Stranded
By DrummondType2
Chapter 1.
Natsuki Kuga awoke to the sound of surf crashing and gulls chattering overhead. Her eyes fluttered open, her head was aching and sore, and her throat was parched. She was in a cabin below decks, with the door to the upper deck open.
"Natsuki's awake," She heard Mikoto's voice, and she heard footsteps coming toward her urgently.
"Natsuki?" Mai's voice, full of concern, "Natsuki, can you hear me?"
Natsuki sat up. She looked around, trying to get her bearings. Her head was throbbing, and she became aware of gauze wrapped around her head.
"Water," she was alarmed to hear a hoarse croak escape her throat as she made the request.
"Take small sips," she heard Mai say as the edge of a canteen was pressed to her lips. The water within was warm, and it tasted and smelled of metal, but on her parched throat it was heavenly.
Things started to come back to her. Alyssa had invited them out on a boat trip, both to commemorate a year since they had survived the Carnival, and to also celebrate the fact that she had finally been able to seize control of the various factions of the Searrs Foundation, and take back control of her birthright.
They'd been out on the open water when the squall had come up so very rapidly. Natsuki remembered Miyu being swept off of the deck by a wave, and then she had taken the wheel, and tried to turn the bow of the ship into the next wave to try and ride the currents. And then she had blacked out.
"You got knocked against the bulkhead," Mai informed her, "We were worried."
Natsuki nodded, "Where are we? Is everyone okay?"
"Thanks to you," Alyssa said, "You ordered us all below decks, remember?"
"It's all hazy," Natsuki admitted. Then, in alarm, "Shizuru! I don't see Shizuru! Is she…?"
"She's fine," Mai said reassuringly, "She took the dinghy out to check out the island."
"Island?"
"Oh, yeah," Mai tapped her own head, "You've been out. Okay, so, to sum up, we heard you hit the deck. Shizuru went up and dragged you down with us. We all hung tight and prayed."
"When the boat stopped rocking we came above deck to see what was happening," Nao joined them.
"We're out of fuel," Mai said, "But we're right next to an island. Fujino and Suzushiro went to check out the island."
"They're coming back!" Yukino called.
"Miyu…" Natsuki looked out the portal at the ocean, now blue and calm.
"Miyu will be fine," Alyssa said, "Dr. Greer designed her to be as buoyant as a person, so she wouldn't blow her cover while trying to swim. And she's also very durable."
"Mmm hmmm," Mikoto nodded enthusiastically, "Miyu is strong."
"She is attuned to my resonance," Alyssa said, "She will find me."
"We're back, everyone," Shizuru called, "Is Natsuki…?"
Shizuru saw Natsuki sitting up, and she rushed over to her, embracing her, "Oh, I'm so glad you're alright."
"I'm okay, Shizuru," Natsuki said gently, smiling at her, "Just a bump on my head, right?"
"You probably have a mild concussion," Haruka said, "So you might have some symptoms for a day or two. Headaches. Nausea. Trouble sleeping."
Natsuki blinked, "I…didn't know you knew much about medicine, Suzushiro."
"It's…firsthand experience," Haruka scratched her cheek, looking away, "Anyway, Fujino can look after you. It's best to have someone watch you for a day or two. The rest of you, we have to get the boat to the island."
"You want us to get out and push?" Mai raised a quizzical eyebrow.
"We'll try and use the dinghy as a tow," Haruka said, "We'll pull up to the shallows. The boat should be okay for shelter for now. We're on the leeward side of the island."
"You guys might want to see this!" Yukino came to the entrance of the cabin, "I don't know if you want to get back in the dinghy anytime soon."
They all followed Yukino to the aft of the yacht, and Nao was already standing by the railing, looking very alarmed. It was easy to see why. Behind the boat was a large, dark shape under the water, thrashing around.
"It's a shark," Natsuki said flatly.
"It's a shark," Nao agreed.
"It seems to be in distress," Mai looked uncertain.
"There's a line in it's mouth," Alyssa noted, "Connected to…IT'S MIYU!"
"Miyu is a shark?" Nao blinked.
"No," Natuski felt her head pounding as she worked it out, "I remember from fighting her, Miyu has a…a…grappling hook?" She looked at her half-sister for confirmation.
"Close enough," Alyssa nodded.
"A grappling hook in her hand. She was swept overboard. She fell into the ocean during the squall. She must've fired her grappling hook into the hull to try to get back to us."
"And wound up as bait for a big damn fish," Mai concluded.
"Why doesn't she just slice her way out with her sword?" Nao asked.
"She's probably low on power," Alyssa said, "She usually connects to a power supply at night to recharge, but we didn't bring it on the boat. When she's away from her charging station, she's able to draw power using sunlight, but…"
"But in the middle of a storm, there was no sun," Natsuki nodded, "And there's definitely none on the shark's throat. Is she still…alive…in there?"
"It would take being hit by something like Yatagerasu or Kagutsuchi's main attacks to even damage her," Alyssa said, "But she's trapped! Miyu!"
"I got this," Mikoto said confidently. Before anyone could say any word of protest, she grabbed a large knife and jumped into the water.
"I can't watch!" Mai turned away, her hands over her eyes.
"Me either," Natsuki sighed, patting Mai on the back, "Poor shark doesn't stand a chance."
Mai was about to protest Natsuki trying to crack jokes, when there was an explosion of foam and blood in the water. Then Mikoto leapt out of the water, landing on the deck, reeking of fish guts.
"I'm gonna need a bath," Mikoto assessed herself.
A moment later, Miyu was visible in the water. She was moving slowly, weakly. She gripped the steel ladder on the back of the yacht and hauled herself to the deck, where she collapsed in an unceremonious heap.
"Thank you, Miss Minagi," Miyu said quietly, "That was a most unfortunate situation."
"Miyu," Mai winced, "Are you alright?"
"Your concern is appreciated, but unnecessary," Miyu said, "Allow me to take in the sun, and I should be recharged in roughly five hours."
"I'm so glad you're alright, Miyu," Alyssa nearly sobbed.
"I'm sorry if I worried you, Miss Alyssa," Miyu said softly, "Please forgive me for my carelessness."
"Haruka, why don't you start the towing operation," Shizuru said softly, "Mai, Mikoto, she'll need sturdy ropes. Kikukawa, I need you to check on the radio, and possibly an assessment of our food supplies. Yuuki-han, once the tow lines are secure, I'll need you to steer the craft in accordance with Haruka's instructions. Miyu and Natsuki both need to recover from their respective ordeals. I'll tend to them. Alyssa, I know you're concerned about Miyu, but if she says she'll be alright, I trust her. Would you please show the others where they might find the supplies I've mentioned? You can resume your watch over Miyu once that's done. Alright?"
Shizuru took Natsuki below, to a cabin that had been set up for the two of them. She had Natsuki lie down on the bed.
"I'm not really sleepy, Shizuru," Natsuki said, though she didn't feel strong enough to actually make it a protest.
"That's alright, Natsuki. We're just going to give you some time off of your feet while you heal. Dizziness and nausea are symptoms of a concussion, after all, and the last thing I want is for you to stumble and fall overboard."
Natsuki sighed, "I get it. But two days rest is it. Tops. Then, I don't want anyone acting like I'm some sort of invalid, alright?"
Natsuki lay on the bed and closed her eyes. A moment later, she felt Shizuru's weight in the bed, and then she felt Shizuru's head on her chest. There was a sudden flash of warm and damp on her bosom, and she realized that Shizuru was crying quietly. She reached out and stroked Shizuru's hair.
"I made you worry, didn't I?" Natsuki felt guilty.
"When I saw you on the deck, unconscious, I thought that you were dead," Shizuru said, "There was blood where you'd hit the bulkhead. I was so scared. And…I couldn't let the others see me scared. Natsuki…I…I was prepared to throw myself in the ocean with you, if you were truly dead."
Natsuki sat up silently, forcing Shizuru to do so as well. Shizuru looked up guiltily and saw a stern emerald gaze boring into her soul.
"Shizuru," Natsuki spoke in the same voice she'd used during their confrontation in the burned out remains of Fuuka Chapel, "Don't you say that to me ever again. Don't even think it. You've never been there, Shizuru, been in the place where you had someone you love die on you. I have. So, I'll tell you, yeah, it hurts, and yeah, you miss that person every single day. But, my mother died trying to save me. And if I'd died up there in the storm? It would have been to save you. Ending your life…it's saying that the sacrifice that was made for you wasn't worth it."
"Natsuki…I…"
"We've died in each other's arms before, Shizuru," Natsuki reminded her, "It shouldn't be for nothing if one of us gives up her life for the other. And remember, I wouldn't just give in and choose to die, no matter what. If I die, it's going to be fighting to live the whole time. I'd hope the same would be true for you."
Shizuru nodded, "I'm sorry, Natsuki. Forgive me."
"Anyway," Natsuki lay down again, and welcomed the weight of Shizuru's head on her once more, "Neither of us died, so our plans to live to a ripe old age together are still very intact. Now, tell me about this island."
"Well, it seems to be a volcanic island, not a coral one."
"That's good," Natsuki opined, "More likely to have rich soil for possible food."
"I think it might have been a base during World War II," Shizuru continued, "There are some old bunkers. Heavily overgrown, but there."
"Cuts down on building shelter," Natsuki said, "So that's a plus."
Shizuru shook her head, "It also means that there's a possibility of unexploded ordinance on the island. Anti-personnel land mines and such."
"Less good," Natsuki agreed, "But Miyu is with us, so she might be able to help find them better. What about food?"
"Apart from what Kikukawa is tallying now, there are coconut, banana, and mango trees on the island. There are also various birds, reptiles, and plentiful fish species. Fresh water, however, may be a problem."
Natsuki shook her head, "No. I know how to set up a distillation method using a pot, some bottles, and foil. We'll be alright."
Shizuru snorted, "My. It sounds as if Natsuki is eager to tackle life as a castaway!"
"Not so much eager," Natsuki shrugged, "More like, I'm not worried, 'cause I know who we are and what we can do."
Shizuru chuckled, "Pity we can't have the place all to ourselves."
Natsuki tapped her girlfriend lightly on the head, "Down, girl. Don't go getting all horndog on me in a crisis situation."
Shizuru mock pouted, "Ikezu. To describe me as any sort of a dog…"
"You forget, Shizuru," Natsuki grinned, stretching her foot out to shut the cabin door, "The three things I love most in this world, in no particular order, are you, mayo, and puppies. Take it as a compliment."
Shizuru sighed, "I shall have to consult with Miyu, later."
"What about?"
"Whether or not it's okay to hit someone with a pillow after they've had a concussion."
To be continued…