MOCHA // OMEGA: Lavender Kunoichi #1

Chapter 13 // Revolution

Chapter 13 // Revolution

Tatsuki was the first to stand. He kneeled next to Mocha, his shadow covering the light of the ember. Her face grimaced as she squirmed and whimpered in her sleep, incoherent cries as her neck tossed and turned. It was unsettling to see the normally stoic and reserved woman in distress. Her wailing grew louder and droplets of sweat leaked from her pores.

Mayumi's optimistic expression became solemn.

"Yuki, what should we do? Should we wake her up—"

"Bad idea," Mayumi said strictly.

Yuki set her knees next to Mocha's head and placed a hand on her forehead while Tatsuki was wringing out a wet rag then placed it on her. Yuki gently rubbed the tip of her fingernails against the sides of Mocha's head, scratching a line from her temple, through her hair and to her crown.

"It's ok, you're ok..." Yuki repeated this mantra in the softest voice, like a mother lulling a child to sleep as she rubbed Mocha's head. Flakes of grime appeared on Yuki's fingertips.

"You're safe... Shhh..."

Mocha's breathing began to stabilize. Mayumi was impressed once again. As soon as Yuki stopped speaking, Mocha began to stir. Her eyelids shot open. Before anyone blinked she had rolled Yuki onto her back and straddled her. Mocha's purple fingernails squeezed Yuki's neck, her other thumb pressed on her eyelid.

"Mocha! Stop!" Mayumi yelled.

Mocha froze and recognized where she was. Her vision was dark, like she was looking through a tiny hole from the inside of a dark tunnel. Not only did her body ache, but her mind was throbbing like she had a concussion. Yuki's entire body was clenching tight beneath her; Mocha released her grip on the woman. Yuki coughed erratically. All the children awoke and began crying like an entity disturbed their dreams.

"I... I'm... I'm sorry, Yuki—AH—" Mocha's chest had been torn open. She hissed through her teeth. Her bandage grew a red spot that became bigger and bigger.

Ichigo told the kids to stay near the wall. He helped Yuki up as she was coughing and tried to walk her over to the children, but Yuki shook her head. She took a few deep breaths and walked back to Mocha.

"Are you sure?" Ichigo asked. Yuki nodded her head and gulped, the saliva hurting as it traveled down her throat. Her blue hair was ruffled. In just a moment longer, Mocha could've taken away her eyesight, snapped her neck, tore her throat... Ichigo comforted the children but kept his eyes centered on the situation.

Mayumi sat back down and scratched her head. She wanted to say 'I told you so,' but that wasn't conducive to the situation. She let it go and was simply content that nothing worse happened. Yuki began to unravel the bloody bandages. Mocha saw a purple bruise already forming on Yuki's delicate neck.

"Yuki... Forgive me..." Mocha said, her voice raspy. Yuki flashed an understanding smile and shook her head side to side.

"No, I'm sorry. Mayumi told me not to wake you, but I was arrogant. Gomenasai. My husband... He used to have nightmares too. I got proficient at calming him down. Forgive me, Mocha."

Before Mocha could tell her to stop apologizing, she realized why she said it again—Yuki poured a flask of disinfectant on the reopened wound. Mocha sucked in through her teeth and squeezed her eyes tight. Yuki took the stitching device and dragged the laser over the wound again, using up the last bits of ammo. Yuki wrapped up Mocha with a fresh roll of bandages and instructed her to lay down.

"All better. Take it easy, ok?" Yuki said. Mocha nodded. Yuki comforted the children.

"Mocha, are you hungry?" Tatsuki said. Her eyes shined.