Whee! Another chapter! Started 6/10/04
Disclaimer/Notes: See previous chapter

Ash and Lance are not really related… but Ash doesn’t know. Lance probably knows.

Chapter 4

Ash blushed as he looked away from Lance, who hadn’t bothered to put on another shirt. * No! He’s your brother! Don’t think of that! So what if he’s cute? EEK! Did I really think that? *

Even children had hormones… and if things felt nice, then they would want them. But society put limits on everything!

Out loud, he whispered something.

“Ash, could you repeat that?”

“I’m sorry, I’ll buy you another ice cream to make up for it.” Ash said sincerely. He quickly got another ice cream cone – strawberry cheesecake flavor – and handed it to Lance. He kept his eyes on Lance’s face so they wouldn’t stray.

Lance smiled. “Thanks.”

He then proceeded to devour the confection.

Oh, it was hard… being in such close quarters with the little one and not being able to… but it was all right.

He’d keep himself supplied with sugar and everything would be fine.

Ash wasn’t showing any new Mew attributes, but it had only been a day or so. He would keep watching.

Ash clapped. Apparently he wasn’t the only person in his family who loved sweets.

“Can we make it to Pewter by tomorrow then?”

“It depends on how things are in the Viridian Forest.”

“Oh.”

“Trainers – lots of them – obviously cause time lags.”

“Hai!” Ash nodded. * At least tonight we’ll sleep in separate beds… so I won’t have to worry. *

Charmander fought one last junior trainer before they returned to the Center. They spent the rest of the day reading and playing a few games of Gin Rummy and hearts with their pokemon before going to bed.

Ash slept well, and so did Lance. The next morning, collected their pokemon, both trainers left the Center together.

Ash stopped by the Mart, bought four repels and smiled. “Let’s go!”

Into the Forest they went.

The bugs stayed away due to the nature of Repel, and they made good progress. However, somewhere in the middle of the forest, some bizarre short kid in a mock samurai outfit jumped out with a sword.

“I challenge you!”

Ash didn’t know how it happened, but the next thing he knew he was behind Lance, where he’d be safe.

< Teleport this soon? >

< Why not? > Lugia asked. < It is a very basic psychic move. Besides, it was triggered by high emotion, so he can’t control it yet. >

< Hai. >

< Just keep watching. Teach him when the time comes. >

Lance nodded, and Samurai blinked.

“So, hiding behind another? Go! Pinsir!”

Ash released Charmander, and a Flamethrower took down that bug very quickly. “I’m not scared! But what kind of trainer are you, running around with a sword like that? It’s dangerous!”

“Dangerous? I am a master of the ninja way!” Samurai proclaimed. Then, he blanched.

Lance had pulled out a pair of daggers. “Really… then, how about… this?” Eight blades flew at Samurai, and he only dodged three. The other five caught his clothes and slammed him into a convenient tree.

“Sugoi~!” Ash cheered, hugging Lance. “How did you?”

“Trade secret.” He laughed. “Well, that takes care of him. Come on, we should get to Pewter.”

“Hai!” Ash agreed.

Lance smiled, and within another hour they were at Pewter. After healing, they walked off to the gym.

Brock was quickly defeated, and they made it through Mount Moon as well that night. Well, they didn’t sleep at all, but that wasn’t the point.

It was sometime around 4 or 5 in the morning when they set up camp.

“Are you not going to catch any more pokemon?”

Ash frowned. “It just doesn’t feel right…”

“Really? In what way?”

“Well… I’m not sure. I feel like for some reason, I…” Ash broke off.

“Ash?”

Lance was slightly taken aback when Ash latched onto him. “Aniki, I’m turning into a pokemon!”

His eyes widened. “What?”

“Look!” Ash said, pointing at his Mew ears. “No one else can see them, but, but…” He broke down as Lance held him.

It was so warm…

He wanted to drown himself in his brother, but he couldn’t! That was wrong! And he was a freak!
There was no way Lance would like him…

Ash continued to cry while Lance rubbed circles on his back. “Ash…”

“Aniki, do you hate me?”

“Why would I?”

“Because, because… I’m, I’m…”

“I don’t hate you, Ash.”

Ash stared in surprise as Lance suddenly shifted back into Mew form. < If you’re a freak, than I am too… >

“A-aniki?”

< It seems to get worse as you get older. > Lance said. That at least was a slice of truth. < So… why hate it? >

“You…”

< I’ve been through it too, little brother… >

Ash hugged the Mew to his chest tightly, tears matting Lance’s fur down. “I’m sorry! I don’t want to make you sad! I’m so selfish!”

< But you’re not selfish. >

“Yes I am!” Ash opened his mouth to speak, but shame stifled his confession and he just continued to cry, until the tears tapered off.

How do I tell him I’m in love with him? That’s incest! And yet, I want him so much it hurts. Why? Why?

Why isn’t what I already have enough?

I really am selfish…

He closed his eyes and let Lance hold him quietly. When had he changed back? He didn’t really care, but… He had to enjoy this while it lasted, because sooner or later, he would spill the truth…

And then Lance would really hate him.

End Chapter

Completed 6/11/04