Day of the Champions
Chapter Three
Perfect Tonight
August 2nd
Outskirts of Konoha
Naruto waved down Sakura as she stood impatiently at the front gates, "Pulling a Kakashi-Sensei?" She asked, her thick, shapely, pink brows pulled up in a amused expression. He admired the way her cheeks dimpled as she frowns cutely at him. Her full lipped smile made his heart jack hammer painfully in his chest, too. He'd had a crush on her for as long as he could remember.
"Hey! Ino, Sasuke and Hinata aren't even here! Yell at them!" He responded dejectedly. Her big red bag was at her feet, which were clad in cute black ankle height, hiking boots. "Nice shoes!" He added, she beamed at him and Naruto felt his heart flutter. She did look cute; black, short-short, cargo shorts. Tall red socks, and a white, cropped, tank top under a black, leather, half-jacket. Her pearl-pink hair was pulled into a side braid, her signature red ribbon tied to keep the hair in place.
"I wonder what's taking them so long." Sakura remarked, Naruto shrugged as he rolled up his orange long sleeved shirt. In the corner of her eye she was fumbling with her expensive camera she had gotten senior year when she started the hobby.
"Clan stuff probably."
"Ah, makes sense." Suddenly a Phanpy and Quilava came running out from behind a giant oak tree. Snarling and tooting in mock anger at one another, Sakura dodges them by acrobatically twisting and hopping. A smile graced her face, and Naruto felt himself grin.
"I think a Phanpy was a cool choice for you."
"Oh for sure, and he's just so sweet. How're you enjoying having a Chikorita?" Naruto smiled at the thought of his graduation selected Pokémon from the Village. His little Hera was just a sweetheart. She melted his heart, she was affectionate and loved being held. Naruto had always wanted a Pokémon that adored him to pieces.
"She's a sweetie, and Hades loves her." Although being a fire type he kept a healthy distance from the grass type. Although Hera made it hard with her big sad eyes and constant need for love.
"Your Heatmor is a laidback Pokémon in general. I don't know how he puts up with you." He frowned at her teasing and tried to feign a pout. She just stuck her tongue out. Again, his heart raced. She's so perfect!
"What did you name your Phanpy?" He asked as Sakura dug through her hiking bag. She paused, and pulled out a large, complicated camera before answering.
"General." She was swift in her answer, sure of her name choice.
"Man O' War and General. Good names, still sticking to the rank theme? I like my Mythology theme. Way cooler. Believe it!" She snapped a photo of him mid speech and turned to snap photos of Quilava and Phanpy. Again, his heart sped up. She looked so beautiful snapping photos.
"I like it, that way people don't think less of us!" She did her signature hand over her forearm, her other hand in a fist and going upwards. Yeah, she was perfect. Phanpy sat cutely at her feet, his trunk caressing her calf. Sakura's face softened and she bent down to coddle him.
"I think you defeating Sato at the Konohagakure Gym proved that already." Naruto deadpanned, Sakura had taken down the Fire gym leader quicker than anyone else, even Sasuke who had graduated top of the class, well in combative he was top. Sakura has snagged the academic top spot. It had really been a shocking win. Sakura had lost a lot of battles in battle class, her Quilava was just a hard headed asshole. But, he had really listened to her against Sato.
"It was cool watching Charmander evolve to Charmeleon." Sasuke was so proud of her, Naruto remembered.
"He evolved his Eevee into a Jolteon, too." Naruto informed her, Sakura didn't seem surprised. His mother had one, and he tended to emulate her a lot. Naruto nervously tugged at his cobalt blue, light-weight jacket.
"What did Ino get again?" Naruto asked, he knew of course. But, he liked hearing Sakura talk. Sakura sighed dramatically and began speaking fluidly as she focused her camera.
"She got a Budew, which was what she wanted." She paused to take a photo of Heatmore before continuing, Naruto's heart continued to race. "Hinata got a Ducklette, pretty appropriate considering." Naruto's phone made a noise, and he glanced down at his iPhone to read the text message.
"Rock Lee texted me and said he'd be in Kyoto to say hi. He missed last years Festival of Ages and wants to go this year." Naruto added. Sakura beamed, Lee and her were on track together (Sakura in field for throwing events and Lee for running), the two had gotten close. Despite Lee's undying love for her, Naruto still considered a good friend. Jerk.
"Hey guys!" A voice greeted loudly, the two turned and waved at Ino. Clad in her classic purple. A cropped dark purple tank, kaki short-shorts, a denim half-jacket and taupe hiking boots with tall purple socks. Her hair was down, which wasn't her usual style. Naruto decided he liked her hair down.
"Where's Sasuke?" Sakura asked, Ino and Sasuke had just started dating beginning of Senior year. Budew in her arms, the platinum blonde bent down to set the cute bugger down, Espeon protectively stood close. The Yamanaka bred Eevee specifically to evolve into Espeon. People all over the world paid large sums for them, and several were champions in respective aspects of Pokémon events.
War hissed at the Espeon who gave him a warning glare. Naruto chuckled. As fearless as War was ever since he took a bad beating from Azalea a few years back he treaded lightly around her. Sakura called him away from the agitated psychic type; War reluctantly stalked towards his pink haired trainer.
"He's with his mom. I think Itachi made a pit stop, and is bringing him a Pokémon."
"Know what kind?" Naruto asked noisily.
"No idea." Ino shrugged dramatically for emphasis. "Oh hey, it's Hinata." The trio turned and it was the curvy, raven-haired girl. Her hair was cut to her shoulders, "Whoa she cut her hair!" Clad in a lavender and white romper with lilac keds. She had a white kimono styled jacket, with lilac and salmon colored flower print on as well. Her signature clan Solrock floated ominously over her shoulder, and her Ducklette waddled excitedly in front of her.
"Who invited her?" Naruto whispered to Ino, who smacked his shoulder.
"She didn't have friends in school.. and it's better to travel in big numbers. Especially with that crazy group Sound running around." Ino hissed quietly. Naruto shrugged, she was weird and always stuttering around him. She hadn't done well in combative courses, but was book smart. She didn't play sports like the rest of the group either. Ino was a division placer in swimming and both her and Sakura played field hockey together. It was good for both girls obvious physical aggression.
That was the nice thing about Ino, she was a genuinely nice person despite her insane popularity. She wasn't one to bully, and most of the bullies steered clear from her. Ino's tongue was as strong as her fist, making her pretty scary when she wanted to be. It wasn't entirely surprising she invited the shy, loner Hyuga heiress along.
"Aww, she's so cute!" Sakura chimes, and Hinata flushed violently and nodded. Sakura snapped a few more photos. Ino knelt down and patted Ducklette quietly.
"I.. I named her Odette..." her face was beat red.
"Oh, after the movie the Swan Princess? Fitting!" Ino complimented, she jabbed an elbow into Naruto's rib cage.
"Eckk! Yeah, real cool!" He coughed, her face turned even redder, a color Naruto didn't know was possible on a face. She twiddled her thumbs as her Solrock loomed over her peacefully. Why do they always hit me?!
"Hey it's the troublemakers!" A deep voice roared, and Naruto suddenly felt irritated. Three Uchiha's were within eyesight. A tall, broad shouldered one, with tan skin, and messy curly black hair. His arch-nemesis. Uchiha Shisui, not only a four time Fire Championship winner, but he won a Championship in five other nations as well. Also, Sakura was smitten with him, despite the nearly ten year age difference. A shiny Jolteon pranced at his feet. Clad in skinny kaki pants, a black t-shirt and a red, long sleeved button up that wasn't buttoned.
"Sakura-Chan!" Sakura instantly flushes and War stands protectively in-front of her, hissing. Shisui fishes in his pockets and pulled out a bag of Magikarp jerky and War sat on his haunches suddenly very friendly and focused. Shisui tossed him a handful and War with a snarl caught it in the air before bolting like a thief in the night. Traitor!
"Hi Shisui!" Sakura blurts, "I got a Phanpy!" On cue Phanpy runs towards him and manages to trip and roll forwards. Shisui laughs, while Itachi and Sasuke stay rather stoic.
"A Donphan will be a good, loyal and sturdy Pokémon for you Sakura-Chan!" Shisui compliments. His Charizard was soaring the skies with Itachi's, the two were mock battling. Sasuke's shiny Charmeleon looked longingly up at them, dancing on her toes in excitement. Itachi had a Corviknight sweeping the skies, and having never seen one Sakura began asking a million questions. Itachi answered them patiently.
Ino immediately ran to Sasuke who gave her a reserved smile, "So what did your brother get you?" Sasuke didn't bother to answer and tapped a masterball, a Glalie materialized and Ino made a small noise of excitement and Naruto felt a small tingle of jealousy. However, it melted away when he remembered his dad was meeting him in Okazaki to give him a Pokémon.
He just hoped it was cool.
"You don't mind if we tag along to Kyoto with you all, do you?" Itachi asked. Itachi himself had won numerous tournaments and even a few Coordinating championships. Naruto secretly wished he had an older brother that cool. Pushing his envy down, he spouted an excited "yes!".
Sakura nodded vigorously, and Shisui moved his way next to Sakura who became unusually pink. Naruto sighed, fuck the Uchiha.
Thankfully they were halfway to Kyoto by the time they set up camp. It wasn't luxurious but it worked. War had helped with the fire, and Hinata had made a stew with the meat she had neatly and carefully packed that morning. Sakura and Shisui returned with ample wood to keep the fire lit through the night. While Ino and Sasuke had snuck off… for something Naruto was convinced was hanky-panky in a discreet bush. Itachi gently had talked to Naruto, and Naruto took the opportunity to learn everything he could from the legend in front of him.
"So how often do you switch around your Pokémon team?"
"Not as often as other masters. I have a strong connection to primary team. They work well, even in the direst of situations." Naruto nodded and glanced at his Heatmor. He had gotten him on his ninth birthday. He couldn't imagine replacing him. Who else would keep him in check? Well, besides Sakura.
He shivered, she was violent and scary. While also the reason he even graduated, her teaching style was good for him, but god forbid she taught a class of hormonal teens.
The night came fast and Naruto curled into his sleeping bag, Sakura was in a maroon bag a few feet from and she snored. Not too loud, and he kind of thought it was cute. But when the moonlight hit her face, his heart hammered in his chest and he promised himself he'd win her heart.