Sorry I Couldn't be Better 17- The Scream

So I have How Far We've Come on repeat just 'cause. Plus got an Armin and Totoro plushy for birthday. Siblings keep stealing them. *pouts*

But OMG guys 21 reviews for the last chapter. I just want to jump through the screen and hug you all because you're amazing and you make me feel so much better!

And again, this took a while…oops

The people I'm hugging are…

ChildrenAreMySoulFood: Yesh, a kinda cliffhanger. I swear I'm cursed with 'make everything a cliffhanger-itis.' Yes, Kid is talking about Asura and I'm still pondering his part in this fic though he will appear.
One Is Vexed: Thanks! And phew, I'm glad my update pattern is ok. I freak out about not updating but then I laze around and be a miserable flop. I love Black Butler too, just got Ciel's ring and a backpack for my birthday.
Mjus: Wow what an amazingly long review. *hugs* I don't know what to address, this review just made me so happy. And just because being sad isn't always classified as depression doesn't make it any less important. I'm sending happy thoughts your way. *checks bathroom for spider*
Phantom Wish: Love Teen Titans! But wow that quote! That is amazing, it helped me so much. And thanks for the pic! I really love it!
LittleAngel1031: Soul Eater for the win!
Everything will perish one day: Thanks, I have a lot of fun playing it
Sabrina bina: Bleach is awesome! (only have a slight obsession with Toshiro)
Guest 1:D Gray Man forever and same with ATLA. ATLA is my main fandom though I don't make it obvious. And yeah, I like to add in all the characters. And the game is one of my favourites to play.
Person: Oh phew. Glad you like it!
Guest 2: I'm glad you're enjoying it!
Dwmalove: Yeah, Maka has it tough…my fault I guess
BloodyBullets648: I love both those series…pretty broad with my interests
Quiet-Invisible-Bookworm: Wow thankyou! I'm so glad this helps. It means a lot to hear that. And yeah, forcing people to do stuff can be quite annoying…hi mum!
S1T2A3R4: Aww thanks, that means a lot *blushes*
Sol's Darkness: Thanks! And I'll be sure to, it sounds good
EternityMusic4me: Catching up is like my nightmare. Glad you like, I can see why you ship Kid and Maka. All will be revealed!
WhispersOfWings: Wow…wow thankyou so damn much. *runs away blushing*
tsunasoraceillover: Aww thankyou…I feel like I'm repeating myself with these responses. But seriously, it really helps to hear that
hello this is me speaking: It's not sadistic, I really try to reach out to people when I write them. And as Land Before Time taught me, no one is ever truly alone
Hoshi star88: Thanks! Glad you did!
Guest 3: Yeah, that is pretty annoying. Though sometimes they can't help it. Glad you like, here's the update!

Omg that took forever. Might have to stop responding to reviews in chapters if I get this many. Also, thanks to my lovely people who favourite and follow. I cannot thank you enough. Hugs all round!

Disclaimer: Yup, not mine…I'm in a bad mood so I can't think of anything


They'd long since left the photos behind and were caught up in doing little improvised skits which Maka hated. It involved being lumped with people she didn't know and having to think on the spot before showing the skit. She stuttered a lot when it was her turn and mucked up the skits.

Kid seemed pretty relaxed, laughing with Justin over their skit about a dentist and teasing Eibon playfully over his failed attempts to flirt with Jacqueline. It probably came with being there longer but Maka still glared at him, feeling almost betrayed. Patty trotted over to sit with her; strangely quiet as she watched Mifune and Harvar perform a play based around the emotion anger.

"Do you think Liz is okay?" Patty whispered quietly as Mifune told Harvar off for dropping a glass albeit blankly whilst the silent boy just shrugged. So that's what she was worried about.

"I'm sure she is fine." Maka said steadily, frowning as the skit ended and the therapists began to choose the next people to go up. She tried to shrink into the small group, not wanting to join Tezca and Jacqueline who were already up there.

And of course, guess who got chosen.

"Maka you can go up to." Nygus said, winking at Maka as if she knew exactly what the teen was trying to do.

"Yay," Maka muttered, shrugging apologetically at Patty who pouted and crawled over to bother Kid who was still chatting with Justin. He did, however, still keep glancing at the clock which told the floor four occupants that they still had half an hour before group therapy. That was thirty very long minutes.

"Okay who wants to give us a location?" Blair asked as Maka realised with a jolt that the nurse shared the same name as her cat. She almost laughed. Blair was very cat-like.

"A strip club," called Eibon, earning him a scolding from Nygus. Blair didn't seem too fussed.

"A library," stony faced Raven interrupted, obviously not impressed with the way things were going.

"Right, a library!" Blair sang cheerfully. "Now we need an event that happens."

"Two people bump into each other and fall over." Kilik suggested, bouncing on his legs.

"Okay," Nygus nodded. "You three have one minute to come up with a short skit in a library where two people knock each other over."

Maka shifted uncomfortably as the two therapists turned back to the others leaving her with Tezca and Jacqueline to come up with something.

No one said anything at first. Then Tezca suggested someone pretending to carry a large stack of books and crashing into a someone else.

Jaqueline then muttered about a jealous boyfriend which got Maka to finally suggest something.

"And your time is up." Blair announced like some cheesy game show host. "Show your skit."

The group stopped chatting amongst themselves and looked expectantly at them. Maka shuffled awkwardly into place, standing next To Tezca who adopted some sort of swag look (was that right) and across from Jacqueline who held her hands out like she was holding a stack of books.

They both began to walk when suddenly Jacqueline and Maka collided, both falling over. Tezca immediately helped Maka up, brushing her down and then turning his teddy bear head to stare at Jacqueline.

"Hey watch it," He pretended to snap. "That's my girl you just hit." There was a hint of laughter from the audience.

"Really?" Jacqueline inquired politely. "Because I was sure she was, in fact, my girl."

Well that hadn't been part of the plan.

"Girl are you blind?" Tezca bluffed, probably looking alarmed under his mask.

"As a matter of fact, yes." Jacqueline seemed very confident despite her usual jumpy behaviour. She mimed waving a cane around, gaining more laughter.

"Let's just go…uh…babe," Maka pulled at Tezca, knowing she had to say something. Before anything could happen though, a bloodcurdling scream echoed through the building and Jacqueline pressed her hands over her ears and screamed too. Loud chatter broke out and Kid flinched as though he'd been shot.

"Blair," Nygus hissed. "What was that?"

"Oh dear," Blair fretted. "It's Asura."


Maka saw all the relaxation that Kid had been radiating just melt away. His eyes widened, mouth opened and he wrapped his arms around him, his nails digging into his arms.

Whoever this Asura was, Kid knew him and he didn't like him.

"Right, floor four it's time for us to go." Nygus said firmly, trying to round up the frazzled teens. She succeeded bar Kid. He stood there frozen, refusing to move as the scream went on and on.

"Kid?" Maka said, more of a question then just saying his name. "Are you okay? We need to go."

He didn't reply, eyes staring frantically around as if something…or someone was going to jump out at him.

"Kid," She said again, more tentatively as she watched his breathing start to come out in short gasps. Nygus was saying something behind her but right now her soul focus was Kid. It seemed as if he was on the verge of some sort of panic attack.

"Maka move," Nygus said firmly. "We need to get him out of here." Maka was just as frozen as Kid was though, staring in shock and the boy in front of her.

"Soul…" He whispered. "I want Soul," he said all of this slowly as if he couldn't remember how to speak.

"What's going on?" Maka asked quietly as she finally found the strength to move away.

"That scream has set him off for some reason, Sid would probably know why." Nygus sighed as if she couldn't be bothered dealing with Maka. She was gripping a radio and as she finished speaking, it crackled to life and she spoke quickly into it.

"Stop…" Kid said quietly. "Stop it please." Maka stared in horror at him. His breathing was getting even more irregular and his face was losing what little colour it had.

"Maka everyone else has left, you have to go." Blair was tugging at her arm. Dazes, Maka looked around and saw the room was empty apart from Blair, Nygus and Kid. Because she'd been entirely focused on Kid, she hadn't noticed the two floor groups exiting the room.

"I…I didn't do anything," Kid said in his slow way of talking. His knees trembled and he sunk into a kneeling position, his hands clasped against his ears.

And the scream carried on.

"Is no one trying to stop that boy?" Nygus hissed, kneeling down next to Kid and trying to comfort him. It didn't work though, he seemed stuck in his current panicked state.

"He asked for Soul," Maka hissed back. "Is he coming?" Nygus turned to fix Maka with a sympathetic glance.

"Soul is in the infirmary. He's having a…bad day. I'm afraid we're on our own with Kid here."

Why was all of this happening? Was it always like this, even before Maka had arrived? Or had she set something off, offended people, caused them to succumb to their illnesses?

"Who is Asura?" Maka settled for asking, wincing as the scream rose in volume and pitch. Kid whimpered at this and gripped his head tighter.

"I'm afraid I don't know. I'm not Kid's therapist and I've never heard the name before." Nygus grabbed at the radio again, listening to it before nodding firmly. "Soul…he's on his way."

"But you said he was having a bad day." Maka almost had to shout to be heard over the scream. Silent tears began to run down Kid's cheeks.

"He heard about Kid and he refused to stay put. Threatened to throw a huge fit apparently."

"Hear that Kid," Maka turned to speak to her friend though she suspected he couldn't hear her. "Soul's on his way." She was expecting the white haired boy to burst in very soon, especially if he was a fast runner. As she had expected, Kid hadn't. He remained on his knees, tears running down his cheeks and the occasional whimper coming from his mouth.

And the scream carried on.

"Where is he?" Soul burst into the room, eyes wide and breathing fast. Said red eyes flew to Kid and he was at the boy's side in seconds, tapping cautiously on Kid's cheek and trying to get his attention.

"It's the scream," Maka whispered.

"Asura I'm guessing." Soul said harshly and then returned his focus to Kid, tugging on the boy's shoulders so that his fear filled eyes looked into Soul's.

"Soul…" Kid gasped. "It wasn't my fault."

"I know," Soul said soothingly. "I know. You didn't do anything." Maka watched the scene curiously. She took in the bags under Soul's eyes, the pale skin and crescent moon shapes on his arms.

Bad day indeed.

"Can you stand?" Soul was asking and Kid shook his head childishly.

"No," he muttered almost angrily. "Can't," Soul sighed and looked over to Maka.

"Are you going to help or are you just going to stand there?" He asked impatiently. "Cause if you're not, leave like everyone else did."

And still, the scream carried on.

Kid leant forward and pressed his forehead against the ground as if he could just sink through it and disappear. Soul groaned and glared at Maka. The depressed teen let loose a little squeak and hastened to help, running over and crouching near Kid's trembling body.

"If we don't calm him down they'll result to sedatives." Soul fretted. "He hates that."

"Kid," Maka said slowly, not really sure what to do or say. She'd never really comforted someone before nor had someone comfort her. "Can you hear me?" Soul shot her a look but she remained focused on the shaking form in front of her. Said form nodded hesitantly.

"Good okay, listen, do you like the scream?" Maka had an idea of what she was doing now, get Kid out of the room and then focus on calming him down.

"N-no," Kid stammered. Soul reached out carefully and ran his fingers through Kid's messy hair.

"So do you want to get away from it?"

"Y-yes,"

"Well then come on," Maka said encouragingly. "If we go back to floor four you won't be able to hear it anymore."

"Really?" Kid looked up and Maka almost gasped in fear. His eyes were blank, red rimmed and fearful. He looked like…like death warmed up. This scream was affecting him, apparently because the scream belonged to someone called Asura.

"Yes," it was Soul who said it since Maka was frozen in shock. "Can you walk?"

"Maybe," Kid seemed to sigh. "But I'm tired."

"No Kid you're not." Soul said firmly. "You can stay awake. Come on, stay awake for me."

"Why?" Maka whispered. "What happens when he goes to sleep?"

"Nightmares," Soul hissed. "Really bad ones. They hit him almost as soon as he falls asleep." He turned back to Kid. "Come one, let's get you up."

Together, Maka and Soul grabbed Kid's arms and hoisted him to his feet. As they did this, the scream reached its crescendo and then…

Stopped…

Kid sagged in their arms, suddenly seeming weak and lost.

"Soul," he muttered, craning his neck to see the boy properly. "Sorry…" He looked over to Maka. "You too Maka…"

"It's okay," Soul said soothingly. "Come on, let's go back downstairs. It's time for group therapy but I think you can skip it today."

"No," Kid grumbled, pulling himself free from their arms. "I want to go. I'm sick of spending every week in the infirmary. I'm fine now, I'm not sick."

"Kid," Maka paused. "Is it up to us whether you go? Nygus saw your…attack and she might say no."

"It was just a small attack." He said moodily. "I have them occasionally. I'm fine now."

"Let's go see what Marie says, she's leading the session again." Soul said firmly and that was that. The three left the room and headed for the stairs, ignoring the eyes following them.


Marie whisked Kid away to the corner so she could talk to him. Maka was forced to go sit down in the circle of chairs, Soul on her left and Liz on her right. The paranoid teen had red rimmed eyes and her left hand was tightly holding Patty's. Her sister was whispering something to her, probably apologising or explaining.

When Maka let her eyes scan the room, she saw that everyone who had been separated had joined up with their respective partners. Kim was giggling with Jacqueline who looked a whole lot happier. Harvar was listening to Ox babble on, a slight smile on his usually blank face. Kilik was with the Pots and Luke with Tami.

Marie re-joined the circle and Kid moved to sit down next to Soul, shifting slightly as everyone turned to look at him. They soon lost interest in him though as Marie stood there and clapped her hands for attention. Even this simple movement seemed cheery when she did it.

"Okay so today we're going to talk about family." Marie said cheerily and everything around Maka crumbled.

Well she was stuffed.

There were a few groans which made Maka glad. Maybe if enough people didn't want to talk, Marie would change the subject.

That hope was quickly wiped away.

"It's a requirement," she said firmly. "You have to say at least one thing about your family. I'll start like always. I'm an only child but both my parents are still alive. They're very polite people and love taking holidays." She gave the group a smile. "See, it's very simple."

There were less groans in answer to this but as Maka looked around to see who looked upset, she noticed that Kid's face was yet again draining of colour. Obviously he did not have fond memories of his family.

Kilik was next to Marie and he sighed, suddenly not looking as cheerful as he usually did.

"I was an only child too and…my mum left my dad a while ago." He said this smoothly but the brief pause in the middle and the clenched fists were signs that he wasn't okay with saying what he'd said.

"Thank you Kilik," Marie smiled brightly at him, obviously pleased. "Thunder, Fire, do you want to say anything? You can speak through Kilik." The twins nodded and Kilik leant over so that they could whisper in his ear.

"They say that everyone in their families are twins, their parents were both twins and their older brothers are twins." Kilik reported, grinning at the twins who grinned back.

"That's cool," Kim called, seemingly impressed with the twin filled family. Jacqueline nodded shyly in agreement. Marie was okay with this answer so they moved onto Luke who had a little sister he loved and then Tami who actually seemed happy to talk about her grandma.

Maka glanced at the clock, noting they still had another hour until free time and then dinner. There was no chance that she wouldn't have to speak about her family.

Sitting next to Tami, the next to speak was Kid. The teen was breathing deeply, fiddling with the buttons on his shirt as Marie thanked Tami for speaking. Glancing at Soul, Maka saw he was also looking at Kid with a concerned expression on his face.

"Okay Kid you ready?" Marie's voice held a tinge of worry but she covered it well. No one else seemed to notice though, just waiting patiently for Kid to speak.

"I h-had a dad and I have a brother." The use of past tense before Kid spoke of his father was not lost on Maka and she frowned. Marie let out a breath however and smiled in a satisfied sort of way.

"Soul, your turn," the therapist moved on quickly and when Maka shot another glance at Kid. He seemed just as relieved as Marie, slumping back in his chair and closing his eyes briefly.

"So I have my parents, both are alive and together. I have an older brother called Wes and he plays the violin. He's really good. He's a genius actually." Soul's voice had been strong and confident but the moment he mentioned his brother he lost this. His voice dropped and he sounded rather…lonely. As if his parents only focused on his brother and he was longing for the slightest bit of attention. Kid seemed to pick up on this, nudging Soul casually. No one else noticed however, maybe it was because Maka and Kid were next to Soul or maybe because the two had been before her in her weakest moments and now they were somehow connected.

"Thankyou Soul," Marie chimed in, startling Maka out of her thoughts. "Maka, you're up."

Well crap…


A man worked onwards into the early hours of the morning, examining notes and calling in favours. Bit by bit he pieced everything together. Old hospital records, birth certificates, title deeds, you name it, he had it.

The phone rang at exactly three in the morning and he frowned, scooping it up from its cradle and pressing it to his ear as he updated a computer file.

"Hello?" A polite but concerned voice filled his ear. "It says here that you are the current guardian of…" She paused as if confused by the name she had been about to say.

"Yep," He jumped in, knowing who she was talking about. "Just for now since he can't be with his father. It won't be permanent, not at all."

"I see…" She paused. "He's woken and…it's not good. Were you aware of his…mental illnesses?" He frowned again.

"No, why?"

"Our head nurse believe it best that he stay at DWMA mental hospital, the one for children. He says that it would be the best place what with the nightmares and everything else."

"And why are you calling me on this?"

"We need your permission to admit him I'm afraid. He has no family members in the right state of mind to do so."

"I found someone," He replied back. "An aunt. I've called her and she was willing to take him in. I'll give you her number and you can talk to her. I'm afraid I am in no place to give permission."

"I see," Her voice was polite as before but she spoke quickly "I must be going, an emergency has come up. We will speak again soon." She hung up at this and he slumped back into his chair, shoving the phone back into its cradle. Then he pushed all the notes aside to reveal a slightly tattered brochure. He'd been given it a few weeks before on the advice that he should give permission for a family member to be admitted there.

'DWMA Mental Hospital for Children and Teenagers' stared up at him and he sighed, glancing at the clock, wondering if he could call at this hour. He decided not to but he made a note in his diary to call later.

He had to do what was best for Soul.

Well, there we go. This took forever and I'm sorry.

Happy Halloween to all who celebrate it. Soon it will be Christmas.

Thanks for answering my question before, I had another one but I've forgotten. I shall remember soon!

*Flies away*

Also if you feel like it, drop a review. Your choice of course, I am not a heavenly being despite the rumours.