The photograph in my hand caught the glare of the sun but I'd spent so long staring at it, I knew every detail by heart. The picture of two smiling woman and single newborn baby in their arms was the only thing I'd ever been able to hold onto my whole life. The baby was me, just over fifteen years ago by the faded date in the corner, my birth date. The silver haired woman holding me I knew was my mother, mere days before she'd died. However, her pink haired sister in law, my aunt- was still alive. Zyra. I knew this because both the name of my mother and Zyra's name were neatly printed on the back. N had told me years ago that my birth certificate said my mother's name was Felicity so that of course meant Zyra was my aunt.

I was less then a week old when I was orphaned. My father had died before I was born, a car crash as I'd been told by N and my mother had lost a battle with a terminal illness just four days after I was born. The illness had apparently been what caused the screw up in my DNA or genes or whatever it is that ended up making me be born mute, though it wasn't something I was mad at her about- it certainly wasn't her fault. For me, the faces were alien, I didn't know either of the people the frayed photo held. I'd never met any of them and as far as I ever cared, I never would. Zyra had given me up for adoption, rejected me. Abandoned me. I'd never known why, I'd never cared enough to find out but now I might have a chance, I was scared.

A soft flash of light spooked me slightly but I eased quickly as the glow faded only to reveal Samurai as he knelt before me with a concerned gaze, not at all angry like I'd expected. ~What ever is the matter Paige? You just ran off, it's not like you... Or at least, without the interference of sugar.~

Unable to hold back any longer, I burst into tears, hugging Samurai tightly. :She abandoned me Samurai, she put me up for adoption. Zyra didn't want me-- She--- she!: I couldn't even form the words in my own mind as I hiccuped into the Blade Pokémon's chest.

Samurai nodded in realisation, returning my hug. Of course he knew I'd had an aunt who'd rejected me after my mothers death but he'd seemed to only just drawn that connection. He gently ran his fingers through my hair, shushing me gently, his crimson eyes filled with pity. I pulled away after a moment, meeting his eyes with my own. :I don't want to face her, she didn't want me then, why would she want me now?:

~It'll be okay Paige.~ Samurai told me softly, picking me up to my feet. ~Come back to the Pokémon Centre, everyone's worried about you. Miku nearly tore down the entire Pokémon Centre she was so upset... Let's hope Gardenia was able to calm her down by the time we get back.~

I couldn't help but giggle as I hugged Samurai close, wiping way my tears and running snot on the corner of my sleeve as I did- going to need to wash my clothes tonight- what's with me an irrelevant thoughts... :You always know what to say.: I brought myself back to the situation at hand as I smiled into his chest.

~That's my job- but seriously we should get back, before Miku throws another one of her temper tantrums.~ He smiled his smirky smile.

:That would not be good.:I agreed, letting Samurai take my hand and lead me back towards the town.

I preyed that by the time we got back, Zyra would be gone and I wouldn't have to face her never ever again. Being an orphan forever was something I'd come to terms with a long time ago, it was a part of me that I'd accepted simply because I felt like it would be this way forever. I've never had family by blood before and I didn't particularly want it. N, Samurai, Gardenia and the rest of my Pokémon are my family, it's been that way for years and I didn't want anything to change that.

Samurai held onto me tightly for our entire walk back to the Pokémon Centre, rubbing my back or arm when he felt my emotions wavering and I was getting upset again. I took in a deep breath before we entered, seeing Zyra and Jake talking through the Centre's glass doors. I was tempted to think a bad word when I saw her but decided against it since Samurai was right next to me and I'd more then likely get into trouble for it, though he probably wouldn't bring it up until I'd calmed down.

~Mama!~ Miku squealed, crashing into my legs when she saw me. ~Champ was a big meanie poo! He said you weren't coming back for me!~

~I told you, it was a joke!~ My Meditite argued, crossing his arms over his chest as he turned away from the both of us. ~You're a baby Pokémon, you should get jokes, not cry at them.~

~You're a big meanie poo!~ Miku squeaked back telepathically so she could stick her tongue out the entire sentence. ~Mama always come back for Miku cause Miku kawaii! Mama even come back for you even though you bakakarp.~

Sighing slightly, I picked up my baby Pokémon, cuddling her close to me. :It's okay Miku, I love you and all my Pokémon, okay. I'll never leave you behind, not for anything. Never ever.:

Miku snuggled into my shirt, poking her tongue out at Champ as she did. ~Miku know that, Miku too kawaii- remember?~

:Yes Miku, I remember.: I replied with an exhausted smile.

"Paige!" Jake called, sounding releived as I nervously approached him, Milly and Zyra. "Are you okay?" He questioned, hugging me and squishing Miku to my chest. The young Manaphy squeaked in discomfort and struggled slightly but much to my relief, her chainsaws stayed within-- wherever she keeps thoughts things.

"Why'd you run off?" Milly asked, looking just as worried as her older brother.

I looked up at Samurai who was standing close to my side. :Samurai, can you please explain for me. I don't want to right now.:

Samurai sighed. ~She's fine, Paige was just upset.~

"Why?"

~Well...~ Gardenia started, no doubt hearing my conversation with Samurai though our honed in connection. ~Jake, Zyra is Paige's aunt and... This is the first time the two have actually met since Paige way a newborn baby.~ She explained softly as I turned away slightly.

"Wait, if Paige has an aunt, why was she put up for adoption?" Jake questioned, obviously confused as he looked between me and Zyra.

"Well..." Zyra began, rubbing the back of her head.

I took my little blackboard into my hands, carefully writing down my angered response. She abandoned me! I didn't want Gardenia or Samurai translating my thoughts anymore-- I wanted them to come out exactly how I meant them, not toned down or reworded like my Pokémon normally did.

Zyra frowned. "That isn't true, you don't even know that whole story." She argued.

I know enough. Was my reply, glaring at Zyra.

"Would you stop with the silent treatment and talk like a normal person." Zyra sighed, obviously irritated. "I understand you're angry but stop being a little kid Paige."

Jake winced as my frown hardened to a glare, I bit down on my tongue, turning away from the Gym Leader. I very rarely actually got angry since I was generally such a happy person and much more preferred to see the happier side of things after my depressing childhood, before my escape from Team Plasma, but now it simply felt like I was burning up inside.

Samurai chose then to step in, hearing the stream of bad words running through my head like a river. He said nothing on my language however, putting a gentle hand on my shoulder. ~Zyra, Paige cannot speak, she has been mute since she was born. The only way she is able to communicate is through us or her board.~

After a moment, Zyra's jaw dropped a little, looking down at me with a pity filled expression. "I'm sorry I really didn't know..."

Of course you didn't, you know nothing about me!

"Can you stop being angry and please let me explain..."

I sharply shook my head, crossing my arms and looking at me feet. Each time Zyra tried to stay something, I'd stomp my foot to make her be quiet, I didn't want to hear anything from her and just wanted to get out of this stupid town.

"Paige would you stop acting so childish." Zyra sighed. "I'm trying to talk to you."

If you knew anything about me, you'd know I AM childish.

Gardenia stepped closer to me, frowning slightly between Zyra and myself. ~Why don't we all just take a moment to calm down. Paige, come with me sweetheart.~ My Gardevoir took my hand, lightly tugging me away from the conversation.

After a moment, I nodded, letting my Pokémon distance me from the others. She lead me around the back of the Pokémon Centre where we stopped. Gardenia knelt down to meet my hight and hugged me tightly, rubbing my back in attempt to calm me down. ~I know you want to let it out Paige, don't be afraid sweetie.~

With Gardenia's coaxing, I soon burst into tears once again, wrapping my arms around her waist. I couldn't hold it in anymore and simply wanted today to be over with. For what felt like an age I just sobbed in Gardenia's chest, hidden behind the Pokémon Centre from prying eyes. The Embrace Pokémon hummed gently, continuing to rub my back.

~It's okay Paige, let it out.~ She soothed, holding onto to me until I calmed down.

"Sorry to interrupt..." I looked up to see Jake standing near, I hadn't even heard him approach. "Zyra wants to talk to you but Samurai convinced her to wait until tomorrow so you could calm down and he could speak with you first. I got us a room for the night-- well Zyra did anyway-- so if you want to come inside when you're ready, room 19."

~Thank you Jake, we'll just be a moment.~ Gardenia smiled.

My friends smiled reassuringly. "Sure thing." He waved slightly before turning to leave me with my Pokémon.

~Are you feeling better now Paige?~ She questioned.

I nodded after a moment. :Yeah, much better. Thank you.:

~No worries.~ Gardenia replied, lightly kissing my forehead. ~Let's go, I'm sure Jake and Milly have questions. Samurai and I will handle them if you like.~

:Yes please.: I sighed with relief.

Gardenia smiled softly, leading me back around to the front of the Pokémon Centre and through the halls of rooms within the Centre. Room 19 was easy to find and as expected
Jake and Milly awaited inside. Milly was making dinner with help from Moon, Scout, Pie and Whirlpool. I sat down on the opposite lounge to Jake, admiring the beachside themed room.

The lounges were both sandy coloured with the carpet being the same colour, only slightly darker in shade as well as being quite worn out with use. The bed spreads were pale blue with the beds themselves being made of some light, softish looking wood- if that makes any sense since wood is hard.

"So what was all that about?" Jake questioned, interrupting my admiration of the sea breeze room. "I mean, if it's okay to talk about it..."

Samurai sat next to me while Gardenia assisted Milly with dinner but both were no doubt paying close attention to the conversation. ~Jake, Paige's full name is Paige Felicity Yūki. Zyra is her aunt.~ my Gallade explained.

"But if you had family, why were you put up for adoption?"

~Zyra is the only living relative Paige has but when she was offered to take Paige in, she rejected her. With no one else to take her in, Paige was put up for adoption.~ He sighed. ~She moved between eleven different orphanages before she was seven when she was kidnapped by Team Plasma.~

"Wow." Jake frowned, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. "That's rough..."

I nodded softly, hugging myself with a frown. I snuggled in close to Samurai, leaving the explaining to them as I simply tuned out the conversation. The smell of dinner waft through the air, some sort of pasta dish which were normally my favourite but my apatite seemed absent despite this. In all honesty, I simply wanted nothing more right now then to sleep the rest of the day away.

~~~🌺~~~
~Samurai's pov~

It wasn't long after dinner that Gardenia decided it was time for Paige to go to bed, she was still upset after the run in with her aunt and she simply wanted the day to be over. I wasn't particularly ready to call it the end of the day yet so, after tucking Paige into bed, I left her in my sisters care, leaving the room and joining Jake on the balcony.

"She asleep?" Jake questioned as I joined him in the cooling outdoors.

I nodded briefly, leaving on the balcony on crossed arms. ~Just about, shouldn't be too long-- she has had a rough day.~ Sighing slightly, I looked over at the brunette trainer. He seemed in deep thought and I sensed he was somewhat troubled but today's events.

"Yeah I guess so-- though I would of thought she would be happy to find she has real family..." He pondered aloud, looking to me as if hoping I'd give him an answer.

I closed my crimson eyes for a few seconds, contemplating how to respond. ~Jake, why do you think Paige has such a fear of rejection?~ I asked, looking down at the trainer. ~Why she always tries to be what she thinks the world wants her to be.~

"Umm... Because she's never really had many people to care about her...?" He guessed. "I never really realised she had a fear of rejection."

I shook my head to his guess. ~She knows that it was Zyra who put her up for adoption, it scares her to think her own family would do that. She didn't have anyone else and to her, if her own family didn't want her, who would? Paige had trust issues for a long time, even towards N at some point and he's probably the closest human being to Paige; yet she still somewhat resists his affection, especially after he threatened to force her to release us. To Paige, abandonment just seems to be an inevitability of life. It scares her.~ A deep sigh followed my statement. ~She grew up fearful of a lot of things, she's just used to it and I guess that's that saddest part about it all. She gets over things so easily because she's simply use to the abuse and heartache she's been through her entire life that it no longer has the effect it would another child her age... She didn't know what it felt like to be actually cared about until N took her under his wing.~

"Really?" Jake frowned, looking over his shoulder at Paige who was soundly asleep in Gardenia's arms.

~She was just another orphan at her orphanage.~ I sighed. ~No looking parents seemed to want a child with a disability so she ended being shunned  away by the carers who found it too difficult to communicate with Paige, the took whatever chance they could to move her and she was moved around so much, she never had a chance to make friends. Kay was the first person who really took the time to get to know her, she was her first and best friend.~

Jake's frown deepened. "I used to think my parents getting a divorce was the end of the world, but it's really nothing compared to what Paige has been through."

~Everyone has their own versions of their world, most people are blind to what they really have until it's gone. Paige has never had anything so she appreciates everything she's given.~ Again I sighed. ~I'm worried for the day she finally snaps. Paige is an incredibly resilient kid, far stronger then even she realises but she can't fight forever and if things keep going the way they do, there will be a time where she eventually breaks down completely.~ Shaking my head, I straightened and turned to go back inside. ~That's enough for one night. I am going to bed and I advise you do the same, I have no doubt that tomorrow will be a difficult day for not only Paige.~

~~~~~~🌺~~~~~~
Word count: 2822

Welp, that just about does it for the next few days. *falls on bed* three times in three day I got a Rockruff shiny chain to above 80 and over 200. *dies* how did I used to do this every day?

Anyway, please please please remember to comment. You have no idea how much it inspires me to continue!