They turned pale as ghosts as the scene they were witnessing progressed longer, second after second. Chills ran up and down their spines, as they saw another drop of blood drop from the professor's hand.
"Professor!" both jumped in shock, hearing the shouting voice. Faintly tracking it, it seemed to come from another room off to the side. "Professor, I told you to tilt your head back AND plug your nose, not one or the other.
"Sorry Mary." The professor's voice spoke faintly and stuffed as the hand that was resting upon his chest rose slowly, coming up to his nose and pinched.
A sigh of relief rushed through Neko's body as his color started to return. Turning to Sarah for a moment he put on a smile. "That was interesting." Looking back at him, her eyes with a touch of redness, she nodded. It seemed that she was still recovering. Sympathetically he wrapped his right arm around her shoulders and ran his hand down the back of her shoulder blade.
Turning back towards the professor, Neko removes his arm and walked towards the door of the studio where he saw Mary pass and walk though just a moment ago.
He opened the door slowly as he saw Mary hand the professor a small handkerchief to plug his nose with.
"Now go and clean yourself off, your filthy" Mary's voice grew demanding, surely she didn't want more bloodstains around the studio then she needed. By now Neko had approached the two, a questioning expression his face.
"Uh, Professor Oak?"
"What? Yes my boy, what do you need" the Professor's voice was very nasal due to the covering of his nose.
"My name is Neko Betail," he paused, "and I was called here to pick up my pokégear from you."
"Neko?" the professor asked himself almost as if he were searching though a filing cabinet within his mind, he thought. "Ah yes, Neko, how are you," he greeted, "I'd shake your hand but-"
"Eh, don't worry about it"
Mary seemed to grow a bit red herself since she felt as if she was being ignored, but calmly spoke "As I told you professor, go and wash all that blood off yourself, I remember where you put the pokégear."
"Oh all right," Heaving himself from the chair, allowing it to roll back about a foot, the professor slowly sauntered out the studio door, across the small hallway, into the washroom.
For a moment Neko looked over his shoulder, back to Sarah, who seemed to be fully recovered from the shock of the professor. With a smile and a wink passed between them, Sarah started walking up to the studio door. "OK Neko, just give me a second to find and grab your pokégear and you can head down to New Bark."
"Right," he responded. He waited as Mary searched though the large cabinet drawers along the walls of the studio; Quietly Sarah pushed the studio door open, walking in across the shaggy carpet. Still light headed she places herself next to Neko wrapping her arms around his waist, and in return he brought his own hand up and let it settle along her back and shoulders. Her head nuzzled against his chest.
The rush of a file drawer flying open brought the two's eyes to marry, who had her hand reaching into a deep drawer, blindly groping thought the many assorted files.
Finally bringing her hand back out she revealed a watch like mechanism, black in color, it consisted of three parts, held together by tiny hinges, along the back of the two outer pieces were belt loops made from a synthetic leather material. On the right corner was a small pouch with a slit in the bottom exposing a small, transparent, square with a circle (with a cross through it) embedded on it. The centerpiece looked common with the pokégear options and graphics screen. Then on the left corner a round mechanism with a wire wrapped around it, within a revolving casing, this was normal for on the end of the wire was an ear phone, meant for the cell phone option.
Mary grasped it within her hand as she walked back to Neko. Suddenly noticing Sarah her eyes widened and raised her brow smiling joyfully. "I was wondering when you were going to come in," she stated.
Sarah blinked her eyes twice suddenly, bringing a small moment of silence between the three of them. "Neko," she asked, " I thought a pokégear was meant to be put on a trainers wrist?"
"I thought so too," he brought his eyes up to Mary's, "what's with the change?"
"Well Neko... the main change was for convenience, why have it on your wrist when its too easy to leave it some place if you take it off when you sleep or when your tired, another is for the new design." Focusing on the Pokégear contemplating a way to say it. "Do you see the piece of plastic with the cross shape through it coming from one of the pouches?"
"Yeah," Neko replied.
"Well if you take it out its actually a portable pokemon detector. It works kind of like an eye patch when you wear it, but when activated its an automatic detector or scanner, of Pokémon you see or can't see with the naked eye, like a Haunter for example." Taking it all in both Neko and Sarah nodded. "Now," she continued, "This is technically a very new model and you're the first trainer who's going to be using it to its fullest advantage... so please... take care of it." Placing it into Neko's palm she grasps her hands around his, almost running them along his as he held the pokégear. Her eyes met his, in a way that Sarah didn't approve of.
Sweat dropping a bit, Neko started scratching his head with his free hand in a peculiar manner with a sheepish grin. "Eh heh, uh... sure thing not a problem, heh." Neko pulled his hand away.
Coughing hard and crouching a bit the Professor appears out from what appeared to be a bathroom, cleaned and with a changed shirt. He strides in with a superior posture about him.
"Are you OK Professor?" Sarah asked concerned, "That was quite the episode you had."
"I'm quite all right young lady. Thank you for caring."
"Come on Sarah Its time to go." Neko's voice was soft and slow his eyes were blank and almost emotionless. Sarah looked down to the floor. She closed her eyes for a moment, she sighed.
"What's wrong with the two of you. Just a moment ago you were fine and now your all depressed."
"Its my leaving that's bothering us Professor, Sarah doesn't want me to leave. And even though I don't want to se her sad, I feel that I have to go on this journey."
"Well that explains a lot now doesn't it. Well I'm sorry that you're all in this predicament but there's nothing I can really say to help"
"It's all right professor, we understand," Sarah spoke up "But it is time for us to go, we've stayed longer than we should have already I imagine, right Neko?" Looking upward, her eyes sadly met his.
"Right, lets go" Taking his hand both Sarah and Neko turned around and headed out of the booth and towards the stair of where they came.
"Bye you two, It was nice to meet you both." Mary called after them. Neko only raised his hand in return.
Neko and Sarah walked once again in silence as they walked down the many flights of stairs, passing many employees. But still, neither one of them spoke. Only once they passed clerk at the front door did Neko say goodbye.
Solemn looks were on both on their faces, deep in thought, until something crossed Neko's mind, a memory based not too long ago. A smile appeared on his face, and then a chuckle.
"What's all this about?" Sarah's brow was wrinkled, confused.
"Oh, nothing really, I just remembered something that I should have done yesterday, But I guess I'll do it today before I leave." Looking at his watch, he notices what time it is. "And besides, the first train for Cherrygrove left about a half an hour ago, and by the time we're done the next one should be here.
"Really, where are we going." A week smile appeared on Sarah's face
Just follow me and you'll see.
On the other side of town, the two walk down one of the more rural roads like the one their house is on. Sarah realizes where their heading but still doesn't know why.
"Come on Neko, tell me why were going to the nursery?"
"You'll see soon enough." Coming around the corner, the nursery comes into view, A massive building. Though not a particularly tall one, only two stories. However it was not the height of the building that made it so massive, but the square footage and depth of the building. "And besides it's been a while since you've seen Carlos."
"Well it has been a while since I've touched base with him. Hey!" She declared, "I wonder how Pearl is doing? It has been almost a year since I've seen her around the nursery." The two stepped up the stairs. Neko paused and looked at Sarah with a playful, devilish smile. "You'll see, you'll see." Neko knocked on the door loudly twice before ringing the doorbell. It only took a few moments before the door opened and a rosy, somewhat round old lady appeared from behind it...
"Oh... Neko," her voice was sweet and soft from age and care, "I didn't think you'd come so late. Miss your train?" Her eyes were a grayish blue and her hair bleach white. However her smile was as bright as ever.
"Well... sort of." Neko looked down at the doorstep as he spoke.
"There's no 'sort of' about it Chico."
"There's always the next one Maria."
"Well, I guess so... But why don't you come on inside and have something to drink." Excepting with a nod and a smile Neko led Sarah into the house with her hand held tight to his. Walking ahead of them Maria Strolled through the living room and disappeared into the kitchen to make some tea when Neko and Sarah entered the house, Sarah was amazed to see how much the place had changed since she had been there last. The Walls were now all painted instead of wall papered, cheaper furniture, and not many decorations. The only decor that could be comprehended were the few paintings on the walls and the mirrors. She pondered.
"Sarah..." Neko spoke softly to her. When she turned to look at him her eye caught an old female Persian. Slowly and stiffly it raised itself to its feet... bringing itself closer to Sarah. When it reaches her leg it purrs softly and beautifully while it rubs up against her leg.
"Aw... Pearl." Remembering the old cat she crouched down and petted pearl, who responded with a louder purr and a cry.
"Purrrsain." It cooed to her. A smile was painted on Sarah's face, along with tears, which reluctantly started flowing from her eyes. Then... just as slowly as she came she turned around and walked back to the small bed of whence she came. As the old cat peered into her bed... tiny immature meows could be herd from within the bed. Sarah's eyes widened greatly when she herd it. With one or two bones cracking, Pearl tensed up her front legs and with what almost looked like pain, she reached down with her neck and grasped something with her teeth. A single meow cried louder than the others, and with what still seemed like pain, Pearl lifted a newborn meowth kitten from the bed.
"Oh my." Was the only think Sarah could muster as she covered her mouth as more and more tears started to shed away from her eyes. Seeing the neck muscles contract vigorously Sarah watched Pearl carry the kitten by the scruff of its neck. The kitten itself had just finished getting its first layer of fur over its body. Rubbing again against Sarah's leg Pearl lifts her head up and raises the kitten even higher towards Sarah's hand. Sarah obliged by lowering her hand and taking grasping the kitten softly. Quickly, but not suddenly, Sarah clasped and cradled the kitten within both hands and against her breasts. In a sudden reaction the kitten meowed, curled, and nuzzled up against Sarah. She was stained with many tears.
"Are you sure Pearl?" Sarah asked, "Are you sure you want me to take a kitten from your last litter?"
"Purrrsain" Pearl responded by nodding carefully.
"Thank you so much Pearl..." still crouching Sarah took one hand away from the nuzzled kitten and caressed Pearl's muzzle as she kissed her forehead gently. "Thank you."
"Purrrsian." Lightly pulling away Pearl smiled, and slowly sauntered back to her small bed where she cuddled up with the rest of her litter and fell asleep almost instantly. The other kittens started suckling.
Sarah brought her other hand back up to support the kitten. "Was this what you wanted to show me Neko?" Her tears now dried onto her face Sarah turned to Neko who stood there and watched the whole thing silently not to ruin the moment.
"Yes..." Neko smiled. He brought his hand up to Sarah's face and grasping it with his four fingers and rubbing the dried tears away with his thumb. " Are you glad that I let Pearl tell you rather than me?"
"Well... it's different." Sarah half laughed to herself trying to bring herself out of her former state.
"What are you going to name the new baby?" Maria popped out of the kitchen with a tray of teacups and a kettle. "a kitten needs to have a name to listen for."
"Well..." Sarah mustered, "I'm going to call 'her' Jewel." Suddenly jewel started purring loudly in Sarah's arms cuddling deeper into her breasts.
"I think we should go..." Neko whispered softly into Sarah's left ear, "You need to get Jewel home before mother starts to wonder where you are and I need to catch the next train to New Bark."
"You're right Neko we should get going," Both Sarah and Neko's attention turned to Maria, who was poring tea for the tree of them. "I'm sorry Maria but we won't be staying. Jewel and I need to get home and Neko needs to catch the next train."
"Oh, all right" Maria shook her head as she sighed, "Just, try to have a good time. You remember the number here, don't you Neko?"
"Maria, how long have I been working here." Neko gave Maria look, making his question rhetorical.
"Yes, yes."
"Thank you Maria," Sarah went up and hugged her gently, so not to crush the sleeping jewel, just as she set the tea set on the small coffee table.
"Take care of yourself Sarah." Just behind Sarah, Neko hugged Maria, who gave Neko a kiss on his cheek. "You too Neko." Though old, her slight of hand gave her the ability to slip a TM into his pocket unnoticed.
"I'll do my best Maria."
Taking Sarah's shoulder, she and Neko turned from Maria and Pearl leaving through the front door.
As Neko and Sarah enter the north side of the city, near their house, Neko kisses Sarah softly. He then finished his goodbye to his loved one.
"Can't you stay at home," Sarah whined.
"Sarah..." Looking into his eye's Sarah saw a small tear; his eye still had the same hazel shine. But, a hard serious stare had joined the many optical expressions; an expression that almost scared her.
"Right... be careful Neko don't forget to call and write.
"I won't, give Mother and Morgan my love."
"I will..." Sarah partially turns away as tears start poring from her eyes, "Goodbye Neko, I love you"
"I love you too, goodbye Sarah" His head leading his turn, Neko takes a strong stride off towards the Train station where he separates from Sarah, starting on his journey.
"Professor!" both jumped in shock, hearing the shouting voice. Faintly tracking it, it seemed to come from another room off to the side. "Professor, I told you to tilt your head back AND plug your nose, not one or the other.
"Sorry Mary." The professor's voice spoke faintly and stuffed as the hand that was resting upon his chest rose slowly, coming up to his nose and pinched.
A sigh of relief rushed through Neko's body as his color started to return. Turning to Sarah for a moment he put on a smile. "That was interesting." Looking back at him, her eyes with a touch of redness, she nodded. It seemed that she was still recovering. Sympathetically he wrapped his right arm around her shoulders and ran his hand down the back of her shoulder blade.
Turning back towards the professor, Neko removes his arm and walked towards the door of the studio where he saw Mary pass and walk though just a moment ago.
He opened the door slowly as he saw Mary hand the professor a small handkerchief to plug his nose with.
"Now go and clean yourself off, your filthy" Mary's voice grew demanding, surely she didn't want more bloodstains around the studio then she needed. By now Neko had approached the two, a questioning expression his face.
"Uh, Professor Oak?"
"What? Yes my boy, what do you need" the Professor's voice was very nasal due to the covering of his nose.
"My name is Neko Betail," he paused, "and I was called here to pick up my pokégear from you."
"Neko?" the professor asked himself almost as if he were searching though a filing cabinet within his mind, he thought. "Ah yes, Neko, how are you," he greeted, "I'd shake your hand but-"
"Eh, don't worry about it"
Mary seemed to grow a bit red herself since she felt as if she was being ignored, but calmly spoke "As I told you professor, go and wash all that blood off yourself, I remember where you put the pokégear."
"Oh all right," Heaving himself from the chair, allowing it to roll back about a foot, the professor slowly sauntered out the studio door, across the small hallway, into the washroom.
For a moment Neko looked over his shoulder, back to Sarah, who seemed to be fully recovered from the shock of the professor. With a smile and a wink passed between them, Sarah started walking up to the studio door. "OK Neko, just give me a second to find and grab your pokégear and you can head down to New Bark."
"Right," he responded. He waited as Mary searched though the large cabinet drawers along the walls of the studio; Quietly Sarah pushed the studio door open, walking in across the shaggy carpet. Still light headed she places herself next to Neko wrapping her arms around his waist, and in return he brought his own hand up and let it settle along her back and shoulders. Her head nuzzled against his chest.
The rush of a file drawer flying open brought the two's eyes to marry, who had her hand reaching into a deep drawer, blindly groping thought the many assorted files.
Finally bringing her hand back out she revealed a watch like mechanism, black in color, it consisted of three parts, held together by tiny hinges, along the back of the two outer pieces were belt loops made from a synthetic leather material. On the right corner was a small pouch with a slit in the bottom exposing a small, transparent, square with a circle (with a cross through it) embedded on it. The centerpiece looked common with the pokégear options and graphics screen. Then on the left corner a round mechanism with a wire wrapped around it, within a revolving casing, this was normal for on the end of the wire was an ear phone, meant for the cell phone option.
Mary grasped it within her hand as she walked back to Neko. Suddenly noticing Sarah her eyes widened and raised her brow smiling joyfully. "I was wondering when you were going to come in," she stated.
Sarah blinked her eyes twice suddenly, bringing a small moment of silence between the three of them. "Neko," she asked, " I thought a pokégear was meant to be put on a trainers wrist?"
"I thought so too," he brought his eyes up to Mary's, "what's with the change?"
"Well Neko... the main change was for convenience, why have it on your wrist when its too easy to leave it some place if you take it off when you sleep or when your tired, another is for the new design." Focusing on the Pokégear contemplating a way to say it. "Do you see the piece of plastic with the cross shape through it coming from one of the pouches?"
"Yeah," Neko replied.
"Well if you take it out its actually a portable pokemon detector. It works kind of like an eye patch when you wear it, but when activated its an automatic detector or scanner, of Pokémon you see or can't see with the naked eye, like a Haunter for example." Taking it all in both Neko and Sarah nodded. "Now," she continued, "This is technically a very new model and you're the first trainer who's going to be using it to its fullest advantage... so please... take care of it." Placing it into Neko's palm she grasps her hands around his, almost running them along his as he held the pokégear. Her eyes met his, in a way that Sarah didn't approve of.
Sweat dropping a bit, Neko started scratching his head with his free hand in a peculiar manner with a sheepish grin. "Eh heh, uh... sure thing not a problem, heh." Neko pulled his hand away.
Coughing hard and crouching a bit the Professor appears out from what appeared to be a bathroom, cleaned and with a changed shirt. He strides in with a superior posture about him.
"Are you OK Professor?" Sarah asked concerned, "That was quite the episode you had."
"I'm quite all right young lady. Thank you for caring."
"Come on Sarah Its time to go." Neko's voice was soft and slow his eyes were blank and almost emotionless. Sarah looked down to the floor. She closed her eyes for a moment, she sighed.
"What's wrong with the two of you. Just a moment ago you were fine and now your all depressed."
"Its my leaving that's bothering us Professor, Sarah doesn't want me to leave. And even though I don't want to se her sad, I feel that I have to go on this journey."
"Well that explains a lot now doesn't it. Well I'm sorry that you're all in this predicament but there's nothing I can really say to help"
"It's all right professor, we understand," Sarah spoke up "But it is time for us to go, we've stayed longer than we should have already I imagine, right Neko?" Looking upward, her eyes sadly met his.
"Right, lets go" Taking his hand both Sarah and Neko turned around and headed out of the booth and towards the stair of where they came.
"Bye you two, It was nice to meet you both." Mary called after them. Neko only raised his hand in return.
Neko and Sarah walked once again in silence as they walked down the many flights of stairs, passing many employees. But still, neither one of them spoke. Only once they passed clerk at the front door did Neko say goodbye.
Solemn looks were on both on their faces, deep in thought, until something crossed Neko's mind, a memory based not too long ago. A smile appeared on his face, and then a chuckle.
"What's all this about?" Sarah's brow was wrinkled, confused.
"Oh, nothing really, I just remembered something that I should have done yesterday, But I guess I'll do it today before I leave." Looking at his watch, he notices what time it is. "And besides, the first train for Cherrygrove left about a half an hour ago, and by the time we're done the next one should be here.
"Really, where are we going." A week smile appeared on Sarah's face
Just follow me and you'll see.
On the other side of town, the two walk down one of the more rural roads like the one their house is on. Sarah realizes where their heading but still doesn't know why.
"Come on Neko, tell me why were going to the nursery?"
"You'll see soon enough." Coming around the corner, the nursery comes into view, A massive building. Though not a particularly tall one, only two stories. However it was not the height of the building that made it so massive, but the square footage and depth of the building. "And besides it's been a while since you've seen Carlos."
"Well it has been a while since I've touched base with him. Hey!" She declared, "I wonder how Pearl is doing? It has been almost a year since I've seen her around the nursery." The two stepped up the stairs. Neko paused and looked at Sarah with a playful, devilish smile. "You'll see, you'll see." Neko knocked on the door loudly twice before ringing the doorbell. It only took a few moments before the door opened and a rosy, somewhat round old lady appeared from behind it...
"Oh... Neko," her voice was sweet and soft from age and care, "I didn't think you'd come so late. Miss your train?" Her eyes were a grayish blue and her hair bleach white. However her smile was as bright as ever.
"Well... sort of." Neko looked down at the doorstep as he spoke.
"There's no 'sort of' about it Chico."
"There's always the next one Maria."
"Well, I guess so... But why don't you come on inside and have something to drink." Excepting with a nod and a smile Neko led Sarah into the house with her hand held tight to his. Walking ahead of them Maria Strolled through the living room and disappeared into the kitchen to make some tea when Neko and Sarah entered the house, Sarah was amazed to see how much the place had changed since she had been there last. The Walls were now all painted instead of wall papered, cheaper furniture, and not many decorations. The only decor that could be comprehended were the few paintings on the walls and the mirrors. She pondered.
"Sarah..." Neko spoke softly to her. When she turned to look at him her eye caught an old female Persian. Slowly and stiffly it raised itself to its feet... bringing itself closer to Sarah. When it reaches her leg it purrs softly and beautifully while it rubs up against her leg.
"Aw... Pearl." Remembering the old cat she crouched down and petted pearl, who responded with a louder purr and a cry.
"Purrrsain." It cooed to her. A smile was painted on Sarah's face, along with tears, which reluctantly started flowing from her eyes. Then... just as slowly as she came she turned around and walked back to the small bed of whence she came. As the old cat peered into her bed... tiny immature meows could be herd from within the bed. Sarah's eyes widened greatly when she herd it. With one or two bones cracking, Pearl tensed up her front legs and with what almost looked like pain, she reached down with her neck and grasped something with her teeth. A single meow cried louder than the others, and with what still seemed like pain, Pearl lifted a newborn meowth kitten from the bed.
"Oh my." Was the only think Sarah could muster as she covered her mouth as more and more tears started to shed away from her eyes. Seeing the neck muscles contract vigorously Sarah watched Pearl carry the kitten by the scruff of its neck. The kitten itself had just finished getting its first layer of fur over its body. Rubbing again against Sarah's leg Pearl lifts her head up and raises the kitten even higher towards Sarah's hand. Sarah obliged by lowering her hand and taking grasping the kitten softly. Quickly, but not suddenly, Sarah clasped and cradled the kitten within both hands and against her breasts. In a sudden reaction the kitten meowed, curled, and nuzzled up against Sarah. She was stained with many tears.
"Are you sure Pearl?" Sarah asked, "Are you sure you want me to take a kitten from your last litter?"
"Purrrsain" Pearl responded by nodding carefully.
"Thank you so much Pearl..." still crouching Sarah took one hand away from the nuzzled kitten and caressed Pearl's muzzle as she kissed her forehead gently. "Thank you."
"Purrrsian." Lightly pulling away Pearl smiled, and slowly sauntered back to her small bed where she cuddled up with the rest of her litter and fell asleep almost instantly. The other kittens started suckling.
Sarah brought her other hand back up to support the kitten. "Was this what you wanted to show me Neko?" Her tears now dried onto her face Sarah turned to Neko who stood there and watched the whole thing silently not to ruin the moment.
"Yes..." Neko smiled. He brought his hand up to Sarah's face and grasping it with his four fingers and rubbing the dried tears away with his thumb. " Are you glad that I let Pearl tell you rather than me?"
"Well... it's different." Sarah half laughed to herself trying to bring herself out of her former state.
"What are you going to name the new baby?" Maria popped out of the kitchen with a tray of teacups and a kettle. "a kitten needs to have a name to listen for."
"Well..." Sarah mustered, "I'm going to call 'her' Jewel." Suddenly jewel started purring loudly in Sarah's arms cuddling deeper into her breasts.
"I think we should go..." Neko whispered softly into Sarah's left ear, "You need to get Jewel home before mother starts to wonder where you are and I need to catch the next train to New Bark."
"You're right Neko we should get going," Both Sarah and Neko's attention turned to Maria, who was poring tea for the tree of them. "I'm sorry Maria but we won't be staying. Jewel and I need to get home and Neko needs to catch the next train."
"Oh, all right" Maria shook her head as she sighed, "Just, try to have a good time. You remember the number here, don't you Neko?"
"Maria, how long have I been working here." Neko gave Maria look, making his question rhetorical.
"Yes, yes."
"Thank you Maria," Sarah went up and hugged her gently, so not to crush the sleeping jewel, just as she set the tea set on the small coffee table.
"Take care of yourself Sarah." Just behind Sarah, Neko hugged Maria, who gave Neko a kiss on his cheek. "You too Neko." Though old, her slight of hand gave her the ability to slip a TM into his pocket unnoticed.
"I'll do my best Maria."
Taking Sarah's shoulder, she and Neko turned from Maria and Pearl leaving through the front door.
As Neko and Sarah enter the north side of the city, near their house, Neko kisses Sarah softly. He then finished his goodbye to his loved one.
"Can't you stay at home," Sarah whined.
"Sarah..." Looking into his eye's Sarah saw a small tear; his eye still had the same hazel shine. But, a hard serious stare had joined the many optical expressions; an expression that almost scared her.
"Right... be careful Neko don't forget to call and write.
"I won't, give Mother and Morgan my love."
"I will..." Sarah partially turns away as tears start poring from her eyes, "Goodbye Neko, I love you"
"I love you too, goodbye Sarah" His head leading his turn, Neko takes a strong stride off towards the Train station where he separates from Sarah, starting on his journey.