[Quote=AbigailTenshi]Rio sniffed as Kaizo spoke and broke the hug. She looked up at him, questioning nothing, if anything, she was happy to hear this... Since she too had to choose between being professional and being a girlfriend whenever she was with Kaizo... It had gotten to the point where she just chose to be professional all the time since it was the safest and easiest thing to do to stop their relationship from being discovered. However, this in turn meant Rio had unknowingly distanced herself from Kaizo, something that took her up until now to realise. Considering her personal state and situation at the moment, distancing herself was definitely something she didn't want to do... It wouldn't help at all, if anything it'd make her situation worse and harder to deal with. Kaizo then picked her up, which caused Rio's eye to widen a little from the sudden action, however she just simply smiled at Kaizo, a small but genuine smile. Her head was still throbbing, but she had forgotten about the pain, too focused on Kaizo to notice it. Kaizo had ordered the other Shinigami to train, while Rio gave them a stern look. Even though she was in Kaizo's arms, that didn't mean her professional attitude towards those she worked with had changed. 

After Kaizo shupo'ed back to the barracks, Rio looked up to him while he spoke, still in his arms. She looked down when he mentioned Captain Kuchiki... he was right, they couldn't let themselves be dragged down by this, she couldn't let herself either... After closing her eye, Rio sighed. "Don't be sorry... It's the enemy that should be sorry. You're completely correct Captain. I promise you, I won't let Captain Kuchiki down by wallowing in sorrow... I will not stand by and watch anyone else be murderer.... Indeed they have no idea what they've just started... This is more than just a war now...." Rio slid out of Kaizo's arms, standing once again while straightening out her clothes and eye-patch. Looking up at Kaizo, she gave a look of pure determination... She had cried enough, it was time to grow stronger... Not just for Captain Kuchiki, but for everyone she cared about, including for her Captain and partner Kaizo.[/quote]

Kaizo listened to Rio then nodded "Well they don't know what's coming...well then we best all do Captain Kuchiki proud shouldn't we? Let's get to training. I intend to step up the Onmitsukido's training but putting myself personally into it...they will need to be far more skilled before we go to war...I trust you can handle the rest of Squad 2? It's important we train our Squad and make them stronger as a whole...it's no good just us getting stronger...we have the numbers over the enemy, or so we think...but regardless the stronger the Shinigami we have the better chance we have of winning...it's no good this war being fought by just us Captains and Lieutenants..."