Timeframe: None. Alternative universe. Vincent's been living by himself at Icicle Inn...while Cideon..has a unknown past...

The small shop in Kalm was often used by people who lived in rural areas, as it could supply many items not easily obtained in the country. Vincent Valentine was one of those shoppers.

Vincent put some money out of his wallet as the shopkeeper packed up his supplies. "So when will the other things get here, Tseng?"

The long-haired shopkeeper shrugged as he took the payment. "I'm not sure. Probably a couple weeks. I'll take it up there when it comes in, all right?"

"All right. What for, though? You're not that...'nice', shall we say."

Tseng grinned as he placed his elbows on the counter and leaned forward. "You'll consider receiving a gift of a Pokemon."

"What?"

"Look, I need to get rid of this Pokemon, and I'd trust you with it. It's a Cideon."

Vincent scratched his chin, "But why are you getting rid of it?"

"Well, even though Cideons are really powerful and rare," Tseng pulled out a Pokeball and buffed it with his shirt, "I don't care for it's attitude."

"I see. But what do you mean by that?"

Tseng groaned, "Well, it looks like a normal person, right? Except that it's kinda cat-like, that is...Anyways, it'll bitch until I let it join me outside the pokeball. Then when it's outside, it'll do whatever it wants. And I have to take responsibility, because it's only a STUPID Pokemon."

//Just because they're animals doesn't mean they are stupid.// "So why do you think I'll take him, being such a problematic Pokemon?"

"Well, for one thing, I know you're not anti-Pokemon, since you have that talent for understanding what they all say." Tseng grinned, "And I know you get lonely up there at Icicle Inn by yourself. It'll be able to talk to you about stuff. Besides, if you can't live with it, you can just get rid of it, easy."

Vincent shrugged, "All right, I'll take him off your hands."

Smiling, Tseng handed a Pokeball to Vincent. "I don't need to transfer it to you. I've all ready told it I was going to give it away to a friend that might fight less with it, and it agreed."

//There he goes agian...caling him "it".// Vincent took the Pokeball, then placed it on his belt. "Until next time Tseng."

"Yeah, I'll see ya in a couple of weeks."

***

Vincent sighed as he opened the door to his home on the outskirts of Icicle Inn. He dropped his packs on the floor, stretching his back. //I should get it warmer in here, before I take out this new Pokemon.// He went to the fireplace and started a small fire. He grabbed some frozen fried chicken from his refridgerator and placed it on a grill, which he clicked on, to thaw it out. He went to the living room, and pulled out his Pokeball. //Here goes nothing...// Pressing the release button, the Pokeball glowed and a ray of energy flashed out.

A young man appeared on the rug before Vincent. Had he been human, he would have looked to be 17 or 18 years old, with a thin frame. He was dressed simply, in blue jeans, sneakers, and a white t-shirt. His hair was dirty blond, and was ruffled up like a chocobo's. Short, pointed, golden brown ears poked out of his hair, which matched the long cat-tail of the same color that swished slowly behind him. And his blue eyes were bright and rich like gems. They seemed to glow, even as the cat pupils were black, almost lost in the sea of blue. //He's rather handsome...// Vincent thought as he observed the Pokemon, who was on all fours, but quickly stood up on two legs. He noticed the Pokemon was about a foot and a half shorter than him.

The Cideon looked back at him, seeming slightly nervous, and maybe scared. "W-Who're you?" He asked with a soft voice. To anyone else, it would have sounded like a series of soft meow's and repetitions of the word "Cideon"; but Vincent understood it perfectly.

"I'm Vincent. Tseng has given you to me." //He seems almost human, yet I must not forget he is only a Pokemon.//

The Cideon licked his lips nervously. "Oh..." He looked down. "I guess he finally got rid of me..."

"I was under the impression that you wanted to be rid of him as well?" Vincent sat down on the sofa and motioned for the Pokemon to sit too.

Cideon hesitated, then sat down on the floor. He sat back on his knees, his upper body sitting up, hands on the ground. "I never really thought he'd go through with it...D'ya know what it feels like to finally belong to someone and then be tossed away, like a piece of trash?"

Vincent did not respond. It wasn't so much a question, as a statement. //Poor thing...// "I'm sure you're hungry by now. What do you want to eat?"

"I like human food, but Pokefood is my normal thing, if that's what you're asking." He smiled slightly. "Most poeple wonder about that. But don't worry...I know my place..."

//I wonder what he means by that?// "No need to worry about that. I'm having chicken. Would you like some?"

"Please." His look was strangely pleased. When Vincent got up and went to the kitchen, Cid followed hopefully (trotting on all fours), wondering if his new Trainer was always this nice, or just now. Vincent put out two plates and placed the chicken on the equally. He then sat down in one of the chairs and began to eat. //Damn...he's letting me eat with him...? I don't know what to do...//

Hesitantly, Cid sat at the other chair clumsily, and pulled the plate towards him. He didn't use his hands to eat, but only bent his head over the chicken and tore at it with his tiny fangs. He then realized Vincent was looking at him. "Oh...I'm sorry..." //Stupid! He probably wanted you to eat on the floor after all!// "I'm really sorry..."

"Don't apologize. I was, uh, only curious about your eyes. They are very unique. By the way, would you like some salt?" Vincent offered the salt shaker.

"Uh...no thanks...I kinda lost my appetite...." Cideon pushed the plate away, feeling very stupid. //No wonder Tseng always treated me like trash. I can't do anything right.// "...Um...Master?"

Vincent looked up. "Call me Vincent."

Cideon blushed. "Uh, Master Vincent...can I go to sleep now?"

"Of course. Would you like to use the couch or do you prefer your Pokeball?"

//He's giving me a choice....// "Can I use the couch?"

"Go for it. There are some blankets in the closet in the next room." Vincent went back to eating, almost finished with his meal.

Still stunned, Cideon got up and went to the closet. He took out only one blanket, then took it over to the couch where he laid down. //I hope I don't get a collar here...// was his last thought before he fell asleep.

Vincent cleaned the dishes, then went into the living room where he saw his new Pokemon snoring softly. //I wonder if we'll get along? I hope so. It would hurt him greatly if I got rid of him as well.// Vincent gently stroked the blond hair (smiling as he saw the furry ears twitch slightly), and placed a pillow under Cideon's head. He then saw a strange marking on his neck. //I wonder what that could be from?// Shrugging it off, Vincent went to bed, tired from traveling so much. He only changed his shirt before he passed out on the bed.

Vincent was woken around midnight by a soft whimpering sound. He went back downstairs, and saw Cideon on the rug, curled up in front of the fireplace, looking like very much like a real cat. The blanket lay between him and the couch. Vincent picked it up and covered him, then made sure there was no danger of sparks flying out from the fire. Satisfied it was safe, he went back upstairs.

Cideon opened his eyes when he left. He had been crying softly, but upon hearing Vincent, pretended to be asleep. Tears traveled down his face, but this time he kept his sobs quiet. //I shouldn't wake the Master again. I won't do anything to get him mad...I don't want to be given away again...// His tears soaked into the blanket, and he continued to cry himself to sleep.

***

For the next few days, Vincent was lenient with Cideon, allowing him to get used to having a new trainer. He had been shocked when Cideon told him that his trainer before Tseng had used a collar on him. It was obvious the previous trainer had been cruel, so Vincent made sure to not ask anything else about him. He also promised he would never use a collar. In his mind, collars were for animals that got lost often, or were uncontrolable. Cideon was neither...yet, at least.

He found it uneccesarily cruel to show his dominance to an animal that all ready was submissive. Ciedon tried to help Vincent in anything he could. But he wasn't as strong, weighed about 45 pounds less, and didn't know much. In the end, he hindered more than helped, so Vincent pretty much let him run lose when he was busy.

It was simply easier, as the Pokemon often got underfoot and caused him problems. For instance, that day Vincent had been cleaning his guns, and Cideon was trying to help. Unfortunately, in passing, his tail knocked over the small bottle of gun oil, causing it to spill all over the carpet. He had apologized, but Vincent simply told him to go outside and play. He didn't appear mad, but Cideon was worried.

Cideon would normally wander the mountain area, then return before it got too dark. He preferred being in deep nature, where snow drifts were deeper than 10 feet. There Cideon felt best, running on all fours and jumping into huge snowdrifts. That day, he returned when it was getting dark, a little later than usual.

He scratched at the front door, but nobody answered. Shrugging, he quickly went to the back door, which was always open. After shaking like a dog to get rid of the extra snow, he walked to the living room on all fours, knowing Vincent wasn't comfortable with him acting human (though he hadn't wanted him to go nude). Vincent had never said anything specific, but Cideon knew. His joyful attitude was shattered when he heard Vincent talk to someone else, "I think that I'll leave him out in the snow one day. That Cideon is just more trouble than he's worth. You saw the stain, didn't you?"

Cideon felt his heart shatter. He had grown to love his master in the short time he had been with him. //He...He was so nice to me...// Sniffling, he quickly ran out, trying to outrun the cruel words.

If he had stayed, he would have heard Vincent continue. "No-no, I don't really mean that...I've grown to like him. With a bit of training, he might even learn a few more things. He's very smart for an animal, don't you think Tseng?"

Tseng shrugged, "Smart, but troublesome. Have you ever noticed how he tries to act human when he can?"

"Actually, no. But then, I've never taken him out with anyone. I don't know that many people here anyways." Vincent yawned as he spoke.

"Oh sorry, I've been here too long. I'll be seeing ya Vincent." Tseng stood up and shook Vincent's hand.

"Thank you for bringing the rest of my supplies. I'll see ya soon." Vincent walked Tseng to the front door.

"Goodbye Vincent." Tseng shook his hand one more time, then left on his chocobo, riding towards town.

Vincent closed the door, shivering from the cold. "Cideon? Are you home yet?" He called out, then walked to the kitchen, which was Cideon's second favorite warm spot. There was no sign of him. Vincent noticed some muddy footprints that had walked partway in, but looked like they ran out. "Oh no...he overheard..." Quickly Vincent grabbed his coat and gun, then ran out, calling for Cideon.

***

A mile away, the Pokemon lay under a tree, curled up and crying. //Master...why don't you want me around? I promise I'll try harder...// His tears started to freeze on his face as the sun went down completely. //I'm gonna freeze if I stay out here...But better that, than being abandoned by Master...//

Suddenly, he sat up, hearing something in the distance. Getting on his hands and knees, he twitched his ears around to hear better. Cideon! Cideon, where are you?! I'm not getting rid of you! Cideon! //Master...//

Cideon felt his heart start to warm, mending from its injuries. //He's not going to abandon me...// "Master! Where are you?!" He yelled out, suddenly feeling very cold and alone. "Master!"

Vincent heard his Pokemon answer. //Thank the gods!// "Cideon!" He ran towards where he heard Cideon answer, overjoyed he had found him. "Cideon!" In the distance he saw his Pokemon running towards him, bounding (on all fours) on the snow like a graceful snow leopard, though his blond hair and golden ears made him look more like a small puma. Before Vincent knew it, the two had reached each other. Cideon jumped gracefully, then landed on Vincent, pushing him back onto the snow. "Oof!"

"Master! I thought you were going to abandon me!" Cid cried onto Vincent's chest, nuzzling him. "I won't make you mad again! I promise I'll work harder! Just please, don't get rid of me!" He got off Vincent, allowing the dark man to get up as he did, afraid that he'd look less earnest if he didn't stay at Vincent's eye level (or as close as he could get to it).

"It's all right Cideon." Vincent placed a hand on the Pokemon's shoulder. "Come, we must return home. You don't have to work harder. I realized that when I got you, I just wanted a pet. I didn't want a slave. So don't worry about it." He smiled, while squeezing Cideon's shoulder reassuringly.

//A pet...? That's all? I thought...we were friends...// "OK, Master." He tried to smile, but his heart wasn't really in it.

They traveled back, the moonlight and stars guiding their way home. Vincent was in front, and Cideon followed a few steps back, his hands and feet getting colder as they now stayed in the snow. Suddenly, Cideon yelped as something heavy ran into him. "Master!" He cried out as he felt a clawed paw scratch his chest, feeling the flesh tear and blood pour out.

"Leave him alone!" Vincent pulled out his gun and shot the figure, which ducked before the bullet hit it. Vincent realized it was one of the vicious snow monsters that lived in the mountains. "Get out of here Cideon!" He didn't think Cideon's instincts would tell him anything else, but he hoped the Pokemon would be safe.

On the ground, disoriented, Cideon looked up, watching his master be attacked by the monster. The creature clawed at Vincent, who managed to duck from most of the attacks. //I should go...At least I'll survive.// He scolded himself for the thought. //No! I must help Master!// Growling meakly, Cideon launched himself at the monster, baring his tiny fangs.

He landed onto the monster's back, biting as hard as he could. The tiny fangs didn't do much, except infuriate the beast. The monster immediately swatted at him, but Cideon was holding on for all he was worth.

Roaring, the monster reached back and grabbed Cideon's shirt, pulling him off. With a snarl, it threw Cideon into a tree. Cideon yelped in extreme pain as he crashed into the tree, passing out once he hit the ground. Vincent took advantage of the beast's distraction to reload and fire at it's head, killing it instantly.

Vincent saw that Cideon had not moved from where he had fallen. "Cideon?" He walked to the wounded Pokemon, grimacing as he saw the nearby snow start to soak in crimson. "Cideon!" He kneeled next to the Pokemon, praying he was still alive.

Cideon felt a warm presence near him, and forced his eyes to open. He saw Vincent's right hand near him and that it had a large scratch on it. Acting instinctively, he moved his head forward and licked the blood off the wound, cleaning it as his instincts told him to.

//He's so injured... and yet he's trying to help me. No real animal would do that...An animal would've run away when that monster was distracted with me. Cideon is no animal....// He picked up the broken and now unconscious body in his arms with a gentle hold and started to hike back home.

***

Cideon woke up on the couch, feeling warm and safe. He turned and saw Vincent sitting next to him. "Master?"

"Don't worry Cideon, you're safe now. I had a Pokemon doctor come a while ago and fix you up. You have a lot of injuries, but they will heal in time." Vincent stroked Cideon's hair gently, remembering how the Pokemon had almost died to save him. //No animal would do that...but he is still a Pokemon...What can I do now?//

Groaning, Cideon tried to sit up. "Master, are you hurt?" he coughed, then whimpered as his body tensed in pain.

Vincent gently pushed Cideon back into a resting position. "No, I'm fine. I want to thank you for not running away when I needed you."

"I couldn't leave you, Master. My duty is to you, only. Even if...you want to get rid of me. It's your choice." A tear dropped from his feline blue eyes.

Vincent carefully wiped the tear away. "I'm sorry I said that. I was annoyed, but I never had any real intention of abandoning you. Cideon, do you trust me?"

"Of course, Master." Cideon reached out with his hand, and gently grabbed Vincent's, which he pulled towards his face. He found where his Master had been injured and began to lick the area again.

Vincent felt goosebumps on his skin, caused by the strangely pleasurable sensations that Cideon was creating. //Stop that! You know perfectly well that it is not his intention to do that!// He pulled away his hand, but then began to stroke Cideon's hair, humming softly. He occasionally scratched behind the ears, noticing how Cideon purred when he did. //Just like a cat...// He wondered what could be done, now that he knew Cideon wasn't just an animal. //I should treat him like another person. He is pratically human, after all.//

***

Weeks later, Cideon was finally fully healed. He was thankful for all Vincent had done for him, and also grateful that Vincent seemed to have meant what he said about not giving him away. He went out as soon as he could, playing in the snow, but not far from the house, as he once used to. Vincent thought Cideon was afraid of another attack, but in truth, Cideon only wanted to protect his Master. He knew he couldn't fight well, but decided that if he could not save his Master, he would die with him. Vincent was his world now, totally and completely.

On a chilly evening, Cideon returned home, coughing a little. "Cideon, are you sick?" Vincent inquired when he returned.

Sneezing suddenly, Cideon looked up bashfully. "Maybe Master..."

Vincent sighed as he bent over and picked up his Pokemon, carrying him to the couch. "I told you that it wasn't smart to stay out so late, didn't I?" He scolded gently.

Cideon flattened his ears back, not only feeling bad about not listening, but also embarassed as to how easily Vincent carried him. //I had forgotten how strong Master really is, despite his thinness. Not to mention, I lost a lot of weight when I got hurt.//

Vincent laid down Cideon on the couch, tucking the blanket around him. He had removed his clothes, so they would dry out. "Would you like something to drink? Eat?"

"Yes, if it's no trouble." Cideon sneezed again.

Chuckling at how the ears went back when Cideon sneezed, Vincent went to the kitchen to prepare some hot tea. //I'm worried about him. He's still weak from his injuries, I know. I shouldn't have let him go out!// Vincent almost smiled though, when he remembered how Cideon had begged to go out. He raised his hands like paws, and his eyes pleaded with everything he had.

Vincent returned, carrying some tea with him. He dropped it instantly when he saw Cideon was unconscious, panting hard for breath. "Cideon?!" He ran to the Pokemon, hugging him close and rubbing his back worriedly. "Cideon, wake up!" The Pokemon did not respond, as the sudden sickness held him in a tight grip.

Cideon was plagued for over 24 hours with a very high fever, which made him delirious and kept him from truly waking. Finally, the next night, his fever broke and he awoke to find himself not only in Vincent's bed, but accompanied by his Master. "Master?"

"Cideon?" Vincent woke up from his light sleep, overjoyed his Pokemon seemed well now. "Thank goodness! I was getting worried about you!" His hand felt his forehead, glad it wasn't burning hot to the touch anymore.

Cideon felt tears drop from his eyes. "I'm sorry Master...I made you worry...I'm sorry..."

Vincent grabbed him in hug, holding and rocking him gently. "There's nothing to be sorry about. It's not your fault. Anyways, you're fine now." He held his Pokemon until he stopped crying, then pulled back.

"Master...maybe you should get rid of me..." Cideon sniffed as he looked away. "I only hurt you. I'm not worthy of your ownership."

Vincent stroked his hair, pausing to scratch an ear. "Don't say such things. I have been much happier since you came here. I will never give you away. These feelings...are not..." Vincent had to swallow before continuing, "Are not because I am your Trainer. I care for you...as a person."

Cideon looked up, startled. "Master? I-I am only a Pokemon. I am not human." //Though I would give anything to be so.// "You must be mistaken..."

Slowly, Vincent moved forward and kissed Cideon's cheek. "I am not mistaken. I love you, Cideon." Kissing him again, Vincent felt Cideon relax in his arms. "I want to make love to you..."

Cideon suddenly pressed his whole body onto Vincent's, shaking hard. "I'm sorry...I don't know what to do..."

"Shh..." Vincent stroked his hair. "It's all right. It will come to you naturally..." He took off his own clothes, tossing them aside. He touched and stroked Cideon, instantly getting a response. Once he assumed they were both ready, he told Cideon to get into a certain position.

Cideon got on his knees as Vincent told him, then moved his arms to the headboard, feeling very scared. He felt Vincent kneel behind him, stroking his back. Cideon couldn't prevent his tail from twitching erratically. "Master....?"

"Yes Cideon?" Vincent pressed his body onto Cideon's, kissing the back of the Pokemon's neck.

"...Will it hurt...?" Cideon would've let Vincent do anything he desired, but he wanted to be ready for any pain, just in case.

Vincent paused. "A little bit. Maybe more...but I'll be as gentle as I can, you know that."

"I trust you Master..." Cideon turned his head and kissed Vincent's face timidly, hoping he'd done the right thing. Vincent's smile assured him. //Remember, it doesn't matter if you like this...it is for his pleasure only. You are only his Pokemon.//

//I never would have thought I'd fall in love, much less with a Pokemon...// Vincent felt Cideon's slim body before him. //It's incredible that he lived through that snow monster attack with such a weak body. Nature made it to only fight other Pokemon, not beasts such as that one. But that showed how strong his heart was...// Vincent stroked the smooth chest under him, feeling Cideon arch into the touch.

Cideon tensed slightly as Vincent's hand went under him, and started to stroke his genitals. After a few seconds he began to purr however. He felt so lost in the feeling that he only gasped when Vincent started to enter him from behind.

"Shh...don't be afraid..." Vincent kept on stroking, while entering Cideon. It was clearly a virgin passage, and it was dificult for Vincent to enter, but he kept at it.

Cideon bit his lip, trying not to whimper at the small amount of pain. //He's not doing this to hurt you...this is normal...// He almost cried out as Vincent went in deeper, but forced himself to keep quiet. Yet tears found their way down his smooth face.

"Cideon?" Vincent had noticed Cideon's lack of noise and was worried. "Is something wrong?" He looked closely and saw the tears on his Pokemon's face. "Gods, have I hurt you?!"

Cideon shook his head as he turned back. "N-No Master..you didn't hurt me..." He saw Vincent didn't believe him. "That is...I..."

Vincent shook his head. "No, my Cideon. I am sorry for hurting you. I beg your forgiveness." He pulled out, sitting back on the bed, feeling angry at himself for what he did.

Cideon turned around, then sat in front of Vincent. "Master...It didn't....didn't hurt, really!" He saw this was having no effect on his somber Master. "Please Master...don't be mad at me..." He moved forward, then licked Vincnet's pale chest timidly.

Vincent grabbed him in a tight embrace, causing Cideon to panic, but only for a second. "My Cideon...I won't hurt you again...If you want to leave me, I understand..."

Cideon pulled loose, then pushed Vincent down onto the bed gently. "Master...let me..." He crouched over Vincent's cock, then carefully used his hand to get it inside him. He panted hard, but there was no pain this time as it traveled slowly inside him.

Vincent tensed, being overcome by the strong feelings of being inside Cideon. The Pokemon ground his hips onto Vincent's, causing Vincent to enter him all the way. Both gasped, feeling exhilarated. Cideon regained his senses, then bent over to kiss his Master's delicate lips. Vincent kissed him passionatly, knowing his life was complete with his new lover.

Slowly, Vincent started to sit up, rocking inside Cideon. The Pokemon grabbed onto him tightly, still feeling slightly scared, but assured that Vincent would not harm him. The climaxed together, Vincent grinning when he heard Cideon's ear-piericing shriek of passion.

Afterwards, they lay in bed, Cideon on Vincent's chest, his thin and delicate body cuddled by his Master. Though he was Master in name only. In Vincent's mind, he and Cid were equals now, even if one was a Pokemon. If nature proceeded, one day he could evolve into a more human form, but neither knew that. All that was important to them was loving each other.