It was easy to tell that Sunil was not happy when he arrived at Littlest Pet Shop. All of his friends could tell that he was in a rather sour mood but no one knew why. The magician scowled at anyone who so much as looked at him. Blyth had already left for school so it would have to be one of the pets that confronted him.

"Why do I have to talk to him?"

"Because Vinnie," Russell said, "You're his best friend."

"So? You're his friend too!" The gecko stated stubbornly.

"Yes but he's much less likely to hurt you."

In the mist of their argument Mrs. Twombly walked in with a bright blue cage in hand.

"Now everyone, quiet down now. I want to introduce you to our newest Littlest Pet Shop friend. Mr. Nevla just got a new pet. Make her feel right at home ok?"

She sat the cage down on the floor and gently opened the latch before leaving. Everyone-save Sunil-gathered around the blue cage.

"Why Sunil, you didn't tell us your owners got a new pet." Zoe said.

"I hope she likes jokes. Why did the chicken cross the road?"

"Pepper, we should wait for her to come out first." Penny gently scolded her friend.

Sunil stayed far away from the cage. The others had completely forgotten about his bad mood in their excitement. Someone inside the cage stirred. Slowly the new pet made her way out. Her slender body pressed against the floor. Her blue and green scales glistened under the lights. She smiled shyly at everyone, her fangs pearly white.

"O-oh…she's a s-s-sn-sn-s-Snake." Zoe muttered, trying not to offend the new pet with her fear. Minka was the first to greet the reptile.

"Hi there! I'm Minka, what's your name? Where did you come from? Do you like to paint? Ohohoh! I love your scales! I'm sosososo super excited that you're here. We can be bffs and tell each other secrets and play games and-"

Russell put a paw over Minka's mouth to silence her.

"Calm down Minka. We don't want to over whelm her."

"Sorry."

The little snake looked frightened by all the attention. She quickly slithered over to Sunil and coiled herself around him.

"D-daddy, I'm s-scared." The little snake said.

The other pets looked at Sunil in confusion. The mongoose looked like he was about to burst with anger. He wiggled away from the tight grip of the snake with much force. He turned and spoke at her with gritted teeth.

"I. Am. Not. Your. Father!" Sunil nearly shouted the words.

"You're so silly daddy." The snake laughed, recoiling around Sunil's waist.

"Everybody, this is Ular. The. Cobra." Sunil grumpily muttered.

Sudden realization hit everyone. If there was one thing Sunil hated, it was cobras. Now he had a permanent one strapped to his waist. Ular smiled shyly at the rest of the pets.

"H-hi everyone. I'm Ular b-but I guess daddy already t-told you that. Wh-who are you?"

"I'm Russell, hedgehog; not porcupine."

"My name's Zoe, you've probably heard of me. I am a bit of a star."

"Hi, I'm Pepper. Why did the snake get kicked out of school? Because he wouldn't cobra-operate! Ha, get it?"

"Heyheyhey! I'm Minka, nice to meet you! I'm sosososososo happy to have a new friend! Ular is suuuch a pretty name. Do you want to play? We can paint something or-" This time it was Penny who silenced Minka.

"She already knows who you are Minka. Hello, I'm Penny Ling."

"And I'm Vinnie!" Vinnie danced a little jig, tripped over his tail, and feel into a pile of pet toys.

Ular laughed lightly. Sunil was once again trying to push her off of him. Ular laughed harder as his fur brushed up against him.

"Daddy, that tickles!" She cried out.

Sunil looked even more irritated that he had just a few moments before. He yanked himself out of Ular's grasp and turned his back to her.

"Uh, just wondering…why do you keep calling Sunil daddy?" Vinnie asked what all the pets were thinking.

"Well everyone has a daddy and since Sunil is the only other pet in the house he must be my daddy!" Ular replied.

"I'm not your daddy! Cobras and Mongooses are worst enemies!" Sunil snapped at her.

"Which makes me even more happy that you overcame your fears to be my daddy!" Ular went up to Sunil and rested her head on his chest. Sunil bit back a growl.

"Wow, she's even less bright than you Vinnie." Pepper said.

"Why thank you Pepp-wait a minute, are you calling me stupid?"

"No Vinnie, not at all." Zoe responded sarcastically.

"Oh, good 'cause for a second there it sounded like she was."

All the pets rolled their eyes. Sunil was having trouble with getting Ular off of him. Russell took pity on his friend and went to help.

"Hey, uh, Ular, why don't you get acquainted with everyone?" Russell suggested.

Ular looked a bit nervous but went to talk to the others.

"Finally. I don't know what possessed my owners to buy a cobra! Of all the disgusting animals, they just had to pick a cobra!" Sunil complained.

"Come on Sunil, give her a chance. She seems to be found of you, daddy." Russell joked.

"Well the feeling is not mutual. I refuse to be her segregate parent." Sunil crossed his arms and walked away.

Russell sighed. Something told him Sunil wasn't about to change his mind any time soon.

Review please!