Chapter 6: Burnt Berries and Campfire Chaos
"Do you smell that?" Misty asked, scrunching her nose.
Kai blinked. "Oh no, the berries—!"
He rushed back to the campfire where three Oran berries, skewered on a stick, had long since gone from golden-brown to completely blackened. A small curl of smoke spiraled into the air. Blaze stood beside them, tail flickering, and looked at Kai like, "You had one job."
"Okay, okay," Kai muttered, waving away the smoke and pulling the stick off the fire. "So maybe I got a little distracted by the caterpillar chaos."
Blaze huffed, crossing his stubby arms.
Misty raised an eyebrow. "You owe me a replacement breakfast."
Kai dramatically presented the charred berries to her. "Gourmet, chef's special. Charred with notes of ash and regret."
Misty stared at the crispy remains and then back at him. "Even Blaze is judging you."
"'Char,'" Blaze said, nodding seriously.
Kai plopped down on the grass. "Fine. Lunch better not be a disaster."
"Lunch is mine," Misty said confidently. "I'm not letting you burn another innocent berry."
Blaze waddled over and patted Kai's leg in sympathy.
"Traitor," Kai said, and Blaze just giggled.
They broke camp not long after. Misty insisted she'd never trust a bush again, giving each one they passed a suspicious glance. Kai, meanwhile, had to walk slightly ahead so Misty could use him as a buffer between her and the wilderness.
About twenty minutes down the forest trail, Kai noticed a Butterfree fluttering overhead. It glowed faintly in the sunlight, its wings casting gentle sparkles in the air.
Misty, who'd been enjoying the breeze, looked up—then instantly ducked behind him. "Nope. No. I don't care how sparkly it is. That's a big flying bug."
Kai laughed. "It's literally majestic."
"It's got huge eyes, and powder, and wings, and those antennae—"
"You're describing every butterfly Pokémon."
"Exactly!"
Kai slowed his pace so she could walk beside him again. Blaze happily trotted ahead, occasionally stopping to poke at rocks or chase a floating leaf.
"You ever gonna get over the bug fear?" Kai asked.
Misty looked away. "Maybe. Probably. One day. If I'm unconscious."
He smirked. "What if a bug Pokémon saved your life?"
She blinked. "What?"
"I mean, imagine. You're trapped. Falling off a cliff. And a Butterfree swoops in and saves you."
Misty stared at him blankly. "…Then I'd still scream and faint from shock. While being saved."
They both burst out laughing.
A little later, they stopped by a quiet stream. Blaze dipped his toes into the water and immediately leapt back with a squeaky "Char!" shaking off the cold.
Kai chuckled. "Still not a fan of water, huh?"
Misty knelt beside him, scooping up some water to wash her hands. "He's lucky he's cute."
Blaze puffed his chest proudly, clearly agreeing.
"I think he likes you," Kai said.
Misty gave the little fire-type a sideways smile. "Yeah… I guess he's not so bad. For a lizard that breathes fire."
"Hey," Kai said mock-defensively. "Blaze is the best fire lizard."
"Didn't say he wasn't. He's got… personality."
"Meaning: stubborn, dramatic, and sometimes too confident?"
"I was describing you," she said with a smirk.
Kai grinned. "Touché."
As they relaxed near the stream, Misty began pulling food from her bag—berries, two rice balls, and a small container of sauce. She spread it out carefully like a practiced picnic.
Kai blinked. "Where were you hiding all that?"
"In the space where I don't carry five kinds of bug spray," she replied.
Blaze crept closer, sniffing at the rice balls.
Misty held one out. "You want one, Blaze?"
"Char!" Blaze nodded eagerly.
"Okay, but chew this time."
Kai took a bite and his eyes lit up. "Whoa. This is way better than burnt berries."
Misty rolled her eyes. "You're lucky I was raised in a gym full of brothers. I learned to cook just to survive."
"Remind me to thank them next time."
They ate, chatted, and watched the water sparkle under the midday sun. Blaze finished his rice ball and curled up on a warm rock, tail flame flickering gently. A sleepy "Charrr…" drifted from him as he dozed off.
"I've never traveled like this before," Misty said suddenly.
Kai glanced at her. "Like what?"
"With someone. Not battling constantly. Just… walking, eating, talking. Laughing."
Kai tilted his head. "You don't like it?"
She smiled softly. "I do. It's weird. But nice."
He leaned back on his hands, looking up at the leaves overhead. "Yeah. Me too."
A gentle silence settled between them. Just the sound of the stream, the rustle of leaves, and Blaze snoring lightly.
Then—
Splash!
Kai turned just in time to see a Poliwag leap from the stream, launching a spray of water directly onto Misty's lap.
"AGH! Cold!"
Kai couldn't hold back his laugh. "Guess water Pokémon are attracted to you."
"Great," Misty grumbled, squeezing out her damp skirt. "I get soaking wet while you and Blaze nap."
"Blaze didn't even flinch," Kai said, pointing. The little Charmander was still asleep, one leg twitching as if he were chasing something in a dream.
Misty smiled down at him. "He's kind of adorable like this."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Only when unconscious?"
"Mostly," she teased. "Still not petting him, though. I like my eyebrows un-scorched."
He chuckled. "Fair."
As they got ready to leave, Misty glanced back at the stream, thoughtful. "You know… maybe if I start small, I can get over the bug fear."
Kai brightened. "Really?"
"I mean—maybe. Like… a Ledyba or something. Cute ones."
"Definitely not Ariados?"
"Definitely not."
He gave her a playful nudge. "Hey, that's still progress."
Misty nodded. "Yeah. Just don't ever throw a Poké Ball at a bug and expect me to carry it."
"No promises," he said, grinning.
They walked on again, Blaze now awake and walking between them. The little flame on his tail swayed gently with each step.
Kai glanced over. "You know, for someone who hates bugs, you're handling today pretty well."
Misty smirked. "It's all about mental training. Inner peace. And threatening anyone who brings a Weedle near me."
"Spoken like a true master."