And here's another one. This one's a slow mover and I'm not entirely sure about it, but I felt like this was the right place to cut it off.
'You didn't forget me, did you, Ma-chan? And who's this pretty you're trying to save this time?'
The creature bobbed a little closer. The raging ocean around him disappeared, the wind dying down to nothing and once again, he was surrounded by black emptiness, just him and it, alone. He had been here before.
'We really should stop meeting like this. But I have to say, you've grown up pretty well, Ma-chan. Pretty well, indeed...'
Despite that fact that Makoto was standing on and surrounded by nothing, the creature moved as if it was still in water, its oddly proportioned body flowing through the space rather like an octopus he had seen at the sea-life centre once. It swirled closer and circled him, leering, and Makoto couldn't help but shiver. This can't be real! Hadn't it been just a dream?
'So you did forget me. I'm hurt, Ma-chan – I've thought about you every day, you know? I suppose I'll have to refresh your memory on our deal, too?'
The deal? Oh, the deal. Something about...Haru? And falling in love. But he wasn't sure what he felt for Haru.
'Eh, you're killing me, Ma-chan. I'm happy you abided by Clause One, but it seems that was by accident more than anything, since you forgot. You can't tell anyone about this, remember? If you do, I get Haruka. And Clause Two - you have to make him fall in love with you. And that means he has to say the words 'I love you', by the way. It's all right here in the small print, you understand.'
A scroll with his name on it materialised in the creature's hand and opened itself, which it promptly thrust forward under his nose so he could read it, but too close, so that the words were a blur before his eyes. Makoto had to lean back to see it clearly and the creature snatched it back.
'And if he doesn't claim you, then I get you. You can live with me in the ocean, forever.' That long hand came forward to caress his face and Makoto couldn't keep his body from shying away. 'You should probably hurry, Ma-chan, there's not long left, you know. You're already seventeen, after all.'
Except Makoto wasn't sure if he was in love with Haru and didn't know if there was any possibility of Haru feeling the same way. He knew they loved each other – they were an integral part of each other's lives and had been for as long as either of them could remember – but there was a difference between that and being in love. Makoto hadn't particularly thought about being in a relationship either, hadn't been particularly concerned about it the way others their age seemed to be, because just being with his friends – having fun and doing the things they loved – gave him a contentment that made him feel like he didn't need anything more than that as long as they were together. He didn't think Haru had given much thought to dating either. Falling in love felt like something for the future, when they were older and getting jobs perhaps.
Also, making someone say something like that out of desperation, rather than having it said in a moment of sincerity at the budding of a new relationship felt...well, wrong. That, and Haru had always done things at his own pace and never did anything he didn't want to – if he said it then he meant it, but this would be forcing an issue neither of them were quite ready for. Except, with this deal hanging over his head, he didn't have that much time, did he? What could he do?
'Well, there may be one way we could call off the deal...' the thing hummed thoughtfully, a sidelong glance taking note of the hope on his face, 'If I can get the pretty up there, flailing away with those lovely arms, then you and Haruka won't have to do anything. We can cancel that arrangement, what do you say, Ma-chan? It'll be a straight up swap – Rei for you. That seems like a fairer deal, right?'
No, not Rei. Makoto wasn't such a coward that he would sell out a friend to save his own skin and he'd never forgive himself if someone took his place. No one was taking his place in this ridiculous and terrifying affair and no one else would suffer for his sake.
'Ah, I was just trying to give you an alternative, Ma-chan. Though, with the amount of water he's swallowing, who knows? I might get him anyway.' The thing's bony shoulders lifted in a nonchalant shrug and grinned, all teeth.
No! It wasn't going to get Rei. Makoto wasn't sure how, but he would have to find a way to stop him, there had to be a way. But what if the creature pulled him under? Rei wasn't that good at swimming and had proved he could sink even in the calm waters of a pool while doing perfect movements, never mind a raging ocean in the middle of a storm that had killed experienced, Olympic-level swimmers before. Makoto prayed that the float would find its way back into his hands.
The thing cocked his head. 'Well it seems like there's a couple of others thinking to rescue you, so we'll have to cut our chat short. But I'll give you some time to think about it, ok, Ma-chan?'
The creature faded away, but the darkness remained even as the emptiness gave way to the feeling of water pressing in all around him. He couldn't see anything. His breath was stuttering like he couldn't remember how to breathe and he felt water enter his mouth as a wave crashed over his head and forced him under. His body felt leaden and unable to move and the surface, where was the surface? He tried frantically to find it, to find Rei, he had to get to Rei and make sure he didn't drown, that the creature didn't pull him under, but the blackness was closing in, making it harder to think, to move.
Just before it claimed him completely he felt a pair of strong arms around him and knew he was safe.
~#~
Nagisa hadn't thought twice about following Haru into the water, even knowing it wasn't the most sensible idea to dive into a storm-wrought ocean but also that he couldn't let him go in alone. Haru's sharp eyes had picked their friends out among the furious waves and it looked like they both needed help, even Makoto. As good a swimmer as Haru was, he wouldn't be able to help both of them at once and if he went to get help, it might end up being too late for one of them.
They had to fight to gain distance, the waves battering them as they swam and a few times they lost sight of boys over the crest of the wave, but thankfully they came back into view seconds later on each occasion. When they were near, they could see that Rei was still flailing and trying to cry out through mouthfuls of seawater, but Makoto was unnaturally still in the water.
Haru reached Makoto first, crying out his name as he took him in his arms. Makoto didn't respond and seemed to be struggling just to breathe, but there was no time to worry about that at the moment. Haru had him and that meant Makoto was as good as saved, for now.
"I'll get Rei-chan!" he called to make sure Haru knew not to worry and could focus on getting Makoto out. "Rei-chan, I'm coming!"
He reached towards their newest member, but a huge wave, bigger than the others by far, rose over them at that moment. There was no time to be gentle and he knew Rei would forgive him later – he grabbed Rei and dove under, kicking his legs as hard as he could and brought them both up on the other side of it. Taking a quick moment to look around, he saw they were closer to one of the deserted islands than the shore they had camped on, so he decided to head for that, readjusting his grip on Rei to a life-guard's hold.
"It's ok, I've got you Rei-chan. Just relax and trust me. Try and kick your legs too, we're going for that island – its closer, ok? I've got you, Rei-chan!"
Nagisa swam as hard as he could, harder than he ever had and it wasn't long after that – though it felt longer by far – that they were crawling onto the sandy beach, gasping for breath. He dragged Rei further away from the waterline with a hand on his arm and the other boy complied easily, sitting himself down on a log with his head hanging low as he coughed and wheezed till his breath was steady again.
Nagisa, being a practiced swimmer, caught his breath quicker and turned to survey the ocean as he waited. He looked up to the boom of thunder and lightning catching the tips of the waves and knew they were stuck on the island for the night. When he looked down, a flash of bright blue catching his eye in the light, he saw Rei's kickboard had managed to wash up near them and was bobbing in the shallows, bumping against the rocks. Nagisa leaned over them and fished the float out and turned to give it back to him.
"Here, Rei-chan."
Rei was slumped over in a defeated sort of posture, one hand covering his eyes. He took the float back with a murmur of thanks but kept his head low, face downcast.
"Are you ok?" Nagisa probed.
"Yes..." Rei's mouth turned down in an unhappy line. "I'm very sorry about this."
"It's ok." Nagisa tried to reassure him, gently.
"But it's my fault that everybody's – "
"That stuff can wait. Right now, we should go look for the other guys." Nagisa smiled comfortingly, but Rei still looked miserable, so he pressed on. "I'm sure that they're fine."
Rei shook his head, his expression troubled, "But...I saw Makoto-senpai coming to help me, but he didn't seem like his usual self." His brows lowered in an anxious line and he muttered, more to himself though Nagisa couldn't help hearing, "And...I thought I saw something in the water."
Ugh, this creature – the little shit's sass is giving me trouble, and I created him! Well, anyway, we're slowly moving forward...ever so slowly...8/ As always, feedback is very much appreciated! I love hearing what you think and your comments keep me motivated and committed to improving!
