Chapter Five- Merpeople Life
Hiei rushed for the water, eager to see Kurama again. He had mentally repeated the questions he had thought of last night and felt prepared for his day. He had timed it so he could sleep in the sea. He checked his waterproof watch; a gift from Mukuro when he first started working for her. Clearly, she wanted to make sure he didn't lose track of time. It was pointless as his power included an internal clock. Also, when I change, my clothes and jewelry vanish until I'm human again.
He waded into the water, swam once in deeper water, and then dove down before becoming a merman. He flexed his tail before going to the bottom and heading out to sea. He tested the speed of his tail as he swam, pleased with it. This is similar to a dolphin tail, only a little longer and more flexible. Hiei sped through the water with a big smile, enjoying himself.
About an hour later, a village came into view with merpeople swimming around. He looked around as he entered. It was much smaller than the city. Everyone probably knows everyone else. So, everyone will know I'm not form around here. He continued to look around him as he searched for Kurama.
"Hi," said a voice. "Are you Hiei?" Hiei turned to see a merboy with black hair and a yellow tail.
"Um, yes. I'm looking for Kurama."
"Of course. Follow me. So, you're off work today?"
"Today and tomorrow. I thought I visit here today and tomorrow we spend the day as humans."
"Sounds like a good plan. Oh, I'm Yusuke by the way." He stopped at a house. "Here's Kurama's place."
"Thanks." Yusuke nodded and swam off as Hiei knocked. The door opened to reveal a black-haired older mermaid with a pale green tail. She looked at Hiei suspiciously which he didn't blame her as he was a stranger.
"Hi, I'm Hiei. Is Kurama home?"
"Hiei?" came Kurama's voice before said boy swam around his mother and embraced his friend. "I wasn't expecting you."
"I thought I surprise you. I'm off today and tomorrow and thought I visit you and your village before our day on land."
"Two days off? Great. Oh, Mother. This is Hiei, the new friend I mentioned. Hiei, this is my mother, Shiori."
Shiori's suspicious face melted into a warm smile as she moved aside and waved him in. "Welcome, Hiei. Kurama spoke happily about you last week. It was clear that he loved having another friend."
"Another friend?" Hiei repeated as Kurama led him upstairs.
"I don't have many friends. Only Yusuke."
"I met him today. He led me to your house."
"Ah, I had wondered how you found it."
"I suppose everyone knows everyone else here."
"Yes. We're an insular group, but we do get visitors every now and then."
"I imagine they attract attention."
"For a time, yes, but we're friendly and warm most of the time. So, two days off. That's real nice of your boss. Mukuro, as I recall."
"Yes and I need the break. I worked hard last week and Mukuro will be brewing potions these two days."
"Hiei, how do you know how much time has passed while you're changed?"
Hiei patted his chest. "My power came with an internal clock. I can keep track of it easily. Also whenever I change from one form to another, the clock resets."
"I see. So, you could change into a fish and back to merman with the clock resetting each time."
"Right. You know, before last week, my favorite ocean form was a dolphin."
"A dolphin. I like dolphins."
"Really? I kind of pegged you as an angelfish guy."
Kurama blushed at the comment and Hiei chuckled. "Kurama, could you show me around? I know it won't take long."
Kurama laughed. "There's more to see than you think and I imagine you have questions."
"You're right. I do have questions." Hiei followed Kurama out the bedroom window to learn about undersea life.
Hiei stared around as Kurama talked, trying not to stare open-mouthed and look dumbfounded even though he felt that way. Yes, the village was smaller than the city but it was the environment that really got him. He was in an underwater village and surrounded by people who had tails instead of legs. They swam in and out of houses or talked to one another outside of houses or in the public spaces. He saw some merpeople behind round stalls and talking to those in front of those stalls. On the counters were what were clearly items for sale. So, they do have shops.
Hiei slowed to observe an exchange which caught Kurama's attention. He turned around as Hiei watched with interest. He saw the customer pass some seashells to the vendor who handed the item to her and she swam away. So, that's how it's done. Very simple, but I like it.
"Hiei?"
He looked at Kurama and swam up to him. "I had wondered if you had shops and how you purchase items considering you said you had no money t buy anything on land."
Kurama smiled in understanding. "Ah, yes. I can see why that would interest you. We use pretty much anything we find to pay: Seashells, sand dollars, and gems. I like to spend time digging for gems or searching for shells and sand dollars."
"It looks like a simple system and I like it." The pair continued to swim with Hiei looking around as they did so.
"Very simple and it works for us."
"Is it the same system for all merpeople?"
"Oh, yes. It makes it easier should a family or individual deicide to move."
"Is there a royal family?"
Kurama laughed gently. "Oh no. Are humans still telling fairy tales of merpeople ruled by a king or queen or family? That's rather impractical. Every village, city, or kingdom have a governor and once a year, they gather in neutral waters to review the laws, create new ones, or throw others out."
"And if a law is broken? What happens?"
"The accused must perform community service that matches the crime. If someone stole payment from another, they must work for their victim to atone for their wrongdoing."
"Hn." Hiei was impressed. Life was much simpler under the sea and he envied Kurama for getting to live so free, easy, and simple. I would love to have such a life. I would give almost anything to stay here.
Kurama saw the jealous gleam in Hiei's eyes and knew the reason why. No one was a slave here, community service sentence aside. A growl was heard and Kurama smiled at the blush on Hiei's face. "I take it that you are hungry."
Hiei nodded and Kurama jerked his head in one direction. "Let me treat you to dinner at my favorite diner. I am certain you will like it." He led Hiei toward the diner, the latter eager to try merpeople food and asking more questions about merpeople.