I don't question the availability of a helicopter where the Akashi Family is concerned; I simply wait in relative silence when we reach the clearing.

The chopper sounds overhead, a loud steady whoop whooping, possibly ten minutes after Sei's call. I feel a measure of comfort as our escape from this place comes into view. More importantly I'm glad for Sei's extra shirt I hadn't ended up using; the cloth has made its home on my body once my torn shirt had been discarded into Sei's backpack. At least a measure of my modesty is preserved this way.

Before the machine touches down three suited figures spring from the open door and seem to fly to the ground. They accumulate in front of Sei, their backs straight and heads held high. I can't hear the words they exchange over the chopper's dying rotor blades, but I understand the raise of Sei's hand and the jerky nods of the men. They're gone as fast as they'd come – leaping off into the dense forestry like frightened gazelles.

Sei doesn't move toward the red bug-looking machine, so neither do I. My skin is frightfully cold considering how hot it is outside in the sun, but I try not to dwell on the familiar tingle of chills that accompany night terrors. This, unfortunately, isn't a nightmare – it just happened, my mind has not yet had time to process and dampen or intensify the moment. By evening I will surely know whether sleep will welcome me with comforting arms or whether darkness will drown me in a cesspool of my memories.

The roar of the blades quiet down and only then does Sei turn to me. He doesn't cross the two meters separating us.

"We can head back in the helicopter." As my eyes flicker to follow after where the dark gazelles disappeared, Sei gives a strained smile. "They will apprehend our attackers and take them back down to the road.

I nod my thanks and struggle to my feet, using a fallen log for leverage. The pain in my stomach has grown worse. Yet I know, without broken skin the injury is merely bruising; that does not lessen the ache in every step I take. I end up hunching over as I head to the metal contraption, one arm clutched around my waist and another stretched out toward to helicopter. Sei follows mere feet behind.

"Kouki,"

I pause to watch him over my shoulder, a kind of guarded strain in the air. "Yeah?"

His mouth opens then snaps shut. Sei shakes his head. "The family doctor will examine you when we get back, if you'll consent."

Teeth grinding, because I already told him I was okay, I turn back to our ride. As I climb in I'm glad there's no one to offer a helping hand. I just might implode if someone tried to grip me. I know the worst is over. I just need to get through the after effects now, but it'll take more than ten minutes until I'll put everything into context. Before I get a moment to think about it calmly I don't know what I'll do.

The seats are surprisingly comfortable and I lean back in the plush leather with a sigh of relief. My stomach muscles relax and I melt into the cool leather. I'm still mighty cold, but the change in setting is enough to ease some of the numbing chill from my bones.

I'm here, safe; they're out there, possibly being tied up and hauled down the mountain.

You thought you were safe before. Sei said he'd keep you safe, but still they found you. Seto nearly-

"No," I hiss aloud, slamming a fist down into the top of my thighs. Sei watches at me cautiously and I ignore his probing glance. He did keep me safe. As unlikely as it seems, he saved me back there. They had a few advantages and my running away did nothing to improve the situation. I should have helped. Sei could have gotten seriously injured!

"Yer friend is dead 'ready…"

I release a harsh breath, attempting to reclaim the little pieces of me that started falling apart. It's not easy trying to cling to the numb, indifferent mood that had gripped me since seeing Sei after my attack. It's almost as if everything that happened is oil contained in a glass vase. When I allow that vase to drop all the angst and terror and shock will come spilling out and there will be no way to contain it again. I'm not ready to deal with the oil spillage, maybe I'll never be, but when it happens I'd rather not be in a confined space hovering thousands of feet above the ground.

The repetitious whoosh-thump grows steadily louder; I can almost feel it's momentum in my bones.

"Kouki, you need to put on your seatbelt."

My eyes track lazily over to Sei. He's strapped in and has a strange headphone-like contraption over his head. The door leading out to the clearing is shut. Blinking rapidly, I struggle with the belt – it's nothing like a car's or bus'. The thick fabric jerks under my fingers, not releasing from the clutch and making my breath hitch in tired frustration.

Keep it together!

Teeth sink down into my bottom lip as I continue to fight with the strap. It gives a few centimetres before jerking to a stop once more; it retracts half of the lot I'd just gained.

A whisper of air makes me look over to Sei pleadingly, begging with my eyes what I cannot say with my mouth.

He slips forward in his seat. The belt gives under his movements making me feel a surge of irritated jealousy. He pauses with his hands between us, hovering in a way I'd never thought I'd see Sei act. His red eyes are wide and questioning, almost nervous. "May I?"

I give a sharp nod and drop my hands to my lap, watching as he reaches over to clasp the stubborn thing in his pale hand. The back of his fist is an angry crimson. My chest contracts and I have to chew my chew bloody to keep the vase of oil from toppling over right there and then.

When he's strapped me in, Sei quickly retreats back to his seat acting as if nothing had happened.

A moment passes and I reach out a tentative hand, only brushing my fingers over his knuckles. "Thank you," I whisper and retract my limb.

It's too loud now for Sei to have heard me, but he felt my touch. The boy turns to me, and gestures to a headphone set, similar to his, sitting on the opposite bench. I set the device over my head, feeling as if I've just waltzed out a scifi movie with the contraption covering my ears. The roar of the rotors immediately dull to a dull thumping, much like that of a beating heart. Static crackles a moment before I hear Sei's voice.

"We'll get you home, Kouki, I promise."

And like so many reassurances from Sei before today, I believe this one too. The longing to take his word for it is stronger than the conviction that I'd actually just survived what I had.