Off to the Hia Valley! We join our heroes on their latest mission to go get information on the mysterious Tears of Princes. But will a giant meowth crush their heads as it devours Cerulean City while dancing the tango?

….I got carried away again didn't I?

Read, review and enjoy!

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

Rounding up a floatzel was no problem. Though Wave wasn't thrilled about it. He seemed a bit jealous that Keith caught him. Kate had to bend down and scratch his head to reassure him.

"You're still top buizel around here, buddy." Kate whispered when Keith was busy. "I'd rather take you over that floatzel any day."

Wave seemed to like that response and rubbed up against her leg.

"Yeah! No other buizel or floatzel can do flips in the air!" Chia chimed in.

"Hey guys! Let's go!" Keith called out.

Kate got to the river where Keith stood impatiently. Wave growled a bit before heading over.

"I thought you were getting two." Kate said.

"No other ones around right now. But this floatzel's pretty strong. It doesn't seem to mind about carrying two rangers." Keith told her.

The floatzel agreed. Kate shrugged and got to the water. She climbed on the floatzel first, with Keith sliding next to her. Chia decided to go on top of Wave's back than face the crowded conditions of the floatzel (and also support her buddy). The floatzel took off, jetting down the riverside.

Kate had to admit. This was kinda nice. Sure the water was chilly but it was a nice little ride. Though Keith had underestimated how much room was on the pokemon. She was starting to slip off and into the river!

"Whoa!" Keith grabbed her arm. "Gotcha! Better be careful!"

He tucked her under his arm, pressing them together. Wow was he warm. And…wait a sec…something seemed odd about his arms and chest. They were soft yet…tight. Did Keith Gardener actually have muscles? It seemed like it. But Keith never actually worked out. Had to be from all that ranger quests and missions. And he even seemed a bit taller. Did the guy gain an inch or two sometime? Sure Kate had been growing too but she never even noticed the redhead's height until then.

Kate looked up at his face. Nice features. Almost as if carved; suited him nicely. But his eyes…why didn't Kate really give them a good look till that moment? She knew they were green. But it was more like a vibrant, emerald hue. Kate tried to read those eyes. Determined, excited, focused…nothing outside the usual.

"What's up?" Keith caught her staring.

"Saw something on your face." Kate replied, dipping her hand into the water.

"What? What is it?" Keith tried inspecting his face for whatever it was.

"This!" Kate splashed him.

"HEY!" Keith splashed her back.

They went on like that for a minute. By the time they finished, both rangers were laughing too hard. Kate glanced at his eyes again, curious at what they read. Same emotions but with added new ones. One was 'having fun'. But Kate wasn't able to tell what that other one was.

"Look! We made it!"

Kate watched as the floatzel carried them into the cave. Dark but a lot better than the Chroma Ruins. Both rangers climbed onto shore with their pokemon and said goodbye to the floatzel. Kate and Chia walked on ahead while Wave and Keith were talking about something or another. Their reactions were holding quite a conversation. But Kate stayed out of it out respect.

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

"Had fun back there?" Wave smirked.

"Did not." Keith spoke in a low tone so Kate wouldn't hear.

"I saw the way you held onto her. Slick moves." Wave snickered.

"Just helping her so she wouldn't slip off." Keith told him.

"No use in hiding it lover boy." Wave said. "You're way deep in love with her."

"Shut up!" Keith hissed.

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

The air inside the cave wasn't all that bad. Not warm but not cold either. Stalagmites and stalactites hung everywhere. Occasional water dripped from the ceiling. It was a typical cave. Nothing too special. The rangers walked on in, looking around at the sights. Ice pokemon were all over so they made sure to not disturb them. More so for the swinub that loved to charge.

"Hey who turned the cold on? It's freezing!" Keith shivered, clutching his arms tight.

Kate noticed it too. The air had gotten chilly, with wind blowing past them. As they went further in, snow and icicles started to form. No doubt they were getting closer.

"RANGERS!"

Some feet away were Dim Sun grunts. Kate thought they looked familiar.

"That's the ranger I met by their stupid school! I got a cold from jumping into the river!" One cried out.

"HER? She's the one who locked me out of the base in Boyleland!" The other whined.

"For the record, you locked yourself out." Kate reminded. "And you didn't have to jump off the bridge."

"I can't believe you know these guys." Keith sweatdropped.

"They're dorks aren't they?" Chia murmured.

The two grunts pulled out a miniremo. Their fingers scampered on the keys, summoning golbat. Kate rolled her eyes and proceeded to capture. She did golbats before. They were no big deal. In about three minutes (give or take a second), the golbats were freed and the miniremo exploded.

"Aaaah! She showed us up again!" The 'bridge' grunt exclaimed.

"Run for it!" The 'volcano' grunt screamed, sort of like a little girl.

"That was awesome." Keith chuckled. "Now let's get moving before I freeze solid."

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

It didn't take long for them to find the exit. Keith was greeted by a blast of frigid air and snow. Night time covered the snowflakes falling onto the already deep levels of snow. Being extremely cold though, Keith was in no mood to stay outside and appreciate nature. Kate, on the other hand, was ecstatic. She ran all over the place with Chia and Wave, frolicking happily.

"Woo! Isn't this great?" Kate twirled around.

"Yeah if you're a Mamoswine!" Keith shivered. "Arceus its cold…"

But it did warm him up some to see Kate in good spirits. She thrived on cold weather. Must've missed it after being in a normal temperate environment and a volcano for so long. With a sneaky idea, Keith grabbed a pile of snow.

"Hey Kate!" He threw a snowball. "Head's up!"

Yes! Right in the face! Boy was she surprised!

"You want to mess with me?" She snickered and scooped up a snowball of her own.

They ran across the valley, throwing snowballs in an all out battle. Chia and Wave ran alongside, helping provide ammo when needed. Keith forgot all about being cold and was having fun with his partner. Even though he was losing (what'd you expect?), it was great to spend some time with her like that.

"Race ya to the camp!" Kate challenged.

"You're on!" Keith shouted.

What Keith didn't see, though, was a tree root covered in snow. He managed to trip over it and tackle into Kate, landing them into the snow. Keith fell right on top of Kate, who blinked and broke into laughter. He was a bit embarrassed but couldn't help laughing either. She was just too darn cute. Rosy cheeks from the cold, that sweet smile, the eyes that shined brightly. Her voice seemed so much clearer when it rang through cold air. Thank heavens he didn't transform.

Keith got off as she started to squirm from under him, feeling incredibly awkward about the situation. He helped Kate up and they started heading north in direction of the camp. It wasn't a far walk until a bearded man in a dark blue parka walked up to them.

"Are you the rangers Kate and Keith?" He asked. "I'm Pamur, Murph's dad. He called earlier to tell me you two were on your way here."

"That's nice of him! And thank you for greeting us out here." Kate told him.

"My pleasure. Friends of Murph are always welcome here." Pamur said. "We better head into Shiver Camp. The huts will be much better to sleep in than out here."

"No kidding." Keith agreed, feeling cold all over again.

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

The spare cabin Keith and Kate stayed in was small but cozy. Two beds, some chairs, small pieces of furniture. Kate noticed that Keith didn't really seem to care. He fell onto the bed, claimed it as his own and almost instantly fell asleep. Figures. And of course he chose the bed with a gazillion blankets. She got up from her bed and was about to take some off. Not just for herself though. If Keith wasn't careful he might…

Poof!

….transform.

Kate sighed and proceeded to take two or three off. Wow those things were heavy. No surprise the weight and heat the blankets gave off made Keith go into Pikachu form. Kate made sure to give Keith enough blankets to stay warm and unwrapped a few off his face so it wouldn't smother him.

Keith was peacefully asleep, unaware he was a pokemon. Redhead usually was a fireball who bounced all over the place, acted so brash and was basically a ball of energy. Human or not. But asleep, he was almost sort of cute. Relaxed, tuckered out, calm. Kate couldn't help smiling as she pat Keith's head.

Finished, she got into her own bed, turned off the battery powered lamp and went to sleep.

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

I'm guessing you guys are pleased?

*smirks*

Something seems to be going on, doesn't it? But! You shan't find out yet! Young warrior, you must wait-eth for the next chapter….eth.