❛ MOONSTRUCK ; (adj) unable to think or act normally, especially as a result of being in love
Sometimes it takes a lifetime to understand where one went wrong. Acknowledging one's failures and sins means overcoming one's pride, which - even in...
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"Damn it!" Indra cursed as he sliced down several branches from a tree with a katana. "How could that woman be so shameless and reveal everything to fucking everyone – how could she even dare to involve Shachi in all of this –"
He let the katana fall down to the ground. "Gods how could I have been so foolish to fall for her charms? I should have known better than this."
"No, Indra-san please! There is no need for blaming yourself. The woman used your trust and betrayed you. None of this is your fault!" Zetsu reassured as he appeared out of nowhere.
Looking up into the trees with narrowed eyes, Indra said: "It's you again."
The figure grinned widely at him. "Yes, I came to check on you. Everything went smoothly with Lord Mantus, didn't it? You should be in a much better mood, Indra-san."
He sneered at Zetsu. "Mania's brother is a fool for believing an alliance could make up for what his clansman has done to our village. And his woman is nothing more than a nuisance – a nagging, shameless witch without manners. If it wasn't for the things you've promised me, I'd rather wage war against the Shingetsu than to side with them. I hate surrounding myself with idiots."
Zetsu chuckled. "Everything has its price but believe me this is a small price to pay for the power that awaits you."
"Tell me, Zetsu ... how exactly are those people the key to my grandmother's power? Explain it to me in more detail."
The black figure grinned again, showing off his pointed white teeth. "I see you're curious, Indra-san. That's a good thing." he said. "I believe you remember the story your old man told you about the God Tree and the forbidden fruit Kaguya ate from some sixty years ago?"
Indra nodded.
"See, there still are offsets of the God Tree scattered around the world which hold some remaining power but compared to what Mantus Shingetsu holds in his hands that power is insignificant. You might think him a fool but he has the God Tree's seed in his possession with which Kaguya's power could be revived." the dark figure explained. "Of course it doesn't belong to him. The rightful owner is you, Indra-san."
"I see ..." Indra contemplated. "This sounds indeed quite interesting. I just hope you're telling me the truth." he threatened.
"Oh, Indra-san – haven't I always been the one being faithful to you when it comes to increasing your power? Your sharingan? Your extraordinary jutsu? Of course it's all innate talent but it has always been me to make you aim higher."
Indra could not deny him that. "Fine, I believe you." he admitted. "But tell me, Zetsu do I have to play pretend with that foolish king for much longer?"
"Please be patient. The time you'll wield Kaguya's power will come soon."
.
"I can't believe you're bootlicking that bastard! He's an arrogant prick and a misogynist. How could you fail to notice that?!" Persipnei ranted as she took off one of her high-heeled shoes.
"I don't like him, either." Mantus replied quite annoyed by his wife's outburst. "But for the sake of my plan I have to remain polite towards him; something you should do, too."
She threw the shoe at her husband, missing him only by an inch. "You are insane! He treated your sister like a whore, nearly killed my cousin and forbade me to speak multiple times. Yet, all you see is getting your hands on that power. Isn't protecting your family– in whatever way – your first priority? Where is your pride, Mantus?" Persipnei spat at him.
Unlike his twin sister, Mantus was a calm and serene person who remained unfazed even by the most outrages of insults. His wife was a very emotional and difficult woman sometimes not everyone knew how to handle but he certainly did know.
Mantus let out a sigh as he rose from the chair by the fireplace, heading for the door.
"Wait! Where the hell are you going? I'm talking to you!" Persipnei shouted after him.
"Looking how Mania's doing. Since you got her quite drunk tonight I should look after her." Mantus teased on purpose as he grabbed the door's handle.
"Why now? I order you to fucking stay and listen to me!"
He had to chuckle inwardly. Persipnei hated to be ignored and doing so always got to her.
"Maybe I will if you calm down a little ... " he suggested, shrugging his shoulders while he looked at her.
"Okay, fine; you win; I calm down." she said defeated. "But I want you to talk to me, my dearest."
Mantus walked over to where she was seated on a king-sized bed, sitting down next to her and taking her delicate hands in his. "Listen to me, my love: I understand why you're upset. The way he talked to you or what he did to Mania should not go unnoticed but Indra Otsutsuki is a dangerous man and not easily fooled, therefore I need to be careful about the way I talk to or address him. I know it's exhausting to play pretend but I promise it'll be over soon. You've heard what Zetsu said; once we are in the Otsutsuki's good graces, we can use them to revive the Divine Tree and claim Queen Kaguya's power." Mantus told her reassuringly.
Still, Persipnei frowned quite worriedly at her husband, saying: "Are you really sure he – no that thing can be trusted? I mean I never really showed it but only looking at that humanoid creature gives me the creeps."
"Zetsu has proven to be loyal. There is no need to worry about his actions. After all it was he who gave me the God Tree's last seed." Mantus reminded his golden-haired consort. "He wants us to awaken that power anew and bring down the Otsutsuki – "
"Who or what is this Zetsu you're talking about?" a familiar female voice interrupted, coming out of nowhere.
"Mania! What the hell are you doing here at that late hour?" Mantus scolded his sister as he watched her enter their chamber elegantly through a small window. A frown graced his features. "And despite that, wouldn't have a simple knock on the door been a more convenient way to enter?"
"I couldn't sleep." she simply stated, ignoring what her brother said entirely. "I went for a little walk to sober up a bit – all that wine had my head spinning – until I walked by your window. If you want my advice, dear brother: if I was you, I wouldn't be that careless and talk about my plan in the enemy's territory." Mania lectured. "But you're lucky; not a soul is outside at this hour so you can continue telling me the details of what you have in mind to revive Otsutsuki Kaguya."