~Traveling to Kusa via Ame

[-- Hoshigake, Ryuji]

<sub>As I left the gate I looked around. Behind me my old home, ahead of me, a new life. I set off down the dusty road between the trees. The sun was going down in a ball of flame, setting the treetops aflame, casting long shadows across the dusty road. I saw a movement to my left, it was only a blur but it was enough to spook me. My right hand instinctively moved to the hilt of my katana. Just as I was readying myself to attack the blur stepped out of the forest. I looked anticipating a man to attack me, a large wolf stepped out of the forest and peered at me questionably. I returned its gaze wondering why it had left the safety of the woods to cross my path. After a couple of moments it walked away and left to the forest. I gently rested my hand at my side once more and continued towards the border town between Fire and Rain.

After a couple of hours of walking I made it to the border town. I could see the rain clouds not far off, I had always wanted to got to Ame, it seemed like such a calm place. Well to me anyway, I felt the sound of rain calming and peaceful. I decided to stop for a brief rest in the town.

Once I felt satisfied by my rest I set off towards the rain.</sub>

[fina]

MOVED

[-- Hoshigake, Ryuji]

<sub>I arrived in the land of rain during one of the heaviest rain storms I have ever seen. Although I had only ever been in Ame twice and this was the heaviest rain I had ever seen here. I kept trudging forward, despite my sodden clothes, fortunately the hat I had acquired in the border town was keeping some of the rain off, but the rest of me was soaked to the skin. I felt vulnerable in the rain none of my senses seemed to be working properly. I couldn't hear over the rain, I couldn't smell, cause the rain removed all smell from the air, and I couldn't see further than a few meters. I noticed I still had my headband on, and that could cause hostile feelings if seen. Taking it from my forehead I put it in the pouch on my hip.

After a few hours of of walking the rain began to ease and I could see an end to the clouds ahead. Once I made it out of the rain and crossed the border I would be in Kusa and my goal would almost be complete, once I was there I just had to find a nin from Kusa to get an audience with their kage.</sub>

[hotoka]

//Moved//