Ok first off let me just say I hate the Little Mermaid movie. No, really, I do very bad blah I do, however, like mermaids are we clear now? Good, this whole thing really comes from one piece of fan art the one in my bio. Now if we came too late and the pic has changed go to my Xanga entry for this fic, or go to my gallery it's in Duo's folder. I am not sure why a picture I found over a year ago has decided to hijack my brain now but it happens so here we go. I have no idea if this idea has been done to death because I have not read every fic out there let alone on this site, but if you've read me once you know I love making the cliché fun again.
FANS OF 2X3X2 REJOICE HERE'S YET ANOTHER ONE FOR YA!
Yes if you are a fan of 2x3 you can rest assured I am a writer you should check on about once a month because I love working with this pairing. If you dislike 2x3, or do not understand why I would pair them up, I would suggest either giving this fic a try or just leaving. You flame me for 2x3 I will so not care I'll just write more, if you like my other stuff feel free to request something.
WarNinGs: Shounen-Ai, AU, somewhat OOC, Mystical Creatures, not much in this chapter.
Aishi Say
"Teach me to hear mermaids singing." A line from the curse in Howl's Moving Castle it's a pretty little poem.
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Cats hate the water. I could never understand that; they love fish, which live in water, but they themselves hate it. Well, alright, most do. There's this one tabby kitten who loves coming to my little hidey hole; he really likes water, go figure. I hide so I can watch him. I do so love watching land creatures, especially humans, though if one ever saw me I would be in big trouble. Truthfully, I don't care about that. Humans fascinate me and they always have, so I watch and I learn, even if it may get me killed someday.
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With a soft sigh Duo folded his arms on a narrow rock shelf, which so happened to lead into a maze of caves. He had always liked it in there, because it was so safe. Only children ever wandered far into his cave and adults rarely believed what children say. Tab, as Duo had come to name the curious little kitten, walked slowly up to the brunette before sitting down, his tail twitching as he watched small fish dart by in the pool below. The merman loved cats as well as humans; he found that they had such an easy liquid grace and amusing playful personality, that it made them fun to watch, even if they did eat fish. "So Tab, slow day eh? Gray skies mean no humans, as if that rain stuff hurts or something. At least I have you to talk to little guy."
"Meow!" The still somewhat clumsy kitten cried, looking behind him, his tail lashing and his tiny nose twisting and sniffing.
"What Tab?" Duo asked, blinking when the kitten ran off mewing happily about something or other, maybe more cats? He ducked down into the water when his bright eyes caught sight of a dark robed figure, which was kneeing down to scratch the small kitten that had been rubbing on his leg. 'I see Tab has himself a human friend, that's good, he's a good kitty and I can't exactly take him home with me.'
The human stood, purring kitten in his arms, smile half hidden in shadow, "Silly thing." He teased as the kitten playfully batted at his hood, yowling in fear when its short little claws snagged. Trowa placed a gentle hand on the kitten's paw, "Shh…hold still little one."
Duo watched as a small paw was carefully worked lose with gentle care before the human pulled back his hood. Wide deep violet eyes blinked in surprise, the human was young and handsome with long bangs falling like a graceful wing over his left eye. The young man laughed when the cat batted at his hair, this time happy when his little claws didn't stick. Duo moved closer, wanting a better view, but he stopped when he saw the man's eyes, "Cat eyes?" He wondered softly, not wanting to draw the human's attention away for the kitten and right to him.
Trowa turned, watching lightning strike far out at sea, it seemed far enough away, but he knew that looks could be deceiving, "Come on you silly little thing."
"Merowl?" Tab asked looking, up paws curled over his chest, gold-green eyes confused.
Duo watched the human step onto the stone shelf, pausing to watch another flash of lightning before turning and walking easily along the narrow path of stone. The merman had followed children before, they loved to play around his cave during summer; but it wasn't often that he saw a human as old as that one, as most his age stayed away unless watching the children. 'Just who are you?' He watched him step off the shelf and onto the floor of the cave, a path at the other end lead to the maze. It was dark there, but the human didn't seem to mind. Setting the kitten down he sat, eyes closed, listening to the thunder echo against cold stone. Tab titled his head towards the hiding merman; he meowed at him, not understanding why he wasn't coming out.
"Leave the fish alone silly, before you fall in," Trowa teased, opening his eyes when the small creature placed two little paws on his hand, "What?" Duo ducked a little deeper into the dark, knowing human eyes were not as good in the dark as his own, but unsure just how good they were. He watched the human shake his head before he laid down, left arm folded under his head, right hand playing with Tab's tail. "You can play with the little fish in the morning alright? If you fall in it'll be your own fault," Trowa informed the kitten, closing his eyes, his finger's absent movements slowing. Tab rubbed himself against his hand, pouting when it did not move to scratch him. Batting the young man's hand once more, the kitten curled up and closed his own eyes. Duo slipped out of the deeper shadows slowly, ready to dive the moment he needed to, he had not lived so long by being careless. The storm raged outside, making the water swish around him as he moved. He folded his arms on the stone and watched the human. He had never seen one so close, and even though he couldn't see him all that well in the dark, he still watched until his eyelids began to feel heavy. Eventually, with a yawn, the merman sank below the waves and curled up, he could always watch more in the morning when the light was so much better.
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Duo smiled, his arms folded once more on the stone. The human was still there, so he pulled himself up and inched closer to him. Humans had never scared him, he was half human after all, but he had always been told that humans were dangerous. He did believe that, but a sleeping human wasn't going to hurt anyone, so what was there to be afraid of? Damp fingers reached out, touching very warm, dry skin. Duo smiled once more, humans didn't feel cold-blooded, that was for sure. Long hair pooled around him as he shifted, knowing he should be hiding, but he just sat there, watching, curiosity winning over fear. The human's finger twitched and Duo froze, unsure if he should run, he moaned and Duo placed a cool damp hand on his, "Shh..," he soothed gently not sure if he was disturbed somehow or not, he was no mind reader.
Trowa sighed softly, covering his eyes with his arm, sitting up only when he heard a splash. He chuckled at the kitten, "I did warn you." Kneeling at the edged he snatched the soaked cat from the water and held it close, "You're alright, you clumsy thing." Duo smiled, listening to Tab mew as he was dried, he sounded so pathetic; it was all too cute.
"What are you doing out here? You had us all worried!" Catherine demanded, walking up to Trowa looking very mad. It was a state the young women seemed to find herself in too many times for her liking.
"It was just a storm Cathy, nothing worth worrying over," Trowa answered dismissively, not overly concerned, he could take care of himself.
"That is hardly the point! The prince was worried; you didn't even tell him you were leaving. You are lucky you two are old friends or you would have gotten yourself into a lot of trouble." Catherine informed him, arms crossed, she wore a blood red gown that was simple, yet heavily embroidered. Her wavy dark red hair shifting in the breeze as she stood there waiting for her brother to speak as she knew he would.
"So? What else is new? I can take care of myself, he should not worry so much, rain is harmless." Trowa reminded his sister, stroking the kitten absently, used to being yelled at for not acting like everyone seemed to think he should.
"I was worried too you know!... Aw what a cute little kitten can I hold him?" Catherine asked knowing her brother's gift with animals quite well, calm with him didn't always mean safe for her.
"He's a little damp, but he's fine," Trowa answered passing her the kitten, watching her cradle it gently. His sister was not as gifted with animals as he was, but she still loved them just the same. "I didn't mean to worry you sister, but I needed to get out of there. He'll need a name."
"That he will, the poor baby. He is so sweet! Poor little dear," Catherine cooed before turning to her brother. "I know the advisers annoy you but simply glare next time, that's enough to freeze their tongues to the roofs of their mouths. How such a gentle thing as you acquired such a purely cold expression I will never know."
Trowa smirked, "Oh pleased I learned it from mother, same as you. So were you sent to find me or did you take upon yourself, again?"
"If you stayed put no one would have to find you. I told them I was going, simple as that. Mother worries you're so restless for a reason, I told her you were only being curious. Tell me I was right?" It had not been that hard to find him but she was a little worried as well, restlessness could be a bad thing.
"It's been a while since we were last here, and I never was here before. I'll talk to mother while you name him," Trowa smiled at the dozing kitten, "shall we?"
"Yes brother dear, we should be getting back. I'm sure there is a story about this place; you have a knack for finding such things. Come along before that brute is sent after both of us and we'll have to see just how much I have learned from mother." Catherine walked off, looking back in time to catch her brother taking one last look around before following her, "Now just what were you up to?"
Duo watched the pair walk off, laughing and talking together, with Tab still dozing away, and he sighed. They both seemed like nice people, but they were gone, as they should be, he couldn't show them what he was, nice people or not. He guessed, from knowing the prince here, they were nobles at least, which meant even if he was human it would be hard to see them again. The Winners were good people, but they were still royalty. Diving under the surface of the water, he swam out of his little world and out into the vastness of the ocean, coming up he pulled his long hair from his eyes and glanced up at the palace. The white and blue structure was perched on a cliff trees with flowers all around the walls, in spring, flowering trees lost their petals to the wind and they landed far below along with the flowers children threw. It was spring now, late early spring really, lots of rain, not long before the children would be back to play. Letting out a soft sad sigh, Duo reached out his hand as if he could touch the far off stonewalls, "I never got to hear your name."
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"Thank the gods you're safe!" Quatre greeted, hugging his friend, "I know you hate being cooped up, but a note would have been nice."
"The gods had nothing to do with it, and I am sorry, but it was an…unplanned walk," Trowa explained hugging his friend back. They had spent their childhood here together, but it had been a long time since he had seen his friend, too long a time, "Forgive me?"
"Do I not always?" Quatre asked, Trowa had always been a curious, often reckless child. He had not lost that curiosity, but Quatre had hoped his recklessness would have eased after the death of his father. "Father considers both of you his responsibility, if something were to happen to you he would never forgive himself. Are you feeling better now?"
"Much thank you. Have you ever been to the cave near the cove before?" Trowa asked, Quatre had lived here longer and the blonde liked to look around just as much as he did, not that he would ever admit it.
Quatre frowned, "Mother says the village children like to play there, but I've never really been there myself, why ask?"
"That's where I ended up, that little tabby kitten was there. Cathy has adopted him now." Trowa smiled, back home they had quite a collection of animals, now they had one more.
"Only you would wonder around sea caves in the dark during a storm. Mother told me your father was just as bad," Quatre shook his head; some people just liked getting in and out of trouble.
"Yeah, I do take after him. Don't go gray worrying about me now; I don't live that far away." Trowa teased, ruffling Quatre's hair and laughing at the shorter youth's cry of protest. They really didn't live that far away, but five years had passed since they had last seen each other, still, little had really changed.
"Ah here you two are. It's good to see nothing unpleasant happened to you child," Katrina said with a smile as she entered the room, closing the door behind her.
"Mother," Quatre greeted turning from Trowa, ignoring the taller youth's bow, "Oh he's fine, as always, sometimes I think he enjoys worrying people."
"Oh I hope not," The queen walked up to the two young men, pale blue gown trailing softly behind her. "So just where did we end up this time?" Katrina asked winking, she knew the mischievous son of her childhood friend, he was just like his father.
"Just a cave in the cove not too far from here," Trowa answered simply, elaborations could be added as needed.
"Really now?" Katrina asked getting a nod, "Did you hear or see anything while there?"
"No, just the kitten I meet a few days ago," Trowa answered arching a brow at her questioningly, "Why?"
"Well the village children have claimed to see merpeople near there; one merman seems to come up again and again. I think it may just be some villager playing tricks but." Katrina smiled, "Would it not be something if it were true?"
"Mother do you really believe in such creatures?" Quatre asked, his mother had a library of books on mystical creatures, he knew she loved the idea, but they were just ideas, right?
"Of course I do. They can be good or evil just like we can. What do you think Trowa, do you believe in magic?" Katrina knew her son believed in magic, he had strong gifts, but his curious friend may have changed his beliefs in those five years.
"I don't see why not, have you ever seen one?" Trowa asked, curious to see if that was why she was so sure they existed.
"Once when I was just a bit younger then you both are now, I saw one, it was a he with inhuman eyes but a child-like smile. He lived in that cove, but it has been years since I was there. I wonder if he is the same one the children still tell stories of?" Katrina smiled at the pair, "True powerful magic is rare now, it seems they are from a time when such powers were common place. You boys have fun now; I have some guests to meet shortly."
"We will mother," Quatre assured her as she smiled once more before walking out. "Mother does love her stories, she should be a writer don't you think?"
"What if it's not just some story?" Trowa frowned when Quatre frowned at him, "What if she really did see something back then?"
Quatre shook his head, "Oh Trowa, don't tell me you're going to go looking for something? I know you're good with animals but inhuman magical monsters are not animals, if they're even real."
"You know you want to know too," Trowa informed him evenly. "Besides, it's really nice there so what's the harm in just having a look?"
"And what will Catherine say? You know she hates it when you go and do this kind of thing, and your mother?" Quatre didn't like the idea, he had heard stories of men being drowned by mermaids; if this one was real, who was to say it was friendly? Not hurting children did not mean it would not go after an adult.
"If you're so worried why not just come along? It could be fun, and gods know you could stand getting out of these walls." Trowa smiled, "Just like when we were kids."
"You were just as bad then, if anyone saw something strange or lost something or anything like that, you just wouldn't rest until you saw it or found it." Quatre sighed, "I would follow you anywhere, I always have, but what if it's just people playing pranks?"
"Then we waste our time and no harm is done, if not you can tell you mother she was right," Trowa knew just how wear his friend down; it would be fun to go monster hunting like they used to, even if the monster did turn out to be fake...again.
"Alright you win, but wait until tomorrow. If you sneak out in the night I will never forgive you!" Quatre knew he used that threat often, and it was empty, but it had always worked in the past.
"I'll probably walk around inside the walls tonight, but not outside, so don't go crazy if I'm not in my room tonight alright?" Trowa knew how Quatre worried about everyone, it was of the many things they did not have in common. Trowa did not waste his time worrying.
"Alright, I promise I'll remain calm, unless you're still gone by breakfast, if you're gone that long I may just chain you to a wall to teach you a lesson." Quatre crossed his arms, gentle eyes giving warning, his own sister had suggested it once or twice and Quatre wasn't sure he would bother stopping her next time.
"Well that makes me feel loved, thank you," Trowa teased, shaking his head. "You really do worry too much about me. Speaking of food, care to go on a raid?"
"You will never change will you? Wait I'm coming!" Quatre cried running after his friend. Things really had not changed much in those five years that they had been apart, and he was thankful for that.
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Duo sighed slipping below the waves, he had hoped the human would come back, but he had not, so he decided to head home for a while. Stopping at a cave he hid form the world in he looked around, to see if there was anything in it he needed, before heading home. A large castle carved in stone spirals was where he spent his nights if he was near, turning he waved to a friend of his, "Hey, Hilde!"
Hilde turned, her short, dark violet her swishing in the water, her dark lavender tail curled slightly as she stopped. "Duo, where have you been, huh?"
"Just around really, why? Were you looking for me?" Duo cooed, hands folded near his cheek as he batted his eyes as her.
"Well I figured you'd be out after a storm, see anything interesting?" Hilde asked, ignoring his teasing, they had been friends forever and teasing was just how they talked half the time.
Duo frowned, "Yeah this cute little kitten in my hangout, he got himself a home now, which is good."
"I don't see why you like cats so much, there are ones who could eat us you know? Besides humans could have seen you, then what? Some still practice magic and we're full of parts they like to use," Hilde shivered at the thought. Children were mostly harmless and dismissed but adults were another story, they were always a threat.
"Only kids really go there, and kids say they see angels in the clouds and stuff so I'm safe, besides you know how hard it is to catch us let alone keep us." Duo grinned, "I'm not scared of humans anyway, you can hide, but I won't." Most magical creatures were hard to catch, humans could swim alright but they could not breath under water at all.
"Just be careful Duo, the queen here loves magic, I would hate to see you displayed for her!" Hilde folded her hands behind her, looking worried, this kingdom did have an aquarium, she hated the idea of Duo being trapped in one.
"No problem, he runs, he hides, and all that, I couldn't let one see me even if I wanted to, it would put you all at risk." Duo sighed softly, that was just the way it was, even if he hated it.
Hilde frowned in thought, "It sounds almost like you meet one you wish you could let see you."
"I did last night, but he didn't see me, just the cat, they were so cute together. Tab fell in the water right when I had to dive and the human just scooped him up and dried him off." Duo sigh softly, "I don't even know his name, all I do know is he knows the prince pretty well."
"I don't see why his name would matter, since you'll never be able to use it, and if word gets around you're crushing on a human...you know what my parents will say? Duo, don't tell anyone else about this human alright?" Hilde pleaded; she had heard stories about what happened if you were caught pinning over a human, and none of them ended well.
"Who else do I trust with all my secrets, huh princess?" Duo teased, laughing, "Besides you're right it's just that I hate not knowing is all. I'm going to go get some sleep, see ya in the morning." He called, swimming off. Entering the place and swam quickly into his room to curl up on his bed. Maybe in the morning the human would come back and he could see him again, at any rate he doubted he would be back that night, not after how that sister of his reacted. Closing his eyes Duo sighed softly, he really was crushing on a human...he never thought he would ever do that.
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"Trowa?" Catherine called, entering her little brother's room and frowning when he wasn't in sight, her mind already working on her rant.
"Out here sis!" Trowa called from the balcony, not bothering to look behind him as she walked outside.
"So what are you looking at so intently, or are you only thinking?" Catherine turned her dark violet gaze to the sea and the moon hovering above it, knowing how her brother could just stare for hours, seeing what no one else could.
"Just thinking. Katrina told me about the cove, it seems there's a merman living there," Trowa smiled at the idea, there always seemed to be more to this world then what was seen.
"A merman hm? And are we thinking of wasting the day in the cove looking for this merman?" Catherine asked, half teasing him. She knew he was thinking about it, he was just curious like that she blamed the eyes, always the eyes.
"Yeah. I'm taking Quatre with me, he needs to have a bit of fun," Trowa turned to his sister. "We'll be careful and all that so save it. Do you want to come?"
"I think I'll let you two have your fun, I may come by for an hour or so to see how things are going but, no." Catherine laughed, "Father use to say you would grow up to be just like him. This is a reckless thing, at least you're careful, even if you do seem reckless."
"Of course I am, I'm not a cat; I only have one life really, not nine, even if I can make it look that way." Trowa smiled, "Do you think there is anything out there?"
"If there is you'll find it, I have no doubt of that. You never give up until you're satisfied. I'm glad Quatre's going with you though, he'll keep you from acting too much like a man." Catherine hugged his shoulders, "Get some sleep kitten, or the prince will scold you."
"Yes Catherine," Trowa answered automatically, placing a hand on her arm with a tender smile, "I will soon, I promise."
"Good boy," Catherine praised, hugging him tightly before releasing him, "sweet dreams brother."
"You too sister," Trowa watched her go before turning back to look at the nearly full moon for one last, long moment. Taking a step back he turned from the moon and headed back inside, sleep wasn't such bad idea, since he would be getting up early anyway.
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And so ends chapter one. Lately my work has not been doing so well which makes me seriously wonder if there is something wrong with me? At any rate this fic will get updated when it reaches ten reviews not before so review and bug a friend to if they are into this kind of thing. To see what I am up to go to my Xanga account, in bio, or www. freewebs thaukt and waste time online or see what I do when I am not writing fics that is. For more info on this fic go to my Xanga and look up Ningyo.