Disclaimer: Don’t own pokemon! A/N: So here’s Chapter 1 of my sequel! I know it’s kind of short but hopefully it’s enough to sustain you until I get the next one up. Enjoy! Chapter 1 – Glimmer of Hope It had been a beautiful morning; the sun’s first rays were shining brightly over the horizon, casting the sky into mixes of oranges, yellows, and blues. The surrounding Pidgey chirped happily as they flew about, readying themselves for the beautiful day ahead. I had gotten up extra early to witness the sunrise, a sight that I sometimes took for granted. The beautiful array of colors that I was greeted with reminded me of the happier times in my life in which I wish I could return. The vibrancy the sky exuberated filled me with the kind of hope that I desperately needed on days such as today. No, today wasn’t anything special; it wasn’t anyone’s birthday nor was it a holiday. It was just another normal day, starting off as any other day would. However, I felt the need to be alone with my thoughts for the time being as I rarely got time alone since the incident three months ago. I sighed as my thoughts drifted back to several months ago. Though I knew Derek was behind bars, I couldn’t help but wonder if bars were enough to keep him away. I knew what a powerful man he was and that he probably had equally powerful friends to rely on, so was I really safe then? If he couldn’t physically get me, would he be smart enough to send one of his buddies in his stead? Not quite knowing the answers to my questions, I decided it best to relieve my mind of such things for the time being. Ash and Brock would probably be up soon anyways and would wonder where I was. I didn’t want to worry them with my sudden disappearance so I decided it best to head back to camp. I looked down from the tree I was currently sitting in and tried to gauge the best way to start my descent. I had always been a pretty proficient climber, much to the dismay of my older sisters (who would be absolutely appalled at the thought of climbing a tree). However, my confidence instantly dissolved as I heard a sudden ‘snap’ beneath me. I closed my eyes and screamed but knew it was hopeless. I just had to go off by myself, didn’t I? ‘Stupid me…’ I thought as I awaited the bone-breaking impact that was sure to come. As I landed, however, it seemed something, or rather, someone broke my fall… “Maybe next time you might wanna warn me before you go jumping out of trees,” came a smug voice. I carefully opened my eyes and whipped my head up and noticed that I was in Ash’s arms. Where the hell had he come from? “A-Ash,” I stuttered, not sure whether I was shaken up more by the fact that I could’ve been seriously injured or that I was in his arms. He had a very satisfied look on his face that told me I would never live this moment down. He smiled that smile of his that made me want to instantly melt on the spot. “Are you okay?” he asked suddenly. “Y-Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks to you,” I replied looking up at the tree with which I had fallen. About ten feet I gauged…damn I would’ve been in deep trouble had he not been there. “You could’ve been seriously hurt. What were you doing up there?” he inquired, his voice laced with concern. I simply stared at him and shrugged, “Just wanted to see the sunrise, you know, escape reality for a while.” “Ah, I see, and jumping out of trees is your way of fleeing reality?” he said jokingly. Though I knew he was only joking, I could still sense the familiar hint of worry in his eyes. Worry, perhaps, over my safety and well-being? “No,” I laughed and punched his arm playfully, “I hardly jumped.” “Jump, leap, whatever; it’s all the same,” he smiled looking into my eyes. Now let me tell you, I could’ve, literally, melted on the spot. The look he gave me sent chills down my spine, but at the same time warmed my heart. It was amazing to think how someone could do that to me by simply looking at me. It was then that I noticed that he was still holding me in his arms, though it looked as if he had no intention of letting go. My arms were loosely draped around his neck in an attempt to support myself as I continued to stare into his chocolate brown eyes. As the comfortable silence continued, I noticed he had slowly started to inch towards my face. I, in turn, followed suit as if it seemed like the most natural thing in the world. “Mist…” I heard him whisper gently. ‘Is this really happening?’ I thought as our lips were mere inches away from one another. It was then that I remembered a time when we had been at the mercy of Derek… Derek then said something that caught me off guard. "You love him, don't you?" Whoa! Where the heck did that come from?! I couldn't answer him, so I just stood there, speechless. I looked at Ash and he looked back, not in the least bit surprised or even confused. "That's what I thought. I knew you had feelings for him, you’re just too afraid to express them. From the moment you walked through that door yesterday...I knew. You can't fool me Misty…” Ash hadn’t said a word about that day nor did he seem to mind that Derek practically exposed my deepest, darkest secret. Ash had only, from what I could tell, ignored the whole thing, which I could only believe to be because he didn’t feel the same…however…what was happening to us now? Abolishing all thoughts from my mind, I focused in as my one fantasy was about to come true, and wouldn’t you know it, we were interrupted by a voice that I could only recognize to be Brock. “Ash! Misty! Oh, here you two are,” he smiled walking into the clearing, however, his smiled quickly dissolved as soon as he saw what would’ve taken place had he not shown up. Ash whipped his head around, temporarily forgetting the connection that had just taken place between us, “Oh, h-hey Brock!” “Hey is right…I’m not interrupting anything am I?” asked Brock knowingly. At that moment, I wanted to shout at him and tell him ‘yes, you’re interrupting something and this wouldn’t be the first time!’ but decided it best to keep my mouth shut. “No, you weren’t interrupting anything,” I replied instead, sounding a little too disappointed for my own good. “Right…” Brock supplied, “Well, when you guys are done doing whatever it was I wasn’t interrupting, breakfast is ready.” With that said, Brock simply walked off back in the direction of camp leaving both me and Ash a little stunned to say the least. I wasn’t sure how long it had been, but Ash must have suddenly broken out of his trance and turned to me, a bit embarrassed. “Sorry,” he whispered, putting me down gently. I sighed as my feet hit the ground and I released my hold around his neck. Somehow, everything had just felt so right. It was the only thing I had ever felt sure of and, because of someone’s bad timing, I would never know if my secret desire would ever pan out. Breaking the silence once more, Ash spoke up, “Guess we should head back to camp, huh?” I nodded silently and looked up at him. His gaze was focused on the ground, almost as if he were afraid to look at me for fear of what I would think of him. Maybe…just maybe…I could discreetly let him know how I feel? I reached up to lightly touch his cheek as his eyes found there way towards mine. I stood there simply gazing into his eyes, silently trying to tell him of my feelings for him. I raised my face to his and gently kissed his cheek, whispering into his ear, “Thanks…that’s twice I owe you now.” Seeing the stunned and, what I could only wish to be, happy expression on his face, I smiled and took my leave towards our camp site, satisfied with myself, ‘Maybe there’s hope for us yet.’ A/N: I told ya it was short, but hopefully sweet! Anyways, I will try and get the next one up ASAP so stay tuned! AAML for life!