Author's Note: I'm so sorry. This is not only late, but horrible. I'm so tired now. Let's just say school sucks. And I suck. See, I wanted to update this sooner, but my goal for every chapter is to be AT LEAST 3,000 words long. I know as a reader how stressing it is to be so into a story but when it updates it's been weeks and you only have a few paragraphs to go on (as good as it is) so... here you go. Don't punish me too harshly. If I wrote anything stupid, well... forgive me. Haha, I apologize too much, not to mention talk. I'm going to sleep.
ALSO. I wanted to apologize ahead of time for Koyuki's and Natsumi's interaction. I'll fix it when I can actually write more-or-less realistic girl-to-girl conversations... I'm tired... Enjoy.

HOW DARE THEY TAKE FUYUKI AWAY!

Momoka was just boiling. She knew she should have put on that tracking device when she had the chance!

Aki was worried- they all were.

"Ugh, they were supposed to get us, not him!" Natsumi growled. "How the heck did that happen?!"

"Maybe the sea urchins knew," Koyuki said, her face growing serious. "If that's the case, then how are we supposed to find him?"

Natsumi rubbed the base of her neck, but then stopped when she felt the unfamiliar texture of a metal device.

….That's it.

"Momoka?" Natsumi had to make sure she was right. "How many of these tracking devices did you have?"

"Just two- for you and Koyuki. Why?"

Perfect!

"I think he may have it with him," Natsumi affirmed. "If we can catch his signal, we'll be able to find him and most likely, Devon and Rio."

"May I introduce- your queen."

There were shouts, complaints, fist shakes and wolf whistles as the veiled person walked toward them. She (he supposed it was a she) carried a more Pekoponian-like air, unlike her loyal subjects. She was thin and slightly taller than the others, with a long, more graceful walk as she faced her "adoring" public.

When she rose a single hand, the men paused, not out of respect, but out of sheer curiosity of what this crazy woman wanted to say. When silence was given, she pulled down her veil.

Wow.

There were approved comments, whispers, and wolf calls that wavered through the audience as the queen smiled down at the group of potential bridegrooms.
Giroro leaned back slightly- she didn't look that bad for a fish person. A heart shaped, dark skinned face, large, turquoise blue eyes, full, red lips, black hair that curled around the small of her back. Pretty, but she paled in comparison to Natsumi.

Maybe so, but she's still… wow. Why wasn't I invited to the party?!

"Hello!" She called down, taking in the gawking stares she received from most of the group. "My name is Queen Vivianne, and I rule over the Ningyo." She stopped to gaze at each one by her sides, who nodded for her to continue. "My late husband passed away a few months ago… and if you haven't read the pamphlet, then you don't realize that I am in search of a new king."

Giroro and Dororo both winced when they heard the crew howl with wild frenzy, jumping up and down in disgusting excitement.

"This is preposterous," Dororo muttered. "Marrying someone you only just met… not to mention forcing them…"

Giroro looked around the boys. While the majority seemed more than enthusiastic to accept the role, some were just as shocked as they were, while others turned red with rage.

Curses and whines filled the air-

"But I don't wanna get married!"

"No! My mom will kill me!"

"Are you kidding me? Do you have any idea how wrong this is?!"

"I have a girlfriend you know!"

"Chopsticks are for eating!"

Giroro swallowed slightly, waiting for the queen to respond to any unanswered questions. She did not disappoint.

"I will choose you upon whether or not I like you," She said, hands resting on the balcony. "It may take a few hours to choose among all of you, or it may take a few days. Still, I hope you don't mind the wait."

Complaints rose again, but they stopped when she raised her hand. "Quiet. If you don't cooperate, we'll kill you. And don't think I won't carry out that threat." Her eyes flashed slightly, showing her pride and downright aggression. "I want this to end as quickly as you do, so please spare me the executions and just go along with this. And if I do pick you, than lucky you. You will be my husband, our king. As for the rest of you, well… we'll let you go. So is that a deal?"

Murmurs and mutterings wafted through the room again; the queen simply turned and left, the Ningyo following her close behind.

Giroro glanced at Dororo, who bit his lower lip.

"What are the odds that she'll choose us?" Dororo asked, obviously trying to stay optimistic.

Giroro took a deep breath, leaned against the stone wall, and slid downwards, sitting. "Small. Slight. There are plenty of other guys here."

"You're right."

"Yeah…"

"Sarge…. I'm really starting to feel…. Really, really bad…"

"Ughh, I knoooooow. I almost wish that they would start cooking us now!"

There was a still silence.

"Okay, okay, I was JOKING! I don't want to get cooked at ALL. Emphasis on at ALL."

More silence.

"Mois?"

No answer.

"I think Mois passed out."

"…Ku-ku-ku-ku~"

"Op. There goes Tamama. Looks like it's just you and me, Kururu."

Keroro hung there, upside down, in the inky blackness, with nothing but a pale glow for light.

"….You're not going to talk to me, are you?"

"Fuyuki?"

"I think he's waking up. Fuyuki…"

His eyes fluttered open, and he breathed deeply, coughing, spewing out salt water that was trapped momentarily in his throat.

Giroro and Dororo sat near him, patiently waiting for him to finish.

"What happened?" Fuyuki managed to choke out.

"Well. Um. Let's see. How to explain…"

"Just give him the pamphlet." Giroro snatched the crumbled piece of paper in Dororo's hands and tossed it toward Natsumi's brother. Fuyuki curiously opened it up and read it carefully.

"Oh. Ningyo." His voice was laced more with recognition then with shock. It sounded like everything fit together perfectly, like all he needed was that one word to confirm one of his more zany theories.

"So we'll take it you're familiar with them?"

"Yeah, of course! It's one of the more common Japanese fairytales."

"Did you read the last few paragraphs?"

"Huh? Oh, no, I- what?"

Giroro, despite himself, grinned.

"Everyone is down here- wow, that is a lot of people- just because the queen wants someone to marry her?"

Tell me about it! She would have been more successful with online dating. Though, maybe the internet isn't very receptive under the water….

Boys had already begun to be taken. They would disappear for a moment, maybe half an hour- give or take a couple minutes- and then appear once more, with another boy taking his place. When they returned, they were questioned as to where they had gone, what they had done. Usually the answers were similar: they were taken into a small room for a long time; maybe twenty, thirty minutes, take or give a few. Then, suddenly, they would hear a low growl- a frightening one, especially since they were surrendered to silence for such a long time. The boys who returned earlier had said they had asked to leave, and they were taken back. For those who stayed out of sheer curiosity at what the noise was had discovered that the snarl never came back again. Then they were moved to another room, with a little creek running through the middle of it. The Ningyo, who had transferred the boy, had told them the water was icy, clear, and clean- "Go on, take a drink- several, if you wish."

After taking some water into his hands and slurping it into his mouth, he was taken back.

"So you never met the queen?" The men would ask, befuddled.

"No," Each one replied. "Never even saw her."

Hours past before one came back later than the others, and revealed that after taking a sip from the creek, they were taken to yet another room. When asked why, he had shrugged and responded that he hadn't the slightest clue.

After waiting there for about ten minutes- give or take a few- the Ningyo returned with a sheet of paper and a pencil, and told him to finish the test in about 60 seconds. The test was riddled with difficult equations. He complained that it was downright impossible to finish it in that amount of time. When he was unable to complete the task, he was taken back.

The red light in the middle of the screen began to beat louder than it had a couple minutes ago.

"That's Fuyuki," Momoka said softly, relieved. "He's awake."

"Okay, that's good," Natsumi said as she sighed. "That means the idiot isn't comatose. I swear, after we save him I'm gonna kill him."

Momoka flashed her a shy smile before watching Paul continue to direct the submarine toward Fuyuki's signal. Natsumi watched around the glass anxiously, Koyuki seated behind her.

How can something so beautiful be so dangerous at the same time?

The blue sea was turning shades in between shades of black, betting darker and darker as they went lower and lower. Fish flit across the windows, long wavy leaves caressed the ship. Natsumi took a breath.

There was so much to look for. What if they came across those… what did Fuyuki call them? Sea cucumbers? Sea anemenonenesnes? She forgot. Anyway, whatever those little blobs were… they were positively deadly. No doubt they had the strength to chomp down into the metal and drag them into the oceanic abyss, never to be seen again…

Natsumi squirmed in her seat uncomfortably. She wished Giroro was there. At least when he was with her, she felt somewhat safer. She knew that she could alwaysdepend on his protection- she nearly never got hurt with him guarding over her.

"Natsumi?" Koyuki pulled on Natsumi's hoodie.

"Mm?"

"Do you think the boys are safe? Be honest."

Natsumi gave her a quiet smile. Here she was being the big sister role again, and Fuyuki was nowhere in sight. "I sure hope so, Koyuki."

"You."

Giroro started, blinking nervously toward the Ningyo that held out his hand toward him. "Come with me."

"Uh…"

"You too." Another stabbed Dororo with his staff.

"And you." The last one yanked on Fuyuki's jeans.

The three boys stood awkwardly, unsure of what to do. The three fish men tapped their filmy webbed feet against the stony floor, their frowns deep with vexation.

They all said in perfect, impatient unison, "Let's go."

All the corridors were a blinding white. A blinding, flashy torture. There was a hammer pounding in his head, threatening to crack and break open his skull with each beating drum. As his headache continued to molest him, he walked down the halls, following this smelly fish guy.

How long have I been down here?

He gazed at his skin. Apparently not that long. Why else wouldn't he be feeling the tingle? He supposed it was a good thing. Or maybe not. What Kururu had said earlier disturbed him; was his body really getting to the point where it was accepting this... this Pekoponian body? Was his blood being slowly corrupted by this human blood? What about his cells, his organs? Wait. Did he just think "human" instead of "Pekoponian"...?

His mind boomed like a dizzying thunder. The whitingly wonderful wallpaper didn't seem to help too many.

How the frog can these guys see through these freaking walls?

"Here we are," The Ningyo said, unlocking a door. He pushed it open and walked to the side to let Giroro in. "Just wait here for a few moments, alright?"
Giroro licked his lips and cast him a rather irritated gaze. The Ningyo responded by giving him a similar, intolerant look. The Keronian had no choice but to follow instruction. The sooner he did this, the sooner he would leave, right?

...Have fun.

"What's the relationship between you and Darrel?"

"Huh?" This was certainly an unexpected question. "Who's Darrel?"

"Your friend."

It took a moment for her to register, and when it finally hit her, she giggled. "Devon!"

Wow, even I forgot the name. He-he. Whoops.

"Yeah," Natsumi blushed. "Sorry."

"It's fine."

"So?"

"So, what?"

"You and Devon?"

"What about us?"

"Are you… you know, an item?"

Koyuki blinked at her in confusion. "An… item? Like, something from the super store?"

"No, no!" Natsumi shook her head and then looked up, almost exaggerated. "Are you two a couple?"

"A couple of what?"

"Geez!" Natsumi laughed as if it was a very unfunny joke. "Do you two like each other? Like, like-like?"

"Oh." Koyuki shrugged nonchalantly. "Um, I don't really know."

"Do you like him?"

"Of course I do!"

"Like-like?"

"Oh." Koyuki mused on that for a couple of seconds, her face growing slightly serious. In all honesty, how could she respond to that? She supposed she could lie, make something up. Or she could tell the truth, reveal her true feelings…

Dororo was her best friend. He cared more for her well being, her feelings, her health, than himself. He was always concerned about her safety. He was there when she was confused or lonely, when she needed someone to talk to. He was there when no one else was. She liked him. Of course she did. And she was sure he liked her too. But… the way Natsumi phrased it- 'like-like'? It almost sounded like a crush, or romantic feelings of some kind. Think, Koyuki. Do I like Dororo that way? I know we're pretending to be like a couple, but… What do I say to Natsumi? What should I say…?

"…Koyuki?"

"…I, um… I don't."

"So, he's just a really good friend to you?"

"Yeah…"

"But, I thought you two were dating?"

Koyuki smiled. "I never said that."

Even though she was originally planning on doing so, no one bothered to ask. In the end she just decided to ease whatever Dororo's feelings had on the matter and not tell anyone. She was surprised that Natsumi had just come to that conclusion. Did others think like that too, even though they never confirmed that relationship status? How ironic. It seemed that it didn't ease poor Dororo's feelings at all. She'll make him her infamous onigiri when they went home.

Natsumi gave her a skeptical look, her eyebrows raised and slightly cocked, her eyes unbelieving.

"So you don't like him like that?"

"Do you like Rio?"

To have the question shoved right back at her caught her off guard. "What?"

"Do you like Rio? I'm curious."

"Koyuki, I asked you first-!"

"And I answered you. What's so hard about telling me how you feel about Rio?"

"It's not hard," Natsumi protested. "I… guess I do like Rio."

"That's good," Koyuki gave her a small smile. "I'm just a bit sorry to say that I don't like D that way."

"Oh, I think you do."

"…You think?"

"Yeah," Natsumi grinned at her friend. "Accepting it is probably the hardest thing you're gonna have to get over, Koyuki."

Koyuki found her face growing slightly hotter than it usually did.

That didn't happen often.

There was a low, menacing snarl.

Dororo wished he had his blade at hand. Needless to say, if it was a monster or something, he could defend himself. At least he still had his ninja arts. That much should be enough to stun the beast to run and find a way to escape…

Why is it so dark in here?

Such a contrast to the white hallways. Didn't it affect their eyesight at all?

The growls stretched longer, formed gurgled, disturbing sounds. Dororo closed his eyes, shut off any unwanted, traumatizing memories. There was one coming to mind, but if he dwelled on it, it was immediately pull him into a switch, and Koyuki wasn't here to drag him out of it.

He hoped to dear life she wasn't risking her life to try and save him. Knowing her, she would do just that.

Ugh…

Mediate. Just... mediate. Release all dark thoughts. Don't suck them back in. Let them go. Breathe. Remember good things. Create wholesome projections. Feel the salty mist spray against your face. Breathe. See her smile, listen to her laugh. Feel the cool water tickle your feet. Feel the bright white light hit your eye sockets. Hear the screaming of a certain ugly fish man…

"Are you DEAF or something, boy?!"

Dororo swiftly avoided a direct blow to the head by the Ningyo's staff. "I-I'm sorry! I wasn't paying attention?"

"Then you won't last long."

"Huh?"

The Ningyo didn't bother to clarify. "Just follow me."

The orb revealed Giroro standing up as the Ningyo who guided him there opened the creaky door. They exchanged few words, a simple nod- and then they moved on to the next test.

The queen was seated comfortably on her throne, leaning back, watching the "contestants" as she liked to call them. This man… this incredibly handsome blond haired man intrigued her, as well as the pink haired one. The child that was with them, as adorable as he was, had no charming affect on her as these men did. One of them, she decided, would be her husband. She had this feeling about them- that they were somehow different from the others… That they would pass her obstacles with flying colors. And then when they faced each other… when they faced her… she would choose, once and for all, who would love her, devote himself to her until the day he died.

She smiled daringly, touching the purple glass orb with a slender finger. Yes… one of you, whoever you are, will be mine, and mine only love.

This was weird.

"Why the frog is there a stream in the middle of this room?"

The Ningyo scowled at him. "Just drink."

"How do I know it's not poisonous?"

The fish monster rolled his eyes, dropped down to his knees, and took a loud slurp from the creak. Giroro folded his arms skeptically, looking down at the water. It looked natural. It actually looked pretty good. And, thinking about it, his mouth really was kind of dry…

"Drink it."

As much as Giroro hated being told what to do, he kneeled down to the steam and cupped his hands into the chilling water.

In the battlefield, there were creaks like this- little brooks hidden in the dirt. Even though you needed water to survive, it proved to be a deadly distraction. Casting your eyes toward the desirable drink for too long can cause you your life- be it by a machete or a bullet, or captive by the enemy. He was told in survival classes that if you had to get a drink, you shan't pay too much attention toward the ground. Survey your surrounding area as you dug out the water. Don't lose your focus. Remember who and where you are.

So many things stuck to him, including the way that he drank.

By absolute habit, he gazed forward and around as he sipped on the cool, glassy water. When he had quenched his thirst, he stood up and faced the Ningyo, who stared at him with a nuetral expression.

"So…?"

"Finished?"

Giroro perked a brow. "Yes?"

"Good."

"Are you taking me back now?"

"What for? You passed."

Giroro jumped slightly. "I… I did?"

"Yes. And now you move on to the next test."

Dumbstruck, Giroro simply nodded and followed him, wondering what in the name of frog he had accomplished by taking a drink of water.

"This is it." Paul turned to Momoka. "This is the farthest I can go, Miss."

"Did you hear that?"

"Yeah, we did."

The signal had led them to an underwater tunnel, taking them in twisting and puzzling turns. As they went deeper and deeper inside this maze, the water eventually began to decrease. It was slow at first, so much so that none of the girls or Paul even noticed. But it was apparent when the submarine had to lower itself to the point of nearly touching the ground in order to keep afloat. When it budged deep into the sand, it came to a dead stop.

Koyuki took a deep breath.

"What are we waiting for?" Natsumi asked, standing. "Let's go save Rio and Danny."

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