Hello :P It is Wednesday so I am back with a new chapter. I thought I had uploaded already today but that was because I wrote this morning. So sorry for uploading a little later in the day. A few weeks back I was in the mood for going back to simplicity and writing about the beloved main characters. So I wrote this. I hope you enjoy this bonding and special moment between Ash and Pikachu :3

Disclaimer: I own only the story :P

It was a chilly but calm winter's night in Kanto and for some reason I couldn't sleep. I had made my way out onto the balcony and had my eyes shut contentedly. I was listening to all of the sounds that filled my ears and made me feel alive. I could hear the wind rustling the trees around our house. I could hear the fellow pokemon who were in the wild but still as cosy as I was. I could hear the sound of the garden water feature trickling peacefully. I could hear my own breath. And I could hear my own heartbeat, still beating just as strongly and happily as when I was a youngster.

I was about to open my eyes and focus on what I could see when I heard footsteps coming towards where I was and open the French doors. I could sense who it was and even smell them before I even turned my head. I opened my eyes and smiled at my best friend as he came to join me, leaning his arms against the rails.

"Hey buddy…" he mumbled softly to me and reached out one hand to stroke between my ears. I let out a noise of contentment and nuzzled against his hand, enjoying the affection from Ash.

The raven haired male continued smiling but didn't say anything, just stroking me as he too glanced around and took in all of our surroundings. I saw him shut his eyes and could hear him begin to take deep breaths. I would describe my best friend as a straight forward and rash individual but there was no doubt that inside he was also reflective and enjoyed the tranquillity of nature. He was energetic and warm but I knew he had the ability to be full of depth when he wanted.

The next few moments passed without a word from either of us, just the sound of the world around us and the feeling of the comfortable bond that we had. As I glanced down at the grass below, Ash opened his eyes and gave me another smile, finally engaging in conversation.

"So what are you doing out here, Pikachu? Can't you sleep?"

I shook my head and smiled at him, shuffling nearer to rest my cheek against the top of his arm. The older male's eyes lit up at my loving contact and reached to make his fingers down the fur on my back.

Ash didn't need to tell me that he was also suffering from unusual insomnia as we had such an incredible bond that we just knew such things. Ever since I gave him my trust way back when he was a child of ten years old, we became one. He was my best friend and I was so lucky to have him.

When I didn't speak and just glanced happily up at my trainer, Ash filled the silence.

"I can't sleep either." He stated, although, like I said, he really didn't need to. "Sometimes my head just gets filled with so many thoughts and ideas and memories that I just can't switch off. I came out here to just be at peace and I guess you had the same idea."

Ash's words were just a general statement but I cared about him so of course, I didn't ignore them. I fathomed that they were positive thoughts but I didn't want to take that risk.

Is there anything bothering you, Ash?

The raven haired male had switched off soon after his words so when he heard me speak in my own language, his eyes grew wide with the intent of listening.

"Huh?" he uttered before realising what I had said and giving me a smile of gratitude, reaching out to stroke my nose. "Oh no, nothing is bothering me, buddy. Thank you."

I raised an eyebrow but rested my head back against my best friend, staying silent in case he wanted to add anything else or just continue to take in the sights and sounds.

After a few moments, he looked up at the sky and rested his arms behind his head and sighed contentedly

"Do you ever just sit back and realise how much you've been through? Well I do. And tonight I'm doing that. I'm reliving so many memories from my childhood with my mom and all our adventures on the road and everything since I stopped travelling. It's amazing to reflect but not when you're trying to get to sleep."

I nodded understandingly at my best friend and couldn't help but beam lovingly at him. Just a few moments before that I was thinking about how he was capable of great depth and reflection and that same night he proved my observation. He was one of my favourite humans in the world and I adored him. Our bond kept me alive in more ways than one.

"Tonight I can't help but think about how much my life has changed but also how it's stayed the same."

When I glanced at him with curiosity in my eyes over what he meant, Ash continued.

"I still have the same people in my life but mostly my relationship with them is completely different. When I was ten, Misty was my best friend and travelling companion and now she's my wife and the mother of my children…"

He trailed off, continuing to glance at the stars but his expression softening in a way that showed me that he was thinking of the wonderfulness that was his beloved Mist. I couldn't help but show off my own soft expression when I saw his. Love was a wonderful thing and Ash was lucky to be able to share that with someone who was capable of being everything he needed or could ever need.

When I didn't reply to what he was saying, Ash turned around and realised that I had been watching his love-struck expression. I couldn't help but smirk slightly as his tanned cheeks blushed crimson in the moonlight. That's one thing that hadn't changed, however. His cheeks would forever turn pink over that particular red headed female.

The raven haired male poked me playfully when I continued smirking at him before going back to what he was reflecting on.

"Gary has always been in my life and a friend and rival but now it's grown into so much more than that. We're still friends and rivals but we also share great respect and share the fact we've seen each other grow into fatherhood."

Ash paused to look at my reaction and I smiled at him, nodding my head in agreement. When those two were little, I bet they couldn't imagine that they would both be fathers, let alone the wonderful ones they were.

"And then of course there's Jessie, James and Meowth…" he paused slightly and smirked, looking at the sky and wondering what he could possibly say about the quirky ex-villains. "Well they've gone from people that I dreaded seeing every day to people that I can turn to no matter what and they'll offer advice and I will to them despite everything that we've been through."

I sighed quietly in agreement and jumped onto Ash's shoulder, nuzzling him in agreement. I was beyond proud at the maturity and growth he was showing but couldn't help but smirk at him.

Didn't I tell you that they secretly cared about you?

As I muttered these teasing words and continued nuzzling his ear, Ash just rolled his eyes and pretended to swat me away. This wasn't quite the reaction I was hoping for so I did what Misty had taught me to do and continued the taunting.

More importantly, didn't I tell you that you secretly cared about them?

Despite him just saying for himself how much the Team Rocket Trio now meant to him if they hadn't done previously, Ash nudged me for real and wrinkled his nose. I couldn't help but burst out in laughter at this and shake my head fondly. Ash was capable of such depth when he wanted to but he would always remain his childlike and competitive self.

After a few moments of pouting and me of looking smug, Ash rolled his eyes fondly and went back to looking back up at the sky. My best friend went back to reflecting.

"Of course there are all my companions around the world who don't live in Kanto and I don't see on a daily basis but still mean the world to me…"

I stopped looking smug and glanced up at the sky when I heard this, imagining all of their faces in the sky. I imagined Brock and his wisdom, May and her appetite, Max and his knowledge, Tracey and his craft and so many more old friends and their talents. I saw them young and old, one their own and how they were now, with children of their own. We were blessed to have everyone in our lives, no matter how near or far they were.

"I've met so many people, Pikachu, and made so many connections. So many things have changed and so many things have stayed the same. Enemies turned into treasured friends, rivals turned into brothers and best friends turned into lovers."

I smiled and nodded at my best friend, still listening for what he wanted to express and get off his chest.

"I've now got so many amazing people in my life that I am thankful for. But there is one person that I still have the same relationship as I did way back. It hasn't changed but it's got stronger. It will never change or fade but only get better."

Ash glanced at me with such love in his chocolate orbs and I beamed back at him, despite not knowing who he was talking about. When he saw the puzzled look in my eye, he squeezed his eyes shut lovingly and tackled me with a hug.

"I'm talking about you, buddy…" he laughed quietly, pulling me close and squeezing me tightly. "You're my best friend and you've been there for me through every single stage of my life."

This was one of those moments in life when I had so many things to say but dammit, I was too choked up to say anything. So instead, I just nuzzled my cheek against his chest and shut my tear filled eyes, hoping that he got the message. And he did.

The raven haired male let out yet another sheepish laugh and shut his own tear filled orbs. We both stayed like that until the cold got to our bones and we headed inside with love, loyalty and friendship in our hearts.

Ash was one of the greatest humans that ever walked the earth. He was kind and compassionate and loyal and courageous. He was trustworthy and passionate and determined and selfless. He was my best friend.

I had watched him grow from a stubborn and rash ten year old to the most warm and patient husband and father there was. I had witnessed him show incredible love towards his friends and Pokémon to the same amount of pride for his wife and children. I had felt his insecurities and doubts fade away and him grow new characteristics and skills and become incredibly open to so many people and different ways of life. He was my trainer, my partner, my best friend, my brother, my hero and my other arm and leg. He was my everything. I admired him, respected him and was beyond proud of him. I trusted him with my life. He gave me a life. And I will love him until my very last breath.

The End.

There you go! Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed :3 I have to say I really enjoyed writing this one. This thing is called Pikachu Tales but this is one of the first times I've really written about just Pikachu and Ash. It was fun showing different sides to Ash and how grateful he is for how his life turned out and how reflective he can be. I've grown very fond of him in recent months, especially with the stuff me and my TT discuss. He is one of the male characters closest to my heart. Along with my dear James :P Thanks again for reading and I will be back next Wednesday so see you then!

AmyBieberKetchum signing out :3