Author's note: Many, many apologies for taking so damn long to finish this chapter *winces* It was never my intention to make you wait this long, but my brain had a hard time concentrating on this story the last couple of months. I finally managed to finish this chapter, though! I'm slowly making my way through my backlog; I hope you can forgive me for the long waiting time. (If I still have readers left for this, I'll be shocked)

Thanks to the following reviewers: PinkiePieParty122894; babyvfan; swordsmanwielder; Iraheta 127; Weebio; IamEnVIOUS; Nellana; Pen-Woman; JaiJayce; Lunacom; rntobi; Elsyra; TheBeauty; SarahNThatcher

Warnings: Hm, new addition to the team

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Kishimoto owns it. I also don't own Pokémon, that belongs to Satoshi Tajiri and The Pokémon Company.

I hope you'll like it!

Chapter 10

"Well, glad I could entertain you," Naruto huffed, eyeing him warily. Where had this man even come from? Who was he? "You didn't answer my questions."

"She was right to point out the difference in experience between you two," the man said calmly. His gaze flickered towards Naruto's belt. "Three Pokémon – well, I suppose four if Vaporeon wants to join you," he amended, "wouldn't have stood much of a chance against her."

"That's what you think," Naruto huffed. "I don't need a full team to kick her arse."

"Considering she had a full team and more badges than you, I wouldn't be so sure about that," the man snorted. "She's been a trainer longer than you have."

"So what?" Naruto bristled. "Experience doesn't mean shit!"

The other man raised an eyebrow bemused. "I think a lot of people would disagree with you on that. Experience does tend to weigh heavily in battles."

"If that's the case then we would never be able to win against Gym Leaders, considering you know, they're the ones with so much experience," Naruto snapped, balling his hands to fists. He sneered. "So experience means squat when it comes down to it."

"Oho, so you think you would have won against her?" the man asked, sounding both intrigued and amused.

"I would have damn well done my best," Naruto said annoyed. "She can't have been that good, anyways, if she's such a shitty trainer that she'll abandon her own Pokémon."

"Hm, perhaps you have a point," the dark haired man said amused. An odd sort of interest lurked in the depths of his black eyes. They flickered towards Vaporeon, who was still hovering near Naruto's legs as if unsure what to do. "Well, if you do accept Vaporeon in your team, I wish you all good luck with your training. I look forward to see how far you will go."

"What do you mean by - " Naruto trailed off in a huff when instead of answering, the man simply turned around and walked away; the flutter of the wind showing off the Pokéballs on his belt.

"He didn't even give me his name," Naruto complained, watching with narrowed eyes how the man turned around the corner, disappearing from sight. "Rude."

An inquiring mewl had him looking down at Vaporeon, who hovered awkwardly next to him. He had most of his weight braced on his three uninjured paws, which made sense of course and made Naruto berate himself for not thinking about his injury sooner. Even with Nurse Joy's excellent care, Vaporeon's leg wasn't fully healed yet. He might even have suffered a small setback now that he had tried to go after his previous Trainer.

Naruto bent down, holding out his arms. "How about I carry you back to the Pokécentre so that you can heal completely?" he suggested with a weak smile. "You can decide then what you want to do, I'll stick around for a while longer."

Vaporeon threw one more look at the end of the street where his ex-Trainer had disappeared a little while ago. His shoulders drooped but he limped right into Naruto's arms, allowing him to pick him up. Once again he was careful not to put too much pressure on the injured leg. It looked less mangled already, but he wasn't about to take any chances with it. Vaporeon hooked his chin over Naruto's shoulder; a light quiver running through his body as if he was crying.

Naruto turned his head to check, but Vaporeon's eyes looked dry. His black eyes peered back at Naruto for a couple of seconds before Vaporeon closed them; his tail sweeping back and forth slowly in front of Naruto.

Concealing a sigh, Naruto trudged all the way back to the Pokécentre. The encounter with the unknown man was already pushed to the back of his mind when he entered the brightly lit centre.

Vaporeon was discharged from the Pokécentre two days later, after Nurse Joy had ensured his leg had fully healed.

"So he's completely okay again?" Naruto inquired, watching Vaporeon walk around in his room.

He walked from one side of the room to the other, sometimes shaking one of his paws or his tail. Occasionally he would wander over to his water bowl and take small sips from it.

"He is," Nurse Joy confirmed with a smile. "His vitals are fine and his leg healed completely. He's ready to leave. Are you taking him with you?"

He smiled uncertainly. "That depends on what he wants. Can I go in?"

"Sure, go on. I'll be at the front if you need me."

Vaporeon stopped walking and looked up when Naruto entered the room. "Hey there," Naruto smiled tentatively and paused a few feet away from him. "Nurse Joy says you can leave the centre today. How are you feeling?"

A soft chirp. Fine.

"That's good to hear." Naruto nodded and laced his fingers together behind his back. "Have you thought about whether you want to join our team? You don't have to, of course," he hastened to say, "but we would welcome you."

Vaporeon cocked his head to the left, seemingly lost in thought.

"Ah, but I guess it's difficult to make a decision when you don't know yet who makes up the rest of the team," Naruto smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Sorry, why don't I introduce you to them and then you can make your decision? That might make it easier for you."

How could he expect Vaporeon to make such an important decision when he didn't even know who would be his team members? Shaking his head at his own forgetfulness, he unhooked his Pokéballs and threw them in the air. At once three red lights filled the room, taking on the shapes of his Pokémon.

Vulpix shook out her fur, Pidgeotto flapped his wings before settling down on the floor and Mimikyu narrowed his eyes before shuffling closer to Naruto; one shadowy appendage sneaking out to wrap around Naruto's ankle.

"Vaporeon, these are Mimikyu, Vulpix and Pidgeotto," Naruto introduced them to each other. "Guys, this is Vaporeon; he might join our team if he wants to."

Vulpix regarded Vaporeon curiously, but didn't approach him, either because she wasn't interested or perhaps because Vaporeon was a Water Type and she felt wary around him. At the very least she didn't look like she was about to attack him, which was good. Pidgeotto, likewise, was studying Vaporeon intently, but made no move to approach him, simply shifting his weight from one leg to the other.

Mimikyu on the other hand shuffled closer after a bout of hesitation. He still kept one shadowy limb wrapped around Naruto's ankle, but he slowly walked over to Vaporeon, who watched his approach warily. A second shadowy appendage slipped from underneath Mimikyu's cloth and pointed at the leg Vaporeon had injured a few days prior.

"Mimikyu?" Hurt?

"Ah yes, Vaporeon got hurt a few days ago, but Nurse Joy healed him completely," Naruto answered, sitting down on his haunches to watch their interactions, being careful not to disturb Mimikyu's hold on him. "He's okay again."

Mimikyu's head bobbed back and forth while he seemed to contemplate something; his shadowy limb tapping restlessly against the tiled floor. Vaporeon watched the arm move erratically; his tail slowly thumping back and forth as well.

"Mimi?" Cloth?

Naruto blinked. It took him a couple of seconds before he understood what Mimikyu was asking. "Ah no, he didn't wear a cloth. Vaporeon was healed here in the Pokécentre."

Mimikyu was silent for a little while before he suggested, "Mimi, Mimikyu, Kyu." Can make one.

Naruto smiled; warmth blooming up in his chest. It seemed that, as far as Mimikyu was concerned, Vaporeon was already part of the team. "That'd be nice," he agreed. "We'll have to stop by the store today then, because I don't think we have his colour as cloth in the bag."

He had mostly made sure to grab coloured cloths that matched Mimikyu's costume as the little Pokémon preferred fixing his costume himself whenever it got damaged. He hadn't really anticipated that Mimikyu would end up creating makeshift costumes for other Pokémon as well when they got injured, but it was cute nonetheless. It made him once again wonder how anyone could ever look at Mimikyu and think they were horrifying creatures. How could any Pokémon willing to make others feel better by creating costumes for them be terrible?

"Vaporeon?" Cloth?

Naruto's attention shifted from Mimikyu to Vaporeon, surprised at the first real question he'd asked. "Ah, Mimikyu has made a costume for Vulpix before when she got hurt."

Vulpix rose up, parading back and forth in front of Vaporeon, showing off the little costume she was still wearing; looking almost smug about it.

"Mimikyu can make you one too if you want one."

"Pidgeotto! Pidgeotto!" Didn't make one for me! Pidgeotto huffed, ruffling his wings.

Mimikyu tittered, as if laughing. "Mimikyu, Mimi, Mimi!" Healed too quick! He wandered back over to Naruto's side as if he had lost interest in Vaporeon.

Pidgeotto made an odd huff sound as if annoyed and he looked away.

"So what do you think, Vaporeon?" Naruto questioned curiously, hopefully. "You want to join our team?"

Vaporeon's gaze flitted from Pidgeotto to Vulpix to Mimikyu, before it lingered on Naruto. He appeared to be studying Naruto; his face pulled into an odd grimace. His tail kept sweeping behind him, but the movement was slow and stuttering now as if he was focusing too much to really pay attention to his tail anymore.

"Vulpix, Vulpix, Vulpix," Vulpix announced out of the blue, her tails curled elegantly around her. Good Trainer. Can't find better one.

Naruto reddened and looked away for a moment, scratching the bridge of his nose. "I don't know about that," he muttered awkwardly. He doubted there wasn't anyone better than him, considering he had only just started his journey. The only thing he was certain of, was that he was doing the best he could when it came to taking care of his Pokémon. At least he liked to think he did.

"Vaporeon, Vaporeon. Vaporeon," Vaporeon mewled despondently; his face downtrodden. Had Trainer before. Left me.

Naruto winced and bit down on his lip, wishing once more he could have put that woman in her place. She didn't deserve to call herself a Trainer, when she was so ready to abandon her Pokémon. Anybody willing to dump their Pokémon could never be a real Trainer.

"Mimi, Mimi, Kyu! Mimikyu! Kyu, Mimi!" Mimikyu retorted fiercely. My Trainer not like yours! My Trainer amazing! Won't leave!

The blush in his cheeks worsened and Naruto cleared his throat. "Mimikyu," he said, somewhat helpless. He startled when Vaporeon rose up from his hunched position and slowly stepped towards him.

Black eyes peeked up at him cautiously, his shoulders still hunched, his tail ramrod straight, when Vaporeon asked, "Vaporeon, Vaporeon?" Won't leave?

"If you become part of our team, I won't ever leave you behind, I can promise you that," Naruto swore and held out his hand. "Any Trainer who leaves their Pokémon behind shouldn't call themselves a Trainer, because that's not what a real Trainer does."

Vaporeon looked down at his hand, before flicking his gaze up at him again, looking worried now. "Vaporeon, Vaporeon. Vaporeon." No good. Bad Pokémon. Weak.

"You're not a bad Pokémon nor weak," Naruto said forcefully. "No Pokémon is bad or weak. If she said that to you, she's lying. Every Pokémon starts somewhere; that's why we train. I bet you're an amazing Pokémon, but you just didn't get your chance to show it yet because she didn't train with you in the right way."

"Mimi, Mimikyu, Mimi?" Where else can you go?

The frank question had Naruto clucking his tongue. "Mimikyu, we can't push Vaporeon; it's his decision."

"Pidgeotto. Pidgeotto," was Pidgeotto's dry remark. He right.

"Pidgeotto," Naruto sighed, a bit exasperatedly. Were all his Pokémon smartasses?

"Vulpix, Vulpix, Vulpix," Vulpix tittered. When right, right.

That had Mimikyu's entire body shuddering as if he was laughing quietly.

"You are all so rude," Naruto tsk'd.

He almost jumped when a light weight was placed in the middle of his palm. He stared down in wonder at the blue green paw resting timidly in his hand.

"So … does that meant you want to join our team?" he asked hopefully.

Vaporeon didn't look at him nor verbally answered, but the gentle press of his entire body against Naruto's legs made it quite clear what his answer was.

When Naruto called his Pokémon back into their Pokéballs, four red lights appeared in the room this time instead of three.

The third Gym was not that close by according to the map he consulted. There was a small town not even six kilometres away from the town with the second Gym, but the map indicated there was no Gym present there. At best there would be a Pokécentre, perhaps a Pokémart, but that would be it. Considering the small size of it, Naruto wasn't surprised that it didn't hold a Gym. Gyms were found in large villages and large towns, where a lot of people passed through every day. A small town squeezed between two forests and a lake wasn't exactly a suitable place for a Gym.

There was a city further down the road leading out of the small town, however, and that one might actually have the third Gym. It was a Fire Type Gym, Naruto remembered from the stories he'd heard from other Trainers. Just one week ago that knowledge would have made him a bit worried as his team wasn't exactly super effective against Fire. Vulpix herself was a Fire Type and wouldn't be able to do much damage unless they tried out the tactic of wearing down the opponent, thereby risking Vulpix becoming too tired as well. Neither Pidgeotto nor Mimikyu had a real advantage against Fire Types either, though they would most likely put up a mean fight anyways, as shown during their battle with Suigetsu. Still a Gym Leader with Fire Types wasn't something to mess with.

But now they had Vaporeon, a Water Type. Super effective against Fire and Naruto was excited about how their team was diversifying itself. Naturally they would have to keep training, because having a super effective element would mean squat if they didn't do any training, but it was a start!

The first order of the day after they set off, waved goodbye by Nurse Joy and Chansey, was to find out which Water Type moves Vaporeon already knew. Eevee could only evolve when an Evolution Stone was used on them, so the level they were at during their evolution didn't matter. They could evolve as late as level seventy or as early as level four. The level didn't matter and so it made it hard to instinctively know which Water Type moves Vaporeon might already know – or not know if his previous Trainer had indeed been as neglectful as Naruto feared she was.

Not wanting Vaporeon to feel pressured, Naruto made his way to an open spot in the woods where he spent some time setting up targets. He collected stones and scattered them all over the place; two small piles of wood were turned into two controlled small fires while other piles of sticks were dumped near some trees and some bushes.

That done, he released all his Pokémon at once, letting them roam around the open area for a bit. Once they were somewhat acquainted with their surroundings, Naruto clapped his hands to attract their attention.

"All right, it'll be a little while before we reach the next Gym," he announced, smiling as they gathered in a small circle around him. "Might take us a week or even longer. There is another town we have to pass through first before we reach the city with the Gym, so we'll see what we can find there. In the meantime we'll train whenever we can."

He pointed at the various targets he had set up just now. "We're going to practice the moves you already know. Pidgeotto, Vulpix and Mimikyu know the drill already, because they've done this before, but don't worry, Vaporeon," he smiled reassuringly, "this is easy. Basically we will find out which moves you already know, which ones you've already mastered and which ones you need a bit of practice with still. I already know their moves, but I have no idea which ones you know, so would you mind showing them to me?"

Vaporeon looked hesitant, but after an encouraging nod of both Mimikyu and Vulpix, Vaporeon inhaled deeply and approached the collection of rocks first. The first few moves he used, were ones Naruto had suspected he would know. The Tackle, Growl, Quick Attack and Swift were almost considered to be basic moves, but Vaporeon did surprise him by using Bite on a bush, ripping several branches in two.

Vaporeon went through all those moves with vigour, appearing almost elated until he reached one of the fires. There he slowed down, looking uncertain for the first time since he'd started showing off his moves.

Naruto worried his lower lip between his teeth, wondering if Vaporeon hadn't had the chance yet to train his Water move. He'd seen him shooting water at his previous Trainer, but that didn't necessarily mean he had mastered it. "If you can't do it yet, don't worry, you can - "

A quick burst of water suddenly was expelled, dousing the flames instantly until only a thin trail of smoke was left behind. Ah. Water Gun. Well, that made sense.

The anxious look Vaporeon threw him had Naruto rapidly grinning, clapping his hands. "That was great, Vaporeon! Looks like you know Water Gun, that's amazing! That means you'll probably learn another Water move soon too!"

Vaporeon relaxed slightly, still hovering near the one fire still ongoing.

"Okay, how about you practice your Water move for a little bit longer so that we can see just how strong it really is?" Naruto suggested. "I'll make the fire gradually bigger so that we can find out your range. Pidgeotto, can you try practicing your Whirlwind and your Gust? I think it's best to focus on those first. You can try them out on those sticks and the trees."

Pidgeotto offered a soft screech before he shot up in the air, aiming for a tree behind Naruto.

"Mimikyu, how about you try practicing your Shadow Ball for now? Try to see how much of an impact you can leave on those bushes and in the ground."

Mimikyu nodded determined and shuffled over to a bush. They would have to work on his speed as well, but that was something they could focus on later.

"Vulpix, how about you and Vaporeon combine your training?" Naruto asked, perking up when the idea popped up in his head. "Vulpix, practice your Fire attacks, see how big you can make them. Vaporeon, try to put them out as quickly as you can."

Vulpix chirped, looking excited, and while Vaporeon still appeared somewhat apprehensive, he followed Vulpix to the middle of the open spot regardless, ready to douse her Fire attacks.

Naruto rested his hands on his hips, putting himself in the right position to keep an eye on all of his Pokémon. He grinned; the dark clouds above them unable to dampen his mood. Their first training session as a team of five could begin!

The town behind the woods was indeed rather small. It had a Pokécentre, which Naruto made readily use of if only to replenish his Pokémon's energy completely, and a Pokémart. A farm and a couple of houses spread out on either side of a couple of dirt roads made up the rest of the town. The place seemed to mainly focus on farming, growing all types of Berries while Miltank leisurely wandered across the fields behind a sturdy fence.

With winter rapidly approaching, the farmers would be almost finished with their last harvest of the year. Naruto spent a moment wondering how the small town got through every winter with no greenhouses available to grow Berries during the harsh season, until he realised that they probably focused on selling the milk of Miltank instead. With its high nutritious value, its different flavours depending on the season and its popularity, no doubt the town could sustain itself completely on the milk alone if they wanted to.

Naruto was debating on where he should put up his tent. The weather wasn't too dreadful yet that he would have to resort to sleeping in Pokécentres or hotels and he wanted to take advantage of the weather for as long as possible. The longer he could use his tent, the longer he could save his money.

"Oh dear, this is not a good timing!"

The sudden exclamation had Naruto whirling around in surprise, spotting an elderly woman fretting near a row of trees. The branches of the trees were bulging with both Oran Berries and Pecha Berries; the ripe Berries looked ready to drop onto the ground any second now.

"What's wrong?" he asked, approaching the fence.

She startled slightly, turning around to look at him. She had a wrinkly hand pressed against her chest; her white hair tied together in a high bun. "Ah, my husband is out of town and I was supposed to pick our last harvest of Berries for this year," she sighed, shaking her head. "But Machoke who normally helps me all got down with a nasty cough and I had to send them to the Pokécentre. I thought I could use the help of my sweet Sawk, but I just remembered he accompanied my husband! They'll only be back in three days and I need to get these Berries in their boxes by tonight!"

She turned around again, puttering back and forth in front of a Pecha Berry tree. "Oh this is not good, not good at all," she muttered, clasping her hands behind her back. "What am I to do now?"

"I could help?" Naruto offered tentatively.

Her head shot back to him and her eyes widened.

"I've got four Pokémon with me," he continued and gestured at his Pokéballs. "I'm sure if we work together, we can get all the Berries collected in time."

"Oh dear, I can't possibly ask this of you," she sighed. "This is not your problem. You shouldn't have to sacrifice your training for an old lady like me."

"It's fine," he insisted cheerfully. "This can be another sort of training, where my Pokémon learn to be careful when aiming. We've got time, I don't mind, truly."

She nibbled on her lower lip. "Well, if you're really certain," she said hesitatingly and hobbled over towards the gate. "I would really appreciate it!"

"I'm glad we can help," Naruto reassured her and stepped through the gate. He threw his Pokéballs in the air, watching his Pokémon land gracefully onto the field one by one.

They looked curiously at the trees before turning to gaze at him.

"As you can see, guys, these Berries need to get into those crates," Naruto said and pointed at a stack of empty crates in front of the fence. "Think you can help her out?"

All four of them nodded determined and they each shot towards a tree, ready to start picking the Berries. Naruto turned towards the old lady, offering her a smile.

"We'll get the job done in no time," he promised her. "We'll be very careful, I promise."

"Thank you, young man," she smiled demurely, cupping her cheeks. "You're a real lifesaver, I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't been here."

He grinned at her and then walked over to the crates, picking them up and distributing them amongst his Pokémon. They had a job to do!

Picking the Berries went actually fairly easy once they figured out which attacks would work out the best in order to get them off the branches. Vaporeon shot them down with his Water Gun; Vulpix used Quick Attack against the trunks, using the Berries' own weight against themselves, and Pidgeotto was aiming precise Gusts at each branch. Mimikyu meanwhile had several shadowy appendages shooting back and forth from each tree, grabbing the Berries falling down before they could hit the ground and potentially become damaged.

Naruto in the meantime divided his time between switching out full crates with empty ones and climbing into the trees to pick the Berries that were more difficult for his Pokémon to reach.

The teamwork between them all was perfect and by the time the sun was setting slowly, casting its orange rays across the trees, they were finished; the last Berry, a Pecha one, carefully placed in the crat with the others.

Naruto stretched his arms and rolled his shoulders. His hands were a bit rough, scraped in some places when he had miscalculated his grip and ended up damaging the skin against the bark. Pidgeotto was resting on a low branch with Vaporeon resting against the roots of the same tree. Mimikyu was huddled near him, all his shadowy limbs collected underneath his costume again; his fake head lolling around as he fought against his exhaustion. Vulpix had been following Naruto as he brought the crats into the shed, but now she was leaning against the back of his legs, panting slightly.

"Thank you so much for helping me out," the old lady exclaimed gratefully, clasping her hands together. "You've been such a great help, let me give you a reward!"

"Oh no, no, no need for that!" Naruto said quickly, holding up his hands and shaking his head. "We didn't do it for a reward; we're glad we were able to help you!"

She clucked her tongue and tapped his nose, making him cross-eyed when he attempted to stare at her finger. "Nonsense! You helped me out when you didn't have to, the least I can do is give you a reward. It's not like we can do much with it anyways and I have a feeling it'll be better off with you."

"Better off with us?" Naruto muttered confused, staring at the old lady as she hurried back into her house. "What could she mean with that?"

Vulpix uttered a tired chirp, straightening herself out before she nodded off completely, making him chuckle quietly.

"Don't worry, I'll gather you guys in your Pokéballs soon and we'll set up camp so you can rest."

When the old lady made her way over to him again, she was holding something in her hands.

"We've had it for a little while now; our grandson gave it to us during his last visit and I told him we wouldn't be able to take properly care of it, but of course he wouldn't listen," she said; a hint of exasperation tainting her otherwise sweet voice. "But seeing how great you are with your Pokémon, I can't think of anybody else who would be better suited for this."

"Erm, for what exactly?" Naruto asked befuddled.

He could only stare when she held out her hands to him. "This, of course!" she exclaimed with a bright smile. "You'll be able to take better care of it than we ever would."

In her hands she held an egg. A white egg with blue spots all over it.

A Pokémon egg.

AN2: Am I the only one who thinks it's hilarious that your main character in the games gets so easily entrusted with Pokémon eggs?

Fun question: if you play Arceus, what was the moment that had you cursing the most and thinking you were playing a horror game? Mine was when I was trying to sneak into some grass to catch some Goomy and got chased by an Alpha Ursaring three times - before he followed me straight into the water. Or that time when I had defeated all the Kadabra in an outbreak - only to then turn around and be faced with several level 80 Alpha Alakazam intent on kicking my arse :)

Please leave your thoughts behind in a review; should you spot any mistakes, please point them out to me.

I hope to see you all back in the next chapter! Please stay safe and take care of yourselves!

Cuddles

Melissa

P.S. For more information about my upcoming and posted stories, please visit my profile.