Author's Note: Felt a sudden urge to write this. Warning: Yaoi, possible future lemon

Disclaimer: If I owned Pokemon….-insert evil chuckle-

Chapter 1- World's greatest pokemon master indeed…

Ash smiled. His oldest friend, Pikachu, cloaked in her new thick winter coat, had begun to entertain herself by playing the tassles on his hoodie, blissfully unaware of how adorable she was in doing so. His smile disappeared, however, when his gaze fell on his school work sprawled out all over his lap. He was seventeen years old, and despite the fact that he was a wandering pokemon trainer, he still had an education to maintain, which was easier said than done. He sighed and ran a hand through his messy black hair, earning a concerned squeak from his yellow companion. He grinned reassuringly at her, scratching behind her ears with a gloved hand.

Ash Ketchum hadn't changed much since his pre-pubescence. He was taller, of course, and his body was now slightly laced with corded muscle, but overall, he was the same Ash, bursting with childish determination to be the world's greatest pokemon master, a goal he was rapidly approaching. He had already captured more than three hundred different species of pokemon, and beaten more trainers than he could count. He had become famous, making appearances in all sorts of public media, becoming an idol of inspiration to young and old trainers alike.

Yet here he was, sitting on a park bench in the middle of November, struggling with a few algebra equations. He picked up his pencil and attempted his work again, shooing away a curious Pikachu. He wished Brock was here, or even Tracy, they were better than he was at this sort of work.

He became distracted again, and began reminiscing. Eventually, as his previous friends had done, Brock and Dawn had left him. Brock had been offered a position at the Sinnoh Elite four Pokemon center, and Dawn had left to pursue a career as a coordinator with Zoey. He hadn't seen his friends in weeks, actually. Excluding Misty, who he had bumped into in the Veilstone department store yesterday. He wasn't lonely, as he was constantly reminded by a few chirps from the adorable yellow rodent always tagging along at the cuff of his jeans, or catching a ride in his scruffy hair or on his shoulder.

Pikachu was always there for him, but she didn't provide the companionship he desired…

Ash Ketchum, pokemon trainer extraordinaire, had never been part in a romantic relationship.

It wasn't that he was unattractive or stupid, (naïve maybe, but not stupid) in fact he had hordes of girls and boys alike chasing after him everyday. Ash simply had had no interest in a relationship. But now…as he began noticing that pokemon battling could not fill an emptiness inside him, not to mention the other teenagers with their tongues down each others throats…he begun to wonder what it would be like to be in love. May and Drew loved each other, Brock loved Nurse Joy (despite an irritated barrage of poison jabs), and apparently, Misty had loved him in his younger days, despite his obliviousness. She said often enough now, that she loved him like a brother. And he loved her like a sister.

But the ebony haired teen wanted much more. He wanted his presence to be necessary to someone. He wanted to fill the void. Why? He didn't know.

Ash gathered his papers up, along with his half finished math homework. Pikachu leapt onto his shoulder, and began preening. He stuffed his work into his knapsack, slinging it over his arms. Ash checked his watch, noticing it was almost noon. The oddball pokemon trainer headed off to the nearest café, growling stomach urging him forward.

Author's note- Next chapter will be better, trust me.