Asuka was still deep in thought while walking through the forest. Her mind still on the events that just transpired not long ago. These thoughts did not go unnoticed by the being that resides within her. But she did not wish for Asuka to keep her mind on those events so she decided to try to distract her.
"Soooo Asuka, how'd it feel having contra flowing through your body. Felt good right?"
Asuka chortled at Annie's words.
"Good? I don't think I've ever experienced more pain in my life. How come it hurt so much? I know that anima and contra don't exactly mix unless in a controlled environment and if I remember correctly, the body counted as a controlled environment."
"Yes. That still is the case. The only difference is that the contra in your body was sealed and not flowing. Had it been so, your body would already be used to it. But since it was sealed, the body isn't well adjusted to having contra suddenly pumped through it. It'll hurt a lot less next time since now you have some of your contra flowing through you now."
Asuka hearing this, stretched out her right palm trying to manipulate the little contra in her body into the black flames.
"Don't bother trying right now. You might be a genius, but you still have limits. Contra is completely different from anima. I'll teach you about it another time."
"Oh c'mon Annie," pouted the girl, "We're already out here. Plus, I'm completely healed now. I'm fired up and ready to go,"
"No. Your anima is still far too low. Plus, I'd like to discuss something thing with you later. You need to put aside your desire for strength and focus on what's important. And right now that's rest."
Asuka slumped in defeat seeing no way to argue against what she said and silently walked back to her hotel.
~
After returning to her hotel, Asuka decided to take a "short nap" to rest her. It was the late afternoon when Asuka finally awoke. She woke up groggy and her muscles were crying out in agony. She didn't even have the energy to ask Annie, who is asleep, why she was so sore despite her contra having healed her injuries. She just chalked it up to having also exhausted her contra after not only healing but also using hells blaze. She sat up on her bed and got on her feet trying to stand but immediately regretted it feeling a sharp pain running up her calf and fell to the ground now laying on her back. She writhed in pain for about four minutes before the pain finally subsided.
"Man, I knew cramps hurt, but this is on a whole other level. I really should have listened to Martha and granny when they were talking about doing stretches."
She then thought about the numerous stretches that Martha and Thalia tried to teach, but she groaned remembering how bored she was.
"Why are the most boring parts of training important? So annoying."
She slowly started to get up, trying not to get another cramp. When she finally was standing straight, she took a look down at her clothes and saw that her cloak, shirt and pants were filled with cuts and stained in her blood.
"And these were my favorite clothes too," she grumbled.
As soon she said this, somebody knocked on her door. And not just once. About fifty times before finally speaking out in a familiar energetic tone.
"ASUKAAAAAAAA! ARE YOU IN THERE! YOU'RE NEVER GONNA BELEIVE WHO IT IS! WANNA MAKE A GUESS? COME ON, GUESS GUESS."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Is it too late to just, leave her."
"Don't say things like Annie. She's a very kind girl. She's just....uh.....v-very enthusiastic. Wait, when did you wake up?"
"When do you think?"
And right on que,
"HELLOOOOO! ASUKA?"
"SHUT UP KID BEFORE I GET OVER THERE AND MAKE YOU," yelled a man a couple rooms over.
"Oh, sorry," she whispered,"Asuka, you in there."
"H-hey Amelia."
Asuka slowly opened the door revealing the very excited girl. She was still wearing her blue and white dress with the same blond hair but now done in pigtails.
"Wow your smart aren't you. How did you figure out it was me?"
"Just a wild guess," she answered trying not to sound sarcastic.
"Well, I just came over to see how you're doing. After all, you're my only friend," she said giving a bright smile making Asuka blush a little.
"You can't seriously be saying you wanna be her friend."
"But she's so precious. Plus, she's the first girl I've met who's also my age mate."
"But say Asuka, why are your clothes all torn up. Not to mention the blood. Were fighting someone and more importantly, are you alright?"
"Oh, you don't need to worry, I'm already healed up. Plus, I won the fight pretty easily," she said confidently.
"You were definitely about to lose that."
"Shut it."
"Wow! You really are awesome."
"So precious."
"But, you really shouldn't walk around with torn up clothes. If you don't have any spare's, I would gladly give you my dress to keep. I'll apologize right now since its not exactly in good condition, but if it's for a friend, I'm more than willing."
"Please, you don't need to do that for me. Luckily, I did bring extra clothes."
"Judging off her living condition, I'd say that these are her only set of proper clothes. And she would still doesn't hesitate to give it to another. She really is a precious soul. No matter what, I swear to help you Amelia."
"Hey Amelia, how about we go to the market and I'll pay for whatever you like."
Amelia's eyes widened in shock at Asuka's offer.
"What? Really? I-I can't accept that. You've already done so much for me."
Asuka clasped both her hands and looked into her eyes flustering the young girl.
"This isn't an something you can say no to. You've already done and offered me so much and our friendship wouldn't work if you're the only one giving. It's only natural that I should also do something for you as well."
"But you saved my life. That's more than anything I could possibly do."
"This isn't about anyone needing to repay anything to anyone. This is simply about a person wanting to do something for their friend. Please, let me do this for you Amelia."
Amelia, overwhelmed by Asuka's generosity stood still unable to give answer.
"I...um...I really don't know what to say. I've never really had a friends before. All the other kids are so mean. But you...you're so....so...." the girl emotions spilled out and tears began to fall from her face.
"Do....do I really deserve to be this happy."
Asuka smiled and wrapped her arms around the girl.
"Anyone as nice as kind should, deserves a lifetime of happiness. Now tomorrow, I expect you to be ready once it's noon alright."
Amelia in her sobs managed to give a nod, agreeing to Asuka's request.
"Good. But before you go," Asuka turned away from her and took out a pack of cards out of her bag, "do you know how to play noddy?"