AFTER SCHOOL
Anna: (looking around) So, what's with that guy? Why did he want to fight you so bad?
Raina: (sitting against the wall) Well, I kind of beat him up on my first day of school.
Anna: (looking with awe at her new meister) Really? Without a weapon partner? How did you do that?
Raina: (smiling and looking down) I thought I showed you before, Anna, that I can take care of myself.
Earlier that day, during weapon training, they had trained tirelessly together. Their souls seemed to work well together, and she really loved Anna for her weapon form and her human form as well. She was a good listener, and enthusiastic about everything. Raina had showed her her time stop and her paralyzing ability.
Anna: Oh, look, here they come.
Raina opened her eyes, and sure enough, Black*Star was strutting along towards them, Tsubaki following.
Raina: (her eyes widening) Oh, Anna? One quick thing. (her partner whirls to face her) Tsubaki is a shadow weapon. You know what that it, right?
Anna: Yeah, a weapon with multiple forms, right?
Raina: Right. I don't know all the forms, but she can be a ninja sword or a kusarigama. There are probably more too.
Anna: Don't worry, Raina. This is going to be awesome.
Raina: (getting up from the ground, brushing herself off) I know.
Black*Star looks over at them, then at the entrance. Professor Stein was sitting on his chair, watching, along with their friends.
Black*Star: (sounding menacing) Alright. The ref's here, Raina. Let's get started. Hope you don't get too scared.
Raina: I don't plan on it, Black*Star. (looks at Anna, nods. Anna starts glowing pink. Raina looks over at Tsubaki, whose glowing yellow. Raina catches her twirling partner, twirling it in her fingers, and flicking the switch to break it apart. Tsubaki turns into a kusarigama)
Anna: You ready for this, Raina?
Raina: (nods and smiles) The real question is, is BlackStar ready.
Raina rushes in, swiping with her swords. Black*Star alternated from blocking with the chain of his weapon and attacking. Raina lightly jumps back.
Black*Star: What happened to the girl who beat me before, Raina? Is she scared?
Raina: (calmly) Of course not, Black*Star. She's simply resting up.
Raina swipes at him again, seemingly randomly but instead with a complicated pattern.
Black*Star: Tsubaki! Smoke bomb mode!
Suddenly a smoke bomb erupts, and Raina quickly springs out of it. She looks around carefully, until...
Black*Star: YAHOO!
Tsubaki: Black*Star!
Black*Star comes down on top of her, but Raina rolls out at the last minute, Black*Star hitting the ground hard.
Black*Star: Alright, Tsubaki. Let's get real. Enchanted Sword Mode! (the wind howls at Tsubaki changes)
Anna: Raina! This isn't good! You have to avoid getting hit with that sword at all cost!
Raina: Yeah! I figured. Anna, I think we need to try it.
Anna: But Raina! It didn't work before! Your soul rejected mine!
Raina: I know, but I don't have enough power to attack him. I just need to last long enough for him to get drained from that sword.
Anna: (sighing in defeat) Fine.
Both of them: Let's Go, Soul Resonance!
Their souls erupt in a large blue bubble around them, Raina glowing blue. Her weapon changes slightly, shifting to become a bit longer and sharper. Then the bubble breaks, and Raina attacks.
Over by the entrance, Stein is watching Raina's soul with interest. It seems to be working well with Anna's, but there is something he can't ignore.
Maka: This fight... it's going nothing like the one before. Raina's losing ground quickly.
Kid: Well, Black*Star's being fueled with revenge. Plus, she's not completely used to her weapon yet.
Maka: Yeah, true. But, I would think...
Kid: It's also because Black*Star is on high alert of her attacks.
Maka: Yeah.
Kid: (looking at Maka) I really couldn't pick a better matchup. If Raina knew how to use her weapon... she would be even more powerful.
Stein: (popping into the conversation) I don't know how long that's going to last, though. It's possible that Anna will... tone down Raina's fighting.
Kid: What do you mean?
Stein: Well, Raina's been used to fighting with her dual swords ever since she started training. But fighting with a partner is different. She's not used to the feeling. Plus, Raina's used to working on her own, with swords that can be replaced fairly easily. With this... Raina has to be more careful. Weapon partners may have stronger blades than regular weapons, but they also can feel pain. That's something Raina has to take into consideration.
Maka: I guess so...
On the battlefield, Black*Star and Raina are both panting. Raina just let go of her Soul Resonance power, and Black*Star released the Enchanted Sword.
Raina: Anna. I feel something.
Anna: Yeah. Something coming from your soul. (suddenly, her form appears in one of the swords. She winces slightly, Raina noticing)
Raina: Anna, are you ok?
Anna: Fine, just a slight pin- (she stiffens up, tears forming in her eyes)
Raina: Anna!
Black*Star is watching this, keeping his guard up but not attacking. He can see Anna's form in the sword, and she looks like she's in pain.
Tsubaki: Black*Star. (he looks down at his weapon) What should we do?
Black*Star: (sighing, then yelling over at Raina) You know what, Raina? Your almighty god gives you pity!
Raina: (looking up for a second) Are you... forfeiting?
Black*Star (laughs his annoying laugh) Of course not! We're going to postpone this fight!
Raina: (not paying much attention to him anymore as he rants about himself, and she runs up to Stein.) Anna? Can you turn back to human form?
Anna: (squeaking in pain) Yes!
Anna starts glowing pink again, and her human form suddenly appears on the ground. She's panting and a couple of minor scratches were on her arms.
Stein: (coming over, Anna's slightly squirming on the ground. He looks at her arms) We should take her to get some treatment. Obviously she only has minor wounds on the outside, but there's something going through her system right now. Anna, come with me.
Stein helps Anna up and lets her walk on her own. She doesn't seem to be in pain anymore. Maka looks over at Raina. Her head is down and a tear is sitting on her cheek.
Raina: (mumbling) This is my fault.
Maka: (trying to be comforting) No, Raina, it's not your fault.
Raina: (ignoring her) No, it's my fault. I'm going to be back later.
She turns and walks towards the woods. Maka is in a kind of shock. Tsubaki and Black*Star walk over, Black*Star's hands behind his head.
Black*Star: (looking at Raina disappearing) What's wrong? Is she so amazed by my glorious skills that she has to go and sit alone!
Maka: MAKA CHOP!
A book that was seemingly pulled out of nowhere slammed into Black*Star's head.
Maka: Are you heartless or something? Something happened to her partner, and she's blaming herself. Who wouldn't be upset!
Tsubaki: Wait, what? Why would she think it's her fault?
Maka: I don't know. Should we go after her?
Tsubaki: (softly) No, we should give her some time. If she doesn't come back, then we'll go get her.
Maka: (nodding uneasily) Ok.