14th Shot: Dr. Stone

It took Shinko a day to regain consciousness–a mere 24 hours that could be pass by doing piling work that they currently have since now Kingdom of Science flourished with additional people from Tsukasa Empire. For everyone else, it's short–not an inch of problem because each of them currently had their hands full with something.

Everyone else besides Ukyo.

The day felt like forever, seconds seemed to stretch longer than it supposed to. He did have duties to do–locating and listing how many statues Tsukasa destroyed and where did he throw them away after crushing it into pieces. With the help of the injured man himself, Ukyo managed to get it done in just a few hours.

Amazingly, the young man never forgotten a single one.

To be honest, Ukyo was reluctant in letting Tsukasa talked for so long with the injury he sustained–he could no longer count how many exactly he gritted his teeth in pain, grasping on his chest to get some relief.

However, Tsukasa remained stubborn–insisting to keep talking and giving directions to where all the statues he destroyed were along with its fragments. He only stopped after he's finished.

Yuzuriha formed a team in order to reassembled the broken pieces back to whole. It was a grueling task knowing they managed to gather literally a mountain of statue remains–dragging along the previous fugitive, Yo. They're quite short on people so help was much needed even with the brawn powers they have currently.

Once Ukyo was done with his share of work, he sighed in relief as he relied the stack of papers to Senku. Massaging the bridge of his nose, he could feel how heavy his eyes were–it was much expected, knowing he didn't get even a wink of sleep from last night's event.

"Ukyo," Senku called, looking at him seriously. "Get some shut eye for a while."

He chuckled wearily. "You know I can't… It's even hard to close my eyes now."

The archer didn't wait for another word from the scientist, turning his back to walked towards his next destination. Actually, it's not far from where Tsukasa currently resided–Senku made it that way so he could frequently check up on the two a lot easier.

Ukyo stood in front one of the man-made caves–the entrance covered with cloth that acted as a curtain temporarily. He exhaled shakily before slowly parted the fabric to made a way for him. It's not dark inside, knowing the end of the cave was leading straight towards a cliff–good amount on sunlight still could enter.

He found Yuzuriha kneeling beside the makeshift bed where Shinko currently lying on. She moved her gaze to look at him, smiling.

"Ukyo-kun, I just finished changing Shinko-chan's bandages." she greeted and informed at the same time. Soon the smile turned into a more dimmed one as she studied his exhausted figure trudging inside the cave. "You can have some rest if you want."

The brunette referred to how heavy the bags underneath his eyes became and how his shoulders slumped with tiredness hanging on it. Ukyo didn't reply to her words immediately–instead he chose to make an approach first, taking a seat on the ground right beside Shinko's motionless body.

He reached out, hand gently pushing some stray hairs away from the closed eyes. His palm then moved to rest on her cheek, feeling the warmth radiating. It made him sighed in relief–the freezing cold skin finally gone and the paleness changed into a healthier flush.

"I can't, Yuzuriha," he muttered, tucking the blanket to her chin. "Not, until she wakes up."

"Senku-kun said Shinko-chan is fine," Yuzuriha insisted. "Please sleep at least an hour or two. You look really tired."

Even if his body is beyond exhausted, his mind wouldn't cooperate in getting any sorts of rest. Last time he tried, nightmares about blood and her screams jerked him awake. He couldn't close his eyes ever since. That's why he couldn't reply nor argue with Yuzuriha's advise–he didn't have energy to so he stayed silent.

The brunette didn't have choice but go along with his decision. However, Yuzuriha did place a pile of thick blankets not far away. "I'll just put it here, okay? If you're tired, you can at least lie down comfortably. Maybe in an hour or two, Kohaku-chan will come to check on Shinko-chan."

Yuzuriha bid him goodbye, turning her back towards him. However, she froze as she heard Ukyo began to talk. Maybe no one in particular, maybe it's directed to himself–she didn't know. But she did know it was dripping with agony and guilt.

"Some promise I made." he muttered, followed by pained chuckles. "I always talk about how I want to protect her, that's the least I can do after all the time she put up with me. Yet…"

He gritted his teeth, clenching his fists until his knuckles turned snowy white from the loss of circulation. "I've done nothing… I couldn't keep it…"

"Shinko-chan won't like it if you think like that." Yuzuriha couldn't help but remarked. It was beyond her control where her mind and mouth just moved on its own, but she didn't try to stop or take back her words. Even with her back still facing Ukyo, she knew he heard her loud and clear. "For her, Ukyo-kun, you always fulfill your promise."

He retorted. "But, she still got hurt-"

"It was inevitable." she cut him off. "We didn't know Hyoga-kun will go that far. Aside from that, [First Name]-chan told me you never failed to protect her. She feels safe and happy with you around."

Not in a million years would she lie about it–she saw it with her own very eyes after all. How Shinko's smile turned into the most dazzling and followed by glimmers of pure happiness when Ukyo's figure came to her sight, how her purple sparkles every time his name rolled off her tongue, how her face has nothing but pure grateful once she thought about him. Yuzuriha witnessed it all–how the pink haired young woman adores the ex-sonarman.

All the smile she shows her are different from what she gives him–the brunette notices the same happened for Ukyo himself. There's a smile reserved only for Shinko.

It would be hard to convince Ukyo that it wasn't a problem–in this new world, being hurt will be an everyday activity. It was about survival for the fittest, human was reduced to the primal way of life. But, it's not Yuzuriha's duty to remind him of such thing.

If it came from Shinko's own mouth, he probably would listen and take it to his heart.

.

.

True to his words, Ukyo couldn't force himself to drifted off even for a few minutes. With how exhausted he was, it's supposed to be as easy as turning the back of your hand. Unfortunately, the worry gnawing on his mind refuse to let him rest. He decided to sat down, leaning against the cave's walls–he discarded his bow and quiver on the ground beside him. He couldn't even count how many sighs he let out for the past day.

However, he did feel a little lucky because no one was entering the cave to fetch him because of some other work needed to be done. He was grateful for everyone's consideration, knowing it would be very hard for him to leave the place–even though he's just sitting and watching over Shinko, it was more than enough. Ukyo couldn't keep his mind straight every time he was away from her.

Kohaku did come maybe many hours later–bringing a pot filled with water and a satchel stuffed with cloths and rolls of fresh bandages. It was Ukyo's signal to get some fresh air outside the cave and stretched his legs while waiting for Kohaku to finish her work. As much as he's worried about her, it wouldn't be an excuse to invade any privacy.

The blonde only needed a few minutes top before she swept the curtain away, signaling him that it's okay to be back inside. Like Yuzuriha, she ushered him to take a rest for a while or at least have a simple meal to give himself some energy–which he only replied with a nod. He was grateful that Kohaku didn't try to force him or anything, but the slight disappointment tinting her blue eyes couldn't be missed.

Ukyo spent his lunch munching on a piece of meat brought by her. He didn't even realize how hungry he was until he devoured his food in an instant–his mind was far more occupied than he thought, it even distracted him from his daily needs.

It was unhealthy, that much he knew.

The hours he had in his possession were spent in fixing the blanket covering Shinko's when it's shifted slightly from the wind blowing, sitting close while combing her long flowing hair with his fingers, and holding her hand gently–stroking the back of it with his thumb. Sometimes he talked about his day, not minding it was one-sided–keeping a firm believe it wouldn't be soon.

He just needs to be patient.

His eyes studied the sky–how it changed from the previous wonderful blue to shades of orange before finally turning into darkness with glimmering stars decorating, how the pleasant warmth of spring transitioned to a colder temperature when night comes. The rowdiness slowly diminished until the only thing that's left were trees rustling from the wind and crickets' melodies.

Not once did he let go of Shinko's hand.

Ukyo's patience finally gave him a wonderful gift–those hours just sitting and worrying, repaid him greatly. The hand in his hold twitched slightly, before slowly returning his gentle grasp.

He thought he was probably hallucinating–his mind playing nasty tricks on him knowing how he was exhausted but deprived from rest altogether. But the sound rustling of fabric reaching his ears broke his negativity–no matter what, his ears couldn't deceive him. It made him scrambled to kneeled beside Shinko, watching as her brows furrowed before her eyes fluttered open.

"Shinko…" he whispered breathlessly, feeling his throat clogged up and tears blurring his vision in an instant.

Her purple colored eyes immediately met his pair of teal ones, crinkling up as she gave him a tired smile. Tired but filled with the same warmth nonetheless–it was enough to get rid of all the heaviness burdening his shoulders. "I guess I still live to see another day, huh, Ukyo-san?"

"Don't say that." he retorted, anchoring himself with another hand being placed upon his–stroking gently. "Thank goodness you're okay…"

He was terrified out of his mind–what if she's somehow didn't make it? What if she went into a coma or some sort because of hemorrhagic shock? Ukyo didn't even want to think about it. A world without her by his side isn't worth living in. Amongst all of horrible things befall to him and to humanity, she's one of the best things happened to him. It made him want to continue moving forward even tackling the second stone era.

The stress and exhaustion piling on him poured up in form of tears and silent sobs–finally he could let go and breathe in ease. For a moment, he didn't care if he looked weak or pathetic–he just wanted a relief.

"Why are you crying, Ukyo-san? Everything is okay, isn't it?" a hand reached out, resting on his wet cheek and wiping his endless tears away gently. He raised his hand, cupping it against his cheek a little longer–not wanting for it to be gone yet. He needed the gentle touch a little longer, for once he wanted to be selfish.

"I'm… You're dying, you know? How can you be this calm?" he croaked. "I hate you."

It sounded mad but it didn't have bite on it and Shinko had the audacity to laugh lightly.

"I'm sorry. But I'm fine, see? What about you? Why didn't you sleep?"

"Do you have to ask?"

She chuckled instead, tugging on his shirt–insisting he bend down. He did as she asked, soon he was pulled gently into her warm hug–an arm around his neck and the other around his back. He automatically latched back fiercely, greedy for the warmth and finally pouring all of his frustration into her shoulder–his shoulders trembled as he sobbed. Shinko didn't mind a bit, she only held him closer in return and stroking through his locks soothingly.

They stayed until Ukyo was finished with his tears and pulled away.

"Are you done? Now, it's time for you to rest. That eyebags look horrible." she dared to joke.

A glare directed towards her by him. "For once, please just shut up."

However, she has a point–once he completely let go all of his turmoil of emotions, he was drained to the core. It didn't even take long for him to start yawning, sleep finally coming to catch up. Ukyo pushed himself to stand up, approaching the pile of blankets left behind by Yuzuriha. He unfolded the material and built himself a makeshift bed right beside Shinko's. There's still space between them, as much as Ukyo wanted to shuffle closer it was inappropriate.

He laid down on his side, facing her, and his eyes immediately felt heavy but he still fought against it. Shinko understood his hesitation–wordlessly reaching out to hold his hand in her. She did shift slightly to face him in return.

Once he felt her fingers intertwined with his, he finally let himself succumbed to a calm sleep.

.

.

The second time Shinko opened her eyes, she was greeted with a pair of burning ruby red ones.

Senku blinked before scoffing in amusement, lips curled up into his infamous smirk. "Took you long enough, Sleeping Beauty. We're getting bored of waiting."

"Somehow I feel like I was just downgraded by that title," she replied, chuckling lightly at his remark. "At least I live."

"Damn right," the scientist said, dumping a pile of used bandages to a woven basket he brought along. He didn't act differently or at least try to, however Shinko couldn't help but feeling an unsettling feeling nagging the back of her mind.

"How is Tsukasa-san?" she decided to be courageous and just asked to the point, like how Senku would do. Besides, she learned that he has a certain dislike towards people's habit of beating around the bush. She watched as his shoulder tensed before slumping–she could feel heavy burden settling upon it. Beyond his strong façade as their current leader and decision maker, he was still a normal human with emotions.

"…I killed him." he finally confessed, even though he didn't face her as he explained. "Death by freezing. We built a freezer and put him in a cold sleep or he won't make it. Just in a few days, he will have septic shock and instead of that we just go along with my idea. When we find the petrification source, we'll bring him back."

Their only gamble in this stone age without advance medication to fix ruined organs was to find the source of humanity's petrification. If they got their hands on it, they could heal Tsukasa to a hundred percent just like they did to Mirai–even with the most impossible disease to cure, with the petrification it will heal everything.

It's their Dr. Stone–their only hope.

She hummed in understanding. "Then, our next goal will be finding the source?"

"You sure catch on quickly for a person who just crawled out from hell." he replied.

She snorted at his words. "I'm not dead. Dying yes, but finally live again."

However, Shinko slowly reached for his unmoving hand settling on his knee–carefully placing her hand upon his. Senku didn't flinch away nor surprised, but he didn't return the gesture either. To her, the simple move was enough because she could feel some tension left the scientist.

There's silence between them, before he broke them in his own way.

"You're done? I don't need this crappy consoling thing."

She couldn't help but snorted in respond–finding his words humoring and blunt at the same time, picturing his personality perfectly. "Wow, you're so cold, Senku-san."

It wasn't shown but she knew Senku feel grateful slightly.

Silence fell between them for the second time but it didn't feel awkward at all. Shinko shifted, lying down on her side to look have a better look at the scientist. "Did you talk to Tsukasa-san before he…?"

"Yeah, we talked a lot." he hummed, moving to sit down rather than keep kneeling. "About people we can bring to Soyuz because it only fits three people. He dared to say that I don't physically fit to explore another planet yet. The nerve of him."

She couldn't help but chuckled at his slight grumbling, even though it didn't have any bite on it. "That, I can't help but agree."

Senku snorted and continued. "Then about the journalist, I thought she was his type. To think the strongest high school primate would have a thing for Marilyn Monroe kind of woman. He denied it, though, saying he didn't care much about appearances. What a stuck-up."

"Aren't you like that too, Senku-san? Something about 'skill is more important than looks' along the lines."

"You do like to annoy me, huh?" he sassed. "What an interesting hobby."

"You'll see more in the future. Did you ask about that 'strongest high school primate' title?"

"Yeah, disappointingly, he's not the who came up with that name. I thought I could get a decent blackmail material. He said something about having a fight with mega-macho mountain gorilla for a TV show. He's inhuman alright."

"There's no way Tsukasa-san will call himself that way and fighting against animals…? That's… extreme."

"Well, you have to know that he killed a lion with only punch after he was revived."

"Really!? But, how did you encounter a lion in Japan…?"

"Clearly they're the descendance from the lion of the zoo. After petrification, they're pretty much the king of beasts. After he killed the lion, we ate it. It tastes like shit, shimmered or grilled. We survived by shoving tons of mushrooms down our throat. For once, the big oaf is smart enough."

"That's quite an experience. I guess lions will be off of our menu forever. Thank you for sacrificing your tongue, Senku-san."

"Shut it, I'll shove it down your throat next time."

Their conversation poured down easily, seemingly like an endless stream. Every time Senku finished with his words, she always added or commented–unconsciously coaxing him to continue and he did. Words never end, he thought it could go on until forever.

And somehow, he didn't want to stop either–knowing it's been a while since he had this kind of liberty. Just a small talk with no serious business involved.

"He said those days were a lot of fun." those words were supposed to be simple, monotone, and sounded nonchalant. However, Senku couldn't keep it steady, ended up croaked as he felt his throat clogged up.

"I'm sure it did."

It felt like a déjà vu–the endless conversation he did with Tsukasa suddenly ended because the young man finally rested, he thought he did it all over again. However, this time was different–Shinko would always answer him until he grew tired himself.

It's going to be a while until him and Tsukasa would have another talk.

"We'll find that source of petrification." Senku found himself promised. "And then we'll bring Tsukasa back."

A hand found itself a place upon his–warm and full of assurance.

"We will."

He didn't need to return the gesture for Shinko to know it ease the heaviness settling in his chest for a bit.