After leaving the canyon, Hinata wandered through the forest at a slow pace. His eyes were sharper than they had ever been before; honestly confronting Absalom had felt remarkably good. However, there was still a weight in his heart that had yet to be lifted.
Hinata leaned against a tall tree, the cool air heavy with the scent of damp soil as it brushed past him. Cradled in his hands was the figure of Goku, sleeping soundly.
Hinata's face darkened, his teeth clenching. He had been so focused on getting back at the Dragonforge family and staying far away from them that he had ignored the state of his companion.
Perhaps because he had seen him so often in this form, Hinata had forgotten that his companion wasn't actually a dragon or a living person, but an agent of causality formed from his absorption of the shadow core.
Back then he hadn't understood Goku's words, but now he was beginning to.
Hinata made his way toward the dark chamber that had once held him captive.
