It was hard for Blaze not to smile a little in relief when Sensei admitted that the distance between them had actually bothered him. Blaze felt the first inkling of hope that there was still a chance for him to make things right between them. He swallowed hard, trying to muster up the courage that he'd felt just after having spoken to his kid brother earlier that afternoon.

He figured that it might be easier if he got the negative things out of the way. After a deep breath he began, "When I went to get Tootles and Junk to bring them to the farm..." He recounted everything that he'd told his brother earlier that afternoon, although he was able to keep his emotions in better check than he had earlier. He had to stop every now and then as he spoke and look away to prevent himself from crying again.

"I didn't know how to deal with that, I still don't really. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about all of it sooner. I should have let myself open up about it but I couldn't." He shook his head, "And Nori... I've been trying to find her. I'm so sorry I haven't been able to find her."

He reached out and took Sensei's hand. "Everything that has happened, before and during the war... it has really made me think about things. The worst thing about losing Tootles is that I never got to know him. I don't want to lose anyone else without having let myself open up to them."