Hey peeps! How's it going? Sorry for the delay in writing. I've been uber busy. Just finished uni, started life in the real world, and all the while still trying to figure out what I want to do in life. Growing up is hard. From junior high (my worst years ever), to high school (my most confident years), to university (my most frustrating and occasionally rewarding years ever) to the "real world" (my most confused and financially irritating time ever). I guess life's a journey. And often times in the most darkest and unsure times, I often escape by my "artsy" tendencies, whether it be acting or writing. So I usually write, with time permitting and with inspiration. Lately I've been inspired to write, mostly out of frustration and hardships. But that hopefully means more updates and maybe further endeavors. On that note, I finally finished another chapter of this story that I've fallen in love with writing. It only took me 'X' many months ;P.

Anyway, thanks to those of you who reviewed, namely lyrical-harmonies and inu-rulz. Hopefully I didn't keep you waiting too long, I hate it when stories I love don't get updated, and here I am doing the same thing! I am so happy inu-rulz, that you are relating to Misty. I always smile reading your reviews, especially how enthusiastic you are about the story...its why I finally updated. Lyrical-harmonies, I hope I've been providing you with what you enjoyed when you first reviewed, I don't want to disappoint. Thanks again! And thanks to those who stop by and read! I hope you're enjoying the story and I really do appreciate any comments, wants, dislikes and helpful criticism. If anyone's interested, I also take requests for stories, so give me an e-mail and I'd be happy to respond. So, I bid you to read and enjoy, first and foremost, and if you can, please review. Reviews are what keep most of us authors going. Love you all!! Now onto the story!

P.S. The disclaimer is on the prolouge, please refer to that if you absolutely have to. That is all...

Chapter 3

"Soooo..." Ash began, as he shut the door behind him, "enjoy yourself at the party?"

"Um...yeah, I did, listen Ash-"

"Yeah?" Ash stared into Misty's eyes awaiting her response. Looking into his deep brown eyes, Misty became lost in a trance. "Um, Mist, are you okay?"

Quickly shaking out of her stupor, Misty giggled to herself in embarrassment. "Uh, sorry Ash, I don't know where my head is today, um...what I meant to say is that...well, I guess, I'm sorry."

"For what?" Ash wondered. His own eyes traced the curves of his slim friend. She was absolutely breath-taking, her hair, her dress, her eyes, her lips...

"I should've talked to you today, I mean, you are my best friend and I should've personally congratulated you, because I really am so proud of you and-"

"Misty, Misty, calm down. I know you're proud of me, you did give quite the heartfelt speech y'know. Impressed everyone I know," Ash responded.

Misty sighed, as her gaze made its way to the floor. All these emotions inside her, all these feelings. Confusion, mixed with longing and need made her head spin and brought a lump to her throat. Ash Ketchum, I love you! I love you! Her mind screamed. Her mind shouted what she longed to have escape from her lips. But how could she? What if he didn't feel the same way? His heart belonged to his pokemon, to his Pikachu, they were his true love. So what was she to the pokemon master? His best friend? Or maybe just one of his many friends? Tears welled in her aqua eyes. She couldn't cry; not now, not now. But she couldn't help it, love made her weak. A slight sob escaped her lips.

Ash, for the life of him, couldn't understand what Misty was getting so worked up about. Sure he was disappointed he didn't see her at the party, and yes, he wondered throughout the evening where she was, but she was there and she was here now. Wasn't that enough? Hearing what sounded like a sob, Ash couldn't help but think his friend was over-reacting. But that was Misty. She over-reacted when they'd get "lost" in their travels and now she was crying over this? With his finger, Ash lifted Misty's chin up so that he could look into her face. Tears stained her cheeks. She was so gorgeous, even when she cried, although he preferred her without the tears.

"It's no reason to cry Mist," Ash said.

"I-I know Ash, s-s-sorry, it's just, I was there and I watched you and I was so ha-hap-happy for you and I wish I'd have told you sooner. You must think I'm a horrible friend," Misty sobbed, collapsing into Ash's chest.

Taken aback, Ash placed his arms around her frame, "It's okay, I don't mind, its nothing to get worked up over anyway."

Misty pushed herself away from her secret love, still embracing him, but so she could gaze in his face. Should she bring it up? Confess now? No, no, I can't, she decided as she released a shuddering sigh and looked away from his beautiful eyes.

Holding her was something Ash couldn't imagine. Sure he had dreams about her, dreams that would cause an embarrassing bodily reaction if he dwelled on them, but even a mere embrace, like they were sharing now caused electricity to shoot up his spine and make his body long for more. Quite suddenly, he felt Misty back away and look into his eyes. She was going to say something...he braced himself but nothing came but a sad sigh. What was on her mind? Was he supposed to do something? Was this a game? Did he do something wrong?

"Mist, what is it? Just tell me," Ash coaxed.

"I can't," Misty replied, still looking away.

"Why not?" Ash asked. Abruptly, Misty broke their embrace and turned towards the door.

"Because it's stupid, Ash, its stupid and its not worth it," Misty answered.

Surprised at her answer, Ash grabbed her arm and swung her around so she faced him, "Tell me, I won't let you go until you do."

"I don't want it to ruin our friendship."

"It can't be that bad, can it?" Ash laughed.

"I don't know..."

"Misty, for all the years I've known you, you've never not known anything, and you've rubbed it in at every occasion you ever had." Ash smiled. Misty let out a small laugh. "There, now tell me, please, you're driving me crazy with all this crying stuff."

Misty glared, "Geez, sorry that I'm emotional, you know you could work on your sensitivity. Or does being Pokemon Master automatically mean you're perfect and don't have to improve?"

Ash laughed, "Now that's the Mist I know, now hurry up and tell me, a Pokemon Master does have a busy schedule you know, so hate to tell you Mist, its now or never."

Now or never, now or never. "Ash, I-I-I kind of love you."

"What?! Whaddya mean-"

"Ash, let me finish, you probed it out of me so be a gentlemen and let me finish, I love you and I've loved you for a long time now, years now. You're the only man I've thought about and the only man I've ever wanted, ever since we first met, ever since we were children. I've tried to tell you, but it's never turned out the way I wanted it to be. I love you, Ash. I love you with my whole heart and it scares me, confuses me and angers me. It also makes me feel happy and nostalgic and simply amazing. All-in-all Ash you drive me crazy!"

"Uh..."

"You don't need to say anything, I just needed to let you know." Misty whispered as she crept closer to her friend and planted a soft kiss on his cheekbone, "good-night, Ash."

She clutched the doorknob, ready to leave. Suddenly, a hand grabbed her wrist. Shocked, Misty could barely react when she was spun around by the very man she confessed her love to. "Ash, I-"

She was immediately silenced by the crashing of his lips against her own. Both, Ash and Misty, kissed for what seemed like an eternity, pent up emotions released into one, long passionate kiss. Misty broke the kiss, gasping for air. "What, Ash, I-"

"Yeah, I, um…kinda didn't know what to say, you know, in response to your confession and all, so I, um…"

Misty just stared unbelieving.

"Well, I was never really good with words, so, I guess this is my way of saying, that well…maybe I kinda, you know, um…loveyoutoo."

"What?"

"You know, I murmur, murmur, murmur"

Misty smirked, confidence regained after Ash's own little confession.

"Sorry Pokemon Master Ash, but I couldn't hear you."

"Oh for Pete's sake, I said, 'I LOVE YOU TOO!' Must I spell it out for you?" Ash cried, crossing his arms and pouting away from Misty.

"No need to spell Ash, wouldn't want you to work that brain of yours too hard," Misty teased, Ash huffed in response. Gently, Misty raised her hand to Ash's face and turned it to face hers. He still wore a pout on his lips, but his eyes sparkled with joy. "All I want is to hear it from your voice, and I guess kissing me wouldn't hurt either."

Ash smirked, "I guess I can manage that." Grabbing Misty's face into the palms of his hands he lowered his head to her lips and placed a gentle, sweet and meaningful kiss on her.

To be continued...