It's been a while since I last updated this story so it's been about time. Yami is about to discover why he had been experiencing some discomfort earlier. Plus, we find out what Seto's been up to.

Chapter Five- Encounters

Yami awoke to the feeling of sheets covering his body. The realization of this made him wonder if everything about Yugi was just a dream. He let out a small groan.

"Yami? Are you awake?" a gentle voice asked. He recognized it as Yugi's.

Yugi! So, it hadn't been a dream! Opening his eyes, he blinked to clear his vision. He was laying in what was obviously a human bed with Yugi sitting on the side of it. The prince sighed.

"I'm glad you're alright."

"I am now. But, my tail was itching and burning earlier." Yami pushed the sheets back, hoping his tail wasn't too dehydrated from being out of the water too long. His mouth fell open at the sight that greeted him. His shimmering tail was gone! Below his waist was a pair of long, slim legs. He was human!

"My tail! What happened?" he exclaimed.

Yugi beamed. "My grandpa gave me a puzzle that is said to grant the dearest wish of the heart when completed. I finished it before sunrise and I wished for you to be human."

"That was very sweet of you. Now, we won't have to break up."

"Huh?"

"I read that if an engaged merperson falls in love with a human, the fiance has the right to kill the human."

"You're engaged?"

Yami tapped the hairpin. "This thing says I am. I could take it out if you want me to."

"I have a different idea. Can I see it?"

Curious, Yami removed the pin and gave it to Yugi, who had studied how Yami removed it. He turned it ninety degrees before replacing it in Yami's hair.

"Now, we're engaged. The previous engagement's broken."

Yami smiled at Yugi's brillance, but then he frowned. "But, what if Seto finds out?"

Yugi didn't know who Seto was, but he was guessing that he was the one Yami had been engaged to. "How can he? We're far from your castle, not to mention, on dry land. He can't reach us."

Yami sighed with relief. "You're right, we're safe. And you can show me this dry world I now live in."

"Sure. What's first?"

"Well, you can show me how to use these legs."

Yugi blushed at his forgetfulness. "Oh, right. And maybe afterwards, how to get dressed."

Yami, likewise, blushed. "Ah...Excellent idea."

For the next ten to fifteen minutes, Yugi demonstrated walking and then another ten to fifteen minutes was spent in Yami imitating Yugi's walk without falling down. Once Yami mastered walking, it was on to the clothes.

Yugi explained each article and where they went and in what order. As Yami attempted this task, Yugi stood behind the boy and thought about last night. When he first glimpsed Yami's face, he had been left breathless at seeing such innocent beauty. When the boy spoke, it was deep and seemed to hint of darkness. Never had he encountered someone who's soul held darkness, yet was so innocent.

Yami had Yugi on his mind as he dressed. Here was a human who didn't mind that he had been a merman. He had instantly fallen in love with the merboy. Love at first sight apparently. Just as he had done. The young face, though almost like his own, was entrancing.

"Now that that's done, what's next?" Yami asked, turning to face the shorter prince.

Yugi stared at the handsome boy before him. Blue leather suited Yami perfectly. The pants adhered to his shapely legs and Yugi felt like he was under a spell. He shook himself out of his thoughts and answered the prince's question.

"I'll introduce you to my parents. Hopefully, they'll approve of my choice of mate and allow us to get married." Grabbing Yami's hand, Yugi led him out of the room and towards the throne room.

Seto swam back and forth, fins twitching with each pass. He had sent a messanger to tell Yami to meet him for lunch in the courtyard. Theya was an hour ago. Where was his messanger?

"Master Seto," came the voice of his messanger. Seto waited until the mermaid came closer before saying, "Yes?"

"There is a rumor that Prince Yami has vanished."

"Vanished? But how?"

"Uncertain, sir. Some say he just vanished, poof. Others say that humans might have captured him."

"Did these rumors say which way he went?"

"Yes, they did. They say he went west and followed the shoreline north."

"Tell my father what's happened and that I've gone to find him."

"Yes, Master Seto."

Seto headed off, cursing himself silently. He had heard of Yami's fascination with humans and their world. Now he's possibly been caught and he hope he could save his beloved. He knew he couldn't help directly, but the creatures that can leave the water can help locate Yami and do the rescuing.

"You there," he called to a sea turtle. "Have you seen a merboy about sixteen with spiky tri-colored hair and a blue-violet tail?"

"No, but I've seen a human who bears the age and hair you mentioned?"

The turtle's response intrigued the buisnessman. A human with Yami's hairstyle?

"You seek Prince Yami?" a starfish spoke up.

"Yes, I do. Do you know where he is?"

"Yes, but you won't like the answeres."

"I have to know. Where is he?"

"He lives on land...was a human."

"WHAT? No way! My Yami's human?"

"It is said that human magic is what changed him."

"How far away is he?"

"You are about four whale lengths away. I do hope you bring the prince back to the sea."

"I will. The sea can remove human magic that is replaced on any ocean being. I will bring Yami back to his home." With that pronouncement, Seto set off to fulfill his vow.

"Father, this is Prince Yami and with your approval, I wish to marry him."'

Yami shifted slightly from one foot to the other. He was facinated with his new limbs and how they moved. He still found it hard to believe that he was human now. The voice of Yugi's father brought him back to earth.

"What kingdom do you come from, young man?"

Yami thought fast. He couldn't tell the truth! Humans aren't supposed to know merpeople existed! "My kingdom was attacked by invaders. I was the only one who survived."

"I'm so sorry to hear that. Yugi, I've decided and I approve of your choice. The ceremony will take place in about a week."

"Oh, thank you Father!" Yugi exclaimed as he hugged his parents.

The king laughed before saying, "Why don't you show your beloved the marketplace? I'm sure he'll like it."

"Sure." Taking hold of Yami's hand, the little prince led him out of the palace and toward their next destination.

Yami gaped at the bustling marketplace before him. It looked an awful lot like the one back home, only with humans. Yugi grinned as he pulled him through the crowd, pausing at different stalls along the way. He showed Yami stalls that had food, clothes, flowers, or jewerly. Speaking of jewerly, both princes wore their respective Millennium Puzzles. Wearing it felt heavy to Yami at first, but it soon felt comfortable and natural.

Yugi's love for him guided him to complete the puzzle and grant his wish. He couldn't dream of returning to the sea. He intended to remain human for the rest of his life. There was nothing left for him in the sea. His engagement to Seto was invalid and the engagement with Yugi was just beginning. Yugi's parents approved and wedding plans were already being made. Soon, the two of them would be married. Nothing could go wrong and ruin their happiness.

Dum, dum, dum. Forboding feeling ahead. Will Seto discover them? Will Yami and Yugi manage to stay together? Stay tuned for the conclusion.