"It's as good as dead." Gen stated simply, twenty nine heads nodding in agreement. "Good as dead." the rest repeated.

"I see."

"Is that a problem?"

"Not mine, I suppose."

Wait for me.

The voice tingled the back of his mind, but he shook it off.

"Let's get this over with. Thank you all for your help. I know I can't do anything for you anymore, but rest assured, I'll set things right. Even at the cost of this body."

Tenpou shrugged off the cloak, gave one last glance over the hill, then his eyes fell again on Gen who looked calmer at the knowledge that he and his men would get avenged.

A brief nod and they saluted, their forms wavering as they dissipated back into the mist.

He jumped.

****

Gojyo arrived too late. Once he caught sight of the lake, nobody was there. But there...there...farther out into the ice...the surface was broken and there...there...Hakkai's cloak.