He wasn't supposed to get attached, it was a lesson he'd learned over and over again, but right at this moment he was so very afraid to be alone. Besides, it wasn't as if Kurogane would actually stay for someone like him. He'd said as much before, hadn't he? Gotten upset with him for getting involved with the others, Syaoran, Sakura... it seemed like Kuro had been telling him over and over that he shouldn't. That he wasn't a part of them, that his past was his own problem... or at least that was how it seemed. Maybe he'd heard it all wrong, but...

When Kurogane rebuked him for being such a mess that he had reached out hand... it was no more than he'd expected. Of course he'd be annoyed. Yuuhi had only been a hindrance to him since he'd arrived. Just as his fingers began to loosen their grip and let go, he felt a firm hand on his wrist and heard Kuro's consenting grumble.

Kurogane was staying? But... why? A look of confusion crossed his features briefly before the boy began putting ointment on his legs and he drew in a sharp, pained breath. It was slow in coming, but it was beginning to hurt less and less. He glanced back up at Kurogane, a smile that was barely even there appearing at his lips. It was small and it was weak, but perhaps for the first time, it was no facade. Hurt and tired as he was, right now he felt... safe. His breathing was still shallow, but slowing now as he calmed down. He let his eyes close slowly as his body began to relax. There would be time for worry later. Right now he was safe and so very tired.

[feel free to skip for a few turns]