He's not sure what rings harder in his head; the snap of Gojyo's hand or the verbal hate. Both circle in his head, spinning enough to make Hakkai almost nauseous but at the core of it all, that dark little kernel remains. It urges him to make the redhead pay.

He couldn't stand up to me if I really wanted to hurt him. I could hurt him so easily... I could make him pay... break him... kill hi-

... no.

One eye is already swelling up as he turns his head to look at Gojyo.

"... I understand."