FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

i was finally able to pry myself away from my Xbox 360 long enough to write this up so you better enjoy it ...or else ^_^

Chapter 5 - Mixed Feelings

A full day has circled since the "trouble" on White Cliff Mountain, Dante has made a near full recovery from the injury he sustained from Albion's sneak attack. The interpret trio are making their way towards Rafeile's home, Greenwhich forest, on the far west of the great forest that separates Charizard territory from Blastoise.

To say that Dante was in the most pain it seemed that he was the most cheerful of the three, both Myron and Rafeile's minds were taken by thoughts of mates and families they were forced to leave behind. The very air that followed was almost rank with the stench of misery, this unnerved Dante to the point he made worried glances around trying to find something that would help distract them from what had happened.

The trip itself through the forest had gone quietly enough, the only thing to cross their path were the occasional small bug or grass type Pokemon, these were easily scared off by the sight of the unusual group of large friends.

'Soo... erm Rafeile' Dante paused and coughed as Rafeile faced him, his face flat and blank, 'How far till your home?' He had hoped that his question would give them something to talk about and ease the tension a little.

Rafeile just shrugged and turned back to where they were heading 'I don't know... about five minutes.'

'That close huh? You must be real excited to nearly be home, you know after being away for like five days and all.' Smiling he waited for and answer from the silent Blastoise he had managed to pry a few words from.

'Not really' and the conversation shattered, leaving Dante at a loss for words... Well almost.

'Okay... How so? Is there some sort of family trouble?'

The look Rafeile gave Dante felt like a burning arrow, 'Oh come on it doesn't take any brains to work it out, do you even posses one?' His breath rate increased, he clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles went from blue to white, and Dante started to nervously back off, 'the one I love is in a place I cannot go because when I took Kalos down I fucked up any sort of chance of being with her, can you really be that fucking blind! I HAVE SINGLE HANDEDLY ABOLSHED ANY HOPE OF EITHER MYRON OR MYSELF OF SEEING OUR MATES EVER AGAIN! ... ever again...' The water type had become extremely emotional and his outburst shocked everyone, he just could not abide by the fact that he may well never see his love again, hear her innocent voice or feel the soft comforting touch of gentle hands.

Dante stopped backing up and looked down at his armoured feet, it was painfully obvious and the only thing to pass through his head was - what a stupid thing to ask you bloody moron! -

As his gaze trailed upwards he was surprised to see Rafeile advancing on him, but not in a threatening manner no, it was with out stretched arms that greeted Dante's hide then the feel of strong muscular arms wrap tightly around him.

Rafeile held Dante in the hug, 'I cannot say how sorry I am Dante, this is all my fault you are not to blame if I had just kept my anger in check like you told me... all of this could have been avoided. I mean for gods sake I almost got you killed, the guy who is the reason I'm still here!' A single tear glided down his face.

Patting him on the back Dante replied in a most reassuring manner, 'Don't worry about it mate, I've been through worse if I ever get the chance I'll tell you about some flesh eating Weedle I came across once... Nasty little yellow shit.'

The conversation earned a laugh from everyone even Myron joined in, making a noise for the first time in a wile.

'Anyway you big blubberer at least you two have females to worry about, with a mug like mine I got about as much chance of landing me a decent female as... as you have sprouting feathers and calling yourself a Fearow!' He mused clearly enjoying the change of subject, and notably the change of air.

'Are you kidding?' Myron made his first proper inning to the conversation, 'trust me Dante there are girls out there who would throw themselves at you just by looking at you, how many other Nidoking do you know that could boast half of what you've done? Or the fact your white!? (No racism indented) stick with us and in less than a week you'll have someone,' he said with a warm smile followed by a thumbs up.

'Ahh come here you guys!' Dante grabbed them both and all three hugged patted and laughed, 'but just so we set it straight right now... bros before whoes right?'

They all took a hand each in the middle in a sort of triangle shape, 'Always' was Rafeile's and Myron's response.

'But now to the matter at hand' Myron cocked his head upwards, 'we better get going and get there before dark.' Nods and yes answered and with a final playful punch from Rafeile to Dante's arm they continued along the mud beaten path.

__________________________________________________________________________

A few moments later down the trail they were faced with there destination, Greenwhich forest, the largest Blastoise clan for hundreds of miles around, the massively overgrown trees towered above dwarfing the normal trees fringing the great forest, the leaves to the trees were relatively thin so with the warm glow of the sun setting a hazy emerald light blanketed the entire area. Crystal clear water hols and rivers decorated the ground in a way that jewels would a crown, it set out the air of relaxation and peace that made it seem all the more homely.

The resident Blastoise were as different from that of the Charizard clan as fire is from water (don't quote me on that). They were more casual in many respects yet still their living accommodations looked just as grand, great hollowed trees stood still growing like silent giants in the wind, some made their homes in the fallen trees nothing was left to waste. The luckiest found homes in a most unlikely place, the surrounding water holes and rivers sometimes yielded under water caves, the perfect homes for the east going Blastoise, the slow flowing waters washing blissfully over smooth rounded stones and silky sanded soil disguising the hidden homes.

This was merely as disguise for the military aspect of the clan was far from lax, guards were posted at every possible entrance, and some were even in the trees, don't ask me how they got up there coz I could not tell you even if I wanted to, Myron was amazed by the sight that met his eyes, Squirtle and Wartortle trained with fully grown Blastoise honing their skills at such an early age, truly these were the Spartans of the Pokemon world.

Still though the mood that lingered in the atmosphere managed to remain relaxed, it was not at all like White Cliff Mountain no-one gave Myron or Dante a second look, infact some even nodded and said hello to them, it was like they were used to mingling with different species of Pokemon, this was a good break from all the un welcoming stares they normally got.

Something was off though, the further towards the centre of the territory they got - closer to Rafeile's home - the more young male Blastoise they saw and there was a defiant lack of females. It looked like they were waiting for someone, but everything changed when Rafeile approached the crowd.

One Blastoise noticed his presence and groaned slightly turning to his friends who had paid no attention to Rafeile. 'Guys I think we better be going now.'

His friends answered him without turning round, 'what the hell are you talking about? If we leave now none of us will get a chance!'

'Yeah but I doubt we will now anyway... Rafeile's back...'

This time everyone heard him and an almost simultaneous groan chorused through the crowd and they all began to disperse grumbling and muttering.

Myron's eyes followed the crowd of upset males for some time before he questioned Rafeile, 'why were they all so disappointed that your back? You don't seem like the most popular person at the moment, but I haven't seen you do anything wrong...weird.'

At first this hadn't really bothered Raf but now he though about it, it was a bit off, everyone would have noticed that he wasn't around for about five days and yet no-one of his own age on the male side seemed happy to see him. 'Dunno, you got me on that one.'

They walked past where the crowd had been forming and carried onto to their destination, they didn't get very far when a small group of three females beckoned to the group, 'Rafeile! Rafeile over here!'

Dante looked to his friends and shrugged, 'I guess someone is happy to see you after all' no-one moved, 'err are we just gonna stand here looking like idiots or are we gonna say hello to Rafeile's female callers?'

'Sure I couldn't care less.' Rafeile sounded relaxed, it was obvious being back in his home environment was having a positive effect on him but he still appeared troubled. So in an agonisingly slow pace they started towards them, but in truth it was only Rafeile that was going slowly Dante and Myron kept trying to speed up and felt embarrassed walking then stopping constantly until they came face to face with the opposing sex group.

Among the group were two female Blastoise and one quite small female Tyranitar, all three giggled at the approach of the males this proved to unnerve them further.

'Can we help you young ladies?' Rafeile scratched his stomach and yawned.

Another school girlish type giggle was let out, 'your very laid back aren't you? All the males seemed real upset when you got back, us women should thank you now we can get some action in' she winked at Dante, 'ohh your friend here is a bit of a looker, hi there handsome.' She blew Dante a kiss; clearly she was very flirtatious it would take a brick not to see that.

This made Dante blush a very deep shape of red, he tried in vain to hide it but since his skin was white it was impossible. Myron burst out laughing at the sight of the over proud Nido blushing at such a small thing, 'you alright there buddy? Looking a bit flushed.' His sniggers were very irritating to Dante and he felt like decking the Charizard for being such an ass.

Rafeile paid no attention to any of flirting that was going on and instead decided to push the subject he had started, 'why shouldn't I be so laid back? This I my home and you're acting like I'm in danger.'

The female who had made advances on Dante seemed to be the leader of the group and she turned her head towards her friends, 'girls I think he's forgotten again' they all giggled again.

Now Rafeile was becoming unsettled and maybe a little annoyed, 'alright stop playin with words, what have I forgotten that is so bloody important?'

'Your gonna jump right outta your shell... Madane's here' a very teasing look was in her deep blue eyes.

'Rafeile's jaw nearly dropped right off his skull, and then he went stiff almost like he was frozen in some block of invisible ice.

Myron was still laughing at Myron when he gave an attention seeking tap to Rafeile's stomach with his elbow, 'Raf you have to check out Dante he's... Rafeile? Yo big man you still with us? He motioned to the females who were in hysterics, 'what's up with him?

'He "forgets" that Madane like he does every year for four years.' They continued to screw up their faces in scrutiny.

'I don't get it what is so bad about it?' Dante asked shyly trying to addresses anyone other than the female hitting on him.

'Because after the freezing stage he runs off and doesn't even look at her, they haven't seen each other for like five years since they were Squirtle!' She walked tantalisingly up to Dante, who in turn took a step backwards, and she began to stroke her hand up and down his muscular rock like arm. 'A big strong guy like you should be able to see why that's a bad thing.'

Dante was Blushing madly at the feel of her soft hands, and it took a lot of effort for Myron to ask his next question without roaring a laugh but he sniggered anyway, 'so what if he runs away from family members? I do it from my mother in-law, every time she visits I'm out "hunting". Everyone does it at least once.' He could not harbour the raging battle within himself any longer so with a cross between a roar and shooting a small flamethrower to the floor making little cinder dance at his feet, relieving the tension built up to halt his laughter.

It became obvious to the females Rafeile had told his friends very little about himself, 'It's not quite that simple... you see Madane is not related to him per say, err well to put it bluntly she's his arranged mate.'

Every expression he was experiencing fell from his face as the words hit him and he gaped at Rafeile's still rooted physic. 'Arranged mate!?'

'Yeah, our chieftain made a pact with Balgor (Rafeile's farther) that when they both came of age they would be mates, no ifs no but and no maybes, just mates.'

'You two timing son of a bitch!' Myron swung for Rafeile and his him squarely on his left cheek making him stumble and caused him to coming spinning back into reality in a spiral of pain and confusion.

'Does Amber even mean anything to you!?' He advanced to Rafeile, 'after all you two have been through together, and you go makin promises when you already supposed to be hitched!?'

Calmly Rafeile got to his feet, 'ooo... that's gonna leave a mark' he rubbed his now sore cheek, 'Myron stop acting so dense.'

Dense? Dense!? I'll give you fucking dense!' He almost screamed as he lunged forward once more, but this time Rafeile was ready and against him when he was conscious and aware Myron was helpless, and with one quick move Rafeile easily lifted Myron off the ground and flung the emotional Charizard ten feet into the air, and he landed just behind Rafeile.

Dustin himself off Rafeile turned to the downed fire type who was aching his back in pain from the impact, 'Just think for once will you? if I were cheating on Amber wouldn't I be with Madane and not running off at every chance I got?'

Myron released a shameful huff, he had acted completely on suspicion and not given the situation any thought.

'Now stop acting like my mother and get up', he extended a hand down to Myron and after a second it was firmly grasped, and he was pulled to his feet looking thoroughly ashamed.

'I'm sorry Raf I-I shouldn't have said those things... or hit you... I know you better than that,' Rafeile smiled forgivingly and gave him a well intentioned punched on the shoulder.

'So then who is this Amber and what about two timing?' The Blastoise and Charizard both looked in the direction of the voice and met the smiling glares of the females... and an uncomfortable Dante.

Rafeile started to shake mildly some sweat forming upon his scaled brow, 'heh heh funny story... well you see erm...,' he paused momentarily taking in a deep breath like he was about to say something, and everyone stared at him expectedly, 'I got nothing.' Myron almost fell over.

The female's eyes grew wide and as sudden realisation hit her, 'oh Rafeile don't tell me you already found a mate, Madane's gonna kill you she's been looking forward to this for months and now our going to break her heart!.'

Any hope of concealing his secret from these ladies was now impossible, 'you can't tell anyone! Dad wouldn't understand, mum would probably cry and I just don't feel that way about Madane.'

'Heh you say that now but wait till you see her, she's got everyone drooling over her back home, but she's pushed them all off for all this time for you! Give us one good reason to not march off and tell her right now!' She folded her arms and tapped her foot in a you just got busted kinda way.

'Coz if you don't tell anyone then...err...' his travelled around the immediate area for something to offer them, and he smirked as he found the perfect thing.

'If you keep quiet about this then you can go on a date with... Dante.' the female let out a squeal of joy.

'Deal!'

'No deal!' Dante wanted some say in this.

The female's face became saddened by Dante's lack of enthusiasm.

'Yes it is a deal,' her face lit up again, 'Dante just take one for the team.

'Why don't you take one for the te-te-team,' His last few words trailed off as his date to be had clung to his arm, and stretching up onto her toes kissed him on the cheek. His reaction was to go as stiff as a plank, he had never experienced this sort of behaviour from the opposite sex before.

'Hey pal I've already take for the team' he pointed to the wound on his face, which had nearly completely healed over producing an impressive scar. then he lifted his shell upwards slightly to reveal his extremely muscular stomach which was covered in cuts and bruises too many to count. He quickly dropped it when the Tyranitar began to swoon over him.

'So anyway have we got your word that you won't tell?'

'As long as I'm with this hunk I'm game with anything,' she began to nuzzle at Dante.

'Ok so tomorrow he's all yours.' Dante almost leapt as he went to join Rafeile and Myron, looking a little more than just aroused.

'Aww why not today?' She whimpered.

'Because if you wait till tomorrow than you'll have longer with him.' His smug expression was both reassuring to her and uncomforting to Dante.

'Hmm that's a good point, so where'll you be staying?' her question was directed at her sweet heart, she was hoping that he wouldn't have a place... If you catch my meaning.

Hastily Rafeile butted in not wanting to prolong the embarrassment he was putting his friend through, 'he's with me.'

'Oh... ok.' She walked right up to him so her chest was pressing against his, and in one quick movement she very briefly pressed her lips to his. He started to breath very quickly and his heart raced, she lowered herself back down and winked at him with her seductive eyes. As he walked back to her group she threw a comment over her shoulder, 'I'll be round first thing in the morning, even if I have to drag you outside.' And with that they left giggling all the way.

'Well that went better than could have been expected...' Myron mused.

'You can be a fucking asshole when you want do you know that?' Dante was clearly upset about the events that had just unfolded.

'And yet there is always the after glow of such a nice, if somewhat sexual, conversation.' He continued.

Rafeile chuckled at Myron's joke then decided to pacify Dante, 'hey the opportunity arose for the both of us and I took it, anyway you were bitching about not being able to find a female and now you've got one, so what's the big problem?'

The was a hesitation before Dante answered, 'I don't know, I'm bloody pathetic I just don't get it I can kick twelve guy's asses at once, and I can't even handle one dame... I guess it's just because this will be the first time anyone's been like this to me.'

'Me and my man Myron here can handle this, give you some pointers on the ladies. But remember bros before whoes.' he got Dante in a headlock and ran his clenched fist up and down Dante's forehead.

'We'll make a man of you yet...'

___________________________________________________________________________

'And just where the hell do you think you've been?! I tell you to go for a walk, clear your head some... What kind of walk lasts five days?!' Chief Balgor was pacing around his son who was sat on a stump in the middle of the largest tree in the entire forest. His booming voice echoed and shook the dark brown bark of the very trees, causing the vines that hung from the branches to shudder.

'Please calm down dear, we should just be glad that he's back safe and sound,' Rafeile's mother Shelia was stood just behind Raf but even her gentle voice could do little to hide the tint of annoyance she was having.

'Glad he's back? Yeah sure I'm glad he's back coz now I get to kick his ass around the forest!' Balgor's chest stood out inflated in his anger.

'Good to see you too dad,' Rafeile had been in this situation many times before and knew exactly how to handle his father when he was upset.

Balgor just scowled at the crude comment before noticing the scar on Rafeile's face, 'and where'd you get that?' He pointed directly at it, 'fall off a cliff and land on something as stubborn as you?'

Rafeile just stretched and coolly answered, 'no I got it in a fight,' he swivelled his shell around so the rear of it was visible to his parents, 'this is what I got from falling off a cliff,' he displayed the large crack which started at the rim of shell and ended near the centre.

His mother gasped covering her mouth 'you fell off a cliff!?' She frantically bent down and started to inspect the fault in his shell.

To everyone's surprise Balgor began to clap his hands 'Bravo, this is certainly a new one isn't it?' He folded his arms, 'what was it last year? O yes and I quote "I was chased by an angry herd of Turos," and guess what there was a stunning lack of any Turos near by. So this year it isn't another Pokemon's fault, no you just happen you walk right off a cliff.'

'Balgor he is not faking it this time, he is actually hurt' Rafeile smiled his mother was always a reasonable type.

'Of course I'm not faking it, I haven't faked any of it.' This was of course a lie, this year was the only time he had actually been involved in a real accident.

'Be that as it may, I just think it was all to convenient that he decides to go to such lengths to pull off a stunt like this and on the same week that Madane is supposed to meet with him, a little more than coincidence I think.' He stood looking rather smug thinking he'd got it all sussed out.

That smugness always got on Rafeile's nerves and right now he really was not in the mood to be messed about with, standing bolt up right startled both his mother and father as he virtually pressed his nose to Balgor's, 'look I just don't feel that way about her why can't you understand that! Why are you forcing me to do this!?'

'News flash boy, she loves you! But I shouldn't expect you to understand that feeling.' He pushed Rafeile rather harshly back onto the stump and stared him in the face, 'now you listen and listen well, this young girl has come here year after year to find her betrothed has run off like some coward, but she has persisted and do you know what? This time it's gonna pay off coz out of the goodness of my heart I invited her to stay here until you return, and you are not going to leave this room until she's finished with you, ya hear?'

Rafeile's throat began to hurt, there was no way out of this, no excuse would help him now... this was it. So reluctantly he nodded.

Satisfied his son had got the point he turned his attention to the entrance to their home, 'right now that's settled, you can come in now.'

Rafeile averted his head away from the entrance, the way his dad had just put it made him sound like a complete and utter shit head and the feeling of over whelming guilt clouded his thoughts.

'Don't we look pretty today?' Shelia moved towards the new presence in the room that Rafeile assumed was Madane.

Then to his surprise came a voice that was like a sweet melody playing through his head, smooth and soft like silk, 'thank you ma'am you look stunning yourself.'

'Oh please,' Shelia blushed, 'and dear I've told you there is no need for formalities we're all equals here,' she took Madane by the hand and lead her to the middle of the room near to where Rafeile was sat hunched over, his dad gave him a little smack on the back of the head and he sat up straight. 'And we've finally got hold of a special someone long enough for you to meet him.'

Now this is the part where your wondering "come-on really who the fuck is Madane?" The answer is they were friends when they were Squirtle, their parents set up an arranged matehood and as a consequence Rafeile has been avoiding here ever since.

From Madane's memory Rafeile had always been somewhat of a runt, he was always the smallest, calmest, and hating to admit it smartest Squirtle, but here sat with his head turned away from her was an absolute bruiser of a male Blastoise, rippling well toned muscles, an un-daunting sense of power, and multiple scars proving that he was not one to shy away from a fight.

All the courage she had worked up till then seeped away from her, she had always been the taller from what she could remember but now... even though he was sat down she could tell easily a good foot or two taller than her, and sounding much smaller than she liked she greeted him, 'hi there...'

Concluding that he could not put it off any longer he stood up to his full height and turned to face his arranged beloved. What he saw was far, far from what he remembered, as he thought she was the bigger and looked like the rough play type but in reality he was the bigger, so much so he could see clearly over her head. Her slender figure resembled that of Amber's, her perfect curves, her rounded "ahem" bust and shocking down right beauty left him with his mouth agape.

Gulping he answered but it was raspy because it felt like something was lodged in his throat, 'H-hi'

The tension was almost unbearable, Shelia seemed the more aware parent and sensed that their presence was not helping the matter, 'we will leave you kids alone now, won't we dear?'

Balgor still had a suspicious look on his face, always keeping his eyes on Rafeile, 'yes... you two play nice now won't you?'

When they left it felt like a massive weight had been lifted from Rafeile's back, and as soon as he felt it completely melt he took a seat on the stump and rested his head on his hands, and in a reluctant manner shuffled over to make room so Madane could sit next to him. She accepted the kind offer and perched on the edge next to him quite timidly, it took a long time for her to say anything because she still could not believe that this was Rafeile.

'Long time no see Rafeile.'

'Yeah...' He was silently cursing himself; he was becoming attracted to her and felt as though he was betraying his feelings to Amber.

'You sure have grown up since we were kids I never would have thought, gotten handsome to' she was trying to impressive him.

Rafeile coughed a bit but it sounded more like he was choking, and he thumped his chest to get it out.

She giggled a strange giggle, even it was seductive, 'you always were the bashful one weren't you? Apparently a shy one too, but now... just thinking about it we're finally going to be together.' She had made a surprisingly bold move, and Rafeile did not appreciate being put on the spot like that.

Rafeile kept a low growl in his throat as he answered, 'and as I remember you were always the obnoxious one who is the reason I am in hurry to forget my childhood. Do you know how humiliating it was? A male Squirtle the son of the chieftain no less, beaten up by a female? I had to literally claw my way to the top, I trained got in fights just to bulk up, and now I'm bigger than you still wanna try your luck again! What do you have to say to that!?' He panted as he finished his sentence clearly stressed out by the whole situation.

'What do I have to say to that?' She stared at him like she had been emotionally hurt, 'four years, four years I came and found you wanted nothing to do with me, up to the third time I blamed on bad luck, on the forth I cried for week! When we were children you made me feel things I didn't understand, I got by and promised myself I wouldn't rest until we were together and I won't leave here till I've made you mine. Because I love you Rafeile! W-why can't you just give my love a chance?' Her short breaths and flushed cheeks further defined the distress she was in, 'I need you Rafeile, I will be with no other and if I can't be with will I'll die of anguish.'

'Argh! Why must everything I do be so hard!' He was beginning to calm down but he still was trying to find a way out of this, 'what do you want from me? Blood? Because you're forcing me to do something I'm not sure about.'

'All I want is to hear the question from you I've been waiting so long to hear.'

Rafeile could not stand seeing her like this tears down beautiful cheeks and quivering all over, 'I-I' before his mind could properly kick in his body took over, 'Will you... err be my mate?'

Madane's crying increased but these were tears joy, 'now and forever' she indulged him in a long and very passionate kiss.

Rafeile did not concentrate on the kiss, what he was focused on was what she had said "now and forever". Loathing himself for what he was doing, yet he enjoyed every moment of it which increased his disgust tenfold.

'You really are good at these things aren't you?' Rafeile's parents had been watching from outside.

Balgor pulled his mate right up so close that their chests were touching and kissed her.

When the kiss was broken Shelia looked up at her mate with watery eyes, 'our first born has grown up now,' she paused briefly sighing, 'we could be grandparents soon.'

Balgor stroked her face, 'your way too young to be a grandmother.'

A rustling sound next to them in the bushes took Balgor's attention 'Can I help you.'

'Err yes you wouldn't happen to know where we can find a Blastoise called Rafeile would you?'

'Yes I would but I'm afraid my son Rafeile is busy at the moment, I'm sorry you two are?'

'Oh yes of course, I'm Dante and this is Myron,' Myron bowed lowly as a sign of respect. 'We're friends of Rafeile, heh we kinda scraped him off the bottom of a cliff, you know helped hi to his feet.'

Balgor just mumbled something that was barely hear able, 'so he really did fall off a cliff...hmm' Shelia discreetly elbowed him in the ribs.

'I'm sorry boys he's preoccupied you might want to try again I the morning,' Sheila wanted to give Rafeile as much privacy as possible.

'Thank you madam, if you could tell him we came?...'

'Absolutely'

'Okay err bye then'

Myron and Dante Walked off until they were out of earshot, 'Great now where the hell are we going to stay?' Dante kicked up some dust as they sauntered along.

'We could always call in at your girl place house now couldn't we?' Myron sniggered to himself.

'Ahh shaddup!' Dante clipped him round the back of his head catching Myron's horns which sent a painful shudder through him. 'Yowch!' Dante pulled back his hand and sucked on his finger tips which had produced a small trickle of blood.

'Serves you right I was only making a suggestion.' He put a finger to the tip of one of his horns as though checking the sharpness, 'I knew not getting these smoothed would pay off in the end.' He stopped chuckling long enough to see that Dante was troubled by something else that the pair of parallel cuts on his right hand. '...are you ok?'

'No...no I'm not ok far from it, I'm scared'

'You scared? Scared of what?'

'Tomorrow' Dante replied timidly and Myron could tell he was scared because he had never heard him like this, nit even when he got attacked and was close to death.

'Ohh... do you really not want to go on this date thing tomorrow that bad?

'No! I do want to... only... What if I cock up? Make an ass of myself or something?, she's just so pretty and I don't like the thought of someone like that thinking me and idiot.' Myron was stuck for words on two parts, this was the first time he had ever seen this guy, his friend, ever be so emotional and how could he tell him everything would be alright? He knew full well that Dante could cock it up very easily.

'What is this?'

'Huh?' Dante became confused at Myron's rhetorical question.

'What's this oh I can't do it I'm too scared attitude you've got going?' He tried to pull at Dante's strings, trying to make him see how stupid he was being, 'So you're telling me you can gladly take on twelve Pokemon in a fight but can't hold a relationship with one?'

'I don't understand' bluntly Dante continued to stare.

'How is this situation you're in differ from a fight, you have ups and downs in fights and relationships, you have to struggle sometimes, but if you try hard enough you'll get by so how is it different?'

'Well for one thing I'd probably have to put some effort in,' He earned himself a smile rubbing the back of his white head.

'Not being to modest are we? You can't piss about like this when your out on your date, you might end up hurting her feelings!' Only Myron could tell a joke and give Dante a grilling in the same sentence.

'I-I' Dante could not stop himself from stammering, he was so used to being right but he had no clue what to do or say.

Myron sighed deeply and took Dante by the shoulder where he led him to a small fallen tree and sat him. 'If your gonna survive two minutes I'm going to have to set this out nice and clear for you.'

Dante tried as hard as he could to understand where he was going, it sounded more like Myron was treating him like some moronic lunatic, but wanting to get the best sort of heads up for what may come tomorrow he played along.

'I will teach you everything I know on how to woo a woman, like talking about them and frequently asking how there are, then when we're finished your going to try them out on your girlfriend, got it?'

'What tonight!? I can't... err she's not expecting me until tomorrow, anyway I need time to get ready...' Dante went on for a while making up all the excuse under the sun, Myron began to rub his fore head like he had a headache.

'Look just shut up! The longer you leave this the harder it'll get! Do you want to end up in a situation like Rafeile's? Always running from a girl coz you didn't get it sorted then and there?'

Dante violently shook his head.

'Good, now that's outta the way we'll start, and we're going straight to where she is staying after.' Myron stood up and started to look around checking if they were being watched.

'...'

'Myron?'

'Ahh what now? It better not be another soppy excuse, coz I swear I can't take any more of your crap tonight and I'll knock your bloody head off.'

'No... it's... erm where'd she say she was staying?' Myron slapped his own face.

To be continued...