"You know, one of these days, I'm going to beat all three of them up so badly they'll have to stick a toothbrush up their ass to brush their teeth!" declared Mia in obvious annoyance, "Can't walk, pah! I can so..." She trailed off as she attempted to stand to her feet, finding herself sliding slightly. "Stupid... muscle... cramps..." she muttered, gritting her teeth and falling back in a seating position. Finally looking up, she saw Keya turn around, just in time to see the hollow look in her eyes. "Keya?" she asked, unsure how to approach her. "At least you have people... who care... for you..." she said slowly, turning those blank eyes to Mia who sat, frozen with... she didn't know what, but she knew it wasn't good. She forced herself to speak, "People care for you too, Keya."
Keya stared at the frail child before her, almost as if through her. She laughed. "Who? Me? The bitch who steals everyone's boyfriend? Please," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand, "Try the other one." Mia shook her head so violently it pained her. "That's not true," she whispered, "You can be a good friend, if you tried." Keya stared at the child in disbelief. After all she'd put her through, Mia still believed there was a chance she could change? "You really think so?" she asked weakly. Mia nodded before turning away and seemingly fell asleep, ending the conversation.
Misty turned away from Gary, blushing furiously. "You don't know what you're talking about!" Misty screamed, her bottom lip trembling. "Jack doesn't want me for a one night stand," she said, her voice shaking in a deadly whisper, "He loves me." Gary raised an eyebrow at her. "Really? He told you that, did he?" he asked with a smirk. Misty glared angrily at him. "He does!" she hissed insistently, "And Ash doesn't love me. He doesn't even need me," she said, her eyes beginning to tear. Gary stopped in front of her and looked behind his shoulder to meet her eyes. "Are you trying to convince me, or yourself?" he asked softly. Misty, startled into silence, just stared blankly back. Gary smiled, "I thought so," he said, turning back and walking forward, Misty stumbling blindly after him.
The phone rang and Keya picked it up. "Hello?" she said. A muffled voice told her that he'd found Misty and they were headed back to the hotel. Keya sighed in relief. If anything had happened... It'd be her fault for dragging them into this in the first place. She glanced guiltily at the supposedly sleeping child and sighed. Maybe she was right, but she'd be a danger to all of them if she stayed. Her brother was known for his ability to dismiss rape charges against him and he was apart of the Blood Onix gang. Stepping closer to Mia, Keya gasped in surprise. Just above her waist was a tattoo of a Vulpix.
"You're apart of the Vixens?" demanded Keya when Mia finally stirred. Mia stared at her in an uncomprehending expression until the words unjumbled themselves in her brain. She got up suddenly and swore. "Yeah," she replied stiffly, "What's it to you?" Keya stared back at her in awe. The vixens were known for overtaking other gangs' territories to keep them from the torture of others and their success was well known. So far, only a few gangs had been able to stand up to them, the Black Onix included. The vulpix was the sign of one of the stronger members in the clan, a leader with exceptional strength and the ability to fight without pokemon. Looking at the frail figure before her, it seemed an unreasonable idea. "Don't worry, I won't tell," she said off handedly. "Who said I cared?" retorted Mia, but relaxed visibly.
Just then, Brock and Ash broke through the door, eyes glancing at every corner of the room. Mia and Keya stared at them, not believing how childish they could act. Well, they could believe it, but it didn't stop them feeling that way. "Is she here? Is she back?" asked Ash, his words tumbling over each other with each pant. Brock was in the same state. "Guys relax," said Keya, "Gary's found here and they're coming." She rolled her eyes. "Correction, just arrived," drawled Gary, entering with Misty not far behind.
Gary walked directly up to Mia and gave her a hug. "How are you doing?" he asked with a smile. Mia raised an eyebrow, "You saw me just an hour ago," she pointed out. Gary shrugged and sat next to her. Ash seemed to finally wake up upon seeing this and went into a rage. "Don't you dare lay a finger on my sister or else..." he began, his voice rising, but was cut off. "Shut up, bro, I'm fine," interrupted Mia before her brother reached the height of his hysteria. She rolled her eyes and turned her back to her brother, making quick and barely noticeable gestures to Gary who seemed to understand. He suddenly got up and left to sit somewhere else.
"What seems to be the problem?" whispered Gary. Mia had shown him the pendant of the Vixens, meaning something was up. "Keya knows about me," she mumbled into her hands. Gary let out a small groan. "How did that happen?" he asked. After Mia's quick explanation, Gary raised an eyebrow. "How does she know about gangs?" he wondered aloud. Mia rolled her eyes, "Uh, duh! Her brother?" she said sardonically. Gary subconsciously gripped his upper left arm where a black dragonaire was hidden. "If she knows about the Vixens, then the Black Dragons are in danger too," he hissed in alarm. Mia glared at him, "Don't you think I know that?" she demanded, "We're only just beginning to gain power. If Team Rocket think we may be a threat..." she trailed off as Brock yawned and walked pass leisurely.
The next day, they all hung out in the hotel. "What, not going out with your boyfriend today?" asked Ash bitterly. Misty glared at him. "Well if you're going to act like that," she began, turning towards the door and picking up her bag. "Sit down, Misty," said Brock calmly, "No one here's trying to ruin your relationship with Jack." Misty's eyes flared. "Oh, really? Then what was with the whole talk from Gary yesterday? What about your attitude and Ash's towards him? What about your attitudes towards me?" she demanded angrily. "Chill, Misty, none of us are going anywhere anytime soon so you people may as well just get along," said Mia, yawning. "Mmm... what Mia said," added Keya who'd just gotten up a few hours after everyone else. Misty pouted and slumped onto the couch with an unhappy glower.
"You know," commented Mia, "After a whole fortnight or so being stuck here, don't you guys want to go somewhere else?" It had been ages and Misty hadn't heard back from Jack. "No!" she replied quickly. Everyone stared at her in surprise. Out of them all, she complained the most about having to go to the same places all the time. "Umm... I mean... That is... Mia... Umm... Isn't fit to travel! She's only just recovered, she needs more time..." she stuttered. Mia raised an eyebrow, "What are you talking about? I've been well for two days now! Look, I'm fine!" she insisted, cart-wheeling across the floor. "Just admit it," said Ash flatly, "You just want to hear from your boyfriend." Misty had the decency to blush, glaring furiously at him. "That's so not true!" she exclaimed angrily, more in humiliation than really meaning it. Keya rolled her eyes, "Don't worry, Misty, you're not the first," drawled Keya. Misty threw up her hands with a passionate fury and stormed out of the door.
"What do they mean?" muttered Misty, "They don't know what they're talking about! He's the sweetest, cutest, kindest..." "Talking about me?" asked a voice that made her heart flutter. She turned to face Jack's radiant smile and she smiled back. "Hey," she said, feeling her voice starting to falter. He slid gracefully onto the rock beside her and snaked an arm around her waist. She shivered at his touch, but blushed when she noticed what she was wearing. It was a warm sunny day, one that Keya would have chosen to walk around in a bikini and jeans to get a tan and yet here she was, sitting in her shorts and a shirt a few sizes too large for her. She felt his hand under her shirt, resting just above her hips. It gave her a tingling sensation down her spine. Leaning in, he sent kisses down her neck. "What's with the shirt?" he whispered, "If you've got it, flaunt it, and you've definitely got it." Misty blushed and Jack sat back, laughing at her expression. In his laugh, although Misty was too embarrassed to notice, there was a trace of malice.
"So, you wanna hang out tomorrow?" asked Jack. Misty looked up and gazed into his hazel eyes. There was something about him. A dangerous air that made him irresistible... "Sure," she breathed, trying to snatch herself away from whatever was drawing her towards him, but without success.
((He does have hazel eyes, right? I've forgotten and 28 chapters are a lot to read just to see whether some guy has hazel eyes or not. Sorry about waiting so long to update! It's school holidays for me now, so I'll have some more time. Anyway, please review, I need some feedback desperately. I think I completely ruined my prose for English... Well, until the next chapter, ciao!))