[quote=Kurisa]
As Kaizo looked at Rio preparing himself to receive a deadly strike from her in some sort of effort to get Rio to fight back against this dark side of her...seemingly nothing was going to get through, even if he let his body get torn apart it'd still change nothing, This caused Kaizo's head to drop a little, his hair falling infront of his eyes as he began to think of the times before that he spent with RioKaizo thought of the first time he met Rio, he was Squadless, had next to no money and was having to live in some broken down shack...he was outside on his knees, exhausted from his training but cursed himself that he couldn't get stronger. Then she showed up...like some sort of angel, appearing before him and although he was a stranger to her she took him in without a worry, gave him a place to sleep, food to eat, somewhere he could clean himself...she gave him a home...from the moment he met her, he felt as if he was stronger...as he got closer to her, he only got stronger...Everything he had done is for her, every single thing...However as Kaizo reflected on the recent events he felt as if he had lost his way...as if he stopped caring as much as he used to...in fact...it seemed he had gotten weaker since...it was no wonder he lost so easily to Kurisa...He had forgotten why he fought so hard, why he wanted to become strong...it wasn't to avenge his clan...it was for this woman, the woman that took him in and cared for him when he had nothing, no one...she was there for him every step of the way...so this fake...she could spout whatever crap she wanted! Kaizo wouldn't believe this anymore...and he wouldn't act like someone he's not....As Kaizo looked down a small smile formed on his face, he then looked up at Rio, looking her in both her eyes "I'm sorry Rio...ever since I became Captain, I lost my way...I've become weaker...I can feel it...the truth is...I'm only strong because of you, you're what gives me strength...If I've lost you, then I've nothing left to fight for...so death will be the only fitting thing for me...I don't want to live in a world without you, I can't..." As rio's tails pulled at Kaizo's arms Kaizo showed no pain...the only thing that felt any pain was his heart...he was fully prepared to die right now, it seemed he had nothing left to fight for...thinking this only caused Kaizo's head to drop a little, his hair covering his eyes once again as a small smile formed on his face "I guess I'll be joining you soon Kurisa Kuchiki...I'm sorry I couldn't protect Rio like you asked of me...I just can't bring myself to hurt her anymore...even if it is some psycho in control of her body...I can't do it...I can't do that to her...it's killing me inside..." as Kaizo said this a few tears ran down his cheeks and dripped off his chin onto the floor "I guess I never deserved to hold the title of Captain...I failed as a Captain, I failed as a Shinigami...I failed as a Partner...I failed everything!" Kaizo then grit his teeth as he then began shouting "If you're going to kill me then do it already! There is nothing you can do to me that will cause me pain! you're wasting your fucking time! I don't feel a single thing...my body is numb..."
[/quote]

Rio's tails latched onto Kaizo's limbs with ease, this made Rio's grin much more sinister. Kaizo began looking down [i]'A sign of giving up perhaps? And here I thought he'd try to mock me further~ This is going to be easier than I had expected.'[/i] Her tails tightened and continued to pull until Kaizo began speaking... Rio wouldn't of stopped... if he hadn't of looked into both of her eyes. [b]"Huh?"[/b] Rio's grin faltered and she seemed as though she was stuck in a tracker beam by Kaizo's stare...

[center]- [i]Flashback time[/i] -[/center]
[i] ~ During the Hari Clan Fight 

Rio didn't want to think anymore... she didn't want to cry either, she just wanted to finish what her mother had planned... All of this was planned from the start, but that was a story for another time... Right now there was a task at hand and Rio was determined to complete it for her family and all of the other families Ursula had ruined.

Rio looked up at Ursula, void of emotion. She found that Souta had been thrown into a wall, hardly able to move his body however he was still awake while Fumio was once again caught by his neck in Ursula's grip. She was just laughing at him, head-butting him while she spoke. Her words didn't reach Rio anymore... 

All that Rio could hear was a shattering sound....[/i]

~ Inside Rio's inner world at that point in time ~

[hider=Inner World][center][img=http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y404/AbigailTenshi/185f2f3a-2d2f-45a6-abf4-1ec7d9fc3e07_zps0357a3ca.jpg][/center][/hider]

Hana and Kan were both watching the cracked lake of Rio's inner world while keeping tabs on the fight. Kan's eyes narrowed at the lake before Hana's suddenly widened with her snapping to Kan. [b]"Kan do you feel that? It's coming! WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING!!"[/b] Hana was clearly scared and anxious, staring at Kan desperately. The latter was much calmer however extremely concerned. [b]"I can feel it... And I know Hana, but there it's nothing we can-"[/b] [i]SMASH![/i] 

Before Kan could finish her sentence, the lake abruptly shattered into millions of pieces that sank into the watery substance... The lake looked normal as if it previously had a mirrored film covering it, however when looked into, it was still reflective. Nothing but a dead silence dawned within the world, both Hana and Kan's eyes drawn to the lake in suspicion... They didn't move an inch, nothing did, not even the trees... However, all of the coloured leaves had fell except one.

Throughout the silence, the only thing that happened was the last coloured leaf slowly swaying to the floor, tree leaves completely black when... fingers emerged from the water slowly. 

[b]"Huh? Ka-" "I know Hana."[/b] Both spirits watched the slender fingers poke out of the water from underneath... As the two watched, the fingers slowly continued to emerge out of the lake while the water ripped around them.... At first came the whole hand, then the forearm, then an elbow and onwards until-

Both Hana's and Kan's eyes widened dramatically as both gasped in unison. [b]"I-It's-"[/b]

[hider=What they saw][center][img=http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y404/AbigailTenshi/Huerona_zpsb0f38468.png][/center][/hider]

The woman's eyes stared blankly at the surprised spirits before her lips twitched, slowly moving into a smirk. [b]"[i]Happy to see me?[/i]"[/b] Was the first thing that came out of this woman's mouth along with a slight chuckle noise, her voice identical to Rio's. 

Shock was written all over Hana's face while Kan grit her teeth at the woman. Said woman chuckled. [b]"Now now, you shouldn't look at your wielder like that~ It's disrespectful."[/b] The woman's smirk dropped as she spoke, staring at the two as her eyes began glinting red. [b]"[i]Looks like you two haven't forgotten about me... Good.[/i]"[/b]

[i][center]- A little more recent flashback up to present time - [/center][/i]
[i]Amidst her screaming, Rio's eyes widened further before she grit her teeth at what Kaizo was saying, repressing her voice until she suddenly grinned.[/i]

Rio's mind went blank at that moment. She felt as though she was kicked out of her own body, making her feel as though she was falling... until she hit dirt. Opening her eyes, while wondering when she closed them, Rio looked around to find herself within her inner world. There was nothing but silence, both Hana and Kan where no where to be found.... 

Climbing up onto her feet, Rio looked around. [b]"HANA!.... KAN!!"[/b] She yelled before beginning to walk a little towards the lake, taking another look around. Stopping at the edge of the lake, Rio took another look around. [b]"HANA! KAN! WHERE ARE YOU?!"[/b] She yelled louder, but was soon met with chuckling in her right ear. [b]"[i]Want to see them? I'll show you where they are~[/i]"[/b] Gasping, Rio looked straight while feeling that someone was behind her... The voice in her ear... was hers? [b]"YOU!"[/b] Turning her face to look back over her shoulder, Rio's teeth were grit as she was met with a woman that looked just like her but with horns and a red glint in both of her eyes.

[b]"[i]Heheheh~[/i] Recognise my voice?~ It's yours isn't it?"[/b] The woman held a smirk before it turned into a toothy grin while Rio grit her teeth harder, turing around to face the female. [b]"Who are you?! TELL ME RIGHT NOW!"[/b] Rio yelled, pissed off instantly as she knew whoever was standing in front of her must of been the cause of all of this mess she's been going through recently... The woman chuckled at Rio's anger before opening her mouth to speak. [b]"Me? Oh, Rio, that is your name right?... Let me tell you something, that body of yours, [i]you stole it from me.[/i] Your name isn't Rio. It is me, [i]Huerona[/i]"[/b] Huerona's grin dropped after she spoke, her eyes staring blankly at Rio who's own eyes widened. 

[b]"You're... Huerona?... No. You're lying... Tell me the truth!"[/b] Rio wasn't having it, there was no way this person was Huerona... [i]Rio[/i] was Huerona. The one who claimed to be Huerona showed no reaction, staring at Rio for abit before laughing suddenly. [b]"Heh, you're an [i]idiot[/i]. An absolutely [i]worthless[/i] being.... You stole MY body! 'Rio' doesn't exist!! You're a fraud! A fake! Your body is rightfully mine!"[/b] Huerona began growing infuriated, which was shown by the glare she was giving Rio. Whether or not this was Huerona didn't matter to Rio anymore... This bitch was using her body to attack the love of her life. By any means necessary... she had to be stopped. 

[b]"This body is mine. Now get the hell out of my body."[/b] Rio's voice deepened a little with a dangerous tone, however Huerona just suddenly began running for her. [b]"NO! NOW DISAPPEAR!"[/b] Jumping, Huerona forced herself into Rio's body, causing Rio to fly back before she grabbed onto a protruding tree root on the floor to stop herself from failing into the lake. The Rio's eyes began widening as she noticed she was flying over the lake but something weird was going on, she felt her body getting more and more drawn to the lake the further away from the ground she was, as though an invisible force trying to drag her into the water. [b]"[i]Goodbye forever Rio~[/i]"[/b] Huerona watched the woman be dragged down into the water, disappearing into the lake of no return. [b]"[i]Hehehe~ Finally~[/i]"[/b]
[center]~[/center]
[b]"NOOO!!"[/b] Rio yelled as she fell into the water... but instead of finding more water once she entered, she found nothing but utter, airy darkness. Her body continued to fall as Rio stretched her arms up to search for something to grab onto. [b]"No! I refuse to let it end this way!!"[/b] Rio shouted, still searching until she felt a hand grab hers. [b]"RIO! YOU OKAY?! KAN PULL HER UP!"[/b] Came Hana's voice shortly after, shocking Rio. Despite being shocked, she was greatly relieved, allowing her expression to settle as she could feel Kan trying to pull her onto a ledge of some sort... but something was wrong.

Rio's eyes widened once more as she felt something else latch on to her left foot, trying to drag her down further. [b]"Rio what's going on?!"[/b] Kan yelled. [b]"I don't know... something's got me..."[/b] Rio began experiencing feelings of despair, hatred and depression seep into her body and mind for no reason which she found incredibly odd.... [b]"Get it off of you so I can pull you up!!"[/b] Kan shouted once more, giving Rio a minute before noticing her suddenly become heavier. [b]"R-Rio!!"[/b] 

[b]"... Let me fall..."[/b] Rio whispered, earning a gasp from Kan. [b]"No! What are you saying?! Come on hurry! I won't be able to pull you up if you don't do something!!!"[/b] Another thing latched onto Rio's other foot, sending another wave of dark emotions over Rio's mind and soul. [b]".... Let me go Kan...."[/b] Rio's grip on Kan's wrist began loosening before she completely let go, leaving only Kan to hold onto her. [b]"Dammit Rio!" "Kan why haven't you pulled her up yet?!" "I Can't! Something's dragging Rio down and she won't get it off!!" " Why?!" "I DON'T KNOW!" "... Kan... do it..."[/b] The spirits were yelling at each-other before their attention landed on Rio as she spoke softly. Whatever had grabbed onto her began sliding up her legs, making it's way to her hips while still dragging her down. [b]"Do it before it gets you too..."[/b] Rio's voice was noticeably monotone, sounding eerie. Kan wouldn't give up which resulted in herself getting dragged down with Rio. [b]"QUICK HANA GRAB ONTO ME AND HELP ME PULL!"[/b] Kan yelled, which Hana immediately obeyed, wrapping her arms around Kan's waist tightly, pulling Kan back as the latter continued to try and pull Rio up. 

[b]"It's useless.... let me go... I don't belong here... I don't belong in this body... or in this world..."[/b] Rio continued to talk, saying things that both spirits knew Rio would never believe... Whatever was grabbing her must of been doing something to her... Really what was happening was Rio's mind was slowing being invaded with negative thoughts to purposely drive her downwards... what would happen if she was dragged down was certainly nothing good... 

[b]"RIO! SNAP OUT OF IT!!"[/b] Hana yelled. [b]"RIO! DON'T LET IT CONTROL YOU!!"[/b] Kan followed.. but nothing... Until someone else's voice began echoing throughout the area.

[i]"I'm sorry Rio...ever since I became Captain, I lost my way...I've become weaker...I can feel it"[/i]

Rio's ears perked up at the familiar sound, listening closely to it.

[i]"...the truth is...I'm only strong because of you, you're what gives me strength...If I've lost you, then I've nothing left to fight for...so death will be the only fitting thing for me...I don't want to live in a world without you, I can't..."[/i]

Kan and Hana heard Kaizo's voice which caused them to faintly wonder how and why they were able to hear it but that wasn't important at the moment... what was important was saving Rio...

All of a sudden, Rio's hand latched back onto Kan's wrist. She was oddly smiling softly. Inside her mind, the negative thoughts were slowly being overrun with thoughts of Kaizo which helped slowly bring her back to reality. [b]"... Kaizo..."[/b]

[i]- Back in the normal world -[/i]

Rio continued to watch Kaizo, listening to his words. [b]"... Kaizo..."[/b] Her voice sounded softer as she spoke Kaizo's name out of the blue before she blinked, her expression darkening suddenly. [b]"[i]Ulgh she isn't dead yet?![/i]"[/b] Rio spoke to herself, clenching her right fist. [b]"[i]Damn that persistent bitch.[/i]"[/b]

[i]- Rio's inner world -[/i]

Kan began pulling harder when she felt Rio's hand grip her wrist again. [b]"HANA PULL HARDER!" "I'M TRYING!!"[/b] Whatever was latching onto Rio didn't give up, however, with Kaizo on her mind, Rio refused to give in anymore. [b]"Kaizo... help.... do what... you did.... before"[/b] Rio continued to speak, not realising that she was more connected to her body due to the black strands being connected to her.

[i]- Normal world again -[/i]

Rio's tails began pulling Kaizo's limbs out further, looking at him with a blank stare. [b]"Given up. How pathetic. You failed because you gave up, not that you had a chance to save her anyway. But honestly, a Captain such as yourself, giving up so easily over one person is utterly ridiculous. Does your own life not mean anything to you? Actually there is no need for you to answer that, it's clear your answer-Kaizo... help... do what... you did.... before-..."[/b] As she spoke, Rio's voice suddenly softened as words slipped out of her mouth uncontrollably before she suddenly covered it with her right hand. [b]"Fuck."[/b] She murmured.