Sea Bunny Shores - HayaRyuu (Discontinued for now)

tenth.

Whenever Ryuuichi felt cold, he snuggled by Kotaro and wrapped his arms around the younger. At this moment, he reaches out but feels nothing there except for the texture of wood.

Slowly, he opens his eyes. "It's cramped in here." he thinks. But then he recalls the events of before. He suddenly burst out of the containment he was in and felt the harsh feeling of air against his skin. "Careful!" someone softly shouted. Ryuu looked over and saw Hayato standing beside him. The pirate gripped his shoulders and pushed him farther into the water. Ryuu flinched away, and Hayato recalled his hand. "I'm sorry," Hayato says. "I'm just... confused." Ryuuichi slowly begins to peep his head out from the water. Thankfully, he was far enough to hear Hayato without the burning sensation.

He watches as Kamitani sits down on a box and looks toward him. Hayato opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out. He took a deep breath. "I won't hurt you, and I'm sorry I scared you earlier." he apologizes. "I should have been more reasonable," he admits. Ryuuichi tilts his head. "It's okay," he whispers, his voice hoarse. "I understand that was frightening."

Hayato shook his head. "Not as much for me as it was for you," he states. The two stay quiet for a moment, the silence broken by the slight creaks in the ship.

"Could you explain?" Hayato wondered. "I always considered merfolk to live... in the water." Despite the circumstances, Ryuuichi chuckles. "Well," he begins. "I wanted to explore the surface, so I gave up some of my blood in exchange for a potion that allowed me to become human."

"I heard your conversation about blood earlier," Hayato recalls. Ryuuichi nods, "The man I bargained with came to ask me for more and provided a warning that the potion effects would run out soon."

"But..." Hayato started, peeking at Ryuuichi's tail. "Yeah," Ryuuichi lowers his gaze. "I might have gotten scammed."

Hayato looks at the boy and scooches closer. "Well, I don't intend to trap you here," he says. "You are free to go whenever you please."

"Thank you, Hayato." Ryuuichi smiles sadly. "I think I'll rest a bit more."

"Ah yes, sorry for the confinements. I tried to find what I could," Hayato speaks. "I'll look for something bigger," he said, standing up. "Okay," Ryuuichi responds meekly. Hayato walks out of the room, leaving Ryuu with his thoughts. "Ughhh." he groans, feeling soreness in his tail. He descends back into the water. "It's so cramped in here." he thinks. There's a thought at the back of his mind telling him to go home as soon as possible. Mainly because of his suspicion about the man and usage of his blood. "I don't even know his name..."

Ryuuichi hides his face in his hands. "I'm such an idiot."

"Uh, Ryuuichi?" Hayato returns an hour later. Ryuuichi peaks out of the water. "We can go to the Inn. They have a bath there."

"How do we get there?" Hayato shakes his head. "That's the thing, I don't know." he sighs. "So, I thought they would come to us and help create something makeshift." Ryuuichi ponders for a moment. "I suppose that would be okay. You trust these people, correct?"

"Yeah, you already met Ushimaru," Hayato mentioned. Ryuuichi beams. "I remember her! She taught me about tea and strewbears!"

"Strawberries?"

"Oh, yes, yes. That's right!"

☁ ~ ☁ ~ ☁

"Hayato is probably messing with us." Maria states. "Goodness, a merboy? Please, like anyone is going to believe that. He probably just wants us to help him build something again."

Ushimaru giggles. "Well, we're already walking there, might as well check it out. Maybe there really is a merboy stored up in there."

Maria squints her eyebrows. "Even so, it would be best to contain it. Stories explain that merfolk are dangerous."

"But those are only stories!" The shorter girl says. She jogs ahead. "Stop walking so slow!"

Maria grunts and runs beside the girl. Once they reach the ship, the platform has already been spread out for them. Ushimaru gleefully hops up the ramp while Maria sulks behind her, annoyed at the hot weather.

"You're here," Hayato says. He's hunched over on a barrel, his hands in his pockets. "Aren't you looking anxious?" Maria comments. Ushimaru elbows her side.

"Thank you for coming," he says. Maria is surprised the boy didn't follow her statement with something rude. "You feeling okay?" Maria reluctantly asks.

Hayato shrugs, trying to stay as casual as possible. "I just met a merboy, so I'm conflicted."

"Wait!" Ushimaru exclaims. "So you really found a merboy?"

Maria raises an eyebrow. "Follow me," Hayato demands. The girls follow him downstairs into a room where a large barrel is tucked in the corner.

"Um, they're here," Hayato says. Ushimaru latches onto Maria's arm as a boy emerges from the water. Maria says nothing, her mouth agape. Ushimaru rushes over to meet him. "Woah," she says breathlessly, "You're the boy that came with Hayato that one day!" She claps her hands. Ryuuichi retreats away because of the loud noise. "Oh, sorry," she whispers. "We're going to help you!" She turns back to Hayato and Maria.

"So, what do you need us for, exactly?" she asks Hayato.

"I need to create a large compartment for Ryuuichi, something large enough for transport while also comfortable to him. His body cannot leave the water as he'll be in pain."

"Okay, let's talk for a second," Maria quickly remarks. "Ushi, stay here with the merboy. Maria grabs Hayato's arm and drags him out of the room into the hallway.

She turns to him. "What the fuck!?" she exclaims. Hayato sighs. "That's what I said..." he mumbles. "I know it's a shock, but I promise you he won't bring any harm."

Maria shakes her head, "That's not what I'm worried about." she says, "It's the whole fact that merfolk exists." Hayato nods in agreement. "I understand-"

"No, Hayato, listen to me," Maria says, an intense glint in her eyes. "Do you remember those guys you didn't pay for your last fishing trip?"

"Yes..."

"Well, they came into the Inn one time. Our place is pretty cheap, so they walked in for a place for the night."

"You're point?"

Maria sighs in irritation. "I overheard a conversation two of them were having." she clenches her fists. "I didn't think it was actually true..."

"Just spit it out."

"Apparently, they saw the merboy."

☁ ~ ☁ ~ ☁

hi

hope everyone is doing good

question: what is something you like to draw/doodle constantly?

have a good morning, afternoon or night!

-fai