Hasu: "Avoid that patch of grass right there, it's another trap."

This trip would be a lot easier if the group could just jump through the trees, but Ajisai and Ume don't have the skills to maneuver through them. So everyone else has to move along the ground, while being careful to avoid all of Mizubashou's traps. Sazanka leads the group, with Hasu and Touwata right behind her, and everyone else behind them. Hasu occasionally points out a trap to step around. As someone who likes to take lots of walks alone, she's gotten good at recognizing Mizu's handiwork. They've already set off two traps, but they all want to avoid falling into any more.

Touwata's also supposed to be spotting them, but something else is on her mind. She's been getting distracted thinking about her missing leader. Although, she's asl beginning to wonder if they're even on the right path at this point. After those two traps they triggered forced them to pause for a bit, it's possible that they accidentally changed directions. She didn't notice anything off at first, but thinking about it, they should have run into someone else by now right? Sazanka leading, and Touwata doubts that she's doing a good job.

Sazanka meanwhile, is distracted too. Thoughts about what she's going to do to the Man fill her head. First, she'll tie him up, then she'll use kunai and fire jitsu on him. Next... well, she's still trying to decide. Except thinking about a bunch of different punishments for her enemy doesn't leave a lot of brainpower for keeping your group's direction consistent. After those mishaps with the traps, she's not even sure they're on the right track, though she'd never admit it to the group. In fact, she bets that it's better this way! Now they probably won't run into Sumire's group. If they can find the Man while avoiding them, then Sazanka can avoid having the credit of defeating him stolen from her, assuming no one in her group gets in the way. Though she feels like they're already getting in her way, specifically Ajisai and Ume, for being bad at tree jumping. If it wasn't for them, then maybe they would have found Tsubaki and the Man by now.

Well, as long as they don't have anymore distractions, they'll hopefully reach Tsub-

Touwata: "Beni?!"

Touwata suddenly yells out, and breaks off from the group. Having spotted two legs wearing brown leg warmers, she rushes over and discovers Benisumomo lying against a tree. Kneeling besides her leader, she inspects her condition. She finds multiple injuries on the unconscious girl, no doubt the Man's doing. She yells out for Housenka to heal her. By now everyone's caught up, and can see Benisumomo's condition. Housenka begins to treat her.

For the Dogs and Tigers present, the sight causes them to worry about their own friends even more. They can only hope that they haven't been left in a similar or worse condition. It makes them worry about their own safety as well. It's a discouraging thing to see one of the most skilled students in Akane beaten badly. If she was left like this after her encounter, then what chance does this group have, even with the numbers advantage? As much as they want to help, maybe they're in over their heads. It's a little late to be getting doubtful though, they're already out here and are going to get in trouble anyway. Might as well try.

Once Housenka finishes her treatment, Touwata tries to wake Benisumomo up.

Sazanka: "Oi, you still have the stamina to heal us if we fight the Man right?"

Housenka: "Yeah, I still have some energy."

Touwata has no luck waking up her leader. Some of the damage has been healed, but Housenka can only do so much at her skill level. It will take some time for her to come to. Because of this, Touwata wants to take her back to Akane. However, she's the only one willing to make that trip back. Sazanka and Asagao still want to find Tsubaki. Itadori and Ume hope to find Fuki. Ajisai still wants to prove herself. And none of them want to let Housenka and Hasu leave, as the former is their healer, and the latter's jitsu can help in the fight and is their escape option. Touwata can't make the journey alone, it'd be way too risky to carry Benisumomo back herself. Waiting here with her while the others continue searching isn't safe either. Reluctantly, she decides to stay with the group, with Asagao carrying Benisumomo on her back. While it's also unsafe to bring the injured girl into what may become a battle, the alternatives are worse.

Touwata: "And don't drop her!"

Asagao: "I won't!"

With any luck, she'll wake up before they run into trouble. She might still be able to help, even with her remaining injuries. Though in the event that she does wake up, a good chunk of the group doubts that she'd even stick around with them. Regardless, they continue their mission.

Hagi: "Tachiaoi wake up!"

Uikyou and Kikyou: "That won't work."

No matter how much Hagi shakes her, the effect of the Sleeping Bells still keep Tachiaoi asleep. With Mokuren and Mizubashou also asleep, there's no one older to help the nine underclassmen against whatever is walking around outside. By now everyone's gotten to hear stuff being knocked over or moved out there. It's clear that it's not another student. If someone had come back already, they wouldn't be out there making noises, they would have come in to check on everyone by now.

Kagetsu: "Mukuge, you should go check!"

Mukuge: "Why me?!"

None of them want to go out. If the Man is really out there, then it'd be best to hide inside, and hope that he doesn't destroy another building. The Rabbits think that they should come up with a plan, in case the Man enters the dining area. Hagi stays by the upperclassmen, still trying to wake them up, but the other eight girls sit together and discuss. None of them are a physical match for their foe, but they have access to some weaponry and tools in this building. If they put their heads together, they may be able to come up with a trap that can take him out, or at least buy time for them to flee. Hagi overhears everyone planning, and hopes that some upperclassmen return from the forest, before they have to do anything dangerous...

When Hana and Konoha tasked her with being in charge of Akane, Tsubaki thought that she'd just have to teach the class and keep some troublemakers in check. But here she is now, in the middle of the forest in the dead of night, jumping from branch to branch back, rushing back home because an attacker THREW her all the way out here. Her head still hurts, and she's not exactly in the best condition to fight, but she must get back there and help out.

As she continues moving, she hears the sounds of something up ahead, and it sounds like HIM. She jumps forward on a few more branches, now hearing him more clearly. Thanks to lots of leaves, she can't get a good look at things from high up, so she slides down a trunk and hides behind it. There he is, around thirty meters ahead. She wonders if he got chased out of the village. Looking at him more closely, she begins to get confused with his current actions. She watches him grab at his head and pull at it, almost like he's trying to rip his own head off. He soon gives ups, and angrily punches a tree. With just one hit, the tree is almost broken in half. He then continues to pull at his head, and as he does so, the trunk gives and the tree tips over. It crashes onto the soil, causing the Man to look back. He sees the downed plant, and grabs it, and swings it at another tree. With him rampaging around, Tsubaki continues to study him. Men AREN'T supposed to be like this, Hana said so. So what exactly is his deal? And why does he look so odd? Sure his form is human, but his head is alien. Though, it kind of looks familiar.

Still, he seems to be mad for no reason. He's just attacking nearby plant life, but why? The attack on Akane Village may have a motive, but what about this? Did being chased away make him upset, assuming it even happened? He doesn't seem hurt, and with strength like this, it seems doubtful that he would have been run out of Akane so quickly. Was he chasing someone and lost her in the forest? It's impossible to tell, it just seems like a random outburst. This animal-like behavior, this is like if you asked Sazanka to characterize a male. But they're supposed to be regular people, like Tsubaki herself. At least she hopes they are, now more than ever. Seeing his displays of strength makes the idea of fighting him seem hopeless. If he returns to the village, the girls might not be able to beat him. If things get any worse, she wonders if she could possibly contact the boys village, Aoi Village, and ask for help.

Then again, she doesn't know where the Aoi clan village is, none of the students do. The only way to find it would be to wander around the forest and hope to spot some buildings. It's very unlikely to work, but if the Akane girls get desperate, then it might be an option. Though, she wonders how Hana and Konoha would react if she did find Aoi Village and asked for help. It's a dire situation, so would they overlook the "no men" rule? Would there still be consequences for her? And if she did find the boy's village, how exactly would the meeting go? Would she be met by a teacher wondering why she's there, or someone her age, a boy that has never met a girl before? Really, is her idea to go to the boy's village formed solely because she wants to protect Akane? Or does part of her just really want to meet a boy, is that the only reason she thought of this? Does she just want to confirm that this attacker isn't what all men are like? Is there a selfish r-

Her thoughts have left her open to attack. She snaps out of it and just barely manages to duck and roll away from the tree thrown at her. He's seen her, her imagination has gotten her caught. He lets out a roar, he intends to fight. Tsubaki though, she knows that trying to take him on alone is a bad idea. But what is there to do? Bring him back to the village and risk their home? It sounds like a bad idea... but she needs help.

The Man shoots out oil from his mouth, and Tsubaki jumps away, and runs in the direction of Akane. He begins to run after her, which is what she needs. Just head back home, and get to the others, so that they can take him down together.

Touwata: "Are you SURE that we're going the right way?"

Sazanka takes some offense to Touwata's question, even though it's valid, as she doesn't actually know if they are. So she doesn't answer. Touwata doesn't tolerate the silence, and asks her again. This time Sazanka reluctantly answers, saying that she's confident they're on the right track. Her words don't sound truthful to Touwata though, who now questions if she's lying. A bit surprised that she's being accused, she stutters in her attempt at a response, which is enough to make some of the others worried. Itadori, Ume, and Ajisai get closer. Housenka would too, but she doesn't want to waste the energy she has left on fighting with Sazanka right now.

Now that they think about it, should they really be letting someone so untrustworthy and prideful be the group leader? They went along with this today because they really want to help out, but any other day? They'd be unwilling to follow this girl. Maybe letting her lead them was a mistake? Sazanka, getting more and more annoyed with all the questioning, tries to avoid their talking by running faster. Part of her is ready to completely ditch them all. Her increase in speed doesn't work, and the four girls keep pace, with Asagao, Housenka, and Hasu also having to speed up to not be left behind. The four chasing Sazanka try to get an answer out of her.

Hasu: "Wait!"

Sazanka, Touwata, Ume, Itadori, and Ajisai are suddenly lifted up into the air. They've all fallen into another trap. Now confined to a net and hung up on a branch, Sazanka loses her temper, and takes it out on Ajisai and Ume.

Sazanka: "IF YOU BABIES KNEW HOW TO JUMP THROUGH THE TREES WE WOULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN CAUGHT IN THIS!"

Ajisai: "SHUT UP!"

Ajisai and Sazanka begin to argue. Though they can barely move in the cramped net, they still try to hit each other, with Ume, Itadori, and Touwata getting catching some stray slaps too. The other three girls on the ground watch the net full of girls swing back and forth as they fight. With Asagao still carrying Benisumomo, and Housenka not wanting to deal with this, they both turn to Hasu, who simply pulls out a kunai and throws it at the rope, cutting it and causing all of the girls to fall. Now back on the ground, Sazanka and Ajisai continue to go at it, pulling each other's hair and trying to get on top of each other. Touwata and Itadori attempt to separate them, telling them to quit the yelling too, before something finds them. But both girls are pretty angry, with all the stress from the current scenario getting to them. Plus, Sazanka thinks that this will distract everyone from the fact that she doesn't know where she's going.

But while they go at it, Hasu senses something.

Hasu: "Someone's coming."

Everyone stops. Hasu stares off in the distance, while everyone gets ready for a fight.