I have the story changed a whole lot, and I think it's tons better. Reviews are welcome (thanks for the three who reviewed the first edition of this!). And I've decided to focus on N and Touko more than actual Pokémon. Also, I didn't realize how short this "chapter" was until now... o.O Sorry about that.

Thank you to JayEyedWolf for helping me edit this! Go check her out here and on DeviantART.

Disclaimer: I do not own Nintendo or Pokémon.

The sun was setting as Touko walked out Anville Town's Pokémon Center, slipping on a jacket around her slight shoulders. The wind was out with a vengeance today, whipping her ponytail violently around her head. Muttering curses at her stupidly thick hair, Touko hurried towards the small inn she was staying, anxious for the warm fire burning, if the smoke from the chimney was anything to judge by.

As her hand reached out to the doorknob, it was twisted and opened from the inside. Touko stepped backwards, an awkward "Sorry" already on her lips. It died, however, as she saw who had opened the door.

Touko's hands flew to her Samurott's Poké ball, preparing to release Amphitrite if need be. Her muscles tensed, and she nervously shifted her weight from foot to foot. Her heart pounded against her ribcage like a trapped bird, her pulse racing.

"I—I—" N spluttered. "I don't—you don't have to do that. I'm not going to battle you."

Touko didn't relax. "Long time no see," she said, nervously running her thumb over the Poké ball. "I see you haven't changed." Indeed, he looked the same: long, thick green hair tied in a ponytail; baseball cap pulled over his stupidly attractive green eyes; that little round necklace thing around his neck; cube hanging from his belt.

"You don't see correctly, then," N responded, his voice terse. "I can tell you have, though. You're tense. You were free before, wild. Now you're scared."

Touko resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Instead, she frowned and opened her mouth in a slight 'o.' "N, do you even know who you are? The power you hold? What you are capable of doing-what you did to me? My friends? My Pokémon?"

N cast his eyes downward, studying the ground, remaining silent. He squeezed the bridge of his nose, exhaling slowly. "Look—you... you weren't the only one affected by what happened, you know." He met Touko's eyes again, this time causing her to look away.

"Whatever," Touko muttered after an uncomfortable silence. "Can I go in now? I'm freezing." She didn't wait for an answer, but squeezed past N into the heat. She quickly found a spot by the fireplace, holding out her hands to warm them up after taking off her cap.

N sat down on the chair opposite her.

"I thought you were leaving," Touko said, not meeting his eyes.

N stared into the fireplace, the blaze reflected in his eyes. "It's warm in here," he said.

Touko really did roll her eyes this time. "Okay, sure. Do you just like stalking me?"

"No." N closed his eyes and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands in front of him. "You're a puzzle, Touko. I haven't managed to solve you yet... I hate things left unsolved."

"I'm a puzzle?" Touko said sharply, looking straight into N's eyes, blue boring into green. "I'm an object to you? Not a person? Not a living, breathing human being? I'm just another one of your stupid equations you need to solve?"

N stiffened. "No—I didn't mean that. I just... I don't know people. Are you people? Are you normal? From my limited experiences, I'd say not. So, no, you're not a person... you're unique, and special."

Touko turned back to the fireplace, glancing sideways at N. He spoke what he believed to be the truth, and the truth was he thought Touko was unique. She knew better than to believe that he was affectionate of her. Not that'd she wanted him... he had green hair. Enough said. But it was still a compliment, right?

"Thank you," she said finally, her muscles relaxing a bit.. "Where were you planning on heading next?"

"I don't know," N confessed. "But I should get going." He stood up from the chair, brushing some hair from his eyes. He paused by the couch Touko was sitting on, hand hovering above the fabric. "Um... nice seeing you."

And then he walked out without another word.

Touko stared at the door swinging shut behind him. It had been a year and a half since her last encounter with N, and even though she had been musing about him for a good amount of that year and a half, he was still an enigma to her. Just like, apparently, she was to him. Touko sighed, then got up and went to her room, leaving the fireplace crackling behind her.