These characters are not mine, and neither is Pokemon in general. So please don't think I'm doing this for any reason beyond fun and entertainment purposes...
He... Green must be going insane. It's nice to see this side of him, though. He... he has a nice laugh, and it's different to see him *smiling* and not scowling. I really like this.
He catches me off guard and splashes me with water and then the next thing I know I'm flailing in the cold substance as he pins me beneath him. Something flashes in his eyes, something cold and distant, something that is replaced with bittersweet sorrow.
"Got you." he whispers.
I grin and wriggle out from beneath him. This is great... my clothes are all soaked... well, so are his. I guess that's not as bad as it could be. I guess.
"Come on!"
He chuckles as I pull him up to his feet, and once we're on the bank again, he tries to focus his attention on his soaked clothing. "What are we supposed to do..."
"Well... there's a cabin near by..." I murmur. "I saw it after I left Tamamushi. We could start a fire, dry our clothes, and you could finish talking to me. I kind of interrupted that, didn't I?" I chuckle softly. "Sound like an idea?" He stares at me, not sure of what to say.
I take off my hat, and run a hand through my hair. A grin dances on my lips and I fling the hat so that the water sprays on his. He scowls and when I run, I hear him cry out, "You're so mature!"
I turn and stick my tongue out at him, and then put my hat back on as I turn and run towards the cabin. I... I chance a look back, and he's following me. He's actually *following* me...
It's amazing.
I like it. I really do...
I reach the cabin and I'm starting the fire as I hear the door close. He's here. The red flames dance before me, and I can feel the heat on my cheeks. I guess I could take my clothes off to dry... well, not all of 'em, of course. But I don't want to freak him out.
He sort of collapses next to me, and I turn. He's staring at me, green eyes thoughtful.
"You're very confusing." He says softly. I shrug and sit back, basking in the warmth.
"It's my charm."
He nods, and then looks to the fire. He pulls his knees up and wraps his arms around them, and I hear a soft sigh. "Have you ever regretted something? You chose before you knew what you were really getting into, because you thought you were doing a good thing? And now... and now you just aren't sure about the choice you made..."
He pauses, and takes a deep breath. "Because you have to choose between two people you care about? Even though you weren't sure you cared about one of them in the first place?"
He sighs, and lowers his gaze. Damp auburn hair falls in front of his vision. "I... sorry about that..."
I put a hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him, and he starts and stares at me. "I... I'm sorry, Green." I whisper. He's so on edge. He's on an emotional roller coaster, it seems. "Tell me what's wrong?" I ask.
He shakes his head. "I can't. There's a chance you don't hate me, you know, and if I tell you this... then you *will* hate me and I won't be able to deal with that."
I feel faint. "I thought you did hate me."
No... not that I hate him... I respect him as a trainer... but I don't hate him, even though he can be an egotistical withdrawn jerk. Right now... he looks like he's lost... and he's reaching out...
He sighs. "I'm not good at this. I'm sorry..." And then he looks back to the fire.
I do as well. "Well... why were you waiting for me?"
He chokes, and then sighs. "You'd hate me."
"I would not..."
"Trust me."
"No... trust me."
He turns and looks at me as if I've lost my mind. "You're insane... I... Roketto Dan wants you *dead*, Red... and they had me to do the dirty work... and I *would* have... but then I realised it was you... and I can't hurt you..."
I feel like I've been slammed in the chest. I don't know what to say. Thankfully, I don't have to, because it all goes dark. Thank you...
It was just a dream.
Just a dream...
Right?
Green wasn't here... he didn't just say that Roketto Dan wants me dead. He... he wasn't the one who was going to do it? My stomach lurches and then there's light, and his voice. I'm lying down.
"I didn't think I could tell you..." I feel something cool and damp on my forehead. "How do you feel, Red?"
I try and shrug, rather awkward as I'm lying down. "Been better... I feel... ne, what happened?" I ask softly.
"You passed out. You have a fever..." His words are so calm, controlled. So...
"I don't..."
He lifts an eyebrow in question, and repositions the cloth as it begins to fall down in front of my eyes. "You don't what?"
"I don't hate you..."
Something twitches on his lips. "Well, I can't do it anyway. It's... weird, but I can't..."
"It's not that weird..." I murmur. He almost smiles, and then his hand is light on my cheek. My eyes flutter closed.
"Go to sleep."
I do.
When I wake, I'm alone. I... I hurt all over, it's dark, and I'm alone. Where... "Green?" I call. No answer. Light from the fire flickers around the room, and I stand. My joints feel like they've been twisted and turned... "Green, where are you?"
I know he was here... so where did he go? He's so confusing...
I make my way to the front door, and I open it a crack. He... there he is... in the moonlight. I'm about to step out, when I hear something that makes me freeze.
The sound of crying.
Soft, so very faint. I... he's crying...
I snap from the daze which holds me, and move out towards him, closing the door behind me lightly. He doesn't look up, and I kneel beside him. He looks up at me, shock on his features. Shock, and tear tracks on his cheeks. "I..."
"What's wrong?" I ask, absently wiping at the tears. He sniffles.
"Nothin'... I couldn't leave while you're still sick." He stands, and pulls me to my feet.
"What?"
"I can't go 'til you're feeling better..." he murmurs, directing me inside the cabin.
"Ne, Green, I'm fine!"
"Are not. You still have a fever." He's close, I can feel his breath on my cheek. He puts the back of his hand to my forehead, and sighs. "See... you're too warm."
Well, yeah, I am, but...
"I don't wanna sleep." I pout.
He grins.
"Too bad."
"Green..." I whine, and he closes the door after we walk back in.
"What?"
"You... I don't know why... I really don't hate you..."
He almost smiles. "Thank you... I don't know what I'm supposed to do, though. Ne, I'll tell you about it in the morning. But... right now... you need to sleep."
I'm mumbling as he makes me lay down, and I stay latched onto his arm. "Don't go." I murmur.
"I won't..."
He looks as if he could say more, but he does not.
"Ne, Green?" I must really still be sick, I do feel sleepy. Maybe he was right...
"Hai?"
"Why?" My eyes shut, and I sigh. There's the feel of a hand through my hair, and then...
"Why what?"
"Why do you care?"
Silence.
"I'll tell you in the morning. Go to sleep..."
"N...no..." But he has his way, and I do fall asleep. I hope... I remember... to ask...
And then nothing else matters.