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Two Worlds, One Love

Chapter 6 – Help from below

Crusty was hopping up and down on the rock in a complete frantic state. "What are we gonna do, what are we gonna, WHAT ARE GONNA DO!"

"Calm down"

"Calm down? CALM DOWN! Our prince is being held prisoner by a human and you want me to calm down!"

Pearl just shook her head and turned to the huge building a little in land where Horo had been taken. She was worried sick as well but didn't know how to express it. Anyway she didn't have to be as worried as Crusty because as soon as the king found out, well, he was in for a hard time. And what about his sister? She'd have a fit.

"Hello down there!"

Looking up they saw a white thing fly towards them and land gently on the soft sand.

"Feathers! You're OK!" beamed the fish.

"Yeah, I fell in the sea but managed to fly back out. I couldn't find you guys though…what's up with him?"

Crusty was now chewing on his own claws and breathing heavily. Pearl explained to the seagull what had happened.

"Oh boy, is he going to be in trouble when he gets home"

"If he gets home" she corrected. Suddenly an idea popped in her head. "I could fetch Yoh; he knows a lot more about humans than we do. Maybe he could help get Horo back"

"NO!" Crusty grabbed her face in his claws. "If anyone finds out about this we're all dead! Dead I tell you!"

She shook free of his grasp. "Well right now we don't have any other options"

"And who is this Yoh exactly?" asked the bird.

"He's our friend too. He has a lot of knowledge about humans and does some magic" she explained.

"I see, so my tellings on them aren't good enough eh?"

"No it's not like that it's just…"

"Will you quit arguing! We have to get him out of there!" Crusty seemed to be getting more panicky than before if that was even possible. Pearl had another thought.

"We'll have to Pilika"

"No way! She'd get her father involved and then…AAAA!" He started crying out loud, placing his claws on his head.

"Well I'm telling her anyway"

"What about me?"

"You fly up to that building and find out exactly where about he's being held"

"Aye, aye captain!" Feathers fluttered his wings and flew off to the mansion.

"Come on Crusty"

"Listen fish you don't have to worry about being turned in seaweed mush when this gets out. No way am I going back there without Horo"

"But we've already been gone for the whole night; His Highness has probably got the guards out looking for him"

"No!"

"Fine, stay here and become crab sticks for a human meal, I don't care"

She dove under and left the green crab standing alone on the rock. After a few minutes (along with worried thoughts of becoming crab food) he changed his mind and followed her back to the kingdom.

Wiping his eyes he looked up to find Ren had still not returned. Maybe he was really mad with him. He'd lost track of time but knew at least it was hours since he'd woken up in this, swimming pool Ren called it.

He let go of his tail propped himself upright. Slowly emerging into the air he looked around to find the room empty. Looking through the glass ceiling he saw the sun shining brightly meaning it was afternoon at least. Maybe he could try escaping, it would be real hard but it was worth a try. Going to the edge he grasped on and pulled himself out. The floor was rough but the air was pretty warm.

He pulled himself over to one of the huge windows and looked outside. He smiled when he saw the glistening sea not too far off. But the problem was there was no way he could go out in broad daylight, it was close but not close enough so he wouldn't be seen or caught. He jumped when something plonked right in front of him on the other side of the glass.

"Prince Horo!"

"Feathers! How'd you find me?" He was well chuffed at seeing a familiar face.

"Pearl told me what happened. Are you OK?" He nodded towards the bandages around his body.

"I'm fine. Where are they now?"

"Gone for help"

"What about Father?"

"Don't think the king knows yet"

"Good, keep it that way. How do I get through this?" He placed his hands on the glass and examined it.

"You need to open it but I'm not sure how" He only noticed that the merman was lying on the floor. "Why aren't you in water?"

"Never mind that just get me out"

"But you're safer in water…"

"Just get me out of here!" He was starting to get annoyed. They checked it over several times but couldn't find how to open it. Frustration took over and he banged on it in a temper.

"Do you mind not trying to break my window?"

He turned around and saw Ren looking down at him. Feathers flew off while Horo pulled himself away. "I told you before, I won't hurt you" He sat down in front and just looked at him.

"How do I know that?"

"Am I doing anything now? Why are you out of the pool isn't it hard to move?"

"Yes, but if you won't take me home I'll take myself home"

"Good luck getting past my security then"

Horo just stared. Security, did he have guards as well? He finally noticed something on his face – the scar he'd got the night before. "Does your face hurt?"

Looking a bit confused Ren reached up and felt his cheek. "Oh, that. Not really, it did at the time. I'll need to change your bandages" He left for a couple of minutes before coming back with a strange red and green box. He took off the old ones and took out a strange brown bottle. "I have to put this stuff on it to stop it getting infected. It may hurt a lot"

Reaching up and using a cloth he dabbed the clear liquid on the wounds. Horo hissed and slapped his hand away. "I have to do it" Giving him a few glares he finally let him clean up the broken skin. When he'd finished he carefully put clean bandages on. His hands were so soft and gentle and Horo swore he felt heat coming from his cheeks.

When he was done Horo mumbled a quiet thanks. He noticed Ren could stop staring at his tail. He laughed to himself.

"What's so funny?"

"It's like you've never seen a tail before"

"Well, I haven't. Can I touch it?" Horo nodded. Reaching out Ren gently stroked the scales, the blue changing different shades as they were moved. The prince found it ticklish and laughed quietly. Catching on as to why he was laughing Ren continued but did it a little harder and quicker. Horo laughed out loud and flapped his tail on the ground to get him to stop.

"Stop! Please!" He calmed down when the other did as he was told.

"Now I know your weak spot" he smiled.

"Unfortunately"

They stared at each other for a bit before Horo broke it. "Do the other humans know I'm here?"

"No, I snuck you in. They never come in here anyway, I don't let them"

"Why?"

"I sometimes come in here for peace. Usually I go to my room but that gets boring after a while"

They continued like this, talking about each other's worlds and how they lived. Horo left out the part about being royalty, fearing Ren would no longer want to be his friend.

Suddenly a couple of bangs were heard along with footsteps. Ren stood up. "Someone's coming"

"I thought no one came in here?"

"So did I. Quick hide!"

Dragging himself along he slipped lightly into the pool in hid in a shadowed corner. Sitting sideways, tail bent towards his body he watched another human approach the pool. He wore strange green garments and had green hair. Ren's reflection came into view and approached the other. He couldn't make out what they were saying and could only watch in silence.

"Hiding are we?"

"I can go anywhere I want in my own house Lyserg"

Eye up the first aid box across by the window he hummed in question. "What's with the box then?"

"Are you blind?" He indicated towards the scar on his cheek.

"But why come in here?"

"Because the light's better in here and I don't think you have a right to question what I do in my own home. I thought I told you to stay out of here?"

"Oops, must have slipped my mind" he smirked.

"Out. Now" Lyserg turned to leave but caught sight of the pool. The water had been disturbed and was just relaxing now. He turned to the smaller male and smiled before leaving. Afterwards Ren ran to the side and bent down. Horo slowly came up.

"Is he gone?"

"Yeah, but I think he's suspecting something's going on. I have to get you somewhere safe"

"How about back where I belong?"

"I said no, you're still too weak"

"I'm fine"

"Is that why you run out of breath easily?"

It was true; he was still finding it hard to breathe properly. He looked away and sighed heavily. He hated it when he was outsmarted. "Well then where can I hide? I need to be in water"

"I'm not sure…" He couldn't think of anywhere else but the sea and that wasn't about to be an option. "You'll just have to stay here until I find somewhere else for you"

Horo nodded. There wasn't a big rush, he hadn't been found…yet.

"P-peeeaarl, s-low dddown!" Crusty had a hold of the sliver tail and was being flapped back and forth as she sped back to the palace. She refused to stop until she reached Pilika's room. Swimming though the window she found the room to be empty.

"Where is she?" She ignored the bright green crab that floated to the ground and swam through the corridors searching every room. Pearl near jumped out of her scales when a voice boomed from behind her.

"WHERE IS HE?"

Pilika's face was bright red and she didn't look too happy. Her red, puffy eyes suggested she'd been crying. "Where's my brother?"

"OK, before you hurt me just listen…" She explained the whole situation and watched her face relax before she looked at the ground sadly. "I don't know if he's OK but, knowing him, I'm sure he's fine"

"So you're telling me he's injured and is being held prisoner by a human?"

Pearl nodded. The mermaid floated gently down and sat on the ground. "Feathers is looking for him as we speak"

"The seagull you guys always see?"

"Yeah, don't worry he's good at finding things. Can I ask where all the guards are…and your father?"

"They left a couple of hours ago to search for him. I better go them and tell them where…"

"No, you know what the king's like"

"I guess, he'd throw a bigger fit than what I just threw. So, what can we do? We have to get him out somehow"

"We need to get Yoh, I'm sure he'd be able to help"

"You're right lets go"

They swam off, unaware that they're conversation had been heard by a shadowy figure. He laughed to himself. "So the prince is in a spot of trouble eh? Maybe I could, lend a tentacle" He stroked one of his may black arms with his hand and smirked as a plan formed in his head. All he had to do was get to his twin first.