Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon and if I did, I wouldn't be writing fanfiction about it. Enough said, ON WITH THE SHOW!!!

*Author's Note*: BY the way, anything in italics is that person thinking.

Ash: 15
Misty: 16
Brock: 17


Love

It was nearing midnight as the stars showered the night sky with their beauty. Everyone was asleep...except for one person. Misty is sitting on a rock on a cliff overlooking the ocean. It may seem as if she's looking at the splendid, but her mind is really somewhere else. She thinks about a certain someone who invades her thoughts every night, interrupting her sleep.

She sighs aloud.

"Why can't I just tell him?"

Misty looks down at the ground. She can hear the waves crashing down beneath her. She starts talking to herself.

"He's matured so much on the outside, but his mind is still as young as ever. He probably wouldn't understand if I were to tell him now. I know what I have to do, but I just can't. Why does life have to be so difficult?"

The wind gently blows through her hair, as if trying to comfort her. She sighs once more, feeling the cold night air against her body. Feeling this sudden cold chill, she hugs her legs and pulls them closer in towards her body.

Meanwhile, back at camp...

Ash has just awoken from a terrible dream. After calming himself down, he looks at his surroundings. He sees that Misty is gone and has left Togepi behind.

'She never leaves Togepi by itself.'

He scans the area once more, but Misty is nowhere in sight. He tucks Togepi back into Misty's sleeping bag, then lays on his own. He lies face down and begins to think.

'She's been wandering off a lot lately, I wonder if something's wrong.'

"Pikapi?" (Ash?)

He turns around to see Pikachu.

"Oh, hey Pikachu. I hope I didn't wake you."

It shakes its head.

"Pikachu. Pika pikachupi?" (Nope. Where's Misty?)

"I'm not sure. When I woke up, she was gone."

Pikachu gives a questioning look.

"Pi...pika pikachu chu pi pikachu." (Hmm...she's been going off a lot lately.)

Ash nods.

"I know. I'm starting to worry."

Pikachu is just about to suggest that Ash go look for her, when all of a sudden he says...

"Pikachu, stay here and watch Togepi. I'll be right back."

He picks up a blanket than leaves. Pikachu smiles.

Meanwhile, Misty is still looking up at the sky. She takes a deep breath, then exhales.

"I should be getting back soon."

Just then, she feels something warm drape around her shoulders. She turns to see Ash smiling down at her.

"Mind if I sit down?"

She smiles at him.

"Go ahead."

Ash sits himself down next to her.

"It was kind of cold out so I thought you might need this."

He points to the blanket.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

There are a few moments of silence. Ash is the first to speak up.

"So, what are you doing up so late?"

"I like to come here to be alone...and to think."

Ash gets the hint and sort of looks down at the ground.

"Oh...do you want me to leave?"

She also looks at the ground and shakes her head.

"No...I want you to stay."

Ash is a little surprised by her remark, but decides to stay. Misty looks up at him.

"What are you doing up?"

Ash lays on the ground.

"I couldn't get back to sleep."

"I hope I didn't wake you."

He shakes his head.

"Nope. I had some stupid dream."

She looks at him questioningly.

"What was it about?"

"Well, actually it was about...you."

"Me?"

He nods.

"It was just a stupid dream. I won't bore you with the details."

Silence again fills the area. Ash is the first to break the silence.

"Ya know, I really didn't want to say anything earlier but...you've been acting distant lately. Is something wrong?"

She waits a few seconds before answering.

"Maybe..."

Ash scoots closer to her.

"What's on your mind?"

Misty's eyes start to well up with tears without Ash knowing it. Uncomfortable with Misty's silence, he sits up. Misty quickly turns around. After several more moments, she answers.

"Well, something's been eating me up inside and I don't have the courage to just let it out."

Ash places a hand on her shoulder.

"You know you can always tell me anything. We're friends, right?"

She nods, while smiling.

'Maybe he's not as young as I thought.'

"Ash, I want you to make me a promise."

"Sure."

She wipes her remaining tears away before continuing.

"Just promise me that...you'll always be here for me, no matter what."

Ash is a little surprised but gives her a warm smile.

"Of course I will, just as long as you promise me that same."

She gives him a weak smile then nods.

"I promise."

Ash then notices the sullen look on Misty's face.

"There's something else, isn't there?"

She looks up at his face to see his warm, caring eyes filled with concern.

'He looks...different. I've never seen him look at me that way before. Maybe he is maturing.'

Just then Misty starts to cry. This time, Ash notices.

'Something really must be upsetting her...I've never seen her cry before.'

Suddenly, Ash makes an extremely brave move. He reaches out to touch her face. She is startled but immediately relaxes.

'What's he doing?'

'What am I doing?'

He gently turns her face towards him and wipes away her tears with his thumb. Misty is quite surprised by his sudden actions. Ash looks into her eyes, trying to read her and find out what's wrong.

"You know you can always count on me if you need to talk."

"I've always counted on you."

He smiles then, forgetting that his hand is still on her face, removes it.

"Misty, I l-...I care about you and I don't like seeing you this way."

"I guess I'm just...scared. The person I am during the day is just a shell. The way I'm acting now...well, I see it as a weakness. I've always been weak, ever since I left home. You and Brock may think I'm strong, but I'm not. That's your part. And this secret that I'm holding inside of me isn't helping me emotionally."

"Well, maybe its time to let it out. I promise I won't tell anyone."

"If I tell you...it could ruin our friendship."

He starts to think.

'Is she gonna say what I think she's gonna say?'

He looks down at Misty.

"Nothing could ruin our friendship. Now come on, I'm listening."

Misty looks up, somewhat nervous.

'I guess its now or never.'

"Well, ever since I met you, you've inspired me to be a stronger person. We've had some great adventures together and I never want it to end. Ash, over the pats couple of years, we've become really close and the last thing I would want to do is lose you as a friend..."

She starts to tear up again.

"Ash, I-I...

It's at that exact moment that Ash figures out what she's trying to say.

'She does feel the same. I can't believe it.'

He sees that Misty is having extreme difficulty letting out her feelings.

'She's trying so hard. I guess its my turn.'

He grasps her shoulders and gently turns her towards him. A sense of nervousness fills the air. Ash slowly moves in, Misty does likewise. She hesitates a little, Ash begins to panic.

'Oh no. Maybe she doesn't feel the same.'

She continues to move closer until their lips touch, sending them into paradise. They release each other and look into each other's eyes. Ash smiles.

"I guess I'm not as young as you thought I was."

Misty nods, then smiles. She hugs him tightly, Ash returns the hug.

"Glad I could help with your problem."

Misty whispers in his ear.

"Thank you."

Ash smiles.

"Anytime Mist."

Just then Ash lightly whispers into Misty's ear.

"I love you."

Misty looks up at him.

"I love you too...I always have and I always will."

Ash puts his arms around Misty and she does likewise.

"So what was your dream about?"

"It was about the one person I love the most rejecting me...good thing it was just a dream huh?"

She smiles once more, resting her head on his chest. A few minutes later, she falls asleep in his arms. He lightly kisses her cheek then picks her up, heading back to camp. Little does he know, 3 figures watch them. Brock, Pikachu, and Togepi spy on them from a nearby bush. (Well, who'd you expect, Team Rocket? hehe) Brock gives Pikachu a high-five.

"Yes! Finally."

Togepi squeals with excitement.

"Choki prii chok choki priii!" (Mommy and Daddy are finally together!)

"Pikapi pikachupi...pika pikachu chu." (Ash and Misty...it's gonna be weird.)

Brock nods and looks at the couple.

"Your right, it will be weird. But who cares...as long as their in love...

The End

*This was just a short AAMRN I decided to write. I hoped you liked it. All comments are welcome. It was just a short break from the long series that I'm writing called "A Never Ending Pokemon Adventure". Check it out if you haven't had the chance to read it yet. Thanks!*