Katherine's P.O.V.
*****
Two weeks later...
I'm feeling better now, though Norsoe's voice still lingered in my head. Philip's advice made it alter and made the horrible thoughts glimmer weakly now, as it was now heavily pushed far away from my head, never letting it bother me again. A smile stretched across as I thought of him, making me blush.
It was noontime, as I was in the bookstore, searching for a good, romance book, loosening the strap on my saddlebag. I guess that Lonnie was right about these kind of books; they were actually pretty good and deep.
"Huh, since when did you start reading love stories?" Lonnie teased.
"W-What?! I was just checking out some mystery!" I told a white lie. She laughed.
"Really, Kate? Mystery/Thriller books are on the bookshelves on the far side of the store. And plus- can you please explain about that love story I found on your desk last week?"
Immediately, my face flushed crimson red in surprize. This grass fox had the eyes of a hawk.
"Fine! I started reading about them a week ago!" I fessed, terribly abashed. The Leafeon gasped.
"Really? Aww... I guess that Philip really made you realize that? That's sooo cuuute!" Lonnie cooed.
"H-Huh?! Of course not!" I protested, my face feeling terribly hot.
"Aaaiiieee! That's so adorable!"
"S-Stop it!"
"I'm getting epic fangirl fever right here! You two are so cute together!" She screamed. I mentally slapped my face with a paw.
"C'mon Kate, please tell me! Tell me! Tell me! Tell me that you- mmphh!" Lonnie gasped as I covered her muzzle. Taking a look from left to right, I took a deep breath and whispered quietly to her ear. Her eyes lit up as I removed my paw from her mouth.
"Now, promise you'll tell no one about this," I assured.
"Ha! I already knew about it!"
"You do?"
"Of course! You were just too obvious! Hey, you know? I think he'll like you more as a friend once you'll get know more about each other." She said, making me blush once again. "Oh, by the way, I'll be hanging out with Blake today. I almost forgot!" Lonnie giggled and disappeared into a row of bookshelves. I sighed in relief and reached out for the last book on the upper shelf. They told me it was really good. Look's like I got the last one.
I was about to grab it when suddenly, another paw snatched it away from my grasp. I was about to confront the mon who took it, but to my surprize, it was someone I knew.
"A love story? That's so unlike you!" Yeah, it was Philip. He was laughing hard.
"Uh, hey." I greeted, awkwardly. "What are you doing here?"
"Checking out some books about battling. I already purchased though." He replied, casually, showing me a small book. "And whoa, I totally didn't expect you were reading love stories. Totally didn't expect that from you, Kate-ey cake!"
He called me by that nickname again. But, in fact, ugh, I was annoyed that he was making fun of me after he found out I was reading love stories. I snorted and clobbered the electric fox on the head.
"Ow!" He yelped.
"You deserved it, Philly," I fumed, slightly. "Now, please, give me that book."
"Only if you could reach it," Philip teased with a smirk, holding it high with one paw.
"Hey, give it back!" I grumbled, trying to reach it. Since he was a month older than me, he was way taller, causing me great grief upon reaching that book. I tried to jump, reach, and beg him several times but failed, so I took a few steps back and glared.
"Wait, what are you doing?"
I didn't reply; just sprinted off hurriedly and tackled him head-on, pinning him on the floor.
"Ha! Gotcha!" I laughed, taking the book from his paw. I noticed his wide eyes and he was blushing hard. I took one look and I knew. We were such in an awkward position, like... like that one from a love story I read. Several Pokémon stared weirdly at us; some of them glaring daggers. I gulped, getting off him. I was blushing immensely, holding the book close with one paw.
"Uh... are you alright?" Philip asked. I nodded with an open jaw, still transfixed in disbelief. I could still see a fleck of pink on his face.
"I-I'll just... p-pay for the book. S-See you, I guess..."
"Wait..." He called from behind. I turned, curiously raising an eyebrow. "Do you mind... if we could hang out once again for today?"
I smiled. He was always open for that.
"Sure." I grinned, walking towards the counter, placing the book and of course, the Poké. Delphox smiled and scanned the book. Afterwards, she gave it back after wrapping it up, thanking me for the purchase. I took it gratefully and stuffed it inside my saddlebag.
"Thanks for the purchase, ma'am. Have a nice day!" She called, waving goodbye. I also smiled and waved back. I was already having a nice day.
"Done?" Philip asked.
"Already."
"Let's go." He grinned, and walked out with me padding alongside him. "Hmm, so how do you feel by now? Any better? Did he stop bothering you for now?"
"Yeah, I guess. I could still hear him in my head, but I didn't let it bother me again. Thank you." I said. For a minute, I thought I could see him blush, but it must've been my imagination. It was overactive, I know.
"N-No problem..." He replied, more quietly.
Philip's P.O.V.
*****
"-Thank you." Kate says. I could feel my face blush lightly to that, as I wasn't really used to this. Like that time when she leant against me, nuzzled me, and even when she almost kissed me. Still, I couldn't understand why I was remembering this weird, awkward, thoughts of mine; it felt nice though.
I won't let these little things slip out of my mouth. But if I do, it's you, it's you, they add up to...
If it's true, then I should've freaked out and thought about it too much. Nice? Whoa, did I, captain of Darkrai's army, just thought about these? Like hell I would. It was ridiculous.
"Hey, Philip?"
"H-Huh?"
"How... how was your day lately?"
What? Why would she ask me that? "Good, I think." I replied, plainly. That was enough to put a frown on Kate's face.
"Eh? What's with I think? Why are you saying that?"
"What?"
"That means you're saying that you're not too sure about your day,"
"Really?" I totally didn't expect that.
"Of course, Philly!" She joked, causing a smile to cross my face. Damn those childish nicknames. It was funny, okay? I couldn't help it!
"Right, Kate-ey cake." We laughed.
And all those conversations; other secrets that I keep, though it makes no sense to me...
Heedless to say for Norsoe, she was funny, pretty and smart. It was no wonder that almost the whole guild were impressed at her. Wait. This was particularly the second time I called her pretty! Son of a... son of an Aipom! Mentally smacking myself on the head, I rapidly shook these out, dragging me surprized at myself.
"Kate-ey cake..." She giggled. "I guess that Philly really suits you, Philip."
"Same as Kate-ey cake suits you, princess," I laughed.
"P-Princess?!" The ice fox squeaked, her face blushing red in shock. I soon realized my mistake. I gaped and flailed my paws in a panic.
"W-Wha-?! T-That's not w-what I meant!" I lied, flushing red in embarassment. The atmosphere went shrouded with awkwardness.
"O-Oh. R-R-Right..." She answered with flicking ears. It was silent for a few minutes. Maybe it was just me or she was too embarrased to speak up again. After awhile, we just came across a wide field, shrouded with a small crowd that was watching a friendly battle on the far west. I recalled that the field was used for training and certain events at town, which was actually a rare sight to see.
I could see Kate slip an enthusiastic smile on her muzzle, staring at the two partners in battle with ardent eyes and a wagging tail. It seemed that she was eager at training. I rolled my eyes and sighed.
"You want to train, that's it?"
"Of course! Why wouldn't I? I'd be rusty if I didn't get to train a lot."
Whatever that is, it elicited a quite laugh from me. Huh, why did she look cute all of a sudden?
"So why don't we finish that battle back at the first time we met? The last part is that you kicked me on the stomach. Ow. It still hurts..." I joked.
"You're exaggerating." She laughed. "Fine, I'll be your partner. When shall we start?"
"How about right now?"
"That's fine with me. Let's go, Philly!" Kate says between giggles, putting her saddlebag on the ground and ran to the center of the field. I laughed and went after her, but not as fast since my speed was greater than hers. She smiled and crouched into her stance. I smirked and positioned into my own; I've never felt like that in ages. It seemed that I was genuinely happy around her, but I didn't know why.
Katherine's P.O.V.
******
"After you, Kate-ey cake. Break a leg."
"You too, Philly. I hope you'll break all of your legs." I joked. He chuckled and smiled. Grinning, I dashed forward, wielding my Giga Impact, but not on full force. He managed to avoid me by stepping aside, but I held back by steering my movements perfectly as stable it is by turning back. The attack sent us tumbling smack into the grass, but Philip hurriedly scrambled into his paws, charging weak electricity on his pelt.
I remained still, panting like a fox that had been running too long. I realized that Giga Impact was a bad choice. I had to recharge; that meant I was too tired to charge a move on the next turn. Philip shot a Shadow Ball, but I luckily gained energy to roll on the side, causing the Shadow Ball to miss. He seemed frustrated, and with a quick charge of electrical energy, he directed a Thunderbolt at my direction.
I gasped as the charge smashed against me, making me wince at the burning tension. Philip frowned.
"Are you all right?!"
"There's no such thing as a battle that can't hurt. I'm fine!" I replied. He sighed out in relief. I immediately ran forward, ready to land a punch at his face. He reacted quickly, using his forepaws to hold mine in midair and trap it in between. I reached out with my other paw and successfully punched him in the face. He winced and jerked my trapped paw, shoving my face into the dirt. I coughed as I wiped the dust off my face, then I saw that Philip was lending his paw.
"I guess you were right being rusty. C'mon, princess."
Blushing, I took his paw and stood up. Kate-ey cake. Then princess. When will this nickname building stop?
"Don't fret about earlier," His soothing voice assured. "In fact, you were pretty good at this."
"Oh. T-Thanks..." I thanked, rather timidly. He smiled cutely and looked deep in my eyes. I couldn't help but smile back, blushing immensely when we realized that we were holding each other's paws. Laughing nervously, both of us jerked back our paws.
"Uh, so... you wanna continue this?" Philip asked.
"Already did it!" I smirked as I aimed an Ice Beam at his fore paws. Philip stepped aside, causing the beam to land on his right ear, freezing it solid.
"Son of an Aipom!" He grunted indignantly and fell on his side on the ground, as he was afraid that his ear would come off if he remained standing, as it couldn't handle the weight that the ice was giving it. "Not fair!"
I laughed my head off, staring at him in disbelief. "Aww! Look's like Philly needs help with his ear..." I teased.
"Dammit!" He uttered a mild oath. "Fine! You win!"
"Come on, no need to be mad about it," I giggled, playfully punching his arm. He rolled his eyes and touched his ear with a paw, holding it up as he gently stood.
"Sly fox..." Philip muttered. "You look like a mess, Kate-ey cake. Why shouldn't you clean up for a while?"
"I'm always a mess."
"Then this is the time to clean yourself."
"Like a spa? Hmp, there's no way I would go there. It's too girly. I'd rather swim in the river."
"Why not? Let's go right then!"
"Yeah!"
Sure enough, picking up my saddlebag, we took the forest path, laughing our way. I'd say that today was a great day, away from danger, away from Norsoe and mindless hell. It felt soothing and positive.
"Why do you say that a spa is too girly?" Philip asked, sauntering calmly.
"They're just not for my liking, I guess. I'm not the kind of girl who would complain too much about mess and her looks. That would be stupid, and I'd be stupid."
"Not a shabby reason, huh?"
"No. In fact, that was a hundred percent legit."
"Really? I didn't totally expect that. Race ya!"
"What?! Hey!" I whined as I desperately dashed towards the speedy Jolteon. He was running too fast! With a huff and a puff, I was starting to match his speed, laughing as I kept up with him. He gave a smirk and bolted forward, leaving me losing my speed. After awhile, he felt guilty and slowed down, allowing me to be with his distance.
I smiled as we came to a stop, ending the race as a draw. He was smiling as well, walking ahead on the river in front of us which will lead to Blake's house. Taking off my scarf and saddlebag, I yelled a cry of excitement as I plunged into the water, refreshing my hot state.
"Philip! Come on! It's fun you know!"
"Kate, I'm an electric type. What if my electricity-" He was cut off when I dove down, disappearing into the water and gave the electric fox a sudden pull on his forepaw.
"Son of a- KAAATE!" He screamed and landed into the water below. I laughed as Philip recovered from his shock, glaring at me. I watched as his glare melted into a smirk, splashing a small wave of water at my face. We laughed as I also splashed water on his face.
"Wait 'till I win, Kate-ey cake!"
"No you won't, Philly!"
"Oh, yeah?!"
"Yeah!" I retorted, kiddingly. We were acting like children, splashing and playing in the water and such. We couldn't help but laugh as we couldn't help it anymore, merely sinking into the water. It felt amazing and indescribable; I'd wish it could go on like forever, but there are other things I should complete and catch on. I wish it could be like this everyday...
Philip's P.O.V.
*****
I couldn't believe myself. I was having lots of fun with Kate. No, I mean it. It was... fun. I felt really happy. She gave another laugh as we swam toward the river bank, drying down on the riverside.
"Well, for the fact, that was fun." I remarked, staring at the downing sun. It was already twilight and the first star appeared on sight, but we didn't seem to care about how late it is. Leaves rustled quietly with the wind, seeming music to my ears. It was tranquil and peaceful.
Kate sighed and lied on her back, staring at the stars above us. They twinkled playfully and shone gently on the sky. I shrugged and also laid on the grass along with her, slowly making rustles on the motion. I took my gaze to her, watching her blink gently and exceed a heavy sigh.
"Are you watching the stars?" I asked. She nodded gently and turned to stare quietly at my eyes. I could see a sad glimmer in her sapphire eyes.
"My mom once told me, that two different stars lie secretly in the night sky," She whispered, pointing her right paw at the stars. "Special stars that only appear once in a blue moon. When two people, or Pokémon are lucky enough to gaze at them, they're awarded with a happy life together, cherishing a happy ending."
Curiously, I saw she was blushing when she said those words at the last part of her sentence. I chuckled. "So she's saying, that two lucky mon are awarded with a good life once they'll see those two different stars?"
"Exactly. I've been trying to spot them for years since I was a kid. Feels good to be back, gazing at the stars."
"That's nice." I smiled, still staring at her. I saw her blush more deeply, the vibrant red almost crossing on her ears, which I found really cute. I looked up, turning to look at the stars themselves on the stellar, starry sky.
"Hey look. That's a Jolteon up there." Kate giggled, pointing at the far east. I chuckled to myself, as I could clearly see a constellation of a spiky-furred electric fox with a mane and a small star on the chest. It was obviously me. I smiled as I whipped my gaze around, eventually seeing...
"That's you." I said, pointing at a Glaceon constellation on the sky with a large sized star on the middle. We both laughed, seeing it was funny to see both of us up there as constellations.
Two different stars lie secretly at the night sky. Special stars that only appear once in a blue moon. When two people, or Pokémon are lucky enough to gaze at them, they're awarded with a happy life together, cherishing a happy ending.
I narrowed my eyes into slits as Kate's voice played soothingly on my head. A thought crossed my head, exceeding a soft blush on my face. Two different stars. Good and evil. Heroes and villains. Katherine and I. Wait, seriously? Kate and I? No. No way it'll be possible. But... could it be possible? No. Heck no.
It feels impossible.
It's not impossible.
Is it impossible?
Say that is possible.
Argh! Darkrai, what is this strange feeling? Ugh, like hell, what is this?! It couldn't be. Darkrai will have my head if he found out. I shouldn't. I'm the captain! I'm supposed to mislead her. I'm supposed to oppose against her! Why am I feeling guilty about this? Hell... I'm going foolish. She'll never forgive me if she'll found out the secret behind me.
I know, but... I was feeling really bad about this. This is not something like in cliché and obvious wordings. This is stupid, childish and complicated. I couldn't understand how fast my heart beats when I'm around her.
"Philip?" Kate frowned. "They're gone..."
With a sigh, I took a glance on the stars. It was true. The two constellations we saw earlier were gone. Kate said there were two special stars. Could those two be the two different stars? Whatever that is, it made me feel baffled at myself. I was feeling a bit nauseous. The word "together" made it bewildering enough, even enough to confuse a Psychic! Was it...? With a last glance, Kate stood up and smiled, taking her scarf and saddlebag.
"I... I should probably go now." She sighs, tying her scarf around her neck. My ears perked and stood on end, forcing me to get up and stand, but I hardly knew why. I took my scarf and walked up to her, resting a paw on her shoulder, meaning that there was something I need to tell her. Baffled, Kate looked up and stared.
"Won't it bother you if I can walk you home?" I asked, raising brows. She gave a small smile and blushed.
"Not at all..." She whispered, rather shyly. We started walking side-by-side on the riverbank, complete with total silence, not even bothering to interrupt the quiet peace. We were staring deeply at each other, 'till she broke it with a laugh.
"What?" I laughed quietly.
"We've got to stop staring at each other like this..." Kate sheepishly says.
"And what is wrong with that?"
"N-Nothing!" She protested, turning away. "Fine, there is something. Except that I don't want to talk about it..."
Looking down, Kate went blushing again, padding on the ground with light paw steps. She was a little shy. Moonlight loomed around us, lighting paths. I noticed how her blue fur shone by in the moonlight, revealing how kind of messy it was. But it was something I didn't care about.
She's a beautiful mess.
A beautiful mess? Darkrai, why is this coming over to me? I was exaggerating over it! Why am I blushing, being crazy about her, thinking too much about this? Argh, Arceus, why? I've never felt something crazy like this. There's no way I could. No way I would. It's meaningless. Could it be true...
That I was foolishly falling for her?
Kate turned and nodded at me, walking quietly towards her house. She smiled and beamed.
"Thanks Philip." And as she opened the door, she stopped with a pause, ran back quickly towards me and gave me a gentle kiss on my cheek, leaving me breathless as she pulled back.
"Good night."
"Uh, y-y-yeah.... g-good night..." I replied, flabbergasted, stuttering too much. She giggled, closing the door as she came. I was blushing hard, my heart racing fast, left with no reason to deny it anymore. I was...