To John's question, Kikyo just shook his head. He was almost done in any case, agile hands wrapping the bandages tightly around the wounds and tied together firmly. Kougaiji was already unconscious by the time he was through, the weight of his head resting against Kikyo's shoulder.

Kikyo cupped the boy's face with his palm and spoke to him, though he probably could not hear him anymore.

"Sleep...I will be here with you."

He lowered himself to sit on the floor, bringing Kougaiji down with him and gently resting his head into his lap. It was strange and uncharacteristic for him, to feel protective over someone he just met. And yet, this boy reminded him of someone...a person he would have wanted to protect, had he been able.

As the hallway fell into a silence, Kikyo turned his gaze to John, watching him closely in the darkness.

"Tell me what happened." It was not a request.