a slice of paradise

No one spoke, dared to break the peace of this place. But from their expressions alone Hattori surmised they felt about the same way, felt a pang in their chest, deep-rooted like an ancient tree. A part of home that followed them even here, to a place so far removed from Nihon's distant shores.  He thought for a moment whether he ought to tell the others of this place, so all of Tojo could come visit if they wished, but he allowed that line of thought to putter out. Like a flame with no fuel left to burn. It wasn't exactly easy to find this place, even as a resident of the bamboo and so he knew not all would be able to locate it. Even with directions.

That and this wasn't the sort of place that deserved so much foot traffic. To do so would ruin the sanctity, twist it into something it simply was not. Hattori understood that sometimes it was simply best to leave things be.

The silence stretched on as Hattori moved to examine the bamboo that grew here. It seemed different from the species he was familiar with, overall thinner and yet with a thicker overhead canopy that barely let in any light. Made it seem as though the sun was starting to set when in fact it shone high in the sky, blazing hot. Where here it was cool, comfortable and just right.

"This place seems familiar to you as well."He finally said, talking to the others.