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...
Why *do* I care? I watch his sleeping form and I run my hands through my hair. I don't know why I care, Red. I hope you forget to ask me again... I sigh and then I sit down more on the edge of bed. I don't know what I'm supposed to do now.
I haven't been making any sense at all. Not only did I babble at him about the truth behind us meeting, but I broke down and he saw me... He saw me crying. I sigh and look down at him.
Well, one thing is definite. I'm not going to leave him.
Sighing for ten times past the millionth time, I lie down next to him. "Good night, Red." I murmur. And then darkness falls as I close my eyes.
It's warmer when I find myself waking. Warmer because there are arms holding me tight, I realise. It takes me a moment to remember where I am, and then I'm blushing as I open my eyes.
Red is still asleep, at least.
I extract myself from his arms and sit up stretching. He murmurs something and snuggles and I shake my head. I'm hungry and I'm sure he is as well, but there's nothing around. I press my hand to his forehead. He's still warm, but for all I know at this moment it could be due to body heat.
I get up off the small bed and wander to a window that looks out into the trees. I don't know what I'm supposed to do anymore. I have to save Ojiichan, but I don't want to put him in danger. I care too much. I think I care more than I wish to admit.
I'll just have to let Red in on it all. I don't want to. I want to keep him safe. But trying to keep him out of this will be like trying to keep the sky from being blue on a cloudless day.
He's going to find out, and he's not going to let me roam alone off in danger. Of that I am sure. Whether he's sick or not, he's not going to care about himself. And unless I leave him without an explanation, there's no way around that.
I told him I wouldn't leave.
And I meant that with all of my heart.
He just doesn't know how sincere I was. He wakes by the time the sun is mid way through the sky. I offer him a cup of water and he accepts it gratefully. "How are you feeling?" I ask, sitting on the edge of the bed. He shrugs as much as he can.
"Been better, but I feel better... um, you know what I mean." He shakes his head thoughtfully.
I nod. "I know what you mean. And you know, Red, you're still confusing..."
At that he grins. "As I said, it's my charm."
I poke his nose and then shake my head. "Well, I hope you're up to a nice walk. We don't have anything to eat, and I'm sure you must be starving." He pauses thoughtfully and then he nods.
"You're right, I am hungry." He pauses again and then he smiles. "You're really not leaving, are you Green?" He asks, amazed. I nod and then get up off the bed.
"I wouldn't leave, Red. You have my word on that. I won't... Now, up to that walk?" He practically hops out of bed and nods. "Good, I have a lot to tell you while we walk..."
We leave the cabin behind and then on his directions we start in the way of Tamamushi. Clouds pass over the sun as we begin the trip, and I look at him. "So, what do we have to talk about?" He asks.
"It's about... why Roketto Dan..." I pause and he nods in understanding. "Should I go on?" I ask and he again nods.
"I want to know."
I speak softly, shoving my hands in my pockets as I do. "They kidnapped Ojiichan, and they... I'm not sure why they want you dead, but they'd only free him if I killed you... But I didn't know it was you..."
He pauses and I feel his eyes on my back. I turn back to him and blink. "Red?"
"Ne, that's not possible." He murmurs.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"I talked to Ookido-hakase before I left Tamamushi yesterday..."
At that, my world wants to fall away. "Are you sure?" I ask again. He nods.
"Hai..." He blushes but says nothing more. Now, what would make him blush? And if he's telling the truth... I need to find someway to get a hold of my Grandfather as soon as I can.
We're in Tamamushi and at a restaurant he's been to before. "I'll be right back..." I tell him. He smiles and nods and I get up from the booth and head to the pay phone. I dial Ojiichan's number after sliding my card.
There's a pause, and then ringing, and then...
"Ookido labs, who is it?"
My Grandfather and his phone etiquette... "Ojiichan?" I ask, softly.
"Green, is that you? How are you doing! I haven't heard from you in over a week."
I swallow and glance at where I can see the back of Red's head. "I thought... this is going to sound silly... I thought Roketto Dan had kidnapped you..."
He starts laughing. "Oh Green, that's a silly notion! I'm fine! I've been busy researching..." His voice trails off into scientific babble and I breathe a sigh of relief.
"I'm glad you're all right. I need to go though."
"Oh hai. Make sure to call back when you can. It gets lonely here!"
I smile. "Of course... ja, Ojiichan."
"Ja, Green."
I hang up the phone and then I stare at the receiver. I don't know what to say. I turn and go back to the table, and sit opposite Red. He's looking through the menu. "Well?" He asks with a smile.
"He's all right." I say, relieved.
"Told you so..."
But that doesn't make me forget one important fact. Roketto Dan still wants him dead...
We order our food and while we wait for it to arrive, he gazes at me through his dark, dark eyes. "You know, I feel like I'm missing something..." He says and then he sighs.
"What do you mean?" I ask, worried for no obvious reason.
"I... ne, why do you care? I asked you and you said you'd tell me later..." He says in a soft tone. I'm blushing again, dammit!
"Well," I retort. "why were you blushing about contacting Ojiichan before you left, hmm?"
He goes crimson. "Well, why are you blushing now?!" He demands.
I don't know how to get out of this. It seems to me that we are at a stalemate... I don't even know why this matters at all.