Misty and I sat and talked for what seemed like hours. Whatever movie we had on was long since over and was back to the main screen playing it's opening main screen clip over and over again. We continued to talk through it until Misty tried to hide a small yawn

"Tired?" I asked, feeling one well up inside me but trying my best to hide it so me and her could talk just a little bit longer.

"Yeah. ." Again letting out a yawn

"It's pretty late, we should head to bed." I said, stretching my arms out, then getting up and doing the same to my back. I looked over my shoulder to see Misty doing the same and I shot her a small smile, which she returned.

"It was great seeing you Mist, it really was." I said, looking into her eyes as I saw only confusion plaster her face and her nose crinkle a little.

"I was wondering if it would be OK for me to swing by tomorrow? Maybe help out a bit around the gym you know"

"Oh, uh. . sure Ash" Giving me an obviously fake smile for some reason.

We both walked to the door in silence, only the echoing noise of our footsteps could be heard throughout the halls and soft swish of water from the Pokemon all around us. We eventually got to the main lobby, each of us just looking around with blank faces, unsure of what to say to the other.

"Well, I guess i'll see you tomorrow?" Misty said, looking at her feet then slowly looking me directly into my eyes. Those emerald orbs of beauty, how badly I wanted to see those every moment of every day and how badly I wanted to. . wait. . what? I shook my head as all these thoughts came rushing into my head. Of course I had a crush on Misty, but now my thoughts were getting more and more, intense.

"Yeah, i'll be over in the morning" Placing my hands behind me head and letting loose another grin. She seemed a little happier when I said i'd be back, but I could tell something was bothering her deep down.

We said our goodbyes and I set out on foot towards the Pokemon center, which sadly, was on the other side of town. As Misty closed the door behind me I zipped up my coat and took a deep breath, letting the steam rise around my face as I exhaled.

"Pika?" I heard a soft voice come from my pack

"Nice of you to join us Pikachu"

"Chaa" A small pair of yellow ears popped out of my little friends safe zone

"Yeah buddy, we're headed to the Pokemon center to crash for the night"

"Chuu?" Putting a little more emphasis on his last 'words'

"No I didn't, but don't worry, I will."

Pikachu went back into his hiding spot and after a few short seconds i could hear the small and constant snores he gave off, I was kind of hoping he would be awake so I would have someone to walk with, but I guess it wasn't too bad. At least now I had time to myself.

I started my walk down the now heavily infested snow path towards the main gates, the snow from underneath me making a symphony of crunching and sloshes. I closed my eyes and walked for a little bit, letting everything escape from the inner most reaches of my mind. Everything started piling in now, every moment with Misty and our adventures. I couldn't help but form a smile as I reminisced about everything and how obvious we were crushing on each other, accept to one another of course. I rounded the gates and headed down Waterlily Drive in hopes of cutting through the twists and turns of the city and getting to a warm bed.

It was a quiet night, one straight from a romance movie or novel. The main character, preferably a girl, would be walking down the sidewalk in the snow after a horrendous accident or fight with their loved ones and nine times out of ten, they would fall down and start crying their eyes out, letting every emotion out at once, and as they stood up they would slip but be caught by a pair of firm hands that they knew all too well. He would try and say something but would be cut short from a kiss from her. Then the camera fades and the credits roll.

Buncha crap if you ask me. We all know when they fight like that, no one gets back together. Right?

I was never one to delve into the whole romance scene, my buddy Brock was supposedly a 'professional' but failed horribly with every single woman he tried to get at. There was of course Professor Ivy, but even the very mention of her name would cause him to go into a fetal position and cry. I didn't even want to know what that woman did to the poor man. In my thoughts, if you loved someone, you would do anything for them, even put your life on the line if it meant they were safe. I've been told that I would make a great boyfriend for a few select people, but of course I shrugged it off and thought it all nonsense. I was Ash Ketchum of course, Pokemon Master to be, I couldn't be distracted by little things such as relationships, I needed to focus on catching Pokemon and collecting Gym Badges and making my name known world wide!

I laughed at myself as I rounded another corner, getting awkward glances from a couple across the street. I watched as the passed walked by acting very much in love, holding hands and the quiet giggles from when the other stole a quick kiss or gave a quick poke. I stood there smiling at them like a creep, not knowing fully what I was doing, but not really caring at the moment.

As I looked at them I only saw Misty and I doing the same. The feeling in my stomach only intensified as it turned and bubbled up making my hands sweaty and uncomfortable. My head started to spin and a stray bead of sweat fell from my brow.

Thankfully I rounded the last corner and saw the Center in sight, just a few more blocks and I could take a hot shower and get some much needed sleep.

-MISTYS POV-

I closed the door as I watched him walk down the steps, hoping he wouldn't turn around and catch me staring at him. When I closed the door I hung my head and sighed, everything was going so perfect and he just got up and left. There was so much I wanted to talk about, well, not really. I just wanted to be around him. I've missed him so much and I just wanted to be in his presence at all times.

I lightly slapped both my cheeks. Keep it together Misty.

I walked down the halls with my hands streaking across the glass, attracting the smaller species of Pokemon who would simply come investigate the strange new object then quickly swim away, it was quite cute to be honest.

I absolutely loved water Pokemon, my love for them never faultered over the years and I still yearned to become the greatest water Pokemon trainer. Her favorite of course was her Gyarados, which she could see from afar in one of the bigger tanks. I smiled as I looked upon the enormous serpent like beast that slithered through the water with such power, yet at the same time, magnificent grace. I have had Gyarados since the beginning of my journey's and he has become quite the powerhouse for my 'team'.

I continued my walk towards the tank and walked up the winding stairs that led to the catwalk above the tank, I felt like talking my feelings out, and poor Gyarados was the one to hear it.

As I walked along the sturdy steel walkway I could see the great shadow forming beneath me. To others this would be terrifying, but to me, I welcomed it like second nature. The great serpent burst through the water like a bat out of hell and looked down upon me, his facial features showing nothing but hatred and malice. If you didn't have a Gyarados or didn't know how they were, you might as well have had a heart attack on the spot.

He slowly lowered it's head closer to me and stopped just a few inches from me

I raised my hand and rubbed his favorite spot, in between his nose and under his crest mounted on his forehead. He let out a low but still deafening growl, a higher pitched one that meant he enjoyed the rubbing of his head. I began talking to it as I kept rubbing, every so often getting growls when I stopped to ask it what it thought. Of course I couldn't understand it, but it felt nice having at least someone to talk to, or, something. I finally ended the conversation with my Pokemon when I had gotten it all out of my system, shedding a few stray tears here and there and getting a few good laughs.

"I don't know, I still have these strong feelings for him, but I don't know how to act on them!"

Silence

"I mean, he definitely said 'it's a date' like it was nothing. Could he have been saying that out of friendship and joking around? Or was he dropping a hint? Knowing Ash he probably doesn't know either." I sighed, noticing the Pokemon taking less interest with each passing minute.

"Alright fine you big ol' worm. I'll leave you alone" I got a light nudge from the Gyarados as he let loose another high pitched growl

"Thank you. ."

The serpent type Pokemon slowly backed away and sank beneath the surface, leaving me with all these confused emotions. I finally realized how cold the room was and shivered as I made my way to the stairs, wanting to get a warm shower in before I went to bed.

-ASH'S POV-

I stepped into the small room that the center graciously gave me and instantly dropped my bag, getting an angered squeak from the rodent sleeping within

"Sorry Pikachu" I said in a monotone voice, trudging my way into the room and plopping down onto one of the chairs and pinching the bridge of my nose while letting out a tremendous yawn that even got one out of Pikachu. I looked over to see him shaking out his coat and hoping onto the bed, already finding himself a cozy spot to fall asleep, I wish I could do the same but I needed to get my clothes washed and clean, lord knows how badly I needed to wash some clothes and do a little scrubbing. I should have done this before I went to go see Misty, but I was a little too excited to see her that it went completely over my head. I rummaged around through my bag and pulled out all the clothes that needed to be washed and stepped out of my room

"I'll be right back buddy, don't throw any wild parties alright?" Throwing a wink at the rodent who flopped up one ear and rolled over, only to snore louder than before.

I walked down the hall until I found the small room of washers and dryers, finding it pretty empty I threw them in the closest one and began the cycle. As the clothes spun around inside the machine I couldn't help but think about the next few days i'd be spending here in Cerulean. I phoned my mother the day before last and told her I would be home in about three weeks time because of the little detour. She just went off about when she was going to get grandchildren and when I would settle down and blah blah blah. I knew she was only trying to get under my skin a little bit, but it got me thinking. When would I 'settle down'? Would I ever be able to do that?

I don't know.

Too be honest I put absolute zero thought into that subject throughout my travels, figures right? It was always 'when's the next gym battle' or 'where can I find that Pokemon?'

Never once did I see a child and think 'I want to have a family one day'

The spin cycle was getting to it's second rinse.

I mean, now that i'm thinking about it, it didn't seem like such a dad idea ya know? Have a little child calling you daddy and looking up to you with their entire being and wanting to be like you in every way possible. Now that put a smile on my face. Being nineteen I was far from having children, but thinking about them wasn't a crime was it? But was I going to give up my dream of becoming a Pokemon Master? I've come so far and achieved great things throughout the nine year span of my journey's. Wow, nine years, and iv'e yet to win a league title.

The washing machine beeped and the clothes stopped spinning. I wasn't in such a good mood now and lazily opened the door, grabbing my clothes and throwing them into the dryer.

"I need a shower"

-MISTY'S POV-

The steam wafted throughout the bathroom as I stepped out of the shower. I always liked hot showers, but forgetting to turn the fan on left me with little visibility in the small restroom. I ran my hand over the wall and came across the switch, flipping it on and watching the room become clearer and clearer until the restroom was free of it's smokey state. I wiped a rag across the mirror, only enough to see my face and stared at my reflection.

I had let my hair grow out a bit, ditching the side ponytail I had been famous for long ago. I now let my hair fall to my shoulders (think of heartgold/soulsilver designed misty) and the red in my hair died down just a tad. I kept my hair short, just styled it differently really.

I stood there, holding up the towel to my chest, wondering if Ash would like. . .

No! no no no no no. Don't even go there Misty, you pervert.

I turned the lights out and walked quickly to my room, drying off the rest of my body and wrapping my hair up in a towel and slipping on a night gown. I flipped through my phone to find a few emails but nothing else, half hoping Ash would call me, but why would he? I sighed and shrugged it off, throwing my phone onto my bed and flipping on the television. There was nothing really on but landed on a movie that I somewhat liked, some romantic movie where everything good happens at the end, I just had it on to get my mind off things. I stepped out of the room and back into the restroom, picking up my toothbrush and slabbing on a bit of toothpaste. I looked my body up and down and yet again, my mind went rogue and thoughts of 'it' went through my mind.

'Ugh not again' I washed my toothbrush and dropped it into it's cup and walked back to my room with haste, just wanting these thoughts to stop and wanting to fall asleep and have Ash come over. .

There I go again. Ugh.

As I walked into my room I noticed my phone blinking a light blue in the upper corner, maybe an email? I wasn't expecting anyone to text or call me. Unless . .

I quickly grabbed my phone and unlocked it, silently cursing myself, of course he would call me while I was busy.

-ASH'S POV-

As the dryer dinged and the noise of my clothes whirling around I came back to reality. Over the past forty minutes I sat in silence, deep in my thoughts and thinking about, well everything. I decided to help Misty out with some of the Gym duties tomorrow and then take her out to a nice lunch when the time comes. I grabbed my clothes and threw them into a bag and slowly walked back to my room, wishing I was there with her and wishing we could just sit and talk some more. I smiled as I swiped the card to my room and threw my bad on the chair, noticing Pikachu had shifted sides of the bed yet again.

I sighed, figuring i'd just have to wait until he moved to either side so I can slide in before I lose the spot again.

"Guess now's the best time to take a shower" Letting out a low yawn

I stripped down to my boxers and turned the shower one, letting it warm up to the perfect temperature before I hoped it. I ran my hands through my hair and rubbed my cheeks, trying to get the sleep out of my system for just a few minutes longer.

I picked up my phone and fiddled around with it for a few seconds before I came across Misty's number, I contemplated calling her but didn't really know what to talk about, all I know is that I wanted to hear her voice before I went to sleep tonight. I pressed the call button and let it ring just twice before quickly hanging up, I didn't want to be weird and have her ask questions about it later. I set the phone down and stepped into the bathroom

-15 minutes later-

I stepped out of the bathroom and noticed my phone was blinking, wondering who on earth would call me at this time of the night. I put on a pair of gym shorts and a white t-shirt before hopping into bed, slightly disturbing the little yellow rodent who was sleeping like a rock and didn't seem phased by the small shockwave throughout the bed. Tired little thing.

I picked up my phone and saw Misty had called me. Crap.

I quickly phone her up and instantly got a small almost mousy type voice

"Hi"

"Hey"

"You called? Is everything ok?" She gave a small yawn at the end of the sentence

"No no, everything ok. I'm at the center now, just about to go to bed"

"That's good, i'm happy you got there safe"

An awkward silence fell between the two of us, neither of us wanting to get off the phone but each tired to the extant

"Hey Mist?"

"Yes?" Her voice raising a few pitches

"Goodnight, i'll see you bright and early in the morning"

Even over the phone I could tell she had a smile on her face and that she wanted nothing more but to stay on the phone with me, but we both knew we couldn't

"Goodnight Ash. I'll see you in the morning."

I set the phone down on the nightstand and turned the light off, placing my hands behind my head I stared up at the ceiling and smiling, even more excited for these next few days than humanly possible. I let out my final yawn and let sleep overtake me and throw me into the black abyss we call sleep, hoping it would be filled with images and memories of Misty and I.