Ages: Ash-15; Misty-15; Brock-18
Disclaimer: Mmm yeah, I don't own pokemon. But neither do you! Ha!
You guys owe me big time for this. I put off tons of work so I could write this next chapter and post it. All I want is some reviews peeps, so R&R! By the way, this isn't the end. There is one more chapter to go!
Chapter Ten: Promises
Misty was conscious for only a few minutes when her friends first brought her to… where ever she was. She could see Nurse Joy and her Chansey brigade running all around her, so she guessed she was in a Pokemon Center. Misty dimly registered that she was also moving in the direction of huge double doors with a large red cross on the middle of them. That was when things got confusing. Why was she in the Center? Wasn't she still at the mansion? The events of the evening came rushing back to her. The whole murder mystery party, the battles, being captured, tortured, breaking the pokemon and their trainers out, learning about the Master and Mistress, that final battle, Ash…
"Ash!" Misty cried out suddenly and sat up. Not a good idea. A roaring filled her ears, and she instantly fell back onto the stretcher, loosing consciousness.
"Ash" she murmured again through the haze of pain that settled over her.
Before everything went completely black, Misty could have sworn she saw the outline of a teen boy with messy black hair and brown eyes saying "Misty," but then everything was gone.
Bits of images floated in and out of her mind. Strange medical machinery, Nurse Joy, a worried face, and a bright yellow light. The last scene of the mansion played over and over in her head when sleep didn't claim her. It was if that horrible event was happening all over again. was always the part where she yelled out "Ash!" just as the Dragonair released its hyper beam that totally engulfed her friend. In these visions, Misty is paralyzed and can do nothing as the energy surrounds Ash, no doubt stripping his flesh from his bones. It was when this scene came into her mind that she could do something rather than sleep and be haunted by these images. She could cry. Misty let the salty dams burst forth and flood her cheeks as she silently mourned the loss of her best friend. Grief, pain, and exhaustion would soon overwhelm her however and sleep would dampen her terrible sorrow. The only comfort besides unconsciousness was the cool feeling that brushed the tears off her face. Misty didn't know what it was because opening her eyes required too much effort, but she took solace from it all the same,
In a moment of consciousness Misty was thinking about Ash and the hyper beam again. The tears started falling from her face like always but this time they came faster than ever. She was wishing for the blackness to come and take away the pain she felt but assumed her body must have gotten stronger when it didn't. There was nowhere to escape the heartbreak she was feeling now. It spread all over, immobilizing her because of the grief.
"Ash," she thought. "Why did you have to go? We were winning; the police was going to be there any minute. Why couldn't you have stalled them a little longer? Why did you leave me? I can't deal with this. I need my best friend. I need you".
Just as the pain was reaching an unknown high, that cool feeling brushed the tears away. It stroked her cheek and gently calmed the girl down. Misty clung to the sensation as a blind man grips the shoulder of a guide in a sea of people. Deep, shuddering breaths racked her body as her tears fell less thickly.
"I wish I knew why you were crying. Nurse Joy said you were healing; are you still in pain? I hate to see you like this" a soft voice now accompanied the cool touch.
Misty stopped breathing. She knew that voice. But it wasn't possible.
Struggling to open her eyes, she whispered, "Ash?"
Downcast russet orbs looked up from her chin to her face and brightened.
"Misty!" he exclaimed loudly, then instantly lowered his voice. "Sorry. I'm just so glad you're awake!"
"Am I?" she asked, her head turned to face him where he sat by the edge of her bed. "I can't be, you're here".
"What, do you dream about me?" he teased lightly. Seeing her serious frown, Ash said, "Misty, I'm really here and you are awake. You've been sleeping on and off for the past day and a half".
She was still frowning, but Misty reached out with a shaking hand and poked Ash's face that was resting right above hers supported by his hands.
"Ow, what was that for?" Ash tried to say but was cut short by Misty's suffocating hug.
Misty raised herself half off the bed to wrap her arms around Ash neck and proceeded to cry her eyes out onto his shoulder. Ash was frozen at first by this sudden display of emotion but recovered soon enough to envelope the shaking girl in a hug of his own and slowly rubbed her back.
"'It's okay Mist. It's gonna be fine. I won't let anyone hurt you again, I promise". He continued to whisper reassuringly into her ear until the sobs came to a stop.
Ash pulled her off his shoulder so he could look at her face and wipe her tears away. Now Misty new what that comforting touch was that had cleaned her face all those times she had woken up crying.
"I'm so sorry they hurt you Misty," he sounded incredibly sad and a little angry. "I should have tried to break out of that cell sooner instead of sitting there sobbing like a baby when you were being tortured. And I should have never let you go off by yourself to rescue everyone else. You were so weakened and hurt; and then going off to battle right after that… I didn't even stick with you through that! I didn't stay with you to make sure you were going to be okay! It's my entire fault you're here right now and hurt. I'm so, so sorry Misty" Ash placed one hand on her cheek and began to tear up himself.
"Don't be" Misty placed her hand over his and squeezed both to her face. "I wanted to do those things, you wouldn't have been able to stop me. My stubbornness is certainly not your fault. And it's not like we had much choice, we needed to get everyone out of there quickly and then all were needed to battle. If anyone is to blame it is Master and Mistress Kinjo. Besides," Misty's eyes closed. "I wasn't crying because of the physical pain I was in. I feel almost good as new actually. I was crying because-" she swallowed a lump in her throat. "Because I thought I had lost you. I thought you died in that Dragonair's hyper beam". Misty tried to prevent herself from crying again by leaning forward and burying her head in Ash's chest, as if to assure her that he was real.
"That's why I thought I was still dreaming" came her muffled voice. "And why I cried all the time. I saw you being engulfed in that beam again and again. It was so awful!" a dry sob wracked her chest.
"Oh Misty" Ash rested his chin on top of her head. She was crying over him? She must have fainted before he reemerged from the attack unmarked thanks to Eevee's protect. But she had cried on and off for the past day and more because she thought he was dead? Ash tried to imagine how he would feel if Misty really had died in his arms after he broke them out of their cells. Life without Misty, it looked bleak. He felt horrible just imagining it, but if that had been a reality… Ash hugged Misty closer; trying to squeeze out the horrible pain she must have felt.
"I will never leave you," he told the red head. "Not unless you tell me to. I promise, I will always be there".
Misty sighed, her anxiety beginning to melt away. "Good" she slowly fell back onto the bed.
Ash frowned. "I'm sorry, you must still be exhausted. I'll let you sleep". He moved to get up, but a tight hand on his own stopped him.
"Don't break your promise already Ketchum" Misty glowered at him, still maintaining a frightening persona for someone very fatigued and in a hospital robe. "Or I will get up and smash your head in".
He chuckled at the threat and settled back down in the chair by the bed, careful to keep a hold of his friend's hand. "That's my Misty" he impulsively stroked her bangs away from her face with his free hand. After realizing what he had done, Ash blushed and looked down.
Misty was slipping into dreamland and seemed not to notice. She smiled and said, "You better not. Cause if I wake up and you're not here I'm coming to find you. And you will not be getting a huge next time".
Ash laughed quietly again as Misty's eyes slid shut. For a while he just sat there, watching her sleep. The up and down movement of her torso lulled him into a kind of stupor and he thought back over the past few days. They had been having so much fun battling, talking, and chasing each other all over the mansion. Even before the mansion they had spent less time arguing and more time enjoying one another's company. Although arguing wasn't bad, it had almost become routine. Ash though back on all their journeys like he sometimes did, but this time instead of concentrating on the pokemon and battles he focused on Misty. Amid the variables of traveling she was always a constant. Always there with a smile, laugh, smirk, glare, or sympathetic look. Always the one who fought with him, always the one insulting him. Then there was the Misty he found underneath all the rough barriers. The one who joked with him, encouraged him, and took care of him. Both of these Mistys were special to him, because they were the same person. They were his friend, The one he had grown fond of… Wait…
The opening door stopped his thought there. Nurse Joy came in to find the invalid resting again, this time with a smile on her face. She saw the usual boy sitting in the chair, except now he had the girl's hand in his as well as a smile to mirror hers. Nurse Joy was sorry she had interrupted, for it looked like the boy was deep in thought, but at her entrance he raised his head and lost the trance that had held him.
"Sorry Ash, I can come back in a few minutes if you want" the nurse took a step back towards the door.
"No, it's fine Nurse Joy. She just fell back asleep," he told her, eyes going back to Misty.
"Really?" Nurse Joy went to check the monitors that were hooked up to her. "Mmm, yes, she's doing much better now. Her body is recovering from the electricity and stress very well. Her sleep also seems much more natural, and less troubled".
"I hope so" Ash rubbed Misty's hand in his own.
"She'll be up and moving after some more sleep" Nurse Joy cocked her head, enjoying the heart warming scene that Ash and Misty made. "Do you want to go get some rest yourself? She'll be fine alone".
"No" Ash shook his head. "I promised her I would stay, and even if I didn't promise I wouldn't go".
"You must really love her" Nurse Joy made her way back to the door.
"Mmhmm, wait, huh?" Ash looked at her confused, shocked, and a little red in the face.
Joy smiled at him warmly. "Ever since the police rushed you in here you have barely left her side. Chansey told me she had to treat your own injuries in the hallway outside the emergency room because you wouldn't go with her to another room. As soon as Misty was transferred here, you haven't left that bedside. That's true caring and devotion". With that, the nurse left, leaving Ash to his thoughts.
He let her words sink in, and remembered what his thoughts had been before she came for the check up. Finally, he looked down at the young girl who was sleeping peacefully. One who had been through hell with him, and was often the person to pull him out of it. A smile crept over Ash's lips.
"Perhaps" he whispered. As soon as he said it a warm feeling spread through out his entire body making him shiver with this new emotion. Ash laid his head down next to Misty's, a bit uncomfortable since his lower half was still in the chair, but worth it as long as she was close.
Misty cracked one eye open and then the other. Black messy hair was the only thing she could see until she moved her head back a bit on the pillow. Ash's head now came into view along with the rest of his body. The girl giggled when she saw that his torso was on the bed but his body from the waist down was still in the chair. Misty ruffled his locks with her free hand, the other still in the clutches of Ash's.
"You're so sweet" she murmured and laid her head back down near his. "That's why I love you".
Ash moved a bit and opened his own eyes. Blinking slowly he said hoarsely, "Hey".
"Hi" Misty smiled back at him thankful he hadn't heard what she just said.
Ash yawned widely and went back to gazing at her sleepily.
"Have you gotten any sleep the past few days?" Misty giggled.
"On and off" Ash shrugged awkwardly from his weird position. "This was probably the best and longest amount since we left the mansion".
"Oh my God!" Misty sat bolt upright and stated panicking as everything hit her at once. She had forgotten to ask Ash questions the last time she was awake but now they came pouring from her. "Why haven't you slept? Are you hurt? Is Brock hurt? What about Pikachu? Where is he? And Eevee? What about the Master and Mistress, what about Commander Grayson? What happened?!" Misty started shaking.
"Shh, calm down Misty!" Ash commanded also sitting up. He squeezed her hand and rubbed her shoulder comfortingly. Today is the… third day now; I guess we slept through the night. Anyways, you fainted before the police got to the mansion but they arrived right after that Dragonair used hyper beam. They immediately took all the trainers and their pokemon to Viridian City Pokemon Center and put the bad guys under arrest. You were in intensive care until yesterday when they put you in here. I haven't slept because it's incredibly hard to sleep when your friend's unconscious in the ER believe it or not.
"I'm not hurt badly, just a couple of bruises. Brock's fine, same with the others. They weren't damaged as bad were because the interrogators didn't have as much information to go on as they did with you. All the pokemon are okay, Pikachu and Eevee are probably going crazy around here waiting for Nurse Joy to say it's all right to come in. Right now the rest of the trainers who were at the mansion are being healed, testifying, or are making their way back home. As far as I know, Master and Mistress Kinjo are far away in prison along with their henchmen" he explained to her. Ash gave Misty a calculation look. "Are you okay? I know that's a lot to take in right now".
"I, think so" Misty managed to get out. The part that stood out the most to her was that it had been three days and Ash had barely slept because of her. But he and Brock were fine, everyone got out okay, and the evil Master and Mistress were in jail. "Thank you" Misty said gratefully to Ash.
"Why?" he looked confused.
"For taking care of me at the mansion and for staying with me now. If feel bad you haven't slept" Misty told him simply.
Ash blushed a bit and scratched the back of his head. He couldn't suppress a yawn however; it seemed even the mention of sleep made him tired. "No problem. Sleep would have been impossible, even if I wanted to. I would worry to much".
Misty looked down, touched his level of concern. "Still" she started.
"Look" Ash stood and stretched, bones creaking. "You would have done the same for me, right?"
"Right" Misty nodded quickly.
"Consider us even then" Ash reached up to clasp his hands above his head. "Do you want to get up and stretch? Nurse Joy came in a while ago and said you were doing fine".
"Yeah! I'm tired of sleeping!" Misty pushed her legs around so her feet touched the floor and stood up. She started to sway and would have fallen back down if Ash hadn't put his hand on her back to steady her.
"You okay?" he asked her worriedly.
"Fine" she placed an arm across Ash's shoulders to lessen the weight on her legs. Misty smiled cutely at him. "Now I'm perfect!" She looked down at the thin linen robe she was wearing and said, "Well, almost perfect".
"Don't worry, Joy found some sweats you can borrow. I think our party clothes are getting washed" Ash told her and steered her towards a table that indeed had navy sweats and a white sweatshirt on it. Misty now noticed that Ash was wearing baggy black pants and a gray t-shirt.
"Thanks, I'll change and be out in a minute" Misty let go of him and moved to the clothes.
"Sure you're okay?" Ash pressed.
"Yep, I'll be right out" she flapped a hand at him.
"Darn, no elastic band" she mumbled to herself as he closed the door. Ash grinned. He always liked Misty with her hair down. It even looked cute when it was all messy from being slept on.
After dressing, Misty went outside the room and saw Ash leaning against the wall.
"I think Pikachu and Eevee are in the garden out back" he came over so she could put her arm around his shoulder again.
She nodded and the two slowly made their way down the hall and out into the back of the Pokemon Center. It was very large with a pond a little ways to their left for water pokemon and a large walk through grove spread out in front of them. At the beginning of the grove and to the right were some cherry blossom trees with a small bench underneath them. Ash guided Misty that way and sat down next to her after making sure his friend was settled.
As soon as the two sat down a yellow blur and a brown one raced over to them. The yellow one rammed into Ash's stomach and the brown blur jumped more carefully onto Misty's lap.
"Oh Eevee!" Misty snuggled her face into the ruff of her pokemon's neck. "Thank you so much. You were great!"
"Eevee" she responded giving Misty's chin a reassuring lick.
"Pika!" Pikachu was lecturing Ash about something. "Pika, chu pikachu pipi chu pika pikapi pikachupi!"
"Sorry Pikachu" Ash scratched his electrical cheek sack from where the mouse sat on his shoulder. "I couldn't just leave her though".
"Who?" Misty questioned. Eevee cocked her head to the side and mewed.
"You" Ash explained causing a blush to rise on Misty's face. "Pokemon aren't allowed in the medical rooms. I didn't really leave that area so I haven't seen Pikachu or my other pokemon in a while".
"Oh" Misty was silent. He had done so much just for her! Usually Ash and Pikachu were inseparable! Knowing this made Misty feel warm inside, knowing that he cared that much.
"So how did you survive? The hyper beam I mean?" Misty asked her companion.
"Eevee saved me" Ash left of stroking Pikachu to give Eevee a pat. "She jumped in from of me and Pikachu and used protect to divert the beam. It was a really powerful shield" he complimented.
"Thank you Eevee" Misty hugged her close. "Thank you for saving something so important to me" she added in a whisper.
Eevee muzzled Misty's cheek and mewed a reply. Misty smiled then remembered, "My other pokemon! And what happened to Bulbasaur and Cynaquil?"
"Mine are inside being healed" Ash said as Eevee flicked her tail under Misty's nose. There, at the base of it, was Misty's pokeball bracelet.
"You're just full of surprises Eevee!" Misty laughed and took the bracelet. She then enlarged the pokeballs and called "Corsola, Politoad, come on out!"
Corsola and Politoad were overjoyed to see their mistress up and better. After thanking them for their help in the battle, Misty let them go play in the pond where other water pokemon frolicked. Eevee and Pikachu decided to stay where they were to make sure their trainers didn't try anything foolish again.
Misty sighed, relaxed. She was fine, Ash was fine, he was here with her, and her pokemon were okay. Everything was turning out all right. The recent healing and warm sunlight made her drowsy, and it didn't help when Ash put his arm comfortingly around her shoulders. Misty gave in to the urge to lay her head on Ash's shoulders. Even a few weeks ago she wouldn't have dared to do this, but things were different. If the event at the mansion had done any good it had at least brought Ash and Misty even closer together. This, she could get used to. If only she wasn't so afraid of spoiling their moments with her confession. What if he didn't feel the same? There goes a wonderful friendship down the tubes.
Ash felt her lean onto his shoulder and the warm tingly sensation he had experienced before spread from the contact area out. He was glad that Misty was here and under his arm. He felt like he could protect her that way, and it was a good excuse for getting close to her. For the past few weeks Ash couldn't help gravitating towards Misty more than usual. Every time he was close it was like things were brighter, happier, better. She softened his senses but made them perfectly clear and sharp at the same time. It was so confusing trying to put whatever he felt into words or to figure it out so Ash just went with it back then.
The feelings intensified when they were at the mansion, and by the time they got out, Ash didn't want Misty leaving his sight. To be without her was to be without purpose. Ash still hadn't figured out why his stomach flip-flopped when she looked at him or why he found himself thinking she was cute when she was crying until Nurse Joy saw them together last night. Ash had been thinking since he woke up. What was the source of that wonderful feeling that shot through his body every time Misty touched him? It made him feel so happy and caused a goofy grin to come on his face. Did Misty ever feel like this? What about Brock? Ash had seen Brock wear a happy-go-lucky smile each time he saw some beautiful girl and tried to hit on her.
So, if Ash was portraying some of the same symptoms Brock did, does that mean he's going to start hitting on every girl? Ash doubted this. He had come in close contact with not only strange girls but also his friends Duplica and Suzie during the past few days and had felt nothing out of the ordinary. It was only around Misty that he got this way. The pounding heart, the glassy eyes, and of course the many blushes. And it had only started these last few weeks. Did that mean that he was starting to like Misty more? True, he enjoyed spending time with her now more than ever. He loved to hear her talk, laugh, and even be sarcastic. Seeing her cry hurt him terribly and only made him want to protect her more. Yet even when she cried she was beautiful as he found out yesterday.
Realizing what he was thinking, Ash's brain screeched to a halt. "Oh man," he thought. "I think I like Misty. As in really like Misty"
Now that he knew he liked her, what next? Should he tell her? But what if Misty didn't feel the same? Would they still be friends? He knew that she had been acting extra friendly towards him for a while, but what did that mean? Maybe she was just trying to become better friends. After all the risks and losses Ash had experienced in the past few days he didn't want to ruin something so precious to him as Misty's friendship. Besides, he was enjoying himself immensely right now. Maybe he would tell her later, and ask Brock if he knew how Misty felt.
Ash hadn't realized that he too had closed his eyes and that his head lay on top of Misty's until a voice said with a tone of wicked humor, "Comfy?"
The boy opened his eyes briefly before closing them again after seeing his smirking, spiky haired friend.
"Yes" he answered shortly. Ash tried to go back into dreamland but he could feel Brock's stare still on him. "You can't take a hint, can you?" he asked a little annoyed.
"Not when I'm witnessing something I thought should have happened years ago," Brock grinned evilly.
Ash snorted and was about to retort when Misty stirred. She looked at Brock, looked up at Ash, and blushed lightly at the thought of someone catching them like this. But she was too comfy and tired to move so she opted for insulting Brock to get rid of the embarrassment.
"Jealous I found a comfy head rest and you didn't, Brock?" Misty taunted, blushing still.
Ash blushed at her comment and Brock snickered at the two.
"Okaaaay. That didn't really work as planned". She thought quickly. "If I wasn't so drained I would smack you right now" when all else fails, go for a physical threat. Misty poked Ash in the side. "Go smack him for me" she ordered.
"I can't" Ash whined. "If I move, then your head falls. Plus, I'm tired too. Hey Pikachu," Ash tickled the pokemon under his chin. "Wanna get rid of some excess electricity?"
"No, no, I was just coming to say I'm leaving" Brock backed up hands out in front of him to ward off the coming attack.
"What?!" Ash and Misty sat up straight.
"You're leaving?" Ash demanded.
"Yeah, sorry. But Suzie has to head back to her shop and invited me to go along. I thought you guys might understand" Brock said but it sounded more like a question.
"Of course we do" Misty got up slowly and gave her elder friend a hug. "I'm so happy for you, but I'm going to miss you terribly!"
"I'll miss you too Misty. Hey, maybe some day I'll get the chance to groom the water master's famous pokemon! And you can always swing by and say hi!" Brock tried to keep his tone up beat.
Misty laughed and released him. Ash held out his hand and Brock gave him a one armed hug.
"I'll miss you too man" Ash said quietly. Brock was always his mentor, his guide, the older and wiser friend he could count on. It would be really different without him around.
"Same here. It's gonna be really weird for us all to be on our own huh?" Brock commented.
"Uh, what are you talking about Brock?" Ash asked mystified. He shared a glance with Misty; she was just as confused as he was.
Brock shrugged. "Well, I'm going to go with Suzie, you Ash I'm assuming will find the next league, and Misty has to go take over Cerulean Gym for her sisters".
Ash's mouth fell open. He turned back to Misty to see she had the same reaction.
"Oh no!" they wailed inside. Looks of horror, pain, and shock were present on their faces. Both had completely forgotten about the cruise Misty's sisters were going on. Misty felt like her whole world was crumbling away.
"Brock!" a feminine call sounded causing Brock to grin.
"Be right there Suzie!" he yelled back happily. He hugged each of his stunned friends once more and jogged away, saying over his shoulder as he left, "Now you two don't try anything while I'm away, or get it on camera for me!"
Ash;s spirits couldn't be lower. First Brock had to leave, and now he remembered that Misty had to go as well! Could there be anything worse? The one person he figured out he cared for more than anyone else was being grounded for a year, or however long the stupid cruise was.
"I forgot" Misty's hushed tones made Ash look at her. She was still staring at the spot where Brock had been but was looking right through it. Her eyes were glazed and unfocused. "I forgot I have to… to…"
"Leave?" Ash spat the word out with distaste. "Me too. Why can't your sisters just accept the responsibility of being gym leaders?"
It was a rhetorical question, both of them knew that the three sensational sisters didn't have an ounce of what it took to be serious.
Misty sat back down on the bench, her shoulders slumped. Ash stared at the ground for a while before he too sat down. The life without Misty he had imagined was becoming a reality.
"So, when do you have to go?" Ash asked dully. "Please don't say tomorrow! Please don't say tomorrow! Please don't say tomorrow!"
"Well, a couple of weeks ago they wanted me back in three weeks. So we went to Pallet, stayed there a while, and then we had that party, and now we've been here for some time. So," Misty counted the days in her head. Once, twice, three times. Just to make sure she didn't calculate wrong and over count how long it had been.
Ash got impatient waiting for an answer that would decide if he had a few more days left to be happy.
"Well?" he pressed, agitated.
"Sorry I'm taking so long Mr. I-want-the-answer-right-away!" Misty snapped. "If you want to know so bad figure it out yourself! I don't know why you don't use your brain more. Maybe if you did we wouldn't have gotten lost as much! Maybe you would have been the winner at the Silver Conference instead of just the top eight!" Misty stood and yelled at him. She really wasn't angry at Ash; just angry at the situation she was in. And this was how she vented her feelings.
"Well excuse me!" Ash stood as well and clenched his fists. "I thought I'd let you figure it out because you always said you were smarter and knew just what to do! Even if it wasn't right!"
"I never said that!" Misty got all up in his face. "I just have more common sense then you do!"
"See? There you go again! You were always putting me down, calling me stupid and dense!" Ash yelled back.
"Because you were Ash!" Misty shrieked.
"Why do I even put up with you?" he roared. "Maybe it will be better when you're gone!"
"I was just thinking the same thing!" Misty said icily. "I'll tell you what, I'll leave right now!" with that she whirled around and stalked off into the grove. Eevee had hopped off her laugh when they had said goodbye to Brock and Pikachu had led her away when the fighting started. He knew what happened when Ash and Misty fought.
Ash watched her go with angry satisfaction. He continued to stew in his own frustration and revel in the absence of her presence until their argument came back to him. What had started it? Him asking a little testily when she would have to leave? He was only testy because he was annoyed that her sisters needed her back home. She snapped back, and soon they were arguing passionately. Ash rubbed his eyes with his palms groaning. Misty was right. He was stupid. Here he was picking a fight with his best friend who was leaving very soon. And he had just ticked he off and made her leave sooner. Ash started running down the path Misty had trodden a few minutes earlier.
Misty sighed, slowing down. Why did she always let her anger get the better of her? It was as if there was one part of her that was detached and watching angry Misty chew out some helpless victim during an argument but couldn't intervene. And that victim was usually Ash. Misty always felt sorry after her outbursts, but she was proud too. That meant apologies where few and far between. But this time pride must be swallowed. She didn't want the last time she saw Ash to be filled with fighting. That would be awful to look back and have it as a memory of their final days together. Misty turned and began to sprint back in the direction she had come She ran for a while, keeping her pace as the sun started to set. What if he had left?
"Ash!" she called out worried she had missed him. "Ash!"
"Misty!" Ash's voice was filled with relief. He came into sight, jogging up to her. They slowed and stood a few feet away, both at a loss for words.
"I'm sorry" Misty blurted out. "I didn't mean to snap back. I was just upset. I don't, didn't, think you were stupid. Dense, sometimes, but not anymore. I'm really sorry" she had been looking at the ground, but met his gaze on the last sorry to let him know she was serious.
"I'm sorry too" Ash told her sincerely. "I was agitated as well. And you didn't always want to be right. Or put me down" he was surprised she had apologized first. Usually Misty wasn't one to do things like that.
"Friends?" she gave him a small smile and stuck out her hand so that they could shake on it.
Ash, instead of shaking her hand, pulled Misty into a tight hug to which she responded to just as warmly. He couldn't help himself; Misty was growing more and more huggable. He would use every chance he got to wrap his arms around her from now on.
"The day after tomorrow" she whispered quietly into his shoulder.
"What?" Ash was torn away from his contemplation on how well Misty fit in his arms and under his head that he didn't catch what she said.
"The day after tomorrow is when I have to leave" Misty released Ash.
It was already early evening, so they would have one last day together. How cruel fate was. He had prayed she wouldn't leave tomorrow, so instead she was leaving the day after. "Someone up there must be having a good laugh," he thought murderously.
"But that's so early!" he complained aloud. "Don't you have more time than that? We didn't get that lost coming to Pallet!"
Misty laughed softly at his joke but shook her head. "No, we have to go back to your house to pick up Togepi and the other pokemon, then I have to walk from there to the gym".
"Oh, right" Ash said dejectedly. Then he brightened a bit. "I can go with you to Cerulean though!"
Misty sighed. "Ash, I don't want you to go all that way if it puts off your own journey. I'm sure there's some other league just starting that you can go to when I'm gone".
Ash frowned at her. "Spending as much time with you as possible is what's important to me".
Misty gazed at him, mouth open for a moment. "Did he really just say that?" she thought. Then she blushed, "He probably only thinks of you as a friend and wants to hang around someone now that Brock's gone". "Ash, I would feel guilty if there was an opportunity for you to go and you didn't take it. I don't want that guilt hanging over my head when I'm staying at the gym!"
Ash was persistent, "But you made me promise not to leave you!"
"Not unless I told you to" Misty corrected. "And now I'm telling you if there is an opportunity for you to go and win more gym badges you will take it instead of walking me home" Misty stared hard at him until Ash looked away.
"Fine" he grumbled. "I was only trying to be nice".
"I know," Misty smiled. "And thank you".
They stood where they were, not sure what to do, but neither wanting to go back in the hospital. That would mean facing the reality that it was getting late and they had to get ready for the journey ahead of them tomorrow.
"Well, do you feel up to some more walking?" Ash inquired. Misty nodded readily, anything to stay out longer.
They began to walk down the grove, silent at first, but soon talking about all the good times they had in the past. This helped distract them from Misty's leaving and they passed an hour just walking and talking. This was something Ash and Misty rarely did together and enjoyed it greatly. Talk of how they met soon led to what their lives were like before that fateful day. Misty was sad she had never asked Ash about his life before. Just as she had to go was when she was getting to know him the best. It sucked. Needing comfort, Misty inched her hand closer and closer to the boy's next to her. Closer, closer, soon they were centimeters apart. Misty gathered her courage and was about to grab Ash's hand when it shifted towards hers and their fingertips brushed. Both of them looked down and blushed, stories put on hold. Misty was extremely embarrassed and was going to start another conversation to cover it up when a warm hand grasped her own. Misty turned her surprised face to meet Ash's smiling one. Giving her hand a little squeeze, he continued his story about how Gary pushed him into Professor Oak's pond that was full of Krabby.
Hand in hand the two strolled through the rest of the trees until they reached a dead end. It was a clearing with little pond and a small waterfall trickling down some strategically placed rocks into the calm liquid below. Low trees surrounded the water making a natural alcove.
"Can we just sit here for a bit?" Misty turned to Ash. "I'm kinda tired; I guess I'm not fully back to normal yet".
"Sure, you're going to need all your strength for the next couple of days anyway" Ash stated sadly. Misty slumped under one of the trees by the water's edge and closed her eyes. Ash sat down beside her.
"Will you keep telling me what you used to do as a kid?" Misty pleaded.
"Sure" Ash tilted his head back to look at the sky. "So, when I was seven I was completely crazy about Rattata believe it or not. Unfortunately…"
Ash talked on continuously for a long time. He just rambled on, not really thinking too much about what he was saying. It was like time was suspended as long as he kept talking. But even with his adventurous younger self providing many tales to tell, Ash was running out. After he recounted the time Gary had tricked him into unleashing an angry Spearow into Professor Oak's lab there was nothing left to say.
"What about you Misty? I haven't heard a lot about what it was like growing up in a gym". The boy turned to his companion, expecting to hear something along the lines of how horrible it was to have three older sisters. Instead, Ash got a soft exhale of breath and the quiet mumbling of a sleeping Misty.
Her red hair fell into her face a bit, having no hair band to capture the untamed locks in a ponytail. One shoulder supported her head, her hands were tucked into her lap and her knees were drawn against her chest. Ash stared at the sleeping Misty who looked so vulnerable and so innocent when not awake. "And cute" the thought occurred to him. "Though she's beautiful awake too".
Ash blushed even though he was only thinking it and hadn't said anything out loud. Feeling it would be a bit awkward to be caught staring at her if she woke up, Ash turned his gaze to the pond. It must have gotten very late for the water now held a picture of the moon on its surface. He could see some Whooper and Quagsire playing by the small waterfall. They needed to get back to the Pokemon Center; otherwise they wouldn't want to get up tomorrow. Ash turned back to Misty, prepared to shake her awake, but couldn't. She just looked so peaceful and happy sitting there that he didn't want to disturb her. A few minutes of indecisiveness passed where Ash tried to figure out what to do. He came to a decision; there was no other way. He slipped one arm under her bent knees and the other around the middle of her back, made sure both where secure, and lifted her up. Ash cradled her in his arms, pressing her skinny body against his chest. Luckily he had had a growth spurt so Misty was smaller than he was now. Ash was surprised at how light the girl was. She was very petite and dainty, without the attitude of course. But the lithe body fit perfectly in his arms, and it felt so right to be holding her again.
This brought another blush to Ash's face and made him glad that it was dark and they were alone. Yet he couldn't ignore the fact that his heart was singing in joy because she was so close. Eventually Ash forgot his embarrassment and concentrated all his senses to the girl in his arms. His feet led him without thinking back to the Pokemon Center, and by the time they got there Ash was beat. He was much too tired to remember where Misty's room was but saw a large couch in the lobby area. He went over and laid Misty on one part then laid down on the opposite end. Ash was fast asleep when a Chansey making nightly rounds pulled a blanket over him and another over Misty.
"Ash" sweet dulcet tones drifted into his dreams. "Ash, wake up".
"Why?" he whined, still half asleep.
"Because I said so!" scoffed the voice. "And because we have to leave, and if you're not ready, I'll leave without you".
"What?!" Ash scrambled up and in his haste fell off the couch. "Oww!" he rubbed his bruised head, then glared up at Misty. "Don't joke about that!"
She blinked. "Sorry, you weren't waking up" She eyed him suspiciously. "What were you dreaming so deeply about anyway?"
"Nothing" Ash's face went red and he got to his feet, trying to hide it by gathering his blanket. Misty shrugged.
"We have to eat and then change out of these clothes and back into our party ones. The Center can't afford to give these sweats out".
"Alright" he agreed and the two went about preparing to go back to Pallet Town. Soon they were dressed and had their pokemon. Misty put Eevee back in her pokeball for a long, well deserved rest along with Politoad and Corsola. Ash gathered Bulbasaur's and Cyndaquil's pokeballs and called Pikachu over. Misty looked in a nearby mirror and gave a slight grimace.
"We are going to look so weird walking through Viridian Forest and Pallet Town like this," she informed the boy who was half a stage behind her in getting ready.
"Maybe you'll scare the bugs away Misty!" Ash teased her. He ducked her backhand aimed at his head. "What? I though you would be happy! You usually don't like bugs!"
"Ash Ketchum you are so annoying!" Misty yelled and stomped her foot on his. Unluckily for Ash, Misty was wearing her black stilettos, the kind where the heels form points at the bottom.
"Never mock a girl in high heels!" Misty lectured Ash as he hopped around on one foot.
"Jeez I'm sor-ry!" he grumbled massaging his wounded appendage.
"Are you two leaving?" Nurse Joy approached them.
"Yes," Misty faced her. "Thank you so much for all your help. I really appreciate all you've done for us, me especially".
You obviously don't appreciate all I've done for you" Ash walked up from behind Misty exaggerating the carefulness with which he used the stomped on foot.
Misty rolled her eyes and Joy stifled a giggle. "He's grateful too" Misty assured the nurse.
"I know" Nurse Joy smiled. "If you're ever in the area, please stop in! Though I hope the next time is under better circumstances".
Misty smiled weakly. "I'll see you sooner than you might think. I can stop back through here again in a few days".
The woman cocked her head to the side. "Really? Why?"
"I have to go back home to Cerulean" Misty told her. "I'm just picking up my other pokemon at Ash's house in Pallet and then coming back".
"You might see me too" Ash joined the conversation. "I'll be walking Misty home".
"Maybe" Misty shot Ash a look.
"That's a long way to go to walk someone home," Nurse Joy pointed out.
"To some people" Ash shifted uncomfortably. "Not to me. Thanks again Nurse Joy! Come one Pikachu, let's go!"
"Thanks!" Misty called out over her shoulder as she followed Ash out the front doors.
"No problem! Goodbye!" Joy waved to them.
Misty and Ash started walking, Pikachu hitching a ride on Ash's shoulder. It felt weird to Misty not to have Togepi or Eevee to hold on to, but Togepi wasn't there and Eevee was resting. With nothing to occupy them, her hands hung freely at her side, brushing her dress every one in a while.
Ash tried to think of something to say but nothing presented itself as good conversation material. The only thing he could think of was how this might be the last time he would travel with Misty, for a long time at least. There was a nagging voice at the back of his head telling him it was going to be impossible for him to go back to Cerulean with his friend.
"Wait," he thought. "If this is the last time I'm going to see Misty for a whole year, should I tell her how I feel? I don't want to ruin any of the little time we have left though. And what about writing to each other while we're apart? Could it be best if I don't say anything? But, it hurts to keep it in. Arg! Why does this have to be so confusing?"
Ash was so busy arguing with himself he didn't notice that they had entered Viridian Forest. Misty noticed, and told herself to stop being such a baby for being scared of bug pokemon. Misty couldn't help it though, the forest looked so spooky and those gross bugs just popped up everywhere. Her senses heighten because of her fear; Misty heard a rustle coming from a bush somewhere behind them. She stifled a shriek, until she remembered what happened at the mansion. Those men had been following them, which meant the rustle she heard in the forest room must have been one of them! Which could mean… it was someone bad following them!
Misty let out a scream and jumped on Ash who yelped in surprise. A flock of Pidgey were startled out of the trees and the Rattata that had been looking for berries in the bush behind them ran out between Ash and Misty's feet.
Ash looked at Misty with a look that was a cross between 'are you okay?' and 'what the hell was that for?'
Misty blushed and scrambled off of Ash stammering, "I-I heard something in the shrubs and I remembered hearing the same noise at the mansion in the forest room. Those men had been trailing us then, so I thought- Well…" she dwindled off highly embarrassed.
Ash gave her a quick reassuring hug and said, "Misty, they're probably in Saffron City by now awaiting trial or in jail. There is no one here but me, you, and the pokemon. Okay?"
"Yeah," she muttered, still bright red. Ash just smiled and took her hand.
Misty glanced at their entwined hands and felt happier and safer. If she was going to make a fool of herself at least she got to hold Ash's hand.
They continued on in silence, both minds trying to accept that this was goodbye. Ash was still working on his inner struggle of whether he should tell her or not and Misty was glumly resigning herself to the fact that Ash would probably get himself fished out of a river by some other cute girl and they would fall in love.
An hour later Misty's feet were killing her. Twenty minutes before she had taken off her heels and carried them in her free hand, but the blisters they had caused still remained. It hurt like hell every time she stepped on a rock or twig and the hard ground wasn't much better.
Ash broke out of his thinking trance (should I tell her? Should I not?) in time to see Misty wince and hiss in discomfort.
"What's wrong?" he queried concernedly.
"Nothing, my feet hurt a little, that's all" Misty dismissed the issue quickly. She wasn't going to complain, she was too strong for that.
Ash stopped and Misty stopped too since her hand was practically glued to Ash's.
"Here, get on" Ash dropped her hand and lowered himself to one knee. Pikachu hopped off his shoulder and looked at Misty, waiting for her to take his spot.
"What?" Misty looked at him confused.
Ash sighed. "I'm giving you a piggy back ride. Your feet are obviously killing you. Just get on and I'll carry you the rest of the way".
"Oh, no, Ash you don't have to really" Misty backed up. As much as she wanted to accept, she didn't think her face would ever get back to its normal color if she did. "It only hurts a tiny bit".
"Still, get on. I don't like seeing you hurt. Even if it's a 'tiny bit', which I can tell it isn't" Ash replied. When she didn't move, he rolled his eyes and said, "Do you want me to carry you bridal style? Because I will if I have to".
"I'm good!" she said hurrying over. The color her face would turn now was nothing to what it would look like being carried like that!
Misty gently wrapped her arms around Ash's neck and he slowly stood up, making sure to grab her legs so she wouldn't fall off.
"Good thing my dress ripped a little" Misty mused. "This does feel a lot better. No pain and closer to Ash".
Ash was humming happily inside. "Alright, next stop, Pallet Town!" he hoisted her up to get a better grip and ran off. Misty screamed in delight and hung on as they went crashing through the woods, Pikachu scampering behind them.
Ash could only keep that pace up for so long however and soon was reduced to a walk. Misty clung tightly to his neck and allowed herself to rest her head by his ear. Ash could feel her breath tickling the little hairs in his ear and had to suppress himself from shivering. As much as he was enjoying this, it was getting hard to keep moving. Misty wasn't a heavy load but the distance was long and Ash weary. It was mid-afternoon and they were only in the heart of the forest. "At this rate," Ash thought, "We'll never make it home in time".
Misty was thinking along the same lines when she heard a huge flapping noise.
"Ash, do you hear that?" she whispered. Repressing shivers again, Ash strained his ears to see if he could hear it too. There it was, that flapping sound. But what was it? Drafts of air started blowing through the clearing they were in and the trees started rustling.
"Wing beats" Ash came to the conclusion. "It's some kind of flying pokemon".
As if to prove him right, a large bird soared down from the sky and alighted on the ground in front of them.
"Pidgeot!" Ash yelled in joy and surprise. He almost dropped Misty but remembered to set her down before bounding over to his old friend.
"Pidget, Pidgeot" the bird crooned to his old master.
"I missed you too buddy" Ash hugged his feathered friend. Pikachu jumped onto Pidgeot's back and started yammering away at it, filling it in on all it had missed.
Misty smiled at the reunion between boy and pokemon before walking up and saying hello.
Ash was struck with a sudden idea. "Hey Pidgeot, can you carry more than one person on your back at a time?"
"Pig" it nodded its plumed head.
"Would you mind giving Misty, Pikachu, and me a ride to Pallet Town then? I can understand if you need to stay with your flock" Ash asked politely.
"Pigeot!" it screeched and by way of answer crouched down so that they could hop on.
"Thanks!" Ash said brightly and clambered on. Misty hung back, unsure.
"Um, Ash? Is this really safe?" she asked hesitantly.
"Of course!" he beamed at her. "Just sit right in front of me and grip Pidgeot's feathers. I'll make sure you're secure".
"Alright, if you say so" Misty swung up onto the great bird and gripped the soft feathers. Arms snaked around her waist to encircle her and hold firmly on.
"Okay Pidgeot, let's fly!" Ash yelled and they were off to Pallet Town.
Hokay, so, as I said before, I put aside a TON of work to put this up. So please people, review! I passed the 1,000 hit mark and the 100 page mark on word. Hurray!