I woke up sitting against a tree. I felt for a wound in my side, but there wasn't one. I looked around but there was no one in sight. I felt my pocket and there was a note in it.

'Talos if your reading this, then you final woke up. Sorry I'm not there but I have a place of my own to be. Thank you for doing what I could not. I can finally remember everything that has happened. I know if I would have been there you would have offered to take me back to the leaf, and tried to help me change my ways, but I just can't walk that path. I am glad I saved you twelve years ago. You owed me a life debt, and you have paid it in full. I used what medical ninjutsu I knew to close the hole in your lung, but I would take it easy for a while. So I have to part ways with you now. You have things you need to protect and I have mine. So the next time we meet, I'm sure it will be as shinobi, but always know you were my first friend and I will always believe in you.

-Markus Creed'

Tears filled my eyes.

"I saved you from the darkness....." I laid against the tree and started to doze off. "I'll return..to the leaf....after I get....some res...." I fell asleep.