Disclaimer: See the last chapter, which will tell you to see chapters one
through nine. Have a nice day. (
Thanks to. . .
Cortney: A new reviewer! Yay!!! I'm glad you like my story.
miLady: I love Tasuki moments, too. They're so fun to write. And Nakago does make an actual appearance in a few chapters. Though I don't think you will like it too much. . .
Renee: Thanks!!!
Author's Note: I'm sooooo unbelievably sorry that this chapter took so long to get up. I haven't been doing much in the way of my stories lately. I got a puppy and she's taking up all my time. She follows me everywhere! It's like having a new, obnoxious shadow! And then there was Christmas and Fanfiction.net stopped working for me. Damn AOL. . . So I'm sorry. I'll try and make it up to you guys by having another chapter up before the end of the year. I don't know. If anyone is looking into this story in the long run, I've decided that there is going to be a sequel. We'll need one with the ending I have planned. Well, that's it.
Chapter 14: Storms Suck! (I'm on a roll! "I Hate Boats" and now "Storms Suck!" How do I do it?)
I took another look at the sky. The clouds were moving in rapidly, more rapidly than I thought was possible. The sea was getting rougher by the minute as well, which meant more quality time with Tasuki. As he reeled over the side of the boat and I rubbed his back, I tried to keep my mind off the smell and focus on something else. I thought about how everybody acted so weird after I talked to Taiitsu-kun and then Chichiri told me that story. I was flattered, in a way. It was nice that he trusted me with something so personal but I couldn't seem to figure out the reason behind it. 'Was he trying to imply that no matter how bad I look that people could still like me?' I didn't know. "Ugh. . .I think I'm ok-" Tasuki started but couldn't finish because the boat started to rock violently, causing another wave of seasickness.
"I know you're sick but we probably shouldn't be so close to the edge." I had a bad feeling and it wasn't going away. "I'll get a bucket and then we should go back to your room, ok? You can lie down and get some rest." 'And I can take a break from all this niceness. It's just not me.' He nodded hesitantly. "I'll be right back." I ran around looking for a bucket. I finally found one but had to practically steal it from one of the members of the crew. He seemed to think that his job mopping the floor was more important than whatever I needed it for. It took me a while but I convinced him. "I'm back, Tasuki! And I brought the bucket!" I yelled. Just then, lightening struck the boat causing it to rock. Tasuki was still bent over the edge and if I didn't get there in time, he'd fall overboard and I had a pretty good feeling that he couldn't swim. I ran over to where he was and pushed him away from the edge. The problem was that in doing so, I lost my balance and fell over the railing, doing exactly what I was trying to prevent Tasuki from doing. "Help!" I cried. I was holding on to the railing and I didn't know how long my strength would last.
"Don't move, Yume. I'll go get help," Tasuki declared. I would have slapped myself but I didn't want to let go of the railing. He could have helped me himself!
I waited for a couple of minutes before yelling in desperation, "Could ya hurry up a little? I don't know how long I can hold on!"
A couple of minutes later, Tasuki followed by Tamahome and Nuriko appeared over the railing. Nuriko smirked down at me. He looked like he was really enjoying this. "Well, this is an interesting little dilemma," he said.
"Could you please help me?" I asked. He smirked but grabbed my arm, lifting me up. Once I was safely on the other side of the railing, I thanked him.
"Thanks for saving me, Nuriko," I said, trying to be nice.
"I'm surprised you didn't know better than to stay away from the side of the ship when the sea is rough," Tamahome scolded.
"Well, I don't know, Tamahome. It doesn't seem like she has much common sense," Nuriko sneered.
"Actually, I was the one that was by the railing. Yume saw that the ocean was rough and pushed me out of the way. Otherwise, I'd be overboard," Tasuki admitted. Nuriko looked shocked but before he could say anything, we heard an ear-piercing scream followed by a "SPLASH!" 'What now?'
We ran to the source of the noise only to find Miaka splashing around in the water. She looked like she was running out of strength, quickly too. I kicked off my shoes, got up on the railing and jumped over before anyone could protest. I grabbed onto her arm and tried to keep her above water. "Throw us a rope or one of those lifesaver things!" I yelled. They found a rope, (I guess lifesavers haven't been invented yet) and threw it to us. I let Miaka go first and helped her climb up. Tamahome was holding the rope and the minute Miaka got on board, let go of it causing me to land in the water again. "Gee thanks Tamahome! I love you too!" I yelled as I fell. Nuriko grabbed it but another bolt of water sent him into the water along with the rope. "We should try and find some land," I suggested.
"Yea and where are we going to find this land? We're in the middle of a huge body of water!" he responded sarcastically. (A/N I still don't know what body of water they are on. Sorry. ^_^;)
Just then, another bolt of lightening struck a rock cave not too far from us. "Right there," I answered, only half sure that we could make it there in one, not charred, piece.
We swam towards the cave as fast as we could: if the lightening struck the water again we'd be dead for sure. Nuriko made it there first and pulled me up. We entered the cave and Nuriko even managed to start a fire. Like it or not, we were stuck together and I decided to try and make the best of it. Or so the plan started out. It wasn't going to be as easy as I hoped. "Our clothes are soaked. We should try and dry them over the fire," Nuriko advised.
"How? I am not taking mine off," I replied, giving him a disgusted, "so you aren't really gay" look. I sneezed and shivered, losing the effect. He rolled his eyes at me.
"You have to or you'll get sick. Trust me, if there was another way I'd suggest it," he responded. I sighed in defeat and removed my soaked tank top and jeans, placing them near the fire. "You do know that regardless of this situation, I still don't like you or trust you. I'll be watching you."
'I bet you will. . .' "I don't really care whether or not you like me or trust me. And I don't like you either so I guess we're even," I retorted. "But thanks for saving me."
"You're welcome but I wouldn't get cocky. I only saved you because Taiitsu- kun said you'd be important so I couldn't just let you die, not until you do what you have to, at least."
"Gee thanks," I replied sarcastically.
We remained in silence after that, listening to the sound of the beating rain. I sat huddled by the fire, trying to get warm and hide myself at the same time. I didn't like sitting around in my underwear. It was just weird. "I wonder how everyone else is doing. That storm seemed a little weird, almost like it had a mind of its own, you know? I hope they're ok," I said, saying out loud what I had been thinking.
Nuriko looked up at me. "I was wondering the same thing. I think Nakago may have had something to do with the storm. It was just too convenient. Now we'll be detained, not just 'til the storm moves out but they'll have to come looking for us, too. I don't know how he could have done it though," he commented. 'If Nakago had something to do with it, then it's probably my fault. I told him when we were leaving. But he almost killed me quite a few times in the process. The first was when I tried to save Tasuki. That means. . .he might have seen me trying to save him. Shit!' "Yume. . .hello? I was talking to you."
"Huh? Oh sorry. I was just thinking about something. What were you saying?" 'Ok, Yume. No more blanking out,' my mind instructed me.
He sighed. "I was asking you if you had any ideas on what we should do while we wait for help. Never mind, though, I can see you won't be much help."
I remembered my CD player. I had left it in the pocket of my pants. 'I hope I didn't ruin it. . .' I checked and it still worked. "Well, I don't know what you're going to do but I'm going to listen to my CD player. You can have fun on your own," I retorted. He looked a little surprised. 'Did he think I was just going to let him get away with that little comment? I was trying to be civil before but he just has to mock me. Maybe I'll find out why he hates me so much while we're stuck here.'
"Fine. I'm just going to sit here until help comes," he responded.
So we sat by the fire: me, listening to my music, Nuriko just sitting there waiting for help to come. I moved so that I could lean against the wall. I had my music down low enough so that if Nuriko talks to me, I'll be able to hear him. I tapped my foot to the music (an old habit so I wouldn't sing and embarrass myself) and sat staring into space. I thought home. My home. And Shiriko and about my mom and Tony. I imagined what they would be doing now, if we were all actually home for once. Tony would probably be joking around about something and my mom might actually laugh for once. I'd probably be off watching TV or something. I wasn't really much of a "family time" person. I cared immensely about my family but didn't always want to spend time with them. I tried to be thankful for all that my mom does for us but I still don't always want to be around them. My parents are always fighting and I get sick of it. I liked my dad but I wish he'd just leave already. It would do us all some good. Tony says that I'm just like my dad. I haven't decided whether or not that's a good thing yet.
I steered my thoughts away from dad and home and thought about the others. I wondered how they were doing. I hoped they were ok. I could faintly hear the wind whipping through the cave walls. I figured the storm must still be raging. 'Just please let them survive long enough so that they can rescue me,' I thought. Nuriko gave me another mean look. 'Please. I don't like being stuck with fag boy much. He might go straight on me.'
Author's Note:
Smack: I know, I know. I can hear the complaints from here. "What? It was late and it's even a short chapter! That lazy good for nothing author!" I tried, ok?
Tasuki: Serves you right.
Smack: Shut up you!!!!
Tasuki: ::laughs::
Smack: I'll just give you the preview of the next chapter now. . .
"If you're trying to seduce me so you can control me like everyone else you should stop now." 'Seduce you! I'm just trying to talk to you!' my mind yelled.
I didn't move but gave him a hurt look. "Me seduce you?" My look changed to a mocking one. "You're gay, remember? If I were seducing anyone, my efforts would be pointless on you. Unless, of course, I was trying to see how long it takes for a gay guy to go straight when stuck alone on an island with a girl. Then again, it could be one of those survivor shows," I retorted, knowing he wouldn't know what a survival show is.
Smack: I gave you a long quote to make up for the short chapter. You have to wonder; will those two ever get along?
Tasuki: My money's on no.
Smack: ::laughs evilly and disappears::
Thanks to. . .
Cortney: A new reviewer! Yay!!! I'm glad you like my story.
miLady: I love Tasuki moments, too. They're so fun to write. And Nakago does make an actual appearance in a few chapters. Though I don't think you will like it too much. . .
Renee: Thanks!!!
Author's Note: I'm sooooo unbelievably sorry that this chapter took so long to get up. I haven't been doing much in the way of my stories lately. I got a puppy and she's taking up all my time. She follows me everywhere! It's like having a new, obnoxious shadow! And then there was Christmas and Fanfiction.net stopped working for me. Damn AOL. . . So I'm sorry. I'll try and make it up to you guys by having another chapter up before the end of the year. I don't know. If anyone is looking into this story in the long run, I've decided that there is going to be a sequel. We'll need one with the ending I have planned. Well, that's it.
Chapter 14: Storms Suck! (I'm on a roll! "I Hate Boats" and now "Storms Suck!" How do I do it?)
I took another look at the sky. The clouds were moving in rapidly, more rapidly than I thought was possible. The sea was getting rougher by the minute as well, which meant more quality time with Tasuki. As he reeled over the side of the boat and I rubbed his back, I tried to keep my mind off the smell and focus on something else. I thought about how everybody acted so weird after I talked to Taiitsu-kun and then Chichiri told me that story. I was flattered, in a way. It was nice that he trusted me with something so personal but I couldn't seem to figure out the reason behind it. 'Was he trying to imply that no matter how bad I look that people could still like me?' I didn't know. "Ugh. . .I think I'm ok-" Tasuki started but couldn't finish because the boat started to rock violently, causing another wave of seasickness.
"I know you're sick but we probably shouldn't be so close to the edge." I had a bad feeling and it wasn't going away. "I'll get a bucket and then we should go back to your room, ok? You can lie down and get some rest." 'And I can take a break from all this niceness. It's just not me.' He nodded hesitantly. "I'll be right back." I ran around looking for a bucket. I finally found one but had to practically steal it from one of the members of the crew. He seemed to think that his job mopping the floor was more important than whatever I needed it for. It took me a while but I convinced him. "I'm back, Tasuki! And I brought the bucket!" I yelled. Just then, lightening struck the boat causing it to rock. Tasuki was still bent over the edge and if I didn't get there in time, he'd fall overboard and I had a pretty good feeling that he couldn't swim. I ran over to where he was and pushed him away from the edge. The problem was that in doing so, I lost my balance and fell over the railing, doing exactly what I was trying to prevent Tasuki from doing. "Help!" I cried. I was holding on to the railing and I didn't know how long my strength would last.
"Don't move, Yume. I'll go get help," Tasuki declared. I would have slapped myself but I didn't want to let go of the railing. He could have helped me himself!
I waited for a couple of minutes before yelling in desperation, "Could ya hurry up a little? I don't know how long I can hold on!"
A couple of minutes later, Tasuki followed by Tamahome and Nuriko appeared over the railing. Nuriko smirked down at me. He looked like he was really enjoying this. "Well, this is an interesting little dilemma," he said.
"Could you please help me?" I asked. He smirked but grabbed my arm, lifting me up. Once I was safely on the other side of the railing, I thanked him.
"Thanks for saving me, Nuriko," I said, trying to be nice.
"I'm surprised you didn't know better than to stay away from the side of the ship when the sea is rough," Tamahome scolded.
"Well, I don't know, Tamahome. It doesn't seem like she has much common sense," Nuriko sneered.
"Actually, I was the one that was by the railing. Yume saw that the ocean was rough and pushed me out of the way. Otherwise, I'd be overboard," Tasuki admitted. Nuriko looked shocked but before he could say anything, we heard an ear-piercing scream followed by a "SPLASH!" 'What now?'
We ran to the source of the noise only to find Miaka splashing around in the water. She looked like she was running out of strength, quickly too. I kicked off my shoes, got up on the railing and jumped over before anyone could protest. I grabbed onto her arm and tried to keep her above water. "Throw us a rope or one of those lifesaver things!" I yelled. They found a rope, (I guess lifesavers haven't been invented yet) and threw it to us. I let Miaka go first and helped her climb up. Tamahome was holding the rope and the minute Miaka got on board, let go of it causing me to land in the water again. "Gee thanks Tamahome! I love you too!" I yelled as I fell. Nuriko grabbed it but another bolt of water sent him into the water along with the rope. "We should try and find some land," I suggested.
"Yea and where are we going to find this land? We're in the middle of a huge body of water!" he responded sarcastically. (A/N I still don't know what body of water they are on. Sorry. ^_^;)
Just then, another bolt of lightening struck a rock cave not too far from us. "Right there," I answered, only half sure that we could make it there in one, not charred, piece.
We swam towards the cave as fast as we could: if the lightening struck the water again we'd be dead for sure. Nuriko made it there first and pulled me up. We entered the cave and Nuriko even managed to start a fire. Like it or not, we were stuck together and I decided to try and make the best of it. Or so the plan started out. It wasn't going to be as easy as I hoped. "Our clothes are soaked. We should try and dry them over the fire," Nuriko advised.
"How? I am not taking mine off," I replied, giving him a disgusted, "so you aren't really gay" look. I sneezed and shivered, losing the effect. He rolled his eyes at me.
"You have to or you'll get sick. Trust me, if there was another way I'd suggest it," he responded. I sighed in defeat and removed my soaked tank top and jeans, placing them near the fire. "You do know that regardless of this situation, I still don't like you or trust you. I'll be watching you."
'I bet you will. . .' "I don't really care whether or not you like me or trust me. And I don't like you either so I guess we're even," I retorted. "But thanks for saving me."
"You're welcome but I wouldn't get cocky. I only saved you because Taiitsu- kun said you'd be important so I couldn't just let you die, not until you do what you have to, at least."
"Gee thanks," I replied sarcastically.
We remained in silence after that, listening to the sound of the beating rain. I sat huddled by the fire, trying to get warm and hide myself at the same time. I didn't like sitting around in my underwear. It was just weird. "I wonder how everyone else is doing. That storm seemed a little weird, almost like it had a mind of its own, you know? I hope they're ok," I said, saying out loud what I had been thinking.
Nuriko looked up at me. "I was wondering the same thing. I think Nakago may have had something to do with the storm. It was just too convenient. Now we'll be detained, not just 'til the storm moves out but they'll have to come looking for us, too. I don't know how he could have done it though," he commented. 'If Nakago had something to do with it, then it's probably my fault. I told him when we were leaving. But he almost killed me quite a few times in the process. The first was when I tried to save Tasuki. That means. . .he might have seen me trying to save him. Shit!' "Yume. . .hello? I was talking to you."
"Huh? Oh sorry. I was just thinking about something. What were you saying?" 'Ok, Yume. No more blanking out,' my mind instructed me.
He sighed. "I was asking you if you had any ideas on what we should do while we wait for help. Never mind, though, I can see you won't be much help."
I remembered my CD player. I had left it in the pocket of my pants. 'I hope I didn't ruin it. . .' I checked and it still worked. "Well, I don't know what you're going to do but I'm going to listen to my CD player. You can have fun on your own," I retorted. He looked a little surprised. 'Did he think I was just going to let him get away with that little comment? I was trying to be civil before but he just has to mock me. Maybe I'll find out why he hates me so much while we're stuck here.'
"Fine. I'm just going to sit here until help comes," he responded.
So we sat by the fire: me, listening to my music, Nuriko just sitting there waiting for help to come. I moved so that I could lean against the wall. I had my music down low enough so that if Nuriko talks to me, I'll be able to hear him. I tapped my foot to the music (an old habit so I wouldn't sing and embarrass myself) and sat staring into space. I thought home. My home. And Shiriko and about my mom and Tony. I imagined what they would be doing now, if we were all actually home for once. Tony would probably be joking around about something and my mom might actually laugh for once. I'd probably be off watching TV or something. I wasn't really much of a "family time" person. I cared immensely about my family but didn't always want to spend time with them. I tried to be thankful for all that my mom does for us but I still don't always want to be around them. My parents are always fighting and I get sick of it. I liked my dad but I wish he'd just leave already. It would do us all some good. Tony says that I'm just like my dad. I haven't decided whether or not that's a good thing yet.
I steered my thoughts away from dad and home and thought about the others. I wondered how they were doing. I hoped they were ok. I could faintly hear the wind whipping through the cave walls. I figured the storm must still be raging. 'Just please let them survive long enough so that they can rescue me,' I thought. Nuriko gave me another mean look. 'Please. I don't like being stuck with fag boy much. He might go straight on me.'
Author's Note:
Smack: I know, I know. I can hear the complaints from here. "What? It was late and it's even a short chapter! That lazy good for nothing author!" I tried, ok?
Tasuki: Serves you right.
Smack: Shut up you!!!!
Tasuki: ::laughs::
Smack: I'll just give you the preview of the next chapter now. . .
"If you're trying to seduce me so you can control me like everyone else you should stop now." 'Seduce you! I'm just trying to talk to you!' my mind yelled.
I didn't move but gave him a hurt look. "Me seduce you?" My look changed to a mocking one. "You're gay, remember? If I were seducing anyone, my efforts would be pointless on you. Unless, of course, I was trying to see how long it takes for a gay guy to go straight when stuck alone on an island with a girl. Then again, it could be one of those survivor shows," I retorted, knowing he wouldn't know what a survival show is.
Smack: I gave you a long quote to make up for the short chapter. You have to wonder; will those two ever get along?
Tasuki: My money's on no.
Smack: ::laughs evilly and disappears::