JMJ

CHAPTER TEN:

Hypothetically

With a cock of her head toward Kojiro's face, Musashi smiled encouragingly.

"You could come too," she sang.

Kojiro smiled back. "Next time," he promised.

"But don't you want to train up your pokémon too?" asked Musashi.

It was not exactly that, and everyone knew it. It was just …

"I've already made plans," said Kojiro and his smile turned a tad sheepish as he scratched the back of his neck.

"Plans were made to be broken, nya," offered Nyaasu. "Just look at us! Our plans never worked, nya!"

Neither Kojiro nor Musashi paid the remark the least bit of attention.

"Next time then," Musashi made Kojiro promise.

"Next time," said Kojiro with a fervent nod, much more earnest than the situation called for.

"Alright, then, let's go, nya! Or we'll be standing here, all day! The bus is gun-nya leave without us, nya!" As Nyaasu exclaimed this, he tugged at Musashi's long but still trainer-functional skirt. "C'mon, Musashi."

Turning her body, her head still lingered on Kojiro's face a moment longer, she started to follow after Nyaasu like a parent following an overly eager child to see the performing pokémon at the circus, but still adult thoughts on her mind. She thought for a moment that she had something more to say to Kojiro, but her mind had suddenly become blank. His goofy, cheerful wave goodbye did not help remind her either. Oh, well, if she remembered later she could call him on the cell phone he let them take.

She had a strange feeling that she could not explain about leaving Kojiro behind. It felt as if she was leaving behind a twin, not that she knew what having a twin was like, but it left her with stupid but troublesome thoughts about some young woman's family changing their minds about Kojiro. That dreadful decision would then leave one to speculate that by the time Musashi and Nyaasu returned they would find a new Mrs. Niwa and a very miserable Mr. Niwa tagging sluggishly from behind her on a leash.

"Tell me all about it when you get back!" Kojiro called with the cliché of parting that reminded her of a black and white movie.

Musashi shook her head as she pushed open the window to call back.

"I will!" she said with equal cliché, and she grinned brightly for him, and even ignored Nyaasu's blowing kissing out the window beneath her chin.

There's nothing to worry about, she scolded herself. Stop being an idiot.

The worries about Rumika's return eventually subsided but the feeling of not liking the thought of leaving Kojiro behind still haunted the back of her mind as the bus started off down the road. The sight of Kojiro still watching the bus from the curb made her feel like she was leaving a helpless puppy behind.

He's a big boy, he can take care of himself for two day, she then growled to herself. Besides, he has a whole house full of servants to take care of him, and his parents are acting like real parents finally! They'll just sit at home, drink tea, play croquette, and maybe Kojiro will succeed in bringing them into town like he'd been trying to do.

She had other things to think about now. She had battles and training and the excitement of travel that she had missed so very much. One could not believe how restless she had grown sitting around on the estate.

That beaming Nyaasu face with his head nudging her arm like the cat he technically happened to be, finally broke the ill ease, but only because she suddenly remembered, much to her annoyance, her promise.

"Nya …" meowed Nyaasu.

With a roll of her eyes and a low growl, Musashi lifted her hand and lightly patted Nyaasu's head.

"Oh, c'mon, nya! That's n-yot a pet, nya!" Nyaasu complained.

"What do you want?" Musashi snapped.

"To be petted! Like the agreement, nya," Nyaasu said, suddenly holding up the document which Musashi had signed.

She sighed, not even bothering to look as she turned to look out the window. Her chin, she cupped in her free hand as she began stroking Nyaasu behind the ears half-absently. If she had been in any worse mood, she would have shoved him across the aisle, but she found that recently her violent tendencies had lessened somewhat. Maybe hunger had made her grumpier than she would have been normally when they were rocketing …

As she watched the passing trees and little villages, she found herself wondering idly if they would ever be rocketing again. Never had she said that she officially quit, and come to think of it, neither had Nyaasu. Even Kojiro had not made his resignation official even if he had seemed fairly serious about it at one time.

She could not help but miss those days of rocketing, and she felt it inside that they had not seen the last of their field agent days. Kojiro may seem like he would never touch an ill-gotten pokéball again, but Musashi reminded herself of Nyaasu's many claims at reforming, and she herself could not claim to have not had thoughts about quitting every now and then. Team Rocket always called them back again, though. Like the haunting call to patriotism a person might have for their homeland, all agents of Team Rocket who strayed from their rocketing ways heard the call to return one way or another, and Musashi was positive their situation right now was no exception.

#

Mount Battle Kanto, situated at the foot of the mountain of northern Kanto, was a glorious sight. With tall pillars in front and high elevator shafts behind, one could see it even before the bus rounded the last bend. Once that past them by, the trees parted and gave way to the massive front doors gleaming with the fresh vigor of a new, optimistic landmark which all were sure it would become.

Nyaasu tingled despite himself. After all, he had only come to battle, and he happened not to be a big fan of battling whether he battled or he watched others battle. He could not help it. It had been so long since he had been anywhere of even half the action and youthful life as this place. Trainers dotted even the outside of the building like insects. What pleased him also was the idea that the brat boy was not likely to be numbered among the hundred and possibly thousands of trainers who had showed up for this grand opening. Trainers upon trainers and not a brat boy or 100+ level pikachu in sight. Oh, it was marvelous!

The scent of frying food also helped to perk Nyaasu's interest and before Musashi could do anything to stop him, he flew to the first stand he could to get himself tempura.

"Nya, nya," he said licking his lips, and he took a great bite, closing his eyes to savor the taste.

"We didn't come all the way here to eat fried food," Musashi grumbled.

"Ah, lighten up Musashi, this is vacation, nya!"

"No," said Musashi, throwing a hand on her hip. "This is hard work!"

"You mean because even Kojiro whooped your butt, nya?" asked Nyaasu innocently.

Luckily, Nyaasu stood too far away to be kicked.

"Only because he had his growlithe help him," sniffed Musashi. "Arbok could beat Weezing any day, and Lickitongue versus Victreebell isn't even worth it."

"You mean, after Kojiro actually pries her off his head, nya?" Nyaasu giggled.

"Yeah," Musashi muttered.

There was a short pause as Nyaasu took another bite of his tempura.

"Come on!" Musashi snapped.

Snatching him by the tail she made for the doors.

"Nya!" Nyaasu cried, but he was mostly upset because he dropped his tempura.

Not long afterwards, Nyaasu found himself standing beside Musashi in a small arena. They had been matched quite quickly by level and the number of pokémon with another trainer. The boy across from them looked hardly older than ten, a rookie in all appearance from his naively intense face to his bright, primary-hued outfit. That showed just how skilled Musashi was by level, but Musashi may have an advantage, for even though her pokémon were not on an especially high level, she was more experienced in some ways than this green thing.

Hey, what was he thinking, he had to help in this battle too! Nyaasu had almost forgotten. Slapping his forehead, he let out an audible moan.

"Stop that," Musashi ordered. "And take this match seriously."

Nyaasu only moaned louder, and for that, he would have received a light kick in the side, but luckily Nyaasu had his document up before she finished lifted her leg.

Relenting, Musashi growled.

Then the bell rang, and the battle began.

The boy released a charmander. Already, Musashi was at a disadvantage, especially since without thinking over her options carefully, she sent out Arbok.

"Nya," said Nyaasu. At least she did not send him out, but Lickitongue probably would have been better.

"Arbok, poison sting!" Musashi shouted.

Maybe she hoped that Charmander would not get a chance to use his advantage as a fire over a poison.

Charmander was struck, but he was not down for long. Before Arbok got another chance, the trainer called for flame thrower.

No more Arbok. He had lasted in battle perhaps little over a minute.

"Well, he's done worse, nya," Nyaasu muttered.

"Just for that," Musashi grumbled back, and she raised her voice as she threw Nyaasu out into the arena. "You're going next!"

"NYAH!" Nyaasu cried, and he landed strangely right on Charmander's head.

"Char!" exclaimed the little, reptilian creature in surprise.

Musashi laughed. "Alright, Nyaasu! You have him right where we want him."

Nyaasu gulped. "I do!"

"Sure! He can't burn you up there!" Musashi shouted.

The boy frowned. "Oh, yeah!" he said. "C'mon Charmander, throw him off you with a scratch attack!"

But though Nyaasu screeched in fear, he managed to escape the scratches of those tiny T-rex arms.

"Nyaasu! Fury swipes back!" Musashi ordered.

Somehow, Nyaasu did as commanded, but as soon as he began, Charmander bashed Nyaasu on the ground.

"Nyah!"

"Flame thrower!" the boy called again.

"N-yo!" wailed Nyaasu, and it was all over for him too.

Now only Lickitongue remained, but Nyaasu did not pay much attention as he tended his wounds sat on small chair off to the side of the arena. All he knew was that though this last bit may have been the most intense, he only had to hear Musashi's moan to know how it ended.

Nyaasu shook his head.

#

After a day of several battles and only winning two and a third because the opponent made a huge mistake, Musashi could only hope that the next day would be better. As she made her way to breakfast on their second day, she kept telling Nyaasu that their luck would change.

"Nya, face, it Musashi, one day of battling isn't going to make much of a difference, nya," said Nyaasu.

"Oh, shut up! And be more positive," Musashi retorted, and she plopped down in a chair after making their order at the counter.

She dipped her spoon into her hot miso soup and stared down at the swirling steam, trying to keep her mind focused on thinking clearly. When in battle, don't be too impulsive. Think about the options first. Then battle, or she'll end up losing to a rookie again. If a fire pokémon appears, don't use Arbok. And Nyaasu, who was a waste of a pokémon, really had to be taught more moves if he was to be any help except with pokémon like rattata, and using him against a skitty was a complete waste of time even if he reached level ninety. But today would be better; she would make sure today would be better. Pounding her fist on the table, she determined with physical force that today would be better.

"Nya …" Nyaasu meow interrupted her thoughts.

"What?" Musashi growled.

"Did you see that, nya!" Nyaasu said.

"What?" Musashi said again.

Nyaasu pointed a paw behind her, and as Musashi looked, she saw the end of transaction of a trainer giving her pokéballs to a man in a valet-type uniform. With a tip of his hat, the valet or whoever he was, took the pokéballs away.

"What's with that?" Musashi asked, raising a brow and throwing a dark leer to Nyaasu.

"She's giving that guy her pokéballs to take into the Pokémon Center in town," said Nyaasu.

"So?" Musashi demanded.

"I saw someone do that yesterday too, nya," said Nyaasu spooning himself some soup. After swallowing with a satisfied sigh, he went on. "They give these guys their pokémon to take to the Pokémon Center, and then they'll bring them back to the trainers with these number cards they exchange, and it looks like it's not a free service, nya. And my guess is that this whole thing is cuz they haven't quite finished the Pokémon Center here, yet, nya."

Musashi closed her eyes as irritation began building to a noticeable degree. "And the point of this is …? I can take my pokémon to the Pokémon Center myself. I ran down there several times yesterday."

"N-yeah, I kny-ow. Only either wealthy trainers or high level trainers who earn enough winnings could afford it, so those guys are carrying some pretty hefty prizes all the way into town, nya," Nyaasu said. "And hypothetically speaking, if say, a thief were to disguise himself as one of those guys then n-yo one would kny-ow that the pokémon were gone before it was too late, nya."

Complete realization struck Musashi like Pikachu's thunder bolt attack from behind, and it sailed down her spine causing more than a small shiver through her body. All thought of battles, and breakfast, and even holding her jaw in place vanished as she stared at Nyaasu and gaped at him with a blank fish expression. A familiar sleazy, sinister, sneaky ambiance suddenly fell upon her so that she could almost hear the old, pleasantly unsavory saxophone.

"Hypothetically speaking, of course," Nyaasu reiterated. "We're ny-ot on duty right ny-ow, nya." Sitting straight with a proud closing of his eyes, he took another sip of soup, and swallowed with dignity. He then lifted a napkin to his lips and patted them lightly as if he was a guest at a dinner with the Niwa family.

Musashi laughed in spite of herself. "Yeah, right. Hypothetically, of course."

"Nya! It would be super easy," said Nyaasu.

"Like taking candy from a baby," agreed Musashi.

"We'd already be standing in front of the Boss's desk before anyone even kny-ew the pokémon were missing, nya."

"The Boss's desk!" sighed Musashi in ecstasy as she folded her hands together and pictured herself in front of a quite pleased Giovanni.

She did not even remember the last time she had seen the Boss pleased outside of fantasy, but there would be nothing fanciful about a sack of pokéballs piled onto his desk and the trio standing before him in the darkened office as they waited for the look of distrustful surprise to leave the Boss' face while eager grins plastered on their own.

"Even Kojiro couldn't say 'n-yo' to a plan like that, nya!" Nyaasu said.

At this thought, Musashi's pleasure vanished.

Yes, Kojiro probably could say "no" to plan like that, and he probably would too, Musashi had no doubt about it. But maybe if they already had the pokémon in their possession …

"We wouldn't have to tell him until we got them," said Musashi.

"Hypothetically speaking, nya," said Nyaasu.

Musashi waved a hand aside and nodded. "Right, right, hypothetically here."

"The sight of all that easy gain could stir in his heart the true Team Rocket spirit, nya," said Nyaasu brightly; he looked just like old times, the conniving feline. "Just like he used to, nya!"

He had taken the words right out of her head!

"Yeah," said Musashi. "He used to be so proud of our villainous ways. 'Lovely and charming villains …'" She sighed in reverie at the thrill and pride of reciting their motto before unsuspecting victims. "He made that part up, you know."

Nyaasu nodded. "And we'd have 'till the end of the month before the ny-ew Pokémon Center opens to plan this all out to perfection, nya. And we could use a map of the place to plan everything out to a 'T', nya! I could hypothetically get that map right ny-ow even."

"Actually," Musashi said quietly as she reached into a pocket. "I already have one."

"Hontou, nya?" said Nyaasu, slamming his paws over the table in his excitement.

The map was thus placed upon the table.

"We could plan it all out right now," said Musashi, "or even bring it back to the Niwa place and plot it all out just like you said and be back in a week to put it all into action."

"If we were being Team Rocket ny-ow."

"If everything was normal."

"The way it was before, nya."

"Before Kojiro went weird."

"Stupid reality, nya."

"What's reality?"

"A ny-ightmare, nya."

"But only for our enemies."

"Enemies of Team Rocket, nya!"

"Enemies of us!"

"There's ny-o brat boy, nya."

"No yana kanji."

"That ny-ever stopped us."

"Ever dauntless."

"Hypothetically, nya!"

Musashi nodded as she took a bite of soup. Their speaking had almost become a chant or a rap. All they needed was to start rhyming.

"Hypothetically," she said.

"Ny-ot yan-ya kanji, nyah," said Nyaasu.

"But ii kanji."

"N-yeah, ii kanji."

"Hypothetically."

"Ny-aturally, nya."

"Almost a shame," Musashi said.

"Almost, nya," Nyaasu agreed.

"Hypothetically, it's our duty," said Musashi.

"For world conquest, nya!"

"For the glory!"

"For the honor, nya!"

"For Team Rocket!"

"Any star in the galaxy, nya," said Nyaasu.

"Sky's the limit."

"Society's sympathy."

"Love and truth."

"Ny-ante, nya!"

Musashi paused thoughtfully for a moment. "I think I need another bowl of soup."

Nyaasu shrugged.

"Then get one, nya," he sniffed without looking at her.

The rap thus ended.

Japanese Phrases

Hontou: Really ?

Yana kanji : bad feeling

Ii kanji : good feeling