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Jurik sneezed waking up, shaking his head and getting to his feet. "Ugh" he grumbled, stretching out his body. He was annoyed to see and hear the guild members all crowding and praising Himiko. He rolled his eyes as he licked his paw, rubbing it against his face. Jurik flinched at Aaron's anger and took his place beside Himiko while the guild recited the anthem. Ming briefed them on their assignment. It didn't sound too bad, they had to tour the town and pick up supplies for the guild. Ming passed them the list and the team left the guild. Outside, Jurik was met with the sight of Fiona, and couldn't help daydreaming again, a slow motion display of her shaking her head, flipping her beautiful hair while she talked to Himiko, before leaving into the guild. And then Himiko threw up. "Agh! Gross! What the hell!?" Jurik exclaimed backing off and following Himiko into town.

Jurik was walking alongside Himiko as they entered Treasure Town. There were many homes built out of multiple materials in many ways, from wooden beaver dams to dirt mounds and formed stone. Oddly enough, some of the houses and stores were shaped and colored like the heads of various Pokemon. "Wow! This place is a lot bigger than home eh?" Jurik asked making small talk. He and Himiko did grow up in the same town after all, hence their history together. Himiko had the list so she knew where they were to go, and the first stop was at the General Store, which was a Kecleon head shaped establishment. "Oh! Look alive brother! We have customers!" The green one spoke up. "No no look closer. The badges, they are from the guild!" The purple one noted. "But we know every face of the guild from their loyal business, you must be new" the green one said. "Ah yes new recruits! Let's give them the run down!" The eccentric pair cheered in unison and went on to explain their own inventory, from berries to keys and TMs, and how 'oh so important' it was for explorations. It sounded quite rehearsed, but it was hard to hate their enthusiasm to sell you stuff. Unfortunately for them, Jurik couldn't see himself making use of the store, at least for a while. The Kecleon brothers were ending their little intro. "-so you can always depend on us and our products, team... What did you say your teams name was again?" They asked. "We are Team Storm!" Jurik proudly answered. "Ah excellent! Well then Team Storm, how can we help you?" They asked. Himiko spoke up, telling them that they were here to pick up a special order for the guild, whatever that was. "Ah yes, how could we forget. Brother, get the package ready. Please, allow us a sometime to get it ready. In the meantime, take a stroll through Treasure Town, there are many places here explorers will find useful, get to know them!" the green one suggested. Jurik nodded and continued through town, but something else quickly called their attention.

"YOO HOO! Luxio! Glaceon! Over here!" Could be heard over the bustle and sound of the town. Whoever it was could really only be talking to the team. Jurik looked around and seen the top half of a Snorlax... inside of a Snorlax, waving at them. Running over to the Snorlax, they arrived at a wooden patio a few steps above the ground, with picnic tables and Pokemon eating at them, including some guild members. There was also the Munchlax from yesterday, grabbing the dishes and tidying up. Inside the Snorlax building was Snorlax wearing a white headband with a red circle, as well as a kitchen setup, multiple flaming stove tops, pots, woks, cooking utensils and knives. Jurik walked up to the joyous Snorlax "Hello! My little munchkin tells me you are the ones who found him yesterday. I have to properly thank you for doing that for me so fast" Snorlax told them. "Oh that's not necessary, we already got paid for that" Jurik replied. "Yes it is, the guild is great 'n' all, but I know how they are with their 'fees' and cheap meals. Tell you what, the first Snorlax-size meal you two get is on me, heck I'll even give your first meals free!" She insisted. "Wow, thanks! I'm Jurik, this is Himiko, we are Team Storm" Jurik introduced. "Call me Martha, I run the Snorlax Appetite kitchen. My cooking gives a great boost of energy, but the guild members say it helps in many ways on explorations, like increasing their attack or defensive power, so it may be a good idea to eat up before you leave for one" Martha explained. Jurik nodded, though just like the Kecleon brothers, Martha would have to wait, as Juriks money was reserved for his family. "Sounds great, I'll take you up on that. But we have to make some rounds for the guild, so maybe another time" Jurik said before continuing on. "No problem, see you around!"

Jurik was comforted by the 2 encounters, it was nice to know that not everybody would treat him differently because of his father. It was also likely that they didn't know, since Jurik was a stranger in this town. "So what's up Himiko? How much of this are we doing?" he asked.

Jurik was surprised by the Sylveon and 2 poochyena that jumped Himiko. It was okay though, Jurik knew Elecia was Himikos sister, but the two never really talked before. He laughed as this whole exchange went on. They came to celebrate Himiko becoming an explorer, even going ahead and throwing a party. Yet, through all this he could still tell that Himiko was pretty sour. They ran off and Himiko answered his earlier question saying they had to go to the candy store. She also said they could take their sweet time. Jurik disagreed, supporting Himiko spending time with her friends and family. "Shouldn't we actually be doing the opposite? Don't you 'want' to attend a party in your honor? Or are you really so sour with everybody?" He asked.

They continued through the town, Jurik taking note of its layout and the various stores. Abra Appraisals, Excadrills Excavations, Spindas Shakes, there really were many different services offered here. Soon they came across Slurpuff Sweets, the candy store and went inside. Jurik was quite mystified by the interior, drooling from just how much candy was on display and able to be taken from cups buckets and baskets. Anything super sugary from candy apples, chocolate dipped fruit, gumdrops and saltwater taffy, this store had it all. It was both awesome, and sickening at the same time, the candies were all uniquely designed and colored. Jurik was more of a desserts guy, pies, cake and ice cream were his favourites, which this place did have as well. They walked up to the store counter and the Slurpuff manning it. "Aww yea what up?, come down to get a taste? You come to the right place." Slurpuff took a good look at Himiko, checking her out. "Mmm and what can do for you fine little lady?" Slurpuff asked, quite obviously hitting on her. Jurik got a little angry, due to a tinge of jealousy he didn't know he was having. Himiko answered that they were here to pick up for the guildmaster. "Oho you here for dat homie huh? I got his special sweets for dat FIIIINE a** Fiona" Slurpuff answered, rummaging behind his counter for it. "Let me tell ya Dats one lucky monkey. If I was stuck in daycare with Fiona I definitely wouldn't 'prefer to play with other Pokemon' if ya know what I meeaan" he went on getting out the box for them. The Slurpuff had the persona of a ladies man, and certainly could've been with the set up he had. He passed them a neatly wrapped and ribboned box, Himiko took it in her explorers bag. "But damn girl, I look at you an I forget all about her. Tell me girl, what's yo name?"

"Ha well I'll leave you to him" Jurik joked, trying not to sound jealous walking out of the store. Once outside Jurik figured they had seen enough of the town, unless there was another stop on the list for them. He'd honestly rather be out doing field work. He did learn something though, Fiona seemed to be a fan of sweets. Good to know. Juriks ears twitche'd when he heard a distinct cry for help. "SQUAWK SOMEBODY HELP!!" Jurik ran towards the sound of the Pokemon. Turning around a corner he found a panicking Honchkrow, flapping its wings scattering feathers about. "L-Liepard!!" She cried out, pointing a wing in one direction. Jurik looked, seeing a large purple cat Pokemon running away. Jurik instantly gave chase to the Pokemon making its way out of town, holding a bag of stolen treasure.

Jurik was using Pursuit giving chase to the liepard, but not quite matching its speed. It was very fast, if it wasn't for its path being blocked, Jurik would've been out of steam long before catching the thief. When the acting 'police force' of Treasure Town mentioned 'that Luxio', Jurik spoke up. "Yea... Hah... Drop it before... Hah... We make you" he wheezed almost out of breath. The Liepard was unphased by this development. "Oh mercy me, what a stroooong looking bunch of Pokemon. I'll gladly drop it, Here you GO!" Liepard used Fling, whipping her tied up bag at Jurik, hitting him with whatever was in it. It sounded like standard coins and treasure with few larger objects that knocked him off his feet and kept him on the ground with spiralled eyes. Liepard then used Double Team, as the eeveelutions came at her, creating many copies of itself in a crowd around them. "Antonio, Natani!" The Houndoom signalled. The two eeveelutions used Swift, a move that never missed and would find the real copy. But the Liepard was clever, almost expecting it, and had already positioned itself to run at the pair from the side using a running Slash against the Umbreon and Jolteon. The copies faded and the stars followed into them each getting hit with some stars. Liepard did take some herself, and the Houndoom had used Flamethrower against her. Liepard once again used Double Team, and the Flamethrower aimed where she was just standing hit a simple copy.

While they dealt with another crowd of doppelgängers, Liepard snuck over to the fainted Jurik, giving him a peck on his head. "Thank you for holding my bag sweetie" Liepard spoke softly and going for her bag before noticing Himiko just ahead, who had already launched her attack.

Juriks unconscious mind played bits of a few past memories to him. Back in his hometown he could see times when he and his siblings fought against the houndours. He could also see the times when he and the eevee Himiko would hang out with eachother as friends and before they grew to hate eachother. What ever could've made the 2 so hostile to one another? Then he seen the multiple occasions when they had bickered and fought, with Himiko always coming out on top. Their first few fights, he was a shinx and she was an Adaptability eevee, which meant her tackle and swift hit harder than most. While others in town and sometimes even his own siblings would make fun of how he always lost to a girl, his father commended him pulling his punches, always saying that one should never perpetrate violence against a girl, and even punished him when he was the one who started it. Jurik always had a little bit of a crush on Himiko, even before learning how adept of a battler she was. Everybody wise about it could look at the way they behaved around each other and claim 'love was in the air.' After all, aren't love and hate the same thing?

Jurik opened his eyes, lightly moving his legs instinctually like he was swimming before actually getting up. He didn't know what happened, but he could see that Liepard had been caught. "Yah! That's right, that's what you get for breaking the law!" Jurik boasted, to which Liepard laughed "Your cute, you better hope we don't run into each other again." The Magnezone and Mites took Liepard away as well as her bag of stolen goods. Now he remembered... She practically OHKO'd him with it and Fling, which answered his question of why his head hurt so bad. "Ugh... dammit" he muttered shaking his head a little before rejoining the group with a little wobble in his steps. "Hey guys" he greeted, recognizing Himikos OTHER brother and sister from the other team. They said hey back, but the siblings talked about the errands they were running, and offered to return the goods back to Aaron. "No let me handle it. Don't want him to think we're the kinda team that doesn't finish a job. Himiko you can go though, maybe I'll come to the party after" he offered. Since her siblings were so insistent on Himiko getting to the party, she ended up giving Jurik the few packages and took off with them.

When he returned to the guild, it was pretty quiet since everybody was out exploring. As he made for the guildmasters office he called out for Aaron or Ming. Before reaching the office, Ming had found him. "Oh your back so soon? Have you finished the errands?" She asked. Jurik nodded, "Yup, just gonna take these packages to Aaron and head back out." "Don't worry, I can take them off our hands. Besides Aaron is... Erm... Best not to be bothered right now" she told him. "Uhhh ok? Well that's no problem I guess, here you go" Jurik replied, taking the packages out of his bag. Ming Psychic'd them off the ground onto a nearby table. "Excellent, well done, a portion of the guild fees for your next job will be waived as payment if thats acceptable with you" Ming offered. Jurik wasn't about to complain, even though they DID stop a crook well they were out. It just wasn't very samaritan to ask for more because of that. "Yeah that's fine. Alright I'll see ya later" Jurik spoke, before going to leave. But Ming spoke up once more and stopped him. "Wait Jurik!" Jurik stopped and turned back around to her. "Yea?" He asked. Ming fluttered over to him. "It's well known that you are the son of Cain, a very high bounty'd Pokemon. Because of that, the other members may treat you differently, and I just wanted to tell you not to be discouraged. Aaron and I won't treat you unfairly, or give you any special treatment, because you are no different than Himiko, or the other guildmembers. Just do your very best alright?" Ming told him. Jurik nodded, smiling at her understanding of his situation. "Yes I will, thank you Ming" he replied with a smile and a bow before leaving the guild again. He would try to find the party and meet up with Himiko again.

Jurik had left the guild and was going through town again. He wanted to go to this party, under the implication that there would be food, instead of celebrating Himikos initiation into the guild, which he was still iffy about. Perhaps he was looking at it the wrong way, after all Himiko was strong, a good addition to the guild. Upon realizing he didn't even know where the party was, 'I guess I should've asked' he thought with a sigh, now thinking he'd miss out. But a rather loud voice got his attention. "Jurik!! YOOHOO!" Rang in the air, making him cringe a bit. He seen the Sylveon from earlier, with the two poochyena pups up ahead. "Oh hey there... Elecia right?" He asked. "Yeah I am. I'm surprised, you used to have so much trouble telling us apart" she replied. "Well your not ALL eevees anymore, so that helped out a lot" he chuckled. Elecia let out a hyper giggle, "that's true. You gonna come to the party? Huh? Are you?" She asked impatiently. Before Jurik could even give her an answer, she spoke for him. "Of course you are, why wouldn't you? It's a party in your teammates honor." The poochyena pups were shy at Jurik, but had no problem nagging Elecia. "Come oooooooon lets go to the party alreadyyyyy" they whined, nipping and tugging at Elecias peach colored fur. "Yes yes I just have to get one last thing from the store and we'll go. Come on Jurik, you might as well tag along" Elecia told him. They made their way to the berry and flower shop that the sisters Elecia and Sierra owned.

When they arrived, Elecia told Jurik to wait outside, while Hidey and Kohei came in. All she had to do was grab a specially made berry and flower bouquet of Himikos known favourites. Except Elecia now had the plan to make a new card from saying 'From: The Family, Hidey and Kohei. To: Himiko' to 'From: Jurik To: Himiko'. "Don't say I don't do anything for ya sis" she chimed. Hidey and Kohei snuck a bite of a few of the store's berries before they all left. Elecia stuck the bouquet in Juriks explorer bag before locking up. "You can take that, be careful with it. Now we go to the party!" She cheered along with the pups as they all left for the party.

When they arrived the pups and Jurik all went for the laid out food, except Elecia stopped Jurik by getting in his way. "Nu uh! You have to find Himiko and give her that bouquet" she told him. "Can't I just put it on the table or something?" He asked. "No No! You HAVE to give it to her yourself. Just tell her it's for her, then you can have some food. I think I saw her on the roof before we came in" Elecia explained.. Jurik rolled his eyes, "alright fine, how do you get to the roof?" He asked. "All the way upstairs there's a patio door" she answered, pushing on him, "Now go go!" Jurik got moving, "Ok I'm going!" Jurik went up to the roof, going outside and joining Himiko. "Hey, what's up? These are for you I guess. Congratulations on, you know, becoming an explorer. Maybe... I was a jerk about it all, someone as strong as you out there helping people is a good thing" he told Himiko. She thanked him but still seemed quite cold and bored, looking out on the horizon. "Come on what's wrong with you, you can't even have fun at your own party?" He asked.

Seeing the Umbreon and Leafeon that were scuffed up and told them dinner was ready, was quite similar to when Jurik and Himiko went at it. When he took a couple steps back to the inside, Himiko spoke up about the bouquet, causing him to get nervous and blush. "C-come on, we've known each other a long time. I know what you like just as well as I know what pisses you off. Just because we fight all the time doesn't mean we aren't friends... At least I don't think so." With that they proceeded to go inside, Jurik making quick way to the food. Elecia caught up to him and told him Himiko would be happy when she ate the berries, to which he wanted to call her out on, but didn't. Taking his place at the table, it was only a few seconds before Sierra came out with more food and they all began to dig in.

Everyone made small talk as they ate. Jurik definitely wasn't shy towards food,which was true to Himikos words, very delicious. Baxter had then asked him how he enjoyed being an explorer. "It's great! I've always wanted to do this, it feels good to help people and fight and put away... Criminals" he replied, pausing at the end because he thought of his dad. Sure he had always wanted to do this, but before it was for glory respect and riches. But now he had to do this to support his family because of his dad leaving and his mom pregnant. His mom always told Jurik not to be mad at Cain, but how could he? He didn't really wanna talk about it or dwell on the thought.

Continuing on that note, Natani spoke up about the earlier fight, "How is that bump by the way? Ohhh you guys shoulda seen the Fling he took today." To which Antonio added, "Seen? Never mind heard, I bet the town center heard that smack." Baxter chuckled and agreed, "Yes you certainly 'took it like a champ' or so the saying goes." Jurik laughed a bit himself, still embarrassed by the fact and story. "Well my head still kinda hurts, but it's not the worst hit I've taken" He replied, glancing over to Himiko with a bit of a look, remembering a time when he had made her veeeery mad. "Well I have some herbal medicine you can take after dinner, it'll really help. Trust me, I'm a grass type, hahaha" Sierra told him, laughing stupidly at her own dumb joke, which seemed quite overused to the other siblings. Jurik laughed too, seeing the humour and hearing it the first time. "Sure, thanks Siierraa?" He sort of asked the name making sure it was right. "Hehe yes I'm Sierra." "The foods great by the way, thanks for including me" Jurik said half between bites.

It wouldn't be long before everyone stuffed themselves. Then the horseplay or fighting for the last of started to happen among them all again. Sierra dragged Jurik to the other room while she fetched her herbal medicine. Jurik ate the bitter tasting crap, making him hate Sierra. "You can't stay mad at me~" True to her word though, it started working in just a few minutes to null the pain and cure his headache. From there Jurik simply went back to eating the food, making him like Sierra again. That was when Baxter went up to Jurik to talk. "So the houndours back in the old town tell me you and your shinx siblings are among the strongest in that town... Besides them of course. Anyway how would you like to have a friendly battle outside?" He asked. "Oh your on!" Jurik agreed, overcome with the thrill of taking on an opponent of possibly greater power and skill. Meanwhile Hidey and Kohei began chanting in unison "Fight, Fight, Fight!"

Jurik and Baxter went at it pretty good until both were panting in exhaustion. They both called a truce, ending the match in a draw since neither could best the other. "Thanks... your pretty good too" he admitted still catching his breath. Himiko walked up and told him that he and Natani owned gyms. He was impressed, but most people had come to expect fame or success from the spawn of the famous explorer Zack, in fact Jurik was sure he heard of their gyms before. Despite this, he was quite interested in the sound of what Natani proposed. "Training in the mountains in a thunderstorm? That's sounds so awesome!! I'll have to join you one day" he declared. Antonio left, since he wasn't too sociable it seemed, and then the poochyena twins were on their way home with Elecia. Jurik figured they should head back as well. "Thank you everyone, this was great!" And then he heard dessert which made him want to stay... As well as the sisters speaking of the berries 'Jurik got her' which made him blush and get going quickly. Himiko wasn't far behind though, and caught up to him. Somehow it seemed a little weird between them but Jurik broke that silence. "So that was pretty fun, and the food was good... But you need to lighten up" he spoke.

Upon arrival back at the guild many of the members had come back from their jobs, and talked about the interesting things that had happened this day. Though dinner was announced and everyone ran off to the dining hall. Jurik had no problem eating again as well, he could always eat again. "You gonna eat Himiko? I know I am" He asked taking off to the dining area. After all every penny he made was gonna go towards his family back home, so he wouldn't be buying himself any food. At dinner, the guild members talked, but no one really talked to Jurik. It was okay though, he was comfortable since He and Ming talked earlier, because the only two people who really mattered here was her and Aaron. When dinner was over, Jurik went to his and Himikos room, bringing her food with him because she hadn't joined them for dinner again. Placing her food by her bed, Jurik then jumped to his own, dancing around it and kneading it before settling into the nest. It wouldn't be long before Jurik fell asleep.

~~~

The next morning, Jurik woke up with a snort. Twisting his body around to his front, he stretched out all the way and stood on his feet a few seconds. A look outside revealed there was a light rain today. Jurik liked the rain, especially when it was stormy weather.

"Morning you guys, you don't want to be late for role call" a Farfetch'd had told them from the doorway.

"Oh yeah, thanks" Jurik answered. He hopped over to Himiko who was still sleeping. Being an electric Pokemon, Jurik naturally built up a large static charge and when he gently poked Himikos body, it gave her a small jolt to wake her. It startled her and he laughed. "Haha good morning! Wake up sleepeon, we have role call" Jurik told her before he ran out of the room to the assembled guild members.

Aaron and Ming came out a minute later, after Himiko had joined. When roll call and guilds spoken anthem were done, everybody went to the billboards. When it was Jurik and Himikos turn, Jurik went up. "You picked last time, so I'll pick this time." He tried looking for a job that would be helping somebody. Technically any of these jobs helped somebody, but bringing someone back home or bringing them a potion was more good natured than say, just finding some thing valuable for someone. Jurik did find a job, a Porygon surveyor stuck in the Coastline Cave needed either a warp back to town, or the neccessary supplies to continue its task. Jurik ripped the paper off the board with his mouth and "MFPH"'d for Himiko to follow.