Gray lands stood before Tamao and Sakura. Star'Gazer was with them as well, but much, much different.

Two eevee's, and an umbreon. Star'Gazer had evolved overnight and was much larger now. His eyes had a slight pink tint to them. 

They walked around, stopping every once in a while, so Sakura could look at things. "You shouldn't trust her. She may be your sister, but she's planning on turning on you!" Star'Gazer growled to Tamao, as they stopped so Sakura could look at Pokémon plushies.

"How about you just- stop? She's not going to turn on anyone!" Tamao snapped. He was getting annoyed with how much Star'Gazer was trying to keep him away from Sakura. Star'Gazer snarled, and bit Tamao. Tamao let out a yelp, catching Sakura's attention, but she didn't see what happened.

"Are you alright, Tammy?" Sakura asked. Tamao was about to speak, but Star'Gazer spoke for him. "He's fine, just stepped on a sharp rock."

Tamao let out a hiss but nodded. Star'Gazer was his friend after all, right? He could at least 'agree' with what Star'Gazer said. Sakura glared at Star'Gazer, and slowly nodded, going back to looking around. Tamao followed his sister, not wanting to have her stray too far.

Pokémon and people crowded the streets, which made it hard for them to navigate, but Tamao wasn't going to let that from stopping him!

He followed Sakura around before she stopped at a playground of sorts. Pokémon played on it, and were having fun! Tamao ran with Sakura as she jumped up to one of the platforms, which led to one of the slides.

A peculiar shiny eevee slid down one of the slides, his wine-colored eyes shining brightly. Tamao wondered what kind of life he had, and how different their lives were.

He watched as Sakura slid down the slide, and Tamao followed, having fun with his sister. "That was so much fun!" Sakura exclaimed, running back up to the top of the slide.

Tamao giggled and sat by the bottom. The shiny eevee from before had likely left the playground now, as it was a bit quieter. Granted, there was a charmander and a petilil playing together in the sandbox, and they were rather loud, but it was noticeably quieter.

As Sakura slid back down, Star'Gazer was seen staring at Tamao, looking bored.

Tamao watched his sister, then looked at Star'Gazer, who was now walking towards them. "We best get going before someone tries to take Sakura away." He growled.

Frightened, both Tamao and Sakura nodded, following Star'Gazer away from the playground, and out of the human town.

As they walked back, they passed a bus stop. "Sakura, head back home, I need to talk with your brother." Star'Gazer demanded. Sakura nodded and bounded into the forest, as he glared at Tamao.

Tamao shrunk back, too scared to move. "What?" He asked, nervously. Star'Gazer growled and kicked Tamao. "Don't listen to Sakura, don't talk to her, don't anything! She's just using you!" Star'Gazer snapped, as Tamao felt the pain surge through his body.

"You need to listen to me; you need to trust me!" Star'Gazer added, his voice holding hints of desperation. Tamao slowly shook his head. "N- no! I'm not going to take your words into account! Sakura is my sister, I helped raise her! She'd never do such a thing!" Tamao snapped.

Star'Gazer growled, and grabbed Tamao by the scruff, throwing him. "One day, you will see what you were too blind to. Your sister will be dead within the next few months, mark my words!" Star'Gazer snarled and grabbed Tamao, carrying him back to the den.

"What-?" Tamao mumbled. Did Star'Gazer just threaten his sister? Why would he do such a thing, they're friends!

Star'Gazer dropped Tamao outside of the den, and crawled in. Tamao, now having regained control over his limbs, followed inside and sat next to Sakura, who was eating some leftover berries.

Tamao grabbed some bread and took a few bites, a sour taste in his mouth after the threat Star'Gazer made, but Tamao couldn't hate Star'Gazer either, after all, they were friends, and Star'Gazer was allowing them to stay here!

If anything, Star'Gazer should hate him and Sakura for being so resource consuming, and for taking space!

Tamao spat out the bread, the sourness in his mouth becoming too powerful as he curled up in the back of the den. He was about the same age as Star'Gazer, yes, but he and Sakura were still too new in the world to live by themselves still! They'd be better listening to Star'Gazer...

But then again, Star'Gazer was trying to keep him and Sakura separated! Tamao's thoughts consumed his mind, not allowing him to hear what Star'Gazer was saying until after he poked Tamao.

"What?" He asked. Sakura seemed just as confused. "You're training with me tomorrow, Tamao. And for the rest of the time you and... Sakura are staying here. As payment, ya'know? Until I'm stronger, and until you're strong enough to take care of yourself. And Sakura, I guess." Star'Gazer repeated. 

Tamao slowly nodded. "Y- yeah, that works." He agreed. Star'Gazer hummed and laid down next to Tamao and Sakura.

Tamao felt a sinking feeling, as though the place were closing in on him. He stood up, and walked away from the two, heading over to the other end of the den until he felt like he was in more open of space. He just couldn't sit between Star'Gazer and Sakura, especially not with Star'Gazer being an umbreon now!

Tamao closed his eyes as he felt Sakura crawl over to him, not wanting to leave him alone.

As darkness surrounded Tamao as his eyes were closed, he felt better, but his thoughts also consumed him.

Why did Sakura hear colors? Why was that shiny eevee weird? Why did Star'Gazer threaten Sakura? Who was Tamao's first cage partner? Why was everything so hard to remember now? Why couldn't he handle tight spaces? Why did it feel like his chest tightened when he was crowded? Why, why, why!?

Questions continued to circle Tamao's mind as he closed his eyes, allowing himself to finally sleep next to his sister, who was already sleeping.

The darkness encased Tamao now, as the cool feeling of sleep rushed over him, like a wave in the ocean crashing against the bay.