JUST A QUICK NOTE: I just wanted to leave a note here that I use the Japanese names of the characters since I watch the anime in Japanese language with English subs only. Also, I use Ryperior's Japanese name: Dosidon in one of the next chapters (so there's no confusion). Oh, and one more thing: Whenever you see these symbols preceding or following text: ~~~~ That means it's the contents of Kojiro's dream/nightmare
The beautiful night continued on eerily silent as the trio sailed through the evening sky. Kojiro and Nyasu gave Musashi what they considered a "safe" distance. However, with the limited amount of space their Team Rocket air balloon provided, it wasn't much. Musashi continued to gaze out into the deep blue of the night sky. The sun had just set not too long ago and the stars sparkled in a dazzling grandeur around them. Deep in thought, her eyes dull as if in a daze, she neither spoke a word or even acknowledged her two teammates behind her.
Kojiro exchanged a concerned look with Nyasu, before attempting to make his way to his female teammate and long time friend. Nyasu caught him by his leg before he took another step further. Kojiro glanced down at the cat Pokemon in surprise only to be be met with a stern stare. Nyasu merely shook his head in warning before letting him go. Kojiro sadly nodded in agreement and returned back to leaning against of the walls to give Musashi her space.
He couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed and disappointed. He wanted to hear Musashi out. They had almost just experienced another parting of the ways due to her infatuation with Dr. White. Kojiro honestly thought that Musashi was going to leave the Rocket gang. Why did she change her mind? Kojiro thought to himself as he continued to look at his partner. A million thoughts were racing through his head when he suddenly felt very weak. He decided it was best to sit down the remainder of their flight. As he slowly eased his way down, he felt his legs give out in exhaustion as he hit the floor of their balloon in a thud. He let out a yelp of pain and surprise as he did so.
Musashi snapped out of her reverie and turned around. She had forgotten that she was in the air balloon with her friends. She shook her head of her confusion and wondered what happened with Kojiro, who was now sitting on the floor wincing in pain while Nyasu was looking him over quickly, his tail wagging nervously.
She knelt down in front of Kojiro, her deep sapphires full of concern held Kojiro's eyes, enchanting him in a way that he had almost forgotten how to speak. "Are you OK?" she asked him.
"Ah" he replied, remembering why she was speaking to him in the first place. "Just a little sore from today's events. I'll be OK"
Musashi looked over at Nyasu who had finished checking Kojiro over. He turned to look at Musashi, knowing she wanted his opinion.
"He looks OK. Maybe he just needs to rest," Nyasu said.
Kojiro grinned at Musashi reassuringly, feeling uncomfortable with being stared at by both his friends. She stood up and walked over to the other side of the air balloon as Kojiro let out a sigh of relief.
"Nyasu," she called, who bounded over to Musashi, leaning over the edge of the air balloon as she was. "How far is the next town?" she asked. "We need to get a headstart of those brat kids,"
Nyasu checked his GPS and scrolled with his paw. "Another few hours. We should make it there in plenty of time before sunrise."
Kojiro watched them warily. I feel bad having to chase after those brat kids so quicklyhe thought. They had just helped me defeat the Pokemon Hunter...but duty calls, I guess. He started to drift off to sleep.
~~~~~~~Kojiro watched sadly as Musashi gathered her belongings from the air balloon. He tried to gather his thoughts the best he could and think of something to say. Anything to stop her from leaving. But deep down, watching her become giddy while she prepared for this next step in her life made him doubtful he could change her mind.
"Well," she said, placing her hands on her hips. "I think that's everything!"
She began to tie her things together in a few bags. She bent down to pat Nyasu on the head. "Take care, Nyasu!" she smiled affectionately at him. "Please come visit me anytime!" Nyasu smiled and gave her a hug. Kojiro frowned. How could he be so happy for her leaving?!He thought. I'm devastated!
"Kojiro," he heard Musashi call him. He looked up to see her standing in front of him. Waithe thought. It's too soon! I don't know what to say to her!
"Musashi, I…" he fumbled with his words while he strained his mind for the words to make her stay with them. He looked down to focus and organize his thoughts when suddenly he was interrupted by another figure who had appeared on the horizon.
Dr. White had come for Musashi. She turned around excitedly and then back to Kojiro. "Kojiro, just a moment!" she said before turning to run and greet Dr. White.
"Mu-Musashi" he mumbled reaching in vain towards her direction.~~~~~~~
"Musashi!"
Kojiro's eyes opened up. Blurry blue eyes were peering into his. "Ugh," he muttered, rubbing his eyes to clear them. When he opened them again, Musashi was again kneeling before him, her face inches from his. "Gah!" he cried out, backing further into the wall he was sitting against. "What?! What's wrong?" he cried out to her, wondering why she was so close.
"You were mumbling," Nyasu replied, who was also watching him, only from afar. He was busy settling the air balloon down from its landing. He had a small smirk on his face.
"What was I mumbling?" Kojiro asked cautiously.
"My name," Musashi replied, continuing to look at him curiously. She noticed his forehead had sweat. And now he was starting to turn a red hue. She took off one her gloves and touched her hand to Kojiro's forehead, causing him to blush a deeper scarlet. "You're not running a fever are you?"
"N-no!" Kojiro sputtered, remembering his dream and why he had mumbled Musashi's name. "I just...had a bad dream that's all." Musashi kept her hand on her partner's head until she was sure he wasn't running a fever after all. "Where are we?" Kojiro asked, wanting desperately to divert the attention off of him.
"In the woods, just outside of our next city destination," Musashi answered, standing up. She began to walk over to the nearest wall of the balloon basket and hop up and over. She watched as Nyasu began to set up their campsite for the night.
"The moon is nice and bright tonight," Nyasu stated. "So we have a good light. Plus, it's nice and warm so we won't be needing a fire either!"
Musashi smirked. One less chore to worry aboutshe thought, not liking the task of collecting firewood. She turned towards Kojiro, who had gotten up and was making his way to disembark from the balloon. She approached him, still concerned for his weak state. Musashi giggled to herself silently as she watched her gangly partner wobble his way over to one edge of the balloon basket. He really is such a goofshe thought in amusement. Still, I have to admit it's kind of cuteshe thought, feeling the color rise to her cheeks.
As Kojiro attempted to lift one left over the balloon wall, he wavered like a drunk and Musashi went to help him. She reached up to grab his shoulders and steady him. "You're so annoying," she said, disguising her concern in a tone of irritancy. "You definitely need more re-" she was cut off by Kojiro falling forward, his heavy frame now leaning on Musashi for support.
Musashi went rigid as Kojiro's hair swept forward and brushed along her cheek. Her hands were still on his shoulders, but her arms were pushed against her chest from his weight. Kojiro's face was soon buried in Musashi's neck. He slipped his arms back so that both his hands gripped Musashi's hips. She stiffened in alarm, blushing deeply. "O-oy," she stammered. "What do you think-"
"Sorry, Musashi." he breathed against her neck, causing Musashi's hairs on the back if it to stand up. He used his grip on her hips to push himself backwards and off of his flustered partner. Once off of her, he flashed a dazzling smile at Musashi, his emerald eyes gleaming in the dark. "Maybe by the morning, I'll be much better."
Musashi, still frazzled by the recent intrusion of personal space by her childlike, but charming partner, she crossed her arms and looked away from his piercing stare. "J-Just be more careful," she muttered, cheeks pink, before storming off.
Kojiro watched her leave, blinking in confusion by her frustrated, yet mildreaction to their physically intimate moment. He wondered why she didn't shove him off and yell at him. He smiled, realizing that he was pleased with himself, and went to go set up his sleeping bag for the night.