~ Chapter 48 ~

The Pokémon Day Care

"Hideo Yamamoto was my grandfather Salvatore's first apprentice, and from what I learned from my other grandfather, Yamamoto had trained his family in similar methods. I later learned that out of respect for his former teacher's secrecy, Yamamoto evolved what he learned from my grandfather; that way he wasn't revealing too much of the Accardi Method. So, you could say that Yamamoto's skills are partially his own; half Accardi and half Yamamoto. Hideo respected my grandfather, both of them actually. I went to visit him the day after the Solaceon Ruins Incident, and my grandfather Aurelio joined me. Though Hideo didn't know that, at least…I don't think he did. He was a bit odd. His wife seemed to know more than she was letting on."

The Sleepy Swellow Inn was a quiet little inn on the main street of town. It was an old inn, with an old-fashioned inside, run by an elderly couple whose family had been running the inn for generations.

Well known and well situated, yet out of the way. It was the perfect place to stay in Sam's opinion. It was there the group was staying during their week in Solaceon Town, and what a week it had been.

Alyssandra had not only won her fourth contest ribbon, but had also experienced, for the first time, the famed Trainer-Pokémon Bond.

The group in unison had discovered a secret alcove behind a stone tablet in the wall in the Solaceon Ruins, and in the alcove, an ancient wooden box filled with tiles of letters from the alphabet of the U-Prime language.

Sam had told Alyssandra about being able to see and communicate with the ghost of his dead grandfather, but rather than fear for his sanity, she had joined in on the secret, and often enjoyed conversations with Sam and Aurelio about random, seemingly unimportant things.

As a result, Sam and Alyssandra, despite being very close friends already, had grown even closer, a special bond growing between, a bond based on secrecy.

Now the group lay in Sam and Jeremy's room, draped across the beds just after breakfast.

No one was quite sure what they wanted to do that day; they had explored the ruins. Alyssandra was done her contest, and they spent yesterday exploring the downtown core of Solaceon Town.

Alyssandra said she wanted to go back to a few shops and buy things, and then relax by the small pool outback with her Pokémon, while Niya wished to go do more research on the U-Prime language and its history, origins, and any known information on it.

Jeremy agreed, and declared his desire to join Niya at the local library after he had gone for a run with his Pokémon. He was still trying to get into shape for the Pokémon Ranger Exam.

Sam on the other hand, didn't feel like doing either.

While he still had an interest in the U-Prime language, and the group's discovery at the Solaceon Ruins, after playing around with the tiles last night, Sam had felt weird being around them. His solution was to stay away from the tiles for a little bit, at least until the feeling of being watched and the tingling in his spine went away.

Sam himself felt like going to visit Mr. Yamamoto at the Pokémon Day Care in town; if anything, to meet him personally, having been a close friend of both his grandfathers.

After a few more minutes of debate the group decided it was best to split up and do what they wanted to do separately.

Each of them had their Spiritomb with them as well; Alyssandra was going to teach hers the joys of shopping and sunbathing, while Niya intended to teach hers about research and libraries. Jeremy was going to bring his along for his run along with the rest of his Pokémon. Sam had his in his shoulder bag but didn't plan on taking Spiritomb out until he reached the Pokémon Day Care.

"Planning on visiting Yamamoto?" asked Aurelio, breaking the relative silence of the walk.

"How'd you know?" asked Sam, no longer surprised by his grandfather's sudden appearances.

"I recognize the way," shrugged Aurelio, "Plus I've been listening in on your guys for a while now."

Sam sighed, a small smile on his face. "I'm not surprised, honestly."

There was a pause, Aurelio following silently behind Sam.

As the two got farther from the downtown, the houses and buildings grew bigger and father apart, with front yards and back yards and several storey homes. Eventually the yards became gardens, and then fields. It was a half hour walk from the centre of downtown to the outermost reaches of the city, where all the farms and the Pokémon Day Care were located. Some farms raised beef, or pork, or chicken; animals that were raised only for food.

It was said they were wild thousands of years ago, but humans learned to domesticate these creatures just like Pokémon and used them for sources of food.

Anthropologists and Pokémonthropologists were outraged about which were domesticated first, livestock animals or Pokémon. Though it is known that while Pokémon eventually overtook other animals, like the ancient creatures known as the "dog" or "cat", as the role of Man's Best Friend, both Pokémon and livestock were eaten at one point.

No one ate Pokémon anymore though, not since the Slowpoke and Farfetch'd were almost hunted to extinction. That was a hundred years ago, and since then it has been made illegal to consume Pokémon.

This didn't stop the incredibly perverse, incredibly rich, and incredibly wicked people like the Black Claw Gang from trying though.

Since the banning of the consumption of Pokémon, however, more animals like cows and pigs were brought back from the verge of obscurity and used as the main source of meat.

There wasn't a livestock animal in existence that wasn't in captivity. All raised for the same purpose.

Of course, none of this stopped Pokémon from eating each other, but that was nature, and entirely different.

"So, you and Alyssandra," started Aurelio as Sam walked down the now dirt road towards the Yamamoto Pokémon Day Care.

"What about us?" asked Sam, pretending he didn't know what his grandfather was talking about.

"I'm seventy-seven years old, Sam, don't lie to me," responded Aurelio semi-sternly.

"Actually, you're dead," replied Sam plainly, "And you died at seventy."

"Don't patronize me!" laughed Aurelio, trying to remain serious, "You and I both know that you like her. Don't deny it."

Sam sighed, stopping by the painted white fence, a few hundred feet down the road from the day care's main building. "I'm not denying it," said Sam defensively, throwing his arms up.

"But you're not doing anything about it either," noted Aurelio, "And that's the problem, isn't it?"

"Well, what am I supposed to do?" asked Sam, clearly lost about where to go next.

"You take after me a lot, but you lack my skills with women," frowned Aurelio scratching the back of his neck.

"No, according to Professor Rowan I take after you exactly when it comes to women," replied Sam bluntly, referencing Aurelio's trouble with actually speaking to his grandmother in their youth.

Aurelio's mouth did his typical opening and closing bit, where he tried to force words through the gaping hole of his mouth, but nothing came except for garbled vowels and consonants that did not even closely resemble words.

"Just don't take too long with her," said Aurelio finally, after several minutes of silent thinking, "You don't want to lose her. No one waits forever, my boy."

Sam let out a sigh, and thanked his grandfather for the advice, albeit rather begrudgingly. Sam hated when he was right, especially this far into Sam's life, just when he thought he had it all figured out.

"You told her about me and she didn't think you were crazy, she even joined in after believing you!" exclaimed Aurelio, trying to prove his point, "Do I really need more proof that you've got your path made for you?"

Sam shrugged, and Aurelio put his hand on his grandson's shoulder. "All right, we'll talk later," he said calmly, "I'll try not to butt in so much when it comes to Alyssandra. Just remember what I said okay?"

"Aren't you sticking around to see Yamamoto?" asked Sam curiously.

Aurelio nodded and the two began walking again. "I am, but I'll do my best to be quiet this time," explained Aurelio, "It won't be easy, but I'll try."

"Won't be easy is an understatement," muttered Sam mostly to himself.

It was only a few more minutes before the two of them reached the front door of Yamamoto's Pokémon Day Care. Sam paused for a moment, his hand firmly grasping the handle of the door. Then, with a final kick of courage, Sam pushed the door open.

A bell tinkled overhead as he opened the door and tinkled again as he closed it. There was silence, and the room was empty. It was set up much like a pre-school; in one corner was a fenced off area that was set up with a play set complete with slides, tunnels and even some swings. There were a few Pokémon playing on the set before Sam came in, and they paused briefly once he entered the room to stare at him in wonder before returning to their play.

From what Sam could tell they were extremely young, and this room was probably for newly hatched Pokémon. The fields were no doubt for older, more experienced ones.

"Nice place he's got here," remarked Aurelio in amazement.

Sam simply shook his head, holding in a combination of a sigh and a laugh; so much for trying to stay quiet.

While he waited for someone come in from the back and appear behind the counter, Sam couldn't help but realize that he never sighed so much as when his grandfather was around.

Of course, he never laughed so much either.

The volume perhaps was not as great as some moments with his friends, but the per capita amounts of laughs was definitely greater.

Sam's thoughts of laughter and sighing and his never serious grandfather pushed to the side as a short, balding man with kind eyes, a wrinkled face and a long white beard appeared from behind the counter. This was no doubt the man from the Pokémon Contest, Hideo Yamamoto.

"Sorry about that, there was an incident with a Chansey who's a picky eater back there," said Hideo as he removed his apron, wiping his hands on it.

He tossed the apron into an overflowing hamper then grabbed a new one from the wall behind the counter.

"Welcome to Yamamoto's Pokémon Day Care, how can I help you, young man?" asked Hideo, Sam having still not responded.

Hideo finally looked up at Sam and paused mid-word, getting out only a short, sharp vowel before taking a minute to examine Sam from afar.

"I'm sorry. You don't know me, Mr. Yamamoto," started Sam, but this time it was Hideo's turn to cut him off.

"No, I believe I do," he smiled, coming out from behind the counter to shake Sam's hand. For a skinny, frail looking, old man Hideo's grasp was surprisingly firm. His hands were calloused and well worn, like old leather, and Sam could even feel a few scars, and the soft patches of poorly healed skin that were once burns.

Hideo's hands certainly felt like a Breeder's; they felt like his grandfather's hands. None of Sam's uncles had the same hands—they had a few scars here and there sure, but for the most part they benefited from well-made, industrial strength Breeder's gloves.

Hideo's generation suffered so the next wouldn't have to, Sam supposed.

Either way, Hideo was definitely a hands-on workingman.

"I was wondering when you'd be showing up here Mr. Accardi," he smiled warmly, then finally, after much debate with himself, embraced Sam in a hug, "You look a little like your grandfather. Has anyone ever told you that?"

Sam wasn't sure how to respond. They had, briefly in passing, but no one was ever in consensus over which grandfather they were talking about. Some said Sam was more Accardi, while others believed Sam was more Giovinazzo, either way none of the complements came often enough for him to have gotten tired of it.

"He means you look like me, obviously," stated Aurelio matter-of-factly.

Sam didn't know how to respond, and rather than presume like his prideful grandfather, could only think to ask next.

"Your namesake of course," smiled Hideo, to which Aurelio looked a bit dejected.

"He's got my personality," muttered Aurelio, attempted to salvage some of his pride.

Sam gave a small smile but didn't let it show lest Hideo think his mind was elsewhere. "Thank you," smiled Sam politely, trying to continue the conversation.

"Though knowing your other grandfather, if he were here he would probably take offence to that, wouldn't he?" Hideo gave a laugh, and Aurelio grinned.

Sam nodded, laughing internally at how well Hideo knew his grandfather.

"So, what brings you by my humble establishment today?" wondered Mr. Yamamoto, leading Sam into the back room behind the counter, where there was revealed to be a full kitchen.

Sam and Hideo sat across from each other at the table, sharing a pot of tea and many stories.

Sam explained to Mr. Yamamoto that he had come mostly out of curiosity, after hearing that Hideo had been a friend of both of his grandfather's, as well as an apprentice in what Hideo lovingly called "The Accardi Method of Breeding."

Sam had never heard it put quite so poetically before, but the more Hideo and Sam spoke, the more Sam understood that Hideo, like his own family, viewed Pokémon Breeding as an art akin to music, or poetry or dance.

"Pokémon are like a blank canvas," explained Hideo, "They're just like a young child. The more they experience the world, and other people and Pokémon, the more strokes of paint get put on the canvas. Eventually you've got a beautiful masterpiece, unique in its own ways, and never quite the same each time."

Sam nodded, understanding Hideo's many similes and metaphors, even promising to start using a few of them himself when speaking to others about Pokémon Breeding.

Hideo believed that each Pokémon was unique, regardless of what species they were, and each Pokémon had their own personalities.

Like the Accardi Method, Hideo raised each Pokémon based on a combination of their innate strengths they had from their species, and strengths they gained from their personalities—weaknesses were just strengths that took a bit more work to utilize well.

With each word Hideo Yamamoto spoke, Sam was reminded increasingly of his grandfather.

"I don't do it for profit, that's never why I got into the Pokémon Day Care business," explained Hideo, when Sam had started asking hordes of questions, "I won't lie that my business has been kind to me over the years, but money isn't my motivator. I do it for the Pokémon, and for the people. I help people make their Pokémon into masterpieces; or for those Pokémon that just need a bit more socialization in their life, I provide that for them. I give Trainers a place they can leave their Pokémon without worrying about whether or not they'll be okay, or if they'll be lonely. Just like a parent leaving their child at a pre-school, I treat these Trainers and their Pokémon as parent and child, and once they've grown enough together, as friends and partners. Pokémon are more human than we give them credit for sometimes; smarter than us too if you let them surprise you."

Sam nodded, feeling exactly the same as Hideo was. It was refreshing to speak with someone who wasn't family that was equally as knowledgeable and passionate about Pokémon Breeding. Of course, Sam couldn't help but feel a bit sad, and disappointed in himself, for leaving behind the summers at the ranch. Being away on a Pokémon Journey meant giving up a lot of things, sure, but that was definitely on the list of things he would miss the most.

He was supposed to head back to the Kanto Region this year, which meant Sam would get to see an old friend of his, one that Sam had had for most of his life. They had seen each other less and less in the past few years, as Sam started rotating ranches.

The last two summers were spent at the Hoenn Ranch, and before that was the Unova Ranch.

This summer was supposed to be Kanto, then Johto and then Sinnoh again.

Even though the Johto Ranch was Sam's favourite, he loved being at the Kanto Ranch the most because of the company he kept there.

Sam pushed these thoughts from his mind as Hideo returned from the stove, bringing their third pot of tea over, and pouring some. "Your grandmother is well?" asked Hideo, finally getting into Sam's life. Sam had been asking so many questions about Hideo, trying to get to know him that he had completely forgotten to talk about himself minus a few details here and there.

"She's well, thank you," Sam replied, sipping the tea carefully as not to burn himself, "She recently travelled to the Hoenn Region to lay a family member to rest, she went with some old friends."

Sam and his friends had not spoken to anyone except for Jeremy's mother in almost two weeks. In the almost week it had been between Hearthome City and Solaceon Town the group hadn't called home because they were travelling, but they called once they reached Solaceon Town and apparently Sam's grandmother, Professor Rowan and Palmer had been delayed coming home because of a hurricane that was happening off the coast of Slateport.

Apparently, there were Tsunami warnings as well, but thankfully that never occurred.

Sam was worried, because in the week the group had been in Solaceon Town, they had called Jeremy's mother every day and still his grandmother had given no sign of returning.

Sam bit his tongue though and made a mental note to ask his grandfather about his home region later, especially when the ghost's face seemed to harden at the mention of his widowed wife travelling.

"I'm glad to see she's still getting out of the house," smiled Hideo, "I'm assuming one of the friends that accompanied her was Rowan Oak. Though I suppose he's known as Professor Rowan these days, isn't he?"

Hideo let out a small hooting laugh as he poured himself more tea. He took a healthy sip from the cracked brown mug and then began to speak again. "I remember," he said, chuckling in between his words, "When he was still No Risk Rowan."

Aurelio howled with laughter from the seat next to Sam, a seat he had chosen to take without it even being offered. In order not to frighten Hideo by moving the chair, Aurelio sat in the chair so that half his body phased through the table.

"Why was he called that?" Sam asked with a burning curiosity.

Hideo explained after a few more sips of tea and some bouts of laughter, that Rowan had been, at least towards the beginning of his and Aurelio's travels, quite the stick in the mud. Rowan preferred not to take risks unless honour demanded, which usually meant that Aurelio had called him a chicken and clucked at him until the former acquiesced.

Aurelio swore that if he hadn't been there Rowan would never have learned to have fun.

Sam couldn't help but laugh a bit as well, though not as much as Hideo or his grandfather, who had no doubt found it funnier because they had actually been there to witness it.

"Your grandfather used to get them into a lot of dangerous predicaments, and it was often Rowan's quick thinking that got them out," continued Hideo, "Honestly when I first met those two when they passed through Solaceon Town, constantly arguing and bickering with each other, I couldn't help but ask how they could be friends. They were just so opposite from one another. Of course, after getting to know them and having known them for so long, I realized that they needed each other. People change people my boy; we would all be very different if we didn't have the friends we have."

Sam and Hideo continued to talk for another hour until Hotaru Yamamoto, Hideo's wife, returned from the fields to see where her husband had gone off.

Apparently, he was supposed to relieve her and watch over the Pokémon out back a half hour ago while Hotaru took over the front from her husband.

Sam was then introduced to Hotaru, while Hideo rushed out back quickly, a little embarrassed that he had let time slip from him so easily.

Sam and Hideo bid each other farewell, and Sam was left talking with the missus.

"I really should be going," said Sam after he had finished the sandwich Hotaru Yamamoto had insisted, to the point of threatening violence, Sam eat while he was still a guest in their home.

Sam was also on what might be his tenth, but could also be his eighth, pot of tea. At some point along the way he lost count and was now just guessing.

As Sam stood up to leave, Hotaru looked at him in deep thought. "Is everything okay?" asked Sam, as he saw the look Hotaru was giving him.

"I was thinking…perhaps you could leave your Pokémon here? Just for the night?" wondered Hotaru.

Sam was taken aback slightly. He had no intention of having someone else raise his Pokémon, and he didn't mind keeping his Pokémon with him. They got a lot of time out of their Poké Balls when the group was travelling between towns. Yet at the same time, this idea intrigued Sam.

"For what reason?" asked Sam with a true, honest interest.

"I would like to see how Accardi raised Pokémon compare to ours, at least partly," smiled Hotaru, "That, and I think it would be a good experience for the Pokémon here to meet well trained, battle-hardened Pokémon, and vice versa."

Sam thought for a moment and saw the value in it. His Pokémon could learn a lot from others, and these other Pokémon could learn a lot from his Pokémon. Plus, Spiritomb could always benefit from being around new Pokémon that didn't belong to Sam or his friends.

Sam agreed, to which Hotaru replied it was free of charge, because Sam was an old friend. Sam insisted that he had to pay something, and kept trying to pull his wallet out, at least until Hotaru threatened to hit him with her wooden cooking spoon.

Sam laughed, being reminded of his own grandmother, and acquiesced, agreeing to the price of nothing. "All right, let's go out back and I'll release my Pokémon," said Sam.

He and Hotaru left the kitchen through a small mudroom opposite the main entrance.

Once they were out back, facing the wide-open fields of the day care. Sam released each of his Pokémon in turn and explained to each of them what he was doing.

"I'm leaving you here, not for long, just for the night," explained Sam, "Mrs. Yamamoto and I think that it would be a really good experience for you guys to meet other, maybe not as experienced Pokémon."

Empoleon seemed to understand the best, nodding. Grey Flame as well, understanding how life worked on a ranch. Spiritomb looked a bit lost, and Sam knelt down to explain to him specifically what was going, and though Spiritomb didn't entirely understand, he seemed more comfortable with it after Sam explained that it was nothing bad, and Spiritomb had done nothing wrong.

It also helped when Sam told Spiritomb his friends, Sam's other Pokémon, would be there with him as well.

Spiritomb smiled, nodded, and floated off into the fields to meet more Pokémon, causing Grey Flame and Staravia to go off after him, making sure Spiritomb didn't get lost or hurt.

"That's quite a rare Pokémon you have there," smiled Hotaru watching him say goodbye to his Pokémon in turn.

"It was a…well it's a bit of a long story," laughed Sam.

"Isn't that the truth," chuckled Aurelio, knowing the true story behind it.

Hotaru smiled kindly as well, not pressing the issue, but remarked. "I do not doubt it. I'm sure it's a fascinating story; but perhaps one for another time yes?"

Sam nodded. "Unfortunately. Sorry." "

No don't be sorry!" laughed Hotaru, "I understand. We all have our secrets. Knowing how rare Spiritomb are, I don't blame you for keeping that one to yourself."

Sam nodded, grateful that Hotaru understood him so well. With a smile Sam said farewell to Hotaru, until the morning anyway, and the two parted with a hug.

"Tell your grandfather I say hello, my boy," smiled Hotaru, "And from my husband as well."

"Oh uh…they're both…" Sam started, but Hotaru frowned, not realizing.

"Oh, oh of course, my apologies," apologized Hotaru suddenly, "I forgot…I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to."

Sam forced a smile, though couldn't hide how weirded out he was over Hotaru's sudden mention of his grandfather. He was sure Hotaru knew that he had passed on but…why would she have Sam say hello.

Even Genji Yamamoto seemed to know more than he let on.

Sam hid a shiver, and waved goodbye to Hotaru, turning around, back down the road, he came, leaving the day care behind him for today.

It was the middle of the afternoon right now, plenty of time to explore the town a little more; or maybe go for a swim with Lyss.

Part of Sam missed his Pokémon, but he was happy that they were allowed to have this new and interesting experience, and knew that they would grow stronger, and be bettered by it. Sam believed it, truly.