K.M:

And we've made it to level ELEVEN~

I am so hyped for Pokemon Sun/Moon, and Final Fantasy XV, I'm so excited that at the moment I am bouncing in my seat as I write this!

But anyway back to the story, which I'm a little embarrassed to say got a bit to dramatic, and angst-e, meh... Also really sorry for making the chapters ridiculously long, you're all probably really tired of that. But I had to make it up to you guys for not updating in so long, and then the ideas started flowing in, so I started changing, and adding things like crazy, so once again sorry, but I hope you at least started hating Kunie a little less~ Okay yes I know, Rune isn't supposed to know some of the moves he has, just stick with me a little longer people, I know what I'm doing (I hope...).

Just keep reading~ just keep reading~ the story~ story~ story~

On to the disclaimer!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon, because if I did Red would be the main character, no Ash... The cover art base belongs to Better-DAN-bases.

I only own Kunie, the gang, and obviously this story...

POV: Red.

Something was different about her when she came back into the clearing with Gold, her eyes were rimmed red a little bit, but she was smiling, I knew it couldn't have possibly been Gold (that guy sucks at comforting anyone...). My eyes landed on the black, and red fox, who's glaring at Gold, I had seen her muttering to him every once in a while.

I knew she had the power to speak to Pokemon like me, and Yellow. Prof. Juniper had filled me in on all her theories of what had happened, when she told me the situation with Rune, and the strange stones that had attached to the Zorua I had flown here with Gold as fast as I could.

I was training a ten-year old girl with a sassy attitude on how to train her Pokemon.

When I first met her she reminded me of myself after my father had disappeared, harsh, and disrespectful to anyone, and everyone, things had changed obviously through the years, but it seemed Kunie was now going through that sudden change, she actually listened to Gold's blabber as he led her back to the clearing, she was silent, but she smiled lightly at Rune, something I had never seen her do as I only saw her glaring at...everything.

I had been unsure at first of letting Gold go get her but he hadn't stopped insisting, he probably hadn't done anything really, it was probably Rune's doing if anything, and for that I was grateful, Gold probably would have done more harm than good.

Kunie stopped in front of me, before sighing, and looking me in the eye, "I'm sorry for running off, I...I was nervous, I've never done this before..." I could see by the way her smile tightened at the end that she was lying.

"...You don't have to do this now, you know." I reassured as I put my hands on my knees to be at eye level with her.

She shook her head, "I need...to get over this sooner or later, now's a good time as any..." without waiting for me to reply she walked over to her spot.

I smiled at her determination, she was so adorable sometimes, I pulled out Bellsprout again, "well if you insist." I furrowed my brow when I saw her pull out her other Pokeball, and release her new Snivy, Emerald, the snake stared at me impassively, figuring she was in a battle, but instead of getting into a stand she stared at Bellsprout emotionless, as always.

This time it seemed Kunie learned from before, she nervously opened her Pokedex, and heard the information.

"Snivy, the grass snake Pokemon. It is very intelligent, and calm, when they are not feeling well, their tails droop. Photosynthesizing makes their movements swifter though it uses vines more adeptly than its hands. Gender: Female. Height: 2'00. Weight: 17.9lbs. Move set: Tackle, Leer."

Kunie nodded in understanding, looking at Emerald she took in a deep breath, and let it out, her determination growing.

"Em. Use Leer on Bellsprout." Her voice didn't waver one bit, it made me grin a bit.

I could see the hands that held Rune shaking, but even then she didn't hesitate.

Maybe it wasn't as hopeless as Gold thought.

The Snivy in question didn't hesitate as well, her emotionless expression changing to a dark look, a chilling atmosphere settled that had even me shuddering with Bellsprout, but that only made me grin wider, she wasn't worried about the moves she was using, though I guessed she probably knew what each move did by it's names, "Bellsprout, hit her with a tackle!" I said to the small plant, Bellsprout in question let out a battle cry before charging into Snivy, who only stared in boredom as the skinny plant pushed her into the ground, not looking like it bothered her at all.

I could see why Kunie was unnerved by her, did Emerald feel anything?

Looking at Kunie I could see her tense the minute Bellsprout hit.

Maybe she wasn't scared of the Pokemon itself, but what they did...

Battles. Pokemon battles, it made sense, she hated confrontations, taking things head on, she'd rather go around, it was why she avoided Gold when he wanted to talk to her about what she had said to him at the lab, or when she had stayed away from us until she needed something.

But that didn't seem right...the way she would flinch, the way that small stab of fear reflected in her eyes when it happened, I didn't get it...

Not that it had anything to do with the battle, but I really needed to ask her how she saw anything with that eye, I mean it was pretty cool the way she never hit anything, must have taken a lot of practice.

"T-Tackle!" Snivy pushed her small hands backwards to propel herself forward, she then rushed at Bellsprout, and returned the move.

Or she tried.

"Dodge!" I called out, seconds before the attack hit, letting Bellsprout with enough time to pivot left to avoid the attack, Snivy sailed past.

I looked at Kunie, who was looking in shock, her face morphing to annoyance, "Hey! No fair! I bet that's not even a move!"

I grinned mischievously, "nope, but it's also not cheating."

"You didn't tell me they were allowed to dodge!" she shouted, Rune seemed to share her sentiments as he glared at the Bellsprout.

"Some of these things you have to learn on your own Kunie." I smirked as I saw her glare at me, a fiery glint in her neon eyes.

"Em, Leer!" the snake turned to the flower, and again gave the chilling look that made Bellsprout falter.

My eyes widened as I heard another attack follow the other one.

"Tackle now!" Kunie shouted, Emerald ran the tackle, hitting Bellsprout hard enough to throw him in the ground.

I looked at Gold with a smirk, who returned it smugly, she was starting to get the hang of battles, but I could still see the tremble in her legs, and hands.

Time to kick it up a notch.

"Bellsprout, Vine whip!" I ordered, the two thick vines came out of his neck before rushing towards the snake rapidly.

"Dodge, run circles around it Em!" I could feel my eyebrow raising, even though she said she hated battle she seemed really into it, she would make a great trainer if she wasn't so stubborn.

"Follow it with Vine whip Bellsprout!" I yelled as I saw Bellsprout just standing there.

Bellsprout spun constantly to keep up with the running Snivy, hoping to catch it with his vines, which were quickly catching up to the snake, but I could see what Kunie had been trying to do, she had been trying to get my Bellsprout confused, and it was working.

"Bellsprout forget Vine whip, Tackle her!" Bellsprout did just that, slowly but surely.

"Leer!" Kunie shouted again, she was trying to catch Bellsprout unguarded, I tensed, realizing her little circus act was working, Bellsprout was hesitating even more in his attacks, and even as I said to Tackle he slowed down when he heard Kunie call out Leer.

That was probably what cost us the battle, that hesitation was all Kunie needed to get Emerald to smack her tail into Bellsprout sending him flying into the air, and smashing to the ground with a final cry.

We all stood silently, Bellsprout didn't get up, Em was panting heavily, but as always still emotionless, Kunie was tense, staring at Bellsprout in well-hidden horror, and Gold could only stare in shock.

He really shouldn't be, this was my first battle with Bellsprout.

"Looks like you win." I said after the long silence, I walked to Bellsprout, "You did good buddy, get some rest." I told him as I picked him up gently, and returned him to his Pokeball, watching as the tired Bell flower disappear. I turned back to Kunie to see her not moving, still looking at the spot Bellsprout had fainted in, she didn't even take notice of Emerald who was pulling on her stockings to pick her up. I walked to her, and put my hand on her shoulder gently, she tensed under my hands but relaxed with a haggard exhale.

I knelt down slightly, "You okay?" I asked softly, looking at her face.

She was a little paler than usual, and looked a bit shaken, but otherwise okay.

"I..I-I'm okay..." she slowly regained her composure, Rune wriggled in her arms, she loosened them enough for him to turn, and jump on her shoulder, nuzzling into her neck, he yipped something to her that seemed to make her snap out of her trance. "I'm..okay..." she softly said, finally looking at me, I smiled as I reached up and ruffled her hair.

"Come on, let's get going." I said as I led her forward, she walked ahead, picking up Em as she went, the two Pokemon were in her arms as she held them gently, we all headed back to the car.

"What was that?" Gold says angrily as he runs up to to match my pace.

I turned to Gold with a smirk, "What was what?"

"You lost." he said bluntly.

"I know."

"On purpose..."

"Yup."

"Why...?"

"Because..." I looked at Kunie in question, I could see her holding tightly to her starter, she was scared of Pokemon battles because she didn't want to see anyone hurt.

Including herself.

"I think figured out another piece of that giant puzzle."

"Stop speaking in riddles..." Gold fumed.

I decided to stop teasing Gold, this might be serious, "She doesn't want to get hurt..."

Gold grew serious at that, "What do you think happened to her?"

"My best guess is a Pokemon battle gone wrong, she seems to know a bit of Pokemon battling, even though she acts oblivious..."

"Eh...really? I didn't notice." I could only sigh at that.

When we reached the car I saw her open the backseat, "Oh hey, if you want to sit up front." I stared at Gold in surprise, he was willing to give up his front seat? He hadn't let her anywhere near the front seat when we had gotten in the car, using the excuse that he was older, and as such the privilege was his.

She stared at him silently, probably wondering if he was lying, before finally closing the back door, and opening up the passenger door.

I turned to Gold suspiciously, he was grinning wickedly, I frowned, and turned to Kunie, to hear her shriek. I ran to her as she jumped out of the seat, stumbling into me, I grabbed her to calm her down, looking inside to find Gold's Weedle there, making weird noises with his horn raised, I frowned, and glared at Gold, who was snickering, I was about to open my mouth until Kunie spoke up.

"Ugh! You're such a jerk Gold!" Kunie said as she gripped my arm tighter and glared at Gold, who was laughing himself to tears.

"I may be a jerk but you're the loser in the end for being scared of a widdle Weedle!" he guffawed.

I sighed, these two were going to drive me up a wall or something...

"Yea...umm I have a new Pokemon the prof gave me, Emerald come here." I called as I looked at Em who looked up from her bored game of chess with Rune, she waddled towards me and jumped on my lap. That had been something that had surprised me, Emerald, though she looked completely void of emotions, was a total cuddle-lover, she loved being hugged, petted, brushed, or just being carried around.

She was...sweet...

I guess that was probably why it wasn't so hard to get used to her as it had to Rune, who had been loud in his attention-seeking, Em was quiet to the point that I'd find her staring off into the distance for hours, until I called her or got her to do something.

And she never got mad.

Rune would push her, shove her, even pull on her tail to get a reaction out of her, she never showed any hint of anger or annoyance, just stood there. It was kind of creepy...

We had finally made it to Accumula town, it was a nice place, peaceful, and quiet. At least until we got there, Gold immediately brought up a ruckus, I hadn't ever seen anyone kicked out of a store so fast, but Red had managed to buy five Pokeballs, and twenty potions, I was a bit shocked when he shoved it all in my bag.

After we had gotten rooms at the hotel (Red and Gold had one room and I had the room next to them, connected by a door), I had called my mom, it having been three days exactly since I started my journey, I found myself missing her and everyone back at home. When I had turned on my C-gear the first thing I saw was my mom's glowing face, she looked so happy.

It better not be because I left...

I was starting to doubt it was anything else though...

"Aw she's so cute! Aren't you the most precious thing in the world!" I couldn't stop the upward twitch on my lips, I watched silently as she cooed, and squealed over Em, who as always showed no hint of caring. Before long I saw dad's face, which confused me because I'm pretty sure he's supposed to be working.

"Dad?"

"Oh, hey kiddo." He looked better, his face was clean-shaven, and his hair was now brushed out, unlike before, his shirt wrinkle-free, and his face with a few less stress lines, he also looked to have been sleeping better, I could only smile at that, maybe for once the knucklehead listened to me.

"Hey dad... so how are you guys?" They grinned at each other before smiling at me.

"We're great, and Kunie we have some great news!" Mom squealed, I grinned in amusement.

"Oh, is that so, what is it?" I asked, curious as to what those grins on their faces meant.

"No, not now, not on the phone, we'll tell you when you visit home." I raised my eyebrow, it was now that I could see that happy glow they seemed to have, the way they stared at me so happily, it was confusing. What the hay could they be so happy about. Especially when the usual object of their joy (AKA me) was miles away.

"Alright then." I said, letting my confusion show, though that only seemed to make them smile wider, if that was even possible.

"So how have you been, are Red, and Gold being nice to you?" I rolled my eyes slightly at that.

"Red is a well-mannered gentleman, Gold...not so much, he's like a ruffian sometimes." I said in the British accent I liked to use to confuse Rune. My parents laughed at that, making me grin as well, it was great to see them, even if it hadn't been that long, and it was even better to see them so happy, I had no idea what it was that was making them happy, but as long as it was making them happy, I was satisfied.

"Hmm..." Mom hummed as she placed a finger under her chin, looking at me with narrowed eyes, I raised my eyebrow.

"What?"

"You seem...different..." she said, getting closer to the screen, I could feel sweat piling on my neck at the weird look she was giving me.

"Yeah...I guess..." I looked down at myself, I didn't feel all that different...

"A good different..." I smiled lightly at that.

Suddenly I saw their faces grow worried, dad asking a question I wished he wouldn't, "How's...the training?" I felt my breath catch at that.

"It's hard..." was all I said.

They both gave me sad sympathetic looks, "we're proud of you kiddo. We both know how hard this is for you, and we know you're working hard, both your mom...and me are proud, we want you to know that..." I smiled sadly, hugging Em.

"I know." I said softly, Rune came up, and grinned as he saw who was on the screen.

Mom gasped, grinning, I groaned, knowing what was coming.

"Is that my widdle Runy? How are you buddy? Have you been good? Have you been good boy for Kunie? Aw I've missed you baby!" she cooed in that dumb baby voice she used whenever she saw him.

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah well I got things to do, so night mom, night dad." they both smiled knowingly before saying their goodnight.

I sighed as I turned off the C-gear, and put it on the nightstand, falling back on the bed with a huff, making Rune yelp, and Em grunt.

I yawned, and stretched my arms over my head, I wanted to sleep, and sleep badly, but I needed to study, fighting against Red made me realize there was so much more to battle than just calling attacks, it was survival.

Not just for you, but for your Pokemon too, for the win.

So I left Emerald, and Rune on the bed, and went to my bag, I noticed the package my father had given me, I hadn't opened it because he said not to until I got to Accumula town, but I didn't really feel like opening it just yet, so I ignored it and started pulling out the books Black had let me borrow. I pulled out a notebook I had kept, a couple of pencils, and got ready to study.

I lied on my stomach, a small blue cushion under me to keep me comfortable long enough to finish my work.

I don't know how long I was there, I had been too caught up in my studies to notice Rune, and Em come down from the bed, and curl up next to me on the hardwood floor, Em being smart enough to get a nice fluffy pillow to sleep on, I finished three chapters of the book, looking up long enough to notice them, I smiled, looking a the clock on the nightstand, it was past twelve...

Way past my bedtime...

I sighed, glancing at Rune, who was on my right, curled up on my elbow.

He looked so uncomfortable.

I rolled my eyes, putting the cushion I had under me under him, I then went to the bed and got my pillow and blanket, settling down on the floor again.

I slept thankfully without nightmares that night.

K.M:

And we've gotten past a crazy boss level on level 11!

I hope I managed to make the battle alright, it's my first time actually doing a battle scene, if it isn't good I hope to get better at it.

Anyway it seems Red is closer to figuring out what's up with Kunie, while Gold...tries to catch up. I've always noticed that when the situation called for it the Pokedex holders always seemed to have this serious side to them, Gold's no different, even in his flirty-bragging-gambler-ways, I want Kunie to have that sense of sibling-ship she has with everyone, like Black, Bianca, and Cheren, though they're only a year younger than her, since they're so short, and innocent she sees them as younger siblings, she sees the gang as big brothers, and now she sees Red as a mature big brother, and Gold as her immature big brother.

Kunie's had her first Pokemon battle! And it turns out she's good at them?

Also Kunie's now closer with Em, and Em seems more comfortable with Rune, and her... I think...I don't know... you tell me...

Finally what could be that secret Kunie's parent's have? I'm not telling...

Well that's all, I hope you liked this chapter, review, tell me what you think, if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Till next time Kitties!