Shupple
I remembered that I always liked the sounds of sirens, hearing them echo throughout my ears at night, remembering what kept me safe as the world turned round when I was a kid. I had always knew I was different but who counts different any more than just special? Or just a freakshow?
There was always one incident I remembered about Shift and Tanner and how they got along but Shift always ended up beating Tanner up and he coming home with a black eye or a bruised leg or arm. Tanner was never really the strong type. He came from a gigantic clan of Tangrowth’s and Tangela’s and he was born weak, but he didn’t like to be picked on. I still loved him though, in more of a brotherly way than anything else…
Flashback
“Hey, Tan-Tan?” I looked up at Shift talking to Tanner, that being Tanner’s nickname made by Shift himself since it was easier to say. Tanner looked over across the lunch table as I sat beside him and smiled.
“What’s up, dude?” Tanner asked in his usual calm tone. At home with his clan, he was completely different. I’ve always remembered that whenever I’ve visited, he was completely different, like a different person, and that he was always polite and cordial and like he was always hiding something. I never understood what.
“Wanna go kick the Pokemon around again tonight? It was loads of fun last night. I was surprised you had fun with it,” Shift asked curiously as he ate his pasta and Tanner stopped eating. Tanner looked uneasy and fidgeted in his seat. Something was going on and he wasn’t saying anything. Was something wrong with him?
“I don’t know… I got in trouble last night from ditching out on clan trials and accepting new members into the clan from other tribes. I don’t know… I didn’t particularly like doing that either. Pokemon having feelings too you know, Shift,” Tanner said quietly and Shift’s face grew mad. He looked scary… Why was he upset like this?
“Who ever said Pokemon had feelings? They do nothing from themselves! They’ve never helped us in any way possible!” Shift got up from his seat and picked Tanner up by the collar, Tanner not even being able to defend himself.
“Shift, please-” Instead of listening to Tanner’s plea, he threw Tanner like he was a twig across the lunchroom and Tanner got rammed up against the brick wall and with barely even running, he moved through the air and started to beat Tanner up. Snow, Ivy, and I got up and held back Shift as much as we could as Tanner got up and wiped all the blood off his face and walked off to outside, I ran after him as Snow and Ivy held Shift back with him slowly calming down. Shift always had to have his way, no matter what, and he had to have his way of fun and being mad.
I took Tanner home then and instead of scolding him like usual, his parents took him in and cared for him. It wasn’t what I was used to. I went home afterwards after I had dinner with them, and spent the night with my parents.
Now I just realized, in this day looking back, how insane Shift was.
End Flashback
The sirens continued as I thought about this and Arc just in particular. Why did Arc do this…? Why did he… abandon me…? I couldn’t understand him… He was always so different around me, never really saying what he actually wanted to tell me… Why did he…
Tears came to my eyes again as I sensed Arc coming up the stairs, his feelings sad and upset, which were radiating slowly out him, and I heard the door open as I sat on the edge of the building, looking down at the people running around as the ambulance came around the corner and the sirens still rang out.
Once Arc took one step onto the ceiling, I spoke coldly.
“Go away,” I said but I heard Arc’s steps continue towards me and he came somewhat to my side.
“I’m sorry,” Arc said in a low voice, but what did it matter? He left me and he had no idea how I felt. He promised… Promised…
I looked at him, my eyebrows furrowed as new tears streamed down my face. Sorry was really the only thing he could think of?
“Sorry?” I demanded. “That’s all? What good does that do, Arc! How do I know you’re telling the truth, huh?” The sirens stopped and my voice broke. He never really knew how I felt… Would he really feel it? The hurt? Did he mean it at all? “How do I know..that you mean it..?” It was hard to look at him but he needed to know… Why though, did he?
“Shupple..I-” I cut him off. I wanted to tell him. He needed to hear and just listen for once… Why couldn’t he understand? I… I just don’t know anymore…
“You promised me you were going to help me find my parents!”
“I know, Shupple.. but-”
“And then you just left! You didn't even say goodbye.. I thought we were friends..”
“We are-”
"Obviously we're not!" And it seemed like that to me.
"But-!"
“If you didn't want to be around me anymore, why didn't you-” It felt all true, what he did. It seemed like he didn’t want to be around me anymore, but instead of him retorting something back, he took me in his arms and held me close to him in a tight embrace. I felt like I was fifteen again and I was telling him my whole life, or I had been mad at him for something, because I just broke down.
I slowly calmed down after I tried to get out once or twice and I could tell he didn’t or wouldn’t let go of me.
“I left because I was afraid I would-.” He began, holding me still to him. He was trying, at least. “I tried to tell you..” What did he ever try to tell me? All in the past, whenever he wanted to tell me something, he wouldn’t, because he would get stuck in the conversation and change the subject automatically. Didn’t he even notice anymore?
“When? With your constant changing of subjects, how could you ever tell me anything you really wanted me to know?” I lowered my head, hiding my eyes like usual.
“I can't say-”
“Why not!” I pushed him off. I didn’t want to be held, even though I wanted to be also. I didn’t understand anymore… “Why do you change the subject when things get too personal? You smile even when you're not happy.. You get distracted.. I see it.” And I’ve always seen it.
And then he smiled and started to laugh but hid it through his hand covering his mouth. I glared at him, feeling like he was laughing at me, because whenever I told people in the past what I saw, they laughed. And he knew that, didn’t he?
“D-don't laugh at me!” I pushed him down and sat on his stomach to make my point, glaring down at him with slightly pink cheeks. Why did I always blush around him? This was different then with Mear… And I thought that I needed to forget him.
Arc suddenly brought his hand up to my bangs and pushed them aside to see my eyes and almost immediately, I blushed and pulled away from his hand. I was still mad at him…
“Please, Arc.. just tell me..why you left that night?” I asked softly, a little bit calmer before and all he gave me was a blank stare. I was gripping his shirt out of habit, tightly too, and I was pleading with my eyes, showing him that I wanted to know… He really hurt me. I could tell he wanted to talk about it but something else came out of his mouth.
“So, there's a Festival coming up..” How was this relevant?
“You're changing the sub-” I tried to tell him but he interjected.
“Will you go with me?” Wait… what?
“W-What..?” I stared at him with surprise.
“Will you be my date to the festival?” Arc asked again with a smile, a true one for once.
I was surprised that Arc had asked me. I mean, I wasn’t expecting it all, but Mear had left over two weeks ago and I couldn’t do anything about that but forget. I knew he was trying to change the subject, but I wasn’t entirely sure. He seemed serious about this and maybe… wouldn’t this be a good thing? I mean, I would like to go… with Arc… It would be nice…
“I'm still mad at you..” I turned around and looked away from him, crossing my arms. I wanted, or really just hoped now, to make my point.
"Please, Shupple. You know I can't stand to see you mad.." I could see the pout on him as he hugged me from behind. I always remembered that he could never stand to see me mad… He used to make me laugh all the time to get me out of my bad mood.
"I know.." I said with a slight chuckle and with a small smirk. I couldn’t help but remember that more now.
"Great, so you'll go with me to the Festival tomorrow?" Arc asked again with a big grin and that’s when a condition to my head and I turned around to look at him. He still didn’t answer my question.
"On one condition,” I said.
"What condition?"
"You tell me why you left." He thought about it afterwards and after a few minutes, he replied.
“Alright, I'll tell you. But, at the Festival, not here. Deal?” I was happy that he was at least opening a little bit up to me so I automatically hugged him and then realized it was really awkward and pulled away from him before he was able to hug me back, and I was extremely embarrassed afterwards.
I cleared my throat to end the tension or whatever it was and I looked away as Arc grinned. “O-Okay..”
“Then let's go before that blue cat tries to castrate me,” Arc said with a slight chuckle. Wait… Lux?
“Did Lux tell you to come up here?” I asked quickly as I stood up, wondering if Lux really did ask about him coming up here. I honestly thought he would come up here and comfort me and let Arc run away again. I had really thought that…
“Yeah, but I wanted to come up anyway.” He really did? Arc did? I couldn’t help but blush lightly for some reason.
“You did?” I asked, wanting to make sure and Arc smiled like always, but I could tell he wanted to smile today.
“I did,” Arc said, it sounding truthful and I was glad at least, he was trying to be truthful with me, and that I was happier for.
"Thank you..Arc," I smiled, still hiding my eyes, since I never liked him seeing them. It was always so weird to me, them being red and how Arc liked them, I think still. That’s when Arc brushed my bangs to the side to see my eyes again but I caught his hand and blushed lightly in the process, lowering my head at the same time. I didn’t like it when people saw my eyes…
"You know I don't like when people see my eyes.." I said quietly and Arc smiled and leaned closer to me and I couldn’t help but blush more.
"I like your eyes, Shupple," Arc told me.
"They're..red..it's weird.." I said quietly, it being true. They were weird, because people always stared when they saw my red eyes. I didn’t like all the stares.
"I happen to really like the color red,” Arc told me and I couldn’t help but blush more and that’s when Arc playfully tackled me like old times which I couldn’t help but laugh from because I was feeling better especially since Arc was wagging his tail too. I couldn’t help but remember those times, but that’s when something came to mind. I wonder if Arc still had that ear habit thing with him…
So I started to scratch the back of his ears which made his tag wag even more and automatically lick me on the neck affectionately, which made me gasp a little and blush insanely, which made Arc snap out of it and back up and scratch the back of his neck.
"Sorry, Shupple.." Arc chuckled nervously and I sat up, still blushing and smiling. I… don’t think I really minded it anymore… because I kind of liked it, I guess…
"I-It's okay.. I was wondering if you still had that habit.. Guess I was right.." I laughed and he smirked and pushed me back down, which I didn’t mind at all.
"You just wanted me to lick you,” Arc said with a smile and I smirked a little.
"Says who?" I asked.
"Me," Arc said as he hovered over me again and I blushed again. "Do you like me, Shupple?" I couldn’t believe he was able to ask this so easily but I thought about. Did I? I guess I did for a while, even after being mad at him, but I didn’t realize it until now… I liked that I liked him… He spent so much time with me anyways…
"W-Well, I um.. I g-guess I always did.. s-since I m-met you. W-why, do you l-like me?" I stuttered back, wondering the same thing about Arc about me… I mean… I didn’t see why I couldn’t ask it back.
"I might," Arc said. Wait… might?
"M-might?" I looked questioningly up at him and instead of answering with words, he answered with his lips pressing against mine and I was surprised at first but slowly calmed down and realized he did like me and I kissed him back, and in those moments, I was able to forget about everything except Arc. Only him.
After he stopped kissing me, we got up and went down the stairs, hand in hand and reminiscing a bit and the whole time, I couldn’t help but smile and think about Arc the whole time until we got outside and saw Hoom, Hon, and Lux. After Lux finished talking with Hoom, Arc and I were still holding hands and Lux turned to us with his goofy smile.
“So you figure everything out right? Seems you two are a bit more friendly with each other,” Lux said with a smile and I just automatically reacted. I couldn’t help it.
“S…SHUT UP LUX!” I spat. “It’s fine…it’s really nothing you should be concerned with,” I sighed and Lux looked at me with a stern look, like I was just being a bitch. Well… whatever. I just had a lot on my mind and it wasn’t what I thought Lux would say when Lux saw us.
“She’s just embarrassed right now…sorry, she’s just got a lot on her mind about Shift.” That’s when I noticed Arc with his arm wrapped around Lux’s shoulders and I, in my own mind, saw Tanner and Shift and this would always be how they would make up. “And thank you…without your harsh words, I probably would have left and made the same mistake again…I really do care about her, Shupple I mean…maybe that is why she acting the way she was in front of you since she really cares about you as well.” Though from that comment, I couldn’t help but blush and feel really embarrassed. Arc was smiling and wagging his tail and Lux tilted his head to the side.
“So no hard feelings Arc?”
“Not at all kitty!” Arc chuckled as he let go and they then pumped fists together.
“Oh whatever puppy!” They gave each other a man hug and automatically out of instinct, I got between them and looked at Lux.
“Just stop it Lux, I know what you are doing…” I said before I realized what I was doing and I felt stupid as Lux glared at me for my rudeness and Hoom came up to Arc.
“Hey Arc,” Hoom interjected with a small laugh, trying to break the tension. “Why don’t you join us since we are heading back to the mansion? The big festival is tomorrow so all need to prepare and you should really meet the others there.” Arc smiled and glanced at me for a moment as Lux walked off towards a fountain and looked blankly at me from that point and it made me feel uneasy so I said goodbye to Arc, which made hurt a little, and head over to Lux to see what was wrong.
“Why did you leave?” I asked Lux as I got over to him and stood in front of him, wondering why he did leave.
“Why didn’t you leave?” And now the reminder of why I stayed with Lux this whole time was coming out of my mouth again. Lux continued to look at himself in the water as I spoke with a sigh.
“Because I promised to stay by you until you were better. Do you know how hard it was for me and Arc to already go our separate ways?” I said simply with a slight foot stomp because I was upset that I was already gone from him.
“Should I really care Shupple? I don’t know since you embarrassed me back there. So what are you too each other?” Lux looked at me with a blank stare and just seeing that creeped me out beyond belief and sent shivers down my spine.
“I…about that…sorry…I just have a lot on my mind….I should really thank you though for sending Arc to me up there. Honestly, I expected you to come up there not him. He told me what you did, you really are a great friend,” I told him truthfully with a smile, hoping to make him feel better. I didn’t like it when Lux acted like this. He was my best friend. I didn’t like to see him upset.
“Apparently not a good enough one to get embarrassed of four other adults,” Lux sighed as he stood up.
“Of course you are Lux! Not many people would have done that for me….” And it was true. Nobody ever did that for me. That’s when Lux started to walk off and I caught up with him. Shouldn’t he be in bed? I mean, he was finally getting completely better. “WAIT, where are you going Lux? You need to be resting!” I grabbed his arm as I finally caught up to him. “We need to go back upstairs,” I told him but he looked at me with a smile. Well, he seemed to be in a better mood at least.
“Naw, I need some time away from this place and some fresh air. Besides I am going on a date with a special lovely lady!” Okay, what?
“Huh? With who? Hoom already left with the others!” I pointed out, since Hoom was his girlfriend after all, but instead, Lux just came close to me and lifted my chin up. What was he doing?
“Don’t be naïve Shupple, I can see it in your eyes, you wanna go out on a date with me?” Lux smiled seductively and I blushed. Hold on… A date with Lux? But Arc… I don’t…
“But…but you are taken and I don’t-“ He interrupted by putting a finger on my lips and making me shut up.
“Ssh as your best friend as you stated, I need to do special things for you and from what I saw, you were all infatuated with the mutt so you will go on a date with me to get yourself ready for the festival, besides, you can’t resist a stud like me!” Oh really?
“Try me!” I told him unconvinced and Lux smirked in reply.
“Alright I will,” and then Lux leaned in and kissed me straight on the lips. I wasn’t expecting it at all when he gave me a small French kiss but unknowingly, I gave it back. Lux then smirked and took his lips off of mine and playfully backed away. “You taste pretty good. I say you are about a 6 for kissing.” Shit. He just stole a kiss!!
“Lux you JERK!!! YOU STOLE A KISS FROM ME!!!” I yelled at him in frustration as I rubbed my hair constantly and walked back and forth, pacing with my face completely flushed. I really wish he hadn’t done that. Thanks, Lux. A lot.
“Oh hush up Shupple, it was friendly kiss. It didn’t feel right to me so it won’t happen again since I value our friendship more than anything, besides, you needed practice for your Arcy!” Lux scoffed as he began to walk away from me again and I just stood and thought about going on the date with Lux, even though he just kissed me. “Shupple, you coming on a date with me or not? I am treating for lunch! If you don’t come who will keep this sick and devilishly handsome Luxray out of trouble?” I was now smiling from the comment and laughed under my breath from the comment he made about himself and I decided I would go on a date with him. Besides, he needed a new outfit, and I think I did too.
“COMING!” I cheered as I caught up to him and grabbed his arm as we went on our first date together, no matter if we were both dating somebody, if you really want to call Arc and I dating.
“So where to first, Shuppy?” Lux asked with a big smile and I looked at him back with a smile back.
“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “How about we go shopping for the festival first, and then I help you find a new outfit?” I asked and he smirked when we started to walk towards the shops of the town and it was already so packed this early in the morning.
“What’s wrong with my outfit right now?” Lux asked with a little whine and I laughed.
“Let’s just say that it’s not the best right now, alright?” I laughed and he looked at me with desperate eyes, but they soon softened once I gave him a sweet look.
“Fine,” Lux sighed as we walked down the street, looking for a kimono shop. “But-“ I looked at him now and he smirked. “-I’m getting you something cute and sexy for your Arcy for the festival tomorrow,” Lux said with a smile and I rolled my eyes but I could tell he was serious. Great. So I’ll be getting a dress. I guess I wouldn’t mind that. “And you need a haircut.” Now I really looked at him.
“I am not cutting my hair,” I told him flatly and he frowned as we turned a corner and the kimono shop was only a few shops away.
“Not what I meant,” Lux said as he shook a finger in front of my face. “I meant your bangs. You need to show off those beautiful eyes, Shupple, and that smile,” Lux said with a smile as we started to pass by Wanted posters of Team Rocket commanders and I stopped when I saw one and Lux continued to walk until he noticed that I stopped.
“What’s up, Ghosty?” Lux asked as he came back to me and I ripped off the poster and showed it to Lux. “That’s Shift,” I told him, pointing to the picture, and deciding that Lux needed to know more about me. He opened up with me. I guess I should open up to him. He needed to know anyways, since he already met Shift.
The picture showed Shift holding up a prison number sign but with a gigantic smile on his face.
“So what’s this guy like, the bastard?” Lux asked and I sighed. Memories came and I let them, but I still put on a smile
“He didn’t used to be one. Surprisingly, he was nice and caring, but once his parents got murdered right in front of him, he practically hated everything. He started to train a lot with a legendary Pokemon, one he never told anybody the name of, because he wanted revenge against everything. If anybody got him mad, he would beat them up and move through the wind and use it as his tool, or just sitting, still air. He joined Team Rocket when he was about eleven, I think, and we lost communication with each other. He would walk by and be hanging out with Team Rocket people, and every day, he would be different with the smell of constant chemicals coming off him, which is probably what you smelt when you met him. He captured my parents when I was fourteen and I never saw him afterwards as I tried to keep up with his constant movements with Arc when I met him. He’s practically insane and now apparently one of the commanders in Team Rocket,” I sighed as I leaned against the wall of Wanted posters and Lux looked at me.
“Why does he want you?” Lux asked, frustrated and upset, and I looked at him.
“Because I didn’t join him like my friends Ivy and Snow did after Tanner went missing when he was eight and I was five. He wanted me to join him right after he took my parents and I scarred him for life on his face by scratching him across half of his face and he bled. After that he left with saying that he loved me and he would kill me the next time I saw him. I have a feeling that’s going to be tomorrow night,” I sighed as I closed my eyes and I immediately opened them when Lux took me in his arms and held me to him. I didn’t cry but I hugged him as he spoke.
“Whatever he’s like, Shupple, I’ll help you. I love you, Shupple, and you know that,” Lux whispered quietly and I just closed my eyes as he held me and I heard him crumple the Wanted poster in his hands behind my back.
“Thanks, Lux,” I said quietly and we hugged for a bit before he let go and I poked his ear.
“You can ask me anything today, blue kitty,” I told him with a smile. “But first, let’s go get ready for the festival,” I said with a smile as I grabbed his hand and led him towards the kimono shop and he laughed and followed.
We walked into the kimono shop and a Glameow Gijinka came up to us with a big smile as her tail tied around her neck and she looked at Lux and purred a little. Whatever…
“Welcome to Kitty Kimono,” she began. “I’m Mia and if you need any help, especially you cute kitty and definitely not you Goth girl, just tell me, alright?” Mia smiled and I frowned and she walked off and I whispered Shadow Sneak under my breath, grabbed her shadow, and made her run into a wall.
“Whoops,” I smirked and walked off towards the dresses and Lux slowly followed while looking at me weirdly.
“What was that?” Lux asked me with a small smile and I looked at him as we got into the dress’s section of the store.
“I’m used to it. No big deal really,” I shrugged as I started to look through dresses and Lux looked at me curiously.
“Well then, let’s look for some sexy dresses, huh, Shupple?” Lux smirked and I smiled with a slight blush on my cheeks.
“Of course, blue kitty,” I teased and he crossed his arms and started to help me pick dresses.
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I hope that was an okay ending, Iruka-chan, and I really hope I got Lux right :) I think I kind of sucked at his personality though... So what did you guys think? :D
Time to go shopping~ <3
Featured in post: Lux, Shupple, Tanner, Shift, Ivy, Snow, Hoom, Arc, and Hon
Time: Right after Arc left to go back to the mansion and on Abby's birthday, right? :)
~Anime-chan
