Sorry guys! I kinda spilt tea on the keyboard and broke it so I couldn't update. But I've bought a new one! It only cost me twenty five frickin pound.

I'm warning you all now that I won't be updating any more of my fics until I've done the last few chapters of 'The Horse Whisperer' Sorry, but it really needs to be finished.

Two worlds, One Love

Chapter 9 – Friends to the rescue!

It had been at least a few hours since the green haired human had beaten him. Horo hadn't moved from his spot in the corner since then, his tail hurt too much. Humans didn't understand how delicate their tails were; then again he didn't expect them to.

He moved his hand and looked at the large mark that had been left; a nice light blue bruise. If he got back that would be a hard job to hide from his father. What did that boy mean about getting close to Ren? He just didn't get it.

Rubbing his tail once more he sighed. He wanted to go home more than ever now. He wanted to see his sister; his friends…even his father. He didn't care about the fact he may get confined in his room for days he just, wanted to go home.

Suddenly he sensed something, a change in the water. It was coming from above. Sure enough he looked up and something was patting about on the surface. He narrowed his eyes and recognised the reflection above. He slowly stretched out his tail and winced when it began to throb again but he was determined to move.

Pushing himself up he made his way to the surface and pocked his head through. But he was in the middle of the pool; he wasn't sure if these creatures could be trusted. "You splashed on the water…"

"Better than a book"

Horo uneasily looked about. That evil one could be nearby and waiting to pounce on him again. Ren was confused; why was he looking so scared?

"Are you all right?"

Horo looked at him. He had changed his clothes and a towel was around his shoulders. His hair was still damp and hung down each side of his face like a pulled back curtain because there was no spike. "Uh, yeah…I'm fine" He bit his lip so he wouldn't cry out at the pain he was feeling.

"Why won't you come and see me?"

"I'd, like to stay over here"

"Why? You're still no scared of me are you?"

"No! No, it's not that. I just, feel better over here"

But the human wasn't stupid. Horo was having trouble staying above the water and he looked pale. "What's wrong with you're tail?"

"Uh, what?"

"You heard"

Horo gulped. Was he that obvious? "Nothing, I told you I'm fine. What's with all the questions?"

"Because you can hardly float and it took you ages to appear"

He got him on that one. Sighing he swam over and held onto the edge but he refused to look at the little one sitting in front of him. "Someone else, knows I'm here"

It took a couple of minutes for him to reply. "What do you mean?"

The merman slowly pulled himself up and winced as his tail banged against the side. He was about to slip back in when arms encircled around him and pulled him up. He sat on the side and held the sore part of his tail.

"Horo what's wrong? What's the matter with you're tail?"

"He doesn't like me" The younger male was confused.

"Who? Who knows you're here?"

Horo moved his hands and showed the discoloured scales. "We're very fragile. It's extremely serious if our tails are damaged because we can't escape predators"

"Who hurt you?" Ren was starting to worry. Not only had Horo's cover been blown someone had hurt him as well. He felt…angry about it.

"Some boy, with green hair and hatful green eyes"

"Lyserg" He hissed the name as if it was poison. "I'm gonna kill him!" He stood up and made to leave.

"No!" Horo reached over and grabbed his trousers leg but cried out when the scales moved. Ren knelt back down and gently rubbed the bruise.

"Sorry! Sorry!" He watched Horo relax before speaking again. "Why don't you want me to go?"

"Don't let him know you've found out. It might make things worse"

"But why did he hurt you? Didn't you hear him coming and hide?"

Horo shook his head. "I was lost in thought and he sneaked up on me. I tried to get away but he dragged me away from the water"

Ren continued to rub the damaged scales and noticed Horo's eyes slowly close. He let out a small smile. "Does that feel better?"

Horo just nodded, he was too relaxed to say anything. Suddenly a loud bang was heard and they looked round the see Lyserg and the two girls behind him. In a flash Horo was back in the pool. Ren stared up at them looking very guilty.

"Told you it was true" he smirked. He was given an evil glare before his sister spoke.

"Explain, now"

Pilika held onto the rock and stared up at the mansion that was perched nicely on top of a cliff. She gulped. "He's up there?"

"Talked to him through the window myself" They found Feathers sitting on the rock waiting for them as they appeared. Pearl looked at her friend's sad face. The young princess sighed and turned to Crusty.

"Crusty, I love you"

"I love you too…wait a minute"

He looked up to see her giving him puppy eyes. Why did everyone use them against him? "Oh no! No way am I going up there! Do you know what they do to crabs?"

"Crusty please, my brother really needs you. And it's like you're going on your own. Feathers is going as well"

"I am?"

"Yes, you are"

He gulped at the forceful tone in her voice before grinning and flying off.

"But Miss Pilika, what if we get caught?"

"Then it was nice knowing you" She patted his shell a few times before diving into the ocean with Pearl.

"WHAT! Do I mean nothing to you?"

She popped up again. "Pretty much" She loved winding him up and smirked when he cried loudly.

"What did I do to make you hate me!"

"You lost my brother and I will love you again when you get him back. Pearl and I will be waiting near the shore for you."

"But how are we going to get him from up there to down here?"

"You figure it out" The fish and mermaid disappeared under the waves leaving Crusty to head for the beach muttering about never being able to have a normal day.

Feathers landed by the window where he last talked to Horo. He frowned when he saw four humans all standing by the pool. They were all talking and the other three didn't seem too pleased by what the smaller one was saying to them. After a good five to ten minutes the two girls left leaving the two boys alone.

He looked all around the window trying to find a way in. Then an idea came into his usually empty head. All he had to do was get Crusty up here quick.

Lyserg approached the smaller male who refused to look at him.

"It's not nice to keep secrets from people"

"Why did you hurt him?"

"Why not?"

"You fucking hurt him!" He glanced up and angrily looked him in the eyes. "He's got bruises where you hurt him"

"You talk as if he's human"

"He's just like one!"

"He's a fish, a pathetic fish that needs to be taught to watch his mouth"

"You're an asshole!"

Suddenly Ren was knocked to the ground as Lyserg landed a punch to his face. He pushed himself up onto his knees and held his now throbbing cheek.

"Never talk to me like that, ever"

Before he even had time to think he felt hands grab his ankles and pull him so he also fell flat on his face. Ren turned to see Horo drag Lyserg into the pool and both of them disappear under the water. He crawled to the edge but couldn't see anything.

After what seemed like forever Horo emerged with an unconscious Lyserg in his arms. He pushed him up onto the side and looked at him.

"No one hurts my friends"

"What did you do to him?"

"Just knocked him out"

He reached up and moved Ren's hand and examined his now red and purple cheek. He gently placed his own hand over the damaged skin. "He must really be heartless to hurt you like that" Not knowing what to say Ren just started at the ground. A loud bang brought their attention towards the other side of the large room.

"There's a bird stuck on my window"

"Feathers!"

Horo smiled at the white seagull that was now stuck flat out on the glass. He dived into the pool while Ren ran around. "You know this bird?"

"He's my friend. He's not very intelligent"

"I can see that" he said as the bird slid down the window into a heap on the ground.

"Feathers get up!"

The bird jumped up and yelped. "What was that for?"

"For trying to suffocate me in your unwashed feathers!"

"Crusty?"

The crab looked up and smiled at the face before him. "AAA! My prince are you all right?"

Ren looked a bit confused. "Did he saw prince?"

"Ah, that's just a nickname. He's not right in the head either"

"Excuse me? I think you're the one who's…" He was silenced by Feathers' wing over his mouth.

"How do we get you out?"

"Hold it!" They all looked at the human. "Can I just say something, animals are not supposed to talk"

"Well these ones do. Crusty, what are doing up here?"

Feathers cried out again as Crusty pinched him once more. "What do you mean what am I doing here? Getting you away from these humans that's what!"

"What's wrong with me?" Ren spat.

"Don't argue with the crab, you won't win"

"We're not the only ones too. Pearl and Pilika are waiting down by the shore"

Horo's eyes widened at the bird. "My sister is at the surface! She shouldn't be here; it's too dangerous for her!"

"Do you not think I've tried to stop her?" announced the green crab.

"If it helps there's not a lot of people by the beach at this time. I should know, I go there by myself quite a lot"

Horo turned to Ren. "Are you sure?"

"Positive"

"Don't trust him! He's a human!" Crusty pointed a pincer at the small boy.

"Watch it or I might just decided to have crab stew for dinner"

"Will you two shut up! I have to get to my sister somehow"

They were silent for a few moments before Feathers spoke up. "Hey Ren, you have some sort of wagon don't you?"

"You mean the horse-drawn one?"

"Yeah, does it work?"

"Sure, why?"

"Horo's going for a ride!"