Sorry I Couldn't be Better 26- Family Reunion

So I've gone through and edited all the chapters. There shouldn't be any major changes, Kilik just has some anger issues as well now and I fixed the main issue of accidentally making Fire a girl. Everything else should just be grammar and the odd added line.

Oh but in 'Aquarium Nightmare' I explained a few other things that happened at the zoo. "Kid also started re-doing a random girls' hair, Thunder and Fire got lost in the nocturnal house and Ox began a speech during the macaw show." Yup, that's what else happened at the zoo.

Also this is a special extra-long chapter. Cause where I originally stopped it didn't feel right. And I've done enough cliff-hangers which was what it was. I hope it's not a bad thing and makes people lose interest.

Okay here are the replies to guests.

Guest August 8: Indeed XD
Guest August 12: Love the enthusiasm. And the song they're talking about is in fact, the one you thought about
Guest August 21: I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. Cassie does deserve it, she wasn't a very nice person. Why didn't you like the aquarium parts? Hope you like this update.

And a mega thanks to all who follow, favourite and read.

Disclaimer: Soul Eater is owned by a person who is not me.


"He locked Soul in here?" Maka gasped as she watched the two brothers face off.

"Soul…," Kid hesitated and then shook his head.

"Perhaps you'd like to talk in private," Stein took charge. "Come along Soul. "We'll go to my office. I know why you're here Wes."

The three left quickly. An awkward silence swept the teens. Maka could practically feel the day's happiness draining away by the second. She shuddered as a cold wind blew through them. This seemed to jolt Marie from her thoughts.

"Let's all get inside. Free time until dinner. Thunder, Fire, mind coming with me?" She said quickly and hurried them all inside. The day might have been warm but the nights were cold in the city.

The elevator ride up was quiet and when the doors opened, they all scattered. Maka was left behind with Liz, Patty and Tsubaki.

"We could play a board game?" Liz suggested as they headed aimlessly towards the red room with the squishy armchair circle.

"Jenga!" Patty cheered.

"We're not allowed jenga in here. Plus it's not even a board game." Liz reminded her. "How about trivial pursuit?"

"But Ox always wins." Patty whined.

"Ox isn't here," Liz said dryly. "He went to his room. It's just us four girls."

"Oh yeah," Patty seemingly shrugged off Liz's offensive tone. "Well then I'm the pink pie!"

"Blue," Tsubaki put in.

"Purple," Liz called in next.

"Green I guess," Maka watched as Liz grabbed the game and began to set it up. It became apparent later that no one's hearts were really in the game.

"Why would Soul's brother just show up?" Maka asked after Liz had said that Jesus had led the Jewish people out of Egypt and ended her turn.

"He was S-Soul's brother?" Tsubaki looked shocked. No one must have heard Maka and Kid's conversation.

"That's what Kid said." Maka chose her reply carefully. "I mean…he did look like an older version of Soul. But he was too young to be his dad so it'd have to be a brother."

"I guess," Liz plucked a question card out the box but did nothing with it. "But why'd he show up? We had the perfect day and he's gone and ruined it."

"Soul looked really upset." Patty said sadly. "I…I don't think I wanna play anymore." She got up and left the room abruptly. Liz stared after her but made no move to follow.

"She gets like that sometimes," was all the older sister said. "It's best to just leave her alone for now."

"Let's just p-pack up." Tsubaki suggested. "I t-think I'll just go read for a w-while." She scooped up the pieces whilst Liz folded up the board and Maka slotted the cards back into their box. Soon, there was no sign the game had even been played.

Tsubaki scurried away and left Maka and Liz sitting alone in the rec room. Liz sat back on her hands and groaned.

"What a day." She sighed. "I can't wait for bed." She flinched as the wind rattled the windows and shuffled closer to Maka.

"Same," Maka agreed. "Hey Liz, what's it like sharing a room?"

"Well you're never lonely." Liz didn't seem surprised by the question. "But you never get the chance to be alone. Patty and I can't go both and sulk in our rooms. But…I need Patty to be close to me. So I've learnt to not get bothered by small nuisances."

"It is lonely being alone." Maka thought of her room. "But at the same time, I can't imagine sharing a room with anyone. I've never even had a sleepover."

"Really?" Liz leapt to her feet. "I've had the best idea! We need to finish this day with a bang! I'll be right back." She dashed off.

Maka stared after her. What did she do now? Liz had said she'd be right back but she didn't feel like hanging around. She wanted to find Kid and ask him what he'd been about to say before. Would he be in his room? She was Soul's friend too and she wanted to know. Soul had seemed so frantic and panicked when he'd seen his brother. And Kid had said he'd locked Soul away here.

She set off in the direction of the boy's rooms, glad that she knew her way around better than the last time she'd set off wandering on her own. She ran into Ox who gave her a polite hello and continued on.

She found Kid's room and knocked quickly on it before she could chicken out. There was a brief moment before it swung open.

"Oh hi Maka," Kid said gloomily. "Come in. Can I re-do your hair? It's not symmetrical."

"Sure," Maka moved into his room. It was very neat and surprisingly bare. His clothes were hung up in his wardrobe, his bed neatly made and a box tucked under it. There were a few photos stuck in a straight line on the wall. There were six in total.

He gestured to his bed and she perched on it awkwardly, letting him undo her hair.

"I guess you want to ask about Soul." Kid said as he parted her hair. "He told me you know a little about me."

"Uh sorry about that. It was when you…you know…" Maka twisted her fingers nervously.

"I don't really care." Kid sighed. "I mean, it's in the past. My dad liked to beat me up for fun. He's in jail now." He sighed again. "Dad wanted the perfect son. And no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't be him."

"Kid…" Maka didn't know what to say. Sure, Soul had told her things. But coming from Kid…what he'd gone through had severely affected who he was today. Maka would have been too afraid to even speak of it again. But here Kid was, telling her it.

"It's alright now." Kid fiddled with a hair tie. "I used to be a lot worse. But dad's in jail for life and I'm here. I don't know if I can ever have a normal…well…regular life again but I'm safe here and that's what matters. Dad can't hurt me ever again."

"Good,"

"But anyway, you wanted to know about Soul." Kid began to work on the other pony tail.

"If…that's okay." Maka tilted her head slightly. "You were about to say something before, when we were all in the carpark."

"Yeah," Kid sat down beside her, her hair all done. "Soul isn't getting any better."

"What?" Maka frowned. "What does that mean?"

"Exactly what I just said." Kid laughed bitterly. "Soul's been here for as long as I have and he's not getting better. The last person in here like Soul who didn't get better, well, he got sent away to a private hospital. They don't try to help people like Soul there. They just keep them comfortable. I guess Soul's time is up and he'll be leaving us soon." Kid buried his head in his hands.

"What?" Maka repeated. "They can't do that. They can't give up on Soul. That's not fair!"

"Sucks doesn't it." Kid's voice was muffled. "But it's been so long. I might even end up there with him." He laughed, softer this time. "At least we'd be together."

"But you can't!" Maka leapt off the bed. "That's not fair. You can't just give up on people. So what if they're not getting better. If you just give up on them, then of course they'll never get better."

"Maka," Kid said gently. "It's alright. Believe it or not, DWMA has as many sad endings as it does happy ones. Around half of the people here never fully recover. Maybe Ox and Luke will. Or Thunder and Fire…maybe. Tsubaki and Patty are doing okay and so is Tami. But Liz, Harvar, BlackStar, Jacqueline, Crona, Kilik, Soul and me, well…we're lost causes. We've been here for so long and we're not getting anywhere. Jacqueline and Liz might be able to leave this place and make lives for themselves even if it's hard. Maybe even BlackStar. But…but the rest of us are stuck like this." Kid shook his head sadly. "Our own minds have turned against us."

Maka bit her lip. So her friends here on floor four…most of them weren't getting better. That hurt. They seemed okay in here. Sure at times they lost control of themselves but it wasn't that much…right?

But out in the public it must've been different. In the chaotic and judgmental world outside the hospital, it must be ten times worse.

And why was Kilik included in there. He was in here for some slight anger issues and substance abuse. That didn't sound too bad. Or was there more to Kilik? Just like there was more to everyone in this place.

Then she realised something.

"Kid…what about me?" She whispered, half afraid of the answer.

"Sorry Maka, I don't know." Kid smiled sadly. "I honestly don't know."


Maka left Kid alone after that and when she arrived back at her room, Liz was waiting for her.

"There you are!" The paranoid teen burst out. "I said I'd be back soon but you were gone."

"Sorry," Maka said. "I went to find Kid."

"Oh," Liz calmed down. "Well Marie agreed to my plan. Guess what we're doing tonight?"

"What?" Maka leant against the wall, slightly curious. Liz had really perked up.

"We're having a group sleepover!" Liz cheered. "It's going to be the best night ever! We can cheer everyone up and it'll be your first ever sleepover Maka! We all have to go meet in the rec room now. Tsubaki knows and she's rounding up everyone else." Liz paused briefly. "Except for Patty. She's having a low but hers never last long. She'll be fine by tonight."

"Thank you so much Liz." Maka smiled at her friend. "It means a lot." Liz surprised her by suddenly hugging her.

"I'm really glad you're here Maka." She whispered. She held on tightly for a brief moment before pulling away and dragging Maka towards the rec room.

Everyone but Soul and Patty were there. Marie called Liz up to the front with her.

"Liz has had a great idea for a way to end today." Marie beamed. "We're going to be having a sleepover in the rec room!"

"Yay!" BlackStar burst out. Loud conversations broke out as the idea sunk in and most people agreed. Maka noticed that Jacqueline and Harvar didn't look as happy. But the other's enthusiasm was catching and very soon, those two were smiling as well.

"We'll set out mattresses if you guys bring your pillows and blankets and toys to the rec room after dinner. Remember to come in your pyjamas." Marie instructed. "It's dinner time now so off you go."

"I wonder if Soul will be at dinner." BlackStar wondered aloud. "I need to tell him about this dream I had." He skipped ahead.

"I hope Patty comes to dinner." Liz chewed her lip anxiously. "She needs food."

"I'm sure she w-will." Tsubaki comforted her. "After all, she'll w-want to make her food tower."

"Of course," Liz brightened. "I hope the food's safe though. We were away all day, who knows what's happened." She strode ahead confidently.

"Today's been good for everyone." Kid observed, a small smile tugging at his lips. "The therapists planned it perfectly. It was just what we needed to lift out spirits."

"This hospital really is the best place for people like us." A quiet voice that Maka barely recognised spoke up. She spun and saw Harvar staring at her blankly.

"Did you just speak?" She whispered. Sid had said that the boy hadn't spoken to anyone unless ordered for two years. Harvar shook his head and then turned to look at Kilik. The boy grinned.

"Guilty as charged." He joked. No wonder Maka hadn't recognised his voice. He had spoken so quietly and sullenly compared to his cheerful tone or his aggressive one.

"Sorry," Maka apologised to the both of them. "I didn't recognise your voice Kilik." The boy laughed and with that, they entered the dining hall.

Around twenty minutes into the meal, Soul and Patty joined them. Patty instantly began making a food tower with help from Kid and BlackStar whilst Soul just poked at his food absently. Maka knew better than to bother him right now. She'd have been the same if, say, her parents had dropped by. Not that they ever would.

Everyone bar Tami finished their food quickly. She stayed behind to finish eating whilst everyone else went to get changed and drag their bedding to the rec room. Liz filled in Patty on what was going on and Kid explained it to Soul.

When Maka arrived back at the rec room with her quilt and a pillow, Ox, Harvar and Kilik were the only ones there. Harvar was poking some buttons on his camera, Ox was fiddling with his weird hair spikes and Kilik was moving a mattress next to the one he'd claimed, probably for the twins. It wouldn't have surprised Maka if they slept in the same bed.

One by one, the others piled into the room. Maka ended up on a mattress in-between Soul and Liz. BlackStar had made sure he was far away from Kid for reasons Maka didn't know until Liz told her a story that had happened at the last sleepover. Something about Kid scaring BlackStar, much like the teen had done to her in the infirmary one time.

Marie, Sid, Nygus and Azusa sat at the front of the room whilst everyone settled down. Maka observed the cuddly toys that everyone seemed to have.

Liz and Patty had fluffy rabbits, one white and one grey. Tsubaki was clinging to a…soft fuzzy bumble bee. BlackStar had a star with dangly arms and legs. Maka had to laugh at that one. Kid had a neatly embroidered blanket which was of course, perfectly symmetrical. Soul had a cute yet creepy demon.

Jacqueline had a racoon dog or a tanuki as she called it.

"From Kim," she'd said shyly. "It took her ages to give it to me, she was actually pretty scared and down on herself when she first came here."

Tami had a carrot (eh?) and Luke had a polar bear. Thunder had a cloud and Fire had a fire demon of some sort. Kilik had a dolphin, Ox didn't have a toy but he had a dictionary and Harvar had a stuffed chess piece, a knight. Crona was clutching some black bulbous shape.

"Okay let's play some fun games." Marie smiled. "How about some would you rather? You all know the rules though. Let's all get in a circle!"

Everyone hurried to comply, still clutching their assorted toys, blankets and Ox's book. Maka felt left out, her hands just sitting in her lap.

"Here," Liz passed Maka something. It was a soft black kitten, almost identical to Maka's cat. "I figured you wouldn't have one so I brought you this old one of ours." It was battered but soft and Maka couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you," she smiled.

"Who wants to start?" Nygus asked.

"Me!" BlackStar yelled.

"Remember, nothing triggering." Azusa said sternly. "And I'll be the judge of what we can allow."

"Ox, would you rather cut off your hair spikes or fail a test?" BlackStar burst out. Everyone's eyes flew to Ox who looked shocked.

"Cut my hair spikes," he said eventually. "I'd rather be bald then…then fail."

"Oops," Maka heard Marie mutter as she walked around the outside of the circle. "That was triggering for Ox. Shit," Maka blinked in surprise. She'd never heard Marie swear.

"Not that you'd ever fail a test." Maka heard herself saying and felt glad when Ox smiled and straightened up.

"Normally we try and tell Ox that it's okay to not be the best." Marie paused beside her and whispered. "But good job. That could have ended in disaster." Pride flooded Maka.

"Tami, would you rather dye your hair pale pink or pale green?" Ox asked the teen.

"Pale pink," Tami said after a brief pause. "I think it'd look nice. Fire, would you rather swim in a pool or chocolate milk or a pool of lemonade?"

Thunder held up one finger. Chocolate milk. She then whispered into Kilik's ear.

"She asked if I'd rather kneeboard or water ski. I guess kneeboard. That'd be fun." He shrugged. "Uh…Patty, would you rather have a polar bear as a pet or an elephant."

"Elephant!" Patty burst out. "I could ride it and it could give me a shower with its trunk." She probably would've gone on but Azusa cut in smoothly.

"Who will you ask now Patty?"

"Oh Liz!" Patty's enthusiasm didn't die away at the interruption. "Sis! Would you rather use a gun or a sword?"

"What?" Liz frowned. "Uh…neither?" She shuddered. "I would never ever use something like a gun or a sword."

"Sorry," Patty swung her legs.

"Yes Patty, maybe no more questions like that." Azusa said gently. "Do you want to ask a different question?"

"Okay," Patty brightened. "Would you rather go on a submarine or a plane?"

"Plane…" Liz said after a very, very long pause. "But I'd still hate it. You never know what'll happen up there in the air."

They continued playing for a while. Tsubaki asked Maka if she'd rather be an author or an actress to which she answered author. Another time, Luke asked her if she would rather go to Africa or Asia. She had to think about it before answering Asia.

They stopped the game at ten and settled in for the night, snuggling under the covers and taking last minute medicine. Maka stroked her stuffed cat absently. Soul was lying next to her, staring at the roof. He'd been quiet the whole evening, muttering his answers or simply shrugging. His talk with Wes must have really ruined his mood.

"You can talk for about twenty minutes." Nygus decided. "And then off to bed." Everyone clambered out of their beds to chat with their friends.

"No pillow fights!" Sid yelled over the noise. "I mean it!" There was a few groans and BlackStar dropped his pillow and scowled.

"This was such a g-great idea Liz." Tsubaki said once the teens had huddled into their groups. Her eyes were shining. "What an a-amazing day."

"Thanks," Liz beamed. "But Maka put the idea in my head." She looked casually towards the windows. "Do you think Marie locked the windows?"

"Why don't you go check?" BlackStar suggested.

"I'll do it!" Patty struggled to her feet and skipped off. Kid began to fuss with everyone's quilts.

"It is most satisfying to sleep in a symmetrical environment." He said wisely.

"I'll take you word for it." Soul muttered dryly.

"I thought we were going to get hot chocolate and marshmallows." Patty came back.

"All of this was pretty short notice." Maka tried to calm her. It worked and the group continued to talk until Sid roared for silence and flicked the lights out.

Maka could hear Soul's even breathing on one side and Liz's short erratic breaths on the other. The room was pitch black and Maka felt herself relax.

She drifted off to sleep.


Sometime in the night, Maka woke up. The room was not as dark as it had been when she went to sleep and she could see the shapes of her friends lying around her.

She saw Soul lying awake, still staring at the ceiling. She sat up slightly and saw Liz awake too, her eyes scanning the room. Kid and Harvar were awake too. And now Maka was awake with them.

"Maka," Soul whispered. "Two months." And then he rolled over. Maka wanted to sit up straight, tug Soul and beg him to tell her what he meant. Two months? Two months? Would Soul be locked away for good in two months?

Maka's mind was racing so fast. That wasn't fair. It wasn't fair!

Welcome to life Maka. It's never fair

Not you

Yes me

Not now

Yes now

…..

Ignoring me Maka. How childish

….

Ah how clever. Escaping in the only way you can

The voice couldn't touch Maka when she was sleep. And slept she did.

And this time, woke up to screaming.


Kid. Soul. Liz.

Those three names were the first that filled Maka's head. If someone was going to be screaming, it was them, right?

Jacqueline. Patty. BlackStar.

It was those three names next.

Maybe Harvar. Maybe Crona. If it wasn't any of those six.

There was a name right at the bottom of her list, the least likely person to be screaming. And yet there they were, screaming loudly as they tangled themselves in their sheets. They were trapped in a dream.

"Wake him up!" A girl's voice screamed, frightened yet strong.

"Hurry!" A boy yelled, his voice cracking.

Nygus and Sid leapt into action, positioning themselves on either side of the boy. Crona was crying in the corner and Jacqueline had her hands pressed against her ears.

"It can't be," Maka heard Liz whisper. "Not him."

"Sis," Patty clung to Liz.

"He was fine." Nygus said crisply as she held his limbs down. "He was fine before. There was no sign of an attack. There's always a sign."

"I know." Sid said sadly. "I know."

"I shouldn't have said yes. It was a long day." Marie fretted.

"Then it's my fault." Liz wrung her hands.

"No," Patty protested.

"We…we made a mistake. It was an amazing idea and we had a fun night. We just didn't see any signs." Azusa combed her fingers through her hair. "It's probably best if you all go back to your rooms. I'll help Crona. Marie, please calm Thunder and Fire. Liz, this isn't your fault. Quickly all of you."

Blankets and toys were scooped up and everyone made for the door. The scream died away and was replaced with quiet sobs.

The others were deathly quiet as they walked, their bare feet making no sound. Maka hung around the door briefly with her friends as they stared into the room. The therapists worked to calm down the people left in the room.

"They spoke…" Tsubaki breathed.

"It is my fault." Liz mumbled.

"Kilik," Maka whispered. "What…what's going on?"


"Let's go back to my room." Liz said as the group trooped through the corridors. "I don't think any of us can sleep and we have two beds."

There was a quiet chorus of agreements and they ended up in the slightly messy room of the sisters. The girls took Liz's bed and the boys perched on Patty's.

"What was that all about?" Maka burst out as soon as they had sat down.

"Kilik has…attacks." Soul said carefully. "Usually there's a warning so we never see them. The staff here are all so nice to Kilik to keep him from getting stressed. Apparently it's usually stress that triggers them. For some reason, there was no warning today."

"And they don't know how to stop them?" Maka pressed. Soul just shook his head.

"They can't," Liz said dully. "They're a part of Kilik now. He's…he's unstable."

So that was why Kid had said Kilik was probably a lost cause. To live with these attacks would be terrible. He could probably never get a job. He couldn't live alone.

And you were jealous of him. You hated the fact that everyone was nice to him. You thought he was fine. And he wasn't. Isn't.

That wasn't the voice though. It was Maka, scolding herself. She thought she'd worked it out. She knew that no one here was okay. And yet she'd made the mistake of assuming Kilik was.

"They spoke," Tsubaki said suddenly, the same words she'd said as they'd watched Kilik cry and scream. And Maka remembered with a jolt.

"Wake him up!"

"Hurry!"

"I've never heard them speak in all my time here." Kid whispered. He leant against Soul wearily.

"It was still an amazing day." Patty said strongly. "Look at the time. Technically, it's not even the day we went to the aquarium and started the sleepover. So we had an awesome day and today has just started off a bit bad. But we can bounce back." The childish girl was unusually wise as she said this, sounding deadly serious as her words sunk in.

"It probably wasn't even the sleepover that s-set him off." Tsubaki joined in. "Anything at the aquarium could h-have. It was just bad luck."

"So it's not your fault Liz." BlackStar gave a wobbly smile. Then, he added, "Or yours Maka."

Maka stared at the boy. How had he known? She had been thinking back to the start of the day, to the whole drama with Cassie. BlackStar was more observant than she had thought.

"I guess we'll never be able to have an excursion go well." Liz joked weakly.

"But what about the trip to the museum?" Kid said suddenly. "That went fine."

"I w-wasn't there for that." Tsubaki stammered.

"I think it was only us three boys." Soul said thoughtfully. "And Harvar, Jacqueline, Kilik and Crona. I'm pretty sure it was my first trip on floor four."

"Same," Kid nodded. "I came up with you a year early."

"Hey that's not fair." Patty protested. "Don't talk about stuff we don't know about. Let's talk about the adventure playground!"

"But Maka and Tsubaki weren't there for that." Liz reminded her. "Don't be such a hypocrite." She tickled her sister and Patty dissolved into squeals of laughter.

"Here you are." A flustered Marie suddenly popped her head into the sister's bedroom. "Come on guys, back to your own rooms. Everything's fine now." She gave them a tired smile.

"Sorry," the group apologised and began to scatter. Kid, Soul and BlackStar headed off together whilst Maka and Tsubaki walked towards their rooms.

"Tsubaki," Maka said once they had reached the shy girl's room. "Do you ever think you'll be able to leave here?" Tsubaki paused.

"I can only hope." She said, with no trace of her usual stutter. "Azusa says I'm making e-excellent progress." And it was back. "She thinks…it might be soon. Goodnight Maka." Tsubaki slipped into her room and was gone.

Maka stared at the closed door for a brief moment before spinning around and making her way to her room, her quilt draped over her shoulders and toy cat clutched in her arms. Her pillow was still in the rec room but she didn't care.

She collapsed onto her bed, adjusted the quilt and fell fast asleep the moment she let her mind and body still.

There were no more disturbances and she slept peacefully for the rest of the night.


The next morning at breakfast, Kilik and the Pots were acting as if nothing had happened and Maka sensed it was wise to just go along with it like everyone else was. She scraped some butter onto her toast and ate it slowly as her friends ate beside her. Sid came in sometime through breakfast and took Soul away to talk.

"He said something about two months to me last night." Maka couldn't help but tell Kid. He was Soul's best friend after all.

"Then that's probably how much time he has left," was all Kid said before he continued to brush Patty's hair whilst the younger girl stacked up her toast.

Maka nodded slowly and continued to eat until Marie came and led them off to the gym for some P.E. They ended up just playing some fun games like line chasey and hoop ball. Kilik seemed listless and eventually asked to sit out. Thunder and Fire joined him at the side of the gym and they just watched the games.

Maka found she wanted to apologise to the boy for being jealous of him and thinking that he was alright. But at the same time, she was too scared to. Perhaps she'd talk to Marie or Azusa about it. The big dramas were over and the routine was continuing. She was sure to have a single therapy session sooner or later.

And sure enough, Azusa swept in during lunch and called Maka for a session.

"Bring your lunch with you." The stern lady said and Maka obliged, taking her apple and the rest of her sandwich.

Once there, Azusa took out her notebook and pen and fixed Maka with a kind look.

"We've been a through a lot these past few days." Her therapist began kindly. "How are you coping?"

"I feel…raw." Maka sighed. "First the drama with Kid and then the aquarium and finally Kilik. It's been tough." She found it a lot easier to speak to Azusa now that she was determined to get better.

"That's understandable." Azusa nodded and wrote something down. "And last night? Are you alright? No patient here has ever seen one of Kilik's attacks except for the Pots. I understand if you're struggling."

"I want to apologise." Maka burst out.

"What?"

"I was jealous of Kilik." Maka admitted, staring at her hands. "All the staff were so nice to him and he was so happy and nothing seemed wrong. And I feel bad because I shouldn't have made that assumption. I know very well that nothing is black and white here. Yet I slipped up and based my thoughts of Kilik on assumptions. It was stupid of me and I'm really sorry."

"Oh Maka," Azusa adjusted her glasses. "You've grown so much since you came here. You were snappy and didn't really warm up to anyone. You were so desperate to prove you were fine but then that all changed. You became more aware of who you were as a person and made friends. You're very self-aware Maka and whilst sometimes that is your downfall, it can also be strength." Azusa gave her a smile. "And you've helped everyone here. It's been a long time since we've had someone like you come to DWMA Maka. Someone who is compassionate and kind but not condescending and pitying. Everyone will be sad to see you go."

"See me go?" Maka's heart began to race. "Are you sending me home? I can't go back. I c-can't." Her voice cracked. She couldn't go back to that empty house with the blank eyes and lack of anything warm and loving.

"Of course not." Azusa wrote in her notebook. "But there is something I'd like to do." She fixed Maka with another look. "I would like to bring your parents in for a chat."


No…

No!

NO

No, no, no, no, no, NO!

No. Just…just no. She couldn't deal with that. Couldn't face the people who had driven her to despair. And she didn't want Azusa or Marie or anyone to meet them either. They were her burden to bear and no one else's.

"I understand if you need some time to think about it Maka." Azusa said, not unkindly. "But I do think it would be beneficial. How about you go find Kilik. I think we've done enough for today." She closed the notebook and stood up.

"He won't be stressed if I bring it up?" Maka hesitated.

"He's learnt to accept it." Azusa adjusted her glasses. "He was a lot sadder in the beginning."

"Where is everyone now?" Maka stood up. Azusa paused.

"The school room, I believe." She said finally. "Come, I'll show you the way."

"The school room?" Maka frowned.

"Of course," Azusa laughed. "Some of the teens here have been here for over three years. They need to learn. And school has just started again after holidays which is when you came in. Of course there's no pressure or stress but we try our best." She swept out the room, Maka following behind.


The school room was pleasant and overly cheery. The teacher at the front of the room, a kind looking woman with twinkly eyes, was scribbling something about poetry on the board.

"War poems!" BlackStar called. She wrote that down.

"Haiku," Tsubaki added. This was noted as well.

"So English right now," Azusa nodded approvingly. "Come on Liz," she motioned with her head. "Time for your session." The paranoid teen nodded and left with the therapist.

"Welcome Maka," the teacher smiled. "I'm the English teacher, Ms McInerney. We're doing poetry right now. Please, take a seat." Maka obliged and the lesson began again.

Maka loved English, it was her favourite subject. But poetry…she'd never been very good at it.

"Let's all write a poem." Ms McInerney suggested.

"Urgh," Soul muttered. "This is pointless for me." And he refused to write. Maka bit her lip. She was sure she knew why Soul thought learning poetry was pointless. In two months…he would be gone. That's what Maka assumed and deep down, she knew she was right.

Maka hunched over her paper and let her mind and body separate. She wrote what she felt, almost as if in a daze. And then she looked down.

Do you not see me?
I'm waving, I'm crying
Can you not see me?
I'm slipping, I'm dying

Have your eyes grown blind?
In the years our bond paled
Has your heart grown still
Has your quest for justice faded?

Your eyes have lost their spark
And your body, your light
As I let go of my lifeline
I pray you'll join me this night

Maka crumpled the poem up and shoved it in her pocket. It was terrible. It was the most horrible thing she'd ever written.

And it was the truth. It was Maka in a three stanza poem, four lines in each. And she hated that.

"We'll look at your poems next time we have English." Ms McInerney closed her book. "I believe you have science tomorrow. Mr Costanzo will be coming in."

There was groans from everyone.

"Is he a bad teacher?" Maka whispered to Tsubaki.

"He c-can be." Tsubaki smiled nervously. "In terms of a-attitude. If we weren't in a mental hospital, he'd p-probably be ten times worse. But h-he's good at actually teaching us."

"Let's head off to group therapy." Kid spoke and they all hurried off. Maka hung back, waiting for Kilik and the Pots to leave.

"Kilik," she said when he exited the classroom. "Can I…can I talk to you?"

"Uh sure," Kilik looked confused. "Is it okay if Thunder and Fire are here? We don't like to separate after an attack." Even after what had happened, he still spoke strongly.

"I want to apologise." Maka said in a rush. "I'm sorry Kilik."

"Why?" Kilik frowned.

"Because I was jealous of you." Maka said truthfully. "All the staff were so affectionate around you. And you were so strong and happy. I was trying so hard to not make assumptions yet I found myself doing it with you. And last night has made me see how stupid I was."

"Aha," Kilik laughed. "I'm the one who should be sorry you had to see that. And if anything, those attacks are my fault."

"Why?" Maka couldn't help but ask.

"Because I wrecked by body. I lost control because I thought the only way to escape was through illegal substances." Kilik shrugged. "That's in the past now. It's the side effects I'm dealing with. But I'm fine. So there's no need to apologise." He crouched down so that he was level with Thunder and Fire. "And I have my best friends here with me. So honestly, I am kind of happy. I don't let the attacks wear me down." He scooped up the twins so that they perched on his shoulders. "Thunder and Fire have gone through a lot too. But when we're together, we're invincible." He laughed loudly. "Let's go to group therapy." He said cheerfully and galloped off, Thunder and Fire waving at Maka.

The depressed teen smiled and shook her head.

"I wish I could be like that," she whispered. And then followed after him. She had a lot to think about. Azusa wanted her to see her parents.

And she was scared.

One time we were playing Trivial Pursuit for Kids with our cousins who go to a catholic school and she was asked 'who led the Jewish people out of Egypt. Jesus, Moses or Noah or something like that. And she was like 'JESUS!' And we still laugh about it to this day.

As you can see, I'm trying to give each patient apart from the main group their time in the spotlight. For instance, Crona and Kim. It was Kilik and the Pots turn this time!

I had a weird dream about this story the other night. It's hard to explain but the hospital was my grandparent's house, BlackStar was swimming around in the pool and Soul was in solitary confinement which was in fact, a recycling bin. Fun but weird.

Please review if you want to. Or not. *shrugs*