You're all thinking "FINALLY!" I bet...Happy Birthday I guess? jk, Enjoy ^^.

Super Cell

The will to sleep faded for a firm surface to coldly greet my side, limbs and chest throbbing under pulses of pressure. My own weighted breaths were the only sounds that acquainted me back from what felt like a long induced rest. Upon parting my heavy lids, things looked blurry and off focused. Growing ever more confused, I shifted onto my chest causing a light grunt of pain to escape me. I waited for moments to pass as I recuperated, vision completely set to pan around the shadows that dominated the vicinity. Though subjugated by confusion, I managed to slowly lift myself up almost with little difficulty. However, upon rising up dizziness was the next feeling to conquer my senses, and to add to the blood rushed feeling in my temples my legs felt fatigued and lethargic. Head now pounding greatly, it just supported the fact that I had been out cold for a while. I think I had tried walking back to my den before I fell and blacked out, right? A firm surface to the touch of my pads, draft winds, and a silent presence consisted around my surroundings. Not even my normally sharp eye sight could notify my position.

"Am…am I dead?" I voiced coarsely, panning around to see no signs of life. As I moved, exhaustion gripped my head and before I knew it I began coughing, finding my throat was cracked so bare from being parched. "Easy, Luxray, you're talking to no one but yourself…"

"Actually-" Flinching sharply, I twisted towards the source of the voice and snarled as fierce as possible. "…You're not dead, but you were close." That voice… "Arceus forbid, if I had just paced a little slower than I had away from that clearing, you'd be gone."

Listening intently I couldn't believe my ears that perceived the crystalline female sounds. "Y-you're the absol!" I quickly cracked, "The one that… saved me!" I tried exclaiming in conclusion but instead succumbed to more heavy coughs, doubling over to suppress another hard hack from my rough pipe, "Where am I?" Taking a couple whiffs of this territory I realized that I was within… my den! "How did you know where I lived?"

"I got a word. A little bird told me," the new-found graceful tone told me; far contrasting from the usual hostile, frustrated, and exhausted pitch I was used to hearing from her on each encounter. She sounded almost unfamiliar now that she was calm.

The beating sounds of fluttering feathers entered the black atmosphere. I was unable to point where the sounds came from until a pair of familiar little talons took hold of my scalp. "Starly, is that you? I know this is going to sound odd but it's too dark for me to see anything!" I called, "My eyes aren't good."

"Ooh, that is odd, but who cares! I'm just glad to see you awake, Bro!" I heard him chirp happily as I felt the presence of his wings embrace the whole top of my head, causing me to chuckle from his touching yet expected goofy support. "I'm so glad you're okay!"

"Thank you, Starly. I really appreciate it." I smiled before the realization of the absol, the very absol I've wanted to formally meet up close, being within the confines of my den struck me firm! Oh Arceus, what should I say? This is all so sudden. "I…hehe, I guess I should thank my savior too. I can't thank you enough for rescuing me, twice I should add." Good enough?

"I had a body, I had a health kit. Leaving you would've been too cold for me." Her delicate tone had shifted to a flat, serious one, feeling like a neglectful offset, which really put to question if she really cared if I had died or not. Just her very emotionless statements alone were intimidating me into forming a million sentences in my head at once from anxiety.

"…Well th-thank you for working on me anyways." I guess it's understandable if she really doesn't care that I'm alive or not since I'm nothing significant to her…Might as well forget about trying to become her friend. I had to clear my throat numerous times, nearly growing irritated with my thirst. "Ughh, gonna need some water soon…Why is it so dark out?"

"Storm clouds' been rolling in all night. I can feel a whole cold front moving over us, so the moon light's blocked off and since we're deep in your cave…" I heard the absol reply.

"That makes sense-" Struggling, I suddenly plopped back down on my stomach, feeling Starly fly off me from the impact as I waved my head around trying to relieve the dizziness, which wasn't the best idea. "Damn…so light headed. How long have I been out?" I spoke towards the void.

"A couple days, so just relax so your feeling can return fully reinvigorated," she answered, continuing to use her flat tone.

Arceus damn, that's how badly injured I was those days ago? And she…the absol stuck around my den for two days to ensure I was safe! Oh my, is this real or am I truly dead because I would've never imagined her staying here with a luxray. Hmm…well maybe she used the time while I was out to use this place as a temporary shelter while I was unconscious. However my joy was short lived when I heard soft trotting. I turned to make out the black form of her outline subtly differ against the lighter gray blend, being the mouth of my cave showing the darkness outside, where I noticed she was heading out.

"You're about solidly healed now, so you won't be needing me anymore. Guess I lied to you when I said I won't be using your shelter." My ears perked up with my head turning to give her full attention, a brow raised from wonder by her statement, "Aheh, yes, if you don't remember, you were nagging me if I wanted to stay for a little while, so I did," she spoke lightly, almost like that playful, joking manner, the kind I'd hear from a close social group, the kind Starly uses as a sign showing pleasure within the company. Her entirely altered mood nearly had my tail swinging, "But only because you were hurt. No charity business for me. I already have enough offers. Now it's time for me to go look for my own permanent den."

I knew it; got my hopes up too early…The last of her speech was back in that low, flat tone, destroying any hope I had managed to build. Knowing she was looking at me thanks to her orbs momentarily glowing amber, I hesitated a reply. "But…" Knowing I couldn't protest I just had to adhere to her wish, "Thank you again…for saving me, and I hope you live your new life well and away from your trainer."

"I wish the same for you, goodbye," she concluded to my disappointment. I barely even got to see her in the light, barely heard her calm tones, didn't even figure out her true personality, and now this fascinating pokémon was about to walk away without a second thought. Subconsciously sighing, the heavy weight of depression had my head draping low.

"Wait a minute-wait a minute," I heard Starly call to her. My sights barely pitched up towards his direction, almost not even caring about what he had to say. "Why don't you just stay one more night because, hell I may not be a nocturnal dark type, but still those clouds are pretty dark, and out there lightning randomly strikes trees around since luxio and luxray patrol around attracting those ions, or whatever's in lightning. So, you know, just a suggestion. And in case if Luxray has a relapse from the medication, you can be here to show me how to heal him back up."

Eyes of hope enlarging back up, I could only look at the dark pair in front of the cave entrance with pleading eyes, begging some higher form to change her mind and have her stay just one more night; that's all I ask for. Thanks Starly, if only I had your charisma, persistence, and bravery… "Okay…sounds reasonable, rather avoid being on the run the entire night. I have to ask even though I already know the answer. You don't mind at all if I stay here?"

Seeing her eyes flare, I quickly stood upright knowing she was asking me for permission. "Uh-uh-Well…hehe like you just said, you know the answer," I replied, almost losing control of my words, almost expressing the shear glee I got from hearing her agreement.

"I've been staying all day evaluating your condition, Luxray, and it is dark out." I could feel a big smile slowly draw itself around my muzzle. "Usually the dark doesn't bother me but…" she sighed before continuing, "This is the first time being far into the wild on my own before. I'll tackle the new conditions well rested, that way it's easier to adapt."

"That sounds like a well thought out choice. You need to rest too from those battles and from watching over me," I replied.

"Yeah, good thinking," Starly threw in.

Observing her walking back into my den, and though I was relieved that she changed her mind, what if she really still didn't see me as a potential contact, friend, or partner. My smile disappeared once I began thinking about what her real thoughts were about me, and from my stupid negative oppositions, I thought of the endless possibilities of bad views she bestowed over me. Damn, I'm not even supposed to be expecting anything, for if I expect a turn of events that never happens, I'll just be devastated in the end. It's better to just appreciate the new found company. Maybe she is tired and needs to rest, as in sleep now without anymore words of exchange. I noticed the breeze had started kicking up introducing the smell of windward precipitation.

I got up and proceeded near the entrance of my cave before settling down near the border. I took one last look up towards the daunting skies. The whisper came clear, "Thank you, Father." I then turned towards the absol. "I'll stay here so you can have the inner cave. It's pretty warm and secure in there."

"No, don't worry about me. This is your den. I'm just a guest."

"…I was taught to treat guests with respect. You helped me get back on my feet and prevented my death. I've never imagined I would be the damsel in distress, so since I really don't know how to thank you properly, at least let me give back by letting me be courteous to you." Oh Arceus, I can't believe I just said all that! Whatever drugs were in me that Starly mentioned they're really making me think different; should take more of them!

The absol stood in silence however, just as I thought. "Alright fine… but I got my eye on you," she voiced sternly, moving towards the back.

"Naaah, you don't have to worry," Starly backed up, "I mean look at me. I've been sleeping around this cave for months and I'm still hear, alive and flying well. This luxray is really one of a kind."

I looked at Starly with a smile, appreciating what he's trying to do. "In addition…there is just no word I can find to describe the great appreciation I feel from being alive right now to hunt another day. I can't thank you enough… I… actually havn't gotten your name yet."

She sighed lowly, her grace taking a lying position on the ground. "My name's 'Tenerife', that's the name my jerk-off trainer gave me, and I've been called that since as long as I can remember unfortunately."

Once she spoke that, we all noticed the blue ambience of the moon creep into my cave with the clouds partially out of its way, revealing portions of Starly, Tenerife, and I for the first time. There I took a look at her under the light, seeing her poise lying far into the cave. She had a glowing semblance about her, the white of her fur reflecting even the faintest lights to have her shine under the celestial blush. "'Tenerife', that's a very unique, nice sounding name. But it almost sounds like you reject it."

"Heh, I do. You don't understand. I have every right to hate that name. You see, from where I'm from, where my species are found, absol are nicknamed the 'disaster pokémon'. We're given that because we actually warn people when a natural disaster strikes, which is the only time we willingly reveal ourselves to people in order to protect whole societies, or so I was told when I was just a pup. We just have that meteorological sense to feel distant tremors, smell large amounts of precipitation, and see how weather patterns change and react before the changes even occur." I was amazed with that fact! She can sense the weather? What was "meteorological"? She drew me in; I wanted her to explain more. "Of course, ill-bred people have this…stupid misconception about us. They think we're responsible for causing disasters, like literally spawning a volcano, or a hurricane, or an explosion- something ridiculous like that. So, my jerk-off trainer decided to name me after a tragic man-made incident, not natural, and it supposedly killed half a thousand people."

"That sounds appalling! How did you know the death toll was that severe?"

"My trainer told me about it. Really loves calling me that whenever I lose in battles, the asshole he was…Though it's not as bad as my ex's name." I could only lie in silence and intently take every word she fed me without a clue on how to digest the emotions she placed in them. How could I possibly react appropriately? "But now you know why I hate it. It makes me feel like, like I'm the disaster, like I burden loss, failure, or whatever the fuck my trainer was thinking when he gave me that name!"

Her last outburst, the scale of emotion bearing hate, I honestly couldn't figure out a sincere way to respond to quell her issue. "Wow…goodness, I'm…I'm very sorry that your trainer caused you to feel that way, Tenerife, truly I am," I only sympathized in the end, unable to find a better way.

"Yeah, whatever, that's why I'm out here now, and that's all that matters." Such a cold response she gave, no matter what I say to her, neither one of us will ever be satisfied with it. "So what about you, Luxray? Are you just called Luxray like the others, with the only difference being in pitch and pronunciation? It's like that for most wild pokémon, I know that much. Or do you have a nickname?"

"Just 'Luxray', nothing significant…" Shit, did I feel inferior under her company; damn my insecurity. Her radiant body burned my peripherals as I wanted to look away from her. Was her staying here worth it, could I really take her companionship?

Under the dim light, Tenerife got up to trot in small circles. I felt a little guilty since I knew she was probably not feeling comfortable sleeping on a rock where I never bothered to collect bundles of soft leaves and soil, and with a fighting capable luxray nearby, she cannot be comfortable at all. She backed my theory by having her composure span out in a relieving stretch, a soft gasp nearly audible from me once I witnessed her upper body lowering to the ground with her hind well in the air. Turning away trying to not look, I couldn't prevent my subtle peak sneak away as my eyes angled to gaze at her arching outline. Her white fur excelled under the shimmering light, bringing out the shaded regions of her inward arched back, highlighting all the way up to her eyeful rear.

I felt a chilly layer of sweat build from seeing her tail bend straight up as she stretched, the pliable appendage sprouting from the crevice between her billowy, curvy hind legs, right where those enticing folds were found. Oh, just imagine how nice it must feel to be buried deep in the tightness of her warmth having that ass of hers smother my crotch-shut up! Her chest now rising back up for her rear and hind legs to straighten out momentarily, she finished popping her joints. Once she was done I quickly turned my attention away from her, hoping she never caught me looking. That's when I felt a huge surge of guilt consume the endless fissures of my mind. I'm supposed to have her stay and rest, not pose and show off that ever so vulnerable ass of hers… I can't…I can't have lust dictate my actions. I just have to forget about ever seeing her once she leaves, but I want her to stay. I just don't know how to get her to…

The following morning, seconds after getting up, I got to view the full extent of my recovering torso with the layers and layers of bandages tightly wrapped around my frame. I took a few steps towards the exit of my cave, trudging through the stiffness in my left hind leg and both shoulders enough to walk just outside. Taking a look back, I confirmed that Tenerife was nowhere to be found inside. It looked close to dark out, the skies being completely swallowed by dark storm clouds, one area lighting up with branches of electricity every other second. Overhead was the thick vine of Starly's resting spot, winding and branching off over the entrance of my cave where I found him perched casually.

"She's gone…without even saying goodbye…" I spoke depressingly to my friend.

"Yeah…" he spoke looking a little bleak, which had my head drape lower than before, enough to stare at the cold stone for the rest of my life. I knew she never wanted to be around me, probably couldn't even stand my sight, but then I heard him snicker, "Pft- ahahaha, oh Arceus, I totally got you!"

"Ooh, to this day I still wonder why I haven't fried you, Starly!" I scolded, pouncing up on the wall near his perch in irritation.

"Well you didn't let me finish. She's gone…yeah, but she told me she'd be back in a minute; probably doing her business or something. You get off to that kind of voyeurism stuff, aye Luxray, or you're not open to that sort of thing?" he smiled.

"Oh…" I wobbled, falling on my haunches from being so relieved, "I'm tired of your damn jokes, each and every one of them, Starly! But wow… thanks for keeping her in for the night you free spirited son of a bitch!" I smiled, feeling my tail meander positively.

"No problem," he replied happily where we sat for a couple seconds in silence with me panting a little from being a bit overly gratified, "So, she's the one that you had on your mind that day you were attacked."

"Yeah, but…there's no hope between us ever becoming more than…acquaintances." I paced back into my cave, going back to my thoughts.

"Whoa, you can't give up that easy! You don't even have enough reasons why she wouldn't like to settle with you as a mate," he quickly protested.

"Yeah, I do. I mean the first time we saw each other was a few days before you returned and we fought over a kill that she claimed. Even though I split it, she didn't trust me. Before I collapsed the other day she said she didn't trust me. For all I know, she must've stayed because I was knocked out and her conscience got in the way to heal. She probably only stayed because it was pitch black out!"

"Talk about invalid. Okay, half your reasons suck, I'm gonna be honest with you there." I didn't bother listening and just turned around walking deeper into my cave only to hear and feel a draft behind me, seeing that Starly had swooped in front of me. "Look at me," he sternly told, pointing a long appendage of his wing out towards my face, "You just said she has a conscience to heal you; she cares!"

"No, she probably did it because she's a very nice female-"

"Nice female? She slaughtered that giant Ursaring the other day and she told me that she wanted to have Sept suffer a slow bleed out. She was shocked that you gave him some of the medical supplies. She didn't help out an ex that she's known longer than she's known you, Bro!"

"She was mad at the two. Sept nearly used her as a fuck toy!"

"Okay, okay. If you don't believe all that I just said then this should do the trick. I know for a fact that the reason she stayed because it was just too dark out is the pure definition of tauros shit. You know why? She told me she's a dark type, dark types are nocturnal. They basically have perfect, clear night vision! That's why she saw you get up last night even though there was no light at all."

"…Still-"

"Now you're just trying to think of negative excuses. Relax!"

Starly was right, his reason did catch me well off guard to the point it was almost hard for me to find any other reason why she decided to stay. It couldn't possibly be me; gotta get over myself. "But…but we told her there are predators out there… and had to rest-"

"Bro, I'm sure if she could kill an ursaring that you couldn't kill, she can handle herself pretty damn well. If she really wanted to leave you, she would've left even if she was half dead," he smiled, "You lost the argument."

My body wouldn't respond to anything, only turning towards the entrance as I gazed at the ground astonished. "But…I still don't have much to offer. It already sounds like you know more about her than I do, and she stuck back because of what you said..."

"Damn it, you're being way too hard on yourself, Luxray! You were unconscious, what are you gonna do, talk to her through dreams? I had to keep her company because she really doesn't feel comfortable in anyone's den. She doesn't like the luxio and luxray around, so yeah she can't trust you at first. Hell, she was shocked that you had enough kindness to give Sept some medicine. No joke, but I think she really, really just doesn't like intruding on others. So bravo for impressing her so far!"

I chuckled from his claims. "Damn, you're too good at this. Well, with my luck this is all probably just a small break. She's going to leave soon, then what?"

"Well," he began as he faced towards the outside of my cave, "That is one dangerous looking storm. That should buy you some time, Stud."

"Arceus, why do you keep sticking around and helping me out? What about you, did you even meet anyone on the migration? I really don't like being the center of attention, especially with this subject."

"I'm all good. I got my reconnaissance skills up! I can spot sex anywhere and watch 'em like a staraptor. As for the migration itself, since you've been wondering, the sights were great but I guess I never got lucky, but I did socialize a lot which is a start. Once I evolve I might get a chance. So I'm good at looking for couples having sex, you know, just not good at looking for sex myself," he smiled, "I think I need to observe more courting before I move on. Oh, that reminds me! On the way back I actually caught this female lopunny masturbating on her paws, not with them, but literally on them. She was like seriously riding and grinding her digits on those knees, and she was all into it using a tree behind for like balance, you know what I mean! Probably like the best nose bleed I ever had, beak I mean, whatever! So, since then, I've been having these thoughts. Like, what if I pair up with a quadruped or a biped? Intergroupial sex sounds so freakin' hot, like me fully evolved humping a…a glameow! You should think about it."

"How, mate with your kind? Ha, unlike you, I have standards," I joked, walking in deeper through the cave while he perched on a boulder where we sat in place exchanging talk about his trip and my eventless life while he was gone. Within minutes of catching up, Starly was staring past me.

"Oh, you're awake!" I heard Tenerife speak, almost as if she was shocked.

I turned around replying, "Morning Tenerife, you did say I was all healed up right?" I couldn't help but smile. With decent lighting, and her in a calm mood, I can now completely see what I've been picturing for such a long time. An easygoing profile was what I viewed as she trotted in the cave; each hidden feature now exposed.

"Mmm, good morning," she nodded, "I just didn't expect you to be awake so soon. Newly caught pokémon would respond slowly to these meds at first when I was in training, so I thought it'd be the same for you." She walked in more before her body became outstretched, elongating just like last night. I tried to look away, but my curiosity had the better of me, capturing her pretty round cheeks up in the air as she stretched her arms with that tail pitched up. I could feel a rumble emerge within my cage. My eyes teased me, urging me to mount the legs that have gone through possibly years of physical training, and Starly's talk about humping glameow didn't help beforehand. Then she yawned, her petite muzzle cutely parting with her equally cute pink tendon curling up, which I quickly turned a little away to show politeness as she regained her composure.

Just as that was happening, my stomach grumbled enough for myself to hear. Ignoring hunger's call, my face burned from the staring eyes of Starly's and Tenerife's. "Guess I haven't eaten a thing in two days. Oh wait no, three days, Starly." I purposely recalled, turning towards Starly who just smiled and shrugged, pretending like his urgent call for me that day I was brutally attacked couldn't have waited. "Let me catch some food for all of us," I declared walking forward before Tenerife stepped in front of me.

"It's a good idea to let me catch food for all of us since I'm fully recovered. You're probably fatigued. You're still new to these products so give yourself some time," she spoke as I noticed she was closely scrutinizing my bandages, "Looks like your leg got partially unwrapped over night," she sighed, "I'm going to have to rewrap those for the medicinal balm to be fully effective."

"Well, if neither of you mind, I'm going to go retrieve some breakfast of my own. I'll be back in a few," Starly told us as he flew out the cave.

I just looked towards him, confused about how Tenerife was going to rewrap my whole leg without any hostility forming. He took to the air and flew past Tenerife where I saw him turn and give a wink before he flew into the forest. I knew it, what was he expecting? I began to lose my footing however from feeling uneasy because these bandages cover part of my groin area, so she would have to get close, something he was trying to imply.

"Do not take this the wrong way, but I need you to lie down, please." I was a bit hesitant from the authority centered around her objective, but I did as she told where I saw her grab a piece of the coiled up cloth. I tried to release the tension held in my joints; must think of this as just a procedure. She tugged, pulling it to uncoil off my whole leg where I peered back to see a jagged line of missing fur mark my new scar.

Tenerife then stood next to me, whipping around the bandage to secure a new wrap where she began covering up my thigh with her maw. I was forced to lift my leg up a couple times for her to get around, and when she did her whole head was placed virtually between my legs. I wasn't worried about her horn cutting me, but instead I worried about her getting dangerously close to my sheath. I felt her fur graze over it a couple times as it was still uncovered, but what had me really nervous was that her silk-soft mane dragged across my whole pelvic area with each sweep of her head over and over again, and as her mouth drew closer to that area my anxiety only rose exponentially. I was desperately trying to keep my cool, not noticing that my head was bending in all directions frantically from trying to control my hormones. Then she grunted from trying to twist her neck around which I wrongly fantasized in a split second as she grinded her cheek across my crotch causing me to whine lowly from the feeling.

"Oh, aren't you a big boy!" I thought I heard but scolded myself from it being just my imagination. "No stop it, Luxray! Be a male and dominate over a mental force for once in your life!" my good mental side told as I kept watching Tenerife rewrap my whole leg.

"There, I wrapped you up a little less tightly this time since you're almost fully healed," she informed, taking a few steps back to examine her work. I just nodded, noticing the platinum center of her eyes divert somewhere along my body. And, within a fraction of a second, her entire calm demeanor switched into a hostile one. "What the hell- Arceus damn it!" she screamed as she rammed me roughly up on my feet where I stepped back, tail between my legs feeling a slight breeze flow past my half erect flesh. "I… I Arceus damn trusted you to not be like the others, but you just fucked that up! You fucked yourself!" she roared at me as I backed into the furthest wall of my cave, "To think your words were legit."

"No-no, no, no, no! Listen, please. Please, hear me out!" I exceedingly pleaded, unable to control my trembling as I lowered to a laying position in front of her for a bow, "Tenerife, I didn't mean to show myself like that! I couldn't control it, it's my damn fault, I know! Please, it's not supposed to mean anything, I swear. I know you're thinking otherwise, but…" Shit, there's no way in the deepest depths of hell I can un-fuck myself!

"You're so horny, eh, piece of shit," she growled as she paced around in front of me lowly, "Haven't had a fuck in such a damn long time, so you expected to use me!"

The tip of her tail grinded against the ground, jaggedly scratching across stone, the shears echoing along the depths of my home, but I must try and ignore her menacing threat or else be killed without a plea of defense. "I swear," I implored as I quickly calmed myself to sound as honest as my tone would allow, "I swear on my father's altered soul that I'm not like the others," I tried explaining, but fear became my constraint as I stepped out of the back of the cave. Her demeanor lowered enough to where she wasn't going to lash out, so I had another chance, "I know you can't understand…hell, you're probably not going to forgive me for this since I'm a damn luxray. I'm so fucking stupid; I don't know- I couldn't control my own body when you were down there, I'm sorry! I don't use others like you think I do, Tenerife, I was done with that game long ago when I decided to abandon my combatant posts. You just have to believe that I'm telling nothing but the truth," I concluded, actually walking up tear stricken to her, half expecting a swipe from one of her weapons.

I saw her glistening ivories slowly disappear behind her lips, her hackles retract, and her breaths relax again. "Should I be flattered, or on guard?"

I only stared at her as she continued pacing, my view finally falling to the ground expecting the worst. "I really don't know how to answer that question."

I saw her slow her movements for a pause. "You…you are different," she spoke, sounding a little taken aback, "Maybe my intuition was right after all. I see in your eyes that you don't have that lust I saw in your former pack mates. For days, I would see different luxio and luxray approach me, all with that disgusting talk of theirs, depraved bastards. Sept had that look before he pounced me in the clearing. You haven't had it; either you're very good at deception, or I'm right about believing you." I only nodded at what she was saying, but truly I wanted to embrace her for forgiving me, embrace the being who decided to allow her to let me walk my grounds, "I don't know what your history is like to make you so different," she sighed, "But you're damn better than the other luxray around, so good job."

"Heh, you don't want to know my history, honestly," I replied as I took a seat knowing we were both at a calm level, "Sorry, about all the bad first impressions all those past few times."

"You never did anything wrong. Honestly, I'm being a little judgmental for my own safety, and I nearly attacked you for getting a little aroused when I know how even the most timid males are… very sensitive down there, so I actually understand. But, at least I finally admit it."

"Yeah, that's a start, right," I chuckled, trying to break the ice, but still a little shaken up from her outburst where my jugular would've probably been sliced if it wasn't for my submission.

"Hey whatever, I have my reasons for being a little prejudice," she… actually smiled.

I looked at her muzzle, seeing the authentic curve of her expression, and even chuckling a little from the small progress I had just made, which to me felt like a huge achievement, "I should probably get us some breakfast-"

"No, listen, I'll go because you kept offering me to stay in your home, so I did, and now I need to return the favor by paying what's due here. Just let me go with the burden of hunting."

I almost ignored her, walking towards the entrance of my den looking towards the dark, foreboding atmosphere. "I don't like getting favors done for me-"

"Neither do I."

"You did me the favor of saving my life," I smirked with some newfound sarcasm in me only Starly has seen, I was shocked to say the least. "So let me make things even by doing you a favor by retrieving some food. I need to loosen my joints up and get a drink anyways. Plus, I do this every day, so I know where the best prey's located."

I stepped forward, but a white foreleg blocked me. "Fine, I'll let you hunt, but I'm going too." I grew appalled from her suggestion. Back in my pack, if a female were to offer to go hunt with a male that was seen more as a fun beneficial leisure that had quick built romance to set up later affairs. "We'll split up and catch as much prey as we can before the rain starts." Damn, she didn't have the same idea, and she still wanted to burden herself! Was so close to going on a happy stroll with her! But, before I could voice my opinion she continued, "It's like a little fun competition, so it'll take the load off of us." She quickly nudged me back freely with the forearm she had just blocked with, and she did it out of play? Did she really just let herself go and showed me her fun side for the first time?

Tenerife dashed down the sloped trail and stopped at the borderline before turning around with her eyes fluttering, smiling as if she was trying to appear innocent. I just stood there for another few seconds before slowly trotting down the trail, still confused about her true intents. That's when she bounded through the vegetation, causing my mandibles to gape further in astonishment.

A brisk wall of relief washed over my cracked throat, parched appendage lapping from the river to finalize my rejuvenating therapy. Lack of air had me face up after drinking for some time. Though menacing appearing, I didn't mind the dark grey masses consuming the sky at all. Overcast was never a dark theme to me; it's more of a life donor, bestowing down plentiful water to the plants, grass pokémon, and arid landscapes as we are all under the forces of nature. Looking up, sometimes I feel that glimmer of hope emerge given by the rain, but then I usually take it for granted. However, maybe hope is finally paying off.

Finally feeling fully refreshed, I trotted back into the forest in search for food, and thanks to the incoming storm, many land pokémon would be scurrying to shelters not underground and away from trees. I better hurry up and meet Tenerife back at the den before rainfall begins.

I found I had more luck hunting this time than usual. I carried two downed bidoof within my maw and dragged a fully intact staravia nest full of eggs with my tail. This should be more than enough to share with Tenerife in the case that she failed to catch any prey, but I highly doubt that. A single drop of purified water had dampened my mane as I trotted up the slope to my den, the darkening plume above not able to carry on the weight of heavy precipitation any longer. As I predicted, several streams of rainfall pelted my fur in rapid succession followed by the downpour of beads. Entering my den, I threw the food to the side to rapidly rattle my whole body free of water, completely abandoning any will of proper mannerisms. Picking the food back up though, I immediately found Tenerife sitting near the back rock wall. Seeing her staring my way had only served to radiate my face in fluster from that embarrassing display I just made.

"Heh, showoff," she merely spoke. It was difficult to see if she meant that as a sarcastic joke or not though.

"Sorry if I couldn't ignore my guest…it's enough for the both of us. I hope you don't mind splitting it this time," I implied.

"Ha, don't mind if I do, since what you caught's way better than what I found!" Laced with sarcasm, the smile across her facade showed she was in a lighter mood at the moment, so I grinned along with the joke, tossing the food towards her in the same come-back manner she had spoken at me. She pointed to the two large berries near the entrance of the cave as she shook her head with a giggle. I couldn't help but let out a chuckle at the cute display. "Oh, shut up would you!"

"Still getting used to the wild, huh. Well that's why I caught enough food, so long as you don't cut my leg again," I smiled, trying to lighten her mood.

"Yeah…" My attempted comment may have back fired. Her head tilted low in shame to where she gazed towards my paws. "I didn't mean to have that happen to you," she apologized, actually sounding sincere, and even hurt, but that was until, "I hope I didn't traumatize you too bad," she laughed as she pulled a bidoof from the pile I made, sniffing the carcass before taking the first taste.

"Traumatize me," I repeated before jokingly sounding off, "Riiiiiight." Wow…such a long time since I felt the desire to act this silly with anyone, Starly being the exception since I trust him.

We continued to dine on our prey within the vicinity of each other near the entrance. Rain battered the dirt before us, but with her seeming to not mind the noise I only felt more comfortable around her company. I focused on keeping my glances towards her to a minimum, successfully keeping my eyes ahead and at my meal. Though odd appearing, I haven't had this much socialization with anyone else before in so, so long, let alone with a female.

What to talk about, when to talk, how, and what to ask without sounding boring or repetitive? This moment with me near her felt so…new. It wasn't like the fantasies I'm so used to having where things are easy. It's easy for the typical luxray male of my pack to accomplish these and at the same time earn the friendship, with benefits I should add, all after a few dozen phrases. I didn't want to give her too much attention, and I didn't want to say the wrong things to see her become irritated with nothing interesting to talk about. My eyes rolled to see her white form lying on the ground, berry in front of her maw as she bit down on nature's sweet. What should I ask without sounding dull?

"You haven't said a word. Don't want to keep your guest bored do you?" Arceus damn it, why didn't I- of course not saying anything will bore her too! "So, what made you separate yourself from the other packs? I know you mentioned that I don't want to hear about your history, but as a 'noobie' to the wild, I'm curious. From the rumors I've heard within the cities, the alphas are getting power hungry and organized politics are on the rise within the wild due to land shortages, so it's hard to find a lone luxray."

"It's…" What to say? Oh, fuck it, "Actually hard to find a lone anything now if the species is known as a social genus. Politics is on the rise and has been since the generation before me, which I will probably never understand why. With politics comes bigger packs, which become tribes and clans, and with rivaling clans comes more unnecessary bloodshed. That's why I chose to live alone," I sighed, "I ran from my former pack because I just couldn't take the wars anymore, which is why I'm usually in hiding way out here." Damn it, as Starly once told me, don't talk too much about myself…

"Hm," she nodded, "That sounds reasonable. I ran away from my trainer because of his abusing, but you already know that. I may not ever find a pack because you don't usually find my kind in Sinnoh, unless if a tribe welcomed me. Either way, all I'm good at is survival."

"Survival, eh. Well from what I've seen, I think you'll do exceptionally well adapting out here, just as long as you know how the prey works around here if you're going to live like me. Can't live on berries each day, not unless you want to thin out to the bone," I smirked.

"Hey, I may have gotten help from Sept and you, but put me alone then I'll manage. I just can't keep having these hostilities," she added, "I swear, from the other luxio and luxray I've passed by recently…all they care about is glory, catching the most kills, and winning and impressing the most bitches so they can fuck to keep the population unified." I kind of cringed from her views, finding that everything she mentioned was basically true about the typical luxray pack. I mean, I basically caught three kills just to show her how worthy I was. "At least if you want to impress a female then don't be a douche bag," she sighed.

"'We kill, we multiply, till our rivers dry' was my former pack's motto," I sighed further, feeling more ashamed with each passing second about my own kind as well as being an outcast from them, "I'm just not like my brothers at all."

"Good, that's actually a very good thing for a normal pokémon. I think a lot of these packs out here need to get their heads checked because power and females isn't everything."

The more she keeps talking about this, the more it chips away at my hope of even thinking about her as my future mate by some miracle. "You're right, but still for me deep down, it's hard to accept that as normal. When you're raised in a pack that thinks only about those things with several siblings who support that and put you down if you don't follow…it's sure pretty damn hard to get your head away from feeling ashamed over something…stupid. I felt like an outcast all my life, so I finally casted myself away for good."

"You feel really down because you're not like your kind?" she questioned.

"No, no…I've gotten over that," I lied not trying to show my lower side in front of her, already did enough of that, "It's just I'm different so I have to live in a harsh state…possibly for the rest of my life." How many more white lies would I have to say? The conversation between though good, it created a head ache for me. I don't want to get reminded of how insignificant I was socially around my pack.

"Mm," she nodded, "Well, you still got Starly. It's actually pretty funny that a predator made friends with prey," she laughed.

"Hey, when you're a social species who lives alone, things tend to get pretty damn quiet!" I told. It wasn't until I relaxed that I saw her eyes part at my outburst, my chest returning to its normal tempo, now realizing my tone had rose from getting frustrated at Tenerife's taunt.

"No, I never meant that as an insult. It's just that kind of relationship is…interesting in the wild to say the least." I actually perked my head up once she said that.

"I thought you were actually taunting me, sorry about that. I got ridiculed enough from my brothers before I came out here." Luxray… stop showing your insecurities in front of Tenerife!

"You're far different from your brothers, yes. That means, you're a normal thinking pokémon, and I know it may be hard for someone who grew up around douche bag pack mates to think this, but that's a good thing." What she said uplifted my smile a bit. Maybe Starly was right, there is a chance. I tried to find something good to say about her too since I wanted to switch the conversation and talk about her instead. After all, Starly has always preached asking females questions shows great interest and can form some chemistry if done naturally, but I just don't know what to ask. "The rain…"

"Judging from the horizon being covered completely and the colder wind patterns, it can last all day."

"Hmm, I see you're pretty educated on the weather. That's what I predict too," she smirked, but then she turned towards the back of the cave, "Well, is it okay if I stay another night then since I probably can't even search for shelter right now, not with everything pouring so hard at least."

"O-of course, you can stay as long as you want," I told her, my excitement become close to impossible to suppress as my tail swung in happiness. What a huge surprise! I'd actually thought she'd choose the storm rather than me. I followed her towards my cave, feeling the wind pushing into my entrance.

"Thank you, and I know only Arceus knows how lonely you must get out here, but I'm only doing this because I don't want to freeze out there or get electrocuted."

"Of course, don't worry, I am not the typical male. A little company is no big deal…as unbelievable as that sounds I mean," I tried speaking in a professional tone.

"So, that means you can stop wagging your tail then." The tone she used, so domineering it had me freeze all movement as I merely looked at her, trying to find any sign that she was only joking. "Yeah, just because it's dark in here doesn't mean I can't see you. Dark types have incredible eyes for the dark, and I can see you clear as daylight. Don't feel too special, I turned down all the other offers I got for shelter. I really appreciate all of this, but this is only temporary." Damn, she sounded like she was being dead serious about me remaining unhappy, or was it just me.

Either way, it's best to not get excited and just assume the worst. Grumbling to myself, the aching pain in my head and chest worsened. Not truly knowing what Tenerife thinks about me, whether pathetic or good natured, I only turned around, tail relaxed but dragging across rock as I walked towards the entrance of the den. Growing frustrated at myself for allowing my mind to wander back into confusion, I just stepped out of my den feeling the pellets of rain water shower my fur heavily, the wind storm only serving to blind my perception further.

"Wait, where are you heading?" I heard her ask, also hearing her trotting rapidly, probably stopping behind me, but it couldn't be in worry.

"I'm…I'm going to go search for shelter for you. There could be a few places abandoned out here… if I remember correctly," I replied, not knowing I was letting my present emotion control the quaking tone in my voice.

"What, you can't be serious-"

"Don't worry about it!" I nearly told. Noticing my rising tone, my headache nearly turned into a pounding migraine. Why can't I just keep my pains to myself? Why must I get frustrated at the one pokémon I'm trying to befriend? I clearly need more time for myself, just to rethink what's going on right now. Taking a deep breath I continued, "I'll be back, soon don't worry."

"I…I didn't mean it when I-"

I didn't let her finish as I quickly paced down the sludgy slope and into the forest, already getting completely drenched. None of the environment was exactly helping out my mood, but hopefully the noise would drown out the negativity screaming in my head.

AN: There's no word in the English language that can briefly sum up how sorry I am for making all you loyal readers wait. There's probably quite a few who stepped off the boat from the delay, but that's their loss. The reason for my hiatus is because for a long moment I just suddenly lost direction with this story. I was just thinking like this: "A romance story about a luxray overcoming his insecurity issues, so predictable, who seriously wants to read about that and see it all the way to the end?" Well, you all do, that's who! And I won't disappoint. I regained and refurnished my style to concentrate on this story again. No more will there be half year waits! I'm here to finish this story all the way to the end, no matter how long it takes me.

Real World (IRL) Event: Tenerife Airport Disaster - The deadliest aviation accident in history which occurred in 1977 when two fully loaded Boeing 747 jet aircrafts collided on the runway of Tenerife North Airport in the Canary Islands upon takeoff due to low visibility and pilot and ATC error. There were 583 fatalities and 61 survivors in the whole incident. - I have a passion for aviation, so that's where Tenerife's name comes from, that bastard trainer of hers.

Also, tribute to the band, Atreyu, for the lyrics that I drew inspiration from to form Luxray's former pack's motto. I really need to get more creative and for my own rhymes! I'm bad at all forms of poetry…