A/N - Hey y'all! I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday weekend! Stay safe and enjoy this new update. Remember, I don't own 'em but I love 'em!
Chapter 10 - Fish Out of Water
Working together, it took the two of them four hours to construct a canopy to protect the dolphin, secure the crane so that it wouldn't blow around the deck in the wind, and prepare large containers hooked to sprayers that they could use to keep their aquatic friend wet and comfortable. By the time they were done, Sachiko was nearly dead on her feet while to her annoyance and awe Yumi looked as fresh as when they had started.
Noticing her glare, Yumi smirked. "What have I done this time?"
"You are way too fit, that's what." Sachiko groused, gesturing with a flutter of her hand up and down Yumi's toned physique. "I'm sitting here practically melting from exhaustion and you look like you are ready to wrangle another dolphin."
Laughing, Yumi shook her head and moved to douse the dolphin in another fine mist of water. Their finned friend showed her appreciation by giving a good wiggle in the hammock. "I don't know about that. It was sheer luck that allowed me to wrangle this one."
Curious, Sachiko pressed for more information. "Actually, how exactly did you manage it? I mean, I am no expert, but I don't imagine dolphins are typically that easy to capture. Are you some kind of dolphin whisperer?"
"Far from it. I actually did a short internship with an aquatics team off the coast of Florida during college. They had a large number of dolphins in their facility and in a private cove. I learned how to transport them and get them into the harness." Ducking under the hammock, Yumi went about spraying the other side.
"But how did you know this one would do what you wanted?"
"Well, I think I actually met our friend the other morning. She did not act as though I was the first human she had interacted with. Then when I was in the water with her earlier she calmed at the touch of my hand, trusting me. No wild dolphin would ever react that way immediately. This isn't Flipper or Free Willy. These are wild animals and will react to the unknown accordingly. So, I figured it couldn't hurt to try and get the dolphin wrangled if there was even a fraction of a chance we could save her." Finishing with bathing the dolphin, she lowered the container and put the sprayer down next to it.
"So… let me get this straight. You jumped into the ocean, knowing with nearly one hundred percent certainty that there would be sharks in the water, for a minor -drop in the bucket- chance that you could coax this dolphin into the hammock. Did I get that right?"
Without missing a beat, Yumi nodded. "Yep."
"I don't understand how you can be so cavalier with your own life." Sachiko couldn't help the note of fear that entered her voice at that statement.
With a sigh, as if resigning herself to this conversation, Yumi reclined on the deck in front of Sachiko. "Sachiko, this is my life. I have dedicated myself to the study and conservation of marine life. That mission takes many forms. One day that could mean I'll be sitting in a board room talking to investors about efforts to clean the beaches. On the next day, I could be educating a writer on the accuracy of the diving or marine life details in their books. And then the next, yes, I could be working to save any number of animals from danger."
Eyes wide, Sachiko slowly shook her head."You do all of that?"
Yumi shrugged and nodded, "Yes, me and my teammates. We each have specialties in our co-op. We play to each other's strengths and use the collective revenue to fund our charitable endeavors and scientific studies."
"That's incredible." A look came over Sachiko and if Yumi were brave she might have called it admiration in Sachiko's eyes. "You really have come a long way professionally, haven't you?"
Again, Yumi shrugged. "I find what I do rewarding. I could go without the administrative stuff, but thankfully Courtney handles a lot of the day-to-day details on that front. Between the two of us, we handle most of that for the entire co-op."
"Why is that?"
"We want as many of the team as possible out there working, exploring, and accomplishing our mission. If my time behind a computer screen frees up someone else on the team to invest one hundred percent of their focus to the job, then it's my time well spent."
Nodding, Sachiko looked to her own feet, nervously toeing at the smooth deck. "So, this Courtney person… Is she your… your partner?"
At first, the only reaction she got from Yumi was random blinking- or was that her eye twitching? Then she threw her head back and laughed with so much exuberance that she was clutching her stomach and gasping for breath.
"What?" Sachiko couldn't hide her annoyance at the outburst. Why was her question so funny? "Come on, answer me, damn it!"
Wiping the tears from her eyes, Yumi grinned up at the irritated woman before her. "I'm sorry, you would have to know Courtney to understand why that's funny, but really? Do you really think that if I had a partner back on the island I would have let you kiss me? That I would have kissed you back for even a moment? I'm both amused and insulted, Sachiko." In an instant the amusement left Yumi's face, replaced by a narrow-eyed glare. "You are beautiful and we have a history, Sachiko, but not even that could tempt me to be unfaithful if I had dedicated myself to one woman. I'm not built that way."
Sachiko opened her mouth to speak but stopped when Yumi abruptly jumped to her feet and started to clear the deck of equipment. Instead of speaking right away, Sachiko watched Yumi as she bent and crouched, smoothly and efficiently gathering tools and other materials that had been used to secure the dolphin. By the set of her jaw and the rigidness of her back, she knew Yumi was upset with her. That thought only made Sachiko angry herself. How could she have known? Yumi had yet to be forthright with her about her life. She could have a woman at every port for all Sachiko knew.
Pushing off the polished deck, Sachiko stormed toward Yumi. Grabbing her by the shoulder she spun Yumi around, who was startled by the anger in her eyes. "No! You don't get to be angry about this! I know jack-shit about your life! Whose fault is that, Yumi?" Jabbing her finger into Yumi's chest, she rocked the smaller woman back a step. "You forced our friends to keep all news of you away from me. You disappeared from my life! I don't know what all changed at that time. How could I?"
Incredulous, that's how Yumi looked at the accusation. "Excuse me? My fault? I'm sorry, Sachiko, but you didn't get shit-faced and then wake up hitched to Suguru. No! You willfully chose that! From the moment I stepped out of that door the details of my life were no longer your concern."
"I'm here now!"
"For how long this time? You know, maybe it is too late after all!"
They were both breathing hard now, staring daggers at each other, their faces mere inches apart. When what Yumi had yelled finally registered with Sachiko, she stepped back, a bit shocked and hurt. Though, at the same time, she couldn't blame Yumi for it.
Rubbing the back of her neck anxiously, Sachiko looked from the deck to Yumi and back. The fire that had been burning in Yumi's brown eyes had dwindled to a low flicker, but it was still there, ready to flare up should Sachiko say yet another insensitive thing. "I'm- I'm sorry, okay?" Taking another step back to avoid crowding Yumi any further, Sachiko continued, "You're right. I did choose that, but-"
When it seemed Sachiko wasn't going to continue, Yumi pushed. "But what?"
"But when I made that decision, I ignorantly believed nothing else would change." When the look Yumi sent her way showed her confusion, Sachiko continued. "I mean, yes, I knew my life would change, but I- I didn't think anything could touch the bond you and I had. I was… naive."
Long moments of silence stretched between the two of them even as Sachiko avoided Yumi's gaze. It was obvious to Yumi that Sachiko was not only sorry but also ashamed. She had been working for days to let this anger go, but all it took was one careless comment from Sachiko to set her off again. Obviously, letting go was easier said than done. Glancing over Sachiko's shoulder, Yumi saw the dolphin and was reminded that their mission had just gotten a lot more urgent and complicated.
With a groan, she pushed off the railing and crossed her arms over her chest. "Listen, let's just table this whole thing," She gestured to the two of them with an off flapping of her hand as she continued, "for another time. We need to get back quickly to get our new friend in an enclosure so she can heal. Right now, that has to be my priority."
Though she could see the reluctance in Sachiko's eyes, the dark-haired beauty nodded her agreement. "She is in pain, isn't she?" Concerned, Sachiko looked back at their new friend. "She'll be okay, right?"
Nodding, Yumi approached the dolphin and gave her an affectionate rub on her nose. "I think so, if we can keep her wet and fed, it shouldn't be a problem. The thing I'm worried about is infection. When fishermen just toss fishing line like that, you can bet on it being used." Gritting her teeth she growled under her breath, "Lazy-ass motherfuckers can't even clean their own shit up. They make their living on these waves, yet can they be bothered to care for it and the creatures in it? Fuck no! That would be asking too much."
"Do you see that a lot?" Sachiko asked, relieved that the topic had changed and Yumi's ire was now focused on the faceless fishermen rather than her.
Yumi nodded. "All the time. People just don't realize the damage their trash can cause these poor animals." As if shaking herself from a stupor, Yumi gave the dolphin one more pat before moving toward the cabin entrance. "I need to talk to the crew back on the island and have them prep an area for our new friend. And I'll need to see if we have the appropriate antibiotics onboard. If not, this journey could get rough for her."
When she would have disappeared into the cabin, Sachiko took hold of her arm and pulled her to a stop. Looking up slightly into pleading, concerned blue eyes, she let the rise of her eyebrow ask the question for her.
"Let me help."
"You want to help?" Yumi repeated, uncertain how to process the request at first.
"Yes, with anything. Just tell me what I need to do."
After only a moment's hesitation, Yumi nodded. "Alright. How do you feel about taking the helm?"
"Oh darlin', bless your heart."
Rolling her eyes at Courtney's cleverly camouflaged insult, Yumi continued, "Come on, C. This is no time for your teasing. I need you to get ready out there and to order more of the antibiotics. I only have a few vials and even using them sparingly they won't last but a few days."
"Oh, don't worry, I got that message loud and clear. But good gollie mollie, ya actually jumped in the water like that? After what happened the last time ya danced a tango with a shark, you actually just jumped right on in ther' like aquawoman or some shit like that?"
With a groan, Yumi hung her head and leaned against the table, needing the extra support as the thought of that shark made her weak kneed. "It's amazing what you can do with the adrenaline pumping."
"Could the fact that you had the audience of a beautiful lady have impacted your judgment, Yumi? Maybe a tad?"
Lowering her head to be cradled by her arm across the table, she groaned her response, "Maybe a tad."
"Yeeeeeeah, I imagine so. Speakin' of your gutsy stowaway, where is your lady fair?"
"She's up top… At the helm." She grimaced even as she expected Courtney's reaction.
"What the actual fuck? You - the queen of 'don't touch my fucking boat' - are actually lettin' someone else take the helm? Well, slap me like a newborn babe and pass me a tit - That right ther' is love in the makin'!"
Closing her eyes as she groaned, Yumi growled her response. "I hate you."
"Yeah, yeah - Ya know my charm is irresistible. Don't try an' fight it."
"I'll fight it if I wanna fight it!" Yumi countered weakly.
"But seriously, Yumi, that was risky. Ain't noone back here gonna be happy to hear you did that. Especially-"
"I know." Yumi cut her friend off. "That's why this will get back to no one."
"Right, sounds like a plan. Because ther' definitely won't be any questions when you moseying on up with a freakin' dolphin hog-tied on deck."
"I did not hog tie the dolphin!" Yumi was quickly losing her patience with her friend. "But I won't be able to say the same about you when next I see you."
Courtney's cackle echoed off the walls of the cabin. "Promises, promises!"
Finally, Yumi gave in and laughed at her friend. "I miss you, C. You and everyone else. Pass that along. Because of our new guest, I am going to really push our limits in travel. Hopefully, we'll get back sooner if the weather holds."
"Ya better move it regardless, Yumi. Looks like there's a new storm front brewin' and ya really don't wanna get caught up in another one."
Concerned by the news, Yumi glanced at the radar. All clear. "A bad one?"
"If reports can be trusted, it won't be a small 'un. If ya make good time ya should get here ahead of the storm though."
"Alright, then I better get to work and make preparations."
"Be safe, Yumi. Be sure to update us on the regular."
"Will do." With that, Yumi signed off and took a deep breath. This next week was going to be hell.
Her arms had never felt heavier. Standing with an iron grip on the helm for twelve hours straight would do that, or at least according to Yumi. She had said as much as she shuffled Sachiko out of the way long after the moon and stars had come out to greet them. Closing her eyes she replayed the moment where Yumi's hands had grasped her own, prying them from the wheel with a crooked grin. Her teasing remark, "You know, this isn't a car. You can let go of the wheel and we won't crash into anything way out here." had made Sachiko blush. But it was the cramps all through her hands and arms that had her retreat so willingly to the cot at the back of the cockpit.
Sachiko had thought with how tired she felt that sleep would take her quickly, but that wasn't the case at all. Not with the sounds coming from Yumi at the helm and their dolphin friend below.
After a while, Yumi's voice drew her attention and she turned her head to watch her from behind as she spoke.
"You like what you see, buddy?" A mixture of clicks and whistling sounds came as a response from the dolphin below. "Oh yeah, you don't really see the sky from this perspective much, do you? I imagine it's still beautiful even distorted by water."
More dolphin speak followed and Sachiko found herself both amazed and amused by how much it seemed like they were having an actual conversation. Yumi was indeed an incredible woman.
"You know, it looks like you're going to be hanging around for a while yet. How about we drop the formalities and I give you a name?"
At the excited whistle that followed, Yumi laughed. "Alright then. Hmmm, How about Dolphina?" When only silence met her, Yumi nodded. "Yeah, even as I said it aloud I hated it, too. What do you think? Too on the nose?" At what sounded suspiciously like a raspberry being blown, Yumi laughed again. "I'd like to see you come up with a better one. How bout Coral?"
Grimacing, Sachiko silently shook her head. Surprisingly, Yumi appeared to be horrid at picking out names. "Don't you dare name that poor defenseless creature 'Coral'!"
Jumping in shock, Yumi turned and her dark eyes soon landed on Sachiko's prone body. "Ah, sorry if I woke you."
"I haven't slept yet." Sachiko offered with a shrug.
"What's wrong with Coral?"
"Nothing, if we are talking about actual coral, like in reefs and stuff. This dolphin has survived a horrible ordeal. She deserves a name that commands more respect than that." At the lifting of Yumi's eyebrow, she blushed, knowing she was being far more serious about this than was warranted.
"Okay then, if you have such a high opinion of our friend, you name her." Crossing her arms over her chest, Yumi leaned back watching her intently.
"Give me a moment." Laying her head back, she looked toward the starry sky above and thought what a good name would be. Sachiko thought back to what the dolphin had struggled through and how Yumi had rescued her so selflessly. It kind of reminded her of how Yumi had rescued her. If Yumi had never come along and entered her life, she would undoubtedly have ended up accepting her role and lot in life as Suguru's wife. Instead, it was Yumi who had infused her heart with the courage to turn her back on her family's wishes. Yes, she had made mistakes and it had taken Suguru's understanding and encouragement to realize that embracing that courage for her own sake was what was right for her, but Sachiko would not deny the impact Yumi's influence had played in her decision. She literally owed Yumi her life. And just like that, she knew what to name the dolphin. "Andromeda."
"Huh?"
Turning to face her curious sailor, Sachiko repeated, "Andromeda."
"That's a little formal for our friend, don't you think?"
Lifting herself to lean on her elbow, Sachiko shot her an incredulous look. "Says the woman who named her boat Artemis?"
With a reluctant nod of her head, Yumi shrugged. "Okay, I can't argue that point, obviously, but why that name?"
"What? The sea and star expert doesn't know about Andromeda?" With a feigned look of shock, Sachiko laughed.
Waving her off, Yumi turned away. "As my English friends would say, bugger off."
Before she could walk away Sachiko called out, all the while still laughing. "Oh, come on, Yumi, don't go. I'm only teasing. Honestly, I thought you would know the story."
"I do know the name, but while I love the stars, my academic study has been mainly the sea and everything in it. Myths and stories from ancient times don't really rate that high. Regardless of what I named my boat." Yumi admitted with a chuckle. Turning away, she checked her instruments and adjusted their heading slightly. Without turning back and asked, "What's the story?"
Pleased by the request, Sachiko grinned as she leaned back on the cot once more. "I'll give you the shortened version. Andromeda was held captive by a sea creature, a massive beast, and Perseus saves her. They fell madly in love and get married… It's a truly sweet story, in my opinion."
"Yeah…" Yumi's voice was quiet. "Yeah, it is." After a moment, she spoke again, her voice booming out and startling Sachiko. "Well, Andi, I rescued you so our fate is set. I guess that means you and I are destined!"
When Andromeda's only response was yet another raspberry, Yumi couldn't hold in her laughter. Sachiko though only chuckled and shook her head. "Yumi, you are such a dork."
Yumi had called it. The next week was unenjoyable, to say the least. Full of scant hours of sleep stolen on deck between caring for the dolphin and steering the boat. Though to Yumi's surprise, Sachiko had insisted on working right alongside her, learning how to care for the dolphin by feeding her and cleaning her wounds. When Yumi wasn't at the helm, Sachiko was. Everything Yumi did and sacrificed to get them to the island sooner so did Sachiko. While Yumi had slept off and on throughout the day, Sachiko had slept at night. Both chose to sleep on deck so they could be close at hand if needed. They ended up being a good team, just as they had been in high school. Intuitively they seemed to grasp what the other needed without much, if any, verbal communication. In fact, once Sachiko was comfortable with her assigned tasks there was very little communication between the two of them. Yumi would have thought that would make for an uncomfortable trip, but in truth, she had slipped right back into the comfortable silences of their youth.
The trip was exhausting and while Yumi had had every intention for them to finish their discussion about her life on the island, it never seemed like a good time. Picking a time when one or both of them were too tired to keep their eyes open didn't seem fair. And honestly, Yumi wanted to wait until the island to tell her everything. That way Sachiko had the option to walk away. Yes, Sachiko had put herself in this situation by stowing away on her boat, but Yumi couldn't bring herself not to care about her feelings. It still angered her that Sachiko would think her loose with her feelings. Though even with that she would have to admit she needed to cut Sachiko some slack. She didn't know Yumi the adult, the scientist, the worldly woman of experience- No, she knew the innocent Yumi of their youth. The trusting, eager to please Yumi that may not have had the wherewithal to push Sachiko away had she been in another relationship. Plus there was her dating history to consider… Yumi shivered at the thought of revealing the sordid details of those escapades to Sachiko.
"I hope that helipad is up and running. We may need it sooner rather than later." Yumi mumbled as she adjusted their heading to take them to the pier. She could already see a crowd gathering there and couldn't help but smile just thinking about seeing her family again.
"What was that?" Sachiko asked from directly over her shoulder. Yumi jumped, not having heard her approach.
"God! Remind me to get you a bell once we get ashore."
A spark lit in Sachiko's eyes and she smirked. "Hmmm a bell, huh? Would this go on a collar or-"
Face turning as red as a lobster, Yumi waved her off. "Ah-ah-ah! Don't!"
Laughing, Sachiko backed off, raising her hands in surrender. "Okay, settle down. Excited to get back?"
Turning her eyes back to the crowd waiting for them, her smile softened and her grip on the wheel eased. "Yes. Yes, I am. It's been weeks and the most important parts of my life are on this island. This is home."
Sachiko paused seeming to consider her for a long moment before saying, "Japan no more, huh?"
Without hesitation, Yumi shook her head. "No. Japan hasn't been home for a long time. It'll always be my family's home, but mine is here. It'll always be here."
Their eyes met and while Yumi expected to see judgment there she saw nothing of the sort. Instead, Sachiko's gaze seemed pensive as she studied Yumi. Finally, she nodded. "I'm glad you've found a place to call home." With that, she stepped up out of the cockpit and walked across the roof to drop down next to Andi. Whereas just seven days ago she would have meekly taken the ladder down, Sachiko now moved with a grace and confidence on deck that many took years to develop. While Yumi wouldn't admit it aloud, she was proud of how Sachiko had handled herself aboard the boat. With practice, she could be an able hand on deck.
Her attention was drawn to her task at hand when a cry rose from the pier ahead. "Look what the cat done dragged in! Yumi, quit your dawdlin' and get your sexy ass over here now!" Courtney. Yumi had to laugh. She could hear her Bama girl from a mile away and she loved her for it.
"Hold your horses, C! Sachiko, toss that line out, will you?" With practiced ease, Yumi maneuvered Artemis into the dock. Even as she cut the engines, Zahra was securing the line at the bow and Courtney had already bounded aboard to toss the aft line to the crowd. Pocketing the keys, Yumi moved swiftly to the ladder and slid down the rails with ease. Turning she was immediately engulfed in the arms of her tall, broad-shouldered butch friend.
With a whoop of excitement, Courtney picked her up and spun them around. "Yer back! Bout damn time!" Setting her down Courtney's big green eyes smiled down at her and calloused hands came up to ruffle her hair. "No more dancing with sharks on the way in?"
"Thank God, no." Yumi laughed, excepting the hair ruffling and hugs with a good-natured grin.
"Good! Now, where is this beautiful stowaway you mentioned?"
As if on cue, Sachiko walked around the corner and stopped in her tracks when she saw the two of them in each other's arms. With a curious raising of her eyebrow, she offered out her hand to Courtney. "I'm the stowaway, but after this past week, I think beautiful is a stretch. I am well overdue for a soak in a tub and a good hot meal."
Giving her hand a good firm shake, Courtney laughed. "I hear ya! I'm Courtney, though everyone calls me C. I'm this troublemaker's best friend. So that basically means I keep her outta mischief. Anywho- It just so happens that this here is yer lucky day."
"Really?"
"Why yes, ma'am, it sure is! I have my family's famous Cheesy Hashbrown and Bacon casserole in the oven. You have plenty of time to get cleaned up before y'all dive head first into it." She was about to continue with Zahra motioned from the dock, pointing back toward shore. Stepping to the side she looked back and a big grin spread across her face. "Yumi, looks like you've got company!"
Sachiko watched as Yumi stepped to her side and peered back toward shore. When a look of pure joy crossed Yumi's face Sachiko found herself speechless. What or who could bring such a change so instantaneously?
Without a word, Yumi bounded up onto the dock and raced past the crowd. At the end of the pier stood two figures, one of whom broke away and ran straight into Yumi's outstretched arms. Not knowing what else to do, Sachiko followed her and before she knew what she was doing found herself standing a few feet from a crouching Yumi.
"Y-Yumi?"
Sachiko could see the stiffening of Yumi's shoulders the instant she said her name. It seemed like forever, though it could only have been a few seconds until Yumi turned to meet her gaze. "Sachiko, I want you to meet someone. This is Rory." Yumi swallowed as she turned a small child around to face Sachiko. Sachiko's breath caught in her throat. The child could not have looked more like Yumi had she been cloned. "My daughter."
A/N - :) Thoughts?
