Umi no Uta

For the following week, Kuroi kept up the same habits. Eat, swim, hide, listen, swim home, and sleep. He didn’t do much else anyways, but each time he felt a bit of himself becoming more and more confused. He heard talk around the clan of the new arrivals, the Metsubo Clan. Apparently the elder who lived in his clan had granted the other, darker, clan a place to stay nearby while the other recovered from…something. Kuroi never could catch what the other clan was recovering from. Sounded like a battle, but he never knew the mer-people to be violent.
Kuroi had seen the stranger, Akusuko, every day that week, down by his crevice. The stranger repeated his habits every day of swimming lazily around until Kuroi appeared, trying to get as close as possible to the youngling, asking for permission to stay a while, and sleeping as soon as Kuroi vanished into his hiding spot. Someone always came for Akusuko at the same time, though Kuroi got confused. One was called ‘father’ the other ‘papa’. How could someone have two fathers, unless they were adopted? Yet, even little innocent Kuroi could see the similarities between the three of them.
Kuroi had even seen the strange clan members swimming through their little town. He had started the first time, startling the others by swimming quickly into the shadows in hiding until the apologetic (and confused) strangers passed. He quivered in fear and whimpered the first time Akusuko’s ‘father’ had swum past, hoping to the elders that the adult didn’t recognize him. Luckily, the merman just swam past, offering only a glance and nod to the scared youngling.
Each day was the same as the last. Kuroi had turned 17 the day after his first “scare.” He was summoned to the elder’s cave for a talk a few days after his cycle day. The elder spoke to the youngling about…well, it was supposed to be a talk about the ‘duties of the adult member of the Orden Clan…’ It turned into a chat between friends.

*Flashback*
Kuroi waited nervously in the cave of the elder, not knowing what to expect. He’d never actually seen the elder before, never needing too. He never got into trouble, and he always acted as if he were invisible. But, here he was, in the cave of the elder, waiting to get a lecture.
“Kuroi…?”
A soft voice pulled the youngling out of his thoughts. Kuroi looked up into…soft orange eyes?
Elder Kelso looked down kindly at the shivering youngling. He knew what everyone expected him to say to the boy, but there was no way he was giving the same damn speech to this young one. Unlike others, Kelso could see the potential hidden within this little adoptee. He had watched the little green haired youngling since he was adopted, even witnessing Akusuko’s interaction with him. He smiled kindly at Kuroi once more before beckoning the youngling to join him in the back.
“Well, Kuroi, have a seat. I won’t bite you…I only bite my mate, don’t worry.” Kelso smiled. “Now, I suppose you have questions for me?”
Kuroi stared, sitting rigidly in the bed of moss. He opened his mouth to say no, but stopped, looking into Kelso’s eyes. The elder knew that he did indeed have many questions. Kuroi blinked, and then tried again. “How can one have two fathers?”
Well, judging from the look of surprise on Kuroi’s face, Kelso figured that the youngling surprised himself with that question. “Easily. You can adopt, if your life mate is a male and neither of you want to carry a youngling. You can have another female carry it if the other is willing. Or, if you’re brave enough and trust your mate enough, you can carry the child within you. You have three options. Now, about mates…typically people have only one life-mate. There are exceptions to this, though, and that’s why most people despise the Metsubo Clan. Metsubo is the place where most life-couples go if they’re not wanted by the others…for example, Lucifer, the leader of Metsubo, has four life mates, three recognized, one secret. He has a child by each of them, and his mates have even paired with each other to have children. His fourth life mate, though, is a secretive one and is one of the elders. In fact…I believe you’ve met his other mate…a long time ago…”
Kuroi stared at Kelso, not expecting that much information. “So…it’s alright if I like males?” He asked weakly.
“It’s perfectly fine. In fact, young Kuroi, my own life mate is male. Actually, I also have a child by him and my other mate. I know that question personally…” Kelso smiled.
“E…elder?” Kuroi whispered in confusion.
“Please, call me Kelso. ‘Elder’ sounds so formal. I’m really not used to it.”
Kuroi nodded. “Kelso, then…why am I here?”
“Well,” Kelso began sheepishly. “I’m supposed to give you a speech on how you’re supposed to work your hardest over the next three cycles so that when you become an adult you’ll be able to take on a job here in the clan…” Kelso held up a hand and shook his head. “That’s what I’m supposed to talk about. I’m going to talk about you and what you want. Kuroi, you’re an anomaly. You were adopted into the clan at a young age, taken in by your older sister and her newly acquired mate. You’re different, so people fear you. They don’t understand you; they haven’t been through what you have…”
“Like you…” Kuroi whispered suddenly.
Kelso nodded. “Exactly. This is what we’ll do, alright?”
*end flashback*

Kuroi shook his head, swimming slowly towards his area. He hadn’t approached the place in a while, though he wondered if Akusuko had taken over since he’d been gone. His mission was to make a friend with the other clan, to see how others lived, to see if he could find a place that he would feel comfortable living in for the rest of his life. Kuroi had been surprised at Kelso’s silent offer of a friendly ear. Cautiously, he accepted, though not completely trusting the elder. Strange, he knew, but something told him to wait…
He arrived at his area and stopped. Kuroi blinked, and looked around sadly. His stranger-companion Akusuko was not there. He himself was late, due to another meeting with Kelso, but still…he was saddened by the loss of company. The thought surprised him, for he usually hated being around others. Kuroi sighed. The idea of sharing his play area with the stranger was new to him, but he was beginning to like it.
His train of thought was cut off by something shiny catching his eye. Curious, the youngling swam towards the shine. It was a beautiful piece of obsidian, rare in these parts of the waters. It was big enough to make two pendant necklaces…Kuroi grinned at the thought. He felt so happy at finding such a beautiful gem that he began to prance around happily, giggling while playing with the gem in delight. He didn’t notice the shadow behind him, nor the appearance of Akusuko.
Kuroi spun in delight and froze as soon as he stopped. He stared at the other, whom had just joined him. Stranger Akusuko…He thought, then grinned. Kuroi swam over to the other, who looked extremely startled at the youngling’s open move towards him. Kuroi giggled, startling Akusuko further. Kuroi began to swim around the other rapidly before dashing back into the crevice, stopping slightly inside to look over his shoulder at Akusuko, smiling mischievously.
Akusuko blinked. The green haired stranger, whom he’d been trying to get to play with him, was making a move on him! He was sending out an open invitation to play! Not wanting to pass the opportunity to get to know the other better, Akusuko followed Kuroi. He watched in surprise as Kuroi held up a dark glittering gem, tossed it into the air, and caught it with a flick of his tail and a flip in between. Kuroi looked over at Akusuko, who was staring openly, and waited for an answer. Numbly, Akusuko nodded. He watched in surprise as Kuroi grinned, tossed the gem, and the games began.

Hours later, the two lounged on the mossy rocks, exhausted from the games. Akusuko was stretching his arms out, humming contently at finally getting to play with the other…the one who had been plaguing his conversations back home and his dreams.
Kuroi, on the other hand, was watching Akusuko closely. The other had been so patient with him throughout the last week, being kind even though he himself was cold and unfriendly. Silently he contemplated whether or not Kelso was right…whether or not he could trust this stranger…
Akusuko had finished stretching out his arms and was running his fingers through his black hair (with silver streaks…mind you he’s damn proud of those), when he heard a soft, gentle voice beginning to talk. He brushed it off for a moment, and then was completely shocked at where it was coming from. Turning, he looked at Kuroi, who was staring over at the place the two of them had slept, talking softly. Akusuko blinked, bringing himself back into Kuroi’s monologue.
“…So I wanted to thank you for playing with me.” Kuroi was saying. “I haven’t had anyone willing to play with me since I came to the Orden Clan.”
Kuroi paused and Akusuko figured he should say something to show he was listening…and cared. “It was my pleasure. I had a lot of fun…more fun than I’ve had in a while…but if you don’t mind my asking…Why did you not have play mates?” He let his confusion slip into his voice. “Surely there are other younglings in the clan…”
“Oh, there are. They didn’t want to play with me ‘cause I’m different. They don’t like me at all…few people do.” Kuroi replied, sweeping his pale hand through dark hair. “I’m not native to the clan: adoptee, you could say. I look stranger than the others. The others have light hair and dark skin, with blue eyes. You could see how I’d stand out.” Kuroi laughed quietly and looked shyly at Akusuko, giving Akusuko a good look at deep obsidian eyes.
“Strange…for them not to accept you.” He whispered, now understanding Kuroi’s shyness.
“I’d also like to apologize.” Kuroi stated after a moment of silence, startling Akusuko yet again.
“Why?” asked the confused Akusuko.
“I haven’t been polite. I’ve never introduced myself to you. My name is Kuroi.” Kuroi gave Akusuko the traditional mini-bow and a shy smile.
“Pleased to finally meet you, then. I’m Akusuko Makoto.” Akusuko flashed his award-winning grin and held his hand out to Kuroi.
Kuroi clasped Akusuko’s hand with his gentle yet firm grip. “Pleased to meet you as well…though I knew your name before.” He looked sheepish.
“Oh?” Akusuko cocked an eyebrow, causing Kuroi to blush.
“First day you were here, your father called you by name. I heard you talking.”
“Ah…” Akusuko stared at Kuroi again. “If you don’t mind my asking, then, where were you?”
Kuroi pointed to the coral cave. “There’s a small nook in the back, hidden in the dark on the top of the cave. Above is a hidden place that is extremely comfortable. It also has see-through walls. One way, if you will…so I could see out everywhere but no one could see in…” He thought for a moment. “Well, that’s not true. You can see in if you know how to look. I figured it out, but it’s hard to explain.”
“Ah…Could I see it sometime?”
Kuroi looked at Akusuko, his smile growing brighter. “Sure…”
“Akusuko.” A deep voice startled the two, causing Kuroi to fall off the rock he was lounging on. Akusuko looked up into the startled eyes of his father and began laughing. “Akusuko…” The voice warned, causing the other to laugh harder.
“Oh man, Father, you should have seen you’re face. That’s a reaction only uncle can get out of you!” Akusuko wiped his eyes and grinned over at Kuroi. “It’s ok, Kuroi. This is my father. Father, this is my friend Kuroi.”
Kuroi slowly swam out and gave the adult a small bow. “Sir, nice to meet you.” He held the gem behind his back.
Akusuko swam up next to his father, who had greeted Kuroi in return. “Guess its time for me to go. See you tomorrow, Kuroi?” Kuroi nodded shyly. “Night!” He turned and swam off with his father, giving Kuroi a final wave before leaving completely.
Kuroi sunk down to the mossy rocks and sighed in exhaustion. What a day!!