AN: Don't own Pokemon! :P
Misty sat at her desk. On it laid the latest of Ash's letters. She traced the words on the paper. His hand had once moved along that very sheet paper and had penned these words.
An overwhelming wave of sadness washed over her. Misty's breath hitched in her throat and the tears poured silently and freely down her cheeks.
She missed him so much. But by the sound of his letters, he certainly didn't miss her.
Ash's letters were always cheerful, full of news and excitement. Usually he wrote about a recently won battle, a newly captured Pokémon, a recently acquired badge or some of the inane schemes Team Rocket had come up with. It also contained good wishes from Brock, Dawn and Pikachu.
Never did he mention missing her presence or her in particular.
'It figures, we always did fight. He was probably happy to be rid of me.' Misty thought darkly. 'He didn't need some temperamental red-head mucking up his life.'
But then Misty recalled the day she had left and he had cried.
"Oh Ash, why are you so hard to figure out?" Misty asked softy. Sighing she placed that letter along with the others.
She never threw any of them away.
Making up her mind, Misty decided to ask him point blank in her next letter.
A few weeks later as Ash and company stop to rest in a Pokémon center, Nurse Joy handed Ash a letter. Seeing the familiar script of Misty he got butterflies in the pit of his stomach.
He couldn't explain it but ever since she left anything that reminded him of her caused him immense happiness. He never mentioned it to anybody.
Eagerly tearing it open he began to read.
Dear Ash,
Congratulations on winning your 8th badge! I'm so proud of you!
You've really come so far from that silly obnoxious boy who I once fished out of the water! :P
I'm doing great and so is the gym. I'm getting the reputation as one of the hardest leaders to beat!
Next time you get back home I'm re-challenging you to a battle! Get ready to have your butt whooped! :D
One more thing. Do you miss me Ash? Do you think of me? I don't know but you've never mentioned it.
I just want to know if all the years we spent together meant anything.
Whoo boy! I sound like some depressed emo child!
I just wanted to know.
Say hi to Brock, Dawn and Pikachu for me.
Love, Misty
P.S Tracy says hi!
Ash put down the letter. He was lost in thought for quite some time. 'How could Misty feel that way? I thought she knew hope much I appreciated her.'
His inner voiced countered that. 'Yeah, right. Maybe if you mentioned it to her once or twice she wouldn't ask you.'
He was going to make things right. He fished through his backpack and found a pen. He wanted to write this letter right away.
The following week Daisy handed Misty a letter. "It's from your boyfriend!" She winked.
Misty was scared to open this letter. What if he said no. What if he didn't even mention it. Which was worse? Mustering up her wits, she tore the envelope open.
The letter was short but it got to the point.
Dear Misty,
You being there for me when I first started my journey, has shaped me into the person that I am today.
You were my guide and teacher and taught me everything you knew.
Never question the impact you have made on my life.
I think of you every day.
I miss you every day.
I wish you were here with me now.
Ash.
P.S I accept your challenge, but I'm afraid it's me who will kick your butt! :P