VIDEO🍃

[punches]

[ Life's full of unexpected bumps along the way, but one Sakura never could plan for was a return to this place. Well, the return was a few hours ago. Upon recognizing "MOM" and being shoved out for her "brand new Pokemon journey", she wasted no time in New Bark Town. The PokeGear had no record of her previous messages, but she did recall the last time she spoke to someone was during October which meant the current month of "February" was distressing enough on it's own. Her partner was significantly weaker and didn't recognize her either so it was likely the Happiny was an entirely different Pokemon. With this evidence before her, it was deductive reasoning that drew her to the conclusion that she had left, but hadn't left. There were no new memories of home, so it wasn't as if she slept into one of those memory comas, but people rarely disappear for months without explanation.

She's already flipped through the contact list, but it was late at night when she arrived, so she opted out of making any messages for now. So many of the names she knew should have been on that list were absent and the ones that were there wouldn't have abandoned her if she fell into a coma which only further validated the conclusion she left. Maybe this was like that time with Kushina, when she left and came back right away without memories? Sakura's witnessed it, but she remembers her time in Johto well.

(Or as well as someone who has been asleep for several months could be)

When the sun begins to light up the path of Route 29, the young woman takes a break to watch it from high up in a tree with Happiny in her lap. Before she had trouble bonding with Pokemon, but today she felt the attachment stronger than before. If she's come back with her memories, there must be cause for it, and she's not willing to let it be a waste this time. When she's done and about ready to start back up, she finally sends a text message to everyone who she recognizes on the contact list:

I'm back. Remember everything from before. Going to make a public message soon.

Once that's done, she flips the PokeGear on for a video message. That's about much warning she'll give her comrades before she addresses everyone else. ]

Hey guys. [ Casually spoken as she leans back against the trunk of the tree, Happiny perking up with her own noises as a greeting. ] Guess I get to start all over now that I'm here again, but that's all right. A minor setback like this never really hurt anyone and besides, I've already started by giving this one here a name.

[ Which is far better than she did last time. ] Hatsumi. [ To which the Pokemon's eyes light up at recognition with the spoken name. ] Settle down please, this branch can only support so much weight.

[ Probably an unwise idea to take a Pokemon that heavy up into a tree along with her own weight, but it was to show her the sunrise better as well as to collect her own thoughts. ]

I don't think there's many good Pokemon down this route, so I'll probably pick up a job where I can so I can buy a couple of additional ones. That's what trainers do, isn't it? Despite remembering everything, I'll admit I didn't give it my full attention. There were some Pokemon I was interested in picking up so if someone in good faith is selling eggs or wants to trade for something I can capture here, let me know.

So that's how it is. Anyone want to fill me in while I start my journey back up? I've got a lot of ground to cover so try to not mind it.

Comments

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[believeit]

[He got the text message and after realising who it was from, Naruto wasted no time switching on the video recorder and replying to it.]

Sakura-chan!! You're back!

[There's a smile- it's been shitty few days but this is some good news that he needed.]

Do you really remember everything? Where are you, New Bark again? What about your Pokemon? I've still got Bubblegum with me y'know!

[He pauses finally, needing to actually breathe after babbling so much.]

...I can come pick you up.

[punches]

[ It doesn't get old seeing him. Surprising since a couple years ago, she used to be annoyed by his constant enthusiasm where now she finds it difficult to be away from it. ]

My Pokemon weren't returned to me. [ An apologetic look crosses her face. ] I'd feel pretty bad if you came back all the way for me--where are you anyway? It can't take that long for me to catch up.

[ Right? Hahahahaa... ]

[believeit]

I'm in Ecruteak with Dad-- it'll only take me a few hours to come find you, if you want.

[Leaving the choice up to her, but it would be really good to see her again, in person.]

Everyone else has left. Dad's still here, and Tenten, but.. [His Mom, Sasuke.. Itachi just left for the second time..]

[punches]

--but Sasuke isn't. [ She's quick to say that. ]

As well as a few others. [ Frowning, she doesn't have the heart to mention Kushina to her son. Not yet, at least. ] A lot must have happened while I was gone...

[ As much as she wants to prove herself capable of making it to Naruto on her own, she knows with her current team make-up that it'd take her weeks to make it there on her own. Would he feel better if she was there in person? It's a strange thing to think about, making Naruto comfortable, but in the end she can't help it. ]

Yeah, you'll tell me all about it in person?

[believeit]

..Yeah. He left a few months ago..

[There isn't much else he can say to that, nothing important anyway. People have been coming and going constantly ever since she left.]

'Course I will. Where are you exactly? I'm gonna leave in just a minute.

[punches]

[ Thinking. It must have been long enough since he's not making a big deal out of it, but she'll still be concerned over the matter. ]

I'm on Route 29. [ Obviously. ] Decided to take a break to make a call to settle in, but I'll be back on my way soon. Did we want to meet up at the city or would it be better if I just hung around here?

[believeit]

It's gonna take a while, just go back to the city later, yeah? I'll call you when I'm close.

[punches]

Okay, I'll see if I can find any neat Pokemon on the way then.

[ Resting her head against the tree's trunk. ] Hey Naruto, have you fallen into any more of those deep sleeps?

(Video)

[bestofthebest]

(She wouldn't remember the girl who suddenly appears on her screen, since she never met her before today, but the rainbow-colored hair would stand out.)

What do you need to know? I've been here over a year, but even I run into some new stuff now and then! Hehe, name's Rainbow Dash!

[punches]

[ That hair is certainly something. She's taken aback by it, but quickly recovers enough to answer the question. ]

Everything? [ Nervously laughing. ] No, it's not that bad, Rainbow Dash.

Maybe remembering how to introduce myself would be a good start. I'm Sakura and I already introduced Hatsumi.

[bestofthebest]

(Rainbow blinks for a moment at Sakura's response before laughing with her.) Hehehe, glad to hear it! I've heard everypony forgets what happens when they go away and come back but I also heard they can remember things too.

Nice to meet you, Sakura! Actually...!

(A Pokéball opens and out comes a Lucario, who notices Sakura on the screen and seems to recognize her.)

...I got a Pokémon named Sakura, too! She wasn't mine at first, but when someone I considered a rival went home -even if we never got to have a battle- I got two of his partners.

[punches]

[ A Lucario? She stares at the Pokemon in disbelief for a moment, as if trying to make sense of what she's been told. It must have belonged to someone who knew her... Sasuke? ]

So that's how it is. [ Bittersweet in a way. She suspects that his time here would do nothing for the events back home, but she felt more at ease than anything that he had been given a good life away from Konoha. ] I hope she does both of you proud.

[ Two of his partners is pretty lucky for a rival. ] Well, I guess I'll have to make it up to you in his absence sometime. I'd offer right now, but it wouldn't be much of a challenge.

[bestofthebest]

Ha, thanks! Thinking about having her participate in a Gym battle soon, but gotta figure out which one would be the best choice. (She's pretty sure Sakura knows Sasuke, but best not to pry and ask. They only just met, after all.)

Hehe, probably not. I've got 7 badges, and nearly all of my 'Mons are really high levels. I'll get some new partners soon, and we can have a battle then!

[punches]

[ Never bring up Sasuke on the first conversation. Sakura's all smiles, but there's something distant in the way she looks down at the PokeGear, as if she's trying to mentally push herself away from this conversation personally. ]

I'd be up for it. That sort of thing is good in the end--a newbie can see something you may have overlooked in training your Pokemon and a rookie could learn from an experienced trainer. A battle that would benefit us both, I'd hope at least.

[ Seven badges. ] You've almost defeated one of the regions then, right?

[bestofthebest]

Sure! You should meet one of my friends, Twilight. She'd totally be up for teaching new trainers and at the same time, you can check out anything she might've overlooked.

(She nods, blushing a bit since she knew she didn't accomplish it alone.) Yeah! I didn't do it alone though. I had help from my friends and my Pokemon! Wouldn't mind seeing your future battles someday, too.

[punches]

It's still incredible progress.

[ Maybe she can record one of her own battles? Isn't that something she's seen happened on the PokeGear before several times? She's not sure how she'll do it, but the gears are turning now. ]

Twilight? I'll keep her in mind. [ A nod to ensure the promise. ]

As for future battles, we'll have to see. Hatsumi just might be camera shy.

Video;

[buckyouup]

[Oh hey it's that pink-haired ninja girl. AJ vaguely remembers talking with her on a few occasions. Friends with Naruto and Tenten, she thinks.]

Well, I'd welcome y'back, but I ain't exactly sure if you wanna be here or not.

[punches]

There's stuff I need to do back home, but I don't mind being here so long as I can return eventually do what needs to be done.

[ Optimistic as ever, Sakura's not going to make a big deal out of being brought back to the world of Pokemon. ]

How have you been? It's been a few months, hasn't it?

[buckyouup]

I reckon we've all got stuff t'go back to, but it's nice t'have you back, at least.

[AJ needs a bit more optimism lately, with all the insanity going on.]

I'm doin' alright. Just been tryin' t'keep myself occupied lately. How 'bout yourself?

[punches]

[ That comforts her a bit. It's always nice to be wanted and welcomed back so it can't be helped. ]

Occupied lately? You've got stuff on your mind or has there been a lot of action since I passed out for a while?

Wish I had more to tell you, but I haven't gone back home. I just... somehow stopped existing? Is that the best way to put it?

[buckyouup]

[Well the whole "stop existing" thing is... unsettling, to say the least.]

Some nutcase tried t'blow up Olivine not too long ago. Then some weird slime monsters practically rained from the sky.

[punches]

Are the two incidents related or-?

[ Blow up an entire city? What was going on here? ] Is there a war?

[buckyouup]

S'much of a war as there's ever been, I reckon. Team Rocket's always up t'their tricks. Or at least I think this guy's with them. There's some crazy folks in this world, but most of the violent crazies seem t'flock with them.

[video]

[aflashoffaith]

I'm not sure if 'Welcome Back' is an appropriate thing to say considering, but it's nice to see you again, Sakura.

[Briefings he could do, and though he'd heard Naruto babbling to his teammate before packing and running off he assumed Sakura probably still had questions.

Sorry kiddo. Dad just knows how getting info from an Uzumaki usually goes.]

[punches]

[ It's terrible to be honest. He rambled on about a bunch of stuff, but not much of it was entirely helpful. ]

I don't mind being here as much as I did before. [ Meaning it was all right to welcome her back. Being alongside Naruto and knowing that no matter what the war was going to happen with or without her knowledge of it eased her mind a bit. At least for now she has bigger things to concern herself with other than a war she's a few weeks (months?) behind. ] So thank you.

I was told there was a big threat where someone tried to blow up Olivine. Do you have any information related to that?