Pikachu didn't have a problem with Cilan. Cilan was nice, made tasty food, treated him right, and most importantly made his trainer very happy. Maybe it was Ash that was the problem. Pikachu wasn't sure, but ever since Ash started introducing Cilan as his "partner" there was a problem. Pikachu had always been Ash's partner, his best buddy. Pikachu was not happy about it.

He didn't know what to do. At first he tried his best to explain his situation to Ash, but he just didn't understand. So he started acting out. He started refusing Cilan's meals, even ignoring Pansage. He would try to keep Ash and Cilan apart, going as far as to climb into bed with them every night and clinging to his trainer. They seemed very worried, but they just couldn't understand why Pikachu was so upset.

"Hi, I'm Ash, and this is my partner, Cilan."

Pikachu had had enough. "PikaCHUUU!" He raged, thunderbolting Cilan and Ash to the astonishment of any passerbyers.

"Pikachu, what's wrong, buddy?" Ash recovered first being more or less used to the shock by now.

Tears welled in his chocolatey brown eyes and he took off running towards home, with Ash right behind him and Cilan calling out to the both of them as he followed. He ran all the way home on four paws, tears streaming down his plush little cheeks. When he reached the house, he ran behind it and curled in on himself. What could he do to make his trainer understand?

Ash was not far behind, and when he found Pikachu, he instantly ran up to him and swooped him up in his arms.

"Hey, buddy. What's wrong? Cilan and I have been so worried lately. Are you sick? Are you unhappy? Come on, Pikachu. I need to know what's bothering you." Ash was close to tears now, and seeing that made Pikachu feel bad.

Wiping his own tears away with little paws, Pikachu started, "Pika pi, pikachu." He pointed in Cilan's direction as he rounded the corner and came into view, slightly out of breath.

Ash began racking his brain. Finally, something clicked and it all made sense.

"Oh.. you're jealous because I've been calling Cilan my partner.." Cilan and Ash exchanged looks.

"Listen, Pikachu, Cilan is my life partner, my partner in love. You'll always be my number one best friend, you know that. I love you, buddy." Ash cradled Pikachu closely.

"Pik-pika?"

"Of course. You and Cilan mean the world to me. We're a family."

"Pikachuuu." Pikachu cuddled into Ash's chest lovingly. A family. He hadn't thought about that before, but now he was sure of his place in Ash's heart and in their little world.