Searching for You
"Eevee! Eevee!" Misty yelled. Our three heroes were searching through the forest near the Pokemon Center. Tracey had sent out his Marril and Venonat to help search for Eevee. Togepy was in Misty's pack so it wouldn't run off. After searching for two hours, Misty was ready to give up. Ash was looking pretty bad but he refused to go in.
"Ash, you're going to get sick again, and Eevee is probably far from here by now," Misty said. Ash gave her a stubborn look.
"I am going to find Eevee, I am not going to leave it out here to get lost," he said determinedly. Tracey could tell that they were going to be out there all night if he didn't say something. "Ash, I think we should let it go," Ash gave Tracey a surprised look, "I mean, Eevee was miserable with us. I think we should let it look for its trainer," Tracey said. Ash was silent for a moment, but then he went into a coughing fit. Misty and Pikachu were by his side immediately.
"Ash?" Misty asked as she reached up to feel his forehead. "I knew we shouldn't have brought him out here," Misty said to Tracey over Ash's coughing, "his fever is way up," she confirmed. Tracey sighed.
"Well, we better take him inside before he gets worse," he said. As soon as the words were out of Tracey's mouth, Ash's legs crumpled beneath him and Ash started to fall over. "PIKA PI!" Pikachu cried. Misty lurched forward and caught Ash in mid fall. For a moment Misty thought Ash had fainted, but she realized his eyes were still open and he was still trying not to cough.
"Ash! What happened?" Misty asked with concern. Ash shook his head and started talking in a voice just above a whisper.
"Misty.....I .... everything's moving around." Ash shut his eyes tightly and then opened them again. He let out a sigh of relief and slowly stood up again. He looked at the worried faces of his friends and gave a faint smile, "just a little woozy, that's all." Tracey and Misty however were not smiling.
The next thing Ash knew he was being dragged by Tracey and Misty back into the Pokemon Center. Misty was grumbling something under her breath, "a little woozy... give me a break .... he nearly faints and acts like he is perfectly fine..." Misty grumbled on. When they got to the room Ash was practically thrown onto the bed. He immediately tried to sit up, but was stopped by Misty, "STAY! Stay in bed before you faint!" Misty was pretty mad. Ash nodded, obviously seeing her anger, and lay back down on the bed. Misty headed for the door but turned and looked sharply at Tracey. "Watch him! Don't let him get out of bed and give him his medicine!" Tracey nodded, and Misty stormed out the door. Once she was gone, Tracey and Ash looked at each other.
"You know Ash, I think you scared her. I mean really scared her," Tracey said, but Ash just remained silent. Twenty minutes later Misty walked back into the room, she looked a lot calmer. First she turned to Tracey.
"Did you give him his medicine Tracey?" Misty asked, Tracey nodded. Misty then turned to Ash, "You, stay in bed and rest. No more walking around for you. Brock wants you to rest, he says you aren't strong enough to walk around and should stay in bed until you're fever is totally gone and you aren't coughing anymore," Misty said, glaring at Ash. Ash gave her an unbelieving look.
"Brock? You actually called Brock?" Ash asked. Misty simply nodded.
"He was totally convinced he needed to grab the next plane here, but I told him I wouldn't let you out of bed anymore," she said. Ash looked like he wanted to argue but he remained silent and just stared at Pikachu helplessly.
****
Back at the cabin in the woods Jake was as happy as ever. Having Eevee with him, seemed to make Jake well again. After meeting with his Eevee again Jake didn't want to go inside, but Gary finally made him come in when the sun began to set, and the three went back into the kitchen to eat.
"So, this is your Eevee?" Gary asked. Jake nodded happily.
"Yeah, This is my Eevee," he said. "I can't believe he found me, I wonder what happened to the others." Jake wondered. Gary gave Jake a curious look.
"Others?" he questioned. Jake stopped, realizing he hadn't mentioned Ash or Misty to Gary.
"Well, my ..um ...friends. The ones I was traveling with," Jake said cautiously. Gary seemed confused by this information.
"Friends? I thought you were lost or something," he said.
"But.... but I am lost," Jake said softly.
"What about your friends?" Gary asked. Jake shrugged and his eyes started to water, but he hid them by looking down at his Eevee. "Well, who are they? Did you get lost from them?" Gary asked. Jake didn't answer right away; he just kept staring at his Eevee.
"I did get lost," Jake mumbled. Gary gave Jake a strange look.
"Jacob, Who are they?" Gary asked. Jake made a strange sound, something in between a sob and a laugh.
"Oh Joozu, does.... does it matter? I mean...It's not like...like they tried to...to... find me. I'm with you, I'm .....I'm ok ...I don't need them," Jake's last words were said just above a whisper. He then mumbled that he wasn't hungry and walked back into the living room.
Once out of Gary's earshot, Jake spoke to Eevee. "They didn't look for me at all, they didn't try to find me. Ash probably didn't care, he probably thought it was good I was gone," Jake began to cry softly into Eevee's fur. "They would have found me by now if they cared enough." Jake began to sob and Eevee cooed softly in his ear. "Oh Eevee! I want to go home!" Then Jake let go of Eevee and reached into his shirt, He pulled out the small brown pouch that hung around his neck. He clutched it in his hands still sobbing, "Okaasan! Please I want to go back home." Jake opened the small pouch and turned it upside down, A small light blue stone tumbled out. He dropped to his knees and held the stone tightly. "Okaasan! Please! I want to go back! I don't care what happens! I want to see you again! Daddy! Okaasan!" Jake stared at the stone as if waiting for something, but nothing happened. He shook the stone angrily, "Come on! Work!" but nothing happened. Jacob stared at the stone in disbelief, he stood up slowly shaking his head, "no....no ....it's not true...NO!" Jake threw the stone angrily down on the floor where Eevee immediately retrieved it. Jake collapsed in sobs as Eevee quickly returned the stone to the pouch and tried to give it back to Jake. Jake at first refused to take the pouch, but then he slowly took it from his Pokemon and placed it around his neck again.
Jake would have kept on crying, but then he felt a hand on his shoulder. He whirled around expecting to see one of Gary's cheerleaders, but there was Gary kneeling by Jake's side. Jake looked up at Gary with watery eyes, and tears streaming down his face. Gary didn't really know what to do, he said the only thing he could think of, "It'll be ok, Jacob." Jake's eyes watered even more and, sobbing, he fell into Gary's arms. Gary sat awkwardly cradling Jake, now what? He thought, I'm not very good at this. Gary shifted uncomfortably and continued to hold Jake until the small boy finally cried himself to sleep. Gary gently put the kid on the couch and covered him up with a blanket. Gary thought to himself, His face is so.... familiar.... and that look he gave me... it's just like before......
-- --Flashback--
Gary looked out over the grassy field of the schoolyard. He stood waiting patiently for the ball to come his way. He was around the age of five or six, and he hadn't changed much except for his height and he still had a baby face. But his hair was just as wild as ever and he had the same determined look on his face. Gary watched intently as the kids kicked the soccer ball around, he knew any minute the ball could come hurling down the field and he would have to stop it from entering the goal.
Suddenly a fast kick had sent the ball shooting down the field. It came closer as a kid from the opposite team rushed to kick it towards the goal. Gary stepped forward readily, hoping he wouldn't mess up. I'm not going to be able to stop it...Where's the rest of my team? Gary thought desperately, looking around. Just then a shorter boy came running from the back of the pack, he was fast, but whether or not he could stop the ball or not was uncertain. The boy was running as fast as he could go, but there was no way he would make it.
He's not going to do it, The ball is too fast and I won't be able to stop it, I'll mess up in front of everyone, Gary thought this very quickly, but it seemed like everything started to move in slow motion. Gary saw as the ball came closer and closer, and then the little boy did something very stupid. The boy stuck his foot out to kick the ball but he missed. He had been obviously not close enough. The boy's foot came up and then down quickly right on the ball. Oh no, Gary thought. The boy lost his balance, and went tumbling forward in the path of all the other players. The boy that had been kicking the ball was the first to go down, and then everyone behind him tripped over him, this went on until more then half the kids on the field had gone down. The ball, being slowed by the clumsy boy's antics, rolled slowly until it bumped into the legs of Gary.
Gary stood opened mouthed at the sight of his fallen teammates. The boy hadn't just knocked down the other team's players but his own as well. Gary slowly bent over and picked up the ball as a moment of silence came over the field. Then out of nowhere the first comment came. "Hey! Ketchum What in the world are you doing?!" One of the still standing children had said. The kids started to get up reveling the first boy who had tripped and then under him was Ash Ketchum. Ash had been smashed by all the other kids and he started to whimper. "Good Job Ash! You nearly killed everyone, including your OWN team!" Another kid, but this one had just gotten up from the pile of kids. Gary was still in shock, "I.... um... I got the ball," Gary said feebly. No one took notice of him however, everyone was too busy verbally bashing Ash.
Ash just sat there and took it in, he was probably hurt. Gary was worried but he would never ever say anything in front of everyone else. "Ash! Learn to KICK the ball instead of being your usually stupid self!" Was what tumbled out of Gary's mouth instead. He watched as Ash cringed after his words, Oh God, please tell me I didn't just say that! Gary thought, Why did I say that?! Gary Continued to question himself. Finally the boys decided to stop and get back to the game, "Gary! Kick the ball here! We're going to start over!" The boy then turned to Ash, "Ketchum, go home before you hurt yourself!" after that the boy ran off with the ball Gary had kicked. The ball soon was at the far end of the field as the game went on, but Ash stayed. Finally after a quick debate with himself, Gary left his spot in front of the goal. He jogged quickly over to the fallen boy.
When Gary reached Ash's side he waited a moment before speaking, "Ketchum?" Gary said softly and then, "Ash?" Ash lifted his head slowly, he looked up at Gary with big watery eyes, tears streaming down his face. "Gary?" Ash said in a trembling voice, "It'll be ok, Ash," was all Gary could find to say at first and then, "Are you hurt?" Ash shook his head.
"No, I'm ok. I just want to go home," Ash said feebly. Gary helped Ash up.
"Are you sure?" Gary asked. Ash nodded, avoiding Gary's eyes, and then he started off toward home. Gary watched him go, he wanted to say something else, but he could only stand and watch. Then suddenly Ash turned back and looked into Gary's eyes.
"Gary, Did you... um... mean what you said?" Ash said trying to sound normal but it was obvious Ash was trying not to start sobbing. Gary stood still, as if frozen in time and then spoke not knowing what he said until after he said it.
"Ash, no matter what I say or do, on the inside I will always be your friend." Ash's eyes watered even more and with a brisk nod he turned and left the field. Gary watched Ash leave and then went back to his goal feeling a little better.
---End of Flashback--
Gary was awakened from his daydream by a soft cough. He looked up startled and saw Jake staring curiously at him from his bed on the couch. For a moment the two just stared at each other. Then Jake broke the silence.
"Joozu...You know Ash?" Jake asked softly. Gary looked surprised at Jake, how did he know? Gary asked himself. Jake seemed to read Gary's mind, "You were talking to yourself. You said something about being Ash's friend. I was just wandering if you were talking about Ash Ketchum," Jake said looking up curiously. Gary nodded and blushed slightly; he hadn't realized he had been talking aloud. Gary was about to get up when he realized what Jake had said.
"Jacob? How do you know Ash?" Gary asked. Jake sat up quickly as if Gary had just yelled at him. Jake sat silently as if deciding how to answer, and then after a moment he spoke up.
"I was traveling with him, until I got lost and then I found you." Jake's last few words had a happy sound to them. Gary wasn't sure what to think, the kid had lied to him! Well not really lied to him...but he had avoided telling him! If Gary had known that Ash...ASH KETCHUM, for heaven's sake, had been the person Jake had been traveling with, he would have done something sooner. Like find Ash and tell him off for losing such a little kid, Gary thought, and then, Whoa, why do I care? He's just a kid, and he's going to slow me down if I keep him too long. Gary looked up at Jacob and saw the boy had started to play with his Eevee. He sat innocently playing happily with the small Pokemon. Gary let out a sigh, How can I not care? He's too darn helpless and innocent. Gary watched Jake for another moment, "I have officially gone soft," Gary mumbled softly.
Jake looked up and Gary felt like he knew him more then ever. "Hey Jake, Are you, by any chance, related to Ash?" Jake shook his head angrily, "No! There is no way I'm related to that... that... mean jerk!" Jake said irately.
"Whoa Jacob! It was just a question!" Gary watched Jake as he turned away from him, like he had just seriously insulted him. "What's wrong Jacob? Why don't you like Ash?" Jake continued playing, refusing to answer Gary at all. "Jake? Jake?" The child remained silent. "Jacob? All right fine, have it your way. But you know, acting stubborn just proves that you and Ash are really alike," Gary snapped. This comment got Jake's attention. Jake turned around so fast he startled Gary and Eevee.
"I am not like him. If I were him I would have found me by now! Ash is just a jerk and I hate him!" Jake said his anger rising, and then he turned back around swiftly, trying to get a hold of his anger. Gary sat shocked for a moment at Jake's out burst. He took a deep breath and decided to put his pride to the side for one moment.
"Jacob?" Jake didn't move, "Jake, listen to me," Gary pleaded. Jake turned so Gary could see half of his face, to show he was listening. "Good," Gary began, "Jacob, I know you're mad, and that's ok, but you can't let it control you like that. Just because your mad at someone doesn't mean you can take it out on the world. If you hold stuff inside you too long, it...it destroys you from the inside out. It will kill you from the inside out. I know what it's like, you keep stuff to yourself and then soon you say things you don't mean and anger, hatred, and jealousy kind of take over your life." Gary paused for a moment before continuing, "That's one thing you can learn from me. But you can learn a lot more from other people... like Ash. That is why, when we find him, you have to go with him," Gary finished.
"What?" Jake asked in a confused tone.
"I said eventually you have to go back to Ash. You'll be better off with him, trust me," Gary got up quickly then started to leave Jake alone to his own thoughts, but Jake needed to ask him something.
"Joozu! Wait!" Jake called. Gary turned briskly to look at Jake. "Joozu, If I leave with Ash, won't you get filled with anger since you don't have anyone to talk to?" Gary stood unsure of what to say, and then a small smile crossed his face.
"I think I'll manage kid," he said and then he turned and walked out of the room.
To Be Continued......
Well, that's one more chapter. I'm sorry it took me so long to write, I have been really busy. Thanks to all the people who have given me reviews.
