Hey guys, it's me, Jesspikapal, but you probably already knew that! ;)

So anyways, Strawberryshipping is in some desperate need of updated and such. Handcuffed has been updated quite a while back but nobody seemed to really notice. Doesn't matter though - it's there if you ever wanna read it. :) Oh and this fiction ISN'T how they met at all, but I felt like I should do it this way in order for it to work. :) Oh, and Altaria isn't one of Ruby's legit pokemon. :)

Please review! :D

~Jess~

X x

Raining - "It's funny. I love getting caught up in the rain with you..."

X x

The rain drizzled down as the red haired female lay under the fruit stall, just waiting for people to distract the shop-keeper so she could sneak something. She was very good at these things by now: hiding and stealing, although she wasn't too proud of it, were just a couple of her talents she'd had to pick up after living on the streets for a good couple of months. She thought it would be a lot harder than it actually was, but it was rather simple (as long as you didn't get caught...).

She could hear him chatting to a regular customer - she'd know that annoying voice anywhere - and she creased her forehead in agitation; the shop-keeper would be natterig for another good half hour and she was already starving. She didn't know if she could wait much longer without losing control and simply stealing from under their noses and making a break for it. She'd done that in the past, though it was the last situation she wanted to be in when she was drowning in her own fatigue.

"Yes, the storm is getting worse as the days go by..." Ruby heard as she listened, wavering in between sleep and day-dreaming, not quite knowing what to decide.

"Ah yes, but poor ol' Ronnie can't live without his potassium! Poor lad needs his bananas, bless him!" the mother (or so Ruby could safely assume) chirruped, awfully preppy for the terrible weather, the cheerful chime rudely out of place in the pouring rain. The floor was starting to get soggy around her and she compressed herself into a ball to conserve heat, not quite working up the nerve to send out her trusty companion; though he loved the rain, he wasn't fond of the cold - in fact, he actually rather hated it.

"That's it... I can't take it anymore. I'm gonna go find food somewhere else." she decided firmly, narrowing her eyes as she plotted a safe route to run from. After all, if people saw her emerging form underneath a stall, it would only look bad for her. She already had a bad reputation with the police (having been caught a couple of times when she was careless) and so she didn't want anyone thinking she was up to no good when she really wasn't.

Gingerly, she poked her head out when there seemed to be a lack of feet at her particular stall, indicating there was also a lack of people. She was right as she managed to throw herself up, lurching to the side a little as she did it slightly too hard. The seller at the stall gave her a strange look but said nothing about it. She continued to frown, not having the dilligence to smile at him, even when he did. She then pivoted smoothly on her feet and marched away, determined to show him that she didn't want any of his tacky fruit anyway.

"Thanks for nothing..." she muttered, cursing under her breath, hoping that something bad would happen to him along the lines of his perfect orange pyramid collapsing or his fruit suddenly turning bad. She'd been waiting there for a few hours at most, and she was still empty-handed, not in the mood for a chase. She felt lonely, all by herself as she wandered onwards, through the streets and towards an open field. She scanned her surroundings, before she took a cautious step into the field, the ground sloppy and wet from the rain. Still, it wasn't a hazard to her; she'd been living in it for the last few days and it hadn't let up once! She sighed irately and grabbed a poke-ball, sick of getting soaked already. She threw it nonchalently.

"All...?~" the pokemon sighed, fanning out her huge fluffy wings, before she recoiled from the rain.

"Let's go." was all she had to say as she leaped onto her pokemon's back; she petted her silently, not wanting her to think that she was angry with her. It was her hunger, bubbling away at the pit of her stomach that was making her agitated. She had to eat something!

As Altaria took off, her wings slowly growing accustomed to the terrible weather, Ruby sighed, feeling more lonely than ever. She needed her partner and so she sent out the little Snivy, making sure to hold a hand over his head until he could hang his tail there instead. The little green pokemon shivered in the cold, though he was busy taking in the nutrients from the rain to properly take a retreating action. Ruby coiled her arms around her pokemon's small frame, trying to help him keep warm and he cooed thankfully, nuzzling against his trainer's tattered clothes. He knew that she hardly ever meant harm; she was rambuctious and... creative when it came to revenge, but she was still his hero. He'd never met a human who had put up with so much as Ruby had, from families to life on the streets.

She just wished she could be so thankful for the rain; all it did for her was make her wet, though she supposed it was the only shower she was going to get when outside alone...

X x

The rain hadn't stopped once throughout the entire journey and Ruby was thoroughly soaked. Still, she felt bad for the cotton wings of the flying type pokemon that was carrying her throughout the wind and rain, loyal as loyal could be (though it had taken some persuading...). The drips were still pounding, mericless and relentless.

"Damn this crap!" Ruby yelled as she fled underneath a huge tree. She sighed and wished she had something warm, before an idea sprung to mind. She picked up a poke-ball and rolled it, a vulpix coming from it. The red head picked up a thick stick and smiled. "Ember. Please."

The little fox pokemon did as she was told, setting it alight. Ruby smiled and beckoned her grass and fire types to her knee, holding the flame at arms length. Although the flame was small, it was meticulously warming in her mind and body alike. She now knew that she wasn't completely helpless; after all, she was smart enough to know not to let herself get too cold and how to amke a fire. The skill didn't seem alot when said in such a basic way, but when living out, it was a very necassary skill. Still, Ruby missed real food - bread even. The things that she had taken for granted before - sweeter things, like fruit, real fruits, like apples and kiwis. And pineapple. She missed her favourite fruit like no other!

"Excuse me!" her and her pokemon heard and the small foursome (including Altaria behind them) turned their heads in the vague direction of the voice. Narrowing her eyes briefly, she stood up, reluctantly pulling herself from the sodden yet soft wings of her Altaria, casually returning her. She understood that her cotton was a "delicacy" and people would pay alot of money for it in some parts of Unova. If this was a creep who wanted such things, she'd make him understand that she wasn't cruel enough to do such a crime and sell her friends out like that. She'd show him!

"What?" she replied curtly as a young man arrived at her feet. He was wearing black work pants and a black jacket, his hair suprisingly upright, despite the heavy rain. How'd he managed that in the atrocious weather conditions? His hair, much like hers, was fire-red.

"As much as I love fire, you might wanna put that out when you're so close to something that's wooden..." he informed, making Ruby rise a brow. Who did he think he was to tell her what she could and couldn't do? He probably wasn't the one, judging by his clothing even, that was in the difficult position and yet he had the nerve to tell her what to do and how to live?

"Look, I appreicate the concern, with the enviroment and everything-" at this, the young man's lips quirked as he smirked slightly in amusement. "but I'm the one who needs this. Now, you can run home to your fancy house and snuggle under your ten-pound-a-strand cotton duvet whilst I camp out here, got it?" Ruby snapped, earning respective chortles from her pokemonas she did so.

"You're camping?" he questioned, raising a brow. "Quite a site you got here." he finished snidely, still smirking widely. Who did he honestly think he was?

"Listen here!" she yelled, jabbing his chest with a sharp finger. He peered down, watching her touch him, before he looked back up and locked eyes with her. "What I do is none of your concern! Turn your snobby ass around and leave me alone!" she then paused, glanced the side and then added: "And no, I'm not camping."

"Wow, quite the mouth y'got. No worries. I was just trying to help you out."

"How is telling me what to do and what not to do "helping me out"?" Ruby demanded, going closer to him as she narrowed her eyes angrily at him, snarling slightly. Her pokemon were too mature to get involved, yet they could sense the tension between the pair. Simmering with hatred, Ruby stayed close, but the teen opposite her moved backwards slightly, showing her he was giving up.

"I'm Chili." he introduced, ignoring her statement. Her eyes bulged slightly at the comment. He wasn't arguing anymore? Why? "We've met before, but I don't suppose you remember. We had an encounter at the fruit stall... remember?" he finished, folding his arms, smiling a smug smile, as if he held power or something. Ruby frowned and tilted her head slightly. Come to think of it, she did...

"I'm-"

"I know who you are. Ruby Cooper." Chili smirked, raising his eyebrows competitively. She sighed, silently telling him that she didn't like him. He seemed to stare back at her, reading her thoughts as he shrunk away from her slightly. Then he spoke up again: "I saw you fly over here. In the pouring rain. I just wondered if you needed anything...?" he asked cautiously. Why he had changed his tune, she didn't know, though he seemed much nicer now than he had only a couple of minutes previous. Why did people change so easily? And why was it only after the fights that they decided to?

"I don't need any help. I can do it on my own." Ruby answered briskly, pushing past him, her pokemon following. She could feel his eyes lingering on her partners and grew sensitive, pulling out their poke-balls and returning them all, excluding her main partner, Jaden. The rain was still spattering in small amounts, but it didn't bother her anymore; the wind had died down so it was merely wet outside, not cold and brutal like before. But she was still starving. That she couldn't deny...

"I'm sure you don't," at this she turned round. "But you look hungry. And tired. Unlike you, I am camping. I just thought you could use the shelter for a few hours before you're on you feet again." he explained, scratching his head lightly, as if nervous or apprehensive. Ruby raised a brow. Hadn't she just told him "no"?

"Why would I go with you, Chili?" she spat his name like poison on the tip of her tongue, trying her best to push him away. She knew how it was, even with aquaintences; once attached, it took a while to go back to normal. She wanted to avoid that situation at all costs since life was hard enough at the moment already, without the added stress of a "friend".

"Do you have anyone - or anything - else? Do you really have any other choice? Other than to stay hungry and cold and miserable?" he offered, continuing to draw her near. She had stopped completely now and had turned to face him, though she wouldn't quite meet his eyes; she knew that implied honesty, trust and loyalty. She didn't want him to feel as if he could find that in her. She wanted him to go away, but her stomach betrayed her and gave a rumble, reminding her just how hungry she actually was. Come to think about it, she never had got any fruit from that stall had she..? She'd forgotton upon arguing with the handsome red-head opposite her!

"...No," she sighed pityfully, suddenly seeming vulnerable to Chili. He frowned and then smiled bashfully, trying his best to look genuine. "I don't." she finished.

Chili cleared his throat. "Come back with me. At least take some food?" he asked, seemingly pleading. She slowly let down her guard and sighed. What else could she do? After all, he was right: she didn't have anywhere else to go or anyone else to see. Without him, she'd just be stuck in the rain without him all over again...

X x

"So, what brought you out here?" she questioned in the serenity of his tent. She'd felt warmth before, but never welcome. It was a strange feeling and though pleasant, she wasn't entirely sure if she was willing to accept it yet; she was so used to fighting for everything that she'd ever had, that it seemed to easy to simply take it without working or going through some sort of pain to get it in the first place.

"Meh... felt I needed a change of scenary." Chili answered lightly, flipping the cooking berries in a saucepan over a fire. The very thing he'd told her off for by the tree. But then again, he was being careufl and he had the fire for a reason. But so had she: to keep warm. But tat wasn't enough for him, no. Still, she didn't have the heart to challenge him as he was the one feeding her. She didn't quite understand why she had accepted his invitation to "dinner" (maybe the desparation for food?) but she wasn't exactly regretting it as she warmed herself in the corner of the fabricated tent.

"Is that all?" Ruby asked knowingly, watching the food cook slowly. How dare those berries taunt her by cooking so slow! Still, he seemed experienced, which made her think twice about buying his story; that's why she'd asked.

"...All right. Y'got me..." he mumbled lightly, smiling sheepishly. "I'm from that fancy restauraunt in Striaton. Y'know, Striaton Gym?" at this, Ruby nodded lightly, prepared to listen. While she remained quiet, she could hear the rain outside; it had grown worse once more and she knew that soon enough, she'd be cold and wet all over again. "Well, work was getting a little bit much, being a waiter and a Gym Leader. There's so much on demand these days that sales were picking up dramatically. One of my brothers - there's three of us including me - left to go on a journey and so me and my other brother didn't have enough between us to keep it running. Luckily, we were helped out by some family members, but my brother was still stressed. One night he told me he didn't need me and that he could run the business on his own, so I'm determined to make him think twice about what he said to me. Of course, if it doesn't work out in my favour, then I'll look dumb, but hopefully it'll teach him to be cruel about it..." he finished and when he had, he seemed to sigh, as if he'd gotton a lot off of his chest. Ruby frowned sympathetically.

"That's a tricky situation you're in there, buddy." she tried to spur him on lightly, successfully making him chuckle, seemingly relieved.

"Yeah, I'm in trouble either way. It's not too far from home, but my brother doesn't know that..." at this, he let out a hesitant laugh.

Ruby then thought something from the corner of her mind. "What are your brothers called?" this time, he looked up from the food, catching her eye sharply. She briefly wondered if she'd over-stayed her welcome, though she was determined not to seem concerned. He was a stranger after all, so he didn't mean anything to her. And she was sharing lunch with him... gosh, it was all so confusing! "...Did I say something wrong?"

"No, no!" Chili cried quickly, making Ruby breathe out in relief. "I'm just surprised you don't know them. They're very popular about girls your age, me included. They're Cilan and Cress."

"Ah... hey! What do you mean, 'girls my age'?" she spat, not liking that he was judging her based on other girls. They all seemed fake nowadays, even though she felt she was bad for looking down on her own gender in such a way. It was like being unpatriotic, but regarding genders. Suddenly, a plate entered her vision, filled with a food that both looked and smelt delicious. Her eyes shone discreetly, though he noticed and smiled to himself silently.

"I just mean teens like you. Y'know, fourteen, fiteen, sixteen, sometimes even seventeen-ish. Around your age." the red haired male explained. She was definitely a lot of work, but he didn't mind. After all, though she wouldn't admit it, she needed his help as much as sheneeded feeding. It wasn't only her who had noticed the bad weather picking up again; he wouldn't let her go out in it, especially as it would be dark soon. "Enough about me! What about you? Why are you out here?"

The question she'd been dreading.

"I wanted to come here."

"Somehow, I find that hard to believe."

"..."

"Ruby?" his voice seized her attention, her name spoken softly. She wasn't used to that. She was used to her mother screaming it, or the numerous men she had around slurring it. Or Hailey wailing it as she begged for some sort of attention. "You can be honest with me. I understand if you don't want to talk about it, but it wouldn't hurt to share. I'm not a 'chat 'n' tell' kind o' guy." he said light-heartedly, making her smile at his weak joke.

"Then what kind of guy are you?" she couldn't stop herself from asking. She quickly ate something from her plate, wanting an excuse to remain silent as a slight blush raised to her cheeks. Why she was so interested, she didn't know, but he had her thinking a little.

"A guy who apparently has a snobby ass." Chili replied smugly, referring to her earlier comment. This time, she scoffed, forcing her mouthful down so that she could. "But seriously," he started again. "I'd like to know."

"I'm running." she answered slowly, fondling with her fork, drawing various patterns around her plate, suddenly nervous. He seemed to think for a moment, before he nodded lightly. She seemed like the type of girl who would have the guts to do that anyway, though he had no idea why. Even from a distance, she looked ragged; it wasn't usual for a girl as far as he was concerned, but perhaps it was because he'd been brain-washed by the prepped-up fangirls at his restauraunt into believing that if a girl wasn't absolutely caked in make-up, there was something wrong with her. Regardless of what was right though, that was the reason he had gone to her in the first place; he had just executed himself wrong.

"From what?" Chili quizzed, picking up a forkful of pecha berries and spooning it into his mouth, chewing slowly as he sifted through the possibilities. The wind rattled against his tent and he saw Ruby shiver minutely, though it was much too form to get blown away. It would stay in the ground until he himself took it out again.

"...Not necessarily from something. More like, for something." Ruby elaborated ever so slightly, thoughs he didn't know if she was prepared to open up fully to a stranger. Granted, he was kind enough to offer her shelter and feed her, but was he kind enough to keep her darkest secrets, secrets? She slowly returned Jaden, not wanting him to hear. "They shipped my sister off somewhere."

"Why?" was the shocked response.

"...Because she wouldn't stop crying." at this, Chili grew shocked and Ruby grew defensive. "Look, I tried my best. I tried my best to look after her and get her to do things on her own but it didn't work. She just wanted her mom and I wasn't her mom. I'm still not her mom. But now that they've seen how quiet it is without Hailey," she weakened as her name let her mouth, feeling grief for her little sister. "they were thinking of getting rid of me too, even though I stay out of mom's way anyway. But I'm going back to get her. I'm gonna get her back and then I'll look after her on my own."

Though Chili found the last part unrealistic and dangerous, he didn't comment. "Why would you have to stay out of her way? What did you do?"

"Nothing! That's the point." she paused, growing cautious under his ever-intent gaze, his red eyes filled to the brim with questions and unspoken theories. "I didn't stop her from drinking or taking things. I didn't stop her from bringing people who she didn't even know home. I didn't stop her from doing anything, Chili." she sighed sadly, not able to deny the urge to cry as her eyes shimmered slightly. She wouldn't cry - crying was for wimps - but she would always get so damn close.

"How were you supposed to stop her? Oh Ruby, I'm so sorry..." he murmured as he put down his plate. She finished her food slowly, not wanting to look wounded, though it hurt more than anything. She'd always told everybody who questioned it "meh, it's no big deal" or "stop being so careful! She got paranoid and turned to drugs!" with a huge smile plastered on her face, though she knew she was lying. To them and herself. She knew it was a big deal. She knew it wasn't right and she certainly knew that it was to be sorted, though she'd never worked up the guts to talk to anyone professional about it.

"It's no biggie..." she recited, stretching and rubbing her eyes as if she was tired, so she had an excuse to hide the tears and get rid of the evidence. The evidence of the upset.

"It is." Chili argued. "Look, I don't think it's right and though it's none of my buiness, I'd actually talk to someone about it. That's the best solution to any problem."

"Not mine. She'll kill me! And her man as well. Which ever one it is this time." she stated crudely, knowing she was talking about her mom behind her back. But then again, she didn't have any other alternatives; if she caught her chatting about her, she'd knock her flat straight away. Her mother looked feeble, but she could pack quite the punch. She would know, though it wasn't excessive. It wasn't even abuse as far as she was concerned. It was the occasional punch or slap and often, she would be in the way anyway, making her deserve it. Still, she knew that that in itself was wrong, whether she deserved it or not, and Ruby didn't exactly appreciate her mother's potty mouth when speaking to her. Surely she didn't deserve all of the verbal 'abuse' that she got everyday whilst she lived with her. Except she didn't get it anymore. Because she had run away. She wouldn't let anybody take her, not social services, not care-workers, nobody! She'd show them all! And she'd show them that Hailey didn't need to be in there either. She was just a child and children need their mothers, whether they're willing to take the responsibility or not.

"Then at least stay with me for a little while. At least till I go back. It'll only be a couple of days anyways." he gabbled, trying to reason with her. Little did he know that there wasn't any reasoning to be done; she was rather content with the warmth, the food, the sleeping sack in the corner and, surprisingly enough for her, the company. It was nice to have someone to talk to, though she barely knew him at all. Not even how old he was or what he liked to do, but somehow, she felt safe with him. Not exactly comfortable, but safe and secure at least.

"I still need to get to Hailey though... so why?" she still saw the need to ask.

"Because it's not right to have you going out there on your own. Plus... I kinda like you. You've grown on me a little, Cooper." he grinned, giving her a good-natured wink. She mock-grimaced, before she laughed (slightly uncertain) and punched him playfully on the arm. Smiling, she nodded. "Plus, I'm sure Hailey's being looked after just fine. She can wait a couple of days."

"...All right. Because I am such a good person, I will ease your mind and keep you at rest by not going straight away to save my sister." Ruby mocked.

"Come off it!" Chili cried, nudging her. "You're only in it for the food!" he joked, making the pair of them chuckle anf giggle between them. Calming down shortly after, Ruby sighed, smiled, laid back against the soft tent floor and said with a wink:

"You don't know how right you are..."

X x

Done! GAH, I don't know why but I like this one! Sorry it's a little dramatic. Unfortunately, this was one of the only things in my idea bank so... :/ Yeah, really, Ruby doesn't think much of her drunk family, but anyone else would, if you get me. So... I'm not trying to make people feel sorry for her, because that makes her seem a little mary-sue-ish and the last thing I want is rock-solid, tough-as-old-boots Coop completely transforming. And yes, "Cooper" is her second name. ;)

PLEASE review!

~Jess~