The waves trampled over eachother gently as the water reached the shore. A crab scuttled quickly across the sand as if in danger.

"Where are you headed so fast?" Asked the Zora.

It stopped for a moment as if it heard him, and then turned to look at him.

"Hey there. What troubles you on this find day Sir snips?

It stared back at him not moving a muscle. It looked as if it was making a critical decision right now. Make a run for it, and risk getting chased down, or stay still and hope that the giant is looking at the seashell nestled at its feet.

Taint extended a hand, and smiled. "Hi! My name is-" 'SKK!' Its pincers clanped down on his finger.

"YOUCH!! YOU LITTLE-" He flapped his hand around madly, trying to losen the little crab's grip. He fell over in the sand, and yelled at it, threatening to make soup out of it. He was highly against sea-food, but the crab didn't have to know that.

Laughter rose out of the stillness of the beach. Something was wrong though. It wasn't Lilly's laughter, she was still still fast asleep on the beach. It was a man's laughter, a deep belly laugh. He suddenly forsake the pain in his finger, and whirled around, one eye wide with rage. A samurai in heavy looking armor was gripping his sides with laughter.

"Hey, pal. This isn't exactly fun."

Wiping a tear from his eye, the man advanced forward, and removed a canteen from his armor. He popped the cork off of it, and poured some water gently on the crab. Its claw opened and it fell to the ground before scurrying away to safety.

"How'd you do that?" Taint asked as he cradled his injured finger.

"Warm water. Does the trick every time." The wandering vagabond replied as he put his canteen away. "I felt like I owed you for such a laugh."

The embarassed Zora folded his arms, and closed his eyes in a very prude way.

"I knew that. I was just testing you. But thank you. Can I ask your name?"

The man turned and looked over his shoulder, then the other direction; The sky seemed clear, and he sensed no intelligent creatures aside from the fairy in the sand.

"The name is Dogura Shadowclaw, and in telling you that, I have one rule about it. You never met me."

Taint raised a hand and put his other over his heart. "Not a soul will know."

Dogura sensed that the boy had good intentions and a pure heart. He smiled at him, and nodded. "I'll hold you to it. If I find out otherwise, I do happen to know an embarassing story involving the scar you'll have on that finger there."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me."

They eyed each other for a moment before Taint did what he did best. Broke the silence.

"My name is Taint... What brings you to the desert anyhow?" He sat down cross legged in the shallow water, and put his hands in his lap.

"Pleasure to meet you. The truth is, no matter where I go, I'm always drawn back to the sea... To this spot in particular." He cleared his throat, and folded his arms. "I don't know what links me to this spot... But some scientists believe that we were all Zolas at some point in time."

Taint smiled proudly, before speaking, "I think we're gonna be friends."