"Mom, she is walking up!" A little girl exclaimed.
Ayaka blinked for a while before she finally opened her eyes.
"Mira, I told you not to wake her up," a young lady said.
"I'm telling the truth; she woke up by herself; I didn't disturb her," she retorted.
Ayaka sat up on the bed and looked around, she was in what seems to be a patient's room in an hospital. A lady sat on a chair close to the door as she argued with her twelve years old daughter.
Ayaka stared at her body, she felt different. She could see things differently, instead of seeing people, all she could see was their karma energy structure but she was still sure that they were people there. She touched her head and felt something furry, she quickly noticed the tail and immediately realized what has happened, with her mother now dead, she has inherited the power of the cat goddess.
"What's your name? Where are you from? Do you remember anything? Are you in pain? How old are you?? I bet we're about the same age, right?." The little girl, who Ayaka has recognized to be Mira, asked.
Ayaka tried to open his mouth to speak but no word came out.
"My, my... Mira. That's a lot of questions; why not let her rest for a while before we can talk to her?" The lady stood up. "She still looks tired; let's go."
"But mom....."
"Okay. If you come along, you can come back with Kanade to pick her up and bring her to the academy."
"Okay!" Mira yelled as she ran to her mom, and they both left, leaving Ayaka alone to reminisce about what just happened.
Mira came back about two hours later with a girl about twelve years old, whom she later introduced as Kanade.
"So, what's your name?" Mira asked.
Ayaka tried to speak again but nothing came out.
"It's no fun if you don't say anything," Mira frowned. "At least, try to say something."
"Don't disturb her; she's still in shock. We can't force her out of it; we'll wait until she's able to speak for herself," Kanade said. She then turned to Ayaka with a cheerful smile. "By the way, your dad, he is still alive."
Ayaka eyes widened with surprise.
"You can come with me to see him now if you want," Kanade continued.
Ayaka turned to her and nodded slowly.
.
.
.
Ayaka's father was doing fine at that time; he told me that he was fine; 'it's just a minor injury'.
"Give it to someone special to you" That was the last thing he said before giving Ayaka a present and urged her to go to the academy and asking Kanade to take care of her.
"She's be in great hands" Kanade said and dragged Ayaka who was reluctant to leave.
It was until few years later, after Ayaka had recovered from her shock that Miss Tokoyami told her what was really wrong with her father.
"You father case is... Different. The demon that attacked you has not been found and the blood that infected your father doesn't seem to be turning him into a demon, but his body is getting weaker. There might be a chance to save him"
# END OF FLASHBACK
"Ayaka, there is no mission for you now" Miss Tokoyami said to her. This is the fourth time she was coming today.
"But, don't you have at least any....." Ayaka tried to say something but Miss Tokoyami stopped her.
"No!" Miss Tokoyami said, she looked worried. "I told you to take the week off, you shouldn't stress yourself too much. Anyways, how much do you have now?"
Ayaka thought about it for a while, the money should be about ..... But if she sum it up in dollar, it should be about.
"Four million, eight hundred and thirty two thousand dollars"
"That means you need forty five million eight hundred and sixty eight dollars left" Miss Tokoyami sighed. "Okay, if you're able to get ten million dollars, I'll pay the rest for you"
"Okay, ma'am"
Ayaka walked out of Miss Tokoyami office and looked around. Kakashi has been out since morning due to his training session with Yaze, so she tried to go on a solo mission for more money but it hasn't been going well.
"Ayaka!!" Mira called out.
Ayaka turned around.
"If you want to go on a mission, I heard that there was a bounty on the demon that you and Kakashi encountered on your last mission" Mira said.
There were usually bounty set on demons who are too much trouble, this way there would be more supernatural that will try to dispatch it. There was a bunch of students who dedicate themselves to be demon hunters because of this. But it's dangerous because, bounty are only placed on a first and second class demons.
"Really?" Ayaka asked.
Mira took a glance at Ayaka, before saying another word.
"Kakashi hasn't come back yet, right?. You should ask him to join you on this mission"
"I don't want him to know, he might try to help me instead of him to focus on his own challenges" Ayaka said. "How much is the bounty?"
"Fifty million dollar" Kanade said, she was drinking from a bottle as she staggered towards the girls. "That's a little bit too much if you ask me,bit that's all the better for me"
"Sensei, don't you think you're drinking too much?" Ayaka asked. "It bad for your health"
"Yeah, Kanade. Besides, mom asked you to not drink in academy grounds" Mira yelled. "Where did you get another bottle?"
"I don't know what you're talking about" Kanade-sensei said and sneezed loudly, it was pretty obvious that she was drunk. How she was able to walk around without tripping is was marvel Ayaka the most.
"I'm thinking of of becoming a demon hunter, but just this once" Ayaka informed. "At least, after this I'll be able to save my dad"
"Why don't I come with you?" Kanade insisted.
"But?...."
"But nothing." She stopped Ayaka before she could finish. "It will be better if I come with you. You know that you can't go on a mission without the approval of miss Natski and she will not let you go in the first place, but if I tag along, I might be able to convince her"
"Okay" Ayaka nodded.
"Can I come to?" Mira rise up her hand and announced proudly. "I can provide you guys with support"
"No, you're staying right here" Miss Tokoyami said as she walked up to them from behind.
"Why not?, I'm old enough to watch over myself, mom" Mira argued.
"But you have no experience, I can't throw you into battle with proper training" Miss Tokoyami said calmly then stopped front of Mira and patted her head as Mira plumped her cheeks in anger. "Since Kanade is joining you, I will let you hunt for the demon. Ohh, before I forget. Kanade, didn't I tell you not to drink in the academy?"
Miss Tokoyami stared creepily at Kanade as she quickly threw away the bottle. It was just like the effect of the alcohol had just disappeared, but Kanade still looked freaked out.
Ayaka has never been able to figure out how miss Tokoyami does that but each time she stares at someone, She could feel a lot of karma pressing against her, making her feel very uneasy.