Complicated

Disclaimer: I can't own Pokémon. Even though I want to. If I owned it, everything would be a complete disaster.

Chapter 7: Nightmares

While Brock was busy with Dawn, Charmaine and Paul were eating ice cream under a tree. Paul had a Rocky Road with marshmallows, and Charmaine, or CC as Paul calls her, was eating a Chocolate Mousse Royale. They ate peacefully, trading strategies and adventures from time to time.

"Hey, CC?" her purple haired cousin asked.

"Yeah?" she turned her attention to him as she already finished.

"Why did you lose against Brandon? You could've wiped the floor with him easily. And what's with the cheerful attitude? One thing for sure is that you were never so bubbly and...weird." he demanded.

In response, she hugged her knees and smiled sadly, pain visible on her face. She only said one word.

"Father." she replied softly, looking at the ground.

Hearing that, Paul became angry. He knew about the complications between his cousin and uncle. Not many people knew, but Reggie wasn't the only reason he wanted to become strong.

No, he wanted to be strong so he could protect his cousin who he loved as a sister. To protect her from any more hardships, knowing she would break if another disaster happens during her life.

He hugged her as she cried quietly on his chest. It's times like these when she needed someone to count on. Someone to be there for her when no one else could. Ever since he found out, he has sworn to be that person as long as he could.

In reality, Charmaine actually had a big brother but she doesn't consider him as one for he never acted like one. He always brought her down, and treated her like dirt. Sometimes he used her as a slave, and she had no choice but to oblige for her Pokémon's lives were on the line.

They had a really messed up family. And no one could deny that.

CC's tears stopped flowing as her onyx eyed relative stroked her hair, murmuring comforting words in her ear.

"You okay?" he asked quietly.

"Fine. J-just tired. Can we go back?" she asked shakily.

"You didn't have to ask." he answered. Paul may seem mean and grouchy but he's nice and caring with the ones he trusts. Training with his pokémon may seem brutal, but he loves them all, and they know it. The reason he released Chimchar was he knew the little guy wasn't meant to be with him.

They walked together in a comforting silence, back to where they came from.

xTIMESKIPx

When the duo arrived at the Pokémon Center, Dawn confronted them seeing her new friend so worn out and sad.

"Where have you been?" she demanded. They arrived at nightfall since they were walking slowly and they were at a place pretty far from there.

"Chillax Dawn. We didn't go far. Now excuse me, I have an appointment with sleep." Charmaine replied wearily before heading to her room.

As soon as she left, the blunette marched up to Paul.

"What did you do?" she hissed.

He arched his eyebrows."Look, just because I was with her means it was my fault."

"Then what happened?"

"It's personal, so don't bother asking. Now move. I need sleep." he snarled.

Dawn huffed. "Fine."

They both went their separate ways.

xLater That Nightx

A loud, bloodcurdling scream full of pain broke the silence that hour, as it emanated the whole building. Everyone in the Poké center woke up in a fright. Ash, Brock, May, Dawn, and Paul tracked the sound coming from...Charmaine's room, which shocked the four who were first mentioned. Paul was an exception. He knew this would happen sooner or later, after all, he did grow up with her.

He opened the door with a spare key hiding under a nearby plant. Opening the door quickly, he found his cousin thrashing around, her face contorted in pain. She then released another scream, this time full of terror. "P-please! S-stop!" she whimpered, shaking in fear.

"Charmaine!" Ash shouted. "Wake up!"

Paul slapped his rival's mouth closed. "Quiet!" the purple haired teen hissed, much to their surprise. He silently walked up to his cousin and hugged her as she cried onto his chest. The rest of the group was shocked. They didn't know he had a soft side. Yet there he was, stroking his relative's back soothingly and whispering comforting words in the girl's ear.

She whispered a thank you before falling asleep peacefully this time.

"What...what just happened?" Dawn asked, dumbfounded.

Narrowing his eyes, Paul stood up. "Why are you still here?"

"We, um, wanted to help." Ash said rather awkwardly.

"Well, your help is not needed. Leave." he responded coldly.

They all sighed. "We're her friends, Paul. Keep that in mind." May reminded him as the group left, closing the door to resume their sleep.

Paul sighed. "I know." he whispered to himself, caressing his beloved cousin's face.


Wazzup! Sorry if the chapter was too sad and depressing! Next chapter would be about CC's mysterious past! And I shall now be referring my OC as either Charmaine or CC. Thank you for the positive reviews! And remember, if some characters are OOC, i'll remind you: this is fanfiction.