This is my second story. It's set in the Soul Eater world but before the events of Episode 1. This story happens somewhere around the time Maka was born, a time when a certain nurse comes into the picture and discovers someone who has interest in who she is. I won't tell you who he is, so you'll have to read and find out.

Even though there were patients under his care, he lit another cigarette. Things were slow lately, and it bugged him. He was smoking by the window at the very least, but that was a far as he was going to go. He had tried quiting severa times, but after a long day of work, or on slow day, he wanted nothing more than a smoke.

He took a long pull on his cigarette and felt the twitch in his fingers fade. It had been bothering him for some time, but now he had something to get his mind off it. He felt the chemicals burn his lungs, and as toxic as they were, he breathed a sign of content.

That was until a woman walked in and took notice of him and his smoking. She looked at him, then to the patients, then returned to him. It was obvious that she wasn't at all pleased about about what he was doing. It could have simply been because she didn't like the smell.

Then he noticed that she was quickly looking him over, judging what to make of him. He could be a threat for all she knew, maybe she was right.

When she turned back around, he could almost applaud her reaction time, as there was another man, barely into his twenties, standing just behind her. His eyes were on her for a whole other reason. The older-looking of the two men took another pull on his cigarette and only turned away to breathe the smoke outside. He wanted to see this.

"You must be the new nurse I've been hearing about. How do you do?"

"I am doing well if that is what you are asking." Her tone was calm and composed. But something about this red-haired stranger seemed to make her uncomfortable. He was standing close, his arm on the edge of the doorway in an attempt at looking impressive for the new nurse, but he didn't notice the way she was trying to back away. Every inch she tried to put in her dissapeared as he came closer.

"I'm Death Scythe, what's your name, if I may ask?"

"You may call me Nurse Gorgon."

"An interesting name, and may I add, it is an honor to meet with you."

The woman was still backing away, irritation slowly creeping into her movements, "I heard that there was a Death Scythe located here, but I didn't know that-"

"His name was the same as his status?" Even from his spot by the window, the man could tell that this wasn't going to end well. "Believe me, I still don't get why he does that. But it is official, so I don't think about it much. And Spirit, I don't think it is a good idea to be hitting on the new girl. Think of your wife for a second. You've only been married for a year now and you've got a kid on the way."

That left the Death Scythe flustered and in disbelief, allowing the woman to break away, but the irritation remained. Spirit didn't notice it, but the other man did as he took another pull on his cigarette.

"I should have you know that I am a fully-qualified nurse. I am here for my skills, not to look good or for your amusement."

Ooh, I think I'm impressed. The kitten has claws, and she knows how to use them. The man put out his cigarette and threw it out the window.

"I'm sure your skills will be quite valuable to us. As you should know, I am the acadamy's alchemist, if there is any potions, salves, oils, creams, or anything else, you can come to me. I can even do some beauty products... when needed."

"Now why would I need anything like that?" the woman asked him. She was holding steady, but she wasn't in her element.

"I'm not saying you need or desire anything of the sort. It just comes in handy when you have damaging evidence of your night life."

"What are yo-" Nurse Gorgon began, but Spirit jumped in between them. His back was turned to the woman and he was waving his hands in front of him in an attempt to drop that line of conversation.

He leaned in close so as to prevent the nurse from hearing him whisper, "You promised that you wouldn't say anything about that! It happened only once and you know how Kami is with a book!"

"Are you really going to hold me on that?"

Spirit looked like he was about to blow his top but didn't want to look like an idiot in front of the lady. Unfortunately, it was too late for that. "Alright, I'll leave you to bring her up to speed with what she needs to do. I hope to see you later." That last part was directed towards the nurse, who was oblivious to the attempt as she was looking around.

"So, is this where I will be working?" she asked once Spirit was out of hearing range.

"It is. We have a doctor here so you won't have to worry about serious wounds. But you will be needed to help our patients recover and get back out. Don't get too worried if they are dealing with some pain. It helps to act as a reminder not to act like a fool when in battle."

"An experience you have learned, I presume?" The way she smiled, it was like she had a weapon hidden in her coat and was about to use it if he wasn't careful.

Despite himself, he was smiling, "I learned this back when I was first studying alchemy. You don't always have to drink a poison to suffer from its effects. Contact with the skin or even the fumes in some cases can get it into your system. I was stuck in bed for a month."

"Must have been quite the poison to last that long."

"Not really, it should have only been a week but I had some materials smuggled in by fellow students and I tried again. It would have worked if the some of the materials hadn't been left out in the air for so long. The resulting gas cloud knocked me out for the rest of the month. I suffered constant pain and cramping for nearly three more afterwards."

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, I suppose." The nurse picked up a clay jar with an herbal paste to stop bleeding from shallow wounds.

"You would be correct on that subject."

"I never got your name," she asked him.

"That is because I never gave it. But for you, I'll give freely. I am the demon pot, Umbra Ouroboros, another local Death Scythe."

"I hope I won't have to ever use you in a fight. I am neither a weapon or a meister, just a nurse."

"You misunderstand, I'm not your average weapon. I am an independent Death Scythe, so I don't require a meister to be useful."

"That is fortunate, as I am no fighter."

"Such a pity, even with my skill, I would have like to put my power in your hands, or maybe enjoyed having them on me."

Nurse Gorgon quickly turned her back to him, had he embarrassed her? It was hard to tell from this angle. She was either embarrassed, or greatly irritated by him.

"Sorry, that was a lame joke between weapons. I don't have the energy I once had."

"Oh? And why is that?" she turned back around. "You don't look all that old to me," she looked him over once more, but this time her eyes showed something different. He still couldn't tell what was going on in her mind though. She showed a fair bit of training that hid her thoughts from him. Must have been something to keep her emotions from disturbing the patients. Quite handy actually, he had a habit of scaring his students on occasion.

"Alchemy is full of hidden dangers ranging from toxic materials to deadly chemical reactions." Umbra checked the clock to see it was getting late, "But I won't bore you with any more details. I don't suppose you have somewhere to stay?"

"I had some accommodations made up for me before I came here. I prefer to have everything planned out ahead of time."

Umbra chuckled, "I guess me and Spirit must have not been part of those plans. Even though he's married, he is a good man, but he tries so hard to be good with the ladies."

"I noticed." She walked over to one of the patients, a young man suffering from a broken leg. She traced her fingers over the bandages, careful as to not put any presure on it. The way she touched the fabric, as if it would break without warning. Then she moved to the cabinet and began reading the labels of the contents. She was quick to learn, he could tell that much from her.

"If there isn't anything you need, I will leave you to your work." He turned and left when she didn't reply.

"Medusa."

He stopped just before the door and looked back, "Hmm?"

"My name is Medusa Gorgon, for you, I'll give it freely."

Umbra nodded and left, for he couldn't contain the itch in his hand any longer. There was something about her that sent shivers down his spine and made his blood run cold. If it wasn't for the twich in his hand, he would have thought that he had no feeling left.

He was loving every second of it.