Chapter 9
From Friend to Best Friend-
The Stress or the Weakness?
Part 1

Narrator's P.O.V

It was a new school morning for Maka, Soul, and Shonaku as they walked down the roads of Death City to the academy. Shonaku walked in front of Maka and Soul arms behind her head and feet walking backwards so she could face the two.

"Hey, Maka that whole ramen thing you did on Friday, I think that should be a thing." She said. Maka tilted her head at Shonaku. "A thing? What do you mean by that?" Shonaku put out her arms wide, a grin upon her face. "Yeah! What I mean is that we should do that more often! Oh! That gives me an even greater idea! You know how all you guys hang out on the weekends every now and then, right?" Maka nodded her head. Usually Soul rarely pays any attention to conversations on the way to the academy, but whatever Shonaku had in mind intrigued him. He turned to her interested.

Shonaku continued. "Okay, so why don't we do that on a Friday instead? Like every Friday!"

"Friday?" Maka asked her. "Yup! We all hang out on a Friday, and eat ramen too! I call it, " Ramen Night"!" With the last quote Shonaku waved her hand in the air, and spoke as if in awe. Considering this, Maka wasn't so sure about the event. It sounded fun actually, it was just the ramen that made her a bit edgy about it. Ramen every Friday night?

"Look Shonaku," Maka began. "Your idea sounds really great and I like it! The only thing is the ramen. I mean-"

"Oh come on, Maka! You know my eternal love for ramen! I love it too much! And after getting a taste of it after so long it just makes me want more! It's like an addiction I tell you! I'm not kidding!" Maka giggles a little. She scratched her head. "No, I understand that you really want ramen. I can definitely see that. It's just the price. Ramen isn't the cheapest thing you'll ever buy. It really does take money out of your pocket. I don't think I would be able t0 buy it every single Friday. And you may be in love with ramen, but there might be some of us who don't want the same thing all the time."

Shonaku saw Maka's point and thought for a bit. She put a finger to her chin looking up at the blue sky. "Hmm, you're right about that.." Then she got a light bulb. She put a fist on her hand a confident face appeared. "Okay, if it's that way for us Maka, then we'll just have to see what the others will think about it! If they don't like it, then we won't do so. No Ramen Night. But, if they do like the idea, then we'll all, except for me obviously, part in giving some money all together, save up and buy the ramen! It'll be a whole group thing for us!"

Somehow, Maka could see it already. This event, something new. The whole gang, including Shonaku, having fun, joyful Friday nights. Working on this hangout together like a little family bunch. Maka liked it. She smiled widely at Shonaku and nodded once again. This time, assured. "Alright, it's a deal. We'll ask them today. I'm sure they won't mind sacrificing a few dollar bills every now-and-then. You really thought this through, Shonaku!"

"Hehe, thanks! But it's nothing really, Maka! Oh, right! Our first person to ask, Soul! What do you think? You want in?" Shonaku turned to him. Soul was silent for five seconds. He looked up. Then back at Shonaku. Hands in his pockets, he smirked. "Heh. Why not? Sounds good to me." Shonaku fist pumped the air. "Yes! Alright! I can't wait to hear what the others will say! Oh, and one more thing."

Maka raised an eyebrow."Yeah?"

"About me being a wizard, and this goes for you too Soul and your other friends, that I'm a wizard. It's fucking extremely crucial that you don't tell. It wouldn't be the best thing in the world if anyone else found out, okay? Don't tell anyone."

"Don't tell anyone what?" A familiar voice spoke.

Shonaku yelped and fell backwards. When she looked up, she saw a shady figure hover above her. It was Crona. Shonaku smiled nervously and laughed. "C-Crona! Hiii..hehe..uh. Don't tell anyone..uh.." Crona glanced down at her curiously. Shonaku gulped. She didn't know what to say. Should I tell Crona? Can I tell Crona? How will he react? I can care less about the others, but Crona?

"Uh, oh look we're here at the academy! I-I'll have to tell you about it l-later okay, Crona? If it's okay with you that is!" Shonaku stood up.

Crona smiled a bit. "O-okay." After so the four entered in to the DWMA.

"Good morning students. Today we will be reviewing last week's lesson, as there were a few students who did not understand some topics about the lesson. Please open your books to chapter fifteen." Professor Stein walked over to his desk using his left hand to turn his screw. He took a glance at a clipboard on his desk and looked back up. "Before I begin, Maka, Soul, Black Star Tsubaki, Kid, Liz, and Patty." He called to them. "Lord Death wants to see you all in the Death room. I believe he has assigned you seven a mission to work on. You may go now." Maka looked at Soul and he only shrugged. They all got up and headed down the stairs. They left the room.

Shonaku turned to Crona. "A mission? What's that about?" she asksed him. He answered, "It's where you are assigned to kill kishins or witches in certain locations. They grade you for that also."

"Really? That sounds cool to do that! Why wasn't I assigned?! And you for that matter!" Crona rubbed that back of his head.

"Well, it's a long story really..but they maybe Lord Death didn't call you because you're a new student and not ready yet." He said.

Shonaku almost yelled. "Not ready yet?! I've killed kishins before! I didn't fight Black Star so well because I just knew had to fight like that! I knew because-" Shonaku stopped and saw that Crona had a frightened expression on his face. She realized that she had stood up from her desk and sat back down. "Oh, sorry. Uh, never mind..." Shonaku bent her head down. Crona made a small frowny face. She's doing that thing again, I don't like it..Getting all quiet like that. And what did she mean by not telling anyone? Not tell anyone what? Hopefully she will tell me later like she had said.. Crona thought. "Oh i-it's okay, Shonaku..hehe.." The two then opened their books up ending the conversation.

The gang entered the Death Room as they were greeted by Lord Death who was in his mirror. Perhaps somewhere else around the academy. "Hey hey everybody! How's is going, eh?" "Good morning Lord Death!" Maka said warmly. Everyone else mentioned their good mornings. "We were sent here for an assignment." Kid said. Lord Death put a hand in the air.

"Right, right! Yes I have assigned you all a mission! This mission has to do with a team of kishins that have been invading a village nearby. Or at least near this village. You see, there have been a group of kishins that had been living nearby this village without any of the villagers knowing so. But recently they discovered this when they saw some of the kishins secretly enter the village and slay the people living there. This has been going for a few months now, and I want you all to go to that location and find its source, also killing these kishins as well! You have advanced in your skills and this will surely put your abilities to the test!" Everyone thought about it for a moment. Soul then grinned. "Sounds good. Nothing any of us can't fix." Everyone nodded. This job was something the gang could accomplish well. Especially after their encounter with kishin Asura, they knew that they could do most likely anything now. Not to brag of course though. Of course they'd never boast about it in the first place. Most certainly when everyone kept giving them unwanted attention after the victory. It only took a while for the cheers and compliments to die down. Now everything was officially back to normal just like before. Then as Maka noticed something, she came up close to the mirror to speak.

"Excuse me Lord Death, but what about Shonaku and Crona? Will they not be engaging in this mission?" She asked Lord Death. He bent down a little to somehow reach her hight, inspire his height. "Oh yes. As you know, it was not too long ago when Crona was accepted back into the academy to attend regular classes. Although he is not officially capable of doing every regular assignment just yet. Remember I said that I'd let him join these things slowly. Not all at once, due to his breaking of rules before. And Shonaku, well..I have heard about the battle between her and Black Star and that she won also. It seems that she would be capable of such strengths, although I'm not too sure about what she is entirely capable of. But just out of curiosity.." Lord Death continued. "Has there been anything odd going on with Shonaku? Anything out of place?" He asked the seven. They all looked at each other with looks on their face. Maka gave them all and face that said not to say a word, since she remembered that she wasn't suppose to say a word about Shonaku being a wizard.

"N-no Lord Death. She's been doing great actually! With her new apartment room and everything. I think she's getting a little use to the place."

Lord Death was quiet. And you really couldn't tell whether he was staring at Maka or not with that same expression of his that never really changed much. Although his silence showed a sign of suspicion that Maka could feel. She smiled sheepishly hoping that Lord Death would believe her. The silence finally broke. "Hm good to hear! I'm glad she's doing fine! I was just curious nothing more! Well, you outta be on your way! The area may not be so far away, but it will take some time to complete this mission. The village is called Serenity village, and is just around Death City! I wish you luck on this tricky mission, and if anything happens then contact me! I will have some higher classed students accompany you if any trouble occurs."

Maka solute to Lord Death with a determined look upon her face. She was ready for this, just like any other mission she had done before. "Understood, Lord death. We'll make you proud." Everyone else nodded in agreement. Lord Death put a hand to his chin impressed by the sevens' growing strengths. "Right. Very good! I'll hope to see you soon you all! Ba-bye!" He waved at them all and vanished in the mirror just like that. Now it was only the gang left in the Death Room.

"Alright you guys," Maka said. "Let's go. There's no time to waste!" Everyone nodded once again. And then, they were all gone from the academy now on their way to the mission that was to be accomplished. Maka had never felt so excited about taking on new missions now. It was after they defeated kishin Asura when Lord Death told the seven that they were to take a very long break, and not attend school. It lasted for about six months. Six months of vacation. This was also due to the reconstruction of Death City with its major damages that were mostly formed from the battle between Baba Yaga's Castle with Arachnophobia and the entire Death City itself. So the gang missed a lot out on missions and such. This explained why they all could have never been happier to continue on with their normal lives. Things were better for the gang now, and Maka thought it'd be a new challenge for her to bring Shonaku a long. Because that's what Maka was all about, taking on new challenges for herself.

The gang was now outside of Death City and were all greeted by desert. Maka turned around to look at Death City once more before venturing on forth. She smiled looking at the place. Such peace could never be so overwhelmingly good. Soul called for her, Maka realizing she was standing behind them all. She turned back around and caught up with the others, ready to accomplish this mission. A mission that felt so refreshing to her.

Back at the DWMA Crona was anxious hoping for class to just end already. He wanted it to be lunch already. He wanted to know what Shonaku was going to tell him so badly. He didn't know why though. One important thing he hoped for though, was an explanation about that necklace that she always wore. It just seemed like something important to Shonaku for some reason. But he didn't have a clear thought for it. He fiddled with his fingers and tapped on the desk not paying much attention to Professor Stein's teachings. He would glance at Shonaku. Thinking he did it a little too much that she might even notice him turning his head to her a lot. But she had giving all her attention to the lesson and did not pay attention to this. She took notes in a notebook she was given from Maka.

Shonaku seemed somewhat excited about going to class now. She hated to admit it of course. The last time she went to a school really was when she was little. But that had stopped after a while due to some reasons. Although she was listening to plenty of what Professor Stein was saying, she was still curious about those missions. Like the one the Maka had left to not long ago. Shonaku wanted to see what that was like. She didn't see much point in just killing a kishin though. What would it do? Not too much of course. That's what she always thought.

Finally, the bell rang and everyone was dismissed for lunch. When Crona and Shonaku finally received their lunch they sat at a table. It was a little awkward for the two since it was only them. They somewhat felt a bit lonely without the gang there to eat with them. But they only shook it off. Shonaku sat across from Crona as Crona himself stared at Shonaku. Waiting for her to say something. It was only after two uncomfortable, silent minutes when Shonaku realized the awkward stare that was being given. She looked up from her plate, her fork close to her mouth about to eat her food. She placed the fork down and sat up. Her eyes looked to her right and left. Completely blank minded as to why Crona was looking in her direction. Then she asked, "Uh..is there something..wrong?" Crona was sure that Shonaku totally forgot about mentioning to him about what she was going to say to him. Crona sighed. "I-I was hoping when you'd t-tell me what you were going to s-say to me..you know about what you meant when you said n-not tell anyone something.."

Shonaku's eyes widened as full memory of that came back to her. She nervously laughed and looked around. She didn't think that Crona would keep this as a promise. "Oh, that? Haha..right I so remember that! Gee..do you uh..still want to know..hehe?" She smiled awkwardly. Crona pouted.

"Y-Yes..I still want to know..please..?" He asked her. Shonaku began to feel that same guilt she had felt that time she made Maka the bad guy and had her friends pretty much shun her. Shonaku looked down at her tray. Fuck..I wasn't expecting him to actually wait on me to tell him. What the hell do I say now? Should I tell him the truth? I mean, I don't want to..I've already told seven people. Which is a whole fucking lot. But then..I'd feel bad just letting Crona out of this. I mean, especially after we had that conversation. Oh and stupid Ragnarok just had to ruin most of it! Ugh, I guess I can tell him..I just hope he won't react badly to this. Hopefully he'll still want to be my friend. Hopefully.

"Okay, I'll tell you what I was talking about earlier this morning. Just..don't freak out. Okay, Crona? Please." Shonaku finally said. Crona wondered about what she was about to say. And even more curious when she said not to freak out. Freak out about what exactly? He thought.

Shonaku hesitated sighing. She closed her eyes then opened them. She looked at Crona in the eyes, a serious look once again.

"Crona. I'm not exactly what you think I am. There's something that I'm capable of that very few in this world are. You cannot tell anyone of this ability that I have. Such thing could put our kind in danger..They're really aren't many of us. That's all I can say. Look. Crona, as silly as this might sound..I'm a..wizard..." Shonaku admitted. She said everything in a low tone so no one could overhear her speak.

Crona's eyes widened in shock. Shonaku looked down once more. Crona couldn't really believe what he just heard. He couldn't make sense of it either. Should this be something he should worry about or not? Would this affect him in any way that would change the way he saw Shonaku? So many questions flooded in his mind. But he canceled them out. He didn't want to feel so overwhelmed. It was the way Shonaku said it though. Sure enough it was something big, and he could see why now that Shonaku hadn't said it sooner. It really did sound like they were endangered though. How? Why? Since when did they exist?

Shonaku looked back up and could still see that surprised look on Crona's face. All this being shocked of her being a wizard thing started to annoy her. She didn't know such abilities were that surprising and important to them. Shonaku rolled her eyes. She waited for Crona to calm down a bit. Not that he was panicking physically though.

"Yes, yes, I know. Fucking surprising and shit. I get it. But there's no reason to make that face." Shonaku murmured. Crona snapped out of it. He left his train of thoughts and smiled sheepishly. "Oh, s-sorry..It's just.." He began. Shonaku spoke.

"Yeah, it's just surprise 'N shit. I get it. Wizards aren't bad guys either. Just letting you know. They're not entirely like witches. They can do spells and everything like that. That's the only thing in common. But promise me, Crona that you'll never tell a soul. Got it? Like I said, these guys practically don't exist so it wouldn't be a great thing if most people knew about them."

Crona could see that Shonaku wasn't joking. She really meant it. Of course, Crona would tell anyone. I mean if he did, who to?

"Yeah. I-I promise. I won't tell anyone S-Shonaku."

This thought jumbled around in Crona's head throughout lunch. Although this was in mind, he still couldn't make a connection with this and Shonaku's necklace. What would a wizard have to do with that necklace? It bothered him so much, that the question just happened to slip from his mouth.

"But Shonaku..d-does your necklace that you wear have to do anything with that..?" Crona covered his mouth with one hand. He didn't mean to ask it aloud. He couldn't tell but suddenly he felt some dark tension arise. So quickly. Then it happened again. Shonaku once more fell silent bending her head down. A shadow covering her face. "L-Look. Crona," She began. "I don't want to be rude, but I think what I've told you is enough for now. All I'm going to say is that this necklace is so very important to me..I couldn't live without it..I need it. That's all you need to know for the time being. Please don't ask me.."

Crona could see that this really bothered her. To make this a fact, she even clenched onto the necklace as she spoke about it. She gripped it so hard though, like she wanted to break it. Crona slightly nodded. She didn't tell him much about the necklace, but he knew he shouldn't ask much since it sounded like she was practically telling him to back off.

"R-Right..I-I'm sorry.." He said apologetically. Shonaku was still so quiet, it worried him. Then she lifted her face and simpered. "No, it's fine, Crona! I think the bell just rang right now. We really better get to class before we're late!" She mentioned.

"Oh, yes!" Crona said. And with that, the two ended the conversation with them leaving to their next class period.

It had already been an hour since the gang left the academy for their new mission. No one else minded this except for a few. Which were Death the Kid, Liz, And Black Star. Kid was becoming slightly annoyed by all the sand that blew in his face which caused him to sneeze constantly. Liz whined about her feet aching from walking for so long. So to fix that, Kid decided that he have both Liz and Patty transform in weapon formation. And Black Star kept complaining about the trip being so long and hoping to get there soon. He would always mention how boring it was to walk in sand.

"Are we almost there yet? I feel like falling asleep already just walking!" Black Star said.

"Quiet Black Star, we're almost there so stop your complaining." Maka told him back.

After half an hour or so, Maka could see a small village nearby. She thought it was quiet odd for there to be a village in the middle of nowhere, but she didn't mind anything else besides that. She hurried on the rest of the gang. When they arrived the village seemed as normal as could be. All the villagers continued their daily works. Children still happily played. It was as if nothing had ever happened in that village. As they arrived at the entrance Maka could see a sign above her that read: "WELCOME TO SERENITY VILLAGE".

The gang walked in to the village, some people even greeting them. It was hard to identify the problem of this village, and what Lord Death had told them. Maka begun to assume that the killings weren't located in this side of the village. She decided to ask a villager about it to clarify this thought.

She approached an old woman with a kind greeting, also introducing herself. "Excuse ma'am? Hello, my name is Maka Albarn and I'm here coming from the Death Weapon Meister Academy located in Death City. These are my team members, and we were told about some killings from a group of kishins nearby. Would you happen to know about any of this?"

The old woman warmly smiled. She was wiping a bowl with a rag. Her attire was a dress, an apron, red sandals, and a bandana wrapped around her head. She looked like eighty years old as her hair was a grayish color. Her kind smile brought up wrinkles to her face. "Oh, good evening young lady. Now that you mention it I do believe that what you are talking about has occurred at our downer side of our village. So far, they've somehow managed to keep the kishins away from this area. Of course for one important reason it's because on this side of the village,this is wear most of our children are. If you are here to investigate, the other side of the village is just down that path. There is a wooden fence that boarders the village in two. To your left of that fence, there is an opening. I do believe that some man is guarding that opening to prevent any children from coming in that side. It's very dangerous though. I've heard some say that the villagers are struggling more and more to keep those kishins from coming this way. Please do save them, they are all in great danger..."

Maka let this information sink in. Then she nodded in assurance. "Okay. Thank you ma'am for the info. We'll be going now to go take a look at the area on that side of the village. Your help is very appreciated." Maka said politely. The old woman nodded back at Maka, and went back inside her home. Maka turned behind her and said, "Come on you guys. Let's go. I think that's all the information we needed." The others agreed and followed Maka as she continued to walk down the dirt road that would lead them to the other side of the village.

As Maka and the others neared towards the other side, she could notice a change in their surroundings. There were less people around, and most of them seemed either frightened or glum. The sky changed from a light blue to a very dark blue with clouds covering almost all of the sky around them. The temperature oddly dropped, and the coldness made Maka shiver. In the distance, she could see a red wooden fence block the rest of the view from them. On top of the fence, their were barbed wires. Smoke could be seen arising from the other side, and many other violent noises could be heard as well. Maka's theory was right. She had noticed the big change. From where she was before, that side of the village seemed so happy and joyful. Everyone lived in such peace. But this side for that matter, there was absolutely no one near now. And most houses nearby seemed like they were abandoned for survival. And it looked like no one had time to escape with all of their belongings, as she could see that most valuables were left behind. Everyone had fled from this disaster. It seemed so gloomy on this side of the village, it was like the boarder and the clouds were showing the difference.

Now Maka and the gang were face to face with the wooden fence. Maka turned and walked to her left with the others. But she stopped. She had a feeling that just in case, the gang should be prepared for whatever they were about to meet on that other side.

"You guys, I suggest you all prepare yourselves. We may have to encounter a few kishins before heading to the source. Have your weapons transform. Soul. You know what to do." Maka held out her hand, waiting for Soul to be in her grasp. Soul nodded at her. "Right."

He then transformed in his scythed form and fell into Maka's hand. She held the handle bar tightly and carried him at her side with her right hand. Black Star ordered Tsubaki to transform into chain scythe mode. As for the rest, they had already transformed. when Maka reached the opening that the old lady had mentioned, she saw a man. About the age of forty. He had a pitchfork and a few other small weaponries in his belt. He sat on a wooden chair, a piece of wheat sticking out of his mouth. He wore a farmer's hat and overalls. He glance up noticing the seven standing there. He asked them, "Who are all of you? Ya'll around from here?"

"No," Maka replied. She told her the same thing as she did to the old woman. The man nodded and stood up from his seat. "I see. Very well then, you can go on ahead. Just be aware though, some of our villagers went on to go find the source. It's been three days now 'N they haven't arrived back. Check out if ya can to see if they dead or not."

"Alright, we'll do so." Maka said to the man. The man let the seven pass by him and enter the other side of the village. Maka wasn't too surprised to find that the place was a wreck. Some house looked demolished inside and out. Most of the villagers that had weapons were men. And for the women, they had their children somewhere hidden. Smoke was in the air, so most of the had cloths over their mouths. There were torches and pitch forks in some areas. A green liquid was mostly what caught Maka's attentioned. She guessed that it could be from the blood of the kishins that were here. Everything was a mess. And far off in the distance in what looked like the exit, Maka could see some villagers attacking the kishins. These kishins all looked the same, of course they're all from one of their own kind. Maka hurried the others to go help the villagers. When they reached them, they all engaged in their battle mode. Dead skin, long spinal back, long sharp claws, with spikes on there arms was how hey looked like. Maka announced to all the men about who the seven were, then one man approached Maka quickly.

"Oh, thank goodness! Look young lady, there isn't much time! We can't hold them all down much longer! But you shouldn't fight here now! You must go to where they all keep coming from! It's right outside this exit and up ahead. There's a rocky area, and that's where they mainly were coming from! Go fight over there and find the source! Please! And please find some of our men! They went missing trying to kill the source!"

"Okay!" Maka said. She motioned the others to follow her out the exit. Maka hopesd that the villagers could hold off those kishins back there. As they exited Serenity village, their weren't many kishins around. So Maka was able to find this rocky area easily. They could all see that large amounts of kishins roamed around there, even some leaving their territory on the way to the village. Suddenly a kishin lunges at Maka who was head lead of her gang. Without hesitation, Maka jumps to slice its neck and chest open. A kishin egg soul appears before her eyes.

Another kishin confronted Black Star and slashed its sharp claws at him. As it continued to thrash, Black Star threw Tsubaki wrapping the kishin up in the chains. Black Star pulled harder and harder to squeeze the kishin whole. The kishin's body teared apart into pieces, green goop splattering everywhere. "Oops." Black Star snickered as he wiped the liquid off of his face.

Kid was approached by a kishin that charged towards him. Kid ran full speed towards the kishin as well, and when meeting a good distance, he upper kicked the kishin's chin, and shot its face and where the heart would be.

Maka fought off a kishin when she got a warning from Soul. "Maka, behind you!" He yelled. Maka then made a 360 degree spin and tried to cut the kishin behind her in half. But the kishin doesn't budge. Maka gasped as she was sacked by the kishin, causing her to be thrown a few feet. Maka got up and ran back to the kishin, and tried to slice him at all his opened spots. But the kishin continued to fend off all her attacks. Strangely none of her attacks were working.

Kid jumps on top of another kishin. The kishin thrashes its arms around, trying to get kid off of its shoulders. Kid then shoots at each side of its head, blowing out its brain and skull. Kid jumped off of the kishin on time, when its dead body collapsed to the floor.

A kishin came to Black Star and tried to smash him. Black Star swiftly jumped backwards and dodged the attack. The floor cracked beneath the kishin's fist. The kishin roared and charged towards Black Star. Black Star called for Tsubaki. "Tsubaki! Enchanted sword mode! Hurry!"

"Right!" Tsubaki then transformed into a different weapon mode. Marks formed on Black Star's face. "Enchanted sword mode!" He yelled. A great power surged through his body. Black Star easily stabbed the kishin in its gut, killing it. He ran to a group of kishins and killed them all at once, using a spin attack.

Maka lunges back at the same kishin and still continues to fight it. But the kishin wouldn't budge. Suddenly, she started to feel a little weak. Kid summersaulted and defeated one last other kishin before noticing Maka struggling to kill this kishin. She kept getting attacked on either side she didn't have Soul by. Kid summoned his skateboard and hopped aboard it. He rides it towards where Maka was. As he did so, he called for Black Star to help Maka out to.

Maka landed on the ground on her feet, and looked at the kishin menacingly. Why aren't any of my attacks working anymore? No matter how hard I try to use Soul to defend me, he keeps finding an open spot! Why am I fighting so weakly all of a sudden? ..Why? I don't understand, I was doing so well before.. Are there just too many thoughts in my head? I came so prepared to fight, and now I'm feeling so frustrated. Could it be my stress about Shonaku that's holding me down? ..or..is it that.. Maka's train of thoughts was interrupted by Kid yelling at her.

"Maka, watch out!"

"Huh?"

The kishin was about to slice Maka with his hands, just as Black Star and Kid hammer the kishin down. With final blows, the kishin forms into an egg soul. Maka realized that she wasn't focusing and that the kishin could see that she was wide open. If it weren't for Kid and Black Star, she could've almost died. She gave a sheepish smile to them and apologized. "I-I'm sorry you guys! I was just uh..thinking about something."

"Are you okay, Maka?" Kid asked. "You seem a bit out of place. Perhaps we can give you some time to think to yourself if you like." Maka put out her hands in front of her. "Oh no it's okay! I'm fine!"

"It's alright Maka," Black Star begun. "We'll just go on ahead and let ya have a moment for yourself! We'll be fine." Maka looked at them all. She sighed and nodded. "Okay.." The others left, and now it was just Maka and Soul. "You okay Maka? You could've gotten yourself killed there." Soul said. Maka looked at the rocks up ahead. "I know, but it's just that.." Soul's reflection of the blade of the scythe appeared as he raised an eyebrow at her. What's making me fight so slow all of a sudden?..Stress? Or maybe it's just that..I'm not strong enough and maybe Soul isn't enough..? No it couldn't be that..But..That kishin got me so easily.. I should just forget about this and come back to it later..Yeah. Maka nodded and ran with Soul to catch up to the others.