Chapter 2

I was pretty tired from the long run home that it came to no shock when I didn't make it past Accumula Town before running out of breath and having to take a seat on a bench facing the Pokemon Center. Memories flooded my mind in that moment. Memories taking me back to the very first battle I had with a stranger, at the time, named N. Memories of how me and him met right here. "More! Let me hear the voice of your Pokemon!" This line, this…this memory replayed over and over again in my head much like a broken record. I clutched my head in my hands and dropped it down to my knees.

"How long has it been N…since we battled like that," I asked myself quietly. "No pressure, nothing but fun on our shoulders as we battled. No need to stop or to be interrupted by anyone. How long…," I asked this repeatedly till my own soft and quiet voice became just as much a broken record as my thoughts. Till it hurt to try and picture the boys face again.

I sat there for what felt like all night. Positive that if I lifted my head up, the sun would already be over me, however, I was forced out of my daze and to lift myself upright when I heard two voices call my name from a near distance. I felt like I knew these voices right away but I didn't move as they grew closer. I did know them, however both had been hit with puberty since the last I heard these voices but it almost seemed as though nothing changed when Cheren and Bianca came sprinting down the same path I was coming from. Both their faces and waving hands got me on my feet and we three ran into one another with our arms messily wrapped around each other. We pulled away laughing, smiles on all our faces and the hints of tears welling in Bianca's eyes could be noticed from the sheer joy for us to be together again.

"Touko! I can't believe it! Touko it's been forever!" Bianca said in her trembled and happy voice, pushing the glasses up the bridge of her nose while she spoke.

"We haven't seen you around in so long!" Cheren added, pulling us three closer together.

"Your mom called and told us that you were back in Unova! We just had to come see you!" Bianca said with enthusiasm as they both held themselves closer to me.

We three must have been a little too loud cause we could hear someone in one of the near houses yell to keep the noise down, but we laughed as, even with it being three years since, were still the troublesome group of kids we were then, just not as lost now.

"Maybe we should talk inside the Pokemon Center," suggested Bianca, clearly too afraid of disturbing the peace to be outside.

"Nah, I say we walk! Let the people sleep but why spend a sweet night indoors, right?" Cheren debated and after a moment of thought from Bianca, we all agreed and started down Rout 2 just like we had once before.

We walked and talked for a while, or at least till we reached Nacrene City. I listened to their tales and adventures they had while we were apart, telling a few of my own as well and sharing a few laughs with my best friends till entering into Nacrene. At that moment, we heard a transceiver go off from Cheren and froze.

"Hello?" Cheren answered and lifted a finger for us to wait while he talked. "Uh huh…of course!...Yes," me and Bianca listened till I could feel Bianca's green eyes set on me.

"So, what are you doing right now?" she asked with a smile, looking back to see Cheren still talking and then back to me. "You must be out doing something this late. I-If it's alright for me to ask," she added with a nervous laugh.

I could feel the heat reach my cheeks, unsure how to answer her and raised my hand to rub my neck, returning her a high-strung laugh of my own before shrugging.

"Guess I am just looking to see some old friends. Find out what I've missed over the time," I said, not noticing I was staring down at my boots till having to lift my head to see Bianca and the gentle smile she was giving me.

"That doesn't sound like something that couldn't wait till morning," she said with a small laugh. She then reached into the bag by her side and pulled out a pokeball. "Here," she said as she held out the pokeball. "It's a Tranquill and he knows fly, so you don't have to go running around here at all hours of day and night," she said as she took my hand to place the pokeball in it.

I didn't even get to look up from my hand before her arms were around me in a gentle hug. "I missed you Touko. Promise to not break contact with us again, ok? We got so worried," she said while holding the embrace and only pulled away after Cheren had finished talking.

"What's this love fest you two are having without me?" Cheren said with a mockingly hurt tone.

Bianca and I laughed as she let go of me for the most part other than the arm that she had around my shoulder. "Just having a girl talk, Mr. Champion," she teased, causing us to laugh again lightly as Cheren gave a scoff.

"I think it is time for us to head back though," Bianca said as she smiled at Cheren. "Touko wants to go revisit one of the gym leaders right now and plus, it is getting pretty late for us too," she said, giving a smile as she covered for me.

"Never too late for Touko though, huh," Cheren said with a small eye roll before nodding in agreement. "We'll talk later this week though, right Touko?" Cheren asked, both now looking to me for an answer.

"Of course! How could I say no to you guys," I said with a heart filled smile to them, Cheren and Bianca returning it with the same response. I couldn't say no to them, those who, even now, were my closest friends, now having me eager for this week to end with us three together.

"Good, cause you and I gotta have a battle sometime! I wanna see just how strong I am to the great and powerful Touko," Cheren teased but even still, I smiled and promised to battle him in near future, happy to see this bring a wide smile across his face.

"Well then, later this week it is then!" Bianca said as she left the pokeball in my care and walked away with Cheren by her side, leaving behind only one more set of words behind her to me.

"I hope you find him, Touko," Bianca said, laughing once more nervously before going on walking home with Cheren.

I stood there, a little shocked before the smile came crawling back to my lips as I stared at the pokeball Bianca left. I always connected best with her and knew she had the biggest heart out of the three of us. "Guess this isn't too surprising then," I thought with a small laugh, sliding the pokeball in my bag. I looked up to try and see Bianca and Cheren again, but they were already gone, however such would not prevent me from saying what needed to for me.

"I promise, I'll find my dream," I said, and with a smile of warmth, I started out into Nacrene City.