Beads of Tears
Chapter Ten
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Being indoors constantly drove Yuugi over the edge with boredom. He hated the ocean, yes. But, even basking in its glory held greater interest than staring at white walls.
Slumping onto his bed, Yuugi threw a pillow over his eyes.
"Mmm. I didn't know that my shampoo smelled this nice."
"I'm surprised that you haven't realized this until now, Yuugi."
Startled, Yuugi jerked away from the pillow, eyes narrowed.
"Can you knock next time?"
"It wouldn't have mattered. Your grandfather already told me you didn't want any company."
"Pfft… Seto, you of all people know how much unexpected visits drive me up the wall."
Kaiba smirked, leaned against the door frame. "That isn't the only thing that drives you mad. I know this from experience."
Rolling his eyes, Yuugi pulled himself into a sitting position. "Since when did Seto Kaiba become perverted?"
Seto enjoyed driving Yuugi crazy. Bantering held the foundation of their non-existent relationship.
"I always have." He chided cobalt eyes boring into Yuugi's violet.
"You drag out my hidden perverted side."
"You never change. I'm glad we aren't dating anymore."
Taken back, Seto's natural mask of stoicism took over. Banter lead the man towards battle. It wasn't any clearer why he had found attraction in Yuugi. He always enjoyed challenges.
"Nice blow to the ego."
The tone, cold, icy even. Yuugi's face contorted quickly. Realization of the true meaning behind his statement took form.
"Seto, I didn't mean it like that. You were my first love. You will always hold a special place in my heart."
Seto apparently felt touched by Yuugi's affectionate statement. However, part of him knew otherwise.
"I'm not your first in the heart, Yuugi. I know that Yami holds a candle over me in this department."
Silently, Seto pulled away from the doorframe, walking out of Yuugi's room.
"Wait! Seto! That's not true. You're the first in my heart. I don't even know a Yami-"
Yuugi collapsed onto the bed, breathing raggedly. His chest compressed tightly, ribs aching.
Screams muffled, body arching by the second. Yuugi couldn't handle this pain. Screaming held no need anymore, especially without the need or knowledge of the cause in this heart wrenching pain.
Exhausted, Yuugi's eyes closed, breaths coming once more. Although, red stains bled through the sides of his shirt, burning in fiery.
Yuugi was suffocating without a reason.
- - - - - - - -
Seto gazed into Yuugi's room, eyes void of emotion.
'Yami's speaking truthfully for once. Yuugi's transformation has begun.'
Turning on his heel, Kaiba strolled downstairs, avoiding contact with Sugoroku.
'The kings' will find this advancement pleasing.'
- - - - - - -
Light poured into Yuugi's room. Sunlight covered his tense body. He hadn't awakened since the pain endured earlier.
Violet eyes opened vision blurry. A strangled breath fell through his silent bedroom.
Yuugi forced every ounce of strength into his arms, lifting himself up.
Uncomfortably, the teen mewled, back spasms taking full force. Yuugi felt many types of strange sensations.
As each day flew by, the teen experienced a new form of oddness daily.
Salt water became a staple in his diet. Even against better judgment, Yuugi maintained this newly achieved fetish.
His senses had heightened. Simple reactions in movement had progressed, earning agility equivalent to a feline.
Today, Yuugi found himself in another situation. He had developed two large 'bruises' on each leg.
Only one problem though. These markings glittered in the sunlight. Texture off the wall, itchy and scaly patches of skin covered his knees.
"What the heck are these?" Yuugi asked.
Sugoroku studied each scaly patch, brows furrowed.
"Yuugi, I would say that this appears to be psoriasis." He paused, running a finger over the scaly formation. "Psoriasis isn't usually purple though." He turned his gaze onto the teen. "Is there something you aren't telling me?"
"No grandpa. I'm just as confused as you are." Instantly, almost instinctively, Yuugi's arms wrapped themselves around his torso, covering any trace of his blood covered bandages.
"Yuugi, I'm aware of the bloodied bandages." Sugoroku muttered. "I'm more than aware why they aren't healing also."
"What?"
Silence ebbed away in the room. Tension grew wildly. Sugoroku knew something Yuugi didn't.
"Grandpa, what's wrong with me?"
The teen's only response was a deep sigh. "Yuugi, run a bath."
Confused, Yuugi cocked his head to the side. "Why?"
The aged man ignored Yuugi's question, digging through a cupboard.
'What the hell is grandpa doing?'
"Aha!" Triumphant in success, Sugoroku threw a paper container into Yuugi's hands.
Curiously, he read the container, eyes screwed up in confusion.
'Salt?'
"Yuugi stop gawking and run a bath. Pour half a cup o' salt into it."
"Okay, but why?"
Plum eyes locked onto Yuugi's violet. Sugoroku frowned, ushering Yuugi into the bathroom.
"You're taking a bath."
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"I'm not getting in the tub."
Yuugi stubbornly leaned against the sink, arms crossed childishly.
"Yuugi I can easily throw you over my shoulder and throw you into this bathtub. Stop acting childish." Sugoroku turned the taps, adjusting the temperature easily. He placed a hand into the basin, smiling. "It's perfect." He turned to Yuugi. "Take off your shirt and get in. This will relieve the pain."
Against better knowledge, Yuugi obediently willed himself into the saltwater bath, hissing at the sting in his ribs.
For a moment, silence engulfed the room, Yuugi fidgeting.
"Do you feel any better?"
"Yes a bit, actually."
Yuugi averted his attention, rubbing his ribs.
"Grandpa, you know what's wrong with me. Why won't you tell me?"
"Because I lost your mother in this exact same situation, Yuugi."
The statement threw Yuugi's attention out of whack. Yuugi always believed the rumors of his birth, and arriving on the island. Sugoroku had raised him since infancy.
"But you're not my actual grandfather, are you? Everyone says I was found abandoned at birth."
"Don't listen to others, Yuugi. You're my actual grandson. Your mother fell victim to the sea's ruler."
Without realizing it, Yuugi spoke offhandedly. "Poseidon."
"Yes, that's right." A pause. "He is the reason for this, Yuugi."
"For what?"
The aged Mutou motioned towards Yuugi's wounds.
"Your wounds aren't healing. They never will heal, my boy."
Yuugi protested, willing himself to continue.
"What are they, then?"
"Have you ever wondered why the sea calms you? Have you ever wondered why you were able to breathe underwater?" Sugoroku studied his grandson's facial features. Yuugi believed him, deep down he did.
"Tell me. Apparently you know."
Against better judgment, the man sat on the toilet, sighing heavily.
"You are only half human, Yuugi. Your mother found love in the sea king Poseidon. Somehow, he turned her into a mermaid. Years later, she called to me, begging for help. She found out that she was carrying you, heir of Atlantis." Sugoroku paused, wiping away tears threatening to fall.
"Grandpa, what happened? What did my mother want?"
"She wanted to save you until the time was right. However, time has fallen for you, Yuugi."
Violet eyes, wide with fear locked onto plum.
"What's wrong with me?"
"You're slowly transforming into your true form, a merman."