Summary: Satoshi always loved Pokémon. Being a trainer was all he ever wanted to be. He never expected to fall in love with one of his rivals, and he would have never expected Meowth to become a permanent fixture by his side with Pikachu. After all these new developments, Satoshi had to step back and seriously consider his future. Growing up had never seemed so daunting.

Pairings: ComaShipping, KrazyShipping

Time Period: After Shinji/Satoshi's final battle.

Notes: Ages are realistically set (ex. Satoshi fifteen, Shinji sixteen). Japanese human names are used. Pokémon retain their English names.

Self-Discovery
Chapter One
Goodbye But Not Farewell

He didn't understand why he was searching so desperately for Shinji. It was just something he had to do, something he couldn't explain that pushed his legs forward until he finally caught sight of purple hair, seconds before the strands disappeared as his target stepped down a flight of stairs.

Without hesitation, in fear of missing his rival, Satoshi continued running, his arms swinging faster to hopefully increase his speed. He reached the top of the steep staircase, reassuring himself that the other person was Shinji before moving down five steps and calling out.

"Shinji!"

The other boy didn't ignore him, but actually turned around, giving his full attention instead of brushing Satoshi off like so many other times. The problem was, now that he was faced with Shinji's expectant look, anything he wanted to say was quickly forgotten. In that moment of absolute silence, all he could hear was the sound of the wind and the unsteady beats inside his chest – a feeling he assumed was from his frantic sprinting – but just as he was about to speak, Shinji surprisingly went first.

"Infernape's gotten a lot stronger."

The compliment was out of nowhere, but not unwelcome. That one little sentence assured that his way of handling the training of his Pokémon wasn't wrong or foolish like Satoshi had been close to thinking after all his losses by Shinji's harsh training strategy. Shinji was strong, definitely, but Satoshi knew his rival could be stronger, if only he would treat his Pokémon with the love and care they deserve. But he and Shinji were so different – polar opposites, his friends had said – and for Shinji to adopt his affectionate attitude towards Pokémon would be nothing like the boy Satoshi had come to appreciate.

They had opposite personalities and different approaches to training, and their Pokémon had adapted to those differences (Chimchar being the notable exception in Shinji's case). To Satoshi, Shinji was a great person and a skilled and powerful trainer. His rival had faults, but who didn't?

No one was perfect, and Satoshi could admit that he had some imperfections too. He wasn't the brightest one in any group, and most of what he knows comes from five years' worth of travelling experience. Friends and many of his acquaintances have called him naïve, and Satoshi supposed they were right, considering he felt clueless more than half the time when accompanied by his more knowledgeable companions.

Remembering the beginning of his journey with Kasumi and Takeshi, back when he was struggling to achieve his Kanto badges, Satoshi had an embarrassing amount of faults, but as he grew older and fought more battles and met new people and Pokémon, he eventually became someone he could be proud of.

Satoshi's self-reflection revitalized him, finally replying with a tone exhibiting his current state of happiness, however brief.

"He really has!" He paused before continuing with a more somber voice level. "Are you leaving?"

Pikachu, who he had practically forgotten in his hurry to find his rival, let loose a sad, "Chu…"

"I lost, you know, so there's no reason for me to stay here. I'll go back to Snowpoint City, to request another battle with Jindai-san."

Shinji's response was not what he had hoped for.

His chest started to hurt and his throat seemed to close up when he realized Shinji was going away, and like so many others, Satoshi knew he'd never see him again. Right at this very moment he could nod and turn away, maybe suggest another battle for a day that would never come, then finish the competition and begin another journey after that.

But no, he didn't want that. Satoshi wanted Shinji to stay, with him, to see his match against Takuto and the match that would follow if he beat the legendary Pokémon trainer. Then maybe they could travel together, along with Hikari and Takeshi, or just with Takeshi, or even just the two of them, getting stronger while forging a friendship Satoshi had always yearned for with the other trainer.

Satoshi felt the sting of upcoming tears and pushed them back as best he could, because he knew that nothing would stop Shinji from defeating the Pyramid King.

So with a heavy heart, he wished him good luck and received a similar response from Shinji who turned away, going down a few more steps.

This, he knew, was his only chance.

Summoning his confidence, he surrounded his mouth with his hands and yelled, "Shinji, after you defeat Jindai-san, let's meet up again! I'll send my number and address to Reiji-san!"

Shinji halted as his head jerked up. The warning toot from a boat's horn sounded just when the taller boy lifted up a hand, signaling goodbye. The burning in Satoshi's eyes faded once he heard a vocal reply.

"Until then… Satoshi."

He was out of sight by the time Satoshi processed a very distinct difference in their interaction besides the lack of insults on Shinji's part.

With a deafening whoop of delight and pure giddiness, Satoshi lifted Pikachu into his arms and ran up the stairs, jumping and swinging his best friend around once they were a safe distance from the steps. The electric mouse released a pleasant shock of electricity in response to his trainer's positive emotions as Satoshi cried out, "He said my name! Shinji finally called me by name, Pikachu! How awesome is that!"

"Pi-pika-chu, Pikapi!"

Satoshi danced for as long as his legs allowed, ignoring those that openly stared at his excitement.

He'd be seeing Shinji again. That was all that mattered.