AN: Second Chapter! Please let me know how it goes. This one's from Satoshi's PoV first, then there's a little of Shigeru's at the bottom. Hope you liked! By the way, I really don't think the song fits. But nevermind. Eheh.

Disclaimer applies as per normal.

Cruel Intentions

Chapter 2: Sense and Sensibility

Alone with my thoughts this evening

I walked on the banks of Tyne

I wondered how I could win you

Or if I could make you mine

- I Was Brought to My Senses (Sting)

Satoshi's PoV:

The minute Shigeru was out of my sight, I lowered my head onto the bar top and heaved a sigh of relief. Pikachu leapt onto my shoulder to offer his own brand of comfort.

"Thanks, Pikachu," I said tiredly, mind still reeling from the crazy bet I just made. Everything I said a second ago had made perfect sense to me…back then. Now, thinking about it, I realise just how impulsive I was about the whole thing. My lips curved up into a slight smile, as I imagined what Kasumi's expression would be when she heard about my rash tendencies. She would be…she …and then everything fell into place. Kasumi could save me. I sat upright, and fumbled hastily in my pocket for my phone. Reaching it, I dialled frantically and waited.

It was only when I heard the click of the other receiver that I realised that it was way pass midnight. Whoops.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT TORAERU?"

Oh no. This was a mistake I never should have made. Her face lit up on my screen, and it didn't take a genius to note the drooping eyelids and the weary expression. Bingo, Satoshi, you just poked the sleeping snorlax in the eye.

"Eheh. How are you doing, Kasumi?" Wow. Great beginning, Pokemon Master. Now she's going to think that I was calling her at this unholy hour to exchange pleasantries. However, instead of screaming at me, she broke out into a faint, tired smile.

"I'm fine, and there's something I want to tell you."

I look down absentmindedly at my watch, and noted that it was about time I headed back home anyway. Nodding, I told her that I'll call her again back at my apartment, where there would be less noise and more comfort. With that, the screen went blank, and Pikachu and I left for home.

My apartment was in the ritzy area of town; being one of the top pokemon trainers in the world had its benefits. With my very recent promotion to Pokemon Master, these benefits would just keep rolling in, so I guess I'm going to be quite well off for a while, until I eat right through my income.

The second time I called, Kasumi seemed more awake than before. She was holding a cup of hot chocolate, and nestled comfortably on a sofa, ready for a long chat. I, on the other hand, couldn't stop fidgeting. Part of me wanted to slam down the phone, but the other part needed her help desperately.

"Anyway, as I was saying earlier, I need to tell you something important." I felt slightly puzzled. Kasumi looked happy, so I supposed that her news was good, but there was also the underlying anxiety beneath it. Hm.

"Well? Tell me!" Here, she began chewing on her lower lip.

"It's Takeshi…he proposed yesterday." Was it just me, or did she look apologetic?

"That's wonderful! Congratulations! You've finally got a man!" Oh ouch, judging from that glare, she's still not in the mood for forgiving such jokes.

"You…aren't angry?"

I paused then, and frowned. No, why should I be angry? I had always thought that the both of them were made for each other. Takeshi had been dying for a girl, and Kasumi had been too rowdy to get a man…eheh…let's not share my views on this. After a moment's contemplation, I realised just why Kasumi would think that I was angry.

"Kasumi, it's okay. I kind of like someone else. And that's why I called." I watched her expression fervently, and saw surprise flicker through her eyes, before the warmth of happiness.

"You like someone?! Who is it? It's your turn to tell!" Well, now we're at the good part. I reached out surreptitiously, and lowered the speaker volume to one. I had a hunch that I would still be able to hear her clearly. Taking a deep breath, I let out the whole scenario with Shigeru, not leaving out any details at all.

"…and that's why I need your help."

When I was done, I leaned as far away from the screen as possible, but her voice still rang loudly in my head.

"TORAERU SATOSHI, ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!"

I pitied Takeshi. He would have to deal with this everyday, after the marriage. Poor man sealed his own death sentence with that engagement ring that I now noticed was on Kasumi's finger.

"YOU HATE HIM! THIS IS ALL BECAUSE OF YOUR RIDICULOUS RASH NATURE. DON'T YOU BOYS EVER THINK ANYTHING THROUGH? I SWEAR, WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOUR SILLY HEAD, I WILL…"

There it was: the preordained lecture on impulsiveness.

"HONESTLY, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU WERE THINKING. DID YOU EVEN CONSIDER HIS GENDER? I DON'T THINK SO…"

Dread coursed through me at that point. I had to know if she was going to hate me over this.

"Kasumi…" My voice sounded small and weak. "Do you hate me because I'm…?"

She stopped mid-rant, and I saw some of the annoyance dissipate out of her eyes. "No, but I want to know if this is truly what you wish for."

I nodded slowly, slightly happier that she was fine with this, but still unsure of myself. Would she even consider helping me? I mustered up the courage and asked.

To my surprise, she agreed rather enthusiastically. I have absolutely no idea why she would, but why doubt my good luck? I looked away from the screen to the rug where Pikachu was staring at me rather worriedly. I think he was concerned for my eardrums. I gave him the thumbs up sign, and returned to Kasumi, who was going on and on about…shopping?!

"Wait!! What shopping?!" I was, to put it simply, horrified. Kasumi's eyes glittered in annoyance, and she tossed her hair huffily.

"Well, you're not going to seduce anyone in the rags you love wearing, and that hat of yours is just dopey. You look sillier than a psyduck, for goodness sake! And we also have to work on the way you walk and talk and just…everything! Well, I guess we could start that after you move in with him tomorrow, but we really have to get your clothes in the afternoon, so that you can surprise him with a romantic dinner tomorrow evening."

Wait. Pause. Slow down. Run that by me again.

I was far too confused to register her probably unintentional insults. Did she say move in!?! I must admit at this point that when I made the bet, I hardly even realised what I was saying. Now that I think about it, staying with Shigeru for a month sounded terrifying. So, I told her so.

"Yes, but how else are you going to get under his skin? You have to be so near, so close, that he'll have no choice but to think of you all the time. Besides, this is the result of your humongous mouth."

It was then, that I realised that Kasumi was mad. Still, it was better a plan than mine, which consisted of tearing up the name card, and hoping he'll never find me.

"Great! So, I'll meet you tomorrow at noon at the shops. Don't you dare be late." With that subtle ultimatum, the monster hung up.

I sighed wearily, and rubbed my eyes. It was now or never. I picked up the phone again.

"Hi, this is Toraeru Satoshi. Is this the Pokemon Center? Yes, thanks, he was a good opponent; I don't think I deserve the title. Anyway, can I have the address of Ookido Shigeru? He was an ex-trainer… I understand that things like this are usually confidential, but now that I just accomplished my dreams, I was thinking of dropping in as a surprise…"

Shigeru's PoV:

It was too darn early. I squinted at the clock and it told me nine am. That's just disgusting. Thanks to that darling rival of mine, I lost my sleep to nightmares and rampant thoughts. It was terrible; I spent the whole night thinking of Satoshi's smug expression, Satoshi's feigned innocent smile, Satoshi's alluring eyes…Satoshi's…NO.

Stop that Shigeru. Answer the stupid doorbell. That was what woke me up in the first place.

The whole night was wasted on trying to forget about darling Ashy-boy, so I'm sure you can imagine my horror when I opened the door to reveal…

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" The first thing that ran through my mind was: How on earth did you discover my hideaway?

This, of course, was ridiculous. I wasn't hiding from anyone, less of all him.

Satoshi let loose another one of those bright sunflower smiles. From the corner of my eye, I saw Pikachu sneak into the house. Great. Now I needed to call pest control. I sighed and shook myself out of my astonishment.

"Answer my question, will you?"

Damn it. If it was possible, Satoshi's smile widened frighteningly.

"I'm moving in, Geru. What better time to start the bet than now?"

AN: Chapter 2 up! Hope you guys enjoyed it too! Coming up next, Satoshi shops, and Shigeru receives a heart attack when he returns from work.