Hi!

I'm so very sorry for not updating in a while. It happened to be my birthday recently, and then I was away, and I had too much going on every weekend to write, and too much schoolwork during the week as it is my final year of college. I should have more free time from now on to write and get chapters up every weekend like I should.

Currently in the poll, the majority of you seem to want to see a lemon in this fic. Since so many others are opposed to it, I will make a chapter that contains nothing important to the storyline, so those who don't want to see the lemon won't have to read the chapter and can just skip over it. It won't be for quite a while anyway, and I won't specify who it will be between.

Remember to let me know what you would like to see happen!

She had dreamt of her performance repeatedly throughout the night. She relived the moment she felt it rising in her chest, the power she gained from something, somehow. She felt the flames inside her, around her, everywhere. She felt something else, too, sitting in her heart calmly.

When she woke, she was still in her dress. She couldn't tell if it was night or day from her room and so she stood and walked to the door, pushing it open. She peered around, but could see no one except the guard on her corridor. Still in her dress, she walked in the other direction, knowing she would be told off for not having her suit on. She continued to walk, avoiding guards, until she was by the door, and noticed that it was early morning. The sun was low, low enough that May guessed it was around 6am. She snuck back up to her room to change, knowing she would not be able to sleep again. When she pushed open her bedroom door, she noticed a note on the floor which she had missed before. She unfolded it, slightly hoping it was from Ash.

I hope you are feeling better by the time you read this,

If you are any better come see me anytime, we need to talk

Amazing job at the contest by the way

Drew

May could not help feeling nervous. So he wanted to talk to her. She knew where his room was, it was two floors up from hers. Of course, it was forbidden for girls and boys to be in one another's rooms. May could only hope she could slip past the guard. She quickly pulled off her dress, leaving it on her floor, and changed into her suit and boots. She pulled the bow from her hair, brushed it messily, and shoved in the hair tie, before making her way to his room. One guard saw her on the floor above her own, but luckily decided to ignore her. When she reached Drew's floor, the guard which patrolled was at the other end, walking away from her. She jogged carefully to his door and pushed it open and closed in a second, not bothering to knock. She stopped, pressed against his door, listening to see if the guard had heard and was coming, but it was silent all around. She relaxed.

Drew was sleeping, facing his wall. She approached him, wondering whether it was right to wake him. She had never seen him sleep before, though she had been in his room many times over the years. He was in a plain white shirt, his hair messed all around his face. She gently took hold of his arm and shook him. He didn't wake.

"Drew," she called quietly, pushing his hair from his eyes. "Drew?"

He stirred, turning towards her and groggily opening his eyes. It took a moment for him to recognise her, then he sat upright quickly, blinking hard.

"May? Oh man, what time is it? Did I oversleep?"

"No, it's 6am, I'm very sorry it's just I woke up and saw your note and knew I couldn't sleep again."

Drew was only mildly annoyed that he'd been woken so early. He sighed, sitting up in his bed, and she sat on the other end, facing him, waiting.

"You said we need to talk…"

Drew rubbed his face tiredly. Evidently, he hadn't had time to plan what he wanted to say.

"Yes, I think so… I have to tell you something. But first, you need to explain to me… You're my best friend May, we've been best friends since the moment we met here. You gotta tell me why you're friends with him so I can understand. I want to understand."

May felt relieved already from hearing him say he was willing to try to understand.

"Okay… I met him by the lake, and we were both curious, so I showed him my powers. We met again, and again, and we just clicked. It just… It made me think, why do fire and water types have to hate each other. Why is it forbidden for me to see him unless we're hiding? It makes me sad, Drew, that we get along so well but people tell me it's wrong."

Drew had been listening silently, his face gave away nothing. Now, he had just one question.

"Do you like him?"

"Huh?" May's eyebrows furrowed. "Yes, that's what I mean, we're friends."

"No, May, I mean, do you like him?"

May felt a funny feeling in her chest, and recognised it as the same one she had felt in her the day before, when her powers had exploded. Her face was hot now, and she couldn't hide it. She hadn't even thought about the answer to the question. It had never even crossed her mind over the week.

"No, no, I still don't know him much…"

"I have to tell you something, May, even if it's not the right thing to do I have to get this off my chest."

"What is it?"

He inched closer to her, looking more miserable than he ever had. He had not faced her since their conversation began, but now he faced her.

"I just wanted to tell you that I love you."

Some part of May had known this was coming for a while, but it still hit her hard. Love was not a big part of life in the arena. 99% of the people would not know what it felt like, but May believed Drew was telling the truth. Unfortunately, May was part of the 99%. She knew nothing about love. She knew she cared deeply for Drew, but to say she loved him would be unfair on him. She loved him as a friend, for now. Relationships were not common, and love was not talked about much at all. The majority would never think of it at all.

"I'm sorry, Drew."

"I know, I know you don't feel the same, and that's okay. I can't force you. I want to believe that one day you will, but I don't think that's going to happen now."

"What do you mean?"

"I think you love him, or at least you're starting to. The way you talk about him, with so much life in you… I've never seen it before."

"I-I don't!" May's face was completely flushed. Never before had she thought about loving anyone. She wouldn't know what to look out for. "I don't love him! I just get excited because it's risky and I like that."

"Sure, May." Drew smiled sadly, and pulled her in towards him to put his arm around her shoulder. "Just be sensible for me. I don't want you getting hurt… Especially with Misty."

"Can I ask you something? You don't have to answer."

"Sure."

"What do you feel? Towards me? How do you know you love me?"

"Okay… Well, May, I feel like I want to be around you every second of the day. When I look at you, I have butterflies in my stomach. My heart hurts whenever I think of you. I only want you to be happy and seeing you upset hurts me in a way I've never hurt before. I always have such an urge to hold you. But most of all, I have this feeling across my whole body, mostly in my heart and chest which is so overwhelming and heavy, whenever I think of you or see you or you're with me, because I want you that bad."

May's heart raced a little. That feeling that he described last was very familiar… The same feeling that had sparked her powers the day before, and it was just as she thought of Ash…

May put her head in her hands and rubbed her eyes roughly, scared of the feeling, that was beginning to come back as she thought about it and him.

"What's wrong, May?" Drew asked, squeezing her shoulder.

"That thing that I did yesterday at the contest… I did it because I thought about him and I felt that last feeling you described and it just happened…"

Drew was silently hurting. He could not think of anything to say.

"I will have to stay away for a while," May said suddenly. "It scared me."

"Whatever makes you happy, May. Don't be afraid of it, though. Is it only a little?"

"Yeah." She turned to him. "Except then, it's never really happened except just now and it's nowhere near as bad."

"I see… Don't be afraid of feelings, May. It's okay."

She put her head on his chest and he tightened his grip around her. She felt safe with him, and she liked that. She never wanted to move. Drew lifted his arm. People over 18 were granted a special watch, one which created a hologram of the image it showed. The time floated in the air now, showing it was half 6. May wanted to say something, but she was becoming so tired with feeling so warm and safe, that she fell asleep on his chest.

When she woke for the second time that day, it took her a while to realise where she was and what was going on. The wall was glowing, showing that the time was 8:57, three minutes till breakfast. Then she realised that Drew was behind her, and she had been lying back against him. His arm was resting over her side and his hand on her stomach. They were pressed together. She panicked, jumping out and waking him.

"Damn it, Drew, we fell asleep. It's breakfast time. You have to get up!"

Drew stumbled out and quickly dressed while May faced the wall. He peeked out of his door, but there was no one there. May ran out first, then him behind her, both of them blushing madly, and they made their way down.

In the dining hall, everything seemed normal. Trying to forget about what had happened, May sat at their table, joining Dawn, Paul and Serena. When she sat, they looked uncomfortable, and she could tell.

"Great." She huffed. "What now?"

Dawn was still 17 like May, but Paul had turned 18 months ago. In response to her question, Dawn turned to Paul, and Paul lifted the watch he had. He pressed the screen a few times, until he found what he was looking for, and projected it in the air. May's face dropped in absolute horror and she jumped up, throwing her body over the image, trying to cover it.

The picture had been of her and Drew, spooning.

"Wh-Where did you get that?!"

"Someone is sending it around the whole place. I would be flattered if I were you. Everyone is calling you the power couple of the place. The beauty contest winner and one of the best battlers of the arena. Rumours are spreading."

May glanced at Drew, and saw that he was hurting. He was now going to have to tell everyone that asked that he was not with her, when he wanted to be. She swallowed hard.

"We're not together, Paul."

Paul had looked to Drew to see what his response was, but Drew had taken to staring down at the table and not looking up. The table fell silent and May glanced around the room. Quite a few people had been looking at her. She found Ash's table. Brock, sitting next to Ash, was just lifting his arm as she found them. She knew right away what Brock was going to show him, and winced as the image was projected into the air. The table was whispering about this drama like it was nothing, unaware that Ash even knew May. Ash just seemed to be staring at the photo, not saying anything. May began to feel that strange feeling in her heart again. Then, Ash turned quite suddenly, and their eyes met. He wore the same expression as Drew did. It felt like a kick to May's stomach, but she couldn't figure out why. She longed to go to him, to explain what was happening, but it was forbidden, and it enraged May that she couldn't simply speak to her friend. She began to tremble. The noises in the room seemed to get louder, and she caught snippets of people's conversations about her.

"May?" It was Drew. "Are you alright? May?"

May watched as Misty whispered about her, and took Ash's arm in her own, laughing about how that was going to be them, and May wished more than ever that she could spend more time with him, that she didn't have to keep it a secret. The feeling in her heart was overwhelming now, so much so that it made her head hurt, and the anger shook her.

She stood up, knocking her chair back so forcefully the whole room turned to her. Drew was up instantly beside her, sensing something wasn't right, and tried to grab her, but missed as May launched herself forward, her hands outstretched, and fired a ball of fire at Misty. The flames hurtled towards Misty, but she jumped out of the way, screaming. The room erupted into noise, and people began to run out. People had had physical fights in the Arena before, mostly fire and water types, but never with their powers. Misty had composed herself, and was looking back at May with the same anger in her eyes.

May tried again, launching flames towards the other girl, but Misty dodged again, and threw her body at May, knocking her over. She pinned her arms down, and stared down at her. May lifted her knee and it connected with Misty's stomach, sending her keeling over. She almost jumped for her again, when she felt hands on her arms, dragging her up and backwards. Drew had her held from behind, his arms wrapped around her, fighting against her struggling.

"You…" Misty started, her lip trembling "are dangerous."

Drew dragged her out, and May didn't fight back. The anger was gone, and she was left wondering how she could ever do something like that. The guard glared at her as she was dragged out, but did nothing. It would have been different if it were any other two types against one another, she thought.

When they were finally alone, on the way to her room, Drew spun May to face him and took her face in his hands, looking down at her in pain,

"They're going to take you away from me now. They will take you away to punish you. You have to be strong."

May's heart started to race. She knew what he meant. They punished people that broke rules by placing them in a section below the Arena, where they stayed for days in dark rooms with little food or water. That was their way of keeping people in order. No one wanted to end up down there, and now she had. She cursed herself and tried desperately not to cry. She nodded weakly. He pulled her into his chest and she rested her head on it, needing her friend, enjoying the feeling of his arms around her.

"Do you want me to stay with you? They will most likely take you at 2 when the drones come around…"

"No," May said confidently. "I'll wait here, they might come earlier and I don't want to put up a fight and make it worse. I'll be waiting."

Drew tightened his grip around her one last time then set her free. She took his hand and squeezed it to reassure him, then walked into her room, terrified but ready to face whatever was coming.

Twenty minutes later, just as breakfast ended, there was a light knock at her door. She started, waking from a doze she had fallen into, and trembled as she grabbed for the handle to let them in.

When she opened the door, she was greeted by Ash. He stepped inside, forcing her back, and pushed the door shut beside himself. His face was a mask, but anger radiated from him.

"What was that, May? You do know they're going to take you away now, right? And you know Misty is my friend?"

"I don't know… It was the photograph people had, it made me so angry… Drew and I aren't together, I fell asleep there when I went to speak to him… And she's your friend?"

"Yes? She's my friend."

May had been so sure that Misty was his girlfriend. She felt somewhat relieved, but quickly pushed it out of her mind and cleared her throat. "Yes, I know they'll take me away… I deserve it."

Ash sighed, the anger he held dissipated and replaced with something else. "Your powers are like nothing I've ever seen before. I bet you really scared the guards. I just hope they don't think you're dangerous or a liability and do something to you."

"If push comes to shove, I can always use them."

"Stay strong down there."

May nodded to encourage him that she would be okay. He sighed again, stepping towards her slightly.

"I'll meet you the day you get out, but leave me a note, you know where. They'll be coming for you soon…"

"Yeah…"

They fell silent. May was sure Ash would leave then, but he didn't. He seemed to be thinking deeply about something. Out of nowhere, he moved forward, taking May's hand and pulling her gently towards him, and pulled her in for a hug, his arms wrapped around her back, letting her head lie on him, and rested his chin on her head, sighing. She blushed madly at the feeling of his warmth, and his body against her. She had never expected a hug from him, After a moment of stunned silence, she returned the hug. He tried to pull away, but May's feelings were beginning to overwhelm her, and she clung to him, bringing her arms up to wrap around his neck. He felt her tears begin to stain his shirt.

"May, don't cry… They won't hurt you."

"It's not that," she cried. "It's not that."

"Then what is it?"

May pulled away slowly, shaking her head. She knew what was wrong. She knew exactly what was wrong.

"You better go, or someone will see us."

Ash was glaring into her eyes, and if she had to guess, she'd say he was searching for something. She would give nothing away. She wiped her eyes and maintained the eye contact, trying her best not to look as worn out as she felt.

"Okay, May. You know where to find me."

With that, Ash left. He slipped out into the corridor silently, and left May alone with her overwhelming sadness. When she had cried, it had been as she felt his warmth around her, and it had hit her. She finally realised, as that strange feeling that triggered her powers had begun to rise again in her chest, what exactly it was, and what caused it. The powers were triggered because the emotion was so strong. And the emotion was her feelings for Ash. May had simply been curious about water types, and eager to feel a thrill, but now it had come to this. May was falling in love with someone she was not allowed to be with, that probably had no feelings for her,

May would have cried again if a bang from the corridor had not caught her attention, causing her heart to race. She had not felt fear like this before. They were coming for her. Now, a loud droning noise began, a sound she had heard before, but couldn't quite place.

She waited. She stood, silently, with her eyes closed, not willing to put up a fight. Nobody came. She waited some more, until her eyes opened again, her eyebrow furrowed, and she reached for her door, slowly pulling it open to peer out. A guard ran past her room suddenly, but paid no attention to May. Another followed. May left her room, forgetting to close the door, and ran after them, hearing commotion nearby.

"Hey!" she shouted, waving her arm at a guard. "Hey, what's going on?!"

Nobody answered her, and so she sprinted down the stairs, almost slipping, and headed for the main doors, where she could see people were gathering, gossiping. Then May realised what the noise had been. It was a helicopter. She panicked, pushing through the crowd, searching for Drew, until she saw him at the front, and craved the safety he offered.

"What's going on?" She called as she pushed her way towards him, and he reached out for her, pulling her under his arm for protection.

"You know the girls everyone thought had been kidnapped? They escaped. They found them."

May was flooded with relief. Almost every guard in the place was out there. She had gotten away with it this time.

"May, you know what that means, right?" Drew asked, turning to her. "There's a breach in the wall. They had to get out somewhere."

As much as the news excited May, she was frightened. She didn't like being trapped here, used and without freedom, but new things scared her. The idea of being free terrified her, she had no idea what it was like. Then, there would always be the fear of being caught again, she wouldn't feel safe ever again.

"Yes… Yes, I suppose there must be."

They stood there, watching the girl that had escaped be taken away again, knowing she would not be seen again for at least a week. They would all be locked inside until the breach in the wall was found, meaning May would have no way to see Ash, and she wouldn't be able to go to the lake. She sunk further into Drew's chest and prayed the week would go away.

The next day, when May made her way down to the doors, they were locked and the shutters were down. She stood there for a moment, daydreaming, then turned and headed towards the gym. She had written a note for Ash. She stopped at the door to the closet and checked one last time that no one was watching her, then slipped inside and turned the light on. She paused, unfolded her note, and read it over one last time.

Ash,

They didn't take me away. I hope you see me and think to come check here for a note from me. The guards were too distracted by the return of those girls that had escaped to bother with me.

She stopped reading, her heart sinking into her chest. The past day had been a real wake up call for her. She had watched what happened to people that managed to get away from this place. She had realised that no matter what she did, no matter what she planned, this place would always win. There was no way she could talk to a water type without hiding it, and that was wrong, but she knew she could do nothing about it. One girl could not fight 2000 other people, even with powers like hers. There was nothing she could do.

We can't talk anymore. Don't come to see me.

May.

She stopped, breathing heavily, tilting her head back in a desperate attempt to stop the tears streaming down her face, and folded the note back up. She placed it on the shelf, as usual, before turning to leave without looking back.

And again I'm so sorry this took so long. I promise it won't be as long next time.

PLEASE READ:

Over the time I haven't been able to write I have been thinking of ideas for my next fic, and if you are interested in either ideas I would really appreciate you either PMing me or writing it in your review so I know which one people are more likely to enjoy.

1. An amourshipping love/hate fic, where Serena and Ash badly fall out and meet up again years later at a professors wedding.

2. A harem that I will actually finish containing pokeshipping/advanceshipping/pearlshipping/amourshipping, similar to Their Tangled Love but with more effort put into it -_-

Thank you! Until next time.