Kid stopped running for a moment. I should've tried soul perception…! He looked around again, and after seeing the direction that her soul was, he ran again; Liz and Patti evidently following. She's not that far… I can get to her, but she sure is running fast…

"So this is where that witch has been hiding," Black*Star stated. "Yes," Tsubaki replied sweetly. There was a cave in front of them. "After all that training, we should be able to destroy them," Black*Star smirked as Tsubaki transformed into her Ninja Sword mode. "That's right," she responded. Black*Star strolled into the cave quietly, dissolving into the shadows like the assassin he was.

Black*Star crawled up the cavern walls to avoid being seen below. He was completely silent, and was overlooking Medusa and Free talking. I can take care of them first… He moved over so he was entirely over them. He waited for an opening, listening in on their conversation. "—could've done it!"

"You couldn't have. Idiot," came the reply. "I know I did something! Her—must be completely wrecked!" Free bellowed. "Go away," Medusa ordered. Free grumbled and started walking away, giving Black*Star the opportunity he wanted. He leapt down; landing on Free's back, pushed off and was standing next to Medusa, ready to attack. The force of his kick on Free's back caused him to fall onto the floor face first. After he landed on the floor, he changed into his werewolf form. "How did you get in here?" Medusa inquired, obviously surprised.

"An assassin can hide in the shadows and erase his breath," Black*Star replied as he swung Tsubaki horizontally toward Medusa. She jumped back, and created an arrow under Black*Star, pushing him swiftly back toward Free; who was trying to get up. Black*Star back-flipped onto Free to stop himself from flying to the wall, and Free was pushed back onto the floor. He grumbled in annoyance as he pulled himself up quickly sending Black*Star flying back to Medusa.

Medusa was sending arrows that were bent on puncturing through Black*Star, but he threw Tsubaki straight through them as he was in mid-air. Medusa couldn't react in time, and the sword pierced through the witch. Black*Star landed swiftly on the ground and went to recover Tsubaki as Free grabbed him from behind.

Free put Black*Star into a choke hold. "T-Tsubaki, Shuriken mode," he managed to say. Tsubaki rapidly changed into the desired mode and reappeared in Black*Star's grip. He swiftly lifted the star over his shoulder; obviously hitting Free with its' blades. "Agh," Free stumbled back; clutching his eye where Tsubaki had cut him. Medusa was holding the spot that Black*Star had stabbed, about to attack him. Black*Star took note, and threw Tsubaki to the witch. She couldn't move because of the wound, and braced herself as the large Shuriken cut her in half. Blood came out of her mouth as her upper and lower body fell limp onto the floor.

"You little bastard!" Free yelled as he staggered toward Black*Star's back rather quickly. Tsubaki was already coming back like a boomerang, so Black*Star shouted, "Tsubaki, smoke bomb!" Just as Tsubaki came whirling right before Black*Star, a huge explosion of smoke occurred. Free faltered in his step, unable to see where the brat had gone.

When the smoke cleared, Free saw two Black*Stars. "What the hell?" One Black*Star ran to the left as the other ran to the right. They circled Free, causing him to get very confused, "H-huh…" He fell to the floor; his head spinning. "Geko!" Eruka said frighteningly at the opening of the cave. The Mizune sisters came behind her after hearing her scared pitch; only to become afraid as well. Both Black*Star's turned toward where the voice came from; and snickered. One jumped into the air over them as the other sprinted straight toward them. Eruka summoned some frog bombs and threw them at the Black*Star that was running on the ground, causing a large amount of smoke to engulf everything.

Now, Black*Star came out of the smoke, still running and holding a chain scythe that was Tsubaki. Frightened, the Mizune sisters transformed into their mouse forms and ran away; leaving Eruka stunned. Instead of hitting her with Tsubaki, he shot her with his soul wavelength as he punched her in the stomach. She flew at least five miles out into the desert after the impact. "Good job, Black*Star!" Tsubaki complimented. "We're not done yet," he replied as he pulled out some explosives that were in his pocket. "We're going to blast this cave so no one else will use it, and so we'll hopefully trap this guy for a while."

Maka could barely feel anything anymore. Her running had yet to cease, and she was well into the desert. She wanted comfort… No, she needed comfort. Her body ached all over in exhaustion to the point of passing out. Her chest hurt terribly, forcing her to stop. She coughed loudly and blood came out; staining the sand. She stayed there for a while, coughing. Finally, she was about to keep going when a strong pair of arms wrapped themselves around her; stopping her movement. "Let go!" She struggled, sounding very hoarse.

"Calm down Maka," he said soothingly. It was Kid. "I'm here for you, you're not alone," he pacified, "Remember when I gave you that mirror? That was a sign of our friendship and my love for you." Maka slowly started calming down; still taking large gulps of air. "Do you understand? I love you, Maka Albarn. I'd do anything for you," He turned her around so they were face-to-face. Her eyes were puffy and the bruise evident. The blood that was completely covering her mouth and chin was still a bit wet; letting Kid know that she didn't just cough blood up that one time. Her legs were shaking a bit from weakness and the heat of the sun. Liz and Patti had caught up at this point and were within earshot. They were gasping for air desperately.

"What's happened to you…"Kid wiped a stray tear from her face gently, "We need to get you to the hospital," He turned around as if to lead her back to Death City, but she grabbed his sleeve. "Please Kid, please don't tell anyone," Kid looked back at her to make sure it was her speaking and if she were serious. She looked really desperate, "I'll be fine…" His heart tightened, he wasn't sure what to do. What if it was a serious disease or something? He clenched his teeth; not really wanting to agree. "Alright…" He gave in, unable to say no to her. He decided that it probably wasn't anything too serious, and if she was pleading to him like this… She smiled and said, "Thank you, thank you…" Kid glanced at Liz and Patti, giving them the 'You-better-not-tell-anyone' look as they returned a disapproving expression.

Chrona strolled back to where Medusa's hideout was, preparing himself for the worst. What he wasn't expecting was to see it blown up and a certain assassin standing there. Hearing footsteps, Black*Star and Tsubaki turned to see who it was. "W-Where's Medusa…?" Chrona asked nervously. "Long gone," Black*Star replied nonchalantly. Chrona gulped and then said, "What did you do to her?" Black*Star looked back at him and responded, "Cut her in half, now, you're starting to bug me. You're free now so you don't gotta listen to the witch if you were her slave," he stated. "I don't know how to deal with this…," Chrona shivered. "What are you talking about?" Black*Star inquired angrily. "You could go to Death City with us; it's the best place for safety, if that's what you'd like. And, you can meet all of our friends, as long as it's okay with Shinigami-sama," Tsubaki said sweetly. "R-Really?" Chrona asked. "Idiot!" Ragnarok popped out and started hitting Chrona. "Ow, ow, ow! Why do you always do this? Stop it, Ragnarok!" He pleaded bravely. "I'll do whatever I want, pansy!"

Black*Star and Tsubaki looked at the two oddly. "What are you looking at, ugly?" Ragnarok asked rudely toward Tsubaki. She stumbled back, evidently hurt by the phrase 'ugly'. "Quit it Ragnarok! She was being nice to us," Chrona demanded. "Don't call Tsubaki 'ugly' in GOD's presence," Black*Star said irritatedly. "Yeah? Whatever," Ragnarok disappeared after saying, "Chrona, just don't go and get yourself killed, 'cause if you die, I die too!"

"I-I'm sorry," Chrona apologized to the couple. "It's alright," Tsubaki insisted. "Rude guy… Let's go Tsubaki. You can follow along, if you like," Black*Star said. "Uh, Y-Yes," Chrona replied.