Off the ports of Damietta, there was a nest of fascinating creature in the rocky coves. The young and less dangerous of them lived close to the beach, a certain nursery on the rock pools near the cliffs. Only so few humans knew they were there and all stayed away, knowing the danger of the monsters.

All but one.

A young man in his early twenties, a captain and well respected even at his age. This man loved the young fishy creatures there, often coming down to visit them and play. Of course he knew the dangers of them, he tried not to get too close to the water less the youngsters accidental drown him in their rough play.

Mermaids, the slippery young were mermaids and they all loved him back just as much as he did. He knew two generations of them and knew them all well, but he was weary of the adults now and knew that he could be in serious trouble with them around him.

The man's name was Akefia, a trades ship captain, with shaggy grey hair that used to be white before he started sailing and fine tanned skin. He wore an open white shirt under the heavy red captains coat with white pants and large black boots.

Today he was down there again, it was the last day he could for the next three weeks that he was away and this time, he brought his younger brother with him. The short ghostly skinned boy with flowing white hair walked with him timidly, not knowing if he really wanted to see mermaids and get hurt.. Akefia have many scars on his hands from them.. all an accident..

"Come on" Akefia said, his voice deep and smooth as he tugged him along down to the cliff base. He held the boys hand tightly, of course he was worried for Ryou too.. but he really wanted to share this with the boy.

"Are you sure they will be okay with me there?" Ryou asked timidly as they walked up and into the cove, eyes widening at the shock of seeing many heads above the water and mermaids sitting on the rocks.

Akefia smiled and walked over the rocks before he sat near, but not too close, to the waters edge. Ryou crouched behind him in worry before a blonde head popped put of the water and a tanned face smiled.

"Akefia.." The mermaid smiled, swimming to the edge of the water and grinned wider, his bright purple eyes flashing between the two.

"Hey Marik.. you should be out in the main waters by now right?"

"Oh.. hmmm.. I was visiting" Marik poked out his tongue and looked around.

"Little liar, you're too scared to leave the nursery aren't you?" Akefia snickered, nudging Ryou softly. "Marik.. this is my little brother Ryou, he's.. the only family I have left.."

Marik looked up at the boy and smiled softly. "Hello.."

"Uhm.. h-hi.." Ryou stuttered and politely held out his hand to the mermaid before Akefia grabbed it and shook his head.

"No Ryou... Don't do that"

Marik looked at Akefia and pout softly. "We've never hurt you.."

"I've been here so many times I don't expect anyone to hurt me on purpose.. but this is Ryous first time.." Akefia smiled, wrapping an arm around Ryous shoulders as he messed Mariks hair.

Marik rolled his eyes and smiled as he leaned in closer, tipping his head and fluttering his eyes. "So, why have you finally brought someone down here to see us? Thought everyone was scared of us~"

"Ryou is.. a bit of a loner," Akefia snickered to Ryous protest. "And I have to leave to go to Alexandria for the next three weeks and well.. I would like Ryou to get to know you all.. it'll be good for him.. I know he won't get hurt here.."

"Really?" Marik pout and whined, his tail splashing in the water as he lay his head on the rocks. "I could swim beside the boat?"

"You can't even get the courage to leave the nest, you'll die trying to keep up" Akefia smiled, stroking Mariks hair. "Besides.. poor Bakura will get jealous... where is he?"

Marik blushes and dipped into the water a little, giggling softly. "He's at the hive.. he wants to be around in case a queen shows up.."

"A Queen? What is that to you?" Ryou asked softly, interested. He had never heard of mermaids with nests and queens.

"The nest is a heap of tunnels under the reef and the queen... is the mermaid that breeds with all the males.. so.. our last one just died.."

"So... not everyone can have children?"

"Well...they caaaaan.. but it's kinda frowned upon" Marik shrugged, looking around the cover. "My friend Bakura is one of thoses.. maybe it's why he eats so much?" He grinned widely, looking to Akefia and giggling.

Ryou raised a brow at the two and smiled, suddenly it was a little sad to see Marik acting like that towards Akefia but they couldn't be.. "You know... I think I will like it here"

"Oh?" Akefia looked at him and nod softly. "Good.. you should come down as much as you can.. becaaaaause I'm going now" Akefia slowly stood up and smiled to the two. "And I'll be back before you know it"

Marik looked up at him and whined gently, sinking till his nose was in the water and pout. He watched Akefia hug Ryou and wave to the young mermaids in the cove before climbing over the rocks to get back to the beach. He would miss Akefia..

"Hey Marik..." Ryou sat back down again and smiled nervously. "So um.. who is this Bakura?"

"Oh... well he is my best friend and ..." Marik blushed softly before shrugging. "You look like him, but he looks more... grumpy.. heh, um and a glutton to... he has a lovely deep blue tail.." Marik smiled a little dreamily. "And fins on his back!"

"He sounds handsome.. what is he like?"

"A pain in the ass.. but he calls me that too.. he's a very good friend and I wouldn't trade him for the world" Marik smiled as he rolled onto his back, looking at Ryou upside down as he swished his tail. "Kefi says you don't have friends?"

"Oh.." Ryou looked away a little shyly, eyes lidding softly. "It's not like I want to be alone... I guess I dont fit in.."

"Awww.." Marik smiled and looking up at the sky. "Hnn.."

"Um.." Ryou put down the side back he had on his shoulder and opened it up. He slowly pulled out a book and charcoal pencil, slowly opening the book to reveal the blank papers. "Hey Marik..? Can I draw you?"

Marik looked at him with wide eyes and grinned, pulling himself up onto the rocks and lay over them, "Please.. Kefi talks about your art.." Marik stretched out and yawned, his tail resting in the water as he closed his eyes to soak in the sun light.

Ryou chuckled and slowly started to draw him, but he did spot Akefias ship on the horizon before it disappeared. He learned why Akefia came here, the young mermaid children were so cute and curious, he often had to pause his drawing to talk to them but as the sun was setting he finished it, showing it to the tanned mermaid whom adored it and thanked him for making him look so pretty.

Ryou smiled and packed his things away, waving to the retreating mermaids and heading off, walking to the city that was ligting up with lanterns.

He had promised to come back...