He just closed his eyes again after Hiruma continued (not that he could reply anyway) and focused again. Tried reaching for that 'black object' again. He could remember slightly where he had found it the first time, and lo and behold, it was still there.

It was easy to image himself as he was in human form. Easy to image holding his sword again; it might as well be a second appendage for him by now.

It was a few minutes before anything happens again, but after a little while one of the bones on his front paw starts to crack.