This was inspired by KaylaDestroyer, who, in one of her reviews to A Child's Sweet, wondered whatever happened to the pirates to make them, well, pirates. That got me thinking, and inspired me to write this. I'm sorry if it's bad or anything like that, or terribly OOC.

The sun was just beginning to rise, just peaking over the hills and mountains cautiously, deciding the little life forms below deserved to experience its warm, magical rays that day. So it slowly began to climb the invisible ladder into the sky, casting spells in all directions, streaks of purple, crimson, and magenta painted on the vast canvas that was the sky. Wisps of mist danced playfully on the ground, circling and weaving about, playing in the slowly spreading light. As the beautiful beams came down to awaken them, flowers burst to life, opening their petals to show off their extravagant colors, filling the early morning air with the sweet smell of nature.

A single individual rested on a rock overlooking the sea, which glittered all possible shades of green and blue, shimmering in response to the magic touch of the sun. She was deep in thought; she'd barely slept the night before. The young procoptodon reached up to her neck, fingering the decoration hanging around her neck. A wooden heart, with a single word carved in the middle. Us. From the day she'd received it, she'd refused to take it off, not for a moment. Just the thought of the one who had bestowed her with the gift made her heart flutter and her stomach twist into knots, brain scrambling her thoughts into a complicated maze. Then again, that was her mind's state at the moment.

She was just barely eighteen, her birthday was a mere three days ago. And that meant… just the idea made her shudder. After all… that was a big step in life. Was she… ready? Could she handle such a big responsibility? She doubted it. Just three days ago, she was her parents precious little girl, who she'd promised throughout her whole childhood she'd never grow up, but now… she had. She was an adult. Was she ready to completely take care of herself? She didn't think so, but her mother seemed otherwise convinced. She'd looked proud those three days ago, when her friends threw her a party, helping her celebrate this new phase of life. She was very thankful for the support, and their confidence in her was a bit contagious, but still… she doubted herself. Her six older brothers, who had returned for her official step into adulthood, assured her it wasn't that bad. With them… it certainly didn't look too hard. She'd officially met her sisters-in-law, and her two nieces, and four nephews. They were cute little things, and she was happy for her brothers. But… that was what scared her the most. Family.

She knew good and well that was the way, to survive, as well as just plain tradition. There was safety in numbers; the more the better. Now, it wasn't that she wasn't, kind of, a little bit, looking forward to possibly taking a mate, and perhaps having a joey of her own, but… she was scared. What if their relationship didn't work out? What if they weren't as perfectly suited to each other as they'd always thought? What if she turned out to be a bad mother, if/when the time came? What if she wasn't fit for raising a family, didn't have the resources? What if- what if…

She was so caught up in her stressful thoughts she failed to notice the approaching hopsteps approaching behind her… until her vision was suddenly blocked out by a pair of hands and she jumped harshly, stifling a scream. The hands retracted in surprise, and she whipped around to glare at the chuckling form behind her. "Aarjay!" she practically yelled, straining to keep her voice down, as there were probably other animals nearby that were sleeping. "Thas no' funn'eh! Ye scared meh hafta death!"

Her boyfriend gave her a grin and sat down beside her. "Sorr'eh Sheila." He apologized instantly, though he didn't sound very sorry. "Didn' mean ta give ye sucha frigh." He put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer, and she, instantly forgetting her feelings of stress-induced anger, allowed her considerably smaller form to be embraced. The jill leaned against his chest, the familiar, steady heartbeat filling her ears and acting almost as a lullaby, soothing her frazzled nerves and putting her troubles to rest, making her a tad sleepy. It was incredibly early, after all.

Seeing Raz close her metallic golden eyes, her partner fingered the little box he held. Should he… no. Now wasn't the right time. She was stressed out and a bit panicked at the moment, no sense adding more to her mind. He shifted slightly. "Daling?"

"Aye love?" she murmured, not bothering to open her eyes.

"'Ow'dja like a dinn'ah a' theh beach t'nigh? Just us?" by now he had her attention, and feeling her shift to sit up more, quickly hid the little box out of sight beside him. The other marsupial looked at him curiously. "Ta c'ngratulate ya." He continued, taking her two smaller hands in his own. The claws were perfectly filed, painted a pretty royal purple that complimented her fur well, courtesy of the other girls. "Whaddaya say? One m're date fore ye move inta yer new cave?"

"Aarjay…" she had to admit, a night alone sounded nice. But, with her brain practically fried with excess emotions, she'd been dead tired the past few days, and didn't know if she'd be able to enjoy herself. But still… the offer was tempting, and she knew he was just trying to ease her mind, and that was sweet… "Alrigh. Jus one date."

He smiled that perfect gleaming smile. "Thas all Ah ask."

After that, the pair sat in silence, just enjoying one another's presence, watching the sunrise over the water. They'd been there for perhaps half an hour when Raz yawned. Aarjay smiled down at the drowsily blinking girl in his arms. "Ah think weh shoul' go backta bed, eh Sheila? S'me extra sleep soun' nice?"

"Soun's grea…" she agreed. She let him help her up, holding hands as they made their way back. Her family lived in nice cave by the shore, perfect size for her parents and their daughter. They had moved when she was fifteen, when her sister was born. She was so happy when the baby was discovered to have a pouch; she didn't think she could handle another brother. It wasn't that she didn't love hers, but… seven? That was more than any girl could handle.

And little Aaisha was a sweetheart; absolutely idolized her big sister. She was three years old, to be four in a few weeks. She looked almost exactly like Raz, only with their mother's emerald green eyes, and slightly lighter purplish pink fur.

Soon enough they arrived, and Aarjay bid her a fond farewell, kissing her forehead, pulling her close for an embrace. "G'mornin daling."

"G'mornin love." She responded with a teasing, albeit sleepy, grin. After all, it was early in the day. "Swee' dreams."

"An you too."

"Love ya."

"Love ya. See ya t'night?"

"You know i'."

"Pick ye up a' sunse'?"

"Souns' good."

"Will do."

"Bye."

"G'bye." She stood up on her tiptoes to kiss him briefly, snuggling gladly into the embrace he offered. The two stood there for a moment in the first lights of morning, enjoying one anothers' loving touch.

After a few moments they pulled away. "Ah love ya Aarjay."

"I love you too Raz."

She smiled. "Bye."

"Bye." And with that the jill entered her home. After she was sure he was gone, she gave a sigh and hugged her eyes, beaming uncontrollably. He just made her so incredibly, stupidly happy… even after years of being together she still couldn't get over it. She lay down on her bed, humming softly to herself. Oh tonight would be such a dream…

So… yeah. Like it, hate it? Please tell me, I'd like some pointers. Will update as soon as I can… or come up with something decent. I've already started working on the second chapter, but I think I need to tweak the beginning. Please review!