The leader of the Rocket Gang didnč t see her adult son approach her. Her long dark hair didnč t move when her body went in a spiral due to spinning in her chair.
SON : Mother ?
The woman stopped spinning.
WOMAN : Sakaki ?
SAKAKI : Where have Miyamoto and Musashi been ? I havenč t seen them in a loooong time.
WOMAN : I donč t know about Musashi, but I sent Miyamoto on a mission long ago.
SAKAKI : How long ago ? What kind of mission ?
WOMAN : Twenty years ago, Miyamoto brought a recording and I listened to it. She had captured the sound of the rarest pocket monster ever. I was more interested in making money. I sent her to the mountains to search for it. I havenč t heard from her yet. She could be dead.
Sakaki gasped before he walked away and over to a phone. He dialed a number. Musashi answered.
MUSASHI : Hello ?
SAKAKI : Musashi ? Do you remember me ?
MUSASHI : Sakaki ? Of course, I remember you. We were childhood friends. Whatč s up ?
SAKAKI : The ceiling. Just kidding.
His tone was more serious now.
SAKAKI : How old were you when your mother left you to go on a mission ?
Musashi knew what he was talking about.
MUSASHI : I was six years old when she abandoned me.
SAKAKI : Perhaps we could look for her.
Musashi was silent for a moment.
MUSASHI : OK. Meet me at my cabin in a half hour.
Sakaki nodded before he hung up and proceeded to help Musashi search for the missing Rocket. He stared at her when he saw her for the first time in quite awhile. Musashi wore a white dress that had fake fur around the collar and skirt. It also had a big red R on it. Her red hair was no longer in pigtails. Her boots were pale. Sakaki wore the Danč in uniform since his mother was still the Rocket Gang boss.
SAKAKI : What have you been up to ?
MUSASHI : I still eat snow and I think about my mother constantly. I hope we find her.
SAKAKI : Why is there a red R on your chest ?
MUSASHI : Before my mother left, she sewed our gangč s symbol for me since....
SAKAKI : You would eventually become a part of the Rocket Gang ?
Musashi nodded.
MUSASHI : Does your mother still...... ?
SAKAKI : No, but she does yell at me frequently for whatever reason.
MUSASHI : Oh.
She and Sakaki continued to walk up the mountain. A blizzard was born. Musashi and Sakaki struggled to see through the falling snow.
MUSASHI : Why are you so eager to help me look for my mother ?
Sakaki blushed a little.
SAKAKI : Uhhhh, well.... I loved Miyamoto since I was her č son. č
Musashi nodded. She started to sneeze.
MUSASHI : ACHOO !
She and Sakaki watched a ton of snow attempt to bury them when she sneezed. The Dan in pushed her out of the way. Musashi watched the avalanche bury her screaming friend.
MUSASHI : Sakaki ?
The avalanche ceased. Sakaki managed to survive....for now. He was determined to help Musashi find Miyamoto. He was too cold to move. Now he needed Miyamoto more than ever. Two important women in his life appeared in his memories.... Twenty years ago, Miyamoto brought her small daughter to her employerč s home. She sat opposite of Woman Boss in the livingroom. The mothers watched their children stare at one another. Miyamoto looked at her boss.
MIYAMOTO : Making good money these days ? Here and there, Boss.
She stared at her daughter.
MIYAMOTO : Isnč t Musashi cute, Boss ?
Woman Boss shrugged.
WOMAN BOSS : How old is she ?
MIYAMOTO : Sheč s two years old.
WOMAN BOSS : She is the exact age as my little brat boy.
Sakaki was curious when he saw Musashič s pigtails and touched one of them. Musashi smiled before leaping and rolling around on the rug. They laughed.
WOMAN BOSS : STOP HAVING FUN !
The children stopped what they were doing.
MIYAMOTO : You should teach your baby how to be kind. If you donč t, heč ll grow up mean. My daughter will be nice and cute. Isnč t that right, Musashi ?
Musashi smiled and nodded. Woman Boss gagged.
WOMAN BOSS : So tell me, Miyamoto chan. Is your daughter a brat girl ?
MIYAMOTO : No. Last night, she ate an entire chocolate cake. She was so cute !
WOMAN BOSS : I was right. She is a brat.
MIYAMOTO : Children will be children.
WOMAN BOSS : Ič m guessing that you smiled and laughed at her č cuteness. č
MIYAMOTO : You guessed right.
WOMAN BOSS : Why did you bring Musashi here ?
MIYAMOTO : If she and Sakaki are going to be in the Rocket Gang, theyč ll have to get to know one another.
WOMAN BOSS : Makes sense.
She looked down at her leg.
WOMAN BOSS : Damn !
MIYAMOTO : What ?
WOMAN BOSS : Thereč s a run in my stocking !
Miyamoto fell over.
WOMAN BOSS : Ič m going upstairs to switch stockings.
She walked away. Sakaki approached Miyamoto who lifted him and placed him on her lap.
MIYAMOTO : I take it that the boss doesnč t like children if she calls them brats.
She held Sakaki who fell asleep against her chest. A woman with long black hair, sharp nails, and dagger like teeth was in his dream. She was scaring her son into becoming the future leader of the Rocket Gang. Danč in suddenly surrounded her along with shadows of future Rockets. Sakaki gasped when he recognized one of the shadows as a teen age Musashi ! He also saw a large white cat with a red gem on its head walk over to him. A huge red R suddenly appeared surrounded by fire.The child opened his eyes. He gasped when he saw the same letter on Miyamoto. Musashič s mother looked down.
MIYAMOTO : The R is the symbol of the Rocket Gang. Youč ll be a Danč in at first before you become the leader. Youč ll wear the R until you become the Rocket Gang boss.
Sakaki whimpered as Miyamoto proceeded to comfort him. He started to calm down when he felt the warm embrace. He had never been hugged or kissed before in his life. He was usually ignored or abused. Woman Boss arrived. Her stockings were now red like her dress and high heels. She gasped when she saw her son smile and sleep against Miyamotoč s chest. She didnč t want Sakaki to know the meaning of love. She wanted him to be cruel. She watched him wake up and kiss Miyamoto. She became paranoid. She walked over to her minion. Miyamoto looked up.
MIYAMOTO : Do you ever spank him if he misbehaves ?
WOMAN BOSS : Of course !
Miyamoto disagreed when it came to corporal punishment. Woman Boss grabbed Sakakič s hand and went into her office. Miyamoto stood. She knew that the mother was going to hurt her child. She knew that Woman Boss figured that abusing her son would cause him to grow up cold. She looked at Musashi who attempted to follow her.
MIYAMOTO : Stay here, Musashi.
Her daughter obeyed. Woman Boss hit Sakaki repeatedly. He screamed whenever her hand stung him. She was surprised when Miyamoto grabbed her wrist in mid air. She was furious.
MIYAMOTO : Please donč t hit your son anymore, Boss.
WOMAN BOSS : Release me or youč re fired.
Miyamoto obeyed.
WOMAN BOSS : Donč t tell me how to raise my little brat boy.
MIYAMOTO : Yes, Mač am.
She took one last look at Sakaki who was still crying. She didnč t want to abandon him yet she also couldnč t oppose her boss. She wanted to be his substitute mother. She wanted to raise him to be kind. She had enjoyed witnessing her daughterč s first friendship. She knew that Sakakič s motherč s cruelty would eventually corrupt him.
WOMAN BOSS : One more thing, Miyamoto.
MIYAMOTO : Yes, Mač am ?
WOMAN BOSS : Never bring your daughter over here again.
Miyamoto gasped.
MIYAMOTO : Why ?
WOMAN BOSS : She corrupted my son when she made him laugh and smile.
MIYAMOTO : Youč re forgetting that he kissed me so are you going to fire me ?
WOMAN BOSS : I would, but you are the best Rocket Gang member. However, if you continue to love him or stop me from disciplining him, you will be fired.
MIYAMOTO : I understand.
She sighed.
MIYAMOTO : I guess this means that he wonč t be able to sleep over at my place.
Woman Boss nodded.
MIYAMOTO : Our children are going to be in the Rocket Gang regardless of love.
WOMAN BOSS : The play date was a mistake. They will not show any signs of affection when they are old enough to be in our gang.
Musashi toddled over to her mother. She was upset when she watched Sakaki cry. She started to sob quietly. Her parent held her. Sakaki went over to the mother and daughter. He hugged and kissed them.
WOMAN BOSS : Get away from them, you horrible brat !
She grabbed Sakakič s hand and pulled him away.
SAKAKI : M, Ma, Ma. Mama.
He broke free and ran over to Miyamoto again as he hugged her.
SAKAKI : Mama.
Woman Boss gasped.
WOMAN BOSS : His first word !
MIYAMOTO : Well, I am a mother. I can always have a son and a daughter.
WOMAN BOSS : NO !
She pulled her sonč s arm. She proceeded to hit him again. Musashi screamed. Her mother scowled before taking her home.
WOMAN BOSS : Good riddance !
She removed a bundled whip from her desk.... Later that night, Sakaki opened his eyes when he felt something wet on his bed. He got out from under the heavy blanket. He saw the huge damp area where he slept. His pajama bottom was soaked. Sakaki ran into his motherč s room and got in bed with her. Woman Boss felt something moist against her and sat up. She scowled at her son. She got out of bed to discover the wet area on Sakakič s mattress. She returned. She pulled him by the arm and spanked him a few times. She took him into the kitchen where she pushed him outside and locked the door. She ignored her screaming child who finally wandered into the street.He never saw the speeding car.... Woman Boss heard a loud thud and a child crying while she washed out the stain. She went outside and smiled. Sakaki was lucky to be alive. He was screaming and crying.
WOMAN BOSS : I hope you die slowly and painfully.
It started to rain as Sakaki continued to cry until he felt a tongue on his head. He looked up. He smiled when he watched a stray Persian lick his face. He was scared when his mother approached the cat.
WOMAN BOSS : A stray Persian ?
She smirked as she looked at her screaming son.
WOMAN BOSS : You need to think about what you did.
She went inside the mansion as Persian followed her. Sakaki was scared and abandoned. He yowled when he heard lightning. His mother returned an hour later.
WOMAN BOSS : If you wet the bed again, Ič ll feed you to Persian.
She snatched his hand before spanking him. She shoved him inside her home. Sakaki went back to bed. He wanted to kiss his mother in order to calm her down. He went inside her room where he found Persian sleeping next to her. He got on the bed and crawled up to the cat. He watched its eyes open. The pocket monster looked up. Woman Boss slowly opened her eyes. Her scowl terrified Sakaki.
WOMAN BOSS : Why arenč t you in bed ?
He approached her with caution. He hugged her.
WOMAN BOSS : Get away from me !
She used the back of her hand to swat her sonč s face. She watched Sakaki touch the red area on his stung cheek. She pointed towards the open door.
WOMAN BOSS : Return to bed this instant ! I donč t want to see you for the rest of the night !
She noticed Sakakič s timid eyes. Her slap knocked him down. Sakaki struggled to hide his tears. He knew that his mother would do more than hit him if she saw a single tear. He couldnč t avoid her angry eyes. He could no longer control his emotions. He wanted to cry alone without being heard or hit. He pulled his motherč s heavy blanket over himself. His tears caused the pillow to become moist. All he wanted was his motherč s love. He held her firm hand. He wanted her to calm down. She pushed him.
WOMAN BOSS : Pervert !
She removed a cigarette from the drawer next to her bed. She lit it. She held Sakakič s arm, lifted the sleeve, and burned the skin. She heard him shriek. He got the message and returned to his room. He managed to fall asleep until he heard a kittenč s cry. He gasped when he saw a white creature hover over his bed. He pulled the blanket over his head. He slowly looked up. He didnč t see anything. He heard the noise again after a few hours passed.
NOISE : Miiiiyuuuu ! Mew !
He gasped when he saw the same animal which was in front of him this time ! Its eyes and head seemed too big for its small body. Its tail was long. Its feet had three toes and were larger than its tiny arms. Its mouth was a little hole.
CREATURE : Mew !
SAKAKI : Moo ?
Mew giggled.
MEW : Mew !
SAKAKI : Moo ? Moo ?
Mew repeated its name over and over as it continued to hover. It let Sakaki embrace it. Mew tilted its head.
MEW : Mew !
It had sensed Sakakič s motherč s cruelty which was why it chose to befriend Sakaki. He gently grabbed the creatureč s toes and played with them. He and Mew slept under the blanket together after he rubbed its ears. The boy spent most of the next morning in his room when the new day arrived. He and Mew laughed while playing together and kissing.
MEW : Mew.
It hovered upside down and giggled.Its huge feet moved up and down repeatedly before it created a mental pink ball. It tossed it to Sakaki who caught it and threw the ball back. The energy sphere was too heavy for Mew which was obvious when it used its tiny arms to lift it only to fall to the floor several times.
MEW : Mew ! Mew ! Mew ! Mew !
It became frustrated and bounced the ball until it jumped up and hit it. Mew performed many air somersaults. It shook its head. It put its arms on its hips and waved its tiny arms around out of frustration. It kicked its feet. Sakaki couldnč t prevent a smile. The creature stopped its temper tantrum and hovered over to its friend. It looked around to see what was so funny.
MEW : Mew. Mew. Mew. Miiiiyuuuu.
It teleported near Sakaki who was confused. It appeared on his head before looking into his eyes and falling on the bed.
MEW : Mew !
His friend smiled. He then frowned when Musashi appeared in his mind. They had instantly bonded until Woman Boss broke their friendship chain. Mew sensed Sakakič s depression. It hovered next to him. Tears formed in his eyes as he thought about Miyamoto and Musashi. He could still remember Miyamotoč s smile and warm hugs. He became alert when his mother opened the door.
WOMAN BOSS : STOP HAVING HORRIBLE THOUGHTS !
She gasped. She approached her son. Mew put itself in front of its friend.
MEW : MEW !
WOMAN BOSS : The rarest pocket monster in the world ! How dare you hide it from me, Sakaki !
She walked away momentarily unti she returned with a belt. Mew teleported out of the leather stripč s way. Sakaki wept as his skin produced various cuts and bruises. The leather and metal ignored his tears. The tough hide made his wounds sting. The buckle caused him to scream. Mew could no longer stand watching its hurt friend from above the ceiling. It hovered down to Sakaki and formed a pink bubble in order to protect him.
MEW : MEEEEWWWW !
When its bubble vanished, Woman Boss attempted to capture it. It enjoyed dodging her. It saw the open window and managed to escape.
SAKAKI : NOOOOOOOO ! MOO ! MOO ! MOOOO ! MOOOOOOOOOOOO !
He started to cry uncontrollably. His mother continued to physically punish him until he could no longer stand. She walked away. Sakaki never realized that his mother sent Miyamoto on a mission to capture Mew... The Dan in struggled to survive in the snow. He wanted to see Musashi again. He wondered if she thought that he was dead. He was determined to find Miyamoto. He started to crawl on his belly. He had to remain alive. Meanwhile, Musashi searched for Miyamoto and Sakaki. She couldnč t see anything due to the blizzard. She imagined Woman Boss smiling in her office. She had always hated her motherč s employer ever since she forbade her to seeSakaki. She pictured her jumping and skipping within her mansion happy that Miyamoto wasgone.She almost felt guilty for having a mother who loved her unlike Sakakič s mom.
MUSASHI : That hateful woman ! She hated seeing her son with a friend.
She sighed.
MUSASHI : I only knew Sakaki for one day, but we never forgot about one another.
She noticed that the snow was getting deeper and deeper. It reached her knees.
MUSASHI : I canč t die now. I must find my mother.
She was now sad.
MUSASHI : I can still hear Sakaki screaming as the avalanche buries him. I donč t even know if he is still alive. She held her arms as she walked.
MUSASHI : I wonč t let this frozen cemetary steal my life yet.
Her legs proceeded to tremble.
MUSASHI : I must focus on my mission. If I die now, who will find my mother ?
Sakaki continued to manually dig a tunnel through the snow. His entire body was frozen. His black uniform wasnč t enough to protect him from thecold. Miyamotoč s smile was enough to warm his body for only a short amount of time. He wondered if he would ever see any other color with the exception of white. His mother appeared in his memories again. He recalled standing in her office....
SAKAKI : Have you seen my pet caterpillar, Mommy ?
WOMAN BOSS : Pet caterpillar ? Ohhhh ! You mean the slime on my high heel ?
She put a foot on her desk which revealed something only her son could identify.
SAKAKI : FLUFFY !
Tears formed in the Dan inč s eyes.
SAKAKI : You owe me, Mommy ! You have to pay for my psychology !
As he ranted, Woman Boss removed a cell phone from her dress.
WOMAN BOSS : Yes. There is a crazy man in my office. Heč s talking to an imaginary person he calls Mommy. Short dark hair. Slits for pupils. Heč s wearing a black uniform with a big red R on it which stands for the Rocket Gang. Heč s the leader of the pocket monster stealing organization. Thank you.
Sakaki stopped ranting long enough to ask who she called. His mother smiled and knocked on the bottom of her desk.
WOMAN BOSS : Uh oh, Sakaki ! Do you hear that knock on the door ?
Sakaki whimpered. The lowest ranking Rocket dwelled in his memory for a few more seconds. He could still remember losing a loved one even if that loved one was a caterpillar. He imagined how Musashi would feel if either of them found Miyamotoč s dead body.He wondered if going on this dangerous mission was a good idea. What if he and Musashi never found their mother ? What if she was already dead ?
SAKAKI : Our mother.
Part of him felt guilty about labeling Miyamoto as his mother. She was always Musashič s parent. Besides, he already had a mom and Musashi didnč t. He had only known her for one day. The other part of him felt good to share Miyamoto. She had taught him how to love unlike his cruel mother who only yelled at and abused him. She would embrace as well as protect him from harm if she was able to. He would never forget the day she caught his motherč s hand in mid air. He did call her Mama which happened to be his first word. She also called him her son. Sakaki was Miyamotoč s boy. He tried to avoid tears as he thought about a young Musashi smiling with Miyamoto. He wished that he had smiled with his mother. He managed to control his emotions long enough to try and find her. He became frustrated when he could not see anything but snow. Musashi was glad when the blizzard eventually ceased. She wasnč t happy about the snow reaching her hips. She tried to picture herself in a warm place such as her home where she was with hermom. She smiled at various memories.
MUSASHI : Mom.
Sakakič s chest started to hurt from being in a cold environment for a long time. He placed his hand over his heart. He gasped repeatedly. He didnč t dare faint. He wished that Miyamoto was by his side to hold him and tell him that everything was OK .Woman Boss probably would have insulted and kicked him. The thought of his mother sitting by a fire while stroking Persian angered him. She was in a warm and comfortable environment while he and Musashi were freezing. Sakaki proceeded to panic as various thoughts entered his mind. What if he was buried under this avalanche for eternity ? What if Musashi froze to death? What if they never found Miyamoto and the mission was for nothing ? He mentally scolded himself for having terrible thoughts. He pulled down the brim of his cap over his hidden eyes to prevent blindness.
He disliked having snow in his eyes. His chest pain increased. He wanted to curl up and die. His eyes widened when he thought about his future if he survived. He would be the Rocket Gang leader commanding his minions to steal pocket monsters. His motherč s cruelty would be within him. Since Musashi was going to be in his gang, he could fire her any time he wanted. Just then, death didnč t seem like a horrible event. However, Sakaki stopped to think about Musashi crying in the snow if she was all alone. He sighed. He couldnč t abandon his childhood friend. He recalled the day he became a Dan in.... He had stood before his mother on his eighteenth birthday within her office.
SAKAKI : Ič m ready to lead the Rocket Gang now, Mommy.
He looked around and saw Danč in behind her.
SAKAKI : Why are there Danč in in your office ?
WOMAN BOSS : Everyone who is in the Rocket Gang is here to see this event. Now that youč re an adult, you can officially become a part of our organization.
She removed a set of garments from her desk.
WOMAN BOSS : Welcome to the Rocket Gang, Brat Boy or rather, Dan in !
Sakaki took the bundle as everyone in the office laughed and pointed at him.
DAN IN : Daaaanč in ! Daaaanč in !
DANč IN # 2 : Youč re one of us now !
SAKAKI : Shouldnč t I be the boss of the Rocket Gang now ?
Woman Boss pointed at him.
WOMAN BOSS : SILENCE, DANč IN !
She was momentarily quiet.
WOMAN BOSS : Everyone has to crawl before they walk. Ič m still the boss of the Rocket Gang.
The new Dan in nodded. Sakaki didnč t know how long he had been within the avalanche. He was curious when he saw a cave ahead. He crawled towards it. He entered. He gasped when he saw....
SAKAKI : Miyamoto mama ????
The purple haired woman looked up at the lowest ranking Rocket. She had been sprawled on the ground for an unknown amount of time. She felt her head and back being supported by Sakakič s hand. Her other hand was held.
MIYAMOTO : Sakaki ? Whereč s Musashi ?
SAKAKI : I donč t know. We were searching for you until an avalanche buried me.
Miyamoto scowled.
MIYAMOTO : I see that your mother already corrupted your soul.
SAKAKI : I am a part of the Rocket Gang now, but Ič m not the leader.... yet.
MIYAMOTO : Woman Boss is still waiting for me to return from my mission. So is Musashi. I have been in this cave for twenty years. I would have returned home earlier, but constant blizzards caused the avalanche toincrease. I have been eating snow all of the time. I survived by thinking about Musashi all of the time. She paused.
MIYAMOTO : Does your mother still hit you ?
SAKAKI : Why do you ask ?
MIYAMOTO : Ever since Ič ve known her, she always hated children. Ič m wondering if she hates her adult son as well.
SAKAKI : She doesnč t hit me, but she does yell frequently.
Miyamoto sighed.
MIYAMOTO : I have the feeling that Ič ll never see Musashi again.
SAKAKI : If we live to get out of this avalanche, weč ll be a family again. Youč ll have a daughter and a son. Ič ve been calling you Miyamoto Mama because you are like a mother. You taught me how to love and protected me from the Rocket Gang boss. You accepted me. You called me your son.
MIYAMOTO : That is correct.
SAKAKI : Whenever I remembered you, I had the strength to survive.
He touched her angelic face.
MIYAMOTO : I want to sleep forever and dream about my family for eternity. I hope that Musashi is still alive.
SAKAKI : Miyamoto mama ? What was your mission ?
MIYAMOTO : Woman Boss ordered me to capture this rare pocket monster. I saw it before I was buried alive.
SAKAKI : What was this pocket monster called ?
MIYAMOTO : Mew.
Sakaki gasped.
SAKAKI : Mew was my second friend after Musashi was forbidden to visit me !
MIYAMOTO : I know. Your mother informed me.
SAKAKI : By the way, how was Musashi during the years ?
MIYAMOTO : She was always crying.
SAKAKI : So was I.
MIYAMOTO : She really liked you.
SAKAKI : I liked her as well.
He continued to hold her hand. Every part of his body touched her figure.
SAKAKI : Weč ll find a way to escape this avalanche.
MIYAMOTO : Ič d love to, but Ič m beginning to lose hope of ever seeing Musashi. As I searched for Mew, I lost the only picture I had of her.
SAKAKI : Ohhhh.
He squeezed her hand when he noticed her heavy eyelids. He touched her wrist and felt her weak pulse.
SAKAKI : NO ! YOU HAVE TO SEE MUSASHI BEFORE YOU DIE !
MIYAMOTO : If you do see her again, tell her that I love her.
Sakaki struggled to prevent more screaming. He nodded.
MIYAMOTO : Youč ll always be my son.
She touched his face.
SAKAKI : I love you, Miyamoto Mama.
She smiled. Sakaki kissed her on the mouth while holding her hand before it became limp. Tears exited his eyes.
SAKAKI : MIYAMOTO MAMA ! MIIIIYAAAAMOTOOOO !
