Well I wanted to put this in here, I thought it would add a little more to the story so without further ado Iris's Pov!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon, but I own this story!

Iris Pov.

"Smell ya later, Ashy-boy."

Hearing those words a small smile crept on my face. To me those words meant nothing, but it was Ash's reaction to them that had truly made them seem like more. I could just tell that his heart was warming up on the inside, becoming all fuzzy and warm after so long. It was a shame that the two had to be apart from each other for so long, and even though I didn't truly know the full story of exactly what happened I could still tell there was really something more going on between them.

I let out a sigh as I sat on the tree branch, I had tried to refrain from making any kind of noise while getting closer to the two, however that didn't work out for in my attempt to be in stealth mode ended up with me being louder than I normally would. Nonetheless, I got to see a bit and I would just have to piece together more from the little I saw and heard.

I glanced behind me into the night and listened carefully, I couldn't hear Cilan's voice or the sound of his footsteps at all. It seemed that we all left the poor guy in the dust. After Ash ran off we all pretty much took off after him instantly. We were all in the same race to try to make it too him first and ask all the questions before the others, but apparently Gary beat us all to the punch. Although I truly didn't have a reason to be chasing after him and didn't really have any burning questions of my own, I tagged along to do one thing: eavesdrop.

I really was trying to figure out what was going on inside that little head of Ash's and this just made things even more confusing. He was a weird person on his own, without these extra things making him more complicated to understand. Although, in reality it was truly none of my business and it would have probably been best if he told me most of this on his own time anyway, I still persisted. Hell, a girl can't help being curious can she? I am living and journeying with him, might as well know a thing or two.

I pulled a few berries from the tree I was sitting in gently, popping them in my mouth one by one as I watched Ash. He was really doing anything, just sitting there holding Pikachu and most likely contemplating on what to do when Cilan did show up. he looked so lonesome and cold, I wanted to comfort him, even if I didn't know anything about how he was feeling I still wanted to help.

The only problem was I wasn't exactly sure how he was going to react, once more I had no idea what was on his mind. Will he be mad at me because he thinks I told Cilan where he went? Will he be too emotional to speak and just break down? Or will he even acknowledge my presence at all and brush me off like the passing wind? There were too many possibilities, too many for comfort. So I just sat and watched him. But the more I sat there the more I wanted to help and the only thing that stopped me was the sound of Cilan's footsteps and voice, causing me to freeze in place.

"Ash! There you are! For Arceus sake I was so worried! Are you alright? He didn't hurt you did he?" Hearing Cilan's voice Ash looked up and gave him a small, seemingly forced, smile. It looked like it took ever muscle in his body to muster the small gesture. Cilan not seeming convinced scooped him up bridal style and kissed his forehead. "I was so worried...I hope we never see that guy again.." Ash merely nodded and laid his head against Cilan's chest, it seemed like he didn't have enough energy to do much more. I heard their footsteps fade away and decided that it was time to take my leave. I hopped from the tree and landed on my feet expertly before heading in the direction towards our camp.

Just as I was about to take my daring climb up another tree I stopped noticing an ominous glow nearby. I cautiously moved towards it, unsure of what to expect. With one hand on one of my poke' balls I carefully preceded and just before I was about to make my move and send out Excadrill someone grabbed my wrist. I froze and resisted the urge to scream, who knew just who this creeper was. He could be a thug or a serial killer that was just waiting for me to scream so he could slit my throat. Just as I was trying to plan an escape route I heard a vaguely familiar voice.

"Hey, I'm not trying to hurt you. I just need a favor um..." "Iris." I say answering his unasked question. He frees my wrist and I turn around only slightly surprised to find Gary standing there. I give him a cheeky smile and put my poke ball away. "No need to be a major creeper about it. All you had to do was ask nicely," I say, trying to lighten the mood. He smiles slightly and look away from me, "Well, yeah, I guess it's too late now but..." "But...?" I say, not waiting for him to finish his sentence.

"The favor. I need a favor from you. It's about Ash, but I'm pretty sure you already know that. I'm ready to give up nor do I plan to do so any time soon, so I'm going to need your help.." He looked away again, not exactly making eye contact with me. I could tell asking for things from other people wasn't really his thing, he was more of a 'I'll do it myself' type of guy. But, hey, I could understand I was that way too sometimes. It wasn't only that though, something continued to ponder my mind, so I asked him about it.

"Wait a second, why on Earth are you asking help from me? For all you know I could go and blabber this all to Cilan the second I leave. What makes you trust me of all people?" "That," he says simply, liked he just pointed out the key point in a mystery, "that right there, if you had been untrustworthy you wouldn't have even brought that fact up. You would have simply nodded and ushered me on about everything." I stop and think for a moment, he was right, the guy wasn't as dense as I would have expected. He was already thinking beyond the box.

"Now, like I said before. I don't intend on letting Ash go without a fight at least, although I know things have changed since then there are still some things I really want him to know," he states, almost seeming embarrassed in a sense. Although I could tell he was heartfelt about it, I couldn't help but point out the obvious, "That's sweet and all, however, you do know that Ash is with Cilan right? On his own free-will to be exact." He nods, and shuffles his feet, "Yeah I get that. I really do, it's just, I don't know something doesn't seem right. I don't know what but it isn't right and that's part of where you come in." I raise an eyebrow curiously, "How can I help?"

"Well, first I just want you to keep an eye on Ash for me, and make sure he knows I'm still around here and didn't run off somewhere unknown again. Although, I think he knows that. The main part of what I want you to do consists of keeping me in contact with Ash and Cilan as far away as possible. I'm not saying tear them apart I just-need to talk to hm, especially after I think through a few things." I nod in agreement as I let a smile creep on my face. "Roger that sir!" I say playfully, resulting in Gary raising a curious eyebrow. "What's that all about?" He asks quizzically. I just give him another smile before continuing, "You have no idea how much I support true love."

I see a blush begin to creep on Gary's face as I make that statement, causing him to turn away from me quickly in embarrassment. "Well I wouldn't say-," "Ah-ah-ah!" I say cutting him off, "Don't lie to yourself boy! I see it! I know the look! You both obviously belong together and if you don't mind I was spying on you two earlier and that told me enough!" I say feeling slightly guilty about my actions. He turns around and looks at me a bit confused, "But, what about Cilan? Isn't he your friend? Why would you do this to him?" I grin slightly before sitting down on a nearby stump, "Well, if it makes sense I'm doing this for him. I know it sounds weird but, I also get the feeling somethings not quite right. Not like Cilan has an inner evil or anything in him. Its more of some things are just not meant to be and those too together, while it may be cute at times, doesn't seem quite right to me."

I hear Gary scoff a bit at my 'cute couple' comment before turning to me again, this time making full eye contact, "I know this and I'm ready for anything, even the worst." I nod and stand up before addressing him seriously, "There's one major thing that you have to know Gary...the most important of them all and you might think you know it but you don't get it all the way. I know Cilan and I know he's one of those people, the type to do anything and I mean anything to be with the person they love. Don't think you have the upper have for even the briefest of moments, be ready."

He nods, "I will be sure to keep that in mind at all times, especially if I want Ash back for sure. Now is it a deal? You'll help?" He extends his hand out to be and I grab it, standing up shaking his hand. "You've got yourself a deal."

Meanwhile...

Cilan Pov.

"Yeah, Ash sleep now. Its been a long night for everybody. So tell me what did you find on this Gary Oak guy?" I ask impatiently. I had asked Cress a while before when I had heard Ash say his name is his sleep before. I just had to know, if he was haunting him this badly something was bound to be up and after tonight I was ready for answers. I tapped my fingers on the sleeping bed beside me rapidly as I heard the click of the computer mouse and the sound of rustling papers. I was just about to ask again when Cress interjected me.

"Alright, I got it. Man you aren't going to believe this..." I felt my heart race, "What! What is it?" I asked almost shouting, I felt ask shift beside me before lowering my tone. "What is it? What did you find?" "Well..." he starts his voice lowering to barely a whisper. It took the most to piece together what he was saying but I eventually caught it. I slowly glanced over at Ash before turning back to the phone. "I've got to go," I say ending the call without waiting for his response. So Gary Oak has some secret spy snooping around here? No matter, I didn't plan on putting up with him for that long...Even if he claimed Ash and him did have something. It didn't matter, for the Gary, Ash knew was no more. I had just found the true dirt on Gary Oak and had plan to go along with it.

They would not be together, if I had anything to say about it.

Me: Ooo intense~

Iris: It's cool me and Gary have a deal!

Me: But you don't know what Cilan has...

Iris: what do you mean...

Me: Oh you'll see!