It had been two years since he had been here. The smell of the woods, and the sight of the trees brought him back to the time where he was running through them. Trees snapping. Twigs swinging in his face. The shouting of his blood relatives chasing him through the thicket;

[i]“Keep the twins separated,” his Father’s echoed with command.

His chest burned from running so long. He was tired and fed up with it all. His hands didn’t feel like his own hands when they had been rubbed raw from the soap they used. 

Tears poured down his face.

He had to leave him behind.

He had to leave him behind.[/i]

It was hard to stay focused in the car, not even Kakyo could really cheer him up. The speech from Gojo-sensei went unheard as well. It was threatening to rain that day too. Truth was that he was starting to feel nervous, like what if Akito no longer wanted his help. Or what if Akito thought he had betrayed him or left him behind on purpose. What if he hates him now?

Then again of course Akito would hate him. Why wouldn’t he? He hadn’t ever done enough. Maybe if he had fought off his blood relatives more? Fought more for Akito’s freedom.

Maybe this whole rescue mission was a fantasy. Something he fantasized about, but Akito had moved on. A pit of nausea was beginning to sink in.

Everyone else seemed excited. He’s starting to get cold feet now. He usually plays off the cold and is confident very well, but right now. He’s wondering if this is a good idea at all. Time seems very disconnected right now. As if he’s not currently existing in this reality. And he only snapped back to it when asked a question by Fuyuhito-kun.

“The family are mostly fanatical,” Agito responds quietly, “They have few curse users, the family’s main focus has always been to deny curse users so they have techniques to limit curse energy. Something about these woods they say has the magic to sap the strength of a curse user. Though that could be rumors or myth.”