Chapter 2: Revelation

Author's Note: Well here's chapter 2! I hope to be able to update these chapters biweekly.

If you hadn't figured it out from the last chapter... When things are italicized, they are either a dream or someones thoughts.

Thanks to those who reviewed my story and I look forward to reading more! Also a thanks to who Favorited/followed!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or any of its characters. If I did, Misty would never have left the main story line. :P

She was falling. She hit the ground hard and the water from a murky puddle stung the many cuts she obtained throughout the struggle. She thought that this is where she was going to die. Right now she would gladly have accepted it. Everything she loved in her life had been taken away from her.

She just about nearly gave up when something touched her wrist. That something turned out to be someone and then that someone pulled her hood back. The rain coming down stung her face. She heard him gasp and yell out something but her head hurt too much to make out what it was. She thought maybe she hit her head during the fall.

She opened her eyes and the image was blurry from rainwater and the growing migraine. A yellow blur shot past her. She tried hard to focus her vision and she couldn't believe who was holding her. Ash. She looked into his reassuring, russet orbs and couldn't help but smile. Maybe not everything she loved had been taken away after all. He tightened his grip on her but she couldn't stay awake any longer. She slipped away into unconsciousness.

She woke up stiff. Misty had no idea how long she had been unconscious for or where she was. She thought about the dream she just had. It had felt so real to her. It wasn't the first time she had dreamt she was in trouble and her former best friend would come to save her, only this one ended differently. Ash remained with her instead of fading away while she still needed him.

She tried to open her eyes but quickly closed them again. The brightness of the room caused a sharp pain to shoot through the temporal section of her skull. As her pupils adjusted to the well-lit room she took in her surroundings.

She was in a hospital room. She was now wearing a blue patterned gown. It was the typical room with white walls and ceiling and a blue tiled floor. There was also an abnormally bright light shining over her. There was another bed sitting closer to the windows but it was vacant. A cool breeze filled the room.

Her entire body was stiff and in pain. Her head was throbbing. She used her left hand to feel that there was a bandage over her temple. She could feel that there was something constricting her left ankle. Am I wearing a cast? I must have hurt my leg when I fell.

Images if the previous night filled her mind. The fight. The struggle. The thing she held dearest ripped away from her. She tried to run but they still found her. They wanted her gone. They had already taken away everything she held dear but that wasn't enough. They had their fun watching her in pain and now they wanted to finish the job. That was when she found herself at the top of a building. She thought that plummeting to her death would be better than letting the person she once trusted have his way. So she jumped.

Misty shook the haunting images out of her mind. It pained Misty to recall the events that led to her being in this bed. As she continued her observations she realized that her stomach felt a bit heavier than usual. She tilted her head down and realized there was a familiar yellow bundle of fur sleeping peacefully. Pikachu? Wait, if Pikachu is here then that must mean…

She turned her head to the right and the remaining memories of that tragic night flashed before her eyes. She fell from the top of a building. An awning broke her fall slightly, probably the reason she survived. She wished for death to finally take her. Someone had come to her rescue. She only regained enough consciousness to open her eyes to see her saviors face. She had looked into his familiar eyes. Those eyes that were once filled with happiness and joy, now reflected worry and urgency instead.

She had felt so safe feeling his arms around her again. His firm yet gentle embrace brought a sense of security to her. His face was the last thing she could remember seeing that night. She thought that image was just a part of her dream.

But it wasn't a dream and there he was. Ash had his head resting on the bed next to her. His raven tresses going in all different directions. She knew how impossible it was to tame his hair but it looked like he hadn't touched it in days.

She took in his face. She hadn't seen that face in almost 3 years, well in person that is. Being a Pokémon Master, he was always appearing in some magazine or newspaper. Throughout those years she found herself staring at those pictures when she saw them. At first they would make her smile, but then they would hurt her when she remembered he was no longer a part of her life. In fact, that was one of the reasons she was currently lying in a hospital bed.

Misty took a moment to focus on his snoozing face. She remembered he had a very handsome face. He had the most charming face she had ever see. She would just melt away whenever he looked at her with that tanned face and stare at her with his comforting, warm eyes. He always adorned a happy expression. He had a perfect jawline and the most unique markings just under his eyes.

Gazing upon his sleeping face she noticed how different he looked now. Ash still had the same face but there were troublesome details that couldn't go unnoticed. It looked like he hadn't shaved in a few days. It wasn't like him to miss a shave, he hated the stubble. She also noticed the dark bags that had formed under his eyes. These looked like they were from more than just a couple sleepless nights. Instead of the usual content, peaceful look she remembered he wore in his sleep there was a frown.

She was going to lift her hand to push a strand of his dark locks out of his face but realized there was something on it. She looked over his head to realize Ash's hand was over her own. She removed her hand as softly as she could. How long was I unconscious for? Has he been here the entire time I was unconscious? Why would he stay here?

As the thoughts of what happened to them the last time they saw each other crept into her mind she couldn't help but feel a little resentment for him. She was angry but she was also very hurt. He said he didn't want her in his life anymore. That he didn't need her. She was heartbroken. She fell for him and he hurt her more than any physical pain she had endured in her life. She wasn't going to let him do that to her again.

She was snapped out of her thoughts by the creature stirring on her stomach. He lifted his head and let out a soft "Chaaa" yawn. He looked up toward her head and upon realizing she was awake, his ears perked up. He left out an excited "Pikachupi!"

She looked down at the little mouse she had loved so much and gave him a weak smile. Pikachu quickly went to her face to lick her cheek to show her how happy he was that she was okay.

Pikachu slowly backed away and jumped off her chest to stand next to his master's head. Pikachu tried to gently wake him but it was no luck. Giving up on the gentle approach he sent a small shock of electricity through the man's body.

The Pokémon Master jumped yelping in pain. He glared down at Pikachu and harshly said "What the heck was that for?!"

Pikachu glared back up at his trainer, saying something in his own language, and then pointed at Misty.

Ash looked up at Misty and his face fell from anger and to a soft smile. Ash took a moment to take in Misty's presence. Her hair was held messily in a ponytail and she looked a bit pale. She had very fair skin and she had her lean arms crossed securely across her chest. Her petite frame looked so small in that big hospital bed. Even though Misty didn't look very well, Ash was just happy that she was safe and awake.

He brought his attention to her face. She had such a pretty face. Ash always believed that, unlike her sisters, Misty's face was naturally beautiful. She had the cutest little nose that he remembered would crinkle when she laughed. She had such fine looking lips that were now drawn into a frown. Ash much preferred them when they were fashioning a smile.

He looked up at her usually big bright eyes. Their eyes locked. They were so different now. They were dull and it looked like the life had been drained from them. His smile faded and she broke the connection turning away from him.

"Misty," He paused, "I'm so glad you're okay. I was so worri-"He was cut off by her mumbling something. "What?" He asked in a soft voice.

She turned back to him and said "Go away." Misty's eyes were now glossy and Ash could see just how hard she was trying to hold back her tears.

They sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity before he finally spoke. He knew she was still going to be upset with him but he was determined to show her how he felt. He needed her in his life again.

"I'm not leaving you, Misty." He declared in a comforting, yet stern, tone.

"Why would you want to stay? You said you didn't need me in your life anymore." She shot up quickly out of fighters reflex but as pain shot through her midsection she cringed. He went to her side and laid his hand over her shoulder but she was quick to swat it away.

She lay back down and whispered, "You hurt me enough last time." A single tear escaped her eye and Ash was quick to wipe it away. She moved her head away from his touch and continued, "You said you don't need me in your life and I don't need you in mine."

He looked down at her. Misty's shoulders were shaking like she was about to cry. She was in so much pain and worst of all, he caused part of it. He needed to make this better. He wanted to make her feel better. His heart was breaking more and more with every passing second. He said the only thing he believed could have the slightest chance on remedying the situation. The truth.

"I was wrong." He looked down at the floor and his hair fell in front of his eyes. She turned and could only stare at him, mouth agape. She had not expected him to say those words. She especially didn't expect what she heard next. He sat back down in the chair next to her bed, leaned over and put his hands next to her.

"I was wrong. I do need you in my life. In fact, you were the most important thing in my life. Ever since you left there has been a part of me missing. A part of me left when you did. That empty feeling I had only you can fill." He paused for a moment before continuing. "I missed you more than I've missed any of my other friends. You mean more to me than anyone could. You were my best friend and I would do anything to get that back. Please don't go Misty. I know you must hate me now. I'm going to make it up to you Misty. I was wrong and I know that I hurt you but I promise that I'm never going to hurt you like that again. I'm going to make it up to you somehow. Just…. Please don't leave me again." His voice was shaking by the end of his speech. His hands were now balled into fists so tight his knuckles were turning white and his finger nails purple. When he finally looked back up to her, their eyes locked and tears slid down both of their cheeks simultaneously.

Misty closed her eyes and a laid her head back against the pillow with a weakened sigh. Does he really mean that?

Thinking that his heartfelt words failed him he was about get up when he felt her place her hand over his. Ash looked up at her with shock written all over his face. Her head was still down and her eyes were still closed. But this time something was different. It was barely noticeable but he saw it. She had a small smile on her face. it was just the slightest curl of the lips but he saw it. He softened his grip which then allowed her access to lace her fingers through his. Another tear slid down his face but this time it was accompanied by a smile.

Ash knew that she hadn't forgiven him yet. That was going to take time to heal. But he was just happy to realize, with that tiny gesture, that Misty didn't hate him.

Well would you look at that? Misty doesn't hate Ash after all. But he isn't out of the woods yet! Things are never that easy when it come to Ash and Misty. He has a lot of work cut out for him in order to gain Misty's trust.

Well there you go! I hope you enjoyed the second chapter! Always looking forward to reviews so please don't be shy!