I know this has been done a million times, I just wanted to do my own take on it as a fun side project when I have the time. I own nothing except Roukia and Matsiki, who'll we will meet in chapter 2. Maybe. :)

Hiro, had, once, considered himself to be absolutely fearless.

Now, watching the other DWMA students train with their partners, he himself alone, he found that there was a black hole of terror in his heart. He was terrified of being on his own. He was terrified that he'd never find a partner that he could resonate with. He was terrified...what if he never got anywhere in life, what if he never found his place?

Even Maka Albarn, star of the school, had said he was just ordinary, shabby. He was plain. He was a nobody.

And, God, she was right.

The blond turned away from the other students, shoving his hands into his pockets. He felt so stupid for believing for so long that he could be like Black*Star and Maka and Death the Kid. Looking at them now, watching them train and joke around with each other, he couldn't help but still want to be a part of their group.

"You'll get there one day." He jumped, jerking his head towards professor Stein. The older meister placed a heavy hand on Hiro's shoulder, casting the wary blond a stiff smile. "Might not be today..."

"Thanks, but I don't think me being a meister is meant to be. I can't resonate with anyone, and no one wants to even try anymore." Pain coiled in his chest, gripping his heart in a vice like grip, and Hiro wished he couldn't believe his own words, but one can't battle against the truth. "I'm not cut out for this."

He motioned to the other students, to the actually successful people there. He wasn't like them, not even close. Why try when he knew there was no point? He'd rather try and find his purpose somewhere else, out in the world where he could maybe make a difference. Here he was utterly useless.

"I'd like to just disappear for a while. I've always wanted to go to France."

"Perhaps you should disappear." Stein sighed, letting his hand drop to his side. "I'll get you a plane ticket."

"Proffesor Stein? A-are...are you serious? What about my school work?"

"You can do it when you get back."

Hiro smiled up at the older male, the pain in his chest lifting just that much. Stein hadn't said it, but Hiro could always come back. He always had Death City to return to.

Hiro was packed, he had his plane ticket to Paris in his hand, and no one would miss him. Except maybe the little old lady he helped carry her groceries and tend to her hanging garden. He certainly hoped the stray cats he fed would miss him, and he'd been sure to leave out one last bowl of food out for the crafty critters he so adored.

Stein and Sid waved him off, and the blond was gone.

No one would miss him. But he would miss them.

A single person walked up the steps of the DWMA, knee high boots making little to no sound on the worn stone. The blond came to a stop at the top and took in the sight of the school, hands in the pockets of his white trench coat. He breathed in, and breathed out.

Almost a year had passed since he'd been here, standing at the top of the stairs, looking at the glorious school of the grim reaper. It was early enough that very few students were there, which was why he had come so early.

"So, has it changed at all?" Standing taller than the blond, the other boy grinned and leaned over his companion. His jet black hair hung in gentle waves over his silvery grey eyes, though it did little to cover the long, angry scar on the right side of his face.

"That crater is new."

"You're hilarious. Come on Hiro, I wanna meet Death himself."

Hiro shook his head and brushed his weapon's hair away from those silvery eyes he'd learned to love. He barely noticed the scar anymore, but his fingers still traced over it, remembering the terror he'd felt that rainy night. He took a step towards the school, smiling at the black haired boy.

"Alright. Let's go before we're late."

"Lead the way, I'll follow you. Or maybe I won't. We'll see."