We were lead to the treatment part of the centre, pokemon of all sizes laid stretched out wounded. Some were burnt, some unconscious, some paralyzed and a few looked plain sick. I hadn't taken much notice of where I was last time I was in here, but now that I did I could tell just how many pokemon needed treating daily. It was shocking that these were injured pokemon that weren't with abusive trainers.

It almost made me think we weren't treated so badly by him. But the fact that the hall was dotted with boys and girls of all ages, pressed against the glass questioning Nurse Joy as she passed, I knew they were much different than him.

"Do you think we'll ever be cared for like these pokemon are?" I asked Arcanine, staring up at him as I jogged to keep up with the taller two.

"Who knows, but I'm sure we will be treated thousands of times better than with him. These pokemon were hurt from fighting for their owners. Not in fear of what their owner would do." I didn't know how to answer him, I knew he was right but I felt anything I'd say would take away from the moment.

"Ok, we're in here Arcanine. Vulpix you'll have to wait out here" I barely registered her words but stopped automatically. He sent me a slightly worried glance, and I could see he was hiding fear in his eyes. But he was also trying to hide it, and that I found quite comforting. He wasn't so nervous that he couldn't act tough.

"I'll see you when you come out. I promise I won't leave and you'll be fine."

"How've you grown up so much in just a few days? I never thought I'd see you like that" with a small smile he passed me, following Nurse Joy. I was left there, stunned, had I really grown up? The idea wasn't something that had crossed my mind. But thinking back, I had grown up quite a lot.

I didn't make up stories to try and get attention, something I did frequently at home. I was more confident, before I would hardly open my mouth, now I'm chatting to people and pokemon! And I'm reassuring someone I consider a parent. It was almost like we'd swapped roles. Even if it was only for a short amount of time.

A smirk had took over my face, I felt quite proud of myself. I had been mature, I was finally growing up. I'd always been told that you could never be strong unless you knew how to be mature. He'd always told me I'd only ever be as strong as him when I learned how to take things seriously. Looks like that was finally happening.

"Hey, what're you doing?" A familiar voice called and my head snapped over to be greeted by a small yellow pokemon riding on his trainer's shoulder.

"Hi Pikachu, hi Ash" I greeted, seating myself on the floor.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I'm just waiting for Arcanine." I answered, my eyes straying to the window which only allowed me to see the ceiling inside the room Arcanine was held.

"Oh, well, I talked to Professor Oak and he said he'd be delighted to take you and your friends in. You'd be classified as my pokemon but also available for adoption." At seeing my more than confused look he elaborated. "It's something he's been doing with abused pokemon. He lets them be adopted by trainers who, either, don't fight or are less likely to partake in battles. It's a way of rehabilitating them. I suppose the term fostering would be more appropriate, but adopt sounds better."

I nodded this time, having a far better understanding. He must have noticed my less than enthusiastic response to the news as he knelt beside me following my line of sight.

"He'll be fine." He assured. "That Arcanine's pretty tough, and Nurse Joy wouldn't harm a fly. Trust me, he'll be fine." I nodded, still not fully focused on his words.

"I suppose" I finally answered, seeing he wasn't going to move till I verbally responded.

"Come on, let's get something to eat."

"I can't, I promised I'd wait for him to come out." I refused, but I was still only partially focused on his words.

"Come on, he'll be in there for an hour, at least. Nurse Joy has to fix all his wounds from the battle and from Kaien." I winced at the mention of him, seemed that despite not being trapped by him anymore I was still touchy regarding him. I'd thought that thanks to his defeat I'd be fine hearing him mentioned. Apparently it'd take longer than I'd thought.

"I suppose. But I have to be here before he comes out!"

"Alright, alright" he agreed, soothing me with a hand on my tensed back. I didn't relax, I couldn't. "Come on Vulpix" placing his hand under my stomach he lifted, just like he did the first time he lifted me. Only this time it didn't hurt.

Everything was new, everything was strange. And honestly, I was more than excited to relearn everything.

After we'd left the hall I'd been seated on a table, Ash and Brock my only companions. Pikachu had agreed to watch for Arcanine. I don't think I would still be sitting here if it weren't for him.

"Vulpix, would you like something to eat?" Brock asked, bringing out a tin with something wrote on the front. He tipped it into a bowl pushing it towards me. "I made it especially for you. I'm sure it'll taste great."

"I'm alright, I'm not hungry."

"Don't even try and get out of it. You need to eat." He insisted, picking up a small block and moving it towards my face, stopping just a few millimetres from me. I stared at him, not wanting to eat anything while Arcanine and my family were starving. But I didn't want to tell them that, they'd probably think it was stupid. So I stayed there, my mouth shut. "Come on Vulpix, how're you supposed to be stronger if you can't even eat?"

"I'll be strong" I argued, though even I had to admit it was a feeble attempt.

"You can't if you don't keep your strength up" Ash countered, and despite the soft nature it was far more convincing than mine.

I opened my mouth to argue, but I had nothing. So I ate the food, trying to hide how good it tasted.

"I'm glad you like it." Seemed I'd failed at that. "Good, you can eat the rest now." Rolling my eyes slightly I didn't fight it anymore. He gave me a lot of food, in the bowl and stared at me questioningly. Feeling even more like a child than usual I started to eat, very aware that they were watching me.

Shifting uncomfortably I ignored them, they were just being overprotective. They were worried and I was just too unused to that from humans.

"Vulpix, Arcanine's staying in overnight. They're taking longer to heal him than first thought. They think he might have a broken rib" Pikachu's voice came from beside me, making me freeze. What? I didn't move, staring down at my food completely bemused. What?

I was sure he wasn't saying that, it was too blunt. Surely Pikachu would have eased the blow a little.

"Vulpix?" He asked, placing one of his small yellow paws on my shoulder.

"Vulpix, are you alright?" Ash asked, just as confused as me, though he couldn't understand Pikachu.

"Arcanine had to stay overnight" I mumbled, wanting to drop. It was horrid that I couldn't be with him, but now I had to wait a night.

"Oh." He answered, clearly feeling awkward. "Why?"

"He might have a broken rib and it's taking too long for him to heal." I rubbed at my eyes, my fur looking shiny as I pulled back. The tears in my eyes clumping the hair together.

"I'm sorry, it's all my fault." I stared up at Ash, he looked genuinely sorry, and I felt the need to sooth him. I couldn't have him feeling guilty.

"No, don't think that. It's probably from Kaien, you won't have broken it"

"Even so, I'll have exacerbated it."

"Ash, whatever happened, whoever caused it, it doesn't matter. Guilt won't change anything" Brock cut in, pushing himself from his seat. "Now come on Ash, let's go put them to bed. We have some training to do."

"What're you talking about?" I asked, looking across to Pikachu who looked as in the dark as I was.

"We've got training, I'm doing it with some of my older pokemon who fought Kaien. Battling with them made me realise how rusty we've become. So we're spending the rest of the day training. Pikachu's sleeping though. He needs rest, and I don't want you left alone. Especially with how you are."

"Bu-"

"Don't, he's sleeping here overnight. Now come on" he held his hands out, and as much as I wanted to I couldn't find a retort. At least one that was tangible. So I gave in, letting him lift me from the table. Most of my food gone from my bowl. "Come on Pikachu"

Settling into his arms I stayed quiet, letting him carry me to their room. Pushing my worry to the back of my head I resigned myself to finding out tomorrow.

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