That night he returned to the Tree.
He hadn't meant to. He thought he'd never see it again. But he was there. He was undeniably there. It was dimmer than ever, but he was able to make out the Tree in the distance.
As soon as he was able to register where he had materialized, he felt a pressure around his chest and found black hair caressing his neck and chin.
"Watanuki…" He acknowledged, a bewildered look on his face, that changed to one of solemn anguish, as if the presence in his arms alone was somehow causing him pain. After a split second, Watanuki unexpectedly pulled away. Holding him at elbow's length, he looked straight into his eyes and declared, "We don't have much time. This is all I can manage to do and it can give it at any moment." His voice trying to hold in hints of his panic at the end. But Doumeki's surprised and fearful look dissolved any resolve he might've had, because it only confirmed for him that Doumeki also had no idea how to fix this. No one knew. He was a fool to hope against hope that maybe, possibly…he might be able to live on here, in this way…with him. He began to shake uncontrollably, and the tears began to fall, his breaths becoming uneven in the sobs that wracked his body. Doumeki could only watch.
"No, no…it was…hopeless from the start, but I…"
Even as he spoke, the atmosphere became as increasingly volatile as his disposition. The winds began to swirl, becoming typhoon-like, tugging at their hair and clothing and roaring in their ears. Doumeki couldn't figure out which caused which.
"I thought that maybe, if it were you…I could…" He choked.
The storm raged. "There's nothing I can do anymore, Doumeki!" He shouted, furious at himself. "Why…why couldn't this have worked? It should have been perfect, and now…now there won't be anything! There's nothing anyone can do!"
"I'm going to disappear." He said, with a quiet shock at what he heard. Doumeki silently pulled him close and held him to his chest, his arms forming a barrier as if to protect him. As if the tighter he held him the more likely he could keep him. That he could stay. Even though he knew it was impossible.
Suddenly the stormed raged harder than ever. Doumeki braced himself against the winds and continued to shelter Watanuki, the debris flying in all directions, leaves and needles that stung upon contact with bare arms and faces. The deafening wind howled indefinitely in their ears. Despite his recent temporary composure, the storm wrought a fresh realization and he sobbed hysterically once more. Doumeki's heart broke a little more with each shake of his shoulders.
"Take me back."
He was sure he heard it.
"Take me back. Take me back!" He repeated, probably this time for himself.
"Take me back…" He whimpered softly one last time.
He pulled away and looked directly into Doumeki's eyes.
"Save me…please…"
Doumeki woke to the sound of chirping birds, in his bed.
Alone.