Feeling nice, so here's another chapter. :D
Chapter 6
1 Year Later
"May!" shouts the raven haired man who tackles her in a hug.
"Ash!" She hugs him back because she hasn't seen him since his wedding years ago.
Soon, his wife Misty walks over to them with Pikachu and two year old Astrid in her arms. Giving May a side hug as Pikachu hops on May's Head, Misty smiles. "Hey, May!"
The Ketchums are visiting for a few days this summer now that most of the hurricane's destruction has been cleaned up. Since Ash had heard from Max about May's adoption of Kai as well as her running away, he decided to check up on his old traveling partner. Plus, Misty is happy to go on a vacation to see May again.
"Oh my Groudon! Is this little Astrid?" May coos to the toddler giggling in Misty's arms. She looks just like a miniature version of Ash but with Misty's cerulean green eyes and pale skin.
"She's cute like me." Ash proudly proclaims, causing Misty to roll her eyes.
"She looks like me."
"But she has my cuteness."
As the couple bickers, May sweatdrops with Pikachu in her arms. "How do you do this, Pikachu?" She asks the yellow mouse who just sighs.
"It's the Kanto Champion!" The shout gets all of the adults' attention as they turn to see a purple haired boy, girl, and a white haired boy.
"Oh!" May grins because Kai and his friends were off playing prior to the Ketchums arriving. She hadn't expected to introduce her friends to Kai until dinner later, but it seems like the Enbars got news of the Ketchums being here. Rushing over to the kids, May points at the older purple haired boy who is here for the summer after his first Pokemon journey through Johto. He is also a former student of hers. "This is Shane Enbar and his younger sister Shay!" May then moves on from the girl to the shy white haired boy. "And this is Kai!"
Shane hurries over to Ash to ask a bunch of questions, like the excited trainer he is. Misty walks over to the others and extends a hand out to Shay. "Hello, Shay. I'm Misty, the-"
"Cerulean City gym leader!" Shay exclaims eagerly. Since she wants to be a strong trainer some day, she admires all of the strong female trainers in the world, like Misty.
Giggling, Misty then greets Kai who she's heard a bit about from May and Ash's conversations with the Maples. "Hey, Kai!"
He shyly takes her hand and nods. Even though Kai has been getting more comfortable around May this past year, he is still shy to strangers. He and May talk more and he can rely on her more than he did a year ago. He's even cried a few times in her arms, but he's been vowing to himself to be stronger and keep his tears at bay. "Hello, Mrs. Ketchum."
When Kai had told his friends about the Ketchums visiting, they got very excited and rushed over. Although Kai knows how famous the Ketchums are, he is still surprised that his caretaker knows them. May had told him about how she used to travel with Champion Ash, and she met Misty a few times. It still amazes Kai that May knows them. Being a competitive battler himself, Kai is also eager to speak with the Ketchum adults.
That night, the Ketchums are sleeping in the guest room early due to being tired from the trip. May and Kai are washing the dishes. Even though he's now helping with the housework, May feels like Kai is still only saying things she wants to hear. He never disagrees with her and he's very cautious with his words. "Thanks for helping me clean up, Kai."
Nodding, he replies, "Thank you for dinner, May."
When May puts the sponge in the cup she's washing, it squirts out soap duds towards Kai, and some lands on his nose. Instead of giving him an apologetic look, May just giggles at how cute he looks. Frowning, Kai wipes the duds off his nose. "Not fair, May!"
"I think you look adorable." She then puts some duds on her nose. "Don't I look cute too?"
When his face breaks out in a smile, May can't help but grin back. "You always look cute!"
Blushing from his compliment, May puts some duds back on his nose. "Now we're twins!"
He giggles and grabs more soap duds to put on his face. "I have a beard!"
She puts some under her nose. "Do you like my mustache?"
Soon, the two are playing with the soap duds and laughing so loud that Misty wakes up to walk into the kitchen. Being a very light sleeper, she wakes up easily. Plus, Ash and Astrid are heavy sleepers, so this won't wake them. Misty can't help but smile at the scene of Kai and May playing with the soap at the kitchen sink with the dishes long forgotten.
After hearing from Ash about the Maple family's concerns with May adopting Kai, she and Ash decided to visit to check on May. Now, though, Misty sees that May is very happy as well as Kai. Despite the Maples not wanting May to adopt Kai, Misty sees that this is the best for them both.
The redhead knows that May has been feeling lonely for some time now through their calls and texts throughout the years. Even though May has been communicating with them less these past two years, Misty sees May is very happy. It's all thanks to Kai, just like how May is making Kai happier. Misty does hope that the Maples will see this and accept Kai as much as May has. Smiling, the redhead turns back around to go join her family in the guest bedroom.
The Next Day
"May says you're a good battler, Kai!" Ash grins at the shy white haired boy.
"I'm okay." he replies.
Smiling, May puts an arm around Kai's shoulders. "I told him you're gonna beat him some day."
"Let's battle!" Ash challenges the boy, and Pikachu's cheeks spark up at the challenge.
Nervously looking between May and Ash, Kai replies, "Okay."
Before he can walk off with Ash, May grabs Kai's shoulders to face him. Their blue eyes meet, and she tells him, "Ash is just my friend, Kai. And you've beaten me before." Once his eyes flicker with excitement, May ruffles his hair. The Kai she knows doesn't shy away from a Pokemon battle. He loves talking about battling and Pokemon, but she knows he's intimidated by Ash being the Kanto champion. "Have fun!"
"I always have fun!" Kai grins and runs off.
"This is so cool!" Shane says in amazement. He plans to challenge Ash afterwards.
"You can do it, New!" Shay cheers for her friend who calls out Munchlax against Ash's Pikachu. May has since learned about Shay's nickname for Kai, which the woman finds cute.
"Cheer for daddy, Astrid!" Misty smiles at the toddler in her lap.
"Daddy!"
Hearing his daughter's shout makes Ash grin and flip his cap backwards. "Let's go, Kai!"
Retying his red bandanna as a headband around his head, Kai smirks at Ash. "I'm strong, Mr. Ash!"
In the end, Munchlax loses to Pikachu, but Kai and Munchlax put up a good fight. Despite the loss, Kai isn't discouraged. He never gets discouraged after a loss, though he also never celebrates a win. Even though he's the best battler at the school since he's never lost, he remains humble because he knows there are stronger trainers out there, like Champion Ash. Therefore, Kai always strives to improve no matter the outcome of his battles.
"You really are good at battling!" Ash exclaims as Pikachu hops on Kai's head.
The boy wipes the sweat from his brow and shyly looks away. Before he can respond, though, Shay tackles him in a hug. "That was so cool, New!" Smiling, he nods quietly. Shay also knows that Kai is a serious battler who doesn't let his battle outcomes affect his behavior. She admires him for always trying to be better regardless of winning or losing. Whenever she'd lose, she used to be so upset, but Kai has since taught her that losing is a chance to learn and grow stronger.
Flashback
"Shay?" Kai finally manages to find his friend after he beat her in their first Pokemon battle.
Although they were just battling for fun on the weekend rather than in class during the weekdays, she's very upset at losing. Plus, Kai destroyed her Oddish without taking any damage himself. How can she be a strong trainer if she can't even land a hit on a classmate? "Leave me alone!" she cries while hiding her face from him.
Kai has only known Shay for barely a month, but she's already been a great friend to him. He doesn't want to lose her over this. Nevertheless, Kai doesn't know how to control himself when it comes to battling, which makes him such a great battler. "I'm sorry, Shay."
Shaking her head, she tells him, "You shouldn't be! You did nothing wrong."
While Kai doesn't understand how beating her in a Pokemon battle is wrong, he does know that her being upset is his fault. Thus, he is apologizing to her because that's what he was taught to do: if he makes someone mad, he needs to say sorry. "I'm still sorry. I shouldn't have made you cry."
"No, Kai!" she shouts and turns to face him. Shay only calls him by his name when adults are around or when she's serious, like now. Seeing her tearstained face makes Kai sit down on the ground beside her. "I'm such a weak trainer! I don't deserve to be your friend!"
Now it's his turn to shake his head. "You're my best friend, Shay!" he exclaims fearful of the thought of losing her. "And I don't think you're weak! No one is weak!"
"I'm weak!"
"You're very strong, Shay!" insists the boy. "My dad always told me that winning and losing don't mean anything! You have to learn from every battle and that helps you get better!" When she doesn't stop crying but she leans her head on his shoulder, Kai blushes. "I'll help train with you, Shay."
After a few minutes of Shay silently crying, she hiccups back a sob, which makes Kai wrap an arm around her shoulders. "Thanks, New." She whispers. "I'm gonna beat you some day."
With a relieved smile on his face, Kai replies, "Let's train together tomorrow."
Nodding, Shay keeps her head on him. "Let's travel together." Even though she's only known him barely a month, Shay likes how kind and tender Kai is. Plus, with him being a great battler, he'll be able to teach her many things to improve. It's not uncommon for people to travel together who have known each other in less time.
With a dark blush on his face, Kai agrees, "Okay."
Flashback Over
While packing up to leave, Misty asks her husband, "Did you talk to her about him?"
Sighing, Ash folds up one of his shirts to place in the suitcase. "I don't think I need to."
"They're in the same region, Ash! Gary and Leaf-"
"But they haven't talked to each other!" Ash snaps at his wife. Normally, he doesn't lose his temper at her like this now that they're older, but this is something he really doesn't want to talk about. "May knows Drew is here! If she wanted to see him, she would've already."
Glaring at him, Misty replies, "The Oaks said Drew isn't happy. We need to help our friends."
"Drew isn't my friend." Ash reminds her of the green haired acquaintance. "He's Leaf's and Gary's friend, but not mine. Just like how May isn't their friend, but she's ours." Looking at his wife's angry green orbs, Ash continues, "And you see how happy May is with Kai? We have nothing to worry about."
Shaking her head, Misty walks past him to pick up Astrid from Pikachu's care. "Of course you wouldn't understand, Ash." Not knowing anything about romance or love, Misty knows Ash won't get what she and the Oaks want to do by bringing May and Drew together again.
"What are you talking about, Mist? We shouldn't meddle in their lives!" Just because the Oaks requested to get May and Drew together doesn't mean that Ash actually has to listen to them. According to them, anyway, Drew is still with his girlfriend of 6 years. Why should Ash intervene in that relationship? Why would Drew want to see May when he's been with another woman for so long? Ash really doesn't understand why Misty is so upset about him not wanting to bring Drew and May together.
She just chooses to ignore him and walks out of the room with her daughter. When she sees May, Kai, and the Enbar siblings in the living room, Misty chooses to not speak about the green haired man. Even if the children weren't there, she isn't sure she can talk to May about Drew since Misty doesn't know about their relationship. She's never met Drew before, so all she knows about May and Drew is from what Ash and Brock have told her.
"Turn to channel 8!" exclaims Shay. "They're supposed to be showing Shane's battle soon!" With Shane making it to the first round of the Indigo Plateau this year, he was on TV once. There are reruns of the tournament playing throughout the summer, so Shay loves watching her older brother, which he likes but it makes him shy.
Kai grabs the remote to switch the channel from cartoons to the news. "Is this the year you and Brianna tie the knot, Drew?" asks the reporter to the green haired man. The caption below the screen reads: Johto Top Coordinator helps fix Olivine Lighthouse. Despite the hurricane's destruction being mostly cleaned up, Olivine City still has some construction left.
Misty eyes May worriedly, and Shay exclaims, "Drew is so cool!" The girl's wide eyes gloss in adoration at the screen, making Shane roll his eyes and Kai frown.
"He's not a trainer." Shane tells his sister.
"But he's still very good looking!" Shay tells him. "I wish he passed out the groceries to us last year." Drew and Brianna had split up the island to help distribute groceries years ago when Drew delivered them to Kai.
As if remembering where he's seen the man before, Kai asks, "Does he have a Masquerain?"
"Yes! He has a Masquerain, Flygon, Roserade, Absol, and Butterfree!" Shay gushes as she watches the man on TV avoid answering the question. When the screen turns black, though, Shay exclaims, "Hey! Turn it back on!"
However, turning to yell at Kai who had the remote, she spots it in May's hand. Misty had been watching the other woman with concern. May gives the children a warm smile and tells them to, "Go play outside, guys. I'll call you in when Shane's battle is on TV."
Despite wanting to argue about watching Drew's news segment, Shay nods when she sees Kai give her an insistent look. Even though Kai doesn't know what's going on with May, he knows she wouldn't do things without reason, like turning off the TV. Plus, now that Shay has confirmed this Drew guy has a Masquerain, Kai knows that's the man who delivered groceries to him last year. "Let's battle." Kai tells his friends and walks out with them.
Once the children are out of the house, Misty's gaze moves back to the silent brunette. "May…"
"I'm fine, Misty." May tries to give her a reassuring smile, but Misty can tell it's fake.
"Do you wanna ta-"
"Nope." The brunette shakes her head. Why would she want to talk about Drew? He's in the past for a reason. She's since gotten over that silly childhood crush on him, but why does she avoid everything that has to do with him? Like when he's on the news or when she sees roses?
Handing the remote to Misty, May gets up to walk down the hall. "Can you get the kids when Shane is on TV?"