It had been a hectic morning already, and it wasn't even noon yet. After rushing to pack their bags and depart the ship, they managed to navigate their way to the first town outside the port city.
When the red roof of the pokemon center finally came into view, both girls rushed inside. Relishing in the warm air of the lobby, they spoke with the resident nurse Joi and were luckily able to secure adjoining rooms. After depositing their belongings and changing into more comfortable outfits, they were on their way to meet up with Satoshi.
Snuggling into her violet faux fur lined leather coat, Hikari shivered slightly at the chill that had begun to set in the air. From what she understood, Nedlles winters ended much earlier than those back in Sinnoh. It was the first week of January So the warm season should begin in March.
"So where were you last night?" Haruka suddenly asked, dragging the bluenette from her thoughts. "You weren't in the room when I got back last night." The suggestive tone in her voice irritated Hikari for some reason she wouldn't explain. She wanted to yell at her friend that she wasn't that kind of girl, but she knew Haruka already knew that. She wasn't insinuating anything, she was just teasing her.
"I got bored and tried to get something to eat." Seeing Harukas confusion, she quickly added "The cafeteria was closed." She wasn't surprised when her overly dramatic bestie nearly fell over as soon as she answered.
"So you didnt get to eat?!" Haruka cried sounding almost offended. Well, maybe she was. The girl loved food after all. "Why didn't you say anything?"
Knowing she was fixing to be lectured about taking care of herself, she went against her better judgement and told Haruka about bumping into sir grumpsalot. "Actually, I ate some broccoli, chicken, and cheesy noodles."
Haruka was more confused than ever before. What was Hikari talking about? How could she eat if no one was serving food? "But, you just said the cafeteria was closed."
"I um..." Struggling not to laugh at her friends baffled face, Hikari sighed loudly. She knew what she said next would start a conversation that would go one of two ways... and with how obnoxious Haruka could be, she was rightfully nervous. "Erm... I ran into Shinji. He gave them to me."
"Oh?" Noticing the nervousness on her best friends face, Haruka took a deep breath to calm her inner fangirl. Sure she personally didn't find Shinji attractive, she also thought he was kind of a dick. But Hikari (weather she admitted it or not) had feelings for him.
It was no secret that the bluenette found the violet haired man. She also looked up to him, taking his every criticism to heart even when it was unfounded. Shinji Tadashi attractive What else did he do?"
"Nothing really. We talked about my brother for a few minutes and then he walked me back to the room." Hearing this was an absolute shock to Haruka. For one, her rational side wondered why she'd open up to him when Hikari wouldn't even talk about her family with her.
On the other hand, her inner fangirl was screaming at how romantic it was for Shinji to walk her back. Well, it probably wasn't that romantic given Hikari was dense as a rock but still... "You talked about Mamoru? Did you tell him about-"
"No." Hikari answered a little too quickly. Sighing she added "I didn't even say his name. I didn't really mean to bring him up in the first place."
"Oh." Trying to change the subject while still gaining information, she suddenly remembered something else that Hikari said that surprised her. "So... Shinji cooked for you?"
"I dont know. It didn't taste like cafeteria food so maybe." This is good. If he cares enough to feed her, maybe he likes her too. Haruka thought. Deciding to tease her bestie she asked, "Was it good?"
"Very." Hikari said without misding a beat. Sharing a laugh they slowed down when they saw the coffee shop they were supposed to wait at. They didn't have to wait long though.
Having just managed to find a table, a familiar figure came running. "You're really here! Hikari! Haruka!"
Satoshi didn't even bother slowing down. Running at full force he grabbed each of the girls in one arm and lifted them up to spin them in a group hug. A highly amused redhead was following behind him carrying an angry looking Pikachu.
"Satoshi, you dropped pikachu!" Dropping the girls unceremoniously on the ground, the attention deprived boy ran to the redheads side. She just shook her head and laughed as Satoshi checked his partner for injuries and dusted him off.
"Aww man, I'm sorry buddy. Are you okay?" Turning his little black nose in the air, pikachu let sparks shoot from his cheeks before complaining loudly.
"Pi-pikachu..." Hikari didn't realize how spoiled Satoshi's pokemon had gotten over the tears but she'd admit she found it adorable.
"I'll be more careful next time." Looking up at the redhead he smiled. "Thanks for carrying him Kasumi." Turning back to the still frustrated mouse, Satoshi reached in his backpack and pulled out a small bottle of ketchup and handed it to him, effectively ridding the yellow pokemon of its bad mood.
After a minute or two, the girl looked at Satoshi with a slight tick in her eyebrow. "Are you gonna introduce me to your friends?"
"Oh right... " scratching the back of his head in embarrassment, Satoshi pretended not to notice all three girls sweatdrop at him. "Hikari, Haruka, this is Kasumi, my girlfriend."
"Its great to finally meet you guys. I've heard all about your travels. I hope we can be good friends too!" Bowing slightly, Kasumi greeted them slightly nervously.
"We finally get to meet the Kasumi. It's about time!" Haruka said only slightly sarcastically. There was a time years past that she had a MAJOR crush on Satoshi. But it would've never worked out. He had been in love with the woman since he was eleven years old. She couldn't compete with that so she never tried.
But Kasumi seemed nice, plus she was stunning so Haruka figured she made the right choice. She was still a bit bitter though... She had never been a good loser after all.
"Ehehe," Hikari nervously laughed. She was well aware of Harukas infatuation with the man she viewed as a brother. She had to admit his taste in women was great.
Kasumi was gorgeous. Her tangerine hair was long. Very long. It stopped near her waist while being pulled up in a high pony tail. She wore a pale yellow crop top under a pair of very tight fitting short style overalls. She had on what looked like water shoes and her athletic body was something even Hikari could envy.
Hoping to calm the budding tension coming from her obviously jealous friend, she decided to try and do damage control. "What Haruka means is Satoshi talked about you nonstop, so you're like... legendary."
Satoshi didn't seem to feel the atmosphere. Surprising right? Instead he started whining like he was ten years old again. "I didn't! Stop lying!"
"Whatever," Haruka said laughing bitterly. "Every day it was 'Oh Kasumi would love this water polemon' or 'All these bugs remind me of how scared Kasumi was of my Caterpie' don't try to lie."
"She's right Satoshi. Every time you helped me train Piplup, you always said 'oh Kasumi would probably do this'." As soon as she said it she felt her mood dampen. Kasumi must have noticed because she quickly changed the subject.
But how couldn't she notice. The way Hikaris eyes darkened when she said her pokemons name worried Kasumi. "So are you guys excited to be in Nedlle?"
"Definitely!" Haruka said honestly. It was comical how the girl couldn't really hold a grudge. Already her jealousy had gone and was taken over by excitement.
Hikari looked away and decoded to be honest too. Satoshi was there so if Haruka blew up she would have someone to back her up. "I'm a little nervous honestly. I... I don't think I was ready for this after all."
Haruka opened her mouth to yell but stopped when she saw the serious look Satoshi was giving her. He may have been a goofball by nature, but when it mattered he was absolutely intimidating. So instead of arguing like she wanted, she tried encouraging Hikari instead. "Once we get you some pokemon you should feel better."
"Have you thought about getting a starter?" He added still wearing his 'serious' face. He could tell Hikari was pushing herself. It would've been a good thing if she was doing it for herself, but she wasn't and that bothered him.
"Satoshi you baka!" Unsure of what all he had told his girlfriend about her, Hikari and Haruka watched in both horror and fascination as Kasumi pulled a giant mallet from out of nowhere and proceded to beat Satoshi like a wack-a-diglet.
Suddenly, she stopped. Her mallet vanished back to who knows where and she turned away from the now bruised and confused man. "Hikari..."
Unlike two seconds prior, Kasumi had converted to a small shy girl. Her green eyes were focused on her fighting hands as she spoke. "If you're interested, I have an egg I found here in Nedlle. It should be hatching in the next week or so and I honestly dont have time to take care of a new pokemon."
Looking up as if feeling a surge of confidence she continued. "With the league starting back up I am going to be busy with challengers and I dont want it to hatch alone in a lab."
"I," Hikari stopped and took a second to think. Was she really ready for the responsibility of caring for another pokemon. Sure there was... but, a baby? Could she trust herself to keep it safe?
Feeling a sudden warmth coming from the pokeball around her neck, she faces is that with a little support and encouragement, she could do it. Taking a deep breath she looked Kasumi in the eyes, "yeah... I'd love to take it."
Haruka and Satoshi both gasped in astonishment, but Kasumi wasted no time in pulling a small bag sized glass tube. Inside it had a milky white egg covered in what looked like blue and violet snowflakes.
Hikari took the egg and tucked it safely in her bag as Kasumi explained what she knew about it. "Awesome! I'm not sure what species it is, but I'm pretty sure it's an ice type. I found it during our ice trial in Ililiku."
"I'll take good care of it, I promise." Haruka smiled as she watched the two interact. She knew right then and there that the three if them would be great friends. But the happy mood was broken by Satoshi's whining.
"Aww man!" Snapping his red pokedex shut, the raven haired man starred grumbling under his breath gaining Kasumis attention.
"What's wrong Satoshi?" Groaning like a tall toddler, he started grabbing his bag and stood up.
"Takeshi just messaged and said it's time to meet him at the docs."
"I thought he was meeting us here?" Hikari would be lying if she said she wasn't a little hurt her other friend hadn't shown up before leaving the region. Maybe she was being selfish, at least that's what she thought until Haruka let loose her anger.
"He hasn't seen Hikari in years! What's his deal? He doesn't think we're important enough to see or what? Just because he's some big shot doctor now doesn't mean he can be a jerk to his friends!"
Interrupting Harukas rant, Kasumi grabbed Satoshi's pokedex and read the next message. "He said he ran into someone and lost track of time talking to them." Realizing how upset everyone was, she came up with a great idea. Hanako would be away on a cruise soon so it would be perfect. "We could always fly out for the spring festival! Even if Takeshi doesn't come, it'll give you guys more time to catch up and us more time to get to know each other."
Hikari beamed at the idea causing Haruka to immediately agree and Satoshi followed soon after. "We'll be back in Sinnoh, but we could all stay at my apartment!"
"That sounds awesome Hikari. I cant wait to see your place, but honestly, I'm glad you're getting back out there." Smiling warmly, he pulled the bluenette into a hug before turning to stand next to Kasumi.
"Its time. If I keep putting it off it'll be too late." Haruka nodded in agreement and the four shared a sad smile before pikachu began nudging the redheads leg.
"Satoshi, we gotta go."
"Just do your best" Satoshi called out as he began to walk away. "I think the gym challenges will be good for you. Just be ready because it's a lot of mind trips."
"I will. You guys be careful." Standing up to wave goodbye, Hikari smiled with a new determination only Satoshi could spark. She was glad she got to see him before she got started. It was going to be hard, but with so many people behind her, she knew she'd be ok.
Hey monsters. Another long chapter I know lol. I couldn't find a good stopping point. Anyway, the whole egg idea I wrote when I was drunk and I didnt feel like changing it .
So I wont be updating for a few days I am going to start transferring my books to A03.
I noticed this books chapters are published out of order... I've changed it in the story settings like 8x so idk why it's doing that.
Ummm yeah... Gonna try to update my Fairy Tail fanfic this week and Bonded by Fate... [which you can read on wattpad. my userhandle is @boredBRAIXEN] We'll see how that works out.
Until next time monsters!!!
