Chapter Twenty: Bridge

*Author Note – Thank you for reviewing, CallinConnor and 'A Fan'. To tell the truth, I ran down the stairs and was practically screaming like a fangirl to tell my sister we got TWO reviews on one chapter. It was a highlight, so thanks for reviewing. And we know it took nineteen chapters for Pikachirate to even tell Pichu how he felt about her. Let's just say romance is NOT one of my strengths. ^_^

Disclaimer: Neither Orange nor Gray owns Pokémon. We own this weird story, though.*

Tatatataah! We give you Chapter Twenty: Bridge

Pichu's Point of View

I did not dare to go back to the Captain's room; I was too scared to see either an angry or a sad Pikachirate. It was pretty early in the morning - three o'clock - so I went back to the deck.

Buneary had to sleep, therefore I was alone, without a warming blanket. Before Buneary let me go, though, she gave me a long - not too long - almost ice-blue dress and forced me to change into it.

My white dress had turned gray over the last few weeks. I forgot about it - normally it is not I that has to give it a thought, but the maids.

I wanted to check if I really was alone on the deck. "Is anybody here?" I whispered. There was no response.

It was not that cold here, although I would not call it pleasant. My dress was warm enough for the night.

Why did Pikachirate write that note? And why, why did Chansey force him to give me that necklace? I was slightly frustrated about Chansey's plan, and mad. Mad at all that was happening.

I could not commit myself to anyone. My father would track me down eventually - I was certain of that - when the pirates did not give me back. It would only be a matter of time. A short amount of time.

And I would lose all of my friends, and even Pikachirate. The solution a Princess would choose had to be 'no commitment'. Separate herself from the pirates, actually locking herself up.

No. I knew I would not be able to do that. I will not keep my distance from them, and I will not lock myself up. I will choose my own path, and not the one set out for a Princess. Or, to say it in another way, a beating heart is better than a frozen heart without emotions.

I should take a small step closer to him, as he got closer to me - probably pushed by Chansey, but still. It would be a sign I will not move away from him.

But how?

Pikachirate's Point of View

"Captain, can we stop at the next bay?" Buneary asked. It was unusual for her to ask; she took care of these things most of the time without my consent.

"Why do we need to stop there?" I couldn't think of a reason to stop there. Why couldn't we just go to the Mountain of Ice? "We still have enough supplies to reach the Mountain of Ice." We bought a lot last time. And Mew had transported some items that were lost during the attack.

"But we need to get some clothes, Captain." She said like it was important, and gave me a puzzling look. I didn't get why we need to get to shore to go shopping. It sounded girly. Pirates aren't girly.

"We don't have time to go shopping, Buneary." Why would Buneary want to go shopping anyway? It isn't like Buneary to go shopping. Or even wanting it this much.

She kept going, she must want it very much. "But if we don't get warm coats, we will freeze to death when we arrive at you want that?" Freeze to death… That didn't sound good.

"Oh…" I didn't realize before that she was talking about getting warm coats for the weather. I felt stupid for not realizing. We needed stop at shore to get them. "Well, just stop at the nearest bay," I said sternly and then walked away quickly.

I was making a lot of this kind of mistakes lately. My thoughts were just cloudy. I just kept thinking about Pichu. I tried to let her know how I felt, but kept ruining all my chances. I wanted to make it up to her, but I couldn't find her. I probably wouldn't know what to say, too, so it was a good thing she was no where to be found.

Pichu's Point Of View

I was standing in Mew's room. I was on one of the many pillows in the room.

I was trying to find the peace offer for Pikachu. And I believe I found the right one, at least as an idea. I did not have the object yet.

But it looked like the mission would become a failure. There were just too many objects in the room. I was wading trough the toys - small balls, puppets, shiny objects - to get to the other end of the room.

I was trying to reach a pile of pillows in the very corner. I hoped that Pikachu's pillow was there. I would not know what I would do if his pillow was not in the pile. My whole idea about the peace offer would fall apart like a house of cards. I just made one fall down seconds ago.

I stood on a toy that was making a sound. It was a horrible and a terrifying sound, because Mew could hear it and would want to play with me. I quickly went on with the unwanted travel.

I finally made it to the pile. I started searching. A green pillow, a yellow pillow, a red one, another green one. Looks like his pillow was not here. I looked around, as if it would appear out of nowhere.

Where is that pillow? I continued looking around. Maybe in the closet? No, it would not be there. Where would I hide a pillow if I were Mew? I stared up and saw Mew's bed.

I saw a familiar pillow in the bed. It was Pikachirate's. I found his pillow, and jumped in joy for a second. Then realization came. How do I get there? Mew could simply fly towards the bed. I would have to stash some of the pillows and jump to get to Mew's bed. Climbing into this bed was more difficult than climbing into a tree.

It was worth a try.

I moved the pile of pillows under the bed and climbed on top of it. It was an unstable climb, but I reached the top nonetheless. I grabbed the pillow in the same movement of my jump.

The pillow felt really heavy, and I landed a bit more abrupt than I thought on the bed - still with elegancy of course.

Pillows are supposed to be light! What did Pikachirate do with his pillow? I looked closely at the pillow. I noticed that there were objects in the pillow - the surface was uneven.

I started to empty the pillow. There were several shiny forks and spoons in it, a small diamond, some other jewels I did not recognize at the moment and a Pikachu plush.

The plush was adorable. It was holding a tiny sword and it even had an eye patch. I should ask Mew if she could get me one, too. I think Mew either respects Pikachu, or wants to torture him with this voodoo doll. I hope it is the first option.

But the pillow is normal - and found - now, so I need to get going. I jumped into the pile of pillows, and from there I made one jump to the door. I made my way to the deck.

Now I only need to find Pikachirate and give him his pillow. I saw him talking to Blastoise; who else would he talk to? I walked to them, and took some deep breaths.

It did not help that much. "I saved your pillow," I blurted towards Pikachirate. He directed his attention toward me.

"You saved my pillow?" He tried to understand my words. With obviously no success, yet.

"You saved his pillow?" Blastoise asked confused. It looked like this would become a vicious circle.

"What do you mean you saved my pillow?" He kept his distance from me. I suddenly realized that it sounded strange, but it was the truth. A strange, not-possible-to-understand truth.

"Well," I kicked off, "Mew had your pillow, and she was treating it badly…" I continued rattling. "And I needed to save it, and I had to go trough the forest of toys and there were a lot of pillows. Maybe Mew is a pillow collector? I just could not find yours and then I did and it was such a heavy pillow." I saw Pikachu and Blastoise staring at me and decided not to continue my story. This was enough craziness for the day.

I took a gulp of air. "Here is your pillow." I handed him his pillow. I saw Pikachu staring at his pillow now. He opened and closed his mouth a few times

"Thanks… I think," he said. Blastoise stared at the pillow, too. They were both staring at a pillow that was kidnapped by the infamous Mew.

I quickly walked away from the strange scene. I needed to talk to Buneary. I needed to talk with her about this awkward situation. I hoped she knew what to do about this situation between him and me, it just had to be fixed.

I found her talking to Sneasel.

"Buneary, may I speak with you?" I asked her. She got the hint and she said her goodbyes to Sneasel. We walked to her room, a room that was one of the most comfortable ones here.

We seated ourselves on the clean bed. "Sure, what do you wanna talk about?" she asked. I needed to lose my worries, so I told her - in a voice that was not my own - my problems.

"Buneary I did something stupid." I was in a frenzy. Normally I would not say it like this, but it was an emergency.

"It isn't bad, is it?" she asked. She kept asking questions, and continued to interrupt me. I would have to get used to the rules in friendship; friends would not leave you alone when concerned, nor would they listen silently.

"No, I guess not." It was not like I set the ship on fire, but still. "I tried a make a peace offer to Pikachirate, but it... failed." It was hard to say, but I knew it had not worked out the way I wanted to. "I went on mission 'Save Pillow'," I added. Buneary giggled; at least she did not stare at me. "I know it sounds stupid" - Buneary nodded agreeing - "but he was complaining about his pillow being gone, and I knew Mew had it." Her look became more serious.

"So you went to get his pillow," Buneary said as casual as she could manage.

"Yes, I went into Mew's room to get it, it was hard to find," I continued. "And when I found his pillow, it was filled with objects, Mew was using it as a treasure chest. It was not possible to call it 'light' anymore." I wondered how Mew would react when she finds out her treasure chest is taken back.

"Well, sounds like Mew. But what is the problem if you found the pillow?" I could see that she did not get what the point was. She had a deep frown.

I sighed, took a few seconds of silence, and answered: "I went to Pikachirate and said 'I saved your pillow'. It was awfully awkward and Blastoise was there too. I made a fool out of myself in front of those two." It was a terrible mistake; I should have put the pillow back on his hammock.

"Well, Pikachirate has forgotten about it by tomorrow, I promise." Relief went through me. "I know this, because the sleepy Pirate has his pillow back and will sleep tonight." I felt better - it was calming to be around Buneary.

The problem was not solved yet, though. "But he remembers it tonight, does he not? I... I can not sleep in the same room tonight!" I lost my cool - it was not the best day for me. I need to think about Princess Lessons. That way, I am sure I can calm down.

"Sleepover," Buneary said. "That's how you make sure you don't sleep in the same room with him." I stayed silent, and stared.

"He came to get me while Esmeralda was supposed to protect me. He will not allow the sleepover," I retorted. I still did not know what the reason was for his arrival, but a sleepover on the ship? He would say it is nonsense, just like the party.

Buneary tilted her head to the side. "How about notes? You must know the one and the other about other Princesses and Princes don't you?" I knew some things about them that Buneary did not. It was a good excuse. "And, I believe the Captain would want a night alone, too. You're not the only one with feelings for the other."

I felt heat radiating off me. Buneary was probably right about the latter.

"I will help you with the notes," I evaded her probing.

This would take long, and long enough for me to compose myself.

*Author Note – Um, 'Bridge' stands for the gestures Pichu and Pikachirate made. They sort of established a 'bridge' between their two different places. Not that the bridge is very strong, but it exists! (I didn't know if you would get the meaning of it, so I explained it. I make some very far related connections with things.)

Oh! And please review. Please?