Author's Note:

Hey, sorry for the late update! I was really sick for the past week and to top it all off, I had exams! Grr, it sucked, but I'm so glad school's done and the exams are over! :D

Story is rated T for some vulgar language

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon!

The More The Merrier?

I was about to drift off into a deep slumber when...it happened. The sound of the zipper unzipping and the gentle breeze hitting my face...

Someone else had entered the tent.

"Ah!" I shrieked. Instinctively I smacked Steven on the back.

"Ow..." He groaned, slowly sitting up. "What was that f-" Steven paused. "Well, if it isn't you."

I was practically hiding behind Mr. Stone's son as the figure snickered. It looked like a man; a pretty tall man. He stood with his arms crossed, towering over myself and Steven. "Yeah bud! Long time no see. I apologize for um... intruding." From the faint moonlight, I could see a smirk appear on the mans lips. He bent forward, looking right at me. "I didn't mean to scare your little lady friend here."

Steven smiled at me and put a hand on my back. "It's okay, he's just a friend." I nodded and then he got up. "Didn't consider asking before you could enter, huh Raiga? Especially this late at night?"

Raiga scoffed. "Well, sorry. I recognized your tent, but didn't expect you to have someone else in the tent with you. Especially that someone being a girl."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked defensively, gazing up at Raiga.

"Hm? Well, I didn't think Steven was much of a ladies man to be honest." He said smirking once more. "I'm just thankful I was intruding and not...interrupting." He gave me a small wink. "If you know what I mean."

At that instant I felt my face burn and knew I was blushing like mad. Steven simply laughed nervously.

Raiga chuckled, running a hand through his hair. He had short, spiky blonde spikes. "Yeah, but I'm serious. Why are you with Steven?" He questioned, squinting at me.

"We are just travelling together." I said also getting up. "He's... fun to be around."

"Steven is fun to be around? Steven Stone, aka the big rock collecting grey haired nerd?" Raiga said half laughing.

I suppressed a small giggle and watched as Steven punched his friend playfully in the shoulder. "Watch your mouth, Raiga. Besides..." Steven said scowling. "My hair is silver not grey, thank you very much!"

After for talking for what had felt like hours, Steven finally said goodbye to Raiga. Apparently the two had been rivals when they were younger, but were now best friends. Also, Raiga was apparently a world renounced chef and had his own business going.

The whole time they had been engaged in their conversation I had been fighting sleep. My eyelids seemed to have been growing heavier by each second that passed by. I lay sprawled on the tent floor, keeping half an ear open to listen to their discussion.

"Alright, I should probably head back." Raiga said yawning. "Declan might be wondering where I am."

The sound of his name caused me to gasp. I shot up from the floor like a rocket. "Wait! Did you just say Declan?" I asked bewildered.

Steven and Raiga looked at my with odd expressions and then exchanged looks. "Yeah..." Raiga responded "Declan Birch."

"He's at the Pokemon centre?" I asked

"Yeah." Raiga grumbled, looking rather annoyed.

Steven blinked at me. "Huh, who is this Declan? You know him or something?"

"Of course I know Dec." I said looking at him. "I've know him for like forever and he's one of my closest friends! Although, I still want a rematch against that boy."

"Sure thing, I tell him and maybe we can meet up in the morning or something." Raiga then stepped out of the tent. "Bye, see you guys later."

"Goodnight!" Steven and I said in unison. I found myself smiling like a complete idiot as I thought about seeing Declan again. I hadn't seen my best friend/rival in a while, but I still wanted revenge. This was my chance to finally redeem myself!

"You feeling alright?" Steven asked.

I stopped smiling when I noticed him staring at my with a puzzled expression. "Ha, I was just thinking about Dec."

"Oh." Steven sat down on the tent floor. I took a spot next to him and lay down.

"Yep! I can't believe he's actually here! I'm going to find him right away tomorrow...I've been dying to see him again." I said as I closed my eyes.

I heard rustling as Steven lay down next to me, his back turned to me. "That's...nice."

"Mhm... " I said staring at his backside. Not seeing his face bugged me, mostly because I couldn't read his expression. "He's a pretty strong trainer. I mean I hope-"

"I..." Steven interrupted. "I really just want to get some sleep!" He then lowered his tone. "Please, I'm really tired."

"Sorry." I whispered a little off guard. He had just snapped at me; Steven never did that. "I guess someone's a little grumpy!" I said jokingly.

He didn't respond.

"Goodnight then, Steven." I said sweetly.

"Night."

That didn't settle with me nicely. The way he had said the word bothered me for the rest of the night immensely; something just wasn't there. That's when I realized it; the warmth was gone. The word had sounded so forced out his mouth and the tone he used was ...cold. Something was different about Steven Stone and I didn't like it.

"Good morning!" Raiga poked his head in our tent. His huge brown eyes gleamed and gazed back and forth between myself and Steven. "You guys up?"

"We are now." I said flatly, rubbing my eyes.

Steven chuckled. "Yeah, thanks Raiga."

I looked over at him surprised and he gave me one of his brilliant Steven smiles. I couldn't help but smile back. "Mood swings much?" I thought as he arose.

"I smell something cookin'". He announced. "Did you make us breakfast?"

Raiga nodded. "Yep, there's some fresh soup and sandwiches waiting out here for you guys."

Steven and I got out of the tent and the sunlight hit my face. I stretched and took in a big breath of the fresh outdoor air. It felt nice to be out and not cooped up in the tent anymore. In front of us was a large picnic table with a white and red checkered table cloth covering the surface. On top, delicious looking sandwiches cut into perfect triangles were placed neatly onto white plates. Next to the table a black pot was boiling over a fire. The strong smell of the soups broth made my mouth water.

"Mmm, Raiga! This smells great!" I squealed, sitting down at the table. Steven sat across from me and nodded in agreement.

"Heh, well wait 'till you have a taste!" Raiga beamed. For a chef, he was rather hefty looking. He wore a deep, red coloured T-shirt with a black vest on top and beige pants.

We devoured the food in no time, making Raiga laugh in delight. "That. Was. Amazing." I praised, grinning at him.

"Thanks for leaving me some."

I turned my head in the direction of that familiar voice. Leaning against a tree, Declan stood lazily with his arms folded across his chest. His messy red bangs hung on his forehead and his purple eyes stared at me mockingly. That was Declan alright.

"Dec!" I said grinning. "I hope your ready for a rematch."

He didn't say anything, but walked towards our table. He stopped in front of me. "Sure. I would love another chance to beat you again."

I scowled at him. "Wow...shut up."

His facial features softened. "I'm just kidding. Actually use a Pokemon that has some experience this time, okay?"

"I plan to."

"Good." He smiled at me. "I'm ...glad to see you again. Uhh..." Declan paused, noticing Steven. "Who are you?"

"Steven Stone." He out stretched a hand. "Nice to meet you Declan."

Declan shook it anxiously. "Oh, wow! That's so cool you're here! I've heard so many great things about you."

Steven pursed his lips. "Thanks." He glanced over at me. "I'm not that great, even ask your friend over there. We've been travelling together."

At that point, Declan flipped out. "You're so lucky!" He declared at me wildly. The red head then frowned. "I'm stuck with this guy..." He said pointing in Raiga's direction.

"What's that supposed to mean you little twat?"

Everyone laughed. Raiga then offered on making more food, especially since Declan had missed out. Impatient as ever, I had decided to wander off. Leaving the others to sit amongst themselves.

I walked around the forest with Skitty prancing at my feet. It was a beautiful day. The sun was out and a light, cool breeze was drifting in the air.

"Hey! This looks like a nice spot." I announced. Ahead of us was a large, lush, grassy hill. Let's go over there Skitty. The Pokemon nodded and ran along side me as we headed for the hill. Once we arrived I sat on the grass and Skitty hopped onto my lap.

"Hmm...we should do some training. What do you say?" I asked the Pokemon.

Skitty looked agreeable, meowing with a small smile.

"Ok, let's get started then Skitty."

"She's been gone for a while." Steven stated, trying to look past the trees of the forest. "We should go find her."

Declan, who had just finished his lunch, followed Steven's gaze. "Uhh, you're right. I'll go look for her and I'll bring her back."

"Sure, let her know we're still waiting for her over here." Raiga said cleaning up the table.

Declan nodded. He then set off into the forest. He found various training spots, but yet no one was there. He called his friend's name, hoping she would reply, but he heard nothing. Sighing he continued to walk further, until finally he saw it. There was a large grassy hill just ahead, and on top he could make out a person running about.

"Excellent Skitty!" I praised as the Pokemon pulled off a strong faint attack on a nearby rock.

"Hey! Hey!"

I turned to see Declan running up the hill. "Hey..." I said greeting him.

"I came out looking for you. Got kind of caught up in your training didn't you?" He said looking at Skitty.

"I guess, but why did you come? Was I gone for long?"

Declan shrugged. "Steven suggested someone find you so I decided to go."

"Oh really?" I said smiling. So Steven had been wondering about me...?

"Yeah... What's up with that stupid grin?" Declan asked rudely.

I shook my head then frowned at him. "Nothing..."

"Whatever. I see why you would want to stay here for a while, it's a nice spot." He said sitting down. I sat next to him. "I know right?"

Declan placed his arms behind his head. "You know, it's cool we met up again. Raiga and Steven were talking, and we all might travel as a group from now on."

I didn't know to how to react to what he just said, mostly because I wasn't sure what I was feeling. "Really?... Cool." I said picking at the grass. Some part of me liked it just being Steven and myself travelling, but I couldn't understand why it was bothering me..

"Yep. I've been through so much though, it's cool yet a weird coincidence we met up again."

"Huh?" I said staring at Declan. "You've been through a lot? Let's hear it."

"He can't possibly imagine what I had gone through." I thought, thinking of Team Magma.

"It's kind of a long story." He said scratching his head.

"So! Come one, Dec. I don't mind." I said shoving him playfully.

"Fine!" He said half laughing. "Well what happened was I..."

"You like travelling with her?"

"Hm?" Steven looked over at Raiga who was smiling slyly. He had randomly decided to change the subject in their interesting conservation about the rocks Steven had collected thus far.

"Yeah, I do."

"How old is she anyway? The boy is apparently fifteen."

Steven paused. "I think she said she was fifteen as well."

"Phew! That's good." Raiga said breaking out into a grin.

"How so?" Steven responded, raising an eyebrow curiously.

"That means we are only three years older than them. Don't you find her kind of cute?"

Steven stared back at his best friend blankly. "Do...you?"

Raiga chuckled. "I asked you first and I yes, I might find her a bit attractive. That's why I was surprised she was hanging around you."

Steven shook his head. "Geez, Raiga." He then shot his friend a dark look. "Well, I hope you don't plan on making any moves on her."

"Why is that?" Raiga said challengingly. "Is she your property, Stone?"

Steven smirked. "She's not my property, but I care for her. If you try anything with her... I will hurt you."

"Fair enough. I'll try to remember that warning."

"Speaking of her... she's still out there." Steven said looking past Raiga. "I wonder if Declan ever found her."

Raiga shrugged. "They're probably training or something. Why don't you go find them and meet up with me at the Pokemon centre?"

"Sounds good, but why are you going to the Pokemon centre?"

"I kind of need a nap..." Raiga replied sheepishly.

Steven hung his head. "Ha ha, oh Raiga. You haven't changed a bit..."

"It sounds like you had a lot of fun." I concluded after hearing Declan's story. By now, we were both laying on backs, on top of the grass. Together we gazed up at the clouds rolling in the bright, blue sky. Skitty was running around, chasing a monarch butterfly. The butterfly flew near me and the pink, cat looking Pokemon hopped up and down. Skitty's tail then brushed back and forth against my leg. I began giggling like a fool. I turned away from Skitty, rolling over onto my side; towards him.

Declan gave me an evil look and I immediately sat up hugged my sides. "DON'T. EVEN. THINK. ABOUT. IT." I growled, knowing exactly what he was thinking.

The corners of his mouth twisted upwards, in a weird grin. "You're still the most ticklish person I know, guess that changed never about you, eh?"

I eyed him carefully as he sat up as well. "Dec I swear if y-"

He jabbed his fingertips at the sides of my abdomen and I freaked out. I flew back onto the grass, breaking out into a fit of giggles and begged for him to cut it out.

"Dec! Dec! Hahahaha! Stop it, Ha ha! Dec stop!" I shrieked, while laughing my guts out. He didn't let up and was on top of me, tickling me more.

"Declannn! I hate you! Ah!" I gasped between breaths and pulled him down, trying to tickle him back. It turned into a tickling war as the two of us were rolling around in the grass, laughing our asses off. Declan wasn't all that ticklish, but hearing my girly giggles and pleas seemed to be amusing him as he chuckled.

"...Hey guys."

I felt Declan ease up and then stop. Catching my breath I looked up at him in confusion and then I turned to see what he was looking at. Steven stood a metre away, his blue eyes seemingly penetrating through my red haired friend.

I instantly pushed Declan, who was hovering over me, away to the side and sat up. "Hey there Steven..." There was an awkwardness for a second, but abrutptly Steven sat and joined us.

"Raiga wants you." He said looking right at Declan.

"Aw really?" The red head complained. "Whatever he can wait."

"No, he can't." Steven pressed in a serious tone. "He said it's urgent. You must meet him at the Pokemon centre right away."

"Sheesh, that guy." Declan mumbled getting up. "Fine then. See you guys later!" He then disappeared into the forest.

"You okay?" I asked, hesitantly placing a hand on Steven's shoulder. He looked my hand and then smiled. "Yeah, why?" He said lifting his gaze up to my face. I stared into those big blue eyes; they were back to normal now.

"Never mind."

It then became silent as we both stared up at the sky. Skitty had decided to take a little nap, curling up next to me. I stroked her back and she waved her tail affectionately.

"Yeah, Declan likes to tickle me." As soon I said that I made a weird face. "That sounded odd.. but yeah anyway I'm really ticklish so he likes to take advantage of me." I paused. "When I say take advantage I mean it like in the sense he tries to tickle me...not anything else."

"Ha, I see."

"Yeah, Dec is such a-"

"Can we talk about something else?" Steven interrupted, smiling.

"Sure, what did you have in mind?"

He shrugged. "Anything...except about Declan."

"Why?" I asked raising an eyebrow. "You don't like him or something?"

"I like him." Was his response.

"Why did Raiga want with him?"

"I don't know, he just told me to tell Declan to come find him.I was basically the messenger." Steven sounded irritated so I quickly changed the subject.

"Do you like...muffins?"

He looked at me strangely. "Excuse me?"

"Muffins?" I paused, looking at him expectantly. "Oh my god! You don't like muffins! Who doesn't like muffins?"

Steven chuckled. "Calm down! I like...muffins. Rather an odd question to be asking out of the blue though..."

I laughed too. "Well odd questions make conversations more...entertaining."

"Ha ha, I concur." He replied with a small grin.

"RAIGA!" Declan breathed unevenly as he tried to catch his breath. He stood bent over in front of the master chef, who was talking with Nurse Joy.

"...Yes?" Raiga asked confused, looking at the panting boy.

"Yes? I heard that you wanted me over here! Urgently!"

Raiga looked at the red head like he was a nut case. "What in the world are you talking about, boy? I never asked for you."

Declan's jaw dropped. "But but Steven said!"

"Um, well Steven is clearly delusional. Now get lost boy... before you so rudely interrupted, Nurse Joy and I were having a wonderful little chat." He gave her a sweet smile.

Nurse Joy blushed. "Yes I suppose we were..."

Declan frowned. "I am SO confused right now." He stated, flopping onto on of the couches in the Pokemon Centre. "That Steven has some explaining to do."

"Raiga actually did that?" I asked, laughing hysterically. Steven had been telling me a bunch of stories about himself and his best friend when they were younger.

"He did... " He looked past me, over my shoulder.

"What's wrong?" I asked, noticing his sudden expression change.

"Nothing...it's just that I'm getting concerned."

"About what?" I asked.

"Team Magma."

I tensed, and felt my hands turn into fists. "They're not here are they?" I asked surveying the area.

"No." Steven said returning his eyes to my face. "But I know they are going to come after us soon; after me." He then looked angry, trembling as he shook his head from side to side. "I'm sorry to have dragged you into all of this nonsense! I feel so bad after what happened..."

"It's not your fault." I said smiling at him. "Those goons are crazy and I'm sure we can handle them next time."

"But what if we can't?" Steven asked discouraged. "Then what? We barely escaped last time. If they win then they're going to capture me and do who knows what to you."

I looked down and then looked back at him. "Hey, Steven... If that ever does happen, I'll come save you. There's no way I'm going to let them get away with kidnapping you!"

He glanced back at me. "That's nice of you, but...you should try not to get involved. I don't want you to get hurt."

"I won't and besides...you can consider it my duty from now on. I own you for rescuing me earlier." I said beaming.

"But that doesn't-"

"Steven." I said cutting him off. We held each others gaze. "I promise if anything happens, I'll come to your rescue this time. I'm not going to be your burden."

He was about to say to something, but I abruptly put my hand on top of his. I leaned forward and looked him straight in the eye. "I promise."

He stared at my hand and then smiled weakly. "Is that a promise you think you can really keep?"

"Yeah." I responded, grinning reassuringly. "Trust me...I never go back on my word."

Hey didn't that last line something like Naruto would say? XD Well... if any of you guys even watch/read Naruto...

'Ginger' by the way, is kind of a slang term for red haired people if some of you guys didn't understand that! Also, I have a new question that I want you guys to answer in your review. I'm sure most of you have noticed that the main female character's name has not been mentioned. So what name first comes to mind when you think of her? Write down the FIRST one that does! It makes it more fun that way and I don't care how stupid it might sound :) mine was Charlotte for some reason? Haha.

'Till next time everyone!

~XOXO~