BTW ASH IS SHIRTLESS FROM CHAPTER 4-6

Ash stepped outside. He was tired of waiting in his tent and he still couldn't sleep. Pikachu woke up suddenly and followed him out.

Ash noticed that Brock was sitting by the campfire. He quickly sat down next to him.

"Couldn't sleep huh?" Brock smiled.

"No." Ash blinked. He was happy that he had someone to talk to.

"Worried about Dawn? I heard you guys arguing. Do you think that she's still mad at you?"

Ash put his head in his hands. "I don't know. It seemed like she wanted to say something to me in the forest, but Paul stopped her. Aw, what's the point? She loves him not me."

"Ash, now you know that's not true. Like you said, Paul is just a jerk. He's just kinda good at persuading people. It's not your fault."

"Yes it is. I shoulda talked to Dawn before about my... Wait! How did you know that I?" Ash jerked his head up.

Brock smiled. "It's been obvious for a really long time. To tell the truth, she really likes you too. She always blushes when she's around you and giggles. Like you, she can't tell you either."

"Then why don't you help us?"

"Do you really want me to do that? It's your relationship. Not mine. Mine is with Nurse Joy, Officer Jenny..." Brock was daydreaming again.

Ash snapped his fingers in front of Brock's face. "Dude, snap out of it!"

"Sorry." Brock quickly shook his head. "As I was saying, just talk to her. Who knows? This might be the start of something new?"

"Yeah sure. The start of something new with Paul. I was gonna tell her my feelings, but Paul interuppted me. I really hate that bastard. What does Dawn see in him anyway?"

"I don't know. But don't forget, Dawn's a girl. She doesn't exactly see things the way we do. Plus, you know Paul is just nice to her 'cause he has one thing on his mind."

Ash jumped up. "No, there is no way. That's not possible. I'm not gonna let that happen. She may be just another girl to him, but to me, she's everything. She means more to me than life itself!"

Brock tilted his head. "Wow man, that's deep. Just tell her that already!"

Ash nodded. "You know what? I will tomorrow morning, I'm gonna walk up to her and tell her exactly how I feel."

"What about Paul?"

"Just let him try to stop me, I'll kill him if I have to!"

"Wow! Yeah okay! You know what? I'm gonna go to sleep now, and I think you should too! Good-night dude."

"Night." Brock went inside his tent. Pikachu jumped on Ash's lap.

"Pika!"

"Yeah Pikachu, you can go to bed. I'll be fine. Meet you in there soon." Pikachu nodded and left. Ash sighed. "What am I gonna do?"

"I'll tell you what? You're gonna leave me and my girlfriend alone!" Paul suddenly appeared. "Pathetic."

"She's not your girlfriend! And she's not another one of you sex-toys either!" Ash said angrily.

"Oh yeah. Well why is she sleeping with me then? And might I tell you, she is so warm..."

"SHUT UP! I don't know what you did to her, but it ends here."

"Ketchum, you really don't get it do you? She wanted to sleep with me. She wanted to not be left alone. And surprisingly enough, she chose me over you to spend time with. Get it in your head. She doesn't love you. At all!" Paul grinned evily.

"She did until you came along. All you've been doing is lying to her. You turned her against me."

"Well. It's not my fault you never made a move. But fine you want to settle this, let's settle this." Without warning, Paul punched Ash in the eye. Before Ash had time to think, Paul punched him again: this time in the stomach. Ash fell to the ground.

He tried to get up. "Like I was saying. She wants a strong man," Paul continued. With those words, Paul kicked Ash in the face as hard as he could. Ash's eyes closed, and his world became black.

Paul picked Ash up. He carried him to Ash's tent and dropped him painfully in there. Pikachu woke up. He remained quiet though so that Paul wouldn't notice.

"You should have given up while you had the chance, lover boy. Maybe you wouldn't have had to suffer so much. And now, on to Dawn. You're going to love what I have instore for her." He left the tent and went back in his own, waiting for the chance to strike.

Pikachu jumped on Ash. He tried to wake him up by licking his face, hitting it, and jumping on it. But nothing worked. Pikachu began to cry. He understood what happened and knew that Dawn was in danger. But what could he do? Paul was unbeatable!

I know that this chapter was kinda boring. But I promise, more Pearshipping is coming up soon.