"We cast away priceless time in dreams, born of imagination,

fed upon illusion, and put to death by reality."
- Judy Garland


There was it again… the familiar ache in his heart.

Loneliness. Bitterness. Envy.

These feelings would always assault him when he would see children with big bright grins walking alongside their parents.

Stern but firm scoldings…

Gentle caresses…

Pats on the back…

Reassuring hugs…

Simple gestures that can show the very thing he can never attain no matter how much he begs or wishes for it. Something

that is impossible to have for an orphan, especially the proclaimed scapegoat of the village; a jinchuuriki, like him to have:

Love, specifically, that of parents.

He would always be reminded of his solitary existence in the confines of his apartment, devoid of any people.

This was possibly his drive to ease, even a little, of the painful feeling that wells in his chest.

Forming the needed hand signs, he created two shadow clones into existence. No words were exchanged between them, they

knew what to do.

The first shadow clone transformed himself into a man with piercing blue eyes and sun kissed skin.

The second clone transformed himself into a woman with bright golden locks. Whisker marks marred her cheeks.

The man ruffled his hair and the woman kissed him on the forehead. They then gently encased him into a tight hug. He did not

know how much time has passed but he just continued to bask in the warmth they had provided and for once, he did not feel

lonely.

He wondered if this was what love feels like.

Reality then came crashing down on him when they both disintegrated into smoke and he was left alone In the cold, dark

room.

After all, Illusions were never meant to last forever.