Chapter Twenty-Five
Disclaimer: I don't own OP. I never have, never will.
A/N: Alright, slowed down on this for two reasons, one, I'm tired of working on just ONE fic constantly and needed a break, and two…well, reason one was good enough. Besides, I need more ideas and yes, this arc has already been finished in my head then there is one more arc then finished fic but that's not the point. Well, anyways, here's chapter twenty-five. Enjoy!
Five times clockwise, seven times counter clockwise, five times clockwise, seven times counter clockwise. The silver scoped gun twirled quickly on her index finger as her head was propped up. She has a job to do, yes, but just sitting down and doing nothing, this was BORING!
Sure, she was provided with room and board but this was getting boring. She was only there for maybe an hour and she's already hated by the humans. Sighing very loudly, Niri stood from her spot and set her father's memento down. There were some tide pools that seemed interesting, considering that many of them sparkled, probably hiding valuable coins, some type of gold, or maybe some jewels. A cheshire grin crept onto her face. She was beginning to like treasure. Changing out of her Marine uniform into her bathing suit, Niri made sure the bindings on her ribs were still tight and didn't slip.
Slipping a thin shawl around her hips, the Marine private snuck out of her temporary home to dash quickly to the beach. If anything, she could have a little vacation while she was there. After all, as long as they didn't fight today, she didn't see the reason to start fixing the problem just yet. Upon reaching the beach, however, she was very surprised to see several of the children, human, fish and hybrid, all running around, screaming, laughing, as a fin rose from the foam of the sea. The children scrambled from the water's edge and pointed at the fin, throwing clumps of sand at it.
They weren't frightened, just laughed gleefully as the fin rose up and arms grabbed and hugged several of the children. A man, grey and tall, laughed as he swung the children around and around. Catching sight of the private, he grinned and set down the kids. "Look, the very rare Marine. Be very careful when approaching, you don't want to scare it away." Smiling, Niri turned her head to look at the Blue, but kept her eyes on the children. "Oh, see the way it moves, very cautiously looking for any that might attack or prey." Turning her head back, she noted the very details of him. Fins at his elbows, a less prominent one on top of his head, and two more on the back of his muscular legs. He was some type of shark, maybe a great white? As for his clothes, very baggy button up, and loose shorts. Like the kids, he didn't wear shoes or sandals, but his webbed feet were buried in the sand and water.
Grinning, Niri tilted her head. "I'm hungry."
"Uh-oh, the Marine's hungry. Do you know what they eat?" he asked, kneeling beside one of the boys.
"What?"
"I EAT CHILDREN!" she shouted, teeth bared and a crazed look filled her eyes as she started running at them. The kids laughed and ran back to the village, shouting to run away from the kid eating monster. Laughing, she looked after the running munchkins. "Great, scared off some fresh meat."
"Well, I hope you don't eat shark." The private turned and shook her head. "Good. So, you're the one who is supposed to help us."
Niri sighed and shrugged. "I guess." Looking at the Blue, the girl scratched the back of her neck. "I'm not a negotiator, I'm a marksman."
"Well, Miss Not-Negotiator, why did they send you and not the real one?" She looked back over to him and shrugged. "Then I think that the Marines made a mistake. Not that I'm complaining." Niri narrowed her eyes. If he was hitting on her… "No, no, not like that. It just, some guys don't play along with some of the jokes and it's horrible."
"Where are my manners? I'm Tai." Sticking out his hand, the merman grinned, his razor sharp teeth shining.
"Private Niri Zolaro of the World Government." Shaking his hand, she couldn't help but notice his smooth skin. "I thought shark skin is rough."
Tai smiled. "Like sandpaper but not all mermen share the same characteristics of the breed of fish," he informed. "So, Miss Formal, how long do you think this will take?"
"Are you always going to call me Miss whatever?"
"No, never Miss Whatever." He grinned broadly. "I answered your question so common courtesy, answer mine."
Niri shrugged again. "I don't know how long it will take. I just hope it takes a while."
Grinning again, Tai bulged a muscle in his arm. "Attracted already?"
"You wish." Lightly shoving him away, she shook her head. "No, it's just something at the base I'm kind of worried about and if I take my time here, maybe I won't worry about it anymore because it will pass."
"Well, I hope not. I want this to be over as soon as it can. There have been too many lives ruined, innocent ones dying and fights between both sides," he said, his eyes fierce. "The human males quickly marry off their daughters so they won't bear hybrids and if one human falls in love with a merman, they are shunned and exiled."
Why wasn't this in the report? "Is that why there are the huts?" He just nodded, his jaw clenched. "That's tragic."
"Abortions, kidnappings, killings, it's like living in hell." Both of their gazes lowered. "That's why we are so protective over the hybrids. They are precious to the world, proving that two species can live together." He smiled at her. "They are our symbol of hope."
"By the way you're speaking, it sounds like you're speaking for mermen in this argument." He just blushed and rubbed his nose. "Fine, just don't expect me to be swayed so easily. I have to hear both sides of this then come to a reaching point, you know that."
Tai bowed. "Yes, Miss Negotiator."
"STOP CALLING ME THAT!"
-.-.-
It all began about fifty years ago. It was a peaceful time, human and mermen living side by side in the port. One family, though, the richest, didn't like the mermen. The man thought they were heathens, creatures of nightmares and of sins while his wife agreed with him, they raised their two daughters to believe the same. But, as children do, they saw only innocence, never seeing the difference between to two races. Both of the girls were said to have green eyes, a belief of their father's that they will live on land all of their lives, being wives to human men and raising normal human children. As time grew on, though, both girls grew into two different women; the eldest believing her parents, once she was accidently inked on one day, the other falling forever in love with the Blue and those who lived on it.
Of course, being the rebel that she was, she had fallen in love with a merman, something her father was firmly against, believing that the mixing of a species would lead to an abomination. After separating the two, he had locked his daughter away and had her lover slaughtered. It wasn't until the merman's death did he realize what was growing in his daughter's womb. Terminating the unborn child, he murdered his own daughter, blaming it on the mermen of the port and therefore, erupted the war. Some believe that the girl's body was found and laid to rest in the arms of her lover.
Families were torn apart, daughters running away to save their children, their significant others, and more often than not, mothers would run with them, hoping to help out whenever they can. Sons who turned from their fathers would be forced to leave the port, their "crimes" not as serious as the females. Hybrid children who had escaped the dangers of the womb were ridiculed, tormented, sometimes kidnapped, murdered, or sold off for evil plans.
Those who enter the port must immediately make their alliance with either of the sides, but to be wary of the other because no kindness or mercy would be allowed. This made trading very difficult, especially since both sides basically need the same things. Not to mention, really stressful and it promotes thievery amongst others. After all, when you can't get what you want, next best thing is to steal it. That's where a lot more problems occur. A never ending vicious cycle.
A/N: It's short, yes I know. But the upcoming chapters are going to be wonderful, I promise you that. After all, some old and new faces will be showing up in later chapters. Please review.