I nodded as though I understood and turned to face the narwhal which was a fair few yards... metres... well, a mile or so away...

Come on, Philip, you can do this.

Okay, thank you so much for the reviews. Really appreciate them so don't stop! :D Oh, and while we're on the subject of reviews, I notice that I can't reply to K's review:"You make Syrena and Philip sound like dirty sex addicts. you really need to rethink your writing skills. This is not writing. You turned innocence into a perverted porno." But if you do happen to continue reading, I want you to know that I respect your right to tell me what you think to my story, but what I don't really think is necessary is the fact that you must have searched in the 'M' section to find this story to begin with and it is inevitable that you will find something that isn't PG standard. But you make out that sex is wrong. At no point in this have I ever made it seem as though sex was derogatory or even porn. I use my own experiences to write this stuff and I'm definitely not a porn star but I think sex is something special and because it's what people enjoy reading, I put it in. Sex, to these characters, is important to help keep their relationship exciting and if it offends you – don't read it and I apologise for any offence it's caused you. If you read the beginning part of the story where they discussed it, it was meant to be personal and yes, mermaids are supposed to be seductive – to them, sex is second nature. But may I also remind you that this is a FanFiction and not real life, or even an accurate follow on from the films and they aren't even real people. Sorry for this long reply, but I wanted to cover all aspects of your review – and I don't mean any offence in correcting your grammar/punctuation and capital letter errors, but they were irritating me. Sorry everyone else for having such a huge paragraph to begin with and for the long delay and blah blah... Anyways, enjoy xD

I was wrong.

So wrong.

Why was I doing this again?

Did it even matter?

The fact was – I was doing it, and I had no idea where the narwhal was but instead, found myself facing a great white.

Yes. A Great White Shark.

I was so dead. So very, very dead.

Vaguely aware that the others were yelling for me to return, I found my whole body freezing where it was.

I was completely immobile.

I couldn't move.

But the Great White could.

And it did.

It was advancing towards me at such a great speed that I could do nothing but touch the cross on the end of my floating necklace and flail my arms reflexively out in front of me.

Then as I cried out, I felt something surge deep within my skin and reach my very fingertips and opening my eyes, I could see a cascade of bubbles fly out in front of me. The shark's teeth flashed at me in what could have been a malicious grin before it dodged my unintentional attack with ease.

Perfect.

Panic + flailing of arms = useless bubbles + smug shark.

Now the shark was speeding towards me again, that same manic expression on its face.

Once again, I threw my arms out in front of me creating even more bubbles.

Useless bubbles.

Remember the equation, Philip, remember the equation.

Panic + flailing of arms... How could he change that?

Control + flailing of arms?

Worth a shot.

Oh, maybe not...

The shark was almost upon him when Adam yelled, "WHIRLPOOL IT, PHILIP!"

Okay. Sure.

HOW THE HECK WAS I SUPPOSED TO WHIRLPOOL SOMETHING?

Spin your arms in the same way a whirlpool moves... That small voice coming from who I believed to be God I occasionally heard when on the brink of death suggested quietly and so I complied.

Swinging my arms about my head in what I hoped was a whirlpool motion and focussing my eyes on my opponent, I felt the same sensation power through my whole body and I was aware that the sea around me was shuddering. After a moment, the waves merged together and began dancing above my head in a huge spiral.

I hoped this was good.

The Great White surveyed me almost comically, before turning away and attempting to leave.

Well, how rude!

I hadn't come this far just to be slighted by some shark! It was going to face me like a man! Pushing my hands forwards, the whirlpool I seemed to have created expanded and swallowed the Great White into a blue, white and black chasm.

I was momentarily impressed with myself until I saw a huge set of teeth launch themselves at me and I had just enough time to drag myself out of the way and sweep my arms so the whirlpool was in front of me.

Each time the shark swam around, I would block its path with my very own whirlpool.

Admittedly, I wasn't doing too bad for my first time.

But this couldn't go on forever.

I had to capture it.

Well, what did I have to lose... apart from everything?

Syrena.

Well, she was my everything.

I couldn't leave her.

I had to catch this shark...

...So I did.

I spun the whirlpool faster and the suction pulled the shark back into the core and I moved quickly towards it, arms still outstretched and clasped it round it's neck (that was even if sharks had necks...) before it struggled against my grasp, violently.

I growled, "I've got you. Now keep still, damn you." And to my absolute surprise, it did.

I swung my tail over its back and sat down, every bone (and scale) in my body aching.

Even though I didn't do great, I was still alive and that's what mattered, right?

I looked up only to see a huge wall of bubbles and with a flick of my hand, they dispersed.

Glancing around, I could hear Syrena's brothers calling me.

Once I'd pinpointed where they were, I urged the shark onwards and grudgingly, it moved.

This was sort of amazing.

"Philip!" They cried and I gave them all a bashful smile.

"I know... I made a fool of myself."

They exchanged glances and Isaac blurted, "You looked like an idiot at first, I'm not going to lie. But then you just did all this stuff... and we were like..." He trailed off, shaking his head in disbelief.

I was feeling slightly confused at their awed expressions, "What? I don't get why you're all looking at me like this."

"How long have you been doing shark-hunting?" Adam asked, his eyebrows raised, clearly impressed.

"Uh... well, actually – that was my first time..." I admitted, ashamed.

It didn't surprise me when they all laughed, but as I studied their expressions, they looked completely free of mockery.

I didn't quite understand...

"Philip – you just caught a Great White Shark!" Adam yelled, drifting towards me on top of his own shark, "I mean – I only caught a killer shark and I was dead impressed with myself. But – don't lie. How long have you been training?"

"Honestly, that was my first time."

They shook their heads, amazed.

"Well, we'd better be off, anyway." Henry patted his own shark's head, "Let's start the race, okay?"

"Alright."

Race?

Oh.

I leaned towards the shark and whispered, "You'd better not show me up, understand?"

I felt the shark shudder beneath me and I hoped that meant something along the lines of: Yes, Master Philip.

"Get ready... Get set... Go."

Nobody moved.

I was so confused but when I looked behind me, I saw a trail of bubbles flying out from the sharks' tails.

Apparently we were moving.

Apparently I was winning.

Oh!

I began to feel the water slap against my skin as I finally came to my senses – but I had no idea where I was going!

In fact, I didn't even know what I was doing!

My whole body lifted in pure exhilaration as we approached a huge, slightly daunting cavern.

Then I felt myself come to a stop and I was in a completely unfamiliar surrounding.

The brothers stopped alongside me and Adam laughed, "I'm guessing you've never raced, either..."

"I wasn't that bad!" I told them followed by more laughter.

"Philip, we were joking... You won."

"Ah." I grinned, "Where are we anyway?"

"This is where we – my brothers and I – pick up mates. You're already taken... so we would expect you to be on your best behaviour." Adam smiled, his eyes scanning the depths of the ocean for a sign of a mate.

"So... let me get this straight... All merpeople aren't related, then?"

"Philip, that's disgusting. Why would we mate with our cousins?" Isaac looked genuinely disturbed at this thought and I internally kicked myself, "Besides... we aren't related to you. And you're a merman."

Of course... just because they lived under the sea, it didn't mean they had no sense of discretion, "Ah. I hadn't thought of that."

"You're a bit dim, Philip. I'm not going to lie." Henry laughed, shaking his head.

I remained on the back of the shark, uneasily scouring the area with my eyes in the hope that I wouldn't have to come in contact with any more merpeople. They quite frankly scared the living daylights out of me.

Then again... I sort of was a merperson myself, right?

"Well, here are the show-offs... I thought they'd be along soon enough." A mellow female voice drifted from behind us and as we veered our sharks towards the sound, I could see a mermaid with flowing violet hair and a sapphire tail.

"Well, hello to you too, Colleen." One of the other brother's urged his shark forwards and she tossed her hair out of her vision, speculating the merman before her.

"Henry, it's a pleasure."

"It will be." His eyes sparkled, "So, you wanna... take a ride?"

Though I wasn't completely innocent-minded anymore – much to my displeasure – I couldn't understand all of the innuendos Henry passed, but his voice was thick with implication and I knew I was out of place.

"So, who's the new guy?" A voice similar to Colleen's sounded from just beside me. Setting my jaw I looked down at her to see she looked practically identical to her sister but instead of having purple hair, she had vibrant turquoise locks.

"He's off-limits." Adam told her, floating towards the two of us.

"Pity." Her lust-filled eyes glinted, "But you're not off-limits are you?"

"To everybody except... you." He grinned and leaned down to kiss her softly on the cheek, "Come on then, Miriam. We've been waiting around for far too long as it is. We'll be back soon, Philip... I'm sure you understand."

"Of course." I nodded my head in what I hoped to be a courteous manner, but someone must have noticed my trembling.

"Do I make you nervous?"

Gah!

I kept my gaze ahead of me.

"Nice catch, new guy." A different voice spoke this time.

"Thank you." I managed a small smile without turning.

"What's wrong? Where did you come from, anyway?"

"Hey, sorry, ladies... this is Philip Swift." Isaac told them, coming to my aid which I was incredibly thankful for.

"They got the 'Swift' part right, didn't they?"

Har har...

"He's actually bonded to my sister and he's not up for grabs... ButI am up for grabs... and I don't think I've seen you in a while, Julia... Wanna reacquaint?"

"Pity." One of the mermaid's eyes lingered for an uncomfortably long time on me before she yielded her body to Isaac, "I guess you'll have to do..."

"Oh, you are kind... But I'm not really in the picky mood right now so I'll take you."

"I can tell... Most men with any shred of pride would have taken my statement as an offence."

They continued bantering light-heartedly with each other for a while before Isaac leaned in and gave her a teasing kiss, "Julia... let's stop this nonsense already. I don't think what I want to do to you right now is going to be appropriate for the viewing of the public eye... do you?"

Her face shined with nothing but desire, "It would depend on what you were intending to do to me."

"How about we go find out?" He wrapped his arms around her and turned to me, "Hey, Philip... Just stick around for a bit until we all come back... sorry to leave you, but some of the girls prefer to just chat rather than actually mate. I'd suggest getting to know Emily. She's a very... valuable friend to have." Before he went on his way, he exchanged a knowing grin with Julia who shook her head, laughing.

I nodded, "Of course. Have fun..."

"Did someone mention my name?" A mermaid with short, violet hair turned to face me, her eyes dark and menacing.

"Are you... Emily?" I asked, suddenly a little nervous.

"Yes. And you are?" Every feature was showing her obvious resentment towards me and I reminded myself if I could tackle a great white shark, then I could at least have a civil conversation with her.

"Philip. Philip Swift."

"I don't often come to meet the mermen of your clan as I have no particular interest in mating. But today, I was curious as to what everybody saw in you all. I have still not made my decision as to whether I approve of you all mating with my sisters."

She surveyed me through cold eyes as though she was the predator and I was her prey and I didn't like it.

Not one bit.

"Then you're wise to have not come to an immediate conclusion." I told her, edging away ever so slightly.

"Why's that?" She asked, tilting her head to one side.

"Because an assumption is always a prelude to disaster."

"And why are you still here? You don't look like the sort of merman to be turned down."

"I'm not actually a part of this clan, but I'm bonded to one of Theodore's daughters."

"I see. And what's her name?" Emily asked, her shoulders relaxing.

"Syrena."

"Ah, yes. Syrena. She is... she is a remarkable young mermaid. Undoubtedly, she has the highest values out of all the mermaids of that clan I know. Every one of the others overlook me or considers me as 'different' and not in a good way, either. Even my own siblings tend to ignore me."

I felt compassion towards this mermaid. I supposed she acted cold towards me because she was expecting me to treat her the same as everybody else had done.

"But Syrena is kind. She actually pays attention to me and shows me she cares. Or at least, she pretends to care, anyway. But it's the thought that counts, I suppose."

I imagined that this was some idea of Isaac's to try and prank me, but I found I actually got on rather well with Emily.

"Syrena is of good virtue and I know she sees something in you that is perhaps not apparent to others who you speak with. I can tell already that you yourself have good morals." I pointed out, folding my arms.

"Really?" Then a shy smile played at her lips and one of Syrena's brother's laughed, shocked.

"I never knew you were such a smooth operator, Philip. We've never seen her smile!"

"I'm sure someone has. And maybe she hasn't had a reason to smile, yet." I told him maintaining a smile of my own.

"True... Anyway... this fine young mermaid and I have some business we need to attend to, isn't that right?" He hoisted one of the Sapphire sisters onto his shark and they sped off, leaving a trail of bubbles behind them.

"How long have you been with Syrena?" Emily asked, raising her eyebrows.

I counted the days back in my head but I couldn't work out exactly how many weeks or months or anything.

I'd completely lost track of time when I was with her, "I... can't remember. More than long enough to know I'm in love with her, though."

"I thought as much..." She paused and stared fixedly ahead of her as if trying to work something out in her mind.

"I've never been very good with keeping tabs on the length of our relationship ever since I..." I cut myself off and she looked up at me, knowingly.

"Yes, I assume it would also be useless to ask just how long you've been a merman for."

"I'm sorry?"

Did she know about me being changed?

"Humans often find it difficult to remember a lot of information all at once. Since keeping yourself safe from people finding out about you being a human to begin with, time has not been your top priority."

"How do you... how do you know all this?" I asked, breaking my façade.

"You're relatively easy to read." She shrugged.

"B-but do you know what this means?" I was on the verge of blacking out with panic.

If Emily knew... she would have to tell someone I was an imposter and one thing would lead to another and I would end up being found out by Ascelina and she would kill me for sure.

Confusion crossed her features, "What do you mean?"

"If you know then Ascelina will find out and I will be so dead!"

"What makes you say that?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well... aren't you going to tell her?"

"Why on Earth would I tell Ascelina that her adopted daughter's mate is a human?"

"You mean... you're not going to?" I dropped my shoulders that were climbing at a scary pace towards my ears.

"I see no reason why she wouldn't already know."

I hesitated, "If she knew, let's say I wouldn't be sitting here right now." I told her, my chest heaving, nervously.

"So, you either haven't met her or you have and you don't want her to find out so you've done everything you can to stop her from figuring it out."

"Let's go with the second option..." I muttered.

Emily let out an unexpected laugh, "You're more deceptive than you let on. But of course... deceptive people are always so secretive! I should have realised that you had something to hide when you seemed all innocent. It wouldn't surprise me if Syrena is exactly the same. I bet you two have the most intense relationship ever." She shook her head in pure wonder and I managed a light chuckle.

"You have no idea..." Then I remembered just what we were discussing, "But it's not that I'm deceptive. I just... I hate that I can't show my true form to Syrena's adopted family. It would make things so much easier if I didn't have to do all this."

"Love isn't easy." She replied, simply.

"Are you in love?" Emily was possibly one of the most curious and interesting mermaids I had ever met. It was difficult to predict what she would say next. Each new sentence was a surprise and I wasn't just about to be let down, either, for her next sentence led me into even more confusion.

She laughed, "I might not be some sentimental old fool and I certainly try to avoid showing emotion wherever possible... But I cannot pretend to be ignorant to the power of love."

"Is that a yes or a no?"

A slow smile tugged at the corner of her lips, "It was neither."

"Ah... of course. I'm sorry for asking." I bowed my head in an apology. It was rather rude of me for asking when we had barely even acquainted ourselves properly.

She shook her head, "Don't apologise. Perhaps one day I'll tell you a little more about my past. But for now, I think Syrena's brothers are returning and I'd prefer to keep myself hidden from them."

I was about to ask why when she just shook her head again, "You're far too curious for your own good, Philip Swift. But I hope we can talk again soon."

Then she had gone.

Just like that.

"Congratulations, Philip! You passed the test!"

The... test?

I turned around just at the right point in time to see Isaac fall off the back of his shark and drift towards the seabed.

"Isaac! I can't believe you did this to him!" A familiar voice yelled, angrily, her face a livid red.

Syrena!

I felt my heart swell to about twice its size and blood rush to my head. Moving forwards on the great white shark to see her look up at me with black eyes, the blood left my head just as quickly as it arrived.

I didn't like how mad Syrena appeared to be at that moment in time.

It was most... unnerving.

"Syrena! Now my catch has got away! How am I supposed to get back home, now?"

"You can swim yourself, idiot!" She ignored his protests and crossed her arms, "Where are my other brothers?"

"Hiding." Isaac pointed to Adam who was crouching desperately behind on of the mermaids.

"Adam." She said softly, "What is the meaning of this?"

"Well done, Philip." A hand clapped me on the back and I noticed as soon as Henry's bright eyes rested on his sister, his smile began to waver, "Syrena! ...Hello."

"Henry." Her lips pulled back over her fangs and she came to my side, "Philip, we're going right now."

"W-wait! Syrena, we can explain!" Her brothers pleaded as she grabbed me by the arm and swung her tail over the back of the shark, "Take me home, Philip."

"But I–"

"–Now."

A silence so thick it could have been sliced in two plunged between the congregation in the vicinity of the Sapphire's cove.

"Uh – yes, Syrena."I gave the Great White a stern slap on the side in the hope that it would get the message and take us home seeing as though I had no idea how to get there!

Her smooth back was pressing lightly against my chest and usually a gesture so slight and unintentional would have grabbed my attention right away.

However, judging by the fact that she was completely still, I could tell she wasn't breathing and therefore she had surpassed regular anger.

I knew this because she blocked herself from the world and everything in it to maintain a clear head lest she do something irrational.

Surely what her brothers did couldn't have been that bad.

Could it?

Of course not.

Well... I'd been wrong before.

Whatever was going on, I could tell the next few hours were going to be pure delight.

…

"How could you let this happen, Philip?" Her voice came so softly – no more audible than a whisper – that it surprised me.

"Wh-what?" I was horrified.

She was mad with me?

What had I done?

We had left for the cavern where Syrena knew we would be undisturbed and it was this knowledge that was beginning to frighten me.

Heck, what if she killed me? Who would know?

Don't be ridiculous, Philip.

I began telling myself that if she wanted me dead, she would have already done it – and besides, she wouldn't have wanted it anyway.

"How could you let it happen?" She spoke, not turning to face me.

The tight gap between us was more than I could take.

Bravely, I reached out and touched her elbow with my thumb and index finger, "Are you mad with me?"

She froze but did not withdraw her arm, "Mad with you? Why would I be mad with you?"

"You... just seem it a little." I pointed out, awkwardly.

Quicker than I could have fathomed, she swivelled around to stare at me head on, her body leaning into my grasp.

Then, what scared me further was the huge smile she wore.

Bursting into bells of laughter, she rested her head on my shoulder, "You really did pass the test, didn't you?"

"What?" My whole frame dropped and I thought I needed a sit down.

"Don't get me wrong! I knew you would..." She shook her head, pressing her lips against my neck.

Taking a deep breath and steadying myself, I pulled back from her. I placed my hands on her shoulders, looking down into her playful eyes, "Care to explain?"

"Well... Don't get mad, okay?"

I clenched my teeth together and exhaled slowly through my nose, "No. I won't get mad. Just tell me, already."

"Right... It wasn't my idea. It's sort of... well, it's sort of a family pact that we look out for each other. I already told my sisters just how trustworthy you were... but they insisted hat you still go ahead with the test, anyway. So, when I took you to my family, the first part of the test was meeting the brothers and my father in which I'm sure you were petrified of doing – but you survived! Second part was going shark hunting. I can see that you surpassed the skills of even my brothers who have been doing it practically all their lives, and you caught a great white. That's impressive. Third part – getting taken to the Sapphire Clan and resisting the temptation of leaving me. Fourth part (my brothers added this part in which I was slightly upset about as I knew they did it for the wrong reasons) – speaking to Emily. It can be hard. I was scared of her at first just by what my brothers had told me. But when I spoke to her, I discovered she was perceived all wrong as I'm sure you did too. Fifth part – and possibly the worst part – dealing with the stress of an angry mermaid. This part is usually what makes the males crack. They either have guilty consciences and end up apologising for being unfaithful – or run away at the prospect of being murdered. Either way, you coped brilliantly and I know that my brothers are more impressed than I am. I expected nothing less from you." She gave me a lethal grin, exposing her sharp, pointed fangs, "Of course... we wouldn't want to see the actual consequences if you did make a few..." Pausing for a second, she smoothed her tongue across her red lips, "...slip ups... would we?"

My back clung to the rock behind me and I could do nothing except shake my head, in agreement.

"Excellent. Now we've got that part of the drama over with, we get to the main event." Crimson liquid leaked into her deep brown eyes and I knew all too well what she was implying.

Wrapping her arms around my neck, she pushed her nose towards mine, the front of her body touching mine. I could feel the adrenalin surge through my body in pure anticipation.

Tilting my head towards her ear, I whispered gently, "Yes, I would like that. I would like that very much."

Thank you for reading! If you could, I would appreciate a review! It doesn't take too long, but it makes me happy :D Sorry for taking ages! I'll try and update sooner. Thank you for still sticking with me all this time! Stay tuned for more Philip and Syrena ;)