In war there are two precious things that can never be driven from the human heart:love and honor. Finding it a question of honor, Kazuhiro Shimono, a recently appointed ambassador to Manila, with ties to high-ranking military in his home of Japan, leaked information about his countries plans to invade the Solomon Islands, after an assault on the United States. It could have been forgiven, but one week later was December 7, 1941. Kazuhiro was questioned by the British, quietly. Still, word came out, and Kazuhiro and his family were disgraced. His wife's father was a general in the highest ranks of the Japanese army, so he was not executed. Instead, they chose a more fitting post for one of questionable loyalties. In the Solomon Inslands, in Choiseul Province, off the main island Choiseul lies Rob Roy Island, off the bay of Rob Roy, lies Mariko Island, barely ten miles in diameter, Kazuhiro and his wife, and two daughters were marooned. Kazuhiro was to be prefect of the island, and it's large quantities of banyan trees, mountains, and bats. Disgraced, his wife committed sepaku, choosing to restore her honor by ending her life. Her husband was left to care for himself, and their two daughters, Meeka, 23, and Myoshi, 21. Unable to gather the courage to follow his wife, Kazuhiro slowly drank himself to death. One year after his wife's death, one year after Pearl Harbor, his daughters buried their father in the shade of a banyan tree facing the open ocean. Buried him in the shade of the tree's wisdom.
Three weeks later, Myoshi stood on the shore of her island prison looking over the bay to Rob Roy Island. A light breeze blew off the the Pacific, rustling the trees, blowing the simple cotton shirt and pants softly against her skin. Pushing her long, straight, black hair away from her face, she walked down to the small dock, where the weekly supply boat waited. Making her way down the worn path, she studied the faces of the two island men who came every week with their survival rations. Bowing unsmiling she accepted the packages of rice, tea, sake, powdered broth, and fresh vegetables. Someone had included some English language detective novels. Their idea of a joke, Myoshi showed no emotion. Bowing again, she walked back up the path to make her way to the tiny hut she and her sister now called home.
Stopping on the path, she listened for sounds of her sister in the betal-nut wood hut. The sago palm thatch roof kept them dry, they had all they needed to survive. No one could say they had been left to die, and yet, left alone on this unforgiving island, in an area that still saw head-hunting, Myoshi knew no one would be sad to hear of their demise. To erase their father's shame, they were sent here, abandoned.
Walking into the hut, she placed the supplies on the small table, her older sister Meeka rose from her mat on the floor.
"Anything...any news, Myoshi?" She asked, her face hopeful.
"We are the forgotten ones, Meeka."
"Grandfather could send for us."
"To share our shame? If it makes you feel better to believe he will send for us, I won't stop you."
"He could, Myoshi." She insisted, quietly.
Looking at her older sister, Myoshi smiled, touching her face with her fingertips as she moved to put their supplies away.
"I suppose he could." She said, putting the vegetables in the ceramic pots to keep them safe from insects and bats. Myoshi shook her head.
"I wouldn't hold my breath, Meeka." She whispered quietly to herself.

 

From the California coast, the Solomon Islands are 6000 miles away. In a camouflaged PBY headed northwest out of Sydney, flying over "the Slot" Of New Georgia Sound, Lt.(jg) Josh Groban sat in the flying fortress. New Georgia Sound is a straight shot to Brisbane and Sydney, Australia. When the Solomon Islands fell to the Japanese in 1941 and 1942, Australia made use of it's established network of coastwatchers to report on Japanese military activities. Knowing that trouble was literally in their backyard, the Aussies took this occupation seriously. They had lost touch with one of the coastwatchers in a crucial spot in the islands. Intelligence rumored that a major movement was coming, but when. Needing to fill in the gap they decided to send someone who spoke Japanese, and had a knack for fixing things. Someone who could report on any major movement up "the Slot", someone who could repair the teleradio on Choiseul, someone named Groban. At 22, he had graduated UC Berkley with a degree in electrical engineering and a minor in Japanese studies. Fluent in the language before the Japanese had become protagonists, he had always hoped to study in Okinawa. That would never happen now. When the war had broken out, he joined the Air Force, quickly finding himself in officer's training school. He'd drawn technical assist to Australia, he'd been there for six months, when someone had read his history, and decided he had the skills he needed to be a coastwatcher.
He thought about his family as he flew low over the South Pacific to an uncertain future. His mother, his father, and his little brother. He'd only had time to write them a short letter, telling them he'd be out of touch for a while, but unable to tell them where he was going, or what he was doing. It had hurt, he knew his mother would be worried, but he had to go where he was told. His friend, Tom Johnson, was the gunnery officer on this plane. He walked back toward Josh, carrying a coke!
"Where did you get that?!" Josh asked. He hadn't seen a coke in over six months.
"I have my connections, here ya go, "hero"." He said, handing the semi-cool coke to his friend.
Taking a long swallow, it was still as crisp and tasty as he remembered, he handed it back to his friend.
"I don't know about, hero, Tom. They want me to go help a coastwatcher, I gotta go." He looked at his hands, his mother had always said they could fix anything, even a broken heart.
"What is it?" His friend asked, seeing the expression on his face.
Sighing, Josh looked at his friend.
"The thing is, I've studied this culture, these people, I know their language. These are not bad people, Tom. They just want to expand. If you lived on the tiny islands they live on, you would see the necessity."
Grabbing Josh roughly by the neck, Tom pulled him close, "Listen to me, and listen carefully." He said, his index finger on the end of Josh's nose. "Do not ever, I repeat, ever, say that to anyone else. I'm your friend, I know you, I know you're not a traitor, no one else is going to understand that about you if you keep talking like that. Do you understand me, Josh?"
Looking his friend in the eye, Josh nodded, "Yeah, Tom, I understand."
Letting Josh's neck go, Tom gave him a playful slap in the face.
"Tom, get up here!" The co-pilot called from the cockpit.
Pointing at Josh as he walked away, "Do not forget that!" He said.
"I won't." Josh said, his heart troubled.
Tom went in to talk to the pilots. A few minutes later he came rushing back to Josh.
"Come on, Josh, we gotta get some equipment on you!"
"What is it, Tom?" Josh asked as his friend forced his arms into a life jacket. Cracking the side door of the PBY, they saw they were very close to the water, close enough for a man to jump and not be injured.
"What's going on, Tom?" Josh yelled as the air rushed past them.
"We've got two Zeros on our tail, we may have to toss you out with a raft, and draw them away!"
"Where are we, now?!" Josh yelled.
"We just passed Wagina, and we're coming up on Rob Roy Island!" Tom yelled back.
At that moment one of the Zeros made a run at the side of the PBY, the OPEN side of the PBY, guns blazing, Josh and Tom dropped to the floor, the Zero still firing, Josh felt a punch in his right shoulder, knocking him back! The other Zero made a run at the front of the PBY, the pilot banking hard to the right to avoid a mid-air collission. Josh off his feet, and wounded fell toward the open door, and was in mid air! About twenty feet from the ocean! He heard Tom calling his name, he knew he only had a second, filling his lungs with air he hit the water, hard! He kicked hard for the surface, his wounded shoulder making it difficult to swim, finally he broke through, coughing and gasping for air. He watched the final seconds of the air battle, as the PBY lost. One engine on fire, the left wing broke away, the PBY slowly beaching, breaking apart, the water blazing with fuel on the surface, as the fuselage slowly settled beneath the water.
Josh watched in horror, knowing his friend could not have survived the crash. They'd died! Tom had died! Just so they could save him!
Shock and blood loss settling in, Josh settled back in the water, consciousness slowly fading, the life jacket the only thing that kept his head above the waves.
He floated for several hours, the tide slowly taking him to the shore of Mariko Island. The waves depositing him on the open ocean side of the island. If he had floated to the other side, a Japanese patrol would have found him. Instead, he was washed up on the only beach on the island, a small but beautiful sandy stretch, where he lay. Myoshi was fishing farther down the beach, she saw the large dark object wash up, and went to see what had come to her. When she saw it was a man, she started to run toward him. Reaching him, she recognized the uniform. An American, here! Standing over him, she put a foot on his chest, prepared to shove him back into the tide. Let the gods decide whether he should live or die. She didn't want to be bothered with him. She stood that way for a long time.
The man rolled over, moaning, obviously in pain. His eyes opened, dark eyes, with dark lashes, his hair wet and matted, but still curly, framing his face. Focusing on her, a shock of recognition, he reached out to her.
"Douka watasi_wo tasukete kudasai." He whispered.
(Please help me.)
Her eyes opened wide, he spoke Japanese, and well!
"Douka?" He whispered again, the hand dropping as his eyes
(Please?)
closed again.
He had asked her for help.
He had asked her for help.
Lowering her foot, she bent down and grabbed him under the arms. There was a small cave very near, she began dragging him towards it. She didn't know if she could help. She only knew that something inside her had to try.

 

Dragging the wounded American soldier to the cave was no small task, he was bigger than she was, and unconscious dead weight. Stopping to rest she kept a watch on land and sea, if a patrol came by, or her sister came looking for her, the American was doomed! Finally reaching the cool darkness of the stone cave, a small enclosed area, formed by a small air pocket in the volcanic excesses that formed these islands millions of years ago, she settled the boy on the floor. Now that he was safe from dangerous eyes, she went back out, she always carried her machete, she found a palm tree that had survived being blown over, and now grew perpendicular to the earth, climbing it's length, she cut palm fronds, dragging them to the cave one at a time. When she had enough, she formed them into a bed for the soldier, she pushed and shoved him onto their softness, and looked down at her hands, there was blood on them!
She had thought him exhausted from an ordeal at sea, now searching him, she removed the life jacket that had kept him alive, looking under the bomber jacket, she found the wound in his right shoulder. Lifting him to examine it, she saw that it went through. The wound was clean, but it could get infected. Ripping his shirt into strips, she bandaged him as best she could. There was a fresh water stream that surfaced at the back of this cave, going through the pack of things she had with her, she pulled out a cup. Going back to the stream, she filled it, bringing it back to him, she got under him, holding him up so he wouldn't choke on the water, she poured it in his mouth. He swallowed reflexively.
Letting him back down on the makeshift mat, she knelt beside him, her hands on the cool rock of the cave floor. He had sweet features, soft in the sleep of the wounded. From his heavy dark eyebrows to his full mouth, she regarded him, what was she to do with this man? The enemy of her people.
His eyes fluttered open again, looking confused, he finally focused on her face again.
"Anatano namae ha nani?" He asked her, his accent excellent, his pronunciation perfect, he had studied well. She answered him in English.
"My name is Myoshi. What is your name?"
"Josh." He said, moaning slightly, trying to get up.
She put a hand on him. holding him down. "Don't. You're hurt."
"You speak English." He said, his voice tired.
"I was educated in England." Myoshi said, feeling comfortable with him, something about his eyes.
"Where am I?" He asked, bringing his left hand up to hold his right shoulder, trying to ease the ache.
"You are on the most miserable little island in the South Pacific. A place where my country sent my family to die." She said quietly, just managing to keep the bitter edge out of her voice.
"And where would that be?" He asked smiling at her.
Catching her breath at the sweetness of his smile, she allowed herself to smile slightly back at him.
"This is Mariko Island, in Choiseul Province."
He tried to sit up at the mention of Choiseul Province. Eliciting a moan of pain, he dropped back to the palm cover, grateful that it was soft.
"I told you not to do that."
"So you did." He said, a hand on his forehead.
"I can't stay with you much longer, my sister will come looking for me, she would tell the patrols where you are, and they would kill you."
Looking at her for a long time he finally asked, "Why didn't you turn me over to the patrols?"
Finding herself at a loss for an explanation, she decided to be truthful, his face, his expression drawing it from her despite herself.
"I don't know...perhaps, my loyalties are not as strong since my abandonment to this desolate place." She swallowed hard against the emotions as she thought of what this island had cost her.
He smiled, "Whatever your reasons, thank you for helping me." He held out his hand.
Reluctantly, she took it, and held it's warmth in her own, their eyes holding each other's for what seemed an eternity.
"I must go," she whispered, finally finding her voice. "I will come back later, when my sister is asleep. I will bring food, and more cloth for bandages. I must warn you, do not leave this cave during the day. There are patrols around these waters, if they find you, they WILL kill you."
"All right, but I can't stay here forever."
"But you must for a while, to heal, to regain your strength. We will decide what you must do when that is accomplished."
"Thank you, Myoshi."
"You're welcome, Josh. I must go now."
She stood, covering him with his bomber jacket, she went to the cave mouth, stopping, one hand on the wall of the cave, she looked back at him, he watched her, with quiet eyes, she glanced down, suddenly shy at the intensity of his stare.
"I will keep you safe, Josh. I won't tell anyone you're here." She said softly, looking at the floor of the cave.
He nodded, watching her, watching her easy grace. Watching the sun as it shone on her, on her sleek black hair, on the beauty of her eyes. He nodded. And she was gone. Laying back, unable to keep his eyes open any longer, he slept, dreaming of an olive skinned beauty with long silky black hair.

 

True to her word, Myoshi crept back to the seaside cave after Meeka had fallen asleep, she'd fed her enough sake to float the Imperial Fleet, then helped her to bed, covering her as she snored peacefully. She'd made her way in the dark many nights, there was no danger, only the possibility of running into fruit bats as they flew to the banyan trees to feed from the fig-like fruit that flowered in them. Crossing the beach to the cave, she heard a late patrol boat as it passed out of sight on its way around her little island making its way back to the base on Rob Roy Island. A full moon crested the waves as she glanced out to sea, slowly rising in all it's brilliance, casting a soft light on the sand as she walked to check on the soldier, on Josh. She carried some supplies wrapped in a blanket, enough food to keep him going, the blanket for warmth, and some of her father's clothes. Josh was taller, but they would fit him, maybe help him pass for an islander if he were seen. She knew he couldn't stay here, it was far too dangerous, she knew she had to help him get better so he could leave. She just didn't understand why the thought of him leaving left such an empty place in her heart. Myoshi thought of his eyes, the way they had focused on her face, the way they had looked at her with trust when he'd been in the water, seeing her for the first time. Why did his eyes haunt her so? As she neared the cave's entrance, she saw Josh sitting in the shadows, watching the moon. He hadn't seen her yet, his face reflecting the moons soft glow, she caught her breath at how beautiful he looked, his eyes closed, face turned to the moons brilliant light. Like a god, wings clipped, fallen to earth, here to keep her company in the desolation of her heart. His eyes opened, turning, he saw her standing on the beach, motionless, her bundle held in front of her, the soft breeze blowing her simple clothing against her body, the moons light casting silver shadows on her sleek black hair. He smiled. Her heart skipped a beat, she couldn't breathe for a moment, an answering smile spreading slowly as their eyes met, she walked to him.
"Konniti_ha, Myoshi." He whispered.
(Hello, Myoshi.)
Bowing she greeted him, "Konniti_ha, Josh. You are out of your cave, didn't I warn you about this, and a patrol has just gone by, what if they had seen you?" She said, her face serious, feeling totally comfortable in his presence. Putting her burden down, she squatted down in front of him to check the makeshift bandage. He held silence as she made her inspection, when she leaned back, he watched her face, smiling.
"They didn't see me, I moved back into the shadows when I heard them." He smiled as he answered her, she was so lovely, so graceful. The touch of her hands on him as she examined his wound had almost been more than he could bear. Not fully understanding, he felt he'd found home. When she looked into his eyes, coherent thought almost left him, when she spoke, he heard it as music in his head, when she touched him...she lit a fire beneath his skin. A fire he wasn't sure he could keep under control for long. The ache in his wounded shoulder wasn't even enough to keep the burning out of his thoughts, out of his flesh, out of his heart.
"So you obeyed me, my American soldier, good." She helped him to his feet, moving them back into the shadows, away from any watchful eyes, even the moon could no longer see them.
"To be honest, I just woke up a little while ago, and the moonlight was so beautiful, I wanted to see it." He reached up, pushing her hair away from her face, as she helped him sit back on his makeshift bed.
She looked into his eyes, smiling shyly, his touch had made her tremble. She had never had any serious suitors, her parents had talked of sending her and her sister home to Japan to find suitable husbands, but that had been before, a different lifetime, a different reality. Since her banishment here, she had given up hope of a life. This young man, this beautiful young man had changed all that, in a few short hours, she had come to believe that her life was not over, that her heart had not died. Myoshi found that she didn't want to let that go.
"So you have become a son of the moon for me, my American?" She said softly as she knelt beside him removing the makeshift bandage, replacing it with a fresh one.
"Son of the moon...I like that." Josh said, his eyes on her face as she smoothed a sticky salve over the wound on both sides of his body. It stung a little, he winced as she spread it on the exit wound. Seeing his reaction, she blew softly on it, to ease the ache. Josh closed his eyes against the new ache her cool breath created in his body, doing his best not to let her see how desperately she affected him. Not wanting to create an offense.
"How did you come to my island, Josh?" She asked him, as she finished, then turned to pull food out of her bundle.
He trusted her, so he told her, "I was on my way to Choiseul, my plane was shot down."
Her eyebrows lifted very slightly, "You do know that Choiseul is occupied."
He nodded, "We knew, I was going to be dropped off the coast in a raft. A couple of Zeros found us before I could be dropped off with supplies."
"So, in a way, the gods have seen fit to use my countrymen to bring you to me. Surprising." She said, slightly amused.
"Surprising?" He asked, entranced by her amusement.
"That the gods would use my country to end my way of life, then use them to give me hope." She glanced at him, her eyes hooded, waiting for his reaction.
"To give you hope?"
"I feel the attraction, Josh, are you saying you don't?" She said, leaning close to him.
He smiled, "Oh, I feel the attraction."
She smiled, "Then you should eat."
"Of course, Myoshi."
She sat beside him as he ate.
"Where are you from?" She asked him.
"Los Angeles, California." He answered, as he ate rice from a small bowl. "Where are you from?"
"I was born in Hiroshima, we left there when I was a year old. My family has lived all over the world. I was educated in England, I had hoped to study at Cambridge, then my father was ordered to Manila." She hung her head, looking at her hands folded primly in her lap, Josh saw the sadness in her eyes.
"It's alright, you don't have to talk about it."
She smiled her gratitude to him. They continued to talk for several hours, til the moon was high in the sky. Both of them knowing the attraction was there, almost too powerful not to answer, but too powerful to be rushed into it. In the mouth of the cave, in the shadow of the moon, she said goodbye for now. Unable to allow her to leave just yet, Josh pulled her closer to him as they sat in the moonlight. His arm around her, her head on his unwounded shoulder, she turned her face to him, and he kissed her. Slipping her hand to the back of his neck, she kissed him back, her fingers in his dark curls, she moaned softly with her need. Pulling away from each other, unable to speak, they held each other, the lost boy, the daughter of light, they held. Finally finding the strength to stand, Myoshi held his hand as she moved to leave, their palms separating, then the fingers, as their fingertips slipped from each other, she turned.
"Until the moon rises again?" She said, barely whispering.
"I'll wait." He answered.
Myoshi left, her heart feeling halved. She left her hope in the small cave on the beach, bathed in the soft light of the moon.

 

They met every night, talking, laughing, kissing, til the full moon waned. Waking one week after discovering her hope in the waters of her island, Myoshi looked forward to the day. She couldn't remember how long it had been since this had happened, but she greeted the day in her heart. The jungle of vegetation coming alive with the warmth of the sun's touch, she walked down to the fresh water stream that ran close to their hut to bathe. Lingering in the cool water, trying to cool the fire in her skin, knowing it was futile, only one thing could cool this blood fever, she knew she didn't want to rush this. As she washed her hair, sitting in the pool at the base of the hill, she felt that eyes were on her, dropping her hands to cover herself, she glanced at the vegetation.
"Who's there?" She said quietly. Looking harder, she held her breath, listening to every sound, listening over the bird sounds, over the sound of the breeze in the trees, the distant sound of the ocean, the sound of the water as it babbled past on its way to the ocean.
"Who's there?" She asked again, waiting, prepared to make a dash for the bank where she had left the machete.
Stepping out of the brush, with a sigh, one hand over his eyes, Josh walked a few steps, stopping, head down, looking ashamed. Gasping with fear at the sight of him, Myoshi stepped out of the water, grabbing the towel from the bank, she wrapped herself in it, she came over to Josh, scanning the vegetation with worry in her eyes.
"I'm covered, you can look." She said, her voice filled with anger and fear.
"I'm sorry, Myoshi, I didn't mean to spy, I just wanted to see you...I followed you when you left the hut, and when you started to undress...I...well...I..." He couldn't meet her eyes, looking down at the grass beneath his feet.
"You can apologize for your indiscretion later, we have to get you back to the cave before someone sees you." She said, grabbing her clothes, leading him down a different path than the one to the hut. As she turned, they heard another sound in the jungle, someone was coming! An ungentle someone lumbered their way through the vegetation in their direction! Looking around frantically, Myoshi's mind travelled at break neck speed! Where could he hide?! A huge Banyan tree was nearby, taking Josh's hand, they ran to the tree.
"There's a cradle in the roots just above the leaves, you have to climb in there! You have to stay there! You must not make a sound until I tell you it's alright! Do you understand?" She whispered. "And don't eat the fruit, it will make you very sick."
"I understand." He whispered, pulling her to him, he kissed her.
She held him tightly, then pushed him toward the tree, "Go! Hurry!"
"Be careful!" Josh whispered, so angry at himself for putting them both at risk. He'd been foolish, and now Myoshi could pay for his carelessness! With difficulty, his shoulder not completely healed, he climbed to the cradle of the roots of the Banyan tree, watching and waiting.
Myoshi dressed quickly, knowing that Josh watched her from the tree, it couldn't be helped. She headed for the path back to the hut, an unpleasant looking Melanesian stepping out of the brush in front of her.
"Tonti! You scared me! Why are you here?" Myoshi said in Japanese.
"Looking for you, Myoshi." He answered in Japanese as he leered at her, rubbing his hand on his thigh as he looked her up and down like a man would look over a prize cow.
Her lip curled in revulsion, Myoshi stared back at the man, her right hand gripping the machete a little tighter.
"What do you want of me?" She asked.
Moving closer to her, he laughed, his fetid breath forcing her to cover her face or vomit all over him. Gods, what a repulsive little toad! She thought to herself.
"I want what I always want, Myoshi. I could make your life here more to your liking, you know I would take care of your sister as well." His eyebrows moving up and down suggestively, Myoshi almost attacked him with the machete for mentioning this yet again.
"Tonti, I've answered this more times than I care to think about, I have considered this, and I respectfully decline." She said with a slight bow, hoping to move past him, and away from his odorous influence. Or at least upwind of him. Hoping to move him away from the Banyan tree, she could feel Josh's angry eyes on the little Melanesian man, she hoped he had the good sense to stay where he was, and not make it worse. Tonti would not be brushed away like the repellant little insect that he was, not today. Reaching out, he put his hands on her, reacting with revulsion, Myoshi, pulled away from him. Something fluttered in the Banyan tree, Tonti made another grab for Myoshi, and a rush of bats flooded out of the leaves of the tree, heading for the little island man. Seeing them, Myoshi hit the ground, covering her head with her towel, Tonti stayed on his feet, swatting and screeching in a panic at the flying rodents. Knowing their like when they smelled them, the bats swarmed him, fluttering in his face, grabbing at his hair and clothes, til he screamed in a panic, rushing blindly down the path, away from Myoshi and the precious prisoner in the heart of the wisdom of the tree. Almost laughing with relief, she rushed to the tree, Josh stepped out, she fell into his arms, holding tightly to keep herself from falling over.
"That was so foolish!" She whispered urgently.
"I couldn't stand that he was touching you!" Josh whispered back to her.
Leaning down, he kissed her, her head spun with the excitement as he pulled away from her. Grabbing his hand she pulled him down the path to the ocean, back to his cave.
"Hurry, Meeka will come to see what the noise is, she musn't find you!"
They ran through the brush, down the path, through the trees, through the sun. Almost laughing to be together in the light, they ran, their hearts racing at the thought of being caught. Finally reaching the beach, they walked down the path to the cave, watching carefully to be sure they were not seen. Into the darkness, the son of the moon safe again from dangerous eyes, she fell into his arms again. She fell into his heart, sure that she was safe and loved. Holding her close he kissed her, then again, then again, dropping to their knees on the palm leaf bed, they held each other, claiming each other's mouth for their own. Pulling away, her body trembling with the danger, the running, the desire he ignited in her with his mouth, the fire was now an uncontrolled blaze, inside them both, but now was not the time to answer its call.
"I have to go!" She whispered in desperation, her forehead to his, their eyes closed against the agony of denial, he nodded, swallowing hard. One last kiss, and he let her go, watching her as she crossed from his realm of shadows to the light of the beach. She turned to look at him from the light, their eyes speaking the things their bodies could not.
"Til tonight, my love." She whispered, and was gone.
"Myoshi!" He called softly, but she was gone.
His shoulder hurting again, he laid back on the palm bed, knowing he would not be sleeping today. The memory of her mouth, her lips, her body in the pool, and then as she dressed, knowing he watched, it was all more than he could bear, he went to the fresh water stream in the back of the cave,dunking his head in the pool there for a very long time, hoping the coolness of the water would help him be able to bear the wait til tonight. The wait until his love came back to him, to his arms. He laid down to sleep, covering his eyes with his good arm, all he could see was Myoshi.

 

Filling her sister with sake again, tucking her in as she snored happily away, Myoshi ran all the way to the beach, to the cave, to the son of the moon. Breathless, she stopped at the entrance, Josh meeting her, taking her into his arms, his mouth on hers. Myoshi flung her arms around his neck, eagerly matching the kiss, as she dropped her supply bundle to the floor of the cave. She had brought a candle, the full moon's light no longer available, she wanted to be able to see Josh's face as they talked. Moving into the caves depths, they lit the candle, sitting on the palm leaf bed, they sat beside each other, and planned.
"Okay, the patrol boats come up the slot every six hours. They circle Choiseul, heading southeast in the direction of Tulagi base once they pass this beach. They don't actually pass between Wagina Island and Rob Roy Island, so maybe we can hop from island to island, to reach Choiseul without being seen by any of the patrols." Josh said, his eyes closed, picturing the path to his objective in his head, his arm around Myoshi's shoulders.
"What is your objective, once you reach Choiseul?" Myoshi asked.
"There's a coastwatcher with a snafued teleradio, I'm going to get it working."
"For what reason?"
"The allies believe that there's about to be a big push to capture all of the south Pacific, they need to know ship movements to be sure. They sent me to get them that information." He had trouble looking her in the eye.
Despite her anger at her country for abandoning her, she felt pangs of guilt at her readiness to betray what her parents had died believing.
"Myoshi,...I'll understand if you don't...well...if you don't want to come with me." He looked at the wall of the cave, afraid of looking in her eyes, afraid of what he might see there.
She looked at him, startled, "You would leave me here?!" She whispered, stunned.
"No! Not if you WANT to come with me! I was...I was afraid, when you knew... what I came to do, that you wouldn't want to come. I know about honor...I know that I would be asking you to betray your people to come with me." He looked into her eyes, his heart aching for her to come with him, "I WANT you to come with me, Myoshi! Desperately!" He whispered.
"I knew this choice would come. I thought I was prepared to make it." She fell silent, looking at the face that would be all she had if she followed. She would be dead to her grandfather. With no hope of ever returning to Japan. Was this what she wanted, could one man be worth this? She looked into his eyes, her heart knew the answer, if she would only stop and listen. If it meant they would be together, she would abandon all to follow him, to be his.
"I love you, Myoshi." Josh whispered, his mouth next to her ear.
A lonely tear slid down her soft cheek, pressing her cheek to his, she spoke softly into his ear.
"When I was small, my mother sent me to Catholic school in London, the nuns taught me a verse about a woman who found herself in a foreign land, "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried." I didn't understand how a woman could feel this way, until the day I looked into your eyes." She leaned back, tears falling quietly down her face, she looked into the dark brown eyes, the bearers of her fate, now red-rimmed, filled with his own emotions.
"Where you go, I WILL go, Josh. There is no power on earth that could keep me from your side, if you WANT me to come."
She whispered , not trusting her voice.
His voice husky, he answered, "I WANT you to come with me, Myoshi."
"Then it is done. How long do we need to prepare?"
"We need a boat. Is there any way we could build one, without being discovered?"
"I think there is a way, you won't like it." She looked at him, not taking her eyes off his.
Meeting her gaze,"What way?"
"I could get them from Tonti."
Sighing heavily, Josh shook his head, his lips pinched tightly together at the thought of Myoshi having to be nice to that little toad.
"What would you have to do?" He asked at last.
"I would have to be nice to him."
"What does that mean, exactly?" Josh asked, not liking the sound.
"It would mean I would want you close, just in case I needed more bats." She smiled.
"We'll talk about it more later."
Conversation turning to happier things, Josh told her about his home, his parents and his brother. Then he kissed her. As the cool breeze blew in from the ocean, they lay in each other's arms. Myoshi's head on his good shoulder, they talked about the future, finally falling asleep. As the morning sun's first rays woke her, Myoshi rose, kissing him lightly, she hurried back to the hut before her sister woke. Her heart singing, she rushed through the jungle, her future looked bright, as bright as the moon.

 

The full moon rolled around again, each night's routine falling into order as Myoshi and Josh's love for each other grew. Myoshi had gotten tools from Tonti, with Josh in the Banyan tree to loose the bats when he got too amorous. Each night in the spare light of the slowly swelling moon they cut down trees, and built. Now that the full moon was here again, building progressed faster. The raft was half finished, as she walked the path to the cave, her sister in a sake soaked sleep, Myoshi thought of a future with the man she realized she'd been preparing her entire life for. Knowing she would be there soon, the son of the Moon stood on the beach, waiting for her. Each time she caught sight of him, it took her breath away, standing tall in the silvery light, shadows cast on his beautiful face, his dark curls blowing softly about his face, the one stubborn curl that always lay on his forehead, an unrepentant tease, finally his dark eyes sparkling as he saw her. Always smiling when his eyes fell on her, she put a hand to her chest, forcing air to her lungs to keep from swooning at his feet. He wore the island clothes, the pants too short, he always rolled them up to just below his knees, the white cotton shirt open against the warmth of the night breezes, the sleeves rolled up above his elbows. Walking to each other, the blaze raging beneath their skin, their arms sliding around each other, they stood, looking in silence to the depths of each others eyes. Eyes slowly closing as their lips moved to their other half, melding in perfection, making a moment into an eternity.
"I missed you," Josh whispered, when the need for air forced their lips to reluctantly part.
"Each moment away from you is sweet torture, knowing it will only make returning to you sweeter." Myoshi sighed, putting her head against his chest, holding him as close as they would allow themselves, the inner blaze threatening to overcome her senses at his closeness.
Stroking her hair, Josh closed his eyes, her scent driving him slowly to madness.
Finally pulling away from the embrace, they walked, arm in arm across the beach bathed in the moons soft light to the place where the raft in making was concealed. Together they pulled the palm fronds away from the work area, and began working. They worked for two hours each night, gauging the time passed by the position of the stars, then covering their work, they walked back to the cave.
"Do you really think your sister suspects nothing?" Josh asked as they walked to the back of the cave.
"When father died, Meeka changed." Myoshi said sadly.
"What do you mean?"
"It's like she's no longer there. I don't know how to explain it, her body functions, her mind functions...it's as if she lives in another place, in her heart she is somewhere else. Do you understand?"
They sat on the palm leaf bed, sharing the rice and vegetables, with some fish that Josh had caught.
"She couldn't take anymore? Maybe it's the only way she can cope with this, by shutting down."
"Sometimes I think she will take our mother's way out, that I will find her body when I come back from my fishing or gathering. If you had not come, I would be so alone in heart." She looked at him, her face filled with the hope he had brought back, like a gift, with his arrival.
Josh pulled her to him, kissing her, the blaze inside raging up, fanned by the closeness of their bodies.
"Myoshi, there's something I want to ask you, but I don't know how to without insulting you."
"What do you want, Josh?"
"Is there any way...I mean, I love you, and...would you be willing...God! I can't even say it!" He said, sighing in frustration.
Myoshi got up on her knees beside Josh, leaning over him, she kissed him softly, "My Josh, are you trying to ask me to be with you?" She asked, smiling.
His expression one of pained repression, he breathed his affirmation with more fervor than he'd intended, making Myoshi giggle.
"God, YES!" Embarrassed, he pulled her to him.
"I was hoping it wouldn't take you much longer to ask." Myoshi sighed, kissing him softly.
"I just couldn't stand it any longer," He whispered.
Pulling his shirt off him, Myoshi kissed his neck.
"I love you, my Josh."
"I love you, Myoshi."
The blaze engulfing them, the daughter of light, and the son of the moon merged, creating a brilliance that put the heavens to shame.

 

Barely returning to their hut before the rising of the sun, Myoshi was flushed with excitement. Creeping into her bed pulling the cover over her, she put her head down to sleep, at least for a little while. She didn't see Meeka's eyes open when she entered the hut. She didn't see as Meeka lifted her head to look at her sister. She didn't see as Meeka lay back on the pillow, staring at the ceiling. She didn't see the building storm. Meeka rolled over, going back to sleep, her head pounding from too much sake, the sake her sister fed her every night before she left to meet whoever in the dark.
Several hours later, the two sisters woke for the day, Myoshi prepared the morning meal as she always prepared the meals, since Meeka did not seem to be able to function. Meeka sat in silence, looking at the food, and the tea that her sister had prepared. Taking the cup in her hand, she drank silently. Myoshi was used to the silence, Meeka seldom spoke, but there was something in her eyes this morning. A subtle difference, almost an awareness that had not been there since before their father had died.
"You have been visiting the beach a lot lately." Meeka said, her eyes cutting across the rim of her cup, to watch Myoshi's reaction. No emotion showing on her own face, she watched as Myoshi started, a tiny moment of fear on her face, before she composed herself.
"Yes, Meeka, I go to the beach often. It's lovely and peaceful there, I enjoy it."
"It seems to have done you a lot of good, perhaps I should visit there."
Surprised and concerned at her sisters probing, Myoshi tried to dissuade her without raising any more suspicions.
"If you like. The only thing to do there is swim, and sun yourself. I fish sometimes."
"You know I don't like to sit in the sun."
"Then you would not like the beach."
Pausing, her cup inches from her mouth, Meeka looked at her sister, watching for any sign that would tell her what had happened to make her sister so happy. Perhaps she was only imagining things.
Staying close to the hut today, Myoshi washed their clothes down at the stream. She gathered fallen coconuts, and harvested some sweet potatoes, the islands one main crop. Making a small pit in the earth in front of the hut, she put hot coals from the fire she had built, putting leaves on the coals, she placed the sweet potatoes, wrapped in more leaves on top, then covered them with more leaves. Burying this, the sweet potatoes would be ready to eat by the evening. She paused looking down the path that led to the ocean beach, to her beloved, no matter how hard she worked, she could not forget the memory of his hands on her body, how they had become one. Closing her eyes against the answering desire in her flesh, she sighed deeply remembering his tender kisses, his eager mouth claiming a part of her soul for his own. No matter what happened, no matter the danger, she would follow this man, her man, she would follow. Continuing to work, she waited eagerly for the night to fall, hoping her sister's new awareness would not prevent her from going to Josh. Looking up at the sun, she willed it to move faster in its firey race across the heavens.
In the cave, Josh tried to sleep, his shoulder was nearly healed, building the raft had not set him back. With Myoshi's help, they would be ready to leave in another month. Hopefully in time for him to get to Choiseul and help the coastwatcher. Closing his eyes for the millionth time, sleep still lingered teasingly just beyond his grasp, the internal blaze now a controlled inferno, Myoshi's touch the only thing that kept it from consuming him, body and soul. He could still feel her touch, her skin against his. The thoughts making him crazy with desire, he finally gave up and went to the cave mouth. One arm propped on the wall, he watched the waves, longing for a quick dip, to cool his thoughts enough to be able to sleep. Gauging time by the suns position, he knew it had been two hours since the last patrol had come by. Perhaps if he kept to the waters near the cave, he could stay out of sight. Walking to the water's edge, he kept a close watch, Myoshi would be so angry at him if she knew he was out in the sunlight. Part of him hesitated, the water beckoning like a sultry siren, he ached to be engulfed in her coolness. Still something in him waited, sighing, he turned to go back to the cave, he would just have to be sleepless, tortured with the imprint of her flesh on his. Looking to the jungle in the direction that Myoshi always came, he heard someone coming. He was too far from the cave! If he tried to go back he would be seen! Rushing to the water's edge, he dove in, head first, swimming close to the rocks to stay hidden. The waters on this side of the beach were very unforgiving. Too near the rocks, the surf pounded him, knocking him against the rocks everytime it rolled in to shore.
Emerging from the untamed greenery of the island, on to the beach, Myoshi made as much noise as possible, thinking Josh asleep in the cave, not wanting him to be caught unaware.
Meeka had never wanted to explore the island prison, she didn't know about the cave, she didn't know about anything. The sisters walked the beach in silence, finally coming to the rocks a short way away from the cave. Myoshi walked out on them, the salt spray splashing up each time the water crashed against the rocks. Meeka stayed on the sand, looking out to the open sea, her eyes unreadable. Turning, she started back the way they had come. Seeing her sister ready to leave, Myoshi stepped back from the edge, a hand rose up, grabbing her ankle, holding her! Stopping the scream of surprise, her hand to her mouth, Myoshi looked down into Josh's face! Each wave crushing him into the rocks, he was bruised and battered, rapidly tiring! Leaning down, she whispered to him.
"I'll get Meeka out of here, and try to come back, can you make it out of the water once we're gone?"
He nodded, saving his breath for staying afloat.
Reaching down she touched his hair, willing him to be alright, she ran after her sister to give Josh the time to get out of the water. Praying silently each step of the way back to the hut, Myoshi tried to think of a reason to go back. When they got back, Meeka went straight to bed, complaining of a headache. Myoshi fed her sake again, when she was sure Meeka was asleep, she ran all the way back to the beach. Gasping for air, she stopped at the cave mouth.
"Josh!?" She called.
"I'm okay." He said, stepping into the light, she flew into his arms, covering him with kisses of relief, the son of the moon was safe! Suddenly angry, she stepped back.
"That was foolish!" She said, tears filling her eyes.
"I know, Myoshi, I know!" He said, quietly, putting his arms around her again.
Trying to stay angry, Myoshi continued to fuss at him, "Meeka could have seen you, you could have drowned!"
Smiling at her concern, knowing her anger only covered the horrible fear for him she felt, he held her until she put her head against his chest and cried.
"It's okay," He whispered, stroking her hair.
"Are you alright?" She asked, quietly, when her tears were spent.
"I'm a little bruised, but I'm okay."
"Why did you go out there? Does it give you pleasure to cause me pain?"
The son of the moon laughed, "I couldn't sleep, I couldn't get you out of my thoughts. I hoped the water would cool the fire."
Understanding, she sighed, "And I have thought of nothing but you, today."
"Can you stay?" He whispered.
"For a while." She smiled at him.
Together, they attempted to tame the blaze once more.

 

In each other's arms they lay, content to be still, in each other's presence, the inferno at bay once more, they lay. Not stirring, they listened to the ocean as the waves swept in to the beach, the gentle susurration echoing the peace in their hearts. His arm around her, his fingers gently stroking her soft skin made Myoshi sigh, closing her eyes she kissed his chest, toying with the soft hairs that grew there.
"I would pay the gods whatever price they asked to make this moment last for eternity." She whispered against his skin.
"No price set could ever meet the worth of my time with you." Josh said to the daughter of light.
"How shall we spend this priceless moment, my love?" She said, propping her head on one palm, looking at him in the soft light of the half moon.
"I can't think of a better place to be, than with you." Reaching up with one hand, he brushed the hair away from her face, allowing his hand to cup her cheek. Turning her head, Myoshi kissed his open palm, her eyes closed, savoring the warmth of his skin on her lips.
"Someone to love. This is a miracle I could not have believed possible. Not when we were sent here." She rolled over on her stomach, her head sideways, resting on his chest, so she could look at his face.
"Dropped out of the sky, to find you." The son of the moon looked at his love, one hand under his head, one hand on her waist. His heart filled with happiness. A happiness he'd never felt before. A happiness he would die to protect, to retain.
"In the cradle of Solomon's wisdom, you came to me. My perfect love. The keeper of my heart." She leaned forward and kissed his sweet and tender lips.
"My soul." He whispered, the hand on her waist moving to her neck, pulling her to him, savoring the sweetness of her mouth.
"My life." She whispered, her senses lost in his kisses.
"My love." The inferno blazing as they dove into its heart.
**********************************************
A soft rain fell, preventing work on the raft this night. Rising from the palm leaf bed, Myoshi went to the mouth of the cave. Her form caressed by the pale light of the half moon, he watched her, his heart full, she turned, her features soft and glowing he burned this vision into his memory. Her silken hair framing her body, he gazed. Wanting to keep the essence of this moment as a precious treasure locked away in his thoughts, his heart for all time. She. His love. The owner of his soul. There would never be another like her, he would be hers for all time. Seeing his heart in his eyes, she came to him, claiming her place once again.
**********************************************
The morning came too soon for the daughter of light, kissing the son of the moon awake, she said good-bye, their hearts aching to have to be apart.
"I will carry your kisses with me through the day, even that will not be enough to stop the aching in my heart." She whispered, in his arms, saying good-bye at the mouth of the cave, not daring to allow him into the pale dawn light. Keeping to the shadows, he held her against his heart, stroking her hair.
"I will hold you in my heart until tonight, when I will hold you in my arms." He whispered.
She pulled away from him, beginning the walk back to the hut, to her sister. The green vegetation of the jungle closing on her, making her vanish like a mist in the sun, Josh turned, going back inside the cave, hoping to sleep, not sure if it were possible without her beside him.
**********************************************
Gathering firewood, and berries on her way back to the hut, the separation from her love a physical ache, Myoshi could not help but smile at every thought of him. Her living hope.
Entering the hut, Myoshi had started a fire outside, putting the frame over it to hold the kettle. Picking the kettle up, she walked down to the fresh water stream to fill it up for tea. Carrying it back to the fire, she placed it on the hook to heat, then went back into the hut.
"You are up early, again." Meeka said from her bed.
"Good morning, Meeka, I hope you are well." Myoshi said, smiling slightly.
"Where do you go at night, Myoshi, who do you meet?" Her sister asked, her tone one of command from an older family member, not to be taken lightly.
"I go to the sea, to meet the moon. I go someplace safe, Meeka. That is all you need to know." Myoshi said quietly, placing the cups on the table, putting the berries in a bowl. She turned to face her sister.
"Who is he, Myoshi? Who do you go to see?" Meeka asked again.
"No one that you need to know, Meeka. No one that matters to you."
"You are my sister..."
"Don't I take care of you? Don't I make sure you are as comfortable as anyone could be here?"
Meeka sat up in the bed, swinging her legs wearily to the side.
"You know that you do, Myoshi."
Coming to her sister, kneeling before her, taking her hands, Myoshi smiled at her, "Then don't worry. It will be all right."
The storm in Meeka's head building, she shook it slightly, looking into her younger sisters happy face. Something was not right, something she would have pursued further if there were any hope left in her soul. She let it go, for now.

 

Days passed as days have a habit of doing. Sitting in the shadow of the setting sun, waiting for Meeka to fall asleep, Myoshi would be disappointed this night. Her sister came to join her on the front porch of the hut they shared in their desolation. In silence, they watched the golden sun sink to the horizon, changing to orange, then red as it slid itself around the edge of the earth, hiding its golden face from them until morning.
"Walk with me to the dock, little sister." Meeka said, getting up and going to the path that led to the inlet between their tiny island and Rob Roy Island. Pausing, she looked at her sister in silence, her face perfectly composed, revealing no emotion whatsoever.
Something unpleasant was there between them, Myoshi knew it, but she couldn't tell what it was. Standing, she followed her sister, single file, they made their way to the darkened dock, as they drew near, Myoshi saw a boat there. Looking at her sister with steely eyes, Myoshi pulled herself up. She couldn't run, it would take them right to her love, the son of the moon. She had to speak to them, and reveal nothing. Meeka had fooled her, she had spun a web, Myoshi realized she had to traverse the web carefully, or she and Josh would be captured. Walking with her sister to the Japanese patrol boat, they greeted the captain of the boat.
"Konniti-ha." He said, bowing.
"Konniti-ha." Myoshi and Meeka said, returning his bow.
"I am Captain Tanaka. I am the commander of the patrols in this area."
"I received your note yesterday, Captain." Meeka said.
Myoshi looked at her sister, she knew! She knew these men were coming, and she said nothing.
"We have received word that an American plane went down near here, we have been searching the islands, questioning the citizens of these waters. Have you seen any strangers?"
"I have not, but my sister Myoshi roams the island more than I. Have you seen anything unusual, Myoshi?" She asked, watching her sister's reactions carefully.
Keeping her face impassive, Myoshi shook her head. "I have seen nothing."
"We will be searching frequently. You will cooperate fully with my men when they come here, is that understood?" The captain said, his hands behind his back, he bowed to them, turning smartly on his heel when the sisters nodded their understanding, he walked back to the boat, and the patrol left.
"Deception can be costly, little sister." Meeka said quietly.
"I have deceived no one, my sister." Myoshi said to her.
Together they walked back to the hut, laying down on her bed, Myoshi knew it was too dangerous to go to the son of the moon tonight. She knew he would worry, she knew he would wait for one night, if she didn't go to him tomorrow, he would come for her. Her head on the pillow, she barely slept, what sleep did come to her was filled with visions of her love, taken by the patrol captain, taken and executed.

 

Myoshi kept the setting sun company in its daily death, before it rose anew the next day, she kept it company thinking only of her love, only of the son of the moon. There would be a full moon very soon, they would be leaving in its light, moving from island to island. She thought of nothing but the sweetness of his face, only that had kept the terror from her thoughts, the terror that the patrols would find him. And take him from her.
Meeka had eaten the evening meal in silence, not even looking at her. She sat at the table now, singing quietly to herself, a song their mother had sung to them when they were little. Meeka had guzzled enough sake to take down a sumo wrestler, stubborness alone keeping her upright. The sun had lost its battle with the rotation of the earth, relinquishing its place to its mirror, the moon, Meeka stumbled up from the table, staggering in her drunkenness. Myoshi went to her sister, helping her to her bed, she covered her, patting her head.
Meeka reached out, grabbing Myoshi's arm, "In the end, my sister, we are all we have, only family. Only family."
Myoshi knelt beside her sister's bed, looking into her eyes, she nodded.
"I will always love you, Meeka." She whispered, stroking her sisters hair, until she fell asleep.
Wanting to run, but walking, keeping a close watch, Myoshi went to the moon, on the beach, he waited, in the shadows, tall and somber, not relaxing until he saw her emerge from the edge of the vegetation. He ran to her, the open shirt catching the soft moonlight, like a cape behind him. Stopping in front of her, he crushed her to him, whispering her name. Emotion overcoming her, a sudden tear rolled down her cheek, holding him tightly, she couldn't speak.
Pulling back, his arms still around her, he looked into her eyes, the concern in his face tearing at her heart.
"Are you all right?" He asked.
"I'm all right. There was a Japanese patrol here last night, the captain came to the dock. They're looking for you!" she whispered urgently, her hands going to his face, holding it, savoring every inch of it's tender worry.
Sighing, he put his forehead to hers, closing his eyes.
"We'll have to be more careful. The raft is nearly finished, we can leave in a few days. Are you ready? And are you sure?"
She smiled at him, "I'm ready, and more sure than I have ever been of anything in my life. Meeka will be alright, and someday when the war is over, maybe I can send for her."
Josh smiled at his love, nodding his head.
"That would be good." He said.
Turning, they walked to the raft, working on it a little longer than they usually did, making up for the lost night. Making sure they covered their work with extra care, they went back to the cave.
In each other's arms, they lay, joining bodies, joining hearts, they rejoiced in their love.
Contented, they held each other.
"What will we do when we go to America?" Myoshi asked, dreaming of the future with her love.
"Well, I have an open invitation to go to work for a manufacturer of airplanes. We could buy a house, and maybe start a family." Josh said, smiling at Myoshi.
"You would build airplanes?"
"Design them."
"You would come home every evening, home to your little family?"
"Every evening." He said, kissing her.
"And how many children shall we have?" She asked, her eyes bright.
"As many as you want." Gently, he brushed the hair out of her face.
"It seems so far away." She sighed, kissing his chest.
"Have faith, Myoshi, we'll make it, I promise you." He kissed her sweet lips, then sealed the promise with his body.
**********************************************
Across the island, in the little betel-nut hut, Meeka opened her eyes, looking at Myoshi's bed. Seeing it empty, she turned her head and cried.

 

Watching the rising sun as she filled the tea kettle, Myoshi could hardly contain her excitement. She would be leaving this place in three days. When the war was over, she could send for Meeka, if she would come. She would have a family, a life again! Thinking of Josh, she couldn't help but smile, she had never known such happiness. Her heart filled with his touch, his kiss, she knew she was loved. Walking past the Banyan tree on the path to the house, she was startled to find Tonti waiting for her.
"What do you want, Tonti?" She asked, placing the kettle over the fire.
"What did you need the tools for Myoshi?" He asked, leaning against the porch while leering at her backside. Picking his nails with a knife, he stepped closer to her. Pulling back from the odor of his unwashed self, she stood, arms crossed, meeting his gaze without fear.
"I'm building something, Tonti, something you don't need to know about." She said.
"Would it be something the Japanese captain would like to know about?" He whispered, an evil grin on his face, his eyebrows raised suggestively.
Leaning over to check the water, a momentary pause at his words almost gave her away, still leaning over, she looked at him, her face expressionless.
"I am doing nothing that would interest the Japanese navy patrols, Tonti." Dusting her hands off, not breathing through her nose, she came close to him, "But then I know how...forgiving ...they are when given false information."
Backing away from her, he stammered, "I meant nothing by it, Myoshi, you don't have to say anything to them."
She patted his cheek, wiping her hand on her pants leg as she walked past him, "Don't worry, Tonti, I wouldn't want anyone to suffer as Meeka and I have suffered, even someone like you." She smiled sweetly at him as she went into the house.
Meeka was already awake, sitting at the table, silent.
"Good morning, Meeka." Myoshi said, she pulled out fruit, chopping it for a simple breakfast.
"He raises a valid question, Myoshi, what did you need the tools for? For the one you sneak off to see at night? For the one you would abandon your family, your honor for?" Meeka said softly, the anger evident in her voice.
Staying silent, still chopping the fruit, Myoshi placed it in bowls, walking outside she brought the water, now boiling in and poured it over the leaves in the tea pot, their mother's tea pot. Thinking of her, Myoshi grew angry, their mother had ended her own life all for honor!
"Myoshi, would you bring more shame to our family, our ancestors? Where is your honor, my sister?" Meeka asked, pushing away from the table, leaning heavily on it.
"What use do we have of HONOR? Did HONOR bring us here? Does HONOR feed us every day? Will it give us our LIVES back, Meeka?" Spitting on the floor in anger, Myoshi stared her defiance in her sisters eyes. "THAT is what I think of your precious HONOR!"
"You would do this to our parents, to their memory?" Meeka said angrily.
"Our parents are DEAD, Meeka, they do NOT care any longer!"
"Our mother cared, she died with honor!"
"She died a FOOL!"
Her eyes wide with shock, and fury, Meeka crossed to her sister, slapping her.
"Never speak of our mother that way! NEVER! You are the fool, to believe that he will want you once you're gone from here!" Meeka walked to the door of the hut, her arms hugged tightly to herself.
"I'm leaving this place, Meeka, I refuse to stay here and live as though I were already dead!" Myoshi yelled, slamming the bowls down on the table in her anger.
"The patrols would be interested to know about your nightly trips to the beach, little one."
Fear gripping her heart, Myoshi came to her sister, stopping behind her unforgiving back.
"No, Meeka. You can't do that!"
Turning to face her little sister, knowing she held her life and the life of the man in the cave in her hands.
"Can't I? If it would save you from this insanity?"
"Meeka, please you can't." Panic filling her heart, they were so close! Tears filled Myoshi's eyes.
"Why not?" The smile on Meeka's face chilling Myoshi, she fell to her knees at her sister's side.
"Because I love him!" Myoshi gasped, "I will give you anything...anything to save his life!"
"Anything, little one?" The smile disappeared, something softer replacing it in her eyes as she gazed at her little sisters pain.
"Anything!" Myoshi sobbed, her head dropping as she grasped her sisters garments to keep herself from collapsing to the floor in despair.
Tears filled Meeka's eyes, wiping them away before Myoshi could see them, she pulled away, sitting at the table, she composed her face. Her hands trembling, she poured the tea into the cups, placing one at Myoshi's place.
Barely keeping her voice steady, she spoke quietly to her sister, "No decisions need to be made, now. Come and eat."
Standing, Myoshi came to the table, sitting, she couldn't lift her head to look at her sister, her misery overwhelming her.
"Meeka?" She whispered, her voice breaking with emotion, the tears spilling from her face into the tea cup, onto the table top.
"Not now, little one." Meeka whispered, back to herself, back to her mind, for the first time since their mother had committed sepaku. She looked at her little sister, she looked at her with love, and she remembered what it was like to be IN love. "Eat your breakfast, I think this would be a good day to go to the beach. Perhaps, it is time for a change of scenery, little one?" She raised the tea cup to her lips, watching her sister over the rim, and smiling.
Hearing the tone in her sisters voice, Myoshi looked up, surprised and stunned.
"Meeka?" She whispered.
"Eat, little one, we have things to do." She nodded at Myoshi.
Smiling, unbelieving, Myoshi nodded back, perhaps it would work after all!
**********************************************
Outside, Tonti hid in the brush near the hut, he had waited, watched. Smiling greasily, he slunk into the jungle, he would bide his time. This information was far too valuable to be spent foolishly. He would wait for the perfect time, for the perfect price. Yes, he would wait.

 

Suddenly nervous, Myoshi paused at the edge of the jungle, looking out over the beach, her beach, their beach, the daughter of light, the son of the moon. No one had walked this place with them, now she would share it with her sister. Walking on to the beach, she took Meeka's hand, leading her to the cave, the cave of the moon.
"Stay here a moment." She whispered to her sister, going into the cave, going to the son of the moon. Kneeling beside him, she watched him for a moment, watched him sleeping. His chest rising and falling, one hand on his stomach, the other behind his head, always the one curl on his forehead, he looked like heaven. She leaned over, kissing him softly on the cheek. Taking a deep breath, he stirred from sleep, opening the deep brown eyes he looked at her face, and smiled. Pulling her to him, he kissed her. Suddenly shy, she leaned away from him.
His left hand resting on her waist, he smiled again, "What is it, Myoshi?" He asked.
"Meeka is here." She said quietly, sitting on her heels, she watched his face.
His eyebrows going up a little in surprise, he looked at her, "Is that wise?"
"I don't know. We argued this morning, she knows I'm meeting someone. The Japanese patrols are looking for you, she spoke of turning you in, I begged her not to, and something changed in her." She spoke softly, conveying as much information as possible.
"What made it change?" Josh said, sitting up, his face serious.
"I told her that I loved you, that I would die for you." Myoshi said quietly, looking down at her hands.
Cupping her face, he lifted her chin, til she looked into his eyes.
"You said that?" He whispered.
"Yes, and I would."
Pulling her to him, he kissed her, her soft, sweet lips, he held her to his heart, his love, his life.
Grabbing his shirt, and buttoning it, he stood, she stood with him.
"Let's go meet your sister. Does she speak English?"
Myoshi nodded, "Better than you do."
He laughed, shaking his head.
He could see immediately that they were sisters, the same soulful eyes, the same hair, only Meeka wore hers short. Myoshi was taller, and prettier, at least to him. Meeka was sizing him up at the same time.
"You are taller than I thought you would be." Meeka said.
"Meeka, this is Joshua." Myoshi said, introducing him to her sister.
"Konniti-ha, Meeka." Josh said, bowing.
"Konniti-ha, Joshua." Meeka said, bowing slightly.
"We can sit in the back, no one will see us there." Myoshi said leading them to the back of the cave, holding onto Josh's hand.
When they were seated, Meeka looked into the face of the man she had to trust her and her sister's life to.
"What have you done to my sister?" Meeka said, bluntly, no emotion showing on her face.
"Excuse me?" Josh said, not understanding.
"She spits on honor, on the memory of our parents, and on loyalty to our country. What have you done to my sister?" She smiled slightly.
Laughing, once he realized she was teasing, Josh answered.
"I think she was like that before I came here."
"Perhaps you are right. Why are you here?" She asked.
"I came to help a coastwatcher send information to my countries allies."
Meeka looked at her sister, "That would mean information about the patrols."
"Yes." Josh nodded, watching her face carefully.
"About any other ships that come to these islands."
"Yes."
"Ships from my country."
"Yes."
Meeka nodded, looking at the floor of the cave.
"Will you be good to her?" Lifting her head slightly, looking him in the eyes.
"I'll do my best. I love her." Myoshi moved to sit beside him, Josh slipped an arm around her shoulders.
Nodding, Meeka looked from her sister, to Josh.
"Very well. Do you need help with your...building?"
Smiling, Myoshi and Josh hugged each other, he had passed inspection.
"I think we have it under control." Josh said.
They talked for the rest of the afternoon, Meeka asking about his family, and telling him stories about Myoshi as a child. The full moon rising slowly in the sky, she walked with them to the raft.
"Are you sure you will be safe on this?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
Josh looked at Myoshi, then at Meeka.
"We would be honored if you would come with us." He said.
Her eyebrows raising slightly, Meeka looked at him, "I know the value SHE places on honor, are you sure of this."
"I know it would make Myoshi very happy if you came."
"What about you?"
"If she's happy, I'm happy."
"Very well, I will come."
Myoshi smiled, she hugged her sister really hard. Meeka tutted at her, frowning slightly, the smile still in her eyes.
"You are becoming so American."
"Thank you." Myoshi said smiling.
They started the finishing work on the raft, three more nights, and they would be on the water, leaving this place. Three more nights, and the son of the moon could live in the light.

 

A cool breeze blew through the cave, one heavy with moisture, rain on the wind, the sun hiding its face behind dark and heavy clouds, Myoshi rose from her place at the side of the son of the moon. She and Josh had walked Meeka back to the hut, Myoshi had returned to his place of shadows, to share the bed of leaves, to create their own brilliance. Walking to the mouth of the cave, she looked out to the ocean, coming out of the north, dark, angry clouds blew leisurely in. Going back to Josh, she put a hand on him, he was instantly awake, looking at her face he knew something was wrong.
"What is it, Myoshi?" He asked her, sitting up, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
"There's a storm coming, will the raft be safe?"
"It should be. We've got it buried under enough palm fronds to hide it from planes. They should keep it safe from the rain."
Myoshi hugged herself, frowning. Kneeling, pulling her to him, Josh looked into her eyes.
"What's wrong, my love?" He asked, holding her tightly against him, holding her heart to his.
Putting her arms around his neck, the frown still in place, she looked at his tender face, "I don't know, I feel something. There is something in the air, something is wrong."
"What do you want to do?"
"I need to go and check on Meeka."
"I'll come with you." He said, reaching for his shirt.
"No!" Myoshi said, stopping him, her hand on his arm, "You could still be seen, we only have two more days, it would break my heart to lose you now!" She dropped to her knees beside him, her arms slipping around his waist, her lips meeting his, they lingered in each other's arms. Breaking away reluctantly, she brushed his face with her fingertips.
"I'll be quick!" She said, and left the shadows.
Josh followed to the mouth of the cave, watching the storm begin its determined march on the island, he would give her until the storm laid claim to the island, then he would come for her. To pull her and Meeka from the bowels of hell if necessary. He stood, arms crossed, the gale winds pushing at him, trying to drive him back to the shadows, his face set. Nothing would stop him. Nothing.
A dark storm rolled over the island, an almost solid wall of raindrops gaining shore like a herd of stampeding horses, pounding Myoshi as she ran through the jungle to the hut. Something was very wrong, a familiar orange light and the smell of smoke lending speed to her already terrified pace, Myoshi broke through the brush, past the Banyan tree to see the hut in flames!
"Meeka! Meeka!" She cried out, trying to see into the inferno that used to be her reluctant home. She could see nothing, it was too dangerous to even stand on the porch. Tears streaming down her face, she screamed her sisters name!
"Meeka! MEEKA!!"
In the distance she heard someone calling her, over the rain, over the lightning, over the roar of the blaze that engulfed her home, she heard her sister! In the direction of the path to the ocean, to the beach, to the son of the moon, she heard her sister screaming her name.
"Meeka! I'm coming Meeka!" She cried out, running down the path to find her sister. To find her fate!

 

Rain blinding her, Myoshi turned back the way she came, drenched and cold, she walked the path, the rain too heavy for her to see clearly. Feeling her way as much as walking she made her way.
"Meeka!" She cried out.
Her hand touched flesh, screaming in surprise, she fell back on the ground, Josh leaning over her.
"It's me, Myoshi!" He cried over the storm, pulling her to her feet. "What happened?"
"The hut is on fire, Meeka is heading to the ocean, to the cave, I think someone has her!"
"Who?!" He yelled over the wind.
"I don't know! I don't know!" She cried, shaking her head in despair, it wasn't supposed to be like this! They had suffered enough!
"Hold on to me, we'll find her, I promise!" Clinging to Josh, it took all her strength to stay upright, even with Josh bearing the brunt of the wind. Beaten and bloodied by branches stirred to a frenzy by the force of nature, they walked to the beach. On the open beach the wind nearly taking them to their knees, they finally gained the cave, only to find it empty!
"Where is she?!" Myoshi cried in despair.
"I don't know." Josh said, his face serious.
They looked at each other, knowing instantly what the other was thinking.
"The raft!" They said together, heading back out. Into the storms cackling torment, to find Meeka.

 

Climbing the small hill that led to the work area, they tried to stay hidden, trying to see who had Meeka, to see if they could save her..
The sun hiding its face from the fury of this day, they could see nothing. The dark and evil clouds swallowing all light, all hope.
"Do you see her?" Josh said, his mouth inches from Myoshi to keep from having to shout, avoiding the possibility of being heard.
"No!" Myoshi said, shaking her head, lightning struck on the beach, the flash and crackle startling them, they clung to each other. Josh caught movement out of the corner of his eye, turning to his right he saw shadows moving on the other side of the raft. Lightning struck the beach again, closer to them this time, the flash illuminating Meeka, struggling in the grip of a faceless man.
"Over there!" Josh shouted to Myoshi, pointing in the direction he had seen Meeka, the rain coming down in blinding torrents, so thick they could barely see each other. Stumbling and slipping on the palm fronds in the rain, they walked to the other side of the raft, lightning striking closer and closer, each flash giving them just enough light to go a little further.
"No further!" A man's voice called to them, holding a knife to Meeka's throat.
"Tonti!" Myoshi cried out.
"I'm sorry, I told him nothing!" Meeka called to them.
"Be quiet! Your countrymen will give me anything I want when I give them the American!" The greasy little man leered at them, even the rain not enough to destroy his glee.
"We can't let him leave here." Josh whispered to Myoshi, his mouth on her ear to be heard, and not overheard.
Nodding her understanding, she looked into his eyes, the eyes that she trusted more than anything else in this life, and she waited for him to tell her what he needed of her. Lightning struck at the edge of the jungle, nearly right on top of them, Myoshi felt the hair on her arm rise from the static charge that clung to the air.
"This is crazy!" Josh screamed at Tonti, "We have to get to shelter!"
"So you can kill me? No, American! We stay here!" Tonti screamed back at Josh.
Lightning struck to Josh's right, just past the raft, popping and crackling the blast almost knocking them over, Tonti stumbled, Meeka almost getting away. He held to her arm, Josh and Myoshi started toward them, lightning struck to their left, within ten feet of them, Josh and Myoshi were blown over by the concussion. Picking themselves up, temporarily deafened by the closeness of the strike, they watched as Meeka threw an arm up, Tonti raised the knife to strike, lightning beating him to it, they watched as it was drawn to the raised metal of the knife, watched as he danced in its blue light, watched as he crumbled and fell. Another strike and another following close behind the one that had ended the life of the ambitious Melanesian man, Josh threw himself over Myoshi. Lightning ripping the sky one last time, a parting shot, it splintered the raft, leaving them a smoking rubble, then moving on to blaze a path, the finger of God, leaving them trembling with relief to be alive. The rain lightened, Josh and Myoshi stood, shaking, clinging to each other, they looked in shock and disbelief at the remains of all their hard work. The sad little man was dead, and Meeka was nowhere to be seen.
"Meeka!" Myoshi cried out.
"Meeka!" Josh echoing her call.
A shaking hand rose from the scattered palm fronds, Josh and Myoshi rushed to the spot as it disappeared beneath them again.
"Meeka!" Myoshi cried, as she and Josh uncovered her sisters bruised and broken body, the strike that had taken the little man had thrown her aside like a rag doll in the wind.
"Meeka?" Myoshi whispered, looking into her sisters glassy eyes.
"Little one?" Meeka said, holding her hand up once again.
"I'm here, Meeka, it will be all right." She said, taking her sisters cold hand in her own.
"Is the American here?" She whispered, her voice losing strength.
"I'm here, Meeka," Josh said, standing behind Myoshi.
"Take care...of her." Her voice barely audible.
"I will, Meeka, I promise you."
"Meeka, it will be all right, just hold on." Myoshi said, tears filling her eyes.
"I will...I will...watch over...you, little...one..." Meeka's hand went limp. Her soul escaping her mortal body, her light going back to the eternal, she passed from this life with a final breath.
"No!" Myoshi sobbed, her bitter tears falling like the rain to the cold earth. "No."

 

In the depths of the cave, the daughter of light and the son of the moon held each other. His back to the cave wall, his legs wrapped around her, Myoshi was encased in his embrace. Her head on his shoulder, they held to each other, wrapped in the blanket while their clothes dried in the rain dampened air. He held her, she had cried herself out, stroking her hair, holding her silent sorrow. Her eyes closed, Myoshi clung to his strength, his love, his warmth.
"I'm alone." She whispered.
"Not as long as I'm here." He said, hugging her harder.
"I come to you with nothing." Her words soft, deep from the despair in her soul.
"You come to me with everything. You're EVERYTHING I've been waiting for! I love you." He said, closing his eyes at her pain, wishing he could end her suffering.
"All of my family are dead."
"I'll be your family."
"Where you go..." She whispered.
"...I will go."
"Where you stay..."
"...I will stay."
Lifting her head, she looked into his eyes.
"You are my life." She whispered.
"You are my heart." He answered, kissing her softly.
Their lips parting, she watched his face.
"You ARE my family, now." Myoshi said, accepting him, accepting all of him, she belonged to him, only to him. She put her head on his chest, her arms holding tightly to all that she had left in the world.
Josh sighed, she was all he wanted.
"What will we do now?" Myoshi asked.
"About the raft?" Josh asked.
"Yes."
"I don't know, maybe we could start over,...or repair what's left. I haven't really thought about it."
Myoshi stayed silent, her head still on his chest. When Josh sat up, suddenly, she looked into his face.
"What is it?" She asked.
"How did Tonti get here?" He asked, a smile spreading across his face.
"He has a boat!" Myoshi said, looking back at Josh.
"Where would he leave it?"
"At the dock!"
They stood up, grabbing their clothes they dressed, and ran out to find their way off the island.

 

Below the remains of the betel-nut hut, on the Rob Roy side of the island, the small dock held salvation! Gazing at the ugly little boat, Josh put an arm around Myoshi.
"Let's see if it floats!" He said, leading the way down to the dock.
Climbing on board Tonti's home away from home, they were both startled by the odiferous quality of the small water craft.
"There is no doubt this is his boat, it smells just like him!" Myoshi said, holding her nose against the combination smell of fish, fouled fruit, and dirty laundry.
Starting the engine, Josh revved it up, then shut it down again. Looking around he saw extra fuel, and oil. Pulling the cover he checked the engine, this was definitely an oil guzzler. It could use a tune up, maybe a new distributor, but it would get them where they needed to be. Satisfied, he dropped the cover, wiping his hands on his pants.
"This will work, Myoshi, we can leave as soon as we're ready."
He walked over to her, hugging her tightly.
Myoshi looked into his eyes, "Will you help me bury Meeka before we leave."
"We'll take care of her, Myoshi, don't worry."
"Should we move the boat?" She asked, worried about the patrols.
"I think it will be okay here til tonight. Come on, we'll clean it up when we get back."
Walking back to the beach, to the remains of the raft and the bodies of Meeka and Tonti, Myoshi felt so strange about the changes in her life in only two months. So much had occurred on this island, it had cost her her father, and her sister. But she had found the son of the moon, she had found redemption. The price had been high, looking at his face, seeing his eyes, his smile, knowing his heart, she knew it was worth it.
They buried Meeka in a mound of rocks and earth at the side of the ruined raft. Turning to the problem of Tonti, they looked at each other.
"What do we do with him?" Josh asked.
"Throw him in the water, it's better than he deserves, and the patrols will think he was hit by lightning and fell overboard."
"I like the way you think." Josh said, smiling at her.
On either end of him, they put Tonti's charred corpse on palm fronds, dragging him down the hill to the beach. With great satisfaction, Myoshi put a foot on him, shoving him into the tide. Risking exposure of the son of the moon, they watched, an arm around each other as his body was carried away by the gentle tide. It was only a few hours til sundown, Josh grabbed his uniform, and bomber jacket from the cool darkness of the cave, then they headed to the dock, headed to the sea craft, to salvation.

 

Dusk fell, Josh and Myoshi boarded Tonti's little boat, starting the engine thirty minutes after a patrol passed them, Josh figured they had time to make it to Choiseul on the south side before the next patrol came by. Then they would swing around to Nanago Point by mid-morning, hugging the coast. He still had the map that would lead them to the coastwatcher Joe Stiles, Josh would complete his mission, he and Myoshi could be back to the base on Hawaii in less than two weeks. Myoshi let off the tie-downs, Josh throttled up and they were away! So much to think, so much to feel, the moon riding low on the horizon, Myoshi was troubled, and elated. On the verge of a new life, her heart was filled with joy, the loss of her sister leaving a bittersweet edge to it. Nestled under his arm as he piloted the boat, Myoshi drew strength from his closeness, she knew she could trust this man. With everything. He would not allow harm to come to her, he would protect her, love her, with all that he was til his dying day. That was more than enough for her. Guided by the ships compass, Josh hugged Wagina Island, heading for Choiseul.
Halfway up the coast of Choiseul, Josh looked down at Myoshi.
"How are you doing?" He asked her, a soft smile on his face as he looked at her.
"I'm with you, I'm wonderful."
The salt breeze blowing his hair around his face, he hugged her tightly. The moon higher on the horizon, it's silvery glow making his face shine with the light of heaven, her heart ached with the love she felt for him. The one. Her heart. If the gods smiled on them, they would soon be free from fear. No longer needing to hide, they could hold each other in the light of day. The son of the moon could cast aside the shadows of the night, he could save her from the darkness of her past, the depths of her shame. His love would be the bridge to her new life.
"Do you hear that?" He asked.
"What is it?" She asked.
"It sounds like another ship, but it's too early for a patrol!" Throttling down, he shut off the engines to listen, in the distance, they heard another ship, drawing closer to them. Drifting in the current, they waited to see if it would get closer or continue on its path.
"They must not have heard us." Josh sighed in relief, as the other boat's engines grew more and more distant. When it had been several minutes since they'd heard anything, he restarted the engines, and put them back on course.
"Once I'm done on Choiseul, they'll send me back to Hawaii. How do you feel about an island wedding?"
"What?" Myoshi said, not sure she'd heard him right. Had he just suggested they marry?!
Looking down into her eyes, he smiled, "You are going to marry me, aren't you?" He said softly.
"Is that how they do it in America?"
"Excuse me?" Josh laughed.
"How men propose marriage?" She smiled.
"It's one way," he smiled, shrugging his shoulders, "If your father were still alive I would have asked him. But Meeka did ask me to take care of you, and I promised her I would." He looked at her, his expression serious, "I keep my promises, Myoshi."
Myoshi looked out to sea, not facing him, "Then I suppose I must marry you, I wouldn't want the gods to be angry with you for breaking your promise to my sister." Turning to face him she smiled, the moon reflecting in her eyes, Josh had never found her more beautiful. One hand on the wheel, the other arm around Myoshi, he kissed her, a long sweet kiss, filled with love, desire, and a pledge of the heart so strong no power on earth would have the courage to stand in the face of it to try to break it. Slightly dizzy when he let her go, Myoshi sighed softly, putting her head on his shoulder.
Throttling down again, Josh killed the engines, there was a patrol boat ahead of them, too close, and no way to avoid it. They had to face them, there was no way out.

 

Ducking down, the cabin between himself and the Japanese patrol boat, Josh crawled to the door of the cabin. As the patrol slowly advanced on them, Myoshi joined him, rapidly discussing strategy.
"I'm going to hide in the cabin, you have to talk to them. If they search the boat, we're both dead, do you understand?" He whispered urgently.
Her eyes wide with fear at the sight of her countrymen, her heart filled with fear for Josh, she nodded, attempting to swallow past the lump in her throat.
"What do I say?" She whispered, her voice quavering with fear.
"Tell them Tonti sent you to Choiseul for liquor, anything, just make them believe it!" He grabbed her neck, making her face him, "You can do it, Myoshi! I KNOW you can!"
His eyes burning into hers, filled with trust, she nodded, it was up to her, to save the son of the moon once more. To keep them both safe. She would do it. She had to.
Slipping into the cabin, Josh stayed by the door, listening and waiting.
Standing behind the wheel, Myoshi waited, shaking from head to foot, she tried to appear unafraid, her hand trembling on the wheel, she stared at the patrol boat. She could do this!
A blinding light shining from the bow of the boat, holding a hand before her eyes against the shock of the sudden glare, she waited.
"Who are you?" She called out in her native language.
"I am Lt. Ishimoto. Who are you?" A male voice called from the other boat.
"My name is Tamiko."
"Why are you on these waters so late at night, Tamiko?" The Lt. called back to her.
"My master wanted more wine."
"Who is your master?"
"Tonti."
"That foul little pirate? Why didn't he come for his own wine?"
"He was too drunk to pilot the ship." Myoshi said, starting to relax.
The patrol boat drifting alongside, the Lt. got his first real look at Myoshi, smiling slyly at her beauty.
"So. You are one of Tonti's girls. Perhaps you would like company, where are you going, my little lotus blossom?"
Shuddering internally, trying not to let her revulsion show at the scruffy looking Lt.'s unspoken suggestions, Myoshi smiled sweetly.
"I am heading for Boe-Boe on Choiseul. My master has a contact there where he buys his drink."
Stroking his chin, an ugly little grin on his face, Lt. Ishimoto leaned over the railing.
"We could come with you, perhaps make some arrangements of our own, eh? Purely for protection, these are dangerous waters, little one."
The smug look on his face turning her stomach, Myoshi continued to smile.
"I couldn't Lt. If my master found out, he would beat me. You wouldn't want to be responsible for having me beaten, would you?" She asked, batting her eyes at him.
Josh watched from a crack in the door, he almost laughed at her performance, she must have seen a lot of American movies, she was playing the Lt. perfectly.
"Very well, you may go, I will keep my eye out for you."
Free! It had worked! The Lt. continued to watch her, smiling.
Realizing they expected her to leave, Myoshi's heart skipped a beat! How did she start the engines?! She had watched Josh, what had he done? Looking down, she tried to remember without looking like she was lost. He had turned the key first, she turned it. Then he had throttled up, pushing the throttle too quickly, she stalled out. Pulling it back, and turning the key off, she tried again, she stalled it again. Her mouth suddenly dry, her hands shaking, she tried again, and stalled it again!
"Having trouble?" The Lt. said, suddenly suspicious.
"No, no problems, I just can't get it to start, it's very temperamental, it must be handled just so, like a woman, you understand, Lt.?" She smiled, turning the key off again.
He laughed, "Perhaps I could help you "handle" it?"
She tried again, this time it caught, breathing a sigh of relief, she let it idle for a moment.
"Thank you, perhaps another time?" She smiled.
"Very well, good-bye my little lotus blossom." The Lt. waved as Myoshi steered the boat away.
When she was sure they were out of sight of the patrol, she throttled back.
"It's alright! You can come out!" She called to Josh.
Walking out of the door, she ran to his arms, all but collapsing in them.
"You were fantastic!!" He said, holding her as she shook uncontrollably for several minutes.
"I was so frightened, I was sure they could hear the pounding of my heart!" She whispered, her eyes closed, holding tight to him.
"I can't believe how great you were."
"Meeka would not have approved."
"Meeka would have been just as proud as I am."
She looked into his eyes, "I had to keep them from finding you. I couldn't bear to lose you, not now."
He held her close, looking down into her deep brown eyes, "I'm not going anywhere. I love you, Myoshi."
"You are my love."
One more kiss, one more embrace, one more touch to say all that was in their hearts to say. Too dangerous to do any more, they held each other as Josh powered up the boat, heading for their objective once more.

 

As the morning sun peered over the edge of the earth at them, spreading its warmth, Myoshi sat up, rubbing her eyes. She'd made a pallette on the deck out of the least offensive bed clothes from Tonti's bed, not wanting to be too far from Josh as he continued to pilot them to Nanango Point, to their future. She looked up at him and smiled, so handsome, so tall above her, checking the compass, he looked over at her.
"We're almost there, about another hour." He said as she stood beside him, giving him a hug and a kiss. "Is there anything to eat on this wreck, I'm starving!" He asked.
"I'll see." Entering the smelly cabin once again, she looked through everything, finding some tinned items that looked promising. She brought everything out to the deck, as she came to Josh they saw a squadron of Zeros flying in the distance, probably heading from Tulagi base, but not nrthwest, toward Japan, they were flying more northeast, where could they be going?
"We'll have to report that once we reach the coastwatchers station." Josh said, looking at the tinned items, they were American Army K-rations. "Sh*t on a shingle. I haven't missed this." He laughed, shaking his head.
Looking at the open package, Myoshi agreed it looked very much like what Josh had just said it was and she looked at him with a perplexed look on her face. He laughed at her expression.
"Yeah, that's what it looks like, but with some crackers, it's not too bad." She had found tinned crackers as well, tying the wheel to stay on course, Josh sat on the deck beside Myoshi, as they shared an impromptu picnic of chipped beef on crackers.
"Where will they send you once you have repaired the radio for the coastwatcher?" She asked.
"Probably back to Australia for a little while, then back to Hawaii. Since you'll be with me, we can even live off base." He leaned over, kissing her, brushing her hair away from her face.
"Where do you want to get married, Australia, or Hawaii?" He asked her quietly.
She smiled at the word, "married". Together. Joined. She hadn't realized until this moment how much his wanting her to marry him had meant to her. To build a life with him, children, a home, a REAL home, not a few years here, a few years there as her life with her father had been. She couldn't believe how lucky she'd been. How blessed. The gods had seen her sorrow, and delivered the son of the moon to her, to ease her burden. She slid her arms around him, holding him tight, her head on his shoulder.
"I will marry you wherever and whenever you wish me to." She said.
"Then as soon as we can find a minister, you're my wife, okay?" He said, hugging her tightly.
"Okay." She agreed.
Standing up, Josh untied the wheel, they were minutes away from the objective. As Myoshi tossed the remains of their meal over the side, another squadron of Zeros headed in the same direction as the previous squadron. Squinting at them, taking a count, Josh muttered to himself.
"Something big is happening today."
Standing close to him, Myoshi put a hand on his on the wheel. They looked at each other, they had to reach the coastwatcher.

 

No dock on the side of Choiseul, Josh ran the boat aground, he and Myoshi climbing out, carrying his uniform and jacket, they made their way into the jungle up the side of the mountain to Nanago Point, hidden in the deep vegetation, was a betel nut hut. As they drew closer, several Melanesian villagers stepped out of the jungle, barring them from moving further. Holding up his uniform, Josh spoke to them.
"I'm looking for Joe Stiles, I'm an American! I was sent here to repair his teleradio!" He looked at the stern and unyielding faces of the sun hardened men, several of them were armed, and he hoped Joe was still at this station or they could be in trouble.
"You're about two months late, Yank!" A voice said from the hut. A middle aged man walked out, dressed in rumpled khaki shorts and a khaki shirt.
"Joe Stiles?" Josh asked.
"They said you were dead."
"Lt. Josh Groban, reporting, sir, the reports of my death were premature." Josh said, snapping to attention and saluting.
"No formalities here, Lt."
"You have a radio that needs repairing?"
Stepping back, ushering them in, he pointed to the back of the hut. "This way, Lt. Who's your friend?" He asked, recognizing her as Japanese.
"This is my wife, Myoshi, she saved me when the PBY was shot down."
"Aren't you one of the diplomats daughters, from Mariko Island?" He asked.
"Yes." Myoshi answered, still surprised that Josh had introduced her as his wife.
"Are you sure of her loyalties, Lt.?" Stiles asked, his eyebrows raised, his expression serious.
Josh stopped, coming back to Myoshi, he put his arm around her, meeting Stiles eyes, "Quite sure."
"All right, then. You need to get to work, I need to call in some things, there's been a lot of activity in the Slot."
"We saw the Zeros."
"Something big is happening."
"By the way," Josh asked, "I've been without contact for awhile, what day is this?"
"June 1. Think you can get this thing running?" He asked as Josh bent down next to the radio.
"My mother says I can fix anything."
"Let's hope so, Yank."
Josh got to work.

 

Working through the day and into the night, Josh took the nearly 300 pound teleradio apart, piece by vacuum tube, by transistor. Inspecting each part, each wire, replacing any burnt out vacuum tubes, soldering a couple of broken wires, it was slow going, trying to figure out why the radio wouldn't work. Stopping when he couldn't focus any longer, he woke Myoshi, who had fallen asleep at his side, refusing to leave him. Stiles had fixed them a place to sleep in the front of the hut, crawling wearily onto the pallette on the floor(at least it was softer than the cave floor) they fell asleep.
Shaken awake as the sun was barely out of its night time slot, Stiles looked into Josh's face.
"Yank, three more squadrons of Zeros have gone past, we gotta get this reported, back to work!" The Aussie coastwatcher said, holding a lantern so he could see.
"Okay, be right there." Josh said, leaving Myoshi to sleep, he pulled on his uniform pants, leaving the island shirt on, stumbling sleepily to continue work on the radio.
Stiles holding the light for him, handing him tools, he ran circuits again, trying to find the vital link that would get this tie to civilization working again.
"You know you're about the hundredth downed fly-boy that's come through here." Stiles said, happy to talk to yet another American.
"That many have been shot down here?" Josh said, talking to Stiles, kepping his eyes where he was working.
"That's in this area, the whole of the Slot. We fish out who we can, and arrange pick up by PBY's. When you get me operational again, we'll have you out of here, and back to Australia in a couple of days."
His hands on wires, holding them steady to keep from shorting them out, Josh glanced at Stiles, "That quick?" He smiled.
"That quick! You and the little woman can be back on real food in a few days!" Stiles smiled at him again. "You said you were sure of her. How sure are you?"
"As sure as a man can be. I'm all she has now, her country abandoned her, she found me, she could have turned her back and let me die, she could have turned me over to Japanese patrols several times, but she didn't. Myoshi risked her life to save me, to hide me. She wants to go home with me as much as I want her to."
"Okay, Yank, now get back to work." Stiles smiling, indicated the delicate wires in Josh's hands.
Several hours later, Myoshi brought tea and fruit to the two men, taking her place beside Josh, she fed him as he continued the tedious task. Stiles watched, the two of them obviously in love, still the die hard in him had to be certain she would not end up betraying them.
"I know how your family came to these islands, Miss, I'm just wondering why you're here with this Yank?" He asked lightly.
"It's odd you should ask Mr. Stiles." She said smiling, "Just this morning, as I lay on the pallette I saw the gods plan, it makes perfect sense to me now."
"Then you wouldn't mind explaining it to me." He said.
"I was raised over seas, educated in England, my father loved the English and the Americans, I would have gone to study at Oxford, but my father was transferred to Manila. He came into knowledge of an attack that was to be made on America. So many threads to a tapestry, pull on one and you unravel the entire cloth. If my father had not been transferred, he would not have warned the English, he would not have been sent here, I would not have been here to save Josh, who would not be here now to fix the radio to warn the allies of my country's build up of forces. Do you see? There was a plan all along. We all had our parts to play, and now we are here."
"Are you saying you were MEANT to fall in love?" Stiles asked, an amused grin on his face.
"No, the choice was mine, I almost pushed him out to sea."
Josh started, almost frying the circuit he was repairing, "What? You didn't tell me that!"
Placing a hand on his arm, she smiled, "When you opened your eyes and asked for my help, in Japanese, I knew in that moment you had been sent there for me. That's why I helped you. Of course it didn't hurt that you were pleasant to look at." Dropping her head to hide the smile, Josh realized he was being teased, laughing he shook his head.
"I'll remember that." He said, going back to work.
"And I will be at your side to remind you." She said softly, the love in her eyes shining almost brightly enough for him to work by.
Snapping the panel he was working on back into place, he checked the schematic that Stiles had provided.
"I think that's it, let's try it!" He said, wiping his hands on his pants, turning the power on, he turned a few dials, the speaker emitted some static, and a male voice came out of the air, speaking Japanese!
"I know this code, it's JN-25, that's the Japanese Naval Code!" He listened intently for a few minutes.
"Oh, my God!" He whispered.
"What is it?" Myoshi asked, alarmed at Josh's expression.
"They're massing forces off of Midway, they're going to attack tomorrow!"

 

Sitting at the radio, Josh tuned it to the Allies military channel, and began calling for help. For what felt like hours, he adjusted dials, fine tuning, and calling again, checking the Japanese channel they'd gotten earlier every so often to get updated information. Finally, a staticky voice came over the radio.
"Who is this?...(static)...identify yourself, you are on...(static)...US military channel, repeat, identify yourself."
Sighing with relief, Josh pushed the call button, "This is Lt. Josh Groban, serial number 81227-322-56, of the US Air Force at a coastwatchers station in the Solomon Islands. Who am I talking to? Over."
"JOSH!? Is that you Josh?" A startled voice called over the radio.
"TOM! Tom Johnson?! I thought you were dead!" Josh yelled over the air.
"I thought YOU were dead!" Tom yelled back.
"Where are you?" Josh asked.
"In a PBY off the Solomons, headed toward Midway."
"Tom, I just got this radio working, we overheard the Japanese military, they're builing up for an attack on Midway!"
Josh said to his friend, relieved he wasn't dead.
Looking down at his pilot, Ensign Jack Reid, Tom's eyes wide with realization, "The fleet we radioed about!"
"That was an invasion fleet! Get your friends position, we'll pick him up on the way, then get off that radio, we have to send this information to headquarters!"
Pressing the call button, Tom radioed to Josh again.
"Josh, where are you? We're coming to get you!"
Back in the hut, Josh breathed a sigh of relief, "I'm with a coastwatcher named Stiles, on Nanango Point!"
"Joe Stiles?!" Tom asked.
"Yeah! Why?"
"He's the one that got me pulled out of the water! Say hello for me!"
"You just did!" Josh said laughing.
"Hold tight, our ETA your position is 1 hour 20 minutes! Be ready to go, we won't have much time!"
"Okay. Tom, there's two going!"
"Is Joe finally bailing?"
"No!" Josh said, looking at Myoshi, "It's a girl!"
Stunned silence, "It's the curls, dames go for those curls!" Tom laughed, "Just be ready!"
"Okay, Nanango Point, out!"
Turning to look at Myoshi he stood, grabbing her in a rib crushing hug. Pulling back, he kissed her.
"Ready to go to your new home?" He asked.
"Absolutely." She smiled back.
"If you two are finished, could I have my radio back?" Stiles asked, smiling at the two.
Embarassed, they stepped aside so Joe could examine the radio, Josh showed him some trouble shooting techniques, and he and Myoshi stepped outside to look at the sky, and wait for rescue.

 

Coming in low on the horizon, the PBY touched down on pontoons in the small bay on Choiseul below Nanango Point. As soon as the flying fortress was touched down and anchored, the Melanesian villagers paddled Josh and Myoshi out in canoes. The huge side doors open, Tom Johnson grinning like a fool, one hand held out to help them on board.
"Hey, Yank!" Joe Stiles yelled over the engine noise, he held a rolled up piece of paper to Josh, who took it.
"Thanks for your help!" Josh yelled at him.
"Thanks for fixing the radio!" He yelled back, standing in the boat, he snapped to attention, saluting Josh.
Standing in the canoe, Josh saluted back, a huge grin on his face, he helped Myoshi in, then grabbing Tom's hand,he jumped in. Wrapped tightly in his bomber jacket, Myoshi sat on one of the jumper benches along the wall while Josh helped Tom close the side doors. When they were closed, Tom grabbed Josh in a hug, and the two pounded each other on the back, laughing.
"Little out of uniform, aren't we there, Lt.?" Tom said as they sat on the jumper benches, the PBY turning to take off once again.
"My shirt got a little shot up when I was still in your plane, Sgt." Josh grinned, glad to see his friend still among the living.
The engines powering up, they were off again. Flying low over the Solomons, turning toward base in Australia, they could hear Ensign Jack Reid on the radio calling in more information to help the Allies at Midway.
"And who is this lovely lady?" Tom asked, looking at Myoshi, and the arm that Josh had thrown around her protectively.
"This is my wife, Myoshi." He said, smiling at her.
Tom did a double take, looking at his friend, "Your wife? You HAVE been busy, haven't you?"
Josh smiled at his friend, then at Myoshi, he was home. Myoshi offered Tom her hand.
"Hello, Tom." She said.
Tom took it shaking it, "And you speak English, you are Japanese, right?"
"Yes, I am Japanese, but not a loyalist. Josh is my country now." She said, smiling softly.
"TOM!" Ens. Reid called urgently from the cockpit.
Tom ran forward, then came running back, Josh experiencing a sense of deja-vu.
"What is it?" He asked his friend.
"We got company, a couple of Zeros are on us, I gotta get to the rear gun! Stay put, okay! We got this!" Tom said, hurrying to the rear gun.
Josh grabbed Myoshi, several boxes were netted in just past the side doors, pushing her ahead of him, they climbed up the side, and got on top. Laying flat, Josh covering her with his body, they waited.
"This won't help if we go down, but it should provide some cover from their guns." Josh said to Myoshi.
"This is what happened before, this is how you came to me." She whispered, trying not to shake with fear.
"Yeah, this is what happened."
"Were you afraid?" She asked, clinging to his arms.
"Not until I was hit, and falling through the open doors." He said.
Gunfire sounded all around them, from outside, and from over them, and behind them.
"Two more of them, ten oclock, Tom!" Ens. Reid yelled into his radio.
"I see 'em!" Tom yelled back.
Bullets penetrated the body of the plane, one singing past Josh and Myoshi.
"Crap!" Josh exclaimed.
"What is it?!" Myoshi asked.
"It's just a scratch! Keep your head down!" Josh said, his arms still around her.
An explosion outside the plane rocked it, the shaking outside almost as bad as the shaking Myoshi was doing, Josh was injured, again!
More gunfire, the plane banking sharply to the right, another close explosion, more rocking, Myoshi felt ready to scream, but she held on, Josh's warmth, his closeness keeping her together. More bullets came through the hull, several passing through where they had been sitting. They would have been killed if Josh had not led them up here. Turning to see his face, their eyes met, both of them knowing they would have died if they had stayed there, Myoshi held him tight, her hand brushing the "scratch", coming away with blood on it.
"Josh!" She breathed in fear, looking at his left arm, two holes neatly punched through the deltoid.
"It's not bad, it's clean, went right through." He said, to reassure her.
Her hands shaking, the plane rocking from gunfire, she ripped away two strips from the bottom of her shirt, making him take his shirt off, she wrapped the strips snugly around the "scratch", helping him back into his shirt as more gunfire sounded all around them.
Another explosion, this time way too close, rocked the plane, Myoshi losing her balance, falling into Josh's arms.
"Yee-ha!!!" Tom yelled from the back of the PBY, "That was the last one! We're home free!" He ran forward, sliding to a halt when he didn't see Josh or Myoshi.
"JOSH!" He yelled, seeing the place where they had been sitting riddled with bullet holes.
"We're up here, Tom." Josh called to Tom, peeking out over the top of the boxes.
Shaking his finger at him, Tom laughed, "Don't do that to me again, man!"
"Josh was shot." Myoshi said, her face filled with worry.
"Again?" Tom said, "Well get down here, I'm the medic on this crate!"
"We clear back there, Tom?" Ens. Reid called from the cockpit.
"Yeah, 'cept the Lt. got hisself shot again." Tom called as he pulled off the strips checking the wound. "Yeah, it's clean, hand me that first aid kit, Myoshi."
It was attached to the wall, she pulled it loose handing it to Tom. Putting antibiotic on it, he wrapped it again, tying it down.
"All fixed, that was a good field dress, Myoshi." He said.
Myoshi smiled, Josh put an arm around her, they smiled at each other.
"We're going home, daughter of light." He said, kissing her.
"I am already home, son of the moon." She said, kissing him back.
They settled back for the ride to Australia, together.

 

Standing on the beach of Mariko Island, the breeze blowing through his hair, the island shirt open to catch the warm ocean breezes, no longer a lieutenant, Josh watched the love of his life as she played with the children in the surf. Still beautiful after 10 years of marriage, her slim body, and long black hair framing her face, she made him sigh. He had opened a shop in Sydney when the war was over, settling there with their son Tom, named after Tom Johnson, who had not survived the Battle of Midway, his PBY shot down on June 5, two days after he'd delivered them safely to Australia. Life had been good to them, two years after opening the fix-it shop someone had heard Josh singing in the shop, and offered him a chance to try out for the Sydney Opera Company. He'd been singing with them ever since, now a world known baritone. They'd bought this parcel of Mariko for their own, sentimental reasons, and Meeka was still buried here. They had named their daughter Meeka when she had been born, she had just turned 5. With his curls and Myoshi's eyes, she would be a heart breaker for sure. Tom already showed his father's knack for fixing things.
Running in from the water, Myoshi and the children laughed, the children dropping with delight on the beach towels, Myoshi walking up to her husband. Putting her arms around him, she kissed him. His hands lightly on her waist, he looked into her eyes.
"Konniti_ha, daughter of light." He whispered to her.
"Konniti_ha, son of the moon." She whispered back.
"Tell the story again!" Little Meeka said sitting on her heels on the beach towel.
"Yes! Tell the story!" Tom chimed in.
The two of them chanting, "Story, story, story..."
Til their parents joined them on the towels, Josh one leg crooked in front of him, the other knee propped up, one arm resting on the knee, Meeka came, sitting in the crook of his legs, leaning her head back on his chest, she grinned at her father, who leaned down, kissing her on the cheek, hugging her tight. Meeka squealed with delight, grabbing him in a bigger hug around the neck, then sitting down to listen.
Tom sat on the other side of Josh's leg, leaning against it, all of them looking to Myoshi who sat on her heels in front of her family. Her family, she sighed, her eyes misting up, she blinked, hiding the sudden emotion. Josh, not fooled, reached out, touching her cheek with his fingertips.
"Do you want to start it?" She asked her husband, her love, her country.
Smiling, Josh shook his head, "You tell it better than I do."
The breeze blowing his curls around his face, his dark eyes dancing with his love for her, their children nestled in his protective embrace, she began the tale.
"Many years ago, my sister and I were left alone on this island. We were so lonely. One day, I was walking on the beach, and I saw a man in the water. I saw it was an American, and my heart stopped for a moment. Thinking it would be best for the gods to decide his fate, I almost pushed him back into the merciless waters." She smiled at Josh.
"It was daddy!" Meeka squealed.
"Shut up, Meeka!" Tom fussed, "Let her tell it!"
"Children..."Josh started, a warning look on his face, his eyes smiling.
"Sorry, Dad." Tom said.
"Sorry, Daddy." Meeka said, reaching up behind her to give him a hug. Josh reached down and tickled her, then stopped, nodding at Myoshi. Smiling she continued the story.
"When he rolled over, he opened his eyes, and I was trapped by their beauty. Opening his mouth, his hand raised to me, he said, "Douka watasi_wo tasukete kudasai." What does that mean, Thomas?"
"Please help me?" Thomas said, smiling with delight.
"Douka watasi_wo tasukete kudasai." Josh whispered to Myoshi.
"What help do you need my love?" Myoshi asked her husband.
"I need a kiss."
Leaning over she kissed him, Meeka and Tom hugging their parents, the daughter of light, and the son of the moon still putting the heavens to shame with their brilliance, they smiled.