Chapter Seven

The room was silent for a long time, until Spirit finally came in. "Sorry I took so long." He said as he closed the door behind him. "Stein explained everything. Lord Death sensed her madness before it even formed."

Misao had a terrified gaze in her eyes, as if she was waiting for Asura to take her away.

"She's worse than I thought." Spirit said, feeling her forehead. "Her head is burning up." Misao didn't even flinch when Spirit felt her forehead. "This isn't good. She's still in shock. Blood, look in that icebox and grab the bag of ice that's in there."

Blood didn't hesitate when Spirit asked for his help. He brought the bag of ice to Spirit, watching as he placed it on Misao's head. Again, she didn't react to it. "Misao said something about the Kishin whispering in her ear." Blood said, not taking his eyes off her.

"Yeah, Lord Death had a feeling this was the Kishin's doing." Spirit replied. He placed a hand on Blood's shoulder and looked him dead in the eye. "Listen to me Blood. This situation has become more serious."

"I know." He said.

"Understand that you have to do whatever you can to protect Misao. Now that she's starting to have these visions, there's no doubt that Asura will eventually come for her. He'll strike when she's weak and vulnerable, like now. Keep her close to you no matter what, and keep her smiling."

"You don't have to tell me twice." Blood said, holding Misao close to him. "I promised her father that I'd protect her from the Kishin, even if it costs me my own life. I won't let him down." After he said that, Blood felt Misao gently touch his arm and saw that she was staring at him. "Misao, are you okay?"

She didn't speak. She just continued staring at him with blank eyes. "I think what she needs is some rest." Spirit suggested. Blood gently laid her down in the bed and pulled the covers over her and watched her fall asleep. Blood kept hold of her hand as she slept. "Stein will come in after class to check on you two."

"Thanks for all your help, Spirit." Blood said.

"Don't mention it. Well, I'll be going now. See you two around."

After Spirit left the room, Blood decided to put another bag of ice on Misao's head. 'You'll be okay, Misao.' He thought. 'I swear I'll never leave your side again. The Kishin will never get his hands on you.'

"That ice pack is cold, Blood."

Blood looked up with a shocked expression when he saw Misao's eyes open and a small smile as she moved the ice pack away from her head. "Misao, you're okay." He helped her sit up in the bed and continued to hold her close.

"Sort of okay. I still feel a little drowsy." She chuckled under her breath. "You don't look so good either." She pointed out, grabbing Blood's face and taking a closer look. "Your skin is almost transparent."

"I was worried about you. What happened that made you run out of the classroom like that?"

It was hard for Misao to answer that question. She was afraid of how he would react to her answer. But still, she had to tell him the truth. "I couldn't take being around people outside of us. You know it's hard for me to trust others."

"I understand how you're feeling." Blood took her by the hand and smiled at her. "Ever since our village was destroyed by the Kishin, we both have a hard time trusting others. But that's why we came here. Your father trusted Lord Death with his life, along with the people who worked by his side. That's what he wanted you to learn; put your trust in others so you won't be afraid ever again. As long as you have people who'll risk their lives to save you, you won't ever be alone."

Misao let Blood's words sink into her and thought about it. He was right. Her father would want her to open her horizons and ask people for help when she needed it. "I hope Maka and Soul aren't too mad at me for running off on them. Maybe I should go and apologize."

"You don't have to." Misao and Blood looked up at the door to see Maka and Soul standing outside the doorway and smiling. "We heard some of your conversation." They walked in the room and stood around Misao.

"We understand if you don't trust us right away." Soul said. "Just know that we'll still stand by you."

Misao fought back her tears and just continued staring at Soul and Maka. She slowly formed a smile and finally said, "Thanks guys."

"Are we still on for basketball in the park this weekend?" Soul asked.

Misao nodded. "You bet." After she said that, Misao high-fived Soul and laughed. Once Misao felt like her old self again, she took a walk through the town and took in the fresh air. A walk was what Misao needed to clear her head.

"This feels good, doesn't it Misao?" Blood asked walking close behind her.

"It sure does." She answered.

"Hey there! Misao! Blood!" They looked ahead to see Spirit walking towards them smiling. "I see you two are feeling better."

"It's thanks to you and everyone at the academy." Blood said.

"It's no problem. Hey while I've got you, I think I know a place that'll take your stress away in no time flat. Follow me."

Misao was suspicious, but decided to follow Spirit and see for herself. "So…what exactly is this place you're taking us?" She asked.

Spirit giggled and looked at her with a cheeky grin. "You'll see."

'If he pulls something, I'll deck him into the next century.' She thought to herself. They finally arrived at a place called 'Chupa Cabra'. Misao stared at it, trying not to get enraged. But her anger spurred the second they stepped into the bar, and saw all the women surround Blood and compliment on how hot he was. She grabbed Spirit by the neck and slammed him down on the ground, squishing him like a bug. "What the hell kind of place is this!? What made you think that we'd want to come to a place like this?"

"I thought it'd be a good stress reliever for him. They also have male entertainment for you." Misao looked up as three men walked up to her, wanting her to join them in a light conversation. Misao was now even madder than before. "You honestly think…that you could persuade me with this?" She lifted her foot off Spirit, and kicked all the guys at once with one single swing of her leg. They flew across the room, right past Blood, hitting the wall and collapsing. She then stormed over to Blood and yanked him away from the girls, dragging him out of the bar and continuing their walk.

"Misao, ease up a bit on the dragging! You're hurting me!" Blood said, not even attempting to put up a fight.

"Not until we get as far away from this place as possible." Once they were a good distance away, Misao finally let go of Blood. "What was that pervert trying to pull? I see why Maka hates him so much."

"I didn't agree with the way he did it, but he was trying to help us get our minds off of things. You can't deny that." Blood pointed out.

"I guess I have to agree with you on that one." Misao breathed. "I have to admit, everyone here is just like a family. They all rely on one another and make each other laugh when someone's down."

"It brings back memories, doesn't it?" Blood asked, placing a hand on Misao's shoulder.

Misao nodded as she began thinking about how everyone in her village would always say hello to her, and look after her when her father was out on a mission. They'd also stop by the palace to cook for her and read her stories at night. "Like the academy, everyone in the village looked after one another. I remember when the baker and his wife brought all kinds of yummy bread and muffins all the time."

Blood laughed as she made that memory flash through his head. "No one made bread quite like them."

"Remember when they let me help make the bread, and I came out covered in flour? You fell on the floor laughing like hell."

"It's still funny now." He continued laughing, imagining Misao covered in flour.

"Let's head back to the school." Blood suggested. "We should rest up for the weekend."

"Sounds good to me. I was getting tired anyway." Misao yawned as they headed back to the academy and in their room. The second they got there, Misao fell fast asleep once she got in the bed and rested her head on the pillow. Blood pulled the blankets over her. He thought back to when she was a child, and practically begged him to stay by her as she slept.

"Back then, you refused to sleep unless I was there with you." He whispered. "That still hasn't changed one bit." No matter which way he looked, Blood could see Misao's father within her. They were almost the same person. "Master Isame, you don't have to worry about Misao. I'll never go back on my promise to you. I will keep her safe."

When Misao woke up close to noon the next day, there was a knock on the door. "Blood, I think someone's at the door." She yawned, wiping the crust from her eyes. She watched as Blood went to open the door to reveal Stein and Spirit.

"What are you guys doing here?" Blood asked, thinking something was wrong.

"We just thought we'd take you to meet everyone at the park today." Stein answered with a small grin.

"We'll be outside the door when you're ready to go." Spirit closed the door again as he waved.

"Did you still want to go, Misao?" Blood turned to her, seeing the blank look on her face.

"I have to go. I promised them I would. And you know I never go back on my promises; just like my father." She got out of the bed and started getting dressed. She didn't care whether Blood was looking or not because he was the one who always dressed her when she was too young to do it. He would also bathe her. Blood didn't mind in the least bit either. If Misao was comfortable with it, so was he.

"All I could make for your breakfast was a bowl of oatmeal." Blood sat the bowl down on the table after Misao had finished dressing.

Misao wasted no time digging into the delicious breakfast made by Blood. In her opinion, no one made better oatmeal than him. Actually, no one could make any type of breakfast food like Blood. His talent for mixing spices and adding flavor and texture to his dishes were just beyond compare. Misao always believed if Blood opened his own restaurant and let the whole world taste his cooking, it would put others not only out of business, but to shame. "Thanks for the food." Misao said, pushing the now empty bowl away from her. "Now I feel super pumped and ready for anything!"

Blood chuckled at Misao's blast of energy and confidence. "In that case, let's get going." They headed out and let Stein and Spirit take them to meet Maka and the others. Misao had never played basketball before, but she was excited for it.

"Misao, Blood, you guys made it!" Soul waved the moment he saw Misao and Blood turn the corner. "Took you long enough to get here."

"Listen you little punk, just because you're my Maka's weapon doesn't mean you can talk to a young lady with that kind of attitude! Have some respect!" Spirit rushed past Misao and Blood in a burst of wind, and grabbed Soul by the collar of his shirt.

His grip loosened as Misao squeezed in just the right spot. After he let go, Maka slammed his head in the ground. "You're such an idiot." She then turned to Misao and smiled. "Ready to go?"

"You bet." Misao answered.

"Good luck." Misao and everyone turned to face Black Star who was just finishing up some stretches. "You'll need it to beat me. I have serious skill on the court."

"Okay, this game will be four on four." Soul said. "Liz, Misao, me and Kid are a team. While Black Star, Tsubaki, Maka and Patty are on another. First team to score twenty points wins."

Author's Note: Sorry if this chapter took too long. The computer I have doesn't have Word. But I forgot that this chapter was pre-typed and decided to upload it ^^;

Hope you enjoyed it ^^

Please R&R