As Ash and Misty were now back to their regular teasing, fighting, being shocked by Pikachu-cycle, days went by pretty fast. And finally, that day had come, the day the two teenagers feared most…

The day of departure.

After about eight hours of packing up Misty's things, which Ash had had his own comments to, Ash, Misty, Brock and Mrs. Ketchum were finally standing at Pallet's port.

Misty's suitcases had already been brought on board of the ferry that would take her past the Seafoam Island, yet the little red haired teen had her own business to get done.

As Ash's mom hugged Misty, tears spread from the adults eyes once again, like so often since Misty had told her about her plans.

Mrs. Ketchum took out another handkerchief and wiped away her tears. A senseless effort, for Ash she took a glance at Misty, rivers of tears started to flow down her cheeks again, as persistent as a little baby's cries.

"Remember what you promised, Misty dear: you have to write at least once a week", Ash's mom said, and added playfully, with a warm smile on her face, "or I will get very angry with you."

Misty nodded approvingly, trying hard to contain the tears that swelled up in her eyes as well.

Why did farewells have to be so watery all the time??

Next to Misty, Togepi was standing on the ground next to Pikachu, hugging her buddy as if dear life depended on it. And, like so often, she cried.

It made Misty chuckle to watch Pikachu's hopeless effort to calm Togepi down and hide his own tears as well.

Then the girl turned over to Brock.

He seemed to be in a good shape, rational and wise like always…, well, at least like when no beautiful girls were around.

Misty smiled at him and the wave of memories he brought with him and gave him a little, friendly hug.

"Take care of yourself, ok?" he said, caring, like the older brother she'd never had.

Again Misty nodded.

"Sure I will, Brock. I promise. Though I will miss your good food." Misty said with a smirk.

Brock grinned.

"Yeah! I'm the best cook and houseman of all!" he responded in his figurehead pose, one of those pink aprons that had appeared out of nowhere covering this front.

For one instance, Misty was sure she had seen a tear glistening in the tall boy's eyes, but when she blinked, it was over again.

Just a feeling, maybe.

Pikachu and Togepi seemingly had finished their saying goodbye, as the small egg Pokémon toddled over to Misty's bag pack.

"Piiiiiiiikkkkaaaa!" the small yellow Pokémon cried, jumping into her arms.

Misty smiled and hugged to small electric Pokémon tightly.

"Sure I won't forget you, Pikapal.

Pikachu rub his cheeks in Misty's chest and cried.

Misty tired to soothe the Pokémon and gently placed a hand on his small head.

"I will miss you, too, Pikachu. Just take good care of Ash while I'm away, ok?"

Pikachu look up at the red haired girl, tears in his eyes, nodding furiously, but already showing a small grin on his face.

With this, the Pokémon jumped from her arms again and onto Ash's shoulder.

Ash…

Now it was his turn…

Misty turned around to him in a swing and, as she took a quick glance at him, reddened at least 4 shades and began to rub her knuckles nervously.

Ash seemed at least as nervous as Misty, as he constantly stared at the ground before him, which seems to reflect a red light upon the dark haired boy's face.

"Ash…", Misty started hesitantly, not knowing what to say in this very moment.

Ash look up at her and though sadness was written all over his face, he forced a winning smile to show her not to worry about him, at least not in the first place.

Misty was grateful for this attempt, and thought of it to be cute, as she searched for the words to say.

Why hold a speech of thousands of words if you can express all your feelings in just a short sentence?

She smiled and looked up into his hazelnut colored eyes.

"I'll miss you, you know", she said, blushing slightly.

Ash's smile grew wide.

"I'll miss you, too."

He plugged up the courage and leaned forward to give her a long hug.

It was almost like the one they had shared just a few days before, but this time, it was a lot more emotional.

Maybe it was because both of them knew they probably wouldn't see each other for a long time, that it was farewell this time.

Misty pressed her head on his shoulder to hide the tears flowing from her eyes again.

Finally, they broke apart and look at each other for what seemed like a lifetime.

Sadness was the predominating expression in both pairs of eyes.

Then, Misty blinked to banish the salty tears from her eyes and went back a step, waving at the others for goodbye.

"I'll miss you all! Please take care of yourselves until I'm back. And Brock", she turned over to the older boy "have an eye on Ash. Make sure he doesn't do any dense things!" she added with a wink.

Ash already opened his mouth to reply with a smart comment, to start another of their seemingly senseless fights, as he heard the ship's horns blow to signal the passengers to come onboard.

Misty waved once more and then turned around and walk towards the ferry.

Yet after a few steps, she suddenly stopped, turned around once more and slowly walked towards Ash.

"Sorry", she told him. "I forgot to give you this."

With these words, she placed a gentle kiss on his left cheek, spun around and ran onto the ferry leaving behind a startled Ash.

He put his hand up to his cheek and touched the spot she had kissed him, the spot that felt so warm, like ants were running around under the skin.

The spot Ash wouldn't wash from now on.

Ok ok, he thought about it a second time, maybe I will……

One day, he grinned.

The sound of the ferry's horn pulled him out of his daydreams just in time to notice Brock grinning at him.

But today Ash wouldn't care about him.

His only motion was to turn back to the ship and make out Misty standing on deck, still waving the trio.

Things will change from now on, he thought to himself.

Little Pikachu on his shoulder nodded approvingly, as if able to read his best friend's thoughts.

"Pika pika piiiiii!" He said with a sigh, glancing sadly at the departing ship.

Yes, Ash thought as he petted his Pokémon's head,

I already miss her, too.

A/n: And first again: NO, THIS IS NOT THE END! Just to make it clear, cuz it might be easily mistaken for one. There's still lots of chapters to come. I'm really really sorry it took me so long posting this new chapter, but again, I was sorta busy with school, but this will change within the next weeks, I hope. Hope you all like this chapter, cuz it was kinda hard for me to write the farewell-scene. All I knew about it was that it should be sorta teary and that Ash and Misty should make a new step in their relationship (meaning the small kiss on the cheek).

PS: Just one note to kyp, who wrote about not knowing Officer Rocky. Well, actually it is the german name for Officer Jenny. I have no clue why they changed the name, but, well, who ever understands those guys…

So, if anybody has any critics and could tell me things to improve my writing or wants to give suggestions how to go on the story, or how to change my charas in order to make them fit the series, please tell me. Critic of every type is more than welcome!