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Nothing Like Being Home

by: Season Of Magic

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"I would like to say one last thing... thank you!"

Those words kept echoing inside Ash's head over and over like a broken record. His face was red all through the flight from Kalos to his hometown. But if anyone asked, he would deny it had to do with him being kissed just mere hours ago. The temperature change from the airport to the plane just got to him that was all.

"When we meet again, I'll be a prettier woman!"

Serena was certainly already pretty enough already and if her claims were true, when they met again...

"I will have to control myself!" Ash suddenly exclaimed. He was now in Kanto, walking back to his home.

Pikachu glanced over to its trainer in a confused manner. "Chu?" It said as if asking what was wrong.

Ash realized he had said it out loud. "Ahhh... nothing." He said waving his hands.

Pikachu of course did not believe it for one second. Covering its mouth it was now laughing at its trainer.

The little traitor!

"Aren't you supposed to be my best friend?"

"Chu! Chu! Chu!" Pikachu was now acting out what had occurred hours ago. Kissy face and all.

"Must you remind me?" Ash couldn't help but sigh. "I didn't even give a proper reply."

Pikachu slapped its face. It was a signal to its trainer that it thought he was stupid. "Pikaaaaaa."

"I know. I know." Ash nodded as he kicked a pebble in utter annoyance. He then kept walking.

Pikachu flailed its tiny arms. "Piiiii."

"Do you think she got to Hoenn okay?" Ash asked Pikachu after a while.

Pikachu shrugged. "Kaaaa."

Ash nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I think so too."

Pikachu wanted to roll its eyes. They could just call her once they got home but its trainer was simply. Taking. Too. Darn. LONG!

Pikachu went behind Ash and began pushing him.

"Okay, okay you made a point."

Ash took a deep breath. He had not been in Kanto in so long and now he was finally back. He firmly stood his ground and glanced over from the road that lead to his house. As a child, this road seemed never-ending. Now it was one long twisted path that would lead him back to where his mom was waiting for him.

"Pallet town, I'm back!" He yelled. Pikachu who was in his shoulder as usual, glanced to him.

"Pika piiiii!" It said back.

Ash didn't even think twice, he gained momentum and ran with all his might the rest of the way not stopping until he reached the entrance to his house.

He stared from the entry way. Noticing how nothing really changed, but to him it felt like something just... had.

He stared at Pikachu, and Pikachu stared back. Then Ash confidently walked the rest of the way and reached for the doorknob.

Surely mom wouldn't have locked out her only hson! Was echoing through his head and as the door opened up, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm home." He said as he let the door closed behind him.

Delia quickly ran over from the kitchen. "You're finally home! I was worried sick mister! Do you know what time it is!?"

Ash removed his hat and quickly raised a hand to his hair, shaking it as he did when he was nervous. "Sorry mom..."

Delia began sobbing as she hugged her son. "I'm just glad to see you're back and safe." Then she let go and wiped her eyes. "Now let me take a good look at your handsome face."

Ash averted his eyes. "Mom... stop it."

Pikachu, who had hopped off Ash's shoulders when they arrived, watched the interaction quietly.

"Pika piii!" It finally said.

Delia glanced over and laughed. "Of course I didn't forget you Pikachu! It's good to see you thank you for taking care of my son on his travels." She bowed.

Pikachu grinned and pat itself in the chest. "Piiii!"

"Well, come on you two the trip must have been exhausting and you must be hungry. Go freshen up while I reheat the food I cooked and made when I thought someone would have eaten by now."

"Sheesh mom! I got distracted." Ash said as he made his way up the stairs. "I'll be back down in a bit."

"Take your time." Delia said as she made her way to the kitchen.

"You coming Pikachu?" Ash asked as he glanced toward his friend. Pikachu was already in the living room and was currently laying down. Pikachu shook its head.

Ash nodded and then sighed as he made his way to his room by himself. When he finally made it to the door, he opened it with bated breath.

Nothing really had changed from the last time he was here. His room looked clean and in well-kept condition.

He smiled as he placed his hat in the chair, then took off his backpack and also placed it there alongside his jacket.

He opened up his backpack and was rummaging through it for his badge case to display it alongside the others.

"Aha!" He said as he found it. He quickly went to place it next to his Unova one.

With pride he stared at all his badges, and stood there in a daze as he remembered everything he went through to get to where he is now.

The minutes quickly passed and by the time he noticed, his mother was opening the door to his room.

"Ash Ketchum! I've been calling you for over five minutes mister! I can't believe I had to come get you."

Ash blinked and got over his daze, coming back from his daydreaming.

"Sorry mom." He apologized. "I'll be down in a minute."

Delia grabbed his hand. "Nonsense! You're coming down right this instant. You look absolutely pale."

"Ehehehe." Ash raised his free hand to his hair. "Right..."

Ash had devoured every single plate his mom placed next to him without a complain. He loved food and he had certainly missed his mom's cooking even more. To him it seemed like an endless buffet.

"Seriously, what will I do with you?" Delia shook her head but was smiling brightly. Her son's eating habit proved to her that he would be fine.

"I shooon't cho' washaaa m'san aaann." {I don't know what you mean.} Ash said in between bites.

"Anyways," Delia said, as she placed her hands in top of the table, "tell me about Kalos. How are Eureka, Citron and Serena? Serena was blushing when I invited them over."

Hearing Serena's name made Ash choke. Delia reached for the jug of water and poured her son a glass.

"Let... a guy enjoy.. his meal..." Ash said when he had finally stopped choking. "Before... you ask... like an inquisitor."

Pikachu, who was eating its own food simply flailed its arms and seemed to be laughing. It hopped on over to Delia's side and when it had her attention, made a kissy face.

Delia gave a squeal. "Oh!?"

Ash glared. "TRAITOR!" He said turning his face and was now blushing madly. He had finally manage to store what had happened away from his mind and Pikachu just had to bring it up again.

"So, to recap; you did good in the league, met good friends... aaaaaaand kissed a girl in Kalos?" Delia asked.

"More like she kissed me." Ash muttered. "And it was technically only a peck in the lips."

"On the lips!?" Delia screamed out loud.

Ash groaned. "That's what you hear?"

"Well, don't just sit there. Tell me ALL about it."

Ash sighed.

It was gonna be a long night for him.