As Kokou was standing next to a wall, a fortification to a Team Rocket base, he smoked a cigarette. Kokou picked up smoking when he was sixteen, a habit that would stick with him throughout his life. He was chiefing away on a menthol cigarette, posted next to another Team Rocket member. The man hadn't spoke to Kokou since the mission started and Kokou was beginning to wonder what kind of guy this fellow was, when suddenly he spoke up. In response, Kokou said, "My name is Kokou. What's up?" Kokou was short and brief. He wasn't exactly a friendly sort of guy, but he did enjoy the company of people once he warmed up to them.
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Kouji Matsubara

From the distance, a bird type Pokemon came flying into the scene. Kokou had released Sora, the Rookidee, into the air to do a scan of the area. One of the benefits of having a bird type Pokemon, when it came to reconnaissance, was that people didn't take notice of flying birds. Rookidee was able to inspect the whole area in just ten minutes, and report back promptly to his master. Kokou had a careful touch with his Pokemon, he treated them as if they were instruments of war, but he did have a certain respect for each of his Pokemon. They had all served him well, and Sora was one of his most loyal Pokemon. The Tiny Bird Pokemon landed on Kokou's shoulder and began tweeting away, telling him that no suspicious entities had been seen.
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With Sora on his shoulder, Kokou replied to Kouji. "Nice to meet ya, bud." Kokou stuck his fist out for Kouji to pound it. "I've been around for about two years. Mostly running debtors through the mill, collecting money for the bosses. Recently they have been wanting to see me take a more executive position in the organization. I can't say I'm happy to. I'm just here for the money. Stealing Pokemon, taking over Hoenn, that shit's secondary to me." Kokou looked up into the sky and his Rookidee began tweeting again. "What about you Kouji, what are you here for? Money, fame, power? You fancy yourself a yes man?" Kokou continued looking up into the inky black sky.
Kouji Matsubara

"Your senior? I don't know about that. I just participate in small time thuggery. You sound like you have achieved way more for the mob than I have." Kokou replied to Kouji. He didn't feel any shame in his life of small time crime. Kokou liked banging out punks on the street corners, but he couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy that Kouji had achieved so much. To have your name etched into eternity, well that did sound appealing to Kokou. 
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When Kouji spoke about a parallel realm, Kokou was intrigued. He had never considered exploring the realms that he heard only legends about. To meet someone who had endured such tribulations, well it was certainly awe inspiring. Kokou adjusted his posture and asked, "What can you tell me about parallel realms? Are they like our world?" Kokou had a sort of innocence in his eyes. He didn't know much about what Kouji was speaking of, after all, he was just a small time criminal in a sea of mob bosses.
[break]Kouji Matsubara

While he listened to Kouji, Kokou took a deep drag on his cigarette. What Kouji spoke of, the after life, was truly a mystery to Kokou. Ever since he had lost his mother, Kokou spent many sleepless night wondering what happened to the spirit of the dearly departed. He had spent so much time thinking about it that Kokou didn't know what he believed. But what he believed mattered not, compared to the face of reality that Kouji spoke of. Kokou exhaled his cigarette smoke, then said to Kouji, "Maybe I should check it out." He flicked his cigarette onto the ground. 
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The young man's words trailed off like the hots of a cigarette on a dark night, the meaning behind them lost on Kouji. Kokou was a mysterious man, he didn't let others know much about him, but in this moment, perhaps thinking on his mother, Kokou as vulnerable. He said to Kouji, "I've always wondered what happened to the dead, yanno, when they pass on." Kokou paused for a moment, then continued. "I always figured souls were reincarnated, seemed to make the most sense. Did it seem like the beings there were imprisoned? Was it like a hell?" Kokou's curiosity was getting the better of him. His normally cool persona was being tarnished by a child=like desire to learn about the world. Such was life for The Caged Bird.
Kouji Matsubara

"Very interesting.." Kokou said to Kouji. He was impressed by how much the young man knew about this spirit realm. Kokou had never heard such a tale and it really struck a chord with him. "So, speaking of realms. Tell me what you know about these different realms. How do you get there? I'm just a normal guy, I've never heard much about the finer things in life." Kokou gave Kouji a smile and pulled out a bag of candy from his jacket pocket. They were cherry sours, his favorite kind of candy. Kokou held it up to Kouji, offering him some of his treats. Kokou liked Kouji, he was knowledgeable and Kokou had the opportunity to learn something from him. If there was one thing that tKokou was, it was studious. He had always excelled in school, thank to his high intellect and dynamic reasoning, but it was nice to speak with someone about the more simple things in life. Though, the afterlife was far from simple, it seemed like it was on the outside.
Kouji Matsubara

Chuckling at the idea of incense, Kokou put away the serious talk. He didn't want to get caught up in his feelings on his mother, and that was inevitable when he talked about the dead. Kokou wasn't afraid of the dead, but he certainly had respect for the hold the dead had on the living. Popping a cherry sour into his mouth, he humbled in agreement. "Yeah, I don't think I will be exploring those any time soon. My team is still young, maybe after they evolve and grow in strength. Maybe." Kokou liked his life of mediocrity, he definitely didn't want to play the hero exploring unknown realms. He swallowed his candy and then said to Kouji, "So, how long do you think we will be at this guard? Rowlet says there is nobody around for at least a mile. We should be safe slacking off, ya think?" Kokou stored his candy back in his pocket.

Eager to get some dirt under his heels, Kokou nodded and pulled his pack of cigarettes back out. He grabbed one and stuck it in his mouth. "Sounds like a plan. As long as we are back before dawn, no one will know." Kokou lit his cigarette with his yellow flick later, and then took a deep drag. Exhaling he said to Kouji, "I know a place. Dee's Diner, it's just up the road. We can walk there, I go there all the time for their sliders. They make the best little cheeseburgers." Kokou ashed his cigarette and started walking down the road. They were guarding gates, so if anyone tried to get in they would be in deep shit, but it seemed like it would be a quiet night for playing hookey. 
Kouji Matsubara