A/n: And already, there's another! In the time between figuring out how to post this baby, I had a lot of free time for drabble-writing. Time I should have used for other things...

Disclaimer: You get the idea.

This one here takes place right after Touko (or, the player..?) beats Skyla in Minstralton.

02. Understanding
Location: Minstralton City Gym

/ / /

"But, that also means that Pokémon who really love and trust their trainers will also be separated from them—and that breaks my heart a little."

Touko's mind—which had already been a bit jumbled from surprise; N was the last person she expected to run into outside of Minstralton City's gym!—was spinning at his words. N could sure talk a lot, and he always said the most surprising things—he never disappointed her that way. Despite being able to see his point, she was absolutely thrilled that he could at least recognize that there were trainers and Pokémon who liked being together.

He's got a good heart, and I can respect that, Touko decided, before gasping. "Hey, N, wait up!"

N paused for a moment, looking back curiously. "Yes?"

Touko's face heated a bit. She'd sounded so desperate and eager just then—Wait, what was I even going to say to him? She blinked, looking down to her Servine while twiddling her thumbs. Well, this was certainly a bit weird. She probably looked rather dumb, too…

"Touko..?"

"Ah!" The brunette jumped slightly, before a thought came to her. "Hey, remember what you said that one time? You said… You said that people battling to understand one another was—ah… You said it was ridiculous, right?" She hoped she hadn't misunderstood him again or something.

"I did." N frowned slightly.

"But we've grown to understand each other a lot." She pointed out. The green haired boy tilted his head, the Purrloin beside him looking equally confused. Touko shrugged, putting her hands in her pockets. "Every time we battle—every time we meet—I learn something new about you. I'd like to think you learn more about me, too. I think the Pokémon have fun, too! Ivy has fun at least, right, Ivy?"

The Servine made a cheerful noise, and Touko grinned. "See?" She patted the Pokémon's head, looking to N hopefully. "I know you disagree with Pokémon battles, N, but we definitely have gotten closer to each other and our Pokémon through them… Or at least, I'd like to think we have. That's why Pokémon and humans make such good friends… It's how we learn about each other."

N blinked, wandered over to her side. She watched him curiously; he was smiling just a bit, though there was definitely something sad in it.

Touko hated that bit of sadness. She wanted it to go away. She wanted to see N totally happy.

He's happier than he was before, though, and I'm glad for that…

"I can… understand what you're saying. We may have." He said slowly, obviously thinking his words out carefully. "But that doesn't change anything. I won't stand by and watch Pokémon be hurt by careless, selfish trainers." He patted Ivy the Servine's head, and there was a silence before Touko simply smiled at him.

"I didn't expect it to change you."

I don't think I would have wanted it to…

A/n: Any requests for future additions?