Kathy

"Spinarak, use Poison Sting!" I yelled.

Spinarak gave me a sour face, and I sighed in exasperation. I never saw this coming. Pokemon discipline was the least of my worries – until now. The Ralts I had my eye on was not really attacking in any way, and I was wondering why. But then again, Spinarak wasn't attacking either.

"String Shot!"

Spinarak sprayed a bunch of silky lines in my face. "Fine!" I exclaimed in frustration. "Wingull! Use Wing Attack!"

The Bird Pokemon complied immediately, and as the Psychic Pokemon was flailing, I tossed my Pokeball. It twitched, and with a click, it stopped moving.

"Good girl." I tossed Wingull a Pokemon treat, then turned to glare at Spinarak. "Bad spider." It promptly sprayed me with more webbing.

"Ugh!"

I withdrew them all and made for my quarters. The setting sun cast an orange glow throughout Pewter City, marking the ending of the day rather beautifully. I held up the Pokeball containing Ralts and sighed. No wonder it didn't retaliate. It only had one attack, and that was Growl.

Two Pokemon today – Spinarak and Ralts. That ought to have been good progress, but I didn't think so. One was totally attackless and the other (literally) treated me like dirt. I'll teach it who's boss. Originally I had captured it to prove to Blue that I was not scared of bugs, but it appeared that I needed to work on it. Having a bug disobey me to that extent was not good for my ego.

I yawned as I let myself in. Day three, out. Gym badge and two Pokemon acquired. I'm ready to roll.

I shrugged off my jacket and placed my Pokeballs on the dressing table. Changing, I flopped on the bed and looked up at the cracked ceiling. When was Blue going to come get me?

I cast a glance at the Pokeballs. Ralts needed lots of good training, and Spinarak needed a lesson – I just didn't know what.

As I slowly drifted off to sleep, my thoughts wandered to my companion. Blue would know. I'm sure he would. He knew everything.

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Blue

It was near midnight when I made it back at Pewter City, utterly exhausted but satisfied. In three days, I had succeeded in acquiring my fifth badge, and also in unearthing another secret. Koga gave off an aura of malice, similar to the third gym leader Lt. Surge. There was something going on.

I groaned as I moved towards the room I rented for Kathy a few days ago. My head was all fuzzy from weariness and I was in no condition for thinking.

I reached the door, and then remembered I didn't have a key. No problem. I sent out my Golduck and it picked the lock using Confusion. I cracked open the door and closed it behind me before remembering another thing. There was only one bed in the room and no mattresses. Bother.

I walked over to the bed and looked down at the sleeping form of Kathy. She was curled up in a ball, her body slowly rising and falling with each breath she took. She looked peaceful and beautiful.

I sat down on the edge of the bed and removed my jacket. Pulling off my shoes, I dropped them on the floor and lay down beside her on the bed. Then I shifted, accidentally nudging her lower back.

She made a muffled 'mmh' sound and turned over to face me. "Blue," she murmured, and I blinked in surprise, thinking she was awake. Her fingers curled around my arm, and to my amusement I saw that she was still sleeping. A grin tugged at my lips as she buried her head in the skin of my arm.

Won't she be surprised when she wakes up tomorrow morning. I smiled wryly as the thought came to my mind. She'd kill me for not waking her up. A vision of Kathy backpedaling away from me shrieking her head off came to me, and I let out a soft chuckle before going to sleep.

x

Next morning was just as I expected. I woke up to the sound of ear-piercing shrieks as Kathy leapt off the bed in a hurry.

"When the hell did you get back here?" she screeched at me, her back and her palms flat against the wall.

"Last night. Am I really that gruesome?" I asked on purpose in a nonchalant tone, then watched in amusement as her eyes widened. "N-no," she stuttered.

"Then what is it?" I glared at her with what I hoped was a convincing death glare as she squirmed. "I…um…well…" she began hesitantly.

"Well?" I pressed, thoroughly enjoying myself.

"I kinda…well…you're a guy…and, uh, you know…" She squirmed uncomfortably under my gaze, and her face was tomato-red.

"I know. You like my good looks, eh?" I said, and started laughing when her eyes widened in understanding. Her eyes flared as she watched me roar in laughter, and in annoyance she stomped over and whacked my head with a pillow.

"You knew all along and you let me go through all that trouble of trying to explain myself?" she growled. I kept laughing and held up an arm to shield myself as she threw herself on me, trying to hit my head. "Good looks my ass. Jerk! First you leave me to fend for myself then you make me die of embarrassment and all you do is just sit there and laugh like it's nothing-"

"What?" I yelled, laughing. "Can't take a joke?"

"Shut up!" she screamed.

My laughter died in my throat when I saw the tears welling up in her eyes. "Kathy, I-" I began, and she turned her back on me. "Leave me alone," she mumbled.

I reached out to touch her, and she flinched. On impulse, I pulled her into my arms. "I'm sorry," I murmured as she snuggled into my shoulder. I had to admit, girls were weird. One moment they'd be fuming, the next crying and in the end they hold on to you like you're a lifeline.

I held her quietly as she sniffled, then looked up at me. "You're a real jerk, you know that?"

"I know," I said quietly. "I know."

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Kathy

I drew in a deep breath and scrambled off Blue's lap, trying my best to regain my composure. I couldn't blame him for that, actually. I sort of had this feeling that he lacked adequate social skills. Especially around girls.

"So," Blue began, like nothing had happened. "Did you get anything done?"

"Like hell I haven't." I showed him my shiny Boulder Badge and my two new Pokemon. "Ta-da."

"Good. Let's get going, then." He stood up and started for the door. "I'm going to have a quick word with Brock."

I watched him as he left, then busied myself collecting my meager possessions. I stuffed everything but my Pokemon into my bag, then slotted my Pokeballs into the strap at my waist. Packing finished, I bounded downstairs and went in the direction of the gym.

When I approached the building, the sounds of hushed voices came to my ears. Slowing down, I pricked up my ears.

"There's something with Koga. I'm not sure if it's true though." I recognized the voice as Brock's.

"I know. He gives off the same aura as Lt. Surge. It's malicious." Blue.

"Something's up with Sabrina, too. And that leader of the eighth gym up to something. Could it be-"

There was a crunch of gravel beneath my feet, and the two boys turned around. In my curiosity, I had been leaning further and further forward. Damn. Now I'll never know.

Blue cleared his throat. "Kathy. Come on. Let's get going."

As he led me away, I give Brock a half-hearted wave.

"What were you two talking about?" I asked, and he glared at me. I gazed back at him innocently, and he sighed.

"Nothing much. What Pokemon did you catch?"

I didn't miss the deliberate change of subject, but decided it was best not to push him. "A Ralts and a Spinarak."

"Okay. Need any help with them?"

"Yes." I brought out the two Pokeballs containing the Pokemon in question, and he took them from me to inspect them. "Ralts doesn't have any good attacks and Spinarak thinks he's boss."

Blue looked thoughtful for a minute before voicing his reply. "I can help you with Ralts, but I'm afraid you'll have to deal with Spinarak yourself, as you're its trainer."

"What am I supposed to do?" I asked. "Tie it up?"

"Nah. Obviously it's because it thinks you're weak or something. Normally Pokemon don't like trainers they think are unworthy to command them." He was grinning now. "You'll have to show him your fine mettle."

"Hmph. I'll show you unworthy," I grumbled, taking back Spinarak. "How are you going to train Ralts?"

"I'm not training it. You are. I'm just going to provide it with an example. My Golduck can start it on its path." He patted a Pokeball on his waist. "Early bonds are important."

"Okay. When do we start?" I asked, looking up at him. "Later," he replied simply without looking at me.

I sighed, and that was the end of the conversation. Okay. Deep breath. Pokemon matters settled. Now to the next topic.

Something was up. Blue was trying to keep something from me. I wonder what's that. For all I know, it has something to do with a few particular gym leaders.

I guess I'll meet them soon enough.

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A/N:

Sorry again! I was banned from the computer…so…anyway, if you're nice you'll leave a review…