A few days later we went back to class. Our friends and meisters were all too busy with assignments to visit us. Well, I guess we were too. Stein brought us homework every morning and we'd spend all day helping each other. It got to the point where I'd be laying on my back on the floor with my legs and feet on the wall and Soul would lay on his stomach holding books in front of my face with one hand while the other wrote on his papers. That's as far as our wounds have healed. They're still tender but better. So we were allowed to go back to school.

As soon as we walked into the building I jogged loyally to my meister's side while Soul walked slowly behind. Soubasa patted my head affectionately and pulled me into a hug while Maka and Soul sparked a conversation. We walked side by side, Maka on the end, Soubasa, Me, then Soul on the other side of me. I was so absorbed in my conversation with the meisters I didn't pay much attention to my surroundings. I didn't realize until too late that Black Star was coming. In the back of my mind I heard him yell from all the way down the hall, "YOU'RE BACK!"

Soul held his hands out expectantly for a hug as he stopped but he became just as surprised as I did. Instead of running into Soul's arms Black Star decided to run into my non stretched out arms. He crashed into me unexpectedly and gripped me in a hug. His hands just had to touch just the right spot in my back to make me scream out in pain. He let go in pure horror. I fell to the floor on my stomach, my hands hovering over my stitches.

"I'M SO SORRY!" Black Star reached his hands down to help but I scooted back out of reach. I looked up to see a horrified Tsubaki staring at me.

"No..no It's okay." I stood up shakily.

"BLACK STAR! WHAT ABOUT ME!" Soul screamed at him. Black Star turned around.

"Oh yeah, you're back too. Welcome back." Soul about had a heart attack while we all burst out laughing. Patty, Liz, and Kid soon joined us in our laughing fit. Apparently they saw the whole thing down the hall. Soul chewed out Black Star as he leaned over him from where Black Star sat in a huddle on the floor.

Finally we got back to class and the day was over before we knew it. Soul and I learned a lot about what everyone did while we were gone. Like Black Star and Kid went looking for Excalibur and got a love letter type thing with a huge heart. They both got really pissed at us for laughing.

Something me and Soul decided to never talk about was his screaming fits. He'd be sleeping and all of a sudden scream. He told me his dreams and I shuddered because it was almost exactly the same as mine except it was me. After that I started having screaming fits and the same continuous dream, same as Soul. Maka unfortunately experienced one of his fits. Doctor Medusa came in and helped. I wasn't awake during this but Soul told me everything. We never thought it was anything but a bad dream but it became worse and worse and started happening every night in the hospital wing. We were both scared to see what would happen tonight.

Fortunately, there was no screaming. We had a short meeting to discuss our dreams but found no difference.

Today was filled with horror as Maka, Soul, Kid, Liz, Patty, Soubasa, and I noticed the unusual silence that befell our group. We were missing two important noises: the loud screaming and the sorry, quiet voice that filled our hearts with passion. We quickly acknowledged this and sped towards the Death Room demanding answers.

I was quickly pulled into a pitch black hug as I entered the room. Lord Death was knowingly the only real family I had left. I was so determined to see where my friends were that I almost pushed him away. I didn't want to lose some of the few friends I have but I couldn't do that to him. He atleast deserved that much for all he's done for me.

I looked up at him, our arms still wrapped around each other. "Where's Tsubaki and Black Star?" I said it with such strength and concern I barely could tell it was my voice.

"They're fine." I looked up at his eyes but could read no emotion because of that dam mask.

"Where are they Lord Death? Tell me." We had a stare off for a few minutes before he gave in.

"They're after Masamune, the Enchanted Sword." We all instantly thought the same thing. They need help. Maka spoke up for all of us.

"Can we go help them Lord Death?" She sounded so anxious that I knew what she was thinking. She was thinking that somehow Black Star's going to get the both of them killed.

"Sorry Maka but no." This angered me so much that I pushed off his chest and stumbled backwards quickly.

"WHY THE HELL NOT!" My hair fell around my face. I knew I looked horrifying by how my hair fell and the glint in my eyes that happened when I was mad. I looked at him. Even with his mask on he looked hurt. As soon as it happened I was instantly sorry. I wanted to hug him and tell him sorry but I couldn't back down. My friends are important and they'd do the same for me. Right? I shook my head. Don't think like that. They love you. Now focus.

"I'm sorry Lord Death but please let us help." My attitude was completely changed. I was on the brink of tears, real tears. I wanted him to say yes but I don't always get what I want.

"Sorry Veridian but this is a family matter. Tsubaki's family matter. Last time I checked you had no family." He slightly yelled the last part. The intensity in his voice was so strong. That last part struck a nerve and I began shivering with anger. I shivered faster and faster until it was violent. Soubasa put his arms around me.

"Veridian?" I swung my arm out and hit Soubasa square in the chest. He didn't cry out or move but he did exhale. I knocked the wind out of him but he just stood there staring at me.

"I DON'T CARE I DON'T HAVE FAMILY! DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND! NOBODY DOES! NOBODY KNOWS WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE ALONE SO JUST LET ME BE!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. My arms thrust back as I leaned forward to scream out my anger. When I was done I was completely out of breath. I fell to my knees and sat there. Soubasa put his hand on my shoulder questioningly. "I'm fine." I waved at them with the back of my hand. "I'm fine. Just continue." I didn't even turn around. I knew they were staring but Soubasa removed his hand and continued the conversation.

I watched them out of the corner of my eye intently. But mostly I was staring at how much of Soul's chest definition shows through his shirt. Why can't he be mine? I sobbed loudly but everyone's eyes stayed fixed on Lord Death. Soul was the only one who seemed to notice my sob. He craned his neck to look at my face but my hair was covering it. That one little bit of movement caused his shirt to stretch and rise up his stomach. My breath caught in my throat. I felt so bad staring at my best friend's stomach, having thoughts that would put me to shame. But he's just SO irresistible I could scream!

My thoughts were interrupted as that said hotty leaned over me, pressing his legs on my back to purposely get my attention. "Someone thinking dirty thoughts over here?" I gulped and blushed deeply. It's like he could read my mind.

"No! I wasn't thinking like that! Not that I don't…UHG! I'm not like that! Stop interrogating me!" I squeaked after that last part causing me to smack my hands over my mouth in embarrassment.. Soul looked at me confused because I said the words so fast he probably couldn't understand me. I gulped, blushing hard at the awkward silence.

"I wasn't interrogating you." He just laughed and uncovered my mouth. When he looked back down it was like he didn't even know. "I was joking. Sorry bout that silence there for a minute. You talked so fast I had to think it over again to figure out what you said." He smirked and his head moved to the side a bit, exposing the untouched flesh of his neck. I licked my lips wantingly. Wait! Why am I thinking like this! I've always liked Soul but not like that! I'm so confused!

A heated blush rose to my cheeks. I didn't even notice because I was too busy staring into his crimson eyes, but he noticed. His fingers brushed against my cheeks, making me close my eyes and open them again to ones filled with worry staring at me. Right when I was going to ask what was wrong his hand slid up my face to my forehead where his gentle piano fingers gracefully touched my skin. "I think you have a fever."

Looking up innocently at him, I grabbed the front of his shirt. "Soul I…" A strand of hair fell into my face. He brushed it away with one slow movement of his soft hands. Then and there I decided to tell him how I feel about him. Right when I was about to I chickened out. "I don't know. You tell me." I looked down and said this softly, very disappointed in myself. Letting go of his shirt I pushed him away. "It's nothing. Probably just because of my temper tantrum. It felt good though." My lips curled into a slight smile as these words escaped my lips.

"Okay I guess. Glad you're feeling better though." He moved away and sat cross legged an inch away from me.

"Thanks me too." We sat in silence until I suddenly remembered why we were here in the first place. I stood up so fast I almost tripped over Soul. "I can't believe I forgot! Tsubaki! Black Star!" Running to the mirror, I grasped it tightly by it's hinges. "Are they okay!" The image in the mirror was Black Star being beaten in the head by a man with a club. What's going on? Where's Tsubaki? If something happened to her Black Star wouldn't be just sitting there so where's Tsubaki?

I fell to my knees crying, still holding the mirror tightly. "WHERE'S TSUBAKI!" I screamed out. My fingers tightened around the mirror. The pressure my fingers were causing made the rim around Lord Death's mirror crack but I didn't let go. Soubasa fell to his knees wrapping his arms around me once again. I didn't push him away. He tried taking my fingers off the mirror but I didn't let go. He shook and shook my hands trying to loosen them but with my iron grip I stayed stuck. "I'M NOT LETTING GO UNTIL I GET ANSWERS! EVEN IF I BREAK THE MIRROR AND GET MY HANDS RIPPED APART BY GLASS! I'M NOT LETTING GO!" Soubasa stopped trying, finally realizing there's no use.

"Tsubaki is inside the sword. It's the only way to stop him."

"Tsubaki. Come back alive. Please." I sat there shivering, not even bothering to look up. I could hear everything that was happening from my front row seat below the mirror.

Suddenly there was a gasp from everyone and even from Black Star. My head shot up and I practically screamed with happiness! Tsubaki came out of the sword and it was the best feeling ever! She actually did it! The last person I expected to be the strongest and bravest person I know is her! /if I had any family left I know I wouldn't be able to do it.

Tsubaki then dropped to her knees and hugged Black Star around the middle. It felt like a happy, private moment so I touched the screen delicately, shutting it off. I turned around in a completely new mood and ran straight towards Soubasa. I buried my face in his chest while he wrapped his arms around me and curled his fingers in my hair. I did the same to him and laughed. Then we released as I ran to Lord Death, giving him a huge hug. "I'm sorry for yelling." I looked up daintily at him and he just smiled and pulled me to him.

"Everything is fine. For now." And that's all I needed to hear.