AN: Two words: Mermaid Saga. Go acquire this manga by whatever means. It's part of what inspired this story. (And while you're on an immortality kick, rent Highlander. TV version.) I suppose I should explain... The myth Mermaid Saga uses is that if you eat the flesh of a mermaid, you have a slim chance of becoming immortal.

Chapter 6: On and on and on

Reaching up, Kenshin tied his hair into a low ponytail. It wasn't his usual top knot, but he had nothing against it; maybe some days he could be a little lazy. Besides, it wasn't that hot out, no need to keep his hair off his neck. Instead, it was rather cool, a nice breeze blowing off the ocean.

It had been a good decision to make camp near the shore. Walking on a sandy beach sounded like the perfect way to spend a day. He wanted to see Japan - why not even its edges? He smirked lightly, amused, as he slung his bag over his shoulder. Picking a direction from his makeshift camp, he wandered along.

A ways down the beach, he arrived at a large rock outcropping. It had the appearance of overlooking something, and while to go around it on the beach was impossible, perhaps eating lunch on top of it would prove pleasant.

The climb went smoothly, and soon he was seated atop it, the sea wind blowing his hair so he was grateful it was tied low. Closing his eyes, he leaned his head back to savor the sun for a while. Eventually, curiosity got the better of him, and he picked his way across the outcropping, leaning a bit to peer over the far side. He smiled.

The rock wall blocked off a cove, a quiet, gorgeous area mostly filled with water that looked a miniature paradise unto itself. The water both sparkled like a gem and was the color of one, and the sand lining the water was almost white. There were several fish, indeterminate type from his height, that darted around kelp in an aquatic hide and seek. Its only detraction - or perhaps its salvation - was that the climb down to it was clearly impossible.

Anyone could watch it for hours and not get bored, or such was Kenshin's thought. A good forty minutes later, he had lain down on his stomach, food forgotten as he watched the sea life play.

He was forcibly reminded of food as his stomach rumbled loudly. Feeling a little silly, he sat back and pulled out the rice balls he'd acquired the previous day. He started crunching, watching the waves, glancing around occasionally. By chance, on one of his glances he spotted something in the cove and froze in astonishment.

There was a head poking out of the water, staring up at him. Under the water a dark form could be seen, longer than a typical body. Her eyes narrowed, focused on him, and somehow looked vaguely amused. They stared at each other for a long moment.

She cocked her head, and trilled an incomprehensible statement. Kenshin's brow furrowed, and a vague uneasiness came over him. The mermaid watched his uncomprehending face, and gradually began to laugh.

Chills went down his spine. The sound was displaced, but clear, and unmistakably like a human in its cruelty. It disturbed him. His memories of human cruelty were still fresh, and always would be; that there were more creatures capable of such things was a disgusting, horrifying thought.

Her laughter lessened into a smirk, and he found himself unable to turn from her viciously amused stare. Somewhere he'd heard stories concerning mermaids. He tried to remember, and as it began to dawn on him, his eyes widened.

Seeing this, she laughed again. Smirking at him one last time, she dived into the water, flicking her tail up into the air to spray drops of water like diamonds in the sky.

Most horrifying of all, he recognized the pattern of large scales on her lower half.

Several mostly forgotten incidents came to mind; cuts that bled too much for the size of the wound, the bruises that healed overnight. Slowly, Kenshin reached into his bag, pulling out a small knife. He unwrapped it, dropping cloth to the rock, and slowly drew it through the skin of his forearm. He reached for the cloth, swiped it across the wound, and watched as the cut healed.

Again and again he cut lines in his skin that disappeared. A hollow look in his eyes, Kenshin shoved his possessions back in his bag, and headed away. He would head back towards the main road; he didn't think he could stand to see the ocean anymore.