As promised, here is the first part of my sequel story to 'Follow Your Heart'. A few things to explain here, first being that if you haven't read the first story I suggest you do so though it is not 100% necessary to understand the sequel. The second is that as y'all will notice, this story is beginning with Part VII and not Part I like the last story did, though like the last story this will be a short 6 part story. This is because this is just a straight continuation of the last story and as such it is the 7th part of the whole. The same will be for the third, long, story which is set to come out after this one and begin with Part XIII. All of this is part of what I am calling my Heart series (the word Heart will always be in the story title) and is the core series of my Pearlshipping universe that is an alternative journey post Vertress Conference. There will be other side stories and oneshots in time to add to this universe. One difference from the previous story is that the average part length will be longer as more is now happening and I am getting more comfortable with this story. There will also be more variety in length unlike the last one in which only Part V was long, with Part X being around 12k words long but when you see that part it will be clear why it is so long. Other than that, the style should still be the same.

Home Is Where the Heart Is is a straight sequel story that naturally details Ash and Dawn's journey back to Pallet Town after the events of the Johto Grand Festival. There will be a few twists and turns in this story and some interesting moments that set up a few recurring gags in the full story coming out in a little bit so stay tuned for them.

As with the last story, the ages of Ash and Dawn are 16 at the start. This is rated T for occasional swearing and implied situations. That is all for this opening note, please enjoy the sequel to 'Follow Your Heart' with the first installment of Home Is Where the Heart Is. Part VII: What Next?

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.

Part VII: What Do We Do Now?

Ash and Dawn could have stood in the corridor forever, frozen in that special moment. They were finally together; they had finally shared their love with each other and were sharing their first kiss. Everything was lost on the young couple as the held one another, oblivious to the world around them.

They were so oblivious that neither heard the clearing of a throat from behind Ash. They were so engrossed with one another that even saying their names, Johanna couldn't get through to them. Yes, it was sweet to see that they had finally expressed themselves but this was getting a little much and a little too public.

"Pikachu, if you will." Johanna said to Ash's Pokémon after another attempt to get through to the teens failed. "I think we need to bring them back to reality."

"Pikachu." Pikachu said with a smile knowing what the older woman wanted.

He and Piplup had shared a hug and chatted as soon as Ash and Dawn had connected. However, by the time they were done, their trainers were pressing their lips together, an odd human mating ritual that neither understood, ignoring them. That was why Pikachu had no remorse doing what he had to do.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu yelled letting out a thunderbolt right into the couple.

The reactions were as expected. Being connected, both Ash and Dawn got fried. They spasmed, split apart, yelling in pain, and crumpled to the ground, steaming and singed from the attack. Their air was standing straight up, something Pikachu knew would earn him the wrath of the bluenette despite her deserving it, and they twitched for a moment on the ground.

"Pikachu, was that necessary?" Ash asked as he recovered faster, used to it by now. "We were enjoying that."

"My hair!" Dawn yelled as soon as she touched it and then glared at Pikachu. "What was that for? Couldn't you see we were having a special moment."

"Yes, I could." Johanna said snapping the teens attention to the older woman and both went bright red at the sight of Dawn's mother there. "Several moments in fact. I got a very good look as I tried to tell you I was here. It was sweet, for the first few minutes, but it had to end as this is a public place. You weren't listening so I asked Pikachu for help."

"Pika." Pikachu said with a smile showing his lack of regrets. "Pika, Pikachu."

"Er, thanks." Ash said sheepishly not looking at Johanna. "I guess we got a little carried away."

"Yeah we did." Dawn said still blushing remembering the kiss.

"It is understandable." Johanna said as Ash helped Dawn up and they headed to the dressing room so that Dawn could change and salvage her hair. "After all, Ash did come a long way to surprise you, I knew that something special would happen."

"Wait! You knew that Ash was here?" Dawn asked incredulous. "And didn't tell me?"

"Or me." Ash added surprised that he had been spotted as Dawn sat down and glared at her hair. "I thought no one knew I was here."

"Well I couldn't ruin it now could I." Johanna said with a laugh as she went over to help her daughter out, grabbing a hair brush and attacking Dawn's hair. "It was so sweet to see that Ash had come all this way to see you and was being secretive about it that I had to let it play out. As soon as you lost, Ash was out of his seat and going to you before the trophy was presented. I knew then that this would happen."

Dawn just blushed as her mother worked on her hair. As they were sorting it out, and storing the Pikachu clip away for special occasions, Oshawott decided to burst out of his Poke Ball and join them. All they could do was watch with a smile as he and Piplup first glared at each other the way rivals did before they embraced and began playing.

"I see Oshawott remembers his rival." Ash said with a laugh as Pikachu joined in. "I was waiting for him to come out and say hi to Piplup. Almost all of my Pokémon are back in Pallet Town now."

"He's very cute." Johanna said looking at the Unova starter. "I take it he's from your trip in Unova."

"He is." Ash said with a nod. "I sent most of my Pokémon home before I left but I kept Oshawott, Scraggy and Charizard. Scraggy because he and Iris's Axew are best friends and I wanted to give them time to hang out before we all went our separate ways. Oshawott because I knew he would want to see Piplup as soon as he could and Charizard because I needed transport."

"I see, well I look forward to hearing all about your travels when we get back to the Poke Center." Johanna said. "I have of course heard all about them from Dawn but I feel like you would be able to tell me more, especially the last 3 months."

"I will do my best." Ash said as Dawn left to change behind a screen leaving Ash in an awkward situation with the mother of the girl he had just been caught making out with and was unsure what exactly they were now. "I doubt I can top whatever Dawn has said though, I am not a great storyteller. I also want to hear about all of Dawn's contests. I was unable to follow them after the Wallace Cup."

"We can talk about this over dinner." Johanna said as Dawn came out, her dress folded and in her usual outfit that Ash suddenly found very cute on her. "Along with other things."

Both teens blushed again but said nothing as Johanna and Dawn packed up everything that Dawn had worn for the Grand Festival. Johanna was happy to see that Dawn had fully recovered from her devastating loss, clearly Ash had been the reason for her swift recover. It was good. Dawn would not dwell on what went wrong and could move on with Ash by her side.

When they were done they all left the dressing room, Johanna leading the way. Ash returned Oshawott, promising the Pokémon he could come out later, while Pikachu and Piplup too their spots on their trainers.

As they returned to the corridor, Ash decided to take Dawn's hand, still unsure of where they were in their relationship but taking the risk. When she interlocked fingers with him Ash couldn't help but smile. It was a good sign to both of them.

They hadn't been able to really address what had just happened because of their electrifying interruption but it was clear that their relationship was at the next stage. They had just confessed their love for the other and shared a tender kiss, both of theirs first, that would change anything.

Johanna noticed it out of the corner of her eye and smiled to herself. Young love was always the same, new and exciting but hard to talk about at first, especially when it started the way Ash and Dawn's had. She was sure that they would discuss it at some point, of course she would nudge them along in that regard.

It didn't take them long to reach the Poke Center that house competitors in the Grand Festival. Johanna, as Dawn's guest, had been allowed to stay as well in a room next to her daughter so it made the most sense for them to both stay there during the competition. By the time they arrived the sun was setting and it was dinner time.

While they could have gone out for dinner, they decided it was best to just get something from the buffet dinner that the center provided for coordinators and their guests. It was easier and as the Grand Festival was now over, most of the competitors had already left so they had the place pretty much to themselves. That was good as Ash and Dawn needed to decide what to do next.

They all grabbed plates of food, Johnna and Dawn going with a healthy option while Ash loaded up his plate to bursting with an assortment of burgers, fries, and other greasy food choices. Once they had their food, along with bowls of Pokémon food for Piplup and Pikachu, they found an out of the way table and headed to it.

"So, you two." Johanna said sitting opposite the teens while Piplup and Pikachu sat on the table with their bowls of food and deciding to broach the important question right away. "What next?"

"Huh?" Ash said as he began to demolish the large plate of food he had as if he hadn't eaten in a while.

"I mean, what are you two going to do now?" Johanna asked. "The Grand Festival and Unova League are both done, so what next? Where are you two heading off to?"

"Well my plan had been to go and find Ash in whatever region had had decided to travel to." Dawn admitted as she ate, though not as fast as Ash despite her own hunger. "And I found him, just a lot sooner and nearer than expected."

"Yeah, I kinda preempted you on that." Ash admitted after swallowing a large amount of food, he was at least trying to maintain his manners in front of Johanna. "Sorry."

"It was nice and sweet." Dawn said leaning over and kissing his cheek. "It saves me time and now we can go wherever you want."

"Really?" Ash asked. "What about Sinnoh? Twinleaf Town? Don't you want to go home?"

"Mom came here for me." Dawn said. "I saw her and that is what mattered to me. I can go home soon but I want to be with you right now and if you aren't going to Sinnoh then neither am I."

"Oh." Ash said and he smiled at that, he had hoped that he and Dawn could stay together but he hadn't wanted to push it. "Is that ok with you Johanna?"

"If that is what Dawn wants then I will not stop her." Johanna said with a smile knowing that she couldn't stop Dawn if she tried. "Plus, she was at home for most of the year before she went to Unova and was a little restless while there. I think your adventurous spirit has gotten into her."

"Well after a year on the road it was hard to give it up." Dawn admitted. "Though Ash, you have done this for 5 years now, I can't imagine constantly traveling like that."

"Yeah, it is amazing that I have spent so much time traveling the world." Ash said a little amazed at it himself. "It's just who I am I guess. Though I did promise my mom I would come home to Pallet Town after the Grand Festival so I guess that is what I will do. I would love it if you came with me Dawn, I can finally show you Kanto and my home."

"I would love to join you." Dawn said beaming at him. "I can't wait to see Kanto and Pallet Town. I really wanted too when you left Sinnoh but I had to stay then."

"Yeah I do miss it a lot." Ash said thinking of it and his mom and realizing that his mom had said something about his return when he had called her from Unova. "Now that I remember it, mom invited you to come back with me after the Grand Festival."

"She did?" Dawn asked confused. "Why?"

"Well I told her I was coming here to see you in the Grand Festival before coming home." Ash said remembering the call. "She was very understanding and invited you back to Pallet Town with me after I was done here."

"Ah a mother's intuition is always right." Johanna said with a nod. "She knew why Ash was coming here and wants to meet the girl who is so important that Ash would see her first."

"Yeah she did say something like that." Ash admitted. "I didn't understand it back then, still don't really."

"Of course, you don't." Dawn said with a laugh at Ash's ability to miss the obvious as they finished dinner. "So, it is finally off to Kanto then?"

"Yeah, we can leave in the morning." Ash said as he began to think of the route to take. "We can travel to Goldenrod City and get the new magnet train that they built there. It goes to Saffron City in Kanto. From there it is about a week or so to Pallet Town but it is a familiar route and there are plenty of places to visit on the way."

"Sounds good to me." Dawn said with a smile. "I want to see all of Kanto so we can start with that trip."

"Yeah both Cerulean and Pewter City are on the way." Ash said thinking. "Which means we can go see Misty and Brock on the way, if Brock is home that is."

"Sounds like a plan." Dawn said though she wasn't sure who this Misty person was but she got a sudden sense of jealousy at the name. "I can't wait."

"Well then you two had better get some sleep." Johanna said. "That way tomorrow you can go get Ash's things and head to Kanto."

"What will you do mom?" Dawn asked. "I am sorry to run off again like this, especially after you made this trip for me."

"Oh, I have my own plans dear just in case you had to go off somewhere when the Grand Festival was over." Johanna said with a knowing look. "I am a former Top Coordinator after all, I am highly sought after on the contest scene. I have been asked to teach a few Poffin making classes as they aren't common here, as well as some coordinator classes throughout the Johto region. It will be a little holiday for me."

"Oh ok." Dawn said then something her mom had just said hit her. "Wait? What do you mean getting Ash's things tomorrow?"

"Yeah." Ash added suddenly picking up it. "I was planning on heading to my lodgings after this and getting my things then meeting Dawn here tomorrow."

"Nonsense, you can stay with Dawn." Johanna said dismissively causing both teens' jaws to hit the table. "It is much easier that way."

"Are, are you serious?" Ash asked incredulous.

He and Dawn had only just gotten together and already they were sharing a room. Arceus, they hadn't even had time to talk about what they exactly were. This seemed a little sudden.

"Of course, I am, I figured you two need some private time to talk." Johanna said with a smile. "Just know two things."

"What?" Dawn asked.

"Well firstly, make sure you have protection." Johanna said and the color drained from their faces at what Johanna was implying. "And second, I have the room next door and I don't think these walls are too thick."

Both Ash and Dawn faceplanted the table while Johanna just chuckled, a mother had to keep her daughter and the guy she liked on their toes. She decided it was best to leave them and got up to retire. She had her own things to plan and the teens needed a moment.

It took Ash and Dawn a little while to recover while Piplup and Pikachu just finished their meal, oblivious to what had just been said. When they did, the teens realized that Johanna was gone they picked up their Pokémon and went upstairs. They were both still amazed that they could share, though Dawn was really nervous about it, more so than Ash because she knew what awaited them when they got to her room.

When they got to the room, Ash saw why Dawn was so nervous. There was only one double bed in the room. That meant that they would have to share it but then again if they were to be a couple, weren't they? They would have to share one eventually so why not start now.

"Well, I guess we should at least address the Rhyhorn in the room." Ash said as the door closed behind them.

"Yeah, it has been a bit of a whirlwind." Dawn admitted, blushing and not looking at Ash. "We haven't had time to really talk about anything yet."

Ash knew what to do. He didn't know how he knew, but he did. He wrapped his arms around Dawn's waist and pulled her into him like before. Dawn just sighed in contentment as she rested against his shoulder.

"I guess we are a couple now." Ash said after a moment, finally addressing the issue that was still unspoken. "I mean, we do love other and we did, er, share that moment. This is all very new to me"

"We did." Dawn said with a smile at the memory. "And I want there to be many more like that."

"Same." Ash said and Dawn looked up at him at that.

Ash couldn't resist the girl he loved. He bent down and kissed her again. Dawn smiled and replied in kind, more passionate and heated then before. Soon Ash felt her tongue prodding his lips and he let it in as they wrestled for supremacy.

Eventually they had to come up for air and avoid a lightning bolt as Ash could feel Pikachu building one up to stop them. He would have to talk to his friend about not zapping him and Dawn when they were having a moment. Not now though.

"So, are we official?" Dawn asked as Ash rested his forehead against hers.

"I would say so." Ash said and they smiled. "If that is ok with you?"

"Of course, it is, though I do think we shouldn't rush things." Dawn admitted. "This is my first relationship and I want to take it steady, despite loving you and wanting you so bad."

"It's my first as well." Ash said. "I want the same thing but let's take this at our own pace and see where we go."

Dawn nodded and then yawned. Ash couldn't help but chuckle at that. Dawn had had a long, draining, emotional, and eventful day. No wonder she was exhausted and Ash wasn't too alert himself.

"Well, do you want to change and we can go to sleep." Ash said and Dawn just nodded and reluctantly broke their embrace.

She then went to her bag and grabbed her pajamas. Blowing him a kiss, she disappeared into the bathroom. She wanted Ash to see all of her, she just wasn't ready for that yet. Soon she would and she would see all of him in return but only when they were both ready.

Ash just stripped down to his boxers and a T-shirt to sleep in and waited for Dawn. Pikachu jumped into a chair in the room, curled up and went to sleep while Piplup sprawled out on the bed expecting to sleep there as usual. Ash smiled at the Penguin Pokémon; he was not going to be happy when he was moved.

As if on cue, Dawn came out of the bathroom in the same pajamas Ash had seen her wear in Sinnoh. She just shook her head at the now sleeping starter Pokémon and gently picked him up and put him on the chair with Pikachu. She would explain everything in the morning to Piplup.

Both ready for bed, the new couple got into bed together. Ash put his arm around Dawn's waist and pulled her close to him. She snuggled up against his chest, happy to be in his arms again and not wanting to leave them. It felt right. At last, they both felt whole.

"I love you Dawn." Ash whispered.

"I love you too Ash." Dawn replied.

Nothing more was needed as they both fell asleep in each other's arms, content and happy. In the morning they would make the trip to Kanto and begin their new journey together. Neither could wait for what laid ahead of them on their new journey as a couple.

Well they are now official, the pearlship has launched and their time together has begun. Naturally I had to have some fun with Johanna as any mother would do so, she will continue to be like that whenever she shows up going forward. Next chapter is a bit of filler and like Part IV, the worst one in my opinion as it is rushed but necessary for the advancement of the story so apologies in advance for it, it should be the last such part in the series as from Part IX on everything is pretty set for the story. I am also trying something new at the start of Part VIII so when you read it let me know if it works so I know whether or not to keep it as something that occasionally happens. That is all for this note, please let me know what you think in your reviews and PMs and I hope you enjoyed the start of my sequel story. Until tomorrow.

Stringdog