The sudden video call instantly shattered Natsui and Erika's lighthearted mood. They looked at each other, the air between them turning heavy.
This wasn't something they could change. Unless Erika resigned as Gym Leader, she was bound by the Pokémon League's regulations. And resigning from her life's work just to travel with Natsui was unrealistic.
Sigh...
Although he had gone through a separation with Sabrina, Natsui hadn't gotten used to it. In fact, it felt even harder this time.
Seeing Erika sink into a sad silence, Natsui took a deep breath. He gathered his composure, pulled her into his arms, and gently comforted her.
"Alright, you have to go back," he said softly. "You've been gone for too long. The perfume shop and the gym are waiting for you. There are people who need you more than I do right now."
Erika buried her head in his chest, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, unable to speak.
This was the first time Natsui had clearly seen this vulnerable side of her. Erika usually maintained a gentle, intellectual composure, rarely showing such raw emotion. Her clinginess showed just how much she didn't want to leave.
Natsui suppressed his own sadness, stroking her hair until she finally calmed down.
The challenge at Rustboro Gym was definitely off; Natsui wasn't in the mood anyway. Since Rustboro City didn't have an international airport or a major port, Erika couldn't leave directly from there. They had to backtrack through Petalburg Woods and Petalburg City to return to Littleroot Town, where she could catch a ferry.
They traveled silently through the heavy atmosphere.
Natsui couldn't return to Kanto with her—his journey lay ahead in Hoenn. But he felt he had to at least see her to the pier to be at peace.
They crossed the woods, passed the city, and finally reached Littleroot Town by the evening of the next day.
They were back at the starting town. The view was the same, but their mood was the polar opposite of the ambition and excitement they had felt when they first set foot in Hoenn.
Anticipation had been replaced by the sorrow of parting.
Since they had missed the last ferry of the day, they checked into a hotel for one final night.
That night, Natsui experienced a wilder side of Erika.
Perhaps trying to burn her reluctance into passion, she was incredibly demanding. Only after Natsui had completely satisfied her did she finally fall asleep in his arms, faint tear stains drying on her cheeks.
She slept, but Natsui couldn't rest.
His strength faded in the darkness, revealing his own vulnerability. Erika didn't want to leave him, and he felt exactly the same way.
But a man's arms must offer warmth and support. He had been the rock for the entire journey back, careful not to add to her pain.
Now, with her sleeping beside him, he finally let his guard down. His eyes were moist as he stared unblinking at the moonlit window.
Just then, a soft hand brushed his cheek, wiping away a tear.
He looked down to see Erika watching him with an incredibly tender gaze.
She hadn't been asleep at all. She had been pretending, trying to spare him his own sadness.
Their eyes met. They both smiled sadly, and then they kissed again...
But this kiss was different. It wasn't the tender affection of the afternoon. The moment their lips touched, the sadness ignited into a raw, desperate need.
Erika's tears began to fall silently, mingling with their kiss.
"Don't cry," Natsui whispered against her lips, his voice breaking.
"I don't want to go," she sobbed, clinging to him as if he were her lifeline. "Natsui... don't let me go."
"I'll never let you go," he said, pulling her onto his lap. He held her tightly, skin against skin. "But if this is our last night for a while... let's not waste it crying."
He laid her gently on the bed, her pearlescent skin glowing in the moonlight. He hovered over her, memorizing every curve, every shadow.
"You're so beautiful, Erika."
"Make me yours," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Make love to me, Natsui. So deep that I can feel you tomorrow, even when I'm on that boat."
He nodded, his throat tight.
He kissed her again, and this time, his hands began a slow, possessive journey. He caressed her breasts, her nipples already hardening from the rush of emotion.
"Your body will miss me, too," he murmured.
"It already does..."
He lowered his kisses down her neck, over her collarbone, until he reached her breast. He took one nipple into his mouth, suckling gently.
"Ah... Natsui...!"
She arched her back, offering herself to him. He alternated between both breasts, teasing and tasting, until she was moaning with every breath.
"Nngh... it feels... so good..."
"You like this?"
"I love it... I love everything you do..."
He smiled and trailed his kisses downward, over her stomach. She trembled as he reached the edge of her trim pubic hair.
"Natsui... wait... I..."
He didn't wait. He gently parted her legs and buried his face between her thighs.
"Ah! Natsui... no... it's too much!"
"Relax," he commanded softly. "I want to taste every part of you. I want to memorize your flavor."
She was soaked, her lips swollen with desire. Her scent intoxicated him.
He ran his tongue slowly from her entrance up to her clit.
"¡¡Nghh-AAAAHH!!"
Erika gripped the sheets. With a single lick, he had brought her to the edge.
"So sensitive... dripping for me..."
He began to lap at her with a steady, expert rhythm, simultaneously slipping two fingers inside her.
"Oh, God... Natsui... Natsui! There... right there!"
He felt her insides clench and pulse around his fingers. She was hot and welcoming, her inner walls clinging to him.
"I'm... Natsui, I'm going to coooome!"
"Come for me, love. Let it go."
With a choked cry, Erika's body tensed. Her depths contracted violently around his fingers, bathing them in hot fluids as her thighs trembled uncontrollably.
He waited for the spasms to pass, kissing the inside of her thighs gently.
"Incredible," he whispered.
She looked at him, her eyes clouded with pleasure, breath hitching.
"Now," she whispered. "Please... I need you inside me."
"Are you sure? You just..."
"I need you now, Natsui! Fill me up!"
That desperation broke his restraint.
He positioned himself between her legs. She spread them wide, offering herself completely.
"Look at me, Erika."
Their eyes locked.
He guided his length, rock-hard and pulsing, to her entrance.
Slowly, he pushed inside.
"Ah... ahh... yes..." she moaned.
It was different from the first time. There was no pain, just an incredible sensation of wholeness. She was so wet and hot that she received him effortlessly, her body tightening around him as if trying to keep him there forever.
He sank in inch by inch, until he was buried to the hilt.
"Fuck, Erika..." he growled. "It feels... perfect. You're unbelievably tight."
"You... you're so big... You fill me completely..."
They stayed still for a moment, just feeling the connection.
Then, Natsui began to move. Slow at first—long, deep thrusts that dragged a moan from her throat.
"Ah... Natsui... deeper..."
He obeyed, increasing the rhythm.
Plap! Plap! Plap!
The wet, rhythmic sound filled the room, mixing with their heavy breathing.
"Oh, God... right there! You're... you're hitting deep inside!"
He growled. "I love how it feels! You're tightening around me, milking me!"
"I can't help it! It feels too good!"
Natsui kissed her deeply, their tongues dancing as their hips found a perfect, frantic rhythm.
"Erika... I love you..." he gasped between thrusts.
"I love you too, Natsui! Ah... ah... DON'T STOP!"
Natsui's thrusts became faster, harder. The romance was turning into a desperate need to fuse their souls together.
"Natsui! I'm... I'm close again!"
"Me too, Erika! Let's come together!"
"YES! PLEASE! FILL ME! FILL ME WITH YOUR SEED!"
"AHH, ERIKA!"
With a shout that tore from both their throats, their bodies tensed.
Natsui felt Erika convulse around him, squeezing him in the waves of her orgasm. It was the trigger he needed.
With one last, powerful thrust, he buried himself as deep as he could go.
"I'M... CUMMING!"
"I'M COMING!"
They screamed in unison.
Natsui roared as he released inside her. He felt the hot torrent shoot deep into her womb. It wasn't a quick spurt; it was a flood, thick waves of hot cum pumping into her, over and over.
"Ah... ah! Natsui... it's so hot! I can feel it... I can feel you filling me!"
He didn't stop; he kept pressing into her, emptying every drop of his load, making sure she was completely full.
He collapsed on top of her, burying his face in her neck, both of them trembling and slick with sweat.
"Incredible..." he panted.
"Yes..." she whispered, stroking his hair.
He stayed inside her, feeling the aftershocks of her contractions. Finally, with a sigh, he slowly pulled back.
With a wet, slick sound, he withdrew.
Excess fluids spilled onto the sheets, evidence of their passion.
"Oh..." she murmured, blushing at the mess.
"Don't move," he said softly.
He lay down beside her, exhausted. "Now get some sleep, Erika."
She looked at him, her breathing still ragged. "No."
Natsui opened one eye. "No?"
"I told you I was demanding tonight," she whispered, a shy but determined smile on her face. "You're not done."
Before he could protest, she moved, gently pushing him onto his back. He let himself fall, too tired to resist.
Erika crawled over his body. He watched as she moved down his chest, his stomach...
"Erika... what are you doing?"
"I'm returning the favor," she murmured. "I want... I want to taste you. I want to memorize your flavor, too."
He felt her hot, wet mouth close around him.
"Fuck, Erika..."
She wasn't an expert. She was clumsy, her teeth scraping him occasionally, but the sheer devotion in her movements—the way she tried to take all of him—was the most erotic thing he had ever experienced.
He groaned as he felt himself harden instantly inside her mouth.
He grabbed her hair, not to force her, but to guide her rhythm. "Deeper, Erika..."
She obeyed, gagging slightly, but she didn't stop. Her eyes, filled with tears of effort and desire, never left his.
He was close, much faster this time.
"Erika... I'm going to..."
She pulled back, panting. "Give it to me! I want to swallow it! I want all of you inside me, Natsui!"
That desperate plea broke him. He gripped her head gently and released.
"Mmmph!"
He filled her mouth. He could feel her swallowing convulsively, over and over, determined to take every drop.
Gulp! Gulp!
The sound of her throat working drove him to a new peak of pleasure.
When he was finished, he let her go. She collapsed beside him, coughing and catching her breath, a stray drop at the corner of her lips.
"I... I did it..." she panted, smiling proudly.
He was in awe. He pulled her close and kissed her deeply—a kiss full of admiration and overwhelming love.
"You're incredible, Erika. Now, seriously, sleep."
They settled in, holding each other. He was sure this time was the end.
But a minute later, he felt her move again.
"Erika, no," he said, half-laughing, half-pleading. "I'm drained."
"I'll do the work," she whispered.
She climbed on top of him, her body still slick with their mixed fluids.
She guided him to her entrance and slowly lowered herself, taking his full length inch by inch.
"Ahhh...!" They both groaned in unison.
She began to move, riding him slowly, her hips rolling. This time was different.
It was a farewell.
Their eyes never left each other. They moved together in a languid, emotional rhythm, until their bodies simply couldn't take any more.
With a final, shared sigh, they both climaxed—a wave of sensation that was more emotional than physical.
She didn't scream. She just shuddered, tightening around him one last time, and collapsed onto his chest, completely spent.
Natsui held her tightly, feeling his own strength leave him. He could feel her heartbeat against his chest.
He kissed the top of her head.
"I love you, Natsui," she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.
"I love you too, Erika. More than you know."
Finally, truly satisfied and completely exhausted, she fell asleep in his arms.
The next morning, after breakfast, Natsui took Erika to the port.
They shared one last hug. "Wait for me in Celadon," Natsui said softly in her ear. "I'll contact you every day. And don't worry, my journey won't take forever. I'll come find you."
"I know. I'll wait for you," Erika said. She gave him a light kiss on the cheek, then stepped back. Placing her hands together, she bowed deeply in her traditional manner. "I wish you good fortune in your battles. I hope you win the Conference!"
Erika boarded the ferry. She kept looking back, waving until the ship departed, carrying her away until she was just a speck on the horizon.
Natsui stood on the dock, motionless, for a long time. When Erika left, it felt as if she had taken a piece of his soul with her. His mind replayed every moment they had shared, a bittersweet warmth surrounding his heart.
After he calmed down, Natsui let out a long breath. He was about to turn and leave when he heard a familiar voice calling him. He knew who it was without even looking.
"Natsui!!"
A pretty, energetic girl with a signature side ponytail and a small backpack ran up, panting. "What are you doing here?" she asked, eyes wide. "Are you here to pick me up!?"
Needless to say, it was Misty.
But unlike before, she was alone. Ash and Brock were nowhere to be seen. Just as they had agreed, she had returned to the Cerulean Gym briefly, and now she had come to Hoenn to join him.
Before Natsui could speak, Misty frowned, looking around. "Huh? Where's Erika?"
Looking at the cheerful girl, Natsui's sadness seemed to fade just a little. He shook his head and explained that Erika had received an emergency call and had to return to Kanto.
"Eh!?" Misty's eyes went wide. "Just now? I really missed saying goodbye!"
Misty had also arrived by ferry. In a strange coincidence, just as Erika's ship was leaving the port, Misty's ship was docking.
The two ships had passed each other in the harbor, symbolizing their two different fates crossing paths.
"I didn't expect to see you here either," Natsui said, ruffling her orange hair affectionately. "When I heard your voice, I thought I was hallucinating. Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
"Hehe," Misty giggled, looking up at the face she adored, her heart pounding. "I wanted to surprise you. I was going to call you after I landed, but I ran into you right here!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, a realization hit Misty like a Thunderbolt.
With Erika gone... she would be traveling alone with Natsui.
No Erika. No Ash. No Brock.
It would truly be just the two of them.
Oh my god, am I dreaming?
She felt dazed, overwhelmed by the sudden, incredible realization. It all felt so dreamlike.
Yes!!
Her joy was written all over her face, and she almost shouted in triumph.
This is perfect! It's like fate is finally on my side!
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