Sleep deprived, love deprived, life deprived. Wonderful.

Misty Waterflower rolled over on her bed again, groaning to herself. She needed sleep. They wanted to start out early the next morning to make up for lost time. It wasn't like they'd be able to anyway, though, considering Keya's love of sleeping in. Really, her laziness rivalled Ash's at times. It was rather ridiculous, to be honest. One lazy ass was irritating enough. Now they had to look after two Slowpokes. Even as she forced these thoughts into her mind, a shred of guilt continued to remind her that, had she not been so stubborn to begin with, they might never have ended up this way in the first place.

Every night she spent at Cerulean Gym had been a painful stab in the heart, knowing that they had been separated. Knowing that she might never see him again. Even if he had promised her. Yet now, as she lay in the bed across from his, she was confident that he wouldn't ever have broken his promise to her. The promise still lay beside her now. Glancing beside her pillow, she could see the tell tale sparkle of the beautiful gem as the moonlight which filtered into the room from the window beside her bed bounced away from its glistening surface. She never wore it, however. Didn't dare to. Not now, at any rate. Not when she was so unclear on so many various terms and conditions to their relationship. Not now that Keya existed.

She wondered, as the pessimistic side of her drew near, if he'd met Keya prior to stopping by at the Cerulean Gym, would she be here now…? Attempting to drive away these thoughts, she sat up in bed, reaching for her backpack, only to find it heavier than she'd expected it to be. Frowning, she looked into it only to see what she'd expected to see.

"Psyduck…" she murmured, frowning.

For a moment, she considered strangling the poor little yellow pokemon. Its naivety grew increasingly aggravating. At least her sisters had managed to coax it into learning a few battle techniques. Then again… coaxing and scaring were virtually synonyms in their opinion. Watching the fluffy fur ball sleep was surprisingly soothing and for a moment, she took it out, hugging it gently. Then, realising what she was doing, she quickly placed Psyduck on the foot of her bed, staring vacantly at her bag. What had she needed it for again? Oh yes. Grabbing her drink bottle, she tipped the remainder of it over her head.

She allowed herself a small, contented sigh as the cold water hit her cheeks and began to drip from the tips of her hair onto her back. Falling silently against the wall that her bed had been pushed alongside of, she gazed blankly underneath the top bunk. Inscribed on these various lengths of wood were initials within hearts, messages of "Best friends for life", even a "If you feel sexually deprived, call me." She eyed the phone number wearily. Chances were, the number didn't belong to the person who'd left the message. Rather, their arch nemesis. Next to that was a heart with "A.K + K.J" written inside it. She looked away, glowering. That didn't help.

Feeling the blanket begin to soak in water, she pushed it away, folding it neatly and placing Psyduck on top of it. The sleeping pokemon didn't seem to notice at all. Misty stared at it for a moment. It seemed so much sweeter when it wasn't awake and causing havoc or getting in her way. Feeling her bent back take its toll, she turned around so that she faced the wall she'd previously leaned against and curved backwards, closing her eyes to calm herself.

"Can't sleep?" he asked.

Misty startled, opening her eyes to stare blankly at the direction the voice had come from. It wasn't that she couldn't decipher whose voice it was. Rather, she had trouble ridding herself of the voice. It haunted her dreams so much that, even now, she couldn't tell fantasy from reality. As her vision cleared and she turned her head to face the opposite side of the room, her eyes met beautiful hazel ones she was certain she'd recognise anyway. At that precise moment, her hand slipped and she fell back onto her bed.

On impulse, she glared at him.

"I was stretching," she snapped silently.

Ash smiled to himself inwardly. The years they'd had separately had changed him drastically. His eyes had been opened to the world. He wasn't as thick as he had been. He wasn't as naïve, either. He had also become rather talented at deciphering hidden meanings. Not implying anything whatsoever, of course.

"Yes, I noticed," he remarked softly, gazing back at her calmly.

Misty faltered for a moment. Was there a hidden meaning behind his words? Confused but not wanting him to know it, she looked away. Downwards. For a moment, she wondered what had happened to the robe she'd been wearing earlier. A moment's thought reminded her that she'd taken it off when she slipped into bed. Another thought reminded her that she was in dire need of new pyjama's. Why was that again?

For another moment, she blanked out of reality and into her thoughts. The neckline of her singlet top seemed lower than usual. Any lower and she might have passed for Keya. Why was that again? Oh yes. Her shirt was too small now. It felt too tight and even now its hem hung mid-stomach. Even her shorts seemed to stick to her skin, hanging just below her hips. That had been why she'd worn a robe when she had walked out of the room. It hadn't been cold. Not really. Just… this wasn't something she'd normally wear… unless it was four sizes larger.

Then, she remembered… Where was Ash situated now? What position had she been in? Where had her shirt ended? Blushing furiously now, she refused to look at him, pulling her legs up to her stomach and hunching over childishly. Instead, she glared at a spot in the bedspread she sat upon, blocking everything else out of her mind.

"You're going to burn a hole into it soon," he remarked.

She ignored him. Pervert. Asshole. Retard. Bastard. Stupid idiot.

"You'll get ill if you don't dry off," he whispered into her ear.

Misty froze. The voice had become louder. She could feel his breath on her skin. Feel his hands brush lightly against her shoulder as he brushed away her hair gently. Even that was enough to set a shudder running down her spine. She turned quickly to come face to face with him. Warm, caring hazel eyes. Why, even now, was he so deceptive? What had happened to that dense fool she had once travelled with? Who was this stranger? This person who… even despite his changes… had captured her heart and soul?

Above her, Keya moaned in her sleep, returning Misty back into reality in a split second. She moved away from him, returning to the safety of her pillows. Keya. What the hell was Ash playing at? The asshole was trying to court two girls at the same time? He really had changed. She glared back at him defiantly.

"I'm fine," she managed to utter through clenched teeth.

Ash's look turned into one of confusion and hurt. She considered, fleetingly, to apologise, but her senses kicked back into gear and she remained immobile. She had nothing to be sorry for. The person before her sighed, running a hand though his already-messy black hair. Now it stuck up in further disarray, which somehow managed to enhance his already-adorable demeanour. In that instant, she realised that, no matter what happened, the Ash she had once known wasn't about to vanish without a fight. Stubborn as always.

The thought brought a half smirk to her face. She fought the urge to giggle, and won. He tilted his head and it was all she could do to not reach out to him.

"What did I do this time?" he asked, exasperated and hurt at the same time.

Hah! What did he do? Oh nothing. Just stole her heart and didn't bother returning it, that's all. Just stepped all over it trying to achieve his next goal, that's all. Just refused to leave her thoughts and dreams, that's all. That's all. You know. Nothing, really.

You don't want to know, she couldn't help but think wryly.

Nevertheless, he had asked and she deemed it fair that he should receive a response. Rather, that was her excuse to allow herself the pleasure of telling him everything that had been playing through her mind for the past few weeks. Not that it'd matter to him, but at least she could get it off her chest.

"Nothing…"

Just everything.

"Don't give me that. I know something's wrong."

Well if you know so much, why don't you tell me what's wrong.

"Nothing's wrong!" she snapped, annoyed now.

Ash knew when to back off. He sighed, leaning back into the bed posts, narrowly missing squashing Psyduck. They sat together in silence for a while, neither of them having the courage to speak up.

"Do you like her?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know, Keya."

Ash stared at Misty, bewildered. Maybe he hadn't gotten the whole human emotions thing under his control. This girl continued to come up with everything he couldn't decipher.

"She's alright, I guess. Why'd you ask?"

"Just wondering."

"You don't like her very much, do you?"

Misty's silence told him everything. Before he could speak, however, she replied.

"It's not that I don't like her… I just don't think she likes me very much."

He'd be lying if he said he hadn't noticed. What could they do, though? He'd promised her parents he'd take care of her. He couldn't exactly throw her onto the road by herself.

"Why would you say that?"

"You haven't noticed? She keeps shunning me. Not to mention the death glares. I don't recall doing anything to her!"

Ash shrugged helplessly.

"We promised her parents."

Misty sighed. She gazed at him with a heavy heart. Was this the best excuse he could come up with?

"I suppose… She likes you, though."

Again, Ash was taken by surprise. What was wrong with Misty today? Rather, tonight?

"I guess… What does that have anything to do with anything?"

Everything…

"… Never mind."

Misty shifted her glance elsewhere. It was at this point Ash's brain seemed to decide to start working again.

"Hang on… What? Misty. Listen to me."

He reached a hand towards her, but she shrunk away from his touch. Injured, he withdrew his hand.

"Misty. I don't like her."

A disbelieving snort.

"Sure you don't. That's why you spend all your time with her and forget that I… and Brock, exist," she retorted with a roll of her eyes.

Ash frowned. Stubborn as always, that girl.

"No! It's not my fault, alright? You try having someone cling onto you like that and see if you can…"

"Oh right. I see now. She's clinging onto you because, you know, you're just perfect, aren't you? No girl could possibly meet you and not fall instantly in love with you," she bit back sarcastically.

"Misty, That's not what I meant and you know it."

"Oh, so now you know what I'm thinking now, do you?"

"What's wrong with you? You're blowing this out of proportion…"

"Oh. So now something's wrong with me. Of course! There couldn't possibly be anything wrong with you now, could there?" she hissed back malevolently.

"What the hell? You're twisting my words…"

"Of course I am! Because, you know, I'm just this little pesky bitch that's been hanging around you and screwing up you life, aren't I? Oh hang on. You have to be female to be a bitch, don't you? I guess that description fits Keya perfectly, then, doesn't it? I mean, she's completely 100 female and you know it, don't you? How could you miss it with all the flirting she's been directing at you. Guess what, Ash? Newsflash! I'm a girl too!" she snapped, her voice beginning to waver in anger.

Shaking now, she found herself unable to continue.

"I know."

The words came almost as if in a silent whisper, barely audible. Misty's seething seemed to leave her as she tried to decipher what he'd just said?

"You what?"

"I know."

"Know what?"

When Ash stared straight at her, Misty felt caught. Caught by the steadfast calm which reflected from them and entranced her.

"I know you're… female, if I were to use your terminology.

She felt her breath catch when he edged closer.

"I've always known."

Misty didn't move away when he leaned forward. Couldn't. It was as if she'd been frozen on the spot. So when she felt his lips press against her own, she did the only thing she deemed logical. She moved backwards, falling onto her pillow. Surprised, Ash moved away as if he'd been shocked by Pikachu.

"Sorry," he apologised.

Misty didn't say anything; just lay there, looking straight at him. He ran his hand through his hair again, inwardly cursing himself.

"Misty, please, forgive me…"

He was cut off when he heard a giggle. Looking down, he saw Misty's half smile, giggling. He looked at her in confusion.

"What?"

"You look so cute with your hair messed up like that," she said vaguely.

What the hell was that? Stop giggling like a love struck teenager.

What am I thinking? I am a teenager!

Ash smiled softly down at her, and Misty found herself drawn to him.

"Misty…"

He learned down towards her, and this time, she didn't move away. Not that she could have even if she had wanted to. Her position didn't really allow for much motion without contact. Especially not when Ash had just slipped a hand under her and lifted her up slightly. Even then, Misty felt incapable to move, whether it be against him or otherwise. So she didn't push him away when he pulled her closer. At some point, she had managed to reach out and touch his hair lightly, almost as if not believing this was actually happening.

The moment he closed the space between them, Ash seemed to realise that, perhaps, this wasn't something he should rush. Rather, it should be something to treasure. Take it slow and you'll get the girl. Who had told him that? For the moment, all thoughts flew out the window when he felt Misty kiss him back. Nevertheless, he broke it off faster than he might have liked, but knowing that it was something he needed to do. Once, perhaps, she had been the mature one between them, but now he was willing to bet that he'd gone farther than she'd ever dream to in the near future. He didn't want to ruin that for her.

Although he knew he should move away, his legs seemed to refuse what he wished of them as he gently pulled Misty into a seating position. Instead, he found himself shifting so that he sat behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and drawing her to his chest. To his surprise, she let her head tilt back onto his shoulder, eyes closed.

When her breathing evened out and he was certain she was asleep, Ash attempted to stand once again, only to realise that Misty had caught onto his arm and he found himself unable to release her grip without waking her up. Smiling down at a sleeping Misty, he saw the softer side of the angel he'd met years before. Knowing that if they were to sleep sitting, it would be a painful morning, he successfully shifted their positions so that he lay with Misty in his arms.

Gently brushing away the strands which fell over her eyes, Ash leaned in to leave a kiss on Misty's cheek.

"Sweet dreams," he murmured before he, too, fell asleep.

It was unfortunate, yet fortunate, that they didn't realise the peace they'd been allowed to talk in. Fortunate because, had they realised, none of this would have taken place. Unfortunate, however, because it meant people were awake… Or only half asleep…

Keya's expression was enough to kill by the time both had fallen asleep. Her lips curled as she thought it through.

Die, Misty Waterflower, Ash is mine.

As if on cue, Brock muttered, "About time they got together," in his sleep, yet never awoke to witness what had taken place that night.

So… How did you like it? I changed quite a bit of it around from the original quite simply because I felt that it wasn't necessary to use that much language. Emotions should come from fluency, not slang… I'm such a hypocrite. Well anyway, I hoped you enjoyed it. Any feedback would be great, so please read and review. Thank you!

Angel Skykitten