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Chapter 3: Rudy

Pikachu jiggled about on Ash's shoulder unable to keep still.

"What is it Pikachu?" he asked as they continued down the path.

"It shouldn't be long now – there she is!" Kiana exclaimed, jogging ahead.

Ash stopped.

"What's wrong Ash?" Max asked, as he came to his side.

Ash turned to him.

"Nothing," he replied, forcing himself to smile.

May watched him carefully from behind.

"Right then, lets go," Max said, as he begun to walk.

Ash nodded, slowly beginning to go forward himself.

- Pi – Pi – Piii! -

Misty looked up at the sound of footsteps.

"Misty!" the voice called.

She smiled.

"Kiana!" she replied embracing her friend.

"It's good to see you Kiana."

"As it is for me to see you," she replied.

They both began to giggle.

"Well, we really must go -"

"Wait! I have a surprise! I've bought one of your friends!"

Misty glanced at her.

"Who?"

"Just look over there!"

- Pika – Pika – Chuu! -

Ash stopped now and knew he did not want to move.

He was breathless at her sight.

She stood a few hundred meters ahead, her large blue-green eyes regarding him with some confusion.

She blinked.

She knew who he was.

"Ash! Hurry up!" May said suddenly.

"Oh, right ..."

- Pi – Pika – Chu! -

"Ash?" Misty whispered.

Her eyes hardened as she watched him approach.

Kiana had already explained to her the reason of his visit.

Ash smiled slightly when he finally arrived.

"Hello Misty," he greeted.

She nodded at him.

"Ash," she replied.

She could see his eyes crinkle in puzzlement.

"This is May and her little brother Max," Ash introduced, with some bluntness in his voice.

"Hi," May smiled.

"Hello," Max greeted shyly.

Misty smiled at them warmly enough, though she seemed to be ignoring Ash's eyes.

"Trust you to arrive a week before my wedding, right Ash?" she spoke.

Ash's eyes turned cold.

"Trust you not to tell me."

"Well no one really could get a hold with you, you know, with your travelling and all," came her icy reply.

Ash smiled icily.

"It's not like we're going to be staying anyway, if Kiana hadn't invited us here," he lied.

She smiled slightly.

"Well don't let me keep you, I have to go meet my fiancé, you know, Rudy?"

Ash forced himself to smile.

"Well then, don't let me keep you," he replied.

"Maybe you should have stayed with him the first time he offered, aye?" he added.

Misty's eyes widened slightly.

"Yes, Ash, for once you may be right, but you won't need to worry, it won't happen again."

Ash glared at her.

Turning to Kiana she said, "Are you still coming to dinner tonight? I hope you do, feel free to bring along May and Max-"

"Of course, Ash is allowed to come too," a voice interrupted.

Looking ahead, they all saw him standing there.

"Rudy!" Misty greeted as he approached them.

Ash smiled.

"Rudy, hello, how are you?"

"I am good, and you?" he replied.

"Just fine," came his reply.

"And you, my sweet?" he greeted Misty.

"I'm fine," she replied, beaming at him.

"Well, looks like I better -"

"Hang on Ash, how about you come with me for a little walk, while Misty shows them around, huh?" Rudy interrupted.

Misty opened her mouth.

"But -"

"It's okay, hun, we'll be back, come Ash."

"Okay ..."

"Come on Misty! Let's go!" Kiana urged.

- Pi – Pi – Pika ! -

"Surprised?" Rudy asked as they walked through the city.

"How about shocked?" Ash offered.

Rudy laughed.

"You're a good sport Ash. You know, when I first met Misty, I gotta say, she swept me off my feet."

"Right," Ash mumbled.

"You see when I offered her to stay the first time I really wanted her to, and I hoped she would. But it wasn't until she gave me her answer before you left, did I realize how much you meant to her and even now I don't think you realize it Ash."

Ash stared at him then broke out in laughter.

"I don't think I would mean that much to Misty, I mean, this is Misty we're talking about right?" Ash replied.

Rudy turned away.

He realized Ash still was not ready, like he was all those years ago when he first met him.

"She talks a lot about you Ash, about your travels together, what you've seen, it almost has me wishing I was there, but of course ..."

Ash was silent.

"I don't .." he started.

'"Look Ash, lets just put it this way. I would give anything to be what you are to her."

"But we're only ..."

Rudy smiled at him.

"You'll understand one day Ash."

- Pi – Pika – Chu! -

Misty and Kiana walked ahead while May and Max dawdled behind.

Kiana paused suddenly, tapping her chin.

"Look, I gotta make a quick stop home but I'll be back soon, promise," she spoke.

Misty watched her.

" Uh, okay then."

Kiana grinned at May and Max.

"She'll show you around, just make sure she doesn't get lost herself," she teased.

"KIANA!" Misty growled.

"I best be going now…"

"That's right, you best!"

Kiana merely waved, grinning goofily.

Misty turned back to May and Max.

"Have you seen the Cerulean Gym?"

- Pi – Pi – Pikachu! -

They walked in silence once more.

Rudy seemed deep in thought but Ash just seemed thoroughly lost all together.

He seemed flustered by Rudy's comments.

What was he talking about? he thought as Pikachu giggled to itself on his shoulder.

Why would I mean a lot to her?

Sighing he lifted his head to the cool breeze of the fast approaching dusk.

She means a lot to me his unconscious mind spoke.

It wasn't until after did her realize what he had just thought.

- Pi – Pika – Chu! -

May watched Misty intently as she moved through the Gym, showing them bits and pieces and though nodding outwardly, May was inwardly worried.

She could see it.

Ash loved this Misty but for some reason he can't seem to identify with his feelings.

May stopped.

If she ever wanted to be with Ash she had to take her chance now, before it was too late and he was Misty's.

"And over here, we have the Cerulean Gym battling arena."

- Pika – Pika – Pi! -

As May walked around Misty's eyes followed her every move.

So, you're Ash's girlfriend she thought, assessing her.

She was pretty, Misty admitted.

She sighed.

Well, at least he's happy, right? she tried to reason, though inside, she felt the complete opposite.

:X:X:

A/N: I am very grateful for all the reviews I have received. Thank you very much! Please review this Chapter, tell me what you think, I know the story's a bit slow, forgive me, but it should soon be in full swing! For now, please review!

Lady Sapphira