[quote=Kurisa] Kaizo watched Rio as she broke down, seeing this made his heart plummet...he felt so useless at times...as if he couldn't do anything for her. This was a time he thought she'd need him but the more he looked at her he just saw her dealing with this alone...it made him feel pitiful, useless...all he wanted to do was be there for her, to embrace her...but it seemed she didn't want to seek comfort in him. This caused a sharp pain to shoot through Kaizo's heart, yet he clenched his fists...taking a deep breath as he thought to himself Kaizo then looked to Rio Kaizo then closed his eyes for a moment then opened them before reaching out to Rio and pulling her into his chest, wrapping his arms around her as he placed his right hand on the back of her head, he then looked down at her, a serious expression on his face "I promise Rio...I will find who did this to Kurisa Kuchiki...I'll make sure they suffer for this...I'm sure many others are thinking the same, so this person who did this...they don't understand just how many lives Kurisa Kuchiki affected...and as a cause of this, he has inspired us all to work harder than we ever have...that man is a truly incredible person and is worthy of holding the title of the model Shinigami. I just want you to know Rio...I'm here for you...I don't want you to keep these emotions to yourself, it's only going to tear you up inside...As your Captain and your partner I cannot allow that...I now have a promise to fulfil and I will make sure that is done. If you feel like you are going to crumble then come to me...I will keep you together...I don't want you loosing anything, you mean to much to me for that to happen..." Kaizo then looked to the Squad 2 members, his expression still serious as they to showed serious expressions. By now they knew Kaizo's relationship with Rio and he had made sure that they never dared to even think a single disrespectful thought... [/quote] Amidst Rio's crying, she felt herself being pulled against something warm, strong and smooth... It took her a second to realise the position she was in, feeling Kaizo's arms wrap around her as she looked up at him, her eye squinting a little as more tears escaped. She gripped the front of Kaizo's Haori, not a single thought of what anyone else was thinking about her being in Kaizo's arms entered her mind... all she could do was feel his warmth and listen to his words while gripping his clothes tighter.... Captain Kuchiki was a large figure in her life, and since she had never been able to cope with loosing people well, this was just ridiculously hard for her to accept... However, Kaizo's words were much more powerful to her while in this state, actually getting through to her. [b]"... K-Kaizo... thank you...."[/b] Crying a little harder, Rio whispered while pulling herself closer towards Kaizo's body, still gripping him tightly as she cried into his chest.... Rio had never felt so vulnerable in her whole life... but with Kaizo, she felt that maybe... it was Okay to be vulnerable every once in a while... no matter what anyone else thought... as long as Kaizo was fine with it, she wouldn't hold it in any longer.... The pain in her head was still rather strong, but she managed to ignore it by purely focusing on the feel of Kaizo around her, shielding her from everything and everyone around them... or more felt that way. After a few quiet stuttered sobs, Rio had finally calmed down, closing her eye as she rested her head against Kaizo's chest and faced away from everyone, just breathing while still gripping onto him almost as if her life depended on it.