Kal, Male, 37

	- Narrator, disaster survivor and castaway

	- Husband of Kate, Bailey, and Keekah, fiance of Amy, father of Katie

	- 6'1, 190lbs, straight, shoulder-length dark-brown hair

Kate, Female, 37

	- Wife of Kal

	- 5'8, 150lbs, pale skin, shoulder-length curly red hair

Nina, Female, 26

	- Lover of Kate, Kal, and Hakee

	- 5'4, 120lbs, light-brown tanned skin, straight shoulder-length brown hair

Bailey, Female, 14

	- Wife of Kal, mother of Katie

	- 5'5, 130lbs, golden-brown tanned skin, shoulder-length light yellow-brown sun-streaked hair

Keekah, Female, 15

	- Wife of Kal, pregnant, daughter of Manu, sister of Hakee and Mie, cousin of Poln

	- 5'6, 135lbs, mocha-brown skin, waist-length mostly-straight black hair

Gale, Female, 43

	- Wife of Tok

	- 5'5, 130lbs, dark tanned skin, waist-length dark reddish-brown hair

Manu, Female, 33

	- Survivor from Hahonoko, mother of Keekah, Hakee, and Mie, aunt of Poln

	- 5'5, 150lbs, mocha-brown skin, butt-length straight black hair

Hakee, Female, 18
 
	- Survivor from Hahonoko, daughter of Manu, sister of Keekah and Mie, cousin of Poln

	- 5'9, 145lbs, mocha-brown skin, butt-length straight black hair

Mie, Female, 12

	- Survivor from Hahonoko, daughter of Manu, sister of Keekah and Hakee, cousin of Poln

	- 4'9, 95lbs, mocha-brown skin, shoulder-length wavy black hair

Poln, Male, 11

	- Survivor from Hahonoko, nephew of Manu, cousin of Keekah, Hakee, and Mie

	- 4'10, 115lbs, mocha-brown skin, short, wavy dark-brown hair

Tok, Male, 35

	- Survivor from Hahonoko, husband of Gale

	- 6'3, 205lbs, brown skin, shoulder-length wavy dark-brown hair

Amy, Female, 16

	- Fiancee of Kal and Kate, pregnant

	- 5'6, 125lbs, pale skin, shoulder-length straight black hair

Katie, Female, infant

	- Daughter of Kal and Bailey, first baby born on island

	- Infant, beige skin, sandy red hair

Amu (Amutoko), Male, 52

	- Newcomer to the island, widowed hermit

	- 5'6, 150lbs, medium-brown skin, tight-curly black hair

There is nothing like waking in the night to find a young woman moving slowly against my body. Even the most innocent and gentle of movements can be wonderful, even if the intent is not sexual. My eyes flickered open as Bailey turned over onto her side and pushed her ass against my groin. I wrapped an arm around her body, cupping a breast, and heard her sigh in a light purr.

My cock stirred on its own, the heat of Bailey in front of me matched by the warmth of Amy against my back. I could hear the sixteen-year old snoring lightly, facing away, her arm draped over Keekah's body nearby.

Bailey's hand moved back to my thigh and I felt her roll her hips ever-so-slightly. I knew she felt my penis rising against the small of her back. The fourteen-year old moved up a bit and my cock nestled between her butt cheeks. She stopped when the head pressed against her anus. I heard her sigh again.

She slowly moved her body, teasing my dick with her sweaty butt crack. I could feel the tense muscle buried between her cheeks hold fast against the light pressure she created with her movements. I squeezed her breast and felt a trickle of milk spill over my fingers.

For several soft, long moments, we did nothing more than touch each other and share the teasing sensations created by my penis resting against her tightest hole, her smooth, round butt cheeks shuffling lightly around my shaft. Bailey pushed back slowly, and I felt her anus open very slowly. She was just a bit sweaty from the warmth of the night, but it wasn't nearly enough lubrication to take me inside. The tip of my cock opened her up, but she could not take more of me inside her.

I pulled back and gathered my saliva, spreading it onto my penis, then ran a wet finger over Bailey's tight anus. I felt it clench and try to open as Bailey pushed back. I collected more spit and slipped my finger into her butt. I heard her gasp as I penetrated her slowly.

Bailey's asshole was always incredibly tight, hot, and whether it was with my finger, my tongue, or my cock, I loved touching her there and feeling inside her rectum. I found it incredibly exciting and I knew Bailey felt the same way.

I removed my finger and pressed my slippery cock against her hole. The fourteen-year old braced herself and let me push into her body. Slowly, very slowly, I sank into her ass as she held her breath and let me begin to sodomize her.

Half my penis inside Bailey's ass, I began to fuck her gently. Her hand moved back to caress my face and neck. She turned her head towards me and I kissed her as I moved my cock in and out of her butt.

Bailey's slick rectum contrasted with the tight, slightly-hairy flesh around her anus. I found the combination powerful and knew I wouldn't last long inside her. I heard her gasp as I slid deeper into her butt, my penis swelling and throbbing inside. I lost myself in the moment, fucking Bailey's asshole, her young body moving slowly with me, coaxing me to release.

My orgasm built very slowly, and for several seconds, I ejaculated semen into her bowels before waves of pleasure began to fill me with euphoria. I groaned against her neck, sperm suddenly spurting from my cock, splashing deep inside Bailey's fourteen-year old ass. Over and over I squirted my seed, the tight ring of her anus soon squishy and swollen.

We rested like that a while, neither of us wanting to move. I moved my hand over her thigh and started to pet Bailey's hairy vulva. She moaned quietly, then held my wrist. “No... I just want to lay like this right now, Kal... just stay inside me...”

The way her fourteen-year old anus clenched and kept my cock mostly-rigid made it easier to do. We both relaxed and drifted, soon my young wife was asleep again, my penis still held tightly by her asshole. It was incredibly arousing, knowing she'd dozed off with me still held by her tightest hole. I tried not to move again, and at some point, I, too, found sleep, Bailey's rectum slick and warm around the tip of my cock, my semen soaking into her bowels just inside.

- - -

I woke to feel my cock being sucked into a warm mouth. I opened my eyes to see Kate on her stomach, my penis between her lips. Bailey was gone, as were Amy and Keekah. Kate smiled at me as she sucked me softly. I knew she was tasting where I'd fucked and cum inside Bailey's young ass in the night.

It took only moments before I came in Kate's mouth. She purred and sucked harder as I started to ejaculate against her tongue. Kate let my sperm pool in her throat as I finished cumming, the early morning orgasm making me feel very light and carefree.

Kate swallowed and pulled off my cock, then slid up and wrapped her arms around me, kissing me, letting me taste my sperm and Bailey's ass in her mouth. It was an incredibly erotic moment.

After a few moments, I said, “mmm... that felt... so good... wanna cum?”

She shook her head, “no... I just got in from the North, just checking in... I masturbated with Amy a bit ago while you slept... just wanted to taste you. Amy felt you fucking Bailey last night. It was only towards the end, when she smelled her ass, that she knew where you had put it... she almost joined you...”

“She should have... we'd have both enjoyed that...”

“She said it was really hot just listening and smelling and feeling you move against her. She woke playing with herself this morning after Keekah left. When I came in, Amy and I got each other off, trying to be really quiet... you were in Bailey's ass all night, you know. She just got up and took Katie, showed me where her butt was gaped and swollen from holding you there. Damn hot, Kal... I just had to clean you up...”

“Mmm... you are good to me, Kate... so good...”

I held her and shared a kiss, then she said, “we should probably get up. I think everyone else is already around the fire.”

“So how are things in the North?”

“Going as expected. A lot still to do, but we're getting there.” She sat up and wiped her mouth with a towel. “Just came back to pick up a couple of things, plus we need some more food for our stay.”

“I'll help you.”

I roused and greeted the others around the fire, then helped Kate pack a couple of sacks for the journey back. She left soon thereafter.

We got a needed break that day when seaweed began to wash ashore. We spent hours collecting and washing it, then set it to dry as Hakee had done previously. We gathered all we could, and made a soup out of the salty greens and several clams we collected in the surf.

- - -

Not long after dawn the next morning, the skies clear and bright, heat again building as it had before the typhoon, Amy spotted a boat on the horizon to the South. We had a plan in place anytime we saw what might be a threat heading towards the island, and by the time we could see more than a dark blob on the water, we were all ready to move North and hide, food and water in bags and leaves in our mouths to protect us from the interior bugs.

As it came closer, I was fairly certain it looked like the boat the Uhonamonans had arrived with in late February. Still, I knew there were likely others using similar vessels, and the girls waited in the treeline while I gripped a pistol and prepared to lead us off the beach.

It drew slowly towards the shore, and I kept watch from near the fire, some cover provided by the one tall tree growing a few feet away. I directed Bailey, with Katie slung over her back, and Amy to set off to the North to tell the others and to start getting some distance from the beach. Keekah stayed with me, her fingers wrapped around a second gun.

The boat anchored off shore and two brown-skinned men got in a small rowboat, soon bringing it ashore. I recognized Kunomo and his brother Kahan as soon as they stepped onto the sand. I greeted them and put aside my pistol, motioning Keekah to come out to join me.

They offered a quick reply, and Keekah translated for me. “They say they came to see if we still lived after the storm.”

“Thank them, please, and let them know we all survived though we had some damage and our crops were destroyed.”

Keekah did so, then said, “their village was nearly wiped out. They lost most of their shelters, and four men, two women, and an elderly grandmother died as well.”

“Please express our sympathies. Can we do anything?”

Keekah conversed a moment, then said, “he said that two of the men who died were the most knowledgeable in the village, they had directed most of their building and crops and improvements. They are feeling that loss as they try to recover. He asks if now might be a time where we could spare someone to help them.”

I thought a moment, said, “we'll need to discuss this with everyone. We've still got a couple of weeks of work on the fields, but once we get that going... I know Gale and Tok were eager to visit Uhonamona, and they have the expertise they need if anyone does.”

Keekah nodded, “so what should I say?”

“Tell him that we welcome them to stay with us a couple of days while we discuss this. Perhaps we'll head to the North and talk with Tok and Gale today, see what they think we can offer.”

Keekah relayed my message, then told me, “there are four others with them, and Kunomo is uncertain what we might think about them staying with us until their village is rebuilt. He says they are three sisters and a brother who lost both parents in the storm. He says that, if we can spare Gale and Tok for a few weeks, perhaps we could also provide for the four they brought here, just until they can rebuild. He knows this is a lot to ask.”

I mulled it over, wondering if our own strained resources might be able to exchange two adults for four teens and still be alright. “We'll discuss it in the North. Tell them they are all welcome to stay while we talk this over.”

Keekah spoke to Kunomo and the two men nodded then headed back to the rowboat. “They will bring them ashore now.”

“Ok. Go catch up to Amy and Bailey, tell them what is going on and have them go on to the North. Head back here when you are done, then we'll bring the visitors up after lunch. Let Bailey know I'll bring things for Katie when I come.”

Keekah nodded then headed off into the trees. It was odd to see her wearing clothes. As we always did whenever we travelled inland, we wore clothes to help avoid scratches and stray bug bites. I had donned a pair of loose slacks and a t-shirt, and they felt sticky and course against my skin. I wondered what the Uhonamonans would think when they discovered that nudity was normal for us. They had seen some of us bare during their first visit but hadn't commented.

I watched as the men reached their boat and motioned for the smaller figures on the deck to come down one at a time after Kahan climbed up. I saw a boy and a girl, probably in their early teens, descend. Like Kunomo and his brother, they wore loose, rough clothing which was stained and looking ragged.

They rowed ashore while I gathered things for Katie. The two teens strode up to the fire, looking nervous, eyes wandering over the camp. They said nothing, and I wouldn't have understood them even if they had. The boy was tall and thin, probably fourteen or fifteen, his skin darker than the Hahonokoans. The girl was similar, tall and thin, small breasts pushing out her shirt, dark skin, and I guessed her for fourteen or fifteen as well. Where the boy's hair was cropped and curly black, the girl wore her dark-brown hair in two long braids down over her back. They both had sunken, haunted expressions and had clearly seen difficult times recently.

I offered them seats around the fire and made a quick stew from seaweed, dried fish, dried peas, and fresh wild onions. Kunomo returned with Kahan and two more teens, both girls who I was certain were twins. They both had the dark-brown skin of the Uhonamonans, both with long, dark-brown hair running down to the middle of their backs. Like the first two teens, they looked worn out.

I offered the six visitors cups of stew and poured cups of Tok's island wine for the men. I paused when one of the twin girls looked at me like she wanted some, as well. Keekah had not returned, so I did my best to show through gestures that I was asking Kunomo whether the teens could have wine. He seemed to understand, nodded, said something in his language, motioned me to pour cups for the others.

I did so and sat back, quickly downing a bowl of stew, sat aside a bowl for Keekah, then ladled out what was left for the others to enjoy. I refilled cups and then sparked a joint, passing it to Kahan. He inhaled, smiled, then passed it to the boy, who did the same. Each of them took a toke or two before it returned to me.

Keekah came back and I offered her the stew. Given that she was pregnant, I offered her neither weed nor alcohol. She scarfed down her meal and told me that the others would be waiting in the North. Through Keekah, I quickly learned the names of the others. The oldest was Kylana, who was fifteen, and the boy was Hunamu, fourteen. The twins Tika and Tila were thirteen. They were all siblings who had lost their parents in the typhoon.

I let them all know that the trip would take some time and Keekah offered them yellow leaves. They understood the concept and Keekah told me they do the same in their village. We rounded up the last of the supplies I thought we needed and started heading North.

- - -

Gale was thrilled to see us arrive. She hugged me then greeted Kunomo, Kahan, and the teens. She had already started a pot of fish and potato stew over the fire while the others continued to work in the fields. There was no mention of Gale's nudity, at least not that I heard. I did see the teen's eyes darting around, uncertain what they should allow themselves to see.

It was clear how much improvement there had been just since I'd visited days earlier. While there were few green stalks or leaves above ground, many of the rows had been reformed and I knew seeds would likely be germinating in the soil. The irrigation improvements were most notable, and thanks to Amu's guidance, I quickly understood how the man's changes would help us keep the crops watered.

The stew was still boiling, so through Keekah, I suggested we go to the lake to bathe and cool down. Those in the fields took a break in the hottest part of the day and had already gone there by the time I led Kunomo and the others in that direction. I heard the man speak to Keekah a moment, then the teen said, “he say his village does not share their flesh so freely. He asks if this is normal. He say he saw last time but did not think it wise to comment. I told him it was normal, that we share more than just our flesh freely. He did not reply.”

I nodded. “Well... don't want to make them too uncomfortable, so, at least while they are here, we'll keep our intimate lives a bit sheltered. Not hide it, really, just... maybe not so in their faces. I know we didn't do that when Amu arrived, but... there are more sensitive eyes around and I don't want to make them feel embarrassed... more than they will when they see us strip down, anyway...”

Keekah giggled, then Kunomo said something to her. “He asks if I freely give you my flesh, and I told him yes and that I carry your child. He seems unsure what to say.”

We arrived at the lake to see the others relaxing in the shady area, the water fairly warm but refreshing. Bailey nursed Katie openly on the bank, and I saw more than a few eyes watching the way she sat nude, her legs crossed but nothing hidden from view as our daughter suckled from her tit.

I told Keekah, “well, they are welcome to refresh in the lake, however they are most comfortable. We didn't bring anything extra to wear, so if they don't want to get in naked, they should know that we'll be heading back to the beach camp before nightfall, so they might be a bit uncomfortable in wet clothes.”

Keekah relayed the message and then I watched as Kunomo spoke to Kahan and the teens while Keekah and I shed our travel clothing and slipped into the water. The newcomers hesitated only a moment before Kahan led the way, pulling off his rough shirt and pants, quickly rushing into the water. He was not fast enough to prevent Keekah and I, and probably others, from seeing that his penis was hard.

Kunomo was right behind him. Keekah and I pretended not to watch as the four teens shuffled, turned their backs on the water, and pulled clothing down quickly before moving rapidly to cover themselves in the lake. I only saw bits and pieces of each, and I wondered what they would think of things when they were told that we were normally naked. If we decided to let them stay, we'd have to work through that embarrassment kindly.

Kate got out of the water and dripped dry, taking Katie when Bailey offered her up. I saw the newcomers glancing in that direction, and Kahan especially could not stop looking at where Kate's body was fully exposed out of the water next to where Bailey's nakedness disappeared as she moved into the lake and settled next to me. I shared a kiss with my young wife, then with Amy. I explained the situation with them and said we'd discuss it all over dinner. Neither offered a thought about what we might do.

- - -

If getting into the water had been an embarrassment, getting the new teens out was even more so. The four of them watched as the rest of us got out, naked, and dried our bodies on the shore. Kunomo and Kahan did their best to appear small and were quickly back in their clothing once dry, using their towels to cover their nakeness until then. I shared a grin with Keekah as we grabbed our clothes and followed the others back to the cabin. The teens joined us some moments later, fully clothed and looking a bit uncomfortable.

The stew was ready as we settled around the fire, and Gale dished out steaming portions for everyone. I kicked off the discussion we needed to have, Manu doing the translating for me. “We've had a request from Kunomo for a couple of things. First, they ask if we could send a couple of knowledgeable people, to stay a few weeks or possibly months, to help them rebuild their village with improvements. Gale, Tok, I know you have both expressed an interest in doing something similar in the past.”

Gale nodded, “I'd love to, Kal. But... we still have a couple of weeks here. I don't want to leave until we have the fields done.” Tok added his thoughts, agreeing with Gale.

I concurred. “Understood, and I think that we can't have you leave until that is finished. Manu, let them know that Gale and Tok have the knowledge they seek and are willing to help once the fields are completed here, perhaps, two weeks?” Gale nodded again and Manu translated.

Kunomo spoke with Kahan a moment, then offered his reply. Manu said, “he says he can accept that. He greatly desires their help and knowledge. He said that they cannot stay for the entire time, they would need to leave and return, the other villagers not expecting them to stay away for so long.”

Kunomo spoke again, and Manu continued, “as you know, it is two days journey from here. They believe they have enough fuel to return tomorrow to Uhonamona and then come back in two weeks time to pick up Gale and Tok. He says that fuel is difficult to come by, but they were fortunate not to lose their reserves.”

Tok spoke to the man a moment, and Manu filled in the English speakers. “Tok suggests that he knows how to help them use less fuel by making adjustments to the boat, adding sails, that sort of thing. Kunomo is eager to do so.”

“We are agreed on this point, then?” I asked those around me. “Anyone else have thoughts?”

Murmured assent was the reply, and I continued. “So, you'll stay the night with us and return to your village tomorrow, coming back here in two weeks time. Gale and Tok will go back to your village and stay with you until you are restored.” I realized that it was going to be very odd to not have those two with us for a period of weeks or months. There were times when one or the other seemed to solve problems the rest of us couldn't, and I hope we weren't making a mistake letting them go.

Still, it felt like the right thing to do. Despite the devastation to our crops, we'd had no one hurt or killed, unlike the Uhonamonans, and our buildings, aside from the North cabin, had only needed repair rather than rebuilding. The visitors had suffered greatly, and it felt good to know we could offer help.

“So,” I said after a long pause, “that brings us to the other request. These four,” I stated, pointing to the visiting teens, “have lost their parents to the storm. Kunomo hopes we can take them in for a period of time while they rebuild their village.”

Manu broke in, “he also hopes we can help teach them some of our skills and knowledge, and says they, too, know many things which might aid us here. He knows it is a burden for us, but they have cramped conditions in their village, and like us, have lost a great many of their crops. While they can fish as we can, their home is not as abundant in other ways. It would greatly improve their situation to shelter the teens here while they rebuild.”

There was a long silence before I said, “thoughts?”

Kate spoke up, “how can we say 'no,' Kal? I mean... I feel so bad for them...”

Amy replied, “agreed... I'm sure we can adjust, right? They need somewhere safe and comfortable for a while, I think we can share...”

Part of me worried about the teens' reactions to our nudity at the lake. I wondered what sacrifices we'd have to make regarding our intimate relationships. I'd been unwilling to hide them when Amu arrived, but, admittedly, I was more hesitant given the ages of the teens and the clear embarrassment they'd felt with something as simple as nudity. I didn't want to sacrifice what we had, but I also didn't want us to act in ways which frightened or shamed the teens. I knew it would be a tricky subject to address.

Hearing no objections, I said, “now's the time to speak up if anyone thinks this isn't acceptable.” No one did. “We need to talk a bit about... our lives here.” Manu continued to translate for the Uhonamonans. “As you have seen, we don't hide ourselves from each other. Most of the time, except when moving across the island or doing work which might be otherwise uncomfortable, we all are nude. What are their thoughts, Manu?”

She spoke with both Kunomo and Kahan a few moments, then replied, “they do not have the same customs, as you know. While... uh... what is the right word... before maturing?”

“Pre-pubescent?”

“Maybe,” she shrugged. “Children being naked is normal, but once they begin to grow hair and breasts, they cover up. Kunomo says this is what is normal then, and, other than families with smaller children, women and men do not bath together. He says that he does not oppose this, but admits he feels a bit uncomfortable being around the women here.”

“Can you ask the teens for their thoughts?”

Manu did so, and none of them replied immediately. Gazes shifted this way and that, the girls especially seemed to have warmer, rosier cheeks. Finally, Kylana said a few words. Manu told us, “she said she feels strange, but she says it is alright. She thinks they can adjust.”

“Let them know that they do not need to do the same, of course. They are welcome to wear clothing and feel comfortable. Just assure them that we won't judge them for it, but we hope they understand that we enjoy being naked whenever possible.”

Manu translated quickly, and Kylana nodded.

“There is one more important thing we should discuss, this one perhaps not so easy.” I turned to Kunomo and Kahan, glancing quickly to the teens. “We... as a group, share everything here. Not just the sight of our flesh... but much more... I can't see ourselves hiding that while the teens are here, but I understand that seeing or hearing things... it will be harder to accept than just the nakedness. Do they understand, Manu?”

She spoke several moments with the men, and I could see on their faces as they glanced from me to Amy, Bailey, and the other younger women, they were uncertain how to react. The conversation went on a long time, and I saw the teens becoming more and more embarrassed. It wasn't the horrified type of embarrassment showing on their faces, though, expressions instead conveying a sense of disbelief and an understanding that they might see something long forbidden but about which they'd long been curious.

After some time, Manu finally returned to English. “They are not comfortable with this aspect and they are uncertain if they can accept this. They ask if we would force the teens to take part, and I assured them that everything here was always consensual, that we never forced, but we felt that, when someone was old enough to ask and want to explore their sexuality, the opportunity was offered in a loving and enjoyable manner. This made them feel better, but, as you can see, they are discussing it now between the six of them.”

The conversation went long as Tok broke out a couple of joints and passed them around, my three teen lovers abstaining, along with Mie and Poln, but everyone else enjoyed the weed, including the six Uhonamonans still debating this crucial aspect of our lives on the island.

Manu said, “they are talking about consent and risks of pregnancy. The teens are saying little, but they seem to understand what this is all about. In their village, a girl is often considered to be her parent's responsibility in terms of partners. They are not as free as my people, and around Kylana's age, fifteen or so, they seek to find a mate for her. Kunomo and Kylana are disagreeing about her ability to make decisions on her own, she says that she is free to decide is she stays and what she might do. Hunamu, as a young man, has more freedom and is staying quiet. The twins are letting Kylana do the talking.”

I nodded, unsurprised to see the different treatment of girls and boys. I watched as Kylana became a bit angry, nearly yelling at Kunomo a moment before quieting again and looking at her sisters.

“The twins are where they are debating. Both girls have said they understand what is being discussed, but they neither seem to know how to address it. Kunomo attempted to forbid them to take part or even watch. That made Kylana angry. She reminded him that their parents were dead and that, if they stayed here, they would get to make their own decisions. I get the sense that these children are not happy in Uhonamona, and perhaps that is part of why they have been brought here. There is something very deep underlying this conversation.”

Kylana became animated again, and moments later, rose and stormed off, taking her younger sisters with her. Hunamu remained behind.

Manu said, “Kunomo apologizes for their argument.”

“Tell him this is a very important subject and it is perfectly acceptable for people to become animated while discussing it. We need to get the decision right and make sure we're all comfortable with what it means. Tell him that I know that our customs are very different than what he might wish for the teens, but tell him also that we are very loving, we care deeply about each other, and if we accept them here, we'll be certain to protect them and offer them only what they are ready to accept.”

Manu did so and Kunomo nodded at me.

“Manu, tell him that we don't need to rush this decision. If they need to stay a couple of days to figure it out, they are welcome to do so. Whether the teens stay or not, we want everyone to to be comfortable with the decision and understand what it means for all of us. It wouldn't hurt for us to talk it over more, as well.”

She translated and then the group became quiet. I gazed up at the clear blue sky, and realized the sun was starting to head towards the Western horizon very quickly. We needed to move back to the beach before darkness hit, the new structure in the North bigger than the old cabin, but not big enough for all of us.

“Keekah, would you go see if the girls are by the lake and let them know we need to go back to the South soon? Tell them what we've discussed and that no decisions have been made. They'll be able to talk to us more when they are ready and make up their own minds.” She nodded and kissed my cheek, then dashed off to the East towards the lake.

- - -

I carried Katie the whole way back to the beach camp, my daughter covered and warm against my back, sleeping and drooling against my skin. It's amazing the things which become normal when you have a child. At one point, I paused to change Katie's diaper after she'd peed in it, some of it spilling out and running down my back. I laughed it off, not grossed out. How could I be? I loved Katie completely, and I was thrilled to be able to take care of her and keep her safe and comfortable, even if that meant walking a half-hour or so with the infant's piss dripping down my back and legs.

Amy, Keekah, and Bailey walked between me and the visitors, the others staying North to continue the work on the crops. My thoughts were mixed during the trip back. On one hand, I wanted to take in the teens and help them deal with the loss of their parents. They were clearly overwhelmed and uncertain what to do. They were too young, and possibly too sheltered, to be able to make up their minds, and the last thing I wanted was for them to make a decision to stay and then find that our ways were too different than their own.

On the other hand, we were trading two adults for four growing teens, and despite our reasonable stock of stored food, it would add strain on our supplies and make worse the loss of our fresh crops. I hoped the impact would be less dramatic than I feared, but I knew Gale and Manu had already begun working up calculations and projections based on having the teens around and Gale and Tok gone.

We hadn't really completed the negotiations in the North, and as we sat together around the fire, I knew there was more to discuss. We were bartering here, and so far, we'd essentially given all the consideration in the deal. I knew the Uhonamonans had little, but we had to strike a balance for an exchange which otherwise benefitted the visitors more than it did us.

Kunomo broached the subject first. Keekah said, “he asks what you would require from him for this exchange?”

I replied, “I don't know, Kunomo. You have nothing to spare, just like us, and I don't want to take away from you or your people.”

He spoke, and Keekah said, “he is sorry he has nothing to trade. But he says perhaps he has something which might interest you.”

“Explain.”

“They had seen white men North of their island while fishing on the boat. At first, the Uhonamonans had fled and worried the men would follow, but the never did, so they watched from afar whenever they saw them. They followed carefully at one point and believe that the men are using a small island three days north of the village to store supplies. They could see the men carrying things on and off at dusk one evening.

“They planned to go to the island to see what was there, but the storm hit before they could do so. Kunomo suggests that, if they find anything worth taking, he would offer to share as his part of the deal.”

I thought a moment. “You're going to steal whatever they have there? Risky. What if you get caught? What if they come after you?”

Kunomo nodded, replied, and Keekah told me, “he understands the risk. He believes the men are from further North, that they'd only recently started using the island. He knows that he should not risk being caught, but he fears the hunger which may come to his people more than he fears the white men. He said the village had determined the risk was worth taking.”

I knew this was a big decision, and I hated that the rest of the islanders were not present to discuss it with me. I was also both tempted and intrigued by what might be stored on the island. If it was food, or medical supplies, in decent quantity, the rewards might outweigh the risk.

However, I also recognized that we were always in a tenuous position and it was probably only a matter of time before one side or the other in the conflict came around again. Making a risky theft from their supplies was not going to help us avoid future, and likely dangerous, contact from outsiders.

“Tell him,” I said after a long pause, “I'll need to talk to the others. I cannot give him a firm answer without that happening first. I suggest that we retire for the night. I need to wash up, and I'm rather tired from the long day. I'm sure they would like the same. I'll attempt to have an answer for him tomorrow.”

The conversation broke apart with handshakes, and I went down to the water with Amy and Keekah. Bailey joined us moments later after putting Katie into the carrier.

While we bathed, the visitors milled around the fire a bit. I'm sure, like we began to do, they needed to talk amongst themselves and evaluate where things stood.

“Thoughts?” I said to anyone willing to answer.

Bailey said, “I don't like the idea of stealing anything. What if they come here?”

I nodded. “I know, I agree. Still, what if we can get ahold of something we need? We're short on a lot of things right now, it might be worth the risk. We all know it's inevitable that we'll get visited by more unfriendly people over time, we can't avoid all risk forever. I'm seriously worried about the lack of a fresh harvest for a few months. We have plenty of seafood, yes, but we really need the vegetables to keep ourselves healthy, especially since you three have to nourish little ones in one way or another.”

“Yeah, I get it,” Bailey replied. “Maybe you're right. We have to consider it, I guess...”

Keekah added, “I ready. If they come, I ready.” I thought of how Keekah had saved my life and Bailey's the night she'd hammered the man from the crashed boat with a fire extinguisher. I had no doubt she believed she could handle most anything.

I wasn't as certain she understood what might happen, the force of armed people rushing us and chaos all around. Yes, she'd survived a couple of armed engagements and handled herself well, but I knew that if the men followed us back this time, we'd face more than a handful of assailants.

I also knew, as I'd explained to Bailey, that we could face that at any time. We couldn't be sure we haven't been discovered by someone, that perhaps boats just over the horizon had been keeping an eye on our island. They'd been here before, and we knew it could happen again.

The visitors finally seemed to finish their conversation and as the four of us dried off and started heading back to the fire, the men and Hunamu walked off to the East a bit where they shed their clothes in the growing darkness while the girls went West and did the same. Perhaps they'd been even more uncomfortable than I thought when the mixed genders had bathed together earlier that day.

We'd earlier showed them where they could sleep, pointing to the common house or to the other available shelters. The men would stay in Gale and Tok's hut, while the teens wished to stay in the common room. Amy helped me get mattresses and blankets settled for everyone, then we settled into bed with Keekah and Bailey, all quite tired from the excitement and travel of the day.

Each shelter was connected to the common one via narrow covered passages, wood planks on all sides. Other than the hall to the outhouse, there was nothing restricting access between structures. I found it difficult to sleep for a while. I could hear the teens talking quietly in the common shelter, and I wished I could understand their language. Whatever they discussed, it went on for some time before they quieted down and I fell asleep.