Disclaimer:

Question:

My Answer:

Characters: AshKetchumDarkSide's two OCs, Kari and Brett, as requested by him.

Summary: I used your idea as best I could, so I hope you like it!

Because

Brett cursed as his infernape fell to his older brother's empoleon, the fire monkey's tail lashing in frustration as he tried to right himself.

"Get up," Brett urged him. The pokemon gave an apologetic yelp before collapsing, exhausted.

Brett heard Haden return his pokemon to its capsule, and with a sigh Brett did the same.

"Good effort, little bro, but not good enough," Haden told him, strolling over to offer a smug hand. Brett didn't take it.

"Goodbye, Haden," Brett replied.

"Oh, don't-"

"I said goodbye, Haden," he growled, and flipped him off. "I don't want to talk to you."

Haden glowered at him. "Don't be a sore loser, punk." Elbowing him as he passed, Haden stalked off, only pausing long enough to take a wolfish inventory of Kari as she hurtled past.

"Brett!" she gasped, her oversized chest heaving from running. The glittery pink phrase 'Love Will Overcome Anything' was embroided on the front of her shirt, and it caught the light as she bent over, trying to catch her breath. "Dawn, Ash and I got here in time to see the match. You were great!"

"I lost," he said through gritted teeth.

"So?" Straightening, she looked at him with makeup-heavy eyes that were round with sincerity. "You're a better trainer than him."

"Whatever, Kari."

"Don't be like that, Brett," she said, sounding hurt. "I'm telling the truth."

He rubbed a hand over his face, glancing at her from between his fingers. Her brown hair framed her face and tumbled down to the hem of the blue miniskirt she wore, her expression anxious. She had both manicured hands on her hips. "Alright, sorry," he sighed, the words bitter. "It's just that I hate losing to that dick."

"It's okay." She hugged him around the waist. "You'll beat him next time, don't you worry."

He hesitantly lowered his arms to hold her back. "Thanks, Kari."

"Awwww, are you two dating now?" a new voice crooned. Brett untangled himself from Kari's arms to see that Dawn and Ash had arrived, a smile that Brett knew all too well stamped across Dawn's face.

"No," Brett told her.

"I think you are," Dawn cooed, turning to Kari. "Are you?"

"No," Brett butted in.

The raven-haired girl scowled at him. "Is your name Kari?"

"No."

"Then why are you answering?"

He didn't reply.

"Ha." She stuck her tongue at him before returning her gaze to Kari. "So, are you guys dating?"

"No," Kari admitted, a frown in her voice.

"Why would they be dating?" Ash butted in, perplexed. "They're just friends."

"Thank you," muttered Brett.

"Because," Dawn began, lifting a hand and counting off her fingers, "they've known each other for forever, they hug, they flirt-"

"So we're like you and Ash?" Brett interrupted.

Dawn blinked, taken aback, and let her hand fall. "That's not t-true," she stammered, puffing up.

"Oh really?"

"Yes, really," she snapped. "Quit being a jerk."

"Quit sticking your nose into other people's business," Brett retorted.

"Seriously, why would they be dating?" Ash piped in.

Dawn glared at Brett for a moment longer before turning on her heel. "C'mon, Ash, we're leaving. See you around, Kari." Grabbing Ash by the wrist, she dragged him behind her as she stormed off, her blue hair flying.

As soon as they were out of sight Kari rounded on Brett, her mouth set in a firm line. "That was low," she said. "You know how long Dawn has had a crush on Ash for."

"She was asking for it," he grumbled.

"She was teasing."

He huffed and turned away, not allowing her to make him feel guilty.

…Even if she was succeeding.

"I'll apologize to her later," he mumbled. Turning back to Kari, he saw that she was biting on her bottom lip, her eyes unfocused. "Earth to Kari."

"Oh, sorry." She snapped back into focus.

"What're you thinking about?" he asked.

"I was just wondering why we aren't a couple," she said.

He felt his own face flush. He hadn't expected her to be so blunt; it flustered him. "B-because," he said too quickly.

"Am I not pretty enough for you?" she inquired with blinking blue eyes.

"You're beautiful," he blurted.

"Am I not your type?"

"You're exactly my type."

"So what's the problem?"

"Just…just because."

"Because why?"

"Because…" He wracked his brain. "Because you're my best friend."

"Right." Her laugh sounded forced, the too-bright smile she wore not reaching her eyes. "Yeah, of course. Just asking."

"Kari…" He rubbed the back of his head, worried that he had upset her.

She laughed again. "Don't worry, I was just kidding! I'd never actually date you!" she assured him, her hands aflutter. "I mean, you're not attractive enough for me, and you aren't my type, and of course you're my best friend! It would just be weird!"

He stared at her doubtfully from under the rim of his cap. "Yeah."

"So come on, let's go apologize to Dawn." Without waiting for an answer she began walking, her stride stiff.

Brett sighed, his foul mood evaporating to make room for regret as he followed after her.

One of these days he'd tell her he liked her.

Just not today.