Thanks to my few reviewers and the constructive crit. and the explanation of shipping and AAML and stuff... maybe now I'll understand most of those story summaries. Proof reading and I are not on good speaking terms (that's why there are a lot of little stupid mistakes in ch1) but I will try so that it comes out with less spelling and grammar errors. Also I'll try to make the chapters longer. As for time period confusion, this is indeed AFTER battle frontier, I apologize for failing to mention Ash and co. are in Johto right now on their random journey of... randomness. Sorry the details are sometimes lacking (like the setting lol) I make stories up as I go, there is absolutely no planning involved. I don't even know how this chapter will end, let alone what happens in it until I finish writing it. So here we go.

"I'm heading back to Kanto"

Brock looked up from the fire to stare at Ash, a look of concern on his face. He could tell Ash was serious and he was curious as to why Ash was going to suddenly end their escapade simply to head back to his home region, but he didn't say anything as he was at a momentary loss for words.

May on the other hand was at no such loss but was completely shocked, and quick to let Ash know it "What are you talking about?! Your just going to leave our trail in the middle because you want to go home?" She said with some concern but mostly exasperation, maybe even a little touch anger. Ash looked up at her with solemn eyes and nodded. "It's important May, sorry but I have to" May eyed him for a moment before speaking up again. "Well are you at least going to tell us why?" she asked, but it sounded more like a demand. Ash looked down and was silent again, thinking of how to answer. He knew good and well why he was going back, for Misty, to see her again... to tell her. But as he thought about it, he didn't think they would accept that answer easily. It did seem a little extreme to end an entire journey just because he was in love and finally decided to do something about it. Well, Ash didn't think it was all that extreme, obviously, but to those outside of his feelings, it would probably seem that way.

Ash sat in silence a little to long, thinking about an answer, and May was quick to get upset again. "Fine, don't tell us anything, it's not like were your friends" she said with emphasized sarcasm as she got up and walked away in to the night simply saying "I'm going for a walk." Ash sighed, He'd figured May would be upset, but he wasn't sure about Brock yet, who had kept silent the whole time so far. Ash looked at him hoping to get an answer and he did. Brock sighed for a moment then simply gave a little grin.

"I can't say I understand Ash, but I can tell you're serious about this so you have no complaints for me. May is right though; don't you think we at least deserve an explanation?" Brock asked. Ash smiled, a bit relieved Brock was always such an easy going guy... except maybe when it came to a cute girl. Maybe Brock would understand though, being the woman chaser that he was. Finally Ash spoke up again "I do owe you guys an explanation, but it's sort of complicated." Brock laughed at this "No it's not, your not smart enough to be complicated" Brock joked trying to lighten the mood, hoping it might open Ash up a bit more to talk. Ash gave him one of his looks and replied "look at the pot calling the kettle black!"

After going back and forth with each other like that for a few moments Brock managed to bring the subject of Kanto back up "So? Do you wanna talk about where your sudden need to head back came from?" Ash decided he'd tell Brock. He felt kind of guilty being avoidant of the subject with Brock, one of his long time best friends. Thinking about it like that, he was sure Brock would understand, after all, if he couldn't tell Brock then there probably wasn't a soul in the world he could talk to about this.

"I hope you don't think this is to stupid..." Ash said, starting to feel almost embarrassed, but continued on "There's uhh... someone I need to see" Ash said, being vague on purpose. Brock gave a sudden creepy grin "Ash, you want to go see a girl don't you! You've fallen in love! Haven't you?!" Brock asked comically, he was just this way when it came to girls Ash supposed. Still, he hit the nail on the head and Ash sheepishly nodded his head, breaking eye contact with Brock. Brock continued his theatrics "The power of love! Reaching across entire regions! Ash! I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND!! Why didn't you tell me you had a girl friend!!! Is she cute?! DOES SHE HAVE A SISTER?!" Ash sighed. He was glad Brock was taking this so well but as usual he was a little over the top, what with it involving girls. "Brock... she's not my girlfriend... She doesn't even know I like her... That's mostly the reason I need to go back and see her." Brock sat down, some of his composure returning. "I can't believe you never told her, when I like a girl I tell her the first chance I get!" Ash just sighed "Brock you tell every girl you like her, just because their cute." Brock laughed, "Yeah I have a weak spot for that sort of thing. So anyway, are you gonna tell me who she is?" Brock considered asking if she had a sister again but wanted to find out whom the girl was first. Ash sat in silence for a moment, looking sheepish once more and mumbled something that Brock couldn't hear. "Huh? I didn't quite catch that Ash"

"You kind of already know her Brock" Ash said looking at Brock for a moment who in return gave him a questioning look, thinking of who it might be. "Come on Ash you gotta be a bit more specific than that."

"..."

"Oh c'mon, you can tell me!"

"M..."

"What?"

"M..ty"

"Would you just speak up?!"

"MISTY!! OK!! IT'S MISTY!!!!!!!! AND YES! SHE HAS THREE SISTERS BROCK!! BUT I'M SURE YOU ALREADY KNEW THAT! YOU TOLD THEM YOU LOVED THEM HOW MANY TIMES WHEN YOU MET THEM?!"

Brock just kind of sat there, stunned. He'd seen Misty and Ash getting closer and closer throughout their journeys, and he had been able to tell Ash was upset when Misty was unable to journey with them again due to her responsibilities as a gym leader... but he never really would have guessed that either of them would have fallen for one another. However it explained how it could be so important to Ash. They did travel together for a long time, making memories. Brock was surprised he never suspected any seeds of love before.

"You don't need to be so touchy Ash" Brock grinned "I still understand, I even support you going back to see her. After all, you never know when someone else might set their sights on her and sweep her off her feet." Brock said with a grin as Ash cooled down but at that thought Ash froze. It HAD been awhile since he'd seen Misty. What if she already had a boy friend!? His thoughts were interrupted though when a foot steps announced May's return. She sat down with the two boys, an expression of guilt worn on her face "Sorry I snapped at you like that Ash." she said, hanging her head a little. Ash shook his head and smiled. "Don't worry about it May, It's sort of unfair for me to do this all of a sudden, and you were right I do owe you an explanation." Ash said, though he wasn't looking forward to explaining everything over again.

After sometime though and with Brock's big mouth help, May finally understood. She sat there, just a little bit dumbfounded, her face turned a little bit red and she looked away from Ash. "Oh... Ok... I understand Ash."

Ash could detect sorrow in her voice, though he wasn't sure why, he supposed it was because their journey was coming to an end so soon, so he didn't really think much more on it.

After a long moment of silence Brock got his sleeping bag out and simply stated "I'm going to sleep, we can talk about where to go from here tomorrow morning" and he laid down to drift off. May followed suit "Yeah, me to, I'm pretty tired" she said as she got her own sleeping bag ready and slipped into it. Had Ash been paying more attention he would have heard more dismay in her voice but he was to deep in his thoughts of Misty. He was excited, and couldn't wait to be on his way to see her again.

Despite his excitement, he was able to find sleep easily, dozing off quickly and for the first time in a long time, his sleep was not restless. Although his sleep was easily obtained, it was not easily kept as he was early to wake up, and all though a bit groggy, he began packing his things up so that he could begin planning their route back to Kanto... more specifically now, Cerulean. When he was all ready, Brock and May still slept. Ash sighed and pulled out a map, he found their current location which happened to be at the northern edge of Ilex forest. The closest town was Azalea town, back through the forest, but they'd come from that town only a short number of days ago and were on their way to Goldenrod. This was good news for Ash because the quickest way back to Kanto would be the bullet train in Goldenrod. When Brock and May were finally up, Brock made breakfast and immediately Ash began talking about their way back to Kanto. May said nothing but Brock agreed the bullet train in Goldenrod sounded like the best idea.

When everyone was done with breakfast and packed up, ready to go, an excited Ash set off in the lead, followed by a supportive Brock, and a not so supportive or excited May, beginning the journey home, the journey to see Misty again.

Speaking of which, she happened to be Cerulean.

She herself was just waking up to the morning, though not in some camp, but in her rather large gym. Misty was of course older now. She was a bit taller, her hair was now shoulder length and kept in a pony tail behind her instead of to the side and she had developed much more of a figure. She went through morning routines and when she was ready, opened the gym. It was lonesome with her sisters gone and being here all on her own, but she had her water Pokemon and they of course kept her company. Besides it's not like she was anti-social, she had friends around town, but it was often hard to find time for much else when you're constantly running a gym.

The day was busy as ever, a few trainers showing up now and then challenging her to a battle for a badge. She rarely lost now but there was the exceptional trainer who would show up and give her a good run for her money, earning them a badge. In the afternoon, Misty found a moment to take a break and made a quick sandwich. As she took a bite she thought to herself 'Nothing like Brock's good ole meals but oh well' She laughed a little. She thought of her old travels with Ash and Brock, or even the short while she went around with Ash and Tracey, all the time. She would have given anything to go on a journey like that again... but... the gym. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy being the gym leader or anything, she just loved a life of travels with her friends so much more... It wasn't just the traveling that she missed though... Her memories wandered to Ash. She started journeying for the first time because of him. She used her bike as an excuse to follow him at first. She'd been to timid to really go to far anywhere on her own. She laughed again. Misty... timid... it sounded funny, even to her, but there was some truth in it.

Soon after their long journey began though... she was still using her bike for an excuse, but for a different reason... not just to travel... but to follow him... Ash... specifically. She was such a little girl back then, just a little girl with a crush on a boy who was out to conquer his dreams. Over time though her crush developed with her maturity, and she was actually falling for him.

She still thought of everyone all the time but before she could get lost any deeper in her memories it was time for her to get back to work, the water show would be starting soon and she had to get ready. Her show had become unbelievably popular and people came from all over to see it. the gym stands were always packed and a full house was not uncommon.

There were 3 showings a day and as Misty finished up the third one and the gym cleared out, she was finally able to close the gym for the night. Another busy day for her coming to an end. She found her way to her room and flopped down on to her bed, staring at the ceiling, allowing her memories to consume her once more. She wandered how long it would be before she ever saw Ash again, and she could feel her very heart longing to go find him. She gave a hefty sigh and closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep.

Alright so I looked chapter 1 over a little and came across as just a little to serious I thought so I tried to add some good humor in this one, but as I re-read it, it seemed a little to slap-stick over the top with Brock and all. Let me know what you think, and as always, questions, comments, suggestions, and constructive crit. are greatly appreciated.

I'm sorry to all the May/Drew fans but Drew won't be in this fic

Besides I have certain suspicions about Drew (his main partner is Roselia for crying out loud). I'm also sorry to the Ash/May fans... Don't hold your breathe.