Maka stood quietly among the group of Meisters,she could hear faint whispers of conversations going on around words offered no hope.

"We'll never figure this out in time. It's just not possible to trace a virus or whatever this is to its source." One girl had said.

"At least not in enough time. Even if we did manage to find the answer, what if we're forced to fight, we don't have our weapon partners. It's hopeless."

'It can't be hopeless, Soul needs this. I'm not going to let him die because it doesn't seem to be a possibility of figuring things out. There's always a way don't let them get to you there's nothing Soul would do for me,he needs that now. Don't listen anymore." Maka tried to drown out the voices with her own thoughts. Suddenly, the voices ceased and Maka turned her attention to the middle of the room where lord death now stood.

"Meisters, I realize that our current situation seems impossible to get through and you're all afraid for not only the lives of your partners and friends but for your own without them. The truth is...we have no idea where to even start. It's a very real possibility that we won't have enough time to solve it and if that happens -"

"Lord Death, I need to talk to you." Spirit said rushing into the death room.

"What's going on Spirit?" Maka watched her father approach the reaper and whisper something in his ear. The reaper shook his head.

"Rin, Yuki, please follow spirit." The group turned to the two Meisters, the young girls already had tears in their eyes.

"It's Takumi isn't it?" Rin asked though it seemed to Maka that she already knew.

"And Kaito?" Yuki wiped the tears on her sleeve.

"I can explain when we-"

"They're gone aren't they?" The girls sobbed. Spirit sighed and nodded.

"Yes, I'm very sorry girls. If you follow me, I'll take you to say goodbye." Yuki put her arm around Rin as they followed. Maka felt relieved that it hadn't been Soul, though her heart went out to the girls.

"We have to work quickly to find a solution. There's only three of you left to take on the , Kyami, and Olivia. I'll try to get more to help you but as you can see,that's not an easy job. Be careful, who knows what's behind this. I-"

"Maka." Spirit called and her heart sank. She turned to face him.

"I need you to come with me." The other two gasped and held their hands to their mouths. They had noticed how close Maka was to Soul and as she followed her father, from the room she heard the faint voices behind her.

"Poor Maka,they're so close." Oliva whispered.

"She'll be so devastated. I don't know what I'll do if I lose Cole."Kyami said back.

"Papa,d-did Soul-" she let her voice trail off unable to finish the question.

"No. It's not about Soul. Crona's sick."

"What, how can Crona be sick, he's not -"

"Ragnarok got it and since they share a body, it's a problem for both of them." They reached the infirmary where Stein was attempting to force Crona to lie down.

"Maka and Soul need me, I can't!" He protested over the sound of his weapon groaning. Crona wrapped his arms around his stomach. Maka ran to him.

"It's okay Crona, rest. Everything will be fine, you did good taking care of Soul and I'm grateful, right now I need you to look after yourself and Ragnarok." She said softly laying him down.

"M-my stomach really hurts Maka, I don't know how to deal with this." She stroked his hair.

"Just try to relax Crona, sleep if you can. Sometimes that helps."

" But I promised to help with Soul." He looked over to the bed on his left.

"You did, it's cool if you need to lie down. You did great."Soul assured him trying to stay awake.

"You two are just going to have to look after each other as much as possible. Can you do that?" Maka asked.

"I think so." Crona replied apprehensively.

""Soul, how are you doing?"

"Same as when you left. You plan on leaving don't you?" Maka nodded.

"I'm going to figure it out for you and Crona, I promise."

"Hey, just promise me something." Soul requested.

"Anything."

"Don't be an idiot, I can't be there to stop you this time."

"I promise if you and Crona make me a promise too."

"What's that?"

"Be here when I get back."

"I promise." Crona said.

"Soul, I mean it, if you die-"

"If I do you'll never have to talk to me again."

"Soul, I'll kill you if you die before I get back." Maka said seriously.

The ailing boy smirked.

"I'd like like to see you try." He teased.

"Don't give me reason to show ?"

"Promise. I'm too cool to die anyway."

"I wish life worked that way." She said sadly.

"Remember your promise you two." The young Meister said sternly.

"We'll remember as long as you remember to keep yours so we can keep ours." Soul closed his eyes tightly.

"What's wrong?" Maka's voice was filled with fear.

"It's nothing, happens sometimes. It doesn't last long."

"Tell me."

"Maka, I just told you. There's nothing much to say about it."

"What hurts?"

"Nothing, I'm okay."

"You don't just do something like that,something's wrong."

"you worry too much." She knew he wasn't going to tell her.

"Alright then. Get some rest."

"Meisters, second shift is starting now,you can see your friends in the morning. We'll tell you about any changes in their condition.."Stein announced.

"Go get something to eat Maka, I'll stay for a while." Spirit said sitting down. Maka hesitated but promised to return shortly before leaving.

"You're not going to tell Maka are you Soul?" Crona asked.

"No point in it. It's just going to make it worse for her, she'll know soon enough,try to get some sleep,we're going to need all the strength we can save up."