Chapter 21: Dear Mother

(I start my new job tomorrow and I'm extremely excited to be back in the workforce. Hope you guys enjoy this new chapter!)

{Rui's Point of view}

-A Week Later-

Another week passed. Abaddon came back and Symphony fucked off back to her parents for an emergency. Her dad is in poor health, so I decided not to be a dick about it. Well... in truth I felt bad about it. Sadly, I am starting to realize my image is more corrupted than I initially thought. Rumors are starting to spread within Venge that I'm a traitor. That I'm the reason so many died these last few years. All because of Aura. This only grew worse when a Venge safehouse in a town she sung at was attacked. Half of them were burned alive and the other were taken to be used for human gambling. What exactly is that? You'll find out in a couple chapters. I really don't give a fuck right now to break the fourth wall, but after my conversation with Fiara, I'm struggling to keep myself together. Even my trust in Aura, something I believed was so ironclad. So unbreakable... I can feel it. It's weakening. Just what the fuck have I been doing all this time? I focused on work, knowing Fiara is watching me. It's... strange. I'm so used to being a shadow, someone who goes around getting info, infiltration and more... is being shadowed himself. I don't like it. Even worse, this whisper in my ear and dreams keeps telling me to kill these Pokémon. Both Aura and Fiara. It's not Abaddon, I initially thought it was but when I told him about it, he looked grim. "I'm not a whisper demon, my friend. I'm a gateway demon. Whispers and dark thoughts are not my way. They are... his way." I listened to him, trying to piece together in my mind what he is really saying. How he refused to name him, the hesitation. This demon must be bad news if even Abaddon is worried about mentioning him. I didn't press him any further. I knew doing so would gain me no more information. Whoever this entity is, he'll make himself known at some point. I also found myself unable to text Aura. Not because of her phone being off, but because looking at her name caused a tight grip on my heart. The blessing suppressed my joy, happiness and love but feeling nothing seemed to hint at those feelings when others were absent. Now, I feel so much anxiety and suspicion. She messaged me several times, I didn't really read the messages. My eyes just focused on her name and contact picture. Then I'd remember what Fiara said, how she watched, knew all this time... and then I thought back to her letting Symphony watch and I'd feel so sick I'd have to puke up my guts. Abaddon checked on me and said, "Aura's here. I can sense her." I didn't really want to see her. Not yet... but knowing her it's not going to be a choice. She knocked on the door to my- our apartment. I took a deep breath, put on a smile and opened the door. She hugged me tightly, "I missed you so much!" I forced myself to embrace her, suppressing the negative urges and emotions, "I-I missed you too." She pulled back, smiling at me, "Guess what?" I used this to distract myself from the feelings swirling in me, "What?" Aura looked around shyly, "My... my mom wants to meet you..." I tilted my head in confusion, "She does?" Aura looked embarrassed, "Yeah... she probably plans on embarrassing me..." I gave her a small smile, "She's your mom. She cares about you." Aura nodded, "Yeah." Then she looked at my face, "What's wrong?" I turned around, walking to my- our bedroom, "Nothing. Let me get dressed." Abaddon disappeared before she arrived. A part of me thanked him for not being present. He might give away there's something wrong. Aura followed me, I could tell she's worried, "Rui, there's something wrong. You can tell me anything." I froze for a moment, 'I can tell her anything?' I felt anger start to rise within me, but I forced it back down, "There's nothing wrong with me Aura." She accepted the answer, "Okay..." I got dressed, feeling uncomfortable as she watched. It felt like... when I was back at the estate. Only... it's someone I'm in love with. Aura looked more concerned by the minute, "Are you sure everything is okay? Usually by this time I'd be able to feel your emotions. You haven't even tried to kiss me..." I then realized how much of a problem this will be. To get to her tribe, she'd have to teleport us. I can't teleport with the blessing on. I took a breath and tried to think of the happy memories we made together. It took longer than I wanted but the anxiety started going away and I pulled her into a kiss. It... didn't feel like a kiss between mates. It felt more like... I kissed a female I'm interested in. What is wrong with me?

She didn't press me, but we started hugging and kissing more. Eventually things were 'normal'. I had to. I wanted to avoid the conflict before I knew more and distracting myself by focusing on other things. She then got on top of me, her hair draping over me, "I know things... haven't been perfect between us since... you know... the dinner. I'm also worried about your trip to Benevolent Purity. Did... something bad happen there? You never told me what happened." I kept calm, "It went pretty... badly. I found a lab underneath an orphanage. They were feeding the kids to feral Pokémon they stored there. I still don't even know why." She asked, "Is that what's been bothering you." I mostly lied, "Yes. Those poor children didn't deserve what happened to them." Aura looked sad and laid on my chest, "It's okay my love. At least they aren't suffering anymore." We stayed like that, me caressing her back with soft gentle rubs as she snuggled into my chest. Eventually she asked, "Are you ready?" I nodded, "Yeah." She got off of me, beckoning me to get up and hold her hand. I grabbed it, smiling and feeling a lot better. Despite everything so far, deep down... I'm still deeply in love with her. It's just hard to feel that right now... but... holding her hand... I can't help but feel... comforted. Her smile, her embrace... everything just feels better when I'm with her.

We teleported to her tribe, well the outskirts of it. I noticed their clothing is made strictly from vines, leaves, and furs. Aura grabbed my hand, "You want to see me wearing those? You're staring pretty hard." I blushed, "You'd look good in anything." She smiled at that, holding my hand gently. Then her mom teleported behind her and hugged her while yelling, "AURA! My beautiful, wonderful daughter! Ooooh! I missed you so much!" She nuzzled Aura as she tried to squirm out of her hug, "Ack! Mother! You're hugging me too tightly." A human, slightly taller than me with short brown hair, brown eyes and no facial hair walked up beside her and placed his hand on her shoulder, "Let the child breathe my dear." She let go, allowing Aura to stand on her own two feet dazed. I helped keep her upright. Her mother eyed me, leaning in to see my features, "Aaaah. She picked a handsome one, didn't she." Aura blushed, "We met when I went to live at the estate. We were too young for that to be a factor." Her mother giggled, "Well, you certainly have good luck in random chance then. Hm... I accept." I raised a brow, "You accept what?" She smiled proudly, "I accept her choice in being mates with you." I looked her dead in the eye, "I'd be her mate regardless of whether or not you do." We stared each other down, neither of us blinking for a minute before a big smile crept on her face, "Brave too. Welcome to our home. The moonlit greet and accept you as an honored guest." I bowed slightly, "Thank you for having me." Her mother looked like Aura, obviously, but their eyes are slightly different. Aura has a lighter shade of red compared to her mother. Her mother also has pink symbols all over her arms and legs. Must be a moonlit related power. She led us into their camp. I noticed something strange though. Their humans aren't in cages, nor do they look unhappy. This struck me as odd. Her mother glanced at me, "Aura told me it would make her happier if we freed our slaves. The males didn't like it and left shortly after." I looked at her mate, "You didn't do it because of your mate?" She smiled, "He was an exception... much like you were. I have heard a lot about you from Aura. My mate also influenced my decision." Her mate spoke up, "My name is David. I was purchased by Crescent many years ago. I never really thought she and I would have our dear Aura, but by doing so, Crescent changed to be a wonderful person. I'm proud of her." Crescent blushed, unable to meet her mate's gaze, "I never had mates before you. This body isn't even mine. My old body is long gone." I did a double take, "Your old body? What are you talking about?" Crescent answered me, "I am capable of doing a ritual to force my soul into another's body. It was a gift I gained from my mother." I then had a strange hunch and asked, "Who's... your mother?" Crescent smiled at me, "Don't be jealous but... the Ancestor is my mother!" I flinched and stopped walking. They kept walking momentarily before stopping when they noticed I'm not following anymore. Aura looked concerned, "You okay?" I shook out of my thoughts, "If... if she is, then why aren't you the Matriarch?" Crescent stared at me, "To put it simply, I just didn't want to. I did for a time, but then I found something more important." Crescent glanced at her daughter, a happy warm proud shine in her gaze. Aura walked over and grabbed my hand, "Rui, I'm not trying to force you to answer me. Are you okay?" I opened my mouth to answer, but no words came out. In my head I thought, 'Minerva is her grandmother... but with that body not being her own... Minerva doesn't see Aura as her granddaughter. She's viewed as just a descendant. Another empty face in the crowd of Gardevians. Why?' I stared into Aura's eyes, caressing her cheek with a free hand, 'Why can't Minerva see just how wonderful her granddaughter really is?'

Aura held my hand on her cheek, smiling at me. She's trying to make me feel better. I'm so conflicted and distant... and she's trying to comfort me. I pulled her into a passionate kiss, trying to lock away the bad thoughts. I know... the secret she is keeping from me just might tear us apart... and I hate it. It's... not fair. After kissing for a long while, we pulled away and stared into each other's eyes. Aura's smile faded and she asked, "Did... my friend tell you anything?" I placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled at her, "No. She refuses to tell me anything." Aura rubbed my hand, looking away with hurt in her eyes. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, exhaling slowly, "Okay. Please... just don't be sad in front of our family." I felt that tug at my heart string hard enough to make me bite my lip. Our family... are we really family? Are we really together? How can I doubt these things? After everything... was our bond always this weak? She leaned in, "We will talk tonight. I love you." She held my hand and said, "I love you so much my beh sze." I smiled genuinely and kissed her forehead, "I love you too." She hugged me tightly. I hugged her back, rubbing her back soothingly. Her mother and father watched with a smile... but her mother looked worried behind it. When I noticed, she looked away. I looked at the ground sadly, 'Her mom must know the secret too... How many others know but not me?'

The four of us walked and talked about the moonlit tribe. Their culture revolves around nature. They are more likely to use and learn grass and fairy type attacks. They harvest fruits and vegetables while hunting regularly. Some of them have started talking humans with them while hunting to be a spotter. The humans weren't cooperative at first, but after a year they've calmed down significantly. One story was a human left after being freed, was attacked by feral Pokémon, only to be protect by one of the guards who was making sure he'd be safe. She got injured, he nursed her wound and they came back hand in hand. Honestly, the story made me angry. It just shows how simple it really is to have two beings change their opinion of each other. They admitted neither liked the other, but that interaction gave them a chance to walk the same path. Dinner went well, the food is fantastic because its fresh. Aura and I stayed in her mother's tent. It was kind of cute to see Aura's room. She had a pet rock from when she was five years old, hahahaha. We laid on her bed, it's a large bundle of Mightyena furs sewn together and layered to be both soft and warm. Once I laid on my back to test the bed, she pounced on me. At first, I thought it was in a sexual way, but no. I felt a drop of water and the moonlight started filling the space. She's crying, looking down at me, "Please, tell me what's wrong." I couldn't keep eye contact, "There's nothing-" She gripped my shoulders tightly, hanging her head, "Why are you lying to me? Don't you know how much that hurts?" I felt guilty... so I didn't yell at her despite wanting to. She keeps refusing to tell me what she did... and yet she expects me to tell her everything. It's not... fair. She wiped her eyes, "I'm doing my best. I'm trying to be the best mate I can. I'm caring. I'm patient. I give you support. So why?" She sobbed a bit louder, "Why are you lying to me?" She laid down on me, crying into my chest as I stared at the ceiling in a mixture of annoyance and guilt. I then said, "I'm sorry. What's been bothering me has been whether or not you'd stay with me... that was the problem initially. Fiara did admit you never would leave me..." She gasped, "Fiara? I never told you her name. What did she tell you!?" She gripped my shoulders, panic in her eyes. I stared at her and said, "She only confirmed the real problem that's been plaguing me. Something I learned when I went to Benevolent Purity." Aura's eyes widened, "Did... Did you meet with Minerva?" She started visibly shaking. The shaking started to get worse when I answered her, "Yes." She shook more, using her hair to hide her face as she whimpered, "What... did she tell you..?" I took a deep breath and said, "She told me that I've mated with twelve Gardevoirs. She could smell it on me." Aura bit her lip, "...And...?" I closed my eyes and turned my head, "And that meant only one thing. You knew... you knew this whole time and didn't even tell me." She panted hard, anxiety and guilt heavy on her breath, "I... I..." I continued, "Then Fiara told me something that added more fuel to that fire. You know who the ten others were and kept it from me. Even worse, Fiara herself is one of those ten..." I clenched my hands and tried not to cry as I added, "Why would you do that to me?" She kept shaking, panting and I started worrying she'll have a heart attack or something. Eventually she took deep breaths and calmed herself down. She got off of me and sat beside me, unable to even look at me, "That's all she said?" I nodded. She stayed quiet, crying into her hands. She sniffled, "I'm a terrible mate..." Seeing her cry like that... it made me want to comfort her. It made me want to tell her I forgive her. Sadly, that's not how the world works. As I watched her, a part of me saw it again. Silvia. Aura is nothing like her... and yet... I feel like... they're the same... She's the one person I loved... the one person I trusted... and... she hurt me. I feel... broken...

I turned away from her, curling up and trying to contain my sadness. She asked, "Do you hate me?" I didn't answer. I just curled up more, trying to ignore her sniffles and tears. She hugged me tightly, crying into my back, "I'm sorry my love! Please... don't hate me..." I cried slightly, "I don't. I can't hate you... but I don't know if I can trust you. Without trust, how can we be mates?" She hugged tighter, "I'll fix this! I swear!" I yelled, "You can't fix this with lies Aura!" She cried back, "I'm not lying! I just can't muster up the courage to tell you the entire secret. I'm... too scared..." I tried to pull away, "You're too scared to tell me the truth, that means you don't even trust me. You were the only person I believed in with my whole heart, how could you continue lying." She countered, "You didn't want to tell me about being in Venge." I gasped, "I... I..." I couldn't retort. She got me there. Aura hugged me tighter, "I knew you were hiding things from me. I always knew... but I never questioned your love for me. I knew you did it to protect me. This secret could ruin your entire life Rui. I refuse to tell it until things are safe. I just need you to trust me." She got on top of me, pinning me down on my back and keeping out lips an inch apart, staring into my eyes, "Please, just trust me. I love you. You're the only person I'd ever love." I felt like something had gripped my heart and wouldn't let me speak. I laid there, staring in shock as she cried and begged for me to trust her. I felt like I shouldn't... that trusting her is a mistake... but in my heart... I knew that was wrong. I love her. She loves me. I know that. I kept things from her... and unless she proves otherwise, she has always been loyal to me. So... I'll trust her. I kissed her, giving her a non-verbal answer. The kiss quickly changed into more as I took the opportunity to flip us, taking my shirt off and kissing her neck to her breasts. The sweat and tears mixing on our faces and chests as we started having makeup sex. Something I never really wanted to have with her. I always saw her as this beautiful perfect angel. When we finished, I held her on my chest, panting before kissing her until we fell asleep snuggling each other. I love her... I love her so much... but Arceus damn it... why did she have to have a secret this detrimental to our relationship?

(As always, please favorite, follow and/or review to support the story.)