Tsubaki quickly turns to see Raina's eyes had changed color. Once a light blue, the color of sea foam, now they turned a deep blue, the color of the night sky when the sun had left the sky but not yet left the world in darkness.
Tsubaki: How...What...
Raina:(smiling kindly) It's another of my abilities. I can freeze time, but I can only take one person with me. It's very helpful for when I need to talk in private.
Tsubaki: But why me, Raina? Why not Maka, or Soul?
Raina: Because I chose to trust you. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I don't trust the others. Everyone I've met so far seems to like me, anyway. But you... you're Black*Star's partner. You listen to him, no matter what he wants to do. Every stupid thing he does, you're there for him. (smiling again at Tsubaki) I think that's why I trust you. Even though we just met, I can tell from your soul.
Tsubaki: You... you can see my soul? Like Maka and Professor Stein?
Raina: Well, I don't know who Professor Stein is, but yes, I can see souls. I'm the only one in my family that can, though, so I had to figure everything out for myself.
Tsubaki:(smiles and giggles) Heh, Soul was right. You really are a strange girl, Raina.
Raina:(smiles back) Well, I don't know if 'strange' is the right word. But yes, I suppose I am.(she lowers her head and sighs) Well, I think that's enough for now, don't you? I'm going to restart time again... Tsubaki?
Tsubaki: Yes, Raina? What can I do for you?
Raina: I need to talk to you, Maka, and Soul. I have something to tell you, and I know that I can trust you now, at least. Black*Star can wait, right?
Tsubaki: I understand. But really, Black*Star is ok, once you understand him.
Raina:(smiling, and giggling) Somehow, I don't think that even you understand him, Tsubaki.
With that, Tsubaki feels a small tug at her hair, and she closes her eyes. When she opens them again, time is back to normal. Maka and Soul are starting to talk to each other. Tsubaki turns around, slowly, carefully, making sure to be casual. She looks over at Raina. Raina meets her gaze. Her eyes are back to normal, the light blue they were when they first met. When Tsubaki looks at her, Raina's eyes flash that dark blue, then return to normal.
Raina:Maka, Soul, Tsubaki.
The three of them turn towards Raina. She looks around, sweeping her gaze around them. Raina's gaze locks with Tsubaki.
Maka: Yes Raina? What is it?
Raina: I need to talk to you. Do you think we could go out, I don't know, into the woods or something? It's important, and I don't want to be heard.
Soul: Sure. But what about Black*Star?
Raina:(turning towards Black Star, where he lays quietly, sleeping off the shock his muscles took.) I don't want to wake him, of course, and considering today, I don't trust him as much as I do you guys.
Maka:(confused expression) How do you trust us? When Black*Star attacked you, all we did was sit on the sidelines. We haven't done anything to earn your trust.
Raina:(shaking her head and smiling) No, you're wrong there. You didn't sit idly by, I could tell you didn't want Black*Star to fight me. But you let me learn my own path, prove myself to him. It took all your willpower but you held back. You trusted me to do it on my own.
Soul:(closing his eyes) I said it before, and I'll say it again. You are a really strange girl.
Raina:(smiling at Soul) Yes, I know.(her face changes again) Anyway, can we go? I want you to get over this before Black Star wakes up and asks why you're acting strange.
Maka, Soul, and Tsubaki follow Raina into the woods near the Academy. Unlike before, Raina is now the one leading the group. She runs until she until she finds a clearing deep in the woods.
Raina:I think this is deep enough.
Soul: You're starting to creep me out, Raina. What are we doing here, deep in the woods, with someone who just got here?
Raina:(smiling) I don't blame you for being suspicious. But I promise, all I need to do is talk.
With that, Raina slowly puts her hand up to retrieve her swords from her sheath. Maka and Soul step back, looking scared, but Tsubaki stands strong.
Raina:Like I said, I'm not going to do anything but talk.
Then she lets go of the swords, letting them fall to the ground.