The young monk had been through so much in his short life, so much pain, so much suffering. It would be so easy for him to just give up and let the weight of the world that was being hoisted upon his young, muscular shoulders, come crashing down and crush him in his misery. He had considered taking a blade from the monasteries and plunging it through his heart on more than one occasion but he knew that if he were to do that, his best friend would die of sadness, and that was just something he couldn’t bear to have happen. He rubbed his hand through the orange and black fur of the massive creature he was currently riding upon and smiled down at him, leaning down and hugging the massive Bengal tiger’s neck as they walked along. Amurr had been his best friend for the past six years; the two having formed a bond that was unbreakable during that time after Amurr had initially saved the young monk’s life from a massive snake. They had been inseparable ever since and Taishi often spoke to Amurr when he was feeling particularly alone and depressed, enjoying the conversation of the large tiger.

What’s on your mind, young one? You seem like you’re lost in an endless ocean with no life raft. Why does the weight fall so heavily today when we are in such a beautiful place?

The large tiger’s voice echoed in the thirteen year old’s head. He always seemed to know exactly what was on Taishi’s mind and it always comforted him to know that his closest friend was always looking out for him. They had been travelling for weeks on their way to the village of Kumogakure no Kato, intending to stop at one of the Sky Temples on the way up to pay their respects. They made it a habit of stopping at each temple and monastery that they passed, and It had been about a week since they had seen one, though they heard that at the top of one of the mountains near where they were they would find one. Taishi gripped his tiger companion tightly as they made their way up the mountain, not wanting to fall off, though he would have no issue walking up himself. He had always enjoyed that he was the only boy he had ever met who was able to say he rode a tiger everywhere, and Amurr didn’t seem to mind at all.

“It’s nothing Amurr,” The young boy said in his soft childish voice, his free hand moving up to stroke the collar around his neck, from which hung the only piece of his family that he owned; a small silver coin with his families personal crest on it, or so he was told. He had worn the collar ever since he had started travelling to always keep the pendant close and secure. It comforted him to be able to touch it, to feel that one link to his past. “I’ve just been thinking a lot and I’m a little bit sad that I never got to meet my parents. I don’t even know what they were like…” his eyes wandered off to look towards the cloudy sky of the Lightning country. “What do you think they were like Amurr? I’ll bet you mother was kind and beautiful, and that father was strong and wise. I’ll bet you they loved me very much…and that…that…” He stopped speaking, his lips quivering and his eyes welling up. The tiger’s tail flicked up and moved to wipe the tears from the young monk’s eyes.

You mustn’t cry young Taishi, your parents loved you very much. They gave their lives for you, so that you would live on and become a great man. You are well on your way to that. Your parents will always be with you in your heart.

The tiger couldn’t bear to see his friend sad and suffering. He loved young Taishi, more than anything in the world, and it broke his heart to see him in so much pain. He quickened his pace and made his way towards the temple, which was now coming into view. The beautiful red roof and symbol of the lightning country on the wall marked this as the building they were looking for. He dismounted from his large companion and looked to the large wooden double doors of the temple, walking through a set of pillars to get to it, and knocked.

The young boy stood at the door, awaiting someone to answer his knock, though he knew not whom. He was dressed in a simple white linen outfit, his training clothes. His long silver hair was slightly out of place and he used his fingers to fix it back into place, not wanting to tie it back. He wasn’t satisfied until there were no strands sticking up, the ones falling in front of his face parting on either side of his eyes. He smiled when he got it perfect and stroked the family pendant once more, his baby blue eyes gazing at the door as the large tiger took his place beside him. It was starting to rain slightly and the droplets were falling on the two of them, making the large cat begin to smell of wet fur and the young monk’s clothing to become soaked and heavy, and mostly see through. His impressively muscular abdomen was easy to see through the shirt. He shook his head and so did the tiger, water droplets flying in all directions as the young monk chuckled more in frustration than actual amusement, his hair becoming completely messed up once again. His hair tie came off of his wrist and pulled his long silver hair back into a ponytail, deciding that it wouldn’t be worth the time to redo it at this point and knowing that this would be the only way to stop him from getting completely irritated with it. He knocked again a little louder this time, hoping someone would come and help them soon before they became completely drenched.

(1020/2000 Medical C>B)

The young boy couldn’t help but looked wide eyed and excitedly at the door as it creaked its way opened. He loved seeing the interior of the different temples around the world and he was excited to see this one as well, his first temple ever visited in the land of Lightning. He was almost expecting to see an old man in a robe standing at the door and preparing to greet him as he often did at these temples but what stood there kind of surprised him. It was a beautiful woman, no older than twenty he had assumed but probably in her late teens. She had an aura of gracefulness and power about her, seemingly like someone who had held a silver spoon since birth; her posture and mannerisms being perfect. Her blonde hair seemed to flow around her shoulders and her impressive female frame, and Taishi noticed, looking directly to her eyes as he had no interest in the female body personally, that her eyes were a beautiful shade of greyish blue.

I wonder if Mother was this beautiful, if her eyes were so stunning or the way she presented herself was so noble. My mother was a hero according to the monks of the temple, someone who had died for me. This woman doesn’t look like a fighter, but she seems as though she has a hidden strength that I couldn’t possibly know. That’s how I’ve always imagined her, beautiful and graceful with a hidden strength. She would wield her beauty as a weapon, her grace being her strength, and her enemies would fall before her feet, never being able to touch her. She would have been the most perfect woman… His mind wandered and Amurr wiped his face again as another tear began to form. The young monk may have been a strong young boy in body but emotionally he had some issues that he needed to work out. Every time he thought of his parents it managed to get him upset, though he tried his hardest not to show it. He tried to push the thoughts from his mind as his tiger responded to his thoughts.

You mustn’t cry young Taishi. The young lady has invited us into the temple and we must be respectful. Please, I am getting cold and I don’t want my fur to smell when we enter. For some reason your kind don’t appreciate the smells of nature quite the way we do. The large feline nudged the young boy through the door and Taishi shook his head once more, entering out of the rain and making his way through the doors into the simple temple within. He couldn’t say that he was overly surprised that it was a simple place as most temples were simple places of worship and reverence to whatever it was they celebrated. He noticed some simple gold and silver decorations adorning the walls and arches of the doorways as he made his way through the hallways, smiling when the young woman offered him tea.

“Y..yes please.” He wasn’t used to speaking with people, and often felt quite uncomfortable when interacting with people, choosing to avoid it when possible. It wasn’t that he disliked people, quite the opposite in fact. He loved people but with his upbringing he was unsure of how to speak with them most of the time, as the majority of his time was spent training. He made his way into the sanctuary and smiled, the large tiger following closely behind him, having already shaken his fur to dry himself before walking into the place of worship. He sat by the doorway and kept his green eyes firmly locked on the young boy, an ever watchful guardian protecting his charge when he was at his most vulnerable. The young monk removed his shirt, his muscular upper torso being exposed to the warm air of the temple. On the alter was the symbol of the sky, the swash of clouds visible through a massive skylight roof. The colours were quite beautiful and he could tell why the people of the lightning country worshiped the sky. It truly was a beautiful thing and it did give the people so much. The sun gave light and warmth, the clouds brought shade and also brought the rains, without with there would be no life. It was an interesting cycle and Taishi bowed before the alter reverently, pondering the cycle that the sky went through each day. He prayed and meditated for about ten minutes before standing up, walking out of the sanctuary, closing the doors, and finding somewhere to hang his shirt as he made his way to grab a cup of tea and speak with the young woman who had offered it to him in the first place.

“Th..thank you for the tea,” he said nervously, taking a sip and smiling up at her, Amurr sauntering into the door slowly and laying down on the floor at Taishi’s feet. Taishi put his hand on the large feline’s head and rubbed his ears, causing a chuff as the tiger closed his eyes and rested his head on his forepaws. “M..my name is Taishi, and this is Amurr. We have travelled a long way to visit your temple, thank you for having us.”

Should you trust her so easily young Taishi? You don’t even know her name, or what she is like. Just because she is pretty doesn’t mean she can be trusted. Please be careful Taishi. The tiger opened his right eye and looked up at the strange woman, nuzzling his head into Taishi’s hand before moaning softly and keeping a watchful eye. Taishi shook his head and smiled at the woman once more.

I don’t know Amurr, but there is no harm in being around her for now. It’s always nice to have some interaction with other humans and who knows; perhaps she will be my friend. If nothing we can perhaps train with one another. I don’t know why but I feel as though she has something she’d be able to teach me something.

(2000/2000 Medical C>B complete, 39/2000 Taijutsu C>B)