Hello Dears!

I wanted to add more scenes into this chapter, but seeing how long I was taking to write said scenes, I decided to finish the chapter where it finish right now. It's still anything but short though, which is why I could finish it as it is. It just means you all have to wait one more chapter before some more hints are dropped~

However, the one thing that should become obvious is, everyone have been so focused on saying "It's so obvious they are dating!" that almost no one ever mentioned wondering about anything else. I would be lying to deny anything abour feelings from the older Satoshi and Shigeru, especially considering the story is marked as Satoshi/Shigeru; but really-They are fmore than just "dating". Now I wonder if you can find the clues before it's actually said~~!

Also, note that I reverted to using Japenese Pokemon names. Each chapter will have a note saying new Japanese to English Pokemon (and/or people) names. Previous chapter have been edited to change back to Japenese names.

Pairing: Satoshi/Shigeru
Warning: Small argument, though I don't believe much foul language is used.


The Joy of Time Travel

Chapter 4: Serious Talk

Once the thrill of the battle and the win fell down a bit, a look close to sheepish passed through Sato as he walked to his younger self. He knelt down beside Satoshi, petting Pikachu's head who laid in his younger self's arms. "Sorry buddy. A battle is battle."

The future Pikachu appeared on Sato's shoulder, looking down at his counterpart with a tiny bit of worry. But the younger Pikachu was already a stubborn one, and he opened his eyes while chirping to show he was fine. Satoshi let out a sigh of relief, before he looked up at his older self with awe. "That was amazing! When am I going to be strong like that?"

Shige's laugh came. "Soon enough. Don't think about it." He smiled then, genuine and not the smirk the group of the past was used from Shigeru. "Just never lose hope. But it isn't as if you wouldn't have done that, right?"

Then, emerald eyes drifted to his younger self. He frowned as he saw the slightly lost look as Shigeru watched the Pokeball he had recalled Kamex in. He approached his younger self, and the hand that came to rest on the top of his head was gentle. "You would have learned this sooner or later. You can't go on without being defeated, because there's always someone stronger. And it can come and bite you, if you don't realize this at a crucial moment."

Shigeru blinked, and only scoffed as he put back in place his Pokeball. But he stayed silent, not wishing to comment on this loss. He could have said it had been Satoshi's fault, but he knew Shige would not allow that.

And Shigeru had understood what Shige had done. His older self spoke like someone who did experience defeat, and Shigeru could only guess he had felt like he did right now.

"Hold on." Sato suddenly stared at Shige with a piercing look. Shige stiffened and turned with an innocent look. Hanako bit his lips, appearing a mix of amused and fond. However, Kasumi, Takeshi and Satoshi felt confused by the sudden… hostility from Sato. And Shigeru unconsciously stepped away from Shige, a bit wary of seeing Sato like this. He was not used to what looked like anger coming from Satoshi, not this anger anyway.

Sato stared some more, eyes narrowing. Shige shifted on his feet, suddenly looking like a kid caught doing something he shouldn't do. "Shi-ge-ru." Shige blushed under the stern tone. Sato threw his hands up. "Shigeru Ookido! In all the years we have been friends, I've never seen you do something so stupid! That-" He moved his hands to gesture at all four of the Trainers who just battled, startling the younger Trainers and rendering speechless everyone but Hanako at the sudden rushed and angered words. Never mind the involuntary reveal of Sato and Shige being, indeed, friends-and thus for years. "-ranks high in what we should not do out of risk of changing the future! You know-" He glanced at Shigeru, stopping short with a frustrated sigh.

Professor Ookido knew they were talking of the impact of loosing on Shigeru, and to the Professor who had a lifetime of analyzing elements, he guessed how the sentence would have ended. Hanako's sad look toward his grandson confirmed it.

Obviously, Sato could not say what he wanted to say, at the risk of only revealing more. "Why didn't you stop me?" Sato added, more softly this time-as if defeated. "You knew it would not be good if we won, and you knew as soon as I jumped on Shigeru's challenge I wanted to win. You're supposed to rein me in."

Whatever those words meant, there was too much of a history to understand them. The only thing clear to Takeshi and Kasumi, as if understanding from trying to do so themselves, was that Shige had been entrusted with cooling Sato's sometimes too quick and burning temper. To Takeshi, who had seen how well Sato and Shige worked as a Team, pieces of a puzzle started to click together.

Shige, for his part, appeared even guiltier than before. "I didn't mean to make this a lesson. I just wanted to see if they could actually see small things without changing the future, like us battling. But you know-" It was Shige's turn to sigh with frustration. "I couldn't help myself, once they lost and we won."

It seemed as if it explained a lot, because Sato's features softened. Hanako's did too, but this time no one else could understand what had passed between both young adults. "You big oaf. Say what you want, you're a softie."

And a whack descended on Sato's head for this comment. "Shut your mouth. At least, now we really are sure it's not too dangerous if they notice some things." Sato glanced up in confusion. "Is the future changing? Don't you think we would see it already, if this was a big mistake? You know very well the effects would be immediate if we changed our future."

"… Doesn't change the fact it was a big gamble." He hit Shige's chest, the gesture fond enough to betray, once more, the friendship between them. Satoshi and Shigeru looked away from them, as if uncomfortable with witnessing what they would become.

It was not that they disliked the sight. No, quite the opposite, as something quite close to longing came on them… And that was why it unsettled them.

A cough caught Sato and Shige's attention, and they directed their gaze to Professor Ookido. Which also reminded them that they had not been alone, and a heavy blush descended on them as they realized the public they had while having a small argument.

It was Hanako, though, that saved them. "Boys, I might you two to go buy some food." She offered a small smile. "If you want me to cook for everyone."

Needless to say, the two young men seemed happy and relieved. They nodded, giving awkward smiles to their younger selves and advises to rest now, before darting off toward the house. Blacky and Pikachu followed, pawing at each other and ending up chasing each other and almost making Sato trip. Shige automatically reached out, catching Sato's arms and even pulling him closer to prevent him from falling.

Then, they smiled even more awkwardly at Takeshi, Kasumi and the two older adults, before finally vanishing inside. Takeshi felt amusement at how he could not help feeling this had been a strategic retreat. Judging by Kasumi's raised eyebrow toward where they had vanished, she thought so, too.


"It's really hard to hide things, harder than I would have thought."

"I know, Sato. Though, now I think it's possible it won't be dangerous if small facts slip. I'm not saying it's alright if they know, but things that would happen anyway, and even soon, to them… I'm sorry, though."

Sato smiled at Shige, patting his back. "I know. It's alright."

A cough startled the two boys, and they jumped before turning. They relaxed as they saw only the Professor. The older man had apparently followed them, while Hanako gave drinks to the young teens. One look into Professor Ookido's eyes told the two that there were some things he wanted to clear up.

It spoke heavily on how much they matured that Sato and Shige only nodded and lead the older man further into the house, Pikachu and Blacky staying behind to be able to warn them.

The three found themselves close to the front door, though for now the two young adults did not make any more to leave for groceries shopping. Professor Ookido smiled, his eyes going to Sato as he figured how to start.

"For what I understand, you met Celebi, Satoshi?" Without the younger versions of them around, the Professor seemed to prefer using their full name.

Sato nodded. "Celebi and Yukinari, if it is the event of you are thinking about." And the lack of reaction from Shige, who knew very well his grandfather first name, told the Professor Sato had learned who exactly had been the one he befriended, back then.

Shige crossed his arms. "What I don't understand is, Celebi should have followed you all, right?"

"Indeed. I saw him, before we were transported." The Professor paused, frowning as he recalled something. "Now that I think about it… He looked surprised. He definitely was close enough to come with us."

Sato widened his eyes. "Are you saying something or someone prevented him to do so?"

Professor Ookido nodded. "That is the only explanation. But why? And to actually prevent Celebi from time travelling…"

"And, considering Celebi wanted to come, I would say whoever stopped him is still doing it. Or else, we would have seen Celebi." Shige added. "All we can hope is that whoever it is, they are not full of bad intents."

Silence fell for a while, until Sato spoke again. "Also… Celebi isn't the kind to transport people into time without reason. We might need to figure out what he meant for you all to do, here."

Shige suddenly snapped his fingers. "We could look for a Celebi existing in our time. You told me you had seen more than one, right?" Sato nodded, eyes brightening as he followed Shige's logic. "Maybe another Celebi could help us. And if we can't find one…"

Sato grinned. "We'll just have to go on a higher level and find Dialga."

Professor Ookido raised his eyebrow in surprise. "Have you met Dialga?"

Sato and Shige exchanged a look. Then, they nodded to each other. "Yes, we did. He wouldn't mind helping us, I think." Shige sighed. "But I still think we should try to guess why Celebi threw you here first. In any cases, weither it is Celebi or Dialga, they can send you back exactly when you left."

"So we can actually stay here for a bit." The Professor concluded, and in all honesty the idea did not displease him. He liked what he had seen so far, and he knew very well how to handle being in the future. "We might just need to be careful about the children."

Sato laughed slightly. "I don't think they'll try to know too much, except myself. But don't worry, I think between us three and mom, we should handle this situation well."

"Now that this is all said and done, I think we still need to go buy some things, Sato."

To be continued…