Hello Darlings,

I apologize for the long and unannounced hiatus I had been on since towards the end of last year.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my readers for still not loosing faith in my series. And I want to thank all those who reviewed and encouraged me to continue on writing for these past couples of weeks. I feel like I had finally regained my confidence to continue on my series from all your love.

I had tried to update as soon as possible and now here we are with Chapter 3!

Love,

Blissful Illusions~

She sat there peacefully working on her embroidery.

Any onlookers would stop in awe at such scenery. The tranquility of the moment as a beauty hid amongst the lush floral veils.

Her dark tresses contrasted greatly against her fair skin. Those delicate fingers gracefully danced with her needle and thread. Soft humming of sweet melody whispers into the air.

暮れて行くオレンジに空は燃えるから
切なさが私の胸に広がった
夏が終わるどうかお願い
抱き締めて熱が上がるぐらいに

He hid behind the great tree.

Never had his heart raced so rapidly.

If not for his secrecy, then he would have thought himself to be in a dream.

Like a mirage in the vast desert, she tempted him.

A place abundant with life as the greens flourished into infinity. A beautiful maiden rests her elusive frame in this paradise as she tends to her womanly art.

This irrational feeling confused him prominently. He was a simple man. He always thought actions stood with more significance than words. He had a straight and standard approach to life and that did not involve any babbling philosophical nonsense.

Still…

She remains an enthralling mystery.

"Brother, we got competition." Asura exclaimed as he lunged at his brother.

Indra raised a brow at his comment but still remained just as focused.

"The girls are swooning over Takao." The younger brother answered as he attempted to concentrate on the incoming kunais.

"Fool, should it concern me?" Indra replied while he dodged Asura's kick.

The brothers continued to spar.

"Aren't you even just a little concerned?" Asura teased his tsundere of a brother.

"You discuss such trivial things, brother." Indra spoke as he blocked Asura's blade with his own.

Asura may be using his words to distract Indra, but it was fruitless.

"But Nana could be one of his victims!" Asura teased.

"Her name is Naomi. Would you address her properly?" Indra called as he grabbed Asura's arm and took the opportunity to throw him on the ground.

There was a great impact as Asura's body contacted the ground.

"Also, Naomi is Ōtsutsuki and a Ōtsutsuki will not be so easily deceived." Indra completed the rest of his phrase as he secured his katana back into its sheath.

A shaking hand rose up to signal his surrender.

"You do realize she is technically adopted, right?" Asura spoke out as he attempted to get back on his feet.

Indra glared at Asura.

Even in defeat, Asura will always have the last word.

"Your posture is weak and your defense is easily broken. If only you had focused more on your technique rather than that mouth of yours, than you would have lasted longer." Indra barked at Asura with sternness.

"Wow! No need to get all angry. You will never be able to win her heart this way." Asura smirked as he walked away from his brother.

"I do not have time for such useless things. A man is supposed to be strong so that he may protect and provide for his woman." Indra commented at Asura's remark.

Was this really Indra's approach to love? If it is, then Nana would only suffer if she were to marry Indra. He had promised to protect her smile since the day he made that promise. He will not let her fade into a loveless obscurity.

"You are just so rigid Indra! She will never fall in love with you like this! If you continue on with this ideology then even if she marries you, both of you will suffer." Asura couldn't believe his brother.

"Then what is you proposal?" Indra growled back.

"Brother…" Asura's expression softened.

Indra's eyes still focused on him.

"A woman is a flower and a man her sun. He should shine on her to radiate her beauty but also provide her the warmth for her to prosper. Women are such tender creatures; we must never be so rash at them."

She gazed at the sun endearingly.

眩しく笑う太陽それがあなたなんです

She outreached her hands towards the sky.

夕焼け滲んでる坂道に

Her slender fingers stretched desperately as they traced the blaze.

ゆらりゆらゆらと揺れる陽炎

Her voice came to a halt as she realized that she unable to finish her song.

There is silence and a faint sense of disappointment in the atmosphere.

She placed both of her hands on top of her heart while she rests her eyes.

She knew the exact words to end her song, but she could not conjure up the appropriate feeling to accompany it.

What type of a song is this?

Was it of happiness because the singer is thinking of their loved one?

Was it of sorrow because the loved one is not by their side?

Or was it both…?

Because something magical happened.

あなただけが映る

She repeated the same phrase over and over in a rather bland tune.

"How am I to conceive something I have no basis to?" Her sweet voice whispered.

What is this sensation famed "love"?

She grew up with no parents so there was no example in that.

The Lord Hagoromo separates the unmarried men and women into separate quarters so even a brief glimpse of this fondness between a man and a woman was almost non-existent. Public displays of affection were restricted even to those married couples. The maximum display of adoration she had witnessed was the shared glance of two lovers. Needless to say, she did not understand anything on this topic.

How is she supposed to compose this poem if she doesn't even know how it feels to be in love?

"Think of a cherished person." she thought.

A bright smile appeared in her thoughts.

His warmth emanated from his radiate personality.

But then…

The image transformed into another figure.

Broad shoulders and a built physique.

Sun-kissed skin and a masculine jawline.

"!"

She quickly shook her head to erase her thoughts.

A flush of rosy hue tainted her fair cheeks as she recalled her last image.

"This is ridiculous." She whimpered.

"Where were you this morning?" A stern voice spoke.

The young Lord Takao looked away from his father's intensive gaze.

"Takao, I asked you a question." The Lord Ryo spoke once more.

"I was tending to my affairs." Takao was brief with his reply.

"Then is training not your affair?" The Lord Ryo questioned his son.

"I do have other interests, father." Takao replied coolly.

"You are the heir, the next in line for the succession as the head of the Ryo Clan." The Lord Ryo spoke in a menacing voice.

"I know." His son nodded.

"You have to prepare for the tournament. You will bring the Ōtsutsuki Clan down and put an end to their bloodline. You must train." The Lord Ryo's voice lowers.

"Is that not what I have been doing?" Takao looked at his father.

"You dare to disrespect me?" The Lord Ryo's voice was laced with impending wrath.

"I would never disrespect you, father."

"What did your mother sacrifice her life for?" Here they go again.

"Mother sacrificed her life for me." Takao replied as he grind-ed his teeth in anger.

"What did I sacrifice the remaining half of my longevity for?"

"You gave away half of your remaining lifespan so that I may gain strength."

"Takao, why did I do that?"

He didn't want to answer.

"Takao?" The Lord Ryo threatened darkly.

"It was because I was born with a frail heart."

"And?"

"It made me a weakling." He hated that word.

"I sacrificed my health so that you could live you pathetic excuse!"

Takao twitched at his father's sudden outrage.

"I didn't just give you life. I gave you immortality so that you could defeat that cursed heart and become a fearsome warrior! You disappoint m-" He was interrupted.

"I never asked for immortality!" Takao cried out.

"You are destined for greatness! I have given you the opportunity to bathe in that glory for infinit-!" The Lord broke down in a rage of hysteric coughing.

"Father!" Takao rushed to his father's aid but to be only pushed away.

"We..d…do…nt…" The Lord Ryo's voice gasps for fresh air.

"H-have…t-too l…long."

Takao respected his father's space and remained at a distance. It was common knowledge that the Lord Ryo was proud and dignified and he shall remain so to his end.

"I will leave you on your own to lead this clan soon." His breathing returned to its normal pace, but his voice was still weak.

"You are heading back?"

"Yes. I shall leave you here while I venture back home. I need to see to our people."

The father and son had a rather strained relationship, but they were all that each other had left ever since the departure of Takao's mother. Separation for such a long time was something new to them both.

"Our people could not be for too long without a leader." There was a double meaning to his father's remark.

"Father…"

"I will be back when it is time for the tournament. However, for now I need you to train hard so that you will bring Ryo our victory."

"I understand." Takao nodded as he patted his heart with his hand to signify his promise.

"What is wrong?"

Naomi came to her senses as she whiped her head to face the taller figure beside her.

"You seemed to be lost in thoughts." Indra spoke coolly as he continued to walk forward.

Naomi followed his steps as she looked away onto the ground to avoid his questioning.

"You don't need to inform me. However, if there is anything that I could contribute to make you feel of ease then do express it."

Naomi stopped in her tracks and stared confidently at the gifted son.

"I do not understand, my lord." Her voice started.

Indra turned around to her confrontation.

"Why do you bother yourself with such kind gestures?"

Indra was caught in surprise at her sudden directness. Usually, she was as timid and meek as a small creature.

"You take me on these strolls when we all know that you would rather be off training. Then you gift me a kanzashi? Why, my lord?" For once in her life she spoke her mind to the more than often intimidating Lord Indra.

He had never seen such a side to her.

"Your actions confuse me greatly. I do not know how to react?" Naomi reinforced her thoughts on this matter.

"Have you not just reacted by questioning my motives?" Indra spoke.

"I would not dare to question you, my lord." She was now starting to regret her abrupt behavior from a few seconds ago.

"I believe you just did." He smirked at he caught sight of her reverting back into her usual self. He had always liked the obedient and bashful her.

Her cheeks warmed with a crimson hue while her heart pounded.

"Do I really come off as such a cold individual to you?"

"Huh?"

"Do you fear me?" he asked again.

"I respect you, my lord." She replied.

"So you do view me in a good light?"

She didn't know what else to do but nod. In all her years of living in the palace, Naomi came to realize that silence was the key when wanting to avoid undesirable attention.

"I had made my feelings for you quite clear on the night of the banquet. I believe we are clear on that."

She could only nod, but she was still rather confused.

"I understand that at times I may come off as distant, but I assure you that my affection for you is sincere."

Naomi panicked. Is he really confessing his new found affection towards her? Did he even have the capacity to feel emotions?

"I would like to take this time to court you." It was a wonder at how his expression remained stagnant while he spoke such powerful words.

Naomi just stood there and stared blankly at him.

Is this real? Is this really happening?

She was not ready. Could she ever be if it was Indra?

"You may not share my affections currently, but that will change with time." Indra focused his eyes on her blushing features.

"You will soon come to realize that this opportunity only benefits you further. Then again, you really have no say in this matter." A smirk teased the outline of his thin lips.

He turned his back to her and started to walk away from her motionless figure.

"You are mine, and I always get what I desire."

Finally!

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.

It took me awhile to brainstorm as after such a long hiatus I forgot what direction I want the story to progress.

Once again there is a lot of foreshadowing and emphasis on some sentences. So stay alerted!

Could you guys draw on some of the connections discussed between the contents of this chapter and from Till My Final Last Breath?

Please let me know in the review section.

R&R!

Love,

Blissful Illusions~