Hisame gets the fight to Elieyha right as she's on the verge of losing control of the puppies.

Streamers of sand race out to grab the makeshift sacks and rescue them to safety.

And then once Elieyha has their prey secured, she turns to join Chihiro in the fight.

That will help. She is holding ground, but not much more than that.

Together they can yet again drive back their teacher and her dog, though it's harder this time.

Hopefully they will not have to do it again.

"So, seven puppies left."

"I'll get them. You two stay here. She's going after our weak point, which is going to be you, and a fixed point is easier to guard."

"Right."

"I'll be back." She sets off.

Hana switches to accompanying her.

And Sesshi doesn't accost any of them over the next two puppies.

So either they've already passed, or things will come down to the wire. She stays alert.

The threat seems to be focusing on delaying her, this time - Chamaru hassles her throughout the hunt, darting in and out, wasting her time more than anything.

And, when she next finds a puppy, Sesshi is guarding him.

"Excuse me sensei, but will you let me take that puppy back to the kennel?"

She snorts. "Not so easily. Nice try, though."

"Oh well."

Two whips of sand lash out for Sesshi.

She's faster than she'd been playing at earlier, her game stepped up.

Elieyha will step up as well, then. Not too far, harming the puppy would be against the point of the exercise and presumably the Inuzuka would like their patch of forest to continue to exist tomorrow; and she's not going for anything that's actually just lethal either..

Her teacher seems to be putting her through her paces - the puppy's at no risk right now, though - 

Once she's seen how far Elieyha's willing to go, she lets herself be driven back and the puppy scooped.

Four to go.

Those four are scattered, better hidden, faster on foot - but they're findable, and Sesshi doesn't interfere again.

The team finishes right before the deadline.

Hurray, et cetera.

"That was exhausting..." Hisame mutters.

And Sesshi and Chamaru step out of the woods.

"You guys did well."