Chapter Text
Being the younger sister of a Pokémon Professor was both a blessing and a curse for Pokémon fashion designer, Sapphire Kukui. Her older brother, Kalani Kukui, had quickly become famous in the Alola region once he became a professor so it was a bit difficult for her to build her own credibility and reputation, but she managed. Her designs were highly requested throughout not only Alola but the other regions as well. She recently expanded her business by designing clothes for people as well as Pokémon.
Sapphire was getting ready to make a delivery when Kalani walked into her room.
Kalani: Hey, sis. Where you headed?
Sapphire: I’m heading out on a delivery. First to Akala Island to drop off my monthly donation to the Paniola Ranch daycare then I had an order from Po Town on Ula’Ula Island.
Kalani: Po Town? Sapph, you’ve heard the rumors about that place, right?
Sapphire: Yeah, and I’ll be fine. I have a great team of Pokémon and obviously if one of their own requested business from an outsider, they won’t do anything.
Kalani: *sigh* Alright. I trust you but just promise me you’ll be careful.
Sapphire: Promise. Go visit your wife. You need a break.
Kalani smiles as he pats her head and pulls her into a quick hug before she left the house and called her Salamence on her ride pager. Salamence let her board his back then flew to the ranch, where Sapphire grabbed her bag and headed into the daycare.
Sapphire: Marissa, I have my monthly donation.
Marissa: Sapphire, you’re a saint. Thank you so much.
Sapphire: No worries. I love helping out and the Pokémon seem to love getting dressed up.
Marissa: That they do. A friend of mine’s daughter just started a new job working with a lot more Pokémon than we do so I passed one of your business cards to her.
Sapphire: Awesome! I can’t wait to hear from her. Thanks, Marissa. I’m heading out. I have another delivery to make.
Sapphire waved to Marissa and the rest of the staff as she walked outside and got back on Salmence’s back.
Sapphire: Alright, buddy. We’re off to Po Town.
Salamence nodded in understanding and took off. Sapphire was so happy that she took the steps to register him as a ride Pokémon. He was happiest when he was flying through the skies instead of being cooped up inside his Pokeball. Sapphire patted his head as Salamence landed outside the gates to Po Town. She slid off of his back and adjusted her bag before returning him to his Pokeball and grabbing her umbrella.
Sapphire: Alright. Let’s hope that I don’t end up lying to Kalani.
She opened her umbrella and walked through the gate only to be met by the Team Skull members who were stationed to guard it.
Female Grunt: Yo! Who’s this walking onto our turf!?
Sapphire: Sapphire Kukui. I’m delivering an order for someone named Plumeria.
Male Grunt: Big Sis? What could she possibly have ordered from the baby sis of the loser Pokémon professor?
Sapphire: *sigh* If you had done your research, you’d know that I’m not just Professor Kukui’s little sister. I’m a fashion designer that specializes in Pokémon outfits. Can someone please just either escort me to Plumeria or bring her out here? I just want to give her her order and go.
???: Who ordered what now?
Sapphire froze. That voice was familiar, though it was deeper than when she’d last heard it over ten years ago. She last heard it when she left Alola to expand on her business. She turned around and had to lift her head to be able to once again stare into the stormy gray eyes that she’d loved looking into during her teen years.
Sapphire: *breathlessly* Guzma.
Guzma’s eyes widened once he realized just who the young woman standing in front of him was.
Guzma: Sapphire? Arceus, it’s been forever. How have ya been? Ya look…….
A soft blush dusts his cheeks as he looks her up and down, taking in just how much she had changed. He clears his throat as he rubs the back of his neck.
Guzma: Ya look amazin’.
Sapphire blushes as she looks down, pulling her umbrella closer to her in an attempt to hide her face.
Sapphire: Thank you.
MG: Yo, boss! You know this chick!?
Guzma: Yeah, she’s cool! Why ya here, Sapph?
Sapphire: I have a delivery for Plumeria. She ordered some bandanas from me.
Guzma looks to the grunts behind her and glares at them.
Guzma: And ya dunces just let her stand here in the rain!? MOVE!
The grunts run in different directions, fearful of their boss’ rage, and Guzma returns his gaze back down to Sapphire.
Guzma: Come on, Sapphire. I’ll take ya to Plumes.
He walks past her and Sapphire follows him. She stares at his back, her head swirling with questions.
Guzma: I can see the gears in yer head turnin’, Sapph, and I’m not even lookin’ at ya.
Sapphire: You left.
Guzma: Yep.
Sapphire: Without telling me.
Guzma: Correct again.
Sapphire: Why?
Guzma stops when they reach the mansion so Sapphire also paused.
Sapphire: Guzma?
She could see his clenched fists shaking.
Guzma: Don’t matter.
Sapphire: Guzma.
He stays silent as they enter the rundown mansion. Sapphire looked around as she closed her umbrella and set it by the door.
Sapphire: This is…..homey.
Guzma: It’s garbage but it’s a perfect home fer a buncha abandoned misfits like us.
Sapphire paused and stared at Guzma’s back. She remembered how many times he’d attempted the Island Trial but always ended up losing to one of the captains. The Island Trial was just one of many things he had tried but failed at.
Sapphire: So, what makes you all misfits?
Guzma: Either lost the Island Trial or deemed failures by adults. Had nowhere else ta go or fit in. I found everyone and brought them together, then we came home. We’re more than a team. We’re a family.
Sapphire reached out, wanting to put her hand on his back, but was interrupted.
Plumeria: Sapphire Kukui, the most famous fashion designer in Alola.
Sapphire: *blushing* Th-That’s me. Are you Plumeria?
Plumeria: Ya got it. I can’t wait to see what ya came up with.
Sapphire smiles as she pulls a couple of bandanas out of her bag.
Sapphire: I remember you telling me that most of your Pokemon are Poison types so I chose a dark purple color for the base and, since Salazzle is your primary partner, I included flames into the design.
Plumeria took the bandanas and inspected them.
Plumeria: They’re so soft. What kind of material is this?
Sapphire: Silk. Most of my material is made from the webs of Spinarak and Ariados.
Plumeria: Amazing. I admire that ya work so closely with yer Pokemon to create such lovely clothes.
Sapphire: Thank you. I’d be nowhere without my Pokemon.
Guzma watches them as they talk and can’t help the small twitch of his lips, though he quickly shook it away. He wouldn’t let himself dream. He couldn’t.
Sapphire: Alright, Plumeria, I’m glad you’re happy with your order. I’ll be taking my leave now.
Sapphire turned around and looked up at Guzma, smiling as she made eye contact.
Sapphire: It was good seeing you again, Guzma.
She grabbed her umbrella and headed out the door, closing it behind her.
*GUZMA’S POV*
Plumeria: So, how long have ya been in love with her?
My face heated up and turned bright as I turned to her.
Guzma: Wha!? I’m not-!?
Plumeria: Don’t lie to me, Guzma. I saw ya starin’ at her the entire time she and I were talking. So, answer my question. How long?
Nothin’ ever got past Plumes. I sigh as I run my fingers through my hair.
Guzma: Since we were brats. I was friends with her brother and one day, she started taggin’ along. She quickly got closer ta me than her brother was and then I watched her grow into an amazin’ trainer and a beautiful woman. We were sixteen when it hit me like a rampagin’ Tauros. I was talkin’ ta Ma about her the day of the incident and how I was goin’ to ask her ta be my girl, then the old man came home and you know how that ends. I left the island that day, never sayin’ a word ta her. Then, she left Alola and I hid out here. Now, she’s back and a famous fashion designer and I’m the delinquent boss of a band of misfits who cause trouble for trial goers. She’s too good for me, Plumes, and all my baggage would just drag her down. She don’t need that.
Plumeria: Don’t you think you should let her decide that?
I didn’t answer her. I just went up ta my room ta lay in my hammock. Sapphire’s better off without me in her life and I’m stickin’ ta that resolve. No matter how much it hurts.