Naruto meets Pokémon (version two chapter five)

*We now find our young group of travelers making their way through the Eterna forest with very little trouble. But trouble lurks not too far from our travelers and Sasuke makes a startling discovery about what happened to his brother and Sakura's parents. And Karin makes an unwanted appearance in this chapter and gets her skinny tail handed to her by both Sakura and Hinata who shows off her trainer skills. And Sakura's other friend joins the group and travels to Sunnyshore with them. Now let's join our heroes as they start their journey to Floraroma town and the Eterna Forest.*

"Wow Floraroma is so big and full of flowers! I mean look at all the plants and honey trees. I wonder how big these trees can get." Konohamaru continued to ramble on and on about the trees and stuff in around them, they continued to walk through the forest.

"Even though it's barely before dawn he has this much energy. I would really hate to see him when he has a sugar rush." Sasuke groaned as he walked down the path.

"Just be glad that you don't live with him. And this is nothing compared to what my cousin Naruto was like at his age. I swear my sister and I nearly went nuts when we had to watch him after he drank a whole pot of coffee. Who would have thought that coffee from Snowpoint City was so strong, and in any case we need to head for that house right over there." Sakura then pointed to a house that was surrounded by Stargazer Lilies and a Koi pond with bamboo surrounding and Magikarp and Goldeen swimming.

"Okay I'll bite, who is this person and why do we have to stop there?" Sasuke was curious about who they were meeting.

"She's a long-time friend of ours who's family specializes in fighting, fire, dragon, plant, bug and steel types. In fact her whole family is famous for having pokemon that can stand up to members of the Elite four. Her father is a stationed pokemon ranger in this region and helps the people of neighboring villages. She once told me that her family comes from a long line of fighters. Her grandmother once told me that her whole family was descendant from an elite ninja clan of weapons masters. And because of that the pokemon that they train are taught in certain ways of the ninja that have been passed down in her family." Once they made it up the walkway she saw that there was a Garchomp outside along with a Rilo outside.

"Looks like your cousin stopped by earlier this week Hinata to pay her a visit and got his tail handed to him again. Wonder how bad he lost this time?" Sakura then knocked on the door and was greeted by Chansey.

"Hey Chansey, is TenTen here still?" Chansey then lead the group inside to see TenTen and her father talking in the den about something.

"Well, look who decided to show up? I was beginning to think that you guys wouldn't show. So what's your excuse this time Sakura?" Before Sakura could answer her, TenTen saw Sasuke come into the den along with Konohamaru.

"So this is the reason why you guys were so late. So let me guess; Loppuny gave him those scratches for something perverted that he did, right?" TenTen saw the blush appear on her friends face and chuckled a little.

"TenTen darling, now be nice. Now remember to be careful on your way to Sunnyshore. There have been reports of bandits, pokemon poachers and Vipers all over the place. So be careful dear." TenTen's father gave his daughter a loving smile.

"Yes father, I promise to be careful. But you don't have to worry about me; you should be more worried about any trouble that comes my way. The six and a half years of training you gave me won't go to waste." TenTen gave her father a huge smile.

"And yet it hasn't stopped that Neji person from coming over here to see you and your pokemon. No offense to you Miss Hinata." Hinata just shook her head to let him know that she was alright and wasn't offended. She understood that her cousin had a way of getting under peoples skin.

"Now don't worry about a thing daddy. I'm just heading to Sunnyshore along with Sakura to meet with her sister and have a nice long talk with that idiot cousin of hers." TenTen then went to her back yard to gather her pokemon team and was followed by the others; excluding Sasuke and Konohamaru who decided to wait in the front yard.

"So TenTen what did Neji do this time to tick off your dad? I mean you think the guy would know not to tick off a Pokemon Ranger who has a teenage daughter like you." Sakura smirked at her friend who rolled her eyes in frustration at the thought of what Neji did this time as she went about the task of calling her pokemon.

"GUYS… FRONT AND CENTER!" In less than ten seconds later they were surrounded by the pokemon that belonged to her family, including her father's Staraptor.

"Okay now, only four of you guys are coming with me on this trip and the rest of you will stay here to help my father and the villagers. Now let's see…..Scarlet, Mushu, Razor and Seiryu you guys and gals are coming with me." TenTen saw her Blaziken, Breloom, Scizor and Gabite came forward and stood by their trainer and friend.

"The rest of you will do as you're told and protect this village. If anything happens I'll send word via Nurse Joy and/or Officer Jenny. Now you all be good while I'm gone and I'll bring back something for everyone." TenTen then waved goodbye to her pokemon and went inside the house to kiss her father goodbye before rejoining her friends as they left for the Eterna forest.

Along the way they didn't notice Karin and her pokemon watching from a nearby cliff along with her Seviper and Ariados.

"There they are my deadly little friends. Now all we have to do is trap them and then take my Sasuke-kun back and then we can have our fun with the others. Now let's get into position ladies." Karin and her poisonous pack then went further down to trip their trap.

Meanwhile Sasuke was getting this weird feeling that something or someone was following them (or him in this case). Sakura could see that something was bugging Sasuke but before she could ask him what the problem was the group was bombarded with Poison sting and Pin missile followed by laughing that Sasuke knew all too well.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA…Try and get past this attack! Sasuke-kun soon you will be with me again!" Sasuke groaned and knew who was attacking them.

"Um…Sasuke is this that girl you were telling me about earlier? The one that was following you and trying to take you back to whatever rock she crawled out from under?" Sakura saw Sasuke nod yes before he had to dodge a poison sting sent his way.

"Yeah, her name is Karin and she specializes in poison and dark type Pokémon. Look she's not going to stop anytime soon so how about we take out those pokémon first then get moving cause the longer we stay here the more likely that we'll end up waking up any Fearow and Beedrill that live in this forest."

"Sasuke that sounds like a good idea; you and TenTen take Konohamaru and head further up the path while Hinata and I show this girl what we're made of." Sasuke saw both Hinata and Sakura take out a poke ball and decided to give them a little cover of his own.

"Fine but first things first…I'm giving you guys some cover so you can take her out. Scizor front and center!" And in a flash Scizor was out of his poke ball ready for battle.

"Scizor I need you to use sandstorm and create a wall that will protect us from these attacks. Then you stay and help Sakura and Hinata find us. Think you can put some distance between us and Karin Sakura?" Sasuke saw a smirk appear on Sakura's face before she turned to try and see where Karin was so they could begin their counter attack.

"Sure I can you just keep a close eye on my cousin and my friend. Once you see an opening you go for it. Hinata and I will follow after we deal with this witch." Sakura then turned to her friend and gave a nod.

In a flash, sand surrounded them in a cylinder column. Karin and her pokemon then began to search for their targets but were surprised when they were bombarded with leaves and water.

Once the dust had cleared Karin saw only two people before her but sadly none of them were Sasuke.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you it's not nice to shot poison sting and pin missile at people?" From the dust Karin saw Sakura and Hinata standing with Leafron and Vaporeon, all of which were ready to battle.

"Look I don't have time to deal with you so do me a real big favor and get lost you flat chest walking billboard. And your pale little friend right next to you also." Had Karin been paying attention she would have seen the giant vein on Sakura's head.

"Okay I'll chalk up that last comment to your inner stupidity and lack of common sense but the one thing you should never do is underestimate my friend and I. Hinata let's show this girl what we're made of and show her and her pokemon who's boss. Leafron use Razor Leaf on that overgrown spider!"

"And Vaporeon you use ice beam on that Seviper and freeze it in its tracks" both Sakura and Hinata saw their pokemon nod before they turned back and charged at their foes with leaves and ice.

"Hmm…not bad but not good either. Did you really think that I would be out here alone with just two pokemon? You must take me for a fool. Garnet, Quartz use shadow sneak and shadow ball on all of them and take them down!"

And from out of the shadows of the forest two Sableyes appear sending down a harsh bombardment of shadow balls at not only them but their pokemon who were taken down as well but stood back up and charged at their targets.

Scizor then went after the two Sableyes that were still shooting shadowballs at them with x-scissor and fury cutter, hoping to even the odds a bit with speed and agility that only he had.

Meanwhile not far from them we find a lone pokemon walking along enjoying the peace and quiet of the forest until she heard the sound of distress. And this particular pokemon is none other than Absol. Now Absol would have just minded her own business and continued on her walk until she heard shouting in another direction and it was getting close.

"Konohamaru you have to come back it's dangerous and Sakura told you to stay with us!"

"I don't care! Sakura is in trouble and she needs help!" From the distance Absol saw a small boy run past and head into the area only to be stopped by a boy older than him.

"Konohamaru I know you're worried but you must think this through first. Charging head first into a battle like that would get you hurt or worse and Karin has been known to use some deadly tricks. But I have faith in your cousin and Hinata; and you must have faith in them as well. Plus I'm sure Sakura will kill you for not listening to her." Sasuke saw the young trainer pale when he heard that and it was true his cousin would do a lot worse to him than that Karin person was doing to her and Hinata.

"Okay Sasuke but I still want to help in some way." Konohamaru then saw Sasuke turn his head in another direction and spotted someone else.

And there in the distance was one of the people looking for Sasuke that very moment and a royal pain in his backside.

'Great, of all the people in this forest besides Karin, he had to be here. He's the last person I want to see right now.'

Sasuke was literally stuck between a rock and a hard place, so to speak. For in front of him was another one lackey of Orochimaru who could do more damage and then there was the daughter of a pokémon ranger that could do more damage to him if anything happened. To say that Sasuke was screwed was an understatement.

Meanwhile not too far Absol continued to watch and observe from a distance but was rather fascinated with the little boy for some odd reason. She couldn't understand this strange sensation she had for the boy but couldn't for the life of her turn away. Absol then noticed the brace-like band around the boy's wrist that reminded her of her former trainer long ago before she was set free. But before she could go down memory lane she heard the sound of shouts and frightened screams coming from said boy and his friends. With fury and determination in her eyes Absol rushed to help.

Back on the battle field however, things weren't looking so good for both Hinata and Sakura. For Karin was proving to be more than a problem, she was proving to be downright unrelenting and Sakura and Hinata were being backed into a corner so to speak while Scizor was doing his best to hold off the many attacks but even he couldn't hold his own for long.

"Sakura what are we going to do? Our pokémon can't fight in this and Scizor is about at his limit. We have to think of something before she does something crazy." Hinata had to duck before a stray pin missile hit her and then she remembered something.

"Hey Sakura, doesn't your Vulpix know some physic attacks that might help us out. I mean she wouldn't be affected by the bug type and my Froslass is part ghost type so if we combine those two we might have an advantage. It would also give us time to get away and let Scizor rest." Hinata saw the exhaustion forming on Scizor's face and knew that he needed a break and soon.

"Yeah and considering that she's not going to let up anytime soon I'd say we take that chance and then make a fast break to catch up to Sasuke and TenTen and hope that my foolish little cousin hasn't done anything stupid, yet that is." Both Sakura and Hinata called back their first two pokémon so they could rest before pulling out the poke balls that contained Sakura's Vulpix and Hinata's Froslass and prepared to give this red haired witch a little surprise.

"You can't hide forever you little worms! As soon as my precious baby's find you, it's the end for all of you!" Had Karin been paying any attention to her opponents she would have noticed that they had switch pokémon on her. But Karin was so sure of herself that she just turned her head up and laughed as she thought she had already won the battle. Oh how wrong said crazy girl was for she made the mistake of underestimating her opponents.

"Vulpix use Extrasensory!"

"Frolass use Icebeam now!"

Karin was shocked out of her laughing fit when she found that her precious pokémon were hit with attacks that both had great effect and stop her pokémon in their tracks.

"What the …how in the world could they still have more and where did those pokémon come from. This was not in my notes, not at all." Karin was seething right this very moment and saw once the frosty haze cleared that both Sakura and Hinata had called out the two pokémon she had hoped they wouldn't have.

"Did you really think that my friend and I would just stick with just the first pokémon we called into battle? Even a rookie trainer knows that having a variety of pokémon of different types can help them in any type of battle. Now I suggest you move and leave us alone while you still have some of your dignity left before something else happens to you and I promise you it won't be pretty." Sakura noticed the red fury within Karin's eyes and knew she was up to something but before Karin, Sakura or Hinata could do anything something amazing happened.

The ground itself opened up a giant hole like trap which cause both Karin and her pokémon to fall in. Leaving a very angry Karin and company at the bottom and two very confused trainers above wondering just what the hell had happened.

"Um…Hinata are you just about as confused as I am about what the heck just happened?" Sakura saw her friend nod yes and began to wonder what could have caused this. Not the Hinata was complaining about surprise blessings no, she was just confused like her friend.

"I'm not so sure Sakura but I think whatever caused this hole to appear needs a big thank if we ever see or find them. But for now let's try and catch up with Sasuke and the others before the crazy red head crawls out from that hole." Not to question her friend's logic Sakura agreed and both girls called back their pokémon and called for Scizor to follow them.

Once out of the way, said savoir came out from the shadows and low and behold it was the Absol from earlier. It would appear that Absol called upon the favor of a family of Diglett and Dugtrio who are good friends of his and helped save the girls. Now Absol decided it would be good to follow these girls and keep a close eye on them, including the small boy that was traveling with them.

And speaking of Sasuke and the others, as it turns out luck was on their side as the person who Sasuke thought was an enemy was actually a trustworthy ally. Said person was Jugo, and he too had left that horrid organization behind and hoped to start a new life. And finding Sasuke was just fate working its wonderful magic.

"You gave me quite the scare there Jugo. I thought you were going to attack us but I'm glad to see that you're on the side of good. So what brings you and your pokémon out here?" Jugo smiled at his long time friend and former ally as he sat down with a rather friendly Munchlax eating a rather large batch of oran berries with a happy and content Primeape enjoying the peace of the forest.

"My apologies Sasuke-san for frightening you the way I did, but my intent was too merely to find you and see that you're safe. And it would seem that you've changed since the last time I saw you. I had hoped that you had done better for yourself and found a way to avoid the red haired witch." Jugo, Sasuke and TenTen heard a snicker coming from Konohamaru who enjoyed the plight of the person who was getting hers at the hands of two of the best trainers he knows.

"True and I'm happy to see that you're up and about since the last time I saw was before your operation. Glad to see it was a success and your health has improved greatly." Sasuke turned his head in the direction that both Hinata and Sakura were supposed to come and hoped that they would show up to ease this unrest in his soul.

"Yes and I'm also thrilled to find you to tell you the wonderful news of my departure from the Sinnoh region to another country to finish my rehabilitation further." Sasuke stared at his friend in shock and surprise at his announcement. Sasuke thought that Jugo would never leave the Sinnoh region since it was the place of his birth, but this information surprised him greatly.

"You're leaving the country, but why Jugo? You love living here and you said so yourself that the only way you would leave if you found a greater reason so what's the reason Jugo? What brought on this great reason for you to leave?" Sasuke heard his friend chuckle before he turned his attention to the sky for some reason before he began speaking again.

"The great reason you speak of my friend is simple; to see the world and find out about other pokémon that reside in other regions besides this. After I got out of the hospital I was contacted by someone who offered me a job with his research group to investigate the many pokémon in that region. I accepted on the spot and I leave in two months. I've been traveling around for the past two weeks hoping to find you and tell you the news and to give you these," Jugo then pulled out a small case from his jacket pocket and handed it to Sasuke who eyed the box with extreme caution.

"Don't worry it's a gift for you, but I want you to promise to open it only when you've finally reached your goal and found the peace that you've been searching for." Jugo saw Sasuke nod his head before he turned his attention to a snapping twig in the direction he was looking before hoping to see a familiar pink head of hair.

Sasuke breathed a sigh of relief when he saw both Sakura and Hinata walk their way. Scizor was close behind both girls when they came into view and knew that they were alright.

"Sakura your okay," Konohamaru ran to hug his cousin tight relieved that she was safe and was overjoyed when he felt her hugged back just as tightly as he her.

"I'm safe Konohamaru and I'm so relieved that you're unharmed. Your mom would skin me if anything happened to you." Sakura turned to see her friend TenTen come up and hug her as well.

"Glad to see you two are in one piece and if either one of you does that ever again I'm literally going to find a den of Crobats and leave you two in there to find your way out until the both of you learn never to scare me like that again." TenTen then moved to pick up her pack before turning to face Sasuke and gave him a menacing glare for some unknown reason.

"And you Sasuke, once this trip is over with you and I need to have a long talk about what's been going on. Believe me once we get to the next town I expect a full explanation from your sorry ass and it had better be good buster." TenTen then turned to grabbed Konohamaru by the collar of his shirt and started to drag him in the direction of the next town hoping to make it there before nightfall.

"Sasuke, do I wish to know why my friend suddenly hates your guts as if you've committed a crime against humanity? Or should I hope that TenTen cools down by the time we get to the next town." Sakura tried to lighten the mood since she was confused as to what ticked off her friend just now. But knowing TenTen she would tell her later if she felt in the mood to talk. Sakura then noticed the other man standing next to Sasuke and put on her best smile to greet him.

"I'm sorry I don't believe we've been properly introduced, my name is Sakura and who are you?" Sakura extended her hand and was shocked by how strong the man's grip was as he shook her hand.

"My name is Jugo and it's nice to meet someone who's a good friend to Sasuke. Of course I'm surprised that he made a friend with someone of the opposite gender. Not that I'm saying that he's-,"

"Jugo I think we get the idea and I can assure you that I have no interest in a partner of the same gender as I," Sasuke felt he had to reassure his masculinity to Sakura so she wouldn't think he was weird or something. The sound of Sakura's giggle made him unsure but once he gazed at her smile Sasuke knew things were going to be okay, for now anyway. The only other problem Sasuke had now was TenTen. Obviously TenTen knew who or what he was and decided to keep it quiet or just developed a taste for hating the guy. Either way the girl was going to watch him like Staraptor looking out for its young until Sasuke got the truth and that was going to take a while.

But that would have to wait until the group got further out of the forest and made their way to Hearthome City. With hope in their hearts and fond farewells to the kind hearted Jugo who's paving a new path for himself our travelers continue their journey.

However not all are happy right this moment. It would seem that our no good villainess is at this very moment trying in vain to get out of the trap that she's stuck in and having no luck what so ever.

"When I get out of here, I'll make that pink haired witch and her pale skinned ghoul pay for this utter humiliation," Karin for her part was doing the best she could trying to climb out of the hole by herself without the use of her pokémon. Of course it didn't help that her Ariados was out of commission it left Karin with no other alternative than to climb out with her own two hands. All the while spurring curses and plotting revenge against Sakura the entire time. However unknown to Karin however the one who sent her to retrieve Sasuke just happened to show up that very moment.

"Well this is a fine mess that you've gotten yourself in Karin. Care to explain how you ended up in a hole or should I take a guess at this one?" Karin shot her head up to see her commander Kabuto gazing down in her direction with a questionable look on his face.

"Sir let's just say I ran into some unforeseen circumstances and I paid for my miscalculation with my humiliating defeat and leave it at that. However I did find out something interesting that might interest you sir and I would be more than happy to tell you if you get me out of this hole." Karin extended her hand and was relieved to have Kabuto pull her out of that godforsaken hole.

"Now as I was saying, the information that I found out; it would seem that the Hyuga heiress is with Sasuke and heading with him to what I believe to meet with that blonde dunce she calls her boyfriend. If my calculations are correct they are heading to Sunnyshore City and taking a rather long way to get there. If you will recall the problems not too long ago with team Galactic and their messing with the legendary pokémon that reside deep in the mountains it would seem that their little group decided the long road was the best road to take. But there is a small problem it would seem that within their group is the daughter of a Pokemon Ranger and I don't need to remind you of the problems we're currently having with them. She's good and deadly like her father and her pokémon are just as powerful. However the one we have to worry about is this strange guardian angel that seems to follow Sasuke around like a shadow or something. I'm sure you're well aware of us losing another prisoner from the holding cells and he's on his way right now to the pokémon committee. And finding said person is going to be impossible right now."

"So basically you're saying that getting Sasuke back is our only option at the moment. Well that can't be helped. Of course now I believe that we've found a way to make Sasuke come to us willingly. With the aid of his pink haired companion I'm sure it would be no trouble at all. But first we must catch up to our rather elusive friend and leave this forest before nightfall. As much as would love to study the night life of this forest I'd rather not find out today. Now let's regroup and think of another solution to capture Sasuke and hopefully this time there will be no foul ups. Let's go Karin before something else happens." And like a cloud of dust both Kabuto and Karin disappeared to further their attempt to track Sasuke. However for both of our loveable idiot villains, someone else just happens to be following them this very moment holding an all too familiar orange book in his hand.

"So it would seem that Rin was right that Sasuke will need my help. I just hope it's sooner than later. The boy's good but has a difficult time asking for help. However I'm interested in finding out just who this girl is and what power she has that could control a boy like Sasuke so greatly. But that will have to wait until I report to Rin about what I've found. Hopefully she won't skin me for being gone so long this time." Said familiar man felt the familiar nuzzle of his Mightyena rub his leg as if to give his friend some courage for the battle ahead of them.

"I know my friend, I know. It would seem that fate has once again taken a drastic turn and hopefully for the better." Said man than proceeded to walk in the same direction as our young group of travelers and villains hoping to catch up and aid them if need be. But it would seem that fate is about to make our heroes lives a living nightmare for once they arrive at Hearthome city, the reason for TenTen's sudden attitude change along with another problem will be revealed.

*To be continued*

Hey just for a heads up, I'm not dead and I do plan on finishing up my stories. It's just taking longer than I thought they would. All I ask is that you have some patience with me. Please and thank and as always leave a review of what you think. Ja ne!