Shiki stirred his tea again, watching green powder rise to the surface and fall away. "Take it easy," he murmured, golden eyes regarding the boy's struggles with a practiced gaze. No one had ever broken Sano's jutsu, but that didn't mean it would never happen.

He watched, and measured. And relaxed. It wasn't going to happen today. Tea rippled as he blew across his mug. The cut along the young man's calf had opened again. Blood trickled down his leg, soaking his boot. It slid over leather, red and shiny, and etched the shape of his heel into the floor.

"We haven't touched her. Not any more than necessary to subdue her. But if you want her to remain untouched, you might consider cooperating. You might not find it so bad. We don't want your village or your friends." Setting his tea down, he walked toward Tousaki. When he was close enough to touch he crouched, hands linked between his knees. He looked up into eyes that couldn't see him and spoke softly, just loud enough to reach the struggling boy. "We just want your jutsu, Tousaki-kun."