Hakkai
I don't know what shook my soul more: the thunder crashing outside my window or Yoko's screams. I thought I would be used to the screams of a woman but anymore when I hearYoko scream, my breath catches and I can't move. I'm useless to her. OnlyKaiya andEmi can help her in this darkness she's fallen into.
It had been a normal evening for us. I remember Gojyo and Goku fighting over something silly.Emi andKaiya were talking about something, while Sanzo was reading his daily paper. I was in the middle of making up a list of things we needed on our trip. I was about to go out to get them, butYoko volunteered.
"You look tired. I'll go get the supplies." She had said cheerfully.
"That's quite alright. Relax while you have time to. I believe Sanzo said we leave in the morning." I smiled, trying to ease her worry.
"I don't mind going out and getting the things we need. Besides, I need to get some exercise anyways." Yoko protested, putting an arm around my shoulders in a half hug.
"Alright. I know I won't win an argument against you." I chuckled, easing into her embrace.
I gave her the list and told her to be careful. We face danger every day, so it's natural I warn her to be careful. I never expected my warning to come true.
She didn't come back that evening. I went to bed early after much coaxing from Gojyo. He always means well, every since we met that night three years ago. When I woke the next morning,Yoko wasn't there. It was surprising, considering that she wasn't one to stay out all night. The puzzle deepened when she was still gone by lunch. The six of us were completely baffled.
"I'm sure she'll turn up.Yoko might have needed to blow off some steam last night and overslept somewhere. She can be spontaneous at times you know."Emi suggested to me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"I'm fine. Thank you for your concern. We won't be able to continue withoutYoko here, that's all." I smiled, wishing for her to leave me to my thoughts.
Kaiya rushed in at that moment, flushed and panting. Her eyes held a fierceness I rarely saw, except when she was enraged beyond words.
"What the hell's the matter with you?" Sanzo growled in his normal fashion, flipping the page in his paper.
"You look like you've been through hell and back. Wait, you've already done that right?" Gojyo smirked, drinking his tea.
"….I found Yoko." Was all she said, keeping her eyes on the ground.
"Oh really. That's good. We can get on the road now." Gojyo grinned, getting up from his seat.
"I'm sorry.Yoko really isn't in any condition to travel…" Kaiya said slowly.
"What do you mean? Is something wrong with Yoko?" I asked, blinking in confusion.
Kaiya took in deep breaths, unsteady ones. She came over to me and laid a hand on my shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Hakkai…..Yoko is in a really bad way. She… she was raped last night and they found her this morning. She's been in the hospital ever since. I'm so sorry, Hakkai." She had exclaimed rather hurriedly.
That was when my entire world crumbled before me.