Raidou fell easily into step behind her, hands looped back to help support Kuromaru's weight. It wasn't too much now, but it would get heavier. They were only half-way home.

He permitted himself one quiet sigh, and locked his mind into a shinobi's iron focus. Deal now, hurt later. Don't think about hot breath on your skin. Don't think about teeth near rour throat. Don't think about a body pressed against your back, or long fingers on your shoulders. Raidou couldn't afford the time to snap. They had a long way to run, and no one with free hands--unless you counted a non-thinking clone. He just hoped Tsume's nose would give them fair warning of an enemy.

At least he didn't have to deal with crying children, he thought wearily, as the boy began to wail again. The forest stretched tall around them, and did nothing to muffle the sound.