The mind meld broke too fast, and she threw up from the backlash of roughly being brought back to reality. She quickly covered up the mess with fresh sand as she saw Zephyr making his way back to the beach, with what must be some kind of wale clenched in his claws.

:Are you ok little one?: Cassiopeia asked worriedly. Kushina was only able to nod. :Zephyr sure is talented to get one so quickly. Promise me you will tell my grandson nothing until after I am gone.:

:I promise: Kushina could not hold in her laughter as she saw Zephyr fall head first over his catch during his landing. He popped right back up, taking a large bite of his price before ambling over to them. With a splat it landed in the sand.

:Dorsal fin, the best part and it is just for you. I told you I would catch us a great moon meal.:

"And so you did." She was not fazed by the raw meat but felt no urge to eat it so. "Which of you dragons would be able to help me with this?" She asked holding up the fin. An orange dragon lumbered forward. With only a slight mental prod his name popped to the forefront of her mind, Achilles. "Thanks for offering, Achilles. Just let me get some kindling and we will get this baby started." She started to gather the available driftwood. She was a good meter from the breaking surf when a horned head pushed at her back forcing her along. "Stop this behaviour this instant Zephyr." She twisted escaping from his push. "I have no attention of going in that water."

:Do you distrust me that much? Is it so wrong for me to want you to experience new things. To feel the sand tickle your toes as the sea pulls it from beneath your feet. I know you don't fear hot springs or lakes. Why does the sea instil such fear in you?:

:Because the sea is alive.: She came to terms with what she had been refusing to accept, but had known in the back of her mind, sharing it through their link. The vision of her being pulled under by a wave crashing over her head, then being pulled deeper and deeper with the coming waves until all fight was lost to her. Dragged into darkness far from the goddess light leading her soul into the waiting paradise of the dead.

Zephyr started a soothing song that made the fear disappear, she leaned contently against him in thanks. When he started to creep forward she did not fight it. There was no way that she could work up her fear with the song soothing all her fears away. He stopped with the water centimetres from licking at her toes. The last step would have to be made by her alone. The thought of disappointing him was enough to give her the strength to take that last step. The sand felt cold between her toes. She could not stop them from digging in the second before wave hit. The coldness of it almost took her breath away, she did not think she had anything that cold in her whole life, it was exhilarating. As the next wave hit she focused on the sand slipping between her toes. The next wave and she was off running through the braking surf watching as her foot prints were washed away with the nest crest. With great gusto Zephyr joined Kushina running along the beach, able to do circles around her even at her top speed.

The dimming of the sky warned her of sunset, and reminded her of the task she had abandoned. Running back to the sticks she had abandoned she swiped at her feet, annoyed at the sand clinging to her skin. She was treated to a delightful surprise upon returning to Achilles and Cassiopeia. They had sorted her food situation out. Burying the fin a shallow grave Achilles hummed his song into the sand below, creating a smoking pit to cook it through.

As night fell, all the dragons had gathered a portion of the whale, setting it before them, when the last light of sunset fell she and the dragon turned their attention skyward. Gathering breath she intoned the nightly blessing. "Loving Goddess, we thank you for this food, and for all you blessing bestrode upon us. We welcome you light into are hearts, nourishing our souls, as this food nourishes are bodies. May your light shine ever bright in us." With relish she pulled of the skin back and brought the flakey white meat to her mouth. The squelching and crunch soon filled the air as the dragons started to feast.