Journey to the Past
By Mayumi Takanashi
Yuki and Kyo sat next to one another in the waiting room, with an empty seat next to Yuki. It had been hours before Tohru had been called in to finally visit her mother, who had undergone serious medical treatments. So far, all they knew was that she was hanging onto life by a thread.
The three had sat in silence while waiting. The only sounds that were uttered from the group were Tohru's whimpers and sniffles. Occasionally, Yuki and Kyo had tried to offer their words of comfort, but they were of little use.
When they had first arrived, the three of them rushed up to the front desk in the emergency ward.
"Please, I need to see my mother!" cried Tohru.
"Name?" asked the woman behind the counter.
"Kyoko Honda," she replied through her cracking voice. The woman began to type at her computer. She took her mouse and scrolled down for a few moments, then turned back to Tohru.
"I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait for a while. She's in treatment presently."
"She wants to see her mom, don't you get that?" yelled Kyo, slamming his fist on the desk.
"Sir, please, calm down!" the woman shouted. Yuki pulled his arm and yanked him away. Kyo gave a snort as he stood back.
Tohru gulped. Then quietly she asked, "And how serious is it?"
The woman checked the computer again.
"Her status is critical condition right now. She's suffered broken ribs, slight impact to the head, fractured bones throughout her body, and so on."
Tohru began to sway from side to side. Yuki and Kyo each grabbed an arm as they lead her to the waiting room.
-Journey to the Past-
Thirty five minutes had passed since Tohru had gone back with her mother. Both Yuki and Kyo were wondering how Tohru was holding up. They were each beginning to get worried.
"I'm gonna go back there myself if she doesn't come out soon," muttered Kyo.
"Maybe we should," said Yuki.
"Yeah, I mean, we're just going to make sure she's alright, right?" reasoned Kyo.
With that, they both stood and made their way down the hallway until they reached the last door, which was where they were told Kyoko was in. They peeked through the window, where they found Tohru sobbing hysterically, her head buried in her arms. She was kneeling next to her mother, who lay with her eyes gently closed.
Yuki and Kyo stepped in timidly. They shut the door behind them, and then they approached Tohru slowly.
"Miss Honda," Yuki whispered, "are you alright?"
"She's...she's..." Tohru began.
The room was absolutely silent as Tohru caught her breath.
"She's dead."