Chapter Seventeen

Author's Note: I know it has been a century and a half since I've made a post. My computer got messed up and it took a while to get it fixed. School started back up and all of my classes are nothing but writing and writing until my brain ins drained.

Not to mention I've been working on my original novels so I can submit them to a publishing company.

Anyways, wish me luck on that and I hope you enjoy this chapter. Things are about to heat up!

"Alright, the last thing we're going to do is review Soul Resonance." Stein said while adjusting his glasses. "Most of you should know how to perform Soul Resonance with your partners, but the question is how much energy can you conjure and how long can you make it last?"

'Soul Resonance.' Misao glanced over at Blood, who was clenching the bandage around his right arm.

"I was thinking we practice performing Soul Resonance." Stein glanced through the class and stopped it at Misao and Blood. "Misao, since you two are the new students, why don't you come down here and demonstrate your Soul Resonance?"

Misao gasped and continued to stare at Stein before looking back at Blood who wore an expressionless face. She stood up and spoke out. "I'm sorry sir, but we can't perform our Soul Resonance."

"Huh? Were you not taught by your father?" he asked.

She shook her head. "No sir. Blood was the one who taught me. But that's not the issue."

"Then what is?"

His gaze made Misao's heart pound hard and fast until it came up to the base of her throat. "Well…we can perform it…"

"…But we can't control it." Blood said it loud. "We haven't perfected the technique yet. It's…a complicated story. The point is, we cannot demonstrate it for you. We apologize."

Stein was silent as he kept his glare on Blood. From the way he was staring, Misao could tell that he was looking more at Blood's bandage than him. He adjusted his glasses and then looked away. "Very well. Then let's call on Kid and the Thompson sisters. Will you come down and demonstrate Soul Resonance?"

Everyone looked straight at Kid who had a small grin on his face. "If you insist. Liz, Patty, let's give our classmates a show." He stood from his seat and proceeded to the front of the class.

"Yaaay!" Patty shouted as she followed Kid down the aisle, where she and Liz walked close behind Kid.

Once they were in the center, Liz and Patty transformed into pistols. Kid was silent as he began concentrating his wavelength on his partners. It wasn't long before his soul became visible to everyone.

During the demonstration, Misao kept thinking about the times she tried using Soul Resonance and how every time she failed. Everything Kid was doing, Misao was positive she did during her attempts. But she knew it wasn't because of her technique; it had to do with Blood and his clan.

"Okay, class is dismissed." Stein announced shortly after the bell rang. He went out into the hallway just as the students scattered around the room or out into the hall.

"Are you alright, Blood?" Misao asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He never moved his hand from his arm, even after class was over. He looked over at Misao who had a concerned look in her eyes. "I'm okay. I feel bad we had to deny Stein's request."

"I do too." She stood up. "Let's go outside for a while. Maybe some fresh air will clear our heads."

Blood smiled as he stood up along with her. "That sounds like a good idea." He followed Misao down the aisle and out of the classroom. As they turned the corner, Blood stopped the second he saw Stein leaning against the wall, smoking a cigarette. He slowly approached him, lowering his hand from his arm. "You were waiting for us, weren't you?"

He blew smoke into the air before answering. "I was wanting to talk to you about your situation."

"Misao, go on without me." Blood told her.

"What do you mean?" she asked him.

"Misao is your meister. This involves her just as much as it does you."

"He's right, Blood. I have the right to be in this conversation."

Blood patted her on the head and stared at her. "It's okay." His tone was soft and calm. "I want you to spend as much time outside as you can. Go ahead and enjoy the day while you can. Let me handle this. Pretty please?"

Her face turned red again as she gazed into his courageous, yet gentle eyes. "You know, sometimes I hate when you look at me like that." A low chuckled escaped her throat as she removed Blood's hand from the top of her head. "Don't take too long."

"Are you sure you're not going to be a part of this conversation?" Stein asked.

She nodded. "Forgive me, sir. Besides, Blood can do a better job at explaining everything." Misao stared at Blood one more time before running off down the hall.

After she left, Blood's peaceful face turned to seriousness. "You want me to explain our Soul Resonance. Am I right?"

"Hmph, you're good at reading people. Follow me." Stein led him to the hospital wing and closed the door once Blood entered and stood in the center of the room. "Okay, now we can talk privately."

Blood let out a sigh before he began. "Like we explained in class: we can perform Soul Resonance, but we can't control it. But it's not all of Misao's fault. Most of the blame…falls on me and the ways of my clan."

"This weather is just perfect. I can't remember the last time the sky was so bright like this." Misao leaned over the stone balcony of the school, staring out into the horizon.

"You're so passionate about being outside." Tsubaki noticed. She and Maka stood behind Misao smiling.

"I'm not sure why." She admitted. "I think it has something to do with when I was held prisoner by Asura. I missed the warmth of the sun on my skin. I want to spend as much time outside as I can." Misao's smile slowly dimmed as she remembered the heavy sensation of Asura's soul and how she was almost taken by his madness.

"I can't even imagine how horrible it is being in there." Maka said in an unsettling tone. "I wish we were strong enough to save you."

"Please don't blame yourself." Misao said with a smile. "Most of it is my fault. I let my guard down and let Asura overpower me. But I swear…that won't happen again."

"How's it going, Misao?" Sid came up behind the girls.

"Sid, good to see you." Misao turned around and greeted him. "Did you need something?"

"No, no. I wanted to see how you were doing since you're feeling better. That's the kind of man I was."

"I'm doing fine." She answered. "Thanks for checking on me."

"No problem. Where's Blood?"

"I think he's still talking to Professor Stein." Her expression went from calm and soothing to concerned.

Sid saw the shift in her eyes. "What are they talking about?" he asked.

Misao didn't answer him. She looked down at her hands, twiddling her thumbs.

Tsubaki stepped in and answered Sid's question. "You see, in class today, we were reviewing Soul Resonance. Misao and Blood were called to demonstrate theirs, but…"

"…but we refused." Misao finished. "It's…hard to explain."

"Can you not perform it?" Sid asked, trying to meet Misao's eyes.

"No, we can perform it. But, we've never been able to control or maintain it. I…really don't want to talk about this. Please excuse me." Misao jumped from the balcony, landing at the entrance of the school. She then ran to a secluded corner, hugging herself and thinking about Blood. 'I should go join Blood and Stein. But…I'm afraid. This school…isn't right for us.' She looked out at the clear sky, questioning every action she's made in the past few weeks. She began to regret coming to the DWMA and accepting their help. Neither Misao nor Blood followed the same beliefs as Lord Death. "Maybe…it's better if we just leave. We don't need their help. Do we?"

A familiar soul wavelength passed through Misao, distracting her from her thoughts. Her eyes widened as she quickly looked in all directions for the source. "No…they can't be here." The fear in her was overwhelming. But it didn't stop her from stepping out of the corner ready to fight. A buzzing echoed from the sky. Misao looked up to see something gleam from the sun's light, and then dim as it approached her. Misao jumped out of the way, already aware it was Giriko in his chainsaw form. "Damn it all!"

The others landed around Giriko as he transformed back into a human. Noah, with the Book of Eibon in his hand, stepped forward with his same cocky smile. "Well Misao. I gotta give you credit for fighting off Gopher and escaping into Death City. But I'm afraid your little vacation is over. The Kishin is expecting you back."

Misao continuously shook her head while keeping control of herself. "No…I refuse to go back there. Asura will not possess the orb, or my soul!"

"Misao!" Blood came from the school entrance along with Stein, Spirit and Sid. Blood ran close to Misao, standing a little bit in front of her. "You bastards are not going to lay a single finger on her!"

Noah chuckled. "Scary Blood come to protect his little princess. So adorable."

"Blood, take Misao to the Death Room. You two will be safe there." Sid instructed as he assumed a battle position.

"Not a chance in hell!" Misao stepped beside Blood.

"Misao..." Blood was about to say something, but was cut off by Misao.

"I won't let people fight my battles. I'm sick of being a coward!" Her eyes were determined. They seemed to stare into the past and see her hiding out while others got hurt in battles. "Blood...if I don't start taking charge, how can I call myself a meister?"

Blood soon gave Misao the same stare she did. "As your weapon and guardian...I will do as you command."

She smiled at her response. The two stared deeply at each other before turning their attention towards Noah and the others. The moment they did, Blood transformed into his weapon form and flew into Misao's hands. "You won't take me without a fight! Once I take care of you three, Asura is next."

Noah bursted into hysterical laughter, bending backwards as he did so. He straightened up as soon as he stopped. "It's that attitude that makes me like you even more, Misao! You're one interesting character. It'll be a shame when your soul is consumed."

"Can we get down to business?" Giriko became impatient. "I'm sick of all this damn talking." Chainsaw blades formed around his legs. He grabbed the chains with his hands and stretched them out, ready to attack. "If she's not going to come with us willingly, let's just attack her so she can't run away!" The chains revved loud and fast a she sped towards Misao.

"Go ahead and try it, you bastard!" Misao waited until Giriko was close enough before charging at him and catapulted over him, and then launched herself directly at him, kicking his face in. He lost control of himself upon impact, giving Misao the opportunity to use Blood to trip him, knock him in the air and then jam the spear into his stomach, slamming him into the ground as his blood spilt all around him. Misao stepped away from Giriko and watched his blood pour out. "I told you…I'll be damned if I go back to the Kishin."

"Misao…" Blood called her name in a soft, quiet tone. "…you're trembling. Are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah, it's nothing." Her grip became tighter around her weapon's handle. "It's just the rush of adrenaline." That adrenaline was caused by the fear she held inside of her. If she let her guard down for a split second, they'd take her. Misao made sure that all of her defenses were up.

Noah began to laugh again, which made Misao's heart drop into her stomach. "Wow Giriko, that has to be the quickest time someone has ever defeated you!" Misao scowled at Noah while also giving him a questionable look. "That's priceless, man!"

"These guys are absolutely nuts." Blood said in a loud whisper.

"No kidding." Misao whispered back.

"Misao, look over there."

She turned behind her to see Giriko slowly rise from his pool of blood. "Shut the hell up, Noah." He wiped a stream of blood from the corners of his mouth and from his chin. "I don't see you lifting a hand to capture her!" There was a growl in his voice.

"Honestly, you rushed in too quick for me to react." Noah shrugged his shoulders, holding the Book of Eibon in his hand. "But since you asked so nicely for my assistance…" He opened the book, but Sid launched an attack on him before he was able to read from it. Noah dodged the attack just as Gopher used his sleeve-wings to block Sid's knife attack. "Was that an attempt to stop me? I expected better than this from the great DWMA!"

Sid jumped back, keeping a crouching position. "Don't think that was my full power just because I'm a zombie! I was never the kind of man to hold back!"

"Sid, stay out of this!" Misao exclaimed, turning back towards Sid and Noah. "I told you this is my battle! I'm not putting you or anyone else at risk."

"Misao, don't be stupid!" Sid exclaimed, looking at her from over his shoulder.

"Sid's right, Misao." Stein said, tucking his glasses into the pocket of his lab coat. "I'm sorry to say that there's no way you can defeat them on your own. You and Blood are strong, but their wavelengths put together, they overpower you greatly."

"But…"

"We know you don't like standing on the sidelines in fights. You and Blood are used to fighting alone and defending one another. But as long as you are within the DWMA and Death City, we all fight as one!"

Hope this chapter makes up for my absence. Also, if you are keeping up with my sequel to "Shadow's Regret": Chaos Nazo, I am working on the next chapter, but I can't get the inspiration I need. But it will be out very soon. You have my work.

Till then, please R&R! See you soon!