Maka wakes to pitch black. It's so dark that she can't see her own body or any hint of her surroundings. She can't remember where she was before, but she has the suspicion that something terrible has happened. She can't imagine what it is, though.

Before she has time to think much more about what is happening, a voice calls out from somewhere nearby. "Maka!' It's Soul's voice! He sounds really worried. "Stop! Please! I don't want this!"

"Soul!" Maka yells back, relieved that her voice still works in wherever this place is. "Hang on! I'm coming!" But where are you, she thinks, looking around frantically. A light appears overhead, and Maka moves towards it, hoping to get a look at what's going on.

Her eyes fly open and Maka realizes that she's had them closed this entire time. That's why she couldn't see! But upon opening her eyes, she wishes she hadn't, because the sight that awaits her is absolutely horrifying. She looks down to see that she's surrounded by blood—her own blood?

Yes, it turns out, because she's now suddenly, painfully aware of the absolute agony coming from her left side. When she looks to see what it is, she sees Soul's head and torso, smaller than usual, poking out of her side. She stares for a moment, dumbstruck, and then starts screaming as loud as possible; the pain from her side, overwhelming stench of blood, and sheer horror from what she just saw finally getting to her.

Her eyes snap open, for real this time, and she's now in the infirmary, screaming her head off. She hears a worried cry next to her. "Maka! What's wrong?" Soul shouts worriedly, taking her left hand in his from where he's standing next to the bed. She sits up, still screaming, and her stomach, right side, and back explode with pain, causing her to immediately lay back down, trying to dull the sensation.

Finally adjusting to her surroundings, she stops screaming. Her head is heavy with sleep, and her throat is raw and hoarse. "Just a dream," she mumbles, flushing with embarrassment, at last meeting Soul's worried gaze.

"Oh good, you're awake," Dr. Medusa says with relief, strolling out of her office. "How are you feeling, Maka?"

Maka pauses to assess her injuries. "Not too bad. I'm a little tired, and my side hurts a bit, but other than that I feel okay." Beside her, Soul gives a sigh of relief. She absently notes that his eyes haven't left her face since she opened her eyes.

"That's to be expected," notes Dr. Medusa, calm and professional as always. "I'll get you something for the pain, but other than that, you seem to be recovering nicely." She turns back around to head to her office.

"Are you really feeling okay?" Soul asks quietly. He still seems incredibly worried. At her nod, his shoulders slump a bit. He's been meaning to yell at her for being a reckless idiot, but he's too relieved at seeing her awake to do it now. He'll have to wait until she's feeling better to scold her.


The sun is setting when Maka finally manages to convince Soul to leave the school and head home. He seems withdrawn, and upset about something, and she puzzles over what it could be. "Hey, Soul," she says finally, and he turns around to face her again.

She absently plays with the sheets, searching for the right words. "You know this isn't your fault, right?" she says hesitantly, watching his face carefully.

"Yeah, right," Soul scoffs, before abruptly turning on his heel and leaving her alone, with only Dr. Medusa for company. Maka slumps into her pillows, feeling absolutely defeated. Well that backfired, she thinks irritably. What's his problem anyway?

She's jolted from her thoughts by her father's voice. "Am I allowed to come and visit my darling daughter now?" Spirit asks, poking his head in. At her nod, he walks over to her, and to her astonishment, he doesn't make a single pass at the nurse. Who is this and what have they done with my father?

"I thought we could talk for a bit," he says pleasantly, settling himself in a chair at her bedside.

Maka thinks of things she could ask him about. Instead of her usual questions about her mother, and his infidelity, a different idea pops into her head. "Papa? Could you tell me about the Demon Sword?"


"So, how are you feeling?" Tsubaki asks Maka, perched in a chair at her bedside.

It's about the millionth time Maka has been asked that question this week, and she sighs in response for the millionth time this week. "I told you, I'm feeling fine. My side is still a little sore, and I'm bored of being cooped up in here, but really, I'll be okay." If Maka was being truthful, she'd say that her side hurt more than just a "bit," and she would mention that she's been more angry and irritable than usual, and she would talk about the horror she feels about the black blood inside of her, about what it might do to her. At least she can ask about Soul and his weird behavior "Do you think Soul's angry at me?"

Tsubaki's head jerks up at Maka's query, a shocked expression on her face. "Angry? No, I don't think so." Her face scrunches in confusion. "Why would he be angry at you?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," Maka replies, attempting to sound casual. Really, though, the cold shoulder he's been giving her is starting to worry her. "He's just acting a little strange. Where is that idiot, anyway? Are he and Blackstar skipping again?"

At Tsubaki's sheepish expression, Maka sighs loudly again. "Those idiots! They're going to get kicked out at this rate!"

"You and your textbooks are the only ones who can keep them in line," Tsubaki muses, glad to see Maka being her old self again.


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