The meal progressed. Misty, who usually took a lot of pleasure in her meals, went through the process as if she were a machine. The chopsticks descended, a shrinkee was caught, he was dunked in sauce, tossed into her mouth, than swallowed whole. It wasn’t like her. Misty usually took immense pleasure in consuming former people, there was something very empowering about it. Normally she would take her time, maybe taunt her meal a little. Misty didn’t find it cruel, most people liked to play with their food. If it had been just her and Ash she might have dunked her victims, licked them clean, than dunked them again. Then, when they finally did make it past her lips, she might toy with them and probe their genitalia with her tongue. Some time during her meal she’d help Ash finish off his own. Considering he had to use his hands and get messy she usually convinced him to eat without his shirt and jeans on to help cut down on the laundry. It was really just an excuse to pick him up and lick him gently when he got covered in grease or some sort of sauce or spicy seasoning.

Of course she didn’t want him to strip off his clothes now, not in front of Sabrina and Casey….. Definitely not in front of Sabrina, she was older than both her and Casey and she wasn’t sure her interest in Ash was completely platonic. Of course Misty was suspicious of everyone when it came to her Ash. She longed to extend her chopsticks and surprise him by plucking him off his plate. She wanted to bring him to her lips and kiss him again and again, to tell him how much she cared about him and how she’d always be there for him. The latter she did quite often but the former….. their relationship just wasn’t at that stage… yet. Nothing would have made her happier just then than to pick up the boy she loved and give him a quick smooch. She didn’t Instead she just continued going through the motions, polishing off her meal.

Casey belched lightly behind her fingers hoping no one would notice. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem but she didn’t want to appear unladylike in front of her friends. Well, her friend, her former friend, and some complete stranger. She prodded her stomach feeling it tremble ever so slightly as its occupants fought for just a few more seconds of life. Her prodding and their constant wiggling only caused her to burp once more, this time much more noticeably. All 3 of her new companions stared at her. The burp had dispelled her preys remaining air supply. Going dizzy from lack of oxygen they plunged into her stomach acid. Though the burp proved quite fatal for them it made Casey feel relaxed and content.

“Well I’m finally full. The Chinese food and the shrinkees were great!”

“Thank you for your sacrifice.” Sabrina thanked her soon to be meal.

Misty just scoffed, they were food, no longer people. They didn’t deserve any sort of respect. Sabrina didn’t take too long to finish off her own meal. She never reached for her bowl but periodically Ash would glance over and notice a few a shrinkees were now missing. Sabrina looked almost as if she were meditating. Her eyes were closed and her hands folded in her lap. Her peaceful manner calmed her food down quite a bit. They were still nervous and fearful of their inevitable fate….. But many of them seemed resigned to it and none of them swore or screamed. Soon the only one who hadn’t finished was Ash. Whipping out their chopsticks the three girls helped him finish off his meal.

Misty wiped her lips off on a napkin “All right, let’s pay the bill and head for Viridian Forest.”

“Why what a stroke of luck!” Sabrina cried, “That’s where I was heading!”

Misty’s eyes narrowed, “You don’t say…… how fortunate.”

“You can travel with us!” Casey said excitedly, ignoring Misty’s cold attitude.

“You know what? I think I will.”

“Wow.” Ash looked up at the newly formed party, “Traveling the roads with friends again, just like old times huh Mist?”

“Uh… Yeah!” She tried to fake excitement, not wanting to disappoint him.

Her reaction was enough to fool Casey, who smiled, finally thinking Misty would get back to being her old self. Sabrina didn’t respond, she just let her lips curl slightly. Eventually they paid their bill and left. The restaurant hadn’t been too far from the city limits and they soon found themselves hiking through the forest. Ash sat on Misty’s shoulder, hugging her neck to keep from falling. Misty had a smile on her lips, she loved it when he hugged her, even if it was only for support. The three girls chatted about nothing in particular. Ash wasn’t in the conversation for very long at any one point in time. Something seemed to be troubling him.

“Ash?” Misty asked, “Is something bothering you?”

“It’s just…….. Gary, I’m gonna miss him.”

“W- what?”

“We we’re friends growing up though he kind of turned into a jerk. He and I were rivals for a while. Sure he was mean to me but……… I don’t know. All I know is I’m going to miss him.”

Misty stroked him tenderly, “I’m sorry I ate him without asking you what you wanted.” Misty whispered softly.

“…….. That’s all right Mist.” He smiled up at her.

“So Ash……” Casey butted in, changing the conversation, “So Ash how longs it been since you’ve seen your mom.”

Ash shook his head, “I don’t know, a while, the last time I saw her was before I shrunk.”

He couldn’t wait to see his mother again. He knew how she’d react to seeing him shrunk. Though she was probably worried as hell she’d think he was the cutest thing ever. It would be hard to convince her to let him keep traveling with Misty. He had the same status as food or a sex toy. Even his mother indulged. When he had last seen her she’d whipped up a nice meal of shrinkees for him before he took off on his next pokemon adventure. She’d bought a good deal of girl’s even though they were rarer and more expensive; nothing was too good for her son! Of course Ash had refused, he never could eat shrinkees. Something about the thought of eating people had just made him lose his appetite. Of course his mom didn’t have the same reservations. When he’d left she’d stocked up on male shrinkees about his age. Ash didn’t want to look at any of them for fear he might recognize a former friend. She had told him she wanted boys his age because she’d miss him so much…. She’d want someone to talk to before dinner. That had weirded him out a little but he hadn’t complained. Regardless of his mothers ‘tastes’ she was still his mom. He couldn’t wait to see her again. He just hoped she wouldn’t turn out to be even more over protective of him than Misty.

The foursome made good progress through the forest, “Can we make a quick pit stop guys?” Casey asked when they came upon a way station for travelers.

It had running water and bathrooms. Casey wanted to wish her friends from lunch farewell. Misty felt that she needed ‘relieving’ as well. That was the one problem with shrinkees. Their soft flesh, unlike tough beef or chewy chicken, guaranteed they’d go right through you.

“Sure, I could use a bathroom break myself.” Everyone could go the bathroom here, then they’d walk an hour or two more and make camp for then night.
Misty still had Casey’s boy in her pocket from earlier. Later that night, in her sleeping bag, Misty would be able to get rid of a lot of her built up aggression for having to travel with people she didn’t care for.

“Finally!” Casey went into the ladies room.

“Well I’m good so I’ll hold Ash for you?” Sabrina smiled and extended her hand.

Misty didn’t like the glint in her eyes. She knew Ash would probably be safe with Sabrina but…… She found she really REALLY didn’t want to hand him over to the psychic trainer.

“I don’t think so.”

Sabrina was shocked when Misty made her way to the ladies room Ash in hand. She had decided earlier that day that Ash would now have to accompany her to the restroom. She could take him with her and set him on her thigh till she was finished with her business. Of course that would mean the boy she cared about most, and was easily embarrassed around, would be sitting on her bare leg with a bird’s eye view of her crotch. She’d just playfully threaten to eat him if he peeked. She knew he wouldn’t. Still, crapping out the remains of his fellow shrinkees wasn’t the most romantic thing ever. Also if that one shrinkee she’d crammed up her ass came tumbling out… She’d sent him up into her last night with the orders to lick her asshole. She’d lost track of him since then. What would Ash think if he saw him plunge into the toilet? He didn't know about the cruel things she did to shrinkees as soon as he drifted asleep.

She could always wait for Casey to come back……………