Author's Note: So most of you are wandering what's gonna happen next. As much as I'd like to share the exclusive details that would only make the story less interesting. You see by doing a bit of pondering along with he help from bayboo20, I've finally managed to figure out what this story is really suppose to be about. At first I just wanted it to orientated around Ash, but now I see that by adding supporting characters it can easily intensify the plot. So my fellow readers, be prepared for mind tingling, jaw dropping, spectacular chapters!

" So which one do think looks better? The is one, or this one?" In front of her Ash's mother held up two dresses which looked almost identical except with the different patterns that ran down its sides. "I really do like this one best because it says 'wow look at her, she's old yet incredibly stylish.'" She dreamily gazed down at the attire. " Yet this one really does bring back memories. I use to wear one of these when I was just dating your father."

At this point Ash didn't care. They had been in this clothing store for almost an hour looking at all different types of dresses ,and they had still not even bought a single one! If that wasn't frustrating he didn't know what was. Not to mention that hanging around all this lady stuff was kind of making him uncomfortable. "You should go with the first one." His voice clearly showed he could care less which dress she chose.

The woman thought for a second raising both dresses in each hand, her arms tilting like a balance. "You know what, I'll just get them both!" Thank you. Ash mused to himself. " Now do you think I should get a little necklace with it? Maybe in black, or blue, purple?"

"It looks fine without it. How about we just go ahead pay for it, we got a lot to do remember?" Ash was not known for his patience. But for just this one time would he manage this long.

His mother complied with an amused smile. "Your right. Oh Ash I haven't felt like this in years, just taking a little time to do some shopping for the house while buying some little things for myself. It makes me feel young again." With a bit of a skip in her step, she began walking towards the cash register.

"Yep. Having the time of my life." He followed responding in a sarcastic tone. Nevertheless it was nice to see the older woman happy and having a great start to the day, it was the least he could of done. However once they reached the front, they were met with a long line of people. Them being at the very end. Okay now was a time he'd really like to say a few certain words, but again he had changed so no cursing. He could wait a few minutes, right?

There at the beginning of the line was an elderly woman who seemed to be a bit too old to be shopping by herself. "Your total is twenty dollars and fifty-two cents." The cashier mumbled bagging the last clothing item. Slowly the elder reached for her purse puling at a large sack of change. Unbelievably it was all pennies.

Yes pennies.

Every single one of them.

Pennies.

"Will this cover it?" The woman asked shakily.

Looking at the elder then at the bag of change, the cashier grumbled. "I don't know, let me see." She sighed pouring the change onto the counter. "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven,eight,nine,ten,eleven,twelve ."She started off. Right now it took a great amount of self control for Ash not to shout. This right here was ridiculous! Who brought all pennies to pay for clothes anyways?! Though the master of smoke couldn't do a thing about it, he'd just have to wait and be patient. Great his two least favorite words. "Twenty... Uhhh wait let me start over again. I accidentally counted one of them twice. One, two,three four..." Alright waiting wasn't an option, he needed to get out of this store before he went crazy.

"Hey, you know what I'll just wait outside okay?" Ash said to his mother. "Bye." Before she was able to deliver an answer, the store's bell rang followed by the shut of a door. Old lady or not, she was getting on his last nerve. Anyways during this long wait he could finally poke around to see what was really going on in town. His mother was hiding something, and was sure enough not willing to tell. Well that was where he got most of his stubbornness after all.

Now where did a guy have to go to get some info? Being a previous crook himself, getting information should of been of been a piece of cake. Regardless shaking down a poor defenseless villager wouldn't seem very heroic so that method would be out. He'd have to find other means of sourcing his intel. Such as going to his old hunting grounds.(Leeward side of the village) Though he'd have to make it back before his mother got out, the last thing he needed was her worrying.

"Twenty-three, twenty-four,twenty-five...Ehhh. Miscounted again. One,two, three." He heard the shop clerk go on again. By the looks of it, he had plenty of time. Vanishing into the crowd of commoners, he set his eyes on his goal ahead. The "Upper class " area of town was diversely different from the lower parts, as could be seen when walking past certain buildings, their ages seeming to increase.

The decaying homes.

Rotten aroma in the air.

Taverns on every corner of the street.

This was here he came to do most of his "work". Ash dreamly thought to himself, nostalgia feeling his head. Sill the place was dirtier then he remembered, and the stream that ran through seemed a bit mucky. "Tell me what you know." That just couldn't be. There was no way he would come all the way out here.

"C'mon chill man. I know nothin'. I swear!" The voice of a frantic thug echoed after. Off across the street, in front of a bar, a mysterious figure had the poor man by the scruff of his collar.

"Liar. You know something I don't, do you not? Tell me or else." This man said in a cool yet threatening tone.

Ash couldn't believe his eyes. It was the master of shadow himself, Shade. The guy wasn't all that too happy, or fun, but he certainly did have a way with words by the looks of the current situation. Deciding to take a closer look Ash took some steps closer. Though he didn't get far once he found a knife hurtling right towards his head. He had only seconds to disperse into a puff of smoke, allowing the knife to spiral right through him, embedding itself into the pole behind him.

"Nice aim. Nearly took my head off, by whatcha' gonna do." Of course he was kidding, but to break the tension a joke at the time was appropriate.

"Can't you see that I'm busy?" His grip only tightened on the thug.

"Ouch. And here I was trying to say hello to a good friend." Ash smirked. "Your waisting your time, that guy doesn't know anything.

A glance was shared between him, the man,and Ash before he finally allowed the thief to drop to the ground. In a flash he was gone, nearly tripping over once released. "Why are you here?" Shade was obviously not amused, for his death glare had settled right on the other master.

"Same reason you are, trying to figure out what's happening in this crazy village. So for once we're on the same page. What do say about putting aside our differences and work as a team?" Ash put his hand out, as if to shake on a deal.

"Don't touch me." Shade coldly spat back, disgusted by the friendly gesture. He then simply pushed past the Master of smoke. "If your serious about this,we meet here the second the sun goes down. Not a minute less or over." A second later he used his signature move by disappearing into the shadows.

"You can count on that."