Happy Pokeshipping Week everyone! I will do my best to get chapter five (which is also the final chapter of Part I) posted for Pokeshipping Day on Friday.

Thanks to all of you who have read, followed, and reviewed this story! I really do appreciate all of the support! I was going to try my hand at doing NaNoWriMo again this year, but I decided to skip it in leu of working on this story and finishing my first revised version of my already written novel.

Best Wishes!

-Sarah

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or any of its characters.

Chapter Four: Shopping for Answers

Misty had spent the next few weeks at the Ketchum household. She and Ash filled their days with various activities together. Mrs. Ketchum kept them busy by spending them on errands. One day, she had sent them to the Xanadu Nursery. It hadn't changed much in the past decade, except for the increase in Glooms and Vileplumes.

Ash enjoyed Misty's company, but he missed the days where he would travel around with Misty and Brock. Back then, all he cared about was Pokémon and didn't have to handle all of the emotions creating a storm inside his brain. Ash considered giving Brock a call to see what he's been doing. He knew that a certain subject would come up, so he thought it would be best to do it when Misty wasn't around to overhear.

Fortunately for Ash, the engagement party was a couple of days away, so his mom and Misty were taking a day trip to go shopping. He would talk to Brock when they were gone. Misty had wanted to treat Pikachu to something, so Ash agreed to let his Pokémon tag along. This meant that he would be completely alone.

"Are you going to be all right by yourself?" asked Misty, concern present in her eyes.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," replied Ash. "There's plenty on TV to watch if I get bored."

"Okay. You have my cell phone number if you need anything. Don't hesitate to call or text."

"I won't."

"We'll be back later tonight, dear," his mother said.

"Come on, Pikachu."

"Pika!"

The Pokémon leapt into Misty's arms, and she took one more look at Ash before heading out the door. There was a pause, and then tension between them. He was still in a T-shirt and pajama pants. Noticing her, he gazed back and ran his fingers through his hair nervously, causing it to become ruffled and messier than usual. Misty's breath caught in her throat. She muttered something inaudible, her cheeks slightly red, before rushing out the door. Ash stared at the closed-door for a moment longer, puzzled by her behavior.

Misty took a deep breath as soon as she exited the house. For years she had kept her attraction to Ash Ketchum at bay, buried deep in her heart. Being with him for the past few weeks, the longest amount of time she'd seen him in years, had shifted her emotions up to the surface. There had been a few moments where she wanted to grab him and kiss him, but she made sure to keep herself in check.

Last week, they had gone fishing one afternoon. Fatigued, Misty had leaned against Ash as they sat with their fishing poles on the banks of the river—the same river where they had met. He hadn't said anything in protest, and her heart had fluttered from the moment. Even though her sister had warned her, Misty was falling in love with him once more. She was not quite sure what to do about it. Things had been simpler when they had been kids.

"What do you think about this one, dear?" Delia asked Misty.

They were inside a small dress shop in downtown Viridian. The place was extremely cramped with more casual dresses and evening gowns than the space should allow. Misty was sitting on one of two small ottomans in the shop. Delia was holding out a long, dark green gown for her to see, but she was too deep in thought to notice.

"Misty?"

"Huh?" she said, finally paying attention. "Sorry, it's okay. I might like something else."

"Is something bothering you? I thought you wanted to go out."

"Well," Misty hesitated, unsure of how much she was willing to reveal. "I was thinking about Ash. He hasn't told me what's been going on with him. I mean—he does seem to be better than when I first go here, but there are times where I look at him, and he seems so sad. I hate seeing him like that."

"It's difficult loving a Ketchum, isn't it?"

"I-I never said that," Misty stammered, her face turning crimson.

"You are talking to someone who fell in love with a Ketchum. I can tell that you love him. You have always, haven't you?"

"Yeah, but he'd never love me the way that he loves Pokémon. Growing up, he didn't notice me. Why would that ever change?"

"You'd be surprised," Delia replied. "Ash is like his father in a few ways—the sense of adventure and the desire to become a Pokémon Master. There are ways in which they are different. Ash has never forgotten about you over the years. I have not heard from Ash's father in years. I don't know if he is alive. It is lonely being the wife of a Pokémon trainer. My son grew up with his father being absent most of his life. I think that the day he falls in love, truly in love, it will be it for him. His dream is to be a Pokémon Master, but I believe part of the reason is that he might find his father along the way. Ash wouldn't abandon you because he's been on the other side. I would love it if he were to choose to be with you. I could think of no one better to take care of my boy."

Misty was embarrassed by the praise that Delia was giving her. She did not know that Ash's mother felt so strongly about their relationship. It was comforting to know that she would have his mother's approval if it came down to it. Unfortunately, it was not his mother that would make that choice. It was Ash's choice. Misty wondered if that would happen, for it had been over a decade, and neither her nor Ash had ever tried to initiate a romantic relationship.

Ash had rarely mentioned his father, only once when prompted by Misty to talk about him. He did not sound happy to converse about the subject, so she refrained from discussing it further. All of the information Delia provided was new, and it equipped her with a better understanding of Ash's personality, especially below his carefree surface. Misty's parents died when she was very young, so she had relied on her sisters more than she cared to admit. She was robbed of time with them as well as Ash had with his father, but the difference was that her parents did not decide to leave her and her sisters—fate had other plans. It was his father's choice.

For the first time, she considered revealing the truth to Ash—that she had loved him from the very start. Would it be better to hand her heart to him to have him break it or to keep it locked away forever? She knew that she would have no chance at happiness if she kept her desires locked away. Even if she were rejected, at least it would give her the opportunity to start moving on from him and stop wondering what if.

"I'm not sure what to say…" Misty finally said, following a long pause.

"I knew what I was doing when I married him. Sadly, he could not handle the domestic life for too long. I know it would be different for you two. Go for it, dear. It would be lovely to see you together and happy rather than miserable apart."

"There's a lot to consider. I wouldn't want to ruin my friendship with him. To lose my best friend would be devastating. I don't know…"

"I'm not saying to rush into anything, especially since you haven't seen each other for a long time. Just something to think about, that's all," said Delia.

"Pi-pikachu!"

"Not you too, Pikachu."

"Cha!"

After several hours of walking from shop to shop, they had found something to Misty's liking. Perpetually tied to her tomboy-roots, she was the pickiest person in regards to formal wear. Although she would deplore admitting it, she knew that when the time came for her own wedding, her sisters would be doing most of the planning. She knew that they would pounce on the opportunity once it came. It was a wonder that none of them were married yet, but her sisters seemed to be focused on their careers first and would rather have lots of admirers than committed relationships. Having husbands could bring a decline in their fans, most of which were men seeking their affections.

Before returning to Pallet Town, the two women and Pokémon stopped by a quaint café for a quick lunch. Their shopping done, the two settled down for a nice meal to relax after an exhausting morning. They sat outside at a circular table with an umbrella covering them, their bags tucked underneath. Misty could see the Pokémon Center in the distance. Pikachu was nestled in a chair between Misty and Delia, tremendously content. As a welcome home present. Misty had purchased a bottle of ketchup for the electric rodent, remembering its fondness for the condiment. Pikachu was happily licking the tip of the opened bottle while the others awaited their meals. Misty heard a loud buzzing coming from her bag. Realizing that it must be a text message, she quickly rummaged through it to retrieve her phone. She opened the message and saw that it was from Ash.

when r u getting back? its boring here alone

Misty smirked, knowing that she had been right. Her fingers moved feverishly as she type a response.

I thought that you were going to watch TV.

His response came almost instantaneously, as if he had the phone in his hands, anxiously waiting for her to reply.

Theres nothin on 2 watch

Don't say that I didn't tell you so…and can you type normally? No one texts like that anymore.

no

Misty rolled her eyes before replying once more, disenchanted by his attempt at being funny.

You're so stubborn.

not as much as u r

She huffed at his text. She was not that stubborn, at least not anymore. Maturing as a woman and a Gym Leader had taught her how to compromise, most of the time. He had the tendency to bring out the worst in her, an effect that continued despite the years apart.

Take that back, jerk.

relax mist it was only a joke…so when r u comin home?

As soon as your mother and I finish lunch, we'll leave. Hold your Horseas.

oh good. i need 2 talk 2 u bout sumthin important

This alarmed Misty. Ash had done his best to keep all of their conversations simple and light-hearted. What could be that important now? Was he ready to tell her the source of his sadness? She could not wait, needing to have the knowledge.

What do you need to talk to me about? Is it serious?

i'll tell ya when u get here. hurry bak. miss u

It took a few hours apart to miss her. This was the first time that she acknowledged how important she had the potential to be to him. She faltered, uncertain what to say to him. Should she tell him right here? Would he freak out? Controlled by her fear, she sent back a safe message.

Yes, sir…P.S. I miss you, too.

"Who was that?" Delia asked as Misty tucked her phone back into her bag. Their food had arrived while she had been texting Ash. Misty's sandwich sat before her, but the Butterfrees inside of her would not calm, ruining her appetite for the moment.

"It was Ash."

"Oh what did he want?" his mother asked before taking a bite of her meal.

"Not much. He wondered when we were getting back."

"Ah, he's as impatient as ever."

"Yeah…he said that there was something important he wanted to tell me. Has he said anything to you?"

"Of course not, dear. My son doesn't tell me anything."

Misty sat there pondering Ash's motives, watching Pikachu devour its ketchup. Seeing the Pokémon gave Misty an idea. Pikachu has always been with Ash no matter the situation. The electric mouse had to know what was going on. She was doubtful that she might get somewhere, but it was worth a try.

"Hey, Pikachu?" she asked, timidly, astounded that she was going to ask a Pokémon for relationship advice, so to speak.

"Pi?"

"Do you know why Ash is acting weirdly lately, by any chance?"

"Chu!" exclaimed the Pokémon, nodding its head.

"Well what happened?"

Misty and Delia spent several minutes trying to decipher Pikachu's explanation. The two women struggled to comprehend the small Pokémon as it tried to pantomime Ash's predicament. Neither of them could decide what Pikachu was trying to say as it pranced around on the table, batting its eyes. Misty thought that someone ought to invent a translator for Pokémon because this was hopeless.

After paying for their meal, the collected their things, and headed back to Pallet Town. Pikachu gave Misty a pat on the head in sympathy, to which she returned the gesture by plucking the Pokémon off her shoulders and giving it a rub behind the ears. Pikachu squealed in delight, bringing a smile on the young woman's face. She was not angry or disappointed with Pikachu. As they approached Pallet Town in Delia's car, Misty prayed that he would confide in her, unlike in the previous weeks. If he did that, maybe she would confess her affection for him. She would know what to decide once she rejoined her best friend, but for now, she would enjoy the view as it passed her.