Whee! Another chapter has been written!

Warnings: Cross-dressing, gender confusion, shonen-ai championshipping in the future, one-sided Justin crushing on Ash… heh!
Chapter 7

 

            Ash wandered a bit aimlessly through the streets of Saffron. It was midnight, but he didn’t really care. His pokemon could take on anything that came, right?

            “So, what is a pretty child like you doing out here all alone?” A soft voice whispered. Ash looked around and watched as a trainer in dark clothing materialized out of the shadows.

            “None of your business.’

            “Now that’s not very nice…”

            “I’m not a nice person.” Ash shrugged. He had lost his innocent mindset after Oak’s betrayal. He didn’t trust the league… didn’t trust most other trainers either.

            “You look cold.” The tone had shifted, modulated into something that reminded him achingly of his mother… “I’ll make you some hot chocolate. It really isn’t safe to wander around.”

            Disappointed, discouraged, and not really caring what happened next, Ash followed the trainer back to a small apartment carpeted in brown. He hadn’t had much choice either way, his wrist caught in a tight – but not painful – grip…

            Was this death? He didn’t care anymore…

            Now that they were in the light, he could take a good look at the other trainer. Long red hair trimmed with golden sparkles fell to mid-back, offsetting the black lace-up blouse and black leather miniskirt the other wore. Combat boots rose almost to her knees, and her hands were encased in black leather gauntlets.

            Wow….

            A few moments later, he was offered a mug of frothy hot chocolate, topped with a dollop of whipped cream. His companion had the same, only with almond extract instead. Golden eyes regarded him speculatively over the rim of the porcelain cup.

            Ash felt himself blushing in spite of everything. He didn’t know why, but it just wouldn’t stop! He hastily took a sip of cocoa.

            It was tasty, so he quickly finished it all, feeling some warmth return to his body. It was awfully cold wandering around in just jeans and a t-shirt…

 

            “Now why were you out there at this time of night? It really isn’t safe.”

            “I guess I just didn’t care.’ Ash slowly confessed. Well, what would it matter if he told? Bit by bit, the story came tumbling out, beguiled by the first contact labeled as comfort in months… no matter how he tried to deny it, working for revenge only made him cold and angry and sad…

            It didn’t help at all…

            He hastily scrubbed at his eyes with his sleeve, before a handkerchief was offered. Sniffling, he dabbed at his eyes and tried to restrain the tears.

            “Shh, shh… it’s all right now.” The honey-sweet voice coaxed him, and he flung himself into the stranger’s arms, crazy, muffled sobs in his chest…

            He was still a child after all, and no matter what he did, the consequences were in over his head.

            It hurt… it hurt so much… why did Oak betray me? Why couldn’t the league see that I was saving those pokémon? Damn Melvin for hypnotizing me! It wasn’t my fault! Why must I suffer for a crime not my own?

            I want to make them suffer as I have suffered. I want them to feel what it means to suffer! I want justice!
            It’s not fair…

 

            He woke up the next morning in an unfamiliar bed, noticing that he had been changed into his pikachu-print pajamas, and that his clothes were neatly folded and laundered, lying on a chair nearby.

            He must have fallen asleep and cried himself out. How embarrassing…. But it had felt so right. Maybe he ought to go home and see his mom, let her know he was still alive.

            Yes, maybe he should…

            He still hadn’t learned the woman’s name. He had to go talk to her. Making his way to the small bathroom done in sky-blue tiles, he found a toothbrush and toothpaste laid out for him with a note.

            Ash,

            You’re welcome to stay here as long as you like. Don’t worry.

            A friend.

 

            Frowning, he brushed his teeth, and then changed back into his clean clothes. Heading to the kitchen, he found another note.

            Ash,

            There’s milk in the fridge, and cereal in the second drawer over the stove. There are also four pieces of raisin toast in the oven if you want those. For lunch, if I’m not back yet, there are two bagel sandwiches on the top shelf of the fridge.

            A friend.

 

            Interesting… he found the food where it was, poured himself a glass of milk, had three slices of raisin toast with butter, and then went into the living room.

            Did he want to watch television? Not really…. There were several creamy oaken bookshelves lining the walls. Looking over them, he found a copy of the Three Musketeers by Dumas, and was soon engrossed in the swashbuckling tales of adventure and friendship. How cool!

            He wanted friendship like that…

            His stomach growled, and when he checked his watch, he saw it was one P.M. he got up and went to the refrigerator, taking out the two bagels – one a egg-salad sandwich, the other cream cheese and jelly, heated them both in the microwave, and then had lunch. He also helped himself to a pear out of the bowl of fruit and then washed the dishes.

            Why was this complete stranger bothering to do this for him?

            Were they related somehow? Ash frowned, he didn’t know of any more relatives other than his mom. She had never spoken of the rest of her family…

            Well, maybe she was one of his aunts or cousins or something.

            Ash went back to the Three Musketeers, and was still busy reading when the stranger returned at seven.

 

            “I see you’re awake.”

            Ash jumped upon hearing the voice. “Yes. Um… thank you! I mean, you didn’t have to do this-.” He stopped when she held up a hand, forestalling his arguments.

            “It’s nothing.”

            “But-!”

            She drew a notepad from the breast pocket of her white blouse – he noticed now that she was wearing a white blouse, light blue long skirt, and matching jacket, plus she carried a briefcase. A businesswoman?

            Ash, just drop it, all right? I haven’t got the voice to argue with you – my vocal chords were badly damaged in a training accident years ago. You are welcome to stay here for as long as you need. Now, do you have any questions?

            She slid the note over to him and Ash blinked. That was odd.

            “Well, er… why are you doing this?”

            I wish to help you.

            “… Okay.” Ash nodded. “One more question. Er… do you want me to do anything while I’m here?”

            No. I expect you to be good mannered and not to leave a mess all over the place and to keep your room clean, but that is all.

            “I see…” He nodded. “What’s your name?”

            An odd smile quirked her lips as she wrote, I cannot tell you. Just call me Argent.

            “Argent? Okay.” Ash grinned. “Pleased to meet you.”

            I’ll make dinner now. Enjoy.

            Maybe… maybe this strange situation was a good thing…

 

End Chapter

Completed 5/19/05

Lance: Why am I cross-dressing and communicating through notes?

Phantomness: All shall be explained later!