[Senju Subaru]

It was a completed C-rank mission, there wasn't an opposition, so what was a prosperous team to do? Celebrate, of course! Senju Mitsubishi would take his team out to a very small village, it was a bit off course, but they'd accomplished their mission in half the time expected. There was time to appreciate the simpler things like the woods and the wildlife.

He wasn't any sort of tree hugging hippie, but he outwardly had a positive vibe and seemed to have natural roots. Underneath the Senju he commanded a relatively rookie team of genin; they included Inuzuka Kojiko and Meitsu Aya of a clanless family known to have good hunters. They'd both surely enjoy a trout through the wild, besides the village they headed to had the best dango. Even the last of the genin, Uchiha Kai would surely accept a trek through the woods for that reward.

Jovial the special jounin team leader would front their trip, as to make sure they'd have the safest of travels. It was Hi no Kuni of all places, this was a pretty serene scene. What fear was there to be had? What nightmares could truly lurk in the woods? Nature seemed to be appeased, the birds singing happy songs and the bugs going about ever so productively. "So when we head back to the village should we focus on training or take another mission. We're getting a real knack, we might need to consider a chuunin exam, aye?" Mitsubishi would ask his team genuine pride in his tone.

[Uchiha, Kai]

Kai was standing in the rear, at the moment. But that wasn't really much of a surprise, now was it? The mission was way to easy, and in truth, Kai was so freaking bored. Well, maybe not too bored. In truth, he was kind of happy. He didn't want to have to do a bunch of fighting. That was such a drag, you know?

So, as Kai walked down the path behind the others, he yawned and stretched his arms out, listening carefully to their team leader.

"Do we gotta? I've only got a coupla techniques... And I'm pretty comfy doing these C-Ranks!" The boy joked. It was pretty simple, and Kai didn't typically talk to people so much unless he was close to them. And in truth, he was happy doing C-Ranks. But his teammates would know that by now. Kai was lazy- He always was, and he always would be. It was simple, to him ,and worked to his benefit with the way he lived. Smarter, not harder. Why become a Chuunin when it just came with extra responsibility? Why work hard when your family would spit on you either way? Just seemed kind of pointless to him.

Regardless, he tried to catch up, looking for some opinions.

"What do you two think? This is the life, right? Easy going, money making- Could you really ask for any more?" He questioned.

[Senju Subaru]

"So long as you're wise with those jutsu, then you can accomplish any feat." Mitsubishi would retort not wanting to give up prideful hope. After all Uchiha were known to have such latent skill, if they're to unlock Sharingan too. The Senju had the childlike dream of those he trained achieving greatness. He could see any of these genin rising to high ranking positions.

Kojiko would look down to their dog, who'd look up at them happily. An excited yip would tell the boy his dog would join him on any adventure. Even if it was a challenge like the chuunin exams. "Aiko thinks we've got it, but I'd rather wait until they're bigger and we all walk over the exam. I'm with Kai, more missions and training, we've got plenty of time ahead of us."

"Come on Kai, didn't you say you thought I was chuunin level mark?" Aya would ask with a bit of frustration in her voice. He'd pressed earlier that he wasn't fibbing with her or anything. She was nervous about the exams, but wanted to take them and prove herself. She'd not be allowed to go with her father on important hunts if she couldn't get to chuunin.

Aiko the dog would stick to their owner, but as the group talk it picked up a strange smell. He'd rush over stopping a few feet from what seemed to be a person sized and shaped tree. Upon closer inspection seemed to be more so a person crouched praying. In a sort of armor or wooden disguise. Their face hidden behind a cruel wooden mask, as the dog barked the Senju would signal his team to hold up. "Everyone be alert." Mitsubishi would state in a tone just loud enough to be heard by the squad.

"Hey! I can see you, if this is a joke it's not funny one. Make yourself known or face Konoha detainment." Mitsubishi would state unsure what type of radical or individual might be set on their path. It didn't make sense for anyone to be out here, so this definitely had the Sensei alarmed. He however was still confident in himself, as well as confident in his team. Surely if there were others, then Aiko would be warning him of them too.

[Uchiha, Kai]

Kai wasn't so confident in his skills, but perhaps they were right. He could push himself far, and he didn't exactly have to sit here and take it all in stride. Still, the idea of tougher missions, tougher times, all of it. It seemed like a drag, a lot of extra work for him, and he wasn't really interested in it.

Glancing over towards Aiko, he huffed and sighed, then looked back towards Aya.

"You're fine. Better than me. I just think, you know, we should be care-" He was cut off by Aiko barking. The smell hit him as well, and instantly, his hand was over the weapon on his back, twisting it over and in front of him as his pupils dilated slightly.

"What's... He doing?" Kai would question to his team, trying to get a good read on the crouched down person, hidden behind some kind of mask. Was it even a person? Kai couldn't really tell, but that smell- He tried to track it, see where it was coming from-- Though he figured Kojiko would have a better idea of that.

"What is that smell, anyways?" Worrisome, but... Hey, they'd faced worse than this before, right? It was probably some bozo playing a trick on them. With that in mind, Kai visibly seemed to relax, seeming to have calmed himself down, if not temporarily.

[Senju Subaru]

The praying tree didn't seem to respond in anyway to it's addressal. It was an unnerving thing for sure, but as their sensei observed the surrounding area. There didn't seem to be anything else around, he'd move closer and as he'd get in a personable range Aiko would take position between sensei and owner. The team ordered to hold back, as Mitsubishi tried to figure this out. He'd peer into the face of the mask, he'd see familiar eyes, scared eyes and it'd make everything feel all the weirder.

It was as though they'd been placed, he'd question now if the wood around her wasn't a Senju's creation. Preparing a hand seal he'd be ready to free this person or counter another's mokuton. Though he still wasn't certain if this person was or wasn't the obstacle. If this was now indeed a trap, but his attention would suddenly divert to a scream. It was Aya, who'd been jump scared.

Just as his focus turned mostly upon the person before him, it'd seem four more wooden individuals appeared. They'd remained unseen as they'd formed themselves into the nearby trees and roots. Hidden as though merely apart of the natural woods. Aiko and the other boys sense of smell unable to detect them, as these were purely treekin. No flesh hidden in them, but their purpose was an ambush.

Emerging from the a tree at either side of the genin, the most apparent puppets would simply rush at the two boys taloned hands swinging. As another dropped from above them, attempting to land on and grapple Kai the one closest behind. Melded halfway into grass and dirt, the one disguised as root base would grab Aya's ankle. The very act to trigger her scream and the other two's lunge.

Turned the by the scream, there'd be a brief moment of unawareness. A purposeful shift, but the wrong one to make. As the individual praying would break from their prayers and hiding two wooden splinter like daggers. They'd attempt plunge both into Mitsubishi's chest, but only one would pierce his vest and lodge slightly in between a rib. Reactively kicking the attacker back, they'd be unable to land the second initial blow. Though as they were thrown back they'd swivel the second wooden dagger and quickly lodge it into the man's passing arm.

Kicking her away and jumping with the momentum, Mitsubishi would rush back towards his team. If any of them were to be captured, then this fight would be out of his control. He knew who he'd choose in a hostage situation, but he still didn't know the motive of this attacker. He'd have to move with his opponent still in the corner of his eye too. They'd however not directly pursue, but instead stood menacingly. Awaiting what would happen next, perhaps focusing on the puppets in the background fighting his team.

[Uchiha, Kai]

A trap? Aiko barking was trapped in his head, but for a moment, everything seemed to slow down. The attack would come in from the sky, Kai's arm flying up to protect himself from the swinging talons. Slice and dice, both would nearly cut into his arms before he realized what was going on, though it was more fortune on his part that he had slipped and fallen backwards than his own reaction times that saved him from losing a limb to the swinging arms.

His foot would slam down into the ground, now no longer in possession of his weapon, as a torrent of flames would ripple out from the ground around him, protecting him momentarily from the deadly puppet.

"Aya? Kojiko?!" He tried to call out through the flames, but he couldn't tell if his voice was getting through to anyone. This wasn't good. What was going on- Who was attacking them? Why were they attacking them? He scrambled back, forming a variety of handseals as he slapped a rock behind him- A substitute jutsu. It was the best he could do for now- There wasn't enough room to perform any real Katon and he couldn't find his weapon in the commotion of dust and smoke.

Instead, he stared forward, over at his team, trying to see if he could find any of his allies- Or get a better idea of what was going on here, finally breaking cover from the smoke and dust.

[Senju Subaru]

The falling puppet would be the most unable to react to Kai, so it'd be partially stuck in the suddenly summoned circle of fire. It's body would catch fire rather quickly, especially without any mud or ground material to dilute it's build. Instead it'd the fire which hit it not only caught that spot on fire, but it's whole body would quickly cover entirely with flames. It's existence wasn't likely going to be the longest. All the more reason the woman in a wooden suit wood twitch her fingers and the flaming puppet would act.

It'd lunge through the circle of fire to the person in it's center attempting to wrap it's cindered arms around Kai. To capture him in it's burning grip, let the boy get a taste of his own heat and fire. The genin wasn't willing to be so caught off guard and would thankfully prepared a substitution to escape the attack. Aya would be less lucky, as the pupppet which grasped her would dig into her ankle. Further enhancing her panic and without sight, there'd only be the cackle of flames and the scream of horror. The sight of a figure within the flame burning away.

Kai's flames wouldn't last though, as a whirlwind of dust and debris would put it out. Two wooden puppets flying back chipped and broken in multiple places. As the two spinning cones would release their attack and land besides Kai who'd call out to them. Kojiko would have doubled, an a slightly cut up one who'd immediately turn to Kai. Offering him a hand to get him back on his feet. "You alright?" The other was certainly Aiko in transformation.

Mitsubishi landing upon the last puppets arm to break it and free Aya from the puppet, he'd take the genin in his arm and quickly charge past both boys. "Quickly on me!" He'd call out as he'd move to back track and hopefully get them out of these woods fine. A puppeteer who used the local wood to make puppets? Why'd someone go so far to plan this ambush, to hide their scent with the local fauna.

Kojiko looking to Kai, then back to the stranger in the wooden suit. He didn't know what was happening and certainly wasn't about disobeying his sensei. However, he'd be perplexed why they'd run from the opponent instead of simply taking them out. Were they really that outpowered? He'd taken out two of these puppets with relative ease and the only one's remaining were going to struggle to get out of the roots and the person wielding them. Perhaps this was a drill or maybe Mitsubishi had something happen to them. He needed his teammates guidance or at least he wanted it in the moment. The moment would be short.

[Uchiha, Kai]

The screams would haunt his dreams- The flames that overtook Aya being enough to cause Kai to pause as burning cinders wrapped around him as well. He wondered, idly, if this was it. If this was where he'd fall- Stunned due to the terror running through his veins, but...

It seemed he was saved. He scrambled up and grabbed onto his allies hand, before dancing his eyes towards Aya again.

"We--" On him. Quickly on him. He needed to move- He needed to work with his Sensei. He glanced over at Kojiko, who certainly seemed to have that look in his eyes that said he wanted to fight. But, looking down at the light burns on his outfit and the damage already done to him, he could calculate where this fight was going.

"Lets go!" He shouted, as he dashed backwards with the Jonin. Sure, they might be able to take this woman, but something told Kai they weren't going to get out of this quite so easily.

"Behind me! Remember Aya!" He shouted to his ally, before quickly forming a set of handseals and laying loose one of the Uchiha classics- A massive ball of roaring flame would release itself from his mouth as he danced backwards, aiming to try and cover their retreat with an inferno the likes of which would char flesh, let alone wooden puppets.

He just had to hope it'd be enough to get the distance between them as he grabbed his weapon from the ground and tried to take off with Kojiko, not wanting to get caught out.

[Senju Subaru]

There'd be no hesitation within the group, as Kai was quick to follow the directive of their leader. The Inuzuka and dog would keep in toe, acting more so as a guard to either flank. They had relatively good senses and reflexes, but at the same time they couldn't really sense one tree from another. There was no scent beyond the statue person who they'd be now running the opposite direction. Kai didn't seem to think it was within their skill to take on this foe, so perhaps retreating immediately would be the best move.

They'd travel a slightly greater distance than Subaru wanted, but she'd planned for their attempted escape. Specifically the path she believed Mitsubushi would take. As they'd move as a team back to the village they'd come, as a hope there weren't more hidden treefolk. They'd be ambushed by just that, it wasn't the same type of ambush though. Instead at a distance the sound of a large bow releasing it's arrow would be heard. A ballista sized arrow would launch straight for the sensei, he'd be a little hampered still carrying Aya, but he was still more than capable of dodging.

He'd move to cover behind a tree closest, as he still had little idea the exact location of the new enemy. "Any scent on it?" The leader asked the Inuzuka boys, they'd both shake their heads no. A good bit of fear, as they'd moved to hide and similarly not know what was appropriate cover. The massive arrow having cracked the side of the tree it landed. The earlier puppets and person in wood armor wouldn't seem to penetrate Kai's flames. His attack ate up another puppet, but it also head spread to the nearby trees. On the plus side a forest fire was a good signal. Though being in the middle of one had it's own risks.

"We might be totally surrounded, but we still don't know how many we're facing. So we might be able to head towards Konoha... However if they planned this trap out this much, they'll almost certainly have the most opposition in that direction." It was clear even their sensei was a bit unsure, as he'd hope for some type of signal to choose one path over the other. Increased risk in his mind, but faster arrival of support going toward Konoha. Or attempt to go away from Konoha and hope to just escape their enemies vigilance until support arrived.

[Uchiha, Kai]

They were deep into hell at this point, and Kai was almost on auto pilot. Not that it quite mattered- Using so many jutsu in a row had tired him out a bit, as he leaned down onto his knees. The arrow piercing nearby didn't affect him as much as it probably should have, as he listened to his sensei ask questions and speak on the tree nearby.

"We have to get back to the village." Kai diligently pointed out. If they didn't get help, all of this was pointless- And running away just made that harder. Even if it meant running into more trouble, they still had to push through it. That said, who knew what was coming in front of them...

"Is Aya okay?" The first question had to be towards their injured comrade. The rest of it all could wait- Even so much as figuring out how they were going to get home- But making sure Aya was safe was paramount. He didn't want to lose anyone today.