"Phew!" Ash huffed as he heaved his traveling pack up on the porch. He had just arrived back in Pallet Town to visit his mom for awhile. It had been awhile since he's taken a break from journeying to do so, so since it was winter break at the Pokémon school in Alola (and because the holidays were fast approaching), he decided he'd spend his days off back where it all began... in Kanto, at his home in the small town of Pallet.

"We made it, Pikachu," Ash beamed at his partner, who smiled.

"Oh! I'm so glad you're home, Pikachu!" Exclaimed an all too familiar voice, who immediately ran past her son and instead scooped up his pal, Pikachu, instead.

"Oh, and welcome home, Ash," bluntly responded the shameless Mrs. Delia Ketchum, who's son only face palmed upon his greeting.

She let him inside, offering to take up his belongings, but he insisted that he do it himself, no matter how tired he was from the very long and muggy plane ride from Alola to his home in Pallet Town.

Ash sat himself down on his bed, exhausted, while Pikachu scurried next to him.

He didn't realize how tired he was until he noticed that he was almost asleep when he heard a faint knocking at the door. He tuned it out when he heard his mother answer it and started to hear mummers. But he didn't bother. It was around evening anyway, so it's not like it would be anyone he was concerned with.

Before he noticed Pikachu's excitement, he jumped back at his loud, unexpected squeal.

"PIKA! PIKA! PI!" Pikachu leap off the bed and left in a flash.

"Pikachu..?" Ash asked the air, slowly regaining his awareness, "Pikachu!?"

"Is down here, sweetie!" Delia called up to him.

"Why?!"

His mom giggled, chuckling to herself the way mothers do, "Well, why don't you see for yourself?"

He was about to reply, but was stopped before the words could even form when he recognized the sound of her giggling joined in with his mother's. Ash let out a small gasp, before grinning wide like the child he was. It was her!

"Misty!"

He bolted up from the bed as if he wasn't just about to fall asleep, and ran out of the room to follow his buddy, Pikachu down the stairs to find his favorite orange-haired girl.

"Hey there, A-! Ah!" Exclaimed the girl as Ash had accidentally turned the corner too quickly and ran straight into her, bumping heads before falling to the floor.

"Ow!" They grunted at the same time, rubbing where they'd hit their heads, neither of them looking at the other yet.

That is, until Ash dared to peak, despite the usually painful throbbing in his head. She was wearing the same outfit she wore when they traveled with Brock through Kanto, Johto, and with Tracey through the Orange Islands. Her hair hadn't changed a bit, it still had the same appealing look to it that made her so differently... different... a good different, that is.

Although, it occurred to him, that he had -regretfully- forgot about how -need he think it- beautiful she was.

Yes, he had realized that the girls he has traveled with are indeed beautiful in their own way. But Misty seemed... different to him, and this was the first time he's seen her since he started thinking that way, so a little heat may have escaped to his cheeks.

After regaining his senses, he helped Misty up, "Heh, sorry Mist. You okay?"

"Yeah," Misty replied, while being lifted back to her feet by Ash, "It's okay," she said, dusting herself off.

Ash heard his mother chuckle, letting her presence known to them, "Ashy honey, Misty wanted to know if you guys could hang out and catch up for a few days, because of what happened to the Cerulean City Gym the yesterd-"

"What!?" Ash exclaimed, thoroughly surprised by hearing such a notion, but clearly concerned, "What happened?" He asked, instead of what he really wanted to say, which was if Misty was okay.

"A tree fell on it, that's what," Misty scowled, disgraced, "It scared the living day lights out of me too, and that was after the power went out due to the storm last night. It'll take weeks for the construction workers to fix it, and sadly, even longer for the power to come back on in Cerulean City," she explained.

"What about your sisters?" Ash questioned.

"Oh don't get me started!" She commanded, even though she was still going to do so anyway, so it was kind of counterproductive,

(A/N: Yes heromudkip297, I stole yo thing. Dealz withz itz)

"They've been gone for a few weeks for a 'Hoenn Tour', going from city to city to perform their water ballets, and I haven't heard from them at ALL! The only way I know they're even still alive is the relentless media coverage on them, asking, 'Oh, how'd ya become so famous', and, 'I thought you guys had anoth- Oh wait, she's stuck in Kanto with your old jobs' right?' UGHH!" Misty couldn't have been thought of as 'emotionally stable' at that point, but you could tell she was leaving it at that for a good reason.

Ash had a look of pity. And he thought he had issues. He guessed maybe muggy jet lag was his punishment for being rightfully stupid, in his own way of course. "Oh..." he found himself staring...

Misty caught him. She smirked to herself a little before shaking the thought away and shelving it... for now at least, "Ash, what you doing?" Misty asked, 'Staring at me, obviously, but why?' She asked, to herself this time, that is.

"Uh? What? N-Nothing!" He covered, looking away briskly. 'What am I doing? I was just zoned out. She didn't think I was staring, did she?'

His mom giggled, making the pair blush, realizing she was still there. She then excused herself, but not before sending a seemingly suspicious wink at the both of them, leaving them be.

Misty grabbed a hold of Ash's wrist, heading out the door, "Come on, Ash. Follow me." She directed, as Pikachu returned to his proper Trainer.

She dragged him a little ways from his front porch before letting him go so she wouldn't drag him the whole way there. They passed Route 1... then Viridian City... then Route 2... then Viridian Forest... then Pewter City... then Route 3... then Mt. Moon... then Route 4... before finally arriving at Cerulean City where Misty finally spoke.

"Wait here," Misty told him, entering the back side of the Gym.

Ash nodded and watched her leave, sitting down with his partner in the grass.

"Pi?" (Are you okay?)

"I'm fine, Pikachu,"

"Pika? Pi-Pi-Pikachu?" (Really? Aren't you the least bit concerned about where she could be taking us?)

"No,"

Pikachu grew a wicked smirk, "Pika-pi...?" (And why is that...?)

"Because... I trust her,"

"Pika..chu," Pikachu sighed, paw slapped on his face as if disapproving his answer.

Ash tilted his head, "What are you 'Oh, Ash'-ing about for? I haven't said anything stupid."

Pikachu sighed, "Pi pi Pikachu..." (You'll never understand...)

"What do you mean 'I'll never understand'?"

He got no response.

Minutes later, Misty returned with two large backpacks and two rolled up sleeping bags, as well as what seemed like a tent.

"Camping?" Ash guessed, as Misty handed him one of the bags.

"Yup!" Misty replied. Her Azurill squeaked in excitement. "It's only a little farther from here." She said, walking ahead of him.

He tried to follow close behind, but was having difficulty in doing so.

"Come on, Ash!" Misty said, grabbing his wrist again to drag him along. They were heading north of Cerulean, onto what Ash figured out to be Route 24 -err- 25, thanks to a road sign as they crossed the Nugget bridge. They weaved their way through some trees found themselves at a clearing.

"Up there," Misty stated, pointing to an overlook that was just past some person's house.

When they got up there, Misty started getting the tent ready. Ash just dropped his things and stood there like an idiot. He had never seen this place before.

"They call it, 'Cerulean Cape'." Misty explained, as if reading his mind while setting up the first tent pole, "Many people come here for the nice view." She explained, purposely leaving out the sole reason anyone had ever went there for. She did not need Ash to know that it was a romantic date place icon, of sorts.

"Wow..." breathed Ash, as he looked out to the horizon. Even though it wasn't quite sunset yet, it was amazing, or in Ash's case, breathtaking.

After awhile of being in awe, Ash asked her, "Have you been here before?"

"Pikachu!" agreed the Pokémon on his shoulder, wondering the same thing as his Trainer.

"Yeah, I come here as often as I can." She responded, getting good progress done with setting up the tent.

Ash thought for a moment, still not facing her, "Why? Is there a reason?"

"Sort of... I guess..."

They remained quiet as their Pokémon eventually got bored and ran off to play.

Misty decided to continue, "It's peaceful... and sometimes.. it gets harder to feel... happy..." she paused, "... I guess it's just because of the Gym life and my sisters bothering me all the time, but... sometimes everything just feels backwards and upside down, as if it's not even real..."

Ash still didn't look at her, but he knew she wasn't crying. Just by the way she talked, made it seem like she was use to it, in a way she wasn't afraid to share it... but preferred not to.

"I miss traveling..."

He looked back, before realizing she was no longer behind him working on the now finished tent, but leaning on the railing beside him. She faced the sea.

"I don't know if I've told you this... or if you've realized this on your own but..." Misty sighed.

Not even a battle between Ho-Oh and Lugia could take Ash's attention off Misty. He was really interested in what Misty had to say. It was like this for him was the moment his entire outlook on Misty as a whole, would change forever.

"...but those days we traveled together..." Misty continued, turning to him, "... we're the happiest days of my life."

His eyes were wide, but not in shock. He was fascinated. "Really?" He asked in awe, which was answered with a nod.

"I had never left Cerulean City before... and I was running away from my sisters because of how I was looked at as the exclusion of the 'Sensational Sisters'... I was the 'Ugly Tomboy'... I was never treated like them..." Misty sighed, "Remember that one time when I really wanted that doll set because I had never had one?"

Ash nodded.

"Well... that's how it was with almost everything..."

"Oh..."

The wind blew through their hair as softly as the silence that followed. Misty turned back to the horizon.

"That's why I ran away... and to be honest... I had no idea what I was doing... I had nowhere to go..." Misty turned back to Ash again, "...That's why I needed that bike... so I could get away..." She, again, turned to the water, making this seem cheesier then it already was, "... I guess I became a little too dependent on it." Misty laughed with no humour.

Ash looked out to the horizon as well, being only inches apart from touching, "Yeah," he chuckled, with the same absence of amusement.

They stayed like that for a little while longer, until Misty broke it, facing him and they met each other's gaze.

"I guess... what I'm trying to say is... that I really enjoyed meeting, traveling, and getting to be your friend, Ash." She said.

What surprised Ash most of all, was that she was so sincere and open, she didn't even have a hint of blush or embarrassment. It was... shocking... to say the least.

Misty sighed, "I guess... I just wanted to make sure that you still didn't think that our friendship was only because of some wrecked bike... but rather, because I had no one else to turn to.. but the guy I had only just met..."

Ash couldn't stop himself from feeling sorry for her. All of the times she claimed that it was only because of the bike were lies, to cover up the truth that she needed help. She had built up a wall around herself, and he, without even asking, broke it. Misty told him the shameful truth.

Ash then thought that that couldn't be right, because she didn't seem to play the part. She didn't seem ashamed, like how, knowing her, she'd be if she had spilled it when they traveled through Kanto to Johto.

"Gee, Misty... I-I guess I never thought of it... that way."

Calmly, Misty breathed out into the now setting sun, "I know... I didn't really want you to..."

Ash hid his hurt, "How come?"

Misty paused, thinking of what to say, "You had just started your journey, Ash. The last thing I wanted was to ruin that excitement that you had with my problems, and why I really wanted to follow you... Thinking back on it now, I really thought that the bike excuse was going to keep you from leaving me behind. But after I got to know you better, I realized that you'd never do something like that to your friends... no matter how many arguments there were..." Misty said softly, "...right?" She sort of asked, uncertainty ringed in her tone of voice.

Ash couldn't help himself from a small, reassuring laugh and a smile, "Right."

He saw her shyly smile back, which made his stomach unconsciously flutter like a Butterfree, though he tried not to show it, because he didn't know why it did that.

Before long, he realized that Misty had been focusing all of her attention to the colors in the sky. Hesitantly, he too, joined in the watching of the sun.

It was quiet and peaceful, something, he realized, was somewhat uncommon between them, especially when Brock wasn't there. Ash also noticed that his red cheeked pal had found his way back on his shoulder.

"Pika~?"

"Good." He said, responding to Pikachu's "How's it goin'?" scratching him behind the ears.

Misty giggled, watching Pikachu purr at the affection.

Ash smiled at her. He didn't know that Misty had really gone through that much. He remembered her talking about how horrible her sisters use to be to her, but he never really connected it to the reason how they met. 'Maybe it was destiny...' Ash thought, before shaking his head to rid of the idea. Destiny!? What was he thinking? It's not like he was in love with her. They were friends. Best friends, in fact, he was certain. After all, he did promise that they'd be together forever.

~

Ash and company were listening to the radio in the Pokémon Center, before he and Misty found themselves lost in the song, while Brock was trying to get Nurse Joy's number.

"Together forever," Ash sang along, causing the orangette to giggle at his gesture, which was inviting her to dance with him.

Rolling her eyes, she took his outstretched hand, "No matter how long," she continued, laughing.

"From now until the end of time," They sang together, though Ash's singing voice wasn't that great, and Misty kept laughing while playing along.

"We'll be together," Misty sang this time, getting over the sillys, and playing along with Ash, who was still holding on to her hand.

"And you can be sure," Ash sang, covering Misty's other hand, and holding it close to him, making her blush a little.

"That forever and a day," sang Misty, in a guessing way, not really sure why this was happening.

"That's how long we'll stay," Ash smiled, beaming in the happiness the song radiated in general.

"Together and forevermore,"

~

"Ash?" Misty asked, snapping him back to the reality of his best friend glistening with the gloriousness of the now setting sun.

He blushed, "Oh, sorry Misty, I was just remembering something."

Misty looked at him curiously, "Remembering what, Ash?"

Ash was hesitant, wondering if she would even remember it. They did not tell Brock about it either, fearing he'd tease them, "Do you remember that time in the Pokémon Center?" 'Great start, Ash' he thought to himself, disappointed in his own answer.

Misty made a face, "Ash, we've been to dozens of Pokémon Centers, all of which, Brock had failed at getting a Nurse Joy to fall for him." She retorted, amusing herself with the addition of Brock's depressing love life.

"Oh yeah, hehe," Ash said with a sweat drop, "I mean that time we danced..."

Misty cocked an eyebrow, "Yeah, I remember. What was up with that by the way?"

"What do you mean?" Ash questioned. Pikachu couldn't stop banging his head against Ash's head, using it as a wall, due to the boy's denseness, thoroughly disappointed in his Trainer. Azurill snickered at Pikachu's actions, finding humor in it.

Misty's face fell, before becoming a light pink, "I mean... why did you dance with me.. and... um.. uh... hold my.. hand, and stuff." She stumbled on her words, before realizing that this was Ash she was talking to. She knew that he probably didn't know what those kinds of things meant.

What surprised her was when Ash seemed to actually think it over in his head, "I don't really know, I guess I was just so happy, listening to that song, that it was just instinct, ya know?"

Misty became a slightly darker shade of pink. 'Ash!? Having instincts for anything but food and Pokémon battles?! What is this world coming to?'

"I guess so..." She replied, looking back to the sunset.

Ash did so as well.

Although, a little while later, Misty noticed that Ash seemed to be thinking deeply about something.

"Mist?"

"Yeah, what is it, Ash?"

He paused, looking down in perplexity, "Why did you make fun of me, if you... needed me? I don't get it."

She turned away from him, mumbling, "I... I don't know," before moving her gaze over to the tent, "I think that we should get ready for bed soon." Misty said, stepping back from the sunset and gathering up her scattered belongings, and moving them closer to her Corsola pattern sleeping bag.

And those were the last words they had exchanged before turning in for the night.

//•//•\\•\\•//•//•\\•\\•//•//•\\•\\

Hey ya peoples! I just felt in the mood to FINALLY do a PokéShipping only story, that doesn't involve my child Tracey like a normal person ^-^'

So I hope you enjoy my actual serious writing for once instead of my randomness like my Pokémon Truth or Dare, or Whelp... Taggings...

Do you like it so far? Cause this was fun to write actually

Have a nice day! :3