That was a lot to focus on. Asuma latched his shaky thoughts around each separate piece of information, trying to catch them and keep them, and found Tsume's hands settling on his forearms. Her chakra--pale and twisted--washed over his skin as he ran his own chakra through pathways still thrumming brightly with false energy. She corrected him twice, then a third time, making him change the pattern with firm little taps of those clawless fingers.

Dog, tiger, serpent, horse. Chakra through serpent. Lock it with horse. Focus and think about regrowing bone.

Don't pass out.

He caught his lower lip between his teeth, running through the pattern again. Little scabs broke on his palms and fingers. Tsume's hands were cold against his skin, but steadying. He messed up again; she corrected him. He focused harder.

Didn't think about his skull. Not before he had to.

The ship rocked beneath them, moving with a purpose now as his clones guided it. The lanterns flickered, casting warm, tallow-light shadows over the walls and wooden floor. The air still smelled like stew, like warm gravy and meat he couldn't eat. He could see the cans he'd ripped open scattered across other tables. Blood and bandages strewn over the floor. The dead medic's shoe, attached to a body that had half-slid beneath one bolted down table.

For the first time in a long time, Asuma wondered what his personal body count even was.

Maybe they'd be waiting to meet him.

Dog--tiger--serpent--horse--

Tsume nodded, hands still on his forearms. His bracelets caught against her sharp, cloth-shrouded elbows with every third seal; his Guardian Twelve sash was still firmly knotted around his forehead, soaked with sweat and blood. It probably wasn't a good time to catch a last cigarette, he thought, and took one more look at the room. At his partner, with her blue eyes, wild hair, and iron-hard resolve.

Last woman he might ever see.

Dog--tiger--serpent--

Chakra gathered.

"Hey, Tsume," he said, and ducked down as her head lifted, pressing his lips firmly against hers. "Thanks."

--horse.

He focused on pain, and released the jutsu.