Forever Insane

by Maddylovesyou

Darkside insane asylum is something Maka's use to, for she goes there all the time. She goes to see her mother. Maka is bitter and cold, keeping everthing in and letting nothing out but when she runs into another patient at the hosipital could all of that change? How can someone who is so frail fascinate her so much? AU Crona x Maka

51. Chapter 51

Maka is in a place she doesn't know.

She takes in the small room..it's chipped wall paper that's peeling down revealing rotten wood. The brown carpet looks old and it has stains all over it, there even looks to be a red stain that is too dark to be juice or any other liquid for that matter other then blood. There's a small TV and a small refrigerator..but they both look dirty and beat up like they were dropped too many times. There's dried puke on the kitchen floor..or what Maka guesses to be the kitchen..it's so small. Just a microwave, the mini fridge, and some cabinets.

The walls here must be extremely thin..because she can hear everything going on in the room next to her..She hears people talking and loud thumps and shouts..

She doesn't like it here, it's dirty and it just doesn't feel safe.

"I'm not fucking doing it." A familiar voice growls to her left, getting her eyes off the mold growing on the wall. Ragnarok sits on a bed in this room..it looks dirty and old like everything else in here. The blue sheets are faded to a almost hazy grey..The pillows look like they're stuffed with newspaper. The raven haired boy's leg is bouncing in his impatience..or maybe he's just anxious..He seems unstable. Ragnarok takes a long drag of the cigarette in his hand before he lets it out..Maka noticing the bandage covering his nose..and how his shirt sticks to him like he's wet..but he seems dry..

"Come on man, we got to get your stuff." The brown haired boy is frowning..by how his eye is twitching..she feels like they have been arguing about this for a while. "We're moving into the apartment tomorrow..it's now or never."

"I'm not going back there." Ragnarok doesn't look at the boy as he takes another drag of his cig and closes his eyes. "..Never again." He blows out.

"You can't just fucking leave it there! Come on, it will be real quick, in and out."

"No, it's not like I had anything thing there but some clothes. Nothing important." Ragnarok's voice is dark. "I'm never setting foot in that crazy ass house."

"Man, I bought you some of those clothes! We don't have much money so we need as much shit as we can get!" The brown haired boy presses..His nose seems to have been forced back straight..his shoulder has been wrapped up but by the way the both of these boys look..

They didn't go to a hospital. They took care of their wounds themselves.

"What about your shit? You going to go back and try to get it from your dad?" Ragnarok taps his cigarette, letting the ashes fall onto the ground of this dirty room..but he doesn't seem to care. He glares at the other boy, waiting for his answer.

"W-Well.." Maka sees the fear that flashes through the boy's eyes before he looks away. "It's not like I have anything fucking important there..I barely had any clothes."

"See? I don't have anything important there either."

"But you do! That..shit..I remember..Didn't you have a picture of your mother?..like in your dresser?..I remember seeing it and asking you about it..unless you have that picture on you?" The brown haired boy seems to regain himself, making his point.

Ragnarok tenses badly..dropping his cigarette onto the floor but he stomps it out quickly before it starts a fire.

"Shit.." The raven haired boy holds his head in his hands..his breathing is jagged..this clearly really bothering him. "I forgot all about it..fuck.."

"We can go get it, I know you don't want to talk with that crazy bitch so..hell we could just sneak in, grab the picture and get out of there." The boy looks at him with a far away look. "..I know if I had a picutre of my mom..I wouldn't let any one fucking take it from me."

"You don't fucking understand how crazy they are! You don't understand how fucked up they are in the head!" Ragnarok growls, looking up from his hands to glare darkly at this other boy.

"Maybe if you would talk to me about it I would understand more but I fucking get they're insane. I saw those burn marks on you, I saw how they fucked up your face. They're crazy but are you going to give them the satisfaction of taking the only thing you have of your mother away from you?"

"It's only a fucking picture." Ragnarok snarls..his words are venom. "My mom is fucking dead, that picture isn't shit but a reminder..a reminder of what I have to do. I'm not fucking going back there and that's the end of it. Keep trying to get me to go and i'll knock the shit out of you, I'm not messing around." Ragnarok glares into this other boy's eyes..they're dark and serious..his bandage on his nose making him look like he's always snarling..and maybe he is.

"Alright fine." The brown haired boy grinds his teeth as he walks over to a table and grabs a pocket knife, he puts it into his pocket before walking over to a chair and takes a shirt off of it..He puts it over his bandaged up body.

"Where are you-" Ragnarok starts to ask only to get cut off from a gun shot and a scream. "Fucking again?" He growls as he stomps down on a crock roach that was crawling around his feet.

This isn't a safe place.

The brown haired boy doesn't seem affected by this at all as he walks over to a door, his brown eyes are determined..they're set.

"Where the fuck are you going?" Ragnarok gets the question out this time, looking at the other boy with his piercing eyes.

"I'm going to get your fucking picture." The boy grunts. "Stay here or come, I don't give a fuck. Just know your getting that picture. I know how much that shit means to you even if your trying to act like it doesnt. I know if I had a fucking picture of my mother I would keep that shit with me at all times. Your just shook up from what happened and hell who wouldn't be? But you'll regret not getting that picture. So I'm getting it fucking for you." The brown haired boy doesn't look at Ragnarok as he opens the door and walks out..the door slamming, leaving his words behind.

Ragnarok stares at the door blankly a moment..so many thoughts seeming to go through his head..He looks so irritated..but his eyes are giving in to something.

"Fuck!" He growls as he gets up and grabs a bat that was sitting against the wall before he runs out of the room after the other boy. "Wait! I can't let you fucking go there alone, they're fucking crazy man, didn't you listen to me? Why the hell are you making me go back there you ass hole?"

She doesn't hear his response..because everything fades away.

Now Maka is standing in front of that creepy home..it's dark outside but she has no way of knowing what time period this is..how long ago was the attack on Ragnarok?..they seem to be in the motel..so is this the same day? or not? She's not sure.

She hates being here now..seeing this place..this is where they made Ragnarok think he was a demon..where they tortured him and burned him..

She hates it so much. If only this wasn't a memory, she would burn down this house in a fire..show them where they are truly going for their actions.

"Alright here's the plan.." Maka looks over to see the brown haired boy and Ragnarok hiding behind a bush. The brown haired boy is the one talking, staring up at this creepy place. "I'll use that tree.." He nods to a large tree right beside the house. "To get into the second story of the house. I'll be all quiet like, get the picture, and then hop out before it's missed."

"Ok but what if you get fucking caught?" Ragnarok snaps but..Maka can tell he's really nervous..he doesn't want the other boy going in this house..he doesn't want to be here. She can see the flash of fear whenever he looks at this house. "Like hell if I'm fucking going back in there. This is stupid man.."

"If I don't come back in..I don't know soon, call the police." The brown haired boy shrugs.

"Are you retarded? Did you not see what happened yesterday? Did you forget why we didn't fucking tell the police yesterday?." Ragnarok growls lowly.

"Not all of the poilce are on their side..they can't be...it could have been just that one.." The brown haired boy frowns.

"Yeah right, dude I wasn't the first one they went fucking crazy on..it makes sense that the poilice are fucking in on it! That's why they have been getting away with it for so fucking long. We can't rely on the police."

"Well then I'm relying on myself. I'll be fine dude. I know how to fight, you seen me! We've fought together! I'll be fucking fine." The brown haired boy looks around..searching for anyone that might be watching.

"Look I don't want you getting fucking hurt alright? These people are insane! They're like the fucking family off of the 'Texas chainsaw massacre'. They are fucking creepy as hell and I'd rather not have to bust in there and save your ass." Ragnarok is trying to sound tough..but his shoulders are slightly shaking..

Because this is what he fears..everyone has a fear and this is his. This place. Those crosses. Those people.

"..If I don't come back then just leave. I'm not asking you to come back in there. If I fuck up, you don't have to bail my ass out." The brown haired boy stands up.

"If you dont' come back I have to fucking go in because i'm not going to fucking let you suffer that!" Ragnarok snaps..his chest is puffing up.

The other boy looks down at him blankly..before a sharp grin comes to his lips.

"Aw, I didn't know you cared for me so much."

"Fuck off, your my money supply."

"Way to ruin the moment jack ass." The brown haired boy chuckles before he takes off running, towards the large tree. "See you in a minute!"

For some reason..Maka follows him..she doesn't stay with Ragnarok but she follows this brown haired boy..She watches as he jumps, grabbing one of the tree's branches before he pulls himself up on it. He continues to do this..with Maka tagging along behind him..She use to climb trees for fun..it's not hard really, as long as you have some place to put your feet and grab onto..you can climb anything. This tree is easy to climb and both Maka and the brown haired boy make it up to a branch that is right beside a window of this place..

"Please be fucking unlocked." The boy grumbles before he grabs a hold of the window and lifts up..luckily it isn't locked and he opens it just enough for him to slip through, Maka slipping in right after him.

The room is pitch dark..so neither of them can see if the room is empty..The brown haired boy slowly closes the window..it making a soft click sound.

"Who's there?" Both Maka and this boy tense at the voice and whip around..but through the darkness they don't see that crazy bitch lady.. instead.. "..It's you!" Little Justin comes into view..his eyes are bright even in the darkness at seeing this boy..and before long his eyes are watering and he runs towards the boy, hugging his leg..sobbing quietly into it. "I-I'm so happy your here! I-Im so s-scared..s-so scared."

"Hey calm down kid." The boy frowns as he shushes him..well aware of how quiet this place is. "I'm not suppose to be here-"

"I know." Justin looks up at him..those tears still falling down. "Mother isn't here..I wouldn't be talking if she was here..I'm suppose to be asleep but I can't sleep..not anymore..n-not after.." He sniffles, his small body trembling. "..They hurt uncle badly didn't they? They killed him didn't they?"

"No, your uncle is alive..he's alright." The brown haired boy stands there awkwardly..it doesn't look like he knows what to do.

"He's never coming back.. is he?" Justin looks at him with those eyes..those eyes that could make anyone melt. They're full of such a sadness. "That's why your here isn't it?..To tell me he's not coming back..t-that I'm going to be left alone here.." Justin starts to sob again..burying his head into the boy's leg." I know..I-I don't blame him..f-for never coming back..b-but I don't want to be alone here..I-I don't want to be s-stuck in this room alone.."

The brown haired boy looks down at the small boy that's crying on him..a deep frown is on his face..something seeming to be going through his mind as he places his hand gently on top of this boy's head. Justin sniiffles and looks up at him with those eyes again..

"You won't be alone." The boy says almost softly. "Things are crazy now..but I'll come back to see you alright? I don't know when..but I will. I have to go now though, I have to get something.." The boy takes Justin off him..and starts to walk away..

"H-How do I know you'll come back?" The small boy is desperate..his hands shaking as he looks at the back of the boy that paused. "P-Please I need something..I need to k-know i'm not alone..t-that you'll come back to see me..I need-"

Justin is hit in the head with something..he catches it but he couldn't help letting out a 'ow'. He looks down..and his crying stops in confusion.

"W-What's this?" Justin looks at the rectangle in his hand, with head phones connected to it.

"It's my Mp3 player." The brown haired boy grunts. "Some day I'll come back for it. I fucking love that thing so take care of it. You can listen to it if you want..but don't be surprised when there's cuss words in it."

"Your giving it..to me?" Justin looks at him with wide eyes..she can see how they warm up to this boy.

"It's my promise. I'll be back. I don't know when, but I'll be back." With that the boy walks out of the room..leaving Justin in the dark.

The small boy looks down at the mp3 player in his hand..the fear is gone..and it has been replaced with hope..

"Will he really come back..or is he a liar like my mother warned me about?.." Justin winces at that..but he holds the mp3 tightly in his hand..

The brown haired boy walks back into the room, holding a picture and some clothes. Justin watches him with those big eyes as he marches over to the window, opens it up, and puts a leg on the ledge about to hop out..But he pauses.

"..Did you..did you see what they did to him?" The brown haired boy doesn't look back at Justin.

"..I-I saw everything.." Justin trembles..and sniffles. "Mother said..said they had to do it..she said she was saving him..but that didn't look like saving..and I was scared..I still am."

The brown haried boy girps his fist tightly..a growl escaping his throat.

"She did that fucking shit in front of you? God damn it.." He punches the wall, getting Justin's eyes to get wide. "Your just a kid..just a fucking kid and she.." He takes a deep breath. "..I wish I could take you with us..I really wish I fucking could..but I can't-"

"As long as you come back..that's all I need.." Justin speaks so sincerely..gripping the mp3 in his hand.

The brown haired boy looks back at him..his expression is unreadable.

"..Listen to the second song on there..When ever you feel sad or scared just listen to it and I think it will make you feel better. I'll be back. I promise you." The brown haired boy takes in Justin..he doesn't seem like he wants to leave him..but he opens the window and climbs out..closing the window behind him.

Justin runs to the window to look out..to watch the boy leave..only then do the tears fall..the sadness shinning through..his small shoulders shaking. He's so frail..he looks so scared.

Maka walks so she's standing beside the boy..Looking out of the window with him..her eyes fall on the back of brown haired boy as he runs over towards the bush in the front of the house..Ragnarok comes out and runs over to the boy..he seems to be looking him over and even from here she can tell he's relieved..

At seeing Ragnarok..Justin's tears fall more...

"They c-called him a demon.." His shoulders shake as Maka looks down at him. "..But he's my uncle..he's.." That sadness grows..when Ragnarok looks towards the house..

Justin and Ragnarok's gaze meets...

Only for the raven haired boy to look away..turning his back on the boy..and leaving.

Justin shrinks more into himself..She sees the guilt in his eyes..the pain there.

He's such a small boy..but you would think the weight of the world is on his shoulders. His face is so pale..and dark bags are under his eyes..and how old is he?..4? 5? jeez..

Maka puts a hand on his shoulder..knowing she can't really touch him or offer comfort..but it makes her feel like she is.

Justin suddenly perks up..at first she really thought it was because of her..but then she realizes he's looking out the window again..so she looks out.

The brown haired boy is looking back at him..he gives him a wave before he's off with Ragnarok..

Justin waves weakly after him..looking like a abandon puppy..He watches them till he can't see them any more..a longing in his eyes..

"I'm alone again.." He trembles as he walks away from the window..sitting on his bed..He looks at the mp3 in his hand a long moment. "..The second song?.." He puts the head phones in and looks at the mp3..it takes him a while of pushing all the buttons before he turns the small device on...He goes to the second song..and waits for it to play..

"When I see your smile..tears run down my face. I can't replace and now that I'm strong I have figured out..how this world turns cold and breaks through my soul and I know I'll find deep inside me, I can be the one..~"

Justin slowly stops crying at the soothing voice..Maka being able to recognize the song right away..it's 'Your guardian angel' by red jumpsuit apparatus..a beautiful song..

"I will never let you fall. I'll stand up for you forever..I'll be there for you through it all~."

Justin smiles now..he lays down in bed..putting the covers over his head..clutching the small mp3 to in his hand tightly..His breathing becomes even..the song luring him to sleep..

The song the boy told him to listen to..the song the boy used as a promise.

He will be back.

Everything fades away...only for every thing to come back to her..but it's moving too fast.

Scenes past by her..It's like watching the little boy's life with the fast foward button on..

Little Justin had a boring schedule..everyday is the same.

The boy gets up. He reads the bible. He gets scolded by his mother. He reads the bible. He eats some fruit and bread. Reads the bible. Reads the bible. Reads the bible. Goes to bed.

That's it. Everyday. All day.

Not only that..but as the fast forward days go by..she can see those eyes slowly fading..there's no life in them..this woman is sucking the life out of this child..leaving him with those eyes..

Those soulless ones.

Maka frowns..each day that pasts..Justin reads more of the bible..but when he talks to his mother about something he doesn't understand..She beats him. It's not with a belt, it's with her fist. She beats him and throws holy water on him..

Everyday..for Maka doesn't know how many days of Justin's life she's seen so far..but he's still a little boy..

Finally everything slows down..Maka finding herself in the little boy's room..Justin sits in front of her on his bed, a bible in his lap as his blank, soulless eyes read the text in it..He's so still..And he doesn't look healthy. He's pale and so skinny..bags under his eyes. He looks older now..maybe he's around 6 or 7 but she can't be sure. Maka has seen two full years of this boy's life..

And not once did he leave the house.

He's been in here..only reading the bible..that's his life, the bible, nothing else.

Little Justin turns a page carefully..his eyes not blinking as he begins to read the next page..his movements are mechanical... Because like a machine, this is what he's been programed to do..

It's the only thing he was programed to do.

Even at this young age..He looks dead. There's no child like brightness..no smile, or laugh..Maka doesn't think she's seen him smile once in these two years..well..she's seen him smile..but that's only when-

Justin shifts a little suddenly..his face scrunching up in a wince as he reaches over and tugs his sleeve down over a bruise on his arm..a bruise most likely left by his mother for not understanding something, or not reading enough to her liking...The bible shakes in his trembling hands..and the boy breaths in and out heavily..

He also does this a lot..he has metal break downs..when he doesn't understand something..or when he thinks he's committed a sin after reading the bible.

"Why is there never a day I don't under stand something?..I don't want to displease her..I don't want her to.." He winces again when he touches his bruise and lets out a shaky breath. "Two years..and I still haven't gotten it..I-I can't memorize everything like she wants..it's hard.."

Maka frowns thinking about one of the fast forwards scenes she saw..That crazy bitch mother would ask Justin to say a quote from one of the books in the bible..and if Justin would fail, she would make him take off his shirt so she could go ham on it with a wooden spoon, leaving welts over his pale, sheltered skin.

All this boy knows is pain, loniness, and the bible.

Madness has to be right around the corner.

Little Justin takes out something from his pocket..it's the mp3 that brown haired boy gave to him such a long time ago..every time Justin is upset or about to go mad..he takes this out and listens to that song..and he calms down.

When he listens to the song is the only time he smiles.

Little Justin puts the head phones in his ear and clinks some buttons..closing his eyes..waiting for the magic to happen.

The songs starts to play..and immediately his heavy breathing stops..and he opens his eyes..

They're no longer soulless..he's alive again.

It's amazing..how much this song effects him..it changes him from a zombie to a person again..it fills him with a hope that Maka can see in his eyes..even his face seems to get brighter and those bags under his eyes don't seem so bad..

But she knows it's not the song..it's the boy that gave him this mp3..

The boy he is still waiting for..the boy he still has faith will come back.

Justin hums to the tune..and soon he's singing along to it..knowing the whole song by heart because this is all he listens to. This is his only pleasure in life. This song. The boy's promise.

"...Even if saving you sends me to heaven... it's ok..it's ok..it's okay..~" Justin sings this part in a whisper..like he's trying to reassure himself..and soon he's smiling as he closes his eyes..

He's only happy when he sings and listens to this song.

"Seasons are changing and waves are crashing and stars are falling all for us. Days grow longer and nights grow shorter..I can show you I'll be the one..~" Justin moves the bible so it's resting on the bed..he gets up with this eyes closed..really getting into the music this time..singing loudly..singing with passion..

Because this is his only hope.

"I will never let you fall..i'll stand up for you forever.." He sings the chorus..not realizing how loud he's being.. "Cause you're my, your my, my, my true love, my whole heart. Please don't throw that away...cause I'm here..for you..please don't walk away...and please tell me you'll stay.."

Maka then hears it..the creaking of the stairs..someone is coming up..but little Justin is too busy singing his heart out..the music is too loud in his ears so he can't hear anything. Usually this boy is careful about this sort of thing..but it seems the song is giving him soul..pushing more life into him more then it usually does. He's having fun..Maka can tell. By the way he's smiling to himself..his eyes closed as he paces around this empty room..empty except for the crosses and pictures of angel's and Mary.

"..Use me as you will..pull my strings just for a thrill and I'll know I'll be okay though my skies are turning grey. I will never let you fall, i'll stand up for you forever. i'll be there for you through it all even if saving you sends me to heaven..~" Justin does a spin on his heel as he finishes the song..only to bump into something, causing the small boy to fall on his butt.

"Why are you singing when you are suppose to be reading the lord's word?" His crazy mother scolds..she had just came into the room when Justin started spinning..causing him to bump into her. This woman's eyes fall on the mp3..and her eyes set on fire. "Where did you get that?!" She screeches as she snatches the device out of the small boy's hand..ripping the head phones out of his ears with it.

"Mom don't, that's mine!" Justin speaks up and reaches for it..

This was a bad move..and Justin realizes it right away..with the look his mother gives him.

"Don't you ever talk to me like that!" She slaps the boy across the face..sending him back to the floor again..the sound of the hit echoing in the room. "How dare you speak to your own mother that way! Did you not read the verse that says ' You shall honor thy mother and father?' You will surely burn in hell for this Justin."

"N-No I didn't mean to..!" Justin's eyes get wide in panic..he's sweating..completely believing her. "I do honor you mother! I just..I just really like that music..I didn't mean to shout at you..please forgive me-"

"Forgiveness can not just be given." Her eyes narrow. "Forgiveness comes from pain..only through fire can are sins be cleansed and as for this.." She waves the mp3 in front of Justin's face..Maka can see how desperately the boy just wants to reach out and take it from her. "Music is from the devil. If it's not praising god then it's not something you should be listening to. It will only fill your head with thoughts of sin and filth."

"I-It's not bad! I-it's nice and soothing..I-It talks about heaven." Little Justin adds..hoping to persuade his mother..but it's no use.

"Does it talk about how your not going there? Because you have done nothing but back sass me! Where did you get this? Is this what you have been doing? Wasting your time listing to filthy music? The devil's tune? No wonder you have been behind in your reading! Because instead of reading you have been listening to this sin!" She screeches, waving the device in the air, her face is hot from anger.

"Mom please.." Little Justin is begging her..he's desperate and it's obvious.

"Where did you get this?! Tell me! Did you sneak out of the house?! You demon child!" Her voice is getting dangerous.

"N-No I haven't left! Someone gave it to me!" Justin covers his mouth in alarm at that last part..he said too much.

"Who?" Her voice is ice.

Justin trembles under her gaze..his eyes shift..before he takes a deep breath and looks her in the eyes.

"..It was uncle Billy." Justin speaks like it's the truth..but Maka and Him both know it's a lie.

"Of course." She grinds her teeth. "..Oh, he will pay..I believe someone needs to be 'purified'."

"..Can I.. can I have my music?" Justin asks her neverously..shuttering at her words..he looks guilty now but..he desperatly wants the device.

"You can have your music in hell." The woman throws the mp3 down..

And then she stomps it. Stomps it to pieces. Stomps this boy's only pleasure..his only hope..to pieces.

Little Justin can only stare at the pieces of the mp3 with wide eyes..he's frozen in shock.

"Read 20 more pages of the bible tonight as punishment, and you better tell me in detail tomorrow what happened in them or your getting the spoon ,Justin do you understand me?"

..Justin nods numbly..before he falls to his knees in front of the broken thing on the floor..picking up some of the pieces with shaky hands.

"You make me sick." The woman wrinkles her nose before she walks out..her last words being. "Keep it up, and I'll have to purify you."

Justin doesn't seem to hear her..or maybe he just doesn't care. His eyes are stuck on the broken mp3..he tries to place it back together..but it's no use. It's broken beyong repair.

"..N-No please.." Justin trembles as he keeps trying to put this thing back together..but he has no glue..and even if he did it would be a waste. There's no way to repair this..it's done. "He's going to come back for this! He said he would! I-It can't be broke..I-It just can't!"

"But it is broke." A voice coos..Maka tensing..she recognizes the voice right away..

It's Asura but she doesn't see him..

"It's broke but that doesn't really matter does it? It's not like that boy is actually coming back to get it."

"He is! He promised me!" Justin snaps defensively..still trying to fix the device.." Go away! I don't want to talk to you!"

"But I'm your one and only friend." Asura sighs. "Come now, it's been 2 years..you don't really believe he's coming back do you? I mean why would he? So he could be burden with your problems?..do you expect him to save you? Because he won't and you know this."

"I don't expect to be saved..I just don't want to be alone anymore." Justin trembles..his eyes shaking..Maka seeing the madness that's creeping up in them.

"Your not alone..you have me." Asura coos. "Give in to your madness..and serve me instead of god. I could be so much more to you my boy."

"I'll never serve you! What ever you are, your no good!" Little Justin grinds his teeth. "You want me to do bad things..you keep trying to temp me..who are you? The devil?"

"No, I'm no devil. I'm your friend."

"I only have one friend." Justin crosses his arms. "..And I'm still wating from him."

"He's not coming and you know it. If he was going to visit you he would have done it by now..but he has abandoned you."

Justin's lips fall to a frown as he looks down at the broken pieces of the mp3 player..he seems to be letting the demon's words sink in..he looks miserable now.

"..He's not coming..'" He says weakly.

'"No, he lied to you." Asura coos. "Just as you lied to your mother..now your uncle is going to suffer because of your lie..God's not going to want you now..so why don't you just give in to me?"

"I..I lied?".. Justin lets his words sink in..

Before he snaps.

"I'm going to be alone!" Justin's eye shake as he laughs loudly..gripping his hair. "I'm going to hell! I lied and now I'm going to burn in the fires of hell for it!"

"Yes, yes. Join me and I can save you." Asura coos again..his voice is inviting.

Justin keeps laughing loudly..he falls to his knees and holds his head..his eyes are shaking so badly, his small body shaking in spasms.

At age 7 Justin is fighting madness..and it looks like he's losing..it looks like Asura is going to get what he wants-

A thump from behind Justin causes his laughter to stop. Maka and him turn around towards the sound..Justin has a mad grin on his face but..when his eyes fall on the sight before him...

It falls immediately..his eyes steady..and all the madness leaves him.

The brown haired boy is sitting on the ledge of the window..looking at Justin with a blank expression. The boy has gotten a lot taller in the course of two years..his brown hair is now a bit spikey and his muscles seem to be more defined as if he's been working out. His clothes even seem a little better..they don't have holes in them or anything like that. His nose looks like it healed properly and he's no longer wearing any bandages. He stares at Justin..like he's waiting for something. His eyes hold a emptiness to them..like something is missing.

"Giriko.." Both Maka and this boy say in a gasp.

There's no mistaking it now..she knew this boy looked familiar but these two years caused him to grow more..and with his hair spiked up..and those brown eyes and hair..and those sharp teeth..This is Giriko. A younger vision of him but it's Giriko..

At his name being said, this younger Giriko comes fully inside the room..and closes the window slowly, it making a soft click.

"You...You really came back?" Justin is taken a back..his expression shocked but his eyes are so bright now..with happiness and hope.

"I told you I fucking would didn't I?" Giriko snaps but when he turns to look at Justin..he frowns slightly and sighs. "Sorry it took so long..I don't know where the fucking time went..with working and all the other shit that happened..I didn't want to take this fucking long.." The boy seems irritated with himself..even ashamed. "Don't think I never thought about you..hell I've been stressing about seeing you these 2 years..but I use to live so far away..now i've moved back. I'm not leaving again."

"I don't care that it took two years, you could have came here in five and I would still be happy..because you kept your promise." Justin beams at this boy..his eyes full of life..only to frown deeply..something flashing through his eyes. "..I'm so sorry G-Girko but..I ruined your promise."

"Huh?" Girko raises an eye brow at how the other boy is taking deep breaths.

"Your mp3.." Justin takes a step to the side so the broken pieces can be visible to him..he's trembling, guilt in those bright eyes of his. "You said you would come back for it..and that you liked it..I-I couldn't protect it..I'm so sorry..please don't hate me..please don't leave!" He gets desperate at the end.

"Chill out kid, I don't give a shit about that thing." Girko grunts, his brown eyes never leaving the small boy..he seems to be studying him, trying to figure something out.

"W-What?" Justin is taken a back at how ok the boy seems with him breaking his mp3.. "But you said-"

"That was two years ago. I got a new one. It's no big deal." Girko pulls out a another mp3..but it looks bigger and better then the last one. "Got a job down here that pays good."

"But..if you got a new one..why did you come back?..if the mp3 didn't matter why did you come back here for it?" Justin looks at him intently..those eyes are so big..so bright like violet pools.

"I came back here for you. I promised you that I would come back..that mp3 was to just give you something physical so you wouldn't spaz out."

"You came back just for me?" Justin looks like he's about to cry..he's looking at Girko like he's a hero.

"..Yeah." Girko scratches his cheek and looks away from the smaller boy for a moment. "I feel like it's my duty."

"Your duty?" Justin raises and eye brow as he starts to walk closer to Girko..his steps are slow like he's scared.

"I promised you..but I feel like I'm doing this for someone else too.." He frowns at this, a look of concentration on his face.

"Girko.."

The boy looks down to see Justin right in front of him..grabbing at his shirt and looking at him with need. There's tears in the corner of his eyes.

"Is it ok i-if I hug you?.."

"Uh-"

Justin doesn't wait for him to answer, he just throws his arms around his waist and buries his head into his stomach.

"I'm so happy you came back..I'm not going to be alone.." Justin tightens his grip, his tears falling more. "Your such a good man, such a good person. If mother would give you a chance..she would see how good you really are."

"I'm not a good person kid." Girko stands there awkwardly..not sure what to do with a crying child on him.

"My name is Justin, not kid and you are a good person! You came back for me!" Justin pulls away to give him a stern look..but through the tears it looks like a pout.

"This might be a good thing to do but that doesn't make me a good person." Girko tries to pulls Justin off..Only for the boy to grip him tighter.

"Please don't push me away! P-Please..don't leave..p-please stay." Justin begs..his small shoulders shaking.

"I can't stay forever kid- I mean Justin." He grumbles that last part. "But I promise I'll be here every night to see you. I can do that now..with living around here and my job in the morning, I can promise you that."

"You'll be back.." Justin looks up at him with wide eyes. "E-Everyday?"

"Everyday." Girko gives him a smile..his teeth show through." I promise."

Justin looks at him with wide eyes..they're a watery mess..he looks at Girko like he's a saint..like he's his savior..

And really maybe he is.

"Your my guardian angel aren't you?" Justin beams excitedly, happy tears falling down his face now.

"Huh?" Girko looks confused.

"That's why you wanted me to listen to that song! You were trying to tell me that your my guardian angel..that you would be back and protect me so I won't be alone!" Justin is too excited. "I-I read about guardian angels in the bible..god gave everyone a angel to look after them..and to lead them back to him. You must be my guardian angel! God sent you to protect me!"

"Justin I'm not-"

"You say your not a good person but your good to me. You haven't been bad to me..you have only made me happy, and you make me feel safe. You may not be beautiful, clean, or angelic looking..but who says you have to be? Your my guardian angel..and your so unique. Praise the lord for giving you to me!"

Girko looks at him with wide eyes..Justin really ranted on about this. Even though his eye twitched when he talked about him not being clean..His facial expression isn't as hard..there's a softness in his eyes that he can't hide..and maybe even a hint of a smile on those lips.

"Whatever you say kid." Girko looks away from him..something seeming to be going through this boy's mind. "Heh..never been called a angel before. I've been called a lot of things..and angel has never been one of them."

"It's Justin." The smaller boy pouts, crossing his arms..but his eyes still hold that happiness..

Because he believes Girko is his guardian angel.

"No one has called you a angel because your my angel..everyone else has a different angel but your mine."

Girko looks at him from the corner of his eye..He looks at how happy..how alive this little boy looks..

That's when Maka sees the ghost of a smile on Girko's lips.

"Enough of this angel crap." Girko grunts as he crosses his arms. "So tell me..how have these past two years been on you? Anything change?"

Justin completely frowns and looks down..he looks ashamed..he looks sad.

"..So I guess not?" Girko sighs and runs a hand through his brown hair..he looks a little guilty for ruining the boy's good mood. "..You go outside at all?"

Justin shakes his head.

"Come on..it's nice out right now. I'll take you out there and we can look at the stars or some shit. You need to get out of this house." Girko holds out his hand to the small boy.

Justin looks at it..he wants to take his hand..he wants to go outside but..

"I-I can't." He shakes his head and looks away from Girko. "Mother said I'm not allowed outside.."

"Your mother is crazy Justin..you can't always listen to her-"

"I want to go to heaven." Little Justin blurts out..making a deep sigh afterward. "I want to please her..I want to be good.."

"She'll never know-"

"I'll know. God will know. The sin will drag me to hell..and then mom will hate me." Justin is trembling. "I'm sorry..I just can't."

Girko stares at him a long moment..seeing how the small boy trembles in fear..Girko lets out a long sigh..he looks troubled. He doesn't like this at all.

"Damn it, I need a smoke." Girko takes deep breaths..he looks like he's about to snap on something as he opens the window back up-

"Please don't go!" Justin rushes over and hugs the man from behind..girpping him tightly..needingly. "..I'm sorry if I made you mad..I just can't..p-please understand I-"

"I'm not mad at you Justin." Girko sooths, pulling Justin's hands off of him so he can turn around and face him. The man's face is blank. "I have to go now but i'll be back tomorrow ok? I promised you."

"Tomorrow?" Justin watches as Girko steps out of the widow..

"Tomorrow." Girko closes the window..and climbs down the tree..leaving Justin alone in the room. The little boy watches Girko leave till he cant' see him anymore..he grips his heart and closes his eyes..

"He'll be back tomorrow.." Justin smiles to himself as he walks over and hops in bed..Maka can tell how happy he is from just seeing this man..

The boy doesn't read those 20 pages tonight.

Everything starts going fast again like before..day after day flies by before Maka..every day Justin has the same schedule as before..he dies in the morning, becoming soulless and inhuman..but at night, Girko comes and brings him back to life. It's like that every day. No matter what Justin has been through that day..he always has a bright smile for Girko. The two talk most nights..and each day it seems Girko is getting more comfortable with Justin's hugs..being more open to them. Each day they get closer..and each day a emotion in Justin gets stronger and stronger..she sees it in those big eyes of his..

Girko kept his promise, everyday he comes for Justin, bring him to life, being there for him. Everyday he tries to get Justin to go outside with him..and each time Justin declines..It eats at Girko every time Justin says no..Maka can tell but the small boy is set in his ways..even though she can see how desperately he wants to go outside with Girko..

He never goes outside.

When everything slow down again..she finds herself in a room she doesn't recognize..it's dark in here..stone floors..candles every where..

That's when she hears the cracking sound of a whip..

Maka turns around..and if possible she hates this lady even more.

Justin is in the middle of the room..his hands are chained to the stone wall, He's on his knees..his arms spread out like they had Ragnarok in the forest..Justin looks blankly in front of him..his eyes are soulless..no emotion in them..like doll's eyes..they're just empty. The boy looks older now..maybe ten years old..His blond hair is more curly now..his faical features a bit more define. The boy's shirt is off..showing his pale skin that has barely seen the sun..his ribs stick out badly..his stomach sucken in..the bags under his eyes are horrible..

"Hit him again." His mother stands to the side, staring at her son with cold eyes."5 more lashes."

A man behind Justin grunts in response before he grips the whip in his hand..and hits the small boy's back with it. Maka flinches each time he brings down the whip..at the loud snapping sound it makes each time it connects with his flesh..Justin's back is nothing but red..some cuts on it from this man whipping him so hard..he's even whipping over spots he already hit..It looks painful as hell but..

Justin is just taking it..he doesn't cry..he doesn't even make a sound. His eyes still soulless..there's no anger..no sadness..

She realizes now..he's broken..like so many times she has been broken.

He doens't feel anything.

It's horrible watching this..to see this ten year old boy get the shit beat out of him..and no emotion in those eyes...and his mother is just glaring at him..

"Stop." She finally speaks...the man went over five lashes and gave her son 10 but she didn't say anything till now. Her cold eyes lock on her son..The boy just hanging on the chains limply. "Now tell me Justin..tell me proverbs 23:20:21."

" '..Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for that drunkard and the glutton will come poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags'" Justin answers her in motor toned. Nothing changing about him.

"So you know the verse but you do not listen to it?" The woman fumes. "It says to not be among a glutton but you, yourself. have become one! Confess your sin my boy now."

"I sneaked another piece of my birthday cake." Justin doesn't blink...he just hangs there with his back messed up.

"Yes! Gluttony! Just because it's your birthday Justin doesn't mean you can sin! Is there anything you can say to justify this?"

"..I was hungry.." Justin looks down now..something flashing though those eyes. "..I'm sorry."

"You don't need food. You only need the word of the lord! Have you not been reading the bible? Are you committing the sin of sloth as well?!"

"No. I've read everyday." Justin speaks up quickly. " 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of god. Matthew 4:4'"

"So you kow the verses but you refuse to listen to them?" The woman growls.. Justin doesn't say anything but..

"I'm sorry."

"Give him 7 more lashes and then let him go. You go straight to bed Justin..I don't want to see your face for the rest of the night." This woman then leaves her son..to be whipped.

Maka is forced to watch as Justin is whiped 7 more times over his already sore back. He doesn't make a sound..he just takes it..excepts it..

He thinks he deserves this.

"Here kid." The man snaps as he gets his key out..and unlocks the chains around Justin's wrist. The boy falls on his face..his body weak and racked with pain. "Be a good boy and listen to your mother..that way I don't have to do this again." With that this man leaves..leaving the hurt boy alone.

For a moment Justin doesn't do anything..he just lays there..his back ripped up and red..all this because he ate a bit more cake on his birthday...

She can't describe the anger she feels. No wonder this guy is an ass hole..no wonder he always called her a glutton..because it was drilled into his head that eating just a little bit made you a gluton..

He lives in constant fear of sinning.

Justin forces himself up..grabs his button up shirt that was thrown on the floor..and starts to walk out of this stone room..not saying anything, those eyes never changing. Maka follows after him..the boy stumbles a bit a couple of times..but he seems to have the hang of this..

Like he's use to it.

He walks up the stairs..gripping the walls tightly so he doesn't fall..he walks like a zombie..he walks like he's already dead. When he gets into his room..he doesn't lay on the bed..he doesn't sit down..he just closes the door behind him..and then stands there. Staring at nothing.

"My..don't you think that was a bit harsh of her?" Asura's voice coos again even though she can't see him. "Beating you on your birthday? How horrible..don't you want to get her back? Don't you want to make her suffer?"

Justin ignores him...but his eyes flash.

"Why don't we..show her a lesson?" Maka sees a scarf reach out to Justin..seemily from no where-

A pebble hits Justin's window..this has been a warning that Girko is about to come up.

Justin's eyes get wide and he quickly grabs his shirt and puts it on...wincing as the fabric touches his messed up back but he deals with it and starts buttoning up his shirt quickly..

Asura's scarf is gone, and so is his madness..

For now.

"Getting dressed?" Girko raises an eye brow as he comes through the window..seeing Justin quickly button his last button. "Isn't it time to be getting ready for bed? Why you wearing that formal shit?"

"I like t-to look nice always." Justin gives him a nervous smile as Girko closes the window. The boy's eyes are no longer soulless..even after all that..Girko is able to bring him back just by being there...

The effect Girko has on Justin is amazing.

"Alright weirdo." Girko gives him a teasing smirk..showing his teeth..causing Justin to perk up completely..like he didn't just get whipped, like he doesn't have a horrible life. "Sorry about being late, I stayed after to finish this.." Girko pulls something out from his black jacket..being careful with it as he holds it out for Justin to see.

It's a fake bird..a blue jay..

"Wow it's-"

Girko throws the bird at him. Justin quickly runs towards it and catches it..gripping it in his slightly bigger hands.

"What was that for-"

"It's yours." Girko grunts..looking away from the boy when Justin looks at him with wide eyes.

"What?"

"It's your birthday right?..I thought I could get you something this year..so I made you that bird out of clay and painted it.." Girko seems frustrated as he scratches the back of this neck. "..You uh..like birds right? I heard you talk about them once I think.."

Justin stares at him in shock for a moment longer..before the biggest smile comes to his face..his eyes so bright as he looks down at the bird this man made him..looking at it like he found a box of treasure...

"I love birds.." Justin's voice cracks as he touches the bird's details..the details this man carved in himself... "Oh Girko..it's beautiful..I didn't know you knew how to make things.."

"Duh, it's my job." Girko holds out his hands..that are covered in thick gloves. "I woke making sculptures and pots and shit with clay."

"You never told me you were such a artist." Justin beams at him, his eyes wide in awe. "Do you draw too?"

"Sometimes..I have a sketch book." Girko seems a little odd when he brought that up..his gaze shifts a little.

"Can I see it-"

"No." Girko cuts him off a bit coldly.

Justin seems taken a back..his eyes hold some hurt.

"No one looks at my sketch book..I'm the only one looks at it." Girko adds that last part glaring away from Justin.

The small boy nods, calming down a bit..but Maka can tell he wants to see his sketch book.

"Thank you so much for this Girko..I'll treasure it always." He holds it tightly to himself..a large smile coming back to his face. "I must get you something for your birthday! I believe I remember you telling me when it was once..and it's coming up soon." Justin looks excited.

"You don't have to get me anything Justin." Girko watches how he holds the bird he gave him before scratching his neck. "..I made a couple of mistakes on the bird..i'll make you a better one next time-"

"No it's perfect Girko!" Justin cuts him off, almost shouting but he stops himself. "..I love it." He cradles the bird, that bright smile on his face. "This is the best present i've ever gotten."

Girko gives him a frown at that..something flashing through his eyes but Justin doesn't see it..he's smiling down at the bird..he's so grateful, so happy.

"..What did you get from your parents?"

Justin tenses...probably thinking about the beating he got..

"They got me a cake." Justin forces his smile. "It was very good."

"That's it?' He growls. "Last year they got you something didn't they?"

"..A new bible?" Justin thinks back..before nodding.

"..." Girko's face gets red from anger..he turns away from Justin to hide it, his fist is gripping..and his breathing is jagged. "..Why didn't you tell me about this? Every birthday you looked so happy..I only assumed they treated you right for once.."

"I was happy..because you came." Justin smiles as he holds up the bird..not seeing how Girko tenses. "A day doens't go by that I don't thank the lord for you Girko. You do so much for me..you talk to me and you make it so I'm not alone..to see you on my birthday is a gift enough..but you made me something so beautiful..I want to do the same for you."

"..I don't need anything Justin. It's not like you'll leave the house, it's not like your mother will even let you have paper to make a card, or crayons to color." Girko is fumming..Justin takes a step back..

Maka sees Girko is mad at his mother..but Justin sees it that he's mad he won't leave the house.

"Girko-" Justin frowns and takes a step closer.

"I have to go. See you tomorrow." Girko opens the window and steps out.." Happy birthday." Then he's gone.

Justin stares at where he was with a frown on his face..before he looks down at the bird in his hand..

There's a smile but it's faint..it's mixed with a wince.

Days start to go by fast again..Girko does show up..but he seems more distant from Justin..like something is on his mind. But the small boy sees it as Girko is upset with him..and when ever he leaves Justin cries in guilt..thinking he's driving his guardian angel away..

Everything slows down..Maka finds herself down stairs...Justin is sitting on the couch reading the bible..looking dead like he usually does..

"I'm leaving Justin, make sure you read those 30 pages. We will discuss them when I get back tomorrow." His mother gives him a look..before she walks out of the house.

Once she's gone..Justin comes back to life.

"This is it.." Justin gets up, placing the bible carefully on the couch, his eyes light up in excitement as he runs up the stairs..Maka running after him a bit confused. Justin runs into his room, stopping in front of his dresser. He opens a drawer and brings out...a wad of cash. "This is the day i'm going to get Girko's present! Then he'll see that I can take care of him too..that he doesn't have to carry all the weight..then he won't be upset with me anymore." He seems so happy about this plan as he puts the money in his pocket. "I've never been so happy father gives me money for allowance..He told me you buy stuff with it..so I can buy Girko's present!"

The little boy runs down the stairs..Maka running after him...if this was real she would be out of breath so good thing it isn't. He runs to the front door..then stops.

"...I'll have to go outside though.." Justin frowns deeply..a conflicted look on his face. "..Mother doesn't want me outside..she says bad people are out there but..if I don't go outside I won't be able to get Girko his present.." He shifts uncomfortably..before he takes a step back.

Maka thinks he's about to turn around..and go back to reading the bible..but..

Justin takes a deep breath..before he opens the door, and heads out of the house. Maka follows him..her eyes wide as this boy walks outside..his eyes taking in the brightness..the life..the sun..the trees, and the grass.

He hasn't been outside since Ragnarok took him to the park.

Justin looks so scared..but excited at the same time as he gets to the side walk..and starts walking away from his home..from all he knows.

For Girko he would step out of his comfort zone..for Girko he would disobey his mother.

"Now what would Girko like?" Justin frowns to himself..looking more lost then before as he stops.

Maka doesn't think he knows where he's going..since he got out here he's just been looking around like everything is amazing..like this world is made of candy..

And maybe compared to his world..the outside one is made of candy.

Justin looks around..maybe seaching for a store...or some sort of hint what he should get Girko..when his eyes fall on a man sitting on a bench across the street from him. The man is wearing nothing but rags..holding a pencil in his hand, it looks like he's writing something on a wore out newspaper.

To Maka all she sees is a bum on the street..But Justin's eyes are wide with excitement..looking at this guy like he just found the president.

"A pencil!" He gasps. "Don't artist use that to draw?..and Girko is a artist! It's perfect!" Little Justin then runs into the street..not looking both ways or anything, he just darts into the street..Right in front of a on coming car.

"Justin!" Maka screams...even though no one can hear her..she cant' change this.

The boy stops like he heard her and looks at the car that is right on him..

The person driving the car slams on his breaks..the vechile making a screeching sound..it stops right in front of Justin..only inches from hitting the boy.

"Watch where the fuck your going kid!" The man growls out causing Justin to tense and run away from the car to the other side where the bum is.

"My word.." Justin pants, holding a hand to his small heart as he watches the car drive away. "...What was that thing?"

"..Your kidding me right?" The bum looks at him funny before going back to his writing.

"Your pencil!" Justin suddenly perks up causing the bum to tense and look at him again.

"What about it..?"

"How much does it cost?"

"Excuse me?"

"I want to buy it." Justin takes out the wad of cash..the bum's eyes widen. "How much does it cost?"

"Uh.." The bum looks at Justin's money. "How much is that there?"

"I'm not to familiar with the value of money..but father taught me how to count. I believe it's 200 dollars."

"Hmm...I don't know, this is a pretty rare pencil." The bum hums as he holds the pencil out for Justin to look at..it's nothing but a old, used pencil..but Justin doesn't know better..

All he knows is the bible.

"Oh please sir! I must have it!" Justin begs.

"..Hm I like you kid so i'll tell you what. Give me all of your money, and i'll give you the pencil."

"Deal!" Justin hands the bum all his money..and grabs the pencil, hugging it to himself with a smile on his face. "Wow..Girko is going to be so happy!"

"I know I am." The bum smirks as he starts to count Justin's money.

"I can't thank you enough! God bless you sir!" Justin smiles brightly at him before he takes off running..again not looking before he darts across the street but this time a car isn't coming. Justin looks so happy..so excited..

"Dumb ass." The bum sneakers as Maka runs after the boy frowning..

Justin really doesn't know anything but the bible.

The little boy runs and runs..smiling to himself..but he took a wrong turn..and before long..he's lost.

"I never knew people did art work on buildings.." Little Justin looks at graffiti with wide eyes..he stops to stare at all the different colors..holding close the pencil to his chest.

Justin is not in a good part of town..the side walk is cracked..the buildings look like they could fall down..and there's graffiti and gang signs everywhere..

But Justin doesn't know..

He only knows the bible.

"Well, well..look who it is." A voice coos behind Justin getting him and Maka to turn around.

A group of three guys smirk down at this young boy..their eyes lighting up in dark glee.

"Mr. rich guy is out in the poor side of town! Isnt' that something guys?" The front boy looks around his companions and they smirk and nod. "I thought you were to good to go out side you little shit."

"Mother doesn't like me to go outside..and please do not cuss. It's a sin." Justin scolds, and Maka flinches.

"Don't tell me what to fucking do!" This boy snaps, pushing Justin down so he falls on his butt. "You have some nerve talking about sin, when your mother and father are the greediest people here! They have all this money but they don't share with anyone! I bet you have the life don't you? I bet they buy you any little thing your heart desires huh?"

Maka frowns..

They dont' know. They dont' know what Justin's life is really like.

"No that's not-" Justin begins to protest..only for a large smirk to come to the other boy's face.

"I bet you got some money on you now huh little rich boy?" This statement causes the boys to get closer..they're surrounding Justin now.

"No I don't..' Justin holds the pencil close to himself..like these boys would actually want it. "I'm sorry..I'm sure if you talked to my parents they would help you-"

"They told my fucking parents that I had to be baptized before they would help us." The boy growls. "Your parents are trying to push their beliefs on us!"

"..But it's my parents money is it not?" Justin looks up at him.

"Shut the fuck up!" The boy pushes him again when Justin tried to get up. "Empty your pockets!"

Little Justin does as he said..but there's nothing in them.

"I-I told you..I don't have any money.." Justin frowns as he holds onto the pencil tightly.

"I don't believe him. Grab him by the legs and shake the shit out of him, something's bound to fall out!" The boy snarls..

Another boy grabs Justin..and holds him upside down by his ankles, before he shakes him violently.

"Put me down this instant you hoodlums!" Justin screeches..his face getting red from all the blood going to his head.

"Nothing's coming out Jake." The boy shaking Justin frowns.

"Keep fucking shaking him!"

"No! My head hurts!" Justin screams as the boy shakes him even harder..

"What the fuck is going on over here?"

"Shit. Lets get out of here!" The boy yells and runs off..

Justin is dropped..hitting his head on the concrete..left on the dirty ground alone..his clothes messed up..but he continues to hold the pencil so close to himself..like that's all that matters.

"I swear to god if it's you kids fucking spray painting the building again I'm going to-" Girko comes marching out from behind the building, his eyes on fire, and his teeth bared but..when he sees Justin..He stops. His face completely falls in shock. "..Justin?"

"G-Girko!" Justin beams even after what just happen and he tries to get up..but he does it too fast and ends up falling back down.

"Shit Justin!" Girko runs over towards the small boy, his concern shinning though. "What the hell happened? Who did this to you?"

"These boys that wanted my money but it's-"

"What? Did they fucking rob you? Shit, did they hurt you?" Girko looks over the boy..looking at the dirt on Justin's face..and how his pockets are turned out ward..and the bruise forming on the side of his head..Girko looks pissed..he grips his fist, his teeth baring more. "Where the fuck did they go?! Who were they?!"

"P-Please calm down Girko..they didn't rob me, I didn't have any money on me I-"

"Are you fucking crazy?" Girko snaps causing Justin to sink into himself. "What the hell are you doing out here?! Don't' you know how fucking dangerous it is here? There's pedophiles and molesters that would love to have a fucking kid like you! You can't do this shit Justin and now look at you, this could have been so much fucking worse! You never went outside with me before so why of all times would you now?!"

"..For this." Justin holds out the pencil..causing Girko to stop going off..to stare at the old, used writing utensil.

"What?" He blinks.

"I came out here to get you this.." Justin offers him a smile. "Happy birthday Girko!"

Girko stares at him for the longest time..his face is blank..the red leaving his face as he looks at the boy that is smiling at him so happily..with hope in his eyes.

"..You came out all this way to get me a fucking pencil?" Girko blinks again..

Maka knows that Girko is just amazed Justin would come out of the house to get the pencil..

While Justin thinks it's because he doesn't like the penicl.

"I-I'm sorry!" Justin frowns deeply as he pulls the pencil away. "I didn't know what to get you..a-and you said you were a artist and I knew artist used pencils so I wanted to get you one..the man said this was a special pencil so I thought you would like it..I didn't mean to disappoint you, I just wanted to get you something nice like you got me something nice..I wanted to show you that I care about you too..you always do nice things to me so for once..I wanted to do the same for you. I'm sorry I failed..maybe I could get you something else if you don't-"

Girko hugs Justin..cutting him off. The small boy's breath hitches as the man's strong arms wrap around his shoulders..squeezing him in a bear hug..but it's not that tight.

"G-Girko?" Justin stutters..his cheeks turning pink at being held by this man.

"Your so fucking stupid.." Girko chuckles out as he grips Justin tighter. "I told you not to worry about the fucking gift..and here you are, risking your life over a fucking pencil for my birthday..what the hell Justin."

"I didn't want you to be upset with me anymore.." Justin grips onto his shirt..seeming to melt into the man's warmth. "I wanted to make you happy with me."

"I was never upset with you Justin.." Girko sighs at that but he doesn't let him go. "Your mother just pisses me off..she doesn't let you do anything..but hell look at you now..out in town when your not even suppose to be outside, she would flip shit."

"I-I know.." Justin trembles at that but Girko holds him tighter. "But she left today..and won't be back till tomorrow..I wanted..needed to get you something Girko..so I'm sorry I upset you..and I got a stupid gift."

"It's not stupid.." Girko pulls away to look the smaller boy in his bright eyes..Justin's cheeks are still pink. He takes the pencil from Justin's hand, studies it..before giving Justin a warm smile..and there's no teeth. "I..I love it. Thank you Justin."

"Y-You really do love it?" Justin trembles in his excitement..his eyes are starting to water. "Your not lying to m-me are you?"

"Hell no. If I didn't like it I would tell you..it's considerate. I needed a new pencil..and i'll make this my sketch book pencil." Girko takes off his back pack and takes out a book..it looks old but Maka knows it's a sketch book. Girko sticks the pencil inside it..

"I-Is that your sketch book?" Justin looks at it excitedly. "C-Can I see it?"

Girko tenses and his smile falls.

Justin's eyes dull..and he looks like he's about to freak out.

"I-I'm sorry you don't have to show me..I just-"

"No." Girko takes a deep breath..not looking at the boy. "..I want to show you."

Justin gasps..his eyes going back..burning like fire as Girko looks at him seriously.

"I've never shown anyone this before ok? So one smart comment, one little laugh and i'll beat the shit out of you."

"I would never dream of laughing at you Girko." Justin frowns. "Your my guardian."

The man stares at him a moment before he puts his sketch book in his back pack and zips it up.

"..Aren't you going to show me?" Justin looks at him nervously..fiddling with his button up shirt.

"Yeah..but not here." Girko smiles again at the boy..and it's full of warmth..it falls when he sees the dirt on Justin's face and he grumbles. "If I ever find out who did this to you i'm beating the shit out of them." He growls as he takes off his thick gloves, sticks a finger in his mouth..then gets to scrubbing the dirt off Justin's face.

The boy doesn't make any protest..he just blushes..his eyes lighting in happiness at the attention..at the kind touch.

"It's ok really..they're going to hell." Justin's blush falls and he looks down. "Trying to steal is a sin."

"Justin.." Girko grips both the boy's shoulders, and looks him in the eyes. "..The next time you want to go outside, you tell me and i'll take you. Never come out here alone ever again alright? If something were to happen to you..shit. Don't scare me like that ever again you ass hole!" Girko gives Justin a slight noogie..laughing when the small boy struggles with him, and protests.

"Girko!" Justin wines in till the older boy lets him go.

"Alright fine." Girko chuckles as he opens up his book bag and puts his gloves in them before zipping it up. "So where did you get the pencil?..usually they come in a pack or something..and this one looks like it's been used. Not saying that's a bad thing..but did you just find it on the street?"

"No I bought it from this man on the bench, he told me it was a very rare pencil." Justin beams even when Girko tensed.

"..Oh he did..did he?" Girko gets a suspicious look in his eye as he looks over at Justin. "..And what did you pay this man for it?"

"200!"Justin smiles. "He said he was giving me a deal! What a nice man!"

"Fucking nice man indeed." Girko grinds his teeth, his face getting red. "..Well, that was so nice of him..you know you should tell me where he is..I would love to give him my thanks."

"Okay!" Justin just smiles more, not seeming to understand whats going on as Girko gets up and puts his back pack back on.

"First I just have to let my boss know i'm leaving." Girko grabs Justin's small hand in his rough, calloused ones before he leads him behind the building. Justin beams at their hands..he looks so happy..in bliss. He looks like a normal kid..and it warms Maka's heart.

It's too cute.

"Frank I'm leaving early." Girko grunts into a open door.

"Alright Girko see you tomorrow." a voice answers

"Yup." Girko grips Justin's hand as he leads him back out into the side walk, in front of his buliding. "So tell me where this nice man is Justin."

"He's near my house I think..he was sitting in front of a flower shop.." Justin puts a hand to his chin.

"Town's square. Alright lets pay him a visit." Girko walks fast..dragging Justin along with him..who is practically skipping.

This should be intersting.

Maka follows them..and she can't help but to smile at the two..it's such a sweet relationship..and damn it, Justin was adorable when he was young..

They all walk together..Justin taking in the sights as they go..but Girko is on a mission..before long they're back where Justin had met the bum..

"There he is!" Justin chimes as he points his small finger to the bum that just came out of a liquor store..bags full in his hands.

"Oh yeah I see him." Girko gets a dark look. "Justin why don't you go down to the park? Just go straight and you'll see it..i'll be right there. Me and this man are going to have a adult talk."

"Okay! Be sure to say thank you." Justin smiles as he turns around and starts walking down the direction Girko told him too.

"Oh i'll say thank you alright." Girko waits till Justin is far enough away before he marches over to the bum. "Hey pal!"

"Oh shit." The bum tenses, spitting some of the liquor out that he was chugging at being yelled at. He gives Girko a odd look. "Hey there can I help you-"

"200 dollars." Girko growls as he grabs this man by the shirt and slams him into the brick wall, his sharp teeth bared getting this bum to tremble. " You took 200 dollars from a little boy that didn't know fucking better. Give it back."

"..There's a..um..slight problem with that.." The bum gives him a sheepish smile. "..I already uh..spent it in that there store.."

"You spent it all on fucking liquor?!" Girko growls as he pushes him against the wall again, the bum hitting his head against the wall. "You stole from that kid you bastard."

"He's the rich kid..he has money-"

"That's all he fucking has!" Girko snaps, his girp tighting on his shirt. "and you spent it on fucking alcohol. Your a loser just like my father. You would think a bum with no money would spend it on fucking food but no, you spent it on liquor!"

"..Heh..there's a reason why i'm a bum on the street." He smiles sadly." Never been none too bright."

"Your going to fucking die out here because of that." Girko lets go of him. "I came here to beat the shit out of you..but after seeing this ,your doing worse to yourself. Have fun getting hammered off your ass while you starve to death." He gives him his middle finger before he walks on after Justin..

The bum stares after him a moment..before he grabs his bag of liquor and takes a swig.

"My wife said the same thing to me before she left..and it ain't no different then you saying it. I don't care." He keeps drinking..

Maka leaves to follow Girko..

People like that are sad.

The park isn't far away at all..Justin is sitting on a park's bench..moving his legs as he looks at the play ground with those eyes..nothing is in them..he's just waiting for Girko to bring him to life again...

"Hey Justin." Girko sits next to the boy. "Sorry it took so long-"

"Did you say thank you?" Justin smiles at him, his eyes lighting up with emotion again.

"Yup." Girko forces a smile before he takes a cautionary look around..

They're the only ones in the park..the play ground is deserted.

The man nods before he takes his back pack off..he unzips it and pulls out his sketch book..setting his book bag on the ground.

"Girko.." Justin looks at it with big eyes..before reaching out to it-

"Remember what I said." Girko growls cuasing him to stop. "I swear to god one fucking chuckle and it's over."

"I understand." Justin looks him in the eyes. "I would never laugh at you Girko."

Girko stares at him..seeming to search his eyes for something..he finds it and sighs. Ever so carefully he hands over his sketch book to Justin..he moves slowly..and it takes him a while to let go of the book when Justin grabs it..but he does..

He trusts Justin.

The small boy takes a deep breath..his excitement visible as he opens it up to the first page. It's a sketch of a tree. Justin's eyes get wide taking this in before he turns the next page..all the while Girko is watching justin intently..waiting for something.

Girko has drawn a lot of things..trees, houses, pots, people..all of them more amazing then the next..

Justin gets to the middle of the book..and stops.

It's a sketch of a boy with wings sitting in a bird cage..his hands are clutching the bars..the saddest look in his big eyes..thre's no mistaking it..

"Is this me?" Justin ask quietly..touching the boy's frown with his finger tips.

"Yeah.." Girko scratches his cheek..he looks irritated. "Are you going to fucking laugh?"

"No..It's beautiful.." Justin looks like he's about to cry when he touches the wings Girko had put on him.

"Turn the page." Girko snaps.

Justin does..and this sketch is of him too. It looks like he's in a field of flowers..his hands in prayer and a bright smile on his face.

"Turn the page." Girko seems almost nervous.

Justin smiles and listens..

Now this sketch is interesting.

It's a sketch of a boy's head..his hair is ruggy with some bangs on his forehead in a messy manner..his lips are in a snarl..but what's weird is..

The boy doesn't have eyes..and he doesnt' have a nose.

"Did you not finsh?" Justin looks over at Girko.

"..I cant' finish it.." Girko looks at the sketch with a odd look.

"But all you have to do is draw some eyes and a nose-"

"I can't remember what they look like!" Girko snaps causing Justin to tense. Girko realizing it was a bit uncalled for sighs. "..This sketch is of someone I know..I think."

"You think?" Justin raises an eye brow.

"Yeah..it's hard to explain but..i've been having dreams lately..and I see this boy..but he doesn't have eyes or a nose.. but I know ,I know him..but no matter how hard I try..I can't recall his face."

"Oh.." Justin looks back at the picture..a frown coming to his face as he touches the boy's snarl on the picture. "..For some reason..I feel like I know him too.."

"Stop trying to make me fucking feel better, I know it's stupid." Girko growls as he snatches the notebook away from Justin..he rips out the sketch and tears it apart. He shoves his sketch book back into his book bag before getting up.

"I-I didn't make you angry did I?" Justin stands up...looking at him with wide, uncertain eyes.

"..No." Girko doesn't look at him. "I make myself angry."

"Girko-"

"Come on. Let's get you back..i'll stay with you late tonight. Just don't ask about my sketch book." Girko starts to walk off..

"Okay." Justin grabs Girkio's hand..walking with him..

Girko doesn't take his hand away..

He grips Justin's hand in his.

Everything fades away..

When everything becomes clear again..she's back in Justin's room.

The boy is standing in front of the window..staring dreamily out side..his eyes so bright. He looks a lot older now..like 14 or 15. Maka walks over to see what he's looking at..

Girko is outside in front of the mansion..playing basket ball with other adults. He's pretty good too..they're using trash cans as hoops..it's ghetto but it works. Maka thinks they're drunk but Justin's eyes are just on Girko..that adoration and longing shinning through.

"Girko can do everything." Justin hums happily, fully content with watching him..propping his head up with his elbow on the ledge of the widow..the window that's open. The breeze lightly moving Justin's blonde locks.

Suddenly Girko stops running..he gives the other guys a one minute sign as he walks to the side walk...Girko takes off his shirt..exposing his tan chest, and tone abs..Girko is pretty ripped, Maka will admit he's in shape for a older guy.

"Oh my lord he's stripping!" Justin tenses. "He shouldn't do that! it's impropriate!"

But Justin can't stop looking at the other man..he watches as Girko runs back into the game..watches his muscles work, and twitch. Watches his arm muscles flex..and the sweat that rolls down his body..rolls down to his jeans that are riding lower the more he plays the game..

That's when Maka sees it..The tent in Justin's pants, and the deep blush on his face.

But when Justin looks down..and realizes what just happened..

He screams. It's loud and ear shattering. He keeps screaming as he slams the window shut..hard enough to amost shatter the glass as he takes steps away..still screaming and gripping his hair.

"N-No..N-No this can't be happening..t-this can't be happening." He chants..trying to keep himself calm.

"But it is..' Asura coos.. "You like another man..you sick, sick boy."

"N-No..I just like Girko like a guardian! He's a good person!" Justin tries to protest..but his eyes are shaking..madness starting to cloud his vision.

"Yes a very good person." Asura purrs getting Justin to tense. "You don't just like this man, you love him don't you? That unholy bulge in your pants says it all..you lust after him. This is a great, great sin Justin..what will your mother think..what will god think? They will both hate you..you're going to hell."

"No!" Justin screams as he starts freaking out..ripping down crosses..tearing up the room. "No! No!"

"You know it's true..Come on Justin..just give into me..I won't judge you. I won't hurt you for loving another man..serve me boy. It's your only option now."

Justin screams from the top of his lungs..Maka is able to hear the stomps up the stairs..someone is coming..

The door flies open.

"Justin what in the world is-" His mother walks in..and stops in her tracks when her eyes fall on the boy's..painfully obvious hard on. "Oh.." Her voice is nothing but darkness.

Justin's scream stops right away..he looks at his mother with wide eyes..then he starts to cry..silent tears falling down his face.

"You disgusting boy..so this is what you do up here when I give you a break? You lust about women? You should never be even looking at a woman like that!-"

"I wanst' looking at a woman!" Justin protest..only to snap his mouth shut..fear in his eyes.

"..If not a woman..then what where you looking at?" Her voice is ice.

Justin shakes his head..biting his lip till it bleeds.

"Honey! Get the whip!" She screams out as she marches in and grabs Justin by the hair roughly. "I'm going to beat you till you tell me of your sin! So help me you won't be able to lay down for a month!" She drags the boy out by his hair..Justin whimpering..hiccupping in his crying as he's drag down the stairs..and into the living room. "Tell me now..what were you looking at."

Justin shakes his head again.

"You demon!" She screeches as she smacks her son across the face. "You demon of lust! What have you done to my son?!" She doesn't even use the whip..she beats Justin herself..kicking him in the stomach, slapping him in the face..demanding he tell her what he was looking at.

"Your mother could never love you.." Asura coos in his ear as Justin is beaten. "Once your mom finds out..she'll kill you. God will adandoned you..he hates you now just like her. But I don't hate you Justin..except me..and I'll take this all away from you..I'll set you free."

At Asura's words..at his mother beating the shit out of him..at his own guilt..something in Justin finally snaps.

He bows his head.

"Are you going to talk now?" His mother growls.

Justin slowly lifts up his head..his eyes are blank.

"Yes." Justin grabs a cross beside him that was just laying on the floor.

"Well?"

"..I was looking at a man." A mad smile rips out onto his face. "I'm gay mother."

Everything gets hazy..Maka can't see anything..there's screams..and mad laughter...when the haze clears..

Justin is sitting in the middle of the living room panting..he's drenched in blood..his mother lays beside him..a cross sticking out of her eye..her face frozen in a slient scream..his father lays beside her..his face broken in..nothing but a mass of blood.

The boy is crying..the madness gone..his body shaking.

"W-What have..what have I done?" He looks at this hands..his breathing is un even.

"You killed them.." Asura appears in front of him.. a smirk on his face. "You finally taught them a lesson."

"..I didn't want this..I didn't watn to kill them.." Justin trembles..his voice cracking.

"But you did. Now that sin is on your hands. There's no going back Justin..you killed your parents..your gay. God will not take you back. You only have me now.." Asura holds out his hand. "Say that you will serve me..and I will take you higher. I'll show you it's much more beneficial to serve me.."

Justin looks at the bodies of his parents..the parents he brutally killed..and she can see him give up..

"..Can't I..can't I be forgiven?" He askes hopefully.

"No..No one will ever forgive you. You are damned boy.." Asura growls.. "Who would forgive you? Your parents are dead. The whole town hates you for your riches..and they will never believe your side of the story. No one will forgive you. No one ever forgives."

Justin's head bows at his words..his hope dying.

"..I serve you..' Justin shakes..tears falling faster.

"Good boy." Asura roars with laugher as he brings out a red chain..he throws it around Justin's neck..sealing the bond. "..Your mine now..you'll never be released..no one will ever forgive you, everyone will hate you for what you did..except for me of course..just do as I say..and i'll make you powerful."

"Never..never getting forgivenss?" Justin stops crying his..face going blank...something getting lost in those eyes.

"No..never." Asura coos. "This sin will be on you till the end of time. You understand now don't you?"

Justin doesn't respond..his face has gone completely blank..covered in his parent's blood.

That's when the front door bust open..cops piling in.

"We got a call that-" The cop stops when he sees the horrid sight in front of him. "..Oh my god."

"Let me in there! My fucking friend's in there!" Maka hears Girko's voice..but cops are holding him back.

"Feast your eyes.." Justins' lips rip out into in a large smile. "On my sin..on what I'll never be forgiven for..I have lost God..but gained a demon."

"Your under arrest boy! For the murder of your parents!" The cops roar before they march into the house..their guns out and pointed at Justin..

Justin only grins.

They grab a hold of him and put cuffs on his wrists..a cop lifts Justin up..and they push him out the house..

"Justin what happened?!" Girko stares at the boy with wide eyes..taking in all the blood on him as he's held back by a group of cops.

Only now does Justin's grin fall..he looks at Giriko sadly before he's shoved into a cop car. He puts his hand on the window..staining it with a bloody hand print.

"What happened he asks.." A tear falls down Justin's face as the car drives away..leaving Girko staring after him with wide eyes. "..What happened is I love you Girko.."

Everything fades away..

When everything comes back..she's standing in a court house..Everyone is here..Girko stands in the crowd..frowning deeply..his concern shinning though..

"I here by charge you with the death of your parents..and I rule you as insane..you will be sent to Dark Side Asylum where you will stay." The judge slams the hammer down.

Justin doesn't blink as the cops come and hand cuff him again..his expression never changes as he's walked out of the court house..everyone stares at him with that look of fear..that look of disgust..

"No forgiveness.." Justin bows his head when he saw Girko staring at him..another tear escapes as he's walked out of the court house.. "I know i've lost you too.."

Everything fades away..

Now she's in a cafeteria..and by the looks of it..she knows this is Dark Side Asylum. Justin is sitting by himself..staring at his food blankly. This is the Justin Maka knows..that soulless eyed Justin that would sit alone and smirk like a ass hole..

It makes her frown.

"G-Gah I hate the cafeteria!"

Maka perks up at the voice and whips around. She can't help but to smile.

Crona walks in the cafeteria nervously..girpping one arm with the other..he looks younger then he is now..his big eyes looking for somewhere to sit..he seems so scared..like this is his first time being in here.

Justin looks up from his food and locks on to Crona..

"Do you feel that?" Asura coos in his ear..it's just his voice though. "I'm sure your familiar with witches from reading that bible of yours..can't you feel it?..this boy is a witch's spawn..And what did they do to witches in the bible?."

Justin's eyes set on fire and he stands up..he marches over to Crona..but by the time he gets there his eyes are blank.

"I-I don't-" Crona turns around suddenly..bumping into Justin. "Oh my god I-I'm so sorry!" Crona squeaks, throwing his hands above his head.

"Your Crona aren't you?" Justin doesn't blink.

"Y-Yes how did you-"

"I'm going to kill you."

"W-What?"

"You are a sin. A witch's son. I will kill you." Justin doesn't blink as he turns away..

Crona is left there staring after him with wide eyes..

Everything fades away..

Now she's in a room..Justin is just sitting on his bed..with a blank expression on his face..

The door opens with a nurse coming in..he's shaking..a look of fear in his eyes.

"You know I don't like anyone coming in here at this time.." Justin smirks as he stands up..his hands twitching slightly.

"Y-You got a letter." The nurse trembles.

"..From who?" Justin raises an eye brow.

"It doesn't say..i'll just leave it here." The nurse places the letter on a chair before quickly walking out of the room and shutting the door.

Justin stares at it blankly for a moment..before he walks over and picks it up.

"A letter..from who? My folks are dead..I killed them.." He laughs madly to himself..but his eyes water as he rips open the envelope..he pulls out the paper..and his laugher dies..

And his eyes fill back up with life.

The paper has a drawing on it.. Someone drew Justin looking up with that expression of awe..Girko stands next to him..towering over the smaller boy protectively.. Justin has small white wings..while Girko has large black wings that wrap around Justin..

Justin's hands shake as he turns the paper over..reading the message there.

'

Hey Justin..I'm sorry I haven't gotten up with you sooner..everything has been crazy after you left. I don't know what happened..and I don't need to know...I quit my job and I started going to college. I'm keeping my promise Justin..I promise you'll see me soon..

Your guardian angel, Girko.'

Justin starts bailing..holding the paper close to his chest..the life coming back to his eyes..

"Your too kind Girko..your too kind.." He wipes his tears.. "..I knew you were a angel...but now I'm the damned one.."

Time starts to go by fast again..Every week Justin gets a new letter from Girko..but before then Justin is dead..or mad. Every night he tries to pray to God..to pray for forgivenss..but the words never come out..Asura only tightens his hold on him..as the days go by he gets more and more mad..doing as Asura wishes..only to try to pray to God..he's stck between the two..but Asura has his hold on him..

All he wanted was forgivenss..for understanding..

Time slows down..

Justin is still on the bed..staring at nothing..

When the door opens..

He looks over..about to get angry..only for his face to completely drop in shock..

Girko walks into the room..wearing purple scrubs..clothing of a nurse. They stare at each other a moment..each one taking in the other..they haven't seen each other in years..Justin is all grown up..

Finally blue pools meet brown orbs..

"..I told you I keep my promises." Girko breaks the silence.

"G-Girko!" Justin finally cries..getting up and running towards the man..Girko holds his arms open..and Justin thorws himself at him..crying into his chest. "You..You.. how?"

"..After you got tooken away..I went to college to be a nurse..so I could keep my promise." Girko holds him tightly. "We got to pretend we don't know each other alright? We can't act like this in front of the other nurses or they won't let me see you."

Jusitn only nods..before looking up at the other man with those big pools..

There's such a strong emotion in them..adoration but there's no mistaking it..

Love. Love is in Justin's eyes..because he loves Girko.

Girko wipes Justin's tears away..whispering reassuring words..

Finally..Maka fades away..leaving these two in each others arms..her heart almost aching..

Everything fades away.

---

Maka opens her eyes..groaning slightly. That was a doozy..longest memory ever..and this time she didn't see Ragnarok's memory..maybe the first part was but then it swiched to Justin's?..Why was she able to see his?..Was it because of yesterday? Did letting him live some how open his mind to her? She doesn't know...She doesn't even know how she's able to see people's memories in the first place..

There's so much to think about now..

There was a time that she hated Justin. She hated his guts..he was the biggest ass hole in the history of ass holes. There was a time she wanted to rip him to pieces, she wanted to kill him, to end him, to make him feel pain..but after seeing his life..she can't even blame him. Maka saw his life..she lived his life with him in her sleep...his life of the bible..his life of fighting with his madness and guilt..Saw how he got beaten for no reason..saw his loneliness..All he wanted was forgiveness..was understanding..In a way he's like her...he just wanted absolution..He just wanted to be saved.

Maka takes a deep breath..

She can't believe it..that brown haired boy..was Girko this whole time. Girko was Ragnarok's best friend..and Girko and Justin knew each other way before the asylum..that would explain why Justin always acted so differently around the man..and why Justin saved Girko...so Girko had lied to her..but she understands why. They acted like that so they could be together more..if Stein knew they shared more then a nurse-patient relationship, he wouldn't have let Girko be around Justin...laying in bed she still can't believe it..Girko is the brown haired boy..It truly is a small world..She smiles slightly thinking about how sweet Girko was to Justin..how Justin would come to life with Girko..

Everyday Justin would die..only to be brought back when Girko came..

To do that..the emotion Justin feels for Girko must be very powerful..but could it really be care or..does he really love him?

Love..Maka frowns...lets not think about that.

But she can't help to wonder about Girko..it's obvious Justin likes Girko..more deeply then just a guardian or friend..He may even love the man but..what about Girko? Does Girko know Justin feels this way? And if he did would he except it? Would he push him away?..Would he share his feelings? Maka can't be so sure that Girko likes Justin like that..it's true Girko cares for Justin but..Girko is a lot older then Justin..he watched Justin grow up and well..he's a man. To her, Girko comes off as straight ..she couldn't really see him with a dude but..then again, for some reason..she can see him with Justin..

Maka blushes slightly..is it bad she's rooting for Girko and Justin?..She saw their life together and damn it, they were too cute..Maka sticks out her tongue..chuckling to herself. Or maybe it's the fact she's a huge boy on boy fan. When she hated Justin the idea would have appalled her..but now she's rooting for Justin. He's never gotten anything in his life, so why can't he have his man? She wonders how they would be..Girko would definably be the seme..while Justin would be the uke-

She shakes her head..is she really thinking about this right now? Girko is like a father figure to her..Wait a minute..if him and Justin got together..would that make Justin like her step mom? Maka wrinkles her nose at the idea..She already has a bitch 'other' mother..But she would rather have Justin as a mother then Medusa any day...

Maka grips her fist..Medusa's hug worming it's way into her mind..leaving her feeling odd..confused..Why is she acting like this now? Medusa has always been the bitch, the bad guy..but yesterday she filled Maka with the will to live again..she reminded her of her mother when she had lost sight of herself..Is Medusa really for her?...but that doesn't seem right..nothing seems right..she just wants to forget about the whole thing..forget about how Medusa rubbed her hair like her mother used to do..like she knew her mother use to do it..it's too odd..She's grateful for Medusa preaching to her but..it just makes her head hurt with questions...

Can she really trust Medusa?..something is screaming no..but a quiet voice is saying yes...

She doesn't know how to feel about this woman..she hurt Crona, she abandoned him and made him feel as if he was ugly and useless for being a boy..she killed Ragnarok and forced him into a bond with Crona...but she was her mother's friend..she saved her mother once..she's saved Maka..without her she wouldn't be here right now..she wouldn't have the power she has if not for Medusa..That demon would have killed her by now..Medusa gave Maka her snake..Medusa got hurt looking for who put this curse on her..

Is Medusa really for her?..or Is this another one of her acts?..

"..Who was my mother to you?"

"Kami was..kami was everything to me.."

Maka grips her fist..thinking about Medusa's sad smile..that real smile..Medusa..cared for her mother..she proved that again with that preach she gave yesterday too..

So is it possible Medusa actually cares about her too?..

But something doesn't fit..There's too many puzzles..and not enough pieces..

She doesn't want to think about Medusa anymore..so lets go back to Justin..

After seeing Justin's life..seeing what he went through..and how much he wanted forgiveness for his sins..she can't hate him. She can't dislike him...even through he tried to kill her..she understands now. Justin only followed what Asura wanted..because he believed he didn't have any other choice. He believe that god hated him for killing his parents..for being gay. He believed that he had no hope and was damned..So in the back of his mind..maybe killing her, a witch, a evil creature, would atone for his sins..that he could please God..He still wanted to..even after Asura took hold. Justin tried to pray..he tried to follow his mother's teachings..but he couldn't. The guilt ate at him..just as the guilt eats at her..no one would give him forgiveness..no one would understand him..

But then she forgave him. Maka set him free.

Maka smiles..Just thinking that it was her to forgive him..to give him what he wanted all his life..it makes her feel..good. Like she did something good..like she's a good person..

Maybe..just maybe she could be a good person..She's a witch but...so was her mother..maybe she could be good..just like her mother..maybe she could be different..she could make her mother proud..

A new fire burns her being..and for the first time in a long time she hops out of bed..completely awake..completely pumped...

Maybe there's hope for her..Maybe..just maybe she will get forgivness..just like Justin got forgiveness..maybe she can be saved..maybe..just maybe..

Wouldn't that be something?..Her being forgiven?..Her being good?

Her mother's smile flashes through her mind..and she grips her dress..

It would be something..but first..she will do all she can to avenge her mother. She will do anything..destroy anything, to bring this person who cursed her to justice.

With thinking about her mother..another person comes to mind.

Maka grinds her teeth, her eyes setting on fire.

Stein.

He dies today. He disrespected her mother..with a fucking smirk on his face. This isn't the asylum anymore..she will kill him. She will make him suffer for what he has said..she'll shove that lollipop right up his ass..

Her mind is going too fast..so much to process with Justin, Girko, and Ragnarok..that she fails to realize that the room is empty..Ragnarok isn't here..and neither is Crona..but she marches out of the room, her eyes on fire..looking for Stein.

She checks Medusa's room first. It's right across the hall so she just barges in but..it's empty. No Medusa. No Stein.

Shit.

She would just leave..but as her eyes roam Medusa's large queen sized bed..they fall on something that glistens in the darkness of this room..it's a key, laying on Medusa's bed..it has a crescent moon on it..it's just laying on the bed..like it was tossed there carelessly..Something is causing her to walk closer to this key..to walk into this room..she wants the key..but then she doesn't want the key..She's never felt so indecisive about something..if she takes the key will Medusa notice?..Where the hell does this key go to anyway?..Why would Maka even want it? But she does want it. Her stomach is turning..her heart beat picking up speed as she gets closer to this key..

Maka's fingers twitch as she reaches out to grab it-

Someone grabs her hand roughly, stopping her from touching it, her head whipping to the side, a spell on her lips ready to rip this person apart if they're Stein..

Her glare falls when her eyes lock onto Ragnarok's..the boy hasn't let go of her hand..he has a dangerous look in his piercing orbs.

"You shouldn't be fucking around in here..You might see something you'll regret." His words are ice.

"Huh?" Maka frowns at how he's talking to her..but Ragnarok doesn't answer her, he just tightens his grip on her hand before dragging her out of the room..away from the key that she wanted..and slams the door behind them. Only then does he let her go.. "What the hell was that about?" Maka snaps, a little pissed off about not getting that key..it felt important..she wanted it.

"Medusa isn't here, if that's who your looking for." Ragnarok avoids the question, setting his piercing eyes on her..she sees the warning in them..

Drop it. He wants her to drop it.

"..I was actually looking for Stein. What was the key to? Why did you pull me away like that?" Maka studies him intently..trying to get anything from his face.

"..Why the hell are you looking for Stein?" Ragnarok gives her a odd look..still not answering her other question. She opens her mouth. "The key is Medusa's. She wouldn't like you fucking around with her shit alright? I don't know where it goes to and really, I don't want to fucking know. Now stop asking about the fucking key and tell me why your looking for Stein."

Maka stares into Ragnarok's eyes..trying to see if he would give in to her..if there's truth in his words of not knowing.. Ragnarok's eyes are hard..she's not getting anything out of them..she sighs giving in..She'll have to forget about that key..for now.

"I'm going to kill Stien." Maka states bluntly, answering his question.

"Sure that's a fucking good idea? He is Medusa's boy toy." Ragnarok raises a skeptical eye brow. "Why the sudden decision of killing the guy? I hate the ass hole too but this is random. We just got done with the fight with Justin..you would think you would chill out. Let's just deal with him a little-"

"He pretty much insinuated that my mother liked to suck dick." Maka grips her fist, cutting him off. "He shoved a lollipop in my mouth so he could see if I 'sucked' just like my mother."

Ragnarok stares at her a moment with his mouth open..he was probably just expecting her reasoning to be that he's an ass hole..not..that.

"..That fucking bastard is dead!" Ragnarok's face gets hot from anger when he snapped out of his shocked state..his teeth grit. "When the fuck did he say this? Why the hell didn't you say anything?! I would have ended him right then and there! What the hell the fucking pervert!"

"It was right before the battle with Justin..so I decided to deal with that, then when I came back I would Kill the mother fucker." Maka growls..just thinking about Stein causes her blood to boil.

"Let's check down stairs for this fucking creeper..I've been waiting to rip those fucking stiches out of his face and I'm going to. I don't care if he's Medusa's fucking toy..Stein has crossed the line for the last fucking time! To say that about your mother..to say that about you..god damn I'm going to fucking kill him!" Ragnarok turns to leave.. His chest puffing up so much..his eyes black with that hate...his teeth grit..

Seeing him like this reminds her of another hot tempered boy..

"Wait"

He looks back at her, his face still hot from anger..he seems confused on why she would stop him.

"..I want to talk to you about something-"

"Your going to ask me about Justin aren't you?" Ragnarok sighs..and it's deep..his shoulders becoming slumped as the anger seems to leave him..being replaced with something else. He looks to the ground. "Heh...I knew it was a matter of time before you stuck your nose into my business again.." He takes another deep breath. "..Fuck..I can't believe it's really him..my cousin..that same small kid I held..he became the ass hole I've almost killed..I knew he would be fucking crazy..I just knew it but I didn't think..I didn't know he would turn out like that..shit.."

"..I think he recognized you too." Maka looks at him a moment, taking in how his being flickers..

"It would be better if he didn't..I'm not his fucking uncle."

"What are you talking about?"

"..I fucking left him.." Ragnarok grips his fist tightly..a deep guilt in his eyes..his breathing jagged. "..You saw it too..when we came back to get my shit..I saw him..I looked him in the eyes..and I walked away..I fucking left him there..but shit, what was I suppose to do?..The cops..the cops were fucking in on it Maka..they knew what that crazy bitch was doing..and hell, people heard the screams of the people she tortured..but when the cops came..they fucking paid them off. The cops were in on it..they didn't care about me..they didn't care about Justin..as long as she gave them fucking money they would turn their heads..."

He takes a deep breath.

"..But even now I know I'm making fucking excuses..I was a fucking coward. I couldn't go back in that house..hell, maybe in the back of my mind..I just wanted to leave that house behind..I wanted to forget what happened to me..I wanted to forget everything about that night..but Justin saw..Justin was a part of it..maybe in my fucking selfishness..I wanted to walk away..leave everything behind..even him. Even Justin..I left him alone to deal with his crazy fucking mother..and look what happened to him. In my own selfishness..I left him..I left him alone to rot in that fucking house...that's not what a fucking uncle is suppose to do. I should have helped him..done something..but shit, you know what I did?..I walked away..and I never looked back."

Ragnarok is termbling..his being flickering more.. a deep pain in those eyes of his..It causes her chest to tighten.

"..Ragnarok there wasn't anything you could have done-"

"I could have at least visited him..but no. I couldn't even go fucking back. I couldn't face him..Justin was left alone..with his fucking mother.." Ragnarok holds his head in his hands.

"..That's not true..Justin wasn't alone." Maka remembers Girko and can't help but to smile. "..You do remember your best friend don't you?"

"..The brown haired kid?" Ragnarok looks at her..his eyes squinting as if thinking.

"..Do you know who he was yet?"

"No." Ragnarok shakes his head and Maka frowns slightly..

Well it was Justin's memory..so maybe Ragnarok didn't see what she did?..He doesn't know.. He doesn't know that Girko was his best friend..

"..I think I saw Justin's memory last night...I saw his life last night Ragnarok. I saw pretty much everything. He wasn't alone..Your best friend came to visit him every day. Justin-"

"Don't..Don't tell me about Justin's life.." Ragnarok looks away from her. "..I don't want to know what he went through..What I failed to stop."

Maka looks at him a moment..and she knows he truly feels guilty about this..truly feels sorry..

"Justin isn't mad at you..I saw in my dream..I saw when you looked at him and walked away..Justin didn't blame you for leaving..and I don't think he does now. He understood."

"..What happen to his parents?" Ragnarok looks at her blankly. "..Did you see that?"

"..He killed them. Went insane and murdered them."

Ragnarok chuckles at that..it's not warm..it's not dark..it's just a humorless chuckle.

"They had it coming to them. Hell, I knew he would fucking snap one day..I knew it from the start." Ragnarok says this with no warmth..just bitterness. "..He was just a fucking kid.."

"I know." Maka puts a comforting hand on Ragnarok's shoulder..and he doesn't push her off..he just excepts it.

"..Did they hurt him?"

"You don't want me to answer that."

Ragnarok takes a deep breath..he seems so shooken up by this..and by the way his eyes flicker..she can tell he's been thinking about this a lot..possibly all night. He's been through a lot..learning that Justin was his cousin..Ragnarok broke Justin's hand once..Ragnarok almost killed him..and now he's racked with guilt..for what he didn't do when he was alive, and what he did do when he was dead.

"Justin is going to be fine..Girko will take care of him." Maka hugs the boy..wanting him to know it is ok..

She forgave Justin..she released him..his battle is over..

Her's is still going.

"Yeah.." Ragnarok doesn't look so sure..he still doesn't know Girko was his best friend..

And for some reason..Maka can't tell him..the words won't form in her mouth..

Maybe it's best..that he remembers himself..she's sure he will..She's sure he will remember everything.

Well, she hopes he will.

"Let's go. I'm tried of thinking about this. The past is in the fucking past." Ragnarok growls, pushing her off before he walks away from her..Maka tagging a long behind him..she can't help but to frown at that..

The past is what makes a person who they are..We may not like the past..there may be guilt and regret back there..

But you have to understand your past to understand yourself...to be whole.

"..Hey, have you seen Crona?" Ragnarok suddenly stops and looks back at her, seeming to regain himself

Crona...Maka's eyes get wide in realization..shit..did she really not even notice he wasn't there?..it's only because of all that's been going on..

"No..I thought you can tell where he is Ragnarok..aren't you two connected?" She raises an eye brow at how he tenses.

Ragnarok frowns at that.

"We are..but lately it's getting harder and harder to fucking sense him out..it's like a haze is coming between us.." Ragnarok's eyes get a far away look. "Usually I can see him..but right now I can't."

"Maybe he's down stairs?" Maka offers..but she's feeling uneasy..nervous even..

Is Crona ok?..Why wouldn't he be in bed with her?..She's never woken up without him..so it was so easy to over look..

Her stoamch is turning..something's wrong.

That's when they hear the loud bang..a crash down stairs.

"Crona!" Maka and Ragnarok shout at the same time..both of them coming to the same conclusion as they run down the stairs..they keep hearing crashes..it's coming from the dinning room..they run into it..no..it's coming from the kitchen..

Maka and Ragnarok bust open the doors..running into the kitchen..only to meet..a odd sight.

"Good morning!" Crona chimes as he pours some ketchup into a bowl..the kichen is a wreck, pots and pans everywhere..the boy is wearing a apron around his waist. His hair in a awkward ponytail..awkward since he barely has hair that fits in it, all the smaller strands falling all over the place. He pushes the bowl of ketchup away, grabs a butcher knife and slides over to where a carrot is laying on a cutting board.

"Crona what are you doing?" Maka raises an eye brow at the mess..and this boy that's humming a happy tune to himself.

"I'm cooking waffles." Crona starts to cut down on the carrot..chopping it up.

"..But your..chopping a carrot." Maka blinks.

Ragnarok is giving Crona a odd look..he hasn't said anything.

"Who made you the waffle queen!" Crona turns around, holding the knife pointed towards her. "Who says waffles can't be made with carrots? or are you to good for carrots Maka? Your to good for a lot of things aren't you? You can never be grateful can you? I'm being nice, making you waffles and you doubt me don't you?"

"Crona, put that the fuck down." Ragnarok eyes the knife cautiously.

"Why?" Crona waves it in the air..walking clsoer to Maka. "..I'm not going to hurt anyone..I'm just making waffles."

Instead of backing away..Maka walks towards this boy..and grabs the hand that has the knife..instead of trying to take the knife away, she pulls his hand up to her lips and kisses it.

"..Are you ok?" She looks him in the eyes.." Yesterday was..well..." She trials off. Maka fucked up yesterday with him and she knows it. She didn't want it to come out during the fight that she didn't love him..she didn't want him to be crushed there..but it happened. Something else to add to the reasons she hates herself..Maka always hurts him doesn't she? But she warned Crona didn't she?..that she would hurt him?..it doesn't make it any easier for her or for him.

Crona looks her in the eyes..something seeming to past over those blue orbs..he drops the knife..and averts her gaze from her.

"I'm fine.." Crona smiles at her..but it's more of a nervous twitch. "What about-"

"I'm sorry." Maka pulls him into a hug..burying her head into the crook of his neck..Crona tenses badly. "I'm so sorry."

"F-For what Maka?" Crona puts his shaky arms around her..his heart is pounding too fast.

"For lying to you.." Maka pulls away to look him the eyes. "..I promised you to be honest..but I wasn't yesterday and I'm sorry..I just..I just wanted to make you feel good..you seemed so upset with me hurting myself..I just wanted you to feel that you were healing me..to show you physically how you help me..but it was a lie..I'm sorry Crona I didn't-"

"I-It's ok.. " Crona tightens his grip on her..his head going in the crook of her neck. "..I knew i-it was a lie from the beginning...I knew I couldn't have possibly healed you..but the thought was too nice..that I fooled myself. It's ok Maka..it's ok."

For some reason..this makes Maka feel..upset..his voice..so soft..it hurts her. She wants to say something..she wantes to make everything better like she did with Justin..she wants forgiveness for hurting him..

But she doesn't deserve it. She doesn't even deserve this boy.

"Crona..your too good to me." Maka sighs finally. "..I don't deserve you..I really don't."

Crona bust out laughing at this..but it's not a real laugh..it almost sounds like a sob.

"Y-Your funny Maka.." He lets go of her. "Your really funny."

"I wasn't trying to be." Maka frowns. "..Crona are you sure your ok.." She reaches out to touch him but he sinks away from her touch.

"Yeah.." Maka realizes he's staring at the knife..a odd look in his eyes.

"Crona you seen Stein?" Ragnarok blurts out. "We're going to fucking kill him."

"H-Huh?" Crona doesn't look away from the knife.

"He hurt Maka-"

"W-What?" Crona whips his head up at that..that odd look disappearing from his eyes to look at Maka with concern. "W-What did he do to you?" Crona's eyes flash with anger.

"He insulted her mother, said she liked to suck dick." Ragnarok growls out..

Crona's mouth opens..shock on his face for a moment before such a dark look comes over his eyes.

"..It's time he dies." Crona grabs Maka's hand.. "I won't let him hurt you..my love.." He's speaking oddly now..

Maka can't help but to notice..that the mark on his neck..has gotten a lot bigger..the tattoo takes up the whole side of his neck now. Ragnarok notices this too..he looks troubled..but he doesn't get close to Maka..no, he stays away, eyeing Crona cautiously.

"..Let's..l-let's go.." Crona suddenly pants..that dark look leaving his eyes..he looks like the Crona she knows now..but he looks so tired..those bags have never been so deep.

"..Crona did you sleep last night?" Maka frowns, touching the dark bags with the tips of her fingers.

"Y-Yeah." He tenses badly at her touch..his eyes shifting. "..I-I just got up really early.."

Maka opens her mouth-

"Let's g-get Stein." Crona grips her hand tightly before dragging her out of the kitchen..the kitchen that's completely destroyed..ketchup every where..

Eruka is going to have some fun when she gets back.

Ragnarok stays behind..staring at Crona's neck..frowning deeply.

"Shit.." He grips his fist before he follows after them..

Things just keep getting harder and harder.

---

How does she get herself in these situations?..oh that's right..because she's a dumb ass.

Maka sighs as she walks down this long hallway..checking every door she pasts but so far no sign of Stein..Maka is walking alone..well not really alone..

That little girl is following behind her..she hasn't said anything but Maka wishes she would. The silence is worse then her speaking..she just walks after her..slowly, those dull eyes staring at her..wanting something but Maka doesn't know what..Seeing her makes her feel guilty again..makes her heart hurt..

But she's looking for Stein now..

Maka came up with the smart idea of splitting up to find Stein..since this mansion is so fucking huge. Of course in scary movies you never spilt up, it's the dumbest thing you could do..but Maka figures they can handle themselves. Ragnarok is a ghost..Crona is insane and Maka's a witch..they can fight their own battles..they could handle Stein alone..but maybe that's not the real reason she wanted to spilt up..

She wanted to get away from Crona.

Something isn't right about him..there has always been that dark feeling about him but..it's a lot stronger now..and when she was with him, she could feel his eyes on her..it sent chills down her spine..because it didn't feel like Crona was looking at her..

It felt like someone else was staring at her..and that someone else wants to hurt her, wants to kill her.

If this was a time before yesterday..she would welcome Crona to kill her..but she can't die. Not yet. Not In till she finds who cursed her mother..after that..then she's Crona's..he can kill her..he can do anything..

But now she has to stay alive..and she had a feeling Crona wanted to kill her...just by the way his figners twitched when they held hands..how the other girl was growling and moaning..how dark his eyes looked..how he didn't smile..he smirked..

No, she had to get away from him.

So she purposed they spilt up..Ragnarok really didn't like the idea..but after awhile of bring out the points..that there was no way they would ever find Stein in this big ass place if they stayed together..Ragnarok hesitantly left her..but he didn't leave till Crona did..

Maka thinks Ragnarok knows too..That something's up with Crona.

So here she is..walking up stairs, looking through all the doors, looking for Stein. Ragnarok took the bottom left and Crona took the bottom right..If one finds Stein they're suppose to holler. About a ten minutes into her looking alone..The little girl joined her..she didn't say anything..she just started following her..Her dress ripped and bloody..her eyes dull..just watching her..just following her..

What does she want? Does she want Maka to go crazy? Maybe she just wants her to suffer..she did kill her after all. Maybe..she doesn't know..but this little girl is bothering her..it hurts to see her..to see what she did.

Maka speeds up her walk..hoping to lose this girl..but she never does. The little girl will appear so she gets closer and closer to Maka..She's walking so close now her shoes are almost touching that back of hers..She doesn't say anything..she just stalks Maka.

Maka tries to ignore her as she stops at a door..taking a deep breath she opens it up..hoping to find Stein this time.

The little girl is what she's greeted by..her form the only light in the darkness of this room. She stares at Maka blankly..waiting..waiting for something..but what?..What?!

"What the fuck do you want?!" Maka finally snaps after being followed by this girl for so long..it's one thing to be followed but now this girl is appearing in front of her..Making her look at her..Making her look at the dried blood at the corner of her mouth..and those dull eyes that have been robbed of life..the life she took. She doesn't want to see her..she doesn't want to remember..she can't afford to go insane now..she has to stay alive..she has to stay sane for her mother..but this little girl is making it hard for her.

The little girl doesn't even blink at getting yelled at..she just lifts her small head, looking up at Maka with those eyes that she hates so much. She just stares..and stares..and stares..

Maka grinds her teeth and turns away..marching off only to hear her quiet..soft..painful voice.

"Do you hate me?"

Maka stops..her breath hitching. She doesn't respond to her a moment..but she feels those eyes on her.. "No.." The word leaves her..and it's the truth..she doesn't hate this girl..

"..Then why do you look at me like that?..I know you don't want me around..I see it in your eyes..you wish I would disappear don't you?" The little girl's voice is too soft..a sadness in it that hurts Maka even more. " I know when I'm not wanted.."

"..I don't hate you." Maka takes a deep breath, she can't look at this girl. "..I hate what I did to you." The girl doesn't say anything..so Maka continues. "..When I see you I'm reminded of what I did to you..and I hate myself for it. It's hard to look at you..to see you because the guilt eats at me and makes me almost go insane."

"..Do you have to reject me?" The girl voice sounds different. "..It's your fault I'm like this..I have no where to go..and I'm not wanted here..i'm..I'm lonely..I miss my mother..I miss my bother.." The girl's voice breaks..and Maka knows she's sobbing. "Could you not look at me so coldly?..If your feeling guilty about what you did, shouldn't you try to make it better?..but your..your making me feel worse..if I could I would leave..but I can't..I'm stuck here. Stuck to you, the person that killed me..and even you don't except me." Her voice gets quiet again. " Everything hurts now.."

At this girl's words..Maka finally looks back at her. The little girl is sitting in the corner..holding her small knees to her chest, those tears of blood falling down her face. Her shoulders are shaking in her sobbing..Maka feels that pang of guilt..but she also feels something else..

What she wants is acceptance. She wants Maka to accept her..to accept what she did and live with it.

Maka doesn't want to..she doesn't want to think about it..she wants to forget but..did she not just say that the past is important?..that it makes a person who they are?..Maka regrets what she did..but is it really fair to push this little girl away?..whether this is a real spirit..or her madness creating a solid version of her guilt..does this little girl deserve to be alone because of her sin..?

No.

Maka walks up to the little girl..and holds out her hand.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry about everything..no more pushing you away ok?..I know this is what you wanted from the start..me to accept what I did..I accept you now..no more." Maka keeps her hand out..and when the little girl looks up at her with those dull eyes..she smiles at her..

This is what she did..

But she can try to make it better..

Maybe..just maybe..she can be forgiven like Justin..

Maybe there's hope for her after all.

The little girl looks at her..then to her hand. She wipes her tears away..before she puts her tiny hand in Maka's..Maka grasping it tightly as she helps her up..and she doesn't let go of her hand..because she excepts her..

She excepts what she did.

"You know I wasn't really crying." The little girl huffs a little..and Maka thinks if she was alive she would be blushing. "I just had something in my eye."

"If you say so." Maka teases slightly as she starts walking down the hallway..this time with the girl instead of the girl stalking behind her.

"I do!" The little girl gives her a look before looking around as they walk. "So who are you looking for? Maybe I can help..I was always good at hide and seek! Me and my brother would play all the time!..but I was better at it just so you know." She adds that last part proudly.

"I'm looking for Stein..he's a creepy guy with a screw sticking out of his head. Have you seen him? He's definably not hard to miss." Maka grunts as she continues to walk down this hallway.

"Nope, haven't seen him. I don't know why you would be playing with a man like that anyway." The little girl's hand feels like air..she's gripping nothing..but then she's gripping something..

She's holding hands with the source of her guilt.

Things get quiet between them..Maka opening doors..looking for Stein..with the little girl just walking by her side.

"..My brother is dying." The girl breaks the silence causing Maka to stop and look at her. She's looking down..her being flickering. "..I don't know how I know..but his time is running out..He's dying."

Maka doesn't know what to say..doesn't know what to do..but she finds herself speaking anyway.

"Where is he?"

The girl looks up at her..those dull eyes staring into her own..trying to read her..to see through her.

"I don't know.." The girl frowns. "..I know he's in a hospital..but I can't remember the name..I can't remember.."

"It will come back to you..and when it does tell me." Maka takes a deep breath..not sure if she'll regret this later or not. "I'll see what I can do."

"Y-You'll help him?" The little's girl's eyes get wide..she clings to Maka more desperately now. "Y-You can save my brother?"

"I don't know..but..if you can tell me where he is..i'll try." Maka looks this girl in the eyes..she doesn't know what she can do..but if she could do something..maybe her guilt would go away..if she can make this girl happy..maybe..just maybe she can be forgiven..

One can only hope.

"Oh thank you!" The little girl wraps her arms around Maka's waist..her grip is tight. "You know your not as much as a pin head as I thought.."

"Uh thanks." Maka raises an eye brow at how fired up this girl looks when she pulled away.

"Okay! Let's find you that creeper guy and i'll think about where my brother is! We can do this!" She cheers a bit more alive sounding as she grabs Maka's hand and starts dragging her down the hallway.. The girl is still creepy though..with those dark, dull eyes..the blood on her dress..but Maka tries not to look at it.

That's when her eyes fall on a door...and she stops in her tracks.

In front of her is the blue door..the door with the crescent moon on it..the door Medusa had said lead to her laboratory..it has the same symbol as that key..did the key go to this door?..Maka feels the same pull towards the door as she had the key..

She has to open it. She has to see what's inside..she just has to.

"Change of plans." Maka turns the corner..heading towards Medusa's room...she needs that key..she has to go into that room..it's calling for her..it's important. "We're going exploring."

"Oh?" The girl tilts her head..but once she sees where they're heading..

She stops, taking her hand out of Maka's.

"What's wrong?" Maka stops and looks at her.

"..I'm not going in there." The little girl looks away from Medusa's room. "And you shouldn't either..something bad is in there.."

"Something bad?" Maka looks back at Medusa's room..but it's empty.

"He's going to hurt me!"The little girl sounds frantic..and when Maka looks back..

The girl is gone. She disappeared.

Maka knows she should leave..a dead girl telling her something bad is in the room should be her hint to get the fuck out of there..but has she mention she's a dumb ass?

She can't turn back now..she knows that key goes to that door..and she needs to go in there..she doesn't know why..but she has to. She has to go in that door..it's calling to her..she needs it..

Maka walks into Medusa's room..despite the ghost's warning..despite the way her hairs on her arm stick up..She needs that key. She walks up to the bed that the key was on..the only light in this room from the hallway..it's so dark..but when she gets close enough she realizes something horrible..

The key is gone.

Before she can even react..the door closes behind her, the room going completely dark..she can't see. She can't see anything. Maka starts to hyperventilate..something is in here..it's not just her..the darkness is so thick she can't see..she feels like crying but she bites her lip to stop a sob or a scream..

It's behind her..whatever it is..it's behind her..She feels breathing on her neck..she hears the floor creek as it comes closer.

Maka tries to move away..only to trip and fall onto the bed..her body quickly turning so she's staring into the darkness..where she thinks this thing is..she can't see anything..and that causes her heart to beat in panic..she feels like she's about to past out..she doesn't know what the hell is in here with her..she's too afraid..

"The lights you fool!" That voice screeches when Maka heard another creek of the flooring.

The lights! Maka looks up at where she thinks the lights are..she forces..hoping this will work-

The lights ficker on for a spilt second..but in that spilt second she was able to see..him..

It was a person..standing close by her..she couldn't see his face..but she saw the knife he was holding..the butcher knife. It glisten in the light..along with his teeth..the teeth that showed because of the mad smile he wore.

She sees this and then the lights turn off again..putting her into darkness...

Maka tries to scream..but a hand goes over her mouth..then she feels a burning sensation on her leg..it feels like it's melting..

"Get out now..get out while you can." He growls in her ear..the knife gazes her neck. " You came here for the key..but you don't want to know the truth. You just want to get out of here."

Maka tries to say something..but the hand over her mouth stays and she can't get any word in.

"You have precious, precious blood..Don't you know what you are? Don't you know your different?" He takes off his hand for her to answer..

Maka takes this chance to scream..speaking a spell right away..sending who ever the hell this was off of her..his body breaks the door and he hits the wall on the other side. Maka runs after him..ready to see who the hell this tis..ready to kill them..but..

No one is there.

Maka takes deep breaths..her eyes wide..did she just..imagine all that? Maka goes to touch her neck..but there's no blood..and she looks at her thigh..there's nothing wrong with it..shit..her madness is getting worse..that felt so..real.

Her time is running out.

Shit no..no not yet..she has to find out who did this..for her mother..she can't die yet..she can't go mad.

Maka falls to her knees..a feeling of helplessness falling over her as she stares at the spot this person was just a second ago..damn..

"M-Maka!" She looks over at her name being called..Crona looks like he just ran up the stairs..he's out of breath..his eyes wide in concern. 'D-Did you find him?" He looks around cautiously..before those eyes fall on her..

She sees that darkness in them..she feels the danger..

"No.." Maka gets up and walks towards this boy..his fingers are twitching..again everything is telling her to run away from him..he's smirking at her..but..She doesn't care.

"You seem shaken up..is everything alright?" Crona tilts his head..a knowing grin on his face.

"..I think i'm going mad." Maka throws herself at him..wrapping her arms around this crazy boy that wants to kill her. Croan tenses in her grasps..but he doesn't hug her back.

"..We're all mad here." His voice is still weird.

"But I can't go mad..I just can't Crona..I need to make it..I need to find out who cursed my mother..please.." Maka looks up at him..looks him in those dark eyes. "..I need you." She grips onto him..she's selfish she knows..but she needs him to keep sane..she needs him to fight for her. "I need you now more then ever Crona..please..I know..I know you want to kill me..I know what I've done to you was wrong..but I need you now..when this is all over..you can kill me but now..I need you..I need you."

He stares at her..that dark look passing..giving way to something else..to someone else.

"I-I'm not going to kill you Maka.." He hugs her back..pulling her close to him..pushing her head so it's resting in his chest. "I'm never g-going to kill you..no matter what." His voice is firm..something being decided. "..It's I-ironic really..y-you say you need me..but I-I need you..I-i'm already broken..y-your leaning on someone who is already crazy..R-Ragnarok is firmer..h-he could be all you need." Crona's voice is soft now..a sadness in it.

"Ragnarok isn't you. Crona you have always been the one to hold me together..and hell, let's be honest you have never been right in the head. But I trust you. I lean on you because your who keeps me sane..I need you Crona, I need you so I won't go crazy..I know I've hurt you..but please..I can't do this with you against me..I need you." Maka is begging..

"You h-have me." Crona whispers this.. "..I-I'll fight for you t-till the end...t-the very end." He strokes her hair..his grip tightening on her. "Do you k-know why i'll fight for you?"

Maka doesn't respond.

"B-Because I love you." Crona grips her chin and lifts her head so she's looking him in the eyes..He stares into her green orbs..and there's a longing in them..a want..a need..but she doesn't understand it.

"Love is something I don't understand.." Maka speaks quietly..against his lips..still seeing that emotion she doesn't get..

Crona must see something in her eyes..because his light up.

"Y-You don't understand it..s-so does that mean you believe it's real now?" Crona is looking at her..his hands are shaking..she knows what he wants her to say..

"..I don't know.." Maka averts her gaze..a far away look coming to her eyes. "Maybe it is..maybe some people can have it.."She thinks about Girko and Justin...she thinks about that look in Crona's eyes. "Maybe it's real..but it's something I won't have..that I can't grasp."

Instead of frowning..Cona smiles at that..

Because she believes it's real..and that's a step.

Crona holds her tighter in his arms..kissing the top of her head causing Maka to look up at him..

She sees the look in his eyes..how they hold adoration for her..how they look over every feature of her face like she's the most beautiful creature out here..how that darkness is replaced with light..how they warm up to her..and when she kisses him..how they shine..how they become half lidded as his lips move so softly against her own..

And for once..she finds herself asking..

What is love?

There's hope for her yet.

Someone watches from the shadows as the two hold each other..watches as slowly the darkness leaves Crona's eyes..His feelings about this are bitter-sweet.

Ragnarok watches only for a moment longer..before he fades away..his lips a mixture of a smile and a wince.

He understands..but it doesn't stop the jealousy. it doesn't stop the tightening of his chest..but he does this to Crona. They all have to deal with the pain to make this relationship work..

He understands..but it doesn't make this any less harder.

Crona loves her. Ragnarok loves her...but he knows his place. He already knows she can't love..he excepts that..

Crona won't.

So that's why he can slightly smileat Crona kissing the girl he loves..because he saw how that dark look left..

Because he saw that there is hope...

There's hope for Crona yet.

---

"Stir faster!" Maka shouts, her eyes wide as she moves her fists up and down to her cheering.

"N-No you have to stir left!" Crona warns, holding a book in his hands, his eyes wide like her's.

"Why the fuck am I doing this again?!" Ragnarok growls in irritation as he stops stirring the pot right just to start stirring left..there's some purple stuff on his being from him being messy with it..his eye is twitching. "Isn't it your fucking job to do these stupid potions? Why the hell don't you use your power?"

"Eh, i'm chill laxing. Besides, I used a lot of my power yesterday." Maka waves him off.

"Oh yeah? What about Crona?" Ragnarok gives the other boy a look.

"Crona here is reading the book for me." Maka smirks as she puts a arm around Crona who blushes.

"So what the fuck are you doing?" Ragnarok fumes.

"Enjoying the amazing art of your spoon work."

"I'm about to take this spoon and shove it up your ass." Ragnarok grumbles, only getting Maka to chuckle..

So your probably wondering how they went from looking for Stein to making a potion..well it's simple really.

Stein is one hard mother fucker to find.

Maka, Crona, and Ragnarok searched every where...either Stein left with Medusa or he's hiding pretty fucking well. After hours of looking around the mansion..Maka decided to do something productive with her free day. She needs to get stronger to survive..she needs to find who cursed her mother..she has to be strong to live. Maka tried getting into the star room..you know to train there but the door was sealed..she even tried to use her powers but it would not open for her..so instead of givng up, she decided to try a potion.

The one they are currently working on is a 'bond strengthening' Potion. It's not just Ragnarok and Crona's bond that is weak..after using her powers to check on her and Crona's bond..she saw how weak it really is..the chain looks almost rusted..like any little thing could break it now..Maka doesn't know what would happen if the bond would break..for either her, or Ragnarok, so she rather not have that happen.

"What's the next thing we need Crona?" Maka looks over at the boy that is staring into the book intently, his face nothing but concentration. He jumps a little at being spoken to..but gives her a nervous smile when he looks at her.

"W-We need flower nectar next..and t-then that's it." Crona's gaze shifts a little..blushing at how she beams at him.

"Alrighty, I got it. Make sure Ragnarok keeps working, you know how he likes to be lazy."

"Bitch keep talking, you'll be sorry you ever gave me this spoon."

"I got I-it Maka." Crona nods at her seriously, causing her to chuckle at both their responses.

Maka walks over to the cabinet..a small smile on her face..everything seems to be back to order..She still feels that darkness in Crona..but she feels Crona more.

There's no doubt he will be the one to kill her though. He says he won't..but his darkness is strong. His madness is strong..and it's out to get her. She can feel it..she can sense it.

But she won't think about death now..she has to live..for her mother.

Maka opens the cabinets, about to look for the nectar..only to have it shoved in her face by a small hand. She blinks at it before looking at the little girl that's holding it out to her..she's sitting in the cabinet, her small form fitting perfectly in with everything else in here.

"What?" She grunts when Maka didn't take it right away. "I can't help too? That one dead guy is doing something, i'm just as good as he is, if not better."

"I didn't say you couldn't help." She blinks again as she takes the nectar from her. "Your one sassy little girl you know that?"

"Pssh, you don't know the half of it." She flips her limp locks and Maka can't help but to chuckle a little. "My mother nick named me the sass master."

"How fitting." Maka hums, before looking at this girl..taking her in. "..Don't you want to come out of there and join us?"

"I don't want them seeing me." The little girl crosses her arms and looks away.

"Why?" Maka raises an eye brow.

"I don't like them. The ghost cusses too much for his own good..he has a potty mouth and he's too hostile like he's always on his period." Maka can't help but to laugh at that but the little girl goes on. "And the other one..he just scared me."

"Crona and Ragnarok aren't bad guys..i'm sure they would like to meet you." That's a lie. She doesn't know how they would react to this little ghost girl.

"Well I don't want to meet them." The girl grunts. "They would jack my style."

"Oh?" Maka tries to look past this girl's pale skin..tries to look past those eyes..she's a cute girl but..the guilt is still there..in the back of her head.

"Yeah..." The girl gets a odd look in those eyes as she looks over at Maka. "I still can't remember about my brother.."

"It will come to you." Maka lies again. She doesn't know.

"..Did he hurt you?" She whispers this.

"Who?"

"You know..him.." Her eyes shift a little almost nervously. "He doesn't like us getting along..I think he wants you all to himself."

"Who are you-"

"Maka w-who are you talking to?" Crona sounds a bit concerned so she turns to look at him.

"I'm talking to-" She goes to point out the little girl..but when she looks back in the cabinet..there's no one in it. Maka winces inwardly..this probably doesn't look good on her sanity..and when she looks back at Crona and Ragnarok..they're both studying her..their eyes trying to see through her. "..I got the nectar." Maka gives them a sheepish smile as she waves the bottle around.

Crona frowns and Ragnarok gives her a suspicious look.

Yeah, her sanity isn't looking so hot right now.

Maka ignores their looks and walks over to the bubbling pot..Crona handing over the book so she can say the words.

"Nectar from a flower. Nectar of life that will renew our bonds, that will replenish where time has wore out." Maka speaks the words slowly, her power flowing through her veins before she pours the nectar in the pot..it bubbles in response so she starts the spell. "We are one, i'm in him and he is in me and we are in him. Strengthening us..strengthen are lives and strengthen our bonds." It's a simple chant..this spell isn't hard at all. "When I snap my fringers..you'll be done..and our bonds will be that much stronger." Maka snaps her fingers..and the pot stops bubbling..it making a poof sound..but it sounded kinda..odd.

"Why did that sound like the pot just shit it's self?" Ragnarok gives the pink liquid in the pot a odd look.

"Yeah..that poof did kind of sound like a fart huh?" Maka frowns a bit..so is it done.? Did she fail? "What does it say in the book Crona?"

"I-It doesn't say much." Crona frowns. "It just says I-it has to go poof..and I-it did, didn't it?"

"Yeah but it sounded fucking weird." Ragnarok watches as Maka fills three tubes of ths pink liquid.

"Well only one way to find out." Maka hands one to Ragnarok, then to Crona, before looking down at her own.

"I t-think you did it right.." Crona moves the liquid a little in the tube..seeming to be ok with it and nodding.

"You better have done this fucking right, I had to stir this shit so much." Ragnarok snaps.

"It looks good Ragnarok." Maka studies it a moment before holding up the tube like she's making a toast. "To us! for winning the battle and being total bad asses!"

"A toast isn't a toast with out alcohol..I don't even know what the hell this is.' Ragnarok grumbles but touches her tube with his.

"To us." Crona smiles at her as he clanks his tube with hers..both of the boy's doing it at the same time.

"Let's do this." Maka tilts her head back as she drinks this pink goo..it doesn't have a taste. It goes down quickly. Maka grips the tube and throws it to the ground, shattering it when she's done..just to be dramatic about it. Ragnarok and Crona do the same..both had chugged their pink goo the same time she did..

They stare at each other..waiting for something to happen.

"..Do you feel anything different?" Maka frowns after awhile of waiting..she feels no different from when they started this potion.

"No I feel fine -Fucking pickles!-" Ragnarok started talking..only for him to twitch..him shouting out the last two words.

"Huh?" Maka and Crona give him a odd look..Ragnarok looks down at himself, a frown on his face.

"What the fuck is -fucking shit!- going on?" Ragnarok freaks out again between his growl. "What did you -ass licker!- do to me?!"

Maka blinks..while Ragnarok waits for her answer..he shouts out some other words like 'shit eater!' and 'dick balls!' his body twitching when he shouts these things...and his eyes closing like he just sneezed..

"Oh my god." Maka points a finger at him. "My potion gave you Torettes!"

"Tourettes?! The potion was a -Bitch! fuck bitch!- failure?! Now you gave me what ever the fuck this is! bitch you said it looked -piss cakes!- good!" Ragnarok's eye is twitching..he's really pissed off but Maka can't take him seriously..

"It's all good Ragnarok...I can't even tell a difference..you talk like you normally do." Maka cracks up, getting his face to get hot in anger.

"Why the hell don't you have -Rainbow shit in my mouth!- Tourettes!"

"I don't know..I feel fine." Maka looks over at Crona who is covering his mouth. "What's wrong Crona? Do you feel alright?"

"I don't know~" Crona's voice comes out like he's singing..his voice is audio tuned. He squeaks after hearing himself, his eyes shaking in panic. "Gah! I can't deal with this! I sound like a machine..like a machine..normal people don't sound like this!~"

"Actually most of the singers now a days sound like that." Maka grunts, she can't help but to laugh at how Crona looks like he's about to past out. "You know Crona if I could speak in audio tune, I would be so happy."

"You would?~" Crona looks at her with those eyes..his panic dying down.

"Hell yeah! Why don't you try it out? Sing us some Barbie girl!" Maka chimes.

"I swear to fucking -dick!- god Crona if you sing fucking Barbie girl i'm going to -fuck you in the ass hole!- " Ragnarok looks horrified at this burst out.

Crona's mouth is open..he looks just as horrified.

"Oh.." Maka blushes getting Ragnarok's eye to twitch more, his face is so red and he looks like he's about to explode. " Crona I really think you should sing Barbie girl."

"G-Gah! no w-way! I-I don't want that!~" Crona trembles, girpping his hair.

"I didn't fucking mean that! It's this stupid -butt licker!- Tourettes! You did this to me Maka! i'm going to- dick!-" Ragnarok covers his mouth for a moment..takes a deep breath before he glares at her again. "I'm -dick! dick in my ass!-'

Maka cracks up..Crona is even chuckling..the look on Ragnarok's face is priceless..god she wish she could take a picture of it..that's the kind of award winning face you would put on a chirstmas card. Merry -dick!dick in my ass!- Christmas. Oh yeah. That's good stuff.

"I think your Tourettes is trying to tell us something Ragnarok." Maka hums looking over at Crona. "See I told you he was lusting after your ass-"

"Bitch this isn't funny! I can't control what ever the fuck I say and - cow balls! - just how the fuck does a ghost get Tourettes?! You must have really fucked up that -ass cheeks!- potion." Ragnarok is taking deep breaths..trying to control his new disorder but he can't.

"I guess I did..I gave you tourettes and Crona's voice is audio tuned..but I feel fine." Maka crosses her arms, trying to think of where she went wrong in the potion.

"Uh Maka~" Crona sings nervously, staring at the top of her head. "Are you sure you don't f-feel..hoppidy~?"

"Huh?" Maka gives him a confused look.

"Touch your head -bitch!- dumb ass!" Ragnarok grumbles, looking at the top of her head as well.

Maka gives them a odd look but she reaches up..only to feel something..furry. Her eyes widen a bit in alarm as she rushes over to a mirror in this small room..

She blinks.

"Whoa.." Maka stares at the ears that seem to have spouted on the top of her head..they're bunny ears..large and floppy..the fur is the same color of her wheat blond hair. "I'm like the real life bugs bunny." She turns around to give them grin.

"Why do I have the fucking feeling your -shit face!- liking this." Ragnarok grumbles, but he looks away from her. "You look stupid -cock!-"

"C-Cute..~" Crona blushes when she smiles..her ears twitching in response..he fiddles with his fingers as she walks over towards the cabinet..and pulls out a carrot.

"What's up doc?" Maka walks over and leans on Ragnarok's shoulder like bugs bunny does..she takes a large bite of the carrot and starts chomping in his face.

"Bitch get out my fucking face with -shitting myself!- That!" Ragnarok growls as he pushes her away from him. "Stop playing around and fix us -pussy asshole!-"

"Aw but I like my ears.." Maka moves over and latches onto Crona's arm, looking up at him with those large eyes of hers, her eyes down, looking hurt. "Don't you like my ears Crona?"

"Y-Yes~" Crona blushes and hugs her close.

"See Ragnarok, Crona likes my ears. You just suck balls. And apparently you like it up the ass hole-" Maka starts only to be knocked upside the head with that large book.

"Shh!..i'm hunting wabbits." Ragnarok gives her a shit eating grin as Crona grips her to steady her, giving Ragnarok a dark look. "-Jerking off dogs!-

"Oh no you didn't!" Maka puffs up her chest as she hops over to the raven haired boy. "How you gonna battle? I invented hip hoppin. My little tail swingin and my big ears flopping." Maka makes her ears flop, quoting 'epic rap battle' with a smirk on her face. "Oh my god..if I was the Easter bunny I would be so happy.."

"What the fuck are you -cunt!- going on about?" Ragnarok raises an eye brow, but he still looks so irritated.

"W-What's that?~" Crona frowns.

"The Easter bunny is a magical bunny that gives candy to all the good boys and girls..but hell, if I was the Easter bunny I would just keep all that candy and eat it every day and I would be soo happy."

"Would you stop - shit!- fucking saying that?" Ragnarok snaps.

"G-Gah a magical bunny?!" Crona's eyes get wide in panic. "H-How does that work? and why would he give out candy?~"

"It's all in the beauty of life Crona."

"W-What~?"

"Oh my." A voice gasps, stopping Maka from answering Crona. They all look over at Medusa who has her eye brow raised at Maka's bunny ears. "...What happened here?"

"Maka fucked up the -butt fucking!- potion! Gave me tourettes and Crona can't stop -shit!- singing audio tuned! And she's a fucking - dick!- bunny!" Ragnarok growls out..Medusa looking at him..and she cracks a smirk..which gets Ragnarok even more pissed off.

"I don't know how I messed it up through.." Maka rubs her chin. "..We followed the instructions.."

"Ah.." Medusa sniffs the air getting everyone to look at her oddly. "You tired to make a 'bond strengthen' potion..you did not do it wrong..your bonds have become stronger but you failed to prevent it's side effects."

"I-It won't last f-forever will it?~" Crona sings nervously, gripping his shirt.

"No, the effects should be gone by tomorrow-"

"I got to fucking -fat cock!- be like this for a whole day?!" Ragnarok fums. "There has to be something you can -holy mother fucking shit!- do!"

"I'm afraid not.." Medusa doesnt' try to hide the amused smirk on her face.

"Stupid ass bitch!" Ragnarok shouts out..before smirking at her. "Sorry..tourettes..I can't help what I say."

"Quite." Medusa gives him a look before she looks at Maka..something in those yellow eyes. "I'm glad to see that your back Maka..you seem to be well.-"

"Cunt!." Ragnarok shouts towards Medusa's direction..but only shrugs..that smirk on his face.

"I'm alright.." Maka studies her a moment. "Where's Stein?"

"I don't know." She frowns at that. "He must be some where around the mansion..he's been acting quite odd lately-"

"Dirty whore!"

"Well if you see him tell me."

"Why-"

"Yellow-piss hair colored slut!"

Medusa and Maka look over at Ragnarok..who covers his mouth like he really didn't mean that before giving them a innocent smile. As innocent as a crocodile's smile.

"My child I know Stein has angered you..but you have more important things to worry about..we have a new problem at hand."

"A new one?" Maka groans, rubbing her temples. "Don't we have enough fucking problems?"

"Apparently not." Medusa frowns..a far off look in her eyes before she walks over towards Maka..she can't help but to flinch a little. "Do not lose heart. No matter what happens don't be discouraged. I'm with you all the way. I'd rather not dicuss this now..you need a day to rest both your body and mind Maka.-"

"I'd like to know what the problem is now. Don't sugar coat it either, just lay it on me." Maka's ears go down at her discomfort.

"..Your running out of time." Medusa sighs..Causing Both Ragnarok and Crona to tense badly. "At this rate Asura will have you by the end of next week."

Maka's breath hitches...her eyes wide..no..no..she can't..it can't..her mother..not so soon..she's not ready..no..

"How the fuck did it get so -shit- bad?" Ragnarok is gripping fist, something on the tip of his tongue but he holds it..he has to bite it.

"Justin did a number on your time my child..even though Asura is no longer with Justin..he's still powerful..and you time is almost up." Medusa looks at her..sadly.

"I-Is there anything we can do? c-can't we stop this?~" Crona sounds desperate..his eyes starting to water.

"I'm searching as best I can..but the person who did this is hiding themselves carfully...I'm doing the best I can my child, I really am."

"..I have to..I have to find this person..I have to kill them for my mother.." Maka grips her fist..looking into Medusa's eyes. "Work me dry Medusa. I can't go down with out fucking bring this person down with me! Train me right now! I have to get stronger!" Her breathing is jagged..

"Making you exhaust yourself is not going to help Maka..rest today. Leave the worrying to me.." Medusa leans in..and hugs Maka again..she not seeing how badly Crona tensed up. "I have a plan. Trust in me."

Can she turst in her?..Maka doesn't know..but she has to live...she has to kill the person who cursed her mother..who caused all this.

Maka doesn't do anything as Medusa pulls away.

"Rest." Medusa lets go of her. "I have work to do." With that she disappears.

Two weeks..Maka has two weeks to live..and she still doesn't even have a clue who the fuck cursed her mother...

Ragnarok puts a hand on her shoulder, and gives her a tight squeeze.

"Your going to be fine.." His voice is firm..and when she looks into those piercing eyes..she knows he'll fight anything for her.

She feels someone grab her hand..and she looks over at Crona..but he isn't looking at her..

He's hiding the mad smile on his face..hides how his face scrunches up in a grimace as he fights his darkness..the darkness he's fighting for her..

But damn it..he barely can fight him self..he's trying..he's trying for her.

Maka is pulled into a hug by both these boys..Ragnaork wrapping his arms around her back..and Crona her front..they hold her so close..so protectively..

Maka has two weeks to live.

Her bunny ears lean down ward..a frown on her face...

She's counting on Medusa..a part of her hates this..

Another part of her doesn't have a choice.

Time is running out..

And it's running out for all of them.

---

Sorry about the long wait guys! with prom coming up and my state board test...did I mention i'm going to be a hair stylist soon? If I past this test..i really, really hope I do. wish me luck!

Ok so I pretty much gave you Justin's back ground in a nut shell...it's funny how I made him such a easy charcter to hate only to change it up lol..

What do you guys think? is medusa good? is she bad? i'm giving you a lot of mixed signals..your in for some surpises.

I don't know when i'll be able to update...this week is hectic because state board is Monday, and i'm getting my senior stuff all ready..i'll be gald when it's all over! If your a senior in high school give me a 'fuck yeah!' cause we are almost done honey! it's finally almost over and I can't wait!

If you guys haven't listen to 'your guardian angel' by red jumpsuit apparatus you should:) it's such a pretty song..i decated it to Girko x Justin in this story.

Thank you so much for all the reviews and support guys:) please tell me what you think..and if you think i'm doing a bad job let me know.

Till next time!