Chapter 10

"Grace it has been so long. What brings you to our Gym." Stripe said. Grace looked up with a sigh. "I wish it was under better circumstances." Grace said. She looked up when she heard the door open. "Just don't get you Ninetails mixed with mine." a voice said. "I wont trust me." Rachel said walking in. When Rachel saw them she came up and hugged Grace. "So is this your friend then mommy." Rachel said.

Stripe looked at Rachel confused. Grace laughed for a minute. "Stripe this is Rachel. She is my daughter. I had to make her look like a teenage human to protect her." Grace said. Stripe looked at her friend shocked. "But Grace I remember you saying you would never have a child. You said you didn't think you could stand the birth." Stripe said. Rachel hen spoke up. "I am really a 6 year old girl. Mommy made me her daughter after she found me alone crying." Rachel said.

Stripe looked at Grace for more explanation. "She ran away from home because her parent's didn't want her. So I decided to make her my own. We are heading for the haven." Grace said. "Well you did good making it this far. Your about a good 2 weeks from it." Stripe said. She looked at Rachel and smiled. "I have seen many Ninetails and there little ones come by going for the haven. I never thought I would see you thou." Stripe said.

Grace just nodded. "If it was under normal Circumstances I would just be stopping by for a visit. But I need to protect Rachel. We have two trainers following us trying to catch her. They managed to but I took her back when they were asleep." Grace said. "Are you nuts. Grace that's illegal to humans. They will think you stole her." Stripe said. "But I didn't. Rachel is mind and it will stay that way." Grace said.

Grace looked back at Rachel. "Besides I can't really separate from her. I have grown to close to allow that." Grace said. "Ok I must say Grace. I am happy to see you thou. And I am happy to meet your new child at least. Fair warning thou. People will be after you at this time of year. Trainers are out and ready for adventure. Their will be no resting after this point." Strip said.

Rachel looked at them confused. "Once more I think you should keep Rachel human until you get there. It would do you good for people to think you were a owned Pokemon. "Stripe said. "But I don't want to stay this way. I want to go back to being a Vulpix with Mommy." Rachel said. Grace nudged Rachel's cheek. "I know but what Stripe said is true. But I wont force you. It will be up to you. Cause I really hate causing you pain." Grace told Rachel.

"So I guess it's time then. Rachel do you want to stay human until you both reach the haven or do you think you can make it their as a Vulpix." Stripe said. Rachel looked at Grace. It was a good point but Rachel didn't want to be human. she was risking her parent's finding her. But if she turned back into a Vulpix she would have trainers after her.

Rachel looked at Grace. "I can take the pain. I will stay human when we are walking on the road but if we are in a area where people don't go. I will go back to being a Vulpix." Rachel said. Grace sighed. "Mommy. I want to be with you right now." Rachel said. Grace nodded. She then turned Rachel back into a Vulpix. After it was done Rachel went up to Grace and laid next to her.

"So it's a curse then." Stripe said. Grace nodded. "At first she stepped on my tail. But as she told me her story I couldn't hurt her. But I did tell her there had to be punishment. So instead I did this. And she and I have gotten close since." Grace said. "Go ahead and rest then. I think you both need one. I will have you back on the road the day after tomorrow." Stripe said.

This gave Grace some comfort. She was able to keep Rachel out of harms way for a whole day. And she would be able to relax and regain her energy. She looked at Rachel who yawned. Grace nudged her little head. "Rest now my little Vulpix. You need to sleep." Grace said. She looked up to see Stripe smiling. "you make a very good parent Grace. I hope you take good care of her." Stripe said.

Grace smiled and laid her head down. Stripe then looked away and started walking. "So Rachel is cursed but with a blessing. I really hope Grace knows what she has just done." Stripe said. She had remembered the legends her own parent's told her. And she remembered one in particular that referenced to a Ninetails that was human saving the region.

She remembered her parent's telling her that this Ninetails would come back one day. And it would mean life was going to get a whole lot more interesting. "I can't wait until Rachel evolves. It is going to be fun." She said with a smirk. she walked down the hall way to her trainer. She came in and laid a paw on his lap. "Hey Ninetails. Hows your friend." He said. "She's good. And she has something rather interesting that we need to keep safe." Stripe said.

"So I guess my hunch was right then." He said. "Yep. The best we can do now is give them a place to rest and hope they reach the haven safely." Stripe said. "Ok I will have food waiting for them in the morning. Just make sure our new friends are comfortable." He said. Stripe smiled. Her trainer knew all about what was happening. Only because after a while. She trusted him enough to let him be able to talk to her. She looked back at the room. "I hope that Rachel likes her new life." Stripe said.