Chapter 4. "I Saw Auntie Beating up Santa Clause!"

"Hey Leaf, can I leave Yellow with you tonight?" Misty asked and Leaf smiled, "Sure, I'd be glad to watch her. It'll be girls night, we don't need any men in our lives!"

Sweat-dropping, Misty sighed, "Thanks." She turned to Yellow and handed her a bag, "Will you be okay staying with Auntie Leaf? I'll be back for Christmas morning, I promise." Nodding, Yellow smiled and took the bag, "Yep, me and Auntie will have fun without guys!"

Misty laughed, "Leaf, be careful what you teach her or by whatever you believe in, you'll be hung by your toes." She said quietly to her friend and waved as she left in her car.

Turning to the young child, Leaf grinned, "Ready to watch a whole bunch of action movies?" Clenching her fists tightly in excitement, Yellow grinned back. "Yeah!" And the two ran to the couch and started up a James Bond movie.

…

"That's really cool. I'm from the Sinnoh Region too," Dawn said and tucked a stray piece of hair out of her eyes, smiling at Paul who was driving the car towards the store.

"I can't believe how late stores remain open here in Kanto," Paul muttered and she laughed, causing him to be momentarily distracted, "Kanto is pretty different but in a good way, I really enjoy the old-world feel sometimes. The lights here are beautiful, especially when they send the lanterns off on New Year's."

Tapping a finger on the steering wheel, Paul watched Dawn's face closely, "Sometimes they say those lanterns land in Unova and in turn, they send them out to sea towards whatever country is nearest."

Just as excepted, her face lit up like the lanterns they were talking about. "Have you ever seen one?"

Smiling ever-so slightly, he turned into the parking lot, "Yep, on one of my trips I visited Unova and watched them send all the lanterns off."

Dawn paused as they parked before unbuckling her seat belt, "You know, I've never gotten this close to a customer before. Thanks for driving me. By the way, we're going to have to visit the hospital after this."

Paul blinked, "Yeah, I guess I've never really had a friend of the opposite sex before in such a short period of time." He paused, processing what she had just said, "Wait…Why?"

Dawn shrugged, "Just a hunch, I gave a bad suggestion to a friend and he might have actually gone through with it."

As they got out and walked towards the store, Dawn's hand reached out and she grabbed onto Paul's sleeve, blushing when she realized what she had done. Looking down his eyes widened in surprise then went back to normal. She looked just as vulnerable as him when he had been sleeping.

"Thanks," She said quietly and let go, turning away and walking briskly to the doors of the convenience store.

Even though Paul didn't physically smile, he felt his body get just a little bit warmer from her comment. "You're welcome, Troublesome."

Turning around, Dawn pouted, "Hey, my name's Dawn!"

"But Troublesome suits you much better."

"Fine, but only just this once you can call me Troublesome."

"I'm pretty sure I don't need your permission, Troublesome."

Even though she pretended to be angry, Dawn couldn't help but blush. 'It might not be easy for your future partner but I kind of…envy her.'

…

Ding~Dong

Opening the door, Leaf was greeted by Professor Oak standing on her porch, "Hello Leafy, could I stay the night?" Stammering, Leaf closed the door behind him as he entered with several bags, "S-sure…Why?"

"Oh, I'm just here on business and Gary said he had something planned for tonight so I thought I might check up on you." He said and Leaf nodded, "Well, make yourself at home. Yellow is staying over while Misty goes on a date so please try not to be eccentric around her."

Making a face then laughing, Professor Oak made his way upstairs to the guest bedroom, "Thanks!" he called back down and Leaf sweat-dropped as she heard the door close with a slam and the bathroom shower start. 'That man goes and comes as he pleases.' She thought with exasperation.

Several Hours Later…

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Leaf shot strait out of bed as she heard something downstairs. Grabbing a pair of yoga pants to put on under her long t-shirt, she tip-toed out of her bedroom and checked Yellow's room to make sure the girl was okay. After confirming her condition, Leaf crept back into her room to grab her old can of pepper spray and old bat.

It was only ten o'clock so it wasn't Santa and she could hear Professor Oak snoring away so who was it?

Instead of calling the police like a logical person, Leaf quietly slipped down the stairs only to nearly shriek as she saw a dark silhouette coming from the chimney. Since "his" back was turned away, Leaf snuck up behind him and yelled, "What the hell are you doing here?!" As he turned around in surprise, she sprayed the pepper spray at him and then, taking advantage of the situation, she began to mercilessly beat him with the bat.

"Oww! Leaf, stop! It's me!"

The voice sounded vaguely familiar but Leaf kept hitting him, ignoring Yellow and Professor Oak who had come down during all the confusion, "Auntie, what's going on?" Yellow asked and Leaf didn't reply to her, only the man, "Who's me?"

"It's me, G-Gary Oak!"

"Oh…Crap."

Turning the lights on, Professor Oak and Yellow stared at the man passed out on the floor from Leaf-inflicted wounds.

"Oh Leaf, again?!"

…

Shivering, May stared out at the dark water when someone touched her shoulder. Jumping, she nearly fell over the edge only to instantly heat up when Drew's laugh echoed across the dock. "Drew Hayden!" She yelled and Drew smirked, flicking a bang, "Hey, don't wear my name out; a new one costs a ton, Red." Gently slapping his arm, May said, "Where are we going?"

"Well, I was thinking a nice dinner on the-"

Bzz.

May's cell phone rang and May interrupted Drew by opening it up to read the text before groaning, "You would've thought Gary had learned after he tried that several years ago. Sorry Drew, I have to go to the hospital."

Raising an eyebrow, Drew flicked a bang away from his eyes, "What happened?"

May waved a hand dismissively, "Oh, my friend just accidentally beat her childhood friend into a near-comatose state." Gapping, Drew pulled out his keys, "I'll drive you, I insist." Instead of arguing, May agreed for once.

…

"Thanks for taking me out, Ash. It's been great seeing you again," Misty said and gave Ash a quick hug. Grinning like a high schooler, Ash scratched his head, "Are you sure it was okay?" Smiling gently, Misty stood on her tip toes and lightly kissed his cheek, "How's that for an answer?"

Standing there in astonishment, Ash blinked, "Was it good enough for another date?" Misty bit her lip, "Ash, you're a really great guy and you'd make some girl really happy. It's not that I don't like you, it's just…Me and Yellow are a two person family and I'm not sure how she would take you just entering our lives…Perhaps in time but don't rush things. I'm sorr-"Her phone went off and Misty checked the text message before sucking in a deep breath, "Oh God, Leaf. How could you do that again?"

"Wait, what happened?" Ash asked, confused by the sudden change of mood. Sighing, Misty rubbed her temples, "Leaf, my best friend, just knocked the living daylights out of a prospective suitor with a metal bat. I think I have to go visit her in the hospital before she starts crying."

Holding back a scared laugh, Ash said, "Would you mind if I drove you to the hospital? I hear that's the only place cafeteria food tastes good…" Smiling, Misty laced her fingers through Ash's, "Sure, but just this once you get to drive."

"Deal."

…

"Hey, how much of the party did we miss?" May asked, walking into the hospital room with Drew close behind. Dawn, Paul, Misty, Ash, Professor Oak, and Yellow were all crowded around Leaf who was sitting by Gary. He was lying on a bed with several broken limbs and a lot of bandages wrapped around his body.

Holding back a laugh, Dawn pulled out a bow, "You're just in time." Dawn grinned and stuck the red bow on Gary's head, "Merry Christmas, Leaf, here's your present. I hope you take good care of him!" Sighing, Paul pulled her away from the bed, "Don't give people away without their adoption papers, Troublesome." He said and Dawn laughed, flicking his forehead at his use of her "nickname".

Misty and Ash were in the corner playing with Yellow who was excitedly retelling the events of the night, "And then me and Grandpa Oak heard a lot of cursing and screams so we ran down! Then I saw Auntie beating up Santa Clause-" then she paused as Gary said, "Hey Leaf, as punishment for hurting me so badly, how about a kiss?"

Flushing, Leaf was about to cause more external wounds and some internal bleeding when her friends laughed and chanted, "Kiss the girl!"

Raising an eyebrow, Leaf leaned in close to Gary, "I think they believe you're the female in the relationship." He reached a hand out and brought her, hugging her with the one arm that wasn't in a cast as they kissed. Coming back up for air he smiled, "As long as it's a relationship with you, I don't care who's who."

As the grown-ups laughed at Leaf's flushed face and Gary's earnest one, Yellow giggled, "I just saw Auntie kissing Santa Clause!" which caused the laughter to get louder.

Just noticing Gary's Santa costume, May asked, "Why're you wearing that?"

Looking down sheepishly, Gary chuckled, "Well, a few years ago Leaf really wanted to see Santa so I dressed up like him and surprised her. Apparently, you should never surprise shrubbery because no matter who you are, you'll get beaten to a pulp. This year I wanted to get her a better present than that Fire guy so I-"

"Why would you want to get me a better present than Fire?" Leaf interjected quizzically and Gary blinked, "He's your boyfriend, isn't he?" Her face soon broke into a smile and Leaf started to laugh, holding her stomach, "Oh God no! Fire's my cousin!"

"Oh…"

Dawn laughed, "Hey, I have a present for everyone. Come on, I'll meet you up on the hospital roof." She said and pulled Paul away with her to the roof, leaving them all to shrug and follow her.

The last couple to leave were Leaf and Gary because she had to help him walk. "You know, that was really sweet," Leaf said and Gary grinned, "So does that mean you'll consider a date?"

Raising an eyebrow, Leaf smiled, "Maybe…"

"Oh come on!" He complained and May turned around, "Hey guys, hurry up!" She said and turned back to Drew who was arguing with her over ready-made coffee and the kind you had to make yourself.

Leaf smiled, "Come on, our friends are waiting for us." She said and together, the two stepped onto the roof.