I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter One- Land and Sea Friendship

Yugi splashed into the water and struck out far out to sea. He treaded water, a little nervous about being unable to see land and surrounded by water on all sides, but he wasn't too worried. Something scaly bushed past his legs before a boy almost identical to him popped up beside him. Yugi smiled at him. "I thought that was you. Who else would brush their scales against my legs?"

"No one except me," the other boy, Atem, replied. "I'm the only merperson who dares to make contact with humans."

"And I'm the only human who knows merpeople exist. I just never thought I'd meet one who could almost pass for my twin."

Atem laughed. "I was thinking the same thing. It also turns out that I'm interested in humans. I would love to be able to see your world, to actually walk among your people."

"And I'd like to show you around, but merpeople can't live on land and didn't you say that leaving the water could be dangerous?"

"It's more of a rumor and no one has dared to leave the water to prove or disprove it. I can't complain, though. I can show you my world as long as you hold my hand." He held out a hand and Yugi took it before they ducked down.

Yugi took a breath and grinned at being able to breathe underwater. He loved the sea; it fascinated him the way humans did for Atem. And I can see his world just by holding his hand. He kicked his legs hard to keep up with Atem's powerful blue tail. The merman guided him down to the sandy bottom where he used his free hand to dig in the sand and unearth a large clam.

"Wow! I've never see a clam that big!" Yugi exclaimed.

"That's because they only live at the bottom of the sea and usually buried in the sand. My people are good at knowing where they're hiding. I'll need both hands to open it."

Yugi took a deep breath before releasing Atem's hand. Atem wasted no time in expertly cracking open the shell and taking Yugi's hand again. Yugi exhaled and inhaled before gasping at the pearl in Atem's free palm. It was as big as the merboy's palm and was pale pink in color. "It's beautiful," he said softly. "I bet it's rare."

"The size is, yes but not the color. There is a color so rare it's considered a myth and magical. A merperson is blessed if he or she acquires a blue pearl, no matter the size."

"A blue pearl?" Yugi's eyes went wide. "I never heard or seen a blue pearl."

"I haven't seen one, either. Those that have or own one are told of its magic power and they are asked to keep it secret otherwise every merperson would go looking for one of their own."

"Obviously most consider it a myth since I haven't seen anyone harvesting clams, not that I've seen anyone else."

"Yes." he put the pearl in Yugi's hand. "Here, Yugi. You keep it."

Yugi gasped. "Atem! I don't know what to say."

"Say nothing. I want you to add it to your collection of shells and pearls."

Yugi nodded. He had been collecting such items for years and then a year and a half ago he met Atem. The merman showed Yugi shells and pearls the boy would never have found and he even gave some to Yugi. This pearl was the biggest example of Atem's generosity to date. I wish I could repay him somehow. He's shown me wonders and I can't thank him enough.

Atem saw Yugi safely to the surface and bobbed there for a time as Yugi swam for land. He recalled when he first met the boy: He had wandered as close to the shallows as he dared and saw a human who looked similar to him and had seemed to be searching the wet sand for something. He watched as he pulled up a seashell and was brushing the shell clean of sand. He had held it up and was examining it before putting it in a nearby box.

Atem had tilted his head as he watched. He had never seen a human this close before or one who resembled him. I could watch him for hours, he had thought. His breath had caught when the boy froze and started to turn to look at the water. Atem had ducked behind a rock and prayed that he had not been seen. He had heard splashing and peered around the side of the rock. The humans was swimming and it seemed he hadn't seen Atem. The boy dove down and Atem was wistful. He would have liked to befriend the human. He had a lot of questions about humans that only could be answered by a human.

"Hi,' said a voice behind him. Atem had whirled around to see the human who had a friendly smile. "Please don't leave," he had continued. "I never met a merman before. I saw your tail when I was down below." The last sentence came as a result of Atem's astonished face.

Atem had recovered to reply, "Hi, I'm Atem. I had been wanting to befriend a human lately. When I saw you, I was surprised how much alike we are."

"I'll say. I'm Yugi, by the way."

He is so sweet and kind. I am glad we met. He ducked down and began to head home. He remembered sharing home life with Yugi; while Yugi lived with just his grandpa, Atem lived with his uncle and older cousin. His mother had died when he was young and his father passed away the year before he met Yugi. His uncle, Aknadin, gladly took him in and he spent time talking to his cousin, Seto about anything they wanted- except about humans. Seto had no interest in anything above the waves. Neither one of his relatives knew he was spending time with a human and showing him the wonders that existed under the sea.

"So, what have you boys been up to today?" Aknadin asked, his off-white fins fluttering in the current as they sat down for dinner.

"Not much," Seto answered. "I browsed the marketplace and spoke to a couple of friends." He shifted his tail that was a deeper shade of blue than Atem's own.

"I was digging around for unusual shells and pearls," Atem said which was partially true.

"Didn't find any?" Aknadin asked.

"No. but maybe next time."

"Well, that will have to wait. You both have lesson tomorrow.'

Atem and Seto nodded. Their recent lessons from Aknadin were about identifying dangerous plants and know which ones could heal or sooth various injuries. It was important that every merperson know what to do if someone or something was injured or in need of a healing plant to combat an accidentally ingested poisonous plant. I wonder if humans learn about dangerous plants and natural cures like we do. I never thought to ask Yugi. Maybe I should next time we get together.

Yugi watched as his grandpa assisted customers in the game shop that was attached to their home. He loved that his grandpa ran a game shop as he loved games of all types as much as he loved the sea. He had told Atem about the games that shop sold as well as how to play some of his favorite games; he had even played one of the water-resistant ones in the shallows on a flat rock. Atem had enjoyed it and listened avidly as Yugi explained the rules and terms of other games. It was clear that Atem would love to try those games, but it wasn't possible; it didn't stop Atem from learning the rules, though.

"Yugi, aren't you heading to the beach today?" Solomon asked.

Yugi shook his head. "Not today, Grandpa." He knew Atem and his cousin, Seto, received regular lesson from his uncle, Aknadin and was able to let Yugi know when those lessons were. The two of them wouldn't be able to get together for three days. But that was all right. He had other friends to spend time with: His childhood friend Tea and his best friend, Joey. Neither one knew of his love of the sea, but they shared his love of games.

Solomon encouraged Yugi's ocean interest, thinking Yugi may pursue a degree to study sea creatures or maybe even the Coast Guard. Of course, he may want to follow in my footsteps and run the game shop. Whichever he decides to do is fine with me. I just want him to be happy.