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Leo felt pain shoot through him when the master released his hand, his eyes widened and he suddenly felt cold. "you're angry with me," he whispered softly, bringing his arms up to hold himself. "i am sorry, please forgive me master." he tried to think about what could have angered the man and when it hit, he felt like he was going to be sick. "there are many, yes, but master-are you angry about Tsume?" he moved to look into the master's eyes, "you are, aren't you? i am sorry, i will tell him to not touch me anymore, but master-" he reached a hand out and was about to touch his arm, but hesitated an inch away from the other. his hand twitched slightly, closing n on itself, before he dropped it to his side once more, his gaze lowering. "master, do you know what a familiar is? it is one who is bond to another, through the soul. half of my soul lives within Tsume, it makes it so we can sense each other's emotions." he gently touched the cloth over the mark on his side, "it was something that must have been locked down or i would have known he was still living and he would have been able to find me. when i started to use my powers it opened a small path, but it wasn't until i called the storm that the bond was once more fully active."

he shook his head, "master, please. the only reason that Tsume touches me so is because he has been so long away from me. he is a wolf, they are pack creatures to begin with and more so when they bond. but no matter what, my body still belongs to you, master." he looked up again, trying to hide the pain and confusion in his eyes, trying to smile and be strong, "i will always be yours master, no matter what else changes. i will always-" the word was on the tip of his tongue and he wanted to say it so badly, but he couldn't. he couldn't say something like that, not when he was the broken damaged creature that stood before the prince. what did he expect back? it would only make it awkward for the master and he didn't think he could stand to put the man in such a position. "i will always be your friend, master. no matter what." he hated himself for saying that, but at the same time it was for the best. he would never do something that bold to the master. there was no way his feelings could ever be returned.

Leo swallowed and nodded, "i-i understand, master. we should get going." he bowed to the man before quickly turning away. Six years of torturous training on controlling his expressions couldn't hide the pain that twisted across his face for a few seconds after he turned away. he kept his back straight, his head at the proper angle, but he knew he was crying. Leo walked away, moving tot he other side of the carriage where the guards and Henry were, discreetly wiping his eyes when he was out of sight. he smiled when he saw the group and bowed low, "i apologize for what happened, please forgive Tsume. he didn't know you were of no danger too me." he straightened himself, "the master would like to get going again. is it possible or would you prefer to rest a bit more?" he could push past this, he could focus on what was to come and not on the pain that tore him up inside at the thought of the master pulling away from him. he knew it would come, he knew that sooner or later the master would wish to be ride of him. he just hadn't known how much it would hurt when the time came.

Leo smiled and shook his head, "no, of course i wasn't why would you think that?" at the mention of his eyes, he reached up to gently touch them, "oh, it must be from earlier. i wore myself out is all. i'll be fine." to prove it he smiled again, "i'll ask the master about the lantern." he paused his body just stopping for a moment, before he smiled for real. he walked around to where the master was and the smile faltered slightly, but he kept it firmly in place. "master? Tsume said it is alright for us to come to the forest now. he's waiting for us at the entrance. Ipo-san said we might have forgotten the lantern, did you place it somewhere?"

Leo's eyes widened when he saw the master's reaction to discovering that he had left the lantern. Henry wasn't able to calm him, but Leo had an idea. he moved forward and took the master's hands into his own, "Master, look at me. look into my eyes." he looked up at the man and very gently, very carefully kissed him. "master it is fine. you are fine. you don't need the lantern, you are strong." he slide his hands up the master's arms and gently hugged him,. "you are calm, master. you don't need the lantern. look how far you have come without it. you can always get in on our way back." he smiled and looked into the man's eyes, "it's ok, master. i promise. but right now we should go before Tsume comes after us, ok?"

Leo smiled warmly at the master, "That's right, you will be fine. and trust me, you ownt even know that there are others around in the forest. the People don't take well to strangers so they will be in hiding. and if they don't want to be seen it is all but impossible to see them." he kissed the master's hand and nodded, "We'll have to take the horses, it's still half a day's walk away. not all of us can be as fast as Tsume. if we ride it should only take us an hour or two." he was excited to be back in his home, but also very very nervous. everyone was expecting the boy they had known to return, what would they do when they saw the pathetic thing he'd become? would they reject him, refuse to accept someone so dirtied back? that was his biggest fear, to be hated and turned away

Leo was confused as to what to choose, "i-uh, master?" he looked at the man, hoping for a little help, "whatever you wish, master. if you desire me to ride with Ipo-san, i shall." he moved to gently pat the horses' cheeks, "but if you wish me to ride with you then i shall obey your desire. Ipo-san? there is no need to worry about riding the horses, they promise to be gentle."

Leo got on the horse with ease, but he had to hold in laughter at ipo's trouble. he was ready to get down and help, maybe ride with him to make sure, but the master took care of it all. soon they were heading to the border and Leo felt his breath hitch. he was going to see Falia again, he was going to be home in the woods for the first time in far, far too long. he shivered in anticipation and the two hour ride seemed to take forever and barely a heartbeat at the same time. "stop here," he said softly to the master when they reached the treeline. he carefully got off the horse and walked to the nearest tree. his hand slowly moved forward and almost as if it were acting on it's own, touched the bark of the ancient tree. "i'm home-" he said softly, smiling.

"Welcome home." Tsume stepped out of the trees, one moment there was no one there and the next Tsume walked out in his human form. "come, there is something i must show you. get back on the horse, we're going deep inside the forest." he looked at the prince and lifted an eyebrow, "you will be tolerated, lynxy, but remember you are a visitor here. if you get eaten by a bear don't blame me." he shifted to the wolf and waited for Leo to mount again before leading the way into the forest, following a trail only he and Leo could see with their native eyes.