Author's note:Well lookie at who finally decided to post a new chapter. I've been putting this off for far too long, and have decided so that I may be on time, to write a rough draft while I'm at school. So far it seems to be working.

Okay now let's get a little recap. Ash is helping shopping with his mommy (Such a sweet boy), until he is able to get away for a few minutes to encounter the beloved master of Shadows. As you read he's not too bright(no speaking as in intelligence wise but overall personality). He's made it clear that's he is on a mission and doesn't have time to fool around. *Hince him almost beheading Ash with a knife* I'm thinking knives should just be his thing. He kind of strikes me as a guy who'll pull a knife out if irritated enough, you know?

And to my reviewers, I thank you! When you comment or give suggestions it just lets me know I'm not just writing this story for nothing. Let's get started shall we? Oh and remember, I'm always open to new ideas. As they say 'two heads are better than one.'

When Ash returned it didn't seem he had missed much. His mother was departing from the gosh awful store when he finally arrived. "There you are!" She began to fret. "I was wondering to where you had wandered off to. For moment I began to think that you had left without saying goodbye." The older woman worried, in her hands the bags filled with her purchased clothes.

Ash in return tried his best not to roll his eyes at her frantic outburst. "I didn't go too far. Actually I just went around the corner, bumping into an old good friend of mine." Most of what he said was true, besides the 'walking around the corner part and good friends' phrase.

"Friend?" She paused as if the word was foreign. "Oh that is so nice, you will have to just introduce me to him some time. I'm assuming he isn't a thug who likes to hang out in allies, right?"

The elemental master chuckled. "He can't really be considered a thug even though he looks like one. And can be a little rough around the edges..."Okay where exactly was he going with this? So far he wasn't selling his supposed friend as being a good example of character. "If just look beyond those things, he's pretty cool." In the moment there were an exchange between glances until Ash felt a sudden weight in his hands.

"Be a dear and carry those for me."She had simply dropped the two bags in his hands. Thank goodness for once she had not pressed for more answers. However when Ash began to swish the bags out of curiosity with an unusual heavy weight, he found it was clear his mother had bought more than just clothes. In fact he could hear the jingling of jewelry along with other small trinkets. "We can cross the banquet off the list! Now forward onto the food market." She mentioned with her hands, almost instantly fading into the thick ocean of people.

From there the events had been particularly mild. They stopped at a couple of fruit stands, meat delis, and even a candle stall. The last stop had been a bit random or bizarre but it did have some good smelling candles to be frank. Probably anyone who spent the whole day shopping with an old lady and sniffing lit up odorizers, would of called it utterly boring. Not to Ash though. To him this was relief from his usual exciting line of work.

He allowed his eyes to close for a moment only to reopen to see things in a new light. It was now ten years ago, the stands still oozing out the aroma of fresh food.

Flashback

"Oooooh can get with this? This? And this?" A young boy zoomed around poking at each presented goods in the stalls. In response he received angry glares from the owners.

"Now Ash..." This time a woman's voice interrupted. "We've only came here to buy a few things." With a gentle hand she guided the rowdy boy away from the stands. "Now if you could just not touch anything like a good boy, we'll go for some candy. How does that sound?"

The boy's face lit up with excitement. "Okay!"

To most the woman looked like an average single mother with a rebellious child. Though the saying not to judge a person by their cover often contradicts that physical array. She wore the commoners dress, allowing her grey hair to flow past her small shoulders. An odd color not due to age but simple genes which her son had most likely inherited. His hair resembled much of his father's having a disarray of grey spiky hair. Much similar to the design of attire for young boys of the village, Ash wore a brown vest buckled with a belt, underneath a padded square patterned shirt. As for the pants he wore, they resembled silver shackles of sorts.

This mother went by the name of Bailey Haze. She was known for fooling around with one of the elemental masters, Ash being the consequence. But to her it wasn't much of a punishment but a gift! Sure the boy could be unruly at times, she still loved him.

"Are we done yet?"

"Almost." Bailey answered.

"Why?" Ash inquired.

"Because we still have things to get on the list."

"This boring though." He began to whine.

"It won't be for long, I promise."

For a moment there was silence.

"How about now?"

Bailey gathered some more patience. "Let's play the quiet game. That should pass time."

"Wait, isn't that just not talking. What type of game is that?!" A tantrum wavered in the air as the boy folded his arms.].

"It is, but only the elite are able to complete this vigorous challenge." They stopped at another stand. "Thats okay though. It's pretty hard to do so I understand."On her face was a sly smile.

"Hard? I can do anything!" He boasted pointing a finger to himself. "Starting now- oops!" Ash covered his mouth. " I mean starting now-darn!" He facepalmed himself. "Starting now after I say starting now!"

Bailey giggled. That should keep him quiet for a while.

End of Flashback

The young master shook his head after realizing another paper back placed in his arms. By the time they left the market, Ash could barely see thee feet in front of him. In fact his main guide was the talkative voice of his mother. Hearing the creak of a door alerted him that they had reached home. "Finally." Ash muttered to himself.

"Look at this, it's only half past noon!." His mother marveled taring at the analog clock position above the kitchen's stove." And I didn't even have to break a sweat."

I sure did. Ash implied letting the heavy load thud against the dinning room's table.

"Just enough time to stop by Mrs. Leah's."

He had just slumped down into a chair until perking up at the dreadful name. "Do we really have to?"

"Of course we do! Cheer up ,it''ll be nice to have a little sit down and catch up." Bailey pleaded to convince her discouraged son. "Plus I've heard her daughter has been talking up quite the storm since you left."

Another Shiver went down his spine.

"You'll see. Once I put up the rest of the groceries we'll leave. After all we can't be out all day, now can we?"

Ash couldn't agree more. From experience he knew Shade could not always be a patient guy. When he said "The second the sun went down" and not a minute after, he was serious. All he could do for now was hope that they had changed from the last meeting. If not he'd just have to endure it.

The Eager home had always been festive with its various decorations. It was a rule for not even an inch of wall to be left barren. Not only that but the furniture was far from being normal.

"...And that's why we decided to name him Ash. Oh don't you remember that Leah?" Bailey finally finished her prolonged drawn out story. The women laughed joyfully causing Ash to sink deeper into his chair with regret. For the past 2 hours his mother had be rambling on with one of her queer tales.

Mr's Leah and her daughter Meli had been gathered around gigging up a storm. Leah was a large women with a loud unappealing voice. Her word's were filled with joy and enthusiasm, though after a while it could sometimes make others wish they had gone death. Her daughter on the other hand had slender figure. Even though she appeared to be sweet and delicate, her words could be poison when she didn't get her way.

"Hey Ashey-Washey, this party is getting a bit dull. Why won't you liven things up by telling one of those exciting stories of yours?" Meli scooted a bit too close for Ash's comfort, causing him to shift away in disgust.

"I think I'll pass." His response was quick.

There was an awkward silence.

"Hmph, must be us old folks hovering around making things dense." Mrs. Leah stood up. "C'mon Bailey, lend me a hand in the kitchen like old times! I'm cooking brownies, besides the kids will get a a chance to catch up." Ash shook his head silently pleading for his mother not to leave.

"Alright. That sounds good."

There were times that Ash believed women spoke their ow artificial language. Not even able to pick up the simplest of signals."Sooooooo, what have you been up to lately? I'm sure a dazzling man like yourself has ben very very busy." Her eyes flicked at the word busy.

Some many words he wanted to say, but none of them appropriate or nice. " Yes I have. Y'know been all over Ninjago helping people out." His voice was strained. Meli only scooted closer. Only a few more hours. Ash thought attempting to ease his mind.

Any normal guy would of loved that a cute girl was flirting with him. Well that seemed to say Ash wasn't normal, because if anything he was was not loving the moment. Having someone hammer on you the whole time really isn't enjoyable if your weren't even attracted to them.

"It goes to wonder why you don't have a gal to be at your side."

Ash raised a brow. "Excuse me?"

"Just saying a man like yourself shouldn't be alone."

"Eheh... So you say." She was stalking closer like a panther ready to pounce on its prey. Somehow in the scenario he was hoping not to be the prey.

" You know I could solve that problem of yours."

"Yeah... No thanks."

Everything stopped.

"Excuse me?" She almost sounded like she was offended. Maybe because she had been rejected in such a nonchalant manner."Is there someone else?"

"No. Maybe. I don't know, but for sure your not really my type."

"Oh what, I'm not good enough for you?!" Her drama queen side was revealed.

Ash rolled his eyes. He didn't want to get into all the drama before he had to leave. "I didn't say that." But if he could he'd most definitely would.

Though before any real action could begin, Leah rolled in with a steaming trey of brownies. "Dessert is served!" She bellowed planting the tray of goods on the coffee table in front of them. "You kids caught all up?"

Save by the bell! Or more likely saved by the sweets.

Author's note: This chapter was a bit weak, but now that I've established the characters we can finally move on to Ash's randevu with Shade. Also just a note I might be using Meli as comic relief. She's sort of a Darreth but more annoying and just not helpful at all.

So review, Follow, Fave, whatever so I'll not what to change and to keep the same. Cleojack signing off!