Akechi's Shadow is stronger than he could ever be in reality; Ren hits the floor with a bone-bruising thud and gasps. Somewhere in his flight, he's let go of his dagger. Breathing hard from pain and adrenaline, he stares urgently at Akechi's Shadow as he tries to push himself to his feet. If he can't do anything else here, maybe he can at least make this known.

"It wasn't like that. I didn't want you to die. I couldn't—it wasn't because I didn't—"

He's losing track of his words again, now, when he needs them most. Fuck.