The fire and shadows may play across him too, on the edge of it's range, but he doesn't step closer himself. A part of him is sure that moving will lose this moment, have him dissipating again and this time it will be for good. If this is the only moment he has than he'd like to draw it out just a little longer. Selfish perhaps, but this time there's no threat to give them a time limit and... and the last time just hadn't been long enough for a father's heart even if it had been just enough time for a hokage's instructions.

The question is a blow though and he takes it without reaction. No. He wants to deny it - but he's a shinobi and he knows better. Children... and not quite children anymore - die. Even one as precious to him as his only son. So still, he doesn't move except for a stray sweep of pale breeze in the night that twitches the edges of his white jacket.

"I don't know. I lost my connection to you when I restored your seal." A pause and then: "Is the Nine-Tails still inside you?"