Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.

A/N: Hello everyone! Thank you for your kind words of encouragement! I don't mean to rush an update, but it would be a little while before I have time to write again because of midterms. I have a love/hate relationship this chapter, so I may or may not replace it in the future. Honestly, I should have combined it with the first chappie…but oh well. Again, this is unbeta'd so any mistakes are mine and mine alone. ;] Reviews fuel my passion for writing, so please do leave your mark to tell me how I'm doing! Enjoy~!

Lost in Nirvana

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Chapter 2

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"Stop that, it hurts!" N snarled, attempting to pull his face away from the grip of young brunette woman. Touko gave him a disapproving look and tightened her hold. She pulled the young man closer to inspect the red bruise on his pale cheek.

She made a mental note to herself that she will never lay a hand, or a fist, on another person again if she was just going to feel bad about it later.

"Hold still…! Let me take a look at it," Touko cajoled, holding N's jaw in her hands. "It's not that bad. See look! The swelling is already starting to go down!"

If Touko didn't feel so guilty at the moment, she would laugh at the child-like pout on his face.

N "hmphed" indignantly and looked away from her. He was throwing a bit of a tantrum after Touko struck him above his left the jaw earlier. He looked like a little boy refusing to forgive his mother for not buying his favorite toy. The king tried to swat her hand away from his face again, but again, Touko refused to relent.

"That really hurt, you know? No one has ever dared to raise a hand on me!"

"Look, I already said I'm sorry! Just…stay still for a second!"

"What if you hit me again?"

"I won't!"

N wasn't convinced. He didn't understand why she would hit him for telling her the truth. It would've been a lie if he said it didn't hurt. For such a small woman, she possessed the strength of a fighting type Pokemon! It wasn't his fault that he was such an honest person. He didn't realize that if he stated the obvious, he would suffer greatly from it. Wasn't that preferable compared to lying?

He remembered the time when he was still a little boy and had snuck out of Team Plasma's quarters to go play with a woobat he saw earlier that day. When his father questioned him about it, he lied about sneaking out in order to avoid getting punished. Of course Ghetsis saw right through him. The next morning, that same woobat was brought over to him beaten and battered. He remembered crying about it for days on end, feeling horribly terrible about what he had done.

"Oh, the poor little woobat," Ghetsis had said, his cold gaze looming over his young son. "I hope you understand that this is your fault. This is what happens to your friends every time you tell a lie. Are you ever going to lie to your father again?"

"N-no," hiccupped a young N.

"Now that's a good son. Run along to your room and stay out of trouble. Don't try to leave without my permission again."

Although Ghetsis stopped using injured Pokemon to provoke him, those words still continue to haunt him to this very day. N had not told a single lie ever since. He was one to speak his mind openly, even if the people of Unova would dislike him for it. The thought that Touko might hate him was unsettling. She had hit him because she did not want to hear the truth much like the people of Unova. Could he really blame her? If the people of Unova felt the same way Touko did, then imagine the amount of punches he would be receiving. The only thing different about Touko was that she would feel bad afterwards. He was positive that the people of Unova wouldn't be as forgiving.

He won't change his views about Pokemon just because he wanted Touko to like him though. He was determined to find a way around it and befriend her despite their different ideals.

Still, he wanted her to suffer a bit for hitting him. He wanted her to feel sorry for what she did. He felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that she regretted bringing him physical pain. He felt happy even, but he can't show how happy he is at the moment though because that would be suspicious. Plus, Touko's punch did hurt and that made it much easier for him to act annoyed with her. If staying angry meant that Touko would pay a little more attention to him, then he didn't mind it too much.

Plus, Ghetsis wasn't there to call him weak. He also didn't need to put up a kingly façade for Team Plasma. The people Unova weren't there to force a cold, merciless expression or a forced smile upon his face. With Touko, he can just be himself. He liked the idea of being able to express his true self without having the presence of others to deter him. That pleased him, and he almost smiled at the thought.

Oh, right. He was supposed to be angry with Touko.

The woman in question administered a disgruntled look when N remained stubborn as a Stantler and refused to look at her.

"Oh stop being a big baby!" Touko huffed, perturbed.

He avoided her gaze and glanced the other way without uttering a single word.

"You had it coming! Did anyone not tell you to never provoke a girl? Now relax a little and look this way!"

N's expression did not falter, and if possible, he craned his neck even further away from her.

"You shouldn't have said those things to me," Touko muttered. He stiffened considerably at her words.

"You would rather I lie to you?"

"I can protect myself."

"I admire your confidence, but let's be realistic now. Against a wild Pokemon, you are defenseless."

Touko scoffed. "Are you suggesting that having YOU around would keep me safe?"

"More or less."

Her brows creased in agitation. She knew that arguing with N would be useless as always. No, scratch that. N doesn't argue. He just states what he wants and allowed no room for arguments. Touko shook her head, deciding to move away from the subject and concentrate on his bruise. He was still adamant about not allowing Touko to look at his wound though.

"If you won't let me take a look at it, I swear I'll do what it takes until you do," Touko threatened. N remained unmoving, as if he was challenging her.

Sighing almost apologetically, she placed one hand on the top of his head and the other on his chin and nearly yanked his head toward her despite his credulous demeanor. She somehow managed to not snap his neck while at it too.

"Ow!" N snapped alarmingly. Touko forced him to look at her, holding his head firmly in place. She wondered what happened to NOT disturbing the peace of the forest.

"Hold still! " She scolded, ushering for him to stay motionless. The young king emitted a low sound of irritation.

"Is punching me is not enough? Now you want to break my neck too?"

Touko rolled her eyes at his remark. She wanted to reply with a snarky comment, but her expression dissipated only to be overtaken with the rarest hint of guilt when she remembered why he was in pain in the first place.

N did a little happy dance in his head when he noticed the downcast expression upon her facial features.

"Calm down! I just want to check it out," Touko assured, gently sweeping strands of green hair away from his face. Despite her harsh tone, she was surprisingly careful. Her soft fingers gently stroked the angry red bruise forming on his pale cheek, frowning at her handiwork. Somehow, she didn't feel any better after lashing at him like that. She felt ashamed. She would have felt better if he cursed at her, scream, hit her back even.

She hated to admit it, but it wasn't like the things he said weren't true. She was just too damn proud to accept his help, especially since she saw him as nothing more than the enemy.

'Oh Touko. Stupid Touko,' the younger woman thought inwardly. 'Stupid, stupid, stupid Touko. Heroes aren't supposed to feel sorry and offer a helping hand to the enemy after pushing them down. What were you thinking?'

As though he sensed Touko's inner turmoil, the young king decided to spare her anymore agony and mention something that might please her. Plus, it might even gain him a step closer to their friendship. He cleared his throat, opting to get her attention.

"What now?"

"I thought I should let you know that your backpack is over there," N said, gesturing at the area where she first found herself when she had awoken. Her eyes followed the movement and found it to be true. Her backpack WAS there leaning against another bag which she assumed to be his. Beside their bags lied a pitiful little bed made of large banana leaves. It certainly didn't look comfortable, but its message was loud and clear. The trainer wondered why she had not noticed it before, but then remembered regretfully that her infamous temper often blinded her. Touko nearly leapt with joy, but instead, she stared at the king analytically.

"You…took care of me while I was unconscious?" she asked, not quite believing it herself.

"I was intending to tell you earlier, but this angry little trainer wouldn't allow me to explain."

Remorse filled her gut she chuckled sheepishly at the memory. Wasting no more time, Touko stood and walked over to her bag, unzipped it, and began to rummage through her things. She saw her Pokeballs but was overtaken by disappointment when she found them all to be empty.

"I guess my Pokemon are really gone," she whispered to herself.

Quickly remembering what she was looking for, she searched through the contents of her bag. She always carried a first-aid kit with her in her backpack in case of emergencies. When the brunette found the box, she pulled the entire thing out of her backpack and placed it on her lap. Opening the kit, she took out a little jar of ointment and a band-aid.

She stood, making her way toward the young man who all but watched her intently. She unwound the cap from the ointment and used a finger to pick up some of the product.

"This might sting a bit, but try to bear with it okay?"

N hissed when he felt her gently stroke the medicine onto his abused cheek. He jerked away from her touch at the sharp pain it had emitted. Touko reduced the pressure, carefully rubbing the medicine onto the swollen area. N was no longer trying to avoid her; however, he would twitch every so often when Touko's finger would graze over the sensitive area.

Despite the stinging sensation on his cheek, he felt a wave of peace overcome him as she tended to his wound. She was gentle, careful, and definitely not vicious like she was before. This must be the real Touko. The other Touko was blinded by rage, fear, and confusion. This Touko is brash but rational, scolding but caring . . .

Was this how she treated her Pokemon after a hard, honorable battle? Does she tend to their wounds just as tenderly?

"It's going to bruise, but don't worry. Your face won't suffer any deformities," Touko said, trying to initiate a failed attempt at humor. A frown tugged at her lips when N didn't find her joke funny.

She un-wrapped the band-aid and applied it onto the bruise which was now no more of an angry pink stain on his cheek. The medicine that Touko had applied on him worked its magic quite fast. N decided that he would have to ask where she had got it later.

"There! All better!" She said, smiling proudly at a good job well done.

When N did not utter a word, she exclaimed," Are you still mad at me? Oh, quit being so dramatic! This was your fault in the first place!"

N snorted. "First, you hit me and now you blame me? Is this how you treat a person who wants to be your friend?"

Touko pursed her lips, frowning guiltily. She already apologized for the hundredth time! Well, one hundred times would be an exaggeration, but Touko never thought that N would be type to hold grudges.

He really was like a big baby. Throwing a tantrum, pouting, using the silent treatment on her…he wasn't exactly what she had pictured in mind. During their meetings back in Unova, he would usually keep himself cool and composed, devoid of emotions other than his passion for Pokemon. She thought he was the man to gaze coldly at those who oppose him, and he would force others to see his way as he saw fit. She was also under the impression that he would fight to save his man pride and dignity, but he didn't.

Suddenly remembering her backpack, she threw a questioning glance his way. He mirrored the expression, raising a brow.

"Do you want to ask me something?"

"My backpack…" Touko started to say. N tilted his head in response. "Did you…happen to look through it?" It wasn't like she had anything too important inside it besides her clothes, toiletries, and small little tools that would prove useful on a Pokemon journey.

However, nothing in the world could ever prepare her for his reply.

"If I hadn't looked through it, how was I supposed to change your clothes?"

"You WHAT?!" Touko squeaked, immediately wrapping both arms protectively around her chest and glanced down at her current clothing. Instead of her usual white tank top, black vest, and jean shorts, she was wearing her Pokeball t-shirt and black athletic spandex shorts. Indeed, they were different from the previous outfit she had passed out in, much to her horror.

"Now what did I tell you about shouting in the forest?" N scolded, glaring at the young woman sternly. Then his expression softened. "Well, you obviously couldn't dress yourself while you're unconscious."

"B-but then that would have meant you saw m-me…" The word died on her lips. She couldn't even say it without feeling incredibly violated. N smirked.

"Naked?" he offered, but Touko only sunk deeper into despair.

"I don't understand why you are so horrified. If anything, you should be grateful. I also gave you a bath…well, I couldn't exactly get you into the water, but I did wipe away all the dirt and smudge off your body."

Touko's face reddened immensely at the confession, not knowing how to feel about the statement. She felt a little angry and embarrassed at the same time. Why did he have to say it like that? It made her feel so gross. She felt a disturbing need to shower immediately and wash away her embarrassment.

"If it makes you feel any better, your body wasn't entirely too bad to look at."

"That…doesn't make me feel any better," she whined, sinking her red face further into her palms.

"I was waiting for you to wake up, but when you didn't, I had no choice. Naturally, I would have either Anthea or Concordia do it for you, but it couldn't be helped since I am the only person you have at that time. You appeared to look so uncomfortable that I tried to ease a little of your misery by doing you a favor."

Touko only felt worse with every word that came out of his mouth. The guy was just too damn honest for his own good. He could have lied to make her feel better. She heard him sniff disdainfully.

"Honestly, your reaction had me a little insulted."

Touko's eyes shot up at him wondering why he sounded cross when it was she who should be angry, but froze instantaneously upon seeing the serious expression on his face.

"Do I look like someone who would take advantage of a helpless woman?" His tone had a bit of ice in it. Her brows rose considerably at his question.

"What?" She uttered in disbelief.

Rumors have said that N possessed a pure and innocent heart devoid of dark any human desires, but hearing him say in person actually surprised her. As though he read her mind, he sighed in defeat and brought a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose.

His cool gaze broke away from hers, but his tone lowered a pitch.

"I'm not stupid, Touko. My father was a fool to think that he can hide the world away from me forever. He underestimated me, thinking he could control me if I was not exposed to the bouts of humankind." The last bit of information was probably more for himself than her, but Touko gaped nonetheless.

"He isolated me away from people when I was a boy, never allowing for me to enjoy the company of another because he feared that happiness would steer me away from my ambition. I was never allowed to know more; he feared that knowledge would make me rebellious."

His stared at her at last, his gaze piercing. "Eventually, even innocent little boys have to grow up. Despite Ghetsis' protests, I would come find out about these things whether I wish to or not."

N motioned towards her with a wave of a hand. "I've only changed your clothes and cleaned you up. I did nothing more."

Again, shame welled within the pit of her stomach. It wasn't like she accused him of having his way with her, but the way he spoke made her feel so guilty as if it was her fault. The young woman remained silent, unsure of how to deal with him at the moment. How does he keep doing that? She would get so angry with him, only for him to turn it right back against her. It was just like their Pokemon battles. No matter what attack she threw at him, he seemed to counter her every move and use it against her. Touko sighed gruffly. Making up her mind, she sat directly across from him. N raised a questioning brow.

"Fine! If it makes you feel any better, you can hit me!"

N paused, shooting her a quizzical look.

"Why should I do that?"

"Because . . . because I hit you first! And, and I probably deserved to be hit!" She squeezed her eyes shut and balled her hands into fists at her sides.

"I-I'm not afraid of pain. Hurry up before I change my mind!" Touko urged rashly, her voice laced with resolve. "Hit me with all you've got."

Several seconds passed. Touko still did not feel the force of N's fist upon her cheek. She was beginning to feel uneasy, sitting there in front of him with her eyes closed and all. What was he doing? This was his chance to get revenge and settle this the way men do.

"I can't do this all day you know!?" she mentioned, threatening to open her eyes.

There was no reply.

All the while, N sat before her, allowing his eyes to roam terraces of her face. A slow, amused expression graced his features. This must be her own stubborn way of apologizing to him. Why can't she just come out and say it like a normal person? But then again, he wasn't a normal either.

He decided that he was indeed, a cruel, cruel man which he probably inherited from his own father. The young man wasn't even upset with her, but he enjoyed seeing her feel so guilty for his sake that he couldn't help provoking her, taking advantage of her kind heart. It filled up the empty void in his soul. It made him feel important. Only Touko can make him feel this way.

He felt disgusted with himself.

His grey eyes continue to stare at her, noticing for the first time how long her lashes were. He then realized that he had never taken the time to observe Touko, the person whom he had chosen to be his friend. Whenever they do have their brief encounters, they would be at the opposite ends of a Pokemon stadium where they both indulge in battle. She was never close and always too far away from his reach. Now she was right here, sitting in front of him like a dream.

N also took note of how her cheeks are tinted the brightest shade of red. Perhaps she was still embarrassed that he saw her without clothes, but he didn't mention that he never fully stripped her from her undergarments, but he would leave that up to her imagination. He respected her too much to invade her privacy. He wondered if her thick brown hair was as soft as it looked. Besides Pokemon, he had never found another person to be pretty before. Yes, Touko is pretty. Then his gaze drifted downwards to her lips. They were pink, pouty, and beckoning for him to lean closer.

He did so without even realizing it.

"N?" Touko tried again.

"..."

"I-I'm going to open my eyes now."

"…"

Her brows knitted in confusion. Grumbling with irritation, her eyes snapped open to only meet his silvery gaze just a few inches away from hers. Just a little more and their lips could've been touching.

He looked so serious, his own gaze scrutinizing deep with concentration. Had N been eyeballing her the entire time? Touko felt a rush of heat rise to her cheeks; however, she was still too shocked to move, let alone speak. When he smiled that lady-killer smile as if to say 'hello', Touko felt her stomach lurch and climb to her throat. She felt choked. The red dusting of her cheeks only intensified and her breath quickened. His next words made her feel like she'd been zapped by Pikachu's electric shock.

"Have I ever mentioned how cute you are?"

Her resolve quickly forgotten, she couldn't decide which was worst: N being too close for comfort, or those words that just left his mouth. Without thinking, Touko yelped and shoved the stunned young man away from her. She stood on wobbly feet, but staggered backwards and away from the boy like he was a poisonous bug.

"Eeep!"

What's with this woman and her strength? Luckily, N landed on his bottom with his hands on either side to brace his weight against the ground. His expression twisted with astonishment. He shot her a dirty look. Touko felt a rush of remorse when she spotted a tiny fraction of hurt upon his face.

"What was that for?" N admonished, clearly not understanding why she would react so violently to such a nice comment.

Touko's face was still red with embarrassment. She couldn't even bring herself to look at him without flushing red all over again. How did he keep doing this to her? He had embarrassed her twice in a row without even really trying to.

"Y-you were supposed to hit me! Not stare at me!"

She felt pathetic and foolish at the same time. It was a humiliating feeling. She would rather shoot herself before she'd ever allowed herself to feel that stupid ever again.

"But I don't want to hit you."

"You should have!"

If he had hit her, she would still have some pride and dignity left. Now, she just felt like a prudish school girl who despised cooties. Boy cooties. She slapped herself mentally at the thought.

'Relax Touko! It wasn't like he kissed you or something! You're such an idiot!' she screamed at herself introspectively.

"I would rather look at you than hit you," N muttered in a quiet voice. He spoke as if it was the most natural thing to do.

"You don't do those kind of things to people you don't know very well! People would think you're weird!"

N furrowed his brows, cocking his head to the side. Touko couldn't tell how he felt by what she said, but his eyes did slightly widen upon hearing it.

"People don't like to receive compliments? Would they prefer insults?"

She glowered at him, refusing to explain herself even though she was referring to him being too close.

"That's not what I meant!"

"Then what do you mean?"

She gave him an expression that silently screamed, 'Are you freaking kidding me?' He was dead serious. He looked like he honestly wanted to know. For a great leader to Unova's Team Plasma, the king sure lacked proper social skills. Touko wanted to bang her head repeatedly against the nearest tree and scream.

"Y-you just don't tell your enemy that she's cute!" She sputtered nervously. N frowned at her choice of the term "enemy." It didn't sound very pleasant to his ears.

"But you're not my enemy."

"I-"

Touko stilled at once, giving him a sideways glance. "I'm…not?"

"I've never once considered you an enemy. Even though you do stand in my way during my conquest to find peace for Pokemon, I have never called you as such."

When she did not reply, he also added, "When I said that I wanted to be your friend, I had meant it."

He looked genuine as he said that. Touko was once again speechless. She had this idea in her mind for so long that the hero and the enemy can never be friends. She had it all set in her mind that N was the bad guy; he was the one who wanted to take away the bonding between trainers and their Pokemon and it was her job to stop him and bring peace to the world. Even as the reminders ran through her head, she was quickly beginning to doubt herself. The man before her is supposed to be the enemy, and yet, he never once claimed her to be his. There was definitely something wrong with the picture.

"Do you hate me, Touko?" he asked quietly.

The question froze her on the spot and she her expression became rigid. She mouth opened to speak, but no words came out. If she said anything, she was afraid that it might come out wrong and she would hurt him all over again.

"I know we both didn't exactly start off on good terms ever since we both got here, but I don't want you to hate me."

Perhaps it was the crestfallen expression on his face that made her heart waver. The man she always saw as a confident and proud was sitting on the forest floor, looking lost and lonely like a little boy. She blinked once…twice...

"I . . ." Touko began to say, peering at him apprehensively. Her voice was such a low murmur that N almost had trouble hearing it. "I don't hate you."

Startled, he raised his head and gave her an expression what voiced, 'Really?'

Feeling flustered at the admission, Touko immediately spun away from his sight. If N expected her to say anything more, then he is in for a big disappointment. Letting out a huff of air, she abruptly stepped away from him.

"I … I …just remembered that I have to go find my Pokemon!" she sputtered tenaciously, avoiding further conversation with the king. She began to stomp off blindly into the forest.

The forlorn look on N's face was quickly replaced by a grave expression; however, Touko failed to notice it as she sauntered away, grumbling beneath her breath.

"Wait Touko, there's a-"

At the panicked tremor in N's voice, she glanced behind her shoulder irritably, wondering what the young man was fussing about.

It was too late. Before N could finish, Touko found herself tumbling feet first into a ravine.

"Touko!"

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In a large, dark office of Team Plasma's great sage, a roar like no other erupted and shook the walls in the room. Two women kneeled before a green haired man, bowing respectfully to their lordship.

"N IS WHAT!?" he growled, his jaws clenched. "MISSING YOU SAY!?"

Ghetsis heaved angrily, pacing back and forth in his dark office and grumbled curses while he was at it.

Concordia and Anthea merely kneeled before their lord's father, unmoving.

"What happened? I demand to know every detail of the battle between my son and that blasted girl. If she is responsible for his disappearance, I will hunt her down and make her regret ever stepping foot into my son's life."

Concordia's gaze flickered from the mahogany floor to the fuming sage in front of her.

"The girl appeared to be missing too," she reported with a leveled voice.

Ghetsis eyes grew wide with rage.

"And the legendaries?"

"They also disappeared from the site along with the rest of their Pokemon."

Ghetsis snarled viciously.

"If my assumption is correct, his highness and the girl disappeared right after Zekrom and Reshiram fired the final attack."

The older man released a low humming sound, thinking deeply about what he should do in order to retrieve the young king back to his place in the castle. He turned to address the goddesses.

"Find him immediately," the old sage snarled. "And bring him back. As for the girl, bring her to me. I'll take her of her myself."

"We've already tried. We cannot seem to get a grasp of his location," Anthea said, her voice strong and unwavering.

At this, Ghetsis shoved the contents of his desk viciously onto the floor. Papers swished everywhere, covering the floor with white and pens scattered about, clanking noisily. Well aware of the older man's temper, the two women did not flinch.

"I don't care where he is," the sage rasped in a low murmur. "I expect him to be found as soon as possible. Send Team Plasma out on a search party and bring the king back to me at once!"

Concordia and Anthea nodded in unison, their gaze never moving from the ground.

"Yes, my lord."

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TBC…