What a show they created as they prepared to leave!

Daden Yaonu and Daden De Long transformed into great water dragons, their red bodies fiery and alive, lighting up the sky as the freedom of their inherent forms allowed them to dance up into the sky. The contrast of their red scales against the vivid blue, and the sunlight almost blinding the spectators from the glare of the reflection.

Tiaopi De Long and Zai Shu Xia were next, strong blue dragons that flew up majestically to join the other two. In a dance as old as time, their wings spread out, their whiskers flying in the wind as their lithe bodies wove in and out of each other's way.

Hongse and her sisters created an array and were transported into the air, Chihong and Xinghong waving reluctantly to an overexcited Yezi as they flew out of sight.

"We'll race you there!" Zhitiao told them, throwing her hood over her head, and grabbing JingYi's hand as they ran off.

Hui Gai vanished with a grin, his pointy teeth gleaming white.

XiChen and Jiang Cheng mounted their swords, next to Jin Ling and SiZhui. Lan Zhan picked up Rumi and rode astride Bichen, waiting for Wei Ying to draw out his wings.

Those beautiful wings caught the rays of the sun to shine with iridescent transparency, with all the colours of the rainbow shining brightly.

Rumi whispered a single word to Lan Zhan, and he smiled at the child, nodding.

"What did he say?" Wei Ying asked, opening his arms for Li XiWang.

"Wei Ying is beautiful."

Wei Ying walked over to them still blushing, and kissed the top of Rumi's cheek, and Lan Zhan's lips, before taking off. He soared into the sky, exuberant with the freedom allowed with flight, with Li XiWang letting out a scream of excitement.

The open skies awaited, laid out before them, waiting to be explored.

It was a beautiful day, and flying was an absolute pleasure.

"Are you excited to see your other aunts and uncles, little rabbit?" Wei Ying asked her.

She nodded, but a little bit of light faded from her burgundy eyes.

"Still worried about your mother?"

She nodded again.

"I've spoken to both of them, Sweetie. Neither will say anything like that to you again, alright?" Wei Ying reassured her.

"Yes, father. But...what about when you're not there?" She asked.

"Don't worry about that, little rabbit. You won't be alone, either myself or Lan Zhan will be with you all the time, plus Hui Gai is here too."

She brightened considerably after that. Two hours later, there was a shout as the sea appeared far into the distance.

"When we came before, how was it that it took longer?" She mused.

"For one thing, we were walking, and in no particular hurry. We spent time in each of the places that we travelled through." Wei Ying smiled down at her. "It was a proper holiday, and hence more relaxed."

"Okay." She accepted.

"But your Uncles missed you and all of us, and when they came by sword, they managed it in just a few hours."

"Do you think Suanni will be there?" She asked hopefully.

"Only if we call upon him." Wei Ying laughed. "I guess we can, I mean, why not? Do you miss him?"

"Very much. He's lovely to sleep on." Li XiWang crinkled up her nose. "And when we're all around him, he makes this purring growling noise. It's nice."

"He might be lonely."

"Him?" She asked, in wonder.

"Yes him, too. Can't we all, little rabbit?"

"I suppose so, I never thought about it, though." She looked deep in thought.

"He is a celestial mount. But other than the Great Lord Buddha, who else has he got to talk to?" To tell the truth, Wei Ying had also just had the thought. "He's given me a little gold bell, we'll use it after we land."

"Thank you, father."

Wei Ying looked at his daughter. She looked happier, and he was content with that. After that last lesson with her parents, Li XiWang had been more silent and keeping to herself rather than engaging with them. Hopefully this holiday would be just what they all needed.

They landed gently, joining the rest. Together with their children, they made up twenty people all together. Zhitiao and JingYi were already there, with a Hui Gai who  was preoccupied.

Out of those, only some of them could go below water without external help, and Rumi wasn't going anywhere near the sea. But they would have to sort out who would need the aid of the silver oyster pearls which would allow the taker to breathe underwater for around two hours.

Plans were made to camp on the beach far enough away from the water's edge that Rumi would feel comfortable, but Lan Zhan was already worried about him; the boy had not stopped trembling since they had landed.

Tasks were divided as a few of the travellers went to find driftwood and fuel for burning, setting up the campfire, while utensils and pots and pans were arranged. Hongse and her sisters, ever ready to provide their meals, set about cooking as soon as the fire was lit. They sat around in small groups at first.

Wei Ying was sitting next to Lan Zhan, trying to coax Rumi into letting go, but the child had squeezed his eyes tightly shut, fingers clenched around the white robes as if he couldn't let go. His tiny body let out trembles that broke Wei Ying's heart as he watched his son fight his fear.

"You don't have to go in there, Rumi. You don't have to go anywhere near the water." Wei Ying was trying to soothe him. Li XiWang was holding onto his tail since his hands weren't free, humming a soft song to try and calm him down.

Hui Gai was watching them, thinking....thinking...and then he had a marvellous idea.

"Rumi? Would you like to go with me to fetch Klem? She's never seen the sea before, and Oge will be so excited."

They all looked at the small boy, waiting for his answer.

*******

A/N

Sorry folks, I know it's a small one! Research, writing another chapter for Oneshots, and writing this whilst running for work....but it's great to keep busy!

Have a great day, eat plenty of chocolate and let the Universe do it's magic.