"Apparently this regions gym challenge is a bit different than the region's we've been to before." Having just finished breakfast, Shuu and Shinji were making their way back to their room and talking. Well, Shuu was talking. Shinji was just grunting in acknowledgement occasionally.

"The gym battles are all themed and involve some sort of activity before you can battle the gym leader." Glancing through his brochure of Nedlle provided by the cruise, his eyes grew wide in surprise. "It says here there's a few gyms where you may never even battle the gym leader!"

That got Shinjis attention. Snatching the folded paper from his cousin, he began scanning through the information. "What the hell, is this some sort of joke?! What kind of gym leader doesn't battle trainers?!"

"Who knows." Shuu said with a shrug. He took the pamphlet back and began reading the the last part when he heard the melodious sound of laughter. Ignoring Shinji, Shuu walked towards the sound he thought he would never hear again.

"What is wrong with you?" The violet haired man asked in a more annoyed tone than usual. Shuu just ignored him and raced toward the boats video phone room. Skidding to a stop, his blood began to boil as he noticed some green haired guy spying on the room he was headed for.

Who the hell is this wannabe? And why does he look like me?! He thought sharply. Over the years, Haruka had grown to be somewhat of an idol in the contest circut. She had grown taller, standing right at five foot. Her hair had grown long and she dressed like a hot farm girl. Not only her looks changed, but her methods had become something to envy.

Her performances were always firey and full of life while still maintaining elegance and beauty. If it weren't for Nozomi and her rediculious new rules, Haruka probably would've won the Sinnoh circut. Because of all of this, she had gathered a large following of fans.

Shuu knew from experience that most, if not all fans were crazy. A lot of them were good at hiding it until the situation became dangerous, and he immediately began to worry for the girls safety.

Walking past the open doors of the phone room, Shuu peaked in to make sure he wasnt freaking out over nothing. But when he saw the recognizable wave of honey brown hair, he felt his heart mix with a strange blend of both joy and fury.

Knowing that Haruka was on the same ship made him happier than he could've imagined. He would finally have the chance to apologize and explain what happened that night. But knowing this... weirdo was watching her filled him with so much anger, he almost understood why Shinji couldnt stand people.

In a very un-Shuu like manner, he walked right up to the unknown guy and shoved him with his shoulder using as much force as possible. As the man stumbled forward, Shuu let out a chuckle and continued on towards his room.

Shinji, having witnessed his cousins unusual outburst walled up to the now confused man and made his presence known. "Is there a reason you're watching those girls like some sort of creep?"

"Eh?" Spinning around, the man's hazel eyes lot up in recognition. "You're Shinji Tadashi!"

"I know who I am. Now tell me why you're watching those girls before I report you to security for stalking?" Not known for backing down when he wanted to know something, Shinji glared at the man waiting for his response.

"I was just trying to see if that was really her." The man seemed to understand Shinjis annoyance based on his raised brow and the frown on his face. "I'm a huge fan of Haruka."

"Well you need to back off." Deciding this moron wasn't worth his time, Shinji turned to walk off. As he retreated he called out, "there are far better men after her than some fanboy. You don't have a chance with her anyway."

The man watched as Shinji turned the corner and sighed in relief. He had never felt so intimidated before in his life. I guess the rumors are true... He's terrifying. Before his thoughts had a chance to to wander to far, the girl he had just been watching came running out.

XxX

After listening to Shuu complain nonstop for hours, Shinji finally managed to break free. He could understand why his cousin was so angry. Truth be told, if he caught someone watching her, he would be just as furious.

But eight hours of complaining and plotting had run Shinjis nerves thin but, he was strangely thankful. Because Shuu had gone on so long, it was dark outside and nearly everyone had returned to their cabins. The few that hadn't were taking advantage of the ships free bar and restaurant.

Making his way towards the bow, he noticed a familiar head of long blue hair. He knew she was here, but he hadn't prepared himself for any sort of confrontation and he was honestly too tired to argue with the spitfire right then. He was going to turn back and go somewhere else, but Hikari turned her head and saw him, so that idea was out of the window. He didn't need her thinking she affected him or his actions after all.

But as he walked closer, he noticed a very distinct emotion in her eyes that he couldn't quite place. It was like she was scared, but not of him. Maybe of being insulted? While Shinji contemplated the feelings she had, Hikari was having an inner battle.

The one thing she had made Haruka promise, was that this would be a stress free trip. But Shinji Tadashi had a habit of being the most stressful person ever any time she encountered him. Taking a moment to shift through her options, she had a sudden feeling of vulnerability that she didn't like one bit.

She had made the decision to leave since he obviously hadn't come to talk to her, but as she tried to walk past, he reached out and grabbed her wrist.

Surprised by the gentleness of his touch, her mysterious look was replaced with one of confusion as Hikari looked up into a pair of violet grey eyes. Timidly, she pulled her arm and he thankfully took the signal and let go before he spoke. "Why are you here?'

"What do you mean?" She was genuinely confused about his abrupt questioning. Did he mean he was angry to see her? Or was he implying she wasn't strong enough to compete in Nedlle? If it was the latter he wouldn't necessarily be wrong. Strangely, his face softened slightly and he asked her in a calm voice, "I mean, there aren't any contests in Nedlle, why would you go there?"

Smiling softly, she turned back to the railings. Resting her arms against the cool metal bars, she gazed into the night sky and thought about her past. pure sadness reflected in her eyes as the moonlight shone on her, making her look ethereal. Shinji took her silence as an opportunity to examine her new features.

It had been years since he last saw her. He would be lying if he said he never asked his cousin about her, but he had learned a few years ago that she no longer competed and wanted to know the reason why. When he last saw her, she had shoulder length, pin straight hair that she kept hidden under a white pokeball beanie that clashed with her skimpy black and pink outfit. But looking at her now was like looking at a work of art.

Her hair had grown so long that it touched the top of her extremely well rounded rear. Her long legs were covered in a pair of light grey yoga pants and on her feet were a pair of purple and cream colored sock slippers. Instead of some way-too-revealing tank top, she had a tight vee neck long sleeved purple shirt that hugged every one of her well endowed curves, leaving just enough to keep you wanting more.

Staring at her like he may never see her again, Shinji noted the scar that peaked out near her collar bone and wondered if it had anything to do with her suddenn disappearance form the contest circuit. He was about to ask her again why she was headed to Nedlle when she looked at him causing him to choke on the breath he was taking. Her eyes were nothing like he remembered.

Instead shining with the brightness that he had come to associate with the troublesome girl, he saw two deep pools of anguish and pain that he never imagined he would bear witness to. "I don't compete in contests anymore, I haven't for about six years now." The way she said it, the absolute defeat in her voice didn't sit right with him.

"You have a legitimate reason I assume?" He stated more than asked.

"I'm not sure what you would consider legitimate. But to me, yes. I have a very good reason for quitting."

"Where is your annoying penguin?" He immediately regretted his choice of words when a stray tear leaked from Hikaris eye. What had happened to her that the mention of her starter would bring her to tears? Shinjis stomach began to turn uneasily as she smiles again sadly and grabs a black and violet miniaturized pokeball hanging around her neck.

"I don't have any of my original team anymore." This revelation was both nauseating and infuriating to him. Now he really wanted to know what happened. Just as he opened his mouth to ask her, she began to speak more.

"I don't really want to talk about it. What about you? Is this going to be your first time in the Nedlle region?" He noted the desperation in Hikaris voice and decided to play along, he kew all too well what it felt like to not want to share the truth with someone.

"Yes. this will be my final region abroad before I settle down and prepare for my final championship battle."

"Final?" Tilting her head, Hikari looked at him questioningly and waited for further explanation, which he quickly gave.

"I've lost to Shirona twice, If I fail a third time, I won't be trying again." He didn't mean to sound so bitter and half expected Hikari to yell at him and walk off. But amazingly, she frowned slightly and looked at him with what he could only describe as determination. What she was so determined about, he had no idea, but he had a theory after hearing her next tangent.

"Then what will you do?" Her voice was laced with genuine concern and he was again reminded of why he allowed himself to have this conversation with the blue bombshell standing next to him. "I've been offered a position as a frontier brain a few times."

"You'd be terrifying as a frontier brain." A smirk crossed his face and Hikari felt herself relax. It was funny, even when they were kids Shinji had always had somewhat of a soft spot for her. Or at least that's how she felt. He never seemed to mind when she was around.

Any time she would make a request or ask a question, he was normally willing and quick to respond. Even during the Lilly of the Valley conference, he had opened up to her.

Now that she thought about it, that was probably the time that she began to feel something other than curiosity about him. What that something was, she wasn't sure.

But she knew it was different from what she felt for anyone else. "So I've been told." His voice snapped her from her thoughts. "But wouldn't taking that position make me a hypocrite?"

He was surprised at how easily it was to ask her that. But then he remembered that she had always been easy to talk to. She was one of those rare people who could listen to you without passing judgement until you were finished. Well, on most subjects anyway. The one subject they always argued about was how harshly he had treated his pokemon.

But that wasn't a problem anymore and he was ashamed to admit that he had missed his random deep chats with the bluenette. Though six years had passed since he last saw her, he always considered her to be as close to a friend as he would ever have. If not a friend, a confidant; and here they were, years later talking like a day hadn't gone by.

"I've spent most of my life ridiculing Renji for giving up on his goals. How can I justify giving up on my own?" Shinji cringed at how pathetic he sounded but he needed to know. Hikari would have the answer because she was honestly the smartest person he knew outside of himself. She had proven it many times in the past, and she didn't disappoint.

"Your goal was never to be the champion though." He looked at her like she was crazy but she just giggled and looked back up into the night sky. "When we were kids you told me your goal was to become the strongest. But that can mean a lot of things. Just because you change direction doesn't mean you have to slow down."

Turning to face Shinji, Hikari smiled and rested her hand on his shoulder. "If you take the frontier position, I can guarantee you'll be the strongest frontier challenge in Sinnoh. They don't offer those positions to anyone you know. You've gotta be an elite trainer capable of leading an army if it comes to it. The frontier brains are third in command after the champion and the queen. It's an important job and I'm positive Renji would be proud to see you take that job."

As Shinji pondered Hikaris words, she took the time to look him over. Puberty had hit him like a truck and arceus was she thankful for it. All those years of training alongside his pokemon had left him very obviously built like a god. The cut of his biceps could be seen through the black fabric of his long sleeve, turtle neck shirt. His loose black and white plad pajama pants did nothing to hide his ample... assets and she felt blood rush to her nose as she realized what she was just doing.

Shinji was staring at her with a look that looked like a cross between confusion and satisfaction and she had no idea what to say. Heat rose to her cheeks as she tore her eyes away from the extremely handsome man that she remembered as a pudgy boy. Her hands now balled up in her shirt, she stumbled over her words while trying to find a way to explain what she was doing.

"I, um, it's late,. I wasn't- er, that is..." Trying his hardest not to laugh, Shinji decided to save her from her embarrassment. Yes he had noticed her checking out his ... self. He would admit it was a bit unnerving, but he couldn't deny the strange sense of pride he felt upon seeing her reaction to his body.

If he were being honest he would tell her not to be embarrassed because he had done the same thing to her a few minutes earlier.

How could he not? Anyone with two eyes and a working brain could see tat Hikari was a goddess among men. But instead he offered her an escape from her self inflicted humiliation."It's late. where is your room?"

HIkaris head shot up and her eyes grew wide in apprehension. What does she think I plan to do with her? His thoughts went south and he shook his head and saved the mental image he had just given himself for later when he was alone. "Come on, you should get back and rest. I'll walk you." Grabbing her wrist, Shinji headed towards the stairs that led to the trainer cabins where he would escort Hikari safely back to bed and then immediately run to take a cold shower or he would NOT be getting any sleep that night.

XxX

Hey monsters! so I didn't mean to make this chapter so long but I couldn't find a good stopping point before this. Anyway, I want to explain a few things... I feel like Shinji was a bit ooc in this chapter but I also tried to explain why. I hope I portrayed it clearly enough. if not I'll explain here...

Shinji doesn't like anyone in general. He likes Shuu to a point but he gets annoyed with him easily. He doesn't know Haruka, only of her. He hasn't ever met her but he knows Shuu has a thing for her so he tends to look out for her when they happen to be near each other (as in, in the same town or like earlier on the boat.)

He still trains his pokemon to the extreme, but years have passed and he has grown up a lot. Later there will be flashbacks and we learn a key turning point in his training methods, but for now we'll just say... he's not cruel to his pokemon anymore. He's more like an army drill sargent now.

As for Hikari... In MY PERSONAL OPINION, Shinji seemed to have a soft spot for Hikari throughout the anime in his very few appearances. So I tried to play that into how he would act seeing her for the first time in six years. He also didn't want to bicker going into the conversation and was more curious about where she had been.

Like he says, Hikari is easy to talk to and doesn't make him feel judged. He feels safe talking to her and even more so because he knows she has something she's holding back too. For now, his main goal is to find out what happened to her to cause her to vanish and fix it if he can. But with everyone else, I will have him more ... asshole-ish lol. Anyway, let me know what you think!!! sorry for the delayed update, I have a lot going on right now, I'll explain when I know for sure what it is. (NO its NOT covid19)