The Goldfish Prince

“ He proposed to me Kin… he proposed to me…” a young woman paced back on forth on the wooden floor, only stopping once to look in on the little goldfish to whom she was directing her speech.
“ And what is worse is that even though I told him that I needed a lot of time to think it over the first time he asked, he just won’t leave it alone. He knows that this is a big decision for me, especially when I have such a bright future, such huge opportunity to be what I want….” She sighed looking at what normally was an apathetic fish swimming around in a bowl, but tonight something seemed different. Two big eyes were focused directly on her.
“What  I like the least I suppose…” she sighed, kneeling next to the end table and leaning close to the glass, looking in sadly, “ Is that he wants to take all these opportunities away. He wants me to give up being a singer, he wants me to give up all the business and fame… he even wants me to give up all my friends…. My band mates. I love him and all but….” She closed her eyes and laid her head on her folded arms.
“ Sometimes it seems like you are the only one who understands me.” She opened her eyes again and smiled at the fish who still seemed intensely focused on her. “ You would never try and control me would you? You would never try and cut me off from my friends…. You would never make me stop singing? You wouldn’t try and kill me that way.”
She smiled and stood, stopping a moment before deciding it couldn’t hurt to bestow a small act of affection on her lovely pet. Gently she kissed her index finger and dipped it just a hair into the water. The little goldfish swam up to the top, looking like it would bite her finger but it barely touched it before swimming back down. She giggled and sighed, wandering off to bed
“ Night Kin… my golden friend!” she sang the words softly into the darkness of the house.

In the darkness of the night the fish made a wish.
“ I wish that I could help her more. What she does for me… she does everything for me. Yet all I can do is sit here and listen. She is so sad all the time… why?! Why would this man make her sad?! Man is such a cruel creature, why does he make such a kind girl sad?
I wish more than anything in the world that I could help her and make her happy.”
The fish made this wish and sighed; looking out the window she always placed him in front. He doubted anyone would hear his tiny wish because well, he was just Kin, a tiny little goldfish. Who would listen to him? Who could even hear him?

“ Yumi!” there was a loud banging on the door and the young woman awoke unhappily. Dragging herself out of bed and throwing on a bathrobe she walked out to the front door where the banging continued until she opened the door.
“ Good Morning.” She mumbled unhappily, looking out to find her boyfriend staring eagerly up at her. “ What do you want?”  She watched as his grin turned into a frown and he grabbed her arm, yanking her down to where her face was level with his.
“ Don’t you act so smart to me, you say ‘good morning, how are you Sir?” he released her and the mood changed quickly though. It was like that moment of forced control over her never happened. “ I was just coming by to see if you would like to come to breakfast with me?” he turned,  not even waiting for an answer, expecting her to fallow. He stopped in  his tracks when she spoke though.
“ I don’t think I am going to go with you today. Thank you though.” He looked up at her, not liking that she was challenging him like this. Normally she did whatever he suggested or said. He watched her walk back in and close the door though, frowning angrily before getting into his car and driving off.
Yumi sighed and leaned against the door, her heart pounding.

She had done it. She said no.

Looking into the mirror across the room she slowly walked towards it. Big brown eyes wide with fear, fluffy black hair standing on end from what she just did, dark skin pale. She did it. Turning she looked at the fish who was eyeing her curiously and she walked over, kneeling down and grabbing the fish food, watching him closely as she fed him and he ate.
“I did it Kin… I did it…” she smiled weakly, the fear finally gripping her. He would be back. Of coarse he would be. The fish looked at her when she spoke, eyes filled with worry.” Oh… no… I… I did that…. I… “She began to shake uncontrollably. She just did something terrible by rejecting him. He would be back.
“I wish I could help her.”
Unbeknownst the fish, he had been heard. His little wish had been heard by a star. That little star felt for the small fish and began to work on his wish, and in the grey of the early morning, the star was ready to grant his wish and fell, leaving a bright streak across the star. With that his wish was granted and as Yumi sat there sobbing he slowly changed into a human.
Soon Kin stood next to her awkwardly. He had a human form, and had human lungs, but he looked unreal. Silky golden yellow hair fell down in waves to his shoulders, and his pale silvery white skin had a pattern traced out in bright orange, a pattern of scales. His eyes were still large and round, and they were a deep black, but they looked more human, and when he reached out, silky thin robes seemed to float and flow around him.
A slightly webbed hand finally touched her shoulder and she jolted straight up. He looked down at her fearfully, how would she react after so many months of him just being a fish in a bowl, and now he was… well he was almost like her. He didn’t know how it happened but…
She looked down to the bowl nervously, and then up to him…” K-Kin?” her voice was soft and nervous, not able to believe what she was seeing, buy when he nodded ever so slightly, she didn’t give herself enough time to be nervous. She stood up and hugged him tightly at first, but then more gently when he squirmed in panic. Letting him go she watched him rub his sides gently, bruises coming up already. It seemed that though he was human through and through, his skin was still thin and delicate, and that the ridges on the patterns that pushed up through his skin could very well be scales. He was more delicate than her.

“Kin… how’d you manage it?” she watched him eat the pickles she had given him, trying not to giggle with how enthusiastic he was about the salt.  Looking up at her he moved to speak, but not sound came out. He tried a couple more times before sighing, pointing to his throat and shaking his head. He couldn’t talk.
“Oh ok… well I am glad you are here like this anyway…” she smiled gently and couldn’t suppress the giggle this time as he nodded happily like a child. She was surprised though when he jumped up and moved to her, sitting on her lap. He was so light, he was like a little child, yet he was so tall and he was as built as a full grown man. She was soon brought back from these musings about him though when he moved obscenely close, looking her straight in the eyes with his big dark eyes…
Yumi blushed though she couldn’t understand why. He was just a fish; she had a boyfriend, why would she be blushing? There was no reason to blush anyway, as he probably didn’t even know what he was doing.
And Kin didn’t know, consciousness had only come to him mere weeks ago, so he couldn’t recall the found touches and kisses she and her boyfriend shared.  He couldn’t remember the time where the beatings had barely started, where the control wasn’t as pushed upon her, he only knew the little things she had shared with him, and what his heart told him.
Slowly he leaned forward, watching Yumi tense up, not understanding why. He smiled though and nuzzled her fondly, stroking her face gently. His own heart was beating heavily in his chest, but he couldn’t help but smile. She was so beautiful, she was so amazing, he just wanted her smiling all the time.
Yumi watched him and blushed as he nuzzled close to her and she smiled sadly. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she remembered this feeling. It was the feeling she hadn’t felt in so long, it was pure love. She knew it was wrong, he was merely a fish, bug gently, she hugged him burying her face into his soft skin. Under her fingers it was like paper, and she could feel the ridges.
“ Kin…” her voice was soft, and he looked down, wondering why her voice had changed as well as her mood. She smiled gently up at him, and kissed her finger, holding it up, watching Kin replicate the movement and press his delicate finger against hers. Then slowly, fearfully, she leaned up, locking their lips together in a moment of closeness, and it was perfect.
The day had been flawless.
Sure she had to explain what she did, and she had to explain her feelings, and that had been awkward. But afterwards,  she was surprised when he managed to get across that he had the same feelings. She was confused at first, he was just a fish, and she was just having a desperate moment right? That was what she had thought, but even when she carefully explained further, he nodded, agreeing that he had the same feelings. She didn’t know why, but that just made her heart sing even though she had trouble believing this.
The rest of the day had been filled with frivolities such as singing, dancing, cuddling, drawing, and most of all, just sitting, holding each other. She hadn’t had a day so free, so happy and enjoyable in months, maybe even close to a year. It had been so long sense she had a day like this.
Now he was sleeping, curled up on the couch with her. She watched him, his chest moving up and down, his silvery yellow hair covering his gentle face. She couldn’t deny any longer that he was not just a fish, and that the feeling she was experiencing was love. It was love in the purest form, not just a desperate attempt to get away from Kevin. This was the real thing. It didn’t feel like a new revelation though, it was like her body and mind had already accepted the fact before this. She sighed and chuckled under her breath, burying her face in his thin hair and breathing in that fresh smell, she wouldn’t think on it anymore, she could finally relax…
The moment was ruined though with a loud knock at the door, and Kin woke up in a panic, looking up at her confused. She sighed and began to move to answer, though when there was a second, louder and more persistent  knock, she was stopped by Kin’s arms around her waist out of fear of the unknown sound. She gently unwrapped his arms from around her, turning and assuring him silently under her breath that it was okay, before going and opening the door. Who she found though, made her wonder if she had just lied to him without meaning to.
“Kevin, what are you doing here so late?” she said, trying to keep her voice in control, not wanting to show the anger that was consuming her.
“I thought you might have felt bad about earlier, and had some sort of apology for me.” His voice had a tone of warning in it, and what he meant by ‘apology’ was clear, but she was having none of that. Not anymore, not when she finally found what made her happy
“No Kevin, I did nothing earlier that warranted me saying sorry. Now if you don’t mind, it is a bit late and I would like to be heading to bed…” she would be strong, she would approach this with bravery and maturity. She would stand up to him and finish what she started before. She would not be pushed around anymore.
“You know better than that.” He hissed and walked slowly up to her, though when she didn’t budge from the doorway he shoved her back into the house. He stared angrily at her, raising his fist.
“I want to see you on your knees begging for mercy bitch.” he hissed, but when she shook her head he snapped. He punched her square in the jaw with a sickening crack, and watched as she stood dumbly for a moment before crumbling to the floor. The pain was overwhelming, and it blinded her for a moment, and when she was finally able to see again she saw something incredible.
Kin stood in front of her, arms stretched out completely blocking her from the burly man, though all that earned was a laugh from the offender.
“Is this why you have been acting so badly? This freak?” he laughed and glared at him evilly. “Yumi, you can do better than this.”  He walked up, surprised when the weaker man didn’t flinch away, but that didn’t stop him. Taking a hold of his skinny neck, he formed a fist and punched Kin in the chest hard.
Yumi felt sick when she heard it. The sound of his soft skin ripping under the force, the sound of his delicate bones crunching, the sound of his blood dripping onto the wood, it made her want to vomit.
Kevin was surprised at this outcome and grinned, a crazed look in his eyes. “You could do a lot better than someone as weak as this.” He dropped Kin into a defeated heap onto the floor and stepping over him, reaching down to yank Yumi up, but he was met half way by the infuriated girl. He had seen her weak, broken, defeated; even in her most rebellious and angry moments she was so, but he had never seen the small Japanese woman like this.
Nails flew, raking against his skin and leaving bloody marks all down his face and back. Anywhere she could reach really. Clothes didn’t matter, she would tear them off, she would kill this man. She would kill this man for harming such a kind, pure creature, for killing her love.
He tried to fight back, landing a few blows, but none were efficient as he had hoped as he could never get a clear blow. He couldn’t stop her, and in minutes he was on the floor, getting pummeled by her until he couldn’t move anymore. It was only then she stopped, thinking of the repercussions of going any farther and she ran to the phone, dialing 911 quickly.
“I-I was just assaulted. My… my friend tried to protect me, and I think he might be dying… no… no he… the man who assaulted me isn’t gone… oh… he… he is on the floor… I think I might have hurt him after he came back after me…” her voice was weak and panicked, and it was fading as she was answering the questions of the person on the other end of the line. “ Just hurry… I think he is dying… he can’t die… he…” she fainted, not hearing the voice of the woman as she tried to assure her that help was on the way.
When Yumi woke up again, she was in the hospital. Looking around she saw her band mates sleeping in the chairs against the wall, she saw the machines that were keeping her in check, but she didn’t see Kin. Fear ripped through her chest and the ragged breath that came with it sent pain through her. She didn’t care though, tears filing her eyes as she forced herself to talk.
“ W-where is he!?” her voice was cracked from the lack of use, and she wondered how long she had been out to have her body be like this. “ Where is he?!” she began to pull herself out of bed, ignoring the pulling wires and aching bones. She almost got out of the mess too but several of her friends had waken as she had gotten louder, and pushed the small, weak girl back onto the bed.
“Yumi! Calm down!” her best friend finally had her pinned, and Yumi was unhappy to find that she couldn’t break away even though the other barely had any pressure on her.
“Why?! Where is he?! Is he okay?!” she looked up at the red haired girl with tears in her eyes, worry written all over her face. “ Tell me!” her voice was almost a scream now as she began to fight again, but now the nurses were there trying to shush her.
“Yumi you have to calm down, you have been unconscious for three days, and your body isn’t strong. You can hurt yourself!” her friend pleaded, letting herself get pushed away by the nurses who now held Yumi down. There was no reason to now though, because she had froze, confusion in her eyes.
“I was asleep… for… three days?” she asked slowly.  This time a nurse answered her though.
“Yes, and you know the tall yellow haired man that came in with you yes?” the nurse was cautious with how she went forward with this.
“Kin?! Oh yes! Yes! How is he, please tell me! I…” her face fell as the nurse looked gravely at her.
“Miss. Tado, I am sorry to be the one who has to inform you, but when he came in, he was dead from blood loss.” The nurse sat down on the edge of the bed, taking Yumi’s hand as she continued. “We need you to tell us who he is though. We found no source of identification on him, and we need to contact his family so we know how to proceed with what to do with his body.”
“Who he was?” Yumi repeated breathlessly, tears rolling down his cheeks, “Why, he didn’t have a name when I met him. So I gave him a name. His name was Kin.” She laughed softly. “And he doesn’t have any family; I was all he had for the time I knew him.”  Tears rolled down her cheeks, but she laughed at how she was telling the truth, even though it wasn’t quite like that.
“Ah... I see.” The nurse said a bit confused, but she stood up. “ Well you need to relax Miss. Please try to sleep, even though I know you must have been through a traumatic experience.”
“When can I go home?”
“Once you are better.”
Yumi sighed; she didn’t like how vague that was. She wanted to go home now, so she could curl up and cry without the risk of being seen. She wanted to hide away and never have to deal with anyone again. But as the nurses left and she settled back down in her bed, she knew that she wouldn’t get to be alone to heal for a while.
Two days later, a tired Yumi was driven to her house.
“You sure you will be fine?” the red head from her band that had driven her home looked at her friend, who just nodded. She hadn’t said a word sense that day at the hospital, not answering their questions about who he was, how he met the man, and what he meant to her. They eventually had to give up, instead asking about how long Kevin had been abusing her, and why she had never told them when they had asked about it. To these sorts of questions she answered, though she didn’t seem any more enthusiastic.
Yumi really just didn’t care. She just hated herself. If it wasn’t for her, the sweet, childlike man would still be alive. He wouldn’t have died trying to protect her. If anything she would have protected him then, he was weaker, more delicate. But thinking about it, he had been braver, and stronger than her too. She didn’t want to think about it though, and just unlocked the door to her house, walking in.
The first thing she looked at is where the blood stains were on t he wood. Of course the police hadn’t cleaned it up soon enough after pictures. She sighed depressingly and closed the door before looking up, surprised at what she saw.
On the couch lay a tall, thin figure. His skin was a silvery white, with a orange pattern traced out over his skin. His hair was a light gold with traces of silver, and that covered his gentle face, while his body was covered by gold, orange, and silver robes that seemed to float around him like water.
“Kin…?” she said, her heart pounded heavily in her chest.
Two big, dark eyes opened, and the man blinked sleepily and yawned as he sat up. Looking at her, a calm smile graced his features and he opened his arms.  She flinched as she could see the huge scar on his chest through the thin robes, but she didn’t hesitate to drop everything, and rush over to hug him gently.
“Kin…” she whispered, “ I thought I had lost you… I really thought I had.” Tears rolled down her cheeks out of happiness, and the other nodded silently before pushing her away. She looked at him worried now. “What’s wrong?”
He turned around, and on his back, two silver wings were folded up.
“You’re… a…” her heart felt like it was going to stop, “You’re really dead?” she whispered, having somehow known this was too good to be true.
He nodded solemnly, his dark eyes sad. He tried to smile though and slowly he reached out and put his webbed hand on her head. His voice echoed through her mind.
“Don’t worry Yumi. I will always be here for you. I will always right here next to you to keep you safe while you find your true love, someone who will treat you right and respect you. I will always be here with you, even if you can’t see me.”
She was shocked to hear his smooth voice, but she couldn’t stop crying still.
“But what if I love you Kin? What if you are my true love?!” she reached forward, gripping to his robes and burying her face into his chest.
“We weren’t meant to be together like that. I mean, I am merely a fish. My job was simply to save you from that man, and to let you go free into the world, just like you set my consciousness free.”
He smiled and leaned down, kissing her gently.
“I love you and I always will. I will always be in your heart, just don’t let me get in the way of finding that special one.”
She nodded dumbly, searching for her voice but not being able to find it.
“This is where I leave you then… goodbye Yumi!”
He leaned down and kissed her again before letting his hand fall away from her. He turned, his robes slipping through her grasp as he began to disappear. She barely found her voice before he was gone.
“I will always love you too Kin! I will never forget you, and I promise I won’t let you down!”
He glanced back with a knowing smile, believing every word she said. He nodded once before he was completely gone, leaving her with a fresh slate for her life and opportunities abound.