It was night time and Maasaki and I were at our campsite. I sat quietly by the fire as Maasaki cooked the fish. It was getting pretty cold out, but maybe because I was still losing blood.. not as much as before, but it was still going.

"Satoshi..."

"What?" I said quietly yet irritably.

"Your eyes... they're losing its color." he said.

"I'll be fine."

"You always say that, yet something bad is bound to happen." he said sadly.

"Stop caring about me... it's very irritating."

"Gomensai..."

"And stop being so nice! Arg! It's so frustrating!" I said angrily.

"If that's how you truly feel..." he said sadly.

"I'm going for a walk." I said agitated.

"But-"

"Urusai!"

I slowly made my up and groggily walked myself away. I didn't hear a word from Maasaki as I walked away, but I knew he was watching. Of course I felt bad for saying what I said, but I just feel angry!

'What? Why are you angry?'

'You shouldn't wander in my memories... that is one of the reasons why you shouldn't have done that.'

'Yes... I am okay with it.'

'Like I told you before... to protect those closest to me.'

'Because it is best to gain their trust, and then attack them blindly.'

The sword's voice went silent as I slowly lost that angry feeling. So this is what he meant when we were linked as one. I thought if only I felt something, it would as well. I never thought it could go the other way around too.

I began making my way to the river that we caught the fishes at and sat by the bank. I looked into the coursing water to look at my appearance and Maasaki was right. My eyes fading... it looks like I could die any minute, yet I feel fine.. Well, besides the whole slowly walking thing.

If I could... if I could just be , I wouldn't have to suffer anymore. No! Wait, what am I thinking?! I made it this far... I- I can't just end it so soon. But, then again.. if I go, Madara can't have my eyes when I finally do die. Maybe if I-

"Satoshi!"

I was interrupted as I neared the river to touch it.

"What are you doing?!"

"Touching the river... what does it look like Maasaki." I said bluntly.

"The current is too strong! You could be pulled in!" he said worriedly.

"Good... maybe then I won't have to deal with you anymore."

"That's not funny Satoshi! You could have been pulled in and I wouldn't have known if I didn't follow you!" he shouted.

"I don't care! Put it in that thick skull of yours!" I retorted.

"I'm getting tired of your 'I don't care' attitude! I know you do!"

"And getting tired of your stupidity! Just shut up and do your job as a partner, a friend!" I shouted.

"Well, as a , I have to make sure partner doesn't die! And right now, he's going to if he doesn't stop being so stubborn!"

"Oh, we're going to see who'll be dead!" I said.

"Why you-!

Both Maasaki and I froze in our spots as the voice of the sword spoke up.

Purazuma said.

"Eh... where's that voice coming from?" Maasaki said, looking around like a maniac.

I face palmed. "It's the sword Maasaki..."

"Oh.. I knew that!" he said.

"Purazuma, I don't want you to wander in my memories please. Those are now off limits to you." I said.

The voice faded away once more as a massive headache appeared. I gripped my head as I began walking to the camp.

"W-Wait for me!" Maasaki said running to my side.

Maasaki wrapped my arm around his neck, supporting me.

"So.. was that the sword talking when we were arguing?" he asked.

"I guess you can say that.." I replied.

"Well, I didn't mean anything I said... I was just heated in the moment." he mumbled.

"That's fine... I too apologize for my choice of words."

"Satoshi?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think one day we'll be set free from the Akatsuki?" he asked.

"Don't be foolish..."

"Well, I do.. one day, I'll be able to go back to my old life, but with just a bit more knowledge." he said.

"I believe the Akatsuki will fall... butit is uncertain of who will remain alive. But I know where our fate stands." I said.

"Do you think we'll live? The two of us?" he asked.

"I believe that will live.. me however, I won't last much longer." I said sadly.

"If it's about the blood loss, Sasori is going to do a blood fusion for you! So no need to wor-"

"No.. I fear that I will die of a weak heart."

"Weak heart? You're not sick are you?! We should probably head out inste-"

"As in a broken heart Maasaki. I may be strong... but I'm not strong enough." I mumbled.

"Is it about your brother?" he asked.

"No..."

"Then what is it?"

"Holding in my emotions... that is a fate I know will truly get me killed."

"We can talk about it if you want." he said.

"It is best to not say a word..."

"It'll make you feel better though."

"I don't want to feel better, Maasaki. I want to go ."

"Satoshi..."

Maasaki sat Satoshi down seeing that after his sentence, he had fallen asleep. Maasaki quietly ate a fish watching his sleeping partner. He wanted to understand more about him but he was so closed off that it was nearly impossible. Maasaki sighed as he leaned onto a tree.

'He's suffering more than me... unlike me, he has someone waiting for him, making both sides suffer longing for the other.'

Losing his appetite, Maasaki threw his fish to the ground. He began to poke the fire with a stick and threw in another log to keep it lit.

'You say that you know where our fates will go, Satoshi... and I too believe we're all going to die. But isn't it nice to think we'll have a happy ending? I mean, that's what he believed in.. now that I think about it, our roles have reversed from my childhood. Ha-ha, who knew... a history really does repeat itself.'