[... It's a painful expression to see on Guren's face, to see in his eyes--but it's necessary. Guren's hurting, he's hurting so, so badly, and him trying to be strong for everyone who comes by... that must just be chipping him down even more, right?

Bit by bit...

Minato closes his eyes briefly.]

It won't stop any of those things. That pain, these injuries, the knowledge of what happened... you still have to deal with those.

So for now, just for a little while... stop trying to be strong for me. All I want is for you to focus on yourself, not on me. I promise... I can handle it.

[They're nearing the top of the stairs now, at least, but there's still so much to go, and Guren still has to cope with this for so much longer. Isn't all he has to cope with even more reason to not worry about Minato in the midst of all of this?]