Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ If only for one moment, I could be like you... ❯ Chapter 33

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Ryou sighed softly, peering over the edge of the tub. Yesterday had been the first time in a long time, that he'd had a chance to be out of water, and stretch his gift of legs among humans. Marik had taken him on a magical and very special trip. He blushed softly and closed his eyes, remembering the feel of Marik's arms around him. Was he really falling in love with his captor? It felt right...to be with Marik. He'd been everything a mate could be, and consoled Ryou when he was sad. He brought gifts of affection, when Ryou had before; been so sure that Marik had no feelings for him at all, other than as a pet or slave.

Haga chuckled as he watched Marik. They'd been rival scientists for a while. If you called one scientist constantly stealing the other's theorems and work a rival. Every year he'd steal a peek at Marik's working theory and presenting it as his own or broadening the research on it and presenting better results. Marik was blissfully unaware that Haga had even attended the same gathering, let alone watching his every move.

Haga pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose as his face twisted into an amused sneer. “Fool, so cocky this year...You must have some great discovery. I can see it in your every move. You're like a little worm, wriggling in glee at a fresh pile of dirt.” He growled, checking that Marik was gone. “I'll just sneak a peek at your precious work. It's not like such a mindless fool like you deserves it.”

~~~~~

Haga looked at the pad of paper. “Hmm. This is the right room; let's see what this fool has come up with this year...” Haga mumbled swiping the key-card and opening the door.

The room was clean, save a few strewn papers, and a shirt or two hanging loosely. He closed the door calmly, and began his search. After a few moments of frustrated looking, he sat down on the couch, looking over the few notes he'd found. They made no sense.

“I can't believe it! He's got no real project. All this imbecile has is notes! Various temperatures, diet notations, Chemical balances!” He growled tossing the papers down.

~~~~~

Ryou squeaked softly, hearing the scattering of papers and the unfamiliar voice. He covered his mouth and shrank down into the water silently. Someone new was in the hotel room, and it did not sound as though they were welcome.

Haga's ears picked up the sound of water and he raised his head a bit, noticing for the first time, the slight scent of salt water. “...What is that fool doing...?” He mumbled, rising and walking towards the scent of the water.

Ryou whimpered, hearing the door open. He peered over the edge of the tub. At the green-haired intruder. “Oh my god...” Ryou gasped and shook his head. No one was supposed to see him! What would happen if the whole human race knew his people existed?

Haga stepped closer, dropping to his knees and thrusting his hands into the tub to touch this creature. “You're real...That fool has a merboy and he's been keeping this quiet?! This is the most note-worthy scientific discovery since the atom!” He said amazed, taking Ryou's chin in his hand roughly, turning his head to look at him from every angle.

Ryou pulled away. “Wh-who are you?” He asked softly. “O-one of Marik's friends?” He said uneasily. Something about this new person frightened him. Haga smirked. “Yes. I'm one of his friends. A very CLOSE friend.” He lied through his teeth. This merboy was all his now and he was naïve to boot! “He told me to come get you.”

~~~~~

Ryou whimpered as Haga carried him from the hotel room wrapped tightly in a blanket. He could hardly move, and it was strange that he'd not been given time to simply dry off and dress. “Wh-where are we going?” He asked softly squirming lightly in the blanket. Haga hefted the merboy up, he was a bit heavier than he'd predicted. “To a place more suitable for you.”

Ryou looked around fearfully, he felt vulnerable and frightened being out of Marik's room without him. It didn't help at all that he was still wet and leg-less. If anyone saw him surely everyone would know within a short time. He tried his best to hold still despite his fears, and the itch of the blanket against his fins. Haga could see it clearly. He'd go down in history as the man who revealed the true existence of merfolk. Forever a piece of history! Not to mention the millions he'd make showing off his new little pet. Plus all the myths! Eternal youth from drinking a mer-creature's blood, infinite life from eating its heart, pearl tears, hypnotic voice, ability to play any instrument perfectly...so much to test! ...Or maybe...there was an even better use for the fish...

Ryou shivered and looked around hoping to spot Marik. The further Haga took him, the more uneasy he felt. They were leaving the hotel! “Where's Marik?” He asked softly, feeling the grip on him tighten a bit. “You'll see him soon enough.” Haga sneered.

~~~~~

Haga toted Ryou to the hotel he was staying in. It wasn't far from the convention, as was Marik's, but he was glad he'd picked a different hotel, because his little pet was well hidden. Ryou squirmed in the blankets, wanting desperately to scratch his fins. The blanket had absorbed the water, but it wasn't drying him off, it kept him wet and cold, and horribly itchy. He whined loudly as Haga began filling his own hotel room tub. “Hush.” Haga said harshly glaring at Ryou.

Ryou squeaked, wide-eyed. “y-yes...” He bit his lip. He was pretty sure now, that this man was no friend of Marik's. “I...I have to leave...” he whispered. “Marik...I'm not supposed to leave his room.” He added, receiving another glare from Haga, who pulled the blanket away, and thrust him into the tub. Ryou blinked, dizzied by the quick motion. “Shut up fishboy, you're not going anywhere.” He said smirking and mixing the chemicals he'd toted with him from Marik's room. “You're my little pet-discovery now. You can just forget that fool Marik ever existed, because you're never going to see him again.” Haga chuckled, pouring a chemical in the water, dying it a harsh red. Ryou blinked as it spread through the water. “What are you doing?” He asked, as he felt his fins and waist begin to tingle.

“Making sure you don't get any ideas.” Ryou groaned softly. “What do you mean?” He mumbled as he felt the water level raising, making more of his body tingle. “I'm paralyzing you. Just try to get away, my little fishy friend.” Ryou blinked and tried to move a little, only to find himself so numb he couldn't move much at all. He felt himself slowly sliding into the raising water. “You can't! I have to go back to Marik!” Haga laughed shoving Ryou's head firmly under the water, watching him struggle until the chemical took effect. He smirked down at the half lidded, immobile Merboy.

“You're mine now, little fishy.”

~~~~~

Ryou closed his eyes, forcing himself to open them with every bit of effort he had. He could hardly breathe! It took so much energy to do such simple things. He couldn't even feel his body anymore, and to make matters worse, he was becoming steadily more tired. Most likely another effect of the chemicals Haga had added to his water. He moaned softly in an aggravated laze. His mate...he needed his mate to protect him. Where was Marik? Where was his guardian when he most needed him?