Tide Between Two Worlds

Adventures in Tsuran City

       That was all Shuichi needed to hear. His plan was working like a charm. Through the vast ocean, around mountainous sub-terrain, Shuichi led the way back to Tsuran City with Kiyoni in tow. As he checked in, he noticed Kiyoni having a bit of trouble keeping up. Of course she would. Shuichi is a competitive swimmer and a real ningyo. Kiyoni is human and only knows how to swim to survive if necessary. Because of that, Shuichi extended an assisting hand which Kiyoni gratefully accepted. Once the pair caught on to a current or two, the increased speed that came from it made Kiyoni question just where Shuichi gets this inhuman ability from.

       "How deep do we have to go," she asked.

       "I can't say for sure. Why?"

       "Because the sun is getting dimmer. Do you know where we're going?"

       As excited as he was, Shuichi was seeing Kiyoni's doubts come to light, "It's intimidating, I know. Unfortunately, due to humanity's willingness to rule both land and sea, ningyo had no choice but to migrate further deep just to avoid danger and exposure. By the time I made it to Tsuran City, the sun was no bigger than the head of a pen."

      "That far?! Wait a second, Minamino. I'm not so sure about this. What if...what if Misaki is right?"

       "You're not afraid of the dark, are you?"

       Kiyoni's braids wrapped themselves around her again, this time out of fear, "No but...I am afraid of what may come out of it."

This was something Shuichi wasn't prepared for because he wasn't expecting it. He wasn't afraid to go below sea level because Shuichi was born for it. Kiyoni was different. Much different. Not to mention there was a great chance that not even humans know of all the creatures lurking around Tsuran City which is precisely the point.

       "Perhaps...perhaps you don't have to be."

       "What do you mean?"

       "Look at yourself. You're...glowing...sort of."

       "What?" Kiyoni looked down at herself and noticed her tailfin, the draping around her arms, and torso displaying a hint of a warm-toned, bioluminescent glow. If she were to perfect the butterfly swim, she could pass for an illuminated, underwater butterfly if she wanted to.

       "Whoa. That's neat."

       "Kurama..." Botan called from a distance.

       "Lady Botan," Shuichi replied.

       "Lady..." Kiyoni realized, "Your mom? She's here?"

       "Yes. This is her world, more or less," it was then Shuichi realized that the direction he took was different from the one Botan knew, "Lady Botan? We could...we could use your assistance...if you please."

       "I thought you said you knew where you were going," Kiyoni challenged.

       "I may have...diverted off course."

       "Minamino! You...!" With that, Kiyoni took aggressive action, slamming her fists against Shuichi. Even her braids took part in the action, flicking and whipping at him whenever he was in range.

       "Ow...ow, ow, ow...OW! Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I concede! Ow! How...how are you doing that?"

       "Doing what?"

       "That with your hair?"

       "My hair? Eh...I don't know. They just...have a life of their own."