The words of a Ninja ((Polo and Inkerz have a Naruto RP^^))

When Koaru asked if he was okay, Tyson just shrugged it off without concern. He was just fine. Or at least, as 'fine' as a person could be when locked in a cell as dirty and dingy as his. He huffed irritably at the thought, then turned his attention back to Koaru as he added, “We'll wait for them to settle down before we break out, it would be no good if we alert the entire unit of escape.” Sighing heavily, he offered a begrudging nod of consent. Frankly, he wanted to leave there and then, but Koaru was right. Better to do it after the hype had worn off...
“You can smell the blood too, can't you?... We might have a small problem with saving our friends." Koaru murmured, causing Tyson to sniff the air thoughtfully. Now Koaru mentioned it, he could also identify the scent of blood. Hiro and Shun were obviously hurt. Perhaps next time they would learn to heed his warnings.
Perhaps not as guilty as he should be have been, Tyson just shrugged again, and began curiously pacing the length of the cell.
“If they die, I won't leave them behind in this slum..." Koaru announced determinedly, "I couldn’t do that.” Ty looked back at him, and his expression instantly softened in sppreciation for his friend's loyalty. Quickly taking out his notepad, he wrote, [i]They won't die. I still feel their chakra strongly. The four of us can just leave here as soon as the hype dies down. I can get us out easily without attracting too much attention. Just say when." He smiled slightly, and laid a reassuring hand on Koatr's shoulder.

When Koaru felt Tyson's hand on his shoulder he gaze up to met his friend with uncertainty.
With his notepad in hand, Tyson offered Koaru his words.
“They won't die. I still feel their chakra strongly. The four of us can just leave here as soon as the hype dies down. I can get us out easily without attracting too much attention. Just say when."
With a thoughtful glance towards Tyson, Koaru held his friend's soft expression with consideration.
After a moment or two he seemed decided on something and returned Tyson's smile warmly, adding softly, “Then, I'll be counting on you when the time comes comrade”
Still sitting on the floor with his back against the bars, Koaru closed his eyes, drifting into feigned sleep and deep concentration as he let his senses heighten.

The day seemed to passed by at a deathly slow pace and the stench of the reeking corpse meat and urine hung heavily in the air.
Most of the guards had left during the course of the day and with only three left, Koaru was just about ready to give his signal.
With the cover of night so perfectly in place for escape, Koaru's finally opened his grey eyes.
It's finally time for me to take action
Getting to his feet with some remaining dignity, he moved his pale hands silently and quickly into an array of seals.
The gesture was enough to catch the guards attention, however just as they were about to leap into action, something stopped them.
With a halting gesture from Koaru's outstretched hand, he kept the men frozen in their steps.
They blinked stupidly and grunted, but their bodies refused to move on command, well at least not on their own command.
“Rest now, you've worked hard”, Koaru murmured softly as a pained almost agonized expression passed over the faces of the guards.
With an elegant twist of his wrist, Koaru closed his hand with some force. And as though they were of one mind, the three men fell down unconscious to the floor.
They weren't dead. However they could have been if Koaru lacked even the slightest bit of control.
A small trickle of crimson sweet dripped down the side of Koaru's face and he turned to Tyson with his usual calm friendliness. “I'll leave the gate to your hands then”

For hours, the pair sat in their cell, and while Koaru rested, Tyson occupied himself by sketching in the back of his notepad. His pen darted elegantly over the pages, quickly forming inked renditions of the famous battles of old from ancient ninja wars fought long ago, of comforting, homely scenes he remembered from his time in the Hidden Sand, and, of course, of his parasitic enemy, the Kyuubi.
He became so lost in his work that he seemed almost to forget himself, and when at last Koaru got to his feet, Tyson looked up in surprise. His usually hard, red-tinged eyes had softened to a liquid doe-brown, and he blinked at Koaru in a bemused fashion as he struggled to get his bearings. After a moment it all seemed to come back to him, and he stood beside his friend, slipping his notepad back into his pocket. The harsh, guarded expression had returned to his face.

Folding his arms, Tyson stood back and waited while Koaru dealt with the guards. He was unsure, exactly, of how the man did it - but he saw the seals that Koaru formed, and then he watched in awe while the guard unit dropped as one, each man falling into an unconscious slump at the command of Koaru's jutsu. Tyson's eyes narrowed, and he considered his friend with a sharp gaze.
You are a dangerous man indeed, Koaru... I am glad that I'm not your enemy. I think that even I would be in danger facing an attack from you.
Frowning at his humbling thoughts, Tyson quickly shrugged off his tension, and stepped nearer to Koaru, ready for instructions.
“I'll leave the gate to your hands then.” Koaru said gently, and Ty's jaw tightened when he saw a trickle of bloody sweat running down the side of Koaru's face. Obviously, like any great power, Koaru's jutsu did not come without a cost.
Clapping his friend supportively on the shoulder, Tyson nodded, and stepped obediently forward.
Closing his eyes for a moment, he took a deep breath, and called upon the summoning scroll written into his very blood.
Then his eyes flashed open, and with the rapid formation of a few complex seals, a burst of flame appeared between his hands. He hissed as it flared violently before him, but in a heartbeat he had it under control, and with a single slash of flame, the bars of the cage lay as shining liquid on the floor.
Tyson did the same for Hiro and Shun's cage, then dismissed the flame, dropping his arms back to his sides. His handsome face was streaked with sweat from the sheer heat of the fire, and he had to lean against the wall for a moment as he waited for the temporary heatstroke to leave him. He loathed using his power in a place as poorly ventilated as the prison.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed himself away from the wall, then nodded to Koaru, and took his hand to help him over the molten metal, which bubbled and broiled like lava on the floor.
Polite as ever, Tyson escorted his 'leader' into the next cell, then hung back to leave Koaru to tend to Hiro and Shun.
He folded his arms, watching in stony silence, and forever keeping one eye locked on the door in search of danger.

Koaru took a cautious step backwards as Tyson's ferocious flames melted away the iron bars with frightening ease.
The intensity of the heat was extreme and made the small make-shift prison heated up quickly like an oven.

Koaru hadn't gotten over the last time he had seen Tyson use that power, a man had been reduced to something but ashes.
That power is frightening, I can't even image the amount of control needed to work with fire that hot...water can still be tamed, but fire burns what ever it touches, He thought with mild observation as his soft grey eyes swept over his companion with respect.

When Tyson had finished dealing with their gate, Koaru followed his companion quickly to Shun and Hiro's cell.
The complex seals that made of Tyson's jutsu were incredibly quick and expertly dealt as the man sent out a final flame to free their captive comrades.
When the bars had been reduced to liquidized iron, Koaru padded quickly to Tyson's side as his friend leaned heavily against a nearby wall.
Tyson's tanned skin lay streaked with sweat and for a few moments all he appeared to do was pant heavily as he tried to recover from his straining jutsu.
Biting his lip with clear worry, Koaru stepped before his friend. Gently he dabbed away some of Tyson's sweat with his sleeve in an attempt to show his gratitude to his friend's effort.
“That was amazing...”, He murmured thoughtfully as he stared at Tyson with something close to admiration.
With a silent moment between the two men, Koaru turned away suddenly shy.
As he did so a groan from Hiro's stirring form alerted him once again to the mission at hand.
With a firm shake of his head and a responsive one from Tyson, they knew what needed to be done.
Tyson was the fist to step over the puddle of hot iron liquid and once he was safely across he offer a polite hand towards Koaru.
“Thanks”, Koaru added with a small wink as he placed a delicate hand in Tyson's, allowing his friend to help him across the smoldering patches of hot iron with simple trust.

When Koaru was clear out of harm's way he released Tyson's hand, letting his friend's finger's slid through his own like sand as they briefly parted ways.
Regaining focus Koaru padded towards Shun and Hiro as they lay sprawled out awkwardly across the floor.
Hiro looked in slightly better shape and Koaru tended to his physical wounds quickly. Tearing off the sleeves of his shirt, Koaru used them as tools to banged up his comrad'es wounds.
Hiro at this point awoke properly as with slight surprise he yelped as Koaru touched a tender spot on his arm. “Ouch! What the he- Koaru?”
Hiro blinked in confusion and Koaru pressed a finger to his lips, “Hush...the guards will wake if your too loud.”
Nodding quietly Hiro let Koaru finished up the his nursing.
With a small nod Koaru turned his attention to Shun. He had needed to his energy for working with Hiro, however Shun's state was too bad to go unchecked and Koaru had already began to use a few seals in preparation for a healing Jutsu.
With a small breath and his hand's outstretched over his friend's chest, Koaru began to pour his Chakra in Shun's injured body.
The technique was a little time consuming, but Koaru's concentration held fast until finally he pulled back feeling terribly faint.
Feeling slightly ill from the heavy drain of Chakra, Koaru remained crouching near Shun.
Blinked his eyes open for the first time that day, Shun sat up and was met with a small smirk from Hiro.

Understanding that there wasn't time left to waste, Koaru forced himself back on his feet.
With a warm glance towards Tyson, he turned to face the group with more serious expression.
“We need to get out of here before any attention is drawn.”, he stated with some authority to his weakened voice.
“Follow me”, Koaru added simply as he carefully stepped over the slowly setting iron that lay cast over the floor.
Once the group had left the cell and entered the main building, it took a lot more skill to dart through security without getting caught.
Thankfully with the entire team back in play, they worked together for the first time and came out the victors.

Tyson stood with arms folded, watching protectively while Koaru healed their comrades. Once the job was complete, Tyson could see the strain that it put on his friend, and he made a mental note to stick close to Koaru's side during their escape, for fear that the man's strength would fail him. He looked utterly worn out, and Tyson knew as well as anybody what dangers could come of pushing oneself beyond one's limits.
Firmly ignoring Hiro and Shun - who had long since won themselves a spot on his list of people he respected no more than the dirt on his shoes - Tyson fell into step beside Koaru as he exited the cell, and with the help (Or, as Ty insisted on seeing it, the hindrance) of Hiro and Shun, they soon managed to escape the prison, and dashed out into the daylight.
It didn't take long for the Shinobi of the village to begin to give chase, but their skills were mediocre, and it was clear from the start that their pursuit was in vain.
So Tyson flanked the Konoha Shinobi as they raced on through the village, dodging the attacks of their pursuers as they made their escape. For Tyson, the retreat was a relatively relaxed one, for there was no real danger involved. Until, that is, a familiar face caught his eye.

The Jounin of the Hidden Sand was sitting crouched on a rooftop, watching the pursuit with an eagle eye, but remaining uninvolved, obviously not concerned with such trivial matters. Tyson recognized the man instanly. Tekuru had been one of the closest things to a 'friend' that he had encountered whilst in the Sand, and ironically, he was not the man most intent on Tyson's destruction. If Tekuru recognized him, all Hell would break loose!
With a sudden sense of urgency, Tyson touched Koaru's shoulder in silent farewell, and on his very next step, he had darted off to the side, vanishing along a dingy sidestreet and soon becoming lost from sight.

Just a few short minutes later, Tyson found himself back in the forest, alone. He could still sense the telltale signs of Tekuru's chakra nearby, so he studiously hid his own, keen to avoid the inconvenience of a confrontation. He honestly couldn't care less about Tekuru's little 'mission'. He had no intention of dying, so he chose rather to avoid the unpleasantness of a fight against one of the Hidden Sand's most skilled Shinobi. His mission with Koaru was top priority, and he decided that his strength was better saved for that.
Sighing quietly to himself, Tyson rubbed his head as he looked around, wondering in which direction his team had gone. With his own chakra now hidden, it was difficult to sense theirs.
No matter. He thought silently to himself, No doubt I'll find them soon enough. But first I must distance myself from Tekuru. Then, when I show my Chakra once more, Koaru ought to find me, no doubt.
Pleased with his plan, Tyson nodded to himself, and darted into a light-stepping run, moving easily from tree to tree as he pulled ever further away from the village, gradually releasing his Chakra little by little the further he got.

Koaru led his team through the village with determination and agility, only taking on confrontation when it was completely unavoidable.
Tyson proved to be the most dependable during their escape and fought well at Koaru's side, while Hiro and Shun played their parts mostly as background noise.

Knocking back their foes and sprinting through the streets with enemy Shinobi hot on their tails, Koaru finally eyed a small break in the village's corroded walls.
The gates of village had long since been shut and with this opportunity so close at hand, he wasn't going to let it slip through his fingers.
Turning sharply at the next corner, Koaru pressed his group out into the open.
He knew the risks of being out in the open, but with such a small group he figure that he'd take his chances.

They were almost at the wall, when suddenly Koaru felt a soft touch to his shoulder.
Arching his neck back he caught sight of Tyson at his side. “Tyson?”
“Wait! What are you doing?!”, he suddenly exclaimed as his friend disappeared from his side, darting off in the opposite direction.
“Tyson!!”
Koaru stopped dead in his tracks, nearly getting caught in the shoulder by an enemy kunai as he tried to find Tyson through the ruckus.
When could no longer sense his mute companion's chakra, he hesitated about whether or not to go after his friend.
I can't just leave him...I don't abandon my friends
Staring up at Koaru with expectation, Shun and Hiro waited loyally for instruction. They looked confused on what to do and it was clear that they were still weakened from their run in with the River.
I'd risk their lives too if I went after Tyson now

Biting his lip with begrudging decision, the leaf ninja turned to his comrades. Nodding firmly with narrowed eyes he called them out of their daze, “Lets Go!”
With his two remaining comrades at his side, Koaru sprinted towards the gap in the wall, planting his hands firmly on the high stone fence, he cleared it with a single leap, landing silently like a cat on the other side.
Wasting no time more time, he took Hiro and Shun into the forest that lay on the outskirts of the village.
They traveled on through the slowly darkening woods, only stopping when Koaru was finally certain that their enemies had given on up the chase.
They had cover a good amount of ground and running his intelligent eyes over the small clearing they had reached, Koaru shook his head in dissaproval, “This place is not good, It's still too close to the village.”
Gazing up at his comrades with surprising authority, Koaru pointed towards a small river that ran snaked through the forest.
“Listen to me carefully. This River leads through Hiraku forest, Follow it to the sand country borderlines. Don't you dare enter Sand country without my instruction.”
Hiro and Shun nodded in response, but their expressions clearly seemed to question what Koaru was thinking.”Captain? What are you planning”, Shun finally asked, clearly holding a little more respect for Koaru after being rescued.
Tightening a few extra Kunai and tags to his belt, Koaru turned and faced the direction they had come from. He was clearly preparing to head back towards the Village.
“You'll see me in four days. Stay hidden and off the main routes...Don't try anything Rash”, he explained before adding with a reassuring smile, “Look after yourselves...Okay?”

With a final goodbye, Koaru left his team behind and sprinted soundlessly through the forest in search of Tyson.
He felt sick to his stomach with worry for his friend and his expression hardened with stress as he passed along treetops and neared the Village fence.
With sharp eyes he slunk along the wall with feline movements, trying desperately to catch even a tiny trace of Tyson's chakra from the people inside.
I doubt that he'd stay inside the village, I don't sense him any where though...Tyson what are you thinking? Where are you?

Heading back into the cover of the forest as enemies neared, Koaru perched himself in one of the higher trees. He had a good view that over looked the trees and land, yet it helped him very little with the now dark sky looming over.

Frustrated, exhausted and worried, Koaru felt his eyes threaten to gloss over with tears.
If he lost Tyson, he'd felt as though he's lose a lot me than just his friend.
He didn't understand his feelings too well, but he understood one thing and that was that he'd never forgive himself if anything bad happened to his companion.

Breathing in deeply, Koaru dropped down from the tree, catching himself on a branch and landing safely on the ground with silence.
Staring forward with something akin to pain, he decided to head deeper into the forest. It was the only place he figured he'd be able to find Tyson, if his friend hadn't already been...he dared not think on death at this point.
If he can pick up on my Chakra, I'll find him...Lets just hope none my enemies take the bait before hand. I wouldn't have enough energy left to spare them.

As Tyson ran through the forest, breath short in his throat, he soon began to feel a niggling of worry in his chest. Irked by the concern, he came to an abrupt halt at the base of a tall tree, then expertly dashed to the top, where he perched, surveying the dark forest below. He had no doubt that Koaru was somewhere out there searching for him, but it was so dark that he doubted his friend would have any chance of finding him.
Damn you, Tekuru. He thought moodily, It's thanks to you that I'm separated from my group, and finding them is bound to be an inconvenience... It might take days. How irksome...
Huffing irritably to himself, Tyson found himself a more stable perch in the higher branches of the tree, then sat there silently, folding his arms and closing his eyes.
Heightening his senses, Tyson reached out with his chakra, searching desperately for a hint of Koaru's. His senses stretched into an endless expanse of darkness, and Tyson felt the niggling feeling in his chest contract, like a fist clenching about his gut, and twisting it uncomfortably. It surprised him how much the thought of being separated from Koaru worried him, but Tyson chose not to dwell on it. It was a matter of pride; he had vowed to stand by Koaru's side, so at his friend's side was where he had to be, regardless of what challenges stood in his way.
Clenching his jaw in frustration, Tyson sighed and opened his eyes.

But then, just as he was about to turn back to searching the ground, a distant spark of chakra caught his senses. Tyson froze, wheeling around, and in his lapse of concentration, he lost his footing. Ty nearly cursed as he slipped from his branch, but he spat out an annoyed hiss instead, and caught himself on the next branch down, grazing his hand on the bark. From there, with a furious huff, he dropped lightly to the ground, and picked up a sprint in the direction of the chakra, which began showing greater familiarity the closer he got to it. It did not take long for him to recognize that it was Koaru's.
Relief untwisted his anxious gut, and Ty felt the frown on his face slacken as he caught sight of a shadowed figure in the distance.
There you are, Koaru! Thank goodness. I was... Well, not worried, surely. This separation was an inconvenience, that's all.
Irritably hushing his thoughts, Tyson emerged into the clearing where Koaru waited, suddenly feeling slightly awkward. He nodded to his friend in greeting, an apologetic expression on his face.
I'm sorry I left you, Koaru. He thought silently, It must have been frustrating, not knowing where I went or why. Sometimes this pact of silence can be terribly inconvenient... Had I been able to explain, this situation could well have been avoided...
Tyson sighed, then his sharp eyes darted across the clearing, suddenly taking note of the absence of their companions. Frowning, he retrieved his notepad, and scrawled quickly, "Where are Hiro and Shun?"
His inked words were barely visible in the gloom, so Tyson silently accepted that he was likely to be completely dumb for the rest of the night. How irritating...

Defeat began to loom over Koaru as minutes slipped into hours. He couldn’t even put into words how stressed he felt. It was as though somebody had ripped out his insides and left an empty pulsating hole where his stomach was supposed to be.

Exhausted and slightly lost, Koaru finally decided to stop walking as his own familiar footsteps came into sight.
This is going no where...I'm walking in circles
Breathing in deeply, he slowly tried to calm himself down a little. He knew that he wasn't thinking clearly and stress induced cold-sweat trickled icily down his spine.
I don't understand. Why am I so worried. Tyson's my friend so it's natural to be concerned, but this...this is something else.
Squeezing his eyes shut Koaru concentrated once more on trying to find his friend.
A very faint chakra lingered in the distance, but it was unrecognizable at this point.
As the minutes passed by, the chakra became stronger and stronger, until finally a figure's outline could be vaguely seen in the darkness of the forest.

Unafraid Koaru felt his fingers latch around the handle of his Kunai instinctively as he stepped into the moonlight. His purple hair had come unloose from it's bun during his search through the tress and now lay in a loose untidy plait down his spine.
With a harden expressio0n, Koaru waited for the mysterious figure to step into the open.
When the shadowy presence did so, moonlight eliminated the sharp curves of Tyson's proud face.

A wave of relief crashed over Koaru as he stepped towards Tyson's mute form.
“It's really you...I've been searching for you”, He murmured with a soft smile as the man nodded in simple greeting.
Tyson's expression held an apologetic edge to it, but Koaru barely even saw this as he stretched his soft arms around Tyson's neck, pulling his companion into a silent hug.
A note dangled from Tyson's fingers, but Koaru was in too much of a state to read it as he gently rested his forehead in Tyson's familiar shoulder.
The scent and warmth Tyson seemed to hold, gave him some comfort.
“I'm angry with you. I was sick with worry...where did you go Tyson?”, he murmured softly, not daring to look up as tears began to trickled down from his bluish-gray eyes.
He held his friend close for a few more minutes, not daring to let go and too tired and hurt to really move.
“You left me...”, Koaru repeated with pain in his voice, “I didn't know what to do. I thought I'd lost you.”
Taking in a shaking breath Koaru finally slackened his grip on Tyson's shoulders as he willed himself to gaze into his friend's maroon eyes. His own gray eyes had turned blue from crying and still remained glossy with crystal-like tears.
Tightening his jaw slightly Koaru's elegant features became deadly serious, “Don't do that again...Please Ty. I know that you can look after yourself. But I lo-”, he broke off realizing that he had said too much.
Pulling away ever so slightly, Koaru wiped away his tears away on his sleeve.
“Forgive me...”, he murmured a little sullenly, “I was just worried about you.”
He didn't want to admit the words he had very nearly said.
I'm not thinking straight (Defiantly not Koaru ^^)...I just care about him as a friend. Love isn't the word for how I feel, thought with as a knot of feelings bundled up inside his belly.

Sighing to himself he ran his eyes over Tyson's once more, he caught sight of the note in his friend's hand and quietly took it.
"Where are Hiro and Shun?" , It seemed to ask.
Trying to hid his feeling, he smiled weakly. The gesture lasted for a moment or two, but fell away almost instantly. He simply didn't have it in him.
“I've sent Hiro and Shun on through Hiraku Forest, We'll meet up with them near the river lying between the borderlines”, He explained thoughtfully.
The borderline isn't the safest place, but it's where we'll find our missing nin...it's near Akatsuki Territory

“It's really you... I've been searching for you.” Koaru murmured softly as he approached, and before Tyson could respond, a pair of arms had closed around his shoulders. He stiffened instinctively, but when he attempted to shift away, he was met by Koaru's firm hold, and within a moment he had accepted the gesture, bowing his head and slackening his shoulders in defeat. He stood dead still while his friend's forehead pressed against his shoulder, letting Koaru draw solace from his firm stance. Just as he began to become aware of a faint dampness on his shoulder, Koaru's tearful voice muttered, “I'm angry with you. I was sick with worry... Where did you go Tyson?”
Taken aback, he tried once more to pull away, ready to defend himself, but Koaru's soft grasp might as well have been made of steel for the way it held him. Sighing frustratedly, Tyson held his ground, and bowed his head in something akin to shamed acceptance.
“You left me...” Koaru accused, and Ty flinched at the pain in his voice, tension locking him to the spot. “I didn't know what to do. I thought I'd lost you.”
Swallowing uncomfortably, he shifted his arms around Koaru's shoulders and briefly returned his embrace, offering an apology with the warmth of his gesture. He had never meant to leave... It had simply been unavoidable. Even do, he regretted that he had caused Koaru pain. That had never been his intention.
At last, Koaru's grip around him slackened, and Tyson released his friend, hanging back in an aloof fashion when Koaru drew back to meet his gaze. Tyson looked away shiftily, avoiding the contact, but when his dark eyes found Koaru's again, he met the man's serious gaze defiantly, setting his jaw. Of course he regretted upsetting Koaru, but he refused to show his shame. He would not sink so low.
“Don't do that again..." Koaru scolded seriously, "Please Ty. I know that you can look after yourself. But I lo-”
These words caused his heart to skip a beat, and an uncomfortable swooping sensation in the pit of his stomach urged Tyson to step back, away from Koaru, chin lifted cautiously, and eyes sharp with accusation.
You what? Don't you say it... Don't you dare say it!
Tension locked his muscles firmly in place as he watched his friend expectantly, his mouth dry with dread.
Koaru, wiping his misty eyes on his sleeve, saw nothing. But when he spoke again, it was in a sullen whisper.
“Forgive me...” He murmured, “I was just worried about you.”
Tyson considered him warily for a moment, still hanging back like a cautious deer regarding a lion. Then, slowly, he offered a stiff nod, choosing to accept Koaru's excuse. Even so, he insisted on distancing himself, deeply shaken by his friend's near-miss. No words had caused such a great effect on him since... Well, as far back as he could remember. And worse still, he could not quite identify the effect as 'bad'...

Tyson fretted over this for a while, but luckily, before he could over-think the moment too far, Koaru noticed the note in his hand, and answered, “I've sent Hiro and Shun on through Hiraku Forest, We'll meet up with them near the river lying between the borderlines.” He looked at his friend nervously, almost afraid to meet his gaze, then replied with a stiff nod, and rubbed gooseflesh from his arms in a dignified fashion. At the very sight of his friend, a shiver ran down his spine. It would take a little while for him to recover from Koaru's near confession, no doubt.
Flicking his tongue over his dry lips, Tyson turned his back on Koaru, and took a few steps away, drawing in a deep breath to calm himself. He was obsessing too much over one small detail, one tiny slip of tongue... It was time to put it behind him, and refocus. As far as he was concerned, it had never happened.
If only I could believe that...
With another anxious swallow, Tyson sighed, and turned back to Koaru, notepad in hand.
The evening gloom dulled his crisp script, but he emboldened his text with size as he wrote, and even in the murky darkness, his words were just visible.
'I'm sorry.' The note read simply, recording a rare apology in black and white. The act of writing calmed him and, flipping the page, Tyson added elegantly, 'I regret that I made you worry, but I had no other option, and no time for explanation. I warned you before that I must avoid that village.
He paused in his writing then, squinting at the page, then casting an irritable glare at the dark sky overhead, the new moon hiding unhelpfully in darkness. Unsure whether Koaru could even read his message, Tyson wrote on.
'Allow me to explain... I mentioned once before that I am a Missing Nin of the Hidden Sand, and with that label comes certain... Inconveniences. That village is a popular location for Shinobi from my old village to hide in waiting, ready to ambush. I could not afford to be sighted by any of my trackers, particularly the one I saw today. It would only delay the mission, and put our team in danger. So to spare us the hassle, I feel I had no choice but to hide myself.' He tapped his pen firmly on the page, stabbing it right through with the finality of his physical statement, then flipped it over again to add, with the last of the dim evening light, 'I am sorry that my actions upset you, but I stand by my choice. I was always hell bent upon finding you again, and I always will be, you should know that. For this mission, at the very least, my fealty is to you.'

Koaru watched with hidden anxiety as Tyson turned his back on him and took a few steps in the opposite direction.
Is he upset about what I said?...I wouldn't blame him, but it really was just a slip of the tongue...wasn't it?
Feeling stressed Koaru clenched his fingers tightly as a good few minutes passed between the two men.
When Tyson wheeled back around to face him, Koaru dropped his tension just as quickly as he had taken it up.
Watching his friend with innocent question, Koaru remained rather quiet as Tyson reached for his notepad and began to write out his own words.
His hand moving with flowing rhythm as his elegant font began to fill the page.
When his words were finally held up and revealed, Koaru had to squint through the darkness to make out the characters.
'I'm sorry. I regret that I made you worry, but I had no other option, and no time for explanation. I warned you before that I must avoid that village.'
Looking up at Tyson with consideration, Koaru nodded with some understanding. His friend had originally shown great reluctance to entering the village and Koaru almost felt bad for scolding him now. There had to be a logical explanation behind his friend's actions. Tyson wasn't the kind to act without reason and Koaru should have thought about that before simply getting angry.
Apology seemed to linger on his lips and he sighed, placing a hand to his forehead “I guess I'm at fault here too...I shouldn't be angry, you have your reasons for your actions, whatever they may be.”
Fiddling with a strand of hair, Koaru thought back on his foolish teammates, “You warned me as well about the danger in that village, but instead of passing on your words on to Shun and Hiro, I just let them walk away.”
He smiled again, through sad eyes however, “I shouldn't have gotten angry with. I was just worried out of my mind...I've told before haven't I?”, he paused suddenly lapsing into seriousness that was almost unbecoming.
“I don't like to think on death and I-...I don't want to loose my friends”
For a single moment Koaru could felt his old self shift over his form. Resisting Mordekai's grip, Koaru shivered in response before gazing up to stare at Tyson with a soft smile.
Tyson's dark features held an unknown expression on them and all Koaru could really make out in the ever darkening forest was his friend's scribbling pen, as it wrote out the explanation Koaru had so desperately been wanting to read.
With careful observation, Koaru thought over each word as they passed before his mysterious eyes in sentences of explanation and wise opinion.
Your being hunted by your village. It's Sad really and I see now how that would affect our mission...A wise decision in avoiding confrontation my dear friend....All is in the name of a greater cause... Not that I'm all that pleased about being left behind though, He thought broodily as he leaned over on his toes to read over a sentence he had almost missed thanks to the general lack of light.
'I am sorry that my actions upset you, but I stand by my choice. I was always hell bent upon finding you again, and I always will be, you should know that. For this mission, at the very least, my fealty is to you.'
A subtle blushed passed over Koaru's pale cheeks and he blinked at Tyson, secretly touched by the man's loyalty.
Not many people had ever stayed at his side like Tyson did, in fact he recalled only one other person who had remotely done something similar and that person was his own father.
Taking hold of Tyson's shoulder with a delicate hand, Koaru beamed at his friend, “It was a misunderstanding on my part... Shall we put it behind us?”, he asked thoughtfully.
Giving his friend a firm pat on the back, Koaru pulled away, tucking arms tucked playfully behind his head as he began to pad into the darkness. “Well, now that I've found you, I guess we should start moving again”
With a curious wink he added softly, “We've got a lot of enemies from the Sand and River to avoid tonight...Lets do our best shall we?”

Tyson flinched when Koaru gripped his shoulder, instantly tensing as he shifted aloofly away from his friend. He had no interest in being touched after the fright Koaru's little slip of tongue had given him a moment ago.
“It was a misunderstanding on my part..." Koaru admitted, causing Ty to twitch as he patted his back, "Shall we put it behind us?”
Hearing this, he had to admit, was a relief, and Ty was pleased to smile and nod in response. It was about time that they buried the hatchet. He had never been particularly fond of 'drama', so he was glad that Koaru was willing to let this go.
“Well, now that I've found you, I guess we should start moving again.” His friend suggested suddenly, "We've got a lot of enemies from the Sand and River to avoid tonight... Lets do our best shall we?”
Nodding, Tyson slipped his notepad into his pocket, and fell into step beside Koaru.

The two Shinobi traveled in companionable silence throughout the night, keen to catch up with Hiro and Shun as soon as possible, and when morning dawned bright and clear, Tyson could not deny that he was beginning to feel the first signs of weariness. They journeyed on for the next few hours into the day, until Tyson caught sight of a pool formed by the river flowing nearby. It was fed from one side by a small, gushing waterfall, and Ty couldn't help but stop to stare appreciatively at it.
He rolled his shoulders, feeling the stale stickiness of sweat from the night's journey, and he shuddered in disgust as he reached out to touch Koaru's arm, gesturing toward the lake.
Without waiting for an answer, he approached the water, carefully unzipping the hoodie he always wore on the way. He shrugged it off, then folded it and placed it neatly on a rock near the water's edge, his notepad and pen balanced on top.
As he began removing his shirt, Tyson was visited by a strange niggling of discomfort, obviously still the product of the fright Koaru had given him the night before.
It was a slip of tongue. He reminded himself firmly, It meant nothing.
As though to cement his point, he tugged off his shirt and dropped it onto the rock, then rolled up his pants and walked over to the lake, head held proudly despite the lingering knot of anxiety in his stomach. He had never been particularly fond of undressing in front of others, and somehow in front of Koaru his shyness was even greater than usual.
Flicking back a lock of fringe, Tyson stepped into the water, testing it with his bare feet. Then he paused a moment, and dived elegantly into the deep water, allowing himself to become submerged for a moment. When he resurfaced, his dark hair was plastered to his face, gleaming black as oil against his smooth olive skin as he lifted his head above water. His beautifully muscled torso was shielded by the water, distorted by the rippling surface to allow him at least a little chance to 'hide'.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Tyson rubbed the dirt from his skin, already feeling clean and refreshed with the cool river water washing around him.

Night dawned into day as the two men pressed on through the forest.
They had been walking non-stop throughout the night and it was early morning by the time they had finally reached the river Koaru shown to Hiro and Shun.
Deciding to take a more up stream route they padded on until a soft touch on Koaru's arm halted him.
Blinking away the tiredness, he turned to gaze curiously back at Tyson with a soft expression. His cloud-grey eyes followed Tyson's gestured hand towards a small clear pool that had formed between the river and a gushing waterfall.
It was beautiful sight carved perfectly into nature and Koaru smiled appreciatively at it as he thought over the stories his mother used to tell him about the spirits of the forest.
“Lovely isn't it?”, he commented cheerfully as he watched Tyson walked towards the water's edge.
I wonder what he's up to?, Koaru pondered with some interest as Tyson removed his hoodie, folding it up neatly and placing it safely out of the water's reach.
A strange sense of awkward shyness suddenly passed over him as Tyson began to remove his shirt, revealing his bare muscled chest.
His mute friend was in divine shape and with a silent almost innocent gaze, Koaru stole peek from beneath long lashes to take in his handsome friend's appealing form.
I feel so awkward about this, We're just friends so I wonder why that is?...I usually don't have a problem with people changing in front of me, especially guys., he mulled with slight concern as he placed a hand over his cheek in thought.
With a sudden splash of water, Tyson disappeared beneath the water's surface in an elegant dive and coming out of his daze Koaru waited for him to resurface.
When Tyson did so, Koaru allowed a small laugh to escape his lips as his friend's damp hair clung cutely to his tanned face.
“Are you enjoying that then? It looks refreshing” He teased briefly as he stepped closer to the water to examine it with some hesitance.
In honesty Koaru felt filthy from their journey and wanted nothing more than to scrub away the dirt that clung to his skin. Yet as his eyes fell to Tyson, he suddenly felt slight shame tense his limbs.
Maybe I should just leave it, I don't know if I could undress in front of another person...then again, when will we have time again relax like this again?
Sitting down a nearby rock, Koaru took off his shoes, revealing his slender white feet. With a testing foot he touched the cool water before him. The cool sensation was bliss on his hot feet and Koaru closed his eyes and relaxed for a moment in utter peace.
He could hear the rustling of the forest in the background and the swaying of grass as the wind swayed them in rhythmic dance.
Gaining some courage Koaru finally got to his feet. Removing his body protector, gear and jacket Koaru waded into the water a small distance away from were Tyson swam.
Turning his back towards his friend, he shyly began to untie his white ninja Gi shirt.

As he let it the material slip over his feminine shoulders, he felt a heavy blush pass over his beautiful features.
I wished I looked more like other men...I hope that Tyson won't hate me, he mulled silently as some shame passed over him.
Koaru felt extremely vulnerable without his shirt and he usually didn't dare reveal his feminine torso to others if possible.
However feeling as filthy as he did, he swallowed his pride began to wash away both the shame and the dirt.
Pulling the bandaged loose from his plaited hair, he allowed the purple mass to flow elegantly down his spine and into the water around him.
From behind he look exactly like one of the water goddesses depicted in the old folktales.
The elegantly tattooed dragon that ran along his pale ribbed side marked his heritage as a member of the infamous Kenshinryu Clan.

“Are you enjoying that then? It looks refreshing." A voice called, startling Tyson out of his thoughts. He had become so intent on ignoring Koaru's presence that he had nearly forgotten he was there, and upon remembering, the awkwardness returned. Tyson looked away in an aloof fashion, shrugging as he sunk deeper into the water. Angling himself slightly away from Koaru, he attempted to ignore the tingling sensation of his friend's eyes upon him, and continued to wash the dirt from his skin.

It took Koaru a long time to conjure the courage to join him in the lake, and all the while Tyson paid as little attention to him as he did to the clouds drifting by overhead. His attention was focused only on cleansing himself of the dirt of their travels and, perhaps, on distracting himself from the lingering awkwardness that he still felt like a tense wall between himself and Koaru.
When he heard the subtle splash of the man entering the lake, however, Tyson jerked his head around to glance in the direction of the sound out of instinct. His eyes fell upon Koaru's elegant bare back, and once he had looked, Tyson could not immediately look away. His blood-brown eyes traced the feminine contours of Koaru's pale back, visible for only a heartbeat before his long hair fell over it, cascasing down into the water with a healthy gleam. It struck the surface, then shifted and spread out like spilled ink, leaving Tyson transfixed by the beauty of it. There was something about the sight that was reminiscent of an artwork, or pehaps he just felt that way because the emotion it drew from him was the same. The simple dignity and elegance, the sheer beauty of the sight, it was something that drew a deep-set respect from him. He appreciated the picturesque scene in the deepest chasms of his mind, where his thoughts seldom dared roam.
Silently, with a sense of shy approval, Tyson turned his eyes away, blushing secretively. It was not the first time that he had been touched by Koaru's beauty, but it had never affected him before. Not like this.
He truly is like something crafted from a paintbrush... It is exquisite, like art in living flesh. I wonder if he sees it himself?
Casting a curious glance back at the bathing man, Tyson caught sight of a tattoo running down his feminine side, and he frowned slightly. It was a depiction of a dragon, twisting fiercely about the flesh, and something about it seemed oddly familiar.
I have seen that symbol before. Tyson thought, frowning to himself, I do not remember where, but... I have a feeling that there is more to this man than he lets on. Then again... Tyson's gaze fell to his own chest, and the circular swirl of symbols that made up the seal etched across his breast, 'He is not the only one...'
Dismissing his suspicions, Tyson stood, drops of water running down the contours of his chiseled muscles. He shivered, and hoisted himself out of the lake, making his way back over to his clothes. He was clean now, and his mind felt clear and calm once more. He had been getting frazzled recently - perhaps the effects of Koaru's subtle anxiety rubbing off on him - and felt good to be his cool, focused self once more.

Tactful as he was, Tyson turned his back while he dressed, then walked away to sit on a rock just out of sight of the river, giving Koaru his privacy. With isolation for company, Tyson opened his notebook and flipped to the back, where his drawings resided. For the next few minutes, he found himself carelessly sketching a rough rendition of Koaru; hair flowing elegantly in the gentle current of the river. Once a few quick strokes of his pen had immortalized the image, he flipped his notepad closed and turned his attention to the sky, watching the clouds drift by overhead. His soaking hair dripped beads of water onto his cheeks, and Tyson breathed a sigh of relief as the chill of the water cooled him. He was relaxed again at last.

Washing away the filth of their battles, Koaru bathed silently in cool water of the river.
He could feel his energy slowly return to him as he began to finally relax.
He was getting used to Tyson's presence in the background and came to secretly enjoy it despite clinging so firmly to his privacy.
Smiling silently to himself, Koaru ran his fingers through his soaking hair as he washed out the musky scent of smoke that had tainted it.
Occasionally he'd steal a hidden glance to Tyson's side of the river out of seer curiosity, but for the most part he mulled over the mission at hand.
There was a lot to be done and Koaru knew that when he'd face the missing nin, he'd have to battle against his old comrades for the last time.
Perhaps I can still change their minds, I have to at least try..., he thought with some determination, almost desperate to believe his words.

When Tyson stood up suddenly, Koaru instinctively turned towards him with a curious gaze. It was clear that his handsome friend was ready to take his leave and with a polite nod Koaru watched Tyson walked way into the forest.
He's really handsome...I can't imagine any girl who wouldn't want to court him, Koaru thought with some disappointment as odd feelings of jealously shifted through his gut.
He felt rather lonely without Tyson, but took the opportunity to calm his mind and to finish bathing.
Swimming with some grace, he rinsed his hair beneath the gushing water of the waterfall.
His grey eyes clouded with thought as he worked away the last of the dirt.
The marking on Tyson's chest linger vaguelly before his mind's eye and intelligently Koaru mulled over the bizarre symbol.
He had studied enough jutsu's to roughly understand the ancient markings, but it didn't help him even in the slightest when it came to figuring out Tyson.
Divinity, Fire, Earth, Sun, Patience...Those are the few I recognize, but it is unusual for them to be grouped together in such an odd formation...Just what are you hiding Tyson. We all have our secrets it's true, but yours...well they are ever mysterious and always silent
After a few more minutes of relaxing, Koaru stepped out of the water and back onto land.
Dressing himself once more and covering up his feminine shame, Koaru tied up his soaking hair with a simple bandage. He figure it would dry with the warm weather.

Keen to find Tyson again, Koaru followed the faint scent of his chakra to an area just a little way from the river.
Finding Tyson neatly perched on the rock, Koaru felt himself hesitate slightly as he took in his handsome friend's thoughtful expression.
It held intensity to it that Koaru couldn’t help but admire.
Blinking in simple friendliness Koaru greeted him, “So you've been hiding out here have you?”
He grinned before taking a step closer, gazing at the drifting clouds that had so clearly stolen Tyson's attention. “The weather will change again”, he murmured observantly as a few black clouds threatened to take up the brilliant blue sky.

Meeting Tyson with a understanding gaze he stared back towards the forest, “We'll do best to find shelter before then...are you ready to go?”, he questioned softly.

The two traveled on for good few hours longer and the morning skipped quickly into afternoon.
They were traveling towards a nearby town Koaru had mentioned and they when they rounded the final corner of the route Koaru suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.
“The scent of blood and smoke hang heavily the air here”, he murmured with clear disturbance before breaking into a small jog.
As he came to the town's charred gate way, Koaru took in the horrific sight with widened eyes.
Stepping slowly through the charred gates that had once protected the town, Koaru was met with a war scene beyond what he had seen in years.
Burned down houses, vacant buildings and uncountable corpses filled the scenery.
Flecks of ash rained down like snow as the wind carried them gently over the cobblestone roads.
“No...This isn't right?! Surely the war hasn't touched the river country so deeply inland”, he stammered with some panic as he stared with desperation towards Tyson.

Padding through the littered streets with grief, Koaru paused before making his way towards a corpse belonging to a small child.
Fearfully he reach out to touch the sunken-eyed child, his delicate fingers making contact with the cold dead skin.
An odd expression of understanding seemed came over his sorrowful features as he assured himself of the child's inanimate state.
Feeling a sense of finality, Koaru slid the child's eyes closed before uttering a small prayer beneath his lovely lips, sending it's soul off to the other world kindly like a guardian angel would.
Crouching down and holding his knees to his chest, Koaru felt a few tears well as he buried his face in his knees.
“I don't understand...Tyson, this child was alive the last time I came to this village.”, he murmured through a painful voice.
His fingers tightened cruelly around his own arms, leaving red marks where his nails had scratched his skin,“This wasn't war that did this...”, He sudden stated with some intensity as he finally looked up at Tyson. Breathing in deeply and trying to calm himself, Koaru rest his chin on the knees as he continued, ”Joshua and Blaine...this place reeks of their jutsu.”
We didn't stop them in time...those missing nin were my responsibility. I should have gotten here earlier.

By the time the sun had begun sinking in the sky, Tyson and Koaru had arrived in a village, if it could even be called a village. In reality, it was more like a scar on the face of the earth; an open wound still leaking smoke and devastation. The sight of the bodies littering the streets made Tyson's lip pull back in disgust. The smell was horrendous, but aside from that, he was not too concerned by the genocide. It was none of his concern, and as usual, it was not his job to care. He didn't see a reason why he ought to pity these poor strangers who had somehow ended up on the wrong side of the violence.
Unfortunately, as little as Tyson cared, his kindhearted companion still cared all too much. They had been walking barely a minute when Koaru vanished from his sight, and Tyson glanced down to find his friend dropped to his knees beside a small, slightly charred corpse. It was the body of a child.
Tyson's jaw tightened, but with arms folded over his chest, he showed little reaction to the brutality. If the child were dying, perhaps his reaction might have been different – but the dead would always remain dead. Nothing could change the thing's fate, so he saw absolutely no reason to waste so much as a breath on it.
“I don't understand... Tyson, this child was alive the last time I came to this village.” Koaru murmured beside him, and Tyson glanced down to see his friend's eyes wet with tears. Sympathy tugged at his heart at last, and with a quiet sigh, he dropped into a crouch beside Koaru, silently studying the child's corpse as he accompanied his friend, quietly sharing his misery.
“This wasn't war that did this...”Koaru muttered intensely, looking directly at him with glassy eyes, ”Joshua and Blaine... This place reeks of their jutsu.” Ty's jaw clenched, and he nodded in silent understanding. Their mission was becoming more urgently.
Squeezing Koaru's shoulder in a brief gesture of comfort, Tyson stood, and offered his friend a hand. Pulling him to his feet, Tyson held Koaru's hand just a moment longer, hoping to reassure him, then released it when he felt a drop of liqui strike his cheek. He looked up, just as a low growl of thunder rumbled from the dark clouds overhead. Another drop of rain struck Ty's face, and he twitched irritably. Within moments, the large drops were falling faster, and Tyson could sense a storm on it's way.
Touching Koaru's arm, he pointed toward a slightly charred house nearby. Half of the roof had caved in, but most of the structure still stood, and it would provide some shelter, at least.
We must get out of the rain. It's late, anyway. We ought to rest up so we can hurry on to meet up with Hiro and Shun.
Nodding to Koaru to follow him, Tyson hurried on into the building, and managed to find a sheltered corner under what remained of the staircase. Splintered bits of wood lay littered about them, but Tyson instantly began making the most of it. Pushing Koaru gently to sit down beneath the staircase, Ty started gathering the splintered bits of wood, and he soon had a neat pile built.
With a few quick seals, he had conjured a tiny tongue of flame, which he bound around the pile like a red-hot scarf. Once the wood had caught alight, Tyson dismissed his flame, leaving a peacefully crackling campfire in its wake. With that, he sighed heavily, and sat down beside Koaru, resting his head back on the wall, and closing his eyes for a moment. It was the first time that he had showed any indication of how exhausted he was, and in a way, it was a mark of his trust for Koaru. Usually, Tyson was never comfortable showing even the slightest amount of weakness. In front of Koaru, however, he had come to feel safe, and good riddance. He was in desperate need of a rest.

Gazing up at Tyson through slowly welling tears, Koaru gratefully took hold of his friend's outstretched hand and pulled himself back onto his feet.
For a moment longer he held Tyson's hand out of the seer need for living contact. Then just as quickly as the first droplets of ran began to fall, Tyson released Koaru's hand and glanced towards the sky.
Following his friend's thoughtful gaze, Koaru stared upwards to take in the intimidating sight of massive black rain clouds. A streak of lightening flickered in the distance followed by the heavy bellow of thunder.
Koaru felt his calm nature slowly fall back into place as a subtle sense of acceptance passed over him. It is done. This village has seen it's days and I have shed my tears for it's memory., he thought as cold rain drenched his clothes and soaked his fringe to his forehead.
“A harsh storm is coming our way, he'd do best to leave”, he murmured observantly before turning towards Tyson as his mute friend's soft hand touched his arm.
Tyson clearly shared his thoughts and pointed towards a nearby house with a dilapidated room. It was in appalling condition, but still it remained the best out the pick.
Koaru nodded in understanding, offering up a cheerful smile towards Tyson as the rain continued to shower down upon them harshly.
“Good plan, I'll follow your lead”
Following Tyson with complete trust, they managed to escape the rain and fled to the shelter of the house.
The house proved to be in worse shape than what they had originally thought, but inventively Tyson picked out a relatively well sheltered spot beneath what used to the staircase.
Feeling Tyson's hand on his shoulder, Koaru did as commanded and gently set himself down in the hollowed out spot.
Getting out of rain defiantly a good move and Koaru felt deeply grateful to have Tyson as his side. The man was someone Koaru could really rely on when things came down to it's worst and even his silent company proved to be a comfort in the dark.

Taking note of Tyson's actions, Koaru assisted in picking up bits of wood, placing them in a neat pile as Tyson did.
After a few minutes later Tyson had the wood perched into a perfect campfire arrangement.
Koaru's pulled his knee's up his chest as he curiously watched Tyson conjure up a ribbon of flame.
The jutsu held some wonder to it and the beauty of the flame captivated Koaru as it wrapped around the logs obediently.
Tyson tames fire with such grace. The technique is really beautiful, it flows in a way that is almost like water, He thought silently as he rubbed away some of the cold from his arms.
The crackling fire certainly warmed Koaru up, but he still couldn’t shake the cold dampness that plagued hung to his wet clothing.
Shivering slightly, he turned his focus to Tyson, keen to pull his attention away from the freezing cold that prickled his skin with goosebumps.
A tired sigh escaped Tyson's lips and for the first time Koaru actually saw exhaustion in his friend's movements as Tyson sat down beside him with his back against the wall.
He's done so much for me...I wonder why he pushes himself so far for my sake?
With softening eyes Koaru felt his lips curl into a subtle smile as Tyson's closed his eyes and rested.
“Thanks Tyson, I appreciate everything you've done for me so far...I really do.”, he whispered softly.
He would never say it aloud, but when he thought over Tyson, it was with secret affection and admiration. The man had quickly built up a strong bond with him and Koaru felt proud to be Tyson's friend.
I wonder how things will be once this mission is finally over, he ponder with some interest as his he imaged scenes of him and Tyson walking and talking together.
Suddenly feeling deeply cold, the wind crept in through the roof and threatened to kill their tiny campfire.
A despondent expression passed over Koaru's lips as he came to a more realistic conclusion,We'll have to part ways after this mission won't we?...
Closing his eyes and trying to ignore the freezing cold, Koaru rested his chin neatly on his tucked up knees. With his cold arms enveloping his shivering form, Koaru tried to drift into some state of sleep.
Eventually when none came, he just sat their motionless with his eyes open, staring towards the slowly dying fire as droplets of rain water trickled down from the roof onto his whitening cheeks.

Tyson rested for a good few minutes, until at last Koaru's whispered voice caught his attention, and he cracked one eye open as he tilted his head to listen. “Thanks Tyson, I appreciate everything you've done for me so far... I really do.” His friend murmured, and Tyson just grunted in response, shrugging off Koaru's thanks like he always did. Of course, he did appreciate it. It was always nice to be thanked, after all, but coming from Koaru it was far from necessary. The man had saved both his and Lizzie's lives. Nothing he did could repay such a debt.
Casting a sideways glance in his companion's direction, Tyson noticed how Koaru's pale hands trembled as they hugged his knees, and his brow creased into a frown.
You fool. He thought with irritable concern, You're sitting there frozen to the bone, and you don't say a word...
Sighing heavily, Tyson eased off his thick, hooded jacket, exposing his bare, muscled arms. With a casual flick of his wrists, he draped the jacket over Koaru's shoulders. Once he had tweaked it into a neat position, he folded an arm around the man's back, and pulled him roughly closer, allowing Koaru to share in his body warmth. Due to his fiery jutsu, Tyson was always a little warmer than the average person, so he was used to others being cold to the touch. Even so, Koaru was like a block of ice. Frowning in concern, Tyson squeezed his frigid friend a little closer, and used his free hand to conjure another small tongue of flame to resuscitate their dying campfire.

Even with Koaru held to his side like a chick under its mother's wing, Tyson still maintained his usual aloof nature, never meeting his friend's eyes, and just staring dead ahead into the burning embers of the campfire, shoulders slightly tense from the effort of caring. It was not like him to give a damn at the best of times, but there was something about Koaru that made Tyson feel that he just couldn't not care for him. Perhaps it was the simple knowledge that Koaru, in all his gentleness and kindheartedness, would never immediately care for himself.

The pair sat thus deep into the night, until at last Tyson felt Koaru warm and still beside him, his breathing steady and rhythmic. Just a few moments later, Tyson found himself drifting off to sleep as well.
His sleep was a deep one, but his dreams were troubled with fretful images, and he found himself feeling restless even within his slumber. The din of the thunder and rain outside hid any sounds warning of approaching danger, but the storm could not hide the tension in the atmosphere that warned of something disastrous waiting to occur.
It was well past midnight when a floorboard in the rickety house creaked, alerting Tyson to a familiar presence lurking dangerously nearby. He shifted groggily out of sleep, and as he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the flash of a blade in the darkness. In an instant, panic lanced through him.
Tekuru! He's here!

With his eyes staring blankly at the flickering flames, Koaru dozed off for a few seconds, silently fighting off the cold that bit harshly into his pallid skin.
He would never complain if it meant burdening his friend and as a result he suffered wordlessly without objection.
When Tyson's warm jacket crept across his damp shoulders, Koaru awoke slowly with a puzzled blink as he gazed towards his companion in mild uncertainty.
“Ty?...”, He questioned softly, as his friend adjusted the warm article of clothing across his cold back. Shivering slightly at the sudden touch of heat, Koaru smiled for a moment before frowning with some concern. “What about you?...”, he murmured softly. His gentle eyes traced over Tyson's bare muscular arms and he objected passively, “You'll get cold too”

A sharp gust of wind howled wildly through an opening in the roof, silencing Koaru rudely as it whipped him coldly across his face, forcing a small gasp from his lips.
Instinctively he pulled the jacket closer over his frail body in an attempt to shelter himself.
When Tyson's warm arm wrapped around his frozen shoulders protectively, Koaru's eyes widened in honest surprise.
He knew that Tyson had a kind heart, but it this rare act of kindness was one he would never quite forget.
Blushing secretly to himself, Koaru hesitantly rested his head against Tyson's hot shoulder as the man tucked him closer to his side, shielding him from the harsh elements.
When the wind ceased it's assault, Koaru offered up an innocent towards his friend.
He's so warm...warmer than any other person I've met, Koaru mulled silently as he felt the cold in his limbs slowly melt away.
Tyson's eyes didn't seemed to see him, but Koaru understood this and stared at the tiny lick of fire Tyson seemed so intently interested in.
He's shy...I wish I could tell him how happy I feel. It's strange, but I feel so comfortable here at his side. I don't wan to move away...don't pull away

Together the pair sat like that throughout most of the night. Taking turns to doze off into light fazes of near sleep.
Thunder rumbled like a ghostly bellow in the background and it was more than once that Koaru had caught the sharp flash of lightening dart across the sky.
When Midnight finally lapsed into the early beginnings of dark morning, Koaru perked up at an unusual sound in their rickety shelter.
Throughout the hours the young ninja had honed in on the sounds around them, taking in the comfort of their natural tunes. This particular one however, didn't fit into the concert.
A creaking floorboard set Koaru on high alert as he sensed a strange presence stalking beneath the cover of darkness.The only light that filled the room was the still charring coals of their campfire.

Anxiety twisted Koaru's gut and after a second or two, their intruder’s cruel face leaped out of the shadows like a masked demon.
An Anbu warrior?
The stranger's movements were frighteningly quick and fearing for Tyson's safety, Koaru took charge as the familiar hiss of a sword whistled through the air.
A Shimmer of silver flashed effortlessly through the dark and directly towards Tyson's chest.
“NO LEAVE HIM!!”
Crying out desperately, Koaru forced himself out of Tyson's hold, stepping with inhuman speed between the katana's cutting blade and his targeted companion's chest.
The sound of slicing flesh bled into the air.
Staring at his enemy with through stubborn eyes, Koaru felt his legs tremble slightly as hot blood began to pour from his wounded stomach in thick streaming droplets.
Gasping with mild shock, Koaru's grey eyes widened slightly as his delicate fingers touched the elegant handle of the sword. It's owner still clung firmly the weapon and with a repulsed glare, the man jerked his dark hand forwards then upwards with a seppaku like technique.

An agonized scream broke for Koaru's fair lips as the blade widened the wound, threatening to gut him as it pierced through the flesh of his pale back.
It's hurts...I want to die it, hurts so much.
Panting heavily through intense pain, Koaru gritted his teeth, still determined to protect Tyson.
Summoning up a ribbon of blood through his jutsu, Koaru sliced with grace at the stranger's hand, forcing the man to release his hold over the sword and clutch at the swallow wounds to his hand and chest.
Once he was free, Koaru swayed weightlessly for a moment before collapsing to his knees as he stared up at the threateningly figure before him.
Clutching the fatal wound to his belly, Koaru stammered a single question ,“W-Who are you?”.
His soft eyes seemed to glazed over ever so slightly as crimson blood pool beneath him.

As the masked man stepped forward from the darkness, Tyson struggled to dodge his lightning-quick attack, but his movements were slow and groggy, and as he saw the blade darting toward him, he realized with grim acceptance that he simply could not move away fast enough. He closed his eyes to accept his fate, when suddenly a loud shout ripped through his daze. “NO, LEAVE HIM!!”
His eyes jerked open, but Koaru's actions were too fast for him to follow, and before Tyson could even register what was happening, he heard the sickening sound of steel piercing flesh, and a splash of warm liquid splattered over him. The scent of blood filled the room, and in a heartbeat, Tyson was on his feet.
"Koaru, no-" He gasped urgently, but his warning came too late.
He raced forward to help his friend, but before he could do a thing, the blade was jerked upwards, and Koaru fell to the ground with a scream, his midriff split wide open. Blood rapidly soaked his clothes, quickly pooling on the floor at their feet, and in the blink of an eye is was plain to see that the wound was fatal.
You've killed him! Tekuru, you heartless bastard! A fierce burning sensation started in Tyson's throat, then accosted his eyes as he whipped around, turning his back on his fallen friend. Tekuru had picked up his blade, and as Tyson wheeled to face him, he glanced the katana aside with a hidden kunai.
Staring into that masked face, with the image of his bloodsoaked friend still fresh in his mind, Tyson felt fury engulf the entirety of his being. Usually so calm and collected, to see the man with such fire in his eyes was a horrifying sight.
"What have you done?!" He shouted furiously, hurling his kunai savagely at Tekuru. It bounced off the side of his face, and both mask and weapon fell to the floor with a clatter, leaving Tyson to glare into his opponent's eyes with the ferocity of a monster. "How dare you lay a hand on him?!" Tyson raged, the words leaping passionately from his lips without even a hint of conscious thought. Emotion choked him, and his voice was hoarse from lack of use, but the pure fury in it burned like fire.
"He was in the way-" Tekuru snarled, smirking evilly. "GO TO HELL!" A loud clash of thunder emphasized Tyson's shout, and with a vicious swing of his hand, he conjured a curtain of flame so hot that it filled the area with a sizzling curtain of steam, evaporating the raindrops before they could even fall to the earth.
Any thoughts of 'holding back' had vanished from Tyson's mind, and he called shamelessly upon his power as bile rose strongly in his throat.
Goddammit, Koaru... It's my fault you're going to die! I swear to God I'll avenge you. With everything that I am, I-
His thoughts were snuffed out into silence, and while Tekuru was still desperately dodging and deflecting Tyson's flames with his own jutsu, a sudden blast of fire engulfed them both. Tekuru cried out in pain as the unbearable heat struck him, and then, for a moment, there was silence. Chakra - dark, red chakra - flowed freely from Tyson, pooling around him and shielding him in a strange, tailed cloak. His eyes flashed red, and a feral snarl slipped from his lips as he launched himself at Tekuru. A blast of ungodly fire followed him, and the Sand Shinobi cursed as he flung himself out of the way, hitting the ground on his shoulder and rolling out of the way.
With eyes devoid of humanity, Tyson slashed out with his hand, cleaving a great wound into the man's arm with a claw of chakra.
"You're a monster!" Tekuru snarled, quickly leaping back, clutching his arm, "I'll be back for you, Tyson, mark my words! And next time your little friend won't be here to protect you!"
With that, he formed a quick seal, and in an instant the room was filled with shadow clones.
As one, they bolted, each fleeing in a different direction, and the mindless beast that had once been Tyson roared in confusion, sending out a blast of fire that incinerated most of what was left of the building. The clones vanished in a puff of smoke, but the real Tekuru was nowhere to be seen, and the Kyuubi still strained at Tyson's seal, feeding off his anger.
His consciousness was faint, and the urge to destroy was almost too much to bear, but with all the control he had left, Tyson fought to suppress the beast. Groaning in agony, he clawed at himself, willing the escaping beast back before it could seize control. The dark chakra seared and boiled his skin, and with each passing second, Tyson felt his control slipping further and further out of reach.
Curse this power! Curse Tekuru and the Hidden Sand... Curse them all!

Finally losing the strength to stand, Koaru collapsed down pitifully upon the charred floorboards. His white fingers were soaked with blood as they clutched the excruciating wound that had been cleaved into his midriff.
He gasped in silent suffering as he tried to breath, his injured organs contracting and relaxing with each labored breath.
“T-Tyson?...”, He stammered weakly as his friend stepped before him to face the Anbu warrior.
Koaru's senses were dulled, but he was sure that he had heard words escape Tyson's silent lips.
Subtly Koaru's felt his own lips curl into an invisible smile. The man had broken his secret vow on Koaru's behalf and despite understanding how important Tyson's vow had been, Koaru felt lucky that he had gotten the opportunity Tyson's beautiful voice.

Blinking numbly, Koaru watched the two figures intently as they darted at each other, clashing their blades with bullet speed and fierce strength.
They were like two monsters out of a perfect fairytale.

Bellowing with ear-splitting audibility in the background, thunder emphasized Tyson's passionate calls as he countered the Anbu warrior with lighting like movements.
Koaru's eyes couldn’t move quick enough to follow them, but when Tyson struck out at the Sand's porcelain mask, an ugly smiling face revealed itself from beneath the white cracks.
Shuddering in discomfort Koaru felt his heart-beat sit in his throat.
That Man is bent of killing Tyson...the cruelty is his features is spine-chilling. I won't let him have his way
“Tyson...”, Koaru murmured softly to himself as he willed his heavy body to move.
Concentrating his remaining strength into his limbs, Koaru managed to lift his dying flesh from the bloodied floor.
As he did so, a brilliant curtain of ungodly hot fire filled the crumbling room. Dodging narrowly out of harm's way Koaru crouched a little distance away from the fight. Clenching his teeth together painfully and gasping from the sudden wave of heat. He began to call upon his own Jutsu.
His eyes darken and as they did so, Thin strings of blood pulled from his wound like earthworms. Upon command Koaru wove his hand elegantly over the gaping flesh and instantly the strings began to stitch together, holding the wound neatly closed.
His inherited Jutsu was a formidable one and it was well know that warriors from the Kenshinryu Clan were difficult to kill.
It'll do nothing to save my organs for now, but at least it'll buy some time, he thought silently as his attention traveled once more to Tyson.

Fire seemed to dance about the room wildly and for a moment both men seemed to disappear within it's cover.
When the flames fell back like a curtain, Koaru felt his lips quiver in dreaded shock as the Anbu warrior’s scream ruptured his ears.
“N-No...It isn't so. It's not possible”, Koaru stammered fearfully as he took a step backwards. His widened eyes taking in the sight of cursed dark red chakra. The energy leaked heavily over Tyson's body and the man's eyes burned a feral red as the legendary hood of a tail beast encased him in hate.
Knowing what was coming the Sand Ninja leaped out of range. His movements however proved slow against the Jinchuuriki and with an effortless slash of his claw, Tyson cut a deep chunk out of the Anbu's arm.
Swearing loudly and clutching his wound, Koaru watched as the man vowed vengeance up Tyson.
"I'll be back for you, Tyson, mark my words! And next time your little friend won't be here to protect you!"
With those words striking deeply into Koaru's heart, the Anbu warrior formed a seal between his fingers, disappearing into a crowd of shadow clones as they fled the dilapidated building.

Tyson's beast form continued to roar mindlessly as it leaped at the clones, bent on tearing them to bits between black fangs and claws.
The sight was horrific and frightening. It was as though Tyson had disappeared almost completely. A blood lusting monster was all that was left and it held it's possession over Tyson's body greedily.
Breathing in deeply, Koaru bit his lip as he thought over how to stop the power of the tailed beast.
He'll destroy himself at his rate...I need to stop him
Pure determination pressed Koaru on into his other state and he stepped towards the beast without fear.
“Tyson!”, He called out to his friend with authoritative strength, catching the attention of the beast in the process.
Without fail the monster seemed to meet his invitation and struck out at him callously, it's black voided eyes dead of all humanity and recognition.
Koaru moved gracefully like a dancer between the beast's blows, dodging them with stealthy skill.
The pain in his stomach lay ignored for the time being and as he stepped back he could feel the stitches loosed through all his movement.
Staring up at Tyson with seriousness, he call out again and again,“Tyson!!...Wake Up! This isn't you!!”
When his calls proved useless, Koaru felt one other idea trickle coldly through his thoughts.
I should have enough blood...I just pray that it's ancient powers will hold down a tailed beast

With a decisive nod, he took a few steps backwards. Miming out a stream of ancient seals, Koaru called upon his Jutsu, “Blood Binding Chain!!”
To his commanding words, blood and water both spilt and spilling came to his aid in the form of massive thick liquid chains.
Casting a hand towards Tyson, he manipulated the chains like giant snakes as they clamped down hard over the Tailed beast's body.
The jutsu was an incredible powerful one and began to sap out the red chakra from the captured beast.
Concentrating with every last ounce of strength, Koaru did his beast to tighten the chains and hold back Tyson.
A high price would need to be paid for such a jutsu, and Koaru could already feel his skin grow cold and bluish as the remaining blood in his body slowly left him.
“Tyson!!! I'm Here! Don't you dare leave me!”, he called out as bloody tears trickled down his cheeks.

The beast snarled and slashed at Koaru, starved for opposition, and blind to the identity of the man it longed to destroy. Tyson's consciousness was far from him, and even when Koaru shouted to him, it was with the ears of a deaf man that Tyson heard his cries. After a moment, a chain of blood suddenly appeared before Koaru, and Tyson stopped a moment in shock as it wrapped, snake-like around him. In a heartbeat, he was bound, the beast unleashed an unworldly cry as the powerful jutsu held it, draining at it's power. It thrashed and flailed, and as its efforts grew more desperate, some of the chains around it began to snap. The thing's power was inconceivable.
But, just when it seemed it might break free, the essence of the Kyuubi began to tire. Its thrashing slowed, and its roars dropped to low growls as its charka was sapped quickly away, leaving just a slim chance for the exhausted Tyson to fight to take control over his body once more. Yet even as the Kyuubi weakened, its jinchuuriki still seemed to lack the resolve to fight it. For one heartstopping moment it seemed like all was lost, but then Koaru's voice cried out through tears, “Tyson!!! I'm Here! Don't you dare leave me!” and from somewhere deep within the chasm of the Kyuubi's power, Tyson heard his friend's voice, and the will to fight flowed back into him like lava.
He was still for a moment, then his eyes flashed open, and with an inhuman effort, he pushed the Kyuubi's power back, slamming it back into its cage deep inside his soul.

The red chakra vanished in a heartbeat, and Tyson dropped to his knees with a pained grunt, grimacing as the bloody chains surrounding him leeched agonizingly at his own chakra for the split-second before Koaru could pull them off.
Tyson trembled on his hands and knees on the dirty ground, his breath coming in short gasps as he struggled to overcome the shock of the Kyuubi's near-escape. His skin was seared in places from the destructive effects of the beast's chakra, but Tyson didn't seem to feel the pain.
Even in his frightful state, his mind could focus only on one thing.
Koaru.
Fighting back the mindnumbing shock, Tyson pushed himself off his hands to stagger weakly to his feet, and then he looked at Koaru, his eyes wide with fear for the first time since the pair had met.
"Koaru..." He whispered, the name slipping like a secret from between trembling lips. His heart wrenched at the sound of his own voice, and he closed his eyes for a moment, grimacing as he turned his head away.
I've failed. But now is not the time to dwell upon it. I have proved myself weak, now I must prove myself strong enough to move on.
"You-" He reached out to his friend, swallowing the taste of blood in his mouth. The concern in his gaze was obvious as his eyes darted over Koaru's paling skin, and the dark crimson stain on his shirt.
You saved me. You've destroyed yourself, but you saved me... You're a damn fool!
Overpowered by grief, Ty stepped forward, and eased Koaru in his embrace, his strong arms closing protectively around his friend's frail shoulders with impossible gentility. Swallowing back the threat of tears, Tyson bowed his head in shame, hiding his face in Koaru's neck.
"You saved my life..." He whispered, his quiet voice weaving a melancholy melody with the rush of the rain crashing down overhead, "Don't you die on my account. Please..."
I'd do anything to save you. God, Koaru, please don't die... Even if it's impossible, just... Live. For me, live...
He swallowed shakily, arms closing a little tighter to support his weak companion.
He's cold as ice. I can't even feel his pulse any more... This is it. But goddammit, I won't say goodbye! Not yet. Not just yet...
"I won't go on without you." Tyson challenged, his voice gaining a little volume at last to replace the whisper with a hoarse, gruff growl.

Koaru watched with silent tension as Tyson fell down painfully to his knees. The man's eyes fading from it's feral red state, back to soft brown as the accursed chakra of the tailed beast began to leave him.
“It is done...thank God he's safe”, Koaru murmured softly as he allowed the crimson chains to burst from their form, releasing Tyson from his leeching bonds.
Tyson seemed to pant from exhaustion. He was in rough shape and Koaru felt his heart go out his precious friend as he saw patches of black burnt flesh stand out painfully against Tyson's soft tanned skin.
Willing himself to move forward, Koaru took a few staggering steps towards Tyson. It was clear that he still wanted to care for his injured friend. And despite his own horrific state he reached out to Tyson with a delicate hand.
"Koaru...", Tyson seemed whispered as he met the leaf ninja with something akin to fear in his eyes.
A gentle smile pulled onto Koaru's lips as he heard Tyson call his name with an angel-like voice.
“I'm here Tyson...you don't need to look so worried”, He smiled softly as a weak laugh escaped his gentle lips.
As his finger's were about to brush against Tyson's shoulder, he pulled back suddenly in deep agonized pain.
The fatal wound that cut down his chest had torn open completely from it's stitching and Koaru felt himself sway unstably as dizziness over powered him.
I'm going to fall..., he thought quietly as his legs began to numb.
Closing his eyes in finality, Koaru felt warmth carefully embrace him like a blanket.
Tyson's arms were gently wrapped around his shoulders and the man supported Koaru against his strong chest.
“Ty?...”, Koaru murmured softly as he hesitantly opened his eyes. He stared at Tyson with warm admiration, but felt his smile sink as he took in the painfully concerned expression that had painted over his companion's features.
"You saved my life...", Tyson seemed whisper, his warm breath caressing Koaru's neck.
Running a hand gently through Tyson's long silky hair, Koaru's expression softened as the man pulled him closer. "Don't you die on my account. Please..."
Nodding silently Koaru stared up towards the dark sky with a thoughtful expression.
”I wouldn't regret it Tyson...you're safe and that alone makes me happy.”
The rain poured on over head and soon found it's way into the building, soaking Koaru and Tyson to the bone once more and washing them clean of blood .
This feels so nice...I wish I could stay here in your arms forever., Koaru thought secretly as a soft smile tainted his pained features.
He could feel his body numbing in places and relaxed into Tyson's arms as they tightened around his thin form. Koaru could no longer hold himself up on his own.
"I won't go on without you.", Tyson seemed challenged through some strength.
Koaru tilted his head back to gaze appreciatively into his friend's stubborn features.
“If I had my way I would never dream of leaving you...Please Tyson, When the dead are gone, the living must live on.”
With his smile ever present Koaru cupped Tyson's cheek gently, “Thank you for caring about me...I'm so happy that I got to meet you... I'm glad that I'm not alone like that child was.”
Koaru's eyes grew dark and heavy with sudden exhaustion and he shuddered painfully as his veins and arteries ached from a lack of blood. Coughing harshly, he struggled to speak, “I feel so tired...let me rest beneath the rain”
With Tyson assisting him, Koaru lay down against the floorboards once more, his ankle length hair sprawling loosely like wings beneath him.
His breathing became laborious and he pressed his eyes closed with silent suffering as pain ate away at him. He felt ill and every part of his body screamed angrily from a lack of blood.
He wanted nothing more that die in peace, but fought on with a single thought driving him forward.
I'll be alone again...He won't be there with me...I can't go, not yet

The stormy night bled slowly into the cold drizzling morning.
Grey light shone in miserably from the crumbling rooftop, touching Koaru's marble-like skin with gentility.
He was still breathing despite his wound and lay unconscious as the Kenshinryu jutsu stitched through animated strings of blood and water, repairing his ruined skin back it's pale perfection.

The weather didn't alter very much over the following few days, but as the fourth day threatened to loom past, Koaru finally began to stir.
Opening his grey eyes sleepily, he stared up at his new surroundings with question.
Where am I..., he ponder silently.
Shifting carefully into sitting position, Koaru felt words linger on his tongue, “Tyson?...”

“If I had my way I would never dream of leaving you... Please Tyson, When the dead are gone, the living must live on.” Koaru whispered weakly, and Tyson froze, pulling back to meet his friend's gaze, his eyes wide in disbelief. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. Koaru was just supposed to say 'I would never dream of leaving you', then stand up perfectly okay, and that would be the end of it. This was all wrong. Why was he talking as if his life was over?
“Thank you for caring about me... I'm so happy that I got to meet you... I'm glad that I'm not alone like that child was.”
Tyson's jaw clenched, and his brows pulled together in a frown as he held Koaru tighter, refusing to let his weak friend fall to the ground. He was beginning to grow annoyed, now. Koaru was speaking in the past tense, as if his life was already over, but that wasn't right. He was still breathing, right? As long as his heart was beating, then it wasn't over.
This is not over, Koaru!
There was still hope, and this time, as long as there was hope, Tyson was not going to let go.
I won't let you die. No matter what, I'm not going to let you die!
Ty felt his head bow in despair as he watched Koaru grow weaker in his eyes, and his throat rapidly tightened with emotion. When Koaru asked to be laid down in the rain, Tyson nodded mutely, and obeyed his friend's instructions without objection. If Koaru was going to die, then he would do so on his own terms. Tyson would see to that. He owed his companion that much, at least.
Please don't die! You can't! Just hold on, keep holding on... ((Stop singing in your head, Inkerz. ))

For hours, Tyson knelt beside Koaru in the driving rain, his knees numb and bruised, and his head silently bowed. He remained there in a silent vigil even as night bled into day, and then gradually, gradually, darkened to night all over again. As long as his friend was still breathing, Tyson remained glued to his side as stubbornly as a shadow. He didn't shed a tear, but his eyes were bloodshot from endless watching, waiting and praying to a deity in whom he barely even believed. ((You're welcome, asshole. -_- )) At one point he had attempted to shield Koaru from the rain, but he found that when he did, the miraculous jutsu at work on his wounds seemed to cease, so Tyson made the difficult decision to leave his friend at the mercy of the elements, soaked and freezing. He used his own jutsu to help keep his companion's body temperature from dropping, often bathing him in a gentle blanket of flame, just to keep the poor man from chilling.

By the third day, Koaru's wound had nearly closed, so Tyson moved him out of the rain, and took him to another building - a cosy stone cottage that had somehow withstood the devastation that had befallen the rest of the village. It was a little tattered and worse for wear, but it was sheltered and warm, and there was even some food left in the rickety cupboards. He carried his friend gently inside, taking care now to jolt or bump him, and laid him carefully on a creaky old bed nestled in the corner room. He dried his companion's clothes with his jutsu, battling slightly for charka, then took a seat on the cold stone floor beside the bed, and returned to waiting.

On the fourth day, the storm ended. Tyson watched with sore, tired eyes as the last of the black clouds was torn apart, then whisked away by the wind, leaving room for the sun to peek through. When he saw its light, he opened the curtains in Koaru's room to let in the warmth, pausing a moment by the window. The sun seemed hopeful, but Tyson's hope was dwindling. It had been days, and still Koaru remained as unresponsive as before. Some part of him feared that his friend might never wake... And it would be all my fault.
As if on cue with this thought, he heard a faint rustle behind him, and as he turned his head, a faint voice whispered, “Tyson?...”
He saw Koaru sitting up, and with a jolt of shock, Tyson raced to his side. Wordlessly, he pushed his friend back down onto the bed, glaring scoldingly at him for attempting to sit when he was still in such poor shape.
His eyes met Koaru's, and as the weight of the world lifted from his shoulders, Tyson bowed his head and released a shaky sigh, lips trembling slightly as, not for the first time, he denied the threat or tears.
He's awake! Thank god, he's awake...
Swallowing thickly, he touched a gentle hand to Koaru's forehead, and breathed a quiet murmur of relief to find his temperature as it should be.
"You scared me." He scolded quietly, meeting Koaru's gaze intensely, "How do you feel?"
I'm just glad you're alive... If you'd died back then, I don't know what I would have done. I'm not ready to leave your side... Not yet. We still have a mission to accomplish. Thank god you're alive, thank god...

With searching eyes Koaru gazed about the cottage for Tyson. When his grey eyes finally found the man, he beamed cheerfully in his direction.
He stayed... He's here...Why do I feel so happy to see him?
Much to Koaru's surprise, as quickly as they had met eyes Tyson raced to his side. With a simple shove of the man's hand Koaru lay back down against the mattress blinking in quiet confusion.
Trying to sit back up again seemed to hurt too much and obediently Koaru remained where his friend had set him down.
Receiving a scolding glare from Tyson. Koaru was interested to find his friend's features soften when a slightly as a shaky sigh escaped Tyson's lips.
Was he worried?...About me?

Feeling gentle hand to his forehead, Koaru gazed up at Tyson with innocent question,“Ty?...”
"You scared me.", He scolded quietly, meeting Koaru with intense eyes as he continued, "How do you feel?"
Pondering over Tyson's words and his serious gaze, a small blush tinted his cheeks.
Scared?...he was worried. Does that mean that he cares?
Koaru replied warmly, “Better thank you...though I must admit, I'm a little worried about you”
The memory of Tyson's terrifying tailed state still disturbed Koaru greatly, he couldn’t even comprehend how utterly distraught he had felt when trying to free his imprisoned friend from within that monster.

Running a hesitant hand gently across Tyson's cheek, Koaru noticed how raw his friend's beautiful eyes were. They were red-rimmed from a lack of sleep and looked painful with each blink of the eye.
“You haven't been looking after yourself...have you?”, He scolded with a concerned smile, replacing his outstretched hand in his lap before Tyson could slap it away. He understood that he's friend had high boundaries, but Koaru was secretly keen to see just how much Tyson would tolerate.

Turning his attention to the warm light that shone in from the window, Koaru's thoughts suddenly traveled back to their mission. He had promised to meet up with Hiro and Shun at the Borderlines. How many days has it already been?

His smile fell away and looking up at Tyson with deep concern he asked softly,“How long have I been asleep for?”
He didn't want to hear the answer to his next question, he already knew it, but needed to asked out of seer fool's hope,”Have you heard anything from Hiro and Shun yet?”
Blaine and Joshua will be on the move. My comrades mustn't try and fight them alone, they don't know what their dealing with

“Better thank you..." Koaru answered, drawing a relieved nod from Tyson, "Though I must admit, I'm a little worried about you.” At this he frowned, lifting his head and considering Koaru incredulously. How could he friend be lying on his deathbed, worrying about him?! That was wrong on too many levels to count!
“You haven't been looking after yourself... have you?” Koaru asked scoldingly, and Tyson flinched when his friend's hand touched his cheek. His jaw clenched, but before he could push his friend's hand away, Koaru removed it himself, so Tyson just offered an irritable huff, and responded haughtily, "I've been looking after you. That was more important."
And now you're alive, thank God...
His expression softened, and his lips curved into a smile almost without his permission, defying his usually aloof nature. He didn't even try to fight it. He was just so happy to see Koaru awake again...
After a while, Koaru stopped smiling, and his voice was serious when he looked at Tyson again and asked, “How long have I been asleep for? Have you heard anything from Hiro and Shun yet?” Frowning in concern, Tyson shook his head, and replied softly, "I've heard nothing, and you've been asleep for four days. But now is not the time to dwell on it..." He glanced toward the window, staring absentmindedly outside as he muttered, "You should rest. I already nearly lost you..." He looked down, swallowing uncomfortably, "I won't have you acting so recklessly a second time."
Without looking at Koaru, Tyson stood, and added quietly, "I'll make food. You just keep resting - you need it."
Turning his back on his friend, Tyson left the room for the first time since arriving. It was ironic, he had spent the last four days wishing more than anything for Koaru to wake up, but now that he had, Tyson wanted nothing more than to get away from him. He had been terrified of losing Koaru, and that scared him. To think that he had cared so much, when usually he did not care about anything at all... It was a fearsome feeling, and Tyson loathed it. He did not like things to have such power over him, and the fact that Koaru now did was more bothersome than Tyson could even explain.
Besides which, I broke my vow over him. To let my resolve falter so badly... It truly was a despicable showing of weakness.

Feeling deeply troubled, Tyson retreated to the kitchen, and gathered together what food was left there. There was not much, but it was enough to make up something edible. Tying back his hair (it had come loose in all the drama, and he had not yet bothered to braid it again), Tyson set to work preparing breakfast. He was glad of the chance to relax, for cooking always allowed him to set his mind at ease, at least for a while.
Around fifteen minutes later, Tyson returned to Koaru's side, feeling considerably more relaxed, and offered him the stack of pancakes that he had made. The steam wafting from them held a delicious scent, and even Tyson could appreciate that the pancakes were well made, despite the ingredients not being of the highest quality.
He turned away, leaving Koaru to eat in silence, just as a tap at the window caught his attention. Frowning, Tyson approached it, finding a little pigeon summoning with a note tied to its leg. Glancing cautiously around, Tyson picked it up and untied the note, then set the little bird free.
Walking back to Koaru, he handed him the note, then sat down beside the bed, staring thoughtfully at the floor.
I assume its from Hiro and Shun... I wonder if everything is okay...? Even if it's not, I can't let Koaru leave here in this state. He's still too weak, and I won't have him hurt again... But how could I possibly get him to see that?