Brock followed Ash around the camp, trying to catch up with the friend who was clearly avoiding him. As a last resort, the Pokémon trainer entered the tent, hoping the breeder would just give up in bugging him about the subject. Of course, to no avail.

''Why did you say no, Ash? Come on, she's pretty, she is nice... she's a good girl after all.''

He huffed, burying his face into his hands. Brock, who had just followed him into the tent, as expected, was staring intensively at his friend, trying to understand what in world had made him take this decision. Ash raised his face again, and looked apprehensively at the older boy, not exactly knowing how to explain his early actions.

''You don't understand Brock. I can't. I can't say yes to her.''

''Why, Ash?''

The boy shook his head, a pleading look on his face as he tried to talk Brock out of the conversation.

''Please, Brock, just leave it. Please.''

The Pokémon breeder crossed the little distance that separated them, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder in a supportive way.

''No Ash, I'm sorry, but I won't. I know you; I'm your best friend. I know there's something you're not telling me. Just tell me why.''

''Can't I just say no, without a further reason?''

He was starting to get frustrated and tired. Usually he was the stubborn and clueless one. But it seemed like the tables had just turned on him.

''Yes, you can, but it's not the case. There is a reason. It's written all over your face.''

He grunted. He was literally starting to panic.

''Why are you doing this to me?''

The tune in his voice was almost painful.

''What am I doing to you? I'm just trying to figure out why you turned the girl down. Dawn's nice.''

Ash stared at the boy again, annoyed enough with the situation. Frustration took over him, and he let himself explode.

''I CAN'T!''

''WHY?''

Once again, he was silent. Brock couldn't understand what was going on with his friend. He had never seen Ash being so secretive or apprehensive about something. Actually, he had never seen Ash being so secretive or apprehensive about anything. It had to be something serious.

''Ash, come on. I'm you best friend. I'll help you.''

''Brock, I don't... I just can't say yes.''

''Just tell me why!''

''BECAUSE I'M IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE ELSE!''

The room was engulfed in a deadly silence. That was it, he just said it. Ash didn't even realized what he was saying, until he had already said it. He was so frustrated and mad that the words had just flew out of his mouth. He closed his eyes, immediately regretting what he had said. Brock, on the other hand, just stood there, mouth agape at his best friend.

''You're... in love?'' Ash remained quiet, looking at his friend, the tears in his eyes now more noticeable. ''Why did you never tell me anything? ''

''Because it won't work, it wasn't supposed to happen and I don't know how to deal with it!''

''Wow, I... don't know what to say. I'm shocked, really. I never thought you could already be in love with someone. I mean, no offense, but you're the most clueless and dense guy I know in this kind of subject.''

Ash sighed.

''Yeah, now you know. Can we please stop this conversation?''

''No, we can't. Do you think you can just drop a bomb like this to me and not even explain? Why are you even running away from it? It's no big deal, everyone falls in love. It may even go away with the time. There's no reason to be so nervous.''

His expression changed to a more serious look.

''Yes, there is. It won't go away. It's been nearly six freaking years, it won't go away. Did you think I never tried to stop this? I tried, all the ways I could. All the ways. Because it wasn't supposed to happen. But this stupid feeling just get stronger and stronger and I can't do a single thing about it. Yeah, it's a big deal.''

That was it, it was all out. It felt like a weight off his back. It had been so long keeping all of this to himself that he just couldn't stand anymore. He had to let it all out, or else he would explode. And Brock gave him the perfect situation to do it.

The breeder, however, seemed to ignore all of his explanation, shooting an incredulous look at him.

''Six years? You're in love with someone for six years? And you never told me?''

He sounded almost offended. His best friend, had been in love for nearly six years, and never had spoken a word to him. Wonderful.

Ash immediately tried to defend himself.

''I never told anyone, because this wasn't supposed to freaking happen ! I told you I don't know how to deal with it. I didn't want anyone knowing, it would only make things worse. Or maybe I was afraid to tell you. I don't know Brock! I don't know what to think, I don't know what to say! It's been a nightmare! Like you said, it's me. Me, of all the people. I have no idea how to deal with it !''

He sat down, running his hands through his hair and staring at the ground, almost desperate. Brock stood there in shock for a few more seconds, trying to absorb all the information. Then he finally sat by his friend's side, putting his hand on his shoulder, looking at his friend sympathetically.

''Do I know her?''

Ash nodded, quietly.

''Who is she?'' The boy looked at him, unsure. ''Come on, Ash, it's ok, tell me. I'll help you.''

He closed his eyes, speaking in what sounded like a whisper.

''Misty.''

The whisper was loud enough for Brock to get the word. Once again, he stared at the trainer in utter shock. Ash in love was already shocking enough. Ash in love, with Misty, well, words couldn't exactly describe how it felt.

''Misty!?'' He nearly screamed. ''Like in, Misty Waterflower? Our best friend?''

''Do you know any other Misty?'' He answered the annoyance clear in his voice.

Brock stared blankly at him, as if once more, taking in all the recently learned information. Then, he couldn't help but smile. He knew the girl had feelings for Ash. Everyone who met her knew. Even if she tried to madly deny it, it was still obvious. He remembered the night he had finally get her to admit it. It had taken him three hours, some tears, and lots of patience and persuasion, but after two years, he finally got her confession. He tried to help her the way he could, which, unfortunately, until now, hasn't been much. They had come to the conclusion that Ash was oblivious to any kind of feeling; but inside, had always cheered for him to finally open his eyes.

As for Dawn, he did have sympathy for her, and did consider her a good friend; but to be honest, never saw her as something as more than a friend to Ash. But when the girl had come to Ash, and faced a denial, he knew there was something there. Not because the denial itself, but because the way Ash had said it. He had to know why. It was not like he was trying to take her side, but she was pretty, nice and a good friend, and he was already eighteen, he should at least notice these things by now. But he didn't even seemed to think, his answer have been just that he couldn't correspond it; and said like the reason behind it was strong. Now it was clear.

Aside from Ash, Misty had always been his best friend, and he loved her as a sister. The redhead could be hot tempered, but held a beautiful heart and was an amazing person. He couldn't help being worried for her. From all these years being her friend, he had learned her feelings for the trainer were way more than a simple crush, and proved to be even more when he saw it had not diminished, even after so many years and being so apart from each other.

But of course, after hearing Ash's words, everything had changed. The breeder couldn't help but smiling widely.

He took his friend by the shoulders, making him look straightly at him.

''Ash, if I told you I know how to help you, would you be willing to try?''

His eyes winded.

''What? Brock, don't put things in my head. It won't work. We are already barely talking. Don't make things worse. ''

''I won't make anything worse. If I said I could bring her to you, the way you want, without any bad consequences, would you be willing to try?''

The boy stopped to think for a minute. He normally would; and probably should say no. Say his was out of his mind. But for some reason, he didn't. Maybe because secretly, that was all he wanted to do for years. Have courage to try. To do something. And something in the way Brock had said it, gave him a hope he had never had in all those years.

He looked a Brock, letting out a simple statement.

''Yes. ''


Hey! So... I'm back!

Yeah, I know, it's been nearly seven months, but I finally came up with something new.

About this story, I'd like make some observations:

First; even though I highly dislike Dawn, I'll not turning her into a villain or make her suffer. Despite of my dislike for her, her character in the series is portrayed as good hearted person, like all of Ash's companions, and I do think she deserves something good. Just nothing to do with Ash. Don't consider this a spoiler; it's just a simple statement that I'll try to keep the characters in character. Or at least, not make them too much out of it.

Second, I do have the majority of the chapters written, or at least started, but I'm having trouble on editing them, and I really don't like some things on them. I just think they could be a lot better. I'll try to post the chapters as soon as I can, but I might have some delay in posting some of them. I won't take too long, I promisse. As soon as I think they're decent to be posted, they will.

As always, reviews are welcome. Thanks to everyone (: