The world kept blurring in and out of focus, one second a cacophony of sounds and smells, the next dimming to almost nothing. Moving was difficult. Breathing was difficult. Her body felt sluggish and non-responsive.

Focus came with a struggle. Understanding with a bigger one.

Hole in her partner. She frowned at the masked man. "Don' hurt R'ouma."

"He means me." It was Yasuo's voice, rumbling under her bandaged ear, the bones of her jaw.

"Oh. You c'n defend y'self." She was more concerned about the other scent reaching her now--smelling like charred flowers and sugar-sweet iron. It smelled like Ryouma, but nothing like Ryouma. It was a battle to focus past the brightness of the world, but she finally saw a large, dark-haired shape not far away. She tried to point, but only flopped an arm. "Take me there." The muscles under her were shifting before she even spoke, carrying her closer.

Ryouma seemed to pull away.

She didn't have the coordination to reach out. When she tried, he was too far, and she fell.

Hands caught her. She trusted them to keep her safe and reached out farther, brushing careful palms over broad shoulders. There was only a pinprick scent of blood, and none of acid or pain. A sigh of relief made the world spin and lurch dizzily. "You're not hurt no more."

"Stop moving, woman!" Yasuo snarled, muscles twisting and bunching against her.

Tsume ignored him, feeling detached and boneless as she was manhandled around. There were words she didn't listen to, then new arms, not as compact as Yasuo's, drawing her closer to Ryouma.

Safe. They were all safe. Her head lolled against a new shoulder, unconsciousness creeping up. She forced it back and--

This wasn't Ryouma's shoulder.

She didn't have much strength, but she threw it all into finding him. He'd been there, just there, a moment ago. Not flayed or acid burned or--

There. There. She took a deep breath, letting his scent coil in her lungs. A smile brushed her mouth. "Smells good, huh?"

There was a beat before Yasuo answered. "I... haven't taken the time to sniff him, but I'm sure he does."

Tsume stretched to get closer. "You should sniff 'im. Smells good."

"...I'll take your word for that."