~Playing with Fire~

A relaxed sigh escaped my lips as I lay against the smooth stone ledge of a golden fountain. The sound of the streaming water rippled through my ears as my eyes travel across the afternoon sky. A gentle breeze glides through my auburn arms as I throw them behind my head, kicking my left leg over my bent right knee. My tan chest rises and falls as I shut my eyes for a moment.

This place really isn't half bad…I should really-

My thoughts fade as weight pushes down on my chest. My back arches in an attempt to curl faster. My eyes shoot open, my tan paws running over the golden stone quickly. My eyes lock forward, fixed on a figure.

"Snoozing as your girlfriend gets you a treat, what kind of a man are you?" I sigh, realizing its Summer's voice. I quickly scan over the pikachu; noticing she's holding a waffle cone with pink ice cream in her yellow paws. Her pink tongue glides across the pink exterior as her eyes narrowing on me.

"A normal one…I was resting my eyes until you got back with the ice cream," I shift, catching a better glimpse of the ice cream. I look over the pink ice cream, seeing the sun gleam off it. It's soft cream drips slowly, begging to be licked before it can even touch the cone.

"Hmm, sure you were," She mutters. I shake my head, trying not to pay mind to her previous statement. My eyes focusing on the icy treat she's holding.

Arceus I want some…

"Want some?" She takes another lick. She brown orbs scan me, a smirk rolling across her small lips.

"Sure," I lean forward, opening my mouth to take a bite of the soft, creamy, delicious, cold taste that surely is awaiting me. But she pulls back her paw, clutching the waffle cone lightly in her paws. A smile rolls across her face.

"If I can sit on your lap, you can have some," She smiles, her ears perked. I glance to her brown eyes seeing them locked on me. A playful smirk rolls across her face as she wiggles her black nose. She wants to spend time with me, enjoy our time away from our happy town.

"Is that your ultimatum?" I raise an eyebrow, crossing my arms along my tan chest.

"Sure is," She beams, licking the cone once more.

"I don't think this is going to work Sum, trust me, you'll give in to me," I shift, leaning back on my paws. Her mouth shifts from left to right, her brown eyes scanning me.

"If you don't want to that's fine, but you won't get any ice cream," I let out a sigh, scratching the back of my neck with my tan paw.

I know your game…

"What happens if I say no?" Her ears drop instantly as she licks the ice cream again. Her lightning bolt tail sways from side to side.

"I'm going to take my ice cream and go," She turns her back to me, my eyes trace along the brown stripes on her back.

"You wouldn't dare," I add. She shrugs her shoulders, seriousness dripping from her tiny voice.

"Try me," I'm determined to call her bluff though, knowing that this is some kind of game to her, she is not serious.

I hope.

"Is that all?" I call. Her ears perk and she quickly turns around. She trots to me, leaning really close. I can feel her breathing run along my collar, up my neck and behind my ear. I can hardly breathe, tensing at her touch.

"N-no…" It's soft, it's golden, it's simply breathtaking. I almost feel my heart come to a stop as my shoulder's tense up. She hands me the cone, her hands running along my shoulders. I smile, opening my mouth to lick the pink goodness when she stops. I glance up, slightly confused by her retreat.

I…what?

"I think I'll just do this!" She pushes hard against my shoulder, shoving me into the cold fountain. I let out a yelp at the temperature and quickly stand up. My tense muscles, warm to the final rays of the sun, the autumn wind running against my fur. I instantly freeze, shivering as my eyes dart ahead.

"Oh that's cold!" I yell; my eyes locked on the young girl in front of me. Her red cheeks spark for a moment of excitement, apparently finding pleasure in this.

"Kinda like the ice cream, huh!?" She yelps, laughing. A devious smile runs across my face.

"Dammit Summer!" I yell; she shrieks back for a moment, a nervous smile runs along her cheeks. But a smile quickly runs across my face. I put a paw on the top of the fountain.

Fine…two can play at this game,

"Give me a hug," I command, holding my arms out. Her eyes widen, shivering in place. Her imagination must be playing around with her, much to my own pleasure.

"No way, Sam! You're all wet," She remarks, stifling a laugh behind her paw. She began backing away from me. She drops to all fours. Her tail shoots in the air, as her red cheeks spark with electricity.

Don't forget cold…

"Big deal, Get in the water or I'm coming to get you," I put a foot on the edge of the fountain. She backed away slowly, a smile running across her face.

"Catch me if you can,"

"I can play this game a lot better than you can," With that, I sprinted forward, leaping to grab the pikachu. She side stepped me, scooting behind me.

"Man, that added water makes you slow," She is so sharp today with that tongue. It's kinda cute to see her use her sharp comments every once and a while.

"You calling me fat?" I quickly turned around, grasping empty air. She had pranced to the edge of the water fountain. Standing on the ledge she stood, taunting me.

"Oh Sammy, aren't you adorable…" She says with a giggle.

Yeah…just watch how adorable I can be.

"I prefer the term handsome, or sexy in your case," She laughs, covering her mouth with her paw. I see it, my opportunity. I sprint forward, catching her off guard. I leapt forward, wrapping my arms around her blonde midsection.

"Son of a-" She never got to finish. A smirk rolled across my face as water flowed through my auburn fur. I pushed from the hard tile floor. Water dripped from my fur like a small waterfall as I glanced to her. She flew from the water, gasping in surprise as she coughed out a bit of water. But after that, she smiled, before bursting into laughter. Her laughter sparks a smile from me, causing me to laugh as well.

Caught you…

"I didn't think you'd caught me," She quipped as I helped her up.

"I didn't think you'd let me." I added. Her wet yellow fur clung to my chest as she embraced me. She smiled up at me. The sunlight clung to the drops that sat through her hair.

Tell her…

I lean forward, leaning my head against hers. A smile runs across her face. The orbs of brown just stared at me.

"Listen…I have something to tell you, and…I've kinda been meaning to do so…" I could feel her stiffen at my touch, pulling away from me.

"I…uh…" I hesitated She bit her lip, afraid to hear me go on.

"Y-Yes?" She stuttered. I kissed her forehead, now or never. I could feel my knees tremble, shaking in the fountain water. I felt my fingers trail down her arms. I can feel my heart swell, beating in such a strong confident manner, it doesn't bother me to utter the next sentence.

"Will you-"

"Hey you kids, get outta that fountain!" Her head quickly whipped in the direction of the voice.

Seriously!? I swear I'm gunna-

A blue dragon emerged, red winged fanned out as his matching eyebrows furrowed together. His blue tipped tail swished menacingly. His grey underbelly touched the dirt floor slightly as he arched his back. I gulped, not wanting to argue with a dragon. I quickly gulped, taken back at my bold thought.

"W-we're sorry Mr. S-Salamance," The dragon growled, stomping his foot with a snort before shouting.

"If you're really sorry, you'll get outta that fountain, now!" His voice was the only convincing I needed. And with it, I jumped out of the fountain; Summer followed me in hot pursuit. I quickly glance over my shoulder, seeing the grumpy dragon stomp away.

Summer giggled, tugging my arm to lace it with hers.

"Don't mind him Sam, come on, we have a date with the stars," She says, kissing my cheek lightly before tugging me toward our camp site. I silently curse the bad luck I have with timing.

Later I guess…


I toss another log to the fire. The autumn air licks my face as I snuggled into his side more. Sleeping outdoors was better than sleeping in a hotel…besides, the rooms never had a view like this. Twinkling balls of gas filled the black canvas above. I always gapped at the marvel of it.

"Beautiful…isn't it?" I asked the open sky, seeing the trail of yellow and white sparkle against the black canvassed sky.

"Yeah Ryback Mountain really is," Sam always replied to everything I had to say. The chimchar and I were always together, and it was as simply and easy as breathing. I snuggled into his side a bit tighter, snaking my arms across his mid section. I would occasionally glace over, to see if he would glance toward me, but instead he set his gaze to the stars.

It was quiet; there was no sound of the ocean to lull me to sleep tonight. Only the soft, gentle breathing and warm crackle of the fire would be my guide tonight. Sam's arms would tighten occasionally, along with his jaw; I would simply position myself so that he could move.

Something is bothering him…

It's been a while since we've sat out like this. The last time was…

I wonder how he's doing…

"Summer," Sam called, snapping me from my thoughts.

"Hm…" I hummed absent mindedly. His fingers lapsed with mine as I leaned my head on his shoulder. He always knows when I'm thinking…

"Whatcha thinking about?"

"The past…" His silver eyes gaze to the fire, shimmering with an old, confused emotion.

"You should really look forward, or you might trip," I knew what that meant, his deep voice dripped with confusion and a subtle hint of anger.

"No. I'm just curious…everything should have been the same," Sam's paw tightens. I can feel my mouth run dry, but I still need to question it… and waiting on it only seemed to bottle my mind even more.

"Define 'the same'," He hissed slightly, recoiling from my arms.

"When I came back, Basil would have still been here," Sam blinks, silence overtaking him. A moment later he hums in acknowledgement. I can visibly see the color run from his face. It's as if he feared what could have happened…

"Right?" I question. Sam's silver eyes immediately dart to me, his flame dimming as the subject presses on.

"He left," He replies flatly.

"I know," I can see how his muscles tense at the subject. I bit my lip, knowing I probably should have just left it at that…but I don't.

"But why?" My mind trails to the events prior to that…which were…unpleasant…

"I can't pretend he vanished…but he might as well have. It's my fault though, I'm the reason you came back to a broken team." Sam shakes, running his paw on the back of his neck. His paws shake tremendously, almost to the point where I feel like he is ready to explode and run off to avoid it…but I wouldn't blame him.

"Y-you? But I-" I tried to reassure him. I would rather take the blame…I'm the one who…

"He tried to get past that after you left…but …I couldn't let go. When he saw that I couldn't…he left," Sam's voice quivered, hurt as all the past emotions had been brought to the surface.

"B-but…" I still tried to reach him, but his eyes seemed to lock away emotions and fight with them. He wants to say everything that is on his mind, yet tries to say nothing at all.

"He...tried…ultimately suffering at my own expense…that's how it always worked…"

"But-"

"He lost a lot because of me. And I can't help him…I can't repay him for anything," His voice boils over, self hatred is just flowing from his voice. I can see tears form in his eyes as he tries so hard to keep them there. I hug him tighter, letting him silently know that I'm there, but he just continues to speak.

"Sam, I'm sure he-"

"He loved you…" He admits. I can feel my eyes widen, my heart galloping as Sam's eyes glance to me.

"You know that right?" He shut his eyes. I felt my paws cup his face, leaning my forehead against his. Tears are starting to trickle down the corners of his eyes.

There's too much pain in this… I didn't know Sam; I didn't know I caused you that much pain…I wouldn't have brought it up…

"Yes, but I-" I was trying to share the blame. I should have… I should have known better. My actions must have killed Sam the entire time, and while I simply ignored it, I couldn't deny that they would somehow bubble to the surface. Basil had picked up on it, and that in itself was treading on dangerous grounds.

"I took that from him, I took you from him…" Guilt strikes my core, a tingling sensation runs along my arms. It's not true, I…no. You didn't take love from him, I…it was my choice.

I love you Sam…and that's something that I couldn't ever say to Basil, don't you see that!?

"He jumped in front of me and saved me…and because of it he doesn't have aura. He's a riolu, he needs aura. If he doesn't have it…" I shiver at the thought of my once confident friend; the incident must have changed him drastically…right? I tried to bury the feeling of guilt and put on a strong face, gritting my teeth in frustration when emotion leaked through.

N-no aura…?

"Sam, stop blaming yourself," His soft whimpers had become soft sobs.

I should have known how painful this was…I-I'm sorry for bringing it up.

"He said it wasn't going to stop him, but I could see the sad, angry bitterness in his eyes as he looked at me, Summer…" Sam's cheeks were wet, streaming with the clear liquid of guilt. I can't…

Stop. Please. No more, I can't take it. Don't cry in front of me.

"You have no idea how-" I grip him tightly, letting the tears crash against the dirt floor. I run my fingers along his tan cheeks, kissing away the stray tears that would occasionally fall.

"You have no idea how sorry I am," He whispers.

"I'm so sorry…" Sam's silver eyes open briefly. His silver gaze was glossed in a clear mask.

"Don't be," I blinked, my lips skimming along his wet cheeks. I say nothing, feeling tears stream down my own face. I wipe them away quickly, a sniffle escaping my nose.

I hate to admit that such a sad moment for my friend could be the happiest for me…

It's selfish. I'm selfish. I must be. I'm selfish because I am happy about my relationships beginning when Basil's relationships had fallen apart. He must hate me, he must fear me, he must hate the world, he must fear the world…and that's my fault.

It was silent again, the fate of my friend now apparent and clear to me. Sunflora had mentioned this once before but she always would mention how it wasn't her place to gossip. I respect that, along with Sam's overwhelming insight.

He shivered against my touch, but his eyes looked relieved. He must have felt guilty for so long, I'm glad to see him relieved to some degree. I can see that worry still sits upon his brow.

"Are you okay now?" I ask. He doesn't respond, only scooting closer toward me. I snuggle into his side and glance to his eyes, seeing a smile tug on the corner of his mouth.

"Yeah…I think I am, thanks for talking that out…sometimes, you really need it," His voice is tinged with heart. He is speaking a pure truth; I can hear it vibrate through my ears.

"So tomorrow…" I begin, trying to change the subject to a lighter note.

"We look for that lost girl, poor thing is lost…" Sam continues, his voice seems to shift, locking away the hurt for a moment. I grip his tan paw tightly, trying to reassure him.

"Okay…Goodnight," I mutter, letting the warmth spread along my limbs. The gentle glow is so warm… enough for my eyes to grow heavy. I shut them tightly, trying to sleep.

"Goodnight," He hums. Memories play back in my mind as I curl into a ball. It's just laughter, but it still gets me to shudder…and I'm not sure why.

Time has no boundaries…it knows no purpose and no destiny, yet it unlocks something that we are yet to understand…life.


"Look at me," I command, my black paws crossing over my chest. Her crimson eyes flicker from the darkness of the forest to me. Her paws twitch, itching to run from this place.

"Shift," Her eyes bounce from red to brown. A smirk runs along her face. A smirk runs along my face.

"How long?" I ask; only to receive a growl. What a psychotic doppelganger. She requires concentration, something she has been attempting to master. But even she can't hide forever. She may falter, and then, we will both be screwed.

"A few minutes," She whispers, her eyes shifting back to her normal crimson.

"That's all you need," I reassure, glancing toward the sky.

"Do you think we'll have to resort to violence?" She smirks, sending a pleasurable chill up my spine. How I wish to join her, perhaps I will… I shake my head, my eyes flashing a bright purple.

"If all else fails, I'll handle it. We just need to be quick,"

"Agreed," She nods her head, darting off into the mountains. I turn seeing a sign illuminated by the soft moonlight.

Welcome to Ryback Mountain

But enough on this place… I have other business to attend to before the dawn.


"Lu, we need to train at night!" Avery calls as I jump from the ledge of her cave. Twigs snap from under my paws as I walk toward the stream. I simply roll my eyes and grit my teeth.

"Not going to happen, brat," I hiss. My paws ball up as I shut my eyes.

I'm already in the dark…why would I want that?

"It's so we can find others in dark places," Her voices wafers as she follows close behind, trotting to keep up with my walk. The white eevee brushes along my side, letting her white tail brush along my sash.

"I said no," Her paws push my stomach, Making tumble to the floor. I look up, seeing grey paws rest along my bent knees. Her emerald eyes flash against the moon above, focusing on me.

"I'm not asking you, I'm telling you," I grit my teeth, shoving her aside before standing up.

"I'm not going to do it; we go during the day, you know when there's light out,"

"Do you know how ridicules that sounds? I said in a dark cave, do you know what that means? No light." I growl as I see her diamond ears flatten against her head, her teeth clenched together tightly.

"I'm not going to Avery, and that's final!" I yell. She growls, stomping her silver paws against the dirt.

"Why!? What are you so afraid of!?" She yells as the night lingers on. I can feel my eyes widen, my paws clench tightly together.

I can't see without my aura in the dark…it's too unpredictable.

"I'm waiting Lu," She hisses, lighting up another fire. She lights a few more, laminating the area where we stood. I growl, my eyes shifting from the lights back to her. I let out a frustrated groan.

"…"

"Show me something. What can the water wonder do besides almost drown?" Her command is just making me boil over. But I take a deep breath, shutting my eyes.

"Fine…just…leave the lights on," I sigh in defeat. I can't see in the dark, but at least the fire's glow is enough to simulate an actual cave.

Avery stands beside me, imitating my moves in her own way. She glides in a smooth manner, as serious as her tongue.

"Hmmm…" An interested sound escapes my lips, surprised at how quickly she picks things up.

"You…you sure pick up stuff quickly," I comment, striking the empty air.

"Have to. If you don't you die out here," She responds quickly, whipping her silver tail across the air. Her emerald eyes are focused on the fire in front of her. I notice her silver paws shift, taking different stances quickly to accommodate for the moves.

"How about running fast?"

"Huh?"

"Running fast? You must have forgotten that during your time out here," I muttered, letting my paws become covered in purple.

"I run fast!" She adds, venom dripping from her voice. She strikes the air as she whips around with her white tail.

"Sure you do, why don't you ask the houndoom how fast you run?" I shoot back sarcastically, letting the purple slide off my paws. My shoulders depressed, relaxing as my ears perk.

"Yeah, why don't you ask the houndoom?" A voice booms from behind me. I quickly turn to be met with red menacing eyes. I grit my teeth as he steps into the dim light of the fire.

It's that houndoom, scraping his giant black paws against the dirt. His pointed tail swishes as his jaws unhinge. His pointed teeth flash against the glow of the fire. I see Avery's ears drop, her jade eyes shifting as her claws unsheathe.

The houndoom wastes no time, darting past us toward the fire, running through them like a mad man. The fire leaks through his skin, putting the fire out in the process. I cringe, knowing that the dark will become a reality for me and I will be useless.

The houndoom ran over the last of the fires, and the moon became the only light. I fell to the floor, crawling along the floor. I could hear the soft chuckling ride through the air and I shut my eyes tightly. I can't see…that hound can see everything…

"Well, well, well, if it isn't that riolu…" I gulp, balling my fists tightly as I crawl across the floor.

"You sure have a thing about playing with things you're not supposed to, you know what they say about playing with fire…" I could see a faint orange light in the distance and immediately jumped to my feet, lunging forward with white glowing paws.

A spiral of heat and fire sprang toward me and I ducked, sliding along the floor toward his paws. I swung my arm, getting him to stumble to the floor as my paw connected to his front leg. His tail whipped across my face, his black paw swiping across the air. I ducked, managing to avoid the claws, but he still knocked me over.

I glared up, upper cutting the houndoom. He howled in pain, head butting me with his thick curled horns. I skid across the floor, tasting the dirt. The houndoom stood, looming over me with vengeful eyes. I gulped, kicking my legs out, getting him to spiral away for a moment and with that I jumped and darted into the forest.

I knew it, dammit; I knew I shouldn't have agreed to this.

I banged into someone going the other way, I quickly balled up my fist, jumping on top of it, my fist glowed a bright white as I brought it up. I am tired of fearing my life!

"Wait, wait! Lu it's me!" My eyes widened as the white eevee gripped my paw that was clamped onto her neck. I immediately let go, shaking as another wave of fire rang through the air.

"I'm sorry," She looked at me, her eyes shifting in her search for the houndoom.

"You idiot," She mumbled.

"You should have ran, now look at you," The pain was beginning to run along my leg, but I brushed it away.

"I'm fine," I reassured. She doesn't know the half of it, all this running…

"Good, now, stay hidden," I saw him come into view his face twisted and fire flew toward us.

No, you hide!

I pushed Avery aside, fire running along my arm. I yelp in pain, brushing off the flames for a moment. It stings as the cool air touches it. But I don't have time to get the hound back. Avery tugs me into a bush, leaning me against a tree.

"Stupid riolu, now you have a burn!" She hissed, I opened my mouth but she immediately shushed me. Then she darted off, leaving me to face an open field. The houndoom slinked out into the distance, and I slinked back, hoping the bush would conceal my whereabouts.

"Come out and play you stupid eevee, your friend sure thinks it's fun to quarrel with me…why not do the same." I can hear laughing ring through the trees, but it's not deep. It's followed by twigs and leaves crunching.

"Why the face houndoom, I thought you liked the dark…" I could feel a shiver run up my spine as the laughter continued. I gulped, gritting my teeth. I pushed my paws up, looking ahead as I released a small shaky breath.

"Gosh Avery, scary umbreon much?" I mutter, the houndoom whips his head in my direction and I scramble to my feet quickly.

"Afraid of the dark, jackal?" He asks, unsheathing his claws. His menacing growl rings in my ears as he stalks over. The red that is glossed in his eyes is all too familiar. I can feel my heart pounding uncontrollably and I begin to shake.

I…I'm still afraid…

"I…" I ball up my fists, and lunge from the thicket, a white glowing fist ready to strike.

"No! I am afraid but not of you!" I rammed into the houndoom, spiraling along the floor. He whipped his head around, clamping his jaws around my side.

"That's a lie." He spat through his clenched jaw. I can feel the sting on my side, as I punch his nose. He sequels, giving me a chance to scramble to my feet. The river's water could be heard, ringing in my ears as I grabbed his tail. He whipped his tail against the ground as I grit my teeth. I opened my eyes, biting his tail as the river came into view.

The houndoom howled, flicking me toward the waters' edge. The ringing my ears ceased as I shot up, only to be met with a giant paw. He claws dug into my chest as he pressed down.

"Normally, I might burn you to death… but you seem to like getting burned…" The streaming water touches the back of my head as I claw at his paw in hopes of getting up. I glance to his eyes, all mercy has long since faded…and it's not about Avery, it's about his revenge on me…and how I got in his way. From the looks of it, drowning seems to be his choice in the matter.


He's drowning…and here I am hiding….like a coward. I had hoped to scare him, but that hound is a dark type, he has the advantage.

I can feel my paws shake against the soil, struggling to take another step.

Save him.

My silver paw strides slowly in the moonlight and I grit my teeth in frustration. Why can't I move!? Dammit, he's like all the others I've had to rescue! So why can't I move!?

You're afraid…

Of what though? That was the question. I shut my eyes, turning away from the struggling riolu for a moment. I stomp, opening my eyes to storm the houndoom. I can't back down, I can't let Lu suffer. I ram into him, sending him flying into the river. He yelps as his head surfaces, but the current is too strong, carrying him downstream. I huff, standing up quickly. My limbs shake as my eyes run along the river.

I rush to Lu's side, gritting his sash in my teeth and yanked him closer to shore. His eyes were wide, his entire body shaking. He attempts to stand, staggering forward before collapsing to his knees. He coughs violently before his red eyes narrow in on me.

"Wh…What took you so long!? He nearly killed me!" I smirk, muttering to myself in order to make light of the situation.

"Yeah, nearly. You're welcome by the way," I remark, only earning a snort from him.

"Yeah thanks to you he nearly killed me," He shot back. My perked ears fall, my wagging tail ceasing as my eyes cast to the floor.

"Well I saved you didn't I?"

"You wouldn't have had to have saved me if you had just taken him out. Instead you're creeping around the forest like some umbreon! This isn't a game! That sure as hell wasn't play time!" I grit my teeth, pushing him to the floor.

"Just shut up! Besides, that river I pushed him in doesn't really give favors; most people drown in that river," I yelled, throwing dirt around with my silver paws. I feel a shiver run along my spine as the realization sets in.

"Only the lucky ones…" Lu mutters under his breath, wiping the dirt from his mouth with his black paw.

"You are lucky you stubborn jackal!" He points to his arm, screaming at the top of his lungs. My eyes glide across the burn, seeing a bit of his blue fur singed from the fire. My ears fall as his ember eyes flash with anger. I can feel tears bulge in my eyes, frustrated with his attitude.

"Does this look lucky to you!? Or how bout' this!?" He points to the cuts on his arms and legs. I swish my tail as he continues, gritting my paws tightly as he continues screaming.

"Or oh wait, what about this!?" He points to his scar, and that's it. That's the final straw.

"I'm sorry! Is that what you want to hear!? Because I'm out of apologies," I snap, shouting as he recoils from my bold yelling.

"As for your injuries, I can fix those! I get that you've been hurt before, but you don't have to take it out on me!" He blinks, sighing before muttering something else.

"Sorry…" I head home, grabbing my kit before racing out to help Lu home. He hisses at the pain but merely hides it until we get back to my house. He sits on the ledge of my cave and I begin to tend to his wounds. I look at his fur, seeing the red clumped mess that hides in his fur. I can see him look away from the bits of blood.

"Squeamish?" He shakes his head.

"No…I'm just tired of seeing you're nervous face attend to me…its making me nervous." He mumbled. I blinked, looking at the amount of damage he obtained made me shake slightly. My silver paws shook as I ran them over his wounds.

"I…uh…" I wrap his arm in a white cloth, pushing pressure on the site. He yelps, quickly looking to me. I can feel my breathing hasten.

"I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I-" He blinks. Putting his free hand on my shoulder, he captures my attention.

"Relax. I'm okay…that just…hurt," He reassures. My eyes shift from his wounds as I sigh. I haven't had much practice… the only person I attend to is myself…that's probably why I didn't notice these nervous ticks before.

"What about you? Are you okay?" He asks, shifting his paw in a more comfortable position. I hum in acknowledgement, my eyes bouncing up to him for a moment.

"Me?" I ask, my ears pinning against my head.

"Yeah… that's my last question…from our game…remember?" I look up from my work, seeing his red eyes flicker toward me. I gulp quickly looking down to his wounds again.

"That doesn't count..." I answer, a bit ashamed to be asked such a simple question. But I struggle to answer, finding my cheeks grow warm at it.

"And yes," I answer. I can hear him chuckle, and I quickly look up. I can feel my face bleed with red, embarrassed at his curious eyes.

"Did you just…laugh?" He doesn't respond. I look up to him, seeing him staring at me. His ember eyes that are usually distance and cold are not. They seem forgiving, kind, and distant, like they are from a happier, different time…because that is not Lu.

"Avery," He calls. I blink, my eyes looking over his face. He leans toward me as my ears immediately flatten against my head. I suddenly can't breathe, he's too close and suddenly I can't look away. I can only squeek in response as his breath brushes the bridge of my nose. The paw I was tending to in being pressed by my paws.

"I think that's enough practice for today," He remarks calmly. I blink.

What?

"I-I…uh…r-right…okay," He stands, walking off into the cave, lighting a small fire and sleeping beside the fire. I feel he wind brush against my fur, and I gulp in response. My racing heart slows as I shake my head.

No…it…couldn't be...I must have imagined that.

Brushing the thoughts away with a long sigh, I walk inside, curling beside the fire to sleep.

And that's where I leave you; sorry it took so long…college and all. But I am pleased to announce that this is the last of the chapters I have just been loathing (by loathing I mean…startup chapters…its like the beginning of the action)… I am really excited for the next one… so, that being said, I have my usual questions. Sorry there is so many by the way.

Did you like this chapter?

1. Thoughts on Basil's fate from this point.

2. Thoughts on Sam's fate from this point.

3. Thoughts on Summer's fate from this point.

4. Thoughts on Avery?

next's chapter's name is "I can't wait another day" so…thoughts? Please.

Anyway, I do present a contest…I am not saying anything. But a specific reviewer will get a very special look at the next chapter…approximately 1 week before the general public. So til next time,

~Sunny