Reunion chapter is finally here! Sorry for the day long wait, but it has been a hectic day for me so plz resist the urge to scold me! And prepare for a totally heartwarming reunion!
xD
Okay, enough with the intro, let's get back to the story.
Meanwhile, Crona sat in a melancholic silence, observing the lawn and gates beyond from her place in the vacant window sill she was certain she would not be missed by the others. Kid had finished getting ready and went off to try making something for dinner. She had no idea where Liz or Patty had gotten off to, and in all honesty, she could care less after their last unpleasant encounter. Crona tried using the time she had to herself to think about what had happened in the park. She didn't fret too much over Ragnarok. He had been in stickier situations and he always managed to get out without so much as a scratch.
No, what truly concerned Crona was whether or not he had returned to Maka. Had he done so then it meant Maka knew about Kid, but if Ragnarok had chosen to try tracking her down alone...
Dozens of scenarios played out in her mind about how that would end. None of them were happy and the majority ended with Gallows Manor reduced to a pile of ash.
Clearly, Crona was unwanted by the pokemon of the household, but she still cared greatly for Kid.
For his sake, as well as her own sanity, Crona banished the violent scenarios from her head in place of more positive ones that were disrupted by the sight of someone entering through the iron gates. Gasping, Crona couldn't hide her astonishment as she stared down at the fancy dark car that had skulls painted on the doors and hood. It drove up to park a couple yards from the front where a man stepped out holding a large purple box underneath one arm.
Blinking in surprise, Crona found herself staring at a second Kid. He was taller and older with three full white rings encircling his head, but he still looked like the adolescent male she had seen scrubbing floors and grooming in anticipation of his father's arrival.
Jumping from the window sill, Crona dashed out to reach the front door before the man could enter only to find that he had already closed it behind him. The man seemed as surprised to see her as she was to see him.
"Hey, there," he greeted. His warm smile reminded her so much of Kid. Approaching cautiously, Crona extended a feeler to touch his hand. "Crona!" At hearing this her feeler retracted mere centimeters from the man's hand and she turned to see Kid standing in the kitchen doorway.
"Crona, eh? So this is the girl who came between you and Ponera?"
Picking the sylveon up, Kid gave a sigh at that comment, glancing back to his father with a weary gaze. "I'm not exactly in a joking mood right now, Dad."
"Then I guess you wouldn't like what I have in this box." Holding said box up, Death could tell his son was more than a tad curious. "We can talk about that other matter later. I got this specially for you, son."
"All right," sitting the sylveon back on the ground, Kid took the box from his father to open it, truly surprised when a burst of confetti and streamers exploded in his face. Crona was showered along with Kid who tossed the box to the ground just as a round rubber animal popped out to bounce and roll across the floor coming to a stop at the toe of Kid's shoe.
Eyes wide and heart racing, Crona stared at the small toy jolted from her shock by Death's hearty laughter.
"Great surprise, huh?"
"A heart attack in a box is more like it."
"Oh, lighten up. Don't you like the toy, at least?"
Lifting it up, Kid stared at the spherical zigzagoon designed ball with a critical eye. Initially, he seemed pleased, Kid smiled and appeared ready to say something when his joy seemed to evaporate upon noticing there was an extra eyelash painted over the right eye. "Unsymmetrical rubbish!" he suddenly exploded tossing the rejected gift across the room.
On instinct Crona ran for the ball Kid had thrown. She leapt to catch it in midair and turned back to return the ball. Instead, Kid ignored her to fret over the mess his father's surprise had made. He left the dejected sylveon with his father to locate the broom and dustpan.
Dropping the ball where she sat, Crona stared at it and nudged it with her paw to make it roll away. Suddenly, she drew back from Death's touch as he knelt to rub between her ears.
"Well," he sighed, "I tried."
"I know," Kid said, returning with the broom and dustpan, "I know, Dad. I appreciate it, really, I do. But don't you think this is a bit immature for a man of your–"
"Aren't you just the cutest?" Death gushed as he held Crona up at eye level and ignored how she whimpered and squirmed. "You're so precious! Hey, Kid, where'd you find this one?"
A sigh of defeat passed his lips, looking to his father with the seriousness the man lacked, Kid summarized how he had rescued Crona and brought her back home. He left out his spat with Ponera and their subsequent separation since his father would have taken that chance and ran with it the whole nine yards. Setting the sylveon down, Death followed after Kid who finished his chore promptly after telling his story and went to dispose of the colorful rubbish.
The second she was on her feet again Crona ran to hide behind the sofa in the living room to avoid further unwanted attention. She listened as the two continued their discussion. Their voices were muted but Crona understood them all the same.
"How long do you intend keeping her?"
"Until I locate her owner or until her owner comes to claim her, whichever comes first."
"And what happens if you can't or they don't?"
"I don't see any reason why I can't keep her. Unless you would rather I throw her out to fend for herself?"
"You know I wouldn't want that, son, but there is one tiny thing that may interfere with your plans."
"Let me guess, Ponera?"
"No. Her grandmother."
"You've lost me."
"Mabaa called me at the office, Kid. She was furious and claimed you affronted her family's honor. There were other accusations pointed at you, but I know better than to believe any of them. At any rate, Mabaa will be bringing Ponera over in a few hours so you two can patch things up."
"Dad, we hate each other."
"Well, it's either you two make up or Mabaa'll make us sort this out the old-fashioned way. And I know you wouldn't want that."
"For once, couldn't we just discuss matters like rational adults?"
"'Fraid not. Your only possible choice is to make up on your own terms, otherwise Ponera's family will cut her off and you would be stuck here all alone. You know I hate the idea of you being lonely."
"I'm not alone, Dad! I have Liz and Patty to keep me company, there's nothing for you to worry about."
Crona heard a sigh. Kid's father must have been exasperated with the conversation because a moment later they were discussing their dinner plans. Crona's ears flattened against her skull, not bothering to listen further, as she lay beneath the couch soaking in a pool of guilt.
What's going on? Kid never let us up on his bed.
She's probably his new, little pet.
Master's pet!
If you were really his friend then you'd consider his feelings and how your leaving will hurt him! Have you even thought of how miserable you'll make him?
Jealousy and concern, silent anger, lashed at her mind as the pachirisus' words brought a fire to her chest, scorching her heart and leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. She didn't want to hurt her new friend, but as she looked back on all the bad things that had happened to him since her arrival she knew her presence in his life was more of a curse than a blessing.
First, she got Ponera cross with him causing her to leave and getting Kid in trouble with not just her family but his own father. Then she bit him, his wound had yet healed enough for the bandage to be removed. And most recently, at the park, Kid got in a fight with another trainer all because she shown aggression towards him and his pokemon.
She had already hurt him enough. Crona knew she needed to leave, otherwise she would continue hurting Kid. If not by staying then by leaving. Their friendship would come to an end the minute Maka stepped back into the picture. It was just a matter of time.
"Crona?" Kid called. She could see his feet step into the room, move towards the couch then freeze a couple feet away. "Crona are you in here?"
She ignored his inquiry.
Her mind was set. She would leave first thing tomorrow when Ponera arrived, bolt through the open door and never look back to the gorgeous mansion. Distancing herself from Kid now would probably be better for the both of them, especially since she felt they had already gotten too close.
Kid's feet disappeared from her field of vision, but she could still hear his voice calling her name, "Crona!"
Curling up into a ball, she settled beneath the furniture to wait out the inevitable storm.
Kneeling, he looked beneath his bed unable to find any sign of the timid sylveon. She seemed to have disappeared entirely after that encounter with his father. Had he upset her? The sight of the neglected ball struck a cord in his conscious. Perhaps, she felt ignored, unwanted, due to his fanatic cleaning. It made him guilty to think of the fairy-type so dejected. On the up side, Kid felt he now had a bargaining tool to lure her out from wherever it was she had hidden herself.
Pawsteps called his attention to the halls where he found Liz and Patty skittering about in a furious haste trying to locate the sylveon that had left them back at the art room. Upon spotting their master, the pachirisu sisters came to a sudden halt.
"What has you two so wound up? Have you been playing with Crona?"
Yeah, right! Liz smiled and lied, knowing Kid wouldn't understand, but not wanting him to pick up that something was wrong. Without warning, Patty leapt at the ball she spotted in Kid's hand prying it loose and batting it around with her paws in an adorable display. A soft smile crossed his lips as he watched his pokemon.
"Kid!"
And just like that his good mood evaporated.
"What could be wrong now?" He grumbled. Heading downstairs, he wished he hadn't asked when he found his father in the company of his ex and her grandmother. Liz and Patty were at his heels, both glowering at the couple who radiated a dark aura that darkened the room's once bright atmosphere.
"Hi, Kid," Ponera mumbled. "Grams thought it'd be a good idea to join you for dinner."
"That's..."
Tragic? Horrid? Abhorrent? Hmm, which was more polite?
"Great!" his dad finished for him, though Kid could tell he wasn't as enthused as he made out. His cheer seemed...forced.
Understandable, considering he and Mabaa had been something akin to rivals since they were small children. Kid couldn't imagine how frustrating it must've been for his dad to learn Ponera was Mabaa's granddaughter. Although, if there was one thing his dad was good at it was hiding his anger and disappointment.
"Yeah. Right."
"So," Ponera started, casting Kid a curious gaze, "is that little pest gone?"
Kid was tempted to glare at her. Instead, he gave a blunt reply that came out sounding a tad irritated. "She's around here somewhere." Beneath the couch, Crona's heart sank. He didn't defend her, he didn't even sound happy she was still there. Hurt and confused, she decided it would definitely be best if she kept out of his way while he tried mending his relationship with the scary bug girl.
"How about we get something to eat?" Death suggested, motioning to the kitchen. His guests followed after him to the dining room whilst Kid hung back to collect himself. Composed, he got his priorities in order and made his way to the kitchen.
Liz kept at his side along Patty, who noticed a certain fairy-type crouched beneath the sofa. Hey, sis, she whispered, pointing in the sylveon's direction with a flick of her tail.
Follow Kid, Liz said, if things start looking bad create a diversion. I'll handle Crona.
Okey-dokey!
That decision made the two parted. Patty scampered after their master leaving her sister to patch things up with the sepulchral sylveon.
Ducking beneath the sofa, Liz was met by a teary-eyed glare. She kept her distance and tried to appear as contrite as she felt.
What're you doing under here? It's dirty and kinda dark, don't ya think?
When they leave I'll leave, too. Don't worry, you and Patty and Kid can get back to the way things were before I ruined your lives.
No, Crona, that's not what I meant! I was just...and still am...worried about Kid. Think about your human. You'd do anything to protect her, right?
Of course!
The same goes for me, Patty, and Kid. We just want to protect him. Jealousy might have had a little to do with it, but for the most part we wanted to keep him from getting hurt. He's been disappointed so many times already.
I understand. You want what's best for him. But you're right. I'm just going to hurt him and he'll hate me and I'll hate me an–
Wait! Liz exclaimed, flailing her paws and attempting to calm the distressed sylveon.
No, no, nobody's gonna hate anybody, Crona! Kid loves you and I know you like him, too. You guys are cute friends, really, but we both know your stay is temporary! The whole point of this is that we wanted to avoid him getting depressed after you leave.
Then I should leave sooner. Crona sulked. All I've done is hurt Kid.
No, you actually made things better! Do you think me or Patty could've made him so happy?
You can, you do, but I hurt Kid! I bit him and got him in a fight an–
Would you stop being so down on yourself? Liz sighed. Returning a determined stare to the sylveon's still dismal gaze she gave a smile and thought back on all that had occurred since Crona's unexpected arrival. Think of all the good things you've done for us! You broke him and Ponera up, something me and Patty failed to do, and you actually got him out of the house for a few days. You've made him so happy, Crona! I'm really proud of you for that.
You are?
Duh! The pachirisu beamed. Look, I'm sorry about what I said. You should enjoy whatever time you have left here. With me and Patty. Kid's been greedy and kept you to himself for long enough. So what do ya say? Extending her paw, she made an offer that Crona hadn't thought she would hear since her first night here. Friends?
A feeler gently gripped her paw and they shook on it.
Friends. Crona smiled.
Good. Now that's settled, Liz withdrew from the underside of the couch, leaping onto the arm of a chair as she stared down at the sylveon who poked her head from beneath the couch, how about we get out and go get some food? I'm starved!
Smiling, Crona pulled herself out from underneath the furniture to follow Liz into the kitchen where she found Patty already stuffing her face with one of those delectable treats Kid had prepared.
He was no where in sight but had left another treat in Liz's dish and one on a plain dish for Crona who felt much happier at the sight of the food, an unspoken sign of friendship. And it was sweet. If their relationship had a flavor, Crona liked to think it would be like that of the treats Kid made.
Beautiful. The word didn't even begin to describe the luxurious mansion. Maka was breathtaken upon coming to stand before its black gates. Soul didn't seem too impressed.
Well, the furfrou intoned, at least we know she's not suffering.
"All that glitters isn't gold." Maka murmured quick to shake herself from her amazed stupor. Of course the mayor would live in a mansion. Why had she expected anything less? Ah well. So long as the family within returned her pokemon she could less if it were a clean mansion or a begrimed hovel.
Luckily, the gates were unlocked and there were no guard pokemon on the grounds so the duo made it to the front door with ease. Knocking, Maka waited a few minutes before giving a few more firm raps. After a brief pause the door came open to reveal a beautiful young girl.
"Hey," she greeted, evidently surprised, as she looked Maka up and down, "who're you?"
"I'm Maka. I'm–"
"Are you here for that horrible little sylveon?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, wait...did you say horrible?"
"Ponera!" A voice cried from inside. A boy came into view, glowering at the girl who had answered the door. "I said I was going to–" He was cut off at seeing Maka. At first he was left unaware of the furfrou at her side, fixated on her pretty round face and dazzling green hues that stared at him confusedly.
"Wh-who's this?" he sputtered. Suddenly, he felt a tad self-conscious and knew he had probably made a bad first impression appearing so angry and all.
"She's here for the sylveon."
"Crona? You're Maka?"
"Yes, that's right. I got your flyer." She shown the piece of paper to him, stepping inside with Soul close behind. "Where is she? Is she okay? She hasn't been trouble, has she?"
"No," Kid assured, "no trouble at all. I actually enjoyed having her. She's in the kitchen. Let me go get her for you."
Licking the last of the crumbs from her lips, Crona wondered what had made Kid and Ponera run through so fast. Liz wasn't concerned. Supposing it was just the mail, she assured Crona that it would be best to not think too much over it. However, as Kid strode into the kitchen she realized there was much more to it than mail.
He smelled...different. A good different.
"Someone special is here to see you." Kid said. His smile was soft, yet there radiated a sadness in his golden gaze.
Wah? How could it end there?!
Show of hands for those who're ticked! *Hands raise, sweat drip*
Eh, yeah, I was jerking you guys around. The REAL reunion scene, which was cut from this because it made the chapter WAY too long, will be posted tomorrow. Though, I do hope this will keep you on your toes and in suspense just a little longer. Seriously, I am remorseful for the disappointment I may have sparked in some of you, but don't worry you'll get the next part soon enough.
:)
Chao!~
~Until then, Fairylust~