Thank you SOOOO much for the reviews! *throws out Pocky and Adrian
plushies*
I forgot the disclaimer! *collective gasps*
Ken: [gets shoved out in front of everyone] Hey! [clears throat and says in a monotone] The author does not own any of the characters from Yu-Gi-Oh! or the plot of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson. That is all. [slouches off]
Adrian: Who shoved the stick up his-
Me: [hastily covers his mouth] Not here, you idiot! There could be children reading! Er. he he? [tries to smile, but pathetically fails]
~*~
Chapter One: Of Songs and Stories
"What story do you want this time?" asked Malik, looking at me. He was a master storyteller, and in the evening, when we as brothers gathered to share time as siblings, he was our main source of entertainment.
"About seeing the world above the waves!" I said eagerly.
He laughed. "That one again?"
"Of course, you know that our younger brother is obsessed with humans and the world above," Honda teased, swimming in to join us. He settled beside me on a polished coral bench, ruffling my hair playfully. I batted the hand away, grinning. Malik smiled at the scene, about to begin.
Ryouji then came in through the door. "Sorry," he said apologetically. "Father wanted me to take care of something. Am I late?"
"You're just in time, Ryouji-niisan," I said cheerfully.
"That's good." He settled on my other side, giving me a gentle hug.
"Anyways," Malik said a bit impatiently. "May I continue?"
He took the silence that followed for assent and started the tale. "It has been a tradition for the royal family that when all children reach their fifteenth year that they go up to the surface to see the outside world for the first time. They must do it alone, however, in the full regalia of their rank."
"Which means wearing those damn oysters," Ryouji muttered darkly.
"The oysters are a mark of rank," remonstrated Malik. "With rank comes pain."
"A whole lot of pain," said Honda and I could not help but chortle.
Malik glared at him. "Will you let me continue?"
"Sorry, your HIGHNESS," drawled Honda, bowing. "Do continue with the fascinating tale."
Ryouji cuffed him with a hand. "Quiet, dolt."
I listened in fascination as Malik told us about the people who did not have fins, only odd sticks on which they stood and wobbled about on. They went about the sea on their curious vessels, sometimes catching fish and other creatures. On land, they built great cities, perhaps not as beautiful as ours under the sea, but far more fascinating.
I yawned widely, and tried to stay awake a moment longer, not wanting to miss every word. But his voice slowly lulled me to sleep, as I dreamed of land men and sailing vessels.
~*~
"Ouch!" yelped Ryouji. "Watch where you're putting that thing!"
"My apologies, your highness," came the solemn voice of his servant, Rishid.
I looked in on him with a smile. "Preparing for your first view of the surface?"
"What else?" my eldest brother grumbled, tossing back his black hair and causing the crown upon it to dangle precariously off his head.
Rishid fussed, darting about and fixing the headpiece. "You must be ready soon. Your departure is to take place when the sun rises."
"I know," my older brother growled. "I think everything is taken care of, Rishid. You are dismissed."
"Yes, your Highness." Rishid bowed and swam off.
I came into the room, my present tucked under my arm. "It's a big day for you, Ryouji."
"I know it is." He smiled at me. "I feel ridiculous with all of this on though."
"You look wonderful!" I protested, and I did not lie.
The scales of his fin were polished until they gleamed like gems. His long hair had been combed and decorated with strands of golden kelp and ornaments of pearl. A circlet of amber sea lilies and white pearls was wrapped about the gold coronet of the Heir upon his brow. Chains of gold and coral hung around his thin waist, clinking musically as he moved, as well as a thin wrap of transparent, luminous green silk from the Eastern Seas. Bands of gold and gems gleamed at his wrists. About his neck was a single necklace, an emerald the exact shade of his eyes hanging from a gold chain.
He laughed, sitting down and wincing slightly. I then saw five enormous oysters, a mark of his rank as the Heir, clamped down his tail and I also winced, but in sympathy. "Then I thank you, little brother," he said, laughing again.
"Oh, I wanted to give you this, before you went down to the celebration and your swim," I said, shyly giving him the gift I was carrying.
I watched in apprehension as he pulled away the wrappings. A soft smile crossed his face. "Thank you very much for these. You knew I was searching for new ones, ne?" I blushed.
I had presented him with a set of carved dice. Beautifully carved with coral, they gleamed from within their holding box. Each were deposited into specific compartments, marked with what games they could be used for.
"Check the side of the box," I whispered, blushing darker.
He blinked at me, bemused, but obliged. I had painstakingly carved, "With much love, Yuugi" upon one side of the box. His smile widened and warmed.
"I will treasure these always," he said and pulled me into a tight, warm embrace.
I blushed even more. "Happy Birthday," I whispered.
Ryouji pulled away before I gave a clown fish competition in terms of color. "Let me put these somewhere safe." He rose and slowly swam to his desk, opening a drawer and tenderly laying the box within it. I knew for a fact that he only stored very special things within that desk, and he held the dice set and the box dear to him already, despite their simplicity and somewhat childish sentiment.
"Good luck, Onii-san," I said with a smile. "You should be downstairs soon. Everyone is waiting for you."
"Of course," he muttered a touch darkly. But he straightened up, managing to paste a smile on his face. "I do have to appease the fair maids."
I giggled at his mock-heroic face, kissed him on the cheek, and went off.
~*~
I lingered at the front gates of the palace. Many of the others had gone to sleep, after the festivities that had preceded and followed my older brother's journey. I yawned, tired as well, but was resolute to be the first to greet my brother.
To pass the time, I softly sang, the sound carrying through the currents about me,
"Where have you gone, my heart, my love?
To the lonely depths of the sea?
Has a siren caught your heart?
Were we never meant to be?
Return to me, sweet darling,
The ocean is so vast,
In all my years I could search,
Until centuries have past.
Shall I harden my heart, my love?
Let ice stop the hurt
As I wait for you
Forever as I sit here
As I always wait for you."
I stopped for a rest and then I heard a familiar voice calling back an answer to my song,
"I have not left you, my heart, my love,
Not to the lonely depths of the sea,
My heart is only yours,
And yes, we are meant to be.
I am coming to you, my darling,
Although the seas are vast.
You do not have to search for me,
Not like seasons past.
Do not harden your heart, my lovely,
The ice will only imprison you,
You will not have to wait forever,
As I am coming for you."
"Ryouji!" I shouted as he came nearer, looking weary, but exultant. I swam to him and he gathered me in his arms.
"You didn't have to stay waiting for me, you must be tired," he told me, but he seemed pleased.
"But I wanted to!" I protested, stifling a yawn. "I wanted to be the first to see you home."
"All right, all right," he laughed, pulling me closer to him.
"Tell me what you saw!" I demanded immediately.
He grinned. "I knew that there was some ulterior motive. All right. But let me get something to eat and get out of this-" He gestured to himself. "- Then you'll be the first to be treated to my first look at the surface."
~*~
By the time Ryouji had satisfied his hunger and abandoned his finery, we had gathered an audience, clamoring to hear about my eldest brother's trip. Honda and Malik managed to squeeze through the gaggle of simpering mermaids trying to get at my brother.
"Out of the way!" snapped Honda, throwing dignity and etiquette out to the wild currents.
"Can we not have a moment's respite with our own brother?" growled Malik.
After some effort (And much bribery on the part of Ryouji and many threats on Malik's part), the sycophants were shoved out of the room. Finally left with some peace, Ryouji told us what he had encountered on his journey to the surface.
He had gone to where the waters were shallow, near the shore of a human town. Darting under the deep bellies of the ships arriving, he followed them further, closer the world of men.
He told us about the people there, going about on their twin stumps called "legs." Some were dressed in bright scarves and skirts, colorful as the fins of angelfish. Others seemed to just drape their ungainly legs with drab colors: blue, gray, and black. They seemed to be in a hurry, always, their voices calling in gruff, harsh languages.
He told us how he wanted to go closer, but was almost caught by an enormous black beast that howled and growled in warning. At that point, he opted for another seat, a rock some distance out to sea where the statue of a mermaid dwelt. We laughed as he described it to us, saying that it would offend many of the lovely maids in our court because of its sheer ugliness. It was obvious that it was a human who carved such a thing.
I lost myself in his tale, my weariness slowly wrapping about me like a soft mantle. And I dreamed of being in that world, seeing these strange people and conversing with them, to sate my curiosity about him.
~*~
Malik chuckled under his breath as he prepared to leave. "Well, I would ask you to remove these confounded ornaments and oysters," he said, after I asked him for the third time if I could do anything for him. "But you can't and I am not supposed to remove these, so there really isn't any point."
He played with the knife I had given him for his gift, a trinket I had found in the shipwrecks. It was a lovely thing of gold, set with purple stones dark as his scales. He gave his tail a dark look.
"Sorry," I said with a wince, seeing the four oysters upon his tail.
"I can live with it," he shrugged, then he grinned maliciously. "Honda, the narwhale, is going to get his own when he has to be adorned like an enormous doll. And I am going to be there to laugh and remember that moment forever."
I winced again. When Malik sought revenge, he was VERY thorough. "I pity him."
"Don't, because after him, you're next," Ryouji said gravely, coming up.
I jumped. "Ryouji!" My eldest brother had a talent for slipping behind people noiselessly and scaring them out of their wits (much to his wicked delight).
He smiled at me and nodded to Malik. "You look wonderful."
"So says you," grumbled Malik.
His pale gold hair had been combed to a degree of tameness, a gold comb and ropes of pearls within his hair in the suggestion of a coronet. Instead of the usual wreath, a single sea lily was tucked behind his ear, amber and pale petals striking in his pale hair. He had wriggled out of the more formal garb that Ryouji was obliged to wear during his journey to the surface, and he wore the barest minimum of the formal, customary garb as he only wore a few bracelets and bangles of gold upon his arms, a single, thin chain about his waist, and another chain with a violet jewel about his neck, the pendent settling in the hollow of his throat.
"Welcome to my world, brother," said Ryouji, grinning at him. HE, on the other hand, was only clad in his coronet and two bracelets, for on this day, the attention was upon Malik.
"If this it, you can just HAVE it," growled Malik.
~*~
I waited for Malik once again. This time I was prepared, having retrieved his favorite foods. I shivered a little, rubbing my arms. The waters were silent today, in anticipation or in slumber. It was an eerie silence that frightened me. There was almost always the music of the currents to soothe the heart, but today, it was gone.
To pass the time, I started to sing:
"Tell me where you have gone, my darling,
To the deep caverns of the sea?
Or have you gone to find treasure,
Jewels and baubles just for me?
But don't leave me here to wait,
Of all treasures, I want you
Life is ever lonely without my love
Can you say that, too?"
I sighed a little, smiling to myself. Then the currents started to sing, playfully brushing past me and ruffling my hair. A voice joined them.
"I have scoured the oceans,
To find treasures just for you
But I cannot find any
That is as precious as you
It has been many nights
Each moment heavy as lead
For without you at my side,
My heart's light is dead."
Malik slowly came swimming along, looking exultant. I swiftly went to meet him, to go to welcoming arms. I barely noticed people starting to wake; to come and greet him back home, for his solid presence was all that mattered in that moment.
~*~
I sat in rapt awe, as Malik described his journey up to the surface. The waters were filled with enormous mountains of ice, bobbing on the green surface of the water. It was chilly, unlike the comfortable coolness of the water below. The waves were restless, tossing the ice mountains to each other in rough playfulness. Malik rested on one of them, musing to himself as a wind played with his long hair. Off to the distance were human ships, white sails billowing in the biting wind. He had sung to them, guiding them away from the frozen pillars of ice. The surface was beautiful, he said, voice wistful.
The sun was like a pale pearl in the sky, drifting through the gray and white of the sky like the nautilus in her pale vessel. Its light shone down, causing the ice to sparkle like enormous shards of crystal. He had sat there, in serenity and awe, gazing off at the distance. Pelicans and sea terns soared overhead, providing harsh cries in accompaniment to the violent splashing song of the waves. He had remained on his perch of ice, waiting until the pale pearl of the sun had slowly become an amber orb sinking into the narrow line of the horizon. The gray skies had softened the colors the amber ship painted the sky with. As the sun sank down, like some round, great king sinking into a magnificent bed, it left a fiery trail of colors, a tail of blue, gray, amber, orange, and pink splashing over the sky.
"So, essentially, that is what happened," Malik said, brushing back his hair.
"It sounds kind of- bland," Honda said, propping his chin up with his hands. "No offense meant."
"None taken." However, when Honda was least expecting it, Malik cuffed him with his tail.
Ryouji chuckled at the scene, easily grabbing Honda as he rose to retaliate. "It is interesting in its own way," he said casually.
"A diplomatic answer as always, dear brother," Malik said, smiling at Honda with a honeyed smirk.
I broke in before tensions mounted. "I think it was wonderful. It must have been beautiful up there, Malik."
Malik favored me with one of his rare, warm smiles, forgetting about Honda. Then he was acquainted with the floor as Honda shoved him down.
~*~
"You look lovely!" I insisted to Honda.
He glared at me. "I am a male. If you haven't noticed."
"I don't blame him," a voice drawled from the doorway. Malik waited there, a satisfied smirk upon his face.
Honda growled. I sighed a little. Then, widening my eyes to make them vulnerable and innocent, I directed my gaze at Malik. "Malik-niisan? I would like to have a private word with Honda-niisan. Is that all right?" I widened my eyes a bit further, my lower lip trembling slightly.
He tried to look at me, a serious expression on his face, but he finally broke. "All right. How could I ever say no?"
He ruffled my hair fondly, swimming out. I turned to Honda, who looked relieved.
He had not been as silver-tongued as Malik in debating what he would be adorned with. The customary wreath of amber lilies and pearls ringed his head, somehow managing to fit over his crest of hair. He had been bedecked with gold chains, coral, and pearls, which had a somewhat overwhelming effect on him. Honda growled to himself, wincing as his tail twitched and the oysters bit him harder.
"I am not meant to be an angelfish," he said darkly, sitting down and pulling off a few of the chains about his neck. He kept one however, long fingers caressing it fondly. It was like the ones my elder brothers had worn before, but the gem was a sapphire.
"No one expects you to be one," I answered quietly, settling nearby. "You're Honda."
He smiled at me, though it was a sad, faintly bitter expression. I was struck by the loss in his eyes. "Yuugi, you don't know how lucky you are."
I was taken aback. "Why?"
"You have a true place in this family. Ryouji is the oldest, he's the Heir and thus much of the attention is on him. Malik is the handsome one AND he is famed for his friendships with the rays. You're the innocent youngest brother, who everyone would die to protect, simply to hide you from the world and protect you from your own naiveté. Then there's me. Honda, the not particularly special brother, with a crest of hair that defies all laws of nature."
"That isn't true!" I protested. "You have a place in this family. You keep us together. Who else would Malik pick on? Who else would Ryouji go to for help in avoiding admirers? Whom else would I go to when I need someone to help me?"
He smiled slowly, taking my words to heart. "You are right Yuugi, I have been foolish to think that I was alone."
I grasped his hands. "Don't ever think that you are not needed or you will always be alone. We need you as much as you need us. That's why I want you to have this." I gave him my gift.
"A mirror?" He arched an eyebrow.
I blushed a little, but continued my little speech. "It's to remind you that- you are the only person who can define who you are. The mirror only reflects what it is given; it is up to you to define what you give to the mirror. But you can't-or rather shouldn't-be afraid to be yourself, because that is what makes you so special and so integral to so many others and me. Could you remember that?" I looked at him hopefully.
Suddenly, he embraced me, arms wrapped about me tightly. "Of course, Yuugi, of course."
~*~
I was not alone when I waited for Honda to return. Malik and Ryouji had decided to stay out with me, simply for the sake of being out.
"He's our brother," Ryouji said simply, leaning back in his seat.
"And we have every right to hail him home," Malik chimed in. One of his favorite rays, a small one he had named Hoshi, settled nearby him.
I blinked a little. "You just want to tease him, don't you?" I asked innocently.
Malik was caught off guard by the question. "Well- maybe," said Malik, face quickly arranging into an angelic expression.
Ryouji snorted. "You mean yes, Malik."
"Perhaps," he said lightly, though smirking.
I shook my head, starting to hum to myself. In my mind, words started to form. The currents were quiet, like an audience waiting for a concert. A single lantern nearby cast a rosy light in the water, causing the white scales of my tail to glow pale pink.
"Don't be afraid, sweet lover,
to wander the seven seas,
Just as long as you don't forget
That you are bound to me.
Meet the denizens of the deep,
Admire the treasures that you find,
But I will hope that you will return,
If you are that kind."
There was no answer and I gazed out at the waters, almost fearing the worst. Then, Honda's voice answered me.
"I may wander the ocean far
but I will never leave you, for
my heart is yours and yours alone.
So my soul will never leave yours.
I have seen many things in my travels,
Those things beautiful and so odd
But none of them will compare to you
One who is my soul."
"Honda!" I yelped in happiness, pushing off to greet him.
Honda had lost some of his ornaments and looked weary, but otherwise, he was all right. He smiled at me, as my other brothers came to hail him home.
~*~
"I was a bit of an idiot, I'm afraid," sighed Honda, gingerly setting himself down onto a chair after the oysters were removed.
"When are you not?" retorted Malik, watching him from where he was lying on his stomach.
Honda glared. Luckily Ryouji squashed what would have been a squabble by asking Honda about his trip.
Honda, who happened to be rather bold, had not been satisfied in staying in the sea. He had traveled the softer, shallow waters of a river trickling into the ocean. The water was stranger, for there were unfamiliar creatures and plants to contend with, and he was often forced to find alternative routes when his way was blocked.
But it was much warmer and though the song of the river was not as loud as that of the seas, it was as pleasant to listen to. He stopped, seeing children play in the water of the stream. They were able to swim (though not as adeptly as the merpeople) even with their stubby little legs. He watched them play for some time. But he grew careless.
The sun gleamed on his jewels and gold, and a sharp watcher among the children spotted him. He was forced to make a hasty retreat, leaving behind some of his ornaments. Heart pounding in fear, he swam through the weeds of the water, taking the fastest route he could find. He lingered at the mouth of the river, taking another look at the land, and swam home as fast as he could.
There was something dreamy in his tone, as he described the little children, especially one with rich red-brown hair and sparkling gray eyes. I smiled slightly.
"And now it's going to be your turn," Ryouji said, looking at me.
I nodded, nearly wriggling in glee. And it would be most exciting indeed!
~*~
Merry Christmas everyone!
^^
/dances about in glee/
Please review!
This time, candy canes and Starbucks gift cards are up for grabs! So review!!! I'm expecting about twenty or more!
I forgot the disclaimer! *collective gasps*
Ken: [gets shoved out in front of everyone] Hey! [clears throat and says in a monotone] The author does not own any of the characters from Yu-Gi-Oh! or the plot of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson. That is all. [slouches off]
Adrian: Who shoved the stick up his-
Me: [hastily covers his mouth] Not here, you idiot! There could be children reading! Er. he he? [tries to smile, but pathetically fails]
~*~
Chapter One: Of Songs and Stories
"What story do you want this time?" asked Malik, looking at me. He was a master storyteller, and in the evening, when we as brothers gathered to share time as siblings, he was our main source of entertainment.
"About seeing the world above the waves!" I said eagerly.
He laughed. "That one again?"
"Of course, you know that our younger brother is obsessed with humans and the world above," Honda teased, swimming in to join us. He settled beside me on a polished coral bench, ruffling my hair playfully. I batted the hand away, grinning. Malik smiled at the scene, about to begin.
Ryouji then came in through the door. "Sorry," he said apologetically. "Father wanted me to take care of something. Am I late?"
"You're just in time, Ryouji-niisan," I said cheerfully.
"That's good." He settled on my other side, giving me a gentle hug.
"Anyways," Malik said a bit impatiently. "May I continue?"
He took the silence that followed for assent and started the tale. "It has been a tradition for the royal family that when all children reach their fifteenth year that they go up to the surface to see the outside world for the first time. They must do it alone, however, in the full regalia of their rank."
"Which means wearing those damn oysters," Ryouji muttered darkly.
"The oysters are a mark of rank," remonstrated Malik. "With rank comes pain."
"A whole lot of pain," said Honda and I could not help but chortle.
Malik glared at him. "Will you let me continue?"
"Sorry, your HIGHNESS," drawled Honda, bowing. "Do continue with the fascinating tale."
Ryouji cuffed him with a hand. "Quiet, dolt."
I listened in fascination as Malik told us about the people who did not have fins, only odd sticks on which they stood and wobbled about on. They went about the sea on their curious vessels, sometimes catching fish and other creatures. On land, they built great cities, perhaps not as beautiful as ours under the sea, but far more fascinating.
I yawned widely, and tried to stay awake a moment longer, not wanting to miss every word. But his voice slowly lulled me to sleep, as I dreamed of land men and sailing vessels.
~*~
"Ouch!" yelped Ryouji. "Watch where you're putting that thing!"
"My apologies, your highness," came the solemn voice of his servant, Rishid.
I looked in on him with a smile. "Preparing for your first view of the surface?"
"What else?" my eldest brother grumbled, tossing back his black hair and causing the crown upon it to dangle precariously off his head.
Rishid fussed, darting about and fixing the headpiece. "You must be ready soon. Your departure is to take place when the sun rises."
"I know," my older brother growled. "I think everything is taken care of, Rishid. You are dismissed."
"Yes, your Highness." Rishid bowed and swam off.
I came into the room, my present tucked under my arm. "It's a big day for you, Ryouji."
"I know it is." He smiled at me. "I feel ridiculous with all of this on though."
"You look wonderful!" I protested, and I did not lie.
The scales of his fin were polished until they gleamed like gems. His long hair had been combed and decorated with strands of golden kelp and ornaments of pearl. A circlet of amber sea lilies and white pearls was wrapped about the gold coronet of the Heir upon his brow. Chains of gold and coral hung around his thin waist, clinking musically as he moved, as well as a thin wrap of transparent, luminous green silk from the Eastern Seas. Bands of gold and gems gleamed at his wrists. About his neck was a single necklace, an emerald the exact shade of his eyes hanging from a gold chain.
He laughed, sitting down and wincing slightly. I then saw five enormous oysters, a mark of his rank as the Heir, clamped down his tail and I also winced, but in sympathy. "Then I thank you, little brother," he said, laughing again.
"Oh, I wanted to give you this, before you went down to the celebration and your swim," I said, shyly giving him the gift I was carrying.
I watched in apprehension as he pulled away the wrappings. A soft smile crossed his face. "Thank you very much for these. You knew I was searching for new ones, ne?" I blushed.
I had presented him with a set of carved dice. Beautifully carved with coral, they gleamed from within their holding box. Each were deposited into specific compartments, marked with what games they could be used for.
"Check the side of the box," I whispered, blushing darker.
He blinked at me, bemused, but obliged. I had painstakingly carved, "With much love, Yuugi" upon one side of the box. His smile widened and warmed.
"I will treasure these always," he said and pulled me into a tight, warm embrace.
I blushed even more. "Happy Birthday," I whispered.
Ryouji pulled away before I gave a clown fish competition in terms of color. "Let me put these somewhere safe." He rose and slowly swam to his desk, opening a drawer and tenderly laying the box within it. I knew for a fact that he only stored very special things within that desk, and he held the dice set and the box dear to him already, despite their simplicity and somewhat childish sentiment.
"Good luck, Onii-san," I said with a smile. "You should be downstairs soon. Everyone is waiting for you."
"Of course," he muttered a touch darkly. But he straightened up, managing to paste a smile on his face. "I do have to appease the fair maids."
I giggled at his mock-heroic face, kissed him on the cheek, and went off.
~*~
I lingered at the front gates of the palace. Many of the others had gone to sleep, after the festivities that had preceded and followed my older brother's journey. I yawned, tired as well, but was resolute to be the first to greet my brother.
To pass the time, I softly sang, the sound carrying through the currents about me,
"Where have you gone, my heart, my love?
To the lonely depths of the sea?
Has a siren caught your heart?
Were we never meant to be?
Return to me, sweet darling,
The ocean is so vast,
In all my years I could search,
Until centuries have past.
Shall I harden my heart, my love?
Let ice stop the hurt
As I wait for you
Forever as I sit here
As I always wait for you."
I stopped for a rest and then I heard a familiar voice calling back an answer to my song,
"I have not left you, my heart, my love,
Not to the lonely depths of the sea,
My heart is only yours,
And yes, we are meant to be.
I am coming to you, my darling,
Although the seas are vast.
You do not have to search for me,
Not like seasons past.
Do not harden your heart, my lovely,
The ice will only imprison you,
You will not have to wait forever,
As I am coming for you."
"Ryouji!" I shouted as he came nearer, looking weary, but exultant. I swam to him and he gathered me in his arms.
"You didn't have to stay waiting for me, you must be tired," he told me, but he seemed pleased.
"But I wanted to!" I protested, stifling a yawn. "I wanted to be the first to see you home."
"All right, all right," he laughed, pulling me closer to him.
"Tell me what you saw!" I demanded immediately.
He grinned. "I knew that there was some ulterior motive. All right. But let me get something to eat and get out of this-" He gestured to himself. "- Then you'll be the first to be treated to my first look at the surface."
~*~
By the time Ryouji had satisfied his hunger and abandoned his finery, we had gathered an audience, clamoring to hear about my eldest brother's trip. Honda and Malik managed to squeeze through the gaggle of simpering mermaids trying to get at my brother.
"Out of the way!" snapped Honda, throwing dignity and etiquette out to the wild currents.
"Can we not have a moment's respite with our own brother?" growled Malik.
After some effort (And much bribery on the part of Ryouji and many threats on Malik's part), the sycophants were shoved out of the room. Finally left with some peace, Ryouji told us what he had encountered on his journey to the surface.
He had gone to where the waters were shallow, near the shore of a human town. Darting under the deep bellies of the ships arriving, he followed them further, closer the world of men.
He told us about the people there, going about on their twin stumps called "legs." Some were dressed in bright scarves and skirts, colorful as the fins of angelfish. Others seemed to just drape their ungainly legs with drab colors: blue, gray, and black. They seemed to be in a hurry, always, their voices calling in gruff, harsh languages.
He told us how he wanted to go closer, but was almost caught by an enormous black beast that howled and growled in warning. At that point, he opted for another seat, a rock some distance out to sea where the statue of a mermaid dwelt. We laughed as he described it to us, saying that it would offend many of the lovely maids in our court because of its sheer ugliness. It was obvious that it was a human who carved such a thing.
I lost myself in his tale, my weariness slowly wrapping about me like a soft mantle. And I dreamed of being in that world, seeing these strange people and conversing with them, to sate my curiosity about him.
~*~
Malik chuckled under his breath as he prepared to leave. "Well, I would ask you to remove these confounded ornaments and oysters," he said, after I asked him for the third time if I could do anything for him. "But you can't and I am not supposed to remove these, so there really isn't any point."
He played with the knife I had given him for his gift, a trinket I had found in the shipwrecks. It was a lovely thing of gold, set with purple stones dark as his scales. He gave his tail a dark look.
"Sorry," I said with a wince, seeing the four oysters upon his tail.
"I can live with it," he shrugged, then he grinned maliciously. "Honda, the narwhale, is going to get his own when he has to be adorned like an enormous doll. And I am going to be there to laugh and remember that moment forever."
I winced again. When Malik sought revenge, he was VERY thorough. "I pity him."
"Don't, because after him, you're next," Ryouji said gravely, coming up.
I jumped. "Ryouji!" My eldest brother had a talent for slipping behind people noiselessly and scaring them out of their wits (much to his wicked delight).
He smiled at me and nodded to Malik. "You look wonderful."
"So says you," grumbled Malik.
His pale gold hair had been combed to a degree of tameness, a gold comb and ropes of pearls within his hair in the suggestion of a coronet. Instead of the usual wreath, a single sea lily was tucked behind his ear, amber and pale petals striking in his pale hair. He had wriggled out of the more formal garb that Ryouji was obliged to wear during his journey to the surface, and he wore the barest minimum of the formal, customary garb as he only wore a few bracelets and bangles of gold upon his arms, a single, thin chain about his waist, and another chain with a violet jewel about his neck, the pendent settling in the hollow of his throat.
"Welcome to my world, brother," said Ryouji, grinning at him. HE, on the other hand, was only clad in his coronet and two bracelets, for on this day, the attention was upon Malik.
"If this it, you can just HAVE it," growled Malik.
~*~
I waited for Malik once again. This time I was prepared, having retrieved his favorite foods. I shivered a little, rubbing my arms. The waters were silent today, in anticipation or in slumber. It was an eerie silence that frightened me. There was almost always the music of the currents to soothe the heart, but today, it was gone.
To pass the time, I started to sing:
"Tell me where you have gone, my darling,
To the deep caverns of the sea?
Or have you gone to find treasure,
Jewels and baubles just for me?
But don't leave me here to wait,
Of all treasures, I want you
Life is ever lonely without my love
Can you say that, too?"
I sighed a little, smiling to myself. Then the currents started to sing, playfully brushing past me and ruffling my hair. A voice joined them.
"I have scoured the oceans,
To find treasures just for you
But I cannot find any
That is as precious as you
It has been many nights
Each moment heavy as lead
For without you at my side,
My heart's light is dead."
Malik slowly came swimming along, looking exultant. I swiftly went to meet him, to go to welcoming arms. I barely noticed people starting to wake; to come and greet him back home, for his solid presence was all that mattered in that moment.
~*~
I sat in rapt awe, as Malik described his journey up to the surface. The waters were filled with enormous mountains of ice, bobbing on the green surface of the water. It was chilly, unlike the comfortable coolness of the water below. The waves were restless, tossing the ice mountains to each other in rough playfulness. Malik rested on one of them, musing to himself as a wind played with his long hair. Off to the distance were human ships, white sails billowing in the biting wind. He had sung to them, guiding them away from the frozen pillars of ice. The surface was beautiful, he said, voice wistful.
The sun was like a pale pearl in the sky, drifting through the gray and white of the sky like the nautilus in her pale vessel. Its light shone down, causing the ice to sparkle like enormous shards of crystal. He had sat there, in serenity and awe, gazing off at the distance. Pelicans and sea terns soared overhead, providing harsh cries in accompaniment to the violent splashing song of the waves. He had remained on his perch of ice, waiting until the pale pearl of the sun had slowly become an amber orb sinking into the narrow line of the horizon. The gray skies had softened the colors the amber ship painted the sky with. As the sun sank down, like some round, great king sinking into a magnificent bed, it left a fiery trail of colors, a tail of blue, gray, amber, orange, and pink splashing over the sky.
"So, essentially, that is what happened," Malik said, brushing back his hair.
"It sounds kind of- bland," Honda said, propping his chin up with his hands. "No offense meant."
"None taken." However, when Honda was least expecting it, Malik cuffed him with his tail.
Ryouji chuckled at the scene, easily grabbing Honda as he rose to retaliate. "It is interesting in its own way," he said casually.
"A diplomatic answer as always, dear brother," Malik said, smiling at Honda with a honeyed smirk.
I broke in before tensions mounted. "I think it was wonderful. It must have been beautiful up there, Malik."
Malik favored me with one of his rare, warm smiles, forgetting about Honda. Then he was acquainted with the floor as Honda shoved him down.
~*~
"You look lovely!" I insisted to Honda.
He glared at me. "I am a male. If you haven't noticed."
"I don't blame him," a voice drawled from the doorway. Malik waited there, a satisfied smirk upon his face.
Honda growled. I sighed a little. Then, widening my eyes to make them vulnerable and innocent, I directed my gaze at Malik. "Malik-niisan? I would like to have a private word with Honda-niisan. Is that all right?" I widened my eyes a bit further, my lower lip trembling slightly.
He tried to look at me, a serious expression on his face, but he finally broke. "All right. How could I ever say no?"
He ruffled my hair fondly, swimming out. I turned to Honda, who looked relieved.
He had not been as silver-tongued as Malik in debating what he would be adorned with. The customary wreath of amber lilies and pearls ringed his head, somehow managing to fit over his crest of hair. He had been bedecked with gold chains, coral, and pearls, which had a somewhat overwhelming effect on him. Honda growled to himself, wincing as his tail twitched and the oysters bit him harder.
"I am not meant to be an angelfish," he said darkly, sitting down and pulling off a few of the chains about his neck. He kept one however, long fingers caressing it fondly. It was like the ones my elder brothers had worn before, but the gem was a sapphire.
"No one expects you to be one," I answered quietly, settling nearby. "You're Honda."
He smiled at me, though it was a sad, faintly bitter expression. I was struck by the loss in his eyes. "Yuugi, you don't know how lucky you are."
I was taken aback. "Why?"
"You have a true place in this family. Ryouji is the oldest, he's the Heir and thus much of the attention is on him. Malik is the handsome one AND he is famed for his friendships with the rays. You're the innocent youngest brother, who everyone would die to protect, simply to hide you from the world and protect you from your own naiveté. Then there's me. Honda, the not particularly special brother, with a crest of hair that defies all laws of nature."
"That isn't true!" I protested. "You have a place in this family. You keep us together. Who else would Malik pick on? Who else would Ryouji go to for help in avoiding admirers? Whom else would I go to when I need someone to help me?"
He smiled slowly, taking my words to heart. "You are right Yuugi, I have been foolish to think that I was alone."
I grasped his hands. "Don't ever think that you are not needed or you will always be alone. We need you as much as you need us. That's why I want you to have this." I gave him my gift.
"A mirror?" He arched an eyebrow.
I blushed a little, but continued my little speech. "It's to remind you that- you are the only person who can define who you are. The mirror only reflects what it is given; it is up to you to define what you give to the mirror. But you can't-or rather shouldn't-be afraid to be yourself, because that is what makes you so special and so integral to so many others and me. Could you remember that?" I looked at him hopefully.
Suddenly, he embraced me, arms wrapped about me tightly. "Of course, Yuugi, of course."
~*~
I was not alone when I waited for Honda to return. Malik and Ryouji had decided to stay out with me, simply for the sake of being out.
"He's our brother," Ryouji said simply, leaning back in his seat.
"And we have every right to hail him home," Malik chimed in. One of his favorite rays, a small one he had named Hoshi, settled nearby him.
I blinked a little. "You just want to tease him, don't you?" I asked innocently.
Malik was caught off guard by the question. "Well- maybe," said Malik, face quickly arranging into an angelic expression.
Ryouji snorted. "You mean yes, Malik."
"Perhaps," he said lightly, though smirking.
I shook my head, starting to hum to myself. In my mind, words started to form. The currents were quiet, like an audience waiting for a concert. A single lantern nearby cast a rosy light in the water, causing the white scales of my tail to glow pale pink.
"Don't be afraid, sweet lover,
to wander the seven seas,
Just as long as you don't forget
That you are bound to me.
Meet the denizens of the deep,
Admire the treasures that you find,
But I will hope that you will return,
If you are that kind."
There was no answer and I gazed out at the waters, almost fearing the worst. Then, Honda's voice answered me.
"I may wander the ocean far
but I will never leave you, for
my heart is yours and yours alone.
So my soul will never leave yours.
I have seen many things in my travels,
Those things beautiful and so odd
But none of them will compare to you
One who is my soul."
"Honda!" I yelped in happiness, pushing off to greet him.
Honda had lost some of his ornaments and looked weary, but otherwise, he was all right. He smiled at me, as my other brothers came to hail him home.
~*~
"I was a bit of an idiot, I'm afraid," sighed Honda, gingerly setting himself down onto a chair after the oysters were removed.
"When are you not?" retorted Malik, watching him from where he was lying on his stomach.
Honda glared. Luckily Ryouji squashed what would have been a squabble by asking Honda about his trip.
Honda, who happened to be rather bold, had not been satisfied in staying in the sea. He had traveled the softer, shallow waters of a river trickling into the ocean. The water was stranger, for there were unfamiliar creatures and plants to contend with, and he was often forced to find alternative routes when his way was blocked.
But it was much warmer and though the song of the river was not as loud as that of the seas, it was as pleasant to listen to. He stopped, seeing children play in the water of the stream. They were able to swim (though not as adeptly as the merpeople) even with their stubby little legs. He watched them play for some time. But he grew careless.
The sun gleamed on his jewels and gold, and a sharp watcher among the children spotted him. He was forced to make a hasty retreat, leaving behind some of his ornaments. Heart pounding in fear, he swam through the weeds of the water, taking the fastest route he could find. He lingered at the mouth of the river, taking another look at the land, and swam home as fast as he could.
There was something dreamy in his tone, as he described the little children, especially one with rich red-brown hair and sparkling gray eyes. I smiled slightly.
"And now it's going to be your turn," Ryouji said, looking at me.
I nodded, nearly wriggling in glee. And it would be most exciting indeed!
~*~
Merry Christmas everyone!
^^
/dances about in glee/
Please review!
This time, candy canes and Starbucks gift cards are up for grabs! So review!!! I'm expecting about twenty or more!