I've got it!
"Got what"
Eefi, I've come up with a good reason for why Misa got the same injuries as her pokemon.
"And the reason is?"
There's a catch. It's a secret. =)
"You got me all excited for nothing! And then you dare to smiley me?"
For someone who has a gentle nature, you sure have a short fuse. Actually, it's not really a secret. All you have to do is read in between the lines and maybe you'll figure it out.
"... ... I ... I see it!"
Ice-Phoenix-chan: Hehe, I forgot about that bait. I didn't want to put it down at first because it might ruin the surprise. It's ok if not many people read this story. I just want to write. =) Oh yeah! Before I forget, that review you sent me for "I Think It's Love Actually" before I took it down for reposting...you mention something about me thinking you were crazy for the sudden outburst. Truth is, I never thought you were crazy. Just really happy, friendly, and cheerful. =)
Disclaimer: I'm not the rightful owner of Pokemon.
[Chapter Five: Moonlight Festival]
"You were like an angel that had fallen into my arms from the heavens," Yuuki finished.
Haruka couldn't find the words to say. She didn't know how to respond but turn away to hide her face. Yesterday the guy that saved her life was now standing in front of her giving her sweet talk. They had only just met and hardly know anything about each other yet Haruka felt like she was on cloud nine. That is until she heard a faint whisper in her ear.
"Girls! They're all the same, just like in Johto. They're so easy to manipulate." Upon hearing this Haruka felt a sharp pain in her chest. Yuuki on the other hand, had a questioned look on his face not knowing what was going on.
"Excuse me, I have to get to class," Haruka said looking down with her long bangs shielding her face from Yuuki. She then ran as quickly as she could to get away from him.
Now Yuuki was baffled by Haruka's sudden action. He had fallen in love at first sight when he saw Haruka. He then wondered if he had done something to upset Haruka. As Yuuki was about to leave he also heard a faint whisper in his ear.
"It's all just false affections. Why get close when you're just going to have to detach yourself and leave them behind in the end?""
Yuuki shook his head and quickly headed for class. Once both Haruka and Yuuki had left the ghost pokemon shed off it's invisibility crackling evilly.
"Humans...so predictable," the dark pokemon laughed.
"How could I have been so stupid! Falling for him head over heels! How could I have been so pathetic to open my heart to him like that? I refuse to cry over someone like him! I'm not weak! I won't cry!" Haruka angrily said to herself. However, as much as she tried her weld up hurt that just seems to flow was staining white chemise. Haruka quickly wiped her eyes and took a few deep breaths. She took a look at herself off the reflection of the window to see if she had any signs of crying. Her eyes were a little bit red but Haruka thought she looked acceptable to enter the class unnoticed.
"Haruka chan!"
"Hey, Misa," Haruka prayed that Misa didn't catch the faintest crack in her voice.
"You made it on time! The bell hasn't rung and the teacher isn't here yet," Misa said with a smile. Haruka then let out a sigh of relief upon hearing what Misa said. Happy that Misa didn't catch the crack in her voice... or so it seems.
"Her eyes are puffy. I wonder what made her cry. I've never seen her this upset. I won't say anything when she could break any minute. When she's ready I'll be here. Sometimes it's just best not to say anything but to just be there," Misa thought as she tried to make it look like she didn't suspect anything from Haruka.
Later in the day when school was out, Misa and Ricko sat in the living room resting from the day's work. Misa's jolly chimcho was floating around without a care in the world while Ricko played a serenade on his acoustic guitar. It was all music to anyone's ears.
"Oh! I got a poke-ecard! I love poke-ecards!" Misa exclaimed as she checked her email on the computer out of habit.
"Who's it from?" Ricko asked finishing the last final notes of the piece.
"It's from... Haruka! Aw, how cute!" Misa cooed while she, Ricko, and Chimecho watched three bellossoms dance on the screen before revealing a message.
Hi!
There's a fancy festival at the shrine today, remember? Let's go! It'll be so much fun! I know you love festivals and I think we all deserve it. There's even a pokemon contest. I'll meet you at the shrine. See you there!
-Haruka
"So you going?" Ricko asked.
"Of course! I think I'll enter Kireihanna for the contest. We've been practicing for this and I think we're more then ready," Misa replied.
"You guys will be great," Ricko encouraged.
"Thanks, but aren't you coming?"
"Yeah but are you going to wear that?" Ricko asked pointing to Misa's attire. She was wearing a purple quarter length shirt that had a tiny bow on the sleeves, a long white flowy skirt with lace and ruffles, and at her feet wooden sandals that had a clear purple tinted strap.
"What's wrong with my clothes?"
"Well it's just that you look like one of those aroma ladies. You'll just blend-in in the crowd. I think you should wear something that will make you stand out from all the rest."
"It doesn't matter what I wear. All that matters is my bellossom. Kireihanna's attention at the contest is more important."
"I still think you should dress the part."
"Ok you got me there. I see your point." Misa then walked off to her room. On her desk was a bellossom daruma pokedoll that had one eye painted.
--At the festival---
"Wow! Misa you look wonderful!" Haruka greeted running up to Misa. Misa had her hair pulled back into a ponytail with a ribbon bow clip. On one side her bangs were clipped back to show the glistening bead earing while the other side of her bangs were draped over her ear. Her dress had decorative eyelets on the edge, butterfly sleeves, and fluffy layers like a flamenco dress.
"Think you over did it with the ribbons," Ricko pointed out the ribbons on Misa's neck and wrists.
"Well, I had to hide the bite mark and scrapes and bruises. I still have them and I still have the same injuries as Eefi," Misa explained feeling conscious of her appearance.
"How is Eefi?" Haruka asked.
"She's ok. I can feel her recovery in me," Misa replied. The three of them strolled through the rows of the booths. Many of the booths sold pokedolls and stuff for a secret base.
"Oh yeah! I came here yesterday to buy one of those charms. But they were closed," Haruka said when she noticed the shrine was open to selling charms.
"I think I'll get one too," Misa said following close behind Haruka.
"Yeah, you're going to need all the good luck charms you can get!" Ricko taunted his sister as the girls purchased the charms. Misa glared at him puffing up her cheeks.
"Actually the charms here are for wishes," a voice from behind came.
"Mitsuru?"
"Konbanwa [Good evening]," Mitsuru greeted. He then caught sight of Haruka in a red outfit that made her skin blush.
"You look lovely," the words seemed to roll off of Mitsuru's tongue. Haruka smiled lightly at his comment.
"Hey, isn't that Yuuki over there?" Misa asked pointing him out in the crowd.
"Who's Yuuki?" Mitsuru hasn't met him yet.
"Yuuki! Over here!" Ricko called out.
"Hi everyone! Oh? I don't think I've met you before. I'm Yuuki."
"And I'm Mitsuru. So when did you guys all meet?"
"Today at school," Misa and Ricko replied while Haruka grew quiet avoiding eye contact with Yuuki.
"Haruka and I actually met yesterday," Yuuki answered glancing at Haruka who still didn't say anything.
"Haruka?" Mitsuru asked seeing that Haruka seemed to be troubled.
"We just bumped into each other! Nothing special! Misa, let's got! You still need to register for the contest!" Haruka exclaimed running off while dragging Misa by the wrist.
"Is she really like this?" Yuuki asked.
"No, she's usually much more friendly," Ricko answered.
"I wonder what's troubling her," Mitsuru thought.
"I'm sorry..." Yuuki mumbled feeling it was his fault, but neither Ricko nor Mitsuru heard him.
"Haruka! What is going on? Why are you acting all strange? Does this have anything to do with Yuuki?" Misa questioned prying her hand away from Haruka's grasp.
"Yuuki? I don't know what you're talking about!" Haruka quickly shot back.
"You sure about that?" Misa then showed Haruka a mirror that reflected a flustered face.
"You don't understand!"
"Then make me understand," Misa's voice then soften. "How about you calm down and let it out," Misa reasoned. Haruka too a couple of deep breaths to calm down.
"Yesterday while I was going to the shrine I found some oran berries on a near by tree. So I got some but when I started to head back down I lost my footing and I slipped. I wasn't able to grab hold of anything so I fell to my doom. But then Yuuki was there to catch me. He has the most amazing eyes I've ever seen. I don't know where he came from but I'm really glad he was there to save me, "Haruka explained.
"How romantic! But what seems to be the problem?"
"Today at school after our gang battle I tried to thank him for yesterday. At first I was apologizing for my clumsiness and that I must have been heavy. He dismissed the idea but you know what he said?" Haruka asked with her face brightening.
"What?" Misa eagerly wanted to know what happened next.
"He said I was like an angel that fell into his arms from the heavens," Haruka's face then had a sadden expression.
"But?"
"I heard...All girls are the same like in Johto and that we're easy to manipulate."
"But are you sure it was Yuuki? Did you see him say those words?"
"Think about it, Misa! It had to be Yuuki! Who would even mention Johto?"
"Haruka chan...Did his face even show any signs of saying such a thing? Strange events have been happening here in Hoenn. We can't be sue."
"But..."
"So you fell hard the first time. For all you know this could all be a misunderstanding. Besides, you still haven't thanked him for saving you," Misa winked. Haruka just grumbled in response.
---A little bit later at the festival---
"And now... contestant number four: Misa and her bellossom, Kireihanna!" the announcer welcomed along with the judges and those at the festival. Misa and Kireihanna could hear their four friends cheering them on.
Ready to start, Misa stepped into the spotlight. With the satin ribbons on her wrists trailing behind, Misa gracefully raised her hands and threw the polished pokeball. Still in the air Kireihanna leaped out of the pokeball as flower petals danced around herself. Everyone was in awe at Kireihanna's gorgeous entrance that earned high marks for the primary judging.
"Wow! Misa sure has been keeping her bellossom in tip top shape!" Haruka admired.
"Yeah. Hey! How come you're not in the contest?" Ricko asked.
"Beautifly came down with really bad rashes and wasn't feeling well at all. I had to leave her at the pokecenter overnight," Haruka answered.
"That's too bad," Mitsuru empathized.
"It's ok. There's always a next time," Haruka cheered trying to look at the bright side.
"I'm sure you two will be great," Yuuki encouraged. Haruka smiled her thanks but then changed the subject when Misa's bellossom was about to do her first appeal.
"The way he looks at her and the way she turns away... I understand now...Be happy, Haruka chan," Mitsuru smiled in thought while watching Haruka and Yuuki. Though a little bit hurt Mitsuru turned his attention to the contest.
Kireihanna made her first appeal with magic leaf. She swayed back and forth then spun in a circle. Kireihanna then threw leaves high into the air that shimmered and glowed, illuminating the sky. The judges, as well as the audience were, very pleased with her first appeal.
Misa's bellossom was going by with ease. All eyes were on Kireihanna. Her second appeal was sunny day followed by moonlight. A combo that judges kept an eye for. Other trainers' pokemon tried to intimidate Kireihanna but Misa's bellossom would just avert her gaze. Kireihanna's last appeal was petal dance, which seemed to get the crowd going.
"Time's up! We will now tally up the results," the announcer then input the results onto the computer. For the primary judging Roselia and Kireihanna were tied neck and neck. The results for the second judging put everyone on the edge of their seats. For the first appeal Roselia had the highest votes. Second appeal was Vileplum but Kireihanna was close behind. Illumise was in the lead for the third appeal. Finally, for the fourth and final appeal, who would also be the winner of the festival pokemon contest was...
"This year's winner of the Moonlight Festival is Misa and her bellossom, Kireihanna!"
"You did it!" Misa hugged her bellossom. She then stepped up to receive the ribbon and fixed it onto Kireihanna.
"Thank you Kireihanna. I'm proud of you!" Misa said giving her bellossom another hug.
"Misa!"
"Oniichan!" Misa and Kireihanna was surrounded by their close friends who congratulating the two on their win.
"Looks like you've accomplished your goal," Ricko stated.
"Yeah, now I can paint the other eye on my daruma pokedoll," Misa excitedly added.
"Daruma pokedoll?" Mitsuru and Yuuki asked.
"Yes, it's a pokedoll that has no eyes," Haruka started explaining.
"First you paint one eye to set a goal. When you've accomplished that goal, you paint the other eye," Misa finished explaining.
"Wow! They don't have any of those in Johto!" Yuuki enthusiastically informed.
"You actually browse through pokedolls?" Mitsuru eyed. Yuuki immediately denied giving a nervous laugh while everyone stifled a giggle.
"Hey! Isn't there a light show going on?" Ricko asked saving Yuuki's tail.
"Oh yeah! It's right down at the lake," Misa answered.
The five of them made their way through the thicket behind the shrine to the lake. They found a spot under a tree where it was away from the crowd but still had a great view. Since they were still early the five waited patiently.
"Numbers?" Misa noticed carvings on the tree.
"1-4-3-4-4," Mitsuru read out loud.
"I wonder why they use numbers?" Haruka pondered.
"Oh I get it!" Ricko exclaimed getting the idea.
"1-4-3-4-4 stands for I love you very much," Ricko further explained.
"It could also be I miss you very much," Yuuki added.
"Yeah but it wouldn't fit since there's a heart carved right next to it," Misa pointed out.
"1-4-3-3," Misturu read the carvings underneath.
"Looks like this person got their feelings returned," Haruka said understanding the meaning of the numbers.
"I love you too," Yuuki stated while tracing the carvings with his fingers. It seemed familiar to him for some reason.
"That's sweet. I wonder who carved these though," Misa thought aloud.
"Yeah, makes you wonder if they're even together now," Ricko said seeing that they've been carved years ago.
"Oh! It's starting!" Mitsuru called as they saw floating lights at the lake.
"How pretty!" Haruka cooed watching the voltbeat and illumise dance in the sky under the moonlight. The soft glow was reflected of the waters glassy surface. It was a beautiful sight.
Yuuki smiled as he sat beside Haruka watching the light show. He leaned back placing his hands on the grass to support himself. Although the serene scene was calming something just seemed to nag at him at the back of his head. He just couldn't put his finger on it. Just sitting beside Haruka and watching the glow of the lake all seemed like a reoccurring dream. The show didn't last very long but was still satisfying. However Yuuki was still deep in thought after the show had ended.
"What's wrong?" Haruka asked nudging gently on Yuukis's shoulder.
"It's nothing," Yuuki smiled giving Haruka's hand a gentle squeeze. When he withdrew his hand Yuuki and Haruka felt a tug on their ring finger like there was an invisible thread that tied them together.
"That light show sure was better then last year!" Misa happily piped to Ricko interrupting Haruka and Yuuki's thoughts.
"Yeah. Gee, it's late. Well, guess it's time to go," Mitsuru then waved good-bye.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" Haruka asked Misa.
"Yup! Tomorrow it is!" Misa smiled as Haruka waved goodbye as well.
"Thanks for letting my join you guys."
"No need to thank us, Yuuki," Misa reassured.
"Yeah, you're always welcome to come along," Ricko further added.
"Thanks. Well see you later!"
"Later!" Misa and Ricko said in unison.
"That was nice," Ricko started as he and his sister walked on their way home.
"Yeah, Kireihanna won!"
"And you accomplished your goal too."
"A double dip!" Both of them chuckled.
"So why was Haruka acting all strange earlier?"
"I think it was all just a misunderstanding."
"I see. Say! Did she walk home alone? It's so dark at this hour."
"I have a feeling Yuuki won't let harm come her way."
"How do you know?"
"Well... he seems to show up to protect her. And they seemed to have bonded tonight. So I'm not too worried because she's in good hands."
"Yeah... Misa! Look Out!" Ricko quickly pushed Misa out of the way of a shadow ball.
"That's..." Misa looked up to see a ghost pokemon.
"Muumuu?" Ricko finished. The family of dark pokemon then warped out of sight.
[End of Chapter Five]
Wow! That's a lot in this chapter.
"Yup. Symbols, character development, foreshadow...what else?"
Erm... can't think of it right now. I wasn't sure if I should say they were at the Starlight Festival instead but I think it would be out of season. I don't even know when the Tanabata Festival is and if this chapter could even apply. Anyways, I think I still need to develop Ricko and Mitsuru's characters a bit more.
"Maybe Yuuki too."
Yeah. I think we're good with Misa and Haruka. I was wondering how I should portray Haruka in this story. I was thinking of making her a lot like Karen from Time Stranger Kyoko.
"You mean the girl that's allergic to guys? That if she gets touched by a guy she cries unconsciously?"
Yup, that's the one. I love chapter five.
"That's the one where she fell in love with this guy because she didn't have any signs of symptoms and thought it was destiny. But in the end he betrayed yet she still forgave him because he taught her what a wonderful thing it is to fall in love."
Yup.
"Yup."
I guess you should use futuresight insight.
"Next time on 'Go!' Haruka goes through a terrible ordeal but is saved by her soul mate. Feeling a bit depressed and the need to get stronger a friend tries to cheer Haruka up by having a pokemon battle. However not doing your best to help isn't helping at all."
Hm... that may be a bit vague but maybe you can figure it out. =P
Later! BTW, the next update will probably take me even longer. Sorry!
