My legs were slowing down the longer we walked in this sewer. Nate was following Hugh while Nate held onto my hand, pulling me and not noticing how much I was tripping. I tried keeping my balance, but I was exhausted...

"N-Nate..." I softly called out, but Hugh's loud voice repelled the sound.

"Hey!" His voice echoed, calling on two grunts facing each other.

"What do you want?" One of them asked. I tugged on Nate's arm, out of breath. I started seeing stars in my vision.

"Team Plasma! You villains!" Hugh pointed.

"Huh? Don't treat us like villains!" The grunt said "And don't interfere with our plans to liberate Pokémon!"

"Liberate? Ha! You're just ordinary Pokémon thieves!" Hugh fought back. Nate turned to me to catch me falling into his arms, starting to sob at how awful I felt "and what's more, you use those stolen Pokémon like they're tools!"

"Shaddup! Hand over your Pokémon!" The grunts got aggressive and sent out their Pokémon. Nate hesitated when handling me and wanting to help Hugh. Not wanting to be in between of what he has to do, I pulled away and fell on the floor.

"Cam!" Nate panicked. I shook my head and shakily pointed at the grunts. He hesitated again and did what I wanted him to do, double battling with Hugh and eventually won the battle against the two. They soon bailed out to the exit after their defeat.

"Tch! They run away like Patrat" Hugh smacked his lips. Nate kneeled down to me breathing heavily "Ok! Let's go further inside! There might be more in there" Hugh pointed at another entrance.

"I think we'll pass for tonight" Nate lifted me into his arms "Cam needs some rest. She's done enough today"

"You're going to help that freak instead of helping me look for more grunts?"

"Hugh, that's not nice"

"Just shut up already! I don't care what you two have. She's literally not worth it! She's slowing down the search! Other than what I want from Team Plasma, you're looking for Rosa! She doesn't even seem like she's all forward to looking for her!" I snapped my eyes open, making him flinch and take a step back as I move out of Nate's arms and walk up to Hugh pressing himself against the wall.

"Who do you think you are? You have no right to determine how important my search for my own little sister is. You shut your mouth before I shut it for you" I was about to reach for his neck before a strangers voice spoke.

"What an interesting show we have here" a familiar voice spoke. It was the guy that first told me of Rosa's disappearance.

"Could you be gym leader Burgh?" Hugh asked.

"Yessir! One and the same! I'm Burgh!" The energy I had inside me immediately went out, making my body collapsed into Nate's arms catching me quickly and brought me to the floor, half asleep. It was hard keeping my eyes open.

"Cam! Camilla!" Nate softly slapped my cheeks. I smiled and held his hand.

"I'm fine..." I brought his hand to my cheek, relaxing my body more "You're so warm..." my body shut down for the night, bringing me into a deep sleep.

I woke up the next morning fully refreshed and energized. I stretched my arms in the sky and looked around the room I was in, looking like a hotel room "Nate must've carried me here after we left the sewer" I smelled my clothes and it smelled like the sewer "I should take a shower" making sure the coast was clear, I opened the window and send out my Pokémon to stretch out her wings.

"Sorry you've been in there for awhile. I'm sure you're starving" I took out some Pokémon food and placed it on the open window "Go ahead and eat and then go out to stretch your wings. I'll be back to collect you once you're ready" my Pokémon cooed at me. I smiled and pet her head "I'm not ready to tell Nate or Looker I have you in my possession. You're the only one who tolerates me, unlike other Pokémon who hate me. I'm sure they'll understand, but for now, you need to keep secret. Eat your food and go flying for awhile" I smiled "Don't get caught. Remember, you're not native here" she nodded and started eating.

I collected some clothes and went to the bathroom to take a shower I needed very much since yesterday. What a day I went through...

"Cam" Nate's voice called out from the front door I could hear from my open bathroom door. I ignored him and continued showering until I was done at the same time he opened the door to the room. I wrapped myself and my hair in a towel before he came in all angry, then flinched when seeing me half naked as I climbed out the shower.

"Can't a girl get some privacy?" I winked "if you wanted to come shower with me, you should had came earlier" his face immediately went red before pointing outside the bathroom all serious.

"W-Why is there Pokémon food on the window?!" I cupped my mouth a bit, acting surprised "Do you have a Pokémon I don't know about?!" I waved my hands.

"You got it all wrong! I was just wanting to feed a Pokémon that's flying by! No harm!" I lied. He didn't look convinced. His eyes traveled down my body, not noticing he had a nose bleed. I giggled and walked up to him, making him stiffen up "Do you like what you see?" He quickly looked away.

"I'm going to wait outside the room!" He ran out. I waved as he slammed the door closed.

"Yeah, you go do that" I dropped my towel and looked at myself through the mirror, staring at the scar on my stomach "Some things never change..." I traced my finger on it "The memory will never fade. I will always be reminded of who I am and what I've became after father died" I looked at my hands "If Melanie died before I got the chance to meet her, will I be open like this? Or what if I just stayed with Rosa and Hilda a bit longer..." I squeezed my hands "These thoughts are always reoccurring... How much longer do I have to...?" My Pokémon flew back to my room before I could question myself more.

I got dressed and ran over to her waiting for me "You could had gotten caught!" I loud whispered "Good thing you flew off before he saw, but he saw these" I picked up the remaining food on the window "It's okay. I made an excuse. Come on, return to your ball" she whined about going inside "I'll give you another chance to spread your wings, but not in this city. I promise" I kissed her head before returning her and went over to open the door where Nate was waiting outside.

"Good morning!" I smiled. He looked angry "What?"

"Don't ever do something like that again!" His face was still as red as before. This made me laugh.

"It's your fault for just coming in like that"

"I-I wanted to see if you were okay! You passed out yesterday in the sewer after Hugh and I fought Team Plasma!" I nodded, remembering that "Sorry, I was more concern about your well being and not notice that you were showering" he looked away.

"Awe!" I chuckled and hugged his side.

"Get off me" he sounded upset, refusing to look at me.

"Thank you..." I pulled him to face me so I could hug him properly "I mean it... I'm sorry you have to put up with me. I wasn't trying to slow you down"

"No... I'm sorry I didn't just see how tired you were after a long day. I woke you up early and didn't give you the rest you needed"

"I was the one-"

"I know, but my job has to come first. I should've been thinking about what you needed, not what you wanted" my heart was pounding at his soft words "I'll be considerate of how you feel. You lose energy by the end of the day, so that means the day is done by that time. I won't let you strain yourself" I smiled and held him closer.

"You're making me feel important" I chuckled "when we both know the most important person is Rosa" he pet my head.

"You are my first priority right now" my heart dropped for some reason "I want to look for Rosa, but I can't leave you alone and make you suffer because I don't know where the line ends. I'll think of you too" I squeezed his jacket.

"D-don't tell me you're falling for me now" my voice shook a bit, feeling my body shaking "Just kidding..." I let go and turned my back towards him as I gripped on my chest, feeling my heart pounding hard. What... What is this feeling?

"Come on" he held my hand, making my heart jump "Let's get out of here. Burgh and I exchanged information, so he'll be able to tell me more about Rosa. Let's leave the city now" I nodded and followed him out the hotel and into the crowded street. Nate kept me close and walked through everyone until we eventually found the exit.

"Finally" Nate groaned and sat on a coin fountain splashing water "Thought we never make it out..." I smiled and leaned into the fountain, seeing some water Pokémon swimming through it. I reached out to touch one, but as soon as I was noticed, they swam off. I pulled my hand back, feeling bad that I even try to get another Pokémon to like me.

"Why do I bother?" I sighed and sat beside Nate watching me. I pretended it didn't bother me and smiled at him "So! Are you going to tell me when was the moment you thought you liked Rosa?" His face went red immediately.

"That's none of your business!" He stood up and offered his hand to me "Come on, let's go" I smiled and held his hand.

"Awe, come on! If you tell me, I'll tell you a secret of mine I've been keeping from you and Looker" he snapped his head at me.

"Not even Looker knows?" I shook my head. He glared at himself, thinking if it was a good idea to tell me "Dammit... That could be useful... but if I'm told this, my job will probably be harder than it already is" I enjoyed him having a debate with himself on whether or not to tell me. No pressure!

I was planning to tell him about my Pokémon if he told me his secret. It's only fair, but he's having a hard time thinking if he should or not.

"You're so funny" I teased "You don't have to tell me so soon. We can always exchange secrets another time" he sighed and nodded.

"Yeah... I think that will be for the best" he turned to me "It's... not anything bad, right?"

"What? No! Other than my reason for needing a guard, this secret isn't a big deal, but I'm sure you guys will make it out to be" I shrugged "anyway, let's keep on exploring! Burgh gave you his information, so we don't have to worry about Castelia" he nodded and checked his Xtransceiver.

"Yeah, Iris gave me her information as well" I froze "She said she'll try her best to help us out as well. That's good" my hands were shaking as a bubble of anger was building up in my body. A girl... He has another girl's information? The girl he looked at differently compared to Roxie? Roxie... Two girls are in his Xtransceiver... How should I feel about this?

"Nate..." I bit my lips.

"Oh, it's you again!" We turned to the side to see a man in a white suit and weird hair walking up to us "if it's not a inconvenience, may I have a look at your Pokémon?" I looked at Nate, questioning who this guy was.

"Why do you want to see my Pokémon?" Nate crossed his arms "or are you talking about my partner? Sorry, but she doesn't have any Pokémon" I nervously laughed.

"I don't believe that for a second" the man adjusted his eye glasses to observe me. I got more annoyed than I already was and moved backwards to stand beside Nate "You must have a Pokémon, young lady. Surely you're not traveling with nothing to protect you" I didn't respond.

"That's none of your business, sir" Nate sent out his Dewott "You can take a look at mine" the man looked excited and observed Dewott carefully. I bit my lips, feeling a bit frustrated that I can't even show off my own Pokémon after all she's done for me... She deserves to be seen and explore with me, but I don't even know when will it be the right time to let her out.

"Your Dewott seems to display more self-confidence than others of the same species" the man stood up after the observation "and you're a trainer, I see. Do you not have gym badges?"

"Don't got the time. I'm a cop on a investigation to look for my friend"

"A mere cop! Incredible! You must be one of the best then!"

"That's what I been saying" I poked on Nate's cheek.

"I'm not sure how you're doing it, but you're bringing out the power of your Pokémon!" I stepped away from Nate to face the man.

"Are you some kind of Pokémon specialist or something?" I asked, hoping to get some information on my Pokémon.

"Oh, excuse me! I'm actually a scientist! My name is Colress. The theme of my research is: "bringing out the power of Pokémon"" I frowned.

"Oh... so I guess you wouldn't be able to help me" I looked down "Nevermind then..." I stepped back before he stopped me.

"What seems to be the problem? I can help as much as I can. Even if my research isn't what you're looking for, I can perhaps help" I slowly nodded and looked at Nate watching me. I can't wait any longer... I don't want my Pokémon to be trapped in her ball any longer. He might not have told me his secret about how he found out he liked Rosa, but I'm too impatient and I need to show off my baby!

"You see..." I took out my Pokéball, feeling the tension Nate had behind me and quickly jumped to stand beside me and question me, but I spoke before he could speak "I love Pokémon so much, but none of them seem to like me back. Even friendly Pokémon that belong to people. There's something about me that they don't like. They're scared and run away. This Pokémon... She's the only one who hasn't ran away from me. I had her since I was a kid" I sent her out and let her fly onto my open arm, flapping her purple wings "My father gifted her to me... Oricorio" my Pokémon smiled at me "The only one who understands me. Tell me, is there something different about my Pokémon compared to others who despise me?" Colress held his chin and observed Oricorio carefully.

"A unique Pokémon I never seen before... quite the surprise" he smiled "It seems to see things differently from the way it's looking at me. It's elegant and understanding, different from a Pokémon of any kind. It also looks like it thinks it's better than everyone else" I smiled at her snorting "It also has a typing that thinks differently than others. I believe it to be a ghost type? Perhaps? You two have an incredible bond. It looks powerful as well..." he held his chin "Is it possible to bring out their maximum power through the bond they share with their trainer? Or it there some other different method?" He looked back at me "I'd like to test my theory by battling with you" I flinched.

"Hold on" Nate separated me from the man "There's no way I'm letting that happening! She's not allowed to have a Pokémon, so what makes you think I'm going to just let this happen?" He glared at me "You have some explaining to do. Do you know how this is going to make me look?" I held Oricorio in my arms and hugged her close "buzz off, dude" he told Colress. Colress respectfully nodded and asked if we changed our mind, to meet him at route 4. I avoided eye contact at Nate glaring me down.

"I know what you're going to say" I said.

"Why did you keep the fact that you had a Pokémon with you?! Was this the secret you were going to tell me?! Not even Looker knows! Cam, why would you do that?! How did you even hide that thing?" I looked down, hiding my face.

"You wouldn't understand..." I pressed my lips together "Every pokemon on this earth hates me... they see me like I'm a monster. They run away or attack... I love Pokémon so much, but they don't love me back" I held back my tears, but it was too hard "Oricorio had been with me since the beginning. My dad gifted her to me before..." I sniffled "I... I'm sorry I hid it from you and Looker, but I couldn't risk you guys taking her away from me. She was all I had when I was alone... I was different, and she didn't care. When Rosa and I were separated, Oricorio was there... the only Pokémon who I made a bond with" I started crying "Don't take her away from me... I just didn't want her to stay stuck in that ball the entire time" Oricorio frowned at me, rubbing on my tears to cheer me up. I felt a hand on my head, surprising me to see Nate frowning at me.

"I don't know anything on why you are forbidden to do all these things and why I have to follow a list, but I get it... I'll let you keep her around for now, but I have to talk to Looker about this" I slowly nodded, understanding. He opened my arms so he could hug me, surprising me again "Don't cry, alright?" I sniffled and nodded, jumps into his arms, feeling safe and secure in his warmth...

Despite them knowing each other for at least a week, I love how they're starting to form their friendship. It's heartwarming and it makes me smile.