Edited 4-17-15
Disclaimer: Don't own Pokémon besides for a few of the games.
Chapter Twenty Five
It was easy to forget the roughness of open travels after staying in such a nice city as Violet City for little over a week. Having been on the road for only an hour's time, I stared up above me and watched the creeping in dark clouds.
Giving them another quick look, I curse myself for never thinking to buy an umbrella and picked up my pace. Growlithe trotted along ahead of me, much like me in regards to eyeing the incoming storm clouds, its fur ruffled just the slightest bit.
Pulling out my new pokegear from my pants pocket, I checked the devices map, trying to find shelter before the storm hit us. I scrunched my nose when I found that the closest place from me, beside Violet City, was a place called Ruins of Alph at about a half mile away from my current position. So either turn back around and hope that I could out run the storm, wonder around and look for a natural place to hide from the rain, or continue on and seek shelter in a possibly run down place that might or might not offer protection from the elements.
Some great choices.
Heaving a sigh, I put away my pokegear after looking over the map one last time. Adjusting my backpack to where I was gripping onto the shoulder straps, I started a light jog. Growlithe gave me a curious look when I passed by it, my pokémon quick in taking my lead and starting to jog with me, staying beside me this time around.
It did not take as long as I thought it would to reach the point where I could make out the top of the ruins. I had to admit, the Ruins of Alph was not nearly in as bad of shape as I thought it would be, the ruins themselves still standing upright for the most part. A flash of lightning followed shortly by a crack of thunder had both me and Growlithe giving the sky wide eyed looks. Sharing a look with my pokémon, I headed to the nearest ruin. Spending a moment looking for the entrance, I dashed inside once found, Growlithe close behind.
Setting my bag down up against the wall but well away from the entrance, I headed back out after giving Growlithe the order to keep watch over my things. Letting out Raticate, I took the chance to gather wood from the surrounding forest before the rain began falling. Ordering Raticate to go out and find some of the larger branches, I gathered a good arm full of wood and twigs. Meeting Raticate back at the Ruin opening, I nod inside it and drop off my arm full only then went back out to get more. Raticate took my lead and drops off its own larger piece of wood, what looks to have been part of a tree branch, and went back out after me.
On my third drop off, the rain started falling. Soon after that, the light sprinkle turned into a heavy downpour. Thanking Raticate, I returned it and went about setting up a small fireplace a little bit in front of my bag. Having Growlithe use Ember, I gave a pleased sigh as I warmed my hands in front of the growing fire.
Sitting down next to my bag, I stretch out my arms, small scratches running along my inner arm from carry the wood. As I dug through my bag for my first aid kit to clean my arms Growlithe plopped down on the other side of my bag, its head resting on top of its crossed paws as it dozed off in the warmth of the fire. Giving my pokémon a flat look, I held my tongue and instead took care of my arms. When they were as good as they were going to get I replace my kit with a sweater, tugging it on for added warmth.
Bring my knees up to my chest, stared past the fire and opening to the falling rain. At least I was warm and dry, lucky to have been close enough to find shelter. With a sigh I laid my head on my knees and shut my eyes. A little nap sounded wonderful.
.-.-.-.-.-.
I jerked out of my sleep to Growlithe's growling. Lifting my head I rubbed at my eyes, trying to clear the fuzziness from just waking up when a whimpering caught my attention. I looked at the entrance only to blink owlishly at the young boy that stood just inside the opening, shaking like a leaf with his wet clothes. I silently wonder what it was with all the young Trainer's finding me when in such conditions. First there was the girl from the forest who complained of hunger and now this boy who looked close to tears.
"That's enough for the moment, Growlithe. You know what to do if he tries anything though," I spoke low enough for just my pokémon to hear as I slowly stood, popping my back along the way. "Hello there. Who might you be?" I ask as nicely as I could, not wanting to frighten the boy more than he already was. I really did not want to deal with a crying child. Never have been good with crying people, even worse at comforting them.
"Na-Nat-han," he got out amongst his shivers, staring at me with large eyes with his arms wrapped around his stomach as he took a step closer to my dying fire.
I give him a warm smile, not nearly as forced as it would have been otherwise. The kid was cute, I would give him that. "That's a very nice name, Nathan. I have a friend who has the same one, though he hates it. Refuses to go by it as a matter of fact. My name on the other hand is Sandra and it's a pleasure to meet you." He returns my smile hesitantly, looking down at the ground. I take it as a chance to give him a look over, confirming my thoughts of him being young; I would be shocked if he was older than ten and with only had four Pokeballs upon his belt and his wet clothes, he made for a pathetic sight.
"Why don't you come over and get warm, Nathan? You look like you could use it," I motion back over to my low fire. Taking a hesitant step at first, he hurried over when I added on another few pieces of wood, squatting down next to fire and holding out his shaking hands. Giving him a smile I sat back down in my original spot next to my bag. Growlithe gave me a pointed look before turning its head off to the side, ignoring us lowly humans.
Rolling my eyes at my pokémon, I pulled out my pokegear to check the time. An hour had passed since I had made shelter and the storm looked no closer to letting up.
I put it back inside my pocket and lean back against the wall, resisting the urge to yawn. Across from me Nathan was pulling off his jacket, his backpack already beside him. Shaking his head in a child's attempt to get rid of the water, Nathan rubbed at his hair through a sneeze. Frowning, I unzip my backpack once again and rummage through it. Finding what I needed, I reached over the fire and offered him a hand towel. He took it with a thankful smile, wiping the water off his face and arms.
"I'm sorry I can't help more, but I never planned on it raining like this," which was stupid of me, really. Why I thought it would never rain on my journey was beyond me and such a rookie move.
He shook his head once again, his posture a little more relaxed that before. "This is more than enough. Thanks."
Huh, a kid with manners. I was starting to like him more and more.
"You are more than welcome to hang out here with me until the rain stops if you'd like," I invited, doubting that he would actually say no and leave back into the heavy rain.
Nathan gave another grin, wringing out my hand towel off to his side. "Thanks. It's nice being in front of a fire for a change."
I gave him a curious look. "Do you not have a fire-type, or at the very least matches?"
He shook his head, laying the hand rag on the ground next to his jacket and backpack. "Nope," he said, popping the 'p', "I chose a Totodile as my starter and I ran out of matches a while ago."
I nodded in understanding, silently wondering which of the three starters that one was. Water? It did not sound like the grass-type one at least.
We fell into a silence, the only noise coming from the storm raging outside and the fire wood popping on occasion. Nathan went about pulling out items from his wet backpack, checking for water damage. Growlithe continued to ignore us, though I would bet anything it was waiting for Nathan to slip up and try something. I, for once, felt at relative ease while in the presence of another Trainer. I doubted it would become a habit, but in the mean time I allowed myself to relax just the slightest.
Another look outside showed there would be a long wait ahead of me. At least add 'not alone' to my list of positives.