Xuan’s task of setting the starfish to a rock with a few others was done, he moved toward his waiting family when he stopped. He saw a few large tuna’s just beyond and slightly below his position. “Father,” he said pointing. 

“Good eye, boy,” he said and they moved toward the target. “Get around it,” Father said pointing to Xuan.

Xuan moved down and disappeared into the inky blackness and hurried past the pod of tuna fish gripping his spear as he eased back up into the lighter area of the ocean. He had successfully flanked the large fish, on a signal from Father the four of them charged the fish and jabbed spears into the target. It thrashed and the others around it darted away, Xuan was hit hard in the chest with the tail fin which yanked his hold on the shaft of the spear. He swam closer and grabbed his weapon. Father was able to make the killing blow and they all paused peering around to ensure the struggle and blood hadn’t alerted any sharks in the area. 

Winter and Hunter lashed the kelp rope around the fish and started pulling it down toward the caves. Father was close behind, Xuan was about to follow when he notice something sparkling. He studied the area, his brow knitted in confusion and he moved toward it. “What is it?”

“I don’t know,” he answered it took a few more strong strokes of his tail before he could make out a form. His heart raced as fast as he did to the floating woman. “Hey,” he called grabbing her arm, she was limp and her eyes closed. He check a pulse it was strong against his fingers. He scanned the area for the cause of her condition, he saw no predators or other members of her community. He carefully pulled her close and wrapped an arm around her waist. 

His father shot toward them when Xuan and the female emerged in the darker layer of the ocean. “What happened?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “I saw her floating.”

"You don't know what a girl is?" Winter asked then looked at Hunter and they snickered. "You need to get out more."

“Enough. Let’s get her home,” Father said taking his son’s spear. “Mother will heal her. I'll ask around the community after the sleep to see if anyone knows her or her community.” He glanced around. "I bet her parents are beside themselves with worry."

Xuan kept her close to keep her warm as they made it to the cave. Mother was delighted at the large tuna and instantly worried about the girl they had found. She had examined her finding no injuries to heal and eased her near the wall were it was plenty warm and she could keep an eye on the girl for any signs of distress. Xuan went outside toward the stronger of the currents around their place where Father and brothers were already cutting into the fish. The current took the cloud of bloody water away from the house, he was assigned the horrific task of skinning. 

Once all that was done, they stuffed the sections of fish into the upper storage compartment and sealed it shut with a rock. The family enjoyed a meal of tuna before they settled to a normal routine. Mimi showed her brother what she had found during the day of exploring the trench with her friends. She had found several large golden disks with some sort of writing stamped on them. Xuan examined a few of them while one of younger brothers tackled his tail and laughed. “These are not sharp to use as a tool.”

“I am thinking hair weights or jewelry. I think the color would go good against your tail.” She swam to it and put it against the narrow end of it before it yawned into his fin. “I think so.”

“What am I going to do with a tail ring?” Xuan asked with a chuckle dislodging the little one from his delicate and sharp ends of his tail. He tickled the little boy. “Don’t get him worked up or you will be putting him to sleep tonight.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said stroking the little yellow head. The child put Xuan’s hand on his belly to encourage another tickling. “Mama says no.” The little boy grew bored and swam toward the others to see what they were doing.