Life turned normal for Ariana. She spent time with her new family and their pokemon. She came out of her shell as the days passed and while she was still shy, she showed more of her cheerful, caring self as time went on. One of her favorite things to do was to listen to her parents tell her stories of their youth. Kuroko had traveled with a large group of trainers before meeting Kagami and then they traveled together.

Ariana was happy, but still had panic attacks, and sometimes she would become sad and depressed because she knew it worried her new parents. She worked her hardest to try and not be so afraid or vulnerable to panic attacks. She would go outside on her own and brush the pokemon or play with them. Even the Pokemon realized what set off her attacks. Once Zebstrika stomped it's hoof behind her, startling her and set off an attack. The poor girl curled up into herself and Zebstrika lied down next to the girl until the attack was over. But things got better and soon the attacks got further and further apart.

Eight months after Ariana was adopted, she decided that she wanted to call Kagami 'Papa' and Kuroko 'Dad' but was afraid that this would upset them. She had no idea that it would make them insanely happy. She fought with herself over it until she finally decided to just give it a shot and see how it went.

Her opportunity came when Kagami decided to teach her how to ride Arcanine. For Ariana, this was the best day ever. And the first day she called Kagami 'Papa.' Arcanine raced down the road and Ariana laughed happily, Kagami sitting behind her and holding her close, enjoying the ride as much as her. And when they got back to the house she exclaimed, "That was fun Papa!"

Kagami's jaw dropped and Ariana blushed as red as a tomato. Knowing that making a big deal out of it would just embarrass her, he smiled and hugged her before thanking Arcanine. Seeing that he was pleased she decided to try Kuroko next.

A couple days later when Kuroko was taking Ariana on a ride on Lapras around the pond she smiled and said, "Thanks Daddy." Kuroko blushed and smiled at her, "Your welcome sweetie."

0o0

10 months passed and Kuroko got a phone call. He was agreeing to something and Ariana looked at him curiously as Kagami cooked some food for lunch. Once Kuroko hung up he said, "It's Sakura's birthday next week, they want us to come so they can meet Ariana."

Kagami put the food on the plate, "Who will all be there?"

Kuroko helped him bring the food to the table and Ariana came over and climbed up to her chair as Kuroko answered, "Akashi with Yoko, Aomine and Momoi with Katsu and Sakura. The others couldn't make it."

Ariana recognized the names of three of the people who had traveled with Kuroko at the beginning of his journey and their kids. Kagami munched on some food, thinking it over and Ariana, who was curious to actually meet the people from the stories, "Can we go?"

Kuroko and Kagami looked at her and it was Kuroko who asked, "Are you sure?"

Ariana nodded eagerly, "I'm better now, and I want to meet some of the people who are important to you Dad."

Kagami smiled and said, "We can make it a weekend trip. We'll be there, so will Umbreon. We can explain to the others about Ariana being jumpy. Plus it'll give her some kids to play with."

With this Kuroko agreed, happy for everyone to meet Ariana. Although he figured he'd better call and explain Ariana to the others in case she did have a panic attack.

0o0

Ariana was both excited and nervous for this trip. But seeing how happy her dad's were to be going, settled her nerves. The rest of the week flew by until they packed overnight bags and all the pokemon but Umbreon were returned to their pokeballs. The sun was barely up when they left the house, having to drive south five hours to get through Ceruleon City, then through Saffron City and finally through Vermillion City were they turned east to where Kuroko's friend Aomine and Momoi lived on the edge of Route 11. Ariana watched the world go by from the back seat of the car, adamantly asking questions about the places and pokemon she saw. When they finally pulled up to a blue two story house surrounded by a huge yard, she grew quiet.

She grabbed her Squirtle backpack and took Kuroko's hand as they grabbed their bags and headed for the front of the house. A scream made her jump as a girl that was a couple years older than Ariana with navy blue hair hair and pink eyes, burst through the front door, "UNCLE KUROKO! UNCLE KAGAMI"

Then another girl raced out of the house right behind her with long black hair and red eyes and they both hit Kagami mid leap. He caught them with a grunt, nearly toppling over before laughing and hugging them back, "Hello Sakura, Yoko. How have you been?"

Ariana clung to Kuroko's pant leg, but stood tall next to him, Umbreon curled around her legs comfortingly. The girls looked about to leap onto Kuroko next but Kagami held onto them, "Now now, stop acting like rampaging Mankey's. We have someone we want you to meet."

Just then a boy about Ariana's age with dark blue eyes wearing a black beanie burst out, slamming the door open as he raced out of the house, followed by a tall dark skinned man with navy blue hair and a woman with long pink hair. The man cried with a grin, "Can't handle a couple screaming girls Kagami?"

Ariana squeaked when the door slammed and hid completely behind Kuroko, who whispered, "It's alright Ariana." She managed to peek around in in time to see the pink hair woman, an older version of the girl, slap the man upside the head, "Aomine! Your scaring that poor girl!"

All eyes turned on Ariana and she couldn't handle that so hid completely behind Kuroko and buried her face into the back of his knees. A few seconds ticked by, she took a deep breath and Ariana peeked back around Kuroko slowly and gave a bit of a wave, "Um, hello? Nice to meet you."

Kuroko set a hand gently onto her head and said proudly, "Everyone, this is our daughter Ariana." Encouraged by the pride in his voice and in Kagami's eyes she moved out from behind Kuroko. To Ariana and everyone's shock, Momoi squealed and grabbed the girl in a hug, "She is adorable! I'm so happy for you!"

Ariana's face turned into a tomato as Momoi set her on her hip and Momoi held out her hand to the stunned girl, "My name is Momoi, it's so very nice to meet you." Ariana glanced quickly at Kuroko, unsure what to make by his stunned face and carefully took her hand, "Thank you?"

Momoi squealed again and hugged Ariana tight, "Oh my! So cute!" Ariana flailed her arms, unable to breath and very unsure what to make of this. Thank fully strong arms saved her and Ariana gasped for air as an unfamiliar voice behind her said, "Momoi! Are you trying to kill her!" Then Ariana realized that the arms holding her were brown, not white and looked back into dark blue eyes. Aomine propped her onto his hip and held out his hand, "Aomine Daiki, nice to meet you."

Ariana was really unsure of how much more startling things she could take. But she decided to be brave and took the hand in a hand shake, "Nice to meet you."

He grinned brightly and then Ariana squeaked as another set of strong arms grabbed her, but her heart rate slowed as Kagami held her protectively in his arms, "Hey, stop man handling my daughter."

Aomine smirked at Kagami, "What wrong Daddy Kagami? Just wait till she's ready to date."

Ariana wanted away from this and wiggled until Kagami set her down. Then she looked at the kids watching her and blushed, looking down at her feet, "Um, hello."

Yoko and Sakura called greeting, but the boy came up and grinned as he held out his hand, "Hello, I'm Katsu."

Ariana took his hand for a hand shake and was glad when no one else grabbed her. Smiling slightly she watched as Aomine invited everyone into the house. But suddenly a black form raced out of the door and Ariana heard the girls cry out as a dog like Pokemon flipping in the grass and rubbed it's back viciously to expel the multiple ribbons covering its body. The dog pokemon Houndoom was mainly black with a long orange snout and an orange underbelly. It had small, red eyes and a black nose. Around its neck is a white band with a small skull-shaped pendant on its throat. There are two white bands on each of its ankles, as well as three rib-like ridges on its back. Houndoom had a long, skinny tail with a triangular tip and three clawed toes on each paw. On top of its head was a pair of long, curved gray horns.

Sakura and Yoko made to chase after it for ruining their hard work and the pokemon snarled at them, about to bolt. Aomine called, "Alright you two, that's enough. Leave Houndoom alone."

They voiced their displeasure but was appeased when Momoi invited everyone in for some lunch. Katsu raced his sister and Yoko inside with Momoi following and Ariana looked at the Houndoom, who was trying to undo a ribbon around it's neck. Kagami and Aomine were grabbing the bags from the car and Kuroko watched as Ariana approached the pokemon slowly. Houndoom saw her coming and snarled, red eyes glaring. Ariana soothed, "It's ok. I'm not going to hurt you."

Houndoom stopped snarling, but still showed it's teeth as she crept closer. She only had eyes for Houndoom as her parents and Aomine watched. Ariana didn't see Kagami stop Aomine from calling out. When she reached it she paused and said softly, "I'm just going to undo the ribbons. Easy."

She reached up and with great care unraveled the ribbon on it's neck, then horns and finally a small one on it's tail with an arrow tip. Once the last ribbon was off Houndoom gave a big shake and then sighed heavily in relief. Ariana giggled, "Not one for ribbons huh? Me neither."

Houndoom woofed softly and licked the side of her face. She giggled, patted it's head and then turned and raced for Kuroko so that she could follow them inside. Aomine thanked the girl for helping Houndoom, which earned another blush. Houndoom studied the small girl before running in after them.

0o0

Sandwiches and drinks awaited them inside and Umbreon greeted a pokemon that resembled a pink blob with stubby arms and legs. There was a fluffy, curled tuft of fur on its head, and it had long, rabbit-like ears and large, blue eyes. It is covered in pink fur with a white underbelly and ear tips. IT was covered in white and blue fur. Kuroko explained, "This is Momoi's partner Wigglytuff. While nearly all of our group got an Eevee in the beginning that evolved into different forms, Momoi chose to start with a Jigglypuff. Aomine has a Vaporeon." As he said that a blue pokemon with a fish like tail and a white frill around it's neck ran in from the back door to greet Umbreon.

Yoko turned to Ariana and asked, "What pokemon are you getting for your journey?"

Ariana blinked, unsure what to say as Yoko huffed, "Don't know? Well I'm getting an Elekid from my dad. He's the Champion you know." Ariana nodded, having heard that from Kuroko. Yoko expected Ariana to be impressed, and scowled when she wasn't. Ariana shifted away and went to go sit between her parents at the table. Sakura sat across from her and said happily, "My dad's getting me a Vulpix. Right Daddy?"

Aomine nodded and grinned at Kagami, "Akashi will be here later, had to fight a challenger before he could come today. He should be here in a bit, thanks to his Dragonite."

Ariana shyly thanked Momoi for the sandwich and started eating, listening as the girls talked happily about starting their journey next year, when Yoko turned ten. Tomorrow was Sakura's birthday but she wanted to wait and travel with Yoko. Katsu looked at Ariana, "How old are you Ariana?"

Her mouth was full as she looked up, startled to be addressed and Kagami answered for her, "She's six, your a year older than her Katsu." She smiled her thanks at her papa and jumped when something touched her foot. She looked down and saw Houndoom circle and lie down at her feet. She glanced around, not seeing anyone looking and slipped Houndoom the last bit of her crust.

She looked up when she heard Kagami talk to Aomine about Houndoom, congratulating him on it evolving from Houndour. Sakura snorted and said, "Yeah but Houndoom is mean." Katsu argued, "I'd be mean too if you kept forcing me to play dress up. You know Houndoom hates that frilly stuff."

Sakura stuck out her tongue at her brother and Aomine explained, "Houndoom and I worked fine together, until I told it to let Sakura and Yoko dress it up however they wanted. Then last month Sakura accidentally put too much ribbon's on it and it tripped on our walk and fell into the river. Since then it won't listen to what I say." He then looked at his daughter sternly, "And I thought I told you two girls to leave it alone."

Sakura pouted and Yoko sniffed, "It's not our fault it's clumsy."

Ariana looked down at Houndoom and it lied it's head down onto it's paws, looking sad. She gently moved her foot and rubbed it's side, smiling down at it when it looked up. She jumped when there was a whoosh outside and Yoko cried, "Daddy!" She ran outside and then soon after, in walked a man that was just a bit taller than Kuroko, with maroon red hair and red eyes. Ariana instantly got nervous when he walked in, but shyly said hello when he looked at her. He looked between Kagami and Kuroko and said, "Ah, you finally got a kid huh?"

Ariana wasn't sure but it seemed like the atmosphere changed. Looking between her dads she wanted to break the tension and finally whispered, "Papa, didn't you want to battle Aomine?"

The atmosphere shifted and Aomine grinned widely, "Prepare to lose."

They began to argue and Ariana sighed quietly in relief. She looked over when she felt a hand on her shoulder and smiled at Kuroko, who smiled back proudly. Momoi began to gather the dishes along with her Wigglytuff and Ariana quickly grabbed her and her dads plates and helped while everyone else went outside. Momoi smiled happily at her, "Thank you."

Ariana smiled and they did the dishes quickly as Kagami and Kuroko took the bags to the guest room upstairs. Ariana looked outside as Aomine called, "Come on Kagami, while we're young!"

Then there was a loud bang and suddenly Ariana couldn't breath. Her panic attack gripped her tightly and she sat on the floor quickly, hugging her knees to her chest as she tried to catch her breath. Momoi began to panic herself when she saw the girl drop, "Ariana? Ariana, are you alright?" Wigglytuff stood next to Momoi, unsure what to do. Then Momoi jumped when Houndoom appeared and curled up at the girls back, head pressed against her shoulder. Just that began to stop Ariana's shaking.

Luckily Kuroko had heard the bang and had came down to check on Ariana. Seeing her on the floor and Momoi almost in tears in her fear for Ariana, he quickly went over and gripped Momoi's shoulder, "Calm down Momoi, it won't help." Then he knelt by Ariana and said softly, "Breath Ariana, it's alright."

Slowly she took a deep breath and then let it out. She could feel Houndoom breathing next to her and began to copy it's breathing. A couple deep breaths later she looked up and smiled at the pokemon, "Thank you."

Houndoom nuzzled her cheek before standing and she pulled herself up by gripping it's back before shyly looking at the floor, "I'm sorry Momoi."

Momoi knelt and smiled at her, "No need to be sorry. It happens. Now what do you say we watch the match huh?"

Glancing up and seeing that Momoi wasn't mad she smiled and said proudly, "Papa is going to win though." Momoi tweaked Ariana's nose, "We'll see about that."

She stood and Kuroko gently took the girls hand, "Lets go root for Papa." Ariana nodded and raised her other arm. Kuroko picked her up and hugged her tight for a moment and then Ariana said softly, "One isn't bad."

Kuroko smiled and said proudly, "You've done an amazing job."

Ariana pulled back, a small blush dusting her cheek as she smiled.