Hey hey hey! I meant to publish this last weekend, but my brother had a big wedding.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Soul Eater.

The students rose from their seats as the last bell rang; they were at their own leisure for the rest of the day. Some hurried out, others took their time, having nowhere else to be but their dorms. All of class I was in my thoughts, wondering what I should do. Kuro didn't remember the kiss, and then there was the news about the pre-Kishins. Of course, in the end, whether she left with them or not would be her own decision; however, if she were to find out she was a danger to any of us... she might just do that. Then the kiss. Oh, what are the odds; a girl like her having feelings for someone like me? Someone who, faced with the smallest asymmetrical difficulty, completely shuts down. Even I admit I could be a bit of a hassle.

Should I tell her? No, could I tell her?

Patti stretched as I stood up. Despite my indecision, I was one of those who had to be somewhere. That and I wasn't exactly comfortable about the boy she was with. "Gonna go see Kuro?"

"Yes, Patti." I answered, nodding to our friends as they passed to leave while Patti and Liz waved goodbye. "I don't think it should be much longer."

"It must be pretty intense if they're still at it. They started early this morning, right? Is she just going to be training for the rest of the year?" Liz was the one who spoke this time.

"No. Father is allowing her to alternate between class and training; one day she'll train, another she's in class. He wants her to feel comfortable with her power, but at the same time what is taught here is rather important for combat."

"Makes sense." Liz nodded before the three of us stood up and began making our way to the front of the class.

"Oh and Patti?" I inquired, "Let's not have a repeat of last night, please." Patti ran into one of the end tables and her flailing hands made a painting fall over with her. I just about went nuts, and it took practically a whole night of measuring and angling to make sure both the painting and the end table were symmetrical. It wasn't a good experience; having one's home tainted with the unbalance of asymmetry was never a good experience.

Patti giggled, "Sorry Kiddo-"

"Kid." I heard Dr. Stein and I turned to him. "I'd like to speak to you."

I nodded, "Go ahead girls, I'll see you later." I told them, not seeing why they'd have to stick around. Liz shrugged and turned, going on with Patti to catch up with Maka and the rest of them. "What's up, Dr. Stein?"

"I heard about what happened with Kuro; how's she doing? I didn't really find this revelation surprising; I sensed the commotion as well."

"She's doing fine now. She was worn out after everything, but now she's training with Dominic; the boy who controls earth."

"I see. Shinigami-sama informed me of everything when he told me of the reason for her upcoming absences. I find it interesting; her soul. I never thought I'd meet an Elemental in person."

I nodded. Immediately I thought about Dr. Stein's interest in dissection, but I knew that he'd never do something like that; at least, not to a student or anyone he wasn't supposed to do it to.

"You need to tell her."

It took me a moment to understand what he meant. He couldn't have been talking about the kiss. "I know, and I will."

"You're lying."

"I will." I said; my voice edged sharply without my intention.

"Then why haven't you yet? It's been two days." He crossed his arms as he sat in his wheeled chair. "It isn't even that big of a deal."

"I haven't gotten a chance to see her." I lied, knowing I could've told her yesterday when I visited her in the infirmary. I lied that time, too. "Besides, it'll be a big deal to her."

There was a pause. "Kid, I understand you're afraid of how she'll react, but you can't let your feelings get in the way of what you should and shouldn't do. You have to at least inform her so that she can be prepared. Those two know, but she doesn't. It's for her safety as well as any citizens that may be at the wrong place at the wrong time; besides, it may be better hearing it from you."

"I'm not letting my feelings get in the way. I'm sure I can protect her if the time comes."

"You can't be everywhere she is."

There was a pause. "I really must get going. Have a nice day, Dr. Stein." I said, turning around and leaving the classroom before the conversation could go on any longer. Even though it would be her decision, I was sure that if I told her she'd leave with them in a heartbeat; fearing that she'd put us in danger. I knew I was being selfish. I didn't want to tell her because I didn't want her to leave. I've never felt this way for someone and, honestly, I had no idea what to do.

"When is Adria getting here? I like her better." I mumbled the last part, looking at the sky as I laid on the ground.

"She's on her way." Dominic said, glancing at me as he cracked his knuckles, "Trust me, I don't like being around you either."

I rolled my eyes and sat up, "I'm assuming the break is over?"

"At least you're observant."

My patience was wearing thin; I've been stuck with him since seven in the morning and I was close to punching him in the face. At least Adria would be coming soon. "What's next?" I stood up, hoping he wasn't gonna make me do more meditation. That was done most of the morning.

"You're actually going to try and harness your fire now." he said as he came and stood in front of me.

I looked up at him and placed a hand on my hip, "Wasn't that what I was supposed to be doing all day?"

"No. Meditation increases the ability to concentrate, which I noticed is something you suck at doing." he ignored my look and went on, "Having the ability to control your element takes a high amount of concentration. Meditation will be a part of your training whether you like it or not."

"Let's just get this over with." I said, wishing Adria was my trainer rather than him. What was she doing anyway?

"Close your eyes." he told me and I obliged, "The power you have is always with you; it hangs around your soul like an aura. Imagine that aura coming from the center of your chest and guide it through you; feel it in your palms."

I did what he told me to and felt my palms heat up. They began to tingle.

"Now imagine forcing that power outward from your palms, releasing it into something you can control." I heard him move to my side as I thrust my hands forward, but when I opened my eyes all I saw was a puff of smoke.

"I see you're making progress." I heard Adria from the arched entrance carved through the stone wall surrounding us.

"About as much as a snail." I heard Dominic from beside me causing me to glare at him.

"It's most likely the trainer's fault." she eyed Dominic.

"I'm only doing it the way you showed me." he grumbled.

"I was kidding." she grinned and walked to the two of us, "You've only just started Kuro, so don't worry about it. Eventually you'll get accustomed enough to not have to meditate or even think about it. It'll come naturally. It also depends on the element, and yours can be a bit tricky."

I nodded and smiled in appreciation towards her reassurance before asking, "Where've you been, anyway?"

"Patrolling the area, but I haven't really encountered anything that's been much of a threat." she shrugged, "Easy peasy. I'm sure if I were to miss something Dominic or your friends would've picked it up by now."

Dominic crossed his arms in thought, "Considering all three of us were using our abilities that night it's surprising nothing's come up."

Adria smiled at Kuro, "Sorry for leaving you with the tree hugger; he was probably fun to be around."

"Tch," Dominic sucked his teeth, "Shut up, Adria."

"I'm your big sister. Let me tease you a little." she giggled, "And it's not like you don't deserve it; you could be a little nicer."

"Whatever." he mumbled, looking in the direction of the entrance before walking off into another direction. "Another break; five minutes."

Another one? Why so soon? I looked at Adria for an explanation and she just shrugged, but a few moments later I turned to the entrance and saw Kid walking in.

Of course the first thing I thought about when I looked at him was the kiss. "Kid!" I smiled, a faint pink probably on my cheeks. I decided to blame the coloration on the heat even though it actually wasn't that hot out. I was training though so it could be a good excuse if he asked. I approached him with a smile, giving him no indication that I may have remembered that night. "You came!"

"Of course I did." he smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

It looked like something was on his mind. "Everything alright?"

"Just a long day. Char misses you in class; she told me to tell you that before school ended." he replied.

"Oh, she'll live." I said with a laugh.

Kid grinned and chuckled in response before looking at the two Elementals ahead. They had their backs against the wall and were chatting. "How was your first day?"

"Fun." I said sarcastically and he chuckled again.

"Do you think it's helping?"

"I just need a little more time. I may not like the trainer," I glanced at Dominic, "But where else am I going to get the help I need?" Maybe Adria could switch with him every once in awhile, but I didn't have much hope in that. There wasn't much I could do. "Besides, I don't want what happened with Char happening again."

"What?" he asked, his eyes going to mine. I blinked, not realizing that I thought out loud until it was much too late. The incident with Char happened that night; the night we...

Shit.

"Kuro! Break's over!" Adria called, beckoning her.

"Ah," I backed up a step, almost stumbling, "I gotta go."

"Wait-"

"See yah later!" I waved and jogged over to them. What if Kid waited for me? Surely he wouldn't let that slide. I told him I didn't remember anything, but now that I said that...

"You ready? This time I'll try training you." Adria said, getting off of the wall. "Dominic will take my place and patrol."

Dominic was looking somewhere else; behind me, to be exact. I glanced at him then turned around, seeing Kid exit the stone ring. He was leaving. I breathed a sigh of relief, but what was I going to do when I saw him again? This was becoming more of a problem the longer I tried keeping it to myself.

"Maybe she'll pay a little more attention to you." I heard Dominic say as he walked past me. Suddenly, a chunk of rock and dirt lifted from beneath him and he rose into the sky, flying towards the border of Death City.

What's that supposed to mean?

Adria sighed, her hands on her hips. "Don't mind him. Let's get started."

End of Chapter XXIII

Hope you liked it! This one was a bit difficult to write. I'm still not sure if I'm completely happy with how this chapter turned out, but hopefully it wasn't boring.

- Limiterlys