Well, I hope you guys enjoyed the last chapter, and it's lighthearted atmosphere. Emotions are about to kick back in. So, strap in, and enjoy the next chapter!

Touko shouted as she landed another well-coordinated blow on the by now worn out punching bag. After her legs healed, she returned to her training.

"You're a failure Touko." Resonated a voice in her head.

Touko growled, instinctively punching harder. Her hands were wrapped in sports tape, so were here bare feet.

"Look at her. Not even fighting anymore" Said another one.

Her eyes teared up, her shouts of battle became louder, and her kicks and punches more violent.

"I will separate trainers and Pokémon…"

Touko let out a scream now, as she kicked the punching bag one last time, forcefully breaking off the branch it hung from. She was breathing heavily, little droplets of sweat appeared on her forehead. Raindrops began to fall, joining in with the sweat.

"Touko?" Came a voice from behind.

It was Nathan, who looked at her, Cathrynn in the same shot behind her, standing in the doorway. They looked at her worriedly.

Touko's knuckles were blue by now, and she held her clenched fists to her sides.

"I'm okay… just some memories…" she said, quickly wiping away her tears.

"Do you honestly think I'll fall for that? Come here" he said, pulling her into a hug.

"You have not failed anybody…" Nathan said, holding her tightly, rubbing her hair with his hand.

How did he know? What happened? Was it that clear?

Touko sighed. "I know… And you keep reassuring me. But it just doesn't sit right" she said, sobbing a bit, but trying to keep strong.

Nathan lifted her in his arms. "Let's get inside. A cup of hot chocolate should make you feel better." He said

Cathrynn gave them a loving smile, kissing Touko's cheek as she closed the door behind them. A few moments later, thunder started, and a downpour of rain accompanied it.

Touko was placed on the couch, still sitting with Nathan, who stroke her hair lovingly. Touko's direct thoughts wanted to push away, but she felt calm, and comfortable. Nathan, as usual, seemed to guess her exact feelings, stroking her hair some more, even gently rocking her.

Cathrynn walked in carrying two cups of hot chocolate, and a sippy cup, holding the same substance.

"Touko, sweetie? Do you want to do you want to drink it like that, or should I leave it for now?" She asked, a quiet and calm tone to her voice.

"eh… I'll wait" she spoke quietly.

Nathan looked at her. "There is no shame in wanting things the easy way dear. I can feed you, if you want." He said.

Touko looked back. "I… I don't know. I don't feel too well" she said, rubbing her head.

Nathan smiled. "Let's just try it, all right?" he asked, picking up the cup.

Touko sighed. "All right…" she said. Her voice was a bit higher, more raspy.

Nathan smiled, checking if the chocolate was too warm, and then proceeding to offer it to Touko, who in her weakened state, accepted, and began to drink.

Nathan smiled, humming for her, as he rocked her, holding her with one arm, and feeding her with the other.

"That's my girl. All nice and calm. No need to worry" he spoke, in a melodious way. "No worries… None at all" he kept going.

Touko's eyelids grew heavy. She felt calm finally. A few tears escaped her eyes as she eventually fell asleep like this. Her chocolate was long gone by now, as she was still instinctively suckling the sippy cup.

Nathan smiled, holding her like this for a while. He replaced the cup with a pacifier that Cathrynn handed him, which Touko gently began to suckle on.

"Her forehead is glowing… She's catching a fever. Too much stress maybe?" Nathan asked.

Cathrynn nods. "Yes. Her symptoms show the same. Do we put her to bed, or keep her close for now?" Cathrynn said, taking a seat next to her, kissing Touko's forehead.

"Let's change her into some more comfortable clothing, and just keep her with us. A nap will do her some good." Nathan said.

Nathan handed the sleeping girl over to Cathrynn, who gently held her, whispering soothing words to her.

"such a warrior… So much fire…" she said. A tear escaped her eye. "You fight so hard…"

Touko groans a bit in her sleep, her fists clenching.

"No no sweetie. It's all fine. You are with mommy and daddy… we'll protect you" Cathrynn spoke quietly, rubbing her hair.

Touko's movements stopped, and she went on to sleep more peacefull.

Nathan walked back in, carrying a soft blanket, and a simple T-shirt. Together with Cathrynn they undressed her to just a bra and her pull-up, without waking her up, and wrapped her into the blanket.

Like this she was placed with the two, lying in Cathrynn's lap, her head resting against her chest. Nathan next to her, stroking her hair.

Like this, the three sat there in peace for a few hours. The two parents kept on guarding her, holding her, and loving her. Touko had her first peaceful sleep in a year…

A few hours, Touko woke up. The rain had stopped, and the rays of the sun touched her face. Touko looked up, seeing Cathrynn and Nathan look at her.

"Hey firecracker…" Nathan spoke, smiling at her.

Cathrynn kissed her forehead. "Hey sweetie…" she spoke.

"What happened…" Touko asked, seeing her position.

"You fell asleep, and we decided to make you comfortable. You seem to finally have had some good rest" Nathan spoke, smiling. "We can let you out if you want" he added.

"Eh… yes please…" She said. She blushed a little.

Cathrynn smiled, helping her up, folding the blanket up and lying it down.

"Can I get you anything dear?" she asked

Touko stood there, dressed in a short T-shirt, colored in pastel pink, and her usual pink/white pull-up diaper. Her blush got worse.

"E-eh… w-why did you dress me like this?" she yelps

"Because, we wanted you to be comfortable. And you were. There is no need to hide that" Nathan said, laying a calm hand on her shoulder.

"Oh… y-yeah…" she said.

Touko looks at herself, then suddenly noticed the fact that there was a damp spot on the pull-up. She opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by Nathan.

"It's fine dear. Don't worry. You go change, take a nice shower, then we can watch a movie, okay ?" He said

Touko nods, and quickly ran upstairs. The sound of the shower followed soon.

"She had an accident… Maybe the stress too?" He asked

Cathrynn nods.

"This stress really is breaking her…" She said

That wraps it up for this chapter. I must say I find it very cute! Hope you did too! Thanks for reading, and I love you!

-Gahlgutt out!