Nine year old Koko slowly trudged back to the Orphanage where she lived. She had just spent the day at the small School where she and many of the other children went together. The red-haired girl wore a faded orange and yellow checked dress under a worn pale red coat. Part of her short hair was done up in a sideways facing pony-tail while a grey-white head band kept her fringe out of her face. Koko had been living at the Orphanage since she was three years old. From what she had been told of the day she was brought there, she was found wondering around the streets looking for her Mama. A search had been conducted by the Police, but no-one had been found. She had been living in the old building ever since.

Koko had long since given up on finding her birth parents, her only hope now was being adopted by new ones. The problem was that none of the prospective parents that ever came around ever wanted her. She wondered if something was wrong with her? She had heard the ladies who took care of them talking a few times. They said that most of the time, the only children who were never adopted were the ones who had something wrong with them. Sure, they tried to make sure that none of the children heard them talk about that, but it was no use. Many of the orphans who had been their for more than a few years were starting to loose hope. She had been their seven years now. As she finally made it back "home" the chores began. All the children had to clean their own rooms. As the afternoon wore on, Koko wondered if this was her destiny. To be alone in an Orphanage forever.

That night when everyone was in bed, the red-haired girl found that she couldn't sleep. She stood up and walked to the window. Kneeling down, her dull Aqua blue eyes stared up at the starry sky. Tears began to build in her eyes and she bent her head to hide her sorrow. Slowly, the red-haired girl brought her hands up to her chest and clasped them together tightly, breath shaky, "please," she whispered, "their must be someone out their that would love me- someone who would accept me as family," tears built in Koko's eyes, "I don't know if there is a God up their or not, but if anyone can hear me- I-I just want one person. Just one who will love me for who I am and will never leave me. I beg you, please grant my wish!" she cried softly, finally giving into the sadness that enveloped her heart. Un-noticed by her, the room began to dissolve into a bright white light. "Koko," a voice began. The red-haired girl gasped and her eyes flew open. She had been wishing so hard that she never noticed the floating sensation or the bright light that began to envelop her.

"Wh- what's happening!?" she cried as she floated suspended in the air. "Do not be afraid child, I am here to grant you your wish" the un-known person replied. "You have been chosen for a great mission. The future is unavoidable, but the choice of accepting to be a part of that future is up to you." Koko blinked in disbelief, mission? The future? She had to be dreaming, right? "it will be dangerous, however, should you choose to accept this burden it will not be without reward," the voice continued. Suddenly a light pink, orange and dark red device floated down to her. Something a about it seemed familiar to her. Then she remembered. One day a week on Saturday, the children were allowed to watch cartoons on the small TV in the library. One show that she loved was an Anime cartoon called Digimon.

"Is that, a Digivice?" she asked. "It is, and you are a Digidestined. I'm sure you know that if you should choose to accept this mission, that you would receive a Digimon Partner of your own? If you agree to this, you will get your own Digimon. This will give you a partner who will always stay by your side and will become your family. So? Will you accept this responsibility Koko?" The red-haired girl stared at the Digivice in front of her in thought. Then her face firmed in resolve, "okay, I'll do it!" she exclaimed. A pink, yellow and green Digi-egg appeared next to the Digivice, before the floatiness stopped and she hit the ground. Koko blinked and gasped as both the device and egg fell through the air. Jumping forward, the Nine-year old groaned when her body hit the wooden floor with a loud 'thump'. Slowly forcing her watery eyes open, Koko sighed in relief when she saw the egg was fine.

Standing up, the little girl winced, she was sure that something was bruised at least. Placing both the Digi-egg and Digivice on her bed, she looked over her egg first. It was a large egg that was half green on the bottom and pink on the top, with a small part up the top of the egg coloured yellow. So her new partner was in this egg. Touching it, the shell felt very warm. Turning her attention to her new Digivice after making sure the egg with her partner was safe on her bed, Koko examined it closely. It was definitely large. The small girl felt a soft smile come to her face as she picked it up again and held it in her arms. This Digimon was her new family as well as her partner. Her wish really had come true. Suddenly she remembered exactly where she was and looked around quickly. Koko wrapped her arms around the Digi-egg protectively. If any of the Orphanage's staff found it, they would take it away from her.

She would loose her new family without even getting a chance to meet them! No! That couldn't happen! This Digi-egg was the answer to her prayers! She would rather suffer any punishment if it meant that she could keep her Partner with her. And so, with her decision made, Koko tried to find a place to hide the large egg in her room. Once she'd managed to hide it under the bed, the young girl lay down and, unsurprisingly, fell asleep immediately.

Ð

The next morning, the red-head wanted to check on her Digi-egg, but the Matron came in to get them to start her chores, and after that was breakfast. Koko sighed. She would just have to wait. Breakfast was the same as usual: a single bowl of rice, small bowl of Miso soup and a single plate of fish. Not much but enough. As she was getting ready for School, Koko's hand brushed against the Digivice on her bed. The nine year old stared at the device for a moment, before grabbing it and stuffing it into her bag without thinking. Pulling on her School uniform, Koko was already board with the School day. But she shouldered her back-pack and turned back to her almost empty room. "Bye" she whispered.

To Be Continued