Giovanni laughed as he watched his little Mew struggle to toss her blankets off this time. He'd tried countless ways and each time, she'd managed to throw off the coverlet that he had her wrapped in when she was lying down in a crib beside him. This time, he had tucked them into the sides of the soft mattress, she wasn't going to be able to just shrug them off this time, of that, he was making sure of!

The Persian seemed to be laughing with him as she rubbed her head up against the side of the cradle, the Mew looked up at her and smiled, her little giggle made Giovanni start to laugh again. It was a relief to have a young pokemon around again. He could still remember when his Persian was still just a little Meowth. She'd been so reliant on him, needed him to help her with everything, only this little Mew was something extra special. She didn't just need him to help her, she was literally helpless, just like a little human infant. She needed him to help her with absolutely everything! And that wasn't an overstatement. Persian stuck her head in the cradle to look at the Mew, than gave her a long motherly lick along the side of her face, the Mew cooed and brought her little hands up to wipe away the motherly affection. Persian snickered a little and purred louder as she returned to her Master's side.

"Rotten little thing, isn't she?" He asked the Persian as they both watched her toss, wiggling the blankets out of the mattress. "I think she's about to outsmart us once more, don't you?" Persian nodded in agreement and took a great sigh of humility as the little Mew finally gave a great heave and tossed the covers off. "Why you!" Giovanni was saying, but the little Mew was already having a riot laughing and giggling, her little body curling up and squirming around. He had to smile in spite of himself. There was no way to stay mad at a little cutie like her. "Alright, I'll pick you up." He told her as he gathered the little squirming Mew and folded the blanket around her as he lifted.

She quieted instantly and looked up at him expectantly. Both he and the Persian knew what she wanted. Milk. It was her normal routine. When she became restless, it was time to eat. Giovanni reached over and grabbed a small bottle that he had already prepared for her. She looked at it and then him expectantly. Her large eyes made him laugh, it had been a long time since he'd taken care of a baby, but he knew that there were no regrets about having her this young.

The Persian purred her own little smile, secretly worrying constantly over whether or not Giovanni would hurt the little one, as if it were her own. She nudged the little kitten's bottom to make it "meow" and coo as she greedily drank for the bottle. She liked seeing her Master smile, it made her feel good also. She sighed as she laid back down at his feet and rested her head upon his shoes, purring to reassure both her Master and the kitten that she was happy and all was well.

It was the Persian which heard the intruder before the chime rang on the intercom. She sat up and growled at the door. Giovanni looked over instantly, he'd learned to trust his feline companion's instincts, as they were never wrong. "Giovanni, sir? You have two Rockets here to see you? Shall I let them in? Or have them wait a while longer?" The phantom voice echoed through the room, the kitten fussed slightly in her little crib by the Persian's huge body.

Giovanni rolled his eyes. "Oh no. I forgot they were coming back today. . ."He sighed and looked down at the Persian and the kitten. She had her head in the crib and was licking the little baby gently, who was purring in response, waving her little paws around in joy.

The Persian looked up at him and snorted, as if agreeing with him. He bent down and picked up the bundle. "Well, it looks like you're awake now! Perhaps you'd like to play some? When these stupid people leave?" He asked her, she let out a cute little giggle purr that it made his heart ache.

"Sir? Sir? Are you in?" The phantom voice called again, the Persian snorted at the intercom and walked with her Master over to the desk.

"Yes, send them in." He replied as he pushed the intercom button back.

No sooner than having given permission, than the three idiots walked in. Two Rockets and one Meowth. "Hello sir! I'm glad. . ." The woman started, but stopped as she realized her boss wasn't sitting behind the desk, but standing in front, leaning on it. . .carrying something.

"Have you captured the Pikachu?" Giovanni asked, his voice low and menacing.

The three seemed to swallow hard and look at each other before answering the question. "Not yet, but don't worry, Boss, we've got a fool proof plan to capture it! Those pesky twerps won't know what hit them!" The woman said with a smile. The Meowth nodded his agreement. The third stayed silent.

Giovanni shook his head and was about to speak when the little bundle in his arms moved, making a cooing sound. The woman blinked and stepped forward. Well, I suppose there's no hiding it now. I might as well let them see the newest addition. He thought as he motioned them to come forward, feeling sudden unexpected pride at showing her off. "Yes, come see."

"What is it, Jesse?" The man asked as Jesse stepped forward enough to see a small baby, but unable to see that it is pokemon.

"It's a baby, James! It's so sweet!" She purred as she placed her finger near where the kitten's hand was. She nearly jumped out of her skin when the hand that grabbed her finger only had three fingers. She started, but didn't jerk her hand away from the little hand. "Boss?" Jesse asked curiously.

Giovanni found himself suddenly enduring the three misfits and smiled at them. "This is my newest addition. She's the latest thing I've been working on since Mewtwo escaped me. I thought I could grow her to full maturity, but a malfunction cured me of that thought."

Jesse stepped closer, followed by James, with Meowth jumping on the desk to sneak a peek at the little wonder. She was nearly white, her little paws and fur still showing her pink sink under her pale coat. Her little eyes were so big and wide that it made her seem all the more adorable. "Isn't she darling?" Jesse asked James, and for an instant, Giovanni stopped thinking about how stupid they were and how unfortunate he was to have them. They suddenly became a new set of Rockets that could aid him in finding what he lost.

"Yes, she is!" Was the response from James, who was smiling down at her. Meowth agreed.

Giovanni took this as an advantage to speak with them. "I have a new mission for you." All three looked up suddenly.

"Wha. . .?!" All three gapped in surprise.

Giovanni smiled as he rocked the kitten slightly. "I want you to go to the mountains, where the fossil of Mew was found, and search out Mewtwo. I have reason to believe that he would flee to where few humans would dare to go." Jesse and James looked at each other, it was Meowth who accepted the job.

"Great! We'll start off right away! Thanks, Boss!" Than, looking at his human counterparts, he scratched at him and yelled. "Come on! What're we waiting for! Lets go get that Mewtwo!!!" With that, they all stood tall and posed.

"Right! Lets go!" James said as they hurried out the office. Giovanni watched them go with relief. While he was glad they had intelligence, he had a feeling in his gut that they won't be coming back from this venture. The thought made him smile.

"Well, maybe I've finally found a way to get rid of those three. What do you think, my pet?" He asked the Persian, she looked in the direction of Meowth and growled her agreement, than shook her head and stood up on two legs to look at the kitten, propping herself up with the desk. Giovanni laughed and held her down a little for the other to see.

The Persian seemed to relax visibly when she found the kitten to be safe. Giovanni smiled anew, he was very proud of his two felines, but he knew, deep down, this little kitten would grow to be much stronger and more aggressive than a Persian, he only hoped he would raise her to love and not hate him.



* * * * * * * *

(Two months later)



Mewtwo laughed as the Eevee pups fought 'viciously' over a piece of Taurus. Asha shook her head and looked over at the small Rattata that was watching them closely, and behind it, the third pup which was stalking the Rattata. He looked over at Asha and smiled. They'd managed to be together for longer than either had hoped, and so far, Asha had not declined his offer of being a Mate. Although he still felt reluctant to act upon his feelings more than a friend should. *Ever imagine it would be like this?* Mewtwo asked her, his lavender eyes searching hers.

She nodded. *Yep. Always knew that I'd find someone, and we'd be raising Eevee pups instead of mewlings, yes sir! Never doubted it for a moment!* She said with a uplift of her head. Mewtwo laughed, trying to ignore a pang of guilt in his gut. He knew that even though she had him, she still felt lonely. But she only mentioned it to him once, than never again.

He blanched even now thinking about it, than looked up hurriedly to see if she noticed. She did not. Instead, she was simply gone. He let a half smile cross his face as admired her ability to hunt. She always seemed to sense when there was prey around, he still didn't have that good of hunting skills, but they were improving. Suddenly, she appeared to his left, the Eevee pups perked up and rushed to her side, rubbing against her and yelping for attention. *Ha! Very funny. No seriously, did you ever think that life would turn out to be better than what you had before? Something that you never expected.* Asha was silent for a very long time, he started to feel a little nervous that he had said something wrong.

Asha didn't look at him for longer than her silence. She stood still on all fours, staring ahead at the forest line in front of her, Mewtwo was about to speak when she finally spoke. *What makes you think that this is something I never expected?* Mewtwo swallowed hard, there was something in her tone that made him grow cold. *I always knew someone would come someday and make my loneliness go away. Mew was the first for my life, if it happened once, I knew it would happen again.* Asha looked over at Mewtwo with a look of such pain that it caused his heart to skip a beat, even Mew, who had been quietly dosing in the sun perked up at the change in the air. *Who ever said this is something I never expected. I knew I would have friends. But it's not friends that will end my suffering.* With that, she suddenly stalked off towards the forest, the Eevee pups watched her go and yapped after her, Mew hurried down to occupy them.

Mewtwo watched Asha walk away, his chest tightened in sudden fear. *Asha! Wait!* He called out, rising to his feet, but without looking back, she suddenly ran, disappearing almost instantly with the forest beyond. He took a step forward, hoping for a moment that he might be able to hear, smell, or even sense her. But she was completely blending in with the surrounding woods. *Asha?! Please! I'm. . .I'm sorry.* The last simply a mental whisper for uncertain forgiveness. His lavender eyes filled with tears for a moment, but he blinked them away.

*Give her time, Mewtwo. She's still uncertain about living with you. Her whole life has been spent without any contact of this sort, she's just a little scared and shy.* Mew explained as she looked into the forest. Her little eyes seeing what Mewtwo could not.

Mewtwo nodded, and watched as the littlest Eevee pup trotted off in the direction of his adopted mother. Good luck finding her, little one. Mewtwo thought as he turned and walked back to the entrance of the den, his eyes still scanning the forage for his lost love.

The pup looked back and shook its head, convinced that it knew perfectly well where to go. Since the woods for miles were secure enough to let the pups venture, Mewtwo didn't follow. Just as well. Thought the pup, looking up into the trees. Mom doesn't want him to see her, so why should he follow me. After it followed her a ways away from the den, it stood at the base of the tree she was in and began to whine. The sound did exactly as it was suppose to.

Asha came climbing down the tree quickly and nuzzled her little baby. *What's wrong?* She asked it, it replied by jumping around in a playful suggestion, she laughed as it crouched down on its elbows, but left its back end sky high with a long wagging tail. *You're so cute. It's a shame you're the smallest, I know you're gonna be the strongest!* She told the pup as she took one of her giant paws and pushed the pup playfully.

The pup rolled several feet and than came bounding back, twice as playful as before, now that mommy would play at last!

*Mom? Why do you hate Dad?* The pup asked after nearly half and hour of play. Asha laid down on the ground and thought long and hard. The pup laid down beside her and gave her the chance to think this one through.

Asha certainly didn't respond right away, it was one of the things she learned when she was very young. Eevee were a very brilliant race, they always had reasons for things they asked. Although not all of them were as smart, this one was the smartest she'd ever seen. Finally, her answer fitted in her mind, she responded to the little pup. *Well, I don't hate him. Not really. I'm just a little sad and scared of him, that's all.* As if sensing the oncoming questions, she began speaking again quickly. *I'm sad, because I'd love to have my own litter, and I wouldn't mind Mewtwo being their father, but he just doesn't seem to want anything to do with me in that way. He keeps a distance, a shield up around his heart. I just can't seem to make him understand that I want him more now than ever before. And second, I'm scared of him, because I don't want to have my heart broken. This world I live in, isn't Mewtwo's world. He has lived with man, and with machinery. He understands their world, but not mine. I'm scared that in a moment of weakness, I'll do something stupid and be discovered. I can't let that happen. There are too many things at stake.* The pup looked at her with wise eyes and sighed its understanding.

With a delicate little paw, the pup patted Asha's larger one reassuringly. *Mom, he loves you. He wants to be your Mate. He is only uncertain of these feelings inside of him. He is still much a pup as I am, perhaps if you made him understand how you feel, told him what you want and expect of him, he'll know what to do. . .* Asha smiled, but shook her head.

*What if I tell him and he doesn't feel the same way? What if he leaves me?* She asked, fear clutching her heart.



*You need to tell her, Mewtwo. We're been through this before.* Mew said in exasperation, he'd never seen a Mew lose it's temper as often as Mew, but he was sure if he kept trying her, she was gonna hurt him.

*What am I suppose to say?! Do I just come right out and say 'Asha, I love you and I never want to leave your side! I want to have a family with you! I want to be your Mate for life!'* Mew nodded and floated closer to him, her small white body a ghost in the twilight of the failing day.

*Exactly! That worked and sounded really good! Now just go out there and tell that to her. . .*She tried, but Mewtwo interrupted again.

*Are you INSANE?! I can't just come out and say that to her! Every time I look at her. . .everything I've planned to say just falls from my mind. I can't think. It's like. . .like my mind just freezes to admire her beauty.* Mew huffed and Mewtwo shut up, cocking his head back away from the agitated little Mew.

*Alright, listen closely Mewtwo, I'm only gonna say this one last time! She loves you! She wants to be with you! You're the one that is not communicating with her. From her vantage point, you're only here because you're like me, you need her. Tell her otherwise, or you're gonna lose her.* Mew said, her voice holding a little more patience than before.

*What if I tell her and she doesn't feel that way? What if she just ignores me, or worse, what if she LEAVES?* Mewtwo demanded, his lavender eyes wide with the thought of not seeing her again.

Mew suddenly became very patient. She floated right up to him and looked him straight in the eyes. *She confides in me. She always has, more so now than ever. Do you love her?* Mewtwo nodded silently. *She loves you. She wants you. But now it's your turn to tell her so. Now, what are you going to do about it?* She asked, her bright blue eyes locking onto his.

He searched the answer quickly and answered quietly. *Go out there and tell her how I feel.* He said with more courage than he really felt.

Mew nodded her agreement and pointed out in the direction Asha left. *Now, the pup is with her, so she'll be easy to find. Go now and tell her! Please! I'd like to stay sane, Mewtwo.* He gave her an odd look, she blinked at him and her eyes flashed. *You're fear is driving me CRAZY!* She snapped playfully as she shot a small bubble at him, pushing him off into the woods. *Go!* He smiled and took off in search for her.



Asha sent the little pup back home, after playing for an hour more. Dusk was swiftly approaching and she wanted to have some time to think before she returned back to the den, back to Mewtwo. With the pup gone, she was free to run as far and as fast as she could to stop thinking. All she wanted to do was run on instinct for just a little while. Let her mind settle down all the fears and angers it had, and give the waters a chance to calm, before she 'sailed' back into her ocean of problems. With the sun setting to her left, and the moon just on the other side of the horizon, she felt the deep routine of running with the wind that she had long before Mew was old enough to be mischievous. With the wind at her back, and nothing but freedom in front of her, she let go all of her fears and relaxed.

And that was exactly when Mewtwo ran into her.

Asha wasn't paying much attention to her surroundings, or the scents around her, so she didn't see Mewtwo drop out of the sky about three yards in front of her. By then, it was too late. He gave a warning cry and she tried to skitter to a halt before impact. But the momentum was too great on Asha's part. They collided.

For a few moments, it was nothing but a blur of colors, arms and legs, than finally, Asha leapt away from him and tried to get her hackles to relax. *Mewtwo! What are you doing out here?! You scared the living daylights out of me! What're you doing out here?!* She repeated again as she stood up on two legs and used her hands to straighten out her fur.

Mewtwo felt himself flush as she stood. He always loved it when she was upright, it gave her a shimmering look, almost as if she were more ethereal than substantial. *I was. . .um. . .well. . .I was looking for you. . .and I just wanted. . .to. . .um. . . talk to you.* He struggled to say as her intense blue eyes settled on him. Suddenly he felt as though he was going to start blushing fiercely.

*Talk to me? About what? Couldn't it have waited until I got back?* She asked, her eyes flickered with hope for just a second, than it was gone. He couldn't even be sure that he really had seen it.

*No, this can't wait any longer.* Mewtwo said with a shake of his head, Asha folded her arms defensively and stood up straighter.

*Alright, I'm listening. What?* She asked, her tone starting to sound a little more agitated than she intended.

Mewtwo took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Asha watched him with growing patience, what ever it was, it indeed must be something important, he never went through the trouble to track her down when she took off like this. So she steeled herself for the worst of news, but inside, prayed for the best. *First of all, I'm sorry for what I did back there.* Even though I'm not entirely sure what I did wrong. *I also realize that I've been keeping a distance between us. Believe me it wasn't something I was doing out of spite. I really wasn't even fully aware that I was doing it.* He shook his head, trying to remember what he had told Mew that he wanted to say. She had said it was a great way to put it. *What I'm trying to say is that I do love you. I'm just not really sure how to put it. I just know that I do, and I never want to leave you. I want to be your Mate. I want to have a family. I believe I'm ready now for that commitment, if you still feel the same, that is.* Asha stiffened as she heard him say those words, she didn't know how to take it, this wasn't what she expected to hear, not even from her hopes of the best news.

Mewtwo watched her in agony as she just blinked at him, her face a mask of unreadable expression. Did he just say what I think he just did? She asked herself, reeling in shock and surprise on the inside as she just stared at him on the outside. *So, what exactly is that suppose to mean? You committed to me once before, and than decided you weren't ready for it after you started to take care of the pups.* Her voice showed bitterness and anger.

Mewtwo sighed, trying not to wince away from her words. *I suppose I deserve that. . .*

*Damn straight you do!* Asha interrupted softly, Mewtwo frowned in guilt and continued.

*Alright, this is exactly what I mean. Asha, I love you and I never want to leave your side! I want to have a family with you! I want to be your Mate for life!* The words came out so easily that it surprised him.

Asha's eyes came up abruptly to his, he could see the tears brimming at the surface. She didn't say a word, but Mewtwo didn't think she had to, instead, she threw her arms around his neck and held on, he could feel her tears against his fur. He rubbed his cheek against the side of her head as she wept all of her sorrow and frustrations away. He closed his eyes and let a smile of relief wave over him.

It was in that moment, that Mewtwo deeply regretted not telling her how he felt sooner. There's nothing I can do about that now. . .He thought as he just held her. I'll just work harder to prevent hurting her more in the future. He thought with silent determination.