I have been sooooo busy and unable to get to a internet-linked computer (plus the two noreasters we had two Mondays in a row, just lovely), so to make it up to all of you who have been reading this, I am going to put up chapters 4-10 to make up for the long wait. Hopefully nobody will get mad with me!

Chapter 4
A Little Fun In The Woods

A few hours later…

"Let's go outside Mist. The storm has stopped."

"Okay Ash." Misty grabbed the overcoat Ash had given her, and put it on. Ash smiled, pleased that she still had it with her and used it. They left the cave and walked around, hand in hand. They came to a river, and Misty stopped. "Where does this river go?"

"If you follow it south, you end up near Mauville. If you go north, I dunno."

"Well, we can follow it in the morning."

"Yeah, and north is also where Fortree is. That's where the next Gym is, and my next Badge!"

"Ash, is that all you think about? Pokémon and Badges?"

"No. I think about other things…and people." Ash grinned sheepishly.

"Well, can I know?"

"Umm…No!"

"Ashton Samuel Ketchum, you are impossible to be with!" She smacked him playfully on the shoulder.

"Then why did you come back, Mistara Elizabeth Williams?"

"I have my reasons." Misty grew quiet.

"Well let's see…either 'cause you like Brock or me, or you like to travel with people. A or B?"

"Both. And you ain't gonna know who 'cause I ain't telling." Misty stuck out her tongue.

"Keep your tongue in your mouth. I don't French long distance, ya know." He smacked her back, lightly, then stuck out his tongue.

"Who said that's what I meant."

"Well, Brock suggested it back at camp."

"Yeah, well he's bright." Misty paused, then continued. "How long have we've traveled together?"

Ash smiled. "I can't believe that it's been about three and a half years since our traveling began."

"Yeah, time sure does fly when you're having fun, huh?"

Ash's grin grew even wider. "Yup. It seems like only yesterday that you pulled me outta the river."

"I thought that I caught a big one that day. What a catch that turned out to be? One of my old friends, who is one of my best buds." Misty laughed. "I have the greatest luck in the world!"

"Hey Mist, There's one thing I want to tell you, now that you're here."

"What is it Ash?"

"Well, I…I really missed ya while you were gone, and I'm glad you're back." Ash blushed a little. He hoped Misty didn't notice.

"Me too. I missed traveling with ya. Seeing new places, meeting new people and Pokémon, even the Legendaries." Misty blushed too.

Next thing she knew, Ash had tackled her lightly. She was caught off guard. Down on the ground she went. Ash was on top of Misty. He grabbed her arms with one hand, and pinned her down. He then started to tickle her.

"Ash…Cut…it…out!…That…tickles!" Misty almost couldn't speak. She was laughing uncontrollably.

"Why? Just so you can get back at me? No way!" He kept her pinned down. Then, without realizing it, he leaned closer to her, and they kissed. Misty was surprised when they broke the kiss. She then started to blush, badly. Ash was just as surprised. "I…I dunno where that came from." He was blushing also. They stayed like that for a while, and then they kissed again, more passionately this time. This time neither blushed. Ash got up and helped Misty to her feet. "Let's go back. They're probably worried and wondering where we are." Ash took Misty's hand as they walked back to camp. Both let go when they got near the cave.

"Where were you? You were gone for so long, we thought the boogey-man had gotten ya." Brock was a little angry at their lateness, but was teasing the two younger teens. 'I wonder what they did. Must have been something that they don't want May or me to know.'

"We just were talking. We walked to a nearby river. Why the third degree?" Ash wasn't in the mood for a conversation with Brock.

"Just wondering. You never did this before."

"Well, we haven't seen each other for a long time, and we were trying to catch up on what's happened. What's so wrong with that?" Misty spoke up for Ash.

Brock held his hands up. "Sorry." He headed to his sleeping bag. "It's time we got to bed." He crawled in and promptly fell asleep. May was already asleep.

"G'Night, Ashy-Washy." Misty said.

"G'Night, Misty-Wisty." They fell asleep.