Chapter Text
The ocean. The sea. There are many names that are used for the mass of water that takes up 75% of the surface area of planet earth. Some, however, call it home.
Mercreatures have weaved their way into stories from every culture. Though many consider them just that, stories, the truth of mermaids and mermen is far more interesting. They are humanoid beings who require water in the same way a fish would. How could something have even evolved like that? Was there an early strain of humans who found the water too enticing? Was there a type of very big fish who needed a better way to fight off predators? Their very being is an anomaly.
There are many people in the modern world who do not believe mermaids and mermen actually exist. Concluding old ancient stories of beautiful women to be products of hallucination from drunk or overly tired sailors. The few that do are either people who have never set foot on a boat in their life, or are the same very drunk and overly tired sailors.
There is one, however, who does not fit either category of mer believers. A scientist and researcher who had not let the stigma and biologically incompatible nature of mer deter him from finding if these beings are real. The owner and main researcher of the biggest aquarium and marine life rehab center in Japan.
Muzan Kibutsuji.
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The dim blue expanse of water was comforting, pressure from all sides hugging whatever slips between the waves. The underwater currents are quite useful to traveling fish and marine mammals, helping them travel up and down Japan's coast.
As of now, they hold two of the very creatures whose existence has been sought after, denied, and contradicted.
Mermen.
They swim east, further from the Japanese islands in order to safely hunt, fishing boats shouldn’t come nearly this far out. They are strong, human torsos well built from diet and fighting, as well as strong tails from consistent swimming, especially during migration. Speaking of migration, these two are trying to find enough for just one or two more meals, before setting off with the rest of the pod to the winter caves.
These two are a cute pair, having grown up together in the pod. What was once a cute innocent friendship soon turned into cuter courting. Sabito and Giyuu, a perfect match, had tied the mer equivalent of a knot a few winters ago, in the lush coral reefs of Australia. Matching tattoos started at their sternum and continued under their breast, a pattern unique to them. A clever mer trick of squid ink, a sharp rock, and a temporary dry spot.
They hum and squeak to one another, sending vibrations through the water. A form of communication just as unique to their pod as Japanese is to Japan.
-Sabito-, called the slightly smaller merman. -Movement up higher, probably fish.-
-Good eye love-, they swam up to get a better look, the water got brighter as they ascended, revealing they were correct. They swam at it slicing and biting with presession before the fish realized what was going on and scattered.
-Giyuu-, the bigger merman held out two decently sized fish to his partner, the latter gnawing one in his mouth. He grabbed the two in one hand and reached out to snatch the last couple floating in the water. Now to desert before there were any unwelcome guests who could sense the fish blood in the water. Sharks weren’t much of a problem, they had learned to steer clear of mer, orcas and dolphins on the other hand were much more annoying. The former is willing to put up a fight if they think it's worth it, and the latter is just plain annoying. They dove back down to find a current back to the caves and hopefully steer clear of any radars.
Off they swam, humming to each other or what to do upon their return, could they snatch a calm minute in the caves alone, or would they be sucked into doing work for Giyuu’s sister. Along the way, they noticed another one of their pod members in the dim waters, Murata, he was kind, a little weak but could hold his own. Giyuu liked him quite a bit, so Sabito-ever the jealous type-disliked him quite a bit. Murata looked quite frantic, quick swimming and darting in circles in the water, as well as humming something to them which neither could quite make out.
It wasn’t until two late that the two noticed the rumbling of a ship above them, and a large net fell in front of them. They tried to duck further, but the net was already picking them up underneath and enclosing around them, so caught in their conversation, they had failed to pay attention for boats, and hence, now they were caught. Giyuu dropped his fish and started clawing and biting the net where he could, trying to get sharp fangs to pierce, but the netting was tight, and not made of normal fishing material, it almost felt like metal. Sabito too, dropped his catch to try and push the net away, but it was already being reeled in.
The hard net squeezed them together and pulled them up. Pressure from each other and from the water above squished them together even more. Daylight streamed through the water, until finally the surface broke, and bright sunlight hit their bodies. It was cold, partially from the chilling sea air, and also the fact they were soaking wet. Loud mechanical noises and shouting filled their ears.
Sabito had wrapped himself around Giyuu, protecting him as best he could. He finally peeled his eyes open, squinting and blinking in the suddenly bright light. He knew they had been caught, he knew they were in trouble.
Now he had to figure out how to get them out.