Ch. 4

"So, You're traveling around, collecting badges?" asked Samuel, Grey's father. Luna nodded in response, and picked at her food some more.

They were eating dinner, Luna, Grey, the triplets, and their father, who had returned shortly before. Poochyena rested at his feet, a bowl of Pokémon food in front of him, which he gobbled away at.

"Yes… I'm hoping to defeat the gym leaders and challenge the Johto League…" she said quietly. She was fine before, with just Grey, but now there were several people in the same tiny room as her, and it made her uncomfortable.

Poochyena, sensing her discomfort, stopped eating for a moment to nuzzle her leg in reassurance. He quickly returned to eating though.

"Ah, that sounds like quite a journey, for a kid like you. But I do hear many kids are doing it these days. Why Grey even asked if he could someday!" The man laughed. He was a large man, big and muscled, with short red hair. When he laughed, Luna felt as though it shook her entire being. "I told him no, of course. It's too dangerous."

Grey blushed and held his head low. Luna felt sorry for him. She knew what it was like to not be understood by people.

"Dad…I… I wasn't joking…." He mumbled quietly. The room went into a dead silence. Samuel cleared his throat. "Girls, why don't you go upstairs to your room." He rumbled. "Aww! Do we have to?" they whined simultaneously. Luna stepped in. "Why don't you take Poochyena with you. I'm sure he won't mind playing."

This cheered them right up. Poochyena, however, was not pleased. "What?" he exclaimed as one girl lifted him up and carried him away. Luna smiled apologetically at him, before turning back to Grey and his father.

"Now Grey, we've talked about this. You're too young to be going out alone, all over the region-" "But I'm not too young! Look at Luna! She's younger than me, and she's doing it!" Grey protested. Samuel pounded his fist down on the table with a loud bang. Luna winced.

"That is enough! I'll not have you running around, doing such dangerous activities out there! What am I supposed to do if you're miles away, severely injured, and I can't do anything about it?!" Samuel roared.

"But I won't be alone! You know I have Cyndaquil!" Grey threw back. Luna quietly backed away from them. "I'll just…. Go check on Poochyena and the girls…" she murmured to no one as she headed in the direction the triplets went.

Upstairs, she was met with an interesting sight. Poochyena was surrounded by the girls with several bows, hair-ties, stickers, and clips sticking out of his fur. A bright red Bandanna was tied around his neck. "Help me…." He whined. Luna chuckled.

"We made him pretty!" One of the triplets exclaimed as Luna came to sit with them. "Yes, but I don't think he likes being pretty…" Luna said quietly. They thought for a moment, then agreed. Carefully, they all began removing the clips and ribbons from the Pokémon.

"You can keep the bandanna though." Another girl said. Poochyena walked to the mirror when everything but the bandanna was removed. "Not bad… I like it." He decided, and made a few poses while the girls giggled.

"Hey lady, will you take big brother Grey with you on your Pokémon journey?" The first girl suddenly piped up. "Susie!" the other two shushed. She looked down sheepishly. "It's just, Papa won't let him go alone. I think if he had a friend, Papa might let him go."

Luna looked at them in surprise. This was unexpected. She didn't really want anyone with her, but they looked at her with large pleading eyes. She sighed. "I suppose I could talk to him…" They squealed happily in response and hugged her tightly. "Wow Luna, you're like the bestest person ever!" They yelled happily.

Shaking them off, Luna stood and headed for the stairs, Poochyena in tow. When she arrived in the kitchen, Grey and Samuel were sitting there glaring at each other. Luna took a deep breath, and shyly walked up to them.

"Samuel, If you don't want Grey to travel alone, he…could go with me…"

Both men stared at her. Samuel sat back in his chair and frowned. "And How do I know I can trust you?" He asked suspiciously. Luna shrugged. "I suppose you can't. But I promise, I won't let anything happen to your son."

There was a long silence. Grey just sat there and stared at Luna. Samuel leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed. Luna stood there awkwardly, Poochyena at her feet. Finally, Samuel opened his eyes.

"My son, traveling across the region… is a risk I just can't take." He said finally, standing and leaving the room.

Grey's face fell, and he slumped back in his chair. Luna sighed, partly of relief, partly of pity for Grey. "Well, I suppose I should be going now. Thank you for the food." Luna said quietly and walked out the door.

She headed back to the Pokémon Center, where she was staying the night. Poochyena followed silently at her heels. She went to her room, and slept hardly a wink.

The next morning, she and Poochyena were heading towards the southern outskirts of town, when a voice stopped them. It was Grey. He was waving and running towards her with a bag over his shoulder. He tripped, however, about a few feet from her. He grinned up at her from the ground.

"My dad changed his mind! He said I can go with you on your journey!" He exclaimed. Luna eyed him doubtfully. "It's true!" He protested. She sighed in response.

"Look, I'm sorry. I only said those things because your sisters asked me to. But I don't want anyone with me." she replied. It sounded a bit harsh, but the last thing she wanted was for this kid to tag along with her.

But his face didn't lose its happy grin. Instead, he shrugged. "Ok, I'll just stick with you until the next town. Then we can go our separate ways."

Luna sighed. He obviously wouldn't leave her alone. She reached down and offered her hand to him. He took it, and she helped him up.

"It's a deal."