When Shinu and Niolled left the Garden, Shinu looked around momentarily to make sure he remembered the spot.

Ah!

Come on Nioelle, it's down this way.

Shinu started to jog lightly with her hand in his. He was half pulling her and half leading her down a couple hundred yards to the beach. It was a beautiful day outside. There were a few streaky clouds, but certainly no threat of rain any time soon. The ocean was shining with a green tint today. Small ripples swayed over the surface, a sign of calm winds out on the sea. The sands were pure white, each grain tiny enough to tickle the small spaces between Shinu's toes had he taken his shoes off.

Shinu stopped and turned back to Nioelle. He looked her dead in her eyes, speechless for just a moment. Finally, he whispered to her.

Beautiful. Isn't it?

Nioelle smiled at Shinu.

It's beautiful! I could spend all day here!

Nioelle took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. She loved the fresh air and being outside, and with Shinu beside her, it made it even better.

Nioelle took her shoes off as well and stared at the ocean.

Maybe one day we could go swimming, huh?

She turned to Shinu and smiled yet again. She couldn't stop herself; something about him made her happy.

One day huh? Hmmm, yeah, one day we will.

Shinu smiled at her. He waited patiently, and then she blinked. The moment her eyes opened, Shinu was there, swooping her up. He had already grabbed her before she could yell and he went running into the water with Nioelle on his shoulder. He jumped into the water back first, pulling her to the front of him so he would break her fall.

Shinu pulled them back up above the water, both of them soaking wet. After a gasp, he couldn't stop laughing.

I'm so sorry! I couldn't help it. Besides...

He gave her a gentle splash and tried to swim away hoping she would chase.

Nioelle was laughing too much to care about what he did.

You ruined my clothes!

She laughed as she chased after him, trying to splash him back, but failing as she needed her arms to swim.

When I get you, Shinu...

She tried to put on a serious face, but she didn't think it worked too well.

Laughing all the way, Shinu was swimming slower and slower. Then right before she could catch him, he dove under. Underwater he laid out flat, slithering through her legs and came up right behind her. Quickly he wrapped his massive and powerful arms around her and brought her in close. He leaned down and whispered in her ear.

Got ya Nini.

Nioelle screamed as Shinu grabbed onto her tightly. She shivered when he whispered.

Not in that ear! I get all twitchy! It's weird, really.

Nioelle turned and looked at him, and blushed. Having his face so close made her uncomfortable, but in a good way.

Sorry about that.

He was staring dead into her eyes at this point. He had to cool himself, besides the fact that he was in the ocean already. Still, he leaned in towards her, putting his lips on her other ear.

Is that better?

He whispered again, and before he pulled away, he gave her a small peck on her ear.

Nioelle had become so red, she wished she could swim away from him and hide. And it was only a kiss on her ear.

Oh, uhm..I...yeah.

She didn't know what else to say without making herself seem like an idiot around him.

Don't worry.

Shinu spoke in a very reassuring voice. He knew she was embarrassed, and truth be told, so was he. He grabbed her gently by the waist and pulled her down on top of him as he lay on his back, kicking his feet lightly to remain afloat.

Let's just... float with one another. Just for a little while.

Nioelle smiled.

Okay. It's so beautiful today, isn't it?

Nioelle was at a loss for words. This day had turned out better than she had planned it to, and it wasn't even over yet.