Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon
A/N: So sorry reviewers! I know for me it's been forever since an update, but my internet isn't working properly lately and I am extraordinarily busy! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
What the heck was I thinking!? Listening to Brock about women, I must have eaten to much ! Though... It did feel kind of nice to let Misty know that I think she's pretty. Well... beautiful actually- Gah! Focus! You need to do something to distract her from the embarrassment. Geez, I hope she doesn't hit me with her mallet again... Waitaminute! I know just the person to ask!
Ash raced out of his room and out the house with Pikachu following him in confusion. Once he reached his destination, he hesitated on knocking. Surely he had to be making a mistake by coming here! Why were his emotions, emotions that were still new to him, torturing him and making him do stupid things and go to stupid people for stupid advice?
"Pika?" Ash jumped at the Pokemon's question. Honestly, he didn't even know what he was doing. So he knocked. I can handle this, I mean, what have I got to lose..?.. Oh, I don't know, maybe the person you're in love with... and your pride... Shut up..uh, what did Brock say you were? Oh yeah, shut up conscience.
The door opened to reveal no other than Gary Oak. When the successful Trainer saw Ash, he crossed his arms, leaned into the door and raised an eyebrow. Of course, Gary and him had stopped hating each other a while back, but they weren't about to go pick out curtains together either. "What's up, Ketchum?"
Ash grimaced and rubbed the back of his neck. Maybe I should just come out and ask him for help. Or I should ask him how so many girls are in love with him... Maybe Brock should be the one coming over here for some advice. "I have women troubles and I need your help."
There. That was simple.
Gary's face split into the largest, suspicious, grin that Ash had only seen when they started their journeys many years ago. "So, you want my help with the ladies? Well, you've come to exactly the right place. It's that runt girl isn't it?"
"Hey! She's not a runt!" Ash fired back, fist clenched. Gary's grin never faltered and he opened the door wider gesturing Ash and Pikachu to follow. Pikachu groaned. This was going to be a long day.
Why would he say something like that to me? I mean, he can't possibly... return..?.. the feelings..can he? What!? Of course not Misty, you're overreacting! He just wanted to tell you a compliment in a friend way. Nothing romantic whatsoever! Besides, Ash is too dense to realize his feelings...yet. Maybe I should call May for advice. What!? Don't be so stupid Misty, just because she has a boyfriend and you don't. You don't need anyone's he-
"Ouch!" Misty yelped, while the knife fell to the floor. Cutting the potatoes like Brock told her to was a lot harder than she figured. Holding the bleeding finger up to her eye to examine, she noticed it wasn't that big of a cut. Sighing, she walked over to the sink. As she was rinsing her hands off she heard the front door open then close. Misty smiled when she heard the pitter patter of tiny paws walk toward her.
"Hello Pikachu." She greeted. Pikachu's ear twitched and she tugged at her leg. Giggling slightly, she gestured Pikachu to hop on her shoulder. Once on her shoulder, Misty walked over to the fridge and pulled the ketchup bottle out. "I'm sure this is what you wanted, right?"
"Chaa."
Pikachu jumped on the table with her beloved ketchup and began to slurp. Ash, watching the scene with that burning sensation in his stomach, thought of what Gary had said and made his entry. "Hey Myst!"
Misty had gotten a fresh knife, and when she heard Ash call her name behind her, it took her by surprise. She shrieked and the knife went flying out of her hands and landed in the wall next to Ash's head. Mrs. Ketchum was not going to like that too much.
All embarrassment from earlier was gone, now replaced with anger. "Ash, you moron! Don't sneak up on me like that! You know how jumpy I get! And look, I could have stabbed you! You're lucky I don't send you blasting off like Team Rocket with my mallet!"
Ash wasn't really paying attention to Misty's rambling, or the fact that he almost got stabbed, but was looking at how Misty had her hair down, and how pretty she looked when she was angry. He snapped out of his trance when she marched up to him and asked him a question that he unfortunately hadn't heard. "Uh..."
Count to ten. Count to ten. Count to ten. Count to ten. Count to ten. Misty really didn't like exploding at Ash for such trivial things, but she hated when people snuck up on her. She made a vow not to tear him to shreds every time she lost her temper. So far, it had been working by counting to ten. She sighed, and walked over to the knife to yank it out of the wall. "Never mind Ash."
Misty grit her teeth and tried to pull the knife out, but apparently she wasn't that strong for she couldn't get the stupid piece of metal out of the wall. She gave it another tug. Still unsuccessful. Suddenly, she felt hands fold over hers. Misty turned beet red when she realized Ash was directly behind her, practically breathing down her neck, and was trying to help her. She shuddered and closed her eyes.
Okay, so you've already made her mad. Don't do anything dumb. What did Gary say again? Oh yeah... Girls like touches. Every chance you get touch their hand or their arm or face or hair. Got it! Wait, I'm already touching her hands so I'm in the clear. Ash's thoughts were put on hold when he felt Misty shudder in front of him. Suddenly, Ash was nervous; and not a nervous that he gets before he does a huge battle, but a different nervous. He was really nervous; really, really, nervous. He saw Misty's eyes closed and he gulped.
Was he making her uncomfortable... or the opposite? Ash didn't know which one he preferred, but he would have to go with the latter. He wondered how Misty's hands were so soft after all that time traveling and working. Ash easily pulled the knife out of the wall and then cleared his throat, snapping the red head back into reality. "I..." He coughed nervously. "Uh, I got it."
Misty put her head down dejectedly. She had finally thought Ash was getting at least a bit romantic.Oh well. Misty held her hand out to retrieve the knife and get back to chopping the vegetables before Brock got back from shopping with Mrs. Ketchum. Ash noticed her finger was bleeding and placed the knife on the counter, forgetting it completely, and grabbed her hand.
Misty blushed. Pull yourself together!
"You're hurt Misty." Thank you Captain Obvious.
"It's nothing. Just a little cut it'll be fi- OW! Don't jab it with your thumb Ash!"
Ash frowned and pulled her out of the kitchen and into the bathroom. Misty didn't know why Ash was suddenly concerned over a little scratch. She always got injured one way or another. She also saw that he was concentrating on looking for something in the medicine cabinet. "What are you looking for?" She asked, hoping it wasn't something that was going to sting.
Ash pulled out the alcohol bottle and grabbed Misty by the waist when she tried to run away. "You need to clean it Misty! It's going to get infected!" She still wriggled in his arms. She hated that damned alcohol. Why did they always have to sting you when you put it on your cut?
"It's just a tiny cut Ash! Lemme go! And why do you care anyways if I'm hurt or not?!" She yelled, wondering how and when the 10 year old shrimpy boy turned into a toned and strong 16 year old.
Ash didn't even hesitate on the question and his tongue moved without his permission. "What kind of stupid question is that!? You're my best friend, of course I'm gonna care about you, whether you get a splinter or break your arm! Now hold still you big baby!"
That immediately got Misty to stop struggling. She huffed trying to sound mad, but couldn't keep the fluttering feeling out of her chest. She winced when the cool liquid hit her open skin with a cotton ball. "Ow." She whined and caught Ash smiling a little while cleaning her wound. "And I'm not a baby!"
Ash's smile turned into a full out grin. He knew that would've struck a nerve. He carefully put a Jigglypuff bandage around her finger and admired his work for a second before he stood up. Misty smiled and how careful he could be. "By the way," She added, catching his attention. "Thank you.. for, you know..., caring about me."
The two teens were dangerously close now and Ash was leaning his head farther and farther down. Oh God! Oh God! Oh God! Oh God! Oh God! Oh God! Oh God! Oh God! Oh God! Oh God! Oh God! Oh God! Oh God! Oh God! Oh God! Ash thought repeatedly.
Breath Misty! I said breathe! Is he leaning his head in? Am I leaning up!? Where are we headed? Does he love me, like me, or just want to kiss me? What the hell are you complaining about! You're about to kiss Ash Ketchum! The love of your life, so shut up and close your eyes! Misty obeyed and closed her eyes.
"Misty you didn't cut the potatoes prop – errrrrrrrrrrrrrr..."
Brock's voice had caused Misty and Ash to back away from each other violently. In the process of moving, Misty's hand knocked the alcohol bottle to the floor, spilling its contents and giving off a strong scent. Ash's instincts had told him to bend down and pick the bottle up. Unfortunately, Misty had thought the same thing. Both heads bumped each other's. "Ouch!"
Brock had seen quite a show in the last 5 to 10 seconds. He had seen Ash and Misty centimeters away from kissing, had seen them jump away, seen the bottle fall to the ground, and seen the two heads crash together... And it was pretty much hilarious. "Sorry, did I interrupt something?"
Grr.. Yes you did you squinty eyed moron! I was about to kiss Ash!! Why me!? "Uh, no. No, you didn't interrupt nothing- I mean anything. And I did too cut the potatoes right!" Misty took her hand off her head and picked up the bottle.
Ash was a bit dazed. This day was really turning out to be something for him.
Thank you reviewers so much, you've basically persuaded me to continue! Thanks again to all of you who reviewed