Freewill

Chapter II

"Ash Ketchum!"

"Oh no!" Ash winced as he looked towards the wiry frame of a certain red-headed fifteen year old.

"You got us lost again."

Ash brushed his hair away from his face and tried to think of an excuse. He failed.

"The scenery is nice," chimed in their third companion.

Misty turned furiously to the tall, tanned youth before her. "The scenery is nice? What scenery? All I see are shrubs, weeds, and CATERPIE!" Misty screeched that last word as she noticed the bug pokemon in front of her. She grabbed a hold of Ash's shirt and clung to him.

Ash smirked as Misty shook with fear, Misty may act all tough, but if there was one thing that Ash could and would always hold against her it was her longtime fear of anything creepy or crawly.

"Awww," he mocked. "Are you afwaid of da wittle catewpie?"

Misty straightened up as the Caterpie inched away from them. "I hate bug types. You know that."

Brock got an evil glint in his eyes. "Why is it," he asked "that you always cling to Ash whenever you're scared?"

"WHAT? I do not!"

"Actually, Mist, you kind of do…" Ash's voice faded as he saw Misty's face turning bright red.

"I…uh..wai-, but..," Misty stuttered, the blush on her face descending down her swan-like neck, and across her delicate collarbone.

"You like me," teased Ash.

"Do not!"

"Do so!"

"Do not!"

"Do so!"

"Not!"

"So!"

"Awww man," Brock moaned to Pikachu. "They're gonna be going at this for the rest of the day!"

"Pika pi…"

For the umpteenth time Brock was trying to consolidate the fighting teens. They hadn't said more than one word to each other for two hours. Brock was past the "thank god they're not fighting anymore stage" out of the "let them work it out" stage and was well into the "this is annoying, they had better apologize" stage. Unfortunately, neither Ash nor Misty was willing to bend first. The both of them walked on opposite sides of Brock and every so often, would let out an annoyed humph. Brock knew that his friends were not at the pinnacle of maturity and would not apologize, unless he did something.

So he did something.

"I am not making anything to eat at all until someone apologizes. Ash and Misty turned to stare at each other. Misty's aqua colored eyes penetrated into Ash's dark brown ones. Eventually Ash's stomach got the best of him.

"Fine!" Ash snapped! "I apologize!"

Misty smirked, "apology, accepted!"

"Great, I'll start my famous lazy boy no-chew stew!" And with a flourish of kitchen utensils Brock was off searching for firewood.

"I take that back!" mocked Ash sticking out his tongue.

"Well, Brock will be interested to hear of this. Face it Ketchum I can go way longer with out a food."

"Cannot!"

"Ash, all you ever care about is food and Pokemon."

"I do not!"

Misty rolled her eyes and examined her fingernails, with a sigh she turned back towards Ash, "Yes, Ash, that is all you ever think about."

Ash sighed and almost looked upset, "I do care about other things, Mist, I swear."

"Sure ya do…"

"I know that my dream to become the greatest master ever is important, but some things are more important."

"Such as?"

"You."

"WHAT??!!"

Ash's face turned bright red as soon as he realized what he had let slip. "Er- I mean you and Brock, and uh- all my friends. He stressed the words friends so Misty didn't get any wrong ideas.

"Oh," she said softly, "I see."

Strange, she seemed saddened. Ash shrugged, girls were so weird sometimes. Suddenly Misty jumped up "let's help Brock collect firewood." Ash nodded and also jumped up.

"Bet I can collect more!"

Misty stared at the cocky fourteen-year old, though she had to look down because she had at least 2 inches on him. "I think not!"

Ash just laughed and took off, "loser," he called back.

Misty was not about to let this arrogant jerk call her a loser. She took off sprinting and her long strides soon surpassed Ash. "Who's the loser now?"

Try as he might Ash couldn't pass her, so he settled for the next best thing.

"Ouch!" cried Misty as she fell to the ground. She glared up at Ash. "You tripped me."

Ash just winked and ran on. By the time Misty got up Ash was disappearing around a turn. She began to run after him, oblivious to the fact that they were being watched.

"That's him, huh Cassidy?"

The lithe blonde women nodded in response to her partner's question.

"Right," cackled Butch, pulling out a gun, "let's go get um'."

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Disclaimer- I don't own pokemon.

Sorry this chap didn't have any action. Unless you count Ash and Misty fighting of course… anyways reviews and critiques are appreciated. Thanks.

-A