"Worried about Ash and Misty? Yeah right," he muttered with a roll of his eyes. He took a glance at Brock and Keya. He couldn't help but smile. Turning to see the sales assistant looking puzzled, he stepped out of the store and leaned against the wall, slightly hidden by the pot plant. "You can't choose who you fall in love with," he murmured softly before exiting the mall, his footsteps barely making a sound.

"Keya, you alright?" asked Brock, pushing back the hair which had fallen over her face with a gentle caress. Keya sniffed a reply, quickly wiping away her tears. The only person who could make her cry was her brother. "Remember, you'll always be mine." She shuddered as she thought of those words. "Hey, don't cry," he said softly, "He's gone now. Everything's fine." She looked up at him. She seemed to drown in the intensity of his brown eyes. Looking away quickly, she nodded. However, she was too late. Brock recognised that look. Jemma wore that look when he first found her in the forest alone. It was the look of a person who had gone through more than they could handle, falling into the depth of helplessness and fear.

He could feel anger flowing through his veins but he refused to lose control of his temper. A tantrum wouldn't help Keya. The stress of the whole ordeal may even break her. He sighed inwardly and put an arm around her waist to support her. "Come on, I'll take you home," he said with a small, weary smile and they walked out of the mall together.

"Brock?" said Keya, quite suddenly, still leaning against him. "Hmm?" he replied, struggling to ignore the fact she was leaning against him, her body fitting perfectly with his. "Thanks," she murmured softly, closing her eyes. No batter of her eyelashes, no sudden shy movements nor any quick, embarrassing kisses. Just one word containing her true emotions and she felt better for it. Had she ever just thanked a guy without the flirting? Brock was startled by the sudden change in her but smiled. "No problem," he whispered back, holding her closer to him when he felt her shudder from the wind.

Mia looked up when Gary entered the room. "Hey," she said softly so that she didn't end up having a coughing fit. Gary smiled and nodded back. "By the way, you owe me ten dollars," she added cheekily, surprising Gary. "When did that happen?" he demanded playfully. "I told you Brock had it in for Keya this morning. Not my fault you didn't listen to the genius of the family," she retorted and began coughing slightly. "Well, being a genius of your family doesn't account for much," he said slyly, a grin beginning to form on his lips. He didn't bother to duck as the patient attempted to throw a pillow, which stopped a few feet from its intended target. "Damn cold," she muttered in annoyance, making Gary laugh.

It was strange, only she seemed to be able to laugh like that. If she noticed, she didn't show it. Gary looked at her and smiled as the girl before him attempted to settle herself again. She was getting better, he could tell by her attitude. Walking up to her, he ruffled her hair up slightly making her throw up her arms to keep him away, her hand narrowly missing his cheek. He laughed at her and stepped back, leaving Mia glaring at him while attempting to flatten her normally straight hair.

Ash walked around the city randomly, having nothing to do nowhere to go. Pikachu walked alongside his master dutifully. He sighed and pushed his hair from his eyes. Not that it helped, it just fell back. "I supposed I'll have to go find Misty and talk to her, eh, Pikachu?" he asked, looking down at the little yellow pokemon. It nibbled at the biscuit Mia had given it and nodded in agreement. "Where to go then, little buddy?" he questioned. Pikachu stopped eating and pointed to the mall. Ash nodded in agreement, "You're right, I suppose. There's nowhere else she could possibly be," he said aloud, glancing at the park. It stung him to see the couples huddling together to keep themselves warm.

Ash had anticipated that he wouldn't be able to predict Misty's reaction when he showed up, but he didn't realise how truly different it would be. When he walked into the mall, he was greeted with the shock of his life. "M... Mis... Misty?" he stuttered in awe. It wasn't that he didn't like the outfit; what guy wouldn't like to see a bit of cleavage now and then? It was that this was Misty. This was the one person he loved for who she really was, dressed to impress in a Keya-lookalike costume.

Misty blushed and glanced down. Her date was in an hour and she didn't have time to change back in case of... well... this. She hadn't wanted anyone to see her act and dress like a whore just to impress some guy but... well... Jack wasn't just 'some guy'. He was different to most guys. He had a unique aura about him, which made him practically irresistible. There was a dangerous air about him, which drove girls wild. He was... well... a god in a way, but deadly. It was like playing with fire but she didn't care. Couldn't. No girl could resist his charm.

Misty wore a glamorous v-neck top made of very thin material, light as a feather but easily ripped. It ran just above her stomach, the black material shimmering faintly in the light. It didn't have a back; rather, it was just straps tied up to hold the top in place. The sleeves were cut down the middle so it hung for decoration, providing little or no covering.

Her pants were made of a similar but stronger material and ended in a flare, the left leg cut down the centre halfway above her knee. It was stylish in a sense, but definitely not Misty. Her red hair hung around her shoulders and her fringe covered her eyes. Around her neck was a silver necklace and star pendant Ash recognised instantly. It had been the last gift he'd given her before they parted.

Flashback

"Misty!" he called, running up to her. Upon hearing her name, she turned slowly to face Ash, confusion clear in her eyes. "Yes?" she asked with a smile. A last minute with him was better than nothing. He thrust a small box into her hand, "Here," he said with a grin, slightly out of breath. Misty gave a puzzled smile and took it from him. She looked carefully at the design of the box. It was a plain navy blue box with a white ribbon tied around it. "Well, open it!" Ash exclaimed, almost impatiently. Misty smiled at the boy she knew so well, yet was still so unpredictable. She carefully undid the white ribbon and tied it in her hair to keep it out of the way. Ash couldn't help but watch in awe as her fingers delicately turned the ribbon into a bow, matching her white shirt.

Opening the box, she gasped. "Oh Ash, thank you!" she cried, tears running down her cheek as she threw her arms around him. Caught by surprise, he smiled and blushed. When at last she drew back, she gave another half hearted smile and said, "Well, I suppose this is the end of the road, hey Ash?" He shook his head, "No, we'll meet again. You're my star for now and forever," he said with a grin before waving and walking away.

End flashback

It pained him to see it worn so carelessly; its purpose only as a mere accessory to her outfit, but he didn't show it. "So, when's your date?" he managed to say, forcing him to keep steady. If he stuffed up now, it'd be a long time until she'd talk to him ever again. Misty shrugged and mumbled, "Noon." He nodded as if enthusiastic for her, "Great. Where's he taking you?" he asked. "I don't know," was the quiet reply. Ash suddenly looked worried, "Look, Misty, if you're not comfortable with anything he does, I want you to..." he began, but he never got to finish his sentence. Misty had looked up to glare at him, "I'm old enough to take care of myself!" she practically hissed before storming away in her impossibly high, impossibly thin heels. Ash hit himself on the head and cursed himself for blowing it.

"Hey, wait!" he called after her. Misty stopped and spun on her heel with a glare and crossed her arms, "What?" she snapped. Ash stopped as well and hesitated, which wasn't very intelligent. You should never keep Misty waiting, especially if she was already in a temper. Noticing she was going to turn around he hastily said, "Look, I'm sorry, ok? I'm just worried about you..." Noticing she was about to blow up, he quickly added, "As a friend, nothing more." Misty seemed to hesitate herself before nodding and swiftly turning around, rushing off to her appointment with her make-up artists.

Ash sighed and ruffled his hair. "Well, at least I managed to stay in a conversation with her for more than thirty seconds," he said weakly to Pikachu. It shook its head and jumped onto its owner's shoulder to pat him on the head in sympathy. "Pika! Pika pika!" announced Pikachu, raising a tiny hand. Ash smiled at the yellow pokemon, "Yeah, we won't give up, will we, Pikachu?" he said and Pikachu nodded determinedly.

When Brock and Keya walked in, neither Mia nor Gary seemed affected by their close contact. Rather, it had the opposite affect and it was Brock and Keya who looked surprised. "Don't be," informed Mia when she caught their look, "It's obvious you two have got it in for each other." Gary nodded confirmation, making Brock and Keya blush even more. "We do not!" argued Brock lamely. "Right, so that's why you've got your arm around her and blushing like a couple of high school kids getting caught making out," drawled Gary with a roll of his eyes. "What about you and Mia?" quipped Brock. Mia raised an eyebrow. "Brock, unless you've gone blind, we're at other ends of the room," stated Mia calmly. "So? We left you here alone with each other for how long?" asked Keya with a triumphant look on her face. "I'm 11, what do you expect me to do? Break down into a passionate frenzy and fuck him senseless? Please, give me a break," she said, her voice unwavering as she rolled her eyes. Gary raised an eyebrow, "Don't bet on it. I could make you if I wanted to," he said with a smirk. Mia rolled her eyes again, "Right, I'd like to see you try," she drawled back. Gary pretended to take a step forward but Brock groaned. "Guys, please. The images are really disturbing," he said with a shudder. Keya, who had wanted to see what would happen, hit him playfully on the arm after giving a squeal in disgust. Gary and Mia made faces and glared at him. "Brock, when I get better, prepare to run for your life," said Mia.

((Heyyaz! Sorry for not updating sooner, but it's 2pgs long, which is longer than usual (for me) so enjoy, kk? Oh, and people who are upset with the pairings, complain elsewhere -.-))