Alrighty!  Here's the next chappie!  And yes I know this is old…hehe!  Enjoy folks

Hiding What Means The Most

By: Charizard

The next day was like the usual...Ash woke up really early in the morning, before the other two woke up.  He just laid there and stared at Misty.

-Ash's POV 

Oh man.  She's just too beautiful.  I feel like I've gone on a long journey and I've reached my destination, but I'm only one step too short.  I've found my love, but I can't tell her how I feel.  I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.  It hurts me too, I know how much she means to me...but I don't know.  Whenever I see her smile, I get these warm, tingly feelings inside of me...and of course the butterflies in my stomach, that's an automatic.  Did I?....yes...I hear her talking in her sleep, she looks so innocent, so tender and beautiful. *Sobs* Why can't I tell her?  I can't figure out what's holding me back.  I know...If I tell her my feelings, she'll laugh in my face, and I'll feel hurt...so hurt in fact, that I wouldn't want to be her friend anymore.  It's not the fact that I'd hate her...it's because every time I see her face, I'll just breakdown not into tears, waterfalls, and emotional despair.  I don't want to have a miserable life like that...*Cries some more...*

-Misty's POV

*Rolls over* Do I hear Ash crying?  Why would he be crying?  Man I wish I could just go there and hold him and tell him, "Ash, everything's gonna be ok...I'm here."  But obviously I can't do that.  Well I'll go and ask if he's okay.

Misty got up from her sleeping bag and walked over to Ash.  She just stood there for a minute or so...then she kneeled next to him and reached out to caress his back…

"Ash?………Are you okay?"

Ash jumped a bit, he had definitely not expected Misty to be up at this hour...especially to see him crying.

"*Turns around and sniffs* Y..yeah..I think I'll be okay..." Stuttered Ash with a tear stained face.

"You sure?  Cuz to me, you don't seem to happy now.  What's wrong Ash?  You can tell me anything." Said Misty moving closer to Ash.

Ash turned over to look at Misty.  The amount of concern in her face had surprised Ash.  He had definitely not expected this.  Now he's gonna have to find a way to explain how he feels to Misty without letting her know that he loves her, since he can't lie to efficiently while he's crying.

"Well, I've got this secret inside of me...and it was buried for a while, but these last few months, it's been trying every possible way to leap out.  I'm trying to keep it hidden away, just to prevent myself from getting emotionally hurt.  Here's the catch, by holding it in...I'm hurting just as much.  I just don't know what to do at this point." Said Ash while a tear ran down his face.

"*Sighs, and wipes the tears off his face* I know exactly how you feel Ash.  I've had a similar problem, holding my feelings in.  It's not too smart of a thing to do.  I hurt someone the last time I did it.  I remember one time...never mind.  Anyways, if you feel that it needs to stay a secret, fine.  I can tell though, it won't stay a secret much longer.  The way you said that the secret wants to jump out?  You'll just blare it out one day.  Not necessarily tomorrow, but soon.  For now, just hang in there, don't let it get to you.  I don't like seeing you like this.  Honestly.  You're always so full of energy, so happy.  I want to see you happier than this.  I'll be happier too."

Ash was completely shocked.  This time it was his turn to realize that Misty was the absolute one for him.  She completely touched him emotionally.

"M-Misty...you'll be happier when I'm happy?  I've never had such a good friend.   I swear on my life that I'll never forget what you said.  You really mean a lot to me Misty, and your happiness is important to me too.  I have a small favor to ask of you."

"Y...yes Ash?"

"From this point forward, no matter what we may agree or disagree on, I will always consider you my soul mate.  You've been there for me, and this morning was the most important.  I always want to be your best friend.  What I ask is, will you return the same promise?"

"Yes Ash.  I will.  I think that you're my soul mate too.  You've been there for me too.  You'll always have a special place in my heart."

"I'm glad that you feel that way."

Ash got up out of his sleeping bag and hugged Misty.  This wasn't like that last hug, no, they held onto each other for some time.  Misty could've melted right then and there, same with Ash.

"Misty...I...I..." Said Ash looking at her

*THUMP*

From all the anxiety, Ash just fainted.  Misty ran over to Brock, woke him up and had him help her try to revive Ash.  He took a small bottle of water and threw it on his face.  Ash violently sat up and nearly had a heart attack.

"Waaaaa!!!  What happened!?!?"

"Ash you fainted, you were about to tell me something.  What were you saying?"

Ash was a bit confused, he did just faint...

"Ummm...I...I forgot...I'm sorry."  Said Ash frowning...He was frowning because he did know what he was saying, but he didn't want to say it.

"No Ash it's ok.  Don't worry about it." Said Misty smiling at him.

"Lets go make breakfast!  C'mon before we get too hungry!" Said Brock.

"Okay." Replied Ash

"C'mon Misty, let's go."

As usual while they were walking, they were staring at each other.  As they were approaching the campsite, Brock noticed them looking each other down.  He smiled, knowing that they will tell each other how they feel.  Someday...

They sat together and ate quietly.  Usually, Ash was busy talking about how he was going to beat the next gym trainer, or how he's better than Misty.  This time, Ash sat there and ate his food unlike last time *wink wink*, but now he was staring at Misty for a while.  Brock obviously noticed this, being a romanticist himself, or at least we think he is.  True he looks like a total goof when he sees women.  Misty was watching Ash from the corner of her eye.  She hadn't noticed Ash staring at her, since she was looking at him when he wasn't looking at her, go figure.

After they had finished breakfast, they were off to the next city.  They hiked for several hours, and then stopped at a small town (not the city they're heading for).  Ash wanted to be alone for a little.  Misty and Brock went to the hotel so they could get the rooms for the night.  To their luck, there were only 2 rooms left.  Now Misty had no problem with this, but Brock on the other hand, had a small phobia...he never liked to share a room with anyone.  Even at his home with 10 other brothers and sisters, he still had a room all to himself.  Therefore Ash and Misty had to share the other room.  Meanwhile, Ash went to the shopping mall.  He wanted to get something special for Misty, since she was very caring for him earlier that morning.  He looked and looked to buy something.  After several hours, he had found a jewelry store that could custom make something for him.  He bought two rings, one having a small diamond in it (for Misty) and the other being a plain gold ring (for Him).  On the inside of each one, he had the man engrave, "Soul Mates Forever.  Ash and Misty 2005."  He couldn't wait to get this for her.  Once he got them he went back to the hotel where Brock and Misty were waiting for him.

"Hi guys." Said Ash walking into the lobby area.

"Hi Ash." Said Misty and Brock

"What took you so long?  Did you fall into a hole?" Asked Brock

"Oh ha-ha, that's a good one.  If you must know where I went, I was at the shopping mall."

"The Mall?!?!" Asked Brock and Misty with complete surprise.

"Yes.  I had to pickup something important."

"Whadcha get Ash?" Asked Misty with some curiosity.

"Oh nothing much, something small for me.  Don't worry about it."

"Okay." Said Misty smiling.

"Hey Ash, we've got a small, problem with the rooms..." Said Brock

"Oh no, there's no rooms left."

"Not really, there are rooms available."

"So what's the problem then?" Asked Ash wearily

"Well you see...there's kinda only 2 rooms left..."

"WHAT?!  I knew we should've got here earlier.  I know that you hate to share rooms...so wait...that means that...I have to...share...with..." Ash became a little uneasy.

"Yeah.  I'm sorry Ash.  I figured that the next town is too far away...so I took the rooms...I hope you're not mad at me.."

"Actually, no.  It's not that big of a deal.  I'll be fine."

"Good."

Misty just stood there in total surprise.  He didn't once refuse to share the room with her.  He always hated sharing the rooms with her if this situation ever happened before.  He just agreed.  Is this the Ash she knew?  Or has he grown up?

"Well, let's get going, I'm really tired." Said Ash

"Alright.  Now look you two, my room is one floor below you so if you need anything, you know where I am." Said Brock.

"Okay Brock." Said Misty.

They all got in the elevator, Brock got off at the 5th floor.

"Sleep tight you two."

"You too Brock." Said Ash and Misty.

When the doors shut, there was a complete silence.  They got out of the elevator and walked towards the room.  They walked into the room, and with their wonderful streak of luck, there was only one bed in the room.

"Figures, I'll bet Brock has the room with 2 beds." Said Misty a bit frustrated.

"Don't worry about it Misty, I'll just sleep on the floor.  We've all been sleeping on bare ground for years, I don't think one night on the floor will kill me."

Misty began to wonder, why was Ash being so nice to her?  Not that it was a bad thing, she did love him and all, and he did say that she was his soul mate, but he was just…too nice.  He'd only do this when he wanted something, or was going to beg her for something the next day…but then again, how petty does that sound.  She just wasn't sure what to think or even say anymore…

"Ash, can I ask you something?  Before you say yes, what I'll say might upset you, but I have no intention of doing so."

"That's ok go ahead." Answered Ash not realizing the hurt he was about to experience.

"Okay…I've noticed something strange about you lately.  You've been nice…in fact too nice towards me.  Now don't get me wrong, I think it's wonderful that you're like that, but are you up to something?"

Well even Misty couldn't prepare Ash for this.  He was hurt…

-Ash's POV

She thinks that I want something…I can't even be nice to her without her being suspicious of me…Now I know that she'll never love me…Oh man…I'd better run out before I cry…

Ash just turned around and ran out of the room.  As he was running down the hall, he was crying.  He stopped at the end and sat in a corner where no one would see him.  All he did for the next hour was cry, cry and cry some more.  Misty had really upset him.

-Ash's POV

I can't believe it.  I told her that she was my soul mate…and this is what I get.  I just don't know what to do anymore…I don't want to be alone.  I know that the only one who can make me happy is Misty, no one else.  Why did she say that?  Was I too nice?  No…I'm sure I wasn't.  Why me?  What have I done in my life to deserve this?  I've never been mean to anyone…the fights that Misty and I have are pointless, and I'm only rude to Gary because he's just a jerk.  I've tried really hard to get on Misty's good side, and I've succeeded, but now this happened…*Sobbing*

"I can't believe I just said that…." Said Misty to herself

-Misty's POV

Now I know that Ash must hate me…he told me that I'm his soul mate…and I told him that he's mine…and this is how I repay him.  Why do I do this to all the people I love?  I got into a big fight with my mother years ago…and the next week she died…I never got to apologize for what I said to her.  I had been holding it in myself that I wasn't mad at her.  I never got to tell her.  That's what Ash is going through…He's holding something in…and it's hurting him.  Poor guy.  Maybe I should see where he went...

HA!  A big cliffhanger…err that's if you haven't read this before…*shrugs*  So as always… REVIEW NOW!!!!!! *coughs*  oops…shouldn't have yelled! :D