Note: Here it is, part 1 of Chapter 12. Sorry if I'm late, it's just that recently I've been much more busy. I'm also starting with a new fanfic on my notebook though. Either way, where was I? Oh right, here's Chapter 12! I hope you guys have as much fun reading this as I had fun writing this.

Umi'S POV:

"Ahh..." I muttered while yawning. I had just woken up from a refreshing nap.

I was very tired from everything I had been through but the room Unagi and Legami offered us made up for it.

The room was a huge one, not cavernous but still... huge. There were holes on the cave-like wall allowing sunlight to stream in when it was morning. The room had a fairly big space in the center, with a table-like structure that seemed to be made out of limestone. Two beds made of pink, sponge-like material lay next to each other. I suppose that one was for Arashi and that other one was for me. The bed was soft and smooth, contrary to the stone I always slept on at home.

My eyes fluttered open, and I turned my head sidewards, smiling.

"Hey, Arashi-"I said, before I cut myself remembering that he had decided to go out and stroll around the colony.

I sighed, wishing that he would, at least, take some time to rest. After all, he had been fairly busy the other day. He had battled Legami, swam across remote locations, everything. He had done that because he was very worried about me...

I slightly grinned upon thinking of that. Arashi always made me feel like that. He made me feel special.

I pulled my sinuous body out of the bed and stretched, yawning as I did. Yesterday, I felt exhausted and all. But today, all of that was replaced with a huge amount of energy, for I felt happy and refreshed yet I didn't know why.

I quickly dismissed it, however, as I caught sight of our belongings piled up on a corner of the room.

I sang softly as I rummaged through my belongings. I stopped singing, however, when I saw the rose-shaped coral Ai had given me.

You left your friends, your family! a voice echoed in my head.

For the first time ever, since fleeing from home, tears soon came out from my eyes.

"No!" I yelled, holding my tears in, "It's for the best..."

I shook myself out of the gloomy mood.

Why must I be so sad? I thought, I have a good life now! I live with some colony of friendly Pokémon and Arashi's here with me!

I put the rose-like coral dangling on my right antenna, giggling while remembering the times I used to put it on before seeing Arashi. I slowly put it back to my pile of belongings. I lovingly took out the real rose, which Arashi had gone through a lot to acquire. It was preserved in all its beauty.

After checking out my belongings and finding them to be complete. I began to swim out of the room. But, that was when something caught my eye, Arashi's belongings were piled up on the opposite side of the room.

I normally don't sneak up to see others' private belongings, but this time, it was Arashi. I just couldn't resist.

I giggled as I rummaged through it. Everything was neatly organized in his kelp-sewn bag. He had a huge supply of herbs and medicine for every situation. He even had medicines that were nearly impossible to find under the sea, such as his huge supply of Oran and Sitrus Berries.

One thing soon caught my eye, however. It was a small rocky badge, with a ruby encrusted on top of it.

Curiously, I picked it up and noticed several markings there. It was written in the language Gyarados use.

Now, if I was one of them so-called humans, this would seem like gibberish to me. But I was a Milotic, a species closely related to the Gyarados species. There were even rumors that Feebas and Magikarp were originally the same species, but adaptation caused a branch and that was when they became separate species. Personally, I didn't care or even believe in those rumors for what mattered was that I could actually read it.

On it was written:
Father, I pledge loyalty to you,
I was given an opportunity only for a few.
I must expand our history,
And one day lead my brothers to victory!

This awakened me fully and reminded me of all the pressure Arashi has been through. I remembered that his father had brought him up to lead his tribe and win in wars. No wonder he was so eager to join me when I escaped.

I was about to put it back when I noticed something else recently carved at the back of the badge.

It was also written in his language but the penmanship was much coarser.

I had no trouble reading it though.

A message was scrawled on its back, the message read:

Dear Father,
I am so sorry that I could not live up to your ideals. I know that you and... Mom worked so hard for me, but I feel that this is just wrong. I'm also sorry for taking Mom's engagement gift to you, the Sapphire, although I know that's your only remembrance of her. I know you told me to offer it to Ikari as an engagement gift, but... I don't like her... I've met someone else. Once again, I'm very sorry.
-Your Son, Arashi

After reading this, I began to feel how Arashi felt. I always thought of him as a shy and silent guy, but this explains why. All those few times he managed to show a shy smile at me, he was really carrying this burden in his heart.

I felt a little guilty for telling him that I would escape, if I hadn't, he wouldn't have come along to protect me.

One thing still bothered me though, if this was a letter addressed to his father, why was it still here in his bag?

I suddenly heard the small rock that covered our room from the hallway outside for privacy I suppose, start to open.

I quickly stuffed the badge back into Arashi's bag and turned around to face him. Hopefully, he didn't see anything.

"Good morning, Umi," he greeted sleepily.

"Good morning, Arashi," I greeted back, trying to put aside the fact thst I knew the burden he was trying to hide.

He weakly smiled, but abruptly collapsed on his bed yawning.

I asked him, concerned, "Arashi, why are you so tired? What did you do the whole night?"

He suddenly became nervous.

"W-what?" he stuttered, "W-well, nothing really..."

I could see that he was lying and doing a very poor job of it, as he was blushing lightly and that his lips were trembling. I quickly dismissed it, however.

"Okay then," I sweetly said, "At least take some time to rest, Arashi!"

He calmed down upon hearing that and showed a small smile.

"H-hey, Umi," he shyly called.

"Yes?" I replied.

"W-well," he uneasily said, "there's... something I want to show you tonight. Can you come with me?"

I nodded in agreement, giggling in his sudden awkwardness.

I continued on happily for the whole day thinking of what sort of surprise would Arashi have for me tonight.

The only one who seemed to take notice of my uplifted spirits today was Legami, which I found really odd, but I was too happy to care.

When dusk came, I immediately went back to Arashi's and my room.

He seemed pretty nervous, though he looked neater today. It was as if he had properly arranged his whiskers and shined his scales.

"G-good evening, Umi," he managed to stutter.

I giggled happily in reply, which unnerved him and made him blush.

"You were saying, Arashi?" I teased.

"Well... Umm... Yeah, there's something I want to show you," he reiterated, "but, it's not here, so I want you to come with me."

I readily agreed and we both left the colony, playfully swimming after each other. Arashi seemed to feel more relieved and happily joined in my little game. Our game was soon cut short when we had arrived at a clearing.

A huge vortex of swirling currents was in the center of the huge clearing.

"We're here," Arashi softly said.

I was puzzled though, would he really bring me all the way out here just to see a whirlpool?

The look on my face made Arashi turn to me and say, "I know this may sound crazy, but follow me into the whirlpool."

He immediately swam into the huge vortex of swirling water.

"ARASHI!" I yelled, horrified at the sight.

I certainly had doubts about the whirlpool, but I knew I could trust Arashi. I finally mastered up all my courage and charged ahead into the whirlpool.

The rest of the world was soon a blur. I didn't even have time to scream. Before I knew it, everything faded to black.

"Umi... Are you okay?" a concerned voice said.

I slowly opened my eyes; I was still feeling a bit dizzy. When I came to my senses, I saw Arashi looking down at me, concerned. I immediately stood up. That was when I noticed where we were.

"It's... It's beautiful!" I exclaimed in awe.

We were in a dimly lit cave. Once my eyes grew accustomed to the lighting, I saw that glowing crystals studded the walls. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that small crystalline objects dotted the ceiling too, giving the impression of a starlit sky.

Arashi shyly smiled, enjoying the sight beside me. I felt so happy, for seeing these crystals gave me some sort of awe and joy, especially because Arashi was beside me.

"W-well, Umi," he cleared his throat.

"Yes?" I said, still looking around.

"There's... something I want to give you," he shyly said looking down at the floor.

"Go on," I said, somehow feeling I knew what would happen next.

He pushed something to my tail. I held it up closer to inspect it. Hanging from my tail, was a beautiful Sapphire necklace. It had crystalline blue beads but what was most notable was the huge Sapphire gem in the center, intricately carved in the shape of a rose.

"It took me forever to carve that," Arashi shyly added.

"It's BEAUTIFUL!" I happily exclaimed, putting it on.

"Thank you so much!" I gratefully thanked Arashi, hugging him as I did.

"Umi," he continued nervously, "t-there's b-been something... I-I've b-been meaning t-to tell y-you for s-some time now."

I somehow knew what the next few words that were going to come out of his mouth were.

"Please do tell me!" I said excitedly.

He hesitated, now his face was glowing beet red.

I just stayed still, holding my breath while my heart continued thumping at mach speed.

He slowly opened his mouth to speak.

"Umi," he started, "I-I love you!"

He immediately closed his eyes in embarrassment.

I grinned happily. I felt shocked at first but the shock soon changed into a warm feeling.

"I love you too!" I softly replied to him, feeling my cheeks burn. I didn't care though, for he was blushing too.

He opened his eyes, somehow relieved.

"Really?" he asked, blushing crimson red already.

"Yes!" I replied, smiling.

He began to smile, even as he was blushing though I probably shouldn't care for I was doing so too.

In a moment, we just sat there, staring at each other's eyes. It was a sacred moment.

I began to close my eyes, and our lips met.

I was very happy, I felt special to be loved. Tears streamed down my closed eyes, tears of joy. It made me feel giddy inside, but I was too happy to care. He loved me, and that was all I ever cared about. And this was pretty much the most memorable kiss in my life.

I opened my eyes to see him smiling, but so was I.

"I love you, Umi," he lovingly reiterated.

"I know," I told him softly, smiling.

That night, I dared not to think about any of my problems. I was happy and I knew it. I just wanted it to stay this way forever.

For the first time ever since I escaped, I slept peacefully with a silly grin plastered on my face.

Note: That's it for now, I don't know when the next update will be since my teachers seem to be cramming tests our way before Semestral Break starts, but as soon as my Semestral Break starts, I promise I'll have it uploaded then. Thanks for reading and don't forget to review. See y'all next time.^^ ~