CHAPTER 5

Shine accompanied me as we traveled through the cave. She didn't talk much and needed to rest every few minutes because her leg still hurt. Luckily, my rings provided enough light so we nothing could sneak up on us.

After several hours, we saw a light up ahead. Sensing an opening, we sped up and reached an exit. The entrance was surrounded by trees and bushes. Judging by the sun, I guessed that it was the middle of the afternoon and I doubt Shine had any lunch. Shine walked a bit more but then her leg hurt again.

"Shine, you just stay here. I'll go get some food." I said to her and she nodded. I ran off and searched the bushes for berries. I found several and placed them on a big leaf I found lying on the ground.

I went back to Shine who was till lying down and put the berries in front of her. I grabbed an Oran Berry and took a bite out of it. I saw Shine and she just looking at me.

"C'mon Shine, eat up. You need your strength back." I told her.

"O-OK." she said and she began to eat. We finished twenty minutes later.

"How's your leg Shine?" I asked.

She moved it around. "It's kinda better actually."

"That's good but I think we should wait till tomorrow before you could go out again."

Shine looked at me confused. "Why did you save me?"

"What do you mean why? You were going to get killed." I replied.

"But…we're enemies." she said sadly.

"So? I couldn't just leave you there to die. Killing's just not my thing."

She looked at the ground blushingly and said: "Thank you."

She went over to the cave wall and sat against it. I followed her and sat on her left so I was closer to the entrance.

"So was it you who set up those Future Sights?" I asked.

"Uh…yeah." Shine replied.

"That was a pretty good technique. You must be a really good fighter."

"But I hate fighting." she said sadly.

"You do?" I asked surprised.

"Yeah. I hate this war too. I never wanted to be a part of it in the first place."

"I think the same way. I'm glad to know that there're Pokemon in Amber Fang that want this war to end too."

"That's good to hear." Shine smiled a bit.

"So, why're you fighting?"

Shine sighed. "My dad forced me to join. One time, he shamed the entire Amber Fang army and instead of fixing it himself, he made me do it."

"Oh, I'm sorry." I said. We were silent again for a long time.

"But one good thing came out of joining the war." said Shine. "I got to meet my friends."

"I know what you mean. If it hadn't been for the war, I probably never would've met my friends."

"You guys seem really close. I noticed when we were attacking you a while ago."

She gasped suddenly and I asked: "What's wrong?"

"It's just…I really shouldn't be talking to you Shade. I'd get punished for not killing a Crimson Fang Pokemon if one was right in front of me."

"I've been told the same thing." I replied. "But don't worry; I don't think anyone will know what's happening now."

This seemed to cheer her up a bit. "Shade, if this war never happened, do you think we could've been friends?"

"What do you mean?" I asked raising an eyebrow. "Aren't we friends now?"

Shine blushed at my question and didn't speak again. I looked at the cave entrance and saw that it was getting dark.

"Wait here Shine, I'll get dinner." I said before going to the forest again. After several minutes, I came back with another big leaf filed with berries.

I put the leaf in the middle of the entrance and Shine walked over to it. We ate in silence and after that, we sat again against the cave wall. We looked up and saw a full moon in the night sky.

"Shade…I want this war to end." Shine said after a few minutes.

"So do I Shine." I replied.

"This is all the Amber Council's fault. They only want the war to continue so they could have all the plates."

"The Crimson Council thinks the same thing."

"At this rate, the war'll never end." Shine said hopelessly. "As long as they continue fighting, more and more Pokemon are going to die."

"I know, I just saw a Golem die yesterday." I remember sadly.

Shine looked at the moon again and said: "It's stupid; Pokemon are fighting just because of the plates."

I looked at the moon again. I agreed with Shine but didn't say it. Then, all of a sudden, she opened her mouth and began to sing.

Do you know what's worth fighting forWhen it's not worth dying for?
Does it take your breath away
And you feel yourself suffocating?

She sung slowly and I made sure I caught every word. The sound of her voice seemed to soothe my heart. I closed my eyes and listened again.

Does the pain weigh out the pride
And you look for a place to hide?
Did someone break your heart inside?
You're in ruins

One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms
Give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky,

You and I

Even when she stopped singing, her voice seemed to linger in the air. I opened my eyes and looked at Shine.

"Wow Shine…That was amazing." I said to her.

"Thank you Shade." she said blushingly.

I gave a yawn and said told her that it was time to go to sleep. She agreed and we went over to the entrance and lay down and slept.

I suddenly woke up in the middle of the night. It was really cold and I tried not to shiver.

"What's wrong Shade? Are you cold?" Shine asked waking up.

"Yeah." I said laughing a little. "I usually have a blanket when I sleep. Are you cold Shine?"

"Yeah." she said and then she lay down right next to me. Her warm body pressed against mine.

"Sh-Shine…" I said blushing a little but she was already fast asleep. I sure felt warmer so I was able to fall asleep too.

I woke up and saw that Shine was still asleep. Now that I got a good look at her, she looked really cute while sleeping…

What am I thinking? I shook my head to try and get rid of the blush that had appeared on my face. Then, Shine woke up and yawned.

"Good morning Shade." she said to me.

"Hey Shine, I'll go get breakfast." I said to her. I left and came back with another leaf filled with berries. I set it down and we began to eat. Then, while we were eating, we heard something.

"Shine! Shine!"

Both of us stopped eating and looked around. The voice was far away and it seemed to get closer.

"That's Rosy." Shine said. "She's my teammate and she's probably looking for me."

The calling got closer and closer. I got up and said: "It'll be bad if she sees us together."

"Wait, are you leaving?" Shine asked getting up.

"I have to; it's so that neither of us can get in trouble."

Shine remained silent.

"Well…I guess…this is goodbye…Shine." I said. I turned and began to walk away.

"Sh-Shade, wait!" Shine called to me. I turned around and faced her.

Then, she ran up and kissed me.

I was surprised at first but then I returned it. My heart raced as I felt her lips on mine. I had never felt this way before. After several moments, we parted; both of us were blushing.

"Thank you Shade." she said to me.

I didn't know what to say. Slowly I turned and ran away but I peered behind a rock so that I won't be seen.

"Shine!" a Roserade came from behind Shine.

"Rosy!" Shine said turning around and the Roserade hugged her.

"Are you OK Shine?" Rosy asked. "We were so worried when we couldn't find you."

"It's Ok Rosy, I'm fine." Shine said happily.

Rosy saw the leaf with berries on it. "You were able to pick some berries here?"

"Uh…yeah. I spent the night here." Shine said.

"Well, it's good that you're OK. C'mon, let's go home." Rosy turned to leave. Shine turned back and took one last look where I was before leaving.

The song above is a portion of 21 Guns by Green Day