Chapter Twenty-Six: A Reunion At Last
(Sorry for the really slow and long hiatus, but some personal stuff got in the way, combined with work, and I just really didn't have time or energy to get back to my story. But now, I cleared things up, the only thing is that, instead of every day, I will be uploading a new chapter every other day. Thank you to those who are continuously reading my story and the sweet comments and everything~)
Tonight was just not Kurrin's night. First, with Sapphire disappearing, then with having to retrieve his anxious student, along with two others from the town. Followed by dealing with a raging swarm of annoying birds, and all to top it off, his back was in pain much greater than ever and walking wasn't helping. Though, he couldn't just leave and head home to lie down, as much as his body begged him internally, he had to find Sapphire and bring her home. Otherwise, he'd have to face the hellish fury of an enraged Marshtomp.
So, as an attempt to ignore the throbbing of his back and the aching in his joints, he turned his attention to the little bird walking a steadying pace at his side. The old Pokemon cleared his throat to gain the bird's attention, but only worked on getting Gin's as his student looked up to him.
"Something wrong, Kurrin?" Gin asked, clearly worried. Kurrin gave him a gentle smile.
"Not at all, Gin. I was just wondering if your little friend was okay." The Murkrow reacted to this rather quickly and took no time in snapping at the old Linoone.
"I ain't that brat's friend!" Ferrow squawked angrily, flapping an non-thorny wing to emphasize their anger at the mere assumption. Gin actually cracked a small smile himself from the display, causing Ferrow to only grow more aggravated.
"My apologies, little one." Kurrin apologized, but didn't seem as sincere as even the older Pokemon had a cracking smile on his face. The smaller-than-average Murkrow sneered and took a few quicker strides ahead to avoid them. Gin's smile slowly faded from his face and spoke up so the bird could hear him, as he felt that walking up to catch up with them would only anger them further.
"Seriously, we didn't mean to upset you." Gin apologized more seriously. Ferrow made no attempt at slowing down or turning their head to show that they heard the apology. But based on how silent the surrounding forest was, the two were sure that the Murkrow heard. And so they did as they responded without looking back.
"Whatever, stop apologizing." Ferrow scoffed. Kurrin followed after Gin, speaking up next.
"I hope you aren't too mad with us."
"I ain't, so can you two shut up and just look for your damn brat so I can go home?!" Kurrin smiled, but it was quickly torn away when he faltered in his step and fell to the ground. A wave of pain crashed through his system, rising from the bottom of his back, up towards his torso and stemmed off into limbs. He felt like he couldn't move and dropped, instantly causing Gin to act, fretting over his teacher. A million questions a minute: 'Are you okay?' 'Where does it hurt?' 'What can I do?' Kurrin was too much in pain to really answer and dug his claws through the dirt slightly in an attempt to keep from verbally displaying how much hurt he was in. Gin frowned and looked to the Murkrow who looked at the two shocked.
"What's with him?!" Ferrow crowed loudly.
"His back..it's messed up and we're too far from home to get any help and you can't fly to get some.." Gin paced around for a second, thinking frantically. Kurrin was out of commission, so this rescue mission was riding on him and him alone. The small Treecko flinched when he noticed Kurrin staring at him, his icy blue eyes locked on Gin. Kurrin parted his lips, revealing lightly blood-stained fangs, proof he was biting back any cries that threatened to escape his throat. He uttered something in a breathless voice, so Gin went closer to try and hear what his teacher was trying to say. "Kurrin? What is it?"
"Y-You..find Sapphire.."
"I can't leave you here alone! You're hurt.." Gin stomped his foot angrily. Why did adults think they were so strong, even for Kurrin, who seemed like a Legend himself, was still vulnerable to being pecked off by some straggling Murkrow while in this condition. Gin ignored what he knew what Kurrin was trying to say and turned quickly onto Ferrow who watched them unsteadily. They seemed stuck on whether to run or stay put. The hard stare of the Treecko caught the bird Pokemon off guard and ruffled their feathers a bit. "You," Gin walked up to the Murkrow, hands clenched into tight fists at his sides as he strode over. "I need you to stay here with my teacher. He cannot move at the moment, but once I find Sapphire, we can transport him back to my home if he still can't move on his own." Gin put a hand up to silence the Murkrow before they could even protest. "Please," Gin sighed in a softer tone. "He can't move and we can't return without Sapphire. I know you don't really like us..but, just this once, can you please help me?" Ferrow looked up to Gin and for some unknown, ungodly reason, they nodded. Slowly. Unsure of why they even cared! Gin nodded his thanks and a small smile grew on his face. He turned and went back to where his teacher was frozen on the ground and carefully placed a hand on one of Kurrin's large claws comfortingly. "I won't be gone long. Don't try and move if you can't. Our friend here is going to keep watch over you." Kurrin stared hard at Gin and, for the longest, was unblinking before he finally gave in and closed his eyes and uttered a quiet okay.
Gin gestured for the small bird to come over and waited for Ferrow to get into a comfy position that was a bit further away from Kurrin, but still close enough to keep a watchful eye out for him. Once Gin was sure Ferrow was there to stay, he took off with blinding speed into the darkness, praying he'd find Sapphire soon.
He had zipped past trees and bushes and large rocks that all seemed like towering blotches of darkened figures as Gin used the small shreds of light to look around. He cupped his hands around his mouth and called out for Sapphire. Over and over again before he heard something off in the distance. The sound was so faint and short that he couldn't pick up from which direction it came from, so he called out once again. The Treecko took off like a rocket when he pinpointed where the sound came from once uttered again. His heart raced like crazy, hoping with everything in his soul that the sound led to Sapphire and low and behold, when he reached a darkened section with a single beam of light from above, he spotted a bluish form appearing just beyond the spilled light. His golden eyes widened and his heart nearly stopped when he saw Sapphire standing just before him. She was just as shocked as him and couldn't move an inch, so they both stood there for what felt like an eternity before one finally spoke up.
"G-Gin..?" Sapphire's voice was shaky and soft, a sign she was on the verge of tears. It took him a second to respond, but once he did, he took a cautious step towards her, almost as if he were testing whether or not she'd disappear once he came too close. Once he noticed Sapphire wasn't a figment of his imagination from being in the dark for so long, he raced up to her and pulled the aquatic Pokemon into his arms, hugging her tightly. Her tears ran down her face as she snuggled up to her best friend, relieved to see him. "It is you!"
"I was worried sick! We all were, your mom, me, Kurrin, everyone!" Gin cried, letting his tears run down his face. He didn't really ever want to let her go, but he placed her down so they could see each other better. The two small Pokemon were bathed in the single beam of moonlight coming in through an opening in the treetops and they almost seemed like they were in a romantic tale, where the male and female leads finally reunited and were about to confess their love for one another. But they were kids, it wasn't like Gin felt that way about her. The Treecko blushed and tried to stop his heart from beating so fast. "Are you okay? Are you hurt? Can you walk still?"
Sapphire giggled softly.
"Just tired mostly. Those jerks got to me a little, but nothing some bandages and berries won't solve. What about you?" She looked her friend up and down to see he was also slightly banged up. He sheepishly smiled and wrapped his arms around his torso, trying to hide his body away.
"I'm okay, we got stuck dealing with some Murkrow too." Sapphire tilted her head and Gin picked up on why she did instantly. "Oh! Crap! We gotta go! Kurrin is in bad shape and we need to get him back!" Sapphire's eyes widened, and despite her own body feeling like shutting down, she nodded and went with Gin into the darkness once again, heading back.
Along the way, Gin had filled in how him and Kurrin had dealt with the flock and even their boss. Sapphire was shocked to hear about Gin using his special attack with no problems and made a mental note to herself to ask him to show it to her some other time - without her herself being a target, of course. They had ran as fast as they could, but Sapphire was a bit too drained to keep up with Gin's pace, so, while blushing, he offered her a lift and carried his friend on his back.
Once the two returned to where Gin left Kurrin, they surprised Ferrow, causing the bird to screech in a shrill tone before taking shelter behind a tree. Gin placed Sapphire down first and checked her over to be sure she was okay.
"It's okay, it's just us." Gin reassured the Murkrow, allowing them to poke their head out from where they hid. Sapphire looked over to who Gin was talking to and instantly began to glare and rise to her feet. She stormed over, and without warning, had grabbed hold of Ferrow's beak and threw them with the last remnants of her energy. The bird had collided into another tree and fell to the ground with a painful thud and squawk. Gin looked over from his new spot near Kurrin at his friend. "Sapphire, stop!"
"Why is that thing here?!" Sapphire hissed angrily and jumped onto the earth-planted bird, keeping Ferrow pressed into the ground. "They tried to rip my gill off!" Gin then looked to Ferrow, then back to Sapphire, then to Kurrin who tried to say something, but it only came out as a pain-filled groan. Gin left Kurrin's side and grabbed a hold of Sapphire, pulling her off. "W-What are you doing?! Put me down, Gin!"
"No! There is no time for this Sapphire!" Gin kept a tight hold of his friend who began writhing in his grasp, desperately trying to get free. Ferrow took the chance to get to their feet once again and ran off, hiding behind Kurrin this time. "We will deal with this once we're out of here." He spoke again, his tone softer, which in turn, calmed the Mudkip a bit, but he could still sense her hostility. He carefully placed her back down, but kept his hands on her for just in case. "Kurrin is hurt, your mom and grandmother is worried sick, Sapphire, so...let's go home first. Okay?" Sapphire looked to her friend's pleading eyes and sighed.
"You're glad I'm too tired, otherwise I'd-"
"I know." Gin cut her off and released his hold on her. The two smaller Pokemon worked together in order to get Kurrin up and walking, well, more like limping, back home while Ferrow followed from behind, head low, feathers ruffled, and scared as heck.