A/N: I decided to continue this. For now it is rated T but may soon change to M since base on the outline I drew, it may or may not warrant this. Thank for everyone who read and special thanks to Delta5744 for reviewing and favorite(ing) and also kingofdarkdragons for favorite(ing). And I am very grateful to my BETA, ChaseingTheWind.

Disclaimer: I do not own Happy Tree Friends or any of their characters.

Home

It was raining again. There must be a storm coming. Shelter. Food. Escape. The young red head scrambled to her feet, her dull, crimson eyes darting everywhere. She was breathing rapidly, the air seem to disappear and she takes in deeper breathes but they were useless. Damn it! She's having an attack again. Of all the rotten luck, why now? The young girl tried her best to stay calm as she was pelted by the heavy rain. Experience had taught her that panicking only made it worse. She just needs to be calm, despite the dangers of the coming storm, despite how drenched she is right now, despite how cold she's getting. The girl knew that getting the flu is better than dying.

"Okay, girl, just breathe," after a few slow, deep breathes she finally calms down only to be startled by a loud clap of thunder. It was definitely a storm; there was no doubt about it now.

The red head now scanned her surroundings. To her horror she didn't recognize anything. Oh no! It happened again. She must've wandered here without realizing it. These memory lapses didn't come as often as before but she could never be so sure. She was starting to panic again, her breathing becoming shallower, her eyes darting back and forth. NO! The red head forced herself to stay calm. Panic leads to death.

"S-Shelter," she said through rattling teeth, "I need to f-find shelter."

The young, confused girl surveyed her surroundings again and found that she somehow stumbled into a forest of some sorts. Tall, moss covered trees stood around her; the ground was covered by twigs and fallen leaves that felt weird against her bare feet. After further inspection, she found what appears to be a trail that leads further into the woods.

"W-well, at least it's something," she whispered, steeling her resolve, she started following the trail.

XXXXXXX

The piece of cloth she calls dress was now fully soaked and was getting heavier. Or maybe the red head was just getting tired. She was walking for heaven knows how long but it seems this trail has no end. Her stomach was now complaining. Her legs were aching. And she was constantly shivering from the cold. The young red head was just too exhausted. After a few more steps, she finally falls to her knees.

"Too… Tired…"

"H-Help.."

"Someone…"

"Anyone…"

"Please…"

XXXXXXX

"What were you thinking bringing her here?!"

"She needed help! I couldn't just leave her there."

"Yes you could. And you should have."

"I will no-wait! Leave."

"Make me!"

"Leave. Now."

Voices. She could hear voices arguing. She tries to open her eyes but they were too heavy. She tried to speak but her throat was dry. She tried to move but it seems her body wasn't listening to her. But it wasn't cold anymore. It actually felt warm. She could feel something soft surrounding her. Was this a blanket?

"Auuhh…"

The red head tried to speak but it came out as a tired groan. This was harder than she thought.

"Easy now," she heard someone say, "Don't force yourself."

"W-Where am I?" she whispered, finally she was able to say something, and she regretted it. Sharp pain shot through her throat and she let out another groan.

"You're safe," the voice answered.

She slowly opens her eyes, and although they were still heavy, she muscles through it. She wants to at least see who her savior was. Her vision was fuzzy at first, but they slowly focus and she was greeted by the sweetest smile she ever saw. It wasn't really much of a contest considering she can't really remember anyone smiling for her. At least, she thinks he's smiling for her.

"T-Thank you," she said, forgetting her sore throat and was immediately reminded of it. She was hit with a bout of coughing fits. Painful coughing fits.

"Here, drink," the man in front of her gently helps her to sit up and holds up a glass of water for her to drink. "Slowly, don't rush. Small sips."

She complied with his instructions, drinking in small sips, and her throat slowly recovers. The pain gradually fades until it completely disappears. "T-thank you. I feel much better," she smiles at him before averting her eyes, "I-I'm so-sorry for being a nu-nuisance."

"Think nothing of it," he returns her smile, "Now, let's start with something easy, what's your name, miss?"

The young girl clutched her blanket as she stared at the man that just saved her. His light green hair was wet, either from the rain or a bath; she suspects the former and feels guilty. She looks closer and notices the white shirt he wore was also wet and clung to him like a second skin. From the looks of it, this guy took really good care of his body. The young girl blushed as red as her hair. Why does it suddenly feel hot?

"I… I don't have a name," she finally answered, looking at his emerald eyes.

"You can't remember your name?" the green haired man gently asked.

"I-I don't know," she was fiddling with her fingers as she continues; "I can't recall having one."

"Well, I have to call you something," the man began to ponder, trying to find something suitable to call his "visitor". His eyes roam the room when he spotted something and a smile crept on his face. "Flaky."

The young red head gave him a confused look, "Flaky?"

"Yes," he stated. "If you would allow it, I would like to address you as Flaky."

Flaky. She can't believe it. She actually has a name now. A name. Flaky.

"I… I…," Flaky was speechless. She reached her hand out and mustering all her courage he says, "My name's Flaky."

"Flippy," the man infront of her gently takes her hand and smiles at her, "Nice to meet you, Flaky."

XXXXXXX

Flaky stares at their new house while riding the swing made by her father. It was simple, nothing flashy, just a wooden plank tied to a branch by a pair of ropes. But to Flaky, it was very special. This was the first thing her father did after they arrive at their new home. After the movers finished putting everything inside their house, her father went to their backyard and started making her this swing. The man didn't even change his clothes. She thought it was funny watching him build the swing while wearing a suit. She giggled as she recalls those memories.

"What's so funny, little one?" Flaky looks up and sees her father smiling at her while holding the ropes of the swing.

"Just remembered how silly you look while making this swing," she answered, grinning at her dad.

"Why you 'lil rascal," Flippy wraps his arms around little Flaky and lifts her off the swing, "I think you deserve to be punished."

Flaky's eyes widened and she began to trash, trying desperately to free herself from Flippy's embrace. But it was to no avail. Flippy was just too strong for her and before she could plead for mercy, her punishment began. Flippy started tickling her sides. He was relentless in his assaults and Flaky was laughing uncontrollably. No matter how much she trash her father held on to her and "punished" her.

"D-Dad!"

"I give! I give!"

"No more!"

"More?" Flippy grins and renewed his tickling to Flaky's dismay, but if she was really honest, she was enjoying herself. Of course she would never admit that out loud.

Father and daughter finally fell down on to the soft grass of their backyard. Both panting, trying to catch their breath. Flaky snuggled against her dad, and lets out a tired yawn. Flippy gently strokes his daughter's messy flaming hair and looks at the orange tinted sky. The sun was setting and night would be upon them soon, but he didn't make a move to leave. For now, let the night come. Let darkness come. For as long as his Flaky's beside him, things will always look brighter.