CHAPTER 8

I told Slice to carry Shine as we went home. My only problem now was Dart.

"What the hell are you doing?" Dart yelled at me.

"What do you mean? I said that we're taking her as our prisoner." I said back.

"Well then, why bother carrying around excess weight! Just kill her and we could go home!"

"Listen to me Dart, our mission wasn't to kill them but to stop them from getting the Water Stones." I was starting to get angry. "We were successful so we can go home now."

"Don't' worry about it boss." Jewel said to Dart. "If Shady here won't kill her then I-"

"You lay one finger on her and I'll make you regret it for the rest of your life!" I yelled furiously. "I made a promise to her team that I'd keep her alive and I intend to keep that promise!"

"You're keeping a promise to the enemy? How stupid can you get!" Dart yelled.

I didn't reply. I turned to the rest of my team and signaled them to start walking home. Dart team followed us afterwards. Dart was fuming as we reached the forest. I looked over to Shine and saw that she was awake. I gave her a wink and she winked me back.

"That's it! I can't take it anymore!" Dart screamed. He went over to Slice. "Give her to me."

"What? No way dude, Shade told me to-"

But Slice was cut off when Dart smacked him away.

"Slice!" I yelled at him. Berg, Chi and Scuttle checked on him while Dart went over to Shine.

"Y'know, since Shady won't kill you, I guess I will." Dart said to Shine's fearful face. I saw him use Dragon Claw to knock her into a tree. That made me VERY angry.

Dart, not finished yet with Shine, charged at her using Dragon Rush. Before he could hit her, he got blasted by a Hyper Beam fired by me. Dart was sent flying until he hit a tree and slid to the ground unconscious. Still angry at the fact that Dart threatened Shine, I turned to the rest of his team.

"If any of you guys want to kill her, then you'll get the same thing as Dart!" I said angrily at them. They cowered and nodded. I faced Slice and told him to take Shine back and I told Cendou to carry the unconscious Dart. Within minutes, we were on our way home.

Eventually, we reached the academy gates. When they opened, the two Honchkrow guards I met before saw us.

"Well, what do we have here?" one of them asked.

"We were sent on a mission to stop an Amber Fang team from getting these Water Stones." I began and I showed the basket. "We also have a prisoner with us." I showed them Shine.

"What happened to him?" the other one asked pointing at Dart.

"When we fought the Amber Fang team, he took a bad hit." I explained. "He's alive but just unconscious."

"Oh well. We'll take the prisoner while you bring him to the infirmary." one of the Honchkrow said. Both of them grabbed Shine with their talons and flew off. Shine and I looked at each other as she slowly got further and further away.

I turned to Dart's team. "Don't tell anyone what really happened or else…" I said threateningly. They all nodded and ran off.

"Whoa, are you OK Shade?" Slice asked me.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I replied even though I wasn't. "So what time is it?"

"I think lunch's over." Berg said peering into the empty dinning hall.

"Aw man, but I'm hungry. Who's up for lunch?" Slice asked.

"I am!" Berg and Scuttle said at the same time.

"How 'bout you Shade?" Slice asked me.

"Nah, it's OK. I'm not hungry. I'll just go to our room." I told Slice.

"Alright, how 'bout you Chi? You're probably hungry too." Slice asked.

"No, she can go on one berry a day." Scuttle said and Chi nodded.

"Oh well, see you guys later!" Slice said leaving with Berg and Scuttle. Chi and I went to our room.

When we arrived, Chi immediately went to her bed and began meditating. Meanwhile, I went over to my bed and lay down. My head was full of thoughts.

What'll they do with Shine? Sure, they'll take her to prison but what if they kill her? Killing prisoners only happens once in a while to show the nation that the council means business. They might kill her…No, don't think that. Maybe I could visit her but then, it would be weird and-

"Shade, may I speak with you?" My trail of thoughts was interrupted by Chi who was standing near my bed.

"Huh? O-Ok." I got up and faced her. This was the first time she had asked me to talk to her.

Chi paused a bit before sitting down on my bed in front of me. "Do you know why I joined the war even though I'm against it?"

"Your parents are fighters, right?" I answered remembering the time I asked her.

Chi nodded. "Not just my parents, but every single one of my ancestors was a fighter even before the war started. Though we were fierce fighters, we took pride in never taking a life."

Chi paused a bit. "That desire not to kill has also passed on to me. So when I first met you Shade and learned that you also think the same, I knew that I would become strong under your leadership."

"Wow Chi. I don't know what to say." I said shyly.

Chi paused again. "For me to become strong you must also become a good leader yet, I sense that something is wrong. Is there something troubling you Shade?"

I remained silent. I couldn't tell her about Shine or we'd both get in serious trouble. But then-

"It's her isn't it?" Chi asked.

"Who?" I asked hoping she hadn't figured it out.

"That Espeon Shine, you're concerned about her."

"W-what do you mean?"

"You can fool Slice, Berg, Scuttle and Dart's team but not me." Chi said. "Tell me Shade all you know about her."

I knew that it was useless pretending so I told her everything. How I saved Shine from the bombing and stayed with her in a cave. I also mention that we talked in our previous mission to make sure that she didn't get hurt.

"I see…" Chi said.

"She kissed me." I added. I remembered the feeling of her lips again and it made my heart race.

"Really?"

"Yeah and she's got an amazing singing voice."

"So I take it that she's in love with you?" Chi asked.

"I-I guess." I answered.

"And how do you feel about her?"

Chi's question startled me. "I…I uh…"

"Then let me change my question." Chi said. "Do you care for her?"

"I…I do. I want to help her." I finally said.

"Then do something."

I looked at Chi surprised. She smiled and said: "Relax, I won't tell anyone."

The horn signaling the start of dinner sounded. Chi got up and left leaving me alone the room. I thought about Shine and pictured her alone in a dark cell.

But that was going to change.

My dad's words rang through my head again.

"Remember Shade, if you end up fighting, then fight for what's really important to you."

I knew what's important to me:

Shine.