This choice: Continue with these characters • Go Back...Chapter #8Home Sweet Home! by: Unknown The next day, you were back out on the road again, following contentedly by your trainer’s side. You’d get goosebumps sometimes when you look up at him, still feeling the buzz from last night. Every once in awhile, he’d check his Pokétch, keeping track of your progress to the next town. “How long have we been walking?” You ask, struggling to pronounce certain words.
“Eighteen kilometers,” he replies simply. Due to the fact that he was always travelling, Kataoka always wanted to make consistent progress every day; the two of you already take a break for lunch after 20km, and set up camp for the day at 40. Of course, that wouldn’t be strictly necessary today; the two of you are going to arrive in Goldenrod city in just a few hours! You had been bustling with excitement for the entire journey. Goldenrod was your favorite city in Johto! There were all kinds of new sights you’re hoping to see, and old friends you’re hoping to catch up with. Unfortunately, he was only willing to stick around here for a weekend -- Kataoka had business in Saffron City -- but you had already made up your mind to savor every second as much as you can.
Even though you’re only a few minutes away from town, the two of you decide to sit down and have a bit to eat anyway. The restaurants in human cities are alright, but expensive, and to be honest, you enjoyed the soups Kataoka cooks for you even more. He’s learned how to make the perfect stew over the years just to put a smile on your face -- which, you suppose, is what it means for something to be “made with love”. You help him collect and arrange some kindling in a fire, before you light it up by breathing a single, small flame. You watch with fascination as he brews the soup in a big pot balanced over the fire, the delicious smell drifting through the forest. “Smells delicious,” you say, sniffing at the air.
He chuckles, looking down on you, and you blush a bit. Being a human, he of course can’t find you attractive… but he does think you’re cute, and that’s close enough. “You say that about everything I cook,” he said, idly stirring the pot with a wooden spoon.
“It’s always true,” you reply. You always had a bit of trouble pronouncing the letter ‘r’. In fact, with the way your snout is shaped, it’s downright impossible. You always found it embarrassing, but Kataoka seemed to find it adorable. He chuckles a little, to your annoyance. Eventually, breakfast is ready, and you chow down while Kataoka fiddles with his journal. “So… you were up last night,” you decide to mention.
He looks at you blankly for a while. “I… couldn’t sleep,” he admitted, and you frowned. Did you do something wrong last night? Did you make him uncomfortable? Just as you were about to ask, he leans forward, offering you his journal. “But I did take the time to draw this.”
You look down at the journal in front of you. One page was covered in all sorts of sketches, most notably a drawing of a grand, majestic bird Pokemon you’ve never seen before, seemingly in flight. The art style was very basic and simplistic, but still impressive. “Whoa. What is that?”
“Oh, just a staraptor,” he replied. “I spotted one roosting while we were walking yesterday.”
You flipped the pages a few times with your snout, looking through Kataoka’s sketches of various wild Pokemon. “Wow, these are really good,” you said, shocked by the quality of a few sketches. “Why didn’t you tell me about these?”
“They’re nothing special,” he shrugged, dismissively. “I mean, anybody could draw those.” You were about to argue, until you realized; any human could draw these. With your paws, even if you practiced for your entire life, you would never be able to draw like this. Your ears droop as you consider your natural inferiority. There are so many things that come naturally to humans that you would never be able to master. In that moment, though, you wonder… what if you were a human? You beamed at the thought. If you were a human, you could have a little home in Goldenrod city, and spend all day painting and cooking, and Kataoka and you could get married...
“Well, either way, you need to draw more,” you hurriedly say, realizing you’d gotten lost in thought.
“Uh… alright,” he nodded. “Anything you have in mind?”
You were about to turn him down, but... “Hm. Maybe… you could, uh… draw me? But as, y’know…” you ask, tentatively, trying not to sound weird. “... a human?”
He raised a brow, giving you a weird look, seeming amused. “As a human?”
“Yeah, you know, just, what you think I would look like if I was… ahem…” You try to explain yourself, but eventually, you’re so embarrassed you start stuttering. “Actually, no. Never mind. That’s a stupid idea.”
He gave you a bemused look for a second, before smiling. “I think that’s a great idea,” he said, and your ears perk up as he rubs your head, cheerfully. You always love it when he pets you. “I’ll get right on it… right after we make it to town.” You look down, and realized you had devoured the soup while you were distracted by your conversation.
“... oh, right,” you chuckled. “Alright, lead the way!” The two of you promptly packed up your things and walked down the dirt path for another half hour, until the bright lights of the beautiful city became visible over the trees. “Wow...” You were practically jumping with excitement by the time you walked through the gates. You had grown used to living in the wilderness, and thus, you were always awed by the sheer scale and beauty of human cities. People and Pokemon were wandering down the streets in unbelievable numbers, and you have to stick close to your trainer’s side to avoid getting lost. You happily greeted the other Pokemon you spot as you walk by. You’d never seen some of these species before!
Eventually you reach a neighborhood atop a hill on the southwest side, giving you an unbelievable view of the vast ocean. This is where Kataoka old friend lived; Isuzu, a friendly Pokemon breeder, who lives in a beautiful, quaint little hut by the sea. Excitement rises in your chest as Kataoka knocks on the door. Eventually, Isuzu pulled it open and greeted you. She looked a little more bookish than you remember, with wide-framed glasses and a dorky green turtleneck sweater hiding her curvy frame. “Katoaka!” She greeted your trainer cheerfully, holding her arms out for a hug. “Oh, how long has it been?”
“Too long,” he smiled, and you felt a little jealous as he wrapped her in a familial hug. “Nice to see ya.”
“Oh! Mm! You need a bath,” Isuzu giggles, pulling away.
“Oh, yeah, sorry. I’ve been walkin’ Route 35 all week,” Kataoka chuckled, a little embarrassed, rubbing the back of his head. “Here, let me get unpacked.” He walks deeper into the house, towards the guest bedroom.
“After all these years, you’re still quite the outdoorsman, huh?” She calls after him. Once he disappeared out of sight, Isuzu finally turns to you, inviting you inside. “And how have you been doin’, little lady?” She kneels down, petting you on the back of your neck while you wag your tail cheerfully. “Been getting up to trouble?”
“You betcha!” You nod, jokingly.
“Oh! I see your english lessons are going well,” she said, seeming a little surprised and impressed to see you speaking human. The last time you and Isuzu talked, you could barely say your own name. “If only Akako caught on so quickly…”
Your ears perked up at the very mention of that name. Akako is Kataoka’s prized ninetails, and undoubtedly your best friend in Goldenrod city. The two of you have known each other since you were just a houndour, but unfortunately, you haven’t been able to keep in touch recently. “Akako?” You beam. “Is Akako here?”
Isuzu giggles at your excitement. “She’s in the backyard, by the beach,” she smiled. “You two can go explore the city if you want. Me and Kataoka have to catch up.” You nodded, before sprinting off without even bothering to reply.
You eagerly run around the side of the house. You had been planning to chill out in Isuzu’s house for a while, but you didn’t want to miss out on a single moment with Akako. She could show you all the new buildings they’ve been building around Goldenrod! Then maybe the two of you could go for a swim… or maybe dig through the dumpsters of that one pizza place… or… or…
Your thoughts are interrupted when you finally reach the back yard, and see the unmistakable silhouette of the ninetails before you...  You have the following choice:  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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