Omi moved through his stances fluidly, as if all his thoughts were being concentrated into practicing right. However, that couldn't have been further from the truth. On the outside Omi seemed together and fine, but on the inside he was a complete mess. The reason for that was Raimundo.
The dragon of the wind had been acting strangely all day yesterday and vanished late last night. Now it was mid afternoon and he had still not reappeared. Omi was use to Rai doing sudden things and disappearing, but usually there would be a note or it would be after Raimundo had a fight with one of his fellow monks or Master Fung.
This time there was nothing, no note, no post it, no call, nothing. He hadn't even had the slightest argument the day. In fact Raimundo seemed to be acting exceptionally nice. Especially to Omi.
All of this had said monk very worried. All of the monks were worried, but they tried to go on with their day, hopping the teen would appear. Still, a nagging in Omi's gut told him that something wasn't right.
Omi's thoughts were disrupted by one of the older Masters racing through the bushes and acrossed the yard. "Master Fung, Master Fung," he old man cried urgently.
"What's the matter, Onchi?" Master Fung asked, raising his eyebrows at the odd behavior.
"We've found the wind dragon," The man announced, bowing quickly to show respect.
Omi immediately perked up at these words. Clay, Kimiko, and Dojo showed their attention to Onchi as well. "You have found Raimundo?" Omi asked excitedly, completely forgetting about what he was suppose to be doing.
It seemed that the old Master had not been aware of the other presences until now. He gave Omi a hard stare, as if debating whether or not they should hear. "Yes...," Onchi answered hesitantly.
"That's excellent news," Master Fung stated.
"Unfortunately the situation is anything but," the man replied, turning his attention back to Master Fung.
It only took but a seconded for Master Fung to realize something was definitely wrong. "Onichi, what kind of problem is it?" he asked, clearly nervous. However Onichi only winced, as if to painful to even speak of. "Kimiko, get a medical kit and wait in Raimundo's room. Clay, I want you to get a a clean blanket from the supplies closet, then find me. Omi, you assist Kimiko and clear space for us in Rai's room."
"But, Master Fung-" Omi began, wanting to see his friend.
"That was an order," Master Fung said, urgency in his voice. At once the teens dispersed and the old Master followed his comrade.
…
Omi waited anxiously in his friend's room along side with Kimiko. The young girl tried many times to say that Rai would be fine; he was tough.
But Omi couldn't put his mind at rest, it seemed like ages since the news of Raimundo's arrival. With each passing second the monk became more and more on edge. It was only when Omi was about to loss it when foot steps could be heard coming from the hallway. Not a moment latter the two teens saw Clay and Master Fung slowly make their way in, each holding a side of a blanket. Omi stared at them in confusion, where was Rai?
Once the student and older master entered the room they made a bee line for the bed. When they got close enough they carefully set the item down on the soft cushion. It was then that Omi saw what it was that they were carrying. It was Raimundo.
Omi felt his entire world come to a halt as he stared at the shattered remains of what was once a beautiful boy. Blood was dripping off him as if he was dunked in an entire tub of it. His clothes wore torn and body was bruised. Omi wasn't even sure if the boy was still alive.
As that single thought ran through his head he felt his blood turn to ice. Raimundo's skin was pale; at least the amount of skin not stained in red. As far as the young monk could tell it didn't look like he was breathing. "I-is h-he...?" Omi stuttered, unable to finish his thought.
No one spoke, whether it was because Omi was hadn't spoken loud enough or because no one was certain; the young monk didn't want to know. Master Fung was the first to break the silence, giving orders as to what to do.
Omi was quickly brought out of his thoughts when someone shouted at him. "Wha?" Omi said, it was the only thing he could say.
"Get a bucket of warm water," Mast Fung said quickly.
Master Fung was giving out orders? That meant Raimundo was still alive. With that Omi rushed out the door and retrieved some warm water. He could still make it!
…
It took several hours. Several hours of wiping away dirt and blood, wrapping up broken limps, jotting down every injury. The entire time Omi felt cold sweat run down his neck. Unbearable fear bared down on him, but now that his friend was wrapped from head to toe the only thing Omi felt was anger.
The young monk was never the one to resort to anger often, at least that's what he liked to think. But seeing this made his blood boil. What kind of monster could do this to his friend? Omi sat at the side of Raimundo's bed, watching him lie unconscious. His hands formed into tight fists. If he ever found out who did this there would be hell to pay.