Long ago in a forgotten country, there was a temple dedicated to the ocean. It was placed on a tall cliff overseeing the far and white blue of the ocean around it. There was a fast amount of grass growing on the cliff. The priestesses of this temple wore blue Kimono's. This temple of the ocean was mostly visited by those who want a change in their lives or for those in the need of healing. The ocean is soothing for those who are struggling with issues, it should be no surprise then that this particular temple is often visited by shinobi. Be it for they were injured, that they need a peace of mind after a shady mission or that they simply wished for a change in their personal life, shinobi came by often to pray.
In charge of the temple were two women 23 years old Hanabi and her 28 years old sister Hinata. Hanabi is in charge of the sales and healing, her older sister Hinata was in charge of the prayers and general runnings of the Temple. Hanabi was known as a strict healer with a broad and kind heart. Hinata was a strong leader with an eye for detail and an uncanny amount of sympathy. Both sisters were successful in running the temple together. They supported each other through an through.
The temple did have one dark secret. For any positive prayer that would be sent up to the ocean to be fulfilled, an equal negative change had to be given in return. In that exchange, the ocean did not care about what form the negative change would come. The priestesses always warned those in need of a prayer, that if the ocean would choose to answer the prayer, there would be a negative price to pay later. The ocean would always collect it, be it now or in fifty years.
It was a regular day at the temple when Hanabi was selling good luck charms to visitors. She just sold a charm to an old man who wanted to give his granddaughter a graduation present when an injured man stumbled over the threshold. She excused herself from her customers and went to the injured man. He passed out when she approached him. Hanabi picked the men up from the ground and brought him to the healing quarters. She put him down on a cot and diagnosed his injuries immediately. It was a close call, the man had less than an hour to live. Hanabi started to heal him directly. She had to work all night and her sister brought her water to assist her. When she was done Hanabi was so exhausted she fell asleep with her head on the injured men's cot.
The next morning she awoke to a hand gently shaking her awake. She looked up and saw it belonged to the man she had healed. Hanabi rubbed her eyes and sat up straight in her chair. A few seconds later her healer instincts kicked in and she asked; "how are you feeling?" the man answered; "I feel a lot better than yesterday, did someone heal me? Where am I, last time I remember I was sure I was going to die from my injuries." "You're not wrong there mister, Hanabi answered, when you stumbled into our temple you were almost gone. Even though I healed most of your injuries you will be stuck here for quite some time until you make a full recovery. What's your name? Mine is Hanabi and I'm in charge of the healing words" The man answered; "my name is Joshiro, a pleasure to meet you" "Likewise, Hanabi said, I am going to check you over to see if you're healing correctly and if there are any inflammations. After that, you are going back to sleep. You're not allowed to leave this bed until I say so. I'd rather not have you ruin my night's work because you couldn't keep still for a couple of days. To answer your other question, you're in the northernmost temple of the ocean" Joshiro looked flabbergasted "the northernmost? he asked while Hanabi began to check him over. I was sure I was still on the outskirts of Kumogakure, I know I travelled north to track bandits but I hadn't realised I was this far out yet." "well you were, When I saw your injuries I knew you had been injured some time ago, long enough to walk a few miles. Next time I advise you to find a village close by. If it had taken just an hour longer I wouldn't have been able to save you." Hanabi replied before preparing to leave. "I can see that your injuries are healing well for now. I will come back to check up on you this evening until then I'll have someone bring food and drinks to you. Remember you are not to leave your bed on healers orders." Hanabi proceeded to the door and left, leaving the man to muse over his thoughts.
The following few days went much the same with Joshiro asking questions about the temple and the environment around it and Hanabi answering them and then telling him to stay in bed when she left. It was when Joshiro could walk around again but was still not allowed to leave, that the two of them became closer. Joshiro offered his help around the temple, assisting the priestesses in their task to the best of his then lessened ability. There were some times where Hanabi had to drag him inside by his ear to prevent him from doing something to enthusiastic. Joshiro would then protest loudly, claiming he felt the need to do something to repay their kindness. That argument was shot down immediately by Hanabi who only told him; "You can pay us back by getting better." Those little arguments formed a bond between the two of them and as this bond continued to grow Hanabi's counterargument started to hurt Joshiro. For all their talk had gotten friendlier, that one sentence always told him he didn't belong here, that he should go back home as soon as possible.
It was when he was fully recovered and had returned to his village that the two of them realised they felt stronger towards another than they noticed when they were at the temple. They missed one another and as the weeks past the longing only got stronger instead of fading. Hinata was not blind to the change in her younger sister. She had seen how happy she was when Joshiro was around. She witnessed the change afterwards with saddened eyes. Hinata decided to talk to her sister about it. Hanabi could not go on like this, she had to make a decision. Joshiro was bound by duty to his village and could not come and go as he pleased and Hanabi could not be in a relationship while continuing her duties as a priestess. Neither of the girls knew if Joshiro felt the same way as Hanabi did. With that in mind, Hinata did an unusual proposal to her younger sister. Hanabi had to train some of the younger priestesses to run tasks she had taken on and only when they were ready could Hanabi set out to find Joshiro and either gain closure or pursue their love together.
But before the younger priestesses were fully trained they got a surprise visitor. Joshiro appeared in their shrine and when the two of them saw each other it was like they hadn't been apart for the last two years at all. Hinata halved Hanabi's duties and the two young lovers took the time to explore nearby villages together. As the two of them spend more time together their love blossomed with it and eventually, Hanabi decided to leave the temple for Joshiro. After Hanabi was comfortable knowing the temple would be fine she packed her few possessions and they both left together.
It is a shame really that shinobi in that time and era were not allowed to get married. Joshiro had to quit his job. The two of them worked together to learn new skills. Hanabi was quickly hired to work in the hospital and Joshiro learned how to make his own furniture. They both lived happily for the next few years. They had gotten married and had a child who went to become a skilful medical-nin in the far future. In the meanwhile, they made sure to visit the temple every few months for Hanabi not to forget her home.
All tough their luck did not last very long. Shortly after their child had left the academy an old enemy of Joshiro took revenge. He killed all three of them. Hinata was heartbroken at the loss of her younger sister and turned bitter for the rest of her life. The temple of the ocean was never the same afterwards. New requits had to swear that they would never pursue love under any circumstance and the healers were not allowed to speak to their patients for longer than necessary. What was one time an open and inviting temple had now turned distanced and cold.
