A/N: I think this moving and university thing are getting to my brain then I doubt that I would ever do this without it being a request…

I. Prologue

The Central Park Zoo was buzzing from excitement seeing that it would be opened again tomorrow and most of the animals could hardly wait for it. The whole complex was closed down for a whole week with a part being in such condition since two and a half. Of course went Skipper and his team investigating at the wish of the others finding out that soon a new animal would be arriving together with its caretaker. The only problem was that they had no clue what type of animal it will be, the only thing they knew that Alice was not happy about it, but that was nothing new to them.

So finally the day of the arrival come and everyone stared curiously at the large crate the six humans were pushing in while Alice the Zoo Keeper was walking in the front with another person. He was probably the new animal's caretaker seeing that he was always glancing at the crate. The animals lost sight of them as they walked over the little bridge and disappeared in the little man made forest where the new habitat was located. The six deliverers returned after a few minutes satisfied with they payment.

Meanwhile inside was Alice staring at the large crate with a slight distaste on her face, luckily was her new colleague currently looking around the new habitat built out like a rain forest with some grassy and rocky spots and a large cave. She had argued a whole month with her boss as to not get this thing transferred here, but he didn't listen and went on and on that these species always made a big publicity and this will be the largest. Alice had other options, sure everyone thought that she didn't care for animals, but her attitude was mainly because anyone would get annoyed repeating the same thing for hours to snot nosed little kids whom never listened to the rules. In truth loved Alice animals and helped as a kid often out by her aunt, who was a vet in they hometown. She had seen how sick some animals could get form the things the visitors feed them in Zoos when the caretakers were not looking. This was the ground why she had these harsh rules, she wanted to keep her animals as safe as she could manage, but this thing made her feel uneasy. It was dangerous and could result in tragedy if she didn't keep an eye on the visitors and the other animals to not enter the new habitat even by accident. This was why it was farther form the others and you even needed to cross a little bridge and forest part.

Hopefully was this safety enough.

Soon she realized that the young man was calling her.

"Alice-san, arigatou, this place is perfect for Ryuo , but you might want to leave now. He is tame, but will attack any strangers violently." the Japanese caretaker Dr. Tomonaga Hikoroshi said smiling.

"If you are sure Dr. Hikoroshi." Alice said as she threw a new uneasy glance at the crate and hurried out and stopped only at the end of the bridge.

Why did she have again the feeling as if she would be watched?

Meanwhile back in the habitat was the Japanese caretaker slowly opening the doors of the large box, the smile still present on his face as he brushed a few of his black locks aside which were not long enough to be tied back.

"Gomen nesai, Ryou-san I know that the flight here was bothersome for you, but at least we are finally here. Ouji-san would also approve of your new habitat." he said smiling as the door slowly opened and he held his hand out. "See, it is safe, nii-san is here." he said when a long slit tongue brushed slightly against his out hold hand, taking in the familiar scent as the large creature emerged slowly from the dark crate into the light which gleamed on the ivory scales.

The Zoo's newest attraction had finally arrived, but no one knew how the inhabitants would react to the newcomer. Only one thing was for sure, there would never be a peaceful day here for the animals even after all this time.

To be continued