You may have noticed I changed from past to present tense. Don't worry, this is deliberate! I wanted to increase the immediacy of the flashbacks, using present tense to show how even though these events have already happened, they are still fresh in everyone's mind. But onto the next chapter!

Chapter Two: Azusa

She stared out of her office window to the gloomy world outside. The rain was still pouring down, and with her sharpshooter's sight, Azusa could pinpoint every droplet falling, before it was dashed to its death on the stone far below. Normally she enjoyed rain: the gently pattering, the fresh cool scent. But today, with her return to the DWMA bombarding her with memories, the weather just seemed to reflect her gloomy mood. Azusa had never been one to succumb to emotions. That was more Marie's area. No, these were not present feelings, but rather those dredged up from the past, stirred up and hanging around years after the supposed resolution of the incident. A resolution which, it sometimes seemed to her, did more damage than good.

"Knock knock!" Azusa broke out of her reverie to see Marie poking her head around the door. "I figured you'd be pretty bored about now. I know I am! Fancy giving me a tour?"

Azusa frowned. "You lived here. For 5 years. Surely you know your way around by now."

"Heh heh," Marie laughed awkwardly, "you'd think so, right! But somehow I keep getting turned around. It took me half an hour to even find this place! And I was looking for my office..."

Sighing, Azusa got up and steered Marie out of the room. She pointed across the hall to the door, which clearly had 'Marie Mjolinir: Death Scythe' engraved on a gold plaque. Marie let out another of her nervous giggles. Azusa rolled her eyes. Her friend had always been a bit of a scatter brain, even back in their days as students. It wasn't unusual to find the girl wandering around some restricted area, claiming she was looking for a toilet. When this was still happening year after year, people got suspicious. Maybe she was actually a spy, investigating the Academy. Maybe she was on super secret missions for Lord Death, who gave her access to all areas. Or maybe she was just high as a kite. Azusa had been friends for Marie for almost 20 years now. And with her knowledge of the woman, Azusa had always considered the latter possibility was the most probable.

Marie chattered brightly as Azusa attempted to refresh her memory of the campus. She seemed pretty upbeat, Azusa noted. That was good. Lord Death's decision for Marie to live with Stein had not sat well with Azusa. Yes, this was probably the best situation for Stein, but what about Marie? Cooped up in a dreary laboratory could hardly be beneficial for her wellbeing. Not to mention Marie's history with Stein, which would no doubt be causing awkwardness between the two. Azusa wanted to ask Marie about this, but she had never been good with talking about feelings. Or relationships. Or pretty much anything besides battle plans.

Gritting her teeth, Azusa decided her friend's happiness was worth risking social awkwardness. But before she could speak, Stein drifted out of the classroom they were passing by. Trapped by a stampede of students, all excitedly talking at once, Azusa couldn't propel Marie away fast enough. Stein spotted them, and wandered over. It seemed as though Azusa's private conversation with Marie would have to wait.

"Hey," Stein murmured, barely audible over the din.

"What?" cried Marie.

Stein shrugged. They waited until the last children had dashed away.

"I said hey," Stein repeated.

"Oh. Hi!"

Azusa raised an eyebrow. Marie was as awkward as ever around him.

"Hello there, Franken," Azusa greeted coolly.

There was an uncomfortable silence as they all tried to think of something to say. Azusa wondered when it would be polite to leave. A chuckle from Stein broke the silence.

"What are you laughing about?"

"Oh nothing. Just..." Stein caught Azusa's eye, and, grinning, pointed to something within the trophy case on the opposite wall. Walking closer for a better look, the women both saw what he was referring to.

"Oh yeah, I'd forgotten that," Marie exclaimed. "I always did like that picture of you. Us! That picture of us. All together. With you. Not just you. Heh."

Keeping cool as always, thought Azusa, but she kept this comment to herself as she too stared at the picture. It had been taken when they were 15, after they completed their mission to take down the infamous Kyouaku Brotherhood, a rogue gang of samurais bent on mayhem and destruction. The battle had been difficult. It had taken all their strength, and many of their group had sustained injuries. But thanks to Eri's quick thinking, Marsh's bravery, and most importantly Stein's unique talents, they had all made it out alive.

"That was a good mission," Azusa commented. As usual, her words communicated only a fraction of that which she was thinking and feeling. Marie shot her a smile. She understood Azusa's depth of emotion, even if neither of them said anything.

"It was," Stein agreed. "Heh, look, Spirit's still grinning at the camera, even though his leg's broken. He was limping for days."

Azusa's eyes narrowed. She couldn't tell whether Stein's lighthearted reaction to Spirit's injury was part of the antagonist banter the two shared, or something darker. There was a time when she knew Stein better than anyone, when she understood him. Or so she had thought.

"Yeah and there's Eri, she can barely stand! That battle really took it out of us, huh. I remember I was bruised for weeks. Worth it though!" Marie pointed to a trophy underneath the picture. "Look, it's still there! 'The Vigilance Cup: for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity'. I'm so happy they kept it displayed, even after- "

Marie broke off. She realised what she'd almost said. Stein shifted his feet. Azusa winced discretely, sharing Marie's embarrassment.

The uncomfortable silence yawned for an eternity.

"Well, I should really get going." Stein's voice was flat and empty, a stark contrast to his lively tones before. "Papers to grade, frogs to disse... papers to grade." He trudged off down the corridor.

"Yeah I should be going too, thanks for showing me around, see you Az," Marie gabbled, scampering away in the opposite direction to her housemate.

"That went well," Azusa muttered to herself. She wondered if all their encounters would be this tense. It had been 16 years. Surely they were mature enough to get over what happened?

Azusa ran her hand through her hair as she looked at the picture again. They were all flush with victory, scuffed and battered, the bonds of friendship only made stronger by their fight. She and her friends were smiling, happy, confident.

No, Azusa reflected. They couldn't be expected to just get over something as shattering, as horrifying, as what happened back then. And maybe they never would.

The questioning has been going on for hours. Azusa slumps down on the sofa, exhausted both physically and emotionally. Thankfully, they were moved from the freezing classroom a few hours ago. Death Scythe's personal office is warmer, but not exactly friendlier. Medieval weapons adorn the walls, the light from deep coloured lamps reflecting menacingly off their sharp edges and pointed ends. For the moment Azusa is alone, entombed with only her thoughts and Death Scythe's strange obsessions for company.

Marsh was the first to be called in. Prickling, visibly angry, he had stalked into the Death Room. Azusa could only imagine what horrible tales he was telling Lord Death. Marsh had never really like Stein. Though he couldn't really be blamed for that. On his second week at the academy, Marsh had got into an argument with Stein. This had quickly escalated, and Marsh found himself cornered in the woods, with a manic Stein threatening dissection. If Spirit hadn't jumped in to cool Stein down... Azusa shudders to think what would have happened. Although, if rumours were to be believed, the fate Spirit prevented befalling Marsh had fallen upon him instead.

So really, it was no wonder Marsh was leaping in to defend his former protector.

"Hey." Eri's voice wrenches Azusa out of her gloomy thoughts. She closes the heavy oak door quietly behind her and stomps across the room, her expression weary.

"How was it?"

Eri lets out an exasperated moan as she sits heavily beside Azusa. "Horrible! I could hear Marie yelling from outside. She went in right after Marsh came out which was... tense. There's going to be conflict there soon, I can tell."

"Did they argue?"

"Not yet. Just passed by each other, avoiding each other's eyes. But it's pretty obvious they have opposite opinions on the matter."

Azusa sighs. Marie and Marsh have a relationship based on mutual passion. Their similar high strung natures make them kindred spirits. But Azusa has long suspected that if their views ever divided, the resulting argument would destroy their friendship forever.

"What about you? Have you gone in yet?"

Eri winces. "Yeah. I tried to tell them as much as I could about Stein. As much as I knew, anyway."

"Of course."

They sit in silence for a while. Azusa wants to interrogate Eri further, but she figures her friend has had enough of that for the day. Yet hers was probably the most important testimony of all. As Azusa's meister, Eri Jin uses her telepathy wavelength to add to their espionage abilities: while Azusa collects spatial knowledge, Eri can track thoughts. Because of this, Eri strengthens the telepathic connection created during group resonance, giving her a deeper insight into the minds of her companions. Azusa has long wondered whether it is this capability that made Eri the leader of the group, while Stein was clearly the strongest of all of them. But actually it probably had more to do with the fact that Stein's instability has always put them at risk, while Eri's diplomacy helped keep them all in balance.

It was possible, Azusa thinks as Eri yawns and nestles against her shoulder, that the last time they resonated together as a team, Eri got a glimpse into Stein's mind. And Azusa wonders just what it was Eri saw.

They remain this way for a while, arms entwined, sat upon the sofa. Eri and Azusa have always been the closest of the meister and weapon teams. Though it's true that Spirit and Stein would be frequently mistaken for a couple, in reality their relationship was infinitely more complicated than that. Spirit's joyful nature was essential to balance Stein's dangerous brooding, but while they understood each other better than anyone else could, Azusa had sensed a friction between them. Like an impenetrable barrier to their relationship. She isn't sure what this was, but she suspects it had something to with Stein and the fragile control he had of his compulsions.

Eri and Azusa, however, have never experienced such a barrier. Eri Jin is an old friend of Azusa. They grew up in a small town along the banks of the Seta River, in the Kyoto Prefecture of Japan. Eri had been with Azusa when she first to discovered her weapon abilities. They had been playing at being ninjas, competing with another group of children. Eri asked Azusa where the others were and Azusa had found her vision sliding away from herself, zooming through the forest, until she could see the rival gang's position clearly. From that day, Eri and Azusa's lives had not been the same. They had trained as meister and weapon even before they joined the DWMA, practicing their techniques and even attempting soul resonance.

Through the years, their relationship hasn't wavered. They are each other's confidante, protector, soulmate. At this point their relationship has transcended mere friendship.

But as Azusa sits there, holding Eri in her arms, she has a terrible feeling that the stress of all of this will put even their relationship to the test.

The rain patters down outside, the day growing darker. Azusa's eyelids droop. It's become warmer in the office. Cosy, even. Maybe they'll just forget about her testimony. Maybe she can just go home and all of this will be over-

"Azusa Yumi?"

Death Scythe's words slice through Azusa's slumber. She jumps up. "Yes, ma'am."

"Come with me, please."

Azusa nods, but before she leaves she feels Eri grasp her hand. Glad of the comfort, Azusa squeezes it for a moment. Then she hurries out of the room in Death Scythe's sweeping wake. The corridors, filled with children and laughter just a day ago, are silent now. Gothic pillars and cavernous ceilings impose a sense of foreboding in Azusa that she's never felt before. Funny, she reflects, how one incident can change everything.

The Death Room is empty save for Azusa and Death Scythe, who stand awkwardly opposite the mirror. Well, Azusa stands awkwardly. The older woman looms over her.

"Lord Death," calls Death Scythe, her voice echoing around the cloud clad walls.

"Hey hey, how's it going?" Lord Death bounces out of the mirror. But his voice is somewhat strained, his demeanour less... cartoonish than unusual. Azusa swallows the lump in her throat. She has done nothing wrong. She is not afraid. "Azusa, my dear! How nice of you to join us on this fine day!"

"Yes, sir."

"Come come, sit down! Have a cup of tea."

Giant white hands gesture to the small table that has just popped out of the floor, complete with steaming teapot and two cups. Azusa nods and sits. She's aware of Lord Death's unusual interrogation techniques. From what she's heard, the Shinigami will maintain his cheery facade, while his weapon does most of the actual questioning. She is prepared.

Death Scythe pours the tea. Azusa sniffs it and sips it. The light green tea slips easily down her throat. She recognises it: Japanese Bancha, a tea she often drank at home. It's delicious, but slightly overbrewed. A bitter aftertaste lingers in her mouth. She waits anxiously for the interrogation to begin.

But it doesn't.

They just sit there, drinking the tea. When Azusa has finished her cup she stands, frustrated. "Sir, I don't mean to speak out of turn, but did you have some questions for me?"

There is a pause. Lord Death sighs. "Yes, yes. I'm sorry. I just wanted to have some tea with you first. People so rarely stop to enjoy the finer things in life any more."

His voice is still squeaky, but his tone is much more sincere than usual. Azusa frowns. Maybe Lord Death is feeling the stress just as much as her and her friends.

"We should really begin, my lord," suggests Death Scythe. Her meister nods and gestures for Azusa to sit again. Reluctantly, she does.

Death Scythe remains standing as she addresses the young weapon. "I'm sure by now you are aware of why you are here. There has been an incident. Last night, Spirit Albarn was discovered to be the victim of experimentation by his partner. This was conducted while he was sleeping without his consent or knowledge. We are still unsure of how long this has been going on. Spirit estimates a few years, and my brief examination of his scars also suggest this."

Azusa clenches her jaw. Whatever happens, she will not reveal the despair and guilt writhing within her.

"So, so," Lord Death interjects, "what we want to know is your opinion on the matter. You've often spoken with Stein about his compulsions, is that correct?" Azusa nods. "Good, that's good."

There is a silence.

"Soooo what can you tell us?"

Azusa frowns. "Nothing that you don't already know, I'm afraid. Stein has been fighting these compulsions ever since he arrived at the Academy. They would be especially bad when he got into disagreements with the other students, whereupon I, or Eri, would intervene and try and calm him down. I felt it was my duty as class president to do so, and I'm sure Eri felt similarly in her role as team leader."

"During these discussions, did Stein give you any sign that he was experimenting on Spirit?" Death Scythe's question is brusque, emotionless.

"No. A couple of years ago we discovered he had been experimenting on himself to try and ease the compulsions. We urged him to see the school counsellor but Stein refused. I don't know if you know this. But Eri and I have been keeping an eye on him, and it's been several months since he's done this."

Death Scythe raises an eyebrow. "We think that Stein's experiments on Spirit increased in intensity these past few months."

Azusa starts shaking. Unable to meet Death Scythe's accusing stare, she casts her eyes to the floor. Is this her fault then? Did Stein, prevented from harming himself, turn the blade on Spirit instead?

A heavy hand pats her shoulder, and Azusa looks up to see Lord Death kneeling next to her. "Don't worry my dear! You're not on trial here!" Azusa manages a weak smile as Lord Death's pats shake her whole body. "That's better! Now, just tell us what you know about Stein. Why do you think he would do this to his own partner?"

Oh. Azusa understands now. Lord Death was right. She isn't on trial. Stein is.