"Like something Kuromaru half-ate," Asuma agreed, entirely truthful, and tipped his head down to return her scrutiny. "You look knackered, love. Don't tell me you've been on your feet this whole time?"

A grating snort answered him, forced around the edges of that unhappy looking grin. Tsume's expression wavered between 'well, duh' and dead-on-her-feet exhaustion. Shadows bruised the delicate skin beneath heavy-lidded eyes, almost purple above bright red tattoos. Sharp cheekbones knifed out against the weary angles of her face. Beneath that fading sunburn, her skin was paler.

But she was still glaring--not at him, which was nice--and snapping and standing, and it took a whole lot of effort not to kiss her again.

Well, for three seconds.

He hooked his cigarette between his fingers, wrapped his free arm around her lean shoulders, and pulled her in for a hug--one that almost managed not to wrench a bruise or lash mark for either of them. Muscles tensed beneath his touch. He ducked his head to press his lips quickly against the side of her face; walking the boundary without tripping straight over it.

"Thanks, darlin'. I owe you one." More than one, really. He grinned, smile hooking higher on one side. "We getting close to shore yet? Or am I getting a sea burial when you break your no-hitting promise?"