"I love you, Ruby."

"I love you, Ruby."

"I love you, Ruby."

"I love you, Ruby."

Those four words kept repeating in my mind since yesterday.

I'm already awake on the early morning of Saturday but I stayed on my bed to daze for few moments.

Now that it's clear that my feelings have been returned, what now? The answer is I have no idea what are we going to do next. I've never been in any relationship and like any one would like me. Not being a pessimistic but all this years I've been studying, I have always been watching Sir. Steven from far away. Or by luck, we'll be passing by each other while walking with my dad.

I could still remember him having small talks to me with my dad. I was stumbling on my words back then and good thing they only thought that I was only nervous 'cause I've only met him once. That once is the time he saved me from that Salamence.

Unconsciously, my finger tips made contact with my scar on my forehead.

I've never thought that love at first sight is true after all.

I looked at the wall clock and it's 7 past in the morning. Hopping off of the bed, I fixed the covers then went out to have breakfast with mom and dad.

Just heading down stairs with pajamas on I could already smell the meal my mom's making on the kitchen.

"Mornin' Mom!" I casually greeted then passed by the kitchen to head at the bathroom. She greeted me back while I finished my daily routine then went back to the kitchen.

I plopped myself on my chair and patiently waited for my mom to finish cooking the meals.

Looking around, dad's not around... And there I was starting to get curious why dad's not here with us eating breakfast. Usually, I was always the one who's late having breakfast while they're now starting.

Now that I mentioned it, mom is still cooking like she had just started.

I quirked my eyebrows and eyed my mom's back.

"Umm, mom?" I called out for her attention and she just replied her humming sounds.

"Where's dad?" I was taken aback when the spatula she's holding at the moment hit the steel-made pan with such sound from what I said. I kept quiet for few moments until I regain my composure from the astonishment.

Did I say something wrong or did something happened...?

"Out." was her only reply then she proceeded cooking our meal.

I bit my lower lip. Was what I said wrong? Or is it just I asked it in the wrong time...

Mom soon placed the plate of our meal and we began eating silently. It's a little bit uncomfortable but I have to tolerate to let her know I'm not bothered by her sudden action.

I was only wondering where dad went to and it's very unusual for him to be out early in the morning. The only reasons I could think of was maybe for his gym or for school related stuffs.

However this one's different. I asked where is dad and my mom's reaction definitely says it's none of those two reasons I had in my mind. Something different and sound very important.

"Ruby dear, " Mom suddenly spoke that brought me back to reality whiel I was absentmindedly consuming my food. I looked up to meet her eyes full of worry and something I couldn't explain. But put that aside for the meantime knowing that I'd be more bothered to know that than I have now.

I hummed for her to know I'm listening.

"I'm sorry for my reaction just now. It's just... " she paused then added; "Your dad had been really busy on searching a Pokemon that's tasked for him to find. So, he always leaves for few days back then and now he decided to continue his search." she then let's out a soft sigh. It's actually rude to sigh on the table but I didn't mind remind her.

I used to sigh once and there she kept nagging about me doing that.

"What Pokemon?" I curiously asked her.

"Umm, I actually don't know. He never mentioned it." I nodded in response and finished eating. Right after that, I excused myself and head straight to my room.

I closed my bedroom door and locked it. I leaned my back on the door and muttered; "Mom's such a bad liar."

. . . . . .

It's 11 in the morning and I have no idea what I'm about to do since I don't have any particular plans noted in my list.

I did thought that I could hang out with Sapp and Wally but Sapphire was no where to be found in her house, her mom said she went out without informing her destination, while on the other hand Wally also is not present in Petalburg where he lives.

And now I'm here peacefully laying on my bed, staring at the plain colored ceiling of my room.

I've thought of battling my dad into a match so I can move to Ms. Winona's gym but sadly dad's not here. But hey, is it wrong for me to skip dad for the mean time and battle Ms. Winona? Nope. I don't anything wrong about that.

Since I have taken my bathe an hour ago, I dressed myself on my usual attire and my Pokeballs on my belt with it's holder. Dashing down stairs, I reminded my mom, who's busy watching news on the television, that I'll be out for a while and won't be back 'till Sunday.

At that said, she jumped from her seat on the couch and questioned me why. I explained to her that I'll just challenge Ms. Winona to a battle and she agreed so I left the house saying good bye to her.

Getting bored is not in my list and I'd do anything just to prevent it. Looking at my Pokemon's Pokeballs on my belt I just remember that I don't have any flying type Pokemon. Well, I do have Swablu but I don't think she can carry a guy like me with her small figure. She still needs training.

That's it! Training it is!

I decided that I'll train her on the way to Fortree. Walking past Oldale Town, I was met with the familiar breeze of Petalburg City's. I headed to the exit of the city to head at the Petalburg Woods, passing by the closed Gym of my dad.

An exasperate sigh escape from my throat. I knew my mom that she lied about not knowing what kind of Pokemon will my dad be searching at this moment. I knew her better and she should know that I could see through her. Yet, she didn't really say anything and quickly dismissed the topic.

As I enter the Petalburg Woods, the sun rays became dim with all the trees blocking its way making the whole forest a little bit dark.

I walked in a few patches of grasses and fought few bug-type Pokemon with my Kirlia to train him. We've made few progress on his training and he seemed improving.

"Hmm... Not a one to be found." I froze on my tracks when I heard a person voice spoke near by. I looked around to see a man in green suit that looks searching for something. So, I approached him to help.

"Hello, have you seen any Pokemon called Shroomish around here?" was his first question before I even asked about his needs. He then added; "I really love that Pokemon!"

I beamed a small smile then said; "I've seen few in he—" right then we got interrupted by another person. It caught both of our attention as we faced this person in red uniform of... Team Magma?

I've heard about them once when dad's talking to someone in school about these criminals that starting to—

"I was going to ambush you but you had to dawdle in Petalburg Woods forever, didn't you?" he questioned then snickers. I eyed him intently as he walks near us.

"I got sick of waiting, so here I am!" he went in front of the guy I was talking to; "You! Devon Researcher! Hand over those papers!" that Magma grunt demanded making the man in green suit shriek then hides behind my back.

The Hell? What's going on? This grunt just mentioned 'Devon' that really caught my attention. Though I couldn't pinpoint what's what.

"You're a Pokemon Trainer, aren't you? You've got to help me, please!" he pleaded and by the looks of it he doesn't have any Pokemon with him that's why he couldn't defend himself.

Geez, what trouble did I put myself into?

"Huh? What do you think you're doing? What, you're going to protect him?" he taunted and so I did. I spread my arms wide to protect the man behind me. He's a bad guy so I have to defeat him.

"No one who crosses Team Magma gets any mercy, not even a kid!" I felt myself irked at that term he just called me. Clenching my hands, I slowly reached for my PokeBall as he challenges me to a battle.

"You're on!" I shouted as the man in green suit stands back.

The grunt in front of me backs off then threw his PokeBall in the air. Red light was shown at first until it reveals a Poochyena. I formed a smirk on my face as I haven't released my Pokemon on the battle.

"What? What are you smirking at? Don't have any Pokemon, brat?" he taunts again and gave him an early warning.

"I don't think you could win with that Pokemon." I taunted back making him irritated.

"Don't mock me kid." he gritted his teeth then commanded his Poochyena to attack me. And so I decided that I'll take out my Pokemon.

"Go Mightyena! Use Shadow Ball!" my Pokemon came out of its Pokeball then did what I commanded him to do. A large shadow-like purple ball landed straight on the poor Poochyena. The Pokemon got a critical hit and was sent flying hitting a tree before it fainted.

"Poochyena!" the grunt came beside his Pokemon and quickly returned it back on it's Pokeball.

I actually didn't mean to go overboard but come on! He taunted me and he's a criminal that's trying to steal something from this man behind me with astonishment expression.

"Y-you're ki-kidding me... You're tough." he mutters and lifts he head to look at me and my Pokemon in front of me. He grumbles curses on the ground then eyed me again.

"You've got some nerve meddling with Team Magma! Come on and battle me again!" he grits his teeth and I was about to take another battle but added when he looked away with hate; "I wish I could say that, but I'm out of Pokemon..."

He started walking away; "And, hey, we of Team Magma are also after something in Rustboro." he snickers then reminded me that he'll let's this slip for now to get revenge.

After he disappears on our sight, the man behind me huffs in relief.

"That was awfully close!" he says as I face him. "Thanks to you, he didn't rob me of these important papers." he fishes his hand on his pocket to get something. I was a little curious but I just stood still and waited for his next move.

"Here, " he then hands me a small ball with it's upper half blue with two red lines on sides then below was plain white. A Great Ball. "As a thanks for saving me. Well then, "after taking the ball and awkwardly bow slightly at his gesture he excused himself reasoning that he still have some business to do.

Before he completely left he asked for my name and I gave him it. He thanked me again and walks away.

I was left there standing with my Pokemon beside me. Sighing, I dropped on my knees and patted Mightyena's head.

"You did great there, buddie." I praised him as he barks happily. There, we continued exiting the woods while I think hardly what's making me bothered about this Devon thingy.

Rubbing my chin, we exited the woods with no wild Pokemon attacking us after the fight with a Team Magma grunt.

. . . . . .

A/N: Sorry if it's short. It's just I'm not in the right mood to write for this one. But least here's an update. :D

I also decided that I'll try stretching the story more. And I just wanted to say this story might have some few mature content in the future chapters. If this story is still in 13 Confessions then Conf. 7 and 10 would contain mature content. But never mind. :3

And as you may have noticed that I made few changes. As I have said on the first note of the story that this story will be based on 1/4 of manga and the other are based on mine and in the game. Might have some spoilers if you haven't or currently reading Pokemon Adventure.

. . . ~