Hmm…

Disclaimer: I do not own pokemon; it belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic belongs to me. I own my writings under international copyright laws…

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

Ash is currently in a girl’s body in case you forgot…

Timeline: 2 weeks…

Chapter 6

The Ten showed up on Lance’s doorstep sometime in the middle of the afternoon.

Ash was busy pouring tea – why was that necessary – gracefully from a China teapot, and laying out two little trays of cakes.

Well, at least he’d get to eat them…

Lance answered the door. He had been expecting them, and took care to look deadly. Over his black robes he wore silver armor, and within his armor hid the dragon blades…

He had showed Ash his special attack by accident when a few of his rivals had come along. Ash had been balancing books on his head to learn how to walk properly. It wasn’t just not falling, the posture had to be correct as well.

Center of balance had shifted, so now he had to learn. Lance had made him go swimming two, three times already.

It did teach proper poise…

Ash didn’t think so though, the weights were heavy… but he was learning how to stand and how to lean and all those other commonplace things that should be habits to a normal girl.

Pity he was anything _but_.

“Welcome.” Lance said softly. “What can I do for you?”

Lisa and Tate stepped forwards. “We heard that Ashura is hiding here.”

“Really? Who told you so?”

“No one.”

“You may search, but I warn you, you may not enjoy what lies inside…” Lance said.

Ash froze. * AAHHHH! WHAT TO DO? Oh no! I should never have trusted him! What do I do? *

He watched from upstairs as the Ten trooped in and began searching, the sound of ransacked furniture floated upstairs.

“Relax.” Lance said, coming upstairs. “Now, cross your legs please, you keep forgetting that…”

Ash did, sitting down and putting the teapot back on a pad to protect the expensive mahogany table beneath from heat damage.

“Eat a little. It will make you feel better. And do remember to watch your hands…”

Ash blushed. He had a bad habit of leaning forwards on the table, and then sticking his dirty hands in his pockets. Girls didn’t seem to do that…

How unfair…

He nibbled slowly on a lemon tart, waiting.

But it did make him feel a little better.

< Lance? Are you going to give me up? >

< You are asking me now, my ‘guest’? > Lance taunted. < Why would I wait so long? >

< So you could humiliate me first! >

< Ah, how untrusting of you… >

< It’s TRUE! >

< As you will. Oh, and please hold the napkin with your other hand; otherwise you will get crumbs all over that dress, and I believe that is strictly not done… >

It was the same blue dress he had worn upon arrival. At least he wasn’t wearing jewelry. It was so uncomfortable!

One of the Ten did peek in, but decided it was nothing of importance. After three hours of scouring, the Ten left, with threats.

If they did find him…

Ash breathed a sigh of relief.

“My, Bane is very serious. Otherwise he would not have sent the Ten.”

“I don’t know why he hates me.”

“Really? You have a remarkably unsophisticated mind then. The answer is quite simple. He wanted the spirits of your pokemon.”

“Huh?”
“They were quite powerful, far beyond the pale imitations he creates. He is jealous of those who dwell in the Dream Realm.”

“But everyone tries to send their pokemon to the dream realm!”

“Hai, but yours are worth quite a bit.”

“I only had twelve, Lance.”

“It does not matter, my dear…” Lance drawled. “Oh, you just dropped your napkin. Please, don’t just leave it on your lap, it’ll slip off.”

Ash glared.

“You wanted me to teach you, did you not? And please, girls do not cross their arms in their fashion as it causes pain.”

“I know it hurts!”

“Then why do you persist?”

“I’m _not_ a girl!”

Lance frowned. “I know.”

< I can’t do this! >

< Of course you can, it just takes time. >

< You don’t understand! You’ve been casting Adaptation on me, and it helps temporarily, but I’m actually starting to really believe it might be ok! >

“Ah.”

< Don’t say that! This is your fault! I’m _me_! I’m not her! Ashley doesn’t even exist! So quit trying to teach me these things! I don’t need them! They’re useless! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!!!! >

“Yes, you’re right…”

< Urusei! You don’t understand how I feel! Just leave me alone! >

Lance shrugged, got up, brushing cake crumbs off his robes. < As you wish. I’ll have dinner delivered to your room. >

“You had better not cast any spells on the food!”

“I swear as Dragon Master I will not, happy?”

Ash grimaced but nodded as he stomped upstairs, losing an expensive-looking blue heel in the process.

Lance smirked. * Ah, I can still needle him. *

It didn’t matter, Ash was abusing his hospitality in any case, so… well, he’d collect payment soon enough. Somehow.

Now what did he really want?

End Chapter

Completed 7/21/04