Chapter 9: My Dream is...

"Wrong target!" Cried the assassin as the other moved away from Umio.

"Who cares. He jumped in front of the blade." Said the other, "I'll just take it back and try aga-"

The assassin was cut short as a ray of light enveloped Uzume. Orange Heart now stood in her place. Her blue eyes filled with anger.

"Maybe we should..." one of the assassin tried to say, before getting punched by Uzume and flying backwards into a lamp post.

"Shit." managed to say the other, before getting punched towards his partner.

Uzume watched the two assassin stand up and flee in different directions before transforming back and rushing to Umio's side.

"Umio! Umio!" Uzume cried, holding his head in her hands, "Umio, say something!"

Umio weakly raised his hand, touching Uzume's cheek, "I'm so glad… you're safe, Uzume…"

"No. Umio. You can't." Uzume started crying.

Umio weakly shook his head, "Don't cry, I'm here for you."

"Umio! Hang on, I'll take you to the hospital." Uzume said, "I'll take you to Histoire. Someone, anyone! They'll save you. So, please, hang on!"

Umio shook his head again, clutching his stomach with his free hand, "No use… Uzume..." He coughed, "I… never... told you my dream..."

"That's not important now, Umio!" Uzume yelled, "Anyone! Someone! Please help!"

"Uzume..." Umio pulled her face, so she was looking at him, "My deepest wish is to see your dreams come true and to be with you on the day that they do. So, as long as you're... safe…"

Umio coughed again, some blood coming out with it.

"Umio!" Uzume started to yell, "Umio! You can't… You can't die on me..."

"The... beach…Uzume" Umio muttered, "I would love… to be there… once more… with you..."

Umio slowly put his hand on the back of Uzume head, pulling her closer, "Please… Live... Uzume..." and with the final whisper, Umio's hand fell to the ground.

"No… You can't..." Tears started rolling, "You can't… You can't die… You can't..."

Uzume looked at Umio's blank expression. Placing his hand on his face and closing his eyes.

"Umio!"

UMIO!

Month 3, Day 13. 13:40

Uzume mournfully stared at Umio's grave. Histoire was floating next to Uzume. They were both dressed in similar black clothes.

The waves of the sea crashed silently behind them. The grey clouds blocking the light.

Umio had been buried in the beach. His favourite place. Uzume had insisted to Histoire that they buried him there.

"I'll be going to the Basilicom now, Uzume." Histoire said, "You may stay here all you like."

Uzume nodded, still looking at the stone grave. The name Umio written in orange letters.

As Histoire floated away, she turned to Uzume one last time, "I'm… Sorry, Uzume..." She said, before floating away towards Planeptune.

Once Histoire was away, Uzume collapsed on the sand. Her eyes filled with tears.

"Why, Umio, Why?" She cried, "That was supposed to be me."

Uzume slowly stood up and sat next to the grave, looking at the ocean with tears in her eyes.

It's a pleasure to work with you!

You did great, Lady Uzume.

D-date? This is… Not a date, Lady Uzume.

I wish to know your dream, Lady Uzume.

Uzume! Let's make this a wonderful nation!

Uzume. I would follow you to the end of the world.

Lady Uzume!

I'm glad to have met you, Uzume

Uzume. I brought you a gift. I thought you'd like it.

This? Oh. They're orange tulips. They're my favourite. They remind me of you. Haha. I made you blush this time, Uzume.

Let's wake up, together.

Uzume, watch out!

I'm so glad… you're safe.

My deepest wish is to see your dreams come true and to be with you on the day that they do.

Uzume remembered Umio's smiling face. His calm expression. His brown hair. His stoic black eyes that Uzume could get lost staring into. Uzume silently wept. Remembering all the good times with Umio. The moments they shared. Teasing Umio…

"I miss you, Umio..."

Month 3, Day 20. 13:23

"Uzume." Histoire called, "You've been in your room for a week."

Uzume didn't reply.

"Uzume, I understand that you're grieving the death of Umio, but I do believe it is not healthy to lock yourself in your room." Histoire said, "... I'm leaving your food out here. At least eat, okay?"

The room's door unlocked. Uzume came out looking dead. Her orange eyes unfocused, red and puffy. Her hair was undone and messy, sticking into the air in strange ways. She was wearing her regular clothes, but her buttons were undone, showing her underwear. Uzume looked at Histoire with regret in her eyes, grabbing the tray of food half-heartedly.

Histoire watched Uzume go back to bed with the tray of food, slowly eating the noodles she had prepared for her.

"Uzume." Histoire approached her, "I'm… Sorry. I might seem a bit cold towards your grief, but I'm trying to help you continue your life."

Uzume nodded, not paying attention to Histoire's words.

"Uzume, the assassins will try again." Histoire added, "I don't know when, but they will."

Uzume blinked in Histoire's direction, half paying attention now.

"I really don't want you to die, Uzume." Histoire said, "The solution I proposed before still stands. I'm sorry, Uzume. You didn't deserve this..."

Uzume stared at Histoire, her head dropping, "-al me."

"Huh?" Histoire looked up at Uzume, "Uzume, did you…?"

"Seal me, Histoire." Uzume repeated.

"I understand…" Histoire replied.

"What's the point anymore?" Uzume muttered, "The world hates me."

"That is not true, Uzume." Histoire said, before quickly changing the subject, "I see I've approached you at a wrong time. I will give you until tomorrow to think your decision through."

Histoire floated away from Uzume's side, leaving her room.

Histoire sat down on one of the Basilicom's seats, staring up at the grey clouds through the glass roof.

"Uzume..." Histoire muttered, "Please… Don't fall into despair."

21:34

"Uzume, are you in there?" Histoire knocked on her door, "I'm coming in."

Histoire pushed the door, looking at Uzume's empty room. Histoire noticed the open window blowing cold air in.

"Uzume..."

Uzume had flown away. She was flying away to the beach. She had to see him one last time.

She landed near Umio's grave. She transformed back into her human form before sitting next to the grave.

"Hey, Umio." Uzume smiled softly, "I came to visit."

Uzume stared at the horizon, looking across the dark blue sea. Stars reflecting off its surface.

"I've decided to be sealed, Umio." Uzume said, "Uzume won't be able to visit you again."

Uzume looked at her side, acting as if Umio was there, "It won't be long, I promise!"

Uzume stared at the crescent moon grinning down on her, "Don't worry. I won't forget about you, Umio." She said, "I'll be thinking about you."

Uzume grabbed some sand and let it fall through her fingers, "So, please, Umio, wait for me, okay?" She smiled, "It will be quick, like a flash."

Uzume leaned back, holding herself with her hands, looking up at the sky, a single tear streaked down her face.

"I'm sure, one day, we'll be together again..."