Ruby sighed as he got up. His sleep was just as good as he'd been having for the past several nights. Which was to say, not very good at all. But, regardless, he still made himself get up, take care of cleaning up the area he used to camp in, and feed his pokemon as well as himself, since they wouldn't eat unless he assured them that he was going to eat as well. And even though he was touched by their concern, that still didn't make him feel any better about himself. After all, what kind of trainer really did what he did to their own pokemon?

Meanwhile, Sapphire was getting up herself and doing much of the same things that Ruby was doing, but she was distracted by the fact that she was worried about Ruby. However, she knew that she needed to get moving towards Littleroot if she was going to speak with Norman. Which is why she found herself making her way out of Oldale Town in the early morning. If she hiked all day, she might be able to make it there either by that evening or late afternoon. However, if she rode her Aggron, she should be able to make it there by noon. Which would be probably the best time she'd be able to make regardless.

Even though she couldn't get there fast enough, the breeze caused by her Aggron's momentum was at least refreshing. When she finally arrived at Petalburg, she called back her Aggron into it's pokeball and made her way over to the gym.

When she arrived, she wasn't too surprised to see that he had a visitor. After all, it was a gym and probably would get challengers every so often. What was surprising was that whoever it was, was arguing quite heatedly by Norman. The volume of the argument was also quite surprising. Even though she was at the gate of the wall surrounding the gym, she could still hear the argument clearly.

"Tell me that then!"

"If you are meant to find him, then you won't need my help."

Sapphire continued on, not caring that she might be walking into a bad situation.

"So, he did go back to his sleep."

"If that's what you believe, then you should look there."

"I did. But you were the one who found him last time when there wasn't any clues for you to look for. So you would know where to look out of anyone."

Sapphire opened the door to the gym, noticing a man in a cape standing across from Norman. Neither seemed to acknowledge her, but she doubted that either didn't know she was there. They just continued to focus on the other.

"It still took me five years to find him and even then I got lucky. If you want to search for him, be my guest. Just don't try to involve me. I've lost enough to him as it is." Sapphire was glad that they seemed to be calming down a bit. As they were gradually lowering their voices. She didn't think that it was because of her, so she didn't allow herself to think that they were putting up a front for her sake, but rather because they were in fact getting a little calmer.

"Well, then I'll take my leave."

With a flourish, the caped man turned and walked out of the gym, not even giving Sapphire a glance as he walked past her. On the other hand though, Sapphire couldn't take her eyes off of him. At least until he turned at the gate and was out of sight. Then as she turned back to face Norman, she was surprised to see him right next to her.

"Can I help you?" he asked her kindly, showing no evidence of his heated argument moments earlier.

It took Sapphire a moment before she was able to say anything. "Yeah, I was wondering if you knew where Wallace is."

Norman regarded Sapphire a moment before responding slowly. "Why do you need to see him? He's quite busy with getting everything back to normal."

Sapphire looked away, feeling embarrassed to even say this. "I'm trying to find Ruby, so I thought that Wallace might have an idea where he is."

"Why would he know where Ruby might go. Sometimes I even have trouble figuring out that boy."

"But Wallace is his teacher. So, he might know something that neither of us know," Sapphire answered with conviction strong in her voice. She felt tears threatening to come out, but there was no way she was going to let them out right now. Maybe later, but right now she needed to find out what she wanted to know. There wasn't time right now for that.

Norman regarded Sapphire for a minute before answering her. "Last I knew he was in Slateport. I think he was going to move north towards Mauville City, but I'm not sure about that. However, it probably would be the best place for you to look. Others there might have seen him around there anyway."

"Thanks." Sapphire then turned and made her way out of the gym. She now knew the direction she needed to head in. Hopefully, it was the right direction.

Author's Notes: I know it's shorter than I usually do. I just couldn't think of much else to add and I probably won't be reaching the length I originally wanted for this, but I guess that's kinda what happens when you don't work on it for so long because writer's block struck. Anyway, please drop a review and let me know what you think about it.