Chapter 5

Red's POV

Current Team:

Pika the Pikachu

Vee the Espeon

Char the Charizard

Saur the Venasaur

Blasty the Blastoise

Lax the Snorlax

We spent the last few hours catching up with Mom.

I watched the sunset out of the kitchen window, and can't help but grin. It takes me back. I can remember having Blue over here when we were kids. I briefly glance up at the ceiling, to the right of the light. Yup. Stain's still there from when we had a food fight. I remember we had made a bet about who we thought would win the Pokemon battle on TV, and I had won. I had turned to boast to Blue, and had been met with a face of some chili we had been eating (That was a particularly fierce winter in Pallet, I remember. It had snowed so much one day that Route 1 was blocked off for a week.). I quickly retaliated, and before Mom and Blue's older sister Daisy had any idea what was happening, it was an all out food fight between Blue and I. To this day, neither of us are quite sure how it happened, but a bowl of chili had managed to be flung straight up to the ceiling, and had splattered there. No matter how much Blue and I tried, and believe me, we tried, the stain would not come out. The wrath of Mom and Daisy is legendary, and even the fiercest of Charizards would cower in fear. There had been no more Pokemon battles on TV for a month, and we weren't allowed to go back into Professor Oak's Pokemon sanctuary he has behind his lab.

Two knocks on the front door drag my thoughts, and my gaze, away from the sunset. Mom was busy cleaning the dishes, and looked expectantly over her shoulder at me. I was about to get up, when Leaf pushed me down roughly and bounded over to the door. She spun around when she got to the door, stuck her tongue out at me (Good Arceus she is adorable…) and flung the door open. Ethan and Lyra quickly piled inside.

"Arceus, close the door!" Lyra hissed, shutting the door while Leaf stared at her in shock.

Mom, Leaf, and I stared at Ethan and Lyra as they lay there on the floor huffing and puffing.

"What...what happened to you guys?" Leaf breathed, looking at the two of them.

"You!" Lyra growled, popping up and jabbing her finger into Leaf's face. "Your plan! We were followed around by paparazzi all day once they caught wind that Johto's Champion and his 'girlfriend' were in Pallet Town. ALL. DAY."

A brief flash of hurt crossed Ethan's face as Lyra said girlfriend in the manner she did, something that I didn't miss, but he quickly recovered and glared up at Leaf.

"You owe us." he simply put, standing up. He grabbed Lyra's shoulder, and gently dragged her away from Leaf. He sat her down at the table, and sat next to her. He glanced over at Mom, who was still standing in the kitchen near the dishwasher. "Mrs. Kasai, do you have any leftovers? And I don't mean the item."

Mom laughed gently, and nodded. She quickly dried off her hands, and opened the refrigerator. She quickly reheated some mashed potatoes and ham, and handed it off to Lyra and Ethan. Ethan quickly set to work, devouring his. Lyra was close behind. After they finished and washed their dishes (they wouldn't let Mom do it, and insisted she sit down and rest) we sat in silence for a bit. Leaf and I sat next to each other and across from Ethan and Lyra. Mom had brought a chair from the living room, and was sitting next to me.

"So.." Leaf began, looking nervously at Lyra, as if expecting her to jump in her face again. "Uhh….how'd it go?"

Lyra glared daggers at Leaf, and Ethan just sighed. "Alright. Red's museum was interesting. A whole lotta things dedicated to him."

I just shook my head. It was so odd to me that my hometown now has a museum dedicated to me. Me.

"There was seriously an entire exhibit just dedicated to Red's clothing. You could buy replicas of his jacket and hat in a gift shop. It's insane…."

"Oh, Leaf! You should go buy a jacket like Red's! You two could be the cutest couple, wearing matching jackets!" Mom cooed, looking at the both of us and smiling, obviously very proud of her idea.

I felt my face heat up, and heard Leaf give a dignified (and adorable…..GAH STOP THAT) squeak. I forced myself to look out the window as Lyra began to giggle maniacally and Ethan chuckled.

"Maybe next time it'll be the Pokemon Master Red and his girlfriend! That'll definitely give the people something to gossip about!"

I coughed, standing up. Leaf did the same, claiming she needed to use the bathroom. She hurried out of the room, picking up her bag that was against the wall on her way out. I watched her go, torn between the awkwardness at the fact that she was probably VERY uncomfortable and the fact that she was freaking adorable all flustered like that.

….

I wanted to smack my head against the wall. Three years up on that mountain, and I come back down and have weird thoughts about my (freaking adorable) best friend. I shouldn't be thinking like this. Leaf is my friend, my best friend. Thinking of her like that is wrong…

I grunt as Ethan punched me in the gut.

"Yo," he grins up at me. I realized that I was still standing there, like an idiot, staring at where Leaf had walked out of the room. "I get it, she's hot, but seriously dude, take a picture. It'll last longer. Heck, I could hook you up with this guy I know, dude's name is Cameron. Great photographer and I swear to Arceus the man is everywhere. He could take an adorable picture of her for you so you can drool over it as you brood all Champion-like. Deal?"

Lyra snickered, and Mom laughed gently. She walked over to me and patted my back affectionately.

"I wouldn't worry about that, Ethan dear." Mom said, a grin slowly growing on her face. "Red already has some pictures of Leaf from when they were younger…..but I do suppose he'll want some newer ones. More updated. Leaf has….matured, don't you think Red?"

Sweet Mew, this woman. My face burned. Lyra was crying she was laughing so hard, and Ethan's shoulders were trembling with suppressed laughter. Mom laughed and patted my cheek affectionately. I glanced over at the couch, noticing for the first time Pika and Vee watching us. Traitors. They weren't doing anything to help out their trainer, their best friend. Vee's ears twitched, and her eyes narrowed. She quickly muttered a few things to Pika, and he nodded. I narrowed my eyes at the duo. Vee had sensed my emotions and thoughts, and was planning something with Pika. Pika quickly bounded from the couch and darted down the hall. Vee elegantly leaped from the couch and swayed her way over to me. She looked up at me, gave me a small mewl….and then sunk her teeth into my shin.

I am not ashamed to admit I swore like a sailor.

Heck, worse than a sailor. A sailor I met once on the S.S Anne would have blushed at what I had said. I know my mother did. She spluttered something I didn't catch as I sprinted after Vee, who had taken off down the same direction Pika had. I muttered a few more curses as I realized that the speed training I had given to my team was now working against me. Vee was among the fastest on my team, just a little short of Pika's lightning quick speed. I caught the end of Vee's tails as she made a turn into one of the rooms. My old room. Without any hesitation, I followed her. Vee sat there on my bed, her tail's slowly swaying from side to side as she looked at me with an air of smugness around her.

"Pika! That's not funny! Give that back!" Leaf's voice hissed from out in the hall.

I turn to see Pika sprint in the room with something in his mouth, and he leaped onto the bed with Vee. I looked at what Pika had in his mouth, and I felt my mouth go dry.

"Pika! Give that-" Leaf's cry was cut short, and replaced by a squeak. I turned to see her, and my knees almost gave out.

Leaf didn't have her hat on, and her hair was sort of messy. She was wearing some pink pajama bottoms with Jigglypuffs smiling on them. But she didn't have a shirt on….instead, a pink bra was all that saved her from being completely exposed. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. Her eyes widened, and her face began to turn red.

Behind me, I heard a faint snicker from my two Pokemon, and the shuffle of what had been in Pika's mouth. Leaf's blue tank top. Leaf and I continued to stand there frozen in shock.

"Uh…" I managed to croak out.

Leaf flinched, and the spell seemed to be broken. She crossed her arms over her chest and opened her mouth to scream. I jumped forward, clamping my hand over Leaf's mouth. Her eyes (somehow) got wider, and I felt her mouth open and close under my palm.

"Please don't scream!" I hissed, closing the door with my foot. I glanced over my shoulder at my (traitorous) Pokemon, who watched us, now impassive. I glared at them, and they both began to laugh. Little monsters. "Leaf, don't scream. Mom, Lyra, and Ethan were already teasing us before, imagine what they'd do if they caught us like…."

My mouth went dry, and I had to fight the urge to look down. Her lips were really soft under my hand, and really warm and….

I quickly took my hand away from her mouth and stepped back. I reached back and picked up her tank top (making sure to smack Pika and Vee; they both gave annoyed noises, but they deserved it) and tossed it to her. I turned away from her, and pulled my hat over my eyes. An awkward silence fell over the room. I heard her shuffle, and then the rustle of her putting her shirt back on.

The silence lasted for a few more minutes, until Leaf cleared her throat. "H-how'd you know I was changing into my pajamas..?"

Not what I was expecting her to ask. I turned to meet her gaze. Not trusting my tongue, I merely looked at her.

Leaf wouldn't meet my gaze. Her face was bright red, and she was hugging herself. "I….I mean….I guess you saw me grab my bag on the way out…..but how'd you know I was going to change? W-why would you…?"

I blinked. Oh. I felt my face burn. Oh. She thought I did this on purpose. She thought….why would she think that?!

"...I….I didn't…..Pika and Vee…." I looked back at the devilish duo, and they gave me more innocent smiles.

"Oh." She said simply.

More awkward silence.

"So...uh...I'm just gonna….yeah…." Leaf shuffled awkwardly back towards the door. She brushed some hair behind her ear, looked at her feet, and then suddenly was gone. She had thrown the door open and had fled my room.

I blinked. Once. Twice.

A gentle thump from behind me, followed by something rubbing against my legs let me know that Vee had gotten off the bed. Pika leapt onto my shoulder and nuzzled my cheek. I sighed, and rubbed Pika behind his ears. He cooed, and continued to nuzzle my cheek. If they looked as they felt, they would be burning bright red. Seeing Leaf like that….

I smacked myself on my forehead. Stop. Quit thinking like that. I sighed, and walked out of my room and back down the hall. As I entered the kitchen, I noticed someone new sitting in my kitchen with everyone.

"Yo!" Blue Oak said, giving me a smirk and a lazy wave of the hand.

Whereas Leaf had obviously grown and matured, Blue looked mostly the same to me. Perhaps a few more spikes in his hairstyle. His style of clothing had also changed from his purple shirt and black pants to a new black jacket with a grey hood and tan cargo pants. I briefly wondered if he had matured over the past three years as I waved back at him.

"So," he began, his smirk never leaving his face. "Were you peeping on Leaf while she went to the bathroom?

….Well that answered my question.

"..."

"Hey, your mom told me that she went in the general direction of the bathroom, and that you followed after her when your Pikachu and Espeon took off in that direction too. So which was it, Pikachu Cam or Espeon Cam? Get any good pictures?"

"..."

Blue shrugged. "Hey, worth a shot. Ethan and Lyra here have been telling me that you two are a cute couple."

"..."

"Not a couple?" Blue chuckled, flicking his hair with his hand and giving me a pointed look. "Don't kid yourself, man. I saw how you two were when you left. What if you two had been in contact with each other over these years, growing a secret relationship?"

"...?"

Blue laughed. "No, I don't believe that Tauros shit. I know how antisocial you are, man. We've been rivals since we could walk and talk. You're the most antisocial and shy guy I know."

"..."

"Hm?" Blue hummed, scratching his chin. "Oh, yeah. Ethan and Lyra contacted me when you guys reached Pallet last night. When I arrived, I heard that the Johto Champion and his girlfriend were-OOF!"

Lyra glared at the boy sitting across from her, and retracted her foot. Ethan blinked, and gave Blue a sympathetic look.

"Damn," Blue whispered hoarsely. He grinned at Lyra. "You know, you would get along just fine with another Pokedex holder in Hoenn. Her name is May Birch, and you two act very similar…."

I blinked. Blue gave me a grin. "Anyways, yeah. I heard Ethan and Lyra were on a date in Pallet, so I figured you would be here. I spent some time with Grandpa and Daisy today, and waited until I heard that these two had left your museum. Then, I came on over here! And ta daa! You have been blessed with my presence!"

He lifted his chin, closed his eyes and smirked. I just sighed. I walked over to the couch and sat down. Pika curled up around my neck and settled in. Vee leapt up onto the couch and into my lap.

"Erm," Ethan coughed uncertainty. "How exactly did you understand Red? I mean, he wasn't saying a word…."

Blue snickered. "When you know a person for so long, you learn how to understand them without them having to say anything."

I glanced over my shoulder (and Pika) at the kitchen and saw Mom nod sagely.

"That, and Red is a master at communicating nonverbally." she said, smiling at the two younger trainers. "He's been doing it since he was a little boy. He's so shy, you know. That's why it's our job to get him and Leaf together! He's too shy to do it on his own!"

Blue raised a glass of water that had been in front of him. "Amen to that, Mrs. Kasai!"

He and Mom laughed, and then they both gave me big grins. Lyra and Ethan looked at each other, then at those two, and finally at me.

"...How can we help?" Lyra finally said, an evil grin etching across her face. Ethan gave her a bewildered look, obviously surprised that Lyra wanted to include him in this.

Blue gave the girl a grin. "We'll initiate you two into the group when Red isn't in the room…."

They all turned and looked at me. I sighed, getting the message, and stood up. Vee gave a squeak of protest, and Pika barely budged from around my neck. I walked out of the room, and as I entered my room I heard the beginnings of excited talking coming from the kitchen. Occasionally, there would be a loud laugh, followed by a louder "Shh!". I closed the door, and then just flopped down on my bed. Pika gave a tired "Chuu…" and got off my neck. He curled up on my left side, and Vee hopped up to curl up on my left. These two were my personal heaters on cold nights. I just lay there, listening to the commotion from the kitchen as my mom and Blue initiated the two younger trainers into some group that wanted to hook Leaf and I up….

Wait.

Hook us up?

Vee's ears twitched, and I felt her laugh.

We're just friends, best friends. Not that I wouldn't mind dating Leaf, but I mean….

The talking in the kitchen abruptly stopped. I heard a new voice pipe up. Leaf's voice. They must've stopped talking because she entered the room. I heard my mom say something, and then more quiet. I heard some footsteps walk down the hallway, and then stop right outside my door. An uncertain knock rang out from the door. I rested my hand on Vee's head, and grunted. Vee sighed, and then the door opened up on it's own. I grinned. The perks of having a psychic Pokemon. I glanced at the doorway, and Leaf stood there, hand still raised. She blinked. She had put on a white t-shirt on to go with her Jigglypuff pajamas.

"Uh…" She began nervously. We locked eyes, and she looked away. "Uhm….your mom said I would…..be rooming with you…."

Oh.

Leaf gave a nervous laugh. "Lyra and Ethan took the living room so…..yeah…"

I remained silent, not saying anything as she shuffled nervously. Finally, I sat up and sighed. Leaf flinched.

I gave her a smile. "I'm not gonna bite. I'm sorry for earlier."

Leaf shook her head, her hair flying around her face. "No, no! I'm sorry I accused you! I should've remembered that Pika was such a troublemaker…."

I stood up, and walked up to her. I tried to meet her gaze, but she would only meet it for a few seconds before looking away...and then she would glance back for a few seconds more.

"Hey," I whispered. "I'm sorry...really…"

She finally met my gaze. She opened her mouth, but didn't say anything. I couldn't help but watch her lips.

"Uh…" I muttered, noticing how close we had gotten. "Here, you can take the bed….I'll go get blankets and sleep on the floor."

"O-oh.." Leaf whispered, barely audible. "...o-ok.."

As I left my room to get my blankets, I glanced back. Vee and Pika were shaking their heads at me, and Leaf was standing where she had been, staring off into space.

...What on Earth were those two shaking their head for?

Thanks for reading! Sorry it took so long again. School and sports kinda jumped me and didn't let go until recently. I held off for a bit more, until after I got my Omega Ruby game. Damn, does that game take me back to when I played Ruby and Emerald on my Gameboy with my best friend when we were little.

BTW, Red's last name is Kasai, Japanese for Fire. When I introduce any other characters from the games that don't have last names like Blue, I will most likely give them last names that correlate with their games or Japanese names.

Anyways, that scene with Leaf topless...that was just waaaaay more fun to write than it should've been. I see Red's mom, Lyra, Ethan, and now Blue as the team to trying to set Red and Leaf up, even if Ethan isn't completely willing to But, they're going to experience some troubles in the near future...hehe...

Thanks so much for reading! Please favorite and review! I love getting reviews from you guys telling me what you think! It's something that keeps me motivated and going!

-Robo