[quote=Kurisa] Kaizo listened to Rio, closing his eyes as he did. He then rested his elbows on his desk and clasped his hands together as he held them infront of his mouth while he listened. Hearing that Rio had to fight did make his heart sink a bit, but this was his unprofessional self feeling this, even in the face of the woman he loved he had to act professional. He listened as she explained about what had happened, the people involved and the clans power. Kaizo was sad to hear that Rio's mother lost her life but all Kaizo had was respect for the woman. If he were in the same of similar situation he'd sacrifice his life to save Rio no matter what, not only as her partner but her Captain, his duty was to protect his Squad members, even if the cost be his own life...after all...Shinigami live their lives knowing they could die any day...this was the biggest commitment and those who couldn't make it end up getting no where. Kaizo listened as Rio finished her report then nodded before speaking "I see you seem to have gone through quite a lot, you also seemed to have gained from this and now this is one thing you hopefully may never have to face again. I'm also sorry to hear about your loss...she sounds like an incredible woman...I say sounds because I know she will stay alive in your memory. She was clearly proud of you Rio, I to can say the same for myself...as can anyone else who is close to you. Even Captain Kuchiki would be proud of how far you have come, despite not showing it I know deep down he would be. I'm glad you completed the mission I set you, the verbal report is fine also...it's best I hear it this way anyway. Now Lieutenant...you have no right to question this as it's an order...but...I am telling you now to take the rest of the day off, go get healed, relax and just hang out somewhere you find nice a peaceful...or see your friends, whatever is to your liking. You've just come back from a mission after all..." Kaizo then opened his eyes to look at Rio, he could see the sorrow in her eyes and knew she was nowhere near the right state of mind nor emotion to be doing her job...she needed to take it easy and get through this naturally...her job would only get in the way of this...besides Kaizo could handle her duties as well as his own. It was time that he got more hands on with the Squad anyway... [/quote] Rio's eye fell to the floor as she listened to Kaizo. It boosted her spirits a little as Kaizo tried to comfort her, which did work until she thought about who he was talking about... He then told her that she had no right to question his order, which was to take some time off. Opening her mouth and about to object, Rio just closed it without a word, looking down before taking a breath. She would of been able to fulfil her duty as Lieutenant and put her feelings aside... but eventually her thoughts would start eating away at her and effect her performance... she didn't want that. [b]"Yes Captain...."[/b] Rio bowed without looking back up at Kaizo before quietly leaving the room, closing Kaizo's door behind her. After a short moment of thought, she lifted her hands to look at her palms, finding marks from the cuts she gained when she caught Ursula's sword before it reached her eyes.... She then took off and left the barracks, deciding to take a stroll through the woods to just set her emotions free without worrying about being seen.