I closed the door with a slam using my right foot. As I turned into my house, it seemed like it shined, like I was in Heaven. I was so glad to be back at home after a long day. I looked around as I started to grow weary for my bed.

"Well, here we are," I said to them, "This is my home."

I bent down as they began to look around in amazement. I set them down as they began to slowly creep on the ground. I smiled at them; this was the first time they had ever been in a human house, I suppose. Poochyena began to sniff the ground as Buizel stood on his tip-toes and looked around. I smiled slightly as they began to look around the kitchen. I decided to leave my backpack on the kitchen floor, but before I could, I heard a crash. I looked across the room to see that Poochyena had knocked down the broom near the sink.

He looked at me and smirked nervously. Buizel dropped his head and exhaled, shaking his head. I just glared at him with an amused grin.

"It's okay," I told them, "It's all right. It was only an accident."

I walked over, with my backpack still on my back, and crouched near the fallen broom. Poochyena wagged his tail as I picked it up and stood it up again. I looked at him as he panted with his tongue out.

"See?" I told him, "No harm done."

He grinned at me as I noticed him walking towards me. He made me surprised when he rubbed his head against my leg. He whined lightly as he stood up on his hind legs and rubbed his head against my side. He glared up at me and smiled at me. It made me smirk. He was SO cute. I couldn't help but giggle at him.

This caused Poochyena to get excited and run behind me into the living room. Buizel immediately turned and called after him, probably telling him to slow down and be careful. I wish Buizel had said that to himself…

Right as Buizel turned into the room, he ran right smack into my 12-pack soda carton. It was knocked over, as cans rolled across the floor. Buizel immediately put his paws over his mouth and gasped, shocked at what he just did. Poochyena softly chuckled at him. I simply exhaled as Buizel lowered his head in disappointment.

"It's all right," I said, "Just another accident."

I picked up the cans as Buizel bowed his head in apology and said he was sorry. I grinned at him and was surprised at what I did next. I actually placed my hand on Buizel's head! I was shocked, but yet excited and knowing all along I would do it.

Hmm… I wonder if the voice had something to do with this?

I started to just slightly ruffle his fur as he began to giggle. He grinned as his paws grabbed my wrist and slowly tried to pull my hand off his head.

"Bui bui bu…" he said playfully, like he was telling me to stop.

I simply chuckled at him as he blushed. I could tell he liked it, but he tried to act mature and say otherwise. I finally decided to let go as I took my hand off his head. He looked at me and chuckled.

Suddenly, we heard a playful bark. We both looked to the west side of the room near the stairs. Poochyena was rolling on the ground playing with the curtains. He was getting his body tangled in them and biting the edges, pulling on them.

Buizel suddenly became nervous as he ran over to him. He was trying to tell him to stop for each other's safety as he began to reach around his body, trying to pull him away from the curtains. I looked at them and shook my head as I finished putting the soda cans back. I knew what was going to happen; another disaster…

Still, I decided to try and change the unchangeable trouble by warning them, "Hey, guys, you need to be careful around-"

Too late; the top of the curtain rod snapped off the ledge, and the cloth completely fell and wrapped around them. They suddenly began to struggle and pull as I saw forms trying to pull the curtain.

I simply shook my head; this was gonna be a long night. I walked over to them and watched for several minutes. Then, instead of helping them out, I scooping the edges and lifted it up, so they were inside of the curtains like a hitchhiker's bag. They started laughing as they kicked and jerked at the edges.

"I think it'd be best if I carried you up this way," I said grinning amusedly.

Buizel laughed something as Poochyena panted inside of it. I simply chuckled as their little bodies were visible moving in the curtains. I lugged it up the stairs as they enjoyed a "free ride". Uh… hm… I don't know what you call it; has anyone ever ridden in a curtain before…?

-

I was finally done brushing my teeth as I looked at the mirror. My reflection showed a face of wanting mercy. I had counted all the broken items in my household.

Seven.

Seven things had been broken, EXCLUDING all the things I had mentioned. …

First, after I had let Poochyena and Buizel out of the curtain, Poochyena ran around and into my bookcase, sending all of my photos out of the photo album. Second, Poochyena investigated a chair and when he jumped on it, he slid off, due to my journal being there, so now there is a dent on the cover. Third, Buizel went under my bed and stepped on my box of Pokémon toys as a kid and so the box is busted. Fourth, Poochyena had gone into the bathroom earlier and played with the toilet paper, and it went (and I mean it, you have no idea!) everywhere. Fifth, Buizel thought he could bounce on the bed and have a good time, (sure) until he bounced off and pulled the covers off the bed as an attempt to stay on. Sixth, Poochyena played around with my lamp, until he knocked it off and broke it. And finally seventh, they knocked over my family portrait when they were playing 'tag'.

Oy…

(I swear, the ghost of my dad right then was behind me going, "AHAHAHAHAHA!" :3 )

I must admit, a part of me got angry when the family portrait was knocked over. I almost yelled at them. But, I stopped and admitted it was a mistake… like the other nine things they did…

Groan…

Anyways. I had finished getting ready for bed as I came into the room. I looked down to see Buizel and Poochyena just sitting there, looking at me. They were smiling innocently into my eyes as I stared at them, not the least bit amused.

I could tell, by their sparkling eyes and cute smiles, they were trying to get a "Get-out-of-jail-free" card from me, so they wouldn't have the "Holy Smack-down" as I would "beat" them.

(Now, for all of you who gasped about me saying I would beat them, my mom would JOKINGLY say that to me when I was warned of trouble. She never beat me, as I would never do to them. Thank you.)

I gave them "the 'You got to be kidding me' grin". You know… when your mouth is shaped in a frown, yet you're smiling? Yeah, that was me…

I watched them with the grin as Buizel slowly nudged Poochyena. He whispered something, as they suddenly tilted their heads at me, looking even more cute. I rolled my eyes and then continued to bury my face in my hands. Dang it, their plan was working. I decided to just leave them there as I made a bed for them. I took my ruined sweatshirt and placed it on the little pet bed. I had brought it out of storage; when Manectric was alive and an Electrike, he used to sleep in that bed.

"There you go," I said to them, "I made you a little bed so you can sleep on something soft."

Both of the little troublemakers walked over and sniffed the bed carefully. They slowly started to curl together as they lay down. Poochyena was happy and wagging his tail as he curled into a ball. Buizel sat down behind him and started to love his back. He stroked the back gently as Poochyena started to talk to Buizel in their native language. He laid on his back, as Buizel slowly petted his belly. They kept on talking as I started to get into my bed.

I looked at them, as suddenly Buizel had a glint in his eyes. He suddenly jumped on top of Poochyena, and began to tickle him! The puppy started to laugh as he squirmed to get free, but his otter friend had pinned it to the ground and taunted him. I don't know what was wrong; if either Buizel was just playing, or Poochyena had said something. I simply smirked at them as Poochyena begged his friend to stop. I heard them rustle…

Wait, I heard a rustle… of leaves… that couldn't be them…

I decided to look outside, since it was obvious it came there. I slowly kneeled on my bed and began to look down. Suddenly, my face went pale and my heart stopped. I gasped as I saw multiple human forms outside behind my house. They had flashlight and were searching for Buizel and Poochyena!

I quickly jumped off my bed and ran over to the two Pokémon tickling each other. I grabbed their paws as they were taken back. I motioned them to be quiet.

"Guys, I know you're playing with each other," I said, "But people right now are outside looking for you. You need to be quiet and stay in this bed, do you understand?"

Both of them immediately turned pale like me and nodded. Poochyena curled up into a ball as Buizel hugged it from behind. They snuggled as Buizel whispered things to him, calming him down. I slowly got back on my bed and watched the humans outside. I immediately recognized one of them. Guess who it was? Of course; Mr. Pepperridge!

I opened the window and looked at them. I must've made a noise or something because everyone turned to my direction and looked at me. Mr. Pepperridge squinted from the light, but soon recognized me.

"Why, good evening, Oliver," he said to me, "how are you this fine night?"

My right eye twitched at the name "Oliver"; I changed it to Thomas now. Stupid…

"Thomas," I corrected him, "Now, care to explain why I have a multitude of people in my back yard?"

Mr. Pepperridge answered, "Certainly, Thomas. A lot of people, myself included, are looking for the Buizel and Poochyena you brought back to the woods. Before I go on, I must apologize for my behavior. How is your back?"

I was stunned; Mr. Pepperridge apologizing? Probably, to suck up so I could tell him where Buizel and Poochyena was… aw, well, I'll take it.

"It's a little sore still," I said, "but I'll deal."

As soon as I finished that sentence, I noticed someone coming up next to Mr. Pepperridge. It was that Skyler kid Tucker warned me about. He had his hands in his pockets again as he looked up at me. I looked back at him, but focused on Mr. Pepperridge so we wouldn't have an awkward moment.

"Well," the teacher continued, "some of us decided that we are going to attempt capturing the two and bring them to the school so they can be used in lessons. They will not be harmed."

For the school? My butt. Mr. Pepperridge wanted them for himself; I wasn't falling for that. I raised an eyebrow as I shook my head.

Then, a woman said, "We can't find them at all. We've checked everywhere here."

Mr. Pepperridge nodded and asked me, "Thomas, please be honest with us here; where are Buizel and Poochyena?"

I looked in the corner of my eye and saw the two looking at me. They shook their heads at me, begging me not to tell them. I motioned them to calm down out of everyone's view and looked at them. Then, I turned back and rubbed my head, pretending to be confused.

"Really? Are you sure?" I asked.

Mr. Pepperridge nodded as he said, "Yes, we've searched all around your house and have found no sign of them."

I suddenly had an idea pop into my head. A smirk formed across my mind as Buizel and Poochyena cuddled against each other.

"You checked everywhere?" I asked, "So, you've checked down in the alcove on the other side of the woods?"

Everyone suddenly started to talk amongst themselves. I could tell my plan was working; they didn't search there. I placed my arm on the window pane and rested my face on my hand. I gave a sort of cocky yet tired look on my face.

"Why in the world would we have checked in the alcove?" Mr. Pepperridge asked me suspiciously, "You sound like you are hiding something."

"Me?" I asked in rebuttal, "I promised Principal Vicar I would bring them back, and I did. If you remember, I told him that I would leave Poochyena and Buizel back in the alcove where I met them. That's where I left them."

A man said aloud, "That would explain why we haven't found them yet…"

Mr. Pepperridge asked in confirmation, "So, you left the two little Pokémon there?"

I nodded with a smirk, "Yep, that's what I'm saying."

Suddenly, Skyler stepped closer and looked at me carefully with one eye. It felt like he was staring into my soul as he glared at me. I could tell he was judging me and seeing if I was fibbing or truthful. He then took me by surprise as he talked to me.

"You sure about that?" he asked in a deep and shallow tone.

I had had enough. I was tired, I wanted to rest my sore back, I had two Pokémon who wanted to sleep too, and I was not getting caught now.

"Yes," I said, "That's where I left them. I may have protected them, but that doesn't mean they're mine or I love them. Now, I want to sleep and rest my back. Please, leave my property as soon as you are done searching. Now, good-night, and thank you."

Mr. Pepperridge nodded as Skyler glared at me. Nevertheless, everyone outside started to walk towards the alcove as I shut the window. I had enough of this. I shook my head, and suddenly realized what I had said. I looked over towards Poochyena and Buizel. They looked at me in shock; they were dumbfounded at what I said about them.

Buizel glared at me sadly as Poochyena whined and lowered his head. I suddenly jumped off the bed and sat in front of them.

"Oh, no, no, no," I comforted them, "I really don't mean that! I don't! I had to get them away from you guys! I'm so sorry. Please don't hate me."

I let me head drop and closed my eyes. Stupid, stupid, stupid! How could I say that? I buried my face in my hands and felt like crying. I felt so hurt that I had hurt someone. I was going to cry until I felt a furry paw on my leg. I brought my eyes out of my hands and looked forward. Poochyena was smiling as he wagged his tail and snuggled against me. Buizel laid down on his stomach and smirked.

"Poochy Poochy!" Poochyena said excitedly, asking me to pet his head.

I ran my hand on his tiny skull; it felt scary, but yet relaxing. I still was nervous, but I was so happy that they weren't angry. Poochyena closed his eyes and started to drift into sleep as I kept on loving his head. I decided to let Buizel in on it as I placed my hand on his back and slowly stroked him.

Buizel said, "Bui! Bui bu," as he rested his head on his arms.

He began to slowly drift into sleep as well as his friend. They sighed as they slowly lay down next to each other. They closed their eyes as Buizel hugged Poochyena. Both of them then drifted off to sleep. I smiled as I slowly took the blanket out of my backpack I gave them. I slowly covered them as they began to snore softly.

I then got up and finally pulled the covers over me as I slipped into bed. The limbs of my body felt like anchors and heavy metal objects, and I couldn't move at all. I took a time to think about everything that happened today. I then was starting to become fearful.

There was no way I could keep protecting Poochyena and Buizel by myself. I mean, they can't stay in my house. First they keep breaking stuff… but, second, what if I go out and someone breaks in to grab them? I looked at them sleeping peacefully and decided that there was only one course of action.

I need help…

-