What? Chapter nine? That's crazy! That's like… eight more chapters than chapter one! And five more chapters than FOUR!

Wow… Math logic in an author's note? Clearly, I need to come up with a joke here. Anything really, like literally anything that would make the readers laugh and are better than making terrible math jokes if you could even call it a joke. I need to put something down before I get all real in here and start the chapter. Seriously guys, I'm out of jokes here! It's not like there are only fifty something more chapters to go and I'm already running out of material to put down in bold. Help me! I don't know what to write!

Maybe I can start pulling my characters out and putting them into the notes because I'm that bad of an author that I can't come up with a joke on the spot. No that's a terrible idea. If I pull my characters out they'd probably just do something obnoxious like unplugging the computer or something. I'll try and come up with something better before this note gets too long. It's not too long, is it? It's pretty long already and you're not even halfway done yet. (Wow, you actually read that entire paragraph? Like seriously? I'm seriously just rambling here. WAIT! I GOT AN IDEA! Pfhgufpgh' ITS PERFECT! I KNOW WHAT I HAVE TO DO!)

I tell you what, I know exactly what I'm going to do. I love this joke! I once heard it from a friend so I'm going to make it special and tell it here. But shoot, I've already used up all my room for an author's note. Well, that's no problem, I can just tell the joke… … …

IN ONLY EIGHTEEN WORDS!

Flareon, Jell-O bucket, farting sounds, disappearing Espeon, realtor agents, then Patrick says "Boy, it's an oven in here!" :D

Get it? Do you get it? Because the banana peel from earlier, and then the donut with the talking dog, but since Ralphy is a Flareon it makes sense when Patrick says "it's an oven in here" because they're both… (Why aren't you laughing yet!)

Oh whatever, you clearly didn't get it. It's kind of a sophisticated joke so it's fine if you don't get it. I think it's hilarious but whatever. Seriously, though, that banana peel was like perfect timing right? My favorite part is the gassy Espeon in the middle but I might've forgotten to mention her. Oh well.

Anyway, (Nickle for every time I've ended a joke like that), enjoy the chapter! Be friendly and hold doors for people and study hard and smile and…

Wait, I'm now being told that I'm supposed to tell you guys good things to do with the story, not just for life in general. Oh, that makes more sense. Ok then, so um, yeah… Just like leave a review or something. Or say hi. Holy Arceus, do BOTH! If you literally leave a review that just says "hi" I will laugh my heart out for like five full minutes. Especially since people who don't read this paragraph are going to be like "Dude, what the heck, why is everyone leaving reviews that just say hi?" It'd be so perfect!

I give up. Just read the chapter and have a good time. I love you guys, thanks for reading this far, and I'll see you in chapter eleven. Wait, shoot, chapter ten. Omigawd, I need to go to bed!

Have a bodacious day you awesome person you! Send me a message or leave a review if you have any questions or concerns or just want to listen to the sweet sound of my voice again (even though this is a computer and you probably have no idea what I sound like in real life).

Wow,this is taking forever. I have to add one more line in though in all caps because my agent requires it in author's notes. So uh, just bear with me.

OH MY GOD! READ THE CHAPTER ALREADY! ARCEUS! (hits publish and throw the computer so the author's note finally comes to an end).

Ok, I finally hit the quota. Now you can read the chapter. I guess. Yeah…

So uh, have a good time skydiving? (Slaps forehead! Goes to bed!)

Summary of the last Chapter:

Fenara wakes up in the middle of the night, startled after she had a very realistic dream of a small Pikachu wanting to play. The Fennekin realizes that she fell asleep very far away from the pack after she got into an argument with her father. Feeling groggy and tired, Fenara decides to go for a walk to help calm her thoughts of yesterday. It's not long before she starts thinking of Fenray but she can't ignore the fact that she's starting to like him more and more.

It isn't long before she stumbles across Jake and Alisa practicing in an open field. Jake explains after catching the Fennekin watching them that he has been helping Alisa to train every night in the hopes of helping her complete her lifelong dream. After some arguing, Alisa confesses that she's always wanted to be an Umbreon no matter what, just like her father.

Fenara finds out that Shadow is the father of both Jake and Alisa, this also means that Eseral is the mother of the two obnoxious cubs as well. Fenara realizes that since yesterday she told Eseral everything about she felt about Fenray, it's only a matter of time before Jake and Alisa know as well. The Fennekin is stuck and needs, to tell the truth to someone.

The three of them try to relax but Fenara can't concentrate, her feelings of Fenray still wearing her down. She decides to casually ask Jake what he thinks of these unexplained feelings she has but the Jolteon and his sister learn the truth that Fenara has been feeling weird ever since the kiss. Fenara explains everything to the Jolteon about how she was scared when she nearly drowned, but now isn't sure what happened when Fenray used an ember attack in her throat, or more clearly, kissed her. Yesterday she was angry, but today she feels giddier if anything. Jake listens carefully, not sure what's happening to the Fennekin and not believing a word she says.

Jake decides to spin a tale about his knowledge of love and explains to Fenara what lovesickness is while trying to make a joke. Not believing in it himself, Jake and Alisa watch as Fenara suddenly realizes that what she is feeling is lovesickness since her emotions fit Jake's description perfectly. She heads home, both Jake and Alisa not sure what to think of the Fennekin other than knowing something is seriously wrong with both her and Fenray.

Jake decides to test this theory, creating a plan that only he and his sister could use to get Fenara and Fenray together. As they had back home, the stars still bright in the sky, Jake gets some time to think to himself when his sister leaves him. The Jolteon hesitates to head home so quickly.

Jake knows he doesn't believe in love for a cub his age, but he does know that he feels too old to be messing around like this late at night. Before he gets home the Jolteon makes a wish that he could just be a cub again, just once. The Jolteon knows that even with his plan tomorrow, Fenara has a lot more she has to sort out with Fenray in order for his theory to be proven true. He needs to see what happens when they are together.

Jake feels like a cub at heart, but he knows his parents and the pack would treat him otherwise. It's a long night for him.

End of summary.

Chapter 9: Partners Day!

Jake had come up with a lot of bad ideas in his time. There was the incident where he and his sister accidently exploded six Oran berries inside their shared cave, it took more than a week to clean up the mess and that wasn't including Alisa's complaining about completely blue fur from head to tail which took over a day to fix. There was once a good idea turned horrible that ended up with Alisa getting her eyes stuck close for two whole days so most of the time, Jake's ideas were absolute disasters. Rarely did the Jolteon ever follow through on something without someone screaming in horror at the end either because of what happened to their home, or the color of their fur after they tried to hide what they did.

But Alisa was sure, this idea, the one Jake was proposing to her right now in this morning sun, this was the worst one of them all. Training was starting in five minutes, and this plan seemed to be in the making in less time than that. "I don't know about this brother." The Eevee gulped.

Jake was running out of time. His fur was still disastrous from last night but he had thought this through, at least more so than his other ideas. He needed his sister's support, they were going to run out of time at any moment! "Come on sis!" He begged. He kept glancing to his left knowing their mother was going to come out of the cave any moment and then they would have no choice but to start, but Alisa wasn't on board! "You have to trust me! I've thought this through."

"Yeah right." Alisa snapped. Thought this through coming from Jake meant that he probably spent twice as much time thinking about it than normal, so instead of two seconds, the plan now had four to its name. "Everything's fine but…" Alisa couldn't believe her brother had dared to ask this of her. Why her? Why not Fenara? Just pick anybody else but not her! "I can't do it because, well it's, I can't be partners with Cheddar! She's gross! How can you ask so much of me while you just stand there not doing anything?"

Jake rubbed his tired face for the third time. The plan was perfect! He had already rehearsed what he would tell his mother, how he would convince Fenara, even Alisa's part of the bargain was easy. Sure he could sacrifice countless hours of his time every night to help train his sister but she couldn't even grant him this one thing? There wasn't much else he could say now and the plan needed Alisa. Jake was running out of time, but his mother wasn't in sight just yet. Maybe he could sweeten the deal since his sister was stubborn, no surprise. If Eseral saw them both together, they were done for.

The plan was absolutely perfect, Jake knew it, Alisa wanted to believe it. Today's training would be special, Jake would ask him mom if he could lead it for the first time, which was a bigger responsibility than he had hoped for, then he'd surprise Eseral by making the cubs choose pairs on their very special partners training day! Alisa would accidently be teamed with Cheddar, hopefully, and then everyone else would get picked one by one naturally. It only left one Pokemon behind with no partner, and if Jake had done his earlier conversation right, maybe two. That Fennekin was acting rather weird this morning before training but, that's what the plan was about right?

And what better partner for the love struck, tailless Fennekin named Fenara than the brave, ember blasting Fenray? The two were perfect! Jake would get to see them together and tell for sure if Fenara was actually telling the truth. He still believed it was lake water, but those red cheeks… It was just too hard to tell.

Operation get Fenara a second kiss was a go, if Alisa wasn't such a lead tail. "Please, sis! I'm begging you. I've got nothing else to offer. This is outrageous! You owe me!" Technically their score was even at the moment, Jake wished for a second that he hadn't zapped his sister's forehead last night but that was also called for.

So he was calling in his favors? Alisa knew what came next, especially since she called his bluff about owing his squat. She puffed her fur in pride, her tail shooting straight up and her ears rising as high as they could. The Eevee was tiny, but she wasn't budging. She stuck out her paw and smirked.

The moment of truth for Jake. How much was his sister's cooperation worth? The whole plan of getting Fenara a second chance with Fenray did rest on the Eevee's head. "Fine!" The Jolteon snarled in frustration at the grass below him. Alisa laughed. Jake knew this was outrageous of her but they were way out of time. He spun in a circle before saying the words he dreadfully hated, finding them would take up so much time! "How many do you want?"

"Fifteen," Alisa stated flatly, her paw still out as if her brother had them now. She smiled with anticipation but Jake would probably settle for fourteen if she was unlucky. Personally, no amount of Oran berries in the world were worth teaming up with Cheddar, ok maybe two hundred.

Jake didn't even blink at her offer. He countered with something actually reasonable and still generous in his mind. "I'll give you two." He stated. Even while just standing there his glare was enough to intimidate his sister if not his size. If Jake was really as frustrated as Alisa thought, she would be doing this favor for free in a few seconds or the electricity would never leave her fur for a week.

Alisa sighed and rolled her eyes. She dropped her paws and fake smiled, not eager to agree. "Fine." She could make do with two Oran berries. At least they were free, well, almost. "But I get to watch what happens too!" She unrightfully bargained. "And you have to include me in everything you do later! I need to be by your side, you can't hide this from me."

Jake smirked. That last part would have to be negotiated but his sister said yes so they were now together on this "Ok fine. You're in." Not like he did that much anyway when she wasn't around. Chores around the pack were rather boring and sis was still a cub. They both stared at each other for a couple of seconds, then Jake decided perhaps they should discuss the plan for the first time. "You do know what you have to do right? You have to keep Cheddar busy, you can't let her hang out with…"

The tiny Eevee ears twitched while her brother was talking. She looked to her right and bolted.

Jake nearly screamed at her. "Hey? Wait! We have to…"

The tall Espeon stopped on her path to the training grounds, surprised that her son was here for some reason. Normally he was there already, "Jake?"

Jake whipped around and almost panicked. His ears shot straight up. "Oh! Uh, hi mom!" He had less than half a second to pretend that nothing suspicious was happening. He threw on his smile, then he took it off thinking maybe he was being weird already. "I uh, um, what are you doing here? I mean, good morning?" The Jolteon bit his tongue as hard as he could. Maybe he should just be quiet for once. He smiled again, awkwardly.

Eseral wasn't sure what to make of the Jolteon's ramblings. Was Jake already awake? Normally he would show up late to training but maybe today she just got lucky. She didn't see him exit their cave, though, and she had fallen asleep right outside it!

Eseral eventually smiled back. Jake realized she was buying it. "Um, uh… I have a…"

"It's a beautiful day isn't it?" Eseral interrupted. She smiled again, her tail wagging. She was happy to see Jake, she never ran into him alone anymore even as his own mother.

Jake nodded. He smiled. "Yeah, sure, but I was wondering if…"

"It can wait till training. I have something special planned!" Eseral jumped up and started jogging her way towards the waiting cubs a few minutes away. "Today I'm going to…"

Jake shoved his paw in front of his mother. He tripped her, next he was suddenly standing right in her way.

Eseral was surprised when her son was right on her face. She thought it an accident and jumped back upright in seconds. "What's wrong? I'm sorry, I didn't see you move." Why did he act so fast? It almost seemed intentional, no, he couldn't have. He was obedient and predictable after all. "Jake, we need to…"

Jake couldn't believe what he was doing. His smile looked like Alisa after she accidently drooled on his fur that one night when she snuck close to his side while sleeping. Was it not painfully obvious that the Jolteon was up to something. "I was just, I was thinking that, well, maybe today I could…"

Jake froze. He couldn't do it. Wish for more responsibility. To lead training? What was he, an adult? His tongue for some reason seemed stuck in place, he couldn't trip his mother a second time without seeming way to distrustful.

Eseral froze for five seconds, waiting for her son to speak, but nothing ever came. She started waving her paw showing that they were both going to be late if they didn't move.

Jake bit his tongue and forced his words out. He jumped upright as tall as he could, not completely sure about what he was doing. "Um, can I lead training?"

Eseral eyes shot wide. What? "You? Wait, when did…"

Now the Espeon froze. She could see it in Jake's eyes, in her son's eyes, that longing belief that maybe someday would be the day he could be the trainer. She had taught him everything she knew, not to mention he always helped out every day anyway, usually handing most of the cubs at once in their small groups.

"The Espeon couldn't believe it. "You want to lead training?"

Jake realized what that look meant. Immediately he exploded in worry. "No! Not like forever or anything, just like, well… For today?" Could he just do it for the next fifteen minutes maybe?

Now Eseral was suspicious. She held up her paw and then put it down. "Well, whatever you have planned it can wait." She started walking. "I already have a plan and we're all weary from yesterday at the lake, so today I was going to…"

She was getting away. Jake couldn't let her leave. He gulped and knew his father would kill him for this. He tripped his mother again, quickly pretending to not pay attention.

"Agh!" Eseral fell flat on her face.

The Jolteon was growing impatient, he bounded right in front of his mother's face while she still had her nose in the dirt. "I can do it! You have to trust me!" Where did that come from?

Eseral didn't answer at first, mostly because she was spitting out grass. Ok, that time was definitely on purpose. She jumped upright and shoved her face right in front of her son's. "Jake! What was that for? Why did you trip me?"

Jake knew it. He had pushed it. He could complain all he wanted, Eseral wasn't giving him the job. He could try and convince her out of what she had already planned, but Eseral was adamant on whatever she said was going to happen. Now Jake was left with only one option. Did he really have to stoop to this level?

Eseral waited. Her son wasn't answering. This big electric fuzz ball better explain right now why he wasn't letting her…

Jake lowered his ears. He shoved his eyes open wide and looked down towards the ground, prodding at the grass with one his paws, just like he used to do when he was a cub and created chaos "I'm sorry momma."

Eseral eyes shot wide. Wait, what? Momma! "Excuse me?"

Jake jumped upright, he smiled as wide as he could, he hadn't smiled like that since he was two years old and the mother wasn't sure what to make of it. Already Eseral was forgetting about Jake tripping her. "I can do it, mom!" Jake squealed, making sure his voice cracked. He was hoping he wouldn't have to do this but his senses were begging him to. He hated acting like a cub. "I can do it! You have to trust me mom, mommy." Now he was pushing it.

Eseral was once again lost for words. Jake hadn't spoken to her like that in a long time, years! "Um…" The Espeon was lost. What were they talking about again?

His look, though. Jake's big brown eyes, his bright yellow fur and folded ears. He looked up at her and smiled, Jake pretending to wag his tail as if he still had one.

The Espeon may have been smart, but no one saw this coming. She had completely forgotten what they were talking about, trying to make sense of what was happening. Wasn't Jake, six years old now? Why was he acting like… "Jake, I'm lost?"

Perfect! Jake jumped upright and bounded close to his mother's face, making her flinch in surprise. He made sure to bend his paws so that he only stood at half her height even though he was shaking trying to hold himself up like this. He smiled at her as wide as his teeth could manage. "So you're ok with me doing this? Please?" Arceus, this was hard. Four years he had been a Jolteon, four years of accepting responsibility, and it all led to him acting like he was a cub younger than his own sister.

Eseral froze. She took in a breath and backed away from the over excited Jolteon. Jake just prodded forward until they were uncomfortably close again and she had to sit down. "Um, I just can't, I can't…" What was she approving? Why was Jake being so nice again? "I guess I can…"

Wait. It was training! Jake was trying to get her to let him lead training! "Jake, I can't just let you lead it. I have a plan today! Don't you understand?" She took another step back.

Now Jake was frozen. He had played his cub card; he had practically almost kissed her. There was nothing else he could do to make his mom believe he was two again. Wait, he still could…

Eseral was rambling now about what her plan was and how she was going to blah blah blah… Jake had to make his move now or his mother would never fall for it. Of course, floppy ears and big eyes weren't going to sell it, he had to really sell it!

Jake really hoped his sister never heard of this, or that his father was watching somehow. He bent forward and kissed his mom's nose. Just like he did when he was, well, one.

Eseral nearly screamed. She froze when suddenly an electric shock shot off Jake's fur and zapped her forward. Jake immediately smiled and sat down right after he kissed his mom.

Arceus, this was embarrassing. "Now can I lead training. Pleeeaaaasssee? Jake begged, getting up onto his paws as he finished the question.

Eseral wasn't even sure what time of the day it was. Did he just? She wiped her cheek.

It was working. The Espeon smiled, her cub was two again. "Um, sure?"

"Yes!" Jake twirled in a circle. That was all he needed, Eseral was stuck now. "I knew it would…"

He stopped, he turned back around to his mom. "Um, I mean, thank you!" He squeaked, bouncing up and down on his paws. "I couldn't have done it without you, mommy."

Mommy? Done it with her? Wait! What were they doing!

Eseral lifted her paw. The Jolteon was gone, heading towards the training grounds now and not waiting to see his mother complain. The second the Jolteon had gotten away, he nearly puked. He hadn't kissed his mom like that since he was a cub and asked her to help curl his tail up before he slept. Arceus, this was bad. The Jolteon triple checked to make sure no one was watching because this would ruin his entire ego.

Eseral couldn't even think, she lowered her paw as the Jolteon disappeared in seconds. "Um, ok then." Well, that was that. Jake was leading training, and apparently, her fur was still shocking her. She jumped when a bolt shot off her tail into the ground. It hadn't done that since Jake evolved and accidently hit her with a thundershock.

But still, she smiled. Her son was two again. Jake was smiling and bounding and feeling stress-free, kissing his momma before saying goodbye and doing something that, well, a Jolteon would only do. Jake was…

Definitely up to something. The Espeon frowned and hoped she wouldn't fall for it a second time. Wait till she tells Shadow about this? Maybe he could make something out of it, she doubted Jake would resort to kissing him to get away with something.

But still, her son, acting like a cub again. The Espeon hoped it wouldn't lead to more trouble than she was already in. She had been standing there for twenty minutes thinking about her grown cub when she realized what time it was and looked up at the sun.

Didn't training start twenty minutes ago? Uh oh, but she was.

Wait, no. Jake was her now. Jake was now the trainer, at least for today.

The Espeon hurried her pace up and then started running. This couldn't be good.

Whatever Jake had gone through, Alisa's job was much harder. She had to be friends with… Cheddar! And so far it was proving very unsuccessful.

Fenara had somehow managed to fall asleep in the middle of nowhere again. The sun beat above her and training started in ten minutes, more than two full miles away. It was no surprise to the Fennekin when she found out she had collapsed and fallen asleep out in the meadow where she found Jake and Alisa and then became lovesick. It was only by a loud and rude noise that she was finally woken up.

"There you are!" Cheddar screamed when she found the passed out Fennekin laying with her head in the dirt. The Fennekin's eyes snapped open in fright, whatever distant dream she was having about a Pikachu friend suddenly disappearing. Funny, Fenara swore she had seen that creature before. "I've been looking everywhere for you!" Cheddar screamed. "You weren't where you normally were, you weren't with the pack, I couldn't find your father, I couldn't find Eseral, or Jake, or anyone, and now you're way out here? Why? Why did you fall asleep in the middle of nowhere Fenara?" Cheddar pointed in every direction wondering how the waking Fennekin could manage to be out here of all places. "Were miles from the pack! You literally couldn't have found a worse place to pass out and drool yourself to sleep." It was a miracle Cheddar found her at all.

Fenara stood upright with her tired and shaky limbs. She hardly had a few hours of sleep and now Cheddar was here. There was a reason she was still sleeping when the sun was up. "Cheddar?" She moaned, wondering how long it would take for her ears to stop ringing. "Why did you wake me when…"

"By the way? Your tail is still completely messed up and destroyed." Cheddar interrupted, pointing at the unclean mess hanging out behind Fenara's back. "Also you drool, like, everywhere." She pointed to below her fur. "You really shouldn't sleep with your head upside down like that." Her friend was a complete and disgusting mess, Cheddar wasn't surprised.

Fenara didn't hear half of what she said and didn't care either. Instead, the Fennekin decided to save what little energy she had left for whatever disaster was coming today. She had completely forgotten why she had fallen asleep out here last night. Something about sickness, maybe Jolteons? Was Jake here last night? "Why did you wake me?" Fenara complained. She felt terrible. If Cheddar didn't give her a good reason for ruining her morning than she was going to make sure and ruin hers.

Cheddar had a very good reason for screaming like she did. The Chespin crossed her arms in annoyance. "Well, we are ten minutes late to training so..."

Fenara's eyes shot wide open. "What, really?" Shoot! This wasn't good. "Which way is it! We have to hurry. Eseral will…" She fell on her face.

Cheddar bit her lip so hard she nearly tore it off from trying not to laugh. It took Fenara ten seconds to stand up straight again and look behind her.

Fenara was in no mood for this. She stared at her tail and considered pulling her claws out to rip it off, it looked even worse than before and she still wasn't used to it! Finally, the Fennekin just sighed and thanked Cheddar for not making fun of her a second time although it was very hard for the Chespin to keep her mouth shut on that one.

Cheddar shrugged. Fenara was pathetic right now, no one could deny it. "Well, that one was just too easy." She mocked. "And the field's this way so if we hurry we might reach it before anything happens. Again, not sure why you passed out all the way out here but whatever." The Chespin started walking, making her friend keep up. "I haven't seen anyone else yet so maybe the other cubs are late." Or just they are.

Fenara was so glad to be moving again. Her fur was destroyed, she was embarrassed from last night, and now Eseral was probably going to tell everyone about the bubbles and the ember blast and her feelings about Fenray which she confessed to last night. It wasn't like the two loudest cubs in the whole pack didn't already know. Fenara remembered, that's where she was last night, telling Jake and Alisa everything about how she felt about Fenray. Weren't they heading towards training? Would Jake be there? That might help quell her emotions because at least she could talk to him about it. The Fennekin really trusted him right now. What she didn't trust is what would happen when she set eyes on that certain Fennekin again. She realized they had been walking for some time and apparently Cheddar was saying something, but you know, who cares? "How far away is the training?" Fenara mumbled, interrupting her friend's speech.

Cheddar was nearly bouncing she was so excited for another day. She really hoped they had yet another race that she could volunteer her friend for. "It's close. Maybe we'll make it on time. I think that…"

Cheddar stopped. Something moved in the grass to her left. Both cubs looked that way and froze. They weren't at training yet. How could…

Instead, as always, the sneaky Eevee was exactly where they weren't looking coming up on them from the left instead. Alisa had finally found them, and not a moment too late! They were almost at the training grounds and Alisa couldn't let them reach it, not like this. It was Alisa's turn to put Jake's plan into action or she wouldn't receive her Oran berries, and Arceus, she needed Jake to owe her a favor.

The Eevee jumped out and landed right in front of both of them before the Fennekin and Chespin could even turn their heads. "Hi, guys!"

Fenara flinched so badly she fell on her back and rolled a few times trying to stand back up. She struggled to stand upright with her unbalanced tail and then glared at the Eevee. Why was everyone insisting on scaring her this morning! Cheddar nearly had a heart attack.

Alisa smiled in glee. Her fur shined in the sun, her tail waved back and forth impatiently, and she was ready to act. She had practiced in her head what it would take, hopefully not overselling it, but she could convince her friends that what she needed was more important than their friendship together. The Eevee gulped knowing this was going to take some serious effort to sell, but she was doing it for two Orans so obviously it was worth it, as long as Cheddar didn't start pulling on her tail like she anticipated. "Hi, guys!" The Eevee wouldn't stop smiling. "I'm glad I found you. I was hoping us two could walk towards training together since it already started." She pointed to Cheddar but no one caught it. "You guys know you're late right?" Alisa jumped upright and stared at Cheddar. She bit her tongue until it hurt but said it anyway, her smile appearing completely natural even though it was faker than her reaction to her brother's attack last night. "I was especially hoping, well, that I, um…" Could she even say it? It was awful! Why would anyone… "That I could walk with you, Cheddar." Alisa was going to puke.

Both Cheddar and Fenara froze in fear. What did Alisa just say? "What?" Both cubs asked.

Arceus! Did she have to spell it out for them? Alisa almost lost her anger but kept up her patience. This was way more difficult than she imagined. "Well, I was hoping you'd be my partner Cheddar. Because, you know, today's partner's day!"

Cheddar was lost for words. What was partner's day? Wait, partners with Alisa? "What! No way! With you? Never! Go be friends with a rock!" She folded her arms and smiled. Cheddar also noticed that good size bite that was obvious on the Eevee's ear. She smiled with pride knowing Alisa knew about it.

Alisa turned to Fenara. "Well, what do you think?" Obviously, the Fennekin would agree right. She smiled as wide as she could again and then have pointed at Cheddar. Cheddar nearly cried that smile was so scary looking.

Fenara was still trying to figure out what Alisa said ten seconds ago. "Um, what's partner's day?" First, she ever heard of it. "Are we supposed to pick partners? Cause if that's the case then maybe Cheddar and I should… We're late anyway so we should probably leave."

Alisa's smile nearly broke, her eye twitched she couldn't believe how hard this was. "So you're saying I can be partners with Cheddar than?" This smile was killing her!

Fenara looked at Cheddar. Cheddar looked at Fenara. They both answered at the same time. "Sure." "No."

Cheddar exploded in anger. "What! No! I said no! Fenara, you can't leave me with this Eevee. Why would I possibly…"

Alisa used her moment perfectly. She jumped upright and slammed her paw on the Chespin's tail so she would stop talking. "Perfect! So that means you'll be my partner for the training session then Cheddar. I knew I could count on you guys! This is perfect!" Alisa started dancing. Those Orans were as good as hers.

Everyone was lost for words. Cheddar snarled at her friend for selling her out like that. "Why did you say yes!"

Mostly because Fenara didn't understand the question, but also because she wanted to avoid this Eevee at all costs. Eventually, the Fennekin just shrugged. She started walking again, yawning and still trying to wake up. Now it was just Cheddar and Alisa.

Fenara walked right past the creepily smiling Eevee. Fenara hoped the desperate look she gave the Eevee explained that she still wanted to be friends, but mostly she was just confused as to what was going on. Fenara also made a mental note to jump at the Eevee when she wasn't looking so she could see what it felt like. Cheddar wasn't going anywhere with this Eevee, she sat down and couldn't believe Fenara just sold her out like that. Wait, didn't she do that at the race, though? So that's what that felt like?

Alisa started walking, then she realized that Cheddar wasn't following her. "Well hurry up Slowbro!" Wait, she was supposed to be friends with her, shoot.

Cheddar finally stood up, completely unhappy. "Listen here Eevee." She demanded, not making Alisa move an inch from her position. "Fenara and I are partners, you just confused her. I'm going to go talk to her right now and you'll be left with no one as your partner for, well, whatever you called today?" Partners day? Was that supposed to be a thing?

Alisa just smiled. Inside she was pinning this Chespin to the ground and making her beg for help, but for now, she just smiled. "Um, ok." The Chespin walked past her without a second glance, hurrying up to Fenara where she was already complaining. Apparently, Fenara agreed they could be partners too which confused Cheddar all the more. Fenara had no clue what was going on, her mind becoming more worried the closer they got to where all the cubs were, especially if he was there.

Alisa couldn't even force the smile off her face she was in so much disbelief. No, it was not ok. This was terrible! The Eevee clawed at the ground in anger. She couldn't believe this. Her, they were teaming up with her! Who wouldn't choose the Eevee as a partner?

They were already at the pack; Alisa was out of time. If Cheddar teamed up with Fenara then this whole thing was a complete waste of her time. She had to make a move, but how? The Eevee trudged up to the back of the pack where nobody could see her except at the front if you were tall enough. Funny, the Eevee had yet to see Fenray anywhere. Maybe Jake talked to him or something. Maybe she just didn't listen to him very well when he explained the entire plan to her. The Jolteon was finally at the front of the group now acting like he was hiding something and he managed to see his sister in the back waving her paws in worry.

Jake managed to sneak a glance at her, his ears rose up in hope. Hopefully, her end of the deal was better than him kissing his mother like he was two. He gave her a complete look of desperation knowing this plan was on wet mud to stand on.

Alisa shrugged for him to see. She growled under her breath, not sure what to do but nothing was working right. Maybe they should just call the whole thing off?

Jake was up to his neck in this, and he already sacrificed his dignity with his mother. He snarled at the Eevee in the back and some of the cub's in the front jumped in surprise. Jake immediately pretended nothing happened and continued smiling. It was a miracle his mom didn't catch that as she was walking up but at least now he was the center of attention. Already he could feel his throat about to choke, there were a lot of cubs and they were all going to be dependent on him today. He could hardly even control his sister. He silently begged her to do something about this since he was completely stuck.

Alisa rolled her eyes. This was bad if Cheddar remained partners with Fenara when the announcement came then they were done for. She took a quick look around but there were so many cubs in the pack already that it was hard to tell where the other Fennekin was. Hopefully, Fenara and Fenray didn't see each other yet, but that was Jake's problem. She only had one job!

Alisa's ears shot up, she got an idea. Wait a minute, it wasn't a matter of convincing Cheddar to be partners with her, something that would never happen while they were both sane, it was a matter of convincing Cheddar just not to be with Fenara. Well then…

Alisa smiled cunningly. She pulled out her claws and her tail lowered towards the ground as her paws brought her below the grass. There was more than one way to convince a friend to do something that she wanted. She didn't have to be friends with Cheddar, she just had to make sure the Chespin didn't say anything.

A good pin and some claws to the throat might do just that. The Eevee did what she did best, waited for her time to pounce.

Now only if her brother didn't completely screw this up, they might have a chance.

Jake was way over his head. He stood at the front, having none of the cubs' attentions while his mother silently watched from just outside the circle. She was still confused as to what happened earlier but a deal was a deal when she made it. Jake was in charge, for better or worse. The Espeon was still a little loopy about having been kissed by her oldest son, she couldn't wait to tell Shadow about it.

Jake shuffled his paws, there were so many cubs here. He tried to avoid his friend's awkward stares from the pack and the look his sister was giving him. Hopefully, she'd somehow hold up her end of the bargain. That Pikachu from the race in the corner was clearly surprised to see him up front, as was the Bulbasaur. Well, here goes nothing.

His voice was hardly over a whisper. "Um, ahem."

None of the cubs looked up. There were over forty of them and not even one was paying attention. He could hardly see into the very back of the group as they tackled each other and wouldn't be quiet. "Hey! I'm over here! Pay attention to me" He waved his paw and got nothing.

Eseral rolled her eyes. She stepped up towards her son laughed, quietly shoving him aside. "HEY!"

Everyone froze, the Espeon had full attention. Even Jake shivered from the yell his mother just gave. In charge or not, it was clear who owned the training grounds.

Eseral smiled, showing that she was only impatient with them for about five seconds, but they were already late so she should probably get them started soon. "Hi, everyone. Change in plans today, I was originally going to cancel training because well…" She failed to mention the events of yesterday, but the Espeon just skipped a few words and continued. "And that's why I have a surprise for you today. Despite that I planned to skip it today, the training is still on!"

No one spoke up, some of the cubs growled. No one really understood what was happening. Some of the cub's looked at the Jolteon who just stood there wide eyed. Why was his fur so dirty? Did he get in a fight? Why wasn't Eseral pointing that out? Did she seem giddy today? Something was definitely off and the cubs in training were the only ones who seemed to be worried about it.

Eseral smiled as wide as she could. She couldn't believe that she was going to announce that her son was leading training. Well, at least for one day but it was still a big achievement. She had always silently wanted him to try it, he was clearly ready for it. Maybe today was that day, or maybe he was still a cub. After that last incident when Jake appeared so affectionate towards her Eseral wasn't quite sure anymore. Fifteen seconds passed and Eseral hadn't said a thing.

Eseral noticed a certain Fennekin way in the back, she beamed in a smile, Fenara was still here, both she and her feelings for Fenray were probably on the Fennekin's mind. Ooh, maybe she should say something. She could explain out loud that Fenara was feeling just like other cubs do when they kiss, or whatever it was that Fenray did. Maybe she could even explain what happens when different Pokémon types kissed each other. Bubbles huh? Maybe she should point it out that someone had fallen to lovesickness while they were here. Or maybe she should just let the cubs figure it out on their own. Eseral didn't know, it had been so long since she felt the same way when she was so young. When Shadow first approached her she…

Jake's ears started to lower. He gave him mom a quizzical look. They were pushing forty seconds now of complete silence with Eseral smiling at the front of the pack. "Um, mom? You're just standing there. You should probably say something."

Eseral immediately snapped out of her trance. Fenara and her feelings for Fenray would have to wait, it didn't occur to her that maybe someone else knows. "Um, yes! We'll be going to the lake today, but um, no wait, sorry. I mean I'm putting Jake in charge of training, for today. Yes, Jake's in charge of you all."

No one moved a paw. Half the cubs looked up at the Jolteon and wondered if that thing was supposed to be Jake. Eseral realized that perhaps she could've worded her speech a little better. She opened her mouth to speak again but instead just stepped back and then shoved her son forward. Ta da! Now Jake was in charge.

Jake smiled, he started pawing at his ear in worry but forced himself to talk. "Yes, um, about that. The lake, uh, were not doing that. I have something else planned for us that involves tackles, friendships, and um, training?" His speech wasn't much better.

Some of the cub's jumped back once they heard tackles. Eseral's smile disappeared. Wait a minute, what was Jake…

Jake jumped straight upright and grabbed everyone's worried attention. He noticed his sister suddenly grab Cheddar by the ear and started pulling her out of the group when no one was looking. Jake smiled and spoke as loud as he can. "Yes! So instead of running around or playing or anything, let's fight each other! It's partner's day!"

No one said a thing. Some of the cub's thought they were going to fight the Jolteon when he said that. Half the pack stepped back in fear and the other half looked at their friends wondering if they were supposed to start now.

Eseral's tail stopped moving. Her ears flicked straight up. "What!" Fight each other? Was Jake serious? "But Jake, we discussed that…"

"And the winner gets an Oran berry!" Jake screamed over his mother's voice. Everyone turned back around and some cheered. Some actually smiled and grew anticipated upon hearing there was a reward. Wow, this was actually working. More of them were cheering now. Tackling wasn't half bad if there were berries involved.

Eseral couldn't speak over the noise of the cubs. Jake was doing better than she thought, she tried to grab her son's attention but he wasn't even turning around to look at her. What was he doing? Sure this idea was great but they were going to get in so much trouble, they can't let the cubs fight on the second day of training!

Alisa's part of the plan was finally working. Cheddar was screaming for her to let go but no one heard her and the Eevee finally managed to pull the Chespin far enough away from the pack that she could slam her down without worry. "Alisa! Let me go! What are you doing!"

The Eevee grabbed the Chespin with her front claws as tight as she could. She slammed Cheddar into the ground and the Eevee's growl was only an inch above her face.

Alisa made her point quite clear and she was only saying it once. "Pick me as a partner, or you're dead!"

Cheddar froze. She stopped complaining, she gulped and did nothing but even a small part of her thought that maybe Alisa was just confused. She tried to talk. "But I wanted to be with…"

Alisa snarled. The Chespin immediately started nodding yes. Ok, ok! She was partners with her. Arceus. Just don't bite her face off.

Alisa smiled. Well, that was easy. Why was everyone always complaining about how hard it is to make friends? "Perfect!" She jumped off and started shoving the Chespin back into the group. Cheddar wondered what she just witnessed but apparently no matter what happened next she was teamed up with Alisa. This wasn't good. Fenara didn't even notice her friend had disappeared, obviously something else on her mind.

Fenara wondered why she was so nervous to race back here in the first place. The sun was bright above and she could feel her fur turning hotter by the second. Just the thought, no, even thinking about thinking about him somehow made her feel so much worse. Those feelings from last night, they were definitely not out of her head. Maybe a little less than yesterday but if she saw him, she was going to puke.

So far the Fennekin had failed to spot that one red-cheeked liar, or whatever his name was. The one that made her want to frown, yet smile. The one that made her dance while she complained about her stomach and her ears sinking towards the ground. Fenray! That was his name. Where is he? The ember blasting Fennekin was nowhere to be seen but it was a large crowd and Fenara was trying her best to stay hidden. She didn't even notice that Jake was leading the training otherwise, she would've thought the Eevee and Jolteon were up to something. She also didn't that Cheddar suddenly disappeared when Alisa snatched her from the pack. The Fennekin was feeling sick. Maybe she should just go home but her paws were frozen. Funny, she could feel them overheating by the second. She shoved them up to her cheeks but they only got hotter. That probably meant…

Everything was perfect, so long as Fenara stayed right there with her tail twitching and her paws frozen in place. Alisa's flicked her tail at her brother. She smiled as wide as she could, the plan could go on just as he needed it to.

Jake was in the spotlight again. He raised his paw since some of the cubs were starting to talk again, mostly confused about what was going on after an awkward silence. He kept pretending he couldn't hear his mother behind him who was trying so hard to get his attention.

"So?" Jake smiled, this was going to be perfect but they weren't quite there yet. "So you will all need to pick a partner. Everyone pick a partner! It'll be the person you'll be battling with."

All the cub's looked up in fear. Did he just say battling? Like teeth and blood and sore paws and ripped fur? Eseral was about to shriek in fear when she realized he used that word but she was interrupted again by her quick-pawed son.

"Um, training!" Jake corrected. "Yes, training! On whatever you like. Just, just pick a partner already!" They were wasting so much time. He wanted to get moving.

Half the cub's had partners already, they looked at each other. The other half started gazing around until they found someone they half-knew, and then the last few ended up being partners anyway, but soon there was no one left. Jake yelled at the cubs to spread out so he could at least see Fenara. Eseral had her paw raised but no one even saw her. Soon cubs were wondering all around the pack somehow in pairs of two. This was a disaster; they would never get their attention again. "Um, Jake? But we have to…"

Fenara of course was in a daze for most of the partner picking. She could feel the sun against her fur and then her throat started to choke up. Maybe she was just imagining it but something told her that this was far from over. Maybe he was close? Plus Eseral was right there and Jake was leading the training apparently so it wasn't like her secret was safe anymore. She noticed that Eseral finally got the attention of her son by yanking on his tail and forcing him to face her Fenara couldn't really tell right now, but that Jolteon was acting weird. Heck, everyone was acting weird. If it wasn't for her uncomfortably dirty and somehow floating fur right now she probably would've figured out what was going on. It was hard enough for her to keep the world from turning. Darn it! And she had just gotten over him too. Would it ever end?

Fenara turned to her left. Cheddar was gone. "Hey!" What? Where did she go?

It took the Fennekin a full minute to find the Chespin, now ninety percent of the cubs having partners. Alisa was slowly dragging the Chespin away while Cheddar complained against her will and begging for help. Fenara lifted up her paw, but it was too late. There were already ten cubs between her and Cheddar and she really didn't want to infuriate Alisa again. Great, once again, her best friend was taken away from her. Fenara's paw sank to the ground.

No matter, she could find someone else. Fenara looked around and there was absolutely no one. Uh oh. What a surprise, she had failed again at picking a partner.

Somehow, though, her worried mind knew, it wasn't over. She could feel it now, her fur standing on edge and her broken tail moving nervously twitching above the grass. Why was she nervous? It wasn't like…

Wait, where was that Fennekin even at? Fenara's ears fell too. Uh oh, but maybe that certain Fennekin didn't pick a partner, and that would mean that…

Jake was trying so hard not to smile behind his fake reaction to his mom. He was playing dumb and it would probably work if he acted like a cub again, except now everyone was watching him so now it would just be too embarrassing. "What are you so worried about mom? I know what I'm doing, this is what we discussed." He spoke as loud as he could only to drag attention to himself, discouraging his mom from speaking up.

Eseral was internally exploding. This wasn't at all what they discussed! Why was Jake acting like an immature Eevee! "Jake!" The Espeon whispered as quietly and vehemently as she could. The cubs were wondering off everywhere! "How did battling cross your mind? I thought we were going to take it easy today. You can't just kiss me and…"

Jake smiled, he shrugged, he sank towards the ground. He played the cub card again. "I don't know mom, it just seemed like a good idea at the time. Don't you trust me with anything?"

Anything? Anything! Of course, she trusted him but not when he completely blows the whole thing like its nothing. Eseral wondered if she would have to grab her son by his ear and drag him back to the cave screaming. He seemed old enough now but wasn't he… "I, I can't just…" She was out of words. Jake was officially two and his smile was starting to get to her. If that wasn't enough, he was pawing at the ground again waiting for her reaction. Not the eyes too.

Eseral waited, she started at him. Jake was smiling through his teeth. He knew he could pull this off, he practically already did. "Just wait for mom, I've got it all planned out. You just wait and see!" Well, at least he was telling half the truth. He lost his character for half a second when he noticed there was only one cub left that had no partner. That Fennekin was standing awkwardly alone. Perfect! "It'll work because Fenara and Fenray are…"

Jake's ears fell flat against his head. He just said that last part aloud. Oops.

Eseral's ears shot straight up. "What? What about them!" Was that a coincidence? Was Jake planning something? The Espeon glanced past her frightened son into the pack and sure enough, just as Jake said, there was one Fennekin way in the back, looking around her in a circle with her fur turning a brighter red by the second. Immediately Jake was in his mom's face again blocking her entire vision.

Eseral was frozen, her tail not moving. Then she snarled and her tail held completely still. Jake knew what that meant.

Eseral was thinking again. She frowned. Why would Jake use Fenara and Fenray in the same sentence? What was he… "How did you know there would be just one cub left? How come you said you planned this but are stumbling about? Are you up to something? Jake, what did you…"

All Jake could do was a smile. He continued smiling, his smile was starting to fade. He had been caught. It would all be over, Eseral was going to call the whole thing off. But then he wouldn't see Fenara with Fenray. He had worked so hard for this! Arceus, he was so grounded like the cub he was.

Well, at least a diversion might buy him and his sister enough time. He whipped around and yelled out his instructions to all the waiting cubs that were now everywhere. "Eseral will now show you how to perform a tackle!" Jake turned and ran.

Eseral screamed at him, just missing his tail fur with her own claws as he bolted. "Hey? Hey! That's not fair! Jake? You little…"

Every cub turned towards the Espeon, they all sat there, next to their little buddies with no idea what was going on. Now Eseral was in charge and Jake was way in the back out of earshot. This was not how training was supposed to go.

Eseral looked out at the fifty pairs of cubs. It would take ages to teach them all how to tackle. The exhausted Espeon let her paws back down from when she nearly grabbed her son. Her body sank four inches towards the ground realizing she was stuck. She could manage maybe one of her cubs at a time, or maybe half the pack, but not both.

She was put on the spotlight, training was already late anyway so she might as well get something out of it. "Arceus," she whispered under her breath, grabbing the attention of every cub with her heavy sigh. This would take all night. "To start a tackle you have to…

Fenara was doomed. It had been five minutes. Everyone was off doing their own thing, Alisa and Cheddar were arguing with each other but the teams were only supposed to be in groups of two. If she didn't find someone fast, Eseral was probably going to get her in trouble.

Maybe just once, Fenara would've liked training to go as planned without her being left behind on everything. It didn't help that she was still feeling anxious about that other Fennekin that might be nearby. Fenray hadn't been spotted since training started but she still couldn't get the idea out of her head. What if she did see him? What if her stomach started spinning again? Was it a kiss, or was it an ember? Clearly, it was lovesickness in the long run. Jake said that...

"Hi, Fenara!"

The Fennekin whipped around in fright. The giant yellow Jolteon was standing right behind her. Jake made Fenara scream he was suddenly so close. "Agh!"

Jake just laughed. "Gee, you look like you don't have a partner, shame huh?" His smile had yet to come off. At least with Fenara he didn't have to run around the bush and convince her he wasn't up to something like his mom, Fenara looked pretty helpless as she was.

The Fennekin frowned, her ears fell to the ground, Jake blatantly telling her the truth about how she failed again. "Um, well I, uh, no." She finally answered. Her useless tail pricked up in curiosity. Jake sure mentioned that she didn't have a partner awfully quick. Had he been aware of that? Then how come… "Wait, why aren't you…"

"Well, I've got a solution for you!" Jake interrupted. His fake smile beaming back up. Now he was just excited to get this over with and possibly win an Oran berry from his sister. "What if I told you I could get you a partner right now? He's nice, clean, and wants to teach you something. I think he's a perfect fit for you but you'll have to walk with me for a second. It won't talk long and you need a partner so…" Jake waited.

Fenara wasn't buying it. It didn't help that Jake was giving her that really creepy look. She just smiled back not sure what to say and also wasn't quite sure what Jake was offering. When Jake just sat there she smiled as wide as she could just to mock his look. She even giggled at him. She hoped she could remember that face for when she needed to make fun of him later.

Jake realized what he was doing. Fenara wasn't his mother, he didn't have to do this awful impression of her. The Jolteon let his smile drop and he wearily dropped his body a full five inches towards the ground. He rolled his eyes. "Never mind. Your partner is this way, now hurry up because I've been at this all day. I'm the trainer so you have to do exactly as I say" The Jolteon started walking.

"What?" Fenara jumped upright. Come with the trainer? But why? "What did I do? I swear Jake, I didn't mean to."

Jake laughed. It reminded Fenara that he was a complete loony whenever she heard that noise. Maybe her fur wasn't kidding when it went up on end when the Jolteon came near her. Or maybe that was just the electricity. "Just hurry up ok?" Jake complained. "There's only one Pokémon left and you need to learn to use ember so he's a perfect fit."

Fenara's ears perked up. She only heard the first part, luckily for Jake or she would've run. "A partner?" She questioned. Well, that's good because she was already wasting most of her time here. She hurried after the Jolteon who was leading her away from the chaos left behind that Eseral was trying to control. The poor Espeon had her paws full, wasn't Jake supposed to be helping or something? So far all he had done was leave her behind in a mass of cubs that didn't know how to tackle let alone even jump more than five inches each.

Fenara hardly had time to think with the pace Jake walked at, it did help her fur though to be moving. At least Jake knew what he was doing, she trusted him. She still wasn't sure why Cheddar chose someone else as a partner over her, even after that commotion with Alisa earlier. But at least now she was getting a partner. Who knows, maybe she would make a new friend, maybe Cheddar would like whoever it was? The Fennekin soon found some life in her paw steps since she trusted Jake by her side and kept going, the minutes passing by after a short while. Her tail twitched once and she noticed a cub standing in the grass facing the other way, with tan and red fur, and large ears, and…

The second Fenara realized who that was; the trust in Jake was gone. Fenara froze in fear. Her ears sank towards the ground.

Oh Arceus, no. Not him. Not him! "Jake wait. No! I changed my mind! Please don't…"

Jake stopped in the grass clearing and shouted at the top of his lungs. "Fenray! I found your partner!"

Fenara screamed. She bolted behind the Jolteon. Less than thirty yards away was the Fennekin that ruined her life, just sitting there patiently. Of course Jake had talked to him earlier, explaining how he had a specific Pokémon in mind who was also a fire type and was impressed with his ember attack back at the lake. So, of course, Fenray agreed to wait out here until Jake came back with the specific partner who wanted to see what Fenray could do with fire. The Jolteon sure was taking his time, though, the Fennekin was playing with a flower when his ears finally perked up.

Fenray looked up at the voice. He had been waiting for Jake forever, finally, he jumped upright and started running over towards the Jolteon. He was ten feet away when he noticed someone was hiding behind the huge electric runner. Someone with large red ears, and tan fur, and no tail…

Fenray stopped dead. Wait, he knew who that was. It was Fenara, that Pokémon from the lake. The one that he kissed and…

His smile disappeared. He took a step back. "Um, Jake? I can't…"

Jake quickly jumped right in-between the two, grabbing both the Fennekin's attentions. They were less than five feet from each other now. Any second the bubbles would come. Any second now and Jake would prove that there's no such thing as love at first sight, or first ember attack, whatever it was.

Jake was so proud of himself. He had sacrificed everything for this moment and his eyes wouldn't leave both the Fennekin's cheeks as he talked. "Ok, so you'll both be partners for each other. It's perfect! You guys are a great match. "Jake looked at Fenray who was petrified in fear. "Fenray, you wanted to teach someone how to use a fire attack and well…" He looked at Fenara who hadn't moved an inch. "And Fenara, well you wanted to learn ember!"

Fenara's ears and tail shot straight upright. "What! No, I don't!" She shouted at the Jolteon. Fenray could hardly hear over the screaming in his head that he should run on his frozen paws. His eyes were locked on to what he did yesterday to Fenara's tail. The poor thing still looked like a complete disaster. Maybe he should mention something. Maybe he should mention something about her eyes too since he couldn't move his own eyes away from hers.

Jake looked at Fenray. He opened his mouth but decided against speaking since the Fennekin looked like he was about to bolt, or throw up, maybe both but it was hard to tell. One look at Fenara and Jake considered that maybe something really was wrong with them. He would've bet ten Orans that Alisa was lying yesterday when she said they kissed. Especially the whole drowning part. But now?

Jake turned towards Fenara. The poor Fennekin looked like she was going to explode in a blast of red fur. "Oh come on Fenara?" Jake winked, he bent down close to the cub even though that only made Fenara feel much worse. "He's actually a good fighter, I think you could learn something from him. I already told him that you were waiting for him so it would be rude to run off."

Fenara was scared out of her mind. She couldn't take her eyes off him, his large ears, his glowing cheeks. Her own paws shot straight up to her face in worry, the heat coming from her tan fur would soon change it to a bright red. Jake, that blasted traitor Jolteon… She was going to kill him! At least as soon as her muscles could move again.

Jake laughed right in her face, The Fennekin not even able to blink. "Relax fire heart." He whispered as he stared at her cheeks and Fenara shoved her paws up to them again. "They're not red yet." Jake had yet to take his eyes away from her face, waiting to see if she really did get red cheeks in front of this other Fennekin. Fenara and Fenray? Weird. Jake didn't believe it, there's no such thing as love for a Fennekin cub, especially at first sight, and also while drowning in a lake, Jake almost forgot that part but he still couldn't explain the cub's weird behavior at the moment.

But still, here he was, and Fenara was frozen solid. Poor Fenray couldn't even reach his paw up to grab his ear but everyone knew he was trying to.

Fenara realized something. Her ears twitched at what Jake just said. She realized what the Jolteon was doing. "Wait, you told him? But I never said that…" The Fennekin realized what was going on. It was all staged. Alisa's odd behavior? Her stealing Cheddar? Is Jake being put in charge? Partners day? It was all a ploy to get her to be in front of…

Fenray. Oh, Arceus. Jake bolted away and left the two of them standing there, awfully close to each other.

It was the first good look Fenara got of him. He looked well rested, his fur was bright against the sun and someone had cleaned it, probably an adult since no cub took the time to do it at his age. His ears were pointing straight down in fear and his right paw was trying to grab one of them but kept pawing at his face instead.

But, she was looking at him. The grass grew softer. Fenara's paws grew lighter. The colors, they turned brighter. Her stomach started turning and a weird smile forced itself onto her face so that she didn't explode. Her own ears, her stomach? Fenara hiccupped and then choked. Oh Arceus, it was coming.

She was doomed. Her paws started growing weak, her body falling towards one side. Her broken tail started swaying in the grass but she didn't feel a thing. Her back paws started pacing in place awkwardly.

Her heart started pounding. Everything was rising to her neck fur and she was choking on invisible feelings. Her own head was starting to lift away from her body in what could only be explained as bubbles. Fenara's fur turned a bright red. Her insides were burning up. "Oh no." She managed to gasp before her tongue went entirely numb. If she spoke again it wouldn't be coherent for a few attempts.

Everything was just as it was before, just as Fenara had feared. She wasn't over it yesterday; she definitely wasn't over it the day before that. Her emotions were all still the same. Everywhere and nowhere at the same time, triggered only when she saw his face and then lasting for what seemed forever. Her lovesickness if that's what Jake called it hadn't gone away in the slightest. Fenara decided that no matter what she had to do something about it right now to hopefully get over it once and for all. If there was a cure, she would have to face it with Fenray right now, or worse, have to see him a second time.

She couldn't move her eyes from him. What used to be just a normal looking Fennekin was now making her feel very dizzy. She staggered and had to throw her paws as wide as she could before she tripped on just grass. The other Fennekin watched this happen while he currently pulled on both ears now and stepped on his tail in immense pain to keep himself well grounded. The pain was how Fenray got over it, mostly the painful cramping in his tail as he shoved it against the ground. Fenara had already lost her tail so…

Fenray giggled at her. Then his laugh was instantly silent. One of his ears started rising and he just pulled harder on the other one after he made that noise, causing his face to turn sideways against his better judgment. They couldn't move their eyes from each other but Fenara did manage to snap back to reality for a second and get a real look at the Fennekin before her.

Fenara realized something. Wait, his laugh? Did he just giggle? It was just like her hiccup! Was he was feeling the same way? Was he just as sick as her? Her ears shot upright.

But, did that mean… Fenray started walking towards her.

What? No! Fenara screamed in her head. She tried to move but couldn't even make her ears twitch. Her mind was screaming at her to run. Arceus, no! Go away! Don't come closer. No. Stop!

Fenray wasn't sure why he was walking. He wasn't even sure why Fenara was here. Was she the Pokémon that Jake was talking about, the one that admired him so much? He finally stopped when he was only a foot away. Immediately his paw shot up to his ear again. He stamped on his tail and tried to smile. Instead, it looked like someone tackled him clean in the face and he was trying to hide his pain.

Fenara was trying so hard, but her thoughts were out of control. When he pulled on his ear she smiled. When she realized he was stepping on his tail just as she had done, it made her want to laugh and talk about it. Her own mouth was frozen shut, but that grin. That cheeky grin.

Oh no. Jake was right. Eseral was right. Even she was right. Fenara could feel the emotion coming back twice as strong, she wondered if she'd be able to move a single muscle for the next ten minutes.

Bubbles. Bubbles everywhere. Fenray finally managed to talk. "Um, hi."

"Hiow." Fenara coughed. Arceus, that wasn't at all what she meant to say! Darn her numb tongue and choking throat, not to mention that she couldn't run either. She tried again. "Uh, hi. Hi! Hi, Fenray!" She quickly corrected, a little too enthusiastic. Well, now it was definitely awkward.

Fenray was surprised he managed to talk at all. It helped that his tail was turning numb in pure pain though from clawing at it. He smiled, making Fenara feel like she was going to puke and smile at the same time. He started pulling on his ears again. "Um, Jake said that you wanted to learn an ember attack. Is that true?" Please say no. Please say no! Then they could both run away and pretend this never happened!

Fenara froze. An ember attack? Like the one, he launched at the lake? Did she want to learn that? Why did Jake say that? Oh yeah, the Jolteon was being a jerk, right after she told him everything too.

Fenara stared at Fenray. His large ears bringing the word cute to her mind. His sudden smile making her want to stay put and smile just like he did. But absolutely everything else about him made her want to vomit. At least he was colorful, wait, maybe that was just her fur turning every temperature in the world.

His fur was so clean, her fur was still dirty. He could speak whole sentences without stammering, she couldn't even say hi. He pulled on his tail, she pulled on her ears. Fenray was smiling, Fenara was drowning, hopefully not drooling either because apparently, that was a thing.

Fenray had kissed her back at the lake, Fenara wanted warmth. The Fennekin opened her mouth, she froze.

She pulled on her tail, she pulled on her ears. Fenray was getting excited, his tail wagging when he realized that Fenara was actually willing to cooperate with him, but then this happened and that look suddenly reminded him of how much Fenara hated him.

Maybe he should bolt for it. Maybe Jake was wrong. Whatever this feeling was inside him, clearly it got worse when he was around Fenara. The Fennekin started turning, ready to leave. He felt he had to apologize even though Fenara had yet to say more that hi to him. She couldn't even answer his question. "Oh gosh, I'm sorry." Sorry for what? "I, I thought that Jake, well that, that you…" He turned around. Clearly, it was a lie, Fenara had no interest in seeing him. Fenray assumed that meant that she must not love hi…

Fenara couldn't believe it. She didn't have enough fur to rip out when she said what she said . "Ok."

Fenray stopped, he turned around. "What?"

Fenara could hardly speak. The bubbles were coming back, her eyes wouldn't move. The closer he got the more awkward she felt. Teach her how to use an ember, like warmth? Like escaping the lake water and the black void? Like a kiss?

Fenara couldn't believe it. She had a split second decision. Regardless of what Jake had schemed behind her tail to get her to this, regardless that she could see Fenray a million times later and maybe hope for better circumstances, she couldn't bring herself to move away.

Last night was horrible, the night before that was horrible as well. Fenara gulped and hoped she knew what she was doing because if she went one more night being lovesick she was going to scream until she fainted. "Um, ok." She whispered.

Fenray couldn't believe it. He had one chance to get away, one chance to never see this Fennekin again, but the obedient cub couldn't move now. His paws were frozen in place.

Why did Fenara have to say yes? Now he had to teach her how to use ember. "Um, well uh…" Truthfully he had no idea how to start. The Fennekin cub couldn't move himself to look away from her eyes. And her tail too, but mostly her eyes.

Fenara had to do nothing. She didn't even hear what he was saying. She missed it when her paws started sagging and a smile spread across her face. Her ears dropping to her side.

Fenray just assumed that look was normal. The more he talked the more entranced Fenara became. Maybe that was normal? Well, he had a job to do, the Fennekin shook his ears. "Well first you'll want to stand like this," he jumped up into a battle position, "and then start thinking about…"

Fenara didn't hear a single word. Wherever the bubbles in her stomach were before, they were everywhere now. Fenray wouldn't be quite, Arceus! Why was she smiling?

Fenray was enjoying this moment. Because truthfully, he actually thought she just wanted to learn ember. At least she wasn't trying to pry his tail off. The more he talked the more his feelings could be ignored. "Make sure to always…"

The more Fenray talked, the worse Fenara felt. Her world started spinning, her fur was turning bright red.

Jake had run for twenty yards, then immediately he turned and ducked below the grass and stared out at the two cubs.

The clueless Jolteon had done it. They were finally together. Arceus knows what would happen but at least he would finally get his answer. He would finally know if Fenara really liked Fenray or not.

The Jolteon paced his paws in anticipation. "Come on Fenara, hurry up." She was just standing there; they were both standing there. What if they ran out of time? What if Eseral found out what they were doing and interrupted everything? Then he would never know! Plus he would lose the chance to get a berry from his sister. More importantly, he wouldn't know the truth about Fenara's rant last night. He needed to get his thoughts in order but for now, he just wanted to see what would happen. Clearly, something was wrong with both of them so now it was just a waiting game.

The Jolteon couldn't believe it. Even when he mentioned Fenara to Fenray he didn't get red cheeks. Then, when he finally brings Fenara to him, neither of them do. They had yet to remotely show that they were in love, except for the awkward staggering of course but even Jake missed that. Maybe it was all in his head, Fenray finally approached Fenara and Jake hoped things would become interesting. Whatever these Fennekins were going through, Jake missed all of it. There was only one telltale sign that two Fennekins were in love but both their cheeks were pure white. Except for Fenara's which had grass and dirt stains all over it.

They weren't even talking that much. Fenara looked like she was going to puke. "Oh come on!" Jake whispered under his breath. "Are you in love or not?"

A loud wail of pain was heard across the pack. Jake looked over to find his sister bolting towards him thought the grass out of sight. Cheddar was on the ground moaning and got half the pack's attention.

Jake couldn't believe his eyes. He had to jump back when suddenly Alisa was sliding right to him and then crouched next to him, no one having seen a thing. "What did I miss?" She demanded, watching the two Fennekin's in the distance with keen eyes like her brother.

Jake took a moment to find his voice, surprise showing all over him. "What? But, Alisa? What did you do?" How did she escape the whole pack? Why was Cheddar screaming in pain?

Alisa rolled her eyes. Jake promised to keep her in on this so what does he think she did? "I head-butted Cheddar and then made a break for it. Now, what did I miss?" The Eevee could hardly see a thing from here. This is a horrible spot to watch the two of them. At least she could see their fur from here but she couldn't even hear them.

Jake expected no less from his sis, he double checked to make sure no one saw his sister get away but even Cheddar wasn't sure what happened. Eseral was asking the Chespin now what happened because it apparently looked like she tripped, except for the obvious bruise forming on her forehead.

Well, he might as well entertain his sister. Jake crouched low in the grass again. "Um, so far, well? Nothing." Jake hid back in the grass.

Alisa rolled her eyes. At least she didn't miss anything yet. They watched as absolutely nothing happened and Fenara stared at Fenray like he was a rock. Fenray wouldn't be quiet about how an Ember was supposed to feel in your heart and not your mind, something about a life source or whatnot but clearly, Fenara wasn't interested in his lesson. Apparently, his eyes were more captivating, especially less than one foot away.

It was a full silent minute before Alisa spoke up. "One more Oran says they fight again."

"No," Jake complained, rolling his eyes. "I want to see what happens." He was already winning this bet, he wasn't risking anything else.

"Then two if they make up." Alisa sweetened her bargain. "And an extra one if Fenray says sorry more than ten times."

Jake looked down at his sister. Was she serious? Her stubborn look said so. "No deal." He finally said, disappointing his sister. "I'm already two in the hole just to have you cripple the Chespin."

Alisa rolled her eyes. Truthfully she did that last part for fun. It was trying to talk to Cheddar that was the most difficult. She sat back down in the grass watching the two Fennekins and their very boring awkwardness.

Alisa knew her friend Fenray, and she even knew Fenara better than Jake thought. She smirked, wondering if it was worth the risk. "Five Orans if they kiss."

Jake's ears shot straight up. Five! Was his sister joking? He thought about it. His sister gave him that look as if making fun of him for thinking about it.

Jake had to think about it. He watched the two Fennekins in front of him looking for tells into Alisa's bet. They weren't talking much, unlike his own mother and father who fell in love. In fact, Fenara looked like she was sick of this Fennekin, except for the smile of course. Jake was also oblivious to the fact that Fenara had nearly drowned in the lake and that Fenray's life-saving kiss, or ember as he heard, had saved her.

But were they really in love? Jake doubted it. He smiled knowing his sister was about to be in some serious debt to him. He could make her do whatever he wanted in exchange for five Orans. Maybe…

"Deal," Jake smirked, his sister suddenly taking a much larger interest in the two cubs in the distance. Jake hoped he knew his friend better than he thought.

Please don't kiss him Fenara. Whatever you do, don't kiss him.

Fenara had been listening to him for more than ten minutes. "It's easier if you stand up taller but remember what I told you about working it in your mind. It's harder if you don't listen to your heart when you launch the attack." Fenray finished.

Fenara hadn't even moved. Fenray had been bouncing around and giving her lessons and all she could stare at was his eyes and face. It occurred to her that Fenray was waiting for her to answer to something.

Oh Arceus, shoot! She wasn't listening. "What? Um, uh, I mean. Yes?"

Fenray stopped. It wasn't the first time one of his friends hadn't listened to a thing he said. His paws were still feeling a little weird but otherwise, he felt ok. He misjudged and thought Fenara felt the same. "I said, you should give it a try."

Fenara's eyes went wide. Oh no. "Um, uh… How about you just show me again."

Again? Fenray's ears shot upright. He hadn't actually shown her anything yet. He had just been talking the whole time. But show her? Sure, why not? "Um, ok."

Fenray turned around. He sat down and realized he was doing it wrong and stood back up again. Fenara chuckled, she nearly choked and shoved her paw up against her mouth.

Fenray was trying hard to pretend that he had just one job to do, but something told him Fenara was standing this close to him for a different reason in the first place. He faced her so that she could see his concentration. All Fenara saw was whatever her mind told her Fenray looked like.

Fenray took in some air, he started concentrating, but his thoughts were all jumbled.

There was one thing he had to get off his mind before he attempted to show her anything. He couldn't launch a single attack and unless he said this. "I'm sorry about your tail Fenara."

Fenara's ears shot straight upright. Wait, what?

"And your fur?" Fenray stammered. He quickly went on, the awkwardness in his head lifting with every apology. "And for nearly drowning you. And surprising you when you woke up. And trying to run away, and then blaming you, and then the ember attack, and…" He ran out of things. Alisa had been counting. Dang, so close. Good thing she didn't take that bet.

Fenara wasn't sure what to say. She could see it in his face, genuine concern that he was wrong about what happened at the lake. That maybe, just slightly, perhaps he actually did kiss her.

Oh no. Fenara felt her fear choke up even more. Whatever happened next, she would end up confessing everything too, she just had, to tell the truth. She would have to explain that saving her life was great, that she overreacted, that she enjoyed the kiss, his warmth?

Fire exploded in front of her. Fenara screamed and fell back onto the ground.

Fenray wasn't expecting something like that. "Oh no!" He ran right up to the Fennekin who was squirming on the ground. "Sorry! I'm so sorry!"

Fenara was impressed. The second it leaped from his throat it was gone but that was to her surprise a pretty impressive ember. She noticed Fenray was standing right over her and her mind shot to worry.

Fenray hoped he didn't hurt her, but truthfully the attack wasn't even close to burning the grass. The second he launched it, it disappeared. Apparently, it was enough though to impress Fenara. He smiled.

He was too close. Fenara gulped. Fenray offered her a paw to help her up, oblivious to the fact that she felt like sprinting away from him right now.

Fenray smiled. He had done his part. "Ok, now you try!"

Fenara's ears fell. "Wait, me?" She was yanked upright by the Fennekin in half a second and suddenly Fenray was by her side.

"Yeah!" Fenray cheered, excited that it had worked. He actually thought it was going to be a complete failure but he actually created a flame. He couldn't wait to see if he had taught this friend of his something of value. "Just do what I told you. First, stand up straight…"

Fenara stood up as straight as she could. Her stance was so wobbly she could've been pushed over by a leaf.

Fenray was way too excited for this. He couldn't bring his eyes off Fenara as she pretended to concentrate. "Perfect! Now inhale deeply."

Fenara did. She took her time, worrying that maybe she would fail. Arceus! Why was he standing so close to her? She could reach out and push him over if she wanted.

Her fur started heating up. Fenara wasn't sure if it was from preparing an attack, or the Fennekin right by her side. Fenray seemed to wait on telling her the next directions, though. She sat and waited, her cheeks puffed out.

Fenray had to know. He just had to. "Did you really mean to get angry with me?" He said it all too fast.

Fenara nearly choked. She coughed twice surprise. "Ack. What? What Fenray?"

Fenray's face was one of mortal concern. He just had to know. "At the lake, when you yelled at me. Did you really mean it?"

Fenara wasn't sure what to say. Instead of choking on her words and the questions she wanted to ask, Fenray just ended up asking the question himself.

Should she tell him the truth, or lie? "Um, I didn't…" She froze. She couldn't say it.

Fenray waited. Forget the ember, his mind was set. He just had to know. His cheeks were turning red, and it wasn't from the ember attack earlier.

Fenara had only a minute to think. What did she think of the incident at the lake? About Fenray attacking her and nearly drowning her and then blaming everything on him even though none of it was his fault? How about nearly dying and the black abyss and all the worried cubs and Eseral and Shadow and…

But the kiss? Fenara couldn't move, she was locked in his eyes and Fenray was still a way to close for her to even breath. And the kiss that somehow saved her life? When she was lost in the black abyss but somehow that one attack brought her back to life, about how she decided no matter what she needed to find it again, when she found out it was Fenray?

Fenara thought about it. The whole missing an entire tail thing sucked, but… "Um. I kind of liked it." She whispered.

Fenray was hoping for any answer, but not that one. His ears fell below his head. The question was answered for Fenray, he knew how she felt. Now to return the favor.

Fenray? He kind of liked it too. The Fennekin looked behind him at Jake and Alisa who were clearly not hiding well. He looked around him but no one else was watching to his horror. The Fennekin bit his lip in indecision.

Fenara realized something, her ears shot straight up. Wait, they weren't alone? Was that Alisa's brown tail sticking out of the grass? Immediately the Fennekin was furious. "Hey! Jake! You can't just…"

Fenray padded the grass below his feet. He pulled on his ear. He reached forward and kissed Fenara.

Fenara was about to scream at the Jolteon in the distance, but then she stopped. Fenray pushed against her face, she looked down in surprise.

The poor cub was too surprised to do anything else. Just as Fenray thought, the emotions went away the second he did what he feared most. It hardly lasted for half a second, he was sprinting as fast as he could for the other half, the taste of dirty fur in his mouth, but that was the least of his concerns.

Fenara froze, her eyes shot wide. He kissed her. Did he just? He did, didn't he?

The grass turned soft. The sun turned brighter. What was left of feeling in her body suddenly vanished as the colors took over her mind. Her smile hung limp on her face and her paws collapsed to the ground. Her ears fell every direction but up.

The ground was so soft, the air so sweet, the dirt smelled so nice. Forget the anxiety she felt earlier, it was worth the bliss now that surrounded her mind. She fell flat on her face, smiling as wide as her teeth allowed.

Jake had finally caught up to the two just before his sister came charging over. They didn't even bother to look at Fenray who was sprinting as fast as he could, already out of sight. He wouldn't stop for a while but when he did, it would be because he couldn't tell the ground from the sky with the bubbles lifting him into the clouds.

Jake couldn't believe it. His mouth hung agape. "Holy Arceus!" He screamed. "He actually did it." He owed his sister so many Oran berries now. Shoot!

Alisa smiled with pride. "I told you, brother!" She jumped in front of the Fennekin thinking that somehow Fenara was still sane enough to concentrate. "So Fenara? What now? We can sneak to the lake and…"

Fenara couldn't move, she didn't hear a thing. "Hey? Hey, Fenara? I'm talking to you." Alisa waved her paw in front of her wide eyes, she got nothing.

Jake watched, his moment of patience finally coming true. He watched as Fenara collapsed on the ground right in front of the Eevee, her eyes falling shut, her tongue slightly drooling.

Alisa was disgusted. "Eww. Um, I think she just died." She prodded at the Fennekin's fur, surprisingly hot to the touch. "Yeah, she's dead."

Jake chuckled. He leaned in close, he had to see it. Whatever was happening to Fenara would be revealed in just a few seconds before she fell unconscious and who knows what happens then.

Fenara was sitting in the open grass with no one in sight. She was alone and she could sprint any direction she wanted. She stopped to smell flowers, she stopped to dance in the grass, she rolled and laughed at every blade of grass she could touch! She felt great!

The ground lifted her. She giggled as her body rose from the ground. Her tail was back; her fur was weightless. The clouds circled around her and everything became too sweet to even smell, too bright to even see.

The young Fennekin smiled, her real life body completely numb and quite ugly from what looked like a disaster after a battle. Her fur was still gross and she was drooling again. Fenray knew it too after kissing her but his own mind had just started spinning as well. He would last about four more seconds than her, his face already falling to the ground and unable to be lifted again. His own paws were starting to feel very weird.

Fenara looked awful, but Jake could see it. He shoved his paw up to the Fennekin's frozen face and Alisa complained that it was gross. She backed away from the weird cub that just somehow fell asleep in front of them. So Fenray kissed her, so what? She didn't have to fall asleep because of it. Eww!

Jake's paw held no doubt, his fur twitching at the funny feeling against such a small Fennekin cub. Warmth. His paw was warm. Jake smiled. Fenara's cheeks started turning a different shade entirely for the first time today since she saw him.

Her cheeks were bright red, just as Jake feared. "Well, at least we know there in love now." He gulped.

"Yeah." Alisa snorted, backing away again. She prodded her brother's tail fur and Jake turned around angrily. She couldn't let him sit still for even five seconds when he was with someone else. "What?" Shoot, he just realized he now had to drag Fenara all the way back home. Or maybe they could leave her out here? Maybe Fenray would watch her?

Alisa smiled. Then Jake realized, it wasn't just a normal smile, that was the smile she always gave him when she knew she had him beat. Jake's ears lowered towards the ground.

Oh Arceus, he had just lost a serious bet. Well, there's goes his plans for the day.

"Pay up!" Alisa snorted, holding out her paw. She stuck out her tongue.