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The night has fallen in Jubilife Village, all the houses has gone quiet underneath the reddish tint of the bleeding sky. There, one remained lit despite the late hours, its owner within couldn’t bare the thought of rest.
As much as he would like to get some sleep after what had transpired these past few days, Rei couldn't get his eyes to shut, especially when his best friend had just been banished by the team she had been loyally serving. What did Akari do to deserve this? Just because she fell from the rift atop the sky of Hisui, doesn’t mean she was the cause of it! These past few months, Akari had been wearing herself out completing the Pokédex, quelling Nobles and taking requests. She's been doing nothing but help, and this is how the village repay her?
Unbelievable.
Rei refuses to idle by and let Akari rot in the darkness of Hisui’s wilderness, he doesn’t care how skilled or amazing she is. As a long time member of the Survey Corps, he knew how terrifying the wilderness can be when night fell. Grabbing his satchel lying atop his unfolded futon, Rei shoved some spare rolls of bandages and leftover berries in whatever space left available. Shedding his kimono in favor of the Survey uniform that was strewn haphazardly on the floor since Akari's exile, he was only a couple steps away from the door. Pikachu, sensing its Trainer’s determination, promptly jumped onto his shoulder without a second thought. It brought him Staraptor’s Poke Ball, earning a pat from the young man.
Fuck the rules, fuck Kamado, Akari’s safety is more important. If he couldnt't bring her back, at least he can make sure she wasn't short on supplies.
Entrusting the rest of his team to keep his home safe, Rei ran off into the night, steps light as feathers. Before he could brought out his Staraptor however, a voice cut into the air, soft yet sudden.
“Rei?”
“C-Captain!”
Behind him, captain Cyllene stood, expression firm and hands behind her back, as usual. And yet, her eyes lacked the usual seriousness, only concern. Knowing this helped Rei’s heartbeat slow down, yet he couldn’t help the nervousness in his voice.
“C-Captain, I know what you’re gonna say, but it’s-“
“You’re aware you’re breaking the rules, yes?”
“I-well, yes, but I-“
“Worry not, young Rei, we’re not here to expose you.” A second voice, one much gentler and more fatherly, was heard behind the captain’s back. Professor Laventon jogged towards Rei, a large bindle in tow. “Me and the Captain made some food for young Akari, we were hoping to bring it to her through Abra. We also put in some spare clothes, her uniform must be quite tattered by now.”
“Normally, bringing food and establishing communication with an exiled individual is considered a crime, but I will personally make an exception for Akari only.” Cyllene nodded, eyes soften at Laventon’s sincerity. The slightest hint of a smirk is seen on her face, a rare sight to behold “Despite the Commander’s claims, I stay firm to my stand that Akari’s innocent.”
“We’ll be here to hold off the Commander should things go south.” Professor Laventon gave Rei a firm pat on his unoccupied shoulder, eyes full of warmth “Please, stay safe, both of you.”
“Make sure she’s well fed and energized for the tribulations that may lie ahead. Nutrition is important, remember to tell her that. Oh and, tell her to steer clear of colorful mushrooms, they're poisonous. And don't trudge around the cliffs, the recent rains make them quite slippery."
“I will!” Revitalized by Laventon and Cyllene’s support, Rei nodded with newfound determination. Handing the bindle over to Pikachu, Rei summoned Staraptor and flew into the night as the two parental figures watched on in pride and worry.
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After leaving quite the distance away from Jubilife’s entrance, Rei looked beneath to search for Akari’s form. Then, his Pikachu suddenly let out a squeak, alerting him to something below. Two people, one dressed in red and one clad in blue, were heading towards the village’s gate.
“Is that…?”
They appeared to have taken notice of the Staraptor above them, waving to the Trainer atop its back. Just as Rei thought, it was none other than Adaman and Irida, each had a package in hand.
“Ah Rei, good timing!” Adaman laughed good-naturedly “You’re on your way to visit Akari, I assume?”
“Yeah, wanted to make sure she’s ok. But I’m a bit stuck on her current location right now.” Rei sighed, hopping off his avian partner “Do you guys happen to have a clue at least?”
“Well, in this vastness that is Hisui, we can’t exactly tell either.” Irida shrugged “So me and Adaman were planning to drop these off at the Captain’s place, hoping she can bring them to Akari in our stead.”
“I’ll bring them to her if you want!” Rei pumped his fist lightly in front of himself, earning a nod of approval from the Diamond Clan leader "I'll make sure they will make it to Akari!"
“That’d be nice, thank you.” Irida smiled, handing her package over to Rei, Adaman following suit.
“Though, what are these anyway?” The teen inquired as he tugged the packages into his uniform.
“Some medicinal herbs from the Mirelands, instructions attached.” Adaman explained “And the other one is a spare tent that Irida fetched from her clan’s storage.”
“We had to pull a couple strings to get these, but being clan leaders make it a bit easier.” Irida winked.
“See, breaking some rules doesn’t seems so bad is it?”
“Hush you, I’m merely using my authority as leader. It’s not like you didn’t sneak into your healer’s shack to get those herbs!”
Rei could only giggle at the friendly banters of the two leaders before him, a blush dusting both of their cheeks. It’s like their shared trust for Akari had pulled these two together.
Taking off into the night sky once again, Rei kept his eyes peeled for the shape of Akari. Then, Staraptor cawed loudly, its talons pointed towards a pillar of smoke. Bingo. Gently steering towards the speck of flames that sheds its light into the night, Rei quietly hoped that Akari is okay, and preferably awake. Once his sandals make contact with the dirt, he made his way towards the fire, his Pikachu following close behind.
"Akari! It's me, Rei! Ak-“
Before another word could be said, Rei was suddenly tackled to the ground, his body wrapped in a trembling hug. Tears stained his red scarf, belonging to a girl who was alone and homesick beneath the reddened sky. Almost instantly, Rei’s arms held onto her body, rough hands soothing the trembling of her back.
"Sorry it took so long, Akari."
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Rei watched as Akari's Typhlosion enlarged the campfire, chatting with his Pikachu in the meantime. Even if he didn't understand what they were saying, they just looked so happy being reunited. Speaking of which, he turned to Akari with a soft smile, feeling his heart flutter as she return the gesture. He untied the bindle around Pikachu's neck, setting it down near the girl. It was packed to the brim with rice crackers, seaweed-wrapped rice balls and various Berries. Rei handed her a rice ball but Akari refused.
"Don't worry, I've already eaten. Me and Typhlosion caught some Magikarp earlier and let's just say, I'm glad to have taken Captain Cyllene's cooking lessons."
"Even so, you should eat up. Captain asked me to tell you that nutrition is important, you know." He insisted, shoving the food into her hand firmly.
"I can't believe that the Professor and the Captain went out of their way to make all these." Akari bit into the steaming hot rice, humming softly "Gosh, I've missed homemade rice balls! Especially the ones made by Professor!"
"I know right? You know, they've been fretting over you ever since you were...away." Rei spit the words out with audible contempt, then quickly regain himself upon seeing her sad eyes "We all did."
A hand reached into the folds of his uniform, Rei pulled out two packages given to him earlier. Akari stared in curiosity as the blue package unfolded into a box filled with herbs, whereas the pink one was revealed to be a tent wrapped in cotton blankets.
"Here, Adaman and Irida wanted to bring these to you." Finally, he reached out to his satchel, producing several fresh rolls of bandages and the Berries he had put in earlier "You can use the herbs with these! This way, you won't have to worry about getting sick or hurt, alright?"
"These herbs aren't exactly common, even in the Mirelands. The tent is super new, too." A chuckle left Akari's lips "Even the food you guys brought for me, I'm pretty sure the Commander doesn't allow it."
"Don't worry Akari, your safety is worth it."
"...really?"
"You're too important to us, you know. A valuable member of the Survey Corps, a savior of the two Clans, and most importantly, a precious friend." A cheeky grin spread across the boy's features, bringing an odd sense of reassurance to the girl besides him "You've done so much for us, it's only fair that we return the favor. For you, we'll break any rules."
Rei found himself nearly slipping into the dirt once more as he tried to support both of their weight. Akari dove into his arms, if she was crying before, this time she was full on bawling. Knowing that she had people who cared about her so deeply that they were willing to break the rules, she really couldn't help it. He wiped her tears away with callous hands, only letting go when her cries reduced back into quiet sniffles.
"If you want, I can help you set up the new tent. I'm sure your Typhlosion is aching to have a smooth surface to lie on."
"Sure thing."
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Soft purring noises filled the background as Akari's Typhlosion and Rei's Pikachu settled in to sleep. The natural heat of the Ghost Flames Pokemon was more than enough to keep the tent warm for the night. In the meantime, Rei checked Akari over for any injuries, in spite of her hasty claims of being fine. Using the rolls of bandages in his satchel, he applied the medicine on her many wounds, claw marks, bruises, you named it. She wasn't exactly known for her self-preservation skills. Now clad in a comfy kimono that the Captain snuck in, the two friends chatted idly while huddling close to one another, catching up on what they've missed, how both the village and the Clans had changed in her absence. Akari was beyond relieved to hear that Adaman and Irida were on amiable terms now, no more bickering every five minutes. They talked about whatever was on their mind, until Akari let out a yawn.
"Sleepy?"
"Yeah...haven't slept much *yawn* lately."
"Then rest." Rei tucked Akari into the soft cotton blanket, soft grey eyes never leaving her form. "I'll be here for you, don't worry."
"Is it...really ok?"
"If I make it back before dawn, I'll be just fine."
Reassured, Akari let out another soft yawn as she drifted into slumber. Rei placed his hand on Akari's own, feeling his chest lifted with relief. Knowing that Akari was now safe, Rei could finally allow himself some proper rest for the first time in several days. There'll surely be more of these visits to come, as long as no one catches him. Excited at the thought, he leaned down and placed a small kiss on her forehead with a smile.
"I love you, Akari."
Hope the sky return to its former hue soon, so that Akari could return to her loved ones. Return to those who were bold enough to break the rules for her.