Day & Night

The Wisteria's Dream

Tsukie's POV

I sat up, gasping for air and touching my body. Was I dead? I looked around me and saw the Wisteria forest that was near the master's home. I was in my pajamas and my father's old haori.

"Where am I?" I said out loud, knowing I wasn't going to get a response.

"You're in your subconscious," I slowly turned to see a younger version of myself, and I screamed out of shock.

"So, I'm not dead?" I said as the younger version of me smacked my forehead.

"No, you idiot! We are not dead, just in a deep sleep, like a coma," she said, pouting just like I did when I was younger. Of course, she would; this is still me, just younger.

"What's happening?" I finally asked, holding my head.

"You're recovering. You put our body through a lot of stress and trauma in a short amount of time. We almost died, but we survived," she, I, whatever said. "The reason we are here is because you find peace in your younger years; We actually look like a little whisp," she said, smiling.

"We all do!" I jumped seeing my teenager self.

"I might like the whisp, better, less frightening," I said as my two selves turned into small blue whisps.

They moved around giggling, which creeped me out because it was my own voice laughing. "Follow us!" They said as I walked through the forest with them. There was a lot of nostalgia in this forest, and I couldn't help but smile. I remember when my father and Oji brought me here when I was just a child, they would take me to some of the meetings. Then, just as I thought it, the image misted up, and I saw the slightly younger men, my father holding me, as they shared a conversation.

"Father? Oji?" I called out and turned to the whips, confused. "What was that?"

"A memory you cherish. Remember practicing meditation and total concentration with Oji?" One of the Whisp said as I nodded. "Look up at the white orb that resembles a moon; that's your spiritual core. This is where Oji was trying to get you to come. Almost like a reset or rest for your body, mind, and soul."

I hummed to myself and thought of some more memories. The images of Kyojuro and me appeared first as children playing, then as teenagers going into the final selection, and then us before our twentieth birthday talking to each other about love and life. A tear fell as I observed these memories. I sat down, going through all the memories that I could. We were so close; we talked about anything and everything. I didn't know how long I sat there, and I didn't care. I was enjoying these memories. More and more whisps surrounded me, and the softest of footsteps approached. I looked up, seeing myself.

"What are you going to do?" It, me, asked.

"About?" I asked myself.

"Him," the voice was stern. "Are you going to forgive him?"

I looked at the memories appearing and disappearing like mist around me. "I want to, but that trust, our bond... he cut everything off so easily. How can I...." I stopped shaking my head.

"Talk to him. Put him in one of those interrogation rooms and make him talk," the other me said, and I can't believe I did think about that. "Ready to wake up?"

"No," I said, not ready to face the world and everyone in it.

"Well, too bad because you need to go. You've been asleep for a long time," my other self said as the world around me was growing dark. I could hear a voice but couldn't make out the words being spoken.

"I'm right here," I heard a familiar voice, slowly opening my eyes to see his face so close to mine. "I'm not leaving you, not again, not ever."

My heart stopped hearing those words. Did he really just say that? Am I still asleep?

"Kyo..." I whispered, tears filling my eyes.

His owlish eyes snapped open, meeting mine in surprise. I let out a shaky breaking feeling the pressure in my lungs and chest.

"Hey, hey Tsukie," he said, pulling away with a sweet smile that I missed so much. "I'm sorry, did I wake you?" His hand left my cheek, sitting up but still holding my hand. Was this all some twisted dream? Did the past few months actually happen?

"N-no, I-" I tried sitting up more and groaned from pain and stiffness of my body.

"Tsukie, stop, you are in no condition to be moving around, just stay still," Kyojuro said lightly, brushing my other arm. "Here, let me get one of the Kocho sisters and inform them that you're awake,"

He released my hand and got up, pulling out his phone. I looked around the room, getting to know my surroundings better. That's right, I was in the hospital. How long was I out? Is it still the same day? It couldn't be, but maybe it could because it was dark outside. The room was filled with balloons and flowers, which showed some age on them. I groan again, feeling the pain in my shoulder. I look around more, noticing Kyojuro wearing lounge clothing. The bags and laptop on the bench under the window caught my attention. Was he staying here? Looking over at the pillow and blanket beside me on the recliner confirmed that question. Maybe our families or Hashira were taking shifts, and it was his turn? I covered my face, hunching over, still groaning in pain from the movements and the oncoming headache.

"Tsukie, drink some water; your mouth must be dry," I flinched, feeling his hand rubbing my back as I slowly looked up. The look of concern crossed his face.

I took the cup and downed the water that tasted like heaven. Kyojuro took the cup from me and filled it up again as I consumed the water again. I wasn't thirsty, but my mouth felt like someone stuffed cotton balls in there, and I wanted that taste out. I looked up at him, confused, and he just smiled softly, but his eyes showed sadness. The click of the door gained my attention when Shinobu walked in.

"Well, hello Tsukie, good evening," she said, smiling at me. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I was hit by a train," I said softly, trying to get my voice back, my vocal cords trying to work after not being used.

"Being thrown against concrete walls and almost being ripped apart will do that to you," she said with her own smile. I loved Shinobu and considered her a very close friend, but she creeped me out a little.

She went over my diagnosis from my injuries, how long until I could go home, and the rehab schedule for my shoulder. At some point, I turned my head, looking over at Kyojuro, who was listening to what Shinobu was saying intently.

"I know you just woke up and all, but I'm going to put you back to sleep. You should wake up tomorrow, ok?" She asked, and before I could answer, I could feel myself falling back to sleep.