He only clutched his pants leg harder, sitting there for a good long minute before he was pretty certain there wasn't a frog in his throat. "She's different with Itachi..." And just as the words fell from his lips, he almost crumbled. He felt as though he were betraying his friend. But... If he could lift that guilt off Itachi's shoulders.

If only he could just do something...

"Maybe she isn't the key. Not by herself. Orochimaru's always been interested in Itachi." What the hell was he even saying?! "And I could-- I could use kotoamatsukami from a distance. It'll be subtle, and even if he does find out, he won't be able to undo it unless he kills me first. Or her. But she's dispensable."

It left a bad taste in his mouth, and a knot in his stomach.