Thorns of Life Chapter 3

Chapter 3
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When Saki woke up, she turned over to find a single cherry blossom sitting on her floor. It was a beautiful flower, almost the same shade of pink she was. It lay right where Thorn had been what seemed like only a moment before. Saki smiled and picked it up. She guessed that this was the only form of thanks that she'd get from a soldier like him. No, wait, not a soldier. What was he? She couldn't remember. She shook her head. No matter, she probably wouldn't ever see him again anyway.
'Ever?' She stopped smiling. This thought had never occurred to her. She probably wouldn't be able to see him ever again. Something about this bugged her. There was something she really liked about him. Maybe it was because he had saved her. Or maybe it was because she had saved him. She laughed at herself and put the flower in her hair. She looked at herself in the mirror and after deciding that she looked fine, she walk out her humble door.
    
    The morning was warm and brisk. Bryan and Ahmi walked toward Saki's house. Ahmi danced and skipped ahead of his father. He was very excited to see Saki on an off day. She was seeming to become closer to him each day. As he studied and played with her, he had begun to blend memories of his mother with her. A thought suddenly occurred to him and he tugged at his father's sleeve.
"Daddy, why do you like Ms. Saki so much?" 
Bryan was completely off guard and almost stumbled. He flushed and looked at his son.
"What makes you say that?" he chuckled. Ahmi thought for a moment.
"Well, you want to marry her. And when two Pokemon like each other they get married, right?" Ahmi repeated it almost as if he had learned it. Bryan was impressed.
"Where did you learn that?" he inquired.
"Ms. Saki told me a few days ago."
Bryan was speechless. Ahmi looked up expectantly at him. Bryan was flustered.
"Wha- Miss- wait, Saki said that to you?" Ahmi nodded, still waiting.
"Did she say anything about me?" Ahmi shrugged. Bryan sighed and slumped a bit.
"Dad! You're ignoring me!" Ahmi whined. Bryan raised an eyebrow at his son.
"I like her because she's nice and pretty."
"Oh, okay. Good." Bryan was confused.
"What do you mean, 'Good?'"
"That's why I like her too." Ahmi said Bryan stopped, amazed at his son's perceptiveness.
"Bryan!" a sweet familiar voice called out. He turned to see Saki looking more beautiful than ever.
"H-hi Saki. You look... amazing!" He blushed as the words tumbled out of his mouth. Saki laughed.
"You don't look too bad yourself!" she smiled. Bryan gave her a slight bow of thanks. She smiled more brightly at this and walked a little quicker.
"Where are we headed?" she asked.
"Azio's!" Ahmi piped up. Azio's was a family restaurant that served Ahmi's all time favorite dessert. Saki smiled at him and rubbed his head.
"Azio's it is!"
"I hope that's alright with you Saki," Bryan said off to the side, apologetically. Saki gave him a surprised look.
"Of course it is! If you two are willing!"
Bryan smiled and offered his arm.
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Thorn woke up behind the dumpster where he had slept. He hadn't slept well, and he still had pains from his fall. His head was still spinning a bit and his left side was killing him. He clutched it as he got up. He looked around and tried to remember where he was. All he saw was a wall and more rooftops, rooftops forever. His mind suddenly jolted awake and he remembered that he was in the Rusan district.
    The Rusan district was the richest part of the city and if he wasn't careful he would be spotted by one of the many money grubbing snoops that lived around here.
    Thorn checked the sun to see the time and his whole body jolted. He ran to hide. In the Rusan district there are two times of day when the residents can put their garbage out. Early morning around breakfast, and late afternoon. Judging by the sun, it was close to late afternoon and he was sitting right next to the bin!
    He bolted to the backside of the chimney as a Raichu stepped out to throw away his trash. Thorn knew this Raichu: he was one of the richest Pokemon in the district! A perfect opportunity. Thorn quickly made his way into the house while the Raichu was fumbling around with the trash. When Thorn entered he found the mantle. On it stood an empty bronze candle holder, perfect for selling. H grabbed it and looked around to see if there was anyone there. No one seemed to be around in the house. It was a quiet place. It was big and luxurious looking yet quiet. No wife, no kids, no beggars, no street urchins, no one, just a big, hollow house; yet it was full of things. A feeling began to resonate in Thorn. If this was what he was fighting against then what was he fighting for? So everyone could living equal to this Raichu? So everyone could live like this? So everyone could live alone? Thorn began to realize something.
    
    The front door opened and Thorn bolted out clutching the candle close to his body. He couldn't hear whether or not the Raichu had even noticed that something was missing, but he didn't care. He jumped from rooftop to rooftop and began to think clearly again. It seemed to him that the poor only had two choices: to live and die together but have lived a life rich in friendship; or to try and go it alone, solitary and separated but better off monetarily. Either way, whatever choice was to be made relied on him. Their lives were in his hands. Or were they? There would always be poor, struggling to live and he couldn't do anything about it.
'But I can change the Pokemon here; and that's what matters now' 

    Thorn wandered back into town. It was late afternoon and the market was busy as usual. Thorn slumped his way over to his usual spot and began to admire the candle. It was Combee wax with silver flecked in it. The handle was an alloy of copper and silver.
"Must be worth a fair bit, Thorn." Thorn looked up to see Ren standing over him looking a bit concerned; but she couldn't help but smile when he looked at her.
"What is it?" he asked looking down again. She sat next to him looking at the candle. She put her hand on his. He paid no attention. She looked at him and noticed his brow furrowed in thought. She sighed.
"Thorn, Barro... he took offense at what you said before. He took it to the committee. They've voted you out." She bit her lip and waited for his reaction.
Thorn shifted closer to her and sighed.
"It must be for the best. I've been thinking about leaving."
"Thorn what are you saying?" 
"Ren, look. What we've been doing is great and all. But recently I've been thinking, you know how that always goes. Well, I think that I'm going in a new direction." Ren blinked.
"Thorn, you'll start a war!"
"Either I start it or that brother of yours does." Thorn scoffed. Ren flushed.
"You don't treat him very well to begin with." Thorn sighed and got up.
"That's true." He offered her his paw. She took it and got up
"What's happening?"
"I need to sell this. So, I'm not going to be a part of the group, then I'll have to do it without you. See ya around Ren."