Yuu and Kumo stepped out of the body, now able to move again.

"I didn't know we were separated like that," Kumo said.

Their body sighed. Of course you didn't. Your memory was erased. You... you didn't leave with me.

"I guess I knew I couldn't. It would've been too much of a risk. At least, that's how I would explain it." Kumo looked down, biting their lip. "Still, you shouldn't blame Lady Tsuki for our reckless decision. She could've left us there but―"

"―turned you into a baku instead. What an upgrade." Yuu scratched their scalp with a huff before turning back to their past self. "Man, I don't get her philosophy and don't think I ever will."

Kumo didn't respond. Instead, he was more focused on the sand poured into Lady Tsuki's palm. Suna!

He took control of their shared body, bolting towards the sand pile as tears continued to slide down Lady Tsuki's porcelain cheeks. "Suna, I―"

Yuu covered their mouth before Kumo could finish his sentence. You idiot. What if the woman hears?

The boy widened their eyes, glaring at the hand. These are our memories. Why would she hear projections of ourselves?

Yuu chuckled in their head. Psh. Why didn't you think like that before almost hurling us off her hands?

I know how to be careful, unlike someone.

The hand tightened. I've successfully haunted those people without being discovered for 20 years! How is that not―

Kumo took over and dropped their hands to their sides. He turned to the sand in Lady Tsuki's hands, whose mass had begun to shimmer just like he'd remembered. "Hush. It's happening," the baku side of himself whispered.

Yuu's conscience pushed Kumo aside to catch a glimpse of the scene. He glanced from the sand to Lady Tsuki while connecting the dots. "What is?"

On cue, the previously dormant grains of sand swirled in Lady Tsuki's palm after absorbing her tears. "This is your sandman," the goddess informed Kumo. "It will be your guide from now on. Never lose it."

"Sandman?" The word rolled out the fractured soul with suspicion. His nose squinched as he dug through his memories in search of the old tale Mother told him before his family fell apart. "The thing that gave kids good dreams?"

"Somewhat. Every baku receives one once they're created." She brought a pipe to her mouth. Once the goddess took a rather large puff, she exhaled above. "However, it is your job to let children sleep without worry."

Kumo watched the smoke dazzle brighter than a starlit sky, gasping. "And... I can name it, too?"

"Correct. Before that, here." She placed a white straw in his hand.

He picked it up and spun the straw between his palms. "What's this for?"

"Your heart and mouth. Use it to consume nightmares. Don't lose or break it. If you do, you'll die."

"That doesn't sound fun, either." Kumo looked down, shut his eyes tight, then opened them to find his naked body now covered in black robes. "What now?"

"I believe it is daytime in your assigned area. Your sandman will take you there." Lady Tsuki brought the sandman closer to Kumo. "Wait for the moon to rise before you eat."

"Okay." He nodded as the lively sand circled around him. It spiraled down his arms, making the baku chuckle. "I'm gonna name you 'Suna', 'cause you're sandy!"

"As you wish."

Suna and Kumo then set off to their assigned location, where they'd wait until the sun sets for his first meal. As time progressed, he would grow to be the eccentric being he was now. While his counterpart remained trapped in the past as he drowned in his memories.

"I'm sorry," Kumo muttered once their new body awoke to the moist grass fields and rustling trees. He stared at a ladybug crawl up one. "I didn't realize the truth until it was too late."

"It's never too late. Plus, I'm at fault as well." Yuu took over, folding their hands together after leaning on a trunk. "I didn't know how important Suna was to you until now. She looked like a great guardian. Sorry for insulting her." He looked up with a sigh.

It's fine. You didn't understand. Now we both do.

The ghost chuckled. He picked up a fistful of grass and twisted the blades between his fingers. "Seems like it. So, should we head to the next one? Sachiko, I think."

Their head was silent for a moment. No, the sun's coming up. We should wait until they wake up.

"Then they'll see us!"

Kumo pushed Yuu's conscience aside to express his own. "That's the point. This has to be settled once and for all, for both of our sakes. Besides, tormenting them for their entire life isn't as fun as you think it is. It's time to do something new."

Yuu dropped the leaves and folded their hands behind their head. You've got a point there. But before that, let's get some sleep.

The baku thought of when his sandman travelled down his throat and through his hollow body until he was forced into slumber. He shook his head, shivering. Sleeping, especially at night, makes us vulnerable for other baku to steal our meals. I don't want them to―

Yuu stretched out their legs. We'll be fine. Y'know, since we're back together and have different memories, I think we should have a new name.

At that, Kumo's voice rose an octave as their eyes glimmered in excitement. "Really?"

They nodded. Yeah, like how you named Suna. Sound good?

"Sure, but what should we call... us?"

Something representing us becoming one. Everything else can be solved tomorrow.

They slid down the trunk until their back rested on the grass. Turning on their side, they settled into the fetal position Kumo'd seen so many children rest in. "Kumo and Yuu... So, Kuu?" he said, although it was more of a question for his other half's approval.

Just as Kumo grew accustomed to the name he put together, their body chuckled once more. "Perfect. After all, we both lived beneath the same sky."

While they repeatedly mumbled their name under the trees, Kumo drifted to sleep, on his own, for the first time in twenty years.