ONE YEAR LATER

Kaoru wobbled slightly as she walked toward the lake. As usual, a few Chao hovered over her, giggling. For the past year, Kaoru had been a huge source of entertainment for the younger chao, and watched over intently by the older chao. She was greatly taken care of in the chao garden and though she was too young to tell she was different, or even notice her parents weren't around, there were other people who could tell, and they were the biggest threat to baby Kaoru.

"She can't be allowed to stay here," Peaches was making his argument once again to Tuan and Acquila. Tuan and Acquila had grown tired of his argument about a week after Kaoru was founded and now chose to ignore him. "She's a disgrace to this ChaoGarden."

"Today's Wednesday, Tuan," Acquila yawned.

"I know. Is Falon going to observe her today?" Tuan answered as he looked up at the sky.

"I don't see why he wouldn't. He's observed her every Wednesday for the past year."

"Are you two listening to me?" Peaches yelled angrily.

"No," both Tuan and Acquila answered simultaneously.

"Do you think he actually observes anything?" Tuan asked flying away from Peaches, who only seemed to follow behind them to nag some more.

"I think he just watches her because it's relaxing to watch her. Don't you find it relaxing?" Acquila yawned again.

"I, for one, do not find it relaxing, at all." Peaches scoffed from behind them.

"Well, Peaches,' Tuan rationed, "no one is forcing you to stay around her. If you have such a big problem with her, you could always find a new garden." Peaches scoffed and flew away.

"Do you think he's really going to go find a new chao garden?" Acquila asked as they flew over to the lake and Kaoru.

Tuan sniggered, "I highly doubt it." He flew low and petted Kaoru's head, causing her to giggle. "But I did hear that Peaches is gaining a following. A lot of people don't want her to be here. They are going to try to get rid of her." Tuan sighed loudly and patted Kaoru on the head a few times before rising to Acquila's level again. "We can't let them."

"I don't know what would make you think we would. Besides, do you really think they would go against Falon's wishes?"

"Of course we would!" A dark red chao with dark green eyes and tips of feet called from behind them. "Falon is getting old, weak. We are considering his wishes and realizing he is getting soft. We can't allow this hare to stay here. She will be the destruction of us."

"Now, now Dianthus, it was agreed that Kaoru would be allowed to stay here until someone came to claim her," Tuan tried to rationalize.

"It's been a year, Tuan! Obviously no one is coming, and if that is the case then she will be here forever. We cannot allow that. We can't let her learn the secrets of the Chao and the Chao garden. I cannot believe someone as wise as you can't seem to grasp that when she is older she will be able to destroy us all. People all over the world see us as gentle creatures! If she stays here, it's only a matter of time before she learns our language and everything about us! We cannot allow this! Tuan! Are you listening to me!"

Tuan and Acquila had floated closer to Kaoru and grabbed her hands. She looked up at them with wide eyes. "She's so young, how can you possibly think that of her? If we raise her right, she wouldn't even think to do any of that," Acquila stated. "If we make her leave, who know what would happen to her."

"That is not our problem," Dianthus hissed coldly. "She is not our problem."

"She is now!" Acquila yelled at Dianthus. "She is our responsibility. We took her in."

"He is right, Dianthus," Tuan said quietly. "She should be our main priority while she is here." Tuan took a deep breath and his eyes narrowed into slits. "And she will be staying here."

"Twan? Twan...Kay?" The voice was small, so small that is almost went unnoticed. Tuan and Acquila jumped slightly when they heard it and stared down at Kaoru in surprise. "Twan...Kay?"

Dianthus narrowed his eyes down at the three of them. "And so it starts. She's learning to speak Chao. Just wait until everyone hears about this."

Dianthus flew away, though it went unnoticed to Tuan and Acquila. "I...What?" Acquila stammered as he stared at Kaoru.

"I think she sensed how upset we were. I think she is trying to ask me if we are okay," Tuan spoke slowly.

Hearing Tuan, they were quickly surrounded by a large group of the younger chao.

"She's speaking?"

"That's so cute!"

"I want to teach her some words!"

"Tuan! Your name was her first word!"

"It's adorable how she can't pronounce your name."

Kaoru's eyes filled with tears and she began to whimper, "Twan?"

"I think you guys are scaring her," Acquila said. "There's too many of you talking at once, do you mind?"

"Oh! Of course not!"

"She's just so cute!"

"We'll go now, bye you three."

The group dispersed quickly and both Tuan and Acquila started to pet Kaoru's head.

"It's okay," Tuan said.

"We won't let anyone hurt you," Acquila promised.


A.N.

I'm not so sure about this story. But I'll see where it will go.

The anti-kaoru group is getting intense.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Have a nice day and please review.