I do not own Pokemon

This and the next chapter will act as a sort of filler until his next battle, covering the span of the week through snippits of each day.

ACT IV: The Week

Day 1

12:00 PM

"Ugh…" Ash says, lugging a handful of bags through the mall. "Are we done yet May? We've been here over an hour already!" He exclaims.

She turns and frowns at him, "You know, I'm doing you a favor! Have you seen your clothes lately?"

He looks down at himself then back up at her, "Yeah? So? What's wrong with them?" He asks, confused.

She sighs, "They are faded and full of holes! They barely fit! If you would have kept the beard you'd look like a homeless person!" She exclaims, motioning to his horrid clothing.

He laughs, "They aren't that bad…." He thinks for a minute, "Are they?" Doubt setting in.

She shakes her head, "Yes, they are that bad."

He frowns, "I still don't understand why I can't just get some plain shirts and gym shorts and call it a day. I mean, if what you say is true than anything is better than what I've got on now." He says, trying his best to convince her to do things his way.

She furiously shakes her head, "Considering I'm the one buying the clothes, we're going to do things how I see fit. I won't have you walking around like a thirteen year old juvenile kid!" She says, pointing her finger at him.

He sighs exasperatedly, following her into another store.

"UUUGgghh…" He says, as she drags him into the guy's section.

She sighs, "Okay, how about this. If you stop complaining and just do what I say, I'll give you a biiig kiss." She asks, grinning at him.

Ash shrugs and chuckles, "I don't really see how this is supposed to entice me; I could just kiss you anytime I want."

She crosses her arms angrily and he knows he's in trouble,

"Fine! Since you want to be a little baby, if you keep complaining you won't be getting anything from me for the next week! Nothing!" She says, putting emphasis on the word.

Ash thinks for a minute before bowing his head like a little kid who was just scolded, "….Fine." He says, sadly.

She just grins, "Good boy. Now here, try these on." She says, throwing a pair of pants over his shoulder.

One and a half hours later…..

Ash gazes at himself in the mirror, one of his new outfits on.

'Wow.' He thinks, 'I guess I'm pretty happy she took me. I've forgotten what it's like to dress up a little. Feels good.'

He is wearing a dark gray polo with tan cargo shorts, his feet covered by a pair of black Vans.

"You like it, don't you?" She asks, walking up behind him, gazing at his reflection within the mirror.

He turns around to face her, "Yeah.. I guess they're growing on me." He says, smiling at her.

She moves a step closer, placing her arms around his neck.

"I guess since you were moderately not annoying, you've earned your gift." She says, beaming back at him.

He places a hand on either side of her waist, "I'd like that a lot." He says, the two meet in the middle, lips locking passionately.

After about half a minute they pull apart, both of their faces bright and full of joy.

"This'll never get old..." He says, moving in to capture her lips again.

He pulls away, "Thank you May. I really appreciate you taking me."

She grins, "Anytime, Ash."

6:00 PM

"Why would we go hang out with them? I thought you and Misty weren't talking." Ash asks, confused.

May sighs, "We fight all the time Ash, it's just… how our friendship works, I guess." She explains, pulling a set of flats out of her suitcase.

Ash shrugs, "If you say so.. I still don't think it's a good idea though." He retorts.

She shakes her head, "I know you don't, but it'll be fine. Trust me!" She exclaims.

He sighs, "Alright. I guess I'll trust your judgment. Doesn't mean I have to like it though…" He says, smirking at her.

She laughs, "Well then hurry up and get dressed! We're supposed to meet them there in less than an hour!" She exclaims happily, pushing him lightly.

He frowns, "What do you mean get ready? I'm already dressed!" He says, motioning to his outfit.

She looks him over, "Oh yeah.. oops." She says, grinning.

"Well, I'm going to go finish getting ready then." She says, moving towards the bathroom.

"All right, guess I'll just watch TV or something." He replies, moving toward the couch.

About fifteen minutes of mindless channel flipping later, Ash hears the door to the bathroom open back up.

His eyes widen in shock, gazing upon her.

"Wow May.. you look… amazing." He says, standing.

She twirls around in her dress, "So you like it? I bought it today; I was hoping you'd think it's cute." She explains.

Ash shakes his head, "No, seriously, you look gorgeous May."

She blushes, "Thank you."

She was wearing a simple black strapless dress, while alluring it was still classy, showing just the right amount of thigh and cleavage. Ash couldn't help but notice how perfect it fit her slim frame, hugging her curves in all the right places.

'God.' He thinks, 'I seriously never imagined May like this.. she's.. beautiful.'

He walks over to her, wrapping his arms around her and placing a kiss on her forehead, causing her to blush.

"You look pretty good yourself, handsome." She replies, grinning at him.

He shrugs, "Well yeah, I mean, have you seen my guns lately? Pretty legit." He says, flexing.

She laughs, "I don't know if I'd call them guns.. more like noodles." She says, poking one of his arms.

He frowns and proceeds to pick her up bridal style and spin her around, "Tch. If I had noodle arms do you think I could do this?" He asks, spinning her faster.

She's just giggling uncontrollably, "Okay! Okay! Put me down!" She yells, still laughing.

"Nope!" He says, "Not till you tell me I have big guns!"

"Haha, Fine! You have big guns!" She yells, Ash finally setting her down.

He grins at her, "One for Ash, zero for May." He says, looking like he just won the lottery.

She fake pouts, "Yeah yeah… now let's go! We're probably already late thanks to your silly and immature antics!" She says, turning and moving towards the door.

He looks her up and down as she walks away, smiling to himself before moving to follow.

'Yep. I'm definitely lucky.' He thinks to himself, quickening his pace to catch up with her.

Pikachu just shakes his head at the two, before laying his head back down, sleep reclaiming him.

11:00 PM

"Well, that wasn't so bad." Ash says, holding the door open as May steps through.

She nods, "I had a lot of fun." She retorts, slipping off her black bow-tie flats.

Ash yawns, slipping his shoes off and placing them beside the door.

May collects her night clothes from her suitcase and heads to the bathroom, "I'm going to change really quick; be right out." She explains, gazing over at him.

He nods, "Alright May." He replies, the door to the bathroom closing shortly after.

As he waits for her to come back out he decides to get comfortable as well, removing his shirt and putting on some loose fitting gym shorts to sleep in.

He chuckles to himself as he thinks about how hard it was to convince her to let him get them.

Pikachu sits silently asleep in the middle of his bed, so he opts to jump into hers instead.

After a few moments the door opens and reveals May, dressed in a tank top and little pajama shorts.

Ash can't help but watch her as she moves to her laundry bag, throwing her old clothes in it before moving to the bed, lying down next to him.

She joins him under the covers, moving close to him before turning away. Ash promptly snuggles against her, wrapping an arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

She sighs contently, "Goodnight Ash." She says, drowsily.

He places a kiss on her exposed shoulder, causing her to lightly shiver. "Goodnight, May."

Day Two

11:00 AM

Ash was out in the woods training with his Pokémon, as May had plans to go watch her brother's next preliminary match.

She seemed a little upset that he wouldn't go with her, but understood his need to get away from everything for a little while, still trying to adjust.

He had all of his Pokémon battling each other. He would mentor them while they fought and when he felt it was time, he would order them to switch battle partners, sometimes joining in on a fight himself.

About forty minutes into training Ash felt a familiar presence approaching through the woods.

He orders his Pokémon to continue training, as they had heard the figure approaching as well.

"Hello, Cynthia." He says, catching her slightly off guard as he quickly turns to face her.

She blushes, "Hello Red. I.. didn't expect to see anyone out here." She says, mentioning to the clearing he was training in.

He shrugs, "I needed a place to train, this spot seemed perfect. Took me a while to find, though." He explains, motioning to his Pokémon behind him.

She nods, "I stumbled upon this spot by accident the last time I was here, it is so peaceful and quiet, just far enough from the city that the random traveler shouldn't stumble upon it." She says, before realizing the irony of her statement.

"But then again, maybe it's not, seeing as how we both seem to have found ourselves here." She says, lightly smiling at him.

He grins, "Yeah, I thought so too; didn't think anyone else would really come out this far."

She looks around, gazing at his Pokémon who were currently locked in separate fights.

"You have quite the formidable looking team, Red." She says, complimenting his Pokémon.

He nods, "We've put in a lot of hard work over the years, I couldn't be more proud." He retorts, turning to face them.

Cynthia walks up to his side, watching as Pikachu and Garchomp fight.

She shakes her head, "Your Pikachu has to be the strongest of its kind, to be able to go toe to toe with a full grown Garchomp." She says, disbelievingly as she watches the small electric-mouse send a bolt of lightning into the air, just barely missing the fast moving dragon.

Ash nods, "He's been with me the longest; we've gone through a lot together. I think sometimes he might push himself a little too hard to try and impress me, but the truth is I already think he's the best. There isn't a single Pikachu around like him, or Pokémon, for that matter."

Cynthia nods and turns to face Ash, smiling warmly, "You have a very strong bond with all of your Pokémon, don't you?"

Ash nods, "They are all my friends. We've trained and lived together for a long time now. Besides, I've never really looked at my Pokémon as just.. well, Pokémon. I've always seen them as my equals, my friends. I think that might be why they've gotten as strong as they all have. I wouldn't ask them to do anything I myself wouldn't do. I train side by side with them. At first, I was probably more of a hindrance than anything, but as I mastered my Aura I became a lot more helpful. I can fight any one of them and go blow for blow. It's incredibly useful as a trainer." He explains, turning to look at her.

Her eyes open wide in shock, "You can use Aura? I didn't.. didn't think there was anyone around anymore that could.. I read about it in my studies but.. never thought I'd meet someone that was capable." She says in awe, completely surprised.

He nods, reaching out and launching an Aura blast at a nearby tree, breaking it in half.

She gasps. "Wow!" She exclaims, "That was amazing!"

Ash turns to her and chuckles, "That's only part of what I'm capable of. I'd show you more, but I've already worn myself out quite a bit training. Maybe I could show you some other time." He says, shrugging.

She beams, "If you wouldn't mind, I think I'd love that."

Ash nods, "Of course.. and hey, I'm sorry about what I said the other day. I didn't mean to attack you like that over what your boyfriend said. I kind of have anger issues sometimes, and let it get the best of me." He explains, rubbing the back of his head.

She smiles at him, "Don't worry about it. I completely understand."

He lets out a sigh of relief, "Thanks Cynthia.. well, I think we are about done for the day. I'll pack up and let you get your training in." He says, moving over to his pack.

"Everyone! You did well! Return!" He yells out, picking up all of his Pokeballs with his Aura and pulling them back in, all with the exception of Pikachu of course.

Ash throws the Pokeballs in his ruck and slings it on his back.

"It was nice talking to you Cynthia, I'm sure we'll see each other again soon." He says, waving as he makes his way towards the small almost nonexistent path.

"Okay Red! Bye!" She replies, waving back.

She smiles to herself, 'I can see why May's so smitten with him. He seems like a really great guy.'

Cynthia turns to the field and pulls out her Pokeballs, releasing them onto the field.

Cynthia frowns as she spots something small sitting in the grass where Ash had his bag.

'Hmm..' She thinks, 'Did Red drop something?'

She walks over and picks the small item up, and nearly drops it as she realizes what she's looking at.

'Oh my god..' She thinks, 'Is this? ….Ash?' She looks back towards the path but doesn't see him. She gazes back down to the object in her now shaking hands.

To her utter disbelief, in her palms sits what remains of a small black handkerchief, half of it missing altogether, the fringe where the other portion used to be singed. She swiftly drops down in a sitting position onto the plush leafy ground, her mind spinning at the implications of what this meant.

Blades of grass bend as her head finds its way to the ground of the soft green meadow.

She lays there unmoving, one hand draped across her stomach and the other holding on securely to the now timeworn piece of fabric.

Her mind is in a loop, trapped on the thought '…How?'

An hour later Ash is back at the hotel by himself. After sifting through his large backpack he can't help but think he's missing something.

'Where is it?' He thinks, moving and looking under some old clothes, 'I know I left it in here…'

After a few minutes of searching he sighs, 'Oh well. I'm sure it'll pop up eventually.'

Little did he know the distress it was presently causing a certain blonde haired champion..

10:30 PM

May comes through the door and finds that Ash has already fallen asleep on the bed.

She grins silently to herself as she watches his chest slowly rise and fall.

After quietly changing she tries her best to climb into bed without disturbing him.

She hears him mumble incoherently as he subconsciously reaches out and pulls her towards him, his arm wrapped around her shoulders, flipping her onto her stomach and pulling her towards his chest.

She silently chuckles to herself before wrapping her arm across his middle, sighing contently as she nestles her head against his chest and drifts off into unconsciousness.

Day Three

11:45 AM

May had received a call earlier in the day from Cynthia asking her to meet up somewhere. They had agreed on lunch at a local café.

May thought that Cynthia sounded… strange. It seemed important, and as much as she tried she just couldn't figure out what could be so important.

She walks through the door of the small restaurant, quickly spotting Cynthia.

She feels uneasy as she takes her seat across the table from Cynthia, noticing the strange almost.. pained look on her face.

"Hello May." She says, curtly.

Now May was thoroughly confused, what had she done to upset her?

"Hello Cynthia…" She says, "Is everything alright?" She asks, gazing over at her.

Cynthia shrugs a little bit.

"I have something important I need to ask you…" She starts, "I know you've been hiding something from me, so just tell me the truth." She says, still gazing blankly at the top of the table.

May frowns, "What do you mean, Cynthia?" She asks, still unsure.

"I know that you know who Red is.." She accuses, finally making eye contact with May.

May's eyes grow wide, "How…?"

Cynthia frowns, "Why should it matter how May? How could you keep something like that from me? We're supposed to be friends May. Friends don't keep secrets like this, especially considering the circumstances."

May doesn't know what to say, at a loss for words.

"And not only did you not tell me, you started a thing with him! With complete disregard for what we have!"

Now it was May's turn to be angry, "You mean what you had. Cynthia, you're dating Lance! And have been, for over a year now. What gives you the right to act like he's yours? It's not like I kept him from you. You chose to move on! Now it's my turn." May retorts, heatedly.

Cynthia sighs, "I know! I just…. I waited for him for so long… and then after I finally decide to date someone else… he shows up again. I feel like I've cheated myself…" Cynthia says, tears forming in her gray- blue eyes.

May sighs, "I would have told you Cynthia.. I swear, it's just.. he made me promise not to tell anyone who he was, you especially. I think.. That regardless of how much he hates Lance, he doesn't want to do anything to get in the way of you two." May suggests, shaking her head.

Cynthia sniffles, "….You two are together now, aren't you?" She asks, dejectedly.

May shakes her head, "Not officially, no…"

She can see hope appear in Cynthia's face, "..Why not?" She asks, unsure.

May fiddles with the salt-shaker on the table, "Because.. well, he just got back. He says he needs time to figure everything out.."

Cynthia lets out a sigh of relief, "Are you going to ask him? To make it official?" She asks,

May feels a conflict forming within her.

If she says yes, she risks her relationship with Cynthia, who had over the years become her best friend.

And if she says no, she has to break things off with Ash.. Who would probably understand her need for distance, if only for a little while. At least until Cynthia calms down, gets over the shock and hopefully over Ash.

She rubs her head, "No… Cynthia, I never meant to hurt you… I guess, well… I guess I'll tell him we need to stop.." 'For now' She thinks, at the end of her statement.

"Oh.. if you think that's best?" Cynthia asks, causing May to inwardly sigh.

'No.. I don't.' She thinks, "I suppose." She says unhappily.

She notices Cynthia's demeanor change, she looks happier, like a weight has been lifted off her chest.

"So.. how has he been?" Cynthia asks, curious as to what he had been up to over the years.

May proceeds to tell Cynthia everything she had learned about him and then the two eat. The entire time May feels as though she's about to make a huge mistake but can't stand the thought of losing her best friend, regardless of how flawed she finds her point of view.

9:00 PM

When Ash returns to the hotel from a long day of training he can't help but feel that something's off.

He immediately spots May sitting on the couch, the television off. He can feel a mix of negative emotions flowing from her.

"May… are you okay?" He asks, moving further into the hotel room.

She looks up at him sadly, "Ash.. Cynthia found out who you are.."

Ash frowns, thinking for a minute before shrugging. "So? Why does that have you so upset?" He doesn't understand why this would have such an effect on her.

She stands, "We can't keep doing all this." She says, "We can't be together."

Ash is in shock, completely at a loss. They had been perfectly fine earlier in the day, what had changed?

"I.. Why? May, this doesn't make sense." He exclaims.

She shakes her head, "I.. I don't know. I just know that we need to take a break, need to put things off for a while." She says, distraughtly.

Ash frowns.

"This is ridiculous. Cynthia said something to you didn't she? How are you going to let what she says affect what we have going on here?" He asks, irritably.

May sighs, "You wouldn't understand, Ash. I just know that this needs to stop. I can't explain it right now.. just… please don't be angry with me, I need this to happen." She tries to explain, failing miserably in Ash's eyes.

He thinks for a minute, "Fuck that. If you can't even give me a straight answer as to why, why should I do anything you ask? I can't just push everything aside, act like it didn't happen. It's too late for that. I can't just turn my feelings off like you apparently can." He accuses, angrily.

He shakes his head moving to his pack, throwing the majority of his possessions in it.

Tears begin streaming down her face as she watches him pack, "Ash.. you don't have to leave… you can stay here still, it's okay." She pleads, not wanting him to go. Her mind in a brutal struggle with her heart.

He shakes his head, "Negative. Not with what's happened, no. I'm not going to wake up to you every morning and go on like we're just friends, not happening." He says, throwing the ruck onto his back.

"I guess I'll see you whenever. Hopefully by then you will have realized what you actually want." He says, storming out of the door in a heated rush.

May feels an incredible sense of anguish as she watches him go.

She falls back on the couch, laying down and gazing up at the ceiling.

'This… it wasn't supposed to be like this..' She thinks, the tears flowing freely.

She spends the next hour like this, contemplating her actions miserably, before slumber finally takes her.

uh-oh