Damn.

Raidou tapped the tip of his kunai against the door, making a very quiet rasping sound, and considered his options.

"No, see, that just doesn't work for me," he said finally. "Or you, if you think about it. That kid's your only bargaining chip. If you start hacking bits off then I'm not going to want him back. And if I don't want him back, there's nothing to stop me playing find-the-kidney with your boss. Or from dangling you by your tendons off the roof, which I assure you I'll take great delight in doing."

If you're going to bluff, his sensei had always said, make sure it's a damn good one.

"But," he went on, "if you give me the kid back with all his important pieces still attached, I can get out of your hair and your boss'll probably give you a raise for showing unexpected thinking on the line of duty. What d'you reckon?"