BARBED WIRE

And when I promised my hand,

He promised me snow cherries from France,

All that summer we travelled the world,

Never once leaving his back garden.

Girls I didn't know,

Just what it could be,

Oh but he let me go sailing.

And then one day he said,

'Girl, it's been nice,

Oh but I have to go sailing.'

With cinnamon lips,

That did not match his eyes,

Oh he let me go...

(Extract from 'Snow Cherries From France' by Tori Amos)

Chapter Nineteen – I Let Her Go Sailing

Location: Pallet City, Time: 09:30, Day: Sunday

She was leaving. Ash saw her out of the corner of his eye. Wearing those trademark ripped jeans and white shirt, Giselle's sunglasses and a bag slung over her back, she was heading for the road that burst through the now demolished Viridian Labs.

“Hey, Misty,” he called out to her, leaving the house, “Hey Misty, wait up!”

She turned around, wispy strands of red hair blowing in the wind. Her eyes were fill of passion, and love but a deep, deep, heart-shattering sadness.

“Where are you going?” he asked, even though he knew the answer.

“Back,” she replied softly, “Back to where I belong.”

“But...but...” Ash gestured to the happy city of Pallet behind them. Misty stared at it for a long hard time. His house stood on a small hillock where tiny snowdrops had finally been allowed to bloom. The sun glinted on the windows and his mother watched from the door, waving at them, “What about all of this?”

“It's not for me Ash,” Misty said, “One day, it might have been, but now...my home is the road, the never ending road that led me to you and away again. I don't know – maybe one day it'll lead me back.”

“But Misty,” Ash could feel his voice cracking as he protested, and a tear fell from his eyes and onto his cheek.

Misty raised a slender hand and wiped it away, “Don't, Ash. I'm not worth it.”

“But what about our life?” he whispered.

Misty glanced again at Pallet, “This is your life, Ash not mine. I'd like to make it mine, but I'd feel lost like this. I'm not completely sure of who I am anymore.”

“I know,” Ash assured her.

Misty laughed, “Yeah, well, I think its time I found out for myself instead.”

“You can find that out here, Misty,” Ash told her, “Please don't leave me.”

Misty felt her eyes heating up and her voice came out shaky when she responded.

“No, I can't Ash, you know that as well as I do,” she said, “Please don't make this any harder than it already is.”

“I'm sorry,” Ash looked devastated, “It's just...it's just...”

“I know,” Misty said softly, “I know.”

“Promise me you won't do something stupid and get yourself killed.”

Misty laughed, “You know, it's weird how much things have changed. Usually I'd be saying that to you.”

“Promise me or I'll come with you.”

Misty gasped, “You can't...these people...your mother, Pikachu need you Ash. Need you to build up whatever is left of Kanto to what it was.”

“Then promise me.”

Misty sighed, “Fine, fine. I promise. I've got to go now okay?”

“Yeah,” Ash whispered and before she had time to object he wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her hard on her unyielding lips.

She softened up eventually and kissed him, all of the longing, all the sorrow and all the love they felt expressed in that gentle action.

“Bye Ash,” she whispered, unable to meet his eyes.

“Bye Misty,” he replied, finally letting her go.

She gave him a quick nod, turned around and walked away. Walked out of Pallet, walked out of the wood...

Walked out of his life.

THE END

A/N (2nd July 2006): Yup, that's right the end! (laughs) I actually wrote this after I wrote Chapter 11 so for me it's not truly the end. Right now I think a sequel is required but who knows maybe by the time I actually put this up I won't feel like it. Not another big story like this, but a short story of maybe how they meet up. Or maybe I won't...because I tried to keep this story as realistic as I could (I know what you're think, homicidal robots – realistic?) and in real life, sometimes when people go away they stay away. But like I said before, who knows what will have happened inside my warped imagination by then. So for now, (in the words of Douglas Adams) so long and thanks for all the fish.

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A/N: (8th July 2006) Now this IS the end! No a sequel is not required and I'm sorry if you wanted to see them together but no, it's not going to happen. Sorry. But sometimes, life is like that.

Anyway, I finished! Woohoo! Finally! My first ever fan fiction (or story longer than two chapters) finished! I must admit, I am proud of myself. I guess one of the reasons I wrote Barbed Wire was so that I could prove that I actually could write a long story with more than two chapters. Sorry the last few installments were so rushed and short but I have another idea pending and I know I can't write it unless I finish off this one so I've been updating like crazy trying to get it done! If you liked this story & like AAML & like my writing I recommend my one-shots like 'Tonight' & 'Dance, Dance' also 'Never Say Goodbye'.

A HUGE thank you to all of my reviewers – it's you guys who got me over my writer's block and when I felt like giving up on this story. Sorry, if you think the ending sucks but please continue reading and keep checking my profile because I'll be putting something new up soon.

Anyway, I think that's all I have to say except for one last thank you and also a more serious note. One of the ways I got the ideas of Barbed Wire is because of what we are doing to our world. I know, it was just a story but I'm afraid our world might just end up like Ash and Misty's Kanto or perhaps even worse. So please, please I beg of you from the bottom of my hearts try to save the environment! Even if it means little things like walking to the local shops instead of driving or opening the curtains instead of turning on the lights, please don't let out beautiful planet go to waste.

Well I won't waste any more of your worthy time so see you guys soon (I hope)!

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