As one, all of the genin cells leaped from the ground and were off in the high boughs of the forest, jumping and vaulting from limb to limb on light toes. Sato, Shinri, and Makuro could see none but themselves but it didn't take a genius to figure out that there were dozens and dozens of others in the leafy foliage alongside them. It was nothing for those three teens to be able to fly through these trees with such ease-it was a rudimentary skill for traveling in the woods of Yorugakure.

Sato was in her element, hardly even having to touch the bark of the trees with her hands or feet. The speed she had achieved blew her hair every which way, and she felt free, flipping and twisting every which way in various acrobatic stunts. Sato let a wild war whoop fly from her mouth. It was thrust aside by the rushing wind, and she chanced a look over at Makuro

Kuro was silently leading the other two. He alone could accurately sense where various traps and dangers were and was navigating accordingly. The linen clad ninja didn't even have to move a muscle. The long thin strips of cloth were writhing and shooting every which way, wrapping around the limbs and propelling the boy onward like a slingshot. Makuro stood there in his cage of whipping white cloth, arms crossed across his chest, face immobile.

Shinri was silent as well leaping from tree to tree just behind Sato. His reflexes were all natural; there were no Tasogaryn prompts here. His feet were sure of each and every foothold they found.

"What's the plan, Kuro?" Sato hollered to her friend. Makuro shot a glance behind him at the girl, and all at once his linens whipped towards the same tree, holding him in place as the other two quickly regrouped on the same limb.

"What do you say, Shinri?" Makuro nodded at the snake ninja. He wasn't in such a dangerous mood, and Kuro had a small feeling that this time they might be able to trust whatever he said.

Shinri wiped his forehead, not like there was sweat on it, though. His eyes were alive and flashing, and he glanced first to the right and the left before answering.

"We must be a ways into the forest. I think it's safe at this point to split up for a few hours, and collect the information Yoake needs. The three of us are competent to take care of ourselves and any other ninja we may run into, but we should still be cautious."

Sato had just enough reserve to not bug her eyes out at the kid. Shinri had given an answer that sounded like it could have come from Kuro? What was up with that?

"I agree with Shinri." Sato sounded surprised at her own words. What was up with this?

Makuro nodded once more, "Sound logical. Still, we need to play it safe. Orochimaru is crawling around out there somewhere, we all saw him. And Sato.."

"I know!" The girl raised a slim hand, "If you feel you have to shadow me, Kuro, you go right ahead. I won't go after anyone, especially not that Uchiha kid, no matter how much I want to."

"As a general rule, Satora.." Shinri's voice was back to its coolness, "Don't even talk to anyone with a leaf on his or her headbands."

"Or with the symbol for Kusa." The other two stared at Kuro. Did he just try to make a joke? Stoic, patient, even faced Makuro?

Sato gave her head a little shake, "We all know the scrolls aren't our priority, that's kind of a given. Shall we meet back somewhere in say, three hours to make camp? How are we going to find each other?"

"I'll find you, Satora." Makuro said turning his gaze on the girl, "And I'm sure Shinri will pop in out of nowhere once I get to you."

Shinri allowed himself a thin smile, "Count on it."

The three of them paused a moment, and looked at each other. At that split second, the three of them felt more like comrades than they ever had. Good friends, even. Despite all their differences and upbringings, maybe in the face of trial..they didn't hate each others guts?

Shinri cocked his head at Sato and smirked, slitting his eyes in mock pity, "Try not to screw anything up, Tasogare."

The young girl bared her teeth, and shot back, "Hey, aren't you late for a tea party with Orochimaru?"

In perfect synchronous, the two were gone, Shinri backing out without a sound, and Sato disappearing in a blast of dark energy. Makuro was left standing there on the limb, shaking his head.

"And so it begins!!"