Chapter 4:

After Yumi decided to lay down and get some rest, her mind was going crazy about her talk with her mom. She had some answers, yet so many questions. 

“What does she mean that I should find love? I'm a Hoshira Kunoichi, I don’t have time for distractions like that.”

She thought to herself, yet she still was thinking about some possibilities. Another side of her thought to herself: “What if Mom had a point? What if this is…healthy for me? Why does this have to be so hard!?”

From constantly tossing and turning in her bed and thinking at 100 miles an hour, she clearly didn’t know what to think about this whole situation. 

She was finally able to calm herself down to get some rest, but as she was slowly drifting off to sleep, she started to notice that she was in a crazy dream. She saw herself split into two versions of herself. A version where she is a merciless kunoichi. She was dressed in an all black uniform with blood stains from lives taken by her, and she looked dead inside, hiding her face from anything. On the opposite side of it, a brighter version of her. She was dressed in a pretty school uniform, her hair let loose, and her smile huge, and the cherry on top: Her hand linked with another, an anonymous figure.

“W-who are you two…”

She said, stunned by what she was seeing before her. “Well, we’re…you, Yumi. We just got split up for your own good.”

Yumi looked at them both in confusion. 

“No, this isn’t real, right?”

“It’s not real, this is just a dream, but this could really help you shape who you want to become.”

Yumi gave them an intrigued look, before she quietly said “Go on…”

First was the side that her father had trained her to be: Dark, Mysterious, and grim. Yumi’s kunoichi side stepped first and made her claims. 

“I’m the strong version of you, the one that you built from years of grueling training and taking lives in the dead of night. We don’t have time to have excuses like feelings, we must stick to our task and never falter in the eyes of the clan.”

Yumi was taking in all of the claims of her ninja side. Sure, she's strong and independent, but she comes off as dangerous and emotionless. 

“Am I…really that person right now? Dangerous and Dark, taking innocent people's lives on a daily basis?”

She felt that she was having a reality check in this dream, seeing who she really was and what she would be like in the future, it was scary to see.

On the other side, was the version of her that her mom was telling her about: Bright, Happy, and lively. She gracefully stepped forward with her partner in hand and approached Yumi. 

“Yumi…I am the side that will bring your light to the world. Your mother has told you all about me, from true love and all of the joy that It can bring. I understand that you have been used to being alone in the shadows all of your life, but there's something really special that can come from opening up and building a bond with someone.”

Yumi was stunned by the sight of how bright she could be from her Mom’s advice. 

“Wow… I look really happy. I’ve never really talked to anyone outside of the clan, but if I could be as happy as she is…”

Yumi was clearly interested in how happy she could be if she took her Mom’s advice, and only wished for the best.

As she got further into her sleep, she noticed that her dream started to take a dark turn. Things between the two sides of her started to clash, with her kunoichi side beginning to assert herself and show dominance. Whether it was brutally beating up her other side, torturing her with her ninja tools, and so many more, one thing was clear: Her kunoichi side was so much stronger than her heartfelt side would ever be. Yumi was in shock from what happened. 

“H-How could you do that!? She didn’t do anything wrong!” 

Her kunoichi side stood in front of her heartfelt side with a dead face and quickly drew her katana. Yumi had a slight but certain idea of what was going to happen next, and she tried to stop it, but she was too late. She prepared to slice her, and quietly said something under her breath “There can only be one, and she deserves me…” 

Before Yumi could watch, she immediately woke up from her dream and was left stunned. 

“W-What just happened?” It left her awake and alone with her thoughts all night long. Eventually, Yumi's Mom, being caring as ever, overheard her daughter while she was walking past to go to bed. She gently knocked on the door. 

“Sweetie, are you okay in there? I can hear you shifting around.” 

Yumi quickly tried to tidy herself up a little bit and look like she wasn’t hesitating her life decisions. 

“Y-Yeah Mom! I’m okay! Just go back to bed and we can talk in the morning!”

Yumi tried to stay positive and calm, but her mom could see right through her. 

“Honey… I know when you're lying to me, just tell me the truth…” 

As soon as her mom said her words, Yumi instantly broke down into tears and went to hug her. 

“Mom…I don’t know what to do…”

 “Why do you say that baby?”

 Yumi looked down, with an almost embarrassed look.

 “I just…don’t know what decision to make for you guys. To make you guys…”

Yumi was on the verge of tears before breaking down completely. 

“Yumi…you don’t have to make a specific decision for me and your father to always love you, well maybe not your father…”

Mao tries to playfully joke, despite the situation her daughter’s in. 

“Look honey… I know this whole finding love predicament is new and strange…”

She gently places a reassuring hand on Yumi’s shoulder. “Whatever decision you want to make, I will always be here to support you.” 

Yumi was on the verge of tears from her mom’s proposal. “Mom…What if I…let you down?”

 Mao gave her a soft smile. 

“Honey…You can never not make me proud. You are my daughter, and you make me proud everyday from what you are becoming.” 

That’s what broke her. She immediately latched onto a hug with her mother, tears falling down her face like she never had before. 

“Mom…thank you so much…for everything.” 

Yumi said in between tears and sniffles. 

“You’ve always been there for me, even when I need you most…” 

“Of course when you need me sweetie, I'll always be there to do anything that I can to protect you.” 

Yumi finally gained composure, and looked at her mom with new eyes.

“Mom…I know what I’m going to do.”

“What is that dear?” 

Yumi took one last deep breath, and spoke her words. “I’m going to find love, for you, for me, for who I want to become in the future.” 

Her mom was slightly taken away from her daughter's dream, but gave her reassurance in her smile. 

“Aww, honey…you got this, I promise. Now get some rest, you have a big day tomorrow” 

She said with a wink. As she walked out and gently closed the door, Yumi was left with her new promise, the darkness of the room, and the urgency of the new day to come.

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