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.

"Explain again," I said to Takeshi, "why we're waiting down here with Satoshi's Pokémon? Not that I don't like you guys," I said hastily. "But I'd like to know why I was hauled down here as if it was a matter of life and death!"

"It's wonderful Kasumi!" Takeshi beamed at me. Onix gave me a longsuffering look over his trainers head.

"Rrrrrrr."

Takeshi gestured to Satoshi's Pokémon running around happily in the grass covered courtyard. "Kanna will be coming to look at Satoshi's Pokémon!"

"She will?" I blinked at him. "You mean, we'll get a chance to talk to her?"

"If she stops," Takeshi patted Onix. "I've been polishing Onix's side. Kanna is bound to notice what a strong and handsome Pokémon is . . . then she'll notice his strong and handsome trainer . . . "

"Rrrrrrr."

I could empathise with Onix, but I had to get to work making sure Starmie was presentable. "Lucky I polished your centre stone before we left," I told him. "But we'll have to do it over for Kanna . . . "

"Would I be right in thinking you're talking about Kanna, the ice-leader?" Meowth asked.

"Are there any other Kanna's?" I said. "She's the most out standing water Pokémon trainer--ever!"

"And she's coming to visit us?" Meowth said. "Me-ouch! Where's my wax? I have to freshen up my charm!"

"Squirtle! Squirt!"

A heavy snort from Charizard indicated that Kanna did not impress him. The other's seemed pretty casual about the whole thing. Metapod didn't even blink.

"Takeshi? How does my hair look?" I asked as we heard people approaching.

"Don't talk to me at a time like this! Can't you see I'm preparing myself?"

He looked more like he was panicking madly but I decided not to argue. I turned to Starmie, trying to look as if I'd just happened to come and visit . . .

"Since I have to spend a lot of time in meetings and looking at papers and things like that my Pokémon have a place they can play in while I'm busy. You probably have something similar."

"My Jynx do have their own room where they sleep and eat . . . but not where they can exercise. This is a very good idea, Satoshi."

"Well, they seem to like it. Hi guys."

"Squirtle! Squirt!"

"Bulba!"

"Geot!"

"Satoshi," Takeshi says bowing. "We were just catching up with your Pokémon . . ."

I bow too.

"Hi Kasumi, Takeshi," Satoshi says. "Hi Onix, Starmie--nice to see you again."

"Rrrrrrr."

Satoshi laughed as the big Pokémon picked him up for a big hug. I saw Takeshi look bleak as he saw his chance of impressing Kanna with the strength of his Pokémon fizzle away.

"You certainly seem to have a gift with Pokémon," Kanna said, smiling slightly as she watched. "Won't you introduce me to your human friends?"

"You already know Takeshi," Satoshi says, still high up in Onix's hold. "He came to the ice-clan hold to pick up Pikachu last year."

Takeshi blinks and hastily takes his cue to bow. "Lady Kanna . . ."

"Of course," Kanna does not look pleased. The Pikachu incident is probably something she'd rather forget but she nods at him graciously enough. "It's nice to see you again."

"Waahohahohunh," Takeshi says faintly.

"And Kasumi," Satoshi says. "You'll have seen her at the clan meetings. The water-master."

"I'm honoured," I say bowing.

"Likewise," Kanna nods. "Such important guests. Have you come on matters of state?"

"No," I answer hastily. "We're just visiting, Satoshi. We're friends."

"Pika-pika!" Pikachu agrees coming over to say hello to Starmie.

"An advantageous friendship," Kanna says archly.

"Huh?" said Satoshi. "Oh, yeah. Takeshi and Kasumi have given me tons of great advice. I don't know what I'd do without them. Onix? Could you put me down please? I want to introduce you all to Jynx."

"Jynx Jynx?"

I stand close to Kanna as we watch Satoshi with his Pokémon. "Jynx is very beautiful. Satoshi is lucky to have her."

"Yes," Kanna says simply.

"I know you sometimes use a Starmie to battle," I said. "Me too. Starmie is my most favourite Pokémon--"

"Starmie is a good battler," she agrees. "It's mobility is a bonus. Much as I enjoy training ice Pokémon I find that movement is often a problem. Not in the water of course--in the water my Pokémon can out battle almost any competitor."

"Of course! If only more battles were fought in the water then maybe people would appreciate water Pokémon more!" I started.

"But as they are not we must go with the flow," Kanna shrugged.

"What kind of Pokémon would use against a grass type?" I asked.

Kanna smiled. "Battling is a thing I tend to take as it comes. As I battle my Pokémon and I become like water. We let the battle flow over us and then when we must we become hard and unforgiving as ice."

"Letting your opponent attack and then turn the tables on them--a good theory," I said.

"Very good," Takeshi echoed over my shoulder.

"All my Pokémon share my battling techniques--we've become accustomed to each other over the years. Any of mine would do well against a grass type."

"Char!"

"No need to be rude," Satoshi scolded Charizard who was leaning against the far wall of the courtyard. "Kanna wasn't even talking to you anyway."

"Char." Charizard pointedly turned his back.

"Don't mind him," Satoshi told Jynx. "He'll get used to you."

"Pikachu," Pikachu reassured.

"Your Pokémon look very well cared for," Kanna said.

"Squirtle, Squirt!"

"Want to come and say hi?" Satoshi asked.

"Satoshi! Kanna's wearing such beautiful clothes, be careful!" I told him.

"Why don't you join in our conversation?" Kanna invites instead. "Kasumi and I were discussing different battle techniques."

"Okay," Satoshi shrugged.

"Kanna uses her opponents strength against them by letting them attack," I told Satoshi.

"How do you battle?" Kanna asked.

"I guess I just do," Satoshi looked to Pikachu for help. "Generally I don't think about it much."

"Pika."

"That's right. We like to make the battle."

"Usually that means he rushes in and attacks quickly," Takeshi said.

"I see. Our fighting styles sound like they would complement each other well, don't you think so?" Kanna smiled. "In fact, we complement each other very well don't you think? As do our clans . . . in fact if the storm and ice clans were to combine, there would be nothing stronger . . . wouldn't you agree Satoshi?"

"Um . . . " Satoshi frowned. I recognised his 'what on earth is going on here' look and hoped he wouldn't blurt that out loud. I wasn't exactly sure what Kanna was suggesting but it sounded important --and an alliance of storm and ice would be very strong . . .

"Lady Kanna?" Yuuji bowed. "The council have assembled and await your presence."

"Thank-you," Kanna said, following Yuuji. "I'll see you later Satoshi."

"Uh . . . yeah. Bye," Satoshi said before getting elbowed by Takeshi.

"That is not how you say goodbye to a clan-leader as beautiful and important as Kanna!"

"Oh well. If she gets annoyed with me maybe she'll go home faster."

"Satoshi!" Takeshi went off on a long tirade that seemed to get side-tracked until it ended up as a blow by blow account of Kanna's beauty. Satoshi and I looked at each other.

"Can you explain what is going on?" he said to me plaintively.

"I think Lady Kanna wants your clans to form a political alliance," I said. "She'll probably raise the issue at the council meeting."

"Oh," Satoshi said. "I was actually hoping you could explain Takeshi."

"Pikachu," Pikachu sighed.

"I'm a warrior not a psychiatrist," I said. "But I think it's just his usual reaction to a beautiful girl he has no chance of getting quadrupled due to the fact that in status, intelligence, age and looks Kanna is way out of his league."

"Rub it in why don't you," Takeshi said sourly. He'd finished his little tirade. "I know she's as far above me as if she were a star from the heavens! But no matter how distant she seems, I'll admire her from afar . . . "

"I think your brain's distanced itself from the rest of you," I told Takeshi dryly.

"Pika-pi?"

"If Kanna's trying to form a political alliance with the storm clan that would explain why she's been acting so nice to me," Satoshi said. "Did you guys notice that?"

"I was too busy being mesmerised by her enchanting beauty . . ." Takeshi sighed heavily.

"Rrrrrrr," Onix observed philosophically.

"Come to think of it she was being awfully nice . . . that is suspicious now you come to think of it," I said. "I wonder . . . maybe she's trying to convince you to favour the ice clan instead of the fire clan?"

"What? No way!" Satoshi said. "Shigeru's my best friend! I'd never favour an alliance that cut him out."

"Oh yes you will!" Takeshi picked him up and began shaking him. "You sign whatever contracts Kanna wants!"

"Waaaahhh---Thunderbolt!"

"Pika!"

I had a moment in which to dodge.

"CHUUUUU!"

"Uh, Pikachu?" I said, when the lightning had stopped flashing round the courtyard. "When Satoshi said Thunderbolt I think he meant just Takeshi."

"Pikaaa." Pikachu apologised. Those of the Pokémon that like me had managed to avoid th lightning attack, picked themselves up off the ground.

"I had no idea Pikachus had so much power," I said, a little awed.

"A little too much power perhaps," Satoshi groaned, slowly regaining consciousness. "Ow."

"Piiiika," Pikachu said.

"Be specific. I think I can manage that," Satoshi said and collapsed again. I decided against helping up. He usually recovered by himself, he had a natural resistance to electrical attacks. Instead I checked on Starmie, who luckily by sheltering behind Onix had been protected from the worst of the attack.

"Lord?" A retainer in a black tunic came in and bowed formally in Satoshi's direction. He didn't seem at all concerned that his Lord was currently lying semi conscious in a courtyard. Then I reminded myself I was visiting the storm clan. This was probably a common occurrence. "Dinner will be served for you and your guests in your private rooms."

"Thanks," Satoshi stood up and began brushing his clothes off. "You know I think the lightning might have boosted not just your power levels but the strength of your attacks."

"Pika."

"Let's see," Satoshi poked Takeshi. "Onix, would you mind carrying him upstairs for us? And those who didn't manage to avoid Pikachu's attack. Jynx, are you okay?"

"Jynx, jynx!"

"Good. Let's go then. Being thunder-bolted makes me hungry."

It was nice to be together as a group without officials and such around the place. I chatted with Satoshi and his Pokémon commenting as I did how like it was when we had been travelling together. "Except that Hiroshi and Shigeru aren't here."

"They'll be coming tomorrow," Satoshi told me. "For the wedding. Most of the fire clan will be here. They're going to camp outside the old walls."

"It'll be nice to see them again," I said. "I wonder if being a clan-leader has increased Shigeru's pride any."

"He's still Shigeru. He just doesn't have any time anymore," Satoshi complained.

"Pikachu."

"Pidgeot!"

"But he'll be here tomorrow," Satoshi finished.

"I can't wait. I love weddings," I said eagerly.

"We need to talk about the wedding."

Satoshi and I looked up to find Yuuji and Matisse in the doorway.

"I know what I have to do," Satoshi says. "Stay in the Main Hall to greet people and receive presents with Mother and Ookido-san, then represent my mother's family during the ceremony--"

"It's not to do with protocol. You see, the Ice clan . . . well during the council meeting today it became apparent Kanna intends to stay awhile, in which case it would be considered the most shameful breach of courtesy not to invite her--"

Satoshi sighed. "Understood. Let her come with all her retinue if she must. Did you find out what she wants from us?"

Matisse looked pointedly at me. "This is a matter of concern only to the storm clan."

I nodded and stood up. "I'll just go and see how the Pokémon are going."

It may have looked like I was being polite . . . but I was going to find out exactly what Kanna was wanting!

"Charizard," I whispered, "Move over there, please?"

Charizard gave me a look then seemed to come up with the same idea that I had because he shifted as requested nearer the conversation. I grabbed Metapod so it looked like I was talking to him and when no one was looking at me scooted over to join Charizard. Perfect. His huge body blocked their view of me so they had o idea I was near enough to listen . . . I gloated for a moment then settled down to some serious eavesdropping.

"Well, it's . . . uh. . . "

"Sort of, um . . . "

"Pi?"

I'd never heard Matisse and Yuuji so anxious before. What one earth could this be about?

"Well, Kanna wants mutter mutter mutter."

I missed what Matisse's last words were. Satoshi obviously hadn't.

"What?"

"Think about it--the advantages are incredible--"

"You're serious?"

"I know it's unexpected, Satoshi but please try and think about it. After all, the ice-clan is strong."

"But--"

"Think of the Jynx . . . if you accepted the debt would no longer an issue."

"I can't believe you actually expect me to . . . to . . ."

"Pikachu! Pika-pi, Pikachu-chu! Pika-pika, pikachu, chu, pi, pikachu, pikachu pika."

Pikachu was pretty angry too. An ominous crackle accompanied his words, an indication that his lightning power was making itself apparent in his cheeks.

"I'm not doing it and that's final!" Satoshi said and I heard a chair being pushed back. "Goodnight."

"Pika-CHU."

"Daimyo! You can't--" Yuuji's words were cut off by the door slamming. A few minutes later the bolt was drawn across it. Yuuji sighed. "Well there we go. Just as we feared."

"Maybe you were right and we should have broached this more slowly," Matisse said. "If only Lady Kanna wasn't so anxious for an answer."

"Yes . . . " Yuuji sighed. "Still we have tomorrow. The wedding puts an end to any more talks so we have another day to convince Satoshi. Once he's thought about it and clamed down, we'll be able to make him see the advantages."

"Yes," Matisse sighs. "If only he wasn't always so awkward--I bet that he would be the only guy in this country who would have objected. Most men I know would have killed to be in his position and what does he do?"

"You're being a little harsh. He wasn't born a clan-leader, he doesn't know fully what it entails yet."

"Well he's going to learn if it kills him."

Yuuji sighed and there was another chair pulled up. "Let's go talk to Petal-Rose. If we can gain her support . . . "

They left. I stood up slowly. Charizard and I looked at each other. What was going on?

"It sounds almost as if . . . " I said slowly. "But that's impossible. I mean, surely not . . . "

Charizard snorted. That one sound seemed to imply that the ice-clan was capable of anything.

"You got dat right," Meowth said slyly.

Charizard and I both whipped round to see the street-wise cat leaning against the table smugly.

"What--you mean you heard what Matisse said?" I asked.

"Mmmhmm," Meowth held out a paw. "But before I tell yers, ya gotta agree to my demands."

Charizard huffed and folded his arms. I frowned. I didn't like being manipulated but damn it, I had to know!

"I'll scratch your tummy for you," I promised.

"Purr-fect!" Meowth jumped into my lap. "You can begin now!"

15 minutes later, Meowth was satisfied enough to divulge his little bit of information. "Matisse n' that . . . they want--purrrrrrrrr"

"They want?"

"Just a little to the right--ahh."

"Get on with it!" I snapped. "Or I'll ask Charizard to use his flamethrower on you.

Charizard flexed his wings, indicating I wouldn't have to ask too hard.

"Oh fine. He wants da kid to marry Kanna."

"WHAT??" We hadn't even realised Takeshi had regained consciousness. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"

"Take--" I started.

"Rrrrrrr."

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" Takeshi had tears streaming down his face. "This isn't fair!"

I sighed and went to fetch a mop. I was right . . . and it didn't make me happy. Much as I admired Kanna I could see that Satoshi wasn't ready for anything like this, not by a long shot . . . and I couldn't see any chance of things getting better any time soon.

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