Chapter 7

Sorae's P.O.V

The times pushed forward and now we were being pushed forward… trying to evade Medusa's ricocheting arrows that tried to kill us. We had been divided into teams; first went Kid and the twins on his skateboard, followed one second later by Black Star and Tsubaki. Now it was our turn to pass Medusa, and this was our third try. Above me, Noriko was panting heavily; sweat drooled down her forehead. I knew that she was near her limit, but unfortunately, she was no weapon and so she had to run.

"Come on, Nori!" I encouraged. "We'll make it through!" This time, I thought. I know that that was mean, but I couldn't help it. This is our third try, and if we don't go, Medusa's going to have us for dinner. Medusa hissed evilly, her big, snake-like eyes glaring at us. Noriko took a big breath, and then her eyes shined with a blazing confidence. She brought me forward, and I deflected a stray arrow from that had headed straight for Noriko's stomach.

Noriko kept running, blocking, running, deflecting, and running. It seemed like she would collapse any moment now, but she didn't. Just as we were jumping through a narrow path created by the arrows, Noriko faced Medusa. "You're plans are going to fail," Noriko shouted as she grazed across Medusa. She landed painfully on her back and then tried to get up when suddenly—

"Vector Plate," Medusa muttered under her breath. Even louder, "All arrows on Maka!" As Noriko and I was pushed forward, Maka ran passed us. "I WON'T LOSE!" Maka shouted ferociously as she ran right beside Medusa. Noriko slammed into the floor and scraped her back badly. She lay there, panting furiously. Tears dripped down her face as she muttered, "We've…gotta…move…on…!" She haggardly got up, gripping her right hand that held me. She walked, staggering forward as Professor Stein distracted Medusa. Without my knowing, I began to cheer Noriko on, as well as crying for…no, with her as we both felt pain.

This nightmare better end soon.

Noriko's P.O.V

I couldn't stop panting for a second. I knew I was going to run out of stamina soon and there wasn't anything I could do about it. I had to move on though. I had to catch up to Kid. I knew Maka was going to battle Chrona and that she was going to win. Black Star was with Kid so far as I can see. Probably fighting the immortal… Free was it? Well whatever, I had to continue on. I can't act like a weak bitch sitting on the sidelines doing nothing but panting. "I…have to…make it…hang in there…COME ON!"

I felt the gaze of Sorae on the top of my head as I leaned against her. "Noriko… It's fine; let's take a break the others have it under control so just rest a while."

I whipped my head and looked at her with wide eyes "SORAE, THIS ISN'T ABOUT MY SAFETY WE HAVE TO STOP THE KISHIN NOW LETS GO!" I yelled.

She remained quiet now as I walked forward with her following behind me. "Noriko don't push yourself…" she muttered. I avoided contact as we walked on.

"I have to…I don't want him to be hurt from all of this," I muttered back now in control of my breathing.

"Let's go then. They're waiting for us," Sorae encouraged with a playful smirk. I nodded with regained energy and we ran once again.

Sorae's P.O.V

I couldn't help but get the feeling that Noriko was being more tired than usually. It seemed like she was going to faint any second now as she ran, trying to act calm towards the inner chamber where the kishin is believed to rest. All I could do was watch worriedly at my tired meister who could do nothing but run…so far. We didn't know how much time passed by after all.

We ran passed Maka and Soul who were fighting Chrona, the body-gender mixed person. Noriko shouted, "We'll be going ahead, Maka!"

I shouted, "We're counting on you two; Maka, Soul!" And then we dashed off onwards. As we ran on, we started to hear random noises. First were bomb explosions and then came Black Star 'yahooooo'ing. Noriko and I were about to burst out laughing, but this was a serious mission here. Instead, we held solemn faces. We ran, towards the sound of Black Star's yelling, and then we were side by side with him…that is until Noriko started to lose speed.

"Nori, we've gotta go!" I shouted, trying to pull her onto her feet. Black Star hesitated for a while and so I got pissed. "Black Star, go on ahead!" He nodded seldom and dashed ahead as I helped Noriko onto her feet. She was panting hard; no longer able to catch up with her mixed breath. "Noriko…" I said, feeling a bit troubled. There were two options dancing in my mind right now; neither of them made me happy. The first one was to wait for Noriko to catch her breath and chase after Black Star; but that was too time consuming. The second one was… to abandon Noriko. I didn't want to use the second one, even if she tells me to so that one's out.

"Don't you lag behind me now," I said, hosting her onto my back. The third option: to use my own stamina and carry Noriko myself.

Noriko understood my determination and smiled. "Give me five minutes," was all she said.

"I'll give you three," I teased. She laughed and I ran.

Noriko's P.O.V

Thanks to Sorae, it was quick to catch up to Black Star and it helped save my energy. But it took her twice as much energy. I feared for her, but she said that she had enough to spare. And I took her words true because she wasn't even panting when we landed next to Black Star. But how will I fight now? I haven't developed any new skills. All because I was cooped up in that damn infirmary for no reason, I thought mentally hitting myself.

We dashed closer to the resting place; my blood rushing through my ears like a tide crashing into the shore. "Sorae, weapon form," I commanded. She reappeared as a blue blade in my hands, and as if she had a rocket on her, I sped up. "I will not lose," I kept chanting. This itself was enough to help me speed up.

Sorae's P.O.V

We finally made it to the kishin resting place. We saw Kid battling against Free and Eruka running with a needle filled with black blood. "Noriko, stop the kishin from reviving!" Kid shouted as he tried to make it past Free. Noriko was already two steps ahead. "YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET AWAY FROM ME!" she shouted, rushing towards the frightened Eruka. She slashed me at Eruka, but only was able to cut a few strands of hair.

"Are you okay?" I worried as her body seemed to turn hot again; her right hand the gripped me was already growing sweaty. She smiled a reassuring smile and told me she was fine. I sighed quietly as Noriko kept slashing at Eruka desperately, knowing that we're going nowhere if she kept at this. But then again, all we were doing was stalling right now. I guess that was alright. But I wasn't sure if Noriko was going to be alright. "Noriko, switch out," I demanded, not letting this go on any further.

"NO!" she shouted back at me. I was about to protest about her saying no, when I clattered to the floor. "NO! GET AWAY FROM ME! DON'T KILL ME!" she screamed, holding her head as she fell to her knees. She buried her ears in her arms as she cried to herself.

Eruka seemed to find this her chance, so I gritted my teeth and abandoned Noriko. But before doing so, I kicked her to catch her attention. She was still blocking her ears, so all I did was point at Kid. She turned around and stared at him. I just hoped that this would keep her away from the darkness. "Don't fall into the madness," I demanded, baka chopping her. Then, I turned back my attention to the running Eruka.

"EERRRUUUUKKAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

Yui's P.O.V

I didn't like the sensation on my back. That was the only thing that kept me awake along the ride. That and the annoying bastard with the chains… too bad I forgot his name. He's not that important after all. The guy who was riding on his chains alongside the spider bed that I was given to ride on—well, actually kidnapped and put on—was smirking his usual smile as he crouched down beside me. I wrinkled my nose and tried to point out that he stunk, just to get his attention and annoy him. In my head, I was smiling and laughing hysterically. It was kind of fun making him angry after all. I just hoped that he won't end up killing me.

The guy's glaring right eye wondered down to stare, rather glare, at me. I stuck my tongue out at him because I couldn't control my voice. After all, I was scared that he would kill me since I knew that the spiders could kill me with venom any second. 'You got that right', a voice popped into my head. I got frightened and my glare faltered a bit. Oh crap, I forgot that Arachne can talk in people's minds… I mentally slapped myself as I returned the glare the guy.

I then turned my gaze onto the moving ceiling and thought, "Hello, Lady Arachne. And what would you would you want from me?"

I heard a small chuckle in my head when Arachne's voice popped up again. "Why I'm just saying hello…. Now, tell me your origin. There is no reason for outsiders to come into Death City. How come you are here…?"

"Hmmm… good question. If I said that I wanted to kill you, would that answer your question?"

Arachne's voice was quiet for a while and then I started to see a light over my head. "Wh-Where are we going?" I asked the guy who still crouched down on his chains.

He just smirked and said, "We're almost there."

I made a 'pfft' sound and said, "Okay, sure. Whatever." I bit my lip as the spiders moved me all the way to the guy's lair.

Noriko's P.O.V

This is madness? It's so dark. I could see the cursed mark run around the room and making a static sound that got on my nerves. It got closer and closer. Until I saw a flash of utter darkness then back to another place. It was lighter now as if sunlight was there. I looked up but closed my eyes in a squinting action from how bright it was. I didn't know where I was, but only that it was bright here. I believe that I was now nowhere near the kishin's resting place. I walked a little and found a moist, prickly texture on my feet. I had no shoes.

I walked around, not sure where I was going until I saw a certain raven haired boy with three white stripes in his hair. "Kid!" I yelled happily, running over to him and hugging him from the behind; not too sure why I did so. I immediately jumped back, thinking 'what the hell am I doing?''

He turned around and smiled at me. "Hi, Nori-chan," he greeted.

I was shocked for a second. Since when did he call me Nori-chan? I thought, feeling a bit frightened. "Kid, are you okay?" I asked, a bit concerned on why he's calling me that. He nodded with the same smile on his face. …Well okay then. Moving on…I guess… Suddenly, he grabbed my hand and he dragged me to walk alongside him. Usually, I'd be happy, but I'm actually quite frightened now that my dream was happening. "Kid, are you sure you're okay?" I asked again, grabbing my hand back. "You're acting somewhat different from yourself."

He turned to look at me with welcome in his gold eyes. "Everything is alright, Nori-chan. Come here…"

What do you mean by 'come here'? I wondered, returning my hand into his. He led me to a little creak, no more was the surrounding black. But now, there were trees surrounding us. Are we in a forest? I thought, moving my head around so that I'd be able to see better. He suddenly sat down under a great oak tree. He pulled me down beside him, gently minding his strength as he tried to make me sit next to him.

I felt my face go a deep scarlet as I sat close to him. Kid was acting strange, I must be dreaming, I thought, shaking my head hoping that the dream will erase. But somewhere in my heart told me that I should enjoy this dream. I felt afraid all of a sudden when I found myself back in this forest even though I remember closing my eyes shut.

"Nori-chan, can I tell you something?" Dream-Kid asked, and my eyes popped open like there was a switch. I looked at him and ignored my love thoughts. This was not the real Kid, and therefore I shouldn't like this guy.

"What is it, Kid?" I asked, feeling my hands clench my skirt. Wait. What skirt?

"I'm not Kid," a cheshire smile full of madness spread across his face as he grew three eyes like the kishin. His hands threatened to end my life as they encircled my neck. Air was disappearing faster as his grip tightened. "NO!" I shouted for my dear life with the rest of my air. "NO! GET AWAY FROM ME! DON'T KILL ME!" I sobbed.

"Don't fall into the madness," a voice as light as a feather appeared in my mind. My silver eyes popped open and I found a tainted sapphire blue feather spread evenly on my nose. It began to disappear and all I could see was my killer trying to squeeze harder. I took a deep breath which was easier, now that I knew what was happening. It's not real, it's not real, it's totally not real! Get it together, BAKA NORIKO! I dissed myself.

Everything began to fade before my eyes: first was Kid, then the trees, and lastly the forest; until everything of my nightmare was gone. I found myself in the battle, leaning against a wall. And at that very position, I was given the best view: a view of the entire room. My pulse so loud as I watched Eruka stab the needle into the bag. My eyes widened as I watched what everybody had thought, how Black Star had cut the needle. But with my eyes, I watched reality.

We all failed. The Kishin was revived.

Sorae's P.O.V

"NO!" I shouted insanely. I ran towards Eruka and shook her crazily. "HOW COULD YOU? HOW COULD YOU REVIVE THE KISHIN?"

Eruka snapped out of her crazy state and glared at me. "If only you knew what position I was in, then you would understand."

"!" I slapped her, right then and there; back and forth. "SO WHAT IF SHE PUT SNAKES INTO YOUR BODY? SO WHAT IF SHE KILLED MIZUNE! WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE KISHIN DECIDES TO HUNT DOWN ALL THE WITCHES AFTER US MEISTERS AND WEAPONS ARE GONE? THEN IT'D BE ALL YOUR FAULT. YOU LET THIS HAPPEN! DON'T BE SUCH AN IDIOT YOU STUPID FROG BITCH!" I reached to punch her but got pulled back by Noriko. "LET GO OF ME, MATTHEWS!" I shouted hysterically.

"Sorae Blue," she said, calmly into my ear. "You're being sucked into the madness by raising your anger. Calm down." I huffed a lot and felt deep down inside that my core was burning. Noriko inhaled a big breath and she started to sing a lullaby in my ear. I felt drowsy as I let go of Eruka's collar. I slumped down onto Noriko who patted my head. The burning sensation in my heart was no longer there. I took in breathes easily now. I let out one big sigh and then I transformed into weapon form and lay on top of my meister's lap.

Thanks for reading once again. I've got to say, I was a bit confused on why Noriko ended up singing a lullaby, but whatever. Please anticipate for the next chapter!

~Yui Lathens~