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Pokémon Master: Sakura Rewrite

Chapter 20: Fighting with a Fever

With irregular breathing, Sakura felt lightheaded. She tried to open her eyes but was unable to muster the strength. A hand gently pressed on her forehead. Its gentle touch lessened the heat she had.

"A kind hand..." Sakura murmured, opening her eyes slightly. As soon as she did so, she drifted back into unconsciousness.

Buizel shouted as he opened the curtains, waking her up. "Sakura! It's morning!"

Sakura sat up weakly as Eevee jumped on her bed. "It's raining today. You have to walk to school, so you need to leave early..."

Eevee trailed off when he gazed at Sakura's feverish countenance. "What's wrong?"

Sakura was able to respond but it was low and soft. "I feel light-headed."

"Light-headed...?" Eevee repeated as he rested a paw to Sakura's forehead. "You have a fever! Are you sure you are all right?"

Buizel frowned as Sakura walked slowly to her closet. "Um, maybe you should just stay home today, kiddo."

"The project we did in groups is all due today... I have to help finish it..." Sakura mumbled as she started falling forward.

Buizel managed to catch her from falling, desperately trying to help her stand. "Come on!"

"Thank you..." Sakura closed her eyes mumbling.

Touya was making eggs when he heard his sister slowly walked down the stairs.

"Morning..." Sakura murmured. Touya gave her a small grin as he placed the eggs on a plate.

"Oversleeping again? Our monster sure is weak against rain."

"What's wrong?" He didn't receive an answer and watched his sister greet Nadeshiko's photo. In concern, he placed a hand on her forehead. He frowned when his hand met heat. "A bit hot."

"Don't tell dad that I have a fever." Sakura muttered softly.

"Why?" Touya asked.

"Dad is going out for the day, right? He was so happy that he's going to excavate a place that he's been waiting to go to. If he hears that I have a fever, he won't go..." Sakura began to slowly eat her breakfast.

Still concerned for her health, he patted her on the head. He knows his sister always put others before her first.

"Hoe?"

Fujitaka entered the kitchen, ever so smiling. "Good morning."

Both of his children greeted him equally. "Morning."

Fujitaka sat on his chair, smiling at his wife's photo. "Good morning, Nadeshiko-san."

Sakura slowly bit her omelet. "It ended up raining today."

Fujitaka bobbed his head as he ate. "Hm, but they say that it's sunny over at the dig site."

Sakura smiled cheerfully to Touya's concern. "That's good!"

Fujitaka placed his suitcase onto the back of the taxi. He turned to his children. "I'll be back by a week from Saturday."

Sakura called to him as he climbed into the taxi. "Yeah, do your best!"

"Well, I'll be on my way now."

"Take care!" Sakura waved as her father closed the door.

"Be careful." Touya shouted.

Sakura slumped to the ground, still feverish and started to put on her shoes. Touya crossed his arms. "You... really should stay home today."

"If I do, I'll trouble everyone else." Sakura mumbled.

"But..."

Sakura gave her brother a reassuring smile that didn't stop his concern at all. "I'll come home early and go straight to bed."

While she walked with her brother and Yukito to school, Yukito noticed she wasn't as cheerful as she was before. "Sakura-chan."

Sakura looked at him drowsily as Yukito looked at her concerned. "Are you not feeling well by any chance?"

Sakura tried to be cheerful. "T-that's not true at all!"

"But you're not as cheerful today." Yukito said pointedly.

Touya watched his sister uncertainly as she tried to convince Yukito she is fine with a smile. "I'm fine!"

"Really? Then I guess it's all right..." Yukito frowned as he watched her go inside the school.

Sakura slipped her head under her arms as Tomoyo looked at her friend worried.

Dawn noticed the redness on Sakura's face when she came over. "You don't look well."

"Are you all right, Sakura-chan?" Tomoyo asked.

"I feel a little dizzy..." Sakura answered.

"Oh my, perhaps it would be better for you if you rest at home?" Tomoyo tried to say but Sakura won't hear it.

"I'm fine, I'm all right." Sakura said with a weak smile.

When class started, Sakura tried to concentrate on the equations written on the board. Mr. Terada looked at Sakura in concern and placed a hand on her forehead. He gently lifted Sakura from her seat. "You have a fever."

"I-I'm fine." Sakura tried to reassure, but Mr. Terada shook his head.

"Daidouji-san, can you escort Kinomoto-san to the nurse's office?" Mr. Terada asked. Tomoyo nodded as she gently placed her hands on Sakura's shoulders, balancing her upright.

"I-It's all right, Tomoyo-chan." Sakura tried to reassure her friend but like Mr. Terada, Tomoyo won't listen.

"Now, let's go." Tomoyo said with a smile. Sakura smiled dumbly as they walked towards the nurse's office. "Hoe..."

Sakura rested peacefully on the bed as Tomoyo watched by her in concern. The nurse, a woman with pink curly hair, kneeled besides the bed. "Okay, let's see it." The nurse grimaced. "Hm, it's rather high..."

"Is it a fever?" Tomoyo asked.

"Fourth period is already over, you better to go home early and rest." the nurse said as she left the infirmary.

"But the project..." Sakura began.

"We will manage the project somehow." Tomoyo assured Sakura.

"But..."

"It'll be all right."

Sakura looked over to see Dawn in the doorway, with Mitsuru behind her.

"Dawn-chan, Miyamoto-kun..." Sakura just gazed at them, eyes wide.

Dawn put her hands on her hips. "I'm in the group, and I'm positive that it will be done today!"

"But..."

The blue-haired girl's arms fell disappointedly. "Oh, you can't trust me?"

"It's not that, but..."

Dawn shook her head, unwilling to listen to her protests. "No buts! I will submit it with Miyamoto-kun and Tomoyo-chan. Of course, a project with wonderful quality! Right, Tomoyo?"

"Yes," Tomoyo said with a smile. "Please be assured, and leave it to us."

Mitsuru stammered, agreeing with the girls. "So, hurry up and get some rest."

"...Thanks..."

After Sakura packed her things, she began her way to the door. Tomoyo watched her concerned. "I'm worried... I'll go home with you."

"I'm all right, I can go home myself. See?" As soon as Sakura started to walk, she began to fall.

"Sakura-chan!"

Sakura felt warm arms wrap around her. She gazed up to meet Touya's dark eyes.

Lucario was eating an apple as a single raindrop slipped off a leaf and dropped on his nose. He quickly wiped it away. Hearing footsteps, he climbed higher into the tree. He looked down and was surprised to see an unconscious Sakura on Touya's back as he strained to hold the umbrella above her. He watched them in concern, devolving into Riolu. He quickly jumped from tree to tree to the house.

Buizel and Eevee exchanged worried glances as the latter pulled the covers higher over Sakura. Riolu watched from a tree outside Sakura's window.

Downstairs, Touya and Yukito were drinking tea and brewing soup.

"Sorry you had to bring my bag over here." Touya said. His best friend shook his head.

"No, it's okay. I hope Sakura-chan's fever goes down quickly." Yukito said as he took a sip of tea. "I was surprised when you suddenly ran out of the classroom, Touya."

Touya just sipped his cup.

"You heard Sakura-chan didn't you?"

Touya just gave him an annoyed look and took another sip of tea.

Eevee and Buizel watched over Sakura in concern as they tried to soothe her fever.

"Sakura..."

They heard a knock on the door. As quick as lightning, Buizel jumped into the closet and Eevee hid underneath the bed. Touya came in with a thermometer and knelt by Sakura's bedside.

"Check your temperature." Touya handed the thermometer to Sakura.

Sakura took it as Touya glanced at the closet. Buizel knew that the brother is looking through the walls at him. He then suspiciously eyed the bed as beads of sweat appeared on Eevee's head.

He then returned his attention to Sakura when he heard a beep. Sakura handed him the thermometer. "How is it?"

"Here..."

"It's not going down at all," Touya narrowed his eyes. "To take medicine, you'll need to eat first... Hold on a bit."

Before he left, he glanced one last time at the bed and closed the door. Eevee came out, still sweating. "I wonder if he knows..."

Sakura chuckled weakly as Eevee called the other Representatives.

Riolu watched the rain fell until he saw a giant creature flew by. Narrowing his eyes, he jumped onto the ground and ran, following the creature.

The giant dragon-like creature stopped on top of a building. It looked around Tomoeda and roared.

Sakura slowly opened her eyes and struggled out of bed. Eevee only hoped that Sakura wouldn't do anything reckless. "What's wrong?"

"I sense a Sealed Pokémon..." Sakura mumbled.

Eevee stopped and concentrated. His eyes widened as his fur bristled. "You're right..."

Sakura opened the window and was about to climb outside.

Eevee was now frantic with worry. "But you can't get up!"

Buizel, Vulpix, and Turtwig pulled on Sakura's pajamas to stop her from climbing.

"Hey, Sakura! What do you think you're doing?" Buizel demanded.

Sakura drowsily answered. "I have to go seal it away..."

"Oh, just let that punk get it this time! If you left in your current condition, you would only get a bigger fever!" Buizel yelled.

"But Shinji-kun would..."

"I don't care! What I do care about is your health right now! Besides, your brother is coming back upstairs with food, if you're not here, then it will be a big mess!" Buizel struggled to pull.

Sakura stopped to the Representatives' relief and stood in the middle of the room.

"Do you understand? Huh?" Eevee stopped when he saw Sakura summoning her staff.

Buizel waved his arms frantically as Sakura called Latias. "Hey! Hold on a minute!"

Sakura smiled feebly at Latias. "Latias-san, I need you to pretend to be me for a little while." Latias gladly took Sakura's form.

"That should do it." Sakura mumbled. Buizel shook his head with worry.

"Fly."

Eevee was crying as he climbed onto the staff.

The rain stopped as Sakura hovered in flight as Eevee tried to maintain his balance.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?"

Sakura moaned softly as Eevee smiled encouragingly. "Let's hurry up and get the Sealed Pokémon and go home, okay?"

Sakura nodded weakly and flew to the location of the Sealed Pokémon.

Latias pretended to sleep on Sakura's bed until she heard a knock on the door. Touya came in with a tray of soup and medicine.

"Can you wake up?" Touya asked as he placed the tray on Latias' lap.

"Yeah..." Latias replied, sitting up. Touya looked at her surprised and sighed.

"Want to eat?"

A red and blue dragon-like creature flew over Tomoeda, roaring loudly. Eevee pointed at the direction of the Sealed Pokémon. "Salamence! Over there!"

Salamence noticed them and spat green fire out of its mouth, knocking Sakura off her staff.

"Sakura!" Eevee shouted, trying to hold onto the staff desperately.

As quick as lightning, a silhouette leaped from one of the buildings, successfully seizing Sakura from her fall. He landed gently on another building.

Sakura opened her eyes and was surprised to see Lucario. "Lucario-san... Are you going to drop me again?"

Taken back, he huffed. "Very funny..."

Fumbling on his seat, Eevee jumped down from the staff. "Sakura, are you okay?"

"Yeah..." Lucario gently lowered Sakura down. "Thanks, Lucario-san..."

"Baka!"

Sakura and Eevee were now the ones to be taken back by Lucario's shout.

"You shouldn't be out here in your current state! What if something happens to you?" Lucario yelled. Eevee just looked at Lucario in surprise.

Sakura smiled weakly but it was confident. "Yeah, but... I have to try, because I decided I would capture all the Sealed Pokémon!" Lucario felt heat rushing in his cheeks.

Eevee noticed Salamence flying with Hyper Beam at ready. "It's coming again!"

Lucario stepped in front of Sakura defensively and summoned Aura Sphere. Both attacks collided in an explosion.

"Ice Be…" Sakura tried to help but she was too weak. Eevee quickly ran under Sakura as soon as she fell. Air was pushed out of him.

"Sakura, you really shouldn't be here." Eevee grunted under Sakura's weight.

"Thanks, that was great." 'Sakura' said, placing the empty bowl on the tray.

"You've had enough?" Toya asked.

'Sakura' nodded. "I'll eat some later, just leave it there."

"I'll make some more later." Touya said, opening the door.

"Oh, what about the medicine?" 'Sakura' asked.

Touya eyed 'Sakura' critically. "It's better not to take medicine when you're not sick," 'Sakura' looked at him surprised. "You're not Sakura, are you?"

Latias' silence answered his question.

Touya raised an eyebrow. "I've seen you before. Sakura stepped out, I take it?" Latias nodded.

The older Kinomoto sibling massaged his temple."Sheesh, monster!"

"Um..."

Touya smiled at her. "I have a vague idea of what she's doing. Can you not tell her that I know what she's up to? It seems she's trying to hide it, although it's not working well."

Latias blushed and nodded. Touya patted her on the head gratefully.

"Thanks."

Lucario lunged at Salamence with his Metal Claws. The Dragon Pokémon flew higher into the air, easily dodging as Lucario landed on another building.

"Electabuzz, use Thunder!"

A single lightning bolt struck the sky, creating more lightning bolts. These bolts hit both its target and Sakura.

Still lightheaded, Sakura saw the lightning bolt as a blur and just stood where she was.

"Look out!" Using his Bone Rush, Lucario cut through the lightning bolt. The Aura Pokémon glared at Paul and Electabuzz.

Paul ignored his glare, only focusing on Salamence. The Sealed Pokémon was already tired from the surprise attack.

"Weavile, use Ice Beam!" Paul commanded throwing his Pokéball. Weavile appeared in a flash of light and shot a beam of ice at Salamence. It attempted to dodge, but it wasn't quick enough. The ice froze his wing.

Salamence tried to fly, but it was fruitless when it found himself on the ground..

"Now, Electabuzz, use Thunderbolt!" Electabuzz launched a powerful thunderbolt at Salamence.

Salamence roared in pain as Paul grinned sadistically, throwing the Pokéball. "Go, Pokéball!"

The Sealed Pokémon enveloped in red light as it was forcefully sucked into the ball. Paul picked up the ball, satisfied as a dark red plate appeared in his hand. He scoffed at the sight of Sakura.

"You realize, you really didn't have a chance of getting this Pokémon, even if you weren't sick."

With those words, he walked away. Lucario snarled and refrained from trying to beat some respect into the head of the boy. Sakura stumbled backwards, but Lucario caught her.

"She needs to go home and rest." Eevee stated helping Sakura maintain her balance. Lucario nodded.

Latias lay on bed, waiting for her master to return. The window opened with Sakura stumbling in. Latias rushed forward and caught her as Buizel ran out of the closet.

"Sakura are you okay?" Buizel asked as he helped Latias lay Sakura on the bed.

"Thanks..." Sakura mumbled as Latias pulled the covers over her. "You're welcome."

"I had fun too, so..." Latias smiled softly. Sakura looked confused as Latias returned into the charm and Buizel grudgingly went into the Water Stone. Satisfied, Turtwig and Vulpix went to their respective stones.

Eevee watched the lights turned off and strolled to Lucario who was standing on the sidewalk.

"She got in her room alright." Eevee responded as Lucario sighed.

"Why aren't you going?"

"I'm sure Sakura's older brother will be checking her all night. I can't go into any stone or the staff. After all, he's catching on. I'm worried about Sakura, but it's best for now to stay out of the way. Now would you mind if I stay with you till morning?"

Lucario didn't say anything but walked away. Eevee continued to talk, following Lucario.

"I am curious to know why you helped Sakura the past few times after saying you'll never accept her. Now, it seems as if you actually care about her."

Lucario gazed at Sakura's window at the corner of his eye. Eevee noted that little action but didn't press the matter.

"It hurts... I'm in pain..." Sakura's condition worsened when Touya came in to check. "Onii-chan..."

Sakura moaned in pain as he checked her high temperature. "It's because you overexerted yourself."

He watched his sister struggled with the fever and finally stood up. "I'll call a doctor, so hold on."

Before he left the room, he felt a familiar presence. He looked back to see his mother by Sakura's bed.

"Kaa-san..."

Nadeshiko gently laid a hand on Sakura's forehead as her daughter weakly opened her eyes.

It's like this morning... This hand... is Kaa-san's hand... Sakura drifted to sleep with a smile on her face.

Nadeshiko turned to her son and smiled angelically. "It's all right now."

"...You were here?" Touya said in surprise.

"Yes, I was a little worried from this morning," Nadeshiko gazed lovingly on the peacefully sleeping Sakura. She brushed the loose stands of hair out of her face. "Do your best, Sakura-chan."

Touya smiled as his mother vanished into thin air. The door startled him when it opened. Fujitaka walked in to his surprise.

"Dad? Why...?"

Fujitaka glanced at his daughter, smiling. "I felt that Sakura-san was acting strangely this morning and I couldn't shake it off..." He shrugged. "But I guess hunches aren't that right."

Touya shook his head. "No, it was right. She had a fever, but it seems to have gone down now."

"I see..." Fujitaka sat on Sakura's bed side. "I'm sure you had a hard time all by yourself."

"I wasn't alone." Touya said. Fujitaka cocked his head at his son puzzled.

"Mom was here." Touya said with a smile on his face.

"I see..." Fujitaka chuckled, envisioning the angel of Nadeshiko caring for Sakura.

By next morning, Sakura was no longer sick with fever and back to her cheerful disposition."Ohayo!"

Fujitaka smiled warmly at his daughter, greeting her in return.

"Ohayo."

Sakura stared at her father for a moment and stuttered. "Huh? Dad? Why?"

Fujitaka began cooking the bacon. "I came home last night because I forgot to take something with me. I'll be leaving again this evening."

"Are you feeling fine now?" Touya asked.

Sakura nodded, smiling ear to ear. She turned to her mother's photo and thanked it. "Thank you, Kaa-san." Touya looked at her in surprise.

"Sakura, why is it 'thank you'?"

Sakura just smiled. "Because somehow, I felt like mom was next to me yesterday."

Touya chuckled as Fujitaka placed the plates on the table.

"Breakfast is ready!"

Sakura happily dig in. "Okay!"

"Since you're just getting better, don't eat as much today, you monster." Toya teased.

"I'm not a monster!" Sakura groused.

"I didn't know monsters had fevers..."

"I said I'm not one!"

Fujitaka looked over his shoulders. "What's this about?"

"Oh, it's nothing! Let's eat!"

Sincerely hope you like it.

Author Notes

Cameos - I bet you know who was the nurse at the school~. If you didn't, then you are quite slow not to notice pink hair with nursing.

End - I wanted to give Sakura milk with honey, but it wouldn't make sense.

Manga Moments - Eevee's crying was that moment when Sakura fell ill with a fever and used Mirror was... I just can't resist it.

Dawn - I will care less who she ends up with whether it is Paul or Lucas; anybody but Ash. Ash and Misty has that dynamic in them that even made it through Misty's return in A Togepi Mirage. Advanceshipping, Pearlshipping, and other shippings involving Ash are platonic when I see the interactions. Pokeshipping, as seen in my other fics, are soulmates. They might even appear as cameos together in other fics. This goes along with every other canon couple I do.

I still wished to expand Marina and Kenta's relationship, but too bad it's offscreen because this fic focuses on Sakura's perspective. I want to give that couple dynamic love. One of the main reasons why I like the original fic of Pokemon Master Sakura was the dynamic romance between Lucario and Sakura. It's slow but it's clear chemistry. However, one of my criticisms was at the end when Sakura realized her feelings without many other people's advices.