Tethered in chaos Chapter 13 - Family is everything
The sun rises over the treetops, casting long shadows across the newly made camp. Layla still rests against you, dew glimmering on her fur in the morning light. You’d let her sleep longer if not for the faint rustle from the den. The kits are waking up. Hope and Miracle charge out, while bumping into each other, leaping and dodging as they play. Hope pins Miracle down, but the moment she does, Elem charges forward and headbutts Hope off her sister. Hope lands with a growl that sounds more adorable than fierce, sending a warm flush of feelings through your body as you watch them play around. The little rascals are clearly hungry, and there’s no way to crawl out from under Layla without waking her. That doesn’t mean you won’t try. A slight shift, careful and slow, trying to ease her weight off, and she mutters. “As adorable as that is, I’m beginning to question if you really became an Umbreon and not a Dumbreon. Thinking I wouldn’t wake up on my kits’ morning play.” Layla smirks at you playfully and pobs you on the nose with her paw gently. “Duty calls, Kuro, go see what you can find for breakfast, but don’t venture too deep in the woods. I’ll go grab some berries for the little critters so they won't eat each other.” She rolls off you and darts toward nearby bushes, grabs a few berries before taking them to the chirping Eevee kits. The little ones seem very excited at the sight of breakfast; even tiny Lumi dashes over from the sidelines where she’d been watching her siblings roughhousing and sinks her small teeth into one of the larger berries. “Better make it quick, Kuro, these little ones are starving,” Layla growls, frustration clear in her voice while you barely manage to rise from the ground. “I’m going, I’m going. Just a bit stiff after you laid on me for so long,” you mumble while stretching. “You’re going to be much more than stiff if I see your Glowbutt for another minute,” Layla snarls, her frustration growing. You dash towards the bushes in a hurry, not eager to find out what happens if you lollygag any longer. Prey-tracking isn’t something you’ve done before, but instincts sharpened through training guides the steps. The wilderness is alive with sound. Small creatures run across the treetops, squawks echo in the distance and something that might be a deer or a deer-like Pokémon calling out nearby. None of it is familiar, yet curiosity drives you to follow the loud screeching and squawking deeper into the forest. Before long, you come across a lone Doduo pecking at earthworms, completely unaware of your presence. This feels like the perfect chance to try out the Hyper Beam and see how effective it really is. You take careful aim as both heads are up and blast the beam at the heads. The beam doesn’t just damage the Doduo enough for you to easily finish the kill. It takes off both heads leaving scorched necks burnt to the crisp collapse on the ground along with the body. Shock hits hard at the sight of the vanished heads, though the thought follows that this makes things easier in the end. You start dragging the heavy carcass back to the camp. After a short while, you get the Doduo body back to the family. The carcass hits the ground with a dull thud. Your gaze lifts, expecting praise, only to meet Layla’s furious stare. “I should have known that the Hyper Beam I saw earlier was you.” Layla lunges forward and slashes across your face, leaving shallow scratches. You flinch a bit, not from pain, but in surprise from the sudden aggression. The wounds aren’t deep, yet crimson blood slowly soaks into the black fur. “Let that be a reminder never to use anything, but your physical abilities when hunting. It is so obvious to Pokémon that I didn’t even think of mentioning it, but I should have known how you barely knew anything about us before.” She approaches the Doduo carcass and starts shredding pieces off of it. “Ouch! Why do you always have to mutilate me as a lesson?” You rub your blood soaked cheek. ”I’m sorry, okay, I had no idea… I won't do it again.” “It's the best way to bang something in your head, Glowbutt,” Layla snarls as she pulls chunks of meat and places them in kits reach. “Maybe next time just try banging it in without physical pain… And I can go hunt something else if this kill is tainted,” you mutter in hesitation and walk towards the carcass, but suddenly jump back. Layla’s blood dripping face glances at you. “Fine! You’re the wimpiest Umbreon I ever met,” she growls at your suggestion. “And tainted?! So not only do you think using cheap shot like Hyper Beam to blast this poor creature's heads into ashes, you also think we should just let it rot away? Survival is about eating what is given, regardless of how you down the prey. Never waste anything. You better never suggest something as dumb ever again or you will really find out how serious of an offense this is. I heard Pokémon getting exiled for pulling something as stupid as this. Instead you live with the guilt and vow never to do it again, okay? I don't want us to become outcasts because you can't learn to hunt properly.” She buries her face deep in the Doduo carcass, tearing into it before tossing something at your feet. Confusion halts your breath – a heart. Another wet thud follows – a liver. Horror crawls up your spine as your gaze lifts to meet Layla’s amused, blood-smeared face. “That’s the hunter’s share and if you even think of dragging it to the flames, I will personally force feed them to you. These pieces are normally reserved for the hunters due to high nutrition to replenish what the hunt took. Though in your case… that Hyper Beam probably took more out of you than this whole bird will replenish. Another good reason not to use one! Whatever, you kill and you better eat them,” she growls loudly at you, when she notices you just staring at the organs, she takes a few steps towards and snarls, “did I make myself clear, Kuro? Eat!” She sits down only about a meter from you staring at you intensely. A hard swallow steadies your nerves before reaching toward the heart. Teeth sink into it with hesitation. The first bite brings an expectation of strong gamey flavor, yet the taste surprises with its pleasant mildness. It is much chevier than familiar meats, but you easily work through it. Eyes lift toward Layla, her amused smile carrying a quiet approval. “Good huh? Thought you would enjoy it. I usually leave best for last, but you do you. The liver will have a much stronger flavor. I love it! Once you’re done eating the liver, you can join us to eat rest.” Layla continues to rip pieces for the kits who are already nibbling pieces of the big bird body. You leave the few remaining pieces of the heart aside while the mind braces for the liver’s taste. Having eaten liver stakes before, not liking it very much, and now to eat it raw… Still, there’s no escaping it. A deep breath steadies the resolve before taking the first mouthful. The intense metallic taste floods the tastebuds immediately, with a faint sweetness beneath it. A gag catches in the throat from the gelatin-like texture, but you quickly regain focus. Compared to the heart, the liver is much easier to break through, almost melting in the mouth. The flavor is very strong, yet after the first shock of intensity, you don’t actually find it too unpleasant. By the third bite, you’re instinctively liking the chops. Layla happens to take a peek over her shoulder just as your tongue licks off the juices from around mouth. “Wow, never expected to see that when I took a peek, I thought you would be gagging in the bushes, but it seems you actually enjoyed it. Kuro, you’re full of surprises. Maybe one day you will be as fierce as a proper Umbreon.” Layla flicks a tail towards the carcass. “Come on, Kuro, join us for the feast. It’s been ages since I actually ate Doduo, as hunting one of these alone is almost impossible.” She rips off a large piece of meat right after saying it and munches it happily. Hope’s whole body is covered in blood; she has practically buried herself in the bird’s carcass to avoid competing with her siblings. Lumi, on the other hand, has barely a spot on her white fur, working carefully and nipping small pieces off the edges of the bones. You tear chunks of meat free, dropping them gently beside Lumi to give her a share. The moment the piece lands on the ground, Layla’s teeth clamp onto your ear, yanking you towards her. A furious swipe of her ear slashes across your nose, and her growl catches the kits by surprise. “What do you think you’re doing? This is exactly the type of softness that will get the kits killed,” Layla snarls angrily. She stares at you with her snout covered in blood and her yellow eyes glaring in anger. “I’m just making sure she can get–” “And she is totally capable of doing it on her own,“ Layla cuts you off. ”I am not expecting Lumi to hunt her own food, but she is totally capable of making sure she can get her share, and if not, the hunger will teach her to be more assertive.” She gets up and walks to Lumi, gently tapping the kit’s nose with her ear before sinking her teeth into the bir’s body cavity, ripping a piece from the bones. While chewing, she nudges Lumi to follow the example. Lumi first watches her mom with wide black eyes, head tilted in curiosity. A happy chirp escapes before she pounces at the edge of the carcass and digs her face into the body. You watch her shake her head viciously, big ears flapping side to side while she works to free a piece, finally pulling off a sizable chunk. Her face is covered in blood, yet she seems proud of what she’s accomplished. Layla nudges her again and licks some of the blood from Lumi's face while the little one starts working on the piece she just pulled out. You watch Layla walk toward you, her steps deliberate. She flicks the chunk of meat you dropped for Lumi earlier. It hits your face with a wet splat before falling to the ground in front of you. “See? She is capable of it. So just eat and let the kits learn on their own.” Layla traces the scars she made on your right shoulder. “I will keep on holding you to your promise, but it doesn’t mean I won't intervene when you have good intentions, but wrong methods.” She roughly bites your ear after shaking it a bit. “Understand? My thick headed Umbreon.” “Point taken. I guess I haven’t noticed how much our kits have grown. We have been so busy the past month I have barely had time to spend any time with them, but they are getting bigger.” You look at the kits who have grown to be about two thirds of the fully grown Eevee. As you come to realize how much time has passed, you let out a somber sigh. “How much longer until they are fully grown?” you ask Layla with sadness clearly visible in your eyes. “They should be their full adult size in about two months, but don’t worry, they still act like kits for a long time. At least for a year more. And stop with the sad eyes. Enjoy the time with them now that you can. I know you've been busy training, but I can tell you, each one has grown to have a very unique personality. Maybe you should spend the afternoon with them while I get some sleep,” Layla yawns, as barely getting any sleep last night suddenly catches up with her. “I would love nothing more. It’s been far too long since I spent time with them.” Your ears shoot up as your spirit noticeably improves as you think of spending some much over due with your young ones. After eating, Layla proceeds into the burrow while you take the kits a bit further away so they won't disturb her. At the edge of the nearby meadow, you lie down on a patch of flowers, and the kits immediately start their play. All except Lumi, who sits beside you, leaning gently against your side. “Why don’t you go play with your siblings, Lumi? I rarely see you playing with them.” You gently nudge the white furred little Eevee. “I like watching them play,” Lumi responds with a high pitched voice. You look at Lumi, confused. “Lumi, I have never heard you talk before. How long have you been able to talk?” “Silly dad. We can all talk. Pearl and mommy taught us. We just like it better to make noises instead,” Lumi squeaks and leans into your paw. “Mommy said she’d like to teach us as she thinks you wouldn’t be able to understand us otherwise.” She climbs over your paw and gives a little lick on your cheek. “Yeah, that sounds like something mommy would say, doesn’t it? Though I guess she is not wrong. I still struggle with many cues,” you mumble. Lumi runs under your chin, her long ear gently brushing against it. “Mommy told us you used to be human and how you choose her over being one.” Elem charges in and headbutts Lumi, knocking her over. “Lumi, what are you doing? Mommy said not to tell daddy,” Elem snarls quietly. “Elem, it's okay. I used to be human. I’m not sure why your mom would want you not to say it to me,” you say and pick dazed Lumi up from her scruff, setting her down next to her brother. “Mom always seems very happy after she says it. Like it was something very important,” Elem says as she tries to pin down Lumi, who actually holds on her own pretty well. “Now that is the part she probably didn’t want me to hear. Though I know how she feels. Your mom is a complicated Eevee.” Miracle and Hope dash over leaping on their siblings. Hope pinning down Elem and Miracle pinning down Lumi. “What are you two telling dad about mom?” Hope growls faintly. “Just that daddy used to be human,” Lumi exclaims with a squeaky voice. “I think mom made that up. There is no way dad wath a human once,” Miracle chirps with a slight lisp and gets off Lumi. “It is true, I used to be a human. I transformed into Umbreon because that was for your mom. Though I would be…” you pause for a moment, ”…details are not important. But yes, I chose her over being a human,” you exclaim, lifting Hope off of Elem gently. “And if all of you can talk, why haven't you said anything before?” You stare at the four kits with a puzzled look, still dumfounded by all this. “Mom didn't want us to talk before…” Hope starts. “She wanted it to be a surprise...” Elem continues. “She wanted to make it spethial…” Miracle adds with a lisp. “She wanted us to be able to communicate properly,” Lumi finishes their collaboral explanation. “Wait, you mean she wanted to… Oh no, I’m so dead. Somehow she will pin this one on me, won't she?” You hesitate before sitting up, shock written across your face. All the kits except Lumi collapse to the ground laughing at the sight of your expression. Even though you’ve just learned the little ones can talk, their ways of speaking, articulation and skills differ wildly. You listen as each one of them try to ensure you’re alright. Hope gets up and walks to you with watery eyes, still watery from the laughter. “She wouldn’t kill you! Mom cares about you too much and even when she hurts you, she only does it because she doesn’t know another way.” Hope gazes at you with a squint. Her back straight, pulled back shoulder and firmly set jaw. “In the beginning of your training, we could hear her sniffle when she thought we were asleep. She was very distraught by your slow progress,” Elem adds to Hope’s analogy as he walks to you and gently nudges your leg. He blurts out anything in his mind, but his affectionate nudges and ever vigilant ears listening to the surroundings are always present. “Mom loves you a lot, she jutht has a different way of showing it, and she knows two providers are better than one when it comes to thurvival," Miracle grins, shaking her head while a faint lisp interrupts her attempt to assure you. She curls between your paws, her fur brushing lightly against you. Her eyes wander side to side, and her speech slows down as she analyses the situation, aligning well with her deep interest in tinkering at the hideout. Lumi smiles and shakes her head, watching her siblings. “Daddy, don’t fret, she said it was okay at the hideout. We just have been waiting for a good opportunity. We were about to tell you last night at the campfire, but it looked like you two had something substantial to discuss, so we just went to sleep,” Lumi’s chirpy high pitched voice flows naturally, as if she had been taught in an academia. Her vocabulary is much more profound than even Layla’s, which got you wondering if it was Pearl’s influence or if she had taught her to read as well. You can’t believe Layla went through all the trouble teaching their offspring to talk. Something which seems like a monumental task. “Okay, maybe I’m not dead after all, anything else you would like to tell me about your mom and what she does when I’m not around?” you try to pry some information from the little ones as you’re curious how Layla is when she is alone with the kits. Hope jumps off your back with a wide smile as she runs past you. “Why don’t you ask her yourself? Hey mom!” she shouts as she runs to greet Layla. “Really, Glowbutt, you learn they can talk and the first thing you try is to learn about how I’m behind your back. I’m not sure what you were referring to when you said maybe you’re not dead after all, but after this I’d sleep with one eye open. Just in case.” Layla grins wickedly as you get busted trying to learn about her behind her back. “Oh I was just–””I know what you were trying to do. Don’t act all innocent,” Layla growls half amused, half frustrated. “Okay, I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have tried asking that. And I thought maybe you’re mad at me for them revealing they can talk, without you being around. They said it was a surprise,” you try to change the subject. “You dumb Umbreon. It was their surprise, and I only had Pearl help me teach them because I want you to be able to communicate with them. I don’t have high hopes of you picking up cues from body language, teeth and claws. So I thought it’d be better to teach them human language. It’s useful in general,” Layla growls, then sighs softly. “Still, it’s pretty sweet you think I should’ve been there.” She walks to you and rubs against your side before sitting next to you. “So, what do you think of them being able to talk?” she asks curiously. “Oh, I don’t know what to say. I think it’s an amazing gesture for you to give us an opportunity to communicate. I want to get to know them and I promise I won’t try to pry information about you… How about it kits, no more revealing secrets about your mom?” you ramble. This time all the kits including Lumi burst in laughter, partially for your rambling and in part by Layla’s shaking her head and rolling her eyes at you. “Really, Kuro? That is what you came up with. Simple, ‘It’s amazing, thank you.’ would’ve been much better.” Layla tackles you to the ground with a smirk. “Sometimes I wonder if you just ramble to get a reaction out of me.” She watches as you get up. You shake the dirt off your fur and give Layla a mean look, then you look at the kits. “Fine, tell me more about how your mom was upset I took a long time to get the basics down on training or how she looks happy when she mentions me turning Umbreon for her.” You look over at Layla with a grin. Layla’s smirk quickly turns into a shock as her eyes widen and jaw drops slightly, but she quickly shakes off the daze, before leaping on you and pinning you down again with an amused look. “You almost got me, Kuro. For a split second I was about to panic, but then I realized I shouldn't have to hide my feelings from you. However…” Layla sinks her teeth into your wrist causing you to yelp. “That’s for trying to embarrass me.” She turns her attention to the giggling kits. “Oh, you four are not without fault at this! You think I taught you how to talk so you can gossip about me to your father?” As soon as she says it the four kits stop giggling and drop down their ears in shame. “No, mom. We're sorry,” Hope starts as she drops her head down. “Sorry, mom. We won't do it again,” both Elem and Miracle mutter almost simultaneously. Lumi, however, doesn't say anything. She only looks away, her expression heavy with quiet sadness. “What’s wrong, Lumi?” Layla asks, gets off of you and walks to the white fluffy kit trying to hold her tears. “I wanted things to be special. I wanted you both to be proud. Instead, we disappointed you and got daddy in trouble…” Tears spill down Lumi’s white cheeks and fall to the ground. ”We ruined everything! We had one chance to impress daddy – this is catastrophic.” Her pale, silvery ears drape over both sides of her face as she sobs uncontrollably. You and Layla exchange a glance while Hope, Miracle and Elem huddle around Lumi, trying to comfort her. “Hey… hey… Lumi, don't be sad,” you start as you walk up to her and nudge Lumi gently in the middle of her huddling siblings. “Regardless of how it turned out, this was the most amazing surprise I’ve ever experienced. It means the world to me to know I can communicate with all of you in the way I know how.” You glance at Layla. “Thank you for making it possible.” As you say it, Layla smiles faintly, then rolls her eyes. “I thought it would be easier to teach them to talk than to teach you the way of the Eevee,” Layla chuckles, but immediately avoids eye contact and hastily adds, “alright, playtime is over. I need to teach your dad how to hunt without blasting half the forest in the process.” She starts heading towards the camp. The kits take off running after her except Lumi who drags her feet, still upset about how everything went down. You nudge Lumi gently with a smile. “Really, Lumi, it’s okay, I enjoyed the surprise. Now, jump on daddy’s back, I’ll carry you back to the camp.” You shove your head under her, lifting her on top of your head and have her slide down on your back with her squealing in surprise. You look back and see her smiling slightly. “Thanks, daddy, you’re the best!” She wraps her tiny fluffy paws around back off your neck. You chuckle a bit and take off running after the rest of the group. Once you arrive at the camp, Layla has the kits hide in the burrow before approaching you. “Okay, Kuro. Time for you to learn to track prey and trust your senses.” She flicks her tail towards the forest. You follow her, taking one last glance towards kits peeking through the den opening. After a short walk, Layla stops and turns around. “Okay Kuro, tell me what you can gather of our surroundings?” Layla sits down and looks at you intensely. You close your eyes, moving your ears around. From the treetops comes a faint rustle, something skids through the bushes and you hear soft chirping nearby. You sniff the air a few times. Beyond the familiar scents of yourself and Layla, you recognize the smell of Bunnelby from the bushes. Apart from that, you can distinguish a few other scents among the calming fragrance of trees and flowers, though you can’t quite tell what they are. You open your eyes and scan the area for any clues to add to what you’ve gathered so far. A few Bunnelby tracks lead toward the bushes, and others head into the woods – likely Doduo’s. With a few quick sniffs at the tracks, you confirm it’s indeed the case. A sound from above draws your attention; you glance up at the treetops and spot two Pancham watching you. You can’t imagine trying to catch them up there. “There are two Pancham above us, watching, and I believe there are at least two Bunnelby in the bushes nearby. Looks like a Doduo went into the woods. Besides that, I can hear birds chirping in the distance, but I have no idea what they are.” You finish your recollection with quiet confidence, certain in your ability to read most of your surroundings. “Very well…” Layla starts before pausing and then sighing, “...for an amature. You were able to identify all the animals nearby, except for a Starley up on the treetops. However, you completely neglected to mention anything that could possibly help to hunt down any of the prey. Obviously, Starley will be out of the question. The two Pancham have already spotted us, so trying to hunt them down would be exhausting. That leaves Bunnelby in bushes and tracking down the Doduo. And there are four Bunnelby in that bush, and they heard us too, so it’ll be a chase if we try to catch them. This is your hunt, so you decide. I’ll only correct you, if you do something stupid.” She gets up and walks next to you. “We should track the Doduo, those Bunnelby would likely run away and with two hunters I believe we have a better chance to bring down a bigger kill like Doduo,” you say as you get closer to the tracks. “Fine, I would have probably gone after the Bunnelby. After all, Doduo will be a lost cause if it spots us, but as I said, your hunt. Lead the way.” She charges towards the bush, sending the scared Bunnelby running. “Just in case you try to change your mind. No distractions.” You start tracking the Doduo into the woods. After a short walk, you stop as you notice two Doduo heads rise above a nearby bush. Instinctively, you dash behind a nearby tree and crouch, ready to sneak closer, but a sudden slap on your nose from Layla’s ear halts you. Glancing back, you catch her rolling her eyes at you and looking up a few times with a smile. You quickly get the hint and begin climbing the tree. It doesn’t take long to climb up. You crouch and begin to stalk the Doduo below. When you’re directly above it, you draw a deep breath and leap onto the unsuspecting bird. You bite down on one of the necks, snapping its thin spine. The other head lets out a shrill cry, but as a Doduo cannot live with only one, it collapses lifeless to the ground. Layla approaches with an approving look in her eyes. “Now that is a clean kill, one fit for an Umbreon. I must say I am impressed by your climbing and sneaking ability, but the fact you were about to lose it by sneaking to it, means you’re not quite ready yet. Now grab one of the heads and let's drag it back to the kits. The sun is already setting as you drag the carcass back to the camp. The kits immediately dash over to both of you as you emerge from the woods. “We are starving!” The kits shout in unison, though Miracle struggles with the ‘starving’ because of the lisp. The sun sets as you all finish eating the meal, with kits falling asleep midmeal. You and Layla carry them back to the burrows and tuck them under some moss. Outside, you are about to start lighting up the campfire, when Layla comes to you and gently rubs against you and flicks her tail towards the nearby meadow. You stop what you were doing and follow her. When you reach the edge of the meadow she looks up at the rising full moon then lets out a long sigh. “Kuro…” Layla starts with hesitation. She looks at you as your blue rings glisten in moonlight. “I know how thrilled you’re about having a chance to be able to communicate with our kits and it is exactly why I wanted them to learn to speak with humans.” She turns around and looks at the moon again. “But sometimes I wish you would maybe…” She looks down. “...maybe try to learn the way of the Eevee?” She looks at you again, with questioning eyes. You walk to her and gently stroke her nose with your ear. “Layla, I never even thought there was something you were missing in our relationship, and all you would have had to do is ask. I’ll try to learn, if you show me.” You nip her ear quickly and she returns the favor. “Lay…” You start, but she immediately nudges your jaw shut with her snout. “But…” You try again, but she does it again. This time you get the hint. She doesn’t want words. She wants something more primal. She leaps away, her tail signaling you to follow, like a challenge. As soon as you leap towards her, she pounces away from you, keeping eye contact on you and extending her claws as she lands. You hesitate for a heartbeat, unsure what she wants, then instinct takes over – you leap. The moment you land, she’s already on you, claws digging into your back, her weight pressing down on you. Her teeth sink into your ear, just enough to draw blood. The sting burns, but the rush of it feels immediate, feral, almost carnal. She leaps off you, claws scratching you, her bushy tail brushing your nose like forcing you to catch her scent. You turn, breathing sharply, and catch her gaze – you haven’t seen that look in a long time. Her yellow eyes are half-open, the moonlight casting off them, soft yet fierce. It’s the same look she gave you the night you revealed yourself as an Umbreon – wild, tender, and captivating. The realization hits like a Thundershock; your jaw drops, body tightens and your breath catches as desire mixes with the echo of a past moment. She dashes forward, pressing her chin under yours – a fleeting touch, gone before you can react. In a rush, she spins away and faces you again, tail flicking hypnotically side to side. You charge, but as you predict, she tries to jump on your back again. You dodge to the side and counter; launching yourself onto her, reaching for her scruff. She rolls away, swift and fluid, her hind claws scratching across your chest, leaving red streaks on your black velvet fur. The sting barely registers as the thrill of the moment is driving you. You don’t linger, but catch her tail, pulling her back with a sharp tug. For a heartbeat, surprise flashes across her face, then melts into something softer; her eyes narrow, glinting with a teasing warmth as she lies beneath you. You grab hold of her ear, but before you can bite down, she twists free, nimble as ever, nipping at your ankle before landing a few meters away from you, her breath quick. This goes on for a while. Each bite and each scratch ignites something raw and ancient inside you. After countless feints and lunges, you finally catch Layla off guard. Instincts take over; you nip the side of her neck and wrap your paws around her, pressing her down against the ground. She lets out a dreamy sigh – half relief, half surrender. Your weight pins her down firmly and… “Kuro, we have to stop…” Layla sighs faintly with a slight chuckle. “We are in the midst of the war and we can’t risk another little one to take care of.” You loosen the grip of her scruff and get off her, confused and a bit frustrated. Yet after a sigh, you lower your head looking at the ground and nod in agreement. You know she is right, this would be a bad time for another offspring. It still takes every bit of will power to fight the intense feeling, but you maintain your silence. You lie down on the soft grass, your breath still heavy, heart racing. Layla gently nips your ear before settling next to you on her back, gazing at the full moon above. The moonlight casts shadows on the meadow. A lone Hoothoot hoots in a nearby tree as you and Layla lie on your backs in the cool grass, spent from the passionate dance you shared. There are many things you would love to say, yet silence feels right – it’s what Layla wanted. Maintaining silence is for the best. The rush of hormones has finally dissipated, leaving your thoughts clear again. Just as calm settles in, Layla’s voice breaks the silence. “Thanks, Kuro… I’ve been wanting to do the mating ritual with you since the day you became Umbreon, but many things about you are still so human that it has been hard to bring it up.” She turns on her side, buries her face under your chin and her soft neck presses against your cheek. “Mating ritual… and to think of it, I proposed to you with a human trinket when I gave you the bracelet.” You take a look at the evolution stone fragment filled bracelet on her wrist. “This one was so much more… everything,” you say as your rings pulsate in different shades of blue. “I still like the bracelet, even if it is a bit silly, but it reminds me of everything you are, Kuro. You’re so easy to read, yet full of surprises,” she murmurs, her voice soft. “Even tonight I only expected to tell you how I felt – and somehow ended up fulfilling what I've been dreaming of for months. Promise me, Kuro, never change.” She wraps her tail around you as she buries her face even harder under your chin. “Layla, that is a very strange request. Since we met, all I have been doing is changing. I changed into Pokémon, I became a parent, I learned to eat raw meat and fight and kill for you…” Your recollection of changes is cut short as she nips the underside of your chin. “And all that is what you are, at least to me. You are so willing to sacrifice everything for me. No one ever did any of that for me,” Layla mutters lying on you. “We’re family, we stick together.” You press your chin between her ears as you wrap your paws around her tighter. She doesn’t respond with another word. Her breathing gets calm and heart beats steady as she is drifting off to sleep. You wait for a moment and carefully bury your head under her body and slide her on your back trying not to wake her up as you proceed cautiously back to the kits. While carrying her to the camp, you cannot help but think over and over in your head all the events that went down today and how much life can change in just one day.
