"Damn."

Kid grabbed at his arm again, peering at the wound that bled through his suit. He didn't stray his stare from the floor as he continued walking to the nurse's office, replaying the entire battle with the Demon Sword. He had been about to shoot another blow, faltering only upon finding the bleeding slice along his arm delivered by his opponent.

"How did this even happen?" He thought as he stepped into the cool air of the office, knocking softly on the door.

"Dr. Medusa?"

The blonde woman swiveled around in her chair to face him. "Oh, hello there, Kid. Something I can help you with?"

He glanced down at his arm.

"I was attacked by the demon sword. It's not that huge of a deal, but I thought it best to tell you." She looked up at him with her snakelike eyes, thoughts running a mile in her head. "Oh, my. Well, do let me see where you were injured." He sat down in the chair across from her and pulled up his arm sleeve, wincing slightly when the cloth slid over the open flesh.

"Well, what a wound you have here," she said, inspecting the cut. "Would you mind my asking what did it?" "I was attacked by the Demon Sword."

She felt her heart stop for a moment. "The Demon Sword, you say?"

"So it was Crona who did this. Maybe I should be greatful for that child for once. Some good might come out of this. Well, good for me at least," she thought.

"Do you think it'll need stitches?" the reaper inquired. "I'm afraid so. But don't worry, I'll have it stitched up in no time." She slid back over to the cabinet, pulling out the necessary supplies for stitching. "Well, judging by the size of your arm it seems you'll need just about eight stitches."

He let out a breath of relief at those words, relaxing himself a bit. "I was nervous you were going to say seven, heheh." She glided back over to him, pulling out a wipe and sanitizing the wound. "Ah, yes, I forgot about your little...quirk. Nevertheless, you should be stitched up quickly," she said, going to throw away the cloth, only…

Only there was something.

Something that wasn't red.

Something that was…

Black.

"Is something wrong?"

She caught herself, tossing the wipe into the trash. "It's nothing," she replied as she got back into her chair. "I was just making sure you had proper blood flow to your wounded area before beginning the stitching."

"What is this?" She thought as she threaded the first stitch. "Black blood? Interesting indeed. Perhaps I should take the chance to use this to my advantage." She resisted the urge to grin.

"A grim reaper plagued with madness would be quite interesting to observe."

"Something doesn't seem right," Kid felt his mind tell him as the third stitch went in. "Though, that's probably just leftover stress from the mission. What could possibly be wrong with a simple nurse?"

The woman pulled another stitch through, continuing up his arm. "So, how are those twin pistols of yours? I'm assuming they didn't sustain any injuries."

"Of course not, they're two of the finest weapons I could possibly ask for. I mean, they certainly have their flaws…at times…" The reaper bit his lip, trying not to remember the previous week's incident with the cake at the mall. "But, I don't think I could ask for any better."

"Isn't that nice," she said, her voice unknowingly laced with poison. "A good bond between weapons and meisters are certainly fatal in resonating souls." He looked down at the stitches, breathing out upon seeing her finish the eight stitch.

"How long do you think they'll take to heal?" "Well, it was a pretty deep injury, it should take about three weeks until you have them removed."

She picked up the remaining supplies, bringing them back over to the cabinet. Kid flexed out his arm, testing out the new addition to his arm before sliding the sleeve back down.

"Thanks, Dr. Medusa," he said, getting up from his seat. "Of course, dear. And do let me know if you're in need of anything else." Her eyes caught on a bag on her desk. "Hmm, I think I have some pills to increase the spread of the black blood."

She grabbed his shoulder just as he walked by. "Actually, now that I think about it…there is one more thing I think you should use." Pulling open her drawer, she pulled out a small bag filled with capsules.

"Pills…?"

"Yes, they're to help blood flow to and from the wound."

"I'm not even lying. The pills will do exactly what I said."

"Take one every morning and every night before bed." "Will do," he said as he left the room.

He slid the small bag into his suit pocket, staring ahead as he made his way back up to his father's office to report the news of the Demon Sword to him.

"Hm…I feel like I'm forgetting something. Maka, that's right. I haven't gone and told her I'm back yet." He grabbed at his arm again.

"Hopefully she won't notice the cuts, but…"