Okay time for a new chapter! Sorry for not updating in so long, it's just that school and stuff has been taking up all my time. But also after I typed up chapter 9 I decided I'd also type up chapter 10 so I could be a chapter ahead of you guys so I can get this done faster…so yeah. Anywho to make it up to you guys for the long wait I made this chapter a bit lengthy enjoy!


Ages: Ash:12, Iris:12, Cilan:14

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon


Chapter 9: Sorry Isn't gonna Cut it

It was the morning of the third day of Ash and Iris's hands being stuck together and the two sat a table in the Pokemon Center, which they were staying at. The raven haired boy fidgeted in his seat and nibbled his lower lip as he stole a glance at his purple haired friend who sat beside him. Iris had the elbow of her free arm propped up on the table and had her cheek resting on her free hand, her dark chocolate brown eyes were staring out the nearby window.

Clearing his throat, Ash tried to start a conversation, "It sure is pretty outside today," he stated, indicating to the blue sky that was dotted with fluffy clouds that were being shined upon by the sun's shinning rays, all of which could be seen from the window Iris was looking out of. "Don't you think so to, Iris?"

His only response was silence. The dragon loving girl just continued to stare out the window as if he had said nothing.

A small frown decorated Ash's face, Pikachu and Axew who sat across from them, gave knowing looks.

(Iris, Ash asked you a question,) Axew told his trainer softly.

"Yeah, I know," Iris said, not taking her eyes off the window.

"But you do agree that it's pretty outside, right Iris?" Ash asked looking at her.

"Yup, Axew, outside is beautiful today!" Iris said, addressing the Tusk Pokemon as if he had asked the question instead of Ash.

(Er um…yeah it is um-) Axew began.

"Maybe later we could go for a walk," Iris suggested, smiling.

"I'd like to go for a walk, to Iris," Ash said, but upon making this statement Iris just turned her head and then proceeded to looking out the window again, she once again went mute.

(Geez, Ash why did you have to make her so mad, yesterday?) Pikachu muttered to Ash.

Ash frowned and opened his mouth to answer but Iris butted it.

"Pikachu, tell your little kid of a trainer, that he didn't make me mad yesterday," Iris said turning to the Electric Mouse Pokemon.

Ash gave a weary smile, "Wait, I-I didn't make you m-mad Iris?" he asked hopefully.

"No, Pikachu, he didn't make me mad," Iris said smiling at the mouse, again ignoring Ash's statement. She then shot bitter look in Ash's direction, her smile melting away from her face, "he made me furious!"

Ash's face fell and he was taken aback somewhat, "Furious, how did I-"

"Hey, Pikachu, when Axew and I go on our walk later, do you want to join us?" Iris asked, interrupting Ash's statement.

Pikachu rolled his eyes, (Sure why not, I'll be riding on Ash's shoulder anyhow)

"Great, do you want to ride in my hair with Axew?" Iris suggested, as if she hadn't heard the last part of Pikachu's statement about Ash.

The frown on Ash's face reappeared on his face, "Iris, Pikachu is going to be riding on my shoulder not in your hair,"

(But, Iris's hair is pretty comfortable to ride in) Axew informed.

(Yeah, but it's not as much fun when someone takes up all the room,) Pikachu muttered.

(Hey I don't take up all the room-) Axew started to explain.

"So, anyway when do you wanna go on that walk, Iris?" Ash questioned, trying to get Iris to talk to him.

This time Iris didn't bother to talk to either the raven haired boy or Pikachu or Axew. Instead she just went and rested her cheek back on her hand and stared out the window and stayed silent.

"Iris…could you answer me?" Ash asked.

No answer.

"Please?"

Nothing.

"ARG! Iris come on you have to talk to me!" Ash exclaimed as an anime vein bulged from his forehead.

"Axew, would please tell that little kid, to lower his voice please?" Iris asked still staring out the window.

Axew sweatdropped (Um I rather not-)

"Iris!" Ash groaned, annoyed at the silent treatment he was receiving from the dragon loving girl.

Instead of an answer from Iris, there was a chuckle. Turning, both of them saw Cilan approaching the table they sat, he was holding a tray that held their breakfast.

"You two lovebirds fight like Purloins and Lillpups," the connoisseur stated as he placed the two bowls of pokechow in front of Pikachu and Axew.

"We're aren't lovebirds," Ash stated flatly.

"Sure whatever you say," Cilan said rolling his green eyes as he placed the two plates of breakfast before his friends, before setting his own plate down and taking a seat next to Pikachu and Axew.

"Huh, is this some new recipe, Cilan?" Iris asked as she let her eyes study the yummy looking omelet that sat on her plate.

It was the perfect size, not too big or too small, the egg wasn't burned or scorched in anyway and she could see melted cheese and the vegetables that were once inside spilling out from the egg they were encased in. It smelled absolutely wonderful, and it was making her hungrier than she was before.

"Why, yes it is thank you for noticing, Iris!" Cilan said, smiling, "and if you're wondering I got this recipe from one of those new cook books I bought at that store yesterday,"

"Wow, it looks great!" Ash said, picking up his fork awkwardly with his right hand and starting to eat, but after a few bites he made a face, "Hmm…it needs some salt though," he looked around the table for the salt shaker, only to see it was on Iris's side of the table, Ash frowned a bit, "Hey, Iris could you pass the salt?"

"Cilan, I think the omelets are perfect, no salt needed if you ask me!" Iris said, completely ignoring Ash again.

"That's kind of you to say, Iris," Cilan said, her gave a nervous look towards Ash who seemed rather upset for being ignored, "but if Ash says he would like to garnish his omelet with a touch of salt, I think it be best just to give him the salt shaker,"

"And while you're at it, why don't you stop ignoring me?!" Ash added, narrowing his amber eyes at the Tree Fairy.

Her smile, not fazing at what Ash had said, Iris continued to speak to Cilan, "Hey, Cilan can you please tell that little kid, that I just prefer not to talk to him right now," she said passing the salt to Cilan, "and who ever needs the salt shaker can use,"

Taking the salt shaker, the connoisseur gave a nervous look, "Iris, I know you're upset but the silent treatment isn't the best solution to-" Cilan began to say but stopped when Ash reached over and snatch the salt shaker from his hand.

"Iris, I said I was sorry!" Ash exclaimed clutching the salt shaker as he stared at Iris, who continued eating as if she couldn't hear him, "now could you stop it, please?"

Swallowing the food in her mouth, Iris and kept her gaze on her plate and said, "So what if people say sorry? Sometimes it's just not good enough to make someone feel better, after you hurt their feelings,"

"Well, what do you want me to do?"

"Maybe someone, preferably a certain little kid, should try and prove that their sorry,"

"Prove it?!" Ash asked, now more confused than he was upset, "Cilan how am I supposed to prove that I'm sorry? Huh? How does someone even do that?!"

Cilan sweatdropped he didn't know what to say and honestly he just wanted to keep his mouth shut to prevent himself from being dragged into this argument between the two lovebirds. But he knew he had to do something, after all he was always the peace maker in Ash and Iris's verbal feuds.

Tugging on his bowtie Cilan answered, "Er um maybe, Ash, you can make up for those words you said to Iris yesterday by… um,"

"Doing exactly what I want to do today," Iris stated to no one in particular.

"What?! Why would I do that?" Ash asked glaring at Iris.

Looking up Iris turned to Pikachu, "Hey, Pikachu wasn't yesterday a certain little kid's turn to pick what we did?"

(Um…yes it was) Pikachu answered slowly.

"And since he got to choose yesterday, doesn't that mean I get to choose what we do today, Axew?" Iris asked to the dragon type.

Rolling his eyes Axew answered, (Yes,)

"Then I don't see why, a certain little kid, wouldn't agree to doing what I want to do today," Iris said with a simple shrug of her shoulders, "besides, if it weren't for him, we wouldn't have had to battle Trip and Georgia and those words wouldn't have been said yesterday. Plus maybe my feelings might not have been hurt!"

(Ouch, she got you there, Ash) Pikachu muttered with a slight snicker.

Ignoring the electric mouse Ash looked at the Tree Fairy, "But do I have to? Yesterday all you wanted to do was relax and whatever, I don't want to do that! It sounds boring!"

"Okay…fine," Iris said with a sigh, as she looked out the window again, trying to hide the sadden look on her face from the connoisseur and the little kid she was currently upset at. Then turning to her green haired friend, Iris said, "Cilan if you wouldn't mind, tell this little kid, that I'm no longer going to be speaking to him, until he makes it up to me,"

"Um well-" Cilan stammered.

"Iris, will you just cut it out!" Ash cried, irritated, "I said I was sorry! Now stop ignoring me!"

There came no response.

Ash groaned, "Cilan make Iris stop ignoring me!" he demanded.

"Um…sorry Ash, but I'm afraid there's little I can do to make Iris stop giving you the silent treatment," Cilan said sweatdropping

(Besides…you kinda put this upon yourself) Pikachu added.

Ash groaned and gave up trying to talk to Iris and began to pick at his food, feeling a bit less hungry. As the table grew silent Cilan glanced to both his friends. Iris, who was eating with her attention absorbed in the direction of the window, as if oblivious to everyone else at the table, and Ash who was slowly eating and stealing sad glances at the dragon loving girl as he became lost in his own thoughts.

'Those two…' Cilan thought as he shook his head, 'there never going to survive this week if they keep bickering like this. And if Ash doesn't do something soon…well it seems like Iris will ignore him forever…and in all honestly I wouldn't blame her. Ash did say some pretty…unkind words to her last night after that whole Double Battle Smash or what it was called...'


(Flashback, Cilan's POV)

I strolled down the street with one of the new cook books I had purchased at that specialty cookbook store in my hands. I felt kinda guilty that I left my two lovebird friends by themselves, knowing that if they got into a heated argument things could go terribly wrong, but I just had to stock up on some new cookbooks, I running out of recipes to cook with! And a cooking connoisseur can never run out of recipes, it's unheard of! I had spent all day browsing at the book store but, in the end of it all I only ended up buy about three cookbooks, I was hoping to purchase more but the rest were unfortunately out of my price range.

"Hmm, now should I make these pancakes for breakfast?" I questioned myself as I scanned the breakfast section of the book in my hands. I looked page that had the image of a delectable looking stack of pancakes, I then turned to look at the opposite page that had wonderful looking display of an omelet, "oh but those omelet look rather good too…"

But as I was about to make up my mind, something grabbed my attention. It was laughing. Loud laughing. I look up from the cook book only to blink in surprise at who was walking in my direction. It was two people I wasn't expecting to see. It was Ash's blond rival and Iris's dark pink haired rival, Trip and Georgia! I was so taken aback that I just stopped in my tracks, and they two stopped in front of me. Their laughter died for a moment before they busted into more laughter, as if my presence had triggered something that only they could understand.

Sweatdropping I asked, "Um…Trip, Georgia, it's a pleasure to see you both," but the two were laughing too hard to respond to my greeting, this made me even more confused, "I-I'm sorry…uh is there something amusing going on?"

"A-Amusing?" Georgia choked from her laughter, "No, n-nothing's am-amusing…it's fr-freaking h-hilarious!"

I make a face, still confused, I turn to Trip. His face was red from laughing so hard, but was still able to quickly regain a bit of his composer and quickly said, "J-Just ask your l-loser friends…" he started to snicker, "then you'll understand!"

Before I could ask any more questions the two walked off, still laughing their heads off at something I was soon to find out about. I walked around for a while looking for my two lovebirds, my mind whirling with questions.

'I know Ash and Iris went to compete in that Battle Smash event…' I thought as I scanned the area, 'Did Georgia and Trip sign up for it as well? And why were they laughing so hard? Did something happen?'

I never had time to figure out the answers to my questions because I then spotted my two friends. They were seated on a bench, side by side, their linked hands dangling in the small space that separated them. Pikachu and Axew were also there, Axew sat on the right side of Iris while Pikachu sat at Ash's left. As I drew closer, my eyebrows furrowed together as I noticed an uneasy aura emitting from the two, and I could tell it was mostly coming from their facial expression.

Ash had his head lowered as his amber eyes shot death glares down at the ground that he stared at. His right hand, the free one, was in in a tight fist that rested on his leg. The sour expression of anger and annoyance disfigured his normally happy face. Iris on the other head, was looking away towards her left, she seemed to be trying to look at anything but the raven haired boy that was beside her. Her left arm rested on her lap, in her free hand she held a pokeball, and her knuckles were pale, indicating she was clutching it more than holding it. Iris's dark brown chocolate eyes bore the expression of hurt, as if something was bothering her and the usually happy smile she always wore was replaced with a scowl.

I stopped in front of them; stared for a brief moment, wondering if they even noticed my presence, and then I looked at Axew than to Pikachu. They both just looked at their trainers and then back to me and shrugged. Silence hung thickly in the air as I stood before my companions.

Clearing my throat, I asked, "Ash, Iris…um is everything alright?" they both looked at me. Ash's amber eyes displaying unhappiness, Iris's showing the same unhappy look with a touch of sadness, "okay…um, Pikachu, Axew care to explain?"

(There really is much to explain) Pikachu began.

(Yeah, we went to the Battle Smash,) Axew stated, (And now it's over)

(And those two hadn't said a word ever since we left,) Pikachu added, who seemed uneasy about that comment.

I arched an eyebrow, "When did the Battle Smash finish?" I asked my friends, Pikachu and Axew once again answered since Ash and Iris refused to speak.

(The entire thing didn't end until about half an hour ago, but we left right after the Double Battle Smash finals,) Pikachu informed.

(And that was around 3:30) Axew added.

"3:30?" I repeated, slightly shocked, 3:30 was almost three hours ago! "So you guys have been sitting here for three hours? Not saying anything?!" Ash and Iris not talking was almost as unheard of as a cooking connoisseur not having enough recipes to cook with!

(I didn't think they could be so quiet for so long) Axew said with a smile.

(But yet here they are, playing the Quiet Game) Pikachu said and then continued as if he was a sports announcer. (And as you can see folks, they've been at a tie, a complete stand still, for more than three hours! It's almost unbelievable!) I was guessing Pikachu was hoping his comment would at least get Ash or Iris to crack a smile, but neither of them did, their faces staying in the same upset expressions.

"So um…what happened at the Battle Smash?" I asked, trying to get a conversation flowing.

More silence hung in the air for a moment before Ash was the first to speak, "I'll tell you what happened Cilan," he said in a tone that sounded highly annoyed, "We competed in the Double Battle Smash. And we lost."

I blinked, "…T-That's what this is about?" I asked rather perplexed, "you're not talking to each other because you lost a battle?"

"We got to the finals, Cilan," Ash added still sounding annoyed as he slightly narrowed his eyes, "And we lost,"

"So? You win some you lose some," I point out, "there's no need to be discouraged about it-"

"Cilan we lost to Trip and Georgia," Ash interrupted his fist clenching tighter.

"Oh…" I muttered. Well that explained why I ran into my friend's rivals. I was about to ask another question when Iris spoke up as well.

"Not only did we lose to Georgia and Trip," Iris paused to dart her eyes over at Ash and then looked at me, "we totally embarrassed ourselves,"

"You two, embarrassed yourselves? What do you mean?" I questioned even more confused.

"I mean exactly what I said! We got embarrassed, and it's all Ash's fault!" Iris accused, her eyes becoming anger narrow slits.

"No it's not!" Ash said, as he shot Iris daggers.

"Yes it is!" Iris retaliated, "if you hadn't agreed to Trip's stupid wager, they wouldn't have laughed at us!"

"Wager? Wh-What wager?" I asked, completely befuddled.

(Well you see, before the final battle for the Double Battle Smash began,) Pikachu started as Ash and Iris started an intense staring/glaring match, both of them looking just about ready to go off on the other, (Trip suggested they but a bet on the battle)

(Yeah, and they said whoever won, got bragging rights,) Axew added (and that if Trip and Georgia lost they had to tell Ash and Iris why they were traveling together and if Ash and Iris lost they were going to have to spill the beans on why their hands are stuck together…isn't that right?)

Neither my raven haired friend or my purple haired friend bothered to answer the small green dragon type but I could tell by how their glares intensified that Axew had hit the nail right on the head.

"Okay, correct me if I'm wrong," I said, cupping my chin with my pointer finger and my thumb, "you two are upset because not only did Trip and Georgia rub the fact that they beat you in your faces, but also because you were force to tell them how the whole 'hands-got-stuck-together" situation happened?"

"Yes! And it was horrible!" Iris exclaimed, breaking the glare on Ash and turning her gaze over to me. Her big brown eyes seemed more sadden than ever, "They called us 'loser', 'idiots', 'horrible excuses for trainers'…and they laughed…Trip and Georgia were so mean…" her voice lessened in volume before it trailed off, she sat looking at her feet, "and all of it is Ash's fault," she added glaring up at Ash, "I got humiliated and picked on because of this little kid and his big mouth!"

Ash growled, "Ugh, Iris stop sulking, Trip and Georgia picked on us so what?" he shouted.

Iris gasped and looked up at Ash, for a brief moment I saw a hurt look spring into her eyes but it quickly vanished as she gritted her teeth and then spat out, "So what?! What do you mean so what?! Being teased and picked on like that…it just isn't right, Ash!"

Ash made a face, "Iris will you get over it! People get teased and picked on all the time!" he pointed out, "I don't see why you're so mad about that!"

I saw the flash of hurt return in Iris's large brown eyes, but Ash didn't seem to notice it, and Iris didn't let him as she turned her face away, "Y-You understand A-Ash…not everyone liked to be p-picked on. S-Some people are sensitive with their feelings than others…I just wished you hadn't agreed to that stupid bet, Ash!" I saw Iris's grip on the pokeball she held intensified as she closed her eyes.

I could sense Ash had picked up something by Iris's reaction. I gave him a look, and I was hoping he could read my facial expression and tell that I was indicating that he needed to sympathize with the dragon loving girl's feelings but Ash being Ash is just too dense to figure that out.

"Alright, I get it. You got sensitive feelings, Iris. Besides all girls over react when their feelings get hurt," he said, shrugging casually.

"Ash!" I muttered, as I inwardly face palmed. How dense could this kid be?!

Upon hearing this comment Iris's eyes snapped open and they pierced their way in Ash's direction. She was quiet for a millisecond, her mouth in a straight line before she uttered, "Ash are you really that of a little kid!? You don't understand girls at all! We do not over react, we just express are feelings and I didn't like the feeling of being laughed at! Got it?!"

Ash seemed unfazed by Iris's remark, "See you over reacted right there," he said almost as if it was a joke.

This caused Iris to clench her teeth, I was about to open my mouth to try to say something that would calm her down but Ash wasn't done yet.

"Besides, we wouldn't have had to deal with Trip and Georgia's teasing if we won," Ash stated, that annoyed tone returning. I noticed how Ash's amber eyes eyed the pokeball in Iris's left hand, "and I'm pretty sure we would have won if someone had corporate better!"

(Oh on,) I heard Axew mutter as he gave a nervous glance in Iris's direction.

(Here we go) Pikachu added as he sweatdropped

Both Axew and Pikachu suddenly scampered over to my side, both looking a bit scared. I wanted to ask why, but the tension in the air was too much I couldn't bring myself to, so instead of interjecting I just stood still and silent.

"Ash Ketchum," Iris growled in a deadly tone, "you better not drag Dragonite back into this!"

"Why not?" Ash asked, as he frowned at the pokeball that I was assuming contained the Iris's large orange dragon type, "he was the whole reason we lost in the first place!"

"No it wasn't! It was because you weren't listening!"

"I wasn't listening?! What are you talking, Iris?! He was the one not listening to me!"

"You?! Dragonite's is my Pokemon! He doesn't have to listen to you, Ash!"

"Oh yeah? Then if Dragonite's your Pokemon, why didn't he bother listening to you either Iris?! Huh, answer me that!"

By now, the two arguing lovebirds had jumped from where they were sitting and were yelling in each other's faces. Not caring that other passing pedestrians were starting to stare, and pulling their children that pointed at the two, away from the scene Ash and Iris were making. I glanced around nervously, at my two angered friends both their emotions were practically seeping from their bodies, and the tension was so thick you probably would have to use a chainsaw to cut through it. I fidgeted in my spot, my mouth twitching, I wanted to say something, anything that could possibly get Ash and Iris to calm down, but what was I to say? Suddenly I feel a tug on one of my pants leg.

Looking down I see Pikachu giving me a look of worry, (Cilan you're supposed to be the peace maker, right?) he asked.

"W-Well um yes-" I stammered.

(Well then could you hurry up with the peace making?!) Pikachu suggested.

(Yeah, because if you don't do something quick, one of them aren't going to be standing when this is over!) Axew nervously added.

(Yeah, Ash and Iris look just about ready to go all Hunger Game style on each other!) Pikachu added, with a witty smile.

(Tg2012: Oh Pikachu, what am I gonna do with you? :3)

"Well, I know I'm supposed to be the peace maker, but what do you want me to do?" I asked, as Ash and Iris continued to yell at each other at the top of their voice, "'I fear if I intervene with their argument, they'll get ripped to shreds!" I heave a sigh, "I really wish I had taken those classes on how to be a Peace Making connoisseur,"

(A Peace Making connoisseur?) Pikachu and Axew asked as they looked up at me, confused.

But before I could give my elaborate explanation of what that kind of connoisseur that was, Ash and Iris's loud disagreement cut me off.

"I still can't believe you just stood there and let Dragonite walk off from the battle field like that!" Ash shouted throwing his free hand in the air for emphasizes, "He didn't even try! Dragonite just gave up!"

"No he didn't!" Iris responded her fingers, which no longer held Dragonite's pokebal because it had fallen to the ground, tightened into a tight fist and trembled at her side, "Dragonite just didn't feel like continuing the battle!"

"So what? Is that any reason to forfeit?!" Ash shot back.

"I had to forfeit it! I wasn't going to force Dragonite to fight if he didn't want to!" Iris countered.

"But you didn't even try to reason with him! You let him quit!" Ash reminded her.

"Oh, just shut up, Ash!" Iris screamed as she stamped her foot in anger, "so what if Dragonite didn't want to battle anymore?! That wasn't my fault!"

"Yes it is! You're the trainer, Iris; you're supposed to at least have your Pokemon respect yours and other people's wishes!"

"Other peoples' wishes?! You mean your selfish wish to win, Ash?!"

An anime vein bulged from Ash's forehead as he grew even angrier, "Of course I wanted to win! That was the whole point of competing in a Battle Smash! And besides we would have won if you just got Dragonite to listen you!" he spat out between gritting teeth.

"Ash, don't you think I tried?!" Iris shouted, her tone suddenly sounded exasperated her brown eyes seemed to lessen in anger as she added, "I tried, and tried and tried to Dragonite to listen to me! But it's just not working!" Iris's connection with Dragonite had gotten better but even so everyone knew Iris still had trouble listening to what Dragonite was trying to tell her, especially during battle.

"Well than….th-than that's your fault Iris! All this is your fault!" Ash shouted pointing an accusing finger at our purple haired friend.

"My fault?!" Iris asked, placing her free hand on her chest in a defensive manner.

"Yeah it's your fault! You're supposed to be able to read your dragon type's feelings that's what a Dragon Master does! And what happened today with Dragonite just proves how much you suck at doing that! You can't read Dragonite's heart at all, let alone any other dragon type! You say you want to be a Dragon Master Iris, but from what I've seen I doubt that it'll ever happen one day!" Ash shouted in one large breath, the entire time he had his finger pointed directly at Iris.

(tg2012: Holy…crap! DRAMA! XC!)

The second those words flew out of Ash's mouth; time seemed to stop for a good five seconds. I stood, complete shocked at what I heard and slowly looked from Ash, who had retracted his pointing finger and slapped his hand over his mouth at what he had said to his friend. And Iris, who stood, eyes wide, mouth hanging open, and she looked like she was hardly breathing. I opened my mouth, knowing that this would be the time I was supposed to make the peace, but before I could utter something, to everyone surprise Axew jumped into the conversation.

(Ash you better take that back!) the Tusk Pokemon exclaimed, shaking his tiny fist angrily in the air.

(Yeah, Ash it be a good idea,) Pikachu suggested, (that was…uh kinda harsh)

But neither of my friends responded to the two Pokemon, they just stood there frozen, as if they hadn't heard the Pokemon.

(I said take it back! That was mean!) Axew shouted, and then lunged for Ash, claws glowing as he got ready to use Scratch.

(Hey, hold on, Axew!) Pikachu exclaimed, tackling the small dragon type to the ground, (calm down!)

(Don't tell me to calm down! What he said to Iris…Ugh! I'll get him for this!) Axew cried as he squirmed about as Pikachu pinned him to the ground.

(No, no! No need to get mad!) Pikachu said, having some trouble holding down the dragon type (Ash didn't mean it!) he turned to his trainer as he continued to struggle with Axew (Right, Ash you didn't mean it! Right?!)

"Yeah, Ash," I finally said as I reached down and separated the two Pokemon who were squirming around at me feet, "just apologize and everything will be okay,"

There was a few more seconds of silence before words were spoken again.

"I-Iris…I-I'm so-sorry I-I didn't know wh-what I was th-thinking I-" Ash started to stammer his voice shaking.

"I-I can't believe y-you…y-you…" but Iris lower lip was lower lip was wobbling too much and her voice was trembling, her dark chocolate eyes suddenly became shiny as they were filled with salty liquid. Quickly she turned her face away, hiding it from our view, just as her shoulders started shaking and soft whimpers and sniffles became audible.

Realizing the damage he had done, Ash quickly made and attempt to take back what he said, "I-I didn't m-mean it, Iris…" Ash said, his tone soft, as he outstretched his hand to touch Iris's shoulder but my dark skinned friend's hand shot out and smacked it away as she turned to face him.

"What do you mean you didn't mean it?" Iris hissed in a voice that sounded like it was tainted with poison. It was then when everyone saw the tears running freely from her eyes. "Of course you meant it! You…you…you…YOU STUPID LITTLE KID!"

At this Iris raised her hand, and was about to bring it down hard on Ash's face, but she never got to when the pokeball that had been dropped on the ground opened, and Dragonite emerged in all his angered glory.

(tg2012: oh dang, now things are really about to go down :/)

The large dragon type roared his name angrily, causing many bystanders to cringe and hold their ears or run into builds in fright. I would have done the same if I wasn't too busy grabbing Pikachu and Axew and taking a few cautious steps back. At first Dragonite said nothing, he just pieced Ash with his deadly glare, his pale green eyes burning with pure rage, his fist were clenched, and he looked well…down right pissed off!

(HOW DARE YOU INSULT IRIS LIKE THAT, YOU JERK?!) Dragonite shouted in Ash's face, his voice booming with ferocity! (WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE OPENING UP YOUR BIG MOUTH AND INSULTING IRIS JUST BECAUSE SHE ISN'T PERFECT AT TRAINING DRAGON TYPES?! SHE'S AN AMAZING TRAINER JUST THE WAY SHE IS! AND NO ONE, AND I MEAN NO ONE INSULTS MY TRAINER AND GETS AWAY WITH HURTING HER FEELINGS, YOU GOT THAT?!)

I darted my attention over to Ash only to see him just standing there, mouth still slightly ajar, eyes wide from how close Dragonite was to his somewhat pale face. He just seemed too shocked and scared by Dragonite's large size and intimating presence to respond, or even make and attempt to do anything.

"I-I…I-I'm s-sorry I-I…" Ash stammered, his voice was trembling and I could tell this was the first time Ash was actually terrified of Dragonite.

(YOU'RE SORRY?! THAT'S ALL YOU CAN SAY?!) Dragonite inquired, obviously not happy at the response that was given. (YOU MADE IRIS CRY YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING JERK!)

Ash swallowed hard as he looked over towards our purple haired friend. Iris stood, her head was lowered but it was obvious that tears were being shed by the constant sniffles, whimpers and how her free hand would continue to wipe across her face. I didn't know if Ash knew it, but I could tell that those words had really wounded Iris's feelings.

Having now made his point across Dragonite's face softened a bit before he growled out in a voice of lesser volume (Do you have anything else you want to say to Iris?)

Ash took his eyes off of Iris and turned to Dragonite, at first he said nothing but then he took a small breath before he gave an intimidating look of his own and responded to Dragonite, "I already said I was sorry to Iris, and I have nothing else to say to her," this response made Dragonite bear his teeth, but Ash wasn't done yet, "But I do have to say to you, Dragonite! And that is, that this is all your fault to begin with! If you hadn't gave up we wouldn't have lost to Trip and Georgia and Iris and I wouldn't even be fighting! So next time stop acting like a big jerk and listen to Iris for a change, you got that you…you tubby Dragonite?!"

(Oh, crap he crossed the line,) I heard Axew mutter.

(Not only did he cross the line, he went about ten miles over it!) Pikachu added as they both hid behind my legs.

(Why you little…) Dragonite growled, anger burned in his eyes.

Then he suddenly just roared his name and raised his giant fist in the air. Ash cringed and braced himself for the blow. Pikachu and Axew got ready to attack Dragonite, if need be. And I was about to send out Crustle in case I was going to have to bring Dragonite down if he became too enraged, but before anything happened everyone was startled by Iris.

"NO STOP! DRAGONITE STOP!" Iris screamed at the top of her lungs.

To everyone's surprise Dragonite halted; with his fist still raise high the air. Ash cautiously peeked one eye open and everyone turned to look at the dragon type trainer.

"Dr-Dragonite, if you h-hurt hi-him," Iris said, still choking on the tears that still were present in her eyes and from the anger that bubbled inside her, "I swear on Mew, you will regret it!"

Silence hung in the air as those words sunk into everyone's heads. We all stared at her with shocked expressions from the words that had come from Iris's mouth. But Dragonite seemed the most flabbergasted, all the anger that was once present drained from his face and the arm he was going to use to hurt Ash now hung limply at his side, and he had an unreadable expression on his face.

(I-Iris…I-) Dragonite started in a soft voice.

"Return Dragonite," Iris commanded as she held out the pokeball. The red light then sucked the large pokemon back into his orb. And as Iris held it, there was no wiggling or shaking, there was no indication that Dragonite was trying to break free. Only a soft click.

I bit my lip, not sure what to say, but somehow I found some words and uttered, "A-Are we all calmed down now?"

There was very little response. Ash looked at me and gave a small nod. Iris remanded silent as she stared at Dragonite's pokeball, large tears still dripping from her cheeks and splattering to the ground.

"Iris…a-are you ok-okay?" asked my raven haired friend.

We all watched as Iris looked up, tears were still running down her cheeks and in unreadable expression disfigured her face, "No," was her soft answer, "those w-words...were unforgivable!"

"B-But Ir-Iris I d-didn't mean t-to say that I-" Ash began.

"No Ash, I'm done," Iris said in a soft voice, but with a deadly tone, as she shoved Dragonite's pokeball into her skirt pocket and turned away, wiping her face with the back of her hands.

Ash seemed confused "Iris what do you mean-"

"I mean, I'm done with you!" Iris spat out, pointing a finger that was dripping with her salty tears at Ash's face. "Never again am I going to associate with a stupid little kid like you!"

"But Iris-"

"BUT NOTHING! I'M NEVER SPEAKING TO YOU AGAIN ASH KETCHUM!" Iris angrily screamed, tears still falling from her angry eyes.


(End Flashback, Normal POV)

Cilan sighed to himself, as he cleaned up the table, now that breakfast was finished. As he did so he couldn't help but think about how awkward last night was, 'Once we got back to the Pokemon Center…things were so weird. Iris wouldn't even look at Ash and kept trying to talk to her, making things even worse!'

(I hope Ash makes it up to Iris, soon) Axew, who was aiding the connoisseur in cleaning the table

(Yeah, me to,) Pikachu said, taking his empty bowl, (because if not, this is going to be one long week)

"Either that, or one of them is going to tear the other apart limb from limb," Cilan stated with a shake of his head.


Meanwhile in one of the Pokemon Center's rooms, the Tree Fairy and Zigzag face, sat in complete silence. They each sat on their own beds, which unlike the other rooms had two of the beds scooted closer together, since they refused to share one bed, especially after the events of last night. The only sound in the room was the sound of Iris's black brush that had an image of Drantini wrapped around the handle and the words Dragon Lover in hot pink bubble letters on the back, running through her long dark purple hair.

Ash found the noise a bit irritating and cringed upon hearing the scratchy sound of Iris's hair get pulled through the bristles of the hair brush. He wanted to complain about the sound, but decided against it, Iris was still ticked off at him after all. So instead he reached out and started to play with one of the Tree Fairy's hair ties that rested on her bed.

"You know Iris," Ash started as he twisted the yellow accessory around his fingers, "The last time I held one of these was when I found it in the river, you know when I was sick,"

Iris glanced over at Zigzag face; she blinked down at her hair tie that was on his possession. The girl remembered when Ash had told her about how he had founded it in the river when he was put there to reduce the high fever Stun Spore brought him. She even remembered how she had gone up nad hugged him after Cilan told her Ash was the one that found it. But just because Iris remembered didn't mean she had to responded, which she didn't, so she continued to brush her locks of hair. Iris pretended that she didn't hear him even though it bothered her that he kept trying to speak to her even though she was refusing to.

Seeing that he was still being ignored, Ash heaved a sigh, "So…um is this what you want to do all day Iris?" he asked, trying to hide his annoyance that the silence from his friend brought upon him, "you just want to sit here and brush your hair?"

Turning her head away Iris continued to brush her hair with her free hand and started to hum to herself. As if Ash wasn't seated next to her at all.

Ash didn't know how much more of this he could take! He hated being ignored; he had no idea why it bugged him so much. Maybe it was the fact that he liked to talk so much and the lack of response was getting to him. Maybe it was because he liked hearing the sound of Iris's voice when she spoke. Maybe, and more than likely, Iris had chosen the one punishment that would hurt him more than anything, and it was pure torture!

'But just because she know how much I hate this doesn't mean I'm gonna give up!' Ash thought in his determined way, 'I gotta make Iris talk to me,'

For the next fifteen minutes Ash talked and talked and talked, but it was all in vein since Iris kept mouth shut, 'There is no way I'm speaking to that stupid little kid,' Iris bitterly thought as she pulled on a lock of her hair with her brush, wincing a bit at the pain it brought, 'Not after what he said last night, there's no way!'

Ash frowned as he stopped talking for a brief moment, just to catch his breath. He couldn't take it anymore, "Iris come on, I'm begging you! Talk to me, please!"

At this Iris sighed and turned her head and her big brown eyes stared at him. They were expressionless, as Iris just gave a scowl and started to brush the hair that was on the right side of her head. Iris made a face, doing this with her left hand was a difficult task because Iris wasn't used to this, normally the task of brushing her hair would be entirely done by using her right hand. But now that her right hand wasn't usable, she found that attempting to brush her hair on the right side of her head was close to impossible, her left hand just wouldn't reach! But of course, Iris being Iris refused to let the little kid beside her notice her struggle.

"I know you want me to prove that I'm sorry Iris, but I don't know-" Ash started to say but then stopped midsentence as he noticed how the Tree Fairy was trying to stretch her arm over to the right side of her head, but was showing no signs of being able to. He gave a small laugh, "Uh, you need some help there Iris?"

In response Iris just made a face of annoyance and then continued as if is Zigzag face's comment hadn't bothered her.

"Iris, you're going to hurt yourself if you're not careful," Ash stated as he continued to watch how Iris, unsuccessful try to brush her hair.

The dark skinned girl could feel annoyance bubble inside her. Trying to accomplish this task was hard enough, and all Zigzag face was doing was bugging her. Letting her tongue poke out on the right side of her mouth Iris, turned her head a little and was able to reach a bit father and then managed to run the brush through a few locks of her. She gave a sigh and a flashed Ash a look of triumph, showing him that she needed no help. But the dragon loving girl's victory was short lived because in the next moment, her brush became ensnared in her long purple hair and wouldn't come free.

"Ugh, you stupid…" muttered Iris under her breath.

"Looks like your brush is stuck Iris," Ash said, with a playfully grin, but then sweatdropped at how the Tree Fairy growled at him.

Wanting that irritating grin to be wiped off Ash's face, Iris reached and tried to pull the brush out of her hair, but her arm wouldn't stretch any father and all she was doing was getting her fingers tangled in her long locks, this only causing Iris to become even more flustered.

"Iris, I can help you if you want," Ash offered as he Iris continued to struggle.

Gritting her teeth Iris tried her hardest to try and reach for her brush but to no avail, "UGH!" Iris growled as she turned away, her eyes narrowed from her annoying hair brush.

"Um, is that a yes Iris?" asked a smiling Ash.

She glared at him, but kept her mouth shut.

"Alright then, I guess so," Ash reached for the black brush that was tangled in the Tree Fairy's dark purple locks.

Gasping Iris tried to pull away, and swatted at Zigzag face's hand, which was persistent to get a hold of her hair brush, "No! Stop!" she squealed.

"Iris, just hold still,"

"Ash, don't you dare do that!"

"I got it, I just need to-"

"OOOWWW! STOP! YOU'RE HURTING ME!"

"Quit squirming!"

"No, let go! YEWOUCH!"

"There I got it out!" Ash said, triumphantly as he held up the black brush, that had a few tangled locks of Iris's hair stuck in the bristles.

"Ash, you don't just rip a hair brush out of a girl's hair like that!" Iris snapped, she gave a playful smirk. "You little kid,"

"I'm not a little kid!"

"Yes you are,"

"No, I'm not!"

"Yes you are!"

"No I'm not-"

"Well it's good to see that you two lovebirds are talking again," both trainers turned to see Cilan standing in the door way of the room, "even though it can give me a headache," he added under his breath.

"Ha! See Iris I got you to talk to me!" cried Ash exuberantly as he realized the Tree Fairy had indeed spoken to him. He pointed the brush at her face, and flashed a goofy grin. "I knew you couldn't give me the silent treatment forever!"

Instantly blush colored the dark skinned girl's face as she to realized that she had talked to Zigzag face, "I could start it all over again if you want me to you know," she snapped as she wrenched her hair brush out of Ash's hand.

"Oh, Iris come on!" Ash whined, "I don't understand why you just can't forgive me already!"

As she started to pluck the strands of hair from her brush Iris stated "I already told you why!"

Irked, an anime vein bulged from Ash's forehead, "But Iris I can't prove-"

"Ahem," Cilan interrupted, clearing his throat, "um before you two argue is it alright if I say something?"

Without either of his lovebird friends saying anything the connoisseur approached the beds they sat on and simply held out a yellow slip of paper.

"What's that Cilan?" asked a curious Ash

"Just something Nurse Joy gave me this morning," Cilan answered. "It's a list of all the events that'll be happening today,"

Intrigued the dragon loving girl looked up from her brush, "Really?"

"Yes, and I've already looked over it and there's many interesting events you two could attend to," Cilan informed them, he then held it out to Iris, "but since it's Iris's day to choose what the two of you will do, I'll be more beneficial if I give it to her, here you are Iris,"

Taking the slip of paper Iris's big brown eyes scanned it. Her eyes traveled over the words until they widened and a small gasp escaped her lips.

"What?" inquired Ash as he moved towards Iris to get a better look at the paper, "what does it day, Iris?"

"Nothing that a little kid like you would like," answered Iris with a huff as she placed it face down beside her, were Ash couldn't reach.

Sweatdropping Cilan rubbed the back of his head. The connoisseur was really hoping that giving them the slip of paper would end the feud between Ash and Iris but his plan seemed to be crumbling apart, but not wanting to lose hope yet Cilan interrupted the two lovebirds just as another argument started to form, "Um, Iris you do know that the only way to allow Ash to 'prove' that he's sorry is for you to speak to him, right?"

Frowning Iris darted an irked look at the raven haired boy, who was only smiling, "See Iris, if you want us to do something today, you gotta talk to me," Ash said happily.

"But Ash, you also have to work with Iris," Cilan added, "so that means no backing down to what she chooses, understand?"

"So no, whining, you got that?" Iris asked, smirking at now annoyed looking Ash.

"That being said, I leave you two to deliberate over whatever catches Iris's fancy on the list of events," with that the connoisseur left the room and closed the door with a click.

Once Cilan was gone both Ash and Iris remained silent. Iris pretended to be preoccupied with her black brush, but while she fiddled with it, very few seconds she would glance up at Zigzag face, feeling a bit guilty at how childish she had been acting towards him. Ash messed with a lock of the Tree Fairy's hair that had gotten tangled around his fingers while he had yanked Iris's brush from her head, he two couldn't help himself as he stole glances at his crush as he thought about how mean it was of him to say those things to her last night. This went on for a while until they both glanced at each other their gaze held, bright amber eyes locked with dark chocolate ones, and blush rose in their cheeks.

The silence was finally shattered when they both said at the same time, "Sorry,"

"N-No I-I'm even sorrier Iris,"

"No way, I-I should b-be saying sorry, Ash…I was the one acting….like a little kid,"

"Yeah, but none of it would of happened if…I'd just kept my big mouth shut,"

They continued to stare at one another, until Iris looked away and at the floor, "If only…if only I-I hadn't used Dragonite-"

"Iris don't go blaming yourself," Iris was slightly startled at Ash's serious tone, and how he looked her dead in the eyes, "it was your choice to use Dragonite and I didn't respect that, so I'm sorry about that to,"

Iris opened her mouth and then pressed her lips together. She didn't know what to say, staring down at her hair brush she allowed her thumb to gently run itself over the smooth body of the draniti that was wrapped around that handle. Then after a brief moment, the purple haired girl looked up at Zigzag face and then blurted out what she wanted to yell at him ever since his harsh words had hurt her last night, but in a calm manner.

"Ash…I'm glad that you're sorry and all…" started the Tree Fairy. Ash gulped, he could already tell, just by how Iris's eyes were glued to the floor, that whatever she said next wasn't going to be something he wanted to hear, "…but those words…I-I just don't think I-I can forgive you completely for that," the words fell heavily from her mouth, and left the raven haired boy stunned.

"But Iris….I thought…" Ash mumbled, but Iris cut his sentence short.

"Ash you've heard the phrase 'Sticks and stones my break my bones, but words will never hurt me', right?"

There was a nod from the boy.

"Well, words do hurt. And what y-you s-said to m-me ye-yesterday…" Iris stopped to look up at Zigzag face, who's imaged was slightly blurred by the small amount of moister in her eyes, "it re-really h-hurt…it h-hurt a lot m-more than y-you can imagine," she looked back down at her brush as she blinked the wetness in her eyes away.

Ash, still shell shocked at what the Tree Fairy had said, as his brain processed it all he felt a sharp pain hit his heart. It hurt really badly, and he hated it, "Iris, I'm sorry…I didn't mean to say all those things to you, I was just mad, and I never meant to make you cry, honest," the words flew from his mouth before he even thought of them, "I wish I'd never said those things to you and I'm really sorry! A-And I just want you to forgive me…"

Biting her lip to keep her words from shaking Iris allowed a few more words to slip out from between her lips, "I wa-want to forgive y-you Ash," slowly she lifted her head and looked at her raven haired friend, "but do you even know what you're apologizing for?" her question was simple but the expression of confusion that appeared on Ash's face told her to elaborate more, so she did. "What you said to me, not only did it hurt my feelings, but…it also proved that I was right,"

"Right? About what Iris?"

"About how…horrible of a trainer I am,"

Ash's eyes widened at the Tree Fairy, "Iris, what are you talking-"

But before Ash could finish his question Iris blurted the answer.

"Don't you remember? Under the tree, the day we got our hands stuck, the conversation we had after the first fight you and Dragonite had? You have to remember,"

It was then when Ash's brain reminded him of that talk he had with Iris.


(Flashback, this all happened back in chapter 5 btw)

"Oh, I'm such a bad trainer…" Iris suddenly said, stuffing Dragonite's pokeball into her bag.

"Iris, you're not a bad trainer!" Ash said, he couldn't believe Iris was saying something like that!

"Yes, I am," she mumbled as she covering the right side of her face with her free hand.

Ash frowned, "No, Iris, you not a bad trainer! It's just all Dragonite's fault, if he would just listen to you-"

"Ash no!" Iris said sharply as she squeezed her eyes shut and balled her hand up into a fist against her face, "as a trainer, I have to take care of my Pokémon and help them get stronger and at the same time I have to make sure my Pokémon listen to me! And you know that, Ash!

"Yeah I know, but-"

"It's not Dragonite's fault he doesn't listen to me, Ash it's mine! It's be-because I haven't f-found a-a way to connect with Dragonite, and since I ca-can't do that…" she stopped to sniffle, "I won't e-ever get h-him to listen a-and it's all my fault! I'm never going to be a Dragon Mater at this rate!" Iris's voice began to wobble.

"Iris don't say things like that-" Ash protested

"Ash…I-I…" the Tree Fairy whimpered, a few tears slipped down her cheeks which she quickly swiped away, "I… just d-don't w-wan to talk about it an-anymore…'kay?"

(End Flashback)


"Everything you said, just confirmed it all," Iris stated in a soft, hardly audible voice, "all throughout our battle with Trip and Georgia I was trying to listen to both you and Dragonite. I was trying to make sure I was listening to your ideas and to Dragonite's heart." Iris fingers clenched around the handle of her brush, she squeezed her eyes closed. "B-But things sta-started to get o-out of hand, an-and you and Dragonite w-were bo-both getting u-upset. I-I just didn't know what t-to do. I wa-wanted to m-make bo-both of y-you happy…but I-I couldn't," a shaky breath escaped from her chest and her finger released the brush and it landed on the floor with a thump, "…I am a b-bad tra-trainer…" she could feel the transparent tears burning her eyes, she lifted a hand to wipe them away, "a-and my dr-dream o-of becoming a Dragon Master-"

Her sentence was cut short as the dark skinned girl was suddenly startled at how her hand, the one that was going to wipe her tears, was suddenly halted by Zigzag face, who had caught her hand in mid-air. His warm fingers wrapped around her hand and he lowered it so it rested on her lap. He looked at her, his face baring the expression of utter sadness.

Still holding her hand, Ash said, "Iris you are going to be a Dragon Master, I know it," he said, sternly, "and what I said…well I'm…" but he stopped, he knew the words 'I'm sorry,' weren't acceptable anymore. The Tree Fairy didn't want to hear those two words again, he could feel it. Starting down at her brush on the floor, Ash mumbled, "Iris…what can I-I do…to make it right?"

Iris blinked, unsure what to say again.

"What can I do to make you feel better?"

"I-I well um…" her brown eyes darted down to her lap, were her left hand was still held by Zigzag face's right. Blush colored her cheeks, "Um, you co-could s-start by letting go my hand," she said softly.

Snapping his head upward, he stared at how his hand still held Iris's, instantly he felt his face flush red, "S-Sorry I-I er fo-forgot," quickly he untangled his tan fingers from Iris's dark toned ones.

Neither of them spoke as they realized it was the second time they had held hands.(Tg2012: The first time was in chapter three when Ash had held Iris's hand to help her up, remember?) And it was the second time that warm fuzzy feeling shot through their veins. It was the same feeling they had gotten when they linked their pinkies…but stronger, in a good way. They both wondered why it felt like this, but quickly they pushed it in the back of their minds

"So um…since it is your day to choose something, er did you have anything in mind?" asked Ash again, he gave her a goofy grin.

Drying her tear stained cheeks with a swipe of her hand Iris allowed a small smile to make itself at home on her lips, "Well um…yeah there is one thing," the girl reached over and retrieved the yellow paper Cilan had handed her. She turned it so Zigzag face could see, and pointed to a few words in the middle of the page, "Th-There's going to be some entertainment going on today in the theater and um…" blush reddened her cheeks again.

"And?" Ash questioned, she hadn't finished her sentence.

"It's just…just read it Ash,"

Squinted down at the line of words that Iris' finger pointed it out Ash read it the title of something out loud, "Swanna Lake?" he read, and then felt an amused smile tug at the corner of his lips, he couldn't swallow down his chuckle and it squeezed it's way out from between his lips.

"Stop it! Stop laughing!" Iris demanded as she glared, but at the same time smiled, down at her friend, "Little kid," she uttered her famous line.

"Me? I'm the little kid?" Ash said between snickers, "you're the one who wants to see Swanna Lake! That play's for babies,"

(TG2012: Ha! Swanna Lake, pretty clever right? XD)

"For your information it's a ballet and it's not for babies!" Iris said, deciding to rearrange her hair in it's normal hair style, she grabbed one of her yellow hair ties.

"A ballet? So you're saying you want to go watch people prance around on stage wearing tutus, Iris?" Ash asked, teasingly.

"It's not prancing, it's dancing!" Iris corrected, blushing, "I like ballets, I think their beautifully elegant and majestic," she placed her hair tie between her lips and then reached up and started collecting the hair on the left side of her hair into a ponytail.

"But going to see this play-" Ash started to complain.

"Ith's a balleth," Iris said around the yellow hair accessory in her mouth.

"Play, ballet, whatever! Anyway I thought going to see something like Swanna Lake would be…well too girly for you, Iris,"

"Wellth I am a girlth,"

"I know but, a ballet, really?"

"Yes really," Iris stated removing her hair tie from her mouth and wrapping around the pigtail, the sat on the left of her head, holding it in place, it was rather impressive to see that she could do it with a single hand. "And since it's my day to choose I really want to see Swanna Lake," she grabbed the other hair tie that sat on the bed, she made an attempt to reach up towards her right, so she pull it into a pigtail, but the whole brush incident for earlier replayed in her mind. Looking at the hair tie, then to Zigzag face, blushing, Iris swallowed down her natural feeling of wanting to be independent and she asked, "C-Could you help me?"

Ash couldn't help but grin at the tone the Tree Fairy used upon admitted she need assistants, it made her sound cute, almost like a little kid. After agreeing to help, Iris instructed Ash on what to do, she told him to hold her hair, gently, while she put the hair tie on. It was simple task, just holding Iris's hair in place, but to Ash it felt like the biggest job in the world. Because normally touching Iris's long royal purple hair was completely taboo, the Tree Fairy didn't like anyone but herself, and Axew, touching it and would get rather upset if anyone had their hand with a twelve inch radius of her beloved hair.

If it wasn't for their hands being stuck together Ash, probably would have never experienced touching Iris's gorges dark purple locks of hair. He probably wouldn't have felt how her silky soft hair tickled the palm of his hand and slipped smoothly in between his fingers. He even purposely took a bit longer collecting the hair, that formed the long ponytail that went down Iris's back, so he could just enjoy the texture and to savor the delicate scent that emitted from Iris's long locks.

'It smells like fruit…or maybe it's some type of flowery shampoo,' Ash thought, blush dusted his z marked cheeks as he breathed in the nice aroma as he now held the right pigtail in place as Iris secured it with her yellow hair tie, 'Whatever it is…it smells nice…'

"Okay, there we're done!" Iris stated with a satisfied sigh. Looking up at the nearby mirror Iris studied the appearance of her hair, and she smiled. The girl didn't want to admit it but Zigzag face had done a good job helping her fix her long purple hair.

"Now that we're done, can we go now?" asked Ash as he stood up, taking Iris along with him.

"Sure, come on, I don't the Swanna Lake to start without us," Iris said with a giggle as she lead Ash towards the closed door. But before her finger tips could brush against the handle, her friend stopped her with a question.

"H-Hey um Iris…we're uh, all good right?"

"Huh?"

"I-I mean…you're not m-mad at me an-anymore are you? Do you forgive me, Iris?" he asked his question in a faltering tone, his eyes glued to the floor, Iris could see that Zigzag face was nervous about asking this question.

The purple haired girl remained silent at first. No, she wasn't mad, but she knew that what Ash had said would probably never leave her memory. His words had hurt her and there was really nothing that could fix the pain she felt yesterday. But the war of silence she had waged on Ash was stupid, silly, pointless, childish and she didn't feel like going back into that. She wanted to say 'I forgive you,' but at the same time Iris knew if she did, she'd be lying, not only to Zigzag face, but to herself as well. So then what did she do? The dragon loving girl smiled at her friend with raven hair and slowly stated:

"Well, I am talking to you again…" she blushed, "so yeah…I guess we're good,"

A wispy breath of relief left Ash's chest upon hearing that, and a smile made spread across his face, "Th-That's good to hear…" Sure the Tree Fairy hadn't gone out and said she forgave him, but for what he had said to her…he decided it was as much as a 'I forgive you' he was gonna get.

"Let's just forget about it Ash,"

"Yeah, let's pretend like it never even happened, okay?"

"…Yeah sure…I guess," the answer she gave, was halfhearted.

The fact was, the big argument they had did happen. And what Ash yelled at her did hurt her and it there was no force on earth that could make her forget or make it seem like it never happened. Iris wanted to tell him this, but she didn't want to upset him, or ruin the happiness that was now between them so she just grabbed the door handle, "Come on Ash let-"

But as she pulled the door open, both of them jumped back startled as their connoisseur friend stumbled forwards, as if he had been leaning against the door, seconds before Iris had opened it.

"Cilan, what are you-"Ash started to ask, but Iris being a girl could tell exactly what was going on.

"Cilan, were you eavesdropping?!" Iris asked, arching an eyebrow at their green haired friend, who quickly regained his balance.

"E-Eavesdropping?" he repeated as he cleared his throat, "What, n-no!"

(*cough* Lair *cough*) Pikachu, who stood by the door next Axew, coughed out into his hand.

Cilan flashed a glare at the electric type Pokemon, who just quietly looked away, just like Iris had done earlier in the morning.

"Cilan…" Iris asked irked, wanting for an answer as she tapped her foot.

"I-I wasn't really eavesdropping-"

(Lair, lair pants on fire!) Axew blurted out, point at Cilan as he grinned.

(He was totally eavesdropping, ear pressed up to the door and everything,) Pikachu stated, snickering

"CILAN!" Ash and Iris cried, slightly upset.

"We were having a private conversation!" Ash said.

(Oooohhh, private?) Pikachu asked, now intrigued.

(What's so private about it?") Axew asked also wanting to know.

"N-None of your guy's bu-business!" Iris quickly snapped as she nudged Zigzag face in the ribs for saying that their talk was private, which was half true. She turned to the connoisseur, "Now Cilan, don't you know eavesdropping is rude?"

"W-Well as I ge-gentlemen, I'm f-fully aware of how rude it is," Cilan admitted, sheepishly "and maybe I-I was li-listening in…just a little bit…"

"CILAN!" the two yelled, not knowing wither to be more angered than embarrassed

"But I-I have a good reason! I just wanted to make sure, nothing went wrong! You kn-know, you t-two could have started a whole new argument, and I was j-just eavesdropping-er I mean li-listening in t-to make sure th-the peace maker, um me, didn't have to step in and…uh…well…" Cilan let his voice trail off, his friends weren't buying it, he rubbed the back of his head and laughed nervously.

Iris shook her head, "Ugh, why do I even put up with you two?" she asked as she looked at her two male companions, a smile on her face. Heading towards the door, she glanced at Ash, "Now come on, we have to get to the mall, that's where the theater located, so we gotta hurry,"

"See ya, Cilan!" Ash called, as he and Iris raced down the hallway.

Both of them were laughing and smiling as if the argument that had caused so much conflict had never existed. But of course…it did.


How will the Swanna Lake ballet go? Will the words Ash said to Iris cause conflict later on? What's Dragonite's deal and will he and Ash ever get along? Find out in the next chapter of Give Me Your Hand!

BYE: Toadettegirl2012

PS: Review! If you don't I'll cry T~T!

Mini Summary: "Ash will you stop squirming?" Iris whispered. Ash glanced over at Iris, his face red, "I-I'm trying bu-but I can't," he answered. "And why not?" Iris asked, frowning at him. Ash's face turned crimson, "B-Because…I-I kinda have to…go…" he said. Iris arched an eyebrow, "Ash we can't go, the show isn't over yet!" said Iris. "No…Iris I mean I have to…y-you know…go" Ash said, hopping she'd take the hint. "Ash I don't understand what-" but the purple haired girl just stopped and her eyes widened as it all clicked. Ash had to go pee! Oh no!