mizuxfem!oc
The Ningyo (人魚, "human fish") is a creature with both human and fish-like features.
Many fishermen who find these creatures caught in their nets throw them back into the ocean.
For if a ningyo is caught, she will bring misfortune and cal...
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CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN: GLORY
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Ichiro hoisted himself over the massive ship with Mizu. He threw a grappling hook up where they climbed. Below them was the small rowboat he and Mei first voyaged to find Mizu. Their original ship was anchored at a distance, far enough so Fowler could never notice under the sheet of night. They were undetectable.
"First, we find Sogo," Mizu said over her shoulder.
"Captain, respectfully, like I said before... the first thing is to capture the white man. He's our only obstacle in recovering-"
She turned around fully to face him. The look in her eyes was as serious and deadly as they come. She was the captain. "Sogo. First."
"...Yes sir."
That's better. Mizu then peered over the edge of the ship, where she saw Mei still on the rowboat. She'd be waiting there for them to escape, should anything happen.
Ichiri spoke, "Don't have second thoughts. Mei is as loyal and fearless as they come. She'll still be there."
"That's more for you," Mizu told him clearly and brought her head from over the edge. "I don't see myself getting back on that."
It made his stomach turn, but he knew Mizu's motives very well at this point. How intense she was. How she was all of nothing. Either she retakes her ship... or she dies trying. There was no third option.
Ichiro assured her (or maybe himself?), "Captain... it'll be a success. You wait and see."
She stared at him for a moment, then she turned back towards the ship.
The black cat wasn't there anymore.
*
They quietly minded their steps as they neared the ship's interior. Suddenly, Mizu grabbed Ichiro by the scruff of his collar before he could take another step. She pointed down at the thinnest, nearly translucent string. Likely, it would've alerted Fowler in the captain's quarters with an alarm.
She said, "I know this ship like the back of my hand. Just stay near me. "
She kept her sword closely to her hip, while Ichiro had three guns: two on either hip and one in his breast pocket. Even though they were both Japanese, they looked incredibly different, and clearly with their preferred method of combat.
Mizu was a stubborn fighter. Guns, like all imports of the West, were filth she wouldn't dirty her hands with.
But now, they crept down the stairs into the interior of the abyss... a stairway that felt like they were descending into hell with each step. It was pitch black. They used the shadows to their advantage. Ichiro had to mind each step in the dark, unlike Mizu, who had lived on this vessel for months.
