Hey guys! What's up!?

Yeah, you might notice the longer intro, decided to make a new one, because well, it's the new year after all!

Now, it's pretty clear what the next story here will be as we have a clear winner!

So, we're now going back to the land of the rising sun, enjoy!

Wild Cherry Blossom Part 1

It was springtime in Japan, the land of the rising sun, every animal going about their business as usual and for one certain animal, she has just come all the way from Brazil to Japan to learn from a famous martial arts master. Her name was Jewel, a female blue macaw roughly of 25 years of age, she has just arrived in Tokyo, coming from the airport after a long flight. Jewel was, of course, extremely jet lagged from the flight, but she put her tiredness aside and managed to get a taxi, telling the taxi driver where she wanted to go.

Jewel, growing up, was inspired to become an adventurer for good, someone who protects ancient treasures from the bad guys who just want to sell them for their own wealth. Instead Jewel gave the treasures to different museums to share them with the world.

However, before she could become one, she needed to learn a lot of things first, she already knew a lot about history and the many different climates she would work in, but she didn't really know how to fight if she had to. And finding someone who knew martial arts in Brazil was tricky, she was on the verge of giving up when she was at home watching the news. And what she saw directed her in the right direction, it was the news of the Japanese emperor's birthday, which was insignificant to Jewel of course, but what caught her was that one of the important guests in the emperor's palace was a world famous martial arts master named Basho, who taught the arts in a temple high up in the hills outside Tokyo.

And now Jewel was here in Japan to learn from this master, she didn't know if she would be accepted, hearing some things that it was not easy for foreigners to be accepted into the temple. However she was hopeful and this was her last chance to learn from a true master.

Once Jewel arrived at the bottom of the hills from which the temple stood, she let out a breath.

"Here goes nothing…" Jewel sighed as she got her bag and hiked up the hillside, enjoying the beauty as the cherry blossom trees were in full bloom. "I hope every day is like this." Jewel smiled as she eventually saw the temple in view.

It wasn't necessarily a big temple, it was small and modest enough, but still stood out against the land. Jewel wondered such a famous master would like such a small temple, but she didn't question it further and just walked up to the front gate and knocked. After waiting a few minutes, it opened.

"And who are you?" The animal, a white monkey, asked Jewel.

"My name is Jewel, I have come all the way from Brazil to learn from Master Basho." Jewel fearlessly stated.

"Please wait here." The white monkey replied as he closed the gate, leaving Jewel to wait outside.

Jewel waited and waited, tapping her talons on the ground until she heard steps coming to the gate, stopping her tapping she stood up straight as the gate reopened to reveal an older white crane standing before her. Jewel bowed respectfully as the crane just stayed silent for a minute or so until he spoke, Jewel all the time feeling sweat coming down.

"So, you want to learn martial arts from me, is that correct?" The crane, Basho, asked.

"Yes that is correct master, I have come a long way to learn the art." Jewel replied in an honest tone.

"A long way indeed…" Master Basho said slowly. "Unfortunately, you are not from this land, but a foreigner, I can not teach someone who is not from this country." Basho informed Jewel, the master turning around, but Jewel spoke.

"Please, I have come all the way and I promise that what I learn will only stay with me, I'm only looking for someone to teach me martial arts because I want to be an adventurer in the future, to protect the world's ancient treasures. And I have heard that you are one of the best." Jewel pleaded.

Master Basho stopped as he was now interested, slowly turning back around to Jewel as he spoke calmly.

"Very well, however to prove that you really want to learn from me, you must wait outside these gates for the next three days, you will be provided with enough food and water." Basho told Jewel. "Think of it as your first lesson, patience, and if you are still here when the time is over, you will be allowed inside the temple to learn from me."

"Thank you master." Jewel bowed and hid her smile.

And so that's exactly what Jewel did, going to the closet cheery blossom tree closet to the gate, she sat down against the trunk and did all she could to pass the time, writing down about her days in the journal or coming up with all these adventure ideas. She spent her days fully enjoying all the beauty that Japan had to offer and even took a fallen cherry blossom that landed on her lap, keeping it as a souvenir and reminder of her journey to Japan.

All that time Jewel waited and waited and by the time the third day ended, Jewel was up and just waiting for the master to come out, only he didn't. For instead of the master, the same monkey that greeted Jewel came out to allow Jewel in.

"I'm impressed, well a deal is a deal, you may now enter, the master is looking froward to your second lesson in his classroom." The monkey stated.

"Well, better not keep him waiting." Jewel smiled as she quickly gathered her things and followed the monkey inside the temple.

And while the temple may have looked small on the outside, it seemed bigger on the inside, Jewel in awe at what she saw. Everything was so peaceful, as there were gardens full of ponds and flowers, statues of important figures in Japanese history, as well as the different buildings. It was in that Jewel was most impressed, peeking in for a second while walking to see students teaching, doing things like breaking wood with a single blow or doing kicks in midair. Boy did she want to learn how to do that.

Eventually the monkey led Jewel to a classroom, where basho was teaching a bunch of younger students who were just beginning.

"Welcome, I see you were patient enough." Basho said as he turned to Jewel and then to his students. "Students, we have a new guest, she isn't from here but I expect everyone to teach her with the same respect."

"Yes master." All of the students replied in unison.

"Good, now…" Basho said to Jewel, not knowing her name.

"Jewel is my name." Jewel informed the master.

"Jewel, what a nice name…" Basho whispered quietly and then returned to his normal voice. "Please sit down, we're about to start.

Jewel sat down on an empty seat, which was just a pillow on the wooden floor and not a very comfortable pillow at that.

"Alright students, this is your first lesson, you're each going to sit crosslegged and have a plank of wood on your head all the while staying quiet and still, if you can hold it for an hour, you pass." Master Basho spoke, Jewel confused. "This will teach you balance and focus."

As Jewel's wooden plank was placed on her head, she was really wondering what kind of master this Basho was, for what kind of lesson was staying still and quiet and having wood on your head have to do with martial arts?

And there we go!

I hope everyone enjoyed and that you're happy with how this is starting! Trust me it'll get more exciting!