In response to Bianca's challenge... fic where Shigeru and-- well, you'll see, ne?

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"Tadaima!" called out a tall man dressed in a business suit, shutting the front door of his house behind him.

"Otou-saaaaan!!" came the enthusiastic reply, followed by the sound of little feet scampering to the front door. The man smiled as his children came into sight: a little red-headed girl followed by a smaller, darker haired little boy. They flung themselves at their father, and he bent down and scooped them up in his arms. The girl managed to squirm her way onto the man's shoulders. Her brother settled down in their father's arms.

"What did you bring us, Otou-san?" asked the little girl, eyes full of curiosity.

Her brother nodded, equally as curious but naturally more quiet.

The children's mother came from around the corner, smiling at the happy scene. On her appearance, the man set his children down and went to greet his wife. The couple embraced. The woman sniffed a little.

"I missed you, Shigeru."

The two kissed.

"I was only gone a week."

Shigeru's wife glanced up shyly. "But it felt like forever without you."

Meanwhile, their children were busily pulling everything out of their father's bag, searching intently for anything of remote interest. Between the two of them, they managed to locate two pokeballs. The girl squealed excitedly, and her brother went to their parents. He tugged on his father's pants leg to get his attention. Shigeru looked down to his son. The boy held up one of the pokeballs, eyes fill of hope. Shigeru laughed, then nodded.

"Yes, yes, Takeshi. It's for you."

The child beamed, obviously pleased. Shigeru bent over and lay a hand on the boy's head.

"Now, why don't you and Kasumi go make friends with your new pokemon?"

The little boy spoke for the first time since his father's return.

"But, I want you to help me with it, Otou-san."

His sister, being a bit older, had understood that her parents wanted some time together. With a wink to her father, she grabed her brother's arm and pulled him away, promising that she would help him train his new pokemon.

The mother watched their children go with a smile. Shigeru stood, smiling as well.

"You know what, koi?"

She turned to him. "Hmm?"

Shigeru slid his arms around his wife's waist, leaning in to kiss "her" again.

"I missed you, too, Satoshi."

"Oh, Shigeru...."

"Satoshi...."

"Satoshi."

"Satoshi!!!"

"SATOSHI!! WAKE UP ALREADY!!!"

Satoshi openned his eyes and blinked sleepily a few times. Kasumi stood over him, looking pissed as usual. She glared at him.

"Hmph! It is about time you woke up!"

She stormed off across the camp. Satoshi watched her go, still half-asleep.

Satoshi got up and streched, then bent over to wake the still-sleeping pikachu. She openned one eye at his attempt.

"Pikapi, pika kachu pi."

Satoshi sighed. "Fine, but only a few more minutes." Pikachu gratefully slipped back to sleep. Satoshi stood again, snagging his cap and putting it on. He sighed and let his shoulders slump. A depressed air settled around him. Satoshi was down. It was all because of that dream, too.

Not that he didn't usually dream about Shigeru. Satoshi had had a crush on his once best-friend, now rival, for quite a while. Shigeru seemed to have everything Satoshi didn't... not to mention he was cute in an almost femenine way.

And recently... Satoshi got a dreamy look on his face. Recently, he had run into Shigeru while taking a walk away from the small town Takeshi, Kasumi and he had been staying in. Apperantly, Shigeru had been doing the same with his cheerleaders, and, like Satoshi, had decided to take a walk.

They had run into each other in a forest clearing. For once being civil, Shigeru had actually begun the conversation... and it wasn't about what a bad pokemon trainer Satoshi was. It was almost like when they were kids, and still friends.

And then...

And then, Shigeru had pulled Satoshi towards him, and kissed his forehead. Satoshi didn't exactly know what Shigeru was thinking when he did it but... well, it was quite promising in his eyes.

But still, Shigeru hung out with a group of girls who undoubtedly constantly flirted with him. It seemed unlikely that Satoshi would ever gain Shigeru's heart... and his dream seemed to be mocking him about it.

Suddenly, the sound of Takeshi calling him to breakfast broke Satoshi out of his musings. Satoshi brightened, the promise of food cheering him up some.

He called back that he was coming.

*end chapter 1*

Note: For those of you who might not know, the title refers to the belief that destined lovers are connected by a red thread of destiny.