"Oh God, Kasumi, stop it, stop it please..." His voice was a hoarse whisper, for there was a light in her eyes that could only be translated as maniacal. The girl smiled, a sweet sweet smile, sea green eyes full of mirth... He knew she shouldn't be thinking these things, asking these things. She was his friend, she wasn't supposed to be trying to torment him...
"But Satoshi-chan," She stressed the term, giggling to offset the evil glint in her eyes. "It'll be FUN..."
He shook his head, he couldn't let himself be pulled in. "But I don't want to..." His voice was low, pleading, with a note that could only be taken as pleading.
She pouted, a look that she had found to be quite effective. "Satoshi, please..."
"No..." He shook his head, once and then twice, a third time just to relay his message. He had to make sure she got it.
She sighed, stepping back. The city street was empty, and night was falling. She looked around, then let her gaze fall back upon him...
"I challenge you to a Pokemon match! If you win, I'll leave you alone... If I win, you'll agree to my terms."
He was tempted to say no, but his pride would not allow him. "All right, I'll fight you, Kasumi..." He didn't like the look in her eyes. Despite it all, he had a feeling he wasn't going to be getting out of this...
She hopped, and clapped her hands, "Great! We should leave the city for this, it could get messy..." She giggled, and turned around, hair bobbing as she started back to where they had camped, earlier, before coming into the city...
Satoshi sighed, dropping his gaze to the grey stone of the sidewalk, following after her...
"Pika chuu, pika pi..."
Well, that had to be expected. Pikachuu wouldn't battle Kasumi. She was her friend. Satoshi sighed, "I thought so, Pikachuu..."
"Well, who are you going to choose?" She asked, that fire still burning in her eyes.
"I choose..." He looked down at the Pokeballs arranged along his belt. "I choose..." He wasn't sure why he was doing it. But hey, it had worked during the Sekiei Kougen... "Muk!" He tossed out the Pokeball. Kasumi smirked, in triumph.
"Then I choose-!" Koduck appeared.
He expected to hear her voice grow irritated, to yell at the foolish Pokemon for having appeared. And yet... and yet... Kasumi actually looked HAPPY to see the little, orange, duck-type Pokemon. And for that, Satoshi knew his doom was imminent.
She had a plan, and it *WOULD* succeed... Or she was not Kasumi of Hanada City!
It wasn't that long after that the two were making their merry - if you happened to be Kasumi - and not so merry for the poor one known only as Satoshi - way down the sidewalk, back to the heart of the city.... The boys shoulders were slumped, and Kasumi had a rather maddening look on her fair features.
"You'll love it, Satoshi-chan! It'll be fun, I promise..." She giggled, inanely. "I can't believe you lost, this is wonderful! You have to go first, you know..."
He nodded, complete with a groan of disgust, "Really, Kasumi, I don't like doing things like this..."
She pouted, yet again, determined not to let the subject go. "Satoshi, you have such a cute voice... That, and you lost our match. You *have* to..."
He nodded, "I know... I know..."
She giggled, rubbing her hands together, "I've been waiting for this... I've wanted to go to one of these for such a long time..."
He nodded, "I know... I know..."
"And karaoke bars are FUN, Satoshi!"
He nodded, "I know... I know..."
She sweat-dropped, "That's getting annoying..."
He nodded, "I know... I know..."
"SA-TO-SHI!"
That had been the last straw, and he knew it. He had also been planning for it, as well. He was running before she was even finished yelling his name.
Okay, maybe it really wasn't going to be that bad, he thought, sitting in the booth. Kasumi was with Takeshi, making sure everything was in order. He really didn't want to be here, but there wasn't much he could do - He'd lost.
Well, maybe he didn't mind being here as much as he made it appear to be.
If he did, he wouldn't have chosen Muk. right?
...Right.
He wasn't an idiot, and he knew that her Water Pokemon, no matter which one she chose, would be at an advantage over the thing. So why had he done it? Why had he let himself loose a match which he could have easily won?
There was a smug look on his face. I couldn't ever let Kasumi think I'd *WANT* to be here.... This way I can enjoy myself, without her rubbing it in.
Perfect.
Absolutely, positively, perfect.
I love my life...
He looked around the karaoke bar, getting used to the place. He might have been here before, he wasn't sure... Fueling his little obsessions, such as this one, was difficult with Kasumi, overbearing Kasumi, trying to get him to make a fool of him self... Yeah, I think I've been here before.
The place was filling up - Not to many, just the right amount. And then, he heard the pitter patter of Kasumi's feet, and looked up, the drab look fallen back onto his features as if it had never left, "Satoshi, you're all signed up. You're..." She scanned the piece of paper she had, "...second, actually. I'll go after you, but you have to go first. That's part of the deal..."
He gave a low, soft sigh. "I know, I know..."
He fidgeted in his seat, he could hardly wait. "So, who goes first?"
Takeshi snatched the paper away from Kasumi, "Oh, that's..."
It had been a surprise to see him here, but he wasn't going to let it show. Well, maybe it did a little. Still, he had a group of people that wasn't going to let him get out of this. It was their way, or the highway... Well, he did own the car, so that might be rather difficult.
"This is going to be so fun, I know you have a wonderful voice!"
A chorus of giggles. He sulked in the booth.
I can't sing in front of him...
"Here, here, I picked out this song, I know you'll like it... I've heard you sing along with it." He groaned, Don't I even get to choose my own funeral... Song, that is. Can't I choose my own song?
A piece of paper was shoved in front of his face, and an empathic female voice spoke, "Shigeru-sama, you go first... You can't be late."
He snatched the piece of paper, his eyes widened just a tad. Well, maybe if he worked this right, it could be taken in the proper context... Hey, this might actually be fun. Well, he already had thought it would be fun before Satoshi and company had shown up...
"Hurry up, Shigeru-sama!" One of the girls squeaked.
"I know, I know..."
He started up towards the stage, vaguely aware that a new set of eyes was upon him. He smiled. Yes, this could be fun. And if worked right, could be rather useful... So his declaration wouldn't have to be a football in the face.
This could work out perfectly...
Lights dimmed as he reached the stage, and when he was ready, the music started up.
"Shigeru..."
Satoshi had nodded vaguely as Takeshi spoke, his eyes scanning the room, in search of the boy. So, he got suckered into this too? And the thing about it was, he could imagine the cheerleaders dragging Shigeru here... I never knew he sung, I wonder...
Kasumi was stifling a series of giggles.
He found his 'rival', the others head was bowed, his concentration on a piece of paper.
It had been months since he'd last seen him. I wonder what the special occasion is... His gaze lingered, following as he walked towards the stage. I wonder if he's nervous... I can't wait to see what he sings...
Hey, they might of been rivals for years, but it's kind of hard to be rivals when one of them has already won. Right? Right.
The lights had dimmed, and the music had started, and all he could do was stare...
"Somebody to love." Takeshi murmured, "It's by Queen..."
Satoshi crinkled his nose, offended. "I knew that..." That was his last word on the subject, for he then 'went away'. You see, and must understand, Shigeru had begun to sing...
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
Each morning I get up I die a little
Can barely stand on my feet
Take a look in the mirror and cry
Lord what you're doing to me
I have spent all my years in believing you
But I just can't get no relief, Lord!
Somebody, somebody
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
I work hard every day of my life
I work till I ache my bones
At the end I take home my hard-earned pay all on my own -
I get down on my knees
And I start to pray
Till the tears run down from my eyes
Lord - somebody - somebody
Can anybody find me - somebody to love?
(He works hard)
Everyday - I try and I try and I try -
But everybody wants to put me down
They say I'm goin' crazy
They say I got a lot of water in my brain
Got no common sense
I got nobody left to believe
Yeah - yeah yeah yeah
About the time that the guitar solo began, Satoshi realized he was staring. And what else... Is Shigeru staring right back? he found himself pondering that question...
And then the words returned.
Oh Lord
Somebody - somebody
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
Got no feel, I got no rhythm
I just keep losing my beat
I'm okay, I'm all right
Ain't gonna face no defeat
I just gotta get out of the prison cell
Some day I'm gonna be free, Lord!
Find me somebody to love
Can anybody find me somebody to love
Coherent thought for him sidetracked, and he felt the mental train crash. He could only stare. Was Shigeru trying to hint at something? He wouldn't be asking such things if the boy hadn't sung such a song... I mean, I can't help but think he was singing to *me*... Satoshi's thoughts were brought back on track as Kasumi tugged him up out of his seat,
"Hayaku, Satoshi! It's your turn!"
She hadn't been phased in the least, and he nodded, somewhat weak, "Hai, hai... What am I singing?"
She giggled, evilly. "It's a surprise..."
He felt dread, then. Well, he thought, shooting a sideways glance at Shigeru, who was sitting back at his own table, maybe if I'm lucky, I can fight fire with fire...
Hmm, I wonder what he thought about that... If I do say so myself, I think I was pretty good.
He couldn't help but feel smug, and his gaze lingered on the dark haired Satoshi as he was yanked up from his seat, and directed towards the stage. He seemed a bit reluctant... Well, Shigeru could understand that. Still...
He noticed the look Satoshi gave him as he reached the stage, his gaze lingering on the screen. He saw the boys mouth open and close, thoughtful words he couldn't hear...
"So that's what I'm singing..."
It was a surprise. Oh Shigeru, I hope your prepared for this...
With a gaze that was warm, and happy, it fluttered on butterfly wings, locking on Shigeru's own deep blue orbs...
Maybe it's intuition
but some things you just don't question
Like in your eyes
I see my future in an instant
And there it goes
I think I found my best friend
I know that it might sound more than a little crazy
But I believe
I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life
There's just no rhyme or reason
Only this sense of completion
And in your eyes
I see the missing pieces
I'm searching for
I think I've found my way home
I know that it might sound more than a little crazy
But I believe
I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life
A thousand angels dance around you
I am complete now that I've found you
I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life
He's blushing, Shigeru noted, thoughtfully... Only to realize he was as well. There eyes hadn't left one another throughout the entire length of the song... And now. Kasumi had bounced up to the stage, and clapped Satoshi on the back, he could hear him from the distance...
"That was great, Satoshi! I didn't know what song you were going to sing, you have such a nice voice! See! I knew coming here would be a good idea..." Kasumi babbled on and on. How much sugar had the girl ingested? However much, it was a lot...
Satoshi wasn't paying complete attention, though. He nodded, and spoke silently. "Hai..." He broke away from her hold, stumbling towards Shigeru. Okay, songs sung, words now needed to be spoken...
Kasumi giggled, and gave Shigeru the thumbs-up sign... Well, he thought it was for her. The truth was learned in a moments flashing...
"Oh Shigeru-sama, you look so cute when you blush!"
"It's nice that Kasumi-san suggested we all meet at this karaoke place..."
A new chorus of giggles.
Shigeru realized just why the girls had been so eager to bring him here... Not that he was against it.
Kasumi was up on stage, and began her song. Shigeru practically leapt from his booth, to meet Satoshi half way. He didn't care who else saw them, that wasn't important right now... He clasped Satoshi's hands, mid room.
"Satoshi..."
"Shigeru..."
He's still blushing. He's so...
"Cute. You're so cute when you blush, Shigeru..."
He nearly broke out in laughter.
"You too, Satoshi. You too..."
Kasumi's voice, busy singing "Save the best for last", filled the room. Satoshi sighed, "Maybe we should take this outside..."
Shigeru nodded, "Good idea..."
He had expected words. Imagine Shigeru's surprise when they reached the outdoors, and a pleasant park not far from the karaoke place, when Satoshi tackled him to the ground.
"Satoshi?!" He cried, and then the other was kissing him, and any and all semblance of being against this melted away...
"Love you."
Shigeru tried to picture how long he'd wished to hear those words spoken, to hear them from Satoshi... He noted it was a rather long time, at that. He smiled, then, brushing at the dark haired boys bangs. "I know. Love you too..."
Satoshi smiled, a secret smile, one that Shigeru knew meant he had longed to hear those words as well. "If only we had tried this earlier... Singing our feelings, I mean."
Shigeru nodded, his eyes serious. "Things could have been so much easier..." Truly, it would have. Years could have been saved...
"And you know..." Satoshi's voice was low.
"Hmm?" Shigeru caught himself, pulled himself up out of the daze which had took hold of him. "What is it?" As if it were the most normal of conversations, and they weren't lying as they were on the cool damp ground of a small inner city park...
Satoshi smiled, soft, and kissed the tip of his nose, "Would you sing for me again, Shigeru? You have such a wonderful voice..." His words were almost shy, and he averted his gaze.
Shigeru held him tighter, "Well..."
Satoshi looked back, hopeful.
"...only if you promise you'll sing for me."
Satoshi breathed a heavy sigh of relief, and nodded swiftly, "I promise, Shigeru.." His voice trailed off, and Shigeru found that he was being kissed again. This time, a kiss that lingered, a kiss that Shigeru found himself surrendering himself too... So it was completely understandable that, when Satoshi broke away, Shigeru found himself pouting, "No fair..."
Satoshi giggled, light dancing in his dark dark eyes. "Well, I've always believed in giving what you want..." A third kiss, under the moon and stars.
The end