Skye woke up around midnight with Ruki asleep on her chest and his cheek against her neck. She groaned and straightened her legs, wincing from discomfort. She'd never felt sorer in her life. Even her vagina was from such rough action.

Skye had a clear mind and couldn't believe what had happened between her and Ruki hours ago, as if she was intoxicated. She reached her hand to her inner thighs and felt over her looser vaginal folds, searching for her panties, and then she looked beside her to see them lying on the bed.

It hit her. Skye had had sex with her ninetales. She'd thought of nothing at that time except how desperately horny she felt and used how much she loved Ruki to fuel it. It wasn't worth it, and Skye feared she had tainted their relationship.

Skye fell in and out of sleep until the sun rose and starly were chirping outside. Her puffy eyes and faint headache reflected the lack she got.

Ruki opened his eyes soon after some sunlight entered the room and eventually lifted his head, free of that ferrylag as far as he could tell, and he hoped for it to stay that way. Skye was looking at him, and he was more than happy to wake up to her face, but her eyes wore sorrow instead.

All it took was seeing her beloved Ruki staring at her for her eyes to well with tears. "I'm sorry…"

He cocked his head. What was she sorry for?

"I shouldn't have pulled you into how I felt like that. Ugh... I'm sick." Skye slid from under him to put her panties and bra on. She noticed there were dry spots where they had been busy, warranting a blanket change. There should be extra bedding in the restroom cabinets.

She also noticed that the curtain was open, which sunk her heart. How stupid could she have been not to close that before doing something so illegal that could result in her boy being ripped from her? Skye didn't feel that Ruki would be put down since ninetales tended to remain well after consensual acts, but she would never see him again either way. Pokémon were typically rehomed or released to the wild after experiencing sex with a human.

The easiest and safest option was to end their life humanely, but professors considered it a last resort. Those that suffered no behavioral issues or unusual sexual urges toward humans after weeks of tests were considered mentally sound, although they couldn't live in a home with children. Hopefully, no one had been outside during their act that saw or heard anything.

Ruki sat up and watched her with concern, ignoring the soreness he felt. Skye had the wrong idea. He'd thoroughly enjoyed their night spent together. It had weirded him out at first, but he now thought it was one of the most profound things to happen between them. He went and sat in front of her after she slipped on her panties.

She sat, filled to the brim with guilt while looking at him, and didn't speak a word, but Skye noticed his confusion.

He leaned in and licked the tears from her cheeks and around her eyes. Ruki was mature enough to consent. He knew what he was doing last night— well, sort of.

Skye wiped her eyes after he pulled away so she could see him through tears. "I don't want anything to change," she sniffled. "Fuck. I really can't have that…" It was what she feared the most. Ruki meant too much to her.

If anything, their session had drawn him closer. "Ni." He nudged her cheek with his nose and eyed her. It was nothing he wanted to see her cry over.

The tears stopped, as did her sniffling, though she had to wipe away existing ones. "F-For real?" There was a pinch of hope in her voice. Skye stared and knew he was reassuring her. She was beyond relieved he still loved her as she did him, sighing and firmly embracing Ruki's body while burying her face in his furry chest. She wasn't sure what she thought would happen, but it wasn't this. Skye still felt guilty, however. She took something of great value to him.

She pulled away. "But... wouldn't you rather have lost your innocence to another pokémon?"

Ruki shook his head without a second thought. No pokémon could make him feel as good inside and out like Skye did. She had a highly alluring effect on him, and she looked and sounded better than any pokémon while doing it, not that he knew that for a fact, but it was still a fact.

"Are you sure you're actually okay with my actions— what we did? Like actually? I did something I really, really shouldn't have..." It kept crossing Skye's mind that sex should never have made its way into their relationship and corrupted it. It should never have been considered in the first place, but the deed was done already. They had to live with it.

Ruki nodded once to reaffirm. He understood her guilt, but she needed to calm down. She allowed him between her legs and to take her most sacred possession.

Skye smirked, a small one that crept from the corner of her mouth. "And... and you enjoyed it? You enjoyed me?" She was on the verge of delirium.

All too much. He matched her subtle smirk while they exchanged stares.

Skye's smirk grew to a warm, ear-to-ear smile, and she started to giggle, one that got louder as it continued for the next couple of seconds, one of an intense sort of joy, but she reduced it to abrupt silence and lost the smile, ending with a sigh. "...But Ruki, we shouldn't do it again. It was still my fault it happened in the first place."

He was busy admiring her burst of laughter but focused back on the matter in moments. She wasn't wrong, but he'd mate her again if she allowed him to. Ruki wouldn't outright encourage the idea, but he wouldn't pass up the opportunity to please Skye and have it feel so good at the same time.

Sure, she was human, and sure, they'd grown up together, and— okay, it was still weird, but their relationship was so tightly-knit that it was a challenge to let such intimacy between them go.

"Unless… we kept it here."

Ruki's expression perked. She felt the same way then, right? That had to be it.

She grinned a little, "we couldn't take this back home. If we did it again, it'd only be here in Sinnoh. It wouldn't exist after we left. Our secret..." Skye hoped she wasn't making a decision she'd later regret, but something about a hushed sexual relationship with her pokémon aroused her in every way, although Ruki was a lot more than a pokémon to her.

Ruki nodded. It was a deal he assented on. He couldn't see it turning out well either if they took it back to her bedroom.

Skye grinned some more and buried her face back into his dampened chest, kissing it. "Mwah. Love you," she whispered into his fur while running her hands up his sides.

It made Skye feel much less appalled with the situation and their passionate night because of Ruki's reassurance and consent. He really wanted this between them, and so did she. Ruki kindled her soul, her life, and everything in between. It helped even more that ninetales were among the most intelligent pokémon on the planet. He truly understood, and Skye felt that. They loved each other to no end, and sex fulfilled their relationship— brought it full circle, as wrong or as right as it was.

She sat up for good seconds later, yawning. "Are you hungry? We didn't eat last night."

Ruki yawned and gave Skye another nod. He would love to eat whatever they earned from yesterday's battle. He was surprisingly tired of malasadas.

After Skye brushed her teeth in the restroom with her toothbrush and brushed Ruki's as well with toothpaste made for pokémon that she did a couple of days out of the week, they ate a small portion of their winnings. Skye showered from her and Ruki's recent adventures across Sinnoh, padded on concealer this time from her white container, and replaced their bedding with a bright white blanket and sheets, finishing the water she'd left on top of them. The old ones and her worn clothing were in the designated corner.

She bundled her hair into a ponytail for the day and was currently pulling a new pair of panties and white thigh-high socks over her legs. Above them was a short pink skirt, a white tee, and a pink vest over top of it. She also wore fleece pink high boots she had packed. "We're going to meet a friend from my past today," she said while straightening her outfit. "You may not remember her. You were young."

He didn't remember most of Skye's old friends, only the pokémon of theirs he befriended and sparred with, but Ruki was sure he'd recognize her upon seeing her. His memory wasn't that bad. He stretched his limbs and got down from the bed.

"She's in Sunyshore, where we docked on our first day. I arranged for us to meet before leaving Alola." Skye glanced at the heater, which was still on from last night. The room was getting too hot, but they'd come back cold from being out in Sunyshore, so she left it on but went to turn down the temperature.

"Ruki..." She glanced at him and walked over, reaching and sticking her hand between his tails while he looked back to watch. Skye ran her fingers up a couple and felt an isolated, frigid cold, along with thin layers of ice in multiple areas. "Am I running the heater too much? Sorry..."

"Nine." Ruki shook his head. She didn't need to sacrifice her comfort for him. It's why he had the ability to regulate his body temperature. The hotter it got, the icier his tails would be.

"Hm, okay." Skye knew he could keep cool, but she would feel awful if she affected his experience and had to ensure. "Let's go then," she told him while heading out the door, shooting her eyes at anyone walking or standing around out of paranoia. Skye was eager to reunite with her friend. She wasn't like the group she hung out with usually at school. They were fun, good kids but were immature and discussed subjects of salacious nature often. They were not her idea of good company, and she was glad they'd never rubbed off on her.

Ruki squeezed through before it closed and shook out his fur under the relatively warm weather. One of the first things he noticed was the sylveon he met yesterday, along with its trainer leaving the courtyard grounds. They glanced back and slowed after hearing the door close.

"Going somewhere too?" Skye asked when she caught up to Aaron, having to pass people talking or strolling the grounds. She noticed now that he had on a shirt that his form was more or less toned, which made her think of herself.

"Oh, hey." Aaron nodded. "We're trying to go out every day," he replied while walking beside her. He glanced at her cute outfit, hoping she wouldn't notice. It made him wonder whether or not she was a trainer.

Skye did, but she couldn't blame him when she wore so much color. "Same here. We only have four days left in Sinnoh before it's back to Alola. We're living it up while we can."

Meanwhile, Ruki stayed beside Skye and had to stretch his steps to temporarily the annoying soreness, and noticed her tense her legs occasionally. He avoided looking at Sylmi, as it was awkward after their first interaction, but he felt the sylveon's eyes on him.

"Four days?" Aaron asked.

"Mhm, we're here for a week, so we're making the best of it, living it up while we can." They neared the entrance to Route 213, where they'd part ways.

Aaron didn't know what to say to that. It put a halt on him getting to know her. He'd just met Skye but was attracted to her energy, not to mention her general outfit choices and physique. Still, he felt it wouldn't be wise to get attached. He'd never felt so much for someone in such little time, but it told him something. It told him he couldn't shy away from this one.

Skye decided to change the subject and create more conversation. Plus, she wanted to tell someone about yesterday. "Ruki and I battled at the restaurant here last night."

Aaron looked at her, bemused. "Really? I thought you needed two pokémon for that. It says it on the site. Did you win?" He'd always wanted to perform for a chance at winning the prize. It'd be a grand accomplishment, but he only had Sylmi, so he'd never gone inside.

"Ruki took a beating, but yes, my baby is a fighter," she smiled. "They allowed us to do two against one."

Well, Aaron didn't know that was a thing. Maybe he'd give it a shot now. They must not advertise that option to the general public. "So… you won the seven-course? You must have one tough ninetales." He looked at Ruki, who briefly returned his eyes. Maybe he could teach Sylmi a thing or two about battling. Winning two against one at Seven Stars is an impressive feat.

Ruki was smirking internally, holding his head and tails higher than usual. That was his first official battle, and he'd aced it— as long as he looked past fainting at the end. He knew Skye wasn't too fond of battling, but maybe they could challenge a gym one day. He'd have to ask his mentor to teach him more.

"Oh yeah. He's trained by one of the best... I don't think we'll be able to eat it all, though. If you want, I could give you and Sylmi some of it when we're back later," Skye offered as they entered the route and stopped.

He wouldn't pass it up from her. Besides, that meant they could taste it and see if it was worth battling for. "Of course. I'll probably be inside, so you can knock whenever you're ready."

"Sounds good; I'll see you then." She turned left with Ruki toward Route 222 and kept walking. "I want to see Sunyshore's lighthouse. Maybe I'll ask Ella to take me there."

He remembered that lighthouse. Could they go inside, though? The view would be marvelous, and Ruki loved heights because of where he grew up and lived before Skye captured him.

He looked at the beach lining the route as they sauntered along the grassy terrain before it. He would love to explore every inch of Sinnoh. Adventuring was a huge part of him, but he was more than grateful Skye brought him to see even a portion. Their stay had been nothing short of amazing so far.

They entered the city in around ten minutes of walking, and ahead was a dirt path leading to the city's entrance. Skye noticed a woman standing by the walkway's start with a luxray wearing a black collar sitting beside her. That was Ella, and as Skye approached, she noticed how different she looked from when they knew each other a few years ago. Ella was older by two years and a few inches taller than Skye. Skye knew it was her by her puffy curly black hair and slim build.

Not even Skye watched her weight or what she ate to that extent, but she knew she had to eventually before it got out of hand. It overwhelmed her just thinking about it, but she would take it seriously one day.

Ella grinned as soon as she saw Skye and began walking to meet her. She wore a more casual-sided outfit: blue jean shorts, a black long-sleeved shirt, and running shoes. "Skyee!" she said excitedly and jogged the rest of the way to hug her tightly.

Skye giggled and hugged her just as firmly. "Awe, it's been so long."

Ella let her go. "I know… like four whole years. How've you been, girl? I missed you!"

"Just fine, Ruki and I," Skye said. Ella shared her accent, both having been raised in Hau'oli.

"Oh, and the last time I saw him was when he was a lil' vulpix." Ella kneeled and ran her hand over his erect ears, holding and scritching his chin with the other. "You're so big and floofy now."

As touchy as Sylmi, but at least Ruki knew that she knew him. He gave Ella's hand a friendly nuzzle. He remembered her vaguely, and her hair helped a lot. Skye and Ella often hung out and sometimes got their hair and nails done together at the mall.

"Come say hi, Lustri," Ella called over her luxray.

Ruki watched Lustri walk to them slowly. His current evolution would look more intimidating minus the cute collar around his neck, though Ruki still felt anxious as he'd never seen a luxray.

Lustri was taller and bigger than Ruki on top of it, and his stern yellow eyes struck a chill down Ruki's spine. He remembered playing with Lustri years ago when he was a shinx, but he seemed to have changed. Ruki was grateful to retain his kindness after evolving and hoped it wouldn't fade too much later down the line. He never wanted to be a grumpy ninetales.

After everyone was acquainted, Skye brought up that she wanted to see one of the city's main attractions she noticed when she and Ruki first deboarded, so Ella led them across the unique walkways to the lighthouse, where they took the elevator up to the observation deck. During the journey, Skye saw that the port was, in fact, shut down temporarily with caution tape to confirm.

"I'm loving this region so much…" Skye looked ahead at the vast blue ocean with cargo ships and small boats traversing it, then aside at a sprawling, shimmering city beneath full of life, watching miles and miles of people, traffic, and sleek buildings. She was glad she'd chosen Sinnoh as her first. "Do you ever miss Alola?" She turned to Ella.

"Sometimes. The climate there is unmatched, and I wanna see family, so I might go back to visit. Lustri definitely misses it, so it's about that time." She patted his head. He was sitting beside her, still and staring ahead at the water. "By the way, you find anyone yet?"

"Hm?"

Ella smiled, "your special someone, y'know? We talked about it lots, but you always seemed content with Ruki."

Well, Skye hadn't been given much of a choice, but she was never particularly unhappy with Ruki's company. She just wanted more. "Heh, no, not yet. My life is just starting for real." She glanced at Ruki while saying this.

However, he thought nothing of it. Ruki was still her pokémon. He wouldn't be hurt or jealous if Skye found someone to fall in love with and knew she reserved a special kind of it for him.

"Right. Take your time with it, boo," Ella giggled. "You're cute enough to land about anyone but don't. Wait it out until you're sure so you don't come out scarred. You were always good at that."

"I'm patient when I want to be." Skye wondered if that would be the case if she were given more freedom, but she wouldn't have thrown herself at anyone. "You?"

"Nah, not even close. I'm three relationships deep so far. It's why I'm reminding you. You were never as wild as I was, though. Always declined the parties. You'll be straight. You've got good parents," Ella grinned.

Again, because she had to. Skye would have gone to a few parties with friends. She felt like she'd missed out on a lot in her teens that there was no making up for.

"You wanna see where I stay?"

Skye perked. "Yes, of course."

Ella reached her hand out, prompting Skye to take it.

She did, as they used to, and ventured back into the sunny city.

Ella's house was up north in Sunyshore at the end of a cul-de-sac alongside other residences, trimmed grass, and trees. A couple of kids played out in the street unattended since they were safe from traffic.

"Cute place." Skye looked around Ella's home from the living room and sat on the couch. It was a cozy one-story with two bedrooms and a small kitchen. "I miss having one of these already."

"Where're you staying?" Ella brought Skye a water bottle from the kitchen and sat next to her. Her luxray sat by her feet on the floor.

"Grand Lake Hotel by Route 213. Ruki and I have a great suite, but it doesn't have much to it." She opened it and took a few sips of water.

Ruki felt the same way; that's why he was exploring Ella's residence while they were busy talking. The walls in her room were gray; the blanket on her bed was black. Ella seemed to like dark colors, which he wasn't used to seeing being owned by Skye. Ruki heard something behind him and turned around to see Lustri standing a foot away.

He sat, watching Ruki like a guard would without greeting. His stare was daunting.

N... Nine?" Ruki attempted to show kindness. At least Sylmi made a nice first impression. Lustri just seemed like an edgy wall now. Did he not remember Ruki?

"Should've told me you were coming sooner. I would have let you stay with me," Ella said. "I don't use the other bedroom for anything but storage that I can clear out."

"I know. I guess I was nervous about my first time leaving home. There was a lot I didn't think about." Skye would have stayed with her. Sunyshore was a great city and Ella a great person, and it would have saved money that Skye could have spent while touring, but she also felt that being on her own was necessary. It was a healthy learning process.

"You're doing good, missy. Maybe you'll find a region to move to one day... unless you're staying in Alola?"

"I'm considering things. Alola would be easy, especially Hau'oli, because I know it so well. Life would be a breeze navigate in comparison to moving regions, but I don't know if I want to be in one place my entire life... Moving could be my next step. I'd have to get accustomed to being independent, though. You seem to have that down."

"It's not hard once you fall into a groove and find a latch. Trust. I started out working as a receptionist at a recreation center a few miles out from bere, but you don't gotta worry about independence tonight. You hungry?"

She grinned, "maybe. Why?"

"Cause you and Ruki are having lunch here." Ella got up and went to the kitchen.

Skye followed. "Well, let me help at least!"

After hearing the commotion, Ruki walked into the living room and felt Lustri behind him. Was he following him? Ruki would give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he was following his owner's voice.

Skye stood idle by the polished gray counter, looking down as Ruki and Lustri entered the kitchen. "Making another friend, Ruk'?"

No, not at all. Ruki couldn't break through to Lustri. His personality resembled that of a rock-type pokémon. Ruki didn't even know if he was kind to Ella at this point. He'd rather be around Sylmi. It was much less awkward.

"What are we making?" Skye asked.

Ella opened and sifted through her fridge. "Do you like feebas?"

Ruki felt his stomach rumble just overhearing that. He could eat anything right now, and feebas sounded excellent. It was a common dish, unlike lanturn or finneon, which Ruki preferred. Those tasted richer, while feebas needed to be seasoned heavily to rid of its bland flavor.

"For sure," Skye replied. "Mom used to fry or bake that or finneon every other week for supper and every time you came over."

"She seasons it better than mine, but I never said that," Ella chuckled and took out the bag. She bought it fresh yesterday. "She ever teach you how to make it?"

Skye nodded and leaned on the counter. "Tons of times. I know the recipe. Let's see what I can do."

They finished up at Ella's house and headed back to Route 213 as evening approached. They were minutes away. "She's amazing, isn't she, Ruki? I miss her already."

Ella was quite something. Ruki saw her as an exuberant version of Skye— or maybe it was the other way around. She was kind either way, and their personalities blended well. Her pokémon needed to take some pointers. Ruki wanted never to see that luxray again. He'd probably end up in his nightmares next week.

Ella's residence was close to the route, so it had only taken them thirty minutes to reach Grand Lake. Skye didn't want her body to give out before the day ended.

"Backk," she said as they entered the courtyard. She still had to bring Aaron items from their meal that would otherwise go to waste. Ruki could most likely eat all of it himself, but Skye didn't want to fatten him up and didn't want to eat most of it herself either.

Ruki entered the suite behind her and watched her stand in the middle of the room in apparent thought.

"I wanna rest, but I know I'll end up falling asleep. I'll just go to Aaron real quick." Skye took select small plastic containers from inside the bag. "I'll be back," she told Ruki after gathering everything. Her arms and left hand were full, but her right was free, so Skye used it to open the door. She walked to his with a firm hold on the containers and leaned in to knock.

It opened moments later, and Aaron's expression lit up, seeing Skye standing at his door wearing that colorful outfit.

"Hey. Sorry I came late."

"It's no problem," he replied. He wanted to free her hands, but it looked like taking one container would cause everything she held to crash.

"If you have somewhere for me to put all of this…"

"Yeah, over here." Aaron stepped aside to let her in and led her to the dresser in his suite. It was basically set up like hers. "You can put it here. I really appreciate it." He realized now how stupid he was to invite a girl he'd just met inside his suite. Hopefully, Skye didn't feel uneasy. She seemed to have no issue coming inside.

She lowered the containers onto the wooden surface and subtly stretched her arms afterward. "It would have either gone to waste or down Ruki's throat." She looked at his bed and saw Sylmi, asleep on it and curled up. "He's adorable."

Aaron could pin Skye's words on herself. Every move she made was cute, every word she uttered. Don't even get him started on her smile, but again, that likely wouldn't fare well with her in here. He was inexperienced, but at least he had the sense not to be a creep. "So, what'd you do today?... if you don't mind."

"Uh." She leaned against the dresser. "I went to see a friend I knew a few years ago in Sunyshore and made feebas. You?"

"I just took Sylmi to Floaroma Town. He's a fan of the flower meadows, so we go every time we come here."

"Oh, really? No way. That place is exquisite." Skye remembered spending almost an hour researching Floaroma and looking at pictures. Not only was she well versed on its history, but that put it on her bucket list. "Maybe Ruki would like to go before we leave. I know I do."

"I recommend it. If you have any questions about the town, you can always ask me. I've been enough times."

"Of course, and I know you went already, but you're welcome to come with us if you'd like. Ruki needs friends, and some direction in this region would be nice."

Seriously? He'd go three more times if it meant he could go with her. Aaron would leap at that offer, even though he'd probably regret it the day Skye had to leave, which wasn't far. He just wanted to know her, even if just a little. "I'd love to…"

"In two days… maybe at ten in the morning?" She felt that was a good middle ground. She was typically a morning person, but that didn't mean everyone else was.

"That sounds fantastic. Sylmi and I'll be ready," Aaron grinned subtly, keeping most of the joy to himself.

"See you then, Aaron. Enjoy the food. She left him with that, exiting his suite and heading back to hers.

He locked the door behind her, and his grin hadn't faded.