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

62. Chapter 62

This chapter..I must say is..bittersweet...it's..tragic. at least I think so. You have been warned.

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How does she get herself in these fucked up situations? Is she forever going to be put through shit? No matter how much good she does..it doesn't matter does it? The world wants her dead..the world wants her gone.

Maka's consciousness comes back to her..and already she wishes it didn't. She feels she's on something cold..her thighs on something metal. The smell of chemicals and latex fill her nostrils..giving her chills. It smells like the fucking hospital..she doesn't like this, not one bit. Maka tries to move her hands..tries to move her body..She keeps her eyes closed..too afraid to open them..too afraid to see if her fears are correct.

Her hands are tied above her head..and when she tries to say something..she realizes she has duck tape on her mouth. She can't move her fingers. She can't speak. She's defenseless..nothing but a weak girl now..

Maka takes a deep breath..before opening her eyes. A blinding light is above her and she has to blink a couple of times so she can see. She quickly looks around for something she can use to cut herself out..There's scalpels but they're too far away from her..This has to be a dream..how the fuck did she get here? Why is she tied up?..Wasn't..she saved Kid's dad then..something happened..darkness..

Maybe this is just her madness..creating a nightmare for her..it feels like a nightmare..her head feels fuzzy..it's making this scene all the more surreal..Maka seems to be in a small room she's never seen before..there's jars filled with odd liquid..sharp implements every where..like scissors..scalpels..saws..drills..

Oh, she really doesn't like it here.

"Ah Maka your up. I'm sure you enjoyed your rest?" A voice coos to her left..and her blood turns cold..No fucking way..no way in hell..this is a dream. This isn't real. it can't be..this is just too fucked up..but never the less she turns her head to the side..her gasp muffled by the duck tape..

Stein stands with his back turned to her..he seems to be working on something..his lab coat is stained with red..He doesn't say any more..but he almost seems to be waiting for a response. This really can't be happening..Maka thought this guy was long gone, got the fuck out of the mansion while he still could before she ripped him to fucking pieces for what he said about her mother..She forgot all about him..but now, seeing this man..seeing how she's tied up..she's filled with a rage..but also a dread. How..how did he slip from their fingers? Where was he hiding?..where is she now?..She's still in the mansion right?

The thought of Stein dragging her away from the mansion..gets her to shiver..she feels a panic in her chest but she suppresses it..She has to stay calm..she has to figure out a way out of this..

But her hands are tied and her mouth is covered.

There's nothing she can do.

"I know you've been through so much lately..with the cruise ship sinking, with fighting for your life almost every day.." Maka's eyes get wide..How the hell does he know about that?..How did he know about the cruise ship?..something isn't right about this. "I must admit..I'm jealous of you Maka Albarn." Jealous? Maka can't help to raise an eye brow at this mad doctor that still hasn't looked at her. "You did something that I could never do..with a touch of your hand you did something that I have worked my whole life on..You cured cancer. You cured that little boy of his illness with no side effects." His breathing starts to get uneven. "What makes you able to do that hmm? I know all about you Maka..how your a witch but not just a witch..a special one. I've wanted this since the day I found out..to see the insides of a witch, to see if your heart weighs the same as a human, if there are any differences..but now it's more then that.." He starts to laugh..and Maka finds herself struggling with the rope that binds her..but it's no use. "Now, I can use your blood..I can make the cure..I can do it! Do you hear that love?! I can do it!" He's roaring now..his whole body shaking in a spasm.

Maka tries to say he's insane..that her blood couldn't possibly be a cure..it's her power that healed that boy..but anything she says is muffled to the point she can't even understand herself. Suddenly, the man stops cracking up. It's so abort that Maka tenses..Now he's like a statue..his arms hanging limply by his sides as he stares at what ever Maka can't see.

"..I told you I have no limits now..I told you I would have you..and now that its' here, it's hard to control myself. I won't have to control myself much longer though.." Stein starts grabbing stuff..moving it around..

'Let me go!' Maka shouts through her tape but it' muffled..

"Sorry dear can't hear you." She can hear the smirk in his voice..the fucking bastard.

'Then take this off!' Maybe..just maybe he doesn't know about her weakness..maybe she can out smart him.

"Take it off? I don't think so. I'm no fool. I know all about your kind now. I've been researching, preparing for this moment. It seems the power flow of a witch comes from her words and hands..if they are both unable to work, the witch is defenseless." Stein speaks slowly..before he turns around..Maka's stomach turning hallow as she sees the scalpel in one of his hands..and a..drill in the other. He has a large, mad smile on his face..his stitches ripping a bit..his glasses are glared so she can't see his eyes. "Your defenseless Maka! Your all mine! I wonder how much you can take before you lose consciousness? if you lose consciousness this won't be any fun so.." He walks over slowly..placing the scalpel and drill on a small table next to the one she's on..She watches as he pulls out a needle..it's filled with red liquid. "This was a gift..It will keep you conscious no matter what I do to your frail little body. You will feel everything, any rip..any tear. You'll feel it all Maka..isn't this fun?! I'm having fun."

'Get the fuck away from me!' Maka screams and thrashes in her blinds..Stein watches as a cat would watch a trapped bird..he licks his lips..those lips growing in his mad smile. He walks over..holding that needle out.

"Are you afraid of needles Maka? So many of the patients at the asylum were..it's something in the brain that causes this fear, but I find it amusing. Why be scared of something that is only a prick?..When I could cut you with my scalpel and crave out your eye balls? That's something you should be afraid of..and you are, aren't you Maka? Your afraid of me..I can see it in your eyes and I must say it's delicious..Your mother had the same look in her eyes. Did you know that? It always did get me excited to see her laying before me, too drugged to even form a sentence."

Maka..can't explain the hate..the fury she feels.. She cries out through the tape..thrashing like a mad man..She's glaring holes into this man..screaming her head off..wanting to kill him. Wanting to fucking end him..What did he do to her mother?! Did he hurt her? What the fuck did he do?! It's maddening..not able to be free, not able to use her powers when he's so close..when she could rip him to a million pieces. In this moment..Maka feels the needle pierce her arm..something flowing through her veins..

It's like a electric shock..her eyes are wide open..she's aware of everything..any pain..any discomfort..it's like someone put all her nerves on blast. The slightly cold table has become freezing..and the jab in her arm..feels like someone stabbed her with a knife..

This isn't good.

"You don't like me talking about your mother do you?" Stein places the empty needle down..before leaning over Maka..she can feel his hot breath against her lips..her whole being burns with hate. "If you must know..I like you more.." He touches her cheek..rubbing it..that mad smirk way too large for his face. "You always did struggle with me..Your mother was nothing but a limp body. She didn't fight me..not like you do. Your anger towards me..the hate I see..it's been there since the beginning at the asylum..You never liked me..and I liked that. I wanted to rip you open there..but back then there was rules.." He reaches over..and gabs the scalpel. "..Now there's not. I will finally get to feel your beautiful insides Maka..your so young..your skin so soft..I'm going to sand you down..I'm going to cut open every part of you..because I like you just that much. I want to see your everything. I saw a lot of your mother..but not everything. No, not like I'm going to see everything with you. When i'm done with you, no one will be able to even recognize you..but me of course. I'll know. I always do." Maka struggles with her binds..Screaming at him but it's muffled..Stein brings the scalpel down..on her stomach..but when his knife touches the fabric of her vest-

It stops. He can't cut it.

Maka has never been so happy for that demon then she is now..His black blood won't be cut my some fucking scalpel..

"Hmm..interesting." Stein turns the bolt in his head. "So this is what she was talking about?" He tries to move the vest up..but it won't move. "I guess I'll just have to cut around it..now won't I?" His grin is way too fucking large as he..walks over across the room..and gets a saw..it's a round and motor one. "That boy is next did you know? I'll enjoy his screams just as much as I'll enjoy yours.." Stein walks back over..hovering over her again with that smirk. "You have never been as beautiful as you are now. Tied up, weak, at my disposal. I've waited a very long time for this..and i'm not letting any thing get in my way...I didn't when it came to your mother." Stein crackles madly before he turns on the saw..it making a loud screeching noise. "All I have to do is dig deep enough..and I'll scrap this vest off with your flesh. Some things may get damaged but don't worry. I'm a doctor. I can fix it." He laughs so loud at that..

He's fucking insane..he's fucking insane and he's going to gut her like a fish..Maka is between her hate for this man..for speaking of her mother..for what she doesn't know..but then she's afraid..

She's alone here..she doesn't know where she is..she can't use her powers..She doesn't have anything.

"Are you scared?" Stein leans in..his glasses still glared. He's bleeding from his stitches being slightly ripped..and it's falling on her face. She can't see the saw but she can still hear it's horrible screeching.

Maka just glares darkly at him..Her expression is nothing but hate.

Stein makes a humming sound..before he reaches his hand up..this one has a scalpel..He cuts her cheek with it..her blood welling up. He leans in and licks it off..she feels like puking..she thrashes her body, trying to get him off but he continues to lick at her..his scalpel trails down..cutting her arms..before he moves down the vest..she feels the scalpel press against her exposed belly button..

God it hurts. It hurts so much. He's barely cut her but it feels like he's cutting her up in pieces.. Maka tries to bite her lip..not wanting to give this fucker the satisfaction of her cry.

"I'll ask again..are you scared?" His hot breath is in her ear...the scalpel still pressed to her belly button...Maka sees it then..The three large eyes that are behind this man..they seem to be looking everywhere..till they lock on her..this must be her madness..but the eyes..narrow as it stares at Stein over her..and just like they appeared..they disappear.

Maka doesn't respond..her pride and the duck tape not allowing her to..

That's when he slowly starts to press the scalpel into her belly button..You don't think about it..you don't think about how sensitive your belly button is in till there's a fucking scalpel in it. Maka feels the tears well up..the pain..it hurts. She tries to bite her lip to stop her cry..but when he pushes it deeper..her feeling the scalpel in side her stomach..She scream out in pain..it being to much to bare..

"That's it, scream for me you little bitch." His voice is husky..his breathing uneven in her ear. "Scream for me like your mother did-"

No. No. No. No. No. No.

He did not do this to her mother. He did not fucking do this..No..No..NO..

Something snaps in her..and despite all the pain she feels, her body thrashes against him..cusses and screams escaping her lips. She wants to kill him. She wants to kill him NOW.

"Then let me out." That girl coos. "..I could get us out of this. He doesn't know who he's messing with. This fucker won't get away for all the shit he's done to us! you know I could kill him. I could get us out of this situation."

Maybe she could..but..even in her deepest hate..her rage..Could she really let this girl out? So she can destroy the world? Over this man? This horrible person? This is probably what he wants..

She can't deny it's tempting..but when she thinks of what Custos showed her..with the ruin buildings and bloody roads..

Maka holds out..she keeps herself.

Stein finally moves back away from her..ripping the scalpel out. He's smirking at her..that fucking smirk...then his glasses stop glaring..and the sight gets her blood to turn cold..

Those stone eyes are bouncing..he's mad, he's completely mad..His eyes full of lust..

"You should be afraid of me.." he breathes out..his fingers twitching. "You see, I can do whatever I want to you. Your mine now. No one will save you. No one knows your here. You are at my mercy..If I wanted to fuck your insides then I could. There's no rules..only my desires.." He walks back over to the side of her..he brings the scalpel towards her eye. "And I desire you..but really I think everyone does. You are life after all..all i've wanted is you..but what have you done?" His expression changes to rage. " You took her..death..your death you bitch. You use to be my friend..use to be something I looked forward to..then you took her. You took her away!" His voice is so loud..she feels like this small room is shaking in his roar..

Maka can't even say anything..she doesn't understand him..he's fucking mad..and Maka's going to die if she doesn't do something..anything..

"But you didn't kill her did you?...no..no you didn't.." He's mumbling to himself..he drops the scalpel and it barely misses her cheek. "No..no..don't look at me like that! Don't fucking look at me like that!" He screams at her..gripping the bolt in his head, his eyes wide. "Stop looking at me with your eyes! You know don't you?" He covers his eyes with his hands..only to spread his fingers, looking at her through them. "You see it with your eyes don't you?"

This man..She doesn't even know what to do at this point..but she keeps staring at him..he doesn't like it so she'll keep doing it, the fucking bastard.

"Everyone looks at me with their eyes..but they don't really see. Maybe you do? Maybe you don't? I don't know. I don't know a lot of things. That's why I must keep cutting, I must keep learning. Knowledge is power. Do you see it with those eyes? Everyone sees me with their eyes..they all saw me for what I was..but she didn't. Do you see it too? The something I'm missing? Can you see into my soul with those eyes? Just like she could? Can you? Can you?!" His body is trembling..his eyes twitching..he hits the table she's on and it gives a creaking sound..He breaths heavily..his bangs covering his eyes. "No..you can't see..only she could. She's the only one. She saw something..she saw me..she saw something..you don't see anything..your nothing but my experiment yet she was my experiment too...if you had blue eyes I would have cut them out by now..so stop looking at me with those false eyes..stop it..stop it.." He looks up..his voice becoming a whisper..but she can't look away from him..it's like he's keeping her from looking away..He's so fucking crazy..He's not making any sense. What the hell is he talking about? Yet you can't reason with someone who is fucking nuts. "STOP IT!" He roars at her..before he grabs her by the neck..squeezing hard on her wind pipe..

Maka struggles beneath him..fighting for air..as Stein leans in..they lock eyes..

Those stone eyes flash..

And soon everything is fading away.

---

Maka groans as her eyes slowly open..trying to process where she is..only to stop..

She's seen a lot of weird things in her life time. A lot of fucked up things so you'd think she'd never be surprised anymore..but uh..looking at this..she can't help but to raise her eye brow..

Spirit..her father is in front of her..hiding behind a..bush? She can tell he's a lot younger..he's crouching down like a frog and..moving his arms oddly..Chanting something as he moves his hands back and forth, wiggling his fingers..

This has to be one of the oddest things she's ever seen. Where the fuck is she? What the hell is Spirit doing? He looks like someone on crack..who knows? Maybe he is. Seeing this man fills her with mixed emotions..

Don't get her wrong. She still hates the fucker..it's just..

Young Spirit makes a odd sound before he hobbles forward..he pushes his hands out..reminding her of this old show she use to watch..'Dragon ball z'..when Goku would do a 'Kame ham ha'. Spirit is holding his hands in a similar way..Maka can't help to tilt her head as he lights out a 'Cha!'.

"Spirit, what on earth are you doing?" Maka tenses at the voice..she knows this voice..so cold, so collected. She glances over at the boy that took the words right out of her mouth. Stein stands beside Spirit now..looking down at the other man with a blank expression..there's no screw in his head, no stiches on his face..He looks..normal..but she knows better. This boy is nothing but normal. Instead of a lab coat, he just has on a plain grey shirt with some jeans..His white bangs slightly in his eyes.

"Fuck!" Spirit jumps, falling on his face before he turns and gives Stein a glare. "What have I told you about doing that?! Fucking warn me, don't just creep up on me!"

"And what have I told you? I'm not one to follow the rules." Stein states boredly. "What were you just doing Spirit?"

"Oh..that.." Spirit blushes slightly before he crouches by the bushes..looking over them. "..Just this thing I found on the internet..It's a kind of..I don't know this thing that sends positive energy towards who ever you want it too..I thought it could help my chances."

"You thought making weird hand signs at her from behind a bush would help your chances?" Stein readjusts his glasses. "Your logic scares me Spirit."

"Hey! It's worth a shot! She's ignored all my other advances towards her." Spirit pouts but there's determination in those eyes of his.

"Maybe it's time to just except the facts. She's just not that in to you." Stein shrugs.

"But..but every girl is into me! I'm..i'm fucking hot as shit!" Spirit touches himself as if to prove his point. "There has to be something wrong with her if she's not attracted to this! She's just playing hard to get is all!"

"Oh yes, there's something wrong with her for not liking a man who watches her from behind a bush." Stein speaks motor toned...in a way Maka almost wants to laugh..but she hates this man. She hates the both of them..

Yet she can't help to raise her eye brow..Stein and her father were..friends? Then again when she thinks about it..when ever Spirit would come to the asylum he would talk to Stein most of the time..and when Spirit died..Stein actually seemed..upset..

Of course these two ass holes would have been friends. It makes perfect sense once you think about it.

"Shut up." Spirit grumbles before he looks over the bush..a smile comes to his face..his blue eyes lighting up. "God..just look at her Stein..Why can't she be mine?"

"I'm sure there's plenty of answers to that question." Stein looks over to where Spirit is..

That's when Maka sees just who they're talking about..

They seem to be in front of a school..a high school. Kids are walking out, talking and laughing..but there's one person that stands out in the crowd..Maka covers her mouth..

Her mother stands before her..young..her green eyes so bright..She's laughing..Maka's heart raises only for it to plummet..

She isn't alone.

Medusa stands close to Kami..she has a blank look on her face as her mother laughs at something..from this far..she can't tell..but it almost looks like Medusa's smiling..They're pretty close..Maka hates seeing this. She fucking hates Medusa..yet she was her mother's friend..Too many emotions swirl around her head from seeing this..it's too much..she hates it..

"Why doesn't see laugh at my jokes like that?" Spirit grumbles and grips his fist..his expression nothing but jealously.

"Because your jokes aren't funny."

"This isn't the time to be funny Stein!"

"I wasn't trying to be."

Spirit glares at him..before he turns his attention back on Kami..he frowns. "..Do you think..do you think she's a lesbian? It would explain why she's not taking a liking to me..and she's with Medusa all the time..do you think they're dating?"

"Fuck no." Maka snarls out for him. Like hell her mother would be with Medusa like that. He's lost his fucking mind.

"Just because she isn't into you doesn't mean she doesn't like the opposite sex." Stein states boredly. "and just because two girls are friends doesn't mean they make out like your oh so brilliant logic suggest."

"This is different! I mean..they're always together..and they don't talk to any body but themselves. That's a little weird right? and when ever I try to make a move on Kami..Medusa gives me this evil eye." He rubs his chin. "..You know what? Even if they're together I don't care! The more the merrier! Medusa's pretty hot herself..can you just imagine having them both in bed with you?" Spirit wipes his nose bleed.

"No." Stein states bluntly. "The idea is ridiculous. If you could open your eyes Spirit, you would see they both don't like you. You would also see that your making a fool out of yourself."

"I'll keep making a fool of myself if I can get her! You don't understand Stein..this is different..She's beautiful, the most beautiful girl in the school-"

"You say that about every girl."

"N-No I don't!..and I mean it this time. Have you ever seen eyes that look like that? So green and huge? She's just..wow..I have to have her." Spirit's voice is airy.

"Come to think of it I haven't seen someone with eyes like that.." Stein hums..a look in his eyes Maka knows too well...that look he had when he was cutting into her..a predatory look.

"Yeah she's just..I bet she can sing..her voice is like an angels..I bet she likes taking walks like I do. I bet we're perfect for each other and she just doesn't know it yet!" He stands up..gripping his fist..determination in his eyes. "I will have her.." His eyes get a far away look. "Her and her sexy ass."

"Don't look now but her and her 'sexy ass' is looking at you." Stein's voice is so motor toned..no emotion.

Spirit tenses when indeed..Kami and Medusa are staring at him..They saw him come out of the bush..he still has blood running down his nose..He gives Kami a goofy smile and waves at her.

Maka can't help but to face palm..who the fuck does that?

Kami looks confused..but Medusa is glaring draggers into Spirit..she gets in front of Kami a bit..the look gets Spirit to yelp and take a couple of steps back..before he hides back in the bush.

"That was smooth." Stein smirks at Spirit who sends him a glare. "Retreating into the bushes is sure to give you some points with Kami."

"S-Shut up..did you see the way Medusa was looking at me? She's fucking hot but scary as fuck. She's like one of those hot psycho girls in the scary movies..damn, why do I have a boner?" He groans and Maka wrinkles her nose.

"I have a theory." Stein clicks his tongue. "That you have a problem with your hormones. Anything can arouse you. It may be that you have a lot more testosterone then estrogen hormones, putting your body out of balance.. There could be many reasons for this.." He has that predatory glint in his eyes again.

"Is she still looking?" Spirit ignores him as he peaks up from the bush..and sure enough, Medusa is still staring in their direction, but this time she's staring at Stein.. "Hey dude..a think she's totally checking you out! Holy shit this is perfect! You can get a creepy fucking girl that matches your creepy personality..Medusa will forget about Kami and then I can have her all to myself!" He's getting so excited.

"Maybe that would work if.." Stein looks at Medusa..they lock eyes..She smirks at him..a knowing look..some conversation being held with their eyes. "I wanted to have her."

"How can you not want her?!..hold up..wait a minute.." Spirit's eyes get wide. "..Dude are you gay?"

"No. I feel no attraction to anyone. Male or female. They're nothing but..flesh."

"You know you scare the fuck out of me when you talk like that."

"Then stop talking to me." Stein stares at Medusa..she gives him one final smirk before she grabs Kami's arm and walks off with her. Maka wants to run after them..wants to rip her mother from Medusa..but she knows she can't change this..this is a memory..and she's just a watcher. Stein has a odd look. "I'm leaving. I have work to do."

"You always have work to do." Spirit groans. "It's a Friday! Live a little! Your always just up in your house doing god knows what..there's a party at Brain's house..if you come, maybe people wouldn't be so-"

"Scared of me?" Stein cuts him off..getting Spirit to tense. "I don't do parties. I don't do people. Let them be afraid." He has a odd look in his eyes. "They should be."

Stein turns around quickly..about to walk off to who knows where..only for him to bump into someone. She lets out a squeak as she falls on her butt..dropping all the books and things she was holding. "I-I'm so sorry about this! I c-couldn't see past my books and-" She looks up..looks at Stein with piercing blue eyes..those eyes..seem too familiar.

He only looks down at her blankly. The girl's breath catches as they lock eyes..only for him to turn and walk away. He doesn't help her up. He doesn't say anything but walk away.

"I.." The girl seems confused..she watches Stein leave with wide eyes.

"Don't worry about that ass hole." A couple of other girls surround the blue eyed one..they help her up and give her stuff back. "He's such a fucking jerk." A red haired girl huffs.

"Hey ladies~" Spirit wiggles his eye brows..standing up tall and giving them a charming smile..it makes her want to puck.

"Oh hey Spirit." Most of the girls turn their attention on the red head..giving him winks and blowing kisses..

What the fuck do they see in this ass hole?

"Who was he?" That blue eyed girl blinks..still staring where Stein was. "..I've never seen him here before."

"That doesn't' surprise me." One girl grunts. "He's never here. He only comes when there's a fucking dissection in science..he's so fucking creepy."

"Is he failing then?" The blue eyed girl frowns.

"Nope." Spirit grins at this girl..and puts a arm around her. "Stein worked it out with the teaches that they would just send him the work he needs to do..he's smart as fuck. He's able to do everything they give him with out him being taught...he's already in college...i'm pretty sure he wants to be a doctor or something like that."

"Your close to him?" The girl tilts her head at him.

" I wouldn't' say close..he just only talks to me." Spirit shrugs. " I helped him out a long time ago so..I guess you could say he puts up with me."

"So he's a genius?" One girl speaks up. "Doesn't surprise me..is he as creepy as he looks Spirit?"

"Uh..I just..he has problems." Spirit scratches his head. " I really don't-"

"I heard he doesn't have a family." One girl speaks up..the blue eyed girl's eyes get wide. "I heard he lives alone in this huge mansion..that he inherited it."

"I heard his mother and father was murdered.." Another girl speaks up. "..It wouldn't surprise me if he's the one that killed them-"

"Alright that's fucking enough." Spirit snarls, getting all the girls to stop and look at him in surprise. He's trembling in his rage..before he just matches away.

"You don't really believe he killed his family do you?" The blue eyed girl looks at the others.

"I do..I mean it makes sense. He got a huge ass home for it. He's a genius remember? He's probably smart enough he was able to hide the evidence really well."

"Also..he's so fucking quiet. and you know what they say, it's always the quiet ones. He doesn't talk to anyone but Spirit and even then he barely speaks. It's just not natural and the way he stares at people.." A girl shutters.

"..Maybe he's lonely?"The blue eyed girl speaks quietly..something in her eyes Maka can't read. "..If he lives in such a big home alone..I'm sure he gets lonely."

"Lonely? oh yeah, the murderer is lonely. He hates everyone." A girl shakes her head before grabbing the girl's arm. "Come on, lets stop talking about this ass hole and do something fun."

"Pizza!" a other girl cheers.

"o-okay.." This blue eyed girl nods..and allows herself to be pulled along..but Maka catches how she looks behind to where that mad boy use to be.

Everything fades away.

When everything comes back to Maka..she's in a class room. She blinks as she takes in all the students, chatting..some look just bored out of their minds while others seem a bit distressed. Maka realizes the cause for their distress.

Stein sits in the front of the room..the whole row by his seat are empty..all the students are sitting as far from him as possible..mumbling things about him. Stein doesn't notice or maybe he just doesn't care. He just stares forward blankly..no expression..no emotion..he's like a robot..his eyes are stone...

Maka hears the door open so she looks over..only to see that blue eyed girl..Her eyes fall on Stein and she looks shocked..just standing there, staring at him. Stein doesn't' look at her. He just stares forward. The girl looks up at her other class mates that are cowering away from him..something changes in those piercing blue eyes..

Before she sits right next to Stein.

The whole class room gasps..they start talking amongst themselves while this blue eyed girl just gets her stuff ready for class like this is nothing. Stein still doesn't even look at her. Maka wonders slightly if he's even realized someone has sat next to him..but before she can question that..a tall man walks into the room.

"Good morning class. Today's Wednesday and you know what that means." The man chuckles at their groans. "That's right! we get to dissect a cat today."

Everyone else is complaining..Stein just blinks as the teach starts passing out trays with a scalpel and tweezes and such for the dissection. This girl..with the eyes Maka can't get over..fiddles with her implements nervously as she glances over at Stein. But he still hasn't even looked her way...

That's when the girl must realize that Stein and her only got one tray..she raises her hand-

"Everyone will have to share. i'm not made of cats." He laughs at his bad joke before he walks around..putting dead cats on everyone's tray getting 'ew!' 'that's fucking gross!' and 'hey this looks like...sally! you monster!' "Alright simmer down. Stop being a bunch of cry babies and just do it." the man grunts before he takes his seat at the desk.

The blue eyed girl fiddles with her fingers nervously..looking at Stein who is just looking at the dead cat in front of him. "U-Um..you can start if you want." She pushes the scalpel towards him.

He doesn't say anything. He just grabs the scalpel..no expression as he flips the cat over..he pins the paws to the tray..before placing the scalpel on the cat's belly.

"Don't you want some gloves first-" The girl starts..only for Stein to cut into the cat. It's a smooth cut..a experienced cut. The girl watches with wide eyes as he pins the flesh to the side..exposing the insides of this poor animal. Stein still doesn't say anything..he just digs his bare hands in, pulling out the intestines..moving his scalpel, cutting muscle like paper..He slowly, skillfully takes each organ out..not seeming to care about the fluids that's getting on him.

"If your going to be my partner shouldn't you be writing down what I find?" Stein speaks motor toned..getting the girl to tense..she drops the tweezes she was fiddling with at his voice.

"Yeah s-sorry." She quickly gets a piece of paper out..she looks at the organs already out and starts writing about them quickly..Maka can tell she's nervous. who the fuck wouldn't be? Maka's not to sure why this girl would sit by Stein..even if the rumors aren't true..he's still creepy as fuck.

Stein doesn't say anything..he just continues to rip this cat apart..

This girl glances up at him after awhile..and her breath catches..

Stein is..smiling. It's not one of those creepy smiles..it's a smile as he rips the cat's heart out. He's happy. That stone face is still there but his eyes are a bit lighter..

The girl watches him with her mouth open..she looks pale yet..her cheeks seem..pink?

"What are you staring at?" He doesn't look at her..but that smile falls. "Keep writing."

She tenses and nods before she looks back down at her paper..starting to write again..

Everything seems to rewind..when it stops..Maka sees that blue eyed girl walk out of the class room with her books. She doesn't see Stein so she follows her.

"Hey girl! How was your fist dissection? Gross right?" That red head from before puts a arm around the blue eyed girl as she walks. "Who'd you partner up with? I hope you had a better partner then me. I got that bitch Katie."

"That um..boy." The blue eyed voice is quiet.

"Ohh what boy?" The red head gives her a smirk.

"I think his name is Stein-" The girl says..and just like that the red head stops her.

"You were partnered with that freak?! oh my god I'm so sorry!" The red girl wraps her arms around the blue eyed girl. "Did he hurt you?!"

"No of course not!" the blue eyed girl's eyes get wide. "He just..he just dissected the cat..he didn't really say anything-"

"Of course he didn't. He's such a freak." The red girl rolls her eyes. "I'm just glad he didn't hurt you."

"I don't think he wants to hurt people.." The blue eyed girl mumbles. "..You should have seen him Christine..he looked so happy while he was dissecting that cat..it was the first time I've ever seen him smile-"

"He only smiles when he's cutting something up. Yeah, that doesn't sound crazy at all." This girl grunts. "He just screams serial killer."

The blue eyed girl doesn't say anything.

"Well I'm heading to class! see you later girl!" Christine smiles before she walks off in the hallway..

This blue eyed girl just stands there..looking at her feet..such a sad look in those blue eyes..and for some reason Maka really doesn't like it. "..You'd be surprise Christine..sometimes the people you like the most..the people you trust the most..are the real people you should be afraid of."

The girl takes a deep breath before she starts walking down this hallway..the bell rings..she's late but she' doesn't seem to care. She's the only one in this hallway..her eyes still holding that sadness..she's in deep thought-

"Do you have all of it?" a voice whispers..the girl stops..frowning slightly as she walks over ..looking over a corner. She has to bite her lip not to gasp.

Medusa and Kami stand in the hall way..Kami behind Medusa..the older woman is staring at this other person blankly..

The other person that's Stein.

"Of course I do." Stein states boredly as he hands over a..cooler? "All rabbit."

"This is perfect." Medusa opens the cooler and looks at the contents..she shows Kami and the other girl nods, seeming pleased with it. "Good job." Medusa smirks as she reaches in her pocket..pulling out a wad of cash before handing it to Stein. " Keep it up and you'll run me dry." Medusa laughs that fake laugh of hers, smiling sweetly at Stein. "Are you almost done with the next batch?"

"Yes. I've been working on it." Stein takes the money and starts to count it..when he seems pleased with it he nods and puts it into his pocket. "Mind telling me why you want these parts? it seems a little odd for two young girls to want animal organs." He studies them.

"I never said we just wanted..animal organs." Medusa's sweet smile grows. "But we'll work on that later shall we? it's best not to ask questions Stein. You keep doing what you love and we will keep paying you for it."

"Fair enough." Stein blinks. "I don't really care much anyway." he states boredly.

"That's why we like you Stein." Medusa coos. "We'll be taking our leave now." She turns..but when she looks at Kami..Medusa's face falls and she looks back at Stein. "Oh, and tell that foolish boy to leave Kami alone. He doesn't take a hint."

"I can take care of myself Medusa." Kami grunts and glares at her.

"I could tell him but Spirit won't listen. He's as hard headed as a mule." Stein drags out.

"Indeed." Medusa glares before she turns around. "This time next week Stein..."

"I'll have it." Stein watches as the two girls leave..

By this point the blue eyed girl is staring wide eyed at Stein..probably not understanding what just happened..Maka can practically see the thoughts swirling in her head..

So..even when they were younger Medusa and Stein knew each other..He sold them animal parts for their potions..that makes sense..since Stein is crazy and likes cutting fucking things open. This blue eyed girl needs to get out of here..the last thing she wants is-

Suddenly Stein turns around..His stone eyes slowly moving to where she is. The girl lets out a gasp before she hides behind her corner..taking deep breaths..her eyes are wide..The girl listens..hearing Stein's foot steps walking away from her..She lets out a sigh of relief before she peeks over the corner.. no one is there..the hallway is empty. "That was a close one.." She mumbles to herself before she turns around-

Only to bump right into the chest of Stein.

The girl falls back on her butt..looking up at him in horror..sweat starting to form on her brow as this boy just stares at her blankly. Those stone eyes give nothing away. This girl needs to run..needs to get away..but she stays were she is..trembling. "I-I was just..I-I didn't!-" the girl bites her lip..not sure what to say no doubt.

Stein just..stares at her. Maka has to admit it's fucking creepy..more so then him actually doing something..time seems to tick by as he just stares at her..and this girl just looks up at him..Maka doesn't know what he's going to do..

His eyes..though stone..hold that predatory glint..and maybe this girl can see it because she whimpers..before Maka can blink this girl is pinned against the wall..His face mere inches from her own. The girl keeps trembling..but she doesn't push him off..doesn't do anything but stare into his eyes...as he stares into hers..

This is dangerous. Maka knows it is..she doesn't want this girl to get hurt.

Stein suddenly just lets her go..he looks at the girl a moment before he walks away..not saying a word.

The blue eyed girl watches him..before she hugs her knees to her chest..her body shaking in her fear..she hides her face in her knees..

Everything fades away.

"Come on dude!" Maka blinks as everything becomes visible again. She's outside the school again..Spirit is in front of her with Stein. The red head giving the mad boy a scolding look. Maka takes notice that they're both wearing warm clothes..and snow is everywhere. "It's Christmas! It's not healthy for you to just be in that huge ass house alone on Christmas..come on. You could spend it with me and we'd have a killer time!"

"I don't do Christmas" There's a..hint of rage in his voice. "You know that Spirit. Besides I'd rather not have to deal with you when your drunk off to much eggnog and vodka."

"I promise I won't drink that much!" Spirit presses. "I know you hate Christmas..your like the real live Scrooge but..come on..don't you get..lonely on Christmas? especially when.." Spirit trails off..looking uncomfortable.

"Finish your sentence Spirit, it's bothering me." Stein has a blank face..but something shifts. "Go ahead. Say it."

"..Especially when..your parents.." Spirit trails off yet again.

"Died?" Stein finishes. "Murdered? Use your words Spirit. Why are you afraid to say the truth? It's a fact. It happened."

"I know I just thought.." Spirit takes a deep breath. "..I just think that you should spend Christmas with me..just..be with people during this time you know?"

"I don't know why I still talk to you." Stein states coldly. "You think you have some responsibility of taking care of me? You think I need to be looked after? Your the son of the cop that saved me from getting killed with my parents. I'm not your concern and I know you don't even want to fool with me. I scare you Spirit. Just as I scare everyone else. I don't do Christmas, so drop it."

"It's not that your my responsibility! It's that your my friend Stein! Isn't it obvious I care about you? I want you to spend Christmas with me! I don't want you being alone!"

"Merry Christmas Spirit." Stein's words are bitter as he turns his back on Spirit and starts to walk away. "Enjoy your holiday. I have work that has to be done-"

"That's bull shit and you know it!" Spirit grabs Stein's shoulder..the boy tenses and before Maka can blink he turns around and shoves Spirit. The red head falls on his butt..looking up at Stein with large eyes. Some people that were watching gasp. "Sorry.." Spirit surprises her for actually apologizing. He stands up and brushes himself off. "I shouldn't have grabbed you like that it's just..damn it, you know this isn't healthy."

"Does it look like I care what's healthy and what's not?" Stein states before he turns and walks away. "Don't ever touch me like that again."

"Shit.." Spirit grips his fist watching him go..He sighs as a group of girls come over, gushing over him, asking if he's ok and if him and Stein had a fight..

Maka is about to follow Stein..when her eyes catch someone else..

That girl with the blue eyes is sitting behind the bush that Spirit himself was..She's hugging her knees to her chest..she was close enough to the whole thing that she heard everything..her eyes..they're so..sad. Maka frowns a bit..she' never looks like that when she's around others..but seeing this girl huddled behind the bush, you would think she was a different person. "So..your spending it alone..?" She mumbles to herself..she closes her eyes..takes a deep breath before standing up..her movements almost seem strained.

Maka frowns..how long has it been since the last flash back?..Why is this girl still well..spying on Stein? After that run in with him? Does she have a death wish? Doesn't she know..curiosity killed that cat?

"Hey River!" A voice calls out causing this girl to look over..The red head Christine, smiles as she runs over to her friend..so this girl..her name is River? Maka likes it. "You ready for Christmas? I hate this school though..giving us off right on Christmas..what the fuck? We should have been out a week ago!"

"Yeah. We really should have." River smiles..that sadness Maka saw is completely gone.

"So..what's your plans?" Christine tilts her head.

"Spending time with my family..drinking eggnog..the usual." She giggles.

"Sweet I'm going to be at my stupid grand mom's." Christine groans. "..well I'm going to go..have a merry Christmas! You should let me come over this week sometime-"

"How about I come over your house?" River smiles. "My parents are a bit odd with having guests over..you know this."

"Yeah I know." Christine sighs. "I'm just curious..well..see you later then." She smiles before she walks off..whistling a happy tune to herself..

River watches her..before Maka sees that sadness back in her eyes..She looks over to where she saw stein walk. "..It seems me and you have a lot more in common then I thought.." She hugs herself..and bows her head. "..Do you really want to be alone?..or is it that your lying to yourself?..Just like I am."

Maka blinks at this girl..it's like..she's a different person alone..That sadness is so deep..she can't even explain it. Those piercing eyes..are dull.

River starts walking-

"Hey girl, do you need a ride?" Some girl in a car calls out to River with a smile on her face.

"No, my mom is coming to get me." River gives her a smile, that sadness gone. "Thank you anyway!"

"Alright girl see ya!" And just like that the car is gone.

And just like that..the sadness is back. Maka decides..to follow River..She doesn't really want to be around Stein..and there's something about this girl..Maka wants to understand her. River walks out of the school yard..and starts walking down the road..Maka frowns..

Didn't she say her mother was picking her up? Was that a lie? Why would she want to walk home in this cold?

River hugs herself as she walks..her feet making a crunching sound..the snow getting all in her raven hair..but the girl doesn't seem to mind. She just keeps walking. "I wonder if you hate me now..I wonder if your creep out by me.."

Maka has to stop for a minute..hold up. Did this girl really just ask if Stein was creep out by her? That dude is the definition of creepy! Is she not right in the head?..well talking to yourself like she is, doesn't seem..so right. There's something about her..

River suddenly stops..and grips her fist. "..I've decided."

Everything fades away.

Maka blinks as she takes in this..large ass house in front of her..it looks like a mansion..trees are around it..all covered in snow. It's a beautiful sight really..but the house it's self is eerie. IT's dark..so still..It looks like it's been abandoned for years..

She hears a crunch of snow beside her so she turns. River stands next to her now..her breath coming out in puffs of smoke as she looks at this home with wide eyes..Maka realizes this must be the same day..for this girl is wearing the same clothes..River is gripping a basket of something..she looks so nervous..scared. What is she doing here? Where the hell is this?

River takes a deep breath..before she slowly walks up to the front door of this massive house..her foot prints being left in the snow..Maka follows after her..and her foot prints don't show in the snow..

Because she isn't here. She never is.

River closes her eyes..seeming to brace herself before she grabs the knocker..one of the old looking ones you see in those haunted mansion movies..it's odd seeing one in real life..She knocks about three times..before she stops. She just stands there..waiting in the cold..Maka realizes something that she should have realized earlier..

This girl isn't wearing a jacket. It has to be fucking freezing out..yet she's not wearing a jacket..her skin is red..she looks like she could catch hypothermia..What is wrong with her?..Where's her jacket? Why would she be out here..when it's cold? When it's getting dark? This house seems away from any other civilization..it's not safe..and Maka has a bad feeling about this house..she can't put her finger on it but-

The door slowly creaks open..revealing Stein. The boy's blank expression doesn't change..but she can see a hint of surprise in those stone eyes of his. "Oh..it's you again." His voice is motor toned. "Your that girl that's stalking me."

Blunt as can be.

River tenses badly at that..she grips the basket handle before letting out a breath she was holding. "..I really don't mean to be around you..I just..that time a couple months ago..I just got curious you know? I'm sorry about it." River takes a deep breath. "..I heard you were spending Christmas alone-"

"Heard? So you were listening in on me yet again?" Stein hums..he doesn't seem angry..he doesn't look like he really cares.

"I-"

"Yes, I am spending Christmas alone though I don't see why it's any of your business." Stein's gaze is hard. "I'd like to know what your doing on my property."

"I wanted.." River closes her eyes before she looks at this boy again. "I want to spend Christmas with you."

"Excuse me?" Stein blinks.

"No one deserves to spend Christmas alone..it's lonely isn't it?..it hurts doesn't it? Christmas is suppose to be a happy time..but when you spend it alone..it just reminds you how much more alone you really are." She gives him a sad smile. " Christmas is a time of family..so what are you suppose to do when you don't have one, you know?"

Stein blinks again..before she sees it..the glint of rage in his eyes. "You shouldn't listen to other people's conversations. it's rude..and it can get you into trouble."

"I-"

"Christmas is nothing but a joke." Stein's voice is getting..uneven. "Weather it's with family or not..even if I had one I would never celebrate it and I definably wouldn't celebrate it with you. Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ correct? Well he isn't real. There's no proof he's real. Also Santa clauses is obviously not real either..they're both a lie. Christmas is a lie. It's not about giving. It's about getting. You know kids don't really act better for Santa. They know they're getting something for Christmas. It's just a lie..a stupid lie." Stein growls at her. "Get off my property. No one is suppose to be here..if I see you around here again you'll pay..i'll hurt you. I'll show you why everyone is afraid of me." He grins madly at her..before slamming the door in her face..leaving River out in the cold, without a jacket.

"..Sometimes lies are all we can cling to.." River bows her head..before she looks up at the door..She places that basket in front of the door..before she smiles sadly. "Merry Christmas Stein.."

With that..River walks away..her skin getting redder..she's not even shivering..

Maka frowns at all that..This girl..is a bit different..she's odd..something isn't adding up with her..Why would she continue to try to be nice to this guy when he's a ass? And that look of sadness in her eyes..

She doesn't like it.

Maka starts to walk after her..River is all ready out of her sight..she must have been standing her thinking lounger then she thought-

She hears the door creak open behind her.

Maka looks back at Stein..The boy is looking down blankly at the basket. He looks up..looking around for River probably..before he grabs the basket and takes it inside..shutting the door behind him. Maka walks forward..her curiosity getting the better of her. She walks through the door..

This home..for being so big it's..so empty. Stein carries the basket over to a small table in front of a couch..There's no decorations..no tree..nothing but silence in this large house. Maka notices that there's papers everywhere..and books..that's really all there is in this house. Stein sits on the couch..and stares at the basket for a moment. "Well..she left me a present. How sweet. "Maka thinks he's being sarcastic..but his voice is so motor toned it's hard to tell. "Lets see the pile of trash she most likely got me."

What a fucking ass! He should be grateful anyone would go through the trouble of getting something for him this dick! Maka glares at him as he moves the green paper off the top of the basket..throwing it on the floor carelessly. "Ah..of course.." He stares blankly at the chocolate chip cookies in the basket..Maka can tell they're home made, that River took time on them. She knows her deserts. "Chocolate chip cookies, a Christmas classic. My, you have out done yourself girl." He grabs the basket..and dumps the cookies onto the floor. "I hate sweets. If you knew me you would know that. But you don't know me. So why give me a gift for Christmas? Where's the logic in that?" He starts to stomp his foot over the cookies..a smirk on his face. " Curiosity killed that cat because I dissected it. You don't know anything. No one does. I don't even know much..that's why I must learn everything. I must take apart everything.. Spirit thinks he can fix me..you must think that too? If I wanted to be fixed, I would fix myself. I like to rip things apart just as much as I like putting them back together..but you don't know that do you? Spirit would know, but he doesn't want to know. He doesn't want to know what I really am, it scares him. He wants me to be something else, just like you. I don't like it. I don't like it.." He giggles..his fingers starting to twitch..

That's when his eyes fall..on something else that fell out of the basket..there's a box wrapped in red wrapping paper..He giggles and picks it up. "I wonder what this could be!" He sneers as he shakes the box roughly hearing something jiggle inside. "Oh..let me guess. Some jingle bells? A tree ornament?" He laughs at his joke..his laugh is cruel as he tears open the wrapping paper not being careful with it at all. "Is it a Santa clause key chain? or maybe even a pointless cross-"

Stein stops laughing..stops sneering..as the wrapping paper falls away..and the present is exposed to him..

It's a scalpel. It's in a new box..never used.

For the first time..Maka actually sees shock in Stein's expression as his finger tips lightly touch the box..He looks over at the door..as if he could see River..before looking back at the box..

"Oh.." Is all he says.

Everything fades away.

When Maka can see again..she's in a cafeteria. Her eyes immediately fall on River..She's sitting at a table in front of her..the whole table is full of people laughing..there's only one space empty next to River. This girl seems to have a lot of friends..River smiles for all of them..that sadness Maka sees isn't in her eyes.

"So River..how was Christmas break?" Christine asks..she's sitting next to the raven haired girl. "..You never came over my house? What gives?" She jokes..but Maka can hear a bit of hurt in her tone.

"S-Sorry..I must have forgotten." River frowns at this. " My parents took me some place after all..to North Carolina to see more of my family."

"Oh sweet! How was that? I love North Carolina!" Another girl at their table chimes.

"It was nice. A very beautiful state and their food is to die for." River says this with a smile.

"Hell yeah." That girl giggles.

"Well i'm glad you had a good time." Christine smiles at her.

"Me too.." River keeps that smile on her face. "How was your break?"

"Oh mine was-" Christine stops talking..her face dropping as her eyes fall behind River. All the girls at the table stop talking..

Because Stein just sat next to River.

"Oh." River's eyes light up as she looks at this boy...but he doesn't look at her..he just looks forward..he has no food..he just..sits there. "Hi.."

All the other girls get up quickly..except for Christine. "River lets go..don't talk to him are you crazy?!"

"It's ok Christine..He's not going to hurt us." River frowns at her friend.

"Like hell if i'm staying here. If your smart you'll come with me.." With that Christine leaves.

River stays though..She looks over at Stein..but he's not looking at her..it's awkward to say the least..who the fuck does that? He's just sitting there..not even looking at her.. River looks nervous as she fiddles with her food..Maka can literally feel the awkward.

"I don't like cookies." Stein breaks the silence getting River to jump a bit.

"I'm sorry I didn't know." River frowns. "I thought every one liked cookies."

"That's a stupid assumption." Stein states bluntly. Still not looking at her..

River only nods..she looks down at her food and starts playing with it..what is one to say to that?

"It's a stupid assumption because not everyone can like the same thing. Each person has different taste buds and senses that makes one thing taste good to one while it taste bad to the other." He rants on.

"Your right..I only made you cookies because my friends told me I can cook good." She gives a sheepish smile.

"Well I'm not your friends. I don't like cookies."

"Ok..I understand. I'm sorry." River frowns..Maka can see the bit of hurt in her eyes as she looks down at her food. Stein glances at her from the corner of his eye before looking forward.

"I'm not good at this am I?"

"Good at what?" River looks back at him.

"This. Communicating."

"It would help if you looked at me." She offers lightly..turning her body to face him. Stein stares forward a moment longer before turning his head to look at her.

"What's the point in this?" He blinks.

"It's better for talking to people. It's like your actually talking to me now." She smile slightly.

"But I was talking to you before. Why must I look at you?"

"It just makes me feel better I suppose."

"Interesting." He hums..but he does keep looking at her.

"Yeah.."

Awkward silence..River starts to fidget again..This is so awkward. She looks down..before her face falls. "What happened to your arm?"

"Oh this?" Stein blinks as he looks down at the long cut on his arm..it's been stitched together. "I wanted to test out your present..I must say it's good quality." He makes a sound that was close to a sound of approval.

"Didn't that hurt you?" River's eyes flash with something.

"Pain doesn't bother me." He shrugs slightly. " Not in the least. I like to test myself, see how much pain I can take. I always like a good experiment." His lips twitch slightly at that.

"..Your so much like him.." River mumbles.

"What was that?"

"Nothing." She looks away and starts eating her food.

"Thank you."

River chokes on her food and looks over at Stein with wide eyes. "What?"

"Thanks for the scalpel. I needed a new one. No one gets me gifts worth keeping." Stein locks eyes with her. Wwhy did you get me it though? A scalpel seems like a odd Christmas gift."

"Well..when we were partners..I saw how happy it made you holding one." She can't look at him. "That's the only thing I could think of getting you."

Stein is quiet for a moment.

"Why do you stalk me?"

"..I'm not really stalking you..I just.." She sighs. "I think we have more in common then you think."

"I highly doubt that." Stein states bluntly. " I'm going to go now."

He gets up and leaves.

Maka watches time get fast forward..she stays in the cafeteria..everyday..Stein sits with River..most of it looks so awkward.. sometimes Spirit would sit with them..but River has lost her other girl friends that use to sit with her. River doesn't' seem to care though..her and Stein talk..the mad boy seems to be getting more relaxed around her..

It's stops fast forwarding.. Maka blinks as she once again takes in Stein and River sitting at the cafeteria table.

"...So I took it by the throat and ripped it in half..this is no joke, the intestines where wrapped together, closely resembling a bow. It would seem the dog got hit so many times, his intestines some how wrapped around themselves. " Stein hums..River is just listeing, like this doesn't faze her. "Odd isn't it?"

"Weren't you sad about losing your dog?" River looks at him in concern..like she just ignored the part where he said he ripped the fucking thing apart.

"I don't get sad and why get upset about something that happens to everything? Death. It's the circle of life. it's a fact."

"Facts can be sad you know.." She mumbles. " A lot sadder then lies because facts are true."

"I don't get sad. weather it be truth or false. I don't feel pity. I have never shed a tear. There's no point in it. It's irrelevant."

River nods..only for her to stop when she looks at the two girls that just stopped by their table.

"Hello Stein." Medusa coos, leaning over the table in front of him. "Do you have..are stuff?"

"Tomorrow." He states bluntly.

"Your getting slow on us." Medusa sighs before she looks at River..She smirks at her.. and god Maka hates it..it's a predatory smirk..a knowing smirk..before Medusa walks off with Kami.

River takes a deep breath.. "Stein..what-"

"It's none of your business." He snaps suddenly..his calm tone being disturbed.

"Ok I'm sorry I didn't-"

"Am I apart of your experiment?"

"What? No-"

"Then why does it matter? Why are you so interested in my life?"

"I-"

"I was only fooling myself. You don't know me. If you did you would be afraid. like everyone else. I'm meant to be feared."

"Stein-"

"Don't say my name. Don't talk to me. Stop following me." Stein gets up quickly..and leaves..

River is left alone..watching him go with her mouth open in confusion..

Everything fades away.

When Maka can see again..She watches as River walks slowly down the school's hallway..people are giving her odd looks now..but she doens't seem to care. She just keeps walking. The bell rings and soon everyone is in class..except for River who has her head bowed.

She bumps into someone.

"I'm sorry-"She looks up at Stein..and her eyes get wide with hope. Stein doesn't even look at her. He just pushes her out the way and continues down his way. River looks so sad as she turns around and starts walking again..She's looking at her feet..deep in thought..

That's when she bumps into someone else.

"I-"

"What the fuck bitch!" This boy growls before he pushes River..her hitting the wall hard..but she makes no sound of pain. "Watch where your going!"

"I'm sorry." River speaks weakly..not making eye contact with this boy as she tries to get back up..only for him to push her back down.

"Wait a sec..I know you! Your that girl that's been talking to that creepy mother fucker. You left all your friends for him." This boy smirks. "Well..where is he now? You lost all your friends, and he's not even here to help you now. I heard you guys even stopped talking."

River doesn't say anything.

"Hey I'm talking to you! You fucking look at me when I'm talking to you!"

She doesn't.

The boy hits her across the face..River only takes it..not making a sound.

"Ohh a tough girl huh?" He growls before he hits her again..but River still doesn't' make a sound..she only takes it.

"It doesn't hurt." River says rather boldly.

"It doesn't hurt?! oh bitch i'll make it fucking hurt!" He growls as he kicks her in the stomach as hard as he can..River only takes it..she doesn't even blink..as she coughs out some blood. He grabs her by the neck and lifts her up. "I dare you..say it didn't fucking hurt again."

"It didn't hurt." She speaks again. "You can't hurt me-"

"Like fuck I can't!" He yells at her before he slams her down. He grabs her book bag..and hits it over her head..River takes it..but she hears a tear.

"Your ruining my book bag-"

"I don't give a fuck!" He throws the book bag at her..the rip most have grown because a book flies out of her book bag..and bust her lip. She only looks up at this boy. "What the fuck is wrong with you, you freak?"

River..smiles at this. "You sound..just like him."

"Fucking crazy bitch!" This boy goes to make another hit-

Only for his fist to be caught.

"What the fuck is-" The boy starts off mad..but when he looks over at who stopped him..his whole face turns pale.

Stein stands right by him..his face is blank..as he starts to grip the boys hand..The boy cries out and struggles with Stein...but soon enough there's a cracking sound.

"Stein!" River cries out..looking at the boy that was just beating the shit out of her in concern. Stein lets go of the boy..He lets out a sob, holding his hand before he runs as fast as he can away. "Stein..I-"

"He hurt you." The boy doesn't look at her a moment..then he does..his face is still blank as he takes in the blood on the floor..her busted lip..and her ruined book bag.

"It's okay." She smiles. "..It doesn't hurt."

"There's no reason to lie." Stein catches how she tenses..before he grabs her book bag..River watches as he pulls out a needle and thread from his pocket. He gets to work quickly on the book bag..and in a matter of seconds it's completely stitched up. "There." He throws it at her..River catches it looking up at him with wide eyes.

"You helped me.." She smiles again. "..Thank you..I thought..I thought you were mad at me."

"I was never mad." He gives her a long stare. "I'm just confused."

"About what?" River looks up at him..the blood on the corner of her mouth..Maka catches how Stein's lips twitch..he covers them quickly with his hands.

He turns and quickly starts to walk away-

"Stein please.." River calls after him and he pauses. "..I don't want us going back to not speaking for another month..I just..I want to understand why you pushed me away all of sudden."

He doesn't say anything for moment. "Fine River..since your so set on knowing me..meet me at my home at 7:00 o clock. I'll be waiting." With that he walks away, leaving her hurt, on the floor.

Everything fades away.

When Maka can see again..She can't help but to gasp.

River is in front of her..tied up on a table..much like she is probably still back in her time..her eyes are closed..

What the fuck happened? Is this a major time skip? Maka feels her heart tug..she doens't want River getting hurt. She doesn't want to see this.

River's eyes slowly open..and when they do..Maka's expecting to see panic..to see fear..but there's nothing in those blue eyes..she almost looks at her binds boredly..like she doesn't care.

"I can believe you actually showed up!" Stein suddenly walks in the room..holding a scalpel. "I told you never to come back here! Nothing good happens here, everyone knows that! Now look at you..you curious little kitty cat..now i'm going to dissect you." He chuckles madly. "But where are my manners?! Would you like a drink? A cup of tea first?"

"No thank you." River..smiles at him..

Hold up. What the fuck? She's..she's tied up..and..

"Do you like my work space?" Stein hums as he turns his back on her..pointing to this..room. There's blood everywhere..animal organs are pinned againstt he wall..there's a dog's rotting body on a table beside River..it looks like he already dissected it. There's some intestines on the floor..blood smeared everywhere..sharp implements..

For some reason..this looks..exactly like..the room she's in now..this mansion can't be..the same mansion Maka is in now is it?..Does it really belong to Stein? but..the lobby of this mansion looks different from her own..it doesn't have the red carpet..but maybe some one else put that in?

"Yes. it's very nice." River..smiles..

Ok..hold up. Hold the fuck up. Lets recap. This girl..has been tied up..and she's looking around..seeing things dissected..organs..sharp objects..yet she's looking around like someone would that's looking into a new home..there's no fear in her expression..no anger for being tied up..no nothing..

Maka's staring to wonder..who's more crazy..Stein..or River? She means..who the fuck does this? ' Oh yeah this is a nice room..with all these scalpels and shit that your probably going to use to chop me into pieces.' like what?..Something has to be wrong with River..maybe she's in shock right now..

"I tired to clean up a bit for you.." He giggles. "But there's so much blood! but that's ok right? Your blood is just going to be mixed in with these animals.."

And River says..

"I don't mind."

"What?!" Maka can't help to shout at her at that.

Stein doesn't seem to notice that she's..really not scared at all as he chuckles to himself. "I'm going to use your scalpel..put it to good use..thanks again by the way!" He chuckles before he walks over towards her...that scalpel ready, a mad smile on his lips. he points the scalpel at her..leaning in close. "Aren't you scared of me River?" He smirks at her.

"No."

"..What?" Stein's mad smirk falls.

"I'm not scared." She smiles at him...

"..Your lying." Stein smirks again. "Of course you are. Everyone is scared. Who wouldn't be scared of this?" He puts the scalpel against her chest-

"Are you going to take off my shirt?" River's eyes finally flash with a panic. "Could you just cut threw my shirt? I would rather that.."

..Huh?..is anyone else confused?..because Maka fucking is.

"No, I want to see that smooth skin before I destroy it." Stein chuckles darkly. "Your a pretty thing River.."

"You won't think i'm pretty if you take my shirt off.." River mumbles. "Just..do what you want but keep my shirt on-"

"I don't think so." He smirks as he runs the scalpel down..only cutting the shirt's fabric." You won't need clothes where your-" His eyes fall on her exposed skin..and he stops. He stops completely.

River's stomach..her chest..is covered in cuts..some are scars..some look fresh..some parts of her are blue..and there's many stiches on her stomach like she's already been cut up. It's..horrible.

"My back is worse.." River is quiet..she seems..ashamed. "See? I told you..you wouldn't think i'm beautiful if you took off my shirt.."

Stein looks..shocked. He touches her stomach..pressing on parts that are suppose to hurt..but..River doesn't even blink.

"..Does it disgust you?" River's voice is no more then a whisper.

"..No." Stein blinks..before looking up at her. ".. I don't understand..what is this?..why aren't you afraid?..why are you looking at me like that?" He seems a bit panicked now.

"When you don't feel pain..there's not much you fear." She looks at him..and smiles. "..I have..a condition. All my nerves are shut down..I can't feel anything..I can't feel pain..can't feel hot, or cold..I could have my hand on a stove..my hand could be burnt to a crisp..and I still wouldn't feel it. it's a rare condition..some how I was unlucky enough to get it."

"You..can't feel pain?" Stein blinks..before he takes his scalpel..and shoves it completely through her hand..Maka cringes..but..

River doesn't even blink.

She really can't feel..now it's starting to make more sense..with her being out in the cold..and that boy's hits not even getting her to blink..

"..Interesting.." Stein pulls the scalpel out..he rubs his chin thoughtfully. "A nerve disorder? Very rare indeed.." he looks at her with that predatory glint. "..This still doesn't explain what's wrong with your stomach."

"Don't worry. I did most of this myself." She smiles again.

"Why?"

"..To see if I could feel pain." Her smile falls. "..People take so much for granted..even pain..they don't know how lucky they are..to be able to feel..even pain..it feels like i'm nothing..like i'm a ghost just floating about my day..I don't feel hot..I don't feel the snow when it falls on me or the rain..I don't feel anything." She shakes her head. "I know it's pointless..but I hurt myself anyway..it makes me feel better..it reminds me of my father.." she smiles at that. "You remind me of him..he was a scientist too you know? That's where I got that scalpel..he never got to use it. It's been awfully lonely..the cuts make me not feel so alone..the false pain..brings back good memories."

"..I thought your father was a restaurant owner?" Stein blinks. "..And your mother is always around..that's what I've heard people say about you-"

"I lied." Those two words..come out..in such a painful tone. Everything gets quiet." Yeah. I lied. I always lie." For the first time..River's voice is bitter. "I lie to everyone..I told everyone that I had a mother and father that loved me..that they treat me so well..that they're both successful..but do you want to know the truth..the horrible truth Stein?" Her voice is trembling. "They're dead. Both of them. I live alone in my home..and it's so lonely. I lie..and say i'm happy. That I have a good life..because no one would want to hear my sad story..not when they want to live happy lives. So I always lie. I always smile..because that's all I can do. I didn't want anyone to pity me..I pity myself enough." These words are hard for her. "..You know..I never saw my mother..I would lie..and say these great things about her..truth be told..I never even knew her. She died while giving birth to me.."

By this point River is trembling.

"My dad hated me for it. He hated my guts. He blamed me for my mother's death..and he hit me. Most of these bruises..these scars are from him. He beat me to a bloody pulp. He got drunk a lot..and if anything happened wrong..or if he messed something up..he would grab a hold of me and beat me..back then I didn't understand that this was wrong..I would smile..because I didn't feel the pain..i thought..it was the way my father showed he loved me. Not till I saw kids get hugged by their fathers at school..and not punched in the face..that I realized..what my father was doing wasn't normal. But I was ok with it. It didn't hurt..and when he was hitting me..I wasn't alone. In a sick way..I thought it was our father daughter time. I would lie..just as I always do..to the teaches when I would get new bruises..I would lie through my teeth..I didn't want my dad getting in trouble..I understood why he was doing it..and I knew I deserved it. My father hated my disorder. He hated that I couldn't feel..Sometimes he would cut me open..and yet..I would smile at him..because it never hurt. I always smiled at him..and I think he hated me more for it. He wanted me to suffer..but I couldn't feel his blows..it doesn't mean my heart didn't hurt." She takes a deep breath. "..In a sick way I miss him..you see..my father got cancer..he blamed me for that too..he beat me as much as he could..till he got so weak..he just couldn't..He spent his final days in his lab..trying to figure out a cure for cancer..but he died before he could." A tear falls down her face. "..So you see..what do I have to be afraid of? Death? No..i'm not even scared of that..because if I can't feel anything now..I won't feel anything when I die. i'll just disappear. There it is stein. The ugly, horrible truth."

She closes her eyes..the tears falling more.

"You asked me..why I stalk you..and that's because..I see you as a kindred spirit. We both don't have our parents..we're both alone..I wanted to comfort you..because..I thought that if I felt lonely..that you did to. I understand you..more then you think. I know you, just as I knew my father..it's all about learning. Nothing else matters..experimentation..and observation." She opens her eyes..and looks at him. "..So do what you want Stein. It doesn't hurt..it will never hurt..I mind as well just be..a limp doll..I have no feeling..my body doesn't feel.." she trembles. "..But that doesn't make me any less human does it?"

For the longest time..Stein just stares at her. His stone eyes give nothing away..before he reaches out..and touches her cheek. "..You want to feel pain? You want to feel?"

"More then anything." She looks up at him with those blue pools.

"..I could help you.." Stein's voice is..quiet. "I may not be a doctor yet..but i'm smarter then most of them. They don't have the devotion I do..if I could figure out what makes you tick..I could figure out a way to fix it, to make you feel..there's a problem with your nervous system maybe? Maybe the pain sectors aren't' sending the messages..?" he grabs the scalpel. "..If I cut you open..then I could figue it out.."

"Then do it." River doesn't even blink.

"Your willing to let me dissect you?..your willing for me to cut you open?" Stein looks her in the eyes.

"I don't feel Stein..i'm willing to do anything if you think it could make me feel." She smiles at him. "..Even if you couldn't..even if you just wanted to cut me open..I wouldn't mind. I would like to see that smile of yours again."

"..Your not scared..you want to see my smile..you.." Stein seems to have a hard time to wrap his head around this. "Why?"

"Because..I like you." River blushes slightly. "..your..real. So unlike me. You say what you feel..you do what you want no matter how much people looks down on it..I lie through my teeth..my teeth are rotten..yet..your feelings..your actions..they're all the true." she smiles. "in a way I look up to you..I want to be like you Stein."

"Your insane."

River frowns slightly-

"But so am I." Stein..gives her a smirk. "..If your serious about this..then i'll help you River. I'll cut you open as many times as I need to..to cure you of your disorder."

"Please..please do." She looks up at him hopefully as he grips the scalpel.

"First surgery of many." Stein crackles as he presses the scalpel on her stomach.

"..Does this mean were friends?" River asks quietly..

Stein doesn't answer..he just slides the scalpel down her stomach..

Everything fades away..

Maka watches as scene after scene past by..River is on that table a lot..all cut up..her skull open..showing her brain..and River is just staring..no pain at all.. more scenes..she's always on that table..always cut up different ways..with Stein over her..sometimes he injects her with something..and soon..as the scenes go by..he didn't just using his scalpel on her..it starts out slow..like him caressing her cheek as he cuts into her stomach..him rubbing her shoulder..and at one point..he kisses her..her insides are showing..but she kisses him back..she can see the love in that kiss..

It's sweat in the sickest of ways.

The scenes keep coming..Stein writing papers..on the computer..dissecting River..him stitching her up..him on top of her, kissing her, smearing her blood on her face...

Everything stops fast forwarding..River is on that table once again..it looks like it's been a couple of years..River looks older and so does Stein..his features are much more masculine..Stein is messing with something..his back turned to her..

"So.." Stein turns around. "How was work today?"

"You should know, you were there." River giggles. "You ask me that every day."

"I just need to make sure my little experiment isn't getting harassed by the mad patients."

"Hah, haa. Very funny doctor Stein." River teases. "I fit right in with the crazies apparently to you."

"I think we both do." He grins as he mixes something together in a bottle.

"..Do you think they can be cured?" River suddenly frowns.

"The patients at the asylum?" Stein looks at her and she nods. He frowns. "..I don't think there is a cure for madness." His voice is odd.

"I think there's a cure for everything.." River gets a far away look. "..We just have to keep looking."

Stein doesn't say anything. "..Do you still believe I can cure you River?..after all this time?"

"Of course." River smiles at him. "I know you can..you work wonders..I wouldn't be surprised if you could find the cure to even Madness it's self!"

"heh.." Stein takes a deep breath before he turns to her. "..Drink this..lets see if this works."

River nods..before she takes the cup into her hands and drinks it.. Stein takes his scalpel..and like so many times before presses it into her skin-

"Ow!" She winces..and Stein stops immediately..his eyes lighting up.

"Did you..?"

"..I don't know..do it again." River watches as he stabs her..lightly this time..her face scrunches up. "Ow that hur-" River stops...her eyes so wide. "it..it hurts.." Her lips..rip into the biggest smile. "It hurts! it hurts! Stein it hurts!" She screams now..as she jumps on Stein, wrapping her arms around his neck. 'You did it! You really did it! I can feel..oh god your so warm! Have you always been this warm? Your skin..it's so rough!" River is crying in her happiness. "I knew..I knew you could do it..after all these years..you did it! You really did it!"

"I did..didn't I?" Stein wraps his arms around her..his eyes are a bit wide..before he pulls her away..he looks at the smile on her face, those happy tears. "I never did understand happy tears..if your happy why are you crying?"

"It's just..I don't know! I'm just so happy! you..I feel..I really feel Stein..and it's all because of you.." She clings to him..

Stein leans in a kisses her roughly..Maka seeing him using some tongue..when he pulls away..River is so red in the face..her out of breath. "..So you can feel now huh?" He grins. "Lets have a experiment shall we? You've had a taste of pain.." He lays her on her back on the operating table. He smirks, hovering over her. "Let me give you a taste of pleasure."

Before River can say anything..he's kissing her again..Stein's hands on her waist..hers being wrapped around his neck..their kiss is heated..her legs wrap around his waist..Maka sees it..the smile on Stein's face..he isn't smiling while cutting her up..

He's smiling caressing her.

Everything fades away.

Maka blinks as she looks at River..she's on a hospital bed..smiling down at a bundle in her arms..She looks so tired..worn out. Stein stands a bit awkwardly next to her..staring at the bundle with a unreadable expression.

"Are you still happy you can feel?" Stein blinks at her...he has a smirk on his face.

"Yes..even though that hurt really..really bad..I am. The pain makes it all the more worth it.." She smiles at the buddle. "isn't he beautiful Stein? Our son.." Tears are in her eyes.

Stein doesn't say anything..he just stares at the buddle like it's a alien from outer space.

"..Are you going to leave us?" River's voice is nothing but a whisper. "..I know you weren't asking for this..I understand if you don't want to be with me anymore..you don't like feeling trapped, you told me that once. you don't have to stay..if you don't want to."

Stein stares at her for a moment..before looking at the baby. "No. I'm staying."

"But it thought you said you never wanted a family.." River frowns.

"Yes." He glances at her before looking away. "..That was before I had one."

"Stein.." River looks at him with wide eyes..before she looks down at her bundle. "..Would you like to hold him?"

Stein tenses..but he nods..so carefully River hands him the small baby..the new life that these two people made..that they brought into the world..Stein holds the baby awkwardly..it obvious he doens't know what he's doing.

"Hold him close to your chest." River smiles up at him.

Stein listens..looking down at this baby with blank eyes..The baby looks back at him..with those piercing blue eyes..the baby grabs Stein's finger..the man tensing..only to relax..

That's when..that rare smile comes to Stein's lips..

"Your right River.." He looks at the baby's blue eyes..before looking at River's own. "..He's beautiful...my son.."

River's smile is so bright..so happy..

Everything fades away.

When Maka can see again..she's in a small room..River and Stein are sitting in front of this man..a desk between them..This man looks old..wore out..his eyes are cold..harsh. "..I'm afraid I have bad news Mrs. River."

"What is it?" Stein grabs River's hand protectively..glaring at this man.

"..River..you have lung cancer." This man locks eyes with her..Stein takes a in take of breath..River says nothing. "..We've done some tests..and it seems it's hereditary..your dad had it yes?"

She nods slowly.

"There must be some mistake." Stein speaks up. "I check her regularly. I make sure she's healthy. She-"

"Did you not hear what I said doctor Stein? it's hereditary. It doesn't matter how healthy she is..it was passed on to her." The man rubs his eyes. "..Now River..it seems you've been ignoring the signs to your disease..your cancer has gotten pretty bad..we could put you on chemotherapy..but there's no guarantee it would work..at this point..you have only a 15% chance of living-"

"This is a joke!" Stein gets up..rage in those stone eyes.." A 15% chance?! Has all your supposedly research on cancer done nothing?!" Stein kicks his chair..for once..rage is taking over his actions.

"Have you gone mad? You of all people should know about this kind of thing..it's not my fault your wife has cancer. it isn't anyone's fault-"

"You-"

"Stein.." River shakes her head..and Stein stops..looking over at her..and if she didn't know better..she would say..she saw sadness in those stone eyes..desperation. "..I don't want to do chemo..I saw what it did to my father..it destroyed him more then the cancer did..and for what? 15% chance of living? No thank you. I don't want any treatment.."

Stein's face falls.

Everything fades away..

"This can't be happening.." Stein paces back and forth..River is sitting on a bed..watching Stein, a frown on her face...for some reason Maka can tell this isn't' the mansion..did they move? "..When was the last time I checked you up? Wasn't it only a month ago? Or was it longer?.. did the cancer spread in that time?..right under my nose?..if I known..I could have stopped it..I could have-"

"It's not your fault..it was bound to happen Stein." River gets up..and hugs him from behind.

"Why are you so calm? River your going to die!" Stein yells at her..and pushes her away.

"I might not die..there's a 15% chance that I-"

"Don't." Stein snaps..but..did she just..hear his voice crack a little. "You can't be hopeful now. You know 15% isn't anything." He turns his back to her..he takes deep..deep breaths.. before his shoulders tense. "..I..I can fix this." His hands shake as he turns to face her again..his stone eyes wide and odd looking. "I..I cured your disorder..I can cure your cancer..if I just..I can do it..just like I did your disorder.." he looks in her eyes..there's a hint of desperation. "..Do you believe I can do it?"

"Of course." River walks up..and gives him a kiss..that smile still on her face.

Maybe that's all he needs to hear..because he hugs her..so tightly. "..I'll have to cut you open again..it will hurt now so i'll give you medicine..i'll do this just like I did back then..I promise you River..I will save you."

"I believe you." She nuzzles her head into his chest.

"..Should we tell-"

"No." She shakes her head. "..Our son doesn't need to know..I don't want him to be sad"

"So your going to lie..and pretend this is ok?" Stein grits his teeth.

"Yes.." She smiles sadly. "..I always lie."

Scenes start to go by fast again..once again River on a operating table...Stein over her..cutting her open..he's sweating..he's nervous. She sees him in his lab..working from morning to night..on the computter..researching..mixing chemicals..injecting animals with them..writing down the data..most of Stein's days are in the lab..he must have quit his job..he just works on trying to find this cure..this cure for River..for cancer..most days he doesn't eat..he just works..and works..and works..he doesn't have a family life..he only sees River when he's cutting her up..He's working so hard..researching so much..

Finally everything slows down..

"This is..this is what we've been waiting for..this is where all our work comes to..this will cure you..I have it now! i've done it!" Stein laughs..before hugging River..who looks a lot paler..a lot more frail..she smiles brightly..and hugs him back..

"I knew you could do it Stein.." She holds him..and closes her eyes..

Maka smile slightly..even though she hates fucking Stein..she's happy..happy River is going to live-

That's when she sees it..Stein left the glass of the cure..on the table behind him..He's too busy celebrating with her..to see what Maka is seeing..

There's a snake..on the table..Maka watches with dread..as the snake..drops something into the cure..It looks at Stein with dark glee..before it slivers away.

No..No..wait..

Stein pulls away..with that smile on his face.. "Come on..lets get this in you..and end this."

"Okay." She nods with that smile as Stein lets go of her..and grabs the cure off the table..he hands it over to her..no..no wait..something' wrong..don't! Rver grabs it..and drinks it..

A soon as she does..she drops the glass..her eyes getting wide..she makes a choking sound..before she pukes out some green goo.. Stein..seeing this as not something that's suppose to happen..his smile quickly falls as he grabs her. "What..what? What's wrong River? This..this was suppose to heal you! I went over all my notes..this was it! This had to be it!"

River keeps puking..her face getting so pale..her body shaking..

Stein looks like he's panicking. "..How..how could it have been wrong? What have I done?! River please hold on!..I believe I wrote down a antidote..just in case..something like this would happen..please stay with me..please River.." He holds her so close. "I-I'm..i'm sorry..i'm so sorry-"

"Don't leave me..please.." River pleads..looking up at him with those weak blue eyes.

"I have to..I have to get the ingredients for the antidote..i'll be back River..I promise i'll save you..River please.. don't die..don't' die on me now.."

She makes a choking sound..her eyes welling up with tears..Stein can't look at her. "I have to go..now. I don't know..how much time you have left.." He gives her a kiss on the lips..it's deep..full of remorse..before he pulls away from her..River reaches out for him..those tears falling more..

Stein closes his eyes..before he runs.. Maka runs after him..he's running out of this house..this small house..just as Stein opens the door..someone else was coming in..

Everything stops for Maka..everything goes in slow motion..Stein running out of the house..pushing a boy out of the way..before he runs do his car..and drives away..

"What's up with him..?" Ragnarok mumbles.. a young Ragnarok mumbles..his eye brow raised..

Maka can't move. Cant' think..

Stein is..Ragnarok's father..?

No..No way..

"Mom?" Ragnarok calls..there's no response. The boy frowns before he walks into the other room..seeing his mother on the floor..green goo around her..her eyes weak..she passed out. "Mom!" Ragnarok screams..

Everything fades away.

When Maka can see again..Ragnarok is standing in front of his mother's grave..like she saw so long ago..that hate in his eyes..his chest puffing..the rain pouring down on him..Maka watches him walk away..to meet his aunt..the crazy fucking aunt that's going to scar him for life..

Maka frowns when she looks at the head stone..she remembers in the last memory of this..the name on the head stone was unclear..

But now it's crystal clear.

"Here lies River..a friend..a mother."

River..River died..Ragnarok's mother died..

Maka feels a deep sadness over come her..and she almost cries..She saw River's life..she saw what kind of person she was..it's just..

Heart breaking.

Maka doesn't know how long she stands there..in till someone else shows up..her chest tightens up..as she sees Stein..slowly walk towards River's grave..the rain water is pouring on him..but he doesn't care. He stops right in front of her grave..before he falls to his knees before it.

"I..I was too late.." A shaky hand touches the stone. "..River..I failed you..you believed in me...you trusted me..and I killed you.." He's trembling. "..I'm sorry I wasn't at the funeral..even though..I dont' know why i'm talking to myself. Your dead. You can't hear me. Your gone.." he takes a deep breath. "..Believe me..I tried..I thought..I thought my cure was flawless..it wasn't suppose to..this wasn't suppose to.." he hits the ground with his fist. "..We were suppose to die together..that's how you wanted it remember? You said you wanted to grow old with me? But damn it you were so young!" He roars..before he stops..his body going slack. "..And yet it's my fault..i'm the one that took your young life..what was suppose to be your cure..ended up killing you. Our son hates me now River..I can't stand to face him now.." He lays his head against the tomb stone. "..Remember..when you told me Christmas..was so much more lonely when you are alone..I understand that now..I hate Christmas..you know that..and yet..you died on Christmas day..I left our son alone to deal with that...this Christmas has been the loneliest..River..I miss you. Already.. I miss you.." His voice is cracking. "..River..you gave me so much..you were the first..to not fear me..truly not fear me for who I was..you trusted me enough to let me cut you open..for you to let me cut into you for my own joy..but soon..that cutting wasn't what was giving me joy..it was you..it always was. You trusted me..and I failed you..I failed you River..." She's never seen this man so..broken. Where's his smirk? That calm attitude? that 'I don't give a fuck about anything' attitude? where is his blank face? Where is that mad smirk..

No..Stein is a broken man.

"Tell me you hate me.." His voice is uneven. "..Tell me..your not scared..I hope your not scared..for once in my life..I hope there is a god..because I want you to be some where River..you deserve paradise..after all the shit you have been though..River..I'm sorry.."

And then..she sees it..

The tears..silent tears falling down his face..the rain is covering it up though..

Stein stays here..for hours..the sky turns light..then dark..then light again..he's just stayed here..his head bowed over the tomb stone..he hasn't moved..he's been here at least a day..

"Hey sir." A man stops by him..he frowns at the man. "I know your morning your loved one..but it's time for you to go home..get something to eat..you've been here for a day..and I got to clean up around the grave yard."

Stein doesn't respond.

"Hey really you have to-" This man starts again-

"Do you know..what true pain is?" Stein doesn't look at this man.

"..I'm not to sure-"

"You don't. You don't know what true pain is.." Stein slowly gets up..his arms hanging limply at his sides. "..I didn't either. I didn't even know such pain existed..it's interesting really.."

"Alright I think you-"

Suddenly Stein lashes out..grabbing this man by the arm. The man tenses in surprise..before punching Stein in the gut. "Get the hell off me guy!-"

"..Your alive..but she's dead..it's not fair..it's so not fair.." Stein looks up..and then she sees it..

The utter madness in his eyes..he's lost it..he's completely lost it.

The man sees this to..but before he can even do anything..Stein head butts this man hard on the head..the force getting him to fall back..the man groans..his eyes fluttering.

"Pain..you don't know what pain is.." Stein laughs madly..as he pulls out a scalpel..and some how..Maka knows it's the one River gave him. "I'll show you if you like..i'll show you pain..i'll show you death..just like her..just like her."

The man tries to get up..only for Stein to stab down into his thigh..getting the man to let out a scream..but it's at night..they're in a dark grave yard..far away from homes..Stein smirks as he drags the scalpel down..cutting through muscle..and tissue easily.. this man struggles as he does the same with the other leg..

When Stein pulls away..the man's legs are nothing but a bloody mess.

"Does that hurt?"

"You sick bastard!" this man screams..and tries to crawl away..not able to use his legs.

"I am a sick bastard aren't I?" He stabs the scalpel..right into this man's spinal cord. He lets out a yell..before his body goes rigid. "Your paralyzed now..you'll never be able to move..your nothing but a statue..but you can still feel..cant' you?" Stein turns this man around..that man's eyes hold pain..and fear. "Let me end this life of yours..it hurts doesn't it?.." he crackles. "..I'm a murderer did you know? I killed her..I failed..so why should you live? no..you don't get to live.." he leans in close..that mad smile on his face. "Are you scared?"

The man..unable to even move his head..only looks at him with pleading eyes.

"I don't like not being answered. "He laughs loudly..before he starts to hack..he's not even paying attention to what he's doing..he's just hacking away..laughing..his body trembling..he's gone..she can see in his mad eyes..he's completely lost it..

After so long..he stops hacking..and when he looks down..that man is nothing but a bloody mess. "..I bet you were afraid.." He grips the scalpel in his hand..before he brings it to his own face. "I hate you..but I hate myself more. This is only the beginning..only the begging of the terror I'm going to bring. Why should anyone be so happy? when i'm miserable? no.. I will find where I went wrong with River..I will find the real cure..even if it means killing countless people doing so..They don't see me like you do River..they don't have your eyes..they don't know..they're afraid.."

Stein presses the scalpel on his cheek..

"And they should be."

Maka watches in horror..as stein digs into his own face with the scalpel..cutting his own flesh up with the scalpel River had given him..he laughs loudly..his blood spatting..and when he pulls away..his flesh is hanging loosely..she can see his teeth through his cheek..Stein reaches into his pocket..pulling out needle and thread..he gets to work..stitching the bloody mess..he can't see what he's doing..so the stitches are crooked..

"This.." Stein smirks..his face..is so militated.. "Is the face of terror..I will always have these scars River..to show what I am..a terror." Stein's eyes fall on that bloody man. "..oh how rude..let me put you back together.."

Stein gets to work with his needle and thread..when he's done..in no way, shape, or form does this person look human again..it looks like a bloody mass held together by stiches. "Good as new! and I should know! i'm a doctor!" He crackles madly..before he gets up with his scalpel..He walks away..leaving this body for the cops to find..

Some of the stiches..spell out..' terror' on the body.

Everything fades away.

Now Stein is sitting at a desk..he's holding his head in his hands.. "What..what can I say to him..?" Stein grips a pencil...a piece of paper in front of him. "..What can I say to him that I haven't already?..That i'm sorry?..No..i've already said that..maybe that..I-"

His train of thoughts are cut off by screaming..there's a girl tired up behind him..screaming her head off..

"Would you be quiet? i'm trying to write to my son!" Stein growls..his face looks a bit cleaner now..more like he is now..as he looks down at the paper. "Now..son..I..-"

She keeps screaming..she's scared..who wouldn't be? This room is full of blood and guts..organs in jars..chemicals..

"That's it." Stein grinds his teeth as he gets up..grabs his scalpel..she makes one final scream before he shoves the scalpel through her brain..silencing her for good. "Jeez..can't even write to my son." Stein shakes his head before he takes a seat at his desk. "...Lets see.. ' Son.. I know you hate me..and i'm sure you know who I am..and what i've done..I'm writing this to let you know..I'm ending it all soon. I keep forgetting my purpose..I haven't been able to find the cure for cancer..i've tired..I have..but I keep forgetting about my purpose..because it's hard to remember your mother..it's hard to remember..what i've done..again i'm sorry..'" Stein speaks out loud..as he writes the letter..he folds it up..and puts it into a envelope..he seals it up..before walking over to a shoot in his room..he puts the letter down the shoot.

"My..another one?" A voice coos behind him..Stein turns..to see Medusa smirking at him. "I've come for my shipment..but of course you know that."

"Yes..all those jars on the shelf are yours." Stein states boredly.

"Perfect! Just what I need!" She smirks as she walks over to the shelf..and puts all the jars into a bag she's holding. She gives Stein a wad of cash. "I wouldn't know what I would do without you Stein."

Stein doesn't respond as he takes the money and counts it.

Medusa looks over at a picture on his desk..a picture of River. "Ah..still upset about her death?-"

"Fuck off." Stein's voice is full of hate. "Don't talk about her. Don't even look at her."

"Your so mean." Medusa sighs.. Maka feels her blood boil. "Is that any way to talk to her replacement?" She crackles at that.

"You could never replace her. Your just a whore. That was one time..an it's obvious who you were to me at the time."

"Of course..you closed her eyes and pretended I was your 'precious' River." Medusa smirks..oh god..Maka hates..hates..hates her. "I'm sure you'll come back to me again..when your loneliness gets the best of you..when you want some one to hold, someone to pretend that it's your lost love..your pathetic Stein."

"Get out." Stein grinds his teeth. "Get out of here now."

"Fine. I'll be back for my next shipment." Medusa shrugs and starts to walk out-

"There won't be a next shipment." Stein growls..and she stops. "I'm ending this. I have one more job before I'm done being the 'terror'.."

"And what are you going to do after?" Medusa turns and raises her eye brow.

"..Work at Dark Side Asylum..me and River-"

"Use to work there together." Medusa hums. "So touching. To bad she died right?"

A scalpel is thrown in her direction..barley missing her..she blinks, looking innocent. "My..did you just try to kill me?"

"No, if I was trying you'd already be dead." Stein's voice is nothing but malice. "Get out of here you snake"

"You'll come back to me.." Medusa smirks. "..your mine..and I always get what I want.."

She walks out of the room.

Everything fades away.

"Is this everything?" Big Al looks at all these chemicals in front of him..before he looks up at Stein.

"All of it." Stein states. "This is my last job for you..i'm quitting this..getting a real job."

"Ah, I get it. I get it." Big Al grins. "Well..it was nice doing business with you." Big Al holds out his hand..Stein takes it and shakes it..he has a blank face as he turns to walk out of this place-

"You know..your son is looking for you." Big Al speaks..

"..He is?" Stein's expression lights up and he turns to look at Big Al.

"Yup..he's even trying to join my gang." Big Al smirks." You got one hell of a son there 'terror' I gave him one last assignment..which he's out doing right now..then he'll be back..and I promised him I'd tell him where you are." Big Al takes a drag of his cigar.

"That's..that's.." Stein frowns a moment..before his eyes light up. "..Perfect.." He grins at Big Al. "Tell him..I'll be at Dark Side asylum waiting for him.."

"I'll be honest 'terror' I think he wants to kill you."

"I know." Stein..grins all the more. " I know all too well.."

Stein leaves..with almost a skip in his step...a resolve in his eyes.

Everything fades completely away.

---

Maka's eyes refocus..the tightening of her throat coming back to her..she still can't breathe..Stein is staring into her eyes..his stone eyes so wide..till she sees them shift. He lets go of her neck as if she was on fire and takes steps back..holding his hand as if she really burned him..

She has stopped struggling..It's like..the pain in her stomach..in her wrists..the duck tape on her mouth..fades away..and it's just her and Stein..and she's staring at him with wide eyes..Her chest twisting..tightening..She's not even aware she can breathe normally..without Stein's hand on her throat..

Stein just stares at her..his glasses have fallen off..shattering on the floor..He stares at her with those stone eyes..the eyes that those glasses can no longer hide from her. Maka may be the one tied up..but Stein is the one exposed to her. His stone expression has turned to glass..it's shattering..revealing his true expression..true feelings..

For some reason..it's harder to look at then his ass hole smirk..harder to look at then his mad smile..because for some reason..

It hurts her.

"You saw it..didn't you?" The man's voice..that once was yelling at her..once was shaking..is now steady..back calm..yet there's a sadness in it..that gets her chest to tighten more. "You saw what I lost didn't you? You saw my mistake..you saw what i've done..What i've done to her..how I failed." He bows his head..

Maka tires to speak to him..tries to tell him what she saw..that it was Medusa..it fucking had to be..he had the cure for cancer then..that bitch fucked it up. Medusa killed River! Not you Stein! But her words are lost in the duck tape..He doesn't know..and he won't take the duck tape off..

She..doesn't care about saying a spell..she doens't care about getting free in this moment..she just wants to tell him..to let him know what she saw that he didn't..Some how..some fucking how..

She feels pity..for Stein. She hated him..she despised him..and a part of her still does..a part of her doesn't want to forgive him for what he's said about her mother..for what he might have done to her mother..but yet..when she thinks of River..there's such a strong pain..Stein didn't have anyone..River was..Maka dare say his love..and he lost her, thought he had killed her. He snapped..and went crazy..He always was a ass hole..but..

It all makes sense now..

Stein is Ragnarok's father..

Though Ragnarok would hate this..she notices the similarities..The rage they have..Their strengh..The way they are loyal to seemly one person..ass holes..She sees it in Stein's facial features..she can see some Ragnarok..

Ragnarok got his mother's eyes and hair..but he has his father's face.

"..It was never suppose to be like this..did you know that?" Stein doesn't look at her. "River and I..we were suppose to grow old together and die. I was suppose to be a doctor..and her a nurse. We were suppose to have a peaceful life.." His voice..never looses that calmness. "Cancer..is a horrid disease..and I thought too much of myself..I actually thought I had made the cure..can you believe it? How foolish I had been? I had to try though..I couldn't lose River..yet in the end..it was I, who took her life.."

'No! No it was Medusa! She did something to the cure!' Maka screams..but it doesn't get past the duck tape...she's not really even sure..if Stein knows she's here anymore..if he's just speaking to himself.

"I murdered her. Destroyed that smile that I adored. How could I face my son? No...i'm a fucking coward.." he takes a deep breath. "Remember that antidote I was talking about? That bloody antidote?..it was a lie. There was no antidote..I just..I just couldn't stand to be around her..and watch her die because of my mistake..I left her alone, with our son to deal with the illness I inflicted apon her. I tried to make a antidote..oh how I did..but I couldn't identify the illness..I made a illness with no cure..and I gave it to my wife to drink. Then I left her..just like that..because I knew..I could see it in her eyes..and the way her body convulsed..That green, unnatural goo..River was dying. Either her cancer would kill her..or my disease..I couldn't watch..I couldn't be there."

" I was angry. I could even dare say I was mad at River..mad she would leave me. Mad she got cancer. Mad that she made me feel this way, mad she gave me a family..only for her to leave me. Though this is irrational. None of it was her fault..I knew this..yet..I was angry..I was mostly angry at myself...I still am. Her face haunts my dreams, haunts every darken corner..I tried to forget about her, tried to hide myself in my madness..getting revenge on the world..while..still looking for a damn cure to cancer... I never found it. I never found how I went wrong..and when I would fail..I took it out on my..victims. I was a terror. Everyone feared me. I was a story that parents would tell their kids so they would stay inside at night..so they wouldn't talk to strangers. I ripped any one apart..from kids to adults..it didn't matter. They're nothing but flesh..but River..River was something..a someone..yet she died. She was taken from me. So why should anyone else live? Why should they be able to breathe..when River's breath has been stolen? No. I went mad..I still am."

" I was always mad, it's apart of who I am..yet I knew how to keep it controlled..till the day River died..I welcomed madness..it was my release..those bloody screams were my release. I tried to forget about River..yet I kept her picture out all the time so I could see it..I tried to forget my son..yet I would write him when ever I got the chance..I never put the address. I wasn't ready to see him. Some times I did forget about River..but when I was alone..in bed..staring at the ceiling..I found myself remembering the feel of her body against mine..when I would hold her as she slept on my chest..I remembered her soft breathing and smile.."

His words are turning bitter.

"I was weak when Medusa came to me..offering a job offer I couldn't refuse..many wanted my services..and I needed the money for my experiments..for my books..so I could find the cure for cancer..She slivered her way into my heart...I had a moment of weakness. I held Medusa..just so I could pretend it was River..just so I could feel..as if I still had her..that I wasn't alone. You know I felt guilty afterwards?..Yet River is dead..but it felt as if she was still alive..and I had hurt her. I hate Medusa..but you probably don't know that. I despise her. We are nothing but business partners..this is my home did you know that? I let her use it..for she told me..that she could give me the cure for cancer..that there was a being that could be the answers to all my problems. She brings out the demon in me. I've made far to many mistakes to count..and now that I have this moment of sanity to think them over..it makes me sick. I feel sick."

His voice..is so..so bitter.

"..Maka..do you think I hurt your mother?"

She tenses at that..she cant' say anything but she looks at him with those green eyes.

"Because I didn't. You didn't like me back at the asylum, yet believe it or not..back then I was sane. I was in control. I gave up the 'terror' lifestyle..so that I could focus on doing something with my life..for doing something for River. I wanted to be back where me and her had worked..I wanted a sense of her again..even though it hurt. I did good. I drunk coffee to keep my mind focused..I kept all thoughts of River out of my mind as I worked with the patients..believe it or not I did want to help them. Unlike the 'terror's' victims..those people were just like me. Mad. Crazy. Misunderstood. While I cared for them, I did research..I wanted the cure for madness. The end of the insanities so that I may be at peace with myself..I was doing fine. I tried to do all I could for your mother Maka..I never did anything to hurt her, though I know I hinted towards that..they were all lies. I wanted to upset you, I wanted to get your blood to boil..because Medusa told me that was the way to get what I want most. It's sad I believed her. I was shaken up after your mother died..I failed her like I failed River..and when Spirit was killed..it only made my sanity all the thinner. As the days went by..old thoughts..old habits started to bounce around my head..I couldn't even look into a mirror without seeing some monster with those three damn eyes..My madness was growing..and when you three escaped the aslyum..it sent me over the edge. I lost it. I wondered outside the asylum..grinning to myself..till I ran into her again. The snake. She told me about you..promised me things..acted sweet to me..smiled at me like River did. I took the bait. I went back to being how I use to be..mad, crazy, evil. The rules were broken..because madness follows no rules..and that's what had control of me. It still does, just not as much. I can think for a moment."

Maka looks at Stein..and any anger she had towards him..fades away. He..he didn't do anything to her mother..She can hear the truth in his words..these words are true..Stein has no stone wall protecting him anymore..she broke it. She hated him..because of what he said..of what he did..yet..

Why is she feeling like this? She's tied up and still bleeding out of her stomach, damn it!..but she doesn't care. She only looks at him intently..her mind swirling at his words.

"..I wanted my son to kill me..did you know that?" Stein hasn't moved a muscle. "I wrote to him..I told him I was sorry..but I knew that I failed him. I left him..and I knew..he would find it was me..that I was the one that killed her..I knew he would want revenge..so when Big Al told me..he was looking for me..I felt..at peace. I wanted to see my son..one final time. See how he'd grown..before he rips me to pieces. I wanted him to take me out..I was ready for him.." Stein's voice is getting uneven. "..Something happened though..I..I some how forgot about my son..just as I forgot about river..yet..I still had river some where in the back of my mind..yet my son..I forgot I had one. Even now..I can't recall his name..I remember him now..I remember his face.." Stein grips his fist. "..He never found me. I never saw him again..I want to say..he just figured I wasn't worth his time..but..some part of me knows..he's gone. The boy must have died..trying to fine me..and if possible..it feels as if I lost River all over again. Their deaths are on me."

Maka frowns..he doesn't know what Ragnarok's been through..or the hell of a death he had..and it's best he doesn't know..

Medusa has down this all..She killed River..she killed Ragnarok..made him a slave..and then..she caused stein to snap, making him think he killed River..

It's all her.

"River..was a odd girl..wasn't she?" he chuckles lightly..it's not mad..it's sad. " She wasn't scared of me..but only if she was..maybe..maybe she would have had a better life.."

Maka thinks about it..and in a odd way..she doubts that..if it wasn't for stein, river would have never been able to feel..

He gave her a reason to live. to smile..to tell the truth.

"Medusa told me that if I could get the witch of death out of it's cage..that I could have what I want most. Not the cure for cancer..no..she told me I would have River back." He still doesn't' move, he's a statue. "Now that i'm able to think..it's ridiculous. Death can't give life. The only thing I could gain from getting the witch of death out..is a nice experiment..I would kill you..over and over again..give you a taste of your own medicine..you took River..you stole her from me.." He slowly looks up...and when she sees his eyes..they're dilated and shaking.

'Stein' She tries to say his name..tries to get the madness to some how reside.

"But no.." his eyes focus..a odd expression on his face. " your life..your what was robed from River..could you bring her back? Your life..could you bring her back to me?"

Maka frowns..she doesn't think she can..

"You can't can you? no..River is gone. She's never coming back. No matter how many people I rip apart..no matter how much research I do..it doesn't change anything. River is still gone." He walks slowly towards her..his arms hanging limply by his sides..He stops right beside her..those stone eyes staring into her own. "are you afraid?"

Maka stops and thinks about this question..realizing she hasn't been struggling..hasn't been doing anything but listening to him when she could have been thinking about a way out of this. She looks into those odd eyes..

And shakes her head no.

She isn't afraid of him.

"Interesting.." Stine makes a click of his tongue. "..Is that pity I see in your eyes Maka Albarn? Do you really pity me? Your the one tied up, bleeding out a stomach wound that I have afflicted. Your the one gagged..trapped like a mouse..yet you have pity for me?" He looks down at her with a unreadable expression. "you lost your mother..you lost your father, you've dealt with madness. Demons. You have been close to dying to many times too count..and yet you look at me with pity." He hums. "..I think I know why..You have something that I lost. I lost it a long time ago.' He puts a hand over his heart. "..family."

Maka only looks at him..She wants to tell him..she knows his son..that he's very dear to her..that this isn't his fault..she really wants to tell him that Medusa has caused all of this-

"You have let your guard down." Stein grabs his scalpel and presses it against her neck..a dark look in his eyes..his lips twitching. "What makes you so sure I won't kill you right here? Why do you seem so relaxed? Have you excepted death?"

Maka looks at him with determination.

"You think I won't hurt you.." Stein clicks his tongue before he growls and stabs the knife down..right beside her neck. "And your right." He leans in, speaking in her ear. "You reminded me of something Maka..I started all this..so long ago..for the cure for cancer..and you have cured it with your bare hands..You are life..what was stolen from River..why should I hurt you? your what I took from her..my brain is fucked up. Even now I hear the gears turning. Madness is spreading. It's getting harder to even hear myself talk...with all the voices in my head..listen to me..as soon as I set you free, I want you to run as far away from here as you can. Don't bring those boy. Just run, and don't look back. you may kill me if you want..for once, i'm giving the victim the choice of deciding the fate of the monster." he pulls away..

Maka's eyes wide at what he was saying..she's confused..whywould he help her leave?..Why shouldn't she bring Crona and Ragnaork?..Why should she leave?...this is her home..

"Thank you.." Stein's voice breaks her out of her thoughts.." For bring River back to my mind..Medusa has messed with my head..I know she has." he locks eyes with her. "..I have one favor to ask of you..when your free.." His voice gets dark. 'I want you to kill me. Don't make it quick either..put me through hell. it's time i've had my punishment..and I know you hate me Maka. Don't try to hide it now. You've always hated me. So kill me."

Maka frowns deeply..a couple of days ago..she would have jumped on this opportunity..but she just..can't ok? He..she saw his life..she saw River..she saw Medusa kill River..she can't let him go on thinking he's the one that did it..she'll tell him Medusa killed river..and then..

Then they will go after Medusa.

Fuck her. Maka doesn't need her to defeat Arachne..she'll think of something her fucking self. No more..Stein, Ragnarok, Crona..maybe even crazy Crona? will team up and rip this bitch apart!

With this in mind she nods..

Stein gives her..a thankful look before he grabs the scalpel..and reaches up..about to cut the rope binding her wrists together-

Just then the door to this awful room..is knocked off it's fucking hinges. Maka looks over..

Crona and Ragnarok stand side by side..the darkness making their expressions all the more deadly..but it's Ragnarok who takes the first step in..

Her blood turns cold..as the whole room is turned into a freezer..it's so fucking cold..she's shivering..trembling.. Ragnarok..god Ragnarok..she's seen his eyes black from hate..she's seen him at his worse..but this..this..

He looks like a demon. His whole face is crunched up in a snarl..his piercing eyes black..black as cole..he's glowing..power radiating off of him..He isn't looking at her..no..he's looking at Stein..and only Stein. He doesn't even look like Ragnarok..his snarl is animalistic..

That's when she remembers..Ragnarok must know..he must know Stein is his father..

And he thinks Stein killed River. His whole life was spent trying to get revenge..and here Stein is, in the flesh.

This isn't good at all.

Stein blinks..noticing the disturbance but before he can even turn around..Ragnarok grabs him and slings him across the room..Stein hitting a counter filled with jars of liquid..the older man breaks the jars..glass sticking into him..but before Stein can see who attacked him. Ragnarok gabs him yet again and throws him against a metal spike in the wall..this metal spike was holding up a heart of some kind but Ragnarok shoves Stein into it..the spike going through his shoulder, getting the man to struggle and grunt in pain.

Maka's eyes get wide..He's going to kill him..no..no wait..she has to tell him! she has to tell every one it was Medusa!-

"Maka!" Crona runs to her..not even looking at Stein as he stops by the table she's tied to..His eyes are wide..his face pale..he's trembling as he takes in her still bleeding stomach wound..She sees it..the rage..the glint in his eyes. "He hurt you. the fucking bastard. He's going to die, he's going to fucking die Maka. I-I'm so sorry i wasn't there..that this happened I-"

Maka thrashes..trying to tell him to get this fucking tape off her mouth so she can stop all this madness!

"Don't worry M-Maka i'll get you out!" Crona realizes her discomfort quickly..but instead of ripping off the tape on her mouth like she wanted..he goes to untie her wrist. Maka screams..trying to tell him to rip the tape off..She doesn't care about her hands..just her mouth..she needs to speak, she needs to get this truth out before it's too late.

Ragnarok is moving in a flash..he looks like a dark shadow as he rips stein from the spike..and digs his hand into the wound. Stein cries out and thrashes as Ragnarok rips some of his blood out..before rubbing it into Stien's face and kicking him back to the ground. He grabs his arm and twists it all the way back..the crack of the bone sounding through this small room..

He's going to kill him.

"Don't worry I almost got it." Crona is working fast..that rage in his eyes. "He'll pay Maka..Ragnarok's going to make him pay for everything..for hurting you, for what he said about your mother, everything."

Stein cries out as his other arm is broken..before he's thrown yet again across the room..this place is a freezer..someone could freeze to death in here. Ragnarok takes a scalpel and stabs him with it, before grabbing him by the ear and slinging him yet again..the ear ripping off in his hand.

Maka..Maka has to tell them..she has to tell Ragnarok..has to tell Stein..she has to stop this..they could be a team..they could end all of this-

"There y-you go I got the rope-" Crona starts when Maka feels the rope off of her bleeding wrists. She wastes no time. She grabs the duck tape and rips it form her mouth, not at all worried about the pain-

"Ragnarok stop!" She screams..and she swears..she's never seen Crona look more confused in his life..His eyes are so wide. "Stop it! don't kill him!"

"M-Maka what a-are you saying? H-He hurt you!" Crona grabs her when she got off the table and lost her balance..he's looking at her with panic now. "Did he b-brain wash you?! w-what has he done?..what the fuck has he done?!" His voice gets so low.

Ragnarok doesn't listen to her. He's in his own world. Consumed in his hate...Stein is thrown to the ground once again..his body is a bloody pulp..He just lays limply against the wall..his matted bangs blocking his eyes. Ragnarok finally slows down..standing before Stein..his back straight..his eyes that black..the room gets even colder..he's grinding his teeth..She's never..ever seen this..seen this dark side of Ragnarok..the darkest side of him..hate..hate nothing but it. It's suffocating..it's just as bad as madness..hate..it's consuming Ragnarok..he's huffing..the room shaking in this feeling..

"He didn't kill your mother Ragnarok! It was-" Maka starts..she cires out..only for stein to finally look up..

He locks eyes..with his son.

No doubt the power Ragnarok has..is making stein able to see him..The older man's expression falls to bewilderment..despite the pain he must be in..he's bleeding out into the floor..but he doesn't seem to care. Stein stares into those black eyes..of nothing but hate..the black eyes of his son..looks at his see through form..Ragnarok only glares down at him..at any moment about to explode. "..You came fo me..you found me.." Stein's expression..his eyes..his everything comes to life. "..You've come to kill me..for what i've done..if only your eyes weren't that black..you have your mother's eyes..her hair..if only you weren't dead..your mother loved you so much..I should have been there..but I wasn't..i'm sure you got my letters? I hope you did..then maybe you know what a miserable wrench I am. enough of that..your beautiful..just like her..your beautiful..my son."

Even if Ragnarok didn't hate this guy's guts..she's sure being called beautiful by anyone would have pissed him off to no end.

"It was Medusa!-" Maka cries and steps forward when she sees..Ragnarok's eyes get even darker..

A wave of dizzinss over comes her..everything gets dizzy and Crona has to catch her..He's looking at her in concern..everything is spinning..she opens her mouth..but she can't speak..she can't stop this..she can't-

"It's his time." That other girl chuckles. "Don't you agree?"

"Of course sugar plump." That boy's voice purrs.

"..you'll burn in hell with a pole up your ass for that!"

"Give it to me baby."

Maka's too dizzy..no..she has to..tell them..she has to..end this..

"M-Maka it's o-okay..it will all be over soon." Crona holds her close..his voice soothing. "He won't h-hurt you ever again."

N-No..he doesn't understand he-

Ragnarok grabs Stein's face..and one by one he rips those stitches out..he's moving so fast..Stein's bloods spats..his face becoming mutilated..it's gross..again she can see the man's cheek..all his stitches are out..Ragnarok has ripped them out like he said he was going to..at the asylum.

"That's it.." Stein chuckles..despite the pain he must be in as he looks up at Ragnarok with that messed up looking face. " i've waited so long for you..and I can tell you've been waiting for this moment as well..kill me..but..tell me the name of my son.."

"My name is fucking Ragnarok." He growls..Stein's face falls in realization..but before he can say anything..Ragnarok is on him. "This is for fucking leaving her!" he hits him in the face..ripping the flesh off his face..so she can see all the teeth on one side of Stein. "This is for fucking killing her! for taking her breath when all she did was love you! she loved you to her last breath you fucker!" His fist are a blur. "after all this time..after looking fucking everywhere for you..here you were all this time right underneath my nose! you killed her! YOU KILLED HER!" His roars shake this place..as his fists keep pounding and pounding into him..

Stein's ribs are broken, his nose crooked..his legs twisted..

"It's over! it's finally fucking over!" He screeches as he grabs a scalpel..and starts hacking away at Stein..starting at his stomach..his intestines falling out.. "How does it fell?! HOW DOES IT FUCKING FEEL?!"

Ragnarok is gone. He's consumed in his hate..consumed in this.

Maka and Crona can only watch...even Crona seems a bit surprised..she's pretty she he doesn't know the full story..he doesn't know Stein is acutally Ragnarok's father..but right now..all she can do is watch this horrible thing unfold.

Ragnarok hacks and hacks..Stein just takes it..blood and guts getting every where..but Ragnarok keeps hacking where he can...so Stein stays alive..just a bit longer...Ragnarok digs in with his hands..digs into his stomach and rips it out..

His hate hasn't stop growing..it's only getting stronger..

Maka and Crona are left huddling close together to keep warm..it's so much..she's trembling..she still can't speak-

That's when Ragnarok..stabs the scalpel through Stein's head..

The man finally falls back limply..his last breath escaping..as his lips..

Curl into a smile..

It's not a mad smile..it's a smile..a happy one..

Stein dies..mutilated by his son..with a smile on his face.

Everything gets eerily quiet.. Maka staring at what has happened with wide eyes..she can't..believe it..He's dead..and she didn't even..get to tell him that it wasn't his fault..didn't even get to tell Ragnarok..didn't even get to stop this..when she could have..Crona just looks shocked..Ragnarok is brutal..but not..that brutal. He's not the blood and gore man..yet..Stein's death was a blood bath.

Ragnarok pants heavily..his back to them..He grips his fist..the room still so cold..

Maka dare not speak..the air..it feels like anything could tip it over..that something really bad is going to happen..

That's when Ragnarok stops breathing heavily..his shoulders..relax..the cold temperature turns back to normal..She waits for him to do something..for him to say something..to do something..

But what he does..gets her stomach to plummet.

Ragnarok fades away. Without saying a word..he just disappears.

"Ragnarok!" Maka calls after him..her stomach is hurting.

"What j-just happened?" Crona blinks at all the blood and guts..and at where Ragnarok was.

"We need to find him!" Maka feels a panic in her heart..what if..what if he just fades away? why didn't' he say anything? Where would he have gone?

"Okay I-I just don't understand-"

"I'll explain on the way! Cant' you sense him out?!"

"Y-Yes he's-" Crona starts only for Maka to grab his hand and bolt out of this room..not looking at Stein..she can't..she drags Crona along who's saying something about not being able to deal with running in tight pants..

She runs anyway.

Maka opens her mouth..telling Crona all about Stein and Ragnarok..it's just spilling out..it all just comes out to this boy that she loves..

When she talks about it..the more this feeling grows in her stomach.

She failed. Failed completely.

Of course.

Failed. failed. fucking failed.

"What were you suppose to do?" That mad boy questions..it's almost soft.

She doesn't respond to him.

---

"H-He's in here.." Crona stops in front of a green door with Maka..his face is pale..his eyes shaking slightly.

"The garden.." Maka breathes out..she has a look in her eyes Crona can't read before she looks over at him. "Ready?"

Crona can only nod..he's not so sure he is ready..Maka gives him a small smile, a smile of reassurance because he needs one. He needs one when it's Ragnarok that needs reassurance..

He's so weak it's disgusting.

Maka opens the green door slowly, and they both walk in..the smell of freshly cut grass and pollen fills his nose..getting him to scatch it slightly..They both stop walking when they see..him.

Ragnarok is laying on his back in the grass away from them..his arms are folded behind his head, and he's staring up at the starless night..Crona can't see his face at this angle..but already he can feel..the tension..well, not so much tension..but it's not a good feeling. He glances at Maka..to see if she's feeling like he is..

Maka is staring at Ragnarok..her expression..and the look in her eyes..complete concern..she's worried about Ragnarok just as he is..her green eyes are shaking..and she's gripping her vest..She's nervous..Maybe she does feel what he does.. Crona looks at Ragnarok for a moment before taking a deep breath.

"Y-You should go talk to him Maka..i-i'll stay back here." He gives Maka a smile when she looks over at him..she looks confused.

"No Crona you should come with me..we do everything together remember?"

But she doesn't understand..

"I k-know Ragnarok..h-he wouldn't want us both asking about him..h-he'll be mad with just one of us..s-so I think you should talk to him..I-I was never good at making Ragnarok feel better..b-but I know you can Maka.." He gives her the strongest smile he can. "Because h-he loves you. If anyone can talk to him a-and make him feel better..it's you."

Maka studies him for a moment..she frowns slightly. "..But-"

"He n-needs you." Crona surprises himself with how firm he sounds, even Maka's eyes widen a bit. "I'll be r-right here waiting..and when you think Ragnarok is ok..c-call me over. I don't want h-him seeing the both of us and fading away..i-i'm sure..n-no I'm positive he won't fade away from just you..t-trust me."

Maka stares at him..before sighing in defeat. She grips her fist and a determination look comes to her face. "Ok.." She seems nervous..she's not sure of herself-

"Just r-remember he loves you. He'll listen to the words you s-say..even if he's acting like he isn't." Crona glances at the boy that hasn't notice them. " Y-You can do it Maka.." Crona gives her a reassuring smile now..

Maka only nods..she grabs his hand, giving it a squeeze..and he squeezes back. This seems like enough for her..she takes a deep breath and starts walking towards Ragnarok. Crona gets behind a large marble beam on the platform he's standing on..he watches her walk..so smoothly..but nervously..

These are hard times. Crona wants to be there for Ragnarok, wants to comfort him..but he doesn't know how. He'll trip over his words..and Ragnarok will just end up getting pissed off..Crona knows just sending Maka is his best option..She can kiss him..hold him..make him feel better. Some friend he is..he doesn't even know what to say..

His mind is still swirling from all Maka has told him.

"That was nice of you. Always so considerate of others despite how it makes you feel.." A voice coos behind him..

Crona takes a deep breath, already knowing who it is but instead of ignoring him like he wants to..he turns around to face him. That other boy is grinning at him..his hands are hidden behind his back..those haunted eyes staring into his..Crona thought he would feel uncomfortable seeing this boy after..you know.. but he doesn't..in a way his heart lifts..

"Y-You saved Maka.." Crona tries to keep eye contact with him. "..I-If you didn't tell me that..she w-was in trouble..i-if you didn't tell me where she was..i-if you didn't wake me up..M-Maka could have d-died.." Crona's gaze skits away..This boy still disgusts him..still makes a part of him boil..but.. "T-Thank you."

"Your welcome!" This boy beams at him, those haunted eyes lighting up. "What are best friends for right? I told you I would save her! As long as your happy I'm happy. Your family is my family. I'll do anything for you Crona, my pal." This boy takes a step closer..his hands still behind his back.

"Y-Yeah.." He forces his smile..and turns his back on the boy to watch Maka..she's now laying next to Ragnarok..they don't look like they're talking-

He feels a tap on his shoulder..and it's almost..timid? Crona turns around to see that other boy pretty close..his haunted eyes are shifting..he's biting his lip..his cheeks look..grey? Crona hears something like paper crunching..and it's coming behind this boy's back.

"What d-do you have behind your back?" Crona finds himself asking..feeling a bit paranoid..this boy is insane..he can't trust him. Who knows what he could have? He's a demon..he could be planning something-

The other boy..tenses? His gaze shifts more..and it's like he's staring into a mirror..it's a bit unsettling really. His cheeks get greyer..and if Crona didn't know better he looks like he's nervous. He closes his eyes..takes a deep breath before he opens them..locking eyes with Crona he smiles..almost sheepishly.

"Surprise!" He cheers as he takes..a bouquet of flowers out from behind his back..it's a bouquet of what looks to be black roses..all of them bonded together by black paper.. He holds it out to Crona..his smile growing. "Happy father's day!"

"W-What?" Crona blinks at the roses that this boy is holding out expectantly..waiting for him to take them. He frowns. "I-I'm not your father-"

"I know that silly! But..I don't want to give my real father anything. He's an ass. It's father's day though..and I felt I should do something." He blushes. "I thought you deserved something nice. I made them myself, do you like them?"

Crona can only stare at him dumb founded..how is he really suppose to react? This boy is acting so weird..he's never seen him blush the way he is..or look so nervous. How is he suppose to react to a demon giving him flowers? A part of him doesn't want to except it..doesn't want to even touch the flowers..but..when he looks into those haunted eyes..there's something he sees in them that he knows all too well..

The fear of rejection.

Crona could be mean to him. Could tell them they're ugly like him...but this boy saved Maka. He's been nice, yeah, he's crazy and does weird things..but he hasn't hurt anyone..Crona doesn't want to be mean to him and then this demon have a change of heart.

"T-They're nice.." Crona mumbles..and that other boy is practically glowing from his half hearted comment.

"I knew you would like them!" He squeals loudly, getting Crona to wince as he shoves the flowers into his hands. "It took me like..2 minutes to make these though! I was just taking a shit and I was like, 'I should get Crona flowers for father's day!'"

Crona wrinkles his nose..wait..how does he even go to the bathroom?..That's when something else hits him..and his face falls..

It's father's day.

"..H-How ironic.." Crona mumbles sadly as he glances over at Ragnarok..on father's day he found out who his father was..and completely destroyed him. "Sometimes I-I think this is all a j-joke to someone..t-that someone is watching over our lives and laughing about it.." He didn't mean to say that out loud.

"There's definably someone watching you." This boy glances at him. "I wouldn't think of this as a bad thing..all that boy's ever wanted was to find his father and kill him..to him, I bet this is the perfect father's day."

Crona doesn't respond..He doesn't think that's right.

"Well~ since we're on the subject of daddies and we're best friends.." That other boy beams at him..before he walks so he's right beside Crona. "Can I ask about your dad?"

"M-My dad?" Crona tenses and finally looks at him.

"Yeah..that's one of the only things I don't know about you. I'm pretty sure he was dead by the time you became my host." The boy states bluntly, looking into his eyes...those mad eyes looking into his own.

"He w-was." Crona doesn't have any emtoion..no sadness. "M-Medusa killed him a long time ago..I d-didn't know him too well..b-but I knew his face." He stutters slightly.

"..Does it make you sad?" This boy's voice is almost..soft.

"N-No..it use to though." Crona shifts slightly, his gaze looking away..he's never really talked about his father before..no one's ever asked. "I-I use to think if I had a f-father..t-then he would love me and take care of me..l-like everyone else's father did. w-when I found out Medusa had killed him..b-because I was a boy...it d-disgusted me..I f-felt bad for my father..I-I blamed myself for his death..a-and it would make me feel worse when I was forced to be in a room with his h-head..having to see his rottng flesh..the flesh o-of the man that was my father."

"It wasn't your fault." this boy speaks firmly..it's in a growl.. "It was all that bitch. Your father would have been proud of the man you have become. Don't ever feel guilty for the shit Medusa does..you are stain free Crona..your so pure..even now..you feel bad for what someone else has done, you are willing to take the blame from Medusa..and put it on yourself.." This boy is getting closer..and Crona isn't feeling to comfortable.

"I j-just feel..if I-I was a girl..that all of this w-wouldn't be happening..t-that things would be better-"

"You know that isn't true." He shakes his head. "Besides, I always did like boys better then girls." He gives him a wink.

"I j-just- Wait what?" Crona backs up against the pillar..a bit of panic in him that this boy is going to try to kiss him again or something. He really doesn't know how to deal with it..being hit on by this demon..this demon that looks like himself, mind you.

"Nothing~" He hums innocently and does a twirl on his heel..

Crona takes a deep breath..lets keep his mind off that.

"W-What about your father?" Crona asks..

The demon stops spinning..only to look at him with odd eyes. "My father?" He rolls the words around in his mouth..like he doesn't understand.

"Yeah..y-you asked about mine so..I a-asked about yours." Crona raises an eye brow at how he beams.

"So you want to know about me?" He smirks and leans closer.

"W-Well-"

"Okay! this is perfect! best friend talk now!" This boy giggles before grabbing his hand. Crona doesn't like it so he tries to get his hand out of his..but it's no use, his grip is strong. "..So you want to know about my father?" Crona stops struggling..when this boy takes on a serious tone. "There's not much to him. He's just a big ball of crazy like all his sons..except for me of course. You know him, the demon god of madness Asura?"

"A-Asura?" Crona squeaks. "Y-Your Asura's son?!"

"Yes and no." This boy shifts. "I'm him. Just a part of him..but i'm not him ok? So never say i'm him alright?!" He growls and tightens his grip on Crona..it doesn't hurt him but it makes him uncomfortable.

"A p-part of him?" Crona speaks his words carefully.

'Yup. That's what all my brothers are. Just parts of the same demon god. I don't like my father I'll just let you know. He's a pussy, afraid of everything." This boy leans in so he's speaking against Crona's ear . "Can I let you in on a little secret best friend?"

"I-I guess.." Crona ties to back up from him but he can't..he's still holding his hand.

"I can tell your wary of me..because my father is trying to take Maka's soul..I understand..but I hate my father..and I love you. I'm planning on getting rid of him..and becoming the demon god of madness myself. if I kill him he can't hurt Maka! You will live in peace, not having to worry about him."

Crona's not so sure he can trust that..especially now when he knows this is..Arusa..a part of the demon after Maka..it makes his skin crawl.

"I hope you still think I'm your best friend..?" This boy pulls away..and he has a almost sad look to him.

"..I g-guess I kinda knew.." Crona takes a deep breath. "Y-Your feeling felt familiar...and t-these eyes.." He holds out his wrist. "I-I should have saw that..but I h-haven't really been paying attention these past couple of days.."

"Are we still friends?" He seems desperate.

"T-Tell me more about yourself." Crona finds himself saying.

"M-Me?" This boy stutters. "You want to know more about me? Why? I'm soooo boring."

Yeah right.

"You k-know all this stuff about me..i'd f-feel better if I knew more about you..all I-I know is your a demon..and your father is A-Asura." Crona locks eyes with him.

"Do you want to know more because we're best friends?"

"..Y-Yes."

"Okays!" he grins and lets go of Crona. "Ask away!"

Crona takes a deep breath..it's true he doesn't know much about this guy..and that could be a problem..especially since apparently he's Asura. There's something called knowing the enemy..and he doesn't see himself being rid of this crazy boy anytime soon..he needs to be smart about this..especially when this boy is so much stronger then him..like he said if this boy wanted to, he could rip Crona of his body in a heart beat..

It's scary when you think about it like that.

"..W-What's your name?" Crona finds himself asking..

The boy tenses..looking at him like he's an alien. "..My name?"

"Y-Yeah.."

"Why do you want to know my name?"

"So I-I can call you something.." For some reason the boy blushes at this.

"OHh I get it! Ok well you can call me whatever you want." He grins. "I'm open to anything! How about..ohh I know! call me Frank!"

"E-Ew." Crona can't help voicing his opinion on the name. "I-is that your real name?"

"Nope! your right, Frank suck ass..how about Carl? I like Carl." He twirls.

"I w-want to call you by your real name." Why is he pushing this?

The boy stops twirling on his heel..he looks at him oddly before looking at the wall. "..I have a lot of names. People call me a lot of things-"

"What d-do you call yourself?" Crona presses. "..I w-want to know your name, not what p-people call you."

"Sorry best friend..but I don't want to tell you that. My name has power..a demon never gives away his name.."

"..Why?"

"..Because you could use it to get rid of me." His voice is soft. "is that why you want to know it? So you can get rid of me? Are you tricking me?..I still disgust you don't I? You want me to be gone.."

"I-I really don't k-know what your talking about..h-how can your name help get r-rid of you?" Crona can't help but be confused.

".." This boy looks over at him for a long moment..before his eyes light in realization. "..You really don't know..do you? You just..want to know my name.." For some reason..this boy smiles at that..and it's a happy smile. "if I tell you my name..we get so much closer. I've never told anyone my name..it's everything to me..it's my weakness..are you really my best friend?" he's getting closer..Crona is backing up..but he feels his back touch the marble pillar.

"..Y-Yeah..i'm y-your best friend.." Crona swallows his nervousness down.

That's when this boy hugs him..Crona tenses as he feels arms wrap around his shoulders..hugging him tightly..This boy buries his face in his shoulder..this boy that is taller then him. "You know..you make me happy. Really happy..and yet..this happiness I feel..it's not because your happy..it's because i'm happy. I'm happy alone..and that never happens. Your something else Crona. Befriending a demon..befriending me. Your my first friend did you know? I don't like anyone else..." He pulls away..and touches Crona's cheek with his hand..he leans in. Haunted eyes locking onto shaking blue ones.." My name..my true name.." He breaths against his lips. "..Is Judas."

Crona can't speak..that name..sending shocks of fear down his spine..everything about this is fearful..he's too close..the boy's eyes are half lidded with something..their lips are too close.

"That's right..my name is Judas..I was the demon in Judas..you know..the guy who betrayed Jesus Christ? That was me. Judas was my host. i'm the one that betrayed Jesus Christ..the lord and savor of the world. I'm the one who gave him over to the jews..to be killed..to be crucified. It was me. I'm that demon. I betrayed good..and i laughed when Jesus suffered. I am truly evil. I hate everything about the prince of good..hate everything about the human race his father made..and yet..." He rubs Crona's pale cheek. " I love you Crona..I never would laugh at your pain..for me..telling you my name is a big deal..it's like..a fucking pie and I love pies..you just don't understand right now..how big this is, for me to tell you this..it's love. It has to be."

Crona tries to reject..tries to push him off..but before he knows it Judas is kissing him..the lips of a demon are on his own..licking his lips, asking for entrance but Crona won't give that to him. He's frozen to the spot in shock once again.

"And when I kiss you.." He breaks the kiss..panting slightly. "I don't feel rage..I don't feel disgust like when I kiss the witch of death..she's fucking hot but you..your not hot..your..beautiful..pure. Kissing you feels good..and maybe that's what love is." His body is pressing against Crona's on this beam..

"W-Why.." Crona swallows hard. "W-Why do you keep doing that?" he finally is able to ask..after realizing it really did happen..and unlike last time Crona can't just pretend it didn't happen..because this boy is still in front of him.

"Kissing you?" Crona can feel his breath on his lips..he squirms in his grip, uncomfortable. "Because we're best friends.." He smiles at him. "Humans kiss to show affection yes?"

"W-Well I guess b-but f-friends don't kiss.."

"But you and Maka kiss? and aren't you friends?" He tilts his head like a curious kitten..Crona guesses things like this a demon wouldn't really understand..really he doesn't even know what this boy truly understands.

"..Y-Yes but..she's a g-girl..and I l-love her-"

"But I love you..so I kiss you see?" He kisses him again as if to prove his point but Crona's able to push him back. He raises an eye brow. "I kiss you to show my affection."

"B-But..boy's don't kiss! t-that's.." Crona thinks of Ragnarok. "G-Gay..and it's w-weird feeling..and s-scary."

"I'm not a boy though." Judas blinks. "I'm a demon."

"..I-isn't that even worse?" Crona sighs. "Y-Your a boy demon..and y-you look just like me! i-it's like kissing m-myself!"

"And what's wrong with that?" Judas tilts his head. "If you can't love yourself, how are you going to love someone else? so I'm a demon, so I'm boy..why is that bad? it doesn't feel bad when I kiss you..and even though you fight me..maybe the reason it scares you so much.." He gets close again. "Is because it feels so right."

"T-That's not it at all!-"

'Then prove it." Mad eyes bore into his own. "Kiss me. if you feel disgusted..and nothing but disgust..i'll feel it. I wouldn't do anything that would hurt you Crona..i'm trying to help you out here." He glances over at Ragnarok. "Think about this..you got so nervous when you had to take a bath with Ragnarok right?..well what are you going to do when all three of you have sex-"

"W-W-What?!" Crona squeaks. "W-Who said-"

"Well your all together..and you did say 'lets do everything together' so when Maka wants sex..most likely the next time your going to all be apart of it."

"I-I'm not gay." Crona glares at him..a anger burning him, thinking of Ragnarok's teasing.

"You don't have to be to enjoy this." Judas states blankly. "Just think of it as pleasure..your only gay in my book if you love another man like you love Maka. it'a all about pleasure..listen here..every guy, straight, or gay..likes to be kissed, likes to be felt on..and even a straight guy would like ass play if he gave it a shot, because it pleasures not just gays but straights. It's all about pleasure. There are some guys, that get their girl to finger their ass. Does that make them gay?"

"..N-No-"

"But if another guy does it, it is gay? there considered gay?"

"I-"

"Do you love me..like you love Maka?" Judas voice is soft in his ear..

"No." Crona's answer is immediate. "I don't love you at all."

"Thought so.." Crona feels him smile..and it almost seems..sad? "Do you love Ragnarok as you love Maka?"

"N-No..I c-care about him though-"

"Then your not gay." Judas pulls away..staring into his eyes. "Even if you were..would that be so bad? Maka wouldn't mind.." He smirks at that.

"It I-isn't right and-"

"Who says it isn't right?"

"It just-"

Judas leans in..once again clashing his lips against Crona's..but this time Crona is taken off guard..he gasps, Judas taking this time to shove his tongue in, rubbing it against Crona's..Judas's hands fall down and grip Crona's hips, his body flush against the other boy's..he grips Crona's hips..

Crona hates the groan that escapes his lips..he feels dirty after it.

"I know exactly what you like..because I am you..I know what makes you feel good.." Judas says this against his lips..before he digs his nails into Crona's hips and he bucks into him..biting his lip and closing his eyes.

"S-Stop.." Crona breaths out..he hopes he isn't blushing..he really hopes not.

"Your too cute for your own good." Judas smirks as he grabs Crona by the waist and lifts him up..making Crona taller then him.. He looks up at him with a lopsided smile. "it's ok..I would never do anything to hurt you.." He leans in..with Crona being held up he's able to get his pale neck. The demon leaves open mouth kisses on his throat..licking and leaving love bites..he's being gentle..

Crona is freaking out. He tries to kick out and get this boy away from him..at the same time biting his lip so he doesn't whimper from this demon's kisses.. "Let me go! l-let me-"

He does. Crona, in fear of falling grabs into the demon..his legs wrapping around his waist as a defense..but by doing this, he's put himself in a worse situation.

"My, my." Judas chuckles as he grabs under Crona's thighs, keeping him up as he presses him back into the beam. "This is nice." He sighs in contentment while Crona glares at him.

"T-That was a dirty trick."

"What do you expect?" He licks his lips. "I'm a demon."

Before Crona can say anything..the boy's hot lips are on his own..Crona tries to fight him..but as he said this boy is a lot stronger then him..he feels like a rock..he's powerful..and right now Crona has his legs around his waist..how is he suppose to kick him off?..He's never felt so trapped. He keeps his mouth closed so this boy can't tongue him..this doesn't seem to bother the demon, he's very content with just kissing the weaker boy's lips. Why do things like this happen to him? This is just too weird..imagine yourself, kissing yourself..it's surreal..it's odd..

That's when he feels something hard against his thigh..immediately he knows what it is. Crona lets out a yelp of fright..not at all liking the feeling of this boy's..stuff on him..especially when it's..

It feels large..he doesn't recall himself being this large..and it's scary, so scary.

With the yelp he made, he opened his mouth, the demon taking this chance to shove his tongue back in, exploring his mouth..rubbing his tongue against his teeth..then reaching out to caress Crona's tongue that is backing up as far as it can..but his tongue reaches..The demon rubs circles with his thumbs on Crona's thighs..Making hums of approval into the kiss..

Finally the demon breaks the kiss..pulling away when Crona whimpered in fright. Judas' face is blank..but his cheeks are a light grey..those haunted eyes Crona can't read. "You are truly my only friend.."

Those words get him to tense..it's his own words..and it's like looking at himself..Judas looks..lonely..he has that look in his eyes Crona knows too well. "Do I disgust you?" His words are nothing but a whisper.

Does he disgust him? He scares Crona to no end..he makes him mad..but does he disgust him? He doesn't like the boy kissing him..he doesn't like how it makes him feel..but is he disgusted?

"I-I don't k-know." Crona answers truthfully.

"Am I your best friend?"

"..S-Sure-"

"Did you know..I betrayed the prince of good with a kiss?" Judas licks Crona's cheek and he shutters. "Now I kiss you, a human, my host. I'll be the laughing stock of my brothers..yet I don't care. I couldn't give two shits. Your everything the human race isn't..and your my only friend. I trust you. I love you." He leans in once more..claiming Crona's lips for his own..

Though Crona can feel the demon's arousal..Judas kiss isn't hungry..or powerful. It's slow and soft..his lips barely pressing into his..There's no tongue, just kissing. He's handling him like he's frail..like he could break at any moment..

Crona feels emotion in the demon's kiss. He doesn't want to believe it's love...yet does just lust feel this way?

Crona hates how his face is getting flushed.

Crona hates how he clings to this boy, afraid he'll fall.

Crona hates how he pities this boy..just like he pities himself.

Crona hates that he can't push him off..that he's too weak to do so..

Crona hates how he trembles..

While madness kisses him so softly.

---

"J-Just rememver he loves you. He'll listen to the words you say..even if he's acting like he isn't..you can do it Maka." Crona smile at her..

Can she really do it? Is love enough for something like this..? Something so..tragic? She didn't tell him about how Medusa is the one that actually killed River..She didn't tell him how she failed to mention that before it was too late..

Maka nods to Crona anyway..and grabs his hand..needing some reassurance..needing to know his love is there. He squeezes her hand back..it's firm and it tells her all she needs to know. Crona is here for her. Maka takes a deep breath..no going back now. She lets go of his hand..missing his warmth as she walks closer to the raven haired boy that hasn't moved from his spot..the closer she gets..the colder it gets as well. Goose bumps are covering her body..She's walking so slow..this feeling in the air..it's not tension..something much more sadder. Something that pulls on her and makes her feel like her legs have weights on them..Maka's eyes shake as she stares at Ragnarok..He's just looking up at the sky..he hasn't blinked..he has a blank look on his face..he doesn't look angry..he doesn't look sad..or even satisfied..Maka's chest is tightening..her mind swirling as she finally stops right by the boy..her feet at his side. Her shadow cast over his face..and she's expecting him to go off on her..tell her to get away or something..

But Ragnarok only stares up at the sky..not even looking at her..Those piercing blue eyes..seem dull..but maybe it's just the darkness. The silence is awkward..Maka opens her mouth..only to close it..She doesn't know what to say..After a moment of watching Ragnarok stare at the sky..She decides to join him..since she doesn't know what else to do..Maka gently lowers herself down..so she's laying on her back in the grass, right beside Ragnarok. She looks up at the dark sky..trying to see what he's staring at so intently..The sky is empty though..nothing but darkness..nothing to look at but darkness..the moon isn't out..no stars light the night..it's just..

Empty.

The silence is becoming too much for her..she knows Ragnarok must know she's beside him..but she's too scared to touch him..too scared to speak..She doesn't know how she feels about all this..Stein was an ass, he spoke things about her mother that caused her to hate him..even if they were lies, even if he didn't mean them..He also loved River..and thought he had killed her..when it was Medusa..It was because he lost the one he loved that he went so crazy..it was because Medusa pushed him..thinking that..Maka doesn't think he deserved to die the way he did..

But then she thinks of Ragnarok. Stein left him. He left him to be alone with his dying mother. Even if it was Stein's fault..he should have been there for his son..he should have taken the blame..and yet..If Crona was dying..and there was nothing she could do about it..and it was her fault..Could she face him? could she face Ragnarok? She's not so sure..Stein did wrong..but..

Why do things have to be so complicated? Why can't people just be good or bad? But it's never like that..even the most evil people..have at least one good thing about them..but does that mean they don't deserve to die? She means..Stein killed people! in horrible ways..

But she killed people. So does she deserve to die? Yes. Yes she does.

Maka's stomach turns when she thinks about what happened back with Stein..it doesn't sit well..it's just..hard you know? To watch his life..to know just what made him..him..to know Medusa played with him his whole life..to know She's the one that killed Ragnarok's mother..

Medusa took everything away from Ragnarok..but why? Why him? Why would she do such a horrible thing?

Because she's evil. So fucking evil.

Maka can't deal with her anymore..can't deal with all the things she's done to Ragnarok..He doesn't deserve this..why has fate looked down on him like this? Isn't it enough that he died so horribly? That he was ripped piece by piece able to feel everything? No it wasn't. His mother was taken form him..and because he thought his father killed her..he spent the rest of his life in hate, trying to find him and kill him..That's why Ragnarok died..It all leads to Medusa..that bitch, that-

"Did he..hurt you?" A voice breaks the silence. She tenses and looks over at Ragnarok..surprised that he would be the one to speak. He doesn't look at her..just stares up at the sky..and if she didn't know better, it's almost like he didn't speak at all.

It then accrues to Maka..that not once did Ragnarok look at her. When she was in that room..he went straight for Stein..He didn't see if she was hurt or not. His hate consumed him.

"Just a little." Maka answers quietly. "It's okay though, I-"

Ragnarok lets out a long, shaky breath..as if he was holding it for awhile..his being flickers a bit..his eyes closing. "Damn it..That fucking bastard..I should of..I should have know something was fucking wrong..I should have never left your side..I just..I just went for a walk when you were asleep..I didn't fucking know..I thought the fucker was gone..and I didn't know..I didn't know he was.." His being is flickering more.

"Ragnarok.." Maka starts..a frown on her face. "It's not your fault ok? I was..I was in a place I shouldn't have been..you couldn't have known."

Ragnarok doesn't respond to that..but his being stops flickering..He opens his eyes..and stares up at the dark night sky once again. His face blank. It gets so quiet between them..the tension creeping up on her.

"..Do you..feel better?" Maka finds herself asking..not able to help it.

"Heh, you know it's funny.." Ragnarok chuckle slightly..but it's humorless..it's dry. "I spent my whole life trying to find that fucker. I gave up everything. I killed people with out blinking if it meant that I would get to fucking kill my father..I spent all my emotions on hate..hate for him. I gave up everything, my friend, my life, just so I could kill him." Ragnarok shakes his head. "..I finally find him, when I'm fucking dead. The hate I had for him consumed me..and I finally killed the fucker, I made him suffer just like I wanted to do my whole life.." His voice changes. "I guess you could say..i'm disappointed."

"Disappointed?" Maka chest is tightening.

"..I don't know what I thought back when I was alive..I guess I had this fucking idea that if I killed him..I would feel better. it would change something.." He takes a deep breath. "I finally killed him..my life's work..I finally got to see him breathe his last..yet when that last breath was gone..I was waiting for the happiness..or even satisfaction..something..yet while I looked down at his fucking mutilated body.." His being is flickering. "..I felt nothing. No happiness. No satisfaction..I didn't feel better..I felt.." he looks up at the night sky. "Empty. Fucking empty. Is that what I gave up my life for? Just emptiness? I got my fucking revenge..so why don't I feel like fucking dancing? But I don't..I just feel..empty. I finally got what I wanted..so why am I not happy? I should be fucking rejoicing..and it pisses me off I'm not.."

His words get to her...She thinks about all she's seen in Stein's life. "..Do you..regret it?"

"No." His answer is immediate. "I don't regret it. The bastard deserved it..I just thought I would get something out of it..but I was a fucking dumb ass. Nothing's changed. I killed my father..but everything is the same. My mom is still dead..I'm still fucking dead..I'm still a slave..the only difference now is my father is dead, my only purpose in life is dead..so now I'm just..I just feel.."

Empty. when your purpose is gone..what is your reason? Killing Stein was all Ragnarok ever wanted..now it's gone and passed.

Maka thinks if she should tell him..that it was Medusa who killed River..not Stein..yet..something tells her not too. Ragnarok already killed Stein..why make him regret it or make him feel bad about it? Maka knows the truth though..and she's not going to let Medusa get away with it.

"..Can you believe Stein was my fucking old man? All this fucking time he was right in front of me..I knew I hated that bastard for a reason..why my being boiled..it was him all along." Ragnarok doesn't look at her. "Do you know how I knew it was him that killed my mother? I didn't know at the time..I just thought at first that he left to do something..but he never came fucking back. My mother said he was just working hard on something..but I didn't believe her. When I took her to the doctor..and they told me they never seen anything fucking like it..that they didn't know what the fuck it was..they wanted to do tests on her..and I wasn't going to let that fucking happen. I bought her pain killers..because that's all I could do..when Stein didn't fucking come back..I got suspicious..I started snooping in his stuff when my mom was asleep...that's when I found his fucking file." Ragnarok's being flickers. "..Not only did it tell me how his little 'experiment' failed..it told me the things he's done to her in the past..how he cut her open..just everything. After that..I fucking hated him. My rage was incredible. I destroyed his lab. That thing was in fucking ruins when I was done with it..But my mom was still dying..and Stein still didn't come to see her..he never did. My mother died..still fucking loving the bastard..Then my father has the fucking balls to write me letters..that's how I found out he was the 'terror' he told me everything. He said sorry and all this shit I didn't care about..I only read them to see if there was any hint to where he was..but there never was." Ragnarok grips his fist. "The bastard..thought my mom as nothing but a experiment Maka..he used her. That's what he called her in his files, a experiment. How..How fucking cruel is that? That fucking..bastard.." He's flickering so much.

Maka bites her lip..thinking about Stein and River..about that smile of happiness he gave her..She doesn't want to defend Stein..especially now..She knows Ragnarok enough he wouldn't listen to her if she tried..he would get pissed.

"He tried to save her." It comes out before she can stop it.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" For the first time..he looks at her..and it's such a dark glare...it gets her to tense.

"..That thing she drinked..it was..suppose to be a cure." She speaks slowly.

"A cure? A cure for fucking what? My mom was fucking healthy! Maka he killed her! He experimented on her!" His voice is raising..His glare getting darker..

"..River had cancer." Maka speaks softly..and she's never seen Ragnarok tense so bad.

"..How..how did you know my mother's name?"

"..I saw everything Ragnarok..I saw all of Stein's past..I saw your mother..I saw what happened.." She can't stop herself now. "..She had lung cancer-"

"My mom didn't smoke!" He seems..almost desperate.

"..It was heredity.." She speaks slowly again. "..Stein was..upset..your mother didn't want to do chemo..Stein spent who knows how long in his lab..trying to find the cure for cancer for River..they didn't want to tell you..River didn't want to upset you."

Ragnarok stares at her for a long moment..that glare falling..then..sad realization in those eyes that makes her want to cry. "..That's why she was coughing so much..not becasue of Stein..because she was sick..and all that time he was in the lab..How pale my mother got..how she never wanted me to take her to the doctor.." He's shaking. "..If it was a fucking cure..why did it kill her?"

Should she tell him..

She has to.

"..Your not going to like this.." Maka trembles..gripping her fist.

"I don't fucking care." He grabs onto Maka..his grip hs tight..his piercing blue eyes boring into her own. "..I need to fucking know Maka..I need the truth..maybe..maybe this is why I'm not satisfied..I didn't know the whole story..just tell me..I can fucking take it..you know i've been though hell and back.."

But can he handle this?

Maka takes a shaky breath. "it was Medusa."

"..What..?" He looks at her a bit taken back. "..But I didn't know her-"

"She knew your father. They went to school together..I don't know why she did it but.." Maka is trembling so bad. "When Stein wasn't looking..Medusa put something in the cure..I watched her..then Stein gave the cure to River..and she got sick..It was Medusa..she did it. Stein thought he had killed her..and he didn't have the cure..he shouldn't have but he fled..He ran away..he tried to find the cure..but he failed.."

Ragnarok doesn't speak. Doesn't say anything..he just stares at her with wide eyes..but soon..he bows his head weakly..it leaning against hers..She wraps her arms around his faded body..

"She took everything away from me.." His voice..is nothing but hurt..

"I'm sorry Ragnarok.." Maka's chest tightens in guilt..and she looks down. "..I tried to tell you..I just..it couldn't come out..you were already on him and.."

"Nothing you could have said would have stopped me from killing him. Even after knowing that..I don't fucking regret killing him..he left me. He fucking left me and didn't take the consequences of his actions. If he would have stayed, I wouldn't have fucking knew it was him that had something to do with my mother's death. Medusa..fucking Medusa.." His being is so faded.

"No more." She tightens her grip on him..her voice cracking in her hate. "No more Ragnarok. I'm fucking killing her..this ends now. I don't care if I need her help, I'll find some other fucking way..She has hurt you for the last fucking time..no more..no fucking more-"

"Maka don't be fucking stupid." Ragnarok growls in her ear. "You already have too many enemies to fucking count..if you go against Medusa, it won't end well. I can't even help you..she has fucking power over me..and Crona.." He trails of at that. "..You need her if you want to avenge your mother..i'll get my revenge on Medusa..don't you fucking worry about that."

"But-"

"No fucking buts. I'm not going to have her fucking take you away from me too!" He screams this..he's almost faded. "She's taken every fucking thing from me! I'm not going to let her take you too! I fucking love you Maka! Do you know what it would fucking do to me if Medusa got you too?! If she took you from me..Then Medusa would truly finally take everything I fucking have. She would take away my fucking will..because now, that Stein's dead, your my reason for fucking fighting..you and Crona. I'm not going to let you get fucking hurt because of me! So listen to me, don't fucking try to attack Medusa, don't try to do shit! I'm not losing you!"

He's shaking her..roaring..yet..his eyes almost look..glossy.

"You've got to fucking promise me! right the fuck now! Promise me you won't do shit to her! We'll use her to defeat arachne, we'll get this fucking curse off you..and then.." He trails off..uncertainly flashing though his eyes before they turn firm. "I'll fucking take care of Medusa. Alright? That's our fucking plan so you have to fucking promise me..don't do anything to Medusa, don't try to be the fucking hero! If you get hurt..if she hurts you..if she takes you away from me.." He's trembling..gripping her too tight it hurts but she won't say anything. "I can't fucking lose you." this..is a whisper.

Maka stares at him with wide eyes..we all know Ragnarok isn't one to be so forward with his feelings..and she can't help but to notice the hint of..desperation. He's holding on to her like she's about to disappear..when he's the one that's so faded..Those piercing blue eyes are burning with a fire..yet they're glossy..something she's never seen. She sees it in his eyes..and it gets her chest to tighten.

Fear.

She sees fear in this boy's eyes..He's afraid Medusa will come after her next..because she's taken everything else from him..He's afraid he's going to lose her. Her heart flutters..something about that..something about how he's looking at her..gets her whole being to scream out..She wants to help him. She wants to kill Medusa for what she's done..but seeing those eyes..seeing the fear, and desperation in them..

"..I promise." Maka's shoulders slump in defeat..She can't say no to him when he's looking at her like he is..Maka wants to fucking kill Medusa more then anything..but she trust in Ragnarok..if he wants to get revenge for himself..then she'll let him..She will give him that.

As soon as those two words come out of her mouth..Ragnarok hugs her. It's a tight, firm hug..his arms wrapping around her shoulders while his head goes in the crook of her neck..giving her Goosebumps from the cold of his spirit. He doesn't say anything..he just holds her so tightly..his cold breath uneven on her neck. For some reason..Maka feels her eyes water..She blinks it away as she slowly rubs this spirit's back..this restless spirit's back..whispering calming words..Telling him she isn't going anywhere..she just feels like he needs to hear that. Her movements are slow and soothing...

Slowly but surly..Ragnarok's breathing becomes even..his being stops flickering..it becomes firm..solid..his grip loosens on her but she doesn't stop touching him..doesn't stop reassuring him..

What ever happened to rest in peace? Isn't that what they put on all the grave stones? R.I.P?..Ragnarok's never had peace. Not in life, not in death. He's never had a calming moment..So it makes her feel good that she can give him one now..that she can hold him..Her heart beat quickens..a feeling in her chest that is familar..it burns forth like a flame..consuming her once again..

"Ragnarok..I think I love you." Maka says softly in his ears..and once they're out..she realizes how true they are. She loves this spirit..this boy of anger and hate..this boy of will and heart. He's always been her kindred spirit..Now that Crona has opened the door to her heart..she's beginning to understand all these feelings she didn't..She loves Ragnarok..that's why she could never deal with him fading away..why him calling her beautiful had sent her stomach on a spin..and when he tells her he loves her..Her stoamch does a flip..because He chose to love her. He's been with plenty of people..yet it was her he choose to love..

Ragnarok's breath catches..His being becoming no longer faded..The spirit in her arms..almost seems..warmer..He pulls away to look at her with those wide piercing blue eyes..Maka smiles at him..her love shinning through..He seems shocked..and before she knows it..his cheeks tint slightly and he glares away from her for a moment..before looking back at her. "W-Well that's what I thought! You better fucking love me bitch! After all the shit I do for you, and how gay you fucking make me..' he grumbles, trying to sound angry..but this boy can't hide..the utter happiness in those piercing blue eyes..or how his cheeks are still pink.

Can you believe that at one point..this boy use to scare her? That she use to think he was a demon possessing Crona? Remember when they were enemies? When he tried to hurt her?..now look at him..holding her, blushing..

It's hard to believe a lot of things that happened.

"I do. I love you Ragnarok." She kisses his cheek..and if possible..his face gets darker..she thinks this is the reddest she's ever seen him.. "Aww look at you! You look like a tomato!" She giggles.

"Shut the fuck up bitch!" He snaps and hits her hand away when she poked his cheek. 'And don't fucking poke me! I'm not fucking red!" It's funny...because when he says this he gets even redder.

"But you are red.." She grins as she nuzzles her head against his, her hands grabbing his. "It's cute raggy-"

"Don't fucking call me that! and it's not cute! I'm not fucking cute!" He scowls at her..but really it is cute..because he's still red..He's trying to be intimating but it's just not working right now..Maka knows she has the advantage right now and she's going to milk it.

"I love you so much~" She sings and nuzzles her head to his again. "These words are my own, from my heart flow. I love you, I love you, I love you!~" she sings that Natasha Bedingfield song to him..

"Stop being a fucking creep about it.' He snaps..but he got redder! She cant' help but to giggle.

"You got redder!" She giggles.

"Yeah, yeah whatever." He grumbles and glares away.

"Aww Ragnarok's so cute with his pink cheeks-"

"Alright shut the fuck up-"

"So cute so-" Maka chants..only for Ragnarok to growl and grab her by the front of her vest, pulling her against him, those piercing eyes glaring into her own..She tenses, thinking he's' about to hurt her..

"I told you to shut up." He snarls..only for his lips to clash hungrily against her own..Her eyes widen..only to slowly slip shut as his cold tongue fights against hers..as his cold arms wrap around her waist as she cups his cheeks..His kiss is deep..full of passion..He nips and pulls at her lips..His tongue leaving no part of her mouth untouched..their pace is in sync..a kiss full of feelings..full of love..When he pulls away..Maka's out of breath..that kiss taking her breath right away.

"Now your fucking red." He smirks as he takes in her flushed cheeks..at the mention of this, she gets redder and gives him her middle finger, looking away. Ragnarok chuckles at her, nuzzling his head against hers lovingly..yet he gives her his middle finger back.. Maka blinks at his middle finger..then she looks at hers..then back at his..

She hooks their middle fingers together and does a shake of sorts, laughing a pit. "We don't pinky promise. We promise by saying fuck you."

"Hell yeah." He grins at her..giving her a light kiss on her middle finger..he glares away slightly..like he's not sure of himself..

"..You feel better?" Maka's laughter stops as she looks at him seriously..remembering her reason for coming here.

"..Yeah. I'm fucking fine." He glares at the ground before looking at her..those piercing blue eyes locking on her own. "You always seem to have that fucking power over me..no matter what fucking shit were in..you always make it fucking better."

Maka blushes at that..and he smirks. "Besides..if I haven't fucking broken from all the other shit I've been though, i'm never going to fucking break. You have nothing to worry about."

"I'll still worry about you.." She smiles at him. "Even if your bad ass mother fucker Ragnarok."

He grins at her..before his face completely falls as he looks around..before looking back at her. "..Where the fuck is Crona?..Something's been up with our bond lately..it's gotten to the point I can't even sense him out that well..it's bothering me."

"Oh Crona! He's actually around here..He told me to come talk to you alone..said it would be better for you if I did.." Maka frowns slightly. "He's worried about you.."

Ragnarok looks at her unreadable eyes..before there's..something like gratitude. "..Huh..The bastard.." He chuckles..and it's light. "Where is he?"

"Crona!" Maka screams getting Ragnarok to wince. "It's okay to come out now!"

Maka hears a..really loud squeak come from where she left the boy..she can't see him..but then she hears a bang..did he just fall down? "Crona? are you ok? Do you need me to-"

"C-Coming!" Crona answers her quickly..he sounds a bit..breathless? Maka and Ragnarok glance at each other before looking back at the beam..just in time to see Crona coming out from it. Maka can't help but raise an eye brow..he seems a bit flushed..and his hair is messed up..did he fall? Is he embarrassed about that? Crona grips his one arm with the other as he gets closer and closer..his eyes on the floor, not looking at them..He stops a couple of feet away.

"Did you fall or something Crona?" Maka blinks at how he tenses.

"You c-could say that.." he takes a deep breath before looking up..his eyes falling on Ragnarok..his blush is gone..and his pale blue eyes hold concern. "..You o-okay?"

Ragnarok stares at the pink haired boy a moment..before he grins at him. "What the fuck do you think? Don't I fucking look ok?"

"Y-Yeah.." Crona smiles at that..a silent message seeming to be sent through their eye contact..Ragnarok looks grateful..Crona looks pleased..

"Hug!" Maka cheers. " You know you two want to! Today has been hard..show some love!"

"I'm not-" Ragnarok starts..

Only for Crona to rush forward..he tackles Ragnarok in a hug, wrapping his arms around his shoulders..burying his head in the crook of the shorter boy's neck. Maka and Ragnarok have the same look of shock..but soon..Maka's lips form into a smile..gushing over this..

Ragnarok doesn't hug him back..He doesn't seem to know what to do..but he doesn't push Crona off..It's got to be..the most awkward hug she's ever fucking seen..but that makes it all the more adorable.

Crona pulls away..a smile on his face as he looks into this boy's piercing blue eyes. "..I-I'm glad your ok Ragnarok..I-I was worried."

"Idiot."Ragnarok grumbles..but he's looking at Crona with an unreadable expression..When he realizes how close they are Ragnarok takes a couple of steps back. " Don't fucking worry about me..i'm fine." His words aren't harsh.

"Wow.." Maka beams at Crona when he looks at her. "That' was nice Crona! Hugging Ragnarok! I wasn't expecting it.."

"I-I've hugged s-scarier." Crona mumbles to himself..a far away look as he shifts his eyes from left to right.

Maka doesn't hear him..she's still smiling brightly as she looks at the two boys she loves. "..This is the family I've always wanted us to be..everyone being there for each other..everyone caring..sticking by each other.." She holds out her hand. "Together?"

"T-Together." Crona smiles at her and puts his hand on her.

"Fucking together.."Ragnarok grumbles..but he has a crooked smile as he puts his hand into the pile.

"Together we can do anything! No body can stop us! Arachne doesn't stand a chance! No one does!" She beams..

"N-No one.." Crona and Ragnarok glance at each other..

Before they all throw their hands up..a silent promise..of always being together..they are a team..they are a family..

"Hey look the stars are out now." Maka blinks as she looks up at the use to be empty sky..now it's full of stars..a cloud must have been covering them up..

"What do you fucking know." Ragnarok stares up at them..before he lays back on the grass, looking up at the sky..He grins over at Crona and Maka. "You two dumb asses coming?"

"You know it." She smiles as she grabs Crona's hand..Maka lays next to Ragnarok..and Crona lays next to her..She takes both their hands in her's..Crona's grip is light..while Ragnarok's is tight..Ragnarok puts one arm behind his head, looking up at the stars..Crona hugs her arm..looking up at the stars..

They stay like this for awhile..just staring up at the stars..talking..laughing..holding hands..all of them connected..

This is her family..

And she wouldn't have it any other way.

In the warmth of these two boys..

Maka drifts off to slumber land.

---

Maka's eyes open..She frowns at where she is..She's alone in what looks to be white space..she's alone..just in this small room..She looks around slowly..trying to figure out how she got here..

Only for her eyes..to fall on..him.

"..Stein.." Maka breaths out..as her eyes lock onto his stone ones..he's looking at her blankly..he's see through.

"Hello Maka albarn..i'm just pasting through." He speaks like this is the most normal thing ever. "..it seems for some reason I've ended up here..I must have..some unfinished business..thought i'm not sure. This is new to me. I was sure we just cease to exist after we die..but I guess, again, I was wrong."

"..Stein.." Maka gather's her courage..she hast to tell him..maybe that's why he's here..because she still has a duty to do. "..You didn't kill River."

"..What do you mean?" Stein's expression falls..staring at her. "..I failed..I-"

"No..Stein you had the cure for cancer..it was all Medusa..I saw your memory..but I also saw more then you did..Medusa put something into the cure..she's the one that killed River..not you." Maka breathes out..feeling the weight be lifted off her..

"..Medusa..?" Stein's breath catches..before his stone eyes light in furry. "that witch? That bitch is the one that's done this to me?!..of course..I should have known better..The only thing I regret Maka..is that I didn't take that bitch with me." Stein's face goes back blank. "..We're going to the same place. That i'm sure...I still deserved my death..do not pity me Maka. I failed River by not being able to save her..by leaving her and my son.." His eyes get odd at that. "..Did..Did Medusa do that to my son?.."

Maka only nods..She doesn't really want to tell him what she did to kill him..it's to horrible..

"..Maka.." His being flickers. "..I know you hate me..but may I..ask one favor of you?"

"..What is it?" Maka straightens herself out.

"..Make Medusa pay. I don't care how..just make her pay.." Stein snarls out.

" Don't worry..I will..hell, if I don't Ragnarok will." Maka grips her fist..

Stein suddenly stops shaking..

"..My son loves you, you know?" Stein looks at her with a unreadable expression. "..Do you love him?"

"yes." Maka locks eyes wit him..

Stein smiles.

"..Take care of my son Maka..take care of him where I have failed..your a good girl..I apologize for the trouble I have caused you..your mother was a wonderful woman..and believe it or not, Spirit loved her dearly."

"I don't believe it." She glares at that. "He was a cheating bastard!"

"Well what have you been doing?" Stein tilts her head and she tenses. "..You've cheated Maka. Your not with one person..and you love them don't you?..Nothings black and white."

Maka only glares..she doesn't care..her mother is different. She doesn't deserve that..she doesn't care if she's a hypocrite.

Stein looks up at the ceiling..closing his eyes. "..River..you asked me if there was a cure to madness..I told you I didn't believe there was one..but I was wrong.." His voice..is so quiet. "You told me you believed I could find the cure..I didn't believe you but I did. I found it, when I found you. You were my cure to madness River.."

That's when Maka sees it..The white ground underneath stien..is starting to crack..

"Stein, something's-"

"I know." He cuts her off as the ground cracks more..some fire comeing from the cracks. "..I've learned what I was suppose to I guess..I'm about to move on..To go to the fires where I belong."

For some reason..this makes her stomach twist.

"No Stein move-"

"No..it's okay. If this bother's you..don't look." Stein doesn't look down..as the ground cracks more around him..more fire coming out..it's getting hot in this room. "I deserve the fires of hell and you know it. I've killed countless people..I don't deserve where river is..in heaven..happy.. this is where I belong." He smiles at her..as dark hands come out of the cracks in the ground..they grab his ankles..the floor cracking more..He's starting to get dragged down..the heat is intense. " There's a poem..that I would always read before I would go to bed after River died..it was my only comfort..i'm going to read it to you Maka."

"S-Stein.." the fear is great in her..as she watches more hands wrap around him..Maka can see lava staring to squirt up the cracks like a fountain..this feeling..is nothing but darkness..it's evil..it's scary.

" 'Have you ever wondered, where do the rivers flow? Do they flow forever, where does the water go?' " Stein starts reading the poem..never looking down as his arms are bond to his sides..as the fire comes up and starts burning his flesh..he keeps eye contact with her. " ' Do rivers somewhere finish, where does a river start? Do all lead to the ocean, or do they break apart? Someday i'd like to follow, a river to it's end' " His words are soft..smooth..as if he's not fucking being dragged down to hell this very moment..Maka feels the tears fall down her face..she falls to her knees..still watching..all she can do is watch..as he's slowly dragged down..as the fire slowly consumes him. "' I'd run to the horizon, through fields and around bends. Have you ever wondered, where do the rivers flow? do they go on forever?' "Stein looks up at the sky..the dark hands wrapping around his face..only his head is above ground now..He smiles sadly up at the sky. " '..someday I'd like to know.' "

Then..he's pulled under ground..the fire covering him..the ground closes back up..like he was never there..

Maka holds her head in her hands..and she cries..

But really she's not crying for Stein..she's crying for herself..

Because she just saw her fate, the fate od the totally damnation that's waiting for her.

---

Monique sapia wrote the peom that stein said at the end. I don't own that!

So yeah..tragic. At least you don't have to worry about stein any more huh?

Now I notice that most of you guys responded positively to Crazy Crona x Crona..or should I say Judas now? I didn't know how you would react to it..but you like it! so I gave you some more of it. Now if I keep getting good feed back that will continue. Crona wants to find more out about judas, so if you have any questions about him for Crona, say so in your review!

Holy shit I have to sway this..did you guys know there's a south park game coming out?! like in November?! i'm so getting that shit! and thanks for you guys that actually looked up Cry, he's a awesome guy!

Does anyone feel bad about steins death? or do you think it was completely justified?

Again I don't know when i'll be getting the next chapter out..so much stuff you know? but i'm trying. I keep getting side tracked with other things hehe.

Till next time!