"We were attacked," now, Koumyou hides his face, his forehead resting on his knee.

"He had to watch me-- I-- I couldn't stand there and let him die. Not Kouryuu! So I--"

A deep, shaky breath.

"I locked him in place so he couldn't interfere, and I took the attack myself."

Now he's feeling, and he's feeling too much, the denim of his jeans starting to wet from tears.

"He had to... I know what it's like, to watch someone ripped apart like that, someone you care for. To feel their blood rain down on you! And now he's a Sanzo, and he's only thirteen, and I didn't-- there's no one--"

And now it's Devero's turn to hear a muffled sob, ripped straight out of Koumyou's heart.