As usual, trees whispered curses. Mocked them once Kuu glided to the ground without wings, and hissed when they spotted Taka past bushes and branches.

"Taka," Kuu called, but his childhood menace didn't seem to hear him. So they opted to walk closer, longing for Suna to swoop them off their feet to make this trip quicker. "What's up?" Kuu whispered as the distance between them closed.

But Taka didn't budge. Sweat soaked through his clothes while he stood still, leaning on a shovel. After catching his breath, the man stuck his tool in a hole and dug. He scooped up pile after pile of moist soil inhabited by lives guarded by mother nature, and stacked them behind him. By the looks of it, he'd been digging for what felt like hours―and he didn't seem to be taking breaks anytime soon. It was as if he was in a trance, forced to strain his body to make a perfect hole.

Kuu crept in the shadows. He wasn't sure why digging was that big of a deal, or at least not until Yuu tugged at the back of their thoughts.

It's not about digging, the ghost started in a staggering tone, it's the reason he's digging.

Kuu's brows furrowed. He thought back to the last time he popped in Taka's dream. The boy-turned-man relived his past after Yuu taunted him again. He conveyed his regrets to Kumo, hard as it was. But this time, it's digging? The odd action only urged Kuu to get a better look. So he inched closer, careful not to be caught off guard by sticks just waiting to be crushed by his shoes.

Let me handle this, okay? Kumo thought while Taka dug himself into a hole.

I know, I know, bakus get dreams and I make 'em scream. Yuu huffed. But I wanna talk to him, too.

Kuu scratched his scalp. If his hair was the night sky, it'd be brimming with shooting stars as he caressed his locks. How about we talk to him, together? Kumo finally came to a conclusion once he let out a hum. That way, we both can say what we want. But no games, deal?

F-Fine. But, if he messes with you again then―

"No but's. We're doing this," Kuu hissed with a shake of his head. He then stepped from the bush he hid behind and headed for Taka. The way he dug endlessly rubbed him the wrong way. Dread slithered down his body, but he continued. Nothing was going to stop them, not even the fear lingering in the pit of their stomach.

"Taka!" Kuu tried again, this time causing the man to drop his shovel. He patted Taka's arm, then moved in front of him. "We're really sorry about last night. We weren't in the right mind."

Taka tilted his head at him, eyes narrowed while he scanned his hazy memories for the person talking to him. "Ah," he uttered once something clicked, "y-you're back?"

His face paled when they faced each other. The man looked down to Kuu, a chill striking his skin once he recognized the boy's starlit hair. At the sight of the boy's growing smile, Taka scowled. "I told you I was sorry, dammit. What else do you want?"

Kuu, sensing a concoction of relief and fear swelling in his gut, swallowed. After taking a breath, he started, "I know you're tired of these dreams. Trust me, I am too. That's why I―" he averted his gaze for a millisecond with narrowed eyes, then placed a hand on his chest. "we've come here to settle this mess. We won't hurt you, scout's honor."

The man regained his composure. Once he wiped his forehead free of sweat, he shot a glare at the deadly duo. "Bullshit. You've been bugging me for years and now you want to call it quits?" He crossed his arms and straightened his posture. "Do you know how long I've been mulling over what I did to you? I know it's shitty but I can't... I can't stay like this forever. I just want to move on."

Kuu took a staggering step back. It felt like he'd punched him in the stomach, despite Taka never moving an inch from his spot. Still, Kuu didn't give up. "I-I know you do. It was mean to haunt you all like this, but I hated seeing you grow up." Fire crackled in his throat and burned his eyes, but he continued, "Knowing you can do what I can't hurts. You were always so mean, and that bastard and wench were no better... they're gone now b-but―"

For the first time since Kumo's creation, he learned what it felt like to cry. Snot clung to his nostrils for dear life as water blurred his vision. Wha-what is this? he thought, wiping their eyes. He examined their fingers after a sniffle, marvelled by the tears glistening on his porcelain skin. How could this be? Baku didn't deserve to weep, yet here he was daring to shed tears. If Lady Tsuki finds out, she won't hesitate to burn our straw.

He couldn't help trembling at the thought. Yuu, however, didn't seem phased. He was so preoccupied with apologizing for his past mistakes that he didn't notice his counterpart's rising anxiety. Kuu reached out to touch Taka only to be met by a flinch. Of course he was scared. Why wouldn't he be? Seeing his obvious discomfort, Kuu let his hand fall to his side and sighed. "Anyways, I didn't come here to whine."

He wiped his tears and took another deep breath. As air seeped out of him, Kuu allowed hesitant tranquility to grip his heart and harden his resolve. He squeezed his hands together. Nothing's getting through to him. I don't think words will cut it. What can I do? Yuu thought while he stared daggers into the earth. He then recalled how calming Kumo's embrace was―the warmth he longed for, the hole in his being finally regaining substance, and the everlasting tingles overwhelming his body. He wanted Taka to know what that felt like; Kuu wanted him to feel okay with himself.

So he mustered up the last of his battered courage and wrapped his arms around Taka's body. Even if he was a figment of his brain's memories, Kuu swore he felt the same warmth creeping up his arms from Taka's body. Both of the lost souls knew he was uncomfortable. It was obvious by how stiff his muscles were and how quick his heart beat against their ear. Alas, Kuu refused to let go. He held onto the man as tight as he could, nuzzling his head into his stomach. Maybe if he held on long enough, the feelings he couldn't put into words would get through to him.

Taka jerked back, placing his hands on the boy's shoulders. "What're you doing? Don't touch me," he ordered. Much to his dismay, Kuu didn't budge. He pushed him back, writhing and groaning, desperate to escape his hold.

Although tears impaired his vision, Kuu still noticed the trees leers hide amongst the trees the longer they embraced Yuu's victim.

Eventually they withered away, leaving roots beaten by time as the only proof of their existence. No more hisses, and no more curses. All that remained of Taka's nightmare was the narrow hole by the tree where their grave should've been.

"It's okay, Taka. If I knew things would turn out like this after I bit the dust, I would've never left Kumo's side." Kuu tugged on Taka's shirt, rubbing his thumb over its soft material. Ah, this is nice, he thought as tears stained his the man's clothes. "I'm sorry."