The Promise

With the abrupt departure of Chu Yueli,, a strange awkward silence descended between Itachi and Qingyue.

With light footsteps, Itachi took a seat in the courtyard while hanging his hands outside his robe, remembering his old habit.

Xia Qingyue followed Itachi, taking a seat across him in an elegant posture. Her lavender eyes looked mesmerizing while her gaze seemed absentminded. The picture of Xia Qingyue in those simple blue robes with her absentminded gazed brought Itachi into a reminiscing mood.

The memories that hadn't been ignited for the previous day suddenly attacked him in his mind making him relive memories that felt strangely familiar to him. All of them were related to Xia Qingyue. A few moments passed on the outside world, while on the inside, Itachi's heart went through an abrupt ride, reliving moments with Xia Qingyue as Yun Che. When he finally shook himself out of the last memory, a drop of sweat could be seen on his normally nonchalant visage. He redirected his gaze at Xia Qingyue who appeared the same as before, lost in her own thought process. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he sighed while thinking internally in relief.

'As I suspected, it seems Yun Che's memories are merging with my own. This felt too much real, just like that time. Somehow, whenever I have come in contact with any of the memories of someone, our souls start merging completely letting me experience everything not just in a third person's perspective but in Yun Che's body himself. I have to be more careful or I would lose my sense of self and start acting like Yun Che with enough time'. With a sudden shiver at the thought of him acting like the lecherous pervert Yun Che, Itachi refocused his attention on the 'Heavenly Beauty' of Xia Qingyue. Her cold demeanour appeared somewhat relaxed, giving her a gentle and radiant light making the picture of perfect beauty.

Itachi silently admired her face that appeared somewhat lost at the moment. Contrary to what most people had thought of him, he wasn't a completely stuck up Uchiha. Neither was he oblivious to the appeal of beauty nor to the charm of women. After all, at some point, he even had a lover in Izumi Uchiha. However, his destiny had never allowed him to have much of what he wanted. Yet, he had to admit that since he arrived in this world, he strangely began desiring things that he never would have considered otherwise.

Itachi stopped his musing while he thought about what to tell her just before their long separation from each other.

The sound of a throat clearing brought Xia Qingyue who had been busy in her own little world back to the present. She was startled out of her thoughts focusing her attention directly on the perpetrator of the sound in silent askance.

Seeing that he had her attention, Itachi tried to look at her with a somewhat honest expression on his normally stoic face while complementing : "What are you frowning so hard about?..." Reluctantly taking a page from the perverted Yun Che's handbook, he continued: "…. It is kind of ruining your beautiful countenance."

At Itachi's words, Xia Qingyue's normal countenance immediately grew flustered as she tried to calm down her raging heart while pointing her slender flawless jade fingers at him saying in stuttering voice , "W-What are y-you talking about so suddenly."

With a sudden thought, she continued in a somewhat angered tone, "Are you trying to tease me with your sudden compliments?"

Itachi himself was cringed by his comment but he had exposed so much about himself to her so that they could form an actual friendship that would eventually be useful when they went to the Realm of the Gods in the future. He was a master manipulator, yet he had come to realize that sometimes honesty was the best tool for manipulation. If only he had been more honest about his thoughts with the people around him, he wouldn't have failed in such a manner. He wanted to try a different approach with Xia Qingyue, she was really similar to the old him in many ways.

With a shift of his hands under his chin, Itachi continued remarking her in a considering voice as if he hadn't sensed her anger at all , "Since this might be our last day with each other, I should just be more honest. Shouldn't you do the same?" At the end of his questioning, he stared straight at her mesmerizing lavender eyes waiting for her response in silence.

Itachi's sudden question stupefied her, she had at first thought he was just trying to mess with her, so she had acted with anger. However, his attentive gaze upon her brought a strange emotion inside her, invading the inner walls of her icy heart. Hence, secretly melting the walls, without her knowing . While attempting to understand the meaning behind his suggestive questioning, Xia Qingyue started fidgeting on her spot while breaking her gaze away from Itachi's staring. She gained control on her rampant running emotions, refocusing her attention on him. Instead of responding immediately she considered his question.

'To be honest.... but what exactly should I be honest about? What could he possibly mean by that?'

She honestly didn't understand what he meant as such she finally relented with a frustrated expression upon her beautiful face. Her her eyebrows slightly brought together, she replied in a frustrated voice, "I really don't understand what you mean by that? Should I be more honest with you? What exactly should I be more honest with? I haven't lied to you about anything else other than what I have already told you."

Itachi grew curious about the changes that his presence had brought in her. Thus, he merely wished for her to be more honest with herself. Since the moment he had met her, it occurred to him he had constantly seen a conflicting battle in her eyes. It always seemed like she was trying to not say what she actually thought at the moment. Even now, he could feel that she somehow understood what he meant by being honest. Since that was the case he decided to show what exactly he meant.

"Since you don't get it, I will just show you how ...when I was a child, I think, just about four years old, I was brought to a war zone by someone to show me the true meaning of war and the fragility of life. The battlefield was not quite like what I imagined it to be. I had always heard that a battlefield was a place for true warriors to show their strength, courage, and valour but I didn't discover much of any such emotion in the eyes of any of the men who engaged in that particular battlefield. All that I ever saw there was--death. And, death isn't glorious at all, it only spawns utter despair and fear. The greater you desire life, the more you fear death. That fear of death brings forth true despair destroying all sense of reason leaving nothing but an ultimate desire to live. On the battlefield, when a person comes to realize that death is near, that is when the true battle becomes. The desperation to live renders all emotions suppressed leaving an incoherent beast with nothing but instinctual response of survival. Around this beast in human form, death spreads inviting fear of itself in others around it leading for it to spread all over the so-called glorious battlefield. And just like that a place to earn glory is transformed into a true hell."

" The only thing that a survivor from that hell learns is to fear death and the will to live beyond anything else. Of course, I suppose, I wasn't really intelligent enough to understand something so complex, or rather simple at the time. And so, when I came back from that hell, I went to a cliff in an attempt to understand the hell that I had witnessed. In that moment, life almost seemed meaningless to me. I just couldn't understand if people desired to live then why did they promote war? War is nothing but death. This contradiction brought me to a standstill and before I knew it l had jumped off the cliff falling downwards I saw a bird trying to protect its offspring. That was the moment I realized something I had entirely ignored before, life wasn't just about protecting ourselves...Yes I wasn't alone…just like that I had something that could bring true meaning in my life. The people in that battlefield did come for glory but ultimately just like that bird they were fighting as a beast to survive not just for themselves but for something....or rather someone. Our life and death effects more than just us, life has meaning only when you have something to protect. Yes! Life can be cruel but the presence of something precious makes it worthwhile and meaningful. So, what makes your life meaningful?"

Itachi finished with a melancholic voice on his otherwise stoic face, retracting his gaze away from her he merely stood up from his seat abruptly changing the topic while saying, "Anyways, it's almost evening. I should go and inform Xiao Lingxi of her departure with you…. ." Without waiting for a response from her, he walked away with slowly and steady steps leaving her entranced with his previous words.

Xia Qingyue who had become too engrossed with his words was startled, barely reacting to Itachi's farewell before he was gone beyond the door. Though his words somehow became stuck in her heart. Internally, she tried to grasp the meaning behind him telling such words to her. She grew more and more confounded with Itachi's constant confusing words to her. She had already forgotten about everything else. With his words, constantly prodding her heart, before long she had become entirely re-lost in immense thought...….

It had unwittingly become seven in the evening. This was the time after dusk, and the entire Xiao Clan was peacefully preparing for the arrival of Xiao sect clan members. The sounds that of young members could be heard like the buzzing of insects.

In the slightly dark courtyard , from Xiao Lingxi's room came a light *creak* sound and, following that sound, the securely closed house door slowly opened. A petite shadow slowly snuck out and, after peering at the surroundings for a while, quickly ran and fled outside.

The shadow hadn't been able to step outside the courtyard gate when a tall, slightly lean figure suddenly appeared in front of her. The sound of a girl's cry of alarm rose up, then soon after came a solemn voice, lowered with great effort: "Lingxi, where are you going?"

…....…...........….

In the room inside Itachi's courtyard, Xia Qingyue had already traded her blue white robes for a simple plain nightdress with purple shades glinting in the slightly dark room. She had remained ingrained in thought for a long time after his departure.

Xia Qingyue quietly turned towards the ceiling while rethinking his words. , her gaze trembled with a complex expression…

Ever since she joined Frozen Cloud Asgard, she had decided to suppress her feelings and desires for a lifetime. Never did she think that there would be a day where she would be sleeping in the same bed as a man. Before marrying Itachi, she wouldn't allow even his slightest touch…But now, she was sleeping in the same bed as him. Not only that, there wasn't much unwillingness in her heart…

What's wrong with me? Don't tell me it's because I feel something towards him?Maybe…

Her thoughts agitated, she unwittingly also sank into her dreams.

---------------------------------------------

After an undetermined amount of time had passed, the silence of the room was broken by the creak of a door opening.

With the slight sound, a raven-haired figure slumped inside the room while unhurriedly taking out the cloak around him while entering the side room to get his clothes.

After a short while Itachi came out in a simple robe, his attention was instantly drawn towards Xia Qingyue who had woken up probably due to the sounds he had made.

Xia Qingyue peeked at Itachi in a somewhat flustered state of mind, she had been thinking about talking to him when he arrived but she had unwittingly fell asleep. When Itachi had opened the door her sleep was broken since she had always been a light sleeper anyways.

"Sorry, I suppose I could have been more silent but I just didn't expect you to be asleep so soon" apologized Itachi. He came close to his side of the bed while asking seriously, "Can I still sleep on the same bed or not"

Xia Qingyue responded while trying to look elsewhere, "It's fine…. I wasn't asleep for too long. " with a side ways glance at Itachi she continued, "As for your other question, we can share the bed the same as the previous day though…"

Before she could finish her response, Itachi had already taken a seat near her on the bed. Xia Qingyue unconsciously moved a bit away from his presence unexpectedly feeling a foreign sense of emotion in her heart.

Xia Qingyue laid down on the outside half of the bed, her back facing Itachi, hiding her current expression from him.

Itachi quietly laid down, his breathing also became exceptionally steady… he peacefully appeared to have fallen asleep.

Xia Qingyue quietly turned towards him. Seeing Itachi's face close at hand, her gaze trembled with a complex expression…

After trying and failing to understand the intention behind why he had told her what he did, Xia Qingyue eventually realized his meaning.

Life is meaningless without having something to protect. And what did she have to protect ?Or rather did she even desire to protect anything or anyone at all. The only goal that she had made out of her life had been to find her mother and reunite her separated family. And for that to happen, she had to obtain enough strength to reach the place called the realm of gods. Just from the name itself she could imagine that it wouldn't be place for ordinary mortals. How could she reach such a place unless she gave up everything else she desired.

She had something to cherish and protect. She wanted to protect her only remaining family while at the same time increasing her strength enough so that one day she could find her lost mother. Unexpectedly, she met Itachi just before her journey had truly began. And his words made her hesitant about her decision.

Xia Qingyue's staring contest was broken by a calm voice, startling her completely.

"If you continue to keep staring at me like that, I won't be able to sleep till the morning." Turning his face towards her sideways to her surprise, he continued "If there is something in particular that you wish to tell me. I am willing to listen."

Xia Qingyue's face mostly expressionless face showed her sudden surprise. She had thought that Itachi had been fast asleep. She didn't have a particular reason to stare at him now that she was unexpectedly caught her mind scrambled to find a valid reason but she couldn't think straight.

In the end, she just sighed internally while retracting her gaze away from Itachi towards the ceiling, she replied with a question of her own, "How long have you been awake for? I thought you were already asleep. I am sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable I-I was-s just-t..." she turned back to Itachi trying and failing to say the next words, " I me-ean …what you said....in the evening...."

Itachi interrupted her while looking at her straight in the eyes. His piercing black eyes penetrated directly into her face stopping her sloppy words , "Forgive me, I didn't mean to upset you. As for what I said in the evening, I just meant for you to be more honest, not to me, but to yourself...…I can see that you desire something very difficult to achieve, but before before you lose sight of everything you have now, you must ask yourself…Is what you wish to reclaim truly above all of what you desire now? Can you truly give up everything in your present now to reforge the broken past? Or rather is giving up your present worth it to gain the past that you have already lost? Be honest with yourself and you will know the answer to the problem. Life is meaningless if you have nothing to protect."

Suddenly, it was like a thunder rang out in her heart, what she hadn't been able to understand up until this moment even after wrecking her mind for a whole day, she finally could understand it now. Her beautiful lavender eyes grew a bit misty just thinking about her present that she was about to give up when she left tomorrow for the Frozen Cloud Asgard to chase her past. Her present lied with her father and brother but she had neglected them for years now instead trying to look for a way to reunite her family all the while not realizing that she was the one who had ended up breaking her remaining family as well. Instead of vying for strength to get her lost mother she should fight to protect her present, only then could her life be filled with meaning. That is what he meant when he said "Life is meaningless if you have nothing to protect.". She finally understood his words. But could she really do that? The rules of her sect certainly didn't allow for her to do so. Feelings and emotions, even the familial ones were not allowed to manifest when practising the frozen cloud arts.

Her unasked query was answered without needing to ask, " You just need to become strong…..Strong enough for the rules to not matter at all…Though, until your strength is not enough… forge a heart of ice unaffected by any wind. Of course, never lose sight of your true self while pursuing it…." With that, he smiled while at her while turning back towards facing the ceiling, closing his eyes he said, "Huh, we should really sleep now or you will be late, Good night, Qingyue"

Itachi's words brought a sense of unexpected relief to her turbulent heart that had been raging with waves all day. That relief calmed down her heart...….while keeping her gaze fixed at the ceiling she murmured in a very low tone," …True desire huh,....". The sound of her voice was low enough to be heard by no one in the quiet darkness of the room. Her thoughts now calm, she unwittingly also sank into her dreams with her mouth slowly curled upwards in a slight hint of a tiny smile. She didn't realize that being able to fall asleep so quickly with a man clearly laying right next to her meant that unconsciously, her heart already did not hold any feelings of wariness or rejection towards Itachi….

….............…..

This nap had Itachi sleeping until just before sunrise. When he opened his eyes, Xia Qingyue was already gone from his side. Her figure was also nowhere to be found inside the room.

He had rested for an entire night without stress, his body felt refreshed. Itachi got up, letting out a heavy sigh and he thought out loud, " It's morning already…. I must have gotten a bit too comfortable….Excessive sleep, that's something I haven't been able to get in a long time. I should be more careful in the future"

"However, this might be the last time that I could sleep this peacefully before I must embark on the path of cultivation. So, I suppose, it should be fine ."

Itachi got off the bed and changed his clothing. After taking off his outer garments, he held the pendant hanging around his neck, momentarily dazed… On the first day of his rebirth, his overlapping memories gave him an immense suspicion concerning the nature of this special Sovereign Profound Level . He already knew everything concerning Yun Che since the moment his soul was fused with his in that imperceptible barrier between worlds. The moment when he occupied Yun Che's soul was exactly the instant in the possible future when Yun Che activated the Mirror Of Samsara's ability to reset the state of the karma of the world prior to twenty years ago. Of course, that was the reason why Itachi had the advantage of precognition. Since Itachi had already occupied Yun Che's physical body in this world, he had experienced his memories form a third person's perspective letting Itachi retain his original personality but he feared that gradually his soul would fuse with Yun Che's letting him feel all the pain, love, hate, anger, bitterness…that had been felt by Yun Che over the years. It may even lead to a complete change in his personality. However, apart from being utterly cautious there wasn't much he could do about it for now...…

After changing his clothes, Itachi immediately entered the Sky Poison Pearl. Inside the emerald green world, a scarlet haired girl was still peacefully sleeping in the same bed while in a protective posture, showing no signs of waking up.

Since she hadn't woken up, Itachi merely still left the Mirror Of Samsara with her.

Having changed into a set of casual clothing, he gave his body a stretch. Suddenly, an alluring and delicious smell passed in front of Itachi's nose, causing him to retract his vision towards the smell. He followed the smell and, upon seeing a pot of soup on the table, he sat down at the table. As he opened the lid, a gust of steam accompanied by a seductively delicious smell slowly rose up.

"Ginseng and chicken soup… Ah! Something's are just meant to happen " Itachi's stomach immediately rumbled. He picked up the chopsticks and started eating the food. After he ate for a while, the front door was pushed open, Xia Qingyue entered the door. Today she had traded her water-blue clothes the previous day for a bluish-white dress embroidered with the same phoenix design. She seemed like a princess of a heavenly realm….

Xia Qingyue walked through the door, her steps very graceful highlighting her still developing lustrous body.

"It was really good ." Itachi said.

Xia Qingyue mouth curled upwards while she replied expressionlessly, "It isn't anything special, I was making one for myself and ending up making extra so I left it for you" Afterwards, she continued her excursion to go outside and wait for her master since she would be arriving anytime now.

Itachi similarly stood up and followed her to the outside since Xiao Lingxi would be arriving anytime now. He had already informed her the previous night about everything and told her to come early in the morning. It had been hectic to explain and hard for her to conceive why she had to go away but eventually she calmed down while asking him to promise her to take her back as soon as he was able to.

Tomorrow was the day of arrival for the people from the Xiao Sect. News of the Xiao Sect's arrival not only affected the Xiao Clan, but had also immensely affected all of Floating Cloud City.

Itachi and Xia Qingyue arrived in the courtyard of the clan compound and took their respective seat to simply wait for the arrival of others.

Following a moment of silence, Itachi asked Qingyue tilting his head curiously at her, " Have you said your goodbyes to father-in-law and brother-in-law since it will be quite sometime before you meet them again. So, be sure to properly say your goodbyes if you haven't already."

Xia Qingyue nodded slightly, as mixed emotions ran through her head. Her talk with Itachi the day before had made her realize a bit about the importance of maintaining familial relations and she had woken up early in the morning to visit her father and brother and inform them considering her plans to leave today with her master. Though her father merely wished her a tearful goodbye while telling her to take care of herself and visit when she could but she could still see the longing and unwillingness that he hid in her eyes. Thus, she vowed to one day return back to her family.

She replied swiftly to his inquiry, " Yes, I already met them in the morning while informing them of our departure" With that she turned silent not speaking again.

"That's good" Itachi simply nodded to her instantaneous short reply. Hopefully, today jasmine might awaken if everything went as expected and his long and hard journey could finally begin. If he was completely honest with himself, he was now kind of hopeful and curious to discover this new world in actuality. Though, Yun Che's memories provided him with a lot of knowledge yet he still wanted to experience it for himself.

Itachi was reminded of something that he had wanted to give Xia Qingyue before they parted ways for good. He stood up from his seat wordlessly intending to give it to her.

Xia Qingyue's gaze was drawn towards his abrupt departure but soon she resumed her musing while Itachi when inside the room.

Once inside the room Itachi took out 500 grams of Purple Veined Divine Crystal from the Sky Poison Pearl while keeping it in a ordinary wooden box. He wrapped it in a simple cloth and strode outside.

Xia Qingyue was still calmly sitting in her seat quietly. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden sound of a box being put on the table between her and Itachi's seat.

She squinted her eyes in curiosity towards Itachi silently asking him for the purpose behind him bringing that box to her. "What's this"

Itachi took his seat comfortably while replying in a mysterious manner. " Of course, it's a farewell gift from me to you. As for what exactly it is? Just keep it with you for now, once you reach the Frozen Cloud Asgard you can open it. Though, do remember to ask your master for advice on how to utilize it properly." Finishing his explanation, he pushed the box in her direction expectantly.

Xia Qingyue who hadn't expected to receive a farewell gift from him instantly turned surprised. Although unexpected, it would be quite rude not to accept it, with a tingling emotion bubbling in her icy-heart she received the box to examine it that appeared almost normal and plain without a hint of it being anything special yet she had no doubt it contained something extraordinary.

She brought it close to the space ring on her pale finger with a flash the box vanished to be safely stored in her space ring.

Xia Qingyue redirected her gaze to Itachi thanking him with a sense of longing in her eyes that even she did not understand. "Thank you very much for the gift. Although, I have no idea what is inside. I will surely remember to ask master about it."

With an abrupt change of topic she continued in a firm voice with a hint of nervousness creeping into her mostly emotionless voice. "But you have granted me such a huge favour without me giving you anything of value in return. So, I want to give you something too before leaving, anything you want that I can provide you with right now. Please tell me. Is there anything that I can do?"

Itachi was a bit stunned at her abrupt question his eyes widening just a bit at the way she was asking him. It appeared to him that she herself did not understand the emotion seeping in her voice and eyes. The way she said it he could somehow sense an unexpected desperation in her voice. It felt like that wasn't really what she wanted to ask him. He remained silent for a while, contemplating if there was anything that he could ask from her. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything in particular that came to his mind at the moment but suddenly in the depths of his mind a memory came to his mind bringing a strange wave of emotions into his normally calm mind and before he could stop them his mind was overwhelmed with these sudden emotions. And he understood what she wanted him to ask for.

Xia Qingyue who had been waiting anxiously tried to appear but failed miserably while self-depreciating thoughts deemed to flow in her turbulent mind. She was a proud woman who didn't like to owe any favour to anyone but in just a span of four days since marrying him she already owed him so much. Although she also felt disappointed over the fact that he didn't seem to want anything from her. Not even...

Before she could continue her thought, Itachi stood up from his seat walking around the table to kneel directly in front of her seat without touching her.

Xia Qingyue was startled but she wasn't panicked at all. She understood at least a little about Itachi's character especially since he always seemed so indifferent and even bored with most of the people around him, even her. She gazed at him in silent anticipation while her heart started to beat furiously although she wasn't focusing on it at the moment. Her eyes shined with a misty light waiting for him to speak.

Itachi stared at her mesmerizing eyes getting a bit lost on how to proceed. In the shinobi world, he was known as a power-hungry, vicious and cold betrayer who had abandoned his village, murdered his entire clan and joining the enemy organization working as a rogue shinobi against village. He had desperately tried to hide his true nature that sought nothing more than peace for his village and brother alike. He spent such a long time pretending to be a cold-hearted, emotionless bastard that he had completely forgotten that he was now free of the sins of the past. He could just be himself instead of hiding what he wanted behind the mask of arrogance and indifference. Although, his true nature had never been one of gentleness or warmth but even without that experience he could guess what he needed to do in the current situation. Thus,….

"I have never thought of myself to be someone too prone to emotional exposure but this case seems to be an exception. You and I may have met under strange and maybe even unwanted circumstances yet I think we did well for this to be just a sham marriage. I do respect and admire your willingness to this marriage without much gain to yourself. As for your request to give something to me..... since it will be sometime before we meet again, I suppose you could just give me a goodbye hug." Itachi stood up with a light smile while extending his hand towards her seeking to envelop her in a hug as he added, " ….Of course, that is if you want to fulfill your request. Don't worry, I don't think one hug will really break any of the rules of your sect."

Xia Qingyue's self-depreciating thoughts abruptly came to a halt as she was once again surprised by Itachi's unusual request. Or may be the not so unusual request considering the fact that the two of them were husband and wife, bound by marriage. Although, she had to admit he always managed to surprise her while surpassing her expectations. She ought to have been enraged if anyone asked her to have any kind of physical contact with them least of all---a man, even if he was her husband but instead of anger she felt strangely satisfied along with a small amount of hope igniting in her despondent heart.

Before she could stop herself, her body had already launched itself towards Itachi answering his request through her action instead of words. The moment she stood up, her mind had already blanked out leaving her without much ability to think clearly.

Itachi who had been silently debating with himself whether to pull back or not was astonished when Xia Qingyue blurred in front of him. His hands that had been waiting to envelop her without much hope unconsciously wrapped around her tightly bringing her into a gentle embrace. Although, he didn't have any experience in the department of hugging girls or making much physical contact with them, he still sub-consciously rested his hands on the small of her back where her incredibly silky and long hair hung colliding with his hands.

Xia Qingyue's who had blanked out for a second, came back to herself as she realized she was already in his embrace. Her soft undeveloped bosom squeezed itself tightly against his hard chest while she felt him wrapping his hands around her resting them at her back bringing a tingling shiver down her spine. Instead of feeling unwelcome towards the embrace she contrarily felt content seeping into her entire body relaxing her mind,heart and body entirely. She clumsily rested her soft pale hands just below his shoulders attempting to gather herself together. The tension that had constantly plagued her since meeting her father in the morning was swept away in his gentle embrace. With her hands slowly reaching a bit downwards below his shoulders, she clutched his robes tightly while peacefully resting her head on his chest. The peace that she felt in his arms couldn't be compared with anything she had felt in a long time. She didn't feel repulsed, disgusted or uncomfortable as she ought to have been feeling. In fact, the corners of her lips raised in a warm curve, her gaze trembled with warmth, happiness, comfort… and traces of tender sentiments that even she did not perceive she felt….Being embraced by Itachi like this, she felt a kind of contentment and ease that she had never felt before.

Itachi who had looped his arms around her thin waist, her body that was incredibly thin, especially her delicate waist, it was as slim as a swaying willow. Forget about his arms, even if he used both hands, it was enough for him to easily wrap around her. Embraced within his bosom was a young girl's figure… it seemed that her skin was so fair that even the moon might look weak in front of her. That heart-piercing cold intent that he had felt on the first day he had met her no longer came from her body, a warm, yet somewhat frantic feeling of a young woman replaced it. He closed his eyes readjusting his posture to rest his chin just above her forehead making her head rest comfortably on his collarbone.

Xia Qingyue had never felt such emotion in her entire life. An extremely strange, indescribable feeling permeated her heart and soul, and also spread out through her entire body… It was seemingly a feeling that melted both her mind and body. Slowly, she felt her own body grow increasingly soft until it lost all strength, as she completely put all her weight onto the man's body she was nestling against . A barely discernible low sound came from her lips, "Mn…"

Itachi drew in his arms, causing the girl's body within his embrace to stick even closer. The tender body of the young girl within his sight was white as snow. Her body was soft, delicate and beautiful enough that it made one's heartache. Her snowy shoulders were narrow, her slim waist was supple and her two snowy bosoms with two delicate red, jade beads were tightly pressed against his chest. His face was nestled above silky hair, even his nose could smell a scent that could intoxicate his heart and make him lose his soul.

While the two of them completely forgot about the rest of the surroundings around them, merely basking in each other's presence comfortably. No words were exchanged between them like a understanding had been established in it's place.

Itachi slowly brought his mouth close to her ears, his warm breath could be by felt her, whispering lightly, "I am sorry, I couldn't be a good and proper husband to you…" Qingyue's head on his chest shook as she tried to say something but she was returned to her original position by his gentle hands on her head. He inhaled lowly continuing his words with a melancholic note to his usually emotionless voice, "Let me finish first, then you can say whatever you want to. I know you probably didn't like me a single bit the day we married, although, I do hope I have managed to at least lessen your initial dislike towards me. I can't do the duty of a proper husband….not at the moment anyways. But. You must always remember, we have been bound by marriage not by any priest, marriage certificate,or promise but fate itself. And fate is abstract, unreasonable to all, we can futilely attempt to make sense of it by predicting outcomes based on physical or even emotional variables, but, in the end it amounts to nothing more than a willful fantasy….leaving us with two choices either to accept it or to fight against it….. And so, you don't need to analyse it. All that you need to understand is whether it is what you want or not. If it is, then simply accept it without needlessly struggling."

"I have made up mind to accept this fate instead of running away from it. We are husband and wife….and so, l will always be there for you even if you do hate me. Though we may have to part ways now, we will meet again….soon, I hope then, you can share with me the worries that plague your heart. As for the rules and regulations that we must abide by, you don't need to worry about that. In this world, there is a rule that stands above all others, it is the supreme law---Strength. Yes, strength can bend and disrupt every single rule in this cruel world. We will become strong enough to break the rules of fate and stand above these pesky rules…." Itachi gently brought one of his from behind her back, moving a bit backwards to create some space between them he flicked her forehead while commenting".…..Until then, Be well."

Xia Qingyue had already become absorbed in his words, awoke from her stupor when her forehead was gently flicked by Itachi. She looked confused as to why he did that but she was entranced by his black eyes upon her visage, suddenly she was aware of the almost non-existent distance between them. In an attempt to save her from the beating of her heart she rested her head just above his chest, her head easily stuck below his chin while closing her eyes that felt moistly she whispered in a very low voice, " I will...I promise as your wife….." She didn't speak after that. She had already lost the courage to talk anymore, her emotions that she was supposed to keep locked away were running rampant engulfing her entire heart in a fierce storm.

Itachi barely heard her low mutter but the determination behind her voice brought a sense of calm to his hesitant demeanour. His hesitance stemmed from Xia Qingyue's tendency to lose her composure concerning anything emotional. But with her promise, he could freely try to interfere in the future, since it wasn't unwelcome now.

In the middle of courtyard, the two of them stayed like that in each other's embrace for a while forgetting the concerns around them.

Until, Itachi released her gently by unwrapping his arms form around her. He took a step back from her, releasing her from his embrace.

Xia Qingyue felt Itachi release his hands from her back. She also retracted her hands from his shoulders while moving a bit backwards awkwardly. Instead of looking at him she tried to focus her eyes on something else, becoming very interested in discovering something distracting for her unstable mind.

However, she didn't have to find something distracting since a shout came from outside the courtyard before two peoples voices sounded out.