Disclaimer: Seirin-chan owns nothing.

Seirin-chan: Ne, Ali-chii, are you sad you didn't write this?

Alithia: No not really. (smirks) Not when I know I'll have an important role in the next chapter.

Seirin-chan: Eh….Lucky!

Alithia: By the way, this is sorta how you can get Zorua. But you'll need a Celebi in your team and look for the kid in Castelia City(somewhere near the Name Rater I think or not)

Ever since N left, Touko had been a little…off. She kept spacing out and was quieter than the Touko that Bel and Cheren knew. Both of her best friends noticed the vacant look in her eyes.

"I know! How about we have some Casteliacones and cheer her up?" Bel suggested in a conversation with Cheren.

The boy seemed to think about it and finally agreed. And so, they called Touko to meet up with them at Castelia.

( Touko's POV )

I entered the café where I was supposed to meet up with Bel and Cheren. Actually, I didn't want to come here in the first place for two reasons;

One : Because if I weren't here, it'd just be Bel and Cheren. And some people, like me, consider that as a date. Seriously, those two have so got to get together soon.

Two : I wanted to revisit some old memories of N. It was all I have left while I waited for him.

But I didn't want to worry my best friends so much. If they think I'm gonna bawl over N's departure, boy, are they wrong. Yes, I miss him a lot. But I know he'll be back, that's a fact. But I can't help but feel depressed and a little discouraged. Heck, I didn't really want to help Looker find the Seven Sages; I want to see N. But if I went looking for him, its like I lost faith in his return, so I'll wait.

I scanned the little café for a green beret, but before I could, someone called out my name.

"Touko! Over here!"

It was Bel, obviously. Cheren was beside her, looking a tad bit embarrassed at Bel's loudness. I smiled and went over to their table.

"So, how've you been?" Bel asked me eagerly. I replied with a nonchalant shrug. " Okay, I guess. Looker asked me to help him find the Seven Sages."

"Looker? Who's Looker?" Cheren asked, suddenly interested.

"Er…" I stammered, thinking whether to tell them about Looker or not. "He's part of the International police, who're after the remaining Team Plasma members." I explained.

"Oh…" Bel and Cheren said together.

"Team Plasma… does that mean you're looking for N?" Bel asked innocently. Cheren immediately glared at Bel, but I could tell he was anxious about my answer too. I lowered my head so that my bangs covered my eyes. Bel realized her mistake and apologized.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Touko! I didn't mean to remind you, if you wanted to forget about him…" She said, her voice sincerely sorry.

"No, its okay" I assured her with a fake smile. The both of them looked at me worriedly, I could tell they didn't believe me. I sighed, I know pretending won't be much help.

"Seriously, guys, I'm fine." I assured them "You have nothing to worry about! I know I seem … depressed lately. But its just because-" I stopped myself before I could continue. I did NOT want them to know about me and -

"Because of what, Touko?" Bel asked.

"Why are you depressed lately?" Cheren finally said something.

You know how some people say there are parts of you that do different things right? I believe that now. Because one part of me was debating whether I should tell them or not. The other part was having a mini mental break down about it.

I sighed and went for the rational part. They were my best friends since childhood. So I told them.

They listened attentively. Bel squealed at some parts of the story and commented that she wished she could have a guy like N, wherein I sorta glared and Cheren frowned at that. She giggled at our reactions and said she was seeing someone else though, but Cheren was still frowning.

I giggled at Cheren's cluelessness. For someone who wears glasses, he sure can't see what's right in front of him. The both of them seemed surprised and glad at my suddenly cheerful mood.

And so, we enjoyed the rest of the afternoon in Castelia. We went shopping, sightseeing and of course, chatting. We even met up with Burgh in the shopping mall. He and Bel kept on talking about new fashions, which left me and Cheren out of the conversation.

Judging from the frown on his face, I could tell Cheren was slightly jealous maybe. I giggled and teased him "Aww, no need to be jealous, Cherry-berry~ I'm sure Bel likes you more!" Cheren's face went red from either anger, embarrassment or blushing. I guessed it was all three.

But before he could retort, a small kid bumped into me. I managed to keep my balance and held out my hand for the little boy. He looked frightened and scared. I wonder if he's lost?

I crouched in front of him (since he wouldn't stand) and assured him in the most soothing, comforting voice I could manage. "Hey there, are you alright?"

No response, unless you include his scared expression from before. Seriously, it was like I'm talking to an injured pokemon.

"My name's Touko." I introduced, and his scared face turned into a disbelieving one. But why won't he talk? Is he mute?

Before I could continue, Bel called me and Cheren. I stood up and was about to leave but the little boy immediately grabbed my wrist, his expression clearly saying 'Don't leave me!'

I inwardly sighed and assured him. "Okay, I won't leave you. But I can I say goodbye to my friends first?"

He looked wary about the idea, but soon agreed with a nod. I smiled and we made our way to Cheren and Bel. Like I told the little boy, I just said bye and catch you later, and stuff.

After we left the mall, the kid started tugging at my vest. I looked down at him and he seemed like he wanted to take me somewhere. I know I shouldn't trust strangers, but hey, if you were in my position; with a practically lost cute kid, you'd follow him. And besides, who knows what could happen to him if he went alone?

Anyways, I let him pull me to wherever he wanted to go and ended up near a bench on a deserted pier. It was already dark and only one street light was working. I stepped into the light and sat on the bench.

I looked back at the kid to see nothing. He was still in the shadows.

"Hey… where are you?" I asked worriedly, looking around for him.

Suddenly, something stepped into the light. At first I thought it was the kid, but instead, it was a cute black-ish fox pokemon. I immediately knew what it was.

"Z-zorua!" I exclaimed.

Zorua nodded it its head, a bit shy, like a new pokemon. Suddenly, a thought passed my mind. Could this Zorua be the silent little boy I was with?

I slowly picked up Zorua and rested it on my lap. Carefully, I started to pet it. It purred, or whatever, against my touch. We stayed like that for a few more minutes until I decided to break the silence.

"Hey…Are you N's Zorua?" I asked in a quiet voice. Zorua looked up at me.

{Sort of. I'm the child of his Zoroark…but I think he wanted me to be with you} Zorua explained in pokemon language.

"Um… okay…" I said meekly, because I couldn't really understand. "So… you want to come with me?" I asked.

Zorua nodded his head vigorously. {Of course! N said you were an amazing trainer!}

I smiled at that, though I barely understood. "Great! Welcome aboard, Zorua!" I greeted. But then I thought of something.

{What is it, Touko?} Zorua tilted his cute little head.

"Well, I was just thinking if you knew where…N was…" I said softly, still caressing the like pokemon.

Zorua lowered his head a little. {I dunno…I'm sorry…} Little tears started to form on Zorua's eyes. I almost panicked. "Don't cry, Zorua!" I assured him "Its not your fault" I said honestly.

Zorua looked at me and asked {But what if he doesn't come back?}

My eyes soften at Zorua's question (don't ask how I understood, just keep reading) I knew this fact more than anyone else.

"Listen Zorua, N is coming back, and that's that!" I stated. Zorua looked at me bewildered. {How can you be so sure?}

"Because he promised me he will" I murmured softly. Zorua seemed at ease at my statement and contently rested his head on my lap.

I thought about today's activities. All of them made me happy, I smiled. I looked up at the starry sky above us. I didn't need to worry; all I had to do was wait. If there was one thing I realized today that comforted me the most, it'd be knowing this;

Somewhere out there, wherever he was, N was also looking up at same sky and stars that were plaited in it.

(A/N: Ah, told you I'd be done soon. Now all I have to do is to make N's version which would be the next chapter. So wait okay? Although I have a feeling I can't always update at this pace, but it won't take longer than a week. But please don't rush me. I do TERRIBLE WHEN I AM RUSHED. Actually, I think I'm better writing at someone's POV than the normal one… Oh well, tell me what you think)