A/N: Woot! I'm back on this story! Let's just get right to it, shall we!?
================================

Jason patiently waited for his Pokémon to be healed. Barry had bolted just minutes after his were done and didn't bother talking much. Hiromi was sitting down to eat and just like the time before, she had a lot. Jason sweat dropped at this.

How on earth can she eat so much? I swear, her stomach is a bottomless pit, Jason thought as he watched Hiromi eat.

"So Jason," Hiromi began as she paused her mealtime, "do you have a strategy for the first gym?"

Jason thought about it for a moment. He was familiar with the leaders of Sinnoh, considering his friend never shut up about the League Challenge. The first was Roark, and his type was Rock. Getting by their defenses was going to be difficult, but not impossible. To make things easier, Jason had Turtwig, giving him an advantage. But Turtwig still needed training.

"Well, Turtwig has the advantage in that fight. But I can't honestly expect that he will last through multiple rounds without tiring. I need another that can help me out, considering Shinx can't do much to Rock-types," Jason stated as he leaned back in his chair.

"Hmmm...I am not so sure about that. Perhaps I can help you with that. My Lux knows Iron Tail and Ice Fang. Perhaps she can teach those to your Shinx?" Hiromi inquired.

"Really? You would do that for me?" Jason asked in surprise.

"Of course. Remember, I owe you for what you did. So I won't take no for an answer, alright?" Hiromi smirked.

"Alright, you win," Jason laughed.

"Jason? Your team is as good as new," the nurse called out, catching Jason's attention.

"Thanks! I really appreciate it," Jason replied as he stood up and walked to the nurse.

He smiled as he saw Turtwig and Shinx. They both looked happy as ever. Shinx lept for Jason's right shoulder and nuzzled his cheek. Turtwig walked up next to Jason and smiled up at him.

"You are very welcome Jason. It was no trouble at all," the nurse smiled.

Jason nodded and then walked back to the table where Hiromi sat.

"Your Pokémon seem so happy," Hiromi stated as she finished up her sandwich.

"Let me guess. You can feel it, or something like that?" Jason inquired curiously.

"Yep! That and I can sense that Shinx is completely at ease with you. Usually there would be a small degree of hostility if any tension existed. But since I don't feel any of that, I can tell he totally trusts you," Hiromi declared.

"How can you tell his gender? Not to point out the obvious or anything," Jason paused, chosing to cut his statement off right there.

"His scent. It differs from that of a female Shinx. Also, according to Lux, the males have a larger tuft of hair than the females, which leads to a larger mane once fully evolved. So yeah, that is how I can tell," Hiromi replied.

"That makes sense, I guess. So, when can you help my Shinx out?" Jason questioned.

"Whenever you want! I am eager to help in any way that I can," Hiromi replied enthusiastically.

"Perfect. How does right now sound? Oreburgh City is at least a few days journey from here. This will give plenty of time for him to learn," Jason stated.

"That sounds good to me. Let's get started right away!" Hiromi exclaimed excitedly, standing up to move to Jason's side, reaching for his hand.

Once again, Jason felt that familiar and unexplainable feeling the moment she took his hand. It wasn't that he'd never held a girls hand before. It was just that, even before their hands made contact, a strange warmth could be felt. He was aching to know what it was about.

Jason returned his team and the two walked out of the center. As they exited the building, a man in a tan trench coat walked past them. He seemed middle aged, and had a rugged look about him. Jason's eyes followed him. He'd never seen the man before. Suddenly the man stopped, almost as if feeling Jason's stare.

"You two," the man began, turning to face them before continuing. "Mind if I ask you a few questions?" The man inquired seriously.

Jason raised a brow as he examined the man more closely. The green suit, the brown trench and the rugged features were all tell-tale signs of a detective. But what could he want with Jason and Hiromi?

"Uh, sure," Jason replied, curious to know what the man was about to ask.

"Thank you. This won't take long. You see, about three days ago there was an incident in the Eterna Forest. Several trees and a lot of the forest floor was scorched. It's odd because there are no Fire-type Pokémon in that forest. I have my suspicions as to the cause, but I can't be too sure," the man stated.

Hiromi remained quiet at this point. If there was any advantage to being blind, it was that she could get away with not making eye contact. She could sense that this man meant them no harm, however she wasn't so certain she could completely trust him with her secret.

"What might those suspicions be?" Jason inquired.

"By the way the trees were burned, my suspicions are that Houndour flames caused it. No other flame leaves a tree in such a withered state," the man deduced.

He's good. Thought Hiromi as she recalled the snarls of the Houndour that chased her.

"But there's more to it than that. Why would Houndour be out there in the first place? Let alone several of them. Also, I have good reason to believe that Team Galactic may be behind it."

Okay, now he's just showing off, Hiromi mused inwardly.

"Team Galactic? Never heard of them," Jason replied.

"Let's just say this; they aren't a friendly bunch. As of late, they haven't done anything to cause too much concern. But I assure you that something wicked this way comes," the man said as he turned to walk off.

"By the way," he started, turning to face them, "what are your names?"

"Jason," he replied nonchalantly.

"Hiromi," she chirped.

"Jason and Hiromi...you two make a very lovely couple," the man chuckled, getting a wide-eyed look from Jason and a giggle-snort from Hiromi.

"Did I say something wrong?" The man asked.

"No, it's just that, Jason and I just met a few days ago," Hiromi laughed.

"Oh! Forgive me. The two of you were holding hands so I assumed...I'm sorry," the man stated with a nervous laugh, sweat trickling down the side of his face.

"It's fine. No harm done," Jason stated with a slight laugh.

"Well you two, I must get going. Be sure to take care and not get into trouble on your journey," said the man as he began to walk off.

"Wait," Jason called out, stopping the man in his tracks.

"You got our names, but we don't know yours."

The man paused for a while, weighing his options before speaking again.

"You may call me...Looker."
================================
A/N: And that's a wrap! I hope it was worth the long wait. I had a lot going on. But to those who like this story, it's still going! Looker has now made an appearance and he is as awkward as ever, however I made him more serious than Platinum portrayed him. I like the goofiness but he's a detective for cryingout loud! That and he totally looks like the 10th Doctor but THAT is a different topic altogether. Anyway, time to get Jason and Hiromi moving right along!