Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or any of its characters. Please read and review if you can! I would appreciate it.

Chapter 1: The Beginning

It's a cool night. I snuggle into my trainer's arms, and settle there comfortably. I like times like these, when we're alone together, sitting under a vast sky dotted with stars.

It's times like these, when I feel so warm and happy inside.

It's times like these, when I don't regret losing my first trainer. Because if he hadn't gone,

I would've never known friendship. True friendship. Friendship like this.

"Pikachu?" he asks in a soft voice, rubbing my fur gently.

"Pika-pika?" I reply, noticing the strange way his eyes keep staring into the distance. Like he's only half here, like half of his soul is in another place, another time. I know that look. It's the look he wears every year on this one day. It's the look I know I used the wear before he became my trainer. It's a look of almost-buried memories and half-forgotten pain.

"You're not ever going to leave me alone are you, Pikachu?"

It's the question he asks every time on this day.

"Pika-pi-pi-pikachu!" Not in a million years, you dolt! I say indignantly, as I always do.

He bends his head to look at me, and I see a sad smile on his face.

"Thanks, Pikachu. You have no idea how much that means to me."

Hours later, long after he has fallen asleep, I watch him. Silently. As a shadow. I remember the wistful longing expression on his face as he stared into the sky. An expression that spoke of memories not soon forgotten. An expression that spoke of something or someone desperately needed, yet lost.

I watch him. And I wonder what memories he cannot confide in even me.