The Box
By Kawaii Cherry Blossom
Disclaimer:
I do not own Pokémon or
its related components.
Summary:
Ash, Misty and Brock made a pact when they
were sixteen. Four years later, it is time to fulfil it, but the painful
memories left behind spark a tale of tears and regret. Everything has seemingly
changed. What happened to shatter their lives so drastically?
Type:
Drama/Romance/Angst
Rating: PG
Other: AAMRN
Ages:
Ash – 20
Misty – 20
Notes:
Yay a new chapter! ^_^ But here’s the bad
news…it’s a really short one! Sorry guys, but this is the boring part necessary
to get to the next level. To make up for that, though, I’ll have the next
chapter posted in a few days. :) Thank you to everyone who has read and
reviewed, I love you all! Your comments have been great!
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Changes
"What would you like?" Ash asked casually as he stared into
the fridge. "We've got Lemonade, Coke, Juice..."
"Water's fine, thanks," she replied, and
again, he was surprised. Misty never liked water that much - if she got the
chance to have something else she would take it right away.
It's been six years. Things have changed...
He had to remind himself again.
Not a word was spoken as Ash took the pitcher of water
from the fridge and grabbed two glasses from the cupboard. He placed one on the
table in front of each of them and filled them, the sound of the water pouring
into its enclosed space seeming abnormally loud in the dense silence.
"So you're here because of..."
"Yes," she nodded, confirming his suspicion.
She took a sip from her water and gulped it down, welcoming the refreshing
feeling that greeted her throat as she did so.
"I didn't think you'd remember," she said
then, looking straight into his eyes. He glanced away for a moment, directing
his gaze towards the window before turning back to her.
"I didn't think you would either..." he
admitted.
"How are you?" she asked. The words, though
so common, seemed strange as they escaped her lips. It was as if she were
asking him a question so personal that it was rude.
"I'm doing good... I've been taking a break for a
while, you know, just relaxing..." His tone was semi confident but also
uneasy.
"How's your mom?"
"She's fine, you know my mom, she's always got so
much energy. I don't know where she gets it from sometimes. I mean, she's not
getting any younger."
That made Misty laugh. Only slightly, but it was a
laugh. He smiled at that, seeing some life ignite in her eyes.
"And Pikachu?"
"He's getting old..." Ash spoke disdainfully
and with a frown; it was obviously a subject that he didn't like to address,
and Misty could understand that. "Everyone's at Professor Oak's, he had a
small gathering today."
"How come you're not there as well?"
"I was, but I left early. I wasn't much in the
partying spirit."
"That's not like you."
He paused then, unsure of what to say. True, it wasn't
like him...wasn't being the operative word. In truth, she didn't know
him anymore. She knew who he used to be, but he had changed, just like she
obviously had as well.
"People change," he finally spoke, his words
seeming cold and so uninviting that she didn't want to reply. But she did.
"I know."
Their eyes locked uneasily, each of them wanting to
look away but finding themselves too compelled to do so. Again, Misty felt that
wall crumbling inside her as she felt her resistance slip away even further.
I can't do this... I can't let myself do this...
"So how are you?" he interrupted her
thoughts with his question.
"I'm... Fine." She finally selected a word
from the list of common terms she used to describe herself on a day-to-day
basis.
"Really?" Still, he could see right through
her.
"Yes." She wasn't going down without a
fight.
He didn't pursue it any further, instead choosing to
take a drink from his glass of water. This was all a bit strange, so out of the
ordinary. It was a moment that he'd dreamt about, but he'd always thought those
dreams were just that - dreams. Still, he'd always clung to the hope that they
would come true. It was just who he was. No matter what, he couldn't help but
hope. Well, she'd always said that he was a dreamer...
"All this time...where have you been? I tried to
find you," a wave of despair sent a current through his voice, his emotion
nearly choking him. The question was sudden, but Misty was prepared for it.
"I've been around... Mostly in the mountains,
working at small Pokemon Centres."
"That sounds interesting…" He was sincere,
but she could tell that he was hurt.
"It is," she replied, staring at her glass
of water. "You...tried to find me?"
"Constantly. I got close a few times, I think,
but by the time I got to where you were, you'd already left,” he explained
softly.
"I'm sorry," was all she said, still unable
to meet his gaze.
"I just wish you'd talked to me instead of
running away." His voice was as soft as a summer's breeze, but underneath
was the desperate tone that reflected how he felt inside. Feelings that he
thought were long since repressed had surfaced once again.
"No amount of talking could excuse what I
did," she replied, her voice full of malice. But he wasn't surprised. No,
he was devastated.
"Misty, you can't keep blaming yourself. It
wasn't your fault!" he pleaded. But like always, trying to convince Misty
of something was like talking to a brick wall - pointless and frustrating.
Misty let out a sad sigh, shaking her head from side
to side. Ash figured it wasn't time to push her. They had more serious matters
on their hands. He could deal with all of the other stuff later…
"Well...are you ready then?" he asked a few
moments later.
"Yeah."
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There ya go! I’d love to hear from anyone
who’s reading, even just to let me know you’re reading this! Next chapter will
be out soon! :)
Love and light,
Sarah.