Pinkshuchan: LALIHO! Hey this is Pinkshuchan! Sorry it took a while. Power broke down and I had to rewrite everything again. Grr! Anyways, last chapter was sad, but this chapter is gonna be happier. Why? Yuki's coming! Will he be able to apoligize to Shuichi for everything? Enjoy!

Chapter 25

Eiri's P.O.V

By the time I made it to the surface, it was morning. Yes, it took me a day to get over there. I'm not as fast a swimmer as Shuichi or Riku. When I got to the shore, I was greeted by the warm sand. It had been so long since I've felt it. I dried myself off, turned human, and looked for those clothes I kept for safe keeping. I can't just walk into town naked. Finally, I found my clothes. I put them on but I had a little problem with my shirt. After all, I gained a little more muscle since thirteen years ago. As soon as I got my clothes on with the exception of my shirt, I walked to town. But before I could do so, I stepped on something rock hard and it hurt. I moved my foot away and looked down at it. It was something blue. No, it couldn't be could it? I picked it up. It was! It was the ring I gave Shuichi. At first I thought he wanted to end it, but then I noticed the ring had a big crack in it. He could've been fighting and it caused the crack so it fell off his finger. I hope he's safe. It gave me an idea on where he was. But first, I need to go to town, get a change of shirt and get someone to fix the ring, then go to my old house which is now Hiro's house.

After I did all those things I said I was gonna do in town, I walked to the house. At least until a fireball came in my direction. I luckily managed to block it with a water shield which is very effective. I saw Hiro walking over to me.

"Sorry Yuki." he said "I know why you're here and I just can't let you go."

"Why not?" I asked.

"Shuichi's been very depressed recently and doesn't need to hear any shit."

"I didn't come here to give him shit. I came because I want him back."

"Tell me, how many days was it that Shuichi stayed in this house for the last time?"

"I'm not going to wait that long to get him back!"

"Well, you're gonna have to. Besides, Taki is after them and it would be worse if you are there."

"How will I make things worse? Why is Taki after them? I'm not going to just wait around. I'm bringing Shuichi and Riku back with me to the ocean."

"That's exactly why you'll make things worse. If they go back to the ocean, where will they go? The kingdom is the first place Ken and Maa-kun, Taki's accomplices, will search for them. It's safer for them to stay here."

"Like fucking hell I'm going to let them stay here. They're coming back with me!"

Hiro stood in a fighting stance. "If you attempt anything of the sort, I'll stop you. If you really love Shuichi and Riku, you would trust this decision. I'm only doing this because Shuichi said so."

"Shuichi said that?" I asked.

"Yes. And he told me to stop anyone from taking Shuichi out. Including you."

"Did Shuichi know I was coming?"

"No, but you're still on the list. I would suggest staying with your human family until this pulls over. I'll send Sakano to come get you when we feel the coast is clear."

Personally, I didn't want to leave, but if it's really what Shuichi said, I'll have to go along with it. I turned and went back to town. I really wanted to get Shuichi back, but I can't risk hurting him or Riku. There's only one place for me to stay, even though it pains me to say it. I'm going to have to stay with Tatsuha at Sakuma and Kumagoro's Karaoke Extravaganza.

I walked over to Sakuma and Kumagoro's Karaoke Extravaganza. It looked very busy, but I wasn't going to wait until they close to get in and talk to Tatsuha about staying for a while. I walked in to see that there were so many customers and yet not any waiters. There was a lot of yelling in the background. I wonder what's wrong. Then, I saw Tatsuha walk over to me. He looked exhausted.

"Welcome to Sakuma and Kumagoro's Karaoke Extravaganza." he said. Man, he's so exhausted he doesn't recognize me. Well, time to jog his memory! I gave him a punch in the head. Hope that jogs his memory right. He looks up at me. "Bro!" he said "It's been a while how are you?"

"I need a place to stay." I told him straight up.

"I'd like to have you stay but Sakuma and Kumagoro's business is becoming so bad, it may eventually close down."

"What happened to the other waiters?"

"They quit! Your son was helping us for a bit until your wife came but it still hasn't made things even better."

"Need help?"

He stared at me dumbfoundedly. "My bro? Helping a place he's not that found of? Had the salt water affected your brain?"

"What? A guy can't help his little brother out with something?"

"It's not that! It just doesn't sound like you."

"Well consider it payment for everything you had done for the few days with taking care of Riku and with what happened thirteen years ago. You deserve it!"

He smiled and agreed to let me work. As I helped serve tables, people started recognizing me as my past life, Eiri Yuki, the novelist that wrote stories about the ocean. That gave me an idea.

"You know that my brother works here?" I would say to them "Well, business hasn't been good for them and it's upsetting him. If you'd like, would you possibly help them out?"

Lots of people agreed and went to ask Tatsuha about job applications. That should help their waiting problem. When it was time to close for the day, Tatsuha hugged me very tightly.

"You, Big Bro, are a life saver." he said "Ryuichi and I were afraid of closing the place down but you saved us. Thank you!"

I tried to get him to let go of me, but he wouldn't. Suddenly, the door opened and I saw two people I never expected to see again. Tohma and Mika were looking at me like I was a ghost or something. Then again, I haven't seen them or my old man for thirteen years. But I guess that the old man's passed away. When I talked to them, I was right! The old man did pass away. I talked a bit with my sister and her husband for a while. Everytime they would mention Sango aka the name we gave Shuichi when he's wandering as a human or anything about my family, I would try to change the subject. Eventually, I had to tell them. I told them that Sango was actually a male mermaid named Shuichi and that I turned myself into a mermaid so I could be with him and our son Riku. They looked at me like I was crazy so I had to prove it. I made them promise that when I show, they can't say a word about this to anyone. They promised! Before I could say the word, Tatsuha came in with a bucket of water and dumped it on me; turning me into a mermaid. The looks on their faces were priceless and at that moment, I knew they realized that everything said about mermaids existing were true. After talking a bit, they had to leave. Tohma had to go to his company early in the morning and Mika had to check up on their child. At least I got to see them again.

That night, I couldn't sleep. I found myself sitting on the stage, looking at the ring. It was finally fixed. I wonder if Shuichi is wondering where it is. If he is, then he must have feelings for me still. I hope he does. I can't bear being without him right now. I can't imagine my life without him. I held the ring close to me.

"Can't sleep?" I heard Tatsuha's voice softly ask. I just nodded. "Is it about Shuichi?"

"He's staying at his brother's." I told him "He won't leave until it's safe from Taki's accomplices."

"Well, what if there was something happening that he's needed in and it can't wait until after everything's safe?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I have a plan to get Shuichi out and to have you make the best apology he's ever seen or heard. It's gonna mean big embarassment on your part, Bro."

"I just want Shuichi to come back to me. I don't care what it takes."

"Great! Then we prepare tomorrow and when we're done, we'll get him. When he sees this, he'll be back in your arms in no time."

I was so happy! I was going to have Shuichi back. But why do I have a feeling it will remind me of thirteen years ago?

Pinkshuchan: Why does he feel like it would remind him of something thirteen years ago? Will he get Shuichi back? Will Taki be able to get his hands on Yoshiki? Find out next chapter. Read and Review!