Disclaimer: I do not own pokémon. I do however own the OC's in this fic.

Author's Note:Well, after months of this being on hiatus, I have an update. I made a lot of progress onthe 'Trilogy, so that makes meveryhappy! With school here, updates will be coming infrequently again, but it will be nice to be writing some of this story once more.

Well, enjoy!

Previously:As Mewtwo rises from a night of insomnia, he finds himself not only healing the one who tried to kill him, but also presenting the young woman with a choice: remain as his captive, a comfortable "quest", and eventually answer his questions…or die one way or another. Having no real choice, the human agrees…though is left with a dire warning: harm his companion, or try to escape…and, either way, her life will cease.

CHAPTER 4: INTERNAL SCARS

Early the next morning, Cassandra's eyes fluttered open slowly, gazing at the bare wall next to the bed. Her suitcase upon the floor, open and sorted, was the only sign that she was occupying the room. She grimaced at the smell of her skin then, knowing her hair must be a mess as well. Sweat and blood, plus restless sleep, did her no good. The fight, despite Mewtwo's attempts to heal her, still lingered in her body, in the aches of her tight muscles. How she'd even managed to rest was a fact she could scarcely understand.

She slid out of the messy blankets, stretching, yet held back a yawn. She grimaced at the pain the first action gave her. Even though she'd only managed a few hours of Z's, she was now fully awake. Experience told her not to linger in bed, even though the desire was present.

What she needed now though was a shower. As yesterday's memories flowed back to her, she wondered if she could. After all, she was Mewtwo "guest". The term almost made her tired mind laugh, finding it ludicrous. Who'd ever heard of a predator being welcomed by its prey? The creature must surely be insane. Still, she supposed she could use the bathroom plenty if that were the case. And if not, annoying him would make it even more enjoyable.

Grabbing a change of clothes and a few other necessities, Cassandra slunk out of the room, gazing around. The Espeon, Psyche, was asleep on the couch. A part of her felt a pang of resentment, looking at the little feline. The creature had defended Mewtwo, and had done her harm. But she dismissed those emotions, knowing it'd be no use to harbor a grudge against the being. It would only cloud her judgment. After a moment, the young assassin noticed that the clone was nowhere to be seen. He was likely in his room then. That was fine then with her, since she didn't want to speak to either of them.

As she entered the bathroom, closing the door behind her, she found that the lock was broken. A bolt of irritation went through her at that, not liking it at all. However, she knew she couldn't do anything to change it. Cassandra would just have totrustthat the two wouldn't walk in when they heard the shower going. The thought made her annoyance flare.

She turned the hot water on, stripping of her dirty cloths, looking into the mirror for a moment. It was large enough to show her upper body, though was growing foggy in places from the steam. Her face though, remained unclouded. She appeared…cool, collected, and yet…there was something else there too. Something fragile amidst the strength. Exposed like her form.

She buried it quickly enough, stepping into the shower with a sigh. The liquid burned her skin for a time, before she got used to the temperature. The heat felt wonderful, running down her form, washing away the past couple of days, cleansing her. Grabbing the soap and the clean washcloth provided, she slowly scrubbed away what the water couldn't, and washed her hair. She watched as the suds flowed down the drain, her head resting on the cool, smooth white wall, the hot fluid drumming soothingly into her back muscles. From her long wet hair, small droplets of water began to drip. She closed her eyes, listening to them, and the rush of water against her.

'Drip'…'drip'….

...'Drip'….

The crystal sound pervaded the sweet darkness that had engulfed her, calling her to awaken. Like an infant in the womb, her limbs moved on their own accord, reaching out, drifting through water. Smooth…foamy…the scent of soap and copper filling her nose. She was in the bathroom…the liquid around her freezing. A part of her thought of how dangerous that was, but something else was quickly taking its place in her mind. Muffled screams, blood, pain….

Her silver eyes drifted open at the memory, feeling a wave of queasiness slice through her. She stared up at the pale ceiling with empty eyes, only distantly noticing that the water was colored pale crimson, the wisps of vital fluid almost black. Her blood…she felt so weak, sick. Another nauseating wave passed through her, this time far more insistent.

As she lifted herself from the cold, sullied water, searing pain bolted up her spine, from the dark bruises she had, and what felt like a stab wound. She vomited over the side of the tub, her finger joints white from clutching the edge. She was trembling, her head replaying the scene repeatedly, not giving her an ounce of relief.

But what else was there to think about?

A moan of anguish quickly grew in her throat, and as she covered her face with trembling fingers, the noise tore from her in a scream.

Cassandra's eyes opened, her heart beating a little faster. She blinked as she saw spots of shadowy red falling into the swirling waters, which had gone lukewarm, as time had passed. Bringing her hands in front of her, she saw that there were small nick marks on her palm, the crimson fluid welling up on her wet hands. Her fingernails had broken the skin she'd dug them in so hard. Sighing, she let the water wash the blood away, and turned the shower off. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, exiting the small area, and shivered in the change to cool air.

A fist balled, she wiped away the foggy surface of the mirror, seeing the frown on her face. Guessing there to be a medical cabinet within, she opened it up, wondering if there was anything she could wrap around her hands for the time being. By the time she'd found the bandages though, the cuts had already clotted. She began to close the cabinet, before her eyes caught on something below the first aid supplies. Medication bottles, like the one of pills she herself took. Picking up one, she read the uses of what was inside. An anti-depressant…and another was to fight off insomnia.

Despite herself, a small crooked smile crossed her face.

"So…Mewtwo…you too, have your troubles," She acknowledged, and closed the cabinet.

Mewtwo, as though hearing his name said, began to stir awake, his brow furrowed. Something in his unconscious mind was bothering him, making his dreams a place of turmoil. Whatever it was that he saw made him snarl, his pupils narrowing into slits behind his eyelids. As he twisted, the hammock rocked, a motion supposed to calm him. But it did not work this time. His eyes suddenly opened, a paw reaching out to grasp something….

All it caught was air however, nothing more.

He brought it back, massaging his forehead, a look of angry distress still on his face, (Curse it all….) he murmured, hating that dream. But perhaps it was inevitable, to experience it now.

He teleported into the main room, not wanting to put the effort into walking. The grayish-blue rays of early morning leaked into it, a contrast to what they had been in the twilight. Not bothering to extend his senses to find where Psyche and his guest were, he walked to the bathroom, intending to splash his face with some icy water to awaken, to purge his mind of the images within.

He couldn't have been more shocked when he opened the door, to find a very perturbed and naked woman inside. Cassandra stared at him, too angry and surprised to try to cover herself up with her towel. She said nothing though, just ceasing to dry her hair and glared at him venomously. Mewtwo himself could not think of a word to say, only starring, baffled by the sight, something stirring in the back of his mind, and otherwise.

Two figures lay curled together on the bed, the shadows concealing them comfortingly.

It was wrong. Both of them knew that very well. Yet, they had passed the point of caring, disregarding the potential consequences. For now, they were safe, hidden. They moved gently against one another, exchanging needful kisses, joyful murmurs. As a hand traveled down the young woman's side, sleek with sweat, she shivered with a moan. The cry was not out of repulsion however, despite all. No, she was used her amour's touch. Intimately joined, the tips of her fingers dug into the male's back at their closeness, at his actions within her. Passion, desire, pleasure…yes, what they shared went against everything they knew, even if they did care for each other. If known, it would only be viewed as a sin….

That fact did not make them cease however….

Whether it was an actual memory or a dream, the clone shoved it away furiously, hatred for it flaring. His expression didn't change much from his actual shock though. The human did not yell or throw anything at him, as he might have expected, merely wrapping herself up in the towel she had, hiding her bare body from his eyes. It was a late gesture however. He'd seen every inch of her, and the image was still fresh in his mind. Her sleek form, like a panther's, gentle in her feminine curves. The way the drops of water had rolled down her back, across her smooth skin and semi-defined muscles. The natural beauty she'd been given though was slightly marred. With her life, it could not have been helped, even if she knew Recover, which she did not. It was not too noticeable however, save in one particular area….

"Does privacy mean absolutely nothing to you?" she asked quietly, her voice icy.

Mewtwo did not break her gaze, and tried not let his eyes be drawn from her face. To regain control of the situation was a top priority to him. (No…privacy means much to me. I apologize for intruding on you.)

Before anything else could be said, he exited, closing the door behind him.

He stood outside then, trying to regain his bearings. It was a difficult thing though…he had not expected this. Mewtwo cursed at a number of things then, wishing he could purge his mind of the thing he had just seen. However, it seemed to have been seared into his eyelids, refusing to fade. He had certainly not needed to see her like that….

"Espeon," a voice commented from not far away, "Interesting…her life has given her a number of pale trophies, now hasn't it?"

His gaze flickered to Psyche, (So…you noticed the scars too, did you?)

"Es, espeon," she answered, walking towards him, "Some of them were hard to miss. Still, just a little makeup and she could model for Playboy."

The feline snorted, (Your jokes are not appreciated. Though she is stunning, I do not believe she would fit the criteria bodily. Especially seeing how she has been…marked.)

"Es! Espeon." the creature laughed, "Shows how much you know! Though I'll admit, for your first time seeing a naked girl, you handled it well."

Walking out into the room, he did not gaze at her when he stated, (Contrary to the common belief that you city pokémon and my clone companions harbor, Ihaveseen an unclothed young woman before.) he snarled, his pupils narrowing into slits.

"Es? Espe?" she cocked her head, pausing, "Oh? Did you walk in on her too?"

He didn't answer. From his scowl though, she guessed as much. However from how his eyes flashed, she couldn't tell whether it be from aggravation…or torment. Or even if she was right to assume such a thing. As they sat down together on the couch, she watched him carefully, and tried to tell herself that her guess was right. For there could be no other option….

…Right?

From within the bathroom, Cassandra simply stood where she was, staring at the wooden barrier, so easy to breach. She shivered again, but not from the cold this time. Clutching the towel tighter around her, she turned back to the mirror. On her face was ill look, as though she were about to be sick. Her head bowed, her right hand clutched the marble edge of the sink hard, her knuckles going white. She honestly wasn't bothered by nakedness. Yet, the probing way he'd seemed to search her flesh did not leave her unaffected. Though Mewtwo could not know how much it upset her, the feeling was present inside. However, she took a deep breath, getting herself under control. The shaking she'd scarcely noticed stopped, her exterior going cold.

She could not let it get to her. Not now…not here especially.

Yet, at any rate, she prayed, even if she was forsaken, that she could get this over with quickly.

Somewhere between the time that Mewtwo lost himself in his thoughts, and Psyche began to prepare her own breakfast, the assassin snuck back into her room. When she came back out, she promptly ignored the clone, heading for the kitchen. Her goal wasn't to find something to eat, though her stomach was complaining quietly. She was curious to see if there were any knives available that she could use.

Finding most of the drawers locked, she silently growled when no sharp tools, whether they were blades or not, presented themselves to her. No ceramic knives, no metal…apparently, Mewtwo didn't want her getting into the potentially dangerous utensils. The closest she actually came was a fork, as butter-knives were hardly sharp enough to stab someone. And even them the utensils were more likely to bend, than do any actual damage. Since Cassandra doubted she'd be able to thrust the psychic in the eyes without him "disarming" her, she gave up on that idea.

After all, there was a lot more in this house she could use to hurt someone than a "dagger". For wasn't anything she could grasp a potential weapon? She noticed the Espeon observing her actions she glared, sending her an expression that frankly said for the pokémon to mind her own business. With a roll of the eyes, the creature picked up her meal and left. Realizing that the search was pointless for now, the Team Rocket agent promptly decided that food was a primary priority. She'd search for her weapons or something nearly as good as them later.

Cassandra, however, had never been a good cook. Considering she lived by herself, discounting Shadow, this was a very bad thing. Yet, her attempts to create a good, tasty meal had all turned out horribly. After the last failed try, she'd had to repaint the wall above her stove, which had been scorched black from the smoke and fire. Fortunately, her Umbreon had been content with seafood from a can, already prepared and not needing any of her risky help to make. Eventually, she had given in to the fact that the only way to go was 'instant'. So, she couldn't have been happier when she found the stash of shrimp ramen in the back of one of the cupboards. Not allowing herself to look at the expiration date, she quickly cooked the noodles, gulping them down as soon as they were cool enough to eat. She didn't care about manners so much as settling her growling stomach.

Finishing with that, she silently walked back into the main room, scowling at the two. Psyche vaguely glanced up at her, and yawned, returning to her nap. Ignoring her, Cassandra continued to walk to her target, who glanced at her from whatever he was doing on his computer. As though responding to his thoughts, the program he'd been working on closed down, and he rose from his rotating seat to face her. Silently gazing, wondering what she wanted.

She took another few steps closer to him, her face emotionless as she looked up at him. Then, swiftly, before he had chance to catch on to what was going on, she glared at him sharply, and slapped him hard across the face. His fur muffled the sound, and he took the blow without a word of comment. His eyes narrowed a bit, but when another strike did not come, he returned to just looking at her.

"Thatwas for earlier! Next time, do have the decency to knock," she snarled, turning from him, her anger flaring. Even if he had apologized, she was still pissed off at the fact that he'd walked in, peeping at her….

Mewtwo gazed after her for a moment, before turning away with aggravation.I suppose that was to be expected…

Psyche, seeing this exchange, growled a bit, and rose, going off to her room for some peace and quiet. Her belly hung low and heavy, showing how close she was to the end of her pregnancy. A couple more weeks to go, Cassandra guessed. Paying that little heed, not caring what the creature would do without Mewtwo to support her, she sat down in one of the cushioned seats, getting into a comfortable position. Curled into one of the soft corners, an arm and leg dangled over the seat arms, a hand resting on her stomach. Her other foot tapped the hard floor, and she could see a bit of annoyance glowing in the clone's eyes at the constant noise. She smirked, wondering how long it would take before he'd speak.

But after he proved he was capable of ignoring her, having drawn a hardcover novel from the massive shelf on another side of the room, opening it to the where a tan bookmark protruded, and sat back down, beginning to read, she ceased, and commented, "I take it you aren't the father?"

He didn't respond for a time, instead reading manually, and she wondered if he'd heard her. She was about to speak again, when he asked, (…What makes you assume that?)

She snorted, "For one thing, there's the size difference. Even if you somehow were her mate, and used artificial means to conceive offspring, the children would be dangerous for her to carry. They'd be too large if they took after you."

He just glanced up at her quietly, and she continued, "Andwhen she tried to protect you, you said it was dangerous for her andherchildren. Not both of yours."

(Rash, yet observant. There is an irony there,) he mused, turning a page.

Her eyes narrowed, and he went on, (You are correct. Psyche and I are merely roommates, friends in a manner. As I understand it, the one who sired her children is no longer around.)

Cassandra felt her boredom start to ebb, even though this conversation was hardly what she'd call intriguing, "What, he knock he up and leave? Got what he wanted and shunned any responsibility?"

His answer surprised her however, (No. They were separated forcefully. He is either alive, not able to reach his mate, or dead.)

Reluctantly, a bit of interest rose at that…especially at the faint note of bitterness in his voice, "And you wish that weren't so?"

His eyes rose, meeting hers, (…If they could meet again, I would not disapprove. For aren't lovers supposed to be together, in the short time there is in life?), Mewtwo turned his gaze away from her, placing the book aside, (In honesty, it matters not to me what their fate is. Whether it is good or bad, it will happen nonetheless.)

"That's rather indifferent of you to feel, considering how protective you are of her," Cassandra noted, seeing how he wouldn't meet her eyes.

(As a caring companion, her happiness and health do mean much to me. I cannot alter what her destiny may be however. I have already done enough by taking her in.)

She quirked an amused grin at that, "Right…and how is it that the emotionless, icy-hearted clone came to give a damn about a pokémon that he didn't even make?"

His eyes narrowed at that, a number of feelings flashing within them, contradicting that supposed fact, (Your information about me is sorely lacking, if you think I would ignore a starving, injured creature that was nearly under my feet.)

She cocked an eyebrow at that.

He explained how he'd found the feline then, ignoring the fact that he had no reason to tell her anything. For, there was some small desire to prove her mistaken about his apparent frigidness. Had he taken the time to think thoroughly, he would have left without a word. Yet the retort came, summoned by her aggravating assumptions. Beliefs which he wanted to lay waste to.

Mewtwo had come across Psyche by pure accident, when wandering through the dark alleyways one night, several months previous. When looking for something suitable to eat, he'd scouted out the nearest restaurants to his area, hoping perhaps to be undetected in stealing something to satisfy his hunger. Usually, the idea of lowing himself to thieving food was appalling to him, but having had no luck in finding any wildly grown edibles, he was given no other option. After all, even though he'd managed to gather up enough human currency to buy food for himself at the market, to go into such crowds would risk having his identity slip. That was more unthinkable than taking a measly salad, to him. It was his secrecy, his safety at stake.

When nearing an Italian restaurant, he was quick to detect the ruckus going on inside the kitchens, and instinctively ducked into the shadows. More curious than anything else, he watched what was going on patiently. Not that he could see much…but as soon as the backdoor opened and small bundle was thrown out, he saw what the fuss had been about. An Espeon had managed to sneak in, and, like him, had attempted to steal herself a dinner. He could well see that she'd been knocked unconscious, and undoubtedly beaten before they threw her out. Her broken leg was one indicator. Without much hesitation, he found himself picking her up and taking her back home with him.

She'd healed quite quickly under his care. Very soon, she was perfectly ready to go off on her own again, as he strongly suggested she do. He did not need a roommate after all! He far preferred to be alone…. But the feline, who had been dubbed Psyche by her former owner, had refused to leave. Several times, he tried to throw her out…but every time he did, he found her back in his home again the next morning, giving him a smirk with her eyes. Very soon, she claimed the room next to his as 'officially' hers, collecting a variety of glittering objects that personalized it as such. This claim had horrified the clone, making his quest to see her gone the most important thing on his non-existent list. But…she…would…not…leave!

Cassandra was openly laughing at his dilemma, at his inability to do anything despite his power, "So you were struck with her!" The idea was highly amusing in her mind! However, with evident reluctance, she veered the conversation back to the original topic, "But that doesn't explain how she got pregnant."

(True…and it took awhile for her to tell me what had happened. I do not believe in prying into other people's business, so I let her silence be. Still, when she did decide to explain it to me, your species' arrogance once again managed to astound me.)

The assassin blinked at that, "Oh really?"

(Yes. As it turned out, Psyche…was a breeding pokémon. This pregnancy is her first.) He stated coolly, his eyes glazing ever so slightly at the unpleasant recollection of his companion's confession.

Cassandra commented after a second of thought, "What's so horrible about that? Many trainers breed pokémon, for contests and such. From how I understand it, it rather depends on a pokémon's willingness whether or not it'll be a success. If the couple don't like each other, nothing happens."

He nodded minutely, (Thatusuallyis the case…about ninety percent of the time. However, there are breeders who don't much care about whether the offspring is from a consensual union or not. When they have a suitable match in mind, the two are made not to have a choice. It can be manipulative…like waiting until the female is in heat, and placing the male in her company. Usually, they deprive that male of any contact with the opposite sex for months, even years. In that case, there is little resistant on his part, regardless of what the female wishes or not. Other times it simply doesn't matter to him anyhow.)

(There are those who believe pokémon cannot be raped, that such a violation is strictly human…yet they forget that these "animals" are in fact sentient…or ignore that.)

He watched her carefully…she stiffened….

The clone continued his explanation promptly, (However, most of the time two come to accept what the breeders have decided…usually the fact that fighting it is futile is pounded into them at a young age by their parents. Or, rarely, they both decide to go against it…sometimes they actually care for each other, not wanting to be hurt.)

(Psyche and her mate were placed together during the spring. They had never met before then…but Psyche was willing to submit. Like her mother, in her mind, she simply wanted it to be over quickly and relatively without much pain. Yet, he surprised her. He had no desire to be with her if it would mean harming her. They were both still young in terms of being sexually mature…hardly even teenagers. They were nervous…and not very willing either.)

Mewtwo sighed, (However…Psyche understood what would happen if they refused to mate. After all, breeders have other ways of making pokémon have offspring together. There is always the risk of physical injury or maltreatment. After all, when reaching adulthood, they have achieved their purpose. To be shown off…once that stage is complete, their only use is to continue to add to the gene pool. Breeding for abilities, beauty, and other traits…. So, they are no longer viewed as living beings…just tools. And tools can be abused, as long as they get the job done. As long as they make new little beings, better than they, to be put on display.)

The fact that he had once been viewed as a similar thing, just an object, had been enough to agitate him when he'd originally been told this. He went on, (So, with that in mind, she insisted they do what they were supposed to. Somewhere within that night, they did, and conceived…but something else began to also grow between them. Something that the breeders had not intended. A rare fondness for each other…and over the course of the next couple of weeks they spent together, those emotions only became stronger. It had nothing to do with sex…simply the fact that they cared for each other's well being was enough to set it off.)

She seemed actually intrigued now. He continued, beginning to go into the story's sorrow.

('Love' though, is not supposed to be present between a pair. After it was confirmed that Psyche was expecting kits, the humans figured her mate's job was complete. They began to try to pair him up with someone else, to both of their dismay. He refused however, and was punished for it. Yet, he was adamant on his decision to be loyal to Psyche. And with the prospect of having children with her, he grew even more attached.)

Mewtwo paused for a moment, then went on, (Somehow, he came to the defiant conclusion that they had to flee. In his mind, he believed that if there was to be any hope for them, for their family, they needed to escape.)

(Luckily, Psyche was not burdened by her kits yet, so she could travel easily. During the night, they ran…and they were followed. Eventually, the breeders caught up…so, he stayed to fight, to give her a chance at escape. Psyche did not wish to leave…but after thinking everything through, she understood she had no choice if she wanted to keep her kits. They would be undoubtedly taken from her if she returned. So, she fled…and wound up here. Fortunately, her owners lost her. As for her mate, however…it is not known.)

He finished quietly, not looking at the young woman. After a moment of silence, he stood, glancing at her. She did not meet his gaze, but seemed lost in her own thoughts. As he was…but not for the same reasons, he could well assume. He sighed to himself, and began to walk away.

(I will not allow you to harm her, Cassandra. Their relationship ended painfully enough without further injury. I believe that at least one thing should go right for them…Psyche should at least have her children to care for. No less than that….)

Without another word, he left, going out onto the roof. The night wind against his fur was cool, carrying a sense of tranquility. He…hardly felt it however. Fierce numbness pervaded, banishing the thing one might call a soul, which carried in itself thoughts and memories. He embraced that machinelike indifference viciously, attempting to cut away everything else. He had survived so long with it…and he would continue to do so now.

Yet….

Amber…why? Why…?

The only answer he received however was the soft caress of moonlight on his cheek…nothing more.

Author's Note:Please,REVIEW! Hopefully, I've not annoyed too many people from the lack of updates (sweatdrops). Anyhow, your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.