Rabbits are for life, not just for Christmas

A small cutsey- NettoxRock sort of thing, except it's nothing too heavy as you'll realise.. (:


I absolutely love Christmas. This year, since I turned eleven I'm now old enough to have my very own life pet!

Basically, A life-pet is an animal that is chosen specifically to suit you and you alone, once you receive a pet your with it for life even if you don't like the pet form… they are matched to your personality. This year on my eleventh birthday my dad was designing one for me, since my father is a scientist and develops them, he told me that he'd give me my first life-pet and you wouldn't believe how excited I was… I ended up having a day off school because my nose was constantly bleeding and my mum thought I was dying or something.

Unfortunately, when it came down to the time my dad was supposed to be coming home from work, instead we got a phone call and it was from dad. I was unbelievably upset when he told me that he wouldn't be coming home for my birthday. He said he was on the other side of the world doing research for new life-pet species… I didn't believe him, I knew he said something like that because he hadn't finished mine, so he was afraid to tell me face to face and decided to say that, he knew how upset I would have been because he'd promised it me.

But I guess now it doesn't matter, I know he's finished it… he came home last night on Christmas eve and brought with him a wad of presents, one of them was a crate with a bow wrapped around it, the others were all nicely wrapped… mostly probably by my dad himself while he was away, I knew the crate was mine… what else could it have been?

Ive been thinking about what pets that would suit me, mostly, I'm hoping for a puppy… because they grow into fierce and courageous animals, or maybe even a cat… that grow into sneaky and sly creatures. But even I wasn't prepared for what I received.

***

Christmas Day, at around 6:45am… the snow had already fallen over night and outside was like a true winter wonderland in Akihara, not so much as a new thing as they saw it everywhere at Christmas. Netto always thought it was like the weather knew that he loved snow to no end… it was his favourite part of the weather, he couldn't wait to go outside and play with his new life-pet.

Netto was first to awake that morning and was the first in front of the tree set up in his living room, the fire was still burning from the night before but was almost on its way out, but Netto didn't take much notice… he was too concerned on his presents. At first he picked out all of his own presents and took them onto the sofa including the crate that hopefully contained his pet.

He started with every other present and then… after about fifteen minutes of tearing colourful wrapping paper to shreds, he finally came round to the prize of the morning, the moment he had been waiting for. He was of course thankful to the other presents he had received that morning; some items would probably come in handy in the future.

He gently un-tied the bow and at first was nervous to see his life-pet but never the less, it had to be seen now without his parents round… so if he wasn't entirely happy with the life-pet his father had created for him, at least he could sulk about it now and get it out of the way before his parents had a chance to see.

He gradually opened up the crate, at first all he could see was pure darkness, but then two green eyes appeared out of nowhere, slowly opening and gazing at Netto's stunned face, he then completely tore off the lid and gazed upon what was in the crate. The smallish creature was surrounded by hay and straw and had a small bowl of water in the corner.

But to Netto that wasn't the thing that drew his attention, it was the creature itself. It wasn't what Netto had wished for, a dog or a cat. It wasn't even a bird, or anything cool. It was a rabbit, medium sized, thin dark blue coloured fur, dazzling green eyes, long ears and to everyone else would have appeared cute… but to Netto… seemed rather boring and un-cool.

"What the- this is what father created for me? He spent months designing a rabbit?"

The cool thing about the life-pets was that they were designed to be helpful to the humans, to be guides, protectors and company. They were of course the original animal… just slightly re-designed and studied heavily to learn of hers/his personality so that they could be suited to a persons personality, sometimes their DNA is slightly altered, things can be taken away or added, it's amazing what science creates, there hasn't been a failure so far and it also seems that everyone has been happy with the life-pet they've received.

"Like it?" His father spoke "It took a while to choose one for you… usually we'd fine an animal that would match your personality, but you are a one off" He paused

"What do you mean?" He looked up at his father who was stood in a dressing robe holding a cup of coffee; he had recently woken up a few minutes ago… Haruka was still asleep, earning her much needed rest on Christmas day.

"Well…" He took a seat next to his son "Well we had planned to give you a rabbit from the beginning, since they are very easy to handle and very friendly, much like you... I guess" He paused "But what I really mean is that we had to find one that didn't exactly match your personality which is what we do on other life-pets, but for you we needed to find one that could basically support you, be like a good opposite, a stronger one and a weaker one in the partnership, if you see what I mean" He paused

"I think I do…" He stuttered out, glaring back down at the rabbit in the crate.

"The one you see before you is male, he's named Rock, he is your life-pet now, so be nice to him… and he'll be nice to you Netto, I know he's been dying to meet you ever since we told him about you" He smiled contently and walked back into the kitchen since he had a few moments ago heard Haruka walk down the stairs.

Netto could feel his eye twitching even if it wasn't; he searched around the crate as he'd been told usually there was a little note and a contract that stated the unbreakable partnership between the life-pet and the human, that's how serious the ordeal was. Netto had suggested a few times that it would be best if he could see it in advance and make sure he was happy with it, but his father said it would only ruin the surprise, he also said that this was the only creature that could live up to Netto's personality, since rabbits also tend to be lazy, eat quite a lot of food and do a lot of exercise a day.

Netto pulled out a small letter, which had basically said the same thing his father had said a few minutes ago, but at the bottom of the paper, in rather neat and posh handwriting it said 'A Rabbit is for life… not just for Christmas'

"I wonder how many times they have to change that line…" he smirked. "Well, I guess there's nothing I can do about it now" He guided his attention towards the window, since it was winter… the sun had yet to rise in the sky so outside was almost like night time, so he decided to go back to bed. "I guess I have to take you with me"

Rock did almost look like he was smiling, which didn't make Netto any happier. He picked up Rock with both hands and held him to his chest and carried him up to his room.

And a few moments later, once he was back in his room… which was as dark as being underground. He gently placed Rock on the bed in which he appeared to miss being close to his partner as he gently prodded over the covers close to the edge of the bed while Netto was moving around the room, dumping presents that his father was bringing up the stairs.

Once he was happy with everything being where it was, he shuffled into bed and pulled the covers up to his neck and closed his eyes. He had a fair few moments of peace until he felt an itchy feeling on his face… but it was more like a tickly feeling. When he opened his eyes… Rock was before him, his whiskers had been gently hitting across Netto's skin and he rolled his eyes and turned over to face the wall.

Rock was left to feel very left out and alone, as he had been for a very long time, since he was different from other species of Rabbits which is one reason why he was chosen for Netto… they were both different from everyone else, but of course… nobody knew that but themselves and the ones closest to them and to Rock, the only person he felt he could feel close to was Netto, he would be the only person he would let in on his life. Ever since Rock was told about Netto nearly nine months ago he had literally counted down the days till Netto's birthday, but since he wasn't finished… he continued his countdown until Christmas.

Rock was told that at first Netto may be a little off with him… that Rock maybe wouldn't appear good enough for him, that maybe Netto would think a rabbit as a weak partner… but Yuuichiro had told Rock almost every day "Netto is a tough kid, he's certainly not one for giving up… but he does like to see everything his way… if you prove to him you are what he wants… then there's nothing that's going to hold him back from accepting you" And then he'd smiled which would make Rock feel much stronger about himself and the strong bond he and Netto were going to share some day.

Rock was certainly an amazing creature, one that any other human could die for… but being designed by Netto's father, he was certainly unique.

Meaning… Netto did not yet know that Rock could talk.

***

Later that morning, when Netto finally re-awoke he was greeted by Rock who managed to fit between the small space from his face to the wall, he was at first shocked but then turned over to face his room, at first he lay in bed lazily and didn't bother getting up for quite some time even though he was fully awake.

He was disturbed however when he felt Rock shuffle under the covers and climb into Netto's pj shirt nuzzling against the warmth, he wouldn't lie to himself, he found it extremely cute but… it was rather rude of him.

"Rock… what in the world are you doing?" Netto said breaking the silence as all that could be heard at first was the sheets and clothes moving around by Rock.

There was of course no reply from the life-pet, of course Netto didn't yet know that Rock could talk… whilst being developed by Netto's father, he had specifically said to Rock not to tell Netto at first that he could speak, otherwise he could either become heavily attached and ignore everything else in life… or he could reject him completely and he will never be able to have another life pet.

So the best solution was that he had to win Netto's love the hard way.

Rock remained silent and continued to move around in Netto's shirt and he on the other hand couldn't move in case he hurt him or crushed him, so he hoped Rock would gain some sense in the next few minutes so he could move.

And well… he didn't exactly get out but it was better, Rock climbed over Netto's side and into the front of his pj's facing his stomach. The whiskers tickled him a little too much and he couldn't help but laugh a little, even though he didn't want appear soft or like he was growing to like him.

Rock sniffed around quickly and used the underneath of his head to mark his scent on Netto's stomach, it doesn't usually mean anything, it just implies friendliness. After so he poked his head out of Netto's shirt and looked straight up and surprisingly Netto had fallen fast asleep once again, it wasn't even that late, it was now only eight forty (twenty to nine otherwise).

He ducked back into Netto's shirt and also decided to take a quick nap inside the cosy warmth of Netto's pyjamas

***

Much later, nearing lunch time Netto had woken up once again slowly this time by Rock who was making attempts of getting Netto out of bed and not wasting Christmas day.

It was a while before Netto actually awoke, but at least he did in the end.

Netto sat up wearily and rubbed each eye with the back of his hand, although he couldn't see while he did so he just knew Rock was staring at him with them passionate green eyes, it was freaky and kind of annoying if he even was doing it or even if Netto was just being paranoid.

He jumped off his bed and slowly moved one side of the curtain to the side to take a quick peek outside before he went downstairs. The sky was a bright white colour, but awfully dull and the snow had stopped… perfect Christmas weather in Akihara. He could see various kids playing outside on the street, snowball fights, making snow-angels and snowmen, he wanted to join in too but when he realised that most of the other kids had much cooler life-pets, like dogs, cats, one girl had a horse and another even had a tamed cheetah, they were such cool companions and that's what they would have for life… but when Netto turned and looked back at Rock, he realised then that he was going to be stuck with a rabbit.

But then, maybe he could trick the other kids, maybe he could show off… pretend Rock could do all this amazing stuff when he actually couldn't… basically making something look bigger than it actually is but not literally.

He smiled contently and decided to try it out, but what could he do first?

Tricks? He sat back down on the bed beside Rock who certainly looked happy. He tried out a trick he knew a rabbit might be able to accomplish "Roll-over Rock!" He cheered and with success the rabbit complied and happily rolled over easily and rather cutely, the result made Netto smile and he knew that this could work out after all.

He placed a finger a few centimetres above Rock's head and said "Beg Rock, come on!" and once again the rabbit sat on his two hind legs and raised itself as high as Netto's finger was.

He was amazed that it was following his orders so fully and easily, it was like he understood him completely, since it was supposed to take years and years of training for the life-pets to fully understand the human language and grasp the commands made by their masters, but this was just incredible… he though his father had really pushed the boundary of what science could create.

"Let's take you out then, shall we?"


I hoped you liked the first part, I hope no one minds Rockman actually being a rabbit and not something cooler like a dog or a cat… well there just over-used and I love rabbits to pieces, they're much better in my opinion. :)