Hello everyone! Just wanted to thank you very much for taking the time to read my story! I've worked on this story for a couple of weeks and I hope that it can be satisfying for you to read! I do apologize if there are some details that might be missing from the chapters, and I do apologize about this (I only did a read-out-loud type of review so I don't know how much I have missed! .)

Any-who, I do hope that you enjoy this story! If you could please take the time to write a review, even if its just a few words, on your views on how I did with this story, it is very much appreciated! Don't be afraid to criticize on something you don't like, I just ask that you keep it respectable. Again, thank you very much for reading my story! I hope you enjoy it! :)

I will also mention that when I started writing this story, it was meant to go in a consistent flow-type story but I felt that chapters would be more necessary for FanFiction.. so I do apologize for the awkward break between each chapter. If you prefer me to do it as one-story-one-chapter type, just let me know and I'll fix it for you. Thanks a lot!

Disclaimer: I do not own Poke'mon in any shape or form what-so-ever.

"Ash, we have to stop for the night!"

"No! We've gotta keep going until we get to the next town!"

"It's getting late, Ash, we won't be able to see soon!"

"Come on! I bet you we are almost there!"

The group was moving through the Viridian Forest, headed towards Pallet town, for the Christmas holidays. Ash couldn't wait to get back home enjoy the couple of days off from his normal training to be with his friends. But, of course, he was pushing every one to a limit that they didn't enjoy quite as much, especially for Misty.

"For goodness sake, could we at least stop for a break!" Misty retorted once more to Ash.

"But.. but we're almost there!"

"You said that an hour ago! Ash, we have to stop! Please!" Misty pleaded now. Ash looked back at Misty, and noticed that she was starting to shiver from the cold. Being Misty, she normally didn't wear longer clothing and the cold was starting to get to her... she needed to warm up.

"Okay," Ash sighed, in defeat, "We can stop for the night.. we can get some rest and warm up.." He exclaimed.

"Oh thank you, Ash!" Misty squealed, almost giving him a massive hug but constraining herself.

"It's no trouble at all.. I'm doing what's best for the team." He sighed again, which lead him to getting smacked by Misty. "Ouch!" he said, rubbing the back of his head, "What was that for? You want to hug me one second and now you want to harm me! What the deal?"

Misty blushed, though still keeping her fists clenched. "For you information, I didn't have any thought of giving YOU a hug! And secondly, you should think about your tone of words before you speak out!"

"Who says I need to! I truly did mean that!"

Misty gave a haughty laugh. "Y-Yeah right, you did!"

"I'm being serious!"

"Prove it!"

"Alright, I will! I was going to keep on going, knowing that we would be close to the nearest town, but since I saw that you were starting to shiver from the cold I thought it would be best to stop for the night, so that you will be able to warm up and get some good sleep!" He retorted back, which actually left him blushing slightly. Misty was shocked that he actually seemed to be telling the truth after all! It made her smile hearing this, even in his moody tone, and blushed herself to hear of his actual compassion.

"Aww, how romantic! Ashy cares about her, isn't that sweet?" Brock chirped in from nearby. Both Ash and Misty started blushing like mad, embarrassed that Brock was hearing this whole conversation.

"I-uh-" Ash stammered, seeing that Misty was looking at him for an answer. She turned to Brock.

"What's the big idea!?" she yelled at him.

Brock started laughing, "I'm just playing with you guys! Jeez, you don't need to get defensive.."

"Who says I am!?" Misty shouted back.

"Me," he smartly remarked, "Besides, they do say that getting defensive over someone is a big sign of affection." Brock snickered to himself. Misty felt her blush coming over herself.

"Take that back!" she roared. She started to clench her fist up, but Ash stepped in, putting his hand on top of her hand. Misty looked back startled to see a boy with his face red with blush looking back at her.

"Why don't we just get back to the issue on hand.." he cooly mentioned to both Misty and Brock.

"Ehh, right." Misty replied, cooling down her temper, "Brock, you have the tent with you, right?"

"Yup, I have it here in my bag," Brock replied, feeling the sense of relief that Misty was no longer upset at his remarks. He started pulling out the equipment for the tent, when all of a sudden he heard a distant howl in the woods nearby. Brock turned out to see where it was going from.

"Everything alright Brock?" Misty asked, puzzled to see him stop.

"Yeah.. it's just that I heard something.. howling.." he commented, trying to listen for it again.

"Brock, now is not the time to scare us!"

"I'm not making it up, I swear!" Brock retaliated, still listening, but the howling went away. "Whatever it is, it's gone now. Alright, I'll set the fire started while Ash gets the tent set up."

"Right." Ash replied, taking the materials from Brock. He started setting up the poles for the tent in the open area, while Brock pulled out some firewood kindling and started a small fire for Misty. Brock would have to go into the woods to get more firewood later, in order to keep the fire alive for longer.