Ok so to my few readers out there I WARNED YOU! I know completely well that I haven't updated in over three months, now for my excuses: illness, projects, homework, school, projects, procrastination, lack of inspiration, and more projects. Also IMPORTANT the tenth chapter was lengthened and I do not know if any of my long standing readers realized that and with the fact that it has been forever since I last updated I suggest if you haven't just read the previous chapter TO GO BACK AND REREAD IT!

I tried to make this one longer, hope you enjoy!

Review: "And that, dear readers, is only the beginning of our tale."

It was relatively two and a half weeks later that Uni stood, paralyzed, staring at the mission board. It was one name in particular that had her shocked so: Crimson Killer.

She knew the name very well, though when she had heard it used it was only a nickname and hadn't been as relevant.

The man that was then terrorizing small towns and villages by simply killing random people and ingesting their souls had once been one of the teachers at Uni's dojo. He had even taught Uni for a small amount of time. He was mostly a teacher of swordplay but he also sometimes taught martial arts.

At first the nickname had been a joke bestowed upon him by his students. The crimson part came from his propensity to wear a crimson shirt his wife had made him while teaching. The killer (part) came from his way of training his students so harshly that they felt they were going to die. Hence the Crimson Killer.

Now he had taken the nickname to a whole new meaning.

"…is the bulletin board with all the missions on it, you'll be coming here more often once you get a partner." Uni tuned back into the one-sided conversation Maka was having with her.

Still pale and shocked, Uni decided that it was time that she interjected something, "How exactly are the missions assigned?"

"Well actually it is usually the meister and weapon that choose a mission and ask Lord Death for permission to take it on."

With a forced smile and a "Thanks" Uni started to walk off. As Maka was about to start after her she was suddenly stopped by a hand on her shoulder.

Spinning around Maka came face to face with her weapon partner. When she gave him a questioning look her only answer was a small shake of his head and a serious, "Something disturbed her. It's best to let her sort it out on her own."

Maka frowned as Soul turned towards the board and started looking over the missions, seeming to ignore her. Soul had started having, as she dubbed them, these 'serious moments' more and more often after they had taken down Ashura. In them he seemed to show his true intelligence on sociological problems.

She hated them, she wanted her old Soul back and complaining about how uncool it was to be partnered with a meister that had such small…well you know. At least then she knew how to deal with him.

Uni bowed before Lord Death as he considered her request. "Hmmm. You have only been attending the academy for two weeks now, are you sure you want to do this?"

She rose from her lowered position to answer, "Yes. And while it is true that I have only been going here for two weeks I learned much over the break."

"You also don't have a weapon yet to assist you."

"True but I have had many years of martial arts training."

"You are determined to go on this mission aren't you?"

"Yes sir."

"What was he to you?"

"My sensei."

"He taught you?"

"Yes, I knew him when his nickname was purely a joke among his students. He usually taught kenjutsu but he also taught a few students martial arts. I was one of those few for about a year. As such I know some of his techniques and have an advantage that others don't."

There was a long pause in which Uni was extremely afraid that Lord Death would decide that she was too inexperienced for this mission despite her arguments.

The silence was eventually broken, "Ok! Well be sure to pack an extra outfit; it is the rainy season where you are going!"

Looking up at Lord Death, a true smile graced Uni's face. "I will sir."

Looking at the mission board again, a sense of unease started to curl in Maka's stomach; the mission that had distressed Uni so the day before had been taken. Glancing at it one last time, she hurried off to class.

When Maka reached the classroom she glanced over at Uni's seat. It was empty. Maka tried to reassure herself, telling herself that it was still early and that Uni never came in all that early anyways and that there was plenty of time left.

When class started and the chair still remained empty Maka's unease grew. She put it out of her mind to concentrate on the teacher but after class it came back full force.

This time she decided to do something and find out why Uni hadn't been at school today and there was only one person she knew that knew where everyone that attends the DWMA is at all times, just about: Lord Death. It didn't take her long to get to the death room and find Lord Death as well, awaiting her.

"Hello Maka! This is a wonderful surprise!"

"Good afternoon Lord Death. I actually came to see you about Uni, she wasn't in class today and I was wondering if she was sick."

"Well, no actually, she went on a mission."

"Without a weapon!"

"She was determined."

"Yes, but she isn't ready!'

"She has her martial arts training and she certainly seemed ready to me. If it helps I can let you and her other friends watch."

"Thank you sir, I would like that very much."

And sure enough, it wasn't but three days later that Kid, Liz, Patty, Blackstar, Tsubaki, Soul and Maka were gathered around Lord Death's mirror.

Kaito had heard the rumors from the bread man. The conversation had actually gone a little like this:

"Yakamoto-san, hello! How are the grandchildren?"

"Oh! Kaito-chan, they are doing just fine, however I have been worried of late."

"I'm no child anymore Yakamoto-san and why have you been worried, has Hikari become sick again?"

"When you're as old as I am you'll view people your current age as children too. And no, Hikari is doing very well; it is the rumor about the murderer that has me worried."

"Murderer?"

"Oh, yes. They say that in just the town over people were randomly being killed in their beds at night, every night for two weeks. Then only a day ago, it stopped. Makes me worry that the murderer is headed to our small town."

"You think the murderer will try something here?"

"I'm just saying that it wouldn't hurt to be prepared these next few days."

"I'll keep my eyes open and my door locked."

"You're a good kid, Kaito-chan. Don't know how you came out so well considering the way your ma and pa raised you, or didn't raise you. Practically left you to raise yourself and concentrated on those six brothers of yours."

"But I did come out so well so where is the need to be critical?"

"Oh you young-ones! Should really listen to your elders more instead of constantly uprooting their logic."

"I don't uproot your logic, only point out the obvious and I never second guess you when it comes to news."

"Bah! Get along with you before you over pay me again."

He watched Kaito grab his basket of bread and dump a handful of coins on the table before setting off for his next purchase. Sure enough, when he went to count the coins he found he had three over what he had charged Kaito. Rolling his eyes, he gathered the coins into his hand before sliding them into his apron pocket.

He really would have to do something special for that kid someday.

Anyways, Kaito was glad that he had found out the information from Yakamoto-san even if he didn't think that the killer would show up in his town.

At least not until one night when Kaito was standing guard and his front door-his locked front door-started to open from the outside.

AN

So two new characters, okay so techniqely three, but only two of them are imporatant so...

And yes Kaito is a seventh son if you didn't pick up on that.

Hopefully you guys can see where I am going with this becuase I think I have made it pretty obvious.

Reviews are welcomed.