A Small, Pleasant Stream [open]

A round, pearl-white nose bobbed above water, a pair of eyes on a periwinkle head attached close behind. Tatsu floated along, dreamily in the deep, narrow stream. It wasn't as big or capacious as she'd hoped, but it would do. It was nice and warm, and was surrounded by lush, green trees, bushes, and other various shrubbery. Her tummy growled a bit, and she licked her lips hungrily. She glanced about, looking for any source of food. The Dratini had no such luck.

Miran walked through the small forest, walking stick in hand. He hopped up on a small log, then jumped off over a ditch. He had been walking most of the morning since dawn, and with noon approaching, the sandshrew wanted a place to rest. He slid down a hill and came to some strawberry bushes next to a stream. Miran frowned as he saw the small river in his path. He looked up and down the stream, not seeing an easy way across. The sandshrew sighed as he realized it was going to take hours to walk around it, so he decided to rest here next to the strawberry bushes.

Miran took a bite, then went to the stream to take a drink. He began to dip his head in for a drink when he suddenly saw a nose poking out of the water. Startled, he fell into the water. Due to his rocklike skin and short limbs, sandshrews lack the capability to swim, so all he could do is flail his arms wildly and hope the he would suddenly appear on land.

Tatsu heard a splash nearby and started. She was easily surprised, and frightened. She looked over, towards the mass of sloshing water, and realized it was a tiny, yellow pokemon. It obviously couldn't swim. Kindhearted but shy, the little Dratini argued with herself over what to do.

Knowing she had little time, Tatsu decided to help out the needy Sandshrew. She swam quickly towards the thrashing creature and wrapped her tail around it, providing support and buoyancy. She guided the little thing towards the shore. It's looks had deceived her, the minuscule Sandshrew was heavier than she could have imagined.