The Girl in the Corner

A/N: I'm really surprised that you guys liked the first chapter. Thanks to those who reviewed, I really appreciate it. Really reviews are what remind me that I have a fanfic I should be working on. Hopefully I'll be able to focus on this and finish it. I have a majority of the story planned out already, including a small lemon portion that will happen WAY later.

Sorry about any notable grammar errors, I type these chapters out at around one or two o'clock in the morning mainly because that's when the "creative juice" is flowing. I'll try and update at least every week, but don't hold it against me if I don't.

At least Kid and Chrona are in character- I hope I can keep that up. I'm glad you all liked it!

I hope you enjoy the second chapter!

Pairings to be expected are Kid/Chrona, Soul/Maka, and a few surprise ones.

Disclaimer: This is merely a fanfic meant for entertainment and none of the characters present belong to me unless I say otherwise.

Note: The chapter will switch between points of views. You will know when the point of view changes whenever the character's name appears BOLD and there is a line.

Kid

I was dumbfounded. No, I was shocked. No, I was- I was- Damn it, there are just no words that are good enough in the entire dictionary that could describe what I'm feeling right now. Whatever that feeling was, it was strong enough to keep me sitting on the floor in a confused mental state. Could you really blame me though?

I had just discovered something about Chrona that, possibly, not even Maka knew about. Wait, scratch that, there was no "possibility" that Maka didn't know, it's a "definitely". If Maka knew about all those inflictions on Chrona's legs, she would have hung to Chrona like a leech, refusing to leave her side, and inform us.

That was one of the many questions that were running through my head actually. Why doesn't Maka know? Is there something going on that Chrona's not even willing to tell her best friend about? She was trying so hard to hide them, no wonder she pushed me away and ran out crying. I found out something that was never supposed to be seen.

Crying….Damn it, what the hell am I doing still sitting here? I instantly pushed myself back to my feet and ran out to the empty hallways of the school. I was easily reminded of the late time by how my surroundings were colored in a mix of orange and red thanks to the sun setting outside. Who knew cleaning the classroom would take that long? And the club members who stayed probably left by now. But that doesn't matter.

I looked up and down the halls, calling out Chrona's name, hoping she would give a response. I don't know why I tried though seeing as there is no way Chrona would want to face me now.

"Chrona," I tried again. I stood there in silence for a second or two, before I recalled that she said something about going to the restroom. It's a long shot, seeing as she was probably just looking for an excuse to leave, but I'm the kind of guy willing to take chances.

Patty

"There!"

I clapped my hands, congratulating myself for my masterpiece. Sure it took a lot of time, which meant I would be the last one in the Arts and Crafts room after the club meeting, but it was worth it.

My paper mache giraffe was done. I made sure it was much bigger than my last one and I used much more material this time. Hopefully it would live longer than my last one. "You're so cute," I giggled to myself, hugging the paper animal, trying not to crush it. I have to show Liz and Kid back home before I could do that.

"We better get home, right?" I poked the nose of the giraffe, letting out a few more giggles. Which reminds me, I wonder if Kid left already? ….Nah- he's alone with Chrona, there is no way he would give up on such an opportunity.

I hummed a little tune as I moved around the art room, putting back all the paper, crayons, and what-not to their right places. I don't want the teacher to hit me for leaving messes, again. "Clean up~ Clean up~" I sang to myself, putting the crayons into a drawer.

"Hey, you, blondie," I heard a gruff voice call for me from the door. It was probably one of the other club members, so I quickly spun around to greet them. It wasn't.

Standing by the door, leaning against the frame, was someone I have never seen before at this school or even around town. It was a guy, all dressed in black like a punk, with hair to match the color and style. I would say he was around my sister's age, maybe a bit older. He was very well built for a teenager though.

The one thing that stood out over all was an "X" shaped scar on the bridge of his nose.

Where the freaking hell did this guy come from!

"Who are you!" I quickly questioned, pointing an accusing finger at him. He raised his brow at me, a look I was very familiar with seeing as strangers give me the same look whenever I was in public.

"None of your business, busty," He frowned. The punk looked around the room as if he was searching, "I'm just lookin' for someone."

"Oh?"

"I normally meet her outside the school, but for some reason she ain't coming out, so since I was getting so freaking bored I decided to get her myself. If only I knew how huge this shithole was." He blew his hair out of his face before returning his focus on me. "So, have you seen a flat-chested chick with pink hair? At first you'd think she was a dude cross-dressing, she's not that hard to miss."

A girl with a flat chest and pink hair "You're looking for Chrona?" I asked him, cocking my head to the side. How does this guy know Chrona?

"So there really are other people who know she exists. You've seen her?"

Ouch. This guy definitely wasn't "prince charming". I guess I should tell him anyway, I don't think he'll do anything bad to her. He doesn't seem like the type of guy, not really. "She's in classroom 2-A," I pointed up, "The room's right on the floor above."

"Great," He slapped his face with his palm, "more fucking stairs." And just like that, he leaves the room. I puffed up my cheeks in irritation before yelling out "You could at least say 'THANKS' you punk-ass!"

….

Oh well, what can you do? I better get back to cleaning.

Kid

"Chrona?"

I don't know how many times I called out her name by now, but it doesn't matter. The school's pretty big and there are many places one could hide, but I doubt she would have left this floor.

Unfortunately the bathrooms were at the far end of the hallway, meaning I had to do a lot of running. I stopped for a moment to catch my breath, permitting myself a moment to relax my mind and body. I can't just stand here though- I really wanted to, needed to, talk to her now. I had questions that were irritating me, questions only she could answer.

The seconds of silence allowed a depressing sound to entre my hearing range. The sound of crying- it was coming from down the halls, my destination.

"There she is," I told myself, moving my legs one more time so that I could reach her. Following the strange feeling in your gut really does pay off, for in this moment it was right. Chrona really did mean it when she said she was going to the restroom. I could hear her crying from where I stood, in front of the door to the girl's bathroom.

I felt a pang in my chest. Like a strong, intense wave of guilt just rushing through painfully. She was crying, and in a sense it was my fault because I had to be the one to find those scars. Smooth. Just, smooth.

"Chrona," I said her name one more time as I knocked on the door. I was attempting to keep my cool, pushing back all the questions to the back of my mind. The first thing to do is to make her stop crying. The questions will come later, once she's emotionally stable at least.

I heard a familiar squeak sound, a sign that she heard me. But that was all for the moment. I let out a sigh, knowing she was probably startled by the sound of my voice. I knocked again, this time asking "Are you okay?"

"Sh-Sh-Shinigami-kun…?"

"Yeah…"

"…"

"….I'm coming in." There was no other choice really. I wanted to talk to her face to face so that she'll know I'm sorry and she could at least give me a direct answer to how she got all those wounds. On a normal occasion I wouldn't even dare go through these doors, but one: there's no one around but us, and two: screw the rules for a moment, she's crying and as a gentleman I couldn't let that happen.

"N-no, i-it's okay-"

Sorry Chrona. I already pushed the doors open, but to my surprise I didn't see her. "Chrona?" I walked inside, my hand keeping the door open. She wasn't by the sinks or in any of the stalls. So where was she?

"Shinigami-kun-" I turned my head to the side and nearly jumped at the sight out of surprise. Chrona was sitting on the bathroom floor, in the corner. I stared at her sitting there, her knees up and arms hugging them tightly. I didn't know whether to find the sight cute (because she looks like a kid in time out), pitiful (because in a sense it was), or unsanitary (she was sitting on the bathroom floor).

"What are you doing there?" I immediately asked, pointing. I know she likes sitting in the corner desks of the classrooms, but for her to sit in the actual corner? That was new. "I-I-I just-" She looked down ashamed, "I-just-f-feel better when I'm s-sitting in the corner….I-is that bad?"

"No, it's just that-"

"I-I'm-I'm sorry-" Chrona shot right back up to her feet, stumbling a bit, "I-I- I won't sit in the corner if you don't want me to, Shinigami-kun!" She looked at me with tear filled eyes that were not only begging for forgiveness but were also giving off the feeling of fear. I felt a piece of me die inside by the mere sight.

I don't understand. Yes sitting in the corner was a bit strange but really I had nothing against it (Though she could have picked some place cleaner). So why was she getting worked up over something as simple as whether she could sit there or not?

"I-it's okay, Chrona, there's nothing wrong with sitting in the corner if it makes you comfortable." I reassured her, releasing my hold on the door and moving closer. I reached out a hand to pat her shoulder, only for her to flinch and take one short step back. It was then I remembered Chrona's fear of physical contact.

When Maka introduced her to us she absolutely refused to shake anyone's hand, not out of spite but uneasiness. Even a hug from Maka seemed to make Chrona tense up a bit. It was like she was afraid of being touched by or touching others.

And I know why.

I focused my gaze down, looking at Chrona's skirt long skirt. The image of her scratched up legs was still fresh, so I could clearly picture what they looked like behind the article of clothing. I furrowed my brow at this.

Chrona must have noticed where I was staring, for one of her hands latched nervously onto the fabric. I returned my focused to her face, and saw her wiping away her tears with her right sleeve as she sniffled. Now that wasn't proper, her tears would leave wet stains on her uniform, making it asymmetric.

I took out my properly folded handkerchief from my pocket, spread it out and over my left hand and reached over when she stopped moving her sleeved arm over her eyes. I wiped the incoming tears away from her left eye with one side of the handkerchief as gently and evenly as I could. Chrona had frozen in place at my actions, her blue eyes widening and her cheeks turning pink.

We both stood quietly as I dried the left side of her face and then continued to do the same to the right. I am actually surprised that she didn't push me away or anything like that.

"There," I lowered my hand, analyzing her face in case I had missed anything. I could see tears forming at the corner of both eyes, meaning that I would have to wipe them away again. Not that I mind really.

Chrona continued to stare at me with a surprised expression, her body shaking a bit. She looked a bit more relaxed than she was a few minutes ago though, but just a bit. I guess this would be the best time to ask.

"Chrona," I looked at her sternly, unconsciously folding the handkerchief in my hands, "…About what happened back in the classroom…" She jumped at what I said, her teeth nervously clenched together and her eyes regaining the same fear from before. I assume she was hoping that I had forgotten or chose to leave it as nothing.

"…Y-you saw it…" She whimpered, the tears returning, "Y-you saw it all- right?" I could only nod in response to her question before focusing my gaze once again on her skirt which she again clenched but now with both hands. If her legs were also inflicted upon, wouldn't that also mean that-

"Chrona, can you please roll up your sleeve?" I hope I didn't come off too harshly, though I guess it was inevitable due to my request. Chrona immediately released her hold on her skirt to hug herself, looking at me with a threatened expression.

"W-what!"

"I don't mean any harm to you. I just want to check your arms if-"

"N-n-no!" She shook her head frantically as I stepped closer. I knew I shouldn't have, but I did anyway. "Please, Chrona, I just want to check." I tried so hard to make sure my voice was at its calmest tone, I didn't want to scare her. True what I was asking for was frightening her, but I really needed to see if she had cuts and bruises on her arms too, just to see if my assumption was right.

"No!" She cried again, shaking her head more as she repeated the word a few more times. I felt like I was getting nowhere.

"What the fuck is going on here?"

Both of us stopped in place at the sound of a gruff voice. I turned around and nearly jumped at the sight of an older guy all dressed in black with an "X"-shaped scar on his face. Apparently we were so caught up in our little 'quarrel' that we didn't hear the door open. I stared at him for a second or two. Something about him made me sick inside- and it wasn't just because of his appearance (Good lord, has he ever heard of a hairbrush?)

"And who are you?" I raised a brow, glaring at him and regaining my composed composure. He returned a similar look, though with a more annoyed vibe.

"I should be asking you the same thing three stripes. I should also be asking 'why are you in the girls' bathroom dumbass?' but I don't think I would like the answer." He answered rudely, sneering. Did he just call me 'Three stripes'! H-how dare he-

"Ra-Ragnarok…" I heard Chrona stutter out, catching me off guard. She knows this guy?

"I was looking for ya', you little brat. You were taking too long so I figured that I'd just come in and get you myself." A dirty smirk formed on his face. "I'm guessing this is why you want to stay after school at times, right? You wanted to spend some time with Three-stripes here."

'Three stripes'….Why the hell must he call me that? I don't need such a disgraceful nickname!

"N-no, it's nothing like that!" Chrona cried, stepping forward and waving her hands around in defense. "Indeed, where are you getting such an idea?" I defended as well.

"…You're in the girls' bathroom…Together….With Chrona up against the wall. Are you catching my drift, Three stripes?"

'Three stripes'- 'Three stripes'- 'Three stripes'- Oh god, I want to cry so badly now.

"Whatever you idiots," This 'Ragnarok' lifted up what looked like Chrona's school bag. He must have picked it up from the classroom on his way here. "Come on, Chrona, let's go. I'm hungry and I'm tired of waitin' for you." With that Ragnarok had turned around and walked back out.

"Y-yes," Chrona quickly answered, slowly moving forward to follow, "s-see you tomorrow, Sh-Shinigami-kun."

"Wait," I quickly grabbed Chrona's wrist as she was about to walk out the door, causing her to tense up and stop. She refused to turn around and make eye contact, already nervous thanks to my regretful actions, and instead kept her gaze on the floor.

"I'm sorry for how I acted before. I had no right to demand you anything." I honestly apologized, feeling embarrassed. "A-and I'm also sorry for…What I saw…I won't tell anyone…I promise." Her head perked up in reaction to my words, and slowly she turned around and looked at me with shocked eyes. It was then I noticed that there were still a few tears left on her face.

"Here," I released my hold on her wrist and held up my handkerchief, gesturing for her to take it. She instead looked at the cloth with curiosity before shifting the same look over to me. "Go ahead, you can have it-"

"B-but-"

"I have a lot of these, don't worry. Besides, you need something to wipe your eyes with when you cry. Tears make a cute face such as yours asymmetrical and I can't have that." She let out a smile gasp at what I had just said, and it took me a few seconds to realize that I had just said her face was cute. I felt the temperature in my cheeks shoot up a bit.

"I-I mean- I-" Nope, there's no use trying to retract what I just said. I could only rub the back of my head with my free hand and look somewhere else. Then I felt fingers run over my palm and realized that Chrona had taken my offering.

"Th-" She looked at the folded handkerchief and then looked up at me shyly with the cutest smile I have ever seen, "-Tha-thank you, Shinigami-kun…."

I swear I could feel my chest flying there for a moment. She smiled at me. To anyone this may seem ridiculous but for me this is wonderful. For the first time she actually smiled at me.

"Damn it, quit standing there Chrona, we've got to go." Ragnarok yelled from the hall, ruining my moment. "S-sorry!" Chrona cried, running out to join him. I walked out of the bathroom and watched the pair walk down the halls.

"I had to walk throughout this whole building and even got your stuff for you, ya' know. So where's my 'thank you'?"

"Th-thank you-"

"That's 'thank you very much'!"

I sighed, shaking my head and rubbing the bridge of my nose with my fingers. This was more than I expected to get out of being alone with Chrona after school. Not only did I discover those cuts (Which I really should ask her about tomorrow), but I also met this Ragnarok fellow who seemed to know Chrona well.

To think this all started because I picked up that folded photograph.

That photograph- I almost forgot about it. I quickly dug into my pocket and took it out. Staring at it, I was debating with myself on whether or not it would be right to unfold it and take a look. Chrona seemed pretty desperate to hide it, as if she wanted it to be for her eyes only. I didn't want to disrupt her privacy anymore than I already have, but I just had the strong urge to see what it was. Maybe it would give me a clue as to what is going on.

Sorry Chrona.

I unfolded the photo as carefully as I could. The edges were dulled and it was evident that it has been kept for a long while and folded one too many times. I was surprised to find that it was a family photo, with five people, two adults and three children.

It was easy to pick out Chrona from the group. She was the tiny one in the middle wearing a black dress. The other two kids were holding her hands.

The one on her left was a boy with black hair. I could only guess that this was Ragnarok, but he didn't have the "X" shaped scar on his face. The kid on her right was a girl with long, silver-ish light blue hair and a black and white polka-dot dress. I have never seen her before, but of course I've never seen Ragnarok before either so she may just be hiding.

They were probably Chrona's older brother and sister from the looks of it. Funny, they don't look alike at all. The shape and color of their eyes, their hair color and style, hell even their skin tone was different.

The woman standing behind them was no better. The woman had dirty blonde hair, with both her side bangs outgrown and tied together in a braid at the front. Her hair style was somewhat like Chrona's; it was short and spiked out at the back. Was she their mom? Than clearly the kids received the physical genes from the father.

Whoever the father was, anyway, as I couldn't make out the man's face, for it had been damaged. It looked like someone had taken the sharp tip of a knife and scratched the man's face off. Talk about brutal.

So this was Chrona's family. I've never heard much about them nor have I ever seen them. Maka did mention Chrona's mother once, but that was it. She never said anything about a brother or sister. Is Chrona hiding something about them?

"Hey Kid-kun, there you are!"

I slightly jumped, feeling my breath get caught in my throat, at the sound of a familiar voice calling for me. As quickly, and neatly, as I could I folded up the photo and put it back into my pocket. I breathed out uneasily and attempted to relax myself.

"I was looking everywhere for you! Are you done cleaning?" Patty, holding a paper mache giraffe (of course), walked towards me with her usual happy smile. I felt my eye twitch at the crooked face of the animal and the asymmetrical spots.

"Where's Chrona?" She asked, looking around. Her face fell when she noticed the door I was standing in front of. "And why are you standing by the girls' bathroom?"

"It's nothing," I coughed, walking past her. Patty's not exactly the best person to confine in seeing as she's as childish and loud-mouthed as Black*Star, so I can't tell her about what had happened. I don't think I could tell anyone really.

"Come on, it's getting late and Liz is probably getting irritated waiting for us. And we still have to put the tables back in a row."

"Okay!" Patty skipped over to my side and we walked back to 2-A. "Hey, you'll never guess what happened. I met this weird guy in the Art room, and he said he was looking for Chrona~" Patty laughed, "He looked funny and ugly!"

"So he really was looking for her…"

"Oh," Patty looked at me curiously, "You saw him?"

"He came to pick Chrona up apparently. Did he say anything about being her brother or anything like that?"

"Brother?" Patty looked up at the ceiling, "Nope. I don't think Chrona even has siblings." I sighed at this. "So that's how it is…"

I really am the first one to find out this part of Chrona's life: those scars on her legs, Ragnarok, and now this family that she has, yet no one knows about.

Something is wrong, really wrong.

A/N: I have a bad habit of going overboard with my chapters and making them long, so forgive me if this took up too much time to read (over 4,300 words). So Ragnarok has made his entrance. He plays an important role as Chrona's older brother, so look forward to his appearances.

Now the girl with silver/light blue hair and a black and white polka-dot dress- it shouldn't be that hard to figure out whom it is, right?

I tried to make it in a way that Kid wants to know where Chrona got her injuries from and yet at the same time he doesn't want to frighten her with questions that pushed too much. He just seems like the kind of guy who wants answers and will do anything to get them.

In the next chapter a few of his question will actually be answered. And the handkerchief is a recurring symbol so it would be mentioned from time to time.

I hope the second chapter comes to your liking. I know that maybe some of you would have preferred to keep it at only Kid's point of view, but in order to keep it interesting I have to switch around.

Please review if you can! It's the reviews that keep me going really.