An updated version of this chapter. I didn't change much, just some added clarification, as I had some complaints with the first posting.

Chapter Eighteen: How Things Change

*Flashback*

She had been in the training center for hours, waiting and waiting for her stupid old man to show up to teach her a few handling tricks. It was nothing new; he rarely showed up, and when he did it was always accompanied by the obvious tells of his sexual escapades: red lipstick staining his neck and clothing, a few indents and scratches of the feminine nature here and there, swollen lips, and sweat-dampened hairline, as well as the guilty smile he plastered over his idiotic face. It disgusted her. She could always depend on her mother for anything, and to her papa's credit, he did well for the first year or so after her passing in an attempt to console Maka, but habits die hard and the perverted old man slowly relinquished his hard-working, fatherly figure to be overcome with his wandering hands and leering eyes. She didn't trust him - with good reason - and had taken to training by herself or with any sparring partner that would be a challenge. She learned quickly to react based on instinct, not having been guided properly due to the loss of her mother and her absent slut of a father.

"You're rather talented," came an oddly cartoonish voice. Maka turned from her punching bag to be met with a man dressed in all black, a strange white mask covering his face, and white gloves over his hands. She stepped back with a cringe, feeling discomforted by his presence.

"Uhhh, thanks?"

"You must be Maka Albarn, Kami and Spirit's daughter?"

"How did you … who are you?" Her expression went from surprised to concerned within the blink of an eye as she glared whole-heartedly at him, making him chuckle.

"Ah, pardon me. You can call me Lefu, a pleasure," he amended, sticking out his hand for a handshake. She looked down at it and then back up to his hidden face, her brow quirking in ridicule.

"Weird name. Never heard of you."

"Not surprising … a bit hurtful to hear that neither of your parents cared to mention me, but no matter. I've come to speak with you about an opportunity to hone in on and enhance your skills, Maka. I know your parents well; your father was once my death scythe for many years, and your mother … It really is a shame, she was truly a magnificent meister. Anywho, I would like to offer you a seat at my school."

"Your … school? For what?" She was still glaring strongly at the strange man as he went on, not sure if she could trust him or not.

"The DWMA: Death Weapon Meister Academy."

"Wait … the legendary University? The one that my parents both went to; where they met?"

"That's the one," he affirmed, nodding in delight at her sudden brightness. Judging from her reaction, it seemed that Maka had a very strong interest in the DWMA and would more than likely agree to attend the academy. "I'm offering you a scholarship if you'll take it."

"But … you don't even know me."

"I know enough about you from your parents and I may or may not have taken the liberty to view your GPA. Impressive, I must say."

"That's, uh, … kinda weird, don't you think?"

"It would've been ruder of me to offer you a scholarship at my prestigious school only to take it away if your grades had turned out to not be up to par." He turned, chuckling as he found himself to be quite comedic. "For the time being, I would like to train you a bit today to really see where your skill level is at, so that I may place you within the proper courses. You will be joining us at DWMA, won't you?" Maka had to take a moment to think about it. Obviously, this had been something that she had dreamed about since she was a kid and her mama had told her all of these amazing stories about Lord Death and all of the teachers; how luxurious the school was, etc. She wanted so badly to say yes, but then … there was papa. She would be leaving him all alone, but didn't she deserve to pursue her future and better herself? Only the best of the best could get into Death Weapon Meister Academy, and here was her chance, offered to her on a silver platter by the dean himself.

"I'll … I'll have to discuss it with my dad first." She had resolved to at least letting him know if nothing else; taking him into consideration as her father was the least she could do. He may have screwed up a frickin ton, but he had tried and tried still, though less and less, it seemed. Maybe with her gone, he'd be free from the obligation to take care of her and get his act together or … maybe he would sink even lower than when mama had passed away.

"Good, you're a responsible girl - very admirable. In the meantime, why don't we get in a bit of sparring?" She smiled, feeling more and more at ease in this strange man's presence. He might have looked a bit peculiar and acted somewhat contradictory to his attire, but his aura was not at all threatening … not toward her, anyway.

"Sure."

"So, … you're leaving?"

"I would like to… to strengthen my abilities and learn from the best. DWMA is the best school for meisters and weapons."

"But, I can train you."

"That's just it, papa. You could, but you haven't, and you know you won't. I wait for you nearly every day, and six and a half times out of seven, you don't show or you come in in all of your inappropriate glory. I … I need this. I have a chance, just like you and mama had, and I have to take it." This was hard. After everything they had been through - Maka's high school career and her mother's death shortly after her discharge and transfer - they both had no one but each other left in this world; none that would understand what they as a family had been through together, and yet she had to leave for herself. She had to get stronger.

Maka was met with silence as her father sat slumped in his chair, his elbows resting on his knees, his forehead pressed, discouraged down into his wet palms. His hands were sweaty, clammy, and ridden with his tears. She knew it was going to be difficult for him to let her go; it would be difficult to leave him, but after her sparring match with who she now knew was the Shinigami - Lord Death of the DWMA - she had resolved that she couldn't let the opportunity slip through her fingers.

"... I understand. I'll contact Lefu and have him come pick you up this weekend." She wanted to ask him if he was sure, but she knew that he wasn't and didn't want her to go; that he also knew that this was what was best for her and her future. He was well aware of how he embarrassed her but did little to nothing to prevent said humiliation besides just not showing up for her. Letting go of her was one of the hardest things he would ever go through, but one of the best things he could do for her.

"I … I'm-"

"You'll love it there; they have a huuuuge library that you'll have access to 24/7, and the food is great, the dorms are nice … you'll love it, just like your mother and I both did." Finally, he nodded, almost to reassure himself as he wiped at his face while he sniffled. He stood abruptly and reached out for his daughter; for his princess; his one last treasure. "Can I ask for just … one last hug for your papa?" Tears began to stream down his red cheeks again, unable to hold himself back as his eyes met those of his beautiful Maka's. She stepped forward, arms outstretched to accept his embrace for the first time since her mother had passed away, and as he squeezed her, his sobs filling the room, he hiccupped in surprise at the wetness that moistened the front of his shirt where Maka firmly pressed her gorgeous face into his chest. Even though everything felt like it was falling apart around him, the small action, though silent and somber, comforted them both as a peace came to surround them - a gentle knowing that everything was going to be okay.

"Students get apartments?" She gaped at the two-bedroom, two-bath with a full-sized kitchen, living room, dining room and balcony for both rooms. This place was a hell of a lot nicer than she had expected initially and Maka felt thrown for a loop. "With no extra fee or anything?"

"Of course! It's very important that each student has their own space to rejuvenate after a long day of training and school. Your roommate is still at her last session, but I'm sure that you'll get along."

"I'm not complaining, but why would we need our own separate bathrooms?"

"Well, some of our students are already paired with a weapon or meister, so they are required to share a living space; however, the majority are paired with the opposite gender, hence the need for separate spaces."

"Oh, …" Maka wasn't sure how she felt about that. She knew the statistics revolving around weapons and meisters, but living together? Was that really necessary?

"Yes," came a voice from behind them. Maka and her guide, Tsubaki, both turned toward the front door to be greeted by an attractive young woman with short black hair, bangs falling in a straight line across her forehead. Her intricate tattoos were all about her neck, shoulders, and down her arms, on display thanks to her white tube top. Her eyes were a dark grey, almost soulless as she looked Maka up and down, dropping and kicking her pink and purple dino-themed backpack to the side. "It is necessary." She kicked the door closed behind her before stepping forward. Maka stood stunned for a moment. Had she uttered her thought out loud just then? She didn't think she had, so how did this girl answer her? It was … spooky, for lack of a better word, and Maka felt immediately out of her element, putting her on edge.

"You're back a bit sooner than usual," Tsubaki stated, tensing at the aura the young woman gave off as she waltzed into the kitchen, grabbing a juice box from the fridge.

"Class ended early, Stein had other shit to attend to, I guess. And you are?" Maka glanced toward her, having been acutely aware of Tsubaki's change in demeanor upon who she assumed to be her new roommate's arrival. So, it wasn't just her who felt uncomfortable.

"Maka Albarn. I guess we're roommates."

"Oh, joy," she snorted, sucking down the remainder of her juice before tossing it into the trash. "Don't get in my way or use any of my shit and we won't have a problem." She then went to grab her bag she had left in a mess by the entrance and went to her room without so much as another word.

"Okaaaaayy," Maka murmured, allowing her previously outstretched hand to fall back to her side, as it had been thoroughly ignored. "What crawled up her butt and died?"

"Could be any number of things," Tsubaki mused, shaking her head as she grabbed another box from the living room to carry to Maka's new bedroom. "She's a witch from Paraponera; her family owns nearly everything in the town there. She's also really powerful and is really good with manipulation magic, so … I wouldn't piss her off."

"Ha!" Maka laughed, finding it funny that she should fear a classmate, even after the odd exchange she had just been through. "Even if I did, it's not like she can do anything to me without consequences, right?" She was met with silence as they entered her room, putting down the boxes in the corner. The pursing of Tsubaki's lips made for a very unsettling feeling to course through her veins and stir in Maka's stomach, twisting uncomfortably. "Right?"

"Not exactly … With her abilities, she could do anything without any of the teachers even knowing. And everyone pretty much has free rain off campus grounds, so … just be careful."

"You're kidding …"

"I wish I was." Maka stared at the closed door down the hall as an ominous lavender light speared out from underneath. The idea that students could possibly wipe each other out had never crossed her mind until a moment ago and it made everything more … solidified? Real? She wasn't even sure how it made her feel, but it was deafening; canceling out any enthusiasm she had had before that moment. She gulped; what had she gotten herself into?

"Oh, come on! You can't tell me that just because she was deaf that she couldn't feel vibrations. Her neighbor banged on the glass door and she sensed nothing?"

"I see your point, but the way they shot that scene was so incredible that I honestly don't even know why you're complaining. You can't deny that it made for a more interesting plot."

"It was in good taste, but was it realistic? The plot could've been kept intact even if she had felt the hard banging on her glass doors."

"Guess you'd have to test the theory out with an actual deaf person."

Maka bickered with her friend, Kilik, as they walked a few paces ahead of their group. They Were on their way back from the movies', having just watched the release of 'Hush', a thriller about a deaf woman who lives in the woods by herself and is tormented by a murderer as he attempts to get inside her house while cutting off any connection she might have had to the outside world. It had been a great watch, very entertaining and enjoyable. You wouldn't believe how it ended.

Nearly two months had passed by since Maka had first transferred into the DWMA and she was finally getting her bearings. She had a strong circle of people who she thought to be trustworthy friends; doing well in her classes and meister training; she had even adjusted to the heat of Nevada, as Idaho's weather and scenery were a stark contrast in comparison to the dry desert. The only thing she remained unsure of was her roommate, Ponera. They had hardly spoken a word to each other in the last seven weeks of Maka living here and all she knew about her was that she was a talented witch who nobody messed with. She hardly ever saw her.

As the small group of teenagers entered the courtyard, they said their goodnights and dispersed to mozy back to their own apartments. Maka took notice that the living room light was on when she entered, an unusual and rare occurrence, and peeked around the small entryway wall that divided the front door from the living area. She was met with Ponera and some guy watching tv on the couch. She had never seen the guy before and could honestly say just from the negative energy filling the space that she didn't look forward to becoming acquainted.

Maka swallowed as she registered two pairs of eyes staring at her before she quickly turned around to place her shoes and jacket in the coat closet. Slowly and quite awkwardly, she pivoted back around, the couple on the couch still looking her way in an almost judgemental stare. She smiled only for her lips to squeeze back into a straight line as a hand came up to wave once, twice, and halted in the air to quickly go back down to her side. What was she even doing right now? It was as if she didn't know how to maneuver her own body.

"Uh, hi," she tried, testing to see how Ponera would react. She would habitually be ignored in such situations, but Maka always felt rude not at least greeting her and whoever she would occasionally have over. This time, however, Ponera waved in return as the guy stood with a smile on his face. He was quite tall, somewhat handsome, and looked particularly strong, but Maka couldn't shake the feeling that he was bad news. Stealing her resolve as he neared with an outstretched hand, she did her best to subdue her discomfort as best she could from him, not wanting this guy to read her aura.

"Hey, you must be Maka the roommate."

"Yeah, I'm sorry if I interrupted your movie night."

"Not at all, I've been looking forward to meeting you. I've heard you're quite the talent."

"And a mega bookworm," Ponera added dryly, yawning almost immediately after as she watched the film with intense disinterest.

"Oh, uh, thanks? I think."

"Trust me, that's a compliment coming from her," he laughed, finally letting go of her hand as he turned to stare at Ponera humorously. "Why, I don't think you've ever described someone without the help of your trusty sailor's vocabulary."

"It adds more colour to their character when I do," she snorted, a small smirk gracing her features for the first time that Maka had ever witnessed, even if it only lasted a fraction of a second before it disappeared.

"I can't argue with that," he chuckled, shaking his head as his attention redirected back to Maka. "So, how are you getting on here at the elite DWMA?"

"Really well, actually, thank you. I'm sorry, I've never seen you on campus. Do you attend the academy, too?"

"I'm a junior, so we're in different buildings and our training facilities are on the opposite sides of school, but yes."

"Oh, so … how did you two meet, if you don't mind me asking?"

"We're in the same department and Pon-Pon is advanced for her class, so she sometimes is allowed to train with the Juniors. Kicks ass, too."

"Damn straight."

"So you're a … wizard?"

"Sourcerer, but same diff. You're a meister, yeah? Find yourself a weapon yet?"

"Not yet, unfortunately. I've attempted with several, but our souls clash, so …"

"Aw, don't worry about it, you'll find one eventually. Just focus on your own training until then." He was charming, good with his words, his body language exuding confidence in a non-threatening way, but … something was off and it was putting Maka on edge. Ponera was someone Maka found difficult to deal with, but at least she could read her and knew how to interact with her when it was necessary, but this guy … Maka couldn't peg him up at all. She could feel that he was powerful, but he was purposely distancing some part of his soul so that she couldn't get a read on him fully and that scared her. She wanted to know what it was that he was hiding and why he would hide it from her so forcibly. The hairs all over her body rose as he stepped in close again, arm stretched out in preparation to shake her hand once more. "Well, it's been real, but I gotta get outta here; I've got an early training session tomorrow. It was nice meeting you, I'll see ya around, Maka."

"Y-yeah, see ya …" She watched him land a kiss on Ponera's forehead before she turned to kiss him fully on the lips for a brief moment. He grabbed his jacket and began to head for the door before Maka realized something. "Oh, wait. Sorry, I didn't catch your name."

With a smirk tugging his lips as he adjusted his hat atop his head, he twisted the door handle and pulled the passage ajar slightly before answering, "Name's Grimoire."

No one - not a single peer or faculty member - had heard of anyone by the name of 'Grimoire' before and now Maka was officially spooked. He had been around the apartment more and more often and her feeling of discomfort only increased with each odd visit. He played the nice senpai perfectly, but the fact that no one seemed to know who he was or had even heard of him before made her question whether he was actually an upperclassman at this school. It could just be that no one from her department or the freshman section of the school was aware of the juniors in general, but it didn't make sense that even the teachers gave her an odd look when she'd asked about him. The only person left that she could think of to ask without marching on over to the juniors' wing and searching for Grimoire himself, was Shinigami. He knew everything there was to know about his school, including everyone that attended the private institution.

Maka walked along a corridor, heading toward the library to study during her free period. As she turned a corner, she ran into someone, nearly falling back before strong hands grabbed hold of her arms to keep her upright.

"Woah! Watch where you're going there, pigtails." She knew that voice. Maka lifted her gaze with a grin that only grew upon the sight of his obnoxiously loud hairdo and wide smile.

"Oh my gosh, Blake! What the hell are you doing here?"

"Same as you, cuzzo. Here to better my meister skills."

"There is no way that they let you in this place with your shit grades. Who'd you bribe?" she joked, jabbing him in the stomach as she returned the delighted smile back at her cousin. She had grown up with Blake; he had been her best friend until he'd moved to Florida nearly 9 years ago. She hadn't seen him in person since and they had slowly drifted apart after life had gotten its grimy hands on the both of them, making it difficult to keep in touch, her disappearance during her 10th grade year being the peak of their lack of communication. Even after her less than enthusiastic desire to stay connected - to anyone - she had received a letter from him and his adoptive family when Kami had passed away, sending his condolences and regrets in being unable to attend the funeral, as they just didn't have the money to travel.

"Talent, cuz, pure and undeniable talent." He strutted by her only to turn and strut back, a dorky smirk on his dumb ass face. "And this may come as a surprise to you, pigtails, but my grades are as solid as they come these days. Things have changed since we last saw each other … Well, for me, anyway," he quips, dragging his eyes up and down her body in a mocking manner before shaking his head. For Blake, her physic had not been altered, as she had been a petite child; puberty had not been kind to her, however, resulting in a tragic and dramatic life change on her and her parent's part.

"Hey!" He jumps back, laughing as she threatens him with a wave of her thick, heavy, hardback book. "I've grown, you asswipe." Pouting, she humphed and turned slightly away from him, her nose upturned. There was no need to fill him in on the ghost in her closet, not yet at least, and she didn't see the need in getting upset; her frame was now thin from her hard work and he hadn't a clue as to what she had been through. She was just happy she had rid herself of the majority of scars that had come from her drastic weight loss; she would never have to explain them to anyone.

"Yeah, yeah, you've got legs for days. You really need to drink some damn milk, though." He was too slow to dodge the book this time. He offered a quick apology and truce in favour of not getting another 'Maka-chop,' as he referred to it, and they began to make their way to the library together, Blake throwing his arm over Maka's shoulders in his merriment of their reunion.

"So, you're a sophomore, right? Do you know the junior class at all?"

"Yeah, we spar with them from time to time, why? Got your eyes on a certain someone?"

"Not in the way you're thinking," she rolled her eyes at his delighted nudging. "Have you heard the name 'Grimoire'?"

"Grimoire? Oh, man … how the hell did you get tangled up with that guy? He's not someone to mess with, Maka."

"I've only met him a handful of times at my apartment. I'm pretty sure he's dating my roommate, Ponera, and claims to be a junior at this school, but no one seems to have any knowledge of the guy."

"Woah, woah, woah. Hold up, your roommate is Ponera? From Paraponera?"

"Yeah?" Blake barks out a laugh, making Maka relieved that they have yet to actually enter the library.

"How's that going for ya? I've heard that she's a real … interesting piece of work."

"Oh, she's interesting alright. Honestly, she's nearly nonexistent. She's almost never home, and if she is, she's in her room conjuring spells and shit. I just make sure to stay out of her way. But back to this Grimoire guy. You know him?"

"Everyone does, we just don't talk about him. Dude's hella powerful, but if he's datin' Ponera, it ain't just 'cause she's cute, that's for damn sure." His voice was low as he explained, secretive, as if Grimoire himself would be able to hear if Blake wasn't careful.

"What? What do you mean?" He glanced over his shoulder as he continued, shaking his head in the negative.

"Basically, don't ask around about the guy. There's no reason for you to be. That's all I'm gonna say about it." Maka took note of the seriousness in his tone and quickly changed the subject, teasing Blake about his bright turquoise hair when he was supposed to be a 'ninja'. Still, she couldn't let go of how put off she felt by this Grimoire character, and if he was dating her roommate, she had a feeling that she'd be seeing him around more often. Making up her mind, she decided that she would pay Lord Death a visit, and soon.

Like I said, didn't change much, but I hope you like the updated version! I'll be bringing chapter 19 soon!

Much Love~!

k.t.