Ishida and Sakura were on their mission as they walked towards the old house. Ishida had been there a few days ago. The house was famous for all the strange disappearances happening in the forest and nearby areas.
When they got to the front of the house, Ishida immediately knew the place from his previous visit. But something felt different this time. He could sense a demon's presence tonight, which he didn't notice before. Ishida wondered if he just missed it during his last visit because he was so busy trying to save the family and deal with everything else going on at the time.
"Concentrate...." Ishida said to Sakura as they were about to enter the house.
Together, they stepped onto the creaking porch, the wood groaning under their weight. The door swung open with an eerie creak, revealing a dark interior that seemed to swallow the light. Ishida entered first, his senses on high alert, with Sakura following closely behind.
The air inside was stale and cold, a stark contrast to the humid forest outside. Dust motes danced in the feeble light filtering through the grimy windows. The house was eerily silent, every sound amplified by the oppressive quiet.
'The House seemed to be very small from outside, but it doesn't look that small from inside' Ishida thought, as he looked around.
All of a sudden, the room lit up in some of lights lighting up from the ceiling of the room, showing a very shattered place all around, as they walked forward, 'A Hallway !?' Ishida exclaimed as from the door walking forward they found a hallway.
After walking forward for some moments they reached a point where the path spread in two ways. One going straight, another at the right.
"Which path should we take !?" asked Sakura, following closely behind Ishida as the both momentarily paused.
"We shouldn't go in different..." Ishida started but before he could finish Sakura interrupted him.
"We should go in different ways, that way we will be able to work better" Sakura suggested.
"Are you sure !?" Ishida questioned In a serious tone.
"Don't underestimate me , okay! I have defeated demons before" She said.
Ishida sighed once again, as he looked forward and tried to sense the presence of the demons , he looked back, "Then go to the right, if you want to" Ishida said
Sakura nodded, as she responded in a okay.
"But, remember, I won't be coming to save you again, try to do things by yourself. Not everytime I will come to save you" Ishida said, as he walked straight without turning back even once at Sakura.
Sakura was angry , Frustrated, but at the same time, she couldn't disagree with Ishida's words. Yes they were a bit direct , but she had been saved by Ishida already for couple times, and even the final selection, she wouldn't have passed it if Ishida hadn't helped her. So , she needed to do something to prove herself to him and everyone. As she took the right path to the hallway.
The both went in their chosen direction and although, Sakura didn't knew , cause Ishida didn't say to her , but Ishida had already sensed the bigger and more powerful presence from the straight path, so he decided to send Sakura on the right. But it's not like she wouldn't have to face demons on the right, they were there as well.
Sakura took a deep breath as she ventured down the right path of the hallway. Her mind was focused, and her heart was set on proving herself capable of handling whatever lay ahead. The dimly lit corridor stretched before her, shrouded in an eerie silence that only heightened her senses.
The air was thick with the unmistakable presence of demons. Her grip tightened around her sword, the familiar weight grounding her. This was her chance to show Ishida—and herself—that she could stand on her own.
As she moved deeper into the hallway, the shadows seemed to shift and flicker. Her eyes darted around, searching for any sign of movement. Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the space, and Sakura spun around just in time to see a demon emerging from the wall, its eyes glowing with malice.
With a swift motion, the demon lunged at her, claws extended. Sakura reacted instinctively, raising her sword to block the attack. "Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel!" she stated, her blade spinning in a circular motion. The attack deflected the demon's claws, and with a quick pivot, she struck back, her sword slicing cleanly through the demon's torso. It disintegrated into ash, vanishing with a hiss.
Sakura's heart raced, but she felt a surge of confidence. She could do this.
Continuing forward, she encountered another demon, lurking in the shadows. This one was larger, its form more menacing. It roared, charging at her with surprising speed. Sakura held her ground, her mind racing through the techniques she had practiced.
"Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance!" she declared, her movements fluid and precise. Her blade shimmered as she danced around the demon's attacks, each strike a calculated effort to find an opening. The demon lashed out, but Sakura was ready, her sword cutting through its defenses with grace and power. The demon let out a final growl before crumbling to nothing.
Breathing heavily, Sakura pressed on, her determination unwavering. But as she ventured further, the hallway opened up into a larger room, and she was met with a chilling sight. A group of demons, more than she had anticipated, awaited her with hungry eyes.
Fear threatened to creep in, but she pushed it aside. She had come too far to back down now.
The demons attacked as one, a flurry of clawed hands and gnashing teeth. Sakura's mind was sharp, her body moving with a speed she hadn't realized she possessed. "Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide!" she cried, her sword weaving through the chaos. Each slash was precise, each step calculated, as she fought off the demons with everything she had.
She managed to cut down several demons, their bodies dissolving into ash with each successful strike. Her confidence grew with each victory, but the relentless onslaught was taking its toll. Fatigue began to creep in, her movements slowing as the battle wore on.
Just as she dispatched another demon, a sharp pain shot through her side. She gasped, staggering back as a demon's claws raked across her skin. Blood seeped from the wound, and she bit back a cry of pain. She struggled to remain standing, her vision blurring as exhaustion threatened to overtake her.
More demons closed in, sensing her weakness. Sakura's heart pounded in her chest, desperation mixing with determination. She couldn't let it end here.
"Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash!" she declared, mustering her remaining strength for one final attack. Her blade cut through the air, cleaving through the nearest demon. But there were too many, and she was outmatched.
As the demons advanced, Sakura braced herself for the inevitable, her mind racing with thoughts of failure. She closed her eyes, preparing for the worst.
But the attack never came.
A sudden burst of energy filled the room, and Sakura's eyes snapped open in shock. A figure stood before her, blocking the demons' advance with a swift, powerful strike. The demons recoiled, hissing in frustration.
Sakura's heart skipped a beat. "Ishida?" she whispered, hope and disbelief mingling in her voice. But as the figure turned slightly, she realized it wasn't Ishida.
"Hey, How you doing !?"
'Did I not to get saved again !?' The first thought came to her mind, as she felt anger and frustrated at herself.
But , If not Ishida , who it was that came in time to save her !?