[No, no no no. He did not just see that... that mark around his neck. This isn't happening. This isn't--!!]
Ya--
[He can't even talk. Screw talking. He's going to start running out to wherever Yamanami is. He doesn't care that he doesn't know where, but just needs to be there. Now.]
[The urge to struggle to his feet and limp all the way back to the house is admittedly strong: all these people are trying to find him, and all he can do is sit around. And there's blood everywhere. He's sitting a pool of blood, practically stewing in it. If it was just his, maybe that would be better, but it's not...but they made him...
Talk. Don't think about it. Talk now.
Sannan clears his throat again, spitting some blood onto the grass beside him.]
Sannan looks up, faint smile fading fast as he takes in the horror on Heisuke's face.
He knows what he's looking at, of course. One hand reaches up, bloodied fingers resting on that scar, that freshly healed ring that he knows stands out, will always stand out now.
[He can't... He can't even begin to think about what is going on. Yamanami is sitting there, covered in blood, surrounded by it, and there's a ring around his neck - a scar - that is far too familiar. Heisuke hadn't gone to see him after what had happened, but he knew. Something like that was unmistakable.]
.............
[He doesn't answer and simply walks forward, dropping to his knees in front of Yamanami.]
...cover it up... We'll cover it up...
[Distracted, he pats himself down, trying to find something he can use like a scarf to help hide the scar.]
You don't have to...[He watches helplessly as Heisuke searches.] I didn't...[die, he's going to say, but then he realizes that he can't remember what happened.]
I know. [He's trying to be reassuring - he's the senior officer; he has to keep up morale or something - but he's shaking too, now, and all he can think is I don't want to die. Which in some ways is a step forward]
...I'm sorry. I didn't...all of this because of me...
[Dropping the cloth, he grabs Yamanami by the shoulders.]
What'd I tell you?! It's not your fault! All you need to do is stay here and you came back so it's fine! Alright?
[Alright... Yeah. It's fine! It'll be fine! Yamanami is back and he's talking and he's not dead and that's all that matters! He grabs the cloth and starts winding it loosely around Yamanami's neck.]
[The cloth closes around his neck; he waits for Heisuke to pull away before testing it absentmindedly (something that will become a habit in coming days) and pointedly ignoring the fact that Heisuke almost asked him what happened.]
I...chest, mostly. [He doesn't want to talk about any of this. Not yet, anyway.] Let's just...let's go.
Ya--
[He can't even talk. Screw talking. He's going to start running out to wherever Yamanami is. He doesn't care that he doesn't know where, but just needs to be there. Now.]
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Say...something...! Yamanami-san! Please, say something!
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This isn't fair. Why is it always Yamanami or Shinpachi or the people he cares about that get taken?! Why can't they just leave them alone?!
He's breathing hard, still running, trying to bite back tears.]
I'm...coming...! I'm coming! Hold on!
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Talk. Don't think about it. Talk now.
Sannan clears his throat again, spitting some blood onto the grass beside him.]
Where are you?
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Because that's where Heisuke is now. He's staring in horror at the sight in front of him, trying to wrap his mind around what he's seeing.
That ring around his neck is clear as day.]
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Sannan looks up, faint smile fading fast as he takes in the horror on Heisuke's face.
He knows what he's looking at, of course. One hand reaches up, bloodied fingers resting on that scar, that freshly healed ring that he knows stands out, will always stand out now.
His head sinks in something like embarrassment.]
Is it...[He looks away] is it that bad?
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.............
[He doesn't answer and simply walks forward, dropping to his knees in front of Yamanami.]
...cover it up... We'll cover it up...
[Distracted, he pats himself down, trying to find something he can use like a scarf to help hide the scar.]
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Only his hands stop halfway and start shaking. He can't deal with this. It's too terrifying and real.]
...the others'll be here soon. ...you'll be okay...
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...I'm sorry. I didn't...all of this because of me...
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What'd I tell you?! It's not your fault! All you need to do is stay here and you came back so it's fine! Alright?
[Alright... Yeah. It's fine! It'll be fine! Yamanami is back and he's talking and he's not dead and that's all that matters! He grabs the cloth and starts winding it loosely around Yamanami's neck.]
It's gonna be fine. It will be.
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A-alright...
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W-Where else're you hurt? What'd they-- [No, don't ask that.] Where're you hurt? I can get you to the clinic.
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I...chest, mostly. [He doesn't want to talk about any of this. Not yet, anyway.] Let's just...let's go.
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