Soul pulled open the door to his fridge in his now quiet and empty apartment. He sighed out as he searched the contents. The fridge often looked bare these days. He wasn't one for shopping even when it was just the pair of them. And now… the fridge was just stocked with micro meals. The cupboards even more so. Packs of noodles and pastas, as well as quick curries and pies. Ding meals. All of them. The pans and oven hadn't been used since…

Soul cleared his throat to stop a lump before it formed. Soul reached inside to pull out what he was looking for. His hand clasped down on a bottle of coke. It was all he drank nowadays. Without…her…here to tell him to drink something better then sugar and fizz. He didn't care to stop himself either. Soul closed the fridge door and sat down on his table. The table was full of crumbs and bits of food from past dinners…but he didn't care. He didn't clean. What was the point? Soul didn't bother with a glass, he just undid the cap and started to drink it straight.

It was far too quiet here… and his own thoughts buzzed in his mind.

Everything seemed to be going well…sort of. He wasn't really wanting to do it. But it was better then what he was trapped in…he had thought. But then…Soul sighed out into the room, leaning back into the chair and taking another swig. That girl…Raven. What was with her? He felt as if he had been shoved into another mess. Something he didn't want to be a part of. It was a track of obstacles and barriers, and Soul no longer has just his own to worry about. Another load of tracks and barriers have shown up. These don't even belong to him. He doesn't understand them. Doesn't understand it all. He doesn't know her history at all.

He glanced away, out of the window. The laughing sun was looking tired, it was falling from the sky. About to fall asleep any second. The sky was darkening. The moon would be up soon. Soul took another swig from his bottle, hardly tasting the coke as he drank. Things were just getting worse. He actually felt like throwing in the towel. He didn't want to deal with this anymore…but…what kind of weapon partner would he be if he did that? Ha. A pretty poor one. It was already his fault that…she…was taken. There was no way he would ever give up on her. He would never be able to show his face anywhere ever again. Yet…he wished he could just focus on that. Without having to deal with all the stuff that was happening now. It wasn't fair…on any of them.

He actually wondered what was going on with Kid and Black Star, as well as the others. He didn't talk to them as much recently. Hell he didn't even know where Black Star was. He was pretty pathetic at gathering souls…so he was often out for longer then the others. But…it had been quite a number of days now…more then usual. He hoped that the pair of them were ok.

But his friends were a bit low on his list of concerns at the moment. Hell even his old partner wasn't right at the forefront of his mind right now. That was a stuck cause…and he was working on it. But this…this new problem? This new priority? He didn't even know where to start.

Soul thought back to yesterday, right after the exam…

The boy was down… they had won! He couldn't actually believe it. He was utterly gob smacked. How had the two of them just pulled that off? He smiled to himself. The pair of them shifted fighting style completely. In that fight. It was no longer he and a substitute for Maka. Oh no. It was Soul and Raven. Weapon and Meister. It was new and different. And he was surprised by how much he had loved it. He felt good again, felt useful again. Felt like a weapon again. He had forgotten this.

Now he began to imagine the new work before him, the new missions and what new prospects he could have. What trails they could follow to find…Maka. He was starting to feel good. Feel better. This was good. For him…and for Raven as well. Looks like for a little while she might have a new weapon. Soul turned to her, he wanted to congratulate her. Her ideas about such a unique style were so spot on. He wanted to give her credit actually. He thought she would like that. He turned with a smile on his face…but as soon as he saw her face. It dropped.

His face grew harsh and full of concern. She had paled considerably. She was shaking as she stared at the body on the floor. That's true he was out cold apparently. But this wasn't right. Something was very wrong.
"Raven?" Soul prodded her. To get her to answer. To bring her out of whatever maelstrom she was mentally stuck in. But…she didn't respond. Her eyes shook as she stared at the boy. Soul didn't understand this… he was missing something.

"Raven… Talk to me…" Soul began to growl at her. His voice darkening as he once again tried to reach her. But she never even glanced his way. Soul shifted his gaze back to the body of the boy. Soul guessed he was just unconscious…but the way Raven was acting… his nerves started to twist into a knot. He tried to ignore them though, as he watched Stein jog over to the lad. Stein's face was stoic and he rarely gave anything away…but Soul was sure if the boy was dead even Stein wouldn't be able to hide that from his face. Would he?

Stein rocked the boy over from his front to his back, and both Stein and Soul saw the boy's face. What…what was wrong with him?! Soul gazed at the gaunt features…the pale skin…the sickly form. That…can't be right. He looked fine barely a few minutes ago. How? Soul felt a bit blank. His mind struggling with what his eyes told him. The only one who had touched him was Soul…and Raven. Soul's breath caught in his throat. Wait… His eyes flicked from the body to Raven. Her eyes were wide as she also caught the face of the boy. She looked like she was about to vomit… she stepped back a pace as her eyes never looked away…never blinked…as if she couldn't stop, couldn't tear her gaze away. Soul recognised something in her posture…she was going to bolt. He may not know her that well…but he had gleaned that much from her. If she couldn't handle something…she would run. Was that always how she handled things? She took the only control she could? Soul gritted his teeth. He didn't understand. And only Raven could make him understand. If she only wasn't so tight lipped.

"Gah..!" Soul huffed out. Why was he getting involved with this?! He had his own problems to deal with! He didn't need more! But… he couldn't just ignore this. Couldn't walk away from this now. He felt a part of this and wanted to help. Damn his conscience. He turned to Raven next to him. He tried to make sure he didn't look accusingly…he didn't want to judge anything till he had the facts. He didn't want her to shut him out. "Raven…" He tried once more. He didn't know what else to say. Yet something made her eyes flick away from the body on the floor. But…it wasn't his doing.

"You! Raven! What did you do!? What did you do!? Witch!"

The boy who had been the bow cursed and spat out at her. His screeching voice not helping her at all. Soul snapped his head toward the weapon. An insult on his lips… he felt a well of anger at what he had said. He had no right! But before Soul could do something he would regret he noticed the female staff member dragging him away. He was leaving the area. Good… otherwise Soul would have made sure he had shut up! He swung his gaze back at Raven. She was only getting worse… the worry for his new temporary meister actually drowning everything else away right now. Whether they were a team or not. He would not leave…not abandon her. He stood his ground. He cringed as he noticed her hand at her lips…and the blood dripping down. This was bad. Very bad. His heart thundered in his chest. He had to reach her!

"Raven! Listen to me! Stop it! Let me in!" he yelled out now. Raising his voice even right next to her. Trying to get her to look at him… anything… but she still didn't respond. He shot his hand out to pull hers away from her mouth. To get her to stop hurting herself. He yanked her arm away, the shock of him doing such a thing read on her pale face. She didn't expect such a thing. Blood covered her lips and dribbled down her chin. The crimson liquid made Soul want to cringe at her self harm. But he didn't react, forced himself to ignore it. Her eyes flicked to him…he hoped to get her to finally listen and calm down. But… her face filled up with pure fright. Like an animal being chased by a predator… that blind panic. Nothing would get through till she calmed down. And there was no indication of that happening any time soon.

Suddenly without warning she snapped back her arm, she twisted it out of his grip. Her strength surprising him. His fingers were forced away from her as she then quickly turned and…bolted.

"Stop!" Soul shouted out to her. What was she doing?! He knew it! No! He shot out a hand to try and grab onto her. But his fist grasped empty air as she sprinted away. Her form fuelled by her fear. Soul reacted on instinct and ran after her. The pair of them sprinted across the clearing. Over the wet grass, past trees, the scenery becoming a blur as the couple dashed across the landscape. He huffed and forced his legs to try and catch up… his legs burned and his chest shouted at him to stop. He wasn't a runner. However meisters on the other hand… he could only watch as she enlarged the distance between them. Ever increasing…until she was far too far ahead…there was no way Soul was going to catch her. No way. With that knowledge he slowed…and stopped. His tired legs still burning, his chest struggling with the sudden exertion.

"Dammit…Raven…" Soul huffed out to himself as he watched the very last speck of his new meister. He could only watch as she vanished from his sight. Her form still bounding away, like a petrified deer.

He was alone now… it was over… Soul leaned down onto his knees as he regained his breath. Great… he felt another burning rise up. But this wasn't his body. It was his anger. He can't do anything right at the moment. What kind of death scythe would he be if he can't even look after his meister? Stupid… Soul gritted his teeth and frowned. He stood back up and stared off at where Raven had ran to. Back into Death city. He guessed back to wherever she lived. His instincts told him to follow. This was no mere argument…no mere upset event where he knew she would just be better on her own. No….he may not know her as well as say…Maka. But he knew Raven should not be alone. She had been alone for all this time and it was only making her worse. She needed someone there. He knew it. But there was one problem….he had no idea where she lived. No idea where to even start. He doubted he could find out… she didn't seem close to anyone enough for her to tell them.

He also doubted the teachers would tell him right now. Not when they were dealing with the others…

"Great…" he sighed out. Placing his hands into his pockets as he thought on what to do now.

"It's for the best you know." What was that voice? Someone else was here with him. It came from behind and above him. He craned his neck around. There…sat on a branch. Was a girl. He couldn't see her that well as she was under the shadow of the leaves. He narrowed his gaze. Her tone wasn't friendly. His form tensed, but he didn't show it.

"Who are you?"

At that the form of the girl shifted and moved, dropping off the branch she was sitting on and landing with a thud into the soft grass. Soul narrowed his eyes at her…there was something…something he wasn't sure of. Something he didn't like about her. Something about the way she spoke, held herself…something he couldn't quite see. But something was so…off. And it made his skin crawl. He grew an instant dislike for this person. Even though he had never seen her before in his life. Was she a student?

"My, my. Calm down there boy." She mocked him. Did she notice how agitated he looked? But the girl just shrugged, she glanced away as she pushed a strand of hair back out of her face. Soul could examine her now that she was no longer in the shadow of the tree. She looked to be about the same age as him…no maybe a little older. Perhaps the same as Raven. Late teens. Perhaps she was a student after all? Her light brown hair was pinned back into a long ponytail. She wore bright gaudy pink shorts decorated with a camouflaged design, with a white blouse top. Ankle high pale blue laced shoes completed her look. Which wasn't much Soul had to admit. Her clothes were a little…too revealing for his tastes. The blouse was in fact cut open at the top of her chest. Showing just the right amount of cleavage, Soul couldn't stop his eyes from trailing down to her chest. The girl noticed this…and her small laugh brought his attention back up. Gritting his teeth at his behaviour.

But she didn't appear to be offended in the slightest. In fact… quite the opposite. She smiled at him. But that smile wasn't nice. Wasn't happy…it was smug. Full of pride at her own private knowledge. Soul really didn't like her.

"Who are you?" He repeated to her. As she never answered him. The girl turned her head to stare at him. But she didn't answer. Soul knew she wasn't deaf. She clearly heard him…what was this? The silence stretched on as they merely stared at each other. As if sizing the other up. Until finally…she spoke.

"I'm a weapon. Just the same as you." That was it. She must be a student. That would explain why she was here. She didn't say her name…but right now, he didn't quite care. However…as much as he didn't like her. At least he knew she wasn't a threat. He turned away from her and started to walk away. "You can't help her you know." She spoke out.

Soul stopped in his tracks. He craned his neck back to her now.

"Tch…what makes you think that?" he challenged her. He was sick of this girl. Her motions appeared happy and carefree…but there was something behind it. Something that screamed selfish, vain…conceited. And he hated people like that. The girl now began to walk along the grass now, getting closer to him.

"Because better weapons then you have tried." The girl smiled at him as she drew closer. That sweet smile causing Soul to feel more off. Her eyes stared up at him…as if examining him. "It's better for all of us if you just stay away from her." She spoke out as she grinned at him. A sly grin. Before turning away from him and walking back into the trees. Soul could only watch her leave. He didn't have any more words to say…

What was with this? Who was that girl? She obviously knows more then she is letting on. But…is she right? This isn't really his fight. He only wanted to get out there to help Maka. To find his real meister. Not to get dragged into some other mess of another meister. Soul no longer looked at the trees, he swerved his gaze round to the cityscape. Where he had last seen Raven run off to. Should he back off? Should he? … He wanted to. He actually did. Was that selfish of him? Possibly.

But he thought on what Maka would want. Would she want him to ignore this?

Soul grinned out. Nope. Maka would find this entire thing silly and march right through it and sort it all out. A few timed Maka chops and Raven would probably be spewing her story out to her. Soul laughed. Yep. That would be it. Maka would care about this. She had a sensitive soul really. Though people didn't often think that right away. What with her attitude and her mannerisms. But most of the time it's those people who care too much…and pretend that they don't. He could almost imagine her now. Telling him they couldn't just leave this as it is. To deal with this, granted if it was him and Maka he would probably just leave her to help a little from the outside…but this was different. He was right in the centre of this mess. But Maka's view would be the same. She would want him to help.

"Great…thanks Maka. You know what… you are so annoying sometimes…" Soul whispered out to her. He smiled out into the fading light of the kitchen. His eyes held a softness in them as he thought on his old meister. He laughed softly under his breath. That was it. He knew what to do now. He shouldn't be just sitting around here like this. It was the weekend, and he had spent today within these walls. No one had seen him. Not even Blair, she had been out all night and day. He wondered what she was up to. But didn't allow his mind to dwell on her more then that. She had her own business…apparently. Whatever that was…

Monday was the day of the mission. He and Raven had still passed the exam… even if something terrible had happened to their opponent. It was still a pass…wasn't it? Whatever. He would find out on Monday if they were going to get assigned a mission with the others. He hoped so. Staying here was driving him nuts. It was only the distraction of Raven keeping him sane at the moment. That was laughable for a start. An added stress and strain that he didn't want…was keeping him sane. Ha. Still…it stopped him dwelling on his failures… Soul shook his head out of those thoughts. He had done well so far. And Monday would be decided whether he go out with the team…or…

Soul was about to take another swig of coke… but decided against it and left the half drunk coke on the table. He was sure he would bump into Raven again on Monday…and no way was he letting her get away from him a second time. No matter what that girl said to him. He was sure…she only needed someone to help. To simply…try. And she would accept it. It seemed so. If he could get a confident Raven back… she was there under her nerves. He had seen it… Then he just knew that as a pair they would be solid enough to be sent out to find Maka.

That got him. He felt full of energy for the task. Soon enough. Soon he just knew he would be out there tracking down trails of that demon swordsman. The snake witch…and Maka. He was sure.

Suddenly he paused in his thoughts… perhaps this was bad. Perhaps he was doing this for the wrong reasons. But hey…he never suggested he was pure of heart or any of that rubbish. He knew what he wanted and found a way to do it. Right or wrong. With that he moved off from the table. He would call it a day. And tomorrow. A Sunday. He would get out of this apartment. Even if just to waste time till Monday…

"Is that better?" A male voice spoke as softly as his gruff voice would allow. Free was the one who spoke. He looked down actually feeling worry for his small comrade. He lowered his muscled arms from the back of her head. The small form close by was sat next to him on a sofa. Her weight hardly impacting onto the material. She was sniffling and whimpering quietly… Free actually felt his heart strings quiver for the small girl. Eruka was sat there with her head down and away from his view. He didn't know quite what to do for her… she was suffering and in pieces. But…what could he do? He bit into his lip as he leant his body back from her to give her more space.

"Y-yes….th-thank you…" She stuttered out. Her hiccups and crying affecting her speech. At first glance Eruka looked the same as she always did…except for one thing. A white bandage encircled her head and hair now, passing over her eye socket. Where her left eye once was. Free didn't quite understand. Witches could heal couldn't they? Then why didn't she just magic her eye back?

Free hesitated. He glanced away from her trembling and hunched form. Maybe there was a reason she didn't magic it back…there must be. But…

"Can't you just use magic?" Free asked. Trying to sound hopeful. He forced a smile. Eruka shifted but her shaking stopped. She was currently hugging herself tight with her arms, her head was angled down low. Her hair cascaded over her face. Hiding her features from him. But he could hear her. And see her pain in her tight, shaking form. He felt a certain amount of kinship with the frog witch, and to see this… it felt so wrong. But…what more could he do? After all. They were both just trying to survive here.

Eruka moved and glanced up at him. Her hair dangled over her bandaged eye, her remaining one peered up at him. That one remaining pupil stared up at him in her misery. As if trying to tell him her message. Free couldn't keep her gaze. He had to look away. He felt so tense. And actually feeling pity for her. Anyone else and he most likely wouldn't have actually cared. After all he had plucked the magic eye from the grand witch himself. Now that was a challenge. And funny. But this…was not. She was different from all the other witches he knew. He felt a bond with the little one. Like a sister in arms. Almost…

She slowly shook her head…as if not trusting her voice. She visibly swallowed.

"… I-if…the part of the b-body was… totally gone. T-then it may be possible to regenerate…" She started. Her voice wavering but getting stronger as she went. "…But it takes better magic then I…and b-besides…L-Lady Medusa….s-she…" Her voice cracked and she hiccupped once more… her voice now turning incoherent as she went. Free felt uncomfortable. But he was starting to understand…he thinks. She was struggling to speak again now. So he decided to pitch in.

"Oh I see. Is it like the Grand witch? I still have her eye." He actually grinned out. He was still pleased with that, it was still an amazing feat no matter what anyone said to him. Eruka cleared her throat…and forced her body to stop shaking. It was too sudden, it must have been forced. She nodded.

"Yes… Um… it's the same. You still have her eye. And so she can't just regenerate it. As it still exists. The same magic can't exist in two places. The first one would have to be destroyed or gone for her to heal and get a second…" Free was the one who nodded this time. He understood now. Seems the grand witch has to wear an eye patch as well. Ha he wished he could see that… although… he cringed. That meant that Medusa still had Eruka's other eye. He gazed back at the younger witch. She still wasn't looking up at him. She had stopped in her crying. But she wasn't moving at all now, she was quiet. Like a painting in a gallery. Something to look at, admire the form and hidden meanings…but nothing else. Not to speak or move or make a difference.

It was rather sad really.

Unlike Free, who could most likely get away if he really wanted to. She could not. She was damned if she stayed and damned if she left. It was a shame. But at the end of the day they were both servants to that snake witch. He wasn't sure if Eruka believed the same beliefs that Medusa did. He liked her goals actually. He was so sick of that so called Lord Death enforcing his own set of rules, setting the standards of what is perceived as 'good and evil'. He was so sick of it.

It needed to change.

But he had to admit…her methods…

Free's eyes panned to Eruka's still form beside him. Her methods were a little…too much sometimes. Free huffed out on the sofa and leaned back. Then again… something new and different cannot come about without sacrifice, pain and suffering. No new life has entered this world without pain, every animal that is alive has entered the world through the pain and suffering of a mother. That is how the world works. It's a harsh and sick place. They were simply following that path, forcing a change for the better really. Where his kind could live as they want, without persecution and being hunted. Even for doing nothing wrong. That academy…they took things at face value and never bothered with investigating further. Oh no. If you looked like a monster… then you were a monster. Those same monsters then began to be the monsters they were seen to be. Witches and werewolves were one of the many types of people shoved back, forced away…and hunted.

Simply for being…monsters.

He guessed this Lady Medusa possibly took that view to heart… she acted as the academy perceived her. If she was to be seen as a monster. Then why try to be something else. Free understood that view perfectly.

A finger tapped on the glass. Medusa smiled as she watched the water inside bob from her small treatment. Her eyes scanned the glass jar before her. It was brand new. For her new ingredient. To keep it safe and secure, as well as keep it fresh. It needed to stay fresh for as long as possible. She needed it. And soon. Medusa was stood before a desk table in her lab. It was quiet. Deathly silent as the witch stood in her lair. The lair of the snake was gloomy and creepy. Death hung in the air. And worse. There was no smell in the air but anyone in there would instantly feel repulsed and not by sight alone. A power existed in this place. One of negativity, of hate, of obsession. Of power. Of enslavement… All of it and more. Like the hallways and dungeons of a torturer. As soon as you entered that place. You were no longer in the world you knew. But an entirely different one…one that was controlled by such an evil and terrible mind. Your skin would crawl and the need to escape would be over encompassing.

The snake witch was dressed in her black dress and lab coat. A common sight. She was at work. And there was little she liked more then her work…her obsession. Before her on the desk was the glass jar. And inside…was an eye. A pristine white eye, the dark pupil frozen. Unseeing. The stalk from the white orb swaying in the now disturbed juice.

Medusa examined the organ. It was the stolen eye of Eruka. A witch's eye was a powerful artefact. A portion of their magic existed in the eyes of witches. And could be used for such powerful spells. However…of course it was a taboo. And a great offence to use the body parts of other witches. Her very sister Arachne was hunted and most likely killed for such an offence by her sister witches. Free the very werewolf under her control was imprisoned for the rest of his life for such an act. Now she herself was performing the same feat. However. Unlike them. She would not be brought to any sort of justice by her sisters. As Eruka is her servant. And would not…could not. Tell the others.

Medusa leaned down to stare at the specimen in the jar. The power was not obvious to the naked eye. But Medusa could feel the magical energies. As a throbbing wave, a bubble of power. Like the soul of a witch when it was not under soul protect. Normally Medusa would not be interested in such a weak witch's eye. However… Not only was she after the magic. But the underlying madness that dwelt within. Everyone bore traces of madness. Not a soul existed in this world that did not. But with Eruka and even Free, they were now different. They had contact with the kishin in the academy. He had directly influenced the madness that dwells inside. Corrupted it. Leaving his mark on it. Now that they are away from him, they have drown out that part of themselves. Most likely subconsciously. The mind forcing the madness away from the conscious thoughts.

But that taint was still there. Dormant. And Medusa was after that. That madness of a real kishin. If she could study it, access it… she hoped to be able to use it in order to help with her research. To push her two 'kishins' ever onward. They were close now. So close. She felt her own giddyness. Like a child with a new toy. But she calmed herself. She was not some eager young witch with no idea of how the world works. She knew how it works. She knew it so…so well.

Medusa bit her lip as her eyes glanced away. She knew what it was like to be hunted…trapped. Screaming for help. Back then she didn't know none would come. None would ever come.

But that was ok. Now she knows how the world works. She knows now. And no one…no one. Would ever make her feel weak. Ever. Again.

Medusa shook her head. She shouldn't dwell on those thoughts of the past. A deep well of anger arose in her gut. She found her fist clenched at her side. She breathed in a deep breath. Calming herself.

But images flashed in her eyes… of the laughter of men. The stares of the others… the touching…the chasing… Back then…she prayed someone would come. Come and help her… but she soon realised. There was no one. Medusa gritted her teeth. People are alone in this world. Alone. No one will help you. Not unless there is gain for them. Medusa learned this. She learned that lesson well. She remembered that well. Medusa gritted her teeth and cleared her throat.

This was a pointless waste of time and energy. She needed to continue her work. She turned from the desk and toward her notes. The screen of notes and pictures that littered one side of the wall. Her eyes scanned the boards and writing. Yes. This was progressing nicely. Now then. The next stage could finally be started.

Soul collection.

Ragnarok was back on track, he was swallowing the souls of humans once more. Regaining his power once again. Thus Crona too. Now… this was when Medusa smirked to herself in that dark, suffocating lab of hers. Maka as a weapon could also swallow souls for power. Even human souls. Could she do it?

Is she so far gone that the very foundation of her morals and will would be overridden with her need to protect Crona? Animals were one thing, even killing humans might be achievable now. But eating human souls? Hmm…Medusa couldn't wait to get started. A genuine smile pulled at her lips. It would be so exciting to try. To see if she would do it. To take her a step further on that dark path to kishin.

Maybe she should try and start her off with bad souls. Not evil kishin eggs, but not the pure souls of innocents. A middle ground. Still off limits as they are considered 'human'. Medusa scoffed at that word. Maybe she would start Maka off with them. Maybe Maka would see them as creatures the world would not miss, that she was 'allowed' to kill them. And eat their souls.

However on the other hand… Maka was mad now. Utterly insane. That dark broken gaze of hers flashed in Medusa's mind. Maybe this was unneeded and she would be more then happy to drown in the blood of others with her dear Crona. Medusa shrugged. This was new territory. It was all a learning experience for her. She wrote more and more notes every day. Medasa had to stave off her excitement daily. Perhaps she should play it safe for now. Just to see. The last thing she wanted was for something to start fighting back in Maka's head. If she just pushed a little every now and then… soon enough she would be so far gone that nothing would be wrong to Maka anymore. Nobody was off limits to kill. Hell Medusa knows she isn't herself. But her level of control kept Maka from doing that.

Medusa leant her neck back, her eyes staring at her ceiling as she arched her body back. It was late. Her body was feeling her hard day's work, the stiffness, the sore muscles. Medusa sighed out. She should rest for now. But tomorrow…. Medusa began to walk away from the desks and jar filled shelves. Tomorrow she would take out her two 'pets' herself. Take them out to a populated area. She would watch over them…as they 'fed'.

Medusa's grin grew on her face. She felt like laughing out, actually laughing. It was amusing, so priceless. That she was here, doing what she liked. What she wanted. Needed to do. And out there, the witches, the meisters, the lord of death himself. Did not, could not do anything about it. They ran in circles like the stupid puppies they are while she created her nest. Her lair. Right under their noses.

However…now was when Medusa needed to watch her back even more. Soul collection would attract attention. Those meisters of that pathetic academy may very well catch on to this. After all. They were trained to stop this very thing from happening. However…she could very well turn such an event into another training exercise. Another chance to watch her monsters in action. Her child and his guard dog.

"Thanks." Soul responded automatically. But he did actually smile. It felt good to be back here. Soul received the bag of ingredients from the shop assistant. It was weighed down with all of the fresh meat and vegetables he had bought. It was just for him. But he felt it was worth it. It would be good for him. It was just like when he and Maka were together. He never was one for buying proper food if he could avoid it. But today…

He just felt like it. He didn't want one of his unhealthy microwave meals. Didn't want all that coke. He bought a carton of orange juice and some water. He was feeling better and prouder of himself for a change. Tomorrow he would be back in that world of meisters and weapons, tomorrow he would fix whatever was bothering Raven. He was sure of it. And tomorrow they would be back on track for finding Maka. Soul smiled. A genuine smile. Something really has gotten him going. He wasn't quite sure what. Soul gripped the handle of the carrier bag as he hefted it and began to walk down the market street. Back to his apartment. It was a Sunday afternoon, the busy streets bustling with people shopping. The buzz of voices and shouts around him. But the mood was nice, calm. Soul strolled down the street. Content. For the first time in awhile.

However…that mood was soon broken.

"…how much do you have?" A voice spoke out close to him. He jerked to a sudden stop. He knew that voice. It was familiar. Was it? "I know you have enough. And we can't just not buy this!" Soul's eyes darted around, passing over the faceless people of the street. Even over the other people his age. He was searching for the owner of that voice. He knew it. He was sure of it.

"I thought you were my friend. You are my friend aren't you?" That voice again. He knew it. It was female…and so…smug. Oh yeah… his stomach felt wrong. Light. His skin crawled. He knew that person all right.

His eyes zoned in to where he heard the sound…there! Near a stall on the other side of the street. A pair of girls he knew. The fact that he knew both of them surprised him. One of them was who he was expecting…purely to avoid her. But what he was not expecting was that… the other girl. Was Raven.

He would recognise that mousy brown plaited hair and black leather jacket anywhere… Soul narrowed his eyes in suspicion. He knew that girl knew her. He just knew it. Her attitude and mannerisms seemed so off. But not in a protective way…no. It seemed more like…possessive. Soul gripped his carrier bag harder. He was racked with indecision. Should he go over there? Or not? He glanced away, down the street to where his apartment was waiting for him. Before glancing back. He concentrated in on them now, trying to pick out their voices from the din of the crowd around him. His back hunched over slightly, his frame not as straight as it was a minute ago. The smile gone from his face.

The crowd around him thinned out to a degree where he could just about make out Raven's quieter voice now. Her small whisper next to the shriek of the other girl.

"…ok there you go…" Raven spoke. Her voice wavered even more then usual. Soul didn't like it. He may not know her that well. But he didn't like the way her voice sounded so… weak. Her body posture was likewise so…submissive. Why? He still couldn't quite see what was going on very well. A man stood in the way… a great big fat guy was blocking his view. Soul growled lowly and walked a little way forward, trying to shift his field of vision. But then to Soul's utter aggravation the great big fat guy decided to then move back into his way! Oh you have got to be kidding!

"Gah!" Soul spat out. Cursing the very name of whoever was blocking him from seeing them both.

Soul tried to move again. But then he heard something rather strange… a small moan sounded out…it came from Raven. A small delicate little moan. Like she was tired…or enjoying something. Huh?! Now Soul was very confused. What was he not seeing?

"…please….please…don't…." Raven managed out. Soul was starting to grow so irate. If that man didn't move in a minute… he still listened to Raven's small voice. She sounded like she was panting. What was wrong with her? Soul swore he would punch that man right in the face if he got in his way one more time! Soul huffed and moved the other way now. Dodging people and their many bags full of junk. His own bag swinging in the air as he trudged quickly. Finally…finally…the man moved off. Good! Soul shot him a glare as he moved down the street. Now there was a visible gap in the people. But he was still close enough to hear them. They both had their backs to him. He wasn't spotted.

Raven had stepped away now… he could just see the side of her face. She was looking down to the floor but her face was a bright red…was she…blushing? He shot his eyes to the other girl. She looked to the blushing Raven. Raven was the taller of the two girls. But the way Raven held herself, her posture was so low down. That the other girl looked to be the taller. She held herself so high. That she in fact loomed over the other. Her eyes were full of mirth and her smile was so…conceited. What had happened? Soul didn't understand. Maybe…maybe he should just go. This wasn't his business.

He would talk to her tomorrow. Now was not the time. He just knew it wasn't…not with that girl there. She gave off such a bad vibe. He didn't want to go anywhere near her.

"…I-I want to go home now…" Raven spoke out to the other girl without looking up. She hugged her arms close to her. This just made the other girl grin wider. Before her face fell into a pout.

"Aww….but Raven there are loads of places I still want to go and see!" She chirped in a higher pitch of voice, shooting forward and hooking her arm with Raven's. Looking to anyone else as if they were best friends…but Soul knew better…he was pretty sure of it. He can't be imagining it.

"…please…I want to go home…I-I…don't have any money left." She spoke in a lower tone…quieter… like a child about to reprimanded. But the other girl only grinned at her. She pushed her body closer to Raven now. Too close…Raven seemed to almost squirm away… Turning her face away.

"…aww you're no fun…" The other girl started. Her face turned as she panned her gaze around. Soul couldn't move away in time… the girl's gaze fell on him. She caught him…she caught him staring…

As soon as their eyes locked. Her face fell…her smile disappeared from her face and a glare took it's place. Soul actually flinched. That look was so full of venom. He had not expected it…

Yet she said not a word to him…she quickly snapped her head back to Raven. A fake smile back on her lips. "…ok. Let's go…" She suddenly said. It was quieter. Soul wasn't sure he quite caught it all. Raven's eyes flitted to her face now. Raven's face read her slight surprise at what she had said. And before Soul knew it the strange girl was dragging Raven away. Away from him and toward an alleyway…

Soul didn't want to leave it like this. He felt in his gut that this wasn't right. Something was so…off about that girl. He quickly followed… he jogged after them as they left the street and ducked away from the other people. Soul tried to follow as best he could. Weaving between the chatting shoppers. He cursed as someone stamped on his toe. The pain shot through his foot. He shot an anger fuelled glare at the poor man who had trod on him.

The guy held up his hands apologetically.

"Woah sorry man…" Soul ignored him and passed him still gripping his own shopping. He had lost valuable time. Stupid moron… Soul limped slightly on his painful foot. The throbbing going as he walked it off. He finally made it to the allyway now. He shot inside the thin space hoping to see Raven and the girl as they dashed off….but when he entered the space…he saw nothing.

They had gone…

"Shit…" Soul cursed out to himself. His eyes panned this way and that down the space. But it was no good. It was empty. Just who was that girl? And what does she have to do with Raven?

Great…there goes his good mood. Stupid girl. This was getting to be more trouble then it was worth… he sighed out to himself. No…that wasn't right. Maka wouldn't want him to think like that. She would have done that little smile that she does… clenched her fist and told him that they would have to help. He would moan like he usually does…but then go along with her. Hoping for some action along the way. Of course…that was how it always was. Whether it was school work…or hunting kishin eggs…that was how she was…

Woo! Another chapter out. And a heck of a lot quicker then the last :3.

OK so… another OC popped up at the academy. (There are a LOT of students other then the main cast… ofc I need to make OC's sometimes XD.)

Anyway this latest one is a wee bit on the special side. This OC is in fact not mine. I have borrowed her from my dear friend. (With permission!) I have left her name out of this chapter purposely to kinda see if anyone could guess who she is.

Although my friend said that no one will probably be able to guess till you all see her weapon form. Perhaps… if anyone guesses tho you will receive a virtual cookie! XD

Hope you all enjoy this chapter!