Chapter 20

Inari/ Chip

Chip couldn't believe his eyes, they were just letting Meadow walk away, just letting her go into the wilderness by herself. She was in no condition to be roaming around all alone, he needed to...he needed to...

~ We can't go chasing after her Chip. ~ Inari spoke to her other half as they returned to camp with Hathor and Kyuubi. Inari was the one in control now, his other half was driving the ship and making the decisions. Chip hated her for it, he hated that she took over just when he thought he was getting through to her. Maybe if he had remained in control...maybe he could have...

~ You couldn't do anything Chip. ~ Inari says as they reached the edge of the forest, the sun was starting to set in the distance and the forest was becoming darker. They didn't want to be in the forest after dark, at least not without having the entire party with them. Chip blamed himself for everything, if he had been stronger maybe he could have stopped Meadow from going in further by herself. She couldn't have gotten too far, maybe if he took back control--

~ You're not going back in...at least not today. ~

'You can't stop me!' Chip says as he sat in their Soulscape, the Zorua was surrounded by the fog of magic that encompassed the area. Their Soulscape this time was based on the forest; the Waterscape was masked behind what seemed like a passable fog. Inari steps out of the fog as they reached the front of the forest.

"I'm not going to let you go out there and get yourself killed." Inari says.

"Ya but Meadow--"

"She can take care of herself." Inari says while looking away from Chip, the Zorua was just as troubled as he was. Chip could feel his other half's emotions, she was filled with guilt just like him though she was trying to keep it bottled in.

"You know we should be back in there tracking her down."

"We can go after her in the morning, we're in no condition to go chasing anyone." Inari points at Chip's forelegs, they were trembling. In reality Chip could see that he was just as shaky, his body was struggling to function, he had to rest or else he'd hurt himself.

"How am I both here and in reality?"

"Because I'm driving right now." Inari says as she walks around the clearing. "I wanted to see how you was holding up, there is no need for us to be 100% there right now. We need to talk about what happened and what our next move is." Inari jumps up onto a rock. "Most likely you want to go after Meadow don't ya."

"Of course."

"Chasing tail, I respect it." Inari smiles. "Meadow does have a nice one doesn't she."

"She's more than good tail Inari, she's..." Chip didn't know how to answer without sounding like he was smitten by her. Inari blushes as she looks down at him.

"It's ok to feel something for her, it means you're willing to fight for her no matter what. That's something I can get behind." Inari looks towards the forest, the zorua's eyes seemed to be trying to scan it.

"What are you looking at?"

"I'm trying to see if I can feel Meadow. Its faint but I can sense what direction she went." Inari turns her attention back to Chip. "This doesn't mean we're going in this evening, but we can track her down first thing in the morning. We need to make sure we're rested up for tomorrow since I have a feeling that it's going to require our fullest attention."

"Ya..." Chip thinks about everything he was being told, how they'll need to be on their game. Beyond here was a Mystery Dungeon and as he saw the last time, they were inside of one they couldn't stop getting attacked. He and the rest of the team only just touched the dungeon earlier, but should they go in deeper they will most likely start finding Refraction Pokémon and will be forced to fight. They'll need to be ready for anything.

"Meadow is the only powerful Pokémon in those woods." Inari says as she lay down on the rock, the zorua lets out a long yawn showing all her teeth.

"You have such a big mouth."

"All the better to suck with." Inari jokes which made Chip feel a little uncomfortable.

"Did you have to saw something lewd?"

"Yes." Inari winked. "Oh, there is nothing wrong with living a little bit. Besides I'm sure Kyuubi would love to get a little attention tonight. Tomorrow you guys are going to be fighting who knows what, why not spend tonight with those you love."

"You make it seem like something intense is going to happen. We're just going in tomorrow to find Meadow and reach the other side of the forest. It's not like we're going to get sidetracked doing something else." Chip jumps onto the rock with Inari and settles down next to her. The female fox nuzzles her other half giving him a lick on the cheek.

"Be ready for anything alright. And...spend time with those you love, they deserve your attention. Starting off with our cute boyfriend." Inari murres.

With a sigh Chip nods, he didn't want to go rushing into anything, but Inari did have a point, there was no telling what tomorrow might bring, and he should spend tonight with those he loved. Chip looks over at his other half the Zorua was slowly closing her eyes to go to sleep.

"Hey what are you doing?"

"Well Chip..." Inari yawns. "This what you do when you're going to sleep. But tell you what, when you're done with your little tour of your friends how about you come back here, and we spend some time together." Inari smiles. "I'll make it worth your wild."

"If I come back here later tonight it'll be just to talk, we can game plan for tomorrow."

"Sure, we'll talk Chip, just you and me." Inari touches noses with Chip. "Now go get them tiger, show them who the Harem King is." Inari winks once more before fading away. A bright light blinds Chip for a moment before he too fades away returning to reality.

~

Chip awoke back in the waking world; his mind and body became one more. The Zorua felt like he was starting to understand this whole switching and sharing his body and soul thing. He looked around the campsite, night had already fallen and him and his friends were sitting around what was a nice summer campfire. Alister was sleeping shortly away from him, the Minccino seemed to be stirring as if he was having an intense dream of his own. Chip put a paw on his friend's head, he felt a jolt as if something jumped up to protect him.

"Huh?!"

"He's been sleeping like that for a little while, he needs the rest so I'm not complaining." Basil walks over to Chip, the Quilava was holding a bucket of water. She sets it down near Chip and Alister and sits with him. Chip looks around for Hathor and Kyuubi, the pair were helping Cassius and Shawn with the cooking, the group had several large slabs of ribs they were cooking over the fire.

"They wanted to practice their cooking, so I let them have cooking duties for tonight. They should be ok if I'm able to keep an eye on the food." Basil chuckles.

"I don't remember coming back here..."

"Your other half brought you back." Basil says. "And before you ask yes, I understand how Shadow Pokémon works, being one myself. This entire group are Shadow Pokémon...besides maybe Cassius but I'm sure he's not normal either by any means. We tend to attract those who are like us right?"

"I'm still trying to figure everything out." Chip admits. "Inari, Meadow, Kyuubi, Hathor...you guys. The pieces, where do they all fit. I should be surprised that you're a shadow Pokémon but...I'm not. Hearing that makes you seem well...normal to me at this point. Just a few days ago we were graduating from Bangam, I remember when we sat there in the hall listening to Alister old mon talk on and on about...stuff."

"What's our excuse for not paying attention?" Basil asked as she wraps her forelegs around her hindlegs.

"I fell asleep. Yours?" Chip tilts his head at the strange question.

"I was giving Alister a blow job." Basil smiles. Chip's mouth drops. "What it was fun, I enjoyed doing something with Alister out in public like that. It was a great way to create some memories."

"I'll say." Chip smiles back the Zorua oddly enough wasn't surprised to hear Basil's story. She seemed to truly love Alister despite his personality. "What made you tell me that?"

"You looked like you needed a little pep talk.

"Am I that readable?" Chip questioned.

"Its not a bad thing you know, being readable." Basil says as she gives Chip a little hug. "If your smart you can use it to your advantage, never forget that not weakness have to stay being weakness, and not all strengths can always be a strength. Its how we use those strengths and weaknesses that can determine how things end."

"Alright." Chip smiles before hugging Basil back. The pair hear Alister stirring, the Minccino slowly opens his eyes.

"Huh...Chip.... Basil...what...what...?"

"You should go see your bundles of joy Chip; I'll take care of my little Alister." Basil says before picking up Alister, she gentle holds him in her arms.

"Hey...I'm not little."

"Oh, I know you're not, you got a little Absol in you." Basil coos and with that it was Chip's cue to leave unless you wanted to disturb the pair while they were having their moment. Chip smiles as he leaves, the male hears a bit of more teasing before the sounds of two Pokémon in love. He couldn't help but feel like he wanted to share such a moment with those he loved too.

Maybe it was time to take Hathor and Kyuubi up on that little offer...

~

"Hey buddy." Cassius greets Chip, the Brionne was on cooking duty. Chip knew of Cassius thanks to Hathor and Kyuubi talking about him a bit before they returned to camp. Chip notices the ribs were searing well, the scent of the nearly fully cooked meat made his mouth water. The sound of his stomach complaining made him realize that he hadn't eaten much all day. The sound of Chip's stomach didn't escape Cassius's tuned ears.

"Well, someone is hungry." The Brionne takes one of the ribs from the fire and gives it to Chip, the meat was scorching hot and the Zorua couldn't handle it less even get near it. Cassius smiled before blowing cool air onto it. It wasn't long before the rib was at the right temperature for Chip to enjoy.

"So, your Chip huh."

"You're a newcomer huh?" Chip asked as he slowly bites into the meat, his mouth instantly became hot but in a good way. The meat just melted off the bone and into his mouth, its flavor was...indescribable, there was a perfect mixture of spices, juice ran out of it just from his teeth touching it. Chip feels a tear run down his face.

"Oh no are you ok?" Cassius asked, he seemed like he wanted to touch him. Chip shakes his head.

"No, no I'm..." Swallows some of the meat. "I'm ok...this is just really..." Swallows the rest, a bit of juice ran down his mouth. "Good."

"That's good, I wanted to make sure that everyone enjoys their meat." Cassius smiles. "I don't think I've properly introduced myself; my name is Cassius."

"Chip." Chip offers a paw and the two shook, or well at least shook as well as a Pokémon with a paw and flipper could. "Is your name just Cassius or is there--"

"Its Cassius...Valentine...my name is...Princess Cassius Valentine of Venice." The Brionne sighs. "You can...act surprised now."

"Huh why would I act surprised?" Chip wondered. He was more surprised how long of a name this Brionne had. When Chip says that he didn't know why he should be surprised Cassius blinks a few times, the seal seemed to better completely taken by the fact that Chip truly had no idea who he was.

Was he supposed too?

"Wh-what?" Cassius blabbers. "Yo-you really don't know who I am?"

"Am I supposed too?" Chip asked while taking another bite of the meat. He moans as he swallows more meat, the zorua's tail wags like a rockruff who was being shown his favorite toy. "Oh, my Arceus this is so good..."

"You're welcome." The Brionne responds. "Sorry I'm a little taken since after I properly introduce myself everyone normally starts treating me differently."

"Whys that?"

"I told you I'm um...well...Prince." Cassius admits. Chip does choke a bit on his meat but quickly swallows. He honestly couldn't see himself wanting to spit out what was a perfectly big piece of meat. Cassius points at Chip.

"See that is what I mean."

"I only choked since I didn't think that you were serious." Chip coughs. "Honestly I could care less really."

"See what I mea--" Cassius realizes what Chip really said. "Wait what?"

"Sorry we don't have royalty back in Noble Highlands...I know surprising right since we have "Noble" in the name. But no the royal Pokémon that our city might have all go to Evergrande. But no Cassius that's kind of cool hearing that you're a Prince. Though don't expect me to call you that unless its your actual name alright."

"Huh you're really not going to treat me differently?"

"No...am I supposed to?" Chip smiles at the Brionne, there was something cute about him. He reminded him a little of himself at times. "So, want to be treated like the rest of us so...we're going to honor that. Trust me, the rest of the team will be just like me, we're here because we want to enjoy the life of adventure before we face reality. Know what I mean?"

"A bit, it's the reason that I'm traveling as well. Some day I'll need to return to Venice and take over my parents, but until that day comes, I want to live life to the fullest." Cassius puts a flipper on Chip's paw. The two share a moment as they look the other in the eyes.

"Ah...are you trying to be romantic?" Chip blushed, the fox wasn't sure if he should give into this cute Pokémon or save his energy for his mates. Well...who said that he can't just add Cassius to his list of mates?

"I don't know...are you offering?" Cassius asked while leaning into Chip. "Are there benefits of being apart of the team?"

"Do you two need a room?"

Chip didn't hear the paw steps of Hathor, Kyuubi and Shawn approaching them until it was too late. Chip's cheeks turn crimson as he looked Hathor straight in the eyes. He didn't see anger; in fact, he was surprised to see that she was rather...calm. He was sure his fiery mate would be upset with him, but she looked relieved.

"Hathor!"

"Hey guys." Cassius greets the others, the Brionne puts a flipper over his mouth. "Anyone up for an orgy?"

"Cassius!?" Was the response nearly everyone else gave but Kyuubi who simply giggles.

"What? I mean I kind of thought that is what you guys like to do in your free time, I mean why else travel in such a large group?" Cassius giggles. "Back in Venice its not uncommon to find Pokémon stop everything they're doing and empty their tanks in someone else that they care for. The best kind of friendships back in Venice are ones where you can get sticky together."

"I didn't expect that..." Chip admits.

"I remember Vince telling me about the time when him and Cassie traveled to Venice they were given protect at the gates to the city and it was free to purchase in nearly every store there." Shawn says as he bites into a rib that had been cooled by Cassius. Chip was a little surprised seeing him happily eating meat, he thought most grass types were all vegetarians.

"What's your last name again?" Cassius asked. "I do believe I saw a saur that looked a bit like you."

"My brother is Vincent Julius Cheater the Forth." Shawn smiles. "My brother was in Venice earlier this year with his mate who is a beautiful Delcatty by the name of Cassandra "Cassie" Sapphire Cheater."

"Cheaters huh, yes I was in Venice when your family came out to see us." Cassius says. "Too bad you weren't with them...I might have spent some time truly introducing myself to you, cutie." Cassius winks at Shawn who tries to break their gaze, the saur's scent told how nervous it made him. Chip was surprised to see Shawn be nervous, he was always the brave one back in school, he didn't mind throwing himself into contest of skill and strength and often fought Pokémon much bigger than him. Did he become nervous when it comes to matters of the heart?

"Your brother came to Venice because he wanted to study how we did domination battles."

"He did?" Shawn gasped. "Why would he need to study how to do domination battles?"

"He said he wanted to put together the domination league but if he does, he wants to make sure it is done properly." Cassius nods has head in approval. "I respect him for it since domination style came from Venice, we began it long ago, its part of our culture and there is a proper way to conduct it, a way that I didn't show young Alister Blacktail, instead opting to conduct the more..." primal" version."

"Primal?" Hathor asked, the fox was eating her meat in the dirt like a wild Pokémon. Chip picks up her food and Hathor snarls at him making him set it back down.

"Just because we're out in the wild doesn't mean we are wild."

"Maybe I want to walk on the wild side for once Chip."

"Guys lets stay focused." Shawn grumbles. "Vince never told me he was studying domination matches."

"Vince was studying a lot of things; he told us that he was on the way back from an adventure around the region studying different forms of combat. He wants to put together a league but before he can do that, he wants to become knowledgeable about how the region works. Your brother...he's a great Pokémon." Cassius closes his eyes. "I sense that within you too Shawn, there is greatness their young Cheater."

"I'm not sure about that Cassius. My dad would think differently."

"Shawn?" The group say together, the saur looks down at his paws.

"I might talk a big game but...I don't even know who the real me is sometimes. Is Shawn Cheater the confident battler who likes to mock his opponents and jumps into the face of danger? Or is Shawn Cheater the Pokémon you see right now, the saur who can't even look his friends in the eyes with certainty?"

"That's for you to decide." Kyuubi is the one to speak up. The rest of the group seemed to not know how to cheer Shawn up. Kyuubi puts a paw on Shawn's shoulder. "You can either sit here and doubt yourself or you can look him in the eyes and tell him how you really feel."

"Is this about Alister?" Chip says to Hathor. He feels her brush herself against him.

"It's not like you was Mr. Confident when you were courting me." Hathor murres, the scent of their dinner on her breath. It wasn't a turn on but...it wasn't a turn off either. Cassius did a good job making their dinner. "I remember a little Zorua who fumbled on his words and even had a bit of trouble keeping it up when we got into it. Took a good bit of tongue action that day."

"Hathor!"

"Oh, you'll be fine. Besides if I ever want the super confident side of you, I know who call...right Inari."

"Hey!" The Zorua's cheeks puffed out. Hathor nuzzles him again.

"I love you Chip, all of you." Hathor puts a paw on his.

"Thanks." Chip looks towards the forest; he couldn't help but wonder how Meadow was doing. Was she going to be ok in there all by herself?

"We'll find here I promise." Hathor says.

"You want to find her?" Chip gasped.

"Well, I am the one who always loves to promote you to be the Harem King right?" Hathor winks. "Can't be much of a harem if you only have two Pokémon in it. Though don't forget who the harem queen is. Even if Meadow might be stronger on paper, I don't mind dropping her on her ass and showing her who the alpha in this group is."

"You mean me?" Chip kisses Hathor who kisses him back, the Zorua feels a paw grab his sheath, squeezing just enough to make him gasp as a bit of his member slides out.

"Sure...we'll go with that." Hathor winks.

The pair giggle together before pressing their noses together, Chip soaks in Hathor's scent. He heard Shawn, Kyuubi and Cassius speak up about the two of them making out right in front of them though no one seemed willing to stop them. Hathor stops their kiss and turns to Kyuubi.

"You're not getting out of this mister." Hathor winks.

"We'll let you three be." Shawn says though Kyuubi touches the saur's back. Chip and Hathor gasp in surprise as Kyuubi lays a long kiss on Shawn's maw the pair share a moment as they look the other in their eyes.

"Was that so bad?" Kyuubi asked.

"I..."

"Go up to him, look him in the eyes and lay one on him. The worst he can do is reject you." Kyuubi looks to Chip. "Isn't that right Chip."

"Hey, don't why are you reminding me of our first time?"

"Because I remember telling Kyuubi to do that very same thing." Hathor giggles as she kisses Chip and Kyuubi. "Kyuubi got his confidence from listening to me. I'm the glue that keeps these two together."

"Oh brother." Chip and Kyuubi say together.

Cassius giggles nearby the Brionne was leaning his head against his flippers while watching them. "I'm glad I decided to join your little group, I feel at home among you guys."

"We're glad to have you." Chip smiles. The Zorua looks back towards the woods, his mind on Meadow once more.

'I'm going to find you Meadow and bring you...home. I don't know what happened to you in the past but...who cares. We can't change our past and...we can only think about our futures. But I've learned since starting this journey is that we can only affect today. You saved me...even if it was you who put me in that situation in the first place. But...now its my turn to save you so get ready.'

~ That's my Chippy. ~ Inari hums from within.

'Hey, I was having a moment.'

~ And now its our moment. ~ Inari giggles from within.

"Come here everyone!" Chip feels himself being pulled in by Cassius who brought the five of them together for a big hug. Chip gags as he is being held tight by the seal who nuzzles his face against everyone that he could get too. Chip and the others laugh together.

"I love you guys already!" Cassius gives the group a cheesy grin.

"We love you too." Hathor says.

"I think we're going to make a great team." Kyuubi murres.

"Thanks, guys, for being here for me." Shawn smiles.

"Ya...we're a family even if we might not be of the same blood." Chip smiles. "And...for some reason everyone wants to put their dick inside of well...everyone else."

"You need to invite me to your next family reunion if that is how your family gets down." Cassius jokes causing Chip to growl.

"Watch it!"

Everyone laughs once more as the group enjoys the lighter moment. Chip looks back at the forest one last time, the Zorua making a silent vow that tomorrow night he wanted Meadow to experience this too. Everyone deserved to have someone in their lives and Meadow was no exception. He'll show her that someone was out there for her, looking out for her, caring about her. No matter what, no matter the challenge he wasn't leaving this forest without her.