⚡|| The Monsoon Temples[+]

[ghostfinch]

The monk sat in front of her. She had asked for this session and fit it into her busy schedule, so she needed to make the most of it. Perhaps her mind was still loud, for the monk opened an eye at her knowingly, as if he knew she wasn't properly meditating. She hated doing things wrong, so she closed her eyes and focused on her breath with him. Breathe in, breathe out. She let her gaze go soft behind her eye lids. She let her shoulders drop in increments, for it took far too much effort to happen at once. She straightened her back, but it let it fold slightly as it wanted. Her tongue fell from the roof of her mouth as she relaxed her jaw. She moved her neck slightly as she breathed, just so it wouldn't stove up. His breathed loudly so that she could follow it. She had a habit of holding her breath. She had a habit of being unable to hold her thoughts. It felt unnatural to release control over her body like this and just let it be. She was uncomfortable sitting here. She wanted to fix her posture. He tsk'd. She sighed, then fixed her breathing to be in line with him. The cherry blossom tree shook gently in the wind. She could hear the birds chirping in the distance, though they didn't come distractingly close. The petals flowed through the air between her and monk. She knew that, yet her eyes were closed. The earth was steady, sturdy, but not still. There was a thrumming underneath her where she sat. It was always pulsing with movement. Chakra, roots, bugs; nature was always in motion, never still, but never progressing past its needs. It didn't consume knowledge or power and desire more - it simply was, and continued to be. And so was she, breathing at rest.

She rose to her feet without recognizing it, and the monk followed. She breathed out, opened her eyes, and the temple looked the same. The two of them stood in silence, simply acknowledging each other, but Miyuki got into her own head and took his silence for disappointment. "I don't know what I was supposed to find here, but I appreciate your time." She didn't obtain the enlightenment she expected. He didn't answer. "I'm sorry. I know we were supposed to sit here with the oldest cherry blossom tree in the village but nothing has happened. Nothing has changed. It is the same tree it was when I started meditating. The wind is still blowing, the petals are still falling. I do not... get it. Was the world supposed to become vibrant? Should I have seen something new? Nature is still-" she cut herself off. The monk looked at her without judgement. Without judgement. Huh. "Oh." Was all she said, and she looked back to the cherry blossom. Of course everything was still the same. It always would be, no matter what changed. They had uplifted the cherry blossom and moved it to this temple. It was the same tree, the same earth. The village had been shot into the air but it was the same village, same trees, same earth. No matter how far ninjas traveled, no matter how much they worked at it, nature would be nature would be nature. The natural state of things wasn't necessarily stagnant, but they didn't try to become things they weren't. So why was she trying so hard to make things into what they weren't? The people of the village would always be who they were. She didn't need to turn them into something they weren't. She needed to prioritize on helping them move forward in a way that helped them heal, instead of wanting them all to convert to Evergreen like it'd save them from Jashin. She had their path and they had theirs. It had always been balanced and nature would ensure everything would stay balanced, despite any intervention by ninja.

[ Human Sage achieved ]

 

[LavenderandVelvet]

Baki made her way up the steep trail towards the Temples, a serene place for contemplation. Despite being only a genin, she hoped to gain insight on what actions to take. Walking past various bushes, the terrain grew increasingly wild and overgrown, with foliage brushing against her body. Eventually, she arrived on the temple grounds, her favorite spot in Arashi, for its unparalleled peace. Baki ascended the steep trail that led to the Temples, a place of unparalleled serenity and contemplation. Despite being only a genin, she was determined to gain insights on what actions to take. As she walked past the various bushes that lined the path, the terrain grew increasingly wild and overgrown, with foliage brushing against her body. Finally, she reached the temple grounds, her favorite spot in Arashi, for its tranquil atmosphere. The peaceful surroundings enveloped her, and she felt a sense of calm wash over her. She had on the side and released her paper, allowing it to float and tumble through the air, though she was the only one there; she wanted to be conscious of the other people that may arrive.

She sat...


She released her paper into the air, allowing it to drift weightlessly as she surrendered herself to the serene ambiance of the temple. Although she was known to be persistent and occasionally combative, she longed for more. Her insatiable thirst for success often fueled her actions, which drove her to justify herself to those around her. As she gazed upon the people surrounding her, she yearned to reach the same level of achievement. Yet, at that moment, she wished to focus solely on her aspirations, free from the constraints of others' expectations. She raised the sheet of paper high into the air and reclined onto her back, gazing upwards at the vast expanse of the sky. She manipulated the form with deft movements, bending and molding it into various shapes. The paper was her constant companion, always there to provide comfort and solace. Her diligent practice had honed her skills and imbued her with a deep sense of pride and satisfaction.

 

[LavenderandVelvet]

As she delved into the intricate creases of her paper, the thoughts of the temples flooded her mind, filling her with a sense of connection. Looking around her surroundings, she felt an urge to give back to the place that had been a constant source of support for her. With the paper fluttering in the air, she skillfully folded it with a single flick of her wrist and sent it towards the overgrown shrubs and branches that were encroaching on the path. The razor-sharp edges of the paper sliced through the obstructions with ease, clearing the path ahead. The paper danced in the air, its sharp edges glinting in the sunlight as it settled on the ground, creating a distinct path.

Baki felt a sense of pride at her mastery over the paper, even though she always yearned to improve her skills. For once, she felt content, admiring the fruits of her labor. Gathering the paper tightly, she collected the branches and placed them aside, admiring the sealed edges of the origami folds. Channeling her chakra, she began folding the paper, a hobby that she cherished.

She fashioned the paper into a broom and started sweeping the entrance of the temple. The path was now clearer, and she assisted in cleaning the building, feeling a sense of fulfillment.