A Thin Line Between Hate and Endurance

Again, Ayeka returned home empty-handed. She had spent the past hour searching for water, but had no luck. She did manage to scoop up several loose pieces of fruit, mostly some oranges and an apple or two. She would give the soft, fleshy pieces of orange to Ryoko, while keeping the harder apples to herself. Yes, that seemed the fairest way to go…

Ever since landing on the island, Ayeka had had little trouble in getting food; it was water she was concerned about. She knew there was drink on the island somewhere--why else would there be so much food on the island? And yet, here she was, six-some days into her stay, and not a single drop was found, except for that muddy old creek.

Having Ryoko around would be another hardship for her. Even if the two were best friends, and they were anything but, there would be a noticeable lack of food and resources to go around. Having another person on the island was a double-edged sword: Ayeka would have the company and assistance she desired, but her resources would dwindle all the quicker. Maybe, if she got lucky enough, Ryoko would chip in and contribute to the cause.

Fat chance of that, thought the royal one.

Ayeka returned to her cave with the fruit in tow. She was unaware of the fact that she was humming a happy tune as she laid her treasures out. Since arriving on the island, Ayeka had made a crude placemat with some oversized leaves, and also several baskets that were made of woven palm leaves. Into the baskets went the majority of the fruit; one orange was placed on the leaf.

While watching her sleeping companion, Ayeka fished around for another basket, one that contained all the tools she had acquired. For her tools, Ayeka had turned a smooth rock into a crude hammer, a sharper one into a sort of knife, several seashells into scraping, digging, and cutting mechanisms, a conch into a poking/drilling device, and even a primitive slingshot made from a "Y" shaped branch and a few rubber bands from the diary's box.

With her knife and scrapers, Ayeka cut away the skin of the orange. She then began splitting apart the halves, and buried the skin and seeds in hopes of making another tree. Using one of her larger shells as a sort of cup, she squeezed the juices from the orange and carefully poured the liquid into Ryoko's mouth. Ayeka genuinely smiled when her sleeping patient stirred and managed to swallow.

"Well, are you awake yet?" she asked. As it always had been, there was no answer. Ayeka frowned, shrugged, and prepared to make more juice for the pirate. For the moment, she would cast her hate of the woman away, and turned it into endurance. The quicker Ryoko gained her health and spirits, the quicker she would wake up and help Ayeka.

After feeding an entire orange to the sleeping woman, Ayeka cleaned her hands and surveyed the situation.

"What do you think I should do next?" she asked. Since rescuing the other woman, Ayeka took a bizarre comfort in conversing with Ryoko, even though she knew she would never get a response in return. This actually brightened the princess' attitude, for no response from Ryoko was better than her usual snappy demeanor.

Sensing Ryoko's needs, Ayeka shed her heavy princess garment and blanketed Ryoko with it. The other woman was probably still a little chilled from her days spent on that rock, and being confined inside the cave certainly didn't help a lot. Ayeka was more than willing to part with her robe anyway--it was becoming very warm as the days grew on.

As the hours waned, Ayeka bounced between taking care of Ryoko and searching for water. The fruit she occasionally found just barely whetted her thirst (she always remembered to plant the seeds), so a spring of fresh water was now her top priority. Of course, being on that island for nearly a week without water was affecting the princess in harmful ways. She often grew tired for no reason, or suddenly began growing faint even in times of rest.

Taking care of Ryoko was eating away at Ayeka's resolve. The first few hours were more or less tiring, but after spending nearly an entire day taking care of the pirate, Ayeka began to grow weary. Night's dark shadow didn't make things any easier; for Ryoko to fully recover, Ayeka knew she had to have the entire bed to herself. Not desiring to sleep on the floor, Ayeka opted to stay up all night to make sure that Ryoko was well.

One harrowing night passed. As Ayeka slowly adjusted to the coming dawn, she shook herself and wondered what she looked like. She had spent the entire night awake, caring for Ryoko and hunting for water. Now, as the sun rose, she must've looked like a mess. Her hair would be in a mess, her eyes would be dark and baggy, her cheeks sunken, and her mouth dry.

"Are you awake yet?" whispered the princess, sitting down on the floor and hugging her knees. "Are you, Ryoko? Please, please wake up soon. I cannot keep care of you for long."

I'm so proud of you.

"Spare me," she snorted. "This is all your fault anyway."

Grumbling from lack of sleep, Ayeka trudged out of her cave and literally hissed at the smiling sun. With her eyes only halfway open, she stumbled into the jungle to resume her search for food and water. Traveling through the forest was like walking through somewhere new every three minutes: she had no idea where she was going, or if she was even going anywhere. One day, she promised herself that she would make a map of the island, including areas where food and water was abundant.

Ayeka's sleepiness was broken as she stumbled over a protruding root. Slamming down on the ground with a THUD, she moaned in pain and didn't rise for quite some time. With a sneer, she began rubbing her head and knees.

"Curses!" she spat. "Of all the ridiculous things for me to do!" Ayeka growled and complained for a little while longer, but soon realized that she was wasting time. With a tear of pain, she got back to her feet (kicking the evil root for good measure) and continued her journey through the jungle.

Weary, Ayeka returned back to her cave--which she now considered home--with nothing more than the usual armful of scraps. She had retrieved more oranges for Ryoko, and she carried a mango and even a few carrots for herself (just seeing the orange veggies sent Ayeka into tears, for she missed even Ryo-ohki). As always, she found no water, but she did discover a better flint for starting fires.

Somehow, the princess managed to make it back to her cave with all her treasures. How she ever found her way home again was a mystery--the jungle was thick and deep and incredibly labyrinthine. Maybe, though it wasn't likely, she had a very good sense of direction after all.

Ayeka smiled when she entered her cave, spotting Ryoko still lying on the mattress. So, she has not yet woken up, thought the princess. Well, I might as well take this moment of peace while I can. Ayeka kneeled down, placed her food in the baskets, put her flint away, and began squeezing juice for Ryoko…

Snap out of my sleepy state. Greet the day with a scowl. Feed Ryoko the remains of the food. Eat breakfast. Go outside and look for more food and some water. Stumble and trip over something new. Curse at it and strike it with my foot. Find several pieces of fruit that fell out of the trees and return home. Fail at my search for water. Come back home at nightfall. Feed Ryoko more juice and food, and make sure she's getting better. Eat dinner. Stay up all night to make sure she stays safe. Snap out of my sleepy state. Greet the day with a scowl. Feed Ryoko the remains of the food……

This went on for a whole entire week.

Diary of Ayeka

Tenth of May

I swear, that Ryoko is being so stubborn. I work and slave all day! I'm doing my best for a fire, and I just started to make a new shelter. I've added window shades to my home and managed to clean up all the rocks and dirt that was on the floor. I made baskets and placemats, and soon I'll be making a blanket. But all she does is sleep and eat!! Just like always! Sleep and eat, sleep and eat, like a worthless, useless cat! :o( It makes me horribly angry!! I hope she recovers QUICKLY!!!

Trying to be civil,

Ayeka

Diary of Ayeka

Tenth of May

I am becoming tired. Have been watching over Ryoko for who-knows how long. Can't keep on. Barely able to walk around, but somehow I manage. Ugh, I cannot write like I used to. Her belly is getting stronger and I swear she swallowed down a piece of a peach I gave her. Didn't choke, my loss. Can't focus.

I'm sure she can be fine on her own for awhile. Will dedicate one entire day to searching the island. I pray I find water or I may become sick. Then we would both be up a creek. Ugh, creek… I wish I hadn't made that reference.

Trying to keep my sanity,

Ayeka

Diary of Ayeka

Thirteenth of May, Friday

How appropriate! Friday the thirteenth! It has been… I suppose, almost two weeks since I have arrived on this wretched island! And I have spent half of that time watching over Ryoko!!

It saddens me. I so desperately crave for the attention of another. I am so desperately alone that I have regressed into talking to my unresponsive "roommate". She is at least an ear for me, but I do so long for her company… Oh, I have finally lost my sanity…

Now, more than ever, I wish for her recovery. Am losing sleep. Haven't rested in days. My health is fading very quickly, and if I do not sleep soon, I may become ill. Haven't done much in the ways of drinking either. Cannot be good for body. Cannot concentrate. Writing short. ACK!!

Please, Ryoko… Please get well soon… I need my rest too… I cannot go on like this for much longer. Wake up. Get well. Don't die. If you perish, all this work will be for nothing. If you leave, I will be forced to live and work alone. That will ruin me.

Praying,

A.

It was night, the night of the thirteenth of May, and Ryoko still hadn't woken out of her sleep. Ayeka, worn out and almost dead from staying up, was slumped on the bed, her face inches away from Ryoko's hand. In the cool silence of the night, Ayeka could hear the other woman breathing; she even saw her chest rise and fall. A quiet feeling of serenity overcame the princess, and she clasped Ryoko's hand weakly.

"I know you can do it," she whispered, her voice weak from lack of sleep and water. "Please… recover soon… I cannot… no, I will not go on for much longer… Please…" Ayeka sighed, and allowed Ryoko two tears. For perhaps the first time since the two women met, Ayeka prayed for Ryoko's well-being--and cried for her.

"I need your help, Ryoko," she whispered. Her pride, it seemed, had vanished along with her resolve. Now, the only remnant of Ayeka's former glory was a desperate shell, aching for company and rest. No longer did the princess gloat over her victories, or sneer at her opposition, or smile at Ryoko's misfortune. Only a tiny spark, the flames of a pure heart, remained.

"You're not even going to try," sighed Ayeka, feeling no movement from Ryoko's hand. She sighed, and began stroking it softly. By now, her hatred of the woman had vanished. She no longer cared whether Ryoko was a criminal or not--she needed her, she had taken care of her, and to be disappointed now would be the worst fate imaginable.

Perhaps it was right that she should suffer like this. After all, she had tormented Ryoko during the cruise, and she nearly left the other woman to die several days ago. Right then, Ayeka had hit rock bottom. Looking back, she became frightened at her own cruelty, frightened that she could be so heartless and proud as to abandon the only hope she had of survival… or escape.

Ryoko… I almost forgot! Ryoko can teleport! Ryoko can fly! Ryoko can summon Ryo-ohki!!

With a cry, Ayeka crumbled and finally lost her spirit. She shouted to the heavens for forgiveness and benediction, and let the tears flow as she held Ryoko's unmoving hand. She had nearly let this woman die a terrible death! She had nearly ignored the only hope, the only help, the only company that the island gave her! And she had nearly killed off her only ride out!!

"You cannot lose now, Ryoko!!!" roared Ayeka, squeezing the pirate's hand firmly. "You cannot lose! No, you WILL not lose! Fight! Fight!! Please, fight and live!! PLEASE!!! I need you!! I need your help!!!"

You're forgetting something.

"You're right," quivered Ayeka, the tears staining her weary face. Tossing her pride away, Ayeka placed Ryoko's hand to her cheek and whispered the one thing she thought she would never have to utter.

"I'm sorry, Ryoko. Please forgive me…"

Hours later, as Ayeka sat watching the waves dance on the shore, Ryoko's hand began to move…