thought about him until now. He died a long time before I did…and I never once thought about it. He was my best friend…next to Roxas anyways…Kinda wish I could go back and fix it all.

He lost track of time as he sat there, clearing his head and thinking about…everything. In the past, he had been so caught up in the moment of everything, the fights, the schemes…all of it, and he had never had the chance to just step back and realizing that he was losing everything that was the most important to him. And now he was paying for it.

ARARAR

"I can't believe it. I can't believe we have another traitor feeding Aizen information!" Renji growled.

Byakuya glanced up at him from his desk where he was still doing paperwork. "Renji, stop complaining and come help me. I would like to go home tonight."

Renji shot a glance at the clock, wincing when he saw it was going on midnight. "Yes Taicho."

Byakuya removed a stack of papers, setting them in Renji's waiting hands. Renji moved onto the couch, grabbing a pen before setting to work, grumbling about how boring it was to just sit and do paperwork all day. After half an hour ticked by Renji was nowhere near being done with his stack and shot Byakuya a jealous look when he saw he was already done and getting ready to leave. Byakuya sighed.

"Let me handle that Renji. Go get some rest," Byakuya ordered.

"But Taicho-"

"Just go Renji," Byakuya insisted, walking over to him and picking up the papers before Renji could protest again.

"Why are you being so nice all the sudden, Taicho?" Renji asked, standing up.

"You deserve a break every once in awhile too, Renji," Byakuya said quietly, not looking up at him.

"Well, I suppose I'm not complaining," Renji said. "Thanks Byakuya. I mean Taicho."

Byakuya nodded in his direction before Renji departed, heading out of the main building and heading for the barracks. Something is off with the Taicho lately. He's been so…nice…Not that I'm complaining if it means I can get out of paperwork but still. Wait…who's that?

Renji stopped by a slumped figure against the Squad 4 barracks.

"Who're you?" Renji asked, stopping in front of the flame haired man.

The man looked up, emerald eyes catching his dark ones. Small triangle tattoos decorated his cheeks, enhancing the already intense color of his eyes. It was weird finding someone else with the same shade of hair as himself.

"Axel. You?"

"Renji Abarai. You're that kid Sora was going on and on about earlier," Renji said.

"Sora's so hyperactive sometimes," Axel sighed, glancing away from Renji and down at his gloved hands.

"What are you doing out here?" Renji asked, sitting down next to him.

"Thinking," Axel answered, surprised at how well he got along with the other man already.

"About?"

"How I fucked things up," Axel replied, glancing over at Renji.

Renji smirked. "I know the feeling. I'm sure it will work out."

"Not when all of them are dead it won't," Axel sighed, leaning back against the wall and closing his eyes.

Renji frowned then. "If you don't mind me asking…how did they die?"

"Sora…Riku…me," Axel muttered.

"You killed your own friends?" Renji asked.

"Well…Vexen wasn't really a friend," Axel scoffed, still not opening his eyes. "But Zexion…he was Demyx's best friend and I manipulated someone into killing him. I'm such a bastard."

"Sounds like you guys were a dysfunctional family or something," Renji said, laughing lightly.

Axel joined in with his laughter. "That is one way to put it. We had our own groups, you know? Zexion, Vexen, and Lexaeus. Marluxia and Larxene. Me, Demyx, and Roxas. Xigbar and Xaldin. Xemnas and Saix. God…I miss them all. Even old Mansex."

"What?" Renji cried, his laughter increasing.

Axel shot him a grin. "If you rearrange the letters in Xemnas's name you get Mansex."

Renji threw his head back and laughed loudly. "That's rich!"

"Yeah…I miss them all. Why did I have to survive? Why not Demyx? Or Zexion? Dammit."

"Survive?" Renji asked.

"I saved Sora awhile back. Sacrificed myself and faded away. And then all the sudden I woke up here. I should be dead but…I don't know."

"Well…the Soul Society is where people go when they die," Renji said thoughtfully. "Though usually they don't have their memories."

"I come from an entirely different world Renji. I shouldn't show up here," Axel sighed. "But I suppose I shouldn't complain for still being alive."

"That's true. There must be a reason you're still alive. Unfinished business perhaps…dammit. I must be losing it. Spouting romantic crap like that," Renji snorted.

Axel chuckled. "It's been fun talking to you Renji. But I need sleep. See you around?"

Renji nodded, standing up after Axel did. "I hope to."