Chapter Thirteen: Could Our Ending Not Be So Happy?

Yukihiko continued to think about how he felt about the redhead constantly by his side, especially of late. It wasn't easy, but somehow he would find the answer to his question: Do I love Shunsuke?

"And then, following that adventure, we decided to check out a performance on a Pokemon Showboat," Tracey was telling Keita and Kazuki. "It seemed like the Pokemon were talking, but it was really actors providing the voices while the Pokemon moved their mouths."

"That would take a lot of practise to perfect. You'd have to get the timing absolutely perfect and find that synch," Kazuki remarked.

"Ash mentioned it was difficult, but he did a great job."

"Ash did?"

"Yeah. One of the actors lost his voice because Weezing's Smoke Screen affected his throat. We all decided to help out with the show, and Ash provided the voice for Pikachu."

"I wish I could've been there, that would've been incredible to see," Keita commented.

"It certainly was quite a sight."

Marill jumped up and down. "Marill rill marill!" It was so much fun!

"While Misty and I didn't give voices to our Pokemon, we still allowed them to dance on the stage as well." Tracey patted Marill who ceased jumping so she could be pet. "Marill had a lot of fun that day."

Marill cooed as she felt her trainer scratch behind her ears. Suddenly, her ears twitched. "Marill rill marill rill." I hear a bike approaching.

"A bike?"

"Must be Shunsuke," Keita stated.

Sure enough, within seconds, Shunsuke arrived on his bike, pedalling at his favourite speed...breakneck. "Oh, good, I found you!" He pulled a letter out of his jacket pocket. "Here, Trace, this arrived for you."

Tracey accepted the letter. "Thanks, Shunsuke."

"Got more deliveries to make, so see ya later!" He waved before taking off.

Tracey had a look at the envelope he'd received. "It's from Professor Oak."

Marill, Kazuki and Keita looked at him as he opened it. They watched him as he read it, and were surprised when his expression became saddened.

"I have to go back to Pallet Town?"

They were in Tracey's room. The words I have to go back to Pallet Town? still sounding through their heads. "Tracey, what happened?" Keita queried.

"The professor and Mrs. Ketchum have the flu, so I have to go back and help take care of them and the lab. The professor tried contacting Gary, but he hasn't heard from him yet. So, I'm the only option, otherwise it would be the Pokemon taking care of the lab."

"Well, after they have recovered and work is running smoothly, you'll be able to come back, right?"

"I'm not sure. While Mrs. Ketchum usually recovers from the flu quickly, it's a different story with the professor. Last year when he caught it, he was sick in bed for months. It's always worst on people fifty years and over. If I'm gone for that long, then I'll fall behind in my schoolwork and might not be able to return."

"I promise you that you are always welcome to return, no matter what happens, Tracey," Kazuki stated firmly.

"Thanks, Kazuki."

"And we'll help you to catch up. You would've done the same for us."

"But, this is very sudden..." Keita whispered. "Wasn't it the professor who told you to come here in the first place?"

"Yes, but it was also the professor who took me on as his assistant. One of the tasks as his assistant is to look after the lab when he's unable to; whether because of illness or leaving the lab for other reasons. I'm sorry, but I have to go back."

"Tracey..."

"But, as soon as everything's up to speed again, I'll come back here. I promise."

"We'll always welcome you back."

"When do you have to leave?" Kazuki asked.

"Professor Oak said I don't have to hurry back as Mr. Mime is helping Mrs. Ketchum, but it would be best if I returned as soon as possible. That means I have enough time to say goodbye to everyone."

Marill nodded. "Marill rill ma marill." And I can say goodbye to Tonosama.

"We're going to miss you. You know that, right?" Keita asked.

"I know, and I'll miss both of you very much. I'll never stop thinking about you."

"Our time apart won't be long. Holidays are coming up. We can visit you in Pallet Town, and if you still need help, we can give it to you," Kazuki suggested.

"I'd love that."

"If anyone else wants to come, can they too?" Keita queried.

"Sure. It would be a good experience for them to see the other Pokemon, and it would be nice having my friends with me." He rose from the bed. "Right, it's time to let everyone else know."

"I see..." Takuto whispered as he heard the news. "It is a real shame that you have to leave so soon."

"But, I will be coming back. And, if you'd like, during the holidays, you're welcome to come by the lab."

"That sounds like a fine idea. I will discuss it with Kouji."

"Thank you for everything, Takuto. I'm glad I got to meet you."

"Please don't say that. It makes it sound like you'll never return."

"Still, I mean it."

"Alright, then."

"You're leaving?" Shunsuke exclaimed. "I never should've given you that letter if it meant you had to leave!"

"It's alright, Shunsuke. It was important for me to learn what I did."

"Yeah, but still..."

"And I won't be gone forever. I will come back once everything has been sorted out. And, during the holidays, you're more than welcome to come visit me at the lab."

"Sure thing, Trace. I'd love to see the Pokemon there."

"Cool."

"So, you have to leave?" Kouji questioned as he turned to the Watcher.

"Yes. They need me back in Pallet Town."

"I see. Then, that's what you must do. Does Takuto know about this?"

"Yes. I offered for him to come to the lab during the holidays. You're welcome to as well, of course."

"Of course. Takuto and I will discuss it."

"Hey, Kouji, thanks for helping me during that week."

"It's never easy to relive past traumas. I'm glad you're alright now."

"Thank you."

"What? You're leaving?" Yukihiko asked. He was at practise with the twins, but he told them it was time for a break when he noticed Tracey standing nearby.

"Yes. I have to go back to Pallet Town to look after the lab."

"You've only been here for a month and a half."

"And I'm glad for that time here."

"Well, it's not gonna be the same without you."

"You're welcome to come by the lab during the holidays if you'd like."

"Sure, sounds great!"

"Wataru and Kakeru are also invited." Tracey turned to a nearby bush. "Okay, you two?"

"Wow, you're good!" the twins exclaimed as they came out of the bushes.

Kaoru set down his cup of tea as Omi turned away from the computer screen. "So, you must return to Pallet Town?" Kaoru asked.

"I do. It's only for a few months, but then I'll return."

"Very well then."

"If you'd like, during the holidays, you're welcome to visit the lab."

Omi nodded. "That sounds like a fine suggestion, doesn't it, Kaoru?"

The strawberry blond nodded. "Then, that is how we shall spend our holidays." He smiled. "So, be sure to expect us as soon as the holidays have started."

"I'll be prepared," Tracey assured.

"Wait, what? But, you've only been here for...what, two months?" Tetsuya exclaimed.

Tracey nodded. "It has been a short time, but I am needed back in Pallet Town. It's just until everything's back up to speed, then I'm coming right back."

"Well, as long as you're coming back..."

"Also, I'm inviting both you and Hideaki to come to the lab during the holidays to see the Pokemon there."

"Sounds great, I know I'll be there." Tetsuya turned to Hideaki who was cursing under his breath. "Can't you and Omi cut that out for one day?"

Hideaki just chuckled before rapidly typing. "I'll be attending the visit to the lab as well."

"Then, we'll both be seeing ya later, huh?"

The Watcher nodded. "Thank you for everything during the last couple of months."

"More to come when you get back."

The final farewells were to Umino-sensei and Tonosama. "I see, so you're leaving for a while..." Umino-sensei sighed. "We'll miss both of you, won't we, Tonosama?"

The cat let out a low meow. He knew he was going to miss Marill a lot.

"Mr. Umino, you're welcome to come to the lab during the holidays. If the professor's well enough, you could even talk with him about Pokemon. If not, at least you can see many species first-hand," Tracey invited.

"I'd love to! And Tonosama can play with Marill some more before you can return!"

Marill had tears in her eyes as she looked at her new friend. "Marill marill. Rill, marill marill rill ma marill." I'm going to miss you. But, I know that we can see each other again.

Tonosama nodded. "Meow meow. Rawr mew meow." That's right. I'll visit you when Satoshi visits the lab.

The four of them stood outside the school gates. Marill was not in Tracey's arms, it made it easier for him to embrace Kazuki and Keita.

Keita stepped forward first and wrapped one arm around Tracey. He felt the Watcher return to embrace with both arms circling him. "I'm really going to miss you, Trace. I wish you didn't have to leave."

"But, I will be coming back, Keita, and you'll be visiting me. Our time apart won't be long." Tracey gave Keita a kiss on the cheek, which led to the redhead moving enough so they could share a chaste liplock. It had to end, and when it did, Tracey whispered, "I love you so much, Keita. I'm going to miss you a lot."

Keita nodded. "I love you as well, Trace."

Kazuki watched as the embrace was broken, and waited until Tracey had stepped closer to him. "I'm looking forward to seeing you again in the near future, Tracey," he commented as he embraced the Watcher tightly, feeling the embrace being returned. "Take care of yourself, alright?"

"I will. I'm going to miss you a lot, Kazuki." After maneuvering enough, he was in the right position to share a chaste kiss with the older male. When it ended, he whispered shakily, "I love you so much, Kazuki."

"And I love you too, Tracey."

Keita scooped Marill up and held her in his arms. "Don't think for a second that we won't miss you too, Marill."

Kazuki nodded as he and Tracey broke their embrace. He patted the mouse on her head. "Look after him for us, alright?"

Marill nodded. "Marill marill rill. Marill marill." You don't even have to ask. I'll miss both of you a lot too.

Keita handed the blue mouse to her trainer as an Abra appeared suddenly. "So, is this the same Abra that helped you?"

Tracey nodded. "The very same. He must've sensed it was time to leave."

"We'll definitely come by the lab. We'll definitely come to see you again!"

The Watcher felt something run down his cheek. His vision was starting to blur. "Oh man, I told myself not to cry, it only makes this harder..."

Kazuki pulled Keita close as he noticed the redhead's blue eyes were also filling with tears. He felt like crying himself. After so many years, they'd been reunited. They fell in love. But, now they have to part again after such a short time. "See you next time, Tracey."

The Abra stepped forward and placed his hand on Tracey's thigh. He was signalling that it was time to leave. When he felt his mind linking with the Watcher's, he probed for the image of where he was to go and saw it. In a flash, the Pokemon vanished, along with Tracey and Marill.

After seeing them vanish, Keita turned to Kazuki and buried his face in the older male's chest as he started to let out tiny sobs.

Kazuki held Keita tight, still minding his arm. "Keita..."

Keita/Tracey: HAMU-HAMU HEAVEN!

Tracey and Keita, still chibified hamsters, kept looking for that perfect thing to sketch, when they were approached by Takuto, still in his own chibified hamster form. "I'm glad I found you-hamu. Everything is all set and waiting for you-hamu," Takuto stated with a smile.

"What is it-hamu?" Tracey questioned.

"The perfect thing for you to sketch-hamu. Please, follow me-hamu." Takuto led them through Bell Liberty Forest until they came to a sunny clearing where everyone was gathered. Tetsuya, Hideaki, Omi, Kaoru, Yukihiko, Shunsuke, Kouji, Kakeru, Wataru, Umino-sensei and Kazuki, all chibified hamsters. Tonosama was standing behind all of them, he was still a giant cat.

Keita's eyes widened. "Of course-hamu! This is definitely going to make the perfect sketch-hamu!"

Tracey nodded as he looked at all of his friends. "What could be more special than a sketch of your friends-hamu?"

Once everyone was in position, Tracey requesting some moves to be made, the sketch was finally started.

Tracey, Keita and Kazuki all jumped up in front of that large blackboard that Tracey was always tapping in previous chapters. This time, it was Tracey's time to speak. "Leaving Bell Liberty wasn't easy, and it shows in my behaviour at the lab-hamu. But then I get many visitors before the holidays are even meant to be starting-hamu!" He pulled both of his beloved close. "Next time, the final chapter of Newest Student At BL Gakuen: Together Forever. Please be sure to observe carefully as you read, as some delightful changes will happen-hamu!"

Keita and Kazuki both held Tracey in a shared embrace, smiling just as widely as he was. "Thank you for sharing in our happiness-hamu!" the trio chorused.