[center][color=moccasin][h2]Tsukiko Umene[/h2] [@Odin][@Project][@Spanner] [hr][/color][/center] The clone that Kamui sent was absorbed by the flame, hinting at the nature of the fire's properties. While Tsukiko remained squatting and contemplating the next move it appeared that Sakana decided "fuck it." She made no efforts to stop him or confront him on his plan, instead watching intently as he jumped up on her pillar and grabbed the flaming scroll himself. Tsukiko narrowed her eyes as Sakana jumped back down to the ground, taking a knee in pain as he tried to figure out what to do with the flames attacking him. There wasn't much she could offer him in the way of assistance and moral support would be patronizing to someone like Sakana. The youngest member of the team figured something out though, treating the attack like a genjutsu and using Kai to expel some of his chakra. And it seemed to have worked. [color=moccasin]"Huh..."[/color] she muttered to herself as she stood back up to full height just in time for the proctor to begin his little meltdown. Once again he insulted everyone, though he took a moment to praise Sakana and then whisper something to him, before taking his leave. [i][color=moccasin]Next time I'll kill you, bitch,[/color][/i] Tsukiko thought, her lethal glare remaining fixed on Suzaku until he disappeared in flames. The door out opened and she felt a scroll materialize on her belt, prompting her to look down and check. This one had a fire emblem on it, though it wasn't a shitty hand-drawn one like the original scroll Sakana had grabbed. With these new scrolls the team set out through the door, finding themselves in the Forest of Death now. It not only appeared that they were the first team finished but Kamui confirmed it with a scan using some kind of sensory technique. By now Tsukiko had a pretty decent mental profile of Sakana and Kamui. She hadn't seen much of them but had a good bead on what it would be like to fight them and the kinds of strategies she should use. Usagi, on the other hand, had been real quiet and demonstrated very little. Even less so than Tsukiko had. Her personality was of a different type from the rest of the team entirely, but Tsukiko could still feel a dangerous presence in her company. There was no doubt she was a [i]winner[/i] just like the others. These people would be enemies later if there were a direct combat portion of the exam so it was worth keeping track of those she could. Kamui offered to heal or otherwise assist Sakana, which seemed strange to Tsukiko considering that what she knew of shadow clones meant this trial cost him half his chakra. Not to mention that Sakana seemed relatively fine and that the two could potentially be enemies later. She kept a mental note of his healing capability and began to examine the nearby area when Shinko appeared and used a scroll to project a message from the Hokage. Despite all his words the message was simple: get to the exit with two scrolls to win. Before he even finished his message Tsukiko had already decided on her next course of action. She wouldn't give any time to wait, any time to think. Her actions weren't personal and her former teammates likely knew this. After all they sought victory and ultimately promotion as well. But she had to be tactical and she had to be brutal. The transmission hadn't been cut yet and Tsukiko had already stealthily approached Kamui. With Sakana immediately in front of him he was in a good place to be, holding an advantageous position over him to strongarm the scroll should he choose. This made him the most suitable target for Tsukiko. The very second that Shinko disappeared with a bow she sprung into action. Tsukiko had drawn one of her ninjato and took a shallow slice diagonally at Kamui's waist to free the scroll and inflict some hindering damage to dissuade pursuit. Her free hand swiped the falling scroll as she crouched again before leaping straight up into the air to land on one of the large tree branches overhead. Of course, she would have to escape her former team like this anyways even if Kamui or someone else prevented her from taking his scroll. Being around them for too long put her own scroll at risk and attempting camaraderie wasn't worth that possibility. They would all find a way on their own.