Crimson Tears
Chapter Twenty One: Asa, The Fighting Child
Jessie opened her eyes slowly. Her vision told her nothing. She heard faraway whispers all about her. Jessie felt something get rammed into her mouth. It was a spoon. And some very yummy soup.
Jessie decided to let whoever was feeding her to keep doing it. For once she was too weak to care.
Delia fed Jessie the soup gently. By the look on her face, she rather enjoyed it. Jessie's eyes opened slightly but her blue eyes were empty. Delia prayed she wasn't blind. May fed James and Lily took Meowth. All of the members were in serious need of care.
Only James seemed better.
He sat up suddenly knocking the soup all over May. May scowled at being drenched in the stuff.
"What's going on?" James asked looking about wildly.
"Don't worry, James. We have taken you in. You'll be fine," Delia spoke softly.
James looked at her curiously,
"You're the tw- I mean Ash's mom, aren't you?"
Delia nodded kindly.
"Then why did you take us in? I mean… I am sure Ash- You-"
Delia smiled, "I know you have been helping my son. Besides, even if you weren't, I couldn't just let you die."
James smiled, "Thanks."
"No. Thank you." Delia beamed.
Ash ducked to the ground as the girl's fist flew over his head. Ash spun about the meet her as she turned to meet him. Her face was angry beat red.Ash tried hard to concentrate on her abilities but his confusion got the better of him.
She threw another punch hitting him in the gut.
Ash didn't mean it, it was just a reflex, but he hit her back sending her skidding backwards a bit. Dust began to kick up around them. It was stinging Ash's eyes.
Ash ducked and powered up all the defense he could muster but he was still trying to watch the dark corners of the alley unless Cassidy caught him off guard.
The girl did a round house kick sending him hurling into a wall of a nearby building. Ash groaned and slid down the wall to the ground. He had the air knocked clear out of him.
The girl's shadow loomed over him. It was then that Ash came to admire her beauty. She was a young girl at about eight or nine. This gave her skill even more meaning to Ash. A child that young must have been a real natural. Her strawberry blond hair hung down in tiny pigtails a bit past her ears. Her eyes were an astonishing green color that had an almost eerie look to them. She wore some baggy white pants and a yellow tee with a Pichu on it. Over that she wore a small green vest and some tiny green slip-on shoes.
"You give up?" The girl hissed.
Her voice was high pitched but full of seriousness. Ash thought this had to be some kind of joke.
"No." Ash moaned about to sit up.
She pressed her fingers against his throat. Ash's amber eyes widened.
"You gonna kill me?"
"I have to, yes." The girl said in a shaky voice.
Ash blinked and looked up at her, "Why?"
"Why?! I should be asking you the same thing! You didn't stop to spare my parents! Why should I stop to spare you?" The girl screamed her green eyes spilling with thick pearly tears.
"I have not killed anyone! I swear!" Ash said sternly.
The child pushed her fingers against his throat harder.
Ash began to sweat. He didn't want to hurt her but he might have to if she attempted to kill him.
"You lie," She hissed softly. "The blood on your clothes is proof of the lives you have taken."
She pointed down at his hands and shirt which were stained with Aiko's dried blood.
Ash blinked and shook his head, "I came here to save people. I was trying to save a young-"
"Enough of your lies! I have heard enough!" She screamed. She drew back to punch him. Her fist flew forward but slowed and halted centimeters from Ash's face. Her hand trembled. Sweat tinkled down her brow as she tried to force her hand onward. But it looked as if someone was holding her back.
Ash blinked several times and muttered, "What is going on?"
"I… I just can't."
She collapsed towards the ground. Ash caught her gently. His eyes full of concern, "Are you okay?"
The girl pushed away quickly landing on her back. She scooted away from him fearfully, her emerald eyes wide.
"Don't touch me!" She ordered.
Ash nodded looking uncertainly at her, "If that is what you want…"
Ash closed his eyes suddenly as a horrible thought over took him. He cringed and squinted over at her, "You're Aiko's sister, aren't you?"
The girl expression turned from fear to anger.
"Yes. So what?" She hissed.
Ash winced as if someone had smacked him in the face. She didn't know then.
"My name's Ash Ketchum," Ash said holding out his hand.
She recoiled as if his hand were a gun pointed at her head.
"No! Ash is dead!"
"Now don't tell me you people don't get the radio out here!" Ash said rolling his eyes.
The girl seemed a bit less tense. She bit her lip, "I guess you could be…You certainly look the part."
Ash groaned and reached into his pocket. The girl jumped into a fighting stance prepared for him to bring out a weapon but all he pulled out was a pokedex. He gave her a curious look, "What?"
She shook her head uncertainly but not seat back down. She eyed the pokedex.
"A pokedexter. Only trainers have those."
Ash smiled and flipped it opened. He punched in a couple of buttons when a ten year old photo and a thirteen year old photo flashed onto the small screen.
"I belong to Master Ashton Satoshi Ketchum. Residence-Pallet Town. Age-Thirteen. Training for three years." The Pokedex spoke.
Ash flushed, "I need to get it updated. It still thinks I'm thirteen. And it beeps at curfew telling me to go to bed. I think it should be disabled at an older age."
The girl's face brightened. A small smile crept across it. She laughed, "I never knew Master Ash was so funny."
Ash sweat dropped, "I am?"
The girl shook her head and stared at Ash in a new light. The rare smile still shown on her face, "My name is Asa. Welcome to what's left of Salem."
To Be Continued…
Please r + r!
Another short one. Sorry bout that. -
