Love Isn't Easy

Chapter 24 ~ You're Really Dense Aren't You?

~~~~~~~ Hikari's POV~~~~~~~

Silver wasn't in the gym. Out of frustration I beat all of the trainers in the gym and won the gym badge from the gym leader Clay.

"You pack quite a punch there little lady."

"Humm" I replaced Ren's Pokeball in my bag along with my new gym badge.

"You battle as if ya got something on your mind."I shoved my hands deep into my pockets.

"Maybe I do, but could you tell me if a redhead came in here?"

"A red-head? Yeah, a fellow like that challenged, my gym a couple of hours ago. I betcha that fellow's already at the caves by now. Y'all have a fight?" I shrug my shoulders and turn my head towards the exit.

"Ya know, you act kinda like him, little lady. All doom and gloom that is."

"I'm not like that stupid, self-centered, arrogant-" The Gym lead Clay let out a hearty laugh.

"I'm just teasing ya. Look, if it's any consolation, the young'n was a tad distracted during his battle. Right near knocked my hat off my head he did." Clay dipped the rim of his hat at me. "Look, I bet ya'll can still catch up with him. I'm sure he's sorry for whatever he did to ya."

"You really think so?"

"Of course I do. All couples fight and eventually regret it. You best be going there, little lady. It'll be getting dark soon and a sweet girl like you ought not to be out at night without an escort." The gym leader shooed me away with a flick of his hat and I start to run out of the gym.

"We're not a couple!" I yell back over my shoulder. Clay respond with another hearty laugh.

"Best of luck little lady."

~~~~~~~ Silver's POV ~~~~~~~

I had made a lot of stupid decisions recently, but entering this cave was probably the worst. I'd already forgotten how many different sets of stairs I had gone up and down. Pokemon after pokemon had attacked and feraligatr was tired from constant battle. I slid down the surface of a wall and feed Feraligatr the last of my potions. I tilted my head back and looked up at the ceiling. I could swear that I'm going crazy because in the darkness of the cavern ceiling I would see Hikari's face smiling at me and telling me how she'd make a matchmaker out of me. I had thought about her constantly since I had left her in Driftveil city, and it was starting to whittle away at my concentration. I constantly had an ocean of worry sloshing around in my head and overtaking the rest of my thoughts. Had I made the right decision in telling her to go with Alex? I didn't trust anyone from the police and leaving her with him now seemed like a stupid idea. I doubt anyone can keep her safe if team Rocket is involved. The more I think about it, the more worried I become. Soon I find myself standing and walking purposefully in the direction I'd come. After a dozen or so wild pokemon battle I finally spotted the exit. Slowly I sped up; going from a walk to a jog to a sprint till I reached the exit and stepped out into the fading sun. I stood in the caverns entryway, breathing hard. In front of me, a girl was bent over and breathing hard as well, as if she's run all the way here from Driftveil city in a full out sprint. She straightened and her purple hair was blown out of her face by the gentle breeze. Her familiar face changed from a determined look to an ow of surprise once she noticed me standing in the cavern's entrance. Before I knew it, Hikari had run towards me and wrapped her arms around my neck in a tight hug. Too surprised to do anything else, I let her hug me. She smelled of flowers, and the sent eased the pit in my stomach I had been fighting to keep at bay. What the hell was she doing here?

~~~~~~~ Hikari's POV ~~~~~~~

I let go of Silver and looked up into his face. For once the mask he always wore was gone, and he looked as shocked to see me as I had felt when I saw him. His mouth opened as if to form a sentence, but no sound came out.