Ana stood with a sad smile on her face as she regarded the building they were approaching the next morning, leaving Kane and Sophia blinking in confusion and awe. It was bigger than most buildings they had seen in the human settlements before, though it boasted a huge garden in front that gave it some appeal to the pokemon. The building itself was three storeys tall and had more than ten windows along the front on each floor, and for what the pokemon could see the back yard extended indefinitely from the mansion.

"Ana, what is this place?" Sophia asked, only unconsciously able to keep a grip on her bone. Kane didn't speak at all, still standing in awestruck silence. Ana's smile didn't change, although she gave a light sigh.

"This is my home." She replied, resuming her approach towards the mansion at a slower pace than her normal speed. The pokemon fell in behind her, Kane staring in disbelief.

"You live here?" the Charmeleon echoed. "How did you get so much territory? Your family must be the most powerful fighters in the region!" Ana giggled once Sophia translated his remark for her, giving Kane a much more genuine smile that made his heart skip a beat.

"It doesn't work quite like that Kane." She laughed, still moving towards the massive building. "They don't have to be powerful fighters to be powerful, just have a lot of money." The Charmeleon hung back a little as Ana kept going, Sophia joining him after a quick gesture.

"Did you know about this?" he asked quietly, the Marowak shaking her head in reply.

"I've known Ana for almost two years and this is the first I've ever seen her home." She whispered back, aware that the trainer could understand what she was saying and determined not to be overheard. "I mean, Ana never really said much about her family. Any time she talked about them she seemed a little bitter."

"Do you suppose there's some kind of feud between them?" he said, frowning at the back of her head. Sophia hit him with her bone, the club striking him firmly on the back of the head and earning her a sour glare from Kane.

"I told you all I know." She said, raising an eyebrow at him. "Your guess is as good as mine." Kane scowled, then shrugged and followed Ana again. By now she had made her way along the driveway and was standing in front of the expensive double doors, almost hesitant. Sophia glanced up at her, confused. "Well? Are you going to go in?"

"I... I guess so." She replied, one hand hovering over the doorbell. "We did come all the way out here, we might as well stay for a little while." She pressed the little button, sending a dull ring through the mansion to announce her arrival. It was only a short while before the door opened, revealing an aging butler with the air of a perfect gentleman around him.

"Welcome to..." he began, trailing off when he realised who it was standing at the door. "Oh! Mistress Analise! I believed that we would never see you here again!" Ana smiled warmly up at the butler, Kane and Sophia hovering uncertainly behind her.

"Donovan, it's good to see you again." She replied, tilting her head and grinning widely. "Call me Ana by the way. I'm not stuck up." Donovan started as Ana walked past him and into the entrance hall, followed by the pokemon. "I 'spose you'll want to tell my parents that I'm here?" He nodded, reaching for the phone. After a short conversation, he put the receiver back on the hook and turned to the young trainer.

"They have informed me that your father is just about to start the back nine, and requested that you wait in the entrance hall until they finish." He said, bowing to Ana as he spoke. She frowned, gesturing for the pokemon to follow her.

"If they think I'm going to wait in the entrance hall for three hours they've got another thing coming." She replied, walking up the stairs with both the pokemon and the butler following her.

"Your room has been cleaned." Donovan informed her, staying a respectful three paces behind her. "There are new sheets on the bed and all of your belongings are in their proper places."

"Can you tell the maids I said thanks?" she asked, resting her hand on the doorknob and waiting until Donovan acknowledged her instruction and left before she entered, Kane and Sophia following her inside. Once they were in, their jaws dropped at the sheer size and grandeur of the single room. Used to the smaller, more functional rooms of the pokemon centres, the Charmeleon and the Marowak were simply surprised that any one person could have a room so large to themselves.

"This is yours?" Sophia asked in awe, taking in the room. It was painted in a light pink colour, surrounded by several spacious looking dressing tables in a subtle white with sky blue edging. A double sliding door on one side lead to a walk in closet that was nearly the same size of the room, while a single door on the opposite wall lead to a similarly sized bathroom. Against the middle of the remaining wall was the bed, a king size sleeping area with blinds around for privacy. These were drawn back, showing a dull yellow sheet set with a flower pattern over a cream coloured valance and several overstuffed pillows against a hard oak backing. "Whoa..."

"How come you don't stay here more often?" Kane said, pausing to let Sophia translate. "You must be able to deal with whatever problems there are to enjoy this." Ana sighed, turning to face one of the mirrors. Standing there dressed in her trainer clothes, framed by the expensive furnishings, she couldn't help but feel out of place even though she had been raised here.

"It's not that simple." She replied, walking into the bathroom feeling oddly self-conscious. "I guess I'll have a bath. Can you two look after Plusle and Sentret for me?" She released the pokemon, taking a moment to enjoy their curiosity before she disappeared into the bathroom. Kane and Sophia watched her go before sharing an anxious look, wondering just what Ana wasn't telling them.

***

"Darling, it is simply marvellous to see you again."

Ana didn't move as the maid hugged her, though she was saddened by the fact that her mother wouldn't hug her herself. They may never have been close, but it never stopped being awkward for her. Once the maid had let go, Ana could once again focus on the dinner table and everyone around her. Her younger brother, clad in a formal suit with his brown hair slicked back, hadn't said a single word to her, simply eating his meal in silence. Her father, a balding but moustached man in a similar suit to his son had nodded a greeting before being absorbed in the days newspaper. Her mother was just as distant, sipping daintily at her soup whilst careful not to spill a single drop on her spotless white evening gown.

For her part, Ana had at least made an effort to look presentable. She had found the most casual outfit in her closet, a simple dark red dress that contrasted nicely with her hazel eyes, and had used a straightening iron to tame her usually wavy hair so that she could leave it loose. Even though she looked stunning, Kane even mentioning as much to her once she was ready, she felt totally out of place. She was trying to fit in with a world she had left behind.

"I feel the same." She replied awkwardly, picking at her salad with a fork in decided disinterest. Her mother nodded again, eager to expand on the topic. She had so far ignored the pokemon who were all eating behind her daughter, though Ana had told them it was the best they could expect in a friendly greeting.

"Now my dear," she continued, smiling at her daughter with only the most basic amount of feeling. "Am I to assume that this visit means you've finally come to your senses and over this silly phase?" Ana directed a look of pure disgust at her mother, who was completely unfazed.

"Phase?" she asked incredulously, the pokemon directing similar looks at Ana's mother. "Being a pokemon trainer is not a phase! Now apologize to them!" She pointed at the pokemon, all of whom were looking gratefully at Ana.

"Now why on Earth should I do that?" she asked, confused. "Pokemon do not have feelings. It is impossible for me to offend them in any way." Ana's jaw dropped even as she stood up, not caring that the movement made the table shake and her chair tip over.

"I have no idea what possessed me to come back here." She snarled, storming out of the dining room while the servants cleaned up the various small messes that she had caused. "I'll be leaving tomorrow morning. Don't expect to see me ever again." Ana left the room, her hands shaking in fury, followed tentatively by her pokemon.

None of her family were fazed by her outburst. Donovan just shook his head sadly.

***

Sophia was the first to enter Ana's room, followed closely by Kane, Plusle and Sentret. They were greeted by the sight of Ana sitting on the side of her bed, her eyes red rimmed and tears streaking her face. Kane pushed his way past Sophia, moving swiftly to grasp one of her hands in his claws comfortingly while Sophia shut the door behind them.

"Are you going to be okay?" the Charmeleon asked, though Ana didn't need Sophia to translate to hear the concern in his voice. She nodded, still sobbing. The other pokemon crowded around her, similar expressions of worry on their faces.

"I..." she began. "I guess I just hoped that me being away for so long, might have changed them." A sad smile appeared on her face, her stare seeming far away. "I'm so stupid. I should have known that it wouldn't be like that. Sometimes I wish that I was born with a proper family."

"You may not have been born with one, but you have one now." Kane whispered. "We're a family, right?" Ana hiccoughed quietly as the Marowak translated his sentence, barely able to keep her surprise at Kane's sudden sensitivity out of her voice. He's right, Sophia thought to herself. We care about her, and that's what makes us a family.

"Thanks Kane." The trainer replied, her tears starting to dry up and her voice becoming steadier. "Thank you so much everyone. You're always there for me, and I love you all for it." Sophia smiled under her skull, even as Plusle and Sentret clambered onto the bed to give Ana a big hug. She glanced over at Kane, tapping him on the shoulder and gesturing for him to follow her.

"Look, you're not gonna get a better chance than this." She said quietly once they were a short distance away. "If it were up to me, I'd make you wait until she wasn't so vulnerable. But after that speech... you're in serious danger of being stuck in the friendship zone."

"I know what you mean." He replied, gazing over at Ana. "And I would happily wait if I had that luxury, even though I've never had that sort of trouble in the past." He watched Ana and the little ones messing up her hair again, a sad smile on his face. "But Ana's different."

"That's love talking." Sophia said, nodding as she followed his gaze. "You've come a long way from the Charmeleon I wouldn't trust with anything in such a short time, and I'm glad that Ana could have someone like you to lean on." He smiled at the Marowak gratefully, silently thanking her for her help as they wandered back over to the trainer. She was busy returning the little ones to their poke balls, the days excitement having finally caught up with them.

"Thanks again you guys." She said as they approached, her hair falling over her shoulders in its natural waves again like silk. "It was what I needed to hear, that there are people who actually care about me."

"About that..." Sophia started, pulling herself up to sit on Ana's left while Kane positioned himself on her right. "Kane and I wanted to talk to you about something. Something important." Ana frowned, though it wasn't an angry expression.

"Can't it wait until tomorrow?" she asked. Sophia shook her head, fixing Ana with a hard look.

"Unfortunately no." The Marowak replied, indicating Kane. "Thing is, it mostly concerns you two." Ana looked over at Kane, noticing that the Charmeleon was blushing furiously. "You know how you couldn't figure out why Kane joined us?" Ana nodded cautiously, wondering just what they were getting at.

"Well..." Kane began, drawing Ana's gaze again while Sophia translated. "The thing is... I would never have done it otherwise. I... I joined up with you because..." Kane trailed off, the words threatening to choke him as they caught in his throat.

"Because..." Ana said, trying to ease him into it gently. Kane swallowed, his eyes clenched shut for a second as he screwed up his courage to tell her his secret.

"I joined you because..." he said, staring her in the eye. "Because... I'm in love with you, Ana." The trainer's eyes went wide at the statement, her jaw dropping as she gasped in shock. She put one hand over her mouth, trying to catch her breath even as the Charmeleon looked at the floor, shame on his face. "I know it's wrong, but I love everything about you. The way you care for us, how you always try to see the best in everyone, and how you never let anything get you down for too long."

"How...?" Ana whispered, barely even able to say that through the shock buzzing through her mind.

"He saw you at the pokemon centre, during that breeding meet." Sophia chipped in, sensing that Kane was almost as tongue tied as the girl. "Look, I know that Kane may not be the perfect guy, but he really is getting better. I mean, we didn't start off on the right foot, but over the past couple of weeks he's really learned to be a well rounded guy. If nothing else, give him a chance Ana."

"But, he's a pokemon." Ana squeaked, her face almost as red as Kane's. "I-I don't know if I can... I mean..." She trailed off as Kane slid off the bed, trudging towards the door.

"I should have known it wasn't possible." He said, dejected. "You're right, I honestly don't know how I could fall in love with a human. I care too much about you to hang you on that dilemma." As he turned to leave Sophia grabbed his tail tightly, glaring at him.

"Oh no you don't!" she said angrily. "I promised to help you do this! I'm not letting you piss this away so easily!" Even as Kane and Sophia wrestled in the middle of the room Ana was sorting out the mess in her mind. Kane was in love with her? It simply sounded insane to her. She had heard of pokephilia before, but she had always assumed that it was a case of the human using their influence over the pokemon to satisfy their own sexual urges. Was it possible that there were some cases like this? Was it possible for there to be mutual love between a human and a pokemon?

"Kane, wait!" she cried. "I don't want you to go!" The Charmeleon and the Marowak stopped their struggle, both staring up at Ana. The trainer's face was almost fully red now, her eyes locked on him and her expression suggesting that she was debating with herself fiercely. After a minute she spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper. "Kane, kiss me." He blinked in confusion, almost unable to believe his ears. Sophia nudged him with her bone, encouraging him to approach her.

"Is this what you want?" he asked cautiously, climbing back up onto the bed and staring at her in wonder. She nodded, facing him with both trepidation and curiosity lingering in her eyes. He leaned in slowly, making sure that she had plenty of time to stop him, right up until their lips touched. It was the merest caress to begin with, though Ana's consent gave him courage, the slight touch turning into a lingering, passionate kiss. A few seconds passed before she responded in kind, one hand tentatively moving to rest on the back of his head and draw him in. Sophia watched the pair kiss with a warm smile on her own face as they began to overcome their inhibitions, happy that her best friend was able to experience such a delight. Having met Ana when she was just sixteen, the Marowak didn't know if she had even kissed a boy before.

After what seemed like an hour they broke apart, their breathing shallow and eyes barely focussed. Ana grinned sheepishly, hunching her shoulders as she stared at the Charmeleon, taking in his appearance. He was almost as taken aback as she was, staring at her in wonder. Slowly he brought a paw up to her face, resting it on her cheek before he leaned in again to kiss her once more. She accepted readily, letting herself lean back until she was lying down and pulling Kane with her. Once they broke apart, Kane was propped up above her on his arms and knees, staring down into her hazel eyes with a smile on his face. Ana smiled warmly back up at him, until a movement drew her eye. She looked next to them to find Sophia moving next to them, Kane following her gaze with a frown.

"Uh, Sophia?" Ana asked, almost embarrassed to speak. "This is kind of a private moment. Can you please wait in the bathroom?" Kane scowled at the Marowak, though she matched his glare easily enough.

"I'm not going anywhere." She replied imperiously, staring hard at both of them. "You two owe this moment to me. I want in." Ana stared at her in wonder, so swept up in the events that she nodded unconsciously. She was already kissing a pokemon, and the tingling she felt beginning between her legs demanded that the nights activities were going to go much further. Why shouldn't she let her best friend join in?

"Are you sure that's okay?" the Charmeleon asked, even as he glared at the Marowak. Ana nodded, squirming out from under him and taking up position between the pillows at the bed head. The pokemon followed her, Kane sitting on one side while Sophia sat opposite him.

"Can you two rip this dress off?" Ana asked, her smile turning slightly guilty. "It's not like I'm going to wear it again, and it'll help me." Shrugging, Kane waited until Sophia had lifted some of the fabric up before he carefully began tearing a hole in it with his claws. Once it was big enough they grasped one side of the hole each, pulling until the dress split all the way along, the trainer lifting her weight off the bed to let them cast the remains of her red dress aside. "Oh, wow... you guys have no idea how liberating this feels!" she said, sighing in relief.

"Maybe we should liberate you more?" Kane asked suggestively, eyeing her body appreciatively. She was wearing the same black lacy underwear he had seen that day at the pokemon centre, and he brushed a paw across one breast and the black fabric lightly, too absorbed in the action to notice Sophia rolling her eyes. Ana lightly slapped the back of his paw, putting the hand over her mouth as he withdrew his paw.

"Sorry!" she muttered quickly, blushing. "I guess I'm still a little uneasy about this." Kane nodded his acceptance, an easy smile appearing on his face to reassure her. After a few seconds she relaxed, allowing him to continue to explore her body. He began to caress her chest again, rubbing her breasts with both paws and earning a moan of delight from Ana. Sophia wasn't idle, gripping the sides of her panties and pulling them off, exposing her most intimate place. Keen to outdo the Charmeleon, she began to run one finger along the entrance before sliding it in, enjoying the gasp that Ana let out at her touch.

"Oooh... that feels so good..." Ana murmured as Kane slid the bra up to reveal her breasts fully, pulling it up and over her head to expose the trainer fully. He leaned in to flick his tongue over her nipples, catching both between his lips in turn and sucking on them with ease of practice. Ana placed one hand on his back, encouraging him to continue while Sophia redoubled her efforts, fitting yet more of her paw into her trainer's body. She gasped as the Marowak eased the entire paw into her tight passage, rubbing the more sensitive nerves inside and making her feel incredible.

After a minute Ana gently pushed both of them away, taking them in at a glance. Sophia seemed eager to continue, the trainer noticing a faint smell in the air that went with the damp spot between the Marowak's legs, her excitement as visible as Ana's own. Kane's arousal was even more evident, and she gasped at the sight of his penis sticking out, fully erect from just teasing her breasts. She reached out tentatively, her hand hovering only a few inches away before she screwed up her courage and wrapped her fingers around it, the Charmeleon sitting back and allowing her to stroke his length. Ana crouched in front of him, her fingers sliding along the main shaft before making their way to the tip, his breath quickening as she touched the most sensitive spot.

Sophia didn't show as much restraint as Ana, her own paw reaching over and grasping the base of his penis firmly. She gave it a squeeze as Ana stroked the tip, the Marowak starting to jerk him off while glancing at Ana. She took the hint, letting her hand curl around him again and rubbing the top half, hand and paw meeting halfway as Kane closed his eyes and let the girls continue unrestrained. Just as he could feel the pressure starting to build up Sophia let go, motioning for Ana to do the same. The Marowak eased Ana back into her original position before spreading her legs for her, Sophia's look encouraging Kane to position himself between Ana's legs, the tip of his penis touching her pussy and leaking a small amount of pre cum onto the slit. Kane glanced at Ana, seeing her nod her acceptance and he nodded back, steadying himself before entering her body, his penis making it half way before it reached her maidenhead, the Charmeleon taking a moment to make sure she was ready before he pressed against it, taking her virginity and letting his entire penis be enveloped in her warm, moist body.

Ana squeaked in pain as Kane's shaft penetrated her, putting her hands on his hips and pressing him as close to her as she could, keeping him pinned while she adjusted to the feeling of him inside her. Finally she loosened her death grip on his hips, relaxing her muscles and easing back into the soft pillows. She didn't want to know if she was bleeding, all she wanted to know was that it would be worth the initial pain. Once she was relaxed again Kane slowly withdrew before he thrust back in just as slow, knowing that she wasn't ready yet for him to really get into the pace of things.

Sophia smiled down at Ana as she became a woman, remembering her first time with fondness before she retrieved her bone from the foot of the bed. Moving over to where Kane was, she hooked the bone around the back of his head and forced him down, his mouth now level with the Marowak's own wet slit. Pressing herself into his face, Kane took the hint and let his tongue out, tasting the sweet juice as he kept up his pace with Ana. He hooked one paw around Sophia, resting it on her backside and drawing her closer so he could get his tongue in deeper and not be stretching himself too far between them both girls. Sophia moaned as his tongue penetrated her, enjoying the way he lapped at her insides enthusiastically.

"Oooh, you're really good at this Kane." Sophia hissed through her teeth, increasing the pressure of her bone on his head to try and get as much of his tongue into her as she could. Ana didn't hear her, far too focussed on Kane's penis as it slid in and out of her body, setting her nerves on fire with the intensity of the pleasure. She had never felt anything even close to the level of pleasure he was giving her before, not even when she explored her own body. He seemed to know just the right places to give her the most out of their lovemaking, almost as though he'd been watching her during her alone sessions.

Confident that Ana was ready for it, Kane increased his pace until he was giving it his all, his hard shaft caressing her so quick that she began to lose control of her voice. Her moans of pleasure were like music to his ears as he thrust into her, now going as hard and fast as he could. Ana bucked her hips against his, her hands once again adding to the force of his thrusts until she could take no more. The trainer screamed as she reached her peak, her entire body tensing up at the sheer force of her orgasm, her insides convulsing tightly on his penis as pure pleasure thundered through her every nerve. Kane went willingly, feeling himself reach his own climax as she squeezed him tightly, ejaculating into her welcoming body with everything he had to offer.

Sophia eased the pressure of her bone as she watched them share such pleasure, knowing that Kane would be too breathless to continue servicing her for a few minutes. He sat back while Ana flopped back into her pillows, her expression completely unfocussed as she shivered with the last of her orgasm. She had had no idea that anyone could feel a pleasure this strong and not just die from the sheer power of it.

"You can keep going, right?" the Marowak asked the Charmeleon, feeling her own needy sex heating up at the sight of Kane's seed dripping from Ana. He nodded in response even as Sophia positioned herself between the trainer's legs, her tongue coming out to lap up the bodily fluids leaking from Ana. She gasped as Sophia's tongue cleaned her, her body only just starting to recuperate when the Marowak started her again.

"So soon?" she panted, staring at Sophia wide eyed.

"Don't tell me you don't want it." She leered, moving her mouth back only to position her bone at Ana's already slick passage. The trainer squeaked again as the end of the bone penetrated her, moaning as it rubbed against her insides. Sophia glanced over her shoulder at Kane, seeing that the little show had brought him back to full readiness in just one short minute. "Well? What are you waiting for?" Kane nodded eagerly as he moved behind her, his penis sliding into her own slit much easier in comparison to Ana.

Kane started thrusting into Sophia at a brisk pace, knowing that the more experienced Marowak wasn't going to settle for anything less. His thrusts impacted on Sophia's own, the Marowak using his force to augment her own movements with the bone and take Ana to a whole new level of ecstasy. Both girls were now moaning loudly as they felt the bones penetrate them deeply, Kane clenching his teeth at the incredible heat of Sophia's body as he kept up his pace.

Already having been through one orgasm, it didn't take Kane and Ana long to reach their second. Ana screeched again as another wave of pleasure crashed through her body, her insides grasping the bone tightly and pulling it deeper into her. Kane cried out as he came, shooting his second load into Sophia's welcoming body and feeling her passage tighten onto him as the Marowak joined them with her own climax.

Completely spent, all three of them crashed into the pillows at the head of Ana's bed, panting heavily while they allowed their sweat soaked bodies to cool. After a few minutes the pokemon moved closer to the trainer, both draping one arm over her body and smiling warmly at her. Ana grinned back at them, far too tired to say much.

"Thank... you... both..." she managed, a dreamy smile plastered on her face as she fell asleep, too tired to stay awake. Kane and Sophia looked at each other, grinning awkwardly.

"Is it wrong to say I kinda wish it was me you loved?" Sophia asked, giving Kane a light whack with the bone as he smirked at her. It was all they could do before they joined Ana in sleep.

***

The next morning Ana was in her trainer gear again, Kane and Sophia following her down the stairs towards the front door in high spirits. They walked out of the mansion where Ana had grown up, not looking back until they were halfway down the drive way. Ana stared at the mansion for a long moment, a sad smile on her face akin to the one she had worn when they had arrived. Kane and Sophia followed her gaze, switching it to the trainer when she gave little more than a contented laugh and walked off.

Kane smiled up at her, and for the first time in his life he felt truly happy.Chapter End Notes:So this is the end of Perceptions. It's certainly come a long way from a stand along contest entry into something I can be pretty happy about. I won't say I like it more than Wolf's Series, but hopefully some of the things I've picked up while writing this will stick.

Oh, and the chapter titles were beginning to grate on my nerves. Did anyone else feel the same way?

Anywho, it does feel good to post something again. Also, I'll just say here that if anyone else really wants to, I wouldn't mind it if you picked up the story from here. Just remember to ask first.

Thanks for reading