134340 |JJK FF|

Chapter 43

Yumi very nearly cried when she came back from her hunt to the sight of the ship.

"They made it!" She shouted out loud. Jeongguk was resting stone still on her head. But as soon as he caught sight of the people on the deck, he jumped off and changed form.

"HERE!" He cried out, "OVER HERE!"

Yumi's ears felt crushed, but she honestly couldn't bring herself to care as her yells added to his.

"HERE! YOU CAME!"

"OVER HERE!"

"GUYS?!" Jimin's voice sounded eternal to the two.

The others from the ship leaned forward, yelling and waving. Yumi almost ninja-climbed up the ship as it touched the shore. Their companions... finally.

"Hara!" Yumi yelled as her friend carefully climbed down to the ground, waving frantically.

"Hello, Yumi." She laughed with delight, although there was a strain to it.

"Are any of you hurt?" Namjoon quickly climbed down too.

He quickly caught Jeongguk's eyes searching the ship frantically. He sighed loudly, "Hey, it's not like I don't like the land... but, guys climb aboard quickly."

"Hey." Jeongguk quickly made his way to him, "Are you o--"

"Your friend is still alive," Namjoon said wryly. There was no time for long talks.

"Guys?" Jimin's muffled voice came from the cabin, "Please, climb fast. There is still a lot to explain,"

Jeongguk made his way in as quickly as possible. Yumi quickly gathered the fruits they collected in her arms. The ship started to move the second they climbed aboard, which was strange. Yumi thought they would want to spend some time in this island, which was as beautiful as it was abandoned.

No, her teammates seemed to be in a hurry, like they were late for an important meeting. She knew it had to do with Taehyung, so she swallowed her questions.

"It's good to see you again," Jimin laughed as he waved from the side of the deck. He was holding... a fishing rod?

"What... are you...?" Yumi knew she missed a lot in her absence.

"Ah, long story." Jimin laughed again, and she noticed the dark circles underneath his eyes, "You should go inside, I think. To the infirmary... we've had to patch Jeongguk up already..."

There was something about his tone... she rushed to the familiar door. Her breath caught in her throat when she opened the door.

If someone told Yumi that Taehyung would end up looking like what he did now, she'd have laughed at their face.

For one scary second, she thought he was dead. He lay still on the small bed, limbs lifeless. His hair splayed across the pillow, and some haggard stands stretching across his face. His cheeks withdrew into themselves, the dim light casting faint shadows onto them. His eyes closed and his mouth parted slightly. His breath came in short whiffs, without which Yumi would think he was dead.

She almost did not notice the other body kneeling next to the bed. Jeongguk held one thin wrist, his other hand covering his face.

"So, um, where do we start?" Yumi jumped as Namjoon's voice came from beside her.

"Is... Is there anything at all--" Yumi stammered. She felt stumped.

"We're coming to that," Jimin said, popping up and setting a bucket on the bedside table. Yumi blanched at the sight of fish.