The next morning, Ash stirred, feeling the gentle rise and fall of May's breath against his side. He slowly opened his eyes, squinting against the soft morning light filtering through the cave's entrance. May was still asleep, her head resting against his shoulder, her expression peaceful. He smiled softly, taking a moment to appreciate the serenity of the moment. Carefully, he shifted and kissed her forehead.
"Rest as long as you need," he whispered, watching as she snuggled closer, her breathing remaining gentle and even. The quiet was broken by a familiar voice.
"Morning, sleeping beauty." Ash turned his head to see Gary standing at the cave's entrance, a teasing grin on his face.
"Hm?" Ash responded groggily.
"Sleep well even as a pillow?" Gary asked, his grin widening.
"Ha ha." Ash chuckled softly. Gary's expression turned more serious as he stepped inside.
"How are you holding up after yesterday?" Ash's smile faded slightly.
"I've had worse nights of sleep."
"You know what I mean. Last time something happened to her, you completely freaked." Ash looked down at May, her peaceful face a stark contrast to the worry gnawing at him.
"I'm just glad she's relaxed..."
"For now anyway," Gary added, crossing his arms.
"...Yeah," Ash agreed quietly. Gary sat down opposite Ash, his gaze steady.
"She's a lot like you when her mind's made up."
"Hey…" Ash began, a defensive edge creeping into his voice.
"Ash, if you two swapped places, you'd be doing the same thing she is," Gary pointed out. Ash sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I know."
"I'm just hoping it's not getting to you." Gary's tone softened.
"It doesn't matter," Ash said, a touch of stubbornness in his voice.
"It does to me. And you better believe it does to her," Gary insisted. Ash fell silent, his eyes drifting back to May. "Just be vigilant, would ya?" Gary's voice was gentle but firm. "Humor me?" Ash looked up, meeting Gary's gaze. He could see the concern in his friend's eyes, the unspoken worry.
"Whatever..." he muttered, but there was a hint of gratitude in his tone. Gary nodded, satisfied for now. He stood up, leaving Ash to his thoughts and the quiet companionship of May's presence. After another moment, May shifted slightly, stirring from her slumber. Ash looked over just as she slowly opened her eyes. He greeted her with a soft smile. "Hey, Ninja Girl..."
"Hey…" She returned his smile, her eyes still heavy with sleep. "I must still be dreaming... I see a vision of the most handsome man in the world before me..."
"Then it's a good dream." Ash chuckled. He leaned in and pecked her lips. She kissed him back lightly.
"It certainly is." Ash's smile widened. "What about your dreams? Were they just as good?"
"Not quite," he admitted.
"Oh?"
"But the real thing is much better than any old dream anyway."
"Very smooth, Mr. Ketchum," she teased.
"You're very cute when you're asleep."
"Oh yeah?"
"And cozy."
"Well, I sleep very well when I have my favorite pillow."
"Oh, I'll bet," Ash replied with a grin.
"I just can't help myself, you know." May smiled mischievously.
"I imagine not."
"And you love it."
"I try not to." Ash chuckled.
"Liar," she accused playfully.
"I said that I try not to, not that I succeed." May giggled, and Ash's heart warmed at the sound. He loved these little moments with her.
"I love you," she said softly, pecking his lips with each word. "Every. Single. Part."
"May..." Ash blushed, feeling the sincerity in her words.
"Hm?"
"Stop being so cute..." She leaned her face closer to his, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Or what?"
"Uh..." Before he could finish his thought, she kissed him passionately. He moaned in surprise, but quickly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. She leaned into him, and their kiss deepened, tongues battling for dominance. Ash reveled in the feeling, his heart racing. May gripped onto his tunic, moaning softly, and Ash responded by exploring her mouth more fervently. She leaned back against the tent wall, pulling him with her. The intimate moment was abruptly interrupted by the sound of a throat clearing. Janine stood at the entrance, her arms crossed, though her lips twitched in amusement. Gary was clearly holding back some laughter of his own and Dawn was wearing a smile too. May giggled softly but didn't pull away immediately. Gary's laugh soon followed, and Ash blushed deeply, finally breaking the kiss. He panted, catching his breath and May's giggle was infectious. "I can't with you sometimes," he said, shaking his head.
"Oh, let them look," she replied, her tone defiant and loving. "I love you too much to care."
"Maaay..."
"Sue me." She laughed again, her eyes sparkling with joy. Ash sighed, though he couldn't suppress a small smile. May pecked his cheek, her affection warming him through and through. He looked into her eyes, feeling a profound sense of love and contentment.
"I love you too," he murmured, kissing her forehead gently. Dawn broke the silence, her voice filled with curiosity and concern.
"Anyway, what's our plan now?" May took a deep breath, her mind already working on their next steps.
"We need two things to start: food and information."
"I can handle the first part, at least." Ash nodded.
"Do you know where to find some?" May asked, her tone laced with worry.
"Tracking isn't exactly difficult with Aura," Ash replied confidently. May still looked uneasy.
"Well, I'd feel better if someone went with you." she insisted.
"We got two ninjas, don't we? Used to finding food in the wild?" Janine chimed in.
"Are you volunteering?" May raised an eyebrow.
"Are you resting?" Janine countered.
"Can't." May shook her head. "I need to scout a new town. Hopefully, it'll be more friendly."
"Are you sure?" Ash asked, concern evident in his voice.
"Someone has to. And only I can feel the energy flow of this place," May insisted.
"Only if you're not alone," Ash demanded, his protective instincts kicking in.
"Volunteers?" May called out, looking around. Gary stepped forward with a smirk.
"I got your back, Princess," he announced. "Guards are honor-bound to defend the royal family anyway."
"You'd better keep her safe..." Ash muttered, unable to hide his desire to do it himself.
"We can trade if you'd rather." Gary chuckled, eyeing Janine slightly.
"Not a chance." Janine shook her head. "I don't need you guarding these lips, thanks."
"Alright alright, you two." May giggled at their banter.
"I'll go wherever May does." Dawn decided.
"Guess we have our food and information teams. Let's meet back here in two hours." May declared. Ash's eyes softened as he looked at her.
"Be careful..." May leaned in and pecked his lips.
"You too, my love." Ash gave a small smile, watching as she smiled back and ran off, Gary and Dawn following close behind. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. Janine placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You okay, Ash?"
"As well as I have been, I guess," he replied.
"Which in no uncertain terms is?" Janine's gaze was piercing.
"Worried," Ash admitted, sighing deeply.
"Must be something in the air. I'm sensing a lot of that around camp," Janine said, her voice gentle. "She'll be fine Ash."
"I hope so..." he nodded. Janine gave him a reassuring smile.
"She will be, Ash. Let's just find the food fast. Then you can check in on her sooner."
"Heh." Ash chuckled softly. "I like the way you think."
"Well, as your sister-in-law, it'll serve me well to speak your language a little." Janine teased him. They both laughed, the shared moment of levity easing some of Ash's worry. "Come on," Janine said, nudging him gently. "Let's get this done."
"Let's do it." Ash nodded, giving her a small smile. Janine led the way, heading toward the outskirts of town near the farmlands. Ash followed, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of their recent encounters. As they walked, Janine glanced at him, noticing his pensive expression.
"Care to share?" she asked.
"Just thinking about that girl..." Ash sighed. "That queen..."
"I don't suppose your Aura uncovered anything useful about her?" Janine raised an eyebrow.
"Hardly had time to investigate..." Ash shook his head.
"Then what about her has got you so focused?" Janine pressed.
"Her command over those dragons..." Ash said, a hint of worry in his voice.
"So much for myths around here," Janine remarked, her tone light but her eyes serious.
"The guys at the bar sounded full of it in the first place..." Ash began.
"Or she's collected them all... it would explain why they haven't seen any," Janine suggested.
"Either way... this is a bigger problem than I think May realizes..." Ash muttered.
"She is right though. We can't let this continue," Janine said firmly.
"No. We can't," Ash agreed.
"But that's why we're here with her. To make sure we solve this and all get back home," Janine reminded him.
"I'm just afraid we're biting off more than we can chew..." Ash sighed deeply.
"Unfortunately, if you're right, that spells problems for May pretty quickly," Janine said softly.
"I know..." Ash's voice was heavy with concern.
"For her sake, I hope you're wrong," Janine added. Pikachu, who had been walking alongside them, suddenly perked up.
"Hey! I hear something that way," he said, pointing. Janine tensed, readying a shuriken between her fingers.
"Just in case. Let's go." Ash shut his eyes briefly, focusing his Aura.
"Hm... There's definitely something over there, but it doesn't seem hostile at the moment."
"We know how quickly that can change," Janine said, moving slowly and silently toward the sound. Ash followed downwind, staying alert. As they approached, they saw a Deerling quietly grazing around some trees.
"Hm..." Janine eyed the creature.
"Kinda reminds me of a Stantler," Ash observed.
"If it's a little slower, we may have just found some food," Janine noted, putting away her shuriken and drawing her dagger instead. Ash shut his eyes again, keeping his senses sharp just in case. Janine moved in silently, ready for the kill. The Deerling, oblivious to their presence, nibbled on a berry. In a swift motion, Janine struck its leg. The Deerling squealed in pain, and Pikachu shocked it with a Thunderbolt. Janine quickly followed up with a strike to its heart, ending its suffering. "Sorry, fella," she murmured.
"Nice blow," Ash complimented.
"Nice assist," Janine replied, talking towards Pikachu.
"Gladly," Pikachu added, his cheeks sparking briefly.
"Now, fresh water," Janine said, shifting focus.
"Should've brought a bigger container for that." Ash nodded.
"Probably," Janine agreed.
"Well, our waterskins are better than nothing," Ash said, looking at the small leather containers they carried.
"Let's do it." Janine nodded. Ash walked off in the direction of a nearby stream, Janine following with their catch. They worked quickly and efficiently, filling their waterskins and preparing the Deerling for transport. As they made their way back from the successful hunt, Ash looked at Janine, offering to help carry the Deerling.
"Want me to carry it?"
"Nah." Janine shook her head. "I got it."
"I just thought I could assist better," Ash insisted. Janine glanced at him and nodded.
"Alright, you can take the other half if you really want to." Ash nodded, taking one side of the Deerling. They moved in tandem, making their way through the woods. Janine listened carefully, her ears attuned to the sounds around them. "I think there's a river not far from here."
"Yeah." Ash nodded in agreement. They headed towards a nearby clearing, their pace quick but cautious. Soon, they came across a flowing river.
"There it is," Janine said, relief in her voice. Ash drew his waterskin and began filling it up. Janine did the same, their task done in a companionable silence.
"We'll have to come back for everyone else," Ash noted.
"I'll make a path for us to follow back here," Janine said, taking out her dagger. Pikachu, perched on Ash's shoulder, piped up.
"Plus, I can remember the way!"
"Thanks, bud." Ash smiled, patting his loyal companion.
"Good." Janine nodded. "Let's head back. Can you sense the others?"
"Not from this distance," Ash replied, shaking his head.
"Alright," Janine said, turning to lead the way. She used her dagger to mark trees as they went, ensuring they could find their way back. Suddenly, Ash grabbed her arm, stopping her in her tracks. "Huh? What's wrong?" she asked. He pulled her aside just as a Vibrava flew overhead. They stumbled slightly, pressing against a tree trunk to stay hidden.
"A scout...?" Janine whispered.
"I think so," Ash gritted his teeth.
"Which way is it headed?" she watched carefully, his eyes following the dragonfly Pokémon.
"Towards the town from yesterday," he observed, tension in his voice.
"Then away from the others..." Janine breathed a sigh of relief, knowing the other team had gone in the opposite direction that they came from the day before.
"I hope so," Ash growled.
"Let's head to the rendezvous point." Ash nodded, and they picked up their pace, moving swiftly but silently through the woods. Janine's movements were fluid and precise, marking trees as they went to ensure a clear path back to the river. Ash followed her lead, his senses on high alert. The encounter with the Vibrava had unsettled them both, but they pushed forward, determined to regroup and share what they had learned. The safety of their friends and the success of their mission depended on their vigilance and swift action.
Janine slipped into the cave first, her eyes scanning the dim interior for any signs of trouble in their absence.
"Looks like they aren't here yet," she noted, settling her gear down. Ash followed her in, his foot tapping impatiently against the cave floor. "Ash calm down. They still have another hour before the meet-up," Janine reminded him.
"I know," Ash replied irritably. Janine gave him a pointed look.
"Then take a breath." Ash inhaled deeply, holding it for a moment before letting it out in a slow, controlled exhale. "Thank you," Janine said, her voice calm and steady. Ash sighed again, the tension still palpable. Janine sat down, her back against the cool cave wall. "I'm sure they're fine," she reassured him.
"They better be..." Ash muttered, pacing back and forth. Janine sighed, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on them both.
"Worrying isn't going to help them get here any faster," she said gently.
"I know that," Ash replied, his voice softer now but still laced with concern. "It's just... I hate waiting."
"I know." Janine nodded in understanding. "But we need to stay focused and ready for when they do arrive."
"I just…" Ash stopped his pacing and leaned against the cave wall, staring out at the entrance. "I just can't shake the feeling that something might go wrong." Janine looked at him, her expression thoughtful.
"May is strong and capable, Ash. And so are Gary and Dawn. They'll be careful."
"I hope you're right." Ash nodded, though his worry didn't completely dissipate. They sat in silence for a while, the quiet only broken by the occasional drip of water from the cave ceiling. The minutes ticked by slowly, each one stretching into what felt like an eternity. Janine closed her eyes, trying to conserve her energy and keep her mind clear. Ash, meanwhile, continued to watch the entrance, his thoughts racing about his wife.
To be Continued...