Shikamaru's Adventure: Sinnoh
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D/C: I own nothing
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Day: 21 of 243
Time: Mid-Morning
Location: Oreburgh Gym
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"Cranidos use take down!"
"Chimchar use dig to dodge."
Sakura watches from the stands, eyes wide filled with delight and flames seemed to appear every time Shikamaru would finally take the battle seriously. Rosie and Diamond sat on each side of her, both dressed in cheerleading uniforms. Crying out cheers for their friends or yelling out warnings to their Pokémon friends. It was a three on three battle and it was amazing to Sakura. It was clear that Shikamaru had the disadvantage from the get-go with Chimchar being the first Pokémon he brought out. Being a fire type, which is weak against from both Rock and Ground types. Said types that Roark mainly has in his arsenal. The first Pokémon that Roark brought out is a Geodude, using trickery and using one simple move to win that round. Second round, Shikamaru called back Chimchar and got out Abra while Roark sent out Onix. That ended with Abra being defeated after a long battle. Once the psychic Pokémon fainted, the fire type Pokémon came out and finished the job. Now it was Chimchar versus Cranidos, this time though, Shikamaru knew trickery wasn't going to work. "This is Roark's last Pokémon, if Shikamaru takes him down then he wins."
"Considering that Cranidos is Roark's last Pokémon and Shikamaru still has one other Pokémon in full health."
Sakura head snapped back to see her father sitting behind her. The light pink haired male looked sheepishly at his daughter and Pokémon when she asked him how long he's been there. "I've been here since the second round."
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Shikamaru calmly watched the Pokémon battle before him, he mentally went through every battle strategy he had originally planned and the new ones he made on the spot. Everything has been going accordingly to plan. The main complication is the disadvantage Chimchar has against Cranidos, but he is working around that by tiring out the opposing Pokémon and attacking where it hurts the most. It is working just as he planned. Cranidos is getting tired of chasing around Chimchar and he is becoming sluggish in his attacks.
Shikamaru watched Cranidos began to prepare the move 'Take Down' and charge towards Chimchar. With matching expressions of smirking satisfaction, trainer and Pokémon stood there waiting patiently for the right moment to make their next move. 'Game. Set. Match.'
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"What is he doing?" Sakura whispered to herself, her eyes widen and daring herself not to blink not wanting to miss a single thing.
"He's baiting his time." Kizashi said with a twinkle in his eye, he had finally found out what Shikamaru's plan was. Simple yet very effective. "He knows that he just won this match."
"How do you know that?" Sakura asked, looking up at her father with questioning eyes.
"Look."
Sakura looked back down and gasped, Cranidos had seemingly tripped and started to skid down the gym floor on his stomach. Only stopping right in front of Chimchar with a groan of defeat. It was only when the referee announced him and Shikamaru the winner did Chimchar let out a cheer. "He won…He WON! GO SHIKAMARU! CHIMCHAR!"
"HAPPINY!"
"GLAMEOW!"
"MUNCHLAX!" A red beam shot out of Shikamaru's belt and out came Munchlax cheering for the first win. He promptly glomps Shikamaru crying out cheerfully, while said trainer let out a groan of pain.
Kizashi sweat dropped at the scene. "Is that… normal?"
"I'm still trying to get used to it honestly…" Sakura winced when she saw that Chimchar had jumped on Munchlax and laughing while he was doing so. She could only wonder how Shikamaru doesn't have back problems yet. Without another thought, Sakura picked up Rosie and signaled for Diamond to follow her. "Come on, I want you to meet him."
"He seems rather busy…"
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"Get off…. Can't breathe… Guys…" Shikamaru attempted to say through short breaths of air he managed to get in. He managed to turn his head to see that Roark is praising Cranidos for his work. Cranidos smiled at his trainer tiredly before he was promptly returned to his Pokéball. The Gym leader stood back up and looked over towards his diction with a chuckle. "Help…"
"Congratulations." Were the only words Shikamaru heard before he heard Sakura called out his name and congratulated him for his win.
Looking up at Sakura, Shikamaru saw that a man was standing behind her who he assumed to be her father. Judging by the dull colored pink hair shaped like a Sakura blossom. "Help?"
This got Munchlax attention, he stared at Sakura suspiciously and started to pull his entire weight on Shikamaru's stomach. "Munchlax…."
"I have poffins…" Sakura said, pulling out a blue bun from her bag and showing it to Munchlax after seeing the looks of confusion from him.
Munchlax stared at the pastry with distaste, he never heard of a poffin before and he smelt bad. To dry for his taste in foods. However, he and Chimchar did get off Shikamaru much to say trainer's relief. "Munchlax?"
"Chimchar, Chimchar, Chim." Chimchar explained to Munchlax what exactly is a poffin. Shikamaru had heard about said items from his father but never really seen any of them, as they are more common here in Sinnoh than back at Johto. By the description that Chimchar is giving, they work like Pokéblocks. Something that Ino had shown off to him and Choji more times than he could care for. "Chimchar."
"It's dry flavored isn't it?" Shikamaru asked Sakura, getting up from the ground with a groan. He mentally swore when he felt his back-pop back into place. "What a drag."
"Ah yeah…?"
"Munchlax dislikes dry foods."
"Munchlax!" Munchlax nodded in confirmation, even if he is willing to eat anything especially if he is extremely hungry. Given the fact he ate a large meal before coming here and with the promise of another meal after then the off offer of said item seemed very unappetizing. Now, if it was spicy…then it would have been a whole different story. "Munchlax."
"What does he like then?" Sakura asked, looking over at Shikamaru for an explanation.
"I don't know; I just know he dislikes dry foods when he's feeling very picky."
"Gee, that sure was a lot of help."
"Glad to be of service."
By now Chimchar, Munchlax, Rosie, Diamond, Kizashi, Roark and even the referee watched the one-sided argument between the tweens. Sakura is the one that is doing most of the talking (arguing) and Shikamaru is trying to defuse that whole thing but his sarcastic tone wasn't helping him. It was very amusing to watch the scene before him. Then a new noise interrupted everything, Munchlax had pulled out a small bag of chips from his fur and began to eat it loudly. When the Pokémon saw that everyone was looking at him, Munchlax only hid his bag of chips back in his fur defensively. "Munch…"
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Day: 21 of 243
Time: Mid-afternoon
Location: Nara Family Home, Ecruteak City, Johto.
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"SHIKAKU! GET YOUR BUTT HERE THIS INSTANT!" Yoshino screamed out from the kitchen window that was above the sink. She has a dark green Pokégear, her son face could be seen on the screen. He winced every time he heard his mother scream out for his father to return into the home. "SHIKAMARU IS CALLING!"
Yoshino only stopped screaming when she saw her husband walk through the forest that surrounded their home. "Come quickly, Shikamaru is calling."
"I heard you the first time, troublesome woman." Shikaku grumbled under his breath, but he did hurry his pace back into his home. Now he knew what Shikamaru felt like, waiting for a phone call and not knowing when said call would come. He didn't need to walk into the home as Yoshino stood in front of the back-sliding door, underneath the old-fashioned Japanese porch. "What happened? Is everything okay?"
"Shikamaru won his first Sinnoh badge!" Yoshino squealed out, her personality shifted in a complete 180 degrees. She shoved the Pokégear in her husbands stretched hands.
Shikaku brought the Pokégear close to his face to get a better view of it. He saw his son on the screen holding up the Coal Badge with a bored expression. "You finally got it."
"On my first try."
Yoshino watched as Shikaku conversed with their son with a fond smile. She swore that Shikaku's expression mirrored of Shikamaru's whenever the former will call. Then again, they are father and son and have many similarities. Many of which annoyed her to no end, with a shake of her head, Yoshino headed back inside. Walking through a long hallway with that in mind, she stopped mid-step in front of the living room entrance. There was videophone in the far corner, something that was mainly used to communicate with Shikaku whenever he is in Sinnoh. She remembers a young Shikamaru sitting on the quilted stool waiting for a phone call. The call would either come in earlier, late or not at all on the designated time when a call is expected. For all that day, Shikamaru would wait for a call. It stopped after Shikamaru returned from his time at that so-called prestigious Pokémon School. His stay and adventure through both Kanto and Johto changed him, and the reprimand she gave him, changed him. He became more recluse, mainly speaking with his Pokémon friends and his only two human friends. It was only when Shikamaru had announced his plans to travel to Sinnoh to challenge the League there.
Now... Here they are, waiting for a phone call from him.
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Day: 21 of 243
Time: Early Afternoon
Location: Oreburgh City
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Sakura nervously stood by the main entryway of the city, waiting for seemingly for nothing. Both of her Pokémon in their Pokéballs and she has her belongings on her person. Shikamaru is just a short distance away from her, talking into his Pokégear. Talking to his parents most likely, but the looks of it.
Parents…
Sakura's father had said his goodbyes to her before he quickly headed out to work. Apparently, he had a friend of his cover for him for the morning. Her mother has yet to be seen, and by the looks of it, she won't be making an appearance any time soon. 'Of course…'
"Alright, I'll call again when I get back to Jubilife City."
Sakura turned to see Shikamaru now standing beside her, closing the Pokégear and placing it back into his rucksack. "Anything yet?"
"No…" Sakura responded, shaking her head.
"We have to leave soon; I have a schedule I need to catch up to." Shikamaru stated, pointing towards the route that would lead them to Jubilife City. His expression momentarily soured remembering his time spent there trying to look for Abra. Oh, what a memory…
Sakura's eyebrow twitched irritability. "You should be saying something to comfort me."
"Nah, not my style." Shikamaru waved her off with a yawn. "We have been here for over two hours, nothing happened. We have to get going sooner or later."
"You don't get it, she's my mother. She supposed to see me off for my adventure…"
Shikamaru watched as Sakura started to rant on about her mother. About how the woman is borderline of being a helicopter parent, always being there and controlling her every step. It was for that fact she couldn't travel before because of her overprotective. The only reason for her leaving this time is because Sakura's father making clear she is going with Shikamaru.
"I did everything she wanted me to do, everything! I just wanted to do this, now she does this?"
With a sigh, Shikamaru grabbed Sakura by her pink backpack and began to pull her along. "Then rebel against her, you are already rebelling. Just got with it."
"I just can't leave without seeing her!"
"She knew you were leaving today, her fault for not making it on time. Plus… Do you want to prove to her you can do this on your own?"
"…Fine…" Sakura sighed, letting her head dropped down. From the short time she knew Shikamaru, the guy will use her words against her to go along with his plans. That and she felt too tired to argue against him. "Manipulative bastard."
"I know."
To be continued…
R/R