A gentle yawn escaped the Leafeon as she set about making breakfast for herself. Her parents had let her sleep in, given all the excitement recently, and while she felt guilty that they were running the shop on their own, she was grateful that they were thinking about her. Juniper had a lot to think about, given the conversation the previous day. Kaguya seemed... enamoured with her best friend. And yet, before she'd left, he'd given her a kiss and said that he thought she was also pretty.

Needless to say, the grass type was highly conflicted. On the one paw, she didn't want to come between her best friend and the man she was clearly pining after. But on the other... she didn't want to give up, either. She wanted to swoop in and make him as happy as he made her simply by being coming to visit her daily. She enjoyed their little meetings in her garden, and she enjoyed getting to know more about him. He was such a kind Pokemon that-

A knock at the door broke her reverie and caught her attention.

'Visitors? But who? It's so early, why would anybody be coming here?' Curiously, Juniper approached the door. Opening it revealed a tired looking Alolan Vulpix, and a beaming Eevee upon her shoulders. "Aunt JuJu!" The bundle of fluff cried out before leaping off of Lumi's back and toward the startled grass type.

Juniper didn't react quickly enough, and received a face full of fluff before crumpling to the floor from the impact of the Eevee.

"Juni! Are you ok? You're not hurt are you?"

"Aunt JuJu! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!"

Juniper laughed, picking herself up before scooping the kit into her paws, tickling the younger girls belly softly. "O-oh, I'm fine! I was just startled is all! I'm not hurt, don't worry! And you, madam! Give me fair warning next time, ok?" The squealing Eevee kicked her paws around, trying to remove the grass types paw. Juniper looked up at the pair before her. "Are you ok? You look like you've barely slept a wink. And where's Kaguya? Usually he's with his daughter, right?"

Lumi smiled, shrugging softly. "I'm ok, Juni. Just a little tired... me and Kaguya spent a lot of time talking last night... he's really tired, and asked if I could look after Sunshine while he gets some sleep." Juniper's heart sunk slightly.

"O-oh. You spent the night together?" The vixen noted the tone of voice her friend used and waved her paws frantically.

"It's not like that! I stumbled across him singing out by the beach. On the cliffside above it? I got to asking him some questions, and his team had some gifts they wanted me to give him! That's all it was! After that we just talked, nothing else!"

"Oh... s-sorry, I just-"

"Look, Juniper. I swear. Nothing happened between us. I wouldn't do that to you. You're my best friend! I said I'd ask him how he felt about you, and I did!" At the mention of the promise, Juniper blushed slightly.

"...A-and what did he say?" Lumi smiled.

"He told me you'd asked what he felt about me earlier in the day. He then said he wished he'd been clearer that everything he said about me went for you as well."

"Are you two in love with Papa!? Are you gonna be my Mama's?!" The girls were startled when the Eevee in Juniper's grip suddenly giggled and squeaked out her question.

"Wha- Sunshine! Honestly, young lady! What would your father think if he were here?"

"Papa would blush and start stuttering! Because Papa's not good with his feelings! You guys aren't good with yours either! Not like Miss Selene!" The two girls blinked, tilting their heads.

"Who? Selene? Who's that, sweetie?" Lumi racked her brain, trying to think of somebody named Selene in Sunrise Peaks. The Eevee beamed a bright smile.

"Miss Selene was Papa's friend back home! W-well... she said they were friends. But... Papa was always so mean to her... I asked him why he was, and all he'd say is 'Don't you worry, Sweetpea. It's grown-up things.' I like Miss Selene, she's really nice! I miss her..." Juniper hummed softly.

"Grown up things...? Do you think, maybe, they were in a relationship? Do you think they still might be?!" Sunshine shook her head.

"Nuh-uh. Miss Selene was never my Mama. She would always come visit me though! She said she liked me and Papa! She was always open with her feelings!" Lumi blinked, leaning down to the young kits eye level.

"And... what feelings did she have, exactly?" The Eevee placed a paw upon her chin, thinking to herself.

"Oh, she told me she'd had a huge crush on Papa when they were younger! She was always coming to check on Papa, and make sure the two of us were alright! The other villagers didn't get along with Papa very well... And she said she was... ummmmm... it's a big word... remosul? Remorsul? Remar-"

"Remorseful?" Lumi choked out, earning a giddy nod from the kit.

"Yeah, that! I dunno what it means, but she was always trying to be nice to Papa! I liked her!" The ice and grass types turned to each other, a worried look passing over their faces.

"Well, she sounds lovely! But your Papa probably wouldn't want us talking about his past like this without him around, would he sweetie? So how about we change the topic?" Juniper tried to give a winning smile, and thankfully it fooled the young Eevee in her grip.

"Oh, right! Papa get's mad at me when I do that... I don't wanna upset Papa..."

"He doesn't get mad, dear. I just... think he doesn't want his daughter worrying about him that way. He wants you to enjoy your childhood, not spend it worrying about him." Lumi smiled, gently ruffling the fur atop the Eevee's head, earning a soft purr from the child.

"Well, since I've got guests. Let me whip up some breakfast for you both, and we can talk about... whatever comes to mind!" Juniper winked, setting the young kit down before returning her attention to the kitchen. She wasn't expecting such a hectic morning, but she welcomed the company nonetheless.

"So what you're saying is... he might have feelings for us both? And that he might be as conflicted over that as the pair of us are?" Lumi nodded her head, munching on the slice of toast her friend had prepared for her.

"Mmhmm. And if that's the truth, that makes it... so much worse for everybody involved..." The Eevee tilted her head, turning to face the icy fox.

"But why? Papa likes you, and Papa likes Aunt JuJu! That's a good thing, right? Juniper let out an awkward laugh at the question.

"Yes, sweetie. It's a good thing! But if he likes us both, and we both like him back. We might... really end up hurting everybody involved. And none of us want that. I'd hate to hurt my friend that way."

"And I was all ready to give up on the idea of getting with your dad, Sunshine. I want Juniper to be happy. Even if that means I can't be."

"But... then why don't you both just be my Mama's? Why don't you both just be with Papa? Wouldn't that make everyone happy?" The two stared at the child oddly.

"Oh, Sunshine. Honey, that's not how the world works, I'm afraid... we can't both be Kaguya's mate." Sunshine pouted and folded her paws.

"But why? Papa likes you both, and you both like Papa! So why can't it work?" The two older girls flinched, they couldn't explain the concept of romance and deeply intimate relationships to a three year old. Especially not when she was asking why two women weren't going to be with her father at the same time.

"It just wouldn't, I'm afraid. But, if it makes you feel better. You can still call me Aunt Lulu. I don't mind." The vixen smiled at the pouting kit.

"But I wanna call you Mama!" The Eevee whined, causing Juniper to giggle.

"Oh, but she's not wrong! I think you'd make a wonderful mother! You'd teach Sunshine to be such a brave young lady!"

"I wanna call you Mama, too! Papa likes you both! A lot! So why-" Lumi cut off the pair.

"First things first, I'd be a terrible mother. You're way better with kids, Juni! And second, I'm really sorry Sunshine. But this really just isn't how the world works... I wish it were, but it's not." The vixen scowled, grumbling under her breath.

The little Eevee flattened her ears and stared up at the Vixen. "Ok..." She mumbled softly, before Lumi scooped the kit into her paws.

"None of that, sweetie. Your father would have my tails if he knew I'd upset you in any way. So you and Juniper need to think about what you're going to do today! I've got to head off to the Guild soon, my trainee's still need a little bit longer before they're officially recognised as Explorers." The Leafeon turned to the girl confused.

"But then, why was Kaguya sent to rest for 3 days? Won't he fall behind the others?" A shake of the head was her response.

"As far as the Guildmaster is concerned, Kaguya, Elias and Cass already proved themselves capable of what's out there. Because of Kaguya taking the lead of his team and organising that rescue effort, and his teammates ability to successfully pull off the rescue they've essentially already proven they have the qualities that make an Explorer. It's more of a formality for them all now." Lumi shrugged, finishing off her toast.

"So Papa made it!? He's really done it?" The vixen grinned.

"Not just yet, but for the most part, yes. He and his team are all probably going to pass the exam with flying colours. Even Teravolt." The kit squeaked happily and began to practically vibrate in Lumi's paws.

"Right, I'd best get going I'm afraid. I'll be sure to drop in later to spend more time with you though! Have a good day, Juni! And you behave yourself, Sunshine. No teasing her!" The vixen kissed the kit's forehead, before setting her down and leaving out the front door with a small wave.

Juniper waved back before the door shut behind the ice type, and she was alone with her crushes child. "Well, since mother and father let me sleep in. I should probably head for the shop, no? They'll be expecting me, and I can't shirk work. Do you want to come with me-" The grass type was cut off when the Eevee squeaked out again, clambering up onto Juniper's shoulders as she giggled.

"Yay! We're going to see Gramma and Grandpa! Let's go, let's go!" Juniper burst out laughing.

"Don't let them hear you say that, they might get the wrong idea! The laughing pair of Eevee's left the cozy home, locking the door behind them as they went.

"Kaggy! Where are you?"

"What've I told you about calling me 'Kaggy'?! It's so... dumb!"

"Whaaaaaat? But it's such a cute nickname for a cute Eevee!"

"You're a cute Eevee too, and I'm not giving you a dumb nickname!"

"OOOOOH! You should though! C'mon, give me a cute nickname too!"

"What? No! I'm not doing that! That's stupid!"

"Oooooh, Kaggy~!"

"Eugh, I thought I told you not to call me that!"

"Awwww, I'm just teasing! So... I heard you're in a relationship now?"

"...You heard that, huh? Jeez, I asked them not to spread it around..."

"Oh, don't be so embarrassed. Love is a wonderful thing! I'd know..."

"You're in love? With who? For how long?"

"Yes, I am. My secret~ and also my secret~"

"Pfffft, lame. Whatever, be like that then!"

"Kaguya...? O-oh, Gods... Kaguya, can you hear me?!"

"N-nnnghhh..."

"Kaguya, please... you have to reach out to it... please... you'll die if you don't...!"

"U-ugh... w-who...?"

"Please... you can't be so stubborn, you're hurt...! This is the only thing that can help you anymore, please!"

"...Selene...?"

Kaguya lurched forwards in his bed, propelling himself into an upright position as he gripped his chest, his heart thumping wildly beneath it.

A nightmare. That's all it was. Taking deep breaths to calm his pounding heartbeat, the Glaceon laid back down. Resting a paw over his eyes, the boy bit back a sob.

There was nothing he could do to change it anymore. Nothing he could do to fix it. She'd done it to protect him. To save him. And how had he repaid her? He'd made her life a misery after the fact. And for what?

Because she looked just like her sister? Because she'd saved his life by giving him that Ice Stone?

Kaguya angrily thumped the soft bed beside him. He'd burned that bridge a long time ago. By now she must despise him. His oldest friend and he made an enemy of her.

Once more willing sleep to take him, the Glaceon felt a stray few tears trickle down his cheeks.

'Selene... I'm so sorry. I was never a very good friend, was I...?'