But Raidou wasn't a dog.

He woke instantly when a heavy weight crushed down on his shoulders and pinned his wrists to the floor. Sharp fangs pricked a double row of needle-points around his throat. Hot breath washed over his scar. It smelled like meat.

His eyes flared open and met the pale gaze of a demon.

He couldn't breathe.

As options went, panic seemed sensible.

Raidou gasped, forcing out a throttled choking sound, and tried to arch up. The demon was too heavy; he couldn't move. He twisted, thrashed, and wrenched sideways, trying to free an arm. The demon simply moved with him, teeth tight against his throat.

Raidou kicked up and hit nothing.

Its mouth was on his scar. A tongue like a slab of beef laved across his throat.

It was going to eat him.

He clawed at his chakra, ripping at the flaring coil of energy that slunk under his skin, and almost shredded it when his hands couldn't meet to make seals. Pain made his eyes water.

He couldn't breathe.