Hello, friends! I know what you're probably thinking. "When is Madara going to appear?!" Please, sit tight for just a few more chapters. This beginning is VERY important. Your patience is valued and it'll be well worth the wait! Trust me. I do have a poll that I'm going to add as well. If you would be so kind as to contribute, that would be much appreciated! I also hope you enjoy this chapter! Thank you again for your support.

-Spliced

Dusk was approaching and the sky was turning to a sapphire blue. The Ashikaga clan invaded the outdoors with barbeque, sake, music, and fire lighting up the night. Everyone was eating and chatting, gathered around tables that were set up for congregation. The energy was light and cheery as they clansmen enjoyed themselves.

Shinji clapped his hands and gathered everyone's attention. "Everyone! Everyone! Let's not forget the reason for tonight's party." With that said, everyone started chanting and carrying on. "Nao! Come here and sit down!" A tipsy Shinji pointed to a picnic table.

Nao grinned and came over to the table. "Alright! Alright! Stop pestering me old man!" He laughed. "Okay, I'm here!"

The clan gathered around the table. Shinji hollered. "We all know what to do! On the count of two… One… Two…"

The clan began to sing like a pack of rabid wolves. "Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Nao..."

Han interjected and pointed to Nao. "You little shiiiiit!"

The whole clan chuckled before finishing the song. "Happy birthday to you!"

Everyone clapped and a giddy Nao fist pumped the air. Kimi set down a flat box in front of him. "Present number one!" She smiled. "Go ahead and open!"

Nao picked up the box. "I don't need presents. You shouldn't have!" He opened the box and smiled at the contents. "More ninja tools. I love it! Mine were getting so beat up and dingy. Thank you!" He bowed his head politely.

"Okay, who's next?!" Shinji called. People began handing Nao gifts one at a time. He opened them all and expressed his gratitude. "Anyone else?" Shinji called.

Reina stood there with a small gift in her hands. She looked around before silently hiding it in her yukata. Thankfully, no one in the drunken crowd noticed. Truthfully, she wasn't used to giving gifts and had no idea if what she brought was appropriate. She was nervous of the critique and the massive crowd that would judge her choice. Not only that, but within the past few weeks, she had developed a sort of admiration for Nao. If she disappointed him, she wouldn't know how to handle it. Reina sighed, then smiled and clapped as the gift exchange concluded. Afterward, everyone dispersed and continued drinking and carrying on.

Han shuffled over to Reina, two cups of sake in his hand. "Hello, Reina." He hip checked her. "How are you holding up?" He said while giving her a cup.

Reina took the cup and thanked him with a nod. "I'm great! This is all so much fun. I'm glad everyone is enjoying themselves."

Han nodded. "Yup! We know how to party. " He pointed to the clansmen dancing in the crowd. "Exhibit A."

Reina chuckled. "Yeah, this is pretty neat."

Han looked over at Reina and gave a look of confusion. "Didn't you say you wanted to give Nao a gift?"

Reina turned to face him. "You know, I couldn't decide what to get him. I've never celebrated someone's birthday like this before. In my clan, we are usually just thankful for living another year." She downed her sake and shook her head while blinking profusely. "Whoa! That's some strong shit!"

Han patted her on the back. "You could've asked me for help! I'm great with presents." He grinned. "You know, your clan is right, though. But they should've taught you how to drink first. You're supposed to sip sake you goof."

Reina turned to him with confusion written all over her face. "You mean you don't down everything like it's a shot?" She shook her head. "Pussy."

Han gasped. "Oh my God! You're such a little shit!" He exclaimed and then began laughing. "Your clan is hardcore."

"You better believe it." Reina said while holding her hand up in a matter-of-fact way. "I miss them. I hope they're doing okay."

Han gave Reina a one armed hug. "You better believe they are." He said to mock her words. "They're Senju. They won't go down that easily."

Reina nodded. "You're right."

"I feel bad for the man you marry." Han sipped his sake while looking away.

Reina's mouth hung open as she turned to face him. "Asshat!"

Han snickered. "You gave me the opening! You left me no choice!"

"What's all the commotion?" Nao said as he walked over to Reina and Han. "Seems like you two are having a lot of fun."

Reina sighed. "I don't know if you could call it that."

Nao chuckled. "Is Han giving you trouble?"

"Per usual." Han admitted. "How can I not?"

Nao cleared his throat as he took Han's sake out of his hand and took a sip. "Well, first of all, if you're picking on a girl it usually means you like her."

"No! No no no no! It's not like that." Reina said. "He's like my brother."

Han nodded, "Yeah, no. She's like my sister. You've got it all wrong."

Nao laughed. "I'm only kidding." He handed Han his sake back. "I know your dynamic. I was just making sure."

Reina tilted her head. "Making sure?"

Han put his hand on his face and sighed. "Sweet mother of God. You're hopeless."

Nao laughed and looked down at Reina. "How are you enjoying yourself."

"Holy shit he's talking to me." Reina looked up at him. "I'm enjoying myself a lot actually. I like everyone's energy and the party is a lot of fun." Reina sipped her sake nervously. "You know, you got food, and booze. Who doesn't like that?"

"Right? And it's nice to get out of a usual routine once in a while." Nao added.

"Why the hell is he talking to me?" Reina nodded. "Yep! Yeah. And when people drink you can laugh at them doing stupid stuff." Reina pointed over to a group of clansmen having a drunken piggyback race. "To think we're at the top of the food chain."

Nao looked over and laughed in agreement. "You're both ruthless and witty. I like it." He turned to face Reina again. "Come to think of it, we haven't really talked a lot, have we?"

Reina shook her head. "No, we haven't! It's rather unfortunate."

"We'll have to make up for lost time then." Nao smiled.

Reina turned to face Han, but saw no one. "Han? Where did he go?" She shrugged and set her sake cup on a nearby table. "Wanna go on a little adventure?'

Nao flashed a bright face of amusement at her. "Yeah! Shall we?" He extended his arm.

Reina looked at it, smirked, and then shook her head. "Sure, but-" She grabbed his hand instead and began guiding him away from the party and to the garden.

Nao followed her with a cute grin. "Alright then, lead the way."

"Why did I grab his hand? I hate myself. I hate myself, so much right now." Reina laughed sheepishly. "Sorry, I love exploring."

Nao shook his head. "Don't be sorry. There's nothing wrong with being passionate."

"Time to run with it." Reina blushed a little. "Thanks." She took him through the forest and down a rocky path. After a short while, they came to a wall of bushes. "I found this place not so long ago." She let go of his hand and opened up the bushes to reveal a small waterfall flowing into a river. "Follow me." She nodded with her head in the direction for him to follow. The two descended a rocky hill, before stepping onto the ground. Reina walked them over to giant boulders which they climbed up on. "And here we are!" She exclaimed and held her arms up in display. "Do you like it?"

Nao's eyes lit up. "Do I like it? It's beautiful."

Reina sat down. "Have a seat." She patted next her.

"Gladly." Nao sat down. "You want to know what's really sad? I never even knew this existed and it's not even far from base."

"Yeah, that's sad." Reina nodded. "I mean, if you're busy training all the time and it's not in your nature to explore, it's not all that bad."

Nao faced Reina. "But, I do like stuff like this. I like adventure and just being free. No one in the clan really cares to adventure. They're all in a routine."

"But, rightfully so. Think about it. We are still in a war era. The Ashikaga clan is just extremely fortunate to be isolated from the mess since most clans in this area have exhausted their resources and want peace." Reina shrugged. "They really just want to establish themselves at this point in time."

"Talk about a critical thinker." Nao looked into his lap before looking back at Reina. "I'm glad we got to finally talk. You have a really good persona."

Reina smiled and looked at her hands folded in her lap. "Thanks." She looked up at Nao. "That and now you have a friend to go on adventures with. I mean, training is important, and your hard work has clearly paid off. You're talented and you've helped me get to where I am."

"I appreciate it." Nao examined Reina in the moonlight. Her hair was long, shiny, and the perfect shade of a deep, chocolate brown. Her face was youthful looking with a soft, angular jawline. Her body was still rather thin, but obviously developing as she restored her health and continued maturing. "You know, you look well, Reina… I-I don't mean it in an offensive way. It's not like you looked bad before-"

"I get it." Reina laughed. "I was a walking skeleton with no soul. Now I finally have some meat on my bones and enough energy to speak."

"That's what I meant to say." Nao shook his head. "Sorry, I don't mean to be rude or weird."

Reina leaned back and smirked. "If you think I get offended that easily then you've got a lot to uncover." Reina laid down on the rock and looked up at the night sky.

"Well, that's a relief." Nao reclined with her and smiled. "I look forward to getting to know you, Reina Senju."

"No way." Reina turned her head to look at him and giggled. "Really?"

"Really." Nao turned to face her and looked into her eyes sweetly.

Reina felt her face heating up and bolted upright. "Well, that makes me feel special. Especially as an outsider from another clan." Reina scooched closer to the edge of the boulder.

Nao blinked and then smirked at her nervousness before sitting up. "I understand. I was an outside at one point. This clan basically made me one of their own though."

Reina looked at him with confusion. "Really? You're not an Ashikaga?"

"Nope." Nao shook his head.

"You just blend in so well with everyone. I still feel like an alien." Reina started fidgeting and adjusting herself some more. "Wait, then what clan are you fro- Whoa!" Reina fell off the boulder, but landed just in time.

Nao immediately jumped down with concern. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Reina laughed in embarrassment. "I can't believe that just happened."

"Be more careful next time." Nao sighed in relief.

Reina sighed as well, but more because she was sweating. "I'm so hot."

Nao pointed to the body of water in front of them. "Want to go swimming?"

Reina was about to go with his idea, before she realized her situation. "As much as I would like to, I probably shouldn't."

Nao tilted his head. "Why not? The yukata can be washed."

"No, that's not it." Reina held her hands up to protest.

"Then why not?" Nao walked closer to her. "Do you not know how to swim? I can teach you how."

Reina took a small step back as he approached her. "I-It's not that either. I can swim just fine."

"Then what is it?" Nao said as he stopped a foot away from her.

Reina looked up at him before looking down at the ground. "I, um, may have not given you a present, because I was too shy."

Nao's face softened and his lip parted gently. "Why were you nervous about giving me a present?"

"Well, I've never given a gift to anyone before, especially a guy. I didn't want to be judged and… I guess I just wanted it to be sentimental." Reina shrugged and looked up at him. "It's stupid, but- yeah."

Nao closed his eyes and then opened them slowly. "You don't have to be embarrassed. When you give someone a gift, it's not about what you give them. It's the intention behind it that matters. Did you have a good intention?"

Reina nodded. "Well, yes, but-"

"Then don't worry. You have nothing to lose." Nao looked down at her. His eyes were sincere as they stared into her own.

Reina complied with his words and reached into her yukata. She pulled out a small packaged tied with twine. "It's not much, but here." She looked up at Nao and handed him the package.

"Thank you, Reina. You shouldn't have." He gave a small smirk and began opening the present. He unfolded the paper packaging and pulled out a thin, soft, navy blue scarf. "Oh, what's this?"

"It's a scarf. I made it myself." Reina gently grabbed it from his hands. "It's thin enough to wear whenever, but enough to keep you warm if need be. It's also made out of a strong material, so it should last a long time." Reina gently wrapped the scarf around his neck. "I thought the color would complement your hair and skin." She stepped back when finished and looked at the final product.

Nao smiled. "What do you think?"

With his caramel brown hair, brown eyes, and glasses, he looked extremely fashionable with the scarf. Reina's face lit up with delight. "You look so great! It's just how I envisioned it." She gasped and then put a hand over her mouth. "I mean, but it's your opinion that matters. I-If you don't like it I can always make a new one or alter it."

Nao grinned and felt the material of the scarf with pleasure. "So soft… I love it. And you said you made this yourself?"

Reina nodded. "Yeah. Do you actually like it?"

"Of course. When did you make it?" Nao asked her with genuine interest.

Reina looked away nervously. "Well, Kimi makes me do art therapy and work on a project to ground myself and express myself for mental clarity. We do it to help with moving forward from any hardships. So, I decided to make a scarf for you; knowing that your birthday was coming up." Reina shook her head. "I know it makes me sound insane or unstable. I don't mean to make it sound weird."

Nao stepped in and gave Reina a hug. He laid his head on her shoulder and closed his eyes. "Stop." He squeezed her tighter. "I'm thankful that you made this for me. I'm glad it could bring joy to your life… And you should never be embarrassed about facing your troubles head on."

Reina nodded and wrapped her arms around his waist gently and hesitantly. "Thank you… I-I'm glad you like it."

Nao opened his eyes and pulled away sharply. "S-sorry. I didn't mean to invade your personal space."

Reina gently let go of him and smiled. "Don't be sorry. That was very pleasant." She flashed him a sweet smile. "With that said, do you wanna go swimming?"

A smile crept on Nao's face as his eyes lit up. "Yeah!" He set down the scarf and faced the water in a runner's stance. "Want to race into the water?"

Reina tilted her head with a small smirk. "Boring. You're such a novice." She pointed up to the top of the waterfall. "How about we jump?"

"Wow, you're right. I am a novice." Nao grinned while rubbing the back of his head. "Race you to the top?"

"Sure, but loser has to strip." Reina grinned and began running up the rocks.

Nao stood there frozen for a second. "What? Wait- hey! No fair!" He laughed and chased after her. Determined to win, he sped up the rocks and made his way past her. He made it to the top and watched as she finally made it up. "Ha! Take that!" Nao said triumphantly at his victory. "Ready to jump with me?"

Reina stood on a rock and panted. "You're so *pant* fast *pant*. I thought if I *pant* got a head start I would beat you *pant*. Looks like I was wrong."

Nao stuck his tongue out. "Serves you right."

Reina nodded in agreement. "You're right. Well, I lost." Reina untied her obi and slowly slid her yukata off her shoulders.

Nao froze and watched her. "Wait, what are you doing?"

Reina smirked deviously. "I lost, didn't I?" She continued stripping.

Nao blushed. "I-I thought you were kidding." He turned his head away, but then looked at her in the corner of his eyes. "Or didn't h-hear you right…"

Reina gave a hardy laugh. "You can look you know. It wouldn't be fun if I said you couldn't. That takes away the thrill."

Nao watched as Reina took off her bra, allowing her perky breasts to bounce. "Th-that's a good point."

Reina slid off her panties and kicked it away. She smiled and looked up at Nao. "Alright, ready to jump?"

Nao shook his head. "Gimme a sec." He quickly threw his shirt off and kicked his pants and underwear aside. "Now, I am."

Reina laughed with amazement. "That's the spirit!" The two of them grabbed each other's hand and stood at the edge of the waterfall. "On the count of three! You start."

Nao grinned with anticipation. "One…"

"Two.."

"Three!"

"Three!" The two of them said at the same time before leaping off the cliff, feeling the night air rush past them as they crashed into the cold water below.

Reina opened her eyes underwater and looked at Nao. The two of them swam up to the top and gasped for air once they breached the surface. They both laughed and hollered at how much fun the jump was and how cold the water felt. They swam and carried on as if time revolved around them and the world consisted of each other. Nothing else mattered. Nothing else existed.