His opponent went for his flank, a side kick aimed for his ribs. Kusono let it hit, tesing up his muscles and grabbing the leg as soon as it landed. He felt a mild dull pain, nothing near any real debilitating pain. Holding the leg with his right arm, he used his left arm to deliver a chop with the underside of his arm to the side of his opponent's knee. Having no way to get his leg out, his opponent had to take the hit. His knee made a small creaking sound as Kusono's blow landed. A possible fracture or a dislocation. Whatever it was it was painful, his opponent let out a loud cry of pain. Delighting in his advantage, Kusono threw his opponent's leg up and delivered a kick of his own to his exposed stomach. The blow threw him back a few feet onto his side, coughing up spit. Kusono lowered his leg and stood straight with his hand on his hip."That all ya got? what happened to all that spirit you started with, is it on the floor with your teeth?" Kusono let out a small laugh and turned away from his opponent. He was a fellow clansmen who challenged him to a match. It wasn't the first time and sure as hell wouldn't be the last time. The kid was a year or two younger than him, out of the academy but not yet an experienced ninja. Nevertheless, his latest match was a lot better than his last few challenges. He actually landed a hit or two Kusono wasn't planning on taking. He could tell he would grow up to be a strong and welcomed addition to the Kaguya warriors if he kept on his current course.

Kusono grabbed his discarded kimono from the floor and draped it loosely along his shoulders. Headed through the entrance of the sparring grounds, intent to get a shower before wolfing down a meal. The clansmen his own age where a bit too easy for his taste, he needed something more. The older members would kick the shit out of him without him even landing a blow. He needed something in between, something new. After cleaning up and eating he lounged on his deck hearing the commotion of people as they passed by. Sometimes he would hear little snippets of information. Names and places mostly, but he heard the words Kumogakure and exams in the same sentence. Then it hit him, he completely forgot about the bi-annual exams in Kumogakure. It was perfect, a place to train, fights to watch, and a vacation all in one. He jumped up from his seated position and begin his preparations.

He would pack a bag, brings food for the road and write a note to his parents. His father was more then likely attending council business with the clan elders, his mother probably out shopping.

"Gone to go watch the exams, already packed, be home in a few days."

His parents where never worried about him, they both knew he could take care of himself. But he always had the common courtesy to let them know where he was. With that note placed on the kitchen table, he was off to the village gates to begin his journey. With little trouble from the guards after showing them his I.D, he was safely out of the village and on the road. It took a couple of days and a few inns between Kiri and Kumo, but soon he was in sight of the village hidden in the cloud's front gate.

602/600 [Travel Completed]