Hello again. I promised regular updates and I'm trying my best to stick to that so it's currently 1:30am and I have school in the morning. -_-

Anyway, to answer questions;

Contestshipper: I don't know what you mean by 'I erased your review' cause I didn't even know you could do that to be honest, but sorry, it's just to make the story more interesting or more appealing because I know I'm not an Ikarishipper (just an example) myself, but I do enjoy it in a story when it is vs Pearlshipping, which I do support. Anyway if you wanna know so bad you can login and PM me I'd be happy to answer. :)

If you enjoy the chapter please leave a review and:

PLEASE READ NOTE AT THE END

Chapter 2

May awoke to the sound of people running past her room. She sat upright slowly, groaning like a zombie. She felt like a zombie. Last night, her brain had been on overdrive. She hadn't been able to shut it down for a single second. It wasn't even that she had been thinking of anything in particular, her brain had just been whirring. Then again, she had thought of Ash more than a few times.

Ash. It had been 5 days since she first encountered him in the woods by the lake. She had been back every day since, but not once had she seen him. The day after she had rushed to the lake to make sure she didn't miss him. She sat, waiting patiently, repeating his question about how often she came to the lake over and over in her mind. After an hour, she started to worry. After 2 hours, all hope that he would show up was gone. She had slugged her way back home, her feet dragging, feeling disappointed and curious.

After the second day of him now showing, May began to worry that someone had caught him with her and had done something to him. The worry was quickly erased from her mind when she realised she would have been attacked too, had that been the case.

Now, on the fifth day, she made her mind up. He was avoiding her. It bothered her slightly, especially after he had spent so long staring at her and acting so curious. She figured it was time she moved on and forgot about learning more about water types. Forget about the idea that had crossed her mind a few times that they could prove fire and water types could be friends. The idea that they could change things. Oh well, the idea was crazy anyway. I only spoke to him once.

The wall lit up suddenly, the time flashing up on it, warning her that breakfast would be served soon. She was to make her way to one of the three dining halls. She and her friends always met in the same one. She had never seen Ash there, so she figured he went to another.

When she arrived at the dining hall, she was one of the first to arrive. She sat at a table alone, waiting for someone she spoke to to arrive. The first to arrive was Dawn, with Paul close behind her. Dawn was enthusiastic about something, and May was surprised to see Paul pretending to be interested in what she had to say. She smiled sadly.

The door swung open just as they made their way towards her table, and Drew stepped inside. May bolted upright, knocking her chair backwards to the floor, and ran right past Dawn and Paul, outright ignoring them, and jumped into Drew's arms, throwing her arms around him, almost knocking him backwards. She buried her head into his neck, and ignored his little giggle at her. He put his hand on the back of her head and stroked her hair, letting her hug him. Drew was May's rock here, and he knew just by her reaction that something had happened, and he hadn't been here to comfort her.

"I've missed you so much, May," he said, as she took a step back from him. "I asked them if they would let me come and see you but they were very strict about everything."

May was staring at the wall. Drew squinted, clicking his fingers in front of her face, until she snapped out of her trance. She had only just remember that he had kissed her before he had left days ago. She smiled.

"I missed you too. More than anything."

Drew put his arm around her and pulled her towards him, ruffling her hair playfully with his free hand, and she grinned genuinely for the first time since he had left. He turned her around to walk her towards the table, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw him. She knew it was him before she even turned to look properly. How hadn't she noticed him before? Ash sat opposite Misty, watching her and Drew. The sight of him shocked her. So he was around. She quickly turned away.

"Do the two of you want a table to yourself?" Dawn asked.

"What?" May asked, completely confused.

"I mean, I thought you might, after the other day."

May blushed madly and dropped her head in an attempt to hide it. Drew seemed to remain cool, his arm still around her.

"Yes please, Dawn."

Wait, what? May looked up to Drew in utter confusion as Dawn moved away, dragging Paul with her, and said nothing. Nerves began to rise in her. She had tried for days to decide whether her feelings for Drew were more than platonic. What if he wanted to know now?

She sat opposite him. More people were flooding into the room now. Ash's table was now full of people that seemed close to him, chatting to him, but she noticed he was still sneaking glances at her. Drew didn't speak for a few minutes. People seemed to be respecting their space; not a single person had tried to sit on their table, that could seat 8 people. She realised this was because everyone in the place would have seen them kiss.

"Dawn spoke to me early this morning. She just found out that the beauty competition is happening this week. She was very upset she didn't find out earlier. She says you are competing whether you like it or not, unfortunately."

May was still stunned. Why had he asked for Dawn to leave them by themselves if he did not have something private to ask her?

"I don't know if I like the idea much."

After last years competition, when May had won, she received a brief wave of popularity, and many love letters. She wasn't that kind of person.

"Yes, me neither," Drew said, now following May's gaze towards Ash's table. "I don't think the love letters would please me much…"

May stayed completely silent. Drew continued to look over at Ash. Dread settled in May's heart. He had seen her looking over. She almost didn't notice the comment he had made.

"Who is that?" Drew asked, a hint of anger in his tone.

"Who?" May asked, staring off at another table as if uninterested.

"Him. Over there, with the black hair. You have been looking at him a lot."

May fought the urge to bite her lip, a nervous habit of hers. "I don't know who you mean. I have never spoken to any of them before."

Drew looked miserable for a brief second, and May felt terrible. She had never lied to Drew before in her life. Drew was like her missing half. Everything she knew, he knew. Until now.

"Don't you want to go up and get some breakfast?" May asked, desperate to change the topic.

"I'm not hungry. You go if you want. I only came this morning to see you."

She felt his leg brush against hers under the table, and he didn't move it. He reached across the table and took her hand, his facial expression not changing as if nothing was strange. He went back to staring towards Ash, who turned to face the two of them, and noticed Drew staring. Drew's face hardened, and he took May's other hand too, squeezing them tightly. Something was happening here that May did not understand.

"I'm going to go," she said suddenly, standing. Drew's hands fell down onto the table.

"Why?"

"I want to speak to Dawn about the contest. She will need to get Elesa to make me a dress for the event. If it's this week I might need to pick something she already has, and I would like to look soon before everything good goes."

Drew stood too now, coming around to her side of the table. Ash was still looking over at them while everyone else at his table laughed amongst themselves and chatted away.

"Okay. I hope you find something beautiful." Drew put his hand under her chin, tilting her face up towards him, and leaned in to kiss her again. May's heart raced, but she was overwhelmed with confusion. What were they now, her and Drew? Still, she closed her eyes and let him kiss her. Everyone in the hall turned to stare. It was uncommon for people to get together here. It rarely happened. Though May and Drew were not exactly together. Or so May thought. She didn't know anymore.

He pulled away, and she reached up to kiss his cheek gently before hurrying away to Dawn's table. Drew turned to make eye contact with Ash once more, then turned and left.

May spent most of the day lying in her bed, reading. Often she would put her book down, though, and stare up at the ceiling, with so many questions circling her mind. At 2pm, the drone came and went, and May did not move. She didn't collect her backpack to make her way to the lake. She simply lay there they way she had before.

At about 4pm, there was a knock at her door. Panic was May's first reaction. Nobody ever knocked on her door. She stood to answer it, but before she could, it opened and Drew slipped inside. May's heart began to race. Boys were not allowed inside girls' rooms. He closed it quietly behind him.

"Did you find something to wear?" He asked calmly, as if nothing was strange about the situation. May stuttered.

"Uh, n-no, I haven't… uh… had a chance to look yet…"

"Oh, I wanted to see what you were going to wear. Never mind."

He was still standing at the door. May hadn't moved either. They stood watching one another, and the atmosphere was strange. May thought that a tension was beginning to grow.

"Dawn told me you didn't speak to her about the contest at all."

May wanted to curl up and never get up again. He had caught her out again. Drew had always been smart. She had no idea what to say.

"Why did you lie to me? She said you left only a minute or so after I did, but you waited to make sure I would definitely be gone."

May was biting her lip now, her arms crossed across her stomach. Drew started to move towards her, and May only wanted to throw her arms around him and apologise sincerely. She only wanted to tell him everything, but she was afraid of how he would react. When she opened her eyes again, he was right in front of her, looking down at her. The pressure was too much.

"I know that boy you caught me looking at," May said quietly, her voice shaking as she came close to tears. "His name is Ash. I saw him down by the lake 6 days ago when I was there. I kept seeing him after that. 5 days ago he saw me crying down by the lake and left me a note saying he hoped I was okay. I followed him and we spoke. Only briefly. I showed him that I could make flames in my palm…"

May was crying now, tears rolling down her cheeky silently.

"I hadn't seen him after that until this morning because he stopped coming to the lake."

Drew's face was less harsh now. He wiped away a tear with his thumb and left his palm on May's cheek. She looked up at him with regret in her eyes.

"What were you crying about?"

"I was afraid… That you were going to get out… And I was in turmoil because I want you to for you… but I would be lost without you here, and-"

May was cut off by Drew. He had pulled her violently towards her, smashing his lips against hers. She stiffened up, until he put his arm around her, resting his hand on the small of her back, reluctantly she closed her eyes. What is going on? Her brain shutdown. Drew continued to kiss her, rubbing her back gently. This kiss was different, holding her against him, pressing her into him in fact. He seemed desperate, and kissed her hard. Suddenly, he was pushing her back onto her bed. Her heart skipped a beat in shock.

He was on top of her now, he had not stopped kissing her. If someone were to walk in now, they would both be locked up. And then his hand was on her waist. She shuddered, feeling complete curiosity, unsure if she wanted to carry on, but not wanting to stop.

Drew pulled away from kissing her, but his hand travelled upwards, until he came to the zip of her suit. "I don't want to leave you," he said, despair in his tone. "It's hard for me too. I want to be here with you."

He began to slide the zip down, and leaned in to kiss her passionately again. The zip slid down past May's chest, but his eyes were closed. It slid past her stomach, and almost passed it, until the sound of the door opening caused Drew to pull away suddenly. May scrambled upwards, pulling her knees up in a desperate attempt to hide her chest. At the door, Ash stood, looking in at them. Horror flooded May's entire body. What was he doing here? Why had he come here? He had seen what was going on. He had saw them breaking several rules.

He moved away and closed the door. Neither of the two moved. May felt entirely shaken up.

Drew opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. May wished she could find words. Eventually, Drew stood, and turned towards May.

"I meant what I said. I don't want to leave you. But whoever that guy is… Whatever the two of you are doing… I want nothing to do with it."

"Nothing is going on Drew, I promise. I told you the truth."

"I'm sorry for coming here… I'll see you tomorrow."

With that, he quickly slid back out into the corridor, leaving May sat by herself, wondering what on earth had just happened. Then her heart dropped. She bolted up, scrambling for the door, and burst into the corridor, her heart racing. She had never quite panicked this much. She was terrified that Ash was going to report her, and then they would have reason to take her away.

There were no guards around, as far as she could see. Many of them would be busy with the training of the competitors for this year. She stood, her legs shaking, and decided to take a massive risk.

"Ash!" she shouted, as loud as her lungs would allow her.

There was no response. She cautiously approached the next corner and peered around, to see him standing there, stopped in his tracks.

"Can we talk?" she whispered, not getting any closer to him.

"Not here," he responded quietly. "Go now. I'll meet you there."

May sighed, feeling relieved, but a new fear settled on her mind. What was she going to say? She had no idea.

Nevertheless, she rushed back to her room, and composed herself. Her hair was messed up from before… She shuddered. She really needed time to think about Drew. Her thoughts were completely clouded over. Once she had fixed her appearance she left her room, locking the door behind her, and looking around just once more, making sure Drew was not watching her.

It was raining outside. It hadn't rained in months. May flinched at the feeling of it on her skin at first, but then welcomed it. She didn't want to use the woodland path to get to the lake but she knew he would, and she wanted to end up in the same place as him. She took the walk slow and steady, afraid he would be just ahead of her and they would be too close. By the time she made it to the lake, it was almost 7pm, and she was soaked with the rain. Her hair stuck to her face and her clothes stuck to her body. She pushed her hair back from her eyes and searched the area for him. It was November, and the sky was dark early. They had no time they had to return by, as there were guards patrolling 24 hours a day, but if she stayed too long she would be walking back by the light of her torch, and she did not like the dark.

He was maybe 200 yards away from her, sitting with his knees drawn up on the banks, somewhat hidden by the reeds. She rushed towards him, her arms crossed across her chest to try and warm herself. She knew Ash would be even colder; fire types were always warmer than others. When she reached him, she was unsure of what to do, until he spoke.

"Can you…" he stopped, trailing off, and seemed to draw his knees up closer to his chest.

She hesitated, but sat down beside him, facing him, feeling safe by the reeds as it would be hard to see them from the other side of the lake, and they were on the quiet side. "Can I what?"

"...Warm me up," he muttered quietly, so quiet she almost didn't hear. She blinked, staring towards him, confused and surprised by his request. She snapped out of her trance and shuffled around, wondering what she could do. No doubt Ash assumed she could warm him up as she was a fire type. She cupped her hands together and closed her eyes, feeling for her power, willing herself to warm him up. She felt her palms begin to warm, and the flames slowly started to flicker. Her eyes snapped open. She looked down at the flames she'd created in her hands. It was bigger than any flame she had ever created. It spat like a fire. She held her hands further towards Ash and he edged cautiously towards her, holding his own hands out above her flames. The two sat in a peaceful silence, a calm silence, a natural silence… It only made May question the feud between fire and water more.

"Are you going to report me?" May finally asked.

Ash's eyes opened and he turned to face her, a content smile hinted on his lips. "No, I won't. I have no reason to. I just have to ask one thing before I promise."

"What is it?"

"Did you really want him there? Drew, I mean, your grass friend… It might seem like a stupid question but there was something off about the way the two of you seemed, and the way he seemed when he stormed out of your room."

"It all happened very quickly… But he wasn't doing anything wrong, he is my best friend."

"Best friends don't do things like that… But okay. I promise I won't report you. But now you have to promise me."

May met his eye contact. He looked stern, his eyebrows furrowed. His face was lit up by her flames, and for a moment she almost forgot to answer.

"Promise you what?"

"That he won't report us."

May hesitated. "Report us for what? We-" She stopped, realising what he meant. It had only just occurred to her. She had been so busy worrying about what she'd caught doing that she forgot he had came to her room, thinking she'd be alone. "Oh. Wait… Why were you coming to see me?"

Ash didn't answer. He bit his lip, but May could not tell if it was from nerves. He did seem a little off, though that smile was still slightly lingering.

"Because it's dangerous."

"What?"

"It's dangerous… I came to see you because it's forbidden… It's risky… I like it. I like the danger."

His last comment sent a shudder all down May's body, even by her fire. It wasn't a cold shudder. It was a shudder of thrill. This was dangerous. This was exciting. It gave her a thrill, knowing she was not meant to be sitting here, talking to this boy. She liked it.

"He won't report us," she answered. "I'll tell him we're not going to speak anymore."

"And are we not?" He asked, somewhat hesitant.

"I would like to… If you would. I… I think that the fighting between fire and water is wrong… I think that we can live in peace and that is the key to us all getting out… to this place no longer existing."

"You mean… if we prove that we can coincide in here… It will prove that we are peaceful, that there's no reason to fight, right?"

May was so pleased that he understood. She had the urge to get excited, to jump up and vent about how wrong she felt this place was, but she did not want to freak him out, and so she sat. They both sat under the night sky, illuminated with a red glow by May's fire, watching one another with a new curiosity that they could not shake in an intimate silence. She didn't want to return home.

"We should be getting back," Ash said, beginning to rise. "It's already dark."

"You're right." May rose too, and then awkwardly wondered whether they were going to go in different directions or if he was going to leave first, and then her.

"I'll walk you back. If you see anyone's light, just split."

May smiled, her fire still glowing, but not as bright now. She had never managed to keep a flame burning for so long. They began to walk, Ash holding a torch and her holding her fire.

"That's crazy, you know," Ash said, a few minutes into their journey. "I mean, how long you can keep that up, and how strong it is. You're really strong. The strongest fire type I have seen here."

May had never thought about her power. She knew she was powerful, as she was in The Arena. Many people outside could not even create a spark, she had heard. She wondered what else she might be able to do.

"It doesn't mean anything, though."

Ash sighed, knowing it was true. Their power really meant nothing here. He had never seen anyone crazy powerful, but there was nothing they could do with their power. They walked again in silence for the majority of the journey back, until they exited the woods, and emerged onto the field.

"What Pokémon do you have?" Ash suddenly asked.

"Blaziken." May's Blaziken was amazing. It was gigantic compared to other Blaziken's people owned, and had an amazing red glow about it all the time. May had never been into battling though. From a young age she had given up on getting out of this place. She accepted the fact that she was trapped. "What about you?"

"Pikachu."

May raised her eyebrows. "Pikachu? An electric type?"

"Yes."

People very rarely owned Pokémon that were not the same type as them. It was seen as strange to most. May was willing to hear him out.

"I don't believe that people are confined to owning one type of Pokémon just based on their own type. Pikachu and I work great together."

"Huh. If it works…"

They were getting closer to the building now. Soon the lights from it would illuminate them and they would be spotted. May stopped suddenly, and Ash took a few more steps forward before he realised that she had. He turned back to face her.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't… I don't want to go yet," she said. Ash said nothing, just blinked, and she blushed without warning. She dropped her head to try hide her face. "I'm just… I like learning about you… and it's like you said earlier… It's thrilling."

He smiled. It was the first time she had seen him smile. "Perhaps… But we don't want to be caught, and I don't know what your 'best friend' Drew would think about this."

"Will I see you again?"

"You can see me anytime… There's a closet, on the first floor, right by the gym, that no one goes to. It's down a narrow corridor just as you head towards the gym. No one will see you go there. You can leave notes for me there. Do you want to do that?"

May smiled back, lowering her eyes. "Yes, yes that sounds okay… I will leave one in the mornings. So you know when to check."

"9am I'll check," he said. "I'm going to go back now, don't follow directly and wait a few minutes."

"Okay, Ash."

With that, he headed off, leaving May in the dark, on her own. The fire in her palms had long since burned out, but May still felt warmer than usual in her chest.

So that's it for this week. I have just one question for you guys. Would you like to see any lemon in this fic, or not? I've always wanted to attempt it to see, but I'm not sure if this story is the one for it, or if I should just write a lemon one-shot.

If you would like to see lemon, please let me know in a review, and how far you think I should go with it, what limits I should have, etc. Also if you really don't want to see lemon, let me know that too.

I WILL PUT A POLL UP ON MY PROFILE ALSO IF YOU DON'T WANT TO WRITE A REVIEW.

Thank you :)