A/n: Ah, ha ha... lovesick birds, indeed... I'm trying to wrap this story up. This'll be the last day on the island... then they get home... and then reality hits upside the head. Kind of like coming home after a long vacation. Dun dun DUN. So, only 'till chapter 20 this fic'll last.

VeryShortMidget - Thanks for the compliments ! Yours was the best I've received !

ShibiChicken - Very good eye ! No one else noticed that Seto recognized Serenity's uncle... very good !

chinxy - poor Mokuba's ok, they 'tried' to stuff him in an orphanage; they TRIED ! keyword: tried

Walis - more like frolicking . . . they were frolicking . . . BTW, are you going to do the potter's wheel scene? You oughta make it funny like SNL did...boy that was a change of subject.

Thanks very much to the other reviewers ! You all are so nice.

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Disclaimer: I don't own anything, except this plot... end disclaimer.

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Day Seventeen : One Last Night


Serenity woke up on the seventeenth day, not knowing it was going to be the last day on the fateful island, and she was alone. It was just before daybreak and Seto was acting strange. She found this out later, when after she washed up in the pond, admiring grey-and-blue lights glimmering upon the surface of the pond. The quietness was absolute.

Reaching the little granite cave, she found a pair of baggy, bright red shorts that were a least two sizes too big. Well, at least it was something as opposed to nothing. They fell even lower then the baggy white shirt, Seto's shirt, from when he had loaned it to her. Nearly to her ankles. I feel like a thug, she thought, slipping them on. One of those... rap guys' girlfriends... Now the theme to that song was stuck in her head; she hummed it softly while she wandered around, looking for Seto. A glimmer of fear rose up again, the fear of being left. Left alone in the island that seemed to be like Eden at first, and hold so much mystery.

Sheesh... I can't get it out of my head! Just like... the day before. Yesterday had been so magical. They had spent the whole day on the beach - she had the tan to prove it - just holding each other and talking, laughing occasionally. Now she felt that his absence was some kind of sign. The way he had looked at her . . . she felt like the luckiest girl on Earth. Like a fairy-tale princess, or a queen of the island. Then they had slept. Well! Not like THAT! She was quick to reassure her conscience. Even though he's a full grown man, and I'm just a silly girl, I do trust him. Even I think I'm falling for him . . . a little.

Because he could've gone. Could've gone and left without her, back to Domino and gotten a rescue 'copter to get her, but he didn't. Instead of going back to society, to his richness, he had chosen instead to go back, to be with her. She recognized this, and knew it. Even though he might be hard to decipher sometimes, and even a little close-minded and close-hearted, she had a feeling, way deep down in her gut, that he could be caring, and loving. Call it female intuition, or whatnot - but she felt it in her heart all the same. Still, that wasn't just the issue - a lot was at stake here.

Like, first getting off this island, and surviving. There was no food left. There was no matches left, wet or dry. Nothing but the clothes on their back and empty, rumbling stomachs. Yesterday, surprisingly, she hadn't felt hungry, or hunger at all. For once, she had been completely sated and satisfied, and her stomach hadn't rumbled once. Good thing, because she had been with him all afternoon . . .

And I've got the sunburn to prove it! Ouch. It was mostly on her hand and arm, but he got the brunt of the sizzling sun because he'd been shirtless. Well, he had! She told herself as her conscience flared up again. Just statin' a fact... she pulled up her hair, which had frizzed up a little in the sun. It was impossible to run one's fingers through; it was so knotty now. But his was worse. After the haircutting incident, it had made a mat of hair on top of his head. Short and spiky. Plus, it was coupled with the hand-and-arm print on his back from where her arm had been. . . something she hadn't, 'accidentally', told him.

Seeing how vain he is . . . it's best to shut up about some things. "How am I supposed to go back, looking like this?" she muttered under her breath. "I'm a big important CEO!" That's what he WOULD say if she opened her mouth. Nope, no, best to be quiet about his looks. Not that he looks bad. Tall and tanned, his hair lightened by the sun to make his skin almost the same honey-glazed shade. He looked postively sexy now. I don't know why Kayla and Tiff called him that, Serenity thought, referring to her classmates back in Ikari High. Now he looks 'like that.' Before, mm . . . nah. He looked like a person with a constant headache then.

With a smile at what her classmates would think of her if they could see her now - they'd probably die by squealing - Serenity finally found him. Spotting him near the Really Big and Tall Cliff, he was just looking out to sea, with his back to her. My friends probably think he's a really romantic guy - which he is - but they don't know the sensitive, brooding side to him. His legs dangled over the side of the cliff - which was at least a hundred foot drop -and he had a soft, faded grey shirt on with the collar of the necklace Duel card-shaped pendant he wore tucked inside. She saw that as she came closer and sat down; right beside. For some reason, he always hid his feelings about Mokuba away from her. Yesterday, when the subject had been skated over, he'd sidestepped.

She nudged him on the shoulder, with a soft "Hey." He seemed to be in one of his moodier moods.

"Why did you do that Serenity." He said so calmly, it was almost thoughtfully.

"Do what?" Automatically, she braced herself for a tirade.

"Nudge my shoulder."

"It's what I do to all my friends."

"On a fifty-foot high cliff!"

So then it was fifty-foot, not a hundred-foot. "Well, no, but I -" She looked sheepish, at the dawn's early light as it bathed around them. It was pinkening the sky, not to mention her face, as she was put on the spotlight. "Sorry!"

He turned back forward with a defeated-sounding, short sigh. One knee came up and he placed his elbow on it. "Well, I shouldn't jumped down your throat. Sorry," he said gruffly. " . . . no one's done it to me before . . . I was just thinking . . . " he touched the middle of his chest. "About Mokuba; his welfare."

"It's okay. I'm sure he's okay." And she was. How she could know it was not clear, but she did. Sadly, she remembered the little bright-eyed boy with the messy, long black hair and striped shirt. "He's okay . . . " she murmured on listlessly, rocking back and forth slightly. "He's waiting for you, for always. To come and pick him up; to see you again." A long silence fell. Serenity, who had become quiet, was remembering what the old man had said, that he was dead. "Don't listen to the old man."

"Who was your uncle." Seto said curtly, twisting to face her with a solemn expression.

"How - how did you know?" She was taken aback. Though he had mentioned how he had died, by drowning, she didn't know that he knew that - well, who he was.

"Accent. By his voice." Seto drew up the other knee and laid his chin lightly on them. "It was the same as the - er, your brother's - so I surmised."

" . . . Oh. Well . . . it does run in the family," she mused, her turn to play thoughtful. "On only the men's side, though."

"So I gathered." Her lovely, sweet-sounding voice had none of the fake-sounding accent. "You haven't been singing since."

"There's nothing to sing about," she picked at a blade of grass. "Things don't look so good, Seto. Even though . . . " She stopped and changed the subject. "I haven't known that I carried the burden of what he did to me, you know? Until now, when I can finally breathe. Now that he's died." A kind of crooked smile played around her lips. "Silly, eh."

"I don't think so." He stared at her profile, as the sun rose up from the heavens. A lovely, delicate little nose, wisps of strands in her eyes, and plump little lips he remembered kissing richly the day before. That is, until . . . she fell asleep. He frowned and his jaw hardened as granite as the cave. Now, it was one thing to be rejected, and quite another to fall asleep while being kissed. Hurting his manly pride, he was still mad at her for that. Even though, it wasn't exactly her fault, it still stung. "I say the bastard deserved to be . . . wherever he is now; rotting in hell, I guess."

He continued to "hmph" and "feh" as she turned around slowly and stared, watching him for a minute. Another thing, he sure like having grudges. Even though they weren't his own grudges. And he wasn't even a full grown man yet! Only seventeen. Ah, to be seventeen . . . and have so much hatred and anger inside of one man . . .But it wasn't aganist her, and she was glad.

"Seto? Is something wrong?"

"Other than the fact where stuck here for god knows how long, I'm fine," he growled. He continued to harrumph.

"Are you mad at me?"

He set his legs down, got up, and walked away.

"Please tell me."

She followed him all over, to the shore, through the woods, over the... pond, and the shore again. He seemed to be in a foul temper, but he didn't tell her to buzz off. At least. Yet.

"What - what did I do? If you don't tell me," she clutched at a stitch in her side from all the running, "I'll keep bugging you until you want to pull all your hair out and you won't have any more, which would be shame -"

"All right!" he yelled finally. "You-Fell-Asleep- hm?" his foot touched something saggy and that made a high pitched, scuffling sound when touched. A bag?

"Well?" she said, dropping down to her knees as he bent over to open. It was a small, black duffel bag he remembered the old man having with him and must have forgotten.

"Never you mind." He said with just a sharp snap of the zipper as it jerked open. Wrapped packages wrapped in cloth, paper bags, plastic bags, cans, boxes . . . "Well, this solves our problem of no food."

"Wow!" said Serenity, leaning in and curiousity overidding all inquistion. "Look . . . there's canned beef . . . meat, Seto - and peaches, playing cards" the regular ones, not Duel Monsters "and Soda! We got soda!" she whooped, not seeing the sugary fizzy drink in nearly a month.

"Rots your teeth," he advised, though inside he was just as thrilled as her. Now if only there were a boat, all-folded up so you could fold it out . . . There was. An inflatable raft, plastic but sturdy, and dark green plastic oars, two of them, it was a start. "A boat!" he exclaimed excitedly. "We gotta boat!"

Serenity had just gathered up all the food and was just about to make a feast. "Can't we . . . uh, go later? I wanted to make us a good meal; I'm starving."

"Make enough for yourself," he said brusquely. "I'm not hungry."

"Then why is your stomach rumbling?" she argued. "You're eating. Please?"

"Fine, fine, whatever." He was curt with her again, remembering having seen land before he had jumped out of the motor boat; it couldn't have been a mile from where he was. And the day was perfect; not too breezy, but if it were to be windy later, he could fashion a sail out of their . . .

Serenity went away to make them a nice fat dinner. Now that they'd found the bag, she wanted to stay a little longer. "Though I guess he's right; this food won't last for long," she reasoned. "Ah well." She set the water to boil, after hauling from the freshwater pond . . . reminded unpleasantly about the time he'd tried to cook her. Surely, right before he was interrupted he wasn't talking about the . . . about, you know. She gritted her teeth and made a face. The . . . me falling asleep thing. It really wasn't her fault! They had kissed romantically, at sunset after talking all day; he had felt so warm and safe and strong in her arms, and she had drifted off while he was kissing her. It was so relaxing . . . she got a bit too relaxed, she found out later. I ought to apologize. But seeing the water froth and boil, dregded up old angry feelings. I will never look at a pot of boiling water again . . .

And it's all because of him! I'm mad at him! That's what I should say, shouldn't I . . . evey time he brings up his looks . . . I'll say, 'I'll never look at a simple pot the same way again!'

Yeah right. You know you don't have the guts! You coward!taunted a little voice inside her head. She ignored it and looked dazedly around the beach. It was pretty outside, with good weather conditions and all . . . but would a tiny, plastic boat that looked more as if it would serve as a shark treat pull through? I mean, I know he's eager to see what's up back at home, but no need to lose your life over it!

She looked down. Hm, maybe she should only cook some, not all . . . just in case. Ooh, I'm being so cautious. Just like him; one would think the food was poisoned. Still, he seemed excited. And anything was better than the doom-and-gloom look that was constantly on his visage. I should support him. At least he's not mad anymore.

Or so she thought. Even though he stayed far away, trying to inflate that thing, he kept throwing her glares, as if daring her to say something. She gave her best skeptical look; which seemed to infuriate him even further; he starting puffing away madly. Oops, I guess looking at him skeptically isn't being supportive. So, she put on her best supportive, encouraging look . . . only to get a confused one from him. Eh, I just scared him. Best not to look anymore, Seren . . .

Finally, the food was done and she brought it over with a flourish. He certainly wasn't done blowing the thing up, in fact was getting more and more frustrated. She reached out and pulled on a red string attached to the boat; it inflated instantly. Now, usually she would think he'd be thrilled - he wouldn't have to puff anymore - but instead he just looked even madder. Even angrier. He snatched his bowl from her grip and turned and face the other way. She could hear him chewing furiously.

Sheesh . . . I guess I embarassed him. Scratching her cheek, she silently began to eat, throwing an occasional glance. Man, is he mad cranky. After a full thirty minutes, she couldn't stand it any longer. "Seto . . . ?"

"Just so you know," he said so quickly it was as if he'd been just waiting for a cue, "I knew about that string. And I wasn't planning on pulling it," he said viciously, "until it was time to set off."

He threw down the bowl. It's half-eaten contents splattered all over her knee and on his feet and he rose quickly. "I'm sorry," she blurted out, "for you know," now he was already five feet away, "falling asleep yesterday."

He stiffened. She begged him, silently, to turn around. But the tension, instead of dying down, started up. "Feh. Like I was thinking about that. So meaningless. I forgot about it already."

Her bowl was set down gently on her lap. Meaningless? Perhaps he really does think of me like that . . .

Sniffling, she picked up the sandy bowl and washed them, before drying them mostly out of thought than necessity. She picked up the playing cards and set out a hand of solitaire, then deliberately started drawing and finishing the game. Seeing the deck wasn't complete, she went to the duffel bag to woodenly check if maybe there were a couple of the missing cards there. Instead, she found a bag. Wrapped in heavy canvas cloth, it looked bumpy. "What the . . . " she murmured, lifting it out. Inside, was more gold coins than she could count. "Oh, my Ra! Gold!" At the bottom of the bag, she found a note. At least what she believed was a note. It was a duplicate of the map, the treasure map she had found long ago, a copy . . .

No, it was the real thing. She remembered there'd been a tiny tear in the corner. "Oh . . . " On the bottom, was a scrawl. Found her today. After so many years. I'm sorry, my darling Serenity. I will find this treasure for her, as penance. A tiny plip appeared on "penance".

" . . . Uncle - Bob." Even though she had been hurt by his molestations; a why me? question about it in her head since she was four - she had always hoped, no dreamed that he would say 'I'm sorry.' "I forgive you." she whispered. Now I really feel like I can really move on, and past.

She folded up the map and tucked it away, remembering there was a vague sense of being watched while in the cave. Then she remembered there being a skeleton. The mysterious 'moving' skeleton. Then she remembered he was staying with his wife, on some 'deserted beach.' "OMR!" she cried, with a clap of the hand. I hope that - I really hope that wasn't Aunt Mary!

"Poor Aunt Mary . . . " she rocked back and forth on her heels, shaking her head. Even though her aunt had slapped her when she was a little girl, when she had told her the truth, Serenity really hoped she was wrong . . .

"Who's Aunt Mary?" he said crisply, still mad at her. She took a full minute to jump at his voice. By then he was already in halfway mid-sentence. "Hey! Fantasizer!" (1)

"I did always wonder why she was labeled as 'Missing,' " Serenity said softly. "No, she's dead. I think."

He stared at her, not used to being ignored. "Hel-lo. Earth to Fantasizer." She just brushed him off when he waved his hands in front of her face. "What the heck are you talking about."

She didn't care for his tone. "Never you mind," she threw his own words back. Before stomping off, she said, "And those coins, which you so failed to tell me about, are mine. See?"

"Coins?" He ignored the ratty paper that she thrust at him and looked inside the two bags. "Whoa . . . " he whistled, silently. About five million worth, he deduced as she lowered her arm. "Sure, you can have it. But we gotta leave today."

"Wha-what?" Is he really letting me have it?

"What's that?" he pointed to her hand, before snatching the paper from it. So furious was the motion, the note prompty tore in two.

"Hey!" She said as he calmly put the two halves together and held it up to the light. "You broke it!" Her brows creased in anger.

"You're the one who broke it," he said, still calmly, though his eyes narrowed at her fury. "And it's nothing; just some note from your old grandpappy saying 'I'm sorry'. Feh. Don't tell me you actually believe him? And forgave him!"

"So what if I did?" she yelled, tears welling as she snatched it back preciously, both of them. "Stop laughing! You wouldn't understand. Even if you've been through what I went through, which I know you hadn't. I can tell you live the rich life, you never have to struggle."

An image of the mountains of books he was to read before six while watching other kids play, rose up and floated away slowly. "You're right," he said monotonously. "I wouldn't understand." He left, not standing to watch her attempt to carefully tape the note back together. So many times I had pushed the image away, but this girl . . . she's holding onto her images!

She's crazy. All forgiving an old perv. I know I could never forgive my father, for what he did to me. He kicked some sand, picking up the shells. And I only did what I did yesterday because I felt sorry for her and nothing else. I'm so good-hearted. Pity pushed me to jump off of that boat. I didn't even know I had it until I did it. And because I was lonely.

Grouching, he took the heavy canvas he'd took before leaving, and made himself a hammock. The sun was already beginning it's descent down the sky. He tried to think of how pretty it was, instead of what just happened. 'Never had to struggle.' What does she know? She barely knows what time it is. And loneliness is a sorry reason to jump off and miss going home. It doesn't even make sense. How can 'loneliness' equal 'jumping off a boat' and swimming like a nut back to her? There is no logic. And I haven't questioned it until now. Which is even more mind-boggling.

Sighing heavily, he rolled eyes that were just as royal blue as the darkening sky. Whatever. I have more important things to think about. Like, I hope the day will be clear tomorrow 'cause that's the day we're setting sail. And if she wants to bury her old auntie's bones instead, I'm going without her. About the money . . . well, I guess she can have half. It'll still be more than her dirty family ever set eyes on. Dirty old uncle Bob. What a stupid-sounding name. She didn't even recognize him yesterday, her own uncle. If I knew, I would've known right away he was scum. But, with my superb brains, I found out immediately. I only went with him so Serenity wouldn't get hurt. But, maybe now I should've left them together.

He closed his eyes, face turned towards the sun sinking on the horizon. His mental ramblings turned into that, just ramblings. Yep. I am such a good guy letting her have some money. Maybe that dirty brother of hers can buy himself a bath, and some new uniforms for school. And a steel brush to comb his hair. I'll know when I'm reading the newspaper, in my lovely mansion, and it says there's been an 'oil spil' at Domino Pier. This made him snicker uncontrollably, and he half opened his eyes and saw a shadow. Getting up with a start, he realized it was only her. Sheesh, now I'm the one going off on a tangent, he thought.

Feeling a bit guilty for thinking those thoughts - even though he'd meant every one of them -anyway, he felt bad, so he decided to be nice for once. He approached her.

"You can have the hammock for our last night here. I'll take the floor." He pointed to the sand, in case she didn't get it.

She got it just fine. Finishing her soft humming, she returned curtly, "No thank you. I wouldn't dare have you in a bad mood tomorrow, which I'm sure will be caused by the crick in your neck."

"Just take it." He said, eyes narrowing. If he was going to be nice, then damn well she better let him!

"Oh, no please," shesighed tiredly and heavily,"you'd better. I'll just - make myself comfortable in the sand."

"JUST. TAKE. IT."

"You take it."

"No . . . YOU take it."

"Take it."

"No, you. I insist."

"No, I insist."

"Just take it already!"

"No, you."

"No. You."

"Go ahead."

"Fine." He left and Serenity blinked. Why, that wasn't how it was supposed to turn out! She watched as he stopped by the hammock, stretched so widely he touched the coconuts on top of the trees - he was pretty long - gave this huge yawn, and flopped down comfortably on his side, the trees he'd stringed it between bowing with his weight.

"Fine!" she muttered, pushing some sand together with her toes. She had taken some bottled shampoo from the duffel bag gratefully, and washed her hair with it, which was just going to get dirty by lying in the sand again. She threw give her most dirtiest look as she settled down; the moon was bright tonight to see his expression; he merely yawned lazily again and smiled, in his sleep. She sat up and yelled out his name. He did not answer.

Coming over, carefully, she knelt down in a crouch and looked into his closed eyed face, waiting. After a while, he opened them to see her looking at him with big dark, liquid looking eyes. Giving her a "well you had your chance" look, he turned over and faced the other way.

She crawled underneath his form to the other side, and gave him her best hopeful look. This time he gave her a disgusted look, like as if to say, "what are you waiting for?" Which was practically what he said. "Go away and sleep on the sand. Not too near or next to me, or I'll step on you when I get up in the morning," he said in cold tones.

She didn't move, just pushed closer until he could see every lash clinging with fear of being lonely. "Okay, okay," he gestured, making a motion, reluctantly with his hand. "You can sleep here and I'll sleep on the floor-" She gave a quick smile and leaped. Literally leaped on top of him. "-Oof!" What is she, eight? Even Mokuba doesn't leap like a monkey when he has a nightmare. He backed away as she snuggled up to him, grinning. Then her grin faded as he made to get up and she wrapped her arms around him. "Okay, okay! I'll stay!" he groused. "Don't touch me," he said when she made to peck him on the cheek and turning his broad-shouldered back to her with a "harrumph."

She heard him muttering and grumbling underneath his breath, and she smiled anyway, spooning her own smaller body aganist his, tucking her knees in the crook of his leg. He stiffened up like a board, in warning, as she fussed around a bit, getting comfortable. The moon was shining bright and fuller than ever; it hurt his eyes. He wished that he had turned the other side. Plus, her touch was making him uncomfortable. Still angry, he gritted his teeth. If you yell at her, it'll hurt her little feelings and you'll feel guilty for the rest of the night. If you yell at her . . . On and on until he thought he might go crazy. Guilt was his least favorite emotion to feel.

"I said, don't touch me." He sniped.

"I'm not," she said simply. "Technically, I'm touching only your T-shirt. Which looks very nice on you, I might add." A sweet, heartbreaking smile.

He fought aganist it, but amusement tugged his mouth. "Do you always flatter people, just to get what you want?" Or when you're cornered, he added mentally.

"It works, on Joey." Her smile got bigger, her cheeks scrunching her eyes. She put her hand under her head.

"Who? Oh yeah." He was silent, looking up at the moon peeking through the leaves. "I bet he'd be thrilled, if he could see us now." I hope he doesn't have a gun.

She frowned slightly at the unbothered, heavy sarcasm. "What do you mean? He's a little overprotective, but - why are you smirking?"

"Nothing. Never mind." You'll see. "He couldn't even protect you, from your uncle. Some 'sibling.' Great big brother."

"Don't judge. He couldn't," she said quietly, "Our parents are divorced, see . . . so he could only come over every two months or so . . . "

"Shouldn't matter," he said brusquely, rubbing his mat of hair left. It felt like dry straw. "Big brothers are always supposed to protect younger siblings, at all cost. No matter what, Serenity," he said paternally.

Serenity was quiet, listening to his words sinking in. He's not just saying that to be cruel, she thought. He really means it. "I guess . . . I guess we're just too different, you and I." she whispered finally, playing with the thread the sewed the button on his collar.

She sounds sad. "You are right. Then again . . . " He started to grin as a smile splayed across his face, catching her hand on his chest.

" . . . and, we fight too much," she sighed, not paying any attention. He was probably going to say something callous, besides. Slipping her hand away, she tried to turn the other way to give him his space - like he wanted -but he held on, gently but firm. His eyes looked exactly like twin moons, reflecting tiny, but perfect circles of light as he stared at her. He wasn't paying any attention to her words.

" . . . opposites attract." He didn't know that was true, but it was so true, he didn't know it was, untilthe way they had'met'. There is just something about this girl, she drives me crazy, and since she's not hurt it must mean I like her, she better not fall asleep on this kiss, special girl or not, I'll kill her.

"I won't. So hurry up! Sheesh, you think too much . . . zzzzz . . ."

The monkeys laughed.

To be Continued next Chapter . . .


- (1): My MSN nickname. I kinda modeled Seren after me, so . . . -.-

A/n: One thing I like about SxS is they define opposites attract theory. Me, I'm kind of a cynic, but boy it sure is fun to write ! So write I must do . . .

Ahem. Next: Our lovely couple sets sail ! Like the title, this'll be their last night on island, then they get home, then everyone's reactions and the conclusion. 20 chapters, no more, hopefully. My fingers ! Ouch, too much writin'. Anyway, please review for the next chapter.