I can't believe franticshipping week is over already. Also, if anyone didn't know, I now have a franticshipping shrine irl and in animal crossing new horizons. My island is literally named "RuSa" so I have to make at least 3 franticshipping shrines. :3c

Not shrine-related, day 7 prompt's is "free day" which means anyone can do what they want in this prompt. Now, you heard of Ruby missing his memories/actually having amnesia but I think that's flat and boring. You know what'll hurt more? Well, this. :D

[Yes, I love torturing Sapphire physically and torturing Ruby emotionally if anyone's wondering.]

[...I'M DOING THIS BECAUSE I LOVE THEM,,,,,,]

[YES I FEEL GUILTY DON'T JUDGE ME DSFHSDSDKGJGDK]

Summary: In an instant, Sapphire lost her memories.

57. Missing Memories

...

...

A step and another followed by more on the squeaky tiles of the hospital lobby could be heard. It was hasty and high-pitched, causing everyone to stop what they were doing. They all looked at the young man running towards the reception desk. "Where can I find Professor Birch?" he asked in a demanding yet concerned tone.

The receptionist paused before replying, "H-He's at the emergency room, sir, but we don—"

He left before the receptionist could even finish. He practically sprinted, catching his breath as he made his way. Thoughts were running in his head, but spotting a white lab coat interrupted it.

The man by the coat turned to look at him. He was silent. He just stood there, staring at the young man's dreadful appearance.

"Professor Birch," Ruby said while heaving. "Where's Sapphire? What happened to her?"

The professor gritted his teeth, shaking his head.

"Where is Sapphire? What happened to her?" Ruby repeated, impatience lingered in his tone. An uncommon behavior for him, but he really wanted to know what happened to Sapphire.

The older man could only look down, staring at the floor. He eventually answered, "She's...She's in the ER. She was..." He gulped. "She lost a lot of blood..." he responded shakily and placed his hands on his face, covering it. He tried to hold back the tears, but he couldn't.

"What happened?!" Ruby asked again urgently, clenching his trembling fists. "Is she okay?!"

"I wish I knew," the professor muttered. He sobbed. "We were doing field research earlier. We found a Mightyena's nest and we started observing it. I fell on the tree branch by accident. The mother thought I was a threat to her babies so she started growling. Sapphire came down from the tree and told me to stand up. I tried but slipped. It awakened the babies and they started crying. The mother got angrier and drew its claws at me. Sapphire..." He swallowed the lump in his throat, his voice quivered just by thinking about it. "She took the attack for me and her head hit a rock. I..."

Ruby was shaking; he was terrified. He continued clenching his teeth and his fists. He started biting his lip to calm himself, but none seemed to be working.

Sapphire was hurt. Sapphire was hurt.

And he wasn't there to protect her. He should've gone with them. Sapphire did invite him, but he declined, saying he had some business with the contest community. He couldn't help but blame himself. He should've been there. He could've prevented that from happening, but no. He had to be away from her.

He felt tears running down his face, as he bawled. He immediately wiped it off with his arms and coughed.

"H-How long was she unconscious?" he asked with a shaky voice.

"I don't know. Probably three hours, or more," Professor Birch said in a defeated tone.

"I should've been there," Ruby muttered, smacking his fist on the wall. Tears fell from his eyelids once again. "Dammit."

"It's my fault, not yours," Professor Birch said to ease the boy's pain. "I was the one she was trying to save."

And he was right. If Professor Birch wasn't her father, he would've scolded him for being so clumsy, but no, he shouldn't. It was an accident. The Pokemon acted on instinct and protected its children from its possible predators. It was just mother nature doing its job. But, still, he couldn't help but feel guilty. He should've been there, then maybe, things would've changed.

The light on the Emergency Room suddenly went off, as the doors creaked open. A doctor stepped out.

"Professor Birch?" he asked. The professor stood up and just as he was about to approach the doctor, Ruby butted in.

"Doctor, how is she? Can we see her?" the Charmer asked.

"Well, yes, but—"

Ruby quickly went inside, interrupting the doctor and leaving the professor. The professor sighed once the doors closed whilst the doctor gave him a confused look. "Aren't you going to see her?"

Professor Birch smiled slightly. "I want to, but it's best to leave them alone for now."

"Is he her boyfriend?" the doctor asked with his eyebrow raised.

Professor Birch nodded but took it back with a shrug. "Probably. Most likely."

...

...

...

...

"Sapphire!" Ruby called once he stepped into the room. His eyes widened in shock once he saw her.

The room became quiet once he entered. The doctor's assistants looked at each other for a few seconds, before leaving them alone in the room. Ruby paid no attention at the eyes looking at him and the whispers they mutter. His eyes were only looking at the woman in the bed.

She was sitting on it with a pillow supporting her back. She had bandages wrapped around her head, as she was staring at the wall covered with white paint. He took the deepest breath he had to take, then approached her. He gulped.

"Sapphire?" he asked, stopping on the left side of the bed.

The girl blinked and turned around. She looked at him with confused eyes. "H-Hi?" she asked, and Ruby knew something was wrong.

She would usually reply with a 'Heya, Ruby' and smile at him, but no, she didn't. He was met with a bewildered expression and it was worrying him. He really hoped she was just tired.

"Sapphire..." he uttered once again. "Are you okay?"

Sapphire bit her lip. She placed a hand on her head. "I...guess?" she answered, her tone wasn't certain but he understood why. "I...I couldn't remember why I ended up here, though."

"Oh, that's because your father took—"

"In fact, I don't even remember my name."

Ruby blinked. "W-What?"

"Oh, wait. Ya said my name. It's Sapphire, right?" She turned to look at him, waiting for his response. All she saw was a worried face, however. "Are ya okay?"

"You...don't remember me?" Ruby asked with a trembling tone. He moved closer and placed his hands on the blanket covering half of her body. He then looked into her eyes and saw the answer. He closed his own and grumbled. Tears started forming in it.

Her face was blank and clueless. She really...couldn't remember anything. And the worst part? She wasn't feigning it. He knew she wasn't the type of person to do such things, but it hurt. It really hurt. He couldn't help but think that this was the punishment from his lies all those years ago.

"I'm really sorry. I wish I knew ya..." She bit her lip, looking away. She could feel his warm yet shaky hands on her legs. The blanket was the only thing that was separating them from the body heat she was feeling. She could feel his hands were starting to be a bit clammy, too, but she didn't mind. She must be someone important to him.

"You really don't know me...?" Ruby asked once again, hoping what he had experienced earlier was a nightmare, but Sapphire only shook her head. He gritted his teeth and sobbed. "I-I'm Ruby," he choked. "I-I'm your best friend. I'm your rival too..."

Sapphire paused. She pondered for a bit. "Well, yer name sounds familiar. Were...ya someone important to me?"

Ruby wiped his tears away and cracked a small smile. He bobbed his head at this glimmer of hope. "Yeah,"

It wasn't much, but if his name sounded familiar to her then there could a possibility that she might remember everything. "We practically grew up together," he continued, holding back the tears. "Sapphire," he called, gripping the blanket that was separating them. "I promise I'll help you regain your memories."

Sapphire's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Of course," Ruby replied softly as he looked in her eyes. It may still have an oblivious expression, but at least he was able to see a tinge of happiness in it.

Several Days After

Trekking through the forest always brought an unpleasant feeling in Ruby. He hated walking through this luscious forest, as specks of dust, dirt, dead leaves, and twigs travel onto his clothes. However, he had to do this. One reason was the fact that it was Sapphire's—rather amnesiac Sapphire's— first-time visiting their shared secret base, so he had to show her how to get there. On another, he suddenly felt like walking with Sapphire. It was weird considering he hated the consequences of hiking in the forest, but he was low-key hoping that this may trigger her memory.

He was a patient man, but he wanted Sapphire to remember everything as soon as possible. It hurt seeing her like this and if he could give up something to make her memories return, then he would gladly do it in a heartbeat.

He didn't know whether her feelings were also wiped out. Last week, before this mess happened, they kissed passionately. He didn't know how, when, and why, but it just happened. Their kiss was amazing, of course, and it was his first kiss to boot. Another added bonus? It was the first kiss from the woman he loved. It was such an intimate moment and he couldn't stop thinking about it.

He didn't know whether they were dating or not, though. They became busy after their confessions. They did have a little time together, nonetheless, but he was such a perfectionist that he wanted to wait at a perfect time to ask her out, and it was his biggest regret to not address the question sooner.

He stopped in his tracks. He was in a daze again.

"Somethin' wrong?" Sapphire asked.

Ruby turned and grabbed her hand. He smiled. "We're almost there."

They walked hand in hand until they reached a certain cavern. Ruby went inside as Sapphire followed.

"Welcome to our secret base," Ruby proclaimed, as Sapphire looked at the place in awe.

"So wait, we share the same secret base?"

Ruby smirked. "Of course. Remember when I told you that you saved my life the very day I moved to Hoenn?"

Sapphire giggled, as she walked around the place. "Yeah, I remember."

Ruby winked. "Well, this is where you took me. It was just an empty cave at first, but I did a little decorating and it eventually turned into our shared secret base and our second home. This is where we hang out most of the time."

"I see," Sapphire's hand went to touch the Snorlax bean bag. Fascinated, she sat on it and let her weight flatten the furniture for a bit. "This is a lot to take in."

"Hmm?" Ruby hummed with a quirked eyebrow. He grabbed the Marill bean bag and sat in front of her. "What do you mean?"

"Well," Sapphire blushed slightly. She placed her hands on her lap. "I mean, it's nice knowing I was this kind of person and how relevant ya are and my dad and also my Pokemon in my life, but..."

"But what?" Ruby questioned further. His hands went to hold hers out of his own volition. Her hands were warm and comfortable, even after losing her memories.

Sapphire smiled brightly. The smile was all too familiar to Ruby, making his heart thump wildly at that. "What am I to you?"

It caught Ruby off guard. It was a good question, but he knew he would be fooling himself for not knowing the answer.

"Ya don't have to answer right away. I'm just curious."

Ruby smiled. He squeezed their linked hands. "Well, that's easy."

"Hmm?" Sapphire tilted her head. She didn't mind his hands on hers. It was oddly comfortable. It made her feel safe.

Ruby recalled the time where he was desperate to tell her what he felt. He was scared yet somehow found himself telling her every bit of emotions he had for her raging in his system. Now that he thought about it, it was a goofy display of affection. Then again, he was a teenager of fifteen back then. "You're someone I want to be with until the very last moment."

Sapphire didn't understand what he meant, but her heart was racing wildly in her chest. She didn't know why tears started forming into her eyes, and when she was about to ask him another question, she saw him stood up and pressed his soft lips against hers.

The kiss blew her away, yet it was familiar at the same time. His lips were soft and the way he kissed her was full of passion. Then and there, she understood what he meant.

The kiss felt like it lasted forever. Sapphire was still stunned by it. She just watched Ruby gently let go of the kiss and rested his forehead on hers.

"I love you," Ruby confessed, and it further proved Sapphire's conclusion that he was truly in love with her. "I know...you lost all of your memories, but I still love you. I...I want to be with you...until the last moment."

Sapphire bit her lip and looked away. A tear fell from her eye, alarming Ruby. He removed one of his hands from hers to use his thumb to wipe off the tear from her eye. He then rested his hand on her cheek.

"Hey, don't cry," he reassured. "As much as I want you to remember, I can wait. I can wait."

"I'm trying as hard as I can to remember, Ruby," Sapphire wept. "But all I felt was how familiar yer kiss was to me. I want to remember. I want to know why my father hadn't talked about my mother yet. I...I wanna know how I met my Pokemon and how we train together. I wanna know everything, but it's been days."

Ruby's tears spilled as well. He could see the pain in her eyes—the pain she was trying to get rid of the past days. He wished the kiss worked, though, but who was he kidding? This was reality—the real world—they were talking about; a kiss couldn't instantly bring back all of her memories.

"I wish I could remember why yer kiss made me feel all sorts of emotions! I wanna know if I feel the same!"

Ruby bit his lip. He removed his hands on hers, as it traveled to her waist. He pulled her closer for a hug. Sapphire cried while resting her face in his chest. He, too, was crying, but it was a mix of melancholy and glee.

His kiss made her feel something and that was enough indication that maybe one day, she would regain every single one of her memories.

"I'll wait, Sapphire," he reassured, hugging her tighter, as his own tears fell from his cheeks.

"It doesn't matter how long it takes, I'll wait."

Despite how romantic the "I kissed my amnesiac boyfriend/girlfriend and they managed to regain their memories" is, I think that's kinda unrealistic so I did what I did in this fic.

Some announcements first:

1. NOW this will be put in hiatus because writing and posting 7 fics in a row ain't easy.

2. I'm learning pixel art (in case anyone didn't know that the first pixel art I made is a shiny Ralts saying "black lives matter" WHICH IT DOES) and that explains the hiatus. I'm tired, don't worry.

3. The hiatus will probably be a month or three. If I have a decent one-shot I wanna publish, then I'll update this.

THANK YOU to everyone who read and especially the ones who commented on my franticshipping week entries!

And with that, stay safe, take care, be ANTI-racist, and black lives matter.