Hey Hey Hey! Happy Haikyuu Day, everyone! Looks like I was able to get this week's chapter out on time after all! Just in time for Haikyuu Day! Amazing it worked out. I hope you are all ready for chapter 4! It was a fun one to write so I hope it's fun to read!
( ) for taking time from their busy day to help me with my horrible grammar and for also helping me go through the thinking process while writing this little fic.
Without further ado, chapter 4!
Lumiose City: Part 2
Yamaguchi walked closely beside Tsukishima as his heart pounded heavily. He was pretty sure the two other trainers could hear the pounding of his heart but both chose to say nothing. To say Yamaguchi wasn't nervous beyond belief would be a lie. He was indeed terrified. His palms were sweaty, his back rigged, his movements stiff, his vision tunneled and he was completely unaware of whatever it was Hinata was going on about. He was by no means ready to face the gym.
He knew he didn't have to battle today if he didn't want to but the mere idea of going to a gym set him on edge. Yamaguchi was horrible at battling. He had never been good at it. Not as a kid and definitely not now. Going to the gym would only remind him of this glaring flaw. Despite his fears his pride would not allow him to hold Tsukishima back from visiting the gym. Yamaguchi knew that if he had voiced his fears Tsukishima would have gone along with him and rejected Hinata's invitation.
Yamaguchi hadn't come to Kalos to carry on with his old cowardly ways. Back in Alola he would have procrastinated going up against Island trials and Kahunas until those around him simply forgot. It had worked then and to be honest he didn't have much to show for it now. He could not help his poor battling skills. Anytime he faced off against other trainers he would freeze. His mind would go far too slow and before he knew it his pokemon would be fainted.
But this journey was going to be different. This Kalos journey is going to be a fresh start for both Yamaguchi and his team. He owed it to them both and he wasn't going to let them down. Even if he pissed his pants the whole way he wasn't going to avoid the challenges that come his way.
"You know, Yamaguchi, we don't have to go to the gym if you don't want to…" Tsukishima softly spoke so that Hinata could not hear.
"I-It's fine, Tsukki. I-I don't mind," Yamaguchi reassured as he cursed his shaking voice.
It was clear that Tsukishima didn't buy it. He shot Yamaguchi a concerned look before shrugging it off and dropping the subject. Though most people wouldn't see it, this was Tsukishima's own way of showing his support. For that Yamaguchi was thankful.
"Hey, where do we turn next?" Hinata barked as he walked in front of the two.
"I think at that red cafe just up there," Yamaguchi instructed as he referenced Tsukishima's tablet. "Or maybe, it's the blue clothing shop?" He second guessed as he turned the tablet upside down.
"Give me that," Tsukishima sighed as he plucked the tablet from Yamaguchi's grasp. He studied the map for a moment, his brow furrowed and a slight scowl upon his face. "We still have two blocks to go," he finally spoke before handing the tablet back to Yamaguchi.
Yamaguchi looked at the map once more comparing it to the street they just passed. "Oh, right, my bad," Yamaguchi admitted sheepishly. He had never been the best with directions. Tsukishima replied with an eye roll but said nothing more. This wasn't new to either of them.
"Aw man, I was hoping we were close! I can't wait to see what kind of gym it is," Hinata sighed as he glanced back at the two.
"I hope it's not a dragon type gym," Yamaguchi said with a shutter. He didn't have anything against the dragon type he just wasn't ready to face off against one.
"A dragon type gym would be so cool," Hinata cheered with stars in his eyes. "Do you really think it's a dragon type gym?"
"He said he hopes its not dragon type, you idiot," Tsukishima sighed, his tone short. It was clear by his sour expression that Tsukishima wanted nothing more than for Hinata to shut up.
"I wasn't walking to you," Hinata replied with a sneer.
"That doesn't excuse you from ignoring what other people have already said," Tsukishima retorted cooly though Yamaguchi could tell that he was increasingly becoming annoyed.
"I wasn't ignoring him, you jerk," Hinata growled, now practically walking backwards to face Tsukishima.
"Wow, look at that! Prism Tower is coming into view," Yamaguchi cut in just as Tsukishima opened his mouth to snap back.
"What!? Where?" Hinata gasped as he whipped around.
Tsukishima side eyed his best friend as he released a small 'tch'. Though relieved the argument was over Yamaguchi still sent Tsukishima an apologetic glance.
It didn't take the three long to arrive at the tower. As they approached the large structure Hinata frantically looked around the general vicinity. Hinata's frantic search went unnoticed by Yamaguchi for he was so taken by the large tower. He had never seen such a large structure in all his life. It reached high into the late afternoon sky, reflecting the hot sun magnificently. Part of him wanted to ride to the top to see the view but another part of him feared such a large struckert was bound to fall.
"Hey! There they are!" Hinata shouted with a waive. "Kageyama! Yachi! Over here!"
Yamaguchi looked from the tower to where Hinata was waving. To his surprise he saw a dark hair trainer with a sour face and a short cute girl coming their way. His eyes lingered on the girl taking in how undeniably adorable she was. As she approached she caught Yamaguchi staring at her and seemed to tense up. Upon seeing this Yamaguchi quickly looked away with a fierce blush on his cheeks for making such a fool of himself.
"I take it these are the friend you were seperated from," Tsukishima drawled with much disinterest.
"Hinata, there you are. We were worried about you," the girl greeted her friend as she and the other trainer stopped just in front of Hinata.
"Sorry, Yachi," Hinata apologized with an apologetic smile. "Those fancy pokeballs caught my attention and when I looked back you two were gone," he lamely explained.
"Well, don't do that next time, idiot," the dark haired trainer practically shouted as he jumped forward to attack Hinata. "We waisted two hours looking for you!" He carried on, both he and Hinata pushing at each others faces. Yamaguchi could not help but duck ever so slightly behind Tsukki as he watched the two.
"Lay off, Kageyama!" Hinata snapped back without fear. "It was an accident!"
"Please stop fighting you two," Yachi reluctantly spoke up. Her please were ignored.
Yamaguchi and Tsukishima watched the two go at it in shocked silence. Part of Yamaguchi was confused. He was under the impression that Hinata was friends with these two but they seemed to be more like enemies. From beside Yamaguchi, Tsukishima was becoming increasingly more annoyed.
"I should have known shrimpy would be in bad company," Tsukishima spoke up in quite the snobby tone.
"Tsukki," Yamaguchi squeaked from beside his friends. The last thing he wanted was the two feuding trainer's attention directed at them.
"What was that!?" Both Hinata and Kageyama barked in unison. Both their head shot like whips as they turned to glare at Tsukishima.
This seemed to be the reaction Tsukishima was after for he smiled smugly. Still holding each other's collars in clenched fists, both Hinata and Kageyama growled deeply. Yamaguchi wanted nothing more than for the tense atmosphere to subside.
"Oh! Who are you two?" Yachi loudly cut in before the argument could escalate even the slighted. She smiled kindly at both Yamaguchi and Tsukishima. Yamaguchi silently thanked her for cutting the argument off.
"I-I'm Yamaguchi Tadashi," Yamaguchi introduced, his voice full of pent up anxiety.
"Tsukishima Kei," Tsukishima replied, his tone and expression much less dry towards Yachi.
"It's nice to meet you two," Yachi said with a sunshine like smile. "I'm Yachi Hitoka and this here is Kageyama Tobio," she carried on, motioning to both herself and Kageyama respectively. "We are Hinata's travel mates. Thank you so much for helping him find his way," Yachi hummed sounding a lot like a mother who has been reunited with her lost child.
"I'm not his travelmate," Kagayama snapped, causing Yachi to jump every so slightly.
"Not true! You've been traveling with Yachi and me this whole time!" Hinata accused loudly.
"Have not! You two have been following me around!" Kagayama retorted sharply.
"No way! I was our idea to stay in Lumiose City one more day," Hinata snapped.
"I had already decided that before you said anything about it," Kageyama grumbled.
"Lier!" Hinata shreaked.
"Am not!" Kageyama growled.
And right before Yamaguchi's eyes the two trainers had each other in sloppy headlocks once more. Both Yamaguchi and Tsukishima watched on in wonder for neither of them had never seen anything like what was happening at the felt waves of discomfort as the aggressive atmosphere around Hinata and Kageyama mixed with the rising annoyance radiating off Tsukishima.
"Coming here with shrimpy was a mistake," Tsukishima mumbled from beside Yamaguchi. This time the two squabbling trainers didn't seem to hear him.
"I-I'm so sorry," Yachi apologized in a mild panic. "They normally don't squabble this much."
"Squabble? This is more like a fight between a Seviper and a Zangoos!" Tsukishima sneered.
"What was that, four eyes," Hinata snapped. He and Kageyama had now resorted to pushing at each other's faces.
"Hey! Didn't we come here to check out that gym," Yamaguchi weakly cut in. He looked from Hinata and Kageyama to Tsukishima with a strained smile. Though he was currently terrified of facing the gym, he didn't know if he could handle much more of the arguing.
"The gym!" Hinata sang out as he untagged himself from Kageyama. "I almost forgot about it."
Tsukishima rolled his eyes but thankfully chose to say nothing.
"Right, that's why we came here," Yachi chimed in with hope. "I'm assuming you two came along with Hinata for the same reason?"
"Let's just get this over with," Tsukishima grumbled in confirmation.
"I'm challenging the gym leader first," Hinata shouted without missing a beat before racing towards the tower.
"Hey, wait! I got here before you! I get to go first," Kageyama snapped as he chased after Hinata.
"Are they always like that?" Yamaguchi reluctantly asked as the two ran off.
"Yes," Yachi replied with a nervous smile. "Though they seem extra hyped today. Probably the gym battle."
"Are you going to battle the gym too, Yachi?" Yamaguchi asked as he, Yachi and Tsukishima followed after Hinata and Kageyama.
"What? Me!?" Yachi stuttered as she almost tripped over her own two feet. "No way! I'm in no way part of the lauge."
The reply caught Yamaguchi quite of guard. Though it also peaked his interest. "So are you here just to travel?" He asked.
"Well…" Yachi began ever so shyly. "To be honest I really want to try my hand at the Pokemon Showcase."
"Pokemon Showcase?" Yamaguchi asked in much interest. He had heard the term before but hadn't a clue what they really were. Tsukishima seemed to be mildly interested as well for he glanced Yachi's way quite a few times.
"Yes. You see, I'm no good at battling and in a Pokemon Showcase there isn't any battling but you still get to compete and grow with your Pokemon," Yachi carried on, her tone becoming more excited by the second.
"No battling?" Yamaguchi echoed, becoming more interested in the showcase.
"And last year's winner, Kyoko, she is just amazing," Yachi carried on with a small swoon. "When I saw her perform on stage last year it inspired me."
"Wow, you really seem excited," Yamaguchi hummed, noticing how pumped Yachi became just talking about it.
"Yeah, but I have such a long way to go," Yachi began, slightly disheartened. "This is my first time leaving on a journey like this and I don't even know if I will be able to qualify in time."
"Yeah, I hear ya," Yamaguchi mumbled as he thought of the empty badge case in his backpack.
"Hey! What the heck!" Hinata snapped from up ahead. His loud voice caught the attention of Yamaguchi and the others as they came up behind him.
"What's wrong?" Yamaguchi asked as he looked over Hinata's shoulder. It didn't take long for Yamaguchi to realize the problem for on the door of the gym was a large sign that read 'CLOSED'.
"How can they be closed!" Hinata squacked as he ruffled his orange messy hair.
"Closed, will be back in a week. Sorry for the inconvenience," Yamaguchi read aloud.
"No! They have to be open! We came all this way," Hinata carried on wining.
"Well, they probably had something to do," Tsukishima replied flatly. "They are human, just like the rest of us."
"We will have to come back later," Kageyama added, though he seemed to be just as disappointed as Hinata.
"But I was so ready for a battle," Hinata sobbed as he hung his head low.
"Well tough pokeblocks," Tsukishima stuffily replied. "You can't get everything you want."
"Shut up, Tsukishima!" Hinata snapped. He glared at Tsukishima only for it to turn into a smile.
This seemed to freak Tsukishima out for he backed away from Hinata ever so slightly. Yamaguchi couldn't help but look to his friend in worry. Part of him feared what it was that caused the sudden change in Hinata.
"I have an idea!" Hinata perked up.
"I don't want to hear it," Tsukishima immediately replied.
"What do you say, Tsukishima, you and me have a one on one battle?" Hinata challenged with a determined smirk.
"Me battle you," Tsukishima scoffed.
"What, you scared," Hinata accused.
"Scared of what? You?" Tsukishima drawled. "You have got to be joking."
"Sound like something a scardy skitty would say," Hinata provoked.
Everyone turned to look at Tsukishima. The blond trainers eye twitched as he scowled deeply. He didn't take too kindly to being on the receiving end of teasing. "No crying when you lose," Tsukishima dryly sneered.
"Likewise," Hinata retorted with a determined smile.
Yamaguchi got a ting of excitement. Though he himself was a horrible battler, it was different when it came to Tsukishima. He loved seeing Tsukishima battle. His best friend was always at his best when on the battlefield.
It didn't take the group long to find a battlefield. After looking on the map on Tsukishima's tablet they found one in the park just left of the tower. With Kageyama playing as the judge, Yachi and Yamaguchi took seats on a nearby bench. Yamaguchi chose to call out Popplio so that she could observe the battle in hopes she learns something.
"Now watch both Tsukki and our new friend Hinata close, okay," Yamaguchi instructed as he placed Popplio in his lap. The small blue seal barked in confirmation as she looked to Tsukishima and Hinata who were readying themselves to battle.
"Wow, so this Popplio yours? I've never seen one before in real life!" Yachi gasped as she admired Popplio. Popplio blushed before blowing a few playful bubbles from her nose.
"Yeah, I got her back in Alola when I was just a kid," Yamaguchi explained as he gently scratched between Popplio's ears. "She and I have been partners for years now."
Popplio happily barked twice as if to agree with Yamaguchi statement.
"Wow, well you two seem like really good friends," Yachi giggled as she too scratched Popplio behind the ear.
The two's conversation was cut off there as both Tsukishima and Hinata took their placed on either end of the fields. Hinata jumped up and down in excited anticipation as Tsukishima slouched disinterested across the field. Kageyama stood stiff and serious on the sideline as he motion for the two to get into position. Popplio, Yamaguchi and Yachi quieted down as they became engrossed in the drama unfolding in front of them.
"This will be a one on one battle between Tsukishima and Hinata," Kageyama begane, his tone formal. "Each trainer will use one pokemon with no substitution. The first Pokemon that is unable to battle is the loser. Are both trainers ready?"
"Yeah! Yeah!" Hinata cheered with a few more determined hops.
With an extremely exaggerated eye roll, Tsukishima nodded his confirmation.
"Go!" Kageyama anncounded.
"Pikachu! I choose you!" Hinata cheered as he called fourt a Pikachu with a scalloped tipped tail.
"Pika~!" Pikachu called as she jumped fourth from the ball.
"Snivy, help me teach this shrimp a lesson," Tsukishima drawled as he called fourth his pokemon.
The snake like Snivy appeared from the ball. Her keen eyes examined Hinata and Pikachu for a long moment before snubbing them both.
"I see both you and your pokemon are quite salty," Hinata pointed out as his pikachu growled. "Pikachu use quick attack!"
Like a flash Pikachu serpentined across the field towards Snivy. Snivy didn't seemed too bothered by the fast moving mouse.
"Nine o clock, Snivy," Tsukishima calmly instructed. Sniver released a small grunt as she use her vine whip to jump high off the ground, dodging Pikachu's attack. "Vine Whip," Tsukishima commanded cooly. Ever quick, Snivy slapped pikachu back with her long vines.
"Hey! Not fair!" Hinata shouted from the other side of the field as pikachu tumbled back.
"That looked like a direct hit!" Yamaguchi commented with a smile.
"Poor Pikachu," Yachi sighed in worried.
"Thundershock, Pikachu!" Hinata commanded loudly as Pikachu shook itself off. As quick as lightning, Pikachu charged up and sent a bolt Snivy's way.
"Dodge one more time, Snivy," Tsukishima cooly instructed. The ever cool snivy used her vines to dodge the attack effortlessly once more. "Vine whip once more." Snivy's long vines made another direct hit sending pikachu flying.
"Pikachu!" Hinata called in worry. Pikachu struggled to stand. "Hey, go a little easy on her, I only just caught her this morning so she is new to this!" Hinata snapped as he glared at Tsukishima.
"Why? It's not my fault if you made a poor choice in pokemon," Tsukishima taunted as Snivy hissed in agreement. "Snivy, let's end this! Leaf Tornado!"
Yamaguchi could not help but blush at Tsukishima's confidence. His eyes full of stars he watched as Tsukki effortlessly instructed his Pokemon. It always amazed him at how cool and collected his best friend was when out on the battlefield.
Jumping high in the air, Snivy unleashed a large tornado of leave directly at Pikachu.
"Pikachu! Get up! I know you can!" Hinata encouraged as his pikachu failed to stand up.
The tornado of leave landed directly, capturing Pikachu and sending her high into the air. "Pikaaa!" Pikachu shrieked as she became jostled about by the attack. With a loud thud, Pikachu landed heavy on the field.
"Pikachu!" Hinata called out in worry. Pikachu did not respond to his call.
Three beast passed as all waited for Pikachu to get up.
"Pikachu is unable to battle! Snivy is the winner!" Kageyama called, holding up his hand on the side of the field that held Tsukishima and Snivy.
"Yeah! Tsukki, you did it!" Yamaguchi cheered from the bench. Popplio barked in joy as she blew several bubbles of victory from her nose.
"Wow, that was so intense," Yachi gasped as she looked to Hinata and Pikachu in worry.
"Great work, Snivy," Tsukishima calmly praised. Snivy nodded knownling with a smiled. "Now take a good rest," Tsukishima instructed before calling her back into her ball.
"You big bully! How could you beat up Pikachu like that!" Hinata whined as he cradled his fainted pikachu in his arms.
"You're the one who asked for a battle, dumbass," Kageyama called from the sideline. Hinata shot Kageyama a glare from where he stood.
"Next time you should plan better," Tsukishima cooly mocked.
"I won't lose to you next time, Tsukishima!" Hinata snapped.
"Whatever you say," Tsukishima smuggly shrugged.
"That was the best battle ever, Tsukki!" Yamaguchi praised as he came up on Tsukishima's side, Popplio barking in agreement from his arms. "You and Snivy were both so strong. I hadn't even the slightest worry weather you would win or not, Tsukki. You are always so-"
"Shut up, Yamaguchi," Tsukishima sighed.
"Sorry, Tsukki," Yamaguchi smiled sheepishly.
"Nice try, Hinata," Yachi said from beside the orange haired trainer.
"Thanks, Yachi," Hinata reluctantly smiled.
"But not good enough," Kageyama added from the other side of Hinata.
"What was that?" Hinata barked.
"We should probably get Pikachu to the Pokemon Center," Yachi cut in before anymore could be said. "Are you two headed that way as well?"
Yamaguchi looked to Tsukki for confirmation. Tsukishima gave a small shrug signifying he didn't care what they do. "Yeah, sure. We haven't been to one since arriving so we should probably go. Right, Popplio?" Yamaguchi replied as he gave Popplio an affectionate squeeze. Popplio barked in agreements.
It didn't take the five trainers long to arrive at the Pokemon center. It was late noon when they arrived and by the time Pikachu was discharged the sun we beginning to set. While waiting Hinata had regained his spunk despite the loss, declaring that he wasn't going to fall behind any further.
"You just wait, Tsukishima! Next time we meet I won't lose to you!" Hinata declared with Pikachu just as charged by his side.
"I highly doubt it," Tsukishima shrugged with little care.
"Will you two be staying the night in the city?" Yachi asked Yamaguchi as the two ignored the bickering from beside them.
"Yeah, I think so. We still have some shopping to get done and we only just arrived today," Yamaguchi hummed as he tried to remember all they still needed to do before heading out.
"Well, we are leaving tonight!" Hinata cut in. "I refuse to fall any further behind! Right, Yachi!"
"Yeah, I suppose we could leave tonight," Yachi shrugged. "What about you, Kageyama?"
"Like I'm going to fall behind Hinata!" Kageyama barked in determination.
It didn't take long for Hinata, Yachi and Kageyama to gather their things and ready themselves to head out. With Hinata by the door about ready to run off, everyone readied to say their goodbyes. Yamaguchi couldn't help but feel a bit sad to already part with their new friend but he was well aware that each trainer had their own paths to take. They had also exchanged contact information in hope to meeting up again later in their travels.
"It was really great meeting you both," Yachi sighed with a melancholy edge. Something about her also seemed to be a bit tired. Yamaguchi couldn't help but wonder if it had something to do with Kageyama and Hinata's arguing.
"I hope we get to meet again soon," Yamaguchi agreed with a sad smile.
"We're definitely meeting again!" Hinata cheered. "I have a score to settle with glasses here!"
"Whatever you say, shorty," Tsukishima hummed in disinterest.
"Next time I get to battle Tsukishima," Kageyama cute in, his expression stone serious. Tsukishima looked to Kageyama with a curious edge but said nothing.
"No way! He is my rival!" Hinata snapped.
"You don't get to call rivals like that, Hinata!" Kageyama bellowed.
"Oh yeah! Well I just did!" Hinata smirked.
"First one to the edge of the forest gets to battle Tsukishima next time," Kageyama grumbled.
"You're on!" Hinata growled.
With that the two trainers shot out of the Pokemon Center leaving Yachi behind.
"Oh, no! Here they go again!" Yachi sighed as she clumsily chased after them. "See you two around," She called back before exiting the Pokemon Center.
Yamaguchi and Tsukishima watched the drama play out in confused silence.
"Well, looks like you won yourself two rivals, Tsukki" Yamaguchi laughed nervously as the dust outside began to settle.
"Shut up, Yamaguchi," Tsukishima sighed in exhaustion.
"Sorry, Tsukki," Yamaguchi laughed sheepishly.
And with that our two new trainers journey in Kalos had begun.
Lucky Tsukki! He now has two whole rivals in Hinata and Kageyama. He must be so thrilled. Yama also go away with no gym battle but he can't run forever. I wonder where their adventure is going to go next! There is only one way to find out and that is to read on.
I was surprised to come across free time this weekend to post this chapter! Really didn't think I was going to be able to and I'm happy to to get it out. I should be able to get chapter 5 out on time next weekend no problem. It's going to be a great one so don't miss it!
I want to thank you all for the views, kudos, follows, bookmarks, comments and reviews! I love them so much and it really helps me find the fuel to write on! If you have the time please do leave a comment! I would love to hear from you readers :D
HAPPY HAIKYUU DAY 3
See you all next chapter!