A/N: I've been spending the last week on this chapter, and boy was it a long week. As someone who takes therapy, I know how this counseling works. I put a lot of effort on this chapter to make it sound real. So I hope everyone likes it. Since I'm working on another fanfic, it's gonna be a bit challenging to balance both stories. But I love having a good challenge, so this should fun too. I enjoy writing a lot so it really doesn't bother me.

Anyways enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Soul Eater.


Chapter 9

The Silent Scream

"Hello Ms. Esmeralda," Ayumi greeted the barrette woman.

Esmeralda gestured Ayumi to the chair in front of her desk. "Please, have a seat."

Ayumi walked to the chair and sat down. She was very nervous about coming here since it was her first time taking counseling. But by meeting Ms. Esmeralda, she felt more at ease just by seeing how kind and beautiful she was.

"I've been wanting to meet you for a while," Esmeralda spoke in her kind-hearted facade. "Why didn't you come to me at your first day here in the academy?"

Ayumi gulped before she answered. "Because, I was nervous coming over here. I never took counseling before in my life."

Esmeralda could tell she was a fragile person just by her behavior. Even if she couldn't look into her soul, she could tell that it was delicate.

"Lord Death has informed me about your mental illness," Esmeralda as she pulled out a sheet of paper. "According to your Student Profile based on the information from your prescription, you have some sort of illness that causes you to feel anxiety or pass out at unexpected moments. And you tend have a great fear of rejection, which is why you refuse to team up with a meister, believing that you will one day be rejected by a partner."

Ayumi began to bit her lip until she taste blood. "Yeah, that's true."

"I was told to give you some helpful counseling in order to keep you stable," Esmeralda folded her hands while giving off a fake smile. "So don't worry, as the school's counselor, it's my job to make sure that every student here is given proper treatment. And since your my first one, I'll do everything I can to help you."

After hearing such blissful words from Ms. Esmeralda. Ayumi started to feel a lot more calmer with less weight on her shoulders. So this is what counseling felt like. If she would've known just how good it was she probably would've given it a chance back in Japan. But then again, her stubbornness got the best of her at the time.

She just didn't wanna to be seen as an unstable person who was sick in the brain. Just thinking about the possibility scared her to death.

Esmeralda pulled out a clipboard and pen. "To begin today's session, I'll be asking you some questions to delve deep into your conflicts so I have a better understanding of you and what you need help with. Also some of the questions might be personal, so it's ok if you don't feel comfortable answering them."

Ayumi nodded in response. Esmeralda clicked the back of her pen and began to scribble on her clipboard.

"First question," the barrette woman adjusted her glasses. "How old were you when you first discovered this illness?"

"I was 4-years-old."

"Alright," Esmeralda continued to scribble onward. "Next question. "How did you cope with your illness?"

"I had to spend most of my younger years in and out of hospitals to get medical treatment."

"Okay," she wrote every bit of words down once again. "Why have you not taken therapy before?"

"Because, I never wanted to take it."

Esmeralda paused before she could inject a drop of ink on the paper of her clipboard. This was getting interesting. "How come?"

"I didn't want people to think I was abnormal," Ayumi spoke sincerely. "I figured if I took therapy, people would see me as a deranged person. So, I thought if I just continued to live a normal life, people would see me as me. And my illness would eventually go away."

This was getting juicy, Esmeralda made sure all of this information was written down while hiding a devilish smirk.

"Good, good," she said acting reassuring. "Now onto the next one. "What has been your greatest fear in life other than rejection."

Ayumi was beginning to tremble a bit. "I-It w-was…" Tears began to stream down her face, she dug her nails into her knees until blood oozes out.

Esmeralda took notice that the poor girl was having a breakdown. As much as she wanted to dig deeper into her, she had to keep her sweet nature disguise intact. She got up to grab some tissues and went up to the sobbing child.

"There, there," she said in a motherly voice while wiping Ayumi's tears. "You don't have to talk about if it's too frightening."

After the barrette woman finished cleaning Ayumi's face, she went to grab some cotton from the drawers. She dap the small white puff on her knees, trying to resist the urge to taste the sweet blood. It was getting difficult to bare as the scent was entering her nostrils. It smelled very sweet like cherry juice. She quickly shook her head to avoid the sensation.

"Is something wrong Ms. Esmeralda?" Ayumi asked as she noticed the counselor strange deportment.

"Oh, it's nothing," Esmeralda said. "Why don't I just ask you some simple questions instead?"

"Okay," Ayumi agreed.

Esmeralda returned to her desk and flip a new blank sheet of paper. "What hobby do you enjoy the most?"

Ayumi's face lighten up when she heard that question. "I enjoy reading manga."

"Manga?" Esmeralda tilted her head. "What's that?"

"It's a Japanese graphic novel," Ayumi happily explained. "There like comics, however unlike comics that are read from left to right, manga are usually read from right to left, "

"Interesting," Esmeralda said intrigued. "Which ones are your favorite?"

"The action-packed ones," Ayumi smiled with merriment. "But I also love the romantic ones, there so beautiful."

So humans use certain activities to escape from their problems. This was all new to her. She had no idea humans were capable of having other adjectives to solve the conflicts they face everyday.

"What is it about manga that you find so fascinating?" Esmeralda continued to dwell in deeper.

"They help me go through the hell that I've been living in throughout the years," Ayumi explained with conviction. "As a kid, I wanted to escape from the terrors of my mental health. Whether it was fainting at unexpected places, waking up in a hospital, seeing my parents' sad faces, or being teased by my peers for my odd actions."

Esmeralda's hand stopped being astonished by hearing this remarkable story. It so amazing that she was getting all this straight from a human. This was the specie she been wanting to learn from for centuries, and now it was finally happening. She was learning about human feelings, their enjoyments, their struggles, their fears, and their daily lives. It was almost too good to be true.

"Overall, I just wanted to escape from the harsh reality I've been living." Ayumi spoke with a bit hurt in her voice. "And by reading manga, it not only help me subsist with my illness, but it also encourage me to keep moving forward. When I followed the protagonist of the story, I was able to relate to them based on the struggles they went through, it felt like I wasn't alone. And after seeing them succeed in the end, made me hope that one day I'll become just like them."

"So in other words, you relied on these fictional characters from your mangas to make it through the day?"

"Mmmm-hmm," Ayumi nodded.

"But wasn't there anybody in real life that helped you out?" Esmeralda ask before she can continue writing.

"Yes," the young raven haired girl said keeping a smile on her face. "I had my two best friends Isabelle and Fumiko. They were always there for me when I needed them the most. They would come and visit me at hospitals, and bring me stuff to make me feel better. Like sweets, flowers, and manga to read."

So she already had two close friends. Thankfully they don't attend the academy, so she needn't worry of her mentioning stuff to them. However she needed to know about her connection with the students in the school.

"What about the students here in the academy, are they good to you?"

"Oh yes, they're all really nice. Especially Maka."

"Maka Albarn?"

"Yeah her," Ayumi said gleefully. "She's was the first person I met when I first came to Death City."

"I see," Esmeralda said while putting the back of her pen on the tip of her lip. "How's Maka been with you?"

"Oh, she's so nice! She helped me out so much over the past few weeks. We played basketball together, went shopping together, and ate together at lunchtime. She would help me with my homework after school, and on our free time we would go out and get ice cream while giggling like two little 5-year-olds."

"You seem to be close with Maka at this point." Esmeralda stated.

"Yeah," Ayumi conquered. "She's like the big sister I always wanted. Someone who's always by my side right when I need them. Someone I idolize. Someone who guides me to the right path. Someone who keeps me on my feet. Someone who cares deeply about me."

Esmeralda couldn't believe what she was hearing. She feared this would happen. Not only is she friends with the Scythe meister, she also has strong bond with her. If things slip up, word will be all over the school, then she'll defiantly be expose. The vampire witch, grinned her teeth behind her closed lips.

She need to figure out a way sabotage this- no, actually... this can be beneficial! The more she stays close to Maka, the stronger their bond will form. Which if those two are put in a dangerous situation, one would blame herself. And they would have no choice but to keep distance from one other. Now this was a brilliant plan.

"What do you like about Maka?" Esmeralda asked.

"Everything. I like her kind smiles. She's very smart and gets good grades. She's also very pretty. But most of all, her bright and upbeat personality."

"Why do you like those traits about her?"

"Because, that's what makes her such an amazing person. I know she's someone special, and don't understand why people don't see that. It bothers me when they say things like 'she has a flat chest' but I don't get what bust size has to do with it. Cause true beauty doesn't come from outlooks but from within, besides I believe that she's beautiful inside and out. They're probably jealous that she's one the best meisters in the school, and the fact that she once saved the world too."

It's seem like Ayumi really cares for Maka, the things she mention were exactly how a little sister would feel about her big sister. It was the exact same feeling she felt with her sister. The relationship between siblings can be strong. It was the only emotion she could relate to humans. Since these two girls are extremely close, she can get them where it really hurts.

After several questions later, the appointments was coming to an end. Esmeralda finished writing down every bit of information from Ayumi. Now was time to give some friendly advice.

"Well Ayumi, it would seem that use fiction to escape from your problems, and you have close bond with Maka." Esmeralda cleared up.

"Yeah, that's true." Ayumi said with wide smile across her face.

"Apparently, these are only two things that keep on your feet." Esmeralda stated as she went over her clipboard. "Rather than the other hobbies that occupied you, such as drawing, making origami, and video games. Reading manga and Maka, seem to be your main priorities."

"I'm, not sure about that." Ayumi lowered her and she stared at her black boots.

"Ayumi," Esmeralda got up from her desk and went up to the young ax girl, and placed her hands on her shoulders. "I know your in denial of the truth cause your afraid of losing what's important to you. But you don't need to worry, cause if those are what encourage you to keep moving on, then that's all that matters. And most importantly, if Maka can lead you to the right path, then trust her."

Ayumi lifted her head and looked into Esmeralda's eyes to be sure if she was being honest. Even though she was a counselor, it was her job to be concerning for her patients, but judging by the look on her face, it seem as thought she truly cared for her as a person.

When she said that Maka can lead her to the right path, it sounded so assuring. Giving her proper guidance was something that even her parents were unable give her since they were always busy, but then again she was also in fault for refusing to take therapy.

She was right, Maka does make her feel happy. After joining the academy, she grew much closer to her, even though it's only been a few weeks, it feel likes she known her for years. She never grew so close to someone like that before, not even with Isabelle or Fumiko. But why? She didn't even knew the answer to that.

"I do believe in Maka," Ayumi said. "But I don't even know why I have this strong connection with her. Do you know Ms. Emeralda?"

"That's something for you to figure out," Esmeralda released her grip from Ayumi. "Your the only one who can find the answer."

"You think so?"

"I know so."

Ayumi got up from her chair and wrapped her arms the brunette woman. "Thanks . I feel a lot better now."

"Your, most certainly welcome dear," Esmeralda hug her hug Ayumi back, only to give a wide devilishly smirk.

The two release their embrace from each other. Ayumi really enjoy this counseling treatment, it actually help her a little. She had no idea that speaking with a professional would make her feel. As if there was nothing to worry about. Ms. Esmeralda was a nice counselor, it's no wonder Lord Death hired her. She was a sweet and caring woman, whose main goal was to help children see a brighter light in the dark.

Now she knows that there's always a silver lining. All the storm clouds in her head were replaced with a bright sunshine.

"Well, I guess I should be going now," Ayumi said. "I'm gonna be late for work if I don't hurry."

"Yes you should," Esmeralda nodded as she returned to her desk. "I hope to see again next week."

"Yeah me too," Ayumi began to walk toward door. "Goodbye!'

Once the young raven-haired girl exited the room, Esmeralda rest her cheek on her hand with disappointment.

"What a pathetic little girl."


A/N: Esmeralda sure is devious isn't she? I'm planing to have a chapter where she interacts with Stein, but I need to put more thought into it first. Sorry if there hasn't been any action scenes yet, I'm planning to add some in the next chapter so be on the look out for when it's out.

So, tell me what you think about this chapter. Do you think Esmeralda is a interesting villain? Review your thoughts and let me know.