Disclaimer: I do not own SE. This fic is created purely for casual entertainment. Strictly not for sale. XP
Resonation Echoes
Chapter Fourteen: Medusa's Flipside
Maka
She was finally up and about on the third day of her recuperation in the Dispensary. The sharp ultra violet arrows were piercing through the curtains, blinding her eyes. Groaning with irritation, she pulled up the covers to her head and flipped to the opposite direction of the rays. Despite being a day person, she started to hate the cheerful weather since his departure. And even more right after the incident that caused her to be lying in the Dispensary. The smell of medicines and antiseptics in that white cell was killing her sense of smell. She was lying on the very same bed where he laid after the operation on the fateful day when he suffered a huge blow from Crona during the unexpected confrontation after their mission. She closed her eyes and tried to remember his scent as she buried her face into the pillow.
She thought about the event that happened the day she was sent to the Dispensary of the school. Why was she able to reach him in her soul-form? She could not remember what happened in the reality while she was connecting her soul vibration to his. How did she collapse? All she remembered was that, during the Soul Resonation within their Soul Recalling, she remembered what happened to him and how they dealt with his mission during the period of time. They talked for a while within the void space and she remembered the details. It seems that she is in a sub-conscious state, her body stuck in the bathroom while her soul was propelled towards him. Such a scary distance. She could not believe that both of them were able to create such an intensity of Soul Recall and maintain it for hours. Soul Recall is a pretty energy draining technique. She was still surprised that both of them managed to pull everything off. Great. Now she started to wonder if he is still alive or not, considering herself being half dead in the Dispensary.
His voice becomes one of the aspects of him she misses after that encounter. Although they did not really talk, but rather, reading of each other's minds through the wavelength connection.
How she yearned to hear his voice again.
She walked along the corridors while her mind was full of worry about that stupid scythe of hers when a ping hit her Soul Perception caught her attention. Skillfully leaping onto the highest platform of the area she was at, she peered at the cloaked figure who was making way to the school gates, accompanied with Justin Law and another newly appointed Death Scythe from the East Asia region by the name of Xu Faei. Using her Soul Perception, she peered into their souls. She let out a gasp when she was the familiar glow of the soul of the cloaked figure. Immediately, she leapt down from the platform to welcome the familiar 'intruder' when Nygus caught her sneaking out and immediately plopped her back onto the deathly white bed. She groaned in annoyance but decided to keep quiet when Nygus shot her a death glare which will never fail to put anyone who is defiant in her care into silence, adults or not. A few times she tried to sneak out again but was caught by Nygus over and over again. She decided to give up escaping when Nygus threatened to lock her up in the medicine storeroom. Nygus had become much scarier when she became a Death Weapon, she had to admit.
When she was about to doze off in boredom after her lunch when her subconscious Soul Perception detected the soul she saw in the morning making way towards the Dispensary, immediately she sat up with anticipation. She had not seen this person since she went into the same class as Kim and Jacqueline during the University period. She wondered why that person was here when she should be away in Russia on a grave mission. The door swung open and the figure stepped in with a smile.
"Hello, Maka. It has been quite a few years, isn't it?"
The tone of the voice caused her to flinch slightly, it reminded her of a specific witch who was defeated under the hands of her own child. And that particular child was standing right in front of her.
"Hey Crona. Great to see you again. Whoa, you…" Maka eyed her friend's chest area and her clothes.
"Having a gender is so troublesome. At first I did not even bother to find out." She said, waving a lazy hand in the air, seeing her friend's expression. "I don't even know what am I. The fool of a mother only cares about her troublesome research rather than to teach her daughter about knowing herself. Let alone having a life." She chuckled quietly.
Crona changed tremendously over the years, including her personality and attitude. The introvert side of her seems to be completely gone. She is slightly taller than Maka herself and her hair has grown much longer. Crona's features reflected the deceased witch's proud demeanor. Hair layered and fanned out like that of Medusa's, but with huge plaits tied softly and hung carelessly behind her back. She wore a black hooded shoulder cape and white combat dress suit underneath accompanied with steel boots and black stockings. Maka was prepared for the sudden outburst of a particular black little demon with an annoying voice but it never came.
"What is that fella? It is not like him not to burst out from your back and sprouting nonsense."
"Oh, Ragnarok eih? He is sleeping in my blood, unless if I needed to fight. I got the black blood under my control. Although I kind of, missed his nonsense, I will take the peace." she said, with a look of pure satisfaction. Maka was purely surprised at Crona's major changes, she was trying to register the changes when the young woman decided to update her personally. Even the way she talks changed a great deal. Crona is totally a different person now.
"Anyway, I have missed you lot. A lot of things happened."
"Hmmm, care to share the details?"
Crona pulled up a chair to sit beside the bed.
"After we split class, guess what kind of lessons Kim and I are taking."
"Eh… something that has got to do with sorcery?"
"Exactly. After all, I still have that damned witch blood in me isn't it? They took a sample of my blood to compare with that of Medusa's and found that I actually inherited her abilities. So, you can say that, other than being a Sword Technician, I am also half a witch. Remember that witch, Helika, who came to our school that time, where we all almost attacked her? She is our personal instructor. Pretty skillful with her craftsmanship. I managed to control both the blood and magic thanks to her. Got to thank Shinigami-sama for letting me stay here. All I can do to repay the debt is to help him out as much as possible. Right after I graduated, Kim stayed on to help out as a Healer while I went overseas to aid the headquarters."
"Mhmm, so why are you back here? I thought you are supposed to be in Russia?"
"Oh, came back here to give a detailed report, since travelling is a piece of cake to me. Second reason is to gather more resources. Thirdly is to visit you." The Blade Technician smiled at her friend who was looking back at her with an awed look on her face, "What is it, Maka?"
"You are actually, talking."
"Ahahahahahahaa… you can't be thinking about that Crona of the past isn't it, my dear? People do change."
"Damn, I can't get used to yours."
"So, let's drop about my personal matters, since I will be filling you with with details during the journey to Russia. I want to ask about you."
"Heh, nothing much. What is there to ask anyway."
"I heard about your condition. Soul Recall huh? Looks like you overused it."
The young woman looked down at her pale hands before turning to the half witch, "Well, yea, I guess."
"That isn't funny, Maka, you may die in the process you know. But…" Crona smiled serenely, "I guess it can't be helped, isn't it?"
"Ummm… what can't be helped?"
"Don't act. I can see there is something going on between you and Soul."
"Oh come on…" but the half witch cut across her.
"Don't start." Crona put up a hand to dismiss her, "It is pretty obvious, it isn't just me who noticed it."
The young woman sitting on the bed flushed a deep scarlet. Trying hard to remain her composure, she replied, "What nonsense."
The half witch shook her head, sighing. Right from the start when the very first time she met the duo, she already know that there is a deep bond between the two. Her mother made use of that aspect to carry out the Black Blood Experiment on Soul while hoping that Maka will get infected in the Soul Resonation process. Deep inside, she knew that she will never be able to repay her debt to the Scythe Technician, for it is her who set her free from her mother's shadow and found a place where she can belong to without any worries of pressure. Being engaged herself, she felt sad for her friend who still did not admit to her own feelings due to her personal insecurities. She is determined help this silly Meister for all the effort she could give. Kid had told her about the Christmas incident that happened that time when he visited Ivanov. Since almost everyone in the clique are already attached, it is way past the time those two are to recognize their own feelings towards each other.
"For your information, Maka, I am engaged already."
"… what?! ENGAGED?!"
"Well, yeah."
"With who?!"
"Sion. You should know that man."
"Sion Claymore?! No way. Since when?" Maka looked impressed. Apparently, Sion turned out to be one of the best double handed Death Blade DWMA has. As his family name said it, he is a double handed claymore. He is being paired with Crona to their mission in Ivanov right after she was sent to Russia for her long term mission. A lot of girls swoon over that guy as much as they swoon over Soul. Crona has got a pretty good catch. According to the gossips out there, Sion is nuts about Crona. Looks like that rumor is true all along. The Meister shook her head slowly in disbelief.
"Two years ago. We are getting married right after we dealt with the mission. Which will be soon, I hope."
"Gee… can't imagine that you got hitched before Black*Star. He is going to be so mad."
"Heh. Worry about yourself."
"What's there to worry about?"
"Soul. And. You." Crona said simply, putting great emphasis on each word. "In love."
"Love? What the hell, we are just partners, and best friends."
"According to you, touchy towards each other not? Maka? Dancing together with the balcony's door locked shut? Being each other's dates for every prom? Hugging you to sleep when you are sick? Staying by your side 24/7 when you were bedridden with injuries from your solo mission at that time and crying in the dark silently? Beating up some douche in the school for flirting with you? Him throwing away all the love letters written to you by your admirers? Need me to list out more? Don't tell me that after all those little actions from him, your heart isn't moved by any bit at all?"
"…"
"And why are you wearing his clothes and walking around adopting his attitude and his way of speech after he left Death City? Or the way you hugged him when sending him off on that day? And those tears and dieting fits after he left? Explain."
"…"
"Are you sure that, best FRIENDS will behave that way towards each other?"
The silence which fell upon both women was impactful. Maka had a blank look on her face and staring at her bed sheets as if petrified. Crona was looking at her with a bored expression on her face. After a few minutes of silence, Maka finally showed some reaction. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes with great difficulty, letting Crona's word sink into her head. There is a mournful look on her face as her opened her eyes again and looked out of the window.
"… I don't deny."
"You are a silly woman, Maka."
The days passed with haste and Maka was back in the apartment, preparing for her departure. Now, they will be even further from each other, she and Soul, that is. She felt a nagging tug at her heart strings as she sat on the couch, looking around the apartment. Somehow, she did not want to leave the apartment. She stood up abruptly and stalked towards the Steinway grand piano she owned and started to play tons of depressing classical pieces to drown herself in. Just when she finished the last movement of the piece, her mobile rang. Shutting the piano covers, she picked the call. It was Liz.
"Maka? It is time. Let's go over and meet up with Crona and gang."
"Alright, in a while. See you."
"You okay?"
"Kinda. Yea. See you then."
She pulled on her ankle boots and took a last glance at the apartment. Dragging her luggage cases out of the main door, she delicately adjusted Soul's old jacket she was wearing before locking the door. Without a backward glance, she set off. Crona was waiting downstairs for her. Seeing the Scythe Technician's face twisted with mixed feelings but more of being crestfallen, she delicately pulled her into a comforting embrace.
It is going to be a long absence from home.
Author's Notes:
Hello all, happy late 2013. It has been quite some time, isn't it? If you haven't checked my revamped profile page, do drop by and read up if you have time to :)
Sorry for the late update, I am currently doing my degree course in the university. Got hounded by tons of tests every single week and tons of lab sessions. but this update is also to tell you guys that, despite the slow update, I will still update XD
Thanks for reading this update and do have faith in me when it comes to updates =P Have a nice day!