"Pikapii!/Ash!" The sound of his name made Ash snap out of his daze as he looked up from his kneeling position, "Pi-Pikapi!" Pikachu exclaimed as he ran to Ash, tackling him into a hug before nuzzling the boys chest, "I keep running off...probably not the best way to deal with my problems..." Ash mumbled as he stroked Pikachu's head gently whilst standing up, moving his arm to hold Pikachu up as he stood.
"I-I'm sorry for following you..." Ash heard Dawn utter, making him look up from Pikachu and towards the blue haired girl, "I-I was worried. Y-You were all upset and i-i didn't know what might happen" Ash sighed as he allowed Pikachu to crawl out of his arms and onto his shoulder, closing his eyes and removing his hat so he could run a hand through his dirty-raven hair.
"Its fine.." Ash started, stopping his words to open his eyes and place his worn out hat back on his head, "Listen carefully to what i have to say - as it is very important." Dawn blinked but nodded slowly, tilting her head in confusion as she waited for Ash to continue, "It hurt me when you all betrayed me - especially when it came to you betraying me. It broke me, shattered my heart into pieces" Dawn blinked slowly and sadly, glancing away slightly in guilt, "But," Hearing those words made Dawn look back at Ash, her eyes brimming with hope.
"I don't know if i believe your and Max's claim that you were threatened into betraying me - at least not 100% believe it yet. But what you both said does make sense. I understand that you were scared - but you need to understand how much it hurt me. Touch my hand." Dawn blinked and slowly reached out, her fingers gently grazing Ash's hand.
Dawn let out a gasp, quickly snapping her hand back as an overwhelming sensation of hatred, anguish and hurt fell over her, "W-What-?!" "I'm using my aura to show you how much you all hurt me." Ash stated, reaching out and grabbing Dawn's hand, who flinched at the tight grip, but gasped once more as the sensation fell over her again.
Dawn gasped once more as the overwhelming feeling filled her senses, making her entire body begin to shake, "I-I-I..." She started until she finally fell to her knees, her hand still being grasped by Ash's.
"H-How do you deal this?" Dawn managed to gasp out as tears streamed down her face, her other hand gripping her rapidly thumping heart, "I-It hurts so much.." She whispered, her heart beat speeding up as the tears fell faster down her face, her eyes squeezed shut, "Hm.." Ash looked at Dawn, not noticing the blue/red mist surrounding them.
A few minutes past until Ash finally let go of Dawn's hand, who withdrew her hand, grasping her chest as her heartbeat began to slow down and the overwhelming emotions began to leave her, "Do you understand how i feel now? How much it hurt?" Dawn just nodded slowly as her breathing slowed down and she slowly stood up, "I'm so sorry Ash...so, so sorry" She whispered, going to hug Ash, but hesitating until Ash sighed and nodded, allowing the blue haired girl to wrap her arms around his neck, burying her face in his neck.
Slowly and hesitatingly, Ash moved his arms around Dawn's waist, swallowing his hurt and pain at having the one girl he had loved so close to him again.
A few minutes went past until Ash and Dawn both let each other go. Slowly moving her head from out of Ash's neck and looking up at his face, Dawn let her eyes roam over the boys face, whilst Ash did the same, searching Dawn's eyes for any sign of malice or manipulation. But he couldn't find any.
Slowly moving her head up, Dawn took a shaky breath, making Ash freeze as he realised what she was going to do, making him quickly withdraw his arms and step away as her lips drew closer to his.
"Don't" Ash stated, making Dawn blink in confusion and slight hurt, "Don't push the boundaries yet, Dawn" Ash continued as he looked away from her and out across the ocean, "I don't know if a trust you yet - and i dont want to take that kind of step until i trust you"