Episode 28: Dancing in the Dark; Idiots-in-love doom the World

Author's Notes: Hey guys! Sorry it took so very looong... Hehe, just got a little sidetracked in my writing... found my old Final Fantasy 7 for PC game, you see... and well, weeks later... still mourning the loss of that certain game character (Yeah, I already knew how it'd turn out, but still)... A-Anyway, here's the chapter 28... enjoy! :D

6:22 p.m., same day — Minutes before the festivities and the witches still remain to be found. Azusa and Marie vigilantly search for any signs of them. Yet, despite all these setbacks, the 'Break-The-Soul-Protect-Spell' plan will still move ahead as scheduled. Sid and the rest of the ambush forces remain hidden in their posts.

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the steps leading to Shibusen, huge crowds of people stood there waiting anxiously behind the velvet red line just to have a look at the world's greatest unsung heroes. With the large number of reporters, cameramen, and paparazzi there, one would think it was the night of the Oscars or something.

Then, all of a sudden, people started screaming and cameras started flashing as one of the most distinguishable students appeared.

Her name was on every reporter's lips as they showed to the world the face of she who defeated the Kishin. "Maka Albarn!" they cheered as she past them.

Surprisingly enough, for such a grand occasion, she opted for something plain as she wore a simple but sexy black dress paired with red high-heels. Her usual pigtails were put down and a beautiful white lily was added to give her a much more mature and sophisticated look. Thankfully, she left her Mickey Mouse gloves at home.

Escorting her to the party was Chrona. Interestingly, she wore a white tuxedo which was in stark contrast to Maka's dark attire. Moreover, her usual messy hair was swept back and styled with gel to give her a much more sleek and masculine look. In fact, most of the reporters thought 'him' to be Albarn's plus one.

As they walked towards the stone steps, Chrona couldn't stop shaking like a leaf. With all the commotion, attention, and flash photography, it was a wonder that she didn't collapse any sooner.

"It's alright, Chrona. I'm here," Maka gently whispered to her as she took her hand and held it tightly.

"M-Maka," a faint sigh escaped her lips as one look at her smiling filled her with such an overwhelming feeling that she was almost brought to tears. "I uh…thank you," she finally smiled as they walked together, hand-in-hand, while those around them cheered for the couple.

Considering what just happened, it obvious that the Xmas Eve Party was quite different from the other previous gatherings and celebrations of the school wherein the students would normally arrive in their usual getups and then change into their formal wear. The main reason of why this is would be the overwhelming media coverage. With everyone expecting the Shinigami to show his face, the surge of news reporters, photographers, paparazzi, and other media personnel increased exponentially.

Moreover, due to more recent incidents such as the failed mission in Paris that resulted in millions of dollars of property damage, countless lawsuits, irreparable damage to the Notre Dame, and not to mention the fact that the witches responsible were able to escape, has damaged the unquestionable authority of Shibusen and the Shinigami as the first and last line of defense against the evil witches.

With that, leaders all over the world have begun to question the capabilities of the school in the handling of witches and in the collection of kishin eggs. As such, many have sent diplomats and representatives to meet with the Shinigami and convey their dissatisfaction. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council even sent several official and 'non-official' watch dogs to monitor the school and its students. They're most likely trying to assess whether or not the almighty Shibusen is still fit to handle the job.

Thus, it was imperative that the school displays a show of confidence to assure everyone that despite all these problems, there was no reason to fear for there was nothing wrong. As such, each and every student attending the Xmas Eve Party was instructed to look their best and strut their stuff, especially now that the whole world was watching.

But, due to the suddenness of all these, certain things that were usually part of the norm have suddenly become major problems. One of which would be…

"That stupid idiot!" Maka cursed the Shinigami as she staggered halfway up the stone steps on her high-heels. "Would it hurt at all to install a damn elevator!" she cried out as she sat down on one of the steps.

"How bad does it hurt?" asked Chrona as she helped her take off her footwear which have already begun to show serious signs of wear and tear—not surprising considering the amount of punishment it took.

"I-It's alright, Chrona. You really don't have to- woah!" she suddenly flinched the moment Chrona's warm hands touched her feet.

Then, as she started rubbing her toes, Maka let out a sigh of relief. Gauging from her reactions, Chrona was able to determine the exact points on her feet that needed some extra good rubbing. Unsurprisingly, her foot-rubbing techniques were quite superb that Maka found it really difficult to maintain her composure. "Y-You really don't have to do this," she tried saying.

"It's alright, really," smiled Chrona, "I'm used to it since I used to do the same thing with Medusa-sa—"

Maka suddenly pulled away, "You REALLY don't have to do this," her embarrassed-face swiftly turned cold and stern.

Fearing she done wrong, Chrona immediately tried to apologize. Unfortunately, Maka didn't want to hear any of it as she put on her high-heels and stomped up those steps…

Snap!

Only a few steps above did her right heel finally give out. She lost balance and fell backwards, prompting a quick catch by Chrona.

"Are you okay?" she sighed with relief.

"C-Chrona," Maka blushed, unable to look her in the eye.

"It's alright, but can you stand?" she cringed, "You're a bit heavy, so I can't keep—"

"I'm fine! I can walk by myself," she snapped back, pulling herself away. It was vintage-Maka, showing off the headstrong and stubborn attitude she was well-known for. Then, despite her aching feet and damaged footwear, she was about ready to march up those steps again when a pair of hands suddenly wrapped themselves around her body and restrained her in a warm embrace.

"I'm sorry, Maka," she said. Speaking with no hesitation, she was assertive yet sincere enough in her apology that Maka paused to listen. "I'm sorry for bringing up my mo…Medusa. And I'm sorry that I'm not strong enough to carry you…in my arms or on my back—"

With that, Maka seemed to take offence once more as she struggled to free herself when Chrona suddenly jerked her back, "BUT…I am strong enough…to stand beside you and support you all the way," Chrona tightened her embrace as she drew close to her ear and whispered softly, "if you let me, Maka." After such words, all resistance seems to melt away as Maka stopped trying to escape.

"Chrona…" she spoke.

"Yes, Maka?"

"You're a total idiot."

"Ma-ka," sighed Chrona.

She chuckled as she turned around to face her. "At least we'll be idiots together," she whispered. With their lips drawing ever closer, the Grinning Moon kindly allowed them privacy as it faded behind the clouds and left them in the dark.