"Crona?" Maka knocked softly on the demon swordsman's cell door. "I'm coming in." She waited for a reply but when she received none she decided to let herself in anyway. The dinner she had made him was not going to go to waste! After she had defeated the kishin, and all of Death City had worked seemingly endless months to rebuild it to its former glory, the issue of how to deal with Crona was brought up again. During the rebuild Crona had stayed in his cell to sleep only and worked with Maka and some other DWMA students to rebuild their assigned section. Maka had made sure he was put on her team even though the teams were randomly assigned. She stressed the fact that Crona was incapable of functioning in situations involving human interaction without her near. Now that Death City was running as smoothly as before Lord Death had decided that Crona was too unstable to be allowed to roam free. However, Maka had not given up her argument and Crona was finally allowed to return to the DWMA as a student. The catch was that Maka had to be with him whenever he left his cell. Maka had been assigned Crona's own personal warden and was responsible for providing for him rather than the prison's regular warden. She did not mind this and told herself that even though she had a lot of extra work to do it was worth it. Improving Crona's life was more important than having more free time anyhow. There was something about protecting and caring for the timid young boy that warmed Maka's heart.

Maka turned the key and slowly creaked the door opened. She turned her head to the usual corner and saw Crona curled up in a ball on the stone floor, fast asleep. Smiling, she quietly shut the door and set the lunchbox of food by his head. Then she sat down it front of him and watched as his chest slowly moved up and down. It was a nice change to the more rapid and nervous breaths he took when he was awake. Even Crona looked peaceful as he slept.

Crona let out a whimper and clenched his fists to his chest. His once peaceful breathing changed to a quicker pace and he cried out as if in pain. Not again!

"Crona! Crona! Wake up!" She shook him gently. Crona's pleading pink eyes shot open and he sat up gasping for air. "Another nightmare huh?" Asked Maka knowingly as she caressed his back in comfort.

"Yeah."

"Do you want to talk about it?" She pressed herself close to him and gazed at him with her green eyes. He knew that look. It was the comforting "It will all be okay just trust me" look.

"It was a Medusa memory again. I've grown soft. I don't think I can deal with her torture anymore. I'm too used to your kindness." Tears began to well up in his eyes. " I never deserved it." He buried his face in his hands.

"Stop that!" Maka pulled him into a hug and he cried into her shoulder. "No one deserves to be tortured. And that includes you. Stop being so down on yourself." She knew he was still suffering from the guilt of betraying the academy. She wrapped him in the comfort of her soul wavelength and rubbed his back until the sobs finally stopped.

"Sorry." Crona whimpered as he retreated from the embrace.

"What are you apologizing for?" Maka smiled. "Anyway I brought you some food." She picked up the lunchbox and handed it to him. Crona's eyes brightened as he opened it to reveal the still hot chicken and rice inside.

"Thank you!" He exclaimed as he dug into the meal. "I wish you didn't go to so much trouble."

"Oh pfft." Maka laughed. "I already told you that I am making sure you get healthier. I can still feel your ribs jutting out when I hug you. In other words, stop letting Ragnorak eat all your food! He lives in your bloodstream. He doesn't need to eat as much as you do." As if on cue Ragnorak exploded from Crona's back causing a small yelp to escape his jaws.

"What did you just say about me cow?" He roared in his high pitched voice. "I can eat Crona's food whenever I want and you of all people are not going to stop me!" He reached down to grab the food from his meister but Maka saw this coming. Ragnorak yelped as a large book smacked him right in the middle of his face. "Damn you." He muttered as he retreated back into Crona's bloodstream to nurse his wounded ego. Maka sighed. She had grown a soft spot for the childish little demon. However, she still hated him for how much he bullied and belittled Crona. It must be awful to have a bully that you cannot escape.

"Crona." She said tentatively. "I've been speaking with Professor Stein and he thinks he might be able to separate you and Ragnorak. And maybe even get rid of some of the black blood. How would you feel about that?"

Crona looked at his shoes. "I don't think I know how to deal with that."

Maka sighed. She had expected this predictable answer. "Don't you want to be able to live without the fear of him bullying you? I'm sure Ragnorak wants his own body back."

"I know but..." Crona bit his lip. "I've been like this for so long."

"Just think about it. Stein didn't confirm anything yet anyway." She decided to drop the subject for now. "Eat up. Then we can go to my place." Maka glanced around the barren stone room. "I really want to make this place more livable. Please let me fix it up for you."

Crona squirmed. "I really feel bad about you having to take care of me. Don't do expensive things like that. I don't know how to deal with it."

"My living allowance was upped significantly since I had to care for you. I really want to do this. But you have to agree to come with me and pick stuff out." Her eyes gleamed dangerously. "Do you want me to have to drag you?" Crona looked down. "I'll take that as a no. Now come on." She stood up and held out a hand to the timid boy. He grasped it. A small smile forming on his lips as she helped him up.