First of all, I apologize for the lack of update. It seems that one update every week end is a tad above my writer skills... I will continue to update the story from time to time. Anyway, I'm rather satisfied with how this chapter turned out. The story progression still seems somewhat slow to me though. I'm contemplating inserting some fight at some point (Not between Chrona and Maka yet, though ) ; It may give the story some punch... I think I'll link the story to the manga progression soon. Feel free to review and give your comments !

I don't own Soul Eater. Not yesterday, not today, not EVER. - sob- T_T

Maka was having the worst hangover she had ever experienced. What had she been drinking ? She tried to sooth the pain by massaging her temples, only to find that both of her arms were trapped in a thight embrace. She couldn't make sense of the situation, she was still having too much difficulties thinking. So instead of torturing herself, she let her eyes follow the arms up to their owner, whose head was resting on her shoulder. Chrona. That's right, she tought. I'm in Chrona's room. Now that she looked around, she recognised the place ; It was very much like a cell. Except for the desk and the bed they were resting on, there was nothing in there.

" ... What are we doing hugging each other on Chrona's bed ? "

Maka took a deep breath, pondering the situation. Whatever the reason for their current situation was, there was no doubt that Chrona would have an attack if she were to wake up now. She had to get Chrona off her as smoothly as possible. She found it easier said than done, tough, as Chrona seemed most reluctant to let her go. Each move Maka made made her twist and groan. Maka couldn't help but notice she seemed really off, smiling wickedly as she slept. Yet she decided it must be for a sweat dream. After all, even Chrona could find a bit of happiness in her dreams, right ? It's not as if she always had to be depressed. As she continued to struggle, it became clear that she couldn't break free unless she resorted to use more strength. With a mighty push she was finally able to seperate herself from Chrona. However, the sudden move had unsurprisingly awaken Chrona.

" Maka... ", she spoke softly. Her eyes were still hazy as she reached out for Maka, trying to pull her back on the bed with her. " My little rabbit... Your fur is so soft... I wish I could pet you all day... ". She then proceeded with the aformentioned petting, giggling softly.

Maka was dumbstruck. Her mind had blocked on " Whaaaaaaaaat ?! "

This is SO unlike Chrona. What is happening here ? Her rabbit ? My fur ? Realisation dawned on Maka. Oh god. She is suffering from insanity. What should I do ? I need to get her back to real-Ack !

Chrona started to nibble Maka's neck.

" I used to have another rabbit, you know ? I had to kill it to become strong. Rabbits taste good. He was nowhere like you, you know ? I bet you'd taste a hundredfold better... You know ? "

Oh-no-no-no-no-no this is turning really bad I have to wake her up NOW !

" Wait ! Chrona ! Chrona, you have to wake up ! I'm no rabbit ! Chrona ! "

" No... Rabbit... ? " Chrona's face went blank, her body weakening.

Maka was now shaking Chrona, who was limp within her arms with her head thrown back looking at the ceiling, giggling all the while.

" No... Rabbit ? No rabbit ? No rabbit ? He he he... "

" Chrona ! Listen to me ! you've got to synchronize your soul wavelength with me ! Chrona ! Chron- "

Suddenly swaying forth, Chrona pinned Maka under her on the bed. Her face was blank, her mouth was a square showing her teeth.

" Very well. "

Both of them closed their eyes, concentrating on the other's soul. Maka founded herself once more in Chona's soul. But in place of a desert, it was an ocean with a small island. She landed on the beach. The weather was nice and sunny, but she could tell something was wrong. Empty, broken sandcastles on the beach. A perfectly still and calm ocean. No wind. No one. - No one ? That was yet to verify. Straining her ears, lil'Maka heard noise coming from inside the island. With a firm pace, she entered the forest. There was only a single path, leading her further, deeper. It almost seemed there was no end to it. Well, Maybe there wasn't any end to it. This was the world of the soul after all. Anything could happen here. With her little feet, lil'Maka had to stop from time to time to rest a bit before continuing. She was sitting on a lodge when she first saw it.

Maka Albarn

Her own name, carved in the wood. The sight was slightly unsettling. The carving was rash, almost violent. Yet careful not to mess any letter. She did not know what to make of it. Maybe coming here was a mistake, she thought. Shaking it off , she got up. Mistake or not, she was here. And she would do her best to bring Chrona back. With that in mind, she started walking again. The forest was turning more and more gloomy as she traveled deeper, the trees becoming more and more twisted, now blocking most of the light. But even such little light was enough for lil'Maka to spot her name here and there. In fact, she realised that the occurence of her name seemed to augment as she walked toward her destination, wherever it was.

When she finally reached a clearing, her name was now everywhere. Strangely, even if there was now no more tree to block the light, the place remained somewhat dark ; Very much like night, except there was no star in the dark sky. Chrona was sitting at the center of the clearing, hugging her feet. Maka was expecting her to look gloom like usual, but she seemed really content with herself. She was even humming a happy tune - that was the sound Maka heard on the beach - ; Yet there was no trace of insanity on her face. Just the simple, timid smile she showed much too rarely in Maka's opinion. Maka was now torn apart. Chrona was obviously unaware that her... - Other half ? Dark side ? - Whatever the hell it was took over her body. Should Maka tell her ? She seemed so happy... Maka was not sure she could bear the sight of Chrona's hurted face. Over the last few month, Maka has grown more and more attached to the sad, twisted girl, to the point that seeing her smile was enough to enlighten her day. She has already suffered so much... Maka simply wanted to protect her, so that nothing bad would ever happen to her again.

She needed to choose her words wisely.

" Hello !... Chrona ? ", she timidly stepped in the clearing.

Recognising the voice, Chrona bolted upward.

" Ma - Maka ? What are you doing here ? ", she said, waving frantically her arms with panick written all over her face.

" Ah... Hum... I- Well, I was practicing my soul detection when I sensed something a bit... off... in yours. Hum... "

Her explaination was ridiculous. For someone supposedly smart, surely she could have come up with a better one. Yet, Chrona seemed satisfied with it. Or maybe it was the fact that she was currently too busy trying to hide all the Maka's names she carved all around the forest with only two arms. Blushing, she hid herself behind a tree, only peering her eyes in fear to watch Maka's reaction.

Maka couldn't help but smile. That was Chrona for you...