Hmm… chapters will come…

Disclaimer: I do not own pokemon. Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic belongs to me…

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

Chapter 8

“Lance?” Ash asked.

“Yes?”

He had finally stopped crying.

“Are you mad at me?”

“No…” Lance shook his head.

“But I hurt you! Shouldn’t I make it up to you?”

< Here it comes! > Mew whispered.

Mewtwo grinned. < Trust Master Ash to be so naïve… >

< Hehehe… >

“If you wish…” Lance said. “And what would you suggest as fair recompense?”

“?”

Lance sweatdropped. “In other words… Ash, what will you give me?”
“I-I…”

“Do not offer what you cannot give, Ash… it makes people look down on you… but just to make you feel better, I don’t want your pokemon.”

Ash breathed a sigh of relief.

“I’ll do whatever you ask!”

He was such an honorable little idiot…

“Very well…” Lance purred. “Don’t move…”

Ash’s eyes nearly popped out when Lance kissed him. Accurately. Considering he was blind, this was no small feat.

“L-lance?”

“So kawaii…” Lance said. “Well, you can go now.”

Ash screwed up his courage and kissed Lance back, before running like the hounds of hell were on his heels.

< What was that for? > Starmew asked. < Thought you liked him? >

Yes, yes! Pikachu added.

< I do, but! >

< But what? >

He’s so confused… Chansey guessed.

“Hai!”

Well, trust your heart then, Master Ash…

He promised to try.

It wasn’t easy! Well, he did ask his mom and dad what to do, and they were supportive. They weren’t very clear though.

It was the same as Seadra’s advice.

Trust his heart? But how… oh, what to do? What to do? What to do?
Confusion remained rampant above all other banners, but honor shone as well… and honor was one thing that bound him not matter what.

So confusing…

He was confused and he didn’t know what to do! How could he? Okay… so the kissing had felt nice…

And he could forgive Lance for killing people. He had nearly done the same to said Dragon Master.

But _why_ was he ‘in love’, if it was love?

Why? It’s so strange… so odd… why him? He thought he had liked Misty…

Besides, he was twelve!

No… sixteen…

What did Lance think though? Could he see without eyes what he was? Was he afraid? Did he… was it blackmail?

What to do?

“Lance, why did you kiss me?” He asked the next day.

“Why?” Lance smiled. “It was the right thing to do.”

“But you can’t even see me!”

“So? Do you think I’m shallow enough to consider appearance about all else?” Bitter mockery laced that tone, but he could not identify the root.

Hmm…

“N-no…”

“That’s good, then… kawaii little one, are you afraid of me?”

“No!”

“That’s _very_ good then…” Lance said.

Mewtwo and Mew and Starmew and Skymew were hiding and watching, just in case something went wrong.

Master Ash should be happy.

He had spent years of his life looking out for his pokemon, so now it was their turn to do the same.

Bulbasaur flooded the room with soft sweet scent…

Squirtle used shimmery mist effects, but it was a pity Lance couldn’t see. Outside, the birds sang softly.

Pikachu gave Ash the ‘V’ for victory and then she went to hide with the others.

“Do you… love me?”

“What do you think, dear?”

“But why? Why me? Why-.” Ash was cut off when Lance kissed him again. Possession… darkness…

“Because, the light is _so_ pretty, but shadow is prettier.” Lance grinned.

“What?”

“Don’t worry, you’ll remember in time…”

< What is going on? >

< Shh! >

< Don’t bother them! >

Mysdreavus clapped non-existent hands. < Oh! Finally! >

< Yes! Now it should come. >

“I will… remember?”

“Do you remember my touch?” Lance asked, as soft fingers traced lines on his shoulders.

Ash shook his head frantically, afraid and yet not, strange…

Why? But why was this happening? What was going on? What if… did Lance really love him?

“Do you remember my heart?” Lance asked, as he placed Ash’s hands on his chest, and let him feel the pulse.

“I-…”

“Do you remember my death?” This time, Ash drew back, wondering if Lance had gone insane.

“What?”

“Ah…I… I can’t force you to remember.” Lance stood up, sighing. < Father… please… >

< No. Quit being a coward! Slap the truth into him if you have to! You’ve been too lenient with him! Pretend it’s the fate of the world! Wait, it is! Quit being a sissy! > Lugia screamed in telepathy.

Lance’s eyes flashed to anger, and with one movement, he nodded.

Ash cried out as the blackness met his vision and invaded his very spirit, tearing into him…

He woke up, barely an hour later.

“Lance?”

“Do you understand now?” Anger rattled in that silken voice. “I would not have resorted to this…”

“You’re right though.”

“?”

“This is the reason why I could not stay in Glitch City, although I never knew…” Ash sighed, kissing Lance tenderly. “I love you too…”

Lance held Ash quietly.

End Chapter/End Fic! Woohoo! Go me!

Completed 7/31/04

Phantomness: V^_^V

Lance: Could be worse?

Ash: I thought it was slightly better than some of her works. *Cough*

Phantomness: *grabs Scythe*