Arbok slithered his way through Victory Road. Kotone sat happily on top of his head – eager to face the Elite Four. It took her almost two hours to get to the next exit. Kotone sighed. She shouldn't have taken it lightly about the cave. Not only was it huge and confusing, but the cave itself holds many strong and vicious wild pokemon. No wonder there were no trainers in the deep cavern.
But that never stopped Kotone. She had finally received her last badge. Not only that, she had also captured the most legendary beast of all time, Lugia. The female trainer huffed proudly while pounding her chest. No one can stop me from reaching my dream to become the Pokemon Master!
Arbok and Typhlosion chuckled at their trainer's antics. They were so lucky to have such a strong but lovable trainer. Finally, Kotone's eyes shined in joy – their exit to their dreams were in front of their eyes.
"Yayy!" Kotone cheered enthusiastically. "Finally! The exit! Come on boys! Let's go kick some Elite Four butt!" Her two giant beasts roared gallantly and dashed to the exit.
"Hold it!"
Arbok and Typhlosion immediately froze on the spot – throwing Kotone off her ride.
"Kyaa!" Luckily, Arbok managed to grip his beloved trainer's overalls before she fell on the hard floor. The giant cobra mumbled apologetically at the startled Kotone. Eheh, sorry Kotone.
Typhlosion turned around – his fangs bared at the sudden guest. You again! You just don't know when to give up do you, you brat!
Silver crossed his arms and frowned. Kotone's Typhlosion really does hold a dark abhor towards him. But that wasn't the issue. He focused his attention on the hanging trainer. "I see you've made it in Victory Road."
Kotone signalled her Arbok to release her. Obediently, the purple pokemon gently put her down on the ground. Kotone fixed her hat and glared at her rival. "Does a simple 'Hi' mean anything to you?"
Silver chuckled ignorantly. He strode a bit closer to Kotone, but halted when Typhlosion spouted fire of his back.
Back off Slyvia. The huge fire breather growled.
Silver grimaced at the starling sight. Kotone sighed half-heartedly at her pokemon. "Typhlosion, honey, don't burn Silver. He won't do anything to harm me," she purred and scratched Typhlosion's ear. Silver twitched uncomfortably at her words. The girl trusts him too much – something he didn't like. The loving trainer-pokemon moment made Silver cringed. He felt a sudden twinge in his heart. He felt…jealous?
The redhead shook his head, not believing the fact that was biting his heart. He scoffed and took out his pokeball. "Do you know why Victory Road has no trainers?" he mused while twirling the ball with his finger.
Kotone looked up and raised her eyebrow. The redhead was acting all smug – as usual. She shrugged her shoulders. "Because…I don't care what you're gonna say?" Her voice was filled with sarcasm that it made Silver chuckle. The girl was beginning to act like him.
"It's because this cave itself holds many strong and powerful wild pokemon. One foot inside the cave and you'll face a gruesome Machoke ready to tear you apart." Kotone bit her lip – flinching at the thought. The word 'tear you apart' was now giving her a whole new definition – a nightmarish kind. But she kept a poker face and crossed her arms.
"You don't need to give out that kind of scene," she grumbled. Silver grinned slyly and released his Haunter. The ghost pokemon shouted valiantly – ready to fight.
Typhlosion grinned and flared his flames higher. You're going down punk!
Sneasel fainted, defeated. Silver clenched his fist in disappointment. His eyes were fixed to a jumping Rhyhorn. Kotone giggled cheerfully at her newly caught pokemon. Rhyhorn had won her first battle. "That's my girl," she said while returning Rhyhorn to her pokeball. "Now take some rest."
Silver gritted his teeth. He was frustrated. But this time, instead of being furious to his pokemon as usually does, he was furious at himself. His teeth were tightened as his ears caught the fire breather's snicker. Silver wanted to yell madly at Kotone, to spat another insult at her. But he froze as Kotone walked towards his fallen Sneasel and picked him up in her arms.
"What are you…?" Silver went silent when Kotone plopped a small rhombus-shaped tablet in the sharp claw pokemon's mouth. In seconds, Sneasel woke up – shocked to see the brunette.
Kotone smiled sweetly at the ice pokemon. "There you go. All up and healthy!" She lifted the confused Sneasel to her face. A sweet, loving smile was shined on her lips. "You are such an adorable pokemon!"
Hearing this, Sneasel squealed happily and waved his arms in glee. Silver was dumbstricken stunned at the moment. His pokemon was bonding with his rival.
And he felt an unwanted jealousy biting his heart again.
Damn it. Silver shook his head and frowned at the happy Kotone. "The hell did you do that for?"
Kotone looked up at Silver – her smile never disappearing from her face. Sneasel took the liberty to jump out of her grasp and stand comfortably on her shoulder – much to Typhlosion's annoyance. "Well, I thought your pokemon fought well. So a little Revive is kinda of a way of me saying 'Way to go!'. Besides, he's such a cute cheerful fella that I can't help but cuddle it." The female trainer smiled innocently. Sneasel beamed with happiness and hugged Kotone. He was beginning to like the brunette trainer.
Silver clenched his teeth – annoyed. The affectionate sight was irritating him. But what disturb him more were Kotone's beautiful smile and her loving personality. He cursed silently when his heart began to beat faster than normal. His emotions were in the way again.
"D-Don't…" he stuttered angrily – eyes away from her. "Spoil my pokemon…"
Kotone bit her inner cheek – amused by the boy's tone. She petted Sneasel's head happily. "Aww come on. It's fun showing some love to your pokemon. That's our way to show that we're happy they did a good job. And besides, the way you battle just now, was different than before." Her voice was toned down on the last few words – causing Silver to look up.
"What do you mean?" His heartbeat was getting faster and faster.
"It means you show more compassion than before. The way you commanded your pokemon were less…harsh. And your pokemon were more determined too." Kotone giggled wistfully while petting Sneasel's nose. "It's nice to see that you're changing…a bit."
Silver felt his cheeks getting hotter by the second. He averted his gaze away again. He felt his whole body shivering in uncertain delight. The redhead scoffed – angry at his betraying body. "Sneasel!" he yelled – his voice shaking. "Let's get out of here!" Silver turned around without waiting for an answer.
Sneasel groaned quietly. He liked being with the brunette trainer. But like it or not, he has to obey his own trainer. With one quick hug, Sneasel jumped out of Kotone's shoulder and chased Silver.
Kotone sighed slowly. Silver was as stubborn as a Geodude. She heard a low grumble and looked down. Typhlosion was eyeing her in the cuddliest way possible – wanting to be pampered like always. His trainer giggled and scratched her starter's ear. Typhlosion purred while wagging his tail in delight.
But his joyous moment was gone when he sensed a dangerous presence.
Typhlosion was quickly on all fours and growled fiercely. Kotone tilted her head in confusion. "Hey baby, what's wr-"
Her mouth froze in horror when a huge Onix appeared from the ground and right in front of her.
"Oh…my…!" Kotone paralyzed in fear. Typhlosion breathe a huge fire blast at the unwanted intruder. But Onix swiped the fire away with his tail and plunged at his terrified victim.
"Kotone!" Silver yelled at the top of his lungs and pushed Kotone away – almost hitting the wild pokemon's attack. The two trainers landed harshly on the hard ground. Kotone was snapped back into reality and her brown eyes were completely round to see Silver on top of her.
"S-Silver!"
But without waiting for another word, Silver swiftly rose to his feet and pulled the stunned trainer up. He quickly held Kotone's hand and ran from the raging Onix. Typhlosion and Sneasel were hot on their trainer's tail.
"Come on! You wanna die?" Silver shouted frantically – trying to lose the wild pokemon. The minute he saw Kotone almost being squashed into a million pieces, he felt his whole world falling apart. He couldn't even manage a breath to even think about Kotone being gone forever.
And Silver didn't like that he was feeling that way.
His mind went blank as huge boulders crashed in front of them. Kotone opened her mouth in shock and fear. The Onix was using Rock Tomb. Unwarily, she gripped Silver's sleeve. "Oh crap, what are we gonna do?"
Silver gritted his teeth. His mind was having a major brainstorm. Both the trainer's turned their heads when Onix roared savagely – his mouth revealed a purple swirling gust. Kotone and Silver cursed under their breath in unison. Onix was about to release Dragonbreath.
Before their pokemon could stop him, the wild pokemon released his attack. Silver quickly pushed Kotone away – dodging the attack – but hitting his ankle.
"Ahh!" Silver scowled in pain and fell on the dirty ground. He bit his lip, baring the aching pain. Not only was it extremely painful, but now his foot was paralyzed.
Kotone stared in horror at her fallen rival. "Silver!" She looked up. Onix was about to launch another Dragonbreath attack at Silver. No no no! Silver! Quick thinking and in panic, she took out her Ultra Ball and released Gyarados.
"Gyarados, Aqua Tail!"
The rare, red-coloured pokemon swiftly swished her tail at Onix – knocking the wild pokemon down. Mad but hurt, Onix slowly stood up and faced his new enemy. Kotone quickly paced her feet to Silver. Her arms wrapped around him. She looked at his bleeding and paralyzed foot and then at his face. His face was scrunching in agony – trying to withstand the pain.
"I-I'm fine…" Silver said – his voice barely a whisper.
Kotone widen her eyes in shock at his words and shook her head ragingly. "What are you, crazy? You're bleeding for Arceus sake!" She turned her head and looked at her Gyarados. Her pokemon was still standing strong while Onix was starting to wobble weakly. "Gyarados, finish him off! Twister!"
Gyarados whipped up a vicious tornado and hurled it at her foe. Onix didn't have much luck as he got caught inside the tornado and was sent flying away.
"Yes!" Kotone cheered in victory. "Thank you my darling." She returned the smiling Gyarados back in her ball. Her attention quickly back on the groaning redhead. "Come on, we better get out of this cave and find a clinic fast."
But Silver shook his head stubbornly and sat up – regretting silently as his foott twitched in pain. "I…am fine…" he growled and tried to move up. Sneasel stared in concern at his hurt trainer.
Kotone was dumbfounded. This man can't be serious! She stared as Silver swayed in pain with his bleeding left ankle. "Silver…"
"I can walk damn it!" Silver scoffed. But soon cursed as the disabled wound was getting worse and he was about to fall face first.
But he was quickly saved when Kotone supported his body – her soft hand holding his chest. "Come on…don't be stupid…" she murmured gently. Silver cussed under his breath as he can feel her warm breath on his cheek. His heartbeat was racing yet again only this time, it wasn't because of Onix's attack.
Silver looked away. "L-Let…me…"
"No." Kotone took his arm and placed it at the back of her neck, supporting his body. "We are gonna find shelter and I am gonna heal that wound. Whether you like it or not." Her voice was filled with concern and a hint of threat. Silver growled annoyingly. Typhlosion and Sneasel both looked at their trainer. The fire starter wanted to laugh at the redhead's misfortune, but he knew it will only make his beloved trainer mad. So Typhlosion kept his mouth shut.
Slowly, Kotone walked out of the cave, bringing the unwilling Silver along.
Night falls on the road to the Pokemon League. Kotone stopped under a huge tree. She held her hips and smiled in relief. "Alright then, we're gonna bunk out here tonight." Kotone turned around and smiled at her companions. But all she could see were two unhappy and pissed off faces.
Typhlosion grumbled sourly when Kotone told him to carry Silver. Helping the dumbass redhead was the last thing ever in his mind. He'd rather drown. But unfortunately, Typhlosion fell for his trainer's brown begging eyes and eventually cave in. Ever since that, he grumbled annoyingly while carrying Silver on his back. Stupid idiot. Hurting yourself, then burdening me. Why Kotone even have feelings for you I'll never know.
Silver wasn't excited himself. The minute he got on Typhlosion's back, he was praying for the first time in his life that the pokemon didn't spout out fire on his back and burns him alive. He knew the pokemon's utter resent for him. And ever since the embarrassing Radio Tower incident, Typhlosion will do anything to destroy Silver.
He's just glad that they've finally stop for tonight.
"Okay, Ty Ty. Put Silver down –" Before Kotone could finish her words, Typhlosion violently arched his back up front – throwing Silver on the ground. The redhead yelled in pain. "– gently…"
Kotone sighed. Her Typhlosion will always find ways to torture Silver. Silver groaned in pain as he held his wounded foot. His eyes glared deathly at the ignorant fire breather. "That hurts, you stupid pest!"
Before Typhlosion could launch a fire attack on Silver, Kotone stood between them. "Okay, that's enough! Ty Ty, you should get some rest. Tomorrow morning we're gonna face the Elite Four. And for Arceus sake, please stop trying to barbeque the boy."
Her starter growled in denial but forcefully obeyed Kotone and moved to the other side of the tree – hoping to get some shut eye. Stupid redheaded jackass.
Kotone sighed at her pokemon's attitude and turned around to face Silver. Sneasel sat patiently next to his trainer. Her eyes glued to a certain red fabric covering his foot. I know that piece of cloth. Her head snapped when she remembered helping Silver for the first time – wrapping his broken fist with the red material. Unwarily, Kotone smiled. He kept it all along.
Silver looked up. Even in the dark, he can still see her smiling face. Silver felt his heart dropped. "Enjoy it…Enjoy my pain and suffering while you can," he hissed – mistaking Kotone's smile for mocking his injury.
Kotone cringed at his words. "I'm not smiling because I'm insulting you…" Hurt was shown in her brown eyes – making Silver feel guilty. He scoffed and averted his gaze from hers. Kotone's brown eyes can really bring down a man's ego. He felt an empty space next to him shifted. Kotone sat next to Silver. "I'm smiling because I can't believe you still have my handkerchief…"
Unconsciously, Silver turned his head – and froze as his face was inches apart from hers. He could see the red blush in her cheeks. Unfortunately, she could his too. Silver bit his lips and turned away again – before his perverted hormones led him to do something he'll regret forever. His eyes focused on his wrapped ankle.
"W-Well…don't get the wrong idea! I wanted to throw it away but then many things got caught up in my mind." His voice was shaken – not convincing. Damn it.
Kotone giggled softly – making his skin tingle. Slowly, she scooched her body towards his bleeding ankle. Kotone rummaged inside her bag and took out a few items. Then she carefully unwrapped the red bandage – earning slow growls from Silver.
"That hurts you pest!" He ignored the threatening growl emanating from the other side of the tree.
Kotone ignored his spiteful tone and continue unwrapping her handkerchief. She placed the fabric on the other side and soon her hands held a small bottle of iodine and a paralyze heal. Knowing what was coming for him, Silver pulled his leg up to his knee, then regret it immediately as the stabbing pain bit his skin.
The female trainer frowned at her rival's stubborn attitude. "Come on, let me heal it."
Silver shook his head. He still remembered the sharp pain of the iodine touching his scar. "No."
Kotone crossed her arms and stood on her knees in front of Silver. "Silver, come on. It'll just sting a little. Then your wound will be all better."
But the redhead kept shaking his head stubbornly and hugged his left knee. "Back off, woman. I don't even need any help anyway." He shifted his body – trying to move away. "Look, I can even mo-AHH!" Silver cringed in pain and held his red ankle. The pain was worse than he thought.
Kotone and Sneasel rolled their eyes at Silver's headstrong attitude. He was acting like a five year old. Kotone held Silver's cheek – earning a good flinch from him. "Let me treat you, or Typhlosion will burn you alive," she murmured wistfully. Silver could feel his body shiver uncontrollably – and he doesn't know whether it's from her warm touch or her intimidating threat.
A few seconds passed and their position didn't change. Kotone was still caressing his cheek while staring into his silver eyes. Silver gulped. His heartbeat was going crazy. The woman may seem innocent, but she can be very dangerous if she wants too. Finally, with one slow breath, Silver gave in. 'Fine…"
The brunette smiled happily and removed her hand from his cheek – much to Silver's dismay. The redhead slowly stretched his leg and placed it on Kotone's lap. The petite trainer hummed happily as she focused the paralyze heal's nozzle on his wound. "This might hurt a bit."
Before Silver could open his mouth, she sprayed the liquid into his ankle. Silver yelped in pain and wanted to retract his leg back, but Kotone quickly held it firmly. He glared at the non-guilty looking trainer. "You said a bit?" he growled.
Without any sign of fear, Kotone shrugged. "To me it was a bit." She placed the empty bottle and took the iodine next. Silver cringed as he knew what was coming next. "Don't worry, I won't let anything hurt you…" Kotone said – her voice was so velvet and sure that it actually calmed Silver down.
Slowly, she dabbed the medicine at his injury. Silver bit his inner cheek – baring the aching sting on his ankle. "You should really try not to hurt yourself, you know…" Kotone muttered – eyes never moving from his ankle.
Silver frowned and scoffed angrily. "I didn't ask for Nurse Joy. Like I said, I can take care of myself!"
He heard a soft giggle escaping her lips – causing his skin to prickle again. Silver clenched his fist. His body and mind was betraying him by the second.
"I didn't mean that. It's just…I don't want to see the people I care about getting hurt…"
That shocked Silver. He stared at the woman like an idiot. Even if he couldn't see clearly in the dark, Silver could sense a fade colour of red on her cheeks. She…She cares about…me? His raging heartbeat was answering his question. But…why…why me?
Both the trainers kept their mouth shut. Kotone in embarrassment while Silver in dumbfounded cluelessness. Kotone bit her lips. His silence was for once, making her uncomfortable. Crap, I said something wrong, didn't I? "Silver…"
Silver looked at Kotone. He was still having a battle between his heart and mind. "W-What?"
"Thanks…for saving me back there…" Kotone finished her dabbing (much to Silver's relief) and wrapped his ankle with the newly washed red fabric. "I…really appreciated that you've saved me." She tied the bandage into a tiny, pretty bow. "If you weren't there back then…I…I don't know what might happen…" Her voice was now a squeak – terrified at her own thoughts.
Silver flinched in terror at her words. The thought of Kotone being squashed into a bloody pancake traumatized him to no end. And he hated it.
"Just…" he growled – trying to remove the horrifying image away. "I don't want my competitive rival to die just like that…"
Hearing his words, Kotone smiled and looked at Silver – eyes shining in bliss. "You see me as a rival?"
Silver felt like hiding inside a hole. He looked away and shut his eyes. "I'm gonna sleep now."
He heard the girl's giggles yet again. Silver cussed. All he could see and imagine was Kotone being in his arms. He wanted to run away but his ankle was preventing him. So unfortunately, he had to bare the embarrassing thought with Kotone next to him. Silver heard a yawn. Before he could open his eyes, he felt a slight pressure on his shoulder. Silver gawked his eyes in complete shock.
Kotone was laying her head on his shoulder.
"W-What the…? Who told you, you can –"
"I'm sleepy. It's cold tonight. You're shivering. And we both need some rest." Another yawn escaped her lips. "So if you want to argue about this, do it tomorrow okay." Silver went mute as he heard small snoozes from her. Kotone had already fallen asleep.
"S-Stupid girl…" he stammered. He looked around. Sneasel was sleeping soundly on his lap. Silver then looked up. Stars were gleaming and shining beautifully in the dark sky. It was as if they were glowing, focusing on the two.
Well, damn.
He felt Kotone shifting her body. Her hands unconsciously hugging his arms. Her head nuzzling closer to his neck. Her body was getting closer to his. Her warm breath caressed his neck – causing Silver to moan unwarily in pleasure.
He bit his lip, hard – regretting what he just did. Silver led out a huge sigh of relief when he saw Kotone was still sleeping soundly. He was thankful the brunette was a heavy sleeper. He bumped the back of his head on the tree slightly hard, hoping that all of this is just a dream. After a few bumps and headaches, Silver gave up. All this was reality.
Silver cursed as his skin enjoyed her touch. Kotone was gripping his arm tightly but gently. The thought of her skin brushing his was driving him insane. He had never felt this way. Never in his life would he think to develop those kinds of feelings. To him, all the emotions he was feeling now were rubbish and crap. Silver doesn't need all of it. He despised all of it.
But the fact that Kotone was sleeping next to him, the fact that Kotone had helped him not only once but twice. Also, the despicable fact that Kotone was almost…almost been groped by a disgusting grunt. And almost been destroyed by a wild pokemon. All of it disturbed Silver to the bone.
And it didn't help when he remembered their nightly incident at the Olivine City Center. Where until now, he still doesn't know why he even cared to make her feel safe back then. Silver remembered the first time she gripped him like a human rope while at the Bellsprout Tower. That pissed him off like hell. But then the humiliating thought of him…accidently stripping Kotone baffled Silver. His cheeks grew redder as the image danced in his mind.
Silver shook his head fast. Luckily, Kotone was still snoozing peacefully, undisturbed. He sighed and looked at the stars again. Ever since Kotone appeared in his life, everything was a total mess for him.
And oddly, much to his confused heartache, he doesn't seem to mind at all.
"Damn…" he cursed under his breath and clenched his fist – only to curse again as he accidently held her hand. Silver froze and let his hand gripped hers. He was getting more frustratingly confused by the minute.