Shadows on the Heart Window to the soul
by Flygon
Chapter 11

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Flygon here, here is the next installment of my story. I also apologize for the apparent cliffhanger I popped out with chapter 10. I did a six chapter update this time to avoid a heavy cliffhanger here, so you folks don't have to wait a week to find out what happened. I will warn you ahead of time, some real heavy type stuff is going to be happening in these, and other chapters, but that is as far as I will go. You will have to read them to find out what. Enjoy and I hope you make a few comments, either to me through the review button, or in the forum. I would like to know if many enjoyed this work.

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A New Day, A New Dream

The fourth morning came and two nurses passed by the room where Ash slept, glancing in and seeing Misty asleep holding his hand. And the nurses smiled at this. They also saw a yellow and black striped pikachu curled next to the boys head, also asleep and smiled even more.

"This is just like in a romance book." One whispered to the other.

A doctor came in and took Ash's pulse from his unoccupied hand and then checked his heart rate.

"Damn, that's cold." Ash said in a rough whisper at the contact of the stethoscope to his chest.

"Sorry," The doctor whispered back after a soft chuckle. "We can't seem to warm these things enough."

"Why are you whispering, doctor?" he asked with a smile, and saw the doctor jerk his head toward the other side of the bed.

Turning, he saw Misty, asleep and holding onto his other hand. He felt a warmth against the side of his head and saw pikachu there, asleep and curled up in a small ball. Meowth was asleep on the table.

"They haven't left your side since you got here, and from what the ambulance attendant said, they were in the ambulance with you." The doctor explained. Then he told Ash, quietly, what had happened. He stared at the doctor as that day came flooding back to him. His run, tripping, finding Butch sneering at him, the black thing hitting his chest, the pain. He remembered a hazy recollection of Misty crying over him, and seeing blue liquid dripping off his hand onto him. He also recalled her saying three words over and over again. He remembered, or thought he remembered telling her how he felt but he couldn't be sure. He saw Misty smile in her sleep, and murmur his name, and he felt his heart soar. He looked at the doctor.

"How long was I out?" He asked quietly.

"Three days and nights," The doctor responded. "All the poison has been purged from your system thanks to those tears of the deep. However, the damage will take a little time to be undone. Seviper venom attacks muscles in humans, and you will be weak as a newly hatched caterpie for a few days. You'll be able to leave in three weeks or so. Do you feel hungry?"

Ash was about to answer when his stomach growled loudly and Misty stirred. He coloured slightly and simply scratched the back of his head.

"I feel like I could eat a whalord right now." He grinned.

"Well, I see the nurse brings you some good broth, and some oatmeal." He chuckled when he saw Ash's expression. "It's all your system can deal with now. Tomorrow, we'll try some noodle soup, and in a few days, if you can keep it down, then we'll move on to more solid foods. Don't push your self, Mr. Ketchum. You've been through hell in a handbasket, and it will take time to heal." He started towards the door. "Oh, after your breakfast, one of the officer Jennys will be in to see you, and nurse Joy from the local pokemon center will be here too. Your friends will be visiting later in the day." and he left.

Something different in the feel next to him caused him to turn from the door and he saw Misty looking at him, new tears forming in her eyes. He reached over with his other hand, mentally cursing his weakness, and wiped one tear away from her eye. He looked deep into those sea blue orbs and saw love, sadness, joy all mixed together. He cupped the side of her face and watched as she closed her eyes and leaned into his hand. She still had his hand in hers, and showed no inclination of releasing it.

"A doctor told me that you were with me all the time." He said softly, his voice a little rough sounding.

"I wasn't going to leave you." she replied in a shaky tone. "I thought I had lost you in that Ambulance." She began to cry again. "I pushed you away once." she sobbed. "Never again."

"Please Mist," Ash began to plead. "Don't cry."

"Ash," She said quietly. "When I was with you in that ambulance, I could only think of you. How I had the greatest gift on the planet, and I almost lost it forever." she squeezed his hand when she saw Ash start to shake his head, and begin to speak. "I said it so often in the ambulance Ash. I'm not afraid now. I love you, Ash Ketchum."

Ash closed his eyes as his heart seemed to thunder. He had feared that he would never hear those words from her when he told her that he loved her. And now she was telling him first. He opened his eyes and looked into her sea coloured gaze.

"Mist," he began and the door opened, as a nurse brought in a tray with his food.

"Eat first," Misty said with a small smile.

"This is more important, Mist." He said quietly. "I've known that you were special since that day you fished me out of that river. I was just too scared to admit it. First pride, then fear stopped me from telling you something. Pride because I was ten, and a new trainer and I thought that pokemon should be first to me always, then fear. Fear that you couldn't feel the same about me that I felt towards you." he smiled a bit ruefully. "I'm not much of a catch, and I know it. I'm not very handsome, and I know I have a ways to go to be well mannered or cultured. You said that you had the greatest gift? No. To me you 'are' the greatest gift. Your friendship was the greatest gift I could have wished for, because I never thought that you could love me. Truth is, I love you Misty Waterflower and have since the day we met." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it, seeing her smile while a single tear came down her cheek.

"Ooooooooh that's so sweet." A voice at the door said.

Ash, Misty and the nurse looked over and there was a woman in the doorway. She had black hair and piercing blue eyes set in a slightly hawkish face. Dressed in a black knee length skirt, lavender button down blouse, and high heels. She had a pair of glasses pushed up on her forehead, and a pad and pen in hand. She was also smiling sweetly at the two.

"I'll have to ask you to leave," The nurse said in a stern tone.

"Don't get your panties in a bind, sweety." The woman said with a sudden grin at the nurse. "I'll be going in a minute." Then she looked at Ash. "And you hun," and her smile was again that sweet one she first had. "Don't sell yourself short. Not much of a catch? Think again. Little miss red head here, just landed one of the biggest prizes in the whole of Sinnoh." She reached into her purse and pulled out a card. "Do your self a favour hunny, before the fluff heads, screamers, and schemers start to show up and gimme a call for an interview." she placed the card on the bed tray. "Don't wait too long though. Trust in auntie Violet, I can fix things great." She winked and left.

Ash stared at the open door amazed. Then he looked at Misty who seemed to be in the same state. They both looked at the nurse who seemed angry.

"Who was that?" Ash asked.

"That was Violet Hastings." The nurse said in an irritated tone. "She's a reporter, freelance, and she hangs around here doing all sorts of stories. She is one of the most read freelancers there are." She smoothed her white uniform, gave a small 'humph' sound then turned to Ash with a smile. "Now let's set you up for your meal."

Ash suddenly found himself both ravenous, and embarrassed. His bed was fixed so he could be in a seated position. Pikachu was moved to the foot of the bed and the nurse informed him that nurse Joy had given her a mild sedative, and Meowth too, so that they would sleep long and deep. Then he started eating and became embarrassed. He managed three spoonfuls before the spoon started to grow in weight. Soon he was struggling. Misty came to his rescue and began carefully spooning broth into him. At one point she gave him a spoonful, then quickly took one herself, grinning at Ash before she blushed. She just realized that she performed what girls called an indirect kiss. When she looked at Ash she saw he had turned a shade darker too. Then she began to spoon the oatmeal into him. When Ash had finished the food he looked to Misty.

"Thanks Mist, for everything." He looked into her eyes and then gripped her hand once more.

They began to talk. Each pouring out their heart to the other. Misty told Ash what had happened at the camp-site and what she thought, apologizing for pushing him away, then she told him what happened in the ambulance. How she was nearly begging him not to go, not to leave her alone. She said that she had cried more in that ambulance then she had ever before. Then He began to tell her things about himself. His hopes, his dreams, and some things that he never even told his own mother. He opened his heart and soul to Misty. He held nothing back, even telling her things that he normally wouldn't even tell pikachu. Several times he blushed deeply when admitting something that was embarrassing, but he did not stop. Not until the nurse came in and asked what he would like for lunch.

Misty helped him with the lunch which consisted of Broth and oatmeal again, plus a single scrambled egg that was very soft. During that time Misty asked Ash why he had told her so much.

"My mom once told me that there is no sure way to know your in love." He began, after swallowing some of the egg. "Though she did say that if I found a person who seemed to push all my old dreams aside, that was the surest sign. She said that being in love meant that you wanted to share your whole life with the person. All your dreams, all your hopes, all your secrets." he held her hand. "I won't ever keep a secret from you Mist. I'll never hold anything back from you. I may not be able to give you much, but I will give you full and total honesty." Then he kissed her hand softly again.

She began to tell him about herself. She looked into his eyes and did the same thing he did. She told him all her dreams and hopes, All her feelings and fears. Once she started, she found that she couldn't seem to stop herself. She even told him some of her most private thoughts and feelings. She too, found herself blushing at some of the things she was telling him, and noticed that with some of them he blushed too. All the while they drifted closer, until Misty found that she had leaned her head onto his shoulder and was talking to his neck. She finished and looked up, her face a mear inch from his. Their eyes locked in that instant, and she felt her breath catch in her throat as he slowly leaned forward. She felt his breath on her lips and tilted her head slightly and their lips brushed for the very first time. She leaned into the kiss, her first, his first, their first, and savoured the moment. She felt his hand brush the side of her face and still they held the kiss. Her whole being seemed to tingle and she felt almost like she was on a cloud. Thousands of thoughts flew through her head, and all now included Ash. And when they finally broke the kiss Misty saw the look in Ash's eyes and knew that he be thinking the same thing. Then they heard a sigh from the doorway, and a throat being cleared. Whirling they saw Brock and Susie.

Brock had a smile on his face and Susie had a wistful expression. Both Ash and Misty coloured instantly, but oddly didn't pull away from each other. Brock winked at the both of them.

"It's about time, you two." He said with some feeling.

"What are you talking about, Brock?" Susie asked quizzically.

"Susie," Brock said to her. "These two have been in love with each other for almost two years now. But both seemed to be afraid of something that whole time." He shook his head. "The fact that they were kissing, shows that whatever they were afraid of is gone. Now they can live their lives happy."

"Your right on all counts Brock," Ash said, turning back to Misty, "On all counts." And he kissed her again.

When they broke the kiss, Misty turned to Brock with a wicked little grin.

"And if you tell anybody about this, I'll feed you to my gyarados." She stated.

"I won't have to tell anybody, Misty." Brock responded with a grin. "You two will. Do you really think that you can stop kissing for a few years?"

"It is sort of habit forming." Ash admitted smiling at Misty.

"I guess your right, Ash." Then she cast a sidelong glance at Brock. "If you tell anyone before we do, I'll feed you to my gyarados." She grinned.

The week went by quickly. Too quickly in Ash's mind. He was moved from the Emergency ward to the regular ward, and after some arguments with the head nurse, he was placed in a semi-private room. But the second bed in the room was empty. the doctor explained that it was for one of Ash's friends, so that he would not be left alone. His eyes went to Misty, and all his friends laughed, as first she turned red, then he. The head nurse, a large matron of a woman tried to put in her two cents by saying that only a male friend would be allowed, when the doctor told her she was wrong.

"I must protest, doctor." The woman said with a huff. "They are only thirteen years old, and you cannot let them alone in a room."

"Nurse Crimban," The doctor countered sternly, "This young woman, is the Cerulean City Gym Leader Misty Waterflower, and if I remember correctly, your young niece is currently there as a gym trainer. Kaitie, wasn't it?"

Misty looked at a somewhat surprised Nurse Crimban, and then smiled. Then she thought a bit of flattery might soften the old lady.

"Kaitie is doing great there too. Her horsea, that she arrived with is already a kingdra and she handles it well. Kaitie said that you gave her that horsea? It was well trained, and she is doing an excellent job of caring for it." She saw the Nurse straighten up a bit.

"And this young man," He indicated Ash, "Is Ash Ketchum, Three times Championship Trainer, who is here to compete in the Sinnoh League. I think you know the level of maturity and reserve it takes to reach that level of competence?"

"Humph, Very well." Nurse Crimban said, looking impressed. "Just see to it Mr. Ketchum, that you don't pull any funny business."

"Trust me nurse Crimban," Ash said with a nod towards her. "The most that I will do with Misty is some Kissing." He knew that they all knew about the status update with the two, and everybody there, including Nurse Crimban laughed a bit. "I've gotten addicted to that, at least where a certain water pokemon trainer is concerned." He saw Misty smile at him and he got that giddy feeling again, that he always got when she smiled at him. She moved towards him and hugged him. He then saw nurse Crimban look somewhat sternly at him, "And the occasional hug, Please?"

She threw her hands up and started to explained that there were curtains for each bed for privacy, and she stressed when they were in their own separate bed causing them to blush. Then she pointed out the summons button to call a nurse, and told them that the TV doubled as a Video phone.

"Great, then I can call mom," Ash said with relief. "She has to be worried sick."

"No, she ain't" Gary said, his arm around Duplica. "I called her as soon as we knew that you were out of the woods and have been giving her updates each day. I didn't want her to worry, nor my grandfather."

"Thanks Gary" Ash said.

"No Prob, Ash," He smiled. "As Brock here puts it, what are friends for."

During the next week his friends visited him everyday, and Misty was constantly with him, save for two hours each day when he was brought to hydrotherapy. And the occasional Bathroom stop. Brock brought him a pair of pyjamas after his first run to the bathroom when he forgot the hospital gown had no covering on the back. He had realized this and returned to his bed red faced, to see Misty staring at the TV. He began to sigh in relief when he realized that the program was in a foreign language and she too had a red face, but tactfully said nothing. Later that week the Doctor said that Ash would be well enough to be released in two more weeks, and the staff of the hospital wanted to throw him a party on Friday. A Birthday party. And Ash remembered that he would be fourteen on that day. Then Brock and Susie hit him with a surprise. They were going to team up as Pokemon Breeders, but they planed to stay with him to the end. The only problem now was, Ash thought, what is going to be the end.

That night Ash lay in bed both the curtains between his and Misty's were pulled back, light from the full moon shining in the room. Glancing to his left he saw Misty, laying in her bed, as awake as he was. He turned onto his side and looked at Misty who caught the movement and looked at him.

"In two weeks I'll be released." He said softly.

"Hmmmm?" Misty responded, tilting her head slightly.

"I'm just trying to figure out what next." he sighed.

"Well, there is the Hearthome Gym, then the one in Veilstone, and one in Pastoria City?" She smiled. "And also the Great Marsh, sort of like the Safari Zone back home."

"I don't mean that." Waving his hand dismissively. "I mean what should I do now?"

"I don't understand Ash." Misty said sitting up in bed and facing him. "I thought that you wanted to be a Pokemon Master, like your father, and his."

"And his and his." He grinned. "I used to think that too, until I figured something out. I told you that I would give you honestly and this is what I have figured. Before we met, I was obsessed with following in my father's footsteps. Then I met you, or to put it honestly, we met each other. I remember while I was in the waiting room while pikachu was being cared for by nurse Joy, and you were there. I knew that you had to be furious about your bike, but you didn't press it during that time. I though that was so nice. Then Pikachu was alright, and you started to follow me around at first, then travelled with me. I think I fell in love with you then, but was too scared that you would hate me to admit it. So I used my dream of becoming a pokemon Master to try to impress you and get you to like me. Now here we are, in love," And he smiled as tenderly as he could at Misty. "And I have to wonder, do I really want to continue with this master quest. I already have the greatest prize on earth." He paused for a moment, seeing the question in her eyes. "You."

"You still say the sweetest things." Misty said as she kicked her bare feet back and forth. "You don't have to impress me, I was impressed with you from the beginning. I just fought my feelings because I was scared, for the same reason that you were. But why give up your original dream?"

"Again," He said softly hearing Pikachu snoring slightly from the table where he was sleeping. "You." He saw that she was confused. "You came into my life and gave me a real purpose to continue my dream, but without either of us knowing it, you became my dream. My purpose." Then he smiled. "And now that dream is realized. I have you, and you love me. Why should I continue on to try to gain a title? To what purpose? For the title's sake? Then it becomes exactly what Glacia said the trophy is to her, A cold empty cup with no true meaning."

"Then I killed one your dreams?" and she sobbed softly.

"No...no...no..." Ash said, alarmed at her reaction.

He sat up in his bed and held open his arms in invitation and she crossed the room in three strides and was enveloped in his embrace.

"You didn't kill anything, Misty." He spoke softly into the hair near her ear.

He scooped her legs up and she sat on his lap while he held her to him. He showered her cheek with kisses, and then cradled her head to his chest and kissed the top of her head, and she shuddered slightly.

"You never killed anything, Mist." He explained softly. "You became my dream. You became my new dream, and now that I have realised that dream, I have to find a new one to replace it. The only difference is that you have to be in it." He was smiling when she turned her head towards him. And he kissed her deeply on the mouth. "See," He continued after they broke the kiss. "without you at my side, it's no longer a dream. It would be a living nightmare." He then realized that he had his hand on her leg, under her nightdress and blushed flaming red.

he started to move his hand away and Misty put her hand over his and pressed it down, smiling and blushing herself.

"You don't have to move it Ash." She said in a very soft voice.

For a moment, a brief moment, he considered it, then he gave her a small smile and nodded his head.

"Yes, I do." he whispered. "We're only thirteen and not ready, yet."

"But we love each other." Misty said in a trembling voice. "I love you, and you love me, and..."

"And that's why we can't, yet." Ash whispered. "I love you so much, I don't want to ruin it in a moment that we may both regret." He brought her head to his chest and cradled her there. "I want that moment to be proper, and feel right. I love you too much to do anything less. We're thirteen, now. Soon to be fourteen, me in three days, and you in another month. I can't see my life without you, so I know that I will ask you to marry me in the future, and I hope that you will accept. But you can't get married until your seventeen, at the earliest, because you have no parents to give their consent, and I have to wait until I am at least sixteen before I can get married with my parents consent, but I will be at least seventeen, because you will be seventeen too. I won't jump the gun just to satisfy some urge. That wouldn't be right to either of us. When we're ready, then we'll be ready to live our lives together forever." He stood and cradled her to him, sending a mental command to his legs not to collapse, and began to carry her back to her bed. She started to say that he was still recovering, but he silenced her protest by kissing her. Then he winked, and quite deliberately patted her on the bottom. "I'm practising, for the day if and when I carry you over a threshold."

He placed her down on the bed and began to return to his own when she grabbed him by the lapels of his pyjama top and pulled him into a kiss so passionate, that his resolve almost crumbled right then and there.