Hehehe, another chapter finally!
Disclaimer/Notes: See chapter 1

Chapter 7

 

            Golden eyes rose to meet gold as Lance peered at Ash from behind a fringe of his scarlet locks. “Yes, Ash?”

            “…” Ash continued to stare, as he realized belatedly that he had walked into the wrong room and Lance was sitting on his bed with only a black towel around his waist, and it was not modest in the least.

            “Ash…” A note of warning entered into his voice. He had no patience for imbeciles, even if they were realm guardians.

            Ash finally tore his eyes away from Lance’s body. “Sorry! I thought this was my room!”

            “Can’t you even find your way to your room? It’s the one next to this one.” Sometimes, the boy was just so hopeless…

            Ash squeaked, colored, and locked the door to his room. * Oh my Mew! He was so hot! I mean, yummy! Ack! What am I thinking? He’s just another guardian! But he is cute! Ah! Stop thinking that! Do I have a crush on him? No way! I like girls! Girls! I know I like girls! *

            He took many deep breaths and then conjured himself a glass of frothy, icy lemonade and a plate of brownies to cool down with.

            Maybe it was just the boredom getting to his head…

 

            That night at dinner, Charlotte civilly asked Lance to pass her the scalloped potatoes and when Lance did, he didn’t try to freeze her hand solid like he had two nights before. Either it was progress, or Lance just didn’t use the same trick twice. He was above that.

            Ash glanced nervously between the two of them, but said not a word. At least nothing had blown up or gone up in flames…

            After dessert, baked apples, the three retired to their separate rooms.

 

            Charlotte broke a dozen reeds on her clarinet before she could play a single note. All the frustration had to go somewhere…

            Harsh, squawking noises drifted from the instrument for many minutes, before finally mellowing into scales.

            She closed her eyes. She would learn to get along with Lance! Even if it killed her!

 

            Meanwhile, in his room, Lance nearly froze his rare collection of dragon literature solid before he realized what he was doing.

            With a growl, he left the castle and spent an hour hunting down Team Rocket agents in various gruesome ways before he was in a calm enough frame of mind to rationalize.

            It had been so hard *not* to attack her!

            But… why was he-? He’d already frozen her for her words, and…

            Something reared to life in his mind. Aha…

            So Articuno’s gift *did* have strings attached… he ruffled his wings, understanding now.

            He still didn’t like the fire bitch, but…

            Now he knew why he wanted to kill her.

            Stupid pokemon instincts…. No, he shouldn’t say that, they had saved his lives so many times before…

            Hmm….

            As he licked the blood from his hands, he reflected that now he was in a much better mood.

            Perhaps he ought to talk to Ash….

            Apologize?

            He shut down the portion of his mind that balked at the idea. Yes, an apology… after all, Ash had not damaged him in any way, and he could forgive him for staring.

            Although the reason – the question….

            Why had Ash been staring at him?

 

            A soft knock sounded at his door.

            “Come in” Ash said, not looking up from his Ranma ½ manga. After all, he did need a break once in a while…

            “Hello, Ash.”

            “Gak! Lance!” Ash jumped five feet in the air, hyperventilating

            Lance frowned. Odd reaction… “I came to apologize.” He said coolly.

            “Huh? For what?”

            “I should not have threatened you earlier this evening for your intrusion. No harm was done.’

            “Er… um… oh…” Ash blushed. “Thank you.”

            “I shall now be taking my leave of you.” With that, Lace left, and Ash sighed.

            What was wrong? He was blushing! But… but… that meant…

            He did have a crush on Lance! Oh no!

 

            “You what?” Charlotte asked, when he talked to her the next day. As the only other person in this castle… whom else could he talk to?

            “I think I have a crush on Lance.” Ash repeated miserably.

            Charlotte frowned. “Well, I don’t know what to say.”

            “Thanks a lot…”

            “I mean it. A crush doesn’t mean you’re in love, you know…”

            “Are you speaking from experience?”

            She gave a half-smile. “Didn’t work out. He had a soul mate already, and I failed to break them apart.”

            “Oh…”

            “But hey, if you think Lance is for you, then go for it. Be careful though, I don’t want you burned, or in this case frozen.”

 

            “… Thanks.”

            Well, I’m glad someone cares a little. I know so little about them, though, and they’re my fellow guardians. Maybe I can ask Lance what happened…

            “Lance?”

I knock on his door. Odd, he’s not here…

            There’s a whole bunch of mirrors set up in this room. I guess Lance likes doing magic with them.

            Hmm….

            What’s this? AAHHHHHHHHHHHH! The mirrors pulling me inside!

 

            I land in a dark place…

            And the eyes that meet mine are blood red…

            “Ohayo,” The girl says, smirking as she licks blood off her fingers. This is *not* good…

 

End Chapter

Completed 4/15/05

Lance: …

Phantomness: ^-^

Ash: *sweatdrop*