I realize I update quickly, but I just can't help it! I usually write chapters in advance, and to be honest... I wrote this one before I even posted the first chapter. Also, I have chapter three written and more than likely have chapters four and five planned. I'm a fast worker, really.

At any rate, enjoy this chapter! It's shorter than the last one, but you still learn a lot about the story.

It was a merman.

Yes, most certainly so. A mermaid would have something covering her chest; yet, this creature was bare, save for the scales starting below its- his- belly button. His long tresses of hair hung over his shoulders, brown and silky and enchanting. He lounged against the rock as if it was the most comfortable thing on the planet, tail flapping nonchalantly a few inches into the water. Bright eyes still stayed locked on Kiku.

Not for the first time that day, Kiku found himself too stunned to move. True, he had seen plenty of fish in his lifetime, but never a mermaid, let alone a merman. It was frightening and beautiful at the same time; so human-like, yet so much resembling a sea creature... where were his gills? What about his reproductive organs? Could they really sing so well?

With a startled gasp, the merman jumped off of the rock and back into the sea. This stirred Kiku out of his daze; he, too, made way to another place. He returned back to his discarded clothing and, knowing now that he knew that he was not alone, put them back on. Then, he sat in the sand and stared at the rock where the merman was previously perched.

Unbeknownst to him, the creature was watching him from under the surface. Intriguing thing it was, really... the first human he'd seen in quite a while. It came from this area, there was no doubt about that. Its eyes told the story, slanted and dark. A sailor, undoubtedly, shipwrecked like many others that came and died... only legends now, as this particular merman had never seen any of them. Its face was pale and its hair was black, deeply contrasting with each other. What a small body it had! Those "legs" dangling from its hip bones were incredibly short and covered with hair. It looked positively ridiculous. It trembled as if it was freezing. Maybe it wasn't quite used to island breezes yet... but what did the merman care? Humans should be elsewhere, after all. Still, he found himself wondering the whereabouts of the stranger's ship, its fellow crew members, if it had family...

Foolish, his conscious said abruptly, don't bother yourself with the human. Yet, he did. It was interesting, after all. Quite cute, in its own disturbing way. For some reason, he wanted to sing at this moment, lure the creature over to the water, touch its legs covered with flesh and hair...

Again with the foolish thoughts! his conscious butted in again. Quit that, Yao. The merman called Yao shook his head; what harm could be done? It took much power for a merperson to turn into a human, after all... and if he did end up becoming one, what would he have to lose? A LOT! spat back his conscious. Shut up, Yao retorted, and lifted his head out of the water, opening his mouth to begin a melody.

Closing his eyes, Kiku started to fall into slumber... until he heard it. That song. It was familiar... from a movie, perhaps? A television show? A famous record? Whatever it was, his body decided to move toward it, much like the red shimmer of the merman's tail lured him to the rock. It was beautiful, one of the most perfect songs he'd ever heard. Light, yet strong, and high, winding melodies graced his sea-worn ears. A tingle flashed down his spine gently, and before he knew it, he was face-to-face with the familiarity of the merman again.

"Hi," he said, grinning. "I'm Yao. Male or female?"

Kiku couldn't believe it. It spoke... in almost the same tone of the song. So, it was true; merpeople could sing, and incredibly well. Not only did he look beautiful, but he sounded it. Stunned, Kiku cracked his mouth open and spoke for the first time since he'd landed on the island.

"K-Kiku," he croaked, "male."

Yao's grin widened as he offered a slimy hand to the other. Hesitantly, Kiku took it. Daring, but worth it; the human was very warm and soft. "A pleasure, Kiku."

Well, there you have it. Yao's a merman. He seems kind of sly as well, doesn't he?

Until next time!