Love is painful
Yeah, yeah! Chapter 15! I know you just wanna know what's going to happen next, so I'm just gonna shut up now. Have a nice read!
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`Why'd... they have... to be... in Lilycove?!`. You sprint down the trail, hurtling yourself at an amazing speed to Petalburg woods. Your legs are aching, and your head is throbbing. Judging from the area, you'd say you only need about five more minutes...
(An Hour Earlier...)
The little Pichu grabs your shin and begins pulling you.
"Whoa! Wait! Why?!", you ask franticly.
He looks up into your eyes and says it fast. "It's Ele!".
"What?! What's wrong with her?!", you shout. The overwhelming feeling of fear begins to grip you as though paws around your neck.
"She's sick, and nobody has any idea what's wrong with her. She asked some friends to go out and find you...", he said solemnly. He looks up to say something else, but you are already gone, having left only the bag of berries behind...
(Back To Present...)
`There it is!`. The archway that led into Petalburg woods is only a few more feet. You quickly bolt through it, and down the dark trail. There are thousands of sweat drops matting your clothes and fur, but it does not matter. Nothing matters, only to get to Ele. You automatically run to her den, where there are many different types of pokemon surrounding the entrance. They suddenly look back at you. None of them say a thing. You gasp, "Where's Ele?". None of them seemed to answer you, until a Drowsy, the closest one to the entrance, speaks up.
"She's in there.", he says, pointing to the cave opening. You quickly crouch down and crawl in. Inside, there are only two beings. One is an Umbreon, and lying on the ground next to it... is Ele. You crawl over next to her, and sit down.
You choke on your words, not being able to say anything. Her eyes are closed, and she is panting extremely fast. She seems to be covered completely in sweat, her fur being drenched in it. `This... looks so familiar`. You reach over, and pat her shoulder lightly. She opens her eyes and you watch as they lock with yours. You can see her mouth attempt to smile, only to fail. "Hi... Kuso.", she whispers.
"Hey Ele.", you reply. You put your hand behind her head and scratch her ears. It looks as though she attempts to smile again, but only to come up with the same result as before. You feel something behind her ear. It felt almost like a puncture... a wound. You pull your hand away, and look at it carefully. There is blood on it, but it is also mixed with some kind of green liquid. *Sigh* `I knew it... fuck...`. You wipe your hand off on the back of your pants, and put your hand on her side. "Ele... have you been fighting Sevipers?", you ask, looking in her eyes. She only manages a nod.
"What is it?", you hear the Umbreon ask.
"She's been poisoned.", you reply, glancing back at her. `I guess Shani evolved`.
"Then I'll just go get some Pecha berries", she says, beginning to leave.
"It won't do any good, Shani.", you utter. She stops just short of the door. "This is the fang poison of a Seviper. Even if you did get any Pecha berries, it wouldn't do any good. This poison... is too strong. She... she's gonna...". You choke again on the next word, not being able to get it out. Sadness overflows your body, and your eyes begin to tear. You hear Shani leave, meaning that it's just you and Ele. As soon as she leaves, you burst out into silent tears. You feel Ele trying to move again, and you turn your bleary attention back to her. She was reaching towards you. You do not attempt to stop her. The paw plants under your right eye, and passes over just under it. `God... After all this, even when she is dying, she is still as compassionate as ever`.
"Kuso... where... did you go?", she forces out. There is an obvious difficulty for her to speak.
"That doesn't matter. Please, don't talk.", you ask softly. She just shakes her head.
"No. I... already know... I'm probably... gonna die.", she states.
"There... there's nothing I can do.", you say.
"It's... okay. I really don't... want to die... but...", she starts, then she starts to cough violently. You lie down behind her and wrap your arms around her. She continues coughing, and begins hacking up blood.
"This... is all my fault.", you say, holding her tightly but lightly. `Is this my fault?`. "I was the one egging you on to train. If I hadn't...", you start, but find yourself unable to finish. You hold back the urge to hug your tightest, to show her just how much you care. The last thing she needs is to be crushed. "This... all of it... everything is my fault.", you sob.
"Kuso...?", she says into your ear.
"What?", you reply, wearily.
"Could you... please get... Shani? I want to... tell her something.", she whispers. You nod, and set her down gently in the pile of leaves. You crawl next to the entrance of the cave.
"Shani?", you ask. The Umbreon turns her head back to you. "Your mom wants to talk to you.", you say, crawling back in. She soon follows you. She walks up to her mother and leans down next to her mouth. Ele whispers something, so softly, so quietly it is silent to your ears.
"What?", Shani says, more out of a sense of surprise. Ele whispered into her ear again, and again she listened. "Is that true?", she asks, a shocked look pasted on her face. Ele only replies with a nod and a smile. Shani then turns to you, fixing her eyes to yours. "Your... my father?", she asks you. You just nod solemnly.
"There is no point in hiding it.", you say, returning her gaze. She just looks at you with the same shocked look on her face. The next thing you know, the back of your head is slamming against the floor of the cave. You see Ele, mouth something out of the corner of your eye, but can't pick it up. Shani was on top of your chest, growling and baring her teeth.
"You BASTARD!!", she screams. There is pure anger pulsing in her eyes as she stares you down. It is only shock that is keeping you on the ground now. "How could you just FUCKING LEAVE HER?!", she yells. Droplets begin forming at the corners of her eyes. "What kind of selfish prick leaves someone pregnant and alone?!", she bawls. She seemed more to be crying than angry. Finally, Ele seems to find her loud voice again.
"He didn't have... a choice.", she says, still barely louder than a whisper.
"You always have a choice... That's what you taught me, isn't it?", Shani says, her tears now starting to stain the front of your shirt. "Why couldn't you have taken her with you?", she asks. Now she was more just asking than accusing.
"I couldn't have...", you say, looking over at Ele. "I love her too much to lead her to her death.", you say absent-mindedly. Just then you catch what you said. There is an awkward silence as a heavy cloud veils the conversation.
You lightly push Shani off your chest, and you sit up. You sigh, looking over at Ele. She just looks back at you, then over at Shani. You just shake your head, cursing your luck. `Why do things like that always slip out?`. "Listen...", you start, but Shani stands up. She then walks out of the room, and out of the den. You and Ele just look at each other, and just let out a long sigh.
"Why did you have to say that?", Ele asks in that soft voice.
"Sorry... it just slipped out...", you reply, but quickly realize something. "Ele, please don't talk. I know you feel you need to, but you really don't. I know the symptoms for this, and I know it feels like glass running down your throat for each syllable. Please, be quiet." She doesn't say anything as a reply; she just nods and lays her head back down. You inch over to her again, and resume the previous position you two were in. Her head is buried in your chest, and your arms are wrapped safely around her chest. She begins to purr, something that totally came out of nowhere. `Why would she be purring? Why... at a time like this?`. She just continues purring, her heart and chest beating in tune with the rise and fall of her chest.
---
As time passed, she falls asleep. Her chest continues it's moving, and after each beat, you pray that the next one follows. It won't take much longer... the poison is already deep into her body. It may take a day, or it may take a week, there is no telling. But the longer it takes, the worse the symptoms become. As the poison spreads, the body deteriorates. The heart beats slowly, the lungs loose their foundation, and the stomach melts. The longer it takes, the more pain the person will be in... Of course, there is one thing that can stop it... and it is very obvious what it is. But...
`Can I do that?`. You look down at her face. Her face is showing the look of ultimate pain. She is sweating profusely. `She is in terrible agony... Anyone who loves her would do it... but...`. She coughs; a bit more blood hits the ground in front of her. You lightly wipe her lips, getting rid of any excess. `But... I can't`. You brush behind her ear, purposely avoiding the wound. `I... am afraid... I already know there is no cure to this... but... heh, no... I know there won't be a miracle, either. Then... why am I waiting for one?`.
She coughs again, breaking your train of thought. After about 12 coughs, she finally stops. You wipe her mouth again, but this time a little too hard. Her eyes open and she looks back at you. "Sorry... I must have dosed off...", she whispers, smiling sheepishly. You force a smile, but it must not have been very convincing. She frowns. "What's wrong?", she asks. `She's the one dying, and she asks me what's wrong...`.
"Ele. How long has it been since you started feeling like this?", you ask.
She looks at you oddly. "Last night. Why?", she asks.
"Ele... I don't... know how to say this but...", you start, but do not finish. Grief glues your mouth, overwhelming you.
"There's... no cure... is there?", she asks. You just shake your head. "So...", she starts suddenly, "...how long will this take?". You wince slightly at the question. She gets the message, and sighs. "Two to seven days, huh?", she asks. Having a psychic type as a girlfriend is helpful. "And it will only get worse, right?", she asks. You just nod. "I also see what you were thinking...", she says. The hairs on the back of your neck stiffen and stand up. You look down at her. "It's okay... ya'know?", she says. "If all I will do for my last days are suffer, then I would rather be dead." `How can she talk so openly about her own death?`. She looks up at you, inspecting the look on your face. "What's wrong?", she asks.
"N-Nothing...", you say. `This is just making me uncomfortable...`.
"Oh, ok.", she says. `Wait... did she just read my mind... or not?`. The two of you just lay there, waiting for the other to say something. The wind blows through the opening in the cave, giving off an eerie groaning sound. It is starting to get dark outside, and everyone that was once out there has left.
---
Ele has fallen asleep again. Sleep is about the best relief she can get at this time. The more she sleeps, the better. `I should get some sleep too...`. You close your eyes, arms still locked securely around her. There is a quiet mutter, and you quickly open your eyes. You turn your head and look around the room, even though there is no one there. You just sigh and close your eyes again. You hear the same mutter, and finally can tell where it is coming from. You open your eyes again, and carefully look over Ele's shoulder to find that it was her. Her eyes are still closed, and her mouth is forming words, but with no sounds. By watching, once in a while a word or two that sound actually come out for are comprehensible. Most of the words you can make out are her saying your name. The others are actually words like "sorry" and "why". She looks extremely restless. She was constantly moving and worming around in your grip.
Trying not to wake her, you pull your arms off of her and get up. You crawl back towards the entrance to the cave, and carefully crawl out. You then turn and look at the rock face that makes the entrance to the cave. You grab the top of it and hoist yourself up to the top of it. You sit down on the rock and look up at the sky. It is a beautiful night; the stars are shining brightly against the black curtain of the night, the moon a beautiful silver saucer. A gust of wind blows across your body, rustling your clothes and massaging your skin. You close your eyes and try to think...
`What can I do? There is no way I could every will myself to kill her. I could... no. if I got someone else to do it, then I would never forgive them... What to do... What to do...`. A noise suddenly catches your attention. `...footsteps`. You listen intently. The steps are coming from the front entrance to the cave. You look down, over the lip of the rock, and see Shani. She seemed to be looking in at Ele. She then suddenly looks up at you. You just sigh and pull your head back. This time you lie down on the rock and close your eyes. You hear Shani walk around the structure and to the back of the rock. She then jumps up to the top, a few feet from you. "Hey...", she says. You bend your head forward and look at her. Under the black fur, she almost seemed to be... blushing. "Listen. I just wanted to say that I am... sorry.", she starts. It looks almost like she is trying to avoid eye contact. "I-I overreacted...", she says.
"No you didn't.", you say. You put your head back down. "I left, but like I said, I had no choice."
"Yeah, about that. What you said...", she starts. "What did that mean?".
You sigh again. "Exactly what it sounds like."
"So, that means you..."
"Yes."
"But... how is that possible?", she asks.
"Really, I'm not even sure myself. All I know is that I was "sent" back, not "brought" back.", you reply.
"By who?", she asks. You just shrug. There is absolutely no way of knowing who, or what, those people were. There is a small pause, where you lean back and look at the sky again. Shani looks up with you. "What're you looking at?", she asks.
"Stars.", you say, not taking your eyes off of them.
"Why?", she asks.
"Because I haven't in a while.", you reply. "You've lived here your entire life. You have no idea how lonely a night can feel without stars." She just looks up again, keeping purely silent. Quiet sweeps over the rock except for the subtle wind and gentle rustling of the bush.
"Why didn't you tell me?", she asks suddenly.
"What?", you ask, bending your head to see her again.
"When you first saw me. I remember the look in your eye. It was one of caring, but not out of pity or remorse. It didn't make sense at the time, but now it does. You knew, the entire time, so why? Why did you keep it from me that you are my father?"
"I... don't know...", you reply.
"That's not an answer...", she states. "And you know it."
"...Yeah, but I don't have an answer to give."
"I guess.", she says. There is another silence, and you lean back and resume looking at the sky. A cloud has rolled in covering the stars. You watch as it slowly floats through the sky, heading straight for the moon. You watch curiously as it slows, and stops almost perfectly on the moon, covering the moon and its light. `...what?`. Your ears pick up a noise, almost like a whisper. You stand up and walk to the edge. Shani rolls over from her back onto her feet and follows you. You jump off the edge, and she soon follows, just not landing as gracefully as you. You crawl back into the cave, and find that Ele has woken up.
"Hey...", you say softly.
"Hey...", she whispers back. You crawl back over to her and lay a hand on her spine. She smiles as she bends her tail back and rests it on the back of your hand. "I had an idea..."
---
You are laying there in the exact same position, hand in the same place. "Are you sure?", you ask. She nods.
"This way, you won't have to kill me, and I won't have to suffer.", she says, pushing her head against your leg and rubbing it. "If you have a better idea, then please, tell me."
You just shake your head. "No, I don't. But doesn't that mean that, if I don't do it, you're gonna have to get someone else to do it?", you ask.
"Yes, but I can take care of that. I just have one thing to ask.", she says. You just tilt your head and look at her. "Take Shani with you."
"W-Why?", you ask. She stayed outside when you went in.
"Because, there is nothing for her left here. And, I don't want her to have to deal with my death.", she explains. `I guess...`.
"But where do I take her?", you ask.
"I don't know, just not here. How about you leave her with that Tsune lady? She seems pretty nice.", she says, smiling lightly.
You scoff at her remark. "Please don't look inside my head.", you ask, grinning back.
"Meh. I'll think about it.", she says, smirking. You continue smiling back at her. She then begins coughing again. Her paw covers her mouth as she continues.
She finally stops, and breaths a deep breath. "I want you to leave.", she says.
"Wh-What?!", you say, just short of a yell. "Why?", you ask, trying to stay calm.
"Well, just think about it. If you saw who did it, what would you do?", she says. The firm expression of seriousness sticks to her face. "I know you've snapped before... and I just don't want that happening here." Her face softens and she peers into your eyes. "Okay?" You just nod, defeated.
"You have way too much of an advantage on me.", you say, trying to change the subject. She slowly shakes her head.
"I need your word. When you leave, do not come back... for at least... a month.", she says.
"A month?", you ask.
"A month."
You just nod as a response. "Alright. One month." She smiles as you say this.
"Listen. I really don't think... I can stay up for that much longer.", she says. "Could you go and get Shani for me?". You nod, then begin to make your way outside. "Wait.", she says after you. "There is... something that I... didn't want to say... to you... until the last time I saw you."
You shrug. "Good a time as any.", you say. You walk back and lean down, putting your ear close to her mouth.
"I know we won't meet again. I know it'll hurt for a while, but you have to move on.", Ele whispers into your ear.
"Please don't talk like that.", you say, voice cracking. As a reply, she just smiles. You reach behind her head and lean down to her ear. "I love you".
"And I love you.", she says. You release the back of her head. You quickly crawl out of the cave.
"Your mother wants to see you.", you say to Shani. She nods and walks in. You just sit against a far tree. You just sit there... waiting... waiting... and thinking... the same thing over and over, `Why her?`. Shani finally emerges from the cave, her eyes watering and puffy.
"Come on.", you mutter to Shani. She just nods, not even looking at you. You just turn and walk off into the darkness, Shani in tow, only leaving a trail of tears behind.
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I could say "The End", but there is still one more chapter.
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"You never know what you have until it's gone."
-???
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`Why'd... they have... to be... in Lilycove?!`. You sprint down the trail, hurtling yourself at an amazing speed to Petalburg woods. Your legs are aching, and your head is throbbing. Judging from the area, you'd say you only need about five more minutes...
(An Hour Earlier...)
The little Pichu grabs your shin and begins pulling you.
"Whoa! Wait! Why?!", you ask franticly.
He looks up into your eyes and says it fast. "It's Ele!".
"What?! What's wrong with her?!", you shout. The overwhelming feeling of fear begins to grip you as though paws around your neck.
"She's sick, and nobody has any idea what's wrong with her. She asked some friends to go out and find you...", he said solemnly. He looks up to say something else, but you are already gone, having left only the bag of berries behind...
(Back To Present...)
`There it is!`. The archway that led into Petalburg woods is only a few more feet. You quickly bolt through it, and down the dark trail. There are thousands of sweat drops matting your clothes and fur, but it does not matter. Nothing matters, only to get to Ele. You automatically run to her den, where there are many different types of pokemon surrounding the entrance. They suddenly look back at you. None of them say a thing. You gasp, "Where's Ele?". None of them seemed to answer you, until a Drowsy, the closest one to the entrance, speaks up.
"She's in there.", he says, pointing to the cave opening. You quickly crouch down and crawl in. Inside, there are only two beings. One is an Umbreon, and lying on the ground next to it... is Ele. You crawl over next to her, and sit down.
You choke on your words, not being able to say anything. Her eyes are closed, and she is panting extremely fast. She seems to be covered completely in sweat, her fur being drenched in it. `This... looks so familiar`. You reach over, and pat her shoulder lightly. She opens her eyes and you watch as they lock with yours. You can see her mouth attempt to smile, only to fail. "Hi... Kuso.", she whispers.
"Hey Ele.", you reply. You put your hand behind her head and scratch her ears. It looks as though she attempts to smile again, but only to come up with the same result as before. You feel something behind her ear. It felt almost like a puncture... a wound. You pull your hand away, and look at it carefully. There is blood on it, but it is also mixed with some kind of green liquid. *Sigh* `I knew it... fuck...`. You wipe your hand off on the back of your pants, and put your hand on her side. "Ele... have you been fighting Sevipers?", you ask, looking in her eyes. She only manages a nod.
"What is it?", you hear the Umbreon ask.
"She's been poisoned.", you reply, glancing back at her. `I guess Shani evolved`.
"Then I'll just go get some Pecha berries", she says, beginning to leave.
"It won't do any good, Shani.", you utter. She stops just short of the door. "This is the fang poison of a Seviper. Even if you did get any Pecha berries, it wouldn't do any good. This poison... is too strong. She... she's gonna...". You choke again on the next word, not being able to get it out. Sadness overflows your body, and your eyes begin to tear. You hear Shani leave, meaning that it's just you and Ele. As soon as she leaves, you burst out into silent tears. You feel Ele trying to move again, and you turn your bleary attention back to her. She was reaching towards you. You do not attempt to stop her. The paw plants under your right eye, and passes over just under it. `God... After all this, even when she is dying, she is still as compassionate as ever`.
"Kuso... where... did you go?", she forces out. There is an obvious difficulty for her to speak.
"That doesn't matter. Please, don't talk.", you ask softly. She just shakes her head.
"No. I... already know... I'm probably... gonna die.", she states.
"There... there's nothing I can do.", you say.
"It's... okay. I really don't... want to die... but...", she starts, then she starts to cough violently. You lie down behind her and wrap your arms around her. She continues coughing, and begins hacking up blood.
"This... is all my fault.", you say, holding her tightly but lightly. `Is this my fault?`. "I was the one egging you on to train. If I hadn't...", you start, but find yourself unable to finish. You hold back the urge to hug your tightest, to show her just how much you care. The last thing she needs is to be crushed. "This... all of it... everything is my fault.", you sob.
"Kuso...?", she says into your ear.
"What?", you reply, wearily.
"Could you... please get... Shani? I want to... tell her something.", she whispers. You nod, and set her down gently in the pile of leaves. You crawl next to the entrance of the cave.
"Shani?", you ask. The Umbreon turns her head back to you. "Your mom wants to talk to you.", you say, crawling back in. She soon follows you. She walks up to her mother and leans down next to her mouth. Ele whispers something, so softly, so quietly it is silent to your ears.
"What?", Shani says, more out of a sense of surprise. Ele whispered into her ear again, and again she listened. "Is that true?", she asks, a shocked look pasted on her face. Ele only replies with a nod and a smile. Shani then turns to you, fixing her eyes to yours. "Your... my father?", she asks you. You just nod solemnly.
"There is no point in hiding it.", you say, returning her gaze. She just looks at you with the same shocked look on her face. The next thing you know, the back of your head is slamming against the floor of the cave. You see Ele, mouth something out of the corner of your eye, but can't pick it up. Shani was on top of your chest, growling and baring her teeth.
"You BASTARD!!", she screams. There is pure anger pulsing in her eyes as she stares you down. It is only shock that is keeping you on the ground now. "How could you just FUCKING LEAVE HER?!", she yells. Droplets begin forming at the corners of her eyes. "What kind of selfish prick leaves someone pregnant and alone?!", she bawls. She seemed more to be crying than angry. Finally, Ele seems to find her loud voice again.
"He didn't have... a choice.", she says, still barely louder than a whisper.
"You always have a choice... That's what you taught me, isn't it?", Shani says, her tears now starting to stain the front of your shirt. "Why couldn't you have taken her with you?", she asks. Now she was more just asking than accusing.
"I couldn't have...", you say, looking over at Ele. "I love her too much to lead her to her death.", you say absent-mindedly. Just then you catch what you said. There is an awkward silence as a heavy cloud veils the conversation.
You lightly push Shani off your chest, and you sit up. You sigh, looking over at Ele. She just looks back at you, then over at Shani. You just shake your head, cursing your luck. `Why do things like that always slip out?`. "Listen...", you start, but Shani stands up. She then walks out of the room, and out of the den. You and Ele just look at each other, and just let out a long sigh.
"Why did you have to say that?", Ele asks in that soft voice.
"Sorry... it just slipped out...", you reply, but quickly realize something. "Ele, please don't talk. I know you feel you need to, but you really don't. I know the symptoms for this, and I know it feels like glass running down your throat for each syllable. Please, be quiet." She doesn't say anything as a reply; she just nods and lays her head back down. You inch over to her again, and resume the previous position you two were in. Her head is buried in your chest, and your arms are wrapped safely around her chest. She begins to purr, something that totally came out of nowhere. `Why would she be purring? Why... at a time like this?`. She just continues purring, her heart and chest beating in tune with the rise and fall of her chest.
---
As time passed, she falls asleep. Her chest continues it's moving, and after each beat, you pray that the next one follows. It won't take much longer... the poison is already deep into her body. It may take a day, or it may take a week, there is no telling. But the longer it takes, the worse the symptoms become. As the poison spreads, the body deteriorates. The heart beats slowly, the lungs loose their foundation, and the stomach melts. The longer it takes, the more pain the person will be in... Of course, there is one thing that can stop it... and it is very obvious what it is. But...
`Can I do that?`. You look down at her face. Her face is showing the look of ultimate pain. She is sweating profusely. `She is in terrible agony... Anyone who loves her would do it... but...`. She coughs; a bit more blood hits the ground in front of her. You lightly wipe her lips, getting rid of any excess. `But... I can't`. You brush behind her ear, purposely avoiding the wound. `I... am afraid... I already know there is no cure to this... but... heh, no... I know there won't be a miracle, either. Then... why am I waiting for one?`.
She coughs again, breaking your train of thought. After about 12 coughs, she finally stops. You wipe her mouth again, but this time a little too hard. Her eyes open and she looks back at you. "Sorry... I must have dosed off...", she whispers, smiling sheepishly. You force a smile, but it must not have been very convincing. She frowns. "What's wrong?", she asks. `She's the one dying, and she asks me what's wrong...`.
"Ele. How long has it been since you started feeling like this?", you ask.
She looks at you oddly. "Last night. Why?", she asks.
"Ele... I don't... know how to say this but...", you start, but do not finish. Grief glues your mouth, overwhelming you.
"There's... no cure... is there?", she asks. You just shake your head. "So...", she starts suddenly, "...how long will this take?". You wince slightly at the question. She gets the message, and sighs. "Two to seven days, huh?", she asks. Having a psychic type as a girlfriend is helpful. "And it will only get worse, right?", she asks. You just nod. "I also see what you were thinking...", she says. The hairs on the back of your neck stiffen and stand up. You look down at her. "It's okay... ya'know?", she says. "If all I will do for my last days are suffer, then I would rather be dead." `How can she talk so openly about her own death?`. She looks up at you, inspecting the look on your face. "What's wrong?", she asks.
"N-Nothing...", you say. `This is just making me uncomfortable...`.
"Oh, ok.", she says. `Wait... did she just read my mind... or not?`. The two of you just lay there, waiting for the other to say something. The wind blows through the opening in the cave, giving off an eerie groaning sound. It is starting to get dark outside, and everyone that was once out there has left.
---
Ele has fallen asleep again. Sleep is about the best relief she can get at this time. The more she sleeps, the better. `I should get some sleep too...`. You close your eyes, arms still locked securely around her. There is a quiet mutter, and you quickly open your eyes. You turn your head and look around the room, even though there is no one there. You just sigh and close your eyes again. You hear the same mutter, and finally can tell where it is coming from. You open your eyes again, and carefully look over Ele's shoulder to find that it was her. Her eyes are still closed, and her mouth is forming words, but with no sounds. By watching, once in a while a word or two that sound actually come out for are comprehensible. Most of the words you can make out are her saying your name. The others are actually words like "sorry" and "why". She looks extremely restless. She was constantly moving and worming around in your grip.
Trying not to wake her, you pull your arms off of her and get up. You crawl back towards the entrance to the cave, and carefully crawl out. You then turn and look at the rock face that makes the entrance to the cave. You grab the top of it and hoist yourself up to the top of it. You sit down on the rock and look up at the sky. It is a beautiful night; the stars are shining brightly against the black curtain of the night, the moon a beautiful silver saucer. A gust of wind blows across your body, rustling your clothes and massaging your skin. You close your eyes and try to think...
`What can I do? There is no way I could every will myself to kill her. I could... no. if I got someone else to do it, then I would never forgive them... What to do... What to do...`. A noise suddenly catches your attention. `...footsteps`. You listen intently. The steps are coming from the front entrance to the cave. You look down, over the lip of the rock, and see Shani. She seemed to be looking in at Ele. She then suddenly looks up at you. You just sigh and pull your head back. This time you lie down on the rock and close your eyes. You hear Shani walk around the structure and to the back of the rock. She then jumps up to the top, a few feet from you. "Hey...", she says. You bend your head forward and look at her. Under the black fur, she almost seemed to be... blushing. "Listen. I just wanted to say that I am... sorry.", she starts. It looks almost like she is trying to avoid eye contact. "I-I overreacted...", she says.
"No you didn't.", you say. You put your head back down. "I left, but like I said, I had no choice."
"Yeah, about that. What you said...", she starts. "What did that mean?".
You sigh again. "Exactly what it sounds like."
"So, that means you..."
"Yes."
"But... how is that possible?", she asks.
"Really, I'm not even sure myself. All I know is that I was "sent" back, not "brought" back.", you reply.
"By who?", she asks. You just shrug. There is absolutely no way of knowing who, or what, those people were. There is a small pause, where you lean back and look at the sky again. Shani looks up with you. "What're you looking at?", she asks.
"Stars.", you say, not taking your eyes off of them.
"Why?", she asks.
"Because I haven't in a while.", you reply. "You've lived here your entire life. You have no idea how lonely a night can feel without stars." She just looks up again, keeping purely silent. Quiet sweeps over the rock except for the subtle wind and gentle rustling of the bush.
"Why didn't you tell me?", she asks suddenly.
"What?", you ask, bending your head to see her again.
"When you first saw me. I remember the look in your eye. It was one of caring, but not out of pity or remorse. It didn't make sense at the time, but now it does. You knew, the entire time, so why? Why did you keep it from me that you are my father?"
"I... don't know...", you reply.
"That's not an answer...", she states. "And you know it."
"...Yeah, but I don't have an answer to give."
"I guess.", she says. There is another silence, and you lean back and resume looking at the sky. A cloud has rolled in covering the stars. You watch as it slowly floats through the sky, heading straight for the moon. You watch curiously as it slows, and stops almost perfectly on the moon, covering the moon and its light. `...what?`. Your ears pick up a noise, almost like a whisper. You stand up and walk to the edge. Shani rolls over from her back onto her feet and follows you. You jump off the edge, and she soon follows, just not landing as gracefully as you. You crawl back into the cave, and find that Ele has woken up.
"Hey...", you say softly.
"Hey...", she whispers back. You crawl back over to her and lay a hand on her spine. She smiles as she bends her tail back and rests it on the back of your hand. "I had an idea..."
---
You are laying there in the exact same position, hand in the same place. "Are you sure?", you ask. She nods.
"This way, you won't have to kill me, and I won't have to suffer.", she says, pushing her head against your leg and rubbing it. "If you have a better idea, then please, tell me."
You just shake your head. "No, I don't. But doesn't that mean that, if I don't do it, you're gonna have to get someone else to do it?", you ask.
"Yes, but I can take care of that. I just have one thing to ask.", she says. You just tilt your head and look at her. "Take Shani with you."
"W-Why?", you ask. She stayed outside when you went in.
"Because, there is nothing for her left here. And, I don't want her to have to deal with my death.", she explains. `I guess...`.
"But where do I take her?", you ask.
"I don't know, just not here. How about you leave her with that Tsune lady? She seems pretty nice.", she says, smiling lightly.
You scoff at her remark. "Please don't look inside my head.", you ask, grinning back.
"Meh. I'll think about it.", she says, smirking. You continue smiling back at her. She then begins coughing again. Her paw covers her mouth as she continues.
She finally stops, and breaths a deep breath. "I want you to leave.", she says.
"Wh-What?!", you say, just short of a yell. "Why?", you ask, trying to stay calm.
"Well, just think about it. If you saw who did it, what would you do?", she says. The firm expression of seriousness sticks to her face. "I know you've snapped before... and I just don't want that happening here." Her face softens and she peers into your eyes. "Okay?" You just nod, defeated.
"You have way too much of an advantage on me.", you say, trying to change the subject. She slowly shakes her head.
"I need your word. When you leave, do not come back... for at least... a month.", she says.
"A month?", you ask.
"A month."
You just nod as a response. "Alright. One month." She smiles as you say this.
"Listen. I really don't think... I can stay up for that much longer.", she says. "Could you go and get Shani for me?". You nod, then begin to make your way outside. "Wait.", she says after you. "There is... something that I... didn't want to say... to you... until the last time I saw you."
You shrug. "Good a time as any.", you say. You walk back and lean down, putting your ear close to her mouth.
"I know we won't meet again. I know it'll hurt for a while, but you have to move on.", Ele whispers into your ear.
"Please don't talk like that.", you say, voice cracking. As a reply, she just smiles. You reach behind her head and lean down to her ear. "I love you".
"And I love you.", she says. You release the back of her head. You quickly crawl out of the cave.
"Your mother wants to see you.", you say to Shani. She nods and walks in. You just sit against a far tree. You just sit there... waiting... waiting... and thinking... the same thing over and over, `Why her?`. Shani finally emerges from the cave, her eyes watering and puffy.
"Come on.", you mutter to Shani. She just nods, not even looking at you. You just turn and walk off into the darkness, Shani in tow, only leaving a trail of tears behind.
-----
I could say "The End", but there is still one more chapter.
-----
"You never know what you have until it's gone."
-???