Kakashi's eyes--hidden crimson and visible grey, both--narrowed sharply. "You realize I can smell you lying, right?" he said, stretching the words into a parody of Tsume's drawl. His own drawl. Fingers flicked in and out of his pockets, dancing with a shatter of chakra; the wire around Kuromaru's muzzle glimmered with flecks of light, and snapped off.

Metal pinged on tile. Kuromaru's jaws gaped for a moment, muscles bunching at the hinges, then he lowered his head and rubbed his muzzle against his forelegs. Blood rushed back into wire-grooved white lines, flushing them scar-pink.

Tsume was still glaring at her familiar, mouth set like a knife slash. Kakashi crushed the word mate out of his head.

Glad you're enjoying each other.

And that, too. It went to a dangerous place he wasn't ready to think about yet, even with Ryouma's fingerprint bruises still on his hips. His stormy-sunshine scent still floating around, upsetting people and canines alike.

It was amazing how much trouble Ryouma could cause, even when he wasn't there.

"If you're both done spreading your issues around, I have things to do." He turned his back, dismissing them both. "Don't trip on your way out, grandmother."