"It really is beautiful..." he says back to Tanyuu, making sure Kuro's walk is slow enough that his friend can slither at a comfortable pace. "... So we should try really hard not to totally wreck it."

He listens to what the others say and frowns a bit.

"So... the Hunt is interested in these guys, too... So ... the enemy of my enemy is my friend?"

As they draw closer to the tree, Rin gulps, feeling his bravado slip away in the face of reality.

"Well... no turning back now, right? Ehehe..."