A/N: Sorry this took so long.  I had no time to post it up after I finished writing it, and I'll probably take me days before I can post anything else up.  I have a Geo test tomorrow and Spanish.  And two projects due for school each really, really long.  Hope you enjoy, and I'm so sorry.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.

Chapter 5

Kaily sighed as she sat down next to Misty.  Kaily had already got Tally to scan the whole area, but Ash was no where to be seen.  It was as if Ash Ketchum had disappeared off the face of this earth. 

*********

It seemed like hours to Misty before the light once again shone through the tent.  Brock had finally returned with Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny.  Misty paid no attention to the small group. She listened to bits and pieces of what Kaily had told them.  How could this girl that has never even met Ash know anything about him?  Misty's eyes filled with pain as she once again stroked Pikachu's forehead.  The Pokémon was burning up.  All of Ash's Pokémon were sick.  Misty sighed as she simply shook her head at Officer Jenny when she whispered into her ear that she should probably go.  Misty shook her head simply.  She was determined that when Ash returned he would came back here.  Here was where all his Pokémon were.  Ash might not care about her or Brock, but she knew that Ash did love his Pokémon more than life itself.

"Hey, what's this?" asked Kaily.  Misty raised her head and gasped at what Kaily held in her hands.  Ash's famous Pokémon league cap, the very one that she had returned to him.  Ash had given it to her before they parted, and she had given it back to him.  Why did he leave it?  Did he not care about the hat anymore?  Did it mean that Ash didn't like her back?  Questions ran through her head wondering if everything she had ever believed in all her life was all based on hope.  Could Ash really not care for her as she did to him?  She sighed… depression filled her soul but then she looked down and saw Pikachu.  The small but terrifying strong rodent probably by now has more strength and electric voltage than a Zapdos and Raikou combined.  The Pokémon's breath was so labored and forced.  But looking at it, she knew it wasn't a mistake.  No, the things that Ash had taught her were worth it.  The Pokémon she had met.  The people she found common grounds with.  She could have never met them.  She could have never discovered that by being yourself.  There was nothing to be afraid of.  Misty got up from the ground and grabbed the hat from Kaily's hands.  She gave the girl a killer look before with diligently walked out the tent with Brock.

She was determined to find Ash.  She was determined to know the truth.  Nurse Joy had collected Ash's other Pokémon, but Misty refused to let Pikachu go.  She felt as if Pikachu knew something, something that could help her find Ash.  Officer Jenny yellow taped Ash's tent then left with the others back to Sapphire.

*******

A week had past since Ash's disappearance.  All of Ash's Pokémon had woken up, but none of the Pokémon that were with Ash that night could remember what happened to their trainer.  Nurse Joy had decided to do an experiment on Pikachu.  When the test results came back, Pikachu was tested positive.  The findings of the experiment were the same as Kaily's theory.  All of Pokémon had selective amnesia.  It was finally confirmed that Ash Ketchum, the young, famous Pokémon trainer, was kidnapped.

On every telephone pole, every newspaper, on every news channel all over Indigo Island, and every missing poster was the face of Ashura Ketchum.  Even with all of Indigo looking for the young child there was no news on a sighting of the boy.  Misty, Brock and Kaily were joined by Prof. Oak, Delia, Tracey, and Gary.  The moment that Gary saw on the news that Ash was missing, he flew straight to Sapphire where he met up with Delia, Prof. Oak, and Tracey.  Prof. Oak came for moral support for Delia.  The young woman was devastated when she saw that her son was missing.  Tracey was allowed to come since Ash was one of his dear friends leaving Haruka and Masato to look after the lab.

The six were hounded by reporters the following day.  The Pokémon Center were jammed with reporters all trying to get an interview with friends and family of the missing child.  The moment that Nurse Joy was finished documenting all of the children's Pokémons' health, they were all placed in Officer Jenny's care much to Brock's delight which basically meant prison.  A place where it was just as hard to break in as to break out.  The six were placed into separated cells which acted much like hotel rooms.  The prisoners that were already there were immediately shipped to Ruby's prison.

Nurse Joy was got so aggravated at the reporters that she shut down Sapphire's Pokémon Center for the time being.  All the Pokémon were sent to Ruby where Joy's sister worked.  Nurse Joy moved to the prison to be under the guard of Officer Jenny who spent most her time keeping the ones residing in the cells from being hounded by reporters. 

Sapphire was soon shut down.  Since the town was small, it was easy to evacuate the town.  Road blocks were placed everywhere.  The reporters were kept out of the town, and Brock and the others were able to go out and look for Ash.

******

For a whole month there was no sign of Ash.  Misty stayed in her jail cell never coming out.  She would lay in her bed and cry her heart out.  By her side would always be Pikachu, Togepi, and Meganium.  The rest of the Pokémon would always be out in the open looking for Ash, but not Pikachu, Meganium, or Togepi.  Both Pikachu and Meganium couldn't bear to going near the site where their trainer was abducted from them.  Misty would only come out of her cell near curfew.  It was then at eleven that they search team would return.  Each time for the last month Brock would simply shake her head.  For only a brief second did Misty feel hope only for it to be quickly dashed away.

But today it was different, today Misty felt that staying in bed and crying couldn't bring Ash back.  She finally began to understand what Brock was trying to tell her.  Misty got up from the bed.  There lying on the bed fast asleep was Meganium.  Misty could almost bet that Meganium's missing for Ash was almost greater than Pikachu.  The Pokémon had a certain unusual crush on her trainer.  Misty almost smiled at the thought.  She remembered a few years ago when she had actually been jealous of Meganium, only back then Meganium was still a Chikorita.  Chika had just won a tough battle against an opponent, and she immediately latched on to Ash.  Chika immediately started licking Ash's face causing him to giggle.

How Misty envied Chikorita that day.  She wished that she was one of Ash's Pokémon.  Ash always showed his true self and character to his Pokémon.  Misty knew that Ash never hid anything from his Pokémon.  Misty knew that Ash was bonded with his Pokémon.  They all shared one heart, one eye, one brain.  Especially in battle, it was as if Ash himself was out there himself taking down his opponent with his Pokémon.  When they got hurt, Misty saw it in Ash's eyes that he too felt their pain.

Misty wondered now if what she been through the last five years was worth it.  Sure the experiences and memories would be irreplaceable but she was a growing a teenage soon leaving childhood and entering womanhood.  She no longer needed a friend as much as she needed a lover, a soul mate who could be her best friend too.  She knew her sisters were right… as hard as she hated to believe it.  She was entering that stage of needing to be loved… needing to feel another's heart upon her own.  Even if she was entering that stage late… she was entering it on.  Once she decided it was because of Ash she did what she did.  She wanted that person to be Ash… but now… now she didn't know if her childhood fantasy was possible.  Did Ash love her?  She knew she did.  When she first met him, she made up the excuse about her bike.  Truth to be told she hated that bike.  The moment she got back to Cerulean she got rid of the piece of junk.  It brought back memories that she didn't like reliving.  Truth to be told she loved him even then, but as time went by her beliefs that Ash wasn't in love with any woman.  He wasn't at the age yet.  Ash never felt love to anyone, maybe all but Gizelle.  But Misty knew that it was only friendship, friendship.  That was one word Misty never felt before.  She never had a friend before she met Ash.  Not even before her parents… before their passing…  Bless their souls.  Then it was her sisters who became her guardian.  They forbid her from making real, nice, normal status friends.  They wanted her to find rich friends.  They got her a tutor.  Misty was fed up with it and ran away to become a Pokémon trainer.  It was in her childhood.  The days that she spent at the gym watching the battles, it was her parents who had filled that in her heart ambition.  She then knew that her place was to be a Water Pokémon trainer and one day take up the gym.

Then on her fifth day alone, she met him.  It was then that she met Ash.  She fished him out the river, him and his Pikachu.  She fell for him then, but she was terrified at the feeling.  She never felt that way to anyone not even her dad.  The only thing Misty knew to do was slap the boy, then he 'borrowed' her bike.  That was her excuse to follow him for a period of time.  Misty later realized that she really, really loved Ash and couldn't live without him.  She couldn't… no actually she didn't want to become his friend.  She wanted to be his soul mate, but later things changed.  She knew that for now Ash wasn't ready to love.  She devoted herself to just being there with him, and the two became friends.  As time went by Misty started to forget her love for Ash, she had long buried those feelings deep within her, but then came the Orange Islands.  It was then that her feelings resurfaced with their meeting with Rudy and Melody.

She nearly stayed and married Rudy that day, but then she remembered her feelings for Ash.  She remembered how Rudy nearly told her secret.  When they left, Rudy hinted her secret to Ash.  But silly, dense Ash didn't understand love.  He didn't understand what Rudy was telling him.  Much to Misty's relief her secret was safe from Ash.  Then came the day that Ash was to save the world.   Misty loved it when Ash was brave.  She thought he was so cute then.  That's when they met Melody.  Melody, that girl, the young priestess, that could play Lugia's song.  Misty wondered now if Melody could play the song that could bring Ash back.

Misty sighed as she remembered when Melody teased her about it.  She never said it out loud to Ash about her love to him, but she did hint it to him just once… just once.  All the times she denied it till near the end.  Melody knew it.  Ash was in trouble, and she admitted it.  Lucky for her Ash wasn't there, and Tracey wasn't paying attention.  After that day Misty learned to not let her true feelings get in the way, Ash didn't need a lover.  He was too important.  The legendary Pokémon needed him, everyone needed him.  She refused to let herself admit that she needed him too.  All of Johto she tried to hide it.  Just once when they met a girl Temacu did she nearly revealedd her secret.  First to Ash, it was by accident.  It was right after Ash had said, "it'll be funny to see Brock married."  It was as if by instinct for her to add, "Someday we'll be married too."  It didn't come out the way she planned and luckily Ash didn't realize what she meant.  Her heart nearly burst when Ash muttered out yeah.  But it was soon destroyed when Ash yelled a quick, confused waa.  Lucky for her Temacu's dad broke in, or she would had to explain. 

Then that night when she was giving advice to Brock did she accidentally almost admit it.  She had said to him.  "It's easier to love someone that loves you back then love someone who doesn't."  She managed to save herself that time too.  After those incidents in all of Johto, she promised herself to be more careful.  But with Chikorita there, things were way harder than before.  Then when Chika evolved into Bayleef, Misty almost thought of Bayleef as competition.  Ash had let Bayleef body slam him so many times.  But then came the day that she was to leave Ash, how could she?  How could she leave her love?  But her family, the gym depended on her.  They needed someone to watch the gym, and she was the best candidate.

The good bye was bitter.  She almost admitted that she loved him that day, but with Brock there she couldn't.  That night upon her handkerchief she snitched the message upon it.  When they bid forever, she had told Ash that the handkerchief had a message.  Misty sighed for she never expected Ash to think that the handkerchief was a message, not the message was on the handkerchief.  Misty knew Ash never discovered the message for when she returned Ash treated her like a friend.  He treated her just like he had before, like a friend.  That was till the dreams started up.  Ash got aggravated easily, and all the two did was fight.  Misty forgot that she loved him and was more into saving her pride.  Now because of that he was taken from her once again. 

"Mrs. Ketchum," muttered Misty.  She realized that Ash's mother also suffered the pain she did.  Immediately she left the cell and walked out of her section of the jail cell.  She passed a couple of doors.  There at the end of the prison was her. Delia was crying over an old wooden table.  Misty's heart ached for the woman.  She too had lost Ash.

"Mrs. Ketchum," muttered Misty.  There was no response.  Thinking that she didn't hear her Misty inched her hand forward only to pull it back.  "Mrs. Ketchum."

The woman turned around.  She sighed as she saw Misty standing there.  Her face was red from crying over her son's disappearance.

"Mrs. Ketchum, I'm so sorry…" started Misty.

Delia recognized Misty and sighed.  "You shouldn't see me like…."

"I… I know.  I know you blame me for Ash's disappearance.  If I only didn't fight with him so much, he would be here.  If I hadn't let my pride get to me…"

"No, no Misty.  I don't blame you.  I would never blame you. I know you care about my son.  I know you care about Ashura," muttered Delia.  Delia raised her hand and stroked Misty's face.  "Remember it's not your fault.  You didn't kidnap Ash did you?"

"No," mumbled Misty.

"Then it isn't your fault," said Delia.

"But… but what if Ash doesn't…"  Delia immediately silenced her with a single finger. 

"Shhh.  Ash has always returned to the ones he love doesn't he?" asked Delia.

"Yeah," muttered Misty.  "But I don't know how I can face him.  I was so cruel to him.  I…I…"

"Sure you can.  You're his best friend," muttered Delia.

"But… but I want to be more than a friend to him.  I… I lo…"

"Shhh, I know.  I know you love Ashura.  I could see it in your eyes."

"I've loved him for five years," muttered Misty.

"Since the day you met him huh?" asked Delia.  She chuckled thinking that since her baby boy was ten he had a young girl head over heels with him.

"I… What if he…" asked Misty.

"What if he doesn't like you?" asked Delia.

"Yeah…" muttered Misty.

"I know Ash loves you.  I see it in his eyes.  When he met you, I saw the glitter in his eyes I hadn't seen for a long time.  The way he looks at you.  He never looked to at another girl.  He loves you, Misty.  Give him time."

"But…but I can't wait," muttered Misty.

"If you really love Ash, then you can wait a little while longer.  Besides we can wait for Ash's return together," said Delia smiling.  "Okay?"

"Okay," said Misty smiling.  Since Ash's disappearance for once she smiled. 

"Here sit," said Delia.  She patted at a seat next to her.  Misty eagerly took it.  Questions of millions filled her head.  Finally she met a woman that knew her secret, a woman like herself, who had once been in love.  It was ironic how it was her lover's mother. 

"What was Ash…" asked Misty.

"You want to know what Ash was like as a child?" asked Delia.  Misty nodded.  Delia smiled as she divulged into her son's childhood.  The young woman beamed as she told this girl her son's life.  She had waited for years to tell someone the tales.  She never told Ash even when he asked.  Especially after his selective amnesia all the tales she told were ones filled with lies.  Meganium, Pikachu and Togepi walked in and curled by Misty's feet listening to the tales that Delia told.  For a few hours all was forgotten that the one person they were speaking about was the one person that they were spending so long looking for. 

A/N: Well how has it?  Short I know, but I couldn't help it.  Sorry.