He was a coward. It was one of his bad traits. Even if Hibari confronted him with the truth, Tsuna didn't have the courage to acknowledge it. He wondered if it was simply because it was taboo, or avoidance of the guilt he might have, if he caused one of his guardians to suffer? Tsuna didn't know.

However, he focused on the fact that Hibari was following him. Maybe he was in that much pain from the blight slowly taking effect. Tsuna hurried along, walking on to a familiar road that lead them up to a long pair of stairs against a hill. Once they reached the top, the large red torii signaling the gateway to the shrine.

Tsuna was totally out of breath from all those steps, but he made sure to get out of the way, so Hibari could get to the purification well.