K.M:

Guess who's back kitties, I am!

As you may have noticed I'm trying to update at the very least once a week, instead of once every one or two months like before, so you guys better be happy about it, I'm a very generous person. heh heh heh...All joking aside. I hope you all know that this chapter was hard to do.

I don't own Pokemon, cause if I did I'd be a millionaire...I own Kunie...who isn't really worth all that much...

Kunie's P.O.V:

"Well guys...We're back." I heard three sounds of agreement from behind me, I turned around and smiled gently as I saw my friends.

Rune, all evolved with the stones clasped to his braces, his mane still uncontrollably bushy, and despite his serious and hulking figure, his eyes held mischief. Emerald stood next to him with a serene smile, her crest towering over everyone, and her long lime colored tail coiling around Takeshi, I smiled at him, he grinned back at me, his scarred face almost making it look like a grimace.

I turned to the two girls, knowing that for now this was goodbye...

Rica stood there in her bright strawberry red hoodie, and dark violet jeans, her red lips giving a smirk, her hands were on her hip almost indignantly, and she was looking amused at Jenny.

Jenny who had just five seconds ago been grinning and laughing was now looking on the verge of tears, she was always so emotional, dressed in her Nurse Joy replica blue dress, and Nurse Joy headband she looked out of place next to everyone else, like something out of a cosplay.

"Hey. I'm..." I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly, before pushing myself to finish the sentence, "I'm gonna miss you guys." the two looked at me and smiled, my Pokemon coming up behind me, facing the forest we had just exited.

"Hey, we gonna miss ya too kid." Rica said as she waved her hand dismissively.

"It was...fun traveling with you guys, knowing we won't all be together...makes me wonder if I'll make it without you guys pushing me..." Jenny said softly.

I grinned widely, "Hey come on, you may be Officer Jenny's kid, but you can still be Nurse Jenny, I can already see it!" She smiled back at me.

"You know what? You're right! I'll work real hard, and when I come back we can travel together again, but next time with a certified nurse!" she squealed enthusiastically, I chuckled softly at her childish enthusiasm. Turning to Rica I saw her smiling softly before catching my eye, she forced a smirk on her face instantly.

"Well I'm gonna miss our battles, but there'll be more." she again shrugged, looking like she didn't have a care in the world, she fluffed her short hair back and grinned, gaining a mischievous look, I already knew what was coming.

"GROUP-HUG!" we all shouted as we all squished together for the squeeziest hug in the world.

I smiled at them.

Glad to have met them.

My friends.

Three years ago.

Cold snowflakes fell from my hair to my face, running down without stop, I looked up, hoping maybe it'd let up, the clouds were dark and stormy, ready to snow, it didn't look like it would...

I looked back down, the silent town was asleep, which would make my job easier.

Go in, get out.

They wouldn't even notice me there.

I trudged forward, holding the two Pokeballs in my hoodie's pocket tightly, when the light blue colored house, with the round open ceiling came to view I stopped. I sighed softly and jumped over the white picket fence, coming around the house till I got to the window leading to what I knew would be my room, I jumped up to the window sill and pulled myself up with a grunt, then I came with the problem of the window.

I didn't want to break it.

I'd have to call Em.

I pulled her Pokeball out, and with the push of a button the large snake appeared before me, her newly evolved form towering over me like a monster, this form for some reason didn't scare as to when I had first met her in her first form, it was embarrassing...but I just wasn't scared of her anymore. I silently pointed at the window, she nodded, taking her vines, and pushing the window open as quietly as she could.

returning her to her Pokeball I rushed into the room, I looked around, everything was in place, just like I left it, except for one thing.

My bag.

The one I left in the hotel with Red, and Gold, it was here.

It was no surprise they got here first, they were in the car after all, but the fact that they dropped off my bag?

Don't look a gift-Ponyta in the mouth.

I took it, seeing everything was still intact, I looked down a myself, I was dripping wet...

I change of clothes and then I'd leave.

...

Right after I got some food.

...

And maybe write a letter.

I changed quickly, putting on a sleeveless royal blue midriff top, and dark grey shorts, changing my socks and sneakers as well since they were dripping wet, I also made sure that I took a thick black leather coat, it had actually belonged to dad, but I had snatched it from his closet when he had went on one of his trips.

Finally dressed I started sneaking downstairs to find a snack, I got to the entrance of the house no problem, so I headed left to get to the kitchen, it was spacious, and clearly cleaned recently, I opened the fridge door as quietly as I could, looking in I pulled things that I could eat on the road, a bottle of orange juice, some leftover beans, and chicken. Then I rummaged in the pantry for granola bars, which were aplenty with how much I ate them when I was at home, also any bagged chips or snacks lying around were also stuffed in the bag.

I sneaked out of the kitchen with my raid, getting ready to head upstairs until I heard a small sound.

I froze, looking to where it was originating, I slowly inched to the room, my footsteps thankfully soundless, I pushed the slightly opened door a bit, looking in my eyes widened at what I saw, Gold, Red, Haku, Luca, in my living room.

Sleeping.

Gold was snoring.

And Haku too, though I could hardly hear it, it was there.

I just stood there like an idiot, wondering what the hay these guys were doing here, why they were sleeping in my living room, and why the hay Luca, and Haku were here instead of in Sinnoh. All good questions, but most certainly not the time.

Snapping myself out of it I backed out as quietly as I could and closed the door on them.

I let out a shuddering breath before dashing back upstairs to my room, I closed the door, and locked it from the inside, not wanting anyone to sneak up on me while I was writing this, I scrambled around for some paper before writing the note, it took a while, I wanted to make sure I got everything that could possibly come to mind.

I part of me was regretting not being able to be here to see my sibling be born, I was gonna miss something important in my family's life, and a part of me really hated myself for it, but it couldn't be helped, maybe one day I'd meet him or her.

But not now.

I wiped my tears, unlocked my door, jumped out the window, and left, not looking back.

Rune's P.O.V:

She was having another nightmare.

It was the same almost every night, like it had been through all the years I'd known her.

It was usually simple getting her to stop having nightmares, just lie next to her, and whisper soothing words.

But could I really do that?

After what I did? What if I lost control and I bit her too?

I wouldn't be able to bear it if I hurt her.

And our friendship just seemed so down the drain.

I remembered when Emerald left, I had begged her with my eyes not to leave us alone, I knew she was strong, she could stop me if I lost control, but if she left? There was nothing in the way of me getting to Kunie... It left me awake at night, just hearing Kunie crying, and turning in her sleep, small begs of not wanting to be left alone.

It hurt...so much that I just wanted to ignore her, go to sleep, and never wake up.

But I couldn't do that right now...

Kunie was having a nightmare.

I needed to help her.

I had no right though.

I didn't deserve her...

But I needed to give her this small sense of comfort that saving me from the others wasn't a waste of her time.

Even though it was.

I knew she felt guilty, to the point that she almost drowned...

And then Em slapped her. Leaving a bright red mark on her porcelain skin.

I had been so angry I had tried to attack her.

Not me.

The stones...

Using me.

So technically still me...

It was hard...being this super powered thingamabob ready to explode.

And what with me already blowing my lid twice now?

It was scary.

I inched closer to Kunie, but not daring to touch her, slowly I started whispering.

"I'm here Kunie...it's okay...you're not alone...me, and Em are right next to you."

Turns out that was the wrong thing to say because next thing I know her eyes slid open slightly, and she grabbed me. I kept myself carefully still, scared that if I moved the stones might attack her, instead of pushing me away she brought me even closer, much to my horror, and relief.

"No. Kunie, let me go, Kunie..." I whispered harshly, but even then it seemed she was still half asleep because she ignored me. I slowly tried to slide out of her warm arms but that only made them tighten around me, I realized I couldn't get out, I was stuck, next to Kunie.

Kill me now.

"Come on Kunie...Let go..." I whispered softly as I reluctantly tried to pull away still.

I froze when I felt a rumbling feeling in her chest.

Laughter.

She was laughing at me...

"Shut up, and go to sleep you brat." My eyes widened at the words.

I was so frozen I almost didn't notice the soft snores that eventually came from Kunie, I turned my head the slightest bit and saw her, her face was finally calm, the rough scarring over her eye not bothering her in the least, she was asleep, sound asleep, I was so sure she spoke. That it was her that said those tired, but amused words, like she was back to normal, like maybe what happened didn't really happen...

Like Kunie was back to my old Kunie.

"Seriously...go to sleep. Now." My eyes snapped to her neon green eyes that were staring at me now with slight irritation.

Unfocused like always, not really looking at me...

But her hair was now pulled away from her face, and I could clearly see the left eye that she always kept covered, the one that was staring at me dead center.

And for some reason I asked her a question instead...

"Where did you get that scar?" I regretted the words the minute they left my mouth, Kunie didn't show any inclination she heard me, not even a twitch, she just stared, almost lifelessly.

"I got it five years ago. three years before you were born...No...it's almost been a year here now," And it almost would be, it was December, there was snow all over Unova, not even the warm sweaters Kunie wore, or the thick blanket we were wrapped in, not even the cave we were sleeping in, was warm enough. It was really cold...

"So almost six years...I'll be eleven soon..."

It was silent again, Kunie's breath coming out in cold silent puffs.

"Kunie?" I whispered again, almost scared to break the silence and the trance Kunie had fallen into.

"Yeah...?" I sighed in relief when she answered softly.

"Remember what I said before?" I didn't know why I was whispering, but I felt if I spoke any louder Kunie would shut me out again.

"...What?"

"That...I'll stay with you...no matter what..."

"...Yeah...I remember...I laughed at you that day..." the last words where almost silent, taken away by the howling wind.

"...Well before...when I... hurt Red..? I felt like... breaking my promise..." the words came out weakly, and haggardly...

"...Why?"

"Because I was scared...that I would hurt someone... hurt you..." she was silent again, my chest heaved at the pain in her silence, what if she didn't accept me anymore? What if she hated me now? it would be a nightmare...

"I remember that day...so I'll make sure you remember this day. I know you're scared... But I'll stay with you, no matter what, I promise."

Silence, except it wasn't.

We were laughing.

Like lunatics...

"T-that w-was so c-cheesy!" She gasped out, her cheeks turning red.

"I-I know y-y-you sounded s-so s-stupid!" I giggled out.

Out laughter echoed.

And then we woke up Emerald.

She glared harshly at us.

"Will you two idiots shut up, it's three in the morning, I'm trying to sleep over here!" The Serperior hissed out, looking annoyed and confused at the same time.

Instead of quieting down Kunie laughed even more, and grabbed Emerald's side, and with slight difficulty pulled her closer to us into a squished hug, still laughing.

I had never seen her so happy.

Even when we went to see the gang back in Sinnoh.

Not even when her dad got her a skateboard for her birthday.

Even when I got her that pine-cone I found in the backyard!

"W-why are w-we laughing?" I asked, but I wasn't answered.

"Oi let me go you crazy kid!" Em yelled, as she struggled slightly against Kunie.

"Ha-ha-ha!" Kunie laughed, so I laughed. I never knew her laughter was so contagious.

"What are you do-ha-ha-no I'm ticklish there-ha-ha-ha!" Kunie then started tickling Em, hoping to get a laugh out of the snake, and for the first time in forever, I heard Em laugh, I don't mean a giggle, or a chuckle, I mean full-blown laugh, guffaws, and snorts, the whole combo, I found myself jumping in on the tickle party, and before I knew it we were all on the floor laughing.

I don't know how long we lied there laughing, but I knew that when we stopped we were breathless.

"W-why the hay did you guys do that?" Em tried to sound angry, but with the breathless chuckles still in her voice it was hard to find her intimidating, even with the extra feet in her height, I grinned as she sent me a glare, Kunie grabbed us both and forced us to her side in a hug.

"Okay. No more emo Kunie, she was annoying as hay." Kunie said good-naturedly, Em smirked.

"Good, she really was." Em agreed.

"Yup." I added with a chuckle.

"No more silent brooding Rune, he was also annoying."

"Hey!"

"Yup, he really was." Em agreed again.

"And no more sarcastic Emerald."

"I kind of like her." Em would have shrugged if she still had shoulders.

"Get rid of her!" I chimed.

We all laughed again.

"Well I don't know about you two weirdos, but it's still three in the morning so I'm going back to sleep." Em said as she started lying down.

"Not yet Em." At Kunie's order Em raised her head again.

"What?"

Kunie smiled at her, "I'm ready to tell you guys my story."

None of us hid our interest...well Em tried...

Tried being the main key word.

A sigh, a smile, and a start.

"I wasn't always an only child, I once had an older brother. He was my best friend." Both our eyes widened at the soft declaration.

A smile was on her lips.

"He was a trainer though, so when he came back it was always with new Pokemon friends, or some trinket he found for me on his journey. Dad, and mom were always so proud of him, he was just a good person, helping anyone, and everyone he saw, even if it seemed beyond his capabilities. I wanted to be a trainer too, just like him, and it was no surprise...I grew up around it... But one day things just went...wrong..."

Five years, nine months ago.

The small house around the corner was usually filled with laughter, shouts of joy, or children playing, today it was quiet.

Just behind the house stood the garage, filled to the brim with tools, and car engines, a half-finished car inside, though ignored at the moment.

"Honestly! Why can't I come?!" The high pitched voice whined, the little short-raven-haired girl whined, stomping her foot with a huff, she was standing behind the boy that wouldn't turn to her and answer her face-to-face, too busy working on the broken bike in front of him to look at her.

"Because... you have to finish school." another voice answered, young but patient, the boy's.

"I can do it on the road like you!" The young girl huffed as she crossed her arms, wishing he'd just turn around.

"Ehhh! When did you get so smart?" The boy jokingly said, the girl frowned.

She knew what he was doing, he always did it, he'd say something to distract her so she wouldn't think to argue.

Daddy did it too.

"Stop changing the subject!" she reached forward and grabbed the boy's brown jacket sleeve.

"Eh I guess you're right. You're already in first grade...too smart for your own good..." he muttered under his breath, turning to her and smiling gently, the brown tresses shaking slightly from under his cap, so unlike his sister's, his bright blue eyes clashing with her greens, a smile against her frown.

He ruffled her soft black hair softly, smiling at her so gently it was clear they were close.

"You will come with me, one day, when you're older like me, I'll come back for you, and I'll take you with me on a journey, how does that sound?" Like she wouldn't go with him now.

She was tired of having to stare at his back as he walked away from the house. Tired of hearing him tell her not to cry, but instead laugh loudly every time he left.

Tired of being left behind.

But she didn't want to tell him otherwise, to make him feel bad, so she stayed quiet.

Instead she looked down and asked a question she always asked, "When will you come back?"

He always gave the same answer. "When the sun rises."

"So tomorrow?"

"When the sun rises."

A riddle he told again, and again, but she could never figure out.

"That doesn't make sense..."

"...Hey, you want to help me fix my bike kiddo?"

"I wish you had a motorcycle, those are cooler."

"And also too big for a 15 year old to ride. You know I don't have a license to drive those things...Besides don't you like the car I'm making?" He said, absently motioning to the half-done car.

"Then get one, and no, your car is ugly."

"Mom would kill me. And my car isn't ugly, it's just not finished." He continued to find excuses to not fall for his adorable sister's puppy eyes.

She decided to stop the argument with the car, she knew there was no way he would change his mind about his silly car.

"What about daddy?"

"...ehh he'd probably go for it."

"Yeah...daddy's crazy."

"Weren't you just saying to get a motorcycle just a minute ago?"

"I still am."

"But you just said-"

"I know. But if you have a motorcycle you can get here faster."

"Ah."

Despite their banter she joined him in fixing the broken down bike reluctantly, eventually finding herself having fun, despite her earlier refusal.

The two laughed, and teased each other, sometimes stopping short on fixing the bike to have a tickle fight.

They fixed his bike though... eventually...

He had a last lunch with his family before again leaving the house.

"I love you Kunie" being the last words he said to her as he left the house.

Not knowing a foolish little girl followed him.

Followed him far off into the country, with a small bag filled with snacks she had sneaked out of his bag, and clothes she had pulled out of her closet. But she didn't stop for a second...

They found themselves in a ruin, tall, broken pillars standing proudly, and stones meant to be steps leading to a podium...her brother walked up to the podium, looking around as if searching for someone...

A group of people...trainers...so much older than him... With weak Pokemon, strong Pokemon, all sorts, all types.

She watched as they ganged up on him, attacked him, his Pokemon...his Infernape...

Him.

She wasn't scared...no... her brother was strong...

A man walked up to him from beyond the group, speaking, saying he wanted something, something from her brother. He had a Pokeball, he didn't call it out as he opened the Pokeball...

...And then she was scared...

It was terrifying.

With giant, expanding wings looking like death, red, scarlet colored eyes looking hateful, and a gaping maw made of steel, readying a blast...

In her brother's direction.

She didn't hesitate to run forward. Try to save her beloved brother.

But she could only watch as the attack grew closer to her brother, his silent face as he stared death in the face and grinned.

"Kunie! Run!"

Because her brother always knew, he always knew when she was there.

He knew she had followed.

And she did run, straight towards him, and he knew, he knew she wasn't running away, so instead of telling her to leave he opened his arms, hugging her when she ran into them, praying they wouldn't hurt him, because how dare they? This was her brother, her amazing, cool, older brother, who she wanted to be like, they had no right to touch him, no right to come near him.

He was too good.

He held her in his arms, protecting her from the blast, his brave face on, bruises and cuts all over as he smiled at her weakly, as he smiled at his Infernape weakly. The one that kept trying to get up, and protect his friend, his trainer.

He told her to never be afraid.

To be strong, be brave, stand tall.

That he loves her.

She remembered his sky blue eyes closing.

Forever.

"RAI!"

The hatred she felt.

The anger.

She remember charging blindly at the man, the Pokemon responsible.

But they didn't care, the man swiped his hand at her almost boredly, not even looking at the little girl on the ground bleeding over her eye from where his ring cut.

Not caring of the fear he induced.

The hard-core, horrifying nightmare he had caused.

The life he took that day, the many he ruined, the family he broke.

Because he wanted something.

And no foolish little girl, and her brother would stand in his way...

That was the last time Nagako Kunie didn't run away from something.

"By the time the authorities found us he was long dead, and I was too traumatized to even say what happened... I didn't speak for a year, and when I finally did nothing good ever came out, I used to have friends, but I made sure they all hated me soon after, I felt that if they didn't understand me it'd be better if they backed off, I pushed everyone away, and ran from my problems..." Kunie said, laughing bittersweet.

"I don't think I ever moved on...even now...I...find it hard to even talk about him...I haven't gone to his grave since the funeral... all his Pokemon? they've been left in a daycare system since he died, dad still sends money to them to keep taking care of them..but..."

"I should be the one to pull them out."

Em raised her head in question.

"What are you saying trainer?"

She smiled at us. "I'm saying I think it's time I woman up and do what I should have done years ago, I'm getting my brother's Pokemon back." Me and Em looked at each other before grinning.

"Hey the more friends the better!" I said optimistically, Kunie looked at me worried.

"Are you sure? You don't think it'll bother you?" she asked softly, I grinned.

"Kunie! Let's make me evolve!"

She was silent before a grin made it's way to her face, "yeah!" she shouted.

"Yeah!" I echoed.

"YEAH!" we both shouted together, Em rolled her eyes.

"Now that the sap story is over can I sleep now?"

"Mean..." me and Kunie muttered to her.

"True." she said with a huff, coiling...around us...

"Never realized you were so warm Em." I said as she coiled her tail around us.

"Shut up."

"No-no, he's right, you're very warm for a snake, aren't snakes supposed to be cold-blooded?" Kunie added, an amused smirk growing on her face.

"Go to sleep."

"Yeah, maybe she's sick."

"Shut up."

"Or...blushing!"

"GO TO SLEEP!"

K.M:

Not gonna lie, this chapter was hard. I feel like I could have done better for Rai.

So yeah, I'm not gonna say much to let you guys drink it all in. I know this is a hard pill to swallow.

So review, PM me, whatever you feel like after reading that.

I realized I put blood in this chapter, but I felt it wasn't all that bad... it only mentioned it. Nonetheless.. Did you guys think this chapter was a bit much?

I dunno.

I guess why I wrote this was because I recently watched episode 2 of season 4 of Merlin...

I cried... So I watched some scenes of old man Merlin to cheer me up, I cracked up when he went "Dragoon! The great!", Merlin is just too funny.