Standing inside of a cramped cell within the Team Rocket Base we had recently conquered, a shiver passes through me.
This was the one I had spent my childhood inside of. I press a hand against a small drawing of a crude sun against a far wall.
I had always lusted after the sun, after adventure and most of all freedom. I feel a coldness creep into my heart as I listen to silence.
I feel someone standing behind me and turn to see Silver. He looks sad, glancing around the interior of the cell morosely.
"What's wrong?" I reach out and touch his arm lightly.
"Seeing where you spent so many years just… hurts." He walks briskly away from the small space, leaving it's depressing remains behind.
I follow him, not looking towards Giovanni's quarters. That room had been written off as a potential loss, a lot of damage had been done.
Bright yellow tape dangles carelessly over the pile of rubble where the entryway once stood.
A cleanup crew is scattered about, sweeping up debris into giant bags. Machoke wander around, picking up large chunks of stone and breaking them into dust.
We move upstairs, into the main portion of the base. A group of men are scrubbing at stains on the floor, which appear to be blood.
I avert my gaze, focusing on the new room being built. Silver's office.
"Where do you get all of this money?" I can't believe I'd never thought to ask Silver before. It seems as if he has an endless amount.
"Let's just say I had a hefty sum in an account from Giovanni. I made sure to deplete it after we went our separate ways." So he'd done the same thing I had, though his account had obviously held more.
I hear Masaru speaking to someone in another room, giving them some sort of inaudible orders.
I strain to hear for a moment before turning my attention back to Silver.
He's pacing the length of the new office slowly, eyes wandering about. I can't tell what he's thinking.
"What are you thinking about?" I have no shame.
He stops walking and doesn't say anything at first, chewing his lip. Appearing to search for words to come. "Hard to explain." He finally grunts.
I roll my eyes and walk away from him, towards a yawning window. I look out and find solace in the rooftops scattered about.
Silver wants to move into the base as soon as we get it fixed up. I'm nervous about that part of this. I'm not sure how I feel about returning here to live.
"Are you alright?" A voice asks.
I jump, startled and turn to face Masaru. "I'm fine." I say it more curtly than I intend to.
He looks hurt and I immediately feel guilty.
"I guess I'm not fine. I'm just… thinking." I hope offering some insight takes the sting out of my last statement.
"Can I ask what you're thinking about?" His brow furrows and his brown eyes are flickering with interest.
"I don't know how I feel about living here," I admit at last.
He chews his lip thoughtfully and then starts tapping his damn finger on the windowsill. "Because of what happened here? Like… your situation growing up, I mean." He doesn't look at me and gazes out the glass.
"Yeah," I answer quietly.
"This time it will be in a room, not a cell." He says turning to look at me again and I hold his gaze, trying not to cry.
I can't say anything without my voice breaking so I just nod and stare hard at the rooftops.
He stands next to me and looks out as well, though without his gaze I'm not sure what his eyes are resting on. For some reason I find myself wondering.
Second click into minutes, which then becomes an entire hour of standing here like this. I'm not sure how I feel. He's stayed the entire time, as if he's waiting for me to speak.
"Thank you," I say before touching Masaru's arm and walking away.
I feel his eyes burning after me but don't turn around. I'm exhausted and I need fresh air.
Shoving open the giant doors leading to outside I let the air wash over me. I dust the beige hooded dress I'm wearing off and let the breeze carry scents to me.
A cluster of Roselia are somewhere nearby, I smell the radiance of them.
Life is beautiful. It had been hidden away from me for so long. Remorse overtakes me and I seat myself on the hard ground.
I feel the earth underneath my palms, gritty and cool to the touch. I can almost feel the hum of energy spiraling deep within.
A flock of Pidgey cackle overhead and I watch them blissfully. I lose myself in the moment, trying to let the fear and pain ebb away into the universe.
"What are you doing?" I hear an unfamiliar man's voice and open one eye.
He's tall, somewhat muscular with black shaggy hair. He raises an eyebrow, revealing icy blue eyes. I'm shocked, mainly because I'm not sure who he is.
"Who are you?" I cock my head to the side quizzically. He's dressed in black slacks and a suit jacket is laid over a stark white shirt.
"I'm sorry if I startled you. I'm Akio," he pushes back his hair sheepishly. "I'm here to meet with Silver."
I narrow my eyes at him. "He didn't say he had anyone coming to visit him. What do you want?"
He looks shocked by my response. "Am I supposed to go through you or something?"
"I just don't know if I trust you. Especially since my brother didn't mention you." I stand up from my position on the ground.
I only come up to this man's chest, which makes me feel small. I'm not intimidated though, my hand instinctively reaches for my belt.
"Oh, I didn't realize you were his sister." His face flushes briefly and he looks away.
"I'll bring you in but don't fucking test me." I snarl, waving a hand for him to follow me.
Quietly he follows me through the doors, shutting them behind us.
My hair is standing on end by the time we enter the framework for Silver's new office.
"Akio!" He says, clapping the man's outstretched hand.
"I didn't know you he was. So I wasn't very nice." I shrug unapologetically at Silver.
"I hope Jun didn't treat you too poorly. She doesn't take kindly to strangers," Silver lets out a nervous laugh.
Akio eyes me from his position next to Silver and my skin pricks with discomfort.
"Who is he?" I ask and Akio snorts.
"He's here because he's going to help us in our next infiltration. Which, I pray goes more smoothly than our last one." Silver gives me a hard look that says 'shut up.'
Grinning Akio says, "I'm really excited. I think I can help this go over without a single hiccup."
I roll my eyes but keep my mouth shut, since that's what Silver wants.
Akio is still looking at me, I try to pretend that I don't notice.
Silver realizes my discomfort and gives a hard cough, which makes Akio break his gaze. I breathe a silent sigh of relief.
Masaru enters the room quietly and stands next to me, which elicits a glare from Akio.
"Who are you?" He cuts off Silver to ask.
"Masaru. I'm not sure that we've met," wiping a hand on his pants he extends it to the man.
"Akio," he grips Masaru's hand and they shake.
I use this as an excuse to exit the room, Masaru follows me quietly.
"I don't like that guy," I snarl.
"I don't think you liked me at first either." Masaru offers.
"That was different," I scuff the ground with my boot. "You didn't give me uncomfortable vibes like he does."
Masaru obviously suppresses a smile at this.
"What?" I chide.
"Nothing, just glad I didn't make you uncomfortable." He replies.
We spend the rest of the day cleaning out the building. By nightfall Silver's office has been fully constructed and the building is clean.
We retire to the house we met in before the invasion. It turns out the house was a rental. Most people who stayed in it were trainers and would rent for a handful of nights or weeks at most.
Unfortunately Akio was staying there with Silver, Masaru and myself. A bitter taste entered my mouth when Silver shared the news with me.
It was a three bedroom house and I asked Silver to share a room with Akio. I didn't trust him and didn't like the idea of him being alone in a room for some reason.
The three men stay in the main living room while I walk to my room. Collapsing in the stiff bed I stare at the ceiling groggily. I want to sleep but I'm filthy and my body is screaming at me to shower.
Groaning I force myself to stand underneath the hot spray. Going through the motions as quickly as possible I finish and exit.
I still hear the three of them talking and force myself to exit my room and see what's happening.
Masaru, seemingly ruffled is leaning against the counter across from Silver and Akio. Tension is crackling in the air, I feel like walked into a disagreement.
All three of them look at me instantly, my skin crawls as I find a seat at the table.
"I just think it makes more sense to break into smaller teams and work that way," Akio speaks first.
Silver is lost in thought and Masaru is tapping his finger wildly on the counter he's leaning on. "We've been working together for weeks. You're trying to throw everything off the rails." Masaru's voice is bitter.
Akio glances over at Silver, but not before he lets his gaze rest hungrily on me.
I force myself not to squirm and glare back at him icily.
Masaru notices the exchange and starts pushing his hair back with his non-tapping hand.
"So what are you suggesting, precisely?" Silver answers steadily while Masaru lets out a loud breath.
"I think you and Masaru should work from here and you should let me take Jun to Johto." Akio looks at me again, his blue eyes were hiding something.
Silver opens his mouth but my voice finds itself first, "absolutely not!"
Akio rests his eyes on me and says, "it's for the cause. I truly think it's what's best."
"Then why don't you take Silver with you?" My voice is harsh but I don't care. I don't trust this guy and I certainly don't like his fucking suggestion.
"Silver is important to Kanto. He knows his way around this base. I need someone with your skills to work closely with me." Akio shoved his hands in his pockets.
I look over at Silver helplessly and he shrugs. "It's your decision. I think he makes a good point in terms of having one of us go to Johto."
"Well, I think it's a terrible plan. You should let me come with you instead of Jun," Masaru interjects.
"I don't need you," Akio waves his hand loftily.
"Not to insult, but I believe Jun and I are of equal measure. She should be allowed to stay here with Silver." Masaru pushes himself away from the counter.
It's strange when he becomes assertive. It's out of character on his normally aloof character.
"I also mean no insult, but she will be of greater value to me." Akio narrows his eyes and I see his hand playing with a ball on his hip.
"Jun is a person and I don't appreciate you talking about her like that, Akio." Silver is pinching the bridge of his nose as he speaks.
I feel the tension in the room elevate more as Masaru's hand toys with a Pokéball.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disrespect you," Akio bows his head deeply to me. "I just believe that your personality is more on par with the jobs I need done."
Masaru visibly bristles at this comment.
"What does that mean?" I eye Akio suspiciously.
"I need someone who can take over the Johto Team Rocket Base. Someone who commands attention. Who better than the daughter of Giovanni?" Akio's voice is brimming with excitement.
I look over at Silver, who nods at me.
"Go on," I tell Akio, glancing at Masaru who is fuming for some reason.
"In Johto the Team Rocket Base is still abducting Pokémon. I want to shut it down. To do that we just need to usurp the head seat." Akio has walked up to where I'm sitting at the table.
I'm forced to look up at him. I smell a woody, tangy scent floating off of him. It's oddly seductive and I try to push it out of my thoughts.
"So you think I can do that myself?" Not liking that he's towering over me I stand up. It doesn't help much but I don't feel quite as small.
"With my help, of course." I see something strange race across his eyes. "Your beauty also won't hurt in winning their hearts."
My cheeks burn for a moment and I'm taken aback. "D-don't say things like that!" I snarl.
A smile pulls at the edge of Silver's mouth and I glare at him hotly. His smile instantly drops.
"My apologies, it was just an observation. Nothing more." Akio bows his head again.
What the fuck is wrong with this guy? I'm not sure if I want to be alone with him while we travel to Johto.
I hear the flick of a lighter and smell smoke. Masaru has lit a cigarette and is aggressively drawing on it.
"I don't think I trust you." I admit to Akio. "We've only just met and I already don't like you."
"Well your brother tells me you don't take kindly to strangers," Akio punctuates his statement with a wink.
My blood boils.
"Jun, please give me a chance." Akio reaches to clasp my hands and I pull them away.
"How long would I have to be gone for?" I ask him cooly.
He falls silent at this and walks away from me. Agitation crawls up my skin. "Awhile," he says bluntly.
"It's up to you," Silver says at last. "This is your decision."
"I don't want to go. It's pretty simple, not with this Akio guy, anyway." I respond tartly. "I've only just met him."
Awkwardness hangs in the room.
"I think we just need more time," Silver says simply. "Unless you're willing to stay here with me while Masaru goes to Johto with her."
I glare at Silver, but would prefer this over going with Akio.
"I don't know that Masaru is capable," Akio snarls almost instantly.
"He is." Silver says firmly. "So you can either wait or we can make a swap."
Akio flares up and brews silently for a few moments. "I'll get Masaru what he needs to be successful. You two can depart in three days."
Silver nods in approval and Masaru seems to deflate at last. Akio isn't hiding his irritation well.
Over the next three days we continued the renovations at the Team Rocket Base in Kanto. A sense of relief that I wouldn't be staying here reverberates within me.
I'm standing outside the Base, looking out at the horizon alone.
A strange emotion flickers deep inside my soul. Doubt. Or maybe it's fear? I can't be sure.
Something ominous swells in the distance, it crackles fervently. I have to be ready to face it. I attempt to crush the pulse of anxiety rising up.
My palms start to sweat and I wipe them quickly on my black and silver dress. My hair is mounded into a bun on top of my head, a cap covering most of it.
Masaru and I would leave for Johto later this afternoon.
I'm not sure if I'm ready for this. For going undercover the way Masaru had so many times in the past.
Suddenly I feel a presence and turn to see Masaru.
As usual he says nothing and just stands there, gazing off.
"Are you afraid?" I ask him.
"I live my life afraid, it's how I'm still alive." He zips up his bright red jacket against the stiff wind. He closes his eyes and then opens one, focusing it on me. "But whatever happens I'll keep you safe this time."
Shame floods over me. "I'll do better this time. I won't let anger cloud me." After another moment, "I don't need protected though."
He lets out a breath, which is lost in the shrieking wind. "Of course you don't."