Hey guys! As promised in my little update on my profile (keep a lookout; they're usually chapter release dates) I have a new chapter. So if you haven't noticed, I haven't really updated my other stories and it's mostly because I'm mostly focusing on this one. I hope you guys can forgive me for the delay...but I think this chapter really makes up for it. I can honestly say that this is one of my favorite chapters and I hope that you guys like it too. I had a lot of fun writing it. Speaking of writing, I have a bunch of new ideas that you can also see on my profile; I just recently updated it.
I kind of moved this chapter pretty quickly because we're nearing the end. We get a cup of Leaf and Ash action (hint hint spin off hint hint), a quarter cup of May and Drew action, a teaspoon of Dawn, a pinch of Marina and Jimmy, a dash of Gary and Misty, add in one angry Gary, and a thick layering of drama...and I present to you chapter 9!
Now enough of my insistent rambling, and let's get on with the chapter!
~Deepika
ps: please follow me on twitter...I give updates! (xxDeepikachuxx)
Chapter 9: Day 6
The next day was full of preparations. All the girls were helping out with decorating the gardens and the actual house, while the men were going shopping for supplies for the dinner. May was especially busy, running around and trying to attend to every matter. Dawn was helping with the design layout and was helping to coordinate where each item should go. Misty, Soledad, and Leaf were on cooking duty, with the rest of the butlers and maids helping.
Ash awkwardly watched everyone moving and hustling from the balcony that was located through the elegant crème white French doors of his room. The ripe morning sun rays beat down creating little sparkles in the air and the dew on the grass shone brightly. Running a hand through his raven black hair, Ash couldn't help but wish he was down there having fun or helping his former friends with the decorations. Memories of his previous travels with Misty, May, and Dawn flooded his brain and made his heart pang with nostalgia. Those years were the best years of his life, and he wouldn't trade them for anything.
But time passed, and Ash slowly found himself drift away from his friends, the ones who had accepted him, put up with him through all his goofiness, the ones who promised to love him for lifetime and onwards. A sigh escaped his tightly pursed lips, and his chocolate orbs slowly drifted down to the backyard without his permission. A pair of leaf green eyes met his and Ash was startled as Leaf gave him a small discreet smile before turning away and going back to help everyone. His heart thumped a little before he realized that everyone else could probably see him and he quickly made his way back into the room.
To his surprise, there was a nicely pressed black tuxedo in a plastic bag that was on a metal hanger. A blue bowtie was left there as well and Ash couldn't help but think about who sent it. He had a pretty good idea of who it was, and was hoping that she would tell him. He traveled to the bathroom where he grasped the counter and stared at his reflection in the mirror. Being Pokemon Master was hard enough but with all the added stress in his life, Ash knew he couldn't keep acting like this. The stress was getting to him and to make it even worse, people were really starting to bag on him and his attitude. Ash shook his head at his reflection as if having a conversation with it. He would get his revenge soon; soon, everything would be just right, just like it was before the whole fiasco occurred.
May was in a daze as a pair of arms wrapped around her waist from the back. Instantly knowing who it was, she leaned back and took a deep breath in through her nose, catching the lingering scent of roses. Drew's beard stubble prickled at her face, but she didn't mind as he stroked small patterns on her stomach. The two stayed silent, knowing that no words were needed and were unnecessary at this time because of the circumstances. The brunette felt a feather light kiss on her temple and sighed, nestling her neck in the crook of Drew's neck. The thought of Gary and Ash socializing in the same room scared her and she wanted this reunion dinner to be perfect. Drew sensed her agitation as he rocked her from side to side like he used to do when her parents or brother or anyone else would upset her.
The Chattot cried in the distance, their annoying coos jolting May out of her daydream and making her turn in her husband's arms. Her normally cheerful and passive face was contorted with fear and worry, having a gut feeling that something was off, and that something bad would happen on the night of the reunion. Drew glanced down into the sapphire eyes that had first drawn him to her and gave her a reassuring smile. He knew how much this dinner and the reunion in its entirety meant to May and he wouldn't let anything or anyone get in the way. Sensing his thoughts, May placed a soft chaste kiss on his lips before grabbing both of his hands and heaving him up. He stumbled with the jolt of sudden force and ended up pushing her down onto the grassy hill, sending her into a fit of giggles. A goofy smile spread across his face as he heard her tinkling peals of laughter and pressed another kiss on her lips.
It seemed so surreal, with the sun shining brightly on them and creating little sparkles when the lights came into contact with the moisture on the ground creating a spectacular view. It was as if the gods above prophesied a wonderful day with absolutely no troubles. The Hayden duo stayed there for a few minutes, just trying to take in everything and pretending that they didn't have a whole mansion and party to get back to. May rolled over and sent Drew onto his back, his chartreuse hair almost blending in with the grass. She shifted herself into her husband's arms, trying to think of how she became this lucky to be in the arms of the man she would forever love, live in a giant mansion, and still be able to do the thing she loved to do the most; coordinate. A small sigh escaped her lips, knowing that she had to get back to the mansion. Drew squeezed her lightly, his jade eyes shining with adoration and love as he watched the brunette.
"Ready to go back to the party planners?" Drew whispered in her ear, his hot breath tickling her lobe and causing her to bite her lip to hide the girlish giggle that would surely ensue. May nodded and squealed as Drew sat up quickly and picked her up in his arms bridal style. Pounding her fists half-heartedly on his chest, May laughed and surrendered, wrapping her arms loosely around his neck.
Dawn groaned and with a disgusted expression her face, she wiped off the thin film of perspiration that had formed on her forehead. She was in a hot pink striped crop top with short stone washed blue jean shorts and flip flops. Her navy blue hair was tied up in a high knot on top of her head and she had a pair of sunglasses on. Though it was nearing winter, the Bichi region, where May and Drew lived, hardly went below fifty degrees. Today was no exception, with the high of 84 degrees Fahrenheit- which was pretty hot, even for this region. It was a nice place to live in and a gorgeous place to host a dinner party, but it was quite unconventional when one was planning the event, mostly because of the amount of time one would have to stay outdoors.
Dawn was just wiping her sweat when a person with aqua blue hair and shining matching colored eyes appeared. The bluenette's face lit up like a Christmas tree and she sprang, almost cartoonlike, at the person. "Marina!" she squealed before tackling the model and event planner to the ground. The two girls erupted into a fit of laughter and hugging and mindless chatter ensued. A slightly taller man chuckled at the sight of the two girls who were still on the ground in a slightly awkward position. Marina, who was now calming down, realized this and pushed Dawn off. The navy haired girl landed on the grass with a soft thud and pouted.
"How's my favorite cousin?" Marina grinned as the man offered a hand to help her up. "Oh, thanks Jimmy," Marina smiled softly, pecking a kiss onto his cheek before turning back to her cousin. "So what's up? I haven't seen you in forever!" the aqua haired girl grinned. Dawn smiled as she rested her head on Marina's shoulder.
"Everything's been fine I mean, nothing new really happened if that's what you're asking," Dawn sighed with a slight tang of disappointment. "So how are you doing Jimmy? I haven't seen you since you two visited Mom and I in Sinnoh."
The tall black haired boy tugged on his hat nervously; he honestly hated it when all attention was put on him and he was in the spotlight. "Eh, I'm alright, but Marina and I have a surprise for you," Jimmy grinned, suddenly remembering the object in his sack. Dawn's face lit up once more and she started to jump around. Laughing, Jimmy pulled out a pokeball, causing Dawn to take a sharp breath and shakily accept the pokemon that was bound to be in there. "Mar and I saw this and we immediately thought of you," he smiled. Dawn's eyebrow rose as she tossed the pokeball in the air and let the pokemon out. A flash of red appeared and then in its place, a little polar bear looking creature with a drippy running nose appeared.
"Cub, cubchoo!" it cooed. The little polar bear looked around and took in the surroundings, slightly cringing when it felt the hot sun shine on its back. Dawn felt her heart melt and gathered the baby pokemon in her arms. Jimmy and Marina looked at each other and smiled when they saw her reaction.
"Cubchoo was hatched from an egg and it's only been in a pokeball for a few weeks," the aqua haired beauty clarified. "Take good care of it; the Beartic that laid the egg was nice enough to give it to us. Jimmy and I helped it find its way back to its nest after a horrible snow storm."
"It's absolutely adorable!" Dawn gasped as she nuzzled the furry creature. Cubchoo squealed a little and laid its head in the crook of her neck, while sucking its paw. "Oh my gosh, he's absolutely precious!" Dawn cooed. The bluenette looked up to see Marina and Jimmy close and smiling and when she looked down, she noticed something glittering.
"Marina...what's on your hand?" Dawn asked, her voice already rising up an octave. Marina slyly smiled as she held up her hand.
"Don't think too much of it, but it's just a promise ring," the aqua haired girl laughed. "I already know I want to spend the rest of my life with Jimmy but we're just not ready to settle down just yet," she smiled softly as Jimmy nodded. Dawn's smile faded a bit, but she nonetheless smiled, happy for her cousin. "Do we hear wedding bells in your future?" Marina asked and watched as Dawn's smile faded even more.
"No, but you can hear them in Misty's," Dawn replied, her smile small but her eyes a bit dull. Marina gasped and smiled brightly for her friend but her heart reached out to her younger cousin. As if the redhead could sense people were talking about her, Misty walked out of the backyard doors and onto the patio where everyone was gathered with Gary right behind her. Her jade eyes sought out Marina and ran to hug her old friend who she had met when she was with Ash in Johto while Gary just stayed behind and watched his beloved fiancé attack the model and singer.
"Marina, oh gosh, I haven't seen you in so long! How are you?" Misty squealed as the two embraced and rocked back and forth. Letting go, Marina examined the redhead's hand and gasped as she saw the jewel glisten in the sun. Misty heard her and looked down; realizing what she was looking, she then held her hand up so Marina could get a better view.
"Misty, it's gorgeous! I guess Gary was a man after all," the aqua haired girl coyly grinned and Misty flushed while looking down. A heartbeat later, she looked at Marina's hand.
"And I see that you and Jimmy haven't wasted time; a promise ring, that's a pretty big step in a relationship," Misty bantered while grinning widely. Now it was Marina's time to blush and the model and singer bit her lip to repress the girly sigh that was aching to come out. Misty embraced her friend once more. "Congrats Mar, I can't wait for the wedding," Misty giggled and Marina's turquoise eyes widened, and the normally calm and poised girl began to blush and stutter.
"I should be saying that to you missy! I expect I'm invited?" Marina questioned. Though she was mostly joking, she still felt the need to ask. Misty rolled her eyes and Marina's heart thumped a bit, almost taking the reaction the wrong way.
"I'd be crazy not to! I mean, who else is going to plan my wedding?" she asked and from the side, Dawn pouted. Misty noticed it and rolled her eyes. "Besides Dawn, I mean. Having the cousin tag team duo is probably the best decision I could ever make." Although Marina was happy to talk about weddings and happy things, there was a question that was burning in the back of her mind. Jimmy had made his way behind her and wrapped his arms around her petite waist. Marina cut into the conversation, knowing that Misty would no doubt react to this badly.
"Misty...is Ash here?" Marina asked and it became silent; not just silent, but so dead silent, that the only noise one could hear was the faint laughter of May and Drew who were no doubt being lovey-dovey with each other. Misty swallowed and Gary, who had been slowly making his way over, almost ran to her and placed his hand on her shaking shoulder.
"Yea, he is here. And he's already picked a bone with just about everyone here," Gary answered for Misty, his voice taking on an icy cool and his gaze was steely and distant. Marina sighed and shook her head slowly, remembering the good times when she, Jimmy, Ash, Brock, and Misty all went on journeys and were friends. Misty sighed heavily and Gary pulled her into his chest, comforting her by placing a soft kiss on her temple. Reluctantly releasing her, Gary walked away, his strides long, angry, and determined, all the way into the house, taking care to slam the door behind him. The girls exchanged nervous looks, but thought nothing of it so they just watched him walk away and hoped that Gary wouldn't do anything bad.
Gary Oak was furious. Not only was he furious about Ash and hurting each of his friends in some way, shape, or form, but he was also mad at himself for not being able to fix it. Running a hand through his hair in a frustrated manner, the prodigious grandson stormed up to his temporary room. He saw that the tux he had ordered was here and someone had delivered it up to his room, taking the time to wrap it in a cover. On top of the bag, however, was a bouquet of flowers, pink carnations to be exact, and a little note.
That was the absolute last straw. Clenching his hands into fists and digging his nails into his palm to keep from screaming at the top of his lungs, Gary marched over to the suit and flowers. It was then that he noticed a piece of crinkled paper; it wasn't fancy like the paper that Misty had received, but a crudely ripped piece of notebook paper that had clearly been ripped out and hastily written on. On the lined paper, was a bunch of barely legible scrawl, but was still legible enough to make Gary's blood boil. The young professor swallowed thickly with every intention of just crumpling the disgusting thing, but decided against it, knowing that all of this desperation and malice had to come to an end at some point. Scanning the note once more, Gary carefully folded it and tucked it into his wallet for safekeeping. Tomorrow, all of this would finally come to an end.
Unbeknownst to the brunette Oak, there was someone outside the door, waiting to hear everything that was going on outside. Satisfied that all was going according to plan, he smirked to himself and slinked to the other side of the hallway where his room was located. If all went well and exactly to plan tomorrow, Misty would be back in his arms tomorrow; it was only a matter of time and patience. But as he made his way to the room, the raven haired devil's chocolate brown eyes met a pair of leaf green eyes that could only belong to one person. His smirk faltered as they stared at each other and the girl offered him a small smile. He nodded curtly, walked the remaining distance to the door, and then closed it. The night would be long...but his plan to get Misty back was worth it.