Oh, is it Wednesday already? I'm losing track of time XD Well, since I'll be insanely busy tomorrow with my dance classes coming off of spring break, here's the next chapter for you guys! You all seem to be really enjoying the story so far, which is awesome! I didn't think it would get the kind of reception it's getting right now, so thanks! You guys rule! This chapter is the longest as of now, so that should keep you guys occupied until I have time for the next one!

Character's Ages:

Ash: 16

Misty: 16

Iris: 16

Cilan: 19

Delia: 35

Misty watched carefully as Ash stripped the old sheets off of the bed, stopping every now and then to close his tired eyes and lean his hands against the mattress.

"I could've done this, you know," Misty wisely cracked as Ash opened one eye to look at her. "And I also could've slept on those sheets."

"They've been on this bed forever," Ash smirked, going back to work. "It's about time they were changed, anyway."

"But you're tired," Misty reasoned with the dark haired trainer. Not like it would make much of a difference now. The sheets were already half off and there was no turning back. "I feel bad."

"You? Feel bad for me?" Ash snickered. "Good one, Mist."

"Hey, I'm perfectly capable of feeling bad for you!" Misty narrowed her eyes.

"Oh, like when you yell at me and call me all those names?" Ash looked back up at Misty with his signature, lopsided grin.

"I do that out of caring friendship," Misty answered quickly.

"Yes, because hitting people over the head with a wooden hammer is a sure fire sign of friendship," Ash grunted as he shook the feather pillow out of its soft pillowcase.

"Don't disparage my mallet," Misty playfully chastised Ash. "Or else you just might have to deal with him later."

"I'll shut up then," Ash laughed. Holding his hands out, he called, "okay, give me the new sheets."

"I can put them on myself," Misty held the soft folds of material a little closer to her body. "You're tired, Ash."

"I know I am," Ash sighed. "But you're a guest here. I'm not gonna have you make your own bed."

"Can I at least help?" Misty frowned.

Ash glanced up at the gym leader and smirked once again. "You're persistent, aren't you, Mist?"

"Yeah, because you're dumb and trying to be all chivalrous," Misty tried to sound angry when she said it, but she couldn't help throwing in a delicate laugh at the end. "Come on, let me help."

Sighing playfully, Ash rolled his neck and drawled, "oh, alright. If you insist. Get over here and help me."

Misty grinned and strode over to the bed, tossing the folded pillow case to Ash. He raised a curious eyebrow and held up the smallest rectangle of material before once again gazing at Misty, who was busy unfolding the larger pieces of material.

"Misty?" Ash tiredly prodded.

"What?" Misty replied innocently, not bothering to take her eyes off of the ivory material in her hands.

"You only gave me the pillowcase."

"I know."

"I thought we were going to help each other to make the bed."

"You are helping," Misty smiled as she looked up at Ash. "You're going to put the pillow in the pillowcase."

"What am I? A little kid? I know how to put sheets on a bed, Misty."

"Well, according to Iris, you are in fact a little kid," Misty winked at the dark haired trainer.

"She always calls me that," Ash rolled his eyes. "Sometimes it gets on my nerves."

"I'm pretty fond of Iris," Misty grinned, stretching the bottom cover over the mattress. "I mean, at first, I wasn't so sure. I was kind of jealous of-"She cut herself off instantly, trying not to turn red over what she had just said.

"Jealous of what?" Ash tried to get the rest out of her, not understanding where Misty had been going with that.

"Nothing," Misty shook her head. "Grab the other side of the cover, won't you?"

Ash nodded and took the other side into his hands. "But, Misty, jealous of what?"

"What I meant was…I was jealous of her hair," Misty replied lamely, hating herself for how stupid that sounded. "It's so long and silky…it's really pretty. I've been considering growing my hair out, you know."

Ash raised an eyebrow. He wondered why Misty was telling him about what she wanted to do with her hair. He just liked it when she wore it down, and that's all he knew. For now, her bright red hair was tied up into a ponytail. It was still on the side, but her hair had grown much longer since Ash had last seen her, so it no longer stuck up. Instead, it now hung down elegantly; just brushing up against her shoulder, the fair skin of which was displayed thanks to the yellow tank top Misty was wearing. On her other shoulder, a red ribbon was tied around the strap of the tank, which Ash found to be unusually girly for the water type specialist. He liked it, though. It was a nice change for her. The girl's long legs were highlighted by a pair of diminutive red denim shorts, and on her feet, she wore light blue sneakers with red rubber fronts and shoelaces.

"Ash?" Misty's delicate voice broke him out of his trance.

"Huh? Oh, sorry," Ash shook his head, his long, dark hair swaying as he did so.

"I get it, you don't want to hear me talk about my hair," Misty giggled, spreading out the top sheet over the bedspread. "Such a boy."

"If you want to talk about your hair, I'll listen," Ash tilted his head.

Misty snickered and shook her head. "Oh, Ash. You're so funny."

"How am I funny?" Ash took the other side of the sheets.

"You just are. You're…sweet. And very sincere."

"And that makes me funny?"

"It certainly makes you fun."

Ash smiled at Misty, although she couldn't see it because her head was down. They quickly finished with the top sheets, and then the comforter. The two grinned as they studied their finished work, but Misty soon gasped and looked up at Ash as though she was appalled.

"What?" Ash's face fell. "What did we do wrong? I think the bed looks good!"

"Ash…" Misty quietly breathed.

"What?" Ash was starting to get nervous.

"You forgot to…put the pillow in the pillowcase!" Misty yelped, causing Ash to sigh heavily and cover his wildly beating heart with his hand.

"Mist, you scared me! I thought I seriously screwed something up!"

"You're so easy," Misty giggled, wiping away a tear that had fallen out of her eye from laughing too hard.

"Mist," Ash whined, although he couldn't stop the smile that was etching its way onto his face.

"Here, I'll do it for you," Misty grabbed the pillow and the unfolded pillowcase. "As a "sorry for teasing you" gift. How does that sound?"

"Wonderful," Ash smirked playfully as he sat down on the bed. "I don't know what I would do without you."

"Yes, I don't know how you survive on all of these journeys when I'm not there," Misty was glad Ash's back was facing her so he couldn't see her powerful blush. I'm doing a bit too much of this tonight…stupid face.

"I get by," Ash laid down, his eyes closing as soon as his head hit the soft mattress. "Just barely. But I get by."

"You'd better not fall asleep on my bed," Misty threw the newly outfitted pillow back on the bed as she folded her arms.

"Mist…I'm so tired…" Ash breathed quietly.

"Your own bedroom is right down the hallway," Misty narrowed her eyes. "Pikachu is waiting for you in there. So, come on, get out."

"Misty…" Ash's head turned to the side, and his breathing slowed down even further.

"Ash?" Misty raised an eyebrow.

Everything was quiet now. Growling, she bent over and shook Ash by the shoulders. Ash responded by snoring quietly, his mouth opening slightly as he let out the offending noise.

"Really?" Misty groaned, rolling her eyes back. Looking back down at Ash, she muttered, "You're going to make me sleep in your room?"

Ash snored again.

"Fine," Misty snatched up the pillow she had just stuffed into the pillowcase and chucked it at Ash's stomach. It rolled off listlessly as his chest rose and fell with his gentle breaths. Sighing, Misty turned around to leave the room, muttering under her breath, "good night, Ash."

She closed the door to the guest bedroom and made her way to Ash's own bedroom, where she would make her living quarters for the night. Stepping into the light green room, Misty sighed and sat down on the bed.

At least the walls are my favorite color, Misty thought with a smile. Not feeling overly tired, Misty got back up and began to look around Ash's room. She knew to respect other people's privacy, and to not open up his drawers or anything that was closed. Misty had absolutely no desire to know what a teenage boy could possibly be hiding in his bedroom.

She surveyed the items atop Ash's light oak dresser: a focus band, a collection of soothe bells, a wooden Teddiursa statue, a trophy won through some competition that Misty wasn't familiar with…it was all very, well how could she put it?

It was all very Ash.

On his walls were some framed certificates, also from various Pokémon competitions. There was even a diploma which, once Misty learned after reading it, was from the Pokémon Summer Academy in Sinnoh. She remembered Ash telling her all about it in a letter once, and mentioning meeting a girl named Angie. Misty had been jealous immediately, of course, and decided right away that she didn't like the girl. They had never met, and they didn't have to.

Stepping away from the diploma, Misty realized of course that she was being dumb. Just the stereotypical, annoying teenage girl. Yes, she liked Ash. She liked him in that special, more than just friends kind of way. But that didn't mean he felt the same way. It was a cruel fact, but that's just what it was: a fact. Misty had to learn to accept that there would be other girls around Ash, and that just because they were girls, didn't mean that they automatically fell in love with Ash.

But how couldn't they? He was so sweet and kind, and so charming, whether he knew it or not. He was a very talented Pokémon trainer, who knew just how to treat and raise Pokémon. On top of it all, Ash was incredibly handsome, and he became more so every time Misty saw him. He had started off as a cute little boy, but now he was a very good looking young man.

Sighing, Misty walked over to her light blue backpack, which she had left on one of the steps of the ladder that led up to Ash's bed. She opened it up and pulled out her pajamas: a mint green camisole matched with a pair of yellow and blue plaid shorts.

Changing quickly, Misty ascended the steps and settled herself into Ash's bed, pulling the covers over herself and nestling her head right underneath the pillow on the mattress. Raising the sheets to her face, Misty buried her nose into them and took in the scent of the soft material. Amazingly enough, they smelt exactly like Ash.

That was incredible, to Misty. Ash hadn't slept in this bed for an entire year, yet it still held his warm, familiar scent. Misty loved it; the aroma was woodsy and mature, yet held a hint of something sweet, like chocolate. She only wished she could smell this all the time.

Breathing out in a content fashion, Misty hugged the sheets more tightly and drifted off into a deep sleep, all while taking in Ash's comforting, lingering scent.

XXX

The next morning, Misty awoke to the sound of Pidgey chirping and sunlight pouring through the windows of Ash's bedroom.

Ash's bedroom, Misty thought laughingly to herself as she rose. It was strange to think that she had just spent the entire night sleeping in her best friend's bed. Oddly enough, it was the most restful night of sleep she'd had in awhile.

Climbing down the ladder, Misty decided that she wouldn't get changed back into her day clothes until after breakfast. She was too hungry, and besides, her pajamas were super comfortable. Smiling to herself, Misty opened the door of the Ash's bedroom and slipped out into the hallway, heading down the stairs and straight into the kitchen.

What the water type specialist found was that Ash, Iris, and Cilan were already awake, and that all three were sitting at the table, still clad in their own sleepwear.

"Well well, look who decided to join us!" Cilan laughed warmly.

Misty smiled at the Pokémon connoisseur. "How strange. I'm not usually the last one to breakfast."

"You'd better take a seat, then," Iris advised the red head. "Otherwise Ash is going to eat all of your food."

"Am not!" Ash refuted, although it was rather hard to understand him considering his mouth was stuffed with breakfast.

"Ash, must you talk with your mouth full?" Delia chastised her son from her spot at the counter.

"Took the words right out of my mouth," Misty giggled, taking the vacant chair next to Ash. Glancing over at the trainer, Misty smirked and rested her head on her hand. She watched Ash eat until he realized she was staring at him, at which point he swallowed his mouthful of food and turned his own head towards her.

"What?" He asked rather innocently.

"How did you enjoy sleeping in my bed?" Misty raised an eyebrow, smirking at Ash all the while.

"It was nice," Ash chuckled before playfully firing back, "how did you enjoy sleeping in mine?"

"It was actually really comfortable," Misty laughed. "I was surprised."

"What, you thought my bed wasn't going to be any comfortable?" Ash huffed.

"I never said that," Misty smirked. "I just never thought that I would ever be sleeping in your bed. That's not something that I think about, Ash."

Iris shifted her dark brown eyes between the long time friends. She found their relationship to be…unique. It was tense and occasionally awkward for the bystanders such as Cilan and herself, yet at the same time, it was friendly and teasing. She could tell that they were close…but just how close were they?

"So, Mist, are you ready for our trek back to Cerulean City?" Ash smirked.

"You really don't have to come with me, Ash," Misty sighed.

"But my Mom wants me to," Ash frowned.

"Oh, Ash, you're not a little baby," Misty rolled her eyes. "Stop being such a Mama's boy. You're a grown up…sort of. You should be able to stand up for yourself, no?"

"And what if I don't wanna?" Ash crossed his arms and turned his head away like an immature kid.

"Then I'm wasting my time," Misty rolled her eyes, standing up to place her plate in the sink.

Becoming alarmed, Ash whipped around in his chair and stared down Misty with watchful brown eyes, as though he were a father watching after his troublesome young child. "Where are you going?"

"To get dressed," Misty replied without turning to look at the boy. "You don't expect me to go home in my pajamas, now do you?"

"No…" Ash trailed off.

"Then shush."

Ash furrowed his brow as Misty turned off the faucet and marched towards the stairs, her just past the shoulder hair swaying rather violently as she strode up the steps.

"Ash?" Cilan's curious voice finally brought Ash's attention back to the breakfast table. "How exactly does the relationship between you and Misty work?"

"It's like you read my mind!" Iris gasped, beaming at the connoisseur. "I was just thinking the same exact thing!"

"What do you mean our relationship?" Ash raised an eyebrow.

"You are friends, aren't you?" Cilan pressed.

"Of course we are!" Ash's cheeks reddened out of anger at this question. How could anyone think that he and Misty weren't friends? "What makes you think that we're not?"

"Well, you two always seem to be on the verge of a blow up," Cilan frowned.

"I agree," Iris nodded. "Misty is a really cool girl, but you two both seem so hot headed when you're together!"

"That's just how we work," Ash shrugged. "You guys don't get it. It's always been this way."

Sighing, Cilan smiled sadly at the younger boy and apologized, "I'm sorry, Ash. I didn't mean to encroach on this subject. It certainly wasn't my intention to rile you up!"

"Huh?" Ash blinked before slowly figuring out what Cilan meant. He often wished that the mint haired boy would use easier words, and not try to be so elaborate all the time. "Oh, it's fine! You didn't make me mad at all, Cilan!"

"So, Ash, since you know that you and Misty are friends…" Iris smirked.

"Yeah?" Ash prompted after she trailed off.

"Do you ever think about her…a little differently than just that?" Iris giggled, reaching for an apple that was sitting in a bowl of fruit in the center of the table.

"Different than just a friend?" Ash blinked.

Iris simply nodded, unable to speak with her mouth full of apple.

"Yeah, sometimes I think about how she's such a great gym leader!" Ash grinned. "It makes me proud of her, when I think of that. She's so powerful and really talented!"

Iris scowled as she swallowed her bite of fruit. "Oh, Ash, I don't mean it like that!"

"You don't?"

"No!"

"Then…how did you mean it?"

"Do you ever think that, maybe…just maybe…you…like like her?"

"Like like?" Ash looked even more confused than when Cilan had first started proposing his questions about the stability of his and Misty's friendship.

"You're not going to tell me you don't know what that means?" Iris planted her hands firmly on her hips. "You were never teased by other little kids growing up?"

"Just Gary," Ash shrugged. "But he never said anything about like liking girls…"

"Iris," Cilan whispered into the dragon trainer's ear, causing her to look up at her older traveling companion. "I don't think you're going to get through to Ash on this one. Don't you remember when we helped to solve that Cottonee's love problem?"

Iris twisted her mouth and thought back to whatever Cilan could be talking about.

"You don't remember?" Cilan pressed.

"Refresh my memory?" Iris sheepishly requested.

Chuckling so sweetly that it made Iris subconsciously blush, Cilan recanted, "when we stumbled upon the Cottonee during their mating season, and there was that one stray Cottonee who kept trying to impress the female that he was so enamored with?"

"Oh, now I remember!" Iris giggled. "And we helped him to get stronger so that he could impress her and they would fall in love!"

"Precisely!" Cilan nodded, before his lips bent into a frown. "But, if you'll recall, Ash had absolutely no clue as to why the Cottonee was trying to make such an impression on the female. He just thought they were trying to build up a friendship."

"He's such a kid!" Iris whined, taking another ravenous bite out of apple. "There's no hope for him," she mumbled with a full mouth.

"Iris, don't speak with your mouth full," Cilan laughed nervously as the skin over his cheekbones flashed pink.

Just then, Misty re-emerged from upstairs, dressed back in the same outfit she'd been wearing the day before. Once again, her hair was tied up, and this time, her light blue backpack was slung over her right shoulder.

"You're leaving already?" Ash sounded almost hurt.

"I'm sure we'll have time to see each other at least once more before you leave on your next journey," Misty smiled sadly. "But if not…that's okay."

"No, I promise we'll see each other again!" Ash jumped out of his chair, leading Cilan and Iris to stare disbelievingly from behind him. It seemed almost like Ash was about to run up to Misty and beg her not to leave. Of course, everyone knew nothing like that would ever happen. "I promise, Mist."

"Just promise me you won't force yourself," Misty tried to smile as she shook her head.

"I would never force myself to see you," Ash breathed. "Really."

Misty nodded now and continued to walk towards the door.

"Wait!" Ash called as she grabbed a hold of the door knob. Misty's head shot up and she stared at Ash. Iris and Cilan leaned in close to one another, blushing furiously and separating a few inches after realizing just how close they actually were. Was this it? Was Ash actually going to do something sweet and romantic?

"What is it, Ash?" Misty asked curiously.

"Are you sure you don't want me to walk back to Cerulean with you?" Ash inquired softly.

Iris and Cilan held their breath. What would Misty say? This could change everything about the two! Well, even though Iris and Cilan had only known Misty for a day, they still assumed that it would be a life altering experience.

"No, I'm fine," Misty laughed just once. "I don't want to force you to come with me."

Beg her you little kid, beg her! Iris screamed in her head.

"Okay," Ash replied meekly, causing both Cilan and Iris to fall back in their chairs in disappointment. "If this is what you really want."

No, it isn't, Misty thought sadly before once again smiling up at Ash. "I'm sure. Thank you for the offer, Ash. And tell your mother thank you for all of her hospitality over the last 24 hours. I really appreciate it."

All Ash could do was nod and watch as Misty slipped out the door and began to head back towards Cerulean. Alone.

"Ash, you idiot!" Iris yelled, jumping out of her seat and banging her fists against the table.

"Huh?" Ash whipped around, looking frantic. "What did I do?"

"You…you just…" Iris sighed and shook her head, covering her eyes with a hand. "Oh, never mind."

And with that, she stormed away from the table and out into the backyard, slamming the door behind her. Ash shot Cilan a bewildered look, to which the Unovian gym leader chuckled and slowly stood up himself.

"I'll go talk to her," Cilan offered.

"Good idea," Ash agreed. "You always seem to be the only one who can break through to her, after all."

Nodding, Cilan went out the same direction that Iris had; out of the back door and onto the porch. He found the darker skinned girl sitting right at the edge, her legs dangling over as she stared out angrily into space.

"Hey," Cilan greeted softly from behind.

Iris looked over her shoulder, her deep brown eyes piercing. Once she processed Cilan's frightened look thanks to her penetrating glare, Iris sighed and softened her glance before returning her head back to its original position. "What is it, Cilan?"

"You certainly are frustrated with Ash, aren't you?" Cilan questioned.

"Of course I am. He's a stupid little kid."

Smiling, Cilan took a seat next to Iris, accidentally placing his hand atop her own. She looked up at him with nervous eyes, and feeling quite embarrassed, Cilan quickly removed his own hand and began to rub it irresolutely.

"Why this time?" Cilan cleared his throat, trying to move on from the inadvertently awkward moment.

"Don't you see it?" Iris sighed. "He and Misty obviously like each other. A lot." When Cilan said nothing, Iris glared at him and seethed, "do you think I'm crazy?"

"No, not at all," Cilan answered quickly and calmly. "I see it as well. It's got the sweet and refreshing aroma of a new beginning. Young love, if you will."

"But Ash is too dense to see it," Iris rested her head in her hand.

"Well, do you think Misty does?" Cilan queried.

"I do," Iris nodded without a moment's hesitation. "I can tell by the way she looks at him! It's been driving me crazy, Cilan, knowing that those two have such deep feelings about one another and don't do anything about it."

"Maybe they don't want to see it," Cilan quietly suggested.

"That's dumb," Iris narrowed her eyes. "Why would they do that?"

"Because maybe they don't want to be in love," Cilan shrugged.

"Well, I won't allow that!" Iris clenched her fists. "When two people feel that strongly about each other, then there's no way they shouldn't get together! That can't happen, and I won't let it! I'm going to do something about this, Cilan!"

"And just what do you plan on doing?" Cilan blinked.

"I'm…not sure yet," Iris sighed lamely. Returning to her determined tone, Iris pumped her fist and continued strongly, "but I'll come up with something really good! And once I do, those two will be thanking me! I just know it!"

Have I mentioned that I love Iris? Because...I do. Seriously, she's my favorite female companion right after Misty.

And for those of you who might be confused due to not watching BW, there's a reason that Iris was eating while talking to Cilan about Ash/Misty and the Cottonee: in the show, when she's talking or hearing about romance, it makes Iris really hungry for some reason. Specifically for fruits, like apples. Hence why she was stuffing her face during their "love" conversation :P

And did you see more Wishfulshipping hints? It's such an awesome pairing, I have to make it a minor storyline ^^

Don't worry, now. I've got plans for everybody :P But what will they be? Stay tuned (or...reading) and find out!