Tsume came to a screeching halt as tar and nicotine and smoke obliterated the faint smell of people. It had already gotten between her face and her mask. Faintly, she was aware of Asuma--directly behind her--twisting violently to avoid knocking her right off the branch. She didn't care. Yanking the ANBU ceramic off, she exhaled heavily in a vain attempt to clear her sinuses. Then she hacked and spat and turned a livid glare on the tail-bit pup beside her.

"I'm glad to know you have faith in my tracking abilities," she nearly snarled, hoping that the trail kept going straight long enough for her to pick it up on the other side of the smoke-scent. "But even I can't follow the very very faint odor of people through cigarettes! Get back!"

Mask pushed aside, looking like he really didn't understand her outburst, Asuma took a step away.

"Farther! Like, a hundred feet!" She waved and glared.

He settled back, looking thoughtful. "You know, the trail's still going the same direction--"

Tsume cut him off with a bellow. "And if it changes I'll never know! Just get back!"

"They never taught you an indoor voice? You're scaring the wildlife." He grinned and hopped back before she could kill him.

With a final glare Tsume sprang forward again, smoke-coated mask off. She didn't expect most people to know if bedsheets or trees carried human-scent better, but anyone could tell tar and nicotine was stronger than anything.

Under her breath, she muttered, "Rookies."