OMG! Sorry for taking so long to update! I got really caught up in my other stories and Christmas, and you know how that goes! Anyway, on with the chapter!

---Chap. 4---

Secrets and Mood Swings

Doomer's POV

I felt bad about using her, I really did.

She was so young, naïve. Gullible. And she seemed so… fresh, as if she was just seeing the world for the first time, and not yet looking at it's bad points.

We sat by the little fire we'd made with sticks and ember. She seemed amazed by it, how the reds, oranges, and yellows mixed together to create a bright hot flame.

I noticed her eyes. Unlike most of the vulpix I'd seen, hers were forest green, like dark moss, not the usual brown.

She also had a long scar, running across her left shoulder.

"Hey, Rose?" I asked. She looked up at me.

"Yeah, Doomer?"

"What's that on your shoulder?"

She looked to said shoulder, and looked almost surprised to see the scar. She quickly shook off her surprise, however, and looked back at the fire. Without a single turn of her head, she replied.

"It's a scar. I was in an accident a long time ago." She said. I had a feeling she was hiding something, but I didn't try to push her. She'd tell me when she was ready, just like I'd tell her my story when I was ready for her to know. But that time wasn't now.

I nodded and decided it was a good time to hunt. The ivory moon was full in the sky and sparkling stars were just starting to appear around it.. Being a dark type pokemon, night time was the best time for hunting. But being fire type as well, it was a bad time to use fire attacks, because the sun was not there to strengthen them. I'd have to rely on my bite and shadow claw attacks, instead.

I stood up and stretched my legs.

"I'm gonna go hunt real quick." I told Rose. "You want to come?"

She shook her head.

"No, I'm not hungry." She said, so softly I almost couldn't hear her.

"Alright. Be back soon." I said. "Keep the fire strong, okay?"

She nodded, without looking away from the flames.

I thought a lot about her mood swing while I hunted. When we met, she seemed perky and happy. But as soon as the sun went down, she started getting really quiet, staring at the fire as if it was the single most important thing in the world, and required her full attention.

When I was done hunting, I'd caught 2 pidgey.

I dropped a pidgey in front of Rose and started on my own.

"You sure you're not hungry?" I questioned after swallowing my first bite.

She started shaking her head, but stopped when her stomach growled in denial. She nodded instead and began devouring her meal.

I smiled.

Hopefully, she'll feel better in the morning. I thought as I finished my pidgey. Hers soon disappeared as well.

Rose yawned, her eye lids drooping. I was feeling pretty tired myself, so I decided it was time for some shut-eye.

"It's late. We should get to sleep." I said laying my head on my paws and closing my eyes.

Rose yawned again, and with a slight "uh-huh.", I knew she was already drifting to sleep.

"Goodnight Rose." I said, before drifting off as well.

Well, hope you all liked it. I'll try to update again sooner, but don't hold your breath, I'm not very reliable. Seeya!