"An interesting choice, daughter," a voice announced behind Sakura, a figure appearing in an instant.

Janine had taken years to detect her father's movements as a shinobi, and it still required all her concentration to do so reliably. Knowing that this occasion would guarantee his presence made it easier.

She'd used to flinch when beginning her training, thankful when she'd gotten to the stage of mastering her body's involuntary movements. These days, she was the one making other people flinch, which she tried not to take too much satisfaction in (privately she thought that was the main reason her father used stealthy entrances, though he would never admit it if that was the truth).

If Sakura had ever flinched when their father (or she herself) had done this growing up, Janine did not remember it. Instead, the girl turned and launched herself at Koga without missing a beat.

The Elite Four Member of Indigo, Poison-Type Master and ironically the most famous ninja in the world, raised his arms and caught her in a tight hug. His stern blank face didn't change the entire time.

Aunt Joy- the Fuchsia Joy, not Sakura's mother- used to snap photos of these scenes, giggling that she'd think they were hallucinations without physical proof. Janine often thought of doing the same. Instead, she joined the hug, followed by Ino. Crobat bobbed through the air above them, screeching contentedly.

After precisely a minute, Koga squeezed both of their soldiers and vanished. Janine turned around to see him occupying her previous seat.

"I hope you both aren't too disappointed," Sakura said, taking her position back on the tatami. "But Ino and I have been planning it for a while. The Pokemon I'd like to focus on are better found there, and I'm too used to Kanto."

"It is your journey, daughter. You have our trust, and the responsibility to bear the consequences of your planning," Koga said.

"Besides," Janine butted in, ÿou weren't the only one making plans." She reached into her seventh hidden pocket, smugly revealing a miniaturized Pokeball.

Sakura stared at the ball, then looked at her sister and father in turn. She either wasn't surprised by this turn of events, or was fantastic at hiding it (as fantastic as Janine was at hiding things). Either way, it was as expected of her little sister.

"I already have Ino," she protested halfheartedly; clearly, she knew the futility of protesting against the combined forces of Koga and Janine, and the power of their familial love. She hugged the plump pink Pokemon beside her as if she would suddenly explode into a fit of jealousy.

The Audino just giggled, patting her trainer on the head. Sakura raised an eyebrow at her partner.

"You knew about this already, didn't you?"

"She was part of the initial discussion, when you were doing your first overnight shift at the Center," her father replied. If one squinted, and had the Keen Eyes of a Pidgeot, they could make out the curve of a smile at the corner of his mouth.

"We were all on a conference call with Aunt Joy- your mother, not the Fuchsia one," Janine followed up. "They agreed with our point. You have a starter and sponsorship from the Joy Clan, but nothing to represent ours."

Sakura pointed at her forehead, where a trademark Fuchsia Gym Headband rested. She then pointed at her right wrist with a Fuchsia Gym wristband, and tossed a thumb at the Sekichiku mon on her jacket hanging nearby.

Koga and Janine ignored this.

"We respect your decision not to pursue the path of Poison and become an official sponsor of the Gym," Koga said, one hand lifted up at Sakura's frown. "But you are still a scion of the Sekichiku Clan, a member of our family. It would reflect poorly on us if we sent you out with nothing."

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"Growing up in a Gym and access to the Clan archives is nothing?" Sakura remarked dryly. She still sounded more fondly exasperated than genuinely irritated. Janine knew she'd react positively, but was still relieved. Sakura had been a lot more…temperamental…in her early years.

Koga tilted his head. "As expected, you recognize the value of the gifts you have already been bestowed with. It is what makes you worthy of another."

Sakura sighed softly, then bowed in gracious defeat. "How could I refuse the gesture of love and support from my beloved family? I promise to live up to and exceed your expectations".

Koga nodded, ignoring her teasing formality. Janine allowed her face to smirk while cheering internally.

Her sister held her arm out, and Janine gave her the ball.

Sakura stared at it for a second, then Ino nudged her impatiently. She laughed, head leaning against her starter, and clicked the ball to enlarge it.

"Well, let's meet the newest member of our team."

With a click, the ball opened, disgorging a beam of white light with the characteristic burst of sound.

The light formed on the table and slowly faded. What was left was a smooth gray metal object that after a few seconds opened up, revealing a cautious pink face.

Ino squealed at the cute Bug, waving her arms happily.

Sakura smiled too. "Hello there".

The Pokemon started exiting its shell. Two stubby legs popped out of the bottom, and the Pokemon raised itself up.

"Shelmet!" it declared proudly, with a slight quiver in its voice.

"While Poison-types of all kinds have been a staple of our clan, they are not the only Pokemon associated with our shinobi lineage," Koga lectured. "My great-great-grandfather was renowned for his strike force of Greninja, which helped consolidate the Clan's power. Accelgor can learn a variety of Poison techniques as well."

"Plus," Janine hurried to point out the most important, crucial deciding factor, "she's pink."

Sakura blushed. "I don't just like pink Pokemon, Janine-nee!"

Janine smirked. "Let's just see what your team is like in a year."

Her little sister growled at her. Truly, those who spoke the truth were the most hated in the world.

Sakura turned to the Pokemon, her voice turning gentle.

"Hello Shelmet, it's wonderful to meet you. I'm Sakura, your trainer, and this is your big sister Ino."

The Audino stopped struggling to hold back and started petting Shelmet's armor. "Aud, Audino!"

"I like naming my Pokemon, would you like one too?" Sakura asked gently, but Janine knew the question meant a lot to her. Pokemon didn't generally value names as humans understood the concept, though as with anything, there were exceptions. Janine was there when Sakura asked her new Audino if she could give her a name. It was the most earnest and hopeful she'd ever been, and the Audino, empathetic Pokemon that her species was, knew it too.

Now, Ino smiled at her Trainer, while looking down at the Shelmet she hadn't stopped petting. "Audino," she encouraged.

Shelmet took a few seconds to process, then nodded.

Sakura smiled. "Do you already know what name you'd like?"

The little slug Pokemon shook her head. "Shel, Shelmet!" she said, conveying her intent in typical Pokemon manner. She wanted her name to be a gift from her sensei.

Sakura smiled and her expression briefly became far older, a spark of love and wistful loss flickering in her eyes. She continued to stroke the little slug's helmet, cradling her in her arms.

"Then welcome to the family, Sarada."