The Girl in the Corner
A/N: Chapter Eight! The lucky, symmetrical number eight! Though really this chapter is when things start taking a dark turn, as we get a look at Eruka's suicide and Ragnarok's feelings (yes, he has those).
I apologize for how long it took me to write this chapter. In truth this took me about four times to rewrite until I was satisfied. Yes, that is right, four. So please don't think "I waited almost a year for this!" because this was really difficult.
In Chapter 7 I said that this takes place a week after…I lied. This chapter actually takes place two weeks after.
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
Chapter 8: Ease
Chrona
"Eruka, what are you doing?"
For some reason, I found myself staring at an all too familiar scene.
"I can't take it anymore. I'm sick of being her prisoner!"
There she was. I can easily recognize that silver-ish hair that was always straight and well-kempt, unlike mine. It was blowing in the wind, because she was standing on the edge of a roof.
"That doesn't give you a reason to jump of a fucking building you freaking idiot!"
I can see Ragnarok stepping forward and yelling at her, ordering her to not move, thinking that because he was older she had no other option but to listen.
"Watch me!"
What are you doing?
"Sorry Chrona, but I can't be your sister anymore…"
No…Please….Don't step forward!
"Eruka!"
She did…
"Chrona you moron, wake up!"
My eyes shot open, taking me away from the terrifying memory. I didn't move from where I laid until Ragnarok banged on the door, "Get up you idiot!" he hollered. I quickly obliged and scrambled out of my small bed.
"S-sorry!" I responded, hoping that he heard me so that he could stop and not be angry.
As I ran around my room looking for my school uniform, part of my mind was wondering why exactly I had that…Nightmare. Eruka, she was on the top of the roof of an apartment building, while me and Ragnarok begged her to come back home. I remembered it all too clearly, even though I tried to forget under Mother's orders.
Another bang at the door reminded me that I shouldn't be thinking of such things. If I didn't get dressed soon Ragnarok will hit my head again. It took another minute or so, but I was able to find my uniform and slipped it on as fast as I could. I grabbed my school bag from the floor and opened the door.
"I-I'm here," I told Ragnarok who was standing there with crossed arms and an annoyed look. Oh no…
Dear big brother must really be sick of you now…
"Dumbass," I closed my eyes, knowing what was coming. I waited a second, awaiting the pain of getting my head punched, only to be surprised that I felt a light tap on my head instead. "Eh?" I looked at him with wide eyes.
"Don't you remember what today is?"
What? Was there something important today? I'm not even sure what the date is…Is it Ragnarok's birthday? He hasn't cared about that since he was eleven, and mine isn't until….I don't really remember my birthday…So what is going?
As if sensing my confusion, Ragnarok gruffly took out his cell phone- simple and cheap, something Mother bought for him in case she needed something- and turned it on to the Calendar.
As he shoved the screen into my face, he asked "Does the date 'August 20' ring any bells in that tiny brain?"
…
Now I remember…That explains why I had that dream.
"Eruka!"
August 20 was the day when Eruka committed suicide…
Maka
I tapped my foot against the sidewalk, becoming a bit unsettled as Tsubaki and I waited for Chrona to join us on the walk to school. I understand that it has been two weeks since her long absence and I should have become settled by now, but no- no I'm not. Call me overprotective, but someone like Chrona needs to be looked after.
"She'll be here Maka, we've only waited for five minutes," Tsubaki reassured me as always, smiling that smile that calmed almost everyone's nerves.
"I know, I know," I pouted, "but still…"
"Don't worry, Maka, I am sure she is fine. You're just being a little too…Well, high strung."
High strung? What is that supposed to mean!
"Oh, see, there she is now!"
I perked up and turned my head to see a familiar pinkette running clumsily toward us. "Chrona- good morning!" I greeted, waving my hand, feeling relief wash over me. Tsubaki giggled, and I didn't need to be a mind reader to know she was thinking "I told you so!"
"G-g-good morning," Chrona greeted back. I lowered my hand down slowly, not really liking the way she said those two words. With just that greeting, I could hear how sad her tone of voice was. While Chrona was usually a quiet, somewhat depressed person, her tone with me and Tsubaki usually had a slight volume of happiness.
Now though….
"Chrona, are you…" I hesitated a bit, but still continued, "Are you feeling okay?"
I see her eyes widen at my question, her shoulders tensed as she rose up her hands in defense. "Oh-no-I-I mean yes- I'm fine, just fine! I…I was just thinking, that's all!"
That…Seemed like a normal Chrona response….Still though…
"You know, we should get going, we don't want to leave everyone else waiting!" Tsubaki spoke out, as she started walking toward the school.
"Y-yes," Chrona nodded, following her. As the two of them walked ahead, I stared at Chrona for a few seconds, feeling as if she was sadder than usual. Not as sad as she was after her long week of absence. No, back than that was an extreme dark, almost extreme sadness, but now- it's like a mourning sadness. Like she misses someone…
A Few Hours Later…
Kid
Today doesn't feel right. For some reason, Chrona's more…how do I say…disheartened. With spending more time with her, I have come to understand her emotions and how they work exactly. This may seem creepy, but I am able to tell how she is feeling just by looking at her posture or her eyes- some would think this as stalking, but in my case I see it as a skill; skill that I have wanted to develop since she became our friend.
Right now, sitting in class and listening to Sid, Chrona's not staring out the window nor was she doodling anything in her notebook. Instead, she was staring blankly at the opened textbook, her hands on her lap, fingers wringing at each other.
You know, I remember her looking like that once. It was over a year ago so I am not entirely sure when it was exactly. I should try talking her during lunch.
Usually when Chrona and I spent our time together on the roof it was comfortable and sweet, not awkward like it is now. It used to be like this at the start, but I would have thought Chrona grew into it. Is something wrong?
"Chrona, are you okay?"
I looked at, noting how she barely touched the food I brought her and instead kept staring at it with a blank expression. "Chrona," I gently shook her shoulder a bit in attempt to snap her out of what you could call a trance.
"Oh-um-" That worked, she now was back and looked at me as if she was surprised I was around, "-s-sorry Kid-kun-I was just thinking of something."
"And what may that be?"
"N-nothing important!" she quickly answered, before she started mumbling "Yeah, nothing at all…"
I frowned, "Come on, you don't honestly believe that when you say that I'll just leave it, do you?" I tried to make my voice gentler, not wanting to frighten her. "Tell me what is troubling you." I furrowed my brow in anger at my next sentence. If it has anything to do with Medusa, I'll-"
"No- it wasn't-it- it has nothing to do with Mother at all!" When she said that, I was unsure whether or not to feel relieved since Chrona had a tendency to lie about Medusa's actions, even to me, the one person who knows what's truly going on.
"Than what is bothering you?" I continued asking.
"I told you, it's nothing!" Chrona's voice became angry and loud, startling both me and her. She put her hand against her mouth as if she didn't want say it like that, before turning away from me.
We sat there for good ten or so seconds of silence before I heard her stutter. "S-s-sorry-I-I shouldn't have- I shouldn't have yelled at you."
"No," I sighed, "it's my fault. I shouldn't have pushed it. I just worry about you, Chrona; whether it be about Medusa or something else, remember that."
"R-really?"
"Of course, it has and always will be like that." That sweet, small smile formed on her face, making me feel a bit better, though the two of us continued to be quiet.
"…"
"…"
"Kid-kun,"
"Yes?"
"Um…I won't be able to go with you…to Deathbucks afterschool this time…"
This caught me off guard, though I showed no change of expression. For the past two weeks, Chrona has been going with me to Deathbucks for a good hour or so, and then goes back home with Ragnarok without Medusa finding out, just like we planned. She usually seemed excited when we did that, so why the sudden change? Did Medusa figure us out? No, it can't be. It's been two weeks, if Medusa found out it would have been sooner, that or Chrona would have been more hysterical.
"Really? But Liz and Patty were going to join us today; they were really looking forward to it too."
"I-I'm sorry, it's just something came up- and-"
"You don't have to say anything, its okay, really. Though, I have to admit it's a tad disappointing."
"'Disappointing'- why Kid-kun?"
"Well…How do I put this," I leaned back against the wall, "I guess you can say I look forward to being with you there, that's all." Chrona stared at me, a bit confused, but soon she got the message and blushed. I blushed a bit as well, but I shook it off and continued eating.
"You should finish your food; lunch is almost over after all."
"Y-yeah."
As we continued eating, the mood was less awkward than a few minutes ago, but that still didn't get rid of the bad feeling I had in my gut.
After School
"See you all Monday," Soul waved, running down the steps from the school entrance. "Hey, wait up Soul, you're supposed to come over to my place, remember!" Maka called out. She was about to chase after him, but first she turned to bid goodbye to Chrona, giving her a sisterly hug before following Soul. Tsubaki and Black*Star followed with their own goodbyes, since the latter had an arranged fight with another jockey and he wanted to be their early to 'put on a show'.
I looked at Chrona who stood solemnly at my side. I knew she was going to say 'no' to this question, but I wanted to ask her just in case. "Are you sure you don't want to come with me, Liz, and Patty to Deathbucks, Chrona?"
"Oh, um-s-sorry-Kid-kun-b-but-but like before I said that I- I have something else to do, m-maybe next time, okay?" She looked at me with a smile, and while it was indeed cute it still gave me an uneasy feeling.
"Aw- do you really have to go Chrona?~" Patty cooed, tackling Chrona with a hug from behind, startling the poor pinkette. "Patty, be careful!" I warned her, hoping Chrona wouldn't collapse from a heart attack.
"But I want Chrona to come too!" Patty whined, "Why is it that she'll go with you, Kid, but she backs out when sis and I come along! Bad girl~"
"I-I-I-I'm sorry!" Chrona quickly apologized, taking Patty's accusation a bit too seriously. "Now, now, Patty," Liz pried her sister off of Chrona and held her close as she continued laughing, "Chrona may have something do with her brother today."
I saw Chrona flinch at the mention of Ragnarok, giving me the idea that what Liz said was true. I found this kind of strange. From what I've seen of Ragnarok- and believe me, I've seen a lot so far- he doesn't seem like the type of guy who would spend 'bonding time' with his little sister.
Now I'm becoming a bit suspicious…
"Well if it is not too much trouble, would you mind if I at least walked you to wherever Ragnarok is?" I smiled reassuringly, "It is a gentlemen's job after all to escort his lady."
….
Liz and Patty looked at me with shocked eyes, and it took me about a second or two to realize that I said 'his' lady. How I wanted to smack myself. I wonder if Chrona picked up on that.
"Um….Okay…If it's okay with you, Kid-kun…" She slowly nodded.
…I don't think she noticed- which was a relief on my part.
"Alright than," Liz grinned, "Kid you take Chrona to that jackass of a brother of hers and we'll meet you at Deathbucks!"
"Yeah- we'll see ya' two lovebirds later!" Patty giggled, only to be grabbed by Liz and dragged down the steps.
"L-lovebirds?" Chrona stuttered. I rubbed her back, "Don't think much into it, please."
"You two just can't seem to separate, can ya?"
"Is that bothering you in any way?"
This should be a common scenario- the big brother staring down on the guy who is attracted to his sister. I've become accustomed to this- after all for the past few days that Chrona has been with me after school, Ragnarok was always the one there to bring her home and he gave me the same glare every time.
"R-R-Ragnarok…" Chrona gently pulled at her brother's shirt sleeve in an attempt to deprive his attention away from me.
"Yeah, yeah, I got ya'." Ragnarok snarled. Chrona shyly waved to me with a sweet blush on her cheeks, "S-see you Monday Kid-kun." Her brother just rolled his eyes, and just when I smiled and was about to say goodbye myself he suddenly yanked Chrona by her uniform collar and dragged her with him down the street.
"I swear staring you two will give me freaking diabetes!"
Standing, not being able to do anything really, I stared in their direction until they were out of sight.
At times like this, a normal person would have let Chrona go and just head back home- but not me. There had to be a reason why Chrona wouldn't want to come to Deathbucks with me, and it wasn't because of Liz and Patty (she was rather fond of those two actually). Chrona would only turn down anything that had to do with her friends if it involved Medusa.
Medusa…Maybe Chrona got in trouble again and will be punished when she gets home? I could not have that.
"There you are!"
I heard Liz and Patty walk up to me from behind. "Kid come on, I want to get myself something with a lot of caffeine!~" Patty jumped up and down in an attempt to get my attention.
"You two can go on ahead I have something to attend to."
"Does it have to do with Chrona?" Liz asked, raising a brow.
"Maybe," I answered back calmly, beginning to walk ahead until I was suddenly stopped by a tight hand on my shoulder. "Wait one minute Kid," Liz ordered.
"Liz, let me go-"
"No way, Kid, we're not letting you go anywhere-"
"Liz, you don't understand-"
"-unless you bring us with you."
I stopped struggling and look at her surprised. Liz smiled at me, amused. "I get it, you're worried about her. Normally I would say that it's just 'Chrona being Chrona', but there is something a bit out of place with her today and I would be lying if I said it didn't bother me. We could go to Deathbucks any time anyway, and besides," Liz pat her little sister's head affectionately, "I don't want Patty to get high off of caffeine on a Friday."
"Awww~"
"Liz, Patty,"
"Ha-ha- Kid's goanna cry!~"
"You can thanks us later, right now we have a friend to take care of."
I smiled back them, trying not to let my emotions get the best of me. I wonder sometimes what would I be without these two.
I watched Chrona and Ragnarok walk down the crowded streets of Death City. I felt guilty- really, really guilty. To follow the person you like, there is no real acceptable reason to do it- even if the reason is out of pure concern, as with my case. Liz, Patty, and I were not that far behind, but we made sure we at least blended in with the crowd just in case one of them turned around.
"Where are they going?" Liz asked the question that all three of us were wondering, probably (with Patty you'll never know.)
"We just have to find out," I answered.
We continued to follow them, and as we did I was hoping to myself that we would see something suspicious- for example, Medusa. If I could catch Medusa when she is in the act, I would finally have something to present to my father as evidence, and with Liz and Patty as my witnesses there is no way it can be denied.
"Hold on," I stopped walking, prompting Liz and Patty to stop as well, when I saw Chrona look at one of the stores- a flower store, to be specific. Chrona step forward and looked at the array of flowers, as if fascinated. She turned to Ragnarok and said something, only for him to shrug. She said something once again, and this time earned a smack on the head. With that, the scenario ended and the two continued walking.
When they were far enough, the three of us moved to the flower shop. "What was that all about?" Liz asked, scratching her head. "Maybe Chrona just wanted some flowers!" Patty said, giggling and complimenting the colors.
"Ragnarok was just being his usual self, I presume," I frowned, as usual not enjoying how Chrona was being treated by her own brother. I looked at the flowers myself, and found myself drawn to the bucket of roses that were laid out and fresh for the picking.
I stared for a second, getting an idea. "Excuse me," I asked the saleslady who was arranging the flowers.
"Can I help you, young man?"
I picked up one of the roses, "May I buy just this one rose?"
"What are you doing, Kid, this ain't the time to buy flowers!" Liz scolded me as I gave the money to the saleslady.
"Now, now, Liz, think of it as doing Chrona a favor. It was clear she wanted a flower, so I might as well get one for her."
"Right- and it's not an excuse to give her one because you like her." I felt my face heat up a bit as Patty started laughing uncontrollably. I coughed, walking on ahead, flower in hand, letting the sisters continue having their fun.
"Come on you two, we'll lose them if you continue standing there!"
Later
"Kid,"
"Yes?"
"Are you sure they went….In there?"
"I did see them walk in,"
"B-but…"
Liz shuddered as she stared up at the crooked steel gates, hiding behind me and Patty. We didn't need the name on the arch to tell us where we were exactly- "Hook Cemetery"- the city's graveyard. Why would Chrona and Ragnarok come to here of all places?
"Come on, let's go, let's go!" Patty cheered, grabbing Liz by her wrist and pulled her along. "P-Patty, w-wait- I-I can't handle places like this!" The three of us searched the cemetery for any sign of the Gorgon siblings. It should be easy though since Chrona's pink hair should stand out in this grim place.
"There!" Patty pointed forward. Liz and I looked and I could feel my expression brighten up. Standing by one of the graves were Chrona and Ragnarok. The older male looked like he just kneeled down and put something on the grave marker. Though not surprisingly, Patty's loud voice caught their ears and they immediately looked over to our direction, shocked.
"K-K-Kid-kun!" Chrona stuttered. "What the hell are you freaks doing here!" Ragnarok yelled, calling us out instead of asking us.
"Shouldn't we be asking you the same thing?" Liz immediately asked a question that I preferred to not have been said.
"It's none of your business!"
"R-Ragnarok, don't yell-!"
"Shut it!"
"Don't start yelling in a Cemetery, please, this is a place for respect after all." I stepped toward them, looking directly at Chrona whose blue eyes displayed shock. "Kid-kun, why did you follow us?" She asked timidly.
"I'm sorry, Chrona, but I couldn't get the feeling that something was bothering you, so…" In my peripheral view I saw the tombstone that the two of them were standing in front of. On the base was a dead frog, the thing I presumed that Ragnarok put down before we showed up.
The most jarring thing overall, though, was the name carved into it.
Eruka Gorgon
A beloved daughter and sister.
She will be missed.
1992-2010
It was then that everything hit me. How did I not realize it? Today was August 20, that was the day when Medusa's second daughter, Eruka, jumped off a building and committed suicide. I remember looking the event up in the newspapers at the library. No wonder Chrona was so sad. I'm such an idiot.
Chrona started fiddling with her hands as Ragnarok's glare become fiercer. "Now do ya' get it why Chrona didn't wanna hang out today, Stripes?"
Liz and Patty joined us, and from their slight gasps they two saw. "Who's-" Liz was caught off by her much louder sister.
"Who's Eruka?"
Chrona flinched, but Ragnarok remained stoic. Both of them looked like they didn't want to say anything, and I understood why. "Kid, what's going on?" Liz asked me, she probably felt how tense the mood was now too. Since I didn't respond, she moved her attention to Chrona and Ragnarok.
"Eruka…Don't tell me she's your-"
"Chrona," she looked at me, "I…Can I talk to you somewhere else?" Chrona looked like she hesitated for a bit, but still she nodded. I walked over and took her hand and started leading her to some other area. I ignored Ragnarok's attempts to stop me.
I led Chrona to another part of the cemetery, not too far where we couldn't find our way back, but far enough that the other three wouldn't be able to see or hear us. "Kid-kun…" I heard her say my name. I stopped in place, still holding onto her hand, keeping my head down.
"Is everything okay?"
I didn't say anything, but instead turned to face her. Eruka, her older sister who was supposed to be the one taking care of her, went off and killed herself, leaving her with a monster of a mother and a brother who has no idea how to treat people properly. Just the thought that Chrona would do the same thing frightened me to no end.
I didn't think twice of pulling her into my arms and holding her tight.
In response she let out a shocked gasp and her body started shaking. "I should have known," I mumbled. I felt Chrona stop and stand still in my arms, and I continued to talk.
"I should have known all along…What was wrong. To think that even if you and Medusa told me what had happened I would still forget and assume something else. I even followed you, invaded your privacy, when really I should have just let it go. I'm sorry…"
Chrona stood there silent, maybe taking in what I said. When I felt a pair of hands rest against my back and her pulling me closer, I tried not to shudder.
"Eruka….Eruka was always scared….Like me…" I heard her take a deep breath.
"Whenever Mother told her to do something she would quickly do it. And there were times…There were even times when she would do Mother's tasks for me, because she didn't want me to get hurt. She even hid me in closets or under the bed in order to make sure Mother only punished her. That was very nice of her…But that didn't make things better…."
"When we moved her…Eruka started changing- she became more rebellious and started going against whatever Mother said. She even ran away from home and disappeared for as long as a week. When Mother finally snapped at how she was being a bad child, Eruka ran off again…But when Ragnarok and I found her…."
I could hear tears in her voice, and just like with the hug, I didn't think about my next action. I shifted a bit so I could lightly kiss her cheek. If she wasn't currently distraught, Chrona would have exploded from embarrassment. But no, she took it as an act of kindness and buried her face into my uniform. Her tears started running down her face like falls.
"I-I miss her-" she sobbed "-I-I miss her so much! There were times where she was as mean as-" *hic* "-Ragnarok, but she-she still took care of me!" I let her continue to sob her woos, the way I held her reminding of that time on the roof when she did the same thing. Chrona continued to cry about Eruka. About how she would fight with Ragnarok and win at times. How she liked frogs and always brought them home. How she was a bit of a pyromaniac and playfully lit stuff up when Medusa wasn't around. Strange traits to remember, but they must have been the traits that Chrona remembered the most.
"I-I'm sorry- K-Kid-kun- I-I'm messing up your uniform, aren't I?" She asked, removing her tear stained face and attempting to wipe away what was left. I shook my head, "It's okay, I don't mind. You're crying after all." She continued to sniffle a bit.
"K-Kid-kun," she sobbed out.
"Hm?"
"I-I don't mind that…That you and Liz and Patty followed us…"
"But-"
"Y-you said you worried about me right…And that's just what worried friends do…Right?"
What she said made me remember what I told her this morning on the roof. That I worried about her, and indeed that is why I came here in the first place.
"Yes, that is precisely what we do." I smiled.
"T-than," she wiped her face a bit more before looking directly at me, "t-thank you for worrying…Kid-kun…"
I continued to hold her as I used one hand to remove one strand of hair away from her face. "I always worry about you Chrona, so if there is anything bothering you, you can come to me."
Chrona's smile grew, and she nuzzled my uniform once again, but I didn't complain. I just continued to hold her. It was always nice when I get the chance too, and really nothing can ruin moments like this for me. Not even when I saw Patty watching us from behind a tombstone.
Right now, all I wanted to do was make her feel at ease.
Liz
First Kid leaves with Chrona to some other part of the cemetery, and then Patty runs off somewhere. I sigh to myself, wondering what kind of trouble my little sister is going to cause. I just can't believe they would leave me alone…In a graveyard…I don't care if it's midday it's still creepy! Though really that is, or should be, the last of my concerns right now. Now, I'm standing right next to Ragnarok, and so far we've only been staring at was his sister's grave.
I tried not to show any sign that the idea of placing a dead frog on someone's grave irked me, but I knew that my eye twitched at the sight of it. Makes me kind of wonder why exactly did it have to be a frog.
"If you're wondering why, I brought that stupid frog because Eruka always liked them," he stated out of nowhere, causing my mind to start wondering again and ask if he was some sort of mind reader.
I frowned, not because I was irritated with him, but because I was a bit irritated with myself and the situation.
To think that Ragnarok had another sister, and one that...Died no less…As the older of two siblings, I admit myself that I would be as bitter as he is if Patty or Kid were to…Leave.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"….Tell me…" He began suddenly. I didn't show any signs of surprise though.
"Hm?"
"….Those two, have they ever showed signs of…Hatin' your guts?" I looked at him, a bit surprised by his question, but I didn't get thrown off. Did Kid and Patty hate me? No, absolutely not.
"No…Well…They've never shown 'signs' of it, if that's what you're asking," I shrugged. "Hm," he let out this sort of amused chuckled which provoked me to raise a brow, "don't be looking at me like that. I just thought that…Ya' know…The three of you are pretty close."
I continued to stare at him, not expecting a compliment from someone like him. I felt kind of flattered actually.
"I mean- you three are still as fucking annoying as anyone else I've met so far. I mean, he's such a little prissy and you two walk around with him like you're his bitches," he grinned stupidly, his words killing all ounce of respect I was developing for him in that second. Ragnarok then began laughing, probably at the face I made. I let him continue laughing, tapping my foot in an attempt to calm myself. It took him a few more seconds to breathe in and calm down, and once he was done I didn't expect him to continue on talking, but he did.
"…But still…Even if you guys are annoying…I still…" He paused as if he didn't want to admit it. "I still…am kind of…jealous…of you three."
I looked at him with wide eyes, once again not expecting him to say that "What?"
"Stripes and that Ditz obviously look up and relay on you to be there for them…Sometimes I wonder if Chrona…and Eruka…ever saw me in that same way…"
"…" I don't know whether or not he wants me to respond to that, but even if he didn't I was already trying to think of the right words.
"Well…" I began carefully, "Of course they had to…You're the older brother- guys like you are supposed to be the type who would go ballistic if anything were to happen to them and they are supposed to know that."
"You mean like those crazy older guys you see in anime and shit?"
"…Something like that…"
"Humph…I doubt you'll believe me but…" I watched his facial expression carefully, taking note how his usual irritated face became more solemn and how his dark eyes showed what I thought to be…guilt.
"I tried to be like that once…." He looked at the grave, "and look where that got me…"
I didn't know what to say to that, so I kept quiet. We were like that for a few minutes, silent. I didn't to be as good of an analyst as Kid to know that Ragnarok was feeling like crap right now. Even a guy like him deserves some sort of comfort…
I raised up my hand and was about to place it on either his back, or his shoulder even, but before I could make any sort of contact, a certain someone popped out of nowhere.
"Hi sis!" Patty screamed happily, tackling me with a hug from the side. "Patty!" My face became a little flushed, hoping that she didn't see me move my hand. Sure it would have been a simple comforting pat, but knowing Patty she would have made it seem like something else if she saw it.
"Well now there's two of the three stooges," Ragnarok teased, "don't tell me that Stripe's still is trying to get into Chrona's panties." I punched his arm for that comment.
"Kid's not like that!" I protested.
"Liz, why are you yelling? This is a cemetery; we should be showing some respect."
I turned around and saw Kid and Chrona walking back to us. Chrona's spirits seemed to have risen, just a bit. Kid sure has a strange effect on her, and at times it even works both ways. "Took you two a while," Ragnarok said, "you didn't do anything inappropriate, did ya?"
Kid glared at him, "Why don't you ask Patty over there, she was spying on us after all."
"Aw- how did you know I was there?~" Patty pouted. "Why do you think?" Kid and I said simultaneously.
"Well, it's getting rather late. We should be heading home soon," Kid turned to Chrona with that same infatuated smile on his face. "Sorry about following the two of you all the way here on such a significant day."
Chrona looked a bit frightened, but quickly she shook her head. "N-no, it's okay, you said it was because you were worried…So…" She finds it flattering? ...I guess that's expected from someone like her.
"Before I go though," Kid took out the rose he bought at the store from his pocket. I was surprised it wasn't crumpled or broken, but I decided not to ask anything. He then kneeled down and placed it on top of Eruka's tombstone, right next to the dead frog.
"I'm sure your sister would like a flower to go with the frog, don't you think?" Kid grinned, looking at Chrona who looked like she didn't expect that to happen. Her expression softened though, and I could see her developing tears.
"Th-thank you Kid-kun,"
"I'll see you at school than," Kid shifted his gaze from Chrona to Ragnarok, "and I guess that means I'll see you soon as well, Ragnarok."
"Bite me,"
"Charming," Kid mumbled bluntly before he began moving, "Liz, Patty, let's go."
"Bye bye Chrona and bye bye Chrona's jackass brother!" Patty waved childishly running on ahead. "Bye Chrona," I smiled, patting her lightly on the head, before turning to her brother. "And you too, Ragnarok." He just continued sneering at me, but I didn't feel that offended since he usually makes that face at me.
With that, I walked off to catch up with the other two.
Chrona
I shyly waved back to Kid and his sisters as they slowly walked out of sight. I could hear Ragnarok let out a scoff, maybe because he noticed how flushed I was from embarrassment…Or was it excitement…I'm not too sure.
"You've really become attached to Three Stripes, huh?" He asked, lightly tapping my head with his fist. I merely flinched, since I didn't see it coming- both his fist and his question.
"W-what do you mean?"
"Oh come on, don't tell me you haven't figured it out yet. You know, about you and Three Stripes!"
"Figured out what?" I asked him, becoming frantic now. What was I supposed to figure out! Did Ragnarok know something about Kid that I didn't?
Ragnarok didn't bother to continue and just slapped his palm against his forehead, before clenching his fingers in irritation. I knew what that gesture was, and I braced myself for what was to come next.
"Were you born a dumbass!" Suddenly both his fists were at the sides of my head and he was rubbing and twisting them hard and fast. "Ow-ow-ow- Ragnarok-stop it- this is supposed to be- ow- a quiet place!" I whined, waving my arms in a futile attempt to escape.
"Indeed it is,"
That voice!
Oh no- you're in trouble now….
Both Ragnarok and I stopped moving, our breaths caught in our throats as we heard footsteps coming from behind.
"I thought I would find you two here,"
In an instant, we both separated and stood up straight. Ragnarok just glared at her, but in my case I couldn't do anything else but stare at her with fear. "Moth-L-L-Lady Medusa…" I stammered. Mother looked at me with her dull golden eyes, hands in her doctor's coat and her posture relaxed.
"I bet you are wondering why I am here." It was a statement, not a question, something normal for Mother to say when I wasn't being punished. "Well it is my break time now, and I thought to myself that I might as well come over here and pay my 'respects' to poor little Eruka."
She remembered….
That doesn't mean she cares.
From my side view, I could see Ragnarok frown at her explanation, probably because of the way she said 'respects.' For me…I knew she didn't mean it…..But still…It was nice to know she remembers.
I, after all, still thought that my Mother still cared for my sister…After all it was her idea to make a memorial for Eruka in the graveyard…
"Poor little Eruka, couldn't handle meeting my expectations," Mother stepped forward and reached down to pick up the rose that Kid brought for the grave. I wanted to protest- I even took a small step forward- but I hesitated. "Such a poor, pathetic child- she never changed." She started twirling the rose between her fingers.
"She always tried to resist me, tried to overpower me. She stepped over the boundaries, going against me when I tried to help her and was punished for it. I remember she tried to help you a few times even Chrona," her gold eyes shot at me and I had no choice but to look back at them like a deer staring at headlights. "Such a good sister- too bad it didn't last."
Mother continued to stare at me for a few more seconds, before returning her gaze back to the rose.
"…." Ragnarok and I continued standing there, waiting for Mother to speak.
"…I hope neither of you are getting the same idea. Bad children go against their mothers and run away after all, and you two are not bad children, are you?"
We stood there in silence, not knowing whether or not to respond to her question. You could never tell with Mother. "Well," her tone became extremely harsh, "are you?"
"N-no," I shook my head. Ragnarok's 'no' was a bit more blunt, as usual. "Wonderful, and since you two are good children, you would have no trouble doing a small little favor for your mother." Mother placed the rose back down before stepping towards us.
She placed her hands on my shoulder, her grip tight, and she looked at me- just me- with those frightening eyes. I shivered.
"This may seem a bit out of the blue, but I will explain later. Right now, I want you and your brother to look for a little girl named Rachel Boyd. She is the daughter of one of my patients and lives on the East side of the city. I want you to pick her up and bring her over for a little 'playtime.'"
I continued shivering, not liking where she was going with this. These instructions...I'm already familiar with them…And I knew how they will end, and they always end the same…So I should be able to deal with this….
Yes, you should.
But why is it that now…I feel like resisting?
Ragnarok let out a snort before saying, "We've only been here a year and already you're planning to disrupt the peace."
"Hush boy," Medusa scolded with a sly smile, "this city is too peaceful. I feel like stirring up something would bring some excitement. That and this little girl seems like a more worthy subject than you, Chrona, ever were. Now, will you do this task for me my daughter?"
My lips quivered, slightly opened but with now sound coming out. I knew I was supposed to answer this one, but I didn't want to say 'Yes'- I wanted to say 'Pass'. But…But mother needs me for this…So…
"Y-yes…"
Good choice…
"Good, I expect the girl by tonight. If I don't see her, than you know what would happen. Have a nice day now, my children; I must get back to the clinic." Mother released my tense shoulders and turned back to walk away.
I raised my hand to my arm and started to rub it in an act of comfort, as usual.
"Oh, and Chrona," I looked back at Mother, who once again had that snake-like smile on her face.
"That friend of yours, he was Death the Kid, correct? Tell him that I'm thankful for the rose."
Kid…
"I always worry about you Chrona, so if there is anything bothering you, you can come to me."
Kid….I'm so…I'm so sorry…
A/N: Once again, I would like to apologize that it took my so many months, almost a year, to update this story. I am so happy that people are still reading it, though, so thank you.
So I bet you are wondering when the next chapter is coming, right? In truth…I'm not too entirely sure. It will be updated, but I cannot promise it'll be fast. Why is this the case? Because the climax is coming up, the turning point which would decide the fate of Chrona and her family.
Climaxes are difficult, because you want them to make sense and you want them to be good. Once that point passes, it'll be smooth sailing for me.
Oh, and yeah, Ragnarok and Liz…..Don't be looking at me like that- I support Kid/Chrona and Black*Star/Patty, so it should be obvious I am a sucker for unlikely pairings (and in this case, VERY unlikely).
Well, I hope you readers are willing to stay with me just for a bit longer. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
See you once again some other time.