This story is dedicated to Dana, Nicola and especially Blank7 for encouragement, feedback and help with tricky things like plots. If you hadn't wanted it first, this story wouldn't have happened.

By the time we get back to the clan stronghold the storm had broken. Luckily this meant that all the clan warriors were outside with their Pokémon, absorbing the energy of the lightning. Hopefully Pikachu and I could slip in without anyone noticing.

"Thanks Pidgeot," I said. "You go take shelter with the others."

"Pidgeot!" The bird Pokémon happily scampered. My other Pokémon did not like storms at all-- no more than Shigeru did. It was funny but right from when we were kids he's hated them. I guess it's because they are uncontrollable. I don't care. They don't frighten me--not that I'm dumb enough to dismiss a lightning bolt but I'm usually too busy watching the snaking patterns of the lightning to be frightened.

Pikachu slips off my shoulder. "Pika!" he calls, going to join the clan Pokémon.

"See you later!" I join the rest of the trainers. Lucky it's dark so no-one can see it's me. Not that it would make any difference. I don't get treated like a Lord the way Shigeru does--storm clan's simply too small. I'm not complaining either. It means I get a lot more freedom than 'Geru and most of the time I get treated like a normal person. Although I do wish Matisse would stop calling me--

"Kid!"

I jumped. "Oh, hi Matisse. Um . . . are you and Raichu out here enjoying the storm too?"

"Ceremonial paperweight?"

"Um . . . ah . . . "

"We have preparations to make before our guests arrive. Come on."

I followed him back to the main hall . . . or what was left of it. What the poison clan hadn't destroyed of our fortress time and nature had. Instead of concentrating on fixing it we had decided to use it to our advantage. Without a fortress we were not tied to one place and being small we could move about easily. Even with the new storm trainers turning up almost every week it seemed pointless to build a fortress we did not have the manpower to defend . . . so Matisse was taking a sort of guerilla approach. If an enemy army threatened us we'd disappear into the tunnels around the fortress and then appear where they least expected us . . . However not everyone was happy. My mother for one wanted somewhere she could receive guests. So we were fixing the main hall . . . Once I got there I realised just how serious these guests were. The repairs had been finished and the scaffolding had been removed . . .

"Satoshi! Where have you been?"

"Mum," I said. "Um, out in the storm?"

"I can't believe you would disappear at a time like this," my mother said. "Now we don't have time to give you a bath."

Yay! "Um, a bath?" I said. "The ice-clan--they're not arriving tonight, are they?"

"A messenger arrived after you . . . went upstairs to fetch the ceremonial paperweight." Shigeru's grandfather coughed. Okay so it wasn't the best excuse . . . but if I'd had to put up with Matisse's instructions another five minutes I'd have gone insane.

"Oh."

"It wasn't his fault, Petal-Rose-san. He didn't know," Yuuji is leaning against a wall. "Now he knows, I'm sure our daimyo is just as anxious to get ready for them as we are."

"Uh . . . " it still takes awhile for it to sink in that I'm this daimyo. "Oh. Hai! Of course!"

"Come with me, daimyo. I'll brief you as you dress."

Anything to escape from Matisse! "Hai."

When we got to my rooms we found Charizard there.

"Hello," Yuuji greeted him. "Nice to see you're not bothered by the storm."

Charizard snorted. Yuuji might interpret that as an expression of contempt for those who would let little things like lightning and gale force winds worry them. I knew better. Charizard had a reputation to uphold --to cower in the kitchen with my smaller Pokémon would not help it any.

"What am I supposed to wear?"

"The dark green kimono and your black sash."

"Yuuji, I'm the daimyo of the storm clan. I have a hundred black sashes. Can you be a little more specific?"

Yuuji held out the one he meant and snickered. "I think someone's a little nervous about tonight, hmm?"

"Why should I be nervous?" I asked. "I'm annoyed that's all. If Kanna of the ice-clan wants to make an alliance with us, she could just write a letter."

"So that you and Pikachu can ignore it?" Yuuji asked slyly.

I decided not to ask how he knew about that. "She should know better besides. Shigeru and I are best friends. As long as we have the fire clan we don't need any other allies. And you still haven't explained why I would be scared of Kanna."

"Well she is a master-clan leader."

"So's Shigeru and I'm not scared of him." Charizard sniffed. "Okay, except when he's in a really really bad mood and I have to tell him that Growlithe just ate his favourite tunic. And that doesn't happen very often."

"Yes but Kanna is also famed throughout the land for her beauty. Most young men would be nervous about meeting her."

"I've already spoken to her twice. At the clan meeting and when Shigeru and I became daimyos." I dumped my ordinary clothes and the floor and began pulling on the clothes I was to wear that night. "Are you nervous?"

"Well . . . " Yuuji shrugged. "I guess I've seen her a lot too. Wataru-san was often called upon to sort out disputes between Ice and Storm clan and as his heir I was expected to help out."

"So how bad is she?"

"She's a proper ice-clan daimyo, if that's what you mean. Cool and calculating . . . and she'll expect to be treated according to her rank. You'll have to behave."

"Great."

"And be polite."

"Wonderful."

"It won't be that bad. She'll probably make the formal greetings and responses then talk to Matisse. Most of the clan leaders seem to forget that you're the daimyo."

I grinned. "I don't mind."

"Satoshi . . ." Yuuji frowned. "Maybe you should." I blinked at him as he turned around and frowned at me. "You've been our daimyo for over a year now and there are only a few occasions when I can remember you acting like one. I have to wonder if you're really the best person for this job. You don't take your responsibilities very seriously--"

"Hey!" I said annoyed. "I do too take my responsibilities seriously. As leader of the storm clan my job is to keep my people and our Pokémon safe. I'm doing that. Have I ever once missed a training session? Or failed to take care of my Pokémon?"

"You do a very good job with your Pokémon. You're among our best warriors without a doubt, and your Pokémon make a formidable team. But there are other ways a daimyo protects his people."

"What do you mean?"

"All these letters from other clan, this visit, the inter clan politics . . . they are essential to the survival of the storm clan. By making alliances and keeping abreast of what moves other clan's are making you can protect the storm clan by preventing things from ever reaching a point where battle is necessary . . . "

"Oh," I said. "I never thought of it as that."

"What," Yuuji smiles. "Did you think Matisse was trying to teach you manners and stuff for his own enjoyment? Didn't you ever notice how often he only barely refrained from strangling you?"

"I guess I was too busy being miserable to notice," I said. Now that Yuuji pointed it out . . .

"Or Shigeru? He's nobody's idiot. Why do you think he'd put up with all this 'politics' if he didn't think it was necessary?"

Charizard sniffs again. Although he's with me now he won't allow his former lord to be spoken of so lightly.

"I . . . I'll think about this," I said. I finished tightening my sash and gave Yuuji a bright smile. "And I'll be super well behaved for Kanna tonight."

"Pika-pi! Pika-Chu," Pikachu greeted me as I rejoined the others in the Main Hall.

"Thank-you," I smiled at the compliment. "You look good too. That lightning was really good for you."

"Pika."

"We have guests?" I looked up at Matisse.

"They're in the kitchen. Your mother is seeing to them." Matisse looked at me a moment then did something he'd never done before. He put a hand on my shoulder. "Daimyo, the ice-clan is very strong, and very powerful. Please don't offend Kanna or her entourage."

"I'll do my best," I said a little awed. "Now come on Pikachu, let's go greet our guests."

"Any idea who it is?" I asked Pikachu.

"Pika-pika."

"Well it's not my fault I don't have a nose like yours." I quickened my pace. If Pikachu was going to be like that the only way I would find out who it was would be to actually see them.

As it turned out I didn't even need to do that. To prove once and for all pikachu superiority Pikachu outdistanced me and got to the kitchen first.

"Pikachu!"

"Oh, Pikachu! How nice to see you!"

"You look well. I see Satoshi's been looking after you, well!"

"Pika! Pika-pi," I grinned ruefully as she put them right.

"Hi Kasumi, Takeshi," I said, entering the kitchen. "How are you guys?"

"Satoshi!" Kasumi surprised me by giving me a hug. "We're fine. How about you?"

I was going to say I'd be better if I didn't have this dumb Ice-clan visit to worry about but I was going to behave so instead I said, "Just fine. Right, Pikachu?"

"Pika-pika."

"You look very neat," Takeshi said thoughtfully. "Anything happening?"

"Anything to do with why we're here?"

Oh that. I'd almost forgotten that. "No. Kanna decided she wanted to visit us and she's arriving tonight.

"Kanna? Tonight?" Kasumi and Takeshi gasped.

"You should have said!"

"We'd have come tomorrow."

"It's only an official visit," I said annoyed. "You're my friends. You're more important." Then I noticed something else. "You're wet."

"You know Satoshi, there is a very big storm going on outside," my mother said dryly, returning with two steaming mugs which she gave to Takeshi and Kasumi. "Not everyone likes them as much as you and Pikachu. By the way, you might like to go and cheer up the rest of your Pokémon. They're by the fire."

"I suppose you two would like to be by the fire as well," I said to Takeshi and Kasumi. "Come on."

The squirtle and Meowth were all crowded around the fire while Bulbasaur sat on the mat in front of it and Metapod sat next to him. Pidgeot perched on a chair, dripping on the floor and cleaning his feathers carefully.

"Squirtle! Squirt!"

"Meowth! I'm not moving. You move over."

"You'll all have to move over," I said. "Takeshi and Kasumi are soaking."

They didn't grumble too much when they saw who it was.

"Squirtle! Squirt!"

"I'm fine thanks," Kasumi smiled at the Squirtle. "How are you?"

"Meowth! We're doing pretty well, guarding the kid here. Nice to see you, Takeshi."

"Where are Onix and Starmie?" I asked. "Would they like to come in?"

"Neither of them are bothered much by the rain," Kasumi said, sitting down by me. "Now spill the beans, Satoshi. Why were we invited here?"

"It's not exactly a secret . . . " I said. "But we don't want it to be widely known just yet. See . . . in two days my mother is going to marry Ookido-san."

"But that's wonderful!" Kasumi gushed going into 'soppy' mode. Honestly if you'd seen her like this you'd never believe she was a capable warrior. "Oh, how romantic! But why keep it a secret?"

"My Mother was a geisha," I said. "She couldn't marry Ookido-san before because he was a daimyo. Now he's not and she's the mother of the storm-clan leader they can . . . although there are still people who might object."

"If you don't mind me asking," Takeshi said. "Why are you having the ice-clan visiting so close to the wedding?"

"They invited themselves and Matisse wouldn't let me say no," I complained.

"Pikachu."

"Yeah . . . still they don't know so it's not their fault."

"Satoshi . . . can I ask just one favour?"

"Sure," I told Takeshi, a little puzzled. Why'd he gone all formal all of a sudden?

"If it's not too much to ask might I be allowed to be in the room when you receive Kanna-daimyo?" Takeshi went faintly pink. "Just to catch a glimpse of her angelic face . . ."

Kasumi and I shared a look.

"You just want to look, right?" I said finally. Although I felt bad refusing a friend anything, Matisse really wanted this to work, and well . . . Takeshi had been known to do some pretty crazy things around girls. I should know --I'd been one of them. I was pretty sure that only the fact that Sakaki had kidnapped me and was trying to kill all the clan leaders and their deputies, which included Takeshi that had prevented him from doing anything embarrassing at the last clan meeting . . .

"I'll keep him under control," Kasumi promised.

"Great," I smiled at her.

"Rai! Rai!" Matisse's Raichu came running into the kitchen and chittered frantically at me and Pikachu."

"What did Raichu say?" Takeshi asked.

"Pikachu!"

"It sounds like the ice-clan has arrived," I said. "I've got to go. See you later!"

I ran down the corridor after Pikachu and Raichu. Instead of entering the great hall straight away we went into the little ante room behind it. Matisse-san was there looking grim.

"Now remember, be polite, compliment her and make sure you see to it that she is not tired or hungry or cold," he said, straightening my clothes.

I nodded. "I'll do my best."

"Make sure you do."

He opened the curtain that covered the space between the Great Hall and the ante room for me, and I stepped through onto the podium. Nearly every member of the storm clan was there, the trainers dressed in their black fighting clothes, forming a ceremonial guard either side of the hall. Watching behind them were their wives and husbands, kids and parents--well everyone who wasn't a trainer. The Pokémon stood quietly with their trainers. Pikachu stood at my ankles, watching curiously as the huge wooden doors to the hall were pulled back. I spotted Kasumi and Takeshi and had time to give them a quick wave. Then a large sedan-chair was carried into the Hall, before it a girl carrying the banner of the Ice-clan, the legendary Articuno. Behind her, were uniformed guards, positioned around a wagon in which stood six of the rare ice-Pokémon Jynx. They marched into the Hall and when they were a good twenty metres away from the podium they stopped.

The girl with the banner stepped forward. "The revered Ice-clan wishes to pay their respects to the newly restored Storm clan. We greet you with all honour and wish you good fortune in the future."

I was unsure how to respond. I'd expected to greet Kanna, not one of her people. I looked to Yuuji, standing on my other side on the podium. He nodded and stepped forwards.

"The Storm clan hears and greets the Ice-clan: You are most welcome. We rejoice at your safe arrival and return your well wishes." Yuuji bowed to the messenger. At his move, the trainers knelt, bowing also.

"Not you," Matisse whispered to me. "A lord does not have to bow to anyone and if he does it looks suspicious."

A sign of weakness he means. The last thing we want to do is appear weak in the eyes of the ice-clan . . .

"Pika," Pikachu says, pushing his shoulders back. It's a real pity that Pikachu wasn't storm clan lord. He has the temperament for it.

The banner bearer returns Yuuji's bow, as do the rest of Kanna's entourage. "We thank you for your kindness and hospitality," she says. "To you all I bring the blessing of the ice-clan: may fortune shine upon you like the glittering of frost and your endeavors meet with success."

"Likewise may your days be full and your company merry," Yuuji returns. I bet he just made that up--I hope they're not going to stand around and keep trading compliments for long. My legs are starting to hurt. At the fire clan, these things went on for hours.

"A wish that is appreciated," the girl bows again and looks back at the sedan chair. "To your Lord I bring the greeting and well wishes of my daimyo, Lady Kanna."

I step forward to receive her wishes myself. "I thank your Lady, for her kind sentiments and the tremendous honour she has paid the Storm clan by her visit. We are extremely pleased to receive her."

I shoot a glance sideways at Matisse and am pleased to note he looks considerably relieved. Hah! Didn't think I could be polite!

"Pikachu," Pikachu adds graciously.

"Uh . . ." the girl glances at Pikachu nervously then continues with her speech. "My Lord, I present the Daimyo of the illustrious ice-clan, Kanna-san."

Two of the guards draw back the curtains of the chair and stretch up their hands to help her disembark.

Well . . . Kanna certainly knew how to make a good first impression. There was an audible intake of breath from at least half the room as first one pale hand then another emerged from the sedan chair. Ignoring her guards hands she jumped from the sedan chair herself, drawing back her hood.

There was another intake of breath and a thump. Kasumi told me later Takeshi had collapsed.

Kanna was wearing the white kimono of the ice-clan. I have to admit it made her pink hair, drawn back into a simple ponytail, even more striking. Her cool eyes were not made less pretty by the spectacles she wore. Still with Matisse breathing down my neck I had no chance of forgetting that she was a master clan leader and I had to be polite to her.

"Lady Kanna," I said, stepping forward and giving her a half bow. "You are welcome."

She didn't bow. I sent Matisse-san an anxious look--had I been too polite?

"Pika," Pikachu muttered as Kanna just looked at us. "Pikachu."

I hoped no one in the Ice-clan could understand Pikachu--I don't think his remarks concerning their leaders manners would have been appreciated.

Kanna walked coolly up to the podium and paused.

Pikachu crackled warningly behind me.

"Settle down," I whispered hoping I wouldn't have to apologies to Matisse for thundershocking the leader of the ice-clan. When I looked back up I was startled. Kanna was looking at me as intently as if I was a new type of Pokémon.

I frowned back at her. I didn't have a clue what she was doing but I wasn't going to let her see this. She was still looking at me . . . was this like one of those staring competitions Shigeru and I used to have?

"Lord Satoshi," Kanna said finally breaking the silence. "I am honoured by your most gracious welcome and overawed by your hospitality." I blinked. It hadn't been that much . . . I was even more thrown when she made her bow, dropping to one knee. "I thank you."

"Pika?"

"Uh . . . it was nothing," I said, thinking Leaders of Master clans bow for no-one? Matisse coughed behind me. I corrected myself hastily. "Your thanks are received gratefully. Might I present my general, Matisse-san, and advisor, Yuuji-san."

Kanna stood up. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Lady Kanna, the pleasure is all ours," Matisse and Yuuji bowed low. "Truly the Storm clan is indebted to you for the honour of this visit."

I watched relieved. Now the difficult part was over--with Yuuji and Matisse introduced they could handle our guest. Although it meant another round of introductions.

"Pika-Pikachu," Pikachu said to my ankle.

"Mmm," I nodded, although I couldn't reply. I also thought her behaviour was odd. Still maybe all the ice-clan was like that. Kind of like the psychic clan members being introverted and mysterious and fire clan members being proud . . .

Finally Yuuji finished telling Kanna how pretty she was and Matisse prodded me in the back.

"Lady Kanna," I said. "You must be tired after your journey. Allow us to offer you refreshments. We have prepared a light meal for you and your retinue, if you are hungry."

Kanna bowed. "That would be delightful."

I smiled, I'd been hoping she'd want to eat. My Mother had helped with the cooking. "Please follow me, Lady Kanna."

Yuuji kicked me in the shins. I hastily offered her my arm. She accepted with a smile that made my heart sigh with relief--she hadn't noticed that Yuuji had had to kick me to remind me to be polite! Pikachu walked in front of us with his tail up proudly --it really was to bad I couldn't abdicate in favour of my Pokémon.

The meal part was okay. Although technically Pikachu and I weren't supposed to be eating we managed to accumulate a fair amount of snacks. Kanna seemed more concerned with paying me compliments than eating which seemed to imply a lack of sense . . . still that was her problem. As soon as I could I asked her about her journey.

"Did you see any rare Pokémon?"

"Satoshi!" Matisse looked irritated. "Lady Kanna is tired from her journey. She doesn't want to discuss Pokémon with you."

"Actually, Matisse-san," Kanna said, sipping her drink delicately. "I would love to discuss Pokémon with the Lightning master."

Matisse and I gaped at her.

"As you wish," Matisse said. I smirked at him.

The next ten minutes were actually kind of interesting. I didn't know that the area surrounding the ice-clan stronghold was home to many types of rock and water Pokémon. Then Yuuji came in.

"Toraeru-daimyo," he said bowing to me. "Your mother would like to speak to you now in her apartments."

"Excuse me, Lady Kanna," I said. "Matisse will show you to your rooms when you are ready. I hope that you have a pleasant night's sleep."

"Likewise, Lord."

I nodded to her then followed Yuuji out of the room. "What apartments?" I said pointedly. "As far as I know my mother's been sharing Ookido-san's rooms."

Yuuji coughed. "There are some things you just can't say in front of a visiting ice-clan leader, Satoshi."

"Why not?"

"Can you explain it, Pikachu?"

"Pika-pika."

"I am not!" I said. "Why does my mother want to speak to me anyway?"

"Actually she doesn't. She told me to go in there and make you go to bed which is what I'm doing."

"But--"

"It's past your bed-time, daimyo."

I sulked. "You really enjoyed saying that, didn't you?"

"Hai." Yuuji smiled as we reached my rooms. "By the way, you did a very good job of greeting Kanna. The storm clan is in very good hands."

"Pikachu."

I smiled at Yuuji. "It's nice to know you think so."

"Now go to bed, lord."

I got a nice surprise when I opened my door. "Kasumi--Takeshi! Hi!"

"Well how did it go?" Kasumi asked eagerly. "What did she say to you?"

"You mean Kanna?"

"Who else would I mean?" Kasumi said.

"I can't believe I'm speaking to someone who's actually spoken to her!" Takeshi said rapturously. I sweated as I noticed he had one of those dazed looks on his face. Turning to Kasumi I got a real shock-- she had an expression I'd only seen when she was raving about some cute little water Pokémon . . .

"If only I was that lucky!"

"Kasumi? Are you okay?" I asked dubiously. I was used to Takeshi acting like this but to have two of my friends this way . . .

"I couldn't be more okay! Not only am I visiting with my friends but I got to see my all time favourite heroine!"

"Huh?"

"Kanna is an excellent Pokémon trainer! She knows tons about water Pokémon and she sometimes uses a Starmie like mine!"

"And she's so pretty!" Takeshi added.

Kasumi's fist connected with his face in a perfect arc. "THAT'S NOT THE POINT!" Snapping back to a more normal tone she added, "She's also a feared warrior and a good clan-leader. I made her my model when I took command of the water clan."

I was relieved. If Kasumi was still able to slap Takeshi round then I didn't have to much to worry about.

"I have to go to bed now," I told them. "But before then, look! Pikachu and I got snacks!"

"Pika!"

"You sneaked these from the meal laid out for the ice-clan?" Kasumi asked, smiling.

"Uh-huh. These stiff ceremonial kimono's are good for something after all. See? Big floppy sleeves--you can hide all sorts of stuff."

"I can't believe I'm touching a piece of food from a feast laid out for her!" Takeshi cried. He struck a dramatic pose with the sushi roll. "I'll never eat this, ever!"

"Um . . . Takeshi," Kasumi said. "Isn't this going a little overboard--even for you?"

"Yeah," I echoed. "I mean, weren't you staying at the ice-clan to collect Pikachu? You must have had to eat something the whole time you were there."

"Nope," Takeshi folded his arms. "The power of my love was enough to sustain me the entire two days I was there."

"Two days?" I sweated. "I couldn't even go half that time without food!"

"Pikachu," Pikachu agreed, from over the top of his sushi roll.

"Where'd you get that?" I asked. "I thought I gave the last one to--"

"WaaaaAARRGHHH!"

I was surprised guards didn't come running at Takeshi's wail.

"I'll never be able to look a sushi roll in the face again," Takeshi sobbed as Kasumi tried to comfort him and I scolded Pikachu.

"Pikachu," Pikachu said contritely, holding out what was left of the roll.

Takeshi started crying again.

"Cheer up," I said, patting him on the back. "She's going to be here a while. Maybe I could pinch some more of her food or something."

Takeshi looked as if he was going to argue with me but instead stared at the arm before him. "I can't believe it--she actually touched this arm!" He grabbed me in a bear hug. "I'm touching the arm she touched!"

"That's really nice!" I said, struggling to disentangle myself."Takeshi, you're hurting me!"

"Pika-pi!" Pikachu said concerned.

"Help! Kasumi! Make him let me go!"

"CHUUUUUUUU!"

"Well . . . " Kasumi said, helping me sit up again a few minutes later. "At least you won't have to worry about Takeshi for . . .oh, I'd say a good fifteen minutes."

"Thanks, Pikachu," I said, brushing off my robes.

"Pikaaa," Pikachu said, scratching his head in embarrassment.

There was a knock at the door.

"All right already, I'm going to bed!" I yelled.

"Um, excuse me, Toraeru-daimyo, I have a message for you."

Kasumi and I looked at each other surprised.

"Who'd have a message for you?"

"I am a clan leader," I said annoyed. "Stranger things have happened." I opened the door.

It was the ice-clan banner bearer. "I am sorry to bother you, Lord, but Lady Kanna wishes to speak to you."

"Uh . . ." Okay, Matisse never said anything about this. What was I supposed to do? I wasn't supposed to get her mad . . . or make her think we were scared of displeasing her. "Pikachu and I will be there in a moment."

"I wonder what she wants?" Kasumi said. "Satoshi, you don't need an assistant of any kind do you?"

"No," I said. "Come on, Pikachu, let's see what the ice-master wants."

I wasn't sure whether or not I should knock, but Kanna solved that problem by having a servant waiting outside the door for me.

"Come in, daimyo," she said, ushering me into the room, then scooting out again. Pikachu and I blinked at each other then realised we'd just been left alone with Kanna.

"Um, Lady Kanna?" I said.

"Pikachu?"

She was leaning out the window, looking at the sky. Hesitantly I approached her.

"The night is beautiful."

"Huh?" I said.

"See how the moon has come out? Wreathed in the last of the storm cloud, it looks like an angel."

"It does look nice," I agreed, edging closer to the window. She sounded like Takeshi off on one of his girl induced dazes . . . I didn't want to make any sudden moves.

"I love watching the sky," Kanna said. "It has so many moods and feelings . . . I could watch it for a million years and never stop being surprised by it."

"Okay," I said. "Um, your messenger said you wanted to talk to me?"

"Hai," Kanna smiled at me. "I hope I haven't pulled you away from anything important."

"Oh, no," I said, Pikachu backing me up.

"Pikachu."

Kanna smiled again. "I have a present for you, Satoshi. I do hope you don't mind me calling you that."

"Well Shigeru does and he's a master-clan leader so I guess it's all right," I said. I thought I saw Kanna frown briefly but it was so briefly I wasn't sure. "What's the present?"

"Pi-pi-PIkachu!" Pikachu admonished me. I added "Please?"

"I've heard how much you like learning about different types of Pokémon," Kanna said. "So I've brought you something from our clan-hold." She motioned for one of her guards to bring it in.

I was wondering what it could be--a book perhaps?

"Here is the item you requested, Daimyo." The guard bows then steps back to reveal . . . a Jynx?

"Wow!" I said. "A real Jynx! I've always wanted to get a real look at one of them!"

I bent over to look at the Jynx more closely. "Hello, Jynx. I'm Toraeru Satoshi."

"Jynx? Jynx Jynx!"

"Pikachu?" Pikachu, also fascinated, came forward to have a closer look.

"You seem to be getting along with Jynx just fine," Kanna said.

Yeah," I said. "Thank-you for letting me meet one of your Jynxes, Kanna, this is really special."

Kanna laughed. "Satoshi, I am not letting you meet Jynx. I'm giving her to you."

"Pika-chu?"

"What?"

"I'm giving Jynx to you," Kanna repeated coolly.

"But . . . Jynx are really rare and powerful! And no-one but the ice-masters are allowed to train them--Jynx is one of your own Pokémon, isn't she?" I asked.

"Pika-pi--" Pikachu started.

"I know Matisse would have a fit if he heard me talking to Kanna like this," I said. "But I can't just accept a Jynx--and I can't let Kanna just give one away either. I mean," I said, turning to Kanna. "You know clan leaders do not normally give their best Pokémon away. Are you sure you want to do this? The storm clan is already disposed to meet your party with good wishes--you don't have to do this."

"I have good reasons for this, Satoshi, believe me," Kanna said. She didn't sound offended at my speech. "One, such an exchange would promote good relations between ice and storm clan for a long time. Furthermore, you would learn a lot about ice-type Pokémon, thus furthering understanding between our people. Second, such a gift, while well within my resources, would remind the other clans of the strength and riches of the ice-clan. Three . . . well, you're a special young man, Satoshi." She smiled enigmatically.

"O-kay," I said slowly. We didn't have anything we could give to her in return . . . still I knew Matisse would kill me personally if I tried to refuse it. Instead I bowed. "You are very generous, Lady Kanna. I thank-you profusely for this . . . remarkable present."

"Please . . . call me Kanna."

I bid Kanna a good night and then me, Pikachu and the newest member of my little poke-menagerie returned to my room. "I wish Shigeru was here," I said plaintively to Pikachu. "I bet he could explain this to me."

"Jynx! Jynx!"

"What's that?" I said. "Oh, I'm not mad at you Jynx. Just confused. See I'm kind of new at being a daimyo and a lot of the time I'm not sure I'm doing the right thing."

We reached my room. I opened the door and stared. Takeshi was sitting in the middle of the room, tears streaming down his face.

"This isn't fair!" he wailed. "Invited to the room of a gorgeous woman at night--why couldn't I have been a master clan leader?"

"Oh come on!" Kasumi said. "That's couldn't possibly be what she wants. I mean, she's more than twice his age . . ."

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"Waaahhh!" Kasumi and Takeshi seemed very surprised to see me.

"Oh nothing! We were talking about nothing!"

"Yes! And it definitely wasn't about you at all!"

"Nope, no way! Nothing about you!"

"O-kay," I said. "Are you two all right? You look hot--do you want me to open a window?"

"It's okay," Kasumi said. "We were just about to go to bed." Her eyes widened as she saw the Jynx. "Is that--?"

"Waaahh! One of her Pokémon!" Takeshi scooped Jynx up--not a light task, I can assure you. Still he was a rock trainer-- and hugged her the same way he'd done me earlier. "I can't believe I'm touching one of her Pokémon! Waaahhh!"

"Jynx! Jynx!"

"Takeshi! I think she likes you!" I said, as Jynx beamed and it was Takeshi's turn to be enfolded in a bone crunching bear hug.

"I'm glad! Now get her off me!" Takeshi yelped.

Once I'd convinced Jynx that a still breathing Takeshi was the best sort of Takeshi to have and Kasumi had led him off to the infirmary to have his ribs checked I looked around at Pikachu and Jynx and sighed. "What a day, huh?"

"Char."

"You still here?" I smiled at Charizard who'd come out into the little sitting room area before my bedroom. "I want you to meet my new Pokémon, Jynx."

"Char." Charizard snorted and pointedly turned his back.

"Jynx," muttered Jynx doing the same.

"Pika . . ." Pikachu muttered shaking his head.

"O-kay," I said. "Ice and fire types don't mix, that it?"

They both sniffed again.

"Why don't you come with me Jynx? I'll find you somewhere to sleep and you can meet the others in the morning."

"PI-pikachu." Pikachu added.

Jynx seemed happy with the little nest of blankets I made for her beside my bed. "Sometimes sleeping in a strange place can be a little scary," I said. "But Pikachu and I are here."

"Char."

I frowned. "No you are not. Ignore him Jynx, he wouldn't really."

"Jynx."

I pretended I hadn't heard Charizard's snort.

"Goodnight, Jynx, Pikachu . . . and you too Charizard. Sleep well. See you in the morning!"

"Jynx-Jynx!"

"Pika-yawn-chu."

". . . . char."

I smiled and blew out my bedside candle. I hoped they wouldn't wake me up too early tomorrow--I needed time to write to Shigeru. I couldn't believe all that had happened since I'd seen him. I had a feeling he wouldn't either.

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