I apologize for updating so late! D: My school is starting in four days, and I have spent the last two weeks role playing on an RPG with my friends. Also, I have been working on my Summer Reading project, which is due on the first day of school. But never mind the excuses, I'll just admit it: I procrastinated. xD

I promise I will update faster in the future. Please forgive me. :3

Before I answer some questions, I would like to thank the many people who reviewed: RosieShiba, PerkyPearlyPanini, Jing, Monochrome13, alchemical luminescence, and zflame393! Thanks for your feedback! :D

1) Does Paul know that Dawn can't remember stuff? {RosieShiba}

~Nope. Dawn continues to ask him questions about why she is here and who she is, but he thinks that she is only teasing him.

2) Surprised that I reviewed that quick? {P-Chan; PerkyPearlyPanini}

~Yep ;D

3) Can you explain to me why Paul is acting the way he is? {zflame393}

~There are more deeper reasons that Paul is acting the way he is, but I don't want to reveal them now. However, it was hinted in Chapter 2 that he wanted her to love him and was trying to act nicer to avoid what happened in the past (I can't reveal that either, sorry. ^^"). You were correct: He likes her and wants to make a fresh start.

Thanks for the reviews! Enjoy this super late chapter! ;D

{Chapter 3}

{Path}

Dawn woke up early the next morning and experienced her regular feelings of dizziness, hopelessness, and hunger. She yawned, allowing her eyes to adjust to the unexpected light before getting up. She observed her surroundings, attempting to understand herself and why she was here.

'My name is Dawn. I am sixteen, but I don't know where I am.' She thought. 'I am alone in this cave, all by myself, but I seem to have the vital resources I need to survive.'

She straightened her sleeping bag and walked towards the entrance of the cave. There was only a small source of unfamiliar light, but the thick forest aroma that seemed to be familiar flooded her senses. She sat down and stared at the dark trees that were outside, trying to remember.

How did she end up here? Why was she all alone? Where was this place? What was she supposed to remember even though she couldn't?

The questions swirled in her mind and drowned her, leaving her empty and confused. Her eyes explored every detail in the cave, searching for answers, but the answers didn't reveal themselves. Besides, there were no answers in this place of everything where she was left with nothing.

The sound of rock exploding interrupted her thoughts. She heard the rocks scream in pain before settling on the ground, as if they were never disturbed. Horrified, she retreated back into the cave and crawled back into her sleeping bag. She decided she would sleep again and try to remember as much as possible.

Several explosions followed, but Dawn closed her eyes and attempted to sleep. She heard more rocks fall on the soft grass, their last cries barely audible. They were torn from what they knew, who they knew, and where they came from, just like she was.

-x-

Someone shook her awake. He hovered above her, his face evidently showing signs of worry and confusion. Dawn focused on his facial features and any other distant memories that might reveal who he was, but nothing came. He was a stranger, but maybe he was here to help her.

She smiled at him, trying to appear friendly as she sat up. "Hi," she murmured shyly. "Do you happen to know where I am?"

The boy frowned at her. "What are you talking about? You should know where we are by now. I've told you for the past two days. We're in the unexplored part of Eterna Forest, remember?"

"Yes...I think I do remember," Dawn replied. "I just can't remember why I'm here."

"We're lost," The boy answered. "Otherwise, we wouldn't be here. We're staying in this cave until we find a way to exit this forest safely."

"Oh," She said, smiling. She felt slightly embarrassed- why would she be here in a cave if she wasn't lost? She allowed herself to pause briefly before she spoke again. "Thanks."

"Is there anything else you would like to know?" The boy teased. "Like my name or something?"

"Actually, yes," Dawn giggled. She restrained herself from acting nervous or confused. She needed answers, and if she had to pretend, she would. "I would like to know that."

"Really," He scoffed. "It's not like you forgot, anyways. It's Paul, remember?"

"Of course," She said, rolling her eyes. "I wouldn't forget. So..."

"Yeah. I blew up a section of the stone wall a few hours ago," Paul murmured, changing the subject. His smile showed that he had succeeded in whatever he had wanted to do. "I did it to create an area that we can use to bathe, since I think we're rather...repelling at this moment."

Dawn looked down at herself for the first time that morning. She hadn't examined herself thoroughly, but she was messy. Her long blue hair hung around her face in messy clumps, and she felt uncomfortable and sweaty.

"Yeah," Dawn flinched and looked away, embarrassed. "Can you show me the area? I want to bathe as soon as possible."

Paul nodded, evidently amused as he got up. He offered his hand to her, and she took it quickly. "Wow. You're just like..."

"Just like what? Or who?" She prompted, curious. She was surprised to hear an edge of hostility in her voice, and she looked away from him as she continued down the short distance to the area that he had mentioned earlier.

"Never mind," Paul said, shaking his head quickly. "Well, here we are. Sorry it's not as impressive as a regular bathroom. I've smoothed down the rock and added everything needed to take a relaxing shower."

Dawn stared at the area, impressed. She was so amazed at the structure that she was only able to utter one word: "Wow."

Paul shifted uncomfortably, somehow having the thought that she might want to know where he had retrieved the materials. "O-Oh...And just to reassure you, I didn't find random things in the forest to make them into soap. I made sure Honchkrow flew over to the nearest Pokemart for a few bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. It also retrieved the essential parts of a shower. I know it's kind of uncomfortable being surrounded by rock, but-"

"It's fine," She interrupted, smiling. "I'm actually really surprised and impressed. I didn't even expect that you could create a bathing area here."

"Nothing is impossible, you know," He laughed as he handed her a towel. "So...enjoy. I'll go back to the cave and wait for you. Don't take too long, or else breakfast will get cold."

"Thanks," Dawn murmured, sincerely grateful. She stepped into the warm cave, hoping that a shower would erase her confusion. For that period of time, she had forgotten that Paul was about to mention someone else.

Now that she remembered, she felt cold even as the warm needles of water pierced her skin.

-x-

"You're completely healed now," Paul murmured to her after they finished their breakfast. He handed her his plate, which she accepted and stacked on top of hers. Gastrodon entered the cave from outside, appearing exhausted. It nodded at Dawn to tell her that the water for washing the plates was ready, and then slid over to Paul, who gave it a potion and a can of lemonade.

Dawn walked outside and scrubbed the plates with a cloth. She didn't know why she had to do this, but she was pretty sure it was a routine- she washed the plates and cleaned a bit as Paul collected the essential materials to live.

"Are you okay?" His voice startled her out of her thoughts, causing her to jump back in surprise. "I'm sorry if what I told you was...offensive in any way."

"Oh, I was just...I needed to wash the plates and I forgot to reply," She murmured.

"Are you completely healed now?" Paul asked, slightly worried. "I was wondering if we could try to find a way out of this forest."

"I guess," She replied casually. She hid the disappointment in her voice- she actually liked living like this since it felt more free and less restrained. In the wild, there were no rules, only secrets concealed by the leaves and shadows.

"Good. We should try finding a way out as soon as possible, but there are several strong Pokemon in this forest, since we're in uncharted territory," Paul explained. "For now, we have to survive until we find a possible path that will lead us back to the route we're supposed to be on."

Dawn nodded in agreement. She stared at the trees, imagining cities beyond them. It seemed impossible to her that others were doing other things based on what they wanted to do and she was doing everything she could to continue to live.

"Who were you talking about earlier?" She asked suddenly, changing the subject. The curiosity overwhelmed her- she wanted an answer as soon as possible, and she didn't even know why. There was a long silence before Paul replied.

"What do you mean?" Paul asked her, letting his gaze wander somewhere else.

"You mentioned that I was just like someone," She explained, trying hard not to sound demanding. As much as she wanted the answer, he was the one who had to give it to her, and she wouldn't ruin her chance by angering him.

"I was thinking about you. I didn't mean to say that," He said sincerely. He looked at her again, and she tried to decide if he was lying or not. He looked slightly dull at that moment, as if he was recalling a tragic memory.

She felt a sudden feeling of jealousy that overwhelmed her- he actually had memories that he could refer back to. Even if some were full of sorrow and anger, at least he had something from home...

-x-

"Dawn," Paul murmured suddenly, stopping. They had decided to walk in the forest after they ate lunch and washed the plates. The sun was hidden by the leaves, but still provided some light, so right now would be the most convenient time to explore.

Dawn stopped, almost slamming into him, but she looked up expectantly. She sounded calm and composed when she spoke. "Yes?"

"When are you going to stop your morning habits?" Although his voice was light and casual, Dawn recognized something hidden behind it. His eyes remained emotionless and his face showed no sign of what he was thinking. He stared straight at her as he waited for an answer. "You know, you're always asking me why you're here and who I am."

Dawn paused, surprised. "I don't know," She said after a brief moment of hesitation. "It's fun asking why I'm here and who you are. It's kind of like a morning joke, you know?" She never considered that she had known him for more than a day. She didn't know how to answer, but this would be her most reasonable response if she asked every morning.

"Dawn," Paul murmured, gazing directly at her. "Please don't do that anymore. It hurts, having to think that you might not remember me and what we have been through together. If that was true, then we would seem like total strangers."

"Oh," Dawn replied. She stared at the path ahead, unsure of what to say. If this happened every day, she didn't know how she could prevent it. Apparently, she forgot everything that happened each day, so she always asked him those same questions. 'That's how it has been and will always be.' She realized. 'We will be nothing more as each day passes. We will remain strangers, not even acquaintances or friends.' "Sorry if I offended you. I just meant it as a joke. I didn't mean to hurt you or anything."

Paul shrugged and smiled, resuming his normal calm and determined expression. "It doesn't matter. It's just...kind of personal. I don't mean to make you feel bad either. Did I?"

Dawn shook her head. She continued into the unexplored forest, careful to mark her location and remember how to get back to the cave. Paul followed behind her, protecting her from danger. They watched, and at the same time, they were watched as well. In the forest, they knew they must be careful not to lose themselves. They must be the ones to make the first move, the act of attack or defense.

Their entire journey into the forest seemed pointless. A sea of trees stretched onwards and revealed nothing but endless green ahead. Every step Dawn took caused her to wonder if she was getting closer or moving away. She felt her hope drain out of her as the light gradually vanished- the barely visible sun above wasn't in sight anymore.

"Don't worry," Paul reassured her. He had noticed her frown and disappointed expression, so he decided to attempt to cheer her up. "I brought our dinner here. I don't know if we'll make it back without using the sun as a reference, but let's try our best. We should leave as soon as we finish."

Dawn nodded and accepted the plate of food that Paul had offered her. She chewed silently, listening to her surroundings. At the same time, she thought of what she had promised Paul.

What was she thinking earlier? How could she promise something that she couldn't give?

Paul took her empty plate and stuffed it into the small traveling bag that he was carrying. They waited, enjoying the silence and light breeze that drifted through the leaves before preparing to leave. After another brief pause, Paul stood up.

"Let's go now. If we don't, we might as well become walking Pokemon food," He joked, although his voice was harsh and urgent.

The walk back was supposed to be very straightforward since they had only went in one direction so they would avoid getting lost. Despite its familiarity, Dawn felt like she was walking on a different path. In some ways, she was correct.

Previously, she had walked here with a clear mind and a promise that she thought was possible.

Now, everything is different.

Bluh Bluh~ oUo

Once again, sorry for the whole procrastinating thing again. I would also like to thank Lynx of the Sand for beta-reading this chapter.(:

I can't wait to finish this story and reveal the reason for Paul's Out-Of-Character-ness. It's sort of awful being the only one knowing why he's acting so...nice. x3

So yeah...I promise I'll update next week or the next half week! (Not the next half month. ;D)

Review please! :D

-x- MidniteMelodie -x-