Chapter 6: Effort

There they sat at the table inside the Pokemon Center, each of them holding onto their preferred drink. N played with his straw while Touko watched people filter in and out of the sliding doors, a slight flush on her face.

"So..." he drawled, capturing Touko's attention, a lazy smile adorning his face. "It's been a while."

She nodded. "How have you been?"

"I've been doing well. I've been travelling a bit and seeing new things."

She smiled, happy that he was adjusting to life among people just fine. "That's great! So what brings you here?"

N gestured at all the trainers bustling about in room.

"The Pokemon World Tournament of course. Besides, I knew you would be here. I'm interested in seeing how you and the most recent Pokemon Champion do."

Touko looked at him curiously, one delicate eyebrow raised. "Say N, you met him before right?"

"Yep" came the nonchalant reply.

Touko's eyes lit up. "Really? What's he like?" She had heard rumors and stories of his feats and how he had even defeated Iris to earn the title.

N chuckled. "Nate? He's a bit like a younger version of Touya actually. Always carrying around one of those bags as well. He's quite a strong trainer."

He leaned forward, resting his head on his palm. "He's even got a sister who's a skilled trainer as well, just like you and Touya." The ball of excitement in Touko's chest grew as she processed this information. The prospect of other formidable trainers to test her skill against was something that always got her fired up.

"I hope they participate in the tournament! I'd love to battle against them!" exclaimed Touko, who was sporting a huge grin by now. "I hope his sister is just as good as he is!"

Her thoughts danced as she pictured the epic battles that would ensue as their Pokemon clashed. Her imagination ran wild with all the scenarios that could occur during the battle.

"She is," N confirmed, "But Rosa's not as beautiful as you are."

That comment brought Touko crashing back down hard into reality. Blushing in embarrassment, she looked away and coughed, noting that they were the only two trainers left inside the building.

A strong hand grasped hers as he stroked it with his thumb. N could feel her body tense up as he made contact. "I mean it."

"When did you become such a flirt?" Touko stuttered in return, refusing to look at him.

He laughed at her embarrassed expression. "Since I met you. Besides, you can blame yourself. You're the one who introduced me to TV. I've been picking up on some of it."

N let go of her hand as a group of laughing hikers walked in, the merry jingle of the Pokemon Center sounding as the doors parted. Running his hand through his tea green hair, he beamed.

"So, how was my pickup line?"

Touko tried to glare at him, an expression that had very little effect when combined with her flush cheeks.

"Awful." Mirth filled N's eyes at the valiant effort. "I'll assume you meant that it was super effective."

"Idiot." came the reply.

Gathering both cups, he stood and casually tossed them into the trash. "It's getting late, why don't we head out?" N suggested. They stepped outside, the fresh air helping Touko cool off as they walked towards her hotel.

"So what are you doing tomorrow?"

Touko looked at him strangely. "I've... made plans already."

A slight frown covered N's face before disappearing quickly.

"Hmm, I see. That's too bad."

He turned to face her, a smile upon his handsome face.

"I'd walk you up and then give you a good night kiss, but I imagine Touya wouldn't like that. So I'll see you around sometime soon."

With a grin, he gave her a peck on the cheek and took off sprinting before she could utter a word, disappearing into the night as she stared at his retreating form.

Touko stood there, a hand on her cheek and another blush blossoming on her face. What. The. Fuck.

A few minutes later, she had gathered some clothes and her towel as quickly as she could, surprising Touya as she barged past him without a word.

Closing the bathroom door, she leaned against it, thinking about the most recent course of events. A gentle knock came from the other side of the wood as her brother knocked on the door.

"You alright? Did training with Ash not go well?"

Touko smiled wistfully at the concern in his voice. "It went fine. I hope you had fun with Elesa." she said.

Touya frowned slightly on the other side of the door, knowing something was bothering her but let it slide. "I did. I'm going to bed now and I'll probably leave before you wake up so take care tomorrow."

"Sounds good. I'm fine, I just need a shower." And some time to think.

Slipping her cap off, she tossed it aside as she turned on the water and watched it cascade out of the shower head.

Red wasn't the type to waste time. Everything he did had effort put into it. So naturally, when Touko was nearly burnt to crisp after barely evading a column of fire due to her lack of concentration, he was annoyed.

Red didn't have a particular interest in helping her but had stayed simply because he had nothing else to do. Every time he watched her interact with her Pokemon, he thought of his own. If she wasn't going to focus, he wasn't going to waste him time giving her his assistance, Something was clearly bothering her and it wouldn't do.

"Go home."

She swiveled around, gaping at him in utter astonishment.

"Excuse me?"

Ignoring the fact that she had nearly been fried and might need assistance, he replied.

"I said go home."

Slinging his bag over his shoulder, he walked away from her. Pausing, he looked over his shoulder.

"You're not focused. We'll continue tomorrow. Fix whatever problem it is that you have." Turning back around, he left, leaving Touko sitting there in stunned silence.

He'd give her another day's worth of effort before he made his decision to stay or go.

Touko slumped against the base of a tree as she watched him leave, the bark digging uncomfortably in her back. She smiled reassuringly at her Pokemon, some who had crowded around nudging her and at her Druddigon, who was pretending not to care while still casting glances at her. Giving them some food and then shooing them away gently so she could think, she let out a heavy sigh. Why is everyone just leaving me behind these days?

Today's training session had been a disaster. She had made mistake after mistake, asking for moves from the wrong Pokemon. If she remembered correctly, she had even asked her Braviary to use Outrage. Her lack of focus had nearly cost her dearly as she was nearly roasted by a flamethrower. Pokemon training could be a dangerous activity if one was unfocused and she had to toss herself behind a large boulder at the last second to avoid the deadly attack.

Ash was right, she needed to be more focused when training. Her forehead furrowed at the thought of him. What was with that guy anyways?

She could kind of understood how he felt. After all, she was the one who had begged him to help her, but did he really have to go point it out so rudely? She knew that he could be charming when he wanted to.

Speaking of charming.

The image of N kissing her floated into her mind. What was she going to do with him?

Touko was rarely affected by such flattering as it occurred all the time with strangers she didn't know or really care for. Unfortunately for her, N wasn't part of the group and it would be hard to deny the effect he had on her from her pounding heart when he kissed her.

That and the fact that she wasn't totally used to getting such open affection.

She couldn't even really say that she wasn't attracted to him especially with his handsome features and that hair that just begged to have her hands run through it...

Oh god. Did I really just think that?

Touko buried her face in her hands, trying to repel that image from her mind. She didn't need her hormones acting up when one of the biggest tournaments was looming around the corner. Even if she was physically attracted to him, something which her conscious mind adamantly refused to believe, she still didn't know if she was interested.

Touko had always been a dreamer and despite being a tomboy, she was still a girl. Like most other females, she had dreamt of finding that one person who would make her heart throb, the one who would love her as much as she could love him. She was in it for more than just looks.

She shook her head vigorously. No, now wasn't the time to get sidetracked. She would deal with all this nonsense after she had won the tournament. Tomorrow, she would focus on her training as a real Champion should. And possibly give Ash a piece of my mind while I'm at it.

The next day, Red observed as Touko walked into the clearing, a look of determination adorning her face. He watched as she marched up to him. Striking a stance, she pointed a finger at him.

"You!"

How odd.

"Me."

Touko stomped her foot on the ground.

"Yes, you! Would it kill you to be a little more polite next time?"

Red tilted his head slightly to the side as looked at her for any signs of sickness.

"No."

"And would it kill you to give answers that were longer than one word?"

"No." he deadpanned again.

"Than why don't you?!"

Touko crossed her arms in front of him, tapping her foot in impatience as she waited for his answer.

"Because it's not necessary."

She deflated at this response, her air of determination at telling off Red dissipating at his answer. It was hard to argue with him when he had a point.

"Yeah, but it would be nice if you spoke more" she grumbled.

"Sometimes its not just about necessity you know."

He considered her remark as he eyed her carefully.

"Fine."

Touko's eyes sparkled and she grinned, only to realize something several seconds later. "Wait! You answered with one word again!"

Pointedly ignoring her last remark, Red turned away. "Follow me. We're going somewhere else today."

Pant...Pant...Pant...

Those were the only sounds Touko could hear as she stood there, beads of sweat dripping down her forehead and the back of her neck. She swiveled her head left and right, trying to keep her eyes on the two Pokemon circling her. Her Audino shot a blob of purple out of its mouch, which Touko recognized as poison or to be more specific, Toxic. Throwing herself forward onto the ground, it passed over her as she landed slightly a few feet from the Pokemon. She turned her head to the side, only to find her Krookodile missing, the attack landing on a hole where it had been previously standing.

If there was a hole there, it only meant one thing... paling she got up and ran. A few seconds later, Krookodile exploded out of the ground where she had been, its body ramming into the pink Pokemon, throwing it backwards and showering her with rubble.

"Oye, don't forget to give orders."

"That's easy for you to say!" she shouted, dodging another attack as her Audino steadied itself and let out a torrent of fire from its mouth. "Let's see you do it!"

Red raised an eyebrow at her while watching the Krookodile jump and twist in mid air, narrowly avoiding the blast. "I'm not the one training. But if you insist, maybe I'll join next time."

Touko noticed that he had been speaking more since her request although he still wasn't up to normal standards.

"How much longer?" she exclaimed as she struggled to intake enough oxygen to keep herself moving.

"Five minutes."

Touko growled in irritation as she readied herself, trying not to sustain any more minor (or major) injuries. She had long lost her cap, and her body was covered with all sorts of bruises and scratches.

Hearing the clash of rocks colliding with each other, she looked to her left, where she saw her Krookodile standing. Rocks and boulders were being tossed down the small slope the brown Pokemon was perched upon as it used its claws and tail to sweep and fling them through the air.

Shit.

Taking off into a dead sprint she narrowly made it out of range before the flying boulders were upon her. Heaving a sigh she brushed herself off before doubling over, hands on her knees.

She heard the dull roar of the ocean behind her getting louder. Standing up and turning, she widened her eyes as she saw her Audino riding the top of 10 foot wave headed towards her Krookodile. She happened to be in the way.

Double shit.

Fortunately, she had released the rest of her Pokemon from their pokeballs beforehand. As she ran, she felt the claws of her Braviary dig into her shoulder, its talons digging into her skin as it flapped its wings and pulled her up into the air. The pain was a welcome feeling that replaced the feeling of dread of being buried underwater.

"Krookodile, substitute!"

In a matter of seconds, she was airborne and above the wave her Audino was surfing and she was as it crashed down upon her Krookodile who had managed to somehow set up a substitute in the meantime.

The flying Pokemon dumped her off next to Red and she collapsed into an ungraceful heap next to him, too tired to move.

"Time's up" he said.

"Audino! Krookodile! That's enough!"

The wave swallowed up the still bouncing and sliding rocks and covered them, her Audino hopping off the wave searching for her Krookodile. It found the lizard like Pokemon huddled nearby, its substitute having saved it from being knocked. Waddling over towards it, her Audino's nurse-like nature kicked in as it went over to help care for the Pokemon.

"So Ash, what exactly was the point of that exercise?" she questioned from her position on the ground, a hardened expression on her face. "It better not have been just to test my toughness. I expect a full answer."

When Red had asked initially her to follow, she had obeyed. Pestering him with questions hadn't worked and when he had explained what today's training session consisted of she had immediately refused. After his insistence and questioning of her toughness(which she was sure was just bait) she had reluctantly agreed.

Red kept his eyes out on the horizon, the sun dipping halfway into the ocean as it lit the sky a brilliant orange.

"Several reasons. One," he held up a finger, "to toughen up your muscles."

"Two," he lifted another finger, "to work on your reflexes."

"The third", he said holding up yet another finger, " is to practice your decision making under duress."

Touko narrowed his eyes at him. "There are other ways of.."

"The last," he said, cutting Touko off, "is to experience what your Pokemon experience while they battle."

He continued at her silence, Touko looking at him expectantly.

"It's not enough to only know move counters. In order to truly know the flow of the fight, you need to experience what it's like to be inside the battle. In doing so, you not only learn what these techniques look like to your Pokemon while in battle, you also earn their trust."

He turned to look at her, an unreadable expression on his face.

"Battling isn't the game many people think it is. Your Pokemon put forth their effort and sacrifice their bodies for you. As a trainer, you need to respect that and do your best as well."

Her expression softened. "And that's why you were so frustrated me yesterday when I was distracted?"

"Correct."

This, she should could understand.

"I see."

He sat there looking out across the ocean and for a second, Touko thought she could see some kind of emotion on face before it disappeared.

"I won't lie either. An additional reason was to see how tough you really were."

She blinked.

"Did I pass?"

"You did."

Today had certainly been interesting. Red sighed as he flopped onto his bed. He had gotten caught up in the moment and shared a little more than he was comfortable. He pursed his lips together. It wasn't everyday that he met someone who was willing to endure and survive that kind of exercise. In fact, he only knew of three who would have made it. I guess I'll be sticking around for a while longer.

In another room after having explained her day to Touya who had approved of the method and laughed at parts of her ordeal, Touko fell asleep, completely exhausted with a smile on her face.

It was dark by the time he had arrived, and inside his gym, Cheren finished his checkup, noting that everything was in good condition. After running it for the past year or so, he had started to grow rather fond of the place and now knew every inch of the place by heart.

He had already paid a visit to his sick replacement, who had informed him of the comings and going of the gym since he had left. The gym had been closed for a few days and would now reopen, meaning a slew of challengers waiting to battle.

Flipping the switch, he turned off the lights and locked the door as he went home, wondering how everyone else was doing. It would be a busy week.

Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, specifically Han-Ko, Charlie, Skydancing Dragon and Mrperson01. People like you keep me writing! And welcome to all my new readers, I hope you enjoy the story. I hope you are all happy with this update. I'm really looking forward to getting closer to some of the plot twists and turns i have planned, but for now, please be patient. All your questions will be answered in time!

Also, I'm blatantly ignoring the rule where Pokemon can only know 4 moves. That may work in the game but it would be terrible limitation in the actual Pokemon world. I mean really, how can you only remember 4 moves?

Heart of the swarm comes out two days after my birthday and two days before my quantitative methods test. Urk.

And again, please review! Only a few reviews make me a sad panda. =[