Naruto-Boruto MerMay 2025

by melodiouswanderer

Summary:

Come one, come all, step up and come enjoy one-shots from the deepest depths of the sea to the shallowest of tide pools for this year's month of Mermay.

Notes:

Day 1: Bay

Hello everyone, i have been hard at work writing for this years mermay and I am so very excited to show you the one shots i have planned for each day of this month!

I wanted to start with my two favorite girls from Boruto, because I think they are both just the cutest pair i ever saw. I did my best to edit and fix mistakes. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1: Bay (Sumire/Sarada)

One of her favorite places to swim was down in the bay. 

It was the perfect area for exploring and swimming amongst the sea life that wanted to depending on which way the tides went. Either way whenever she had a moment away from her studies she would find herself walking through the gentle waters whether they were up to her ankles or up to her waist. 

It was an enclosed one; the mouth connecting it to the open sea was narrow, making the bay itself much more peaceful and easy to go about. However just because the waters were calmer did not mean there weren’t things lurking beneath the surface. 

Today, Sumire sighed as she waded in the gentle current that lightly kicks at her knees. There were no classes today at her high school, which meant she could go out and spend it in the water where she wanted to collect some stones and seashells to place on her window sill.

Maybe if she was lucky she’d see some seals bobbing their heads up and down where the water was deepest or catch a few on the rocks sunning themselves. It was always a delight to see them, especially since not many tourists came down to the waters here. She had her swimming purple capris with a little starfish on the hip and a rash guard shirt over her bathing suit top piece. She wanted to be able to go deeper at least past her waist today so she can swim if she got too warm from the sun beating down on her. 

She could see the shapes of fish under the water, little shadows darting here and there, swimming past her and going about their business in the gentle currents of the water, some pausing to look at her feet and see what they were. 

However a little ways away she notices from the corner of her eyes a bigger shape approaching. She turned her head towards it, her braided pigtails resting on the surface of the water as she stood on her tiptoes to try and get a better look. A small part of her hoped it was a seal or perhaps a small stingray swimming around. They were mostly calm as long as no one made any sudden movements that scared them. 

Sumire smiles as she slowly lowers herself into the water a little more until just her head was above it waiting to see what’s coming. Maybe if she’s lucky this creature would come to the surface beside her. It would be a dream come true for her to see a creature of the sea closer than more people would. Then she could go to school and tell her peers all about it!

She’s so lost in her thoughts she forgets a moment to keep track of the shape as a cloud cast over the sun and made the water a bit darker. Sumire looked back and forth a moment to see if maybe she could make it out again.

It’s then something tugged on her pigtails, making her squeak in surprise as her head jerked back a bit. She immediately turned around, startled at the sudden action. When she turned around to see what had happened,  there was nothing. Then it happened again, making her give another loud squeak. 

“Eep! H-hey!” she squeaked again as she slowly circled around, starting to get nervous. Was someone else out here and messing around with her? Why didn’t they just say something instead of yanking on her pigtails? 

Sumire opened her mouth to call out, only for something to wrap around her ankles and give a sharp tug. It felt like little suction cups were pressing into the skin as she falls back into the water and is pulled down. The sand was soft under her body while at the same time the water made it feel weightless at the same time. 

When she cries out it came in a burst of bubbles instead that went towards the surface as she blinked against the burn of the salt water. The world was a blurred blue before a shape slowly appeared. There’s a moment as she blinks her eyes before her vision cleared enough that she realized what was looking down on her was another girl’s face. 

Oh…oh she’s really cute…  Warmth spreads over her cheeks as she stares up at her. 

Long black hair was lined with red seashells that kept it pinned back; her eyes were like looking down into the endless dark abyss of the open ocean where no light reached. Her features were soft and she was looking at Sumire like she had never seen a human in her entire life. 

It’s then Sumire suddenly felt them; the strange little suction cups that were around her ankle. She jumped when they popped off her skin and as she looked down she saw them.

Eight, crimson tentacles where human legs should be. The girl before he tilted her head as she slowly moved back a bit with her eyes widening to match the human’s own surprised expression. 

Is..is she a mermaid? But…I thought they only had fish tails… Sumire was so entranced she forgot a moment that she could only hold her breath for a certain amount of time. Bubbles rise from her nose when her lungs ache from lack of air. She coughed before she slowly moved to stand back up…and she was surprised when the mermaid followed her as she gasped for air. 

“Guh!” Sumire coughed, hitting her own chest as her lungs filled with the blessed air. She swallowed a moment and looked back and forth before she cleared her throat a second time. Oh gods that…that was…

She jumped when she turned and was now face to face with the mermaid again, her onyx eyes looking at her, wide and curious. 

“Oh! Uh..Hello there!” 

Nothing is said back as the mermaid continues to stare at her, tilting her head; showing the little gills on her cheeks and her thin neck. Sumire waited a moment just to see if the other would say something when it finally sank in. 

This was a mermaid. This was an actual, living mermaid with tentacles like that of an octopus. As she studied her more she saw instead of human ears she had some sort of frill like fins that were as red as her lower half. It was taking everything in her not to start flailing in excitement out of concern she might scare her off. 

It’s then the mermaid raised her hands from the water, showing her sharp claws and her finger tips red as well. 

“...Hello.” 

Sumire jumped a bit at the gentle greeting, her eyes widening, “You can speak!” 

“Only…only little….” She lightly rubbed under her nose; she had little sharp fangs in her mouth as she looked at the human. She’s never been this close to a land dweller before; Papa always warned her to be careful if and when she saw one in the bay. However she can’t help but find this one interesting; so different from the loud ones who drive those weird floating wooden things through the surface of the water. 

She jumps a little when the land dweller moves closer and smiles brightly. 

“That’s fine, as long as you can understand what I’m saying…!” 

The mermaid nodded slowly to her before she then pointed at herself, “...I…Sarada. What…call you?” 

This is the best day of my life…! “I’m Sumire. I live nearby here, so I thought I would come down and just enjoy the water.” 

Sarada tilted her head before she smiled and then pointed slowly at the other girl’s pigtails a moment with a tilt of her head. She’s never seen hair styled like that even amongst other merfolk out in the open sea. She thought it looked very pretty. 

“Oh these are my braids. Were you the one tugging on them?” 

A sheepish smile comes upon the mermaid’s face, “Was curious…sorry…” 

Sumire gently pulls her braids over her shoulder and gently holds them up for Sarada to study as she tries to contain the joy that threatens to consume her. She always dreamed as a little girl she would discover mermaids from swimming in the sea. Even if this one wasn’t what she imagined, it was still a dream come true. 

She always believed this bay was special and now as the mermaid raises her tentacles to gently steady herself by holding on to the human gently, she knows why. 

This wasn’t just a place where she swam and explored. This was now the palace where she met a mermaid and hopefully this was the start of something amazing.

Chapter 2: High Tide (Hashirama/Madara)

Summary:

It was a dangerous night to be on the shore.

Notes:

Day 2: High Tide

I wanted this one to be just a little darker; I like the idea that Hashirama can read people like there's no problem. especially people like Danzo. I also wanted to play with unhinged Hashirama adoring his merman Madara to pieces ^^

I did my best to edit. Hope you enjoy!

It was a dangerous night to be on the shore. 

Around this area, the high tides were notorious for being dangerously deep and those who didn't vacate the shore in time would have trouble getting out. Granted no one’s ever been found dead from staying there when the waters rise up until there is no more beach to walk upon. 

Despite warnings and dangers, tourists tended to really enjoy coming down when the tide is low and enjoy the sunlight and swimming out in the water when it was daylight. Under the light of the sun it was a regular beach where tourists and residents alike enjoyed it. 

In the darkness of night though, when the tide rises and covers the paths off the shore and becomes a constantly moving current of darkness that threatens to swallow up anyone foolish enough to go for a swim. Some believe that those who go missing near there either drowned and dragged out to the open ocean or sharks got to them and left nothing behind. 

Only one person alive knows the truth as he calmly walks to where the stairs going down into what should be a beach begin. They were completely submerged save for the three top ones that he calmly stepped on to. 

The water licked at his ankles as he dragged someone behind him–a now former acquaintance who had crossed him one too many times as he stood over the water in his dark green yukata and white haori. 

Hashirama Senju has been the sole caretaker of making sure they preserve this place; keeping it clean, ensuring everyone respects the animals who swim through here, and enforcing these rules if anyone should try to break them. For him there was no amount of money or promises that could be made to ever let someone get away with doing so. 

To the locals he was just someone who cared a lot about the environment. To tourists he was someone to admire for maintaining such a beautiful place. 

However, to people like this troublemaker who believed he wouldn’t get caught? He may as well be the grim reaper as he looks down into the water with half lidded eyes. The young man in question had a nasty cut on his arm that was still bleeding; he was a student of Hashirama’s brother, a young man by the name of Danzo Shimura who was always testing boundaries and trying to bend rules. The only reason he’s been let off so far is because Hashirama had a soft spot for his younger brother and didn’t wish to upset him. 

It was only a matter of time before that no longer was going to save this ungrateful, bold, idiotic little shit’s life. 

“H-Hashirama-sama…” 

“I think I’ve been a very patient man when it comes to you, Shimura-kun,” He dragged the young man down those three steps out of the water, and then made sure that his lower half was submerged while holding up the dazed young man, “I must say, you aren’t very good at learning from your mistakes. I hoped my younger brother would have knocked sense into you by now, but I’m afraid that you’ve run out of chances, Shimura-kun.”

The young man grunted as he felt his legs and hips becoming numb from how icy the saltwater felt. The only thing that was keeping him awake was the pain from his injured arm as the warm blood dripped down it. He stared at his teacher’s brother in silent, fearful confusion. He’s never known the man to be like this; if anything his first impression of Hashirama was that he was a soft hearted, over emotional moron. 

Hashirama leaned over him with his head tilted, “Do you know why I take care of this land? Why does it upset me when you throw trash on the beach, drive through it on those loud vehicles, fish without permission, harass the sea life, and even kill said sea life?” 

Danzo doesn’t get the chance to respond as a hand closes over his throat and the man leaned in closer. He could feel the warm breath against his face as those eyes meet his; narrowed, empty looking as if he was staring into a mindless void. 

In all honesty, he thought it was because his teacher’s older brother was a soft hearted idiot who was too obsessed with preserving a beach that one day was just going to end up like any other tourist trap no matter how hard he worked at it. So what if Danzo killed a couple of animals? He had the gear for fishing, and it wasn’t like he meant to catch those seals in it. He was sure no one saw too…

“The love of my life lives in these waters. I preserve it and care for it because it is the safest place for him to be and I will be damned to hell if some brat with an inferiority complex comes along and starts wrecking all the hard work I put into make this his home,” Hashirama spoke through grit teeth, his forehead having veins pop in them and his grip on the young man’s throat tightening. 

He’s fucking insane. He’s fucking insane. Oh sage he’s going to kill me right here and I’ll be pulled out to sea!, he strained to breathe as he stared up at this man, the pillar of this seaside town staring into his soul. 

A shout left his lips when Hashirama drew back his arms and then threw the young man into the waters. He choked as he became fully submerged under the water, his eyes blurred and burning as he looked around a moment, attempting to try and see his surroundings as he opened his mouth. 

Immediately it fills with water before he gets his barings to make his way to the surface. Already he could feel the cold seeping into his bones as he stared at Hashirama; still standing on the steps and watching him with that almost unsettling smile on his face.

“Now then,” He clasped his fingers with a hum, like he didn’t just throw down a young man into the waters below, “If it brings you any comfort, I take no joy in this.” 

Danzo turned around when he felt something brush against his legs, dark eyes staring around at the ominous surface of the current churning around him. It made it hard to start moving towards the stairs–when had he gotten further away like this?--before he felt it again. 

“However, my love must eat, one way or another.”

It was so dark, he couldn’t make out any shapes in the water  as he was beginning to panic. His heart felt as if it was trying to break through his rib cage as no breath seemed to fully reach his lungs. He wanted to cry, to scream, to beg, to curse this man all at once for whatever it was he was thrown into the water for.

“He’s caught the scent of your blood. He tends to not leave behind anything. My brother will be sad you’re gone, but at least he won’t know how you left us. It’s better he wonders if you’re gone somewhere, more happier with your life.”

“Please Hashirama-sama—!”

“Good night, Danzo-kun.”

There’s barely even a moment for him to see what comes out of the water. When he turned his head is when fangs bite down into his throat and strong hands suddenly grip hard on to his shoulders as he is dragged under the water. Bubbles leave his lips as the pressure makes his ears pop while the sensation of his own flesh being torn causes the water to darken further with his blood. 

His vision continues to blur as he sinks down deeper, the pressure of the water growing with each push downwards, until the last thing he felt was the rocky sand below against his back. 

…

Slowly, quietly the three stairs that remained dried creak from Hashirama slowly sitting back on them. He smiles softly when he sees the familiar fin sticking from the water while looking at the white spot just in front of it and the familiar tail. 

If anyone else were here they might think they were looking at an orca, a rather beautiful but dangerous creature, merciless in their hunts and playful to a near sadistic degree. 

However, as Hashirama waited with baited breath, instead of the familiar friendly looking head of an orca, instead of the torso of a man. 

His hair was soaked, yet still retained its wild spiky look as the merman slowly rested his hands upon the human’s legs. He tilted his head at him with onyx eyes that made Hashirama’s heart flutter as he took in the appearance of his love. 

“Madara,” He whispered as his hands very gently held the merman’s cheeks, chuckling as clawed hands gently pressed over his as a happy trill left the merman, “Did you enjoy your meal, my love?” 

Madara swishes his orca tail back and forth happily, smiling to show his sharp teeth as he nuzzles into the familiar warm palms, “Mrrrrr….” 

“I’ll take that as a yes…you look so beautiful tonight…” 

The merman and the human are so engrossed in each other; here at the high tide there was no need to hide, no need to pretend. Here is where they could let their love be and spend time together when the waters rise this high to allow the merman a way to get close. 

It didn’t matter how much blood had to fill the water when they did.

Chapter 3: Wetlands (Hinata/TenTen)

Summary:

Just a day in the wetlands where a local couple watch the fan boats.

Notes:

Day 3: Wetlands

I just...I just really wanted to write about Manatee mermaid Hinata and her fish mermaid gf TenTen. It just seemed like scuh a cute idea for thie one, so I hope you find it enjoyable ^^

By wetlands I am talking about the Florida wetlands.

Not beta read, but I hope you enjoy.

It’s not everyday that the wetlands have the large fan boats skim over the normally calm surface. It usually meant that there were people around and when they were around it meant it was time to hide away. 

Granted  not everyone did that despite warnings to keep away from the land dwellers. 

It was a precaution. A warning for the fry and the pups of those who reside there locally to stay safe. No one wished to see the young be snatched up or reveal that there were more than just regular animals living here. It did help though that the surface had a long grass and plenty of cover from the native aquatic plants. With the heavy rains the last few days the waters were also deeper as well. 

No one would think twice about there being merfolk in the wetlands. 

From beneath a lilypad, peaking out at them with wide brown eyes was a mermaid who was watching the loud fan boat just continue on its way while the one directing it was speaking into a weird device that made his voice louder. While she was cautious of humans didn’t mean she wasn’t curious as well; a young mermaid such as herself wanted to learn more, yet couldn’t bring herself to take that leap into approaching them. 

Dark hazel eyes continue to watch from the cover she had for herself…and she squeaks a little when another mermaid slowly pokes her head out beside her. 

“Eep! Hinata!” she hisses quietly, turning to the other mermaid in surprise. 

Hinata blinks those pretty, clouded opaque eyes looking at her; her long dark hair with a hue of light blue was sticking to the sides of her head with some duckweed sticking to the top of it. Slowly the other mermaid lifts her head up a little more to offer a smile and a happy little wave to the other.

“Hi TenTen. I saw you were over here and thought I would come say hello,” her voice was so soft; it’s always been quiet and soft yet Tenten could always manage to hear her.

Tenten sinks down a bit until she calms down from her initial spook, giving Hinata a raised brow. However she was smiling at her back as she settled in beside her. She never could be mad at the other mermaid; she was too gentle and sweet. 

Many weren’t surprised by Hinata’s temperament since she has the lower half of a manatee. It suited her shy nature and she was usually good at hiding herself. It also helped that the humans tended to leave manatees alone. 

Compared to her, Tenten, with the fin and tail of a gold shiner, was a lot more adventurous. Even now she was imagining what it would be like if the land dwellers saw either of them. Both grew up with many stories of such things happening; some ending happily with friendships made while others ended tragically because of human greed wishing to expose them to the whole world. Though with how loud that fan was she wasn’t even sure anyone would notice if she got closer. 

However she is topped by Hinata gently holding her arm under water and moving closer. 

“B-better not risk it Tenten…we sh-shouldn’t bother them especially with that huge fan spinning…r-remember what happened t-to N-Neji last time….” she moved closer to her and gently stroked up and down the manatee mermaid’s arm. 

Her skin was such a soft shade of grey from her elbows down with thick webbing between her fingers, different compared to the light gold scales along Tenten’s. She smiles at Hinata reassuringly. 

“I’m not Neji, I wouldn’t go charging in head first. Besides he was lucky no one spotted him, Hinata, although I think he scared them with some of the blood that filled the water.”

The sound of the fan started to fade away as Tenten comforted the other. She was always protective of Hinata; she was a gentle person with not a mean bone in her body. It didn’t help that sometimes she was an easy target for bullying by some of the others who reside here. Tenten sinks back down in the water with Hinata, gently keeping a hold of her hands as they swim calmly to ensure they don’t make too many ripples that could attract attention. 

Being a manatee mermaid, Hinata was a bit slower. Granted that wasn’t necessarily her fault as the manatees who migrated through these parts were never in a rush and were so friendly that predators avoided them. Now if only TenTen could do the same with getting the bullies to leave Hinata alone. 

She swims under Hinata as she opens her gills on her neck, but makes sure the other stays close to the surface to breathe. While Hinata could hold her breath for long periods she liked to stay close in case she became anxious or panicked for any reason. Besides having a mermaid like TenTen keeping guard from under her keeps her further at ease from being targeted. The golden shiner mermaid was well known for getting into fights with others when they went after the manatee mermaid. She made sure that anyone who hurt such a kind and gentle mermaid would live to regret it when Tenten scratched them up or bit them with her teeth to show she really meant business. 

“You want to go to eat some sea grass? I saw a fresh patch growing and I know how much you like it,” she smiles up at her sweetly, her eyes half lidded as they continue forwards. 

Hinata’s little tail wiggles in response as her smile was so bright at the mention of one of her favorite snacks as she leaned down and nuzzles the mermaid who is always so good to her. Even when there were times she worried she was holding Tenten back from adventures past the wetlands she always was grateful to have her here. 

She hoped to have Tenten stay by her side for a long long time. 

Chapter 4: Seabed (Mighty Gai/Baki)

Summary:

If anyone would be excited about studying the different levels of the seabed, it would be him.

Notes:

Day 4: Seabed

i recently came across this pairing and honestly it is just so very cute and sweet. Especially since I've never seen Gai shipped with anyone from Suna before, and I just thought it was sweet. Especially if it's marine biologist Gai and merman Baki, hehehe.

Hope you guys enjoy!

If anyone would be excited about studying the different levels of the seabed, it would be him. 

Be it the deepest, darkest depths or the shallowest, brightest bay areas it was as if he was obsessed with knowing what survived there. Some believe it was due to his competitive nature–it comes out whenever he worked with one of his fellow marine biologists who was also very well known for his stellar research–that pushed him to be as thorough as possible. Others think he should look at other aspects of the ocean that would be more fascinating such as the reefs full of beautiful fish and other marine life both known and unknown. 

If he was honest, he studied the sea bed the most due to the fact there was always something to discover, something that changes with time. He lives to discover, to record, to write down so that he could go back later when something else is discovered. 

Gai smiled as he swam along the sandy bottom of the seabed. It was deep enough that there was a slight blue haze  between here and the surface where his boat resides. He hummed behind the oxygen nozzle, looking around with his goggles as his bubbles rose from each exhale.

While he loved his research, there is another reason he loved to be down here; he had a certain friend he enjoyed meeting here when it was just him in the water while his three students waited up above the surface; knowing they are going over their own research and their notes. 

He stopped a moment when he spotted it; a small circle of stones that were carefully placed and resembled a large circle. He smiles slowly as he swims around it, recognizing the patterns of the sea rocks that were placed there along the sand as he kicks his flipper clad feet as gently as possible so as not to disturb it.

“Hehehe, you certainly still know how to make a guy feel welcomed,” He chuckled as he mentally made a note to bring down the camera later to take a shot of it. 

From the corner of his eyes he saw some movement that may or may not have been a shadow. He slowly turned on to his side to see what it was and felt a sense of excitement when he saw what it was.

What greets him was something most would think came straight out of a fairy tale. 

A merman swims towards him; his tail that of the venomous toadfish as it flicked in the water to propel him toward Gai. His head was cut down close to his scalp with noticeable scars over his right eye; the pupil opaque to show that it was not useful. He was close to the sandy bottom as he calmly swam up to the marine biologist and circled him. 

Along his back was a fin that raised softly to show his joy and along his arms and shoulders were the speckled patterns of scales as he slowly swam around him. He smiled as he leaned over him and tapped his claw tipped finger against the goggles with a few bubbles rising from his mouth. 

“Hi Baki~” Gai beamed; if it were possible the bubbles that leave from the oxygen looked heart shaped.

Baki trills quietly, a warm smile coming over his lips. When Gai was a younger man he remembered the first time he met him. He was a young student who was trying to prove himself and who just wanted to show he wasn’t just a try hard. 

He remembers how he had almost ran into the merman closer to the shore, between the crevices of large rocks that he had wanted to study and send back to the labs. The first meeting when they both were young and uncertain of what the one wanted with the other. 

Gently, Gai reached up and held the merman’s face. With his fingerless gloves he could feel the other’s smooth skin in the cold water. It was a shame he couldn’t remove the oxygen, especially at this level. Even if it’s not the dark depths it wasn’t safe at this kind of pressure. 

“I missed you. You look like you missed me too, huh? I see you made a nest,” he nodded towards the stones that were so carefully placed, “Is your mating season approaching? Well whoever you’re trying to impress, is going to be so lucky to hear your singing.”

Baki blinked then he huffed and then moved in to nuzzle his jaw against the human’s head. His voice can’t be heard under the water by humans as he wrapped his arms around Gai. Sound tends to be muted down here–unless one is a whale or a dolphin.able to make loud enough sounds to travel through. He rests his face in the human’s dark hair a moment while closing his eyes to savor this moment. 

His human really didn’t come down to see him nearly enough.  Even if he knew it could be dangerous should other humans know of his existence, it was torture when Gai went away to do more of his marine work. 

“Are you going to sing me a song?” Gai chuckled softly. He found it fascinating how some merfolk would adopt some of the behaviors of the fish they have the tails of; as toadfish used a special way of singing to attract mates. 

The merman huffed before he slowly wrapped his arms around the diver’s waist and nudged his head under his chin. His tail swishes back and forth happily, showing just how much having his human here has made his day. He leaned up for another nuzzle and a little nip to his neck–not to hurt but to show he was feeling playful. 

“Aaw, I’d love to play with you, Baki, but my students might get worried if I don’t start ascending back to the surface,” He very gently hugged him back, feeling Baki slump, “It’s okay though, I’m going to be coming back out here for the next few months and come see you as much as I can.” 

He laughs as when the merman hears that, he trills louder and wiggles his tail, nuzzling under his neck and chirping happily. 

Truly, Gai had the best job in the world. 

Chapter 5: Reef (Temari/Shikamaru)

Summary:

Many who have been witness to this couple amongst their reef couldn’t quite believe it.

Notes:

Day 5: Reef

Let's be honest; Shikamaru as a sea bunny suits him so well. He's cute, slow, and just wants to eat algae all day. It would be perfect for him as a merman and he has a beautiful stingray mermaid mate.

Enjoy the fluff of one of my favorite m/f ships in Naruto.

Many who have been witness to this couple amongst their reef couldn’t quite believe it. 

Especially with such stark differences between them with their tails and lifestyles living here. One being a mermaid with the fins and stinger of a manta ray for her tail, swimming closer to the surface like a majestic bird soars through the sky; it’s no secret she has had many who had fought and attempted to woo her to be their mate before she made her decision. 

Which brings attention to the other one; a merman who had the tail of a sea slug; a white tail with black speckles and from his forehead two fluffy black prongs with his back hair tied back into a spiky ponytail with twine he found while moving across the reef.

He liked to take his time moving about the coral and rocks, as other merfolk tended to pass over him due to how cranky he was. He only had a handful of friends who liked to stop and converse with him before swimming about their day. He was a strange merman; hence there were those in the reef who found it odd that a sea slug merman and a manta ray mermaid were together romantically. 

“Shikamaru!”

Said merman was currently laying out over a rock, eating some algae he found and just relaxing as his tail lazily swished back and forth in the sand. However he raised his head when he heard her call out, seeing the familiar shape before his mate swam down to him. With the sunlight shining down form the surface it made her wild blonde hair look like it was made from gold coins that are found within treasure chests of the old ship yards. 

“Hey, you look like you’re having a good day,” he smiles as he nibbles on the algae. It was just very tasty to him, “Did you find anything to eat? I heard that there was some plankton over to the north, though I do believe some whales got to it first.”

Temari calmly moves down and sits down on the rock beside him, reaching out and gently stroking his hair while avoiding the two little fluffy looking prongs. After all, she knew how sensitive they were and didn’t want to hurt him. 

“I already had a snack, my brothers gave me some snacks before coming here. What about you? Find anything besides Algae to eat?” She smiles when he grumbles, yet still leaned into her touch while averting his eyes.

“It’s been a drag finding algae today. Had to make my way all the way out here for it. I ended up snatching up a few sponges before I found some,” He huffed, disgust on his face. He hated the taste of sea sponges, especially their texture. He knows they help keep his venom supply but if he can avoid eating them he absolutely will. 

Temari chuckled as she gently pulled him to her, “At least you ate something nutritious, I’m sure your mother would be very proud if you told her.”

“Meh,” Shikamaru rolled his eyes, “It’s still such a drag if you ask me. Ugh…” He shakes his head as he then slowly moves closer to her without thinking, “I’m at least glad you’re here so the day isn’t a complete loss.”  

“Oh really now? If I recall back when we met, you thought us being together would be a drag.”

She smirks at the way his cheeks become a soft pink as he swishes his tail again against the sand and averted his eyes. 

“W-well a guy can change his mind, can’t he? Besides it’s not like either one of us was subtle about it…” 

Gently she rested a fin on his back as she wrapped her arm around his shoulders and leaned in to nuzzle her cheek against his head, “You’re cute when you get all flustered, you know that? I should make you flustered more often.” 

“Gah…!” he hissed while leaning against her side, “Uugh, I don’t know where you get the idea that I am adorable, but you seem really convinced–”

“Because it’s the truth. You’re adorable, even if you are cranky and sarcastic,” She hummed as she kissed his nose with a sweet happy trill. 

He was a good person underneath the sardonic retorts and snappy comebacks when others are acting like idiots. Yet he could also be generous and is kind to the young who sometimes play along the bottom, was as loyal as he was snarky when the situation called for it and underneath the venom that flows through him when he needs to use it to get predators away or to make some of the cockier and rowdy merman think twice about fighting him.

Shikamaru looked like he wanted to just burrow himself into the sand as his entire face had turned red. Dammit how was it that she was able to make him so flustered in just a few words?

Temari smiled as she calmly leaned down to rest her chin on his head, closing her eyes as she let herself be completely at ease. 

“...You’re too nice to me…” He mumbled after a moment. 

“Only because you deserve to be treated nicely, even if you can be a jerk when you’re in a bad mood….” she swishes her little tail back and forth while her wing-like fins give a happy little flutter. 

No matter what anyone else said, she was immensely happy with her grumpy sea bunny even if he sometimes could be a pain in her fins. She was in love with him and once mating season came she intended to have many little ones with him. 

Shikamaru allows himself a small little smile when he thinks she can’t see him. He closes his eyes and slowly rests against her while trying not to give away how happy he was snuggled up against her. 

He’s just happy that this was going to be the rest of their lives together.

Chapter 6: Abyssal (Jugo/Suigetsu)

Summary:

It’s no secret that she’s always wanted to know what hides down where the light never touches.

Notes:

Day 6: Abyssal

For this one I wanted to do something a little darker. Such as Karin going down to the abyssal zone and finding two specimens that could heighten her career...if she can get them back.

No beta read, I hope you enjoy!

It’s no secret that she’s always wanted to know what hides down where the light never touches. 

The fact that the ocean was so deep that not even the sun could reach it with its bright beams made many wonder how anything could survive down there. While there have been many different species of fish, crustaceans and other wondrous creatures yet that seemed to be barely scratching the surface. 

What Karin desired was to discover more of what hides in the darkness. It wasn’t hard to find someone who agreed that there was more to the abyss than what they currently, and with a little more persuasion she got the full support of Orochimaru-san to fund her to go on a solo expedition; to have a submarine to go to the deepest levels with the proper equipment to survive the heavy pressure of water that would kill her if she didn’t.

Of course there are lines of communication; she needed to keep her sponsor updated on her research and make check-ins so that he knows she’s there working and not just dilly dallying the time away. 

It’s been over two weeks now since she started this exploration and so far she’s made some good progress. She’s noticed a lot of things that weren’t documented before and she found herself growing more and more excited. 

Today she brought her camera with her in the heavy deep sea diving suit that had a line of oxygen connected to the ship. It could go many many yards away so she could explore properly without worrying about running out of it. Her hands were shaking with her excitement as she walked along the sand. She keeps her flashlight on so she can properly navigate the waters without being weighed down by a tank on her back. 

Fish swim past her, their bioluminescence a sight to behold. If she could, she would stay down here forever to study these fish and never have to deal with people who think she’s weird and insane for her bold tendencies and outbursts at the labs she has worked at before. 

However she has to remind herself why she is here; to find new specimens and bring them back to the surface for Orochimaru-san to take and study at his facility.  Such dreams were for when she was a kid who didn’t know better. 

She sighed as she turned to see an angular fish swimming by with a raised brow when it seems to be in quite a hurry. She’s never seen one look so…nervous. 

Perhaps the angler saw something further down? Karin paused in her movements a moment, taking her flashlight to look around and make sure nothing was coming up on her. It’s a few moments of slowly circling around. 

As she slowly began to put her flashlight away–

Tmp!

She gasped and jolted when she felt something tap the top off her helmet,  flailing her arms as her eyes widened before she looked around. Instantly she’s reaching down by her hop where there's a spear gun tucked away. It’s in case she runs into anything hostile or if she found a specimen to bring in. Either way she has her grip on the handle. 

Nothing was there now, even as she looked up and then back and forth in an attempt see what could have–

Tmp! Tmp!

Karin cries out again and turns to try and see what did that and this time she catches a small glance of what looks like a tail. She turned her flashlight in an attempt to see what it was, to try to catch a better look to see what was tapping on her helmet. 

Again she is unable to catch sight of anything despite trying. 

Tmp! Tmp!

This time she hears something; a playful trilling sound before she grabbed her harpoon out and snapped around to jump back to see what was doing this. It sounded like nothing she’s heard before and when she shines the light towards the cause—

“Holy—!” she cried out, stumbling back.

What greets her eyes is what she logically knows shouldn’t be real yet here it was. At first sight of seeing the tail she immediately recognizes it as a viperfish; an abyssal zone animal that was normal around these areas. However as she moves her light up, instead of a frightening looking head with huge black eyes and jagged fangs she finds instead the torso of a man attached to it.

His hair was white like new snow with eyes like amethysts. His ears had a small point to them and there were noticeable gills on his neck, twitching softly. Patterned patches of scales were along his arms and his back before he slowly grins at her, showing his sharp white teeth. She kept her eyes trained on him in case he was going to try anything, watching how he moved so flawlessly through the dark waters with her flash light trained on him. 

This. This is what she’s been waiting for. This is what she staked her career on finding, and went to Orochimaru for. This was her chance to prove she was right to everyone.who thought she was too ambitious, too stubborn to listen to reason. 

“Okay…are you going to be nice and easy or are you going to make this harder than it needs to?” she murmured at the merman. She needed to capture him, needed to bring him up, needed to study him thoroughly in the labs. 

There was a merman in the abyssal zone of the ocean; one with the tail of a viperfish and moved so smoothly she wondered why he was circling her. Karin can feel her heart beating loudly in her chest the longer this continues. She remembers as he begins to circle closer that she had her harpoon gun gripped in her hand when he got closer.

He leaned over her slowly looking more curious…until he seemed to finally notice the harpoon gun in her hand. 

The change in his demeanor immediately puts her on edge as she watches his lips curve back to show off the full extent of his sharp fangs.as his gills flared out at her. His jaw shakes with a noise that the water muffled, however she didn’t need to hear it to know what he was planning. 

“...Hard then,” she hissed. 

When he lunged forwards, she reacted quickly; lifting her weapon up and pulling the trigger without a second thought as it then pierced through the end of his tail as she jumped back to put space between them. It didn’t seem like she hit anything vital which she felt some relief for.

The longer she can keep him alive, the better. She’s sure she could summon a transport and keep him held by the submarine until then, she just needed to tie him to it. Then she could grab a sedative to make sure he stays docile until then…!

He thrashed angrily, wriggling and trying to get away yet the metal rope that connected him to the gun was strong and the harpoon was stuck in. 

Karin huffed as she slowly grabbed on to the rope herself and began to pull him towards her. 

“Don’t worry. I promise this will be a temporary thing until we can get you back to the lab,” She hissed as she pulled the thrashing merman towards her while at the same time backing towards her submarine, “Once i send my examinations to Orochimaru, and they have others come to transport, you’ll be cut open and examined to see what makes you tick…then we could extend the search for more like you…” 

She can see it now. The praise. The fame. The fortune. She was going to be recognized for pursuing her dreams! Her hands were trembling with barely contained joy and excitement, even as some of the merman’s blood started to leak into the water. 

He was struggling still, opening his mouth with muffled shrieks as he clawed at the rocky ground.

“Come on, don't make this harder. You’re going to be the start of a new era of scientific discovery!”  She smiles, her eyes gleaming when he pauses in his struggles and looks back at her. Or well…from where he lays it looks as if he was looking back at her. Karin feels a small swell of triumph in her. 

SNAP!

It came out of nowhere. One moment she was relishing the future she believed waited for her, the next she had a large tentacle over her helmet. She shouted as she moved to try and pull it off, only to have something wrap tightly around her arm and pull it back with a sickening crack.

“Ack…!” 

More tentacles wrap around her, tightening and pushing her down into the sand beneath as something weighed down on her back. Then she’s lifted up again and suddenly being held up face to face with the one causing this. 

She becomes pale when she sees it’s another merman; a bigger one with wild hair as bright as the skin of a tangerine. He had his fangs bared and his gaze was piercing through her. She watches how his pupils dilate sideways like that of squid or octopus’ as he slammed her down again this time on her back. Then again and again as she felt her back erupt in pain with each slam down. 

She lost her grip on the harpoon gun before she’s finally released and left to lay there in pain and stunned out of her mind. 

What she sees as this larger merman swims over her is the tentacles of a giant squid; propelling him over to the other. 

Slowly, she rolled herself over with a wheeze to look and see what it was that he was after. 

The smaller merman whimpered as the harpoon is pulled out of his tail before he reaches his hands up towards the larger one. Immediately he picks him up, nuzzling him aggressively as he wraps his tentacles around the harpoon and snaps it in two. 

Dammit…I should have made sure he was alone…! 

The white haired one nuzzles under the other’s chin before he locks his eyes on Karin…then he growls and slowly swims over towards her, hissing low in his throat as he moves along the ocean floor now. The larger, orange haired one slowly circles around, ready to step in when needed. 

Karin tried to push herself back, to move but as she did she ended up putting too much weight on her injured arm and cried out in pain. 

Tmp. 

She gasped sharply at the tap to her helmet and looked up to see that smaller merman, a sinister grin on his face as he slowly held the oxygen line that connected to her suit. 

It takes her a split second before she tries to move, “Don’t–!”

Be bites down into the line with his sharp teeth before he tears it open  before he pulled away from her. Karin cries out–

The larger merman jumped, started when the sudden rush in of water combined with the sudden loss of air makes the helmet break. He slowly swims over as the strange thing that had hurt his mate begins to float off slowly through the water with barely a twitch. 

His mate purred as he then slowly moved to cuddle into his side chirping before he winced in pain. Suigetsu doesn’t know what was shot into him but he also hated how hard it made it to swim now. He grunted as his larger mate, Jugo, gently wrapped his arms around him and tried to gently see how bad the damage was.

Suigetsu hummed as he looked back at the strange creature who had come into their territory before he chuffs and just lets Jugo begin swimming away with him.

Before anything came to see if there was something good to eat. 

Chapter 7: Shipwreck (Kisame)

Summary:

It was a well known fact that most merfolk were social creatures.

Notes:

Day 7: Shipwreck

No pairing for this one, just focusing on Kisame being a really good dad to his daughter, as both are shark merfolk. I wanted some extra fluff.

Hope you enjoy!

It was a well known fact that most merfolk were social creatures. A majority of them tend to inhabit reefs, or stay in huge schools or pods out in the open seas or even take refuge in bay areas or sea caves depending on their habitats. It was believed that this instinct to be around so many others was due to the fact that there was strength in numbers especially against predators or other merfolk who want to fight. 

However that was not the case for all merfolk. 

There are some who prefer to be solitary; alone or only have the capacity to deal with a very small group. These ones tended to be ones who have tails of the ocean’s deadliest hunters; squids, whales, dolphins, and the most common, sharks. 

Somewhere far out at sea, there was a known shipwreck that had long sunken down; an old ship from the eighteen hundreds that was all wood and some metal bits with the occasional skulls here and there. It was still in okay shape save for the massive holes in the hull. 

It would make a wonderful, social space for the merfolk who deeply enjoy being social and happy…if not for the fact it was a claimed territory. 

The merman who resided there was known for having the tail of a great white shark and being a rather large one as well. He had long chased others out of the area with the threat of violence and all who knew about the area knew spilling blood was a terrible idea. Though lately, it has been noticed that he has stuck closer to this shipwreck more than usual. 

There’s a very good reason for that. 

It was a rather bright morning for the ocean; sunlight beams through the water’s surface and manages to reach down to the long abandoned vessel where the shark resided. 

Kisame was normally out scouring his territory.at this time; making sure there wasn’t anyone trying to slip past his defenses or trying to cause a fight with him. Either way, he absolutely would not be in the mood for it if that was what woke him up. 

Instead, what awakens him is a soft nibbling along his ear. It hurt a little; not enough to break skin, but enough to certainly wake him up as he grunted and lowly reached up a hand to stop what was causing it. 

“Krrrrr?” 

He cracked open one of his eyes and was met with a familiar little face that now was leaning over to look at him. 

She was an albino mermaid pup; with red shark like eyes and the usually great white markings on her tail being an extremely pale grey instead of the dark he had. She was about a few weeks old as she lightly pressed her little clawed hands against Kisame’s cheeks. 

If anyone else had woken him up this way he would have bitten their hands clean off or gone for the jugular. Instead he returned a soft trill in response before giving her a nibble on her ear; a sign of playful affection between parent and pup. 

“Hmm…What is it, little pup? Are you hungry already?” He hummed as he lightly bumped his forehead to hers. His little pup was born not so long ago; born from her mother who rejected her and left her out in the open where it was dangerous while Kisame had been away. 

It’s not that he had ever loved her mother; they had both been victims of their instincts as it was mating season and since she was successfully conceived, the mother had stayed. 

Kisame hoped that the horrible creature never came back, or else he would kill her for leaving his pup to die. 

She chirps before she holds up a handful of clams–which was two since she had rather tiny hands–and the two were wriggling in an attempt to escape the little one’s grasp. She nodded at them before she offered them again with a croon. 

“Well look at you, Sunofureko,” He smiled as he took them, “Already collecting them on your own?”

“Geh~” She smiled brightly at him showing her little sharp teeth.

He chuckled and slowly he sat up before he took one clam to bite down into; breaking open the shell to get at the tender meat inside. He dug a claw around for a moment until he had a good grip on the meat before offering it to her to eat; she was growing, therefore she needed all the nutrients and food she could get right now. She squealed in utter delight.

The ship shifted slightly; a normal phenomenon due to how sometimes the sands would shit and when he moved a little too hard it would rock the shipwreck slightly. However it was balanced just enough that he didn’t have to worry about it tipping. Not unless a large whale wasn’t watching where it was going. 

“Om nom nom nom nom nom…” 

Kisame snorted before he saw his daughter; eating the meat as her little tail flickered softly while she ate. Sunfureko was a very happy pup as she chewed the rubbery insides of the clam with her little jagged sharp teeth. She leans back on her papa to keep her upright as she bites into the shell as well–a little extra crunch for her as she purrs softly. 

He chuckled quietly before he took the other clam to eat for himself. 

“Soon you won’t need me to break these open for you, little one. Soon you’ll be swimming around this old wreck and hunting to your heart’s content,” he reaches down to tickle under her chin, earning him a happy squeal of joy. 

Sunofureko looks up at him before she sneezes; causing a little stream of bubbles that rise up towards the ceiling over them and in turn earning another chuckle. 

He may, by nature, be a solitary merman. His species wasn’t known for gathering in hunting groups unless it was to mate and build a family. However having a pup here to raise and teach has made the solitude non-existent. 

He hopes to keep it that way for a long long time. 

 

Chapter 8: Swamp (Obito/Tobi)

Summary:

People tend to have a rather low opinion when it comes to the swamp.

Notes:

Day 8: Swamp

I liked the idea of Tobi being this sweet guy who comes to clean litter from the swamps and Obito is a catfish merman who likes to swim beside him and follow him.

Just some fluffy stuffs. Enjoy!

People tend to have a rather low opinion when it comes to the swamp. 

It was filled with many animals, thick mud and insects who resided there that can make it hard for visitors to fully enjoy the natural beauty of it. They were more concerned about getting bitten by leeches or mosquitos, accidentally getting sick from the frogs, and being attacked by some of the snakes who reside there. 

Such things were a valid concern of course, however so long as they were careful and took precautions then there was truly no need to worry about it. 

At least that’s what Tobi thinks. He made it a goal to come down to the swamp as much as possible to clean her up of any garbage people were unkind enough to leave lying around. He puts on his galoshes and fishing pants, a mesh veil to keep bugs off and makes sure to put on plenty of bug repellant as well as respecting areas where he knows there are animals nesting. 

He’s lived near here since he was a boy when the town wasn’t a popular place but instead somewhere to settle and grow up in; not the tourist trap it was now. 

The life he grew up with was him watching fireflies fly over the water and listening to the frogs singing from the tall grass. He loved this place so much and he did everything to take care of it even if those in the town didn’t appreciate it. 

That was all right with him; he liked being here more than anywhere else. 

He hums a merry little tune as he walks through, smiling as he sees some fish swimming by him, along with a few turtles. He even giggles when a few pause to stare at him as he passes as if stopping to give him a little greeting before he makes his way further in. 

“Hello little guys, just coming to make sure the swamp doesn’t have any bad garbage that you could accidentally swallow…hello hello…” he smiles softly as he lifted the mesh veil for a better look; the gnats and mosquitos weren’t quite out yet so he didn’t need this at the moment. 

Another reason he liked the swamp was that no one stared or pointed at the disfiguring scar where his left eye used to be. He had gotten a little too careless while standing on the docks and ended up tripping and well…he learned never to use a stick to act like a fishing pole while running. 

“I promise once I’ve gotten around I’ll be out of here so you can return to your usual activities.” 

He jumped a bit as he took another step–

–only for him to suddenly have a lot of water splashed on him by a tail too large to be a normal fish! He jumped and blinked as some swamp water got into his face and for a moment almost lost his balance. He grunted as he rubbed at his remaining eye to try and clear his vision before he saw the small fin that peeks out from the water. 

Slowly he crossed his arms, watching as it circles him and even raised a brow as he waited quietly for the owner of that tail to stop with his little tantrum and surface. It’s a few minutes longer before a head of black hair slowly breached the surface; eyes like two onyx stones glaring up at him accusingly. 

“Now don’t look at me like that, Obito. You know I can’t see you when you are all the way at the bottom of the swamp!”

The tail rises from the water and smacks against the surface; the tail of a freshwater catfish as he continues to glare at him. 

“Don’t you take that kind of attitude with me. I would never intentionally hurt you!” Tobi slowly stepped closer to his friend. 

He remembers the first time he met the strange and grumpy Obito; a merman with the tail of a catfish and the torso and face of a man. It had been a very rainy day and Tobi had gone out to try and see what he could clean despite the downpour; mainly because he had heard a very loud and rambunctious party taking place near the swamp the night before. 

Needless to say Obito had hated it and had been struggling to take plastic off his tail, and when he saw Tobi that day he wasn’t too keen on having him get too close–which he could understand because who wants to have the cause of the problem trying to come up out of nowhere and touch a merman when he’s in pain? 

Somehow, after a small chase and managing to get the plastic off, he ended up with an unusual, cranky catfish merman as a friend. 

Tobi continued on with his usual routine as he walked through the murky waters, at the moment ignoring the glare he’s getting from the other for a solid fifteen minutes before he feels a tug on his fishing pants. He smiles and turns around to face his fishy friend with a chuckle. 

Obito doesn’t look up at him but he does reach up his hand towards him; the fingers with long black talons and having round fins along the sides of his forearms. 

“Hello to you too,” He smiles softly as Obito keeps his face turned away, “Sorry for stepping on your tail. I wasn’t being careful.” 

“..s’ok,” Obito grumbled as he gently intertwined their fingers as he followed the only human he actually likes, “..I know you didn’t mean it…just startled me….’

He never really expected this to happen, yet here he is; after their first meeting five years ago here he is with the only human who cared about this swamp and went out of his way to take care of it. 

He swims beside him, just happy to be beside this kind human who somehow sees through his temper and his pessimism and sees something worth caring about.  

Tobi smiles at him and it takes every fiber of self control not to open the fin on the back of his tail and start wiggling it. The last thing he needed was to start acting like a young merman in mating season before said season even arrived!

Though he’s sure, as they continue on their way, that Tobi wouldn’t mind. 

Chapter 9: Pond (Naruto/Sasuke)

Summary:

He goes where there’s the quiet sound of water trickling and the smell of lotus that fills the air.

Notes:

Day 9: Pond

I have always pictured that Naruto, in fresh water, would be a koi fish merman. And I thought for this one what if he was the beloved merman of Prince Sasuke who lived in the pond of his garden? I thought it would be a cute idea since I can imagine Sasuke's life as a prince to be rather isolating especially being the second born.

Hope you guys enjoy the one shot ^^

If there was one place that the prince liked to go it was to the large gardens; many in his father’s court speculate a number of reasons why he would want to be there. Some think it’s because he goes there for more private meditations, others think it’s to look at the pretty flowers and take care of them when the gardeners aren’t around, then there are those who think he goes there to train by himself–he was known for being a rather harsh sparring partner when he tried fighting with a partner. 

So many have ideas of what Prince Sasuke of the Uchiha Family was doing. If anyone really took a moment and just paid closer attention they would know that he did none of the things they wonder about. 

He goes deeper into the gardens, where it’s quieter. Where there aren’t flowers on the hedges and little room for training. He goes where there’s the quiet sound of water trickling and the smell of lotus that fills the air. 

It’s where he felt most at ease because hardly anyone else comes here unless it’s to bring food or clean up the large pond that resides there. It was a beautiful one; ten feet deep and twenty feet wide with many water plants that reside on the surface. When it’s dark out, pretty blue stones glow to illuminate the waters and it is protected from the snowy winters by a glass roof that keeps the snow out and heaters to keep the water from freezing over. 

Sasuke felt the most at ease here; where he can sit and just enjoy the ambience and not worry about being disturbed by anyone, save for his older brother but Itachi rarely disrupted his needed solitude. He knows his big brother respected his need for space more than anyone else. 

Of course there was another person who he was very fond of meeting here. 

“You awake dobe?” He slowly walked to the edge of the large pond with half -lidded eyes; the sun had already set down past the horizon as he sat down with a soft smile. The stones were glowing under the surface as there’s a familiar form swimming under the lily pads. 

The prince’s smile grew as he crouched down, waiting happily for his favorite person in this entire kingdom–even if by some definitions he wasn’t considered a person. 

A head of blonde hair and eyes as blue as a clear sky peeks out from the water and looks at him happily. In the soft blue lighting he can see a pretty tail; splotches of white, orange and gold shimmering as it swishes back and forth under the water; the tail of a koi fish. 

He remembers the first day his parents brought the merman to this giant pond; a child like himself with little gills on his cheeks that reminded him of whiskers. He didn’t know what to expect when he met a merman; however what he ended up with was a close, dear companion who he hopes he never has to leave.

“Hi teme,” the merman purred as he rested his arms on the edge, “What brings you back here this time?” 

Sasuke sits down and removes his sandals to dig his feet into the cool water; smiling as the merman rests his elbows on his knees. If he could he would stay here all day instead of stay in the stuffy, hot court where nobles talk his ear off and keep trying to make alliances with his parents either by offering their daughters hands for him to take. It felt like it was always the same thing over and over again. 

He gently runs his fingers through the wet blonde hair and chuckles warmly down at his best and only friend. 

“The court is  full of fools who think too highly of themselves and the ladies of the court wouldn’t leave me be until my mother called them away,” He sighed heavily as his fingers gently gently trace along the shell of his precious friend’s ears before he ever so gently ran his thumbs over the little gills on his cheeks.

He makes sure not to press too hard or risk harming him. The last thing he ever wanted was to hurt the one person who made life bearable here; what he wouldn’t give for himself to be a merman himself and to happily swim away the days with him. He wonders what kind of merman he would be; another koi like Naruto? A catfish? Or perhaps his favorite, a betta fish. He wouldn’t mind, especially considering how pretty their fins are and all the array of colors they are. 

Not that it would ever happen. Sadly there is no magic Naruto could conjure to pull such a feat and thus the prince has to make do with the fact that they couldn’t be anything more than friends. Even if he dreamed of them being closer than that. He dreams of floating in the water, letting his dearest one swim up and wrap his arms around him to nuzzle him and wrap his tail around his leg. He dreams of them swimming amongst the moon and stars together with stardust catching on the blonde merman’s tail as they move like the night sky was their pond. 

“Oi, Sasuke,” Naruto gently rests his hands over the prince’s, his blue eyes half lidded, “You with me?”

He is drawn out of his thoughts and he sighed, “Yes, unfortunately.”

His merman pouts adorably, “You know I could just stay under water and ignore you…”

“Ah but only until you get bored of staring at the plants on the surface and start missing me, then you’ll come back whining for my attention,” He snickered softly, knowing that he was right. 

Naruto trills and then he sulks with his head resting on Sasuke’s lap, knowing that despite their bickering and affectionate insulting nicknames they both knew that their time together was precious and limited to these visits. 

He will be sad the day Sasuke can no longer visit him. 

Chapter 10: River (KakaIru)

Summary:

Sunday mornings at the best time to fish in his opinion.

Notes:

Day 10: River

I had a thought where Iruka is a literal river dolphin merman, especially since his last name literally means dolphin. Plus who better for him to rescue than clumsy Kakashi out fishing by himself?

Hope you all enjoy!

Sunday mornings at the best time to fish in his opinion. 

In this little, homey town the people were quiet and resting after a long week of working and going about their daily lives providing for loved ones or for themselves depending on their life in their houses. The river was left alone as no one took their boats out to fish during days like this. 

He loved when it was like this; when the waters were unbothered as they moved over the rocks on the bottom and the fish were swimming about their morning. He would have his fishing gear at the ready, packing it the night before, he would wake up to eat a quick breakfast before grabbing his pole and then he would head out before anyone else was awake. 

Kakashi didn’t quite understand why no one went fishing on Sundays when it was always the perfect time. They say the waters tended to be rougher for fishermen, that when they would throw in their nets the current was so bad it would yank them off course or even to yank them overboard into the rapids. 

Some believe it’s because they may have caught a river dolphin. They’re a rare creature, some believe them to be a myth, a legend that has been retconned depending on the person you asked in the little riverside town, Konoha. 

That’s one of the reasons why Kakashi tended to fish from the side with the fishing pole in his grasp. He wanted to try to stand at the side and cast the line; it was easier to hold on to and keep a good grip on it, plus he had the roots and tree trunks to use to keep himself in place. 

However this time he felt a little adventurous. 

As he came upon his usual spot to fish; beside a large oak that had its roots firmly in the ground and there were large rocks that some of the roots wrapped around that were half submerged in the rather rough looking river. 

Not enough to be worried, but definitely rough enough to make things interesting. He held his fishing pole as he slowly stepped down, resting the sturdiness of the river’s floor. He could feel some of the rocks shift but not enough to make his trip. 

At least that’s what Kakashi thought. He hummed a tune to himself as he adjusted his rubber boots and tucked in his pants so that he would be able move easier without worrying about them getting caught on anything. 

“Okay let’s see then hmm…” he had a few bait items tucked in his pockets so he wouldn’t have to keep going back and forth. He wanted to catch as many fish as he could so that he would have a nice dinner and leftovers that would last the next couple of days. He began to whistle as he slowly hooked a little fly to the hook before he cast the line. 

If he remembered it was trout season, one of his favorite fish and he was hoping they would be bigger this year. 

He started to whistle a tune as he tugged on the pole a little to try and attract some fish, closing his eyes to take in the ambiance of the morning, the sun gently reflecting off the water. It was truly a perfect morning to catch some fish. 

Well…it was until something bumped right into his legs. 

His pole goes flying from his hands as he slides down his back and under the ever moving water and cries out loudly in surprise. 

Rocks scrape harshly against his back as the water crashes over his face before he can have a moment to think of his next move; the water alternates quickly between deep and shallow as it pushes him down through the harsh rapids. He swallows water when he tries to raise his head up again.

Kakashi scraped his hands against the rocky riverbed as he tried to stop himself from being drawn back under. He coughs and splutters as he tries to breath before he loses purchase. He shouted when he slammed against some rocks before he could try to grab on to one to stop his descent. 

Fuck! Fuck fuck fuck, the one day I try to be adventurous and this is what it gets me!!! He coughs as he is sent spinning through the white water, trying in vain to find something anything that could–

From the corner of his eyes he can see movement. He gulped down water into his lungs when he suddenly felt arms slip under him and suddenly started pulling him with strength he wasn’t familiar with, eyes widening when he suddenly moved against the current from whoever…or whatever had managed to grab him. He coughed softly when he was suddenly lifted from the water and placed down on land.

Pale silvery hair hung wet over his eyes as he coughed harshly to get the water out of his lungs. He gasped loudly as he managed to grab on to the grass to pull himself as what felt like hands started pushing on his butt to get him out of the river. He grunted, managing to lift his leg and use his knee to pull himself out further. 

“Guh! Haaa…haaa….” he choked and coughed up a huge amount of water before he just rolled on to his side facing the edge of the river. As he hacks and gags his eyes slowly land on an unexpected sight. 

A man who looked around the same age as he did with dark brunette hair, healthily tanned skin and a scar across the bridge of his nose looked at him with some concern. There’s a small necklace around his neck and he had nothing on his torso. He is watching Kakashi with concern yet he doesn’t speak. 

“Uh…h-hey…” Kakashi murmured softly, trying not to stare at him. 

However when he opened his mouth again the man suddenly reared back, and suddenly disappeared under the water. Kakashi scrambled weakly to push himself up, eyes widened–

–only to be greeted by his savior leaping from the water…with the tail of a river dolphin. He watches with wide eyes as he fully changes into the animal that his tail belongs to, diving into the running waters as if he had nothing to worry about.

Kakshi stares in complete shock while processing what it was he just saw. It’s a solid minute before he rubbed his head and looked perturbed. 

“...How hard did I hit my head?” He murmured, brows furrowing

However before he could process further the dolphin poked his head back out and made a soft trill at him before shifting back to the more merman state with a happy grin. 

Kakashi is blushing now because he doesn’t know what the hell is going on…but right now he was staring at a hot merman who just saved him from drowning in the river. He cleared his throat before he shook the water out of his hair. 

He’s not about to question it when the gods present him with such a beautiful person in his presence.

Chapter 11: Whirlpool (Yamato)

Summary:

There are many different ideas of what the infamous Umibozu look like.

Notes:

Day 11: Whirlpool

I wanted to do something focused on yamato a little and decided why not make him some form of sea yokai? And when I saw the umibozu, i thought it was perfect because with how it's described in some instances, it's expression resembles Yamato's infamous stare.

Hope you guys enjoy!

There are many different ideas of what the infamous Umibozu look like. 

The one most talked about amongst those who managed to escape was a large being of pitch black whose only striking features were large eyes that seemed to pierce into their soul. However that was from the mouths of those who managed to survive the tumultuous waters that came when one made an appearance. 

Then there were those who spoke of seeing one with more detailed features; such as hair and a mouth though with such terrible storms they couldn’t identify much else. Then there were a few who believed the creature looked a bit more human in their eyes. 

No matter who has seen one–or well at least claimed to see one it all pointed to it being a very unsettling and deadly omen. 

Naruto hummed as he was going over the barrels the crew had; having been asked to go over them to make sure all their stock was accounted for on their way home from trading. He’s always found the stories of the umibozu to be fascinating and troubling. After all his own parents died on a ship that was sunk during a storm on the seas. 

There were only one survivor who managed to make it back, however they were babbling nonsense and were deemed rather insane from the shock. 

“Looks like a storm is coming,” his crew mate, Shikamaru sighed heavily, “Ugh…what a drag. I was hoping the waters would stay calm until we got back…”

“We should be close enough that  it shouldn’t be too rough though,” Naruto hummed as he turned to his friend, “The waters till calm as far as I can tell.” 

Though as he and Shikamaru turn to go to the top deck to see what else could be done he couldn’t help the chill that goes up his spine as he slowly rubbed his arm. The sky was completely overcast even past the horizon line. 

The air was full of tension as the rest of the crew was trying to ensure they were ready. However as they continued forwards in the direction of home, he can’t help but think he saw something in the water. Naruto stopped at the railing as Shikamaru went on a head to look down at the eerily calm waters. He gulped softly as the water reflected the darkness of the sky while the waters below started to look slightly different. Naruto’s brows furrow as he squinted his blue eyes, the wind beginning to pick up. 

It was cold and sharp as if the wind managed to blow through his skin and reach into his bones as he slowly rubbed his arms. Then he heard a thump and what sounded like the ship being nudged slightly off course. 

“Whoa!” Naruto braced himself against the rail, eyes wide and gasping when he almost lost his footing. He could hear the others shouting in surprise, a few even going over the edge into the waters as they started to suddenly grow rough.  

They began to churn and slowly go into a circular motion…and then he saw it. 

Two unsettling eyes stare from just below the surface; wide open and seeming to be staring particularly at him. Under the whitewater that began to slowly take form he saw the dark outline was a humanoid torso, the rest disappearing under the ship 

“Oh….shit….!” behind the blonde young man he could hear the captain cry out. 

“Is…is the water creating a whirlpool…?!”

“How the fuck would I know?!”

“Look! Look there in the water!” 

“Is…is that…?!”

“Oh no oh no oh no, gods please no no no….!” 

Naruto can’t bring forth the words as he stared at it. Stare as the creature staring up at them slowly rises up from the sea. On the other side of the ship a giant whirlpool has begun to take shape. It spins faster and faster as the ship remains just out of reach of the pull. 

What rises up on this side is a gargantuan creature with long dark brown locks that hangs over the face with unsettling eyes. The creature leaned down slowly with those unsettling eyes that made Naruto wonder what it saw with them. His hands shake as he takes a few steps back especially when the Umibozu leans forwards. 

We’re going to die…we’re going to die…we’re stuck between this and a giant whirlpool behind us…fuck… Naruto swallowed thickly, their ship beginning to rock from the way the waters below seemed to be pushing and pulling the ship around as if trying to decide to get it in the whirlpool or bring it to the Umibozu. The crew was starting to panic, trying to move about to see if perhaps they could try to maneuver to get away or find a barrel that was empty for the Umibozu.

The blonde blinks and suddenly he has the creature leaning down with that giant eye pearing directly into his. He falls back on to his ass with a cry before he watches the Umibozu tilt his head with the long hair that was gnarled with sea creatures, sea shells, ship debris and other things that were moving. 

“Hh..hhh…” 

Slowly a mouth took shape as it was dropped open with those eyes never leaving Naruto. 

He took a slow deep breath before the eyes of the little blonde human before he blew hard on the sails of the ship. Naruto jerked back as the ship moved. He could hear everyone else shouting and screaming as the harsh blow of air caused the ship to tilt towards the raging whirlpool. It’s then suddenly something grabbed the blonde and lifted him up off the doomed ship; a hand that keeps a firm grip on him as the ship is left to its demise.

They stare at each other for a while, Naruto unable to move in the Umibozu’s grip even as the rain comes pouring down. 

And then it spoke. 

“You should know better than to travel Yamato’s territory…my territory to be precise…” Yamato the Umibozu grins with white pearly teeth.

That grin made Naruto go limp and faint.   

Chapter 12: Tidal Wave (Tobirama/Izuna)

Summary:

He didn’t know what to make of everything after the tidal wave hit.

Notes:

Day 12: Tidal Wave

It wouldn't be a mermay for naruto-boruto if I didn't include Tobiizu. These two are one of my favorite pairings in this fandom and honestly? I see the appeal. I like the idea of human Izuna finding cranky merman Tobirama.

He didn’t know what to make of everything after the tidal wave hit. 

Thankfully everyone managed to evacuate in time; the moment they saw all the water going out people knew that they needed to hurry and get further inland until they were given the clear to return back to their village. Thankfully the damages were minimal and peoples houses had managed to stay mostly intact after the wave hit. 

His brothers and father were relieved when they returned to their home and found it unharmed–they built their house on stilts so that when the wave would crash down it wouldn’t hurt their house, as it was held above the water. 

Though the town wasn’t as badly hit, the beach was another thing entirely; the boardwalk was destroyed with the rides pulled out to sea and stalls completely ruined while on the sand where people usually went to sit and go swimming in the summer was covered with seaweed, wreckage and sea creatures that wound up beached there. 

Izuna was down there looking around. Being the youngest of five, he tended to be overlooked because of it. His eldest brother Madara would be wrangling their three other brothers with Tajima usually since those three were more rambunctious than Izuna was. 

He hummed as he made his way along the shoreline, taking everything in. The rest of the village was busy fixing up their homes and the clean up crews who would be here were delayed a few days.

That suited him just fine; it meant he could go and see for himself what was waiting to be discovered. He’s heard of fish and other creatures being brought up from the bottom of the sea after tidal waves like this and who would reside on the shore afterwards. He was interested to see if it’s true, especially since he has always loved being close to the sea. 

It always made him extremely happy when he could be here; listening to the waves, breathing in the breeze, taking in the sights and almost tasting the salt in the air. He holds his sandals as he walks barefoot through the sand, sighing quietly as he takes a moment to squish the sand between his toes as he gives a happy little sigh. 

He’s been waiting so long to be back here; four whole days of staying with their aunt and uncle until they could return; deep in the city with loud cars and people who shouted at random things and not a single thing of water. 

As he continues his stroll, Izuna comes to a halt when he sees movement a few yards away. 

At first he thinks it’s the wind as he scans the beach with a tilt of his head. That is quickly proven wrong when he sees it; a tail that thrashes against the sand where there’s a large amount of debris. Izuna’s eyes widened as he quickly rushed towards it, watching as the sun reflected off scales of whatever was over there. 

I wonder what kind of fish it is! How is it still alive? Maybe it’s some kind of new species! Oh that would be so cool! I should try to keep it alive thought and–    

Izuna comes to a complete stop when he turns and sees what is thrashing about there…and he has to make sure he remembers to breathe from how stunned he is just staring. 

What greets him is something he thought was just an old fairytale creature–like in the books Madara would read to him or the old ladies on the piers would talk about while giving him candy when he was small–something that was believed not to actually exist except by crazy old people or little kids who don’t know better. 

There, wrapped in a net and thrashing against the sand with one arm free and trying to rip the uncomfortable netting off his human torso was an albino merman. 

His hair was like a wild mane with little pearls tied into it, there were red stripes–one on each cheek and one on his chin–that Izuna realizes were scars, his eyes like the crimson in the dawn when sailors awaken early enough to catch sight of it. His tail though? His tail was that of an oarfish. 

The red long dorsal against silvery white scales as the tail flicked again to show the merman’s agitation as he grunted and tried to hit Izuna with it. 

“Whoa! Whoa whoa whoa easy!” Izuna yelped as he narrowly missed being slammed into by the tail, and took a step back.

Dark onyx meets blood red eyes that look as if they were trying to stab through Izuna as the merman stills. Just watching him to make sure he wasn't going to try anything–for lack of a better term–fishy.  Izuna slowly raises his hand to show the other that he had nothing in his hands in the hope that might put him at ease. 

For a few tense moments neither moves. However the merman slowly stopped thrashing his tail and just gave him a suspicious look. Izuna takes a tentative step towards him and when he doesn’t try to hit him with his tail he begins to slowly approach. 

He looks at the netting that was around the merman, slowly narrowing his eyes to figure out how to untangle him–he doubts the other would react kindly to a hunting knife cutting through it. 

Izuna reaches back to tighten his ponytail of dark ebony hair before he slowly takes the net and begins to carefully undo the knots. He can hear the waves behind him as they roll in across the sand as he tries to be fast and efficient in helping the merman before him. 

A small part of him wanted to call his brothers down and show them what he’s found, however that was quickly pushed back. This merman needed help, and Izuna was here. He didn’t have time to wait as he slowly managed to get the net off after carefully untying it with a slow smile. 

“There we go–” He shouted when the tail smacked against his legs and sent him falling back. He grunted and sat up to glare as the merman, now with his arms free, turned and began to pull himself across the sand and back to the sea. 

Izuna puffed his cheeks, “You’re welcome, by the way!”

The merman froze before he turned and faced him again. For a moment Izuna thinks the merman might smack him with his tail again and he braces himself. However that was quickly proven wrong as he watched the merman reach up into his hair and gently tugs out a pearl from his wild hair and then holds it out to him. 

The human was hesitant; staring at it with narrowed eyes before he slowly took it, his fingers brushing against his. 

“...Thank you for helping me,” The merman said quietly, “...if you ever need help, just say my name to the pearl and I will come…” he turned away and started for the water again. 

Izuna’s eyes widened at being spoken to while he held the white pearl given to him, “W-wait what is your name?!”

The merman stopped as the waves splashed against him and he looked back again, “...My name is Tobirama.” 

He flashes a smile with sharp fangs before he turns back and allows the waves to come down on him and pull him back out to the sea. 

All while Izuna was processing what he just witnessed.

Chapter 13: Mermaid's Flesh (Kaguya/Tenji)

Summary:

He knew that the men on this ship wouldn’t have a second thought of getting their hands on a mermaid.

Notes:

Day 13: Mermaid's Flesh

This was inspired by an old japanese legend where when sailors ate the flesh of a mermaid or a ningyo in some cases, they can either become monsters, or become immortal humans. I thought it would be fun to use this context for Kaguya/Tenji in this one shot.

Hope you enjoy ^^

He knew that the men on this ship wouldn’t have a second thought of getting their hands on a mermaid. 

For the last few decades he has worked on this ship and he’s heard many of the different stories when it pertained to that subject. Yet all of them pointed to a similar ending for it all; a mermaid would die giving up her flesh. Either willingly to save a man’s life, coerced with the threat to her loved one, as revenge for evil she did to the sailors of the story or because men were greedy for the idea of eternal life. 

Tenji never really saw the appeal of living forever. Who would want to live stuck at the same age forever with nothing to look forward to in the future? Besides considering what he’s seen in drawings and art he can’t really fathom bringing harm to such a beautiful creature. It wouldn’t be right no matter how man would justify the means. 

Perhaps it’s because he has a soft heart or maybe it was because Tenji had too much good and selflessness in him that one morning as he went down to remove the barnacles from the hull of the ship, he couldn’t bring himself to call out to his crew mates by the sight that greeted him. 

She had the most beautiful tail he’s ever seen; watching how it slowly swishes back and forth in the water as her scales reflected light from the lantern he held. They reminded him of moon stones as her tail and fins were like wispy clouds illuminated by moonlight. However that did nothing to compare with her human torso. 

She had long hair that was like a waterfall of silvery starlight. Her eyes were like two light gray pearls that looked up at him, wide and curious as her lips were a stark crimson contrast to the rest of her. There wasn’t a single blemish to her milky white skin as she looked up at him curiously. 

Tenji felt like he was in some kind of dream. In fact he gave himself a hard pinch to make sure that wasn’t the case, before he jolted from it. He blinked before turning back to her, their eyes meeting. 

There wasn’t a single trace of any malice in her gaze; more like cautious curiosity as she moved closer to him. 

How is she so beautiful? Tenji turned from the hull and smiled at her slowly to show he wasn’t a threat to her as he gave her a little wave. 

She blinks a moment up at him before she slowly raises her hand up to copy the motion; her fingers delicate and nimble with little webbing between them. It reminded him of a princess’ hand if he’s honest. 

Tenji slowly relaxed when he saw she meant him no harm. So many of those old stories swim around in his head of a mermaid dragging sailors into the water, but this one was being so shy as she swam a little closer and then reached up her hand towards him. 

“Good morning,” He finally said softly, keeping his voice quiet so as not to startle her or draw the crew’s attention, “...a beautiful day for swimming eh?”

She blinks at him a moment before her lips curl into a soft smile and her tail flickered behind her almost happily. His cheeks grow warm because no one should be that ethereal when they’re happy yet here she was.

The young sailor felt his heart skipping a beat the longer he smiled down at her. He can’t even fathom why anyone could look at her and harm her to become immortal. 

As he extends his hand out to her, he can’t help but feel giddy when she places her own hand in his and smiles at him. She looks so happy to be there, so at ease. Was this her first time around a ship? It might be with how she wasn’t afraid of him. He looks down into her face to commit it to his memory for who knows if he would ever seen another like her again. 

That’s when he sees it; the reflection in her eyes as she keeps her sole focus on him. However he felt his blood run cold as he saw the crew at the rail above him—

TWNG!

He didn’t notice as he was busy talking to and entranced by the mermaid before him that his crewmates had woken up; one of them must have spotted him talking to her and quickly went to go get the others….!

Said weapon now pierced through Tenji’s shoulder as he had moved off to the right to make sure it wouldn’t pierce into her as blood splattered into the water. His eyes widened as the color drained from his face as he heard his crewmates shouting and yelling in shock, anger and horror. 

“You idiot! By the gods, could you aim any worse?!”

“I-I thought I had aimed it at her!”

“Stupid Tenji, he didn’t move out of the way in time!”

“Ugh…” 

The taste of iron flooded his mouth before he slid off the swing he was on and felt the cold of the sea wrap around him as he fell into the water. He could see his blood slowly floating towards the surface as he stared up at the distorted faces of men he thought he trusted with his life. 

It was slowly growing colder, the wound from the harpoon numb by now yet as he continues to stare upwards, he suddenly sees the mermaid swimming towards him as he sinks. 

He can see more harpoons shot into the water yet none of them hit her as she reaches out her hands and holds his face. Those pearl eyes are wide and looking at him worriedly as she gently rubs her thumbs over his cheeks. 

Bloody bubbles leave his mouth as he swallows the sea water that filled his lungs as he looked at this beautiful creature. 

I’m sorry…I should have been paying more attention… 

He thinks he sees her raising her palm up to her mouth, and that the water has become redder now. Was the wound bleeding out more? He wouldn’t be shocked, but he was a bit saddened. His first interaction with a mermaid…and he ends up like this. 

Before he knew it something was pressed to his mouth and he blinked when he tasted what he can describe as raw meat. He blinked in surprise before he felt her hands close his mouth, her eyes never leaving his as she reached her other hand to pull the harpoon out. 

He winces in pain as  the water starts to become red all around him. 

Yet the pain was stopping. It was slowly but surely stopping as the mermaid kept him close. 

The last thing he sees before closing his eyes is the mermaid smiling at him gently. 

Chapter 14: Selkie (Kakashi/Obito)

Summary:

For some reason whenever Obito is on the beach they always run into each other.

Notes:

Day 14: Selkie

I just wanted kkob babies being happy, silly and cute. Plus I think Kakashi and Sakumo being selkies makes a lot of sense since to me seals remind me of dogs that are made for water. hence this!

Hope you enjoy ^^

“Mada-oji, remind me again why we are here and not, oh I don’t know, going to the fish market or the boardwalk to join the shrub?”

Obito raises a brow at his uncle who sighs in response as he holds his hand and walks him on to the beach. Since there was no school to be had, the boy was sent to stay with him for the summer break to visit and help around until school starts again. It was routine at this point and one that he really enjoyed. 

However this summer happened to have newcomers who moved here while he was away at his school; one of them being a boy his age who was always wearing some kind of jacket around himself and looked unimpressed by everything and anything they came across. For some reason whenever Obito is on the beach they always run into each other. 

The boy’s name was Kakashi Hatake and Obito didn’t understand why so many people seemed to like him so much.

Madara stops and turns to him now, “Because it’s a lovely day to be out on the beach. No one likes to come out here on cloudy days out of worry for a storm, but I like it because it’s not crowded and I get to see the sea life. I think you would enjoy it. And who knows, perhaps Hatake-san and his son will be out and about today.” 

“Uuugh, if I have to see Bakashi one more time I swear to Kami…” Obito yelped when his ear was slightly tweaked. 

“Be nice. You act like you hate it, and yet every time I see you two playing together there is always a smile on your face. I can tell Kakashi enjoys spending time with you as well,” Madara chuckled when he saw a blush come over his nephew’s cheeks. 

“..He’s still a baka,” Obito mumbled, before he looked over at the rocks. 

He blinked when he spotted none other than Kakashi and his father Sakumo; both in those strange jackets they always wear. Sakumo’s was a nice gray colored one that goes down to his ankles while Kakashi’s was lined with fluffy white fur on the outside and inside.

“Well well, speak of the devil and he will appear,” Madara raised a brow with a playful smile, lightly nudging his nephew playfully. Obito could only blush and cross his arms while looking off to the side, “Come on now…why don’t you go and say hello? You two could go and find some seashells to put on the window sill back home.” 

“Ojiiiii….” 

Kakashi turned from where he was about to jump into the water and blinked when he heard the familiar whine. He stared with those wide dark eyes as Sakumo followed suit with a raised brow before he chuckled warmly. 

“Well? Aren’t you going to say hello, pup?” He can’t help but snort with how fast his son whips around to give him an annoyed look, “Come on now, don’t give me that look. You love playing with Obito-kun. He’s a very nice little human boy.”

“He took my pelt and made me chase him around for it.”

“But he still gave it back,” Sakumo raised a brow as he rubbed his son’s back, “I promise I’ll be right here if he takes it again and doesn’t give it back,” though he doubted; mainly because Obito looked so guilty when he upset Kakashi to tears that time.

Kakashi rolled his eyes, but the way his lips twitched at the corners gave away how happy he was at the idea, “Okay. I’ll go and play.”

“Good lad.”

Obito straightens up as he sees Kakashi running down towards him in his fluffy coat that he couldn’t quite understand the point of wearing. It was summer here and even if it was overcast, he can’t help but wonder how Kakashi doesn’t overheat from wearing it. 

“Obito,” Kakashi greeted him a little curtly.

“Bakashi,” he deadpanned back. 

Madara slightly elbowed him, “Obito, be nice.” 

“I am, Oji!”

“Nicer.”

“Uuugh,” Obito rolled his eyes before he looked past Kakashi…and blinked when he saw Sakumo wasn’t on the rocks. He looked towards the water, wondering if the man had jumped in for an impromptu swim. Instead what greeted him was the head of a gray seal that poked his head out and was looking at the shore calmly. 

“Good to see you too,” Kakashi sighed before he adjusted his weight, while fixing his jacket, “What brings you and your uncle here?”

“Oh just taking a moment to just enjoy the beach without too many people around,” Madara hummed as his eyes followed Obito’s to the seal swimming, “I figured no one wants to be here when there’s the threat of a storm hitting here.” 

“That makes sense,” Kakashi seemed to relax a bit, “My dad and I were just going for a swim for the same reason.”

Madara raised a brow, “Really. The water must be rather cold for you two.”

“Not really. We both prefer it that way actually,” Kakashi responded softly, pulling his jacket a little tighter around himself, “...Did you want to play?” He turned to Obito now with his head tilted, feeling a sense of ease that his dad was at least watching them from the water. 

Obito hummed, “Sure? Though I don’t think there is much to do…” 

Madara hummed, “Just be on the lookout. If you’re lucky you might see a selkie swimming about,” he chuckled softly. 

That caught the silver haired boy’s attention while Obito just sighed, “Yes Oji, I know all about the seal people you love telling me about.”

“Just don’t try to steal their pelts,” Madara added, “Otherwise they can never return to the sea, all right?”

“Mada-oji it’s just an old fish tale so people leave seals alone,” Obito huffed, not noticing how Kakashi fidgets a bit, “Besides, what would I do with a selkie pelt anyways? Don’t gross adults do that to force them to stay with them?”

“So you were listening!” Madara cackled, earning a dark embarrassed blush on his nephew’s face.

“Uuugh…come on Bakashi…” Obito mumbled turning back to his sort-of-friend-maybe-crush-definitely-rival who was now lightly picking at his own nails while looking away, “...You okay?”

“Yeah…bet I’ll beat you to the end of that sand bar!” Kakashi bolted before Obito could reply, leaving him in the dust before the ravenette blinked then gave a loud cry and ran after him. 

Madara watched the pair a moment before he looked back to where the gray seal was. He popped back under the water a moment…then coming out of it holding a grey jacket was Sakumo with soaked hair as water dripped from him. He stood beside Madara, watching the two boys running to play. 

“.....So how long do you think until Obito-kun figures it out?” the old gray seal selkie grinned at the human beside him. 

“...I give it a few years. A decade at most.”

Chapter 15: Finfolk (Danzo/Itachi, Shisui/Itachi)

Summary:

It was supposed to be a romantic boat ride from the sand bar to the bay.

Notes:

Day 15: Finfolk

I read up a bit more on these guys after hearing about them and honestly? Danzo as a fucking fin-man was perfect especially for this one-shot.

Hope you enjoy!

It was supposed to be a romantic boat ride from the sand bar to the bay. 

A lovely evening with the calm waters brushing against their boat and the moon rising high into the sky, full and illuminating the surface of the sea, a cooler resting between them that held some sandwiches and soda for the two young men to enjoy on such a beautiful night. 

He couldn’t have asked for a more perfect date with his boyfriend as they were approaching their college finals and would soon be graduating together. It’s so close now, yet so far and they wanted to take in the little seaside town their chosen university resided in before they returned to their hometown to find jobs. 

Shisui smiled at him with his soft curled locks of midnight as Itachi leaned back and gently touched the surface of the cool waters. 

Though as he did, he can’t help but think he hears someone else  rowing a boat. Itachi looked up to see if perhaps they had company but there was nothing but the dark open sea and them. 

“Spot any finfolk?” his boyfriend teasingly brushed his foot against Itachi’s with a smile.

He rolled his eyes before lightly kicking Shisui back, “You shouldn’t listen to Professor Ao’s old stories of the sea. Besides, why would finfolk be near here? It’s not like they’d find much silver in this town..”

“Aha, but it’s not just silver they go after. I heard the Finmen they talk about like to find pretty humans to bring to their realm in order to make their slaves,” Shisui rested his cheek on his fist, “They also work them to the bone doing rigorous chores and other stuff.”

“And the finwomen?” Itachi raised a brow.

“They call them Finwives, Itachi, you really need to stop falling asleep halfway through the lecture. Well they have to find a human to marry or else they go from looking like beautiful mermaids to old hags if they marry one of their own. It’s kinda messed up, but that’s what makes old stories like that interesting,” Shisui smiles at him now as he then slowly reaches out and takes his hand, “Though if they did exist they’d be in for quite a fight if they tried to take you away from me.”

Itachi smiles at him, his eyes half lidded as he leaned over to kiss his boyfriend. Even if he had a strange way of doing it, he certainly knew how to charm him. 

As their lips meet though he hears rowing that wasn’t from them again and opened his eyes to look around. It was still just them as far as he could see, but now he was becoming a little unsettled. 

He thinks it could just be nerves from studying so much for their finals—they both stayed up later to memorize their notes and answer questions based on their chosen objects—so perhaps the stress was getting to them a little. 

“Hey we should probably hurry to the bay…yeah?” He smiles to try to hide his unease. 

Shisui kisses his cheek then, “All right, all right we–” 

Out of nowhere something suddenly slammed right into the side of their boat. Itachi shouted as the impact forced the boat to tilt and be pushed further out to the sea rather than staying on the path towards the bay area. Itachi shouted as he gripped hard on to the edge of the boat and some of the water had managed to splash in. 

Shisui shouted as he lost one of the oars, eyes widening when it stopped and their boat returned to its original state.

Both young men stare and look around to try and see what could have caused this. Itachi looked over the edge into the water to try and see if perhaps a whale had unintentionally bumped into them or if it was a wave that had forced their boat to go off course but the water was as calm as when they had pushed their boat into it. 

“Itachi? Itachi…” Shisui moved to gently hold his face, “Hey, you okay?”

“Y-yeah…wait…wait do you hear that?’ He looked back and this time when he searched for the source of the noises he saw the water acting strange. Like there was a boat gliding over it yet he couldn’t see one there. 

Shisui’s eyes followed before widening in shock at the sight. He would like to say that it might be a trick of the moonlight or the water, but when he looked back at Itachi he saw the look in his eyes and just knew that he saw the same thing. 

“Ita–” 

The invisible boat hits them and this time Itachi is thrown overboard and into the icy cold water. 

He swallowed a large gulp of saltwater that quickly stopped his scream of alarm. He splashed his hands around in an attempt to bring himself back to the surface so cough it up, not used to the current around him. He gasped for air and sputtered when he broke it, eyes looking around for his and Shisui’s boat so he could at least start making his way towards it. 

He spots his boyfriend standing up…however he wasn’t looking at Itachi now, but something behind him. He looked as if all the blood had been drained out of him, fear and disbelief evident on his face as he couldn't tear his eyes away. 

Itachi opened his mouth to call out to him, only to suddenly have a harsh hand grab him by his long black hair and suddenly pull him out of the water and into a larger boat. He hit the hard wooden floor of the boat with a choked cry. 

Soaked to the bone, skin pale from the icy grip of the sea combined with the wind that blows through and completely disoriented, Itachi took a moment to gasp for air and try to make sense of what was happening. So much had gone on in such a whirlwind of madness he felt as if he wasn’t given a moment to breathe.

The first thing that he notices is silver; pure silver coins, silver jewelry and other trinkets that littered the floor of the boat around him ... .and then he sees it. 

Webbed feet cladded in silver thread sandals, beautiful dark grey scales running up the legs. They disappear under hakama pants before he looks further up…

The Finman before him had a bandage around the upper right side of his face over his eye. He held the oars in his webbed hands as there were fin-like ears on the side of his head and fins going down his back. His face was set in a grimace as his good eye stared down at Itachi with a nasty scar over his chin. 

His hair is grabbed again as he’s lifted up from the floor of the boat to make eye contact with him…and then a slow grin crept onto his face. 

“What a pretty little human I caught to bring home…” 

Itachi’s mouth opened and closed in shock before he was thrown back across the boat, hitting his head. He hissed, dazed as he barely registered that Shisui was now yelling. 

“Itachi! Itachi hold on! I–”

“You will do nicely serving me…from here on out you will be wed to me, Danzo Shimura, human…” He placed one of his sandaled, webbed feet down on Itachi’s back to keep him in place before he moved the oars. 

“ITA–” 

Suddenly he could no longer hear Shisui; with one row of the oars Itachi was stunned as he slowly managed to peek over the side and found himself way out to sea…he can’t even see the shore of the college town anymore…

Though as he realizes what’s going to happen to him he swears he can hear a loud scream of horror and anguish just above the sound of the surf. 

Chapter 16: Aquarium (Shino/Kiba)

Summary:

The aquarium had many rescues that resided there.

Notes:

Day 16: Aquarium

I thought it made sense that Shino and Kiba would be in a large aquarium together, helping to educate people on different types of maren and working with the staff.

Hope you guys enjoy ^^

The aquarium had many rescues that resided there. 

All the tanks were gigantic with strong glass that held everything in so that the residents inside would be safe and able to swim about without worry. The merfolk that reside here either were found injured by boats, nets, beached, orphaned, from black markets or born here. 

While the goal for most  was to help them recover so they would be able to return to the wild, there were permanent residents who lived here and formed family groups that were closely monitored. Then there were some who helped new rescues calm down and settle in so they could begin their healing in order to return back to the open ocean. 

People from all over came here to learn all about these amazing and mysterious beings, in order to be educated on their habits, their customs, their ways of communication and how to help them as well as avoid harming them by accident. 

The Konoha Aquarium was well known for being the best in rescuing the merfolk of the wild and helping them. 

Shino has always been a permanent resident here; the merman having been found abandoned as a pup and unable to survive on his own. He was taken in by rescuer Torune Aburame who ended up being his main caretaker and teaching him how to eat, and move and swim. 

He was a fascinating merman as well; instead of the tail of some sort of fish or a mammal like dolphins or whales, he instead had the tail and legs of a mantis shrimp. He preferred to stay at the bottom of his tank, and skitter over the sand in the areas that had a bunch of reefs and hiding places for him to go in when he was overwhelmed or tired from answering tourists' questions. It wasn’t that he had anything against the men, women and children who came around, it was just that he wasn’t a very social merman.

In fact the handful of people he had endless energy for were Torune, Doctor Tsunade Senju the veterinarian, Hinata, a shy beluga mermaid who sometimes passes through his area to say hello, and—

“Shinooooo!”

–there was Kiba. 

He too was a merman who was a permanent resident that was born in the aquarium; a dog fish merman who was constantly in his space more than anyone else. 

Shino poked her head out, his long dark auburn hair tied back in a bun and wearing special glasses so that he could see a lot easier. He smiled a little shyly when he sees Kiba swimming overhead excitedly, his pet–a vaquita porpoise named Akamaru who follows him around–beside him. Kiba smiles when he sees him poke his head out, swimming down excitedly and taking Shino’s hands. 

His own long hair floats up around his head, showing his gills as he grins with his sharp teeth. 

“You’ve been stuck in here all day, come on! You need to keep your tail’s muscles strong,” Kiba gently pulls him out with a bright smile as Akamaru swims around them both excitedly, “Otherwise when you molt you won’t be able to use your claws to punch stuff as well as you usually do!” 

“Kiba, I already impressed a group of human pups, I think I’ll be fine,” He tries to protest, but instead finds himself being tugged out from his little grotto. He can’t really say no to Kiba if he was being honest. He was his first friend outside of Torune who always wanted to play with him even if he couldn’t move as fast as other people and tended to be stared at for how odd his tail looked. 

Yet Kiba never left him alone; he was always rolling a ball across the sand back and forth with him, always keeping pace even if at times he complained about it and he never let anyone bully Shino be they human caregivers or other merfolk who swim through here. 

“But it’s so nice to swim today!” Kiba gently takes his hand and slows down in his swimming to make sure he keeps pace with Shino so that they would be side by side, “Plus, I overheard the handlers that Torune has a special treat to feed you later!”

Shino lightly shuffled his legs excitedly against the sand as he reaches up to take Kiba’s hand with an excited trill, “Claaaams~”

“Yup. All the clams for Shino,” Kiba chuckled as he gently intertwined their fingers, “It’s really cool how you use your legs to break them open. If you wanted you could probably break the aquarium glass.” 

He hummed as he turned to look at his favorite merman, “But then the others would have nowhere to swim. Some need it so they can breathe, you know?” 

“I’m kidding Shino, I’d never ask you to do that,” Kiba now swims around until he’s behind Shino and hugs him around the waist to nuzzle him, “You’re a sweet and kind mantis shrimp merman who just enjoys quiet time in the grottos and helping humans learn all about us.” 

Shino blushes darkly as he lightly flicks his tail a bit shyly while covering his face. Kiba always knew what to say that made him blush and he couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness. Akamaru chirps before swimming up to the surface to breathe. 

“You know I heard they’re going to release some sea butterflies into one of the tanks. Perhaps later we could go and check them out by travelling through the tunnels? You said you love the little fish and creatures they bring in,” Kiba scratched the back of his neck and blushed darkly as he looked to the side while his own tail flicked back and forth nervously. 

It’s not like courtship wasn’t a thing for the merfolk here; they were after all like humans in that regard. Kiba just couldn’t help his anxiety because well Shino was his closest friend and he wanted to take a step forward in their relationship; however it also scared him that in some way he would ruin it. 

He blushed when Shino tightened his hold on his hand. 

“I would love to, Kiba.”

Chapter 17: Nokken (Gaara/Urashiki)

Summary:

There was a reason that people avoided the waterfall in Suna.

Notes:

Day 17: Nokken

I thought I'd do a one-shot for this little ship. It's grown to become one of my favorites since joining the naruto and boruto fandoms. Plus I like to think Shukaku would be a grumpy cat that follows Gaara around now matter what.

I hope you enjoy!

There was a reason that people avoided the waterfall in Suna. 

While there were those that were confused as to why they did, no one dared to question it either. Their land may be a desert however they had underground wells that didn’t dry up and everyone decided to just keep to those instead of going there. 

It wasn’t a terrible place; in fact the old stories said it was beautiful with clean, clear water that people could see through down to the smooth stoney bottom. Yet no one ever dared to go there even as they go into the modern era. 

What made the place so unsettling the disappearances that have happened near there. Some believe that it was some kind of ancient spirit–a Nokken to be exact–that hid behind the curtain of running water to lure in people, others theorize it was just some rowdy people who slipped and drowned due to how slick the rocks were, and then there were those who believed that while the water looked clean it was poisonous. 

Gaara has lost track of how many times he had snuck away to go to the waterfall that everyone tended to avoid. So far he has proven that the water was definitely safe to drink and he managed to move along the rocks without incident where the waterfall poured into the river below. 

It had become a safe place for him to go when things were too hard to handle back at home. His father was an absent workaholic, his uncle was always overworking himself and his older siblings were busy sneaking out to do their own thing rather than stay home in an empty house. He couldn’t really blame them; ever since their mother died after he was born it felt like something dark and heavy hung over the house.  

At least when he came here he felt like he could breathe, and the sound of the running water soothed his unsettled mind so he could think clearer. Though that was only during the day time; he’s never been to the waterfall at night; mainly because that’s when everyone was home and he knew how they all felt about going there. No one would ever think Rasa was superstitious with how hard he worked at his office and was always focused on things in the real world until someone brought up the waterfall. 

It was a shame; Gaara thinks it would be a nice place to go have a small picnic together. 

However tonight was not a good one; their father had come home from an office party completely drunk and his uncle was too out of it to try and stop him. His brother and sister were out with their friends and though they would tell him he can always call them, Gaara would rather eat glass than ruin their fun. 

His older siblings already have had to grow up faster than him, they don’t need an interruption. 

“Mrow.”

“It’s okay Shukaku, I got you,” the teen carried his giant maine coon cat; a blonde one who hated everyone but him and was basically his only friend in the whole world. He practically cradled the cat in his arms as he didn’t want his father to take out any frustrations on his furry friend.  

He knows Shukaku didn’t exactly like the place, but that wasn’t anything unusual if he was being honest. Nervously he runs his fingers through the thick fur, hoping to soothe himself as he approaches the familiar rocks. Fireflies light up and fly into the air around him when he pushes through the brush. 

His cat makes a quiet, anxious chirp while climbing up to curl around his shoulders while staring at the water, more specifically the waterfall that seemed to fall all year around even during the dry winter months. It’s the first time he’s been there at night and there was quite a stark contrast between the daytime and the night. 

The stars shine above in the navy blue sky as a crescent moon’s slivered light reflected  off a distorted surface of the river.

It’s then he hears it; above the sound of the waterfall and the running water of the gentle river he hears music. It stops him in his tracks as the sweet pitch of a violin’s ‘e’ string fills the air. His eyes grow big as it soon becomes a melody of different notes that come together to make a rather enchanting melody.

Shukaku’s nails unsheathe and dig slightly into his shoulders yet it didn’t stop him from trying to find the source of the music. 

Then he sees movement; the waterfall slowly parting like a curtain in the theatre as a figure as pale as porcelain steps out onto the uneven surface of the river. It didn't seem to make him unbalanced as he continued forwards with a beautiful black violin sitting perfectly on his shoulder and under his chin; he had pointed ears and wild pale gray hair in a ponytail as he was dressed in soaked pale clothes that hung off his frame. His bow moved so smoothly over the strings without even a pause between the transitions.

He…he was beautiful in a morbidly ethereal way. Like the spirit of a drowned man with webbing between his clawed fingers as his feet are bare showing talons where nails were meant to be. 

“...Oh…” Gaara whispered as he found himself stepping on to the familiar rocks.

“Mmmrrr….” Shukaku was growing more anxious as his tail swished back and forth between his shoulder blades, “Mmrreeeh….” 

Was this the nokken that people spoke about? The spirit that was thought to lead people who came here to their deaths? How could someone who played such beautiful music be the cause of that? 

Come to think of it…his head was slowly becoming fuzzy. It felt like he was asleep yet he wasn’t at the same time. As his eyes met those glowing gray ones that seemed to keep him from looking away. Slowly he raised his foot to step on to the water. 

Shukaku yowls and hop off onto the rock, mewling anxiously as if trying to snap his owner out of whatever it was that had him under this spell. 

The Nokken slowly smiled, showing his sharp teeth, “Welcome, pretty mortal,” his voice was barely above a whisper yet it travelled through the air into his ears, “...to the home of Urashiki…” 

Gaara barely registers that he loses his footing; barely realizes that he’s now in the water, and doesn’t even notice when the music stopped. 

“Let’s hope you survive longer than the last one, yes?” 

Chapter 18: Nure-Onna (Jiraiya/Orochimaru)

Summary:

There was a lot that can be said about the old hermit who lived by the sea.

Notes:

Day 18: Nure-onna

Because Orochimaru would absolutely be one a snake yokai by the seaside luring in victims before he met a sweet and dumb man named Jiraiya and is trying to be good...for the most part.

I hope you guys enjoy ^^

There was a lot that can be said about the old hermit who lived by the sea. 

In his youth he tended to be quite the ladies man, and he wrote books of raunchy desire and debauchery that people have ever seen. They were some of his best selling works and while out in the open people would try to scold him for writing such depraved material the critics and booksellers said otherwise. Especially when his research was so spot on. 

Yet upon reaching his early forties something had changed. 

He was now living quietly in an old cottage down by the shore. While he still wrote books that had rather questionable material, they had more plot to them than his “Make-out Tactics” series. 

People of the village a mile from his little home noticed that when he came into town he no longer did his, ahem, research; he just ran errands, greeted a few people he knew in passion and then went on his way home. While most people think he had a change of heart, there were still those who thought he was putting on an act and would try to follow him around the town. 

When that didn’t work though, they decided they needed to follow him home. 

“I am telling you, something is up with Jiraiya-san.”

“And yet there is still no evidence to confirm your suspicions, Kushina.”

“There’s no evidence denying it either, Mikoto.” 

“Still, we should really just leave it be. It’s none of our business why Jiraiya-san has suddenly had a change of heart,” the raven-haired Mikoto huffed at her friend as they were walking on the side of the road. Besides them were the cascading sand dunes that met the beach as the waves were softly crashing along the shore. 

It was an unusually calm evening on the beach tonight as the two young women are on their way home from their work in the village. Their own little houses were a little ways past Jiraiya’s cottage, hence Kushina the ever fiery redhead, was trying to convince her to come down to see what was going on. 

“Aren’t you even just a little bit curious, Mikoto? Like what could push a man to change so drastically like that, you know?”

Mikoto sighed and she pats Kushina on the back, “Now now have a little more faith, he was your boyfriend’s teacher for a time no? Minato didn’t turn out like him in the end either yeah? I think you’re making a mountain out of a molehill.”

“I still–” 

Both women stop in silence when they hear the wail of a baby coming from down the dunes below; they turn their attention over to water where they see someone hunched over with what appears to be a bundle in their arms. 

A soft gasp leaves Kushina and before Mikoto could do anything, her friend was rushing forwards down the dune and considering the dangers of walking down said sand dunes, she follows closely behind to ensure the redhead doesn’t hurt herself. It didn’t matter that they both needed to get home soon, Kushina saw someone with a baby in the water where the waves were crashing on them both! What kind of person would she be if she left someone out there to fend for themselves like that? 

“Ku–Kushina, be careful!” Mikoto is close behind her, lifting the skirt of her dark gray dress in order to be able to run easier. 

“Someone is out there with their baby, Mikoto! Look how rough the water is where they are, if they tilt over they might get pulled out to sea or worse be unable to break the surface!” Kushina then started pulling off her shoes, “Oh no oh no oh no…!”

“Kush–Kushina!” Mikoto reached out to try to stop her, “Kushina wait–”

“Let go–!” 

The two struggle for a moment, Mikoto trying to stop her friend while also looking anxiously over at the sight. She just feels something is very wrong especially since no sane person would ever take a child out into the rougher waters like that. 

It made her uneasy as she thinks of the old stories; about the nure-onna, half snake, half human demons who lure unsuspecting people into the ocean with the fake cries of infants. The moment someone was asked to hold the baby it was over. 

“Ow! Mikoto we need to help–”

“You could get swept up too, besides the parent doesn’t–”

“Orochimaru?” a voice called out, the two young women pausing; because they recognized that voice. They have heard it before; either yelling at the kids who threw snowballs at him or laughing uproariously at a joke being told to him by one of the pretty ladies. 

Mikoto pulls Kushina down behind a small hill of sand before peeking back over with her friend to see what was going on.

There was Jiraiya walking to where the waves meet the sand as they sweep past his bare feet as he has an unusual smile on his face. Instead of it being that lopsided, flirty one it was instead one of gentle affection and warmth. It was a rather unusual, but nice expression to see on his face. The two women watch as the person with the crying baby suddenly is moving smoothly through the waters to him. 

Kushina blinked a few times to make sure she wasn’t seeing things because if she wasn’t then that person in the waters was moving forwards like the current wasn’t a problem to move through. The wailing stops and is replaced by gentle little coos.

The color drains from both women’s faces when the ‘person’ slithers up on to the shore. Where legs should be under the kimono was a long, white sea snake’s tail while the upper half was human. 

“Hey there,” Jiraiya smiled as he reached down and gently pat the child’s head as little pale hands reached up towards him, “You and little Log here were pretty far out there, Orochimaru.”

“We needed ssssome fresh air,” A soft, breathy voice purred softly. The nure-onna–because what else are they supposed to call this creature?--leaned forwards with long, black locks of hair that hang like a beautiful curtain. His eyes were yellow with little black slits as he leaned up and rested his forehead to the other man’s, “Log wassss getting fussssy. I did not mean to worry you sssso much.” 

Jiraiya chuckled as he gently tucks some of the hair behind the nure-onna’s ear, “Understandable…come on you two, I have food cooking for you both and then you can warm up by the fire and we can share some tea..”

“Ssssounds wonderful,” the creature, Orochimaru, hummed as he gently held Jiraiya’s arm and followed him towards his little cottage on the shore, tail swishing back and forth as he continued forwards with Jiraiya’s arm around his waist. 

Even after the two of them go inside, Mikoto and Kushina are both stunned into silence, processing what it was they had just seen. They look at each other to silently confirm if they both saw the same thing. 

Once that is in order the two of them slowly begin to creep back up the dunes to the road and once there…they run. They run as fast as they can to get away from what both deemed to be one of the most insane things they ever saw. 

On the bright side; at least Kushina found out why Jiraiya suddenly changed!

Chapter 19: Kraken (Kakuzu/Hidan)

Summary:

It wasn’t like he hasn’t been in a predicament like this before.

Notes:

Day 19: Kraken

HAHAHAHAHAH I wanted to do something with my favorite pair of murder gremlins and honestly? Kraken kakuzu, MY BELOVED. I like the idea that they both terrorize the seven seas together with immortal sailor Hidan and Kraken Kuzu.

Hope you all enjoy~

It wasn’t like he hasn’t been in a predicament like this before. 

Granted sooner or later someone on one of his many many past crews saw through him before gathering the others to come and ‘finish’ him. It was honestly laughable how much it happens within the span of thirty to forty years when they see he didn’t age or slow down like man does. 

He hummed as he rowed the lifeboat away from the ruins of what once was his newest ship. Though he had been rather fond of this one, the crew proved smarter than the last one; for after two decades passed they picked up on his immortality and thus reacted as most usually do.

By now he had his escapes always planned out for this exact situation. When one has lived for as long as he has, they learn to read the patterns of those meant to be released into death’s coils. Besides there were never any survivors left to warn the next motley crew he goes in search for once enough time has passed. 

Besides these in-betweens of crew searching meant more time with his special companion who helped in removing any and all who know how secret. 

Hidan hummed as he looked back when the sound of cracking wood drew his attention; a large, dark, midnight green tentacle breaking it further apart. Others joined it, dragging out the riches collected over the years, then there were ones that were dropping drowned bodies into the wreckage to let them float off to be other predators' feast. 

A smile tugged on his lips for as soon as he had spotted them the tentacles slipped down and disappeared beneath the surface with their treasure before he saw the colossal owner begin to swim towards his lifeboat.  . . 

Many would consider the sight of a Kraken to be an omen; Krakens were known for their greedy nature as well as being the cause of many shipwrecks that happen out there on the open ocean. They hid deep down in the dark depths, waiting patiently for the moment to strike and drown any sailors that stood in their way. 

However much like humans, not all of them had the same reasons for destroying these vessels of wood. In this case, this kraken merman slowly rises from the water, his long dark hair stuck wetly to his face as his emerald pupils almost glowed as he purred slowly down at the immortal before him. 

“Hey Kakuzu,” Hidan purred as he stood up in the lifeboat, slowly outstretching his arms to his fellow immortal. The kraken slowly leaned in close, towering over the tiny life boat as he allowed the man to hug his face, “Mmmm! You came right in time, they were hot on my trail and ready to destroy the lifeboat.” 

The Kraken, Kakuzu, chuckled, scars decorating his chest and cheeks as he accepted the affection. 

“Hmph. You certainly know how to make me wait for a long long time. Though I suppose since you always arrive to me with such large amounts of treasure for my hoard I can’t be too mad,” He then gently raises his large hand–it could easily wrap around Hidan’s entire body and keep him hidden from sight–and gently caresses long nails along the human’s back. 

“Course I do, you think I’d make you wait decades and not have anything to show for it? C’mon Kuzu, I may make daily offerings to my Lord, but I always make sure to save the riches and splendor for you even if I don’t understand why you need so much of it,” he shivered at the gentle touch before he leans back into the hand currently behind him, sitting on the kraken’s palm with a completely lovestruck look in this fuchsia eyes. 

Kakuzu gently stroked the top of his thumb gently over Hidan’s head, petting him almost, “Hmm. I can’t believe you worship that god even after all these years. What a devoted little zealot you are, Hidan…” 

Hidan’s grin widened as he is lifted up from the long forgotten lifeboat as his lover–the most feared and dangerous Kraken to terrorize these waters, with scars that told stories of his long and arduous battles, and immortal with five beating hearts within him–gently carries him through the water. 

Though he can’t help but be curious, “Kuzu, why do you always demand so much treasure? It’s not like you’re gonna turn into a man and spend it on the land, since you hate it there so much. And you never let any other creatures have any.”

Kakuzu raises a brow before he slowly lies back in the water, holding Hidan up over him as he slowly swims. 

“I would think you of all people would understand that krakens need proper nests,” he rumbled, even poking him between the eyes. 

“Nests? What are you going to lay an egg or something?” 

A slow sigh of exasperation leaves the kraken; the kind that comes from someone who has had to explain something many times. 

“Hidan, the egg is already here, it just won’t hatch for another few years. Kraken young take a while to develop with all the magic they require to absorb. Plus your treasure makes it easier to hide them.”

For a moment, Hidan looked…stunned at this information (even though it’s been explained before) as Kakuzu continued to stroke his head. Then the silver haired immortal’s face breaks into a bright smile as he starts to bounce a bit. 

“Oh that’s right! Yeah I remember now!,” He kind of did, “A few more years you say? Damn, maybe I should take some time off, yeah?” 

Kakuzu raised a brow at Hidan before he slowly started to swim them further away from the wreckage, eyes half lidded as he made a deep rumbling purr. He can’t help but to be tempted by such an offer. 

After all, despite their normally isolated nature, kraken merfolk always raised their pups best with a partner. 

Chapter 20: Bubble Nest (Asuma/Kurenai)

Summary:

It was a special year for the pair.

Notes:

Day 20: Bubble Nest

With this one I was really feeling Kurenai and Asuma as a pair of betta fish merfolk and mated to each other. They would be so excited to have their little ones but also anxious.

Hope you enjoy!

It was a special year for the pair. 

In the last few years the two have been trying to start their own little family here in the reeds of their fresh water home. While both were trying to take their time and not push for it, to say both were reaching the end of their ropes was an understatement.

This year though, she was happy to announce that she was egg heavy. It was late spring and the waters were warmer. They chose not to rush it, instead taking their time and enjoying each other’s presence. 

Asuma was ecstatic. 

The betta fish merman swishes his gorgeous dark green fins as they shimmer in the warm sunlight while his mate sits down against some of the leaves, her smaller red fins swishing back and forth. He swam around towards the surface, gently blowing little bubbles up towards their for their eggs to rest in when it was time. 

He hummed happily as he checked it again to make sure that it was sturdy and safe. The more bubbles the higher chance of all the eggs hatching. Of course he and Kurenai would both protect their nest as well but there was no harm in taking these extra measures. . 

“Asuma, take a break,” She called up to him, “You’ve been at it all morning and my belly is feeling a little sore. Can you come down and rub it?’

Asuma blows up a few more bubbles before he swims down to her; gently wrapped his arms around her and resting his head against her shoulder with a smile as he gently rubbed up and down over the egg heavy swell. 

“You look ready to pop soon, Kurenai,” he nuzzles her shoulder, pressing soft kisses over a patch of red scales along her shoulder before nuzzling very gently against her gills, “It won’t be long will it.” 

As excited as they both were for this, they both were also anxious. It was known that the females of their species required assistance when it was time for birthing. However it was brutal because that required the males to use their hands or their tails to squeeze around them and in some cases they could accidentally kill them. Both try not to think about what their desire for a family might cost them, especially with how desperately both wanted this to happen. 

Asuma held Kurenai’s hand in his while his other one gently rubbed over the swell. He wants this to go as smoothly as possible, to ensure they had the safest delivery of their eggs as possible. Slowly he looked up at the large bubble nest he made, feeling a flutter of joy at the prospect that soon it would have their little fry up there growing and waiting to hatch. 

“Have you thought of any names yet for them?” Kurenai said softly as she ran her fingers through his dark locks of hair. 

He chuckled, “Hmm, a few of them. Though I don’t think they’re any good.”

“Come on now, I would still like to hear what you’re thinking about,” she gently nuzzles him before pressing her face into his hair, closing her pretty red eyes. This reminds her of mating season; watching Asuma fighting other betta mermen to show off but also to chase them off away from her; showing the traits of being a strong protector and provider for her and their future fry. 

How she had held him and soothed him as he recovered from his wounds. 

Asuma relaxed and closed his eyes, his tail gently wrapping his long beautiful find around his mate’s duller but no less lovely ones. He releases a sigh of bubbles before he relents. 

“I was thinking of a few names for some of the boys that will hatch. Like Raijin, Wukong, and Burancho. And for some of the girls' names, we could go with Hana, Aiko and Mirai,” he gently traced little patterns along her belly to help soothe any aches and cramps. 

Kurenai hummed as she looked thoughtful, “Hmmm…I like Mirai for one of the girls.”

That has him tilting his head up to beam up at her, “Yeah?”

“Mhm. Our little Mirai..though I’m not so sure about the other names my love,” She chuckled as she started to gently scratch under his bearded chin as she began to relax at the soothing touch. What a lucky one she was to have such an attentive and doting mate.

There was always a part of her that knew from the moment they met, that Asuma was the one. When they were two fry playing quietly in the protection of the reeds, how he was always keeping an eye out for any signs of danger or making sure she was always in a safe place if a rogue male was prowling, looking to attack anything that moved. 

“I’m happy you liked that one…I just really want to make sure the little fry are happy and safe and alive…perhaps when they hatch and we get to know them a little better we can think up more names for the little guys…” Asuma purred softly as he looked up at her with all the love he could muster. 

Kurenai closed her eyes for a moment just basking in the calm of this moment. If she could she would never let it end. She would stay in the arms of her mate and partner and enjoy the spring sunshine that shone through the surface of the water around them. 

When she opens them again they look towards the bubble nest with a smile forming on her lips. She waited so long for this moment; for their dreams of being a family to come to fruition and that a brighter future was in their grasp. Asuma raised his head and leaned up to kiss his mate as his tail swished back and forth to propel him forwards to hold her as gently as he could.

Everything was all coming together at last. 

Chapter 21: Leviathan (Hashirama/Kakuzu)

Summary:

He knew this day was coming.

Notes:

Day 21: Leviathan

I just really enjoy this rarepair. It's one I hold very close to my heart. I love the idea that Kakuzu is betrayed by his crew and when he thinks he's going to die, an unusual ally ends up helping him.

Hope you guys enjoy!

He knew this day was coming. 

One can only buy so much time before fate finally catches up. The usefulness had run out for him as he stood at the beginning of the plank. The crew surrounded him as the winds had picked up, blowing his long, earthy locks to the side while green eyes stare ahead at what awaits him. 

Kakuzu fought down the rising panic that threatened to overtake him as the captain stood off to the side; his arms crossed and pure contempt written all over his face. He knew there was no way out of this; no talking his way out, no pleading that would sway them to spare him and no one who would vouch for him. The crew was either in agreement with the captain or too scared to go against him as he felt their pity for him burn into him like acid. 

“Mr. Kakuzu,” the captain spat, “for your attempt at mutiny and abandoning your post, you have been sentenced to death by walking the plank. Any last requests? Words you wish to have passed along to any next of kin?”

Kakuzu’s eye twitched as he took a slow deep breath. Emerald pupils meet the musty gray of the Captain’s as he gritted his teeth. 

“Go to fucking hell you spineless piece of whale shit.” 

The captain glared before he turned to his first mate who opened the bible and held his cross in his hand. Kakuzu rolled his eyes; he was never the religious sort after all so as the first mate began speaking in Latin he stepped on to the plank without much argument. 

There was no point in fighting his fate. Nowhere he could hide on the ship; they were too far out from land for him to even attempt to wait it out. He quietly stopped at the edge, staring slowly down at the dark waters as violet-gray storm clouds block out the sun. . 

“Amen,” the first mate snapped the bible closed in his hands, the crew echoing his sentiment. 

For a moment he froze. His legs were stiff as his hands were tied behind his back to ensure he would drown. Yet he didn’t feel fear in the face of the depths that await him below. Slowly he stepped forwards off the edge and into the waiting water, the last thing he heard being the crew shouting before his body broke through the surface with a resounding splash. 

Silence surrounded him as he sank down into the water, the icy temperature making him numb as the salt water burned his eyes.

A part of him wonders how long he could be able to hold his breath before his lungs gave out. How long will he be conscious? Until his body began shutting down from lack of oxygen as he sinks further down. He has lived a long while and while a part of him knew his end wouldn’t be a natural death, a watery grave wasn’t exactly what he had in mind. 

His body slowly turned over from the current and he found himself looking down into the darkness deep below that he was sinking down towards. Where he would lie forgotten with the creatures that reside down there, both mysterious beasts and animals who would see his carcass as a free meal… 

However he jolts when he suddenly hears…humming? Yes that’s what it was, a deep low humming that travels through the water. His vision was blurry as he could feel the air beginning to leave his lungs. It..it sounded like a human voice yet it was so different. It tugged on something inside him and as the world becomes dimmer…he swears he makes out a shape coming towards him. 

Something catches him; something that wasn’t hard, more firm as it stopped his sudden sinking. He grunts out more bubbles before he is suddenly turned over on to his back and blinks slowly in an attempt to clear his vision and adjust it.

Then something suddenly hits his face; something that feels like some sort of mucus that coils around his head, mouth and face. He gave a muffled scream as he struggled in the ropes holding his hands behind him. Then as quickly as it had attached to his face it suddenly was gone..as if it was somehow absorbed into his mouth, nose, ears and eyes.

Because what greets him is his vision becoming clear and the water being sucked into his lung and yet it didn’t make him go into a coughing fit. He could…he could hear clearly too as he sat there on whatever was under him. 

“Hello.” 

Slowly he looked up at what greets him; a gargantuan giant with long hair that went down past the dark tanned shoulders with patches of dark siena scales that formed patterns on the shoulders and back. Kakuzu’ eyes slowly traveled down…and he felt like an anchor had settled in the bottom of his stomach. 

His scarred mouth was open as he gasped the water like air and stared at the lower half of this being; a long tail of no fish he recognized, the same dark shade of siena as it swished back and forth in the darkness beneath them both. 

“..Wh..what…” he whispered, barely able to ever get that one word out. Because what he’s looking at is a gigantic merman; a creature that shouldn’t exist as there has never been any proof found of these beings before. The only knowledge of such beings was spread through word of mouth.

“What am I?” The giant chuckled as he leaned his head down to be eye level with the human. Those eyes reminded him of oak wood as the pupil dilated as thin as a needle as he almost seemed to pierce through him. 

He can only nod in response at the handsome, colossal being that had decided to save him from dying today. 

A gentle laugh left him as he made a quiet noise. 

“I am a leviathan.” 

Chapter 22: Oil Spill (Amado/Koji Kashin)

Summary:

If there was one thing he looked forwards to during the week it was his volunteer work with the marine Biology group

Notes:

Day 22: Oil Spill

I just think Amado and Koji Kashin would make for an interesting pair, especially as a couple. They just make sense to me hence i think it would make sense Amado would work in marine biology in a merfolk au.

Hope you enjoy ^^

If there was one thing he looked forwards to during the week it was his volunteer work with the marine Biology group. Two days a week he devoted his time to helping educate young people about the importance of protecting life in the oceans and then doing hands-on work to help that very life. 

From the smallest little sea lug to the largest whales, he did everything he was able to help them with all the knowledge he had to share. 

An oil spill had happened recently, thus when he went in this Friday he was surprised to find one of the victims of it was none other than a merman; with a cherry red snapper tail and the oil soaked into his hair, face and torso. Since Amada was relieving the current volunteer from their work to go home, he was now the one in charge of cleaning this one. 

Merfolk were never his specialty. Despite so much research and guides on how to safely interact with them, Amado never really had experience with them. The closest he ever was, happened when he was in college and happened to have a manatee mermaid hug his leg and he was not allowed to touch her back. 

“...Well aren’t you a bit of a mess, huh big fella,” Amado sighed as he looked around a moment before he picked up a scrubbing brush normally used for seals and otters who didn’t want to be touched. 

The merman, sitting in a metal tub of water and soap crossed his arms and grumbled a bit under his breath. He had a tag in his tail fin which told Amado that he was a tagged one that the group kept track of to make sure the merman was travelling in any danger, such as the oil spill that happened. 

He looked at the tag, tilting his head to read the kanji, “Huh. Your name is Koji Kashin huh? Interesting name! I’m Amado. I’m gonna be the one getting all the oil off you, I’m sure it feels uncomfortable.”

Koji side eyed the human; taking in his dark tanned skin, his white hair in a slight mohawk and his beard. His glasses as well. He looked pretty harmless from what he’s able to see as the man picked up some dish soap and spurted it onto the scrubber brush. 

It was a stand off for a few more minutes before Koji slowly nodded for him to come forward and start cleaning him up. 

Amado smiled, “Good lad,” he then started on the red tail–it was one of a snapper, a rather common fish around this area–and he calmly watched as the black oil began to wash off and break down  into the soapy tub of water. He continued, starting at the hip and making his way down to the end of his tail 

Already he can see Koji begin to relax as he continues to gently scrub it all away, a smile on his face as he can hear the merman starting to trill softly. 

“I bet that feels a lot better huh? I know I’d feel a lot better being washed like this if I was in your place,” he chuckled softly as he then poured some clean water on the tail, his smile growing as he saw the brightness of those red scales. 

He smiled before he started to scrub the torso. 

“Mmm!” Koji jumped a bit before he turned away, his body shaking a little as his mouth wibbled a bit. 

Amado blinked, “Are you all right, Koji?” 

Koji looked back at him, before his gray eyes went to the scrubber. 

He huffed, “It….it tickles…” 

It takes him a minute to process what he said, but once he did  Amado snorted and then snickered softly with a smile. He’s never met a merman who was ticklish let alone from having a scrubber brush getting oil off his body. A sigh leaves the older human as he walks forwards and very gently he picks up a sponge that he soaked with the dish soap and warm water. 

“I’ll use this instead then. That way you won’t be twitching and thrashing without warning,” he hummed as he leaned over to gently scrub the oil off the merman’s chest. He notices Koji doesn’t have the same reaction as he did before as he gently makes sure to get every spot with the sponge. 

It would be hell on his back later but he wanted to help the poor thing get cleaned of this nasty stuff and once he was cleared he could go back to his natural habitat. 

He squeezed the sponge out, getting the black oil out before putting it in the clean water to work on the merman’s face and hair. 

“If I may ask, were you there when the oil spilled?”  

Koji closed his eyes tight to let the other work, “Mm..Yes. I noticed it first and tried to get the animals out of the area as well as some fry who usually played there. I didn’t want any little ones getting that stuff in their gills.”

“Hmm. That is a very noble thing to do. I was wondering why there weren't as many creatures this time; it makes me happy that there are those out there willing to help protect those who need it. 

The dark oil gives way to show the handsome chiseled face of the merman as well as wash away what he realizes is hair as white as fresh snow. He hummed curiously looking at the red scales and gills on this merman’s neck. 

Amado cleared his throat as he attempted to keep himself from blushing like he’s a teenager again, back when he had a crush on the first handsome person he came into contact with. He shakes his head to clear it before he clears his throat.

“May I lift you up and put you into a tub of clean water?”

When Koji nodded rather vehemently, Amado couldn’t help but chuckle as he gently scooped the merman out from it, smiling as arms wrapped around his neck to keep them both steady. 

As he did he didn’t notice the blush on the merman’s face. 

Chapter 23: Rescue (Kawaki)

Summary:

Ever since the discovery of merfolk in this world, there were those of course who wanted to own them; for food, for pleasure, for a pet to show off, a trophy to present, or in some of the more twisted cases, for breeding.

Notes:

Day 23: Rescue

For this one I don't really have a focused pairing, I just liked the idea of like NaruSasu rescue team couple who go out of their way rescuing merfolk in the black market when they come upon something that isn't really allowed.

Hope you enjoy ^^

Ever since the discovery of merfolk in this world, there were those of course who wanted to own them; for food, for pleasure, for a pet to show off, a trophy to present, or in some of the more twisted cases, for breeding.

It’s why when these black markets began to take shape, rescue operations were immediately put into motion. For years the Konoha Marine Rescue Task force has taken out hundreds of illegal markets that kept these creatures in small, glass, empty tanks or crowded breeding corals depending on what they had. There were some that were rehabilitated before being released back into the wild, while others were permanently injured and were kept at the rescue for educational purposes and to help them live a long healthy life. 

Of course not all of them were that lucky. 

However, for this rescue, no one was prepared for what was waiting in one of the largest black markets in the illegal merfolk trafficking. 

Sasuke has always tried to keep a level head when it comes to such dangerous rescues with his partner and husband Naruto. While they handed over the marketers and the clients to police, they had to raid through the space to find as many alive merfolk as they could in order to figure out what they could do for them and where to send them for recovery. 

In more severe cases they may have to put some of them down. 

“Fuck…there’s so many here, Naruto. Look at them…they look like they’re already dead…” Sasuke murmured softly as he tried to push down his unease and disgust. He’s done many rescues before this one, some in worse conditions than this. Yet just seeing these human-like beings with their beautiful fins and tails that were torn or rotting from lack of care or fighting. 

Besides him, the blonde with light tanned skin and whisker marks on his cheeks turns to him with a sad smile, “That’s why we’re here, to help them get a new lease on life. Come on, let's go further. One of our moles told us that the Jigen guy who runs this thing was planning to present something special, said the creep keeps it in his office.” 

He walked with his raven haired love to head up the stairs to where said office resided; trying not to stop and stare at the merfolk who are being carefully extracted by their team as well as having their eggs and young very carefully moved to ensure that they weren’t damaged in transport from this hellscape back to the rehabilitation facility. . 

Sasuke stopped at the office door as he watched Naruto attempt to open it only to find it locked.Naruto grimaced before he grabbed the handles of the door and started to yank on it since it used a traditional key instead of a card.

Hence after a few moments of struggling, and without further ado, Sasuke gently nudged his husband to the side and proceeded to kick the door inwards with a sharp huff. He wasn’t about to waste time waiting for a lock pick when he had the ability to get in a faster way. 

“...Sage I love you,” Naruto smiled at him. 

“I should hope so, dobe,” Sasuke huffed as he pushed some of his black hair behind his ear. 

Naruto looked as if he was about to retort when bright blue eyes looked past his ravenette husband. Slowly they widen in what Sasuke can only assume is horror. He turned, following his gaze. 

What greets him is a giant tank; it was dimly lit by yellow neon lights at the floor of it, illuminating the dim room in the gentle ambience. Inside, curled up in the fetal position, Sasuke thinks he is looking at a human child…until he steps closer. 

There are fins along his arms, and along the back of his calves with  gills on his neck. The hair was dark on top while the sides were scaly and gold in color. Between his toes was a webbing that Sasuke could see, his eyes widening slowly in shock. He couldn’t believe what he’s seeing right now. He turned to his husband with wide onyx eyes, swallowing thickly. 

He didn’t want to think about what they were looking at, yet all evidence pointed to it. That this creature before them was a human-merfolk hybrid, one of the rare few. If he had to guess the age this one was around thirteen years old. He flinched when the child hybrid raised his head slightly, sea glass eyes lancing on them both and in response to their presence he curled up tighter as his gills flared out in an attempt to be larger. 

Judging by his reaction he wasn’t very used to having new people in this office space. Poor thing stared at them with nothing but fear as he slowly uncurled to push himself further into the back corner of the tank, bubbles anxiously leaving his mouth as he resumed his curled up position they found him in. 

Naruto stepped forwards slowly, placing a hand on the glass, “..Hey there little guy…you okay in there?” He whispered softly as if the other could hear him in this state, “I promise we’re not here to hurt you, we’re here to get you out of this place ... .I'm sure that tank isn’t very comfortable.” 

Sasuke anxiously fiddled with the sedative shot carefully tucked in one of the pockets of his uniform. It was normally used on those who were too stressed or anxious to be moved without damage. If the hybrid showed any signs of being violent he would inject him. 

“Be careful dobe…” he hissed. 

“Look at him, Sasuke, he’s just a kid,” Naruto hissed as he looked around for a way to get to the top of the tank. As he began to look for something to stand on and start the rescue Sasuke looked down at the kanji that had been written on a silver moniker in front of the tank. 

Kawaki.      

Chapter 24: School (Itachi/Deidara)

Summary:

When it came to surviving the ocean, it was rather imperative to travel in large groups when in the open waters.

Notes:

Day 24: School

I just thought it would be funny if while the Uchiha school of fissh was making their way through the waters, a certain Deidara would be following to annoy the hell out of Itachi.

Hope you enjoy!

When it came to surviving the ocean, it was rather imperative to travel in large groups when in the open waters. Especially merfolk who have tails of the species that tended to stick together as close as possible. 

The Uchiha were one of the largest and well known schools to travel the open waters, keeping the young in the middle while the adults surrounded them to keep them protected from any predators that may attempt to go after them. They were known for their barracuda tails and ability to hunt the fish around them.

Every year they travel around to the warmer waters in order to escape the cold of approaching winter, travelling through the open ocean in order to get to their destination. Though sometimes during travels they can have run ins with some other merfolk heading towards the same destination. 

Itachi was a very protective older brother who always made sure to protect his younger brother from below as their parents took the sides of him at the front of the school. It was Sasuke’s first time swimming all the way from the waters here that were becoming colder to the warmer ones that had reefs of fish and clams. 

Sasuke flickered his little tail behind him as Itachi smiled softly. He knew Sasuke would be fine in the long run, but he couldn’t help his worry all the same. His mother had teased him many times about how much he parents his little brother as much as she and his father did. 

However as they were in the current, he felt any good mood he had dissipated when he heard a familiar voice. 

“Heeeeeey, Itaaaachiiiii!” 

The adolescent groaned as he spotted the familiar sight of the other merman; a sailfish, one with a darker grey tail with wild blonde hair that was tied back with some net rope he unwrapped. Every year…every damned year Itachi somehow, without fail, ends up running into this idiot. Not that he would ever call him that to his face. 

“Hello Deidara,” he kept his voice composed and calm, “It seems we are both headed the same way once again,” he flicked his tail in an attempt to keep up with his family, “I thought we missed you since you normally are there when we start out migration not a quarter of the way into it.” 

Deidara laughed as he rolled on to his back under the barracuda merman; taking in the long silky black hair that flows behind him, and the sharp claws on his fingers that have slit through the stomach of sharks who dared to try and hunt him. 

Deidara flickered his tail, his blue eye taking in the other as his scarred left one was covered by his bangs. 

“I slept in a bit this year, but I still managed to catch up to you, un. You barracuda mers may be able to move fast as lightning but you forget I’m a sailfish, un!”

“I didn’t forget,” Itachi raised a brow as he flicked his tail to move a little faster, “I was just a little surprised. I am glad to see you survived the last migration.” 

“Aaaw,” Deidara now moved up to swim beside Itachi, “Were you worried about me, un? I’m touched, really, it’s not everyday an Uchiha worries about me,” He opened his sail as if trying to show it off in the soft shimmer of sunlight peering through the surface. 

Itachi closed his eyes as he then lifted his hand up to put under Sasuke’s stomach when he saw him lagging a bit, ignoring the other merman’s comment, “Easy Sasuke, you don’t wish to overwhelm yourself. You’re doing fine, swim at your own pace now.”

A squeak answered him before his baby brother looked down with his little gills opening the same moment he puffed his cheeks and blew bubbles, “Aniiiijaaaa, I’m fiiiiine!”

“Are you now? You seem a little out of it. We’re all taking our time, Sasuke.” 

“But–”

“Hey minnow, listen to your brother, un. He’s done this a lot longer than you so he knows what he’s doing, don’t give him lip, un,” Deidara spoke up then giving the boy a raised brow while the child flushed in embarrassment. 

Itachi raised a brow while reaching up to gently put a hand under Sasuke so he could at least rest a little bit, “...Thank you Deidara.” He meant it too, because he knows how Sasuke can be at times. His little brother was a stubborn boy and at times that could drive him to learn more while other times it landed him in a bit of trouble. This time though he seemed to listen as he lets his older brother help him stay on course and even rest his tail fin for a bit. 

The big smile that the sailfish merman gave him was enough to make Itachi’s heart skip a beat. He wouldn’t acknowledge it but Deidara looked rather pretty when he was smiling like this. Like he was in the place he always wanted to be all because he had thanked him. 

“Well I mean, it’s not a problem, really, un,” Deidara lightly rubbed his knuckle under his nose while his grin became lopsided and he flicked his tail rather flirtatiously, “I was a fry once doing my first migration after all, un.” 

Itachi sighed as he started to swim a little faster, “Deidara.”

“Hmmm?” Deidara looked up, grinning. 

“Look out for Tobi.” 

“Wha–OMPH!”

Itachi hummed as he watched his rather crazy cousin suddenly slammed into Deidara, even tilting his head down to watch the two of them spinning before he looked ahead to keep going. While Itachi wasn’t usually someone to be petty, he chuckled a little at hearing his cousin Tobi laughing and spinning with the cursing Deidara. 

It wasn’t that he hated Deidara, far from it, but he had a job to do and the last thing he needed was the blonde distracting him from it by trying to be flirty.

Chapter 25: Tide Pools (Boruto/Mitsuki)

Summary:

For as long as he could remember, Mitsuki has always greatly enjoyed the tide pools that would form from the tide going out.

Notes:

Day 25: Tide Pools

I had to add some cute BoruMitsu to this month's collection of mermay fics. I love these two a lot, and i like the idea of Mitsuki being fascinated with science and being intrigued by a merman he finds.

Hope you enjoy!

For as long as he could remember, Mitsuki has always greatly enjoyed the tide pools that would form from the tide going out. They always varied in size and held so much life in them; hermit crabs, sand eels, sea lugs, urchins, clams, scallops, and anything else that resided in these shadows and would reside there waiting to be picked up. 

Perhaps it was due to his single parent always encouraging him to be curious and to always explore what fascinates him for one never knew when a new discovery might await. His older brother was the same but also advised him to always approach with caution since no one could predict what kind of danger resides there. 

Either way he made it a point to always go at a time when the tide was low enough to safely explore while there still being enough water for the marine animals to survive until the high tide.

However, when Mitsuki went out into the familiar areas between the rocks and along the sand something new waited for him. 

The first sound that greeted him was a loud trill. It gave him pause when he had stopped to look down into a crevice to see if there were any crabs skittering,about to see if any had molted or were just scurrying around, perhaps even to see a horseshoe crab! 

Immediately he turned and started down towards where the sound resonated from. It was unlike anything he had heard before; crabs were normally quiet, as were the fish who swam around until the water rises and the shellfish that reside here tended to be the same way. 

Was it a washed up dolphin? An otter? Perhaps some kind of seal? He wasn’t sure but he knew that he wanted to see what this creature was and if it was at least safe until high tide. 

He moves through some of the smaller tide pools, the water going up to his knees, pulling up his navy blue shorts and then adjusting his powder blue t-shirt when it rides up a bit.

“Kkrrrr….krrrrrrr….” 

The next turn, it takes the boy a moment to process the sight that greeted him,

Scales as bright and golden as sunlight shimmer softly as the tail shifted against the sand. It was that of a flying fish yet the colors were so different. The fins resting on the sides flutter a bit. Mitsuki slowly steps around and then makes a quiet gasp at the sight that greets him. 

Instead of the head of a giant fist he sees the upper body was a boy; with light tanned skin and wild blonde hair; golden patches of scales at the elbows, the back of his hands, along the neck and there being two gill lines on the cheeks. Blue eyes were looking around, wide and scanning the beach. 

Mitsuki’s own bright amber eyes sparkled in surprised delight as he slowly stepped forwards. Never in his entire life has he ever seen such a beautiful creature; one that was like the sun had taken on the form of an undiscovered species long thought to be myth. 

“Hello…” Mitsuki smiles as he walks slowly over.

The merboy immediately paused in his twitching and turned his attention to the human. The blue eyes were zeroed in as he stilled in the ride pool; it was a rather nice sized one; deep enough to keep his boy wet without dehydrating yet he couldn’t jump out of it back into the ocean with how far out the tide went. 

“...Rrrr?”

“It’s okay, I’m not going to hurt you, I promise…are you stuck?” Mitsuki asked as he slowly approached. He doesn’t go right up to the other; he didn’t want to scare him. He made sure to move slowly and stay in the sight of those blue eyes. 

The last thing he wanted was to spook the other. It’s a few hours before the tide would get high though he doubts the other wants to be alone until then. What if the sun made the water too warm for him? What if it causes the water to dry up too much? 

Slowly he began to step up closer and closer to make sure he didn’t scare the other. 

“...You…”

Mitsuki perked up when he heard the other’s voice, an excited smile on his face, “Me?”

“...No hurt?” 

His heart skipped a beat as something inside the young man melts at such a hopeful, unsure question. He gently squatted down and gently held his pale hand out to the other in a sign of friendship. His parent always showed him that the best way to show an unknown creature that there was no ill intent was to hold out his hand with his palm up to show that there was nothing hidden.  

Mitsuki’s smile grew when the other gently held his hand in his own; he can feel the subtle difference between the textures of their skin brushing; the merboy had more scaled skin compared to Mitsuki’s being smoother. 

It was so tempting to want to go get his parent to tell him all about this new discovery; but he was more concerned by the tide pool. He hummed as he calculated in his head how long until the water would be too low before the high tide started compared to how long it would take for him to find something to just dig a path from the ride pool to the ocean. 

After all, what was the point of such a wondrous discovery when it would be suffering? He didn’t like the idea of this beautiful creature suffering from dehydration or lack of oxygen because the water wasn’t enough. 

“I will not hurt you,” He promises him, smiling at the other, “My name is Mitsuki..what’s yours?” 

That beautiful golden tail swished back and forth as a shy smile formed on the merboy’s face. 

“Boruto,” he pointed at himself. 

He didn’t think he ever heard a more beautiful name. 

Chapter 26: Kelpie (Jigen/Code)

Summary:

He never was the type of person who would listen to those old stories that his mother used to tell him; living so close to the rivers and ponds the stories told about those creatures called Kelpie were common.

Notes:

Day 26: Kelpie

For this one I really wanted to do something a little more horrifying especially with the Kelpie legends combined with Code and Jigen. Just Code being trusting and suffering for it? *chef's kiss*

Hope you all enjoy!

He never was the type of person who would listen to those old stories that his mother used to tell him; living so close to the rivers and ponds the stories told about those creatures called Kelpie were common. 

If he was honest, to him it was all just a bunch of old tales meant to scare naughty children into behaving and why his mother was so intent on filling his head with them was beyond his understanding. At the end of the day it really didn’t matter, he was going down to do the wash as he always did in the river and would return and hang the clothes up on a line. 

It’s what he does three times a week, to ensure clean linens, and clean clothes and clean towels that would dry from the gentle breeze today despite the overcast skies. He hummed a tune as he came upon his usual spot. 

Where the rocks were high enough that he didn’t worry about getting his knees soak and the water was moving at a gentle current that wouldn’t take the clothes straight out of his hands as he washed them. 

Code settled quietly there, humming to himself as he began to work. Though even if he thinks the stories are stupid, he can’t help but wonder what it would be like to meet a kelpie. So many stories had a different take on them; some dragged unsuspecting maidens or gullible children down into the waters below. They say some of them take the form of horses or they take the form of handsome men. 

Either way they mostly ended the same; someone ended up under the waters to die. 

What a foolish story, He shakes his head, about to begin when he hears quiet splashing. He looked up, tucking some of his red hair behind his ear. 

Said ears become a light shade of vermillion when he sees a man walking calmly through the river’s gentle current. He was dressed to the nines with a white satin hooded cloak, red silk robes that were wet at the bottoms, wearing dark metal rings on his fingers and his black hair tied back in a long ponytail. His dark eyes were on him, piercing into him almost as he slowly began to approach the young man trying to wash the clothes. 

He swallowed thickly as he looked back and forth a moment; wondering if this man was here alone or if he was trying to pull something. 

All the greeted Code was the thick trees and many green leaves that keep this place hidden from above. He looked back over after a minute and the man was continuing to come his way. He doesn’t think he’d ever seen a man so beautiful before. He was strong looking too despite how loose the clothes were. He stopped before the redhead and offered a soft smile. 

“Good afternoon, sir. It’s a beautiful day to be out on the river, no?” 

“Uh…y-yeah I guess if you like overcast skies,” Code looked up slowly with a raised brow. His eyes are watching the man now as he looks down at the water where the feet should be; however it is covered by the long robes as he tilted his head slowly. It was…unnerving to him, to have someone dressed like this walking in the river. 

Yet he doesn’t see any reeds in the man’s hair and he couldn’t see the feet…why would he need to do that? Code mentally scolded himself for letting the superstition of his mother influence him. 

Maybe the man just wanted to cross the river! It must be shallow over there due to no rain for a while. 

“I am hoping it’s going to rain soon. It would be nice if the river got more water in it, no?” 

“I guess…” 

“Doing a bit of laundry?” he asked quietly, those dark eyes looking around Code at the linens he was tasked with getting nice and clean, “Bit of a lot don’t you think?” 

“It rained last week, hence why I have such large amounts today,” He was trying to keep himself calm, but internally he felt flustered. This handsome man was talking to him. Sure it’s about laundry but he was still being polite about it.

Such a handsome man should be married by now. I wonder if he has a wife already or if he’s celibate. He cleared his throat, “Are you headed somewhere sir?” 

“Oh…yes actually. Though if you wouldn’t mind I may need some directions. I haven’t been to this area before,” He smiled and Code felt his heart skip a beat. 

This man had no right to be this handsome and charming. Code cleared his throat a moment before he moved to stand. The rock was slick though as he tried to regain his balance when he almost slipped. 

Strong hands grab both of his before he could fall into the water. 

“Goodness…you need to be careful, young man.”

Code breathed heavily a moment as his heart threatened to burst out of his chest. That…that had been rather scary if he was honest; if he had fallen too suddenly and hit his head on one of the rocks while going head first, well if the man wasn’t here he would have probably been knocked out and drowned. 

“Thank you, mr, ah….?” 

“My name is Jigen,” he smiled at the young man as he looked down at their hands with half lidded eyes. 

Code blushed deeply and pulled them back. 

Well, he tried to pull them back. He blinked and looked down to see that Jigen wasn’t even holding his hands back, simply standing as Code struggled to pry them free. He started to breathe faster, his heartbeat picking up as his eyes widened and he trembled. .

No. No no he checked, he checked for all the signs, he did he did…!

Those warm, onyx eyes suddenly bleed into the sclera to make them into two orbs of abyssal darkness as the kind smile he’s worn on his pale face shifted to a sinister leer. Code’s eyes widened as he’s forced to step forwards when this…this thing stepped back. He was pulling Code into the river even as he fruitlessly tried to pull free, eyes widening as he’s dragged across the surface of the water. 

Jigen’s hands begin to change; hardening under his own before he was now on his stomach in the deep river. He can feel the push of the current on his body as he gasped shakily and looked up as the water passed over his chin.

Code screamed in pain as the shifting causes the skin of his hands to tear; he managed to get one free, but the other was still stubbornly stuck to the hoof–

…His other hand was stuck to a hoof. 

He slowly turned his green eyes upwards. What is before him now is what many would mistake as a horse. However as he takes it in, he sees the scraggly dark mane that was tied back as reeds lining along it, the coat of the equine creature of the waters. The one known for pulling many down to their deaths or to a fate worse than death. 

“...No..No no please, no please don’t–!” he struggled, he pleaded, he cried as he tried to pry his other hand off even as blood pours from his freed one. It was unfortunately to no avail for as the Kelpie reared back and lifted him up from the water with a hollow neigh, Code knew then that he would not escape.   

 He barely closes his eyes before he finds himself under the water; the kelpie using his hooves to push the young man down deep, deep to the bottom of the river. His lungs swallow water when he can no longer keep his mouth closed, breathing in the ice as he choked with bubbles rising from his mouth. 

Until darkness settles in with his last thought being that he would never see the surface again. 

All anyone could find that night when they went looking for him was unfinished laundry and the young man’s cloak.

Chapter 27: Siren (Kisame/Obito)

Summary:

It’s always a bad sign when the first light of day casts a red glow amongst the clouds.

Notes:

Day 27: Siren

I have come to really enjoy KisaObi in the coming months, and thought fisherman Kisame being enchanted and lured into the water by siren Obito? *chef's kiss* The song Obito Sings is actually a real song from J.Ashton' Real Sailor Songs, Jolly Sailor Bold. Hope you enjoy!

It’s always a bad sign when the first light of day casts a red glow amongst the clouds. 

If not for the pressing need for food and money, he wouldn’t have taken his boat out today. However he needed to supply the market place with fish to sell so he would be paid and so he could go home with a little less stress on his shoulders. 

They would call him a fool, but he’d rather risk returning with nothing than stay back and not have tried at all. Besides if he leaves now then it means he at least has time alone on the sea where all he has to worry for is the sound of the waves that brush against his old boat and the gulls flying overhead hoping to snatch up a morsel from the boat. 

Kisame remembered a time when he thought his life wouldn’t be one out on the open sea; where he would leave the small fishing village he grew up in and just head out into the world to see what it had to offer. He remembers being more optimistic. 

Instead he’s on the old boat his father owned before him, a reliable but dated one that still ran well on the water. 

Many say he looked a lot like his father; tanned skin, dark spiky hair, seafoam eyes and a rather stocky, strong frame wrapped in a jacket, sweatpants and turtleneck with his galoshes.

He hummed as he had the sonar on to find a good spot to drop the net while holding poorly brewed coffee in his hand that he sipped slowly. It tasted like sludge but it did the job of waking him up as he took in the sight of the open sea, the smell of the salt water and old wood, the feel of the breeze as the sound of the water splashing against the hull comforted him. 

Of course so intertwined with this familiar environment he is started when he can hear a loud splash and looks over to see that something had gone under. He could make out a large form, tilting his head as he tried to get a better look at the shape; perhaps it was some kind of sport fish or a shark even! 

However as he leaned over a bit for a better look he heard something. 

At first, he thinks it’s a trick of the wind; when it picks up it tends to make a whistling like sound so he tries to ignore it; going down into the small cabin of the boat to get away from it…except it instead of getting some peace down below, it felt like whatever he heard under the wind only grew louder. 

“Mmmm…..mmmm…..” 

He froze as he listened, eyes slowly scanning around the boat’s cabin. Last he checked, he was the only one meant to be on this boat. He had checked twice before leaving for anyone who might try to stowaway and he was trying to make sure everything was there. 

There shouldn’t be someone humming. He looked around slowly with wide eyes trying to make sense of it. 

“Mmm…mmmm…mmm…Aaaaaaah….”

Kisame shakily reached up to grab at his own hair, eyes looking back and forth with widened eyes. Because what the hell was going on? Why was this happening? This should not be happening, he shouldn’t be hearing such a strange melody that seeps into his skull. He swallowed thickly and grabbed onto the sides of his head. 

“What..what the fuck…?” he hissed, stepping back towards the steps with widened eyes and rushing back up to the top deck. 

For some reason the wind did little to quiet the melody. It was a pretty one he will admit; one that he might end up humming to himself once he returned to the docks. If it weren’t for the fact he knew that he’s alone on this boat, out on the open sea he might even try to get a better listen. 

He looked back and forth with widened eyes; the sky had darkened with heavy clouds now when just moments the sun was out. The wind had become freezing, almost like it was able to get through the fabric of his jacket so the cold could seep into his skin, right to the bones. 

When the ship suddenly tilted, he stumbled back and grabbed the railing leading down before the ship set herself back right again. Then as he steadied himself while breathing shakily, he looked up when there was a loud smack of skin on wood.  

A pair of sharp talons as dark as ebony and sharper than a shucking knife suddenly grabbed onto the boat’s railing. The sharp talons tap against the firm wood of the boat before slowly pulling some…some creature up. 

The first thing he noticed was the black feathers; along the arms as water rolls off them and a pair of red eyes stare at him. Under them was yellow to light orange markings, similar to that of a cormorant bird, yet the face was human, along with the shape of those claws. In fact as Kisame looked this creature over he noticed the pattern of the wings on the arms were shaped like that of the sea bird yet on the body of a human-like form. 

His eyes were trained firmly on the face; this one had a lovely face with soft lips and eyes that he could lose himself in, the sharp nose and chiseled face. Then the creatures opened that mouth to show white pearly fangs. 

“Upon one sailor’s morning, I carefully did stray…down by the wall of Wapping where I met a sailor gay…” 

Whatever Kisame was thinking suddenly fell from his mind. As if the melody, the words had just melded into his mind and drowned out any and all thoughts to the extreme as he breathed shakily. All that mattered in that moment was for him to step forwards. 

“Conversing with a young lass, who seemed to be in pain, saying ‘William if you go, i fear you’ll never return again,’ My heart is pierced by cupid, I disdain all glittering gold…There is nothing can console me, but my jolly sailor bold….” 

Claws cup his face as his eyes glaze over. Kisame’s mouth opened and closed as he couldn't turn away or think of anything else. 

The siren smiles as he continues to sing, slowly sinking back into the water while making the fisherman follow him, watching him lean over the edge. Obito had thought with the red dawn no one would come out today with how superstitious humans could be when they come out into the deeper waters. 

“My heart is pierced by Cupid,” He pulled him further down, beginning to submerge himself, “I disdain all glittering gold…for nothing can console me…” 

He was smiling now, fangs on full display. This one would make a wonderful mate… 

“But my jolly sailor bold…” 

Kisame doesn’t even register being pulled into the water. 

Chapter 28: Trench (Jiraiya & Ame Orphans)

Summary:

The last thing that the Sage of the Seas expected when he was travelling was to be entering the trenches.

Notes:

Day 28: Trench

Here, I come with some soft Jiraiya adopting three little cookie cutter shark merpups who just need someone to protect and teach them. Anyways I hope you guys enjoy the fluff ^^

Enjoy!

The last thing that the Sage of the Seas expected when he was travelling was to be entering the trenches. 

It was a very well known fact that doing such a thing spelled danger; down there were things no one wanted to think about living there. Whether they are merfolk or fish who did not belong so close to the surface, he didn’t care as he continued on his way. He was a large whale shark merman, with the wildest white hair that flows behind him. 

Normally he would be swimming closer to the surface in order to travel through the currents to his next destination that required his help. He went with where the currents would take him, so when he found himself not going anywhere after just helping a school of local reef merfolk with their latest fish shortage, he expected to be taken away. 

Instead he found himself at the opening of the trenches that were a few miles out from the reef. If not for the fact that he felt he needed to be here, he might have thought that the currents had him take a wrong turn. 

He hummed; his red speckled tail swishing slowly as he rested a hand on the edge looking down into the darkness below. Jiraiya wouldn’t lie, but the thought of going down into the cold deep below wasn’t on his list of things to do. 

Perhaps he needed to see if there was anything suspicious going on, or maybe he was meant to wait here for a threat to find him. Though he doubts anything from the trench would risk coming too close to the surface to fight him. He was a large merman and strong despite his age; he has been to many parts ot the seven seas in order to continue the work that keeps on coming. 

Though the longer he is here, the more he starts to think that for once he may not be actually needed here–

“YEOWCH!” 

He looked down with wide eyes when he felt a sharp pain in the side of his tail looking down to see what exactly had bitten him–

“ACK! OW! HEY!!” Jiraiya looked down with narrowed eyes at what exactly was biting him right now as whatever was the first to bite was followed by two more. 

What he did not expect was to find three merfolk pups–two boys and one girl–all with the same species of tail in differing colors stare at him. They had their fangs sunk into his tail as his eyes widened a bit. As he looked at the pup's tails, his eyes twitched. 

They three look at him with wide eyes before they release him and put a little distance between them. Judging by the looks of them these three have not eaten in a while; their torsos showed the pups rib cages and their fins had small scars on them. Their gills had seen better days as well though the damage is not as extensive as it could be. 

The one with wild orange hair puts himself in front of the other two–the left has shoulder length red hair that matched his tail while the other had pretty violet hair with some fan coral that was curved carefully to make a flower pin.

“.....Huh. Cookie cutter shark tails huh? No wonder you three are so small,” He huffed wincing as he felt some pain from where they bit him. They rear back a little but the trio don’t swim away; an odd thing to do if he was honest. 

Interesting. 

He reached into a small satchel by his hip, pulling out a thick paste and gently applied it to his wounds to stop the bleeding, keeping his eyes on the pups. While he was irritated he wasn’t too upset; they were young from the trench and they probably were very hungry. 

“So..you three came up here to get a piece of me huh?” he chuckled, “I must say no one is usually that bold to go after the Sage of the Seven Seas. You should be more careful…” He slowly swam over to the three small pups, “You’re really hungry aren’t you little guys?” 

A soft little sniffle is heard coming from the orangette in front  

Jiraiya’s eyes softened; he’s always had a soft spot for the little ones even if at times they drove him crazy especially when he was trying to relax,, “I’m not upset. You three look like you haven’t had a decent meal in a long time…”

“...we’re sorry…” the redhead speaks softly, sniffling quietly, “...we’re sorry ... .we just….we just were hungry and we hoped you wouldn’t notice…” He wipes his purple eyes with a sniffle, “We didn’t mean to hurt you, mister…” 

The violet haired one, the only girl hiccupped, “Please don’t kill us…”

The orangette’s lip wobbled as he tried not to lose his brave face…however it cracked as Jiraiya reached out and gently ruffled each pup’s hair with a sigh. The three blink in surprise before looking at each other. Most merfolk or animals they bite a chunk out of usually either chased them back into the trench or tried to eat them in turn for it. This was the first one to ever just stop and not yell or try to hurt them. 

“Why would I kill three cute pups for being hungry huh? Besides it’s not like I’ll miss those small chunks too much, they’ll heal. Now then, what are your names hmm?” 

For a moment the three look at each other as if they are silently communicating, before turning back to Jiraiya. 

“I’m Yahiko…” 

“My name is N-Nagato.’ 

“Konan is my name sir…” 

Jiraiya gives his tail a flick with a nod as he listens to them with a small smile. He can already tell they had no adult taking care of them down there in the trench. They were too young to be on their own. Besides they would be able to survive out of the trench as long as he was with them and able to feed them. 

“My name is Jiraiya,” he offers his hand to them, “Why don’t you three come with me? I can catch a lot of fish to eat and teach you how to hunt,” He slowly lowers himself so he can be eye level with them, giving a kind smile, “And with me around no one will try to hunt or hurt you.”

Yahiko looked back at his two friends, tail swishing back and forth anxiously. A part of him wanted nothing more than to turn up his nose and swim away from him with Nagato and Konan. However it was getting harder to survive down in the trench. Harder to find food without something wanting them dead. 

He gives them both a look for a moment before he turns back to the merman with a whale shark’s tail. 

“...Okay. We…we’ll go with you, sir.”

Jiraiya’s smile was so bright, he might as well have lit up the entire trench below.

Chapter 29: Sandbar (Sasori/Deidara)

Summary:

He knew that he had chosen a pretty bad time to come down to the beach to try and surf.

Notes:

Day 29: Sandbar

Hey all, man I can't believe there's only two days left of Mermay. it's been a lot of fun posting these and seeing people's comments really have made me happy as well. I am so glad there have been so many who have been enjoying this.

I just wanted to do some silly SasoDei with a shrimp merman Sasori~

Enjoy!

He knew that he had chosen a pretty bad time to come down to the beach to try and surf. When the sandbar was showing, there was no point in going out. 

It put him in a seriously bad mood. He should have known better than to trust the forecast about the tides with the weather site. It wasn’t always reliable and since this day already started rough he can’t help but feel as if fate has decided to grimace down on him in order to ruin his day off. 

“Not fair, been working on those stupid billboards all week, un…” 

That had been absolute hell. Old Onoki had pushed him to fix them up after he had improved them (how dare the old man call it vandalism!) by throwing exploding paintballs to bring a lot more colors to it. He got caught though, and since he got caught he was forced to fix it all up. 

Now, on the one day he gets to do his favorite hobby, the water isn’t high enough for proper waves to ride!

He takes a slow breath as he leaves his red surfboard down and just sits to watch the crystal clear waters.

It was such a beautiful spot despite his irritation. Ever since he was a kid he’s always come here with friends or by himself be it to sight see or to catch a few waves. He loved surfing as it was one of the few fun things he held in high regard, second only to his explosive art. The crash of the waves after a rough wipeout just was so ethereal; a moment of beauty that quickly is washed away with the current. 

Just thinking about what he’s missing both makes him happy, yet irritates him at the same time. He slowly pulled out his ponytail, long blonde hair loose now while his lazy left eye was turned downwards as he kept his bangs over it. It was always an insecurity of his even though people tended to not pay attention to it.

Splash!

Deidara jumps softly when his thoughts are interrupted by a rather loud splash. When he looked up at first he could see a head of red hair. He shouldn’t be surprised to see him, especially since people tend to swim here as much as they surf….until he sees the way he’s moving. The redhead was making backwards jerking motions through the waters, cutting through the currents as his eyes are wide and is doing his best to move away from whatever it was freaking him out. 

“Hey…Hey my man, un! You okay over there?!” He stands up, walking along the sand bar as he tries to follow his movements, eyes widening, “Hey!” 

The guy doesn’t seem to hear him, getting closer to the shore before he sees it; the fin of what appears to be a shark approaching. Deidara’s eye widened before he started running. 

“HEY MAN, UN, HURRY OVER HERE, I’LL BRING YA IN, UN!!!!!” He shouted out with widened eyes. 

When he sees him finally turn around with his upper body half way out. Deidara didn’t think. Without thinking he put his hands under the other guy’s armpits and just yanked him fully onto the sandbar. He feels the water slap against his toes as he manages to yank him fully out. He grunted with some exertion as the action startled the redhead. 

Pale, thin fingers smack at his arm even as he loses his footing and falls back on the sandbar with a grunt, wheezing when this guy flopped back on him. Deidara wheezed before he slowly lifted his head to look at the water. 

Relief flooded him as he saw the shark’s fin turning away when it got too close to the shallows. Deidara groaned as he sat up, with his acquaintance leaning back on him now that the threat is gone. 

“...hey man, you oka–” his question died in his throat as pretty maroon eyes met his cerulean ones. The first thing that goes through Deidara’s head is that this guy is really pretty. His long red hair, delicate features and intense eyes. However when he looks down he feels ice shoot through him.

Instead of two legs stretched out, there was a curled tail with ten spindly sharp pointed legs that shifted and twitched with the end of the tail flicking. It was a shrimp’s tail. Like the kind that are caught, de-shelled and sold on ice at the market. Only it was human size as it curled and uncurled. 

“....Holy—”

“You have exactly five seconds to get your hands off me, land walker before I tear your throat out and throw you to that shark.” he gritted his teeth, eye twitching as he looked ready to use his fangs along to rip out the other’s throat. 

It was unsettling. Unusual. Impossible. It was something out of one of those weird mermaid romance novels big sis liked to read when she thought he wasn’t looking. He should be cursing and screaming in horror, scrambling to put as much distance between himself and the other as possible, to make a ruckus to attract attention of anyone else who might be nearby. 

“...You’re gorgeous, un.”

The strange shrimp merman is too startled to respond to the compliment, staring at him as if he was insane. Perhaps Deidara was insane. Because as he continues to take it all in he finds himself entranced by him, rather than terrified. 

Heat spreads over his face in a dark blush as the merman continues to stare at him. Like he just couldn’t understand why a human was telling him he was gorgeous. However as he processed his situation further…this human wasn’t bad either. 

He was a handsome land walker. His hair was gold like the coins of the treasure that resides in the depths further out. His eyes reminded him of when the clear skies reflected the water.  Even if one of those eyes was a lazy one it didn’t take away from his attractiveness. He shouldn’t be even thinking like that, but this one…this one…he did save him from being shark bait just now.

“..Did you hit your head?” He hissed as he reached up and poked two fingers directly into the land walker’s forehead, his legs twitching to show his irritation. 

“OW!” Deidara gritted his teeth as he rubbed his forehead, “You’re not a nice shrimp man are you?” 

“My name is Sasori,” He spat back, his lower half curling up tight against him as he glared at the blonde. Shrimp man, what the hell?!

Deidara glared at the other back, rubbing his forehead for a moment longer before the two of them just had a glaring match. If anyone else was there they may have perceived this as the start of a very unfriendly situation. 

To them it was the start of a very interesting acquaintanceship.

Chapter 30: Curse (Hidan/Ryuki)

Summary:

People who enter the temple never leave without losing something. 

Notes:

Day 30: Curse

For this one I really really wanted to dip into the idea of jashin being a seaside deity for both humans and merfolk and that anyone who pledges loyalty will be given a 'boon;.

I hope you enjoy!

People who enter the temple never leave without losing something. 

A memory. A limb. Blood. One of the five senses. Some are irrevocably changed for the worse or have a minor inconvenient thing bestowed on them. Many warnings were put up, to try to ward those off that might be blind to what awaits them. 

Amazing truly what desperation and obsession can do to a person to make them not heed the cautionary tales spoken of this place. 

The Temple of the Wicked Heart was not for the faint of heart to enter. It once was full to the brim with worshippers centuries ago before people were being drawn away or no longer being indoctrinated until all that was left was the ruins of the hollow temple by the seashore, flooded during the high tides, then empty during the low.

It’s said in legends that when someone stood in the temple during the highest tides they would see the infamous patron of the ominous abandoned place. 

Ryuki has always been a very impressionable man even as a child. From the moment he was told of the Wicked Heart’s Temple and of the god who rules it, he has been obsessed with finding it. There was a pull he just couldn’t ignore whenever people brought it up. He travelled from fishermen villages to beach towns to ask about it, to see which one was the place where it resided. 

The pale young man with hair as white as fresh snow and sunken in red eyes looked as if he hadn't had a decent meal in a while. Some stop him to make sure he’s not sick and while he tries to hide his annoyance, he tends to unsettle people enough to leave him alone.

However tonight? Tonight he was filled with the thrill sense of joy that fills up every vein of his being. It felt as if someone had taken a bolt of lightning and shot it into his veins as he made his way along the shore. 

To think the temple he was searching for resided in such a reclusive little town and there was no one taking care of it? He would need to change that and very soon if he wanted to return it to it’s former glory!  

Around his neck sits an old silver pendant. It had lost its shine over time, after wearing it and rubbing it between his fingers whenever he was irritated or had stopped for a moment of prayer. It had been a gift from a hooded traveler, the one who had told him about the Wicked Heart. 

The further down the shore he goes, the more he starts to feel that familiar symbol pulsing with a strange energy. It pulses against his chest, the water rolling in to crash against Ryuki’s ankles while the moon was rising in the sky. 

He needs to hurry or else he may miss him. He ignored the old wooden signs–it was easy as with how they are positioned the shadows made it hard to and the time to do it was long past. The further he progressed the harder the pendant pulsed until he swore it was following some sort of rhythmic pattern. 

As quickly as it had suddenly started, when Ryuki walked around to the other side of a large sand dune the pulsing stopped. His eyes slowly widened when they landed on the one place he has been searching for since he was a young lad. 

The temple had seen better days, yet it was still standing despite its ruin. Red stained glass skylights had been broken through time, the pillows were covered in barnacles and long green grass had become overgrown. The water was coming in, only an inch high as the plants swished in the soft currents. 

As Ryuki stepped into it, he was both elated and heartbroken at the sight of the altar; where once it was encrusted in rubies and pearls, now it had been stripped of the riches that had made it a place of worship and respect. However as he stepped forwards he swears the water is shifting around him as if sensing his presence in this ruined, holy place. 

He breathed shakily the closer he approached, wishing that he could see this beautiful space in its full glory. When it was filled with people who wanted to be there, were devout and didn’t lose their faith in the one and only god worshiped on land and in the sea.

All this patron ever wanted was blood and slaughter in his name. To be remembered and feared by those outside of the congregation that has long abandoned these walls. Ryuki felt the water was now up to his knees as he took in everything. He felt like a newborn, witnessing the world for the first time while trying to process what he’s seeing now. Almost as if he couldn’t believe he was here, that this place existed. 

The vindication he felt. The utter joy that runs through him as he thinks about how he was right, that this was actually real and no one could say he was just crazy anymore.

He fell to his knees, the rising water reaching his waist now. He didn’t care how fast the temple was flooding from the high tide coming in. He gripped hard on to the pendant in his hand, biting his bottom lip as the salt water’s level now is at his chest as he held his hands together in prayer. 

“Oh wicked heart….” he whispered, “Great Lord Jashin….I come here as a humble servant to learn what it is you will me to do. I come not for a blessing but to be given the strength and power to commit to your servitude…please..give me anything…a sign, a single order…” 

He looked at the altar now, how it was beginning to be engulfed by the waters as well, how it looked slightly different from how it was when he had come in here. For a split second his vision is painted in red; the water looked like blood, the nightly blue giving to sinister crimson. Then in a blink it was back to the it’s original hues. 

Except this time as he tries to process what happened, a clawed hand landed on his shoulder while another grabbed him by his hair and pulled his head back with a gasp. 

“You think you can serve our great Lord Jashin?”

Ryuki felt like he couldn’t breathe as he came face to face with this stranger. His eyes were fuchsia, with beautiful silver hair that was pushed back and wet. In fact as he continues to gaze upon this…this being leaning down towards him, he notices the gills on the neck, the sharp little fangs,how those pupils shape into little pill shapes, like the ones of a squid. 

When this new arrival moves around him at first he thinks he is wearing some sort of large skirt that covers his legs; it was the color of dark blood and to him it was rather strange..until it moved on its own. In awe and shock he watched as the ‘skirt’ squeezed together and then he felt what could only be the tips of little tentacles on his lap. 

“It has been too long…far too long since my Lord had a new devotee that didn’t expect anything in return…That simply won’t do…” he pulled the human up from the water that he started to reach his neck; using hiss lower half, the tentacles of a vampire squid, to push himself towards the altar while caressing this man’s face with his head tilted. 

“What…are you?” Ryuki whispered. 

A sinister giggle left this being who leans in close enough for his nose to brush his. 

“I am his most loyal high priest,” he digs his nails into Ryuki’s skin, “When all others abandoned the Wicked Heart, I remained steadfast and thus my Lord rewarded my devotion with what you’re people call a curse,” he leaned in, “I am the only born human who has been cursed to become apart of the sea where our Lord watches from the depths, waiting for the day his temples fill with only the loyal and the pious spared of the bloodshed to come…”

He found himself trembling with his eyes never leaving the other; even as he’s pulled down into the rising waters he doesn’t dare look away. Even when he becomes submerged, even as the tentacles wrapped around him like a cloak, the cold water making the feel of sharp little spine pushing into his skin feel like nothing. 

He was…elated. 

How could he possibly see this as a curse when this high priest was so incredibly blessed? 

Chapter 31: Kappa (Madara/Maito Gai)

Summary:

There are many legends that surrounded the strange mischievous yokai known as kappa.

Notes:

Day 31: Kappa

Hello all! We have arrived at the last day of Naruto-Boruto MerMay and I really gotta say this was so much fun to write! I have always really loved mermaid and merfolk as well as legends of those being of the mer-persuasion. There are so many different creatures all over the world for inspiration and I am so happy you all liked it ^^

Enjoy this final day with some MadaGai with kappa Gai ^^ Hope to see you for next year's!

There are many legends that surrounded the strange mischievous yokai known as kappa.

Some believed that while mischievous these creatures meant no harm and just enjoyed eating cucumbers as they resided in the nearby freshwater rivers. Others believed they dragged people, especially children, under the currents to drown to their deaths. Then there were some who preferred to leave them alone to avoid getting dragged into a sumo match; after all kappa were known to love fighting. 

Madara grew up always bringing fresh cucumbers to the family’s shrine that resided beside a good sized river that ran beside their house. He remembers every time he would bring his brothers here with him, tell them silly stories when they were feeling low. 

Now though with him being the only one to stay in their family home while the rest had struck out on their own in order to begin their lives away from here. To pursue their dreams, have careers and start families of their own. 

He hummed as he once more sliced the cucumbers to bring down to the shrine. However this time he very gently put a little soy sauce and chili oil on them as this particular kappa liked some flavor to the vegetable. He calmly stepped out of his home; walking through his father’s stone garden, into the soft grass that ran along the sides of thi gentle river. 

Carefully he approached the shrine; the one of a small carved wooden statue of the kappa who has been here since before Madara was born. He smiled as he put the plate down, taking in the familiar sight that has been a constant in his life. 

He doesn’t even startle when there’s a splash, a chuckle leaving him as his longest lived friend and confidante stepping slowly out of the water; a smaller figure holding his leg as he approaches the shrine. 

This kappa had rather very distinguished features that made him stand out; thick dark eyebrows and the dark hair around the strange bowl of a head was neatly trimmed to make a sort of bowl cut. The small figure beside him had similar features as he picked up the plate excitedly. Aside from these traits though they were by all means traditional looking kappa; with dark green skin, a saucer head full of fresh water, webbing between their fingers and toes and then the hardened shell like mark on their backs. The two excitedly hop up and down together, before the adult kappa picked up the plate of cucumbers and began making his way over to Madara. . 

“Well well once again you bring me and Lee a treat, hahaha,” The kappa chuckled, the kappa cub sitting down between them and waiting for a snack. 

“Of course. Like I would ever forget to give you two your morning meal,” Madara hummed as he rested his hand on his cheek, “Honestly, Gai, the idea you would suggest such a thing wounds me.” 

Gai, also known as Maito Gai since he was the self-proclaimed greatest wrestler amongst his brethren, smiled at him, “You’re so sweet, Madara. You even remembered the sauces we like! Isn’t that right Lee?”

“Thank you, Maddy!” the child chirps happily; still too small to really speak properly but he was catching on to Gai’s way of speaking. 

Madara smiled softly before he stuck his feet into the cold water, “...This spring has been rather warm hasn’t it? 

“Haha, oh yes it has,” Gai chuckled as he ate some cucumbers before giving some to Lee, “Eat up kiddo, gotta get big and strong if you’re gonna be filled with the passion of youth!” 

“Youth!” Lee, also known as Rock Lee as he was named for hitting his head on rocks…quite a lot actually, punched the air with his eyes sparkling a bunch ad with a piece of the cucumber hung from his little beak. 

Madara smiled at them both. Ever since meeting them both that fateful day his days living alone had since ceased. He liked being in their company even if at times the two tended to be very energetic; the first time they met Gai had tried to sumo wrestle him until Madara offered to let him try the cucumbers he had made for himself, having marinated them beforehand while giving plane ones for the kappa’s shrine. 

Needless to say, these two liked their cucumbers seasoned from now on. 

“Honestly with how much you go on about it, I’m surprised you stick around here instead of going off to find younger people to be around,” Madara tilted his head back and breathed in the fresh air. 

“Hey now, you’re just as youthful as any other human I know, Madara!” Gai stands and moves to the water so he’s in front of his favoritest human in the world. He takes his hands and rubs them happily, “In fact not only are you youthful, you’re strong! And talented! You’re also thorough and loyal and anyone who's around you is a lucky person. Lee and I included!” 

That…that made Madara happier than he could ever say to Gai. 

This kappa has been nothing but kind and good company to him, even if at times Madara could be well…cranky or pissed. Especially when he gets phone calls from his father in the retirement village or texts from Izuna and his latest fling going wrong. 

Madara closed his eyes, holding the kappa’s webbed fingers back. Out of the majority of people in the world he was close with, he felt most at ease right here with probably the most energetic and silliest person he’s ever met. Even his best friend could not compare. 

Lee now is in the water and practicing punches in it; creating splashes around him as he imitates the attacks he has seen his adoptive father do from time to time. 

“Thank you Gai..you…you have no idea how much i needed to hear that.”  

Gai smiled before he leaned in and gently bumped his forehead to his, smiling before giving a little peck of his soft beak to the human’s cheek. 

“And I meant every word."