Tsuna wishes he knew what he was doing but he had never thought he would find himself in this situation and so had paid little attention to all those classes he had to take on Pokemon when he was younger. He never had any intention of going on some journey like all other kids his age. Now that he was out here though, he wished he had paid attention.

It was just past midday and the sun was already high in the sky, casting a warm glow on everything it could touch. Tsuna slowly made his way down the dirt path that led from the town, Namimori already faded into the distance. He had a few more miles before he would reach the woods he would have to make his way through to get to the next town.

He shoved his hands in his pockets, his right hand automatically wrapping around the small ball still resting there. He hadn't looked at it since it had been handed over to him, unsure of what to do with it. He drew his hand out, the cool ball in his hand. What was he supposed to do out here with nothing more than a small creature as a companion? How did they expect Tsuna, a sixteen-year-old to survive out here, let alone kids younger than him.

What did it say about Tsuna though when those kids did manage to survive and actually make a name for themselves? Actually, accomplish something?

A tall shadow fell over him and Tsuna paused, pulling his attention from the round object in his hand to the tall trees now before him. He stopped, taking in the long row of trees and the dark shadows they created within each other. He took a deep breath, trying to steady the nervous hammering of his heart.

He had to go through the woods to get to the next town, once there he could think and figure out what he was going to do from there. He spared a glance behind him, Namimori already in the distance. He knew he needed to go in now, the sun would be setting in a handful of hours and he would really rather not be in the woods when the sun finally did set. He took another steadying breath and urged himself forward.

Follow the dirt path and you make it to the other side of the woods safely.

It's something every adult knew and told every child leaving town. Simple and easy instructions even Tsuna could follow. Don't stray from the path and you'll be fine. So Tsuna kept his attention focused on the dirt path, didn't let his attention stray even when he started hearing the rustling of leaves, the sound of something scratching at the rough bark of trees. He kept his attention on the path.

He was doing fine and he was silently congratulating himself when his foot landed on something uneven and a pained screech filled the otherwise silent area. Tsuna stumbled back eyes darting to check what he had stepped on. There was rustling as whatever he had stepped on disappeared under the foliage, only to be replaced a by a slender green snout and large eyes narrowed into a glare. Tsuna blinks before he nervously raises his hands in a show of surrender.

"S-sorry." he offers, taking a step back when the small creature pulled itself out of the grass it had been resting in. It eyed him and Tsuna made an attempt to stay as still as he possibly could, hoping the slender Pokemon would leave him. The creature made an inquisitive noise, before scurrying forward and Tsuna darted back.

Only to be followed.

Tsuna bit back a shriek as he continued to widen the space between him and the Pokemon. The slender Pokemon continued to follow him, letting out curious little sounds. The thing was determined and Tsuna was starting to wonder if it wasn't getting some sick amusement from the obvious discomfort Tsuna was showing.

Tsuna sped up, hoping he would be able to outrun the small thing, but also refusing to turn his back to it. Who knew what the thing wanted or even had planned. His attention so focused on the serpentine thing, he didn't notice the lifted root until his leg was caught in it and he went tumbling back. He flails as he falls back and rolls down a hill he hadn't even realized was behind him.

There was a distant shriek that he didn't give much thought to as he tried to stop himself from rolling or at least slow himself down where the final impact wouldn't hurt as much. A sharp pain shot through his arm as he rolled over something hard. He hits the ground with a thump that knocks all thoughts from his head and steals air from his lungs.

He takes in a shaking breath as he lays on the ground unmoving, and takes a moment to pull himself together. He glances back up to the top of the hill, expecting to see the Pokemon that had been determined to follow him, but finds no one.

The hill wasn't a big one, just big enough to leave him and his nonexistent pride bruised. He glances down at his arm as pain flares, to see a shallow cut on one side of his arm. He lets out a huff of annoyance as he pulls off his backpack, silently grateful that he hadn't lost it in his tumble down the hill.

He pulls it open in search of something he could use and paused when he caught sight of the small red and white box tucked in between his clothes. Leave it to his mother to know her son well enough to pack him a first aid kit. He tugs it out and gathers the needed supplies. In the years Tsuna had been bullied one thing he could say he was good at doing was tending to his own wounds.

It was quick and easy and he was soon shoving the kit back in his bag and pulling it back on. He pushed himself to his feet and just as quickly froze. Taking in the area he was in and the growing shadows he realized with no small amount of dread that he had no idea where he was.

The sound of grass rustling had Tsuna jumping arms coming up in a sad attempt at defense, his eyes squeezed tightly shut. There was a low chuckle that had Tsuna peeking behind his arms. There was a tall silhouette at the edge of the small clearing. A human shaped silhouette Tsuna realized. He forced his arms down to take in the person's (man's, it was so obviously a man) appearance, or at least what he could see of them.

"Chaos," he announced, holding his hand up and revealing something round in between his fingers. "You drop something?"

Tsuna blinked in confusion, before focusing on the round object being shown to him. Realization hit and his hand darted to the pockets of his jacket, only to find them empty. His attention snapped back to what he realized was his Pokemon, his Litleo, Natsu.

"T-that's mine." Tsuna found himself saying taking a step forward.

"Oh?" the man's hand closed around the small Pokeball hiding it from view. Tsuna couldn't see the man's face but he had the impression that the man was smirking. "Is it?"

"Yes."

He pulled his arm back, turning the ball around in his hand, with a curious tilt of his head he asks "What is it?" The question draws Tsuna short and he only blinks in reply. The man lets out a long-suffering sigh like he couldn't believe he had to deal with the likes of Tsuna. "The Pokemon in this Pokeball, what is it?"

"A L-litleo?" The man steps out of the shadows and closer to Tsuna, he can finally see the stranger. He only looks a few years older than Tsuna, tall and well dressed and sporting a fedora that has even Tsuna of all people judging the man.

"Are you asking me or telling me?" The man questions, as he throws the ball up in the air before once more catching it. Tsuna eyes follow the ball, before darting back to the stranger.

"It's a Litleo," Tsuna says, glad that his voice comes out steady and isn't shaking like he wants to when the other man comes to a stop in front of him. He practically towers over him, and he has sharp obsidian-colored eyes that seem to find Tsuna lacking. He makes an intimidating figure, and Tsuna wants to tuck tail and run, but the man still has Natsu in his hands and Tsuna can't just abandon the small feline. He's had the small Pokemon for almost an entire day and he's already attached, what even is his life. "And he's mine."

"Not bad." the man says, a smirk tugging at his lips. Tsuna isn't sure what he's talking about and can't bring himself to ask. The man's smirk takes on a mocking edge to it. "But I pity any Pokemon that gets stuck with you as their trainer." The words are like a slap in the face because Tsuna knows. He knows alright, he knows he'll probably never amount to anything in this world where most people are courageous and take things head on and are eager to go exploring the world at a young age. He knows, and he was more than content enough to never leave his home, his town but he was forced out because his father thought it was a good idea.

"Did I hit a nerve?" The man's smirk widens. He backs away from Tsuna until it's not so obvious he's towering over the younger boy. "I saw the incident with the Snivy earlier." He says suddenly. Tsuna's eyes narrow in confusion, his hands clenched tightly into fists to stop the shaking that is slowly building.

"When a Pokemon takes a liking to you, most trainers tend to catch it." he says matter of fact, throwing Natsu's Pokeball once more in the air "But you," he chuckles "you got scared and ran," he catches the ball in midair and turns it to Tsuna. "And then you lost your only Pokemon."

"G-give it back." Tsuna forces out, his voice shakes but he forces himself to meet the other's eyes head on. The man pauses, head tilted towards Tsuna. His face is blank as he stares and Tsuna can feel the shaking start up again.

"I have a deal for you," the man announces suddenly. "How about a Pokemon match?" Tsuna can only blink in surprise. "A one on one," since you only have one isn't said but Tsuna can hear it loud and clear as if the man had. "winner walks away with Litleo."

"I-if I say no?" Tsuna's not a complete idiot, he's not going to go accepting challenges and think he could win, the man obviously knows he can win. It's the only reason he challenged Tsuna.

"I'll just walk away with this Litleo," the man says it with a shrug of his shoulder like it doesn't matter to him that he'll be stealing Tsuna's Pokemon. "It'll be better off without you." Tsuna doesn't know what his face looks like, but it must be something amusing if the way the older male's eyes seem to light up is any indication.

The man tosses him the Pokeball, and Tsuna darts forward to catch it and clutches it to his chest. With the ball back in his hands, his eyes scan the area, taking in everything and looking for the best route of escape.

"Don't try to run." The man calls out, obviously knowing what Tsuna had been thinking. "You'll just get lost again." Tsuna clenches his hand around the Pokeball in his hand, unable to argue with the other man. He watches nervously as the man pulls out a Pokeball, and then simply waits. He gives Tsuna a nod of his head and Tsuna takes that as his sign to send out Natsu.

"I-I'm sorry Natsu," he whispers down at the ball. He clenches his eyes closed, feeling the small ball in his hand grow, and with no little bit of reluctance, he threw it. The sound of a low growl had him opening his eyes. Natsu stood in front of him, looking nothing like the small and hesitant cub he had seen when they first met. His eyes were narrowed into a glare as he stared down the other man standing across from them.

The man didn't even blink simply offered them a smirk before tossing his own Pokeball out. The flash of red light vanished to reveal a light blue Pokemon with pointed v-shaped whiskers and scallops attached to each side, it's gaze determined as it stared down Litleo.

The sight of the Pokemon makes Tsuna even more nervous, he didn't need to know anything about Pokemon to just know that the Pokemon in front of him was a terrible match for Natsu. As if sensing Tsuna's nerves Natsu cast a brief glance at him before turning back to face the pair across from them.

"Razor shell, Dewott." the words were barely loud enough for Tsuna to hear, and his attention shifted to the Pokemon- Dewott, just as it darted forward its shells in hand. Tsuna's mind went blank as he watched Dewott close in on Natsu. There was a yip from Natsu and Tsuna barely had time to call out.

"D-dodge it Natsu!" His Litleo managed to get out of the way in time, the sharp edges of Dewott's shells skimming Natsu's side. The cub darted around Dewott, dodging another swing. Tsuna watched, hands clenching and unclenching unsure of what to do. What were Natsu's attacks again? He was fire and Dewott was water, that meant Natsu wouldn't have much of an effect on the water type right?

The feeling of being watched had him glancing up in time to catch dark obsidian eyes watching him. Judging him and once more finding him lacking. Tsuna stomped down on the familiar feeling of uselessness, he had to focus on Natsu. There was a pained cry and Tsuna's attention snapped to Natsu, who was jumping back head shaking back and forth. Dewott stood a small distance away, a look of satisfaction on its face. It had obviously managed to finally hit Natsu.

"Water gun Dewott," the other man demanded, attention once more focused on the fight. "Then follow it up with razor shell." Dewott jumped back, head tilted back as a shot of water was expelled out of its mouth.

"Dodge it, Natsu!" The words came out fast and with no hesitation, and Tsuna would be more surprised that he didn't stumble over the command if he wasn't so focused on Natsu. Dewott shot forward, shells in hands once more and an idea hit Tsuna. "Dodge and Tackle Natsu!"

Natsu was quick to follow, seeming to understand what Tsuna wanted. He moved out of the way of the shot of water and ran full speed toward Dewott. Dewott raised an arm, sharp-edged shells coming straight down onto Natsu, but Natsu darted to the side skidding on the grass as he tried to control his turn. He darted forward again and with as much force he could muster he slammed into Dewott's side. Dewott went crashing toward the ground with a cry of surprise more than actual pain. Natsu let out a proud meow as he darted back and away from Dewott, and Tsuna couldn't help the grin that broke on his face, now to follow it up-

"Roll out and the water pulse." Tsuna's attention snapped to the calm voice of the other trainer before darting back to Dewott. Dewott rolled through the crash before spinning around and faster than Tsuna can process a blue pulse of water shot from Dewott's mouth and hit Natsu.

Natsu let out a yelp as he was thrown back and hit the ground with a loud thud. "Natsu!" Tsuna called, taking a step towards the fire cub. A sharp look from his opponent had him freezing. It took longer than Tsuna liked for Natsu to pull himself up, and even then he was staggering. Natsu shook his head, as he blinked up at Dewott, or at least tried to. He swung a paw, claws out and missed before face-planting to the floor.

Tsuna darted forward without a second thought and scooped Natsu up into his arms. There was a flash of red light, and Tsuna glanced up in time to see Dewott disappear into its Pokeball. Dewott's trainer stepped forward.

"He'll be fine, he's just confused."

"W-what?" Tsuna questioned. His hold tightened around Natsu, tucking the small Pokemon into the crook of his arm, eyeing the taller man suspiciously. The man offered a smirk and an amused shrug of his shoulders.

"He's going to be fine." the man repeated, shoving his hands into his pockets as he stared Tsuna down. Tsuna swallowed the lump in his throat, eyes darting from the man to Natsu in his arms. He had lost and now this man would no doubt try to take his Pokemon. "You can relax, I have no intention of taking your Litleo." he chuckled as he lowered himself into a crouch in front of Tsuna.

Tsuna blinked in confusion. The man had seemed so serious at the beginning of the match Tsuna was sure the other would take Natsu even if he had to forcibly pry Natsu from his hands.

"W-why?" Tsuna questioned, the suspicion he already was feeling doubling and no doubt showing openly on his face if the man's low chuckle was any indication.

"I have my reasons." the man replied before pushing himself to his feet. His hand darted forward and wrapped around Tsuna's collar and with seemingly little effort pulled Tsuna to his feet. Tsuna stumbled to his feet, his hold on Natsu tightening so he wouldn't fall. The man gestured to Natsu in his arms "Send him back, he'll heal faster that way."

Tsuna blinked before giving a hesitant nod and dug for Natsu's Pokeball. There was a flash of red and then Natsu was gone with nothing more than a soft meow in goodbye. He was quick to tuck the Pokeball away, not willing to chance the other changing his mind in not taking Natsu. His attention returned to the taller man, silently hoping the man would just leave already but also wanting to ask if he knew his way out of the woods.

"I'm Reborn." the man announced, as he grabbed his own bag and threw it over his shoulder. He turned to Tsuna expectantly when he received nothing but silence in turn.

"S-Sawada Tsunayoshi." Tsuna finally muttered. The man, Reborn, paused at the sound of his name, turning to watch Tsuna with a curious glint in his eyes.

"Sawada?" He questioned, turning to fully face Tsuna. Tsuna gave a hesitant nod feeling self-conscious under Reborn's intent stare. A grin slowly spread on his face, a look of unrestrained amusement taking over his features. "Oh?"

"W-what?" Tsuna demanded weakly. Reborn just shook his head, eyeing Tsuna with an unreadable look on his face that had Tsuna feeling severely inadequate and wanting the man gone.