In the wash room

The changing area was empty, people had already moved to their individual washing stalls. As Ash put the things Marina gave him on a bench, he took a quick look around; the room was white with powder blue lockers along the walls, each of which was numbered. Amongst the items that Ash was given was a long chain with a key attached. On the key, was the number 15, and after looking around the room, ash found the corresponding locker.

Ash disrobed, put his clothes into the locker and then quickly looked for something to cover himself with in the pile he place on the bench. He found a white bathrobe with a very faded red trim and quickly put it on. The robe fell very short on him, hanging well above the knee. Ash sat on the bench, crossing his legs, and sorted the bathing items. He gave both Pikachu a washcloth to hold and Hypno a basket of cleaning supplies. Collecting what was left, Ash headed out to the bathing area with his two pokemon following behind.

The bathing area was a bit hard to navigate due to a great deal of steam in the air wafting about. Luckily, Ash was able to find a an empty stall quickly enough. Once inside he hung up the robe then sat down on a stool that was provided. Ash called Hypno over and began washing the mud out of his fur. First he was rinsed with warm water then with Pikachu's help, began sudsing him up with shampoo. After another rinse of warm water it was Pikachu's turn to get cleaned.

Hypno saw Ashley had started to work on Pikachu, so he looked in the basket, and saw all of the things that Ashley liked to use for when she bathed. Hypno took it upon himself To help Ashley like she just helped him. He lathered her up with some scented soap then began to shampoo her hair. Her hair was much more bristly than normal, and he hoped the shampoo would make it soft and silky like he knows she likes. It was while Ashley hair was in suds, Hypno saw how hairy her body had gotten. He knew, however, what bottle she used to get rid of it. Applied it to her skin with a brush, careful not to get any on himself and scrubbed off the hair from her body.

While shampooing Pikachu, Ash heard a familiar voice. It was the rude lady that he was arguing with that he bumped into.

"Why is she in the wrong room?" Ash said to himself. He listen closely then heard other voices, also belonging to women. Slowly it dawned on him.

"I can't stay here, I have to get out before she sees me." as exclaimed in a panicked whisper.

Hypno heard how upset Ashley was and tried to calm her down, but she wasn't listening. He knew the best way to help her, however, and once again used his trusty pendant. Like each time before, she was went stiff her eyes went blank.

"You have as much right to be here as she does," Hypno tried to explain, not realizing that it was coming off as a command.

"I have as much right to be here as she does," Ashley repeated in a monotone.

"That's right. Don't worry about what she thinks. Now lets finish here, and enjoy the bath for a while." Hypno suggested. Ashley repeated him again and then Hypno released the hold.

Ash shook his head then continued to shampoo the unaware Pikachu. He knew that he was upset before but couldn't remember why. It was something about they rude lady seeing him here, but that didn't make any sense. Sure he was in the woman's wash room, but he has as much right to be here as she does, he thought to himself. He didn't dwell on it, instead he finished up Pikachu and rinsed himself off. He put the Robe back on and was surprised at how soft it was.

They gathered their things and headed to the bath. The rude lady had just exited her on stall and saw Ash glide by in the white and pink robe, brushing his silken hear out of his eyes. Ash payed her no mind as he daintily stepped past her. The woman's face turned red, not with anger but with embarrassment for calling this poor girl a boy earlier.