DISCLAIMER JUNK: This story/fanfic is in no way related or connected with Nintendo or its affiliates and is a work of fiction. Pokémon, Hitokage, Satoshi and all other trademark names are the property of Nintendo and Gamefreak. This story contains explicit sexual scenes and unusual relationships, so discretion is advised. I'm in no way responsible for any sort of damage you may receive because of this fic. Please do not copy, edit or change anything in this publication without prior consent from the author.

-------------------- F.A.Q -----------------------
Created: September 28th, 1999
Last update: April 23rd, 2000

Q: What is this?
A: It's a fanfic I've written about Hitokage, what does it look like?

Q: Is this the whole story? Will there be anymore?
A: It depends on me and how much I want to keep writing. It probably has no given length, I'll just keep adding new chapters as I want to.

Q: What's it about?
A: The basic story is about Satoshi and Hitokage, and how they develop feelings for each other.

Q: Is there any nudity/sex in this fanfic?
A: Yes, there is, so I give this fic an 18+ rating, although I'd rather say that its okay for anyone to read it if they have an open mind.

Q: Don't you find it totally disgusting to have Pokémon and humans develop those types of feelings for each other?
A: No frankly, I do not.

Q: Are you sexually attracted to Hitokage?
A: That really is none of your business. -_-

Q: Do you feel you need psychological help?
A: No, I think those who write fics about Kasumi and Satoshi do, since that'll never happen.

Q: But you're saying what happens in your fic might?
A: No, of course not, but since this is my story I can do whatever I want! HAHAHAHAHA!

Q: Where can I get the latest copy?
A: I haven't distributed anywhere officially yet, so right now you'd probably have to get it through me. My e-mail is [email protected]

Q: Can I send you feedback?
A: Indeed, all feedback is quite welcome, although I do appreciate thoughtful comments and not pointless flames or "I LOVE YOUR STORY! (END)" messages. (Although the latter isn't that bad =p)

Q: Why are you writing this fanfic?
A: Cause I have way too much time on my hands and there is a severe lacking in yaoi Pokémon fan fiction.

Q: Is that what this is, a yaoi fanfic?
A: Well, logically it would be, since the relationship in the story is between two males.

Q: What if I find this all sickening?
A: Then I suggest you close this file and delete it from your hard drive.

Q: Why do you use the Japanese names for the characters instead of the English ones? It makes things hard to understand.
A: The Japanese names are the proper ones, so I like to use them. However for those who are ignorant to some of the names (I still am, to a degree) here is a list of a few of the Japanese words I've used in the fic.

Aishiteru - I love you
Hitokage - Charmander (obviously ^_^)
Satoshi - Ash
Kasumi - Misty
Takeshi - Brock
Monjara - Tangela
Pidgion - Pidgeotto
Nurse Joi - Nurse Joy (If you hadn't already guessed)
Batterfree - Butterfree
Zenigame - Squirtle
Fushigidane - Bulbasaur
Ohayoo gozaimasu - Good morning.
Hanada - Cerulean
Nibi - Pewter
Honoh no uzu - Fire spin
Kaen hosha - Flamethrower
Irrashaimase - Welcome

Q: I want the next chapter right now damnit! Why are you so slow?
A: Write your own fanfic if you aren't happy!

Q: When does all this take place?
A: For people who watch the anime it is possible you may be wondering at what point in the episodes this story begins. Since of course this story does not in any way coincide with the anime after a certain point you shouldn't expect events to start happening the same way. However, Satoshi and his friends have experienced everything in the anime up to about the point after they escaped from being frozen in the mountains ^.^ (The one where Musashi and Kojiro build an igloo.)

Q: 'Anyone ever tell you your writing sucks?' or '(insert other flames here)'
A: If you think you can do better than stop complaining and do so.

Q: Can I send you money?
A: Really? I'm touched, but that's quite alright.

------------------ Aishiteru Hitokage (Part One - Coming Out)-------------------------

"Monjara, I choose you!", the young woman cried as she flung her Pokéball with a powerful backspin, causing the sphere to collide with the torn ground and explode with energy, the blinding light becoming replaced with the mysterious plant Pokémon, Monjara.

Satoshi grinned, tossing aside his jacket and reaching for one of the Pokéballs on his belt.

"I hope you know which Pokémon to use Satoshi..", Kasumi warned, watching the match a few paces away, her eyes fixated on the enemy Pokémon, which stared at the young trainer earnestly, any possible facial expressions hidden beneath the tangle of vines which made up its form.

"Of course I do!", Satoshi retorted angrily, snatching one of his most used Pokémon off his belt and enlarging the red and white ball. He then twisted the cap that rested on his head and cried, "Hitokage, go!"

The ball soared towards its target and with a thud connected with the ground, the occupant within being released. The small orange form of Hitokage appeared. The Pokémon looked about his surroundings for a moment before turning his head back to Satoshi and smiled warmly and confidently, hoping he wouldn't disappoint.

"A fire-type, smart move.", the female trainer smirked, tossing her long green hair with a flick of her hand, "but your Hitokage is no match for Monjara. It's been specially trained."

Satoshi frowned and shook his fist, "Yeah, well I don't care about that! My Hitokage has been more than a match for almost anything so far!"

"Who are you kidding Satoshi? Kusaihana made short work of Hitokage, if you forgot.", Kasumi said, a hint of scorn in her voice. "He's far from unbeatable."

"Who asked you!", Satoshi replied angrily, turning his attention back to the green-haired trainer, "Fire-types always have the advantage over grass you know!"

"Yes, that is true,", the woman chuckled, "and on top of that I shall give you another advantage, fool. Attack first." Her gaze fell upon Hitokage and she looked rather sorry for it, "Its a shame, such a young Pokémon.."

Satoshi snarled, "You should worry about your Monjara, cause its going to need your sympathy more than my Hitokage! Hitokage, Honoh no uzu attaku!", he commanded, pointing towards the vine-Pokémon determinedly, his voice filling his Pokémon with added confidence.

"Kage!", Hitokage replied, steadying himself as his eyes locked on his target. Then with a powerful cry of "Kaage!" a huge searing blast of flame erupted from his mouth in the shape of a coiling ribbon of flame which sped towards Monjara, the writhing twirling inferno threatening to surround and incinerate the hapless Pokémon.

The woman shook her head, the heavy tone of regret filling her voice, "Monjara, Grave Spore.", the woman pointed at the small fire Pokémon, her finger extending as if to seal his fate.

"Grave Spore?", Takeshi gasped, averting his eyes from the young woman's beauty to keep his thinking straight. A flicker of recognition filled his eyes and his head jerked up, his voice sounding high and desperate, "No! Not Grave Spore! Stop! You can't use that attack! It's fatal to Pokémon!!"

"What? Fatal?", Kasumi gasped, turning to Hitokage with a look of horror, "Satoshi! Call him back now or he'll get himself killed!"

But it was too late, at the sound of its trainers command Monjara leaped high into the air, clearing the Fire Spin by several feet and its vines seemed to part impossibly, bearing the form underneath to the bright sunlight.

"What.. is that?!", Satoshi cried in alarm, looking up at the Monjara and shielding his eyes, the Pokémon had leaped directly in front of the sun.

Suddenly a hideous hissing noise was heard as a stream of black powder descended upon the battle field, the sparkling stream of dust settling upon the ground around Hitokage. A few moments later Monjara quickly leapt backwards and landing gracefully near its trainer, any sign that it had attacked vanishing. "Monja!"

"Hitokage..!", Satoshi cried, unclipping his Pokéball and turning it in the direction of the lizard. However it was impossible to retrieve him, the blanket of darkness had settled over where the Pokémon had once stood, completely obscuring any vision of what may lie within. "Hitokage! No!!!"

"Satoshi, we have to get out of here! That powder could seriously harm us!", Takeshi cried over Satoshi's despairing voice, gripping Kasumi by the arm and heading away from the blanket of death, "Come on!"

Satoshi lowered his cap and held back a choking sob, "Hitokage... I won't give up on you yet. Pidgion, I choose you!", the young trainer yelled, grabbing the bird's Pokéball and hurling it into the air. The loud noise of energy erupting from the confines of the ball was heard before a triumphant cry of "PIGIOOOOOO!!" was heard over the commotion below.

"Pidgion, blow away the powder! Hurry!", Satoshi yelled at the top of his lungs, his worry for his Hitokage increasing with each passing moment! "Gust attack!"

"Pigio!", Pigion chirped, swooping gracefully in front of the menacing cloud and spreading its wings wide. "Pi....gioooooo!!" The birds wings suddenly erupted in a flurry of motion, incredibly torrents of wind sweeping through the area as the cloud was dispersed, the powder scattering in every direction no longer concentrated enough to cause serious harm.

The three young trainers watched eagerly as the arena started to clear, the torrent of wind quickly eliminating every trace of the poison. Finally the wind ceased and Pigion's wings slowed after their amazing beating, the bird coming to a stop and surveying its work. The arena was clear of everything, the Monjara, the young woman, everything.. but Hitokage. The young fire Pokémon lay face down in the dirt his tail bent at an unnatural angle. His paws clung tightly to the ground as if trying to keep from blowing away. He was as still as death. All eyes moved to his tail, the only hope that Hitokage could still be alive. The loud, choking gasps of the three echoed along the wind as their eyes fell upon it.. it was unlit.

"H...hitokage..", Satoshi cried softly before breaking into a run towards the small body in the center of the arena.

Takeshi looked down at the ground, cursing silently, "That attack had been forbidden by the Pokémon league rules.. I simply can't believe that it's still in use.."

"Hitokage..", Satoshi whispered again, scooping the limp Pokémon into his arms and hugging him close, "I should have done something to stop her.. I'm so sorry..", he sobbed, unable to stop the flood of tears he knew would follow, his body shuddering as he wept.

Kasumi gazed at her friend, her own eyes stinging as she approached him, reaching out to comfortingly touch his shoulder, "Satoshi.."

Satoshi shut his eyes, not daring to look as he cradled Hitokage in his arms, his hands brushing along the small Pokémon's scales, every part of him lifeless and unmoving. He could hardly bare to open his eyes and see his Pokémon's death...

"Satoshi.. we have to get out of here..", Takeshi's quiet voice broke in, his arm also lying to rest on the boy's shoulder.

Everything his friends were saying didn't seem to fully register, all the words sounding as if they were being said behind a thick glass wall, the only thing that was real was the Pokémon he was holding, the Pokémon he had failed. Slowly he forced his eyes open, a new torrent of tears falling from them as the hazy image shifted into the form of Hitokage, looking quite peaceful lying in Satoshi's arms, his arms folded and resting against the trainer's chest and his head tilted towards him as well, a look of calm on his face.

Kasumi's eyes followed Satoshi's, the stinging in her eyes almost becoming unbearable. Suddenly she noticed something.. a faint glow. She cried out in surprise, "S..satoshi! Look!"

Satoshi looked up and saw where Kasumi was pointing, a faint semblance of light.. His eyes shot to that spot.. it was a flicker of fire.. the glow of a Hitokage's tail. "Hitokage?!", Satoshi gasped as his eyes focused in, his heart skipping a beat. Sure enough a small flame had blossomed on the tip of the Pokémon's tail, almost unnoticable, the pulsing fire barely burning.

"He's alive!", Takeshi said, his voice filled with relief, "He's alive Satoshi! We have to get him to the Pokémon center quickly!"

Satoshi could scarcely believe his eyes, finding himself squeezing the small Pokémon to his breast and weeping tears of joy, the warm water trickling onto the Hitokage's small form and _ along his body, causing him to glisten in the sun. "Thank you Hitokage..", Satoshi said quietly, "thank you.."

----------------------------------------------------------------

Blip... blip... The faint noise of Hitokage's pulse was all Satoshi could hear as the hours went on, his eyes fixated on the glass chamber where his Pokémon lay, wires and tubes connecting him to the various life support systems which were keeping him alive. Satoshi could only barely make out Hitokage himself, the small flame helping only allowing him to be slightly visible in the darkness of the room. Satoshi thought about turning on the lights, but decided not to, finding that he was comforted slightly in the darkness, where he could see Hitokage's tail best.

"Hitokage..", Satoshi whispered, placing his hand on the glass and staring at the innocent, quiet face of his Pokémon. "I.. failed you.. that will never happen again.."

A faint movement of yellow caught Satoshi's attention and he turned to its source, his mind emerging from the loophole of blame he had formed in his mind. 'It's all my fault.. it's all my fault.'

"Pika pi?", a voice said. Satoshi blinked his eyes several times, his Pikachu coming into view, the graceful mouse jumping up onto Satoshi's lap. "Pika pi, pikachu!" It said again, the electric Pokémon nuzzling Satoshi's clenched fist.

"Pikachu..", Satoshi said quietly, his hand instinctively starting to brush the Pikachu's back as he looked into space, the sound of his friend's voice doing little to comfort him. "Pikachu.. Hitokage is not doing very well.. I have to stay with him.."

"Pika pi..", Pikachu said quietly, nodding his head in agreement and looking back at Hitokage as well, sighing softly. Out of all of Satoshi's Pokémon, Hitokage had always spent the most time with Pikachu, and it was he who Pikachu felt closest too.. "Pikachu pi.."

Suddenly Satoshi gasped as a blinding bright light seared through his eyes, causing him to shield them with his arm. Swearing inaudibly he only barely made out a figure in white entering the room and the flick of the light switch the figure had switched on.

"Satoshi?", Nurse Joi said, striding into the room quickly and reviewing the digital displays of the variety of machines Hitokage was connected to. "Are you alright?" She asked somewhat distantly, focusing primarily on the instruments in front of her.

Satoshi nodded weakly, "Yeah.. I'm okay.. how is Hitokage?" He gently lifted Pikachu and cradled him softly, his arms wrapping around the Pokémon's waist.

Nurse Joi spent a few moments before she responded, taking notes on her pad and circling the Hitokage several times, and with every pass a 'Hmm..' could be heard from her. "He looks alright.. although the poison severely damaged his lungs, so he better take it easy for awhile."

Satoshi nodded, not really caring about whether he was battle-ready or not, "But he'll survive?"

"Yes, it's a good thing you got here so quickly, inhalation of Grave Spore is almost always fatal to Pokémon..", the Nurse shook her head sadly, "I can't believe a trainer would teach a Monjara that technique, and frankly, I didn't even know they could learn it still. It was once used hundreds of years ago by the Monjara to capture prey, but I thought it was a lost art. It certainly is better off that way."

Satoshi clenched his fist, "I can't believe it either.. how could a trainer be so heartless as to teach a Pokémon a move designed for killing.. I should never have challenged her.."

Joi shook her head, "You had no way of knowing..", she noticed the bags under Satoshi's eyes and his wearied slump. She gave him a small smile, "Get some rest, your Hitokage will be well enough to be taken off life-support in the morning. You can stay in one of the guest quarters across the hall if you'd like."

Satoshi eyes turned back to Hitokage and he felt that he must stay, that he must stay close to Hitokage. He looked back into the nurse's eyes, "No.. I'll stay here with Hitokage if you don't mind.."

Joi nodded, "You must really care about him.. I'll respect your wishes." She then produced a blanket from the storage closet and tossed it over to him, "It can get cold in here."

"Thanks a lot.", Satoshi replied, grabbing the blanket and wrapping it around himself and Pikachu, his attention now completely back on his Pokémon.

The nurse stood there a few more moments, admiring the trainer's caring and then quietly left the room, turning off the light behind her and closing the door with hardly a sound.

Satoshi spent another hour simply staring into Hitokage's tail, gazing into its depths as it thankfully grew stronger with every passing minute in almost minuscule increments until it provided enough light to illuminate the room with flickering shadows, shadows which danced with every motion of the graceful fire. Pikachu huddled close to Satoshi, his eyes closed, sleeping having come to him earlier than Satoshi, the very faint sound of his heavy breathing the only thing Satoshi could hear aside from the beating of his own heart. Before Satoshi himself began to droop and his eyelids became as heavy as stone he realized how strange he felt about Hitokage. It was more than concern that one of his Pokémon wasn't feeling well, a lot more.. but before he could think upon it further weariness washed over him and snuffed out his thoughts like a candle light. Yawning, he tilted his head back, drifting off into a dreamless sleep.

----------------------------------------------------------------

A few rays of stray sunlight filtered in through the blind-covered window of the Emergency Room, causing Satoshi to groan softly, as the light roused him from his rather restless sleep. Yawning he stretched slowly, his head feeling like it was full of sticky cobwebs. However a few moments later the days events came crashing through him like a bucket of cold water and his eyes snapped open, "Hitokage!"

Hitokage still lay in the clear glass recovery chamber, the amount of equipment attached to him easier to make out in the light of the early dawn. He looked far better than he did last night, but he remained unconscious, his breathing coming in steady and short passes, his little yellow chest rising and falling gently. His eyelids were gently closed but seemed to gaze at Satoshi at the same time, a wave of comfort passing through the trainer as if he felt that Hitokage knew he was there.. somehow. The tail-flame was burning pleasantly now, a cheerful bath of heat illuminating the brightening room further and giving Hitokage a majestic beauty all his own.

Satoshi stood up from his chair, cupping a still-sleeping Pikachu in his hands as he rose, taking a few moments to steady himself and shaking his head a few times to eliminate the last traces of grogginess.

"Pika pi..", Pikachu suddenly murmured, his ears twitching as if swatting at unseen flies and its small black eyes flickered open, gazing around the room, "Piiiiiiii", he yawned, looking up at Satoshi and smiling. "Pika pi!"

Satoshi chuckled and hugged his Pokémon, "Good morning Pikachu, I hope you slept okay."

Pikachu nodded, still smiling and it slipped out of Satoshi's hands and hopped to the ground, looking about the room before his eyes settled on Hitokage, "Pikachu pi?"

Satoshi nodded, "Hitokage is looking a little better today..", he replied, pretty sure what Pikachu was asking. He felt confused at his feelings, at how a mixture of relief and affection washed over him as he looked back at Hitokage. "He'll be fine.."

"Pi pikachu.", Pikachu replied, looking somewhat relieved. He then reached over and gently tugged on Satoshi's pant leg, pointing to the door, "Pika pi, pikachu!"

Satoshi laughed, "You go eat Pikachu, I think I'll stay here until Hitokage wakes up.", with that he swung the door open for the Pikachu to pass through, "I'll join you guys soon."

Pikachu shook his head, wanting to stay with his trainer when his stomach broke in with a loud rumbling sound. "Pika..", Pikachu said nervously, his red cheeks seeming to go a little darker in a blush.

Satoshi smiled, "You're hungry Pikachu. Go on, I said I'd join you soon and I will." With that Satoshi gently closed the door behind his Pokémon and returned to his seat, letting out a held sigh as he did so. He hoped Pikachu didn't feel at all jealous of his desire to stay. After all, Hitokage was sick and Pikachu wasn't. But he knew he couldn't fool himself, he knew Hitokage would get better, but he felt as if he had to stay anyway. Why?

As he looked up once more to check on Hitokage he let out a gasp as he saw the fire Pokémon staring directly at him, his head propped up on his shoulders and his tail swaying gently behind him.

"Hitokage!", Satoshi cried happily, his fingers finding the small red button on the side of the machine and pressing it excitedly, causing the glass chamber Hitokage was kept in to part. "Hitokage, you're alright!"

"Kage?", Hitokage said groggily, looking up at his trainer, a big smile blooming across his face, "Hitokage!" The young Pokémon struggled to sit up again, but cried out in pain, sinking back to the floor and panting heavily, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

Satoshi quickly reached a hand to touch the Hitokage's head, the affectionate feelings flowing through him redoubling as he found himself caressing the Pokémon's cheek and head, "It's alright Hitokage.. you just need some rest, don't try to move just yet."

"Kage..", Hitokage nodded, lying back and trying to catch his breath, a faint sound like purring coming from him as Satoshi caressed him, something which he rarely did with any of his Pokémon. "Hito?"

Suddenly Satoshi blushed when he realized what he was doing and jerked his hand back, stepping back a few steps. "S..sorry about that. I guess you need your rest."

"Hitokage?", Hitokage asked again, smiling still, his tail lifting up and swaying contentedly, he liked being caressed and wished Satoshi would do it more.

Satoshi didn't fully see the harm in petting Hitokage, but he didn't understand why he felt he wanted to. He didn't even get this strong urge with Pikachu, so why now? "I better get something to eat, Kasumi and Takeshi are waiting for me. I'm really glad you're feeling better Hitokage, I'll see you soon." With that he rather hastily closed the glass case and gave a small parting wave to Hitokage before disappearing from sight as he slipped through the door, closing it quickly behind him. The resulting booming noise as he shut it echoed through the room.

"Hitokage..", Hitokage said quietly, rubbing the spots where Satoshi had touched him and smiling softly. He liked that feeling of affection he got from Satoshi, it was something he felt he needed for a long time, ever since he was abandoned by Damian. He knew he had found a place to belong with Satoshi, and hoped they would never be apart...

---------------------------------------------------------------

"You're going to what?", Kasumi asked as she shouldered her backpack and stepped out of the Pokémon center and into the bright sun.

"That's right,", Satoshi replied, getting into a rather brisk walk as he strode across the well-kept streets heading towards the city walls, "Hitokage will be traveling outside his Pokéball today."

"Are you crazy? He's too weak to do that! Besides, I think he'd prefer it in his Pokéball anyway!", Kasumi said with annoyance, looking to Takeshi for some support.

"Well, the nurse did say Hitokage needed some slow exercise to get his lungs working alright,", Takeshi said thoughtfully, "I don't see what harm it could do really."

Satoshi gave a smile of triumph, "So there Kasumi!"

Kasumi waved her hand dismissively, "Yeah, whatever, like I care. Anyway, where are we heading next? We really need some supplies, the only food we have left are a few rolls.. definitely not enough to get us to the next city."

Takeshi nodded, "We should get some supplies before we head out Satoshi, I also want to check out the Pokémon breeder in this area, she has a very good reputation."

"Beautiful eyes and a sexy figure as well, I'm sure.", Kasumi added, snickering.

Takeshi blushed, "Yeah, well no one asked for your opinion!"

The whole time Satoshi ignored the two, absently watching Pikachu listen to the conversation with disinterest, no doubt something they'd all heard a hundred times.

"So then it's settled, we'll stay in the city for today, we do have a lot to do after all.", Kasumi smiled, turning on her heels in the direction of the city center. "That should be where all the big malls are."

Takeshi nodded, "Sounds like a good place to start, come on Satoshi."

"Hey guys, I'm not feeling the best right now, I think I'll pass on that today.", Satoshi said, sounding as if he was talking from a great distance, "I just want to spend the day with my Pokémon."

Kasumi and Takeshi blinked, looking at him strangely. This was one of the first times Satoshi ever declined to come with them, "Are you feeling alright Satoshi?", Kasumi asked curiously, her complexion one of worry, which was unusual in itself.

"Yeah, I'm fine, I just want some time alone.", Satoshi replied, absently holding Hitokage's Pokéball in the palm of his head and gazing at it. "Just meet me at the Pokémon center when you're finished alright?"

"Yeah.. sure thing..", Kasumi said quietly, looking a little disturbed. "Come on Takeshi, let's go."

"Take care Satoshi, see you soon.", with that Takeshi headed off down the street, Kasumi following quickly behind him, but not before turning back to Satoshi and giving him a worried glance.

When both of them were gone Satoshi let out a wearied sigh and slumped back on the nearest city bench, his thoughts in a jumbled mess. "Pika pi?", Pikachu said quietly, from his perch on Satoshi's shoulder, and from the tone of his voice he was as concerned as Kasumi was.

"I'll be fine Pikachu, I'm just a little dizzy that's all.", Satoshi sighed, tapping the small button of the Pokéball he was carrying, enlarging it. With a flick of his finger he sent the ball into the air, releasing Hitokage from his confines. "Hitokage, come out.", Satoshi commanded, his voice unsteady.

"Kage..?", Hitokage murmured as he materialized in front of the two, looking more than a little tired. With a wearied motion of his tail the Pokémon plopped back on the ground, his legs not doing the best job of supporting him at the moment. "Hito hito kage!"

Satoshi chuckled and bent over, lifting Hitokage into the air and placing him gently on his lap. "Hey there Hitokage, how are you feeling?", he asked.

"Kage! Hito hito.", Hitokage replied quietly, coiling into a small ball on the trainer's lap and cuddling.

"Pikachu pi!", Pikachu said happily, hopping down from Satoshi's shoulder to give Hitokage a little hug.

"Hitokage.", Hitokage said in that high-pitched voice of his and smiled, hugging back with the strength he had.

Satoshi found himself starting to pet Hitokage's back as he resumed speaking, loving the feel of the lizard's warm and smooth scales as his fingers caressed them. "Hitokage.. I want to apologize about what happened before.. I was careless.. I should have called you back the moment Takeshi had told me what that attack would do. I was arrogant to think you could beat anything.."

Hitokage looked up at Satoshi, his expressive green eyes burning into Satoshi's own, and at that moment Satoshi felt another queasy sensation in his stomach as he watched, "Hito hito!" The Pokémon said, shaking his head. Satoshi felt a wetness along his fingers and looked down, noticing that Hitokage had given him a small lick on his hand and was wrapping his small paws around him.

Satoshi felt his heart melt and lifted the Hitokage from his lap and brought him to his chest, squeezing him tightly as he looked upon the Pokémon's innocent face, "Thank you Hitokage.. I will never ever endanger you like that again."

"Pikachu.", Pikachu said happily, his ears twitching once more as he saw the two embrace. After a few moments he settled down next to them, noticing that they weren't stopping. His smile faded somewhat but he kept it to himself, knowing it would pass..

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Satoshi let out a soft yawn as he gazed about the darkened hotel room. It must have been close to midnight by now. Where were Kasumi and Takeshi? As he peered around the room, illuminated by only the moonlight and Hitokage's tail he realized sleep probably wouldn't come to him tonight. Lying back on the bed he turned to one side to see Pikachu, lying next to the window sill fast asleep, and he felt a pang of guilt. He knew Pikachu was used to having his full attention, after all they were best friends, and he almost felt as if he was betraying that friendship. For what though? For Hitokage? He was friends with all of his Pokémon, Pikachu, Zenigame, Fushigidane, Pidgion.. all of them, was Hitokage an exception? Confused by his feelings he turned to face the small lizard Pokémon as he lay besides Satoshi, his tail wrapped protectively around himself for warmth, a beacon of light in the otherwise dim surroundings. Satoshi was shocked with himself as he continued to stare. Was Hitokage more than a friend?

"..How could he be?", Satoshi found himself saying aloud, and he nearly jumped at the sound of his own voice. Hitokage couldn't be anymore than that.. he was a Pokémon and Satoshi was the trainer, that was the relationship they'd always had..

A stirring in Hitokage caused Satoshi's thoughts to disperse as the small fire Pokémon yawned softly, his tail unfurling from around him. Hitokage's small orange body spreading out as he stretched his tight muscles before relaxing once more, drifting back asleep.

Satoshi held his breath the whole time Hitokage had moved, his fingers shaking nervously as he watched, the queasy feeling in his stomach returning, only twice as strong, like hammers trying to pound their way out of him. Hitokage was so cute.. so perfect.. Satoshi felt tremendously frightened with how he felt as he saw his hand reaching out to the Pokémon. He hardly realized what he was doing until he felt his fingers brush the soft warm flesh, and an electricity seemed to flow through him, burning him as he did so. A flush of heat passed over the young boy's face and pierced into his body as he touched Hitokage, unable to keep his body from quivering. Why did he feel this way?

As his mind started screaming at him to pull his hand away it didn't respond, instead starting to stroke along Hitokage's chest, across his sides and along his arms, every bit of him seeming alive with heat and young muscle. Satoshi found his eyes traveling the entire length of the Pokémon's body with adoration, finding his outstretched hand wrap around the Pokémon's back and starting to ever so slightly slide Hitokage closer and closer to Satoshi until he could feel the lizard's breath on his face.

Satoshi felt his heart skip a beat as he saw Hitokage quiver a little, a small sighing sound coming from the Pokémon before he lay still once more. Satoshi didn't move for a few minutes after that, so nervous did he feel, but he never once kept his eyes off Hitokage, his hand still resting on the fire-lizard's backside. When the young trainer finally summoned the courage to move again, sure that Hitokage was fully asleep once more he felt his fingers creeping back to the front, moving lower, along the soft, slightly chubby thighs of the Pokémon, which were tightly closed, obscuring any view of what was beneath them. "Hitokage..", Satoshi found himself whispering as he continued, his fingers suddenly resting in the crack that formed from the Pokémon's two legs closed tightly together. Satoshi could feel his desire now, his desire to see what was hiding between them and he had no idea why. He knew this wasn't natural but his excitement quickly began overpowering his common sense as he felt his fingers taking hold of Hitokage's thigh and lifting it up ever so gently, moving it to rest well away from the Pokémon's hip, exposing what he'd been wanting to see for a long time.

Satoshi gasped as he stared at the sheath before him, Hitokage's small testament to maleness. It lay peacefully between the Pokémon's legs, resting on a small, smooth sac, and two tiny little testicles could be made out faintly inside them. The length was so soft and unnoticable, yet it seemed absolutely perfect on the small Pokémon, the gentle orange skin covering something beneath it, something Satoshi found himself desperately wanting to reveal. As Satoshi stared at the adorable thing before him he found a reaction starting to happen in his body, a stirring in his groin which he had only felt a few times before. Soon the stirring became stronger as Satoshi gasped, feeling his penis stiffen and harden inside his pajama pants, starting to tent them noticeably, and another warm flush filled him, enjoying how pleasurable it felt. Within another few moments he was as hard as he had ever felt in his life, his small boy-length looking far bigger than it should, accented by the tent it had caused in the pants covering them. Trying to keep his body from shaking he felt his gaze returning to Hitokage's groin, the pulsing of his own cock causing his head to swim with excitement. His fears forgotten for the moment he felt his hand release the thigh it had been resting on and slowly traveling along Hitokage's hip before dropping to rest on the warm sheath. Satoshi felt his heart beating wildly as he touched it, so aroused was he that he could feel his hand instinctively rubbing the small length, lifting it from its resting place on the sac as Satoshi began to fondle it with careful, gentle strokes. Every pass of his hand seemed to excite Satoshi further, his member feeling so hard that it might burst from his pants as he continued, his eyes nervously glancing at Hitokage's face, wondering if he noticed.

Hitokage didn't seem to be affected by anything at first, the fondling of his sex not seeming to fully register. However as Satoshi continued, getting a little faster the Pokémon responded, his breathing got heavier, and the lizard's body stating to quiver a little as the pleasure filling him increased. "kaa..ge..", he panted softly in his sleep, instinctively parting his legs, unconsciously hoping whoever was touching him would continue.

Satoshi felt his hand jolt as he felt the sheath he was rubbing start to pulse, blood pouring into it, filling the small thing quickly as it began to expand with every pass of Satoshi's fingers, growing thick and stiff until it stood perpendicular to Hitokage, the sheath rolling back to expose Hitokage's cocklet which throbbed softly, awakened and excited. "H..hitokage..", Satoshi whispered, his hand pulling back to admire the erect cock, watching it quiver, causing the Pokémon's body to follow, the sac below it also starting to contract slightly.

"..Hito..", Hitokage said faintly as he dreamt and suddenly rolled onto his back and spread his legs wider, fully revealing his sex in all its glory, three inches of Pokémon flesh.

Satoshi could hardly believe the feelings he was experiencing, every muscle inside him feeling completely tight and weak at the same time as he stared, his hand quickly returning to the Hitokage's member and beginning to pleasure him once more. Satoshi watched his fingers move with a mind of their own, stroking along the beautiful shaft and tip, causing it to throb harder with each pass until the Pokémon visibly shook with every touch, the pleasure becoming too much.

"K.a.aa.agge.!", Hitokage cried softly, flinching from all the pleasure until he thrashed visibly, beads of sweat forming on the lizard's face.

Satoshi became completely engrossed in what he was doing, his hand ignoring the commands of his mind, which was begging him to stop as he continued stroking and squeezing the Pokémon's length relentlessly, the hard throbbing only making him go faster.

"Hito!", Hitokage suddenly cried his eyes snapping open as he became fully awake and so close to orgasm that his entire body felt sapped of all its strength.

Satoshi saw this, his eyes widening as he realized that Hitokage had awoken and immediately jerked his hand back, quickly shifting positions so that his hardness was hidden, grinding into the bed. His eyes quickly shut and his breathing became heavy and nervous, the feeling of his own cock against the bed doing little to help himself calm down.

"Hi..to..", Hitokage panted, sitting up in confusion, his entire body still quivering with the feeling of his pleasure and he looked down, a strange sensation he had never felt before seeming to pulse from between his legs. "Kage?!", the Pokémon cried in alarm as he saw his own hardness, the head a deep purple from the stimulation. Hitokage gasped, reaching out to touch himself and jerking back as he did so, unable to stop a low moan from escaping his lips. It felt so wonderful.. Turning about in confusion and fear he saw Satoshi, appearing to be asleep, but definitely not relaxed, droplets of sweat causing his forehead to shine, and his shirt was moist with perspiration. His breathing was heavy too and appeared to be forced as Satoshi fought to keep it regulated and slow. Hitokage could hardly believe how he felt and realized he didn't want his trainer to see him like this, quickly turning onto his side and covering his erection with his legs as best he could, moaning again as he felt them brush his pulsing cock, which seemed to be afire with pleasure after every touch. He knew this was wrong, a part of his body shouldn't feel this good. The Pokémon let out a confused whimper, trying to straighten his worried thoughts. How'd he get like this? All he remembered was the remnants of a dream.. someone was touching him there.. and it was the best feeling in the world. "This is wrong..", Hitokage thought desperately, feeling a tear roll down his cheek, "wrong.."

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Satoshi groaned as he slipped into his blue jeans. He hadn't slept a wink, his arousal and fear had kept him up the entire night, and even now he was still quivering at the thought of what had occurred the night before. As he opened the blinds to his room and admitted the morning light he found himself shooting glances at Hitokage, he was thankfully asleep. Had he seen anything? What would happen if he did? Satoshi decided not to dwell upon it too much and forced the thoughts of his mind, slipping on his usual black shirt and his blue jacket.

"Hey guys, its time to get up.", he said in a drowsy voice, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as best he could.

"Pika..", Pikachu said quietly, looking up at the first rays of the day and stretching himself, "Chaaaaaa!" The Pokémon scratched behind his ears slightly before he jumped from the sill and landed in Satoshi's arms, "Pika pi!"

Satoshi smiled and hugged the affectionate Pokémon, placing him on the usual spot on his shoulder, "Good morning, Pikachu!", he paused and looked down at Hitokage, "Hey.."

"Kage..", Hitokage whispered, rolling onto his side away from the sunlight. "Hito.."

"Hey Hitokage, it's time to get up.", Satoshi said gently, finding his voice more than a little shaky as he spoke. "We have to go find Takeshi and Kasumi, it looks like they didn't show up last night."

"Hito hito..", his Pokémon responded quietly, sitting up, his eyelids half closed. "Kaaagge...", Hitokage yawned, small wisps of flame coming from his mouth.

Satoshi couldn't hold back a chuckle as he headed off to the bathroom to finish getting ready for their early departure, leaving Hitokage alone with his thoughts. Hitokage hadn't slept much either after he had awoken last night, only just fallen asleep an hour before Satoshi had woken up. He whimpered softly in annoyance finding his aching body even more slow and exhausted than it had felt yesterday. However his mind was wide awake and racing with confusing thoughts about how he had felt that night. It was wonderful and strange at the same time, and part of him wanted to feel that way again. The other part felt something wasn't right about this. Everything seemed so hazy to Hitokage, but he was almost certain someone was touching him last night.. it was almost too real to be a dream.

Slipping to the floor Hitokage wasn't sure what to do with himself while he was waiting. He was so used to being inside his Pokéball, only to be called out occasionally to play with his friends and get some fresh air, or to battle, never to spend all his time out like Pikachu. What made Satoshi change his mind? This new sense of freedom was frightening and pleasant at the same time and Hitokage decided to enjoy himself, as it probably wouldn't last forever. Taking a nice long look around the room he began to explore it with an architect's thoroughness, examining everything with a good degree of curiosity. A few minutes later Satoshi returned, his hair combed in that impossible spiky way of his and looking quite presentable.

"Well, time to go.", Satoshi said, more to himself than to anyone else. He then turned to Hitokage, feeling another pang of fear. However his Pokémon made no sign that he was at all disturbed by his trainer. He did look a little troubled however, and Satoshi knew that he was responsible. "Hitokage..", Satoshi sighed, reaching for an empty Pokéball, "do you want to go back in your ball?"

Hitokage stared at the outstretched Pokéball and shook his head slowly, surprised at himself for doing so. He had become so accustomed to it, why did he hesitate now? He had no idea, but he was happy to know that he was given the choice.

Satoshi nodded, finding himself strangely relieved to know he would have Hitokage's company today and returned the ball to his belt without hesitation. He then considered carrying Hitokage on his free shoulder, but knew that although he looked small, the fire-Pokémon was quite a bit heavier than Pikachu.

"Pikachu pi.", Pikachu said happily, but a hint of confusion was in his voice. A sense of nervousness began to form in the mouse's mind as he thought about things. Satoshi never had any of his Pokémon out like this, why was Hitokage an exception? Hitokage was feeling better now, so he should be back in his ball. Those kinds of thoughts frightened Pikachu and he quickly shoved them out of his mind as best he could.

Satoshi didn't seem to notice his Pikachu's disturbed expression as he shouldered his backpack and unlocked the latch to the door, "Come on Hitokage, lets go."

"Kage.", Hitokage nodded, following quickly at his trainer's heels out of the room, finding himself gazing up at Pikachu and meeting his eyes, shivering slightly at Pikachu's expression, feeling an icy chill travel across his spine. Pikachu was jealous.

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"Good morning Satoshi! Sorry we never called you!", Kasumi said quickly as she and Takeshi swung open the glass door's of the Pokémon center and heading over to where Satoshi was sitting.

"Where were you guys?", Satoshi asked curiously, leaning forward on the couch he had decided to wait upon, looking quite relieved to see the two, "I was really worried."

Takeshi grinned, "Well, when we stopped by Sumi's place, who is that great breeder I was talking to you about, she invited us to stay for the night, and how could we refuse an offer like that?"

Kasumi sweat dropped, "Well, Takeshi couldn't."

The young man blushed again, "Heh, well.."

"Why didn't you call me? Or come back to tell me or something?", Satoshi asked, not fully convinced by their story.

"Well, it was really really late when we were finished at Sumi's, so we assumed you might have been asleep.", Kasumi said defensively. Suddenly she giggled, "Maybe we should have called you, you look like you didn't sleep a wink last night."

Satoshi yawned, nodding wearily, "Yeah, I barely slept at all.. I've been a little preoccupied."

"Yeah, I noticed.", Kasumi then smiled at Hitokage, who was huddled in a far corner of the couch, keeping to himself, "Hey Hitokage, how are you doing?"

"Hitokage..", Hitokage said quietly, looking up at Kasumi and giving her a weak smile.

Takeshi frowned with concern, "Hey Satoshi, is Hitokage feeling alright? He looks a little down to me."

Satoshi sighed deeply, "I don't think Hitokage slept well either.. it was a bad night.." And they don't know the half of it.. Satoshi thought to himself. He then quickly turned to Kasumi at the sound of her giggling, watching her lift Hitokage into the air and hugging him.

"You're so cute Hitokage!", Kasumi smiled, her eyes sparkling.

Takeshi chuckled, "You almost never bring Hitokage out of his Pokéball like this Satoshi.. and physically he looks like he's recovered pretty well from the spores.. what's up?"

Satoshi shrugged, not really knowing the answer himself and not feeling particularly ready to share anything with his friends yet, "I don't really know.. I just felt like Hitokage deserved to get some fresh air.."

Takeshi nodded, noticing Satoshi probably didn't feel like dwelling on this further. "So, should we head off to the next gym then?", Takeshi asked, changing the subject.

Satoshi nodded, "Yeah, the next gym.." He tried to summon up the enthusiasm he usually felt about such things, but right now it just wasn't there.

"And we're in luck! There is a small one in town which I think might interest you Satoshi!", Takeshi added, grinning, "They don't offer any league badges, but at least you'll give your Pokémon some additional battle experience."

"Yeah, it'll be very interesting Satoshi.", Kasumi smiled, "We should get going right away if you plan on battling the gym leader."

Satoshi rose to his feet and forced an enthusiastic grin, "Hey, that sounds great, I'm ready when you are!"

"Pika pi!", Pikachu cried happily, his cheeks sparking. "Pikachu!"

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"So, you're my next challenger.", the gym leader boomed, a wry smile forming on her face, "We'll see if you are worthy of fighting here."

Satoshi shook his fist, "Of course I'm ready! Just you wait and see!" He looked over to Kasumi and Takeshi, who had been studying the leader in the last few battles.

"Hey Satoshi, I've noticed that she relies heavily on bug Pokémon, so make sure you use the right type. Your Hitokage should do pretty well.", Kasumi stated.

"Yeah, I know that! You never give me credit for anything!", he then looked to Hitokage, who lay in a sitting position, staring at the ground sadly. Satoshi did feel reluctant about sending Hitokage into battle after he'd just recovered. On top of that he had promised him that he'd never get him hurt again. "Still.. this is an official gym.. they wouldn't dream of using illegal attacks like that in here.." Satoshi thought aloud, unsure if he shouldn't call another Pokémon instead..

Kasumi blinked, "Are you asking me Satoshi? If you are, you're probably right, I think this place is pretty safe."

"I'm growing impatient.", the tall leader glowered, her annoyance being displayed quite evidently as she gripped one of the Pokéballs on her belt, "Choose your Pokémon now, or forfeit."

Satoshi looked up and frowned, "Fine! Hitokage, go!", Satoshi cried, pointing determinedly towards the arena. "You can do it!"

Hitokage looked up at the sound of his name and slowly rose to his feet. He had been so preoccupied with his own thoughts that he hadn't realized he'd most likely be chosen to battle. Shaking his head a few times to clear it the Pokémon quickly stepped into the arena, trying to get his concentration back, focusing on the battle at hand.

Satoshi smiled, looking a little relieved, "That's right Hitokage, you should have no problem."

The gym leader laughed and tossed a Pokéball into the air, "Batterfree, attack!"

The ball erupted in midair, releasing the butterfly-like Pokémon into the air. "Bafafree!" The bug chirped cheerfully, swooping gracefully into the air and hovering a few feet above Hitokage, ready for its commands.

"Hitokage, good choice. You're the first trainer I've met today who actually has his types straight. This should hopefully be more interesting. Batterfree, stun spore!", the woman boomed, a confident grin on her face.

"Free!", Batterfree nodded, swooping down and releasing a stream of yellow powder across the battlefield from the tiny sacs on its wings, surrounding Hitokage, the petrifying substance threatening to freeze him in his tracks.

"Hitokage, kaen hosha! Don't let the spores touch you!", Satoshi yelled, watching the spores about him nervously.

"Kaaaage!", Hitokage responded, gazing upwards and letting loose a searing column of flame out of his mouth, the inferno disintegrating and scattering the powder above him, the remaining dust drifting harmlessly to the side of the Pokémon.

"Good job Hitokage! Now counterattack! Honoh no uzu!", Satoshi clenched his fist and then extended it towards the surprised flying Pokémon.

Hitokage nodded, jumping forward and spewing another ribbon of flame which quickly began to spiral upwards, around the frightened bug until it completely surrounded it.

"Batterfree! Get out of there now!", its trainer cried out in alarm, "If that fire touches you you're finished!"

But Batterfree couldn't respond, petrified with fear at having the searing flames all about it, which quickly closed in. With a gasp the flames completely engulfed the bug and dissipated a moment later, leaving a rather charred Butterfree to fall to the ground, unconscious.

Satoshi leapt in the air and cheered, "Great job Hitokage! Hah! Just one more and then the match is all ours!"

"Good work boy,", the gym leader chuckled, returning her fallen Pokémon to the confines of its ball, "I'm impressed, but luckily I have a Pokémon which shouldn't have a problem against your fire-type... Goron, attack!"

"Goron?", Satoshi blinked, retrieving his Pokédex from his jacket and watching as the powerful looking boulder emerged from its Pokéball and began stomping on the arena floor, causing it to tremble. As his Pokédex registered the Pokémon in memory it began to speak, "Goron, the boulder Pokémon. It uses its heavy weight to attack opponents by rolling or hurling itself or large rocks at adversaries."

Satoshi's thoughts were broken by Takeshi calling out, "Satoshi, recall Hitokage now, fire-types are not very effective against rock!"

"Goron, tackle that lizard!", the gym leader cried out, motioning to the frightened looking Hitokage with an outstretched finger.

Before Satoshi could react Goron responded immediately, tucking itself into a ball and starting to hurtle towards Hitokage at top velocity, gaining speed as it sped along the slick arena floor, the room trembling with the force.

"Hitokage!", Satoshi gasped and looked to his Pokémon who appeared to have lost his nerve, too surprised to do anything but quiver as the rock approached.

"Recall it!", Kasumi cried, "Hitokage is no match for Goron!"

"Kage!", Satoshi heard Hitokage scream and the next few seconds seemed to happen in slow motion, the terrified look on his Pokémon's face and the vicious grin on the gym leader's face as his powerful Goron slammed hard into the tiny Pokémon chest, sending it hurtling backwards several feet as Satoshi watched in horror. Hitokage slowly skidded across the arena floor before lying still near the edge of the arena, a soft whimper escaping from him.

"Hitokage!!", Satoshi yelled , rushing over to his fallen Pokémon and kneeling besides him, his heart feeling like it would beat out of his chest. Crying out he quickly curled his arm around the Pokémon's head and brought him close to his chest, "Hitokage.. oh no.. are you alright?", he cried, tears starting to form in his eyes. The last few seconds of the battle replayed in his mind as his vision became blurred by his tears, his emotions boiling out of control, and he had no idea why, or how to stop it. He had broken his promise to Hitokage..

The gym leader scoffed, her eyes scanning over Satoshi with a mocking look, "Just what do you think you are doing? Helping your Pokémon like that is violating the rules of the battle. You're disqualified!", the gym leader stepped forward, recalling her Goron back into the safety of its Pokéball. "Don't set foot in here again."

Satoshi looked down, feeling anger boiling down inside him and he stood, hugging Hitokage protectively in his arms as he strode towards the gym leader, his fists clenched into tight balls. His anger was only intensified as he heard Hitokage's soft moans, his body twitching in pain, "k.a..ge.."

The woman raised an eyebrow, "Do you have a problem runt?"

"Satoshi, what's wrong?", Kasumi asked, more concerned for Satoshi than Hitokage at the immediate moment, "We have to get Hitokage to the Pokémon center!"

"You.. you..", Satoshi screamed, glaring at the trainer icily, "You didn't even give me a chance to recall Hitokage! That was completely unfair! Its Pokémon league regulations to give the trainer a few moments to decide if he wants to change Pokémon or not! You're disgraceful!", his voice was harsh and loud, his face flushing a dark angry red. He took another enraged step forward, and the woman could feel Satoshi's breath on her face. His entire body shook with fury, "You dare hurt my Hitokage or any of my Pokémon again and you'll regret it..", the last few words were hissed as he spun around and stormed out of the gym, leaving Kasumi and Takeshi bewildered.

"What.. how dare that idiot talk to me that way! I know the rules far better than a bratty little kid!", the gym leader growled, turning to Kasumi, "If that trainer can't stand his Pokémon getting a few bumps and bruises maybe he should just go home!"

Kasumi shook her head in disbelief, "I.. I'm terribly sorry miss, Satoshi hasn't been acting himself lately..", with that she quickly rushed out of the gym, hot on Satoshi's heels, "Satoshi! Wait!"

Takeshi followed suit behind her, just as puzzled, "What's wrong Satoshi?!", he called after him, rushing off. "SATOSHI!"

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The commotion of the Pokémon center rang in Satoshi's ears as he lay on the large, soft couch in the Pokémon center lobby, his head buried in his hands as he ran over the gym battle hundreds of times in his head. He knew Hitokage would be alright.. he had to be.. it was just a small tackle after all..

Pikachu rested on Satoshi's shoulders, looking down into his trainer's face, wondering what was wrong. His ears lay low on his head as he sat, his tail swaying gently off to one side, "Pika pi.."

"Satoshi, what is wrong with you?", Kasumi broke into his thoughts, and he looked up, seeing the young girl's face lit up with concern and anger. "Why did you blow up like that? I know Hitokage was hurt, but after Nurse Joi finishes with him he'll be fine!" Satoshi frowned, as Pokémon battling seemed so pointless and futile to him at the moment.

Takeshi nodded, "You've been unusually protective of Hitokage lately Satoshi.. is there something you want to tell us?"

Satoshi shook his head, his hand wiping across his face, smearing the tears that had been welling up in his eyes, "N..no.. its nothing.. I'm fine.."

Kasumi shook her fist, "That's not true and you know it! Something is really bothering you! We're your friends Satoshi, you can tell us!"

Just as Satoshi was about to answer the friendly voice of Joy broke into their conversation, drawing all eyes to the front desk. "Trainer Satoshi, your Hitokage has been fully healed."

Satoshi rose to his feet and quickly headed over to the counter, his hat tilted in front of his eyes to shield them from the nurse's gaze. "Thanks a lot nurse Joi..", he said quietly, taking the Pokéball from her outstretched hand and attaching it to his belt.

"No problem, please come again.", the nurse smiled, made a slight bow and turned to face the next customer in the line.

Satoshi's hand cupped around Hitokage's Pokéball as he headed back to his friends, returning to his seat on the far side of them, not saying a word as he slumped down on the couch, letting his body sink in as far as it would go.

Kasumi remained silent for a few moments, trying to understand what was affecting her friend so much. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but a look from Takeshi was all it took to close it. Satoshi wasn't ready to talk what was bothering him yet, and it wasn't right for her to push him.... yet. "So Satoshi, where do you think we should head next? I think the closest officially licensed gym is on one on the islands near Masara town. The leader there has a gym badge I believe."

Takeshi nodded in confirmation, a thoughtful look crossing his face, "There is a ferry that will take us there, but its further down the coast, probably a week's journey from here. How about it?"

"Pika pika!", Pikachu added, his voice filled with enthusiasm which he hoped would spread to Satoshi, jumping up and letting his cheeks spark excitedly, "Pika pi, pikachu!"

Satoshi nodded, "Sure.", a smile crossed his face, "sounds good", he wiped his face one more time with his sleeve before twisting the bill of his cap to the back and sitting up, "Shall we go?"

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The crisp, cool autumn air cut right through Satoshi's futon as he lay on the damp forest floor, waiting for sleep to come. Turning slowly to one side and propping himself up on one elbow he attempted to peer through the darkness of the campsite, noticing Takeshi and Kasumi were already fast asleep, their images hazy in the smoke from the campfire. The dying embers glowed softly in the pit they had dug, bathing the area in a soft red glow.

Another sound made Satoshi turn to his other side, his eyes resting on Pikachu, who lay a few feet from him in his own futon, the soft rhythmic breathing of the Pokémon reassuring. He felt his eyes sting as he stared at him, feelings of guilt welling up inside. He had hardly said two words to Pikachu in the past few days, and they were best friends. Satoshi couldn't remember a time when he hadn't confided in Pikachu everything that went through his mind.

Satoshi looked away, "But I can't tell him this..", he found himself saying aloud, causing the small electric mouse's ears to perk up and sway this way and that, honing in on the source of the sound.

"Pika..", he heard Pikachu murmur quietly, his eyes flickering open. "Pika pi..?"

Satoshi forced a smile and stared into Pikachu's eyes, "Heya Pikachu, sorry about waking you.", he whispered softly, putting a finger to his mouth in a quieting gesture so as not to wake his other friends as well.

"Pikachuuu..", Pikachu replied, smiling back at him as he lowered his voice as well.

Satoshi looked into Pikachu's large black eyes, "Pikachu, I wanted to talk to you.. about the last few days. I'm really sorry about ignoring you.. its just.. something strange is going on with me lately, which I'm sure you've noticed.", he sighed, starting to absently pull at strands of grass, "But.. its no excuse."

Pikachu nodded, slipping out of his futon and crawling up to Satoshi. He batted an ear at his trainer, as if understanding somewhat what Satoshi was going through, but somewhat confused at the same time. "Pika pi.. pika chupi?"

"I know you're confused Pikachu, I am too.. and scared.. I know this isn't normal, yet at the same time it feels so..", he reached over to where his jeans lay and picked Hitokage's Pokéball off the belt, turning it in his palm. He hadn't let Hitokage out the entire day of travel towards the ferry that would take them to the islands. "So right..", he finished.

Pikachu stared at Hitokage's Pokéball, sighing quietly, unsure of what to make of the whole thing. What was going on between Satoshi and Hitokage? His tail lowered to the ground as he tried to make sense of it all.. was Satoshi realizing he liked Hitokage more? "Pika pi..", Pikachu said, his voice trailing off...

"Pikachu..", Satoshi's arms reached out and hugged the Pokémon gently, "You're still my best friend, you always will be.. I don't know what is happening between me and Hitokage.. but.. its different, I know that. No one could ever.. ever replace you.", he squeezed the mouse reassuringly. "ever.."

"Pika..", Pikachu replied, his voice muffled against Satoshi as he hugged him, his cheeks sparking as he nodded, trying to shake the doubts which were churning in his mind. His eyes drifted back to the Pokéball in his trainer's hand. He thought for awhile and then spoke up, "Pika pi.."

"Yeah Pikachu?", Satoshi asked, wiping his eyes with the sleeves of his pajama top.

Pikachu motioned to the Pokéball, "Pikachu pi, pi pi pika."

Satoshi nodded, realizing what Pikachu was trying to tell him. "You want to talk to him.. don't you?" Satoshi sighed quietly, unsure if that was the right choice. He knew now that he had strong feelings for Hitokage, different feelings than for any of his other Pokémon, but the possibility.. no.. the fact.. that Hitokage didn't feel the same way bore into him like acid. "You.. you can't.."

Pikachu blinked in confusion, a sigh escaping his lips. He had to talk to Hitokage. Squirming free of Satoshi's grasp, he took the Pokéball from Satoshi's hand, giving the boy a worried look before tossing it onto the ground, the ball thumping as it collided with the grass before exploding into a column of red light, blinding the two for a moment before the form of Hitokage appeared.

Satoshi opened his mind to stop him, but the second he saw the little fire Pokémon materialize before him, his protest died in his mouth. "H..ey Hitokage.. how are you feeling?"

Hitokage shook his head a few times before looking about the area, taking in his surroundings. He then turned to Satoshi and gazed at him for a few moments before nodding slowly, his muzzle turned towards the ground, "kagehito...." He glanced over at Pikachu and he politely wagged his tail in greeting before noticing the serious expressions on everyone's face, feeling his throat tighten with worry.

As Satoshi watched nervously he saw Pikachu walk up to Hitokage, taking his arm. "Pika pi pichu.", he said, taking Hitokage a few feet away, out of ear shot of Satoshi, where he proceeded to talk in a soft, mellow tone to Hitokage for awhile. Hours seemed to pass as the young trainer watched his two Pokémon and he felt helpless, unable to understand a word they were saying, even when he managed to pick up a few sounds from the conversation.

"Hito? Hitokage kage kage!", he heard Hitokage suddenly exclaim clearly, the Pokémon's voice rising considerably, his tail flame flickering higher, like it had just been fueled by bellows.

"Piiiika! Pikachu chu pi!", Pikachu replied, his voice high and cold. "Pikaaa!!!"

"Hito..!! Kahito!"

"Pikachu! Pi pi ka chupika!!"

"Hito..."

"Pi..pi.. Ka!", Pikachu hissed before it angrily lashed out its tail, only a few centimeters from Hitokage's face.

"Hito...", Hitokage said, stepping towards Pikachu and resting his small paw on the mouse's shoulder. "Hitokage kage."

Pikachu relaxed visibly at the touch, but only for a moment before his tail whipped out once more and thwapped Hitokage's arm away, his cheeks sparking in warning. "Pika!" With that he turned his gaze to Satoshi, his eyes wet and full as he tried to contain the tears welling up inside them. "Pikaa... ka...", he sobbed. "Pika pi..". With a final cry the Pokémon turned away and sped full speed into the forest, fresh tears spilling onto the ground in his wake.

"Pikachu!!", Satoshi cried, wriggling frantically out of his sleeping bag and scrambling to his feet. "Pikachu! Come back please!!", he yelled after the mouse, the Pokémon's form disappearing into the darkness of the woods. "Pikachu.. I'm.. I'm so sorry..", he called again, quieter this time, before he sunk to his knees and buried his face in his hands, his body quivering in the cold.

"Kage...", Hitokage cried in disbelief as he watched Pikachu rush off, his eyes stinging as well as he felt his trainer struggle to choke back his own grief. Only now did he fully realize how much he was intruding and damaging their relationship. He walked up to Satoshi and wrapped his paws around the crying boy's waist. The fire lizard closed his eyes and buried his face in Satoshi's shirt, confused by all the events and how he felt about them. He should never have let himself come between them.. He squeezed tighter around Satoshi as feelings of guilt tugged viciously at him.

Satoshi cried for a long time, tears wetting his face and trickling down his arms. "No... Pikachu..", he cried again and again, each time less audible until the words seemed to blur together. He hardly felt Hitokage's arms around him.

Kasumi watched Satoshi cry, his face so clearly in pain, lit up by the moonlight and the gentle flickering of Hitokage's tail. Satoshi's yelling had roused her almost instantly, unlike Takeshi, who could sleep through a hurricane if he wanted to. Her desire to rise and comfort her friend was almost overpowering but she remained silent, remaining perfectly still in her futon. Satoshi needed to be alone for awhile, they could talk in the morning, she convinced herself. She felt a feeling of helplessness wash over her as she watched. She had no idea what Satoshi was going through yet desperately wanted to help. "Why won't he tell me what's wrong?", she heard herself whisper. The girl sighed, watching Satoshi with heavy eyes.

Satoshi lay there for a long time, minutes, hours, he had no idea. When he finally looked up the first few rays of daylight could be seen filtering in through the trees, highlighting the dew drops glistening on every blade of grass and autumn leaf. He felt Hitokage's tight embrace and looked down, seeing the Pokémon was fast asleep, resting against him, his tail curled about his waist. He smiled gently, his arms curling around the Pokémon's sides and lifting him into his lap. Staring down at Hitokage, the boy felt an uncontrollable urge, finding himself leaning down and kissing the lizard gently on the forehead. "Thank you Hitokage..", he said quietly, letting the kiss drag on for a few moments before pulling back. He thought he could even see Hitokage smile. Satoshi then turned over towards his friend's futons. Pikachu's lay wrinkled and empty. Kasumi's eyes were now closed, her breathing gentle and slow as she slept and Takeshi hadn't moved an inch since the last time Satoshi checked.

Rising to his feet, Satoshi gently slipped the lightly dozing Hitokage into his own futon, tucking him into it snugly. "Hitokage..", he gently rubbed the Pokémon's cheek, trying to rouse him gently, his voice soothing and quiet, "Hitokage.."

"Kage...", Hitokage murmured groggily before one of his large blue eyes flickered open. "Hito..", the Pokémon murmured. He pulled the futon tighter around his body, happy to be in its warm confines.

"Hitokage, I'm going to go look for Pikachu.. if Takeshi and Kasumi are up before I get back, get them to stay put and not worry, I'll be back as soon as I can.. alright?", Satoshi gave the Pokémon a warm smile.

Hitokage's other eye opened, the sleepiness that enveloped his body slowly melting away. The Pokémon nodded, "Kage kagehito.."

Satoshi rose to his feet, "Thank you Hitokage.", he said. Quickly pulling off his pyjama shirt and pants, Satoshi undressed and set his sleeping clothes aside. He shivered, the faint sunlight around the camp doing little to raise the temperature as the wind stung his bare flesh. He hugged his arms to his chest. "Gosh its cold..", he muttered.

Hitokage eyes widened as he saw Satoshi undress, tearing the remnants of his grogginess from him as he began to stare at the boy's young, lithe body. He had never seen Satoshi before without his clothes and he felt a soft mrring sound start at the back of his throat which he couldn't control. He covered his mouth with his paws when he realized it was there, his cheeks beginning to burn slightly. His eyes traced slowly over the boy's tanned neck and shoulders to the developing muscles in his arms, the smooth skin of his back. He found his gaze continuing to return to the pair of white boxer shorts which were the only clothing left on the boy, somewhat stuck to him from the sweat of his restless night, the outline and curves of his firm-looking rump clearly showing. Forcing himself to peel his gaze away Hitokage turned over onto his side and buried his face in the futon, trying to convince himself he had not just been gaping at his trainer.

Satoshi failed to notice Hitokage's rapt attention, in a hurry to get dressed in the freezing air and set off into the forest, only looking back once to gaze at Hitokage, noticing his back turned to him.

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"Pikachu!!", Satoshi called, his voice hoarse and choked. "Pikachu! Please answer me!", desperation filled him as the boy turned down another fork in the dirt path cutting through the dense, nearly pitch black forest, the canopy of trees obscuring any view of the rising sun's rays. Satoshi stopped yelling for a moment, forcing back tears which racked him as he listened desperately for any sort of reply, his only reward the gentle chirping of awakening birds singing their morning songs.

"Pika---", Satoshi called again before fierce coughing racked his body and he was forced to sink to his knees, struggling to catch his breath. The icy cold air had not been blocked by the trees nearly as well as the sun had and his throat felt as dry as sand. Struggling to catch his breath the boy leaned against a tree trunk, shivering as he pulled his jacket tighter around him. He cupped his hands and placed them over his ears, struggling to keep himself warm. He closed his eyes, his entire body feeling numb and unresponsive as his mind screamed at him to get to his feet and continue searching for Pikachu. It was all his fault that he had run away, no one understood what was happening between him and Hitokage, not even himself. "Pikachu.. you're my best friend.. nothing could change that..", Satoshi sobbed quietly to himself, slowly starting to rise to his feet again, "Please come back to me.."

"Pika pi..", a small voice said, causing Satoshi's eyes to snap open, looking around frantically for the source of the sound. "Pi.. pikachu!?", he cried out, his voice echoing through the trees. "Pika..", the voice said again and Satoshi gazed downwards, nearly jumping backwards in surprise and relief to find Pikachu standing in front of him, shivering violently in the cold. "P...pikapi..."

"Pikachu!", Satoshi yelled, grabbing the Pokémon and hugging him tightly. "Oh god.. I was so worried about you..", the boy cried softly, caressing Pikachu's fur several times, making sure he wasn't imagining it. "I'm so sorry Pikachu.. please.. forgive me.."

Pikachu squeezed Satoshi gently, his teeth chattering. He pressed into his trainer gently and sighed. Being away from Satoshi only made him realize how much he had learned to depend on him and how much he cared. No matter what, even if Satoshi even returned him to a Pokéball once more, he'd stay with him. "Pika pi.."

Satoshi sighed quietly as he rubbed the Pokémon's head. He had to tell Pikachu.. it tore at his heart to know how much he was hurting him. "P..pikachu, I need to tell you the whole truth.. and.... and I want you to promise me.. promise me.. you will never tell anyone else.. alright?", his voice trembled as he finished.

The Pokémon nodded, his eyes alone giving Satoshi the assurance he needed to continue.

The boy stared at Pikachu for a very long time, replaying the events of the past few days over and over in his mind, as if disbelieving they ever happened. His body quivered violently, the thought that this was sick and wrong filling him with fear and doubt. When he finally spoke his voice cracked as tears rolled down his cheeks, "I.. think..", he swallowed, struggling to force the words out of his mouth, "I'm in love.."

------------------ Aishiteru Hitokage (Part Two - Broken Barriers)-------------------------

"You have got to be kidding me..", Takeshi frowned, digging his hand into his jean pocket and fishing around desperately for a spare Rock Badge. "No other Pokémon center requires ID! Next thing you'll tell me is that you charge for your services!"

"I'm afraid that is also true sir. As the only Pokémon center within at least 100 miles we need the money to maintain our business. It isn't much, simply 100 yen per treated Pokémon and 500 per night in our trainer guest rooms.", the young man bowed somewhat apologetically as Takeshi produced the badge. "Ah, you're the gym leader from Nibi City aren't you?"

Takeshi frowned, "That's exactly what I've been TRYING to tell you!"

"Gomen..", the man said quickly. "And your two friends.. who are they?"

"I'm Kasumi from Hanada gym.", she flashed her sea-blue Cyan badge and then motioned to Satoshi, who was staring blankly at a billboard near the entrance. She could tell at a glance that he wasn't read the ads however. "And this is Satoshi, a Pokémon trainer."

At the sound of his name the boy looked up, meeting the blue eyes of the man. "Yes, that's right.", he produced his Pokédex which immediately chimed in a mechanical voice, "I am Pojodextaa, a Pokédex programmed for trainer Satoshi from Masara Town."

"That will do. Please, come with me.", without a second glance the man turned on his heels and led the three into the lobby, which was substantially less crowded than most they were used to. Only a few trainers lay sprawled out on the couches, most looking as pensive and blank as Satoshi was. The only sound was of a pen working on paper, coming from the reception desk where the ever-familiar member of the Joi family glancing up to greet the new guests. "Ah, irrashaimase Pokémon trainers. Welcome to Otsutaka Pokémon Center."

"Thanks.", the three replied in unison. "Our Pokémon are fine, but we could use a place to rest."

The woman smiled, pointing her pen in the direction of a dimly lit hallway behind her, "Just follow Tatsume, he will find you some comfortable rooms for you to stay in. Please make yourselves comfortable here." With that she returned her gaze to the stack of forms she had been filling out and begin whistling some foreign tune.

"Exactly where are we Takeshi? This looks like the middle of nowhere! It can't possibly be the only ferry with a route down to the island!", Kasumi grumbled. Everything about the place looked foreign.

Takeshi cleared his throat, his eyes having been glazed over as he had watched the smooth curves of yet another perfect Joi twin. "Uhh... well.. yeah.. I know it does seem like the middle of nowhere, but I checked the map. Otsutaka is the only place besides Fuchsia city which will bring us there. And unless you want to spend another three weeks hiking over there I think this is the best plan. Besides, we'll have plenty of time to get used to it. The next boat doesn't leave for a few days."

Kasumi sighed, "You're right.. I just hope there is something to do in this place though, it seems so quiet."

Takeshi laughed, "Most cities are in the middle of the night don't you think?"

"That's not what I mean and you know it!", Kasumi snapped.

Satoshi followed the two silently, stopping only for a moment when he heard a small "Pii..". Pikachu was so quiet that for a moment he forgot completely about the fact that he was perched on his shoulder. Both were lost in their own thoughts about recent events. After they had returned to the campsite that morning they had pretended nothing had ever happened. Satoshi could only hope that Pikachu understood the different kind of love that existed between him and Hitokage. Sighing, he lowered his cap and picked up the pace, realizing he was lagging behind. He felt the small bump in his pocket, Hitokage's Pokéball. "What am I saying..?", he thought.

Suddenly he felt something hard smash into his face and the next thing he knew he was flat on his back, dazed.

"Satoshi! Hey, are you alright? What's the matter with you lately?", Takeshi grumbled, extending a hand to help Satoshi to his feet. "First you say hardly three words in half a week and now you're walking into walls! Are you feeling sick or something?"

Satoshi rubbed his nose, gazing at the blatantly obvious wall he had just collided with. "No.. I'm fine really. Sorry about that."

"Hey, don't apologize to me. It's your nose.", with that, Takeshi turned and continued down the hall towards the room they had been given, Kasumi following, but not before giving Satoshi a long, hard glance, "Satoshi.."

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There would be no sleep tonight. Again.. He knew that before his head hit the pillow. Yet, he still tried, laying with eyes wide open towards what he knew was the ceiling, listening to the sounds of Pikachu breathing next to him. He wondered if he was awake as well. This was perhaps the fourth day he had been deprived of a somewhat decent rest and this night was the blackest he could remember, so dark that not even shadows could survive. Despite it all, he felt wide awake. Growing weary of lying still his fingers fumbled in the darkness for his jeans and he slowly sat up in the small, uncomfortable bad, groaning softly.

Pikachu stirred at this, raising his head to look up at his trainer. One look at Satoshi's eyes through the darkness caused him to smile gently and nod in silent understanding before he closed his eyes once more and settled back into his pillow. Satoshi rubbed Pikachu's furry cheek, "Thank you Pikachu."

After a few stubbed toes and shuffles in the darkness he was fully dressed. As he headed out the door he once again felt the pressure of the Pokéball in his jean pocket. He contemplated for a moment, wondering if he truly wanted to be alone or not. The thought was quickly dismissed however and he slipped out of the room without another word.

Creeping silently through the empty halls of the Pokémon center, Satoshi felt a chill he had not felt before, a chill which he felt right down to the bone. Bringing his jacket closer around him did not help and he quickened his pace, hoping the activity would warm him. As he entered the lobby he glanced at the reception desk, deserted at this hour. He strained for any distant sound, but all he heard was the muffled chirp of crickets. Satisfied he was alone he settled into one of the nearby leather couches and sunk into it, letting out a long-held sigh. He let his thoughts travel in various directions, without true direction or meaning. His heart soon began to ache, the kind of ache you feel when you're hungry or thirsty, but he knew that the feeling would never be satiated by any of these things. It was love. He knew it was, but he did not know how or why nature would pull such a cruel trick upon him. To fall in love with a Pokémon, a male Pokémon no less. He buried his face in his hands, feeling tears begin to form, letting them fall freely, slipping through the spaces between his fingers. He debated with himself, only feeling more and more confused as a result. He had never heard of such relationships occuring.. but if it felt right, how was it wrong? How could love ever be wrong? Why did it matter whom it was with? Male, female, human, Pokémon. It shouldn't.. but if this was the case then why did he feel so guilty?

Time passed ever so slowly for him, his mind toying with him, giving him relevations he had not thought of before, only to snatch them away at the moment of realization. When he glanced up the world around him had not changed. The silence seemed only deeper, more penetrating, and the blackness threatened to swallow him up completely. A stabbing feeling of loneliness penetrated him to the core. He looked longingly in the direction of the hallway back to his room, but a sudden, before unknown fear held him fast.

Almost instinctively he fished out Hitokage's Pokéball and enlarged it. Without a second thought he let it fall with a 'click' on the couch and spring open, revealing Hitokage's sleeping form, who continued his rest as if nothing had ever disturbed it. His heart sunk, only now realizing that any Pokémon would be asleep at this hour. He contemplated returning Hitokage to his Pokéball but as his eyes caught the flickering yellow flames dancing in the darkness of the room, he noticed how much better he felt with that pleasant light nearby. All feelings of loneliness vanished, like clouds parting after a storm. He smiled to himself, and leaned back on the large couch, his hands wrapping around the Pokémon and holding him tight to his body, amazed by the warmth, every numb bone and muscle filling with renewed strength. He rested his head against Hitokage's, feeling his soft scales and realized he felt totally at peace with himself now, never so content had he ever been for as long as he could remember during the long journey his friends had begun. He felt a tear escape from his eyes and he relished it, watching it begin its decent down along the smooth orange head of the Pokémon and work its way down to Hitokage's lips.

Then he moved. Slowly his lips worked on the new moisture and as he became more aware he stirred against Satoshi's chest, feeling the tight embrace encircling him. "Kaagee..", he murmured, a smile lighting his face. The trainer couldn't surpress a blush of embarrassment, watching those large, beautiful eyes slowly open, blinking in the darkness he had become accustomed to in his Pokéball. He grew aware of his surroundings, his tail raising up and swishing lazily in the air, almost testing it, stray flames soaring from its tip only to vanish in the cool night air. He squirmed slightly in Satoshi's arms, feeling them loosen almost immediately and he stretched, an adorable, lazy yawn cutting through the intense silence. Satoshi felt his heart sting again, but out of pure joy and he pressed his mouth against the Pokémon's forehead, his tongue tickling his scales. Suddenly he gasped. Hitokage had turned about and was now staring directly at him, his eyes raised questioningly and his smile cut slightly short. "Kage?", he blinked, making sure what he was seeing and feeling was reality.

Blood rushed into Satoshi's face and he stammered, his embrace going totally lax. "Hitokage! I'm sorry.. I..didn't mean to... It was just a....", his words stopped, his mind froze. Two small paws slowly wrapped around his chest, two tiny hands coming together in a warm hug only a Pokémon could give. Hitokage sighed happily, enjoying the touch as Satoshi did. The human's eyes shined with wonder as he once again brought the Pokémon close, the two appearing as one for a few fleeting moments, enjoying each other's touch, and company.

Satoshi's heart began to pound with excitement and fear at what he was doing. His blood felt like it would pump out of his skin as he held Hitokage in his arms. Finally, inevitably, their eyes met and both were caught in a magnetic stare. Satoshi tried to pull away, but the pools of soft green in Hitokage's eyes held him fast. Hitokage's legs felt weak as he stared into his trainer's face, noticing details about it he had never seen before, feeling the sudden urge to do something he could never have dreamed of doing. He tried to shake it off, but it only grew inside him until it became too much to ignore. Closer and closer they moved, drawn by an unseen force, their embrace growing tighter and tighter in confused anticipation of what was to come. Then, finally, they kissed. A small one, but another followed, and then another.. and another..

It was then that Satoshi knew there was no going back. Lifting Hitokage partly off of his lap he tilted his head forward, his hand sliding upwards to cradle the Pokémon's head. The feel of the small Hitokage's breath and mouth against his own drove him wild, every doubt and worry he ever had fading from his mind in one glorious instant as he entered a pure blissful, indescribable state of mind. The kiss continued for what seemed like forever, until Satoshi's eyes widened in shock as a smooth, wonderfully warm tongue slid its way between the boy's parted lips, moving into his mouth. "Kaaageee..", he heard the Pokémon faintly murmur, and he immediately accepted the offering, his own tongue slipping forward to meet it, encircling it, binding them together in passion.

All conscious thought was lost for an indeterminate amount of time, both human and Pokémon unable to break the quiet expression of love between them. Finally, Satoshi decided to take things a tentative step forward, his arms beginning to move smoothly along Hitokage's back, caressing every small scale on his back, absorbing the heat which constantly radiated from his lover's body, before Satoshi's fingertips met with the base of the tail, the flame now flickering with a light and excitement never seen to him before. Hitokage let out a small gasp, a once unknown wave of gentle pleasure washing over him, his tail twitching slightly as he held himself tight against Satoshi's mouth. He let his eyes drop for a moment, his mind racing to seek an explanation to what he was doing. His instincts told him this was good, and for now they won out, all negative thoughts surpressed as a contented sigh escaped his mouth. Satoshi smiled at the Pokémon's approval and began to move up the tail with his finger tips, tickling all the way up its length, amazed at how it seemed to pulse with a life all its own. The stimulation caused the small Pokémon to shudder, a strange pressure beginning to well up in his groin. He tried to stop it, control it, but the feeling only grew stronger as blood began to pump into the small sheath pressed against Satoshi's chest, causing it to swell noticeably, tender nerves becoming exposed, only heightening the wonderful feeling.

Hitokage broke the kiss, gazing downwards to watch his cock as it emerged from his sheath, pink and aroused, soon pressing up against Satoshi's belly. Satoshi's eyes became transfixed as his gaze caught the Pokémon's erection throbbing against his belly and as his hands continued to caress upwards, and unknowingly they soon began to rest at the very tip of his Pokémon's tail, engulfed by Hitokage's rapidly flickering flames. The feeling was electric, Satoshi's entire body seeming to light up, every pore becoming a conduit to the life spewing from the tail. Finally it became too much for the boy to bear and he released the Pokémon, causing him to tumble backwards onto the soft couch, just as astonished as he was.

Hitokage rose to a sitting position, his breath coming in rapid pants as the hardness between his legs began to throb more forcefully, longing for the closeness it had felt just moments before. This urge was also new to the Pokémon but all he knew was that he wanted more, his tail flame now so strong it seemed to cause the entire room around them to glow, in what was once utter darkness. The same feeling he had felt the other night returned to him, just as the hardness had moments before. Satoshi continued to stare, until the pause caused him to realize his own urgency, his jeans tenting painfully in his boxers. Without a word he got to his feet and smiled down at Hitokage, his mind in a cloudy daze of excitement and adoration as he quickly let his jacket fall to the floor, followed by his jeans and his hat. As Satoshi undressed Hitokage watched eagerly, his eyes drifting down to the hard bulge in the boxer's that could only be his trainer's boyhood. Satoshi's t-shirt was the next to come off, his hairless, well-developed chest coming into view, looking pale and soft in the glow on the room. Finally, he hooked his thumbs into his boxer's and pulled them off, letting them slip down his legs, allowing him to step out of them. Hitokage's eyes sparkled as he was finally free to admire Satoshi's entire form, perfectly shaped and beautiful. The boy's penis slapped gently against his belly as it stood, fully erect at a good five inches in length, his foreskin pulled back to expose the bright purple cock head underneath, already moist from the feeling of the air around it. His smooth, also hairless scrotum lay below it, swaying gently in the still air, the two packages inside looking heavier than usual, just as excited as the rest of him.

Satoshi slowly slipped back onto the couch, his back resting gently against the arm rest of the couch as his hands slipped forward between the Pokémon's arms, lifting Hitokage back onto his lap. The Pokémon stared up at Satoshi, the soft skin against his scales making him feel more comfortable than he had ever felt before, and he resumed his embrace, his muzzle pressed against Satoshi's chest, "Kaaaage...", he sighed. Satoshi lay there for a few moments, watching him before he resumed his caresses down Hitokage's back and then down his sides, scritching them gently, faint giggles being heard from his Pokémon. Allowing himself to grow more bold, he took a deep breath and moved further inwards, allowing him to finally touch again what he had wanted to for the longest time. Hitokage cried out softly, his cock seeming to jump at the touch, pure awe filling the Pokémon's mind, never having known before how much pleasure it could give him. He squeezed Satoshi tighter, wishing that his trainer would never stop. And Satoshi didn't, moving slowly and cautiously at first, admiring the cute organ as it shook with each stroke, the pink cock becoming a soft red as his fingers coiled about it, wrapping around the shaft.

Hitokage thrusted his hips gently, pressing his erection deeper into Satoshi's palm, a wonderful pressure beginning to grow deep within him, strongest in his groin, his vision becoming blurred with colors, soft, happy cries coming from his lips. Satoshi began to pump the small, immature cock slowly, letting the unfurled sheath move up partly up the shaft only to slide back downwards as a rhythm was established, the cocktip beginning to swell larger as he continued, each thrust bringing the Pokémon closer to what he could only perceive as his goal, the height of his pleasure. As Satoshi began to pleasure the Pokémon quicker, he could sense that his lover was approaching a climax, a transparent drop of liquid forming at the cock's tip, the small, pale orange ballsac underneath drawing into itself. At the sudden wetness Hitokage moaned loudly, hardly able to believe how good he felt, the feel of the hot precum only causing more to begin to form, the flow of pleasure becoming an avalanche, his paws gripping to Satoshi now frantically, unable to comprehend how much farther he could be pushed. Satoshi's hands became a blur now, pumping, caressing and stroking the swollen, slick penis, delighted at how he could pleasure his Pokémon, his own cock gorged with the lack of stimulation, leaking its juices all over his shaft. Hitokage soon became alarmed, now teetering at the edge of orgasm, his forehead slick with sweat as he hung onto Satoshi for all he was worth, his hips bucking hard into Satoshi's palms.

Finally, with a high, shrill cry he arched his back, pushed over the edge by a final thrust and his mind was thrust into pure, unrestrained ecstasy, his eyes sliding shut. His virgin cock pulsed with pleasure, no longer feeling like part of his body as a smooth, hot spurts of sticky cum erupted from his cocktip, splattering all over Satoshi's fingers and onto his belly. That first, powerful shot was followed by another, and another, a cascade of seed and growing pleasure, his cock never stopping its twitching and Satoshi never stopping his ministrations long after the flow trickled to a few stray drops, which dripped down the shaft slowly, down onto his thighs. Hitokage finally felt the incredible sensation fade away, leaving him with a pleasant feeling of fulfillment, his entire body seeming to be effused with a soft afterglow, the pressure in his groin vanishing, allowing his penis to soften slowly, spent. He collapsed, exhausted, every muscle feeling weak and overused, and he gasped for breath, trying to recover from what he thought was simply the greatest feeling he had ever had in his entire life. Satoshi watched, a bright smile on his face as he reluctantly released the softening cock, allowing it to slip back into its protective sheath. The boy delighted in the feel of the cum all over his chest and fingers, wonderfully hot and creamy against his skin. While waiting for his lover to recuperate he brought his hand to his face and out of curiosity licked some of the sticky mixture into his mouth. As the musky, sweet nectar flowed down his throat, he knew almost immediately that he loved it, and wanted to have more. He quickly began to lick his fingers totally clean, catching every droplet, tasting the very first cum Hitokage had to offer.

Finally Hitokage's breathing began to return to normal and he lay back, his own belly slightly drenched with his juices. He stared at it in amazement, and then his sheath, at first unable to comprehend what had just happened. As it began to register as reality he smiled to himself, knowing that nothing which felt so completely wonderful could be wrong. Suddenly he realized something hard pressed against his back and he turned around, coming face to face with the still completely onix-hard cock of Satoshi, begging for attention. Blushing, he gazed up at Satoshi, who had finished his snack and was staring deep into his eyes, and smiled, knowing that he too, had to help his new lover as well. Turning completely about he faced the engorged organ and felt the dizzying musk and scent of the boycock fill his nostrils, causing another instinctive desire to fill him which Satoshi never expected. Tilting his head forward the Pokémon took another deep whiff before opening his mouth and ever so gently extending his tongue, running it along the length of the boy's shaft. That was all it took to cause Satoshi to groan under his breath, his body shaking at the warm, moist touch of Hitokage's tongue. That one lick quickly grew into many more, as the taste of the precum only excited Hitokage further, before he finally wrapped his paws firmly around the shaft and swallowed the boy's cocktip whole, his lips pressing tightly around it.

Satoshi's eyes widened and he cried out happily, his cock on fire as it throbbed and pulsed thickly in Hitokage's mouth. Unable to control himself his hands shakily gripped Hitokage's sides as he rocked his hips back and forth, letting another inch of his cock disappear into the lizard's mouth. Hitokage began to suckle eagerly, nursing on the cock like an expert, everything coming naturally to him, his tongue moving up and down the shaft, swirling around the deliciously warm and swollen cockhead, his paws rubbing the shaft briskly. Satoshi no longer felt anything but the hot warm mouth around his member as he thrusted a few final times before he knew his release was about to happen and that nothing could stop it. He tried to yell out a warning but all that came was another moan of ecstasy, every muscle in his body tightening up. Hitokage could sense the tension but refused to stop, eager to have Satoshi cum deep into his mouth, his tail swishing from to side rapidly, causing flames to soar in every direction as his jaws worked powerfully on Satoshi's hard rod.

The boy groaned and lifted himself off the floor, nearly screaming as his cock quivered and then exploded with his cum, flowing like a river into Hitokage's mouth, rapidly filling it, causing streams of it to flow out the Pokémon's mouth. Hitokage gurgled slightly in surprise at the tremendous flow but redoubled his efforts, finally allowing the liquid to rapidly flow down his throat, the taste and scent and smell overriding his senses, causing him to milk Satoshi's sac dry, not stopping until the last of the boy's load was in his stomach. Satoshi gasped, his penis now sensitive and empty, and his body nearly fell forward before he managed to weakly catch himself with his hands. He then slowed his approach, settling gently on the couch next to Hitokage, his eyes tightly closed as his breathing slowed, his cock also going limp in the lizard's mouth. Finished, the Pokémon flicked the softening shaft in his mouth around for a few more moments before letting it slip free from his mouth. He then turned about to face his exhausted trainer and slid up next to him, a bright smile on his face. Finally Satoshi's flickered open once more and he quickly embraced Hitokage tightly, kissing him again and again on the lips and down his neck. Hitokage didn't make a move, savoring every touch and returning them as best he could, his paws sliding smoothly over Satoshi's back. "I love you.. Hitokage... thank you so much..", Satoshi cried softly, a joyful tear rolling down his cheek and depositing itself on Hitokage's muzzle. "Hito..", the Pokémon replied, knowing he felt the same way. Satoshi and Hitokage lay tightly embraced in each other's arms, knowing nothing more needed to be said and before long were asleep, their love making finished.

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Kasumi put a hand to her face and nearly doubled over at the scene before her in the Pokémon Center lounge. Already a crowd was forming.

"Oh.. my.. god.."

TO BE CONTINUED...