Shu watched Shin, silent. He hadn't seen Shin cry in a long time. That bastard! He was going to kill that Warrior.

'We've been fighting him for months now and we still don't know his name!' he thought vehemently.

Kill me, hm? Is that what you want?

Shu whirled, looking around. He felt something enter behind his eyes, felt detached from his body. He struggled against the bonds that were wrapping around him.

What are you doing! Who are you!

That doesn't matter. Come, I want to meet you without actually having to fight you.

Shu felt himself leave the room, head hanging down as if in sorrow, his hand slipping down the cold metal. He walked out of the hospital without saying anything and stepped onto a train. He didn't know where he was going, but the detachment was lulling him to sleep, to laziness. What was going on? His vision hazed and he didn't see where he was going until he was suddenly alone and he fell to his knees as he tried to regain his senses. When he looked up, he saw the warrior waiting for him. He immediately shot up onto his feet, but was frozen by the icy, violating gaze.

"So, Shu of Hardrock."

"Who are you? What do you want with me?"

"So many questions. Come, sit beside me." He sat down and Shu felt his legs drawn forward, and he sat next to the Warrior, and marvled at how tall he was. He was surprised at the look on his face, one of sadness and…a feeling of a weight that he couldn't shed. After a moment's weakness, Shu snarled.

"What do you want me here for?"

"To talk."

"About what?"

"Shin is slipping away from you."

"WHAT?"

The Warrior raised his eyebrows. "You can't see?"

"Shin…he…!"

"Kage is slowly wooing him away from you. And I know he means more than you are willing to admit, Shu."

"What do you mean?" Shu was wary. He was touching a subject that he hadn't brought up with anyone.

The Warrior turned and smiled faintly at him, and caressed his face, making him shiver. He tilted Shu's head up and looked him in the eyes. As Shu felt all his barriers drop away, he felt the Warrior chuckle.

"You love him, Shu. I can see it in your heart, in your mind, the secrets and shadows you've hidden within yourself."

"no…" Shu breathed, his eyes wide. This couldn't be happening! This was his secret! He was only going to share it with Shin when he finally stopped running away.

"listen to me, Shu. There are other things I see here. I see the potential for a gretness beyond what you've allowed yourself. A strength tempered by the chains of society. I can release you from them, from those duties. You could finally tell Shin, could finally give in to your emotions entirely. No one would call you impulsive. No one would tease you ever again, Shu."

Shu closed his eyes, letting the Warrior's voice echo within him, filling him, calling to him to tread a path he had always been shying away from. His breath caught slightly when he thought of the others.

Don't worry. They will be joining you too. You and Shin can finally be together…

The Warrior left Shu sitting on a bench overlooking the lake, and Shu stared out blankly, his words sinking into him, confusing him, making him yearn for what was promised. But…the others…his duties as a Ronin Warrior…Shu grasped his head in his hands and moaned, trying to make sense of the thoughts that were scrambling his sense of justice, of right and wrong as his Kanji flickered faintly, feebly, on his forehead.