route_1065 | The storm before the storm

Entry tags:

The storm before the storm

Who: Ren Jinguji, Masato Hijirikawa, some Rocket Grunt NPC & anyone at the base
When: January 13th
Where: Team Rocket Base - Goldenrod
Summary: There are some secrets that should be kept as secrets. Unfortunately some things aren't just meant to be. (a.k.a Jinguji vs. Hijirikawa (Johto version) Round 2 - start)
Rating: PG-13 at least.
Note: If you're in Team Rocket and in the base, feel free to join this log as "audience" to their unavoidable confrontation or as a someone who comments about it to either one afterwards!
Log:

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Jinguji! Can I ask you something?

[Ren was about to return to his room when he was stopped by one of the normal grunts at the base. It was rare for the residents of the world they were in to actually stop anyone to talk, but Ren had talked to quite a few of the grunts before.]

Of course. What it is?

About the thing you said last time - of how you stole that ladies' Pokémon - could you explain it to me again? I want to try it myself since my normal methods aren't working.

Ah, that. Most certainly. [There was no harm in explaining it, after all. The NPC Grunts weren't as wise as to dress differently when they tried to steal Pokémon so there was no danger of them actually being successful.] The key for doing that is to make the lady feel secure. Make her feel like she's safe and comfortable and then, when you're close enough, just sneakily reach out for her belt and snatch a few of those Pokeballs. She won't notice a thing as she's not expecting you to do anything and you both will part way - completely satisfied.

That sounds pretty simple! How many times have you succeeded in that?

Oh, I don't know. Five? I was away from my regular mission for quite some time, so I had time to practice. [A mischievous smile, which makes the Rocket Grunt laugh.

Ren really didn't like acting out this part, but it was entertaining to a certain point.

He wished he had been lying about the stealing part as much as he was lying about feeling satisfied about it, but alas. Such was not life.]

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Still trying to understand the purpose of these pokémon, Masato had opted for just playing it safe and listening to the Rocket admins for the time being. Until his own means of escape could be reached, he figured it was safest just to see what this base was about, and, hopefully, find something else for his Karrablast to chew.

To the kitchens! Or... kind of, since just walking down the hall brought a new conversation to his ears. He immediately recognized one of the voices as Jinguji's, and judging by the tone, he had a feeling this wasn't a good one. Quickly, Masato scooped the Karrablast into his arms and moved closer to the wall, trying to keep himself and his pokémon unseen as he listened in.

"You should consider showing us how you do it. I'm sure there are others who'd like to know a tactic like that! Especially since it's worked before", the Grunt continued after he was done laughing horribly.

"Perhaps if a chance like that will sometime occur, unless some of the lady officers would be willing to help me demonstrate - without them knowing, of course", Ren winked and that earned another chuckle from the grunt.

"I think we can arrange something like that. I'll talk to others sometime", the Grunt promised. "Anyway, I'm late from a meeting. I'll see you around, Jinguji - and thanks." And he was gone before anything else could be said. Ren waited until the guy was out of sight before turning around and starting to walk again.

Theft... While Masato had thought they were all placed in that team by accident, it definitely worried him that this conversation was taking place. Not just worried, it was starting to anger him. Having grown up and roomed with Jinguji, he knew the young teenager was no thief.

What exactly happened to him during those six months...?

That concern had him turning up to look once he heard the grunts splitting. As footsteps began to drift away, Masato decided it was alright to step from his hiding spot in the shadows, only to find himself immediately face-to-face with Jinguji.

His eyes narrowed immediately, but he said nothing just yet. Just guess why he's glaring, Jinguji. Three chances, and the first two don't count.

Ren was ready to just walk into his room and lay down on his bed for a while. There had been no signs of trouble or anything irritating the whole day, so it was easy to just think he could relax the rest of the day.

Of course, he should have remembered that it was not so easy to just assume that anymore. Ren stopped as he saw Hijirikawa. Why was he always in places where he shouldn't be? It was clear from the guys' face that he heard the conversation and wasn't pleased with it.

This would have been a good situation to explain a few things, but this was definitely not the right place to do it. Instead, he smiled, mockingly.

"Eavesdropping isn't very polite, Hijirikawa."

"Neither is theft, Jinguji."

That smile did nothing. Masato could tell that he was only putting one on for show, something teasing and frivolous and completely uncaring to the scenario. He was probably trying to show that he didn't care about what had happened.

Unfortunately for him, Masato did.

"Stealing from the women you flirt with now?" he asked. Right to the point.

Ren couldn't help but to sneer at Hijirikawas words. Of course, someone like him wouldn't just ignore the conversation, no matter how he heard it.

After a seconds' though, Ren just shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. Maybe it was better if he acted like he had just acted with the grunt. You never knew who would be listening in the hallways, after all.

"Why not? They get something in return even if they lose something."

"Oh?" he asked. This attitude of Jinguji's was definitely pissing him off, but he was going to hold back on the urge to deck him in the face. Whether they were in the privacy of a room or the open hallway, he was not going to refrain what he was thinking.

"And what sort of reward would you be giving those you steal from? I didn't know you had resorted to such trickery. Here I was thinking you were still possibly honest. I'm glad to find out early that you're not."

"A kiss on the hand or on the cheek and a chance to be close to a hot guy like me", Ren explained with a wink. This also included an anonymous letter of apology, but he wasn't going to say that now. He could tell that later if Hijirikawa would ever listen to him again.

"Did you honestly think I would be the same after being here for six months? You need to learn to live the right way in a place like this", he said with a more serious look. "I suggest you do the same."

He looked positively disgusted at the wink. To hear that Ren would have changed after being there was expected--after all, people changed, but for the better or worst--but he hadn't expected this sort of change.

At that point, Masato just couldn't stand looking at him. "You're awful. I'd much rather remain someone I like at the end of the day than some vile, disgusting shell of what I used to be," he answered. "But I should have expected it, coming from you." Should have expected that Ren would have gotten involved with the wrong crowd, that he would have actually accepted this behavior. Ren had never been one for rules or deadlines--he just did things as he wished. That was what bothered Masato the most. This wasn't okay.

It was rather scary how well Ren could act this part. It made him feel a bit sick, but it was really quite easy for him to just pretend he had really become a petty thief... which he had become, but not by choice and certainly not because he enjoyed it like some people.

Ren smiled again. The smile was cold and didn't echo the usual carefree attitude he had. Really, all he wanted to say was the truth, but it was better to take some distance to his... "friend" now that he had a chance.

"Good luck in Team Rocket if you keep that attitude. I won't be saving you if you get in trouble", he said with no hesitation whatsoever. Haruka was different - Hijirikawa needed to look out for himself. he takes a few steps forward, to walk past the other guy, before adding. "Though you should consider a change of heart. Girls really love bad guys, after all."

"I don't plan on getting in trouble, thanks." But of course, few people ever planned it. He would have to make his escape a bit quicker than he thought, but for now, he knew he needed to relax a bit more. Putting his Karrablast back into the pokéball, he planned on just walking away, as Ren was--but the moment he heard him speak again, his temper got to him.

And with that, he swung a fist, aiming for Jinguji's face. Fight number two in two days...

Ren was also ready to just walk away, but instead he got a fist to his face. He should have expected that, yet again, but he did not.

Instead of just turning the other cheek, he was trying to go for "an eye for an eye" sort of thinking and returned the punch with his own.

Just then a very excitable Growlithe comes in barking and seems rather excitable. Not long afterwards there's a very flustered Haruka chasing after him.

"Akaihi! I-I'm sor--oh!" she stops, staring at two of her friends. She'd heard that Masato had arrived in Johto but hadn't seen him. The scene that greeted her was certainly the last thing she'd expect.

"Jinguji-san...?"

A familiar voice stopped Ren from doing anything. He turned around to look at the direction of the voice. Hijirikawa didn't matter anymore, so whatever might have been coming from the other boy he would most likely get - but he was pretty sure even Hijirikawa would stop after hearing the girls' voice.

"Haruka", he said. It had been a very long time since he last saw Haruka. It was almost unbelievable that she was there. "You're back. I was so worried", he added without a though. Yes, he had been telling everyone he knew Haruka was safe and sound, but in reality Haruka had been missing for quite some time because of a mission. But now she was here and Ren was approaching her (who cared about Hijirikawa anyway).

The returned punch was startling enough, but Masato's fist hadn't yet to fly in retaliation, as he was completely distracted by that oh-so-familiar sound that hit his ears. Jinguji had moved back, enough that Masato could spot his classmate heading towards them.

Eyes wide, he took a few steps closer. "Haruka!" He hadn't even been aware she hadn't been at the base, from what Jinguji had told him--or, you know, hadn't told him. He had only been aware that she had been part of the Rocket group, but nothing about being elsewhere. However, he couldn't help but sigh in relief. "I'm relieved to know you're safe here," he stated, though the remark had him side-eyeing Jinguji for a second. At least he knew that the blonde hadn't gotten to her. But it didn't even take another second before all of his attention had returned to her, all the while ignoring the growing bruise on his cheek.

The young girl watched as the older boy made his way to her.

"I'm back." That's all she could really say. When Masato spoke she looked over at him and smiled a bit. "I'm okay. Jinguji-san's been helping me out a lot." And that brought her back to what she'd seen when she arrived. Her smiled faded and soon she was staring worriedly at the blue haired boy's face, then back at Ren.

They both had what looked like bruises...?

"What...happened?"

It wasn't the first time Ren had something like a bruise on his face when he was near Haruka. Last time he just hadn't hit Hijirikawa back, so this situation was a little different.

Ren tried a carefree smile. "It's nothing important. Don't worry about it too much."

Masato had to frown a bit more. Having a bruise on his face was more than bothersome, but to have Haruka also pointing it out was just awful. He shook his head nonchalantly, actually rather relieved he could rely on Ren's flirty nature to know that he'd try his best to keep Haruka from worrying as well.

"We're fine, Haruka. How was your trip?"

She never quite frowned, but Haruka was clearly worried. She looked between the two when they assured her they were fine and bit her bottom lip nervously. She knew everything wasn't fine, but let it go. The two of them had bad blood between them, she knew, she just wasn't expecting another fight.

"It was...fine." Lies. It was terrible and awful and terrifying and she felt bad just remembering it, even with her Growlithe nudging her legs.

Ren makes a more serious face. It must have been hard for her... there was no doubt about it.

"I'm sorry I couldn't help you."

Masato could already see through Haruka's lie. Completely ignoring that concerned look--after all, they just needed to do their best to try and ease her out of that--he glanced over once at Ren before focusing on her again.

"Hopefully, you won't have to worry about those sort of trips for much longer. At least you're back now."

"U-um...!!" And now Haruka makes a determined face, she lightly lefts up her hands in front of her.

"It's okay! I can do this much! It'd better if I didn't bring any attention to myself in this place anyway!" And she smiles lightly, reassuring them. "I'll be fine!" She'd actually planned on catching some stray or adopting one and bringing it to TR but her Absol had been insistent. She's just have to remember to not let him out next time...not that she knows there won't be a next time.

Ren smiled again, though it was the saddest smile in a while. He wasn't pleased with himself at letting Haruka do something actually evil, no matter what the girl said.

He reached out a hand and touched her hair. "You don't have to try too hard... just one step at a time."

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The storm before the storm

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