'Am I too weak?'

These thoughts always crossed her mind.

'I need to get stronger.'

And if everyone knew what she was thinking, they'd tell her otherwise but...

'Am I holding everyone back?'

The blonde girl had these thoughts plagued her mind almost after every battle. No matter how she went about it, she always felt useless compared to them. Even though now she could hold her own. She now can defend herself but she always strives to get stronger.

She sat in the grass and held her knees up to her chest. She sighed as her green plant familiar looked at her worried. These thoughts of hers weren't good for her.

Not even hearing for steps she heard Rin's voice out of nowhere.

"Good job today, Shiemi!"

Shiemi raised her head up to look at him, surprised he was standing so close. "Huh..?"

"I think you're getting stronger and stronger everyday! I believe that you'll become a great exorcist!" Rin rubbed under his nose, it was a little hard to tell but Rin was blushing as he said this. "We all do..."

She blinked her green eyes at him then smiled softly. Rin was good at seeing when she was troubled. "Thank you, Rin..."

Rin gave her a toothy grinned and held out his hand to help her up. "Come on! Yukio, Levy and the others are waiting."

Shiemi grabbed his hand and stood up, her familiar jumping into her pocket. They walked to their friends, hands intertwined.

She may not believe in herself, but so long as he did, she felt as though she could make it.