The Flora Queen and The Fire Emperor

Taken slightly aback as Melanie bolt straight up in the futon, her hands balling up into fists, the only visible sign Kazuya was caught off guard was raising both his eyebrows as she started to bark at him, before closing her eyes, hearing her say her head was spinning from sitting up too quickly, as she would point in his general direction. Staying seated where he was, he would make no move towards Melanie, instead staying silent, having her heard her say for someone or something to not go before she had woken up.

"He didn't do anything."

A voice would speak up, as the door of his bedroom slid open and a woman came walking in, stopping at the foot of the futon. A frown visible on her face, Zhen was about to tell Melanie off, that her leader had done absolutely nothing, only to stop before even getting a single word out as she saw Kazuya shake his head. There was no need to start an argument, especially an unnecessary one. Zhen's mouth open slightly, after a couple minutes, she would slowly close her mouth, thoroughly resisting the urge to tell the girl off. Once she had calmed down enough, Zhen would hold her arms beneath her chest, the only visible sign she was still displeased at the accusation towards her leader the scrutinizing look in her eyes, though it was very subtle.

"He didn't try anything. I was the one that tended to your wounds, and while I was examining your shoulder and chest, he was waiting downstairs. You will suffer some major bruising, but aside from that, there was no major internal injuries or bleeding. My recommendation, get plenty of rest and take it easy."

Her diagnosis done, Zhen would turn on her heel and start to head out of Kazuya's bedroom, only to stop as she opened the sliding door, pausing just before the door frame. Turning her head slightly to look behind her at Melanie, she would coolly regard the red-haired girl.

"He was worried about you. He kept asking for regular updates on your examination. So if you believe he is that type of guy... You have it all wrong."

Zhen would then leave, closing the sliding door shut behind her.

"Of course I was worried, why wouldn't I be? You're tough, tougher than expected, and there's no doubt you are independent. But if I can help, even a little, I will. ... Melanie."

If Melanie looked up, she would see Kazuya crouching down beside the futon, making sure to maintain a respectable distance from her. His arms resting on top of his knees, he would slowly reach out and gently wipe her tears away with his hand, a look of concern visible... but also a subtle hint of fondness in his eyes, as a small smile would form on his face. Pulling his hand away slowly, he would let it drop back on top of his knee, as he would make eye contact with her.

"You're not alone. You have someone who cares about you... Me. You didn't fail him. You're strong, stronger than you think. You're independent, an amazing girl, and capable of fighting back and defending yourself in your own right. You managed to cut me pretty good. You're anything but a failure, and I will never see you as anyone but an amazing and strong girl."

"Of course I care about you. No matter what happens, I will be there to help you, if you ever so need it. All you need to do is ask."

Caught slightly off-guard as Melanie's arms shot out and wrapped around his waist, he would be sent rocking back slightly, but quickly managed to recover his balance. Shifting so that he would be crouching on the futon itself, instead of to the side, so Melanie would not strain turning her body to the side, he would wrap his arms around her, holding her close to him. Feeling her tears fall against his skin, her face nuzzled against his chest, he would rub her back comfortingly with one hand, the sobs that wracked her body shaking him slightly. Why did he care so much about her? He just did. That was his reason. He had no ulterior motive behind caring for her, he just wanted to help and be there for her if he could. He would hold and stay with her for as long as she wanted and needed, and only leave when she would tell him to.

"You're not alone Melanie. Not any more."

"Don't apologize. I don't think you're a crybaby. I think there's a certain strength to be had... to be able to cry when you should."

Staring down into Melanie's eyes, his gun metal gray eyes looking straight into her sunset orange eyes, he would reach up with one hand and gently wipe away the tears that stained her face after she had leaned back and pulled out of his arms. Slowly lowering his hand back down to rest on his knee unless she kept his hand on her face, he would stay silent and just listen as she spoke. Spoke about what happened when she first arrived in New York City, why she wanted to get revenge on Leon Sudeki so badly, how one of the Hollows siblings managed to dissuade her from killing Leon, why she wanted to land just one hit on Leon. She spoke and spoke and spoke, and Kazuya was more than willing to listen. Slowly reaching up, he would gently take hold of her chin, and slowly lifted her head up, a small, gentle smile on his face as he locked eyes with her.

"The pain never fully goes away. Two years is a long period of time to hunt after someone. It's all you really know, all that really drives you in life. But it doesn't have to be just that now. I cannot fully understand the pain you went through, the suffering you endured all these years. But I understand a little now. ... It doesn't change anything though. I meant what I said. I will always help you, if you need it. If you still wish to join a faction, there is Apex or Hyperion. I am part of Hyperion, but ultimately it is your decision which faction you join. I will however, support and be there for you as much as I can."

Melanie's hand on top of his, as Kazuya felt her lean her head to rest gently against it, she would feel his hand was warm to the touch, almost soothing, as he would see her close her eyes and take a deep breath. Shifting his hand to her chin and lifting her head up, as he stared into her eyes, though he had lost someone before, his mother, the pain he felt was not to the degree Melanie had felt. But his sister did. She had lost him, as he had died once before, but the infuriating need to kill the one responsible had already been fulfilled by Matrim, when he had killed Marquise, the vampire responsible for his death.

Continuing to maintain eye contact with her, he would give her a small smile. No matter which faction she chose, he would've support her choice, but it made him slightly happy she chose the faction he was part of, Hyperion. Though he would not be around at Helios as much, since he was Hyperion's representative in the Lightning Gang, he would try and spend as much time training and just with her in general as he could. As he looked into her eyes, he would then slowly lean in down towards her, before placing a gentle kiss on her lips, his face close to hers as he pulled away slightly.

"You just caught us on a bad day. Hyperion is not normally all talk of alliances and the blaming others. We are a family... and I will always be by your side. No matter who or how many I have to fight through to get to you."

"Just because I just met you and don't know you very well, doesn't mean I can't fight for you. If you do decide to join Hyperion, I'll be able to see you whenever I want and able to. It's not a dream Melanie, it's very much real."

Wrapping his arms around Melanie, pulling her closer to him, she would feel his body was warm to the touch, due to a passive effect of his Qi, which made it seem like he had a mild fever, when in fact, he was perfectly healthy. It kept him warm on those chilly winter days and nights, so it wasn't all that bad. Shifting his body so he was sitting cross-legged now, instead of crouching, he would keep his arms wrapped around her, holding her in his embrace.

"You should probably rest Melanie. I won't be far, this is my bedroom after all. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

Giving Melanie a small bow of his head, Kazuya would remain silent, as she seemed to be saying it more to herself than to him, and would simply listen to what she had to say. She had started to move on, but the journey would be long and wrought with hardships. But she wouldn't have to face it alone. Kazuya would be there, by her side. Maybe not every step of the way, but as much as he possibly could. His arms wrapped snugly around Melanie's waist as she half laid across his lap and wrapped her arms around him, he would glance down at her, studying her face as she blushed before burying her face into his chest, a slightly resigned smile appearing on his face.

"Alright, alright... I'll stay. My futon is decently sized, but space might still be a bit tight."

The smile wiped instantly from his face, a grim, uncertain look would form upon his face. He didn't know what would happen now. With the wall up and the Apostles in control, all of their lives hung in the balance of uncertainty. There was no telling what could happen in the next hour, much less the next day. But there was one thing Kazuya knew for certain. He would fight for his friends and his faction, no matter the cost. His eyes meeting Melanie's, he could see the worry brimming in her eyes, and slowly reaching up with one hand, would gently rest his hand against her cheek comfortingly.

"I won't let you die, no matter what. Even if it costs me my own life. I would sacrifice my life, to save yours. But I will do everything in my power and strength, to make sure I don't die... so I can come back to you."