Chapter 2: Tell Everybody I'm On My Way
"Ken, you don't need this," Rika sighed as she noticed the leather coat her son had been trying to put on.
"Are you kidding me? Do you have any idea what people would say if they saw me like this?" Ken retorted irritably as he felt his furry ears.
Rika sighed, placing her hand gently on her sons shoulder. "You shouldn't be ashamed of what you are. I'm certainly not."
Ken rolled his eyes. "Yeah, that's why you never let me go anywhere."
Her eyes filled with tears and she pulled him close in a tight hug. "Ken, I could never be ashamed of you," she whispered softly. "All I want is for you to be happy and safe. You know that, right?"
He nodded slowly, tears threatening to well up in his own eyes. No matter what, he knew his mother only wanted what was best for him. "I know, Mom."
Gently taking the coat from him, Rika glanced over at his bed where his backpack lay on its side, already packed for his journey. "Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself?" she laughed. "Professor Oak isn't expecting any Trainers until later this afternoon."
Ken shook his head, his ears twitching impatiently. "The sooner I get there, the fewer people who have to see me," he replied, picking up his bag and swinging it over one shoulder. As long as she didn't already tell Professor Oak about me-
"But Ken, I already told Professor Oak you would stop by later today!"
Crap, Ken thought. Well, as long as she didn't tell him what I am-
"And don't worry! I already told him what you are!"
Crap! Ken felt his face grow hot with embarrassment.
"It's ok, Ken," his mother assured him. "Professor Oak is the leading expert on Pokémon, so of course he'd know how to handle this kind of thing. I've consulted him about raising you many times before!"
"Mom!"
"He helped me find shoes that would fit you-"
"Mom!" Ken cried out in frustration. "I get it OK? I'm sure Professor Oak was really helpful, but…" Ken swallowed, unable to bring himself to ask the question that had haunted him for so long.
His mother nodded slowly, knowing how frustrated he must be not knowing what he was, and having no father around to help him. "At least have some breakfast first. I made your favorite! Lum berry pancakes!"
Ken managed a small smile and followed his mother downstairs where breakfast was waiting.
Lum berry pancakes really were his favorite, although he couldn't explain why. There was just something about the mix of flavors within the Lum berry that delighted his taste buds more than any other fruit.
"So, have you decided what Pokémon you want?" his mother asked.
"Not yet," Ken admitted, pushing a slice of pancake around his plate with his fork. "What if they don't like me?"
"Oh, Ken! Of course they'll like you!" she assured him. "Trust me, a Pokémon is a friend for life!"
"Like Dad?" Ken asked sarcastically, taking another bite of his breakfast.
Rika sighed. "Sweetheart, he's a Pokémon and I'm a human. You know it wouldn't have worked out."
Ken nodded, still not really accepting his mothers reasoning, although he knew what she meant. He'd known how the world viewed him all his life and why his mother chose to keep him hidden. But still, he couldn't understand why his father had just left like that.
Ken finished his pancakes as quickly as he could, depositing his plate in the sink and pausing to wash his hands and face, which were sticky with maple syrup.
"Promise me you'll call once in a while, OK?" Rika asked, full of maternal pride.
"I promise, Mom," Ken replied, giving his mother one last hug before walking out the door into the morning light.
Authors notes: Short chapter and nothing much happened! xD Don't worry, next chapters up! I had to post both because Ken threatened to go on strike if I didn't get him out of the house! xD
Ken: *holds up petition sign* Do I get my Pokémon NOW?'
Me: Yes Ken, you sure do!
Enjoy!
