Just when I thought chapters couldn't get any longer, here's chapter 4, which somehow tops the previous one. xD.

Sadly, due to events occurring in real life, I will not be able to post a chapter for about a week. I'll be writing, but the internet won't be able to take new chapters. Hopefully this will suffice for the time being. :D

Enjoy! :D

Because of the delay, it was quite late before the group managed to get going again. The waterfall excursion had taken quite a chunk out of the day and they had to spend the night in a forest clearing on the way to Daybreak Town.

The next morning, when Brock got up to make breakfast, he was surprised to find Dawn already awake, with her tent packed up, and practicing contest moves and combinations with her Pokemon. "She must be really psyched for her contest, she's never awake before me."

When Ash woke up and crawled out of his tent, he had the same reaction. "Dawn's awake? She must be really excited for her contest. *yawn* I wonder when breakfast is…"

After breakfast was served, Brock noticed that Dawn seemed preoccupied and wasn't eating. He nudged Ash, and pointed at Dawn. Ash raised an eyebrow, and with a mouthful of food said, "Hey, Dawn, what's wrong?"

Dawn made a face and handed Ash a napkin. Only after he had finished wiping his mouth did she say, "I'm just thinking about my next contest."

Ash swallowed and gave a big grin. "You're going to be fine! There's nothing to worry about. I've seen you practicing, you'll do great."

Dawn smiled and said, "Thanks Ash. That means a lot." She thought to herself, "I've been telling myself that all morning. But somehow when he says it, it just sounds so much better. It just makes me feel happy and confident."

Dawn was still lost in her thoughts however, and spilled her food or missed her mouth several times, necessitating the use of her phrase, "No need to worry!" several times as Ash and Brock asked her if there was anything wrong.

As breakfast progressed however, and Ash was still chowing down, Dawn began to get impatient and as her mind wandered, she thought of the events of the day before.

"Oh, and Ash, I was wondering, why did you go down the cliff without tying the rope to yourself in the first place?" asked Brock.

Ash grinned and said, "I guess I wasn't thinking. I was going to down to help Dawn."

Dawn's eyes widened. "You were going to help me? Why?"

Ash's cheeks became a little red, and he tugged on his cap to try and cover it up. "You kinda froze up and looked scared, so I wanted to help you out."

Dawn smiled. "I still can't believe he was thinking of me. Lyra was right. What a guy."

As she turned back to look at Ash, and noticed he was now sitting with his Pokemon and eating while chatting with them, she thought, "Ash is so devoted to those two things, his Pokemon and his food. If only I could be the third…"

Dawn sighed and said to herself, "Get a grip, you ought to be concentrating on your next contest."

She felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Brock, he had finished cleaning up and Ash had finished eating. "You ready?"

Dawn said, "I've been ready!" She stood up, raised one of her hands in the air and said, "Let's go!"

As the group walked through the forest, Ash noticed a small field in a clearing and said, "It's nice and sunny there! Let's stop and rest and let our Pokemon out to play."

As he walked towards the field, Dawn grabbed his arm, and dragged him away from it. "We've got to get to Daybreak, we've been delayed enough already."

Further along the forest trail, the group met a lady who was going for a walk with her Skitty. Immediately, Brock began to profess his love to the bemused lady, but before Croagunk could relieve the lady of her troubles, Dawn grabbed Brock and dragged him off as well, saying, "We don't have time for this."

By the time they got to Daybreak, Ash offhandedly remarked that he and Brock were probably more happy to see the city than Dawn, who ignored the comment and said, "I'm off to the contest hall to register. I'll meet you at the Pokemon center."

Ash and Brock nodded and walked off to the Pokemon center, stopping for a snack along the way. As they reached the front door of the center, a freshly mown field caught his eye, and he said, "Wow, they have a pretty nice battlefield here. Maybe I can get some training in before Sunyshore, huh Brock? Uh… Brock?"

Ash looked through the glass doors of the Pokemon center and sweatdropped. Brock was on his knees expressing his love to Nurse Joy. As usual, Croagunk popped out and ended Brock's advances with a jab to the side.

Ash grabbed a hold of the door handles just in time to open them for Croagunk, who was dragging Brock away as usual.

Ash rolled his eyes and said, "Pikachu, do you know where Croagunk takes him?"

Pikachu just scratched his head. "Pika Pika…"

Ash laughed and said, "Well wherever it is, Brock always gets back fast enough."

Ash walked up to the front desk and before he could say a word, was handed a room card. "Huh?" said Ash, confused, "I didn't ask for a room yet."

Nurse Joy laughed. "Your friend did, before he got dragged out."

Ash shrugged and went to the room to check it out and claim a bed. When he returned to the lobby, Dawn and Brock were waiting for him.

"Hey Ash," said Dawn.

"Hey, you all set then?"

"Not quite, I realized I'm almost out of seals. I gotta go buy some. There's a contest shop near the Daybreak contest hall, so I thought we could make a quick stop by there. Then we can do some training!"

As they walked over to the Daybreak contest hall, the shop became quite obvious. The roof and overhang were colored with vivid blues and reds and were adorned with ribbons and balloons which swayed in the light breeze. The front door was covered in autographed pictures of former Grand Festival winners and upcoming contest advertisements.

When they entered the store, Dawn noticed some contest dresses and said to Ash, "I'm going to go look at the dresses first, but I won't be long."

Ash said, "Dawn, you already have a dress for the contest. And if you want to practice, you have to hurry before nightfall."

Dawn said, "Oh come on, we've got plenty of time!"

As Ash began to protest, Dawn flashed him a disarming smile and he faltered slightly. She enjoyed the effect she had, as his cheeks reddened slightly and he stuttered, "W-Well, don't take too long! I'll just.. Uh… Look over here."

Brock watched the scene silently and chuckled to himself as he followed Ash off towards the next aisle.

Ash walked down the aisle and began to absentmindedly pick up several fancy hats and twirl them on his fingers. He picked up a grey fedora hat and looked at it without really paying attention and he thought to himself. "I just love it when she smiles like that. It just makes me feel like nothing can go wrong, and I get a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach, like I swallowed too much warm soup too quickly."

He took off his hat and replaced it with the grey fedora. He didn't notice what he had done until Brock said, "Thinking about replacing your hat with that one? It looks like the one you wore in the Wallace Cup."

Ash gave a start. "Oh, I didn't notice what I was doing." He swapped hats again. "I guess I wasn't paying attention."

Brock smiled and said, "Thinking about something?"

Ash said, "Yeah," and replaced the fedora hat back on the rack.

Brock asked, "About Dawn?"

Ash did not answer, and Brock decided not to press the issue and began to examine his PokeGear for restaurants in the area. Ash had moved to the other side of the aisle and began to look at an elaborate map of Sinnoh.

Brock pinpointed a noodle restaurant, and pulled out his backpack to find his map to mark the spot for later. But as he searched his backpack, he heard Ash's voice start speaking softly, as if he was talking to himself, but Brock could tell he was meant to hear.

"I'm worried about Dawn." Ash's voice was quiet, but Brock could hear him quite clearly.

"Why?"

"I think she's too stressed out about her contest. I know she'll win if she's relaxed, but at this rate…" Ash's voice tailed off and he clenched his fists. Brock nodded, just watching.

"I just want to do something," Ash continued, "But I'm not sure, I need to make sure she's okay."

Brock nodded again. Then something clicked in his head, and he asked, "Ash, what do you think of Dawn?"

Ash looked up, confused. He blinked a few times and said, "What? I thought I just told you."

Brock sighed. He had to write it out for Ash didn't he. "What I meant is, do you like her?"

Ash's cheeks reddened slightly, but he said, "No way! I mean she's a great friend and all.. But.."

To Brock, the denial meant nothing, Ash's blush told all. He decided to try a different tactic. "So how come she's in your dreams every night? I can hear you talking in your sleep."

Ash blanched. "How did you-I mean-No I don't!"

Brock grinned. "You've just about admitted it now."

Ash stuttered and began to walk backwards, waving his arms. "N-no I didn't! I don't know what you're talking about!"

At that moment, Dawn came running into their aisle and asked, out of breath, "Hey, have you guys seen any seal display boxes? I can't find any anywhere!"

Ash, startled by Dawn's sudden arrival, continued to back up, and crashed right into a shelf, sending its contents pouring down onto him as he slipped and fell onto the floor.

"Oh my gosh! Ash, are you alright? Here, let me help you wi-Wait. What's this?" Dawn lifted a cardboard display box off of Ash and looked inside.

"It's a box of different seals! You found it! Thanks Ash!" Dawn grinned at him, picked some out and ran off to buy them.

Ash just lay there, utterly bewildered, until Brock laughed and said, "Are you ever going to get up?"

Ash grinned sheepishly and said, "I suppose I should."

He and Brock replaced the items back on the appropriate shelves and they went up to the purchase counter of the shop and met up with Dawn just as she finished purchasing her seals.

"You ready now?" asked Ash.

"Yep! We can go train now!"

"Alrig-" Ash stopped as his stomach began to grumble. Ash scratched his head, embarrassed. "Do you think we could stop and eat first?"

Dawn laughed and looked at Brock. Brock said, "Yeah, I had found a restaurant, but if you guys want to train and eat, we can just go back to the Pokemon center."

As they began to walk back towards the Pokemon center it began to rain, and they completed the rest of the journey at a dead sprint.

While Dawn and Brock settled down to enjoy a warm meal out of the rain, Ash quickly downed his plate and began to head for the Pokemon center front doors.

"Ash? Where are you going?" Dawn called out.

Ash turned around with an inspired smile on his face. "You don't get rain everyday! It's perfect for special training. You can't be prepared for enough!" With this, he turned and ran out towards the Pokemon center practice field.

Dawn rolled her eyes, but allowed herself a small smile. "He is so dedicated. What a guy. I think after I finish, I'll have to go out and join him. That kind of enthusiasm is just contagious."

Brock's voice cut into her thoughts. "That is so Ash. He'd train in a tornado if it meant getting an edge in his next battle."

Dawn laughed and said, "Has he always been like that? That dedicated?"

Brock said, "Ever since I met him. He's all about getting his gym badges and getting better and trying to become the Pokemon master."

Dawn smiled. "That's pretty amazing." She paused. "He's pretty amazing."

Brock said nothing, but a grin tugged at the edges of his mouth.

Dawn looked up at him. "What's so funny?"

Brock laughed and said, "Oh, nothing."

Dawn shrugged and after one last glance at Ash through the window, she turned back to her plate and continued eating. Brock just watched, thinking. "That's as good as a confession too. If only they both knew."

When Dawn finished, she looked up at Brock and said, "I'm going to go join Ash and train too. Okay Brock? Uh, Brock?"

She waved her hand in front of his face and snapped him out of his reverie. "Yeah?"

"I'm going to go train with Ash, alright?"

Brock nodded and said, "I'll be in here if you guys need me. Have fun!"

Dawn nodded and ran out into the rain. She could hear Ash's voice carrying over the sound of the rain. "Alright guys, race you to the other end of the field!"

She walked onto the field and noticed that Ash had let out all of his Pokemon and they were all running around on the waterlogged field, looking like they were having the time of their lives.

Buizel won the race easily, but then Ash slipped and slid into him tripping Grotle in the process. Grotle fell onto them both and then Monferno, Pikachu, and Staraptor jumped on top. They stayed in this awkward position for a few seconds, then all sat up and started laughing together. Dawn couldn't help laughing too, and Ash noticed her.

He got up and walked over as Piplup ran over to join Ash's Pokemon. "Hey Dawn. What's up?"

She couldn't help staring at his appearance. His shirt and pants were streaked with mud from his slide, and he was drenched from head to toe. His hat sat on his head, lopsided and grimy and the whole façade was topped off by his grin. Despite the weather and the condition of his clothes, he looked as happy as a kid with a new toy.

Ash's smile changed to a worried look as he noticed Dawn was still looking straight at him. "Dawn? Something wrong?"

She hastily grinned. "Oh, no."

Ash looked relieved. "That's good. Why'd you come out here?"

Dawn said, "Well, I came out to train with you. Thatis what you're doing right?" Her gaze wandered over to Ash's Pokemon and Piplup, who were splashing each other with water and throwing mud.

Ash scratched his head. "Well, we were. We're just having fun playing now."

Dawn just laughed. Ash grinned too, and tilted his head towards the Pokemon, saying, "Well, shall we join them?"

"Alright! Everyone, come on out!" Dawn threw her Poke Balls into the air and she and her Pokemon ran off to join the others.

Brock just watched the two from the Pokemon center and laughed to himself.

When Ash and Dawn didn't come in, and Brock was finished eating, he returned to the room and watched some contest battles on the TV.

He was just about to use the restroom to wash up before going to sleep when Dawn and Ash finally came in. His mouth dropped slightly. They were both sopping wet and dripping water all over the floor. Following them were a mud-covered and soaked Pikachu and Piplup. All four of them had an exhausted but pleased look on their faces.

"Hey Brock," said Ash, grinning when he noticed Brock's expression. "What's up?"

Brock rolled his eyes. "I've been watching TV and waiting for you two. Did you have fun?"

"You bet!" said Dawn, "I gotta clean up now though. I bet my hair looks absolutely horrible. Ash, mind if I use the shower before you?"

Ash laughed. "Not at all."

He and Pikachu grabbed towels and began to dry themselves off as Dawn went into the bathroom. She quickly extricated herself from her grimy clothes and jumped into the shower, enjoying the warm water. As she just stood there, letting the water run over her, her mind wandered. "Who knew running around in the rain and mud could be that much fun? I had a great time with Ash. I just get this strange feeling in my stomach when he's around. He can make anything fun. I even forgot to worry about my contest."

As Dawn continued to ponder, Ash listened to the running water and became conscious that his head was wet. He pulled off his hat and looked at it. It was stained in several places with mud and still slightly damp. Ash laughed and asked Brock, "Does the rest of me look as bad as my hat?"

"Pretty much. When you go to take your shower, just look in the mirror. That should answer your question. I'm going to go to sleep now. Good night Ash."

Ash bade Brock good night and waited. When Dawn finally came out of the bathroom, Ash raised his hands in mock celebration and said, "Took you long enough."

Dawn started to say something but decided it wasn't worth it and just merely glared. Ash walked into the bathroom and stared at his reflection in the mirror. He grinned as he saw what Brock was talking about then took off his dirty clothes and got into the shower. He too, reflected back on the evening. "I wonder if I should just tell Dawn what I think..."

When Ash finished, he changed into clean clothes and walked back into the room. Brock was sound asleep, but he noticed Dawn wasn't in her bed. His gaze drifted to the balcony of the room, and he noticed Dawn was sitting outside looking up at the sky.

He walked out to the balcony and sat down beside her. She shifted slightly but otherwise did not acknowledge him. Together they sat in silence, under the blanket of the night sky. Ash turned to look at Dawn, and noticed that the moonlight framed her face and seemed to make it glow. He had never truly realized or appreciated until that moment, Dawn's appearance. "She's very pretty," He thought.

Suddenly, Dawn said, "Ash?"

He jumped slightly, her voice had sounded a bit louder than usual and had broken into his thoughts. "Yes Dawn?"

"I'm worried about the contest. I know I've prepared, but it's always a lot scarier going out there than the time before, and-"

Ash put a hand on her shoulder, and smiled. Dawn calmed down slightly but still looked stressed out.

Ash turned to look at her. "Dawn, you've practiced your combinations a ton, and they're all great. You've just got to trust yourself, and your Pokemon. We'll be rooting for you. There's no need to worry. You'll do great, as always."

Dawn smiled and leaned her head onto his shoulder. "Thanks Ash. That means a lot to me."

Ash flinched slightly, but stayed put, and the two of them watched the stars together.

They stayed in this position for several minutes before Ash said, "Okay, it's really late Dawn. We should be getting back inside."

When there was no answer, he turned and noticed Dawn had fallen asleep on his shoulder. He smiled and slowly shifted Dawn to a sitting position. Then he stood up, put one arm under her legs and one under her neck and carried her, bridal style, back to her bed.

Accomplishing this, he climbed into his own bed and fell asleep, dreaming about only the things Brock guessed, back in the contest shop.

I just realized this is the first chapter where the characters may be OoC, so I apologize for that.

Again, please review, it's always nice to know how I'm doing.

Cheers.

smalledit[9/3]: Changed Infernape to Monferno for continuity purposes.