Chapter Text
After a few minutes navigating the road while trying to avoid any Pokemon, Hinata finally made it back to Oldale town. As he arrived he made a beeline for the Pokemon center. The large red and white building was a standout in the small town, with it’s red roof and white walls, and a white Pokeball in the center above the door.
As Hinata approached the doors opened automatically. A little shocked Hinata continued to walk in where and as he did he marveled at the crisp red and white interior and the variety of people and Pokemon inside the building. After looking around for a second, Hinata walked up to the counter where there was a young man who looked to be about his age with short black hair and freckles with a white hat and uniform on.
“Hello. I’m Hinata Shouyou. Is this where I can get my Pokemon healed?” Hinata asked, his voice a little shaky.
“Why yes. At the Pokemon center we can restore your Pokemon perfect condition. I’m Nurse Yamaguchi. Is it your first time coming to a Pokemon center?” He asked.
“Um. Yeah. I just got my Pokemon today but he was defeated so I heard he could be healed here?”
“Yes, of course he can be. Since it’s your first time, let me show you through the whole procedure.” He said with a smile. “First, let me have all the Pokemon you want healed.”
Yamaguchi held out his hand as Hinata took the Pokeball containing Mudkip out of his bag and handed it to him.
“Ok. Next, I’m going to take the Pokeball and put it in this machine.” He said as she walked over to what appeared to be a black slab with six indents in it with two white ends to it, one on either side.
As Yamaguchi placed the Pokeball in one of the indents he moved to what appeared to be a control panel of some sort on the side of it.
“Now, after I place your Pokemon on this machine, I just have to press this button and they’ll be shortly healed and in perfect health.” He said to Hinata with a soft smile.
Hinata saw him press a button and a light appeared from the machine hitting the Pokeball and appearing to scan it or something, Hinata couldn’t really tell. After a few moments the light faded and the machine made a small jingle as the nurse picked up the Pokeball and came back to the front of the desk to hand it to Hinata.
“All done. Your Mudkip should be good as new.”
“Wow. Really? That fast?” Hinata was surprised, even though he saw it with his own eyes.
“That fast. Do you want to check to see if it worked out ok?”
“Sure” Hinata said as he pressed the front button the Pokeball and released Mudkip.
After the initial light faded, Hinata saw Mukip, standing there, good as new, like he had never been hurt at all. Hinata ran up to Mudkip and asked. “How are you Mudkip? Do you feel better?”
Mudkip, looking pleased, responded. “Mudkip”
Hinata took that as a good sign that Mudkip was all better so he returned him to the Pokeball. Hinata turned around.
“Thank you Nurse Yamaguchi. Mudkip is all better now.”
Yamaguchi laughed. “It was my pleasure. If your Mudkip ever gets injured, don’t hesitate to come back. We are always open to help you with any of your needs.”
“Thank you. I will.” Hinata said as he smiled and walked towards the door.
Right before he exited he heard Yamaguchi shout at him. “If you are looking to be a Pokemon trainer, you should check out the Pokemart that’s close by. They have all the essentials for up and coming trainers.”
Hinata turned out and waved as he said. “Really? Thank you. I will.”
As he exited Hinata looked around for the Pokemart. Looking around the town, Hinata spotted a blue and white building, about the same size as the Pokemon center, to his left. Hinata, curious as to if that was what he was looking for, he walked towards it. As he got closer he noticed there was a sign on the building that read “Pokemart”. The building resembled the Pokemon center as in both size and design Hinata noticed except instead of a red roof there was blue roof.
As he neared the doors they opened automatically for him again. This time Hinata, expecting it, was not surprised and walked in swiftly through the door. As he did he was in awe of all the different products that he could see. There were multiple rows and shelves all over the place that were stocked to the brim with all kinds of things. Potions, tonics, vitamins, medicines of all sorts. Hinata barely recognized any of the products but he still looked at them just the same.
After a few minutes of looking around, Hinata noticed the counter on the left side of the room. There was a young man standing at the counter. He was tall with blond hair and glasses and he had headphones on and seemed to either not notice or care about Hinata’s presence in the store. As Hinata went up to the register the boy, still with his headphones one, just stared at Hinata, a slight frown on his face, and asked him. “What do you want?”
Hinata, unnerved slightly, though to himself. What was with all these people and their staring and frowning? Don’t they realize if they frown too much their face will get stuck like that?
“Hello. I’m Hinata Shouyou and I was told to come over here because I’m a new trainer.”
The boy stared at him.
“Really now. Someone like you is going to be a trainer? But you’re so short.” The boy just smirked at him as he said it, not looking to help him at all.
Hinata, angry that this was the second time today that someone had insulted both his ability to be a trainer and his height, was about to respond when the front door to the shop suddenly opened and Hinata saw Nurse Yamaguchi enter.
“Tsukki, I was told to bring this over to you as soon as possible.” He said as he held a small bag in front of him.
Hinata, momentarily distracted from the boy behind the counter, who he presumed was this Tsukki, looked over just as Yamaguchi seemed to lay eyes on him. “Oh. Hi, Hinata. I’m glad to see you again. I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon though.”
Hinata smiled. “Hi Yamaguchi. Nice to see you too. I decided to follow your advice and come over to the Pokemart, but this jerk right here isn’t being very helpful.” Hinata almost groaned, pointing at the boy next to him.
Yamaguchi smiled after Hinata finished. “Don’t worry about Tsukki over here. He’s just mad that he has to man the store while his brother is out.”
Tsukki, turning from Hinata to Yamaguchi just said. “Shut up Yamaguchi.”
“Sorry Tsukki” was the quick response from Yamaguchi.
“Now what did you come over her for. I am in the middle of talking with a ‘customer’” Hinata saw that Tsukki emphasized the word customer with air quotes.
“Come on Tsukki. He’s a real trainer. I just healed his Mudkip only a few minutes ago.”
“Oh really now. A Mudkip? How cute. Baby’s first Pokemon huh?”
Hinata, indignant at the sheer rudeness of this boy, responded. “Yes, he’s my first Pokemon but I bet he’s better than whatever you could possibly have. I bet no Pokemon would listen to you considering how much of a jerk you are.”
Tsukki, perked up at this.
“Oh really? Well, why don’t we see about that now. Want to have a quick battle?” Tsukki asked in a condescending tone.
“You’re on!” Hinata yelled, maybe a little bit to loud for being inside, but he didn’t care.
“Alright then. Outside we go.” Tsukki said, a smug grin still on his face.
“Now Tsukki wait, shouldn’t you be at the counter? What if a customer…” Yamaguchi stopped as Tsukki glared at him.
“It’ll be fine. It’s not like it’ll take that long to beat this wimp.”
Hinata, fuming, followed behind Tsukki as he headed out of the store. About a minute after they left the store, Hinata and Tsukki were standing across from each other, Yamaguchi standing between the two.
“Ok. On the count of three, release your Pokemon. One. Two. Three.” Yamaguchi yelled as he backed up from the middle of the field.
Hinata pulled out his Pokeball, throwing out his Mudkip. Tsukki followed suit, with what Hinata recognized as a Poochyena. Hinata, quick as ever, called out. “We got this Mudkip. Use tackle.”
Mudkip rapidly closed the distance with the Poochyena and tried to slam into its side but only able to graze the Poochyena as it moved out of the way.
“Ok Poochyena. Howl.” Tsukki sneered, pushing up his glasses by the bridge.
Out from Poochyena came this deep intense gruff, as it hunched forward ever so slightly, moving into a more aggressive stance. Hinata, unsure of what exactly that meant, charged forward regardless.
“It’s ok Mudkip, Use tackle again.”
Mudkip once again tried to tackle the Poochyena, but failed. This time though, instead of moving farther away, the Poochyena lashed out in a counter attack, biting at Mudkip as it passed by. Mudkip, hurt by the sharp teeth of the Poochyena, stepped back out of immediate distance with it.
“Is that all you got. What a joke. Poochyena, tackle.” Tsukki said sneering at Hinata once again.
Poochyena, lightning fast, rushed up to Mudkip and hammered itself into him, again and again, as it pushed Mudkip back further and further. Hinata, unsure what to do, starting babbling.
“Left, no right, no left. Uh. Jump, no duck.”
All of it was to no avail though as Mudkip kept getting pummeled again and again. Finally, the Poochyena backed off, moving back a little bit. Hinata saw Mudkip, struggling, barely able to stand.
“Ha. And you said you were a Pokemon trainer. I guess you’re not, huh?” Tsukki jeered as his Poochyena prepared for the finishing blow.
Hinata, unsure what to do, tried his previous strategy. “Mudkip, circle again. Like you did against Treecko.”
Mudkip, while he looked tired, followed Hinata’s instructions instantly, rushing around the Poochyena, kicking up dust as he moved. Tsukki, calm as ever, just stared.
“What are you even doing?”
Poochyena, unsure of what was happening stared at Tsukki in confusion.
Hinata, sensing the moment, yelled out. “Attack!”
Mudkip, appearing from out of seemingly nowhere, collided with the side of the Poochyena, forcing it back a few feet as it steadied itself. Hinata grinned in triumph.
“Good job Mudkip. You really got him.”
“Huh. Nice try. It’s over now though.” Tsukki said as he clicked his tongue, looking ever so slightly irritated.
Poochyena, as if sensing what to do, ran forward, preparing for the end. Hinata saw that Mudkip held his ground until the last second, looking like it was all over, until it suddenly jumped up into the air, above the Poochyena and shot a blast of water from out of it's mouth. As it hit, it sent the Poochyena flying backwards, much farther than Hinata would have expected from what appeared to be a simple jet of water. As Poochyena righted itself and both Pokemon prepared to face off again, Yamaguchi suddenly ran into the middle of the field. “
Alright, that’s enough. As a Pokecenter nurse, I can’t allow this to go on any longer. “ Yamaguchi declared, arms outstretched as if he could form a wall between the two other boys.
Hinata and Tsukki just stared at Yamaguchi as he stood there, face determined. Tsukki was the first to speak.
“Fine Yamaguchi.” Was all he said as he returned his Poochyena to his Pokeball.
Hinata followed suit, returning Mudkip to his Pokeball.
“You did good boy. I’m proud.” Hinata whispered to the Pokeball, hoping Mudkip could hear him from inside it.
“Alright, now that we are finished shake hands and give me your Pokemon so I can go heal them.” Yamaguchi demanded, his expression still determined.
As both boys walked over to Yamaguchi, they shook hands (Tsukki seemingly begrudgingly) and handed their Pokemon to Yamaguchi.
“Now, why I go do this, why don’t you help Hinata pick out some supplies he’ll need for his travels.” His face brightening up with a smile as he spoke.
“Tch” was all Tsukki responded with as he walked towards the Pokemart, not waiting for Hinata to follow him.
“Don't worry. He’s a nice guy. Just a little grumpy at times.” Yamaguchi whispered to Hinata before walking away.
Hinata smiled.
“Wait Tsukki. Don’t leave without me.”
“It’s Tsukishima to you shrimpy.” Tsukishima said as he turned his head to glare at Hinata.
“Fine. Wait up for me Tsukishima.” Hinata mocked.
Tsukishima clicked his tongue as he turned back around, almost at the entrance to the store.
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After about 15 minutes of shopping, Yamaguchi came back to the Pokemart.
“Sorry it took so long guys. But here they are, both good as new.” Yamaguchi said holding out the each Pokeball to it’s respective owner.
Hinata opened his immediately wanting to check on his Mudkip. As Mudkip popped out he looked good as new. Hinata would never get over how amazing the Pokecenter was. Hinata picked up his Mudkip in hug.
“You did so good Mudkip. I’m really proud of you. Where did you learn to do that water trick? That was amazing. It was like BLAM and there was water suddenly.”
Tsukishima glared at him but didn’t say anything.
“So, Hinata. How did the shopping go?” Yamaguchi asked, standing next to the counter.
“Oh, it went great” Hinata said as he put Mudkip down.
“I got a couple of potions, some Pokeballs and even an antidote and paralyz heal.”
His words were slightly muffled as he was currently rummaging around in his bag to show some of the stuff he bought. He pulled out one of the potions and a Pokeball to show Yamaguchi.
“Cool right?”
“That’s great Hinata. I’m glad Tsukki was able to help you out.” Yamaguchi smiled at Tsuikishima as the other boy looked away in what was either annoyance or endearment, Hinata couldn’t tell.
As Hinata was putting the items back in his bag Yamaguchi spoke.
“I don’t think I know what the name of your Mudkip is? Does he have one?”
Hinata stared at a second Yamaguchi before responding. “Uh, no. He doesn’t. Should he?”
“I mean, he doesn’t have to but I’ve heard it can help strength the bond between a trainer and their Pokemon.”
“Oh, ok.” Hinata racked his brain, for a few minutes, scratching the side of his head while he tried to come up with something.
“How about shorty? Then you two can match.” Tsukishima teased.
Hinata just glared at him as he continued thinking.
“What about Mizu?” Yamaguchi suggested.
Hinata thought about it for a second before his face light up in a bright smile.
“Perfect! You’re the best Yamaguchi.”
Yamaguchi blushed at the compliment.
“How about it Mudkip. Do you like Mizu?” Hinata asked.
“Mudkip!” Mizu responded.
“Me too! Now let’s head out.” Hinata said as he returned Mizu to his Pokeball and headed to the door.
“Thank you for all your help Yamaguchi! And, I guess you’ve been sort of helpful Tsukishima.” Hinata frowned slightly at him, while Tsukishima just grinned at him.
“Good luck shrimpy. You’ll need it.”
“Good luck Hinata! I hope you succeed on your journey.”