Authors Note: Alright so I haven't been seeing a lot of Ash fanfics that really shows his character. He kind of strikes of a kind of guy who just goes with the flow. Also he will go his own way rather than others due to him wanting to be a leader and not a follower. Just a simple note, I usually am more encouraged to right when receiving reviews. Even with critiques I still know that you guys are at least interested.

No more lying no more stealing, no more cheating ,no more fighting with authorities, and most painfully no more tricks! This was the longest list the young Smoke elemental master had to make in his entire life. The hero business was a lot tougher than what he was use to doing, but it was more honorable with its benefits. Such as free stuff along with happy smiling faces instead of angry ones. Now he could actually return back home without receiving a disapproving stare from his mother's pain filled eyes. Ever since fighting along with the other master's against Chen's seemingly unstoppable army he had gained a new sense of knowledge.

This gift he had; for years Ash had used it wrongly for his own earnings when there were others out there who could of really used his help. All that slack he left behind needed to be picked up. It was time for him to become 're-respon- responsible! But not right away course, what would be the fun in that? Though still was a time to turn over a new leaf. Time to get serious. Especially to get the attention of a certain girl he met.

There it stood as it always had. Araluen village. The small little settlement had been named that due to the stream that ran through carrying freshly bloomed water lilies. Feeling himself suddenly drawn to his home he stopped at the small little bridge that crossed one over to the village. At that moment he was beginning to have second thoughts about his decision. Even though he did do some good he still had done al lot a bad which could hardly amount the deed he'd done. Ash really didn't like to think of the past but he had to accept the facts presented, the villagers here probably wouldn't be so thrilled to see him. Heck as a warming gift they may stick pitchforks and torches in his face!

Yet he wasn't here to patch up things with them. He was here for the only person that had put with his antics, the only person that had held on with him through thick and thin,his mother. Yeah by just thinking about it , it sounded like some corny line in a movie but it was the truth. Without another thought he walked along the bridge allowing his gloved hand to trace over the cobblestone arch. Somehow his home looked so much different from the time he had left it, sure the old Well was still there with the old oak standing tall next to it; there was still something off to him.

Then again it was probably nothing. Shrugging the grey haired man continued walking now finding himself at the village's center. No one had noticed him yet. He wasn't trying to get attention or anything, but C'mon when he was running around this place he put the 'b' in bad. The people simply walked on either conversing with each other or carrying back food from the local market. A bit disappointed he continued on his search wondering if that old house of his was still standing.

Now he was beginning to see what was different, there were more houses than there use to be along with streets. Every moment that passed the place was starting to seem more like a town than a cute little village. Ash knew he should of gotten here earlier, now the sun was already going down and he still couldn't find his own darn house! With that there seemed to be less and less people out, though at this point he didn't care. All he wanted to do was- There it sat. It's faded out paint, tinted grey windows and all.

Almost running he stopped at the door, that nagging voice people called a conscience talking to him again. "You can't just address your mother anyway. Fix your hair, make yourself look nice." Ash barely listened to this so called voice but for once it seemed to have a point. As a child he remember how his mother would always try to tame his wild spiky hair, no type of gel or water could keep it down for long. She always use to get so frustrated.

His lips formed a nostalgic smile, attempting to at least look presentable. Time was running out, he either did it now or never. Extending an arm out, he allowed his hand to make a knocking gesture on the wooden door. There was silence at first, before the click of a lock followed by the knob to the door turning, revealing an older looking woman with silver hair tied into a ponytail. She wore the common wear of the village women, which was simply a dress with a faded color of choice, her's being grey. "Sorry but it's bit late, I promise I'll have the money-" The woman suddenly froze.

The look she carried on her face was indescribable . It was a look a mother had when seeing her child that been gone for what had seemed like ages. "Oh my goodness ,Ash it is you!" She was full of both happy and saddening emotions, her way of letting it out all at once was to give her son one big well needed hug. " Let me get a good look of you." Her smiled only widening after finally letting go, she could she her son gasping for air. "You've gotten son big."

"A thing that happens to all kids when they grow up." Ash's rasped voice answered. By big she must of meant taller since he was still as skinny as he when he was younger, sure his shoulder's were broader but he was grown man and still only weighing around 120 pounds.

His mother only laughed pulling him inside. " Please take a seat, dinner is almost ready, ."

After all this time he had forgotten how lively his mother was, however if one thing hadn't forgot was her delicious cooking. Being taken out of his daze he saw his mother still over by the door snapping and clicking all type of locks. Araluen was pretty safe place, so he didn't really understand why his mother needed so many locks, but then again he'd be paranoid too if he lived alone. Well not really.

Just dropping the subject he took a seat at the dinning table that sat comfortably near the kitchen. Looking down he saw the engravings he made while he was smaller. School is dumb. Read one of them. Coy is a- Whoa he didn't remember himself using such language. Why didn't his mother throw out the table after all this time? It was old, falling apart, and left a bad message "It's funny, today I was actually cooking one of your favorite meals. Your were crazy about it when your were younger."

Her voice suddenly called as she drifted into the kitchen returning with two steaming bowls of Ramen. Ash couldn't believe it, he hadn't had this in years! " I can tell by your face that your''re pleased." A simple nod answered her question. "So, how have you been? Your never called when you left."

The young master currently had Ramen stuffed in his mouth once he looked up. "Well." He began to start, swallowing as he wiped the remains off his mouth with hand. (Talk about manners) "Been good, you know around all over the place." Ash simply replied.

It was always sort of a game when Ash's mother wanted answers from his son. The longest it had ever taken was a good two hours of pressing." Okay, not the answer I was expecting, but where do you live now a days? I heard about that awful tournament you entered along with that battle you had with Chen's army. I use to oder noodles from his place, who knew he was an evil mastermind."

"You know around. Pretty much everywhere. But the tournament wasn't that bad, well until I lost that is." By now Ash was already done with his bowl. "Those snakes were nothing though, we could of beaten them, it was just that Garmadon came in time to help out by sacrificing himself. I still say we could of won without it." His cocky nature was now beginning to become visible.

"As always you tell your stories in detail." His mother mentally sighed. " Do you have any kids yet?"

"Nope."

"Wife?"

He shook his head.

"Girlfriend?"

"No." Ash already knew what she was prying for, but he wouldn't tell. It was better that his mother didn't know about his new 'career', she was already worried as it is. "Listen I'm fine, you'd don''t have to worry about me anymore, I can take care of myself. If anything I should be taking care of you. " There goes one of those corny lines again. " Is there anything I can do to help around here? You sure look like you could use it."

She was a bit astonished at her son's sudden eagerness to help. He really had changed from the last time."Well down at Ying's noodle shack I could really use some help. Tomorrow is spring cleaning and all and-"

"It's done. I'll just show up first thing in the morning. See yah then." Ash stood up pushing in his chair. (That's a first even for him)

His mother's eyes drifted towards the window, seeing the sun had fully gone down and it was now night. A frightful reminder came into mind as she pulled on her son's arm before he could reach his hand towards the door's knob. "Stay the night, please?"

Again that feeling of uneasiness washed over him. Something just wasn't right, though for now he'd ease his mother's concern by staying then later doing some investigation. "Fine."

Certain relief could be seen when his mother let go of his arm. " Go on upstairs. I left your room completely untouched." Ash complied though with hesitation. Once out of sight, the older woman sighed knowing that her son would be safe for the night. She knew he had already picked up on it, by this little village had changed from the last time visited. Unfortunately it was for the worst.

Author's Note: So how was the first Chapter? I should be uploading the next one some time today or tomorrow. Sadly the other ninja will not be making an appearance in this story. Maybe a camo but nothing more since this story is to focus on how Ash changes, and the other elemental Masters.