A/n: Wow these reviews. Well, I'm still making revisions on this, but who says I can't update as well:) Welcome to the conclusion of this two part series. Even though it is says day 16, it's a continuation of day 15 still.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-gi-oh, no money was made from this fiction.
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Day Sixteen: Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
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The night was quiet and serene. The dark ocean carried a faint glimmer of starlight and reached for the shore. The white sand contrasted sharply with the dark, reaching waters, as if resisting its pull. It seemed to dance out of the ocean's reach, as if mocking. But eventually, the sand surrendered and eroded with the swirling dark waters.
The tiny, uncharted island was beautiful, even after the sun went down over the horizon. Black sea reflected the black sky uncertainly, as if unsure if it wasn't the other way around . . .? . . . Only the white strip of shoreline showed. Indeed, it was a skirmish of two intense colors, black and white, with only the gray of the smoky-clouds and softening the blurred edges of white.
Clouds swirled overhead madly. "I wanna go home! We're not gonna make it! We're gonna die here!" Serenity breathed, covering her face up. Control, kept in a tissue-thin barrier was slipping away, in lieu of the nights' events. Having been stuck for over two weeks now, the supplies had finally run out. "What-what-what'll get us first!" she cried hysterically. "Hypothermia? Starvation?"
"We're not going to die. Listen to me. We're going to go . . .soon--!" It is my fault-- he thought, wrapping his arms around her and holding her soothingly. I guess . . .I did go overboard . . .I guess. Seto didn't want to admit that he'd done something wrong, even if for soothing measures. I GUESS. And I guess I shouldn't have stopped her from being rescued by her brother that time . . . at least she wouldn't be so miserable, nowI don't mind.
Instead, he ran fingers down her back, over her spinal cord, in a caress. She leaned ever into him for solace, like a baby leans towards its mother . Their earlier spat seemed to havebeen forgotten. As he held her tighter still, he felt something suddenly dig sharply into his chest and realizing, he oh-so-casually released her with one hand to readjust the chain hanging around his neck. Her body felt cold without his impress; just then, she blinked. And noticed that he was still fully clothed--in khaki jeans and a white T-shirt, whereas she didn't have even a stitch to her name. It was a major encumbrance.
Springing back with a panicked yelp, she immediately regretted doing so. Just a few moments before, it had been pitch-black dark and now, the stars were so many and so numerous and were all brightly shining. Aspotlight had been hit. Okay, maybe not as bright as a spotlight, but pretty close enough to give the shore a surreal appearance.
A long awkward silence as she reajusted her arms around her torso, eyes shimmering.
"Sorry . . .I guess I shouldn't have given you comfort." He said a little snippily, but not very, staring down at those big doe eyes, complete with Caught-in-the-Headlights Expression. A smile of pure amused arrogance broke the building tension. "I don't know what's the point in trying to cover up . . .there's nothing I haven't seen . . . before . . ."
She shivered at his whispered statement, deciding to ignore it so they wouldn't argue, but all the same wishing she had a third hand to slap him on the face. "What are you looking at?" she challenged instead, wishing that her voice . . . didn't squeak at the end or her cheeks didn't burn red. Leer or ogle she would have said instead, except she didn't want to hurt his feelings. I guess he WAS trying to 'comfort' me . . .and not coerce me . . . into doing something I didn't want to do. Her arms slackened, and even her hair seemed to droop, knittingfrom its still-messy bun. Wisps of it brushed her ethereal-like pale skin, on her shoulders, and he found himself thinking thoughts he'd never thought about a female. Like: she's got the . . .cutest bellybutton I've ever seen. And-- nice legs too.. . .What was he thinking? He wasn't the type to think these things. He gave himself a mental slap. Dragging his gaze, he forced it on her face instead and, realized her lips were moving.
" . . .sorry . . ." She moved away and sat down, right beside the charred remains of her clothes and the big metal basin in the sand. "I guess . . .I have this thing . . .bout being touched . . . By someone . . .other than my family, I mean." With a heavy sigh, she drew in her knees and rested her chin on them. I have a feeling this is going to be a bad thing but it explains a lot. After a pause, he came down and sat next to her, impassive and curious. After another long moment, she spoke, finally, again in a hollow voice that seems like she was speaking to herself. "I'll have to trust you . . .okay, see, it's like this . . ." As always, her mind started to wander, whenever she was close to revealing personal stuff. It became hard to keep focus. "My uncle used to..." A breath shuddered its way in. "And since then . . . I can't stand to be touched . . .like that. You know?" Her fingers played with a shell that scuttled sideways from grip.
"I…see." he said quietly; even though she hadn't articulated the remains, it was all there in her voice and face. With her imagination, he might've though she had imagined this too, but for the fact that it explains a lot. Like when everytime he'd try to kiss her, she'd squirm away. I knew it wasn't because of me; what girl wouldn't? Even now, she was looking away at the rolling waters swishing by. His head turned that way also, suddenly wishing that she hadn't revealed this part of herself. If anything, it made her even more attractive. They watched, as the water seemed to fold on itself. He was thinking everything his own father did to him, though now; it seemed less disgusting to what a delicate child went through . . .especially a girl child; he got angry on her behalf. Meanwhile, Serenity thought that that was enough sharing, for her, and smiled up. His turn. But before she got out a word, he turned suddenly.
"And where is he now? Your uncle."
His briskness and sharp tone startled her. "Um—" Nervously, she tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear. "Somewhere in Florida—o-on some beach, —with his wife, I guess."
"Didn't you tell anyone!"
"Didn't you anyone!""Well . . .no . . .I was too ashamed." She wasn't sounding too concerned about it, just accepting. "So, what about—"
"You should've said something!"
"Only Joey knows. My parents were kind of stupid. So, anyway," she stared at him, sideways, "what about your parents?" She smiled beautifully curving the corners of her lips. "How are they?"
His mind was eventually drawn back, to the swift topic change. "They're dead," he said shortly. Good riddance.
"Oh . . .I'm sorry." She had meant it in an Are they nice? sort of way, not 'healthwise.' "Umm . . ." How awkward he made things.
"Don't be." His knuckles whitened. "They weren't nice."
"Not even...your mother?"
Surprise question. "Mother." He took a clump of grass by the roots and rubbed it between his forefinger and thumb thoughtfully, but still scowling. " . . .She was nice," he admitted.
"That's good, then." For a moment, she forgot she was lost in the middle of nowhere with no sign of being rescued, scant food, no matches. And so did he. Both were lost, all right, but lost in their own thoughts, for a while; mentally instead of physically. But as always, reality set and the stars diminished by casting a faint glow, that coupled with a strong breeze.
He felt the first sting of reality. " . . .Well. The first thing we have to do, is get you some clothes . . ." Because if she runs around like that and I can't touch her, I'll go insane. And, start pulling my hair out. And I need ALL my hair. "So..." His breath blew out between tight lips, now feeling uncharcteristically awkward, himself.
Serenity took up a defensive stance,"Get what? And I'm not wearing—" she blushed briefly,"—that thing that you said!"
"What . . .?" He stared, puzzled. "Oh, right! . ." Thanks for reminding me!In actual seriousness, he studied up towards between the palm trees' fronds. It was too dark to tell if there were any fruits.
!…I guess… we're on good terms again, by still! "S-so . . .you can just forget about it!" Serenity went out of sight. They probably hurt anyway.
"Yeah, O.K. . . ." He was fiendishly disappointed. Now where did she go? A telltale sign of auburn hair peeked from behind the kettle, in it'swild ponytail. "Here, then." He lifted the white shirt off his own head, and held it out impatiently.
"R-really?" She had really thought that he was going to make her wear it... after all; since, he was so mysterious. "Thanks!" Happily, she caught it as he threw it, took it and started to put it on with a smile. The night had grown dark again, so she had no embarrassment. She could just barely make out her hands, holding the white shirt, in front of her. See, he can be nice sometimes . . .sometimes . . .
"...The clothes are in the gray granite cave, under the big rock," he droned on, giving her instructions and directions. Maybe I should go . . .a snake in the woods would probably bite her. Nah-- "It shouldn't be hard to find even though there isn't any flashlight . . .just feel your way around." --I've done enough. "Hey! Are you listening!" She was staring at him numb with shock. "Hey! I asked you a question!" he said when she didn't answer right away.
" . . .Huh? Uh, nothing!" She began fumbling around again, trying to think 'cool.' "I was just admiring your, um, necklace." I've never seen it before; he must tuck it inside his shirt, all this time. "It's very pretty." Then she, "coolly", slipped on the shirt over her head, and promptly got it stuck in the sleeve.
Goodness sakes. He sighed patiently, then went over to put her right, as she started thrashing, in a panic. "Hold still!"
Mortified, she called out muffled by the cotton, "I-I'm all right! I've got everything under control!" Then her head popped out, the right hole this time, and she kept her eyes pointed down away from his chest. Her hair was stuck up everywhere now; but she was too timid to fix it. "Phew! Thanks." She said meekly, her cheeks burning with the fight not to blush."You know," he said after a while, "you sure do look cute in my shirt." The shirt was too big, but it fell to her knees like a dress.
She heard the smile, and fought to stay cool and not nervously smile. "Th-thanks--" she said cheerily, squeaking, though she still stared at her feet like she had to write an essay about them. "So do you."
But...I'm not...--he decided to let that pass, since she didn't know any better. He was standing very close to her now; interesting how she was immediately pacifying in his nearness. "Are you done looking at your feet?" he said, his voice crackling sarcasm impatiently.
"Oh, nooo . . ." It just slipped right over her head, his snootiness. "Not done, no, no, no . . ." she stopped with a gulp. The seconds turned into minutes."You know . . ." he murmured, and his voice had that baritone quality that made it seem to roll right through her, like dark, laced honey; it made one close their eyes to savor it. "Even after all you've told me about your uncle, I don't think I'll be able to stand it."
It all would've made most girls swoon, but she... was unique. "I . . .I'm sure you'll have help," she said coyly, batting her eyes, and gesturing up, towards the trees. Faint chattering of monkeys could be heard, all seeking revenge of the loss of their comrade and staring with wet, beady eyes. He scowled up there, and they stopped chit-chattering. "Oh, me and the monkeys have reached an understanding," he muttered, looking down again. She remembered; and felt sweat at her hairline; looking at his chest. The top of her head barely reached his chin, even by standing. She traced the card-shaped, square necklace that hung to nearly to his stomach, similar to the one her brother had. Serenity didn't think she ought to tell him that, though."I guess it would be heartless of me to not touch." He grinned ferally and prowled, closer teasing. "Some people call me 'heartless'."She passed her left hand over the left side of his chest, feeling a strong beat.
"I don't think you're heartless." Stunned by her boldness, his grin faded. He stared so long that the sand felt sweaty under her feet. Under both their feet. " . . .Maybe a little obsessive." She let a grin of her own light up her face, to show her kidding. And darn vain, too.
He could still feel her touch lingering on his skin even after she took her hand down from his chest. Speechless. In an especially strained voice, he muttered, "Go and get your clothes, shorty." Funny how he felt both disappointed and relief when she did so. Mostly relief. Seto turned and walked towards the sea, remembering and thinking. The tiny glimmers on the water from leftover starlight looked like stars that had fallen from the sky. He walked until his flat palm trailed the surface and felt wet. Indeed, the royal blue sky held no light; unlike before, when then the sky was full of thousand flecks. It looks like we'll never be rescued. The thought weighed heavily. Unless I do something. "I don't think you're heartless." He turned his head to the left, and might've missed it if he didn't just do it just then: a long, boarded with planks, floating on thin water . . .a boat. I'm dreaming . . . It was hidden; he'd never come out this far before. It was dangerous to, what with sharks lurking. It must be a mirage; I just thought. . .As he neared it though, he saw it was no mirage. A real-life boat, complete with packs and duffel bags, perfectly seaworthy . . .a ticket to get back home . . .
At the scream, he turned his head again. Staring at the shore again, he called out Serenity! as he ran back, water tossing in all directions. It was her scream; she was in trouble . . . When he got to a particular clearing, in the woodsy area, he found her; limp and curled up like the day he'd found her, two weeks back halfway the sand. She looked like she'd been knocked out, sharply he sniffed cholorform. She didn't reach the clothes . . .As he knelt, there was a flash from a flashlight, and not seeing electricity for a while, he was blinded, and then a swing of an arm, and then, nothing.
Next morning...
"Seto! Seto!" Someone was shaking him.
The high pitched sound of voice made him think that Mokuba was calling him, coming to wake him up and jump on his double post bed like he always did. Mokuba was his ten-year-old brother. Seto experienced the same disorientation he did right before.
But it wasn't, of course. "Welcome back to the land of the living, eh?" A stranger's voice called. Seto focused and realized his hands were tied at the wrists, behind his back. It was morning; daylight and blue skies were all over the place. Tips of palm trees swayed in the breeze beneath some seagulls. Where's? "Eh, you just heard her voice, eh?" The man had a strange accent that he couldn't place. It sounded familiar, though. "She's ok, and she'll STAY that way, 'till you climb on my boat, eh? I bet you're wonderin' who I am, and what I'm doin' here. Well, I'll tell ya afta you get on the boat."
"Why should I?" Seto was glad to see Serenity still alive, though not tied up. She was okay.
"Seto, it's okay! He says that he'll take us back home. Isn't that great?" She, ever trusting, was still wearing the long T-shirt and nothing else. The stranger, an old man that looked like he'd been in the sea forever, had a sea robber look about him, held up a bag full of gold coins. "He says we don't even have to pay him," Serenity went on excitedly, her words slurring together, "since he already found his treasure. Remember my treasure map?"
He didn't believe a word. Why would the old man tie him up, if he meant no harm? Unless he had thought that he was a danger. But something smells fishy…and its not the guy either. But he could see the hope in her eyes, at the thought of leaving together, and decided to play along. " . . .All right. We'll go with you."
"Excellent. You don't mind that I tied you up, did you? You scared me a fright last night . . ." The old man grinned toothlessly and led him up by the elbow to the boat. "Imagine... running into the headline castaways...!... Now, little lady," he said to Serenity, "You're staying here."
"But . . .wait!..." Serenity tried to go too. She didn't want to stay a minute longer. But the old man whipped out an old withered hand out to her while he whipped out a gun to him, out of her view. "I . . .I want to go too!"
"Don't worry my sweet; we'll come back for you, later. Won't we?" he whispered to Seto menacingly in his ear. He smelled like bad booze. "Seto Kaiba!"
Seto didn't even WANT to know how he knew his name. "Of course." It could be anything from a disgruntled employee to somebody he kicked aside on the way to work. Probably not the latter, since he was familiar. He was forced to sit down on top of duffel bags, one sharp one poking him in the backside.
"Ah, m'dear, you are so pretty." Condescendingly, the old man patted her head. You've grown up to be such a pretty girl, Serenity. "But, I swear, we'll be back with help. Won't we!"
"Right," was the sarcastic answer. Their eyes met as the motor gunned and started, blue on brown, and held."No . . ." Serenity had no choice, but to stay, helpless. She caught a glint of silver at the old man's hand. But even if it were a gun, what could she do? One wrong move and the old man would shoot them both.
Once out to sea, the old oman taunted,"...you two have been declared dead, did I tell ya that? No? Well, for you, Kaiba, you company's been ruined . . ." He let that sink in, while she gasped, and the old man grinned evilly. "And your brother has been taken in by the orphanage. Feisty little 'un, he ran away, and then was found dead. He tried to look for you, it is assumed."
"LIAR!" Seto fought against his restraints, trying to get to him.
"And what about m-my brother?" she demanded. "How is he?"
"Yours?" The old man frowned in thought, "Plainly, very, depressed. But, that's expected, coming from a funeral." He turned and the motor gunned to life with a roar, and they streaked out bobbing on the surface of the water. Funeral? Whose? A sinking feeling. Mine. So, Joey did think she was dead . . .
Maybe it'd been stupid, but she always hoped he would come back, like he did, once, again. She'd kept that hope alive but if he thought she was dead . . .then he wouldn't come back! But there was no time to brood about that now. She waded in until her hips, watching as their eyes met as he became a tiny speck and prayedwithall her little might,for Seto's safety.
Meanwhile, while the old man was ranting about what a fine price he'll get; Seto was thinking that money was overrated, starting to. The man had made a fatal mistake--other than capturing him in the first place, of course. The rope that bound him was tight, but not tight enough. He was double jointed, and plus, had become thinner, from starving. This helped get the ropes off, and his feet weren't bound . . .but, also, bad; because he was weak from starvation.
Then again, he scarcely ate while on mainland and got along fine, so he trusted his own reflexes. They were still sharp... and soon he had the gun before the old man noticed he was free. "Tell me the truth!" Seto shouted. Even the gun felt odd, to hold.
"Truth about what?" The old man had a crazy look in his mad eyes. "Did I say something? Is that you, Kaiba? You don't look like it. What happened to--" he looked at the hair which was stiffening into spikes, and the angry expression.
Grabbing him, Seto began to smash his head against the whirling motor. "About my brother!" Wham! By squinting, Serenity could see that Seto was free, and hitting the old man? She couldn't be sure. I HOPE so. Stupid old man . . .lying to me . . .I really thought I got him convinced to take us back! I was so sure! I hoped-- The water began to feel cold and she trudged back. Plus, he seemed very familiar, too... I can't place it . . . the accent . . .--oh, Uncle Bob! Meanwhile, the motor whirred and cracked, becoming disconnected with the rest. Seto didn't care, he was in a rage. "Dammit! Where IS HE!"
The old man grinned a sick smile. "DEAD! DEAD I TELL YOU! HAhahha" and with that he leapt, one withered old foot tying up in rope, the other end tying up in the blades of the motor. Then with a sickening crack, the motor tore off and the old man sunk to the bottom of the sea, pulled by the weight of it. Heaving, panting, Seto tried to pull his wits back.
Damn . . .I swear I could hear him glub, 'Take care of Serenity for me . . .' The boat was still being propelled forward by momentum, at high speeds. Thankfully, the motor hadn't left a hole in it, but with no motor, he was lost at sea. I'm sure h-he's lying . . .about Mokuba. Now, how to turn this boat around?
The boat was still being propelled forward by momentum, at high speeds. Thankfully, the motor hadn't left a hole in it, but with no motor, he was lost at sea. Now, how to turn this boat around?Serenity could only see one on board now, and she was glad it was Seto. She could tell by the tall, muscular form; the old man had been short. He was just a speck on the light, gray horizon, but could feel him as if he were standing right in front of her.
Notice me………………………………………………………………………………………………… She trudged slowly back further.
...Further on towards the shoreline.
...And then she looked back.
She couldn't see him anymore.
He had disappeared, from sight, probably hundreds of miles away by now. Stupid me . . . . Their eyes met in her mind. Somehow, I do wish that he'd come back, even if it means . . . I'm not rescued. Be optimistic!
But that's silly. He's only been gone for a few minutes! But something akin to missing him had already budded in her heart . . ..
He's probably on his way to mainland r...right now, and going to bring back some help! A plop of silver on the water, then; added. She was so busy thinking and berating, reminiscing about their time together and mourning that she didn't even notice he was there until he was right in front of her.
In the shock, she could only sputter, "But I thought . . .I thought . . ." and look from the skyline to his sky-blue eyes. "I thought that you were going to . . . go and get some help! Go and get some help!" she could only repeat, in a croak through tight throat. "What are you doing h-h-h--"
"After swimming all the way over here, that's the thanks? I think I should've drowned with the sick old man." His tone turned husky and serious as she leaped into his arms. His skin was slick from swimming and was dripping all over her, but she didn't care as she smiled up. And then leaped into his arms. Her leap caused him to lose his balance and fall back; he turned so she was below and he on top, supporting her fallwith his arms. The waves crashed over them and around them, welcoming them back.
"I couldn't leave you," he whispered again before fastening his lips to hers, as she kissed him back...
To be continued Next Chapter
A/N: Ah . . .the classical roll on the beach. You got your sand. You got your water. So, you roll on it. :D Good looking guy optional. How quasi-romantic. :) I wasn't going to make the old man turn out to be Serenity's uncle, but it… fit. :) So, please review for more!
