Look, it’s another chapter!
Disclaimer: Don’t own pokemon, wish I did…
Chapter 12
After several games of cards, Catelyn went off to shower, leaving Ash to ponder the mysteries that were his dear aniki.
What was it like, living with two other voices in your head? It couldn’t be pleasant, no matter how nice they were…
When Catelyn came out of the shower, Ash nearly choked. “Um… Catelyn?”
“Yes?”
“… Lance won’t like it if you wear that.” Ash managed to say without staring.
Catelyn blinked. She was wearing white jeans and a pink Skitty t-shirt. “What’s wrong with this?”
“Um… where did you find that?”
“Oh, I used my powers,” She waved a hand dismissively. “Lance can wear whatever he likes, but since he doesn’t want to come out right now, why should he care what I do with this body?”
“…” Ash blinked.
“Besides, I’ll change back so he doesn’t get huffy.” Catelyn gave Ash a wink. “Now then! I’m hungry, did anyone make food?”
“Um… I can’t cook.”
Catelyn sighed. “Mm. Well, don’t worry, Lance usually leaves some stuff in the fridge,” And so saying, she stuck her head inside. “Aha! Chocolate-chip cheesecake, a tossed salad, and tuna casserole!”
It was weird, seeing this stranger in Lance’s body.
“Looks like I won’t have to cook. Good thing too, ‘cause I burn water.” Catelyn caught Ash’s incredulous look. “What? I’m only twelve, what do you expect?”
“… Twelve?”
“Yes, you have something against kids?”
“No!” Ash hastily brought his hands up. This was one scary woman… girl, whatever… he hoped Lance was back soon.
Catelyn hummed as she began juggling ice cubes, leaving Ash to wonder how sane Lance’s other personalities were. It was not a comforting thought.
Luckily, within a few hours, Catelyn had burned herself out – she was literally bouncing off the walls, and that was *scary*, and Lance returned.
His eyes settled on gold as he blinked, wondering why he was tired and sweaty. “Ash?”
“Lance, you’re back.” The trainer sounded relived.
“What did they do?” He asked immediately, worried from the weariness in that tone, and almost resignation. “Did they hurt you?”
“Oh no,
Crystal lost consciousness after she drove the Ghost Master off….”
“So you had to deal with
Catelyn.” Lance murmured.
Ash nodded.
“She’s a handful, isn’t she?”
“I know! It’s weird. I always imaged Articuno as a cold, serene, beauty… guess I was wrong.”
“You’re not the only one.” Lance murmured, remembering how disjointed he had felt after the final changes had become complete, his body integrating the foreign DNA, finally… “Crystal doesn’t talk much.”
“She seemed nice.”
“Well, Catelyn’s rubbed off on her. Now I only wish Catelyn would gain some of Crystal’s self-control.”
“Trying for the best of both worlds, aniki?”
“Yes… you don’t have to live with them in your head.” Lance grinned, before he caught sight of Ash’s pained look. “Ash? What’s wrong?”
“My wrist hurts,” He confessed. He hadn’t been able to tell Catelyn earlier since she was too busy jumping around and such.
“Your wrist?” Lance frowned, as he pulled Ash’s sleeve up, revealing blood… “Ash! Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“I couldn’t! How could I? You weren’t there!”
Lance winced. “Point taken.” He brushed his fingers over, watching the skin heal and the blood clot, flawless skin once again. “How did this happen?”
“Er…” Ash hesitated. “You know someone tried to control you?”
“I did this?” Lance sounded horrified. “My God… are you all right?!”
“Of course, its just a little cut,” Ash blinked. Lance was certainly acting strange today. “Besides, you healed it, so everything’s all right.”
‘I hurt you?” Lance’s voice had taken on almost frantic quality.
“Aniki, it’s not bad, it’s just a little-.” Ash was cut off as Lance grabbed his wrist and eyed it carefully.
“Shimatta! No you’re not!” And before Ash knew what was happening, Lance’s fangs were buried in his wrist…
Lance sucked quickly, and a few minutes later, he spat a mouthful of green blood out into the sink. Ash had finally recovered from his shock and was staring at his brother in abject horror.
“What…?”
“There’s poison in my touch if I choose so,” Lance explained. “There are hundreds of toxic sea snakes, and with Lugia’s DNA, I can manufacture any of their venom. Luckily, whatever I dosed you with was fairly mild, but still…”
“Eek…”
Lance healed the wound again and sighed. “Don’t worry about getting poisoned, I managed to get it all out.”
“I see…” Ash blushed. That had been weird… but kind of nice too, Lance had soft lips – wait, what was he thinking?
He didn’t like Lance in that way did he?
Lance missed Ash’s inattention. “Well then, did you already have dinner?”
“Yes, with Catelyn.”
“Mm, I’m going to take a shower then. Get some sleep, it’s been a trying day.”
Ash was about to protest, but thought better of it and nodded.
He’d hurt him… even though he’d promised he wouldn’t, and despite the fact that he had been controlled, he didn’t quite feel any better at the revelation…
After his shower, he flopped onto bed with a tired sigh and considered his options.
Self hypnosis wouldn’t work, that would just call Catelyn out again. He had no doubt Crystal was still resting.
Well, but if it weren’t intentional, surely it would not mater?
He truly cared for Ash, and not just in a brotherly fashion either. Of course if Red knew he’d be quite disgusted…so he would never tell Ash the truth… never.
There were some secrets that had to be kept, after all.
Meanwhile, Ash had taken out his contacts and was snuggled up with his Espeon. He fell asleep quickly, but Espeon did not.
< Master Lance. >
< Yes? > Why was Ash’s Espeon talking to him?
< Do not think of Master Ash as such a child he is one no longer…> the lavender fox stated cryptically, before she joined her master in slumber. Lance blinked. Well…
Maybe…
He should ask?
End Chapter
Completed 5/16/05
Lance: Finally some romance, eh?
Phantomness: Hai~!