One Wish chapter 2

[Melville's Best Friend]

One Wish
Chapter 2
Melville?s Best Friend



?Where is he?? she paced around the deck impatiently. The dent in the side of the boat had birthed a crack, and Duo was busy trying to figure out how best to stop water from seeping into the lower level of the boat. Though worried about his friend, he was also worried about how long they could idly sit before the boat started to take on too much water.

?Ann, we need to get this repaired. We?re going to have to get to shore soon.?

?We are not,? she said sternly, ?leaving without him.?

?I know, I know,? he said, walking to her side. He looked at the water that sloshed haphazardly against the boat. ?Do we have a spare suit??

?Heero took yours, and you broke his with your little stunt with the birthday cake two weeks ago,? she said. Her eyes still held worry and her heart still rampaged with concern for him. Her attempt at brightening the mood didn?t work.

?I had forgotten about that,? he said with a smile. His eyes turned serious when he saw her expression. ?What do we do, then??

?We wait.?

?But he?s been down there way too long??

The all-too-peaceful waves gave them no comment, but lent gentle kisses while the sky turned a dark and sinister color that neither noticed. Nor did they notice the wind pick up its pace in its journey to the stars. The boat merely sat and took on water. And the two onboard waited.




**********************************



?This,? he thought, ?is not good.?

The shark seemed to smile before jolting forward too quickly for Heero to move out of his path. In an instant, he could feel her hands around his arm, and he was tugged from the shark?s feeding zone. They seemed to fly underwater; her speed was amazing, but for every second she seemed to fly, the shark was there--and gaining. He was held in an awkward position, his body turned facing the shark, while his arm (threatened to be ripped out of its socket if it wasn?t already) was held in a tight grip by the mermaid; he could see the shark?s gruesome smile and deadly rows of teeth coming ever closer.

She took the ocean?s rocks to her advantage, ducking and dodging between them swiftly and with little room to spare. Very little, he realized, as his exposed wrist hit a rock. His mind was in no state to process the pain, but continued to watch the shark mimic her swivels and turns. He swore he could here the theme from ?Jaws? playing?the symphony was underwater with them it sounded so loud.

Bum bum



***************************



?Ann??

She was busy scanning the water for any sign he was nearby. ?What??

?You might want to look at this??

She looked at Duo, whose eyes were fixated on the blackening sky. Thunder rumbled overhead and lighting played with the cotton-candy puffiness of the clouds.

?Oh, God??


*****************************



She threw them around the corner where his back slammed against a rock. Fortunately, he thought, the oxygen tank took the brunt of his?

?The tank!?

Bum bum



*********************



?What does it say?? Ann moved to read the buoy?s charts over Duo?s shoulder.

?We?re in deep s-? his voice was lost as a wave hit the boat with almost as much force as the animal had.

Ann narrowed her eyes. ?Get the sails down and the anchor up. I?m going to start the engine. We can make a few passes around the area for Heero before this hits us.?

Duo grabbed her arm as she turned to walk away. She faced him, eyes calm and focused.

iAlways calm in the face of danger, Ann.

She glared. ?Get moving!?

Rain had been pelting them for a few seconds, but already, both were soaked in the ocean?s thick drops. His bangs melted onto his face. ?It?s hit us. This is it. We need to go!?

He had to shout to be heard over the thunder.



*********************************


She had swung them into action again and was moving faster than before.

?Tank?? her head raced with what that meant as they sped along the ocean floor. Her heart pounded in her head and her tail ached from swimming so frantically. She was still without a plan to get rid of the shark, too, and this was causing her to panic a bit more.



***********************


?How could this be getting worse?!?? he shouted as he secured a life-jacket on himself. ?This is impossible!?

Anne returned from below deck with the news that it was already flooded. ?We?re stuck,? she shouted into the storm. ?The engine?s flooded and the boat?s taking on at least a gallon every five minutes.? Her eyes were no less determined than they had been. And brave, he noted. He plucked her determination from her and heaved it to his breast.

?We?re making it to shore.? Duo caught a rope from the sail.



*********************



?My oxygen tank?it?s cracked. I need to get to the surface??

Bum bum bum bum bum bum

She didn?t have time to respond as the shark suddenly appeared before them and snapped his massive jaws in her face. She screamed and slapped his blunt face with her tail, knocking it back a few yards. This quick maneuver gave her precious seconds to flee again.

?What is oxygen and how can I help?? she added while scheming in her head. If I can get him to follow me a little bit more closely?

?What I breathe,? he thought, ?And we?re running out of time.? His head spun with adrenaline and what little oxygen there was in the tank. ?We have to get back to the boat??

Bum bum bum bum bum bum

?The boat! You are right!!!!!!? she squealed. Her direction changed just before the shark slammed his teeth into her fin. With frantic determination, she sped towards the boat. Heero noted that almost half way to their destination, she began to slow. His eyes widened as he saw the shark get ever closer.

?Umm??

?Do not worry,? her eyes turning into hard and narrow slits.

Bum bum bum bum bum bum


************************


Another wave hit and they were both forced down, where they rammed into the side of the boat. Anne stumbled to the wheel. The lightning hit the surface of the water close to them; the thunder ripped open the sky and parted the water with its might. The boat managed to stay afloat, and those onboard managed to breathe.

?This is the SS Cheshire; we are in need of assistance??

Lightning struck again and the radio went dead.

?Duo?We?re in trouble??


************************



The shark?s mouth was so much closer than he would have liked it to be. He could see down the animal?s throat. He could see separate rows of teeth. He could see?the boat getting closer.

Just a bit further?

And still, she slowed.

The boat was suddenly right upon them, and Heero felt his gut twist in knots as he realized that they were going to ram into it. She must have been too tired to realize that they were headed straight to their doom. His oxygen was down to one last breath, but that was all he needed, for, in a split second, they had come upon the boat, and, thinking they would ram into it, Heero slammed his eyes shut, and took his last breath of the tank?s oxygen.

?.and he waited?

Instead of hitting his boat?s side, he was thrown into the darkness of the sea, and he heard a loud cracking sound as something hit the boat.


The shark. Relena dodged the boat in the flash of an eye and the shark couldn?t stop?


His eyes clouded over as his tank ran empty. His was vaguely aware of resurfacing and shouting. He was somewhat aware of voices ringing and the cool, crisp feel of air in his lungs again, but he lost consciousness before he could assess anything.

*******************************


?Heero, can you hear me?? Ann screamed at him as she pulled him from the sea. How had he resurfaced so quickly? And what was that second crash to the boat?

?Ann, watch it!? Duo pushed her away from the mast that the storm?s ruggedness had broken. They panted into the cool rainy-sea mist.

?What are we going to do?? she screamed into the storm which refused to stop. ?We can?t-? she didn?t get to finish as wave after wave tore into the small boat. There was no break in them; they targeted the boat with accuracy, and, before long, those onboard found themselves lost to the sea.

********************************


She watched in horror as the boat fell apart. She saw the man?her man?slump back into her home, and those who looked at him with care fell as well. She dove into the ocean?s calmness and caught him, pulling him back to the surface. A small chunk of the boat was floating in the sea, and she fastened him to it, trying desperately to save him. Once she was sure he was secure, she dove back into the calm sea and searched for his friends. She could hear the thunder above and the ocean was cold with fear.

Her eyes jerked back and forth seeking his comrades. The sea was dark without the sunlight; even if they were in front of her, she couldn?t see them. Glaring, her eyes started to glow a brightness that put the sun?s rays to shame. Her own eyes lit the way as she continued to search for his friends. She scanned the bottom of the ocean. She checked behind and beside rocks and the bits of reef that could have attached itself to their odd layers of skin. She whimpered.

Nothing. She saw nothing.

Not even the smallest part of a human was in sight. Her heart dropped. How could this be? They had to be somewhere! Knowing she didn?t have the time, she resurfaced to save who she could. ?Maybe,? she thought, ?they are on a piece of boat just like my human.?

The storm beat down on her while she searched the surface, and a moan from his parted lips informed her that she must tend to him. If nothing else, this man she could save. And save him she would.

A small island beckoned them, and she wasted no time in his rescue.

********************************



Ann moaned and sat up. ?Duo? Are you okay??

?I?m bruised and sore. My butt hurts and my hair,? he sat up and looked in the water, ?is a mess.?

?You?re alive, idiot. Be glad,? she said as her eyes turned sullen again. ?Which is more than we can say for Heero.?

?He?s alive, man. If anyone can take care of themselves, it?s Heero Yuy? he twitched his nose in thought. ?He once escaped a band of starving gypsies.?

?You must have hit your head pretty hard,? she said, rolling her eyes. She stood up slowly. ?Oh, my head?? She looked around. ?Okay, it was 12:42 when the storm hit?I think. More or less, anyway. From the looks of things, we?ve been out for awhile,? she placed her hands on her hips and looked around.

The stars shone brightly in the night sky. One never would have known there was ever a storm the way the sea and stars appeared. The night was romantically flawless; the clouds danced merrily in the sky; full of white cotton dreams. A pleasant breeze wafted through the air and hugged the two strangers on the island.

?I think I saw this island on the map, Ann, but I can?t be sure of it,? Duo said, standing with her. ?I think it?s about?oh?100 miles shy of the coast, and it?s, what, about 8:00? Someone will be here by morning, I?m sure.?

?That?s not what has me worried,? she replied, looking out to sea. ?Heero!? she called into the night.

No one responded.

******************


She watched as he slept. How amazing it was to watch his chest move so peacefully! She placed her head on his chest and enjoyed the subtle movement. She, having never been above the sea before, was curious as to whether her chest would do the same.
Placing a hand over her heart, she watched as she, indeed, felt the joy of air through her body.

?How enjoyable!?

She giggled and then turned her attention back to him. His hair was odd on land. It was matted and untamed, but quite?handsome. She placed a hand on it and ran her fingers through it.

She blinked in surprise. ?How soft it is!?

She felt her own hair. It was remarkably softer than his.

?This really is most amazing!? She attempted to move next to him, and glared at her fin. ?This I cannot swim in. I do not like this?oxygen,? she glared at it, but stopped when she felt the cool breeze on her flesh. ?But it is sometimes most pleasant!? She closed her eyes and let the wind toy with her now-dry hair. She was pleased with its soft feel, and she took the utmost pleasure in playing with it. Until his hair looked more inviting. His hair was not as much fun to play with, but it was relaxingly memorizing.

?My name is Relena,? she said, still running her hands through his hair. ?What is yours?? She waited for an answer, but became annoyed when he slept on. She frowned. ?I have asked you a question!? she shouted. He still didn?t stir. Sighing, she sat upright and leaned on her fin. ?You are not very talkative on land.? Her hands came to rest on a small shell that was on a rope and hung around her neck.

Squealing with glee, she showed the sleeping boy the shell.

?This is my wish shell,? she explained. ?Every merboy and girl receives one when they are born.? He slept on. ?On our 18th birthday, we become mermen and merwomen, and, to celebrate, we are given one wish from the shell!? She looked at it closely, and then moved close to his face so he could see it. He kept his eyes closed and dreamt on. ?My wish will be granted next week when I turn 18!? She frowned. ?It must be done the moment I turn 18 or the wish will not work,? she placed her head on his chest and let his breathing soothe her. ?Do you know when I was born??

She sat up and smiled proudly ?I was born in the year of the seahorse, at the time when the sun peaked over the ocean?s edge and gave birth to day,? she was very eccentric about her speech?flailing her arms about dramatically, and making her eyes sparkle like the stars above. ?This is when I will make my wish.? She moved her head to his. ?Do you know what I long for??

She stood upon her tail and shouted, ?I wish to be human!...? She blinked in alarm as she fell over-- her tail unable to hold her steady. Sand filled her mouth and she found it distasteful. Spitting, she relieved her mouth of sand, and watched the boy. ?You cannot hear me, can you??

When he didn?t respond, she took his hand in hers. ?I wish I could be like you and live a life like the one you lead. To be free to travel to my home and the dryness of the land. You must love this world so much more when you are human,? she said, swirling her finger around his chest.

She looked at the stars and sighed. ?How can I make a wish to be human when I do not know if this is what I want?? She watched as the wind toyed with his hair and the stars melted onto his figure. Her eyes glistened. ?If only I could?? her eyes opened wide with an idea. The stars above twinkled with delight as they read her plea.

?Perhaps,? she spoke to the stars, ?a bargain could be made??

As soon as she had spoken, a star shot from the sky and landed beside her. Its brightness was blinding, and she had to place her hands in front of her eyes for fear she would loose her vision. The radiance ceased quickly, and in the star?s wake was a woman. Her long silver hair sparkled like the evening sky, and her eyes, Relena could see, were stars themselves. The woman wore nothing, but shimmered a faint silver glow that Relena found humbling.

?I have come,? it said.

?I do not understand,? Relena stammered, batting her eyes in honest confusion, ?What has happened??

?I am the one who gave you your shell, Relena. And I have looked into the longing in your heart,? the star said. ?You wish to be human, but you are doubtful that this is the right path.? The star?s eyes shimmered with glory.

?I would very much enjoy to see what it is like,? she admitted.

?Yet you want to remain who and what you are,? the star said. ?I understand, Relena. I can help you. I can grant your request, but know this: this will only last until you make your wish. It is not temporary.?

?You are going to change me??

?I will, but only for the day.? The star pointed to the sky. ?When the stars fade as the sun rises over the horizon, you will be transformed into the likeness of the boy beside you. However, when the sun touches the tip of the waters, you will turn back into a mermaid.?

Relena assessed the star?s words. ?Human by day. By night, a mermaid. This will be perfect,? she smiled happily at the star. ?I will be able to see the world I have so often dreamed of! How marvelous!?

The star shimmered and moved her hand to touch the young mermaid?s brow. A stream of light flew from the star and landed inside Relena. Her eyes were radiant with light for a moment as the spell was placed. The star immediately flew back into the sky, where it twinkled in a found resting place.

?That was terribly curious and unfathomable,? she said to no one in particular. ?But I am glad it has occurred.? Relena squealed with anticipation and glee. She told the boy on the beach her thoughts on the matter and how much it meant to her that he was such a good listener. She smiled and talked and rested her head upon his chest once more. Weary, however, from the day?s events, she closed her eyes for much needed rest.

?When the sun rises,? she whispered to his ear, ?I will be like you??

**************


Heero awoke with the sun?s gentle rays on his face. Coughing, he turned away from the sun and waited until a bout of nausea passed. When it had, he moved so that he lay on his back again. He blocked the sun by placing his hands over his eyes. He moaned and cursed under his breath before trying to assess what had happened.

?Why do you try to block out the sun?? a voice asked.

A voice all too familiar.

?It?s a most pleasant feeling,? it said again.

His hands moved from his eyes and saw a smiling face above him. Startled at its closeness, he blinked and stared at it for a long amount of time.

?You?re?a mermaid?? he said lazily. His eyes looked down as he rubbed his head. ?I must have hit my head harder than I thought?There are no such things as mermaids??

He saw her pout. ?You do not remember what happened??

?I remember. I just don?t think I want to.? He winced as his head started to throb. ?Wait a minute, if you?re a mermaid?How are you standing??

?Heero! Heero, please answer us, where are you?!?!!?!?

?YUY! I DEMAND AN ANSWER NOW!!!?

?Ann?Duo??

?I?M GIVING YOU TO THE COUNT OF THREE, YUY!?

He rolled his eyes. Ann.

His focus drifted back to the girl who had no clue about personal space. She beamed and jumped back, throwing her arms to the open sea. ?I have been given legs for the daytime!?

It wasn?t that she was now a human that startled him. Nor that what he thought he had dreamed was actually true. It wasn?t the sound of Ann and Duo?s voices calling his name that startled him or the crab that snapped at his hand.

It was the fact that she was utterly and completely?

Naked.





Disclaimer: I don't own them. No I don't. Thanks to those who read! Glomps and hugs to thee!!!!

Heart,

the MBF

[Tomorrow]

::Squeals like mermaid Relena::

Melville, this is sooooooooooooooooo great!!!! The whole star concept is great, especially the shell-wish connection. Absolutely fantastic. Very original. I was seriously jumping up and down in my chair as I read.

The shark ordeal was incredibly suspenseful; I was chewing on my lip. And... what will Heero do with a naked demi-human/mermaid Relena? How can he explain that?

^_~

Continue this one as soon as possible. If you get the next chapter of this out quickly ::pokes:: I may feel inspired to get the next one of "Dreamers' Prayer" posted. Does that sound like a fair deal?



~Tomorrow

[Aristale Wolf]

Alright, where's the next chapter??? I'm waiting....((pats foot on ground as hands are on hips...)) hope it comes soon....it's great and i'm enjoying it tremendiously ((have no idea how to spell that))....

[takisha16]

ajjajaja...great....perfect...loved it!!!!!

fav line: #1

Very little, he realized, as his exposed wrist hit a rock. His mind was in no state to process the pain, but continued to watch the shark mimic her swivels and turns. He swore he could here the theme from “Jaws” playing…the symphony was underwater with them it sounded so loud.

Bum bum

fav line: #2

It wasn’t that she was now a human that startled him. Nor that what he thought he had dreamed was actually true. It wasn’t the sound of Ann and Duo’s voices calling his name that startled him or the crab that snapped at his hand.

It was the fact that she was utterly and completely…

Naked.

wonderful!! very cool how you posed the SO innocent version of relena!!!
and then clueless Heero! come one! mermaid relena NAKED! jajaa
great! hope he gets the idea and makes a move

post post post :o
cya later

[Rose of Betrayal]

*hoots with laughter* Well, it really was sort of expected...I mean but mermaids don't exactly wear clothes underwater...but... Ah, forget it. HAHAHAHAHA! The plot really is very original, the star thing was...also original. I don't think anyone would've dreamed that up. Not quite like the Little Mermaid. Far more interesting.
DJ