A dark and foreboding feeling seemed to emanate from every inch of the eterna forest. Trees hung low and the encroaching canopy easily blocked out most of the noon sun hanging high in the sky. The rocky path winding through it narrowed by the towering trees, branches hanging so low it felt like the leaves were reaching down to grab any unassuming passersby.
Ash held misty's hand tightly in his seemingly unphased by the oppressive atmosphere as they strolled through the maze like trail. Only pikachu seemed nervous, perched on ash's shoulder, tail and ears perked up intently surveying the sights and sounds around them.
They passed a small group of trainers searching in a low patch of grass possibly for some kind of bug pokémon. Watching them for a short time, crouched low in the undergrowth plotting out a plan of attack while they attempted to corner their obscured prey. Their earnest attempt ending with one young boy plastered to a tree by the sticky webs of a frightened wurmple all the others cackling loudly while trying to free their trapped comrade.
"man can you believe that we used to be like that?" he tells misty mulling over memories.
"actually can you believe you used to be like that" she says while chuckling. "you would always be off digging through the grass, combing every inch of a cave or climbing some damn mountain looking for the next greatest addition to your team. We always somehow got roped into your schemes and sometimes ended up worse than that poor kid back there!"
"that's not how I remember it!" he retorts a bit taken aback hearing a history differing heavily from his own.
"of course it's not" she continues with a smile. "you were having a great time. No matter what happened as long as you had fun nothing could keep you down. I'd say that it was endearing if it weren't for all the scrapes and bruises I suffered either saving you from danger or as a result of your chase!"
She halts their trek momentarily to stand cutely before ash both of his hands held loosely in hers, bright blue eyes staringly happily up at him and a smile that could melt an avalugg. "clearly though, you may have noticed that even after all that, I don't hold any hard feelings!" punctuating her statement she lifts herself up on her tip toes giving him a quick little kiss then releasing his hands does a little twirl and starts marching joyously ahead of him.
"I'll show you hard feelings!" he yells up at her in a weak attempt to save face.
"don't tease a girl with a good time ash!" giggling loudly at how easily he fell in to her trap.
Cheeks beet red now, he knows he's beat. Taking one last look at how much fun those kids were having hunting pokémon, he still can't help but think about how wonderful it all was, being young and stupid, leaving basically everything to chance, existing simply to keep searching the next day. It was the best.
Turning back around misty has already sauntered off ahead of him quite a bit so ash hurries his pace to catch up to her.
Hours in to it at this point, ash has taken to watching the trees as the rustle gently. Every so often catching a glimpse of a murkrow or slakoth hidden in the shade underneath just living their lives subconsciously aware of the humans walking below them, but understanding they aren't currently a threat. A loud rustle to the left reveals a dustox emerging from a low bush rising purposefully towards the crowded canopy.
Misty was still ahead of him, a confident gait to her step, whistling a chirpy kind of tune to herself. She had taken to letting her hair down lately which ash found very pleasing at the moment, wind blew through it easily, and it quite adorable watching her mindlessly tuck a few stray strands behind her ear they ever dared move in front of her face. Her shirt seemed ill fitting on her body see as how the neckline of the shirt was wide enough that allowed it to hang off of her right shoulder in a very fashionable way and cropped in a way that showed off her toned midsection. The bright red suspenders she always wore somewhat loose but tight enough to emphasize her breasts as they bracketed them on either side. With simple silver claps they have tightly on to her very short shorts. Not wearing a belt they hung slightly loose around her hips giving him a brief glimpse of her sky blue panties with each step she took. The force of the suspenders pulling up just enough on the shorts to accentuate her perfectly pecha berry shaped butt.
Her legs, long and athletic, perfectly built for helping her swim effortlessly around the water and mesmerizing to watch while she walked perfectly topped off by a super casual pair of high top canvas sneakers.
He thought she was perfect.
He'd never really taken the time to truly appreciate her look and physique, she clearly took care of herself, but that wasn't hard seeing as they spent most of their time moving around on foot! Part of him wondered if she was purposely walking in front of him hoping he was taking it all in, true or just fantasy he was sure she wouldn't mind, she'd probably just tell him "it was about time he started paying attention to something." a cheeky grin appearing on his face at the thought.
Ash wasn't exactly doing terribly himself however, fairly fit though not exactly muscular but still seemed to hide his body under baggy pants and a t-shirt or jacket anyway. Somehow he still seemed to have the fashion sense of a teenager completely unaware of what fashion even was. His hair was getting quite long these days that his hat had a hard time holding it all back but he never remembered to stop and get it cut.
A voice breaking him from his thoughts he sees that misty has stopped a few feet in front of him and was pointing to an old abandoned house or mansion rose out of the trees before them. Dilapidated, broken, and ominous in appearance they both stare at it wondering how long it's been here.
"I don't think I remember seeing this the last time I came through here?"
"should we go check it out?" she asks excitedly. "It could be fun! Maybe it's even haunted.." misty raised her arms in a ghostly manner and tried her best to make spooky sounds without cracking up.
"Well it is getting late.. And it might at least be better than sleeping on the ground around here. I haven't really seen any good places to set up camp."
"It's settled then! We're going to explore a scary ghost house tonight! Hope you don't have your soul sucked out of you in your sleep.." she says teasing him.
"hmm that'd be impossible, I think you did that this morning misty."
"oooh.. that was a good one! But I have to disagree.. I could have sucked harder!"
Leaving ash in slightly in shock misty rushes off to see if she can find a way inside.