Visiting the Temple of Time [Seijn x Kazakura]

Before they could enter the village, they would have to find a way across the lake onto the island. So the village was not quite within sight seeing range at the moment. They would come on the shore of the lake that held the island where both Shima and the Temple of Time lay nestled against a single mountain rising up on the island. An old man could be seen sitting on the rocky beach with a fishing pole in the water. At the sound of the horses hooves clopping about the old man would look up at the riders and cackle insanely for a moment. His voice cracking with age. Some said this man was old enough to have been around when Merkus first set down the laws of the Order of Light. But most just thought of him as a pervy old man. Even his own grandson thought the man was a bit senile and touched in the head. "Welcome Travelers. What brings such a group to this lake on such a fine day?" The line on the fishing pole tugged and the old man jumped up with glee, dancing about shout "Ohhwee! Ah got a big one. Ehehe." He begins to tug on the pole, but it seems the fish is a bit too big for the old man as he looks old a weak against such a strong fish. The line pulls the fishing pole and old man towards the edge of the lake. "Oh no... you get back here, small fry. Ah got you this time." It looks like he is about to be dragged into the water. -273-

With their help, the old man would be able to pull in the fish. As the fish came to land, it nothing more an old sword sheath. The old man began to cackle again. "See, Ah caught a big one." He left the three of them holding the pole as he danced around. As he passed by Seijin, his hand copped a feel of her rear end as he said. "You teach a man to fish and he can eat for the rest of his life. Now you three know how to fish." He then began to dance off towards the bushes as he continued to speak. "You feel like a priestess to me. Most likely only a year into the order. Maybe less." He brushed some bushes off of a long boat and smiled at his find. "So you want to go to the Temple of Time? Past, present, or future?" His eyes gleamed with mirth and merriment almost like he was being crazy on purpose. And he seemed to move around quicker than most men his age. He hopped into the boat and blinked at them. "Aren't you coming?" He pointed to the boat. -469-

As the men played rock, paper, scissors the old man jumped out of the boat and moved over to investigate. Even joining in on the fun. What would have been a tie was turned into a win for the old man over and over again. "Ohwee, Ah get to go with the young tart." He clapped them on the shoulders as the taller one won the next game. Then he jumped back into the boat. as Seijin was helped in, he made the tall one push the boat off first before trying to get in. With a burst of speed, the old man paddled away, leaving the taller guard in the water. Cackling he looked back and shouted. "One has to learn to swim, before they can fish." He slowed his paddling down and smiled normally at the young priestess. A twinkle in his eye. "I am a priest, child, Kazakura will be glad to see you. I am Saki Tatsuko." Then he continued to paddle until they were across. "You guards need to learn the valuable lesson of never under estimate an old man." His face broke out in huge grin and bit of drool start to hang from his lips as he looked at her young body. "Althought you really are a pretty young tart." -686-

He swiped up the napkin and chuckled. Wiping the drool off of his lip, he smiled. "Do not call me Priest... that is so formal. Just call me Grandfather. Everyone else does." They make the shore and he hopped out and pushed the boat onto the beach. Offering his hand, he would help her out, although he was shorter than she while he hunched over like an old man. "Welcome to the island. Do you want to visit the village first, since Kazakura is walking the path of peace. Or at least she was when I left." He cackled again and began to march up the beach and into the woods. It wouldn't be long before they made it to the village. The village of Shima was a small village that was half suspended on piers over the water and half on the land. There were long wooden walkways over the crystal blue waters of the lake. If you looked down at the water, it was only a few feet deep and one could see the fish and freshwater crabs swiming along. "Be proud, little priestess. Not many get the pleasure of seeing Shima. That would be why, your guards were left on the other shore. It will take them more strength than they have to swim across." He cackled with glee again and danced a bit. He led her around sighting. The fresh market where island fruits were displayed, was on one of these piers. Most of the vendors here were younger women and men. The older villagers sat in shaded community areas and played various games. The people of the island clan were more tanned than the average human. The island gave a peaceful laid back atmosphere. -975-

Koji was a rather handsome young man and knew it. His soft voice could be heard speaking to a nearby fruit vendor. His long silver hair hung loose around his broad shoulders. The breeze blew it to and fro as he moved on. With a blink and a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, he moved to a spot just in front of the old man. He was dressed in black (see pic) and his sword hilts gleamed in the sunshine. His blue eyes a startling contrast to his silver hair. Not many around here had blue as. He offered them a low bow and offered the young priestess a dazzling smile. "Well old man, I see that your fishing adventure was a success. You seemed to have caught a beautiful, elegant one here." He offered his arm to the young woman and winked. "My name is Saki Koji. You must be the priestess Seijin. No one else could match the description that Kazakura gave to us in case you decided to stop by for a visit. And let me be the first to say that her description did not do you justice. A poet would not be able to describe your dazzling beauty with mere words."

As he led the young woman around, his grandson made his elegant appearance. Drat that youngster, he thought as Koji began his wooing technique. When Koji set his eyes on a female target, Tatsuko was left in the dust. Damn young pup. But that insane smile stayed on his face as he put a hand to the back of his own head and cackled. "Yeah, caught a beauty didn't Ah." then a look of serious crossed his face, "Better than you could ever hope to catch." Then he cackled again. "Well since my grandson here has come to rescue you from my old clutches, I had better go and check on your guards and make sure they are not drowning." In anime fashion, the scene cuts to his brown eyes as he glares at Koji for a moment. The look is returned in that anime fashion before the old man ambles off.

-1843- Includes Kaza's WC as well. Since I have to be three months on the site before I can start that path.

"Do not worry about my grandfather, priestess. He will most likely go and annoy my grandmother." Koji offered his arm again and should she take it, he would lead her out of the town and into the forest, following a stone walkway. "You should perhaps, ask Kaza to take you to the hot springs here. They are some of the best in the land. Also you have a beautiful view of the surrounding area from up there." As they would walk down the path, he would further introduce himself, his voice sweet and melodic. "I am one of Kaza's guards. Although she doesn't need us most of the time. There are three of us that try to keep her from harm. And before you ask, yes she does travel alone because she can handle herself. But it was not always like that. You see, she was once a young priestess as yourself. I'm surprised you do not remember us from your ceremony. We tend to follow her when duty calls." How could one forget such a handsome face.
-2021-

His hand came to rest on the back of his head as he chuckled softly. "Do not worry about not remembering me." Although he was a bit crestfallen that this lovely young lady had not remember him. He would still try and flirt with her. It was obvious that she had been kept inside most of her life, but that never kept him from a young lady. "Kazakura has spoken highly of you. She says you have great potential. I think that you surpass her beauty and could one day surpass her power." It was a compliment designed to make the young woman blush. Kazakura would have his head if she had heard that comment. The pathway lead to a few steps that where stone lantern posts stood watch. "This way" The forest was beautiful and the sounds of many different animals floated in the breeze. A bright green bird flew by with its long tail flowing out behind him. A caw was issued from the trees above as a second such bird followed. The stone stairs were old but well kept. This was one of the oldest temples in the land. One of the first built. The temple of time held the secrets of the past present, and now even the future thanks to Kaza studying those from the future.

-2242-

Koji looked at the bird and chuckled. "That is a parrot, my dear. They are found only on this island. They can be taught to speak. If you want. I can catch one for you to take back with you. They make wonderful pets" He stopped walking and knelt on the step, taking the hand of the priestess gently in his. "I will gladly climb the highest peaks, forge the deepest streams, kill the most deadly beast, to win a smile from you." His free hand he placed over his heart as he spoke. "If you wish for a parrot only speak the words and I will go and get you one. Many on the island keep them as companions. They come in a blue as well." He was serious, but he knew that should another of those roaming the island come and interrupt, he would never have another chance to win the heart of this fair young flower.

-2402-

Kyousuke was walking down the steps of the path when he noticed the younger Saki kneel at the feet of what appeared to be the young priestess, Seijin. The priestess appeared to be crying and he shook his head. Not another crybaby around here. His sigh came out as he approached the pair. His hand reaching up to scratch just under his eye patch. He was older than the others and led them as a result. But he had little time for crybabies. He hated crying women. And here Koji was, making one cry. His heavy footfalls could be heard on the stone as he reached them. A stern loon upon his face. “Koji, are you making another one cry from a broken heart?” With a quick movement, he cuffed the younger man on the shoulder. The hand curled into a fist and brought him to his feet with a simple movement. It then released Koji. “So what is going on here?”
-2564-

Koji was jerked up by the collar and for a moment lost that boyish grin. “Kyousuke sama. Nothing is wrong. I offered to catch a parrot for her.” He placed his hand on the back of his head and chuckled, that boyish grin resuming. He bowed at the same time she did. “Do not be sorry, my dear. I should not have asked. Perhaps we should continue on to the temple?” He wanted to get away from this man for the moment. Since the moment that Kyousuke realized he was here instead of the bridge. He would know that Koji had gotten his grandfather to take his rotation at guard duty. He swiftly began to move up the stairs but was stopped in his tracks at Kyo’s deep voice. It felt like his bones shook, every time that kyo got that tone.

Kyo reached out and grabbed the young saki by the collar and held him in place as he spoke. “Should you not be watching the bridge? It is your duty, not your grandfather’s.” As he held onto the young man, he glanced down at the priestess. “Please. No more crying. If you are here to see the High Priestess, I will take you to her. “ He was a no nonsense kind of guy. Although he was rather harsh and stern looking. He had a soft spot. Right now it didn’t apply as he turned Koji around and set him on the stairs facing downward. “You, need to go to your post and leave the women alone. And I shall escort you to the temple. I apologize for Koji’s behavior.”
-2836-

Koji was set down facing the way he had come, a blush upon his young face. “Heh, sorry about that. I hope to see you around, priestess” He looked back and gave the young woman a smile as he walked off whistling. It was time for him to get to his duties, otherwise Kyo would be looking for a sparing match later. And well, he would rather be on bridge detail than sparing with that man. He hurt when he hit. Not like his grandfather’s training, which was just annoying.

Kyo glanced back at the priestess and sighed. She looked like she was frightened out of her wits. Wonderful, now he had frightened her. The girl needed to grow a backbone. Perhaps the High Priestess would be a good influence on the poor girl. She looked like a strong wind would break her in two. “Priestess. I am not going to eat you, so you can stop looking at me like I am a demon here for your soul.” His voice was gruff and rather low pitched.
-3014-

He sighed as the priestess took off faster than his walk. He let her get up the steps ahead of him, keeping an eye on her in his silent way. This girl needed to spread her wings. Kyo could see it in her. The High Priestess had been timid the first time they had met. They were cousins, but he was already in his twenties by the time she had come into the world. He lost his eye not long after that and had remained in the village during the time she had been at the high temple. So it was not until the call for guardians for her had come, that he had met her face to face. He had been the same ever since. Kazakura had skipped up the steps with the same speed that this priestess now walked. He had just let her be as she was meant to be. He could keep her safe as long as he could see her. And he could see a fair distance with only one eye. As they reached the top of the hill they would begin to see the temple of time.

The temple itself reaches into the treetops of the forest. With a small mountain behind it. The only mountain on the island. The mountain is used for those who wish to meditate at its peak. The main path turns to cut stone with a row of 5 small statues on either side of the pathway. The first one on each row is an area icon (repels demons with strong strength) When touched the right way, the stones light up the path with a magical glow. The other 8 area icons are positioned evenly around the temple so it is protected on all sides from demonic intruders. There is a well tended rock garden on one side of the path and a beautiful garden on the other side. there are other statues around the grounds that can be touched and turned to light. The temple is one of the most tranquil places in Sai City's past. A dim waterfall can be heard as you walk the steps towards the entrance.

Kyo nodded to the high priestess as he saw her and turned on his heel to walk back to his own post. A glint of metal flashed in the sunlight. There he was. His younger brother was silently standing guard over the priestesses. Good. Now he could go back. He moved back down the steps to go back to the town. He needed to settle a few things with his family while he was not on duty. His brother had flashed his blade like that on purpose. He was almost as silent as Kazakura’s twin. Almost. Kyo walked himself off.