Ch 25: A Leaf in Full Bloom

   "Get away!" Rustfur shouted at the Absols. "Leave Sapphire alone!"

   "Ooh, Sapphire, huh? A pretty name for a pretty Leafeon."

   "She is a cute one." the scarred Absol agreed. "A little young, but I can wait."

   Sapphire saw where the Absol was heading with that last statement. "Hey! You've got a lot of nerve talking that way!"

   "Oooh, she's also feisty too. Just your type, eh, Boss?"

   "Back off! If you're looking for a mate, try your own age!" Rustfur yelled.

   I've had enough lip out of that one." The scarred Absol nodded to one of the smaller Absols, who returned the nod. The black horn on its head began glowing a brilliant white. He brought his head down swiftly, sending off a white crescent of energy, right at Rustfur.

   Rustfur saw it coming and quickly moved. Unfortunately, it was too close to the other Absol, who grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and tossed him toward the large Absol. Rustfur found himself pinned to the ground by a heavy paw.

   "Rustfur! Let him up!" she snapped at the Absol.

   The Absol sneered and pressed down harder against Rustfur, causing the Espeon to cough as he fought for air.

   "Stop it!" Sapphire cried, tears welling in her eyes. "Don't hurt him! I don't want to lose another Espeon..." she sobbed, hanging her head.

   The Absol didn't answer, because he had just realized something. "Blue eyes... You're the blue-eyed Eevee that got away when we came across that stubborn Espeon."

   From his position under the Absol's wide paw, Rustfur looked toward Sapphire. Her head was up, and her azure eyes were wide open, filled with disbelief.

   "You killed my father..." Sapphire whispered inaudibly. Then, her voice rising to a shout, she exclaimed, "You're the reason I'm an orphan!"

   What little breath Rustfur had caught in his throat. He was seeing Sapphire's old, aggressive side surfacing again, although this time it seemed much more volatile.

   "Let him up!" she ordered.

   "No." the Absol retorted.

   "Wrong answer. Let's try again. Let him up. Now!"

   "Get her out of here. I've had enough out of her."

   The two Absols advanced on Sapphire, intent on subduing her. Drawing into range, one of them lunged.

   Sapphire moved like lightning, slipping under his airborne form. As the dumbstruck Absol landed, Sapphire whirled nimbly on her hind paws, scoring the Absol's back with her razor-sharp, glowing green tail. Then, spinning again, she smacked the other Absol away with a solid, two-legged kick.

   The Leafeon turned and began coming towards the larger Absol. "Let him up, or my next attack will put your other eye out!"

   By now the Absol was starting to regret angering this hot headed Leafeon.

   "I guess you didn't hear me. Are you missing your ears too?" Sapphire asked sarcastically. "I'll help you then."

   Rustfur watched in awe as Sapphire flickered and disappeared. The next thing Rustfur knew, the Absol was hammered off him. Light-headed from lack of air, Rustfur weakly levered himself up and met Sapphire's gentle eyes. All traces of anger had vanished from their cool blue depths.

   "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice as gentle as her gaze.

   "I-I'm fine... he answered, coughing as he regained his breath.

   "Wow... You pack quite a punch." the Absol commented as he stood up, a scarlet ribbon of blood running down his front left leg. "But you'll have to do better than that."

   The white Pokemon lowered his head to the ground and the horn on it lit up with a light blue. A short time later, a wave of water rose high above the ground.

   Rustfur recognized the attack and told Sapphire. "Watch it. That's Water Pulse. But it looks a lot stronger than normal."

   "Rustfur, I can't do this alone. Go get your parents." Sapphire directed.

   "No. I'm not leaving you here alone."

   "Rustfur! Go!" she snapped.

   "I'm not going! I will protect you, even if it pushes me to an inch of life!" Rustfur stubbornly shouted, forcing himself past Sapphire.

   "Rustfur..."

   "Sapphire, do you remember when you told me I didn't have to prove to you that I was strong? Well, I want to prove it."

   Shaking, Rustfur bravely stared at the oncoming wave. Desperately he tried to form a barrier with his psychic power. Come on... Please, just this once.

   Nothing.

   Rustfur looked up at the wall of water and braced himself. He was surprised when the curtain of water split down the middle, missing him. He looked around to find out why and saw Ravenpaw standing between the trees.

   "Leave my son alone!"

   The Espeon snapped his head in the direction the voice came from, just in time to see his father slam into the Absol. Cinder stood ready, an Iron Tail waiting to be thrown. The attack smashed home with frightening intensity.

   Leafpool stood over the defeated Absol, snarling. "Pick on someone your own size."

   "Mom!"

   Leafpool turned away and saw Rustfur slowly padding towards her.

   "Rustfur!" Leafpool ran to her son. "You're okay!"

   The Absol tried to rise, but was pressed back down by a strong golden paw. "Stay put." Cinder growled at him.

   "Rustfur, I'm so glad you're okay... When your father and I woke up and we didn't see you... I thought something had happened to you."

   "I followed Sapphire out here. That's why I wasn't there."

   "Where is Sapphire, anyway?" Fireheart asked.

   "I'm right here."

   Fireheart and Leafpool looked over Rustfur.

   "S-Sapphire?"

   Ravenpaw stepped out of the trees and came over to Sapphire. "Wow, Sapphire... You look...amazing."

   Again Sapphire was blushing. Not Ravenpaw too... she thought desperately, looking longingly at Rustfur.

   Come here, Sapphire. Ignore him right now. Rustfur silently called.

   Uncomfortably, Sapphire got up and padded over to Rustfur. Ravenpaw followed her with his gaze.

   Fireheart saw how uncomfortable Sapphire looked, and in an instant, knew why. "Ravenpaw! Get your mouth off the ground! You did the same thing to Leafpool when I brought her to the Daycare!"

   Well, you're not the only one who thinks I'm pretty. Sapphire telepathically said to Rustfur.

   Don't worry. Ravenpaw just isn't used to seeing you like this.

   I guess you're right.

   "Let's get something to eat. Weren't there some Pecha berries around here?"

   "Yeah, over there." Sapphire nodded.

   Rustfur followed Sapphire the short distance to the bush of pink berries. Sapphire grabbed a branch in her mouth and shook it, not expecting to tear it clean off. "I guess I'll have to get used to my new strength."

   "Speaking of that, how do you know Leaf Blade? You just evolved."

   "I'm not even sure I could do it again. Let's see..." Sapphire looked back at her tail, concentrating on performing the attack. She squealed with delight when her tail started glowing green and stretched out, acquiring a sharp edge. "Look, Rustfur! I did it!"

   "Now if I could control my evolved form..." Rustfur muttered. "You're lucky..."

   "Rustfur you don't know how wrong you are." Sapphire answered sadly.

   "You just evolved and you can already use your most powerful attack. I can barely control my own abilities!"

   "Honestly, Rustfur, you can be so stubborn sometimes!" she snapped. "There's a whole organization of idiots trying to catch me! I don't even have parents to watch out for me! You think that's lucky!?" Tears were beginning to appear in Sapphire's eyes now.

   "No..." Rustfur hesitantly responded. "But I'll watch out for you, always." he said, wrapping his forked tail around Sapphire's trembling shoulders. "You're right, sometimes I can't see how lucky I am, to have you, that is."

   Sapphire giggled slightly. "Rustfur, you always know what to say. I could never stay mad at you." Then, remembering how hungry she was, she added, "I don't know if you're still hungry, but I sure am."

   "Hey! I'm hungry too! Save some for me, they're my favorite." Rustfur sat down and began eating alongside her.

   "There, that's much better." Rustfur said, having eaten three berries.

   "I'll say, I was really hungry." Sapphire agreed.

   Rustfur was about to say something else, but couldn't, as a huge yawn prevented him from speaking.

   "Rustfur! You've been awake all night haven't you?"

   "Why do you say that?"

   "Because you're half asleep right now. Come on, let's get your parents and head back. We'll see if Needlefur will let you take a quick nap."

    A brief time later, Rustfur was able to curl up and finally get some sleep. Even though she wasn't tired in the least, Sapphire lay right alongside him, watching as she drifted into sleep.