[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/XarGq6b.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/1s4NedS.png[/img][hr][/center][color=lightgray]Quiet chattering and footsteps filled the air in the forest, as a group slowly made their way down the path ahead of them, their kunais drawn. [b]"You see them?"[/b] One person called out, scanning to see if they could find any sign of movement. [b]"I got nothing."[/b] The squad continued on, stepping with a cautious pace as they hunted down the members of Squad 10. They were a much older squad, well on the trail of Squad 10 to see if they had the scroll they were looking for, and thin out the competition in the event that they didn't have the scroll. Either way, their presence spelled danger for Squad 10. A man in a bandana stopped, before looking around and holding up a fist, signaling for the squad to gather. Searching for Squad 10 as a squad themselves wasn't going to work. Everyone knew it. 

[b]"We should split up."[/b] One member said, looking at the others as they nodded in agreement, [b]"We know they're kids. What's the worst they can do against us?"[/b] The squad members had eventually dispersed, heading off in each cardinal direction to see if they could find signs of Squad 10 anywhere. Their tracking skills were better than those of Squad 10's, which meant that the smallest letup would spell their end quite quickly. Usagi Haruna was perched on top of a tree branch, watching below with a kunai held up tightly against her chest. The girl had figured being on top was a much more favorable position than being down there and being within reach of those that were hunting her down.

Soon enough, she could hear the gentle sounds of footsteps on the grass, causing Usagi to go into full defensive mode as her senses heightened, ready to listen. The footsteps got louder and louder, the presence of a hostile becoming ever so closer and more present as Usagi glanced down, seeing a figure walk up and scan the area. Why did he have to stop here in particular? Much to Usagi's dismay, the presumably hostile woman just so happened to stop here, right underneath Usagi. Usagi's breathing slowed down, as she looked around to weigh her options. She couldn't escape right now. Moving to a different location would've given her own location away and spelled her death. However, she also couldn't jump on someone right now. Usagi could feel that right now wasn't the best time to pounce on someone.

However, her hand would soon have to be forced. The woman knelt down, picking up a snapped twig that Usagi had left as she figured out where to go. Usagi could feel her heart sink all the way down to her foot, and leave through the soles of her shoes, as well as feel the gears turning in that woman's brain. It didn't take long for Usagi to realize that the hostile had finally put two and two together. Usagi had no choice at this point. She shifted her weight forward, prepping herself to leap off the branch and onto the person below her. Taking a deep breath, Usagi then launched herself off the branch. The girl below her only turned around to see Usagi falling down, a kunai in her hands and ready to take a falling stab at the girl, in hopes that it would neutralize her once and for all.

[right][b][i]Shortly before that...[/i][/b][/right]

[color=F8C1DD][b]"I wish this scroll was easier to find."[/b][/color] Usagi sighed. Squad 10 had been engrossed in their journey to find the counterpart scroll in order to advance to the second stage of the trials. It hadn't been an easy journey whatsoever, and the squad had their fair share of close encounters already. All things considered, however, they weren't in bad shape at all. They had managed to keep themselves safe and out of harm's way for the most part. All they squads they had encountered so far were hostile, leaving them a bit wary of other groups of people. Such was the nature of the second stage of the Chunin Exams. They weren't going to trust anyone, especially those who they were familiar with.

Squad 10 had eventually found themselves near a large clearing, underneath a large tree. That had prompted Usagi to make a suggestion. [color=F8C1DD][b]"Why don't we take a quick break?"[/b][/color] Usagi asked, as she leaned against the tree. [color=F8C1DD][b]"This is a good spot. Concealed, and we don't have to worry about someone coming through that field."[/b][/color] Usagi shrugged. Usagi wasn't entirely sure how Makoto and Suzuhime had felt about the prospect of taking a small break, but Usagi had still considered it a valid suggestion at the very least. She didn't mind forgoing the break, but she sure as hell wouldn't mind taking one if the squad had agreed.

However, there wasn't much time for them to really decide. Before Usagi could even move onto her next thought, a small, tan colored ball rolled up next to them, before exploding into a cloud of smoke, followed by a fireball narrowly missing Usagi. [color=F8C1DD][b]"AH- Run!"[/b][/color] There was no time to decide where to go and where to meet up. Squad 10 had to disperse immediately if they wanted to live and make it out alive. They would worry about everything else later.[/color]