Sorry for the short chapter this time. However, this chapter is an Advanceshipper's dream so hopefully that makes up for it. Enjoy!

Chapter 11: Alone Together

Night eventually fell on the day that May was rescued by Ash. May knew that she needed to get to sleep, but she was struggling. She decided to get up and walk around and think for a bit.

Soon after, Ash woke up and saw that May was moving around. He followed her to find out why. He tapped her shoulder to get her attention. "May!" He whispered.

"Eek! You startled me!" She quietly screamed.

"Sorry, I just wanted to know what was wrong. You weren't getting any sleep."

"I'm just thinking about something, that's all," May clarified.

Ash was curious about this. "What are you thinking about? Am I able to help?" He asked

"It's just that," she began, "you always risk anything to help me. You did so at the sea temple with Manaphy, and you just did it again earlier today. I just think that you probably think that I'm weak."

Ash was pretty shocked by her last statement. "What do you mean May? You aren't weak; you're probably the strongest girl I've ever met. And being helped by others doesn't make you weak. Everybody needs help once in a while."

May thought about a little bit more. "Yeah, I guess that you're right. Nobody can do everything alone."

"If you want, I can make you a campfire to make you feel a little better." Ash suggested.

"Yeah, I'd like that, thanks!"

Ash left to gather some wood to make the fire. While he was gone, May came up with an idea. "I can use Blaziken to help him make the campfire!" She was happy that she would get to help out.

Ash soon returned, and May shared her idea with him. "That sounds great, May! Of course you can help!" He placed his pieces of wood onto the ground and May called out her trusty starter Pokémon.

"Blaziken, use a weak flamethrower to set some flames on the firewood!" May ordered. Blaziken did as it was told and created Ash and May's special campfire. "Thanks so much for the help!" She said as she recalled her starter.

They both sat calmly for a few moments before May asked, "do you want to roast some marshmallows and make s'mores?"

"I'm way ahead of ya!" Ash exclaimed as he reached behind him and pulled a bag of marshmallows into view.

"Yay! Thanks, Ash!"

The duo enjoyed their treats and were both starting to get exhausted. May did have something to say first. "Hey Ash?"

"What's up?"

"I just wanted to thank you for coming to save me from Drew earlier. I know that I've said it already, but I want you to know how much I really mean it."

"Of course I would help you out, May. What kind of friends would we be if we didn't protect each other?" He asked.

"We'd be bad friends then."

"Exactly, but we are actually best friends who care about each other, don't you agree?"

"Yeah, that's right!" May leaned her head on Ash's shoulder as they watched what was left of the flames. "Do you know what I love about campfires?" She asked.

"No, what is it?"

"My favorite part is what comes from the wood. I love getting the ashes from the burning wood all over me. It makes me feel like you're with me, even when we were in completely different regions from each other."

Ash put his arms around her and pulled her into a hug. "You're awesome, May! Thanks so much!" He exclaimed pulling away.

Surprisingly, May wasn't even blushing from their physical contact. She was more focused on Ash at that moment. She just felt really comfortable at that moment.

Something seemed to be coursing through her veins at that moment. She felt driven to give him a kiss right then. She closed her eyes in preparation, and she leaned forward to his lips, eyes still closed on the way...

-To Be Continued...-