Part 2:

It was much later at night and all had been taken care of. Policemen had come by and Jubei had explained the situation, and the police took the thief's body away. Now, the blind needle master was lying above the covers on the left side of Kazuki's bed. The tired thread master next to him was covered up to his neck, curled onto his side and silent. Jubei looked over at his keep, and envisioned what he might look like right then. A smile came to his lips when he saw the image in his mind. He slowly reached out his hand and felt Kazuki's hair. It was so soft and smooth. He felt Kazuki move around a little and pulled his hand back.

"Are you asleep yet, Jubei?"

"No. You should be asleep, also. Don't worry about me."

"Oh come on, don't say that… I want to take care of you, Jubei."

"Even so, you should be resting, due to your injuries."

At that, Kazuki paused a moment and then turned onto his other side, now facing Jubei and looked at him.

"That reminds me. Tell me how you did it."

"It's hardly a skill to kill a stupid man, Kazuki."

"That's not what I meant. I mean, how did you find him to kill him?"

"I… I felt, just for a moment, that when I could not hear his movements that I… could see him there."

"…?"

"He was not good looking at all…"

Jubei's attempt to make a joke ended up making Kazuki smile but still, several tears started to fall down his cheeks. Jubei heard his sobs and turned towards him. Jubei cupped Kazuki's face in his hands and wiped away falling tears.

"Kazuki-san? What is it? Are you in pain?"

He could feel as Kazuki shook his face gently, but not going out of Jubei's hands.

"I'm… just so happy for you, Jubei. Your eyes… I'm certain that they are getting better!"

"Kazuki-san… yes."

Jubei smiled at him and released his keep's face, then moved him down back under the covers.

"Sleep now. We can talk about this tomorrow."

"Okay. Say Jubei, would you like to go somewhere with me tomorrow? It's a very special healing hot spring."

"…Okay."

Kazuki smiled as he closed his eyes. Then, surprising to Jubei, Kazuki's hand found his and held it.

"So you know I'm always here for you, Jubei."

Jubei squeezed his Kazuki's hand, back.

"So you know I wont ever leave you again,"

owari