Chapter 14: No Need for Kisses

It had been days since Ash was stricken with a fever after bringing Sasami, Pikachu and Ryo-Ohki back to the Masaki household through the torrential rainstorm. Ash soon rose from his bed in the virtual room as Tenchi and Washu entered. "Morning, sunshine!" greeted Washu with a sing-song voice.

"Washu!" noticed Ash. "Tenchi! Hey, what's up?"

"First, you," Tenchi joked. Ash giggled to the tease. Washu plopped a suction cup onto Ash's head. She made her laptop appear and pressed a few keys.

"Let me check your temperature," Washu started. She looked to the screen as it read 36°C. "Alright, 36 degrees! You're sounding normal as well!" Ash blinked at the reading.

"36?" he repeated. "I heard that it was 98.6° that it's normal."

"You're at 98°, and that's average of what you said," Tenchi clarified. "You're just a hair below average, but that's fine."

"I gotcha," Ash understood.

"It is since we were particularly worried after your collapse those few days ago," Washu pointed out as she kissed Ash on the temple. "Everyone was worried, even Grandpa." A blushing Ash bowed his head while wearing some of Tenchi's clothes from when he was Ash's age.

"I wasn't trying to make everyone worried," he apologized. "I was worried about Sasami and Pikachu."

"We know," Tenchi smiled. "We know you were trying to help out." That's when Sasami, Pikachu and Ryo-Ohki entered with the young princess carrying a pizza with poached eggs, peppers, bacon, sausage, mushroom, diced potato and ham while the crust looked to be made from a croissant.

"You're awake, Ash!" awed Sasami as Pikachu greeted Ash by jumping onto his lap.

"Pikachu, I'm happy to see you too," he greeted. "Sorry about before."

("I know why,") Pikachu understood. Ash turned to the young princess.

"Are you okay, Sasami?" he asked as she came to the bed with the pizza.

"Silly, I'm not the one who got sick!" she teased. "But, I'm glad that you're doing better. I was worried that your fever wouldn't break and that you'd be taken to the hospital." Ash knew Sasami was as worried about him.

"Sasami was steadfast by your bedside as you recovered from your fever," Tenchi added. "She wouldn't leave you alone until you showed improvement." Ash awed Sasami's efforts to keep him well while he was ill.

"You didn't need to go as far as you did," he smiled. "I'm sure everyone wanted to pitch in and let you rest to do other tasks." Sasami shook her head.

"I was the one who got you sick after I tackled you," she admitted. "And then you risking your health to find me, I couldn't bear how responsible I was until I knew you'd be okay." Ash's cheeks became red from her perseverance.

"I want to repay that in any way possible," he promised. The rebuttal made Sasami giggle.

"By the way, here's a breakfast pizza," she offered. Ash laughed to the pizza.

"I've never had a breakfast pizza before," he admitted as Pikachu took a slice and ate it. Ash also had some of the breakfast pizza. The meal made Ash happy to eat something solid. After the greeting, he stepped out of Washu's lab before stepping outside for fresh air. The air filled his lungs and breathed new energy within him.

"Finally out of bed, I see!" called out Ryoko as she appeared wearing a red blouse and denim shorts. Ash smiled as he turned to the space pirate.

"Part of me still feels like it's still a dream," he joked. "Say, I'm not Tenchi, but do you mind if I did the same thing to you?" Ryoko slugged Ash in the back while snickering.

"I'm a big girl… but I can see a great friend like you doing that. You won't get anything from me, but I can see that it's not the reward." That made Ash sneer.

"I don't know… You won't give me anything like a hug?" The retort made Ryoko sheepishly roll her eyes away.

"I mean…" That's when Katsuhito came around and smiled at Ash up and about.

"Ash, it seems you're overcoming your illness quite well," he believed. Ryoko, Ash and Pikachu turned to Katsuhito.

"Gramps, you wanted to check in on Ash?" she guessed.

"Don't be ridiculous," Katsuhito denied. "I knew he'd overcome his illness, but that doesn't mean I need to worry about what he does. Besides, his strength contributes to his well-being which speaks for itself."

"And if it didn't and his friends come on over," Ryoko questioned. "You're going to say that you're not responsible for him?" Katsuhito smacked Ryoko in the head. She winced. "What the hell was that for!?"

"You should know better than to mock the situation," Katsuhito sighed. Ash shook his head as Tenchi stepped out to see the four as Ryoko had Pikachu board her shoulder.

"Still, I probably wouldn't have been better this fast if not for Sasami," Ash admitted while his cheeks became red. "I mean, if there was a girl I'd fall for, she'd be it." Ryoko, Tench and Katsuhito gasped to Ash's confession.

"You really love Sasami, Ash?" spoke up Tenchi.

"How could I not!?" replied Ash. "I've been loving about everything from Sasami and not just because of her looks or the way she makes food better than Brock does it. Her smile's about as beautiful and bright as the sun." He reached and palmed the back of his head with both hands. "It really makes me feel all warm inside and want to smile back. The way she laughs sounds so musical, it makes me happy just hearing it… and her eyes…" He lofted a sigh. "Man, her eyes… They're like pink diamonds that I never seen before, but I can't turn away from." He bowed his head. "But more importantly, what I really love about her the most is her heart." Ryoko stifled a laugh. "She's sweet, kind, loving, caring, gentle, honest, sincere and thought to everyone she knows and wants to do whatever she can to help out. Take it from me, she stayed by my side and did everything she could to take care of me the entire time I was sick." He snickered and shook his head. "If it wasn't love at first sight when we first met, how could I not fall for a girl like her after that? I… really do love Sasami with all of my heart. I don't care if she's an alien and/or a princess. It's her I love. That's what matters." Ryoko whistled to Ash's monologue.

"Ash, you're growing up," she teased. "What you said had more honesty than anything Ayeka has ever said around me."

"Are you sure?" doubted Tenchi.

"Trust me, Tenchi," Ryoko grinned. "She tends to let her spoiled princess persona out at me most of the time." Tenchi has a shy laugh.

"But I know that a lot of guys you met that one day should earn from you about what true love really is," he added to Ash. Ryoko nodded.

"They don't know how to approach a girl if their lives depended on it," she shrugged.

"Including Brock," Ash added. Other than Katsuhito and Pikachu, everyone laughed.

"Anyway, I'm truly glad that you feel this way about her," Tenchi calmed. "I'm sure that she'd be the happiest girl to hear you say such nice things about her." Ash nodded to the hope.

"I just hope I will be able to," he wished. "I don't want to go back home without telling her about my feelings."

"You'll know when to imply those words when the moment comes," Katsuhito offered. Ash nodded before moving on. At the front of the house, Ayeka and Washu saw Ash and Pikachu coming.

"Ash, I'm glad that you're out of your room," Ayeka noticed.

"Thanks, Princess," Ash greeted. "I'm sorry to worry you guys over the few days."

"True, but even then," Washu opened. "It's a wonder how you wound up with the fever, let alone beat it with Sasami's help."

"Sasami has done a lot of work while you dealt with your illness," Ayeka added. "It's easy to understand how much of a caretaker she is to you." Ash agreed with a nod.

"I would've done the same thing, even if it wasn't her that was sick," he offered. "After Brock's fever and learning from Sasami, I feel more prepared."

("I didn't think of that,") Pikachu awed.

"The moment of your temporary crisis gave you that reflection," Washu awed. "Not saying that you needed that kind of wake-up call."

"What should be rested is that scare," Ayeka acknowledged. "You're fine and fit for helping everyone needed." Sasami watched as Ash met up with everyone again outside of the virtual room.

"Ash is back to normal," she smiled as she headed into the kitchen. "What should I make tonight?" Suddenly, a voice.

"Sasami…" sounded a young woman. Sasami stopped and looked up.

"Tsunami?" she called.

"Yes… I am happy that he is well. Sasami, I want to meet him very soon."

"Are you sure? If he learns about us, he might not like us anymore."

"I feel that his heart will not waiver. He is one of conviction and resolve. When he learns about us, he'll understand."

"I don't know…" As Sasami worried about the relationship with her, Ash and Pikachu were with the Galaxy Police officers.

"A Lost and Found case?" questioned Ash.

"It was a case Mihoshi closed before she went MIA to Earth," Kiyone briefed. "A few rogues believed they still claim transport cargo full of weapons. She testified under Galaxy Police authority and followed with the oath. She did fine."

"And it was difficult to see those rogues," Mihoshi admitted. "By the way, MIA stands for 'Missing in Action'." Ash understood Mihoshi's meaning.

"Still, you did what you can to keep the cargo from going back and being used for crime, right?" guessed Ash.

"The 5-judge panel is still in discussion at this point, so who knows," Kiyone shrugged. "In any case, Mihoshi and I still want to bring you to ride with us one day."

("I'm looking forward to it,") Pikachu happily squeaked. Kiyone petted Pikachu, thinking to the fun they may have as Nobuyuki came to the group.

"Hey, I'm glad to see you walking about, Ash!" he praised. Everyone turned to the father.

"I'm not one who likes to stay down," Ash smiled. Nobuyuki chuckled to Ash's proclamation.

"I'm glad to hear that," he accepted. "As a matter of fact, I called the resort that has an open-air bath for a reservation."

"Oh?" gulped Kiyone.

"Well, I thought it's a nice award for Ash after he overcame his illness," Nobuyuki briefed. "Just thought I'd give you something to feel good about." Ash smiled, understanding Nobuyuki's gift.

"And I thought it would be for stopping a jewel thief over a week ago," he joked. Back in the household, Sasami looked at a timer as Ayeka entered.

"Sasami, how are you holding up?" she asked. Seeing her elder sister, Sasami approached.

"Ayeka, Tsunami called me," she claimed. Ayeka gasped.

"The Juraian goddess?" The guess made Sasami nod. "Why would Tsunami want with you?" Sasami looked to the side with guilt on her face. "Sasami? Is there… something you want to talk about?" Sasami took a deep breath.

"I don't want Ash to find out until I'm ready to tell him, but…" She whispered to Ayeka's ear, but her eyes blew up in shock.

"Then… the attack…" All Sasami did was nod. "And Nobuyuki just told me that we're all going to the resort." Sasami awed the news.

"That's the one with the lake nearby, right?"

"It is… though, I hope Ryoko doesn't pull any pranks while over there." The reminder made Sasami giggle. "If Tsunami is willing to see Ash, it's best to follow her advice." Sasami wanted to trust her sibling as Ash and Pikachu entered to help with dinner. The rest of the night went uneventful, though Ash wondered about an item from today.

"I know Nobuyuki's giving us a chance to spend more time with the girls," Ash briefed. "But I want to spend a little more time with Sasami."

("You can't get enough, huh?") teased Pikachu.

"You heard me with Tenchi and Ryoko. She's not even close to Misty. She's more like Molly with a bit of Mom in the mix, if you know what I mean." Pikachu giggled to Ash's comparison. "Still, I want to do something to return the favor."

("I know you'll think of it.") They fell asleep with a sneaky cabbit snuggling by in Pikachu's bed. The next morning, Ash and Pikachu awoke and entered the kitchen where Sasami preheated the stove.

"Morning, Sasami," he greeted. Sasami turned to Ash, smiling to hide her frustrated look after the goddess contacted her.

"Oh!" she replied. "Good morning, Ash! You look like you're still getting stronger from the fever."

"I am… and actually, I wanted to talk to you about that." The reply made Sasami wonder.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Well, Tenchi and Washu told me everything about the ordeal and how you took awesome care of me, and that you stayed by my side the whole time I was sick. Heck, they said you didn't leave until my fever was gone." The recall made Sasami giggle.

"That? Don't worry about it! I'm just glad I could help out." There was a nod from Ash as Pikachu and Ryo-Ohki arrived by the doorway to the kitchen.

"Even so, I really appreciate you taking care of me when I wasn't feeling good. All I can say is thanks." The praise made Sasami smile better.

"You're welcome!" Apparently, Ash had more.

"In fact… I wanna give you something to show my appreciation." Now, Sasami became suspicious.

"Yo-You don't really have to-"

"But I do, and I won't take no for an answer." A sigh lisped from Sasami.

"If you insist… What do you have?" Nervousness started to get to Ash.

"Well, to be honest…" He took a deep breath. "I can't believe I'm actually doing this since I never did it before."

"Which is?" Another deep breath from Ash.

'Come on, Ash… Come on… you can do this. You can do this…' He bobbed a nod, but it worried Sasami.

"Ash?"

"Okay…" He took one more deep breath before taking his first step. "Here goes…" That's when he kissed Sasami on the cheek. She, Pikachu and Ryo-Ohki gasped in shock. Ash held the kiss for at least five seconds before he broke away and allowed Sasami to bask in the moment. "There." Sasami's cheeks were bright red as was Ash's. She pawed the kissed cheek. Ash couldn't believe he carried out the kiss. "I… uh… I guess I'll uh…" His nervousness kicked in after the kiss, but he cleared his throat. "I'll go and… train with Tenchi! Yeah, I think I'll go there. I'll be back before breakfast, Sasami! Later!" He barely got outside while Sasami began to gasp in delight, excited about the boy she watched over give her a kiss. Ash sighed after nearly balking his approach when Pikachu reached him. "Hey, buddy. You saw that, huh?" Rather than praise Ash, Pikachu blew up.

("WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY ASH!?") he roared. Ash tried to block the yelling with his hands which was useless.

"Easy there, Pikachu!" he urged. "It's still me!" They headed up to the training grounds while Sasami blossomed in happiness, forgetting Tsunami's wish. She felt energized to make breakfast for everyone, but Ash has won her heart. She started to make breakfast at a fast pace. It's a start to something huge.

TO BE CONTINUED...