"You'll have to try a lot harder to catch me Amanda," Asuka said with a joyful smile.
"No fair Asuka. Your too fast," pouted the young girl.
"Well you better speed up cause I ain't slowing down for nobody!"
While Asuka was looking back at the girl, a boy jumped out from the tall grass.
"Gatchahhhhhh!"
"Sorry Ozzy, but announcing yourself before your sneak attack pretty much defeats the whole purpose of a sneak attack."
While Asuka and the kids kept playing outside, Arthur watched from his window on the second floor. His eyes focused on Asuka with a small smile across his face.
"She really is amazing."
"Don't you think it's beneath you to stare at such a fine young girl Arthur?"
Startled, Arthur practically snapped his neck turning to see Martha standing behind him with an over exaggerated look of disgust.
"I didn't know the o' so dignified and intelligent Arthur was capable of such depraved activities."
Arthur chuckled at Martha's sarcastic remark and turned back around to look at Asuka and the kids.
"Please don't think so low of me Martha. I'm just admiring."
"You know. You should talk to her before she goes. Give her some encouragement ya know. I think she'd really appreciate that. It may not seem as so, but I can tell she's a little on edge."
"I doubt she'd need any encouragement from me. I mean look at her. She's brave, confident and most importantly, she's strong. I may not do any training but I can feel it. Her aura is much more potent then it was before. It's almost embarrassing how far she is at achieving her dream. She really is amazing."
"So what? Because she's a little closer to achieving her dream, you can't just talk to her?"
"No, its just-"
"It's just what? C'mon Arthur. Your not dumb. I know you know she likes you."
"Of course I know."
"Then why are you hesitating?"
"Just look at her Martha. Even when only a day before a possibly life threatening mission, she's able to smile so brightly. That's something I could never be. I'd be nothing but a burden to her. I won't allow myself to become a hindrance to her. So it's better if I just kept my distance from her."
Only a couple seconds passed before Martha burst out laughing putting a startles look on Arthur's face.
"Wh...what the hell? What's so funny?"
Martha wiped the tears that were forming in her eyes from the laughter.
"That...is....by far the dumbest thing you have ever said. Asuka would never consider anyone she cares for a burden. As someone who's been watching Asuka's journey from the beginning, I'm disappointed you haven't noticed that."
Arthur just kept silent after hearing Martha's words.
"Do you really think so?"
Martha gave the kid a sunny grin before speaking.
"I can guarantee it. Wasn't it you who told me not to think so low of you? Now I ask you to not do the same to Asuka."
Arthur without looking back just nodded. Asuka then looked up at the window and saw Arthur looking at her. Her face immediately turned red but she managed to wave. All Arthur could do is give a small smile and wave back.
~
With the sun setting, Martha told all the kids that it's was time to go back inside. After all the kids took their baths and got ready for dinner.
Ichigo, Martha and Thalia were talking at the dinner table and Marco was taking the children to their beds. Asuka had already excused herself but didn't go to her room. Instead she went outside. Arthur noticed and was about to follow her but he hesitated.
"What do I even say to her?"
At that moment Martha coughed loudly getting Arthur's attention. She then shook her head into the direction Asuka left in. Arthur seeing this took a deep breath and went after her.
~
"Hey Asuka. Whatcha doing out her at this time?"
Asuka was sitting in the backyard while looking up at the stars and the two moons looming over the night sky.
"Yeah...I'm...I'm alright. Just thinking really."
Noticing the hesitation in her voice, Arthur gathers his confidence and walked towards her. He then sat down next Asuka and looked up with her.
"Ya know, I always do this. Looking up at the moons and the stars. I don't know why but it calms me when I feel nervous."
"You? Nervous? I never thought I'd hear something like that."
"Yeah. I know I have quite the personality. But I doubt myself sometimes. The training I've done recently has really shown me that I was no where near ready. And when I came back and played with the kids. I realized that I may not comeback from this mission," her arms and legs started to shiver. "Arthur. I'll admit. I'm a little scared. Through out the dinner, I kept wondering whether or not I was really up to this."
"Wow. I never knew Asuka could feel this way."
"Asuka. I may not be able to relate to you, but I think that you've got nothing to worry about."
Asuka turned her gaze to Arthur who was still looking at the sky.
"The bruised hands, torn clothes. I've noticed how much work you've put in. I also know how strong your mentality is. So I believe that you will, no matter what conflict you face, come out not only stronger physically but mentally."
He now looks at Asuka in her eyes and gives her a small smirk.
"I have faith in you Asuka."
Asuka's couldn't hide her shocked expression when Arthur said that. It was also then that she realized who she had just spilled her guts out to. But she tried her best to keep her composure.
"Oh...um. T...thanks Arthur," she said turning away and blushing.
"He has faith in me. If Arthur says that I can do it then there's no reason for me to worry."
The boy then stood up and stretched out his arm for her to grab.
"Let's head back inside."
Asuka looked at him for a few seconds, before smiling and taking his hand.
"I'll can do it. If not for me, then for everyone who needs my help."
"Hey Arthur."
Asuka then embraced Arthur in a hug catching the boy off guard. She then hesitantly let go.
"Well...um...let's go then."
She then began to speed walk into the house.
"OH MY GOODNESS I DID IT! I HUGGED HIM! HE FELT SO WARM AND LOVING! I WISH I COULD'VE CLUNG TO HIM MORE!"
As Asuka gushes about her crush, Arthur I'd still rooted in place with shock.
".....nice...."
~
It was now the early hours of the morning and it was time for Asuka and Ichigo to head off towards Aboa. Asuka had her usual attire of white shirt and brown pants and boots but also was carrying her new claymore with her on her waist and a black cloak.
"Are you sure you've got everything you need Asuka," asked Martha.
"For the billionth time YES!"
"Fine. But if you realize your forgot something halfway there don't blame me."
Asuka rolled her eyes at Martha's words.
"Well, if that's all we'd like to catch the earliest carriage to Aboa."
"Wait I did forget something."
"Told ya so," thought the elder sister.
She then rushed inside where she met Arthur who was coming down the stair for his breakfast.
"Oh hey Asuka. You need something?"
"I...I just wanted to thank you again for what you said to me yesterday. It was a real confidence boost. Now I feel invincible."
"Don't worry about it. Just focus on your mission. You'll do great Asuka."
Asuka then walked up to him and hugged him. This time though, he reciprocated and they embraced for a few seconds. They then let go of each other.
"When I get back, we should hang out more."
"Sounds like a plan."
They then waved goodbye to each other with smiles plastered on each other's face.
"You ready?"
"Yup. I'm all good now."
She then gave her sister and grandmother a hug, waved them goodbye and then set off with Ichigo towards Aboa.