"Creepy as a--why would you stone an owl with berries?" He'd heard some strange expressions in the last few years, but that was a new one. Asuma shook his head, flicking two fingers at her retreating back. "Never mind. I don't want to know."

No laugh. No acquiescence, either.

Tie game.

He leaned his chin on a cross-bar, watching Tsume walk away. She wasn't leaving, she was almost... prowling, head casting from side to side--searching for a key, hopefully.

"I was just looking around. Curious, y'know. Then your bundle of warm and fuzzy decided to graduate from steak-giving to a growl-and-tackle." He debated pulling out another cigarette, then decided against it. "I figured putting bars between us was more polite than taking his head off, seeing as we shared a moment an' all."

Distantly, a snort echoed in the damp air.

Asuma craned his neck, trying to see her. "What are you doing down here?"