Ok, here's chapter nine. Enjoy! Sorry this one took so long!

Chapter Nine:

Gary awkwardly walked past Brandon as he listened to Emily and Audrey, his frown giving away how angry he was. He joined Ash in the corner, holding the trainers arm and glaring at Pikachu to keep it from attacking which it obviously wanted to do.

"Ash, he would have found out anyway."

"I know… I just hate that Audrey had to be the one to say something!" Gary sighed, though he did agree. Brandon nodded before turning to Lt. Surge, whispering in his ear before leaving the room. Lt. Surge turned to the rest of the class, clearing his throat.

"Brandon has some personal matters to take care of so today will be a study hall." He says some other things but Gary barely hears, he's too busy watching Audrey smirk and laugh with Emily. He can tell that Ash is about to explode with anger and is shaking, clutching his fists.

….

Paul ran towards Reggie's house, his breath coming in short, raspy breaths. He was unable to think about anything, his mind was blank. He could taste the blood in his mouth. He reached under the mat to where he knew they kept a key. He opened the door quickly, running inside, locking the door behind him.

He entered his own room and closed the door as well before sinking to the ground, wrapping his arms around his legs. He stayed like that for almost half an hour, trembling lightly, until he heard the knock on the door. He was about to ignore it when he heard his brother's voice.

"Paul… come on out." He stood up and went to the front door. He opened it a crack and sure enough there stood Reggie, a grim look on his face. He opened the door the rest of the way. Brandon was visible now. He looked down at his feet.

"Paul, why did you leave school?" Brandon said, raising an eyebrow. "What has happened? Last year you were an honor student, never absent, never skipped, this year you're a wreck."

Reggie glanced at Brandon before down at Paul. "He's right. What's wrong? I can help Paul…."

He pulled back, glaring at both of them. "I'm fine, just leave me alone-"

"You're coming home with me. Now." Brandon said, suddenly reaching out and grabbing Paul's arm firmly. Reggie looks about to protest but gives up after seeing the look on Brandon's face. "I don't tolerate skipping, Paul."

Suddenly filled with anger, Paul tried yanking his arm out. "LEAVE ME ALONE! YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING! EITHER OF YOU!" He finished, glaring at Reggie. His brother gave him a hurt face but didn't say anything. Brandon watched him, still holding him firmly. Paul felt sick again, but not because of an illness.

"Come on, let's go." Brandon nodded to Reggie, who clutched his arm lightly, looking down at his face.

….

Paul was literally dragged into the house. He was in no mood to be obedient. He found himself on his bed with Brandon glaring at him before he could say anything. He glared up at the man stubbornly.

"I don't want to ever hear that you skipped again, got that?" Paul glanced away, slightly intimidated by the glare being shot his way.

"I don't care what you hear."

Brandon raised an eyebrow. He knew of only one way to punish Paul in this situation. He held out his hand. "Your pokemon. Including Torterra." He waited for the trainer's reaction. Paul had ever night slept on the floor with Torterra, almost as a comfort, the only thing he had from home. He knew that the trainer almost needed that pokemon and this might be the only way to control him.

Paul went pale at this and pushed himself away from Brandon, shaking his head. "N-n-n-no."

"Hand them over."

"Not Torterra."

"All of them."

"Not Torterra." He looked nervous and pushed himself even farther away from Brandon. Sighing, the Pyramid King reached out to the trainer, grabbing him around the waist and reaching into his pockets roughly removing the pokeballs.

Paul froze when the hand touched him. He tried to grab the pokeballs back but was unable.

"I'll give them back tomorrow during class then confiscate them again. I'll decide when you get them back for good." He dropped Paul, who quickly twisted to try and grab Torterra back. "I'll you when it's time to eat." He left the room, closing the door behind him.

Rolling into a ball, Paul lay on the bed staring at the ceiling. Like hell he'd be here for dinner. He got out of the bed and walked to the window. He opened it quickly before swinging out onto the tree branch. Sliding down the trunk he ran across the yard and down the street.

He didn't really know what brought him where he ended up. When he arrived at Gary's house and rang the doorbell, he only really become fully conscious of the decision when the door opened. Gary stood, almost shocked to see Paul.

"H-h-hey, are you ok?" Gary said, holding the door opened. "Why don't you come in? My parents are away for the next few days." Paul nodded before entering slowly, almost cautiously. "How did Brandon take the skipping thing?"

"He took Torterra." Paul said suddenly letting out a sort of half sob. Gary automatically wrapped his arms around him, for the second time that day. "I don't know what to do any-"

"It's ok. Come on, have a seat." Gary had led Paul into his bedroom, where he helped Paul sit down on his bed before sitting next to him. Paul rested his head on Gary's chest, still crying. Rubbing his back, Gary just let him calm down, which took over an hour but he didn't really mind. When Paul finally did relax enough to talk Gary immediately began to. "You need to eat something."

"Not hungry."

"Don't care, you don't look healthy. To skinny." He stood up before noticing that Paul was shivering he drew the covers back and lay it over him. "Wait here." He walked into the kitchen and heated up a glass of milk. Walking back he smiled softly when he found Paul half asleep, curled into the blanket. He sat him up and handed him the milk. Paul looked at it for a few seconds before taking a sip slowly.

"Thank you."

"Sure." Gary made sure he finished the whole glass before turning on the TV. He leaned against the back of the bed, before pulling Paul up against him so that he was leaning against his chest. He smiled softly as the exhausted purple haired trainer immediately closed his eyes and curled into his chest.

Paul was asleep within a few minutes his breathing soft and barely noticeable but relaxing to Gary. He ran his fingers through the soft purple locks. Paul smelled slightly like mint.

A few minutes later, Gary turned off the TV before lying down as well, going to sleep.

Gary woke up the next morning, Paul still leaning against his chest. He smiled. He glanced at the clock. They had an hour and a half before they actually had to be at school. He felt Paul stir next to him, sitting up quietly, rubbing his eyes before suddenly pushing himself all the way up.

"Brandon's going to kill me…." Gary reached out a hand and cupped Paul's cheek. The dark amethyst eyes studied him.

"Why don't you tell him what's going on?" Paul tensed at that. Gary sat up completely, leaning towards Paul.

"I can't…. Reggie won't-"

"I'm not sure Reggie would like what you're doing even if it does get him into college." He got out of bed and reached into his drawer, beginning to change. He smirked when Paul quickly turned away, blushing. "What's wrong…." He said leaning in quietly. He had taken off his shirt. Paul was bright red and refused to turn around. He kissed Paul lightly on the cheek before turning back around to go get the rest of his clothes. "You wanna borrow something to change into?"

Paul shook his head, getting up slowly. Gary slipped on the rest of his clothes. "Hungry?" Paul shook his head. "You never eat anything these days…." Paul shrugged. Grabbing two apples on the way out, Gary tossed one to Paul before heading out the door.

They walked at a leisurely pace, arriving at the school with time to spare. Paul had eaten half the apple and Gary decided that was as much as he was going to get.

Soon Ash and Barry had found them and they quickly sucked Gary into a conversation. Gary didn't notice anything until Paul went oddly stiff.

"What's wrong-"

He looked up to see Brandon storming towards them.