Chapter 7: Back on the road

Ash and May walked through the forest, searching for a possible way out.

"Ash, I think we've already been past the tree," May stated.

"I do too, but if we go the other way, we'll just get caught up in the thickest part of the forest," Ash answered.

"That'd probably be better than walkin' around in circles," May mumbled. Ash sighed. He looked at the trail in front of him rather than argue with her. Suddenly, he saw some light up ahead.

"Look!" he cried, pointing ahead. This gesture hurt his shoulder, but he ignored it.

"Light!" May exclaimed. "Maybe that's the way out!" She then ran forward, Ash at her heels. It turned out, that really was the way out. The two soon found themselves back in the field where they had started out the day before. Brock and Max were heading toward the woods, but saw Ash and May and ran up to them instead.

"Guys! You made it out!" Brock exclaimed. Max ran up to May, who kneeled down and embraced her teary eyed brother.

"I was so worried about you, May," he sobbed.

"It's ok Max," May said softly, stroking her brother's hair. "I'm here now." Ash smiled affectionately at the pair until Brock's voice caused him to look up.

"Ash, what happened to your shoulder?"

"It's a long story," Ash responded, fingering May's old bandana between his fingers. May stood up and walked over to Ash's side.

"Yeah, a story that changed both of our lives," she smiled, taking Ash's arm. Ash returned the smile. Brock and Max stared at them in complete confusion. Ash laughed.

"C'mon," he said, walking forward. "I'll fill you in." May followed along behind him.

As the group walked down the road toward Ash's next destination, Ash told Brock and Max all about what happened in the woods. Max stopped in the middle of the trail with a disgusted look on his face.

"You and my sister like each other?!" he cried, looking up at Ash. May put her hand behind her brother's head and pushed him forward, prompting him to keep walking.

"Yes, but that's not going to change anything," she assured him. "Just the difference in emotions, that's all." She and Ash smiled at each other once again. Max made a disgusted face again.

"Ash, come on. Don't you want to get to the Battle Arena before it gets dark?" Brock asked, ruining the conversation. Ash immidietly perked up.

"Yeah. On to my next Frontier Symbol!" he cried, punching the air. May smiled.

"I guess some things never change," she muttered.

END

I know that was a dumb way to end the fic, but I couldn't think of anything else. Oh well. Please R&R!