Chapter 46

Ensuring that Dalton hadn't followed them, May saw Iris and Dawn catch up to them in the centre park of Mauville, where the Pokémon Centre and PokéMart were. The duo were walking arm in arm at a surprisingly leisurely pace considering the anger they had both experienced had back on the route.

'I'm so sorry, but I do have business to attend to here,' May grimaced at her friends, who blinked at her in momentary disbelief. They shared a glance before they sent May sympathetic looks that the older woman didn't want or need.

'There's no need to worry, I'm sure we'll figure something out,' Dawn beamed at May, who couldn't help but stiffen at the woman's words. Whenever that particular expression filled Dawn's face, May knew there was cause for worry.

'Oh, that's fine. We'll continue on our journey, I heard there were dragon tamers here somewhere,' Iris hurriedly said as Dawn's eyes flashed with suspicion at the Unovan's words.

'Yeah, we've got plenty of those. They usually wear a red cape and a purple bodysuit, probably inspired by Lance from Kanto. He's the champion over there, so you might have seen pictures and clips of him online. From what I was told about dragon type trainers, I think Norman said they often trained around Meteor Falls since it's got a few dragon types in the hard-to-reach areas of the cave,' Kenny smiled at the duo, who stared at him in disbelief.

'I wonder if there's anywhere nice I can go for contests,' Dawn whispered as she glanced apprehensively at Iris.

With a grin, May reassured her friend, 'if you go north of here, you'll find route 111, follow the path until you reach Lavaridge Town. If you continue west onto route 114 which will take you to Meteor Falls,' May grinned at her friends, who stared at her in shock.

'What? I had to learn basic directions when I went through Johto,' May giggled nervously as she felt herself blush slightly. She didn't like how everyone was watching her with disbelief.

'I think there may yet be hope for Ash,' Iris whispered to Dawn, as May scoffed in embarrassment, glaring as her Blaziken let out a light laugh of his own.

She hadn't expected her friends to have heard about how directionally challenged she used to be, let alone tease her about it.

'All right, May, we'll go up north. Take care and love you lots, girlfriend!' Dawn beamed at her before pulling her in a tight hug, kissing her cheek affectionately.

Iris rolled her eyes as Dawn released May from her hug before she, too, tackled the woman, 'remember to call me if you need anything, no matter the time.'

'Thanks, guys,' May flushed as her friends waved her off and headed north.

May grinned as she watched her friends go, ignoring the pang in her heart as Kenny simply smiled at her in amused disbelief.

She missed travelling around regions with friends.

'What?' May scowled before she headed east, knowing a shortcut to the nearby hospital. She'd been avoiding it for a long time, but she knew she needed to check up on her father.

'Nothing,' the man sang as they saw the pristine, glass walls of the hospital in the distance, with steel-clad beams positioned strategically for additional strength.

'Are you going to report to Norman?' Kenny asked as he placed his hands in his pockets, walking beside May as if he felt perfectly at ease with their topic of conversation.

'Yes,' May responded brusquely, trying not to remind herself of how lost she felt every time she saw her father's visage in her mind. Growing up, he'd seemed infallible, always confident, knowing exactly what to say or do. Now, he was sick and frail, and it hurt her to see him suffering.

She wanted to see him, but seeing him that way broke her heart.

Walking into the foyer, May glanced at the blonde receptionist before walking past her, heading towards the room her father was resting. Everyone on this ward knew who she was and was used to her coming and going.

Reaching her father's door, she knocked before entering the room. Unfazed by the white walls void of any human memorabilia May glanced around the room to see that there was a black coat placed neatly over a chair, her mother's own coat nearby.

Walking towards the bed, May grinned as she saw her father's exhausted features staring at her, appearing oblivious to the presence of Kenny and Blaziken.

'Hi dad, it's me,' May grinned at the man as she leaned over to kiss his cheek, trying not to focus on how rough his cheek felt against her lips.

'May! It's a pleasure to see you!' The man grinned softly before his eyes were intent upon hers, searching for something May couldn't decipher. Rather than implore the man to explain his desires, May focused on her companions.

'And you, dad. I brought Kenny and Blaziken,' May said as she clasped his hands in her own, glancing back at Kenny who stumbled forward, his eyes widened in disbelief.

'Norman, sir, you look better than I thought!' Kenny grinned with faux cheer, and May couldn't help but feel grateful for the man. He was always trying to do what was best for their family, doing whatever was needed to ensure everyone was looked after.

'Thank you Kenny, you're as supportive as ever. How are things going at home?' Norman smiled at the man, whose smile faltered slightly.

'Dad's still drinking a bit, but he's cut down quite a lot,' Kenny smiled, his earlier optimism dissipating in a cloud of smoke.

'What matters is he's improved,' May grinned at the man before she shared a glance with her father.

'And that you'll always have a room available with us,' Norman stated, smiling as May nodded fervently. After all, Kenny was practically family to them, much like the Birches.

'Thank you, that means a lot to me,' Kenny said, his voice choking slightly as he glanced from one to the other, his face brightening as Blaziken placed a gentle claw on his shoulder.

'Come on, Kenny, after that moving speech you said out there, of course you're welcome in our house!' May grinned at the man, giving him a one-sided hug.

'Speech?' Norman blinked as Kenny flushed again, running a hand through his moss green hair.

'He may have told me off for being a push over,' May muttered sheepishly, poking her fingers together in her typical nervous tic.

When Norman simply watched her, May continued, 'someone was saying that a pokémon I received from Iris wasn't guaranteed to flourish, and Kenny put both myself and him in his place. If Kenny hadn't been there, I probably would still be in that awkward situation.'

'I see,' Norman mused as his eyes flickered to his young assistant.

The man simply flushed as he said, 'I was only calling it as I saw it. May had already beaten him in battle and I didn't appreciate him mocking May, her pokémon or our gym like that.'

'And that's precisely what I value in you, Kenny. You stay true to your morals and ideals. You'll have your own gym in no time,' Norman smiled, though his voice wheezed slightly.

'Dad,' May whispered as she saw him cough slightly, a raspy sound that sent a stab of fear in her heart.

'It's nothing,' the man rasped as he reached for a plastic cup of water.

'It's not nothing, we should go so you can rest,' May whispered as she helped him drink, realising with a pang that she was causing her father undue stress.

'Nonsense, tell me about how the gym is going, and how you are and Max. He's always too busy to talk to me, I want to hear about everything my kids are going through,' Norman waved her off before putting his lips to the cup.

Blinking back tears, May told him about her recent battles, how Beldum was growing, though Shroomish was struggling to learn any new moves.

Hearing about his daughter's struggles, Norman frowned before he said, 'have you had your PokéDex scan your pokémon? It might tell you some new moves. Otherwise, maybe take him to see Birch. He may be forgetful, but you know the Birches know more about local pokémon than anyone else.'

Taking on board the information, May continued to tell him how her friends visited and how Max was fulfilling his duties as a Ranger in Almia.

'I know it's probably too soon to say this, but I know Max will be a top ranger. With how smart he is, I'm certain of it, and you know how hard he tries. He's really living his life,' May smiled as Kenny placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

'With his big brain, he's going to be climbing for the stars, that's for sure,' Kenny chuckled as May sent him a hollow smile, reminding herself that she'd had her chance in Johto. She could hear Blaziken croon, though didn't react to her pokémon's reassurance.

After all, they'd never know if she'd beat Drew in her own right at the Grand Festival. That was always going to sting, no matter how much she accomplished here.

'I can't wait to see what Max achieves in Almia. Maybe one day I'll get to see him in action,' another voice smiled, pulling both Kenny and May out of their thoughts.

'Champion Stone!' Kenny squeaked as he jumped out of his chair in surprise. May, on the other hand, was surprisingly composed at the sudden presence of Steven Stone and her mother at the door behind them.

'Steven!' May said before glancing at her mother in surprise as she stepped forward to greet them, her expression unusually solemn.

'Hi sweetie, it's so good to see you!' Caroline smiled before pulling May into a hug of her own before hugging Kenny.

'How are you, mum?' May whispered as she glanced anxiously into her mother's eyes, seeing just how tired they were as Kenny took a nervous seat near Norman's bed, glancing anxiously at the champion.

'I'm better than your father, and that's guaranteed,' Caroline smiled before turning her attention to her husband, not seeing the worry in her daughter's eyes.

With a frown, May watched in silence as she saw her mother readjust the pillow on which her father lay as Steven leant casually against the wall, monitoring their actions in silence.

'Norman, you'd better not have asked these two about the gym. You need rest, and that means not worrying about anything to do with work!' Caroline chastised as Kenny and May shared a guilty glance.

No one ever liked lying to Caroline, especially since she was always putting the needs of others before her own. Grimacing, May turned her attention to her travel stained shoes, her eyebrows furrowing uncertainly.

'Too late,' Norman chuckled as Caroline shook her head in disbelief, sending the younger members in the room a warning glare.

'It's late, I'd better go. Do you think I could steal May momentarily? I'm afraid I need to discuss some affairs with her,' Steven stated as he picked up the black coat from the chair on which Kenny sat.

Hearing this, May shared an anxious glance with Kenny, wondering if she'd done something wrong. Maybe she shouldn't have left the gym so often, but she couldn't stand being home alone, even with Brendan and Kenny being so close to her.

It wasn't the same, no matter how hard she tried to pretend everything was ok. Besides, the man himself had given her express consent. She couldn't help but wonder if he'd forgotten.

'Umm,' May hesitated, wondering what she should say.

'It's ok, sweetie, you can go home after this. I'm sure Kenny will keep us both company,' Caroline smiled at her daughter, sending a pang of guilt through her daughter's heart.

With a sharp glance at Steven, her mother continued, 'and I hope that everyone in this room remembers to be on their best behaviour when they're with my daughter.'

Grimacing, May couldn't even look at the champion, her cheeks warming uncomfortably at her mother's words. She had no idea what her mother was implying, and May couldn't even bring herself to voice her concern.

She hadn't been a very good daughter, no matter how hard she tried. She was consumed with the gym, having it take up all her time so she barely had the time to visit her father in hospital.

Even in her free time, she spent it trying to otherwise strengthen her pokémon or focus on anything but her father, unable to accept just how ill he had become.

Unable to think of a suitable response, especially since she had no idea if Steven required her assistance in yet another city, she simply nodded her head numbly.

Touching her father's hand, May kissed his forehead before pulling her mother in a hug, saying, 'I promise I'll visit as soon as I can.'

'Have a good night, sweetie,' Caroline whispered before releasing May and sending her a sad smile.

A/N: I mislabeled last week's chapter, sorry if I confused anyone! :(