~Paige sweetie, time for dinner.~

I groaned in irritation, shaking my head in effort to fall back asleep. :No, I don't want to. I want to sleep.: The voice was sweet, familiar and soothed the fear that initially spiked when I woke. I was safe and so I let myself relax and embrace my playful side again.

A hand lightly stroked my cheek. ~Paige, you can go back to sleep after dinner but we really need you to eat.~ Opening my eyes, I saw Gardenia hovering above me, a thoughtful look in her place red eyes. She smiled at me softly. ~Did you sleep well?~

With a sleepy yawn, I rubbed my eyes and stretched out my stiff form. :Yes thank you.: I sat up, hugging Gardenia close. :I'm so happy to be back, I was so scared not having you and Samurai with me and Samurai hated me and--:

~Samurai doesn't hate you Paige, he feels awful about what he said. He's scared he's lost your trust and that you hate him now.~ Gardenia explained, cutting me off, pulling me close as she cupped my face. ~Samurai loves you very much, he always has and I'm sure he wants to talk to you when you're ready - he's not going to ignore anymore. Promise.~

:Can it wait until after dinner?: I asked, snuggling in close to my Gardevoir in effort to absorb her affection. :I'm really very hungry.:

~I'm sure he can wait until then.~ She smiled, helping me up and out of the tent. ~I took the liberty of removing the handcuffs from you and Miku--~

:Where's Miku!?: I interrupted suddenly, feeling panic running through my veins. I couldn't let Miku go, someone may take her from me. Turning back towards my sleeping bag, I searched desperately for my little Manaphy. I found her curled up in my sleeping bag where I'd been.

Sighing a breath of relief, I picked Miku up and cuddled her close. I relaxed once more with Miku close, no one could take her from me as long as she was close. Gardenia smiled slightly, running her fingers through my tangled hair, pausing less then halfway through where she was met by resistance.

~I'm going to need to brush your hair before some Flying-Type makes a nest from it.~ She smiled thoughtfully as we left the tent. Gardenia the guided me to the fire Torch had started, the Blazikan now a ways off sparing with Samurai.

I giggled slightly, sitting beside Jake who gave me a warm smile and a bowl of what appeared to be noodles with an assortment of berries and some sort of meat chunks. The broth smelt heavily of cooked Torchic leaving me to believe that was the flavour of the meat.

"It's good to have you back Paige." He smiled as Milly took my other side, Gardenia moving behind me so my friends could sit close. "We were so worried that-- something bad had happened." Jake seemed to cut himself half way through his sentence but quickly rushed to change the ending. It didn't take a genius to figure out my friends had thought Team Aqua had handed me to Ghetsis.

Angel pulled herself up on my lap aside a sleeping Miku, purring slightly in happiness.

:Hello Angel.: I smiled, setting aside my bowel as I hugged her tightly, realising that I had yet to reassure my Pokémon I was safe and hug them close while most likely crying as I'd missed them so much. :I missed you.:

My Sylveon purred further, using her ribbon to pick up my bowel of noodles and hold it up to me, prompting me to eat more before the snuggles continued. She took Miku from my lap and went over to where my Pokémon were eating, most likely to rouse her and get her to eat dinner also. I smiled to myself, watching my Pokémon with thoughtful eyes. After missing them so much, it was extremely calming to just watch them eat their meal. My stomach grumbled with neglect, reminding me that while I was watching my Pokémon eat, it had been more then a day since I myself have eaten.

Picking up my bowl, I shovelled a mouthful of the meal into my mouth, chewing slowly on the meal to satisfy my hunger. I peered up at Gardenia, leaning back against her chest. I could feel her warmth, her care and her love radiating from her slim frame as she kissed the top of my head, smiling at me softly. Taking another mouthful of my meal, I simply let myself relax and enjoy the silence and serenity of the moment.

~🌺~

Finishing off the last of my third serving, I leant back against Gardenia while rubbing my stomach with satisfaction. It felt like forever since I'd had a full belly and thankfully, Milly had thought ahead enough to make enough dinner to satisfy my hunger and then some.

My Gardevoir was lightly brushing my hair, trying to undo a weeks worth of tangles while avoiding my sore spots. While I ate, I allowed Gardenia access to my memories from the past week so I wouldn't have to explain it. No doubt she would share this with Samurai since things between me and my Gallade were still tense. I did try to give him a smile but he just looked away with a guilt ridden expression.

:Are you sure Samurai isn't cross with me?: I asked Gardenia as Miku took her spot back on my lap.

Smiling to herself, Gardenia set aside the hairbrush. ~I'm sure. He's been a complete nervous wreak this past week, terrified as to what was happening to you. He just feels guilty for making you think he hated you, he knows that would of hurt you you also this past week and he hates being responsible for you hurting, even if the pain was just emotional... Samurai also blames himself for you being taken from us at all, had he not made you feel as bad as you did, he wouldn't have made you feel you needed to sit alone at the back of the boat. You wouldn't have fallen into the water during to attack because you would have been sitting securely up the front with us. He feels like this entire thing is his fault.~

:Well... it kinda is.:

~I know, but don't you say that to him, he feels horrible enough as it is.~ Gadenia warned.

I nodded, yawning loudly as I hugged Miku close. :I'm still really tired... can I go back to bed?:

~I'll put her to bed.~ Samurai said, I hadn't even realised he was standing above us, watching with his sharp red eyes.

Looking at Gardenia for reassurance, she nodded with a gentle smile before turning to Jake and Milly to explain that I was having an early night while I rose to my feet with Miku still in my arms. I still found myself to be a bit shaky but I managed. Saying goodnight to my Pokémon, hugging them each individually and allowing each one to snuggle in close while they happily greeted me. I could tell they didn't want to leave me but allowed Samurai to lead me to the tent so we could talk in private.

Sitting down on my sleeping bag, I hung my head and waited for Samurai to speak, to unsure of myself to be the first to say something. Samurai knelt by my side, lightly cupping my face and bringing my gaze to meet his. His deeply crimson eyes teared eyes staring into my bright blue he seemed to be searching for something he couldn't find.

~Paige... I-- I'm sorry...~ He broke down and hugged me close. I both felt and saw in him the little Ralts I'd hatched so long ago. ~I didn't mean for all this to happen... I never ever hated you and I feel horrible for ever making you feel that way. I love you more then anything and I'm so sorry for treating you so badly despite how all you have ever shown me I ignored you when you needed me most.~

I returned Samurai's embrace, snuggling into my guardians chest. :It's okay Samurai, I know you'd never hurt me knowingly. I love you and I know you love me. It was just a bunch of bad thing happening all at once. I was scared and my mind kept jumping to the worst of things and I guess in the end I drew the conclusion that you just had to hate me. I'm glad you don't though. I love you too much and I'm fine now. My head will heal in a few weeks and I'm nut hurt anywhere else other then a few bruises.:

~That's precisely what I mean, I hurt you so badly yet... You're just forgiving me!~ Samurai exclaimed proudly, still sounding somewhat upset. ~I don't deserve it...~

:You do though... it was just a misunderstanding... I've never been ignored by you for so long and I guess since it hurt so bad, I just related it to hated or something. I think that if you promise not to ignore me anymore and we both agree to talk about our problems like we usually do, then I think we can avoid this happening again. Okay?:

Samurai pulled away, smiling with mixed emotions - pride, gratitude and love to name a few. ~That's sounds perfect to me.~ He beamed. ~Now, are you ready for bed?~

:Yeah, I'm still really tired.:

~We'll backtrack to Rustboro City tomorrow, it's the closer to where we are then the next town over. I think we'll stay there for a few days so you can properly rest and I think we'll take you to a doctor, just to be safe. Milly may enter the contest there, you can too if you're feeling up to it.~ Samurai explained. ~Then we'll be back on the road.~

:Okie dokie.: I yawned, preparing for bed before feeling a sudden spike of anxiety. :Can you bring Miku in for me please?: I still didn't feel good letting Miku out of my sight and I knew I probably wouldn't for a while.

Samurai nodded, patting my head as he left to go find my little Manaphy, while he did I got cosy in my sleeping bag, sitting up until he came back a few minutes later with Miku in his arms.

~Mama!~ Miku squealed, leaping out of Samurai's arms and charging into mine. ~Miku miss you! ~

:I missed you too, do you want to stay with me while I sleep?: I questioned hopefully.

Miku thankfully nodded eagerly. ~Miku keep the baddies away from Mama! No one hurt Miku Mama while Miku here. Miku defeat dem wif Kawaii.~

Smiling to myself, I cuddled her close. :Thank you Miku.: I praised. :and when I feel a bit better and we get back to town, we'll go get ice-cream.:

~Wif sprinkles and bubble drink?~ Miku questioned hopefully.

I tickled her tummy making her laugh out loud and wiggle in my grasp. :Of course!:

Miku took hold of my hand, stopping my tickles as she continued to giggle and catch her breath. ~Miku surrender, stop the tickles!~

Giggling to myself, I huggled her tightly. :Okay Miku, time for bed.: I yawned

The little Manaphy yawned and nodded and I slipped further into my sleeping bag, resting my head on my inflatable pillow which my Pokémon had set up for me as I held Miku close for warmth and protection - though I'm not sure who was protecting who or why anymore. With my other Pokémon and friends close, I didn't need to be so on guard anymore. I looked at Samurai who was kneeling by my side, lightly stroking my pink hair with a somewhat absent smile over his features. With the touch of my Pokémon as guidance, I closed my eyes and let myself drift off in to sleep.

~~~~~~🌺~~~~~~
Word count: 1999

Guess who's officially graduated high school. This author that's who!
I'm not sure how all schools work but I still actually have a few exams left to gain my HSC (Higher School Certificate) which basically an higher form of finishing high school after graduation. I have three weeks off before I have four weeks of exams (although I only have four) so the next few weeks are going to be quite busy for me. Updates will be random as I have study and I need to get a job now and pay board to live at home now apparently. :-/

In all honesty, I might move out of my mums place and move in with Dad cause he won't make me pay board so long as I help out around the house, unlike Mum. Not sure.

So yeah, updates over all my books will be random and only where I can with how hectic things will be for a while. I do have a half finished chapter of 'Blurred out' and an unedited chapter of 'My Own Path' sitting to the side but I might just spam 'Star struck' for. While as it's the easiest option.

Any way, bye now!