Strained Emotions

(All about the Penguinshipping!)

A/N: Well, here it finally is: the sequel to Feelings Unspoken and… it's all about Dawn and Kenny! w/ some occasional pokeshipping, I mean c'mon I had to add some since they did just start going out!

Oh, and if you haven't read Feelings Unspoken yet, I suggest you do before you read this. You won't understand half of this if you don't.

Okay, I'll stop yapping now, here it is:

Chapter #1- "Why's He Here!?"

Dawn was shocked. All throughout lunch she couldn't help nut stare at Kenny, out of the corner of her eye of course. She didn't want him to catch her watching hi every move, but he did occasionally, and, for some reason, he would smile or wink at her before returning to his food.

He didn't seem to mind that Dawn couldn't take her eyes off of him, even if it was a bemused stare he was receiving. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying it!

Some of the times he caught her eye, he would nudge her playfully, telling "DeeDee" to cut it out so he could eat, but because of the humor in his voice, Dawn assumed he didn't really mean it, and didn't.

Flirtfully, Dawn thought, referring to the way Kenny would nudge her. She shook herself to clear her mind. She didn't want her hopes to get too high just to have them crushed. Kenny was probably just pretending that she wasn't freaking him out as to not hurt her feelings, but, wait a second… that wasn't like him.

He LOVED torturing her, especially with his whole "DeeDee" act, but what he didn't know was that Dawn was growing past it. Actually, she was now always looking forward to him calling her that little pet name.

Dawn thought over why exactly she liked it so much. Well, it's probably because Kenny's the only one who ever calls me that. She smiled and looked down at her food to hide the blush creeping to her cheeks. It's kind of like his signature, or something, and I find that sweet and, coming from Kenny, her face continued growing a deeper shade of red, romantic…

CUT IT OUT! Dawn told herself snapping back to the present. Do you really have to think about him every second? She glanced back over at Kenny, who had his back to her and was deep in conversation with Brock, and sighed, staring at the back of his chestnut hair longingly. Yes.

I mean, he's just so ccuuttee! And I think that I mat be starting to fall in love with him! Dawn was amazed that she was able to admit that, even if it was just inside her head. She knew she had a crush on Kenny, but she had been denying herself the fact that she may actually be in love. Could you possibly fall in love at the age of 11?

Then why don't you just tell him how you feel? She asked herself.

Dawn pondered over the question before she slowly came to realize that she wasn't ready to, not now anyway. She was still unsure of what she felt and she needed some time to think about it.

Dawn shook her head again, to find someone snapping their fingers in her face, whistling and calling out, "Yoo-Hoo! Earth to Dawn!"

"What?"

Dawn focused back on her surroundings to see Ash and Misty looking at her from across the table, looking deeply concerned.

"Are you alright Dawn?" Misty asked; she and Ash watching her closely.

"Yeah, you seem a little, um…" Ash glanced over at Misty for support before continuing, "Out of it."

"Oh, yeah! I'm fine!" Dawn flashed them a smile, trying to prove that she wasn't lying. "I was just thinking about something…" Her voice trailed off, and she went back to her food, not bothering to look up again.

"More like someone," Ash whispered in Misty's ear once he was sure that Dawn wasn't paying attention. He and Misty both laughed quietly looking from Dawn to Kenny and back again.

This time, Kenny, who had finished his conversation with Brock, was the one staring, but Dawn never noticed. He seemed to be trying to silently get her to look at him, but to no avail, because Dawn was either ignoring him or she was too lost in her thoughts to see him. Ash and Misty continued to watch the hopefully future couple as Kenny gave up and leaned back in his chair.

Ash glanced over in Brock's direction and gave him a thumbs-up sign, which Brock returned, both of them grinning wildly. Misty watched them suspiciously, What are they up to?

Man! I could've sworn that Dawn was trying to tell me something, Kenny groaned, running his fingers through his hair, frustrated. I mean, why else would she have watched me eat for fifteen minutes and not say anything, unless…

No, He shook his head slowly, if that was the reason, she surely would've told him by now, or at provided him with clearer hints. That's just how Dawn was, forceful and straightforward, never keeping quiet for too long, and that's just the way Kenny liked her. Wait, "liked her!?"

Do I? He asked himself, looking over at Dawn again. Well, she is really pretty and I have known her forever… Maybe, I do like her. He felt good that he had finally admitted to himself the truth, but then why was something inside him telling him otherwise. It couldn't be…more? Could it?

Maybe it's…love. Kenny assumed. But could it really be? I mean, c'mon what kind of guy falls in love at the age of 12!?

Maybe if I talk to her, I can clear things up a bit for me… He turned in his chair until he was fully facing Dawn, who was still gazing gloomily at her stew, and hadn't seem him move. He lifted his hand, preparing to tap her on the shoulder and engage her in conversation about the upcoming contest, but she stood up before he got the chance to.

"Hey guys," Dawn yawned, stretching, "I think I'm going to go lie down for a bit. I'm pretty tired after all the excitement of today," she laughed, aiming her last statement to Ash and Misty causing them both to blush and let go of each other's hand.

Dawn waved at everyone, thanked Brock for the delicious meal, and smiled briefly at Kenny. Then, without another word, she turned on the spot and headed for her tent.

Kenny watched as she unzipped the flap and went inside, the flap flutering slightly until Dawn zippied it back up. He let his arm fall back into place beside him, and turned back to his food, letting out a huge sigh. He ignored all the strange stares the rest of them were giving him and resumed eating his now stone-cold stew.

Maybe next time…

A/N: Man! I've got to try some of Brock's cooking! Sorry, randomness, but it does sound really good, doesn't it?

Anyway, what is going to happen between Dawn and Kenny next? And where is the action in this action/romance story. I don't know…

Please review, (It'll make me smile…) :p