Hold My Hand
First Day

Tsukasa: Due to how long my other fics are taking, I decided I'd tease you guys a bit. Here's the beginning of Hold My Hand 2!

Karen: Let me warn you though, the opening is different compared to the previous chapter, but that is just to add to this new highly literate style Tsukasa is using!

Tsukasa: We don't own Pokémon, only this idea.

Karen: Let us know what you think of this new style too, because we're definitely interested in keeping it if you like it!

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He could feel it emanating through his entire being. Banging through his chest as though fighting for its life to free itself... Ash's heart pounded harder than it had ever in his entire life as he stretched his arm out as far as he could reach. Just off of the deck of the renewed Anne ran the girl who's image had taunted the young man for so many years, bringing him in only to recede into the depths of his mind...

But not this time. Auburn eyes lit like the flames inside of a Flareon, Ash thrust his arm further, crying out to his friend to "Jump!" He could see that the bluette was hesitant at such a dangerous move, but the dock she ran on was slowly losing length. She took the chance, she trusted Ash, and Dawn leapt out over the water. It seemed like she wouldn't make it, but destiny brought both of their hands together.

With a grunt, Ash brought his childhood traveling partner up onto the boat, and before either could think they both wrapped their arms around the other's neck, embraced in a tight hug, both couldn't speak. The waves were calm, the wingulls were silent... Even the rolling of Dawn's parasol down the deck was mute. Time froze around them, short of Ash's breath on Dawn's neck causing her to finally break the silence with a shudder and a moan, "Ash, I..."

He had been waiting for far too long to say these words to her; "I'm glad to see you too" he smiled, leaning out of the hug to look her in the eyes, though he still kept his arms firmly around her, "How long's it been?"

How close he was... Dawn just wanted to scream! He had pulled himself much closer than she had hoped, so much so that she was scared. Could she control herself? No, she had to... "Mmm..." the icy blue clothed coordinator bit her lip, containing the outburst she almost allowed to slip., "Far too long!" she finally coughed when she noticed Ash's concerned stare, "Imagine meeting here of all places!" Corrected, reposed, and once more in control. Much better.

"Tell me about it. I was pretty close to heading inside too. Good thing I ignored my hunger" Finally he released her, shifting his hat forward to scratch the back of his head before returning the article to its "sacred" spot. "And you know how my hunger goes"

Dawn giggled before snickering, "You? Resist your hunger? I've caught onto your game. Where's Ash? What did you do with him?" Neither could keep a straight face against this comment, and both burst into an uproar of laughter, the giggles and chuckles slowly but finally coming to an end with the two staring at each other with beaming smiles. Ash was the first to break the ever repeating silence this time, though it wasn't with words...

A long growl groaned from his stomach, a sound not requiring explanation, but just like always he illustrated the obvious with a short chuckle, "Wow, I'm hugry. Can't wait to get inside to eat." A beautiful smile brought an even wider grin as Dawn snickered once again, "About time you acted like..." She paused, then rose to her feet to chase after her parasol.

"Acted like what?" Ash asked, leaping to his feet to follow her. An answer, however, he did not receive as Dawn replied simply, "Oh, nothing" She forced a giggle to hide her embarrassment. Shoot! She scolded herself, That was way too close! After so much time on her own, one would think that she would have had more control, but...

Coming upon the person you care most about at such a random time could swagger even the toughest of people... not to mention the prospects of New Years being mere days away. It seemed everything would fall into place just as she had always dreamed... All she had to do was stay in control until the time finally arrived.