（ the sword gets a look. she knows, too well now, just what it takes to make a lasting blade, but she isn't going to say anything about it. she can recognize that utility requires sacrifice, even if she disagrees with how that sacrifice occurs.

naruto will see it differently, but she has a series of soulforged glass bottles that she's using to store blood. there was no other choice unless she wanted them to degrade to uselessness almost immediately. so she understands why sasuke would make such a choice, and can't condemn it. ）

He's doing the same with me.

（ bleak confirmation. ）

And yes, he did tell me — but even if he hadn't — it's Naruto. Of course he's going to believe he can get us all home if he just tries hard enough. I've seen what happens when he's willing to tear himself apart for a goal, and I don't think that ends well here.

（ her shoulders hunch a little in misery as she pulls herself in nearer her center, like she's trying to fold into nothing, head resting briefly on her drawn-up knees. it's a moment of self-soothing, and then she consciously exhales. flattens out her shoulders, and stands up. ）

I'm going to see if I can get an audience with the Hierarchy.