Hikari could see the panic behind the sort-of scary expression on his face. She thought that she understood why. It was something she was all too familiar with. Still, it was a good sign, it meant he was coming back to his senses. He didn't answer when she asked if he was okay, but if she were being honest, she kind of expected it. She doubted he was okay, but she also didn't expect him to tell her that. If she were in his situation, she wouldn't want to talk about it or explain things, even to a friend. Certainly not right away. Still, she had to at least ask, just in case.<br/><br/>Once he agreed to go she leaped up into the trees and headed off, back towards Konoha. She didn't say a word, her eyes focused in front of her, the wind tugging lightly at the hood, which hid her face from view, especially in the darkness. She didn't look his way until he finally broke the silence, moving to run along next to her. She glanced his way but still didn't respond, her mind mulling over what kind of answer to give. She doubted he'd believe her and just let it go if she told him nothing was wrong. If nothing was wrong, she'd be acting the same as she always did.<br/><br/>Before she got a chance to answer, he grabbed her wrist and brought them to a stop. She looked up at him, a surprised look on her face. Her eyes met his as he spoke, asking her to tell him what was wrong.<span style="font-style: italic">I'm your friend, aren't I?</span>The words echoed in her mind and her eyes fell from his face to his hand, which wrapped around her wrist. She then looked back up at him, surprised when he asked if it was Kuro. She shook her head, sighing lightly. "No. It has nothing to do with him." she replied. "And yes, you are my friend. I just... I'm not good at talking about these things." she admitted, rubbing the back of her neck nervously.<br/><br/>"It isn't because I was saved by you instead of him... It's that I had to be saved at all... Because I let myself get distracted when I knew I shouldn't." she sighed. "I don't like being saved or protected. I don't like having to be. I know that you're supposed to rely on your friends and comrades but I... I can't. I can't let anyone else be hurt because of me... I can't stand the thought of anyone else dying because I'm not strong enough." she clenched her hands tightly as she spoke, the words quiet but there was a pain, which also turned to anger, coloring her words with a mix of emotions. "My family... My first squad... They died because I wasn't strong enough. Because I couldn't protect them. My family died protecting me. I won't let that happen again. Not to you, not to Rin, Hotaru, Asami, Kakashi.... Or Kuro. I can't lose any of you. And I don't know what I'd do if it was my fault. I can't... I don't think I'm strong enough to go through that again..." she whispered the last part, looking away and shaking her head, holding back the emotions that threatened. She wouldn't cry. She hadn't cried in front of anyone in a long time and she wasn't about to change that now.<br/><br/>"Anyways. Sorry. But it isn't your fault. It's mine. Everything that happened is my fault. You had to kill those people... You lost control... Because of me. All of that is on me. All of that blood is on my hands." she finally released the fists she'd been holding, sighing lightly once again. She finally looked back at him, examining his face for a moment. "Here." She reached out her hand, which now glowed green, and gently touched the cuts on his face, healing them up, then moving to heal the ones on his arms. "Sorry. I should have done that before." she smiled just a little before moving to turn away, which would free her hand from his grip. "We should get going. The sun will be up soon. It's be best if we crossed the border before then." she said before turning to head out once more.<br/><br/>Before she pushed off the branch to head back, she glanced back at him. "Hey, Ryuu?" she looked back at him and smiled, a small smile, but a genuine one. "Thanks for being there. And for not dying." she smiled a little more at the latter, which was both serious and a joke all at once. With that she pushed off and headed towards Konoha once more.