Chapter 3
A/N: Hallo mates…sup? Well once again another exciting chapter. This will hopefully clue everyone in on what the hell is going on and such nonsense. And if it doesn't…well then I suppose I'm just that bad of a writer. Well let's see what my overactive imagination and over supplied fantasy mind can whip up eh? ^_~
Disclaimer: *shakes head* I am sorry to say that I don't own anything, that is all.
Behind Closed Doors
Smiling as Misty took off her glasses Ash had to suppress the urge to run and wrap the girl in a giant bear hug. Instead he just winked and flashed that oh so infamous smile of his. Unbeknownst to him this caused a very big reaction within Misty though it was not a visible reaction. Oh no, Misty had honed her masking skills over the years and now could suppress a lot of what she was feeling.
Damn. Ketchum do you know what that does…
Misty smiled back and began to walk to her coupe. Opening the door she stuck the key into the ignition and began to follow Ash out of the abandoned area. They had quite a long journey ahead and both were lost in deep thought.
[Flashback]
"Hey guys…I've got some great news." A fourteen year old Ash ran up to the campsite where Brock, Misty, and Pikachu were sitting. Breathing heavily from his run he about collapsed when he came to a halt. His hair was all tousled and his cheeks slightly flushed because his heart rate was up. But there was a very large grin plastered almost stupidly across his face and his eyes held a spark of life that was undeniable to notice.
"Well? We're waiting Ash…." A rather peeved but secretly happy Misty spat out. She was admiring Ash's very sexy look but VERY discreetly. She didn't want him to know that she thought of him like that. Things would just get too complicated. But Ash had undeniably grown up over the four years that she had known him. He was now taller than her, much to her annoyance, and he had lost that boyish look about his face. It now was much more masculine. Then there was his voice…oh god…his voice had dropped quite a few octaves though he still occasionally squeaked and was promptly teased by both Brock and Misty. Also because they all were very active walking everywhere and helping out Ash had lost all of his baby fat and was beginning to get a rather delicious looking body. But Ash wasn't the only one who had changed in the looks department. Misty had also grown. She was around three inches shorter than Ash, standing around 5'7''. She had also ditched her side ponytail in favor of something more sensual and mature. Growing her out to around her shoulder blades Misty would usually braid it or leave it down as Ash had once said he had liked it down. Also the yellow shirt with suspenders and jean shorts were gone replaced with jeans and a vintage t-shirt with some old vineyard looking picture on the front. Ash still wore his blue jeans but these were a little more designer. And he had a white button up collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
"Ash…?"
"Oh sorry Brocko. Well the reason I ran all the way here is to tell you that I've decided to join the military."
"WHAT?!?!" Both Brock and Misty were stunned. No they were floored…literally. Both had face-faulted as soon as Ash had told them his news. Getting up while dusting themselves off Misty was the first one to speak up.
"I can't believe what I just heard. Are you an idiot? What brought this on? Where did you hear about this anyway?" Ranting and raving about this and that Misty didn't see the serious look that had stole across Ash's face. He waited until she had calmed down somewhat before beginning his explanation. He began to tell them about the opportunities that this proposition presented and also he would be getting valuable training tips and advice from top trainers. And he would getting one hell of a rigorous physical workout himself. Kneeling down and beckoning to Pikachu Ash looked down at his old friend and smiled.
"Would you be up for it Pikachu?"
"Pika pika chuuu pikachu pi."
"That's what I want to hear." Ash smiled and flashed his victory sign along with Pikachu. He was hoping that his best friend would support his decision. Because it looked like his other two best friends were quite confused by his decision. Misty was lost deep in thought and Brock hadn't said a thing since Ash had first spoken. Walking over to the older boy Ash placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You okay Brock? You seem kinda quiet."
Nodding and muttering something about getting dinner ready Brock got up and moved silently around camp preparing their meal. After several minutes of uncomfortable silence dinner was served and Brock finally spoke.
"Well Ash I hope that you have thoroughly deliberated over this decision of yours. When do you leave?"
This was the one part that Ash was very apprehensive about talking about. He stuttered and stammered trying to find a good way to break the news. But for some reason his tongue wouldn't obey his brain. This was getting him nowhere fast…and also Misty looked about ready to kill him with her bare hands and send him on a one way trip to the afterlife. Taking a shaky breath before trying again, this time Ash finally got somewhere.
"Tomorrow."
"WHAT?!" This time it was just Misty who exclaimed. One could tell that she was really pissed but Brock saw something much deeper. He had been observing Misty throughout this entire ordeal and this reaction confirmed what he thought was to be true. Misty was practically shaking with her suppressed emotions. One more thing would make her burst out with something that she probably didn't want Ash to know.
"When were you going to tell us? Huh? I mean a little warning would have been nice Ketchum! What are we chopped liver? Extra baggage that you can just drop and leave some place? I DON'T THINK SO!" Just as Misty was about to lunge at the boy she suddenly stopped and broke down. As Ash tried to comfort her she just slapped his hands away and ran into the woods. Sighing heavily Ash flopped down onto the ground with his head in his hands. Running his hands repeatedly through his already messy hair Ash didn't know what to make of Misty's reaction. Brock just smiled sadly and pointed in the direction where Misty had gone.
"Go after her man. You'll regret it if you don't."
Nodding his consent Ash seemed to rocket to his feet and raced off after the very distraught girl. Running for ten minutes or so Ash slowed down and began to call out Misty's name. He didn't think he would get a response but he tried anyway. As he was walking slowly he suddenly heard a soft sob coming from his right. Moving towards the sound Ash found Misty sitting behind a large ironwood with her arms wrapped around her knees huddling together. Coming up slightly behind the girl Ash wrapped his own arms around Misty.
"Myst…you never let me finish. I wasn't going to just up and leave. You know I would never do something like that to my friends. What I wanted to ask you guys…was if you wanted to come with me?"
Misty's sobs were beginning to slow down and become soft whimpers. And as she stopped crying she became increasingly aware that Ash had his arms around her. Unconsciously leaning back against him Misty sighed and smiled softly nodding.
~*~
"YES SIR!" Snapping a smart salute and bowing Ash stood in a line of young men around his age. Pikachu was standing at attention beside him as were the other pokemon. Ash and Pikachu had been training intensely for the past year and it showed. Having grown another several inches and filled out his frame Ash was now a very competent young soldier. But one thing was bugging him. Ash and Misty had entered the military together, Brock said he felt too old for something like that, though he wasn't THAT much older than Misty and Ash. But as soon as they had been given their commanding officers they had to split up. Ash hadn't seen her since and he was beginning to miss her fiery temper and bluish-green eyes.
"Agent Ashton Ketchum please follow me. The Commander wants a few words with you."
Saluting and falling in step with the captain several thoughts raced through Ash's young mind. He was trying to figure out if he had done something wrong during his training, or maybe he had insulted a senior officer. Racking his brain for some sort of mess up Ash couldn't find anything he had done that would call for the Commander's attention.
"Agent Ashton Satoshi Ketchum I presume."
"Hai." Bowing formally Ash waited with baited breath to see what would happen. His uniform was becoming more uncomfortable by the minute but he refused to fidget.
Ash snapped back to reality as he began to swerve in and out of traffic. It was strange that there were so many people out in the middle of nowhere. Shrugging off his paranoia Ash glanced in his side mirrors to make sure that Misty was still following him. Catching a glimpse of her silver coupe Ash smirked slight. She always did have a nice taste in cars. Seeing that everything was moving along nicely and they were making good enough time Ash submerged himself back into his memories (talented driver ain't he…^_~).
Flipping through the thick folder Ash scowled as he read over the information on his newest mission. The Commander had requested he be the head of this operation and Ash didn't want to fuck things up. He was still considered a rookie among the older vets and Ash wanted to prove that he had what it took to combat the main threat. It seemed that there was a much bigger and more diabolical master mind behind Giovanni and Team Rocket. It seemed like a group of people who called themselves The Five Dragons. At first Ash thought it was just the typical drop and go mission but after looking into it further there was a much more complicated plan to be executed.
"I can do this…I WILL do this."
Absentmindedly scratching Pikachu behind his ears Ash concentrated even more on memorizing the information and what he needed his team to do. Hour upon hour Ash strained his brain to finally come up with a plan that he deemed fool proof. But he never considered that he would be the one who would be unable to complete his end of the bargain. Never in a million years did he think that---
Misty remembered that day long ago when Ash had finally seen her after a year and a half. He had been on what was a very important mission and the dense idiot had almost fucked everything up because of his emotions. But Misty couldn't blame the boy…no she never could stay mad at him for very long. She had been part of the back up crew and Ash had caught sight of her just as he was exiting with the information. What the back up group didn't realize was that a group sent by the Five Dragons had circled around and were about the ambush them. Ash had seen a movement and watched as several fire pokemon had suddenly erupted the forest. Seeing that Misty was about to be hurt he—
"MISTY!! PIKACHU ATTACK!"
Ash had forgotten one vital piece of information…Misty was a water pokemon master she had things under control. But just as she was summoning her own pokemon and having them attack Pikachu's Thunder attack practically fried her own. Gasping at his idiotic mistake Ash had almost forgotten about the disks that he had procured.
"GET YOUR ASS OUT OF HERE ASH!!"
Seemingly stuck in some kind of stupor Misty did the only thing that came to mind. She kissed him.
Ash had to resist the urge to bring his hand to his lips where he remembered the kiss that Misty had clumsily given him to snap him back to reality. That had been his first mission and without her he would have screwed it up quite badly. Looking at the exit signs Ash saw that they had been traveling for quite a long time. Wow…I hadn't even noticed how far we had come. Damn memories. But while Ash thought this a small smile appeared on his face because though he didn't like thinking about the mission, that one part he remembered quite fondly. That had been a year ago…and since then Ash had been the head of many more missions earning his right as the leader of the Special Ops team. His partner…again glancing at his side mirrors, was more than competent and could match him in everything with the exception of pure brawn. But she probably surpassed his wit. Ash couldn't suppress the smile that formed at that thought and flicked on his turn signal slowly merging to his right.
Misty followed Ash's lead and switched on her turn signal. Things had changed. Ash had changed. There was something darker about the boy than he let on. This mission…there was something fishy about it. She had been told that the information was on a need to know basis.
God dammit I NEED to know. I'm a part of the fucking project for the love of Christ….
Growling and turning into a small office building Misty was quite confused. She had no idea where they were, Why is Ash pulling into this rundown piece of shit? Ash had gotten off his bike and was now waiting for her to turn off her engine. Stepping out Misty was about to ask a question when a silencing gesture from Ash kept her trap shut. Now there's something he's never been able to do before. But of course that didn't stop Misty from sending a very questioning glare at the boy. Ignoring her inquiring gaze Ash stepped up to the door and pressed his foot on what seemed a loose piece of pavement. This caused a slight rumbling sound and the door to the building opened. Ash entered the building and took several right turns before opening another door that held a very dusty looking office with a very high-tech looking computer system.
"Come on. I'll answer your questions in here. Out there would have been too open. Anyone could have been listening. Alright here's the low down. We have around a week's worth of stuff to do. First we need to locate a small smuggling operation."
"Isn't that a little, well uninvolved for people of our caliber?"
"Yes but not when the people are smuggling in nuclear warheads and also a small but deadly virus that affects only physic pokemon."
"Oh."
Smiling again Ash wondered how in the world that he had survived without the girl. Then doing something very impulsive, much like what his younger self would have done, Ash got up and hugged the now stunned Misty. Then stepping back, while giving her a very appraising look, Ash quickly reverted back into his "all business" mode and began to explain the details.