Alone Together
One Month
Alternate Story Line
October 6
Healing
***Mamoru's POV***
Usagi was not doing well. She'd been up half a dozen times during the night to get sick or have diarrhea. Her muscles were spasming, and she had a slight fever, unless Mamoru's hands were too cold, in which case he could have been wrong. As the night continued his frustration, fear, and anger had grown until he could hardly think through the next steps.
The angrier he got the more the storm on the horizon swelled, but he didn't notice. His entire focus was Usagi, and he was extremely worried. He checked on her every time she moved. He had tried to sleep, but found his worry grew worse when he couldn't see her, so he'd given up and was sitting on the edge of the futon.
The welts on her legs were bad. Even by the light of half a dozen candles he could see they were awful. In her sleep she kept attempting to scratch at them. He couldn't let her, and at times he was forced to restrain her, holding both hands tightly until she woke enough for him to remind her not to touch the injuries. He had to cajole, beg, plead, and order her to drink. She refused even saltines, no matter how many times he reminded her that vomiting was worse when there was only bile in the stomach. Several more times she had to get up with diarrhea and by the third time she couldn't stand on her own so he had to hold her and clean her himself. He had never been more worried in his life.
He was on his own last nerve. There was almost nothing he could do. He felt like pieces of his world were fraying. She was his Odango Atama. His Usako. He loved her more than he'd ever imagined was possible, and his world would end without her. He worried over getting her help. He had searched again for the missing communicator, and even tried asking Usagi where it was, but there was no sign of it.
He felt so lost. Usagi wasn't able to sit up and talk to him as she had the past several days, and it was tearing at him. He needed to hear her laugh again. Needed to see that sweet smile, and watch her eyes light up with joy or amusement. He ran his fingers down her arm, feeling the silky softness of her skin. She was a little cool to the touch, but every time he tried to cover her, she threw the sleeping bag off and whimpered.
Inside he was seething. The rage he felt was nearly uncontainable. He wanted to reach out to Tokyo and destroy everyone who had put his little Odango into this position. He hated seeing her sick and hurt and wished there was something he could do.
Exhaustion was kept at bay by remembering the dream he'd had in his drugged state. He knew that was when they'd been together, though neither had really spoken of it. He thought about a few days before when he had begun touching her more intimately. It had taken a lot to pull together enough courage to try.
After that, he thought about some of their more amusing arguments, and ran through new ones they could have now, even though he was pretty sure those days were done. He'd always loved seeing the fire in her eyes when she was angry. He considered teasing her over the mosquito bites that resembled the big dipper on her thigh but dismissed the idea as it might be gone before she was better. She just had to get better.
To keep himself busy Mamoru went through all of their possessions, also looking for the communicator. He focused on everything they had that was usable to help them survive once she was better. He found the 'inventory list' (which was a complete joke) and went through it. The twelve meals that had been prepared were gone, only five of them having actually been eaten. But there were foil trays from them in two different sizes. He spread them out and looked through the rest of what they had.
Mamoru turned over the inventory list and began a new one.
2x Tomato Soup
2x Chicken Noodle Soup
3x Tuna
3x Chicken
1x Sardines
2x applesauce
2x mixed fruits
2x Saltine sleeves
1x Cookies
1x Cheese Biscuits
1x Salt
1x Mixed spices
27x protein bars
1x chocolate sauce
He wondered if the chicken noodle soup was like ramen. Neither he or Usagi liked sardines, but they would eat them because there was no other choice. The cans of mixed fruit were in heavy syrup, which he found disgusting, but he thought if they added water they could make a sort of fruit juice, which would give them energy at the very least.
He continued his list, moving onto the fruits they had collected.
7x Nashi Pears
3x Yuzu
15 x Ume
5x Akebia Fruit
3x Mikan
Most of the mikan had gone bad. He put them to the side and promised himself that as soon as Usagi was better they would cut them open and plant them. They both adored the nashi pears and he thought it was worth another trip to the other side of the island to gather more. The yuzu they had been trying to figure out how to use to flavor other foods. The ume were actually rather tasty even without being pickled. And the akebia fruits tasted like watermelon, they were very juicy and tended to give them a lot of energy. They would have to collect more or plant those as well.
Next he looked through the Akebia flowers, which they had dried in the sun. Usagi was planning to make tea from them. They were already laid out in one of the larger trays, but as he touched them they began to crumple. He moved them into an empty tin, which had a lid to save them.
He stood and stacked the cans on one of the ledges, putting the tin with the spices and other odds and ends beside it. The tray with the fruit he put on a ledge close by and covered with another tray to keep insects out. Beside that he placed the three round tins with food still in them, and the one he had just filled with dry flowers.
He kept a sleeve of the saltines out on the little table. Usagi needed something in her stomach. He had to get her to eat at some point.
There were dozens of long vines to work with, as well as the leaves and pieces of the stems. He wished he knew more about them. Usagi had told him that there were medicinal properties to them, but he couldn't remember what she had said. He sighed and put the stems and the leaves into one of the tins and stood to put it with the others. That left them one empty tin to use.
Mamoru began pulling things out of his subspace pocket. He had nothing much in there except a pack of gum, a few books, a broken pocket knife, and a broken pocket watch with the sun, moon, and stars. He also pulled out a pack of tissues which he kept there for Usagi, though she'd had no clue he'd always kept them around for her. His hand landed on something strange and he pulled out an arcade token. That was the extent of his collection.
He started an inventory of supplies next, to see what they had available to use.
1x stirring spoon
1x large pot
1x cooking grate
1x empty tin with lid
1x can opener
4x small tin trays (empty)
4x large tin trays (empty)
2x spoons
2x forks
2x sharp knives
2x bowls
2x plates
1x book matches
1x lighter
6x fishing hooks
2x fishing line
12x tall pillar candles (partly used)
12x emergency candles (unused)
1x dish soap (partly used)
12x empty water bottles
2x empty water jugs
He found a kerosene lantern with four spare wicks and a large bottle of kerosene. He hadn't even noticed it among their things and wondered why he hadn't seen it before. It had been behind the cooler for some reason. He wondered if Minako had hidden it, so the candles would add atmosphere. He filled and lit the lantern, putting it on one of the high ledges. He was amazed at the amount of light it gave compared to the candles. He put all but two of the candles out to save what they had.
The vinegar was gone. There was still a lot of salt, however. He really wished there was coffee and hot chocolate. He knew that had added to the sickness the first few days they'd been on the island. Caffeine withdrawals could cause headaches and the shakes. But it wasn't just the lack of caffeine he missed, it was the habit, the smell, and the feel of the cup in his hand.
They had the large jug of wine, which he thought might be useful if Usagi's wounds became infected. It wasn't straight alcohol, but at this point he found that desperation could drive him to almost anything. The massage oils he knew could be used to make more candle wicks with some of the fibrous plants and grasses he and Usagi had collected.
The stupid deck of cards might come in handy to keep them entertained. That was the most ridiculous thing he had ever seen. It had Kama Sutra images on the faces of each card, and instructions. He rolled his eyes and put them to the side.
The hygiene products he didn't bother sorting through. He already knew everything. A bottle of shampoo, a tube of toothpaste and two toothbrushes, a tiny mirror, a hairbrush, a few hair ties and hair pins. That was it. That was all they had been given.
The note from their friends he simply turned over and made a new list on. He had to know exactly what they had for medical supplies. The first aid kits were ridiculous. He pulled everything out of both of them and started sorting through it all. Between both kits they had two small bottles of aspirin. He poured all the pills from one into the other and took the label off the now empty bottle. They could use that for something else, though he wasn't sure what.
48x Tylenol
16x Benadryl
1x Neosporin
24x large band-aids
12x medium band-aids
12x small band-aids
4x butterfly closures
1x medical tape
1x ace bandage
1x tweezers
2x scissors
1x roll of gauze
2x gauze pads
He put everything away inside his kit, which was larger. He kept out some of the gauze and used some of it to change Usagi's dressing instead of rinsing them again for a third time. He saved what had been taken off of her legs though, as it might come in handy for making knots or something later. He planned to soak them clean in water.
He didn't know why he had shaving cream or a razor, but he thought perhaps Usagi might want to use them. His facial hair didn't grow very quickly, and he didn't mind having it, but he knew she would probably be irritated by underarm hair and possibly leg hair. He didn't really care, considering their situation, but he wanted her to be comfortable.
There was a tiny sewing kit that he didn't think would be much help in making clothing as the materials they had were mostly leaves, but there was white thread, which would help if they needed stitches.
He put the first aid booklet with the books he had found in his subspace pocket. One was a school book about politics, which wasn't a subject he was fond of, but he was happy to have something to study. One was a book on stones and crystals he thought Usagi would find interesting. They'd discussed the types of rocks on their first day on the island. The third book was about stars. He hadn't read it yet, and he thought perhaps it was something they could study together. Once she was better of course.
She would get better. She had to.
He sighed and started putting everything else into one of the smaller trays. The gum he thought could be saved for a treat. The pocket watch he didn't think would be helpful. The broken pocket knife could be helpful. It had a corkscrew, small screwdriver, and other things, including a nail file, which might make Usagi happy. The tissues might come in handy for wounds, so he put them in the first aid kit. The dish soap he put with the spices.
He looked through their shells. Most of them were tiny. Usagi planned to take them home and make jewelry from them. He grinned as he thought of that. He would love to see her wearing earrings and necklaces made from things they had collected themselves. They were all in one of the larger trays. He was a bit upset they still hadn't found a conch shell. She wanted one badly, and he decided that he would make it a priority to find one for her. He slid the tray onto a ledge and looked back at everything else.
Their dishes and empty trays he stacked and put on the ledge near the fire. Then he put the full first aid kit next to the bed. The empty one was tiny and relatively worthless except to hold items they might find later. He folded up his inventory lists and stuffed them inside, putting the pencil in with them before adding it to the tray with the spices, which held their assortment of mostly useless items.
Still, the communicator was nowhere inside the cave. The books he set on the table for later reading, but he took the first aid booklet and sat on the side of the futon next to Usagi and started to read, one hand on her arm just for comfort.
Usagi whimpered and cried out in her sleep, restlessly tossing and turning. He climbed onto the futon beside her and held one of her hands. She seemed to calm a bit. She clutched at him, holding his hand tightly, before finally falling into a deeper sleep. When her grip loosened it took every ounce of will not to panic. She was only sleeping, just sleeping. He could hear her light snore. She was alright. But the worry wouldn't leave him, and he put his hand on her chest, to feel the rise and fall as she breathed.
***Usagi's POV***
She hurt and itched. Her muscles ached from the spasms in her leg, and the burning never stopped. She was pulled in and out of strange dreams that gave her no rest. Usagi wondered if she might have a fever.
Every once in a while she could hear Mamoru moving around, doing something. She wondered what it was, and if he was bored, or worried. She tried to turn over, but her body felt too heavy. She slipped in and out of sleep several times.
When she opened her eyes, she saw Mamoru staring down at her. He smiled and brushed her hair out of her face. "My beautiful little Odango," he murmured. "You have to get better." He was lying beside her, one hand in hers, the other on her lower chest, just below her breast bone.
She smiled up at him and tried to tell him how much she loved him, but before she could her eyes had drifted closed again and she was drawn back into the dreams.
***Mamoru's POV***
Eventually he had to go out and relieve himself. He'd been holding his need to pee most of the night, afraid to leave her side for even a moment. Even now he dashed away and back again as soon as he was done. He needed to be sure she was safe.
After applying more medication to her legs, he gave in to his urges and picked her up, holding her in his lap. He finally leaned his back against the rough stone wall, his head bowed as he stared at her face. She appeared to rest more deeply, and he sighed in gratitude. His head began to nod, and he slipped into dreams.
His anger filled him even then, and he struggled against it, wrestling with the thoughts that filled him. He knew only one thing for certain. If Usagi died, he would tear the planet apart searching for the ones who hurt her. He clutched tightly to the most important person in his world, terrified he would lose her before he even had the chance to tell her how much she meant to him, how much he loved her.
Out over the ocean the storm became a large barrier, circling around the island. Along the edges of the beach the waves crashed endlessly against the sand, rising several feet higher than normal. Lighting speared across the sky, a beacon seeking aid.
And still the moon shone down through the hole in the cave roof, a perfect orb over his Usako, the healing light touching her face.
***Usagi's POV***
Burning pain woke Usagi so often she thought she really hadn't gotten any rest. It had only been in the last few hours that she'd slept deeply enough to dream, held in Mamoru's lap, and those dreams had been of wild storms that for some reason made her feel calm. She knew there was a storm out at sea. She could hear it still. Sunlight was shining down on them though, she could feel it on her thigh.
She blinked her eyes open and realized she was still laying in Mamoru's lap, her wrists held gently in one of his hands. As the itching annoyed her again, she understood. She'd been trying to scratch in her sleep and he'd had to stop her. She was comfortable and warm in his arms, but even still she felt very sick. It took willpower not to be ill again. She swallowed down the bile that rose and closed her eyes.
It occurred to her that she hadn't had her medication in days, and she wondered what would happen to her without it. She'd been on it for so long she couldn't remember a time when she wasn't taking it. Their food had to last, so she knew she couldn't go crazy and eat everything in sight. That meant she was in for a bit of unscheduled weight loss.
She opened her eyes and stared up at Mamoru. He was sleeping, but restless. He was muttering under his breath, seeming to ask for help. Her eyes didn't want to stay open. She began to drift a little, but just before she fell into sleep she heard a gently whispered, "I love you Usako." A smile graced her lips, and she wandered into dreams.
***Mamoru***
Mamoru woke feeling Usagi's eyes on him, but she was asleep again before he could ask how she was. "I love you Usako," he whispered, and brushed sweaty hair from her face. He waited until she was fully asleep before settling her back on the futon, so he could go relieve himself. He felt a bit better for having slept, but his worry over her was still intense, and his anger at their captors vast.
His legs shook when he stood, and he grabbed a protein bar to take the edge off. He hadn't eaten much and Usagi had eaten almost nothing. He stretched as he opened the first bar and took a large bite before stepping outside.
He was too tired. He couldn't focus on much. He'd barely slept at all. Anger swirled in him. Wild flashes of lightning struck over the ocean. He went and relieved himself before turning back.
He reached Usagi, a worried frown on his face. She wasn't staying awake more than a few minutes at a time. She was sick, and he was tired. He wished he had more vinegar, perhaps some baking soda, and mostly antibiotics and something to stop the diarrhea from coming back.
He had to find a way to help her, but he knew of nothing that he could get to on the island. He just knew he had to protect her and get her healthy again.
Usagi started whimpering in her sleep again and tried to scratch again. Moments later Mamoru was throwing himself down at the edge of the futon. He knew he had to get more Benadryl in her, and her other meds. He moved to Usagi and lifted her head and shoulders up, resting her against his chest and one arm, taking both her wrists gently in one hand. She seemed so tiny and frail.
"Usako," he whispered, gently shaking her. Cerulean eyes fluttered open and she smiled up at Mamoru. He couldn't believe how beautiful she was, even sick.
"Hi," she whispered, her voice cracking.
"Hi." He smiled at her, the love of his existence. He would do anything for her.
"I don't feel good," she whispered.
Mamoru knew the signs by now and brought the plastic bucket to her face just in time. She was rather noisily sick, and he was grateful he hadn't already given her the medication. He was so worried about her. With the vomiting and the diarrhea he knew she was losing not only nutrients but fluids that were very needed. She had to drink something but kept pushing the water bottle away after a few sips every time he tried.
He cleaned her as best he could with a strip he'd torn from the sleeping bag. "I need you to swallow a couple pills. They'll make you feel better." He helped her drink and slipped the pills between her lips. Then he cuddled her close until she fell back to sleep.
He had been hoping for help for what felt like years, but now he felt more desperate than ever. Usagi had a fever. She was cold one moment, hot the next. He continuously treated her, but nothing was helping. He wished he knew where the communicator was. He laid her down gently on the futon and just prayed to the Kami for something to give him hope.
Usagi was tossing and turning, muttering under her breath, and occasionally moaning. Several times he had to restrain her from itching. He grew desperate, unsure how to help, and finally, tired and unsure, he just lay his head on her belly and wept. He would do anything to help her. He prayed for her to get better, wishing he could just wave his hand and heal her.
His tears were golden. Bright and filled with light, and as they fell onto Usagi, they seemed to sink into her, sending little sparks out before they disappeared. He noticed them and turned to look. Mamoru sat up, shocked.
He saw Usagi's leg. It was healing. The wounds getting smaller and looking older. He turned to see that Usagi's face was pink again, her color returning, and she was breathing easier, resting fully now. He breathed a sigh of relief, unable to absorb anything but that she would be okay. He lay beside her on the futon, then lowered his head again, and rested against her, finally letting himself relax and slip into a deep sleep.
When he realized Usagi would be okay something else happened even as he they slept. All along the walls little white flowers blossomed on tiny vines that crept over the stone.
***Usagi's POV***
She felt so much better. She was just so tired. She felt Mamoru laying partly over her, holding her close. The weight of his arm over her was a comfort. She snuggled in, even closer to him and held him tight.
He had been so kind and gentle with her, but he wasn't taking care of himself. He was obviously overtired, and a bit dehydrated. She'd wager he'd only eaten enough to keep himself going. She sighed at that. She would just have to make sure he started taking care of himself too.
She just wanted to hurry up and get home. She missed her family, and he needed to be back in school. They both did, but he had dreams of becoming a doctor.
She was tired. Her eyes closed, and she drifted back to sleep.
***Mamoru's POV***
It was early evening when he woke again. He had to check on Usagi, just to be sure she was alright. She looked better. Her cheeks had pinkened, her skin didn't seem sallow, and even her hair seemed bouncier.
When he touched her forehead, she opened her eyes and smiled at him. Relief surged through every part of his body and he nearly wept in gratitude.
"You look so much better," he said.
Usagi nodded and sat up, reaching for him. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his lap, holding tight.
"I feel better," she said finally. "I do have to go to the bathroom though, and I feel a bit sweaty and gross."
Laughter burbled out of him. "Such a girl," he murmured. Usagi mock glared at him but he felt almost giddy. "I'll take you to the bathroom, and then we can heat up some water for you to take a sponge bath."
Usagi and Mamoru both got up and went to relieve themselves. She was still shaky and a little weak, but he wrapped an arm around her waist and helped her. When they were done both walked to the beach and washed themselves, though Mamoru stayed close to her side. He was terrified of something happening to her again.
He brought her back to the cave and insisted that she sit and rest while he heated up some water. He had washed the bucket after the last time she'd been sick, but he took it back out to the ocean to clean it again. He wanted to make sure none of the smell lingered in it and got on her hair. He scrubbed it out with sand and rinsed it a final time before going to the waterfall next to the cave. The water was frigid, but pure and clean. He filled the bucket halfway and then went inside to get the small pot.
Once the water had heated he added it to the bucket and helped her wash her hair. They went out into the evening sun while he brushed it dry, sitting on their driftwood bench. He ran the brush over her head gently and then watched as she plaited the long strands and wrapped it into a single bun on top of her head. He was curious about the change of style.
"Why are you doing your hair differently?"
"Because I'm going to be doing messy work," she explained.
"What kind of work? You haven't even eaten yet, and you should be resting."
Usagi laughed. "I plan to eat. Maybe you could bring me a protein bar for now, but I'm also concerned about the refuse pile we've got going." She pointed to the pile of empty cans, wrappers, and the remains of fruit and fish. "Some of that trash can be turned into useful items, and the rest needs to go somewhere where it won't attract animals."
"We can do that tomorrow," Mamoru insisted. "For tonight, I think you need to rest."
"I've been resting," she muttered.
"Usako…" he was growing frustrated.
She stifled a sob and he felt guilty. He reached for her, murmuring apologies, and gave her a hug, but she shook her head.
"It's not you that's upsetting me," she said brokenly. "It's everything they did to us. I just don't understand. Before I got hurt and sick I sent them a message, asking them to come and get us. They should have been here by now. And you've had to struggle on all alone while I was lying useless in that cave. It's not right!"
He reached for her and she crawled into his lap. They both rocked back and forth, upset and hurt. She snuggled deeper into him and he kissed the top of her head.
"I know Usako. I know."
"Have they even responded?" she asked.
"I'm not sure. I can't find the communicator," he explained. "It wasn't on the table, and I've searched the entire cave, even around the edges of the futon."
Usagi gasped and covered her mouth. Then she stood and pulled him up. Both of them looked around the log and under it when she explained about her message late the night before she'd been stung. They finally found the communicator in a crack in the log but couldn't reach it. He grew frustrated and created a vine to pull it out. Usagi laughed at his ingenuity.
The communicator was undamaged, but there were no new messages. Mamoru frowned handed it to Usagi. She carried it inside and put it on a ledge above the table. "There's no point now," she said finally.
He sighed. The fact that he agreed with her didn't make it any better.
Ten minutes later Usagi was cutting up some fruit and had pulled out one of the peanut butter flavored protein bars. They decided to split one of the cans of tuna and ate it straight from the can. They would try fishing again the next day.
***Usagi's POV***
As the evening wore on Usagi couldn't help but feel frustrated. She looked at all the work Mamoru had done and stared at the inventory lists he showed her. If their friends didn't come and pick them up they would have to ration very carefully to stay strong and healthy for the rest of the time. They were on day six of a thirty-one day forced vacation. That meant they had twenty-five days left.
The cookies might give them energy, but no real nutrition. The biscuits and crackers would help them feel full, but they weren't really meals. Fruits would give them enough energy to manage she thought, but she knew she was going to have a fight on her hands to make sure he ate enough as well. He wanted to give her a larger portion. She had to remind him several times that he was much bigger than she was.
They had exactly twenty-five protein bars left. They could each have half of one per day. They could catch fish and clams, and perhaps learn to hunt stingray or small game. They had six cans of meat, and the had to make it last.
There were four cans of soup, two of them tomato. She thought perhaps they could have one of the cans of tomato the next day with some fish or whatever they caught. They could save the other can for later. She'd had an idea when Mamoru used a vine to extract the communicator however, and now she turned to him.
"Mamo-chan," she called.
He looked up from the first aid booklet, which he was reading for the second time. "Hmm?" he asked, slightly distracted.
"I noticed the vine earlier and it gave me an idea. We have almost no vegetables, and I'm not very clear on what we might find searching through the jungle. Meat we can fish for, and fruits are relatively plentiful, but could you create vegetables the way you do your flowers or vines?"
"I was thinking about that too," he said. It occurred to me when we went and picked the fruits that I could help them grow here near the cave, so we don't have to search the island every time, although I do think we should go back out there."
"Me too," Usagi told him. "I'd like to see about finding small game and anything we might use, like bamboo."
Mamoru nodded. "There might be other helpful things as well. The American and Japanese military were all through these islands during the forties and fifties. I keep thinking things might have been left behind that we can repurpose. I really want to find a machete or something else that's useful."
"I hadn't thought of that," Usagi muttered, feeling silly for not realizing something so important. She shook her head. "Do you think you could create vegetables?"
"I do, though I haven't tried before. I can make fruits too, I'm sure."
Usagi nodded and put the lists away. She took out the small sewing kit and looked through it. The scissors were worthless. They would break if she tried to cut a thread. At least there were two pairs with the first aid kits that were a little sturdier. There were six needles, all filled with thread already and four small spools of thread in white, black, red, and blue. A small thimble, made of plastic, and a piece to help thread a needle were also inside. Though the last piece was as worthless as the scissors. They always pulled apart when the tried to use them, but the little wire might come in handy.
With a sigh she put it back. They would need cloth for her to sew anything. She turned to the grasses and vines they had collected. She could weave baskets. Not as well or as tightly as her mother, who had been doing them since her own childhood, but she might be able to fashion them hats and basic clothing.
She looked through the long grass. She'd already stripped the seedpods from the top and soaked them. Now she only had to work them into a usable form. She thought a loincloth type skirt for each of them, and a bikini type top for herself. The hats were also important because they had no sunglasses and after a time the light reflecting from the water and the bright sun could damage their eyes.
Usagi spun when she heard Mamoru make a strange sound. She noticed something in his hand. It had a long, very leafy stem and the vegetable was a bright orange color. He had made a carrot. She laughed. His first vegetable had to be one of the ones she didn't care for. She wouldn't tell him that of course. She gave him a huge hug instead and went to grab one of the sharp knives. He took it and cut the carrot into slices, giving her half.
She was hungry enough that the taste didn't bother her the way it had when she was young. In fact, she thought it was sweeter than any she'd ever had.
"A carrot for my little Usako," Mamoru said, and smiled.
Giggles filled the cave. When she was young people had often said things like that, and it had felt like teasing and meanness. With Mamoru however, it was a very sweet gesture, and she loved him all the more for it.
They'd only really been awake for about four hours, but both of them were tired and laid down after they ate. She cuddled up against him, neither bothering with the sleeping bag as it was rather warm, and they fell asleep, locked in a tight embrace.
