Crona was rushing through the halls of the DWMA, late for class, fretting over what will happen if he didn't get there. So caught up in his haste, he didn't notice the rather large teen staring at the school's overly complicated map, scratching his head; and crashed right into the newcomer. Both fell in a heap of limbs as Crona apologized profusely, blushing hard. "I-I-I'm so sorry!" stuttered poor Crona. He quickly disentangled his arms and scooted back.

The newcomer though, he just laughed as he sat back. "It's ok," he answered with a chuckle. "Actually, I'm looking for Professor Stein's class, but this map makes not damn sense," he said.

Crona's eyes widened slightly. "Oh that's m-m-my class. I c-c-can show you i-i-if you want."

"Sounds good to me," he replied. He jumped to his feet and offered his hand to Crona. Crona, for his part, stared awkwardly at the hand, unsure of what to do. The newcomer smirked. "You gonna get up? We're late." Crona's blush returned a thousand fold and he quickly jumped to his feet, only to trip over his robe and almost fall again. Except the newcomer caught him. "Easy there, what's your name?"

"Crona."

The newcomer gave him another smile. "Crona, nice to meet you, my name's Ryuu Grimm." He held his hand out again.

But Crona didn't shake it. Instead his left hand latched a vice like grip on his right arm as he looked away. "You're nice to me, but you don't know me. I…I don't know how to deal with that!" he muttered to himself.

Ryuu cocked his head to the side. "I'm…sorry?" he asked. Ryuu was taller than most students, with an average build. His eyes though, they were the deepest shade of azure Crona had ever seen, with hair to match. His hair was long, tied back in an intricate braid that almost reached his mid back. He wore slacks, combat boots, and a black button down with a navy vest over it. A long kamikaze coat completed the look. Slung over his shoulder was a leather messenger bag.

Crona broke out of his staring when he heard the bell. "Oh No!" he cried and ran away. Ryuu could only jog after, still confused. The pair skidded to halt in front of one of the classrooms. Crona went to open the door when he froze. Ryuu raised an eyebrow as he looked at the door then the student.

"This the room?" Ryuu asked. Crona was just shaking though.

Then Ragnarok appeared. "Where the hell are we!?" Ryuu jumped back, a barrel replacing his hand as he fell into a fighting stance, glaring at the heretic weapon.

"What the actual hell!?" demanded Ryuu.

Ragnarok turned to see Ryuu and stuck his tongue out. "What the fucks the matter!? Aint you ever seen a badass before!? I know puny Crona aint much of Meister, but I'm one of the toughest weapons ever! Speaking of dumb Crona," Ragnarok turned back to his Meister's pink hair and yanked…hard. "Where the hell are we!?"

"Ragnarok stop! I told you I don't think I can deal with being bald!" cried Crona.

"Well answer me!" snapped the demon. Ryuu just stared as the argument continued, so confused. He slowly stood up as Crona began to flail at Ragnarok, the weapon flailing back.

"Ragnarok stop! They'll hear you and I don't think I can deal with being late!"

Ragnarok snorted as he grabbed two handfuls of pink hair and gave a vicious tug. "I don't care, I'm hungry! If we're not going to that stupid class feed me!"

Ryuu just watched, dumb founded, as the two continued to argue. Until the door was thrown open, and a terrifying man covered in zigzag scars and a lab coat stuck his head out. "Ragnarok stop arguing or you'll end up on my dissection table. Crona you're late," stated Stein in his usual monotone.

Both froze at the voice. Ragnarok actually shivered for a minute then spun around. "Oh yea bolt head let's see about"

"Ragnarok Shut Up!" roared Crona as he uppercutted his weapon. Ragnarok's head snapped back, his tongue lolling to the side as the weapon disappeared back into Crona. "S-s-s-sorry Professor." After his weapon disappeared, Crona went back to clutching his arm.

Professor Stein sighed as he cranked his head bolt. "Get inside," he turned to Ryuu, cranking it again as he took the new student in. "And you are?"

"Ryuu Grimm," answered the new student. "I was told to report to you…sir."

Stein looked down at the weapon, eyes hidden by his reflective glasses, a rictus grin slowly spreading across his face. "A new student, excellent, we're having a particularly lively dissection today. So glad you could join."

Ryuu felt an involuntary shiver run up his spine, then he squared his shoulders. "Sounds interesting." Stein's grin remained in place as he pushed his chair back in to the room, rolling away. Ryuu watched as Crona shuffled inside, trying to hunch over and present as small an image as possible as he scurried towards an open seat by a blond haired girl. Said girl glanced from Crona to Ryuu, her eyes hard. Ryuu quickly jogged over to an open chair, getting his notebook out as Stein went back to his lecture.

The class passed slowly, Ryuu slowly getting sicker as Stein's dissection progressed. When the bell finally rang, it took all his willpower not to bolt out of his chair with the rest of the students. But he had to stay behind, the conversation with the Reaper repeating in his head.

The Reaper sipped his tea for a moment before sighing. "Well Ryuu, are you enjoying your time here so far?"

Ryuu shrugged as he stared at his tea. "Its…odd, Lord Death. And it's odd to be Ryuu…again."

The Reaper nodded as he drink. "Indeed, indeed. Well, since you are, and you're here, that means you'll be a student. Now you're already set up with a dormitory room correct?"

"You mean my cell?" Ryuu couldn't help the quip, as soon as it came out, he blushed. "I mean yes, sorry Lord Death."

But the Reaper just laughed. "Why yes I suppose it would seem like a cell, being in the basement of the school. Still for now it's the best place for you to stay. Anyway, now that you're set up, you'll be starting school today."

Ryuu cocked an eyebrow. "School? I…are you sure Lord Death?"

The Reaper nodded emphatically. "Yes oh yes. As a weapon we must eventually pair you with a Meister, one who will benefit from your particular spirit wave." Ryuu frowned at that but didn't say anything.

Ryuu came back to the present when he heard books drop. Professor Stein was nowhere to be seen, and a group of students had entered. And they didn't look to friendly. Ryuu looked around; the only other person in the room still was that pink haired meister, Crona. "You!" said one of the new meisters as he pointed at Ryuu. "Get out!"

Ryuu raised an eyebrow, then it dawned on him what was happening. And his eyes narrowed. "And if I don't?"

The Meister smirked. "Sit there and watch, or you'll get hurt too. Either way, its time someone taught that witch bastard it aint wanted here."

Crona shivered slightly as he slowly stood up. "Please, I don't want to fight. I don't think I can deal with fighting other DWMA students right now." The Meisters spread out slowly, their weapons transforming as they circled Crona.

Ryuu slowly stood up, counting. "I wouldn't do this."

"Stay out of it!" snapped a sword meister.

Ryuu shrugged off his coat as he watched the Meisters close in. Then he launched forward, leaping over desks and landing in the front of the classroom, tackling the closest meister. A swift kick to the jaw kept the kid down. Ryuu spun, crashing a heavy handed cross into another Meister, only a thunderous bark rang out through the room. The Meister stumbled back, his chest smoking. Where Ryuu's hand had been there was now a thick black barrel. He pointed the gun at the others. "Who's next?"

There was a pregnant pause then the door to the classroom burst open. "Wahoo! I needed a fight! After all how can I prove I'm a big star without a Stage!?" demanded that blue haired ninja from before, a pair of kusurigama in his hands. Another entered, a blond haired girl with a massive scythe on her shoulder.

"Crona," she called. "Are you ok?"

Crona shuddered slightly. "T-t-t-they said they wanted to make me pay. I don't think I can deal with owing them Maka!"

Maka smiled slightly. "It's ok Crona, come over here." Ryuu slowly eased out of his fighting crouch, a wary eye on the new group of Meisters. The original group, three stars from their uniforms, backed away, they didn't seem afraid but nor were they anxious to take this new group on.

"One day Maka you won't be around to protect that witch traitor," snarled a female sword Meister.

"Maka isn't the one you need to worry about!" bellowed ninja. He was all but hopping, itching for a fight.

Crona hurried over to his friends, his bag clutched in nervous hands as he cast furtive glances at the hostile Meisters. The blond girl, Maka met him at the bottom of the stairs, keeping herself in front of Crona. "W-w-wait," said Crona. Maka paused, Crona walked over to Ryuu. "You helped me. I-I-I"

"You're welcome," interrupted Ryuu. He looked at Maka, who seemed to be studying Ryuu. The weapon nodded slightly as he turned back to the hostile Meisters. "Get out of here."

"Come on Crona," murmured Maka as she pulled her friend away.

Ryuu tensed; hands up as he prepared for what would be one hell of a fight, when he felt someone tap his shoulder. "You helped Crona, means I help you. Come on," muttered the ninja. "Anyone want to test the man who's gonna surpass god!?" he shouted. No one stepped forward. "I thought so. This stage isn't fit for a big star like me."

Ryuu wasn't inclined to argue. He raced up the stairs, grabbed his stuff then ran back down. On the ground level, he backed out slowly, the ninja covering him. Whoever these Meisters were, they were obviously not people one crossed lightly. Outside the room, Ryuu noted a third member of the little group, a gun slinger with three stripes in his hair. The scythe Meister, Maka, was patting Crona down, making sure he was ok. The others had their weapons transform back to their human forms, two of the males breaking away. They were the same ninja Meister, and Maka's scythe partner. "Crona said you tried to help him, that's pretty cool of you," said the scythe. He looked…evil almost with shark like teeth, blood red eyes and white hair.

Still, Ryuu straightened his back as he met the red stare. "I don't like unfair fights."

The scythe laughed. "To be fair, if Crona had actually tried, those jackasses would have been the ones who needed help. Still, thanks. Name's Soul, Blackstar you met," he gestured to the ninja. "That's Maka, fussing over Crona, the other mother hen is Tsubaki, Blackstar's partner," a muttered hey was drowned out by Blackstar's bragging. "And finally, Death the Kid and his partners, Liz and Patty."

"Hi!" cried Patty as she waved frantically, Liz shaking her head. There was something…familiar about them. Ryuu couldn't put his finger on it.

Ryuu dipped his head slightly. "Ryuu…Ryuu Grimm."

"New student huh?" asked Soul. Ryuu nodded. "Thought so, got a partner yet?" Ryuu shook his head. "That's…odd."

"Soul!" called Maka. The weapon spun around. "Crona's spending the night with us." Soul gave Maka a thumbs up then turned back to Ryuu. "And everyone is coming over. We need to get groceries." Soul sighed as he shook his head.

"Think we're gonna have a party, if I'm reading this right," said Soul. "Care to come?"

Ryuu frowned slightly. "I don't think" he started slowly backing away.

Then Crona was there. "You…you helped me."

"Yes," replied Ryuu.

Crona struggled for a moment to speak, finally he just sort of ducked his head to the side. "Thank you…I don't think I can deal with you helping me though."

Ryuu chuckled at that. "I don't think its something you deal with. And it's no problem."

Maka came over. "Ryuu right?" The weapon nodded again. "We're having a party; you're more than welcome to come."

"As I tried to say," started Ryuu.

"Please," interrupted Crona, who's widened and he blushed profusely.

Ryuu knew he shouldn't. The smart thing would be to turn around; head back to his room in the dungeon and pretend this never happened. Instead he smiled. "Sure, I'll come." Crona gave him a small smile, then was swept away by Maka.

Soul shook his head. "Duty calls," he said with a chuckle, following his meister. Blackstar was screaming as he ran around, his weapon trying to contain him. Ryuu began to wonder just what the hell he had gotten himself into when he patted his side. With a smirk he fished out a pack of smokes as one of the new weapons, Liz, made her way over.

Liz's eyebrow rose. "You smoke?"

Ryuu nodded as he fished a cigarette out. "Want one?"

Then her meister, Kid, appeared. "No she doesn't, and please do not smoke those in my school, the smoke it leaves is damaging."

Ryuu stared down at him, then his eyes widened, almost dropping his smoke as his jaw dropped. "You're" he hissed.

Kid nodded. "I'm glad you remember me, though I'm surprised it took you so long."

Ryuu had to force himself not to snarl. "Yea well, I was different then."

Liz looked confused, then she stared hard at Ryuu and her eyes widened. "You're"

Ryuu shoved his hand over her mouth before she could finish. "Yes, let's not discuss that with a group of Meisters not a dozen feet from us," snapped the weapon.

Liz shoved him off of her. "I get it, so they fixed you huh?"

Ryuu snorted as he put his cigarette away. "Who knows? Didn't realize these were your friends. I'll be leaving."

Kid actually snickered slightly. "I doubt that would work, you said you would go to Crona, means Maka will hunt you down so you live up to your word. And she doesn't need Soul to drag you to their flat."

Ryuu paused, then sighed. "Fine." He stuck the cigarette behind his ear as he followed the others out of the school.

"My father still hasn't assigned you a partner?" asked Kid.

Ryuu shook his head. "Nope, today was my first day; probably need to meet with him to discuss why I almost shot one of his students."

Kid could only shrug. "As enigmatic as he is, I doubt he'll hold this against you." Kid cast soft eyes on Crona as he sighed again. "After all, my father believes in redemption, and Crona has earned his. So I wouldn't be too worried."

Ryuu nodded as he looked at Crona. "I'm guessing its something to do with his weapon."

"That's a story for another time," answered Kid. He picked up his pace, joining the others, leaving Ryuu behind at the rear. When they got outside, Ryuu struck up his lighter, igniting a cigarette as he watched the group.

The walk through Death City was…odd for Ryuu. He had never really thought he'd be able to wander the city…or anywhere for that matter. Yet here he was, under the laughing sun. It was nice. Ryuu got lost in thought as he wandered the city, staying a few paces behind Crona and his friends. Every now and then the pink haired meister would look back, smile softly when he saw Ryuu, then go back to listening to Maka.

Ryuu flicked away some ash as he watched the group. They were a strange bunch. Argumentative, loud and abrasive, between Maka smashing books into people's heads, Kid's random spasms and Blackstar's bragging, it was a wonder how any of them were friends. But there was an undercurrent, a thread, of friendship, loyalty…love, real and obvious to anyone who bothered to look. Ryuu had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep in the present; it reminded him so much of before. He was dragged out of his musing when Blackstar appeared in his way.

"Ryuu!" shouted the ninja. "You tried to help Crona! Can you fight!?" Ryuu cocked an eyebrow, but nodded all the same. Blackstar smirked. "Excellent! I need a new sparring partner and these wimps cant stand up to a big man like me!"

"What'd you say!?" snapped Soul.

But Blackstar wasn't listening. "So how about it!?"

Ryuu looked around and realized they had come to a park with basketball courts off to one side. It was deserted except for the students. Ryuu stubbed his cigarette and nodded. "Why not?" Blackstar's smirk almost split his face in two.

Maka tried to break it up, but Soul pulled her back. "I want to watch this," said the Scythe. Patti restrained Kid, and Tsubaki, Tsubaki just sighed as she watched.

"Twenty on the new guy," called Liz, soon enough the others were placing bets.

Ryuu shrugged off his jacket and bag, stretching his arms. Then he slipped into a boxing stance. Blackstar paced slightly in front of him. "Ready," called Tsubaki, long since used to her meister, stepped between them. "Fight!" she cried and jumped back. Blackstar flew forward, so did Ryuu. The pair crashed heavy over hand crosses into each other, forcing both of them apart. Blackstar flipped backwards, then came back in. Ryuu was slower to respond, he fell into a crouch as he tried to weather Blackstar's assault. It was not easy, the ninja meister obscenely fast and strong. Still Ryuu held on.

Then Blackstar overextended himself on a hook; Ryuu sprang up with a heavy uppercut then crashed a sidekick into the ninja's stomach, sending him flying. Blackstar's grin turned almost vicious. "Ok then! Try this, Speed Star!" Then he disappeared.

"Blackstar!" cried Tsubaki. Maka tightened her grip on Soul's hand, Kid sighed. Blackstar paid them no mind.

Ryuu though, his eyes tracked left and right, trying to follow the blurs. He spun throwing a punch. The attack passed clean through a Blackstar after image. Ryuu's eyes widened, he tried to turn, only to catch the full force of Blackstar's roundhouse to the side of his head. Ryuu stumbled back, barely able to stay on his feet. He jumped back just in time as Blackstar surged forward again.

"S-s-shouldn't we s-s-stop this?" stuttered Crona to Maka.

Maka could only shrug. "Blackstar is Blackstar. And as long as we're alone no one is in danger." Ryuu flew by them. "Well…except Ryuu I think," she finished.

"B-b-b-but Ryuu's a w-w-weapon. D-d-doesn't seem fair," countered Crona. Then it was Blackstar who flew by. And everyone turned, surprised. Ryuu looked worse for wear but he was still standing.

He spat, a snarl on his face, his eyes were brighter, almost glowing. "Come on," he growled.

Blackstar flipped back to his feet. "Wahoo!" cried the Ninja. His spirit wave crackled around his hands.

Maka sighed. "Now we break it up. Soul?"

"Right," answered the scythe as he transformed. Before either Ryuu or Blackstar could clash again Maka stepped forward, slamming her weapon down.

"Match over," she stated. Both looked up, then Blackstar kicked the ground.

"It was just getting good!" snapped the meister.

Ryuu however had to force himself out of his crouch. "It was just about over. I'm out of shape," he said as he leaned against the wall, grimacing.

Blackstar came over and slapped Ryuu on the shoulder. "Not bad for a weapon!" The slap almost pitched Ryuu forward. Blackstar raced back to Tsubaki, bragging while Tsubaki once again tried to rein her meister in.

Soul transformed, following Blackstar, Kid and the Thompson sisters going as well. Crona and Maka hurried over to Ryuu who was rolling his shoulders as he winced. "You ok?" asked Maka.

Ryuu nodded. His eyes darkened but he breathed easier. "Yea, I'm alright. Just been awhile since I've been in a fight."

Maka gave him a big grin. "You didn't do half bad, Blackstar, despite being annoying, is one of the strongest Meisters in the school."

Ryuu chuckled. "Of course he is." He winced as he moved his arm.

Maka shook her head. "Next time you won't be eager to fight. We'll get some ice on that when we get back to my place."

Ryuu nodded as he slowly shrugged on his jacket. "Sounds good."

Crona appeared next to Maka. "A-a-are you ok?"

Ryuu just smirked. "Yea, I'm fine." He stretched his arms, sighing as his spine cracked. "Better now."

Crona gave him a small smile. "Good," he and Maka walked away to catch up with the others.

Ryuu winced again as he shifted his bag. Yes this was definitely going to be interesting.