"It's not surviving that is painful, not entirely," he began, and then paused to arrange his thoughts better in his head. Consequences of thinking too fast and of too many things at the same time. And being emotionally distanced from many things. Ironic that he of all people was explaining this. "It's the loss that is painful. The process of losing someone highly valued, that is what makes surviving through their sacrifice leave a cold feeling in you, not because you didn't want to survive, but because you didn't want them to die." Surviving was usually a good thing, after all, except when people survived Kuroro. His victims were often not fit to carry on with life after he was through with them.

He smiled at that, mildly impressed. It was the warrior's way. Not something that Kuroro adhered to as a criminal and a practical one at that, but there was some respect to be given to it. "I suppose that's a very binding thing for a partnership."

Another grin, and Kuroro closed his eyes with a small yawn. "You're pretty good company."