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Description
     The moment he walked in the door, they stood frozen to the spot. The awkward silence that followed seemed to last forever as they stared at each other, one incredulous, the other in fear.
     Sanura looked nervously from one to the other, trying to think of how to break the silence. "Um… M-Mama…?"

     Occasionally, Catey would open her mouth, as if about to speak, but then close it again, not knowing how to respond. And then, after a long moment, she finally managed to say, "Wh-who did you say he was again…?"

     "Zane!" Sanura exclaimed immediately. "His name is Zane. H-he was the Gengar I was telling you about from when I was a Skitty, r-remember? O-one of my best friends…"

     Catey stared at him for a moment longer before subtly shaking her head, and then tried to give him a friendly smile. "Z-Zane, was it? Well… Welcome…Zane."

     Akuji looked down. He knew she wasn't buying it. But still, he tried playing along and said, "Thanks…"

     Just then, Caleb walked in from behind them. "So, uh… Can we go play now or are we gonna keep looking at each other all weird?"

     "Of course!" Sanura quickly replied, pulling Akuji by the arm. "We're gonna go play outside now, okay, Mama? And, you know, help Gengar--er, Zane--get used to being a human again! We'll be back later!" And before her mom could answer, they all were already out the door.

***

     Catey sat watching the three of them from the window. Sometimes they would play, sometimes they would just sit and talk. Occasionally, she would see Akuji give a nervous glance toward the house, where she would be watching. But when they were distracted enough by their conversations or their playing, they looked like they were having a real good time.
     Whenever Akuji would even lay a hand on Sanura, though, Catey would jump to her feet, ready to charge out there at him. But then, she would see Sanura's smile… And whenever they hugged each other, Sanura would just beam with happiness. They both would. It was the happiest she had seen her daughter in years.

***

     Night was beginning to settle, and Catey called them in for dinner. And except for the occasional question and brief answer, dinner was spent mostly in that awkward silence. At the end, when they were getting up, Catey questioned in a hard tone, "So, where do you plan on staying? If you really did just become human, I doubt you have a home to go back to."

     He froze. Sanura slowly turned to her mother. "W-well… I've been meaning to ask about that…"

     "He can stay with us, right, Mom?" Caleb asked out-right. "He really doesn't have anywhere to go. And he came from the Pokémon world just to see Sanura again, so I think he should get to stay here for a while."

     She looked straight at Akuji. "Well, then, why doesn't he ask me if he can stay?"

     He stared at the ground. He knew she'd never let him stay there, under the same roof as her children, after what he'd done so long ago. She couldn't trust him. But still, he asked in a quiet voice, "…Can I stay here…?"

     "You can stay."

     His head jolted up, completely not expecting her to agree. Not so quickly, at least. "Wh…wha?"

     "Cool," Caleb said with a triumphant grin as he turned to leave. "We could share my room, then. Thanks, Mom."

     "Oh, thank you, Mama!" Sanura cheered. "You're so awesome!"

     "Of course, he's sleeping on the couch. He's not sharing a room with anyone."

     "Heheh, of course."

     "Now, go get ready for bed. It's starting to get late." She continued to stare intently at Akuji as he and Sanura began to walk out of the kitchen, and then said in a commanding voice, "Not you, Zane." He and Sanura flinched. "I would like to have a word with you, if you don't mind."

     This is it, he thought, gulping in anticipation. I'm dead… He reluctantly turned around and walked back into the kitchen.

     When Sanura tried to follow, her mother merely said in a final tone, "Good night, Sanura."

     She flinched again. "G…good night, Mama…" She gave Akuji one last apologetic look, and then left.

     Catey stood there, looking at him accusingly as he tried to avert his gaze. "…Zane."

     "…Catey…"

     She hummed. "Funny how you know my name when it hasn't been said before."

     He flinched again. "S-Sanura told it to me…"

     "Sanura never refers to me by anything other than 'Mama', even to her friends." He grimaced. She pulled out a chair and gestured to it. "Sit." Obediently, he sat. She stared at him for another long moment before saying, "I'm surprised you even remember my name after all this time. Now, explain yourself…Akuji." He flinched again, even harder than before. "It is you. I don't know how, but…you are Akuji. I just know it! At first, I thought that maybe you could be…I don't know, his son? A younger brother of his or something, I don't know! But…" She gave a humorless chuckle, shaking her head. "Please, go on. Tell me your story. Please, tell me how in the world you can be the same boy--the exact same boy--who kidnapped my closest friend twenty-five years ago and still look no older than when I last saw you way back when? And just appearing out of nowhere with my daughter, of all people?! Who'd mysteriously been in a coma for the past year, or, so she says, in the Pokémon world as a Skitty?! And you… You were the Gengar that she loved so much? You?!" She turned away, a hand holding her throbbing head. "I just don't understand…"

     Akuji gave his own humorless chuckle. "I can't believe it, either…"

     She looked back at him. "What?"

     "I still can't see how she could love someone like me…" For the slightest instant, a memory of Catey's deceased husband flashed through her mind, and she paused. "…I know it's a lot to take in, but… If you would listen, I'll tell you my story…"

     After a moment's hesitation, Catey pulled up a chair and sat in front of him, her expression a little softened up. She gestured for him to continue.

     He took a deep breath and sighed. "…Let me start by telling you a legend, well-known in the Pokémon world. The Ninetales Legend. If someone were to ever touch the tails of Ninetales, they would be cursed for a thousand years, right?" Catey's eyes widened with the familiarity of the legend. "Well, one day, a human was foolish enough to touch one of those tails… But just before Ninetales could lay the curse, the human's Pokémon, his Gardevoir, jumped in front of him and took the curse herself in order to save her partner… And before Ninetales could ask the human if he wanted to save Gardevoir, he had already run away…" He heard Catey quietly gasp. "…And then Ninetales made a prediction. That that human would one day be reborn as a Pokémon. And when that happens, the world's balance would be upset…"

     "So, you were that foolish human? Why am I not surprised?"

     "Keh, yeah. Go figure… So then, ten years later, I died. Killed, really… My life force was eaten by some Haunter and a Gengar. Keh… Ironic, isn't it? Next thing I knew, I woke up as a Gastly." He gave a heartless laugh. "A new life… A new start… You'd think by then I'd have changed, huh? That this karma would somehow humble me and make me a better person? No…
     "Over the next fourteen years, I was the same selfish, heartless jerk I was when I was a human, if not more so. I always thought I was owed something for being cursed to live as a Pokémon. I wanted the world… By then, natural disasters were steadily growing out of hand. The world's balance was upset, just as Ninetales predicted. And then, suddenly, a little Skitty mysteriously appeared out of the blue. And along with a Cyndaquil named Keahi, she created a rescue team to help those in need.
     "I merely saw her as someone new to pick on. But she ended up whipping me in a battle. And well… Needless to say, I held a grudge over that… And when I found out her little secret…about her being a human-turned-Pokémon, with no memory of her human life…" He rubbed his head, looking away in shame at the memories of him turning the whole town against her, making them believe she was the human from the legend and needed to be killed for the world to be saved. "Let's just say I…used that to my advantage…" He shook his head. "But in the end, she pulled through. She always did. No matter what I threw at her, she would always win. But I just wouldn't give up…
     "One night, I looked into her dream to see what dark secrets I could find about her. I just couldn't accept the fact that she was a genuinely good person. When I saw myself…turned into a Pokémon because of my foolishness…I just knew there must have been something wrong with her, too.
     "But what I found out was the complete opposite of what I was expecting… In her dream…was Gardevoir. The same Pokémon who bore the curse that was meant for me… And she revealed that Sanura's role as a Pokémon was to save the world from the impending meteor that threatened to destroy us all. She said that Sanura willingly agreed to becoming a Pokémon to save us… And then, Gardevoir said…that she still cherished me as a friend… That… That really confused me for a while… I didn't know what to think anymore…"
     He shook his head again before continuing. "But anyway, Sanura and Keahi both ended up saving the world. And afterward, I suddenly had to find a way to break the curse. I tried so hard to reach Ninetales… But no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't do it. So, then, I decided to ask Sanura for help… I could've sworn she would have turned me away after all I'd done. Especially after she found out that I was that human from the legend. But…" He chuckled. "Not a single trace of anger or hatred toward me. Not even when I told her… And she helped me without hesitation.

     A small smile came to Catey's face. "My little Sanura… She never was one for holding grudges."

     He smiled, as well, before continuing. "Well… Obviously, I wasn't able to become human again, since the curse Ninetales placed was on Gardevoir and not me… But…with Sanura's help, I was able to save Gardevoir. After all this time, she was finally freed from the curse…
     "After that, I was going to leave that place. In a place where I had a terrible reputation with everyone, where everyone hated my guts for everything I'd done…I had no reason to stay. But then…" He chuckled again, his eyes getting wet. "I don't get why, even to this day, but… She begged me to stay. She was almost in tears at the thought of me leaving for good. I can't even imagine what was going through that weird head of hers… But I stayed, just for her. And ever since then, we were close friends. And somehow, we only grew closer…"
     He looked up at Catey and, seeing her expression from that last statement, quickly said, "That's not the end, though."

     "Of course not," she muttered in annoyance. "Please continue."

     He sighed, and then went on. "Not too long after that…an old…acquaintance came back to haunt me. I did something terrible to him a long time ago…and he wanted his revenge…" He clenched his fists in anger. "I can agree that I deserved it, but not Sanura. He… He knew how much I cared about her, so he hurt Sanura to get to me. He kept really hurting her…and it was all my fault." The pain and regret was clear as day on his face as he clutched his head with one hand. Catey actually began to feel sorry for him.
     "And as a final act of vengeance, he kidnapped her soul and held it hostage deep within one of the toughest dungeons in the region. It was the place where Jirachi slept. And in return for her soul, he had me and Keahi bring him a Wish Stone. He returned her soul, alright… But for his wish to Jirachi…he wished for Sanura to be sent back home to her human life. That's obviously when she woke up from her little 'coma'."

     When Akuji looked at Catey's face, it was shocked. "He was the one who…sent her home…? But Sanura told me that…that Thorne was the one who…"

     "That's right," he admitted. "That old 'acquaintance' of mine…was Thorne."

     She gasped. "…That… Sanura never told me he hurt her… Although, I thought she was hiding something when she told me what happened… I guess it makes sense now… But… That doesn't sound like him at all… Thorne wouldn't hurt an innocent person…"

     "Well, he did. Not that it matters now, anyway, but still…"

     They sat in silence for a few minutes before Catey pushed thoughts of Thorne to the side and returned to the main issue. "…So, that's the whole story, is it…?"

     "More or less, yeah…"

     "So, all of that really did happen… It wasn't just a dream she had…" She looked back up at Akuji and asked, "So, then, how exactly did you become a human again?"

     "Well… According to Ninetales, I could have become human again once I saved Gardevoir, if I really wanted to. And after Sanura left and came back here… I just didn't want to stay there anymore… And Ninetales brought me back to the human world. We went somewhere, and…I don't really remember what happened after that. Next thing I knew, I was walking out of a dark tunnel as a human."

     Catey hummed, and then her brows furrowed. "So, now that you're human again…what do you plan on doing?" He paused. "You died the last time you were human, which was a whole fifteen years ago, right? So, no one's expecting to see you again. Not to mention you're a child again. If you were to try to go back to any family of yours, you'd probably give them all heart attacks, seeing as you'd be a real ghost to them. So, what are you going to do? Did you really expect Sanura to look after you from now on or something?"

     "…Well… I…"

     "And were you really expecting me to just welcome you with open arms, as well?"

     "I… I don't…"

     Catey gave a harsh sigh. "Since I am a hospitable person, I would have let you stay here for a while, regardless. I couldn't just kick you out to live on the streets. I don't have the heart to do such a thing." She folded her arms. "But forgiveness is another matter entirely. Not only do you harass me, kidnap my closest friend, forcing him to go through all that he did, but, from what you're telling me, you also harassed my poor daughter in ways you obviously deeply regret. And now what? Are you going to tell me how much you love her and want to be with her now? Do you even realize how…how incredibly messed-up that sounds? This isn't something I can easily accept!"

     Akuji was staring at the floor with shame again, his hands clenched so tightly, his knuckles were turning white. He had nothing else to say. What could he say? Every way he looked at it, it did seem very wrong.

     Looking at him for a moment more, she sighed again. "But there is something you forgot to mention. Something you never admitted… You saved Sanura's life." He paused, and then slowly looked up at her in confusion. "She told me…that when she got Rayquaza to destroy the falling meteor…she and Keahi were engulfed in the blast…and were killed… She said that that's when you brought their spirits back to their bodies and revived them. …Why would you leave something like that out?"

     "Keh… I figured it'd sound like I was trying to glorify myself or something. Like I'd be trying to win you over."

     "Heh, I suppose. …But it still would've helped. You don't know how grateful I am that you saved my daughter's life… But not just that… It is also because of you…that I got to see her smile again." He gave her a surprised look. "Today…she was the happiest I've seen her in years, when you two were outside together. She must…really love you…" And then, much to his greater surprise, she gave him a warm smile. "You healed her, Akuji. Zane. And for that…I'll have to forgive you."

     He stared at her incredulously. "You'll…forgive me…?"

     "It will take a lot of getting used to--a lot of getting used to--but…yes. I'll forgive you."

     A wide, grateful grin spread across his face, and he looked down again, his eyes getting wet. "Thank you… I know I don't deserve to be around such forgiving people, but… Thank you so much…"

     Catey stood up. "Don't thank me. Sanura's the only reason I'm forgiving you. So, you'd better keep her happy, as long as you're with her! Break her heart, and I'll have to hunt you down!"

     "Kekeke, you're not the only one who's promised me that…"

     "Well, what can we say? We all love my little Skitty girl." She pointed to the kitchen doorway. "Now, off to bed. We need to figure out what to do with you tomorrow."

     He flinched. "Wh-what to do with me…?"

     "Can't have you freeloading while you stay here, can we?"

     "Ah…" He chuckled nervously. "Kekeh, right…"

***

     Catey gave Sanura a goodnight kiss on the head as she tucked her in bed. "Sleep tight, my little Skitty girl."

     "Good night, Mama." And before her mom could walk out, she said, "Thank you for forgiving him, Mama… You don't know how much that means to me."

     She chuckled. "I knew you'd be eavesdropping." She gave her a warm smile. "He's definitely different than when I knew him. Much kinder… More respectful… And I knew it would mean a lot to you if I gave him a chance."

     Sanura smiled and nodded. "Thank you again…" And before Catey could leave, she was stopped again. "Mama…?"

     "Yes, Sanura?"

     "Don't be angry with Thorne… He'd been through so much these last twenty-five years, and he just couldn't take it anymore… In the end, he really did feel bad about involving me with his revenge scheme. And he didn't even know who I really was until he took my soul and looked into my memories… That's when he regained his senses. When he saw you…my mom…the one he lived for… I could feel his regret so tangibly… And he wished me home for you so that you can have your daughter back…because he must have known how sad you were that I was gone… Can you really be mad at him after that?"

     Catey stood there with tears in her eyes, and then bent down and gave Sanura a big hug. "I can't…" she said. "I can't be mad at my friend… And I just wish…now more than ever…that I could see him again…"

Description
     The moment he walked in the door, they stood frozen to the spot. The awkward silence that followed seemed to last forever as they stared at each other, one incredulous, the other in fear.
     Sanura looked nervously from one to the other, trying to think of how to break the silence. "Um… M-Mama…?"

     Occasionally, Catey would open her mouth, as if about to speak, but then close it again, not knowing how to respond. And then, after a long moment, she finally managed to say, "Wh-who did you say he was again…?"

     "Zane!" Sanura exclaimed immediately. "His name is Zane. H-he was the Gengar I was telling you about from when I was a Skitty, r-remember? O-one of my best friends…"

     Catey stared at him for a moment longer before subtly shaking her head, and then tried to give him a friendly smile. "Z-Zane, was it? Well… Welcome…Zane."

     Akuji looked down. He knew she wasn't buying it. But still, he tried playing along and said, "Thanks…"

     Just then, Caleb walked in from behind them. "So, uh… Can we go play now or are we gonna keep looking at each other all weird?"

     "Of course!" Sanura quickly replied, pulling Akuji by the arm. "We're gonna go play outside now, okay, Mama? And, you know, help Gengar--er, Zane--get used to being a human again! We'll be back later!" And before her mom could answer, they all were already out the door.

***

     Catey sat watching the three of them from the window. Sometimes they would play, sometimes they would just sit and talk. Occasionally, she would see Akuji give a nervous glance toward the house, where she would be watching. But when they were distracted enough by their conversations or their playing, they looked like they were having a real good time.
     Whenever Akuji would even lay a hand on Sanura, though, Catey would jump to her feet, ready to charge out there at him. But then, she would see Sanura's smile… And whenever they hugged each other, Sanura would just beam with happiness. They both would. It was the happiest she had seen her daughter in years.

***

     Night was beginning to settle, and Catey called them in for dinner. And except for the occasional question and brief answer, dinner was spent mostly in that awkward silence. At the end, when they were getting up, Catey questioned in a hard tone, "So, where do you plan on staying? If you really did just become human, I doubt you have a home to go back to."

     He froze. Sanura slowly turned to her mother. "W-well… I've been meaning to ask about that…"

     "He can stay with us, right, Mom?" Caleb asked out-right. "He really doesn't have anywhere to go. And he came from the Pokémon world just to see Sanura again, so I think he should get to stay here for a while."

     She looked straight at Akuji. "Well, then, why doesn't he ask me if he can stay?"

     He stared at the ground. He knew she'd never let him stay there, under the same roof as her children, after what he'd done so long ago. She couldn't trust him. But still, he asked in a quiet voice, "…Can I stay here…?"

     "You can stay."

     His head jolted up, completely not expecting her to agree. Not so quickly, at least. "Wh…wha?"

     "Cool," Caleb said with a triumphant grin as he turned to leave. "We could share my room, then. Thanks, Mom."

     "Oh, thank you, Mama!" Sanura cheered. "You're so awesome!"

     "Of course, he's sleeping on the couch. He's not sharing a room with anyone."

     "Heheh, of course."

     "Now, go get ready for bed. It's starting to get late." She continued to stare intently at Akuji as he and Sanura began to walk out of the kitchen, and then said in a commanding voice, "Not you, Zane." He and Sanura flinched. "I would like to have a word with you, if you don't mind."

     This is it, he thought, gulping in anticipation. I'm dead… He reluctantly turned around and walked back into the kitchen.

     When Sanura tried to follow, her mother merely said in a final tone, "Good night, Sanura."

     She flinched again. "G…good night, Mama…" She gave Akuji one last apologetic look, and then left.

     Catey stood there, looking at him accusingly as he tried to avert his gaze. "…Zane."

     "…Catey…"

     She hummed. "Funny how you know my name when it hasn't been said before."

     He flinched again. "S-Sanura told it to me…"

     "Sanura never refers to me by anything other than 'Mama', even to her friends." He grimaced. She pulled out a chair and gestured to it. "Sit." Obediently, he sat. She stared at him for another long moment before saying, "I'm surprised you even remember my name after all this time. Now, explain yourself…Akuji." He flinched again, even harder than before. "It is you. I don't know how, but…you are Akuji. I just know it! At first, I thought that maybe you could be…I don't know, his son? A younger brother of his or something, I don't know! But…" She gave a humorless chuckle, shaking her head. "Please, go on. Tell me your story. Please, tell me how in the world you can be the same boy--the exact same boy--who kidnapped my closest friend twenty-five years ago and still look no older than when I last saw you way back when? And just appearing out of nowhere with my daughter, of all people?! Who'd mysteriously been in a coma for the past year, or, so she says, in the Pokémon world as a Skitty?! And you… You were the Gengar that she loved so much? You?!" She turned away, a hand holding her throbbing head. "I just don't understand…"

     Akuji gave his own humorless chuckle. "I can't believe it, either…"

     She looked back at him. "What?"

     "I still can't see how she could love someone like me…" For the slightest instant, a memory of Catey's deceased husband flashed through her mind, and she paused. "…I know it's a lot to take in, but… If you would listen, I'll tell you my story…"

     After a moment's hesitation, Catey pulled up a chair and sat in front of him, her expression a little softened up. She gestured for him to continue.

     He took a deep breath and sighed. "…Let me start by telling you a legend, well-known in the Pokémon world. The Ninetales Legend. If someone were to ever touch the tails of Ninetales, they would be cursed for a thousand years, right?" Catey's eyes widened with the familiarity of the legend. "Well, one day, a human was foolish enough to touch one of those tails… But just before Ninetales could lay the curse, the human's Pokémon, his Gardevoir, jumped in front of him and took the curse herself in order to save her partner… And before Ninetales could ask the human if he wanted to save Gardevoir, he had already run away…" He heard Catey quietly gasp. "…And then Ninetales made a prediction. That that human would one day be reborn as a Pokémon. And when that happens, the world's balance would be upset…"

     "So, you were that foolish human? Why am I not surprised?"

     "Keh, yeah. Go figure… So then, ten years later, I died. Killed, really… My life force was eaten by some Haunter and a Gengar. Keh… Ironic, isn't it? Next thing I knew, I woke up as a Gastly." He gave a heartless laugh. "A new life… A new start… You'd think by then I'd have changed, huh? That this karma would somehow humble me and make me a better person? No…
     "Over the next fourteen years, I was the same selfish, heartless jerk I was when I was a human, if not more so. I always thought I was owed something for being cursed to live as a Pokémon. I wanted the world… By then, natural disasters were steadily growing out of hand. The world's balance was upset, just as Ninetales predicted. And then, suddenly, a little Skitty mysteriously appeared out of the blue. And along with a Cyndaquil named Keahi, she created a rescue team to help those in need.
     "I merely saw her as someone new to pick on. But she ended up whipping me in a battle. And well… Needless to say, I held a grudge over that… And when I found out her little secret…about her being a human-turned-Pokémon, with no memory of her human life…" He rubbed his head, looking away in shame at the memories of him turning the whole town against her, making them believe she was the human from the legend and needed to be killed for the world to be saved. "Let's just say I…used that to my advantage…" He shook his head. "But in the end, she pulled through. She always did. No matter what I threw at her, she would always win. But I just wouldn't give up…
     "One night, I looked into her dream to see what dark secrets I could find about her. I just couldn't accept the fact that she was a genuinely good person. When I saw myself…turned into a Pokémon because of my foolishness…I just knew there must have been something wrong with her, too.
     "But what I found out was the complete opposite of what I was expecting… In her dream…was Gardevoir. The same Pokémon who bore the curse that was meant for me… And she revealed that Sanura's role as a Pokémon was to save the world from the impending meteor that threatened to destroy us all. She said that Sanura willingly agreed to becoming a Pokémon to save us… And then, Gardevoir said…that she still cherished me as a friend… That… That really confused me for a while… I didn't know what to think anymore…"
     He shook his head again before continuing. "But anyway, Sanura and Keahi both ended up saving the world. And afterward, I suddenly had to find a way to break the curse. I tried so hard to reach Ninetales… But no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't do it. So, then, I decided to ask Sanura for help… I could've sworn she would have turned me away after all I'd done. Especially after she found out that I was that human from the legend. But…" He chuckled. "Not a single trace of anger or hatred toward me. Not even when I told her… And she helped me without hesitation.

     A small smile came to Catey's face. "My little Sanura… She never was one for holding grudges."

     He smiled, as well, before continuing. "Well… Obviously, I wasn't able to become human again, since the curse Ninetales placed was on Gardevoir and not me… But…with Sanura's help, I was able to save Gardevoir. After all this time, she was finally freed from the curse…
     "After that, I was going to leave that place. In a place where I had a terrible reputation with everyone, where everyone hated my guts for everything I'd done…I had no reason to stay. But then…" He chuckled again, his eyes getting wet. "I don't get why, even to this day, but… She begged me to stay. She was almost in tears at the thought of me leaving for good. I can't even imagine what was going through that weird head of hers… But I stayed, just for her. And ever since then, we were close friends. And somehow, we only grew closer…"
     He looked up at Catey and, seeing her expression from that last statement, quickly said, "That's not the end, though."

     "Of course not," she muttered in annoyance. "Please continue."

     He sighed, and then went on. "Not too long after that…an old…acquaintance came back to haunt me. I did something terrible to him a long time ago…and he wanted his revenge…" He clenched his fists in anger. "I can agree that I deserved it, but not Sanura. He… He knew how much I cared about her, so he hurt Sanura to get to me. He kept really hurting her…and it was all my fault." The pain and regret was clear as day on his face as he clutched his head with one hand. Catey actually began to feel sorry for him.
     "And as a final act of vengeance, he kidnapped her soul and held it hostage deep within one of the toughest dungeons in the region. It was the place where Jirachi slept. And in return for her soul, he had me and Keahi bring him a Wish Stone. He returned her soul, alright… But for his wish to Jirachi…he wished for Sanura to be sent back home to her human life. That's obviously when she woke up from her little 'coma'."

     When Akuji looked at Catey's face, it was shocked. "He was the one who…sent her home…? But Sanura told me that…that Thorne was the one who…"

     "That's right," he admitted. "That old 'acquaintance' of mine…was Thorne."

     She gasped. "…That… Sanura never told me he hurt her… Although, I thought she was hiding something when she told me what happened… I guess it makes sense now… But… That doesn't sound like him at all… Thorne wouldn't hurt an innocent person…"

     "Well, he did. Not that it matters now, anyway, but still…"

     They sat in silence for a few minutes before Catey pushed thoughts of Thorne to the side and returned to the main issue. "…So, that's the whole story, is it…?"

     "More or less, yeah…"

     "So, all of that really did happen… It wasn't just a dream she had…" She looked back up at Akuji and asked, "So, then, how exactly did you become a human again?"

     "Well… According to Ninetales, I could have become human again once I saved Gardevoir, if I really wanted to. And after Sanura left and came back here… I just didn't want to stay there anymore… And Ninetales brought me back to the human world. We went somewhere, and…I don't really remember what happened after that. Next thing I knew, I was walking out of a dark tunnel as a human."

     Catey hummed, and then her brows furrowed. "So, now that you're human again…what do you plan on doing?" He paused. "You died the last time you were human, which was a whole fifteen years ago, right? So, no one's expecting to see you again. Not to mention you're a child again. If you were to try to go back to any family of yours, you'd probably give them all heart attacks, seeing as you'd be a real ghost to them. So, what are you going to do? Did you really expect Sanura to look after you from now on or something?"

     "…Well… I…"

     "And were you really expecting me to just welcome you with open arms, as well?"

     "I… I don't…"

     Catey gave a harsh sigh. "Since I am a hospitable person, I would have let you stay here for a while, regardless. I couldn't just kick you out to live on the streets. I don't have the heart to do such a thing." She folded her arms. "But forgiveness is another matter entirely. Not only do you harass me, kidnap my closest friend, forcing him to go through all that he did, but, from what you're telling me, you also harassed my poor daughter in ways you obviously deeply regret. And now what? Are you going to tell me how much you love her and want to be with her now? Do you even realize how…how incredibly messed-up that sounds? This isn't something I can easily accept!"

     Akuji was staring at the floor with shame again, his hands clenched so tightly, his knuckles were turning white. He had nothing else to say. What could he say? Every way he looked at it, it did seem very wrong.

     Looking at him for a moment more, she sighed again. "But there is something you forgot to mention. Something you never admitted… You saved Sanura's life." He paused, and then slowly looked up at her in confusion. "She told me…that when she got Rayquaza to destroy the falling meteor…she and Keahi were engulfed in the blast…and were killed… She said that that's when you brought their spirits back to their bodies and revived them. …Why would you leave something like that out?"

     "Keh… I figured it'd sound like I was trying to glorify myself or something. Like I'd be trying to win you over."

     "Heh, I suppose. …But it still would've helped. You don't know how grateful I am that you saved my daughter's life… But not just that… It is also because of you…that I got to see her smile again." He gave her a surprised look. "Today…she was the happiest I've seen her in years, when you two were outside together. She must…really love you…" And then, much to his greater surprise, she gave him a warm smile. "You healed her, Akuji. Zane. And for that…I'll have to forgive you."

     He stared at her incredulously. "You'll…forgive me…?"

     "It will take a lot of getting used to--a lot of getting used to--but…yes. I'll forgive you."

     A wide, grateful grin spread across his face, and he looked down again, his eyes getting wet. "Thank you… I know I don't deserve to be around such forgiving people, but… Thank you so much…"

     Catey stood up. "Don't thank me. Sanura's the only reason I'm forgiving you. So, you'd better keep her happy, as long as you're with her! Break her heart, and I'll have to hunt you down!"

     "Kekeke, you're not the only one who's promised me that…"

     "Well, what can we say? We all love my little Skitty girl." She pointed to the kitchen doorway. "Now, off to bed. We need to figure out what to do with you tomorrow."

     He flinched. "Wh-what to do with me…?"

     "Can't have you freeloading while you stay here, can we?"

     "Ah…" He chuckled nervously. "Kekeh, right…"

***

     Catey gave Sanura a goodnight kiss on the head as she tucked her in bed. "Sleep tight, my little Skitty girl."

     "Good night, Mama." And before her mom could walk out, she said, "Thank you for forgiving him, Mama… You don't know how much that means to me."

     She chuckled. "I knew you'd be eavesdropping." She gave her a warm smile. "He's definitely different than when I knew him. Much kinder… More respectful… And I knew it would mean a lot to you if I gave him a chance."

     Sanura smiled and nodded. "Thank you again…" And before Catey could leave, she was stopped again. "Mama…?"

     "Yes, Sanura?"

     "Don't be angry with Thorne… He'd been through so much these last twenty-five years, and he just couldn't take it anymore… In the end, he really did feel bad about involving me with his revenge scheme. And he didn't even know who I really was until he took my soul and looked into my memories… That's when he regained his senses. When he saw you…my mom…the one he lived for… I could feel his regret so tangibly… And he wished me home for you so that you can have your daughter back…because he must have known how sad you were that I was gone… Can you really be mad at him after that?"

     Catey stood there with tears in her eyes, and then bent down and gave Sanura a big hug. "I can't…" she said. "I can't be mad at my friend… And I just wish…now more than ever…that I could see him again…"