The walk home I had practically been walking on clouds. Fang was happy and I could tell that he had definitely made friends, as I had practically had to drag him away from them so we could get home. I think that's a good thing?

All too soon we reached our tree home. Fang was still practically dancing on air and singing praises to Arceus. Slipping into the shadows as I always did when I got home, I got to work in the kitchen, making a snack of chopped berries, like Mom always had done when I was younger. I pulled out some Grapa Berries, Pinap Berries, and Oran Berries using scratch to chop them into bite sized pieces.

After dishing them into several wooden bowls, I took my own up to my room to finish some homework I had finished, and maybe take a nap! Soon, I had gotten into the 'grove' as my mother put it, and finished both my 'History of Legendaries' paper as well as my math homework.

I began my science notes, but soon I heard heavy footsteps coming towards my room and froze. Dad. I had managed to avoid him all day, but he obviously had heard something that made him remember that he didn't just have a son. All too soon he was casting his shadow in my doorway, I slowly turned away from my homework and looked him in the eye. "Yes?" I asked softly. His eyes were shining with so much malice and rage that I almost flinched.

When he first started talking, it was a soft and quiet growl, which grew into a loud roar that nearly burst my eardrums. "You know... you know that I DON'T LIKE PINAP BERRIES!" I flinched back, when he took a step forward. Oh yeah, now I remembered, he doesn't like them, even though they used to be his favorite, that was when Mom was around. I nodded silently and took a step back towards the wall, slowly and carefully. I just wanted to get away, I could see Fang peeking through the doorway, his eyes wide, and his form trembling.

"I give you a bed, I feed you, I let you in my home, and this is what you give me? PINAP BERRIES!" He advances again, as I back away more. "You're just a waste of space! I don't know why I even let you live here!" My ears by this point were flat against the back of my head, by back against the wall. "You ought to be more like your brother, more like me! You've disrespected this family one last time! Out!" My eyes widened, full of tears. "Didn't you hear me the first time?" he growled. "Out! OUT!"

As soon as he stepped aside, I shot out of my room and out of the tree home I had grown up in, and into the grove of trees just outside our home, hiding in a bush. My father stood in the doorway looking around to make sure I was gone. He nodded once, and went back inside, closing the door.

I sighed in relief and closed my eyes, finally feeling safe after the scare. Later I would go back for my things, I thought, as I cautiously went back into the yard and took my towel. Well, as long as they were still in tact.

Later that night, once I was sure Father, and possibly Fang, were asleep, I went in for my stuff. In a bag woven of leaves that my mother had made for me, I packed my brush, the TMs that my mother left me, some potions, and a lucky ribbon my mother had left me. Creeping slowly out of the house, I successfully left the home and got back to the bush where I was before.

Brushing the dirt and leaves off of my towel, I rolled it up and put it in my bag. I walked a little ways through the forest, looking for a good place to set up camp for the last few days I had school before I left for a life of my own. Seeing a nice tree, I climbed into the branches, nestling myself into the branches near the trunk, I managed to finally doze off.

Early the next morning I awoke to a pebble to the face. Opening my eyes slightly, I glared at the source of my annoyance. Near the base of the tree stood Ripple, grinning almost as if he were a Sharpedo. "Hey Crystal? What'cha doin' in that tree!" He called up, obviously amused by my decision to sleep in the tree.

"Well I was sleeping..." I said, yawning. "But then you woke me up." He cocked his head slightly to the right, confused. "But why are you in the tree, and not with your family?" he asked innocently. I sighed, sadly remembering the events of the last night. "Gee, thanks Ripple, I was trying to forget about that." I said, dryly. He was still obviously confused. "Well, okay, I won't push it, but you do know that if we don't hurry we're going to be late to school..." My eyes shot open and I jumped out of the tree. "Oh Uxie," I exclaimed shaking my coat to dislodge the twigs and leaves. "Well, you ready to go?" I asked him.

"Sure?" He said, more as a question than an answer. "Well then, c'mon!" I said, walking towards the school. He ran a little to catch up and walked besides me. "So, what's your favorite berry?" he asked around his mouth of sitrus berry. "I like Pecha Berries!" I said, smiling slightly that the 'Superstar' Ripple wasn't as perfect as everyone thought.

"My father doesn't like Pinap Berries, that's what got me kicked-" I stopped short realizing I had started spilling my story. "Nevermind..." I sighed. His ears twitched and he frowned. "Your dad kicked you out?" he said, an edge of worry in his voice. I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah, he hasn't done a fatherly thing to me since my Mom died, Fang and I think it's because I remind him of mom..."

He smiles. "Well, you are just as beautiful as your mom... Oh look we're here! See ya in Battle Class!" He said quickly, sprinting away from me. And if I'm not mistaken with crimson cheeks. As pretty as.... Mom? That's the first time I've ever been compared to her. Mom was gorgeous... My cheeks heated up as I entered the courtyard. I could see him on the other side of the school yard surrounded by his fangirls, with a far away look in his eyes. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad!