The First Step Into a Woman's World

Part 3

I looked up into the bright blue sky, wiping the sweat that poured from my forehead. I sighed exhaustedly as my throat craved for some replenishing liquid. Replacing the sweatband upon my forehead, I leaned over the shovel, and began to make up another batch of cement. I swear, the fates have cursed me. After being stood up last week (the biggest disappointment in my life), Cerulean had been blazed with a heat wave, making work on the Cerulean gym almost unbearable.

After I finished packing the loader, I threw the shovel to the ground and retreated to the refreshment stand I had willingly set up for the workers and myself. Togepi sat in the shade of the construction site, a little red builders hat upon its head. He trilled happily as he saw me making my way over to the shade, away from the sun's burning gaze. This day must have been the hottest that Cerulean had experienced for a long time, and we were paying dearly for it. Cerulean was a city that was filled with water, in fountains, memorials, parks and gardens. But, casting my eyes over the city, I could see evaporation waves rising high up into the thriving sky. It was a fascinating sight, and was probably the reason why I remembered this day so well… it was a day where the unexpected happened… after all, I never expected Cerulean could dry up in one day. I also never expected to find a weary traveller heading my way.

"What's that?" I heard Bill say, holding his hand over his eyes in order to shield them from the harsh sun. I followed his gaze past the construction of the gym, towards the park that lay beside the gyms' grounds. A loan figure swayed from side to side, their hand reaching for the entrance of the Cerulean Gym. I gasped as I saw the figure collapse in exhaustion, and promptly made my way towards the crumpled heap in the middle of the pathway. The builders swiftly followed me, even though we were shocked at the sudden temperature change from the shade, to the light. Nevertheless, the scorching heat did not slow my attempt to reach this person in need.

I was the first to reach the body, who lay still and lifeless under the blaze. I knelt down and turned the body towards me, enabling me to see their face. However, I almost recoiled in surprise as my eyes stared down to the body of a young man… a raven-haired young man.

I brought my hand to his face and cupped it gently. A tingling sensation ran up my arm. Yep… no doubt to whom this young man was now. Black, scruffy looking cap hair, black shirt, blue jeans, a cap and jacket tied tightly around his waist… the electric sensation I got whenever I touched his skin…

My hand grazed his lips that were oozing blood. The dirt marks under his cheeks were stained with a deep crimson. A large cut ran the length of his lean arm…

My God, what happened to him?

"Get him inside, now!" I shouted, as the builders quickly rushed to carry Ash into the gyms' sanctuary. I ran ahead of them, opening what doors were left in the gym, giving the builders a safe passageway into the gym's living quarters. I told them to place him on the nearest bed they could find whilst I ran to the kitchen, gathering healing materials and as much water as I could manage. I returned to where they had laid Ash down and cringed somewhat uncomfortably as I realised they had placed him in my room… on my bed.

Dismissing the thought, I quickly released the builders, thanking them for their help, and turned towards my old travelling companion. Soaking a cloth in the cool water I had brought with me, I gently laid it upon his throbbing forehead. Having something so cool on his body must have been a shock, for his eyes suddenly burst open, his left hand flying towards his head in confusion.

"Its alright," I reassured him, as his hand found mine, resting upon his forehead. Once he felt my presence, his body seemed to relax slightly. But his eyes were a different matter. They were filled with disbelief. For a fleeting moment, I was sure that he didn't recognise me. But, when his eyes fluttered close once again, a small smile played upon his cracked lips.

"I made it," he whispered, his voice hoarse and somewhat croaky. I looked down at him sympathetically, noting the cuts on his cheeks were opening up once again, red blood catching the sun's light and reflecting into my eyes. I sighed. What the hell had he got himself into this time? His cuts, his bruises… he was dehydrated. Reaching for a flowery cup filled with replenishing water, I turned back to Ash.

"Ash, I need you to sit up," I said softly, cupping his head with my hand as a form of encouragement. He opened his eyes again weakly and stared up into my own. I saw his face crumple with determination and slowly, and painfully, he managed to do as I asked. I brought the cup to his lips, wiping the trailing blood away from his face with my free hand.

"Drink this," I asked, and he complied willingly. He drank gradually; knowing that too much too fast would not be good for him. I smiled, brushing back his hair comfortingly. Once he had finished, I supported his decent back onto the bed, placing the empty cup on my bedside table.

"Mist," I heard him whisper, and turned back to my flame, lying somewhat helplessly beside me. I shushed him before bringing another cloth to his face, cleaning the wounds that had re-opened with alcohol. He cringed as I continued, sucking in the air as if his life depended upon it, as if somehow, it took away the pain. Once I was finished, I moved onto his arm. I looked at him cautiously before dabbing the ruptured and frayed skin, knowing how much pain this was going to cause him. I watched his hand grasp the bed sheets in agony; his face mirrored one of torment. I bandaged the wound as quickly as possible. I hated hurting Ash, in whatever sense of the word. His mind and his heart had always been so pure, so gentle natured… how could someone possibly stand to harm someone who was so justified?

"All over now", I called over to the sixteen year old that rested upon my bed. I watched his body relax suddenly, his chest falling to a more comfortable position on the bed. He turned to me, his eyes mesmerising my own, and grasped my hand. Our fingers laced together, and I couldn't help but watch the miracle before me. My eyes returned to his face which was flashing me his famous lope sided grin.

"My hero," he whispered weakly, bringing our hands to his mouth and kissing my index finger tenderly. I blushed at the action, which he found amusing, as his grin widened.

"I thought the Great Misty Waterflower would never blush at my touch," he whispered, closing his eyes briefly before laying them upon me once again. I wanted to blush again, but for some reason, my heart clenched at his words. It felt as if there was something more behind those words, something that he held back. My head whirled with possibilities… is it possible that he might still feel the same?

"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 play 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.

However, my trance didn't last long as Ash noticed my dazed and dreamy gaze. Looking at me quizzically with a small smile playing at his lips, he reached an outstretched hand to me. I took it gratefully, trying my hardest to hide the furious blush that had made its way to my cheeks. However, as Ash pulled me up from the grassy floor, I crashed into him, bringing the proximity between our bodies into an overdrive; I felt his chest rise and fall against my own, the simple action sending shivers down my spine. I never knew such a feeling would exist. Is this what its like to touch the one you love? To have your skin burn with a fire that only intensified as the contact continued?

I took a brave mental step and dared to look into Ash's eyes. Now, being taller than me, I had to tilt my head in order to stare at the golden orbs I had come to admire so much. However, when I thought they would be filled with fear or even amusement, rejection being my ultimate fear, I was relieved when Ash only stared down into my own eyes with what I could only presume was compassion.

Never leaving my eyes, I felt his hand graze my cheek, cupping it delicately. His forehead met my own and finally, his eyes closed.

"I don't want you to go," he whispered, sadness evident in his voice. His hand which was still lingering on my cheek, slowly made its way down to my neck, touching it softly. My arms instinctively wrapped around him; one resting on the strong, lean muscles of his back, the other tangled in his hair, which felt so soft to my touch that it made my insides burn with desire. I sighed in desperation. I wanted this guy so much…

"I don't want to go Ash," I said, feeling the sudden sadness welling up inside of me. I brushed his hair back with my hand tenderly looking straight into his eyes. "I don't want to leave you."

Cupping my face, he kissed me. A sweet and tender kiss, that soon turned to desperation as our parting loomed over our heads. His tongue probed my mouth and danced with my own, and I couldn't imagine tasting anything sweeter.

That was four months ago, and now, here I was, the same young man lying in front of me, that same compassionate gleam in his eyes. My body was pulling me towards him and I slowly leaned over him, taking the flannel away from his forehead. My face only a few inches away from his… I cupped his neck… my thumb grazing over the cut on his cheek. I felt his good arm sneak its way around my back, pulling me closer to him.

"Mist," he breathed, closing his eyes as our foreheads touched once more. It took all the will power I had not to kiss him right there, to take his lips and claim them as my own. But, my better judgement refused to give in. He was injured, from what I still did not know, and he needed rest. Turning away from his waiting lips, I kissed his forehead, murmuring to him to get some rest. His eyelids were heavy, his body exhausted. He nodded his head in agreement. I was just about to push myself up and off the bed when Ash's arm grabbed my own. I looked to his face, searching his eyes for what he wanted.

"Don't leave me," he whispered weakly, breathing deeply. His eyes flicked close again, enabling me to smile without him noticing. Shifting my weight down onto the bed again, I collapsed beside Ash, wrapping my arms around him. His head leaned into my chest and his breathing steadied. I stroked his long hair, enjoying the feel of it entwined with my fingers once more. I obviously relaxed him, as within a few minutes, Ash Ketchum was fast asleep on top of me.

# Yay, another one done! So, come on people, what do ya think? Please let me know… #