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Chapter Two

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"Now you all behave" Kagome said as she came back into the room. She was carrying a pile of clothes.

"Sorry about them..." She gave a sheepish smile, "They tend to be a little overprotective around strangers."

"No its fine!" Ash said, rubbing the back of his head, "That means they love you a lot to want to protect you."

Kagome laughed, "That is true." She gave her pokemon a fond smile as she handed the three travelers a spare set of clothing.

"Here you go."

Each person said their thanks.

"Follow me and I can show you where you are staying...as well where you can change clothes." Kagome instructed, leading them through the hall past the kitchen and living room until they came into another living room. This room was bigger than the last one, and had several doors all around it.

"Each door around the room is a bunking room," She looked to her three gusts, "This is where Pokemon travelers usually stayed the night…I hope you don't mind using them too?"

The trio shook their heads making Kagome smile, "Good then. You three can go change and set your wet clothes in the happer over there" She pointed to a big white hamper that sat by door with a bulted lock, "I will wash and dry them later tonight"

Kagome then looked at the three, "You can pick any rooms you want and when you are done one of my pokemon will lead you to the dining area to eat. I bet you are all hungry."

At that multiple stomachs growled causing Kagome to laugh, "As I thought. I am going to go finish making dinner then..." She paused for a moment before continuing, "As I said one of my pokemon will lead you to the dining room when you are ready...I shall leave you alone till then." She gave them one last smile before leaving the three and their pokemon alone.

Kagome hummed as she finished making dinner and sat it on table. She was happy with the outcome and was glad at times like these she made more food than necessary.

As she sat the last plate down the pokemon trainers came through the door, hr Houndour leading them in.

"I hope you guys are hungry." Kagome smiled, as she gestured for them to sit down at the table.

There was multiple sounds of agreement and awe at the food making Kagome laugh as she told them to sit down and eat.

As everyone started eating Misty looked around, "Are you the only one here? You seem young to be running the ranch by yourself."

Kagome gave a sad smile, "I am the only one here besides the Pokemon..." she paused for a moment before continuing, "...I am seventeen...so I am not...too young...but this ranch was left to me by my father and being the last one of my family I had to take over the family business..."

She didn't' really have much choice, she couldn't let the ranch die out...not when she knew how much work her father put into this place.

Ash swallowed the food in his mouth before asking, "...is being a rancher something you have wanted to do?" he was curious, he didn't meet someone with this much responsibility since Brock.

Kagome gave a bitter smile, " I had wanted to be a trainer before my father passed away...but I can't leave the ranch." She paused seeing their looks, "...but I don't mind that much. I love this ranch so it isn't that much of a sacrifice."

The rest of dinner was a quiet affair, making small talk. When everyone was done eating Kagome stood up and collected the plates.

Kagome looked at the tro, " If you don't need anything else I wish you all a good night! Breakfast will be around eight in the morning." She gave them one last smile before departing to go back into the kitchen

The three watched the young girl leave and then turned to one another, "She seems nice...though a little sad." Ash said, looking at the door where Kagome had just left.

Misty nodded, looking at the door too, "She seems like she is trying hard to keep her father's ranch going...but she did give up her dream to do it..." Misty looked at Togepi, "...it just doesn't seem fair." the last part was whispered but it was still able to be heard by her other two companions.

"Life isn't always fair though...is it?" Tracy told them with a sad smile. He wished there was a way they could help her...but he knew there would have to be a lot of convincing on their part if they wanted to help her.

The three of them lapsed into silence, before Misty sighed, "Well we should get some rest..." She glanced at the two, "We are going to be leaving in the morning if the storm has let up so we will need the rest."

The other two nodded agreeing, as they got ready for bed. They all were still thinking though. They wanted to help the young woman that was in the other room.

They just didn't know how.

Kagome sighed as she finished cleaning up the dinner dishes, she hadn't expected her talk with them to hit her so hard.

Sure she loved the ranch...but sometimes she wished she could leave.

Leave so she could reach her dream.

To be a Pokemon trainer!

That is what she had always wanted to do.

A small bitter smile crossed her lips as she folded the drying town up and set into the side, "Today really is a long day..."

Feeling a paw on her leg she looked down, her eyes softening, "Houndour..." She knelt down and gently pet his head, "You always are the one trying to cheer me up...aren't you?"

The Pokemon gave a small growl like yip, as if saying yes to her.

"Thank you...but now we should probably head to bed." She stood up and looked at the other Pokemon that were in the room looking at her, "That means all of us...come on."

Kagome and the Pokemon left to go to Kagome's room, none knowing that something lurked in the shadows.

That something was going to change Kagome's fate forever.

Yuki Note: Hope you all enjoyed chapter two! Tell me what you think! hehe Read and Review!