The mornings atmosphere was heavy, at least from my perspective. Despite the sunshine and cloudless sky, the sounds of Wingull squawking along the beach and the smell of the salty water in the air, I dragged my feet as I walked - my head down and a tight frown over my features. I dreaded the planned lunch Jake had organised with Zyra without my consent.

All my life, I'd known very little about my past, I had no need for it and Ghetsis had assured that my life before I was kidnapped was nothing but a distant memory and I was always fine with it. Before N, Makayla had been my first and only friend. I never had much time or ability to make any before hand as I'd been moved to eleven different orphanages before I was seven years old and my muteness became something other kids avoided, holding onto the childish thought that the lack of voice was something that could be caught like a disease. I'd always been alone.

A sigh left my lips as I gripped the balcony railing, leaning backwards in a way that should I let go, I'd fall and hit the ground but I held on tightly and kept my feet firmly planted. For me, Zyra had been the one I placed all the blame on. Yes I realise I don't know Zyra at all and know nothing about the situation but I simply couldn't help it. N said it was human nature, that pain in human beings needs to be the fault of another, especially with how much I'd been trough. It was simply too much for my mind to comprehend as my fault, especially when I always tried to be the best I could be for N to stay close to him for fear of abandonment. He said it was something that couldn't be helped and I shouldn't feel guilty but I think that that's what I'm most afraid of — feeling the guilt from all the blame I've placed on a person I know nothing about.

~I sense you need to talk.~ Samurai's voice blossomed through my thoughts, my shiny Gallade approaching from behind as silently as a shadow.

Again, I sighed, opening my eyes and standing firmly on my feet again as I released the railing. :Sorry Samurai, but I think I'd prefer to sort my thoughts to myself this time. It's complicated...:

Samurai raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile forming over his features. ~Well then Miss-Oh-So-Suddenly-Mature, may I join you?~

I simply shrugged. :I don't see why not, but you better not try to trick me into talking about my feelings... again:

~Me? No, why would you think that?~ He smirked, ruffling my bright pink hair.

:Because you do it all the time when I'm upset and don't feel like talking.: I rolled my eyes.

~So you are upset then?~ His smile broadened as he took seat in one of the deck chairs.

I groaned inwardly at the trap I'd unknowingly fallen into. :Damn it Samurai!:

~Language Paige.~ Samurai chuckled, leaning backwards with a coy smirk.

Rolling my eyes, I snorted and turned my back to him, leaning against the railing with another sigh. :Do I have to go?:

~No.~ Samurai answered blankly. ~But you should.~

:Why? She's never done anything for me.: I frowned, staring at the clouds thoughtfully.

Samurai seemed to become slightly more unease by the way the conversation was heading. ~Because, whether you like it or not, Zyra is your family. Wouldn't you just like to learn something about your real family? Your mother and father?~

:But Samurai, you're my family! I don't need anyone else because I have you and Gardenia and the rest of my Pokémon and N, that's all I need.: I huffed, shaking my head. :I don't care about blood family because I've never had them in my life before:

~Paige, I know this is difficult for you but I want you to try. Do you know what I would give to meet my parents?~ Samurai asked, his tone one I could not read but his eyes showed slight distress, something that I found quite unusual from the normally calm Fighting Type.

:But Zyra isn't my parent Samurai!~ I argued. ~She's my aunt, my parents are dead and she abandoned me in an orphanage and basically ruined my life before I could even have a say in anything!:

Samurai frowned and I knew I said something wrong, his aura became angry but he kept his calm exterior. He stood up and left, walking inside without looking at me. ~Paige, maybe you should try opening your eyes a bit more and appreciate the fact that Zyra is your family, whether you like it or not because not all of us have that much.~

His words hurt, leaving deep stinging feelings in my chest as I collapsed on the deck chair next to the one Samurai had been in, burying my head in my hands. His words baffled me, even frightened me slightly. Did Samurai not feel like we were family anymore? I'd always felt towards him in a similar manner as I had to N and I'd always believed he felt the same, now I'm not so sure. Why does this all have to be so confusing!? I felt like screaming out my confused frustration but that would accomplish nothing more then gaining the worried attention of my friends and Pokémon. I liked my family the way it was. Now Zyra was involved nothing made sense, Samurai's mad at me for the first time ever and doesn't think he has any family anymore. Slowly, I stood up and wandered inside again, attmpting to shake the thoughts from my head before they overwhelmed me. It was lonely outside and even now, I didn't like being alone.

I slide the door open, regretting the action as I did. Samurai sat in a corner, talking to Gardenia in Pokélanguage so I didn't understand. He didn't look at me as I entered the room, Gardenia didn't either but kept her attention focused on her little brother. Miku was napping on the bed and Gummie was eavesdropping on Samurai and Gardenia's conversation with Angel, they both seemed a little baffled. It took a moment to find Champ who was meditating under the table. Jake was off battling Zyra before lunch and Milly had gone to train for her next contest. I was alone with my Pokémon who seemed to be mad at me. I collapsed onto my bed, my face buried in the pillow, wishing things would just go back to the way they were and should be.

~*🌺*~

Standing on Zyra's porch was would easily make it into the top ten hardest things I've done. My every instinct told my to run as I hid behind Gardenia, trying to remain calm when inside I was freaking out. Samurai still wouldn't even look at me and ignored even my consistent poking. Eventually I'd given up and started to simply avoid him which was hard. Ever since he'd hatched Samurai was the one I turned to for support, especially when I was scared and this was the first time ever I've felt like I couldn't depend on him if I needed it. Gardenia and my other Pokémon were acting normal and said nothing about whatever had happened between me and Samurai but it wasn't the same. Jake and Milly didn't even realise anything was wrong.

Milly hit the doorbell after she realised I wasn't going to do it. I was glad she and Jake had agreed to come along for support.

Zyra smiled brightly as she opened the door but I kept my head low, holding on tightly to Gardenia as we entered. She seemed slightly confused when all my Pokémon entered along with me but she didn't question it. "Come in." She stepped aside so we could enter her home. "Would your Pokémon like to play in the backyard Paige? I don't think the dining room in big enough for us all."

Gardenia nodded for me. ~Samurai and I will stay but the others will go outside.~

My other Pokémon didn't argue as Zyra lead us into her dining room. "Take a seat, I'll show your Pokémon outside."

~No, Miku stay with mama!~ Miku pouted, sticking her tongue out.

Angel jumped off Gummie's head. ~Sylveon-!~

~Miku ride on Gummie head!? Yaaaay!~ The little Manaphy cheered with her arms above her head. ~Bu-bye mama!~

I couldn't help but chuckle as Gummie let Miku pounce on her head and follow Zyra out back, Angel and Champ trailing behind. She returned shortly, finding that Jake, Milly, Samurai, Gardenia and I had all taken our seats.

"Well... ummmm..." Zyra bit her lip, taking in the awkwardness of the room. "Does anyone want juice?"

Milly and Jake both agreed while I raised my hand slightly, still not looking up. Not as she opened the fridge, or the cupboard, or as she poured the juice, or as she set them down in front of us. She excused her self momentarily and it wasn't until then I looked up, admiring the beach like setting of her house.

Zyra came back into with a framed photograph in her hands, I hung my head again. "Would you like to see what your parents looked like Paige?" She asked, hiding the photo from my sight, a ghost of a smile on her features.

I bit my lip, not really sure but sighed and nodded. I already knew what my mother looked like, I have her photograph after all and it felt wrong somehow to know my mum but not my dad. My aunt handed my the photo, remaining quite as I examined the details. Felicity, my mother, was obviously pregnant with me at the time the photo was taken, her baby bump sticking out slightly from under her stretched shirt. My father, Marcus, had his arm wrapped around her and was kissing her cheek while my mum blushed. His hair was pinkish maroon and obviously my hair colour came from his side of the family since my mother's hair was a soft silverish-blue hue. The mischief in Marcus's green eyes shone as they held Felicity's bright blue ones.

Biting my lip to hold back the tears, I put the photo down, hanging my head once more to avoid looking at anyone. I could feel their eyes, waiting for a response I could not give until Zyra spoke up.

"You're parents would of loved you Paige, I know it." She smiled.

:I doubt you do: I mentally grumbled for the sheer fact she couldn't hear it.

Gardenia sighed slightly, looking at me with a questioning gaze which I responded too with a hesitant nod. ~Paige would like to know why it is you gave her up. You seem quite fond of her parents.~

"Yeah, Marcus and Felicity were my best friends. Even if Marcus was my brother and Felicity was only my sister in law." Zyra smiled sadly, closing her eyes for a moment. "You see, when Felicity... passed away, I was only 17. When she was given only a few months to live by doctors, we had arranged that I would help her look after you Paige until she did pass on. We were hoping that by then I would have a stable enough job that I'd be able to take care of you myself when it came down to it but..." My aunt paused for a moment, looking over me with sadness in her eyes. "After you were born the doctors gave her only a few days. I only had an apprenticeship as a gym trainer back then, there was no way in the world I could have kept you Paige, believe me, I thought of everything I could have. But since I had no other family, I had no choice but to give you up for adoption. Eight years after I did, I finally became gym leader and felt I should at least try reaching out to you even though I was sure you'd been adopted by then. I was beyond devastated when I found out you'd been missing for over a year." Now Zyra was hanging her head. "You'd meant the world to Felicity even before you were born, Marcus too and when I found out you'd disappeared, I felt like I'd lost the last of your parents..."

After hearing Zyra's story, I really didn't know how to feel. I felt guilty for blaming all my life's hardships on her but also somewhat relieved that I wasn't simply abandoned. Gardenia took my hand from beneath the table, smiling at me reassuringly. ~Shall I explain you side now Paige?~

I could only nod.

~Paige lived in eleven different orphanages before she was seven. Her longest was her last, being at Nimbasa City.~ Gardenia begun my story since I couldn't tell it. ~When Paige was seven she was kidnapped by an evil organisation called Team Plasma. Their leader envisioned Paige to be their princess and serve beside their brainwashed king, a boy named Natural who was nine at the time of Paige's abduction. The leader of the organisation was a man named Ghetsis and was Natural's foster father.~ I flinched at Ghetsis's name but remained silent. ~Ghetsis found Paige worthless for his cause as she was mute, he wished to get rid of her but Natural convinced him to instead allow Paige to be his playmate as he was forbidden to leave the castle Team Plasma had built as their headquarters. Ghetsis allowed this and Paige was raised by N from there. He taught her to read, write and other such valuable skills as well as gave Samurai and I to her as eggs so she would have company when he could not be around.~ For a moment, Gardenia fell quiet, trying to figure out what to say. Zyra didn't say anything, patently waiting for her to continue. ~Eventually, Ghetsis decided that Paige was becoming too comfortable with her prison and forced her to be his own little servant, being especially hard on her when Natural was not around. It was only a few months ago that Paige manage to escape Ghetsis and started to travel with Jake and Milly. Though Ghetsis refuses to simply let Paige be and consistently tries to hunt her down and hurt her, that is why we traveled with Jake and Milly to Hoenn, to avoid his wrath after shutting down Team Plasma for good.~

"I see..." Zyra replied, I could feel her eyes on me by I made no attempt to return her gaze. "I'm sorry... had I known all that was going to happen Paige, I would have never given you up... I'd always hoped that when I gave you up you'd get adopted by a good family and I could still see you and be part of your life but when you went missing I had no way of finding you, there wasn't any leads and the only witness was one of your old friend who they wouldn't even let me speak too so even if I wanted too, which I did- more then anything, I had no way in the world of ever finding you."

I still couldn't bring myself to look up, I was scared. Terrified even. I wasn't in danger yet the feeling bubbling in my chest and swirling though my thoughts.

~It's okay Paige, take your time.~ Gardenia soothed. ~This is a lot to take in.~

:Help.: Was all I could squeak, even my thoughts seemed stuck which was weird for me. I knew people could loose their voice but I seemed to be at a loss for thought.

~Calm down Paige, your mind is a mess right now. Have a drink.~ Gardenia purred gently, Jake had struck up a conversation with Zyra so I could have a moment to breath, giving me a knowing look now and then.

I gently picked up my cup of juice, sipping down the cool, sweet liquid. It did help a little as I found my nerves eased a little.

Gardenia smiled as she felt my mind clear as I regain the ability to form complete thoughts once again. ~Better?~

:Yes, thanks Gardenia.:

"If you don't mind me asking, why do you live in Hoenn while Paige lived in Unova?" Milly questioned, unaware I was now tuning into the conversation.

Zyra looked over to me, a somewhat thoughtful look over her feature. "Felicity was born in Unova, like Paige, while Marcus and I were born here in Hoenn. After her parents met, and married, they settled in Unova where Felicity had a stable job, I was traveling around Hoenn at the time and got an apprenticeship to be a gym leader." For several moments Zyra was quiet. "When Felicity called me to tell me that my brother had died... Everything went out of whack... I took time off so I could help Felicity but it was clear at the time no one would be able to look after Paige when her time ran out. I agreed to do my best but as I said, I simply couldn't look after a newborn baby on my own. I moved home back to Hoenn to continue my apprenticeship after making sure Paige had somewhere to go."

Milly nodded, her expression showing she somewhat regretted asking the question as the answer was clearly very hard for Zyra.

I took my blackboard off the table, gently writing out my own question, trying to keep my thoughts clear as I did. Did you regret it?

My aunt took the time to read the question and think deeply about her response. "I did. From the moment you left my arms I regretted it. Even more now I know everything you went though with Team Plasma..."

Do you think we're family? It took several attempts of rewording this question to get it right and the moment I did, I showed it to Zyra.

She nodded without hesitation. "Of course I do, but I understand that you don't." For the first time ever, I met Zyra's gaze - eye to eye like a reflection. "Paige I won't force myself into your life because I know I hurt you. I'm asking for a chance Paige. Only a chance. I want to get to know you, your Pokémon, your friends and your life." She smiled genuinely. "I want help fix what I broke and even if I can't, I want to try. But only if you'll let me. If not, you can walk out right now and you don't ever have to see me again if you don't want to."

Gardenia squeezed my hand again, feeling the bumble of thoughts swirling though my head but I knew my answer and I wrote them down, expressing my words in the only way I could. I will give you that chance ;P

~~~~~~🌺~~~~~~
Word count: 3146

*dead* I have a love hate relationship with this chapter, I love finally exploring more of Paige's past but hate the fact I re-wrote it three freaked times... eshk, you're lucky I love you guys. I also hate having to make Paige and Samurai fight but I have too or an important part can't happen as smoothly as I'd like. Oh well, soo you soon (hopefully)

Don't forget to vote comment and of course, keep on reading on!!!