(Hello, readers, and welcome back to "Hanshen of Hearts"! It's been a good long while, but my studies have finally been put on hold (For my summer job *Whaaaaa*! It sucks being forced to squeeze in my fanfiction and Manga). You know the rules; while Poke'mon isn't copyrighted to me, the made up characters in this story and storyline do. Don't be mean and pirate. Last time we left, Ash was abducted by a mysterious woman, leaving poor Misty without a clue as to where he went. What events await our heroine as she attempts to rescue him?)

                         
Hanshen 2: "Key To Truth"

       "AASSSHHH! NOOOOO!" Misty's cries echoed throughout the underground area, bouncing against the stone walls. Once the black shadow-liquid had dissolved completely, light from cracks in the room were allowed to enter once more. Even with Misty's constant yelling, the place had a sort of silent air to it. "ASH! ASH!" BING-BING-BING-BING! Misty continuously beat the ground with tip of the sword fiercely. The water of her tears splashed down sporadically, sometimes splattering onto the shiny weapon. Brock, May, and Max just stood with their fist clenched, trying to hold back the tears. The stone beneath Misty didn't so much as crack from her desperate attempts. The aquamarine sword clanged to the ground when she let it drop hopelessly. Instead-as if they would do any better-she beat the ground with her bare fists, till her knuckles glowed a painful pink. "…Damn…" Mist stared at the ground. Her vision was blurred by her tears and the hot-cold flashes of guilt and sorrow. "I…I couldn't save him." Her heart spoke, "I know he can be a pain sometimes, and a bull-headed brat…but I love that he's always there for me. But I couldn't even return the favor." "Misty…" Brock walked over and put his hands on Mist's shoulders. "What in the heck just happened? Where'd that lady come from?" May turned to her younger brother in disbelief. "How should I know? I'm just as confused." Max replied. Misty frowned; she grasped the sword hilt and began to strike the ground in powerful, relentless thrusts. "No-I-won't-let-her-take-him-away! I'll find-a-way-to you-Ash!"
        "Well, you won't get to him that way." A voice spoke close by from thin air. "Don't say things like tha-?" When oblivious Misty snapped at the unfamiliar voice, she let her sword clang to the ground again. It seemed to just materialize right before her; the Poke'mon resembled a sloth with purple fur touché with white at the tail-tip and tan on its soft belly. There was a red-white striped umbrella collar about its neck and a grey shell-like crown atop its head. Misty sat with her eyebrow twitching. "Hi there!" "Uhaaa!" The kids pulled back from the Poke'mon's giddy smile. It raised a questioned eyebrow, scratching its head. "Wha…a Slowking?" Max's shocked heart slowed down its rabid beating. "It can talk…that's pretty cool." May breathed. Now past the shock factor, Misty actually saw the Slowking as a fascinating creature. Her adoration of water Poke'mon swelled slightly, despite her current situation. "Wow-a Slowking! So cuuuute!" "Hey!" Without warning, Misty pulled Slowking into her grip, rubbing her cheek against it. Slowking kicked and pushed in her grasp, "C'mon, dangit!" FWEEEP! "Ah!" Misty fell face-first as Slowking's body vanished in random bars of light. It reappeared behind Brock and Max. "There are limits to hugs like that-I'm no plush-toy." Slowking straightened its umbrella collar a bit irritably, giving its foot an impatient tap. "Sorry…" Misty blushed slightly. "Anyway, like I said; you can't get to Ash like that." "And why not?" Misty asked on a more serious note. Max's glasses glared slightly; he could tell Slowking knew a lot more than he was letting on with that semi-cryptic statement. Judging from the look on Brock's face, he was thinking the same thing as well. "So, you know how to get Ash back?" May blurted and Misty chimed, "Do you?" Slowking folded his arms and closed his eyes. That laid-back smile of his was actually able to turn serious. "I do know how to save that boy-" "Tell me, please!" Misty got down on one knee before him to listen better. "First of all, you need to know that Ash is in a very dangerous predicament at the current-" "Tell me something I don't know-you're wasting time." Misty's temple beat anime style. She did her best not to simply throttle the only one with a lead to Ash.
       "You won't get him by busting my eardrums. The lady who took him," Slowking started while rubbing his ear, "Was a Queen of darkness named Minako. But don't get me wrong-she wasn't always like that. In the past, Minako used to be a very warm and kind-hearted princess of Shirube Kingdom. Both Poke'mon and people loved her and went to her for advice. Minako also had the very unique ability to guide those who were lost, be it simply finding a way to another town, or guiding a lost heart back to its true love. Thus this town archipelago was named Shirube, which means "guide". But like all princesses, her life wasn't all pamper and pleasure and was riddled with traditions. At the age of four, Princess Minako was promised to a rather…ahem," Slowking cleared his throat, putting his arms behind his back, "Arrogant little brat of a prince of some far off region with a stupid name I could care less about. Of course, by the time she was a young adult, Minako scorned the idea of being pre-engaged. And while the prince was madly in love with her, she had fallen in love with a common sword smith. The prince, repulsed by this, relied on the dark arts to place a vengeful curse upon the young sword smith. He forced him to wander aimlessly, until he was able to guide his heart back to the light. Princess Minako couldn't take this kind of devastation; her heart became consumed with loneliness, sorrow, and revenge. Her once docile nature had turned dark and vengeful and she used her powers to blindly enslave the entire Kingdom. With her heart unreachable, there was only one way to stop her from ultimately destroying Shirube. A sword of blinding light was forged and used to seal her in a century's sleep. It seems now that Minako has become strong enough to re-awaken-" "That's a real nice story and all-" Misty's clenched fist shook irritably, "But WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ASH?!" "Uhaa!" Brock had to hold Misty back by the arms to keep her from doing something rash.
       Slowking lay on his bottom, rubbing his ear again. "Minako must be planning to use Ash as a vessel to guide the lost heart of her lover back to her." He answered. Slowking walked over and picked up the sword Misty had dropped. He pulled it softly into his hands and examined it like a detective would a crime scene. He gazed at it from tip to hilt before speaking again, "Are you the one who pulled Towamune from the wall?" He asked without looking. "Yeah…" Misty calmed down a little. "This sword is your key; Towamune revealed itself to you…or rather, you were able who called to it. You will need to learn how to use this if want to rescue Ash." "That sword dispersed the shadows earlier." Brock folded his arms, "Could Towamune be the same sword that sealed Princess Minako into a deep sleep?" "Way to state the obvious, Brock. As usual…" May and Max thought, sweating anime style. Slowking poised the sword before him with one hand. The blade tip aimed directly in Misty direction. "One and the same. Towamune's a unique blade who's power is represented by the user's personality." Slowking rose, then swung the blade once swiftly. The sword vibrated before erupting with a crescent-shaped energy. Misty's eyes widened; the blast grazed against her ponytail and crashed into the wall. "Aww…" Max's glasses slid down his nose as he watched rubble from the wall roll to the ground. "Amazing…" May wiped the sweat from her forehead. "Ash only has till the end of the New Years Weekend to be his own self; if Minako uses his body past midnight, Ash will replace her wandering lover's fate." Misty made a squeak noise, but Slowking paid her no mind, "A swords master by the name of Musou lives east of here in a mansion in the Shirube fields. Go to him. Learn how to use this." "I don't have that kind of time." Misty snapped, pulling up the sword from Slowking. Her cerulean eyes wavered, trying to fight the inundating emotions within her. "I only have one day and one afternoon. I can't expel any more time. I'll get him back myself-" "Don't be foolish." Slowking's voice became dangerously stern, "You'll rush to your doom without training, not helping yourself or Ash. Waste time and prepare instead of saving time and being reckless." Misty squeezed Towamune's hilt; she knew that submitting to training was the only way she could rescue Ash safely.

       (Meanwhile…) "Uhaa…" Ash's eyelids moved slightly as he began to stir. The haze around his head started to clear up. "…uh! Misty!" Ash sat straight up, reaching out to the air in a flash of a second. His vision slowly focused in on the area around him. The place was very vast and very beautiful, created completely of white marble. Streams, pools, and fountains of sparkling clear water flowed all across the floor and over the edge endlessly. Ash marveled at the various marble sculptures of swans and doves. But what really caught his attention was the sky above him. The canvas was painted with an evening mix of purple, blue, red, and yellow. Misty-thin clouds and diamond-resembling stars littered the awe-inspiring sky. Ash rose to his feet and felt the top of his head; his cap was nowhere to be found. "Where the heck am I?" His heartbeat increased with panic. He couldn't find anyone or anything familiar. "Pikachu?! Brock?! Misty?!" Ash broke into a frantic sprint. His footsteps and voice echoed in the silence around him. "May?! Max?! Where are you guys?" He continued running and shouting, eventually coming up to the edge of the floor. "Whoa!" Ash teetered on one foot; the ground he stood on was actually a gigantic pillar stretching up from the purple oblivion below. Ash forced his equilibrium to shift and fell on his bottom. He wiped the nervous sweat from his head, still panting.
"Don't bother calling out to anyone. They can't hear nor see you where you are." A soft voice spoke. Ash turned around, gazing upon the woman who had dragged him away with the shadows. The woman's eyes glowed with a soft front, but there was something dark hiding behind them deep down. Ash's memories sped through his mind like crazy; he jumped up to his feet and reached to his belt. But all he felt was the fabric of the object holding his pants up. "Uh?" "These are of no use to you." The woman held up Ash's poke'balls. "Where's Pikachu, and Misty, and the rest of my friends?!" Ash demanded, waving his arm. "Shouldn't you be more worried about yourself?" The woman took a step closer, "I have chosen you to become the vessel for my dear Tsukaku. You're heart is perfect; it still walks in the twilight of happiness and heartbreak. Only a heart in twilight can move freely between the light and the darkness." Ash took a slight step back and nearly staggered off the edge. "With that," Minako continued, "In combination with the turn of the New Year, Tsukaku will be back in no time." "You're crazy!" Ash's mind raced; he burst forward as fast as he could in a reckless dash. "What do you hope to accomplish?" FWOO! Minako simply waved her hand. A gust of wind picked up Ash's feet and sent him soaring through the air. Magically, beads of light hovered up from the floor. They mingled with each other for a split second before shaping into the outline of a magical seal ring. Other lights formed minute lines and the four quarter numbers of a clock. Lastly, two red beams of light-one short and one long-and a green light fixed themselves to the spectacle like the hands of a clock. Ash's body was pulled towards the clock. His back planted on the face and his arms were bound to the ring by some invisible force. Minako didn't bother turning around, but rather looked up at the sky. The stars made sporadic streaks and blinks. "Now, to take care of that girl. She may prove a threat against me with that sword."

       The afternoon sun moved slowly through the sky. Pikachu watched the bird Poke'mon fly overhead, wondering if it would ever be able to see its best friend again. Misty had a pissed, overly-determined expression on her face. Towamune was tucked in a sheath given to her by Slowking. The group of kids walked through the unleveled fields next to the ruins where Slowking was left at. BY now, they could see the gates to a beautiful Japanese style mansion pull up in the distance. "This is just too crazy." CRUNCH! May crunched her way through a peanut-filled candy bar. "You must feel awful since you're still stuffing your face." BAN! "Uh!" Max massaged his sore head from May's fist. "I'm your sister; I have every bit of leeway imaginable to smack you around." May's temple beat anime style. "When you think about it," Brock started to Misty, "This training has to be notoriously short, seeing as we only have one day left-" "I hope so. I don't have time to be slowpoking around." She replied. "Pika-pika!" Pikachu cheeks surged in determination. Misty would not be the only hero rescuing Ash from the dark queen. "…" Misty let her angry drive ease up a little in the softer expression on her face. Brock, who had glimpsed it, put his hand on her shoulder. "Brock…the true reason I came was because…I had finally worked up enough nerve to tell Ash I loved him." "I kinda' figured that much." Brock said. "['Bout time, slow-poke]" Pikachu folded its arms. May and Max were silent; It wasn't hard for them to figure that out either. Especially how Ash would never speak ill of her while she was away, then turn around and crack on her whenever she visited.
       The kids and Pikachu got to the front gate of the Japanese mansion and came to a stop. With Misty up front, she knocked on the doors. Silence answered her back. With a frown, she knocked on the doors again with May's help this time. "Mr. Musou?" Max called out. Still, the air was their only response. "Okay-good cop over!" With a quick, impatient tapping of her foot, Misty pulled at the double doors of the gate. Everyone else sweated anime style as they watched her reveal the gate's inner sanctum. "Misty, do you really think it's a good idea to just burst into the house of a veteran samurai." Brock asked. "Of course not. Musou?! Hey, Musou-I'm calling you!" Misty stepped onto the long cobblestone pathway that led up to the mansion's front door with Pikachu at her feet. Her voice rang out with Musou's name loudly. "Not very subtle for someone breaking and entering." Max dared to follow in with his sister and friend. "Musou-" FWEE-PFPTH! Pikachu and Misty sweated; a sharp arrow stuck in the ground right before their feet. Brock, May, and Max froze up from the same fate. FWEE-FWEE! From out of no where, a few more arrows spiraled through the air and landed in the dirt. "Run!!" "Pikachu-pika!"
       May's shout was the starting gun for them to burst into a sprint. They turned down into the outside corridor with the arrows pelting the wooden floor and railing. Misty had no clue where she was going; only the thought of running stuck in her mind. "Pika!" CRUSHH! Pikachu suddenly lost its footing due to the floor caving into a deep pit below. It, followed by Misty, May, Max, and Brock, tumbled down abruptly.
       "Grrrr!!" Brock growled stressfully. His hands, which were trembling as they grasped the mouth of the pit, strained under the weight of his train of friends below. At the end with Pikachu, Misty glanced down. "Pinsir…" "Pinsir!" A group of bug Poke'mon with large, thorny pincers on their heads growled threateningly. A shiver of fear traveled through Misty's entire body; with a shriek, she pulled herself up her friends. "I can't stand bugs-I can't stand bugs!" "Wait for us!" May pulled up, followed by her brother and Brock. Misty didn't get to run very far when a group of green spider Poke'mon dropped down before her on silky threads. Sick disgust spread on Misty's face as she burst forward, waving her arms fiercely to knock back anything in front of her. "This place is crawling with bugs!" She cried. "Misty! Darn that girl!" Brock ran hastily behind Max. The Spinarak spat sticky silk threads at the kids, forcing them to zig-zag as they ran. Misty pushed a sliding door open and darted inside without a second thought. When everyone was inside, she pushed the door shut behind them. "Huh-huh-huh…" They all panted. They leaned against the wall while catching their breath. Pikachu's tongue hung out like a dog in the hot sun. "I'm….getting a…sense of déjà vu." Misty  breathed. "…pika?" Pikachu's ears elevated with a twitch. Soon, Brock could also bear a rapid tumbling sound. It was faint at first, but increased in noise the more time elapsed. Brock turned around; the room they had run in was actually a wide corridor. And tumbling down the stretch of the hall was- "A boulder!" Max shrieked. The oversized rock quickly closed the distanced between itself and the kids. With nowhere to run in time, Misty shut her eyes. "This…can't be the end!"

       KERSRSPLASHH! "Uh?" Misty opened her eyes. From head to toe, she was dripping with water. Max took off his glasses to wipe the water from his eyes. The kids and Poke'mon looked as if someone pitched a bucket-load of water at them. Brock looked down at the rubber fragments that littered the wt floor. "…a massive water balloon?" He raised an eyebrow. "Piii!" Pikachu shook the excess water from its fur wildly. The clopping sound of geta sandals issued from the far end of the corridor, getting the group's attention. The man, just entering his fifties, was strong-faced. He had long white hair that was kept neatly. He wore a faded jade kimono shirt and blue pants. At his sash resided a sheathed sword. Misty noticed it and identified the man immediately. "A sword? You must be Musou-" "Go home," The man said flatly. Misty was taken aback by his statement for a second, but frowned it off. "I need your help. Someone I care about is relying on me learning to use this." Misty pulled Towamune by the sheath and held it before her. Musou closed his eyes calmly, "Little girl, it was a wasted effort coming here. I know about Minako and this isn't a game. Don't get killed and go home." He spoke-if possible-even flatter. Misty clenched her teeth and refused to move. She came too far to quit it all now. "Please, train me, Mr. Musou." She said through semi-clenched teeth. Musou turned to the side, "To pick up a sword means to vow to be the last one standing in the fight. You couldn't even dodge the fake traps I set-you are way too weak for the Towamune." Now Misty was finding it hard to hold her anger back. "Listen-I will wield this sword with everything I can muster. I refuse to leave without knowing how to use it. No matter what, I vow to save Ash!" "That's right; and we'll be right behind her!" "Pika-Pika!" "Yeah!" Misty's friends echoed behind her.
       There was a breath-holding silence for a while. Misty's eyes were unflinching, filled with flared determination. Musou folded his arms and glanced to her; their gazes met, fighting each other with their looks. With a terse sigh, Musou spoke, "One cannot train with Towamune by a bunch of endless physical training. Towamune must be used by the focus inside the heart, and your heart lacks the discipline. Go home," "Grrr…" Misty clenched her teeth as she watched Musou step away from her. Her friends wanted to help, but there was nothing they could do. Musou refused to train Misty and didn't look like he would change his mind anytime soon. "Then I'll just save him by myself." Misty rubbed her cheek once. At this, Musou stopped to hear what she had to say. "Let's get outta' here-we're wasting Ash's time." Misty pushed open the sliding door fearlessly, hiding her eyes beneath her bangs. She had completely forgotten about the dangers before. "So, you're just gonna' go?" May asked, concerned. "I won't waste time haggling over this." Misty responded. Pikachu jumped onto her shoulder and beckoned the others to follow. "…even though you don't have a clue about your enemy, you'll still go?" Musou asked. "Yes," Misty started out. "Good; I will meet you out in the front for your training." "Ur?" Misty stopped halfway through the threshold. She turned and started to speak, but Musou caught her first, "Don't make me repeat myself. Just-" KABAAANN! "Uhwaaa!" "Pika!" Everyone except for Musou fell to the ground due to a powerful quake of the mansion. The sound of crashing and falling debris could be heard from outside. "What was that?!" "It sounded like something hit the mansion!" Max stated. Grasping his sword hilt, Musou darted across the corridor. It was difficult to see, but a drop of sweat rolled down his cheek, as if he knew something.

       The kids followed Musou outside onto the front lawn. The roof of the North-eastern corridor looked as if something took a big bite out of it. "What could've done that?" Brock asked. "That," Musou pointed up higher into the sky. Descending from above, two dark entities didn't hesitate to make their presence known by a high-pitched screech. One of them resembled that of the extinct flying Poke'mon, Aerodactyl. The other Poke'mon looked like a large snake with sharp fangs and a blade for a tail-tip. "An Aerodactyl? No way!" Max gave the Poke'mon a semi-skeptical look. "Seviper don't fly…and why are those Poke'mon all black?" Brock asked. "They," Musou closed his eyes for a brief moment, "are shadow replicas; incarnated darkness of the Poke'mon that had befriended Minako in the past. She must have sent them after the Towamune." Musou stood ready for attack. The shadow replicas dropped down from above, landing before the group and hissing dangerously. Pikachu's cheek gave an aggressive spark as it jumped down on all fours. "We'll take care of this." Brock, Misty, and May pulled out one of their poke'balls. "Forretress, Go!" "Go, Beautifly!" "Let's go, Staryu!" the balls flew and burst open to release their Poke'mon out into the open. Using the release as a threat, Aerodactyl and Seviper lunged forward.
       "Attack!" The kids shouted. Pikachu's cheeks burst with dancing bolts of lighting; Beautifly's rapid-flapping wings produced a fierce silvery wind; Forretress spun like a top as it propelled to its opponents; and Staryu's jewel core erupted with an array of glowing stars. The attacks clashed head-first into the two shadows, sending them sprawling into the wall. "Got 'em!" Max leapt. Aerodactyl let out a low, deep growl; its body began to phase in and out like a bad TV reception. Between hisses, Seviper's figure rippled in wavy motions. The two Poke'mons' bodies pulsed with a dark aura as they multiplied into four. "What the-?" May took a step back as Brock and Misty sweated slightly. "Draw your sword." Musou drew his sword from the sheath. The blade glowed a dim greenish color. "The sword should be connected to you now." Misty nodded and held Towamune before her. As she pulled the sword from its sheath, the blade glowed an aquatic blue color. Misty marveled at the blade; she couldn't really explain t, but she could feel a warmth circulating between her and Towamune. "Misty, was it? Use the light inside your heart to wield Towamune. The love for the one you wish to save will guide you to it." With that, Musou rushed forward at lightning speed. There was a quick flash of glaring light as his sword hacked one of the shadows; the others scattered almost immediately. Misty held her blade to the side. Here eyes dated between the shadows flying and slithering around her. "Seviiiperrr!" A Seviper lunged; a clang sound issued as Misty's sword collided with its tail blade. She heaved it away and slashed Seviper. However, it didn't disperse into fragmented darkness like Musou's did. Instead, its wound disappeared and it swished its tail along with another one of its partners. "Wah!" SKRRCH! There was a ripping sound from the side of Misty's shorts as she rolled to dodge. "Misty-ah!" Brock fell back from an Aerodactyl's sharp wing. Max stayed beside May as Beautifly warded the shadows off as best as it could. Musou drove his way between his enemies, displaying his great skill as a swordsman. His glowing blade caused the dark creatures before him to disperse into fragmented darkness with one swing. "Grrr!" Misty growled; the two Seviper launched their tails. She stopped one by holding out Towamune, but the other caught the corner of her shirt. "Wraaaa!" "Uha!" "Misty!" "Pi-pi!" Brock, May, Max, and Pikachu cried.
        Misty kicked and struggled as an Aerodactyl hoisted her in the air by her waist. "Let-me-go!" She brandished her sword wildly, but the cuts simply vanished after they were made. Aerodacty squeeze on her tightened, causing her to wince. It lifted her higher and higher up. Soon, the other Aerodactyl soared up after her while licking their lips. "They're going to eat her!" Max cried. "Misty!" Musou scowled to the air as he hacked the last two Seviper away from May a little staggeringly, "If you can't win, you've doomed that boy!" "Uh!?" Misty frowned. The other Aerodactyl were closing in close; so close that she could see their sharp teeth with ease. Get eaten and Minako will have her way. But then, if you're giving up, why should you even bother continuing on?" "Who's giving up?!" Misty shouted, jabbing at her capturer. An Aerodactyl snapped its teeth at her and she batted it on the head with Towamune's flat side. "Admit you're too weak and give me Towamune. Then, I will save you." "Like hell I'll submit to that!" "Do it before you're eaten!" "Nooo!"
       Misty's cries echoed with an abnormal magnification. Her mind raced with the rapid beats of her heart. She was prepared to let Ash slip away from her heart. As long as she could, she would hold onto him tightly. Musou's words beat around her head and she was more than willing to prove them wrong. The blade of Towamune glowed a darker blue. The emotions that had swelled up in Misty's heart seeped into the sword slowly. She couldn't explain it, but the power seem to greet her naturally. The Aerodactyl were so close to her bare legs. "Misty, watch out!" Brock shouted urgently. 
       "Daifunsui Bubbles!" As Towamune was swung, a massive stream of suddy bubbles spilled from the bade. They danced all around before causing the Aerodactyl flying around the girl to disperse. Misty then thrust her sword upwards with calm force. "Wra!" The shadow replica coughed before erupting into a burst of bubbles. "Better…much better…" Musou thought, folding his arms. "Waaaaa!" Misty screamed as she fell from the sky. "We've got you!" Brock and May ran forward and held out their arms. Misty landed into their out-stretched hands and all three crashed to the ground. "Wow…" Misty rubbed her head gingerly. Towamune lay beside her next to May and Brock. "Nice catch…" "You too…" The two gave a weak thumbs-up to each other. "That was awesome, Misty!" Max exclaimed. Pikachu clambered up to Max's shoulder silently. "Not bad…argh!" Musou fell down to one knee, holding his side. Upon closer inspection, blood could be seen on his kimono shirt. "He's hurt!" May exclaimed.

       With Brock shouldering Musou, he guided them to the closest room near the front. The fading evening light poured through the window of the Japanese-style interior. As Musou lay in a floor bed, Brock broke out his first-aid kit to dress Musou's wounds. "Misty," Musou started, not sounding worried about his injury. "Hmm?" Misty gave him a concerned look. "I can't really do anything for you like this, but you know all that you need to know for the Towamune. As the light inside your heart grows, your power to invoke passion over Towamune will increase. If your light becomes strong enough, you will be able to use Towa-no-Hikari-Towamune's most powerful attack." "Towa-no-Hikari…" Misty repeated silently. "But be warned," Musou's voiced turned urgent, "Towa-no-Hikari is achieved by deep feelings of love, but it comes with a costly price. In the end, it will expel the heart's light and force it to wander through the dark of loneliness." "!!" Misty held her breath slightly. Her fists gripped her torn shorts lightly. Musou saw the rips in her clothes and closed his eyes to rest, "There's n outfit in the dresser by the window. Use it if it appeals to you. Bathroom's down the hall." He grunted. Misty gazed down herself; there was no way she was going to carry on in that. She stepped towards the mentioned wooden dresser and opened the first drawer. Inside was a black sleeveless shirt, a pair of dark blue shorts trimmed with black with a silver chain around one of the belt loops, and a dark blue jacket. The jacket was long and thin, trimmed with black, and had a wide-based end. It was sleeveless with a black hood, and the zipper stopped at the waist line. "Thank you," Misty took up the outfit. "Misty, I'm going to stay with Musou and tend to his wounds. I'll catch up with you later." Brock told is friend. Misty nodded; it would be wrong to just leave Musou all by himself. "Max, you stay with Brock." "What?!" Max protested, but May had on a serious and concerned face. "I wanna' save Ash too!" Max continued. "This is dangerous-you are not to leave Brock's side till I come back to say otherwise." May spoke sternly. Max folded his arms, "You're not my mother." "Max, I could use your help. You're a smart kid; you'll figure out a way." Brock said to him. Max frowned; he knew there was no way he was going. May nodded and followed Misty out of the room. "I'll see you later, Brock, Max." Misty said. "Take care," May added. "Good luck, you two." Brock waved to theme, but Max just let out a grunt.

       As the two walked away from Musou's mansion, Misty watched the sun sink down into the horizon. She only had one more full day to save Ash; time would expire as soon as tomorrow started. Misty, dressed in her new outfit, walked behind May while staring at the ground. The thought of Towamune's ultimate attack made her a little jittery. ""In the end, it will expel the heart's light and force it to wander through the dark of loneliness."" She repeated in her head, "…to save Ash, I will have to wander in darkness…will it really come to that? Will I save him and not be able to see him-to feel him-anymore? To grant him freedom…I may have to sacrifice being near him." A sad pain ebbed at her heart. In the end, she would till lose Ash. If not to Minako, it would be to the fate of a ronin heart. "Misty, look who it is." May pointed forward, snapping Misty out of her thoughts. A little ways away, Slowking came walking across the field towards the tow. It arms were folded behind its back and it had an enlightened smile on its face. "Misty, have you decided," It stopped as a breeze blew against the evening-sprayed grass, "To continue? What will you do?" "What…will I do…?" Misty glanced at Towamune, which was tucked away in the sheath on her belt loop. May watched Misty try to sort through her feelings patiently. "……Even with a price so costly, I have to free Ash. Even if I can't touch him in the end, that won't stop me from loving him if it comes to that."  "Show us where to find Minako, Slowking!" Misty waved. It was decided; for Ash, she would dive into this mess head-first and pull him out safely. Even at such a costly price.

       Will Misty end up as a ronin heart? Will she even save Ash in time? With so many catches, how will she ever meet the challenges of the future? Find out in the Next "Hanshen of Hearts" Hanshen number two, "A Love That Warms The Ice". Don't miss the second part of this four-chapter fanfic!