Chapter 9: Preparing

Kid stretched himself out, yawning. He was in the infirmary, resting. He looked over at Rose, still sleeping peacefully. She snored softly, her bangs flittering with each snore. Kid smiled to her, knowing she had suffered the most pain. She deserved to rest more.

Getting out of bed, Kid dressed himself and met Liz and Patty outside the school at precisely 7 am.

"Liz, Patty," Kid said calmly. "Let's get to class. He walked to his room with his weapons trailing behind.

Walking into his classroom, he greeted his friends, who were extremely pleased to see Kid looking good and healthy. Kid told them about the thing found in Rose's bloodstream and how it wasn't a problem.

"I'm just glad you're both okay, Kid," said Maka.

"Thanks, Maka," said Kid, slightly blushing. Liz and Patty gave each other a devious smile. "Rose seemed really worried about my well-being. She really is a caring sister."

"So, how long will Rose be staying?" asked Tsubaki.

"I don't actually know, but I think Father said something about her staying until we defeat Asura." Kid just couldn't call him his brother. Asura was not fit to be his sibling.

"I still can't believe that Rose was able to beat the great Black Star," muttered Black Star. He had been very moody ever since she totally crushed him in battle.

Suddenly, everyone heard the familiar wheeling of Stein's chair. He rolled in backwards and with a bang, crashed at the doorway. He then walked to his desk with his chair and sat down, smoking a cigarette.

Stein started, "As you might have heard, Asura is beginning to awaken. Lord Death wants all students to continue the lessons that were stopped when Asura was defeated a month ago. We will continue our team resonance and soul perception, for those who have the ability. To assist with combat, we have a very important guest.

A soft whooshing sound began being heard. Rose floated in on her shadow through the doorway, amazing everyone.

"This is The Rose of Death, or Rose. She's Lord Death's son, and Kid's sister."

All the students except the gang gasped, and began muttering things. They included whispers about Rose being Kid's sister to her hair with the complete Lines of Sanzu.

Rose's shadow washed away, and Rose landed silently on the floor. "Now, I'm sure you're wondering how I will be assisting in combat." She demonstrated her amazing soul perception mind reading ability, making everyone wonder how she knew that.

"Since I am a full grim reaper, I will be demonstrating some abilities that are necessary in battling Asura. Also, some of my powers are next to impossible for you, so don't try them at home. " She paused, and gave Kid a glance. He knew she was asking if it was okay to tell the class. Kid nodded.

"Okay, with permission from Kid, I want to tell you something," said Rose, a flicker of blue and red in her eyes. "Asura is… my older brother."

Anyone could have been heard breathing, but they were too in shock. Then they realized that meant Kid was Asura's youngest sibling.

The muttering broke out again. Rose could hear all the thoughts, spoken or not.

"Now, don't blame Kid. He only found out yesterday. Father, Kid, and I are all disgusted by that scum called our family." Her eyes filled with crimson red for a second, then went back to golden layers. "Grim reapers are the most susceptible to madness, so I want to make sure to teach you all I can. I want to demonstrate some duels today. Who's first?"

Everyone looked at each other nervously. Rose could tell who wanted to duel her. "Oxford and Harvar. Those are your names, right?"

Everyone stared.

"That was one of my soul perception abilities," smiled Rose. "By using my soul perception, I can scan a person's abilities and thoughts. I wouldn't suggest trying to do that, though. The only recorded beings capable of that are grim reapers."

"Um, excuse me, Ms. Rose. Could we go outside?" asked Oxford tentatively.

Rose chuckled softly. "You can call me Rose, and I'm don't mind going outside. In fact, I would prefer it too."

Walking outside, all the students, Rose and Stein went to the courtyard where Rose and Black Star fought.

"So, where's your weapon?" asked Ox.

Rose's grin spread. "I don't have one. I can fight by myself, but you can use your weapon."

Ox felt extremely confused as Harvar transformed and Ox prepared himself.

"Battle commences!" Stein said.

Rose first shot her hand in the air, creating a flash of light. Everyone was blinded for a second, and then they saw Rose was gone. A streak, another streak, and Ox stumbled. Two wounds in his stomach gushed blood, just like Black Star. The dark assassin thought this would turn out like with his battle. Rose chuckled once again, saying, "I don't have a weapon. I never said I wasn't a meister/weapon hybrid." The black blades on Rose's arms shattered and dissolved into the ground again.

Ox realized the pieces were somehow dangerous, so he tried to avoid them. Surprisingly, after a few cuts and slices, Ox had memorized the position of every spike. However, he sustained a large amount of damage in the process. Finally, Ox attacked. Or at least he tried to. When Ox was able to rush close enough to Rose, he attempted stabbing her. However, Rose held out a hand and formed a shield. Shimmering of emerald energy, it repelled the attack and even shocked the spear meister.

Rose continued dodging Ox, who was slowed down because of the shadow spikes. This routine continued until Ox and Harvar started panting, tired out. Then Rose summoned her shadow. Floating upward, she attacked until Ox jumped up in annoyance. Rose and Ox were about 40 feet high when Rose then pointed at Ox, shooting a bolt of lightning like Ox's attack before.

Knocked down, Ox and Harvar continued falling until Rose followed and pressed her hands to the meister and weapon. "Soul force," she whispered. Forced downward even faster, the battle reached the same end when Ox slammed into the ground. The dust cleared up, and everyone gaped at Rose, seeing her power.

"Don't worry, I didn't kill him," said Rose calmly. "In fact, I was holding back quite a lot."

"WHAT?" shouted everyone. Rose chuckled.

I'm more powerful than you think. I could easily kill all of you right now," replied the reaper coolly.

Silence.

"Okay, about that battle!" announced Rose. "It is imperative that you at least learn to create the shield I made. Using your soul wavelength, you can block an attack, and even send it back when you grow experienced enough. It will glow a different color for some people, but will generally glow light blue. I would suggest this after a resonance with your partner. Also, the strategy planning part of the battle is perhaps the most important for many. Analyzing your opponent's moves will aid greatly in dodging them. I would recommend practicing these, but everyone is different. Some people will need to develop a different technique. Lastly, the others moves I used like the shadow spikes, are difficult to master. I wouldn't suggest trying the shadow spikes, floating shadow, or the light flash. Okay, back to Stein!"

"Thank you for that demonstration, Rose. As you could see, through practice and experience, Rose had defeated Ox rather easily. We plan to bring down Asura once and for all, so everyone needs to be prepared."

Everyone nodded. Rose remembered the only way to defeat Asura, so she took a look inside Kid's soul. And there, inside his wounded and sensitive soul, was a hint of love for Maka.