The Journal of Sakurazaki Setsuna
Day 3, evening
Setsuna no baka. You said you wouldn't, but you did anyway! And look what it lead to! Oh, there's no harm in a little sunbathing, you thought, talked yourself into it, didn't you? Talked yourself into taking advantage of sweet naive Kono-chan, didn't you?
Alright, write rationally. I won't be able to make sense of this later if I don't write intelligently and spend time on something other than browbeating myself. Kami, I should have thrown myself to that shark in thanks and repentance...
Right, get on with it. I did indeed talk myself into sunbathing with Kono-chan, nude even, but I didn't suppose there was any harm in it. I've controlled myself before, so why couldn't I now? Of course, I didn't count on the chaotic factors that surround our lives lately...
The sunbathing was very pleasant, in the beginning, and I almost fell asleep several times, though Kono-chan usually woke me up, getting up to check this or that. Sailing was busy work, even in calm weather, or so it seemed in my lethargic state. Not as bad as the Shinmei training methods by far, but perspective effect made it seem like a lot, or perhaps I was dozing off in between without realizing. I do know, however, that Kono-chan's butt looked fantas-GYAAAAAH! No more of that. Ecchi thoughts begone! I can't deny that I enjoyed watching, nor can I deny that my eyes were drawn to her like a magnet whenever she came within my line of sight, though I closed them whenever she would look my way. I may be a hentai, curse my hormones, but Kono-chan must never know that. She'd throw me overboard and I'd never see her again. Not that it might be too long, since you can't take off from the water and land is farther than anyone I know of can swim. Well, Kuu Fei does claim she spent all her money for the boat-ticket on food and decided to swim it, without much trouble, but I'm inclined to doubt that. Where was I? Oh yes, when things took a turn for the ('better' is scratched out here) worst.
It was when I felt the vibrations on the deck and woke up, expecting to see Kono-chan checking something again, that I realized it was nearly dark, and the moon had risen. I also realized that Kono-chan was nearly on top of me, one arm even now reaching to entrap me around the shoulders. For all my quick reaction time, I was too stunned, and ended up trapped. Kono-chan, as I found out, sleeps like a rock and has a grip more commonly found in rancor when she is so. She ended up laying on top of me, using my shoulder for a pillow, her head turned to face me. Her breasts laying directly on mine started a few rather pleasant but disturbing reactions in me, and I'm surprised she didn't wake up from the heat of the full-body blush I must have been sporting then. But I couldn't move her. Waking her up when she sleeps so cutely seemed like an even deadlier sin than the lust I was feeling at that moment. So I waited, tense in her arms, hoping she would move away. But she did not. Eventually, the feel of her on top of me and the gentle rocking of the boat began to lull me back to sleep, and I relaxed in her arms. That was when I noticed It. It was her breath, directly on my face. Her lips were only centimeters from mine, had been for an hour, but only now did I notice it. Strangely, now that I think about it, I did not tense, did not fear, perhaps because of the degree of relaxation. Her lips, so close, so cute, called to me. Some rational part of my mind was screaming at me to stop, that this was wrong on so many levels. The rest of my mind told it to go to hell, and I moved...
Then, to my repeated cursing and blessing, there was a loud squeal of noise like nails on a chalk-board. Kono-chan woke up, and with her awake I was able to move her aside and jump up, my sword, always nearby, in my hand as I looked about warily to see where the enemy would approach from. In moments, the noise came again, from... under the boat, right... was it port... side. Kono-chan, rubbing sleep out of her eyes, blearily predicted that it was a shark, attracted by the reflection of the moon's light off the side of the ship. She plugged her ears as it made the noise again and I walked over to the side, peering over to see, indeed, a large shark circling back again, and then taking a bite at the boat, its teeth unable to grip the fiberglass but leaving superficial marks, and making that awful noise. I didn't know whether to stab it the next time it came around or throw myself to it in thanks and shame. Kono-chan explained that it was seeing the reflection of the moonlight off the side of the ship and thinking it was a seal or a whale or some other tasty treat.
Fortunately, we were now awake enough to actually hit the hammocks, though the shark's scraping is still keeping me up. Kono-chan fell right asleep, even among the scrapes. She was probably tired from getting up early and working all day while I lazed about and slept. It makes me feel guilty now, though I'm glad she doesn't have to be awake to listen to this awful racket. And it also gives me time to write in this, to get my thoughts in order. Sometimes, I just feel like giving in to these urges, these desires, these feelings. To give up the sham and tell her how I really feel. To tell her that I...
Who am I kidding? I can't even write it. Because it's wrong; it's all wrong. To tell her would only complicate her life. Once she takes leadership of the Magic Association, whichever it is, and is capable of defending herself and surrounded by talented mages to assist, I will have to quietly disappear. I fear I will find myself at the business end of a Tanto then, but only when I'm sure she has forgotten about me, in a place where she will never know what happened to her old friend Setsuna. I could never stand to cause her pain, even to end my own, even to keep her from more pain later. Listen to me, I sound like a cheap Samurai trash romance novel. I've held my distance up until now, and I'll keep holding it just fine.
Oh, it's stopped. I must sleep now, so I will write again later.
The Journal of Sakurazaki Setsuna
Day 4, evening
What's that word the Chinese use sometimes to express themselves? Oh yes, aiyaa. Aiyaa, I need to learn to keep my mouth shut sometimes. That's how I feel right now. Today didn't hold any surprises for me, at least, not anything like the day before. Kono-chan was wearing clothes this morning, which brought a sigh of relief from me. She explained that she didn't want to get sunburned, especially in certain places, when I looked and noticed. Then I went and opened my big mouth, informing her that due to the amount of magic running through her, and its natural inclination towards healing, she wouldn't ever sunburn, since it was an injury minor enough to be healed without any conscious effort. On a side note, I also said that I had tougher skin, so I didn't have to worry about it either. I think it must have been the slight exhaustion from not enough sleep that night combined with the relief that I could act normally without so much tension of temptation that caused me to let my tongue slip so easily.
Kono-chan, naturally, took the news well. She immediately stripped, right there on the deck. I was so shocked that I didn't notice until after she had also disrobed me. Yes, keeping my mouth shut is a good thing. I attempted to persuade her to give me back my clothes because I would be practicing a bit today to make up for my laxity during the last three. She replied with the question of what I would do if I ended up fighting naked and couldn't adjust to it quickly enough to be victorious. How could I argue with that logic? Especially with her innocent face asking me while she was so very naked. My train of thought not only de-railed, but derailed while crossing a cliff over a volcano.
Now, I know that I could have simply noted all the times I'd done it before... oddly numerous... but right then, you could have asked me to count from one to ten and I would have gotten lost. It came to me a few minutes later, as I was practicing, but I couldn't very well re-kindle the argument now, after I'd already begun. Though I again considered throwing myself to the sharks when Kono-chan began watching my practice, made one comment of awe that caused me to blush, and then another about how I blushed right down to my waist and how cute it was. Hold on, rephrase that. First, I thought about kissing her/throwing her down on the deck and having my way with her, but then my reason hit my instinct with a bokken and I considered the sharks.
It's nice out on the ocean, but it can get a little boring after so many days without much to keep me busy except Kono-chan. After my practice, I became a bit restless, started walking about, getting in Kono-chan's way a few times as she sailed. She finally asked if I was beginning to get bored; I told her no, I was perfectly fine, just relaxing. It was foolish of me to try and lie to her, even if it was so insignificant, because she saw right through it. She didn't say anything at all, only looked at me. Naturally, I started to sweat under her gaze, knowing she knew, but resisting reneging for the sake of my pride, foolish though it was. But Kono-chan, being who she was, let up and disappeared into the cabin, saving my pride. A moment later she emerged with a pair of fishing poles, sturdy ones made for the ocean, and asked if I would like to try fishing with her, also saving me from boredom. I only thought of how thoughtful she was at that moment, though I should have known something would happen...
Kono-chan claimed to know the basics, but to have no real skill. So we would probably catch nothing, but it could still occupy the time a bit. I was satisfied with this, and began the process of stringing the pole she had handed me, a simple and logical process. She showed me how to tie the hook to the end and add weights, and showed me how to put on the bait, some kind of goop I took to be nutritional to fish, though it smelled like a recently well-used toilet. It was rather fun, learning the little details, and soon I was casting my line... only to nearly hook myself in the behind. Only a quick dodge saved me from a painful removal, probably at the hands of Kono-chan... I'm beginning to wonder if I'm a real pervert; I almost thought that might be pleasant, her hands down there, even if it was only to remove a hook.
Kono-chan was setting up her own pole deftly, and with skill, when she heard and saw my fumble. She giggled cutely and stood up, coming over to help; apparently, I wasn't even holding it right, treating it like a stiff sword rather than the limber pole it was. I tried to correct my hold, but she said I still didn't have it, and said she would show me. I have heard of this trick from a classmate far in the past and a few bits of various cheesy romance entertainment; it's called the golf-swing trick, because it is usually done by a male showing an inexperienced female how to swing a golf-club. I am certain Kono-chan didn't realize what she was doing to me, innocent as she is, but I realized it immediately. Oh, did I ever... As she slid behind me and leaned against my back, pressing all of her still-naked form against me, putting her arms along mine and pulling my hands into the correct position before placing her own over them, all I could do was pray to whatever merciful deities that might be listening. Please let me keep control of myself; please let me keep control of myself. I repeated the mantra several times before I realized that Kono-chan was waiting for me to respond as to whether or not I understood the grip and how to cast.
I managed to tune at least half of my brain into the task at hand and quickly examined the grip, my training allowing me to understand the usage immediately. I answered yes, but she responded with doubt and decided on her own to demonstrate how to cast in this same manner. I thought I would faint as she brought her arm up with mine, telling me to make sure the line stayed taut as I let it loose, give it more to a point to increase inertia and therefore distance but not too much, or I wouldn't be able to keep it taut through the arc. I understood the physics already, but the feel of her breasts moving with her breathing against my back was very distracting, not to mention her hips just barely touching my backside. She brought it forward, casting with me, and I released the catch correctly so that the bait flew far across the water and landed with a plop. She asked if I had it, and it took me another few moments to answer affirmative coherently. The hug she gave me before stepping away to do her own fishing still gives me a little shiver that I was afraid, earlier, would reveal my attraction to her in a most unbecoming way. As it was, I think it was a near thing.
She kept explaining as she fixed her own bait telling me that if I felt a bite, I should jerk it quickly to set the hook in the fish's mouth so that it would stay on when I began reeling it in. By some oddness of chance, at that very moment, I felt the line jerk; without thinking about it, I jerked it back with my full strength. The fish never knew what hit it; one moment it was under water, the next it was up on the deck. I once again had to quickly dodge as it almost impaled me with its long snout, and stood dumbstruck for a moment as it flopped around on the deck, trying to get back into the water. Then Kono-chan overcame her surprise and yelled 'grab it!' as she dived for the large swordfish. Thinking back on it, I wonder if such a large and immediate catch might have been a gift from the Dragon Queen, but that's absurd. The fish slipped from her grasp and kept on flopping towards the front... the 'prow' I believe... of the ship. I followed her lead, attempting to snatch it mid-leap, but even as I got a hold on it, I knew it was far too slippery to grab that way, and it jumped out of my hands and back towards Kono-chan. We chased that thing around the ship for a good hour, until both of us were panting, mostly from laughing so much every time it slipped away again. It finally grew tired and lay on the deck, finally suffocating. Konoka grabbed a large knife from the cabin and told me to hold it still, which I did easily, now that it had stopped fighting, as she lopped its head off in one clean swipe.
It only then occurred to me that this would be dinner. I couldn't have been happier, fresh seafood instead of canned goop! Then Kono-chan told me that I'd have to do a few things around the ship while she cooked it, and my mood dropped a little, but the few things I had to do weren't complicated enough for me to mess up. Dinner was excellent, and I complimented her on it so much that she blushed. Feeling a bit spiteful, perhaps due to my frustration from other things, I returned her earlier comment that she looked cute when she blushed all the way down to her waist, making it deepen a shade or two. There was too much food for even the both of us to stuff ourselves with, so Kono-chan threw what little was left overboard, for some enterprising bottom-feeder or sea-turtle swarm to snack on.
Not much else happened today, but Kono-chan did keep my clothes all day. It gave me cause to worry that she would find this journal since I kept it in my clothes, and therefore on me, at all times. Fortunately, it seems, she did not, as she lays sleeping peacefully beneath me at the moment. I really need a better place to hide this, but I know that if I don't keep it with me, she'll find it. This is a very small boat, and there isn't a place to hide anything, really. So I must keep it, even if I stash it in my clothes if she insists on us trouncing about naked tomorrow. Gah, trouncing, bouncing... I feel like crying tears of frustration right now. No sleep for me tonight.
The Journal of Sakurazaki Setsuna
Day 8, late afternoon
It's been a long while since I wrote in this journal, but it is no longer journal, but a message in a bottle. Rather, it will be. My precious Kono-chan is not with me now, as we were separated. I will send this with one of the few items I managed to save from the ship, a jam jar that I have already eaten everything out of and washed. I will send it when I find my Kono-chan and we have some degree of safety. If we do not find a safe place, then there is no point in sending for a rescue party, as we will likely die in this place. And if I do not find my Kono-chan, or if she dies, I will not want to return at all.
Even though it is a rescue note now, I still feel the need to write out everything that happened, partially to keep me from going insane with worry, and partially because something, anything, could show you the way to reach us, since I know not how we came to this place. I have encountered a few locals, and managed through necessity to learn their language to a degree, which is fortunately simple. They have a name for this land, this place of ancient beasts and always moving forward, almost through time itself...
It is called Caspak.
AN: Those of you who are fans of one Edgar Rice Borroughs will know what's going on here, and the rest of you... will have to find out. Where are they stranded? What dangers have they faced? Will they be reunited? Will I give you more KonoSetsu fun stuff before I go into the crazy action? Find out, next time!
Credits: Once again, Oka-san(known here as OkashiraShinomori, for those of you that would like to see his KonoSetsu, which is ever so much more romantic than mine) for pre-reading, as well as the suggestion for chapter-extension, which made a great random addition to this fic. Of course, a million thanks to Akamatsu-sama, once again. And of course, thanks to all my reviewers now. This is the first time I've gotten so many ever! dies of happiness, a la Mutsumi, only to be called back by the mournful cries of his readers But fear not! More shall I write!
To those who are asking if I will put a lemon in this... maybe. As you see, it won't be for another chapter or two, but I have the majority of the rest of the fic planned out, and if there is a lemon, it will be at or near the end, and I will post this story on my Mediaminer account, lemon included, to keep this fic within the rules here, which I believe I am skirting right now. Also, be warned: while I have begun many lemons(being the pervert that I am) I have yet to finish a single one... but maybe I'll get lucky this time. We can only hope.
On a side note, Yojimbo Sanjuro's review made me laugh so hard I nearly fell out of my chair... thanks dude