Here's the second and final chapter. I hope enjoy it. Read & Review!
Misty was in the kitchen on her lunch break (she allowed herself an hour instead of the traditional thirty minutes) when she heard the doorbell ring.
"Probably the mail-carrier," she said to herself. Misty sighed and began to trek toward the door.
It had been two weeks since she sent Ash her mixtape and she was beginning to think she would never get a response. Even accounting for the distance between Kanto and Sinnoh, it shouldn't have taken Ash a fortnight to write and mail a simple letter.
Maybe he didn't even listen to the tape. Maybe he decided that my feelings weren't worth his time and just threw the tape and the letter away. Or maybe he did listen to it and just hasn't figured out the message I'm trying to get through to him.
She opened the door and as she suspected, the mailman stood there.
"Let me guess. More bills and letters from young admirers right?" Misty asked.
"No bills today, miss Waterflower. There are a couple letters here for you and a package."
He handed her a white box with the two letters on top, smiled at her and left. Misty went inside and put the package on the reception desk in the foyer. She took the letters off and saw that the return address of the package was from Solaceon Town. Misty smiled.
It looks like Ash did understand. Well Misty, you wanted a response and you got it. I just hope it's the response I want to hear.
She opened the box and her eyes widened in surprise upon seeing a cassette tape identical to the one she had sent him.
Did he send the tape back? I had intended for him to keep it.
She took the tape out and saw a yellow piece of paper underneath. Picking it up, she knew that Ash had heeded her request.
Dear Mist,
As you already know, I got your tape and your letter. Sorry for taking so long to reply, but I was busy compiling songs to tell you my feelings. The cassette tape inside is for you. It has five songs on it just like yours. Before you listen to it though, I wanna respond to a couple of the songs on your tape.
The second song had me blushing redder than a tomato because to be completely honest, the idea that you could be sexually attracted to me never crossed my mind. Hell, the whole concept of sexual attraction isn't something I like to give a lot of thought to because as you know, when it comes to love and sex, I am hopelessly inept and awkward; which is why I'm red in the face right now as I'm writing these sentences. Misty, I'm attracted to you too; so much so in fact, that I've had sexual dreams about you for the past year. You get me hot. There, I said it.
I'm glad to know that you think about me so often because I've thought about you every day you've been gone. I know that may be hard to believe since I've done practically nothing to keep in contact with you but it's the truth. I'm sorry for that, really. There's no excuse, but I promise I'll make it up to you. That leads me to the fourth song on your tape.
I know I'm going to sound like a hypocritical jerk by saying what I'm about to say but that song really hurt me. I had to stop listening halfway through because I was already nearly sobbing by that point. I know, Ash Ketchum crying is something you probably can't fathom but I was. It made me think of when you first left and that was bad enough, but the idea that you would ask me to remember you…how could you? How could you even feel the need to ask me to remember you? We traveled together for nearly three years and what we experienced and shared together has left a permanent imprint on my heart. Do you really think I could EVER forget you? Well, let me tell you right now, it's impossible. Even if I was brainwashed or had amnesia and my mind forgot you, my heart could never. You're a part of me Mist and don't ever doubt that. I don't EVER want the idea of me forgetting you to cross your mind again, do you understand?
Anyway, I'm sure you'll be able to figure out my feelings for you from the first song, but go through all five anyway. I want you to hear the last one in particular. When you're done, rewind the last song to one minute, thirty seconds in and pause the tape. Trust me; I have a reason for this.
Love, Ash
PS: Pikachu says hi.
"He-he made me a mixtape? I wonder what the songs are."
She looked over the letter again and smiled. It was good to know that he did remember her. She had blushed quite deeply herself upon reading that Ash had been having wet dreams of her for the past year. She had quite a few of those dreams as well, and every single one of them involved him. But sexual attraction wasn't love and she wanted to know whether or not he loved her.
Well, I'm about to find out.
Misty went to her room and put the tape in the stereo underneath her TV. The first song began to play and Misty could tell within the first few bars that it was a country ballad.
I thought I felt you touch my cheek this morning
But I must've been dreamin'
And in the middle of the night without a warning,
I thought I heard you breathin'
Me and my so-called independence
I've got this loneliness that's so relentless
I guess you get used to somebody
Kinda like havin' them around
I guess you get used to the way they make you happy
Bring you up when you're feelin' down
I never dreamed when I was letting you go
That I would wake up and miss you this much
I guess you get used to somebody
I guess you get used to bein' loved
Misty paused the tape. She really didn't need to hear any more of this particular song. She now knew two things. Ash clearly missed her and he knew how she felt.
"I certainly can guess how he feels about me from the chorus, but he wanted me to listen to all the songs so that's what I'll do."
She skipped to the next song. A soft pop melody started playing before a young-sounding male voice began to sing.
My friends ask me
When it comes to giving you my heart,
How can I be sure?
'Cause they see how fast we
Filled up all the empty parts
Of my soul and yours
When I answer, it erases their doubts
'Cause the truth comes out
When I'm miles away
And I still feel your touch
When I make mistakes (oh baby)
And no one gives up
When you're in my arms (baby)
Baby, you're still not close enough
(That's how) That's how I know it's love
It's love
Just like (just like) they are
I'm amazed I found someone
Made just for me
Ooo your love, so far…
Tells me I would be a fool not to believe
That I've been given a gift in this life
I must've done something right
(Something right)
As the chorus played again, Misty knew she didn't need to listen to the rest of the tape. Ash loved her; there was no doubt about it. Still, the song was really touching so she decided to listen to the rest of it. The bridge was just starting.
Now I know what forever is for
Each day I want you more
The chorus played again and Misty smiled. When the song ended, she paused the tape and debated whether or not to listen to the rest of the songs. Ash had asked her to listen to the last song specifically so she could just skip to the final track.
Oh come on Misty, he went to the trouble of making it for you so you can least do him the courtesy of listening to every song.
She unpaused the tape and another country ballad started playing.
"He must be a country fan," she said to herself.
The male started singing about fifteen seconds in.
I can't believe that I found you
Fate did a number on me
If you end up with my arms around you
It's meant to be
Well maybe my crazy is showing
Or maybe I'm hooked on your touch
Wherever my life is going
There ain't no rush
Wherever you're going, I'd like to go too
If you don't have anything better to do
I'd love to spend some more time together
So what are you doin' between now and forever?
I'll take the blue with the gray days
I just pray the road will be long
'Cause when I'm beside you,
There's no way I can go wrong
Wherever you're going, I'd like to go too
If you don't have anything better to do
I'd love to spend some more time together
So what are you doin' between now and forever?
Misty paused the tape and smiled. The song was cute but more importantly, it was good to know that deep down, Ash wanted to travel with her and spend time with her again. In fact, according to the song, he wanted to spend forever with her. She skipped to the next song.
It's like a storm that cuts a path
It breaks your will
It feels like that
You think you're lost
But you're not lost on your own
You're not alone
I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you've done all you can do
And you can't cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won't let go
Misty smiled again. He had certainly done most of those things when they traveled together and the fact that he was promising to keep doing them meant a lot. She kept listening through the second verse and second chorus which lead to the bridge.
Don't be afraid to fall
I'm right there to catch you
I won't let you down
It won't get you down
You're gonna make it
Yeah, I know you can make it
'Cause I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you've done all you can do
And you can't cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won't let go
Oh I'm gonna hold you
And I won't let go
Won't let you go
No I won't…
Now Misty was on the verge of tears. He knew…maybe not in detail but he knew that her life at the gym was hard and he knew that her dream, like his, wasn't easy to achieve, especially given her current circumstances. And he was telling her that she could bear the hardships and that she could achieve her dreams and most of all, that he would he there to help her. She paused the tape.
"Gosh, I'm already so emotional; I'm not sure if I should listen to the next song. But he said he wanted me to listen to that one specifically, so I guess I have to."
Wiping her eyes, Misty let the tape play and an ethereal sounding piano started up before the singer came in.
I hear the wind call my name
The sound that leads me home again
It sparks up the fire,
A flame that still burns
To you, I will always return
I know the road is long
But where you are is home
Wherever you stay, I'll find the way
I'll run like the river, I'll follow the sun
I'll fly like an eagle to where I belong
I can't stand the distance
I can't dream alone
I can't wait to see you
Yes I'm on my way home
Now I know it's true
My every road leads to you
And in the hour of darkness
Your light gets me through
You run like the river
You shine like the sun, yeah!
You fly like an eagle
Yeah you are the one
I've seen every sunset
And with all that I've learned
(Oh) It's to you, I will always, always…return
As the song faded out, Misty was trying her best not to sob. She was crying for two reasons. First of all, the sentiment of the song was beautiful but the second reason was less romantic. She knew Ash loved her and up until this point had believed in every message he was conveying through the songs. The message of the last song was one she couldn't believe in because it was the one thing he'd never done. Ash had returned home before of course, but he had never returned to her. In fact, she had been the one to return to him when he came back to Kanto for the Battle Frontier.
She remembered Ash's request that she rewind the song to a certain point and only now did she ask herself the question of why.
"What's the point of it? Am I supposed to just leave the song paused at that point and wait for something to happen or only listen to the song from one minute, thirty seconds on?"
Misty sighed and rewound the song to the point Ash specified, then lay on her bed and continued to cry silently until she fell asleep.
She was woken up hours later by a loud insistent knocking at her door. Grumpily sitting up, Misty heard the voice of her older sister Daisy calling.
"Misty, are you in there?" she asked.
"What is it, Daisy?"
"There's someone waiting for you at the front door."
"Who is it?"
"Get up and see for yourself."
"Gee, thanks a lot."
Misty looked out her window and saw the sun starting to set. She got out of bed and walked out of her room to see Daisy enter her own before heading for the front door.
Who could be at the door at this time of day? The gym is closed to challengers.
She opened the door and thought she would faint when she saw who was standing there.
"A-Ash…I-wha-what are you doing here?"
"What, I don't get a hello?" he asked playfully.
"I can't believe it…"
"Believe it. It's Ash Ketchum in the flesh." He flashed her his trademark grin.
Pikachu spoke up and said hi in its tongue.
"Well, aren't you gonna invite me in?"
"Oh, right."
Misty stepped aside and Ash walked in. After closing and locking the door, Misty led him to her room.
"Now Ash, what are you doing here?" Misty asked again.
"I just wanted to drop by," he said.
"Drop by? You send me a mixtape and you just happen to show up at my door on the day that I receive it and you say you're just dropping by? Yeah right. Spill it, Ash. What's really going on here?"
"You always were able to read me like a book. Alright Mist, here's the truth. I came here because I genuinely missed you and wanted to see you again but also because I wanted you to show you the significance of that last song on the tape in person."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, like I said in my letter, there's a reason I asked you to rewind it exactly to one minute, thirty seconds in."
"Yeah, and what was the reason?"
"You're about to find out. Pikachu, get ready to press play," he told his best friend.
Pikachu went over to the stereo and readied his paw over the Play button. Ash took Misty's hands in his and smiled. Misty immediately began to blush.
"Pikachu, go," Ash said.
Pikachu nodded and pressed Play. Ash started singing along with Bryan Adams.
Now I know it's true
My every road leads to you
And in the hour of darkness
Your light gets me through
You run like the river
You shine like the sun
You fly like an eagle
Yeah you are the one
I've seen every sunset
And with all that I've learned
Ash stopped singing and kissed Misty on the lips, pulling away three seconds later to sing the last line.
It's to you, I will always, always…return…
When the song finished, Misty had tears in her eyes again and Ash's smile turned into a worried frown.
"Mist, if those aren't tears of joy then please don't cry," he said.
"I'm alright. It's just that, when I first listened to the song, it hurt because I didn't feel like I could believe what you were saying through the song. I know now that you do mean it, but there's still a question I need answered. Why didn't you ever return to me?"
"Believe me Mist, I wanted to but I couldn't. I knew that if I visited you, I'd want to stay and it would distract me from my journey and being around you would make me want to confess which I knew I didn't have the courage to do and when I finally forced myself to leave, I would end up missing you even more than I already did. I figured that I would just go from region to region, getting stronger and more experienced until I finally achieved my dream and then…I could return to you for good."
"For good?"
"Mist, I know we're too young to be even contemplating this, but…I do want to spend my life with you when my travels are over."
"Ash…"
"Or maybe you could retire from being a gym leader and come travel with me."
"I can't retire until Daisy, Lily and Violet are responsible enough and skilled enough to run the gym in my absence and that's not going to happen anytime soon."
"Will you wait for me?" Ash asked.
"I've been waiting for three years already. What's a few more?" She smiled at him.
Ash smiled back. "You're a wonderful girl, you know that?"
"Thank you, but I don't necessarily think I'm a wonderful person…"
"You are and to be honest, I'm starting to feel a little unworthy of you."
"You're more than worthy of me, Ash."
"You know, I meant every word I sang. I will always return to you and you won't have to wait three years before you hear from me again. I promise you that."
"I hope that's a promise you'll keep, Ash."
"Have I ever broken a promise?"
Misty gave a small smile. "No, you haven't."
"And I don't intend to start now, especially with you."
"Thank you for coming over and letting me know your feelings in person."
"You're welcome. I'm glad I did. It's good to see you again."
"It was good to see you again too. I guess you should get back to Sinnoh."
"Actually, I thought I'd stay here until morning, if that's okay with you."
"Of course it's okay. I have two beds in here so you can sleep on the water bed."
"Great."
The two changed into their night clothes.
"Goodnight Ash," Misty said before kissing him on the cheek.
"Goodnight Mist."
They got into their respective beds and smiled at each other before going to sleep.
The next morning, Misty saw Ash off at the door.
"I'll be waiting for you, Ash. I wish you luck on your journey."
"Thanks Mist. I'll come back to you. Remember that."
"I will. And you remember me, Ash."
"I will always remember you."
Ash kissed her on the lips and this time, Misty kissed back. They stayed like that for a long time, neither wanting to leave the other. When they finally pulled away, they were smiling.
"You remember to do your very best," Misty said.
"I will, for the both of us."
Ash turned and walked down the road and Misty watched him until he was out of sight. While Ash walked away and Misty stared at his retreating form, they both were thinking the same thing.
I love you…
The songs used in this chapter are
You Get Used to Somebody by Tim McGraw
That's How I Know by B4-4
Between Now and Forever by Bryan White
I Won't Let Go by Rascal Flatts
I Will Always Return (Reprise) by Bryan Adams