A/N: Flashback chapter.

"Where did you come from?"

My head jerked up in response to the sudden voice calling to me in the distance. After scanning the surrounding area, I held my head, dazed from being awoken so quickly. I had fallen asleep, again, on the dirt ground by a familiar tree I'd been loitering around since I came to animal village, only a few days ago.

I sighed, brushing a damp leaf out of my hair, glancing at it before tossing it aside. It was autumn, apparently, and quite late in the season. I could feel winter's chill in the air, nipping at my already cold skin. It's been like this for days, and I hardly remember how it all started.

I was dumped off here, yes, but by whom I could not say. It certainly wasn't someone like... Myself.

And what was I, anyway? I clenched my fist at the troublesome thought. I wasn't an animal, was I? I couldn't recall any animal in resemblance to myself. But then again... Could I even recall anything at all? Where was I from? What "town", or "village"?

I didn't know anything about myself, only remembering being dropped off. With a small bag, containing virtually no clues, nothing of any value.

Although, I could recall the past few days, of course. My struggles, in a town which I had no place.

I had first stepped out of the cab, heading cheerily towards the town hall, almost by instinct... Miss Pelly had greeted me kindly, asking my name and such information regarding my moving in. But it was odd... She checked her files, and seemed almost shocked at what she saw.

She informed me that no one of my name had reserved a home in town, and that the free house was already signed to another future resident.

I was entirely stunned as she turned me away, telling me that she was sorry, that I must leave so she may attend to her other business. Something seemed very wrong here, like there was no way that could be happening. But there was nothing I could do, no one else I could turn to. I figured my best bet was to get a walk on, to the nearest town I could find. Perhaps I could get a home there. I was certain there must be a free one, somewhere.

Clutching my small bag close to my chest, I nervously approached the town hall, the only exit I could find in this small, yet seemingly vast town. I'd rather have just left without a trace, but this was my only option at this point. My eyes squinted, I glanced up at the flag hanging from the roof, flicking about in the fierce wind. It was the symbol of this place, these people. Several small animals and leaves in perfect harmony, it depicted. Huh. Had I not been given the boot, I may have enjoyed it here, it seemed nice enough.

Slowly I entered, my eyes setting on a pair of what looked like dogs. Bulldogs, perhaps? Either way, they were certainly "canine", brown and white fur on them both. They each had a long wooden staff in their hands, for guarding the town gate, obviously. But why would a place like this even need guarding?

"Uhm, excuse me, sirs..." I bit my lip, hoping I had guessed the right sex for them both. "Well... Due to... complications, I... I need to leave. C... Could you open the gate for me, please?" I asked, squeezing the bag even tighter as I waited.

"Mmm?! Leave? Ah, yes!" With a simultaneous nod and clank of his staff onto the ground, he spoke cheerfully to me, making me wonder how often he heard those words. "I shall only require the name of your destination, and the friend who has invited you, and the gates will be opened promptly following!"

I cringed once more, struggling to swallow. "Ah, w-well, that's the thing, you see... I... I don't know where I'm going... I was sent here by mistake and-"

"Hm?! No destination? Then, my dear..." The guard dog clanked his staff against the stone floor once more, the friendliness in his voice disappearing. "I am afraid it is impossible for you to leave this place, my dear. Why not go home, or visit a fellow citizen? Run along, now." He briskly nodded his head before staring straight again, as if I'd already left.

"Eh? But sir, I don't have a-"

"Excuse me! Did I not tell you to go?!" He stared me down, sending a sharp shiver down my spine. "Do you know who I am? I am Booker! Not only do I guard this town's gates, I enforce the rules." He then drew a shiny badge from his pocket, which upon further inspection proved to be a legitimate policeman badge. "Leave! Or there will be severe consequences, I can promise."

I froze for a moment, about to speak again, then made a break for it. I ran straight into the gate, pressing against it in hopes that it would open, that I'd be free at last. Before I could open it even a mere crack, I felt two pairs of paws grab me mercilessly, tearing me away from the gate of freedom.

I struggled, perhaps even fought or bit, but nevertheless, I failed. Without hesitation, I was thrown out of the facility, my face and knees landing mercilessly onto the gravel. I cringed, feeling a small trickle of blood flow from my cheek where I must have been cut. Beside my blood, small tears slowly over poured from my tired eyes. How could that have happened? How... Why couldn't I leave... I have no place here... I truly felt hopeless...

"Are you lost?"

The voice returned, breaking me out of my flashback, it much closer now. I inched back in fear, not being able to make out in the slightest whose voice I had just heard in the dark night. It was true, I was lost. But so what if I was? It mattered little, to him especially (or at least, it seemed like a him, although I was still uncertain how accurate my gender guessing was after the aforementioned incident).

A crunch broke the silence. Someone was walking towards me, I knew it. It was him. But who was he... Even those few words he uttered sent my mind teetering. He lacked the odd animal accent the others here possessed...

"Ahhh!" I yelped, pulling my face back as out of nowhere, a hand touched it. "S-Stop! Don't touch me!" I squirmed, the strong hands picking me up from the ground, his feet moving us along.

As I continued to attempt freeing myself, we gradually moved farther into the open, dangerously close to being seen. I tried my best to get a look at him, which was impossible, being slung over his shoulder like that. I felt around his back, moving my hands down and feeling for a tail. He didn't have one, nothing. Could he be... Something different... Like me?

His body jolted when he felt my hands briefly rubbing against his ass, he pulling me up, not sounding embarrassed but instead slightly angry.

"What the hell are you doing?! I'm not-" He stopped, keeping his calm, watching me now I realized as I opened my eyes. The trees were gone, and we were truly out in the open, any clouds in the night parted, faint beams of moonlight shining onto us. My eyes widened at the sight of him. Although it was dark, he could be seen perfectly, and he certainly wasn't an animal. His hair was deep black, eyes silvery white, matching the sky above.

I reached my hand to his face, holding it softly, his expression remaining stagnant as I spoke.

"Who... Are you..."