Please... don't wake up, he begged his counterpart. He didn't need to see his body falling apart. To feel his body in a death grip by the figure he looked up to, deep down. Yuu knew Kumo wanted to bear the burden, but he couldn't let that happen. It was funny, really, how both of them were so adamant on protecting each other even if it meant putting themselves in danger in the process.

"Ghost." Lady Tsuki had her eyes on the hourglass now in her possession. "I will ask you one last time; give me your straw. You understand what is at stake if you do not comply, yes?"

The stupidly happy face Kumo showed when Suna spent time with him, dead or alive, came to Kuu's mind. She was wise, cunning, and as overprotective as mother hen on her period. Despite their differences, Yuu had a feeling they would've gotten along swimmingly. He couldn't dare let the only memento Kumo had of her to fall apart.

"There's not much I can do in this situation now, can I?" He grit his teeth. "You take it. It's... It's in my right pocket."

"Splendid." A loose thread dug in the designated area until it could grasp the straw she assigned to the baku all those years ago. It had two pulses, one pulsating in rapid beats while the other tapped to its own, steady rhythm. Once the heart was in her hand, she released Kuu along with his slumbering companion.

Finally, she could put this behind her and return her attention to more important matters. "You two are more trouble than you're worth." She scowled at their striped and polka-dotted straw, then shifted her stare to Kuu. His upper half crawled to the hourglass even as he deteriorated.

Just a little more! If nothing else, he had to make sure her coffin was safe. Kumo'd kill me if he saw even a dent on that damned thing.

No I wouldn't, you idiot.

That made him stop in his tracks. Vision blurry, he stared at the ground. So you woke up, huh. How long?

I don't know about you, but I sure as hell wouldn't be able to sleep through my body being fucking ripped in half.

Haha! You're tougher than I thought if you still have that much spunk left in you. After wiping his eyes free of oncoming tears, Kuu continued crawling. Sorry you had to see that.

You're the one who said we were supposed to suffer together, right? It's no fair to hog all the fun to yourself. Besides, you should learn to rely on me a little. I am your big brother after all. In their head, Kumo sounded like he was pouting.

...We were made at the same time.

Yes, but you're more of a crybaby then I am. Therefore I'm the oldest.

You know damn well that makes no sense.

Something about the light bickering between the two made Lady Tsuki's gaze soften. "I appreciate your cooperation, ghost. Therefore," she paused to push the trio together with her ribbons, "I will allow you to ask of me one wish."

Kuu had his suspicions, and for good reason. Who knew what would come out of dealing with a snake. "...Why?" he wheezed, picking up Suna.

"Merely on a whim." She waited for them to wriggle until they could lean against a tree. "Now, hurry up before I change my mind, you two."

Kuu sat back for a moment while weighing his options. As he kept his eyes closed, he listened in on the sounds of the night. Eventually, Kumo wondered, Can I wish for my st―

"You know the answer already." The glow flowing from her body dimmed, as if to warn him. "Do not test my patience."

Worth a shot, he grumbled. I have to think a bit more. What do you have in mind, Yuu?

Kuu scratched the back of his neck, averting his eyes from Lady Tsuki with reddened cheeks. Maybe if he spoke low enough, the goddess wouldn't bother to listen. His voice lowered to a whisper. "I just want to stay by your side."

Kumo gave a crooked smile. I get that, but that seems like a waste. We're already two peas in a pod, y'know.

But what else could he ever want? During the cold nights when his victims were out of town and he had nothing to do, Yuu wished with all of his being for his counterpart to be alright even though he foolishly resented him. But now that he confirmed him to be alright―well, as 'alright' as he could be given the circumstances―Yuu found himself to be fairly content. All of the time he spent in this hellhole was worth it if it meant seeing him smile. But that wouldn't be a good enough answer for the divine being.

"I know, I'm just afraid of getting separated again." He fumbled with his fingers with his head rested on the tree. "Ah, but there is one thing."

Kuu set his eyes on Lady Tsuki, watching as she examined the heart in her hands. "You're going to burn that, right?"

The goddess nodded. Her veil only slightly moved by the wind to reveal the green scales Yuu saw crawling up her neck. "Indeed."

"Then, promise the fire won't hurt." They'd already been through enough for the night―they were tired of it all. For Kumo's sake, he grit his teeth, swallowed his pride, and scoffed, "Please."

She stayed silent for a moment. They knew of their wrongdoings and were willing to accept their fate, but not the pain that came with it? How self-centered. However, they were young souls. Maybe she could make an exception, just for tonight. Her resolve wavered.

She mulled over it until finally caving in. They were her children of the night, after all. "Fine. What of you, baku?"

Yuu moved over to let Kumo take over their body. He stretched their arms up while a groan passed through his lips. "To make up for my playing my part in this mess, I'd like to watch over the people whose lives we've affected." His mind wandered off to the memory of Taka, whose eyes looked as grim as his future. "In the end, I'm at least partly responsible for the way they are today. So I want to keep an eye on them, if possible. Without interfering in their lives, of course."

Yuu huffed inside their head. I hate that you're getting punished. You didn't even do anything bad.

I'm not gonna argue with you over this again, Yuu. There's nothing you can do about me feeling guilty. Although I guess you can try, it won't do you any good. This is about my pride as a baku. Kuu shook his head and kept his eyes on the hourglass between his shattered legs. But that wish of yours... thank you. I just hope Susu won't get burned by the flames.

"You're so damn stubborn." Kuu groaned, but the hint of a smile on his face betrayed the scolding look he tried to pull off. "So am I, I guess."

"Alright, you have had enough time." Lady Tsuki cupped the straw between both of her hands. With one last look at her creations, she uttered, "Farewell."

Once he nodded, she set the end of the object aflame before vanishing.

Kuu watched the sudden flames swallow his straw. They licked the tip of his heart and sent trembles throughout what was left of his body. He hugged himself while blue flames engulfed his detached legs.

Yuu, y-you're there, right? Despite the execution being relatively painless, Kumo still wanted to see if he was alright. Are you okay?

"A worrywart until the end, huh. I'm about as fine as you are, Kumo." He didn't need to worry about anything anymore. "I'm just glad that asshole's finally gone."

Instead of commenting further, Kumo reflected on their past. Anything to distract them from the warmth dyeing their body black. "...I noticed something. Ever since we joined together, you've been calling me by my name. Why? I thought you hated it."

Well, I was angry when I first saw you. Bitter. Because I could tell by the joy in your eyes that you held no attachment to our life. I assumed you willingly let yourself forget, and couldn't stand you abandoning me. He rolled Suna's hourglass away for safe measure before continuing, but once I saw what she did to us, I knew I had it backwards. I was the one who abandoned you and was too hellbent on revenge to realize that. So... sorry.

"Wow, I never thought I'd get to hear that word from you of all people. It's nice." Kuu glanced to the flames that were now eating up his upper body. He winced at the sight of his legs reduced to charred ash.

I'm really sorry. I-If I hadn't been so stupid―if I hadn't gotten in the way of your work, then maybe―

"Don't be, Yuu. Please." He turned his attention to the fireflies above them. They drifted through the wind, ignorant of anything around them. Just like he once was. Kumo didn't like being an empty shell. That was a fate worse than death. "I told you already; I'm grateful for what you've done. Besides, I'd rather perish aware of my history than live on without ever knowing."

Yuu knew he was being sincere, but he couldn't help the guilt twisting in his gut. He'd been so mean to his counterpart all this time. Did he deserve to be forgiven?

On Kumo's side of the mind, the baku was exhausted. Now he knew how Yuu felt talking to him―it was akin to chatting with a brick wall. But somehow, he was alright with that. The more they butted heads, the more he was reminded that they weren't exactly one, but not two separate beings either. If only in their last moments, Kumo wanted to hope that they lived their lives to the fullest until the end. Although he had one regret lingering in the back of his mind.

The girl he met at the park. Although he forgot her name, the child's unwarranted affection towards him was a... nice feeling, as much as he didn't want to admit. She always popped by his side at the most unexpected times, refusing to leave until her parents dragged her away. The girl even caught him at his worse, yet still managed to comfort him when Suna couldn't.

He smiled at the memories. Playing with her on the swings used to solidify his resolve to keep humans' dreams safe. Now, he found something new to believe in, although it was too late of a discovery. I hope no one makes her have bad dreams. But if they do, I hope she knocks 'em dead. Maybe if Suna hadn't found us together, we could've talked more. What a pity.

"She seems like a tough kid." Kuu's body slid to the ground as the flames climbed up his arms. He sighed, looking up. "I think she'll be fine. Us, on the other hand..."

No, we'll be alright too. As long as we're together, right?

"But do you believe what that woman said? She didn't seem very sincere," Kuu complained.

I think she meant well, deep down. But if she doesn't hold her end of the deal― his breath hitched when their stomach fell apart, Y-you have to promise me you won't cause trouble anymore.

"I don't want to. If I do, that means there's a chance it'll happen. After all this time I spent waiting for you alone, we can't separate like this. It's not fair!" He just wanted to feel whole again. But that damned woman kept getting in the way until the very end, toying with their souls until they couldn't fit together the way they were meant to. He tightened his fists and pounded them on the ground. "I hate her. She messed up everything!"

Yuu, I know you're pissed, but we shouldn't waste our energy on thinking of her. To be honest, I'm already feeling a bit tired.

"T-tired? But baku don't―"

Something dropped next to them. Their eyes darted to the source, only to find their arm blackened and torn open by the simmering flames. Kuu gulped before turning away.

Kumo wondered if this was what it felt like to be Suna, but remembered that she could move without a body. Meanwhile they were trapped in one place, like a bug pinned for a collection. No matter how much they tried, they couldn't escape their end.

Ah... it's cuz the nightmares are leaving us. They are what gave me energy to move... like how yo―we―needed food to survive when we were alive. He yelped after their head toppled off their body. When I fell, my nightmares were trying to get out so Susu sealed me up.

Regret clawed at any attempt Yuu made to sound calm. As he spoke, his voice grew hoarse. Smoke travelled their throat. "I... I see. Where do they go?"

If my guess is right, back where they belong until another baku eats them. But nevermind that; don't speak if it hurts. I can still hear you.

...Mhm. Out of all the ways Yuu thought he'd fade, he never imagined it'd be like this. The goddess' fire tickled their chin while flames danced in the remains of their body. If their paths hadn't mingled, he would've never realized how his actions only fueled a cycle of hatred. I don't regret a single moment.

Exhaustion somehow grasped his conscience as well. He battled fatigue by keeping his eyes open. No, if I fall asleep now, you'll be alone! But it was no use; his eyes were curtains hell-bent on staying shut.

Go ahead. I'm still tired and...

Yuu listened for the rest of his sentence. Alas, it was replaced by relaxed breaths. Kumo was right, though. The embers, instead of scorching their skin, resembled a warm blanket swallowing them whole. It looked like the goddess showed actual mercy for once.

The ghost allowed their eyes to fall. Perhaps a sandman will give us with good dreams, was his last thought before their head was reduced to ashes.

As usual, a chorus of chirps from the insects dominating the summer echoed in their home. For that night, and many more to come, only they would remember the bittersweet adventures of a baku and his ghost. The hourglass standing tall next to a gravestone was a constant reminder of that time. Yet unbeknowest to them, two stars would flicker above when night fell and sleep possessed the small town.