“Maybe,” Ginta said wearily. But probably not. That bridge was burned, that way forever barred. If Ryouma was even still alive...

He joined Kakashi in the snow, sinking to his knees just deeply enough for the not-quite-healed right leg to crack through with new pain. At least, hip-deep in the drifts, he was icing it.

He pulled out his own supplies — med kit, canteen, ration bar — and counted soldier pills remaining in his pill container. He felt as if the cold had slowed not just his joints but his thoughts as well, as he stared numbly at the open case, remembering his last words with Ryouma.

I know you got the same damn lecture on chakra pill safety that I did when I was a rookie. Did you see how bad Kakashi looked when we got back? Do you think this is some kind of joke? Kakashi barely woke up from that, from doing to himself what it looks a hell of a lot like you're trying to do to yourself. And he at least had a reason for it. If this is some sick -- I don't know -- competitive thing...

And his conversation with Pakkun.

I think Kakashi’s trying to kill himself without actually holding a blade to his own throat.

Chakra pill overdoses and stupid heroics. Pointless sacrifice.

You gotta figure it out, Ryouma. Or I am gonna be standing there in black, with Kakashi next to me, while they retire your mask.

Maybe all three of their masks would be retired, all three of their names fresh-carved into glossy black stone.

We’re soldiers. Soldiers die.

Baiji pulled Ginta’s focus back to the present, wading through the snow to press his warm bulk against Ginta’s back for a moment, then closing the distance between the two men and trying to shield them both with his body.

Ginta swallowed the pill, then looked up at Kakashi. “That’s two for me today so far. Two yesterday. How many are you on? Was your clotting factor back to normal before we left?”

Kakashi shrugged, like he didn’t know and couldn’t care less.

Ginta stared a hole through Kakashi. “Whatever else happens, we’re making it home from this. I’m not making the same damn mistake again.”