Yay! I finally have the next chapter out! Thanks all of you who have reviewed so far. Please keep on reviewing! That is very important. Hmm, I should probably warn you though. I don't think this chapter has much of a point. *scrolls down* Nope, this is just a lot of romantic fluff, to tell you the truth. There isn't even a battle scene! Still, I think it's pretty good. There will be more action in the next chapter. I promise!



Disclaimer- Is they're anyone out there that actually DOES think I own pokemon? *looks around* No? Well, I guess we're done here than.





Ash, Misty, Pikachu, and Togipi were eating breakfast while discussing, with the Dogs and Zapados, about what to do next.

We need to find Articuno Suicune said.

Zapados nodded, She is probably in the Ice Caves at Swirl Island

"Why do say that?" Ash asked, while he continued to scarf down his third helping of breakfast.

Because that was always her favorite place to go. She and Lugia would go there, "secretly" Zapados replied rolling his eyes. His tone implied that it had been no secret.

The Swirl Islands have been around since our time Raikou added.

Suicune looked over at Misty, Why don't you feel for her, Heart? She asked her.

Misty stopped feeding Togipi and nodded. "Alright" she said as she took out her crystal. Misty pictured Articuno in her mind and felt a tugging for east.

She opened her eyes and said, "East."

Zapados nodded, Swirl Islands are east of here

"Then let's go!" Ash said standing up and raising his fist.

"Pika chi chu!" I haven't finished eating! Pikachu told Ash. Ash sweatdropped and sat back down.

"Okay, after Pikachu finishes, THEN we go!" Ash said. Misty smiled slightly, then stood up.

"I'm going over to the river for a bit" she said, "come get me when it's time to go."

Don't forget your crossbow! Suicune reminded her. Misty looked at the crossbow with slight dislike, but grabbed it anyway. She left Togipi with Pikachu, and with a glance back at Ash, disappeared into the woods, following the path to the river.

Raikou, Suicune, and Zapados turned to Ash who looked back at them blankly.

"What?" he asked confused.

FOLLOW HER! Zapados exclaimed in expasteration.

Can you really be THAT dense Ash? Raikou asked him in disbelief.

"Wa?"

Suicune sighed, Misty is confused, and worried. She needs you right now

Pikachu looked up from his meal, "Pikachu pi ka " Got to her

Ash scrambled to his feet and followed after Misty.

Zapados shook his head, Just like the other rulers he muttered

Why do all of them have to be so dense?? Raikou asked to the sky.

I'm glad my heat-bonders aren't like that Suicune said smugly. Raikou and Zapados glared at her.

*****************************************************************

Ash found Misty sitting on the bank of the lake. The water had come up to meet her, swirling lightly around her. She was staring into the distance with her head on her knees and her arms wrapped around her legs. Ash hesitantly walked over and sat down besides her.

"What's wrong Misty?"

Misty turned to him and asked with a sad smile,

"What makes you think something is wrong?"

"You haven't hit me with your mallet in the past couple of days" Ash replied grinning.

Misty chuckled, and Ash thought she might be feeling better. Then her chuckle turned into a sob and tears started running down her face. They dripped, light blue, into the water around them, then faded.

"I can't do this!" she exclaimed through her tears, "I can't help save the world! I can't even train Psyduck properly!" Ash was surprised at this sudden outburst. Wanting to make her feel better, but not sure how, he acted on instinct, and put his arms around her. She collapsed onto his chest sobbing. He stroked her back and kissed her hair, rocking her gently. Slowly she calmed down until she wasn't crying anymore. Still, she clutched at him.

"I can't do this" she whispered into his shirt, "I'm just a scrawny little runt who can barely train her pokemon. How could I do anything to help save the world?"

Ash lifted her chin up so that he could look her in the eyes.

"Your not a scrany little runt" he told her earnestly, "You're a beautiful young women, and you have one of the greatest relationships with pokemon, that I've ever seen. All pokemon seem to love you from the start. Remember when I first caught Caterpie? And you wanted to be friends with Pikachu? He liked you from the first time he saw you! He didn't even like ME when I first got him. Or the time we were helping Nurse Joy with the pokemon at the hospital. You quieted that baby Cubone when no one else could!"

Misty smiled a little at the memories then her smile faded and she said, "I just don't think-"

"Then don't think" Ash said silencing her by putting his finger on her lips. "Just act."

"I think YOUR better at doing that then I am" she said against his finger with a grin. She was beginning to feel much better.

Ash smiled sheepishly, "Okay, so maybe I do that a little bit."

"A little? More like a lot!" Misty told him sarcastically

"Hey!" Ash said pretending to be offended

Misty laughed then looked at Ash and whispered, "Thank you."

Ash smiled at her then leaned in and kissed her. He meant it to be a light quick kiss, but it abruptly turned passionate. Her lips parted under his and his tongue slipped in to be met by hers. They held the kiss for more then a minute, then Ash slowly separated from her, the need to breath overcoming his want to hold the kiss forever. Ash opened his eyes to look at her. She still had her eyes closed, and seemed to be savoring the moment. When she opened her eyes and looked at him, Ash had to catch his breath again. She really was beautiful.

"We should probably head back now" Ash said stuttering a little. Misty smiled at him as they stood up, and nodded.

"I'm sure Pikachu must be done by now" she said.

As they walked back to camp, Misty slipped her arm through his, holding his hand as their fingers intertwined.

******************************************************************

Back at the camp, Ash and Misty started to pack up their things to get ready to go. Misty picked up Togipi, then mounted up on Suicune. Ash and Pikachu climbed onto Raikou.

I'll be flying high above the trees Zapados said. I can't let any humans see me. I'll meet you when we get to Blooming Field and with that, took off through the trees to soar above the clouds.

Raikou and Suicune bounded through the forest, dodging trees, following a path only they could see.

******************************************************************

It took them about half the day to get to Blooming Field. The sun was high in the sky when the Dogs stopped. In front of them was a seemingly endless field off blooming flowers.

"What a beautiful, romantic place…" Misty said, her eyes sparkling.

Ash nodded, "It's looks like a pretty good spot to eat lunch"

Misty snapped out her mallet and whapped Ash off Raikou with it. "IS THAT THE ONLY THING YOU THINK ABOUT ASH KETCHAM?!?" she roared.

"I did say it was a PRETTY good spot…" Ash said dizzily. While thinking, :she must be feeling better: .

Raikou and Suicune had to swallow down their laughter at the amusing couple. Just then, Zapados flew down and landed a few feet in front of them. He glanced at the beaten Ash and the raging Misty then said with a small sweatdrop, Maybe I should have stayed flying…

"Pika chu pi" Ignore them Pikachu said jumping off of Raikou.

"Togi prrrrIIII togi gi pri" Mommy and Daddy are weird Togipi added as he jumped down from Suicune to join "Uncle" Pikachu.

"What did we stop for?" Ash asked has he got up.

Umm……… actually Suicune said hesitantly

We DID stop for lunch Raikou finished.

Misty looked at Suicune with a sweatdrop and Suicune looked back at her sheepishly. We were hungry… she said plaintively. Misty sighed and helped Ash get out the food.

******************************************************************

After they had finished eating, the group decided to rest for just a bit before they go on to find Articuno. Ash and Misty decided to take a walk and enjoy their beautiful surroundings. Leaving the pokemon to rest, they chose a direction at random and just started walking.

"these flowers are so beautiful…" Misty sighed as she looked out at the field. Ash smiled glancing at the surroundings.

"hmm they are very pretty" he said, "but I know something here that outshines them all" Misty looked at him suspiciously.

"What could be more beautiful than a field of flowers?" she asked.

Ash bent down and plucked a small blue flower out of the grass. Turning he gently tucked it behind her ear and said simply, "You". Misty blushed a brilliant crimson. That had to be the sweetest, most romantic thing anyone had ever said to her! Ash lightly trailed his fingers down her cheek from her ear. Misty sighed happily and reached to put her arms around his neck. His touch made her feel so warm inside. She almost thought she would burst with the love she had for him. Misty closed her eyes has Ash gently brought her face closer to his……

Ash swallowed as his slightly trembling finger caressed Misty's face. Her skin was so soft and warm. How could she make him feel this way? The affect she had on him was so overpowering. It was amazing how her simple presence made him do things all the more differently. He could work harder, run faster, and train better when she was with him. He wanted to be with her always, to protect her from anything and everything that would dare try to harm her. He WOULD protect her from anything that tried to harm her, he silently vowed to himself. Ash slipped his arms around her waist and brought her closer to him, leaning down for a kiss…..









I think I'm getting better at writing romantic moments. Or at least, I HOPE I'm getting better. Like I said before, this chapter didn't have much of a point. And it was short to. I swear the next one will be longer and have more action! Really! Remember, the more reviews I get, the faster I try to get out chapters! So I think the most logical thing to do, is review. Don't you? Well, toodaloo!



Hey! That rhymed! Do, review, you, toodaloo! Heh heh, I'm a poet and don't know it! *{~