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Swim
Chapter Two
Moon Kitty 2005
February 13th, 2006
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Ryou sighed as he sat in his room, just having finished being yelled at by his maid. Who cares, though? he thought happily. Retasu kissed me! This thought made his cheeks grow red again and he giggled like a little girl, swinging his feet. I can't wait to see her later!
There was a knock on the door and Ryou slid off his bed, pulling it open to reveal Keiichiro. "What is it?"
"Your father wants you to meet with him in the throne room. He says it's something of extreme importance." His face carried a look of sympathy, but then again, Keiichiro always seemed to have something on his mind or seemed to worry about other people too much.
He walked through the castle, silently wondering what his father had wanted to talk to him for. Could it possibly be war with some far-off nation? He shook his head quickly. No one had any reason to attack his future kingdom. His father was a kind and fair ruler. He paused in front of the door, a sudden thought striking him. What if my father wants to throw a birthday party for me by the ocean?
Excited at the prospect of being able to have Retasu at his party, he opened the door, immediately catching the somber look on his father's face. His face screwing into a silent frown, he bowed slightly in front his father. "You asked to speak to me, father?"
"I have something to discuss with you, pertaining to the arrival of your fiancée. She is to arrive tomorrow, and I noticed that you have not been spending a lot of time in the castle preparing for her as you should be," he explained, his eyes sad but his face expressing sternness.
Ryou seemed a bit shocked at his father's subject. "Yes?"
"Keiichiro has told me that you have been spending a considerable amount of time by the ocean, and I have called you here to tell you... that we, your mother and father... have decided to have the kingdom's construction crew build a large wall separating the castle from the sea."
Ryou's eyes grew large and he ran towards his father, eyes pleading. "Father, what are you talking about?"
The older man ran a hand through his hair and sighed heavily. "Son, there is nothing you can do to change our mind on this matter. The wall will have a drawbridge, but you may not be permitted to leave the castle walls. If you are found breeching this order, you will be stripped of your title."
Ryou's breath left him as soon as this comment was absorbed. I would be disowned! My own mother and father would disown me? He looked down at his shoes and replied in a steely voice, "I understand, father," he said mockingly before running out to his room.
Once there, he sat on his bed and swung his feet, glancing at the necklace that Retasu had given him. He looked up, a determined look on his face. He would see her again, and he didn't care what his father said. He liked her, and he would be willing to get in trouble just to talk to her.
He ran down to the gate, winking at the man who controlled it before darting out and running to the shore. He placed his hands on his knees, panting. He wiped the sweat off his brow and sat on a rock, overlooking the sea. There was no sign of her. Maybe her father wouldn't let her come visit him again.
Does her father even know he asked himself, his legs swinging down from the rock to splash in the cool water. I doubt that she would tell him that she was going to see a human. According to her, the place where she lives is scared of us, though I have no idea why.
He stayed like that for an hour at most before clambering down off the rock and casting a sad look at the sea. He could swear that he felt tears gathering in the corners of his eyes. "I'll see you later, Retasu... much later."
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She ran a few trembling fingers nervously through her hair before she grabbed the ring and put it on her finger delicately. She loved the way it shimmered in the ocean light, and she couldn't help but think of Ryou as she swam to the surface. She was sure he'd be there. It was morning, after all.
She emerged from the surface, a small smile on her face, but froze, eyes widening when she caught sight of a large wall separating her from the view of the castle. She swam backwards to get a better look, and discovered that it was indeed a barrier... but why?
She looked frantically around, watching the humans build diligently, and a few tears rose to her eyes. Why are these humans separating me from the castle? And what about Ryou? Where is he? He said he would be here!
She looked around in a panic.
But... there was nothing she could do. She had no idea what was going on, but each time the hammer pounded against the wooden wall, she felt more tears rising to the surface.
She buried her face in her hands and sobbed quietly. No one noticed the small mermaid crying, and a tiny tear dropped onto the surface of the sapphire.
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Authoress Notes
Aww, how sad. ((sniffles)) Don't kill me! ((runs)) This story isn't over yet! Oh, no, far from it! At least I think so... hehe... I haven't exactly mapped the story out yet. (O.O) That's okay. It'll still be good... I think... eep! ((runs away from angry readers)) See ya!
