Return of the defeated (on hold)

/Part 9/

"Mom I'm old enough you don't need to remind me and I'll make sure to stay safe. I love you too." Ash told his mom, with a last wave she ended the phone call.

With May

"Hi mom. I just wanted to call and let you know that was going good so far, we had a little trouble with some Beedrill, but Ash kept us safe." May said to her mom and then went on to tell her what had happened since they left Palette Town (Ash made sure to call his friend's parents when he returned since they were all just as worried about him).

"That's great honey, I am so glad you're traveling with Ash again and that he's home again." Caroline said smiling at her daughter. "Could you have him come over here May? I'd like to speak to him in private for a moment."

"Ok mom." May turned and seen Ash just ending the call with his mom. "Ash my mom wants to talk to you."

Ash walked over and sat in front of the screen, "Good afternoon Mrs. Maple how are you?"

"I'm doing well Ash. I'm glad you are traveling with May again, after you left it was like a part if her left too. Also no need to be so formal, you know you can call us by our names." she said looking at Ash and as she was talking Norman joined his wife to speak with Ash. "We want to ask you to keep her safe. We know that May has deep feelings for you and I'm very sure you know she does as well."

"I've spoken with Brock about this and he kinda explained it to me, this is an unfamiliar territory for me." Ash said flicking his eyes towards Norman who had a stern look on his face and still hadn't spoken.

"Good Ash, with that being said she's been through a lot. Please don't cause anymore pain." Caroline said.

Ash was a little taken back that they thought he'd ever hurt May. The thought of her hurting caused his stomach to turn and his temper to boil. "I would never do anything to ever hurt her or cause her pain ever again. I knew leaving would cause some but not as much as it did, I regret the pain I caused everyone. " he said with a small amount of shame in his eyes.

Norman finally spoke "Ash, you did what you felt you needed to do. I'm not saying it was right or wrong but it shaped you into the man you are now. You understand more now than you did before and I can see that you have greatly matured." he looked Ash over before continuing "I also can see that you care a great deal for our daughter, have you told her about that?"

"How did you know that, and no I haven't. I'm not sure what I feel so i don't want to say anything until I'm sure what it is." Ash said with a slight shocked look on his face.

Norman let out a chuckle and Caroline had a small smile on her face as she spoke, "Ash we both can see it written in your body language, the way you look at her, talk to her and its your eyes when you look at her. I will say your doing it right, wait until you fully understand your feelings before you say anything."

"I understand, I promise that I will do everything in my power to keep May safe." He said looking the couple in their eyes so they could see his determination.

"Ash we believe you, but I am still a father and I love my daughter beyond words. I will do anything she asks and if anything were to happen to her there will be severe consequences." Norman said.

"I understand sir." Ash said with a nervous smile, even being a full Aura Guardian the look that the Petalburg Gym leader gave him, he knew that he meant what he said.