Hey all! So here is good old chapter 7. Things are definitely going to get rolling so I hope you are all ready. These next few chapters will be a course setter for sure!

I'd like to think my beta reader heichousheadphones ( ) for taking time from their busy day to help me with my horrible grammar and for also helping me go through the thinking process while writing this little fic.

Chapter 7 HERE WE GO!

Santalune City: Part 1

It was late afternoon when Yamaguchi and Tsukishima arrived in Santalune City. They had spent an extra night in the meadow, both finding the area an easy place to relax and spend time training up their team a bit. If Yamaguchi was being honest, he had wanted to say a day longer because he just wasn't ready to face Santalune Gym. He knew his fears to be unwarranted and Tsukishima called him out several times on his reluctance. He told Yamaguchi he had caught Swirlix so there was nothing to be afraid of. Yamaguchi would nod in agreement but knew his capture of Swirlix was a lucky one if anything. If the cotton-candy-esque Pokemon had not been so drowsy from sleep, Yamaguchi had a feeling he probably would not have won so easily.

As the two entered the city, Yamaguchi allowed his eyes to wander. It was another new place and that meant things he had never seen before. Santalune City was much smaller than Lumiose City and even smaller than Hau'oli City back in Alola. If Yamaguchi were to have called this place anything he would have called it a town, not a city. Despite this, the small town had a very welcoming charm.

As they strolled down the street Yamaguchi's eye caught a nice large fountain that decorated the center of the town. Water rushed from the top tear of the fountain, to the second tier and then splashed into the pool below. The shimmering water gave off a sense of freshness that helped calm Yamaguchi's nerves. Popplio would definitely get a kick out of splashing about in the fountain. It was only a moment later that Yamaguchi realized Santalune Gym was right behind the fountain. A moment of dread washed over Yamaguchi but he did his very best not to show it.

The large building was nothing too out of the ordinary. It looked like any old gym you would see on your journey through any region. Despite all this, the large building loomed over Yamaguchi reminding the trainer of all his worries. An odd ball of pain began to fester in Yamaguchi's stomach as he swore the building grew in size in just the blink of an eye. Yamaguchi hadn't a clue that Tsukishima was watching him this whole time.

"We should probably go to the Pokemon Center first," Tsukishima spoke up, causing Yamaguchi to jump ever so slightly.

"What!?" Yamaguchi squawked in shock, his eyes darting from the gym building to his travel companion. His gaze was clouded for a moment as the anxiety he had felt began to subside to just an annoyance in the background of his mind.

"We've been traveling for three days so let's hit the Pokemon Center," Tsukishima reiterated, his tone holding the slightest hint of annoyance.

"Oh, right," Yamaguchi smiled sheepishly. "To the Pokemon Center!" He awkwardly cheered as he walked the opposite way of the gym.

"The Pokemon Center is that way," Tsukishima flatly pointed out, his finger pointing to the right.

"Right!" Yamaguchi sheepishly chortled, allowing Tsukki to take the lead.

By the time all their Pokemon had been discharged from the center it was already early evening. Tsukishima, having pointed out that the Gym was most likely closed, had decided to stay the night at the Pokemon Center's hostel. Part of Yamaguchi was flooded with relief but the other part of him just wished for the trip to the gym to just be over.

The small room they were assigned had two bunk beds. Tsukishima had claimed the top bunk leaving Yamaguchi the bottom. Once all their items had been unpacked and the two settled they had allowed their Pokemon to free roam the large room. Popplio and Bagon had decided to tussle about playfully on the floor. Snivy sat comfortably in Tsukishima's lap as they both read from a strategy book. Salazzle had decided to make herself comfortable on Yamaguchi's bed, curling up beside him as he read through a book of recipes. Swirlix, who had turned out to be the sleepiest of them all, had made herself comfortable on the top of their half emptied backpacks.

"Like Pokemon like trainer," Tsukishima had pointed out the first time Swirlix slept on the most uncomfortable of places.

"What's that supposed to mean," Yamaguchi had pouted.

Tsukishima's reply was a sassy smile and small shrug. Yamaguchi was well aware of the fact that he could sleep almost anywhere and through anything but did Tsukishima always have to point it out? It wasn't his fault if he valued sleep.

Yamaguchi's eyes flicked from his book to where Swirlix napped, remembering the moment. Just seeing the small pink puffball snooze caused Yamaguchi to stifle a yawn. I was way too late in the day for a nap and far too early to sleep. Distracting himself he looked to the two mysterious backpacks set by the bunk bed on the other side of the room. They had been told they'd be rooming with two others and Yamaguchi could not help but wonder who they were.

"I wonder if they are going to come back soon…" Yamaguchi hummed, not bothering to really specify whom he was referring to.

"As long as they are quiet, I don't really care," Tsukishima grumbled from the top bunk. He hadn't been too happy learning they'd have to share the room with two strangers.

"I wonder if they've challenged the gym yet," Yamaguchi carried on thoughtfully. Maybe they'd be able to lend him some pointers.

"What's the point of wondering," Tsukishima replied in mild annoyance. "You can ask them when they get here."

Yamaguchi replied with a thoughtful hum. Knowing Tsukki was done with the mundane conversation he returned to studying his cookbook. He had read up on Swirlix and wanted to try to make his newest team member pokechow she would love. As always, a clam silence graced the room, only the sounds of flipped pages and light snoring filled the air. Despite Yamaguchi's efforts, he began to fall into a snooze.

"I won my badge first so that make one point for me!"

Yamaguchi practically hit is head on the top bunk as whoever shouted came barrelling into their room. The whole bunk bed shook as Tsukishima also seemed to be taken by surprise. Eyes full of shock and heart beating from the door being slammed open, Yamaguchi looked to see who the intruder was.

"That's not how it works, you idiot!" Kageyama snapped as he and Hinata wrestled in the for frame. "Gym leaders can only battle one person at a time so this doesn't count!"

"Does too, ya jerk!" Hinata snapped back as he struggled against Kageyama.

"Does not," Kageyama barked at the exact moment both of them tumbled into the room.

Yamaguchi watched in utter shock as the dramatic episode played out at the room's entrance. He could here from above a breathy pained "Arceus, no!" from Tsukki. Popplio and Bagon watched from under the bed as Salazzle sat up at full alert next to Yamaguchi. The whole while Swirlix snoozed away on the backpack not taking notice of the scuffle. If he hadn't been so cought of guard, Yamaguchi probably would have found the situation hilarious.

It was then that Hinata took notice of the other inhabitants in the room. His eyes brightened with joy as he untangled himself from Kageyama. "Yamaguchi! It's you!" Hinata greeted, his tone friendly and upbeat.

A not so pleased grunt could be heard from the top of Yamaguchi's bunk causing Hinata to shoot the top bunk a glare.

"H-Hinata, Kageyama!" Yamaguchi sputtered still in shock. He had not expecting to see his new friends so soon. "Are you two our roommates?" He asked though he already knew the answer.

"We sure are!" Hinata cheered as he leaped further into the room, planting himself comfortably on the foot of Yamaguchi's bed. "Looks like we are rooming together! What a coincidence!" Hinata smiled brightly as he leaned into Yamaguchi a bit too close.

All the while Kageyama brushed himself off and made himself comfortable on the bottom bunk of the bed opposite to Yamaguchi and Tsukishima's. "So, are you two here for a gym battle, too?" Kageyama gruffly asked, his eyes more on Yamaguchi than Tsukishima.

It was then that Tsukishima climbed down from his bunk. "I'm going out for a walk," He grumbled, ignoring Kageyama's question all together. Both Salazzle and Snivy following after. Kageyama sent Tsukishima a glare the whole time. It was only when the door shut did anyone speak again.

"Sheesh, what's his problem?" Hinata growled, his eyes fixed on the door. "Did he lose against the gym leader or something?"

"He just needs his space sometimes," Yamaguchi politely explained, a nervous edge to his voice.

Hinata gave a small shrug as he turned back to Yamaguchi. "Have you and Tsukishima been to the gym yet?" Hinata asked. His tone and demeanor was up beat but its hyper edge was now gone.

"We just arrived here this afternoon and haven't had a chance," Yamaguchi replied with a shake of his head. "I take it you two have?"

"We got here last night and went today," Kageyama confirmed, his sharp eyes now fixed on Yamaguchi and Hinata.

"I got my badge first," Hinata proudly said as he showed the Bug Badge to Yamaguchi. It was in the shape of a beetle and looked to be made of brass with small green emeralds adorning it's pincher and wings.

"Was it difficult?" Yamaguchi asked, trying his best to hid his nerves.

"The gym leader, Viola, did put up a good battle but in the end my team swept her team," Hinata proudly announced.

"You barely won," Kageyama called out, glaring at Hinata. "You're just lucky Charmander has an advantage over bug type."

"A win is a win," Hinata snapped in defence. Kageyama replied with a sneer.

Yamaguchi could not tell if the two were enemies or friends with the way they argued. He himself would never be able to befriend someone who wanted to argue with him constantly. The mere idea caused his nerves to swell up.

"So are you two going to battle the gym tomorrow?" Hinata asked in excitement.

"Yeah, that's the plan," Yamaguchi reluctantly replied.

"I bet you're excited! I know I was! I just couldn't wait!" Hinata rembled on, almost vibrating as he went.

Yamaguchi anxiety about the whole ordeal only grew with each word Hinata spoke. It had taken him a while to calm himself after his mild panic attack today and Hinata's enthuseasum wasn't helping in any way.

"Shut up, dumbass, not everyone is as juvenile as you are about gym battles," Kageyama snapped in annoyance. Yamaguchi could not tell if Kageyama took notice of his anxiety or if it was just a coincidence but he silently thanked him.

Hinata shot Kageyama a look before his eyes settled on Begon and Popplio who had only just come out from under the bed. "Wow, is that a Bagon?!" Hinata exclaimed as he scooped the startled dragon up. "Is it yours!? Is it?" Hinata rapidfire asked as Bagon struggled to be let free. It was only when Bagon sent a small burst of flames did Hinata drop him and Begon ran to hide behind Yamaguchi.

"No, he belongs to Tsukishima," Yamaguchi calmly explained as he did his best to comfort the shook Bagon.

"Arceus, Hinata, learn some manners," Kageyama grumbled from his bed.

"What!? No fair! Saltyshima doesn't deserve such a cool Pokemon!" Hinata pouted as he ignored Kageyama's unwanted comment.

Yamaguchi chose to ignore the nickname Hinata had just come up with as he laughed nervously. "Tsukki really does catch all the cool Pokemon," he agreed, his tone holding much more affection than Hinata's had.

"So, did you catch anything new on your way here?" Hinata asked, his pout less prominent now.

"Actually, I did catch a Swirlix," Yamaguchi shily admitted. His eyes wandered over to where his Swirlix still lay sleeping on the backpacks.

Hinata followed his gaze before releasing an excited gasp. "I've never seen a Swirlix in person!" Hinata cheered, leaping from the bed and over to the sleeping Pokemon. Without missing a beat he scooped the snoozing Swirlix up into his arms.

"H-Hinata!" Yamaguchi found himself stuttering. Swirlix was still a new Pokemon so he hadn't a clue how she would react to such an awakening.

"Oh she is so soft! Like a cloud or cotton candy!" Hinata rambled on as he rubbed his cheek against Swirlix's. Buy this point Swirlix was more than awake. Her confused gaze wandered the room but she didn't seem too bothered by the affection. To Yamaguchi's shock she looked to be falling back to sleep.

"Idiot! You don't grab other people's Pokemon like that," Kageyama scolded.

"Shut up! Swirlix likes it," Hinata retorted sharply, snuggling Swirlix with a little more aggression to prove his point. Swirlix didn't seem to mind.

"He is right, Hinata," Yamaguchi cut in, his tone much softer. "It can be dangerous and startling to the Pokemon if you just pick them up suddenly like that."

Hinata pouted for a moment before handing Swirlix over to Yamaguchi. "Yeah, I guess you are right," Hinata sighed as Swirlix curled up next to Bagon.

"That's what I said," Kageyama grumbled.

"Well maybe if you were a bit nicer, like Yama, people would listen to you," Hinata snapped, pointing to Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi felt the need to hide.

"What? Do you need to be coddled? You're not a baby!" Kageyama sneered.

"Being nice to someone doesn't mean you're coddling them, right Yama?" Hinata snapped, looking to Yamaguchi for support.

Yamaguchi did not want to be a part of the argument and found himself smiling nervously as he released a reluctant "Well…"

"Don't drag him into this," Kageyama said with a frown.

"You're the one who started it," Hinata shouted, stomping his foot to emphasize his anger. His rough action caused both Tsukishima's and Yamaguchi's bags to topple over and some of the content to spill out.

"Now look what you've done," Kageyama grumbled, with a deep frown.

"It's only because you antagonize me!" Hinata snapped before looking at the spilled content. "Sorry, Yama," he then apologized as he bent down to clean up the mess.

"No, it's okay. We should have closed our bags properly," Yamaguchi waved him off, shuffling over and helping Hinata clean up with mess. Only a few items had fallen out so no harm was done. It was when Hinata let loose a sharp gasp that Yamaguchi gave a small jump.

"Wow, is this a Luxury Ball?" Hinata gasped as he pulled the black and gold ball from Yamaguchi's pack.

A moment of pure paralyzing panic spread through Yamaguchi's limbs upon sight of the ball.

"Is this your's, Yama?" Hinata gasped as he studied the beautiful ball. "It looks like you've caught something in it? What's in it?"

"It's nothing!" Yamaguchi snapped as he scooped the ball out of Hinata's hands. Kageyama and Hinata looked to him in mild shock. Yamaguchi looked to the two in embarrassment for the outburst.

"Is everything okay, Yama?" Hinata asked in worry.

Yamaguchi's nervously fiddled with the ball. It did indeed hold a pokemon. It was his first ever caught pokemon from years ago but he was nowhere near ready to face it again.

Before anymore could be said, the door to the room swung open. Yamaguchi looked up to find a slightly less grouchy Tsukki. With Hinata and Kageyama's attention on the door, Yamaguchi quietly slipped the Luxury Ball back into his pack.

"Look who I found," Tsukishima flatly anounded before striding into the room. Following him was a very shy Yachi.

"Hey everyone," Yachi greeted mekly.

"Yachi!" Yamaguchi found himself smiling in greeting. He had almost forgotten that Yachi had been traveling with Hinata and Kageyama.

"Hey, Yamaguchi. Long time no see," Yachi sweetly replied. "I was waiting for you two by the entrance," she then stated looking to Hinata and Kageyama.

"Oh, right, we forgot!" Hinata sheepishly admitted.

"Dumbass here got caught up gloating about his gym badge," Kageyama grumbled.

"You also forgot, too," Hinata accused.

"I don't know how you put up with those two ideos," Tsukishima sighed, his tone flat.

Yachi replied with a sheepish shrugged. She also hadn't a clue how she made it this far without dying of stress. "We are going to get dinner now if you two want to join us?" Yachi offered, not wanting to answer the prior question.

"Sure, why not," Yamaguchi replied only to find Tsukishima frown in mild disapproval. He could not help but internally apologize.

Dinner had been quite the spectacle. While Yamaguchi, Tsukishima and Yachi had a civil conversation, Hinata and Kageyama seemed to be having some sort of eating contest. Just the sight of the two scarfing down their dinner made Yamaguchi queasy.

"Do they always eat like barbarians?" Tsukishima grumbled as he sent the odd duo a disapproving glance.

"Only sometimes," Yachi replied though her tone seemed to hint that it most likely happened more often than not.

Dinner had passed just as fast and before they knew it the sun way down and they had all congregated back in the room. Yamaguchi had gotten right to work on feeding their Pokemon. Yachi, Hinata and even Kageyama had shown with pure awe at finding out Yamaguchi had hand crafted all the Pokemon chow for Tsukishima and himself.

"You mean to tell me you made this Pokechow?" Hinata gasped as he examined one of the pieces of star shaped Pokefood.

"I was wondering why they were all shaped like stars. I had never seen that in store before," Yachi added, her tone also holding a fair amount of amazement.

"Yeah, my mom taught me how to make Pokechow as a kid," Yamaguchi shily admitted. He was never good at taking compliments.

"Wow, I wish I had learned how to make it," Yachi hummed, her tone holding a surprising amount of envy. "Homemade food is always better for the Pokemon and as a future showcase contestant, making my own chow would probably put me at an advantage," she carried on as she examined a piece of the food.

"Well, I can show you how to make some if you want," Yamaguchi offered. "It's really not that hard."

"What? That would be great," Yachi answered almost too quickly, startling Yamaguchi.

"I want to learn how to make it, too," Hinata cut in, getting up into Yamaguchi's bubble.

"No way! You'll probably burn the place down," Tsukishima sneered from the bed. Yamaguchi did his best to stifle a laugh.

"What was that, four eyes," Hinata snapped. His insult didn't seem to bother Tsukishima.

"I can show all of you if you want," Yamaguchi quickly offered before an argument broke out.

"You're really nice, Yamaguchi," Hinata sweetly cheered. "Much nicer than some people," he than added in a deeper tone, his eyes darting from Tsukishima to Kageyama. Tsukishima replied with a disinterested shrug while Kageyama scowled at Hinata.

"Maybe you can show us tomorrow after your gym battle," Yachi suggested hopefully.

"Right! You have a gym battle tomorrow!" Hinata added in excitement.

"I almost forgot," Yamaguchi lied, doing his best to put on an excited front. Fortunately for him, Hinata was too dense to pick up on anything but Yachi seemed to see right through him.

"Gym battles can be so stressful and scary," Yachi sighed as if she was trying to relate to Yamaguchi's unspoken nerves. "I can never think fast enough to command my pokemon and before I know it, they have all fainted," she carried on as if the past haunted her in a very similar way it hunted Yamaguchi.

"Yeah, I can sometimes stumble over my commands, too," Yamaguchi unintentionally admitted aloud. Upon realizing this he felt his cheeks go bright red with embarrassment though no one seemed put off by it.

"I never get nervous when battling. I just comand my pokemon and they always pull through," Hinata enthusiastically added. He didn't seem to be picking up on the melancholy mood Yamaguchi and Yachi were putting out.

"Shut up, dumbass. No one asked you," Kageyama growled from the bottom bunk of is and Hinata's bed.

"Stay out of our conversation!" Hinata squawk back.

"The conversation is open to everyone in the room," Kageyama retorted sharply.

"Not if you are going to be a grump about it," Hinata retorted, now up in Kageyama's space.

"Oh Arceus, not again," Tsukishima sighed from the top if his and Yamaguchi's bunk. Yamaguchi could not help but release a small nervous laugh at how put off Tsukishima was.

"There is no need to worry about tomorrow, Yamaguchi," Yachi cut in, ignoring the squabble going on in the room. "I'm sure you and your pokemon are going to do fine." Her smile, though reassuring, did not ease the burning feeling of anxiety at the pit of Yamaguchi's stomach.

"Right," Yamaguchi half heartedly agreed. He had a feeling his face was probably paler than it had been before. "It will be fine."

Yachi smile once more. She seemed unsure of what else to say to Yamaguchi and turned her attention to the two squabbling trainers. Yamaguchi, still phased from the anxiety he felt building, sat himself on his bed as he blakely watched Yachi's failed attempts to break up Hinata and Kageyama.

Despite what everyone told him, Yamaguchi did not feel at all ready for the gym battle. He had never participated in one and hadn't a clue what to expect. If they were anything like any other battle, it will probably end in his defeat. The idea of losing so quickly into this journey frightened Yamaguchi. This journey was meant to be different from before.

Ohhh Gosh! Here we go! Are you all read for it!? Do you believe in Yamaguchi? Will he be able to face the gym and win? What about Tsukki? Will he pull through as well? Stay tuned to find out :D

Hey all! So I got chapter 7 out on time! Yessss! I will most likely get chapter 8 out next week no problem!

As always, thank you all so much for the kind reviews and comments as well as the follows, bookmarks and kudos. I love hearing from my readers. It give me so much drive to write more and make sure this is getting out one time.

Don't be afraid to drop a comments and tell me how you think it is going! I have so much planned for this series! We ain't even started. I am also genuinely interested in knowing how all of you would picture our boys in a Pokemon AU so do share.

Well, that's all for now! See you all next chapter!