Chapter 7: Demon Butler

On their trip back to Death City, Justin and Maka had been quiet most of the time in the train. They sat beside each other, trying to look calm despite of the anxiety that was squirming in them. They haven't decided yet if they should tell Kid about what they just learned from Giriko. They felt the need to talk to Crona about it first before they could consult Kid. They wanted to avoid misunderstandings as much as possible but the thought of Crona betraying them kept bugging them especially when they could see that she had already become friendly with Kid; still, seeing her sleeping peacefully with her head on Kid's shoulder made them regret for ever doubting her even for a second. Kid was clearly blushing but he kept covering his face with the book he was reading.

Justin sweatdropped. "Young master, you shouldn't be reading while we're traveling," he said calmly. "It's bad for your eye. You're going to have a headache if you continue that."

Kid sighed. "I'll stop doing this when she stops sleeping on me."

"It's okay, there's no need to be embarrassed about it so you don't have to cover your face. And besides, it's your fault for making her seat beside you."

Kid lowered the book a bit so he could look at Justin's face. "We were having an interesting conversation on our way here that I completely forgot to sit beside you. Is there by any chance that you're jealous, Justin?"

"Not at all, my Lord. In fact, I enjoy this view of you and Ms. Gorgon." He smiled teasingly.

Kid glared at him and looked away. "You're awfully weird when you're being sadistic."

"I'm not being sadistic. I'm just simply happy for my master."

"Yeah, right," Kid said sarcastically.

"Young master, I can take your place if you can no longer take it anymore," Maka said hesitantly with a generous smile, trying to lighten up Kid's burden.

Kid stared at her quizzically for a few seconds. He sighed then closed his eyes. "No, it's fine. I can handle this."

Maka's smile faded. She looked at him worriedly. "Are you sure? There's still an hour till we reach Death City."

"He said that it's fine, Maka," Justin said, trying to butt in. "He wouldn't want you to take this precious moment."He winked at Maka.

"Ohhh," Maka uttered and chuckled at what she just realized.

Kid facepalmed himself and gritted his teeth. "I feel like punching someone in the face right now."

Maka and Justin could imagine Kid being surrounded by flames. This made them shrink in their seats. "So… scary…" they both whispered.

After a few moments of silence, Kid had fallen asleep already. His head rested on Crona's head. Maka and Justin could hear their soft breaths. It was about three in the afternoon and it was snowing again outside so everyone still felt chilly. It was a perfect time to be tucked in bed, sleeping. But to Maka and Justin, there was no time for sleeping yet. Some thoughts were still provoking them and they wouldn't rest until they get things straight.

"How could she deceive the young master?" thought Justin as he studied Crona's face. "She's just a hopeless little human who lost her parents and who doesn't even have a sibling. What reason could she possibly have to use him?"

"There's no way Crona would betray Kid," Maka thought, staring at her gloved hands on her lap. "He's helping her to rise from the ashes and she's going to pay him back with betrayal? It's just too unreasonable… unless… she's working under someone. No… that can't be! What am I thinking?" She was already shaking her head roughly.

"Maka… are you… alright?" Kid asked, looking confused at Maka.

"Ahh! Young master, it's nothing! I was just thinking of something!" She closed her eyes, rubbed the back of her head and forced herself to chuckle. "He sure woke up too early," she thought.

"Well, whatever it is, you can always talk to me about it." He showed a soft smile, a smile that made Maka feel both warm and guilty. She nodded then looked at Justin, hoping to feel reassured that everything's going to be okay, but Justin's face was just void of emotion. He, too, was preoccupied with his thoughts. Maka felt the urge to tell Kid what she knew. Her impatience was getting the best of her. She was about to say something when the train suddenly stopped. This caused everyone to be ejected from their seats and get bumped on each other.

"Whoa!" exclaimed Kid and Maka. The lights started flickering.

"What the hell was that?" Kid said as he rubbed his forehead. He pushed down his other hand on the floor to help him stand up. Justin held Crona's hands and helped her stand up. Crona was just confused as the others but since she just woke up, she wasn't as shocked as them. Kid opened the door of the compartment and checked out the empty hallway. "Why did we stop?"

"Hmmm," uttered Justin. He gave Crona to Maka then joined Kid in the small corridor. "We probably almost hit someone crossing… or something." He gazed at the window suspiciously. Suddenly, the train started moving again. Kid lost his balance and almost fell on the floor again. He fell into Justin's arms.

"Stay alert, young master," Justin reminded him.

"I know that," Kid said, staring at the floor, his eyes being covered with his bangs. "Justin…"

Surprised by the sound of his master's voice, he responded quickly, "Yes, my Lord?"

"I want you to check out that thing that tried to hinder us."

It took a few seconds for Justin to register in his mind what Kid wanted him to do. He had let go of Kid's arms so he could stand on his own. He smiled and said, "Certainly."

Before the lights came back and before he could go back to their compartment, Kid shot him a serious glance. "Don't come back till you find it."

Justin said no more. He just placed his hand on his chest and bowed at Kid. He then turned around, held the window's frame then disappeared into the snowy terrain.

"Justin!" Maka screamed as she ran outside.

"Quiet down," Kid told her as he came into the compartment. "He'll be back."

Maka turned to Kid. "But master, he's going to be left behind!"

"I said quiet down. Don't you trust me?"

Crona glanced at Kid then at Maka, hoping they wouldn't fight.

"I… I do," Maka said weakly.

"Good." He sat down and started reading his book again. Maka sat in front of him with Crona next to her. She felt ashamed for overreacting. She has forgotten that Justin wasn't just a typical butler… that he was a demon butler. She remained quiet until she noticed that she couldn't read the title of the book Kid was reading. It was written in a language that was unknown to her. The book's cover was simple. The book title was the only thing on it. It was brown book and it looked ancient already. Its pages were almost yellow and each time Kid turned the page, it made a cracking sound that would kill the silence between them. Crona was more than awake already. She just kept looking at the views outside.

"I wonder what he's reading," Maka thought. "I'm sure it's no ordinary book."

.

.

.

Kid placed the small luggage on the ground and realized it was evening already. He heard familiar steps behind him. "You're late," he said sternly without looking back.

"Justin!" Maka shouted. Maka almost hugged Justin. She was worried he wouldn't be able to come back.

"H-how did you come back?" Crona suddenly asked. She still wasn't aware that Justin was a demon. She studied his clothes, face and hands. Not even a pinch of dirt was present. His face and hands remained unscathed, flawless. He smiled at Crona.

"Aren't you glad I'm back, Ms. Gorgon?"

Crona shook her head. "No, I'm very glad! I thought you were dead already!"

All of them went silent.

"Well, that was pretty direct," Justin said as he closed his eyes and chuckled. He patted Crona's head and whispered, "I've been running as fast as I can."

"Th… that's awesome!" Crona's face was full of admiration for Justin already.

"Oh, brother," Kid facepalmed himself once again. "He could have atleast told her that he took another train."

"Were you an athlete, Mr. Law?" Crona asked Justin again, suddenly feeling curious.

Justin covered his mouth and started snickering. "She's so gullible," he thought, "and too innocent to be suspected."

"Stop messing around, Justin, let's go," Kid commanded him before he could say something so unbelievable again.

"Let's set that aside for now, Ms. Gorgon." He then picked up the luggage and walked beside Kid. They distanced themselves a little bit far away from the two girls so they could discuss something. Crona was still left in awe.

"Tomorrow, you and the others shall show Crona how to work in the house," Kid began. "Tell her the house rules… tell her my rules. Don't forget to tell her that she should avoid my aunt as much as possible but if she does encounter her, she should be courteous and kind despite that witch's insolent behavior. If she has any problems, especially concerning her work and the house, she can consult me."

"Understood, my Lord."

"So what have you found?"

"It was nothing but a hag."

"What? That sounds familiar. Why would an old lady stick around in that freezing place? And why would she try to cross the road when she knew the train was coming? Does she have a death wish or something?"

"I chased her to the woods, my Lord. I lost her there. It was like she entered another dimension."

"You're being irrational. There's no such thing as another dimension. She probably hid herself and you were too blind to see her. Or perhaps you were too lazy to look further." He glared at Justin.

"I assure you… I've been looking everywhere. If it weren't for these demon eyes, I wouldn't have continued. I was able to search in the dark but I couldn't find her anymore."

"She probably has a hide out. Anyway, do you atleast remember what she looked like?"

"She had fading blonde hair, wrinkly pale skin, thin pink lips and gold eyes. She was wearing a green robe, a light brown coat and gray boots."

"Keep that in mind. We might encounter her again. I think I know her now."

"You sure do know a lot of people, my Lord."

"Trust me, I don't."

"Well then, how could you say that?"

"I believe she's someone close to me." He dipped his head. "Playing tricks on me, huh?" he said to himself but loud enough for Justin to hear. "We'll see who's going to end up in the dirt."

"Someone close to you? Playing tricks? Who and what are you talking about, sire? Is it one of your rivals who dressed up herself as an old hag?"

"Oh, she didn't do much on her appearance." He grinned. "She's been a hag for a long time now."

A/N: Let me remind you guys that this story is in an AU… alternative universe. So expect some characters to be inverted. Thanks for reading!