As you emptied your lungs of the toxic water, violent coughs wracked your body. Beside you, Chuuya watched intently, hands lingering as if to steady you should you falter. When the coughs subsided, your heaving breaths were the only sound breaking the tense silence between you.

You both knew words needed to be said, wounds exposed, but starting was the difficult part. Finally Chuuya spoke, voice uncharacteristically quiet, "You damn fool. Do you have any idea what would happen if I didn't find you?"

You didn't meet his eyes. "That was rather the point."

Chuuya grabbed your jaw in a bruising grip, forcing you to look at him. What you saw in Chuuya's expression shocked you - anguish, anger... and something deeper, rawer.

"Well I won't let you succeed. Not when I...not now." Chuuya released you, some of the fight leaving his body. "Why...why would you do this to me?"