Miss Discovery!

By: Chibi-Suiko

Quick A/N (Don’t expect many of these at the beginning of a chapter): I decided that I’ll break my deadline update (Which is usually supposed to be every two weeks for reasons beyond my control) in time for the Holidays! Of course, it’s two weeks early but still—We’re getting there! Okay, enjoy chapter three!

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Ash: 15

Misty: 16

Brock: 19

Imuru: 17

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Last Time on Miss Discovery!: After arriving at the new city during their travels, they've accepted stay at a classy resort, thanks to Imuru, an actor who's interest in Misty has caused him to ask of her a favor. Should she accept, she will be playing the part of his other half's script in his many shows. Ash seems only too willing to get her to seal the deal, but his hope dwindles a bit after seeing his long time friends’ complete attention shift from him as the hero, to Imuru as the gentleman. To make matters worse--Not to mention, confusing--Misty has the 'pleasure' of running into Imuru's agent before heading into her bedroom. And he's almost as willing as Ash had been at first encounter to get her 'There'. What could everything be about? Why does she seem to get this major opportunity? And what's the deal with Mr. Gerou?

***

Chapter Three: Morning

***

" Well, I think that she is very beautiful and graceful, astonishing, quick-of-mind..."

" --You met her about thirty-five minutes ago and all ready she's the woman of your dreams?!"

" Is that so hard to believe..?" He'd asked. He seemed so serious that it was unbelievable. She'd never met someone so extraordinary.

They met at the door...

" Well, this-this is your den. I'll be here around ten tomorrow in order to wake you. Please be sure to keep a tab on my offer... Uh--Goodnight..."

He took hold of her hand with a trembling grip and kissed it tenderly. She could feel herself blushing bright crimson. The heat in her face was rising, her lips were moving but nothing was coming out. She put all of her resolve on the line...

And then... He was gone. She'd not even been able to wish him a dreamful night.

" Goodnight... Imuru..."

She was tired, she could feel sleep over-taking her so rapidly that she feared that she wouldn't be able to make it to her bed. She felt for the door knob but realized almost at once that she wasn't alone.

" It seems that He is very fond of you." She knew that voice. Mr. Gerou was behind her, but why hadn't he referred to Imuru as 'Young Master'? "He's been a fool all of his early years, I believe. But now he may have gotten a slightly offerable catch. Do you agree?" He smirked viciously at her from behind.

Her throat was constricting. This was weird. Not only were his words completely different from that night but he seemed to hate Imuru, like he'd want nothing more than to breathe fire down his throat in order to melt all of his organs (As disgusting as that sounds...). But it was even beyond weird when she noticed that his over all tone had been the same as the night before.

" I asked if you agreed? Or are you only tempted to fall in love as so many frivolous excuses for teens do? Remember, he'd loved you once... Can you trust him to love you again, Rein? This is why you ran away the first time, you were afraid of being loved. You never wanted it... And yet if he were to say that he did, I bet you'd give in in an instant. Am I right?"

She didn't answer. She wouldn't answer. But he only laughed spinelessly and shoved past her, continuing down the hall.

" Remember, everlasting love isn't worth it. It exists only for the soul purpose so that you can pour your heart out to the one you care so devotedly for and then learn the hard way by living in dread afterwards, for the rest of your life. Misery, that's all that you'll feel. Remember that Rein."

And he was gone as well... Rein? Who could that've been..?

***

" Miss Misty, are you ready to wake up yet? It's ten thirty, if you'd like to give that audition a try now, you should prepare yourself." A timid voice whispered into her ear. She swat lightly, trying to bat away the face but to no avail.

They moved slightly although they continued to speak to her from an even distance. She didn't seem to understand what was being said and it took awhile for her to realize that it was morning. The sun was just beginning to stream openly from behind the curtains.

" Miss Misty--?" The whispering came closer again and Misty jumped.

" Ash?! Brock, what the heck do you think you're getting at, letting...him...come and...try--?! Oh, Imuru, I'm so sorry!" She said after noticing that she'd raised her hands like clubs at the startled young man.

He laughed it off nervously and stepped away grinning as well as possible, "Well, even in the morning your beauty glows as though it's blending with the radiant light of the sun. Tell me, how do you do it?" He asked kindly.

She blushed and commented with a low mumble that died in her throat. She waved her arms for him to get out and then continued to complete her morning hygiene and run after him, downstairs.

The shock that met her eyes was a cozy breakfast table set for two and she pleasantly stepped forward in order to get a better look.

" Miss Misty--?! Wha-what are you doing down here so soon--?!" Came a shocked yell from behind and she turned just in time to get a glimpse of Imuru's features (Wearing an apron... He cooks too, how much better can it get?) before she was rushed right from the room.

She sat down in a cozy armchair, now in the comforting den, with the fire at her feet. Imuru sat next to her, obviously trying to think of a more proper way to greet her. She saved him the trouble by starting her own conversation.

" So, I-I guess that we're still on for that audition?" She asked.

He nodded vigorously, "Yes, well, that doesn't start for another hour and a half. I meant to give you a small token of my gratitude for-um-accepting my offer. Or, at least giving it a chance. That's why what you saw before you--" He pointed towards the small luncheon in the opposite direction.

" --Yeah, thanks. You really didn't have to." She shrugged.

" But I wanted to, and yes. I absolutely did. You don't know how much trouble I've been going through... You've really saved me." He said.

" Is that whole thing in there a way to try and bribe me?" She asked with a soft smile, trying to get a laugh from him, "Do you really need that much help with your work?"

" That--In there? That's merely a taste of a mans way of privileging a woman who deserves only such." He said romantically and she swore that she almost melted in her shoes.

" Um--thanks. Well, should we eat?" She spread her arms in question and got to her feet, accompanied swiftly by Imuru.

***

Settled at the table fifteen minutes later, the two of them laughed whole-heartedly.

" Anyway, where are Ash and Brock? Aren't they going to eat with us?" Misty asked. She hadn't wanted to bring her other friends into the picture, believe it or not, but she did want to know why they weren't caught at the table, scarfing their faces with the delicious food that was in front of her.

" Well, I left them to their rest. Let them sleep in, you know what I mean? I figure that the cooks will fix them up quite nicely. And they're always welcome to my snack kitchen while they're here as my guests. I daresay they'll ask my Help for something to eat sooner or later."

" And if those girls can't 'help', I know Brock will!" She laughed and looking at Imuru's confused face, she replied, "He's a stupendous cook himself. He might be able to give your men a few pointers... Beside the point, you have your own kitchen just for snacks?"

" When you get as big as I am, you can easily pull all of the strings."

" Uh huh..." She said, looking him over, "I-I've got to go back to my room for a moment. Um--I'll be back in a second."

" Are you sure that you're full?"

" Oh, yes, positive. I couldn't eat another bite..."

She got up and excused herself from the room casually, turning around the corner and escaping back up the flight of stairs, down the hallway, and clearing back in her guest rooms direction.

Just before she reached her place of rest, she heard a voice coming from the other way. She would have continued on if it weren't for her pure curiosity. Making it back, she tip-toed so that she wouldn't be heard. She evaded getting too close to the guys rooms and--

" ...It's remarkable, Sir--! The girl is an exact replica of Rein! I never would have believed it myself but she's got the same eyes, hair color--The only problem is her personality. If we could only plaster something over that--But it's just the same. The game isn't over yet, we still have a chance! There's got to be some way of convincing her to stay!" Misty heard a sound that seemed to come from a receiver, "I can compliment her, sure. If she thinks that she's got actual talent then... It's just that some of these productions contain solo and duo artisans. She'll have to have a voice..." Another murmur, "No, the boy hasn't said anything to me yet. It seems that I'll have to introduce myself to her... In public."

Misty shook her head, it was all so hard to understand. She remembered a voice that sounded just like this one but... How come she was drawing such a blank?

" She seems to have no idea. I said something last night but it seems that I only intimidated her... No Sir, of course not Sir. Never again Sir. You know that I don't want our last hope to frolic away... I'm just as pleased as you are, Sir. I'll be sure to comment on her 'outstanding effort'. I'll let her know how welcome she is here. And I'll treat her like a queen. She'll have no reason to leave. Yes, I know. And maybe you'll have time to come and introduce yourself Sir? No, well, I thought not. No, nobody has any idea about the scandal playing right under their noses... Yes, goodbye Sir."

There was the click of a receiver being put back and a shuddering sigh that seemed like thunder to Misty's ears. Something told her that she really wasn't supposed to hear that...

" Damn, that conning Bastard. He deserves nothing! I've been working as a fool for far too long. It's time that they all received what's been waiting for them for all of the time and trouble they've put me through! When the time comes--" The voice halted at that moment...

" Miss Misty, are you almost done? We should be leaving soon..." Came Imuru's sweet voice from downstairs.

" --Uh--yes! I'm almost ready, I'll be right down--!" She called then stuffed her hand in her mouth. Of all the times to screw up...

" --Wha--Who's there?!" There was a rush of confusion and Misty heard the unmistakable sound of herding foot-call. She scrambled to her feet and ran as fast and quietly as she could down the hall but knew that she'd never make it to her room in time.

Losing her mind, she put her hand on a doorknob, twisted, and pushed.

She slammed the door shut and turned to see her best friend Ash tucked into his sheets. As she shut the door, she heard him snore loudly and snap his eyes open, jumping up.

" Huh--What?! Misty? What's going on? Why are you up so early?" He asked offensively as she sat at the edge of his bed, not even caring that he was pretty much half naked. The shock from what she'd just heard hadn't worn off yet. Even through the clue that the man had said, she couldn't place his voice. It was as though it was obscured from her memory, "Uh--Misty?! Your friend, trying to go back to sleep? You, sitting here, now? Uh--EARTH TO MISTY?!" He shouted, throwing a water bottle at her head.

She came back to reality just in time to duck and glare before walking back towards the door and listening for any sounds. There was nothing but none the less...

" Misty? What's up with you, why are you acting all crazy like that?" Ash asked, giving her a once over in confusion, "Did something happen? It was that jerk Imuru, wasn't it?!" He shouted angrily, getting ready to jump to his feet and commit murder.

" Shhhhhhh. Shut up Ash! And sit down, I think I've seen enough of your cleavage to last a life time, thanks..." She headed back and sat in the chair at his side. He watched her with slightly concerned eyes. She could feel them looking her over for a trace of what was wrong. She really didn't know whether it was her place to let him know of what she heard or not so she made something up--Or rather, she told him of another of her worries.

" It's about Imuru..." she began.

" Oh, is he every bit of a Jackass as I mentioned to you yesterday?" Ash smirked.

" No! He's great, wonderful!" She stated, ready to bang him on the head for such a comment, "But, he's so perfect. I like him a lot and all and I want him to like me as well. I mean, he's kind, considerate, a gentleman, a great cook, a talent expertise, and he knows how to treat a girl..." Misty shrugged half-heartedly, "Truth be told... I don't know if I can measure up. I want to get a guy, and if you ever mention this to my sisters I'll murder you with a chain saw." She warned him, "But he's just got something that I'm looking for in a guy, you know?"

" Well, what's he got that I don't got?" Ash asked, seemingly offended, "I mean, I've got to have some talent, right?"

" Ash, I'm serious. And you know that you're not even interested in girls. But him, he seems to care about me and I might not let this one just walk by. I think I may really like him..." She said and a soft smile graced her lips.

" But-but you don't even know anything about the guy! You just met him yesterday! And I do so take an interest in girls. I can like or love a woman if I want to! I do love a wo--"

" Your mom doesn't count." She said coolly.

" Yeah, well, still..."

" Basically, on a scale of one to ten, you're not much past zero-point-five (0.5). Don't take this as an insult or anything but he's cool, decent, not-so-egotistical--or hormonal--! And he's--"

" Miss Misty? Time to go!"

" --Right outside, waiting for me!" Misty shrieked and ran towards the door but Ash called after her.

" What do you mean, he's waiting for you right outside? What--?"

" Thanks for the talk Ash, it meant a lot to me, really. Oh, and... I've decided to stay and help him out, at least for today--Just to give the whole thing a shot... I'm hoping he'll show some favorable mention of me..." She spoke in a great rush and with that, she shut the door and ran down the hall to her room to get her bag of Pokemon (And whatever else she felt was needed).

" What--?!" Ash yelled, "And when was I going to hear about this?!" A moment later, his cloud of fury dispersed to be replaced with a newly quiet demeanor, "... And I don't think he's got much of a problem with you at all..."

***

" Um... Is this where the auditions are being held..?" Misty asked nervously as she and Imuru walked into a deserted cathedral.

Imuru shook his head, "No, there are no auditions. It's just going to be you and me. I thought that we should find somewhere quiet and undisturbed for a run through on what may happen. Not to mention we should get a look at the skits. Do you agree?" He smiled kindly at her.

Misty nodded numbly. She'd just remembered something...

" ...Do you agree...?"

Who else had managed to say that to her? She still couldn't quite place the tone. But she was almost positive that it'd been the same one that the man had used when on the phone... There was only one problem with that accusation, she was absolutely sure that the man had never said those words in that sickening tone to whoever it was that he'd been communicating with...

And she hadn't met him, had she..?

" Miss Misty, are you okay?" His kind voice reached her ears and she turned to him, "Um--Listen... I was hoping that you wouldn't be angry. I told my agent, Mr. Gerou, to come by and see how you did. I'm not sure if that was a mistake but if you don't want him to then just let me know and I'll call him up to--"

Misty shook her head in an embarrassed way, "No, let him come. After all, the more the merrier, right? And if I mess up then that's my problem." She sighed and he placed a hand on her shoulder.

" Listen, I know that this is a considerably large amount of stress that's been put on your chest but there's no doubt in my mind that you'll do absolutely great. I mean, it's in you blood right?" Imuru grinned, a little embarrassed himself and held up a pamphlet. Misty's shocked face told him that he'd better explain himself, "Last night, after what your friend Ash told me about you being in one of your sisters’ plays, I knew immediately that he meant the Cerulean Sister gym leaders. I looked them up on my laptop and there you were, in an article posted with a picture discussing their best piece of work, The Mermaid Play... They say that it lost a bit of it's touch after the first lead left town though. I'm guessing that was you?" He laughed lightly and she gave a weak smile, "There's no need to be nervous, okay? You'll be fine. I'll admit that my faith in you was lifted greatly after the reading mentioned that you had to learn your lines in less than twenty-four hours. I think that you're perfect for the part."

" Yes, well, that is still to be decided." Came a cold voice from the door. Mr. Gerou walked in, a smile plastered on his face, and advanced on the young couple, "This is her? Miss Waterflower, what a surprise to see one of the famous Waterflower sisters make a debut into our tourist-infested city. I have hope that you will be able to help in our dilemma, will you? We've been needing a repla--" He started with another twisted grin but Imuru interrupted him.

" --Gerou! No more discussion will be needed on the subject. Excuse us, we need to be alone to practice. Perhaps after you've seen Misty act, then you will be able to decide whether she is worthy of the stage." He turned to pull Misty away but her eyes were locked on this Mr. Gerou.

They'd met before, she was sure of it... There was just this blank spot in her memory...

" Miss Misty? We-we should be--Are you all right?" Her male companion asked, concerned.

" Oh--Uh--Yeah... It's--um--just that Mr. Gerou and I haven't been properly introduced. Don't you think that I should..?" She began and he nodded slightly.

" Always the proper one." He smiled and let her move on ahead. Then he turned and walked out into the audience, pulling forward a couple of chairs for the two of them to sit in. He placed a pamphlet on each of them and remained standing, waiting for her.

" Um--Mr. Gerou? I'm Misty Waterflower. I just thought that I should say that more professionally. I guess that soon we'll be working with each other if this works out, am I right?" She asked with a smile, holding out her hand.

He grinned sickeningly and did the same. Nodding, he said, "Yes, I'm sure that we will. I hope that you and I can work very well together. But it's not as if you don't know me all ready? Or do you not remember?" And with that, she shook her hand.

" --Uh... I-I'm not sure. Did we?" She asked, getting nervous around such an authorative figure, not to mention terrified of his steel eyes.

" It's just as well..." He murmured before Imuru called from the stands.

" Miss Misty? Let's get things started..!" She nodded to him and let go of Mr. Gerou's hand, jumped off of the stage, and ran towards her future 'co-actor'.

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A/N: Okay, another chapter done and over. I'm hoping that this was a little--if at all--confusing because that's what it was supposed to be like. This will most likely branch into a mystery type of fic as it's one of the few I've got remotely planned out before I actually started. If things get a little more confusing than you've hoped, let me know. Though I'm not very sure if I'll be able to help you more...

**NOTE: Yes, Misty and Mr. Gerou did meet in the second chapter of this fiction but that doesn't mean that she'd be sure to remember it.... Even as strange as it was... But anyway, if you guys have an idea of what should happen or what you think is going to happen ('Cause I'm the author, oh yeah! I've always wanted to say that!), then let me know. Maybe, just maybe, I can use some of your ideas for characters or scenes in the story.

ALSO: Misty hasn't heard about Rein and Imuru's romantic details yet. That may come next chapter. A poke-battle will be put on most likely featured by the trainers of the town... (This may be a team battle). But don't lose hope, this is still an AAMRN (Though I have grown quite attached to Imuru. Maybe he and Misty will... Naw)!

Also, again: I know that the phone call thing was a bit quick to the plot of the fic but I just wanted to add something that would make things seem, you know, WRONG. And I figured that Misty hearing something she wasn’t supposed to hear while no one was around was a better idea than some of the other’s I was contemplating with.

Shout Out’s (Since I know so many authors do those. Lol.):

To Kasumi Yawa: My first reviewer for the fic, I’m glad that you appreciate what I do and I’m flattered that, when you received my email, you looked into the second chapter continuation so quickly. It feels good to have such a big fan! **Blushing embarrassedly**

To you know who (AKA: QT/Qtloveskittles): I’m so glad that you thought another one of my fics rocked! Thanks for all of the support you’ve given me in my work and I hope you continue to read what I post!

And one more to KawaiiCherryBlossom (AKA BWF): God, I still can’t believe you reviewed a fic of mine. You are my AAMRN idol (Which I stated in the email I sent). I’m so completely giddy (For lack of a better word) that you even took notice of this little… Thing. I never expected to get any acknowledgment from you unless I asked for it. I must have hit a soft spot in mentioning Lizzie McGuire, huh? In any case, I’m still more than just a little quick-of-the-heart-beat thanks to you (No, really, thanks to you!) You truly fueled the continuation of this fiction! Thanks for looking into it and I hope that my lame imperfected talent works for you.

Everyone else, I hope you continue reviewing so that I can keep posting the shout out’s (Which I will try to do a bit every chapter from now on).

Good story + lots of complimentary reviews (And reviewers) = Fun! Shout out’s are fun! (I just learned how much enjoyment they really are!) Remember, you keep liking, I keep writing!

Bubi for now!