[amapup]

Pup, finally clearing her head, saw the surface of the water only a few yards up. The Gorgeel was fast closing behind them... mustering all of her remaining strength, she pushed herself upwards towards the surface. It was getting ready to attack again...

[amapup]

Starting to regroup with Pup, she tried to give every bit of ounce of energy left as she struggled towards the surface. She the Gorgeel was only a few inches behind them now... The HAD to make it...

[amapup]

With once last surge, Pup leaped out of the water, away from the Gorgeel's grasp. She twisted in the air, before splashing back into the water. They had made it, they had made it! The Gorgeel, hesitated at the surface, bfore turning around and swimming back to the depth it came from.

[amapup]

The Dori barely broke the surface in time. She squeaked joyously, barely clearing the water before limply plopping back in. She lay there underneath the surface, barely moving. She was spent. But they had made, they had made it!, and that was the most important thing of all. She sighed.

[amapup]

Pup slowly swam up to Stella, joining her friend. She gave the Dori a weak chirp. They'd made it. She twiddled her fins, cocking her head at her friend. Was she okay?

[amapup]

Stella nodded her head weakly at the Kuni's concern. She was alright. She just needed rest after that. She could feel the waves above her, and let them push her along a little bit, as she tried to gather enough strength to travel to a better place.

[amapup]

Pup hovered around Stella worried. She trusted the Dori, but she wanted make sure she was okay, just in case. She waited patiently for her friend to recover.

[amapup]

After a few minutes, Stella finally felt like she had enough energy. She noticed a small group of plants down on the ocean floor. It looked like a safe spot. She gestured to it with her tail, making sure Pup had the same opinion. She didn't have the strength to go through that again.

[amapup]

Pup saw Stella wave her tail. Looking at where it was pointed, she spotted the patch of seaweed. It looked safe. Taking the Dori's hint. She slowly started to swim towards it.

[amapup]

Stella saw Pup start to swim towards it. So they both thought it seemed okay. Reassured, the Dori followed Pup down towards it. It wasn't close enough to the rocks for the Gorgeel to find them again, thank goodness.

[amapup]

Pup reached the seaweed. The long tendrils tickled her stomach, and she giggled happily. She nosed one of the tendrils playfully.

[amapup]

Stella reached the seaweed shortly after Pup. Her energy was already wanning, and she needed somewhere to rest. The Dori snuggled into the seaweed, making sure she wouldn't drift away. Good. Closing her eyes, she quickly fell asleep.

[amapup]

Pup smiled at Stella as she approached, and watched as she fell asleep. The chase had done a toll on them both, but it had gone worse for Stella. The Dori didn't seem as fit as most other Kunis, and Pup wondered why. She was tired too, and a small nap would probably do well for her. She slipped into the seaweed next to Stella, and, snuggling up next to her buddy, fell asleep as well.

[amapup]

Stella slowly opened her eyes. She blinked, surrounded by seaweed. Where was she? Her body felt sore all over, and she flicked her tail grumpily. The Gorgeel came back to her. Right. She grumpily wriggled out of the seaweed, sighing loudly.

[amapup]

Pup had woken up earlier, and was swimming through the currents, letting them drag her along. She would dart in and out of the different ones, trying to see which one went where. The little Kuni also sporadically started chasing floating bubbles, attempting to beat them to the top, and her own tail. She made sure to keep in the vicinity of the seaweed patch, though. What Pup really wanted to do was to grab a stick and go find a tourist to play with. But she wasn't about to abandon her friend.

When she saw Stella emerge from the seaweed, she squealed joyfully, zooming right towards her and swimming loops around her, creating a ring of bubbles surrounding the Dori.