May sighed again as she watched the two brothers.
Shū was –again- on a call. Big surprise there. She rolled her eyes at him.
He was walking good distance away from them so she couldn't hear what he was speaking but she knew he was watching both Drew and her.
Heh, he sometimes made her feel like he was their guardian.
She turned her head to look at the younger sibling and saw him playing with something in his hands.
He was also walking a few steps behind her. The thing was small, so she couldn't make out what it was exactly. She watched with raised eyebrow as he walked closer to her and stopped.
"May." He breathed.
"Yes, Drew?" She raised her eyebrow as he held up three éclair chocolates. His expression was agonized.
"I have three chocolates here." Drew stated and May nodded slowly, motioning him to continue, "One for you, one for me and one for Shū."
"Who gave you these?"
"Shū did." He said quickly, "Here."
She watched as he unwrapped one of the three and gave her the wrapper while he placed the dark brown chocolate in his own palm, "This is for you."
He repeated and kept the chocolate back in his palm while giving her the wrapper, "This is for Shū."
She watched amused as he unwrapped the third chocolate too and gave her the wrapper and again kept the chocolate in his palm with the other two, "And this is mine."
She watched with raised eyebrows as he popped all three of them in his mouth and chewed it up.
"What just happened?"
"What happened?" Drew asked, swallowing the three.
"Did you just eat all three of them?"
"No," Drew denied, "I ate one. You ate one. Shū ate one. You have the wrappers."
And with that, Drew walked away ahead of her, his nose high. May giggled at the childish display and followed him.
Some distance, Shū chuckled as he watched the scene unfold. He had given Drew three chocolates (you can't blame him for being an older brother!) and although Drew took it none too happily, he knew what a sweet tooth that boy had. He also knew that he will try to share, because he'll feel too guilty if he did not.
"What? What happened? What are you laughing at?"
"No, nothing. Drew was being childish." Shū chuckled again.
"So what's new in that? God, he can be compared to a 3 year old! Both of you!"
"Haha, funny."
"I know. Anyway, when are you going to reach Rubello town? Your friend is driving me absolute bonkers! And not to mention, Umbreon is going barmy!"
Shū laughed, "If they don't stop today, we should be there by…night. But it will be most likely tomorrow morning when we reach there. Because they need to take breaks. And as far as Umbreon is concerned, rejoice in knowing that I can feel Espeon's poke ball quiver ever so often."
"Serves you right."
"Yeah..."
They were silent for few moments before Shū whispered, "I am paying for this call, and you know that right?"
"Prat." Shū chuckled again.
"I'll call you later?"
"YOU better. I am not always going to be the one calling."
"I called you this time, didn't I?"
"One time!"
"Oh, and before I forget, anything about Brodie?"
"No, not yet Shū. Why are you so concerned about him anyway? He had not been seen since so long!"
"I don't know. A ditto…never mind. Just search for him."
"Will do. Will try my hardest."
"Good."
"And oh, by the way, if you do reach by night, what time will it be?"
"Most likely around 11 or 12."
"Should I book the rooms?"
"Yes, that would be helpful. Thank you."
"And I am not booking your room."
Shū chuckled, "Alright. Bye."
"Cheerios!"
Shū laughed as he heard the click and he turned his own phone off. He swung his rucksack in front of him and unzipped it as he walked toward the duo.
"There you go." He handed one éclair to May, re-zipping the bag.
"What, you keep a whole packet in there or something?" May asked as she unwrapped the chocolate.
"Yeah." Shū nodded, holding up a small, fun sized chocolate bar.
"How many do you have in there?" May raised her eyebrow.
"Want some?" Shū offered.
"No, no, don't like Mars." May declined.
"Huh. But, I have a full supply of eatables." Shū nodded, finishing the chocolate in one bite.
"Full supply as in…?"
"Snacks. Chips. Chocolates, which don't melt quickly. Drinks. Everything. I like to eat. I eat a lot."
"You don't look like it." May pointed and Shū chuckled.
"Fast metabolism. Plus, running helps."
"Don't tell me you also run in morning!"
"Yes, I do run in morning." He leaned closer to her, "Where do you think Drew got his habit from?"
May laughed, "I don't know how you people get up in morning so early! For running, no less!"
"That's not really a hard problem." Drew interrupted, "How long till Rubello, anyway?"
Shū knew where the question was directed at, even though Drew was staring at the brunette, "If we don't stop, by night, top. Otherwise, well, morning tomorrow."
"Who asked you, you nosy prat." Drew muttered under his breath. "And what will we be reaching, oh the great one?"
Shū smiled at his 'nosy prat' part and continued, "If we reach at night, 11 or 12. If we reach in morning, around 8 or 9, depending on when we start."
"What time is it?" May asked.
"5:56." Drew referred his wrist watch.
"If we don't stop Shū…?"
"If we don't stop." Shū confirmed.
"Drew…?" May turned to him, her eyes wide and pleading.
"You wanna keep going?" Drew sighed. Shū peeked at the duo from one eye, mentally praying for her to say yes.
"Yes. Do you mind?" May directed the question at both the brothers.
Shū waited for Drew to answer first. With a quick glance at his brother, Drew replied, "Not me. Shū?"
"Yes!" Shū jumped, "Let's go!"
May laughed as Shū began to run ahead of them like a child. Drew shook his head at the display of his older brother, but he couldn't help a small smile.
"Hey, Drew, you never told me. Is Shū older than you?" May asked Drew, rolling her eyes as Shū quickly took out his mobile to make a call.
"Yeah, I told you that." Drew nodded.
"How much older?"
Drew did a little mental calculation, "Nearly 5 years."
May choked on her saliva a little, "He is 20?"
"No, he is 21." Drew replied.
"But if he is 5 year older then…" May began to count on her fingers.
"May, I am a year older than you. That will make him 6 years older than you." Drew shook his head as May took on a sheepish expression.
"And…uh," May looked at the raven boy again, "doesn't he have a weird voice? Like, a different accent?"
"English. He has an English accent." Drew replied in a 'duh' tone.
"English! He is English!" May exclaimed.
"Half Japanese and half French." Drew corrected.
"Heh? Then the English accent?"
"Lived in London. Earlier. You know before…."
"Really a mutt, is he not?" May mumbled under her breath.
"A mutt, am I not?" She jumped, the hair on the back of her neck standing up. Shū chuckled and Drew shook his head.
She wondered if he had heard her, she nodded hesitantly.
"Aw, shy little girl!" Shū grinned, patting her on the head. May blushed.
"Shut up." Drew replied without the intentioned venom in his voice.
Shū laughed again.
"What were you two talking about anyway?" Shū asked them nonchalantly.
"You are 20?" May asked.
"21." Both Shū and Drew replied at the same time.
"Oh, right…year younger. Yeah, 21." May nodded, scolding herself mentally.
"Anyway, so?" Shū asked, bringing her out of her reverie.
"I mean, you don't look so old and all…" May stopped for a moment to think about what she just said, "Eh! I mean you are not old! It is just that you don't look so old! Ugh! No, I mean you don't look like you are 21!"
This time, both the brothers laughed at the blushing brunette.
May pouted, "Both of you make fun of me!"
"You are silly, my dear." Drew replied, still chuckling.
"A barmpot." Shū added.
May rolled her eyes and turned to walk ahead of them.
"Fit bird you got there." Shū grinned at Drew who in turn scowled at him half-heartedly.
After a moment of silence, Shū spoke again, "How is your coordinating coming around, Drew?"
"Fine." Drew replied curtly. Shū sighed.
O.o
The night fell around the region and the stars twinkled brightly in the velvet sky. The streets shone brightly, the light illuminated by the street lamps of the Rubello town.
The streets were silent as a soft breeze blew; the houses dark as each of the occupants slept soundly.
A soft sigh sounded too loud in the silence as three figures moved through the street.
"Do you think she'll be there?" the petite figure asked with a sigh.
"She better. I think he'll be with her there." Replied the tall figure from the other side.
"He will definitely be there." The third figure muttered as they made their way towards the Pokémon centre.
O.o
"Are we there yet?" A sleepy voice drawled.
"May, I can see the centre right there. Just keep walking." Drew replied, supporting the brunette as they walked.
"It's nearly 12:30." Shū observed.
"Eh, we will have to wake up Nurse Joy to book the room now." May commented.
"As far as I know, our rooms will be booked." Shū said as he spotted a lone figure sitting outside the centre on a bench.
"And how will you know that?" May asked.
"That you shall see." Shū said as the figure stood up. His speed increased a little as they neared the Pokémon centre, his palm sweating in anticipation.
Just as the centre was across the street, Shū startled both May and Drew when he began to run across the empty road.
May watched, now slightly more awake as a girl ran toward the boy, right into his arms.
She watched, slightly awed as the girl wrapped her arms around his tightly and they both just stood there in a tight hug.
"Do you think…?" May whispered to Drew and he nodded.
"Definitely her." He replied as they both walked across the street.
The couple broke away, Shū still holding her hand tightly, "May, Drew, this is Ayame."
The girl's dazzling and genuine smile was the first thing May noted. Her dark black her were pulled back in one pony with several bangs cupping her face perfectly. She reached till Shū's neck and her body was slim and toned. She was wearing a black tee shirt which reached nearly till her mid-thigh with white flecks near the shoulder and black leggings with a pair of boots.
With their pale white skins and dark clothes and hair, May can't help but think that they looked like a vampire couple more than anything else.
She almost chuckled out at the thought. Almost.
Her first impression was of a serious person.
"Nice to meet you." May smiled. Ayame smiled back and looked at Shū who smiled back at the girl.
May jumped as she was suddenly pulled into a hug.
"Sorry, a hugger!" She said when she pulled back. May grinned.
Ayame next turned to Drew and began to inspect him.
Drew was a little freaked out when she walked around him in a circle before stopping in front of him, tilting her head to look him in the eye. She was standing a little too close for comfort.
"What?" Drew said, inching back a little.
After a pause, she replied, "You have grown quite a lot."
Then she added with a little melancholic sigh, "If only you were older and did not have a brother…" then with a glance at May, "and a girlfriend as pretty."
May and Drew both turned read and Shū cried, "Hey!"
Ayame laughed as she reached up and kissed his cheek, "Don't worry. You are more of my type."
May couldn't help but smile at the couple.
"Who would you be to tell me I have grown up, anyway…" Drew muttered.
"My! You forgot me, didn't you?" Ayame chuckled. Drew made a face.
"Give the boy a break! He was merely five year old!" Shū said.
May cocked her head to a side in curiousness and Shū noticed, "I'll tell you what happened, May…"
Flashback
"Hey! I am Ayame! I am new in the neighborhood!"
The raven haired women smiled at the small girl, "Hey, Ayame! I am Sakura. How old are you, dear?"
"I am 10 year old!" The girl replied proudly as the woman set aside the newspaper she was reading and turned to face the girl.
"Great! Would you like to meet my sons? I have 2 sons and 2 daughters. Girls are out currently. My eldest son is just your age!"
"Sure!" The girl replied happily.
"Alright!" Sakura turned and called, "Shū! Come here for a moment, will you?"
"Yes, mama!" The sounds of pounding footsteps followed and a moment later, a raven haired boy was standing behind his mother with a small green haired boy behind his legs.
"Shū, Drew, this is Ayame. Ayame, Shū and Drew."
"Hey!" Ayame chirped.
"Hi." Shū replied.
"I'll leave you kids be. Have fun!" Sakura stood up, gathering her papers and walked inside the house leaving the kids in the garden.
"Ayame. 10 years old. New in neighborhood." Ayame said, sticking out her hand.
"Shū. 10 years old." Shū replied, shaking her hand. "And this is my brother, Drew. 5 years old."
Ayame squatted down to the child's height, "Hello, Drew!"
Drew regarded the girl with wary evident in his eyes as he slid behind his brother's leg once more.
"Come on, Drew, say hello!" Shū cooed and Ayame smiled at him.
"She's pretty!" Drew blurted out.
A squeal was heard through the house and Sakura came running out, "Arceus! What happened?"
Apparently, when Drew made the pretty comment, the chewing gum he had been chewing flew out of his mouth and landed, clichéd enough as it is, in her long raven hair.
O.o
"I had to cut my hair. I always kept my distance from him after that." Ayame said.
Drew blushed and looked down. Shū swung his arm around Ayame and May chuckled.
"Drew, you sure were a troublesome kid!"
"Shut up! Why are we standing outside a Pokémon centre at 1 in the morning anyway? Shouldn't we be inside and booking our rooms?"
"Oh, that, I actually booked your rooms." Ayame said and turned to Shū, "I'm sorry. There was only one room available!"
"One room?" May raised her eyebrow.
"We all have to share?" Ayame offered and then a little half heartedly, "I can share with May. Shū and Drew can have the other…"
She bit her lip and glanced at Shū. May chuckled, "I don't mind sharing with Drew if he don't mind sharing with me."
"Really?" Ayame asked, brightening up considerably.
"Really, now, May?" Drew smirked at her.
May punched his shoulder as they all made their way inside the centre, careful not to make too much noise.
Ayame handed Drew their key while she pulled Shū toward the room adjacent to theirs.
"Thank you." May said and Ayame grinned at her. She pulled May a little close to her, letting go of Shū and whispered in her ear while Drew opened their room.
"Say, May, are you dating Drew?"
May bit her lower lip and glanced at the boy in question, "No…I don't know…we have kissed but he never…"
Ayame nodded in understanding, "Shyness. The cutest trait. After jealousy. He'll come around."
After a final grin toward the brunette, both the girls disappeared in their respective rooms.
O.o
"No room available, huh?"
The room was just like any other Pokémon centre room. 2 white-sheeted single beds, a small desk and a window. Fairly good. The two beds were pushed together and against a wall in the right corner of the room, near the window.
Ayame laughed, "No, really, no room was available! Except one…lucky me, huh?"
"Lucky you." Ayame sighed as he hugged her from behind tightly.
"And you already made all the plans?" Shū motioned to the beds.
"I had been here for almost 2 weeks! I was not going to sleep on a single bed when I can sleep stretched out on two beds!"
"No need for you to do that, ma belle princesse."
"I missed you." Ayame whispered. "And your cute accent and your cheesy French terms of endearment."
Shū kissed her temple, "Yeah, I missed you too."
"Where is Espeon?"
"Where is Umbreon?" They both questioned at the same time.
"He is with Nurse Joy. Got hurt really bad a few days ago." Ayame answered quietly.
"He will be alright tomorrow. Espeon is in the bag. Brooding, refusing to come out."
"How are you, Shū?"
"I am good now. What about you?"
"I am fine. Just spiffing."
"Nobody gave you a hard time, did they? Those idiots?"
Ayame chuckled, "You know, boss was really going barmy since you had asked to search for Brodie."
"He is a nutter, that old geezer." Shū mumbled, turning them around and walking backward toward the bed, Ayame still pressed against him.
"Don't say that, he is nice."
"Yeah yeah, everybody is nice to you." Shū said, feeling his knee hit the bed. He let himself fall back on the bed, pulling Ayame on top of him in process. He kicked off his boots and Ayame copied him, hearing the boots fall with a thud on the hard surface.
"I am nice to you, am I not?" Ayame asked.
Shū inhaled deeply as her dark hair fell on his face, taking in her scent, "Not yet."
Ayame chuckled and turned on top of him so that they were facing each other. She leaned down and gently kissed him. Shū gently ran his thumb on her cheek, taking in her face. They both smiled at each other before Shū finally rolled them over.
O.o
"May Maple." May stared at Drew as he leaned against the wall, shirtless.
"Drew Hayden." May said simply, setting down her bag on the small desk next to Drew's. She turned her back to Drew as she rummaged her bag for some clothes and her towel.
Drew sighed heavily, pushing himself from the wall and walked toward the brunette.
"Are you going to bath right now?" May jumped as the hot breath hit her ear and neck along with the husky whisper.
"Yes. Yes, I plan to do that." May replied after getting back her composure and straightened up with the clothes and towel hanging from her right arm.
"Let me go first." Drew said.
"Why?" May asked him. Drew raised his eyebrows.
"Well, I know right here we are supposed to be fighting with each other for using the bathroom first and then one of us is supposed to fool the other and occupy the bath. But right now, I only want to wash myself and the sweat and dirt. 5 minutes, top. Then you can take a long, long bath."
"Alright." May nodded, processing his logic and sat down on the bed. "Go ahead."
May sighed when Drew disappeared in the bathroom with a towel and a flannel pajama pants in his hand.
She fell back on the bed, her clothes and towel laid near her on the bed, her one hand near her head. She closed her eyes, waiting for Drew to come back.
O.o
Drew came back five minutes later, his hair dripping wet and with a white towel hanging around his neck. He stretched above his head as his eyes darted towards the brunette lying on the bed.
He came closer to the bed and stared at her face. Her slow and rhythmic rising and falling of chest told him that she was asleep. Her mouth was a little open. He smiled.
Naïve little girl. Sleeping so defenselessly when he was present in the room. Didn't she know how easy it was for him to take advantage of her?
He shook his head as he reached forward toward her to wake her up.
O.o
May was suddenly bought back out of her sleep when a few water droplets touched her face.
How long…when…did I sleep anyway?
Opening her eyes, she got another shock. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight above her, ignoring the water on her forehead.
Drew was leaning above her, his hands on either side of her head, his eyes were wide. His hair was dripping slightly, and he was not wearing a shirt.
"What, in the name of Arceus are you doing?" May said.
"May!" He suddenly jumped up, allowing May to sit up on the bed, "I swear! I swear, I seriously slipped!"
"What were you doing anyway?"
"I was going to wake you up! But you suddenly opened you eyes!"
"I felt water on my face!" May accused.
Drew sighed, "Old habit die hard. Hard to control too."
May was about to question it when he flicked his hair, water touching her face again.
May giggled as she stood up and pushed Drew on the bed, "Wha-what are you…?"
May slipped the towel from his neck and started drying his hair, "Baka."Drew remained silent as he let her dry his hair.
She finally dropped the towel in his lap and stepped back. There was a comfortable silence as May walked toward the bathroom door.
"You can have that bed." May pointed to the bed opposite to where he was sitting to the bed near the window.
Drew nodded and stood up. May closed the door behind her slowly.
Drew draped the towel on the back of a chair. Running a hand through his hair, he sat down on the bed.
Pulling the covers aside, he crawled in. He stretched in the bed and closed his eyes, the covers pulled up till his hips.
He groaned when he realized that he forgot to turn off the light. Too tired and too comfortable to get up again, he simply let it pass. May can turn it off when she comes out.
He lay there for few minutes, listening to the sound of the shower running. He shifted to make himself comfortable again.
He told himself to sleep but his mind was running in thousand different directions, his brother, May, Ayame, Pokémon, Ditto, contests and some random little things, all falling into a jumbled mess of thoughts.
He realized that he seriously needed something to sleep right now. Music would be a good idea.
He opened his eyes and looked over at his bag on the desk. In the opposite corner of the room. He sighed loudly, waiting for the shower to be turned off and May to come out.
He really should do a mental check before going to bed.
He continued to lay there, eyes closed with his thoughts jumping over each other. Man, it can get really irritating!
He cheered silently when the shower voices were turned off and groaned when it started again 5 minutes later.
How long can she take a bath anyway? It was a good thing he went in first.
How did he end up here in this situation anyway? Just that morning he was eating a chocolate. Few days earlier he was being carried with the water, even a few days earlier he had found the girl crying and lost.
And now he was waiting for her to come out of the bathroom. Changes, so quick and constant.
He heard the door click and his eyes followed the brunette.
She was wearing an over-sized white tee shirt and light blue shorts. She was combing her hair as she walked towards the desk.
He could hear her humming and watched as she twirled around once on her way to the desk. He smiled slightly.
He waited for her to turn around before asking her for his bag. She unzipped her bag and fished out a rubber band.
Tying her hair up in a pony she finally turned around. She jumped.
"Drew!"
"May." He replied calmly. She sighed.
"Why are you still awake? Did I wake you up?" She asked as she began to fold her dirty clothes.
"No, no not really." He replied with his eyes fixed on what she was doing, "Why are you folding dirty clothes?"
"Just like that." She placed them on the table next to her bag, "So, what happened?"
"Can't sleep."
"Hmm. Anything I can do?"
"Can you pass my bag?"
"Sure?" She picked up his bag and walked over to where he was lying.
"Thanks." Drew mumbled as he took the bag from her hands and placed it on his side. They both stared at each other.
"Uh, I'll sleep. Goodnight." May said suddenly and quietly, turning around.
"Hey, May?" Drew called. She turned around again and raised an eyebrow expectantly, "No goodnight kiss?"
"Goodnight kiss?" Drew nodded, "and why, may I know you-"
Drew furrowed his eyebrows as he reached out to wrap his fingers around her wrist and pulled her down.
"What are you doing?" May asked incredulously as she sat on his bed, his fingers still around her wrist.
"Goodnight kiss?" Drew asked.
May sighed but leaned forward anyway.
"There's a good girl." Drew mumbled before their lips touched. May swatted at his bare shoulder softly.
"Alright now?" May whispered as they pulled away. He watched as her eyes fluttered open, his hand going at the back of her neck.
"Not yet."
O.o
"Which room?" A voice asked.
A tall figure replied in a gruff voice, "208."
"Are you sure?"
"Definitely."
"And him?" The petite figure asked again.
"Same room."
"What are we waiting for then?"
As the three cloaked figure made their way inside the Pokémon centre, unknown to them a keen boy observed from top of a tree, two Zubats moving around him.
Now here is a long, long chapter. 4,269 words and 14 pages. I think this is the longest we have ever written.
There will be no updates till 10 October so I guess this chapter can be a sort of apology.
Reviews are seriously appreciated and gives us some serious