Since the chapter before was so short (I hadn't realized just how short before), and since it's already gotten some pretty passionate reviews, you get a double update! Aren't I nice? It must be this holiday season getting to me...either that, or all this rain that's been pouring down over here. Anyways, shippy elements start here, for all those who have been waiting for them!

Oh, and I'd meant to mention it before the last chapter, but there's been some unforeseen problems concerning my other story, The Dragon Clan. As it's a Yu-Gi-Oh! fanfic, I don't know how many of you reading this have looked at it, but all details can be found on my bio.

DISCLAIMER: Me no own...waah!

A Passion Revived: chapter 6

The whole world seemed to be tinted red. Hands shook, muscles tensed, and fists clenched. Pikachu's ears went flat back against his head as he shifted into an offensive posture, cheeks sparking slightly and letting out a low, angry-sounding "Chuuuuu....!"

Ash Ketchum was absolutely livid.

"What was that for?!" he screamed, advancing a step towards Laura. Cerbera harshly growled in response, also assuming a braced, protective position in front of her mistress. "You have no right to say that! You don't know how hard May's worked, or what she's going through -- !"

Brock laid a firm hand on Ash's shoulder, holding him back. "Easy, Ash." he said, voice tense -- it was plain that he was furious, too. "We aren't here to fight."

"Damn right you're not." Laura growled, glowering down at Ash. "And I will remind you whose house you happen to be in right now, whose property you trespassed on, and on which you are being allowed to stay. You have no place telling me what I can and can not do in my own home, Mr. Ketchum."

"Be that as it may, Ms. Cooper," Brock replied before Ash could blow up once again, "May is our friend. Ash and I will not stand to see her insulted like that, no matter who does it, or where."

"That's right!"

"Pika!"

Laura sighed, and it seemed to Ash that she suddenly looked much older -- certainly much more worn, as if she were weary of the world and all it's problems. She slumped, placing an arm on the counter which divided the kitchen and the living room for support, and dropped her head. "Go to her, then, if she's so important to you." she sighed again, raising her head to look directly at Ash. "Go get her, and bring her back. I'll show Brock where your rooms are, and I expect the two of you up bright and early; you'll be helping me out with the daily chores around this place."

Ash was stunned at this sudden change of behavior -- where had all that fight and anger gone? -- but he only paused a moment before rushing for the door May had bolted out of, scrambling out it and letting it bang once more on the side of the house before racing off into the grass, Pikachu hot at his heels.

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May didn't know how much time had passed. All she knew was that she didn't seem to have any tears left. Her eyes felt empty, drained -- just like her spirit.

Rustling in the grass somewhere behind her didn't even faze her. It was probably just a pokemon, and she doubted it was going to attack her. She wouldn't have even cared if it did.

"May? Maaay!"

The calls were faint, but getting closer. May still didn't move. She just curled up into a slightly tighter ball and continued staring out over the lake, reflecting the moon so perfectly in it's still surface.

The rustling suddenly stopped, and she was vaguely aware of a presence behind her. A gentle hand laid itself on her shoulder, and an all-too-familiar voice spoke softly. "May?"

The coordinator flinched. "Go away, Ash." She didn't mean it.

Ash squatted down next to her, resting on the balls of his feet. His tone was as concerned as his expression; deep worry lines crinkled the corners of his honey brown eyes. "May..."

"I said go away, Ash." May repeated, not daring to look at him.

"Come on, May...Laura doesn't know what she's talking about." Ash said obstinately, attempting a small smile. "You're just as good a trainer as me or Brock, and a great Coordinator -- "

"No, Ash, I'm not!" May burst out, ducking her head back into her knees. "I...I completely sucked in the Johto circuit, okay? I only won two ribbons...and both of those were honest-to-god flukes. My opponents either got kicked out or dropped out...I didn't really earn them. And now, I'm doing so badly in Sinnoh..."

Ash paused, stunned, then sank down onto his knees. "May...I -- "

A burst of water suddenly struck the tree they were sitting under, nearly dousing the humans, who both cried out in surprise, and succeeding in dislodging more than a few sleeping pokemon -- mostly Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Starly, and Spearow, though a couple Pidgeot and Fearow, along with a Staraptor and Swellow -- and thoroughly soaking them. Ash instinctively crouched protectively over May, reaching for his belt -- Pikachu had wandered off somewhere.

An irritated-looking Dewgong had it's head poked out of the water, tail raised, as if threatening to splash them again, and Ash sighed in relief. They weren't being attacked...

"Um...A-Ash?"

Ash glanced down at May, who he had sheltered between him and the tree. Blue and brown stared into each other for a moment, silent, before something sparked in the honeyed brown. "Oh!" Ash cried, throwing himself back from the rather...compromising position he had been in. His face nearly glowed red with embarrassment as he placed a hand over his mouth, the other pulling his hat down over his face in an attempt to hide it. "S-sorry about that..." he stammered, standing and offering a hand awkwardly to May, who grasped it and allowed Ash to pull her to her feet.

"N-no worries." May replied, her face as red as Ash's. Again, she didn't seem able to meet his gaze, and glanced back at the lake, where the disturbed birds (along with a few assorted Bug pokemon) were attempting to heckle the Dewgong, who raised it's tail in their direction again. "W-we'd better get back."

"Y-yeah..." Ash replied, releasing her and turning back in the direction of the house. May followed him silently, incoherent thoughts swirling around in her previously empty head. She only got back in touch with reality when Pikachu showed up again, having apparently decided to go back and stay with Brock. He rubbed himself affectionately against Ash's legs before jumping up to his usual place on his trainer's shoulder. Ash gave a small grin, patting Pikachu's head before heading back into the house. May hesitated only a moment before following him back into the lion's den.

My chapters seem to be getting shorter and shorter...still, short chapters can be effective if managed wisely! And reviews will inspire me to make them longer - now, isn't that incentive enough for you to review?