Chapter 17: Aftershock

Ame sensed something had changed. There was fear and sadness in his mother's heart, and Joaquin's life signs had almost faded. His life was slipping faster and faster. Yet the life would gain strength again, but for how long? Ame went to the house and looked from a distance, the jeep was pulling up, and Hana was alone with a worried look on her. He wondered where Joaquin was. He then saw tears falling off her face, he wanted to run over and ask what was wrong? Why is she crying? What happened? He scanned for Joaquin even more, no results. Something terrible had happened, and it had something to do with him.

Hana went to the living room to recollect after what happened this morning and the news from the hospital. Joaquin would be released after a week for medicine and observation. Dr. Taka told Hana that she should try and call his family back home. She went into the children's room where he resided, and looked for his bag. She then found his journal. She promised never to look in it again, but with circumstances changed, she had to look and see if there was anyone to call. His parents were gone, but what about his grandparents? She opened the book and decided to look for clues. One entry was written about his grandparents' funeral two years ago and the tribe's decision on their stance:

Why? Why are they doing this?! They can't go back on their ways! They are wolves and humans in one! Yet they feel that they should stay human. Haven't we learned anything? Do we now reject what Spider-Woman bestowed upon us and our ancestors? I told them that they are fools and are by doing this they are cursing the name of our great mother. If grandpa and grandma were still here, they would see this right They always did. I miss them and need them now more than ever. Some listened and agreed with me. Overall, they have broken their ways. Those that have decided to never associate with the tribe anymore. The few that did listen to me wanted me to stay and lead their now small faction. I have told them that I am not suitable and left my old friend, Paw that Flies, in charge, he will lead them. My home gone, my family dead, my people broken, and my nation split by ideological stupidity. Great Mother, help us please.

The words of this story saddened her. His people abandoned the wolves. He was now one of few, and dying. There was no number, no address. Why make himself so unavailable to his home? Perhaps this was why she thought. She put the journal down and decided to call Yuki and tell her the news.

Yuki was enjoying her day off. She and Souhei were on the roof of the school just enjoying the fall breeze. They were in a bliss of the relationship, three months and they were still in the feeling. Kisses every once in a while and they were taking it one step at a time.

"Hey Yuki, what do you like about fall?" Souhei asked. Yuki looked at him and smiled before the answer.

"The change, that's what I like about it. I see fall as the end of one thing and the beginning of another. With the fallen leaves, they replenish the soil and the trees will have room for new leaves, new life essentially." Yuki answered.

"Wow, that's a great answer. Never thought of it like that." Souhei sad to Yuki.

"Well, that's why I got that A in philosophy."

"Oh huh, now your being Ms. Know it All." They both started laughing before Yuki gave him a small kiss.

"Come on, let's head inside." Yuki said to Souhei. They headed back downstairs. As they headed back to the dorms, an announcement for Yuki came asking her to the office for a phone call home from her mother. She headed to the office after reassuring him she would be back. She went to the office and the dean said she had an emergency call from Hana. She asked what was the emergency, the dean told her that Hana knew. Yuki headed to the phone.

"Mother, what happened?" Yuki asked her mother.

"Oh Yuki, how are you?"

"I'm fine, mom what happened?" There was silence from Hana, Yuki asked again.

"Mom, is everything alright?" Yuki asked Hana.

"No, everything is not. Its Valero san."

"What? What happened? What has he done?!"

"Nothing, he's done nothing. Something is wrong with him."

"What do you mean?"

"He's in the hospital."

"Hospital? For what?"

"Cancer, he's sick with it and the doctors can't heal him." Yuki was shocked. This humble and strong man, dying and meeting the inevitable. She was speechless. Sadness hit her as well, this man who she was getting to know, maybe even attached too.

"Mom, do you want me to come home?" Yuki asked Hana.

"No, its ok. I'll just wanted to let you know. I'll let you know if anything happens. I love you sweetie."

"I love you too mom." She hung up the phone and headed back to the dorms. She slammed the door and threw herself on the bed. She felt anger. Why did this man come into her life? A wolf and humble man who showed her a new way of life, to live on two sides, now comes just to die? Why was the world doing this? She felt frustrated and wanted to break anything and anyone. A knock from her door and a voice that soothed her.

"Yuki, are you ok?" Souhei asked Yuki. She came to the door with some tears in her eyes. Souhei noticed and asked another question.

"Hey, what happened?" Souhei asked Yuki.

"It's a personal matter." She answered.

"What kind?"

"Family matters." Souhei decided to drop it out of respect. He just wanted to comfort her.

Hana made herself some dinner. The table felt empty, something was missing, Valero. He's in bed at a hospital, possibly in pain. She wished she knew sooner, maybe he could've been saved, but now as the doctor said, all there is now is time. She finished and decided to go take a bath. While changing, she saw his journal again. She decided it was important to read it, even if it meant an invasion of privacy. She took it to the bath and read the pages. She began writing at age ten. There were stories about what he found as a wolf out in the wild. Contact with armadillos, prairie dogs and road runners. His escapes from cougars and cobras. His teen crimes of carjacking, vandalism and evading the police. His praises about his grandparents and what he mentioned to Yuki in the car. His army training and description of Okinawa. She laughed at some of the stories, but then she came across the entry about his mission. His team dead, his best friend Blakes dying in battle, and with an entry.

I lost my team, my leader, and more, my best friend, Blakes. His last words were to tell his fiancé, he loves her. How can I face her? I was supposed to have his back, and now he's being stored and getting ready to head home for his funeral. I'm so sorry Jenny, I'm so sorry. My mission was a success, funny it didn't feel like one. I'm the only one left. And I have done such an atrocity on myself. Using my form to commit a great sin on myself and Spider woman. How can I come to my grandparents for this? Better yet my tribe? The doctors are still performing tests on me. I just want to go home.

What sin is he talking about? Did he mean his wolf form? Did he use it in combat? She started to know more about his past, a curious child, an angry teenager, and a wounded soldier who is dying. Now a man with a sin on him, but what kind and how bad? She felt his pain. She wanted to Joaquin peace and let him know everything is alright, but she wants to know him for who was and is now, and no more cryptics.