Bugs in the Food!

"Is this really the best use of our time?" Kage hummed as he put aside a filled basket.

"Well making sure people have enough food falls under protecting people I think." Soku shrugged.

"Shouldn't we be hunting down those Team Havoc members?" Kage frowned as he turned to Soku. "I have no doubt they had something to do with the sudden influx of bug pokemon."

"Well first, we have no proof of that." Soku pointed a claw at him. "Second, I'm pretty sure that Shatter guy and some of the pokemon close to him were already on a warpath to find those three." He shrugged. "I think for right now it's ok to let them handle it."

Kage simply sighed, apparently giving up. Soku pulled him into a quick side hug before getting back to work. Honestly he was really thankful that the two local farmers, Vinter and Luft, had started the season off in earnest. The duo of deer pokemon had planted way more food than the whole town would need, so even with the bug pokemon taking a large chunk of Shiverkeep's food supply the town would be alright. "Dad! Papa!" Kazoku called out as her and Terios ran up to them. "We got all the stuff you told us to do done!" She looked proud, and so did her brother. Their kids stuck their chests out proudly as Terios gestured to the filled baskets a few feet away.

Soku gave them a wide smile and ruffled the top of their heads. "Good work you two! At this rate you might put us out of a job." His grin turned playful.

"No way!" Terios laughed. "We would never!"

Soku pulled his hands back and placed both of them on his chest dramatically. Next to him Kage watched the exchanged with an amused and fond look. "No it's true! My own kids are trying to outdo me. Oh what have I done to deserve such a fate?" He pulled the hands from his chest before tackling his kids into the snow. Both of them made noises of surprise before playfully trying to escape his grasp. "Papa help!" Terios tried to look up at Kage for help.

"Well, you've both gotten yourselves into this. I'm sure you can handle it." Kage crossed his arms, amusement clear on his face. Soku loved it when his partner played along.

"Papa pleeeeeease." Kazoku pushed at Soku. He did not let go. "Dad isn't going to let us go!"

"Eventually he will." Kage shrugged as if he didn't care and Soku could barely contain his laughter.

Both of their children continued to playfully beg for Kage's help while also trying to escape Soku's grip. Eventually Soku did let go as he heard the sound of two sets of approaching footsteps. He got up, brushed himself off, and turned to face Vinter and Luft. "Having a good time I see." Vinter smiled.

"Apologies." Kage cleared his throat. "We'll get back to work."

The two deer pokemon glanced at each other before turning back to the group of sneasel. "It's not a problem." Luft shook her head. "You're allowed to enjoy yourselves."

"Sorry if my comment came off as me reprimanding you." Vinter dipped her head. "It wasn't my intention.

"No not at all." Soku waved the apology off. 

Vinter perked back up. "I'm glad. Anyway we should be able to wrap up here very soon. Me and Luft have cleared our own fields and replanted. Once you all finish up you're free to go."

"You don't need our help replanting the other fields?" Kage tilted his head.

"No. Don't worry about that." Luft shook her head. "We've been doing this for years. We can handle a little bit of replanting."

"Very well." Kage sighed.

"We'll get this wrapped up then so you two can finish up sooner to." Soku saluted the two.

"Thank you. We're so glad for your help with this." Vinter nodded.

"Glad we could help!" Kazoku said enthusiastically.

"Yeah!" Terios nodded. "It's been fun."

"Well I'm glad to hear that." Vinter grinned. 

"We'll leave you to it then. Feel free to just head out whenever you're done. No need to come find us." Luft nodded, a grin on her face.

"Got it. Enjoy the rest of your day you two." Soku waved as the duo of deer pokemon walked off towards one of the fields his kids had finsihed. "Welp let's finish up here. Then we can go see if the others found anything."

"Sounds good." Kage nodded, picking up an empty basket. Their kids picked up two more baskets without being asked and started to help. Soku just smiled to himself as his family worked together in silence. Things were certainly different here, but he really couldn't complain. He had his family, his team. That was plenty for him.