Heiji was perhaps five or six feet away when he stopped, crossing his arms over his chest and looking deeply unhappy. "That story about offering to take the blame for Hershel was totally bogus. Hershel wouldn't want that. I wouldn't want it, either. It's not just a matter of takin' the heat for making that decision; everyone would think ya shut Hershel and Alfendi out and acted on your own, too. What would you do if people stopped trusting you? I don't... want you to get hurt..." He trailed off for a moment.

Then he was practically glaring a hole in the grass about three feet to Snake's right side, speaking with sudden ferocity. "The truth is, I hated it when ya walked away from me! I ain't good at wagging my tail, waiting for someone to come back!"