Miss Discovery!

By: Chibi-Suiko

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Ash: 15

Misty: 16

Brock: 19

Imuru: 17

Evette: 20

Mr. Gerou: 31

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Last time on Miss Discovery!: Misty was awoken with the sudden shock of her slightly-younger-than-her-but-still-old-enough-to-use-"I'm hormonal"-as-an-excuse friend laying over the side of her bed. The plot thickens when she realizes that the blush on her cheeks from seeing this social disaster means that she's come to like him as more than friends do. This puts all three of them in a bad position; her, Ash, and Imuru, because of the triangle being formed. The well-established young male actor has been taken away for the next couple days to complete preparations for the dawning production, leaving Misty to study her lines alone. This being rather hard, she's entrusted Imuru's part to Ash, who willingly accepts. But things are still a bit-Eh herm-"Iffy" between the two of them and they're about to get rougher...

***

Chapter Twelve: Lingering (Part 2)-AAMRN Interlude

***

His body seemed to have gone completely numb. It must have been strange to him, one minute she's beating him up for perverted action, the next, asking for assistance in her run through for the play... He smiled kindly and said, "Sure, what harm could come of that, right..?"

" Yeah, exactly what I'm wondering..." Misty murmured unheard. She gave Ash a spare script and let him look over it as she gave him the load-down, "Now, most of this play is merely narration. Think Cerulean... Remember I never really spoke, just acted out the parts. It's almost the same here..." She told him but he hastily broke her off.

" Is it just me or is this thing a little more intimate than... That Cerulean play you mention..?" He must have brought this up when referring to the promise she'd made not to let Imuru kiss her and things got slightly tense before she replied.

" Don't worry... I've checked the entire script at least six times... Believe me, I've had no choice. And there is no mention of a kiss. If there had been, I'd have gone to Imuru and told him it needed to be changed."

" Why him?"

" Because..." Misty said absent-mindedly while flipping through the pages, "He's the director... He writes the script." She finished lamely after catching sight of her friends' confused face.

" Ohhh..." Ash concluded and looked again at the fill-out paper in his hand, each page worth of lines... Until he reached part two, "...Wha-What's this, Myst?" He asked and Misty sighed, knowing exactly what he was going to point out to her.

" Ash, I'm not in line to tell you what everything in this pamphlet is about so you'll just have to wait. Let's just say Imuru is his own little Professor..." Ash gave a suspicious sort of glare at her and then, the door but sighed and looked back at his many lines.

" I-I don't really have to remember all this do I..?" He asked embarrassedly, obviously sure that he wouldn't be able to.

" No, Ash. You're just here to help me do it."

" No wonder you don't wanna be an actress, your head would explode trying to get all this stuff straight!" He said in a raised voice then, speaking much calmer, "Okay, I guess we should start..."

" Uh huh..." Misty sighed. This was going to be a looooong practice.

***

" Sir, is there something bothering you..?" Gerou asked in a sickeningly questionable tone. The young boy only sauntered over to a seat while bulking men whisked by carrying boxes, axes, speakers, props, and the such.

" You... Could say that..." He murmured and let his head droop past his neck, "It's just strange to say the least... Why would Ash spend the night with Misty..?"

" ... Ahem, Sir. Do you truly think it time to worry about such things..?" He asked, "I, quite personally, think the happenings here are more important than anything back at the manor--"

" --I don't want to hear it Gerou! My personal life is very much so more important than anything like a maniacal show preparation! I hope I didn't do anything wrong with her..."

" Sir, I doubt it has anything to do with you. In fact, I know from input by your dear Misty that you've done noth--"

" --Gerou! Are you saying you know why she's been acting so... So avoidable?"

" Are you saying that you don't..?" Gerou muttered, The girl was obviously too frustrated and fearful of his reaction, the poor child, "I cannot divulge Miss Waterflower's news. it should be of her best interest to let you know when the time is right... By the way..." He stepped up to the male actor, and they looked at each other, both with some resolved glint in their eyes. Gerou handed Imuru a copy of the script and waited for the boy to look through it.

"But... I all ready have a copy of these scenes. Why are you giving me this?" He asked, flipping through the pages, just to be sure.

"Master Imuru, it has come to my attention that, with a title such as 'Romance Dawn', the plot theme is lacking that of which passes the qualifications. Translation, Sir, I've added a scene that you might want to... Practice." Their eyes caught again and Imuru immediately turned to the last page, looking over the lines, scenes, quotes, whatever. And then he saw what Gerou had meant.

"This... This was not what we agreed on, Gerou. I did not give you permission to place this here... Should I really have to tell you why..?" He added as an after-thought, looking quite flustered as his sights traveled over a placement that had not been there but a day ago, "Does Misty know about this..?"

"She does. I... Placed a copy of the revised addition at her door this morning with the costume delivery. I even gave her the eligibility of discussing it with me before I finalized it. She said that there would be... No problem executing the scene." Gerou's eyes glinted again, a smirk curving at the corners of his lips, though Imuru didn't notice.

"And you are positive that she wasn't worried in the slightest about her friends', Ash's, objections?" He asked, I don't see how she could have failed to mention that she and her friends were all right again. Though she has been avoiding me quite often these past two days, so I haven't very well been able to ask. I wonder if she's hiding something..?

"Believe me, Sir, there was no such discussion. She was absolutely... Looking forward to it." He ended and walked away before the young star could reply again, not that he'd been planning to. He was far too immersed in his thoughts to think of anything to say.

***

"No, Ash..." Misty sighed, an hour later, "Like this... 'For a war with no known motive is not a war at all... It is no more than a manslaughter, a pointless veil of darkness. And it is that darkness that blinds our better judgment.' Say it with more vigor, we gotta make it sound convincing, ya know..?" She ended exasperatedly as Ash scratched his head confusingly.

"Are all you actor's this precise about your achievements..?" He asked as he flipped through a couple pages, "And I don't suppose that you could tell me why I have to try and perfect this when I'm not even in it..? I mean, it's not like I'd ruin the show, unless I were to, oh, I don't know, show up at the production and shout obscenities at the performers?" He grinned at her as she felt her anger begin to rise.

"Ash! You wouldn't, would you?! I mean, you aren't that cruel, are you?!" She shouted, praying that her friend wasn't planning anything, "I'm sorry I can't get you and Brock tickets..." She stated wearily, rubbing her temple, "But you don't have to go over the deep end about it. I mean, I'm sure you two can find something to do for the five days that we'll be starring. It's only for awhile, ya know?" She smiled at him and he returned it before looking back to the script.

"So... You know, uh... What scene do you need to practice next? I mean, let's try and learn as much as possible so we can blow Imuru and Gerou away, kay?!" He said excitedly, catching her off guard with his sudden overwhelming charisma. She nodded and looked back to the libretto before catching his eye again.

"Well... I think we should go over that last rehearsal we were in the middle of another time, and this time around, try and make it sound a little more... Real, all right? And then, once you get that right, we can move on, okay Ash?"

"Okay, yeah, whatever..." He mumbled embarrassedly before finding the line he was on, "You wanna go first..?"

"Okay, fine..." She sighed and looked onward, "'For with these bodies masked with clay, there will be no wounds perilous enough to disturb their purpose, there will be no sun bright enough to cast a shadow, there will be no element enough to weaken the wit and the might and the whole of these. For this is our God, this is our made, and this is the light for which we have anticipated for so long...'. Kay, you now."

" '...And with no such death worthy of these, then they shall withstand the massacre that blights the world. And they shall become saviors, lords, icons of the right. And no sword can penetrate their truth, no spear can pierce their enlightenment, and no stench can infiltrate their upbringing. For a war with no motive is no war at all... It is no more than a manslaughter, a pointless veil of darkness. And it is that darkness that blinds our better judgment. So we create thee, we build ye, and we shall serve ye with what no other man can see...' Was that good..?" Ash looked up at her and saw her trying to hide a small smile from him, attempting to conceal that fact that she was proud of his effort, "Really, Myst, do you have to try and suppress the verity that you think I did all right? I mean, c'mon and just tell me for once, it won't kill you." He grinned mischievously, awaiting her obvious awkwardness at this task to subside.

"Fine... You... You did okay. And I think that, with a little practice, you could become just that much closer to the amount of talent that I possess." Ash's face fell, upset that even when she was giving him a compliment, she found some way to put him down. He stuck his tongue out at her and she repeated the act of immaturity before they both returned to their task, looking for more imperfections to correct.

"What about this one..? It says 'Author: Imuru, Main artistes: Imuru, Rein substitution (Misty K. Waterflower), Construction/Evidence: SCHEE (Pronounced: Ski) Inc. (Society of Chemists, Historians, and Earth Exploration)...'? Shouldn't we study that too..?"

"Uh... Ash, those are the credits. They don't really matter that much to the play, that's just what the narrator will say at the end of the production so everyone knows where all the information came from and who acted in it..." Misty sweatdropped and hit him in the shoulder with her script, "Dimwit, even you should know that much!"

He smirked and whacked her back, making them both crack up in light giggles as she turned and headed for the bathroom, emerging with her hands full of water. She whipped it at him, some catching him in the face and the eyes, and he turned to her bed for a pillow, and started at her. She took a hit to the shoulders/neck and then he gave her a chance to get her own ammunition before dropping his pamphlet and rushing her, knocking her onto the bed.

She hit him back and got back up, attacking while she had the chance, and realizing that she was having quite a lot of fun, no matter how juvenile their act was. She kept at her assault until he was pressed into the window frame and then he decided to get physical and stumbled forward through her offense. He didn't bother with the pillow, actually finding it more worthwhile to ambush her by body force. This action made her reel back onto her mattress again, this time rumpling some of the covers and throwing the last of her head rests to the floor and, because Ash couldn't stop himself, he ended up crashing into her, and landing on top of her still form.

Now, to young eyes, the sight would have looked little less than sexual. To them, though, it was just embarrassing, disturbing, and stunning. But neither of them were looking ready to get up. In fact, if you were to look closely enough, you would see both of them closing the space between them, or at least, relieving them of most of it.

Ash felt hot breath on his face, that of which wasn't his. He knew what he was about to do, he knew it would be new and probably disapproved of by both his mother and Misty, but his friend wasn't looking about ready to reject him anyway. In any case, there was something about her azure eyes that dragged him in, both mentally and physically, and soon the millimeters diminished and their lips were brushing together. And that was when nerve kicked in and he forgot all about what his mom would say, he forgot all about what Misty would do to him when they were finished, and he forgot about all else pertaining to reality as he let some unknown instinct that he didn't even recognize as one he was familiar with take over.

And he let himself enjoy the moment before Misty's eyes opened and widened, finally coming to the recognition of the lip lock they were displaying, and she shoved him off of her, throwing him to the floor where he came to as well, and they both replayed what had just happened between them.

Misty's expression was one of mingling scandal, violation, and gratification as she slowly looked directly to him and said, "Ash... Wh-what was that..?" To which he could do nothing but shrug as he was still 'gone'.

"Myst... I don't know... I just couldn't think of anything else to do. And I'm sorry if what we just did happens to get in the way of whatever you and Imuru have got planned for after Brock and I leave. But... Something in me just told me what to do and I did it without thinking, really, of how you would react... I didn't mean to." He ended lamely, picking himself off of the floor and heading to the entrance, too afraid of what expression her face would hold if he bothered to look at it.

To his surprise, though, when he was a mere six feet from the door and still walking, he heard behind him a moan, and turned to see Misty laying back on the bed, throwing a pillow on top of her head as she did so. And then there was a long, shuddering sob coming from underneath. Something that, to say the least, he wasn't expecting.

"Wh-What's wrong, Misty? I said I'm sorry. Look, I'm going and I won't tell anyone about what just happened, so you have nothing to worry about and Imuru won't be angry at you." He still heard no reply and walked back toward her, intent on finding out what she thought was worth crying over, "Myst... Wha'd I do now? I know I did the wrong thing. But-But I'm telling you that no one has to know, and you don't have to feel bad about it, or angry, or humiliated, or anything!" He finished, exasperated, "So-So--" But he was interrupted before he could think of anything else to say to console her.

"--Oh, you idiot..! You annoying, badgering, dense, moronic, Pokemon-obsessed Trainer!" She started, ripping the decorative cushion from her head and hitting him with it, using more force than if they had still been joking around, "I'm not crying because I ostracized it! I-I'm upset because, ironically enough... I liked it..." She ended in another moan, leaving him with nothing but a flabbergasted expression to be worn because of his lack of a reply.

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A/N: Okay, a few things to discuss. One; bare with me about the whole script thing. Whatever you read in bold speech, those were lines in the play, and stuff that I made up on a whim so that would be why it sounds so weird and Shakespeare-like. And two; about the whole Misty kissing Imuru and then Misty kissing Ash, don't take it like she's some sort of slut or anything. She's just dealing with conflicting emotions between two boys. It's not like she's experimenting with both of them or anything, trying to find who she likes more. And three, the part with Imuru and Gerou, I'm just gonna tell you it has to do with what he was doing following his discussion with Misty a few chapters back. I won't say anymore now; you can either guess or wait until that chapter comes out.

Also, for those of you who care, please check out some of my other work and stay tuned for continuation on any of the posted on my FF.Net profile page.

Wow, I've got sooooo many shout-outs to give, yet not so much to say; no offense you guys out there. Believe me, I'm just not a very good conversationalist. Anyway, I've got sooo many people to thank because, though I had to badger a few of you (Gomen to you all, by the way), I've just managed my goal of 100 reviews! You all have helped me sooo much and I thank you kindly. I'll give a few shout-outs with memo's and then I'll move on to the next best thing; saying every one of your names. I plan on doing that every time I reach/surpass a goal.

(Also, memo to those who've not noticed like I HAVE; it took me seven chappies to reach 50 reviews. Reaching 50 more this time around only took me 4. Can you see how popular I'm becoming? Much less, pushy..? Heh. Anyway, let's move on.)

First To JAMO, who really needs the support, sugar, and love right now: I'm sooo sorry you felt neglected. I really didn't think you'd care much (Wahh, I'm a bad, bad person!) but that's why I posted you first this time. I just hate referring to certain fans more than once but if you guys don't care... Anyway, I'll try to mention you more later on. Thanks for your support. You, KawaiiCherryBlossom, and certain others are what make this fic go round. And I hope that you know that. If not... Well, I can't help that much. Still, do you want a cookie as an apology..?

Next, to Chibimatchmaker: Just like I told you in my email; here it is. I'd never let you all down! At least, I try, which is more than I can say for others... Anyway, I'm glad you found something about my idea's useful. Use whatever you want, I don't care. I'm just happy to help when I can (And those idea's took me ten minutes each to put together). I'm glad that you could understand them, anyway... I look forward to continuation in your fic and a review for mine (Hint-hint). Lol, anyway, that's all for now, but don't feel apprehensive or anything about asking for my help (Though I'm not promising anything, especially if we talk on the weekend. My brain is officially retired, short-term of course, after Friday afternoon through Sunday night). We'll leave it there... Heh.

Rosemary the Rubix Cube: Such a puzzling person you are, Rosie (Sry, bad joke). Anyway, I just had to send my greetings since we've become such good friends over the net and not. I'm still trying to find a good enough hot-shot of a bikini poser to send in my letter to you so this may take awhile (Only you probably understand what I just said, I'm soooo elusive). I hope to get those manga comics in the mail asap. Just one thing: Could you send your address in your next email. Me, being, well, me... I threw the envelope away. HEY! DON'T LAUGH! IT WAS FRIDAY! I WASN'T THINKING!

To Spiraea kozak: Couldn't think of a more common name, could you..? **Sweatdrop** Anyway, thanks for reviewing again. Your postages are becoming far and few in-between but I'm still appreciative when you happen to do it. Anyway, I want you to know that, no matter what direction my fics seem to go in, they will ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS, be AAMRN. No Misty/Ash and OC; no yuri/yaoi; and no, and I mean NO, Ash/May. It just isn't gonna happen with me. So you have absolutely nothing to worry about, kay? Glad we got that straightened out...

Deja Know I Been Lookin For Vu: You too, are placing reviews far and few between. Still, no complaints here; especially since you helped me reach my NEW/old (Depending on how you look at it) goal of 100 reviews. I'm pleased with almost anything I receive from you. You guys give me so much fluff and sugar-coated flattery in your reviews that I go to school and end up breaking into giggles in front of the whole class. You can imagine the many estranged looks I've received from them...

Shippo123: NEW FAN! NEW FAN! NEW FAN! Well, that's about all I can manage right about now... **Clears throat** Heh... Yeah... Anyway, moving on--

SugaBlossom247: THANK YOU for the compliment; I feel that I'm finally moving up on the chart. I just hope you keep up with everything. And if you want me to email you or anything about continuation, all you have to do is post your e-address next time you review (if there is a next time). I DEFINETELY have no problem with telling people that I've updated, that is, if it means a review... Heh.

FERRET DREAMS: **Clears throat and scratches head** YAY, YAY, YAY, YAY! MORE PEOPLE LIKE ME! I'M JUST AS BAD AS YOU, YOU, YOU! DON'T WORRY ABOUT UPDATES, I DO IT EVERY WEEK! IS THAT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YA?!?!?!

And simultaneous thanks to QTLOVESKITTLES and MAGICALGALKAIRI: Thanks to you both for allowing me to post reviews from the two of you since, for reasons beyond control, you weren't eligible. AND TO ALL OF THOSE READING THIS-I DIDN'T, I repeat, I DIDN'T cheat the rules of FF.NET. I have written consent from both of these two to add their reviews to the page since either their comps were messing up or they just couldn't get to the site.

Now, I'm just gonna list the names of all those who've helped me reach this goal:

magicalgalkairi

Qtloveskittles

Car

Uranasu

Rae8

FERRET DREAMS

KawaiiCherryBlossom

Joy-girl

akmw4eva

Sugablossom247

Maria

JAMO

Deja Know I Been Lookin For Vu

Shippo123

Darkness4ever_fades

DaJollyMan (AKA AnonEEmOOsE. Lol)

Chibimatchmaker

Rosemary the Rubix Cube (AKA Rosie Rubix.)

Spiraea Kozak

MistyMagicWaterflower

Reviewer 131

totodile style

Sabrina

(Quote, unquote) ...

getfuzzyfan90

Amber Myst

Schillok

Marco Z

jesse

Kasumi Yawa

GoThBaRbIe

Satan'sAdvocate

Midnight_Mist

Twin-Dragon

Crystal Mew

... I think that I got them all... Yeah, I'm almost sure. If I missed someone, don't hesitate to tell me. Anyway, thanks to all of you who've graced me with fluffy flattery in your reviews (Yes, even all you one-timers) and I hope that you continue reading OR, if you've stopped, regain interest as I've nothing else but your simple praise (And, yes, that was a sort of poor attempt at Shakespeare. Now you know why we BELONG in the 90's-above... Lol.)

ALSO, note to self: Try and convince rage-worthy fans that IMURU IS NOT EVIL. HE'S DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG. AND I DID NOT CREATE HIM TO BE THE BAD GUY! Anyway, that's all I guess.

Review, thanx in advance if you plan to do so! (Of course, if you don't, I take that back--!)

End Transmission--

-- Chibi-Suiko