A Love -Hate Relationship

39

Rough-n-Tough

Rockruff!

A/N: This Fan Fiction is based on the Galar region and games (Sword/Shield) featuring CanonXOC It based on the GAMES and NOT the anime version.

The sun was setting low over Challenge Road, and the Dark of night was growing. Marnie and Bede hung out at the bottom of the Challenge Road steps. They had a camp set up and were letting the Poke'mon play while Hop remained stead fast at the top, waiting for Anani just outside of the Tower.

"...he really cares about Anani a lot, doesn't he?" asked Marnie, as she glanced up at him from below, "He hasn't moved from there since she went in." she stated, "When we moved to tell him we were going to let the Poke'mon play he just handed us his Poke'balls and said 'thanks, We'll be down there soon'." she sighed.

"Hmph..." Bede huffed, "...He's loyal. I'll give him that." he mumbled as he sat comfortably on the grass, he had his back leaned and rested against the rocky surface wall and rested his head on his arms with one leg crossed over the other, shaking in irritation whenever he glanced up at Hop. After averting his gaze for the upteenth time, he blinked when he noticed something seemed a little off.

"Oi..." he said softly, "Is it just me or does it seem like there are less Poke'mon here than we should have?"

"That's not it at all." said Marnie, shaking her head as she pointed to the bottom of the Challenge Road steps where Anani's Poke'mon all gathered together, whimpering in concern for their Trainer who had still not stepped foot out of the Trial Hall.

"All of Anani's Poke'mon are waiting for her too." she said softly, "They miss her."

"...I see..." Bede blinked. He let out a gentle sigh and pushed himself up, "Right then...I'll have a word with them." he stated.

"Hm?" Marnie blinked, and watched curiously as Bede stood and walked over to Anani's Poke'mon. He leaned down to their level, and literally began talking to them. Needless to say it left her a little impressed and she chuckled.

"Bede... a jerk as a person..." she said softly, "Still though...he seems good with the Poke'mon...and for that alone...I can see why Anani can't see him as a bad person." she giggled.

It's kinda cute to see him like this...

She thought to herself.

Maybe there's a bit more to Anani's interest of him...

"Oi, you lot what's the matter?" he asked out as he leaned down to Anani's Poke'mon and glanced curiously between them, "Don't you want to play with the other Poke'mon?"

The small group shared their whimpers and noises of concern. Each set of eyes fixed on the tower that they knew their Trainer was in.

Bede blinked as he watched for a while and broke a soft smile with an even softer chuckle.

"You lot really love Anani, do you?" he asked before chuckling and shaking his head while answering his own question, "Of course you do." he said softly, "Abd who can blame you?" he blinked, "After all, she's...Hmm." he blinked and averted his gaze upward toward the forming stars, "She's something special, isn't she?" he shrugged, "I can't explain it myself..." he said softly brining his hand to him gazing into his palm as though reflecting on himself."...Even I..." he slowly curled his hand into itself when suddenly the sound of the massive doors swung open and her darted his gaze upwards.

"Anani!" he beamed and rushed up the steps.

"Anani-" Hop smiled in relief and soon found himself shoved aside by Bede.

"You're okay!" said Bede.

"Wow...you don't seem excited or anything?" Hop muttered.

"Uhm...yeah." Anani blinked before shifting her attention to Hop, "Hop..." she said softly, "did you stand here waiting the entire time?" she asked.

"Of course I did." Hop blinked, "I told you I would be here waiting for you when you got back...and I meant it." he smiled.

"W-Well yeah but..." Anani blushed shyly, "I...I didn;t think you meant right outside the door..."

Bede rolled his eyes as he watched these two friends behave so awkwardly around each other. It boiled him to bare witness. He was so focused on this awkward interaction that infuriated him that the approaching shadow behind Anani gave him a startling fright.

"Anani, Behind you!" Bede gasped and upon instant reflex he pulled Anani behind him protectively ready to fight.

"Bede-WAIT!" She called out and placed her hands on his shoulders to steady him, "It's okay!" she said softly, "It's just Fuukuu!"

"Say what?" Bede blinked, "Fuukuu?"

He looked up to Urshifu and swallowed hard.

"...You mean to tell me that this massive beast...is the little teddy bear that we followed here!?"

"Wicked!" Hop beamed, "You evolved Fuukuu! Good for you!" he grinned and Urshifu smiled with a hardy nod before placing a firm palm on Bede's head, and giving it a few pats.

"What is this?" Bede blinked, "What is it doing?"

"Funny story..." Anani shrugged, "So it seems that all of Fuukuu's aggression was coming from the fact that it had built up and stored too much power for its body to maintain." she said, softly stroking the fur on Urshifu's strong arm, "He needed to evolve." she stated," And I guess he was aiming that aggression at Bede because it didn't trust him, but-" she giggled as she watched the bear's massive paw continue to give firm pats to Bede's wooly head, "Well...it seems to accept you now." she said softly.

"Come again?" Bede blinked.

"You called me your friend." she smiled, "And when Fuukuu saw you attempt to stand between me and what you thought was danger...well~" she shrugged, "He trusts you now...to save the least."

"Well what do you know~" Hop smirked, "It seems Bede cares a little more than he cares to show~!" he teased.

"Wh-I-" Bede blushed, "SHUT UP!" he huffed and stormed off in a blushing heat, "I don't care! I'm just not some monster...anyone with some humanity in them would have done the same!" He huffed storming away. The laughter between them never ceased as gathered up their camp. Anani introduced the new and improved Fuukuu to her party Poke'mon, all of which that were excited to be on her side again. They began to make their way on the road back to the Dojo where Mustard waited to meet, when sudden Bede was sent flying back.

"What was THAT!?" He coughed, "I just took a square hit to the chest!" he choked.

"Bede! Are you okay!?" Anani asked as she helped him back to his feet while he tried to catch his breath.

"Ruff! Ruff!" the sound of playful barks came from ahead, catching their curiosity where a bushy tailed friend waggled its tail happily in a lowered stance of play.

"Check it out!" said Marnie.

"That's a Rockruff!" said Hop.

"Rockruff!?" Bede huffed, "Well what did it go and tackle me like that for!?"

"It must have saw your sparatic movement and thought you wanted to play." said Anani.

"Play!?" Bede snipped, "It tackled me! In what way is that playful!?"

"Exactly!" said Anani, "That's how Rockruff play, Bede!" said Anani as she pulled up her Rotom Dex entry on Rockruff.

Rockruff

The Playful Puppy Poke'mon

Rockruff can develop very strong bonds with its trainer, but they tend to have a habbit of biting. Raising Rockruff requires patience and strong physical endurance as they play roughly with even each other by smashing together repeatedly.

"...Why me..." Bede muttered.

"Aww don't be like that~" Anani giggled, "Rockruff are so cute!" she beamed and held her arms open to the pup that seemed eager to play with her. By yipping ecitedly it greeted her with a firm bash that knocked her back quite a ways.

"Anani!" Hop called out.

"What are you, nuts!?" Bede huffed.

"I'm beginning to think so..." Marnie chuckled, "But then traveling with her wouldn't be half as fun if she were any form of normal."

The girl coughed after being winded by the puppy's attack. But rather than grunt in pain she giggled.

"You sure got a lot of power in you don't you?" she said, "Very well...if its a battle you want, I'll be happy to tucker you out!" she stated.

"Ruff ruff!" Rockruff growled playfully and hopped around excited for a fight.

"Seriously, do we have time for this!?" Bede huffed, "My time would be better spent gathering Wishing Stars..."

"Oh, leave her be." said Hop, "I don't know what it is about her...but Anani seems... different now..." he blinked, "I can't explain why...but this feels like a positive change in her...and I think we should let it commence."

Marnie and Bede blinked and exchanged a curious glance.

"You know...I think this time, Hop might be right." said Bede, "Back when I saw Anani for the first time...I felt...a kind of darkness in her." he said, "A kind of lonely darkness that I also have in myself." he said as he placed a hand to his heart, "But...look at her now." he blinked, "It's like...she's glowing..." he snickered and gave a slight side smile as he folded his arms, "She's glowing in some kind of light that only those who truly see her, can see."

Marnie blinked a few times as she shifted her eyes between the two boys and Anani.

"Maybe you two know her better than I do." she stated, "Because all I see here is Anani being high on an adrenaline rush and she needs to burn it out somehow." she said, "What better way than a battle with a Rockruff! GO ANANI!" Marnie cheered.

Hop blinked a few times and gave a sheepish chuckle.

"True." said Hop, "That could be it too."

"Hmph." Bede smirked as he folded his arms.

Weather they see it or not...I do...

He thought to himself as he moved his attention to the battle that was about to take place.

And someday...I hope I can glow with that inner light too...

Just like you.

"Ouruaroro!" Zorua leapt from its Poke'ball, taking Anani by surprise. It seemed the small fox Poke'mon could feel the excitement even from its spherical shelter.

"Hehe looks like someone else wants to play too!" she beamed, "Be careful out there, Shifty!" she said, "Rockruff play rough!"

"Ouruaro!" The small fox yipped in excitement.

"Well all right then..." Anani grinned, "Let's catch a Rockruff!" she beamed.

To Be Continued