Sorry if I'm updating really slowly. I just have a lot of school work on my hands. Well, here's the next chapter, anyway. Enjoy!
Another Gym; Trouble Brewing
"We're here!" cheered Naruto as they entered the Dewford Gym. There, the trio was greeted by a strange man with a tight green suit, bushy eyebrows, and a bowl cut.
"What's with the hairstyle… and that suit?!" thought Sakura.
"Super bushy brows…" was the first impression Naruto got when he first saw the man.
"Well now, we have challengers! Come on in, kids, that's the spirit! Lee! Here are more youthful competitors for you!" shouted the "strange super bushy brow" man.
"Yes, Gai-sensei!" answered a voice from deep inside the gym. "Please, send them in."
"Alright, kids listen up. Dewford's gym leader, Rock Lee, specializes in fighting type Pokemon. So you three'd better start thinking of what Pokemon to use," instructed "Gai-sensei".
"We've already gotten everything sorted out, super bushy brows sensei!" said Naruto, giving a thumbs up.
Sakura whacked Naruto across the head and whispered, "Can you try not to call people weird names? Try to be more polite." Turning to Gai, she commented, "Those two will be fine. They've trained really hard to get here."
"You're not participating, youthful lady?" asked Gai.
"Um, no. I'm more interested in contests than gym battles," answered Sakura.
"Oh-ho! You're a contest lover, eh? Where do you plan on going after this?" asked Gai.
"Slateport, I'm guessing," answered Sakura, again.
"Wonderful! I'm sure you'll do very well in the contest there! Keep chasing your dream youthful girl!" exploded Gai.
"Thanks?" said Sakura, a little freaked out.
"Come on. Let's not delay this any longer," said Sasuke. Gai led the trio to the gym leader's room. In the room was an exact clone of Gai, only younger.
"Hey, are you the leader here Bushy Brows?" asked Naruto. Sakura grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled him back.
"I told you to be more polite!" she hissed.
Naruto gulped and muttered, "Yes, ma'am."
"I am Rock Lee, the leader of Dewford Gym. Which one of you will go against me first?" he asked.
"We're gonna team up! Dattebayo!" said Naruto as he and Sasuke stepped up.
"I see," replied Lee. Looking at Sakura, he asked, "And what will this youthful lady do?"
"I'll just watch, thank you," said Sakura.
Lee walked up to Sakura and asked, "Can you please tell me your name, youthful lady?"
"I-It's Sakura Haruno," stammered Sakura, clearly creeped out.
"Shannaro! What's with this freak?! Run for it!" yelled Inner Sakura .
"If you are free some time, would you like to go out with me?" asked Sakura, flashing a smile and giving a thumbs up.
Sakura gave a dull look. Sasuke looked slightly annoyed and Naruto was fuming. "Uh, I think I'll pass," replied Sakura.
Lee looked crestfallen. "Maybe if I get to know you better, we can have a friendly date?" Sakura said/asked, unsure of what she just said.
"Yes! Do not worry, my youthful cherry blossom. You and I will be close friends in no time!" shouted Lee. Sakura sweat-dropped at his comment.
"Hey, let's just get this battle over with," interrupted Sasuke, looking a little pissed.
"Yeah, Bushy Brows! Let's battle already!" encouraged Naruto.
"Very well," replied Lee. The leader took out two Pokeballs and threw them out. "Show them the power of youth, Hitmonlee, Hitmontop!"
Sakura's Pokedex blinked to life and mechanically said:
Hitmonlee, the Kicking Pokemon. Hitmonlee's legs freely contract and stretch. Using these springlike legs, it bowls over foes with devastating kicks. After battle, it rubs down its legs and loosens the muscles to overcome fatigue.
Hitmontop, the Handstand Pokemon. Hitmontop spins on its head at high speeds, all the while delivering kicks. This technique is a remarkable mix of both offense and defense at the same time. The Pokémon travels faster spinning than it does walking.
"Naruto, Sasuke-kun, watch out for the kicks!" warned Sakura.
"Don't worry, Sakura-chan. We'll get through this," coaxed Naruto. "Have some confidence in us. Go, Marshtomp!"
"Go, Grovyle," said Sasuke, emotionlessly.
Marshtomp and Grovyle glared at Hitmonlee and Hitmontop. The four Pokemon kept glaring at each other, when Lee gave the command.
"Hitmonlee, use Rolling Kick. Hitmontop, Triple Kick," commanded the gym leader.
Hitmonlee suddenly rushed toward Grovyle and kicked its side, causing it to spin. The Kicking Pokemon kept kicking Grovyle until the grass Pokemon was like a top, spinning.
Hitmontop started to spin on its head and spin towards Marshtomp, full speed. The well trained Pokemon swiftly kicked Marshtomp three times before it suddenly disappeared, and immediately re-appeared behind Marshtomp, kicking the water Pokemon another three times. Before Marshtomp could do anything, Hitmontop disappeared again, and re-appeared beside it.
"Marshtomp, use Bide!" shouted Naruto before Hitmontop could kick Marshtomp.
Marshtomp glowed white and took the three kicks from Hitmontop. Then, Marshtomp released a huge beam of light from its body, hitting Hitmontop, full force. The Handstand Pokemon did two backflips and got back on its feet.
Meanwhile, with Grovyle and Hitmonlee, Grovyle was starting to get confused because of spinning so much.
"Damn, there's no stopping that Hitmonlee. Grovyle's going to get too confused at this rate," thought Sasuke. "Got it!"
"Grovyle, use Absorb," commanded Sasuke. In mid-spin, Grovyle emitted a red beam from its claws and caught one of Hitmonlee's legs, draining the energy out of the Pokemon. Hitmonlee, however, used its other leg to kick Grovyle's face, ending the Absorb attack.
"Grovyle, use Fury Cutter," said Sasuke. Grovyle ran, full speed, towards Hitmonlee, and starting slashing at it with its claws. Hitmonlee dodged the slashes, and, after a while, leapt into the air.
"Hitmonlee, use Hi Jump Kick," shouted Lee.
In mid-air, Hitmonlee targeted Grovyle and charged at it with its knee. Grovyle, without any further command from Sasuke, quickly dodged the attack, and Hitmonlee rammed into the gym's wall, hurting itself.
"Hmph, loser," thought Sasuke. The Uchiha's victory was short-lived, though. Hitmonlee suddenly rushed out again, and rammed Grovyle in the stomach with its Hi Jump Kick. "What? How?" Sasuke thought frantically.
"You must be thinking why my Hitmonlee could still fight after ramming into the wall. You see, Hitmonlee has been trained to endure accidents like these. Hi Jump Kick is like a double-edged sword, Sauske-san. That is why I had trained my Hitmonlee to bear hits like these when its Hi Jump Kick misses," explained Lee.
"Damn it. What now? That attack greatly affected Grovyle," thought Sasuke. Grovyle, refusing to admit defeat, started to get up. Sasuke and his Pokemon glanced at each other once, and both smirked in his own way.
"Alright. I'll have to give it my all now. Let's go, Grovyle," shouted Sasuke. "Grovyle, Screech."
Grovyle emitted an ear-splitting screech that made Hitmonlee flinch. Immediately, Sasuke gave the next command.
"Grovyle, use Fury Cutter." Grovyle, again, started to slash at Hitmonlee. Hitmonlee, who recovered from the Screech attack, was now blocking and dodging the slashes.
"Hitmonlee, use Mega Kick." Hitmonlee jumped high in the air, and shot down, launching kicks at Grovyle. On the final kick, Hitmonlee threw Grovyle into one of the walls of the gym. Debris and a cloud of dust shrouded Grovyle.
Naruto, on the other hand, was doing an OK job at battling Hitmontop. Marshtomp was launching its Mud Shot attack at Hitmontop, who was kicking the mudballs away from him, repeatedly. The instant Marshtomp stopped its Mud Shot attack, Hitmontop used its Gyro Ball attack.
The Handstand Pokemon spun at a high speed and hit Marshtomp, making it fly back. Marshtomp, however rebounded in the air, and shot a powerful Water Gun attack at Hitmontop. Hitmontop took the attack, since it had no time to block or dodge it.
"Nice job, Marshtomp! Now use Mud Shot while he's still down!" commanded Naruto.
Marshtomp fired a series of mud balls at Hitmontop, who took the hits again. Naruto made Marshtomp stop the attack when he thought Hitmontop was already knocked out. Much to his surprise, Hitmontop got back up and gave a surprise Triple Kick attack to Marshtomp, sending it flying.
"Naruto-kun, Sasuke-san, now that both of your Pokemon have been knocked out, I suggest that you admit defeat," taunted Lee. Naruto and Sasuke, however, smirked. Lee raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why do you smile when both your Pokemon are knocked out?"
"Oh, you'll see Bushy Brow," said Naruto.
"Now, Naruto!" shouted Sasuke.
Marshtomp immediately got back up and launched its Mud Shot attack at Hitmonlee, whose back was to Marshtomp. Grovyle, on the other hand, disappeared, and re-appeared behind Hitmontop, the leaves on its forearm glowing, and forming into one scythe shaped blade. Grovyle slashed Hitmontop with a surprise Leaf Blade attack, and Hitmonlee was hit with a powerful Mud Shot.
"Switch again, Naruto!" said Sasuke.
"Right with ya, Sasuke," replied Naruto.
Marshtomp and Grovyle switched opponents again, and this time, Marshtomp fired a Water Gun attack at Hitmontop, forcing it into a wall, and Grovyle used its Leaf Blade to defeat Hitmonlee. Both Hitmonlee and Hitmontop got knocked out.
"Since Lee's Hitmonlee and Hitmontop can't battle anymore, the winners are the challengers, Naruto and Sasuke!" announced Gai.
"Oh yeah! We won!" shouted an enthusiastic Naruto.
"That was a great battle you two. I congratulate you. Here, " said Lee, taking out two badges. "Take the Knuckle Badge, both of you. You two have shown me great teamwork today."
"Thanks Bushy Brow!" said Naruto.
"Sasuke-kun, Naruto, that was great! I never knew you two would come up with something like this!" commented Sakura.
"We just thought of it in the cave," said Sasuke.
"Heh heh, of course, Sasuke-kun, of course," muttered Sakura.
"Gai-sensei, it looks like I will have to train twice as hard now!" said Lee.
"That's the spirit Lee! Never let the fire of youth extinguish, my student!" replied Gai.
"Gai-sen..sei…" mumbled Lee with tears streaming out.
"Lee!" Gai shouted, running towards his student, and hugging him, with a dramatic sunset scene in the background.
"Hey, Bushy Brow and Super Bushy Brow Sensei, if you don't mind, we'll be leaving now," said Naruto. Neither of them were paying attention to Naruto, so the three of them just walked out of the gym.
"Sakura-chan, do you have any idea where the old man is?" asked Naruto.
"Yeah, he's at the inn. Let's go to Slateport, ASAP!" said Sakura, grabbing both Naruto and Sasuke's hands, and rushing off to find Tazuna.
Sakura burst into the inn, shouting "Tazuna-san! We're done here!" People looked at her like she was crazy, and the pinkette blushed lightly. "Sorry about that," she apologized.
Tazuna and Inari got up from their table and walked towards Sakura. "So you kids defeated the gym leader, eh?"
"Why wouldn't we?" asked Sasuke, sarcastically.
"Ok ok, let's just go to Slateport ya brats," said Tazuna.
"I can't wait to participate in the contest there! I bet there'll be a lot of experienced contestants," muttered Sakura.
"Don't worry, Sakura-chan. I'm sure you'll do great in the contest!" said Naruto.
"I agree with the dobe, Sakura. You've actually improved quite a lot," complimented Sasuke.
Sakura blushed and said, "Thanks Sasuke-kun. You too Naruto."
The group set off once everyone was in the boat. For a few hours, they drifted in the sea. Night settled upon them, but Tazuna had no intentions on landing. Naruto, however, kept whining about landing somewhere, and Sakura kept mentioning that she would only feel safe on land. Tazuna still didn't try to find land.
Suddenly, Naruto stood up and squinted his eyes. He looked at an outline of something among the fog. Then, he smiled his foxy smile and took out his Pokeball.
"Naruto, what are you doing?" asked Sakura.
"Exploring," replied Naruto. He released his Marshtomp and hopped on it. "Marshtomp, Surf," commanded the blond.
"What the-? Naruto, wait! Don't wander off by… your…self…" Sakura's words trailed away to a whisper.
"That idiot," muttered Sasuke.
"Tazuna-san. We're going to have to go after that idiot," said Sakura. "After all, he is our friend."
Tazuna sighed and said, "Fine fine. I'll try to follow that short brat."
Tazuna tried to spot Naruto and his Marshtomp and follow them to wherever they were going. Once Tazuna's boat was near the place Naruto saw, Sakura and Sasuke's eyes widened. In the middle of the sea, there was a ship; an abandoned ship.
"Hey guys, over here!" shouted Naruto while waving to his friends. Then, the hyperactive blond ran off somewhere in the ship.
"Naruto… you…" mumbled Sakura, a dangerous aura coming off her. "Tazuna-san, me and Sasuke-kun will go after Naruto. Will you stay here or come with us?"
"I'd rather stay here than go in that abandoned ship. I can smell trouble brewing," said Tazuna. Inari nodded in agreement with his grandfather.
"Fine. Let's go, Sakura," said Sasuke, hopping off the boat.
In the abandoned ship, Sakura and Sasuke tried to find their friend, but to no avail. The blond had run off somewhere, and who knows what has happened to him?
"This … is one creepy place," thought Sakura.
"Come on! We're braver than this! Let's show Sasuke-kun what we're made of, Shannaro!" shouted Inner Sakura.
"Sakura, let's split up," suggested Sasuke.
Sakura looked shocked for a while, but shook it off and agreed with him. "The only way we'll find Naruto is if we split. Hold on, doesn't Naruto have…"
"Sasuke-kun, doesn't Naruto have a PokeNavi? I thought Sarutobi-san gave one to him as well," said Sakura.
"That dobe probably left it in his bag, which is still on the boat," said Sasuke. "The only things he have with him now are probably only his Pokeballs."
"Oh… alright. Then we'll split up," said Sakura.
"Sakura, I'm confident about your abilities to defend yourself if you're in danger. If you do need help from me, just contact my PokeNavi. Stay safe," said Sasuke before heading off in one direction.
"Thank you, Sasuke-kun," whispered Sakura as she ran in another direction.
Sakura was getting chills just walking in the ship. "How Naruto stays hyper, I'll never know," thought the pinkette.
Suddenly, she heard the flapping of wings. Sakura tried to hide herself as much as she could, immediately, and tried to find out who just landed on the ship.
Both of them returned their flying Pokemon to their Pokeballs. "You sure the detector's on this ship, Konan?" asked a male.
"One hundred percent sure, Deidara. Let's get this over with and get the detector back to Madara-sama as soon as possible," replied the female named Konan.
"What detector? Who's Madara? Who are they?" Sakura mentally asked herself. She saw that the two of them were wearing black cloaks with red clouds imprinted on them. Sakura made a mental note to herself to remember the trademark red clouds.
"Deidara, why don't you go and search for the detector? I'll stay here and keep watch," offered Konan.
"Alright," replied Deidara, as he walked off in the same direction Sasuke did.
"No, Sasuke-kun!" thought a panicked Sakura.
"Hm, well then, you can come out now," Konan muttered. "Little girl!" The blue haired woman released a Glaceon and made it send ice shards at Sakura.
"How did she find out I was here?!" thought Sakura, as she was forced to come out. "This is not gonna be good."
Stay tuned for the next chapter! If I have more free time, I'll try to update ASAP! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review! My goal is to get 100 reviews on this chapter, and so far, I have 61, so I think the reviews are coming in quite well. Still, please review! ;)
