Chapter 2: 

Yumi woke up to her familiar dojo routine. The sounds of the clan’s drums were what woke her up. “Alright…another day, more of the same routine…” 

She said, still half-asleep. She got changed into her training uniform, fixed her hair, and headed downstairs to the training grounds. She was greeted by lower ninjas on her way to the grounds, clearly trying to make a good impression on the best ninja in the clan. 

“The same thing everyday…” 

She thought once more. She went over to the wing chun* and started to do some basic moves. The sounds of other ninja training around her were too familiar to bother her now. Even though she tried to take her mind off of it, she couldn’t help but think about what her mom was talking to her about. “Did you find love?” Always replayed in her mind. Even the word “Love” made her shiver, and not in a good way. 

“Why would she think something like that…It’s so stupid.”

She said, trying to push her mind elsewhere, but it always returned to the back of her mind. The thought even made her mess up one of her routines. She finally decided to grab her towel and take a break from training for a moment

She wiped her face over and over again, trying to get herself straight. 

“Come on, Yumi…why are you off your game today?” She mumbled to herself. 

“Good question.”

Someone said behind her. She turned around immediately, pulling out a pocket Kunai. 

“W-Who’s there?”

“Relax, it’s just me.”

It was Jae, her older cousin. He was basically Yumi’s best friend, since they connected with dojo life, and Yumi could ask him anything. 

“Oh…hey Jae. Sorry if I startled you.”

 “Don’t worry, it takes a lot to scare me. What’s throwing you off today? I saw you throwing a fit at the wing chun.” 

He asked, genuinely concerned. 

“It’s nothing…It’s my mom throwing around the love word again.”

She said, her face curling with annoyance. 

“Yeah, that does sound like her. Why does that make you mad?”

He said while training at the same time. 

“I don’t know why she brings it up all the time. She knows I’m supposed to be a deadly ninja, not some lovesick girl.” 

She said, also training with him as they spoke. 

“I mean, you're a 17 year old girl with no social life, I see where she’s coming from.”

 He teased, making Yumi throw a kick at him. 

“Shut up! This is serious!”

 She exclaimed, not fond of his teasing. 

“Okay okay! Listen, if you want answers in life, you always have to ask.” 

He said. 

“Jae…what does that even mean? Sometimes I don’t get your advice.”

She said, giving Jae a confused look. 

“Trust me, It’ll make sense when it needs to.”

He said. Yumi could only sigh and cover her face with her hands. 

“Jae…I don’t get you sometimes. You think you’re some kind of ancient sensei that knows everything, don’t you?” “Sometimes…” 

He said. 

“Alright…I’ll keep that in mind, I guess.” 

She said.

Yumi walked back to her quarters, still thinking about what Jae told her. 

“It just…doesn’t make sense! How will that help me?” She thought to herself. As she finally got to her family’s quarters, she overheard one of her mom and dad’s conversations. When she peeped her head through the door crack, she saw her parents sitting at the table. Her mom was sitting peacefully and chuckling to her dad, yet her father sat tensely and emotionless.

“You know…I heard what you and Yumi were talking about last night.” 

“What could me and Yumi possibly be talking about last night?”

She said, trying to tease him. 

“I heard the word love being thrown around between you two.”

Her mom basically froze. 

“Honey…I-It was just me teasing her. Why would you think your daughter would possibly see a boy when she’s the kunoichi you raised? You don’t need to think about it so hard.”

“I think about it this much because I won’t stand for it! She is my daughter, and more importantly, the heir to the clan.”

 He shouted, slamming his fist on the table. 

“T-This isn’t that big of a deal, dear…” 

She said, clearly intimidated. 

“It is! I can’t have my number one unit being brainwashed with these tawdry motives! She is to stay loyal to the clan, end of story!” 

He said, shouting right in her face. He walked off to his room, not saying another word, and she was still at the table, on the verge of tears. Yumi was left stunned from the interaction. 

“What…just happened?”

 She thought to herself. She’s seen her dad mad at things before, but never like this. 

“He’s so harsh…especially towards mom…”

She thought, not knowing how to feel.

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