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As I stood now, somewhat shielded by the downpour from the grand figure of the hotel behind me, I couldn't help feeling as if this was wrong. As if today would be the last time that I'd see my friend, or see my friend healthy. Physically, he seemed.. fine, at the moment at least, but if he was already feeling the ill effects of this problem, who's to say that by the next time I'd see him, he'd be bed-bound? I didn't want to think about it. I didn't want to think of him being that way, and so I closed off those thoughts, closed my eyes, and softly breathed away my worries. Reconnecting our gaze, his agreement to what I'd said, for him to try and stay well until I returned, caused a small, yet sad smile to come to my face. I could ask him to try and stay positive, and I could ask him to be careful and not push himself, but I had no control at the moment over the symbiote itself and what it would do when I'd be gone. My meeting with Akira was to be made, and I had no intention to leave it, but it only brought ahead feelings that suggested to me that I was backstabbing one of my true friends. However, Atlas's smile on his face seemed understanding, and that was the most that I asked for. I didn't seem too flustered, almost as if he'd accepted what was happening to him. Of course, I'd accepted that there was a problem, but I wouldn't accept him dying, no. If I could solve what was happening and bring him back to full health, then it was my duty to do so, no matter how many miles traveled in the meantime. Our friendship was worth more than anything. And then he spoke - about something that he'd seemed to want to reveal, and I listened intently. Again, his almost patronizing comment came to ears. "..Atlas, I'll be fine - you worry too much." I spoke, my tone almost playful.. Of course, I did plan on coming back here alone, or - I knew that Kouketsu would shadow my movements, but why I was going back to Kumogakure wasn't something that I could easily explain to whomever would be traveling with me, and because of this, I chose to simply dismiss the bother.

"I'd like to place a seal on you. A Hiraishin se-" ---

I felt my heart sink at that very moment.



"..At..--"

I couldn't speak.

A stark contrast to the soft, smiling words I'd given him, I now spoke none, my expression not dire, but certainly.. unsure. I was tired, partly covered in droplets of cold rain, and in dire need of sleep - but was it by some horrible twist of fate, or, some intent by the gods above to have to remind me of what had happened to him? Why it had been primarily my fault? Was this their way of scorning me for choosing to give up that eye to the man before me as his only chance for survival? I fell silent, the rest of Atlas's words becoming nothing more than white noise to me. I could clearly see him speaking, although - I didn't reflect on any of it. I was familiar with Hiraishin, perhaps too familiar due to his connection with it, but why would such news be revealed now? Was this truly coincidence that this was happening? I watched his hand as it then outstretched towards me, burning with potent chakra - that much I could distinguish clearly - but I felt almost frozen. I didn't know what to think, nor what to do. It would make things easier, that much was certain, but it only proved to remind me of him. I wanted to remember my friend, of course. I didn't want to forget him, but being reminded of him at such a time as this was painful to say the least, and to know that Atlas shared another trait with him allowed memories to come flooding back. They were happy ones, of course, but with him no longer a part of my life; lost within his own mind due to the actions of not only Kouketsu, but myself too, the feeling of guilt that burdened me was unbearable. Who's to say that Atlas would react the same? That the seal he'd place on me would then be used to try and end not only my own life, but Yuuchiro's as well? I trusted him, of course - I wouldn't be able to bear a repeat of time. Several moments passed in silence, my eyes watching on at him lifelessly, before I finally began to move, my hand removing a glove from my unsealed wrist. Pushing the fabric of my sleeve up to show more of the area, I then held my arm out for him to seal.

"..Here.."

Pale skin was unmarked, Sora's own creation lingering on my other wrist, and so I chose the other, for the sake of not complicating things, and for the sake of him not questioning me about it.

"..What will you do?"

I asked solemnly. It was clear that he would aid me in traveling back to Kumogakure by allowing me to call upon him, but what were the full arrangements that he had planned? Where was I to perform the surgery on him? They were all relevant questions, but I simply felt.. drained of any kind of voice at the moment.

The rolling storm up above continued to pull through the darkness, lightning causing the sky to light up momentarily with its ferocity, casting light on Atlas and I as we moved through the empty streets of Kumogakure, headed back towards my own temporary home, the hotel. My words to him had brought out silent replies, although I couldn't exactly blame him. I wasn't sure if it was the notion of surgery that was proving to be daunting to him, or - I wasn't sure. He'd always been so.. difficult to read. At times, I'd been able to tell just what he was thinking, just what he was feeling, but right now all I could make out from turning my head towards him and his iron gaze was that he seemed.. conflicted. With my hand still in his to provide support and comfort, I gave it a light squeeze. I wanted him to be healthy again - to be happy, and although I could grant him the gift of health through the abilities I'd mastered, the latter of which ... was more difficult to bring forth. I was sure he was happy, I was sure that there was something in his life that could bring a smile to his face daily - or I hoped so. If I had been granted my own, why couldn't Atlas? Why was it him who had to go through all of this? Did he have any friends in Kumogakure, in the world, other than myself? I hadn't seen him for so long, and so I couldn't gather this information from the top of my head. As far as I knew, the man was alone with no-one but himself to rely on. But, I was here for him - and I just wanted him to understand that. Our villages were miles apart, but the friendship we'd forged so many years ago was one to last centuries.

From the addition of his coat upon my form, I easily began to feel the benefits of the warmth that it brought, my shoulders in particular becoming considerably more warm than they'd been previously. The rain fell down softly upon the both of us - but moreso him, as he'd so generously donated his protective coat to shield myself, although it didn't prevent my hair from becoming decorated with water droplets, much like a spiderweb, the perfectly round drops shining in each bright flash of lightning that overwhelmed the night sky. However, I'd since come to ignore it to the best of my ability, instead focusing on Atlas to my side, who, almost with the same uncertainty that I'd had, agreed with the words I'd left them with. However, no matter if the smile upon his face was one created falsely for the sake of making me feel better, or making him feel better, it caused a similar one to erupt from my own lips, gentle blue eyes looking over at him with hope that it would all work. Honestly, I wasn't sure what I would do if I'd allow him to die upon the operating table, under my own hand, and truly, I didn't want to think about such things. It was going to go alright. Atlas would be fine, he had to be. I wouldn't have it any other way. And so, with one last smile given to him, I'd then, with my hand still in his, pull him gently back to walking. Not for my sake, but his - he'd given me his coat, and I didn't want him to catch a cold, or worse, because of such a selfless action. And so, with nothing more to be said than had been already, in blissful silence, the both of us moved through the dark streets. I understood where I was now, and as such, was able to help guide, too. Our rain-encrusted forms soon came to the destination; the hotel, and I stopped a few meters before its doors, gazing up at the many windows decorating its front, before turning my gaze back towards Atlas; it was time for our goodbyes, although, I had faith in him that there would be time for many more in the future; I wasn't going to let him pass away when I could do all that I could to try and help him.

Unlinking our hands, I then began to speak, my gaze focused on his own.



"..It's been lovely seeing you again, Atlas."

And just like that, I rose both of my hands and clasped in the sides of the coat, bringing it across my shoulder to be held before me. I then began to fold it neatly, brushing down its sides whilst doing so.

"..I just wish that.." I paused, folding the arm. "..it had been under different circumstances."

And finally, with such a polite action made, I then held it out towards him to take from my hands. In regards to my words; I did wish that it had been different. I wished that he'd have been .. fine, that there had been nothing wrong with him, but life had a strange way of hurting those we held dear to us. But; I had hope that I'd be able to help cure him. With arms still outstretched, I continued to speak. "..I'll aim to return in five days time, maybe six, it depends." I revealed to him. Weather usually had a detrimental effect on travel, and whilst I usually plowed through routes, running through forestry and fields had since become walking due to my condition, and travel times had since become extended, although I was sure that he understood. I then moved, allowing myself to draw closer to him; although not in a way that would suggest I was attempting to try something. With the both of us at similar heights, I leaned over slightly, only to place the smallest, most innocent of pecks on the top of his covered forehead, a small good luck charm of my own creation. Pulling back, the gentle smile returned to my lips.

"..Until then, hang in there - please."

And with that, I waited for his response.

This was a goodbye, but, not the last.
I was sure of it.

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