SatoSere - Where the Sakura Blooms

Summer Haze

Kanto Region
Oak Ranch, Pallet Town
April 15, 1995

A week had passed since Serena had met Ash and the two quickly became best friends, much to the joy of the adults. It seems that their mothers - Delia and Grace - also began their own friendship, they were happy that their children were getting along greatly.

Of course, Grace didn't like Gary and how he treated her daughter and would often commend Ash for helping Serena from being too hurt from the other boy. Grace had agree to stay in Kanto for three months, not wanting to take her daughter away from the friends she has made in the small town too soon. Leaf would often sit with Ash and Serena and converse with them about something or other. The three would avoid Gary most of the time, the boy needed to learn some humility.

Delia smiled as she gave her friend a glass of lemonade, "So have you told her yet?"

"I have. She wasn't too happy about it, but understood that we have to go back. Kalos is our home after all. But Kanto and Pallet Town has become a second home to us these past week it'll be hard to leave. I am trying to get her into Ryhorn racing, but she's not too thrilled with it." Grace says smiling fondly at her blonde daughter who ran around with her two friends.

Delia laughs at this, "The best thing you could to is to let her find out what she wants for herself. Don't force her to go into something she'll end up resenting you for. You can teach her the skills but don't push her into the sport."

As the mothers talked the children are sat under a tree playing with the wild Pokemon going around them. Ash was playing with Poliwag that lead him to Serena all those days ago. Serena and Leaf were talking while playing with two newly hatched Eevee.

"I'm sorry about Gary. I swear the boy needs a good talking to! His parents and Professor Oak try to keep him in check, and so does Daisy. One day all of his ego is gonna get him in trouble, he won't have anywhere to run. And Ash is the mere opposite! I mean sure he can have his egotistical movement but it isn't as bad as Gary's , at least it doesn't put us off of being his friends." Leaf says smiling at her blond friend.

Serena smile back and nods, "He's so kind and helpful! He is really considerate of other's feelings. I like him."

"I've kind of figured that out Sere. You've been glued to his side since he brought you back from the forest! I think he's noticed some of your actions towards him but isn't sure what to make of it." The brown haired girl says looking at her other best friend.

Leaf Green was an observant girl, she had noticed Ash's short gazes towards Serena. Ash who always seemed to be shy around girls somehow found courage to finally reach out to one. She was thankful that it was Serena who he chose to reach out to.

For someone so young, Leaf was a hopeless romantic at heart, blame it on the fairy tales people!

"I wonder..." Leaf mumbled looking at her two best friends.

While she and Ash had expressed their dreams to their honey blond friend, said girl still didn't know what to do in her life. Of course, it was Ash who said that Serena will find her purpose sooner or later and will achieve it. Ash's optimism wasn't due to wishful thinking, no, it was really his ingrained determination that brought it out. It's what made most people gravitate to him, Leaf felt like when he would start his journey he would find a group of like minded people and Pokemon that will help him achieve his dream.

"Hey! Are you two alright? You seem to be thinking really hard about something..." Ash says calling to the two girls as he walked towards them carrying the baby blue Pokemon.

Serena smiled and shook her head, "Nothing much we were just talking about somethings. Ash?"

His name came out of the Kalos native's mouth like an inquiry, Leaf was wondering if she'd tell him about her moving back two years from now.