They were all remarkably similar, and held several unilateral consistencies.
Barring the Nekoshou who were unnaturally gifted in the art of Senjutsu, all other accounts stated the same thing the process took time, but the end result more than justified the expense.
Attuning to nature was a practice in embracing the world in all its light and darkness.
Joining in concert to Mother Nature was a raw, unfiltered experience, entirely about finding your place in her flow and hierarchy, and then leveraging that position.
The energy utilized by Senjutsu practitioners was the magic of an entire world, in all of its aspects.
Just as a clear, spectacular sunrise, the birth of a new puppy, or the fresh morning dew perched on waving grass could be beautiful; the darkness of a lion devouring the antelope, the snake swallowing a bird's eggs whole, the instant incineration of thousands were equally represented.
Just as there were two sides to Mother Nature, there were two sides to Senjutsu, and only one could be leveraged safely if the desire to retain one's sanity was a high priority.
The entirety of the process of attuning could ultimately be simplified down to a percentage sync progression bar common in mortal media.
Sometimes, syncing went quickly, and other times it seemed to drag on, but nothing could be done until fully synced. It was a gross oversimplification of the process, but wasn't entirely without merit either.
Leon's first step would be self-reflection.
Being in tune with the self was a mandatory requirement before even considering being in tune with an external wavelength.
If a person couldn't balance their own inner self, then how would they be able to handle an outside source?
Leon stopped at this point, a yawn escaping him as he blinked a few times, looking around the study to get his bearings. Freyja glanced up at him, before glancing at the clock on the wall.
"Thank you for reminding me, it's almost ten o'clock. Time for bed, for both of us. We have to be up early tomorrow." Leon nabbed a bookmark from her desk as he crawled up into her lap, marking his place and setting the book down as he settled his head into her chest.
"Little pervert," she commented while putting the finishing signatures on the documents she had been working on. Leon yawned in response. Damnable child body.
"No hormones. Can't be a pervert yet. I just know how to appreciate excellent artwork," he muttered out, clinging to her front as she stood, Freyja supporting him with a smile despite her lighthearted comment.
"I suppose that's fair. I wouldn't let a filthy pervert sleep in the same bed with me after all." Leon rubbed his face against the heavenly pillows supporting his head.
"Good thing I'm just an adorable child." Freyja began scratching behind one of his ears, rolling her eyes at his antics.
"Yes, how lucky for you."
"I know, right?"
The pair broke out into shared chuckles. Another yawn escaped Leon as Freyja set him down on her bed.
Theirbed. Ah, hello Yako instinct, you've been awfully quiet. Freyja stripped him down to his underwear before doing the same for herself.
"In a few years you'll be looking back on me dressing you for bed with such embarrassment, it'll be delightful." Freyja grinned down at him as the pair crawled into the nest of pillows and Leon cuddled up to her once more.
"Nah," he denied. "This is just a preview for what it'll look like when I finally come to claim you for myself, and what it'll look like every night afterward."
It was dark in the room, but his enhanced eyesight still caught the telltale hint of a blush dusting his goddess' cheeks.
His Yako side was practically purring in approval with his declaration.
"You have a long way to go to before you can start collecting goddesses, little fox," Freyja chastised, feeling a small bit of irritation at her own reaction.
He was still a child, she shouldn't be blushing like a maiden, no matter how long it had been since she last felt appreciated.
Leon hummed, his eyes drifting shut as his tired mind voiced grandiose inner thoughts.
"I don't want to collect goddesses," he murmured. "I want to collect outstanding women… and give them the world." He fell asleep to Freyja's gentle fingers stroking his ears, a small smile on her lips.
"Silly fox, work hard and maybe one day your dream will be reality." She followed him to the abyss, arms clutching him close to her chest.
….
The next morning the pair woke at five as they would every weekday for the next six years.
Leon was quickly dressed in his athletic attire, fed a light breakfast, and ushered out the door by a smiling, doting Freyja.
Taking off at a jog, Leon worked up a light sweat by the time he had crossed the distance to the edge of the Grove. A small path was cut between the trees, winding its way deeper within.
Leon's first step beneath the canopy was disconcerting.
There was enough space for what little early morning light was available to slip through the gaps between trees, keeping the path and surroundings barely illuminated even with his superior senses.
The atmosphere was a secondary detail however, the more prevalent concern was the complete lack of sound from within or without the tree line.
After suppressing a shiver, Leon continued making his way down the path.
It was a short walk, the trail mostly clear of brush or low hanging branches. He arrived at the center of the grove, the trail spitting him out into a small clearing.
The altar was such a simple affair, an unadorned white stone raised platform placed in the center of the area.
For a sacred place where two gods consummated their union, it was remarkably plain at first sight.
What made it utterly unique was what Leon could only consider an immense… presence, which hung in the air.
Almost like a predator, beautiful and deadly but currently docile, as if it was lounging in the sun taking a nap.
….
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