My Stubborn Cure SIX

  The last candle was lit. Kotone lifted the small candle and placed it on top of the television. She was thankful that her mother had packed up a lot of candles under the kitchen cabinet. She was even more thankful that she had two powerful and helpful fire pokemon in her team.

  Silver sat on the sofa, his left hand rubbing his right arm so many times that Kotone thought he was cold. But he was the one wearing a jacket. Kotone shivered at the thought – now she was cold.

   "Achoo!" She sneezed.

   Both Charizard and Typhlosion stood on each of Kotone's side. Silver's sat there in awe as his eyes focused on the brunette. Kotone was still wrapped around her blanket. It was as if she was wearing a robe. The two fire breathers stood there – both creatures on their hind legs. They pose a very high and mighty and intimidating look – a look of a predator. There were a few candles lit here and there but Silver can only see Kotone and her two majestic beasts. It was as if there was a spotlight shining above them.

   And Kotone – she actually looked like the most dangerous trainer ever.

   Sometimes Silver had forgotten – she was the Champion – and her eyes could actually send a frightening shiver down a trainer's spine. Mostly to Youngster Joey.

   "Silv?"

   Silver snapped back. Kotone was already in front of her. A worried look was shown. Silver held a deep breath slowly. She was also the woman that can turn his life upside down. "What?"

   "You okay? You've been quiet…and it's not the normal one. Are you cold?"

   She's asking me if I'm cold? She's the one shivering like a Bellsprout. Her brown eyes were twinkling under the flames. She is really making this hard.

   "Yeah…I'm fine…" he muttered. The air around them seemed too tensed. Well…at least to Silver.

   Kotone shut her mouth. She knew it will be pointless to argue with Silver. So she laid her bum next to the redhead. Outside, the storm was getting heavier and Kotone could hear the rain pouring hard on her roof. She shivered at the sudden chill. Her eyes placed her attention at Silver – who was still awkwardly motionless.

   Silver stiffened. Kotone was staring at him. Stop staring at me. He wanted to say it (or pretty much yell like he usually do), but he just can't seem to get it out. Everything today seemed abnormal to him. He wasn't himself the day he visited Kotone when she was sick. Heck, he realized that he wasn't himself as soon as Kotone appeared in his world. And tonight – he wasn't even sure on how to pretend to be himself.

   "Ahem." Silver turned his head to his side. Kotone was staring at him impatiently. Her hair was let loose again – it flowed right down her bare neck and was rested upon her shoulders.

   Gulp.

   He needed to think fast – before any sudden (and inappropriate) actions happen.

   "Feraghhh!" Both the trainers jumped at Feraligatr's roar. They looked behind and into the kitchen. Feraligatr was laughing and was apparently telling a story to the other pokemon. Ampharos, Typhlosion, Charizard, Magneton, Crobat and Rhydon all laughed with the water starter. He then saw his Sneasel sleeping soundly next to Kotone's glass window while Alakazam was standing by the corner meditating. And outside, Silver saw Kotone's red Gyarados enjoying the heavy downpour. All of his pokemon were out of their balls because Kotone said since he's staying for the night, it'll be nice to let his pokemon be free and mingle with her pokemon. Impressively, they quickly become friends to hers – considering Kotone's pokemon were their rival in battle.

   And then it hit him – Kotone had a huge house. All those huge pokemon were able to fit in and there was still plenty of room left. "Since when did your house become a mansion?"

   Kotone giggled. "Ever since I left on my journey, mom decided to renovate a bit. And by a bit, she meant a lot. There was a lot of land on our backyard so she decided to expand it. She said it'll be all worth it because she knows I'm going to bring back lots of pokemon, including the big ones." She laughed softly. "That's why when I came home after defeating Lance, I was surprised to find my room three times bigger than its actual size. Typhlosion was even running in circles in my room and I was worried his weight might make a hole on the second floor." She laughed at the thought and smiled – her white teeth flashing adorably at Silver. The boy slightly cringed.

   "Oh," was all he said. Kotone was lucky to have such a loving parent. His mother died years ago when he was five. Since her death, he was raised by his father. But as time flies, Silver knew his father prefers his weak organization over him. He even abandoned him when they lost to a kid. Since that day, Silver swore to never be like him. He swore that no matter what, he will change and become stronger than his father.

   "Tsk." He clenched his hands into fist, hiding his anger so that he won't explode in front of Kotone. But even in the dark, Kotone could see that Silver was being too tensed.

   "Silver," she muttered. Her hand slowly touching his shoulder. "What's wrong?"

   Silver looked down. He didn't want to see Kotone's face. He didn't want her to see that he was weak. Suddenly, he felt his eyes sting a little. Damn it.

   "Silver…"

   He wanted to run away.

   "You're lucky to have a loving mother."

   Kotone froze. She didn't expect that kind of words to come out of the redhead. Her body quivered as a slight breeze tickled her skin but soon ignored it. Her focus was on Silver.

   "Silver, what do you –"

   "My mother died when I was little. So I didn't get much love like you do now." Silver whispered – leaving Kotone motionless again. "I was raised by…" He couldn't bring to say it. "By some man. But he had other priorities on his mind. So, I was pretty much neglected and hated. I never knew the meaning of love. All those times when I went out for a walk alone and I see happy parents or a happy family, it irks me to no end. I hate it. I hated them all. To me, love and affection was weak –whether it was from human or pokemon. And that power was everything." He laughed – a sarcastic, spiteful laugh. "But boy was I wrong. That man was weak. And I hated him even more. Power was all I want."

   Silver took a long, deep breath. "That's why when I met you, you being all happy and smiles here and there with your Cyndaquil, it disgusts me. It reminded on how weak love is – how useless it was. But when…when you defeated me and your Cyndaquil jumped happily in your arms…I felt like someone had kicked me in the balls, telling me I was a total idiot. And then you smiled at me…" Silver slightly grinned at the memory. "I hated it. You showed nothing but love and care. Like the world is beautiful and perfect. But it's not. It's forever scarred. I wanted that smile to disappear. So I shoved you, insulted you in many ways. But you kept smiling like I was being nice to you or something. And it drove me crazy."

   Silver remained quiet. "Guess I was weak all along."

   The room felt into utter silence. Only sounds of their pokemon were heard. Silver looked up and on his side. His heart felt heavy when he saw the tears in her eyes.

   W-why is she crying? I'm the one who's supposed to be sad.

   "Ko–" His voice halted abruptly when Kotone reached out and hugged him – leaving him unbalanced and lying on the sofa – Kotone on top of him.

   "Sil…ver…" She sniffed. His heartbeat began to drum a beat faster than a Pikachu. Kotone was crying and sobbing on his chest, her hands grasping at his jacket. He could feel the heat in both his and her body. His arms were free and he was able to push Kotone away from her embrace.

   But he didn't. Instead, he placed his arms around Kotone. His hands patted her back softly – stroking her hair as he calmed her down.

   Unfortunately, he wasn't calm himself.

   After a few sobs and grunts, Kotone lifted her head. Her wet, brown eyes fixated on Silver. A sad frown was bestowed on her face – her lips shaking from all the tears.

   And the more he saw her lips, the more he wanted to connect it with his own.

   "Silver," she murmured. Silver gulped and tried to restrain himself. "I'm…sorry. I'm sorry…all that happened…to you. I shouldn't have been…I'm hopeless. I'm sorry…" She apologized. Her voice was getting raspy from the crying. Silver remained silent – he was a mix of not knowing what to say and fighting the urge to touch the woman's lips.

    Kotone stared at Silver. She gazed into his silver eyes. Under the candlelight and into the dark, his eyes gleamed beautifully. Not many people obtained silver eyes. And his were a beautiful shine that mesmerized her.

   She bit her lower lip. He was absolutely gorgeous. And her face was a few inches from his…

   She smiled. "You know I'm always here for you, right?" Her right hand moved upwards and her fingers touched Silver's nose. Without a second thought, she trailed her fingers to his lips – leaving his body frozen in shock. "I'll promise to make you happy." Kotone smiled. She didn't want to lose him. But she knew he'll never feel the same way she did.

   And that's why she said, "You are my friend after all."

   Friend. At that point, Silver's heart had been torn, fell down and exploded into a million pieces.

   Silver held Kotone's waist and lifted her up slightly. As soon as Kotone was on the sofa next to him again, he rose up and went for the door. Kotone was startled. She rose up and after him.

   "Wait, where are you going!?" She grasped the end of his jacket. It was dark and Kotone couldn't see Silver's face. "It's raining –"

   "Thanks for having me over." Silver turned the doorknob. Her eyes widen as she heard the door creaked opened – the storm pouring heavily. She tried to pull Silver in. "Silver, please…"

   Silver was contemplating. His heart and mind was having a major duel but the thought of Kotone saying that they were just friends hurt him no less. "Bye Kotone."

   He swatted the girl's grasped and had one foot outside the door. "Silver!" She yelled – her throat almost rippled. Suddenly, she felt a windy breeze flowing at her – sending her shivering like a strand of hair. "S…Sil…ver…C…close the doo-" Her body couldn't take it anymore. Everything went blank.

   "Kotone!" She could hear someone calling her name before reality disappeared on her.

          ----------

   Silver became restless. He was moving left and right and left again as Kotone laid unconscious on the sofa. Ampharos was placing a wet cloth on her forehead while Charizard stood next to her, giving her warmth for her cold body. Typhlosion kept growling at Silver – angry and blaming him for what he'd done. While Feraligatr kept a worried look, afraid that his trainer might hurt the female. All the other pokemon were at the kitchen, giving them some space.

   "Croo…" Silver heard a worried whimper from the kitchen. He gritted his teeth.

   I am the worst human being in this world! I shouldn't even live. I should just die than make her suffer like this. Silver felt like yelling. He felt like punching himself on the face many times. He looked at the angry Typhlosion. Maybe he can help…

   "Mmhmm…"

   Silver looked up. Kotone was moving. Her eyes were still closed but she was shifting unevenly. "Kotone." He ran – even shoved Typhlosion away without a thought and ran towards Kotone. Right now, he could care less about being burnt into crisp.

   "Kotone!" He was on his knees. Kotone was still twitching. He didn't know what to do. He was clueless and panicking.

   "Sil…Sil…" Suddenly, he heard faint sounds from her. "Silver!" She yelled – awake and sat up. Silver who was startled fell on his bum, his hands placed on the floor for support. Kotone looked around. It was still dark but the flames around her living room were able to produce images. Finally, her eyes were glued to Silver.

   Silver didn't know what to say. He felt completely guilty. And judging by the way she's looking at her, he'd really deserve it if she punc-

   In a flash, Kotone hugged him. He was shocked.

   "Silver!" She cried. "You didn't leave!" She cried some more – sobbing on his shoulder. Silver felt her hug getting tighter and tighter. It was as if she didn't want to let go.

   And Silver wished the same thing too.