Hello everybody! Long time I know! Sorry for the wait! Probably just gonna have one more chapter after this actually- possibly an epilogue too. Oh yeah somebody asked me if y'all could request Pokémon pairs for me to write about and the answer to that is of course! If anybody wants me to write a story with certain Pokémon I'm open to doing some! :) I hope you like this chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter Seven

Gray clouds cloaked the evening sky, reflecting Vera's mood. Thunder rumbled in the distance as the duo peered at a log cabin from their hiding spot behind a couple of bushes. With the Ninetales hitching a ride on the Arcanine's back, they had made it to her brother's place in no time.

"So you're brother…lives with humans?" Raiden asked, gazing quizzically at the house. Up until now the vixen had been impressed that her companion hadn't asked any questions. She didn't know if she could tell him the truth before. Now…now she trusted him. He had saved her more times than she could count, showed her never ending kindness, and made her transition into her new life smoother than she would have ever expected. Over the past couple of weeks on the numerous mini adventures with Raiden, Vera found him a reliable and affectionate Pokémon. Yes, she trusted him with all her heart.

"Rai…I need to tell you something. It might change how you think of me, but you've got to know…my secret." The Ninetales' tails drooped. She hoped he wouldn't hate her…

"What are you talking about?" His brow furrowed.

"I used to be a human." Vera blurted out, turning her gaze to her forepaws so she wouldn't have to look at the Arcanine's face. "It's hard to believe, but I had a run in with a witch and she turned me into this body. I was transported into your forest and got knocked into the river by a Stantler alpha… Then I met you."

A tear rolled down her cheek, splashing to the ground. Her heart throbbed painfully. It felt like it was about to explode in her chest.

"You changed everything—turned my world upside down. I don't think I would survive without you there, helping me along the way." Vera's voice trailed off to a whisper. "Raiden, I'm sorry for keeping things from you. I was so lost and confused. But with you, there always seemed to be hope. You are my rock. Without you, I'd surely be dead."

Taking a shuddering breath, the Ninetales closed her eyes. Realization washed over her, and before she could stop herself, Vera blurted out the truth she just comprehended. The way this magnificent Arcanine made her feel could not be pushed aside any longer.

"I felt like if you knew what I had been…you would not treat me the same. Your parents were killed by a horrible human. I thought you might hate me—hate that there is still a part of me inside that is human. I don't think my heart could handle it if you hated me. Raiden…I like you more than a friend or a companion. You have found a place inside my heart. I hope you understand, but I will also understand if you think I'm crazy and leave me now." Speech ended, the fox stood silently, waiting for the rejection she was sure would come.

She definitely did not expect what did happen.

The proud legendary did not flinch at her words. He listened carefully with a thoughtful expression on his countenance. When the girl went silent, Raiden bent to lick her gently on the forehead.

"I knew you were different. Right from the start, Vera. You thought and saw the world with a different point of view than any other Pokémon. To say I was intrigued would be an understatement—captivated would probably be a more appropriate word. Now I know why." The Arcanine met her crimson orbs with his own. "The past has passed us. It does not matter anymore, not to me. Over these past couple of weeks I have had the best days of my life with you. I as well, do not see you as a friend or a companion. I see you as my future mate." He rumbled sincerely.

Vera's eyes widened and she barked joyfully, nuzzling Rai under his jaw. His large paw scooped up her body and easily dragged her to his in a Pokémon's version of a hug. A purr sounding much like a motor on overdrive vibrated through the fire dog. It pulsated through the vixen's body along with his.

"Let's get the message to your brother…then go home." He murmured. Vera nodded her head in agreement.

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After debating over the best way to send Vera's sibling her message, the fire Pokémon agreed on giving him signs. Talking was out. Finding a psychic type that could communicate telepathically with humans was out. Writing a note was out. They didn't have much other choice.

The first thing she would do was pick a bunch her favorite flowers, forget-me-nots. They weren't hard to find, seeing that the little blue flower grew all over the region. She snipped the stem off a plant delicately with her sharp teeth. Vera believed he would remember, since she had constantly plucked bouquets of them and brought the floral decorations home.

At first the vixen didn't know how to lead Grayson to what she wanted him to find, but then it hit her. Their mother used to sing a lullaby to them when they were young. She'd sing it to them every night before kissing each sleepy child on the forehead and leaving to room. Vera could howl the tune at night, she decided, and hope that he'd be there to listen.

This plan was more like a process, she admitted. The Ninetales had to convince her partner to stay at least three days to repeat the procedure. She didn't want to take the chance of Grayson totally blowing the signs off if Vera just did each thing once. If her brother didn't figure it out by the fourth day's morning, she didn't have a backup plan. All she could do was hope he'd look into things and try to contact their old home. Maybe then, when he wouldn't receive an answer, he would do some research and figure things out.

That night it poured. Sheets of rain pelted the canopy of leaves above them. Some of the liquid descending from the sky found its way through the trees, dripping onto both Vera's and Raiden's pelts.

When the first drop hit Vera squarely on the nose, the overprotective Arcanine insisted that they search for some sort of shelter for the night. They found an old den, sagging slightly from misuse, not too far from Grayson's home. Raiden had ushered her inside and crammed his massive frame in after her. They would go through the motions starting the next day.

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It was the third night, and Vera sat at her designated spot readying herself to howl the alluring melody that she had sung the last two nights. She was out of sight from the little cabin's occupants, but the Ninetales could see them from her hiding place. When the moon almost reached its peak she began.

The song started off slow. It built up in the middle before lulling back into a gentle tune. She sang from her heart, letting the music pour out of her soul into the night sky. All the Pokémon in the vicinity quieted to listen to the beautiful fox's voice. Finally it came to an end.

Vera opened her eyes, not surprised that she had closed them when she howled her melodious song. She caught movement in a window. The curtain pulled back and she held her breath. Grayson peered out into the forest. His blue eyes searched the trees intently. The Ninetales caught her breath when his gaze fixated on the spot she resided. He saw her! She scrambled to her paws. She blinked.

Suddenly her brother wasn't in the window anymore but in the yard just feet away. He slowly trod toward her, hands up in a sign of surrender. The vixen back up a couple feet hastily. She turned to flee.

"Wait!" Grayson called out. His voice halted the fox's movements. She hadn't heard him speak in so long… "I'm not going to hurt you." He murmured, crouching down where he had been standing. His one hand lowered while the other reached out to her.

Ever so slowly, the Ninetales turned and crept toward the man. Her ears flitted back and forth and her tails swished behind her. Crimson orbs stared into his, unwavering. She thought she saw a flicker of recognition flash through his eyes and stopped a foot away from her brother's outstretched arm.

"It's okay, girl." He nodded. That was all the encouragement she needed.

Vera nosed Grayson's hand. She closed her eyes and inhaled his familiar scent. A soft whine came out of her throat. She missed him so much. His large hands combed through her silky fur. They were hesitant so as not to startle her.

"You remind me of someone… There's something in those red eyes of yours that makes me think of my little sister." The fox's eyes snapped back open. "I wonder if it was you that has been howling at night." He pondered, growing more confident when she didn't snap at him and rubbing behind her ears. Vera purred softly.

After a few more seconds she picked up the sound of footsteps. The Ninetales twisted to look at what it was. Raiden watched them with a gentle expression. Grayson followed her gaze and spotted the Arcanine as well.

"Is that your friend?" He asked, glancing back at the fire fox. She nodded to him, padding a few paces away before turning to look at him once more. Vera's older brother met Rai's amber eyes. "Take care of her." He smiled, standing. The legendary Pokémon gave him a nod in reply—his countenance serious.

Tears welled up in Vera's eyes. Even though he didn't know she was his sister, her caring brother still was looking out for her.

With a soft bark, the vixen leaped into the underbrush and vanished into the night with her companion. The man stared at the spot they'd disappeared for a few minutes then went back inside his house. He decided the next day he would have to get in touch with his sister and mother. Arceus seemed to be sending him signs…

A/N: Read and please feel free to review! Also ,like I mentioned before, y'all can ask me to write a story about different Pokémon pairings!