LKSAFHLKASJHFH! THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS GUUUYS! LOVE YOU! (keep em comin'!)
Anyways, I WON'T DELAY! HERE'S CHAPTER 7!
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN... I'm just borrowing...
Chapter Seven: Knotted Sentimental Heart
Touya sleepily opened his eyes, staring up blearily at the ceiling of the Pokémon Center, he was lying in a bed in one of the overnight rooms. Sitting up he rubbed his eyes and glanced about, Samurott was snoozing on the floor at the foot of the bed, Simisear and Zebstrika were curled up not to far from him, Joltik, the new addition to the party, was asleep next to his pillow. Touya petted the fuzzy fur on the electric spider's head, thoughts beginning to re-emerge in his mind.
For him to have such confused thoughts, Touya felt fear. Fear that clawed at his waking world, but also something deeper, something he could not identify. Whenever he reached back into his memories to the previous day he felt a tugging in his chest, a harsh pull that tingled and made him feel weak. It was like that now, remembering those few seconds in Chargestone Cave, remembering N... Touya's face burned a bright red. He shook himself furiously and ducked back down under the covers, throwing them over his head and nestling into the pillow. How come I get this way? There must be something wrong with me... Touya curled into a fetal position, pressing his hands underneath his chin. Why did he... why did N do that?
He felt a touch to his back and froze, about a moment and he shot out of the covers and held up his hands in defense. Samurott gave him a quizzical look and purred reassuringly, nuzzling him again. Touya relaxed and hugged the Pokémon's muzzle, careful to avoid the deadly horn on its head, "Thanks bud..." he said quietly. The water Pokémon rumbled, he understood Touya was troubled, he wasn't sure what had happened but when Touya brought him out of his ball the boy had been crying. Samurott couldn't understand much about human emotions, but Touya had been sobbing something about N. Though the protective Pokémon was angry with N for making Touya act this way he guessed that the anger Touya had harbored for the other man wasn't there anymore to Samurott's relief. Touya had become himself again, though 'himself' wasn't really how you would put it, he had become a mess of nerves. The trainer was jumpy and always glancing behind his back, but there was another kind of emotion conflicting him. One that Samurott could only watch as his trainer mulled over it again and again.
Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Touya put his hands in between his legs and stared at them. Yet he was not really looking at his hands, he was more in a whirlwind of emotions. Not even noon and I'm all mixed up, he sighed and tried to clear his head again, getting up off the bed he woke the other Pokémon and returned them to their rightful poke balls. Samurott pressed his nose to the boy's arm comfortingly before he vanished in a red beam of light. Touya put them into his bag and got dressed, throwing on his blue sweater and cap, stowing away his pajamas in another bag compartment. Slipping his running shoes on he shouldered his bag and left the Pokémon Center.
Stepping outside into Mistralton City, Touya inhaled deeply. The smell of rain was weighing heavily on the air, but all about he could see sunny skies and only a dark line showing over the mountains. Stuffing his hands into his pockets and walking calmly onto the path. It doesn't make sense... it doesn't fit... why did he... The memory hit him again, his cheeks turned a light pink.
Cool, caring, gentle... soft... Touya put his hands to his head and winced, Why does it keep coming back? No! I don't... he ground his teeth together, I don't lo... realizing what he was thinking Touya messed up his hair to distract himself and crammed hands back into his sweater. I need a distraction, fast… I know! We'll go take on Skyla, a good battle is just what we need! Touya grinned, totally sure of himself as he headed in the general direction of the Pokémon gym.
"Phew… I didn't know she would be that hard to beat…" mumbled Touya, walking out into the light of the afternoon, his newly earned Jet Badge safely tucked into it's box. The boy breathed a sigh of relief, rubbing the back of his head, Now I guess it's on to the next gym… how many were there again? I wonder how far away they are… Touya was so deep in thought he didn't pay attention to his surroundings and his foot caught on the lip of the landing platform outside.
A sheer few seconds of shock, followed by terror gripped at Touya as he opened his mouth to call out. "Whaaah!" he was suddenly caught by a pair of strong arms. "Look out!" Touya shut his eyes expecting at any second to feel the harsh bite of the pavement under his knees. He stood there, frozen to the spot and eyes closed tight. Several moments passed and he found out that he wasn't going to hit the ground, cracking one eye open to the world again.
Turning his eyes upwards, Touya caught sight of a familiar sweep of pale green hair and emerald eyes. His chest did a summersault when their eyes met, a pink blush spread across his face. N stared back at him, eyes unreadable as usual.
"Are you okay?" he asked, concern now masking over his originally vacant expression. Touya nodded and straightened, distancing himself from N without showing it obviously. "I'm glad," said N with a smile, Touya didn't respond. "Congratulations on getting the Jet Badge, how are you and your Pokémon doing?" N seemed to be making small talk, but why was he here? Why are you always asking about me? Why do you care?
Could I mean something to you?
Touya averted his eyes, "Y-yeah they're fine, we're all fine thank you…" he muttered, barely audible. N furrowed his brow just a little yet kept his vigor. Touya made to leave but N caught him on the arm, Touya looked over his shoulder at the other trainer.
What exactly do I mean to you?
"N…?" he tried, an uneasy yet breathless feeling rising in his gut.
"Do you mind if I talk to your Samurott? I'm afraid I last spoke to him on bad terms… I wish to make amends…" he appeared distant, echo like. "I want to know what he has to say. Don't worry, I've grown up with Pokémon so it's much simpler for me to talk with them rather than people…" Are you admitting to something? Wondered Touya, obliging and taking out the correct poke ball and releasing the water Pokémon.
Samurott roared his entrance, rather tired from battle but ready for anything. He took one look at N and growled, squaring it's shoulders and readying itself for a battle. Touya knelt by Samurott and patted his neck, mumbling calm words to it. After a while the giant Pokémon conceded and turned to the waiting N.
"RrrrRrrrRRRrrr…" No funny tricks or you're dead… grunted Samurott.
"I promise," pledged the man, kneeling in front of the Pokémon. Seconds turned into minutes, minutes seemed to last forever. Touya just stood, shuffling his feet as he usually did when nervous. At long last N rose to his feet, "So Touya, was born in Nuvema Town, lives with mother, likes the colour… green?" N looked at Touya with amusement. "Still, Samurott seems to trust you… that's wonderful!"
"O-of course! I ha-havent given him or the others to believe o-otherwise," he defended, chocolate eyes opposing N's words.
"No, no! I didn't mean it like that Touya!" he held up his hands to mockingly safeguard against Touya.
The boy returned a yawning Samurott to his ball and replaced it in the bag, "W-well, I'll b-be seeing you…" he tried again to leave but N stopped him.
"Wait!" N said, catching the young trainer's attention.
Do I really mean something to you?
Touya found himself in the next few seconds pulled to the side of the gym and against the wall. Fear scratched at his nerves again, along with that other emotion he couldn't place a name or image to. N put his hand on the wall beside Touya's face and leaned closer, the boy could feel the cool breath against his skin and flushed red. "N?"
With uncertainty in his eyes, N asked, "Touya… what do I mean to you? Do you trust me?" the tone of his voice made Touya want to say something, but his words caught in his throat.
I must mean something to you… but what do you mean to me?
"Y-y-yo-you… I-I-I…" stammered Touya, unsure if his voice had increased in octave or ceased altogether. Do you mean something to me? Is it really nothing that's been underneath all my other memories of you? Or is it something that I can grasp? Some sort of idea or emotion that I can put into words? Touya's face grew even redder, "I…" heart racing a mile a minute, whole body shaking, Touya knew the word. He knew that one syllable that could change someone for the rest of their lives… and he knew that was what N meant. That is what you mean to me… yet somehow I can't bring myself to utter it…
N blinked, noticing the realization in Touya's face and smiling kindly, "I understand…" Touya expected him to leave, however, N just came closer. So close that their lips were mere inches apart, Touya shivered but did not move.
I…I love you… is that wrong?
Instead N moved upwards and placed a soft kiss on Touya's cheek, "I will see you again…" his whisper caused Touya to shake even more.
I love you…
N moved away, leaving Touya against the wall with a confused expression on his face. The older trainer smiled, "I'll let you in on a little secret Touya. Ghetsis is using Team Plasma to search for some special stones, the Light Stone and the Dark Stone," Touya gave him a puzzled look and he continued, "These stones contain the essence of two legendary Pokemon. I shall resurrect one of the legendary Dragons and become it's friend…"
"Why…?" N held up a kind hand to silence the question.
"My vision is to change the world without using force. For using force will just make others resist and hurt innocent pokemon," he shook his head, his smile still remaining, "You understand that they are not tools to use, and I don't want to separate pokemon from people like you Touya… you care. Not just about pokemon, but about people as well," N leaned towards Touya again, pressing his lips against the boy's other cheek.
"I will see you soon…" he breathed, and was gone.
AND DONE! Still more to come... DO WE HAVE CONFESSIONS! Oooooh MAAAH!
See you in Chapter 8!