NEKO, NEKO

	Disclaimer: I don't own any of the series' that this may share some elements in common with. In addition, as far as I know the original story for this setting, "Wild Horses and Pokegirls," was written by metroanime, who is, IMHO, a fantastic writer. In addition, other stories set in this world have come before mine, including the "Crimson League" storyline (by Akun) and the "Blue Continent" storyline. This is merely my attempt to write something set in the same world and to entertain others, and is not meant to be any kind of rip-off or plagarism of those series... In other words, you could consider this a kind of "fanfic of a fanfic." ;)

	CHAPTER 1

	Jaren whistled as he walked down the path from the town's Pokecenter to his home, Daro's Neko Ranch. It was his eighteenth birthday, and he'd gone to the center to take the Test, and had passed it first time!
	He ignored the small tidbit that most people that weren't complete and total morons (and some of those who were) could most likely pass the test and receive a Basic Tamer's Licence, and instead focused on thoughts of how proud his parents, especially his father, would be.
	His father, Daron Ridens, was a retired tamer that had gotten a Breeder's Licence and settled down to develop a ranch. His ranch specialized in cat-like pokemon almost exclusively. In fact, even Jaren's mother, Sirie, was a half-breed pokegirl (a Kitten, actually) that never manifested the Threshold that claimed so many other human girls, turning them into Pokegirls. Daron expected his son to follow him and become a Tamer, and then later come back and help him run the ranch.
	However, he didn't know if running the ranch would suit him. Becoming a Tamer was fine; it was one of his dreams, really. However, he just couldn't see himself settling down in one place. But that was in the future, and far enough away that he didn't need to worry about it. No, what he needed to worry about was what 'tests' his father might set for him before acknowledging his ability. His Alpha was already selected not long before (assuming that he passed the test, of course).
	Alanna was a Kitten that he had chosen last month, when his father had invited him to select an Alpha from the Pokegirls on the Ranch. She was identical to her twin sister, Elena, with solid light bronze fur (similar to a lion cub's) and a figure that, while not necessarily 'full', couldn't be mistaken for a Tomboy's in any light.
	The only real difference (aside from personality, Alanna being serious at least part of the time and Elena constantly being a hyper handful) were their eyes. Elena had light blue eyes, while Alanna had light purple eyes, a rareity among both Pokegirls and humans.
	When he had selected her, his father had approved, but had given him a warning. "Don't think that you'll automatically get her if you pass that test, boy. The test is ridiculously easy, and so you must pass my OWN test to prove yourself worthy of an Alpha from this ranch."
	His father was like that a lot; he may enjoy a dry and wity sense of humor and a good nature and a sense of hospitality that was well-known in the area, but he took his responsibilities quite seriously. And, evidently, he thought his son's success and ability as a first-rate Tamer was one of those responsibilities.
	Since then, in spite of his prodding and begging, his father had been firm on his idea of his own test, and refused to tell him what it would be, saying only that it would be a fair test only if it was unknown ahead of time. He stopped in front of the sign for the walkway to the ranch.
	'Daro's Neko Ranch'
	He momentarily examined himself in the burnished reflective background for the sign and straightened his hair somewhat nervously. He wasn't incredibly handsome, like that pompous pile of plastic surgery Dev (who's father, for all intents and puposes, ran the town), but he wasn't that bad to look at either. Standing about five foot six, his slightly slitted eyes and black-and-orange striped hair (natural, too), showed his mother's Kitten heritage quite well.
	Most sons of Pokegirls, or half-pokegirls, didn't exibit any startlingly different traits, aside from slight differences in facial structure or features, but for some reason he did. It wasn't a bad thing; it made him somewhat distinctive, and, being young, he did prefer to be at least a little unique. This, combined with the slightly oversized canines and the definitely feline cast to his face, had made him something of an outcast among the other children when he was growing up.
	He didn't mind all that much. He had plenty of people to play with on the Ranch, and his mother and father always had time for him anyway. He adjusted the collar that seemed way too tight all of a sudden and took a deep breath. Opening the large wrought-iron gate, he stepped inside, the gate closing with a final-sounding 'clang' that brought a halt to his earlier celebatory thoughts.

	****

	"Dad?"
	Daro looked up from histable, which had forms strewn over it. It was the time of year that he needed his permits and legal registrations renewed, as well as that most head-ache prone of times... Tax Time. Many other ranches and businesses were sloppy in their book-keeping, but he preferred to keep the threat of an Audit far away.
	It wasn't that he had anything to hide, really (except for a couple of bottles of really vintage wine that he had smuggled through customs last year), but it was that an Audit was Bad For Business.
	"Yes?" Jaren nervously cleared his throat. "I, uh, passed the test."
	Daro gave a small smile and nodded. "And?"
	"Umm... you said you, uh, hadatestforme?" Daro gave an innocent-appearing smile and cocked his head to the side.
	"I what?"
	"Err... you had a test for me?"
	The innocent smile stayed right where it was. "Hmmm... yes... I do believe I might of. Why?"
	"What is it?"
	"Why? Do you think you're ready for it?"
	Jaren shuffled his foot nervously against the carpeted floor. "I, uh... think so."
	Daro straightened up, the smile, although still on his face, wasn't as innocent-looking any more. "Well, then... The test that the centers give may weed out those who are completely incapable of figuring out the slightest thing about Pokegirls, but it doesn't do a thing beyond that. Therefore, I've decided to set a test of my own."
	Jaren nodded. He knew this much already.
	"These are the terms. If you pass, you may select your Alpha from those hear, and you may, if you impress me enough, gain additional reward. If you fail... well, if you fail then obviously you aren't really Tamer material. Consider this a final exam of sorts, if you will."
	He paused for emphasis and to let it all sink in. "I'm sure you'll do fine; I have every confidence in your abilities."
	At this, Jaren's face brightened up a bit, but then his father continued. "Nevertheless, this may be a long test, and most definitely will not be easy for you. You are, of course, familiar with the woods west of town."
	It wasn't really a question. Jaren and his father had gone ther many times to the large forested area to practice what Daro had considered 'survival skills.' Daro's voice had grown almost militaristic.
	"The test is in two parts. The first is survival. You will need to survive on your own for at least two weeks. You will be allowed to take your knife, one set of clothes, and a small medical kit."
	Jaren didn't think this was too bad. He'd never been on such a trip for longer than a few days, and always with moe equipment, but this didn't seem too hard. Seeing his expression and interpreting it correctly, his father smirked.
	"The second part is much harder. You must find and capture a feral Pokegirl of your choice during your stay there. You may use any strategems or ideas that you wish, but you must manage to catch and Tame the Pokegirl successfully. You may, if you need to, take longer than the two weeks; that's merely a minimum time."
	Daro's expression lightened up a bit. "You'll do fine, son. Now, get some sleep, and you'll start fresh tomoroow morning."

	*****

	Author's Note: Consider this a kind of prologue to the story, introducing the main character and so forth. There's little to no action here, but expect plenty later on. Mostly this is to sorta 'test the waters'; see if people like this idea, or have any major problems or suggestions that I might need to know about... not to mention any corrections that I might need. deus_ex_mach42@hotmail.com for any feedback/suggestions. Flames will be used to heat up my room during this rather chilly season. Any trolls will be sent back under the bridge before I collapse the whole thing on them.