On a writing streak. ^^ Well, this is the next chapter of Forgotten (and the chapter that makes me want to switch over to the "other" shipping with Leafxthenewmalecharacterment ionedinthischapter). Enjoy!

Dedicated to Sarah. In five month's time...

Behind an abandoned house (Leaf had checked and knew there was no one there), she took the silver whistle that hung on a string around her neck and blew. It was silent. She knew she wouldn't be able to hear anything. In all their years together, she had never been able to hear the sound of the whistle. Still, she had her doubts. Maybe this would be the one time he wouldn't be able to come to her. Maybe she had finally broken the whistle. Maybe she would never be able to see him again.

A figure leapt from a nearby tree, startling her. "You called?" he said in his familiar voice.

"Silver!" she cried, running to him and giving him a hug.

He turned his face away, allowing the sun to shine on his red hair. His skin was pale but for his cheeks, which were tinged pink. "Leaf, are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

She buried her face in the cool fabric of his black shirt. "It's okay now. Because you're here."

"Leaf..." he paused, "...would you mind, uh, letting go?"

She looked up at him. His face was red, a few tints lighter than the color of his hair. "Sorry," she said, embarrassed, as she released her hold on him.

"It's...okay," he replied back, aware of the color rising in his cheeks. Does she know,he asked himself, how she makes me feel? Every time she touches me, I... He cut that thought off. He didn't want to go too deep into it. I don't know how she feels about me, he reasoned with himself. For now, let's just be friends.

"Silver?" she looked into his eyes. He had been silent for a long time and she could tell from his eyes that he had been thinking. "Is everything alright?"

"Uh...yes." He felt his face stiffen in resolve, determined to wear the mask he had designed. "So..." he looked around at all the greenery around him, "...nice place you've got here, eh?"

"Yeah." Suddenly her brown eyes seemed distant. "I met this boy. He said he knew me. A long time ago. Back when we were kids and I lived here."

Silver was shocked. Back when she lived here? When did she ever live here? "How long ago was that? I don't think I knew you then."

"Back when I was eight. But I only have a few memories here." She looked at him, a tear about to fall from her eye.

He put his black-gloved hand on her shoulder. "It'll be okay. You'll remember something soon."

She nodded slowly. "Well, I guess you're right. There's no use worrying about it right now." Sighing, she laughed. "How is it that you always cheer me up, even when I want to be upset?"

Smiling at that, he replied, "Maybe you don't really want to be upset." He lifted his hand from her. "Now, how are your Pokémon?"

Her face seemed to light up at the word. "They're the same as usual after a move." She threw out her three Pokéballs. "Go!"

At her command, the three Pokémon came out in flashes of red light. "Blas-toise!" "Nido!" "Dit-to!"

"Ditty, how are you?" Silver asked, earnest concern written on his face.

"Dit-to! Dit-to!"

"I see. Maybe you'll meet a new friend soon. And you, Blasty?"

"Blas-toise! Blas-toise!"

"You're right. It looks like there's not a lot of water here." He rubbed his chin. "And -"

"But, Blasty, don't worry, we'll find some for you," Leaf cut in, in response to her Pokémon's concern.

"What about you, Nido?" Silver posed the question to the blue, poison-type Pokémon.

As the sun was beginning to set in the horizon, Silver prepared to say good-bye. He knew that he had already stayed out too late. "Leaf, I have to go now," he said regretfully.

"Do you really?" She looked at her watch. "Oh, it's six o'clock already! I have to go. The professor's expecting us for dinner." Staring into his mesmerizing silver eyes, she found herself asking, "Will you come back soon?"

He sighed, musing his hair. "I'll try." He smiled at her. "Now, good night." He kissed her on the forehead lightly and, releasing his Honchcrow, flew away.

Touching the place where his lips had touched her forehead, she couldn't help but feel sad. And I don't even know when he's coming back, she thought to herself. But, as she held the cold metal of the silver whistle in her hand, she smiled. She knew that he wouldn't really abandon her. He had promised her, back when they had first met when they were eleven years old...

She was sitting alone in her backyard. As usual, there was no one around and she had just moved in. She had never, to her memory, had any real friends. There had been the neighborhood kids, the kids she saw at the store every once in a while. But never any friends.

She heard the flutter of wings and the rustle of the grass. She didn't look up. She knew there was no one there. No one but the Pokémon. It wasn't that she disliked Pokémon; it was the exact opposite, really, but they weren't people. She heard the clearing of a throat. A human throat. She looked up, startled at the noise.

The maker of the noise was a tall boy with scarlet hair. His silver eyes, though intimidating at first, revealed a kind person. He wore black gloves, even though it was summer time. He seemed uncomfortable, as if he wasn't sure he was supposed to be there.

"Hello?"

"Um...hi." His voice was deep, even then, though it was more of a growl.

Her face broke into a smile. "Hi, I'm Leaf. What's your name?"

He hesitated, an unreadable look on his face. "I'm...Silver."

"Silver?" She raised her eyebrows. "That's a pretty interesting name. But, then again, so is mine." Her smile broadened.

Finally, he smiled back. "Yeah, it is."

She was outraged. "Hey! What do you mean? My name's not THAT weird!" He only smiled back silently, and her smile returned. "You're a pretty funny guy, aren't you?"

"Dear! Can you help me with these boxes?" her grandmother called from inside the house.

"Oops! I've got to go." She stood up. "Hey, Silver, will you come back sometime? It'd be nice to see you again." She reached into her little bag (she had worn a messenger bag even then) and pulled out a pad of paper and a pen. "What's your phone number?"

He looked visibly confused and only shook his head.

"Do you not have a phone? Then can I have your address?"

He shook his head again, his forehead creasing.

Her eyebrows knit together in concern. "Then how will I contact you?"

His confusion seemed to disappear and he reached into one of the pockets of his shirt, pulling out a black string with a silver whistle dangling on it. "Here." He handed it to her. "Blow it, and I'll come. Whenever. Wherever."

She slipped it around her neck and nodded. "Okay." She ran to the front yard, then looked back. He was gone. But she would always remember his words to her.

She smiled. That Silver. He always cheered her up.

"Leaf!"

She turned around. "Gary?!"

"Leaf, where were you?" By his tone, she could tell that he was concerned and a bit annoyed.

"Here," she replied defiantly. "Is it dinner time already?"

"Yeah. And Gramps says he's got important news."

Awww...I don't know if this constitutes as "fluff", but I'm certainly enjoying it...
Anywho, someone should stop me before I become a Choosenshipper (seriously, I need the help. I'm starting to actually like Silver...which is a new one for me, since I've never exactly liked his hair...)! Thank you for reading so far! Please R & R (review!)!