I know, I know, I will try and finish! I’m really working hard writing all these fics! *sobs* Sometimes I feel so unappreciated…

Disclaimer: I don’t own pokemon. It belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan comics. This is non-profit fanwork, no copyright infringement is intended, and I wrote it so it’s mine under international copyright laws.

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

Chapter 11: Crossroads?

If I keep his mind off it, he won’t worry about love. Ash always charges straight ahead, just like the boar. [1]

Interesting….

Not that I didn’t know, but it’s always fun to play with.

She watched from a tree as Xatu and Pidgeot attacked the Noctowl card she had summoned. Ash thought she was off bathing anyway, so he wouldn’t suspect anything. Plus, she had put a convenient psychic block in Xatu’s mind so he wouldn’t know about card mastery just in case.

If Xatu were busy battling, he would have no time to ponder.

“Pidgeot, Steel Wing!”

Pidgeot nodded and bashed her wings against Noctowl’s head, stunning it temporarily, while Xatu’s Future Sight finally hit. However, it was still not that effective.

“Sometimes, I wish I had an electric-type.” Ash mused. “Oh well.”

Xatu finished off with Psychic while Pidgeot did another Steel Wing. Noctowl flew off, defeated.

Ash grinned. “Wasn’t so bad this time though.”

They were still crashing in Indigo. There wasn’t much else to do, unless he wanted to try another league. Also, winter was coming.

Ash would much rather stay at home; his real home, during that time.

Lance emerged from the bathroom dressed in a pink bathrobe, to disclaim any suspicion, followed by an angry Larvitar covered with bubbles. Ash giggled.

“You tried to give your Larvitar a bath?”

“He didn’t’ like it.”

“Of course he wouldn’t! Charmander usually just jumps in the water for a minute and jumps back out!”

“I had Kingdra restrain him.”

“Oh!”

Ash had finished praising Pidgeot and Xatu by then, and was now watching Squirtle swim laps around the pond while Bulbasaur grazed.

If they didn’t want to evolve, so be it.

Not everyone had to grow up, right?

That was the way of the world.

Ash yawned as he took off his black elbow-length gloves and washed his hands. Sometimes they were annoying, but they were good protection… he had found out after another tree incident that was best left unsaid.

Lance sat down next to him.

They just sat there quietly, watching the pokemon run around the gardens. It was getting chilly though, Ash noticed, glad he had swapped his short-sleeved jacket for a long-sleeved dark green one with white zippers up the sleeves.

They were kind of cool.

“Cat?”

“Hmm?”

“Do you mind staying here over the winter? I mean, it’s going to be a pain camping out in the snow and everything…”

“’Course not.”

“Honto ni?”
“Hai~!” Lance said with a smile. Ash beamed brightly.

“Arigato!”

“You should spend more time with your parents.”

Ash nodded and unwrapped a lollipop from his pocket, sticking it in his mouth as the root beer flavor rolled on his tongue.

Lance shifted positions, feeling the annoying bulge of the stupid protection getting to her.

Annoying menstrual cycle…

Why, oh why, couldn’t she use her guardian powers to just stop it?
She sighed and gulped down another Motrin. At least her magic was back closer to normal.

Luckily…

The first snowfall of the year was a very joyful event. They dressed up in their snowsuits, wrapped long multicolored scarves around their faces, put on the mittens just in case, and ran out and played.

It was so fun, tossing snowballs at each other in the icy slush.

They built a snow fort only two feet tall, tired out before it was completed. Snow angels dotted the pristine landscape, flying away from the ground or at least trying.

Bits of snow stuck to every inch of them.

Afterwards, they wrung out their sopping wet clothes by the doorway, changed into dry sweaters and jeans, and sat in front of the communal fireplace drinking hot cocoa with marshmallows.

It was very relaxing.

Ash heated another cup of hot milk, poured in the chocolate syrup and added chocolate powder and marshmallows.

This was nice.

Plus, he didn’t have to worry about training. The league championships weren’t there yet.

Fewer people challenged the Elite Four in the winter too, so Will and Karen actually dressed up in snow gear themselves and had fun tossing snowballs as well. They did have an unfair edge though…

Many pokemon had joined the fray on all sides, the icy missiles bouncing through the air.

So fun!

Lance glanced to where their clothes were drying and smiled. It was nice to relax once in a while.

Winter augmented her power too, ice.

That was the great life…

Even guardians need some peace and quiet.

End Chapter

Completed 5/5/04

[1] Quote is a reference to the Chinese Zodiac and the Fruits Basket manga