Rosa's Pov

I carried the berries Zorua had brought me in the bag she probably found and stuffed them into my book bag. I know she was trying to help, and showing the berry would had been useful the first time. It's greatly appreciated that she went out to find so many kinds of berries, but they don't come close to a Lum Berry.

I woke up in my bedroom this morning, late for school. I have no idea how I got there when I was so sleepy, but it was probably because I was so tired that I don't remember anything but wanting to get into my bed.

Because of the lack of sleep, I slept over my alarm and was late for my homeroom class. I was lucky to have got there on time when Bianca called my name. I wasn't in trouble, and in my time of desperation, I asked the class and so many people to help me find that berry.

I later ran into Nate when Zorua left the library. He said the words that made so much sense to me, and even if I didn't know why he'd care to say something like that, I was so happy to hear it...

My heart had softened and my entire body relaxed when seeing him look at me like old times. He'd blush and give me advice on so many things that a fatherly figure never told me. Nate has been the male figure of my childhood since I didn't grow up with a dad, and I cherished him so much because he was so smart and protective... Hearing him say those words made me so happy...

I didn't want to get too comfortable with just simple words. Nate is a friendly person and because he was so friendly to everyone else, simple words of advice was given. It meant nothing too serious. He caught my desperation and warned me to not overdo it, or else I'll be taken advantage of. I was so dedicated to find my answers that I forgot about myself...

The entire school day had been a drag. Not one person had informed me of anyone who would know about the berry. Instead of moping at home and pushing myself to do more research than I already have, I went to the hospital to go check up on Zoroark and Zorua, seeing if Zorua is there after that surprise in the library.

Alder had gave me the room they were staying in, so I went up the elevator to visit them. Zoroark was in the form of a human in bed! While Zorua was nowhere to be found.

"Wait a minute..." I frowned at Zoroark staring at me "Why are you still in human form? They can't help you properly if they're giving you human injections. It'll do nothing for you!"

"I will not risk them knowing my true form..." he said in a male voice. I knew Zoroarks are capable of human speech when they're in human forms, unlike Zorua who can't speak, from what I read.

"So you're a father, not a mother" I walked up to him "I was certain you were a mom with so many pups around you"

"They slept in my mane. That is where they sleep until they mature" I nodded.

"Yes. I've read about that. Your kind is very territorial and use illusions to cast away others from hurting the ones around you. It seeks to my attention that you're not using an illusion, nor were you making one when we found you" paralyzed Pokémon can't use their powers, but I would guess he can do something if he was able to transform "Nevermind. One of my questions is why you listened to Zorua convince you to come with me, yet you refuse to reveal your form in the place that can help you. A simple paralyze heal doesn't work, so they'll have to go through extreme measures" he snorted.

"I trusted my pup, but I didn't expect you to take me here" I frowned.

"I'm sorry... I should had just rescued you from the thrones. That would had been more comfortable since you would be with your pups, who are being taken care of by someone I trust. Don't you worry" I looked down "But I can't be home all the time. That's the problem. I'm looking into where I can find the last ingredient to help you"

"A Lum Berry... That's what you're searching for" I flinched "I can only think of one place that grows so many of those plants... but that place is hard to reach now"

"Where? Please tell me"

"My master's old home" his master..? "He was always ill, so these berries were always in reach"

"Are you N's pokemon?" He looked shocked that I knew him "He's family to me now, my soon to be brother in law. He'll marry my sister soon. I can only guess... You didn't know about the flower in the forest because you've been with him in a castle. You ate the flower..."

"It was difficult finding food. I ate the flower to see if it was safe for my pups to eat, but it wasn't. Now I'm like this"

"If the castle is hard to find, I doubt a remaining plant can be found" I heard the stories from my sister and the condition of the castle now. There's no way there can be any more berries left "This breaks my heart... I'm sorry I can't be enough"

"You're enough" I looked at him surprised "If she can encourage my master to change his mind after being poisoned by that man... and you're her sister, I believe you'll be able to help" I smiled and nodded.

"I'll try my best"

"Ang!" Zorua came back, excited to see me and handed me a new bag of berries, this time a clear one so I can see what she got.

"You're a hard worker" I pet her head, making her smile "but unfortunately this isn't a Lum Berry. It's a Wepear. Even if it's super hard like a Lum, it doesn't do anything but taste bitter and sour" I pet her head again when she frowned "Don't worry, I won't give up so easily, okay?" I stared at the fruit before becoming extremely horrified "Wait a minute... These are just as rare! Where did you find this!?" I couldn't understand her, so I can't tell...

"She stole it from a tourist" Zoroark said. My jaw dropped.

"You can't do that!" Zorua just sneakered "Please tell me the other berries you brought weren't stolen too!" She hummed and giggled again. I facepalmed and looked back at Zoroark "I'd advice you to return back to your original form. I'll tell the doctors right away and they can start helping in different ways than with a human" I walked out the room and ran into someone. Why do I keep doing this?

"Sorry!" I bowed. Whoever I bowed to grabbed my hair and pulled me up to look at them. I gasped when seeing Ethan glaring down at me with a face full of hatred "Ethan... What's the matter?"

"What did you do to her?!" He yelled at my face, shocking me "I know you did something... Tell me what you did or I won't be afraid to keep pulling your hair!" He wiggled me in his grasp, making my scalp hurt, but I didn't cry out for help, just tried to pull back.

"I don't know what you're talking about! Let me go!" I glared, trying to kick him, but he dodged so quickly out of the sense of anger. This made him even more mad and throw me against the wall, making me squat down a little "Hey!" I groaned.

"You tell me what you did to her..." He kicked my arm. I cried out and held it in pain, looking if there was anyone to witness this.

"Stop! What are you doing!?" I started to cry "Why are you kicking me!?" He kicked my shin, which got me to cry out again and fall down. Zorua ran out and stood between us with her arms out.

"What is this? This little girl is going to stop me? Oh no, this is between you and me!" He pushed her out the way and leaned over to grab my cheeks so hard that he got me back on my knees. His face was so close to mine "Why did she say your name?" My eyes widened "You did something to my girlfriend! You better tell me what you did!" I didn't know what to do. He was hurting me and I didn't want to make a move, afraid of what he'll do to hurt me even more.

Zorua has turned back to her true self and bit Ethan's shoulder, making him cry out and shove me away. Zorua stood back in front of me, prepared to protect me. Ethan held his shoulder in pain and glared at me.

"You got yourself a new Pokémon? Huh... You're lucky we're in a hospital. I would had used my Pokémon against you" he walked away "I'll get you next time. I'll teach you to mess with my girl" I hugged myself, in shock about everything and pulled my hair a little, remembering when he use to kick me back when we were kids... I didn't do anything to Kris! Why would he assume that?! Because she said my name?!

I can't go into her room to discover now... and I ran out of Dream mist long ago. I have too much on my plate to find more. I'll have to ask when I find what I need. Only then will I know why she said my name when he was around. She must've been lonely and waiting...

"Don't worry, Kris" I looked down while Zorua licked my sore arm "I'll save you... and I'll save Ethan as well..." I sniffled and shakily got up with the painful leg to find a doctor and explained Zoroark's situation. I wasn't going to tell on Ethan, mainly because I know this isn't the real him... I can fix this...

After so, there was a real mess on trying to convince Zoroark to go back to normal. I seemed like a real fool for doing so in front of the staff, but he eventually did as told and was going to be taken care of the right way. I left Zoroark in their hands while Zorua followed me home this time.

She was in my bag, watching me with a frown while I thought back at what made Ethan so mad "Don't worry, Zoey" I smiled, deciding to name her that for the sake of not making people suspect she's a actual Pokémon, though she wasn't a human at the moment "I know you're worried and that's why you followed me home, but I can assure you" I faced her "I'm not scared of him" she seemed confused "you may be scared of something at that moment, but in reality, you understand what's happening and accept it. It won't be horrible forever. I won't sit here and cower down to him. I won't let him have that satisfaction"

I returned home and went up to my room to set Zorua down. She looked around and smelled everything "This is where I sleep. The majority of my day is spend in school, and after that I just come here and do whatever until it's time to go to work. I don't have much of a life, but I have to do it for my Pokémon" she looked back at me "I work hard to help those I care about. That's why I go a bit crazy when I'm far from my goal" I waved my hand "I'm going to make some food for myself to take to work, and maybe put some ice on my bruises" I walked downstairs and did everything I said I was going to do.

In the middle of putting my food in a container, Zorua came down as a little girl with a picture frame in her hand to show me "Oh, that's my best friend" I admit "Well, my use to be best friend. You can see we were much younger. Things change sometimes, and things lead to another. He ended up hating me" I finished putting my stuff in my bag and made sure there was nothing important inside for Team Plasma to take just in case they discovered where I live.

"Well..." I blushed at the thought of Nate "I don't know about now" he was so nice to me earlier and not at all seemed like he was annoyed to talk to me. "He rolled his eyes this morning in homeroom, but I think it wasn't intentional..." I smiled "What's got him to be nice to me now..?" I frowned "and got Ethan so angry..?" I sighed and walked Zorua to a bath "You're a bit smelly. If you want to stay here for the night, you need a bath" She flinched "Don't worry, you'll love it! I'm a groomer after all"

During my brief time off before heading to work, I focused on getting Zorua clean. She didn't like the water, but gave in once I gave her the massages every Pokémon likes to feel.

I dried her off and went to grab my bag before heading to the door "I'm going to work now and take care of the pups. I promised they're in good hands" Zorua frowned and stuck to my side. I smiled and pet her head "You can come if you want, but I can't promise I'll give you the attention you'll want" she just nodded. I nodded back and went off to work, pretending I wasn't being watched, and stayed cautious the entire time while heading to Floccesy Town.

As I figured, the pups were doing just fine and I got to spend time with them while caring for the other Pokémon. I even gave them baths, which they loved more than their older sister. While having so much fun after so long, it was already time to go home.

"They're going to stay here until your dad gets better" I told Zorua staring at her siblings "We still need to research the whereabouts on that berry. Okay?" She nodded and left the daycare center with me.

The sun was still in the sky, meaning that I left work sooner than usual "I can avoid Team Plasma easier in the daylight" I told myself, then looked at Zorua sniffing around "You protected me back in the hospital... Even if you're not mine, you stayed on my side when I was in trouble" I swore to myself that I won't get another Pokémon until my Victini is okay, but I never imagined having one who protects me willingly. I know I'm doing her a favor. Still... It's nice to have the company.

I ride the back of Stoutland and suddenly got a call while in the nightlight of the city of Aspertia and answered "Hello?"

"Rosa! Alder told me you guys came home yesterday! I tried calling but no one answered!" My sister called. Oh right. I fell asleep after being awake for days "How was your time?"

"It was interesting. I got what I was searching for, but I'm missing something. Maybe you can help?"

"Me? What's up?" I explained my situation "Ohh, okay" she became quiet for a moment "I don't think I can think of anything on top of my head. Sorry girl" I sighed.

"Well, that's alright. I wanted to know if-" if I ask her about N, it would be a bit weird to suddenly mention that I knew about his sickness in the past over a illusion "I wanted to know when you're getting married" she just laughed.

"I'm not sure, sis. Probably next year"

"What?! But you've been engaged for 2 years!" She chuckled again.

"That's what happens when you're busy with work all the time. Even I don't have the time. Don't worry, it's bond to happen, and if it doesn't, it just wasn't meant to be" My sister is so strong... Another thing to admire her about "He wanted to be here for your graduation, but he promised that he'll send over a gift for not being able to"

"H-He doesn't have to do that!" I blushed.

"Don't worry! You'll get it early! I know you like him a lot so I'm sure he doesn't want to disappoint you" I blushed more and smiled.

"Big brother is so generous..."

"Not your brother yet! And hey! He's mine! Get your mind off the gutter!" I flinched.

"W-What?! Why would you assume such things!?" I just really admire him, is all! "It's not like that!" She laughed.

"I know! I'm just kidding! I'm not sure when the gift will come, but be on the look out! I think he said he found it deep in the Hoenn region or something"

"I see" I nodded "well, I'm heading home from work right now. I'll call you later"

"Do you still have my Stoutland?"

"Yes" I looked at Zorua being on the look out "I feel safe" I smiled. I soon hung up and finally came home.

I've been ignoring Zorua looking behind us from time to time, but if there was any real danger, she wouldn't just look. Who ever was behind me followed me home the entire time, and Zorua didn't even bother doing anything.

"Hm?" I turned around and didn't think this was who was following me.