Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

God damnit, it sounds like the whole jungle is having a race!

A hand clutching his aching head, Drew opened one eye as the voices of the running footsteps disappeared. He turned his head to his mobile, earphones falling out of his ears. He checked the time.

4:48 a.m.

Who dares to run in a Pokémon centre at such an ungodly hour? He forced himself to sit up and look outside the window.

Rubbing one eye with his knuckles he searched the area below. The sun was barely over the horizon and the breezes that blew sent a shiver down his spine. He spotted 5 figures standing in front of the entrance to the Pokémon centre.

Squinting his eyes, he saw that all five of them were wearing dark clothes, one of them, the shortest one, was wearing a black cloak while the two tall ones who were flanking its sides were both wearing turtle necked black shirts with dark pants and dark boots.

He raised his eyebrows when he recognized the two figures that were standing opposite to the three.

Three guesses who they were.

Shū had arm around the girl's waist, keeping her close to him. They seemed like they were having a serious conversation.

Drew rolled his eyes, freaks. Why do they always have to wear black, anyway?

He fell back on the bed and turned his head to the other bed. May was curled up into a ball, light voices emitting from her.

He frowned as he thought of something.

14 chapters and she still have not woken up next to me.

Sigh.

Deciding that he just couldn't sleep, he sat up on his bed again. He changed into a track pant and pulled on a t-shirt.

Spotting his shoes in the corner of the room, he picked them up. He sat down on his bed and began to wear his shoes.

He decided to leave his Pokémons today and walked to the door.

Glancing at the sleeping brunette once, he closed the door behind him.

He immediately felt the cooler temperature in the hall in comparison to the room. He shook his head once and started for the centre's lobby.

The main lobby was empty as he made his way outside. Pushing open the double doors, he shivered once in the cold.

He cracked his fingers once before he started on the cemented path. He had run about 20 meters away from the main door when he heard a female voice.

"Drew boy!"

He stopped once and turned to see his brother and Ayame walking towards him, "Hey."

"Good morning! Up so early? Running?" Ayame asked sweetly.

"Yeah. What about you two? Early morning walks?" Drew gave her a small smile.

"Sort of." She shifted uncomfortably. His eyes darted once to the main lobby where the three people had just walked in.

"Can I join you?" Drew looked up suddenly at the soft voice of his brother. Shū gave him a small, almost hopeful smile.

Drew hesitated for a moment, "Sure." He felt something prick at the corners of his eyes and something clench in his chest as Shū smiled bigger.

"What about me then? Going to leave me all alone?" Ayame complained.

Shū chuckled softly and patted her head once. Ayame made a face at the brothers before she smiled again.

"How long?"

Drew answered, "About 30 minutes to an hour."

"If I am not in my room, find me with May." Ayame replied.

"Don't wake her up! She was tired!" Drew said.

They stood there in an awkward silence for a few minutes before Ayame decided to break it, "Waffles."

Both the boys sweat dropped.

"Come on, we should get going." Shū said, turning Ayame towards the doors.

"Fine, fine, I am going! Ignore your girlfriend! It's fine!" She said as she walked away from the duo.

Drew turned and began to jog, knowing that Shū will be following him.

After 3 minutes of running, Shū finally mumbled, "I am glad you are still running."

Drew did not reply for few moments, "It felt good. Running."

"I remember when you would whine every morning." Shū said with a small laugh in his voice.

"I can outrun you anytime." Drew replied.

"Yes, I know. I am growing old, aren't I?"

"You are just 20." Drew pointed.

"21!" Shū corrected.

"Damn May." Drew mumbled and Shū laughed. After another fifteen minutes of running, Drew broke the silence first this time.

"Who were they?" he whispered softly.

"Co-workers." Shū replied in a small voice.

Drew felt another knot in his stomach. Just like he used to have when he learned that his brother won't be back home for some time. When he used to see his mother mope around the house. And when he didn't hear his voice in the house, when no one knew where their eldest brother was. When no one took him to his room when he was feeling hot.

After another 10 minutes of running, Drew suddenly turned to him. 3 years of his brother's absence suddenly hit him full force. He had decided not to talk to him, but being this near him snapped something inside him. He had to let him know that it had hurt him. He had to ask him…

"Why?" Shū was surprised to hear the vulnerability in the young boy's voice. Just like he used to have when he always talked to him earlier.

"W-what?" Shū asked, coming to a halt.

"Why, Shū?" Drew repeated.

"Drew…" Shū's voice turned tender when he realized what the topic was.

"Why did you have to go?"

"Drew, you know it was my job…" Shū said taking a step toward the boy.

"Mom missed you so much. You did not come back for years together!"

"I know Drew…I know. I am sorry." Shū said. He was seriously at a loss as to where this sudden topic came from.

Drew was having waves of embarrassment roll over him. He can't believe he seriously did that. As he felt the tears prick at his eyes, he felt so ashamed to act like a small child.

But he still can't himself as he whispered, "I missed my brother."

Shū bit his lip as he watched his younger brother, his face down to the ground. He suddenly pulled his brother into an embrace.

"Shū?" Drew gasped.

"I missed you too," Shū whispered, "mon ange."

Drew felt a tear drop slide down his cheek as he clung to the older man like a small child. He still remembered when he was hugged like that when he was young.

Shū let him cry on his shoulder as they stood there surrounded by trees. Stroking his brother's hair, he silently continued to apologies.

Suddenly, as if with a jolt, both the brothers let go of each other. They both stared at each other before a small chuckle escaped Shū.

Suddenly they were both laughing. Drew can't believe how great it felt to laugh freely with his brother again.

"That was not so emotional." Shū commented.

"I know, thank god." Drew replied with a smile, rubbing the few tears still on his cheek with the back of his hand.

They both felt it. Like something had finally snapped between them, something that was not supposed to be between them, something that was holding them away from each other. They felt good; they felt normal, like they were children again.

They were starting again.

"So anyway, Drew," Shū said again, a little more freely than before as they started running again, "how is your coordinating coming around?"

Drew smirked suddenly, "Awesome! Only one more ribbon for the grand festival!"

"That's great! You know, you were quite popular in Johto."

"Heh! I know. I am popular here too!" Drew replied arrogantly.

Shū sighed, "Sometimes I think you are too arrogant."

"I spent a better part of my life with you after all, big brother."

Shū turned to stare at his brother. How long has it been that he had last called him 'big brother'? Drew smiled back softly.

Shū grinned and tapped him on his forehead with his fist, "Cheeky little thing."

"How is your 'training' coming around? Got any badges yet?" Drew asked slyly.

"What the…are you teasing me?"

"You suck at lying! I can't believe you don't know the geography of Hoen!"

"I just don't know where gyms are and my mind was in a fuzz!"

"Whatever you say. But no, seriously, what are you doing right now?"Drew asked seriously.

"You know what I am doing, Drew." Shū replied, "We have got some leads on some plans. Can't reveal too much."

"Those bombs…?" Shū nodded quickly.

They both fell silent as they stopped in a clearing. Drew stretched upwards and Shū cracked his knuckles.

"So, Ayame? Seriously? I thought it was just a childhood thing that you began dating her. When you were 14!" Drew gave him a smirk.

"Yes. Quite seriously. Tell me you don't like her if you can."

"Oh, I like her alright. Isn't she too young for you?"

"She turned 21 last month. No, we don't even have a year difference!" Shū pointed out and Drew shrugged, "May is a year younger than you, is she not?"

Drew nodded with a smile.

"Now listen, Drew, I know you are not a child anymore and nor is May but you have to be careful when you-"

"La la la la!" Drew sang, his fingers in his ears. Shū laughed at the display, "I don't need to hear that from you! I already had my talk!"

"From me, I remember." Shū said, smiling huge.

Drew shuddered, "Birds and bees. God damn. But no, we are not going to be doing that, thank you very much!"

"You are not?" Shū asked, "Well, too bad."

"What's bad?" Drew asked him, his eyebrow raised.

"It's fun. And Ayame is like-" Shū began, a dreamy look on his face.

"Arceus, I didn't need to know about that!" Drew groaned.

Shū burst out laughing. Drew was silently wondering how it had turned to this.

O.o

"May, May, May flower! Sweet, beautiful May flower!" May opened one eye to see that no one was in the room. The sound was coming through the closed door, "Time to rise and shine...or bloom!"

May blinked once before she managed to speak out in a hoarse voice, "Ayame? Is that you?"

"Of course it's me! Can I come in?"

"Of course! Come on, in!" May said, sitting up in the bed and running her hands through her hair a few times.

The door swung open to reveal the smiling raven haired girl.

"Hey!" Ayame said, bouncing –literally- over to the bed.

"Hey!" May turned to look at the time on her PokeTech, "What are you doing up at 6:30?"

"I have been up since 4:30! I took a bath, got ready and then I got impatient and bored so I woke you up too…sorry." Ayame said sheepishly.

May chuckled, "No problem. Sit!"

Ayame sat down on the edge of the bed as May scooted to make space for the older girl.

"Why did you wake up at 4:30?" May asked curiously.

"Uh, work. Never mind that!" Ayame said, hastily changing the subject.

May raised her eyebrows but let it go. She noticed that Ayame was still wearing black, a tee shirt with a black jeans and black sneakers.

"Wassup with black clothes?" Ayame looked down in surprise, as if noticing for the first time that she was wearing black.

"Huh? Oh, I don't know…I like this color."

"Well, that makes it two of you. I swear I didn't see Shū wearing any other color!" May exclaimed.

"Black makes me feel all good. Sexy." Ayame winked at her and she laughed.

May looked around, "Hey, where is Drew? And Shū?"

Ayame sighed dramatically, "Running, again."

"Drew really tired my Pokémons after he took them for running too…" May said.

"Shū does that too my Pokémons too!" Ayame cried, "He takes them all out and when they return, my poor darlings can't even stand!"

May laughed again. Ayame grinned. May once again can't help but notice how beautiful she was.

"May flower! Come on!" Ayame suddenly stood up, startling May, "Come on! Off to bath! Get up! Up!"

May suddenly felt herself being dragged to the bathroom. "Eh! Hey! Let me get my clothes and towel first!"

"Oh?" Ayame looked back at the bag sitting on the table. "You go, brush your teeth! I'll give you the clothes and the towel!"

"Oh, okay! Okay, fine, I am going!"

Ayame turned around to the bag when she heard the door click shut and marched off towards the table.

Digging around the bag, she first pulled out a white towel followed by a light blue jeans and a green and black tee shirt. She picked up the bag as well and walked back to the door.

"Clothes!"

May opened the door and thanked her for the clothes and the bag. Ayame sighed and walked back to sit on the bed. May opened the door again to hand back the bag.

When she heard the shower run, Ayame walked out of the room and out into the main lobby to wait for the brothers.

She spotted Nurse Joy on the reception and walked towards her, "Hey, Nurse Joy!"

She pink haired lady smiled brightly, "Hey there, Ayame! How are you?"

"Fine!" Ayame said leaning against the counter, "Shū and the others came yesterday!"

"They did, did they now? Did you have any trouble with the rooms? I mean, I feel sorry that I only had one room and..."

Ayame cut off the older woman's babbling, "Not in the least, Nurse Joy! It was fine! And it's not your fault only one room was available! We are even lucky to have that room, what with the contests and all!"

The nurse chuckled, "Oh! And before I forget, your Pokémons are all healed!" The nurse went into the back room for a moment before reappearing with a tray containing six poke balls, "God know they were so badly beaten up!"

"Oh, Nurse Joy!" Ayame gushed, taking the poke balls, "Thank you so much! I was afraid! Thank you so much, Nurse Joy! And you too, darling Chansey!"

"Chansey!" The Pokémon replied back happily.

"No problem, Ayame!" Nurse Joy smiled, "But what happened to them though?"

"Oh, a nasty fight. Too nasty. There were only two of us against six of them."

"Oh dear! Do you know when he'll be here for his Pokémons? His Charmander is quite badly hurt. It is currently on sedatives…"

"Will Charmander be okay?" Ayame asked instantly.

"Yes, it'll be okay. But still…"

"He should be here by this afternoon." Ayame informed her.

"Oh good! I think the Charmander will be awake by then!"

"That's awesome! Anyway, thanks, Nurse Joy! Thank you, Chansey! I'll see you later!"

"Bye!" "Chansey!" They both waved good bye to the girl as Ayame headed back up to May's room, placing the poke balls in their places on her belt.

She walked across the lobby; she could feel the eyes on her. She turned around slightly to see a boy with blond hair sitting on the sofa, his eyes on her. Even when she stared right back, he did not look away.

Ayame quickened her pace to get away from the creepy boy.

O.o

When they returned to the centre, Drew was still blushing and Shū had a silly smile on his face.

"Hey, Nurse Joy!" Shū greeted cheerfully as he placed his poke balls on the desk. "How are you today?"

"I am fine!" The nurse blinked.

"Can you give them a check-up?"

"Sure thing!" Nurse nodded, placing the poke balls in a tray which Chansey carried to the back room.

"Nurse Joy!" Drew smiled at her and she smiled back, "Mine too, please?"

"Sure, dear!" The nurse replied, placing another tray on the counter in which Drew kept his six balls.

"When can we get them back?" Shū asked, still in that creepy cheerful mood.

"I guess by evening, or tomorrow morning if you want."

"We'll get them by evening, then!" Shū said, "See you around, Nurse Joy!"

Drew rolled his eyes when Shū winked at her, holding out a beautiful black rose to he and she blushed as she took it, "Bye, Nurse Joy! Thank you for your help!"

"Oh and Nurse Joy-"

Drew began to push him to the rooms.

"Hey!" Shū cried once they were out of the main lobby and began to walk towards their rooms, "That was not very nice!"

"Flirting with a woman twice your age is not nice! Especially when you have a girlfriend!" Drew replied.

"But I was just-"Shū started, pouting when Drew pushed the door to his' and May's room.

Shū stopped when he saw Ayame and May sitting on the bed away from the window.

"Hey! Back so soon?" Ayame asked, tilting her head to a side.

"Late." Drew corrected as he picked up his towel, "we were half hour late."

"Hmm, I didn't notice…" Ayame said. May chuckled.

"I'll go take a shower." Drew said as he pulled out his normal training clothes.

"I'll go after him then." Shū said.

"Go bath in your own room!" Drew said as he opened the bathroom door.

"Aw, where is the fun in that? Bathing in my own room doesn't annoy you!"

May and Ayame laughed. Ayame leaned into Shū as he sat down next to her.

"Idiot." Drew said as he shut the door behind him and they heard the lock click.

Shū waited for a few moments before he suddenly slipped of the bed and got on his knees. He came to kneel down in front of both the girls.

They both looked at him surprised, "What are you doing, Shū?"

"He is talking to me!" Shū whispered excitedly.

"What?" Both the girls said in unison.

"He is talking to me again! Like he used to back then!" Shū exclaimed.

May and Ayame stared at him, wondering if he will cry next.

"What the..."

"That's not possi…" Both the girls started at the same time.

The bathroom door clicked and Drew stuck his head out, "Uh, brother, do you think you can lend me a shampoo if you have some? I ran out." He held up a bottle upside down of shampoo.

"Sure!" Shū jumped up and ran out of the room.

"You could have borrowed mine." May said, crossing her arms and smirking at him.

"Or mine." Ayame said, mirroring May.

"And smell like girls all day? No thank you!" Drew replied. At that moment, Shū walked back in and handed Drew a bluish green bottle.

"Thanks." Drew said before he closed the door. Shū turned to the girls.

Suddenly all three of them broke out into huge grins.

O.o

"Yes, they reached here." A dark haired man spoke into his mobile phone. He sat up on the tree branches of a large tree a little side to the Pokémon centre entrance. Two Zubats were sitting near him on the branch.

"They?"

"He has two kids with him. Seems like I did a good job finding him, didn't I?"

"Yes, very good indeed…anything else?"

"Three people were meeting him and the chick today morning. They came in the centre last night."

"Who three people?"

"Two men and one women."

"Very good! What else do you have?"

"Someone is meeting them today afternoon."

"Who?"

"That little child who was with her that day when they fought them."

"Oh! That child, huh…he was very, very strong."

"Do I need keep an eye on him too?"

"If you can."

"Certainly will, boss. I should go now."

"Goodbye…Brodie."

And I think that is about it…anyone have any guesses about the situation?

Anyway, we'll be quickening the things a little more from the next chapter…at least we'll try to do it. This was the 4th day of the week, did anyone realize that?

Please, review! If you are reading then at least give a minute to review! Not cool if you don't review!