August '12 Daily One-Shot Challenge

SEPTEMBER 2nd Our Memories Part Two

Hello guys! Wow. Wow, we're done. Today's the last day guys! Freedom! :P I'm so happy but kind of like…wow, this challenge is really over. I don't think I've wrote this much in any month before, and I'm proud of it! Anyway, I'd like to thank everyone who has supported by reviewing, favourite or following this challenge, or even simply reading it! Thanks! Like I said, this is the second part of "Our Memories"

Ash pressed his face against the window outside Misty's room in the hospital, a steady stream of tears flowing down his face – he didn't try to stop them. His fingers trembled as they slid down the glassy pane, his cheeks flushed from crying. His eyes were heavy from lack of sleep, and his head was pounding – but he didn't seem to notice.

His big brown eyes, filled with glorious joy, were now empty. "Misty," he whispered, his voice shaking. A memory flooded his mind.

She shivered slightly as she glanced at the storm, where the trees were now bending and the wind was whipping ferociously.

Cold. Rainy.

She felt Ash's grip around her hand tighten.

Warm.

Ash could feel nothing but despair and helplessness as he watched every move the doctors made. She looked so pale and miserable, lying there, blankets twisted around her body. And she looked like she was in so much pain.

Ash wished he could help her. He wished so badly. "God Misty, why did this have to happen?" he said to himself, feeling like he was going to crumble to pieces any second now.

He watched the doctor stick something on her arm. His face was rigid, emotionless. Ash wondered how he could treat patients acting so uncaring. He growled as he thought that, more tears slipping away.

Ash looked up slowly, his eyes boring into hers. "Misty," he said quietly. "I just need some time…"

"Time for what?" Misty snarled, blue eyes angry. "Moping around because you lost the Indigo League? What, did you think you were going to freakingwin at the age of ten?"

Ash jerked his head. "Shut up,"

"I don't think so." Misty said back. "You've been holed up in your room feeling sorry for yourself – and you know what? I bet Ritchie's out there training! If you want to beat your opponents, you need totryAsh. If you really wanna be a Pokémon Master you can'tgive up after ONE loss."

Ash banged his fist against the window, albeit quite lightly, almost like he had given up any hope. Pikachu tugged at his pant leg, black eyes glistening. "Pikapi?" he said worriedly. Ash squeezed his eyes shut, shuddering. "Pikachu…it's not fair…"

Pikachu's ears drooped and he curled up against his trainer's arms, trying to give as much comfort as he could to his depressed trainer.

"She…how am I supposed to be a Pokémon Master without her?" he said. Every part of his body trembled. "I need her."

"Fine, how 'bout this…"Ash's face lit up as he got a brilliant idea."Be my real girlfriend."

"Huh?"

"Be my real girlfriend!"Ash cried."That's right. Misty, I love you! Marry me! Let's make out! Please, please be my girlfriend. I loooove you. Don't break my heart, okay?"he got down on his knees and looked at her with wide eyes."I love you,"he sniffed.

"Liar."Came the reply, and another pillow came swiftly toward his head.

"I'll do anything for you, just come back." Ash said quietly. "I'll marry you for real…"

He watched Misty roll over, writhing in increasing pain. He thought he saw her mouth move, like she was trying to say something. His name? Could it be?

"Someone's in a good mood."Ash grinned, pressing a soft kiss on her forehead and pulling her into his arms. She smirked, looking up at him with gleaming aquamarine eyes. "I have news Ash Ketchum. Good news."

Ash was immediately curious. "News? What news?"

"Well, it's very good news."Misty drawled, adding to his suspense as she laid comfortably on his chest and yawned happily.

Ash waited. She didn't elaborate. He frowned. "C'mon Mist, aren't ya gunna tell me?"

Misty looked thoughtful. Then, she giggled. "Nope,"

Just as Ash thought he saw Misty's mouth move again, he was interrupted by a nurse coming outside to greet him on the bench. "Mr. Ketchum?" she said solemnly, a voice she had probably practiced for years.

Ash's heart jumped. "Is she okay? Is she alright? Will she be fine?" he looked on the verge of a panic attack.

"Well, the doctors are doing the best they can…" she said, trailing off. Ash's heart pounded in his ears. "Can I see her, please?"

The nurse nodded, lips pursed. "Right this way,"

Ash ran inside, Pikachu hot on his trail, his palms sweaty. The moment he saw sight of the redhead lying lifelessly on the bed, he cried out, "Misty!"

Misty smiled at him softly, taking his hand and squeezing it tightly. "So, I can't believe this. You love me…and I love you…and…" her voice saddened. "…and you're leaving for Unova tonight."

Ash shrugged uncomfortably as he clasped her hand, fingers entwining around hers. "Well, I…I have to. I already have the tickets."

Misty looked at the ground. "I know," she said in a small voice. She sighed, kicking at the tiled ground with the scuff of her foot, a lump forming in her throat. She looked up at his solemn face. "It's okay. You'll call this time, right?"

Ash chuckled at her teasing tone, looping his arm around hers. "Don't worry about that. I'll make sure of it."

"You better."

Ash could only stand frozen for a moment as he looked at her close up. She was as skinny as a pole from loss of weight, her orange hair was drab and sweaty to her shoulders, and her face was so pale… he shivered, tears refilling in his eyes for the umpteenth time that day.

Something snapped inside. He rushed over to her, breathing heavily. "Misty! Misty please…you have to fight!"

He crouched over her, watching as her lips formed into a small smile. Hope sped through his body. Could she still make it?

Misty smirked, her ears turning pink as she touched the spot he had kissed her with her thick mitt. He refused to look at her, but his neck to his hairline was flushed red. Arching her eyebrow, she leaned in and returned his gesture by kissing his forehead, albeit quickly and lightly.

Immediately, his face flamed up even more and he let out a nervous chuckle. "T-thanks?"

"You're welcome." She said simply, bringing her hot chocolate to her parted lips.

Suddenly, her face contorted in pain. Ash felt desperateness reach his voice level as he ran his hand through his hair hurriedly, in quick, jerky movements. "Misty…you have to fight it…p-please…" he begged, pleaded, did everything he could…

His shoulders shook as he tried to control himself. I've gotta be strong…for her…

"Dunno. Life probably sucked without me, right?" Ash joked, chuckling.

"Totally," Misty rolled her eyes. You don't know how right you are Ash Ketchum…

"So," she continued after a beat of silence. "How long can you stay?"

Ash shrugged, rolling over to face her with his gentle innocence. "Two weeks at the most. I missed you a lot."

Misty moaned in pain and Ash gasped, leaning forward and grabbing her hand, clutching it with his own. He clasped it tightly, slipping his fingers through hers, and squeezed gently. "Misty…" he said, trying to sound calm. He leaned in so close that they were almost touching noses – and he admired. Admired the way her lips were so full and the words that came out of them were even fuller. Admired her eyes that were squeezed shut, imagining them bright and blue like the ocean. He admired her cheeks, which always flushed whenever she was embarrassed.

"Oh god, you've got to be okay Misty…I don't know what I'll do without you…"

"Hey," she said softly.

His whimpers stopped. "Yeah?"

"I'm gunna go get you a drink, okay? How does lemonade sound?"

"It sounds okay."

Ash bent down to kiss her hand, to do something to comfort her, but before he could, a nurse put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm afraid I'm gunna have to ask you to leave again…"

Ash's body tightened. "No," he said.

"Mr. Ketchum, her pulse is steadily dropping, and the doctors have to focus. Please, for the sake of your friend, you have to go back out." The nurse said seriously.

Ash's heart lurched but as he looked at the stern look in the nurse's eyes, he knew he would have to get out, or they would probably drag him out. "Okay," he said in a small voice, reluctantly letting go of Misty's hands. He shuddered at how empty he suddenly felt.

Slowly, he trudged towards the exit.

"Sorry." Ash offered.

"Shut up."

"But I can explain-"

"Shut up, or I'm gunna come to your big new fancy home and crack your head open."

Ash shut up.

Silence blanketed over them. She said, "Well…I can't yell at you when I can't see you…turn the screen on…"

Ash was back at his place by the bench, staring at the window, absentmindedly stroking Pikachu's fur. His eyes were rimmed red and his body was convulsed in sorrow as he watched Misty, frozen under the blankets. The doctors rushed back and forth, but he could only stare at her, the single most important person in his life.

"W-what am I gunna do…" he said, his fingers curling in a fist. He hated that nurse for taking him out of the room. He hated the doctors for having serious business. He hated Misty to be dying. God, he hated the world.

"I'm giving you a massage," he said dutifully, before continuing his work. He gently pressed his fingers against the side of Misty's face, before rubbing her forehead, still humming a stupid tune under her breath. She wanted to fight back, shout at him for being so unpredictable, but it felt good. The slight pressure, somehow managing to be just right, was easing her headache a bit.

"You're a moron, you know that?" Misty murmured, exhaling as he soothingly continued to help her.

"I'm just trying to help," Ash said.

Suddenly, Ash heard panic in the room, the nurses hollering something, the doctor shouting orders.

Something's happening…

Ash didn't wait for approval as he crashed into the room again, nausea in his throat – Misty, his Misty looked so helpless, like she was just about to….

He shook his head, shaking, numb, pale… No….she can't….

"Ash…I can't believe this…" Misty whimpered, reaching her hand and stroking his cheek. It was skin. He was real. She couldn't believe it. "It's been too long…"

"I know," Ash said in a hoarse voice. "I'm so sorry, I should have called or visited. I just couldn't get the courage and I was just…too stubborn."

"She's…we're losing her…" A doctor said wearily.

Ash stumbled backwards, his ears ringing, no longer able to feel any of his senses. He stared at his Misty, watched as her face lost all colour, her shoulders relaxing…she was giving up…no..she couldn't…

. "I'll be here to protect you my sweet little Misty."

…Protect

My sweet…

Ash watched as her hand went limp, and his heart snapped in half.

Little…

"Misty! No!"

There was a long beep and all went silent.

So yeah, the ending was meant to be sort of like the first part of Our Memories! The same things are happening at the same times… but this time it's how Ash's feeling…Hmm, I don't think this one really took the cake…because I just couldn't get into it. Oh well, I'm free! FREEE! WHOO! It's DONE! Aha, feel free to drop a review!