Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon

Chapter 1 (Iris' POV)

I liked trees. A lot.

I smiled as I ran my hand along the rough bark. Sometimes I even liked them more than people. Not that company wasn't great, but sometimes I loved it just being me and the forest.

Grabbing the branch I pulled myself up effortlessly and braced my hand against the trunk. You could practically see all the way to the other side of Unova from here. It was great. It almost made me feel like I was watching the whole world. But for all the places I'd heard of, and even seen, nothing could top my home. Because this forest, it was, it all was. Reaching for a vine I gave it a small tug, just to, you know, make sure it was tough enough.

I grinned a little wider as I held on with both hands before I pushed off the branch with my feet. I felt the wind rushing past my face, it was cool and the sun was bright above me. It was amazing. It always was. No matter how much time passed, I knew some things were always going to be the same. Feeling so alive in my forest was definitely one of them. No matter what…

Letting go of the vine I landed carefully on the ground before reaching to wipe my forehead on my sleeve.

"Frax!"

Spinning on my heels I turned around to see Fraxure wobbling toward me. His arms were so full of apples that he could hardly walk straight. Sighing playfully I put my hands on my sides. "Your eyes got a little bigger than your stomach there, didn't they Fraxure?"

"Ure…" He mumbled looking a little embarrassed before he dropped the apples in a pile.

I laughed as I walked over to grab one from the stack. "Well that's fine, it just means we definitely won't be hungry tonight."

"Fraxure!"

I reached to pat him on the head. "Yeah that's right, you did an awesome job. So take a good rest, and eat up, it'll be getting dark before too much longer anyway."

That whole afternoon was just like all the rest. The apples were sweet, the air was warm, and I was with my best friend in the whole world. When the sun started getting low we both were almost too full to move. I leaned back against the tree we were sitting under and pulled Fraxure a little closer. "Well it looks like we both might have had eyes bigger than our stomachs…"

"Ure…" He moaned from beside me.

I laughed. "Yeah that's what I thought."

How long had it been since Axew evolved? Maybe just six months ago? To be honest it had already been so long that I didn't think he was ever going to evolve in the first place. But if I was honest, I wouldn't have minded that at all. I loved him just the way he was. I was kinda worried that him evolving might change him too much even… But that was before, now I knew that he would always be the same no matter what. I thought he was still a little awkward in his new form though, so it was up to me to help him build his confidence.

You know, sometimes I wondered what it would have been like if people had two or three forms they could just evolve into. But as it was, people changed a little bit everyday instead. You started out so little and inexperienced and then day after day you learned and got bigger until one day… Well, one day the you you had always been was completely different. So even though it happened so gradually that you could almost forget about it, I still thought I understood how Fraxure must have felt.

I looked up as I saw the first star peeking out from behind a drifting cloud. Just like Fraxure I looked a little different now. But being taller or stronger wasn't what really counted. That was the same for either pokemon or people. What was inside is what counted. But that was a little harder to figure out. To see how I was different on the inside. As far as I was concerned I was just me, same as always. But that made me wonder, was I supposed to be? Wasn't I supposed to be different on the inside too? Maybe...but I wasn't sure, and the more I thought about it, the more I didn't understand it at all.

So maybe I really wasn't at my final form yet either, because I was guessing I still had a lot to learn. Fraxure and me, we both did. I smiled a little. But that was okay, because we'd take our time and figure it out as we went. After all, the fun was in the journey, right? Or at least I thought I'd heard Elder say that once. I figured she was right. I guess I'd learned it the hard way traveling with Ash and Cilan. You're always thinking about where you're going until you get there and have to say goodbye. Then you just wish you could enjoy the journey all over again…

I tightened my arms around Fraxure as he gently drifted to sleep. I hadn't seen either of them in over a year. We kept in touch with calls and even letters sometimes, but it wasn't really the same as us all being together. They were my best friends too, all the family that I had. Ash was always on the move chasing after his next gym battle, and Cilan was busy with his restaurant. I guessed I was busy too, with training and stuff. But…

I frowned, but really wasn't sure why.

Reaching into my backpack I quietly dug around until I found a small wrinkled photo. It was taken about eleven years ago when we were all on our first journey together. Gently letting go of Fraxure and leaning him against the tree I stood and walked off silently.

I pushed through the bushes until the nearby lake came into view. Kneeling down I stared at my reflection on the water. I sure did looked different, didn't I? Poking the water I watched the ripples disturb the reflection of me. Of the me I was now. When I looked back at the picture it was almost hard to believe. I guess time does have a way of changing at least some things…

We'd all been training a lot, we'd gotten stronger for sure. So maybe it wouldn't have been so bad if we took a little break. I mean, just to see everybody. I smiled a little as I watched the ripples disappear and the new me appear again. I could call Ash, find out where he was, and Striaton City was only about a day away, wasn't it? Maybe even half a day if we hurried. I pictured Ash stuffing himself to the brim during our reunion dinner, and Cilan's smile as he took that as the greatest compliment to his cooking.

And that's when I finally seemed to get it a little better. Changing didn't mean forgetting. It couldn't, because I'd never forget. I couldn't forget…

So at first light I headed out. The trail was still kinda dusty, and the morning was warmer than usual, but I didn't care at all. No way, not when I was going to visit my family. When Fraxure and I made it to the last hill before Striaton City it wasn't even dark yet. We'd made it in less than a day just like I knew we could. I thought it might have been better to rest up at a Pokemon Center and contact everyone tomorrow, but I just couldn't. I felt a smile spreading over my face. I could see Cilan tonight!

"Come on Fraxure, let's go!" I said turning to him with a determined nod.

"Frax!" He shouted back seeming just as excited as I was.

I ran the whole way, so when I made it to his gym turned restaurant I was almost out of breath. Smiling over at Fraxure I nodded to him before we both walked in. Chili and Cress were waiting tables, and from the looks of it they were almost packed tonight. I thought about it, it was friday, wasn't it?

Chili finally noticed me and walked over. "Do you have a reservation?" He asked formally.

I just looked at him funny for a second before I crossed my arms and frowned playfully at him. "Oh come on Chili, it's me."

He narrowed his eyes and looked a little confused before his eyes went suddenly wide. "Iris, is that you?"

I rolled my eyes. "Duh, of course it is, I don't look that different..."

He laughed. "Actually you do, you're pretty beautiful believe it or not."

I felt myself blush a little, but there was no way I was letting Chili on to that. So frowning playfully at him I narrowed my eyes. "Oh, and I was ugly before you mean?"

He laughed again. "Wow, now that you mention it, I totally walked into that one."

"Yeah no kidding…" I mumbled annoyed.

Chili smirked before he glanced over his shoulder at an empty table. "We might be able to squeeze you in without a reservation just this once…"

I sighed. "Oh give me a break…" Chili always gave me a pretty good idea of what it must be like to have a mischievous little brother. In fact, it was almost amazing how different he was from Cilan or Cress.

I followed him to the table and he pulled out my chair and bowed formally. "Your seat, madam."

I smirked as I sat down and let him push my chair in. "You're a goofball masquerading as a fancy waiter, you know that, right?"

He smiled and held a finger to his lips. "Shh don't tell Cilan, and definitely don't tell Cress…"

I rolled my eyes again as I looked at Fraxure sitting in the chair across from me. He seemed pretty amazed by how fancy everything was. It wasn't like it was the first time I saw Cilan's restaurant, but I kinda was too. "You're probably hungry, right Fraxure?"

"Ure, ure." He said patting his stomach.

I laughed. "Well I know I sure am, and it's been ages since we've had CIlan's cooking too." Then looking around the menu at Fraxure I smiled a little softer. "Just wait until Cilan sees you've evolved, he'll be so shocked."

"Frax?" He said seeming a little unsure.

I nodded. "Yeah you bet he'll be proud of you."

"Well I certainly am." I heard a familiar voice say from behind me.

Looking up over my shoulder I saw Cilan standing there with a white napkin folded over his arm and a polished serving dome balanced on his fingertips.

"Cilan…?" I said in a low tone that almost came out as a squeak. It wasn't like I shouldn't have been expecting him, but still… It had been so long.

He smiled down at me with a slight laugh. "I would have to say yes." Then he held up his index finger. "Give me a moment please, I'll be right back."

I nodded, and meant to say "okay," but no sound came out. Instead I just watched him as he walked across the room and delivered the serving dome to another table. He lifted the lid and released a plumb of steam before reaching behind him for a wine bottle sitting on a serving cart. He was gesturing and from the look on his face I guessed he was explaining how the flavor or acidity or something complemented the food.

I leaned into my hand as I just stared at him with a little smile. Cilan looked different too sure, but something told me in every other way he was just the same. I was glad, maybe I didn't like the thought of him changing too much.

"Ahem." I suddenly heard someone say next to me. Turning I saw Cress standing next to me with a bottle of wine of his own. "Care for a sample?"

I rubbed the back of my neck. "Uh no, that's okay, thanks."

Chili appeared next to the table with a glass of Oran Berry juice that he slid in front of me. "No bro, I figured she'd want something a little less mature. Right?"

I frowned a little at him. "It doesn't have anything to do with being mature, I just don't like the taste is all."

Chili laughed to himself. "Right, whatever you say." Then he glanced at Cilan walking back toward my table and got a smug look. I narrowed my eyes at him trying to figure out what that look was for. But whatever he was thinking it was making my stomach churn.

"What a little kid…" I mumbled to myself annoyed.

"Are you and Fraxure hungry, can I get you anything?" Cilan asked with a soft smile. "You must have come a long way."

I grinned up at him. "Um yeah, sure we could eat something. You know what's good, Cilan, so just give us your special or something."

His face lit up the same way it always did when the subject of food came up. "Alright, I'll do just that!"

After that he disappeared into the kitchen and didn't come back until he was carrying two dishes toward our table. It was a dragon type formula for Fraxure and the house special for me. But like every time Cilan had ever cooked for us, we both felt completely satisfied by the time the bowls and plates were empty.

"That was amazing…" I said softly as I leaned back in my chair.

"Ure, ure..." Fraxure mumbled in full agreement.

I smiled over at him. "See, it was worth walking without taking breaks to get here."

I was so busy eating I didn't even notice that by now it was pretty late and only a handful of customers were still inside finishing their meals. I felt a yawn coming on but I tried to stifle it when I saw Cilan finally pull out a chair and sit down next to me.

"How was everything?" He asked looking expectantly between me and Fraxure.

"Fraxure!" He said excitedly.

I nodded. "Yep I'll second that, it was great." I shrugged. "But it always is Cilan, you should know that."

He smiled. "Well I'm glad I didn't disappoint either of you." Then he rubbed the back of his neck a little awkwardly. "I apologize for being so formal before, but we were pretty busy tonight."

I dismissed what he'd said with a wave. "You were just being Cilan, like usual."

"Oh I see." He said quietly as he looked down at the tablecloth and then back up at me. "It's good to see you, you know. I was…" He adjusted his bowtie before going on. "I was worried you might have been upset with how abrupt I was during our last phone call?"

I frowned a little. "What? No I didn't think anything about it. You…" I stopped talking all of a sudden and wasn't really sure why. I hadn't really thought anything about that, had I? "You're really busy, I get that Cilan. Really I do."

He smiled, but it still looked funny to me. "Thank you for understanding." Then he smiled a little more like the old Cilan I knew. "So what brings you to Striaton City, Iris?"

I grinned as if it should have been obvious. Which it should have. "To see you of course, silly!" It was obvious wasn't it?

His eyes widened a little before he closed them in a grin. "Well I'm honored. I take it you and Fraxure have been training hard?"

I nodded. "Yeah you bet, after all Axew evolved!"

"I see that." He said smiling at Fraxure. "And I can tell that both your hearts are more in sync than ever before."

"Really?" I asked with my eyes widened. Then I sighed in relief. "To be honest, Cilan, I was a little worried if I was doing a good enough job. I mean now that Fraxure evolved and everything."

He looked like he was about to say something when Chili walked past and interrupted him. "I'm heading to bed, you and Cress can close up right, okay?"

"Of course, goodnight." He said with a nod.

"Yeah, see you two later." He said with another smug look as he turned to leave.

I frowned a little before I heard Cilan go on. "Anyway, as I was going to say, I wouldn't worry so much. The most important thing is just that your hearts are connected, everything else will work itself out in time."

I looked at Fraxure. "Right...it just takes time I guess."

Looking down at the tablecloth I got a funny feeling. All this talk about time, change, and being different, and as strange as it seemed, something was… Off. Like taking a bite of a green apple. Nothing felt quite right between us. Yeah it had been a while since we'd seen each other last but… But why did everything feel so weird right now. I closed my eyes and for a second I was trying to figure out that strange feeling that was hanging all around us. But the best I could get was that, well Cilan wasn't comfortable, and it was starting to make me feel awkward too.

Looking up at him we both just sat there quiet for a second or two. Then I frowned. "Hey Cilan, are you sick or something?"

"Hmm?" He asked suddenly.

I shrugged. "I just mean you seem a little distracted? Are you okay?"

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh I'm sorry, I suppose I'm not being the best company."

"No…" I said wary. "It's okay, I just thought…"

But before I could finish whatever I was going to say he looked over at me and his eyes softened in a way that almost looked sad. "I'm happy to see you again, Iris."

That was all he said. He said he was happy while his eyes looked sad, and suddenly I felt like the little kid for not getting why. Because I didn't. I really didn't.

Then he smiled a little wider. "Might I ask how long you're staying in Striaton City?"

At first it was like I needed extra time just to get what he was asking and answer back. Now who seemed distracted…?

I shrugged. "I don't really know, I'm not in a rush though. But I thought it would be good to take a little break from training and see everybody again."

Then just barely noticeable enough to see, his smile fell a little. "I think Ash was only a few towns over, actually." Then he tried to fix it and smile even wider than the first. "So this could have the familiar flavor of a reunion!"

"RIght…" I mumbled with a suspicious look as I leaned into my hand and kept staring over at him. I wasn't really sure what was wrong with either of us. He was acting so strange all of a sudden, and for some reason I felt too afraid to really ask him why. But afraid of Cilan of all people? He was one of my best friends, and we had never been this awkward around each other. Never in a million years. But it felt like a weight laying on my chest each time I tried to open my mouth and really ask what was up with him. What made it worse was even Fraxure seemed to be picking up on the tension. He was looking between us with a confused look on his face.

I didn't like any of it. This was supposed to be just like before…

"So…" I said almost to myself. "I guess you better help Cress close up, right?"

He frowned a little before nodding. "That would probably be best…"

"Right…" I mumbled as I was about to stand. But before I could, Cilan stood and gently pulled out my chair for me. I stood a little hesitantly and smiled up at him; he was still taller than me.

"Thanks, for the food too, it was great. Right, Fraxure?"

"Ure, ure!" He shouted seeming to forget about the awkwardness before.

"It was my pleasure." He said with a slight bow and a warm smile. Then untying the waiter's apron from around his waist he folded it over his arm. "If you'd like to stop by tomorrow morning, I have some time off before we open for the lunch crowd."

"Oh." Was all I said, and for the second time, my normally somewhat deep voice almost squeaked. But there was no way I was going to keep putting up with this weirdness so I pushed a smile on my face. "Right, yeah sure, that'll be great!"

He smiled a little softer. It was a smile I hadn't seen too many times before, yet something about it felt more familiar than all the rest I'd seen tonight.

"I'll be looking forward to it then, goodnight, Iris."

I didn't know what to say, which made no sense seeing as the natural reply was pretty simple. But all I felt was that weight pressing down on my chest again. But swallowing hard I shoved it away. "R-Right, goodnight Cilan."

Stumbling my way out of the restaurant I couldn't help but feel completely confused and a little dumb on top of it all. It wasn't like Chili was out of character teasing me or acting smug, but Cilan being weird was a whole new thing. He was never strange, well I mean for Cilan. He was always the composed (mostly composed…) gentleman that he'd been from the first day I'd met him. And he still was, it was just...like something was… Oh I don't know, awkward or whatever?

I frowned. Maybe he thought I was bothering him by just showing up all of a sudden…? Was I a little kid for thinking everything could be how it was before?

"Frax…?" Fraxure asked softly as he nudged my arm.

I turned to look at him, and for a second I didn't know what to say at all. What was eating at me? Was it the thought that maybe Cilan was too busy to bother with me? I knew he'd be too nice to ever say that even if it was true.

"I'm okay...really." I finally said as I patted Fraxure on the head. "It's just…" I smiled weakly at my best friend, knowing he knew me too well to not be completely honest with him. "It's just I...care too much for Cilan to want to think he doesn't have time for me…"

"Fraxure!" He answered back with a firm shake of his head.

"Oh so you think I'm just reading too much into it, huh?"

"Ure!" He confirmed with a nod.

I laughed a little to myself, and honestly it felt good to let go of some of that tension. "Maybe you're right, and I'm just the crazy one."

"Frax!" He repeated even more forcibly.

I shrugged. "Okay, okay, I get it Fraxure. Besides, he was probably just worn out from all those customers. By the morning, he'll be our old Cilan for sure."

Saying it to Fraxure almost convinced me that it really was that simple. Maybe it was. One thing I knew for sure...I was really wishing it was.

Thanks for reading, and please feel free to tell me what you think thus far! Reviews are better than cookies... Just saying.