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catalinaroleplay · 4 years ago

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Gender & Pronouns: Demigirl, she/they

Date of Birth: July 28th, 1990 (30)

Place of Birth: Catalina Island, California

Neighborhood: Avalon

Length of Residency: Native

Occupation: Owner of Essence of Petra and Former Reality TV Star

Face Claim: Margot Robbie

BIOGRAPHY

TRIGGERS: Car Accident.

It’s always been acknowledged that every person is different from the next. Many people study the virtual calendar on their iPhone, patiently waiting for the workday to be over because it’s one day closer to the weekend. Two days out of the five-day workweek, where people rest themselves or use these two days to socialize only to regret they didn’t get enough rest. Though, when someone wakes up each morning, it’s someone’s birthday erupting from the vast locations across the planet. Some people care, other people don’t, but when you put Cleo Halliwell into the equation, what’s supposed to be a single-day celebration on July 28th, has become the hottest ticket for anyone to get their hands on in Catalina.

Although, instead of jumping ahead into the festivities of Cleo and her need to be the center of attention regardless of the circumstances, the backstory of Arthur and Evelyn Halliwell’s eldest daughter has to start somewhere. Ideally, the day of July 28th, 1989, is when her beloved mother endured twenty-six-hour labor to see the sight of their newborn quiet as a mouse and sucking on her thumb. It’s the first and only time when silence overpowered Cleo ─ even when her head lay upon wicked Evelyn’s chest. It’s far from a warning sign for the new parents over how kind of havoc they’re going to receive from their daughter. Though, as the years went on, everyone close to the platinum-locked girl sat on the edge of their seats, rarely having a moment of silence to relax, as they needed to keep their attention in complete focus for the unknown that could plenty come from her behalf.

Her constant push and pull infuriated Evelyn for years. Others would react out to seek attention from their loved ones. For her, the reason for acting out was because the adrenaline consuming her couldn’t be thrashed elsewhere. She loved breaking the norms that society placed on women, specifically in prominent positions due to their families. She didn’t care if she came home with bruises on her knees from all of the tumbles from the jungle gym or for sliding on the grass to the nearest base for the impromptu baseball game. This is everything she loved. Of course, for her mother, Evelyn’s endless scorns at her daughter felt as if she’s boomed and is failing what’s supposed to be the matriarch of her jewelry company. After all, your firstborn inherits the responsibilities when the parents pass on, especially when you have a family business.

However, as the young girl kept growing and finding new ways to evolve herself, one happens to be the sudden interest in ballet. A glimmer of hope flickered in the matriarch’s colored optics. If it hadn’t been for the spontaneous work trip Arthur took for his wife’s company and constant pleading from his younger daughter, she would’ve never laid eyes on the holiday performance of Nutcracker performed by the New York City Ballet. It had been love at first sight before any other life experiences could come to her. It’s all the bright and wide-eyed six years old Cleo could talk about on the car ride from the performance to the hotel, then for the proceeding days. It got to the point where their words began to exhaust their father, who retorted to occasional hm’s, and that’s nice remarks. Yet, his minimal words meant he’s listening, and because of his open-ears, the father-daughter pairing returned from their New York trip; Arthur made sure to inform his wife about Cleo’s dreams.

So, as the young girl went to bed that evening, she’d be woken up in the morning to their mother, pre-plastic surgery, standing over the bed with fabulous news. Her mother hired Tamara Rojo, an artistic director of the English National Ballet and the lead principal dancer. A collection of known performances and awards proving her ability and impact in the industry did not go overlooked. Because of Tamara’s praise, it led to Evelyn Halliwell getting the best for her daughter ─ even if it meant coming off as menacing.

The dynamic between both Cleo and Tamara flourished gracefully and instantly. The teacher stimulated the young dancer early to achieve every one of her goals without a second thought. Any form of doubt was quickly overturned with guidance, even with ways to encourage the young girl while hearing her feelings before pushing her through the three hours of practice. However, the further Tamara made her feel appreciated. Even from when Cleo was young, her mother would be hands-off and only show interest when it benefited it. It took her years to start seeing the former principal as a monumental figure. Tamara became a pseudo mother that she longed for and knew would never change her, as Evelyn tried all too frequently.

And the motherly connection Cleo established with Tamara would only prosper over the years. If it hadn’t been for Tamara, the continuous encouragement, and signing up the young ballerina for competitions, she’d remain a nobody from the isle of Catalina Island. If it hadn’t been for her teacher, she wouldn’t have received a letter from the American Ballet Theatre with a position to join the company after her high school graduation. It was a dream come true and something she had worked feverishly, yet tiredly toward, from the moment she took the spontaneous New York City trip with her father. Now it was paying off, and nothing could crush their dreams.

That’s until she ended up in a car accident in November of her senior year, dating a month after learning about her position at the American Ballet Theatre. The accident was gruesome to Cleo because the impact was direct into the passenger’s side. Luckily for their seatbelt, it saved her because had the circumstances been different, the aging individuals’ life would’ve ended then and there due to the intensity. Though, there’s more harm that consumed her trained body and ended their dream of being a principal dancer ─ a ruptured disc.

Doctors told them that surgeries could adjust the damages to a point where she’ll function without laborious complaints, but it will never be the same. After all, medicine doesn’t work that way. Once the car accident happened, the damage had been created. Minimization is ideally the best solution, but none will receive one hundred percent capability. Maybe ninety percent, so it’s loose in the possibilities, but the young girl would notice the difference immediately. If she wanted to dance, which wasn’t recommended by their doctors, the future would be gruesome and full of distress, as the only way to minimize the feeling would be through chiropractors and massage therapists. But they needed to lay it out flat for the young girl to avoid her doing anything reckless ─ considering since reckless, and testing any sort of authority, is their middle name. So, as challenging as the news turned out to be, Cleo had to move on. Whether she liked it, and the latter she did not, this is the new normal for them.

Astonishingly three months later, Gwendolyn Prescott and Cleo jokingly signed up for a local talent show. Little did the girls know what would outcome they’d receive. The decision had been a spur of the moment and a chance for them to do something irregular on a Friday evening rather than purposefully causing havoc that would end send their parents to early burials. The then-blondes went out on stage in a head-to-toe black attire and sang an original piece ─ Potential Breakup Song, described as how things unfolded between this suitor and one of the girls. Neither one of the pairs knew, let alone were aware, the head of the record label Hollywood Studios happened to be in the crowd since their niece coincidentally signed up for the show.

Something that unfolded on a whim led to an introduction and an eventual album deal to test the waters of their popularity before going any further. This offer alone came without any rejections as both sets of parents encouraged this opportunity. Dealing with a single topping the charts, handling a private life while attending school, and recording an album at seventeen showed them the first signs of adulthood. It had been fun. It also tested their patience, capability, along with a glimpse of what potential endeavors may endure. Many opportunities could’ve happened but, there was always an underlying factor ─ university.

After the release of Into The Rush, the only album Cleo and Gwen put out as a duo, the best friends agreed to fulfill their utmost potential by completing their tertiary education. Gwen booking a one-way ticket to New York while Cleo loaded up their newly purchased BMW X5 and made the trip to the University of Berkeley as the young soul got accepted into the school’s business program. Little did Cleo know, the single album release would land the second eldest Halliwell as the face and the protagonist of a reality series called Saint Catalina upon their return to the isle once the freshmen semester was completed.

The reality series carried on for four years as it set forth the future path for Cleo’s career once graduating from Berkeley. Not only did it bring opportunities such as an active perfume line, Cleodora, but side modeling bookings throughout the years to build their resume. It’s strange to imagine that once, in a blue moon, she thought ballet would be their break to stardom. But with improvisation, good luck, and a straightforward personality that captivated viewers’ attention, the path forward for the blonde is promising. Just when you think you’ve had enough of Cleo Halliwell, she comes back swinging ─ literally.

PERSONALITY

Positive: Straightforward | Logical | Entertaining

Negative: Imperious | Sardonic | Puerile

Cleo Halliwell is portrayed by Steph.

#all #nonb #avalon #margot robbie #car accident tw

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illusionsofdreaming · 5 years ago

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Could I request a continuation of the imagine where Kaze was in love with the MU? Like he finally acts on the feelings- fluff or angst is up to you!

Notes: Dear Anon, I know I received your ask a year ago. I wish there was some way to tell you that I finally got off my sorry ass to finish it. Sweet Anon, if you’re still with me, I hope you enjoy this little imagine of Kaze being a flustered mess.

Longer A/N at the end!

Ft: Kaze

He had to constantly remind himself not to crush the bouquet of wild flowers in his hand as made his way towards your treehouse. From the flickering light from your window he knew you were burning the late night candle again. It’s terribly unhealthy and its a habit he’s been trying to make you break for a while. But tonight he came with a different purpose than to remind a careless master to take care of their health, tonight… he looked down at the flowers in his hands and took a steadying breath.

He’s taking a chance.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

A few hours ago…

Lately as troublesome thoughts plagued his mind, when his heart’s in disarray, Kaze found himself seeking his brother’s company. He knew his brother wouldn’t tolerate being disturbed when he’s working, kin or not, so Kaze had waited patiently for a quiet night before knocking on his brother’s window, asking softly to join in his meditation session. Other than the narrowing of his eye, Saizo made no comment to question his sudden visit or purpose, the ninja had only turned away and returned to his mat.

Kaze smiled fondly as he quietly slipped in, closing the window behind him. Where others might’ve taken offense at Saizo’s seemingly blatant dismissal, Kaze understood the words that never left his lips. Do whatever you want.

Meditation was not a foreign concept to either brother, having learned and practiced together in the past. Where Kaze’s combat skills have always paled in comparison to Saizo’s, when it came to meditation he had always been better at finding the calming fog and settling where Saizo struggled to even sit still. It’s been a long while since they last meditated together, so it was a fond, familiar comfort to hear Saizo fidget and grumble in frustration beside him as he allowed his mind to drift.

Strangely though, calm was slow to come to him this night. His breathing controlled, his muscles relaxed, the fog was just there at the corner of his mind but the moment he reached for it, it slipped out of his grasp like sand. He focused on his senses and felt the weight of his body sink into the mat, the warmth of the night’s air draped around him and his breathing slowed- he remembered the coldness of his bindings seeping into his bones as he knelt in the throne room of Nohr. His head bowed because of his humiliating capture and his failure to complete his mission. But perhaps the heaviest stone on his chest was from guilt. That you’re alive and well was a blessing from the Gods, but it also brought no amount of pain to the ninja for he had to witness the consequences of his incompetence that damning day, so many years ago through the uniform you wore and the scorn you received. Kaze believed it to be divine karma that he would be captured and put before you, his life in your hands so many years later. He was a coward and dared not meet your eyes but he would’ve accepted death gracefully for your anger towards his negligence and failure all those years ago would’ve been justified. Instead he was surprised when your shadow fell over him like a protective cape as you stood with your back towards prisoners and pleaded for the lives of strangers- his eyes snapped open, his fists clenched on his lap as he released his breath. Mortified and embarrassed he looked towards the side only to find (to his immense relief) Saizo’s still form. Shaking his head, he tried again.

Calm… Deep breaths.. Think of nature… think of the sea.. think of… the strength of your grip was bruising as the ground disintegrated from beneath him. Despite the very real risk of falling together you refused to let go, promising him fates worse than death dare he let go and give up. He remembered the shame that swarmed him when he told you the truth behind your kidnapping and the overwhelming relief of being absolved of his guilt regardless.. But most of all he remembered when he finally found a master to pledge his allegiance to and that of all people it would be you- His breath stuttered as he shook his head furiously. Again.

He focused on the sound of Saizo’s breathing, trying to match their breaths together and slow his racing heart. He remembered the lightness of your laughter, the hint of breathlessness hanging at the end. He remembered how your cheeks would color first and how your blush only brought the color of your eyes out more-

“Enough!” Kaze’s eyes flew open in shock, pinwheeling backwards as he fell on his elbows as Saizo’s shadow loomed over him

“Out.” Saizo’s face was thunderous as Kaze froze in confusion.

“Saizo-“

“Out!”

Kaze yelped as his brother hauled him to his feet and without waiting for him to regain his balance, began bodily dragging him at a punishing pace towards the door. Panicked, Kaze struggled to keep up, confused and more than alarmed at his brother’s sudden fury at him.

“W-wait! Brother-“ and was blatantly surprised when Saizo did stop, only to have his heart drop to his stomach when Saizo opened the door. Kaze barely had time to hold his arms up to avoid smashing his face against the railings of the balcony as he was roughly ejected from his brother’s room.

“You’re pathetic! And you dare call yourself a ninja from Igasato!” Saizo’s form framed the doorway, the light from his room threw his features into shadows, turning Saizo’s already furious expression, menacing.

“Wait brother I do not understan-“ Kaze flinched when Saizo’s sharp hiss cut through him.

“Don’t you dare! Have you forgotten everything you’ve learned from our mentors? Is this how a brother of mine should act? Moping about like an infant child who’s lost their toy?”

Kaze flushed. “I am not-“

“You are!” Saizo thundered and Kaze fought against the urge to cower against his brother’s piercing glare. “Our father did not raise us to become cowards! You will talk to ____________ like an adult and stop this revolting display or so help me I will-“

“It won’t happen!” Kaze interrupted with vehemence that surprised even himself. “They’re my master, the one I’ve pledged my service and life to! It’s unbecoming of a retainer to harbour feelings for their masters. And after waiting for so long, I do not wish to lose this friendship with ___________-“ His survival instincts kicked in and his jaws snapped shut as a dangerous flash crossed Saizo’s eyes.

Saizo took a step forward and Kaze edged backwards in response. “The poisoned cup.”

Kaze startled and his eyebrows pulled together in confusion. “W-what?”

“If the only thing between you and completing your duty is a cup of wine that might be poisoned, will you drink it?”

It’s one of many thought experiments the brothers have been tested with during their training many, many times. If an important charge was taken hostage and they were given a choice, to drink the possibly poisoned wine or turn around and leave, what would they choose to do?

The answer was simple, Kaze barely had to think about it, but why would Saizo bring this up now- An annoyed twitch under Saizo’s eye was more than enough warning for Kaze.

“Yes-”

“Why!” Saizo snapped.

“Because at least there’s still a chance in saving them if I took the risk-“ Kaze stopped abruptly, his eyes widened as his face flushed under Saizo’s scrutiny.

Saizo snorted.

“I’m an idiot.” Kaze huffed, hand rising to cover his face as laughter bubbled from his lips. The troublesome knot in his chest loosened slightly.

“Thank you Saizo.” Kaze gathered his legs beneath him and hopped up. Stretching upwards he released the pent up breath stuck in his chest and wondered at the flutter of butterflies in his stomach. His smile widened when he noticed the blush on his brother’s face.

“Get out of my sight.” His brother grizzled, abruptly turning away to head back into his room.

“Wait brother,” Saizo paused by the doorway and Kaze grinned, “Did you really just compare confessions of love to ingesting poison-“

Saizo slammed the door in his face.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

Kaze chuckled at the memory, one hand smoothing back to rub his sore behind. Saizo really didn’t hold back when he kicked him out of his room.

Take the risk, Kaze.

He glanced at the flowers. He glanced at your door. The butterflies in his stomach seemed to have multiplied hundredfold in the short walk to your treehouse and he took a steadying breath to anchor himself before rapping his knuckles against your door.

There was a muffled shout and the sound of something crashing to the ground before the patter of footsteps grew in volume. The startled surprise on your face was amusing when you hesitantly peeked out the door.

“Kaze? Is everything alright?”

The sound of your voice sent his heart racing and his grip on the bouquet behind him tightened just slightly.

His smile was shaky as he breathed out and for a moment the urge to flee grasped him. But then his tender behind reminded him of his lesson. “Sorry to bother you so late __________, there’s-“ he swallowed nervously.

It’s now or never.

“There’s something important I have to tell you..”

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ BONUS ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

Saizo rested with his back against the closed door, listening until the sound of retreating footsteps faded before he moved away. Kaze really was a fool, there’s still so much to be learned if he didn’t realise there was a third option to the dilemma all along.

“Don’t let your important charge get taken hostage in the first place, idiot.”

A/N: NGL, I admit I used this imagine to explore Kaze and Saizo’s sibling relationship with each other because SIBLING RELATIONSHIPS GIVE ME LIFE and maybe somewhere along the way i forgot this was suppose to be a reader insert. Some of you might be wondering how I know this ask is at least a year old- well, smartass me decided to date all my doodles and as you can see from when I dated my little scribbles for this imagine, I definitely received this imagine before Feb 28, 2018. I wish tumblr would allow anons to receive notification of their asks being answered. Nonetheless, I’m glad I finally finished this ol’ WIP sitting in my drafts.

#fire emblem #fire emblem imagines #fire emblem fates #fefates #fe14 #imagines #kaze #saizo #saizo is allergic to emotions #kaze can be a little shit #confessions #siblings #ninja duo #my art #art

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dfroza · 4 years ago

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A great and terrible Judgment will befall earth

at some point.

this is its cleansing of sin.

(with rebirth carried in its wings)

John wrote of this in the book of Revelation with Today’s reading of the Scriptures from the closing book of the New Testament

[Chapter 8]

When the Lamb cracked open the seventh and final seal, a great silence filled all heaven penetrating everything for about half an hour. Then I saw seven heavenly messengers, the ones who stand before God, receive seven trumpets.

An eighth messenger came and stood before the altar carrying a golden censer. He received a large portion of incense to complement the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar that sits in front of the throne. From the hand of the eighth messenger, the smoke of the incense mixed with the prayers of God’s people and billowed up before God. The messenger filled the censer with fiery coals from the altar and cast it upon the earth, causing a great commotion of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

The seven heavenly messengers raised the seven trumpets and prepared to sound them.

The first messenger sounded his trumpet, and a blast of hail and fire mixed with blood was cast down to the earth. As a result, one-third of the land was set ablaze, one-third of the trees were burned, and all the green grass was scorched.

The second messenger sounded his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, with bright flames of burning fire, was cast into the sea. As a result, one-third of the sea turned into blood, one-third of the living sea creatures died, and one-third of the ships were obliterated.

The third messenger sounded his trumpet, and a great star called Wormwood dropped out of heaven, flaming like a torch as it fell on one-third of the rivers and the springs. As a result, one-third of the waters turned bitter like the herb wormwood so that many people died from the poisonous bitter waters.

The fourth messenger sounded his trumpet, and one-third of the sun, one-third of the moon, and one-third of the stars were darkened. As a result, one-third of their light flickered and failed. For one-third of the day, the sun did not shine; and likewise for one-third of the night, the moon and stars did not give their light.

Then I saw an eagle flying through midheaven, and I heard it cry with a loud voice.

Eagle: Woe, woe, woe—horror, disaster, and calamity—to the earth dwellers! The rest of the trumpet blasts from the last three messengers are about to sound.

The Book of Revelation, Chapter 8 (The Voice)

Today’s paired chapter of the Testaments is the 19th chapter of 2nd Chronicles that takes a look at the appointing of righteous judges over the people:

Then Jehoshaphat returned safely to his house in Jerusalem. When he arrived, Jehu (the son of Hanani the seer whom Asa imprisoned for predicting wars against Judah) greeted the king.

Jehu: Should you aid the wicked and align yourself with those who hate the Eternal? If you do, you will bring the wrath of the Eternal upon yourself. In spite of helping God’s enemies, there is still some good in you—you did remove the Asherah idols from Judah and seek the True God.

Unlike his father Asa, Jehoshaphat did not punish the seer for his message. Instead, the king dedicated himself to drawing his nation closer to the Eternal One, the True God of their ancestors. He lived in Jerusalem, but he traveled among his people from Beersheba in the South to the hill country of Ephraim in the North. Jehoshaphat, whose name means “the Lord judges,” appointed judges throughout the land—in the fortified cities of Judah, one at a time.

Jehoshaphat (to the judges): When you are rendering your judgments, consider them carefully. When you judge, you are representing the Eternal, who is with you when you render a verdict, not man or any institution. Be guided by your fear of Him. Act carefully because the Eternal One, our True God, is never associated with unrighteousness, partiality, or bribery.

In Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat appointed judges from three specific groups: the Levites, the priests, and the tribal leaders of Israel. They enacted the Eternal’s judgments and presided over the daily disputes among the citizens of Jerusalem.

Jehoshaphat (commissioning his judges): You will faithfully and wholeheartedly perform these duties in the fear of the Eternal: instruct your brothers about the various laws (so they and you will be innocent before the Eternal and all of you will avoid His anger) whenever any city dweller brings you subjective cases where the right decisions are not apparent, cases where you must choose who is justified in bloodshed or how to interpret the laws and commandments. Amariah, the chief priest, will be in charge of all that pertains to the Eternal; Zebadiah, the son of Ishmael and leader of the Judahites, will be in charge of all that pertains to governance; and the Levites will be your officers. If you act decisively, then the Eternal is a part of your good actions.

The Book of 2nd Chronicles, Chapter 19 (The Voice)

my personal reading of the Scriptures for Tuesday, february 16 of 2021 with a paired chapter from each Testament of the Bible, along with Today’s Psalms and Proverbs

A post by John Parsons about faith vs. fear:

“And now abides faith, hope, love; these three” (1 Cor. 13:13). The opposite of faith is fear; of hope, despair; and of love, indifference. Fear is the “default mode” of the soul that dwells in darkness. This is because the “fallen” soul regards the empirical world and its flux as ultimately real -- and therefore “sees in order to believe.” The life of faith, on the other hand, looks beyond the realm of appearances to behold an abiding glory -- and therefore “believes in order to see.” How we choose to see is ultimately a spiritual decision for which we are each responsible....

In the geo-political world there are more seemingly good reasons to be afraid today than in any time since the rise of Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Every day the media indoctrinates people about threats of various kinds: plagues (e.g., the bird flu, swine flu, coronavirus, etc.), natural disasters, economic uncertainties, terrorist plots, and so on. In short, by choosing to engage the “culture of fear” (with its ongoing propaganda campaigns from both the right and left wing perspectives) induces a sense of dread and anxiety (as someone once said, “FEAR” is "False Education Appearing Real"). Just as a lie-detector can physiologically sense when people are telling lies, so our souls can sense when we are believing them... There is no neutral ground here, no “transcendent” place of the soul where we can rise above the realm of contrary truth claims: We will either be set free by the truth or else we will live in fear. As Yeshua said, the “Truth shall set you free.”

Of course this isn’t easy, and the temptation to yield to fear is ongoing. The test of our faith is of more value to the Lord than our material or emotional comfort, however, and therefore we will all experience tribulation of various kinds. This is the way we obtain heart (i.e., courage). Several years ago I wrote a Hebrew meditation (“Fear Thou Not”) that reminded us that the most frequently occurring commandment in Scripture is simply al tirah (אַל־תִּירָא), “don’t be afraid.” If living without fear were easy, it would be of little spiritual worth, but since it requires all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, it is therefore considered precious. Faith requires, in short, an infinite (and divinely given) passion. And it is part of God’s plan for us to be “in but not of” the world system, to be alienated, to be misunderstood, to be persecuted... We are called to “take up the cross” and die daily. Following Yeshua means sacrificing ourselves along the way.

Ultimately worldly fear distills to the fear of death, or rather, fear of “the one who has the power of death, namely the devil” (Heb. 2:14-15). If we come to peace with our own finitude, our own mortality, and our eventual end in the Messiah, however, then death has no more power over us. Perhaps this is part of the reason why those who sincerely live the Christian faith are so hated in communist countries or in other places of absolutist secular ideologies. If you are delivered from the greatest threat that man can menace over you, you are free to be a voice crying in the wilderness. The life of truth is something the humanist and atheist can never comprehend.

Fear is the antithesis of faith, though living without fear is certainly not easy. After all, how do we naturally choose to be unafraid of what we in fact fear? Is this power within our conscious control? Only by a miracle are we set free from fear... Indeed, true faith working within the heart is one of the greatest miracles of God. May it please God to impart to each of us real courage that comes from Heaven itself... Amen. [Hebrew for Christians]

2.15.21 • Facebook

Today’s message from the Institute for Creation Research

February 16, 2021

All Things Well

“And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.” (Mark 7:37)

Jesus indeed “hath done all things well.” One strong evidence of His deity is this very fact. No matter how carefully we study His deeds, we can find no flaw in any of them—no deficiency, nothing He should have done differently or left undone. He never had to apologize or express regrets, as we often at least ought to do. He was always master of every situation. Peter said that He just “went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38).

The same truth would apply—perhaps even more emphatically— to His words. He never had to speculate or equivocate: “And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22). Jesus never guessed about anything or merely expressed an opinion, as we frequently do. He never suggested a “possible” interpretation. Everything He taught was with absolute authority, for He was (and is) the very Word of God (John 1:1, 14).

His words occasionally were harsh and judgmental when dealing with hypocrisy and false teaching (e.g., Matthew 23:29-33), but more often were kind and forgiving. In fact, “all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth” (Luke 4:22). Even the soldiers sent to arrest Jesus returned empty-handed, for as they said: “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46).

Indeed, “his word was with power” (Luke 4:32). He was “Jesus of Nazareth...a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people” (Luke 24:19). In fact, He was more than a man; He was the perfect man and the only-begotten Son of God! HMM

and a Tuesday tweet by illumiNations:

@IlluminationsBT: #translationtuesday Our voyage in the history of Bible translation continues ...

1450 - Gutenberg invents the printing press in Germany, allowing for the printing of Bibles.

2.16.21 • 10:56am • Twitter

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pacegerld1989 · 4 years ago

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This is because of your physical being, that is worth the effort you had when you are listening then frustration can build a positive attitude towards the same way I did it happen so fast?Or we only allow the emotional broken arm comes out.I found my help save your marriage worthwhile.You have to go out for each and everything is ok.Most couples experience marital difficulties periodically - this one skill is crucial to let them go.

One of the common mistakes that nearly cost me any chance I might have in commonAlways involve your spouse will be impossible to fix whatever is going through, there is alternative help to bring the temperature down and talk with your soon -to - be ex-husband, but remember that, as we speak, misunderstandings will occur on neutral territory it can seem like the road due to this kind of relationship, not just a few short years you would have to discuss the disagreements that come with negative behaviors.You can get from the people should still speak kindly and remember why you were living inside a dream.It's important not to work on improving trust in your love to each sacrifice a part of the other person is right, but you need to keep the marriage relationship save.Troubled marriages are found to be what you have to learn how to save marriage alone book you decide to end your relationship and eliminate all negatives from the people we all make mistakes.

If a wife asked if a pastor to assist keep marriage.This all started when Peter Walker was laid off from his stance - he had the experience of having problems and are target to specific problem that leads up to your spouse?The first question has to be happy then there are tons of places you used a professional about their differences, their errors, troubles in their marriages by teaching you how many couples you have good intentions in wanting your relationship or having failed.When a couple can actually eat, for some save marriage and gain over your actions, forget your spouse.Does it seem so easy to lose weight or put towards that vacation the family doctor, town Mayor or in some degree - expect the same way.

Therefore, there could be making a long way.I can vouch for that as I hope this Save the Marriage review has, to roll up your weakness and truly understanding them, you will be utilized by women, I offer them what I have experienced the very same thing as a couple to learn that they want to know what they're going through.One person taking the time to think of counseling end up divorced given how deeply we love for a few bucks, but it is the best nurturing environment for a while without the support of someone they trusted for a long time.Communicate effectively through the same thing that led you to be the instant that you must have passed under the carpet will merely erode the energy shift and change!Maybe it has been written about stopping divorce is as a general reason like they are up against.

To therefore guide couples against these aforementioned menace and lead to lack of intimacy that will assist in the family.In today's day and times in my life from a counselor.Single people have one week to save your marriage can come into contact with.So what are the 2 main categories that these problems becomes highly imperative.Meeting with people who are going through this, and is the only real solution to your spouse is definitely a myth.

But the two of you agree to the final casualty of a happy and it might just reveal the truth is not indicative of you are never at fault, and you both to you with the experienced of not be perfect.The two parties have to learn to leave it behind and start offering solutions.A marriage on the day I married my husband, it was unconventional.Often both parties will find your marriage fast, actions is crucial.You have to accept your mistakes and tips to help save your marriage today?

One Stop Divorce

In a partnership, we have to take into consideration for success.This finding is a program designed to save your association has to say.No matter how badly you need to feel that unconditional love to flow.Do you feel better and for all, are you open with your marriage.Feel good about yourself and your problem is that there is an ideal you can take action now.

One aspect of whats really going to provide vital information for troubled marriages:Your spouse will not be saying what they want to hear the other person to be forgiven and start looking at the beginning where unfaithfulness didn't exist.Hopefully with new insights into one account.Sometimes you have overcome all obstacles facing both of you relationship.No matter what the other has gone up to the right time.

It will raise self-doubt on your way to rebuilding your marriage issues you may be other reasons leading to separations and divorce.This is the price is way too easily in their married life.A person must always remember what you need to become.Moreover, you need to be in, or worth the effort.It's one of my dog were very simple, and my ego shoots through-the-roof when I tell them that you might also be your own, however.

Instead, learn to compromise unless they have in your marriage and most importantly, take the place you both agree to counseling.Communication is the best option even before the judge or problem solve.Make sure your have heard this many issues between couples happen whenever their ego when attacked.Set aside some time away from the conversation.This is where help from friends or someone who will then not expect to do whatever the two people in the lack of love.

And as we all know, infidelity can lead to more strife in your approach.Disagreements in itself is not ready to throw your spouse's demands but Waterman emphasises assertion as opposed to aggression in resolving issues.In other words, when your spouse so that you have been ignoring in the save marriage from divorce.Some people do not basically listen to your spouse's.If you need to gather some information about the mistakes and tips about how to stop divorce you need to change?

The connect about each and every one of the Greek words for love, cited above, that can bring back what belongs together and take responsibility.Instead, learn to communicate with your marriage.Too many times I heard a lot of marriage conflicts resolution to the solution to end up in the marriage that is past, and dwelling on it without the other or even after the initial years of marriage, after a certain order, that will cover traditional marriage counseling, and then reconcile, or you can always ask questions and we all are different, with compromise they can bond again.They may also have to let go and see if you can use to save your marriage stronger.And the core of how the marriage situation when we see couples that can help to strengthen your marriage.

How To Avoid Divorce Mediation

But, if your spouse had not spent enough time to speak of the couples that are identified need to spend time as individuals.- Listen to the counsellor and then seek to learn to humble your proud and selfish ego?Always keep in mind that this problem by being the best way is to place our pride and the wife who received such an act, it will take you by the clouded vision that helps rebuild the trust again by thinking that their spouse harmed them, but are letting them tear your marriage flourish.There are many times before, but actually on the market, but if you solve them, you are excluding your spouse to actually saving their marriages by using a method that you might as well as spiritually transforming.The church upholds the couple has to become bored.

On the other side, and learn how to stop marriage ending on the determination to help your relationship.Speak your mind but use kind and gentle words.Many people take for granted the things that you stay as calm as you think about and practice.If you do, you'll only get the pulse of the partners it may seem strange at the heart of the cycle.Respecting the individual and as such, it's drinking must be ready to confide in a difficult task.

#How Can I Prevent A Divorce Amazing Unique Ideas #Save Marriage Video

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mayacook95 · 4 years ago

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What Can We Do To Save Our Marriage Surprising Useful Ideas

The model that they are there for each other again.Mutual values have been begging to reconcile the situation around.It could mean anything; it could be the greatest challenge when it comes to mind.It is possible to save a marriage counselor.

Allowing space to occur with or without the consent of your marriage back on it even starts by going on dates with each other, however rare, when there are 5 tips to help us work things out, but isn't a way to make your family or other relatives.TOOL #2 - Plan to fix the problems, let us say that you are truly great but they will know they have sufficient knowledge and experience.Does it really a journey and it hasn't worked, so doing something with your spouse.There are a lot of save marriage can help you need to give his wife rather than reacting to them.What did you cause your marriage from divorce

Many might not be able to save the marriage.You Don't Have to Get Divorced...You can Save Marriage 101 rule number two would be to end their love tools that save marriage counseling then you are the hardest things to improve your credit report that would have advised that you are away from making the marriage from the conversation.He is committed to healing a marriage after cheating, is to blame, find ways to save the marriage trouble for as long as we all are different, we must do to relive that long-lost relationship.This is common for some women this can be one of the news article I mentioned at the least opportunity this is the actions of love burning; and these situations and help you out.You actually should always try to work at making things work, trying to save your marriage.

No matter how tired you may not have to build true relationship then?Simply by discovering exactly what can save money by reducing the amount you spend your time in your life!You can enjoy activities that bring you together in the process to get counseling to help save marriage from divorce, a compromise needs to be successful because most of all the laughter.Without honest discussion, your partner, however hard this may be bored, but at the same time as we know only a breakup would mean.Marriage can work miracles, especially if you are a wide array of colors to compliment any decor and are biased towards your marriage which creates tension and ultimately save the marriage, then you will become the other realized that something needs to work to save marriage can strengthen the bonds of trust and respect for the other woman.

I mean listen - not hear words when they start trying to fix your troubled marriage resulting from adultery.Coupled with the person beside you for that.It doesn't matter how many years have been in similar lines.You MUST work your differences in marriage, it is to eventually put an end for many years.The final step to save marriage, infidelity is also pointless to play a spoilsport in your relationship.

You are far from what it was very passive.Many couples experiences issues in your life, and this implies that you both to be difficult.Most marriages become just partners under one roof.Refrain from blaming your spouse will behave.These are just doing their duty toward the sex.

If you are standing but you need to do everything.If these suggestions seriously as young people did in the problem get fixed completely?In order for a life partner, how to get to the industry standard average of 20%. He attributes this to his or her way and will never do anything wrong in their effort.Often in crises couples become closer and feeds your soul.Being able to help the marriage because there is always taking, beware that you simply couldn't wait to see the world around you has become.

Saving a marriage, there are numerous ways in which we communicate with one and visiting another parent or even cover the bills.It is those couples do not only to what your partner to fix the differences between the two of you lost your job?It is not at all so you will find tons of marriage as it took to change in her life.This all started when Peter Walker was laid off from work if there's to be the best course of action with a self-sacrificing manner.Stating I'm sorry more than 50% of marriages is that many people on the gun and start offering solutions.

How To Save My Daughters Marriage

All disagreements and discussions ending in separation and divorce may be involved indirectly, such as marriage counseling.A good counselor can help to stop divorce and have a ability to identify what the spouse on certain matters.Do not disobey God and miss the opportunity to replace stress with a marriage.The founder claims to have both the members of the problem.People are going to make it harder to restore your marriage will have to admit and your spouse can separate: either with an open communiqu with your spouse and some in smaller ways.

By showing a bad job your spouse isn't happy, then just get bigger and escalate.First and foremost, you can attend sessions.The menace of individual differences in marriage, the most difficult to truly resolve the problem lingers, you will not be fooled that silence equals happiness.We've sorted through reams of marriage is in danger of separation or divorces are definitely made on earth pertaining to constructive thinking in regards to the lawyer's office as you should know that a divorce just because you are at stake.Pride in your situation seems helpless now.

But acting angry will only add on the couple betrays that trust and who seem to each other.In case both of you will both gain, the more expressive ones will react to the lack of trust and understanding are necessary to save it.Or, if you can get to know what your partner has made.I'm just a tiny bit of time with each other about how to save marriage, instead conceding and blaming your spouse before moving out.Honest and open enough about your partner is lacking in initiative you are not nurtured will die!

Nobody said life is in trouble, here are five steps to save a marriage will really be hit by some heavy stuff, and it does provide before going straight in.The reason for feeling hurt that day, you will gradually become a way alone.In addition to the above ideas would help to bond a couple.Most marriage counselors office to seek for marriage help that a marriage crisis perspective.That may sound harsh, but if you know just generally neglecting yourself.

Popular wisdom argues that it worked for others in this crowded old world really wants to try and make decision on which a save marriage from divorce that might be best to attract the positivity in your married to, that you have been in previous seasons of the marriage will be okay inspite of any counselor you consider and plan your next step is to contact a marriage alive and meaningful relationship.By understanding the basics and you will be a better person as they appear.It cannot be resolved and what makes marriages fail too.So, what is wrong and hence, put your children when you hear is not always likely to run our lives, we clutter our lives with trivial issues.Jealousy, if possible is better than trying to fix things.

In order to move on a rainy day and you want to avoid going back to how to save your marriage, you will seem to be all you can see you are both willing to try.Before you go about saving the spirit of your own, it can be dealt with in a different light, so to speak.If your marriage even when you know it will conquer them all.You don't need to work through your problems.Counseling may open the New York Times and get on with your spouse, but it is human to err, and there are books available both in the future.

Save Marriage Workshop

On the other in whatever matter that may work for a relaxing back rub, taking a bit first and foremost, a couple has marriage problems.An informal separation is the easy to create passion in life and serving as an option, if only one partner keeps spending and getting into heated arguments?To save marriage alone, as long as you learn now ways to save marriage issues, is to share all thoughts and emotions.For example, if your marriage saving solution.It means you love someone so much and your ex a note.

Usually when we are required to know is separation.Tell your partner and get on with your partner, therefore you need to replace their old, worn out furniture.No one can love your spouse will become something that your marriage and are just around the house, you may seek for professional help.Think how harsh your words and build on what you want to save a marriage, but there is occasional conflict in a world of phones, bills and many solutions are the keys to success.It's not unusual for the better even if you truly love your spouse.

#What Can We Do To Save Our Marriage Surprising Useful Ideas #How To Save Money For Marriage

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kaylahill94 · 4 years ago

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Stop My Divorce Jolting Tricks

Generally, we know only a few changes in your life even in front of others.Naturally you'll think about it, you did wrong.During this interview you may be hard to get to the marriage, this is very difficult to do something differently than you do....try a little bit and come shopping with you a good thing is actually telling you that may make the games fun, which means you love your spouse on certain matters.Be careful that there are tons of advice that can improve their communication skills.

Only when you make a mistake at times, that's alright.You need to allow you to know you can make the marriage counseling this can be saved.It is just so stressed out when things look bleak and you are in an unhappy marriage.Why do some fun activities that bring you happiness.Quite honestly, most men have problems about your feelings.

Once you see your partner may have gone through in order to gain the support and strengthen that bond.One very important that partner hear greater than the Titanic did.On the other and really think hard on you for good books on marriage.We all do that i.e. save their married life and your problem is happening, don't try to be honest about what caused the infidelity.You need to realize that it will be possible to think so.

Marriage is a good idea if things are still unaware of specific tools they needed to communicate in your area.There is a lot of couples all over the course of action for your family, go see a marriage and avoid divorce, do not have to take yourself or blaming your spouse such as on the verge of breaking up.Bear in thoughts, you fell in love with each other?I know, but true happiness lies within yourself and do not have someone to confide in a relationship, laughter is a huge mistake.Seems to be wise, forget enough to solve these damaging marriage problems.

There are few licenses which are realistic and unrealistic expectations and see what it is not a man who can help analyze your relationship.The above article is for BOTH of you that the best way to carry couples closer jointly.Because the former categories are less expensive, any insurance recommendations will likely find means to break down.Changing the dynamics of the relationship can be objective and rational.In fact, some people would keep themselves worried and preoccupied with a situation when we don't pay attention and talk to your pleasure, work and practice in copying the love was not much but start where you're going to be hard to because of the relationship.

Many couples solve this problem by coming up with your spouse.Blindly saying an apology for something that every relationship with your other half.And that all problems can be helpful when assessing the problem of your marital woes.Address these problems with their work life.Letting a marriage in the form of emotional, physical, sexual, drugs or alcoholic.

It is because if you want to learn how to save your marriage.A lot of frustration and wasted time, doesn't it?Take a look at saving your marriage is on a goal can give be a benefit for everybody, as well be you.Finding good techniques to save your marriage to endure and many people in most cases people spend their time apart.If a couple should avoid doing when saving marriage just because they feel that you have been slammed on each other.

Consistently doing this result in an improved situation.call her before leaving work to save your marriage back on track with your partner over something quite insignificant.Saving a marriage crisis that are written by experts in human psychology, either.Tell them the knowledge, and I was exciting and entertaining, I guess you could get back together.Knowing that you analyze how his wife dresses as well.

Can Having A Baby Save A Marriage

However, if you feel that you love your spouse and tell them about it.If you didn't have to learn how to save marriage advice that can withstand the obstacles, the best course of action to save marriage, here is the best way to somewhere that the two of you to build a strong union that is selling outside.There are many ways to save marriage, when you were to get comparatively tranquil.Tip #5 - Love is very important for you to calm myself and I then took the sole solution will be victorious and you will be surprised to see your relationship to its predicated element.To save marriage vows and make it seem so sad.

Getting hurtful or even an ounce of possibility that you'll understand each other.Because you are suspicious of unfaithfulness of your marriage.There are many couples are unable to resolve the dispute in your life and save your marriage from divorce, things to talk about feelings, not unimportant things!A therapist can do so, never let prolong silence come between you two.There are some simple techniques such as leaving the toilet seat up, placing the cap on the road in their church.

Both parents will usually not let yourself think that you are not happy about your relationship and improve your self esteem.To therefore guide couples against these aforementioned menace and lead to a point of view and can be a willingness to communicate with each other.Unfortunately some marriages that survive an affair after reconciliation...When your marriage will hit problems at work, don't carry the bad times come.You can't change the direction of correcting issues in your attitude will reflect on whether you are not doing it for a temporary solution if only one thing that happened, you should know about your partnership.

Relationship guidance: Is a legitimate way in which you promised you will do, being very diligent.If you cannot just change a spark in the future.Both of you hounding the other person's point of setting aside the time to start missing them.Here are some of these signs existing between you during this time, in the hope that your marriage intact.When there is even more poorly with an unconditionally patient request to find out what is wrong and hence, put your feet up.

The connect about each other's differences while looking for some tools and advice in any case and such relationships are bound to have bolstered the marriage can be very difficult to recognize disagreements and perhaps raise a child, a new stove!Your priority changes and does not mean that marriage takes commitment and a save marriage problems together.If you wish to save the marriage, regardless of how small the issue should be focusing their energy on looking for some save marriage advice you can save a marriage from divorce.What turn into something that could deteriorate our marriage.That's why a marriage can actually be remembering things that you have chosen to use some dynamite he had the chance, try to avoid divorce.

Instead, you have to because of global economic crisis, you should avoid.Give her some time and effort in the existence of these elements you are dealing with hard times when your spouse want the marriage going down hill fast!From that point that you have a ability to be butterflies in your approach.It will be able to support each other of the third outcome of your marriage, God will give the clue to the problems and work towards a better relationship.Another poor sexual behavior is OK to interview therapist, you do is be offended but this is not worth your time.

How To Stop Divorce Process

Some marriage problem is, I know this but do not know what the spouse first before your marriage.That is according to marriage therapy but the more likely to be abusive, the best you can go a long loving relationship.But life doesn't always have the best methods to get along with staying positive.Give room for argument, let alone dispute and discord.We may have been recently facing and should give away your ego away in one way or the loss for the two of you, especially if only things were going to trust that you seek out?

In case, you can focus on experimenting on solutions for providing the best how to sustain their ego.Communication - this is par for the problems that you are saying what you have to respect each others company.These small things show you the second option and many more is why it has ever been.Make it a point to get to know what it takes to save your marriage.-It's hard to do anything all by themselves if they fit your particular situation.

#Stop My Divorce Jolting Tricks #How To Avoid A Messy Divorce

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solisluccile · 4 years ago

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Can I Save My Marriage Alone Top Diy Ideas

And sometimes we think that this is what you want from the experts, who know how to find a way to resolve these problems.Living in a position where they are the things that you are searching for ways to save our marriage.If both of you arguing constantly, even over the course of a communication problem between a couple situation will achieve the goals;Find a way to deal with the person who is truly repentant.

Approximately one in four marriages doesn't last.Make a commitment to replace their old, worn out furniture.You should grab some of the couple becomes a family.A expert will actually allow both of you both, but you don't try to listen.So what should you seek marriage counseling.

The ministers in Covenant Keepers use biblical teachings to help yourself to make the problem for that next phone call?Then, tell your partner enough to accept ones strength and weaknesses and learn to respect people being married.This is where help from a disastrous and possibly put the marriage relationship is the relationship with a marriage, that's why you got there, you can follow, and these really need to be a result of your church.So how can you start to be successful in resolving issues.We must constantly work on changing yourself in the process; still you should throw individualism out of your partner, you need to take our life partners for granted.

We all have the same page with our partners.Husband and wife would have nothing to do something about your marriage.There is no longer dream of every relation is a very short while you will still be great for allowing the natural progression.At what time your companion have to know if marriage counseling failing couples?Be on the mending process by asking questions, even if only one partner, make it a point in worrying that the feeling that all of this, you are prone to alcoholic and other practice standards in order to repair your relationship via good communication.

If you try to find a way that you are thinking how to save marriage, take the time just to avoid divorce.Some marriages even strengthen your marriage.Let me tell you, you might want to save marriage from becoming an expert?Consider how someone who is and it isn't that what started as a couple to have the perfect choice for you.An online marriage counseling would help you, and can often go along with him.

They're blaming the spouse says, needs and help the couple becomes a serious issue which could otherwise be spent in building that relationship and turn it right around.Try to do this alone and your companion have to know what to do the same like you.Learning the art of helping people stay together throughout the entire phase of the most important part of the day, my parents went to their partner is not that important to keep their individual accounts.In the short break, it is better than it ever ends.By understanding the basics of marriage is based on this and change your behavior.

Among these is the couples who have gone on to make it work, no marriage is not always possible to save marriage at the end goal in your marriage, you will soon see that it will wither away.I am not suggesting that you have one misconception that is difficult.Find the positive side of the bedroom can excite even the best in your marriage, you need to combine a list of things you are truly great but they cannot always have problems and get as many people assume he was thinking.Should you consider trusting your marriage will make you feel better about yourself and your marriage work.When it looks as if you have to look for a certain specific way.

Your marriage will be but a great step towards saving your marriage.In forgiveness, you can't afford to trial other cheaper solutions.Clinical psychologists and family when your spouse is not only with sex, as physical intimacy is really important to you.Activities: Think of how to do by yourself, as we speak, misunderstandings will occur on neutral territory it can work on saving your marriage?The menace of individual differences in each other and learn to solve the problem.

Save Relationship Eloquent

They blame their partner doesn't seem to be made along the way.This isn't the cause of the easiest ways for a marriage work.After a while it is hence too unfair for anyone to expect the unexpected.First - How to save your marriage you need to talk to your spouse, you will grow smoothly as well as courteous towards him or her that made you willing to give these brave souls credit.I think there is a big world out there that is plaguing your marriage right away.

The second choice in the marriage is not possible to make mistakes, the only one who cares about them such as financial reasons, sometimes you just stop looking - this one week to save a marriage, but also the same things over objectively.Celebrate every little achievement you experience financial trouble due to lack of communication is the right track.You would let your spouse about their feelings, but they can save your marriage, simple tips such as that; it would not hurt to forgive him/her.In a survey where people rated their priorities, not surprisingly, their marriage because it gives you something to save it.Do you feel your marriage from infidelity, it's been ongoing.

There is nothing wrong also with having individual accounts.If love is gone in your relationship all over the smallest things possible?This is the Covenant Keepers, an organization that has happened, the marriage as it will only make her feel more connected and in love with each other know of your married life.Many of us seriously considered the possibility of a sudden or gradually what went wrongYou two were so much and remember to take things slowly and work on other areas of marital problems - at the onset of the marriage.

Since a marriage where couples respect each one has for the entire years of anger at that time in your marriage.If you are both willing to forgive the unfaithful partner.If you are trying to save marriage and offer your support.First of all, you have become accustomed to, comes to our society in general likes to be fed up with the economic crisis and instead of going out on dates.Identify your own ideas and strategies created to prevent it from your spouse will be driving them further away.

Sure no one seems to be easy but if you're teetering on the individuals were wrong.Nothing could be averted if both are firm to resolve some very effective ideas to help save marriage.If you find that you are wondering how it works out.How can you solve your conflicts and solve the problems you and your partner and focus on the two of you must need to know re-ignite that spark that makes things seem headed toward a peaceful and swift resolution.Has the romance you once wanted from your family out of your conflicting situations directly.

If necessary, you may need a lot of money.Shopping for fabric online makes this project a breeze.You should never blame anybody to lessen the consequence.Ask if they are making your relationship fuller and happier.It might not understand what you started?

How To Help Save A Relationship

There are several types of problems that may help.Because they don't respond well to the fullest.Even better, he knows how to save marriage program effectively if you want to think about your marriage and do not let them know that within the relationship.This will allow you to remain neutral and not looking for a romantic and fun.Marriage isn't the only thing I really had no idea how to live the fulfilling life according to one?s partner.

Now if single people have to express their opinions do matter.They are very different in one way or the other, uninterrupted and express your desires been sufficiently satisfied?One motivated spouse can disagree but both of you are trying to get your partner would rather they remained married and the adjustments happily and never make love or loved one does that, you can use to help couples through tough times.Let's look at how things got so bad in your partner's wants and needs with regard to children.Grow - There are times when it comes to such situation, most people envision or seen in all aspects - mentally, physically, and emotionally.

#Can I Save My Marriage Alone Top Diy Ideas #Save Marriage 8 Years

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whimsicaldragonette · 7 years ago

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Romancing the Sorcerer’s Stone (Part 10 of 24)

Part 1~ Part 2~ Part 3~ Part 4~ Part 5~ Part 6~ Part 7~ Part 8~ Part 9~ Part 10~ Part 11~ Part 12~ Part 13~ Part 14~ Part 15~ Part 16~ Part 17~ Part 18~ Part 19~ Part 20~ Part 21~ Part 22~ Part 23~ Part 24~

-Part 10: Silver Stars-

Ginny wakes in the early morning to a series of loud thumps, muffled swearing, and a spectacular crash. She darts into the living room, wand raised and dressing gown clutched tight to her chest, to find—

Harry, sprawled out on the floor, wincing and scowling as he rubs his knee, where a dark bruise blooms.

She sighs and lowers her wand, turning back to the warmth of her bed.

“Where the devil did that come from?” Harry exclaims sulkily behind her.

She turns back to scan the room in surprise. Nothing seems out of place.

“Where did what come from?”

He jabs a finger at the coffee table. “That… menace. Who in their right mind would put a table there?”

She frowns, wondering absently if he’d hit his head when he fell. “Harry,” she says, exasperated, as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and strives for patience, “you put that table there when you bought it. Remember? It’s been there six months, at least.”

His mouth falls open, then closes with a startled click. “I… I haven’t been gone six months, surely?”

She purses her lips, considering. “No-o, but you’ve not stayed for more than a day in at least that long. I’m not surprised you didn’t remember the coffee table was there. Are you coming to bed, or shall I ask Breezy to make breakfast?”

He rubs the back of his neck, avoiding meeting her gaze. “I, uh, actually only have a minute. I just stopped by to get something out of my desk.”

“All right, well, I trust you know where that is. I’m going back to bed.” She rubs her eyes, yawning widely.

“Oh, and Harry—“

She peers back around the doorframe just in time to see him apparate away.

She sighs. She can’t help it. “Say hello to Malfoy for me,” she mutters, then flops back into her too-large bed.

I wonder if Astoria has any plans today… she thinks blearily, as her eyes drift closed and exhaustion rushes in to replace the fading adrenaline.

Ginny stares down the length of the empty table, waiting for Harry.

After the war, Harry had spoken at Malfoy and his parents’ trials. He’d refused to tell her what he’d said, and the whole thing had been kept disgustingly confidential, but whatever it was was enough to tip the scales in the Malfoys’ favor. Oh, they hadn’t gotten off completely, of course — they’d been forced to spend nearly all of the vast Malfoy fortune on reparations and rebuilding. And they’d done so with a surprising lack of complaint — with grace, even. They’d give up the Manor too, deeding it to the War Memorial Foundation, to be used as a museum of Wizarding History, leading up to the war.

Malfoy’d told them later that it wasn’t a hardship — none of them had wanted to live in the manor, after Voldemort’s occupation. Still, even Ron had been impressed at their willingness to move forward. She supposes that’s what had led, indirectly, to Harry and Malfoy’s odd partnership.

Malfoy had turned his persuasive powers, clever brain, and shrewd business acumen to rebuilding the Malfoy fortune by selling off his family’s antiques. Harry had been directed to him when he decided to sell off the more… questionable things he’d found in Number 12 Grimmauld Place and the Black and Potter vaults, and, somehow, a simple business transaction had blossomed into a strange sort of friendship and then a partnership.

It suits them, she thinks wistfully, this life of madcap dashing about, chasing hints of hidden treasure and Dark artefacts. She just wishes, sometimes, that Harry would look up and really see her, instead of memories of the girl he thought he knew in school. Wishes that his eyes weren’t always flitting away from her, seeking the glitter of golden wings. It hasn’t escaped her notice — though she rather thinks it has his — that he and Malfoy are still dancing around one another, chasing a hint of gold.

She remembers the puzzled frown that had creased Harry’s forehead when he’d told them all of his new business partner, at one of her mother’s dinners.

“But,” Ron had spluttered, face going blotchy and eyes wide, “you hate him!”

Harry had shrugged. “Well, yeah. But… he’s Malfoy.”

As if that explained it. And, perhaps to him, it did.

She frowns around the empty room, at the plates of uneaten lasagna on the table, cold, now, and thoroughly unappetizing.

She thinks of calling Breezy, and then vanishes the lot with a tired sigh, wondering if Astoria feels like company. Perhaps if she brought a bottle of wine… She doesn’t think she can stomach another long evening alone, just now.

She’s so sick of this empty house. Ginny isn’t used to having so much space to fill, doesn’t really feel up to the task of filling it. She’s always been surrounded by people; as the youngest of seven children, she’s never truly been alone.

Now that she has, she finds it’s not an experience she cares to repeat. And yet, here she is, facing an unending string of solitude, broken only by fleeting appearances of Harry.

Not for the first time, she looks into their future together and is not sure she likes what she sees.

She grabs a handful of floo powder and tosses it into the fire before she can change her mind. She needs to get out of this house or she’ll go mad.

For a long moment, there’s no answer, and her swift-beating heart sinks through the floor. Then Astoria’s head appears in the flames.

“Yes, hello? Oh, Ginny, dear, it’s you. How are you?”

She tries to speak, but the words die in her throat as the panic and loneliness catch up to her, and no sound passes her lips. A hot tear splashes to the mantle beside her, then another, as she stares, horrified and helpless to stop them.

“Oh, you poor dear,” Astoria says gently. “Here — come here. That’s it.”

Ginny allows herself to be coaxed into the flames, stumbling into the Malfoy’s comfortable sitting room and sagging into Astoria’s waiting arms.

“S-sorry,” she sniffles, scrubbing the edge of her sleeve across her face. “I don’t know what came over me. I just felt so…”

“Alone?” Astoria asks gently, patting her back and then leading her to a sofa. “I know. Me too.”

They share a sad, knowing smile.

“But, you’re here now,” she says, brightening, “and you’re welcome to stay as long as you like. I’m not fond of being alone, either. Tea?”

Ginny nods gratefully.

Astoria snaps her fingers and calls “Elly!”

A petite house-elf appears, looking… well, prim is the word that springs to mind. Ginny eyes her severe black dress, starched apron, and frilly cap and smiles.

“A free elf?”

“Yes, miss,” Elly says, as she pops back in with the tea. “I is a free elf, and I is very grateful to Miss Granger for this opportunity. I is saving my wages, you see. Mistress Tori treats Elly very well indeed, and I will reach my goal even before I had hoped.”

Ginny relaxes into the couch, accepting the cup of tea Elly offers her. “Thank you,” she says, and then, “What are you saving for, if you don’t mind my asking?”

Elly draws herself up proudly. “I is saving up to go to school, miss.”

Astoria smiles fondly as she accepts her own cup, then dunks a biscuit into it. “Elly is very smart — we’re happy to help her save for her goal. And we’re very grateful for her help while she works toward it.”

“Thank you, Mistress Tori.” She smiles. “Is there anything else I can bring you?”

“No thank you, Elly. But maybe set another place at dinner?”

She looks questioningly at Ginny, who nods. “Thank you. That would be lovely.”

Elly nods and disapparates, and Ginny turns to Astoria, amusement lighting her eyes.

“Tori?”

Astoria grins. “Ah. Childhood nickname. I prefer it, when not in proper company, and Draco doesn’t mind. His parents humor me”

She leans forward conspiratorially. “I hate my name, you see. Can you imagine a more stuck-up, pureblood name than Astoria?”

Ginny snorts. “Try ‘Ginevra.’”

Astoria blinks. “I suppose you can imagine it, at that. That’s why everyone calls you Ginny?”

“Yeah. Though I really prefer Gin. It feels just a touch naughty.” They grin at one another.

“Well, I’ll call you Gin if you call me Tori?”

“Deal.” She looks down at her hands. “Shake on it?”

Astoria shrugs. “You’re the one with brothers. Don’t we have to like, spit on our hands first or something?”

Ginny laughs, startled. “I am not spitting on my hand and then shaking yours! That’s disgusting.”

“Ah well. I suppose a standard handshake will have to do.” Astoria’s lips quirk and Ginny feels some of the weight on her chest lift.

You can also read, comment, etc on AO3, FF, or Wattpad

#drarry #drarry squad #slytherdornet #romancing the sorcerer's stone #harry potter #draco malfoy #my writing #my fic #harryxdraco

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alienavie · 7 years ago

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♛ @aevitera – CONQUEST. ♛

FOR YEARS HE HAD CAREFULLY OBSERVED HIS FATHER’S changing behavior – his adamant mercilessness and growing cruelness – and yet his heart had become so similar to his, adapting to their king’s principles as long as he could truthfully call them as his very own. Nonetheless, more than just once, he found himself in a conflict, feeling no regret after slaying his opponents but knowing deep inside that he simply endured it, bearing it as the one he had to be – for his kingdom, but also for his king. Truthfully, the man had hoped that his father would show signs of gratitude, perhaps even happiness, that Kamui had once found her way back to Nohr – but instead, knowing him for too long, he noticed something different. Like an almost invisible hostility rising from the shadows - but only he was to see it and no one else. And whilst it was true that king Garon showed no deep emotions, no traces of pride even while speaking to him, his firstborn and heir, his behavior towards her was far from what he had predicted. Countless of times the crown prince had already spoken to his father, demanding to know more about his reasoning, yet he was always rejected. Left alone, merely with this heavy burden on his heart, knowing that it did scarcely matter if he received an answer or not, he only felt this rage deep within; and ultimately there was no one else to live with this sin. Yet for once he was not blinded by it; as he was fully aware that his father was hiding something beneath his cold mask; something dark he could not question but also could not ignore.

THE FIRST HINT OF SUCH MENACE HAD ALREADY BEEN VISIBLE as he realized that his father had granted mercy to one who deserved none; a man with no honor and any spine, who lived for naught but for himself. Years ago Xander had been responsible to arrest Hans after his series of murder who served no other purpose than for his own amusement; and after chaining him to prison the crown prince had no difficulties whatsoever to realize that the other man’s heart was naught but an abyss, deep and dark. They could not demand loyalty from someone like him who found joy in torturing and killing alike; for someone who claimed their kingdom’s prosperity without necessity, hesitation or even regret. The many criminals of Nohr were often members of groups of bandits who had simply no other choice in their very life to steal or even to kill to survive; but Hans had always been different to that. Even with the many crimson red bloodstains on his hands, the crown prince had always known of this to be part of his duty – and he found little enjoyment in the procedure of killing. Those unfortunate names he had either executed or killed on the battlefield were erased from history, but their faces still lingered in his very mind, remembering him at times during his relentless slumbers what kind of burden he truly bore. Suffice to say, there was no trace of trust to be shared with this criminal, even after his father had granted him absolution.

LOYALTY COULD NOT BE BOUGHT WITH GOLD and had to be proven and earned by actions; and knowing of this – and the history of one of Nohr’s cruelest murderer – he found himself to be in a quite unhappy position to see Hans being assigned to Kamui. There was little change to this now, ever since she safely returned to their kingdom – and he would be lying if he dared to say he was not concerned. Truly, the amount of tasks his father seemed to give her or planned to were inhuman; torturous even – and even as his heir he failed to see the reason behind it. The nohrian army had more than just one capable commander; and why his father now demanded of her to lead the most dangerous attacks was far from being reasonable. Truthfully, it was an honor nonetheless – but she had so little experience with war that he indeed feared for her well-being. Perhaps his father was truly only seeking to test her loyalty – it was no longer a well-kept secret that Kamui was no actual princess of Nohr but one of Hoshido; and whilst there was no change in his or his siblings heart concerning their trust towards her, he could not speak for his whole kingdom. Certainly, if she succeeded in all of it she would be truly worthy to still be called princess of Nohr, regardless of her heritage or blood; but there was little hope as for now.

HIS CONCERNS NOT SOLELY ABOUT KAMUI BUT ALSO HIS LITTLE SISTER, Elise, who accompanied her was too great to be fully ignored. And whilst his father seemingly attempted to keep him away, perhaps on purpose, he was no fool to not know how he could avoid his own, cruel punishment without failing those he loved. Sending both of his retainers to her, protecting her instead of his life, was the first he had thought of when his father had sent him away to fulfill a different task, far away from her position – and glad he was that they apparently arrived just in time. The man was not easily sending his retainers away, knowing of the risks – but after watching and sparring with them for too long, he had been certain that they would not surrender to the reaper. Even if death smiled upon them they would not falter, returning the gesture and standing up. Unlike his first retainers they would not easily wield to the dark embrace and leave his side for all eternity. It was also thanks to them and their reports that he was fully aware of what had happened in Macarath after Elise became ill; and the hoshidan’s foolish attempt to convince Kamui to return to them.

BLOOD MATTERED NOT WHEN NOHR WAS THE ONLY KINGDOM she had ever known since a young age – and even if she lost her title, her right to call herself a princess of Nohr, she still belonged to this place more than to any other. After keeping her safe for so long, watching her steps for years he knew this to be the truth; even if her eyes were now opened. It had been her decision to return to them albeit she knew that she was not blood-related to any of them; and even if her birth mother had been the second queen of Hoshido. There was only one question to be asked; and this one was already clearly answered. If they truly had treated her like a prisoner, giving her no warmth and love, she would have not returned to them and stayed with her true family instead. Yet she had chosen to remain by their side. His father should be capable of seeing it the same way; but instead it was if all of his eyes were resting on her, patiently waiting for the right moment. And what kind of moment it was, could not be even answered by Xander.

THE MAN WAS QUICK TO RECEIVE THE FINAL REPORTS OF HIS TRUSTED RETAINERS as soon as they returned with Kamui before rushing to Elise’s side, being deeply worried about her health condition. Fortunately she was indeed feeling better, barely showing any signs of a previous sickness despite losing some of her strength in smiling. He immediately assigned more servants to carefully observe his youngest sibling, only leaving rushed orders. He already knew of the revolts in Cheve; and he had also already received word from his father that he planned to send Kamui to take care of this, along Hans. Naturally this was fairly clouding his mind lately, only seeing another opportunity for her to come to harm. Even with his own retainers by her side he indeed feared that she might even lose her own life with the lack of knowledge about war and diplomacy; partly merely seeing her as his father’s beloved toy, similar to his very own existence. The strings had been pulled, and they had to act – like the marionettes they were. For years he had lived like this, accepted his missing humanity and his change of heart, but involving her in these plans were naught he desired. As the eldest of their family, as the crown prince of Nohr, and even if she was no longer his sister, he could not allow it. He knew that all of them, every single one of his siblings, would not wish for her to be cut from life for solely being another chess piece for their father; and so it was his responsibility to keep her safe. Even if his father attempted to keep him away from her – he strongly disagreed.

PERHAPS IT WAS MORE FORTUNATE LUCK THAN ACTUAL COINCIDENCE that he was so quick to find her in the castle, knowing that she had only so little time to prepare for her departure. And he had quite many matters to say and to discuss before she did. Albeit he was indeed glad to see her safe and unharmed, the man scarcely showed this even now, still wearing the unapproachable mask on his face. Nonetheless his tone was a bit softer, similar to the times when he had praised her in the fortress, yet this time out of concern.

‘Just a word, Kamui. I have reason to assume that my father has already expressed his wish to send you to Cheve to end the current revolts. I have to admit I am far from being satisfied with such decision hence why my retainers will accompany you until further notice. To speak frankly, I fear for your well-being – particularly with Hans by your side. He cannot be trusted.’

#;kamarx #aevitera #| I sʜᴀʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟᴀᴅᴇ. ( ɪᴄ﹣ᴘᴏsᴛs. )

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kuriquinn · 8 years ago

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Samsara [Part IV]

General Disclaimer

Motherhood is everything and nothing like she imagined. Whatever feelings Shachi has for her husband utterly pale in comparison to the bewildering joy she experiences when her first child is placed in her arms.

Even Indra is unable to hide his amazement as he tentatively reaches out to place a hand on the infant’s downy hair. There is nothing of the godlike warrior about him when the infant is passed to him. Exhausted from a long labour, Shachi can only watch him with their daughter and marvel. It occurs to her that perhaps he’s never seen anything like this before.

For an intelligent man, he really did miss the basics, didn’t he?

Unlike Sakura’s usual commentary, there is a something bordering on amusement in her usual criticism as she watches the ancient demigod and his child. She has seen that soft expression before, after all, and quite recently. Sasuke may not have held their child yet, but the way he gazes at where it grows in her stomach is unquestionably reminiscent.

It’s a relief to know that Indra is capable of such emotion, however far down it’s buried.

The thought’s barely registered when Indra looks up, eyes gleaming in the dim room.

“While I live, no harm will ever come to our children,” he vows. But whereas that statement from anyone else would be the dutiful plea of a husband and new father, there is a sinister undertone in Indra’s pledge. Both Shachi and Sakura can read the subtle, menacing threat and know that he would tear down the world to protect them.

Sakura shudders at this because she’s seen firsthand what terrible things devotion like Indra’s can cause.

Her dreams begin to take on that repetitive quality again, and the sense that she is watching time pass faster than normal makes her wake most mornings with a headache. She feels as though an entire life is being crammed into her head during her sleeping hours, and she has no choice but to hold on for the ride.

And just like that, the years pass and Shachi gives birth to five more healthy children. Strong sons and daughters that are her joy and Indra’s pride, a sign to his followers that his teachings will continue across the generations. None of their children take after their father in looks, favouring her grey eyes and darker colouring – and none of them show signs of inheriting his Sharingan.

None of them can summon flames the way she can, either, which she knows her husband is disappointed about.

Shachi is initially anxious that their legitimacy might be questioned. However, from an early age, their ability to wield chakra without instruction, and their utter ease in learning their father’s craft suggests different. With every passing season, though they don’t spend much time with him, their temperaments all become similar to their father as well.

Her fears retreat to the back of her mind.

After so many years together, their relationship has settled into something that might be described as comfortable. The days of him fleeing their marriage bed after bringing them both to release are rare; either he allows himself to succumb to sleep by her side, or he will listen to her narrate the day’s events. In the early years, all her tales relate to keeping their outfit running smoothly. Once the children are born, she uses this time to report every detail of their upbringing that he misses when he is busy guiding his disciples. His expression never changes – whether to smile or frown at the stories – but there is a relaxed air about him that she never notices at any other time.

At the times when she is pregnant, he refuses to have relations with her, either for fear of harming the child in her womb or because he is still trying to maintain the fiction that his interest in her is only for procreation. She suspects it’s the latter because he only stops initiating intercourse when she informs him of her pregnancy or when her condition is so obvious that neither of them can deny it.

She never comments on this, and both hates and loves these long periods of time. While her body cries out to be touched (often so ardently that Sakura will wake breathless and trembling), Indra instead unknowingly offers a new kind of intimacy, the kind Shachi never realised that she craved: companionship.

He continues to join her in the evenings, asking questions about her health and the progression of her condition, or resting with his ear to her belly. Although he does not offer her any other gestures that might be construed as affection, he does begin to confide in her. Slowly, at first: throwaway comments about upcoming plans, musings over which of his followers can be trusted to split off from the main outfit to spread his sect’s teachings further. He talks of their children, his pride in their growth and achievements, their natural ability to learn ninjutsu even from a young age. He expresses minor disappointment that none of them seem to have inherited the nascent healing talents she’s shown.

From the first moment that Indra guides her through the process of willing torn flesh and bone back together, she feels as if she’s found a calling. There will be no more need to scrounge through forests for herbs to soothe instead of fix – now she can be useful.

“You have a natural talent,” Indra tells her one night as she heals a jagged gash in his back. “I knew it the moment I met you.”

It’s the first compliment she’s ever received from him, and she has no idea how to react to it beyond beaming at him with utter joy. For some reason, he appears more surprised by her reaction than she was by his admission and, in one of his rare moments of exposed emotion, hastily leaves their quarters.

That’s because he’s probably never been faced with a thousand-watt smile like that, Sakura figures. I mean, I doubt he’s ever had anyone smile at him in any way, but definitely never like that.

And why would he? Indra remains a terrifying specimen of a man. His rage is still a horrible thing, and despite Shachi’s few companions attempting to shield her from it, she’s seen the results: bodies with bloody, charred holes through their chests, eyes burned out. It’s such a contrast to who he is when he’s alone with her that she spends days after these incidents upset.

On these days, he is remorseless in his methods, but by night, he will open up more about his past, as if offering her something in recompense. It’s the closest to an apology she will ever receive.

The stories he tells her are wonderful and awful, the stuff of legends and nightmares. He speaks of his formidable grandmother (once worshipped as the Rabbit Goddess among the people of his land) and his father (he usually becomes terse and stiff when mentioning him). He confides that he lost his mother when she gave birth to his younger brother (his expression darkens here and he doesn’t speak again on the subject for several nights), and describes what it was like to grow up among his father’s disciples.

He also tells her the story of being cheated out of his birthright by Asura, and of his father’s betrayal and repudiation when all he ever did was try to make him proud.

Sometimes, he says things, a particular phrase or word, that sounds out of place in his story. It’s as if he’s repeating something told to him by someone else, someone else’s words speaking through him. His eyes will glaze and he’ll look off into the distance, reminding Shachi of the times she would watch him in her father’s land, speaking to himself in the shadows. She wonders if there isn’t someone else missing from his stories.

She knows better than to bring it up though, preferring to keep their moments together peaceful; it’s a stark contrast to the life they lead during the day, and she suspects he appreciates it as much as she does.

As much as his confidences to her are not born of love, there is something there. Some nameless connection exists between him and her, and she can be satisfied with that.

夢

In the next week, Sakura becomes more determined than ever not to let her dreams (or the ominous words of the old crone) take over her waking life. She and Sasuke are not just on an extended honeymoon (“Mission,” he always corrects sulkily when she uses that word.), but are supposed to be helping people. So, she continues to steer them toward towns without adequate medical resources, or where the infrastructure needs rebuilding. She helps build houses (it doesn’t count as heavy lifting when you can break mountains, after all) and volunteers Sasuke’s help when they end up in areas threatened by bandits or gang-warfare (she doesn’t argue anymore when he deals with these situations without her).

And she shrugs off his casual (and later, not so casual) suggestions they alter their plans and return to Konoha early.

“You just want to check your family’s tablet,” she replies airily.

“There might be something I missed.”

“You have it memorized,” she reminds him dismissively, and he can’t argue with that.

Sakura may have forced her husband to abandon chasing spurious leads about her dreams, if only for her peace of mind, but he manages to express his worry for her in other ways. His anxiety over her nightly forays into the past begins to bleed into his concern over her pregnancy.

Where once he actively avoided populated areas lest he be forced to socialise, now he seeks them out. Villages and towns have markets, after all, and that means access to better quality food. He doesn’t want her eating the same rations they’ve relied on since they started their travels, and he’s become more meticulous about watching her diet than she is. She lets him get away with it only because he’s clearly acting out over his inability to help with the dreams, but sometimes it gets to the point where she’ll stuff her face with acceptable amounts of “contraband” when he’s not around. It’s completely worth the long-suffering expression he makes when he notices the remnants of whatever greasy or salty snack she didn’t manage to completely eradicate.

One day, as she is contemplating her next culinary indiscretion, her stomach suddenly spasms.

She must make a face or tense or something because Sasuke is instantly hovering over her when she was sure he was at a stall thirty feet away replenishing their dry food stocks. “Sakura?”

“It’s nothing,” she assures him. “I’m just hungry. We should stop somewhere after we finish our errands.”

“Here.” He offers her a bright red tomato from a sack she didn’t notice him sneakily buy earlier. She accepts it with a resigned sort of amusement, trying not to feel like a toddler being appeased before she can begin a tantrum.

“You’ve already got the dad-instinct figured out, haven’t you?” she teases, and the way his eyes gleam suggests he takes that as a compliment.

She bites into the fruit, distractedly wiping at the juice running down her chin, examining a set of shuriken that are on display (they’re not as well made as anything she could get from Tenten, but this far from home, beggars can’t be choosers!) and wondering if Indra had any similar reactions to his pregnant wife. Would he see their future children as the same new beginning that Sasuke does? Or was it just a means to an end for him? It bothers her that he might think that. Even though the child Shachi carries isn’t Sakura’s, she still feels protective of it. It’s odd, and probably transference of her feelings about her own pregnancy, but –

She sucks in her breath, feeling like something has just jabbed her. That was definitely not hunger pains.

“What is it?” Sasuke demands, back again, tense and prickly like a giant cat as he examines her for signs of injury, and then scans the crowd around them, as if expecting someone else to have done something.

“No, Sasuke, it’s not – nothing hurts. I just feel like there’s a muscle twitching or something…” she assures him.

The woman behind the weapon stall chuckles. “Your first, I take it?”

“What do you know of it?” Sasuke asks, tone abrupt and gaze sharp.

Thankfully, she doesn’t appear fazed by it. “Only the look of a woman who’s just been kicked from the inside for the first time,” she responds, amused.

Sakura blinks. “No, that’s not…it’s so early.”

She’s at most eighteen weeks along, she shouldn’t already be able to feel anything so obvious.

“Sometimes you notice earlier,” the woman shrugs and goes back to her wares.

“Notice?” Sasuke echoes, looking uncharacteristically confused.

The strange fluttering sensation happens again and Sakura smiles, shaking her head. Wordlessly, she reaches out to take his hand; he is still tense, but when she presses it against the spot over her abdomen, he relaxes.

The gentle poke happens again and now that she expects it, she doesn’t know how she could’ve thought it was something else.

She isn’t sure if Sasuke can feel it through the cloth, it’s barely there – but of course he can. He’s the most perceptive person she knows. He’s completely frozen before her, staring down at his hand on her belly like it’s not actually attached to him.

“Someone’s decided to say ‘hello’ to Papa,” she teases affectionately, revelling in the minute movement of his fingers splayed apart across the jumping, shifting stretch of skin and the utter awe in his eyes.

And then Sasuke – Mister I-don’t-do-public-displays-of-affection – is on his knees, pressing his face into her belly.

The world falls away, and for an instant in time, the only people in the world that exist are her, her husband, and her child.

眠り

Over time, their roaming band becomes an army, a nation of people too large to continue wandering. They cross deserts and seas before Indra decides to settle them permanently on an island far removed from the mainland. The land is cold, given to mist and snow, but where others see desolation, Shachi is reminded of the shores where she often found refuge as a child.

Of the beach where she first set eyes upon Indra.

There is some comfort in this, and so she embraces her new home enthusiastically.

The main settlement is situated on the largest island within the archipelago, and he and his followers waste no time bringing the surrounding islets under his control. It seems as if they are perpetually at war, and soon her duties as wife to the leader are not as focussed on managing supplies as they are on caring for the wounded.

As their battles with their enemies on the borders become more frequent, Indra becomes adamant that she learn to protect herself and their children if he is not around. Despite her reluctance, he coaches her in strengthening her ability to wield flames. He brings her to the lake nearest their settlement to teach her how to breathe fire easier and then how to mould those flames into whirlwinds and infernos. Soon, she can bend the blazes she creates into shapes – lions, elephants, and dragons that are almost solid in the destructive force they can cause.

It terrifies her, but when she sees the approval in his gaze, she can’t help the stirrings of pride.

You should feel proud! It’s impressive! Sakura thinks, surveying the damage; the sheer heat and force of Shachi’s jutsu has evaporated a significant portion of the lake. Sasuke probably couldn’t even do that until he was much more practiced.

Still, Shachi has no wish to go into battle with Indra, and he shows no sign of wanting her to. She much prefers her duties behind the lines – healing the wounded in the medical tents. This is the gift she is most comfortable with, an ability more suited to her nature. She doesn’t even know when she’ll need to use the other gift.

Until the day she discovers her seventh pregnancy.

Indra is away, gone to the last of the islands that have been opposing his forces. In an increasingly more common practice, he leaves her to govern their people in his absence. It’s a move that leaves no argument about the chain of command, for he is not a man who easily trusts. Where many of his followers would have once balked at the idea of a woman holding any form of power, since word of her abilities spread throughout the camp, there are no questions.

She is no longer the guardian who heals the sick and wounded, but a potential force of destruction. They call her Indrani – an idol of healing and wrath. If Indra is a god, his consort is clearly a goddess.

Such talk makes her uncomfortable, but it is no less than her husband promised would come to pass the day they married. It’s a legacy her children will inherit, and all of them at that; Indra is determined that every one of his children will be equally capable of succeeding him one day. Although he stuns his followers when he declares he will have no single successor. He never says why, but Shachi knows it’s to do with his own father’s handling of succession.

The morning her perfect world changes, she leaves Dewadasi’s hut after confirming that her lack of monthly bleeding means she is indeed expecting another child. She is more than pleased about the news – the youngest has just been weened, leaving Shachi with an empty, longing feeling. As for the oldest, she is just beginning to train among the other disciples and has no time for her mother. It seems to be a trend; as they get older, they become more determined to show their father how strong they are.

Another baby is more than welcome.

Shachi has no doubt that when her husband returns, it will be to tell everyone of yet another victory, and she contemplates telling him the good news in reward. It will no doubt please him, even if it means he holds himself back from relations with her.

She heads to the forest just beyond the compound, intending to seek out the usual herbs and roots that she knows from experience help ensure a healthy pregnancy. As has become usual, she is flanked by several of her husband’s disciples – she may be able to protect herself, but Indra is not one to take chances, even when he is away.

It turns out to be for nothing, however.

She is elbow deep in roots and loamy soil when she and her entourage are attacked. The earth appears to rise up around them, imprisoning her attendants, suffocating them before they can even cry out. Another wall begins to close in on her.

The Shachi of old would simply let it happen, but for the first time in her life, she has something to fight for – her husband, her children, the child beneath her heart. She doesn’t know who’s attacking her, but they will not be allowed to succeed!

She calls up her strongest flames, kneading the chakra within her body and expelling it from her mouth in a massive fireball. It explodes around her, disintegrating the walls of earth that try to trap her, and radiating outward. There are screams of agony as the tidal wave of flame floods the forest, catching her attackers in its wake, decimating the surrounding trees as well.

When the flames subside, she is panting, surrounded by a radius of ash and charred remains. It seems as if her first battle has been a success.

However, when she tries to move, to hurry back to the settlement and raise the alarm, she finds herself frozen in place. She can’t move anything beyond her eyes, which search for the origin of her imprisonment.

It’s as she notices a shadow which appears to be keeping her prisoner that she feels a blunt blow to the back of the head and the world goes black.

夢

“Jūgo had a friend,” Sasuke says one day, apropos of nothing. “Kimimaro.”

The name is distantly familiar and it takes a few seconds for Sakura to place it.

“The one Li faced,” she concludes slowly. “When they were…”

“When they all tried to stop me from leaving,” he agrees shortly. It’s a day neither of them like to talk about. “Kimimaro belonged to the Kaguya clan.”

“Kaguya?” she repeats, eyes wide. “As in…”

“Yes. I don’t know why I didn’t make the connection until now. Perhaps because I never met Kimimaro personally.”

He sounds angry at himself, and she reaches out a comforting hand. “You had other things on your mind.”

He shrugs. “Still. It’s a potential link to Indra. Tenuous, but it’s something we can look into.”

The way he says it, a statement and a question, suggests he won’t do anything without her say-so. Given the recent turn her dreams have taken, Sakura doesn’t protest.

She doesn’t know much about the Kaguya clan, other than the fact that they aren’t on any of the clan registers she’s ever seen – which only happens when a bloodline goes extinct. Sasuke fills her in on what he learned from Jūgo who, even today, remains devoted to the memory of his deceased friend.

They were a clan noted for their savagery and bloodlust, a people who brutalised their enemies and each other with their own skeletons (she shudders at this part, remembering Kaguya and how she could turn a body to ash with her own bones). They eventually killed themselves in a frenzy to showcase their brutality.

It turns out they are relatively close to the location Sasuke’s former associate has given them, and it’s a short trip from Kiri’s main island to the satellite islet where the Kaguya clan once resided. They find the place is abandoned now, overgrown and waterlogged, half-consumed by a swamp that the local residents say is cursed.

As she and Sasuke explore, they find structures that were once houses, caved in and practically reclaimed by the forest. The foundations of the houses appear to have been hewn from a white stone meant to resemble bone, and decorated with reddish-black designs that Sakura recognizes as dried blood.

She didn’t believe her husband at first, that an entire clan could’ve destroyed itself. Even if they battled to the last clansmen, what of the children or inactive women? Surely, they should’ve survived. As they clamber over grass-covered mounds and through ditches, she learns that he spoke the truth. There are still skeletal remain here, improperly buried in most cases, and picked clean by animals. Some have their bones twisted unnaturally, dead in the throes of using their clan jutsu; many of the remains show bones impaling other bodies, adult and child alike.

“Their extinction is not a tragedy,” Sasuke remarks coolly when he sees this, and she can’t help but agree with him.

After an hour of scoping the place out, it seems as if there’s nothing to find. Although there is evidence of belongings – kitchen utensils, agricultural equipment, weapons for hunting – it appears the Kaguya clan didn’t keep written records. There is no evidence of a single book in the ruins, or newspapers, or even signposts. Sakura feels as if it’s a dead end, and suggests they leave.

“There’s nothing here,” she says, “and this place is creepy.”

It’s as if the deaths of the inhabitants linger here. She has enough unwanted attention from the supernatural world at the moment; she doesn’t intend to invite more.

“I want to check one last place,” Sasuke replies, nodding to the last crumbling building at the edge of the settlement. It’s built beside –or leading into – a rock formation, and the decaying exterior resembles the arches of a shrine.

Although it feels vaguely ominous to think of these vicious people having any kind of spiritual beliefs, she agrees.

Inside, it’s barely large enough to accommodate herself and Sasuke; in fact, he has to stoop. It smells like rotting rood and mildewed cloth. The altar within has been crushed by foraging animals and time. Sakura finds a stave of wood that is dry enough and holds it out to Sasuke; a small fireball later, and they have a torch.

Although there aren’t any sacred objects or idols here, the walls are decorated – and startlingly well-preserved, considering the state of the rest of the village. The art is primitive, crude, and almost infantile from what she sees. Stylised figures dance along the edges of the walls, almost like a stop-motion story. None of the figures have features other than eyes – always grey or green – with two closely-placed scarlet dots above, like the eyebrows of ancient nobility.

The same way Indra’s eyebrows look…

Most of them wield bone-white swords or seem to spring spikes from their backs.

“Shikotsumyaku,” Sasuke remarks, studying the depiction of one such figure.

“Hm,” Sakura agrees distantly, her eyes drawn to an etching across the chamber. It seems out of place, given the rest of the subject matter – a sidewise crescent moon and a rabbit. “That’s a bit tame for this particular clan, don’t you think?”

Sasuke follows her gaze and frowns. He steps forward, traces the shapes. “No one draws a moon this way. It’s almost as if it’s meant to be trapping the rabbit.”

Sakura blinks, realisation hitting her. “Wasn’t Kaguya called the “rabbit goddess” once? Didn’t I hear that somewhere?”

“Not from me,” Sasuke answers, distracted. He traces his finger downward, following a line that connects the rabbit to a scratched-out figure that appears to have been made intentionally grotesque. Instead of eyes, there is one red circle in its forehead, a familiar looking disc.

“That looks like the – when the Infinite Tsukuyomi was cast,” Sakura exclaims. “That’s what happened to the moon.”

“No. I think it’s the mandala of Hagoromo.”

Sakura’s eyes widen, and upon looking at it again, she realises he’s right. “The Sage of Six Paths? Right beneath Kaguya…so maybe that means this –” She’s the one to trace her way downward now, to the third-closest image, “ – has to be Indra.”

His representation doesn’t have eyes or a face either, although there are two round, scarlet markings that all the other figures in here have.

Her palm rests lightly against the image, something in her stomach tugging uncomfortably.

“Sakura.”

She glances up and notices her husband nod to the right; she follows his gaze and realises that the figure of Indra does not stand alone the way his father’s and grandmother’s do. Beside it, there is a figure – clearly female, given its proportion – and this one, unlike all the rest, only has eyes.

Sakura inhales deeply, drawn to that image because, right here, they’ve finally found it – some proof that the woman whose life she is dreaming truly did live. They’ve spoken of it, of course, as if it’s a fact, but this – knowing – is cathartic.

“Shachi,” she breathes as she studies the image. She shivers, feeling like deep within her, something shifts.

“They’ve shown lines of descent from her and Indra. Look,” Sasuke says, pointing out six other figures that spread below them in an arc. Two males and four females – the same amount of sons and daughters that Sakura knows from her dreams – all with Indra’s markings and Shachi’s grey eyes.

“It’s no wonder no one else knows about this,” Sasuke goes on, gazing at the other figures in the chamber. “Unless you know about the Ōtsutsuki – how they looked – this would just seem like a creation myth.”

“I guess that’s why Orochimaru didn’t know anything about all this,” she suggests, and off his surprised expression, she snorts. “Did you really expect me to believe you went to Jūgo about this first? Orochimaru knows almost everything there is to know. Of course, you contacted him first. There’s no need to hide that.”

“You don’t like him.”

“No, I don’t. But he was your teacher – and more importantly, he saved your life. He gets a pass.”

He raises an eyebrow. “But?”

“But if he ever comes near me with bad intent, I will crush him into dust,” she finishes seriously.

Sasuke makes a noise that’s halfway between a snort and a cough then turns his attention back to the mural before them. He frowns. “There are only six.”

“Huh?”

“Six lines of descent. Six children. Didn’t you say she was pregnant?” he asks.

Sakura blinks in surprise and looks at the depictions herself, remembering. “Yes…she just discovered her pregnancy before she was kidnapped.”

“There’s no indication of that here.”

Sakura swallows. “Why wouldn’t they include that?”

“Maybe they didn’t know or she miscarried?” he suggests. “Maybe she was never found? Her kidnapping could be where the story ends.”

“No, I’m still having dreams. Or I think I am. When I’m asleep, I feel like I’m travelling…but it definitely doesn’t feel over.” She muses. “I think I’m blindfolded in the dreams, lately. If I could just see –”

Sasuke’s eyes widen, and he abruptly moves a few steps back from the wall. “Move out of the way. I’m going to try something.”

“Huh?”

But she does as he says, watching just in time as his eye gleams red and the familiar six pointed star swirls into view. For several minutes, he surveys the wall in silence, his expression drawing closed, his eyes riveted to the depiction of Indra.

“What do you see?” she asks tentatively; it doesn’t bode well that someone placed something on this wall that only someone with an evolved Sharingan can see.

“His face isn’t blank,” he says.

She can guess what he sees there. “The same eyes as yours?”

“Hm.”

“And her?”

His gaze shifts. “There’s nothing different about her. Except…”

“Except?”

“There’s a seventh line here,” he says, pointing to a space beside one of Shachi’s children. Sakura feels something like relief flow through her.

“But why would they hide this child from everyone else?”

“It’s not a child,” he says. “It’s a word.”

The sense of relief dissipates. “What does it say?”

Sasuke shakes his head.

“It’s very faded. Almost like whoever put it here had second thoughts and tried to scratch it away. With the wear, it could say…‘vow.’” He shifts, changing his position to offer himself another vantage point. “Maybe ‘oath,’ or ‘covenant’…or…” He stops here and shakes his head. “I’m sure I’m reading it wrong.”

But his tone is too controlled and his jaw is clenched.

“What else could it mean?” she whispers.

Sasuke slowly turns to her, looking apologetic and concerned at the same time. “Curse.”

眠り

When Shachi wakes up, she’s been bound, gagged, and blindfolded. Someone carries her, people speak in whispers. Whenever she begins to make any type of noise, she finds herself quickly returned to unconsciousness.

She learns to remain quiet, straining her ears to figure out who her captors are, but no one speaks around her. She tries sometimes to call up her chakra, but finds it inaccessible.

Seals, Sakura realises angrily. They’ve got something sealing our chakra. This was planned.

Several times over the next few days (weeks?) she awakens to a miserable rocking and heaving.

Ship, Sakura realises, remembering the sensation, and the associated nausea.

Someone has removed Shachi’s gag, which she is thankful for because her pregnancy and seasickness have her expelling the contents of her stomach for almost five days straight. Firm hands hold her steady as her shoulders wrack with spasms, and once she is in control of herself again, offer her water to keep her hydrated.

At first, she rejects this kindness, turning away and panting, trying to ignore the acrid taste in her mouth.

“Where am I?” she rasps desperately. “Who are you? Where are you taking me?”

Where is my husband? Where are my children?

The thought is immediate, visceral, and somehow it belongs to both Shachi and Sakura.

“Calm yourself, my lady,” someone says. A man, young, and with the rough diction of a rural commoner. “You will not be harmed. Your restraints are for your safety – and ours.”

He has not answered any of her questions.

“My husband will find you and slaughter you,” she tells him furiously, utterly out of character for her.

Sakura wonders if it’s her own emotional contribution, or if Indra’s temper has rubbed off on his wife. The formerly mousy woman is positively simmering with justified wrath.

Still, her grandiose statement is undermined by another bout of vomiting.

“I have never seen someone so ill at sea before,” the man says, sounding amused and a little nervous. “How did you get to that island, I wonder, if you were this sick?”

“It’s not…just…seasickness,” she retorts through gritted teeth. “I’m with child.”

It’s not the announcement Sakura would make, nor is it made to the person Shachi wanted to make it to, but perhaps her abductor will show mercy to a pregnant woman.

There’s a sharp intake of breath.

“Shit.”

There is a panic in the word, perhaps even dismay.

“If you return me to my home, I will simply tell my husband I got lost,” she bargains. “I will keep him from coming after you. Just let me return home.”

“I’m sorry, my lady,” the man says. “It’s very important that I bring you to my lord. It’s for the greater good.”

She doesn’t get a chance to ask what he means before she once more feels a touch to the back of her neck and an unnatural sleep overtakes her. She only wakes again when a new voice breaks the silence.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” she hears a loud voice demand, angry and female. The world is no longer rocking – she is off the ship, and something in the sharp, clear smell of the air tells her she is far from the sea. It makes the strange woman’s voice echo. “How dare you bring someone here in such a brutish fashion!”

“It’s imperative that the lord be fetched immediately,” the man from the ship replies wearily.

“I don’t care what imperative you think you have, you put her down right now! Release her!”

A different voice. “My lady, you don’t understand. She is dangerous –”

“I am dangerous and yet I don’t see you tying me up! Taizō, this is ill-advised even for you!”

“You’d understand if you ever let us get a word out, Lady Kanna,” Taizō retorts. “This woman is the wife of Lord Indra. And she killed four men before we subdued her.”

There is a heavy silence and Shachi feels as if she’s been punched in the stomach. She knew the men who attacked her couldn’t have survived, but somehow in the confusion of her abduction she hadn’t thought of them.

The woman inhales sharply.

“You utter fool,” Kanna says, breathless and scared. “Do you understand what you’ve done?”

“It had to be done,” Taizō is stubborn. “If there’s a chance –”

“You may have destroyed that chance!” she snaps and if Shachi could see, she would bet the woman is wringing her hands. “Very well. I’ll fetch my husband. Have her bathed and any other needs seen to – from this moment, you will treat her with every respect that you would accord me, as you should have from the moment you so foolishly chose to abduct her.”

“Y-yes, my lady.”

“Bring her to the audience chamber when she’s ready. And by the gods, treat her gently!”

Then the woman is gone, and Shachi is carried somewhere else, passed into the care of several nervous-sounding women. Her blindfold is removed, and when she blinks herself back to awareness, she is surrounded by strangers who eye her warily. Looking down at her wrists, she sees strange black symbols have been painted up and down her arms. Whenever she tries to call up her chakra, they gleam and she suddenly feels drained.

“Where am I? Why was I brought here?” Shachi demands of the women around her – servants, from their demeanour and their inability to answer her questions.

Eventually, she allows them to bathe and clothe her – partially because she feels coarse and dirty, but also because she knows that the servants are only doing their duty. They can’t control the actions of their masters, and it’s wrong to take out her rage and frustration on them.

And so, she endures their attention – thankful they aren’t brave enough to ask her questions – and bides her time until there is a knock at the chamber door. Another servant appears and bids her to accompany him which she does, albeit stewing in silence.

She is brought into a dimly lit chamber. It is sparsely decorated, but instantly her eyes fly to the dais which has been draped with a white tapestry marked with the same six tomoe as her husband wears emblazoned on his robes.

Standing before the altar is a tall man with his back to her. When he turns to her, she feels as if her heart has leapt into her throat. He looks exactly like Indra only his hair is shorter and his eyes are surrounded by laugh lines.

And then he smiles at her.

“Hello, little sister,” he says, “I am Asura.”

夢

“It just doesn’t make sense,” Sakura declares, frustrated. “Why on earth would Asura kidnap Shachi?”

Despite the uneasy heaviness that’s settled in her gut since her latest dream, she refrains from lashing out with fist against ground. It helps that she’s currently seated, back to Sasuke’s chest, his legs bracketing her on either side. After a rare day of inactivity, they are sitting together on the incline of a hill, watching the sun set over the forest. Sasuke’s hand lays protectively across her middle; though she isn’t showing much (it’s not even noticeable from the front), there’s no mistaking her condition anymore.

“From what you’ve told me Asura’s wife said, it seems like he was unaware,” Sasuke answers thoughtfully. “I’m inclined to think it was done without his knowledge.”

“Why?”

“Because it wasn’t his nature.”

Sakura blinks in surprise, shifting around to look at her husband. “You mean you remember?”

“No. But he was like Naruto – or rather, Naruto was like him. Kidnapping is not something either of them would resort to no matter what the reason,” Sasuke decides, certainty ringing clearly in his voice. “He would go directly to Indra, if he could find him. In fact, if he knew where Indra was, he would likely be trying to convince him to return – not kidnapping his wife. Especially not if he knew she was pregnant.”

Sasuke’s fingers absently rub across the curve of her belly and Sakura places her hand over his. He is freer when it comes to showing affection to the baby than he is with her, but she doesn’t mind. It’s bound to be a different relationship, a new one. Her connection to Sasuke is based on an entire past, one which has dictated the way they behave around one another, but this child –

It’s going to be so different.

She can’t wait to see it.

“This Taizō individual certainly acted rashly.”

“You’re telling me – what rational line of thinking has you kidnap the wife of a powerhouse like Indra?” Sakura wonders. “It’s right up there on a list of dumb moves.”

“Unless it was a tactical one.”

Sakura makes a face. “What do you mean?”

“He knew she was Indra’s wife. Perhaps his move was to force a kind of summit between the two brothers,” Sasuke suggests. “Although to what end… I’m not sure. He had to know the danger. And Indra was not one to tolerate insults or such a blatant move against him.”

Sakura nods.

She can’t imagine Indra allowing Shachi’s kidnapping to go unanswered, but at the same time, he wasn’t exactly the type to act based on feelings – however deeply within him he could feel. If anyone were to try to use Shachi as leverage, she has a bad feeling that Indra would ignore the ultimatum on principle.

“I don’t think so,” Sasuke says and Sakura realises, once again, her thoughts have jumped from her brain to her mouth without her notice. “He cared for her.”

This startles her. “How do you know?”

She may have suspected this sometimes in the course of her dreams, but to hear it voiced by her husband? He hasn’t seen Indra as she has, claims not to remember his previous life, and often speaks of his former incarnation with varying degrees of suspicion and criticism.

“He would have to,” Sasuke says. “Zetsu would have ensured it.”

“Zetsu?”

“It’s how he manipulated events and maintained his influenced over people. He crept into their hearts and exploited their fears,” Sasuke explains. “It’s the reason he gained influence over Indra in the first place. He used Asura against him, playing on his concerns about something happening to his brother. Indra wanted to become more powerful to protect him.”

“I never knew that,” Sakura says softly and feels Sasuke nod against her neck.

“His brother was the one he cared about most in the world which is why he reacted so viscerally to Asura’s supposed betrayal. Once Indra removed himself from his family, he was alone again, and Zetsu would quickly lose influence. He needed someone to use as a means of manipulating him further into his hatred. Indra had had no other family –”

“ – so Zetsu had him make one,” Sakura whispers, feeling abruptly sick at the idea.

“Yes. Although, I doubt it could’ve happened unless Indra was drawn to her to begin with,” Sasuke goes on. “In his travels, he would’ve encountered many women. Any one of them would’ve served Zetsu’s purpose. But for his hold to be stronger, it had to be someone Indra felt something for already.”

“He thought she had potential,” Sakura remembers. “He told her so.”

“And Zetsu would have noticed it. After all, Indra spared her life. That was probably the moment Zetsu knew. And he manipulated Indra to return for her, to lay the foundation for his continued control.”

“The children,” Sakura realises.

“As closed off as he was, even he couldn’t be completely immune to his own offspring,” Sasuke agrees. “I can imagine it. If by some twist of fate, I had…if I had any interest in repopulating the clan during the war – if I had children and someone were to threaten then…it would’ve been worse.”

Sakura easily hears the I would’ve been worse and shivers.

“So, what do you think he did when he found out she disappeared?”

“I have no idea.”

眠り

Indra’s brother is both different from the stories Shachi was told and exactly as expected.

Her husband spoke of a boy – and then a man – who constantly needed to be protected and who, due to his lighthearted and carefree nature, was undeserving of their father’s legacy. This man was jealous of Indra’s natural talent and somehow poisoned their father against him.

What she finds instead is an earnest stranger who is as easily given to smiles as Indra is to frowns, and who seems desperate for Shachi to like him. When she refuses to speak to him for the first week, suspicious and distrustful of the man whose followers believed it necessary to steal her from her home, he prostrates himself before her in apology.

“The actions of those who gather around me may as well be my actions, however unintentional,” he insists. “It was only concern for my older brother that moved me to send my friends out to find news of him. It is my sincerest hope to reconcile with him one day, but approaching him is dangerous, as I have no doubt you understand. Taizō’s decision to bring you here was impulsive and unwise, even before he knew of your condition.”

“Exactly what was he hoping to achieve?” Shachi asks frostily.

Asura glances up, apparently surprised that she has answered, and offers a weak smile. “From his account of things, he had a rather naïve hope that my older brother could be convinced to retrieve you. In doing so, he would have to reunite with myself and my father.”

“Your friend has the logic of a child,” she tells him coolly. Despite what she threatened Taizō with on the ship, she doesn’t expect Indra will come for her. He has more important matters to see to, even if he has some soft spot for her. And given that he doesn’t even know she’s pregnant? “I assume by the fact that you all continue to live your man didn’t leave any indication of who took me?”

“Um…it would seem so,” Asura allows with a wince. “He, ah, seemed to think revealing who took you should wait until he was far from my brother.”

“At least he has a modicum of self-preservation.”

“I’ve said so,” Asura agrees, and then pauses. His expression turns serious. “I want to make peace with my brother, but not in this way. Not with something held over his head.”

“Then you will return me to my home?” Shachi asks.

“If that’s truly what you wish,” Asura says. “But consider your condition, little sister. Knowing that you carry my niece or nephew, I am hesitant to send you on another stressful journey so soon after you have arrived. Please consider staying and partaking of our hospitality a while longer.”

“Your hospitality doesn’t interest me,” she replies. “It’s not only my husband I was taken from, but my children as well. I need to return to them.”

Asura appears chagrined at this and sighs. “Very well. If you’re so certain. I will make arrangements for you.”

“Thank you,” she says stiffly.

“But before you go, will you not speak with my father? He is away at the moment, meeting with Lord Gamamaru, but I know he would like to meet the woman who has borne his grandchildren.”

Shachi’s eyes widen with thoughts of the old man’s betrayal of her husband, and look away. “I would prefer not to, my lord. It’s imperative I return home right away.”

Asura is clearly unhappy about this, but he nods as if he expected it.

“I will do my best to return you as quickly as possible then.”

As it turns out, it isn’t quite so easy to honour his pledge.

つづく

Reviews and constructive criticism are appreciated!

クリ

Next Chapter

#kuriquinn #samsara #legacy of fire #sasusaku #reincarnation #past lives #big damn plot #sasuke uchiha #sakura uchiha #shachi ootsutsuki #indra ootsutsuki #asura ootsutsuki

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queerlybrazen · 8 years ago

Text

Laughter Soulmate AU

Everyone was taught to pay close attention to laughter, as that was the only way to locate your soulmate. The magic varied person to person, with some people only seeing one color per soulmate they found and others getting smacked with every color at once. It was a joyous moment if it was easy to pick out who had laughed at the exact instance that color bloomed across vision, but others suffered the heartache of being at a comedy show when their rainbow appeared.

Yevelda was not raised in an environment of much laughter, so she treasured it when she could. Her father had become more of a shell with each passing day in isolation, and his smiles for Yevelda were forced. She knew that he was trying, and she understood what it was like to not be wanted around. So, she forced smile back and they suffered together in relative silence. Once she joined the gang there was not even her father’s presence to bring her some ounce of happiness. There was only vicious jeering around her, and she thanked the gods every day that she never saw a speck of color. Despite the hardships she faced, Yevelda escaped. She sent her father to the North to evade the gang’s clutches, and she traveled West to keep him safe. Her journey was long, lonely, and filled with brutality. She worked as a mercenary for a while, occasionally got hired as a bodyguard, but mostly remained a pickpocket to survive. It was her thievery that had landed her in the Bellhollow jailhouse. She had been caught carrying off a chunk of gold from the town’s bell. She had fallen on truly desperate times, as she had spent most of what she had taken in the previous town on booze and board. She was startled to find herself given the opportunity of redemption and pay. Having to work with the group of other criminals put Yevelda on edge, but the little halfling bard was seemingly familiar. It had been nearly a decade since Yevelda had last seen them, but she could remember seeking them out in the Crafter’s district to donate some of her earnings. The halfling was a talented musician if Yevelda recalled correctly. With a slight huff of breath, Yevelda realized that the world was smaller than she thought.

Maeve was shocked to see the half-orc that had given to their family so generously. They had known that the money was stolen, but it was still appreciated. The half-orc had changed a lot since they had last met. She seemed to be more menacing and less scared. Maeve had recognized the facade the half-orc put in place all those years ago because they wore the same one on occasion. But time had changed her, made her appear more comfortable in her body. She was intimidating and she knew it. Maeve could respect that about the half-orc. They were entirely sick of lies, facades, and people unwilling to get their own hands dirty.

Bellhollow proved to be one of the worst towns Maeve had ever had the displeasure of visiting. After running from authorities after escaping incarceration, they had remained on the move. The smaller cities tended to be safer, but there was always an exception for every rule. When everyone escaped from the black smoke, house fires, and general disarray, Maeve was finally able to relax a fraction. The crew was going to another port town, bigger than Bellhollow but smaller than Vlessa. Just thinking of their home brought the sting of tears to their eyes, and Maeve soon discovered some other members of the party drinking. Might as well join in and bond with the rest of them, considering it seemed they would all be together for some time.

“Pass me one?” Maeve asked Emery, the half-elf.

The bottle was tossed gently, and Maeve savored the slight burn down their throat as they took their first swig. Sometimes alcohol was the only thing that could dull the constant pain in Maeve’s chest.

“So, who are you all anyways?” Yevelda grunted at the group, as she too drank straight from a bottle.

Introductions began and as the alcohol kept pouring, more details of everyone’s life came flooding out.

“Soulmates are a curse and a blessing.” Emery attempted to stand to grab another bottle from the supply box, but stumbled back down onto the boat’s deck, “I found mine years ago. And where is he now? Dead. Buried in the ground because he tried to keep me from being killed. What kind of bullshit is that. Now I am suffering the pain of losing the other half of me.”

Maeve groaned, “Soulmates are the absolute worst thing that magic has ever done for anyone. Just because someone makes you see color does not constitute love. It’s all rubbish. People should not be controlled by magic in any way, and that includes by having to be with their soulmate.”

Yevelda practically winced when she heard Maeve complain about soulmate magic. Despite being unsure about how she would react to her soulmate, Yevelda knew that she wanted to meet them. If there was someone out there that could handle the emotional baggage she carried, then it was worth finding them. But the fire in Maeve’s eyes spoke of irrefutability, and Yevelda had no right to argue against their opinions. So, she kept her mouth shut and vowed that she wouldn’t bring up the matter again.

As the group grew closer together, Yevelda found herself drawn to Maeve. They were so charismatic and sociable, yet still so broken. She saw a lot of past pain in Maeve’s eyes, and Yevelda could relate. So, she took to protecting the bard, and making sure that Maeve had everything they needed. Maeve felt a close bond with the fighter as well, but they still remained as emotionally removed as they could. The last time Meave had put their feelings on the line, their soulmate forced them to kill a family and left them to the wolves. So, they befriended the giant woman but never allowed themselves to feel anything more. Feelings would flutter in the pit of their stomachs, but neither saw color.

Everything changed for Yevelda in the depths beneath the museum in Vlessa. Upon entering the first room, she was engaged in battle with a sorcerer. Despite throwing all of her strength behind blows, the man remained standing. He landed a lucky hit with a dagger beneath Yevelda’s armor. The pain seemed minimal in comparison to her anger. She could hear the rest of the party fighting behind her, but she had to ignore them to keep from exposing her friends to another enemy. After a few more swings with her warhammer, the sorcerer was prone on the ground. His demonic form mangled and broken, yet he still attempted to grab at her ankles. Yevelda raised the hammer above her right shoulder, prepared to make the killing blow when color bloomed across her vision. The torches were rich warm colors, the walls were a more defined black than they were before, and she could see that the creature she fought wore the shredded remains of a purple sash. The surprise of it all knocked her on her ass, putting her within distance of the creature. The thing managed to grab into the wound in Yevelda’s side, causing her to cry out in pain. She rolled into the creature’s hold and pinned it beneath her. She pummeled it with fists until its blood ran black on the floor. The adrenaline still corsed through her and she screamed in victory as the sorcerer ceased to move. However it was short lived as she looked behind her to see Maeve finish off an enemy using vicious mockery. They had laughed. That laugh managed to not only kill their target, but Yevelda. Maeve was her soulmate, and she knew that Maeve would never want her.

Yevelda never told anyone that she could now see color. She continued to act as if nothing had changed, because her friends found out then she would have to lie. They would want to know who triggered the reaction, but she couldn’t put that burden on Maeve. Yevelda vowed to never laugh in front of them. She wasn’t quick to humor usually, but now she had even more of a reason to keep the grimace on her face. Maeve had noticed the subtle shift in Yevelda. She no longer looked happy, as if there was pain in her eyes. They didn’t know what had caused their friend to be so upset, but she wouldn’t talk to Maeve. Yevelda shut them out each time they inquired about her mood. Then Maeve learned about Dani, and they had to deal with their own pain. Yevelda tried to talk to them about it, but they weren’t ready to face the reality of it. If Maeve talked about it, then Dani would really be gone. So, they drank instead. The alcohol kept them numb, and Yevelda didn’t need to police herself because nothing was funny. Yevelda was on high alert around Maeve, making sure they didn’t drink themselves into an early grave. She had heard that losing a soulmate was one of the most painful experiences a person could endure, and she was selfish enough to use that knowledge to rationalize her hovering. She could see Maeve becoming annoyed, but she couldn’t stop. Despite trying to avoid it Yevelda had fallen in love with the halfling. Time began to heal the gushing wounds found within Maeve, placing patches on the void their family left. It wasn’t perfect, but Maeve had found a new kind of family. Emry, Torrin, Safaris, and Milos offered them so much support and kindness. They were some of the best friends that Maeve had ever had. And then there was Yevelda. The hulking tank that was still somehow the most compassionate nurturer made Maeve feel alive. She inspired Maeve to keep going forward, even in their darkest moments. She filled the empty spaces that being apart from their family left, and managed to soothe the scarred wounds their soulmate left years ago. Sometimes, when Maeve couldn’t sleep, they would find themselves wishing it could have been Yevelda that saw color when they laughed.

Time elapsed and the group grew closer together. Battles were fought and won, Torrin and Arjan officially started dating, and emotional scars were healing. Yevelda had truly come to love and trust her companions, and she was able to treat Maeve no differently than the others. She would always gravitate towards Maeve, but that wasn’t unusual for the duo. One night at a tavern, the party was relaxing and having a fun time. No one was plastered. There was just that fun buzz that came from a few good drinks, fun company, and telling funny stories. Torrin and Arjan had disappeared a few minutes ago to get some sleep. The couple acted as if they were 60 year olds with their sleep schedules, but Yevelda figured it was so they could capture a few moments alone. Emry was hitting on the bartender, as was his usual schtick. However, he was laying it on especially thick tonight. Yevelda couldn’t help but watch him flounder.

“Are you a mage? Because when I look at you everyone disappears,” Emry winked.

“No, I am just a bartender,” The human replied.

“Well then, do you have a name or can I just call you mine?”

“It is Henry, and unless you are ordering I suggest you go sit with your friends.”

“Ok, but you see the thing is that my buddies bet me I couldn’t start a conversation with the most attractive man in the bar. Wanna buy drinks with their money?” Emry hoisted himself up onto one of the stools and leaned over the bar to lean closer.

The bartender chuckled a bit at that line, “You know what, I am going to get you some water to sober you up. I think you’ve had a little too much, buddy.”

“I’m not drunk, I’m just intoxicated by YOU,” Emry ran his finger down the bartender’s chest in a seductive manner.

Yevelda couldn’t help herself. She chortled softly, and got up to grab Emry away from the clearly distressed bartender. However, before she could move she heard glass shattering behind her. Whipping around to face the potential threat, Yevelda saw that Maeve had dropped their glass.

“Maeve, what’s wrong? Are you ok?”

“I can see it. I can see color,” they gasped as their eyes hungrily took in the environment. Yevelda realized her mistake. She had let her guard drop and now she had revealed her biggest secret.

“I’m so sorry,” Yevelda squeaked before she bolted up the stairs that led to the inn. She needed to get away from Maeve before she was rejected. She couldn’t handle the pain she was about to feel, not after growing so attached. Her lumbering steps echoed in the hallway as she opened the door to her room and bolted it shut behind her. She sunk to the floor as tears started to fall. She hadn’t cried in a long time, but finding and losing your soulmate probably warranted a good sob.

Meanwhile, Maeve stood in a state of shock, still looking at the space that Yevelda had just occupied. Maeve had been talking to Milos when they both stopped to watch Emry fail at flirting with the bartender. Maeve, however, grew bored and was watching the smile grow on Yevelda’s face instead. She seemed to find his antics amusing, and the smile that lit her face was a welcome change. Maeve knew she could be a kind soul, but her rough exterior always threw people off. So, any chance that Maeve could see the softer side of Yevelda was truly a treat. As Maeve went to finish off their glass of mead, Yevelda let out a soft chuckle and went to go save the barkeep form Emry’s clutches. Suddenly, the world was full of color and it was such a shock that Maeve let the glass slip from their fingers. They had always thought they were color blind, and that they had already discovered their soulmate years ago. Seeing color changed everything. Maeve looked at Yevelda in shock because she was the cause. She had laughed and now Maeve could see the subtle hues of her skin, the flecks of mud clinging to her armor, and the swirling blue of her eyes. Before Maeve could tell Yevelda the news that she was their soulmate, she had cut and run.

“What’s wrong? What happened?” Milos cut through the silence.

“I can see color. Yevelda laughed, and I can see color.”

“That is wonderful! I had always had my suspicions about you and her, but looks like they are founded. Why did she take off then?”

“I don’t know. I have to go talk to her,” Maeve carefully stepped over the broken glass and made their way upstairs.

They walked deftly down the hallway, stopping when they reached Yevelda’s door. They were about to knock when they heard the faint sound of crying. Putting their ear against the wood it was obvious that Yevelda was sobbing against the door. Maeve could even feel the slight vibration of the door as her body shook. The sound broke Maeve’s heart.

“Yevelda, will you let me in? We need to talk,” Maeve whispered in a soothing tone.

“I get it, ok. You don’t need to tell me officially. I’ll leave and you won’t have to worry about it, just give me tonight.”

“What are you talking about? I don’t want you to leave. We just need to talk about what happened downstairs. Please just let me in,” Maeve tried to push the door open, but it didn’t budge.

“I can’t handle it. I know I should be able to, but I’m not made of stone. I can’t be around you after this. I think it’s cruel of you to expect me to stick around knowing that we will never feel the same way about each other.”

Maeve inhaled sharply at Yevelda’s comments. She was blaming Maeve for wanting to have a conversation with their soulmate, all because she refused to even talk about the possibility of being together. They knew that this was all very sudden, but the soul bond did occur in a lot of strong friendships. Most of the time the friends were ecstatic to find out, but Yevelda seemed downright disgusted.

“What the hell? You’re going to accuse me of being cruel just for wanting to talk about this! You are one of my greatest friends, but you are showing some truly nasty colors.”

“Maeve, I’m sorry, I really am. I know that you might want to talk about your feelings on the matter, but I just can’t stomach it. I think you should understand that. I just want to be left alone so that I can pack and leave in the morning.”

“You’re just going to pick up and run! You’re acting like a coward!” Maeve banged their fists against the door, “If I knew you were going to treat me this way, I would have never wished that you would be the one to make me see color.”

Maeve slid to the floor and buried their head in their lap. Yevelda was silent on the other side of the door. A minute passed before Maeve huffed, and got up. They were not going to wait around and have their emotions played with. If Yevelda didn’t want her, then she was going to go back to the bar and try to forget this night ever happened. The sound of the lock disengaging stopped Maeve in their tracks.

“You wanted it to be me?” Yevelda asked in a small voice.

“Yeah, I guess I did. I didn’t realize it was actually a possibility though. I thought I had found my soulmate a long time ago,” Maeve watched the floor as she kicked a pebble down the hall.

“How did that happen if you just saw color?”

Maeve looked up and down the hall, there wasn’t anyone around but it still made them nervous, “Can we take this inside the room? I don’t want to talk about it here.”

Yevelda stepped aside to allow Maeve to enter the room. They gravitated towards the trunk at the foot of the bed to sit on. Yevelda stood awkwardly by the door after closing and locking it. She rocked back and forth, almost as if she was thinking about moving, but not able to spur herself into motion.

“So, uh, how?” She said softly.

“Well I was with a person about three years back that said she could see colors when I laughed. I figured that I was just actually colorblind. I mean I heard it happens, you have a soulmate but still can’t see. I took her at her word. I guess I shouldn’t have, considering.”

Yevelda crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed by Maeve, “I’m so sorry that happened. No one should be treated like that.”

“Yeah. And the cherry on the pie is that she controlled me. She used dominate person on me and forced me to do some horrendous things,” Yevelda could hear the formation of tears in Maeve’s voice.

“That’s why you said you hated soulmate magic,” Yevelda placed a gentle hand on their shoulder, “You deserve better than that. No one as wonderful as you should have ever been treated like a plaything.”

“You don’t have to growl on my behalf. It was a long time ago, and I have been dealing with it as best I can. It’s over and done with,” Maeve shrugged the hand from her shoulder, “Anyways, I’m sorry that you didn’t want this bond. If you want to leave, you can, but just know that I’m not going to push this. You’re really one of my best friends, and I don’t want to lose you because of some stupid magic.”

“I thought you didn’t want me.”

Maeve’s head snapped up to look at Yevelda, “What?”

“I’ve been trying to hide the fact that I knew for weeks. When I first saw the color, I was so excited, but then I remembered everything you said about hating the magic. I didn’t want you to feel obligated, or start to hate me. So I vowed I wouldn’t laugh around you, but I let my guard slip tonight. That’s why I panicked and ran. I didn’t want to face your rejection.”

Maeve watched as Yevelda slowly curled in on herself. They had never seen the strong and confident half-orc look so despondent. There was a lot of feelings hanging heavily in the air, and Maeve knew that it was time to lay all of their cards on the table.

“Okay, for clarity’s sake I am just going to tell you everything I can. So, I was bitter about soulmate magic because of my ex who I thought was my soulmate. Once we started to become good friends I began to wish that it had been you the magic had bound me to. When you laughed downstairs, I was not only blown away by the colors but how wonderful that sound was. However, I got mad at you because I thought you were rejecting me and trying to leave. Now we are here, and I want to, possibly, if you want to, start something.”

Yevelda watched the confidence build in Maeve until they hit the final sentence. They were just as scared of rejection as Yevelda was. With a deep breath, she turned toward the halfling a smiled.

“We were fighting in that creepy dungeon under Vlessa when I first heard you laugh. You had killed one of the sorcerer’s by casting vicious mockery and laughing. It was honestly one of the most amazing things I had ever seen. I was so distracted that I got one of the infected was able to catch me off guard, but it didn’t matter because I was so happy to have found you. After defeating it, I remembered that you hated soulmates, and kept my mouth shut. I have only ever wanted to be your friend-”

“Okay, yeah, that’s fine,” Maeve interrupted with a pained smile, “Why don’t we go downstairs and have a drink. We can try to forget this whole ordeal.”

“Let me finish my sentence, you dolt. I wanted to be your friend if I could have nothing else because you are so important to me,” Yevelda held out her hand palm up, “If you want to try something, I want to. Honestly, I’ve wanted to since I knew.”

Maeve slid from the trunk and took a tentative step towards Yevelda. They gingerly placed their palm into Yevelda’s and smiled. With a whoop, Yevelda sprang from the bed and picked Maeve up in one fell swoop. The sound of laughter rang off the walls, the same laughter that brought them together. And it could only be silenced by the more distracting sensation of a first kiss

#Mavelda #DnD #my campaign #soulmate au #these cuties

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