"Alright kid. Up. It's time for court."

Haru's eyes were barely cracked open. He could barely sleep the past two nights. The bed was uncomfortable. He wasn't allowed to polish his tail and the he was fed garbage.

"Come on kid, we don't have all day" the guard spoke louder this time

"You should really reconsider the set up and meals of this place. It's awful."

The guard snorted, "Like we need to treat policy breakers with kindness."

Haru shot a dark look toward the guard who ignored it. He flexed and stretched his body as he rose and he felt his joints reset. Haru sighed in satisfaction.

Immediately the guard glued Haru's hands together behind his back using mussel adhesive. Grabbing his arm, he roughly lead Haru to the Grand Court.

They arrived and Haru was shoved onto the podium for criminals. Ironically, it was dressed beautifully in shells and trinkets that had fallen into the sea from land. Perhaps it served to remind them all of the dangers the world above posed.

Maybe not so ironic then. Haru thought

The Grand Court was an open area and citizens from the Iwatobi Kingdom were welcome to observe the court proceedings. Directly across from the podium where Haru was situated was the Judge's seat. It was decorated with pearls and jewels strung across and was raised on a bed of stones surrounded by guards. Haru was forced to crane his neck upwards to see the ominous figure. The Queen was perched elegantly in the seat with a chilling grin on her face.

Though her eyes were not smiling.

Rather, they looked dismissive.

The Judges seat doubled as the King's throne. Though it would usually be the occupied by the King of Iwatobi himself, on certain occasions- such as this one where the Policy was involved- the Queen took the coveted seat in order to lay forth her judgement.

"Nanase Haru." The Queen said. Her voice resembled that of chimes, but was loud as it echoed throughout the court. Her voice carried with it an authoritative tone but also something else…something dangerous. Her face too was youthful but through her eyes one could tell that the Queen has lived through many experiences.

"My Queen." Haru replied

She chuckled, "Oh, I wouldn't be so sure after we're through."

Through the crowd gasps and murmurs began to take form, swirling with the oceans currents.

Even Haru was slightly taken aback, although his face remained nonchalant. The Queen's remark was a warning to Haru. A warning that meant he could be kicked out of the Kingdom.

"I haven't really done anything wro-"

"Innocent men do not play hide and seek with Policy Keepers, Nanase Haru."

More murmurs and hums in agreement.

"The mouthy ones who think they are clever" she sighed, "Always one of the gifted ones…"

"Do you not realize the predicament you have put us in?" the Queen continued, "those damn creatures with arms for a tail are curious, but above all they are dangerous. They terrorize our livelihood with no regard and pollute the oceans as if our precious waters were simply a garbage dump."

"I know…"Haru mumbled

The Queen raised an eyebrow in question.

"I know but…this one…this boy. He is different. He is almost like one of us. He loves the water as much as we do. And he's kind! I swear. He wouldn't spread word about us here. He even denied our existence when another human came along!"

Although Haru was initially hurt when Rin denied his existence he was now glad that Rin had done so.

"Humans are fickle. I am sure this boy you praise so highly is no different. He could, at any moment, turn on us and expose us-hurt us" she waved her arm at the audience "for personal gain."

"He won't" Haru replied

"And how are you so sure, Nanase Haru? Have you bewitched his heart? Or…" She looked down at him with piercing eyes, "Has he bewitched yours?"

Gasps and sounds of shock and anger rose in the audience.

"In love with a land creature?!"

"Repulsive!"

"Disgusting!"

"He's a traitor!"

"He'll get himself killed!"

Haru cringed at the words thrown at him

The queen lazily raised her hand for silence and immediately the crowd fell silent, save for quiet murmurs. Even the King could not always quiet a crowd this quickly. The Queen was powerful indeed and a force to be reckoned with.

"I'm not. He is interesting. He is a friend to me, my Queen. I'll make sure he won't say anything."

"Nanase Haru…too much has already happened. You being spotted by humans. You being spotted by this particular human. Conversing with him and having him discover your origins?"

"I'll make sure he won't –"

"Which is to say you plan to continue this relationship with the human, yes?"

"Uh-…" Haru had no reply. He could only look at the Queen with pleading eyes

"What exactly, Nanase Haru, makes this creature so fascinating to you?"

"I…don't know, to be honest. He just is…My Queen."

"Hmm." The Queen hummed.

"Most who have gone this far would be imprisoned, you realize yes?" she mused

Haru nodded

"But you are so gifted. You can swim faster than almost anyone else in the Kingdom, and certainly faster than the brutes in the North. You could contribute so much to us and remain an upstanding citizen…and yet…"

Haru shifted uncomfortably under Her gaze.

"I would be willing to forget this matter, if you can swear an oath to never interact with humans again. Especially with the boy you are so enraptured with."

Haru looked into the eyes of the Queen. She looked amused.

He didn't have much of a choice…

"Haru? Say yes!" Makoto exclaimed from the sidelines

Nagisa and Rei nodded in agreement "What are you waiting for? You have to say yes!"

"I am being oh so lenient on you, Nanase Haru. I don't want to be kept waiting for such an obvious answer."

I don't have a choice.

Rin.

I want to be with Rin.

No choice?

But there was, wasn't there.

"Thank you, for such a gracious offer. But I'll have to decline."

Haru couldn't describe it, but he would risk everything to reunite with his sharp-teeth, crimson haired boy.