Author's Comment: Torn between writing out this chapter, and another one-shot story. So I've been working on both at the same time! I think I still got this chapter out a bit faster than usual, though. I hope you guys still enjoy; there's a bit of character history in this one, as well as a few hints for future chapters ;) ! Special Thanks goes to: Lectro Underground!

Chapter 10: Loren

"Oh, you're awake. Yay!" is the first sentence he hears as he stirs from his slumber. Reaching out his claws in a stretch, he buzzes his wings and immediately cries out at the shot of pain surging up his thorax. He had forgotten about his injury. He feels his shed gently lick and groom the base of his wing, and although the cold is soothing to the pain, he still pushes it away.

"Don't... Don't groom me." he tells it, his voice still thick with sleepiness.

"Okay..." Kowai mutters, giving its brother some space as the Ninjask sits up from his nest to do his own self-cleaning. Once he is done, he shakes himself off carefully and climbs down from the bed. He stumbles to the door, Kowai following him closely as he slips out into the hallway towards the stairs. As the young Ninjask moves downstairs, he smells a beautiful scent of food that encourages him to move faster. As soon as he reaches the bottom he spots his mother on the couch and he grins, his heart still lifting at the novelty.

"Hey Mom," he greets. "Dinner time?"

Both Ninika and Kowai seems confused by this at first and his mother giggles before flying over to him. She hugs him and nuzzles his face, the smaller bug blinking at his family's reaction to his question. What's wrong?

"Sweetie, it's already morning," She giggles again and grooms him as Sokudo blinks again, not understanding. Didn't he just fall asleep a couple of hours ago? Seeing her baby's still disorientated, she gets him to look at her, eyes gentle. "You were so exhausted yesterday, Kowai and I didn't want to disturb you. You ended up sleeping all through the night, honey."

Taking a few seconds to let that sink in, Sokudo looks quite embarrassed by this mistake in his biological clock and his eyes cast down to the floor. "Oh... uh... I knew that," he tries to compose himself, earning another chuckle from both his mother and brother. He heads towards the kitchen as Kowai gives its parent a morning cuddle of greeting. Sokudo attempts to bury his awkwardness by focusing on the delicious smell of breakfast and he sees his father cutting up some ingredients for an omelette, it seems.

Spotting his son, Kiru grins heartedly, giving a small bow of his head in greeting. "Morning, Sokudo."

"Morning, Dad," Sokudo replies with a deeper bow of his head, the novelty of the situation still taking hold of him. Walking up to the counter, he pulls himself onto a chair next to his father. "You cookin'?"

"Of course," Kiru chuckles, leaning closer to whisper to his son. "I personally wouldn't trust your mom in the kitchen. Last time that happened, she set water on fire."

"How is that even possible?" Sokudo can't help but ask. His father could only shrug in wonder, although he does stiffen when his mate makes herself known by the doorway.

"I didn't set the water on fire, for your information," she states in playful defensiveness, flying over to them to land on the chair next to her child. "I set the oil floating on top of the water on fire. There's a difference."

"I'm sure there is, honey," Kiru plays along, rolling his eyes a bit as he returns to chopping the vegetables with a scythe. He catches sight of Kowai floating silently by the doorway and he smiles at it, not wanting it to feel left out. "Hey there, little bud."

"Hello..." Kowai mutters, a soft growl discernible in its voice. It tries not to look at the Scyther so as not to aggravate its instincts, focusing instead on its brother. It floats over to the Ninjask duo, almost making a point in pressing itself against its sibling. Sokudo gives a noticeable groan of irritation, but he endures the public snuggle well enough. Kowai appreciates this greatly, showing this with a nuzzle although it never takes its full attention from its father. Keeping its voice soft, it tries hard to make peaceful conversation. "Where the fish...?"

"Oh," Kiru starts, wondering how to answer. He wasn't particularly inclined to eat that fish, as any sane Pokemon would be, but he didn't want to insult the Shedinja with the rejection... "It's in the fridge. I'm planning to have it for dinner."

Kowai merely grunts, not really believing its father, but forcing itself not to confront him about it. It's been doing good so far and it's not about to ruin it! Watching its father slice up the vegetables, it's about to try again at conversation when a soft, polite knock comes from the door. It feels Sokudo stiffen as he glances at it, and Kowai knows exactly why as its territorial instincts take hold and it starts to growl.

"Kowai, no eating visitors," The Ninjask gives a hushed reprimand, looking up as his mother leaves to answer the door. Kowai follows her intently and Sokudo only gives his father an anxious glance before jumping off the chair and pursuing his shed to make sure it doesn't cause trouble. Kiru himself wonders whether he should get involved in this and decides against it. Kowai's clearly getting aggravated and it's best not to push his luck.

Arriving to the door, Ninika glances back at the growling Shedinja, shushing it gently to get it to calm down. "It's alright, baby. Just stay with your brother." Kowai doesn't verbally respond, but it does hover to its brother's side, never taking its empty eyes off the door. The mother Ninjask opens the door carefully, ready to close it again if Kowai lunges to attack. But luckily, Sokudo seems to have it under control and she opens the door wider to reveal-

"Good morning, Mr. Loren," Ninika greets, a smile growing on her face.

Yup, that did it. At the sight of the other Shedinja, Kowai screeches and lunges, only to feel its brother's claw snag on its wing and yank it back. It tries to pull free to get at the intruder, but Sokudo refuses to let it as he snarls. "Kowai, back off! Remember our deal? No attacking people unless I say so!"

"But brother-"

"'But', nothing!" Sokudo cuts it off relentlessly. "Back off! I don't want to strain my wing by trying to Aerial Ace your face, but I will if you don't SHUT THE HELL UP AND SIT THE FUCK DOWN!"

Kowai cringes back at this outburst before staring at its brother. The silence is suffocating and it glances at its Mama indecisively before looking back to Sokudo. Its sibling looks extremely firm and points a claw at the couch. Turning back to Loren, it hisses softly but reluctantly backs away towards the couch, plopping itself onto the cushions. Never does it take its eyes off the other husk, ready to act at an instant's notice.

Sokudo snorts before glaring at Loren, unable to keep from spitting out his words with particular venom. "Whaddya want, asshole?!"

"Sokudo," Ninika starts in a scolding tone. '"Please don't-"

"It's fine, Mrs. Ninika," Loren tells her calmly before turning to Sokudo. "I am merely here to remind you of our deal, young Ninjask. Have you forgotten about the community service you're to take part in?"

"Of course not, you bastard," Sokudo hisses, bending the truth a bit as he had indeed forgotten about the whole thing in the chaos of yesterday's events. "What makes you think I give a shit about your fuckin' 'community service'?"

"Sokudo," Ninika starts, her wings twitching. "Watch your language, sweetie."

Sighing, Sokudo resists rolling his eyes and crosses his arms instead. "You can keep your moondust, and even if I did give a sh- er..." He barely manages to catch himself, glancing at his mother before censoring his sentence so as not to further upset her. "Even if I cared about it, I'm a little busy at the moment."

"We're about to have breakfast, Mr. Loren," his mother tells the Shedinja, petting her son's wing soothingly. "Would you like to join us?"

"Thank you, young Ninika, but I have to respectfully decline the offer," Loren states with a bow of its head. "I'm to supervise the Rescuers as they work, and I insist that your son comes to join us when he's eaten his morning meal."

"Uh, no." Sokudo growls.

"He'll be right there, Mr. Loren," Ninika immediately contradicts her son, another kind smile spreading on her mandibles. "Thank you for visiting." She gives a very respectful bow and the Shedinja nods before flying off. Looking at her son, she sees him staring at her in disbelief and she sighs. "Honey, I know you don't like him, but you did make a deal to help the village."

"But, Mom!" Sokudo starts to object. "That thing's the one who held me captive and hurt my wing! I want nothing to do with the bastard!"

"Sokudo, language," Ninika reprimands with surprising firmness and Sokudo pauses before averting his eyes, slumping dejectedly. He doesn't move as his mother grooms him a bit before she continues. "I'm sorry, sweetheart, but you need to keep true to your promises, even if you don't want to." She sighs and softens her eyes. "Mr. Loren is a very important figure here, Sokudo; he's the elder of our village and Grandmaster of our clan. You need to be more respectful or else-" She cuts herself off.

"Or else what?" Sokudo grumbles in reluctant compliance, seeing Kowai get off the couch to snuggle against him. He pushes it away, not in the mood, keeping focused on his mom as she hesitates and fidgets uncomfortably. After a moment, she shakes her head.

"Nothing, baby," she tells him. "Just listen to me and follow Mr. Loren's instructions. Please..."

"Mom..." Sokudo mutters softly after having stared at her for a while. But he decides not to push this further at the moment and sighs. "Okay..." He closes his eyes as his mother nuzzles him and leads him back towards the kitchen, Kowai following closely. Finally, after a moment of silence, Sokudo speaks up again, finding himself unable to let it go. "I just don't know what anyone sees in that stupid Shedinja, giving it respect and all. In the time I've met it, it's been a complete asshole to me..."

Ninika sighs heavily, knowing that next to nothing is gonna change her son's mind. But she should at least try. "Alright, baby. If you insist..." She lands on a chair, glancing at her mate and then at the floor as she mutters. "As I'm sure you know, Mr. Loren is the last Shedinja in our village, and the main source of our village's income thanks to his moondust," she starts. "He's been around since this place was founded, maybe even longer. And his position as head of the village and Grandmaster of our ninja clan was further strengthened when he survived the plague."

"Plague?" Sokudo mutters, feeling Kowai cuddle up against him once more. He allows it this time, given their father's presence as his mother continues her explanation.

"A long time ago, a terrible plague began affecting evolved Pokemon and it spread into our village. Given their... vulnerabilities..." She reaches out to pet little Kowai, who purrs softly and nuzzles her claw. "...the other Shedinja didn't survive, and almost none came into existence from our Nincada to this very day. A lot of Ninjask were wiped out, but not nearly to the extent as our counterparts. Centuries later, I was one of the lucky few that was hatched under ideal circumstances, because my mother mated with one of Loren's family line and out of seven children, I got the lucky genes to spawn a Shedinja of my own," Her eyes seem to sadden a bit, before she pulls herself together to place a claw on Sokudo's cheek. "And that's what possibly allowed you to have Kowai as well."

"Wait! So you mean... that asshole is..."

"Kind of like your uncle, yes, give or take a few centuries worth of generations," Ninika said with a laugh, petting her shocked son. Sokudo's wide eyes looks to Kowai, the little husk too sedated with snuggles to act as stunned as its sibling. Letting the pieces fall into place, Sokudo gives a huff.

"Then what do I have to worry about? If it's family, then-"

"Please, listen to me," Ninika says almost desperately. "I'm not finished yet..." She glances at Kiru, who nods in encouragement and she took a breath. "Given the lack of Shedinja in our village, Loren himself was passed down as a... 'brother' for a single young Ninjask of each generation. Such a thing is usually a great honor in our clan, but..."

She trails off a bit, as if confronted with unpleasant memories and Kiru leans over to nuzzle her a bit. Clearing her throat, she went on. "His most current brother, a Ninjask hatched in your father and I's generation, was far from grateful..." She shakes her head. "He was a horrible insect to Loren, and everyone else for that matter... always disrespectful and destructive and... actually quite malicious in his actions. He used his ninja training to do terrible, terrible things and as a result, Mr. Loren had him banished from the village entirely, just a few months ago."

"Banished?!" Sokudo exclaims in surprise. "Its own brother?!"

"And I fear the same would happen to you if you don't give him at least a little respect," she tells her son. "Your fear of disownment, that'll come true if Loren decides it, and your father and I won't be able to do anything to help you. He has the power to banish you from our village and clan, never to return, and disown you from our entire family, and yes, he does have the power to have you killed if he so desired..."

Blinking, Sokudo takes a good long moment to let this all sink in. As much as he hated to admit it... His mother's right. The risk is too great and he'll have to hide his hostilities for the remainder of his stay here. It'll be difficult, but do-able and he nods softly. "Alright, Mom. I'll be good."

"Thank you," Ninika whispers, holding Sokudo and Kowai close. "I know you'll do us proud, baby." She pulls away to smile at him before looking over her shoulder at Kiru, who scoops the finished omelettes onto three plates.

"Gather your strength, son," the Scyther says with a warm grin as Sokudo climbs up onto a chair with Kowai still attached to his side. He ignores his shed's almost parasitic clinginess and tried to take his mind off what he just learned by indulging in his dad's cooking.

It's been so long since he's eaten something so good.

"Let's just get this done and over with, Kowai," Sokudo grumbles as he walks down the path, his brother following him closely. "Remember, no freak outs."

Kowai only half-listens to its sibling, unsure about this whole thing. It wanted to stay home, but would rather not be with its father without its brother. It certainly doesn't want to be in the presence of another Shedinja either, but it convinces itself that at least it can ensure that Loren character won't try to steal its sibling. It nuzzles against its brother, only to be rejected and it focuses on growling at any Bug Pokemon getting too close.

Finally, they reach the center of the village, marked by the giant Ariados statue, and the Ninjask sits down to rest. He hates being ground-bound like this; that's the primary reason he hated being a Nincada. And to think, he's gonna be working under the Pokemon that did this to him. Loren is damn lucky his mother made him promise to behave or he would've sent Kowai after it a long time ago...

"Brother?" Kowai starts, earning only a slight glance of acknowledgement from its brother. "This community service thing, do I have to do anything?"

"Of course," Sokudo grunts like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "What? You expect me to do all the work?"

"I don't want you doing any work," Kowai mutters. "You're hurt and I don't want you making it worse."

"I'm fine," the Ninjask grumbles. He yawns and grooms himself a bit as they hang around for Loren to show up. It isn't too long of a wait and Kowai immediately starts snarling as it senses its fellow ghost approaching. But it begrudgingly does nothing to chase Loren off, at least until Sokudo gives it permission to. Looking up, they see the Shedinja carrying a few cleaning supplies in a psychic haze.

"Are you ready, young Ninjask?" Loren asks pleasantly and Sokudo literally has to bite his tongue to keep from making a snappy comment. It is harder than he thought, especially when his wing starts hurting more than usual just by looking at the stupid husk. Glaring at it with a soft growl, he tries to fathom that he's related to this thing, albeit very distantly, but related nonetheless. It almost made him sick to his stomach.

"Yeah... whatever..." The words sound a bit strained and the hint of venom is still there, but it's a start. He glances at Kowai, who was glaring and hissing at the other Shedinja, and he takes a breath. "Whaddya want me to do now?"

"You can start by cleaning the statue," Loren tells him, turning to the Ariados monument. "Some unruly visitors have vandalized it a bit and it needs some maintenance work to keep it pristine."

Blinking, Sokudo looks way up at the massive statue and his voice is shrill in disbelief and irritation. "You expect me to do this?! With an injured wing?!"

"I don't underestimate you, young Ninjask," Loren tells him calmly. "You're certainly strong enough to climb and you have your brother there to catch you if you're to fall." The elder turns to the much younger Shedinja, ignoring its show of hatred as he regards it. "I trust you're willing to do anything necessary to keep your sibling safe?"

"Of course!" Kowai barks, its jaws opening and closing as if eager to bite. "He's not gonna be harmed, by this stupid statue, by you or by ANYONE ELSE! SO GO AWAY!"

"Kowai," Sokudo grumbles softly and the little shed forces itself calm as much as possible. Glancing once more at the statue, the Ninjask takes a reluctant breath to keep himself composed as well. "This thing is fuckin' huge. There's no fuckin' way Kowai and I can finish this by ourselves."

"Oh, you two won't be working alone," the Grandmaster ninja states reassuringly. "A nice young lady and her Rescue partner have volunteered their assistance and are going to come by later to help." It places the cleaning utensils by the two other bugs. "Stay productive but don't work yourself too hard." It looks between the two for a moment before turning to float away. "I'll be checking up on you two every so often to make note of your progress. Come midday, you may have lunch with the rest of us, or return to your family. You'll be informed before then what your next job will be. Take care."

It floats off to supervise another group of Rescuers nearby and Sokudo grumbles as he gathers his supplies, Kowai taking the heavier bucket of soapy water in its black mist. The little Shedinja watches as its brother begins to climb the statue and it feels its protective instincts take hold.

"Careful, brother..." it mutters, earning only a grunt as the Ninjask continues to climb up onto one of the Ariados' lower legs before soaking a sponge in the Kowai's bucket of water and starts scrubbing. And already he feels overwhelmed and irritated.

He hopes their so-called 'help' will arrive soon...