"I'm eating until your eyeballs fall out, too," Tsume murmured with a faint smile, reaching down to scratch a line where Gorou had lashed her across her calves.

No blood materialized. She paused, staring for a moment at a jagged, short nail. Then, flush of excitement suddenly dulled, she rubbed the scab off her calf with several quick movements. Beads of red welled, and she stepped into Asuma's hand.

Once they were out, any jutsu she could do would be helpful. Not that she knew what she might be able to do, but she started gathering chakra just in case. It was strung out along her lines, hesitant to come to her call. She kept pulling, bit by bit, rehearsing the seals she'd need first.

Assuming no one saw them.

Assuming it worked.

Assuming they got out, and she had a chance do other jutsu.

The grate was in reach. She started to slide her hands through, and paused. Tipped her head. Glanced down at Asuma. "Someone new is here." She couldn't smell them; the wind was up, blowing most of the ship's scents away from her.

She didn't pause to wonder, too busy stepping onto Asuma's broad shoulders. He steadied her, palms gentle against each calf. She slipped her hands between the holes in the grate, breath held that the shadows would hide them. Alien chakra slid in from Asuma's callused hands, warming her skin and making it tighten uncomfortably. She used it, pulling on it quickly, adding it to her own.

Serpent, channeling chakra up into her wrists. Bird, with a flutter of power like the beat of sparrow's wings. Horse--

A hand closed around her wrist. Tsume choked off a startled yelp and hauled back. The hand didn't release her. She smelled him suddenly as he leaned close.

"You fucking little bitch." Yellow eyes, peering from beneath bandages, shifted to look past her. "This isn't playing nice." He hauled upward on the last word, yanking Tsume off balance and slamming her into the grate.

She expected him to let go, then. He didn't. With one arm caught, she lashed up with the other, claws extending to rake across his skin--

The tips of her fingers left tiny smears of blood as the scabs broke. Hibiki started to laugh. "Been declawed, pussy?"