The First Step Into a Woman's World

Part one

A girl's life is a very complicated one. We go through many shocking experiences, such as waking up one fine morning and realising that the red stain on your bed is not the leftovers' of your mum's strawberry tart that you greedily stole from the kitchen in the middle of the night, but the start of your period; the beginnings of becoming a woman.

At the time, you wouldn't think anything of it; your mum is there to help you, she's always there to help you. But me? No… it didn't quite work out like that. I spent the first moments of experiencing the start of my period by running desperately round a forest, trying to discreetly find anything that could settle it, hoping that my two travelling companions (of whom were both boys), would never catch on that the Great Misty Waterflower had just buckled under the discovery that she was finally becoming a woman. I had been a tomboy for my whole life, and now I had to deal with girl problems?????

I guess that's when my attitude finally changed towards my friends. Instead of being an up tight, angry, fiery redhead, I became more relaxed and more subdued from the rest of the group. My sudden outbursts were few and frequent, (much to my companions delight) and I became more appreciative of the world around me. I never yelled at my best friend for getting us lost, I never smacked him for being such a klutz. Instead, I just smiled, sighed and carried on. Its funny how much a period can change you.

By the time I was fifteen, my attitude wasn't the only thing that had changed. My hair suddenly had a growth spurt and rested in the middle of my back, tinged lightly with red and copper, capturing the sun's reflection every now and again. It was very much like my mothers. My body had also started to fill out, much to my displeasure. I truly believe that 'pain is beauty', the pain being a sure sign that my body was changing somehow. Into what shape and size, I did not know, and, being suddenly conscious of my appearance, I used to skip lunch a few times a week to compensate for any changes I did not want.

However, I was not the only one that noticed the change I had gone through. Soon, I was being flattered by gym leaders from Kanto to the Orange Islands! Danni, Rudy, Camron, Bugsy… OK, so Bugsy isn't so flattering, but I had never had so much attention by the opposite sex before and, much to my best friends annoyance, I loved every moment of it. The flattery had given me confidence within myself; not the young cocky confidence that I had when I was younger, but the confidence of being happy with myself, for that was all I needed to be. I didn't need to show off anymore, I didn't need to protect myself with violence; I didn't need to hide away my femininity.

I became more openly romantic, which, unfortunately, led me to daydreaming on a regular occasion, daydreaming of someone in my life, my significant other. As I was on the road travelling with Ash Ketchum and Brock Slate, I didn't really have time to meet any guys. At least, every time I did, we soon had to part ways and continue travelling to the next city. I guess this is why I started developing feelings for Ash. I know that's quite juvenile of me, blaming a crush on the fact that there was no one else to fancy. Looking back on the past, I laugh at myself for not realising how much more those feelings would develop.

On Ash's sixteenth birthday, it was high time for the group to split up… meaning that my bush valley sisters had called, and 'Misty dear' had to come running home and drag their sorry arses out of poverty and from losing our fortunes; the gym. I was to become the new gym leader of Cerulean City, a young dream of mine. However, after travelling the world for so long, I had come across a new dream, a dream that had founded all of my other dreams in life; to become a Water Pokemon Mistress. I approached my sisters 'offer' as my first step to accomplishing that dream. The experience and regular battles would surely increase my skills as a pokemon trainer. But, I did not know that it would be so long winded.

The first problem came with saying goodbye to my long term travelling companions, friend and flame. The pokemon were first, Pikachu giving me a small spark of a thundershock, reminding me of the bond that we shared. Somehow, I had become somewhat immune to Pikachu's electric attacks, a callus I had developed from the beginning of our travels, when I used to wake to an electrifying morning. We've been friends for six years now, and I knew that little yellow mouse well.

Next was Brock, my close friend and destined brother. Although I had become irritated by his 'love' for women, deep down, he appreciated me pulling him away from all the girls he hit on, knowing full well that he was making an absolute ass of himself in front of the 'pretty ladies'. Or, at least, that's what he told me one night when I had force-fed him some vodka when we both couldn't sleep. I giggled then, enveloping him into a hug. He squeezed me hard, almost as if he was afraid that I'd never see him again. His mouth reached my ear and he whispered gently, "Don't blow it now, Misty."

His voice was somewhat stern and although I looked up at him through confused eyes, I could not deny the meaning behind his words. He smiled encouragingly at me before ruffling my hair and walking off back into the Pokemon Centre, leaving Ash and I alone.

At first, I dared not to turn round and face him. I couldn't move. How on earth could I say goodbye to him? It was the moment I had dreaded the most; leaving Ash Ketchum, future Pokemon Master, and master of my heart.

I closed my eyes as I felt his presence behind me, and shivered delightfully as I felt his arms wrap around my waist, his head resting upon my shoulder. His black hair tickled my face, and the warmth of his body slowly seeped into my own. The sun was setting over the horizon and I sighed contently. This was heaven, pure ecstasy that the most delicate moment could ever possess.

"You know I don't want you to go, right?" said Ash quietly, as if he was afraid that if he spoke too loudly, the bliss of our surroundings would vanish… at least, that's what I hoped he was considering. I smiled.

"I know," I said, turning round to face, being immediately enveloped into yet another hug.

"You might be losing a friend as well as your own personal protection," I said lightly to him, nudging him playfully in the arm. His face creased into his lop-sided grin, one that I had become so accustomed with that it terrified me that I wouldn't be faced with it on a day-to-day basis.

"Aw, come on Mist," he remarked embarrassed, shuffling from one foot to another, yet not increasing the small gap that was between us, "You know you only saved my ass once!"

My eyes scowled at him and I was tempted to stomp my foot in protest. But, I knew he was winding me up. Yet, I decided to pay along anyway, and folded my arms defiantly across my chest.

"No way!" I exclaimed, my mouth twisting into a fine grin. "I remember dragging your sorry ass out from more than one ocean in these lands, Ash Ketchum, and don't you forget it!" I playfully stole his hat and prepared to run off with it, but he stopped me in the nick of time… by sticking his foot out and tripping me up, sending me tumbling towards the floor. I landed with a bit of thump, but couldn't help but smile when I heard his infectious laugh. I looked up at him and awed at the moment. The sun had bathed him in golden sunlight… his eyes lit up with such intensity, that I had only ever witnessed it in the heat of a difficult battle. Yet, his smile lightened his face more than the sun could ever do, and I found myself entranced. I remember that moment clearer than any other I had with Ash, Brock and the pokemon, because that was the turning point in my life. That was when I knew I was in love with Ash Ketchum.

# Ok, so it's a start… what do u guys think? Let me know! #