I wandered through the store with no direction, I simply just wasted time while waiting for the guys to finish up whatever they were doing. They seemed completely absorbed with the animals they chose to play with, and it was even more surprising to see Ghetsis with animals. I always assumed he didn't care, but it looked absolutely hilarious. Most of the time he pretended not to care about anything, and his sole purpose usually involved pissing everyone off. Even Giovanni, or Lysandre wasn't that bad in comparison.
I trailed off to check out what Archie had been doing this entire time, and I caught him in the darkened fish, and reptiles section. The scruffy male waited at the counter as they brought out some bags of fish. Even a tiny stingray appeared in a bag of warm water as it relaxed on the counter. Upon seeing me the tan male lit up with bright blue eyes, and a wide grin. Colress just so happened to be busy, but was supposed to be here helping Archie out.
"Where's Colress at?" Archie asked pointing his head in my direction.
I approached him leaning onto his side, "He got distracted by a dog that he liked, I wouldn't be surprised if we left with every animal today!"
He snickered at the thought, "Everyone must have gotten distracted then?"
"It sure seems like it, Giovanni especially!" I burst out into laughter as I got reminded of his display.
The counter lady put the last animal (a moray eel) on the table, "Wanna help me lil' squirt?"
"Sure I don't mind" I replied while grabbing a few of the fish.
We stepped carefully away to the cashier desk, hoping that perhaps the others didn't get into too much trouble. Giovanni reluctantly signaled them away from the animals, an obvious frown returning to his plain face. Ghetsis as usual nonchalantly put the larger bird away into its cage, unable to tell what his thoughts were. The rest simply became saddened to leave, but they had too as you couldn't just pick up a pet on impulse as much as they wanted too. Within a few short moments Archie finished his purchase and we all returned to the car, the cramped space caused by too many people.
Vicki appeared to be a tad more interested in Maxie as of this moment, she sat rather close to him listening to his ramblings. It seemed mostly about things he encountered in the Pokemon world, and what it's like to be there. The poor man hadn't the slightest clue of what else to talk about to interest her, but at least he did it right. N on the other side of Vicki appeared to be quite a bit jealous of his finesse with speech, probably even using words he would never understand. I wondered how long it would take until they'd actually start fighting out loud, rather than just having their weird internal battle.
Meanwhile however I had the uncomfortable awkwardness of being stuck between two heavily aggressive men. Archie, and Ghetsis who both seemed to be at each other like rabid dogs. Unfortunately I got pinned in the middle of their arguments all the time, oh how much I wished that they'd be more discrete, and intelligent about their fights like Maxie, and N. Regardless of this though I wasn't focused on the two of them this time, I noticed awhile back that Cyrus happened to be acting awfully strange.
Cyrus sat in the front next to Giovanni who drove around this time, and he obviously is far from alright. I never realized how different someone who didn't ever experience emotion acted when they actually were feeling something. He had a horrible way of hiding it, and I wondered if everyone else could see it too. However I knew that even if I did try to ask him he'd never tell me what the matter is, even if he trusted me more than anyone in the world. The entire drive home I pinned my thoughts to that simple gaze about his face, worrisome, and glazed over.
******
Early the next morning a ringing burned through the chilly air, it sounded like music. Curious to where the noise came from I flopped my way downstairs with tired eyes. Turning into an empty room from before I realized it was no longer empty, all the instruments that the villains promised to play were present. Even a beautiful black piano which I had not seen previously, and there was Ghetsis practicing very early in the morning. His hair appeared to be ruffled back as if he hadn't slept, and he wore his clothes that symbolized his team when he first got here.
"Its a little early to begin practice, don't you think?" I asked as he peered back at me at the doorway.
"It's never too early for anything, time is just an illusion anyway" The man threw his words back at me grumpily.
I chuckled while sitting down next to him, "I think you need to stop talking to Cyrus, that sounded like something he would say."
Throwing me a sarcastic glare he yawned, "I suppose you know exactly how I am then?"
"Well not everything, I'd like to think I know you well by now though" I answered almost certain of my feelings on that matter.
Ghetsis chuckled a deep, and frightening laugh, "I assure you that you don't know a thing about me, the sweet little thing you are. So innocent, and so naive."
His tone sent chills down my spine, "You haven't killed me, even though at a point I was terrified of you."
"Fear has nothing to do with ones intentions, how do you know what I could be planning?" He rambled, "I know you don't trust me, and to say you aren't afraid would be lying to yourself. Just the sound of my voice makes you go pale if I'm not humoring you, how do you suppose that makes me think? If I really wanted to, I could do something terrifying to you, and you wouldn't be able to do a thing. I know that it frightens you, and it simply humors me that such a precious little doll like you would still manage to utter even a word to me."
I held my breath wondering if he was ever going to decide what he'd want to be, it seemed like one day he was pleasant, and then the next he was back to frightening. Why would he toy with me like this? It made me wonder if he was just legitimately insane, or was purposely playing with me like a cat does to a mouse. Whatever the reason was inside of his head, I would never know, and I decided it would be ridiculous to bother with it. Ghetsis was Ghetsis, and that was how he will always be.
"I'm not entirely sure what you are trying to achieve by acting like that, but I don't really care because I choose to trust you" I claimed looking him in the eye, in which he glared back plainly.
A smirk crept across his face, "I doubt that you trust me, because the scared expression is plain across your face."
In all honesty I wasn't all that sure if I actually did believe myself, I guess I still seemed a bit on edge sometimes. Staring off for a couple of minutes I hadn't even realized that Ghetsis got up from his spot. Circling the room he observed me with the eyes of a hawk, something that no matter how much I seen it I never got used to. Within the time I let my guard down he quickly pulled me away from where I was sitting, and pinned me to the ground. A sharp gaze burned through me as I laid in complete disarray beneath him, what the Hell just happened? In seconds flat I had been completely trapped, not a single muscle in my body is any use against the larger, and stronger man.
The mad man leaned close to my ear with a monster like grin, "Do you still trust me?"
Gasping I searched for a response, "I know you, I know that you won't hurt me."
"I don't think you know me as well as you like to think you do" Ghetsis hissed eerily into my ear.
I only ever bluffed, I knew that Ghetsis had always been terribly unpredictable, and I just hoped that maybe my suggestion was enough to convince him. Struggling underneath him I attempted to find a weak spot to get away, but his strength heavily outweighed mine as he simply just snatch my wrists with one hand. Cursing myself for being so tiny I let out a defeated sigh, watching him contemplate his next move.
"You're awful confident for a tiny little thing" He whispered to me grimly, "Unfortunately I don't appreciate how much other men try to chase after you. If I hadn't already made myself clear the first time, you are mine."
I bit my lip in a mix of emotions I didn't understand, and I certainly would not give him the satisfaction of fear, or anger. His breath felt boiling hot against my neck as he hovered over it, as if he either wanted to create suspense or needed to make a decision. The hesitance killed me, and I could feel a heat press up against my stomach. Closing my eyes I embraced myself for any damage he would possibly inflict, and it came like bullet surging through my entire body. Ghetsis had bit down hard onto my neck with no mercy, the pain throbbed wore as he withdrew from me. Holding my neck with agony I gazed up at him as he offered a hand to help me up. The gesture itself was insane, at this point I was certain there was something wrong with him. I pushed myself off the ground with both rage, and confusion flowing through me.
Ghetsis smirked devilishly as he pulled me close to his body in an embrace, "You're right that I wouldn't hurt you, but I wouldn't hesitate to kill anyone in my way. If you care in the slightest about those friends of yours you'd watch them carefully. I leave this mark on your neck, because I want everyone to know that."
******
Later in the day people began to awake from their slumber, and I quietly sipped some tea at the long desolate table. My neck no longer stung, but I now hovered in a state of confusion that I couldn't break out of. It was crazy, and exciting, but also frightening beyond comprehension. I didn't really need to think about that situation any longer though, I shook my head free, and proceeded to drink tea. Ghetsis trailed off into the room sitting down in the chair next to me. In which I didn't shiver, or feel fear, I simply gazed at him as he joined me. His red eyes were sharp, and cunning like that of a fox.
"Do not fret, I leave you with something harmless. You have my loyalty" Ghetsis whispered to me as I saw Giovanni trot over with a newspaper in tow.
After him I observed Cyrus mosey on down to the table, his eyes bloodshot, and exhausted as usual. However he still seemed in a completely different form of reality. The edge, and emotion to his demeanor was nothing I've ever witnessed from him in the past. All of my past worries, and thoughts whipped away from me as I glued all my attention to the poor male. I wished so badly to know what was eating him up inside, but I couldn't bring myself to ask.
Instead I brought about regular small talk, "So Cyrus, how did you sleep?"
Immediately he countered my question with his own, "What happened to your neck?"
"I asked you first" I retorted trying to side sweep the question.
His eyes turned to a sarcastic glare, "I'm pretty certain that your scabbed neck is more important than a petty feeling."
Ghetsis threw a glance at me and I lied before he could speak, "I accidentally got bitten by a cat."
"A cat? We don't own a cat" Cyrus claimed with a suspicious stare.
Giovanni grumbled to himself as he read the paper, "I WISH we had a cat..."
"It was a stray, I was playing with it the morning but I overstayed my welcome. You know how cats are!" I explained with a shaky voice.
Soon after they shrugged, and quieted down, but Ghetsis was far from impressed by my lying. It was plainly obvious that he didn't care, he wanted everyone to know it was him who did it regardless of the repercussions. Altogether Archie, Colress, and Vicki came stumbling in the kitchen, all of them in an intense conversation of some sort. Archie took notice of me, and showed me a bright welcoming smile much to Ghetsis' annoyance. The rest came down as well, Maxie completely exhausted for whatever reasons he had.
"Good morning lil' one!" Archie shouted at me as he made himself some breakfast.
I chuckled nervously, "Good morning, how'd everyone sleep?"
"Excellent, I hope you're ready for practice Colress you have a lot of learning to do!" Vicki yelped while elbowing Colress in the stomach.
The blonde haired male blushed awkwardly as Maxie gave him a disapproving snarl, and Colress quickly cowered. Vicki's violin playing had always been very awesome, and it must have been bringing Colress close to her. As long as I could tell though, he didn't stand a chance because she was simply just there for the fun of it. If poor Colress had any interest in her he would be pretty friend zoned, and would just have to accept it.
"I'm ready as I'll ever be!" Colress declared with a bright smile.
Cyrus piped in, "Right I thought I'd make sure you all knew Michayla, and Aidee are going to be accompanying us today."
I smirked devilishly at him, "Oh really whose idea was this?"
"It was mine, I simply need some company is all don't over analyze it" Cyrus snapped at me in an expressionless way, "Michayla is a fairly decent singer, and surprisingly organized. She'll help me out quite a bit."
Shrugging I sipped up the last of my tea, "So then who is Aidee coming for?"
"That would be me, I'm not going to lie I just find her attractive" Lysandre answered with a humorous smirk.
Archie swept across the floor into a chair across from me, his sudden movements shocking Giovanni with annoyance. Like an enraged cat Giovanni raised his hand at him in a threat to smack him. Archie retracted, and shot him a nervous smile. His eyes being all over the place he suddenly pinned his gaze onto me. Archie's usually pleasant demeanor popped in almost seconds flat, and I could tell he was staring at the mark on my neck. I shivered from the utter worry in his gaze, as if his entire world came crashing down.
As predicted Archie popped that annoying question, "What happened to your neck?"
Everyone stopped on that note, the room echoed into a complete silence. All eyes fell on me once again, and I could tell both Archie, and Vicki were severely worried about me. Each stare piercing through me felt like a thousand knives, I so badly wanted to crawl under the table, and pretend nothing happened. However it was too late, by now Cyrus almost answered for me but quickly shut his mouth out of curiosity if I had been lying.
The moment I was about to speak Ghetsis stole it from me, "I did it."
"What, what did you do to her?" Archie screamed in rage while slamming the table.
Vicki was fast to follow, "Britney what did he do? We can so easily make sure he doesn't get out unscathed!"
Giovanni's head perked up in suspicion, "Ghetsis, this is unreasonable even for you. If it really comes down to it I will see to it that you are locked up, and never to be seen again."
"I had a feeling he was nothing but trouble" Cyrus scowled, "A traitor, and someone who can't be trusted."
Lysandre got up, and began to walk away, "I'm not doing this, I am NOT doing this right now."
An extreme expression of disbelief was worn on the naive N's face, as if he believed that he could never do anything like that. Colress on the other hand felt guilty, his eyes gazing immediately away from Ghetsis. Everyone else was just about ready to raise their dukes into a brawl, something regardless of how strong Ghetsis was he would lose. The red eyed man however remained calm with a hazy stare, his stare turning to me as he awaited my words. I looked up at him and realized he planned it all along, he was testing my loyalty to him in a sick, and twisted way. I felt crossed, I was mad at him for many things, but something told me I didn't want to allow something to happen to him.
Even though the malicious male had inflicted a wound onto me, it was not near anywhere painful, or dangerous. In the strangest way it was also exciting, something inside me loved the thrill of his unpredictable behavior. No matter how much I tried to deny it, even if I didn't actually love him I still couldn't watch anything horrible happen to him. As much as a terrible human being he was in so many ways I always believed that everyone was unique, and good in their own ways.
"We were rough housing, and it got a little out of control. I didn't want to say anything because I knew you'd all think something horrible happened" I spoke up in his defense.
Archie narrowed his stare, and growled like a dog at Ghetsis, "You better be careful next time! If anything ever happens to her, its your head!"
Vicki gazed over to me in a worried way, "Britney, I hope to god you know what you're doing..."
The crew felt a little bit odd after the entire situation, and Colress could see exactly what was going on. He let out an awkward smirk as he followed Vicki to go grab their violins. The most of them left the room to go about their business, and I got ready to leave as well. Giovanni on the other hand gave Ghetsis a warning glare as if he was certain that I was lying. As soon as everyone left I began to flee upstairs for some well deserved privacy, but of course I couldn't be left alone. Not far behind Ghetsis grabbed gently onto my shoulders, his mouth near my ear again.
"Good girl, I knew I could put trust in you" He whispered with a silky tone.
I gulped down a pit in my throat, "I won't defend you if you do anything to hurt me, don't you forget that."
"You think I didn't know that? I don't have any intentions of hurting you, I wouldn't be able to anyway" He elaborated while hovering quite a height over me, "You're an open book, don't tell me you didn't enjoy it. I know you better, and I guess perhaps you know a lot of me as well. Come sing for me, I'll play you a song."
I rolled my eyes with a hesitant sigh, "You're insane, and I don't know why I bother. It's not me that's going to cause your fall, you'll end up doing it to yourself. Sure I guess I like you, whatever, just don't think I'm going to be a little asset to your team if that's what you think. I'll come, but you need to prove your worth."
Ghetsis snickered at me, "I know that spark, it would be impossible to rule you. Perhaps I could offer an alternate proposal in due time, for now come with me, and I'll prove my worth to you."
******
END CHAPTER
Authors Note: wow it's been a really long time since my last update, and I have awesome news as to why. I am currently working very hard on a book called Stuffed, it's going to get published eventually with high hopes around October. If I'm unable to find a publisher I will be publishing the book online instead.
Alright, enough of that! I love how I am instant waifu, yay! LOL yeah this sounds like a great idea XD. This chapter is a huge bit more serious, and Colress is crushing on Vicki as well now. I wanted to portray Ghetsis as the bigger villain everyone knows he, but of course there are twists to that. So hopefully now he comes off more in character, like I hoped. Chapter summary: Vicki be bringing all the boys to the yard, and Ghetsis is insane, and Britney too.