…..

Eight

After breakfast they went right to the store N was not interested in the least in watching them try on clothes and steered his father to the electronics store instead. They had calmed just chatting as they ate and Concordia didn't eat as much as she could have she for once found herself more interested in the conversation. Always rare as Touko spoke to them she could almost forget Ghetsis was there he didn't speak much but you just had to look at him to see how at ease he was. At least at first they went across the street to a selection of shops that surrounded a much larger mall. Just as he was leaving with N she noticed a twitch she looked down as the girls looked at new shoes.

"What's the matter Ms. Touko?"

She looked up as Anthea paused in front of her.

"Not interested in shoes?" Concordia asked.

"Oh this is fine I just...It seemed like things were fine then your father seemed agitated I don't know something just gave me a vibe."

"Really? Like you sensed something." Concordia's gaze seemed to light up a bit with excitement.

"I mean...I guess."

"That's fantastic."

"That father was agitated?" Anthea asked.

"Father was worked up last night you know how he gets in crowds he will be fine, but it's so good that you sensed something I'm not meant to say much on it but it's to do with your own father."

Touko's gaze widened.

"You know about that?"

"Why do I feel like the only one left out of the loop?" Anthea muttered.

"You didn't push father to talk to you like I did, it was an experiment they were kind of..reborn to be remade for one another."

"Excuse me?" Touko asked.

"It's a long story but the simple version is both of you got a sort of pill and it was filled with unnatural hormones to make you more attracted to one another. As I was told but there is more to it, he said that that was the fastest way to explain it."

Touko raised an eyebrow.

"A drug that makes two people...develop a pull to each other? Why would that have been given to us? I don't understand."

Concordia sat next to her examining the pink heels in her hand.

"You were simply chosen for it, see it gets in the blood a lot of people were tested for it I think it has to do with the amount of children being born. Notice baby stores and such don't get as much business there is plenty of space there is always more food..though there seems to be a decline maybe not enough to cause a panic but Colress was hired to look into it. He's one of the scientists that worked with Dr. Fuji it's possible it can be used for pokemon too though that's all father shared with me."

Touko didn't know what to say, it certainly wasn't something that was news worthy there were healthy kids and little babies that she saw recently but then she didn't keep track of it. She guessed there weren't as many kids around as there could be.

"Why wouldn't anyone had told me..?"

"Well would you have agreed to be father's test partner willingly?"

"I don't know...you really do hide in plain sight I can't even look at your father and think 'he's entirely horrible for this and that' I just know what little has made it to the news. Why we should be weary of...The Circle maybe I would have considered it. Though anyone could have done it right?"

"Well he's no teddy bear...at least in most situations but remember he's done better by us than any enemy it's hard to say how you would rate him. He always told us not to be blinded to understand he's not as harmless as he comes off. That he can be selfish and hateful to consider that he earned the hate and distrust but we haven't been given examples he never wanted fear from us. Still what I do know is that there are many times where he simply isn't as bad as he could be." Concordia said slowly.

"Some will scream up and down how he can be but there is good there." Anthea said with a smile.

She didn't know if she should be reassured or concerned but she did appreciate some honest truth not just 'he's daddy and we love him so you should'.

"That's enough talk though let's get you some more clothes, if you still sense something off then talk to him. I won't try and push where I shouldn't but..it could be worth it to give him a chance, okay?"

Touko nodded as they stood up.

Could be.

…...

Touko's mind was spinning a bit thinking of what she could have been fed that had that sort of effect...wondering if it was more for pokemon. She sighed, when they got back the light joy seemed to fade it was time to be serious. She understood it was better not to drop your guard here...at least with them. She was curious about this Colress and Concordia couldn't or wouldn't tell her.

They walked in and quickly they were joined by Grunts to grab their bags to carry them, she was glad for a moment to be alone after her things were dropped off. She wanted to talk to Ghetsis it was an odd feeling, not so much that it was best to make effort but something else. A shiver up her spine like she knew he just needed to talk sighing she was quick to put the clothes away not just heels and skirts, pants, shorts, boots, sneakers a mix of colors anything she wanted. She refused to get too much just a few things she could mix and match. She slid her dress off to change into her new shorts and a regular shirt.

With one last look at the pretty dress she moved to put it away and slid toward the door to find Ghetsis's room.

She just sort of felt where it was.

She couldn't even say it was all in her head it was like when it came to finding Ghetsis she knew the place like the back of her head. She thought about the view in the ride back it just looked like a thick forest...they really were well hidden not that anyone thought to look for them.

As if they needed to.

She wanted to know what his kids were kept away from what made him who he was.

Stopping at the door she knocked.

"Come in Touko."

She jumped a bit and moved to open the door quickly before closing it behind her. He was at his desk with a wine glass in hand. He looked at her, as well as the dress suited her there was no denying how well made she was for a simple t-shirt and shorts.

"Something wrong?"

"No I..wanted to thank you for the clothes."

He shook his head.

"You already did."

"Did I?"

"What is it?"

"You just..something seemed to change after breakfast I thought you were at ease but something felt off I wondered what was wrong."

He stared at her, clearly surprised.

"It was nothing serious, just irritation I have plenty of moods if anything was dangerous you would have known, we would have been removed from the area quickly."

She nodded.

"Also Concordia told me what you told her."

"Well assuming this is about what you were drugged with I only gave her a little bit of information."

"Is it really just a concern for the population?"

"It's much more than that, but that would be a benefit, since you sensed something it should be getting stronger. That is how it's meant to be if I decided to leave you alone you never would have known what was in your system."

"Why did you want me?"

"No reason, it was time to settle down a little more than I had." it can get lonely.

She blinked she felt there was much more going on, a clear message she shook her head unwilling to question too much she couldn't be sure of his mood now that she pressed him as it was.

"...I see.."

"Look you don't have to try so hard, you just have to be here...keep up appearances."

"It wasn't that hard."

"Well you still haven't seen much reason to push you further away, so we'll see about that I have work so you'll be alone unless one of my kids comes to get you." he looked away from her.

She moved to leave jumping when he stopped behind her she looked over her shoulder she hadn't even heard him get up. One with his strength and speed...surely that was enough to fear him. He lowered his head to hers, willing himself, one kiss he damned the shorts he liked the look of shapely legs. Though he didn't touch her further only a kiss that was enough.

He grit his teeth before he opened the door and pushed her out carefully.

Just barely enough that is.

….