So I just wanted to apologize for the delay on this chapter. I can't really give an excuse other then the fact that I just procrastinated for the longest time on this. I'm sorry for doing that to you guys because I know that some of you really do enjoy this story. I am happy to know I have this many people reading now at 30000 views. It is incredible to think about because I had no idea it would ever get this big. I'm so glad to bring this to you even if it just bring a glimmer of happiness of joy or whatever. Anyway, enough of my rambling, I hope you all enjoy and I will see you all next time.
As I started to slow down my pace I was nearly back to the house. I came to a stop to catch my bearings and looked back at Zuria.
She had her arms wrapped around my neck, holding on tight. She still had an expression of fear just as she did when I first saw her. She seemed stuck, as if she didn't know what else to do. It was obvious she was scared, but she wasn't trying to get away from me. I don't do this very often, but that's more of the fact I forget I have the ability, I checked her aura.
What I sensed was just an onslaught of pain, sadness, fear, and other negative emotions. Feeling it myself was terrible, what has she been through to put her in such a state.
I walked up to the back door and I didn't have a free paw. I had to put her down.
-Alright, just give me one second to open the door,- I said.
I gently put her down and she loosened her grip around my neck and sat down while holding her arms around her legs. Her eyes were still wide open, unmoving. I took another look at her and forget how covered in dirt and muck she was. If she was going to stay here, she would need a bath or something, but first she had to eat.
I quickly opened the door and went back to helping her. I tried to get her to do the piggy back thing but instead she got up herself. She got on all fours and went close to the door and started sniffing. I guess she was trying to get a read on who was in there. She started making a low growling noise.
I think she was able to sniff out who was in the house. But I did what I could.
I got down on my knees next to her.
-Hey it's okay, the only other living things in the house are my brother and a Pikachu that lives with us, they wont hurt you,- I said.
She looked at me, made another growling sound, and fell over on to her side. She tried to get back up but couldn't. She seemed to run out of strength again, and this time she looked to not even be able to do the piggy back thing again. So as an alternative I just carried her into the house.
I ran into the living room and quickly laid her on the couch. She looked at her surroundings almost in a daze. She seemed scared yet interested in everything in the room. She looked at me with extreme confusion.
-Alright so look, you just sit right here and relax, I'm going to go and get you something to eat, and don't worry, nothing here will hurt you, okay?- I asked her.
I saw her expression calm and she nodded.
I then headed into the kitchen and opened the pantry and fridge. I looked not only for something she can eat, which in my guess was meat, but also something she could eat now while I made her a real meal. I saw that Claire had bought what was the equivalent of this world's jerky. I got out a box, opened up each individually wrapped package and put them all on a plate. I then headed into the living room where I saw her just looking down at the sofa cushion. She seemed to be thinking, but stopped when she noticed me.
I laid the plate on the couch in front of her, -Alright, so while I am making you some real food just eat this for now, it's meat, I know it's not exactly what you're used to but it should still-
Before I could finish speaking she grabbed one of the stick and started ripping it apart and eating it.
-Well, I think you got the idea,- I said with a slight smile, -I'll go work on the real food.-
I walked back into the kitchen while I let her enjoy her appetizer. I opened back up the freezer to see what we had in there. Couple of meats, some pizza's, and other things. I simply grabbed out one of the packages of miltank sirloin and cut it open.
I wasn't gonna do much but cook it in a pan. My mom and Claire have taught me how to cook certain meats. Even though it wasn't seasoned or anything, I didn't think Zuria would really care. I laid the meat under running warm water and got out the oil from the pantry. After pouring the oil in the pan and waiting a minute for the water to thaw the meat I heard someone walk into the kitchen. I turned my head to see the shiny zoroark staring at me with her yellow eyes. She was carrying the plate with her and held it to me, as if asking for more.
-Just give me a minute okay? I have no more of that but I am cooking you something even better,- I said.
She looked in the sink and saw the meat in there. She tried to grab it but I stopped her.
-Just give me a minute to cook, trust me you will like it when better if it's cooked!- I said with a smile.
She seemed to stop and back off. I went and got a cup from the cabinet, put some ice in it, and poured some water. I walked back over to her and looked up to see her eyes. With her being taller than me, at five foot-three, I had to look up at her to see her face.
-Here,- I said simply putting the glass in both her paws, -Don't drop it now, you seem dehydrated, you go back in there, relax, and drink some okay? I will have your food ready in just a few minutes.-
She looked to her side and back down at me, she seemed to be thinking it through. After a minute she nodded and walked back into the living room. Once the meat thawed I put it in the pan and started to let it cook, using tongs to slip when I needed to. I wasn't no expert but I did know when the meat would be ready.
To my luck I was able to make a medium-rare steak without burning the house down. I then put the steak on a plate, I turned off the stove, and cleaned off the pan.
As I started to walk back I heard Jon.
-WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN HERE!?- He screamed.
In turn what was followed was a very loud growling sound.
I quickly ran into the living room to see Zuria on all fours growling at Jon while Ray stood idly by. Jon also looked ready to pounce at any given moment but I got between them.
-Woah! Hold up, hold up,- I turned to Zuria, -Zuria, that is my brother Jon,- I turned to Jon and Ray, -Jon, Ray this is Zuria,- I greeted.
Zuria's mood seemed to lighten but Jon and Ray just looked at me confused.
I turned to Zuria once more, -Here, this is yours,- I said handing her the plate.
She looked at the piece of miltank sirloin in awe, I had never seen anyone more happy to see food in their life. She quickly got of her hind legs, held the plate in her paws. Then she sat it on the couch, picked up the piece of meat with her claws, and just dug her fangs in, trying to rip a piece out of it.
While she ate I turned to Jon, -Yeah….I have some explaining to do.-
-I'll say,- He replied.
Jon, Ray and I all walked into the kitchen to where I could discuss how I met Zuria.
-Alright out with it, how did this go down?- Jon asked.
I answered truthfully, -Look, on my walk I was out in the woods kay? There was a trap set up with a Pokémon in it, I freed it and she jumped out at me, it was apparently a diversion, to where she could attack a larger Pokemon.-
-Okay then, if she attacked you, why bring her here?- Jon asked in a more serious tone.
-Jon did you even notice the shape she was in!?- I asked.
He thought for a second, -She looked as if she hadn't eaten in a while.-
-Jon, her first attack was her last. After one swipe she was down, she couldn't even move, and was scared out of her mind, screaming at the top of her lungs. I just couldn't leave her like that, y'know?- I explained.
Jon looked at the doorway of the kitchen then back to me, -Okay Jae, you were always too kind, so it doesn't surprise me that you did this.-
Ray spoke up, -She seems nice, just scared.-
Jon looked back at me, -Alright, it wasn't my choice to bring her here, how long will she be staying?-
-Don't know, I planned on getting her cleaned up,- I explained.
-Alright, as long as she doesn't attack me I am okay with it,- Jon said.
-Same here!- Ray agreed.
-Thanks guys,- I said, -Just leave it to me, okay?-
I walked back into the living room where I saw that Zuria had situated herself on the couch and was still gnawing on the sirloin. I decided to sit down next to her on the couch. When I did however she looked at me and started to guard her steak.
I laughed a little at that, -You don't have to protect it, it's all yours.-
She looked at me, back to the food, then settled on just eating it. I turned on the TV and just relaxed while I waited for her to finish the food, which actually didn't take long. She was hungry, unsurprisingly.
I didn't know she had finished until she actually spoke.
-Um….thank you,- I heard her say in a much calmer tone.
I looked at her to where she was looking at me with her bright yellow eyes, -No problem.-
She looked down at the couch, -Why?-
-Why what?- I asked curiously.
I saw her start to get really upset, -Why would you help me? I don't get it, I tried to attack you, to kill you, yet you helped me.-
I just took a breath, -Because I could see why you did it, you didn't hold a grudge, you were hungry, starving. I saw what you were put through and I wanted to help you.-
She seemed to be in extreme thought, like she was wondering why I did what I did, -Thank you…again.-
-Don't mention it,- I said, -But uh, we need to get you cleaned up, okay?-
She looked at herself curiously and noticed the dirt and stuff,- That's okay! I can clean myself!-
I quickly stopped that, -NO! No, look, that wont get you as clean as what we have here okay?-
She seemed to be confused but shrugged and I told her to follow me. We walked up the stairs, which she was skeptical at first about, but quickly understood how it worked. I walked her into the restroom and turned on the shower.
-Okay, so if you are going to be here you need to get cleaned up, I already have to clean up the dirt and stuff,- I said.
-Okay…..how does this work?- She asked.
-Okay, so up there is the faucet, the water streams down and you use that to well clean, but then once that's done you take this bottle and pour some on your paws and make sure to rub it everywhere. Once that's done you use the water to rinse it off, then,- I handed her a towel, -You will use this to dry off. Oh and one more thing, do not taste or drink what's in that bottle, trust me it's horrible.-
She seemed confused but after the explanation she nodded in confirmation.
-Now, if you need me just call, but I wouldn't take to long, the water isn't very good when it's cold,- I said to her.
-O-okay…- She said.
I was about to leave the room but,
-Um…- She said.
-Yes?- I asked.
-The water is….it's a bit too hot,- She said.
I walked back over to it and fiddled with the shower and made the heat lower. I let her check it and she nodded on the heat I had it to.
-Alright, just call me when you're done,- I said.
While she did that I went back into the living room and got my own towel to clean up the dirt that was on the couch. Once I finished that I realized I had to vacuüm as well. Let me tell you, I felt like my old dog when this thing switched on, god no wonder he hated it!
Once I cleaned up, and got a mouthful from Ray and Jon about the vacuum, I went to go see how Zuria was doing.
I walked up to the bathroom door, -Zuria? You okay?-
-Ye-OW! NO! AH! It hurts!- She screamed.
-What's wrong!?- I yelled.
-I got this stuff in my eyes! It hurts!- She said.
I walked into the bathroom and grabbed the towel, -Here!- I holding it through the curtain.
She was able to grab hold of it and she asked, -What do I do with it?!-
-Rub your eyes! It will be okay!- I said.
She seemed to do what I said and took a breath, -Thank you! Gosh, why did that hurt so bad?!-
I took the towel back and flung it over the shower, doing my best not to look at her.
-It's the cleaning chemicals, trust me it never feels good,- I said.
-Yeah, I figured,- She replied.
-Alright, I will let you finish up,- I said walking out and closing the door behind me.
I was done cleaning so I just decided to wait for her to finish. After a few minutes she called me and I went to turn off the water. She was dry and cleaned up.
-Better?- I asked.
-Way better! I haven't felt so relaxed in my life!- She said with one of the first smiles I had seen from her.
-Good to hear,- I said.
-Hey um….- She started.
-Yeah?- I asked.
She seemed upset, -What's your name again…I'm sorry.. I forgot…-
I simply smiled,- It's Jae, don't worry about it!-
-You're not mad?- She asked.
-Why would I be?- I asked.
-Because you have every right…- She said simply.
I put my paw on her shoulder, looking up at her, -Look, if I was mad you wouldn't even be here, and besides I have already forgiven you!-
She just looked down saddened. I really didn't get it, but I didn't question it either.
-Well, you want to go watch the TV with me?- I asked.
-TV?- She questioned.
-Yeah, the box in the other room, basically we can watch shows!- I explained.
-Shows?- She asked.
-I'll explain,- I said as we walked.
So we sat down on the couch and I did my best to explain to her how the TV worked. I explained how nothing on-screen was real, at least mostly. I also made sure to add that it wasn't people trapped in a box and how they were different types of TV. I explained to her shows and how they worked and even showed her a few shows I watched during that time.
After a bit it was around six or seven, so I decided I would make dinner. I had asked Zuria if she wanted the miltank sirloin again or if she wanted something different. She insisted I make sirloin again.
Well I also had to make food for everyone else as well. Ray was easy, just giving him a fruit and he's happy as ever. Then Jon, fish, nothing more, he really is a cat…..I'm gonna have to find a laser pointer.
Then I decided I would make sirloin for both me and Zuria to enjoy. After cutting it up and making Zuria and I a plate and drink we ate in the living room. I had steak sauce with mine and she got curious about it. I let her try it herself and she got really into it.
After she ate and seemed healthy I had thought it was about time she headed out to where ever she lived. I was disappointed, I was actually enjoying the company.
-Alright, guess we should be getting you back to where you live,- I said.
She gave me a confused look, -Live?-
-Yeah, like where do you live, I was going to help you get back there,- I said.
Her eyes were as wide as dinner plates but she followed me out to the back.
I turned to her with a smile, -Alright lead the way!-
I was not greeted with a smile however, I had been greeted to the expression of shock. But hesitantly she started to walk to the forest edge with me following close behind, but she stopped right there. She wasn't moving, I had assumed something was wrong.
-Are you okay?- I asked.
She just stood there for another moment or two before she quickly turned around and wrapped her arms around my neck. I felt tears fall from her eyes and she started screaming.
-PLEASE! DON'T MAKE ME GO BACK OUT THERE! I NEVER WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN! PLEASE! THEY CAN'T FIND ME! DON'T LET THEM FIND ME!-
So what I got from this, she was scared, easy. Second, what she has been through has obviously not been easy for her. Three, whatever these people did to put her in a state deserves to die. Finally, I couldn't leave her like this.
I returned the hug, -Hey, hey, it's okay, it's okay, you don't have to go back out there,- The tears from her continued to flow, but I continued, -It' okay, they won't find you, I wont let them….. you can stay here if you want.-
Even though I really had no right to say that, I really couldn't help myself from saying it. If this was me in her situation then I would expect the same from someone else, but to be honest, I don't think she expected anything from anyone. They way she acted and sounded it looked like she was always scared and distrustful, but not to me.
She looked down at me with her yellow eyes, -Thank you, thank you, thank you,- She said quietly.
-Let's just go back inside,- I said with a smile.
I took her paw and lead her back inside the house. She started to wipe the tears from her eyes and continued to walk with me back inside.
I walked her up to mine and Lucario's room. Jon and Ray said they would sleep in one of the other bedrooms because they felt like it.
-Alright so this be did mine, and that one is a friends, but since he isn't here you can use it for the time being,- I explained.
She just looked down in sadness.
-What's wrong?- I asked concerned.
She looked up at me with a look of pure confusion, -Why are you being so nice to me?-
The question concerned me, but I couldn't really give an answer, -I uh…. Because, there was no way in hell that I was going to leave you like that, no one deserves to suffer like that.-
She seemed to tear up more from my response, it looked as if she really wasn't used to this…. Kindness.
I smiled, -Just get some rest okay? Maybe some sleep will help you?-
She looked up and nodded.
I helped her get situated into bed. She didn't know what a pillow or blanket was, not even what you were supposed to do with it, any creature should see it as warmth and comfort….. but I guess she didn't understand what comfort or warmth was.
She got in the bed with the blanket wrapped around her and her head on the pillow. Before I left she stopped me one last time.
-Hey wait,- She said.
-Yeah?- I asked.
She pointed with one of her claws to the scar on my shoulder which was very much visible now, -What happened?-
I put my paw on the scar, -I was…. I had been wounded… it's a long story…-
-I'm sorry…- She said.
-You don't have to apologize, you didn't do it,- I said.
She then laid down after thanking me again, and within minutes she was asleep.
I left the room to let her rest and I saw that Jon was outside the door waiting for me.
-So, she's staying?- He asked.
I looked embarrassed, -Yeah… look I know I don't have the say so, but I just can't not help, y'know?-
Jon smiled, -Look, it's no surprise to me man, but do you think we have enough food to last until everyone else gets back?-
-I think so, it's just one more mouth to feed, and if all else fails I'll hunt, I've done it before for you,- I explained.
-True, I know you're capable, to be honest though, you are in an extremely better mood, you did notice that right?- He asked.
I hadn't realized but I was feeling better and was over a lot of the depression.
-Huh…. I didn't really realize it,- I said.
He kind of snorted, -Well you are better, whatever it is that is making you feel better keep it up, I'm heading to bed.-
He then walked down the hall back to Riley's room where he and Ray were hanging out.
I decided to get myself some rest and get into bed. But all the while I was trying to sleep I thought to myself why I suddenly was in a better mood. I didn't just forget, it was still there, but it wasn't hurting me. What was going o…
I looked over at the bed across from me with the sleeping shiny Zoroark.
I just started for a minute before speaking, -Huh…. Maybe that's why.-
With my questioned answered I decided to head off into a deep sleep.
