tO eXPLAIN iN dUE tIME
cHAPTER 8

[one thing you should know]

Jiichan was still confusing me, even as he led me over to Satoshi's place. The weather was nice, breakfast was nice, and that little Caterpie hanging from the tree we just passed looked nice. Not nice enough to catch, mind you I already went through that insect phase ages ago, but it had nice coloration.

Mrs. Obiwana passed by, walking her Growlithe, and smiled to Jiichan. He nodded and smiled and, taking good manners into consideration, I also smiled and bid the older woman a good morning. You'd have thought I told her to jump into Masara Creek and to take her Growlithe with her! Her eyes got huge and she sort of shuddered and walked on. She muttered something, but I didn't catch it.

"Shigeru," Jiichan said, "You might just want to keep silent."

"But why?" I asked, a small whine creeping into my tone. "You've told me that for the last few weeks, but I don't know why. Why shouldn't I be nice to someone as they pass by?"

But Jiichan only smiled a sad little smile and we walked on. I thought it was rather rude of him to not say anything, but I let it go. I guess it wasn't that important, but that it was important for me to keep quiet. Maybe I should've brushed before I left. I did have scrambled eggs, after all. We finally approached Satoshi's house, with its quaint white picket fence and nicely tended flowerbeds. Hanako's Bariyaado did such a nice job. I couldn't see a single weed. I commented on the flowers to Jiichan, "They sure smell so pretty!"

A funny look passed over Jiichan's face, but he didn't stop walking. In fact, it seemed that he darted up the stairs and knocked quickly on the closed door. We didn't have long to wait. The door opened and Hanako stood there, a smile on her face.

"Why hello, Yukinari and Shigeru!" She said chirpily. Hanako always reminded me of some good-natured Pidgey. If she were a Pokemon, that's what she'd be. Jiichan would be more like a Slobro, I think. No, it's not a mean observation, it's just what he reminds me of. Very studious and deep thinking, yet he has a quick punch when need be.

Satoshi ran up behind his mother, and cheered when he saw us. "They're here! I'm gonna run back and tell Natsume!" And he did, practically raising a dust trail as he did. Satoshi would be a Ponyta. So quick and fiery at the same time. There's never a dull moment with Satoshi around. I'm sure he'd rather be associated with a Pikachu, but Satoshi's not that bright.

Hmm, that was a bad pun. Anyway, I followed Jiichan into the house, rather relieved by the coolness of it. The sun was bright out, even at ten in the morning, and the temperature was already in the mid sixties. It would definately be hot today and I didn't need to be as psychic as Natsume to tell you that.

The kitchen was a bit crowded, what with Takeshi, Satoshi, Kasume, Natsume, Hanako, Jiichan, Bariyaard, and me. Wait, is that...It is...Hiroshi is also here. A tight feeling caught in my throat, and when he saw me looking at him, Hiroshi blushed and looked away.

They were all gathered around Hanako's small kitchen table, and though it looked like a table for four, they managed to crowd everyone, all eight of us, in a tight semi-circle. Ugh, what a tight squeeze. This was definately uncomfortable.

"Um, maybe a few people need to sit out of this?" Hanako tittered. "I mean, we only really need Shigeru and Natsume, right?"

Oh, bless you, Hanako for being so intelligent.

I sighed in relief as Takeshi, Hiroshi, Kasumi, and Satoshi got up. Jiichan joined Hanako by the stove for a cup of coffee, while Satoshi and Kasumi went off with Hiroshi and Takeshi to fight for control of the television remote. I think Kasumi won.

"Won't you need my Alakazam?" I asked, getting out the appropriate Pokeball.

"No, no," Her hand, slender and strong, stayed my hand. "I won't need your Pokemon's assistance. I was really just amusing Takeshi. It was a nice idea, since your Pokemon knows you, but I should be able to unlock your memory with no problem."

"Okay," I said, shrugging.

"Keep your thoughts on me," Natsumi said from her place right across from me. She gripped my hands tightly in hers and I absently noted how dry and cool they were. Very much unlike mine.

"How should I do that?" I asked politely. I had to be polite, as this was the woman who would be responsible for me getting my memory back.

"Close your eyes," She said, her violet eyes boring into mine. "And then try to imagine that you are in a dark room with no doors or windows."

I did, then asked, "But what about ventilation?"

Natsume sighed and squeezed my hands, "Just imagine the darkness because that's the most important part."

Eyes closed, I shrugged and did as told. I imagined myself in a dark room with no windows or doors. Then Natsume told me to imagine one wall of the room becoming the night sky, filled with millions of stars. I did so, and I felt a tingle race up my spine and I suddenly felt lightheaded, as if my whole body was floating.

Then the stars vanished, replaced by a darkness so black that it made my mind spin, and then I felt like I was spinning. It felt like an amusement park ride I'd once ridden on...Wait, was that a memory? Was I remembering?

No, Shigeru, Natsume's voice was gentle in my mind. It's just a general feeling that you may have experienced, but it's not the you that we're trying to get back.

That wasn't what I'd been hoping for, but I went with the feeling anyway, hoping that it was the right thing to do. The feeling of spinning brought back something else, and this was definately a memory. It had only happened last week, but it was still so very fresh in my mind.

It had been dark, nearly midnight, and I'd gone out of my room in Jiichan's home to walk around because I had been so restless. I just couldn't get to sleep and I figured a little walk could help. The night's air had been cool, but not cold, and I'd only had my jeans, a tshirt, and a leather jacket. Plus shoes, naturally. I've lost some of my memory, but I'm not stupid.

I'd gone out to the meadow Jiichan had for the Normal type Pokemon. They were all inside, but I was still cautious as I crossed the meadow, walking through the tall grass. You could never know if someone had gotten out of their Pokeball for a late night stroll...Just as I was doing. I got to my so-called favorite rock, and climbed upon it.

Suprisingly, there was still some residual warmth, and at first I thought it was from the heat of the day. Then I noticed the blanket that was half on and half off the boulder. "Who's there?" I called out.

Nothing.

I scanned the grass, as the moon was nearly full and provided great light, but the only grass that moved had been moved by the gentle breeze. I was about to give up, to think that maybe Satoshi had had a picnic as the boulder had a flat top to it, until I saw a decided rustle in a patch of grass to my left. "Show yourself!"

My demand yielded nothing, so I called out my most faithful Pokemon. "Go, Burakki!"

The dark Pokemon appeared in a flash of white light and nuzzled my arm.

"Good boy," I cooed, "I need you to go sniff out whoever is there." Burakki yapped and leapt off the boulder.

Barely a second had passed before I heard a yelp. It wasn't from Burakki, and it was familiar sounding. Suddenly, I saw Burakki's golden rings begin to glow, and the gentle light lit up the area around him, showing off a person's form. "Who are you and why are you trespassing?" I demanded.

"I was only out here to think," The person said. "I didn't think anyone would be here."

"Well, I am, now who are you?" My tone was rude, but this person had no right to be here! "Answer, or else I can't be responsible for Burakki's actions."

"It's me, Hiroshi," The person said, shocking me.

"Hiroshi!" I gasped, "Why are you sneaking around? And what's that in your hands?"

Hiroshi stepped forward and climbed up onto the boulder after I bid him to. "I couldn't sleep, and this looked like a nice place to meditate."

"Oh, well that's fine." I said, while thanking and recalling Burakki. "Is that a telescope?" I swear Hiroshi blushed five shades of red.

"Um, yea, it is.." he stammered. "Doing a little stargazing?" I asked. The sky really was magnificent. Jiichan's place was far enough from Masara's centre to not be intruded by the five or six streetlights that were there.

Hiroshi looked at me. "You could say that."

I turned around, facing Jiichan's house. "Oh, look at that! It looks like it could be Venus!" Directly over Jiichan's house was a bright little dot. It just sat there, unblinking; a sure sign it was a planet and not a star. How did I know that? The information was just there...odd...

"Yeah, I'd been watching that one," Hiroshi said. There was a small pause. "Shigeru?"

"Mmhmm," I said, looking at the sky. I lay back onto the boulder, as it was big enough to do so. I sighed, enjoying myself.

"Do you ever...wonder about how you are when you had your memory?"

The question took me by surprise. "No, not really. Why?"

"Well, I guess I was just curious." He lay back to, pillowing his head with arms folded under. "Can I be honest?"

An uncomfortable feeling sprouted. "I suppose so."

"You aren't the nicest person in the world." He blurted it out, as if scared to say it.

"I'm not?"

"No, sorry." He seemed to mean it.

Silence took over, and the only sound were of small insects and some flying bird, probably a night hunting Noctowl, in the distance. A small creek a few yards away gurgled over rocks, and something splashed into it. At the same time, we both sat up and spoke.

"Hiroshi..."

"Shigeru..."

We both shrieked out in unison as something BIG swooped down, and we were knocked over by it's backlash of air. We tumbled off the boulder and onto the ground.

Somehow I landed on top of Hiroshi. My concern for the blond boy was immediate. The boulder was only four feet high, but if one fell off the wrong way, there could be big trouble. All thoughts of whatever flying Pokemon it was fled as I heard Hiroshi groan. "Are you okay?" I asked anxiously.

Hiroshi stirred beneath me and I moved to get up, but he gripped my arms with an iron grip.

"What?" I asked, confused. He motioned for me to bend lower and I did. "What is it?" I asked.

"Shigeru, I..." He gazed at me, and then shocked me totally. He kissed me, full on the lips, suddenly holding the sides of my face with both hands. He ended the kiss, still holding my face, and just looked at me.

I jerked away from him, scuttling back like a Kingler, until my back hit the boulder. What had just happened? Why had he done that? And why...why didn't I mind?

"Shigeru..."

I leapt to my feet. "You shouldn't have done that."

And I ran back to Jiichan's house.

Shigeru, no, that's not what I needed you to do! It was Natsume...Oh please...I hoped she hadn't seen what had happened. Blast it all, Shigeru! Whatever you just remembered totally threw me off. I can't...I can't get back what I'd gotten!

So what do I do now? I asked, a bit more snidely that I'd intended.

Oh, good! That's really good! Maybe I did get some part of you back. Her voice was tired sounding. Okay, Shigeru, what I need you to do is listen to my voice. On the count of three, you'll wake up. Ready?

I'm ready.

One...two...three...Wake up...

I opened my eyes to see Natsume looking tired. There were two cups of coffee by her side, and a dirty fork and plate. "Who had lunch?"

"I had dinner, Shigeru." Natsume said. "We've been here all day. It's already five at night."

My eyes widened. Night...but it had been morning just a second ago...My stomach rumbled, confirming the truth.

"I'm sorry," She said wryly. "I should've warned you. I guess we'll have to try again tomorrow. Are you game?"

I thought back to that memory I'd rehashed and wondered. "Yes, definitely."

"Good," She smiled. "Oh, you may want to be careful when you stand. You're legs might have locked up."

"Uh-huh," I said, "And I really gotta pee."

Natsume laughed and stood up.

I went to stand, but found I couldn't.

"Now I did warn you, Shigeru," Natsume said. "Wait and I'll get Takeshi and your Ojii-chan."

I did, and thought on that memory. Had I liked Hiroshi's advances? I was so confused, but forgot about it as Takeshi and Jiichan walked into the kitchen. Suddenly, the prospect of getting helped back to Jiichan's house via Takeshi Express looked very uncomfortable indeed.

Poooor Shigeru! I hope he gets his memory back soon...but what of Hiroshi? What will happen if Shigeru gets his memory back...and remembers The Kiss? Oooh la la...the suspense!