We do not own the characters of Pokemon. I kind of wish I could, but no, it is not so. Shigeru, Satoshi, Hiroshi, and Kasumi as well as the pokemon and characters mentioned in here belong to the creators of Pokemon and not us. We can only claim the storyline, which is AU, and not the regular plot of the series. Thank you.

SHIGERU

My best friend isn’t what one would exactly call a proper noble. Hiroshi’s anything but a *proper noble*, actually. At times he has this way of looking like a complete innocent… his blonde hair and blue eyes aids in that. He’s so different when compared to me; he lacks my cynicism, though he says that it gives me an edge and it’s not nearly serious enough. Hiroshi knows me too well… That, and he’s so… bright is the best word, I think. Yes, bright… And now he’s staring at me like I’m doing something horribly atrocious.

"Why do you have that look on your face, Hiro?" I ask innocently enough. I have no idea why he looks so annoyed.

He shakes his head and rolls his eyes. "Shigeru, I’d appreciate it if you’d *not* keep touching me."

I blink. He’s sitting on his bed, looking through his packs. I’m on the other side of the room from him. "Um, Hiro…"

"Don’t give me that innocent look, Ookido Shigeru. I know how powerful your gift is. Stop playing around in my mind." I’m about to take him seriously… but the way he’s grinning at me stops me from thinking that at all. If I wanted to, I know I could. Play around in his mind, that is. But this is just a running joke that we have between us.

I just shake my head and sigh. "You, Mikagami Hiroshi, are one strange… strange person."

"I know, it gives me character," He says with a smile, looking back to packing his bag.

"I can’t believe you’re not done with that yet," I say with a sigh, shifting my place on the window ledge. He shrugs and tosses a few more things into it. He’s got such eclectic taste.

"I want to be prepared. Don’t *you* want to be prepared,

‘Geru?" He asks, not looking up at me.

With a sigh, I look away from him and outside the window. The city of Tokiwa spreads out below the palace, at the same time both wonderful yet so confined. Prepared… I know that I’m prepared for this journey. My last chance at freedom before I take over from my Grandfather and the ruling of Masara…

As his heir, I must test and prove myself. This journey, and the path of the pokemon in general-when you’re a noble, that is-is just another part of that test.

I wish that my sister was able to be the heir. In other families a girl might be able to inherit, but not the Ookido’s of Masara. Perhaps if my sister had been born instead to the rulers of Hanada… But no. Nanami will be lucky if she can just find a good husband and marry out of love. If not… then she’ll be empty and unloved, much like our mother had been.

"’Geru? What are you thinking about? You have that look on your face…" I hear Hiroshi’s voice, and the gentle touch of his mind. He might be saying that my gift is strong, but I think his must be ten times more so. He has an empathic talent that I’ve never seen before.

"It’s nothing, I’m just worrying about Nanami."

He nods slowly. "I know that’s not it completely, but I’ll ask you about it later. What time is it?"

"Past noon, I think. We have to leave soon, don’t we?"

He nods and ties up his pack. "Uh huh. My guardian is going to be here to say his farewells to us… did you properly say goodbye to your family before you came to Tokiwa?"

I nod. I can remember it all too clearly. And the two hour trip after it… Nanami was crying silently. She might not even be there when I get back. And my sister deserves more than that…

"I did." I say finally. "Grandfather was so very proud of me."

Hiroshi gets up off his bed, almost toppling before he shifts his pack so it’s not weighing him down. "You’re a good grandson, ‘Geru. He has much to be proud of."

I wish I could believe him.

Hiroshi crinkles his nose. "Don’t make that face at me, ‘Geru. I know what you’re thinking."

Well, not exactly. He knows what I’m feeling… I’ve known him only five years but it seems like so much longer and more has gone into the formation of our friendship.

"If you say so, Hiro. Are you ready?"

He nods. He’s anything but punctual… and to think he’ll be ruling Kuchiba one day. "I’m right as rain. I think we can go now."

I can’t help but smile. He’s got this annoyingly, sickeningly, infectious smile… "Have I ever told you that I’m glad that you’re around?"

He pauses and looks thoughtful. "Hmm… I don’t think you’ve told me lately. Why not go for it again?"

I grin and shake my head. "Hmm, maybe not now. Come on, Munou’s going to freak if we’re any later than this." I tell him. Munou might be the ruler of Nibi, but he’s also the ruling lord of Tokiwa; he might not be of the families blood, but the Council elected him to this position. If the heir is ever actually found… if the heir is actually still alive…

"And we get to get our pokemon, don’t we?" He asks as he follows after me. My things are downstairs all ready. I nod and open the door for him. Knowing him he’s going to fall down the stairs and kill himself.

"That we do. What do you want?"

"I have no idea," He muses, "but I’ll love whatever I get."

"You’re easy to please that way." I tell him, and he shrugs.

"I know, I’m cool aren’t I?"

I punch his arm lightly-and nearly send him off of his feet. I grab his shoulders and steady him. "The coolest. Come on, let’s get downstairs without killing anything."

"Oh quiet, ‘Geru!" He laughs and follows after me. I have a feeling that today’s going to be the start of something new and completely different. No more formalities, just a simple journey with my best friend. And I want it so very much… Because I dread the return to Masara that I will one day have to make.

SATOSHI

"What is wrong with that brat of yours?"

"He's a good boy! I know he'll amount to something some day; he's just sensitive, that's all."

"Sensitive? He's a daydreamer! All he'll do is sit in his room and let all those stray vermin in! What does he do, pretend they talk? Oh, that'll be great for him in the future! How are we going to get by if your lazy son won't even go out and get himself a job?"

"He's tried! Don't you think he's tried? You know how hard it is to get work around here."

"He needs to try harder."

I clap my hands over my ears and pretend it's not happening. Pretend my mother and step-father aren't fighting -- *again*. Pretend we live in a huge house with so many rooms that we don't know what to do with them. Pretend I'm anywhere but in a small, dirty little room with nothing but a bed that's too small for me, and a closet with only two or three shirts and pants.

Pretend I'm not just some dirty urchin stuck in a dead-end environment.

One of the creatures that I sometimes take care of nuzzles my shoulder, and I manage a smile for the little cat-figure. "Hi," I say softly, releasing my ears to pet her fur. She looks up at me with shining eyes, and I feel her love and trust. I love these creatures. I love how they come to visit me; how they show me what they're feeling, and I can just sense it as though they speak it out loud.

The fact that they trust me enough to return even when I've already taken care of their wounds, and I have no food to give them, is enough to keep me happy. I feel like some animal-avator, because I know that most of them will come to me when they find hurt, lost, or abandoned creatures out there in the streets. I always go when that happens. Because I know what it feels like to be afraid and helpless. I live in something that's just one notch up from a hovel.

And my step-father is convinced that I'm worthless.

A loud squawk interrupts my brooding, and I look up to see the bird-creature that I treated a few weeks ago perched on the windowsill. He's flapping his wings and making quite a bit of noise.

"Shh." I try to calm him. He's excited, and not in a good way. There's something very wrong that's happening, and he wants me to come along. I can feel indignition, anger, sorrow, and pity -- from that, I gather that there is another creature out who has been, or is being, mistreated -- and the sooner I get to it, the better.

"All right, I'm coming." I grab my shoes from under the bed, throw on a warmer shirt, and climb out the window. I know that, if I tried to go through the front door, I'd have to spend a while arguing with my step-father -- so I don't bother to try.

My bird leads me around through the streets, and I'm surprised when we head to a different part of town than I'm used to finding hurt creatures in. The part where the richer class live. I don't slow down, though, because I'd go anywhere to help someone in need, especially if they need me as much as my bird seems to think that they do.

"You worthless thing!" I hear the offender before I see him; he sounds snotty and high-born, and probably about twice my age. There's also frustration and anger in his voice. "I ought to have you fed to more *important* pokemon; you aren't worth anything to me alive." I hear the crack of a whip, and something cries out in pain.

My heart clenches. *How can someone be so cruel?* I don't bother to look first; I just dash around the corner, spot the creature, and throw myself in front of it -- just as the whip descends again.

"OW!" Pain lances over my shoulder, and I drop down to my knees. The man in question looks shocked and mightily offended by my interference. *Too bad,* I think stubbornly, ignoring the fierce stinging that has taken over my shoulder. I'll have a welt there later -- but it doesn't matter.

"What on earth are you doing?" The man demands, an expression of anger, contempt and distaste on his face. I might have cringed back from him if I couldn't feel the fear and hurt from the creature behind me. "Answer me, you dirty street brat! How dare you interfere in my business!"

"You were *hurting* it!" I retort, still staring up at him defiantly. "I won't let you touch it any more. You can't just hurt things like this; it's not right."

"I'll do whatever I please, whelp!" He snorts in utter contempt. "And you rise above your station if you think to tell *me* what to do. Have you any idea who I am?"

"I don't care who you are," I scowl. "Nobody has the right to hurt something like this; it's a living creature just like you are. Did you ever think of that, Mr. High-and-Mighty?"

His face darkens with fury at my disrespect. "Why you horrid little brat!" He raises the whip again. "*This* should teach you some proper respect..."

The down swing never comes, because at that moment, a flurry of my animals attacks him all at once. My birds, mostly, gathered by the bird who led me here. There are some cats as well. I don't stop to do much else but smile in thanks, before turning to pick up the injured creature behind me. It's very small, and I can easily scoop it up in my arms.

I have no idea where I'm going to run to now. I've just committed a crime -- theft. The creature belonged to that man, however badly he treated it, and I've just taken it from him. I'm not about to let him take it back, either, and that means if I don't wish to go to prison, I'd best leave town.

*I'm sorry, Mama,* I think sadly. I know she'll miss me, even if my step-father doesn't. I hope she can manage on her own. But she'll be horribly worried; I won't even be able to tell her that I'm leaving in case she gets in trouble because of me. I can't go home now.

The creature in my arms needs care, though. I find an alleyway and stop, looking down at it. I've been wondering if the whole incident was worth it, but when I see that face, I know it was. The little mouse-like thing watches me through wide, cute little eyes and I see the cuts from the whip marring its yellow coat. I sense fear and helplessness, hurt and dismay. But I also sense trust. It's usually one of the first things I sense. For some reason, the creatures all seem to trust me. And this abused little thing is no exception. My heart melts in my chest.

"Pikaaa," it chirps softly.

"I'll take care of you," I promise. And I'll do my very best to keep that promise, I know. Always.

HIROSHI

Shigeru has that thoughtful look on his face that he wears whenever he has to listen to something long winded from his Grandfather. I know he loves his family, there's no doubt in that at all, but it's amusing to see what lengths he'll go to, well, to seem like a good son. And he says that I'm not a proper noble...

The gates of the city are nearing, and soon we'll be on our way. I've been waiting for this for such a long time... "Do you think we'll make good distance today?" I ask softly.

I've always wanted a pokemon. Something that I could cherish and take care of, so I'd have a friend when there was no one else... someone who I could rely on and could rely on me. Shigeru says I have silly thoughts about that. I'm sure I'm not the only person who likes to treat *lesser* beings nicely, you know.

"I'm sure we can make it most of the way to Nibi before evening falls. Once we're on our way, of course."

I nod. He's right about that. I have so many things I wish I could ask him... but he'd think I was acting stupid or insane or worse. Oh well...

"Ne, Geru?" I ask. He looks at me from his horse. The gates are within view now.

"What is it, Hiro?" He asks.

"Um... nevermind." I was about to go into detail about what he thinks this is going to be like... what we're going to run into. The people we could meet, and the pokemon... there's so much.

He sighs and catches my eyes. Oh dammit... "Shigeru, you'd better not."

He smiles angelically. "I didn't, Hiroshi. You're paranoid."

"I've known you for five years. Why shouldn't I be paranoid?" I mean, it's not like his family keeps their talent to themselves... It's one of the reasons that few people make close ties with them unless they have to.

"Because I'm your friend, Hiroshi. I wouldn't do that. You know I wouldn't."

"I know." I smile. "Come on, we need to pass the guards now..."

There isn't much fuss at the gate, and soon we're out of Tokiwa. Its silly, I travel here all the time by myself, but I feel like this is something new, forbidden, something that I'll enjoy immensely...

"You have the goofiest smile on your face, Hiroshi." Shigeru laughs softly and I stick my tongue out at him. "And as always, the model of maturity."

"And you're Mr Perfection, hmmmm?" I ask with a grin.

"Of course I am." Shigeru replies, with a completely straight face. That for some reason makes me laugh even harder.

"Oh shut up, or I’ll make you pay!"

I make a face at him. "And what would you do?"

"Why should I tell you, it’s more fun this way." He smirks.

"You’re evil." I say dramatically, moving my horse forward. He laughs and catches up with me.

"And you’re the nicest person I’ve ever met. How in the gods name are you going to be able to rule Kuchiba after your father?"

That sobers me immediately and I think he even feels the abrupt mood change. He changes subjects. "So, nice ride, isn’t it?"

I can’t help but smile. "It’s a very nice one."

And it’s almost all that I want. Freedom, adventure, my friend… I don’t think there’s anything else that I could want more. At least, I don’t know that right now…

KASUMI

"Kasumi! Get back here! KASUMI!!!"

I ignore my sister's shouting, and continue storming up to my room, away from *those* three. Who are they to tell *me* what to do? I'll go out when I want to go out, and not according to *their* schedule. And, anyway, that vase wasn't worth that much... Just because I threw it against a wall to emphasize my point...

Well, it was all *Ayame's* fault, anyway! 'Oh, I'm so sorry, it must've slipped my mind...' I expect to be *told* when I'm suppposed to be attending some social function! And no one believed me when I told them that she'd neglected to tell me. So it was all *my* fault that I was busy training my Hitodeman when I was *supposed* to be getting ready! Honestly!

I refuse to be punished for Ayame's mistakes!

"I've had it with them," I mumble, flopping down onto my bed when I reach my room. "This is absolutely the last straw! This time, I'm going to leave for good!"

I'm sure if Hitodeman could have an expression, it would have been one of disbelief. OK, so maybe I have had trouble running away in the past -- people discover who I am and send me back to my sisters. But, I will be able to run away properly some day.

"This time we'll *stay* away!" I announce, rising once more. "No more being ordered about like a common scullery maid and blamed for things I haven't done. I'm going to be free of them *this* time." I pull out my favorite bag and start to pack.

I've never been on the best of terms with my sisters, particularly Ayame. We're always fighting about something or other -- they're better nobles than me, I think, considering that they don't have quite the temper that I have. I'd much rather concentrate on training my Hitodeman than practicing etiquette. My true talent is working with my pokemon.

Oh, and sometimes I can see the future -- but never when I want to.

I finish packing -- for the millionth time -- and sneak off through the side door of my room into the palace. I've snuck out so many times that I'm practically an expert.

My only problem is actually *staying* out.

"Lady Sakura!" I duck behind a pillar as I watch an outraged man storming through the hallways. My oldest sister meets him near where I'm hiding.

"What on earth is the matter, my Lord?" she asks, in a soft voice that she uses to placate visiting nobles such as this man.

"My Pikachu was stolen!" he practically screams. "Some ruffian of an urchin burst in on our training session and carried him off! Can't you control the peasants in your city?"

I smile a little to myself. I never liked this man, and the way he treated his pokemon was positively criminal. I wish the best to whoever had the courage to take his Pikachu from him -- surely anyone would be more worthy of her than he is.

"Calm yourself," Sakura soothes him smoothly. "We will, of course, have a reward offered for your thief's capture. I'll send word at once. Do you have a description of this young peasant?"

I half-listen to his jumbled description, than take the chance to leave my hiding place and move on once they're far enough away from me. I don't really care about some fugitive and a stolen pokemon. At the moment, my thoughts are on escape.

I make it out of the palace with little to no trouble, and head immediately for the woods. Where have I not gone before...? Hmm...

Well, perhaps I'll just head out and see where my feet take me.

"Hungry?" I glance over to the side upon hearing the voice. Someone is hiding behind the bushes to my right. I hear giggles following. "All right, no need to thank me. I'm glad to help."

I push aside the foliage, and find myself looking at a black-haired young man, perhaps about my own age. He's holding a small yellow pokemon, who is enthusiastically licking his face as he laughs in delight.

My vision blurs, and I see a flash of light for a moment. I can see now that this boy, whoever he is, will do something truly great some day -- a feat that, perhaps, nobody else can do. And he'll have glorious adventures, the kind written of in books. I blink and shake my head, and then all that is left of that brilliant vision is that slender young man with the Pikachu in his arms, now tenderly feeding it some small chunks of food.

That happens sometimes. I can't see the future clearly -- but I get premonitions at strange times. It tends to be annoying most of the time, but I think that right now, it has done me a great favor...

I march on into the clearing. "You're about to have company, boy," I announce imperiously.

He neatly spills the rest of the food, and the Pikachu. "What... who are you?" he demands, grabbing his disgruntled pokemon and turning to face me.

I smile in a superior way. "It doesn't matter who I am," I tell him quite smugly. "But I know exactly who you are. And you're going to do just as I tell you from now on."

And I'll get just the kind of adventure I've been craving all my life...

~~~~~~

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