I hope this plotbunny lives a long time

Disclaimer/Notes: See a previous chapter

Chapter 3

“Ash!”

Ash looked up from where his mother was standing in the doorway of their small, wooden house, her hands on her hips.

“Yes, mom?”

“Now remember, keep an eye on the sheep and don’t let them wander off like you did last time!”
“I’m sorry…”

The boy looked down while Delia sighed. Really, how hard could it be to look over thirteen sheep? At least the animals provided meat and wool for clothing. They were useful animals, but stupid.

That was why it was Ash’s job to keep an eye on them.

“Now I’m going off to Viridian to get some supplies. I’ll be back in a few hours. Don’t run off!”

‘I won’t.”

Ash sat on the grassy hill, watching the sheep graze. He hoped a wolf wouldn’t show up. It had only happened once before, however, the sight of the poor mutilated corpse with its innards showing and parts missing had given him nightmares for days.

He couldn’t fight a wolf!

Delia said that if one came, he should run home and try and lead the sheep home with him.

Ash flopped down on the grass and began looking at the clouds.

“Where do you think he might be?”

“I have no idea.” Bob spat.

Lance rolled his eyes. Bob was always so… caustic and offensive. His skills were horrible as well…

Why had they ever let him become a Star? He was the weakest…

Aya was good, she and Koga fought well as a team. Overall, they were a good group, although Bruno was still recuperating. It had been three weeks and they still hadn’t found hide or heir of Giovanni’s widow and child.

What if they really were dead? They would never live that down. It was a crushing blow to pride if that were the case.

“Bob, calm yourself.” Agatha spoke. It was no secret that Lance was her favorite. He was the strongest fighter next to her, even if he hadn’t actually used conventional weapons…

Bob glared, but quieted down.

Their horses needed a rest, though, so they dismounted and let the horses drink from the river.

They had already checked Cinnabar and Fuschia. The Cerulean region was unsafe, especially since the Seven Stars were also against the Cerulean reign of false kings. Stupid invaders.

Well, they couldn’t beat the entire army on their own, no matter how good they were. There were many traveling fighters, but no real resistance.

Maybe it was a pity, but no matter… that was just the way life was.

Ash gulped. Strangers! He didn’t like strange people…

He lived alone with his mom, and had never gone with her to Viridian, so it was a surprise for him to see people.

He was scared.

It was the worse time imaginable for another wolf to show up. With a howl, it went for the sheep.

Ash grabbed the baby lamb and fled, several sheep following. He ran past the area where the strangers were.

Unfortunately, the wolf was fast and gaining.

“Hi-yah!” Bruno yelled, spinning his nunchucks. His heroic urge had risen to the forefront of his brain, and despite his stomach wound, he was busy fighting the wolf.

Koga took out a handful of poisoned throwing stars and sent them flying. The wolf, hit, turned to face its attackers, leaving Ash and the sheep alone. With a practiced motion, Bruno knocked out several of the wolf’s teeth with his nunchucks and grinned. The enraged animal leapt at him again, but that was when Koga drove his sword through its heart. After a shuddering groan, the animal was dead.

“Are you all right?” Aya asked, as she helped the kid up.

“H-hai! Thank you!” Ash said, shakily.

“You’re herding all of these sheep by yourself? That’s dangerous.” Agatha commented.

She might have been blind, but her sharp hearing helped tremendously.

“I… um…” Ash remembered his manners. “Would you like to come to my house for a drink?”

“We’d be glad to.” Surge laughed heartily. They followed Ash and all thirteen sheep back to his house.

Ash poured homemade berry wine and passed around steamed bread rolls.

Lance’s eyes fastened on a small flag on the wall, with a feather on it. “What’s your name, child?”

“My name? It’s Ash.”

“Ash, where did that green flag on the wall come from?”

Ash frowned. “My mom said it was in the basket with me when she fished me out of the river.”

Green flag… black feather… Giovanni’s symbol!
Was this the child?

“She’s not your real mother?”

“No…”

It all seemed to fit. If the child had escaped but the woman was dead, that meant they had won!
There was no way Blaine would win his bet now.

“Ash,” Agatha said gravely, “Do you remember your real mother?”

“No…”

“Ash, would you like to learn some martial arts to protect yourself?” Aya asked kindly. “Just in case another wolf comes?”

“Really?”

“Yes. We’ll teach you.”

“Of course! I’d love that!”

When Delia returned, she approved, although she had no idea why they were helping her out…

End Chapter

Completed 8/26/04

Phantomness: Hope this works!

Pika-chan: No romance? *Devouring a chocolate muffin*

Phantomness: Not yet… um, Ash is _7_… or younger, and it’s a bit early to do championshipping, don’t you think?

NOTE: I neglected to mention that this fic is kind of Ancient China…setting, I mean. The ‘Cerulean Region’ covers Cerulean, Lavender, Pewter, and part of Saffron.

Viridian, Pallet, Cinnabar, and Fuschia are safe. I made Cinnabar part of the mainland, between Vermillion and Pallet.

The Johto region, on the other hand, is completely free of invaders. ‘Johto’ in this fic refers to the narrow strip of land containing Blackthorn, New Bark, Silver Cave, and Mahogany.