Authors Note: Now the story really starts :)
100 Poke dollars is equivalent to 1 American dollar

Kuroko put on his worn out sneakers, adjusted the strap of his satchel so it sat comfortably on his shoulder, and threw a final glance behind him at the house he had lived the past seventeen years. The faded warm coloured wallpapers, flowers in vases that littered the hallways, the familiar tables, chairs, and kitchen.

"Come on Nigou, let's go," voice determined, he opened the door, Nigou at his feet.

Stepping out into the front yard of his house, the gentle breeze wafted the scent of blooming peonies, lily's, and blue bells that his mother had carefully raised. The sky was blue, the sun gentle, and it was a most perfectly suitable day to start his journey.

Momoi's long pink hair complemented wonderfully with the scenery, the past ten years had seen her become the prettiest in her home town, and she smiled brightly but with a touch of sadness as Kuroko closed the vine tangled gate and turned to face her.

"So I guess this is it huh, be careful out there Tetsu-kun. Remember to send me letters ok, oh and don't forget-"

"I promise I'll find him Momoi-san"

Two years ago

Aomine had called him out to the stream bank, the same place he had received Nigou. The sky was overcast, threatening to descend water on the earth any second now. So Kuroko hurried to get there, whilst wondering what it was the Aomine had to tell him so urgently. As he approached closer he saw the silhouette of his best friend sitting down, broad back towards him.

"Aomine-kun"

Registering his voice, Aomine slowly turned around, looking towards the floor, and finally lifting his head with eyes that looked like they had lost all hope in the world.

"Tetsu, it's not fun anymore, Pokémon battles."

Rain started pouring down, but Kuroko remained oblivious to this. The sound did not reach his ears, the colour of the surroundings became a subdued monochrome, his shirt becoming increasingly soaked went unnoticed. It felt as if someone had torn away something from him and only a gaping hole that throbbed painfully was left. The raindrops slowly trailing down Aomine's face resembled tears, but if they were Kuroko would never know.

"I don't even remember how it was like to do a team battle with you. I'm leaving Tetsu."

He should have stopped him, should have called out to him, but the empty, distraught feeling in his chest made Kuroko immobile. Still crushed in disbelief, Aomine walked away, leaving Kuroko behind, except this time for how long? The profile of Aomine's back is the last to vanish, curtained by the mist and falling rain.

Looking up slightly misty-eyed at Kuroko, Momoi whispered, "I know you will."

Momoi escorts Kuroko to the start of Route One, fussing over him the entire way.

"You've said goodbye to your parents and grandmother already right? Also don't forget I ordered those custom sneakers for you so you have to pick them up when you reach Viridian city. You have that map I gave you too as well?"

"Yes Momoi-san, thank you for you're concern but I'll be fine don't worry too much about me."

They'd reached the border of the town now; a sign displaying ROUTE 1 signalled that they were indeed at the right place.

"Well, goodbye Momoi-san," Kuroko gave a small bow.

"Oh don't be silly Tetsu-kun, come here."

Momoi enveloped Kuroko in a warm hug, then proceeded to cuddle Nigou as well.

Taking a step onto the well-trod dusty road, Kuroko turned around one more time and gave her a small smile.

"I'll miss you Momoi-san."

Kuroko made it to Viridian city around midday with minimal mishaps. His low presence, which had only become stronger over the years, meant it was easier for him to avoid wild Pokémon. Although the Rattata, Pidgey's, and Zigzaggon's along Route One were at a much lower level than Nigou - a critical hit from Bite was all it took to defeat them – this however slowed his progress down, so Kuroko tended to avoid these encounters. Several towns' children loitered around the route, eager and displaying no lost enthusiasm for Pokémon battles, similar to Kuroko's own childhood of warm spring days happily training Nigou with Aomine and his Eevee Mai. Sadness of course tinged these memories, so Kuroko had hurried on, most of the children not noticing him.

Stopping for lunch at a quaint café in Viridian City, Kuroko then continued to the city's Pokémon Centre for the routine healing of Nigou and procurement of supplies needed for the journey. To reach Rustboro City, Kuroko needed to go through Viridian Forest, which was famous for its numerous poison and bug Pokémon. Stocking up on Antidotes for poison and paralysis, as well as potions, poke balls, and an escape rope just in case, Kuroko stared despairingly at his wallet at how only around 300 Poke dollars remained. He would have to battle some trainers to earn more cash.

Lastly Kuroko collected the shoes that Momoi had ordered for him. They sneakers were white, with light blue streaks that matched his hair, running down the sides of the shoes. Momoi had customised them with his exact measurements so they fit perfectly as well as featuring some designs that made up for his lack of stamina, which Kuroko was grateful for. After putting them on, Kuroko and Nigou made their way through the narrow streets to Viridian Forest.

Viridian Forest was exactly what the name suggested. Dark green trees, slightly less dark green grass, and sunlight that was thwarted from filtering through into the forest by the thick mass of leaves that covered up the sky. Advancing steadily through the maze of trees and battling several bug Pokemon fanatics, Kuroko found himself in a something not quite a clearing, but most definitely not as dense as the majority of the forest.

He made out what seemed like a man hugging a tree, approaching slightly closer he realised that the stranger was actually… 'licking' the tree.

Kuroko stared, debating whether he should say something or pretend he hadn't seen anything and continue on his way. Conscience and polite upbringing eventually winning the conflict in choice.

"Um, excuse me"

"Whaa?! Shit!" the strange man exclaimed, leaping away from the tree as if trying to put as much distance between him and it as possible.

"It isn't what it looks like!" he continued yelling, albeit in the wrong direction, and looked confused when no one replied.

"Someone did say something right," he muttered.

Feeling obliged to put the man out of his misery Kuroko tapped him on the arm.

"I'm right here"

"HOLY, MOTHER OF GOD, KID YOU GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK!"

Kid. Now that slightly irked Kuroko however he continued to blankly stare at the rather presumptuous man.

"…Don't look at me like that, before you judge me let me explain," the mans hands moved about frantically, "I'm a scientist you see, name's Aida Kagetora, and we're doing tests to see if this sticky substance common to Viridian Forest tree's, has the same ability to attract wild Pokémon just like the Pokémon move Sweet Scent or lathering honey on still objects. I was getting a bit bored waiting for Kiyoshi over there to finish his experiment and collect results so I decided to you know… just try a little bit, to taste it…"

Kuroko continued staring dumbfounded at the man, Aida.

"Look it was for science ok, for science!" Aida flustered, trying to justify his very weird actions.

"…I see. And Kiyoshi?"

Aida groaned, "no, doesn't look like you do. Kiyoshi's over there."

Aida pointed to where a built man lay on the ground, plastered with the sticky substance. Although there were no wild Pokemon in sight, the man was covered by quite a multitude of black dots, presumably ants and other small insects.

Kuroko looked at the man lying on the floor concerned, and once again stared at Aida.

"Yeah I know, looks like the experiment is a dope. Hey Kiyoshi, you can probably get up now."

"Really? I thought it was working though, I can feel something tickling my arms," Kiyoshi who had been smiling peacefully with his eyes closed, responded lightly, standing up in large movements.

"Yeah not exactly, you should probably head back to Rustboro now. But considering you have no head for directions…" Aida contemplated when an idea struck, "… Ah I know, hey you, kid."

"My name is Kuroko Tetsuya and I'm seventeen."

"Right sorry, it's just you have a baby face," Kuroko stare suddenly gained a murderous edge, "anywaay, would you mind doing me a favour and accompanying Kiyoshi back to Rustboro, he has terrible orientation. Of course I'm not asking you to do this for free!"

Aida reached into his backpack then handed Kuroko a rectangular shaped device and a poke ball.

"This here," he pointed to the red and white device, "is a Pokedex, you're very lucky to be getting one, they're rare and not in mainstream markets yet. If I had to give a value it'd be a few million poke dollars," Aida explained with confidence as if he already expected Kuroko to accept the offer.

"Every single time you capture a new Pokémon, its information and anything you need to know about it will be automatically put in this clever machine. This Pokeball over here contains a water and ice Pokémon named Lapras, took me quite a bit of effort to obtain that one," he smiled proudly, "so is that good enough for you?"

Kuroko considered, on one hand taking Kiyoshi would slow him down as he would undeniably attract wild pokemon and trainers alike, the substance all over him or not. On the other, it would be handy to have another Pokemon in his party.

"Alright," Kuroko gave his consent, good idea or not, he'd find out sooner or later.

"Ahahaha yes! I knew I could count on ya Kuroko-chan. When you get to the city go the gym there. My daughter Riko's the gym leader there, so if you could bring Kiyoshi to her that would be great," Aida patted Kuroko's back several times, "Hey Kiyoshi, Kuroko here will guide you back."

"Ah is that so," standing up Kiyoshi was as tall as he was built, "it's nice to meet you Kuroko, my name's Kiyoshi Teppei, I look forward to travelling with you."

Shaking the outstretched hand, Kuroko replied vacantly, "my sentiments as well."

Kiyoshi just smiled at him softly.

Omake: post/110337230749/chapter-1-share-this-journey-with-me

Authors note: All the Aokuro angst there, how could I not put that scene in, you know which one I'm talking about. Next chapter will have Riko, Hyuuga, and Izuki. Look forward to the puns :P