(This chapter is told through Nate's perspective)

Dad's been really busy lately. I remember he said something about tracking someone down and collecting a "bounty". He said if he captured this person and turned him in to the police, they would give him a large reward. Something's been bothering me about that whole scenario. If it's a police officer's job to protect innocent people and arrest criminals, why pay a random person to do the job FOR them? Apparently, Henry told me that it speeds up the recapturing process, and that is because more people are keeping their eyes open for the target. This hasn't really had any true impact on me, so I concluded it would be better to just ignore it. After all, Henry hasn't been a "bounty hunter" for very long.

"Eh," I thought to myself. "if it doesn't affect me why bother with it?" It is making Henry happier and keeping him from thinking about "the incident" . . . I think! However, Henry seems to have been more stressed than usual, and overall he doesn't spend as much time with me. Sure, he does still care about me and his robot assistants are doing most of the housework. Life has been this way since we moved to Kalos, I always mind my own business and try my best to stay out of Dad's affairs. That is until he ends up coming home late at night, and leaving a trail of blood behind him. The previously mentioned situation tends to always go the same way :

First, I'd typically rush up to him and say something along the lines of :

"Dad, are you okay? That looks like it's serious! Should I go get the medical robot?".

Next, Henry would respond by smiling a twisted smile and saying,

"Trust me Nate, I'll be fine. Just go back to bed. When you wake up, I'll be as good as new!". He'd then rub my soft mane, and stagger into the bathroom to clean up. And I'd always perch on the bar that dad built for me to sleep on, (considering my species typically sleeps upside down) and sigh in worry. Thankfully, that hasn't happened in about two months.

My biggest fear is losing Dad. If I lose him, I don't know what I'll do. Will his robots just take over as "parents" and raise me until I die? Or will they put me up for adoption to find a new trainer? Maybe they'd release me into the wild. The last option scares me the most. Sure, I was raised by a human my whole life, and he did teach me how to survive out in the wild. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that I'd miss this place . . . .

Anyways, maybe having some company would alleviate some of that stress. Just somebody I could talk to other than dad. Yes, he understands me extremely well, but as I mentioned before, he doesn't have a lot of free time on his hands. Whether it be another Pokémon in the house to play with or another parent who could spend way more time with me, maybe even another Noivern . . . that would be nice.

NO, no! That's just a fantasy. Oh, alright. I'll admit it, having a female Noivern in this would be quite pleasant. Unfortunately, Henry already knows about the emission, or "wet dream" as he called it. But, I couldn't help it! Now he thinks I'm ready for a mate! I'm only seven years old, and he's seventeen. Why am I ready for a mate and he isn't? He's more than TWICE my age! How would another Noivern, no, any Pokémon react to me being shiny? Maybe it's just time for me to face the facts and realize that I need to just snap out my instincts. It . . . the idea of a mate is just so tempting though . . .

"Nate," a clear voice calls to me. I look over and see that Henry was talking to me. "buddy, you spaced out for a decent minute there. Are you feeling okay?" Henry asks.

"Better than ever," I respond, trying to sound enthusiastic. "we're going bounty hunting soon!" My tail gets a mind of its own and starts to wag. This'll be a fun day. Just me and dad, making the Kalos region a little bit safer for all of its citizens!

"Correction, I'LL be going bounty hunting soon!" Henry states. Reassessing my surroundings after spacing out for a little while reminded me we were sitting in the kitchen. The smell of freshly cooked Pokémon food sitting on the stove, telling my stomach it was still empty and I should probably eat. "Listen Nate, this criminal will be facing charges for rape, kidnapping, resisting arrest, and attempted murder," Dad explains. Meanwhile, I just take a bite of the Pokémon, listening intently. "if something bad happens to me from trying to hunt him down, shame on me. If something bad happens to you because you came with me to hunt him down, DOUBLE the shame on me for being stupid and unable to defend my son."

"Aww . . . but I wanted to do something with you as father and son." I said. Staring at the blue walls of the house and the checker-tiled floor.

Then, I feel a hand fall on my shoulder and hear a calm tone say the word, "Hey," causing me to look up. "we can have some fun later." Henry reasons. Taking note that he was a genuine smile on his face and NOT the twisted one from coming home hurt. "To tell you the truth Nate, if you had said this a few days earlier, I would have backed out and let it all go. But, I've put too much time and effort into finding out where this guy lives." Dad said. Seeing dad smile made me smile. He seemed to have actually have been in a decent mood.

You see? It's moments like these with dad that I actually enjoy!

"Maybe today will be special after all!" I thought to myself. THIS is the Henry I enjoy being with.

"Master Henry," a monotone voice asked. "would you like me to call you if you aren't home by the usual time?" Oh yeah, then there is Bethany. Bethany is the housekeeper and Henry's robot assistant. She is very sweet, whether intended to be or not, I don't care. Though she isn't exactly able to solve the "friend" issue, she helps me through some minor doubts throughout the day.

"Bethany, if I'm not home by the normal time, that means I'm hurt or still trying to cash in the bounty at the bank." Henry replied.

"Very well." Bethany responded.

"I've got to get going you two." Henry said after a few minutes. That's when I noticed he was dressed in all black. Oh boy, he'll be hiding in a few alleyways during this. *gulp*

"I love you, Dad!" I called to him after forgetting I had just taken a bite of food.

"Love you too, son." Dad responded and with that he closed the door and left. Even though he left, I felt a thrill go through me as I thought of whatever Henry had planned for the two of us after . . . work. Bethany cleaned up the table while I went to lie down in front of the fireplace for a short nap.

"This will be a fun day!" I thought as I closed my eyes for the nap. NOTHING can ruin this day now!

*END*