"No," Ryouma said, even stronger. He'd pushed himself up on his elbows as far as he could, until Shouma's looming bulk stopped him, and he still couldn't see. A tuft of brown hair over the ridge of the dog's back, a pair of bare feet jutting out past Kakashi's shoulder. Yasuo had to be crouched, holding Tsume in his arms like a child. He'd done more than keep his word. He'd brought her so Ryouma could see for himself.

And he couldn't see. He shoved at Shouma, heedless of the heavy jaws and gleaming teeth. The dog, pushed to the brink, snapped. Kakashi moved even faster, lunging up to scruff Shouma and drag his head away from Ryouma's bare arm.

Beneath the straining curve of his ribcage, Ryouma saw Tsume's bandaged head.

Left ear.

Right temple.

Complications from a jutsu.

The sound that broke from his throat didn't resemble anything human. He bucked Shouma off, thrust his shoulder into Kakashi's belly and knocked him back. Monitors wailed as IV lines tore again; a needle dragged a bright line of fire across his arm before it ripped free. He ripped the nasal cannula away, tumbled off the bed, and dropped to his knees beside the Inuzuka.

Reached out, and couldn't.