Make that three chapters in one day, this'll be the fluffy AAML scene you've been waiting for, but expect many more like this. I own nothing except the story.
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Chapter 7

Misty's POV

Once I finally reached my room after storming off, I slammed the door as hard as I could and dove onto my bed, sobbing at the humiliation I'd been handed by my so-called best friend. Unfortunately, that woke up Azurill.

"Azu?" (Mommy?)

I should've known better than to come in here while Azurill was sleeping; now I had to be strong. A mother figure shouldn't break down like I was. "I-I'm sorry, Azurill, I didn't want to wake you." I wiped the tears from my eyes and took Azurill into my arms and hugged her close, trying to find some form of comfort. Of course, wiping my tears wound up meaning nothing since fresh ones just continued to replace the ones I'd wipe away. "I should've known better...why do I keep leaving myself open to heartbreak?" The amount of crying I had been doing over the last few days sickened my stomach. I was supposed to be tough, I was supposed to be strong, I prided myself on being able to keep my emotions hidden...except for the occasional temper tantrum when I get really annoyed...which admittedly was often. Why was it whenever Ash came into my life, I suddenly turned into a simpering child? Suddenly, I heard a knock at the door, and a soft voice from the other side.

"Misty, can I come in?"

"Speak of the devil." It was Ash. What did he want from me now? To tell me I was scrawny? That I would never live up to his expectations? My mind said not to let him in.

"Mist, please?"

Of course, as much as I wanted to listen to my mind, his soft voice was currently speaking to my aching heart, which in turn began screaming at me to let him in. "Why do you make me do these things?" I finally gave in and went to open the door, putting Azurill down on the bed. But I didn't look his way when I did open it, I was determined to let him know that I was livid with him.

"Misty, please let me explain."

"Explain what?!" I whipped my head around to glare at him. "That you came all this way just to have a fake battle with my sister?! You threw that match Ash! You haven't been that bad since you were a rookie!" At that moment, Pikachu bounded in and took Azurill downstairs to play, which left me and Ash alone to discuss things.

"I did have a reason for that." He mumbled before looking at me again. "Will you let me explain, please?"

I gave him a glare, but I didn't say anything. "This oughta be good."

Ash sat himself down next to me on my bed, and began his explanation. "The last time you and I talked, you said that you were training with Daisy, right?" I gave him a nod, but I kept my face turned away. "You said that she might actually be starting to enjoy the whole battling concept. Right?" I gave him another nod, and when I turned my head towards his face, he smiled at me. I quickly turned my head away again; there was no way I was going to forgive him yet. "Mist, I really have missed you. More than you can probably imagine." Hearing that, I turned my head to meet the gaze of his chocolate-brown eyes. They showed that what he was saying was sincere. Another tear rolled down my cheek against my will, and Ash put his finger to my face to wipe it away. My heart was now running a mile a minute, why was it so hard to stay mad at him?

Ash's POV

I saw a tear flowing from her beautiful green eyes, and I placed my finger to her face to wipe it away. Where I found the courage to do that, I'll never know, but I got the feeling that if I was going to fix this problem, I had to tell her the whole plan and the motives behind it, including…my love for her. "When I realized that Daisy was enjoying battling, I saw an opportunity…" I gulped as my heart began to beat rapidly. "An opportunity…to get you back."

Misty's POV

"G-Get me back? What does he mean by that?"

"I figured that if I gave Daisy a taste of what it was like to win a battle, she'd work at it more." Ash looked me in the eyes, and I again saw the sincerity in his own eyes. "The point wasn't to upstage you, Mist, the point was…I wanted Daisy to realize that she didn't need you to stay here anymore."

"Wait...what could that mean? Maybe...leaving the gym?" My stomach was starting to fill with Butterfree again, and then I watched Ash pull off his hat, and pull out my handkerchief from inside it. My hand went to my mouth in awe. "I-I can't believe...you still have it."

"Misty, this thing has been reminding me of you for a while now, and a few days ago…it…told me that…I want you back." I could tell that he was nervous as he spoke.

"Ash...I didn't think you'd still have that after all this time." I could feel my throat tightening as my emotions got stirred up again, but I couldn't muster the strength to prevent it.

"Of course I have it, Mist!" He gazed intensely at me. "I've kept it in my hat since the first day you left just so I could make sure I'd never lose it! It's really important to me." I was extremely touched by Ash's statement. I never would've imagined that my old handkerchief meant so much to him, even if he didn't seem to understand the message behind it back then. "Misty, I want you to come traveling with me and my friends in the Sinnoh Region, I need you…I-I…" Ash was acting strangely. Seeing him nervous wasn't new, but this seemed completely different. It almost sounded like...a confession.

"Is he going to say what I think he's going to say?!" I wanted to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming this...and at the same time, I didn't want to tempt fate and possibly end this unbelievable moment.

Ash's POV

"C'mon, Ketchum, you've made it this far, there's no way you can back out now…if you do…you may lose her forever." I took a deep breath and just stared right into her eyes, focusing on just getting the words out of my mouth. "I love you, Misty." I kept my head bowed once I said it, and I waited for her to give some sort of reply. I figured she'd either accept it, or hit me with her mallet and break my heart along with my head.

Misty's POV

"I love you, Misty."

He did say it! He actually said it! My heart nearly leaped out of my chest in joy, as I stared at the young boy that I fell in love with four years ago. I decided that since he felt the same, I didn't have to hide anything any longer. I embraced him in a tight hug and began crying into his chest, but not tears of sadness, these were tears of joy, tears of relief from years of waiting, and tears that I had held in because I had to be tough. "I love you too, Ash!" I let it all out right then and there, in the arms of someone I finally knew for sure, loved me. "This is real, this is actually real!"

Ash's POV

I suddenly felt someone's arms wrapped around me, so I opened my eyes and saw Misty hugging me tightly, and I felt unbelievable relief when she said that she loved me too. She was crying into my chest, and I wrapped my arms around her to reciprocate her hug. The feeling of having her in my arms was indescribable, and the feeling that had invaded my stomach over the past few days had returned, but it felt good instead of painful now. I immersed myself in the smell of her hair, and I stroked her back lovingly. Having her in my arms, so close to me, only further proved to me that I did indeed love her with all my heart. After a few minutes of just holding each other, Misty looked up at me and smiled, and I smiled back. "So what do you say, Mist, will you come with me? I'm sure Charizard can handle it."

Her smile faltered. "Ash, I don't know…you can't imagine how much I appreciate your effort…and especially your words…but I don't know if Daisy can handle running the gym on her own."

Normal POV

"What are you saying, baby sis? That I can't battle for squat?"

Ash and Misty released each other and turned beet red, seeing that Misty's older sister had seen them embracing each other. She was standing in the doorway with a smug grin on her face and her arms crossed over her chest. "T-That's not what I meant, Daisy…all I meant was-"

"Pack your bags, Misty!" the blonde cut her little sister off. "I'm kinda getting tired of seeing you mope around here."

After she took a moment to process what she'd just been told, Misty leaped off her bed and embraced her sister, who hugged her back, albeit somewhat awkwardly. "Thank you so much, Daisy!" she squealed. Misty then turned around and wrapped her arms around Ash's neck, and Ash gladly hugged her back. "I think I'll need a place to go, since my sister's kicking me out." Misty said as she turned her head to playfully stick her tongue out at Daisy. She then turned back to Ash, her viridian orbs sparkling with joy. "You have any ideas, Ash?"

"I think I might have one." Ash hugged her tighter, invoking love filled laughter from the new couple.

"Now isn't that a pretty picture?" Daisy sighed. "I'm really happy for you two!"

"Thanks." Ash acknowledged without turning away from Misty's gaze. However, after a moment, something interesting occurred to Ash. "Wait a second!" he exclaimed, suddenly glancing at the now startled blonde. "I just realized something! You haven't said 'like' since I got here! What gives?"

Misty's eyes widened in shock, although she wasn't sure if it was because Ash was right, or if it was because Ash had actually noticed. "Hey yeah! What's going on Daisy? You finally losing that Valley Girl mindset?" she teased.

"Oh...um...like?" Daisy shrugged helplessly.

"And here I thought all these years you couldn't help yourself!" Misty's temper suddenly rose. "You knew it drove me crazy, and you still kept saying it!"

Daisy put up her hands in self defense. "Look, the truth is I outgrew it a while back, but I still say it for Lily and Violet's sake! Besides...it's kinda one of the things the Sensational Sisters are known for." Daisy quickly tried to change the subject. "But today isn't about me for once, it's about you two. My baby sister's found true love and at such a young age! It's the kinda thing dreams are made of! Now hurry and get packed Misty, you still have to live happily ever after!"

"Well...when you put it that way...I guess I can let it slide." Misty stared back into Ash's russet-colored eyes and got lost in the love emanating from them. "At this point...I think I could let anything slide."

"Okay, Daisy, I'm taking Azurill, Staryu, Politoed, Gyarados, and Psyduck. That leaves you with my Starmie, Goldeen, Caserin, Corsola, and Horsea to battle with. And with your Dewgong and Luverin, that makes seven..."

"Misty, I get it," Daisy sighed in exasperation before giving her sister a teasing smirk. "Just get going already, your boyfriend is waiting."

"He's not my-" the redhead cut herself off before she could complete her habitual denial, and her eyes seemed to twinkle as she spoke up again. "Well...I guess he is."

"Oh, and don't worry about Lily and Violet," the blonde said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I'll tell them what happened when they get back from the beauty salon."

"Hey Mist, we gotta get going!" Ash called out from the entrance before waving at the new Gym Leader. "Seeya later, Daisy!"

After one last parting hug with her oldest sister, Misty ran up next to Ash and took his hand, and he squeezed hers back. Then they walked out of the Gym doors hand-in-hand, with Pikachu running not far behind. After a short walk, they made it to the Pokémon Center and picked up Charizard, who was now fully refreshed and ready to fly. "Are you sure about this, Ash? I mean…you said Charizard barely made it just carrying you." she said as she wringed her hands nervously. "Can he really handle another passenger?"

"Don't worry about Charizard; he'll make it for our sakes. You can't imagine how strong he's gotten since he's trained at the Charicific Valley." Ash said reassuringly. "C'mon out, Charizard!" Charizard emerged from his Pokéball and announced his presence with a loud roar, barbequing Ash in the process. "Good…to see…you too buddy…" Ash strained.

"Are you okay, Ash?!" Misty exclaimed with her eyes wide with concern. She was actually a little shocked with herself that all of a sudden seeing Ash hurt wasn't all that amusing anymore. "I guess when you get together with someone, your perspective on certain things change a little."

"Yeah, I'm fine, Mist." Ash shook the soot off of himself. "You remember Misty, right, Charizard?" Charizard nodded and noticed the new couple holding hands, and Charizard gave Ash a sly smile, which was rare for him. Ash and Misty blushed a bit, and then Charizard motioned for them to hop on. Ash jumped on first, and then pulled Misty up by her hand. Misty secured herself on Charizard's back, and then wrapped her arms around Ash's waist. "We'll probably be flying overnight, you ready?" Ash asked his new girlfriend. Misty nodded with a smile. "Alright, Charizard! Let's get back to Sinnoh!" Charizard was just about to take off, when a solid net appeared out of nowhere and covered them completely. "Oh no, give me a break!"

"Ash, please tell me it isn't who I think it is?"

"I made a wish on Team Rocket! Ugh!"

"Huh?"

"I'll explain later."

"Prepare for trouble!"

"And make it double!"

"To protect the world from devastation!"

"To unite all peoples within our nation!"

"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"

"To extend our reach to the stars above!"

"Jessie!"

"And James!"

"Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light!"

"Surrender now or prepare to fight, fight, fight!"

"Meeowth! Dat's right!"

"Woooobuu!" (Yeah!)

"Mime mime!" (Yeah!)

"What do you want Team Rocket?!" Ash yelled angrily through the net.

"First, we have a question!" Jessie yelled back. "Why weren't you with your other two twerpy friends?!"

"Yeah, and what are you doing all the way here in Kanto?!" James added with an indignant glare. "We had to change our motto just to initiate this little encounter!"

"That's my business!" Ash growled. "But why are you here?!"

"Your little friends blasted us here." Jessie grunted in disgust. "Finding you was mere coincidence, but we take any and every opportunity we can to snatch Pikachu!"

"Forget it!" Ash growled. "Charizard, get this thing off of us with Steel Wing!" Charizard's wings glowed, and the net disintegrated, revealing a very irate team.

"Hey look!" Meowth leaned over the balloon's basket and pointed down. "It's da original twoipette!"

"Now we know why you're here, you came to visit your little girlfriend!" Jessie teased. Team Rocket began to laugh heartily, but stopped when they didn't hear any denials. "Well, aren't you going to deny it?!"

"Our teasing is useless if you don't react!" James yelled.

"Guys, look!" Meowth again pointed, only this time it was aimed at the hands of Ash and Misty.

James eyes widened in shock. "You mean they finally got together for real?!"

"I knew they would!" Jessie grinned maliciously and held out her palm to the cat Pokémon. "Meowth, you owe me twenty bucks!"

"Forget it, Jess! Dat bet expired two years ago!" Meowth glared down at the teenaged trainers and their Pokémon. "Besides, we gotta nab dat Pikachu!"

"Ash?" Misty batted her eyelashes a little. "Since we're getting back to old times, can I blast them off this time?"

The black-haired trainer smiled. "Sure thing, Mist, go for it!"

Grinning madly, Misty reached for a Pokéball and tossed it out. "Misty calls Gyarados!" Upon being released, her powerful water-dragon unleashed a mighty roar that shook the air around the balloon in the air.

"Ahhh!" James shrieked in fear and collapsed onto the floor of the balloon. "A Gyarados!" Ever since his unpleasant experience with the Magikarp years ago, James had been terrified of all Gyarados, and now there was one about to attack them.

"Gyarados, blast them off with your Flamethrower!" Gyarados gave another roar, and flames shot out of his mouth, popping their balloon for the millionth time and blasting them off back towards Sinnoh.

"Oh great," James groaned. "With the redheaded twerpette back, things are going to be even harder to catch Pikachu."

"So where are we headed this time, Meowth?" Jessie snarked with a shrug. "The Orange Islands?"

"Nope, we're flying back towards Sinnoh, and we'll get dere pretty quick since…" Meowth paused, and all three of them looked at each other nervously.

"We're blasting off again!"

"Wobbuffet!"

*Ping*

"Yeah, way to go Gyarados!" Gyarados roared in victory, then he was returned to his Pokéball for a good rest.

"Way to go Misty!" Ash pumped a fist as he looked back at her. "You sent them packing!"

Misty giggled. "Thanks." she then pumped her own fist with her eyes sparkling with excitement. "So what are we waiting for? Let's get going!"

Ash grinned. "You got it!" he turned his head so he was looking forward again, and he pointed his finger towards the sky. "Alright, Charizard, let's go!" Charizard roared and took off with a mighty leap. Misty gasped at the sudden change in altitude, but was quickly comforted by Ash squeezing her hand softly. "Thanks for coming back with me, Mist." he said as he turned his head to look back at her.

"Thank you for getting me out of that gym, Ash," she smiled apologetically. "And I'm sorry for reacting so violently."

"No worries," Ash grinned slyly. "I'm used to that."

"What's that supposed to mean, Ash Ketchum?"

Ash decided to let this argument slide, and instead he turned back towards the sky with a big smile on his face. "Full speed ahead, Charizard!"

"AAAAAASH!"