I've really been neglecting this story. Last week of classes is coming and one my classes assigned a take home test of the essay variety so I've been putting in a lot of work on it. But, a little additions to it tomorrow night and it's finished. Anyway, I'll try to update during winter break.

Chapter Three- Shadow Magic

Jou swam to the shore, grabbed his clothes, and hastily threw them on before heading for the palace. He needed to talk to Yami. He had a brillant idea. Deep down, he knew Seto was falling for him and he wanted to make that love possible. Hopefully, Yami knew how to make it happen.

He knocked on the palace doors and was greeted by a servant who led him to the princes' room, where he left Jou alone. He knocked twice, paused, then knocked a third time- Yugi's and his special signal. He opened the door and blinked when he saw the dark void of the Shadow Realm before him.

"I guess Yug wasn't kidding when he said he was going to teach Yami how to play a Shadow Game."

Knowing both boys were in the Realm, Jou entered the portal. Various sounds came from all around him. The voices of the Shadow Monsters. To a novice it would be scary, all alone hearing those voices. But, Jou was an experienced Shadow Duelist. Summoning his growing power, he called his favorite monster, Flame Swordsman to his side before continuing on.

"All right. Now, try to bring back a monster that was destroyed earlier."

"Any monster?"

"Right. Even the ones I summoned."

Those were Yugi's and Yami's voices. Rushing forward, Jou saw the two teens in the midst of a tutoring duel.

Yami, his brow furrowed in concentration, had Earth-based Big Shield Gardna in defense mode before him. Yugi stood across from him with Dark-based Dark Magician Girl in attack mode in front of him.

"I choose the spell Monster Reborn. Return to the field...Dark Magician!"

'Whoa! Yug's favorite monster!'

"Good call, Yami. My Dark Magician Girl loses the three hundred point boost she had."

"Yes, I remembered that. Go, Dark Magician, attack Dark Magician Girl." There was a blast of dark magic and the girl magician was no more.

"Okay! That's enough for today. You've learned one more spell to add to your list."

Big Shield Gardna vanished, but Dark Magician remained as the two turned and saw Jou there.

"Hey, Jou. How did your swim go?" Yugi inquired.

"It was interesting. Actually, I need to talk with you, Yami."

"What is it?"

"Is there a way for a human to become a merperson while only in the ocean?"

"I'm afraid not. Why do you ask?"

"I met a merman about my age and-"

"You fell in love with him."

"Exactly."

"Who is he?"

"Seto."

"Seto? As in Seto Kaiba?"

"I don't know if his last name is Kaiba. He has blue eyes, brown hair, and a beautiful white tail."

"That's the same one. Why would you fall for someone like him? He only cares about power."

"He seemed more interested in my life."

"Hmm. It is possible that he's changing."

"You really care for him, huh Jou?" Yugi asked.

"Uh-huh."

"I think I know how to make it happen."

"Wait. We're not talking about another item set like the puzzles, are we?"

"Nope. Shadow Magic. Dark Magician, is there a monster that can do what Jou asked earlier?"

"Only one. The Cure Mermaid," the magician answered.

Nodding, Yugi called, "Cure Mermaid, appear!"

A blond girl with a red tail appeared on Yugi's left and bowed to the prince. "How may I be of service, your highness?"

"My friend, Jou, wishes to be a merman, but only in the ocean."

"And if you can," Jou cut in. "Can you give my friend Seto the ability to be human when he touches dry land?"

The mermaid smiled. "Of course I can." She began to chant a spell in an ancient language Jou didn't understand. What he did see was the girl's right index finger emitting a light blue glow. She moved the finger forward and tapped Jou's own right index finger with it.

"The spell I chanted was for your changes. The light is for Seto's. Simply touch his finger the way I did yours."

"Cool. But, how would I change back?"

"The same way you wished for Seto to change."

Jou was excited. He wanted to find Seto right away, but was unsure where in the ocean he lived. "Yami, do you know how I can find Seto?"

"I believe he's still staying at my father's palace. Stick to the shore and go south about four adult humpback whale lengths."

"Thanks," Jou sprinted out of the Shadow Realm, the Flame Swordsman heading back to where he was when Jou summoned him.

"Uh, Yami. Do you realize that Jou doesn't know how long a humpback whale is?"

Yami blushed. "Oops."

Both boys were silent for a time and then their eyes widened simultaneously at what Jou had wished for.

"Jou must be crazy to ask for such a thing," Yugi stated.

"And you weren't when you made your wish?" Yami teased.

"Sure I was. I was crazy about you."

"And I about you," Yami added as he and Yugi shared a brief kiss before leaving the Shadow Realm.

Awww! Isn't that sweet? Yami and Yugi kissing. How will Seto react when Jou reveals his surprise? Stay tuned.