Alola everyone and welcome back to A Hui Hou Kakou! This is actually a diary entry of Lillie's that I decided to elaborate. There is one more before I get to the one I originally wrote to be the first.

Enjoy the chapter guys. Sorry if it's a little shorter than what I normally write.

Nebby shone brighter than anything I've ever seen in my life! And before I knew what had happened, we had found our way to meet Professor Burnet. But how did we get there? Is it some strange power that Nebby has? Did it do this?

Professor Burnet called her husband at once, a man named Professor Kukui. He came to meet us and he walks around half-naked all the time! I don't know about that…is that some kind of Alolan fashion or something?

In the end, it was decided that Professor Kukui would let me stay in his research lab with him. He took me there on his boat. It didn't look like it could even survive the voyage, but we arrived in one piece and the sea breeze was delightful.

When we arrived at the marina on Melemele Island, the kahuna was there with his grandson. That is how I came to meet Kahuna Hala and Hau. I've since come to learn that the Alola region has no gym leaders or champions or any of that.

Lillie had stayed with Professor Burnet for about a month. The woman graciously offered her spare bedroom on her Heahea apartment for as long as she wanted.

Although the offer was the most generous one she had received from someone else; it was cramped. The twin sized bed in the middle was flanked by boxes full of papers with varying jargon that Lillie couldn't understand.

Burnet worked from the early morning hours and sometimes didn't return until ten in the evening. Every time she left, "Make yourself at home," was the saying.

Lillie's mother would never have done that for her without expecting something in return. Burnet had given her the gift of a place to stay without even asking for anything.

Still, she felt extremely guilty that she was freeloading on someone else, no less an acquaintance of Wicke's. Lillie found out that Burnet and Wicke went to college together in the Lumiose Science Academy of Technology. The professor had gone to studying astronomy and inter-dimensional research while Wicke went into pokemon nursing. They continued to keep in contact and it had been purely coincidental that she had been hired into the Aether Foundation as an assistant branch chief and was at one of their Akala facilities and ran right into her college friend along the way.

They had been in close contact ever since.

Today was no different; Burnet was up and gone to work well before Lillie was even close to waking up. She had been close to another breakthrough and although she did take her to visit the lab in order to learn more about Nebby, today was not a good time. The Dimensional Research Lab was located right next to an Aether office and she had seen employees out and about much more today. Lillie was adamant that she not be seen by any of them, which the older woman quickly understood.

While she was away, the young girl busied herself with reading the library of books that was kept in the living room. She used her microwave to heat up insta-tapu cocoa and plopped herself down on a comfortable recliner in front of the TV. Speakers in front played chill music and it was just a place where she and Nebby could simply relax. The latter spent most of its time sleeping.

Even though she absolutely loved reading, it was apparent that something like that was going to get boring fairly quick, even when Burnet's preferred novels of romance had her hooked from page to page. She still felt ashamed that she was unable to do anything in return since the professor had been so kind to her.

Lillie set her mind. She was going to cook today.

At her own house, she seldom saw her mother or father cook any food. They went right to the table and a couple of stewards would come out, placing a plate or bowl of a fancily arranged dish in front of them.

Mother always had strict manners; take petite bites, never chew with your mouth open, never talk with food in your mouth. Don't ask for seconds, you are not allowed to leave the table until your food has been finished with bathroom being the exception. No asking for something else.

Food was usually light meals. Meat was a rarity and they often left both her and brother quite hungry before they went to bed. It had been so bad that sometimes it rendered both of them unable to concentrate when mother was homeschooling them for half the day. That part was definitely frustrating for her.

When she arrived at Burnet's apartment, there was a fridge full of food, but much of it had been spoiled since its owner seldom had time to cook. She had always resorted to takeout from the few restaurants that were remaining open at such late hours.

The only thing was that Lillie had little experience in cooking. Mother gave her an important lecture on how she was going to have to take care of her and a future husband plus "beautiful grandchildren" by making food, but didn't elaborate on the more important fact of the culinary actions itself.

She sat down at Burnet's computer and woke it up, typing in for recipes of something…anything she could make. Since she was still at a beginner level, the search was narrowed for simplicity. Many traditional Alolan dishes were far from that.

Before she could click on the recipe for a really good looking food called a burger, the phone rang.

Lillie picked it up before taking a deep breath and answering, "Hello?"

"Lillie! It's me Professor Burnet!"

She breathed a sigh of relief, for some reason, she was expecting to hear from Aether or even her mother. "Professor. I thought you were still at work!"

"I just got off. My husband's coming over tonight for dinner. Why don't we make something instead of takeout? I'll stop by the store before I get home and figure something out."

"Oh-okay. Yeah…that sounds great."

"We will have to talk about a few things when I arrive since I am not sure how safe you are staying with me."

Burnet arrived a half hour later, carrying a couple of bags through the apartment entrance. "Hi sweetie. How are you today?"

Lillie didn't know what became of her, but she rushed towards the other woman, wrapping her arms around in a tight hug, "I'm good professor. Hungry too. Hope you brought something good."

"I sure did. And if you're going to hug me, then don't call me professor. Burnet is my name."

"Yes Burnet."

"Very good." She set the bags on the counter in the small kitchenette across from the living room, "It's been quite a while since I cooked a dinner for myself. Let's see if we can do it together."

Lillie beamed, finally getting an opportunity to make herself at least some help to the person who offered her shelter.

Burnet opened the fridge and recoiled, making a face at the rancid smell coming from inside.

"Ugh, I also forgot about all this stuff. Good thing I bought everything we needed."

She closed it and together they started in cooking. Burnet handled the stove while she instructed Lillie to carefully chop the pinaps, onions as well as toss an Alolan salad. The girl's eyes watered at the sting from the moisture of the latter, but gladly accepted a pair of offered lab goggles.

Burnet must've read her mind about burgers since that was exactly what she planned to make tonight. A few minutes later, the smell of sizzling beef along with caramelized onions made Lillie's mouth water. It was unlike anything she had ever smelled before and she already couldn't wait to find out what it tasted like.

There was a knock on the door.

"Oh, he's here!" Burnet rushed to the front, "Keep an eye on those burgers for me!"

Lillie wasn't sure what that meant or how she could help, but looked over the stovetop at the cooking patties.

Voices drifted down the hallway. She discerned Burnet's and another masculine one that gave out a hearty laugh.

"Keep it down Emilio! She's quite shy. And why did you have to dress like that when you know I had a guest?"

"Yeah yeah…but c'mon. Alola has to make a good First Impression!"

"Lillie?" Burnet called out, "I want you to meet someone."

She cautiously peered around the corner.

Next to her roommate was a tall man with dark hair in a man bun. He had a rainbow white cap on his head with rimless green glasses. His skin tone was quite tanned and his face looked like a smile was permanently stuck.

What really set her off was his long lab coat that draped around his back and the fact that he had no shirt on underneath. There was absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about on his physique. He was chiseled, but not overly muscular. Like Burnet, he seemed to be in his late twenties.

Lillie had seen a magazine of male models in her mother's bedroom one time and it felt like Burnet's husband could easily make the cover. Still, it was a little unnerving about him being shirtless.

"Oh my goodness!" She gasped, "He's not…not wearing a shirt?!"

The man chuckled, apparently unaware of her discomfort, "Alola! I'm Professor Emilio Kukui! It's quite nice to finally meet the new friend Burnet's been talking about oh yeah!"

Lillie felt flustered from having the attention, "Uh hi there. I'm Lillie."

"Pew!"

Her eyes widened, "Nebby! You can't be seen! Get out of here!"

Burnet laughed, "Lillie it's fine. Emilio already knows about cosmog."

"It's quite an interesting pokemon yeah! I've never seen anything like it!" They heard a bark from a puppylike pokemon in the back. Kukui had turned around, "Let's go Rockruff or we're leaving ya!"

"For another time." She said, "Let's eat first."

"I'm down for that yeah! Did you make Alola teri-burgers again?"

Lillie was definitely impressed with Burnet's cooking. While making introductions, the woman had made a timely save on the unattended burgers that were still cooking to prevent them from being overdone. The teriyaki seasoning and sliced pinaps with grilled onions was making a perfect harmony of flavor. It was intense enough that Lillie had to restrain herself from eating the whole thing at once.

Kukui had kept the conversations flowing as they ate. Burnet baked some fries and served it alongside the salad and they talked as if they had been a family from the start as opposed to him arriving just a few minutes ago.

"I have to ask Professor Kukui," Lillie started, "If you're married to Burnet, why are you still called that?"

"Oh!" Burnet put down her fork, "It's mainly because if I changed my last name to his, then we'd both be called Professor Kukui. So yes, we're married but I'm also called Burnet-Kukui to make things easier between us."

"Makes sense," Kukui agreed, "You can call me whatever you like. Professor Kukui, Kukui in general or even Emilio. Just don't say professor with both of us here yeah. Then we'll both come runnin!"

Lillie giggled, "Okay. Sounds good."

Burnet cleared her throat, "Lillie's been with me for a little more than a month and although I love having her company around, I don't think this is the best place for her to stay."

"Why do you say that?"

"The Aether Foundation's been getting restless lately."

"Ho!" He turned to her, "So you know the Aether Foundation? They're crazy awesome people who take care of sick and injured pokemon!"

"Yeah," Lillie seemed to shrink in her chair, "I don't want to go there." She glanced at the two adults, "I don't really have a lot of people I can trust with Nebby and all, but can you both keep a secret?" She was certain after knowing Burnet about a while, but she had only just met Kukui.

His wife nodded, "You can trust Emilio just as much as you do with me."

"Okay…see Nebby isn't a pokemon from this world, so I'm trying to help it find its way back home. The problem is that the Aether Foundation wants Nebby too, but it's not for a good purpose. That's why I have to protect it. They're looking to hurt it!"

"Hurt it? I thought the Aether Foundation protects pokemon."

"Trust me when I say that neither Nebby or I can go back! Something horrible will happen!" Lillie pleaded with desperation, "So please…can you help me? I'll do anything! Whatever you ask! Just don't make me go back to Aether Paradise!"

"I'm sorry," Burnet apologized, after seeing that she was upset about bringing up Aether, "I didn't mean to do that, but I had to in order to understand why you and Nebby ran away. Do not worry keiki. Neither Emilio nor I will make you go back there."

Lillie's mood brightened at the reassurance, "Oh really?! Thank you so much!"

"But you cannot stay here."

"What?"

Burnet spoke up, "The Aether Foundation is getting restless. The office close to my lab has been asking around Heahea City about a girl that matches your description. While I do trust all of my staff, I am worried that you will be found eventually."

"Soon?" She looked over at the two adults, "What…what can we do?"

"She can come with me," Kukui said, "I have a spare bed in the loft and she can help me out as an assistant."

"Would you like that Lillie?"

"Uh…sure. You guys have been so gracious to me ever since I've met you both."

"Alright! We'll set sail tomorrow morning and I'll do my best to make things as comfortable for you as I can. Woo!"

"Be safe!" Burnet said as she hugged Lillie at the Heahea Marina. By now, the sun was just beginning to rise over the ocean's horizon.

"Thank you for everything Burnet," Lillie said, almost wanting to cry from all the kindness the other woman had given her, "I don't know what I would have done without you!"

"Just make sure you come and visit me when you come back to Akala Island. If I find out you're here without letting me know," She had a stern look that was quickly replaced by a smirk.

"Of course. You know I will!"

Lillie was a bit appalled by the appearance of Kukui's boat. It was a dual hulled catamaran that had clearly seen better days. The wooden deck was rotting in some areas and its hull sounded like it was creaking as it rocked on the smaller waves.

"C'mon Lillie!" Kukui gestured, "It may not look like it, but my ride's perfectly seaworthy!"

"Are you sure?"

"Sure am yeah! It got me this far!"

Together, they got onboard although Lillie had to grab ahold of the handrails running along the side of his boat to steady herself. She hadn't been on a boat for so long and its rocking made it feel as if she was about losing her balance. Nebby must've sensed her discomfort back in its duffel as it shook.

"I'll let you know when we arrive back on Melemele." Kukui said to Burnet just on the pier, "I've already let Kahuna Hala know we're coming. Lillie understands and trusts him too."

"Alright. You take good care of her. Even though I've known her for barely a month, she's like a keiki to me."

"Any keiki of my wife's is one of mine as well!" They chuckled and parted with a chaste kiss before he jumped onto the boat and they soon cast off.

Burnet waved as they began to leave the harbor and Lillie wistfully returned the gesture, saddened to leave Akala and the only person who selflessly helped her ever since she ran away.

There was still a strangely happy feeling in her chest. She knew that this adventure was far from over.

And there it is. Off to Melemele Island! My new working schedule has fewer days off, but I'm scraping enough time to write substantially between the three fics currently being update by yours truly.

I'm not sure what Professor Kukui's first name is; Pokemon kinda left that out. I think they're all unconfirmed aside from Samuel Oak, Aurea Juniper and Augustine Sycamore at least game-wise. So I decided on Emilio Kukui and his wife as Professor Burnet-Kukui. The former is Portuguese in origin and I think the name fits quite well since Hawaii has a significant amount of Portuguese influence since their mass immigration to the islands in the late 1870s. I am part Portuguese myself and have a handful of relatives that live on Oahu and the island of Hawai'i.

Keiki - Child

So mahalo everyone for reading and reviewing this story as always. You give my writing purpose.

MWIM