Captured

Clubhouse Crisis

Sapphire~

"-And you must call me before you want to leave the house," my dad said, picking his travel bag up off the floor in the entry way.

"Even for- er, field studies?" I asked, trying not to sound panicked.

"Well, I suppose that's fine. But no going outside Littleroot city limits, young lady," he added, trying to sound stern.

"Thanks a lot, Dad!" I hugged him, relieved. I didn't need anythin' outside city limits anyways.

"I'm going to miss you, Sapphire." His eyes looked worried again as he said, "Remember to call me-"

"Once a day," I recited. "And lock up the lab, and no sleepovers, and no battlin' anything bigger than Rono."

He looked a little embarrassed. "I really should stop harping on you. It's just been a while since I've had to leave you on your own for so long..."

"I'm not on my own! I got Ruby, and Torri, and lotsa neighbors willin' to help out if I need 'em. You don't hafta worry, Dad. Go have fun with yer scientist friends."

"I'll certainly try! But Oak sounded mighty serious this time around... never you mind. I'll be off now!"

"'Bye, Dad! Be safe!" I waved vigorously as he stepped out the door.

"Oh, heavens, I'm going to be late!" he exclaimed, probably just noticing. He started running- or, at least, what he thought was a run, which was probably more of a clumsy jog to anyone else.

I watched until he made it safely down the street, then turned to the forest behind my house.

"Well, Dad, yer not the only one with places t' be!" I said, purposefully so he didn't hear.

I looked back, towards Ruby's house, and saw that the shutters on one of the front windows were halfway down. That was the signal.

Coast is clear! I thought triumphantly, glad Ruby had been able to get away too.

I made my way through the familiar path to our hideout, using the trees instead of the ground. The foliage was green and untamed, and there were lotsa wild pokemon, but I didn't mind them at all. Low leveled, the lot of 'em, and no match for my team!

Ruby was probably waiting there for me already, which made me climb and leap from tree to tree even faster than I usually did.

Maybe I was just excited to see him. I mean, he'd become my first best friend- of course I was excited to see him!

There wasn't hardly any tension anymore, thankfully. I had mostly gotten used to the fact that he ignored our confessions from last year; apparently he didn't like to talk about it, which I guess was fine with me.

It still hurt a bit sometimes, though, especially when I couldn't stop myself from dreamin'-

I shook off that train of thought. Bein' best friends was one of my favorite things about my life, even if sometimes my face felt like it was on fire. Still, I'd rather hang out with him than anyone else in Hoenn, maybe even the entire world!

Which was why I wanted to get to our meeting place as quick as I could.

I was almost to the entrance when I spotted a vine that was absolutely perfect for a swing shot. Nevermind that most everyone I knew told me I should stop doing that sorta thing- it's not like they coulda stopped me.

"Geronimo!" I yelled, using the vine to propel me into the entrance of the mostly well-hidden cave.

I landed with knees bent, rolling forward to lose some of the speed that probably woulda injured my legs.