Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Twilight Lake ❯ Chapter 14

Ryo gazed out at the ocean and shuddered. Suppose a storm set upon them? Would the boat hold up then? He folded his wings and lowered his head. He would not be happy until he was back on dry land. Some of the deckhands laughed quietly at him and Ryo's ears twitched angrily. They were laughing at him and whispering about him and what was worse, was the fact that Ryo had heard every word they had said. They were mocking him for being afraid of boats and he was ashamed. Someone in his power should not be afraid of simple things like boats. He wished that he could do something about his fear but he couldn't think of a way to get over it. He peered over the railing of the ship again and shut his eyes. How could anyone feel comfortable on a boat that could without warning, sink and leave them stranded in the middle of the ocean with the only thing to look forward to was their doom?

"Are you all right, your highness?" the captain asked as he walked up to Ryo. Ryo glanced at him and nodded his head.

"Yes, I'm fine. It's just that my irrational fear of sailing is making a complete fool of me. I know there's no reason to be afraid, but I can't help it," Ryo replied and sighed.

"Everyone is afraid of something. Lesser men will not admit their fears. Do not fault yourself, your highness. Also, your fear is rational. Something could happen to this boat but I very much doubt it. I've been sailing these waters most of my life and I know all of its tricks. You're perfectly safe."

Ryo smiled grimly and turned away from the water. He glanced at the rest of the boat then walked back to the lower deck. He stepped back into his room and sat down on the bed. He sighed as he lay down and Lee stopped talking about the castle and looked at him.

"Are you okay, baby?" Lee asked as he stood up and walked over to where Ryo lay.

"I will be," Ryo replied as Houra stood up.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to go on deck and watch the waves," Houra said and Lee nodded his head.

"Go ahead. Ryo will be fine," he replied as Houra closed the door behind him. Lee stood up and took off his shirt. He then glanced at Ryo and lay beside him. "Let's do something fun."

"Do you think it's childish of me to be afraid like this?" Ryo asked as Lee began unbuttoning his shirt.

"Of course not, baby. Why? Did someone say something to you?"

"Not exactly."

He sighed and turned away as Lee rubbed his shoulder. Lee kissed the side of Ryo's neck and Ryo glanced at him. He then glanced away and Lee sighed.

"Tell me what's bothering you. I don't like seeing you like this," Lee said as he tightly squeezed Ryo's hand.

"It's just the boat, Lee. That's all," Ryo said as Lee continued to massage Ryo's body.

"I understand, but you need to take your mind off of the boat. Come on, baby, let's have some fun. You'll feel better."

"You just want to be laid."

"True, but I also want you to feel better. Come on, love."

Ryo watched as Lee sat on his lap and kissed him. He ran his hands over Lee's rump for a moment then pushed him off. Lee watched him with interest as Ryo unbuckled his belt. Ryo stood up and pushed down his pants slightly then reached behind him and pulled his tail out from the slit in his pants. He glanced at Lee, who had begun to stroke his crotch and shook his head.

"You don't wait, do you? I hate pants. People who make them don't take in consideration people with tails," Ryo said as he grabbed Lee's hands.

"If everyone had tails, I'm sure they'd change the design of pants," Lee said as he watched Ryo. "What are you going to do with me?"

"I'm thinking and don't give me suggestions. I can come up with your torture on my own."

"Whatever you do to me, I'll thoroughly enjoy it."

"You always do."

"It's because I love you so much."

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Houra leaned on the railing as he gazed out at the sea. It was so amazing, even more amazing than the beach. He had always wanted to be out in the middle of the ocean and now, he had his chance. He watched a sea creature breach for air and sighed. It was so beautiful. How could anyone be afraid of it?

"You know, I've sailed these waters many a year and yet you're the first arcdemon I've ever had on my boat. I think your kind is afraid of water," the captain said and Houra smiled.

"No that's not it. My people are quite set in their ways and they rarely go beyond the walls of our village. They are quite content to live in their town, with no knowledge of what lies beyond the water or the valley we live on the outskirts of. I'm the exception to the rule. I don't know if it's because of how I look or if it's just in my nature, but I've been trying to find a way out of town for the longest time. Without upsetting my father, I mean. It was fortunate that his highness wanted to take one of us back to the mainland with him. I've always dreamed of crossing these waters. What is the kingdom like?" Houra inquired and the captain shrugged his shoulders.

"I wouldn't be knowing. I am a tradesman and the only towns I set foot in are port towns. I've never been to the castle. It's too far inland for me. But I can tell you of my cousin's town on the edge of the sea. 'tis not much different from your town although the scenery and the manner of how things run are quite different. My cousin is the head of the town, you see and his people do quite a bit of fishing but they are not bound to their town as your people are. They are free to come and go from the town as they please. Sometimes they leave the town to hunt and sometimes they leave to visit the castle or other towns along the way."

"Why is their such a difference between your wings? I mean, the king and his mate have beautiful wings. Yours are...sort of plain. I do not mean to be insulting."

"You're not insulting. Of course his wings are more impressive. He's the king. He's also directly related to our original ruler. That's why he's got the tail. If all of our wings were as impressive as his, we wouldn't be able to tell who's who, now would we?"

"I suppose you have a point there."

"You're going to be a main attraction for awhile. The demons on the mainland have never seen anyone like you. The arcdemons are just a mere legend to us and to have you show up...well I hope you're prepared to answer a lot of questions," the captain said.

"I'll do my best. It's a little strange to see real demons. I guess you are as strange to us as we are to you," Houra said and the captain smiled.

"That is true. Lenas was the only one I spoke to since he was the only one that ever ventured out onto the dock. Of course, I knew Lenas wasn't one of you."

"I wonder what he is. No one knows how old he is, but he's been around for as long as anyone can remember. Wow. I never thought the night sky could look so beautiful," Houra said as he gazed up at the star filled sky.

"It's because out here, there's nothing to block your view," Lee said and Houra turned around. "He's fast asleep so I thought I'd come up here."

"How is he doing?"

"He'll be better when he's off the boat. He is ashamed of his fear although I have told him that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes it is extremely difficult to talk to him."

"It's part of his nature, it is. If you'll be excusing me, I'm off to get some sleep as well. My first mate is in charge, if you have any questions or needs," the captain said and walked off. Houra watched him walk into the captain's quarters then turned his attention back towards the sky. It was definitely a beautiful night.

"He's not afraid of small boats in lakes and rivers and such. He's just afraid of a large ship in the middle of the ocean. He feels trapped," Lee commented as he sat on a barrel.

"I can see his reasoning but doesn't every aspect in life have some sort of risk involved?" Houra asked as he watched some raindaphins jump out of the water, their brightly colored skin glistening in the moonlight. "Look at that. You'd never get to see things like this in a river or lake. He doesn't know what he's missing and I guess I pity him."

"He has missed out on a lot of things throughout his life. It is quite sad, really because he never had a choice in any of it. But that's a long story. Let's just enjoy the night."

"I won't argue with you on that. It's so amazing and what's even better is that there's a whole world underneath these waters that we haven't even seen."

"There's a whole world above water that you haven't even seen. We've just got to get to the mainland for you to see it."

"You're right. I'm looking forward to it. Will I be treated like a freak of nature, though?"

"What makes you say that?"

"Well my kind only exists in legends. What if they don't believe that I'm real?"

"Let me tell you something. A lot of our people, have been extremely curious about arcdemons. Many would just like to see one. Also to the people in the castle, you won't be the first strange sight they've seen."

"What do you mean?"

"There is a scientist that lives on the outskirts of the castle. He somehow crafted a creature that looks demon but has the wings of a butterfly. Ryoshan allowed this creature to stay in the castle, but I don't trust it."

"It's a demon with butterfly wings? That must be beautiful."

"He is beautiful but he has an odd...fascination for Ryo and I don't trust him."

"I see. You're jealous. Will I be able to see him when we get back to the castle?"

"If you want. He can't talk though."

"Why not?" Houra inquired and Lee shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know. He wasn't made with the capability to speak, I guess," he replied as Houra turned back to the railing.

"That's sad. How can he express himself then? Does he have anyone he can talk to? Well, not talk but..."

"I don't know and I don't care. He just has to keep away from my Ryo if he knows what's good for him."

Houra gazed up at the stars and sighed. A demon with the wings of a butterfly. At least he wasn't the only one that was one of a kind on the mainland. He wondered if the other odd demon would allow him to be a friend with him. He shut his eyes and folded his wings up close to him. He opened his eyes and stroked his feathers absently. He would have to wait to find out. He turned to face Lee and bowed his head slightly.

"I'm going to go to bed as well. Please take care of yourself," he said and walked off. He had much to think about pertaining to this new land he was going to see. He felt like a small child awaiting a birthday present. He flexed his wings excitedly and wished that he could fly but knew he couldn't. He stepped into his room and got undressed. He wondered if the other strange demon knew anything about mating. He smiled as he gazed at his reflection in the mirror that was nailed above the dresser in his room. Some things didn't change between species.