Rainy Day

A/N: Welcome to my Confession Day Special. (I am posting this early because I may not be be able to do it later on.) Why Ikarishipping? That's because, the episode 'Familiarity Breeds Strategy' was aired today! Can't remember the episode from the title? No worries; here's a link to watch the episode on Dailymotion: dailymotion.com/video/x7rv4n1.

Also, this is my first Ikarishipping one-shot, so please don't judge me.

Disclaimer: NO CLAIMS ON THE RIGHTS OF 'POKEMON'. I DON'T OWN THE CHARACTERS.

~

It was raining cats and dogs.

Luckily for Dawn, she had an umbrella to go along with till the time she reached the Pokemon Centre. As she was avoiding a puddle, her eye fell upon a purple-haired boy, standing under a shop's ceiling in order to protect himself from the rain.

No, it couldn't be. Paul. She looked again to make sure that she was not seeing things.

"Hey!", she shouted in order to get his attention, "Would you like to share my umbrella?"

She went closer. It was him. They hadn't talked in years (not that they talked much anyway), and she certainly hadn't expected to see him now, out of all times.

His eyes widened on seeing the blunette. It was, indeed, strange to see her after all those years. She had grown much taller, her hair were shorter, and she was also wearing a light purple jacket over her same old outfit.

"No, thanks", came the reply.

She sighed. Guess, some things never change. He was still the same old, anti-social boy from five years ago. "But won't you get wet and catch a cold?", she asked, a little concerned.

He rolled his eyes. "I am standing under a ceiling."

"Yeah, but it barely covers you."

No reply. It didn't surprise Dawn. When he didn't like a question, he didn't answer it.

She walked upto the ceiling and stood beside him. Unknown to her, the umbrella was covering up for both of them.

"So, what are you doing here?", she asked out of curiosity. He replied that he was going to participate in the Kanto league. "Oh", was her response.

"So, where are the other two?", he asked, on realising that she was alone.

"You mean, Ash and Brock." It was supposed to be a question, however it sounded more like a statement.

"Names don't concern me."

"We are not travelling together anymore. Ash is in Kalos right now, and Brock is in Pewter City, at his hometown."

The rain had converted to a drizzle now, and she was quietly listening to the sound of the falling raindrops.

There was a silence of five minutes.

The blunette had no clue as to why she was standing there. The only thing - or rather person, in this case - that could possibly be the reason to make her stay there, was him... and that was a little... well, awkward. Her head felt sort of dizzy; she had no idea of what she was doing. As if it was not strange enough already, that feeling wasn't new to her. It reminded her of their conversation before Ash and his match in the Sinnoh League.

"So, why are you going to Slateport? There is no contest being held there."

Her 'eavesdropping' hadn't had the least effect on him, so why had she just run up to... talk to him? (A/N: Scene from 'Familiarity Breeds Strategy')

"Hello", he emphasised, "... Dawn, was it?", he asked, in an almost bored voice.

Dawn snapped out of her thoughts. "Sorry, what?"

"Nothing", he replied with his eyes closed.

"Why did you take my name then?" He rarely spoke to her, so she did not wish to miss the chance. Besides, it was rude and absent-minded in her opinion.

He opened his eyes and faced her. His face had the same expression she remembered - the one he would give to Ash tons of time, except the fact that the grunt was a shorter one. Her expression, on the other hand, was a confused one.

She kept looking at him the same way, to which, he smirked.

"What's so funny?", she asked, slightly annoyed - very slightly. She kept waiting for his answer, but he never replied.

Suddenly, Paul got away from her and started walking towards his destination.

It was then that she realised that it had stopped raining.

"Thanks for keeping me dry."

She blushed. They had been under the same umbrella.

So close... yet so far away.

~

A/N: Didn't like it? Please don't hesitate to point out my errors; I would be extremely grateful. Also, does anyone have a better title for this story?

Check out the Ikarshipping Day MEP!

Hope you enjoyed. Thanks for reading!