HELLO READERS! For those who are knew this is a re-writing story I started years ago, that is still up (there is a lot of spelling errors... (╥︣﹏╥) )It had a completely different plot, and characters. When I finally came back to it, I didn't have that same enthusiastic spark when I first started it, but I loved the story too much that I didn't want to leave it. So I decided to make the same story but go in a different direction.
In the old story, my mermaid OC was very basic, so I wanted to give more detail in her appearance, I got a lot of inspiration from MerBella's mermaid tails that resemble more of a betta fish, and giving her more accessories.
And yes, I know coconut crabs are airbreathers they don't live in the ocean, but for the sake of making this work "for now" I need to compromises. Plus Tomatoa is a giant magical creature that isn't real, also this is a fanfic (─‿‿─)
I just wanted a reminder that I am dyslexic, I'm not perfect but I try my best. :)
Alright, hope you enjoy!
It was a stormy night, dark/grey skies, lighting struck the ocean as massive waves crashed over one another. Under the surface of the water was dark-blue endless ocean. There was a panic happening; a pod of mermaids swimming for there lives, young, old, mothers pulling their little ones along, trying to escape the creature that was chasing them. The safety of their home was no more, but swimming in to open ocean was even more dangerous, for there was no where to hide, all they could do was swim and hope they were faster.
At the back of the pod, one mother pulled her little daughter along, trying to stay close to the pod, "Mama!" the little mermaid cried, eyes wide and terrified, "Mama! What's happening?! Why are we leaving the reef?!" turning back to their once beautiful and colorful home; now a murky color of green and black.
"Aqua, there's no time to explain!" her mother cried, gripping her daughter's wrist even tighter, "Just stay close! Don't let go of mama's hand! And don't look back!"
Aqua tried to listen to her mother's orders, but the horrific sounds of the creature cashing them horrified Aqua. The little mermaid turned her head, only to snap it back, her fear increased. Were they going to die..?
Aqua's mother, Sirena was starting to lose strength, she and her daughter were now a few feet apart from their pod, What do I do?! she panicked, thinking hard, We're swimming into open ocean, if we can't stay close it will get to us first! She had to think of something quick, something that can save her daughter at least! Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye she spotted a small grotto, to small for her, but big enough for her child.
Turning a sharp right, she swam down to the reef and pushed her daughter in as far in as she could. Both were exhausted, trying to catch their breaths. Sirena turned back, the pod was still in visible, but the creature's roar was closer now. She didn't have a lot of time left. Looking her daughter in the eyes she said, "Aqua, you stay in here, do not leave the safety of the grotto. Do you understand?"
"W-what? No, mama don't leave me!" Aqua cried, reaching for her, small tears formed in her eyes, which absorbed in the salt-water.
"Listen to me, my pearl," her mother cupped her face, "We will drive the monster far away from here. You will be safe as long as you stay out of sight. Mama will come back and find you, alright? Do you understand?" Her worried looked frightened her daughter, but she nodded.
Sirena smiled, reaching through her hair, she grabbed her gold Atlantis haircomb with blue gems and put it in Aqua's hair. The little mermaid was stunned, that was her mother's favorite, it was one of the last artifacts to her ancestors, why would she give it to her? Pulling her daughter into one final hug, "I love you, my precious pearl. Mama will come back, I promise." with one last kiss on the forehead, Sirena let go of her child and swam off to catch up with the pod.
"MAMA!" Aqua screamed, reaching her hand out, but her mother was gone. Her tears absorbed into the water. Suddenly the murky fog of black swam passed the grotto. Aqua covered her mouth, trying not to scream; the creature was massive, long like an eel, with a head like an alligator's. It's jaw slightly opened showing off sharp, jagged teeth. And that eye... solid yellow that glowed through the fog, it's empty stare traumatized the little mermaid, she will forever remember it.
It didn't see her, keeping it's focus soli on the pod, it passed right by the grotto, chasing after them, it's horrific growl echoed through the ocean. Aqua pushed herself to the back of the grotto, curled up in a balled, eyes shut tight, covering her ears, "Go away... Go away... Mama...Mama..."
Hours had passed, it was still dark out, but the storm had subsided a little. Aqua slowly opened her eyes and uncurled her tail. She rubbed her eyes that were blood-shot from all the crying. Pushing off the back of the grotto's wall, she slowly and quietly went to the exit. The black fog was gone, but the creature left it's mark; their beautiful coral-reef home was now destroyed and colorless. Aqua's eyes widened in horror, "Our home..."
Looking to the right, she stared out off the reef's drop-off, no signs of her pod, the creature or her mother, it was just vase emptiness. Swimming out of her hiding spot, she started to call out, "MAMA! MAMA!" she knew her family was very far away now, but she had to try. Aqua swam to the edge of the reef, grasping the coal floor, she stared off into the ocean void, "MAMA?!" her cries echoed out, but she got no answer.
Aqua's little body shook, trying to rub her eyes, "Mama... don't leave me alone..." she lowered her head down, big tears absorbed in the ocean as she cried. But as she rubbed her eyes, she saw something down the reef; something glistening... She leaned further, the reef's drop-off was a cliff that dropped straight down to the ocean floor.
Living her hole life in the reef, Aqua had never ventured past the drop-off, but she saw something shiny, what if it was her pod! Maybe they got away and are now hiding at the bottom of the sea!
Bawling her hands into fist, she took one last look behind at her former home. Swallowing, she leaped off the edge and slowly swam down.
Staying close to the cliff, the wall slowly went form coral to rock as the moon-light began to fade away. The canopy of kelp started to looming around her. Aqua darted her eyes all around, she started spotting deep-sea fish that she had never seen before, some of them hid, while most payed no mind to her.
Once Aqua saw the sandy floor she stopped midway; her back still pressed against the cliff, "Mama?!" She called again, still no answer, she could still she something sparkling not too far.
Taking a few deep breaths, she pushed off the rocky wall. Swimming through the kept forest, Aqua looked straight ahead, though with how deep she was, seeing was becoming difficult. However, further into her search she came across a shoal of market-squid; their chromatophores glowed and pulsated, lighting up kelp forest. Aqua giggled at the little squids, their cute, curious interest towards her finally brought a smile to her face.
The little mermaid swam through the shoal, with ah few following her close by, "Mama?!" she kept calling, getting closer and closer to the sparkle. Suddenly the squid darted away, as if something spooked them, Aqua raised her brow, was there a predator near by?
Pushing past a few thick pieces of kelp, Aqua finally saw what was sparkling, but what she found wasn't what she was expecting. Her eyes widened, a mountain of treasures; gold, jewels, trinkets, anything that shined, waged in between rocky boulders.
"Wow..." Aqua gasped, her eyes reflected the shine off the gold. She slowly swam towards the top, sitting her tail down, eyeing the gold and jewel underneath her. Her fingers run through the sparkly trinkets, cupping her hands together, she scooped up gold coins, and pearls, "It's so beautiful." But as she was dazzled by the treasure-trove, she started wondering, why was this here? Her mother had told her stories of how sunken ships would often carry treasure, but to have all of this piled up? It's almost like... someone or something put it here.
Fear quickly took over again, Aqua pushed off the mountain of gold, frantically looking left and right. She didn't see anything and she didn't want to stick around. She swam around the treasure pile, going down below the boulders, hopping that whatever creature made that tower, wouldn't see her.
But that was the biggest mistake; for the little mermaid was now right in front of the creature. Out from the shadows of the rocks, a giant white eye popped open. Aqua froze, slowly turning to look derectly at it, another eye then opened, showing off the blue pupils. They blinked, suddenly the rocks around the tower shook around, falling down. Long legs digged out from the sand, giant claws pushed away the boulders and two long antennae weaved around the eyes.
"AAAAAHHHHH!" Aqua screamed and darted away, swimming for her life, but the monster was faster. It's large claw shot forward, grabbing her by her tail. Aqua cried as she was pulled back, hanging upside down. Her eyes widened in fear as she finally saw it's true form; a giant, purple coconut crab. She took notice that one of it's legs had been ripped off, maybe from another monster?
It chuckled in a deep male voice, eyeing her up and down, "What have we here?" he grinning, showing off barnacles stuck to his teeth. He brought her closer to his eyes. Aqua was too frightened to speak, trembling in fear, she closed her eyes, hiding her face with her forearms.
"Its sparkly and shinny," he commented on her golden tail, however her head and torso resembled that of a human. Her 'skin' was fair, compared to the humans he had seem before, but was lightly covered in golden scales. The only part of their body that was completely covered besides her tail was sides of her chest.
"Looks like a human..." the giant crab raised an eye, moved his antennae around her, sniffing her, "but doesn't smell like one." Aqua flinched away from feeling his antenna touching her scaly-skin. She hole body shivered, thankfully he stopped. He then graced the end of his other claw through her long pastel-peach hair, "You're a funny-looking little thing, aren't ya?" the shine of the gold and blue haircomb caught his attention and he reached for it.
Aqua's eyes shot open, that was the only thing she had left of her mother! Using up all her strength and courage, she swatted her tiny hand at his claw, "Don't touch that!" she screamed, glaring.
He pulled his claw back, "Oh, what? Is it special to you?" he asked mockingly. His eyes narrowed as he got closer to her, "What exactly are you doing here? And in MY lair of all places? Do you not know who the Great Tamatoa is?"
Aqua shook her head, her courage now gone, "N-No, I'm s-sorry! I-I didn't mean t-to intrude! I was looking for my mama! I lost her and my pod-" but as she tried to explain she began to cry again.
The crab known as Tamatoa rolled his big eyes as the child started to cry-explain. He payed no mind to her rambling, turning his focus on what she was and what to do with her?
"Yeah, yeah," he cut her weeping short, "So tell me, little one, what exactly are you?"
"Huh?" Aqua hic, rubbing her eyes, "Umm... a-" she was about to say, but caught herself, "W-What will you do to me..?" She asked hesitantly.
Tamatoa grinned, brining her close to his face, "That depend on what answer you give me~." licking his teeth.
Aqua's face went pale as she blurted out, "MERMAID! I'm a mermaid! P-Please don't eat me... Great Tamatoa..." She closed her eyes looking away.
Tamatoa's eyes widened; now it made sense. he had heard of this ancient species, half-human half-fish, but had never seen one before. Though he had heard many stories of these legendary ocean-daughters, the one thing that stuck out the most to him was that they too had a love for treasure and was very good at finding it. He gin grew wider, what are the chances that he'd find a treasure-detector?
Not only that, but she was a child in distress, fooling her would be easy~, "Well, little mermaid, do you have a name, babe?" he asked, flipping her right-side up, but still had her in his grasp.
"U-Um... Aquata, Aqua for short..." she blushed.
"Well Aqua~, it's not safe to be swimming all by yourself, its a big, scary ocean out there," he pointed this claw a head of them, just beyond the kelp forest, the floor drops again to more open ocean.
"But... What am I going to do?" Aqua whimpered, rubbing her eyes, "I-I don't want to be alone... I want my mama!" her whimpering turned into quiet sobbing.
The giant crab rolled his eyes again, he really couldn't stand whinny kids, maybe it would be easier if he'd just ate her. No, no taking the easy way out, "Well, how about I help you?"
Aqua hiccupped, opening one eye, "You would?"
"Of course," Tamatoa tried to show a kind smile, but it seemed to work, "I'm a collector, I never stay in one place too long. Once I scavenge this area, I quickly move on. Although..." he turned away, dragging out the last of his sentence.
"Although what?" Aqua asked, feeling nervous again.
He held in a smirk, and slowly let her go, seeing if she'll stay, "It might take some time, Scavenging all by myself is a lot of work..."
Aqua looked down at her hands and thought for a moment, "I-I... I could help..." his smirk grew, she was literally now in his grasp, "But... you promise to help me find my pod right?" she looked back up with big innocent eyes.
"Of course," Tamatoa smiled, offering his claw out like a gentlemen, "I promise I'll help."
Aqua beamed with joy, finally after all sorrow in looking and being alone, things were starting to look up, "Thank you Tamatoa!" she swam and wrapped her arms around his claw, "Thank you!"
Tamatoa cringed back, looking away, "Yeah, yeah, you're welcome," shaking her off, "Now, if we're gonna make this work, we need to set some rules. and rule number 1-" but once he turned back, he noticed her demeanor changed. The little mermaid seemed exhausted, her tail slowed down, causing her to float slowly to the ground. Very quickly, he scooped his claw under, catching her. Upon closer inspection, he saw Aqua yawn, her breathing quite, till slowly she fell asleep.
The crab gave a big frown; this was not how he wanted things to go about. But there wasn't anything he could right now. So, sighing dramatically, he rested his legs down on the sand, using his other claw he pulled from the pile on his back a giant purple clam-shell. He forced it opened, and with all the tender care, set the little mermaid inside. Aqua yawned again, tucking her tail in as she slept, looking like a tiny pearl in the oversize shell.
Gently closing it, Tamatoa put it on the top of his back, "This hole thing is going to be a trial of my patience, isn't it..." groaning one last time, too exhausted, he decided to deal with it in the morning. After all, this was only a one sided business, he wouldn't get attached.
~~300 Years Later~~
Daylight shined down into the ocean water, seeping into the cracks of the giant shell, hitting Aqua in the eyes. Squinting, she slowly opened them. Opening the shell, she yawned and streaked her arms over her head, the sun's rays felt good on her scales. She sighed happily, scratching her crazy bed-hair. Leaning over the edge, where her shell-bed on top of the tower of treasures she grabbed a gold spider-conch as brushed her long hair.
It had been over an three centuries since that fearful night. She was no longer a child, but a young-mer-woman; her pastel-peach hair had grown passed her hips, golden scales with a little bit of blue grew on the sides of her waste, just barley covering her breasts like a v-neck, hiding nothing for the imagination (like decency was ever a problem to mermaids)
Her tail was the most enchanting; the gold scales were now the backdrop for vibrant-blue ones, that looked like a two rivers on her sides, starting from the hips and top pelvic-fins on the sides, going down to the large double-emarginate tail fin. The gold and blue pared nicely with the rose-red lining on her pelvic and tail fins.
Once her hair was smooth and free from tangles, Aqua tied it in a half-up half-down bun. Opening an oyster shell, inside were pears that she places in her hair. She wrapped a gold arm bracelet on her left arm and put on a long gold chain necklace with a single diamond. Lastly, her mother's haircomb, in the back of her hair bun.
Flipping her hair behind and blowing her bangs to the side, she swam down the treasure tower to the bottom. Under the sand, she could hear light snoring, Aqua giggled, "Wake up sleepy head!" the snoring was halted, then turned into loud groaning, as the giant decapod tried to ignore her, "Its a bright and beautiful day!"
She knocked on his claw, trying to get his attention, he gently swatted her away. Aqua giggled, as the force blew her off, before swimming back to her friend.
The titan crab sighed, still refusing to open his eyes, "What did I say about sleeping in?"
Aqua leaned on his claw, resting her head on her hand, "That it's wasting treasure hunting?" Aqua smirked, throwing back one of his "rules" he made when she was younger.
"That doesn't apply when someone isn't feeling well..."
"Maybe you shouldn't have eaten that whale-shark, I told you you'd get sick," the mermaid snickered; it was ironic that Tamatoa's own sarcastic personality had inflicted onto the mermaid, but that's what you get when living together for three centuries.
Finally, Tamatoa to open one of his eyes, "You find my suffering amusing?" He asked, though he knew it was all in good teasing.
Aqua gasped dramatically, looking offended, "What?! Why would you think that, oh Great and Powerful Tamatoa~" she was trying very hard not to burst into laughter, as the crab got more ticked off.
"Alright that's it." shaking her off again, the cocoanut crab stretched out his body, his legs knocking into coral. He leaned forward, yawning big and loud right in front of the mermaid, his fishy breath blowing her hair.
"Ew! You're so gross!" Aqua cried, covering her face trying to hold her breath.
Tamatoa chuckled, "Yeah, but you love me anyway, babe," he grinned watching the her fix her hair.
"Well whatever," Aqua hmphed, turning to the side as she brushed her fingers through her hair, "Now that you're up," her mood going back to joyful, "I'm starved!" swimming up and over the crab she did a full circle around the reef.
Tamatoa felt his stomach groan, though he'd never admit that he was wrong, she was right about the whale-shark.
Aqua shaded her eyes with her hand, until she saw something north; a school of mackerel. Smiling she pointed, "Ha, there!"
The decapod glanced to where she pointed, it was a small school, "Babe, you do realize it will take about a dozen schools to make an appetizer," he snarked.
"Oh sorry, I wasn't considering you~" she snarked back, leaning down to face him. He missed swatting at her again. Giggling, Aqua grabbed her homemade fishing spear, that was a stingray barb wrapped to wood with seaweed, "I'll be right back!" Not waiting for his approval, she swam off to catch breakfast.
Aqua hummed happily, eating her catch. Sitting on the edge of Tamatoa's cephalothorax, right behind his head, enjoying the ride. They had combed through the reef and were soon about to head off again, but the decapod wanted to do one last search; not wanting to leave a single treasure unturned.
Aqua took a glance around the reef, is beautiful corals and marine life was a wonder. No matter where they went; whether is to was colorful reef, kept forest, or even a sandy desert, each one was different in it's own way.
But while she enjoyed the traveling through the Pacific Ocean, there was one promised Aqua had Tamatoa make; don't go beyond the shallows...
In the first few days when the two became friends (as she called them) Aqua had told Tamatoa about what had happened that night, she described the monster's form, it's growls and the destruction it did to her once happy home. It was so long and large that it plowed through the coral reef, killing everything. When she asked if maybe he knew of the monster, he brushed it off, saying that there were hundreds of monsters in the ocean, which didn't help this still traumatized mermaid. They didn't about it after that, but it was still in the back of Aqua's mind.
It had been a 300 years since that night, and while the 2 friends had traveled for miles across ocean, they had not been able to find her mother or her pod. Aqua didn't want to think of the worst and she had many nights of crying herself to sleep, she kept thinking of the promise her mother told her, "Mama will come back and find you."
The mermaid's humming slowly stopped, her hand automatically reached for her hairclip, gently touching it, "She promised..." Aqua reminded herself, she will not give up hope.
A few more hours passed and the group was traveling at a sea-snails pace. Aqua sighed, leaning sideways till she laid on her side, looking forward, "Are we done? I think we've combed this reef."
"Not till I say so. Don't want to miss anything," Tamatoa told her, whether she liked it or not he was in charge of when they could leave.
"I can't sense anything! We are done here!" Aqua cried, flipping on her back, throwing her hands in the air.
"Not till I say so, babe," he reminded her, going back to his digging.
The mermaid puffed out her cheeks, crossing her arms, why did her only friend had to be a total barnacle on the butt of a whale? Knowing him they weren't gonna leave until the sun began to set, We're wasting time here... Aqua frowned. Looking up at the surface of the water, she spotted a tiny jellyfish floating above her. Smiling she blew a bobble ring, watching it float up, the jellyfish was caught in it and spinned around, making her giggle.
Just then, she spotted multiple figures swimming at the top of the surface, jumping and splashing, making echo noises. Aqua's eyes lit up, it was pod of marine mammals! While mermaids were connected to every living creature in the ocean, they had a strong connection with mammals, able to understand them better then fish. Oh how she wanted to go up and say hello, but that's gonna happen thanks to Mr. "Its my way or the highway".
Aqua sighed, watching them have fun, she took a few glances from Tamatoa and back to the pod; it would just be for a few minutes, she wasn't going far and she could still see him (he's not hard to miss). Slowly sitting up she kept her eyes on the back of the decapod, before quietly pushing off his back and swimming up to the surface.
Swimming fast, once she got closer she saw that it was a pod of striped dolphins; all friends, families with little ones, all having a fun time. The mermaid was just a few feet again, suddenly feeling nervous to introduce herself. Till one of the littler ones notice her. Leaving his mother's side he swam over to her, slowly circling her, tilting his head while making cooing sounds.
"U-Um- hi! My name is Aqua!" She smiled, keeping her eyes on the baby. He smiled, chirping back, as he swam to her long hair, gently nipping it. Aqua giggle.
Slowly, more of the pod took notice of her, all came over circling her in excitement, chirping and chatting. Aqua's smile grew, her cheeks a slight pink, "it's nice to meet you all! C-Could I join you?" she asked, which got the younger ones excited. Swimming by her side they guided her along.
Meanwhile, Tamatoa dug his claws into the sand, combing through trying to feel anything he might have missed. Call him a narcissist, but he'd been doing it since he was a juvenile and yes, that is obsession talking.
Unironically, being alone for thousands of years, only having your mind laser-focus on your hobby, you'd think that you don't need or want a companion. He had someone years ago that he could at least call an acquaintance, but it didn't end well. After that, he decided to stay alone. That is, until a little lost mermaid sawm into his lair.
At the beginning; Tamatoa tried his best to show who was in charge and where the little mermaid belong (while still trying to play the part of helping her) But because Aqua was scared and traumatized, she latched on to the first thing that promised to help and look after her. And while he tried to show her that he was indeed a giant scary coconut crab that could eat her, Aqua saw it more as a façade he uses.
They kept to their promise; Aqua was very good at finding stuff, so fast that when an area was clean, she encouraged him to move faster, not giving the crab enough time to enjoy his new findings. Now he felt like the roles have been reversed.
But as the years went by, the two of them started to see a difference in the other.
As the decapod watched the little mermaid slowly grow into a young woman; no longer scared of the 'big scary ocean', she was much more outgoing, curious about new things. Tamatoa figured that living along side a titan sea creature made her unfried of anything, but he knew that wasn't true. there was one thing that still haunted her to this day.
Very early on in their new partnership, Aqua had told him what had happened the night they met, how all the mermaids were chased out of their reef. Aqua painted an image as to the kind of monster she saw that night and while Tamatoa lied, saying he didn't know the monster, he knew exactly who she was talking about; The Leviathan. The only thing that didn't make sense was why it hunting mermaids? It was a solitary creature that kept to itself, living deep bellow the ocean floor. It left more questions then answers and at the beginning he didn't tell Aqua the truth, mainly because he didn't want their deal to be up so quickly, but now...
Tamatoa shook his head, he was too deep in emotional thoughts again. Digging through the sand one last time, before pulling out nothing. She was right, this aria had been picked clean and was a waste of time, though he'd never tell her that. Sighing loudly, he might as well let her know that they were headed out, "Ok babe, we're done here, make sure you have all your-" but when he turned his eyes around, he didn't see her on his cephalothorax. He looked up at her clam shell, it was closed, which was odd, during the day she kept it opened. Was she taking a nap? it was barley noon. "Hey, Aqua," he knocked on the shell, "did you hear me?" he waited, no reply.
He arched his eye, knowing she would hate this (though he didn't really care) he picked up the shell and gently shook it. It was hallow. His large eyes widened, as he franticly looked around, "Aqua!" he shouted. Where was she?! Did she swim off without tell him?! That was rule number 1! He did a full spin, before he the familiar giggling and light singing above him. Looking up, the reflection of her tail shinned in his eyes. Tamatoa narrowed his eyes, gritting his teeth and shouted loud, "AQUATA!"
Aqua laughed, swimming alongside the pod. They all leaped out of the water, spinning around before and dived back in. Aqua leaped as high as she could go, her eyes lit up as she broke the surface, feeling the air and the sun on her scales, before diving back down in a splash of bubbles. She giggled along side her new friends, enjoying her company. The baby dolphin snuggled up close to her and she brought him in a hug. The mermaid felt this rush of excitement and fun, not wanting this feeling to end-
"AQUATA!" the mermaid cried out in shock of the loud booming voice bellow them. The dolphin pod were beyond spooked, the baby pulled away from Aqua as they swam away. Aqua turned and watched them leave with hurt, wide eyes. The baby dolphin gave her one more sadden glance, remembering their fun before they swam out of sight. It was nice well it lasted...
Aqua grasped at her heart, she was hurt but not just in a sorrow feeling. Frowning, she looked down to the bottom of the reef, where a decapod was glaring up at her, claws crossed, like a disappointed parent. Slowly swimming back down until she was right in front of him, she wrapped her left arm around her right, pinning it to the side. She turned her head to the side, not making eye contact with him.
There was an awkward pause, finally the crab went first, "What is rule number 1?" he growled, glaring at the mermaid.
Aqua sighed, feeling more frustrated them sad, "Don't leave your sight..." finally, she looked him in the eye, "But I wasn't far! I was above you! And I was only gone for a little while!" she tried to explain, hopping he'd understand.
"That doesn't matter, you didn't tell me where you went."
"If I did you would have said no! I don't want to wait while you waste time counting grains of sand!" now it was Aqua's turn to raise her voice.
"You broke the rules we made!" he pointed his claw in her chest, not hard but enough to push her back a little, "I let it slide when you were younger but I expected you to grow at least a brain when you got older."
"Oh you're one to talk," Aqua scoffed, crossing her arms, "Mr. gold-greedy mollusk! If anyone needs to grow a brain its you!"
Tamatoa growled, she hit a nerve in his ego, calling him a slimy snail. He got up on his hind-legs towering over the little mermaid like a mountain, "Don't forget our deal! The only reason you made it this far was because of me! You should be a little more grateful that I went out of my way to take care of you all these years. And if it wasn't for me you'd be chum, so know your place!"
He's words struck her in the chest, hurting far more then he realized. Aqua's eyes widened, feeling like she was going to cry, but her saddens turned to anger, "I am my own person Tamatoa! I'M NOT YOUR LITTLE PET!" Aqua screamed at the top of her lugs, startling any sea life close by. The two held their glares at the other, not wanting to lose. Finally Aqua turned her head, hmphed and swam passed his head, back up his tower where she went to her shell, slamming it shut.
Tamatoa scoffed, rolling his eyes. Now that she was where she belonged, he began the long silent journey to the next habitat.
The rest of the trip was quiet; neither one of them talked, not even hummed a song, which is something they both enjoyed. They walk across the sandy floors of the shallows led them to a large kept forest. Tomatoa plowed through the kept that taller then him, making sure they were covered deep in the center of the forest.
"We're here," Tamatoa gently knocking on her shell, getting her attention. Slowly, it opened and the mermaid peeked out. The decapod had his back to her, "It will be dark soon, go find food and come back." he ordered. He heard opening the shell, she took her spear and swam off his cephalothorax. He turned his head to the side, avoided her eyes, but he took a quick glance at her; her tail was limped and she hugged the spear tight.
She took a slow glance towards him, but he quickly turned, acting uninterested in her. Aqua narrowed her eyes at the back of his head, before swimming fast pushing passed the kept, disappearing. Tamatoa sighed rolling his eyes, he figured she would be in a better mood the next day. This was not his fault, she broke the rule and insulted him! So what if he hurt her feelings calling her a pet and made her cry, it was not big deal...
The decapod shook his head, he needed to get his mind off this; he needed food. Spotting some fish behind the curtain of kept, he lifted his large claw up and quickly cut through it, catching a mouth full of fish.
The rustling of the kept told him that Aqua had return, when he took a quick glance at her dinner he saw she had a shish-kebab of crabs. His frown deepened, seeing the game she was playing, he payed her no mind as he he went back to his meal.
Aqua swam up to her clam shell, sitting down modestly, she took the first crab off the spear and starting breaking the legs off. It made a loud crunching voice, which made Tamatoa flinch every time. The cracking of the exoskeleton added with her loud chewing was sending shudders through his body.
Aqau kept her eyes closed as she chewed, then she opened one to see the giant crab's reaction, so far he was not amused. As she started to make a pile of crab shells, and slowly getting full, she was getting fed up with his cold-shoulder. But she got her stubbornness from him, and they both knew that nether one will back down or say sorry first.
Kicking the shells over the treasure tower, she leaned on her back looking up. The kept forest was massive, their stipes and blades grew to the top of the surface, the sunset was barley seeable. It was too crowded for Tamatoa to get fully comfortable and pulling out kept would take to long, so once he was done his meal, they set off to find a better spot. Again, the ride was quiet.
It was dark when they found a spot to camp, an opening through the kept forest, large enough for the decapod. The full moon shined down, giving them enough light. As Tamatoa digged his legs into the sand, getting comfortable, Aqua brushed her hair, frowning. She still felt bad about their fight, but he really hurt her feelings and she knew, he'd probably won't apologies. You can't change what you are... she had to learn to except that part of him.
"Well... night." she sighed, sitting in her shell. But just when she was about to close it, she hear from under,
"Will ya sing?"
Her eyes slightly widened, while Tamatoa was never one to say he was in the wrong or say 'I'm sorry' he did sometimes ask for her to sing for him. A mermaid's voice was very elegant and pure, to him, her singing help him when he was feeling bad or trying to fall asleep. In a way, he was trying to apologies to her.
Aqua gently smiled, swimming out of her shell, she sat down on the edge of his back behind his head. His large eyes turned to face her, seeing the smile on her face, "Sure."
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath.
~Aaaah... aaaah... aaaah... aaAaah..
I've been watchin' you for some time...
Can't stop starin' at those ocean eyes...
Burning cities and napalm skies
Fifteen flares inside those ocean eyes
Your ocean eyes
No faaaaaiiir...
You really know how to make me cry
When you gimme those ocean eyes
I'm scaaaarrrred...
I've never fallen from quite this high
Fallin' into your ocean eyes...
Those ocean eyes...~
Tomatoa sighed quietly, as her calming voice echoed through out the forest. Nocturnal creatures came out, drawn to the beautiful voice. Aqua's smile slowly grew, opening her eyes for a moment, she looked up at the the surface, the moonlight shining down on her, before closing her eyes again.
~I've been swimin' through a world gone blind
Can't stop thinkin' of your diamond mind...
Careful creature made friends with time...
He left her lonely with a diamond mind
And those ocean eyes...
No faaaaaiiiir...
You really know how to make me cry
When you gimme those ocean eyes
I'm scaaaarrrred...
I've never fallen from quite this high
Fallin' into your ocean eyes...
Those ocean eyes...~
Aqua's humming slowly took its toll, as the decapod slowly closed his eyes, resting on the sand, letting her voice take him away.
~Da, da-da, da-da
Da-da-da, da, da
Da, da, da, da, da-da-da-da...
Mmmmm, Mmmm ,Mmmm..
No faaaiiir..
You really know how to make me cry
When you gimme those ocean eyes...
I'm scaaarrred...
I've never fallen from quite this high
Fallin' into your ocean eyes...
Those ocean eyes...~
Aqua sighed happily, finally opening her eyes. She heard her friend's quiet breathing, fast asleep. Smiling she quietly swam down and kissed him on the eyelid, "Good night, friend." Swimming back up to her clam shell, she laid down and closed the top.