-Chapter 1: First Breath-
*Part Two of Two*


A quiet five-minute walk through a small wooded area brought me to our town. Most of the shop-keepers were just opening up their shops when I strolled in, seemingly unaware I was there. I could smell the bakery ovens warming up today's doughy goodness, and the light aroma of Figy and Oran Berries hung in the air as I passed by. The smell alone was making me pretty hungry...for the first time, I hear my stomach growl in a cry for food. Only except I didn't think it was my stomach. It didn't take long for me to get noticed as I panicked at this new sound. A large, bi-pedaled creature with brownish skin came out of the store with an apron on, a mixing bowl in the crook of its arm as it stared me down. (I later learned that this was a Kangaskhan.)I didn't know what to say or do, so like a fool I just stood there in fear.

"...You're not from around here, are ye little one?" It said, it's voice oddly feminine for something of that size. It wasn't in a harsh tone, yet I still couldn't keep my heart from leaping out of my chest. I quietly nodded yes, never taking my eyes off her. She looked at me a bit more closely, tilting her head as something came to mind.

"...Are ye Kenya's boy?" She finally asked. I backed up a bit; how does she know my father? Finally I nodded yes, but still kept my distance from her. Right about then, another figure appeared at the doorway. This one looked like the female, only with grayish colored skin, and was missing it's armour plates. It too was a female...I could hear it in her voice as she ask who the "visiter" was. Maybe it was the larger's females daughter?

"Aw, don't you fret about the wee one there. That be Kenya's newest one, and it doesn't look like he'd harm even a wee Paras!" the mother laughed, nudging her daughter in my direction. Before I knew it, the little gray Kangaskhan had taken a hold of my forepaws, wildly spinning me around like a human girl would do with a Clefa doll. Terrrified beyond belief, I kicked myself free as the vents on my back flared up for the first time in my life. The little Kangaskhan released her grip at the sight of the flames, sending my body soaring through the air and face first into the glass door of the bakery.

"S-sorry there buddy. Sometimes I get carried away with meself..." the little Kangaskhan said as she stood over me. I was still dazed from my "accident", and was now lying on my back like a Torkoal trapped on it's back. Too dazed to understand, I just nodded at her. She smiled a little before helping me back to my feet and carted me inside the store so I could sit down. Maybe they just decided that I had already made a fool of myself...no reason to add anymore injury to that.

Across the booth I was in, the little female took her place, enthusiast still ringing in her tiny voice. The adult disappeared back behind some swinging door, so it looks like I was flying solo at this point with this girl.

"I was wondering when I was gonna see you there bud! Hope had been pregnant with you for a while now, and I just new you'd pop out any moment!" she squealed, a rather dorky looking smile across her face as she slammed her hands on the tabletop.

"Arceus, are all females like this?..." my mind quietly pondered, praying that this was just one of those rare ones. Her questions grinded to a halt for a moment as a troubled look emerged.

"*light laughter*...Oh my, where are my manners?" she started, settling back into her seat. I could begin to feel a tad of annoyance build up inside of me because of her endless train of questions.

"I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Isis, and my mother...that really big lady you talked to...everyone in town just calls her Moma Kanga." She smiled again, trying to take the end off a little. "So may I ask what your name is buddy?" Instantly my blood froze; I didn't have a name yet! Without a moment to think, I rolled out of my booth and made a dash out the door, Isis yelling at me to return. I didn't make it far, as in my blind panicky state, I ended up running
into Kenya.

"E-easy there son..." the Ninetails started, one of his many tails curling around me like a Seviper coiling around a tree. "What's got you so spooked? And why did you leave the den?" I could tell he wasn't too happy with my "adventure", but he didn't sound like he was all too mad at me. Gripping his foreleg, I looked up at him with a sorrowful look in my eyes...it seemed to do it for him, as his face brightened up with a quick smile. I was quickly whisked off and placed on the base of his neck right about the time the two Kanga's came out.

"Kenya! Top of 'da mornin' to ye lad!" the mother chuckled, crouching down to be at Kenya's level. "I see you found your boy there...timid little one he is..."

"As to you, my fair lady." Kenya greeted, his cheery disposition never-failing. "Yeah, he seems to be one of those kits who isn't the bravest of the bunch..." he continued, stroking my back trying to calm me down. "Just you wait though...he'll be like his mother once he evolves."

"You're gonna have a handful then Kenya. Better train him now." she joked, still tending to the mixing bowl in her hands.

"We'll see then..." the Ninetales grinned before casting his gaze to Iris, who had managed to sneak into her mother's pouch. "And how are you this fine morning, sweety?" A quick flick of one of his tails under her chin sent the girl happily squealing.

"I'm just fine Mr. Kenya!" she giggled, taking ahold of the Ninetales' furry appendage. Kenya just smiled and laughed as the little Kangaskhan rubbed her face with his tail; he didn't seem to mind all that much.

"*light chuckle* Well, if you two would please excuse my son's behavior-" Kenya started, only to be interrupted by Isis.

"Oh, he was no problem. 'Twas just a wee lost when we found him was all!" she said, her enthusiasm still strong in her voice.

"Well, terrific then! I should still be heading home now though...my mate is worried sick about the little one..." the Ninetales trailed off, withdrawing his furry appendage from Isis.

"Oh no, I understand. I'd be worried too if little Iris here ever disappeared on me. Go home Kenya." the mother urged, waving goodbye as she stepped inside again to continue working.

"Addio! VI vedrò più avanti!" (Goodbye, we will see you later.) my father roars over his shoulder as we leave town. For a few tense moments, an uneasy silence hung between us. I was pretty sure he was mad at me at this point...

"Son...please tell me you are okay..." I finally hear him say. I hesitated for a second...was he just concerned?

"...y-yes daddy..." I squeaked out, my face still buried in the fur of his neck. "...a-are you mad at me?..."

"Now what would be the point of being mad there son? All you did was go to town, and most everyone there is pretty nice. You wouldn't be in any harm..." the Ninetales said coolly. Not a shred of anger or disappointment in his tone either...

"...i-i'm sorry daddy..." I squeaked again, hugging my father's neck as tightly as I can. Almost immediately one of his tails surrounded me to hug me back.

"It's okay son. I just wished you would have waited a bit longer this morning was all. We were all suppose to go into town together, but...looks like you beat us to it." he chuckled, still plopping along at our leisurely pace. "Now lets pretend this didn't happen and grab a bit to eat, okay?" Almost like magic, my stomach rumbled again.

"Sounds like a good idea dad..."