"Are you sure that was a smart idea Asuka."
"It's not like he can do anything about it. If he tells anyone, I'll tell them of his negligence and even say that he allied himself with the demons. It doesn't take a genius to figure out who's gonna get targeted first. And I saw his ring. I doubt he'll do anything to endanger his family."
Annie didn't immediately respond to Asuka's words.
"Something's off about Asuka. Those aren't words she would say so casually. Not to mention her actions before. Could it be that thing from before. I'll give some thought later."
"I guess your right. Now, let's get ready for Ichigo."
~
Walking through the town, Ichigo couldn't help but notice all the things out of place. People staring then quickly looking away when he looked at them or people trying too hard not to look. Ichigo took note of these things but he didn't approach any of the people. He simply continued walking approaching the motel her anima signature was in.
"So dark..."
He approached the motel and took notice again of the people around. Their shoulders all seemed to be heavier. They all moved with slow, staggered steps and some were even sweating while taking deep breathes. He then entered the motel and looked at the young lady who sat the front desk. She had a sicly look on her face with heavy panting and clothes drenched in sweat. He looked up at an anima signature in the room right above. He cooly continued up the stairs and stopped in front of the door. He knocked a few times but there was no answer. He then grabbed the handle and opened the door.
Infront of him, Asuka sat in a meditative position, her back facing the door. He walked up to the girl and saw the Asuka was meditating. He tapped her right shoulder a couple times but he didn't get a response.
Letting out a sigh, he let his some anima flow out and concentrated it on Asuka. Experiencing a sudden terrible force on her shoulders, the girls eyes exploded open and she jumped to her feet prepared for a battle until she actually took a good look at who had caused that pressure.
"Ichi-"
"I thought you'd be a lot more careful with your anima."
In that moment Asuka realized her anima had spread out too far and was affecting the people outside. She quickly pulled it back in finally relieving the people of that pressure.
"I...I'm sorry. I...I guess I just lost focus. It won't happen again."
"Lost focus? That's unlike you Asuka. What's going on?"
"It's nothing..."
"Clearly it's something. Did you forget your anima can reflect your emotions," he asked without a hint of a shift in his calm expression.
Asuka shuddered realizing Ichigo knew what she was feeling without even seeing her face. It felt almost violating.
"Well...it doesn't matter now. All that you need to know is that the mission is over and the culprit has been dealt with."
Ichigo expressionless exterior cracked a little at Asuka's words. His face cringed like a bad memory had just resurfaced.
"Asuka, please..."
"I said it doesn't matter."
There was something about how Asuka said that. It sounded firm and absolute, but there was a hint of uncertainty hidden in her delivery. This did not go unnoticed by Ichigo. But he decided not to push the matter.
"Okay then. Tell everything."
She went on to explain all the important details of what had happened to the missing people. She began with how there was a demon who had help from the people in the town to kidnap and imprison people before finally eating them. She continued with her battle with the demon and how she had passed out and when she woke, the demon had been killed. She left out all the details that could lead to him figuring out about Amelia or how close she was to falling into her despair.
She went on to explain how she discovered the dead bodies of all the victims. Throughout th entire explanation Ichigo had remained calm and composed not even interrupting to ask questions. But it was when Asuka had brought up the transformed child that he lost a bit of his composure.
"A child...turned into a demon? You expect me to believe that?"
"I know it sounds weird, but think about it. Demons live their entire life in pain due to the contra running through their body. You'd think they would get used to it after a while, but this kid was in constant pain. It doesn't make sense that he had been a demon for years on end. Not to mention the fact his mother was a human."
"You don't think that maybe he was just a hybrid like me?"
"No. Hybrids have anima deep within their soul even if they're restraining it. I would be able to sense it. Also, he couldn't have been older than ten years old. Even if he could have developed that quickly to control anima, it would have been impossible to develop them to such an extend in those conditions."
Ichigo contemplated Asuka's answer.
"What your saying does make sense, but something like this to my knowledge has never happened. A human turning into a demon? How is that even possible?"
Asuka was about to explain what Annie had told her but chose to remain silent.
"I...I'm not sure either," she lied, "But I'm sure if we do some digging we can find answers."
"Maybe."
"But it is suspicious how the demon captured the people instead of out right killing them immediately. Something not adding up."
"Can you describe what the corpse of the demon looked like?"
"Uhm it's kinda hard to explain, but it kinda looked like all the blood in its body had been drained. It was shriveled up and pale."
Ichigo's face darkened with Asuka's description.
"Do you know anything about this?"
"Yeah. Years ago when I was still a teenager, I fought a very powerful demon at a small village. It had the ability drain the bodies of its victims. All of them looked like what you just described."
"You think it could be the same demon?"
"No doubt. Apart from hells blaze, demonic abilities don't usually share abilities with others. Or, atleast not specific aspects of a broader ability."
"And that same demon just so happened to be passing by? Not to mention, there's no way it didn't sense me inside the cave. So it knew I was there yet, it let me live?"
"This all points to something bigger coming into play."
"Maybe Enma is finally making a move," thought Ichigo.
"Teacher, what could this all be pointing to?"
Ichigo glanced at Asuka and gave a small smile.
"Don't worry. While big, it's nothing that will happen soon. But it does mean that we need to make haste with your training. Once we get back, you'll have a few days rest before we continue with your training alright."
"Yeah, that'll be good."
Ichigo tilted his head at Asuka's words.
"Usually she'd be ecstatic at the chance of getting stronger."
"Now, it'll be a couple hours before Carter gets here to take us home. Why don't we explore the town a bit."
Asuka didn't respond back for a few moments, but soon spat out.
"No. I'll just stay here till he gets here. Your free to do whatever you want."
Ichigo's concern only grew with the obvious venom placed in her words
"Asuka..."
"I'm fine Ichigo. Just go."
Having nothing else to say, she sat down in the meditative position and fell into her inner world.