Can you guys believe this is the final day of Pokeshipping Week? It flew by so fast!

I chose to replace the original theme for this seventh and final day, but I actually decided to go back to a previous Pokeshipping Week and use one of the themes I had initially replaced back then! I really loved the theme back then as well, but hadn't been able to come up with anything I liked enough. But this time around, I came up with a cute idea that I wanted to run with, and I'm very happy I finally got to use this particular prompt!

Revisiting Maiden's Peak

It had been eight long years since Ash last visited Maiden's Peak.

An awful lot had happened back then: they'd visited for the annual Summer Festival, eaten lots of delicious junk food, heard an old legend, Brock had been tricked by a Gastly carrying out the old legend, and Team Rocket was there for some reason (because of course they were) …

But for some reason, the one thing Ash remembered most clearly was dancing with Misty at the end of the festival.

He explicitly recalled doing a double take when Misty appeared before him that night, specifically because it was the first time he had actually seen her look like a girl. She'd taken her hair out of its usual side ponytail, put on a beautiful pink kimono, a blue fan held in her hand…Ash could hardly believe it was the same Misty who he usually got into showstopping arguments with.

She'd asked him to dance and Ash, despite his surprise, said yes. He never really knew why. He didn't know how to dance, and he didn't really have any interest in learning, but Misty just looked so nice he couldn't help himself. And so, she'd grabbed his hand (Ash still remembered how warm it was) and pulled him out to where everyone else was already dancing. Much to his surprise, it had been fun, and he hadn't even stepped on Misty's feet once!

It really did feel like a lifetime ago, even though the memory was as clear as day.

That's why he was surprised when Misty had asked him if he wanted to go back there to attend the Summer Festival once again.

"Really?" He'd asked. "After all this time?"

"Sure!" Misty had chirped. "It was really fun the last time. We should try and recreate what it was like when we were 10! Well, aside from the whole 'Brock falling in love with a rock statue of a pretty girl that's actually Gastly who tries to take him to the afterlife' thing."

Ash smiled as he remembered the conversation. Misty always knew how to make him laugh. She was just naturally funny and quick witted; it was one of his favorite things about her.

"Oh, wow. This place is even more beautiful than I remembered it!"

Turning his head, Ash found that Misty was marveling at the sights around them.

"Probably because we were so preoccupied with the haunting last time," Ash playfully reminded her.

Misty giggled and scurried ahead of Ash, up to a nearby railing that overlooked the water. The sun was hanging high in the sky, sparkling off the ripples in the sea while boats crossed back and forth.

"I could just stand here all day," Misty sighed, Ash striding up next to her so he could look out himself. "But I can't! We have to start getting ready for the festival tonight."

"Get ready?" Ash repeated, raising an eyebrow. "I thought all we had to do was show up!"

"Of course not!" Misty laughed. "There's lots we have to do to prepare! Do you even have an outfit for tonight?"

Ash mentally kicked himself. "No, I don't."

Misty raised a teasing eyebrow. "Please don't tell me you thought you were going to fit into the same kimono from eight years ago."

"No way!" Ash refuted. "If you haven't noticed, I've become quite well built since then."

He flexed his arm to show off his muscles, leading Misty to roll her eyes. "You've also gotten a lot taller, but sure, let's start with that."

"It's more fun," Ash replied, lowering his arm as he pouted playfully.

"I don't know, I think it's more fun to talk about the fact you no longer have to look up at me when you talk," Misty quipped, turning Ash's pout into a more legitimate one. Laughing again, she continued, "I have an idea. Why don't you and I split up and head into town so we can find outfits for tonight? We can meet back up in this exact spot right before the festival begins."

"Hold on, you're going to send me shopping on my own?!" Ash exclaimed.

"Yeah," Misty scoffed. "We just talked about this, Ash: you're a big boy, you can pick out your own clothes!"

"Says who?" Ash demanded in a panic. "Just because I can pick something out doesn't mean it'll look good! I don't know anything about fashion! What if I pick out something horrible? Then you won't want to be seen with me!"

Misty shot him a deadpan look. "It's a kimono. It's literally one piece. There's no possible way for you to screw it up."

"Sure, you say that now," Ash grumbled. "What if I choose the wrong colors? Or the wrong pattern?"

"Don't," Misty replied simply.

"Thanks," Ash muttered sarcastically.

Misty giggled and stood up on her toes to give Ash a kiss on the cheek. "Seriously, don't overthink it! Have Pikachu help you. He's got good taste!"

Before Ash could cry out another protest, Misty ran off, excitement radiating off of her like some kind of forcefield. He sighed and looked up towards his shoulder at Pikachu, who had remained quiet during that entire exchange. "Guess I don't have a choice, do I, buddy?"

"Pi," Pikachu refuted, shaking his head.

"Alright, fine," Ash conceded, biting his lower lip. "Let's go shopping…"

XXX

Misty, unlike Ash, was very conscientious of how she was going to look that night.

She remembered the first time at Maiden's Peak just as clearly as Ash did, and the memory still stuck with her. She might have been young back then, but she knew that Ash had looked at her differently in her kimono with her hair down. It was in such a way that it put Butterfree in her stomach, and it made her feel incredibly special.

And now, eight years later and both of them actually aware of their feelings, she wanted to try her best for a repeat performance. Although, Misty still wasn't overly confident Ash remembered that specific moment the same way she did.

I know I told Ash I wanted to recreate that night, but I'm not so sure he knows exactly what I meant by that.

Strolling into the nearby clothing store, the same one Misty had visited all those years ago, her eyes instantly lit up. She may have been more of a tomboy, but Misty absolutely adored shopping. Doing it when she was trying to get something in order to impress Ash made it even better. She would look at all different pieces, tops and bottoms and dresses and accessories, and try to imagine Ash's reaction to each and every one of them. He hadn't been kidding when he said he knew nothing about fashion, but he did know when something looked good on Misty, and that was all that really mattered to her.

She took her time, trying to find a kimono that she felt could get the same kind of response out of Ash as the first one. That one was still stored in her closet back home, and despite her own teasing of Ash that a kimono that old would no longer fit him, she had tried in vain to see if there was any possible way she would still be able to wear her own.

Eventually, however, she stumbled across one that put a big smile on her face and caused her heart to flutter. It wasn't exactly the same as the first, but there were elements that reminded her of it, and that meant that this one was absolutely perfect.

So, she paid for the kimono and exited the store, smiling to herself as she held the bag up. "Hopefully this works…"

XXX

Several hours later, Ash was back in the same spot overlooking the water where he and Misty had last seen each other. With Pikachu's help, he had managed to pick out what he thought was a nice kimono: pale blue in color with a cerulean obi that had reminded him of Misty's eyes. He'd actively chosen to stay away from any sort of pattern, deciding it was too much to think about whether Misty would like it or not. Picking out the colors was hard enough, although he knew for a fact that she liked blues of all different shades and likely wouldn't complain about his choice of clothing.

"I forgot how uncomfortable this thing is," Ash whined, tugging at his collar. "And I feel weird without my hat on, too."

Pikachu sighed and nudged at Ash's neck, earning his trainer's attention. "Pika Pikachupi!"

"I know, it's for Misty," Ash murmured. "I just hope she likes it!"

Hearing footsteps coming towards him, Ash picked his head up, and almost instantly, he fell into what felt like a trance.

Before him stood Misty, her bright red hair down and a fan that almost perfectly matched the color of Ash's obi was being held against her cheek. She was sporting her own, brand new kimono: hers red with a pink floral pattern and a matching pink obi.

"So?" Misty prodded, a hint of nerves in her voice. "What do you think?"

It took a moment, during which Misty began to doubt herself, but Ash soon returned to his senses and replied, "wow, you look so beautiful."

Misty blushed and tried to hide it with her fan. "Thank you! And you look very handsome."

"You think so?" Ash murmured, lifting his arms up. "I did the best I could, and Pikachu thought this was the best looking one."

Misty nodded. "It's perfect." Moving closer to Ash, she held her hand out and asked, "do you want to dance?"

Ash's dancing had not improved in the slightest since the last Summer Festival they'd attended, and he still wasn't all that into it. But despite that, he knew he couldn't say no to Misty. After all, this was a special occasion.

"Sure," Ash breathed, taking Misty's hand. Her hand was just as warm as it'd been last time, and it caused his smile to widen.

Misty led him to the dance floor, only having to drag him a little bit, and soon the two were swaying beneath the colorful paper lanterns and tall wooden torches. Ash was just as cautious with his dancing as he'd been as a kid, continually looking down to make sure he didn't step on Misty's feet. She, of course, took notice of this, and couldn't help but to giggle.

"You know," Misty began, her lips twitching. "This is kind of the real reason I wanted to come back here. Don't get me wrong, I love the whole Summer Festival! But getting dressed up and dancing with you – "

"I know."

Misty turned towards Ash, looking confused. "Know what?"

Ash smirked. "I know that's what you meant when you said you wanted to recreate the last time we were here. After all, we could kind of get this kind of food at any festival. But we couldn't really have the same moment unless we were here."

As shameful as it might have sounded, Misty was surprised. Ash was still on the dense side, and despite being her boyfriend, he wasn't always the most romantically inclined, although he tried his best. She really didn't think he would've realized that this was her main purpose for returning to Maiden's Peak.

"So…you really remember?" Misty asked softly.

Bashfully smiling, Ash nodded. "Yeah, I do. I could never forget how you looked that night. It was the first time I ever looked at you and felt something. Even if I didn't realize it back then, I know what it was now. We've been through a lot together, Mist, and we've done all kinds of stuff. But I really think that night here all those years ago was the best. It's easily one of my favorite memories I have with you."

Letting out a short laugh, Misty strode forward and wrapped her arms around Ash. "I'm so glad you think so. I feel the same way."

Chuckling, Ash dipped his head down and gave Misty a kiss, taking her off guard in the best way possible. And then, he pulled away just enough so their lips were still touching, and he whispered:

"But you know… I think this time might be even better."

And there you have it: another Pokeshipping Week in the books!

I just want to thank everyone who joined me this week. Whether you contributed your own works, read or looked at other people's works, left reviews, reblogged on Tumblr...you are all part of what makes this entire week so great and so special year after year! I said it at the beginning of the week, but I really mean it: Pokeshipping fans are among the best, and it is such an honor to be part of this community.

Until next year!