She doesn't recognise that tree.
She's been here before, she's not that far from the estate, this isn't some unknown place. She must've taken a wrong turn, of course, but where? She should probably just try to retrace her steps, Jaol will be incredibly mad at her...
Tetsuma can explain more of the theory? Also the more technical details of chakra molding and how handsigns work.
Unfortunately they don't really know super much about more advanced jutsu - their older brother taught them the really low level basics, as a kunoichi they learned some healing and genjutsu, they taught themselves wood manipulation, and as far as what other people can do goes, they mostly know about the type of stuff you'd run into guarding a daimyo's daughter - assassination techniques, not battlefield stuff.
Experimentation, mostly. Very careful experimentation, that usually involves a lot of meditation on what you're doing and how as a first step. Generally you figure out how to shape the chakra, first, then figure out the handsigns to help with control. It's easier to develop techniques for a kekkei genkai than for ordinary nature transformation, which is easier than non-natured ninjutsu. (Taijutsu and genjutsu vary in how easy it is to develop techniques, mostly based on what you're doing.) (Tetsuma can actually go into a lot of technical details, and does if Dayo seems interested - they developed all of their wood manipulation jutsu basically from scratch. They can also point to the early attempts at shelter as an example of 'experimentation.')
So many technical details! Many that don't translate well and manage to very effectively test Reim's translation magic.
...Tetsuma will not, in fact, have gotten even close to finishing explaining by the time night fully falls. Chakra manipulation and jutsu development are really complicated. Tetsuma actually mostly relies on intuition for both, especially with wood manipulation, but it's still important to know how to calculate stuff.
Yeah, though they should consider keeping a watch - Tetsuma doesn't really trust this place to be safe at night. They can set alarm traps around the campsite, though (minimal jutsu use - mostly wire, noisemakers, and only a small handful of seals). Is Dayo aware enough of her surroundings when meditating to notice if something sneaks past the alarms? If so Dayo can take first watch and meditate while Tetsuma sleeps.
Yeah. Sorry. After a bit (and talking to Reim next time he shows up, and setting up camp more thoroughly) Tetsuma will probably feel more confident having them sleep at the same time, especially if they ever figure out how to make a wood clone, but for now they'd rather have a watch. Dayo can maybe practice the handsigns instead? Tetsuma can draw them as a memory aid if she wants.
So Tetsuma makes a flat piece of lightly colored wood (paper is still too finicky), and sketches out the handsigns in charcoal, with their names and a quick explanation under each, like 'associated with fire manipulation' for the Tiger seal. (Luckily, Reim's spell also handles writing). They demonstrate each handsign again, of course, once the piece is ready.
(And if Dayo doesn't need anything else, they're going to go ahead and sleep.)
Nothing crosses the perimeter during Dayo's watch.
But the sky above is weird - wheeling streams of light, two major moons (one large and multicolored) with lesser attendants trailing in their wake, stars that twinkle at odd intervals - and something whispers in the darkness. The trees creak in an unfelt wind, and occasionally stars forget their paths and wander through the trees, only to wink out.
...that's actually really pretty. Are the whispers intelligible?
Mostly not. Sometimes there's snatches of random words - needle, jewel, old, how, star, cloud, glow - with an effect rather like listening to a crowd chattering all at once, unnaturally quietly.
Other than the world itself being weird, the night - both Dayo and Tetsuma's watches - passes entirely uneventfully. (Tetsuma spends their watch trying to figure out a wood clone. They don't get far.)
"Morning!" Tetsuma's appearance is more feminine today, and she's changed into casual wear rather than the travel clothes.
"Uneventful. I tried developing the wood clone jutsu, so neither of us has to keep watch, but haven't really gotten super far." She gestures to a pile of wood; some of it is vaguely humanoid in shape. She's been breaking the failed attempts up as firewood.
"It's - a reflection of me? Clones generally aren't sapient, but they have their maker's knowledge and limited decision-making abilities, though there's sometimes glitches. A wood clone would look like me, and could stand watch, fight, and do various basic tasks, though it'd take chakra to maintain and probably wouldn't be able to carry on a conversation, unless I get really good at the jutsu."
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