Never the Same
Now, without further ado, the fic!
::Shigeru here. Since Ara passed out from lack of sleep while typing this,
I have to take over. Lucky me... Well, here it is.::
Never the Same
Chapter Five-
When the Lights Go Out
Shigeru and Tenshi looked on in amusement as I scrambled around the house early Monday morning. It was my first day in a new school, and I wanted to make a good impression. Akuma was helping me, somehow managing to pack my bag while my own Pokemon just sat and watched. Luckily, I had experience rushing from my time training with Sabrina. I was ready in no time.
I was wearing a simple pair of jeans and a blue shirt instead of my old suspender outfit. As I said, I wanted to impress, not horrify. We flew out the door, meeting up with Satoshi and the gang. Scrat was babbling about to how kawaii Takeshi was, and said male was sweatdropping.
I didn't fail to notice how Hiroshi and Shigeru "casually" walked next to each other, or how their skin "accidentally" brushed against the other's. Or the secret, loving smiles passing between the two when they thought no one was looking. That's the advantage of being a psychic. You see everything…
Well, almost everything. Like those cinnamon swirls in every bite, or the fact that your worst fear could be glaring at you from around the next bend… I shuddered. Sabrina assured me that I would be safe, but it's impossible to see everything…
I suddenly felt a jacket wrap around me. I looked up to see Satoshi's warm chocolate eyes looking into mine. "You look cold. It might take you a while to adjust to the climate change. I know it took me a while."
"You mean you haven't lived here all your life?" I asked. That surprised me. It seemed like he had been here forever.
"Nope. My mom and I moved here from Pallet Town when I was little." I shuddered again, this time at the mention of the town. The town where it all started… He smiled playfully. "I told you that you'd be cold…"
I smiled back at him. He seemed to just have that power over me making me smile no matter what. "What about your dad?" I asked. "Didn't he come with you?"
Satoshi's face saddened a little. "No," he whispered. "My dad died. He was Kanto's Pokemon Master, Red, and they sent him on a mission to the mountains. He was killed by a wild Kangaskhan because he stumbled too close to her young. That's why we moved here. Too many memories in the small town…" I frowned slightly as we walked.
"I'm sorry, Satoshi. I didn't know…" He stopped me. "It's okay. I don't remember him much. He was gone so much when I little, I barely even knew his face. All I've got as a reminder of him is this hat on my head." He smiled at me, and I smiled back. It was then that I realized that he still had his arms wrapped around me, and that our faces were inches apart. We blushed, and quickly separated. The rest of the walk was in silence.
Scrat was still babbling and Hiroshi was still smiling when we got to Ishied-Kamo High School. While the others headed off to their assigned lockers and classrooms, I was greeted by my student guide. She was a little shorter than me, and had long turquoise hair pulled into two thick pigtails. And she was very scary…
"Hiyas! I'm Imite, and I'm gonna be a Ditto Master! Welcome to Ishied-Kamo High School. Do you have any Pokemon?" I smiled and nodded, but told her I only had one with me. "That's okay! We're only supposed to keep one or two with us while in school. I keep my Ditto Duo out all the time!" I looked at her nervously. She was way too cheery.
Leading me through the halls, Imite handed me a map and a schedule. She also showed me how to open my locker and gave me my textbooks. As soon as she saw a boy with brown hair and a camera hanging from his neck, she said a hurried goodbye and hugged him. I could still hear her giggling as I entered my first period classroom.
Almost as soon as I entered, the room fell silent. Typical new kid behavior. I heard a few boys whistle and wolf-call, but they were silenced by the teacher. I walked nervously to my seat, still feeling all eyes on me.
"Now, class, this is Kasumi. She's new to the town, so please be nice and introduce yourselves." The rest of the day went pretty well. I met up with the others at lunch, and Scrat explained school politics: who was popular, who I should stay away from, what foods I should stay FAR away from, and such. I was surprised when the last bell rang.
Walking home that afternoon was… interesting, to say the least. Takeshi was going heart-eyed over all the passing girls, Scrat was dragging him away, Hiroshi and Shigeru were unusually happy, Satoshi was having an argument with his Pikachu, and I was pondering the fact that none of us had backpacks, let alone homework. When I asked cheery-Shigeru about this, he told me that the students protested in previous years, and the principal gave in. I sure wasn't complaining.
We walked to the Pokemon Center so that the others could pick up their Pokemon. Mine were still with Shigeru's grandfather, and all I really needed with me was Tenshi. True, she was a little crazed, but she was reliable, and a great friend.
After the Pokemon Center, we all split up to go home. Satoshi and Hiroshi shared a house, Scrat and Takeshi were next-door neighbors, and Shigeru and I lived together, too. He was still grinning, and I had a sudden urge to slap him out of it. I didn't have a chance, however, because as soon as we walked in, Tenshi pounced on me.
How was school? Make any new friends? Get a boyfriend? Is _he_ here? Did anyone hurt you? If they did, ooh, I'll…
I sweatdropped. "I'm fine, Tenshi. Everything went well. Calm down, okay?" And she did, then left for the kitchen.
Friday had come quickly, but the break was welcomed. The school was remodeling, so it would be closed for a week. I was ready to sleep that week away. All the nervousness from my first week of school was taking a toll on me.
The group planned to meet up that night and help at the Pokemon Center. The weather was cooling down quickly, and it looked like snow might hit soon. Because of this, many Pokemon were injured, especially fire-type and cold-blooded Pokemon.
I was brushing my hair, getting ready for the volunteer work, when Tenshi walked in. The first thing I noticed was that the usually hyperactive fluffball was shy and quiet. The second thing I noticed was that she was dragging a box of spaghetti in her jaws. I blinked and looked at her. Er, Kasumi… she began, Could you help me? I can make the sauce, but boiling water without thumbs is hard… I raised an eyebrow and set a pot of water on the stove.
"Any particular reason why you're making spaghetti?" I asked, turning on the stove. She blushed lightly through her lavender fur. Uh… n-no reason, no re-reason at all! Tenshi smiled nervously, and I sighed. "I'm not even going to ask…"
The others were working hard when we got there. Shigeru and I quickly went to work, our bodies covered in snowflakes. It was difficult, but we kept working. Just when everything started slowing down, we were hit with a busload of injured Pokemon. The icy roads caused the bus to flip, and most of the Pokemon on board were injured. Since the accident occurred in between Ecruteak and Olivine, each town got half of the load.
Satoshi and I paired up to work on a sick Raichu. Takeshi thought she might have a cold, but she was moaning a lot more than one with a cold would. We were about to call Nurse Joy when I realized what was going on. "Satoshi…" I whispered, "That Raichu is in labor!"
I grabbed medical gloves and tossed a pair to Satoshi. When I told him, he looked pale, so I called Scrat and Tenshi over. We gave her all the needed painkillers, and set her up as comfortable as we could on the table. Tenshi used her psychic abilities to keep the evolved electric's pain down while Scrat helped air Satoshi. Nurse Joy wanted to help us, due to the fact that we were inexperienced, but she was busy with a Charizard whose tail had frozen. "Don't worry," I called, "we can handle it!"
Satoshi looked nervous. "Is a live Pikachu coming out of there?" he questioned. I smiled at him. "No, stupid, eggs come out of there. And Pikachu isn't the first stage of Raichu, you know…" He still looked nervous, and I sighed, tapping into his mind, searching for the problem. "Don't worry. It's not the same with humans. Although some Pokemon are mammals, they give birth to eggs. They do keep some human traits, though, like nursing and raising their young." After that, he calmed down.
Hiroshi called Scrat over to help with an injured Vulpix. The Raichu was almost through, though, so we let her go. "Ready, Satoshi?" He nodded, patting the soon-to-be-mom's head, stroking its nose. "Then let's do this. Raichu? Push as hard as you can."
The Raichu complied, and soon she had a litter of six white and orange eggs. We let her relax, and wiped some of the sweat off her. Tenshi couldn't help any longer because she was needed with Shigeru's "patient," so we had to put Raichu back on painkillers. Nurse Joy walked over to congratulate us.
"That was very good, considering you're not a nurse! Where'd you learn to do that?" I smiled, wiping sweat of my forehead and taking of my gloves. "Back home, Natsume would often need to give her or her pupil's Pokemon immediate medical help, so I was taught by Saffron's Nurse Joy. And, as you can see, it really comes in handy."
She smiled, nodded, and rushed off to assist Takeshi. I was getting tired out by all the work, but I was hanging in there. "Kasumi," Satoshi said, "Do you think we could take a little break? We're both tired, and there aren't too many patients left." I nodded, and we both collapsed at a table.
I closed my eyes gently. Suddenly, I heard gasps, and I opened them. Unfortunately, there was no light to welcome me. I felt Satoshi move closer and grab my shoulder. "Are you okay?" he whispered in my ear. I shivered at the warmth and nodded.
Nurse Joy tried to keep everyone calm. "Don't worry. There's a blizzard out there, so I would expect we'll be stuck here all night. Now, everyone get the Pokemon into their rooms and meet back here in the lobby. Then you'll pair up into rooms. No girl-boy pairs."
We quickly wheeled, carried, and pushed the Pokemon into assorted medical rooms. Then we regrouped in the lobby and partnered up. It ended up being Scrat and me, Satoshi and Takeshi, and Shigeru and Hiroshi. Tenshi found her own small room next to mine that was available to her and Akuma, which she excitedly claimed. Then we all sat in a circle, drinking hot cocoa that was warmed before the blackout.
"Well," Nurse Joy said from her spot, huddling under a blanket, "It could be much worse. We could have been stuck out there." Everyone nodded in agreement. Satoshi's Pikachu used her electricity to spark a gas lantern, and we used that for light. We were each huddled under blankets. I shared mine with Satoshi, and I was unusually happy for someone caught in a Pokemon Center in the middle of a snowstorm. I had never felt this way before, so light and free… I shook my head lightly. Maybe I had a disease… I'd have to ask Sabrina about it when she joined us here.
Nurse Joy looked at the two of us. "Oh, the Raichu you helped wanted to thank you. She hadn't, er, planned to have young yet. She was wondering, since you two make such a good team, if, perhaps, you would care for one of her eggs." We looked at each other, then blushed.
"Sure. Tell her that we'll take good care of her baby Pichu!" She smiled at us, handed the egg to me, and winked. "You know," she whispered in my ear, "Satoshi and you make a really cute couple!"
I looked down, blushing as red as my hair. I mumbled a few random words, then looked up. Satoshi was looking at me questioningly. "What did she say?" he asked.
"N-nothing, nothing at all!" I said, in the same tone as Tenshi had earlier. He looked at me strangely before turning back to the others. Scrat was playing rock-paper-scissors with Shigeru, who was loosing badly, Takeshi was conversing with Hiroshi and Nurse Joy about breeding techniques, and Tenshi was no where in sight.
"So…" I said to Satoshi, trying to start a conversation. The silence was too tense. "So…" he replied. We laughed nervously.
"What're we gonna name this thing when it hatches?" I searched my mind for a good name. Something different, something that would fit it…
"I don't know. I guess we'll decide when it's born." His Pikachu, who was previously curled up next to him, stretched and, with a yawn, walked over to the egg. She sniffed it, ears twitching, then curled up around it. She looked up at me. "Pi pika, Pikapi," she said. Satoshi turned crimson. "Will you shut up, Pikachu?" She shrugged her shoulders gently before falling asleep. I could have sworn she winked at me before she closed her eyes…
I searched my brain. Realizing I was doing it backwards, I searched Satoshi's brain.
Argh... stupid yellow mouse. I'll have to take away her ketchup for that remark... I scanned carefully, making sure I didn't read any thoughts I didn't want to. I didn't like intruding into other people's minds too often. Why did she have to say that? I'm lucky Kasumi can't understand her. "Nice catch, Satoshi," she says. I... That was enough. I exited his mind, then blushed lightly at what the electric mouse said.
I shook my head gently, and shivered. It was very chilly, and the baka next to me kept hogging the blanket. The incredibly kawaii baka... I thought. Then I shook my head again, this time harder. That's it. I'm diseased. Or deranged. Or insane. Or all three...
"Hey, are you okay? You keep shaking your head…" I nodded my head, saying, "Yeah, I'm fine. A little cold, that's all." He moved closer, putting most of the blanket around me. "There. Better?" I nodded, and smiled. "Thanks, Satoshi."
He smiled back. "No problem. And you don't have to keep calling me Satoshi. We're friends." I looked at him. Friends…
"All right, Sato-chan," I said, playfully. "Fine, 'Sumi." He smiled at me. The nickname sounded so familiar, yet it was buried in the depths of my mind, as if from a dream. I shook it off as Nurse Joy stood up.
"Grab your stuff, kids. Curfew time, and even if we are snowed in, it still applies." We all groaned. Tenshi was still off somewhere, and I was enjoying being so close to Sato-chan… Dammit! I am definitely talking to Sabrina about this virus...
Scrat and I walked into our room. It consisted of two beds next to each other, separated by a table. She flung herself down and started getting changed into the pajamas Joy had lent us. I went to the opposite corner of the room to change, despite the fact that it was pitch black in the room. I heard her scramble into the bed closest to the door, and I did the same into the one by the back wall.
"G'night, Kasumi," she mumbled before turning over. "Oyasumi nasai, Scrat-chan. Yasashii yume…" Before I knew it, she was out like a light. I sighed and tried to sleep, but I couldn't. A long while later, I heard sounds outside the door.
The door creaked open, and footsteps leading to each of our beds were followed by hushed voices saying, "Shh…" I pretended to be asleep, which wasn't too difficult. Then I heard Takeshi's voice. "She's so beautiful when she's asleep…" I felt a fingertip brush the side of my face. It trailed down my cheeks and traced my nose. I opened my mind's eye briefly to watch Takeshi. He bent down, and, quietly, whispered, "I love you, Scrat Kaji. Sleep well, beautiful one…" With that, he kissed her. "Goodnight." Okay... I thought, so these aren't Takeshi's fingers. So who's are they?
I closed my mind's eye. As soon as I did, I heard a close voice whisper, "She seems so… distant. I know she's new, but it's like…" He paused. "Like she's never had friends before. Like she's harboring a darkness inside. She's always in thought." He took his finger off my cheek, then brushed a stray strand of hair from my closed eyes. "I promise you, 'Sumi, that I will save you from the demons in your head. I will make you happy, no matter what. Even though I just met you, I think I'm… I think I'm in love with you." He stood up, sighing. "Goodnight, 'Sumi. Sleep well."
They slipped out of the room quietly. I opened my eyes, placing my hand on my cheek. "I think I'm in love with you, too… Sato-chan."
I tip-toed out of our room, choosing the left hallway. After about fifteen minutes of searching, I realized it wasn't there. As I was heading back, I heard voices. They were whispers, but I had a keen sense of hearing from my training. Once again, I used my mind's eye to look into the room.
Although the room had two beds, the inhabitants were sharing one. Both were male, and I noticed that it was Shigeru and Hiroshi. Although I'm not quite a nosy person, I was wondering what they were doing.
"Shigeru…" Hiroshi whispered, nearly silently, "You know what I wish?" They were laying on their backs, gazing at the ceiling.
"What?" Shigeru asked, turning to him.
"I wish," he said, gazing into Shigeru's eyes, "That we didn't have to deal with the secrecy. The others wouldn't care. We'd be happier. So why do we have to keep the silence? I want to go out, be like all the other couples."
Shigeru pulled him closer. "I do, too, Hiro-chan, but we've got to keep it quiet a little while longer. Our friends won't care, but the world will. I don't want the world standing in our way. Once the situations change, then we'll go public."
I clasped my hands dreamily. It was so… incredibly… kawaii! I never knew Shigeru was capable of being loving and romantic. Everything was falling into place.
Hiroshi looked at him, still quiet. "Do you promise, 'Geru-chan?"
"I promise." With that, he pulled him into a kiss. I closed my mind's eye again and smiled. I was glad that Shigeru wasn't alone. And I couldn't have found him a better match…
The Umbreon opened his golden eyes slowly. He had become accustomed to sleeping at night. Akuma stretched, yawning, and smiled. Yes, Tenshi-chan?
She smiled. Close your eyes, Akuma. I've got a surprise for you. He complied, biting gently on the scruff of her neck so she could lead him. They went from the lobby to the small closet-like room next to Kasumi's. Tenshi noted that her mistress wasn't there, and to question her in the morning.
Finally, they reached their destination. Tenshi tripped while walking in, possibly because she was so tired. She had been up all night preparing for Akuma's surprise. She wanted it to be… perfect, just like in all those novels Kasumi used to read.
All right, Akuma. Open your eyes. He did, and was greeted by the dim glow of candles and bowl of spaghetti…
Tenshi, how'd you get this? Nurse Joy's food supply? Tenshi smiled widely. She nudged him forward, towards the large bowl.
I made it myself, silly. It was easy. I knew it was your favorite. Plus, today's special. She tilted her head towards the clock. It read 12:00am. It's the anniversary of the day we met. You remember, don't you? The evolved Eevees started on the food.
Mm-hmm. I was just an Eevee, and our masters made us battle for that badge back in Saffron. Naturally, you won. That was, ah... Four years ago today. Akuma smiled and slurped up the spaghetti. Tenshi did the same next to him.
It was on that day that I realized- She stopped. They were both biting on the same noodle. Akuma looked into her eyes. Yes, Tenshi? he asked quietly.
It was the day I realized, she whispered mind-to-mind, that I loved you. Akuma smiled a feline smile and closed the distance between them. They shared a kiss that only Pokemon could share.
You know what, Tenshi? I thank Mew that they battled. Otherwise, how would I have found you? They curled up together, a mix of purple and black in the night.
Suddenly, I heard moans in one of the rooms. Please, Serebii, I prayed, Don't let that be Shigeru's room again... I creaked open the door.
Luckily, I hadn't found my way back to the couple's room. Instead, I found myself in Takeshi and Satoshi's room. And Satoshi was the one moaning.
I approached his bed quietly. He was sweating heavily, and tossing in his sleep. I knew what was happening from my own past experiences. He was having a nightmare.
Gently, I placed a hand on his forehead. I then dragged my fingertips softly along his face, while making soothing noises. "Shh… It's okay, Sato-chan. Calm down. It'll be all right. I'm here now." He calmed down considerably. "Otousan…?" he questioned, muffled by his arm. So, I thought, It was about his father...
I smiled. "No, Satoshi, I'm not your otousan." Satoshi groaned again, and I hummed a song quietly in his ear. He stopped, laying peacefully. "Sleep tight, Sato-chan. See you in the morning…" With that, I kissed him on the cheek. Then I slid out quietly, heading towards where I hoped my room would be.
Japanese Guide:
Imite- Duplica
Oyasumi nasai- Good night
Yasashii yume - (roughly translated) Sweet dreams
Otousan- father
Questions:
1) Can anyone think of a better name for T/A other than Narfshipping?
2) How was I with the romance/fluff/sap?
3) Anything in particular you'd like, beside shipping? ^_^;
Well, 'till next time, minna-san, sayonara! ~~~Ara Moon
**PS: Ara loves email! If you ever see me on Fanfiction.net Messenger, or on MSN, or wanna email me, feel free to!**
Ah… Well, here's the scoop- I'm running out of people to introduce/assist in Never the Same's author's notes. I could always have Scrat or Tenshi come back, but that wouldn't be very interesting, now, would it? So I'm holding a contest. Basically, I'm gonna ask a question. First to email me with the CORRECT answer, all specified information included, gets to help with the author's notes. Plus, if I am as skilled a writer as I hope I am, I might be able to cameo you in a chapter. *Takeshi-obsessed author appear* No, Scrat, you can't enter. Give the others a try. ^-^ Well, I'm going for real this time! Ja ne, ninna-san!
Contest Question:
Email me with the title of this song and the anime it came from. If you don't know the exact name, tell me who sings it. It's not that hard, considering the anime it's from is fairly popular…
Tooi gin no tsuki
Yuube yume de saite 'ta
Nobara to onaji iro…"