Here's the next installment of The Secret of Ash, happy reading!
Misty was just sitting on her bed reading a romance novel as she heard the door open. She closed her book and looked over to see Ash entering the room. As they made eye contact, she looked into his eyes and saw his pain. She felt so horrible, and needed to say something to break the ice..
"Ash?"
"Yeah Misty..?"
"I need to talk to you.."
"I need to talk to you too.."
Ash was rather surprised that Misty spoke first. "Ash..I'm so sorry. I didn't mean what I said."
"Then why did you say it Mist? You know you really hurt me." Said Ash devastated to bring back the memory.
"I know..I was..I-I just didn't know how to respond to your comment, I mean, it is unusual for you to offer the bed, we usually fight for it."
"Yes, we do fight for it sometimes, but what's the point? Misty we're much older now, and fighting for something as stupid as the bed is immature, and figuring that you're the girl, I should be the gentleman and offer it."
"Ash, that was sweet of you, and I should have picked that up right away, but instead I insult you and hurt your feelings. Ash will you forgive me?" Ash looked up to Misty's beautiful aquamarine eyes, "Of course Mist. As upset as I was, I still couldn't be mad at you. I mean, we used to fight so much, but I never hated you nor be mad at you."
"Oh Ash.." Misty walked over to Ash and gave him a hug, they both turned bright red. Misty pulled away, and looked in Ash's eyes, "Thank you."
"Don't mention it Mist."
It was getting late. Ash and Misty decided that it was time to hit the sack. Though Ash didn't really fall asleep, he waited for Misty to fall asleep first. Once she was in a deep slumber, he walked over to the window to see the moon brightly shining and noticed a small lake about a half mile away from the Pokémon center. He decided to go there and think for a bit. He got dressed, grabbed his backpack, took Pikachu along too and headed off. After about a fifteen minute walk he arrived, found a large boulder to sit on and just enjoyed the peace. He sat there staring straight ahead for several minutes until Pikachu decided to break the silence.
"Pikapi?" (Ash?)
"Hey buddy."
"Pika pikachu?" (Are you alright?)
"Eh, I suppose I could say that I've had better days."
"Pi pika. Pika pi pi kaa pikachupi?" (I see. Thinking of Misty again?)
"Yup. I always think about her." Said Ash with a small sigh
"Pikaa. Pikapi, pi pika chuu pi?" (Thought so. Ash, do you love her?)
*sighs* "Yeah, I do. Pikachu I've fallen head over heels in love with her. I've felt this way about her for so long."
"Pika. Pi pika cha pika chu pi pi ka? Chu chu pikachu?" (Oh. Why haven't you said anything to her yet? You do love her right?)
"Of course I love her. I just said that. It's just.what happened earlier is what keeps me from telling her. I told Brock that I'm too chicken to tell her, but that's not it. Whenever she puts me down, it hurts..really bad. Plus growing up wasn't peaches 'n cream for me. I was picked on in school all the time, and had no friends. I don't think she realizes the pain I feel, especially today. I was in tears, you may have heard me in Brock's room crying."
"Pi. Pika pikapi chuuu." (I did. I'm sorry Ash.)
"Heh, it's ok buddy, your not at fault. I just want someone to care for me, someone who looks past my differences, and just loves me for who I am. I know I have a bad sense of direction, I know I'm dense and make quick decisions without thinking my consequences through. I'm not perfect, nor is anyone else in this world, but why does everyone have to be judgmental about things like that?"
"Pi pika. Chu pi pikaa pika chu pika pi pi ka cha." (I don't know. That's one thing I could never understand about humans.)
"No kidding. I can't even figure out why we are like that either, and I'm human. Oh well, what can ya do?"
"Pi pika. Pikachu pika cha pikapi?" (Dunno. Don't you think we should be getting back Ash?)
"Well we should, but I just can't look Misty in the face, nor be in the same room with her, and I don't want to go in Brock's room either no on can sleep with him or even near him, he snores way too loud. That's why I brought my sack, you can sleep with me in my sleeping bag and we'll go back in the morning."
"Pika, pikapi pikachu." (If you say so Ash.) A few minutes pass by and Ash and Pikachu are out. As 2 AM approaches, Misty begins to stir in her sleep from a bad nightmare.
-Misty's Nightmare-
*"Ash I'm sorry about yesterday..there's something I have to tell you."
"What's that Misty?"
"Ash..ever since we've gotten to know each other, I've always felt this connection between us, and I know what it is. Ash..I love you..
"You.....what!?...*snickers, then busts out laughing* Misty that's got to be the funniest joke you've pulled..hahahahahahaha!!!!!!! No seriously what do you want to tell me?"*
Misty literally bolted up from laying down.. "Oh my goodness, *tears well up in her eyes* that's so scary..I hope it never happens that way."
Misty wiped the cold sweat off her forehead and looked over to the other bed to see.. no one.
"What the? Ash? You there?" Misty turns on the light. "Ash? Ash this isn't funny, wherever you are come out now before I whip out the mallet!" Silence. "Ash? Oh my god, he left, it's all my fault.." Misty ran into Brock's room and shakes him awake..
"Brock! Brock! Ash is gone! Brock wake up!" Misty was losing it.
"AHH! Misty? What's going on? What are you screaming about?" He flipped on the light; Brock was violently waken up from one of his Joy/Jenny dreams..again
"Ash is gone! I woke up from a nightmare, and I looked over to his bed and he was gone!"
"Gone? Oh crap. I hope he didn't runaway."
"Runaway? Why would you say that?" Said Misty completely avoiding what she had said to Ash earlier that day. Brock just gave her the look of, "Yeah right, you know what I mean."
"Misty, you know what I'm talking about. Why'd you say it? Was that one of your ways of hiding your true feelings about him? Was that it?"
Brock was rather frustrated with Misty, after all, Ash was in tears and he normally never cries in front of Brock, or Misty for that matter. Misty on the other hand was in complete shock that Brock had just said that.
"What? I didn't mean it, I told him that before we went to bed, we even hugged each other, which I'm sure you'll agree is uncommon for us to do." Misty was becoming irritated with Brock.
"Well, still you had no right to say that to him, he was just trying to be nice, and you just took what he said, ate it, and spit it back in his face. Now get dressed, we have to go look for him."
"Fine."
Once they got out of their PJ's and into regular clothes, they went to the Nurse Joy.
"Nurse Joy? Umm, I was wondering, the boy that was with us earlier today, he hasn't happened to step out has he?"
"I'm afraid not young lady. We normally lock up after 10:30 anyways for safety of our guests and the Pokémon. Otherwise I haven't seen him, I'm sorry." Misty was upset, and then looked to Brock for advice.
"Well Misty, obviously we can't leave, but we'll go first thing in the morning. Okay?"
"Okay."
As Misty and Brock we walking back to the room, a light bulb lit up over Misty's head. "Oh my god Brock, I just thought of something. Ash and I went to bed around 9:45 and I know it takes me a good half-hour to get to sleep, so if he waited for me to go to sleep he could've left then and it would've been only 10:15, meaning it was still early enough to leave the center."
"Whoa, you're right misty. Still though, wouldn't have Nurse Joy seen him leave?"
"Yeah..Hmm..maybe..oh..look over there Brock." Misty pointed to a rear exit.
"Well chances are, he probably left through that door. Grr, this is so frustrating. Geez Misty, you had to say that to him didn't ya?" Brock was really losing it now.
"Brock! Look, I feel bad enough as it is, and I don't need you to rub it in. I know what I did was wrong, and I'm sorry..I just..never mind." Misty was practically in tears now.
"You're right, I'm sorry misty. It's just, Ash is really hurting and I'm sure he didn't run off too far. He probably just needs some time to himself to think. Misty I can honestly say that I know what Ash is feeling now."
"What do you mean Brock?" Misty was a bit confused, but curious as to how Brock could relate to Ash at this point in time.
"C'mon, let's go back to your room, I'll fill you in on some info."
Misty and Brock walked back to her room, and they sat down opposite to each other at a table near the window.
"Look Misty, before I tell you anything I know about Ash, you must swear that I never told you, nor I even know anything about this. Misty if he finds out that I'm telling you this, he'll be devastated. You understand?"
Misty was shocked at Brock's firmness in the statement and just nodded in response.
"Good. Look, first off, what's your impression of Ash's childhood based solely on what you know about him?"
Misty was unsure what Brock was getting at be she answered nonetheless, "Well, his mom is the sweetest lady I know, he grew up in a small, quiet town, and he has a good heart. Based on that, I suppose his childhood was average, if not better."
Brock nodded, he figured that's what Misty would say, hell if Ash hadn't told him about his past, he'd think the same too. "I figured you'd say that. Well let's say that it was completely the opposite."
"Opposite? What, he wasn't fortunate enough to have a good one?"
"Unfortunately Misty, no. I won't get into details, but, first off he always hated school, all the kids would make fun of him, even Gary when they were friends. Gary basically turn all his peers against him, and because of that, Ash has a hard time trusting people with his feelings. We of course were exceptions, because we just had a connection with him when we all met up, wouldn't you agree?"
"Yeah, I'd say so. Even though he wrecked my bike when we first met, I felt that connection once I got to know him a bit." Misty smirked when she remembered her memories with Ash.
"Well, there is one problem though, he cuts you so much slack it's amazing that you haven't picked it up yet."
"Slack? How?"
"Well, think of all the years you've known him, how many time have you insulted, or put him down because he got us lost, or he did something dumb?" Misty frowned when Brock made this point. She insulted him on many occasions, and Ash either argues back for a bit and gave up, or just brushed the comments aside.
"Too many times to even keep track..*sigh*" Misty let a tear slide down her cheek, she felt really bad.
"That's what I'm getting at. Ash cares for you, just like you care for him, but every time you made fun of him, he was hurting really bad, and I amazed that he still has trust in you."
"You're right. What have I done?.." Misty sighed and let another tear loose as she gazed out the window towards the lake. She saw a figure beside the lake and thought the figure to be familiar.. ~Wow.that sure does look like Ash.ack what am I thinking, that's not him. Oh man, what have I done. I love Ash so much, and I never realized how much pain I have caused him. I feel so low right now. Ash wherever you are, come back, I miss you and.. I love you..~
"Uhh, Misty, you there?" Said Brock waving his hand in front of Misty's face. Misty jumped a bit coming back to reality.."Huh? Oh sorry Brock, I was just day....err night dreaming. *Yawns* Brock, I'm getting tired and we have to get up early in the morning so we can look for Ash."
"Yeah, it is late. I'll try to get up early in case you sleep in."
"Ok Brock, thanks, goodnight."
"Goodnight Misty." and with that, Brock went into his room, and they both fell back asleep hoping that Ash will turn up tomorrow, er today.
Thanks to those who reviewed! If you haven't yet...then, Review! Review! Review! ;P
Misty was just sitting on her bed reading a romance novel as she heard the door open. She closed her book and looked over to see Ash entering the room. As they made eye contact, she looked into his eyes and saw his pain. She felt so horrible, and needed to say something to break the ice..
"Ash?"
"Yeah Misty..?"
"I need to talk to you.."
"I need to talk to you too.."
Ash was rather surprised that Misty spoke first. "Ash..I'm so sorry. I didn't mean what I said."
"Then why did you say it Mist? You know you really hurt me." Said Ash devastated to bring back the memory.
"I know..I was..I-I just didn't know how to respond to your comment, I mean, it is unusual for you to offer the bed, we usually fight for it."
"Yes, we do fight for it sometimes, but what's the point? Misty we're much older now, and fighting for something as stupid as the bed is immature, and figuring that you're the girl, I should be the gentleman and offer it."
"Ash, that was sweet of you, and I should have picked that up right away, but instead I insult you and hurt your feelings. Ash will you forgive me?" Ash looked up to Misty's beautiful aquamarine eyes, "Of course Mist. As upset as I was, I still couldn't be mad at you. I mean, we used to fight so much, but I never hated you nor be mad at you."
"Oh Ash.." Misty walked over to Ash and gave him a hug, they both turned bright red. Misty pulled away, and looked in Ash's eyes, "Thank you."
"Don't mention it Mist."
It was getting late. Ash and Misty decided that it was time to hit the sack. Though Ash didn't really fall asleep, he waited for Misty to fall asleep first. Once she was in a deep slumber, he walked over to the window to see the moon brightly shining and noticed a small lake about a half mile away from the Pokémon center. He decided to go there and think for a bit. He got dressed, grabbed his backpack, took Pikachu along too and headed off. After about a fifteen minute walk he arrived, found a large boulder to sit on and just enjoyed the peace. He sat there staring straight ahead for several minutes until Pikachu decided to break the silence.
"Pikapi?" (Ash?)
"Hey buddy."
"Pika pikachu?" (Are you alright?)
"Eh, I suppose I could say that I've had better days."
"Pi pika. Pika pi pi kaa pikachupi?" (I see. Thinking of Misty again?)
"Yup. I always think about her." Said Ash with a small sigh
"Pikaa. Pikapi, pi pika chuu pi?" (Thought so. Ash, do you love her?)
*sighs* "Yeah, I do. Pikachu I've fallen head over heels in love with her. I've felt this way about her for so long."
"Pika. Pi pika cha pika chu pi pi ka? Chu chu pikachu?" (Oh. Why haven't you said anything to her yet? You do love her right?)
"Of course I love her. I just said that. It's just.what happened earlier is what keeps me from telling her. I told Brock that I'm too chicken to tell her, but that's not it. Whenever she puts me down, it hurts..really bad. Plus growing up wasn't peaches 'n cream for me. I was picked on in school all the time, and had no friends. I don't think she realizes the pain I feel, especially today. I was in tears, you may have heard me in Brock's room crying."
"Pi. Pika pikapi chuuu." (I did. I'm sorry Ash.)
"Heh, it's ok buddy, your not at fault. I just want someone to care for me, someone who looks past my differences, and just loves me for who I am. I know I have a bad sense of direction, I know I'm dense and make quick decisions without thinking my consequences through. I'm not perfect, nor is anyone else in this world, but why does everyone have to be judgmental about things like that?"
"Pi pika. Chu pi pikaa pika chu pika pi pi ka cha." (I don't know. That's one thing I could never understand about humans.)
"No kidding. I can't even figure out why we are like that either, and I'm human. Oh well, what can ya do?"
"Pi pika. Pikachu pika cha pikapi?" (Dunno. Don't you think we should be getting back Ash?)
"Well we should, but I just can't look Misty in the face, nor be in the same room with her, and I don't want to go in Brock's room either no on can sleep with him or even near him, he snores way too loud. That's why I brought my sack, you can sleep with me in my sleeping bag and we'll go back in the morning."
"Pika, pikapi pikachu." (If you say so Ash.) A few minutes pass by and Ash and Pikachu are out. As 2 AM approaches, Misty begins to stir in her sleep from a bad nightmare.
-Misty's Nightmare-
*"Ash I'm sorry about yesterday..there's something I have to tell you."
"What's that Misty?"
"Ash..ever since we've gotten to know each other, I've always felt this connection between us, and I know what it is. Ash..I love you..
"You.....what!?...*snickers, then busts out laughing* Misty that's got to be the funniest joke you've pulled..hahahahahahaha!!!!!!! No seriously what do you want to tell me?"*
Misty literally bolted up from laying down.. "Oh my goodness, *tears well up in her eyes* that's so scary..I hope it never happens that way."
Misty wiped the cold sweat off her forehead and looked over to the other bed to see.. no one.
"What the? Ash? You there?" Misty turns on the light. "Ash? Ash this isn't funny, wherever you are come out now before I whip out the mallet!" Silence. "Ash? Oh my god, he left, it's all my fault.." Misty ran into Brock's room and shakes him awake..
"Brock! Brock! Ash is gone! Brock wake up!" Misty was losing it.
"AHH! Misty? What's going on? What are you screaming about?" He flipped on the light; Brock was violently waken up from one of his Joy/Jenny dreams..again
"Ash is gone! I woke up from a nightmare, and I looked over to his bed and he was gone!"
"Gone? Oh crap. I hope he didn't runaway."
"Runaway? Why would you say that?" Said Misty completely avoiding what she had said to Ash earlier that day. Brock just gave her the look of, "Yeah right, you know what I mean."
"Misty, you know what I'm talking about. Why'd you say it? Was that one of your ways of hiding your true feelings about him? Was that it?"
Brock was rather frustrated with Misty, after all, Ash was in tears and he normally never cries in front of Brock, or Misty for that matter. Misty on the other hand was in complete shock that Brock had just said that.
"What? I didn't mean it, I told him that before we went to bed, we even hugged each other, which I'm sure you'll agree is uncommon for us to do." Misty was becoming irritated with Brock.
"Well, still you had no right to say that to him, he was just trying to be nice, and you just took what he said, ate it, and spit it back in his face. Now get dressed, we have to go look for him."
"Fine."
Once they got out of their PJ's and into regular clothes, they went to the Nurse Joy.
"Nurse Joy? Umm, I was wondering, the boy that was with us earlier today, he hasn't happened to step out has he?"
"I'm afraid not young lady. We normally lock up after 10:30 anyways for safety of our guests and the Pokémon. Otherwise I haven't seen him, I'm sorry." Misty was upset, and then looked to Brock for advice.
"Well Misty, obviously we can't leave, but we'll go first thing in the morning. Okay?"
"Okay."
As Misty and Brock we walking back to the room, a light bulb lit up over Misty's head. "Oh my god Brock, I just thought of something. Ash and I went to bed around 9:45 and I know it takes me a good half-hour to get to sleep, so if he waited for me to go to sleep he could've left then and it would've been only 10:15, meaning it was still early enough to leave the center."
"Whoa, you're right misty. Still though, wouldn't have Nurse Joy seen him leave?"
"Yeah..Hmm..maybe..oh..look over there Brock." Misty pointed to a rear exit.
"Well chances are, he probably left through that door. Grr, this is so frustrating. Geez Misty, you had to say that to him didn't ya?" Brock was really losing it now.
"Brock! Look, I feel bad enough as it is, and I don't need you to rub it in. I know what I did was wrong, and I'm sorry..I just..never mind." Misty was practically in tears now.
"You're right, I'm sorry misty. It's just, Ash is really hurting and I'm sure he didn't run off too far. He probably just needs some time to himself to think. Misty I can honestly say that I know what Ash is feeling now."
"What do you mean Brock?" Misty was a bit confused, but curious as to how Brock could relate to Ash at this point in time.
"C'mon, let's go back to your room, I'll fill you in on some info."
Misty and Brock walked back to her room, and they sat down opposite to each other at a table near the window.
"Look Misty, before I tell you anything I know about Ash, you must swear that I never told you, nor I even know anything about this. Misty if he finds out that I'm telling you this, he'll be devastated. You understand?"
Misty was shocked at Brock's firmness in the statement and just nodded in response.
"Good. Look, first off, what's your impression of Ash's childhood based solely on what you know about him?"
Misty was unsure what Brock was getting at be she answered nonetheless, "Well, his mom is the sweetest lady I know, he grew up in a small, quiet town, and he has a good heart. Based on that, I suppose his childhood was average, if not better."
Brock nodded, he figured that's what Misty would say, hell if Ash hadn't told him about his past, he'd think the same too. "I figured you'd say that. Well let's say that it was completely the opposite."
"Opposite? What, he wasn't fortunate enough to have a good one?"
"Unfortunately Misty, no. I won't get into details, but, first off he always hated school, all the kids would make fun of him, even Gary when they were friends. Gary basically turn all his peers against him, and because of that, Ash has a hard time trusting people with his feelings. We of course were exceptions, because we just had a connection with him when we all met up, wouldn't you agree?"
"Yeah, I'd say so. Even though he wrecked my bike when we first met, I felt that connection once I got to know him a bit." Misty smirked when she remembered her memories with Ash.
"Well, there is one problem though, he cuts you so much slack it's amazing that you haven't picked it up yet."
"Slack? How?"
"Well, think of all the years you've known him, how many time have you insulted, or put him down because he got us lost, or he did something dumb?" Misty frowned when Brock made this point. She insulted him on many occasions, and Ash either argues back for a bit and gave up, or just brushed the comments aside.
"Too many times to even keep track..*sigh*" Misty let a tear slide down her cheek, she felt really bad.
"That's what I'm getting at. Ash cares for you, just like you care for him, but every time you made fun of him, he was hurting really bad, and I amazed that he still has trust in you."
"You're right. What have I done?.." Misty sighed and let another tear loose as she gazed out the window towards the lake. She saw a figure beside the lake and thought the figure to be familiar.. ~Wow.that sure does look like Ash.ack what am I thinking, that's not him. Oh man, what have I done. I love Ash so much, and I never realized how much pain I have caused him. I feel so low right now. Ash wherever you are, come back, I miss you and.. I love you..~
"Uhh, Misty, you there?" Said Brock waving his hand in front of Misty's face. Misty jumped a bit coming back to reality.."Huh? Oh sorry Brock, I was just day....err night dreaming. *Yawns* Brock, I'm getting tired and we have to get up early in the morning so we can look for Ash."
"Yeah, it is late. I'll try to get up early in case you sleep in."
"Ok Brock, thanks, goodnight."
"Goodnight Misty." and with that, Brock went into his room, and they both fell back asleep hoping that Ash will turn up tomorrow, er today.
Thanks to those who reviewed! If you haven't yet...then, Review! Review! Review! ;P