Kuu leaned against a tree, eyes locked on the clouds. "Let's see... we should visit Taka again, just in case."

But without Suna... and what about Lady Tsuki's threat?

He waved his hand nonchalantly. "We don't need to worry about that. Just make sure we set things straight before..." he trailed off, unsure of what would happen next. Regardless, it didn't matter. Neither of them could afford to waste time while those who tortured Yuu before were haunted by their memories.

Hey, the baku interrupted, how can we even visit their dreams if we're back together? You aren't a baku.

At that, Kuu let out a chuckle. It amazed him how cute his other half could be. Lips curled into a smug smile, he asked, "How do you think I haunted them, then? I've still got a few moves up my sleeve. Anyways, it's getting dark."

Kuu licked his lips at the sight of the darkening sky. "We should be able to meet them. If not in their dreams, then in reality. But," he paused to clench his fists, "we have to try. "

Before that though, I want to leave Suna here. We'll be pretty busy tonight, and I don't want her to get lost. The edges of his lips curled upwards, hinting at a smile as he gazed at his hourglass. He unhooked the container from his side and placed it next to their grave. The boy then leant down, watching moonlight reflect off his friend's glass coffin. Once he placed his hand on top, Kuu uttered, "We'll be back soon."

With that, they headed out the forest. The moon put them in the spotlight while the dastardly duo sprinted past trees and through bushes. It was as if Lady Tsuki was breathing down their neck in wait for the chance to see them slip. The threat of having his straw burned terrified Kumo. He'd heard the stories. The baku who poked their heads into the lives of humans for their benefit, or those who longed to have someone to talk to without worry. Just like he'd been doing recently. If Lady Tsuki knew what they were up to and still gave them mercy, Kumo didn't want Yuu to experience what would happen if they weren't careful. The sooner this adventure ended, the better for both of them.

Fireflies blurred by as sticks crunched under their feet and crickets chirped in the distance. Despite their porcelain body creaking with every step, Kuu pressed forward until rows of street lights came into view. He paused to catch his breath, then slowed his pace. Most houses' windows were lit to counter the oncoming night, and those that weren't had monochrome smoke creeping from within. Kuu swished his head from house to house, scanning for the smoke intertwined with his memories. He paced through blocks, until a grumble surfaced in his thoughts. What are we doing over here? Taka's home is that way.

"Okay, then you can take it from here because I'm obviously out of it," Kuu said, pushing Yuu's conscience to the front seat of their body. Meanwhile, Kumo took this time to sit back and ponder on the unknown future. Soon, Lady Tsuki would return for what was due to her―them. There was nothing neither of them could do about it, so the least they could do while still whole was right the wrongs they'd caused. Kumo remembered the words he'd seethed to his counterpart without an ounce of sincerity, then felt their throat dry.

Despite this, Kuu gave a chuckle. "It's fine, Kumo. Your words stung, but you were right. I can't hold onto the past forever, no matter how much it hurt. This time, I won't be we―."

No, it's not like that! It was stupid of me to insult you after everything I've seen. Everything you had to go through because of those shitheads. Kumo wondered if Yuu also caught a glimpse of the nightmares lingering in his skin and stomach, but chose not to voice his curiosity. Now wasn't the time. Instead, he focused on their surroundings. Taka's home came into vision the further they walked up the street Yuu lead them to. As always, his pitch-black nightmares stuck out like a sore thumb. It seemed like no matter how many times he ate his worries away, they always came crawling back. Was that how Yuu felt? Always reminded of his wretched past whenever he saw those children grow into adulthood. If he was the only one inhabiting this body he would've slapped himself. You did some mean things too, but that doesn't mean you should let what I said go. It doesn't mean what I said was okay, either. I'm sorry.

At that, Kuu stopped moving. His nose burned as his vision grew blurry, but he rubbed his face before Yuu's emotions could possess Kuu's features. After a sniffle, he coughed. What do you want me to do, hit myself? That wouldn't change anything. Besides, I shouldn't have said that stuff about your friend before, so I'd say we're even.

T-That's a relief. Kumo felt a weight lift off their shoulders. He did it, he took responsibility for his actions! Although he knew she was gone, the baku was happy knowing how proud Suna would be if she saw them now. But somehow he still felt unsatisfied. They'd have to have a long talk later. Let's hope this ends quickly.

But deep down, they both knew this would be one of the many long nights ahead of them. Regardless, Kuu had no intentions of backing out. So he paced towards Taka's front door; the obstacle standing between him and his first meal. You said you still had some tricks left. Can you even use them now?

Yuu wrapped Kuu's fingers around his chin while narrowing his gaze on the brown doorknob. "I―we―can still see those smoke things, which must mean we share at least a little of our abilities. If that's the case, I think we can make this work," he explained as he stretched their lips into a smile. A glow encased Kuu's body, this time giving a hint of Yuu's past form. It sent chills through their body. Kuu trembled while reaching for the door. Yuu couldn't help grinning at Kumo's bewilderment―the baku never had the pleasure of getting to feel emotions as he did, after all. He hummed, then pushed their hand through the door. "You'll get used to it."

Even as Yuu waltzed through the door, Kumo doubted his words. When their body made contact with the wood, neither felt what should've been hundreds of wood specs piercing their skin. It was unfamiliar, and frankly Kumo wanted no part of it. But without Suna, he didn't have a choice but to rely on his other self. Although he'd done plenty of trespassing himself, doing it this way felt nerve wracking. It was as if he was as significant as the wind.Kuu cursed once Kumo took over. He patted himself down to check for any missing limbs. Once he was in the clear, relief flowed through their body. "We're never doing that again."

It was Yuu's turn to sigh, though his held a smug tone. It's way more easier than climbing walls.

Kumo couldn't argue back, so he chose to let the silence wedge its way into their conversation. There was work to be done, and focusing on how disturbing the experience was wouldn't get them further. So, Kuu tiptoed up the steps. Neither were sure if a baku's steps could be heard, as Kumo'd always taken full advantage of Suna when given the chance. Carpet muffled the wood creaking beneath their feet while smoke scraped at their lungs with each step. Kuu coughed, covering his mouth and squinting once they reached the second floor. The hall was veiled in the nightmare-scented smoke coming from an open door that could only be Taka's. Kumo and Yuu's conscience both focused on their goal as they slipped into his room as one.

They waved the smog away until they reached Taka's bed. He was drenched in sweat, breaths ragged. Kuu placed his hand on Taka's forehead without a second thought. Things couldn't go on like this. After a deep breath, he replaced their hand with their forehead, meshing salt-and-peppered hair with Taka's cinnamon-tinted locks. The smoke flowing from Taka coiled around Kuu's body when they made contact, hold tighter than a starving snake. It then pulled them into the man's restless nightmare.