Strange encounters (Aximili)

[shandragontear]

<I'll be fine.> Leona insisted as she lined up for another rush up out of the water at a taxxon.

<We only need to distract them long enough so they won't notice Traycor slipping away. Once he's well out of their range and with your kids we'll make a break for it.> It had been her plan all along. Just to fight long enough for The children to get away, then make a run for it. The only trouble was Traycor refusing to leave, had he left she likely would of been on her way out of there by now.

<Besides.....we've been in worse...>

[Traycor-Esgarrouth-Seroik]

<Yeah, when we were younger and didn't have responsibilities. And we always did it together. Or did you just say "we" to mean you and Aximili?> she responded in a light tone as she charged another Taxxon, taking two of its legs off.
<Basically it means you're stuck with me. Your son is a smart boy. I trust him. And he can take care of my kids for a little longer while we take care of these Taxxons.>

[Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill]

Aximili listened to his friends' conversation, recalling the past...

However, as much as he desired to dwell in good times, it would have to wait.

From his morph's peripheral vision, Aximili witnessed more Taxxons swiftly approaching their position.

<Look out, here they come!>

The Andalite man quickly charged into protecting his loved ones, delving into the alien flesh of the Yeerk forces.

[shandragontear]

<All of us, duh.> She answered Nichole. <Stuck with you? You were the one trying to get me to leave remember.> She said in confusion.

At her mates warning of more reinforcements coming the massive great white turned to face the on coming taxxons. <Alright, let's shake them up, then make a break for it.> She said while already diving down in to the dark of the water getting ready to set up a strike. Great whites always seemed to hit harder when they attacked from beneath, not those rows of razor sharp teeth needed any help slicing through a taxxon.

[Nichole Matthews-Koris]

<Hey, I'm not the one injured,> Nichole retorted. <And since you're too stubborn to leave, I'm gonna make sure you two love-birds make it out alive so you can go back to ignoring your son and Aximili over there can go back to pretending he doesn't exist so his son continues to have low self-esteem issues.>

Nichole copied Leona's movements. <After this, I'm getting a looong nap after gargling four different bottles of mouth-wash.> She opened her mouth, tearing meat off of a Taxxon.

[Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill]

Aximili attacked the Taxxons with skilled effort.

As he listened to the conversation of his friends, a decision was made...

Regardless of himself being possessed by The One, he would be there for his loved ones...

Upon dispatching another opponent and seeing more aliens arrive in the vicinity, the Andalite man voiced his command.

<Everyone, we must depart from these waters! Now!>

Aximili swam slowly to ensure that his comrades would swim ahead of him.

[Nichole Matthews-Koris]

Nichole started swimming away, making sure she was behind Leona in case any more Taxxons showed up. She was worn out, but she kept pushing herself for her kids. She had to make sure they were ok. She trusted Traycor, but she was still worried. They were her children, after all.

[shandragontear]

Leona made quick work of any taxxons that happened to stray in her path as she started making her way to shore. Nichole was to far behind her line of sight to see, but Leona knew she was there. The sharks unusual sense could feel the other two sharks in the water around.

Those black eyes did, however, keep shifting their gaze toward Aximili. She could feel him there, but some how she seemed to need to confirm it to her self every now and then. She wanted to say something, anything, but nothing came to mind and so she simply swam along in silence.

[Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill]

Aximili felt his mate's unease as they swam in silence...

Now was the time to talk to Leona and explain, for she had the right to know.

<Leona... We must discuss about my presence here... as well as my absence...>

He only hoped that his love wouldn't be ireful and unreachable.

<I'm greatly, so greatly sorry that I wasn't there for you, my love... I was purposely away from you so that I could protect you. I am possessed by The One, so... I was unwilling to allow any harm to befall you, as well as our son. I could not live with myself knowing that I caused your ends...>

After his explanation, there was a poignant pause. Then he spoke again.

<I'm sorry.>

[shandragontear]

Leona remained silent for a moment, the great white's unchanging face offering no hint to what she was thinking or feeling.

<Your parents raised Traycor.> She finally confessed her own sins. <All documents regarding his birth, list you as his father.....and his mother as Unknown.>

Leona paused, silent again for a moment. In some strange way she almost didn't want to explain her self, afraid of how Aximili, and Nichole would respond.

<He is known as the son of a war hero....not a half breed.> Despite Leona's best efforts to keep her thoughts neutral there was no hiding the pain in them. <Traycor doesn't know...>

[Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill]

Surprise was present in Aximili's mind, and he dared not feel anger about the situation.

After all, who was he to judge?

After some quietness, the morphed Andalite man spoke.

<I see... No matter what has transpired in the past, my feelings for you have not changed, Leona. They never will.>

At that, he swam closer and caressed against Leona's shark form.

<I... I desire for us to be a family. Will you acquiesce to being one, my love?>

[shandragontear]

As the smaller shark approached the great white wanted to react by giving a mock warning bite to ward the tiger shark away. However Leona maintained control, even enjoying the brush of rough flesh on flesh.

<Of course.> Her thoughts replied softly, unable to think of what more she could say.