Throughout the training with Junko, Kiri had gotten a good grip of controlling himself. Often than not, he would be left on his own to fend for himself, gather materials and hunt for his own survival. It was a better way to teach him, really, as experience was always a better teacher for Kiri. Though he did appreciate it when Junko would always teach him in different ways, mostly from the other’s own experience.Today, however, he may have accidentally gone too far into the outskirts of the country that he soon found himself lost. This was rather pitiful considering he had just been getting the hang of wandering along the roads of the outskirts of Lightning Country. And to make things worse, he didn’t have a map. Well, that was because Junko wanted him to learn how not to depend on maps and to strengthen his sense of directions. It wasn’t entirely that bad, but he had never gotten this lost before.
“A first for everything, I suppose,” said Kiri as he emptied another water bottle before placing the herbal cig back into his lips. He took in a few breaths as he glanced from side to side, seeing how the landscape had changed so much. He was far from the cool mountains, already working up a sweat as the scenery before him, a more rugged outland, was warm, humidity high, and the sun baring down like the moon would at night.
After a moment’s wait, he would take off the vest and wrap the dress shirt around his waist. Carrying the backpack on one shoulder, he would fan himself with whatever folded papers he had. Though he didn’t have an official map, he had somehow made his own, at least through experience. And if he were to trust in Junko’s words, they should be moving towards the Country of Wind. And so, relying on the geography classes he had before in the academy, he would trust his instincts and go down the direction of the said country.
Heck, perhaps, Junko was already there, waiting for him ever since they parted a week ago to do this survival test. And with only their conversations as clues, Kiri would take it upon himself to go on this journey alone.
Alone? No. Not entirely, not when his brother’s soul was within him, guiding him along the way. After all, his brother’s memories of the past could help in situations like this.
“I wonder what Suna is like,” mused the blonde as he went forward.
[B-rank: 2 hours to exit country]