Voyage Ahead (Sequel to Playboy) An Amourshipping Story

Chapter 13 ~ Worries.

"Alrighty." Ash mumbles, throwing his, and Serena's belongings in his backpack.

"Alright." He repeats. "So I've got my stuff, her stuff..." He mumbles. "I think I'm ready."

"We mustn't be slow, Ash." Clemont points out.

Ash sighs, nonchalantly nodding towards his friend. "I know, Clemont." He replies. "We don't know what we're going up against, and it's imperative if we make a move on. Now."

Dawn nods obediently, slinging her bag around her shoulder. She began heading for the door, Gary's hand grasped around hers.

"We'll meet you outside, Ash." Gary says sternly.

"I'll go too." Calem says, following the couple outside. He stops hesitantly, whipping his head around to face Miette. "Miette? You comin'?" He asks.

Miette nods, motioning for him to walk out the door. "You go ahead. I'll catch up with you."

"Yeah..." Bonnie began. "Big brother and I will meet you guys outside."

As Bonnie and Calem walk out the door, Clemont sends a wink towards Ash. "Don't take long, guys."

"Are you scared?" Miette asks Ash immediately.

"Ah-what?" Ash replies, appalled by her sudden question.

"Are you afraid?" She asks.

"It all depends, Miette." Ash mutters under his breath.

"If..." Miette began. "I'm not trying to get you to think the wrong idea, but..." she pauses. "What if we never find her? What if, she didn't make it?"

"I'm not scared." Ash sighs. "Serena. She has a strong soul. Everything about her - all so strong. She can do it. She can face all those obstacles thrown directly at her. She doesn't give up. No, she isn't like that."

"How're you so sure?"

"This ring." Ash began, playing with the promise ring that wrapped around his finger. "Serena, and I. We have this- connection, through this ring. It's stupid, I know. But, knowing that she's alive...it's what keeps me going. This ring - it's everything to me. So no, I'm not scared."

Miette smiles, heading for the door. "Thank you again, Ash."

"For what?" He asks, flashing a smile towards his new friend.

"For giving me confidence. I lacked a lot of it before. I thank you, and Serena."

Ash nods, wrapping his hand around his backpack straps. "You're welcome."

She smiled, walking towards the door. Then, stopped, hesitantly. "We'll find her, Ash. I know it."

"Yeah." He replied. "I hope so, I really do hope so."

Miette chuckles, facing the raven-haired boy once again. "I mean it." She replies sternly. "I can feel it."