By the time Ichigo returned Asuka had finished her training with Annie and had packed everything, ready to abandon the town.
While Ichigo was out he went to Lord Baldwin's office. He wanted to see if he could get some idea of what happened to Asuka from talking to him. But the Lord didn't even allow him to enter the office. He yelled at Ichigo to leave his town and to make sure Asuka never returned to it.
Entering the room, he saw the packed bag on the floor and his student silently sitting next to it with her legs and arms crossed. She looked up into his eyes.
"She looks tired."
He gave a small smile before beginning to speak.
"Carter is here. We shouldn't keep him waiting. Let's get going."
Without speaking, Asuka stood up and picked up her bag.
"Great. Let's get out of here."
Without waiting for him to respond Asuka walked passed him and exited the room. Ichigo let out a sigh and left the room as well.
Walking through the streets of the town, the people of the town weren't trying to hide the fact they were staring this time. It wasn't like Asuka didn't know what was going on and assuming that she already told Ichigo, they felt no need to be subtle about it. Non of this deterred Asuka though. She didn't exactly walk with confidence, but you wouldn't have been able to tell if she was bothered by the looks or not.
Reaching the edge of the town, Carters carriage was waiting for them. Without greeting the man Asuka entered the carriage and laid down on the seat. With night quickly approaching and wanting to avoid conversation, she thought it would be best to get some sleep.
Carter gave Ichigo a look noticing the girls attitude but Ichigo just shook his head and he understood to just let it go. Ichigo then entered the carriage and the journey back had officially begun.
~
From a distance, Margaret watched as the carriage carrying the girl and her master departed from the town. She watched them until she could no longer see the carriage and soon after returned back to her home.
Her home wasn't any thing special. She may not have lived on the outskirts of the town, but it was nothing compared to the lords home. She sat on a rocking chair on her porch with a contemplative look on her face. She then closed her eyes replaying the events in her head.
She remembered Asuka holding the body of her dying friend as she begs for someone to help save her. She remembered the terrible verbal assault she unleashed on the girl. And at the same time, she remembered something else. An older memory which she had tried her very hardest to bury. She then let out a dry laugh.
"I really am that same ol' witch."
She remained sitting there for a few minutes watching the stars appear in the sky before deciding it was time to head to sleep. Laying in her bed, she looked at her bed stand where a drawn portrait of a woman stood. The woman in the photo was looking back and had an infectious smile on her face and long bright hair. She caressed the picture and looked into the eyes of the drawn lady with a small smile. But after a few moments, her face dropped a little.
"Don't look at me with those eyes. You know why I had to."
Margaret then retracted her hand and turned from the picture.
"Goodnight Ellie.....my love."