Disclaimer: This goes for the whole story, if I owned pokemon, I probably wouldn't be an American writing a random fic lol
A/N: So it's been about 4 years since I've written a fanfic - and it was in a completely different fandom. I wasn't really planning on writing anything, but I pretty much think ikarishipping is the most adorable thing (and Paul - you have no idea how many times I accidently type Shinji lol - is similar to my fav character from the last fandom). So I was reading practically the only ikarishipping fics around (I know there are a few others) by animeflash (go read her fics everybody!!), and the combined effects of her fanfiction, the lack of ikarishipping fanfics, and just a random creativity streak caused me to write this fic. I wasn't even planning on publishing it, but I've decided to - with some support by one of my best friends and copy editor clouded leopard (go read her fics from a few years ago they're so funny - even if I had no idea what's going on b/c I never watched the show).
Anyway this is prob going to be the only super long author's note (but don't hold me to that b/c I like to talk lol), but basically I've written about 4 chapters already (so you can see it took me a while to decide) - and I can guarantee you that the chapters will get longer. This was just a starter chapter that I randomly wrote one night and "clouded leopard" told me to keep going.
Summary: Well I can't say I really know what's going to happen b/c every couple of chapters I have to actually plan what's going to happen next lol, and I really don't know how many chapters there are going to be but it keeps looking like it'll be longer than I actually thought it would be. Okay so this basically takes place 7 years later, and Dawn/Ash are dating when Misty and Paul come along. I tried not to make it cliche (actually no I just started randomly writing and it came out as it came out), but I suppose cliche can be relative to the person lol.
I like drama, the next 4 chapters are going to be pretty dramatic - I'm not going to lie - but I'm going to probably lighten it up after that. But then you have to consider that with a character like Paul, there's already natural drama b/c he's so rude. Two nice people don't equal drama. Mean people do, and I love it lol. And yeah...I might be influenced by my soap opera and other tv shows a bit :-)
Rating: T for adult situations? I don't really know? lol but I don't write lemons people, just getting that out there now. I hope nothing overtly graphic, and I dunno if there's ever going to be an "allusion" to one or not. And language - there's language, they're 17-23 - so please don't be surprised.
So anyway if you don't mind some drama and some language, then tell me what you think of my completely random chapter that I wrote night and then decided to continue! Haha ok, I'll stop talking now.
Chapter 1
Dawn ran her brush through her long navy locks, dissatisfied. She huffed as she glared at the mirror, irritated with her appearance. "It's frizz every morning…" She glanced around to see if her beloved pokemon Empoleon was around. It still astounded her that her once precious tiny penguin was a massive powerhouse. After glancing around the room, she casually tossed a pokeball out of which a Vaporeon emerged. When she had visited other regions, Dawn collected all the Eevee evolutions, and it wasn't surprising, considering Dawn was normally attracted to the more 'stylish' pokemon.
"Good morning, Vaporeon," she giggled, "Can you use bubblebeam?"
After quickly throwing on a light blue top and black skirt, Dawn raced downstairs and out the door to meet Ash, who was waiting by the bottom of the porch. He looked bored, and was gazing off into the distance, supposedly deep in thought.
"Sorry!," she panted, shooting him an apologetic smile.
He returned the smile and shook his head slightly, "Next time you tell me 10 am I'll be sure to arrive at 10:30."
She smacked his arm playfully and pouted, "Don't you want me to look pretty?"
He rolled his eyes and smiled, "You tell me this every time you're late. And every time I tell you that you're already pretty."
Dawn's cheeks immediately took on a pink hue, but she grinned and dragged him along. Ash was still energetic, but the years had mellowed him out and matured him somewhat. His voice was deeper and he had certainly grown and put on a bit of a build. Dawn had matured as well; her body was curvier and more womanly, but her 17-year-old frame still looked younger compared to his 22-year-old one.
Dawn's Buneary came running after hearing Ash's voice, knowing full well his Pikachu would be nearby. After a few years Dawn had decided that Buneary simply refused to evolve for this reason. Pikachu wasn't a huge romantic himself, but had seemed to grow somewhat fond of her Buneary over time. Dawn herself was elated when she finally saw her pokemon's unrequited love be returned.
Dawn turned her attention back to her boyfriend, who still seemed lost in thought. Leaning against his chest as they walked, she glanced up at his face, "Is something wrong?"
Ash snapped out of his thoughts and turned his eyes downward, "I was just thinking."
"Yes, I can see that," she mused, "I mean, what are you thinking about?"
She could feel his muscles tense as he responded, "An old friend contacted me last night."
"Hm? You have so many friends I can never keep track of them!," she replied with a laugh. "What's the big deal?"
"Well this friend is a closer friend…" Ash muttered.
"Okay? Who is it already?," she looked up at him expectantly.
"Misty."
She felt her stomach tighten as she clenched her teeth and forced a smile. She had heard him speak of Misty plenty of times before, but the way he avoided informing her about Misty's call filled her stomach with dread. "Well uh…what did she say?," Dawn tried to keep her voice steady, not wanting to reveal any fear. She didn't want Ash to think she didn't trust him.
"She's coming to visit," he said nonchalantly. How could he do that, she wondered, and be so calm when she was freaking out inside. She knew of Misty's old feelings toward Ash, but Ash was always so clueless that she assumed he had never figured it out. But now he was older, and more mature, what if Misty was coming to confess her feelings? Dawn shook her head slightly, 'Come on Dawn, stop worrying, nothing's even happened yet!,' she thought to herself. Loosening her grip on Ash's arm, she realized she had accidentally left red marks on his arm from her anxiety. He peered down at her and raised an eyebrow, "If it's all the same to you, I'd like to keep my arm for another few years." Dawn sighed in relief at his attempt at humor, and smiled up at him, "Well, when is she coming?"
"Tomorrow…damnit, let go of my arm!"
Dawn sipped her drink calmly, as the past couple of hours had gone by smoothly. Misty was not mentioned again, and she was watching Ash gorge himself with slight disdain. "Honestly Ash, you're 22, can't you eat properly by now?"
"The more time I spend talking is the less time I spend eating," he muffled his words through a mouthful of food.
"Sometimes I worry you might choke," she continued.
"Well don't worry about it," he replied flatly.
"Oh, right, no more worries!"
"That's usually how you are."
Dawn sighed irritably. It was true. She couldn't seem to relax. Normally she was amused by Ash's childish behavior, but she still couldn't shake the feeling of dread. She needed a distraction.
"Well if it isn't Ash," a deep, masculine voice broke her from her thoughts. She looked up to see a man about her age with dark purple hair. He was about as tall as Ash now, despite being younger, and had become muscular over his journeys. He had a handsome face, but it was constantly graced with a frown.
"And?," she pushed.
The man gave her a slight glance, and replied, "And?"
Her eyes narrowed. "You've known who I am for 7 years, Paul, why don't you just address me by my name already?"
"I'll do so when I actually give a damn."
This was not the distraction she had in mind.
Ash frowned up at his rival. They had a grudging respect for each other. Ash finally just accepted Paul's ways of training, only because it was undeniably effective in battling. Paul had by now conquered the rest of the leagues, as had Ash. They were both 'masters.' Dawn herself had become a skilled coordinator, and she had also traveled to other regions. She eventually met Ash's friend May, who was a couple years older than her, and the two were now best friends. After traveling with Ash, May traveled by herself in the Johto region, before joining Drew. Drew and May were very much in love, having confessed their feelings some time ago. Drew was still more skilled than May at coordinating, and was considered the best in the coordinating world. May could still hold her own though, and was very much respected.
"I'll thank you not to disrespect my girlfriend, Paul," Ash said. Dawn felt happiness surge within her upon hearing those words. He was defending her, albeit to his asshole rival. Surely this meant something?
Paul chuckled, "You're dating her? I would think you could do better than Dawn." Her jaw clenched as she stood up abruptly, "Listen here asshole, where you get off judging women for being 'good' or not is rich coming from you, considering you don't even have a girlfriend!"
He smirked, "I suppose you're implying that I am unable to get one?"
Dawn didn't reply, he was being too smug. Paul's smirked widened and he continued, "Nothing to say? I'll have you know that the number of girls that swarm me for dates is beyond what you could dream of. The fact that I choose not to have a girlfriend, especially some crazy fan, does not imply that I am unable to have one. The fact that I'm able to have choices will speak for itself, and I'm sure you know what to infer from that."
"Are you saying that you're better than me?!" she screeched, her fists balling up with rage. By this point Paul looked highly amused, and Ash looked embarrassed by the number of people turning their heads to see the well known trainers quarrel.
"Well that's a creative way to put it. But I didn't say it, you did."
She wanted to respond, but her mind came up blank. She knew she was defeated, and she hated it. Although Paul had always been Ash's rival, she always felt a slight rivalry with him. At the moment, it was one of wits.
"This has been entertaining, but I have better places to be," Paul commented, and he turned to Ash, "We'll battle later."
Ash nodded his head as a confirmation and farewell. Dawn looked dumbfounded when Paul simply walked off before she could retort. She sat down, crossed her arms and pouted.
"Was that necessary?," Ash inquired.
She felt her face go red, "Are you blaming me?," She whispered, seething, "He's the one who started it."
"That doesn't mean you have to fall for the bait-"
"I won't be insulted!" She interrupted.
"I was handling it," he firmly stated.
"I can take care of myself," she replied indignantly.
"Fine then," Ash said suddenly, scooting away from the table. She quickly grabbed his arm and looked into his eyes, imploring him to stay, "That's not what I meant, I really appreciate what you did, sweetie!" She gave him an appreciative smile to show her sincerity, and he sat back down.
"Today has been awful!," she whined into the phone, staring at sympathetic face of her blue-eyed friend on the screen.
"It sounds that way," May responded, "But not every day can be the best!"
"It can if you're with me!," A voice sounded from another direction. May rolled her eyes and giggled slightly.
"I'm glad to see Drew is doing well," Dawn commented, still slightly upset.
"May, I don't know what to do about Misty coming tomorrow," Dawn started uneasily.
"What else can you do? Be courteous! Don't act jealous over something that you're not sure exists."
"Didn't you tell me that she had feelings for him though?," Dawn inquired hastily.
"That was over ten years ago! There's no basis to worry so much," May said calmly.
"This is easy for you to say!," Dawn cried, her eyes tearing up, "What would you say if Brianna came visiting Drew?!"
"Well…she does," May said nervously, trying to avoid embarrassing her friend. Dawn wouldn't have it.
"And you're telling me that you weren't jealous?"
"Well…," May twiddled her thumbs nervously, "Maybe a little…"
"So don't tell me to not worry!"
"Okay!," May spoke sharply, which was rare for her sweet nature. "It's hard to ignore any slight jealousy. It's human nature. But you're taking it a little too far, Dawn. I still trust Drew, and you should trust Ash. If your relationship hits the rocks every time someone visits, are you sure Ash is the right person? I mean, he is five years older than you, it's understandable if you guys just don't click…"
Dawn's throat tightened at the notion of that, "So? Drew is two years older than you!"
May nodded, "But we've known each other for so long."
"Yes, how dare I assume seven years is enough time to build a relationship on," Dawn muttered sarcastically. May frowned, and Dawn immediately felt guilty for being so harsh.
"I'm sorry, May. I'm so stressed that I'm being rude to you."
"It's fine," May's soft voice replied.
"Look, go be with Drew. I'll call you tomorrow to tell you how it goes."
"Okay," she said, "But look at the bright side – you've gotten over your anger at Paul."
Dawn rolled her eyes at that, "What an asshole."
"You know," May teased, "If I didn't know any better I'd say that you're letting him affect you!"
"Huh?," Dawn looked confused, before the meaning of May's words hit her, "How can you even say that May?! We're talking about Ash and you go and make crazy assumptions! Since when does an argument mean feelings?! We're not ALL you and Drew!"
May grinned, "Well, it's still a type of passion, isn't it?"
"If by passion you mean hate and apathy…"
"Okay, you need to get some rest! I know you'll feel better and happier tomorrow!," May instructed.
Dawn smiled as she bade May farewell and hung up the phone. Maybe she was right. Dawn pulled the covers over herself and closed her eyes, dreaming of the next day.
Okay so please review and tell me what you think and I'll probably update the next chapter pretty soon once I get my last AP exam out of the way (and finish all my high school work YAY). Next chapter will be longer, I promise :) - I mean not like a lot a lot longer but longer lol.