K.M:
Gah, I'm sick, not sick of this story, just sick, I got a cold from my sister, and now she's passed it on to all my brothers, and sisters...
Why?! Why?!
I feel horrible, soar throat, stuffy nose, headaches, fevers, the whole package.
Well anyway here's the chapter, drink it, enjoy it, don't spit it back out, tell me what you thought of it.
Disclaimer: I said I would stop doing these cuz everyone knows by now I don't really own Pokemon...Kunie is still mine though.
There was once a time where I never let anything bother me.
Yeah.
I was a fortress made of guns, and Kevlar, and no one could take me down.
And by Arceus's will was I proud of that.
Ridiculously proud.
Nothing anyone said, or did bothered me, I brushed it off like dust, and kept moving.
I wasn't scared to hurt others to protect myself.
But now?
"My name is Nagako Kunie. Nagako Hana was my mommy, of course, duh. I'm gonna make this short. Probably two or five minutes if you can wait that long. Not many people understood my mom, she was different from everyone else, a fiery, weird, I-do-what-I-want-when-I-want-to kind of person, but I guess that just led to her compassion, and kindness to other people. She-"
I made a vow not to be that person again, that person was wrong, selfish, and heartless, that person only cared about themselves, and I was so ashamed of that person.
"-Mommy loved sweets, runs in the family, hay she got my dad hooked, but I guess one thing we always obsessed over was vanilla ice cream, sort of our little secret guilty pleasure, she'd was the kind of person to sneak to the fridge at night for another bowl of ice cream before bed... Or when no ones home. Not cool mommy. She of course thought she was a ninja and that no one knew about it...everyone knew."
But how am I supposed to protect myself?!
It was my defense mechanism, and it worked, every time, and the temptation to use it again and again was burning in the back of my mind like a guilty reminder of what it represented.
I was weak.
I was so weak.
I wasn't as strong as I made myself out to be.
"-Mommy was strong, I remember the times where she'd appear out of nowhere exactly when I was in trouble and help me out of it, too many times has she helped me grow as a person, I guess that's what moms do, so it's stupid of me to be saying that, but I guess it should be said, at least for her. She loved to tease me, and make fun of dad when he did something really stupid, especially showing all my naked baby pictures, thanks for that mommy, no, I wasn't embarrassed at all."
Just a cheap fake copy of who I wanted to be.
But I couldn't be Rai.
No one could.
He was too perfect.
Too innocent.
I was far from that.
"I'll be honest, I wasn't a good daughter to her. In fact I was a total jerk for years. She loved me, but all I ever did was turn my back on her when there was something I didn't like. I'm not a good person. She was...But...now that she's gone I have to try and be the good person she was. For her memory at least. I don't know any other way to do this..."
I wanted so badly to fall back to the horrible (yet wonderful) defense mechanism, to be who I was.
I wouldn't.
If not for me, then for dad.
For Rune. For Emerald. For Sulfur. For Flash. For Adolfo. For Red. For Gold. For Haku. For Luca. For Yuri. For Jennifer (I want to get to know her better). For Black. For White. For Cheren. For Prof.
For my Izumi.
For sweet, beautiful, perfect Izumi.
He was so small, but so beautiful.
He looked just like Rai.
Like mom.
And that made me love him even more.
(But the burning pain in my chest as I held him...)
I loved my little brother.
And that's why it hurt.
If I had never left none of this would have happened. I could have helped mom around the house, make the load easier for her. And even more later, help nurse her back to health.
Help take care of beautiful Izumi.
Guilt wrenched my heart left and right, and then shattered it to pieces.
How long? How long would I have to suffer? To lose? What else would this world take from me? Rune? Dad? Izumi? No. Never. I would die if I lost more. I don't think I can take much more. I feel like I'm ready to die right now.
The only thing anchoring me was them.
The people I loved with all my heart, the ones I cared about.
I've been beaten down before.
I would get up.
I would be strong.
Not for me.
Never for me, I don't deserve to be that selfish anymore.
For Izumi.
I would do everything. To above, and beyond for that brown haired, blue eyed kid...
But just one last time.
I need a break.
Just a small one.
Just to say goodbye to the road.
To the adventure, to the training.
"We can't all be weird like her, and we can't all be the great, amazing person she was. But I'm gonna try. I urge you all. Try. Try to be the good person you want to be. Just like she was. Be the strong, kind, loving person you want to be, and don't hold back a bit of it, not for us but for the people we care about, live for them."
To my life.
"We don't got much else that's important in this life."
I sighed deeply as the loud thunk of the trunk was heard.
I turned and smiled at the bearded man before me.
Not as tall to me as he used to be.
(Chirping Pokemon in the trees cried happily at the blooming flowers)
After years of waiting, begging, it finally happened.
I hit my growth spurt.
I was up to dad's shoulders.
For a twelve year old I was pretty proud.
(The babies of Pokemon poked out of their homes, trying out their still new legs, and wings)
Dad had a box in his hand.
Hair dye.
I grinned at him and took it appreciatively. I had been running out of said hair product with all the things going on.
Izumi cooed.
I smiled bitterly and picked him up.
He weigh like a feather.
So small.
So fragile.
Izumi meant spring.
(The 1971 Dodge Charger outside the house roared impatiently as the two people inside the classic car grinned)
I love him. Not loved. I love him. I was going to leave. But I would be back. And then I wouldn't leave again. I would stay with him, and be to him what Rai was to me.
Someone precious.
I would teach him to love Pokemon, appreciate them, see them as friends, instead of tools.
Respect them.
It wasn't going to be hard.
(Spring had begun)
It lasted three days. That was all I could bear before I went back. And it was alright. I had important things back there anyway.
I had to fix my father's heart.
Raise my baby brother.
Train with Rune.
Become better friends with my Pokemon.
Help Black become a better trainer.
Hang out with Haku and the gang.
Help the Prof around the lab.
Practice my fighting style with Red, and Gold.
Finish school.
I had things to do. They'd help me take my mind off things I guess. Like I said before, I've bumped back from these things. I've been bitten worse...
I'd be alright.
I had been separated from Red, and Gold. This place was scary. I had been here before. In fact this was where I ran away to to get away from Red, and Gold. The mountains. North of my home Nuvema town.
...But this time we went even farther.
Deep into a forest...North of the mountains.
I wasn't gonna lie. I'm not a genius. Okay maybe a little genius. I wasn't an idiot for sure. But I wasn't gonna lie. I was as lost as a needle in a haystack. A very thin needle. That had been painted the same color as the hay. Usually I wouldn't panic. But that was because I was by myself. This time I was with both Red, and Gold. And they were both gone!
Truthfully I couldn't tell whether I was the lost one or they were... I wanted to say they were, but I was pretty sure they were together and had a map.
Which was a whole lot more than I have.
I even left my belt in the car.
So my pants were lose...and you know...
You know.
The one with my Pokemon on it...
Yeah that one.
So now I was lost in an unknown, slowly-darkening forest with no sense of guidance, no friends.
No food.
I think that was the worst part.
I sighed as I leaned against a tree. I was tired. I had walked who knows how long. Tracing my steps back hadn't helped at all. It was like the forest purposely tried to make sure I couldn't find my way back. My eyes raised to the top of the trees, the sky was blue, but I could see the hints of orange and pink making they takeover.
I was alone.
In a forest.
Hungry.
I couldn't tell whether I wanted someone to find me or not. I was likely to bite their head off in my hunger. Suddenly something that most certainly did not look like cloud caught my eyes. My eyes landed on it.
Dark. Smokey. Actually it was smoke. Smoke meant fire. Fire in a forest either meant civilization, or a forest fire. I hoped for the former. I got up tiredly. A loud growling biting my stomach, I winced before trudging on, hoping to get to the smoke. And after a couple of minutes I did.
A manor. In the middle of the forest. The first thing I say is...
"Dibs..."
Anyone could tell why. The sweet aroma of food was wafting from the window. The beautiful smell of soup.
Chili soup.
Just like Mommy's.
My mouth salivated at the thought of the spicy beans.
I walked toward the manor, before squinting my eyes slightly when I heard noises, of course I didn't expect the mansion to be empty if I was smelling food. But I was hearing Pokemon sounds. I gulped slightly, hoping they wouldn't be...well...hostile. I knocked softly. The sounds silenced. "Hello, is anyone there? Please, I need help. I got lost in the forest, I can't find my way back." I explained as I looked at the darkened windows of the manor. After a couple of minutes of no answer I sighed and knocked again. I knew there was someone in there. "Hello. Please! I need to get back to my family, but I don't know how to get out of this forest. Please, I just need some directions." I'd prefer food, and refuge as well, but by how unfriendly these people were being I guessed I wasn't gonna get it.
Finally the door opened a crack, I was staring at a pale pink haired girl probably a few years older than me.
Pink.
Her hair was...
You know what? Not even gonna mention it. Nope. Just get directions and reluctantly pull myself away from the enticing smell.
"Umm...hello miss, I'm sorry to bother you, but do you think I could ask for a map, or maybe some directions...I'm a little lost..." I said, the most apologetic smile I could give on my face. For some reason she just stared, her eyes wide, and a knowing look in her eye. It's as if she knew me.
"It is an honor to finally meet you."
...
...
"Huh?" I asked dumbly.
"I never thought I would meet you. I thought it merely dreams, but it seems I was wrong."
Okay now I'm pretty sure I would remember someone with pink hair. So what the hay was this lady talking about?
"Please. Come in. My name is Anthea." I smiled awkwardly as she opened the door wider. She wore some a white dress, a light pink apron around her waist, and a green shawl on her shoulders, white flats on her feet.
"Nagako Kunie. Please excuse me." I said, bowing slightly in thanks.
"Oh no problem. Forgive me for not answering earlier, I was in the kitchen." I frowned slightly at her once again mysterious smile.
My first reaction was to be wary of her, after all some unknown lady invites you into her house you should always be wary, nonetheless I wanted to be polite so I started taking off my shoes. She walked me to the kitchen, I slowly followed, a part of me was screaming that this was creepy and I should get out. But the aura emitting from her kept me...calm... The kitchen was beautiful, plants were hanging from pots in the ceiling, there were flowers everywhere, the wood of the floor and cabinets was pure oak, the sink wall covered in stone, with a window above it, flowers, and plants hanging above it, the center table was made out of wood too, a dark mahogany color, four identical chairs placed around it.
Inside was the smell of chili.
Inside were two other people.
One was a girl with blonde hair with her hair pulled back to a braid, her bangs sticking out highly, almost like a butterfly, she wore a periwinkle blue blouse, a white skirt, with a yellow apron, and blue flats, she actually looked adorable. The other one was...
Was...
Familiar...
Recognizable...
I knew him.
(Mint green hair tide into a messy low ponytail...slate blue eyes...pale skin...white Capri...yellow shirt...)
I knew him... He was... His name... It was...
(His eyes were as wide as mine. Not looking away. He knew me. I knew him. We knew each other...)
But his name... I just don't remember it. But his face... So familiar...
(Did I ever really even know his name?)
"It's you." I hardly registered the words breathlessly leaving his mouth.
"I'm..." I started to introduce myself, but that seemed to snap him out of it because his eyes focused again.
"I'm N." He said as he gave a low bow, which surprised me.
"I'm...Kunie..." I said softly, a little...unstable, he didn't seem to mind as a small unfocused smile came to his face.
"Kunie... So that's your name. I always wanted to know your name...I'm...so happy to finally know it." He came forward and took my hand.
He was taller than me. How unfortunate.
And right after my growth spurt to...Jerk...
"I saw you in my dreams." I said bluntly. I remembered him.
(But I didn't know him)
"I saw you in my dreams too." I blinked at that, I didn't expect that at all.
I took in a breath.
I remember my dreams, a grey-blue eyed boy with tea green hair, running away from me, me begging him to come back.
Not that I knew why. His name was N. I needed to be sure this was it.
"N. Your name is N?"
He smiled awkwardly, looking down at his feet sheepishly, "Natural Gropius Harmonia."
Wow... That's...um...that's a long name.
"Natural Gropius Harmonia..." I repeated, hoping to remember it, aaaaand, nope, already forgotten, "I'll stick with N." I said after a while, causing him to chuckle.
I never noticed the two girls smile and leave the room.
He looked down at me, leaning closer.
Incredibly, uncomfortably close.
"I wish to remember you. I always forget you in my dreams...but...I remember your eyes."
Huh? Yeah...that's not creepy at all...
"Heh, take a picture, they last longer." I said as I leaned back.
I suddenly saw something, in his eyes.
Innocence.
He didn't seem to find our close proximity uncomfortable at all...
In fact he seemed to welcome it, because he leaned closer again.
I looked down at my hand, the one encased in his.
I knew I should be creeped out, after all some stranger was holding my hand like we were some old married couple. Which we most certainly weren't. But the way he seemed so comfortable with the space invasion? Truthfully?
He reminded me of Rune when he was a baby.
(You know before he became evil and corrupted and pranked everyone...)
It's like he didn't know any better.
"Ummm. Okay so N...can you like...umm back up...I don't know how they do things here...but...umm...where I come from leaning this close means you either want to threaten me or kiss me, so yeah, I don't want either of those to happen so please back up..." I said as I raised my free hand between us and pushed his face away gently, he only blinked at me, tilting his head cutely, scratching behind his ear distractedly, but then he blushed slightly in embarrassment, finally realizing what I said..
Man he's like a Pokemon!
"I'm sorry. I didn't know." He said, looking genuinely remorseful, that made me panic as he almost looked ready to cry.
"Nah don't worry man, s'okay..." I said hastily, hoping to calm him, he smiled at me.
"Do you want to meet my friends?"
"Wow, umm okay." What else was I supposed to say?
I was startled when he grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of the kitchen and down the hall, then out the door, "Hey were are we going?" I yelled as he dragged me to the trees out back of the manor, I was distracted by the beautiful flowers as we ran by, my eyes widened when they suddenly bloomed, I turned my head at a chirp and saw a Petilil making them grow, she turned to me and squeaked before hiding. I frowned, I knew Petilils were shy...but there was almost fear on her face.
Which was weird because most Pokemon tended to like me...
"To my friends." N finally responded, making me look at him with a 'No duh' look on my face.
"I mean where, where!"
"Umm..." I sighed at his confusion.
"Never mind." I let him drag me into the forest.
It was only a few seconds before I couldn't take the silence between us.
"N, wait...stop." I planted my feet, making N pull forward and almost trip, but I shot forward and steadied him.
"N..." He turned, looking concerned at me, grabbing my hand...again.
"What is it Kunie? What's the matter? Are you tired? Do you want to rest?" He asked worriedly.
The answer was yes, but that wasn't what was eating me.
Actually my stomach was with how hungry I was-but that's not the point!
"N...why do we have dreams of each other?" I finally asked, his eyes widened as he suddenly looked down at our hands, I frowned, I wanted to pull my hands away, but N only tightened his grip on them.
"N?"
"I think...I think you're the one I'm connected to." He raised his head and blushed, wait blushing? Blushing was bad, not good at all. No. No. No, no, no, no, no! No way!
Okay back up a bit...We just met...He can't have a crush on me...but then again...We've been having dreams of each other for what? Years... Still...
No crushes! He's weird! And above all I'm like eleven!
"Eh?" I ask with a high brow.
"Kunie! Don't you get it? You and I are connected." He said it like it was the plainest thing in the world.
I blinked at him before shaking my head, "yeah, you know what? No. I don't get it...Look it was nice meeting the kid that's been in my dreams...and all, but I kind of want to get back to my friends... so if you could just." I left the question hanging as he grew an understanding look and walked me back to the manor, suddenly quiet.
I felt guilty, the poor guy was just a kid excited to bring his new friend to his old friends.
There was nothing wrong with that... but as rude as it sounded I kind of wanted to get away from him as much as a part of me was saying it was okay to stay here with him...
Then I remembered my responsibilities, it wasn't to be N's friend. It was to take care of my family.
N...would be alright.
We went back inside, the two girls were inside, they gave me a bowl of Chili soup, then some water for my trip back, and then a map, and pointed directions.
"Thank you Anthea, Concordia, for letting me stay in your house, and giving me food, and the map." I said as I gave a grateful bow.
"It was our pleasure." They both said in unison, I stood to see them walking away and N in their place, his face somber.
"Cheer up N..." I said gently, placing my hand on his shoulder.
"Can you not stay?" I shook my head at his innocent request, his sagged.
"But tell you what, next time I'm in the area I'll drop by and visit." That seemed to cheer him up, though he still looked sad.
"I would prefer if you stayed here with me." I sweat-dropped at the would-usually-seem-creepy-if-it-were-anyone-else sentence.
"I have a family I need to get back to." I said, he took my hand from his shoulder and held it in his hand, looking up at me shyly, a blush on his face.
I inwardly shied away.
"I'll visit. Promise." And I would, he looked like he needed some friends.
"Pinkie promise, that's something my sisters do!"
"Yeah, yeah, okay, pinkie promise." I hooked our two pinkies together, making N grin widely.
With that I turned away from the tea hair colored boy and walked down the direction I had been pointed out, excited to get to the car, and get home.
And say goodbye to the life on the road.
That... kind of bothered me.
K.M:
That's the end of that! So now you know the baby's name, it's Nagako Izumi, the first part (the eulogy) was hard to make actually, I was just like "what does someone say in an eulogy?", I've never been to many funerals really, so of course I was stumped, so the eulogy came out a little...weird...
Anyway!
Kunie, and N have finally met! I at first wanted to make her oblivious to N's little crush, but I found it just didn't fit her personality, she's attentive, she knows by the nervous way he was around her, and the way he would suddenly blush, and the fact he kept holding her hand all signs. N's character in this chapter was hard to write because in the manga he was a very emotional person with an emotionless face, seriously, like the part where he was crying because of the pain of Pokemon but his face was totally emotionless...
Writing little N is harder than that though, because it clearly showed N was a normal kid, it might be because he had only been with Ghetsis for around thirteen years I guess, and the past life he had before he was adopted had probably been as ordinary as it had been for any other orphan, so he was probably normal until Ghetsis tried to corrupt him...
Last but not least...Kunie is leaving the road...
You guys know what to do if you have questions.
As for you...
Madame. Viper: I knew it! I just knew it! All of you guys love this stuff! That's why you're really here! Now I can only sit here and wonder what you get out of it.
Anyway see you kitties later!