Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ If only for one moment, I could be like you... ❯ Bakura, Everything has changed... ( Chapter 2 )

Ryou and Yugi basked in the early morning's warmth, until the sun rose high into the sky, and Yugi began to worry they may get caught. So, with a sigh, Ryou slid back into the only world he'd truly know. He looked back only once, before diving under the waves behind Yugi.

"What do you want for lunch? I'll catch anything in the sea for you, if you give me a smile." Yugi said turning and swimming backwards to look at his slightly downtrodden companion. Ryou smiled lightly at his friend, unable to be sad when around the ever-pleasant Yugi. Ryou was about to answer, when another of his friends who also had a crush on him swam up. "Hi Ryou, I've been looking for you everywhere! C'mon I have a surprise for you!" Ootogi said grabbing Ryou's hand. Yugi glared, his fins fanning out to make him look bigger. He had Ryou FIRST!

Ootogi was bigger than Yugi, and although he was fast in the water, he was slow compared to Yugi, but he was stronger. He had a scar on his face from a fight he had been in with an extremely large swordfish, which had been on the rampage. He had actually been protecting Ryou at the time. Ryou looked between the two helplessly. "I...I...um..." Ootogi's fins were large and powerful, speckled with colors varying from bright greens to blood reds to tangy yellows. The tips of his tailfin were frayed and worn from his using it as a huge bludgeoning device. But, who wouldn't when you were strong enough to knock a killer whale out with your tail, if it only meant a bit of fraying?

Yugi glared daggers at Ootogi, although he paid the smaller Merman no mind. Ryou hated it when more than one of those who had crushes on him showed up at once. It always put him on the spot! How was he supposed to pick between friends, he'd never been anything but friends with them both most of his life...up until now. Now that mating season approached for their group...it meant changes. It meant those who he had grown up with as friends were slowly changing into lovers. Ryou whimpered a bit and looked between the two again. Now that they both loved him, if he chose between them, one would be undoubtedly hurt.

Ryou inched back blushing. "I...I really...Bakura's probably very worried about me..." he said inching back a bit more. "Perhaps later?" He added with a smile, before turning and swimming away as quickly as he could. When he was safely away from the two, who were confused, yet angry at each other's intrusion on `Ryou time', Ryou sighed and leaned back against a rock. "Why did things have to change?" he murmured before continuing his swim home.

"Ryou! Were you off on that beach again?!" Bakura bellowed crossing his arms, as Ryou entered their small, yet cozy cove that they called home. "N-no...I was with Yugi...until Ootogi showed up." Ryou sighed. "Bakura...I don't think I'm ready to be mated! They both love me so much...but..." Bakura's expression immediately melted. "Ryou, its ok to be afraid...whoever you end up with will be perfect for you, remember that." He said swimming forward and taking the smaller merman into his arms for a loving hug. Ryou sighed and snuggled the older teen. "Bakura...I don't like it...Yugi and Ootogi have changed..." Bakura smiled lightly and ruffled the hair of his aibou. "It happens Ryou, they're growing up. Don't you remember how it used to be? You've grown too we all have." Ryou pouted. "But...we all used to be such good friends...Yugi looked like he was about to TRY and beat up Ootogi...even if he knows Ootogi would win."

Bakura gently patted his hikari's back. "It's just how things go Ryou. Yugi and Ootogi have their eyes on you; they want to spend the rest of their lives with you. Their eyes have opened as they grew, and they realize how much you truly mean to them. From the first day you three met, when you were learning to swim, and the day you three developed the your adult fins and coloration, to today when the time to find a suitable mate and entwine your love and devotion."

~~~~~

Ryou sighed as he sat comfortably in the coral beds. Leaning back to lie down and delight in just watching the clownfish swim amongst the plants and anemones he sighed. "I don't want to stop dreaming...I'm not ready for all of this." He mumbled. Ryou sat up and began swimming towards the land, wanting to see it again. He shivered in noticing a drop in the ocean's temperatures, but paid it no mind as he continued his course. Had Ryou stopped to think, he would have looked up to notice the darkening skies.

~~~~~

Ryou squeaked at the sudden strong current that pulled him and swam behind a rock, shivering and hugging himself. "W-what's going on?" He said, through his slightly chattering teeth. He yelped when the entire ocean floor lit up, followed by a thundering roar. Ryou curled his tail up to use his fins as a slight blanket and continued to tremble in cold and fear, jumping when the light returned, followed by a louder roar.

A particularly harsh current swept Ryou out from behind the rock and further towards the land. It was a hurricane! Ryou whimpered and swam as hard as he could against the currents and tossing waters, but quickly was swept back, into a large rock and knocking him out...

~~~~~

Ryou opened his eyes and gasped. "Wh-where am I?!" He yelped sitting up, no ocean in sight. He was a literal fish out of water. Wincing, Ryou noticed that he was covered in many small cuts, and his head was throbbing. Along with that, his tail ached from the many scrapes and torn away scales.

AN: HI! I've decided to appease the beasts ^_^ ok well actually to please you people a bit early, remember my review story? Well tell ya what, you people review like crazy and I'll put chapter 3 up a LOT faster, especially since it's just sitting here already written. So really, review. I hope you like chapter 2!