You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This

Chapter 1: The Reunion

The night was beginning just as the rain was starting to fall. A teenager who looked to be about 17 or 18, along with his beloved pikachu, were the only two out in this musky weather.

"Come on, Pikachu! We have to get to the gym!" the boy yelled back at his pokemon. "Pika! Pikachu!" it yelled back. "I know, but I doubt Misty will let us stay outside in the rain all night! Hopefully she won't mind us dropping in on her!" "Pi-ka! Ka-Chu!"

Ash and Pikachu were heading back to Pallet Town to see Ash's mom after in big adventure in Lenta (region I made up) He had won the league and now wanted to take a break before going out again. He had decided since he had to go through Cerulean City anyways, he'd stop and say hi to Misty, the Cerulean Gym leader. The only thing is, he only planned on staying for only a few hours so Misty wouldn't feel intruded. Now the weather had gotten the best of the both of them. The rain came without any warning and Ash had a feeling it would last all night.

"There, Pikachu! The Gym's getting close!" Ash yelled to his friend. "Pika!" The gym was only a short ways away and Ash started to get butterflies in his stomach. He'd never admit it to anyone (except pikachu), but he had fallen hard for the easily tempered, hot headed, redhead of Cerulean City. He never told her for he had never wanted to lose the friendship he cared so deeply about. He was afraid that if told her she'd never want to be around him anymore, much less be his best friend, which Ash swore to himself was something was something he'd never lose.

Ash stopped running when he got close to the door. "Well, Pikachu," Ash said panting, "here we are." "Pika. Pikachu, Chu-Chu, pikachu." "Ok, ok. I'm knocking, I'm knocking." Ash took a deep breath and knocked on the door. "Coming!" screamed a feminine voice from inside. "Can I help you?" asked a girl with blonde hair when the door opened. "Uhhh, yeah Daisy, you can. Is Misty here?" Ash said. "Oh. My. GOSH!" exclaimed Daisy. "Ash Ketchum, is that really you!?" "Uhhh, yeah. Why? Is that so hard to believe?" "Oh, it's not that. It's just that, well look at you! You're so grown up now!" she said while blushing. "Um, it does kinda happen, Daisy. Everybody gets older." Ash said completely oblivious. Daisy giggled. "You really are dense. What Misty says is true." "Huh?" Ash blinked confusedly. Daisy giggled again. "Come in out of the rain. If you catch a cold Misty will kill me." Daisy said as she moved to the side.

Ash walked into the familiar gym. "Wow. I can't believe it's been so long since I've been here." "I can." Daisy said firmly. Ash turned and looked at her. "You travel around so much now that you don't have any time for your friends anymore. I mean, you're a great trainer and all, Ash. Conquering 6 leagues in 3 years, it's a world record, and congratulations for that. You just don't happen to be the greatest friend now." She told him. "Yet Misty, Brock, May, and Max are all still very fond of you." "I know." Ash said. "I should have stayed in contact. It was my fault. But that's why I'm here. I wanted to see Misty and tell her I'm sorry. I just didn't know Brock, May, and Max were here as well." "Well Misty is traveling with them" Daisy informed him. "I know. I just thought they all went to their homes to visit." Ash told her. "They did. They're just back already." She informed him. "Ohhh. Okay."

They stood there in silence for a few moments. "Um, can I see them now?" Ash asked. "Oh! Right!" She exclaimed "This way." She led him through the gym. She stopped at a door. "They're in here. It's the game room." Daisy explained. "It has games, TV, computer, etc. Just go on in." "O-okay." Ash stuttered nervously. "See ya later, Ashy!" Ash sweatdropped. "Why do people always call me Ashy, Pikachu? I mean, I don't mind Misty calling me that but it gets annoying from other people. And, uh, kinda disturbing from Daisy." "Pi. Pikachu." Pikachu replied. Ash sighed. "Well, here goes nothing." Ash said as he opened the door. "Ha! I totally won that round, Brock!" Max yelled. "Barely Kiddo! You won't get that lucky next time." Max and Brock were in front of the TV playing Super Smash Bros. on the Gamecube. "Ha, that wasn't luck, that was pure skill and you know it." Max said back. "Whatever twerp." May piped in. "You've never been good at this game. It was all luck." "Awww, Shut up, May. What do you know you know?" "A lot more than you obliviously." "Ok you two. It's just a game. May, how about all of us play?" Brock suggested. "Sure. I'd love to crush my brother's hopes and dreams." May replied. "Hey! You're the one who's going to be crushed!" Max said. "Yeah, whatever. Hey Misty, you gonna play with us?" May asked. "No offense guys, but being the ultimate champion of that game, I'd completely dominate you. I need more of a challenge." "You mean a challenge like me?" Ash said taking this chance to get noticed. The four of them jumped and turned around. "Because I do believe that you got the title of champion by default, if I remember correctly." "Pika. Pikachu." Pikachu happily agreed.

"A-Ash!" the four exclaimed in unison. "What?" Ash asked innocently. "Wha-what are you doing here!?" Misty asked in complete shock. Not only was she completely shocked to see him, she was surprised at how he looked. He had grown quite a bit since the last time she saw him and was now taller than her. He had also lost the kiddish look in his face and now had more manly features, along with gaining some muscles in his arms and chest. To her, he looked completely….dare she say it…hott. "What? I can't come visit my best friends?" He asked as innocently as he could. "Well, after not seeing you for 3 years, it IS kind of a surprise." Brock said. "He he, yeah, sorry 'bout that. I know I should have stayed in contact, I've just been kinda busy." He said embarrassedly. Max piped in. "KINDA!" The outburst made Ash jump. "KINDA! You're famous! Six league champion in three years! That's a world record!" "Yeah, so I've heard." Ash muttered. "Max is right. It's not completely your fault; I mean we're just as much to blame as you if not more." May said.

"How would you guys be blamed more?" Ash asked. "Well, think about it, Ash" Brock said. "We've had more chances to come see you then you have us. Plus, conquering all those leagues. We should have called to congratulate you. But we didn't." "Yes, but remember, you guys have won stuff too, and I haven't made any contact saying congrats to you." Ash informed them. "Yes" May argued "But you've been busier than we have and…." Misty cut him off. "OK, gee. How about we're all to blame? Can everyone agree on that?" They all laughed. "Yeah, it's kind of a pointless argument." Max explained. "Good. Now then, we can get back to what really matters." Misty felt relieved. "Oh, and what is that?" Ash barely got the words out of his mouth before Misty tackled him into a chair that was behind him. "I HAVE MISSED YOU SOOO MUCH!!!!!" She exclaimed. Ash sweatdropped. "I've missed you, too, Mist. You seriously don't know how lonely it gets traveling by yourself." Ash said wrapping his arms around Misty's thin waste. "Well, that is kind of your own doing, Ash." Max stated. "Yeah, I know." Ash felt perfect right then. Not only was he with his best friends, having Misty in his arms felt wonderful.

May, Max, and Brock noted that his was a special moment for the both of them so kept their mouths shut. They sat in silence for a few more moments until Misty broke the tranquility by giggling. "What's so funny, Mist?" Ash asked looking down. "It's just," Misty said now laughing, "you're soaking wet!" Ash blushed. "Oops. My bad. Sorry, Misty. I did just get out of the rain." Misty giggled again. "Well then, why don't we go get you settled in and get you a towel so you can dry off?" "Uhh, settled in?" Ash questioned. "Well, yeah." Brock piped in. "Unless of course you want to go back into the rain." "PIKA!" Pikachu spoke up. "PI! PIKA-KA CHU!" They all jumped in surprise. "Pikapi, pikachu, chu-ka?" Ash laughed. "No, Pikachu, we're gonna stay." "Chu" Pikachu sighed. Misty, Brock, May, and Max all arched their eyebrows. Ash laughed again. "Pikachu thought that Misty wasn't going to like the idea of us just 'popping in', so he thought that we were going to have to stay outside all night." Ash explained. "Ohhhhhh" they said in unison. "Okay, so let's go get you into a guest room." Misty said. "Oh, and Ash?" "Yes, Mist?" "Feel free to 'pop in' on me anytime, k? I'm not going to throw you out. I care about you too much." The words left her mouth before she could stop them. "Uh-oh" muttered Brock to May and Max. "That's gonna start an argument." "That's for sure" They whispered back.

Ash just smiled. "Thanks, Mist. That means a lot coming from you." It surprised them all. That was not the reaction they expected, especially Misty. "Umm, sure. No problem." Misty said back nervously. Ash noticed her nervousness. "You don't have to be afraid of me, Mist." Ash said taking her hand. "I'm not going to laugh at you for caring about me. We're best friends. I'd kinda be scared if you didn't care, 'cause I sure care a lot about you." Misty blushed bright red. "Th-thanks, Ash." Misty stuttered. Ash smiled again. "So, what's this about a guest room?" Ash asked. "OH! Right! Come on." Misty said pulling him with her. "Wow. Is it just me, or does Ash seem to want to show his feelings for Misty more?" Brock asked after they left the room. "Actually, Brock. It seems he does." May replied.