1.1.1.1.1 Chapter Ten

Dates: Will love always last?

2

3 Pallet Town

4 Lita, Rini, the 3 cats, and Mina's Room

Mina sat at the small vanity table in her room. She had chosen an orange and yellow sundress for her date with Brock that night. It had been 4 days since the incident with Team Rocket.

"I really hope I don't have a klutz attack tonight in front of Brock, after all, most people think I'm related to Serena!" Mina said to herself. She put on a pair of dangly silver earrings with orange studs in the earpiece. Next, she slipped on her white high heels that fashioned a jeweled sunflower on the toes. Last of all, Mina sprayed on her favorite perfume, called "Love Goddess." She checked herself out in the mirror. Something was wrong. A-ha! Mina shook out the large red bow in her hair and replaced it with a glittering gold barrette. Finally! She was ready.

5 Trista, Amara, Michelle, and Hotaru's Room

Hotaru was so happy that Ash had asked her out on a date. They would double date with Mina and Brock. As Hotaru buttoned up a shimmering lavender body dress, she thought about the strange dream she had the other night.

The Dream: Hotaru stood in a dark room. It was sweltering hot and made her gasp for air. Suddenly, red eyes were glowing around her. She screamed for help. The eyes got closer and closer. When Hotaru was sure that the end was near, a bright white flash appeared. Out of nowhere, a Pikachu popped out. Was it Ash's Pikachu? She saw a shadow in the distance. Ash? As Hotaru tried to get closer. she saw Misty. Misty was watching a mirror and crying.

"Misty? What's wrong?" Misty didn't answer. Hotaru looked at the mirror. There was an image of Hotaru and Ash together, hand in hand. Hotaru looked back at Misty. Was Misty.?

This was when she woke up. Maybe it was a fate dream. Oh well. It was time to enjoy a vacation, not worry about a silly dream. But the part about Misty still disturbed Hotaru a little bit.

Hotaru checked herself out in the full-length mirror. Not bad. She was medium height and very slender. Hotaru snapped on a pair of amethyst earrings. The next thing she did was spray on her favorite perfume, Purple Mist. The last touch was stepping into high heels that were toe-less and back less. The shoes were silky, silvery lavender, like her dress. Done! Time to meet Ash in the living room!

As Mina and Hotaru entered the living room, Brock and Ash let their jaws drop way down. Who knew that warriors could look like princesses! (Duh! They are princesses!)

"Wow! M-M-Mina! You look. you look. you look fantastic," Brock stuttered. Mina blushed.

"Hotaru, you look like a. like a. like a princess!" Ash exclaimed. Hotaru giggled.

"Thanks! Now where are we going?" Mina and Hotaru asked at the same time. Brock and Ash turned red. They forgot to make reservations!

"You're going to The Boudoir. And we're joining you!" said a voice. Mina looked up at the stairs. There stood Serena and Darien. Serena was wearing a puffy pink gown with a white bodice. Darien wore a white tuxedo without a mask. They both looked like they had stepped out of a designer magazine!

"You mean you made reservations for us?" asked Ash. Serena nodded.

"Thanks, you guys! We forgot to make ours!" Brock said. Mina and Hotaru slapped him and Ash upside the head. "Ow!"

Mrs. Ketchum popped her head into the living room from the kitchen.

"You kids have fun! I'll be right here. Lita is going to teach me a new recipe for meatloaf and cherry pie. Oh! My little boy going on his first date." she cried as she burst into tears. Ash sweat dropped.

"You guys have, fun! And tell me everything that happens, O.K Serena?" called Lita's voice.

"Bye Mom! We'll be back at around 8. See ya'!" Ash hustled his friends out the door and the group set out for the restaurant. Little did they know, there was a crouched figure standing in the shadows, watching with sad eyes and silvery tears.

"Maybe I should go out too.it'd get my mind off of him."

5.1.1.1.1.1 Viridian City

5.1.1.1.1.1.1 The Boudoir

The restaurant turned out to be in Viridian City. The 6 had used Hotaru's abra to teleport themselves to The Boudoir. As Hotaru entered through the large double doors, soft violin music could be heard playing. How romantic!

"Sigh. This place is totally dreamy, you guys!" breathed Serena. Darien grinned.

"Of course, Meatball Head! I made reservations!" Serena hit him with her purse in mock anger.

"I've been hit!" exclaimed Darien in pretend agony. Mina giggled. Those two were made for each other! And they looked cute together too!

"Let's get ourselves a table," suggested Hotaru. A waiter showed the group to a large table that sat exactly 6 people. He passed out the menu and left.

"Hmm. What should I get?" asked Serena.

"How can you even tell? The entire menu is in French," answered Hotaru.

"I can read it. I took French for a while back in high school. I'll have the lemon chicken," said Darien. Serena nodded.

"I'll have that too!"

"One order of grilled river trout for me," said Mina.

"French sesame noodles for me please," requested Hotaru. Sesame noodles of any type were her favorite food.

"And I'll have the filet minion," added Brock.

Ash stared at the menu. He wanted to impress Hotaru, so he tried to order for himself. He read the menu and ordered the thing that was easiest to read: escargot. Darien made a face and ordered the food and when it came, Serena was first to dig into her chicken. Ash, Hotaru, Brock, and Darien sweat dropped. How embarrassing!

The waiter stared at Ash as he began to eat. "Hey, this is good!" The waiter's eyes bugged out and he said in a heavy French accent,

"It is surprising to find such a young man enjoy his escargot, after all, they are snails!"

"Snails? Ew!" Ash looked closely at his dish. Sure enough, they were snails!

"Do you take refunds?"

"Non." Ash had to finish them. The rest laughed good heartedly at Ash's mistake. He only blushed.

Slowly, the rest of the teens ate their food. Afterwards, Mina and Brock walked outside to the small lake. Serena and Darien stayed inside, but went to a smaller table. Yet they were still close to Ash and Hotaru. (Hey! Can't leave em' without some kind of supervision!)

Hotaru and Ash sipped at their hot chocolate. It felt good to be sitting there, alone. (Well, sort of alone!)

"I'm having a great time, Ash. Thanks for inviting me out to dinner!"

"No problem. Listen, Hotaru. There's something I want to tell you."

"Go ahead."

"I really like you. I mean like, like you. Okay. I love you."

"I do too, Ash."

"You do?"

"Since I saw you."

"Really? Me too!"

"I." Hotaru was about to say something, but instead leaned over and gave Ash a small kiss in the lips. Hotaru blushed. His first kiss! He leaned over and returned the favor. Her first kiss! The two teens would never forget this night for the rest of their lives.

5.2 Meanwhile.

Mina sat on a cold stone bench, shivering. Bock noticed this and gave Mina his coat. She smiled at him.

"Thanks, Brock."

"Are you feeling warmer?"

"Yes."

"Good. I wouldn't want you to catch a cold. Super heroines should stay healthy!" Mina gave him a playful punch in the arm and kissed him. Brock's face turned beet-red. "Thanks, Mina. No one's ever actually liked me, even if I do have a crush on her.

"Don't mention it. After all, a super heroine is supposed to help people in need, especially cute and hunky people!" ^_^

5.3 Elsewhere.

Darien stared at Serena from across the table. She looked so beautiful tonight. But it was not like she always didn't. Serena glanced up at him and smiled slightly.

"Hey, Darien. Do you remember what the day after tomorrow is? Here's a hint: I SLAPPED YOUR CHEEK AND NEARLY DIED! Rini would slap you too if you forgot!" Darien grimaced. How could he forget a second time? He nearly lost his true love the first time! He remembered how Serena wanted glass shoes. He said that Christmas was 6 months away and got slapped for it.

"I remember. It's your 17th birthday! Rini's 7th birthday too! You slapped me in the face because I (supposedly) forgot. Then Kaorinite tried to steal your pure heart crystal."

"Yay! You did remember! I'm so glad!"

"Glad that I remembered your birthday or that I stopped Kaorinite?"

"Both. And I want to thank you a second time!" Serena pulled herself over next to Darien and gave him a gigantic smooch on the lips. Darien looked surprised for a second, but then relaxed and returned the kiss.

"You're very welcome, Princess Serenity. My Neo-Queen Serenity." Darien winked at her. "Don't worry, Meatball Head. I won't forget this year. Not after what almost happened. That could have been your last birthday, Meatball Head!"

5.3.1.1