After bringing in the injured Sylveon to the Pokemon Center, Hiki and Raihan sat silently in the lobby, waiting for the nurse to finish looking over the Pokemon. The poor Sylveon was hurting pretty badly both physically and emotionally after the events that took place with her previous trainer. But now that she was going to be in Hiki's care, she was going to be safe. Who knows what would have happened to her if Raihan hadn't convinced her to get out of the house…
"Hey, Rai?" Hiki stared down at her feet, as she finally broke the silence between them. "Thank you…"
The dragon tamer looked over to his friend and tilted his head slightly. "Hm? Ah, it was nothing. That dude was a jerk… I'm glad we were able to get Sylveon away from him."
"Not… just for that. You've really done a lot for me lately and I really haven't taken the time to tell you how much I've appreciated it."
"Hiki, you're one of my best friends! There's no way I'd leave you all alone in a time like this." He sighed before continuing, knowing the next thing he was about to say could possibly be risky, as it could end up making her sad. "And even if I am pissed at him, Leon's also my friend and I know for a fact he wouldn't want you to be alone right now, either. He might have screwed up, but I do know he still cares about you…"
The bluenette stared down at her hands in her lap and she gripped her skirt tightly while he spoke. Of course she wanted to believe the last part to be true, but the longer she went without hearing from him, the harder it was for her to believe.
Raihan took notice of her reaction and placed a hand on her shoulder for comfort. "Listen, it's not something we have to focus on right now. I just wanted to make sure you heard it." Maybe it was a good idea for him to change the subject. "But hey… I'm super proud of you for taking care of that Sylveon today! That took a lot of courage!"
Hiki chuckled lightly, still facing down. "Yeah, but you were the one who chased her trainer off. Things probably wouldn't have gone so well if you weren't there…" Her mind flashed back to the man raising his hand to her. She couldn't believe he would be okay with not only abusing his Pokemon, but hitting an innocent stranger, too. What a cruel man…
"Hmph, he was nothing but a coward…" Raihan huffed, then looked over to her with questioning eyes. "You're going to keep it though, aren't you? She really seemed to trust you." After being treated so harshly, seeing that it would trust another human so willingly was surprising. But he could tell that Sylveon was thankful Hiki came to its rescue.
"Of course I'm going to keep her! I can't stand the idea of abandoning a Pokemon… I've seen it happen so many times throughout my travels and it makes me sick." To her, all of her Pokemon were like family. Leaving any of them behind in the way that man tried to with Sylveon was unimaginable! She didn't understand how it seemed so easy to other trainers. "If there was some way I could protect and care for Pokemon who end up being treated this way… I'd do it in a heartbeat. I'd open up a Sanctuary where all Pokemon were welcome, no matter their strengths or abilities… They would all have a place to call home where they could be safe and happy!"
The Gym Leader couldn't help but smile as she spoke. "Ya know… I think you've finally found it!"
"Hm?" Hiki looked up to him in confusion. "Found what?"
"Your dream! The whole reason you left Galar all those years ago," he reminded her. "You wanted to find out the type of trainer you were meant to be and I think you just did. And it suits you!"
"You… really think so?" she asked, surprised she hadn't thought of something like this sooner.
"Course I do! Galar really needs someone with a heart like yours! You'd be saving the lives of lots of Pokemon if you opened a place like that."
"I think I want to try!" she responded. She really wasn't sure where to start or how to make any of it happen, but it was now a goal she wanted to work toward.
As their conversation continued, the nurse who took Sylveon returned with the Pokemon at her side. "Excuse me? Your Pokemon is happy and healthy! It does seem to have a bit of bruising around her ribs, but with proper rest it should heal just fine!" Sylveon jumped up onto Hiki's lap and nuzzled her face, happy to see the human who saved it again. "She's very lucky to have found a trainer like you!"
Hiki giggled as the Pokemon licked her cheek, all of her sadness from before nearly disappearing. It was like her presence was able to calm her emotions. Maybe Sylveon wasn't the only one who was lucky they found each other!
Raihan took her back home before leaving to head off to Hammerlocke. She walked back into the apartment with both her Ninetales and her newly befriended Sylveon at her sides. The silence of the apartment brought back some of her sadness, which was something both Pokemon took notice of. Sylveon knew nothing about Hiki's current situation, but after helping her, the Pokemon wanted nothing more than to do the same for her.
Hiki wandered into the bedroom she and Leon shared. Since he had disappeared, she spent every night on the couch, but after getting out of the house for the first time in nearly two weeks, she was incredibly exhausted. The bed was far more comfortable than the couch, but at that time the thought of sleeping there all alone made her really sad… She sighed heavily deciding to take a hot shower to try and relax a bit before returning to the couch for the night.
When her shower was finished, Hiki returned to the bedroom to find something clean to wear to bed when she spotted Sylveon curled up on the bed. She wasn't quite asleep however. As it turned out, while she was showering, Hiki's Ninetales filled Sylveon in on what happened and how lonely Hiki was feeling, communicating the way Pokemon do with each other.
As Hiki changed into her pajamas, the Pokemon stood and pulled down the covers with her teeth and then sat back down, watching her as her tail swayed back and forth. Was she really trying to get her to sleep there? "Ah, sorry Sylveon… It's just a little too hard for me to be there right now… I'm gonna sleep out in the living room, okay? But you're welcome to sleep in the bed if that is where you are comfortable."
She turned to walk back out into the living room, but noticed her Ninetales was blocking her path. Not only that, but she had the blanket Hiki had been using on the couch in her teeth. "Wha-? You too? But you know I'd rather-"
"Niii~" the Pokemon protested, then walked past her, carrying the blanket over to the bed. She jumped up with Sylveon and draped it over Hiki's side of the bed, then jumped back down, going over to nudge Hiki toward the bed with her head.
Hiki sighed, choosing not to argue with her Pokemon and walked over to sit on the bed. Once she was there, Ninetales walked away again, this time going over to… the closet? "What are you doing?" Hiki asked with a small chuckle. However, when the Pokemon came back out, tears immediately filled Hiki's eyes.
Ninetales returned to her side, carrying one of Leon's hoodies to give to her. She jumped up on the bed and dropped the piece of clothing on her lap. It hadn't been washed since the last time he wore it, so the Pokemon noticed his scent on it and thought it might help her sleep a little better if she had it with her in the bed. Hiki wiped her tears and pet the fox on the head to thank her, as her words were escaping her.
Sylveon nudged her pillow, trying to get her to lay down. With a small smile, she did as the Pokemon asked, holding the hoodie close to her chest. Sylveon curled up close behind her, while Ninetales pulled the blankets over their trainer. Once Hiki was comfortable, Ninetales jumped down to turn the light off with her paw, then jumped back up into the bed, wiggling her way under the covers with her, then nuzzled her face.
Neither of her Pokemon were going to let her feel alone anymore. They wanted to do anything they could to make their beloved trainer happy and comfortable, and Hiki knew that was their intention. She was so thankful beyond words for her special partners as she pulled the hoodie close to her face and drifted off to sleep.