Sozen the Ghost Shinobi

Chapter Twenty

✦𝔸𝕠𝕚 𝕟𝕠 ℍ𝕠𝕟𝕠✦

The ruin-like temple Sozen had once seen a mere week back stood before him in its natural beauty. Tsu, like promised, was patiently waiting for Sozen to arrive. The small temple was overrun with wild bush and vines that hung from the stone gate. The actual temple was a small moss-ridden structure with a sliding panel door that was only half of Sozen's height. 

Tsu offered a fanged snort at Sozen's curious look before walking up to the tiny door.

"Go on, open it," Tsu held a very amused tone.

Sozen obliged, pushing past the moss on the door's track having to kneel down. When he looked inside his eyes widened, there weren't the run-down insides of a temple but rather a steady flow of water. Tsu ran through the water that blocked everything from sight and Sozen slowly followed while holding his breath. When he pushed past the wall of water the sight that met him was calm and majestic.   

A slightly elevated stone path with a circular end stood before him surrounded by three tall waterfalls that pooled into the area around the path. Stone columns supported the natural rocky landscape that showed the top of the waterfalls well above Sozen's head, the highest point being the waterfall he had just walked through. 

Absentmindedly Sozen went to wring out his sleeve only to notice it was dry. With a curious look at Tsu, Sozen was surprised to see Tsu much larger, the kitsune now standing almost taller than himself. 

"This is the entrance to Aoi no Hono, everything here is infused with chakra and spiritual energy including the water," Tsu explained with a humoured snort.  

"It's... Beautiful," Sozen softly commented. 

"Good!" Tsu rolled her eyes, "It'd be a waste of time if you didn't want to stay here because it looked ugly." 

Before Sozen could respond, Tsu took to running to the centre circle at the end of the path. Faint blue lit up the stones she padded over. Sozen followed, the stones underfoot glowing a brighter blue. 

"To the left," Tsu started stopping Sozen before he could walk on the circular area, "Is where the rest of the kitsune and yokai dwell. The Forest of Aoi no Hono." 

"Behind me is the Izanagi chambers, not only your residence in the realm but where you will learn how to separate yourself from the physical world even going as far as to contact the dead. However, you may not entre that room until you have completed several rites."

"Finally, the right is the training grounds that contracted kitsune and yourself will use. Unlike Shinobi training grounds, Aoi no Hono is much more accommodating towards real training. I', excited for you to see it," Tsu finished.

"A nice place," Sozen summarized before looking back at Tsu, "What was this about rites?" 

"A right of passage, composed of several trials the first of which will likely be the hardest for yourself. I'd hate for that new sense of self to already be broken..." Tsu muttered the last sentence. 

"What do you mean by that?" 

"The first rite; Inner Balance. I'm not going to say any more, so come forward Sozen." 

Sozen followed Tsu's request, gathering an idea of what she meant when she said she worried for his mentality during a process that might make him come to terms with his past further. As soon as Sozen's scandal touched the stones of the circle, a blue light washed over them and a picture of blue fire was colouring the centre stones. 

"The rites begin, good luck," Tsu commented before running off the circle as the pool beside them started to bubble.

Sozen pulled out a kunai in defence before a force sent him flying into the water. Sozen thrashed in fear, flickers of memory from when Kabuto threw him into the raging river appeared in the front of his mind. Sozen had enough of his wit about him to not scream or gasp for air, but the force dragging him down wasn't relenting. For as long as he could, Sozen sat with his breath held until he gasped for air.