The cruise was nearly over and so far, Hidan had lost all three battles he started with Kakuzu. He was currently in a fourth and it was the same as the previous three battles. Hidan would send out Bones and he would send out Quincy. She would put up a fight and one time, they almost beat her, but only because Kakuzu was 'playing' with them. Hidan lowly growled, returning Raven to her dusk ball as she fell to the deck. The gentleman gave a small smirk and returned Quincy.

"Better luck next time." He said before heading into the crowd.

Their battles had caught quite a bit of attention after the second battle. One person in the audience had watched them with the most evident interest. As Hidan stormed away from his traveling companion, the stranger followed him, a dark pokemon at his heels. This did not go unnoticed by Hidan or his houndour, though. He stopped just outside his room and turned to the blond with his hands on his hips. Just as he was about to say something, he choked on the words.

"Hello there, Hidan." The blond giggled. "Not doing so hot against that gentleman, are you?"

"S-Suki!" He sputtered. "What the hell are you doing here you bitch?"

"I was just enjoying a cruise," The blond held up his hands in defense. "when I spotted you getting your ass handed to you in those battles. Granted, it's a pretty unfair fight. His quilava is level twenty-seven now and I saw that level fifty-seven espeon of his in action too."

"Stop acting so buddy-buddy. You ditched me in Saffron." He and Bones began to growl, fur on end.

"I did it because I thought it was safest at the time." Suki frowned. "I want to make it up to you now though... You remember Midnight, right?" He motioned to the pokemon beside him. "She'd easily beat that espeon."

"M-Midnight?" Hidan's eyes widened and he dropped to his knees, arms spread as the other pokemon leaped into them. "I can't believe you still have her!" He started to pet her and scratch behind her ears.

"Of course I do. She's level seventy-one, by the way. Not to mention dark beats psychic." He winked. "Why don't you add her to your party for the battle competition? Then you won't lose to that snooty gentleman and we'll be even again."

"... I guess... let me think about it... talk with my pokemon." He got back up, Midnight in his arms. "Bones, Raven." The bird pokemon fluttered over to rest on his head, glaring at the new pokemon.

"I don't like her. " She snipped.

"I'm tired of losing to that guy but I don't like her either. " Rarely did these two agree on something.

"Guys, I've known her longer than I've known you." Hidan frowned, looking into her red eyes. "Just let me use her to beat Kakuzu... I don't want to leave his side just yet. Not in a new, unfamiliar region."

"But... " The two trailed and Bones picked up the conversation, "We'll follow your orders, leader."

"Thank you, Bones." He smiled and turned back to Suki. "Alright. Give me her ball. I'll use her in my next battle. That greedy old bastard won't know what hit him."

"That's the spirit, Hidan!" Suki clapped and handed him a pokeball. "I'll be cheering you on."

"After the battle... I have some things to ask you, Suki. About our lives, before Saffron."

"... I understand and I'll try my best to answer them, brother." He smiled. "Now let's go find that not-so-gentle gentleman!"

The two trainers rushed to the deck, finding Kakuzu relaxing in a chair with Jack sunning himself nearby. Gem was also out, grooming herself in the light. Bones rushed over, nipping Jack playfully. Kakuzu sat up, glaring at the houndour and then to Hidan. He seemed far more confident than he had in the previous battles which peaked the elder's interest. He accepted the offered battle and was shocked by his bold words.

"I want to fight Jack."

"Are you crazy, Hidan?" He exclaimed.

"Maybe." He replied playfully, "Are you scared?"

"Hell no." He grit out, turning to Jack. "Come here, Jack." The espeon stopped chasing Bones and darted to his master's side, looking up at him for another command. "So who are you sending out?"

"An old friend of mine." He replied simply as a battle referee approached them.

"Alright. You'll start your one-on-one battle when I give the order." The man looked from Kakuzu and then to Hidan. "Send out your pokemon."

"Front and center, Jack." Kakuzu ordered and his loyal espeon obeyed.

"Come on out, Midnight!" Hidan smirked, tossing the new pokeball in his party.

"How the hell did you get an umbreon here!" Kakuzu gaped, watching the smug pokemon trot up to Jack.

"Long story short, an old friend lent her to me." He replied with a look equally as smug.

"Alright, begin the battle." The man dropped his arms.

"Jack, use future sight!" Kakuzu ordered almost immediately, his shock receding.

"Midnight, bite!" Hidan instructed as their opponent began to glow with psychic power.

The umbreon rushed her opponent, jaws stretched. Jack let out an alarmed cry as her speed caught him off guard. Fangs dug into lilac fur, tugging at the espeon's scruff. To say Kakuzu was impressed would be an understatement—Jack was rarely overpowered by any pokemon around his size. Instead of ordering an attack, he flipped open Navex and scanned over Midnight's stats, cursing quietly. At level seventy-one, Jack had little chance.

"Jack, shake her off and use swift!" He shouted and then chanced a look at Hidan.

The other trainer was looking on in silence, eyes fierce with determination and confidence. Kakuzu could not believe that Hidan was the same brat that had trailed after him with so little knowledge. However, thinking like that was foolish—Kakuzu reasoned he was just looking more experienced because he had required a strong pokemon. Still, the fact that such a high level pokemon would obey Hidan was suspicious. Hidan made an order, once the swift had hit, for Midnight to use iron tail and, thinking a bit too confidently, Kakuzu ordered Jack to do the same.

The twin-tipped tail took on a brilliant shine in time with Midnight's tail and the two ran at each other, the tails poised. They both jumped into the air and spun so their weapons could meet in battle. Jack was the one to fall back to the ground on his side, Midnight stumbling only a bit. 'Curious...' thought the gentleman. He ordered a quick attack and Jack obeyed, slamming into Midnight's side. The umbreon tumbled over to Hidan. Rather than getting up slowly or waiting for Hidan's command, Midnight jumped back to her paws and attacked.

"Payback." Hidan spoke and Kakuzu uttered.

"Jack, use return!" The espeon trembled but obeyed, bracing himself before racing across the field to attack repetitively.

"What the hell kind of a move is that?" Hidan scowled as Midnight fell victim to the attacks.

"It's one that increases power the more the pokemon loves its trainer." Kakuzu explained just as Jack stopped, trotting back to him for a reward. "Good boy."

"Midnight, use moonlight!" Hidan snapped and she did so, glowing as it absorbed what trace sources of the moon's light she could.

"Jack, swift."

The attack did hardly any damage to Midnight as her hit points were restored. However, before Hidan could cheer or get too cocky, a psychic hit came out of no where, knocking her down. Though it had no effect, it had caught her off guard. Jack used a quick attack shortly after his future sight hit. Hidan began to sweat—he would never doubt Midnight though. He looked to Suki in the crowd and he mouthed something which Hidan repeated.

"Dark pulse!"

An incredibly dark aura was released, stretching all over from the umbreon. There was a pained cry from Jack and Kakuzu gave a shout in alarm. When the darkness cleared, Jack was left standing perfectly still, eyes wide in alarm and his body trembling. Bones was watching from behind Hidan and he let out a whimper of concern. Hidan, much like Kakuzu, but the older man was the first to recover, ordering Jack to attack. The feminine pokemon cringed and mewled out, crouching low. Midnight moved in to deliver the finishing blow. An iron tail to his side sent Jack flying to land at Kakuzu's side, knocked out.

"Jack..." The man breathed out, eyes wide at seeing his prized espeon limp at his feet.

"The challenger is the victor!" The referee's exclamation hardly registered for either trainers.

"Is he going to be okay, Kakuzu?" Hidan was at the man's side.

"He'll be fine. Congratulations." He answered gruffly, scooping Jack up into his arms.

"Jeez, that sounded half-assed." Bones nodded to his trainer's words, eyes trained on his rival in the man's arms. "But looks like you're stuck with me."

"Looks like it." Kakuzu could not help how the corner of his mouth twitched up and he returned Jack to his ball. "Now tell me who you stole that pokemon from."

"I told you I didn't steal her, bastard." Hidan pouted and crouched to pet Midnight as she brushed against him, making Bones' fur bristle.

"Then how-"

"Great battle, brother!" A high pitched squeak startled Kakuzu and he moved aside as Suki arrived, throwing his arms around the thief and umbreon. "We just have to go celebrate in the dining cabin."

"'Brother'?" Kakuzu echoed and stared at the mysterious stranger.

"More or less. Kakuzu, meet my former ex-friend, Suki. We lived together in Saffron until he decided to leave me." The young man pushed the blond off of him. "I still don't remember much before that."

"I don't blame you. It was awful what happened." Suki shook his head, picking Midnight up.

"What happened?" The two traveling companions demanded.

"I'll tell you about it later. For now, you should tend to your pokemon, Mr..." Suki realized he did not know the man's name.

"Kakuzu. Kakuzu Shisan of Fuchsia City. Where are you from?"

"I was born in the town of Jashin, a few miles east of Gateon Port." He grinned. "Hidan and I are from the Orre region."


Okay guys. Go thank my Beta, Holly Jolly Rape, for this chapter. SRSLY. She's getting me back on track! Lawl. Anyways~ -clears throat-

So now a new trainer has shown up, someone with a past with Hidan. What does this trainer have to do with Hidan's past and just what happened for him to leave the Orre region? Find out in the next exciting chapter of AKATSUMON!