A/N: sometimes a family is three children and one person who is So so tired

Xavier swayed, her sharp teeth grinding together. The gills on her neck fluttered, then faded back into skin, and the navy-blue glow that had surrounded her body vanished. She had exhausted the connection between herself and Depths. Any more, and she would begin to fall apart.

Her opponent took the opportunity to swing at her with his katana. She dodged a moment too late, hissing as blood dripped down her arm. "Shino," she called. "I'm sorry. I can't-" She cut herself off, leaping away from another attack and backing towards her friend.

The other child blinked at her from under their white mushroom-shaped hat. Their pale blue eyes seemed wide and innocent, but their expression was unreadable. "...Okay."

The man she had been facing threw his head back and laughed. "Oh, what a shame. You can't protect your little friend," he mocked. "They told me you were a monster, but you're nothing without the ocean." He raised his sword, a manic grin appearing on his face. "And now you're both going to die!"

Shino's expression darkened. They tilted their head back and spread their arms, palms facing the sky. "Don't call me that."

"I don't think you're..." His voice died in his throat, and his eyes widened with something close to fear.

Within an instant, the sun had plunged below the horizon, bringing out the stars. One of them-a star that seemed to be directly above Shino's head-fell from the sky; as the tiny pinprick of light approached, the world got slower and slower.

Eventually, everything stopped. Everything except for Shino, of course. They caught the star, a faint smile forming on their face. "Hi, Cycle. Thank you for helping me."

It twinkled in return, hopping out of their hand and swirling towards the enemy.

"Only a minute?" Shino tilted their head, then shrugged. "Let's make it quick, then." They extended a hand, pointing at the man's stomach. They twisted their wrist. He dropped to the floor, melting into the dirt until he was nothing but bones.

They sighed. "You won't be able to help me for a while after this," they complained. "Why did you use so much of your power?"

The little star flashed angrily as it flew towards them again. It gestured towards the bones, then towards Xavier. Shino's eyes lit up with understanding. "Oh... You were mad." They giggled, smiling at the star, which seemed almost bashful. "Don't worry. I was too. Go back to sleep for now, okay? I'll see you later."

With one last affectionate shimmer, the star shot back up into the sky. Everything returned to normal; the sun came back, and the world unfroze.

Xavier frowned, rubbing her injured arm. She glanced between the pile of bones and Shino. She quietly asked, "You really just... melted him?"

They shrugged. "Cycle was angry," they said by way of explanation.

Depths groaned. "And now it'll be hibernating for another month," it whined to Xavier. "It's so careless."

She tapped her shoulder, staring at the patch of darkness that Depths was hiding in. "At least say it out loud, silly!"

Shino giggled, and they continued along the forest path.