Tsume stood when Haruichi did. Kuromaru did as well, ear pulling back. He spoke before Tsume, his voice a low grumble. "It's already low. It'll be lower. I don't think that's a good idea."

She reached out and settled a hand on his broad shoulders, bending her elbow to do so. "What's the purpose of that?" She could feel him again. She had chakra again. If it was dangerous, surely they wouldn't have reattached everything. And if it wasn't dangerous, then why were they waiting?

Waki had explained it before, and she'd thought she could deal with having the pathways stitched--as he'd said--until it was safer. But now that they were open, she found she was wrong. It was safe enough, wasn't it? If there was rot, surely Haruichi would have seen it.