Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. What would make you think I did? Because I don't. Way to rub it in.

So, I return, by popular demand! Er...well, not really _. Anyways, here's another Pearlshipping story.

It was night time in Unova Region. The forest was still, the night was clear, and if you listened carefully, you could hear the snoring of Pokemon drifting through the trees.

There was a camp set up in this forest, as a group of travelers decided to rest for the night. They had begun their trip to Icirrus City, but the hike was longer than initially expected. Now, the small group lay in their sleeping bags, eager to resume their journey the next day.

Well, except one of them. Ash Ketchum lie awake in his sleeping bag, staring up at the stars. On clear nights like this, he liked to lie awake and remember all the wonderful things he experienced on his previous journeys, and all the people he had met.

He liked to remember all the friends he had made during his travels.

He thought about Misty, and wondered how things were going at the Cerulean Gym. She had always been a good friend to him, even if they fought a lot. It was pretty rough on her when they had to go their seperate ways, but she had a responsibilty to take, and Ash wanted to travel to the Hoenn region. She had been his first (human) traveling companion, and for that, she would always be special to him. I wonder, if she didn't have to go back to the gym, if she would still be traveling with me? I'll have to write her or call some time, see how she's holding up. He thought to himself.

He thought about Brock, who he parted ways with after his journey in the Sinnoh region. The Gym Leader turned Pokemon Doctor, not to mention the guy who acted as his mentor for so much of Ash's life. Being an only child, Ash had valued always having Brock around, acting like the older brother he had never had. Adjusting to traveling without Brock was something he was still getting used to. It just wasn't the same. I wonder how Pokemedical school is going for him?

He thought about Gary. His once-rival had, thankfully, mellowed out after a period of time, and took to becoming a Pokemon Researcher, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Professor Oak. Thank Arceus he took a chill pill. Ash thought, smiling to himself.

His mind drifted to May. She had reminded Ash so much of himself when he began his first journey, full of naive stubbornness. Not that I've completely grown out of it, Ash admitted in his mind. He wondered if she was still in Johto, or if she had moved to another region. She had put a lot of faith in him, and Ash had done his best not to let her down.

And the he remembered her little brother, Max. A smart, albeit somewhat annoying kid who went along with Ash, May, and Brock. His heart was always in the right place though, and he really couldn't wait to become a Pokemon Trainer. I wonder how he'll do once he becomes a Trainer? Ash wondered.

But what did he think about the most on nights like this? Her. Dawn.

Out of all his companions, she was the outright nicest. Probably why Mesprit chose her, he reasoned to himself. She and Ash had been very close as they traveled Sinnoh together. For some reason, Ash was compelled to help her however he could. He was always sure to watch all of her contests, something he hadn't even done with May. In doing so, he even had picked up some battle strategies of his own, which he would always be grateful for.

And she had done so much for him. Lying awake in his sleeping bag, Ash couldn't help but grin as remembered her showing up in a cheerleader outfit to support him at the Oreburgh Gym. Not to mention putting on a whole show for him after losing to Paul. She really went out of her way for me, huh? He thought, I hope she got the letter I sent her last week.

At this point, Ash sat up in his sleeping bag and held his knees to his chest. He liked to remember Dawn, but...he always get a sinking feel. I didn't do anything. I had the chance to do it right in front of me, and I did nothing.

Maybe he hadn't realized his feelings at the time. Maybe he was afraid he'd be rejected. Maybe he just lost his nerve. But no matter how much he tried to rationalize WHY he hadn't done it, Ash still beats himself up.

I didn't tell her how I felt. He cursed himself.

He would flashback to the day the ferry left the Sinnoh region. He remembered tears pouring down her face as the boat pulled away, and thinking does she love me back?

He had wanted to yell out that he loved her. He wanted to jump off the ship and swim back to her. But for some reason, all he could do was shout "no need to worry."

And now, he had to live with his moment of cowardice. In some weird way to make up for it, she was the first person Ash started writing letters to regularly on his trip. Because he missed her? So she wouldn't forget him? Probably both. He reasoned to himself.

It wasn't that he regretted coming to Unova. I love it here! Ash was an adventurer, no doubt, and it was his belief that only by traveling to the different gyms that he would one day be a Pokemon Master. But he still couldn't help to think if things would have turned out differently if he had just had the guts to say something to her about his feelings for her.

Ash laid back down in his sleeping bag, feeling the weight of regret on his spirits. When I'm done here...I'm going to go visit her. He had asked her if he could in his last letter, hoping that it wasn't coming off too strong. But she had said that she wanted to see him again, right?

Ash turned to lay on his side. He closed his eyes, feeling fatigue get the better of him. Sadly, before falling asleep, the last thought to echo in his mind was: Maybe it's too late.

The next day, Ash, Iris, and Cilan had made it to Icirrus City. Cilan and Iris couldn't help but notice Ash seemed a little down in the dumps that day.

"You okay Ash? Where's your normal child-like enthusiasm? How are you not charging to the gym to challenge the leader in an embarrassing display?" Iris asked teasingly.

It only worried them when he just shrugged and said, "I'm fine. I'll go check in to the Pokemon Center."

Cilan and Iris exchanged concerned glances as Ash walked away.

"Pika?" Pikachu asked from his partners shoulder, worriedly.

Ash gave the Pokemon a small smile. "Sorry buddy. I was up last night thinking about Dawn again."

"Pi..." Pikachu answered sadly, patting Ash on the head.

Ash registered some rooms at the Pokemon Center for him and his friends to stay at. As he turned to leave Nurse Joy looked over at his (sloppy) signature, and shouted after him, "WAIT, are you Ash Ketchum?"

"Huh? Oh...yeah." He answered, confused.

"This letter came in for you this morning. I was about to send it to Mistralton, but I'm glad you got here when you did." Nurse Joy said, smiling. She handed Ash a pink envelope.

Ash smiled. She had gotten it.

Ash opened up the envelope, and noticed there was more than just a letter...Dawn had sent a picture of herself and Piplup. In the picture, Dawn was making the victory sign, as Piplup was sticking it's tongue out at the camera. Ash chuckled. He flipped the picture over, and realized she had written an additional message aside from her letter.

Ash,

Can't wait for you to visit! We all miss you!

XOXO - Dawn

Ash showed the picture to Pikachu and smiled. "Maybe it's not too late." He said aloud.

"Pika!" Pikachu exclaimed, excited for Ash.

With renewed confidence and purpose, Ash felt even more drive in his quest to finish collecting gym badges. "What do you say Pikachu? Let's head over to the gym right now and get that badge! We have somewhere to be when this is all over!"

This was intended as a one-shot. However, if enough people want, I might pick it up later to continue it. I'm not sure what direction I would take it in, but I have a few rough ideas.