"Ladonna... What are you planning? With Ryoku.." a male Lunar member questioned. He was above grunt status, but not as powerful as Ladonna herself. He was an admin, like Leiko.
He stood in a room up high in the Team Lunar base. His tentative eyes were focused on Ladonna as she looked out the only window in the room. The male admin wore the same black and blue outfit as the other grunts, with the crescent moon shape on the front. He had short, silky black hair with parted bangs. The boy had keen dark blue eyes with small, square-shaped glasses, and looked to be around the age of twenty.
Ladonna chuckled somewhat darkly at the question. "That boy is something else. He thinks he's so far ahead of me, and yet, I know everything he's planning.. He thinks he's the one controlling the game, when in reality, he's stuck in a game of his own." she mused. "Such a complex child.. But in the end, that's what he is. A child. He believes he's in control of everything, and he thinks he can do whatever he pleases. When it backfires on him.. That's going to be a show."
"Are you sure you know what you're doing, Lady Ladonna? That kid's Pokemon are powerful.. Much more powerful than the average grunt's should be."
"He isn't the average grunt. He's had his own agenda from the beginning, and I've known of it. Ryoku is an over confident fool, maybe to most trainers he can give a good match, but when it comes to real power, he's got nothing." she explained, looking over to her fellow team member. "Trust me, Nobu. Let this play out, that's what I've been doing since I recruited him."
Nobu nodded in reply. "I understand. I will not worry then, Lady Ladonna."
/
Hisa and the others had spent a full week training their Pokemon. While they had become stronger, they still weren't the best. All of them realized that, but, at the least, they could now put up more of a fight against Team Lunar, if they were to attack again. Now, after a week of hard training, the group had set off for their destination, Mauville City.
"How much farther is iiiit?" Michiru whined.
"I don't know.. ask Takahiro." Hisa replied, looking over to the male member of the group.
"We've still got a ways to go." he informed. "We're close to Cycling Road..but unless someone here is hiding a bike, that's a no go."
"...The Skitty Princess is not happy." Michiru pouted.
Hisa sighed, and looked over to Taki, who turned her head around to meet her gaze. Taki was the only one who never complained about walking, and Hisa didn't know if it really affected her or not. She always seemed so content to be able to follow along. The Mudkip-girl would often admire the scenery of where they were, enjoying the look of nature and the Pokemon they would see.
"Kip!" she chirped, hugging Hisa.
Hisa groaned and pull her off. "Let's just keep going.." Takahiro and Michiru nodded in reply, and the group was off again.
After a bit more walking, Michiru stopped as a guy on a bicycle sped past them, and up to the nearby Cycling Road. She stomped her foot and let out a whine.
"I want to go on Cycling Road! I'm tired of walking!"
"So are we, but we aren't throwing a fit over it!" Hisa snapped.
"I am not 'throwing a fit'!"
"Then you're whining!"
"I am not!"
Takahiro sighed as the two girls argued back and fourth. This couldn't get any worse.
Just then, the loud roar of a motor was heard. Hisa and Michiru went silent and looked around, trying to see where the noise came from. Speeding down at them was a black motorcycle. They all knew who that was.
Takahiro's expression became even more aggravated at the sight of their new company. "It just got worse." he mumbled to himself.
The motorcycle stopped in front of the small group, and sure enough, the rider was Ryoku. He lifted up his sunglasses and hopped off, giving a slight smirk to Hisa, who was already blushing.
"Hey." he greeted with a small wave.
"You again?" Michiru asked, but was cut off by Hisa.
"R-Ryoku!" she exclaimed joyfully, running up to him.
"Hisa, it's good to see you again." he said with a small smile.
Her cheeks turned redder, and she nodded. "Yes! I-It's so good to see you!"
"You all still headed for Mauville?" he asked.
"Yes!" Hisa replied before anyone else could.
"I see." he smirked, looking at Hisa. "Taking the long way?"
"Er..yeah..we don't have any bikes to use.."
Still smirking, Ryoku grabbed Hisa's hand. "Why don't you let me take you on my motorcycle?"
Nearly falling over, Hisa's face had turned crimson again. "T-T-T-Take m-me..? T-Through C-Cycling..Road..?" she stumbled to reply.
Ryoku nodded. "Of course. I bet you could use a break from all the walking."
"How considerate of you." Takahiro scoffed.
Ryoku looked over to him, and laughed lightly. "Sorry. You guys can rent a bike over at the entrance."
"Whatever." Takahiro sighed.
"Let's do it!" Michiru said.
"Do what?" Takahiro asked.
"We're renting a bike. Come on." she replied, moving in the direction of the Cycling Road entrance, dragging the somewhat confused Taki along with her.
Ryoku laughed a bit again. "Well, I guess Hisa and I will meet you at the Mauville Pokemon Center?"
"Do whatever you want." Takahiro said, and walked after Michiru and Taki.
"So..you ready?" Ryoku asked.
Hisa nodded. "Yes! Er..I mean.. Yes.." she said, trying not to sound as joyous as she really was.
"Then, hop on." Ryoku said, getting on his motorcycle.
"Eevee, I'm going to put you in here just for a while, okay?" Hisa told her little Pokemon.
"Vee." Eevee understood, and was sucked into his Pokeball.
"Okay!" Hisa said, putting the Pokeball away and hopping onto the motorcycle. She got her helmet on, and wrapped her arms around Ryoku, just like the last time. "I-I'm ready.."
"Alright, here we go!" Ryoku called, starting up the motor and speeding forward.
The two sped up to the entrance of Cycling Road, where Takahiro and the other two were. Hisa waved as Ryoku passed them by. Michiru paid the man for a bike, and looked back to Takahiro.
"I got the bike. You're driving." she informed him.
"..What? Can't you ride a bike?"
"Of course I can!" she yelled. "My feet are tired, and you're the man. Drive the tired Skitty and Mudkip Princesses!"
Takahiro looked over at Taki, who was inspecting the bike. It was red, with the company who made it's logo in yellow on the side. To the side of the bike was a special extra seat, that was like a pod, as all three passengers couldn't fit on the bike.
"Fine." Takahiro agreed with a small sigh. He put on his helmet as Michiru put on hers and helped Taki put one on.
Takahiro sat Michiru in the extra seat, and gestured for Taki to come sit behind him. She, somewhat cautiously, did so.
"Wrap your arms around my stomach, okay Taki? So you don't fall off." he explained. Taki nodded and did as she was asked.
"Wait a second! Why does Taki get to ride up there!?" Michiru exclaimed.
"She has bigger boobs than you, I get to feel more against my back than if you were up here." Takahiro replied simply.
"Kip?" Taki said, with no idea what was going on.
"W-What!? Takahiro, I'm going to kill y--"
"Better fasten your seat belt!" he called, peddling forward, out onto the road.
"Damnit!" she squeaked, quickly buckling her seat belt in the little pod.
Meanwhile, Ryoku and Hisa were on their way down the long road. They passed by many other cyclers, and Hisa couldn't help but feel so cool, being able to ride with someone as cool as Ryoku. He was so good at driving the motorcycle, even though they were traveling at such a fast speed; he was completely in control. If another cycler was in their way, he would swerve just in time. Hisa felt completely safe. After a week of nothing but training her Pokemon, it was so refreshing to be doing something like this. Especially with Ryoku.
Hisa let out a small, happy sigh. Despite the speed of the bike, she couldn't feel more content. Ryoku smirked.
"You okay back there?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine!" she replied happily. "This is really nice..."
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself." he replied.
After another moment of silence, Hisa decided to try and make some conversation.
"So.. Ryoku.. How have you been?"
"Okay, I guess. Just been traveling around. Nothing special. What about you? I figured you'd have been to Mauville by now. I was surprised to run into you.." he asked. A lie. He had tracked them down and knew where they were.
"Oh, yeah.. Me and Takahiro and Michiru decided to take some time to train. We want to get stronger, in case..those Team Lunar people decide to attack us again.." she explained.
"I see. They probably will.. When they want something, they don't give up. I'm sure with a little training you could take those guys, though! They're not as tough as they look."
"Hah, yeah, maybe to you! You're like..the strongest trainer ever.." Hisa laughed. But then blushed, realizing what she said probably sounded weird.
"Strongest ever? Me?" he chuckled. "You're really cute."
Luckily she was wearing a helmet, as right then Hisa's face turned red as a tomato. She also felt faint again, losing grip a bit on Ryoku and falling to the side slightly.
"Hisa! Are you okay? Don't let go of me, you'll fall.." Ryoku called back, slowing down a bit.
"S-S-Sorry..! I-I'm fine..sorry.." she replied, doing her best to regain composure and clutching him tighter to her. That was too embarrassing.
Ryoku laughed, and she got nervous again.
"I'm not making fun of you!" he assured. "..Well, maybe I am. But I can't help it! You're so funny, Hisa. In a cute way."
"G-Gaaah, i-if you keep talking like that.. I r-really am going to fall off..!" she cried, still red, and clinging onto him tighter.
Ryoku laughed again. "Okay, okay, I'll stop." he replied.
Girls 'in love' were rather amusing.
/
A short while later, Takahiro, Michiru, and Taki had made it through Cycling Road. They had returned their bike, and were now in Mauville City. The three looked around for Hisa, but couldn't find her or Ryoku anywhere. So, they were waiting for them at the Mauville Pokemon Center, where they were all supposed to meet up.
Michiru had Mako-Skitty and Tama-Skitty out of their Pokeballs, and was playing around with them on one of the Center's couches. Takahiro was sitting in a chair with a bored and annoyed expression on his face, while Taki was completely focused on the TV that was on.
"Where is she, that idiot.." Takahiro wondered aloud.
"With that Ryoku guy, where else?" Michiru replied, patting Tama-Skitty on the head.
"Of course that's where she is. But where are they? They should've been here by now.. Damnit, they're both so annoying." he complained.
"Maybe he kidnapped her or something!" Michiru joked, her attention on her two Pokemon.
"Hah. Yeah, right." Takahiro replied, unamused.
Taki gazed at the Center's television, oblivious to everything else around her. She hadn't seen TV before, and it amazed her a great deal. She couldn't take her eyes off the moving, talking pictures.
On the screen were a man and woman, in their mid-twenties. The woman wore a red dress and had long brown curly hair with blue eyes, and the man had black hair with dark brown eyes, and wore a black suit.
"I love you!" the man said to the woman.
The woman looked down, and shook her head. "No, you don't. You don't mean that."
"I do!" he insisted. "I do mean it.. Sachiko, I love you more than anything else in the world! Love is..love is caring for that person more than anything, right? More than anyone else. Love is wanting to be with that person, no matter what, forever..right? Love is wanting to spend every day with that person, spend every season, every holiday..the good times, the bad.. As long as you have that person with you, everything will be okay. Love is wanting to hold onto that person and never let them go.. right? Sachiko, isn't that what love is!?"
The girl continued to look away from the man, and now looked like she was about to cry. "Yes.. Yes, that is love, but.."
"No buts. I love you, Sachiko. I feel all of that and more for you. Please..believe me.."
"Kenji.." the woman said, her tone unsure.
"Please..let me kiss you?" he begged, lifting her chin up so he could look into her eyes.
She closed her eyes as he bent down to meet her lips with his own. He hugged her close, and the two stayed like that for a moment before breaking apart.
"Oh, Kenji.. I love you.." the woman said, tears coming into her eyes.
Taki blinked at the scene. "Kip.. Love.." she said to herself.
Takahiro got up from his chair, still visibly annoyed. "I'm going to go look for her." he informed them, going out of the Center.
/
Meanwhile, Ryoku had taken Hisa to the water front in east Mauville. Despite their agreement with Hisa's other companions, they didn't think waiting a little longer for them would hurt. The two walked along the shore, hand in hand. It had been Ryoku who took Hisa's hand. The girl was still blushing madly over it, practically unable to speak. So, they strolled silently, as Hisa didn't want to say anything embarrassing or stupid. The moment was too perfect to ruin.
"Are you happy, Hisa?" Ryoku asked, breaking the silence.
"Y-Yeah.. I..really am.." she replied, smiling up at him, her cheeks still a crimson color.
"That's good to hear." he replied.
The two continued to walk together for a few more moments, before Ryoku stopped. Hisa blinked, stopping also. She looked up at him, nervous she had done something wrong. Ryoku looked down from her slightly, but then met her eyes with his.
"Hisa.. I have to ask you something." he started, his voice serious.
"Yes..?"
"Tell me.. What are your feelings on me?"
Hisa blinked with surprise, taken back by the question. "W-What do you mean, Ryoku..?" she asked.
"I mean.. What do you think of me, really? Would you say you had..feelings..for me? Would you say you iloved/i me, even?" he questioned.
Hisa froze. The question was overwhelming, and so many thoughts and emotions rushed through her. She was scared to answer, but she knew she couldn't stay silent forever. He had asked..so this was her chance! Her chance to tell him her feelings.. It was now or never. If he turned her down, then at least she tried.
She swallowed, trying to form her words. "I-I.. Ryoku, I.. Yes..I do." she said, somewhat softly. "I..love you, Ryoku.."
He smirked slightly at her answer. "Then answer me this." he said again, walking a few steps ahead of her.
"Would you love me..no matter what? Even if I hurt you? Even if I was cruel to you? Even if I pushed you away?"
"What?" she asked, confused by all this. "I.. Of course I would, I mean.. I do..love you..a lot.. I don't..I don't think you could do anything cruel to me, Ryoku.. You're really kind.."
Ryoku twitched slightly at her reply. "What makes you say that? What makes you believe in me so much? It could be argued we barely know each other.. How do you feel so strongly about me?" he continued.
"I.. I don't know.. I just.." she swallowed, trying to put more confidence into her voice. "From the moment we met, I just..knew. I knew you were a great person..an amazing person.. Strong, kind.. "
"Hisa.." he said. "Would you love me if I told you I was the devil's advocate?"
"..What? What in the world are you talking about, Ryoku..?" she asked, completely confused.
"Heh, it's nothing.. Nevermind it, Hisa." he said, turning back around to face her.
"If you say so.." she replied, looking down a bit.
Ryoku moved closer to her. Hisa looked up at him, and into his red eyes. She couldn't read them, she couldn't tell what he was thinking. She blinked as he suddenly moved his hand to her back and lightly pushed her forward, closer to him.
"Ryoku.." she started.
Before she could say anything else, Ryoku lowered his lips to hers, locking her into a kiss. Hisa's face turned a crimson red color yet again, and she resisted the urge to flail. He was kissing her..his arms were around her in an embrace. Her dream was coming true, and she couldn't move away from it. Hisa closed her eyes, and kissed him back. He hugged her a bit more tightly, and added some more passion into his kiss.
As luck would have it, Takahiro had found the two right then. He stared at them, his annoyed expression turning into a shocked one. It faded back to an angry one within a second, and he clenched his fist.
"Idiot.." he muttered quietly to himself. He quickly turned his back and walked off from the scene, before they could notice him.
After a few moments staying lip-locked, Ryoku and Hisa broke apart, and looked into each other's eyes. Hisa continued to blush, and she couldn't help but look away with embarrassment. Ryoku gave a small smile to her, and lightly pushed her away from him.
"I'll see you around." he said, turning around and getting back onto his motorcycle.
Hisa looked up, and looked over at him. "W-Wait!" she called.
But it was no use. Ryoku gave her a small wave, avoiding eye contact. Before she could get to him or say anything more, he was already off. Hisa looked down, disappointed. She put her hand to her chest, feeling her heart beating rapidly. So much had just happened in such a short time. She'd gotten her first kiss, from Ryoku.. Yet he had gone off, just like that. She had no idea what was to happen between them next. The kiss was amazing, but was it out of pity? Ryoku hadn't stated that he returned her feelings or not. And what was that strange speech about? It confused Hisa to no end.
Snapping back to reality, Hisa suddenly realized Takahiro and the others must have made it to the Pokemon Center by then. She shouldn't keep them waiting any longer, she could think about everything later. With that last thought, Hisa sped back into Mauville, searching for the Pokemon Center.
Hisa burst through the Center doors when she finally found it, out of breath from running. She looked relieved when she saw her friends there; Taki still watching the TV, Michiru with Tama-Skitty and Mako-Skitty, who were sleeping on her lap, and Takahiro, who was sitting in the chair again with an aggravated expression on his face.
"Hisa!" Taki exclaimed joyfully, flinging herself onto the worn out girl.
"Hey, Taki.." she greeted the Mudkip-girl. "I-I'm really sorry about that, you guys!" she apologized. "Ryoku and I, um..took a little..detour.."
"Yeah. Hope you had fun." Takahiro snapped, getting up from his chair again. "I'm going for a walk." he said, walking past Hisa and out the Center doors.
Hisa looked back after him, confused at his worse than normal attitude. "What's his problem?" she asked, looking to Michiru.
"I dunno, he's been in a bad mood all day." she shrugged.
"Kip! Taki missed Hisa!" Taki said, clinging to her.
"I missed you too, Taki.." Hisa replied, patting the girl on the head.
"So.. Hisa, what did you do with Ryoku?" Michiru asked with a slight smirk.
Hisa blushed, recalling the events of the day. "N-Nothing! He just took me around on his motorcycle, that's all.." she replied.
"Oh? That's all?" Michiru questioned. She smirked again. "From the look on your face, it seems like you two did more than that.."
Hisa's blush increased. "W-We did not! It's none of your business, anyway!" she yelled.
"So what did you guys really do?" Michiru continued.
"Y-You're too young to understand!"
"You're so defensive.. What, did he kiss you or something?"
"It's none of your business!" Hisa shouted.
"..He did!"
"I'm going up to get a room!" Hisa replied, blushing furiously. She stomped up the stairs of the Pokemon Center, completely embarrassed, as well as confused about the day.
"Kiss.." Taki said to herself, remembering the TV show she had seen earlier. She followed Hisa up the stairs, and stopped behind her. "Hisa.. What is a..kiss?" she asked.
Hisa turned around to face her. "A kiss? It's..um.. Something people do when they love each other. They..uh..touch their lips together, and.. That's basically it. You do it to someone you love." she explained, or tried to.
"Kip! Taki understands! You kiss someone you love.." she said, remembering the way it happened in the show.
Love.. She also remembered how the man had said what love was. Love was caring for that one person more than anything, and wanting to be with them forever. Love was wanting to spend everyday with that person, and knowing that everything would be okay because that person was there.
As Hisa was about to walk away, Taki grabbed her hand. Hisa looked back at her, confused.
"What is it, Taki?" she asked.
The Mudkip-girl looked up at her, and smiled. She remembered what she had seen on the TV, and slowly moved closer to Hisa's face. Hisa's eyes widened slightly as the two became closer. Just as Taki's lips barely reached Hisa's and touched them lightly, she pushed the Mudkip-girl away.
"Taki! W-What in the world do you think you're doing!?" she exclaimed, turning red again.
Taki blinked up at her, confused. She didn't understand why Hisa pushed her away like that.
"Hisa said a kiss is two people touching their lips together, yes? And you kiss someone you love.." she explained. "Taki loves Hisa. More than anything."
Hisa continued to blush at her words, and looked away from her a bit. "No, no, Taki.. I mean, yes, that's right, but.. There's two different kinds of love."
"Different kinds of love?" she asked.
"Yeah.. The kind of love where you kiss someone is..like..love.. You want to be with that person. Marry that person, have a family with them.. Romantic love. The other love, which you feel for me, is friendly love. Or family love. The kind of love you feel for your friends and family. Understand?"
Taki nodded. "Taki guesses so.."
Hisa sighed. "Okay then, good." she replied. "Let's..go get a room or something now."
"Kip!" Taki complied, following along after Hisa.
Hisa didn't need or want any more strange things happening to her, that was for sure. Enough was enough for one day.. And they were going to have to go see this Professor Mayu the next day, too. She wondered what would happen there. What they would find out about Taki. It was all so much to think about.. But, what would happen, would happen. She'd learned that by now.
/