Ash and Misty begin to dream of a time and place, 1000 years ago, where they were Satoshi and Kasumi, star-crossed lovers from enemy families.  However, the first of all loving dreams turn into tragic nightmares.

Author Notes -
Ages: Ash  17
      Misty & Kasumi  18
      Satoshi  20

Ash looked into the dark sky.  It was futile to continue on at this time of the night.  They could barely see the ground underneath them.  Plus rain was beginning to fall.  "I think we better stop here, Misty.  There's no way were going to get to Pewter tonight.  We'll see Brock tomorrow, but for now I think we better set the tent up."

"Not another night out camping," she whined.  "I don't think I can even remember what a real bed looks like.  I told you we shouldn't have taken that short cut.  From now on I'm leading."

Ash chuckled. "You'll just get us lost."

"I've never gotten us lost.  You're the one who can't read maps.”

"Yes I can."

"Well then, how come it took us five hours to get to Vermilion last week when it should have only been a thirty minute walk?"

He looked down awkwardly at the ground.  "Ah, I was reading the map upside down."  He then looked at her again, straight into her deep eyes and smiled.  God, she's beautiful when she's angry.

Misty noticed the look he give her and began to blush.  She was sure, from the way he had been looking at her lately, that there was something going on between them.  She had known for years that she was madly in love with him, but she had never believed that maybe he could feel the same about her.  However, now those doubts had begun to fade.  They always flirted with each other, and their arguments had gone from vicious and belittling to comical and enjoyable.  They had even shared their first kiss together three years before, although it had not lead to anything further. But still she was afraid to make a move incase her perceptions were wrong.

"I think maybe we should set up the tent," she said quietly, trying to break herself from her thoughts.

"Yeah."  He lent down, opening the bag.  He reached inside to take the poles out but instead met with something warm and tender.  He glanced up to see Misty next to him, reaching into the bag as well, his hand on top of hers.  They again looked at each other, unsure of what to do, until they both started to laugh gently.

" Sorry," they both said in unison.

"Do you want me to get the stuff out?" Ash asked.

"Sure," she answered, but their hands remained in contact for several seconds more before she stood, walking over to Pikachu and Togetic.  She watched as he pulled the poles and canvas out of the bag, and began to assemble the tent...clumsily.  She sighed.  "You're useless."

"Hey!" he protested, an injured expression upon his face.

She softened at the look.  "Here.  Let me help."
 
 

Misty glanced around at the scene before her.  Was it morning already?  She felt like she had just drifted off to sleep mere moments ago.  But the forest didn't look as she had remembered it.  And where was the tent?  Her and Ash had been sleeping there because of the rain, but now he and it were nowhere to be seen.

She stood and began to walk, but it seemed more like something was in control of her body.  She tried to stop her legs but they continued on undaunted.  What's going on? she asked herself.  Fear began to arise within her.  Where were her legs taking her?

The forest began to clear, allowing her to look out upon a crystal clear lake.  A figure sat by the bank, dressed in traditional clothing, staring off into the distance, seemingly lost within his own thoughts.  She drew closer, alerting him to her attention.  He looked up to her, a wide smile upon his handsome face.

She couldn't believe it.  It couldn't be.  The man, into whose face she was staring,  looked exactly like...Ash.  But he seemed...a little older.  Not by much, maybe twenty or so.

The doppleganger stood and placed his arms around her, pulling her into a loving embrace.  She felt warm in his arms, comfortable and safe.  When he released her, she felt his arm move, his hand settling upon her belly.  She did the same, pressing it with a gentle pressure, and realised that her abdomen was ever so slightly swollen.  It was barely noticeable, but she could feel it.

What is going on?  She began to panic again, confused by everything, until the image began to fade, replaced by red canvas and the sound of heavy rain pouring from the heavens, drumming upon the tent.  She bolted up, her mind still in chaos.

A noise came from beside her.  She turned in its direction to see Ash sitting in the same position as her, bewilderment shadowing his face as well.

"You...okay?" she whispered.

"Ah, yeah.  I think so.” He paused. “Are you?"  he asked, his worry for her evident.

She nodded.  " It was just a..." she thought for a moment.  She was about to say a bad dream, but what was so bad about it?  "...a strange dream."

"Me too."

Both sat for a few moments longer before they lay back on their makeshift beds.  "Night," he said.

"Night," she echoed.

Ash watched her as she closed her eyes and pulled the sleeping bag up to cover all of her body apart from her head.  Yeah, he'd had many dreams about her before, he was in love with her after all, but tonight's had just seemed so strange.  People say dreams mean something, your unconscious or whatever trying to tell you something, he thought.  Well then, what the hell did that one mean?