CroMa A CronaXMaka Story

by CronaTheDarkOne

Awww, Crona and Maka discover that they have feelings for eachother. Even though they're still very young, they can already tell that they're going to have wonderful lives with eachother. Every relationship has its little issues, but these two can't ever be separated! Crona also learns how to deal with the loving care of a new family! Crona is a boy btw. I don't own any Soul Eater.

31. The Final Moments

Hey guys. I hope you enjoy the difference in POV and the story plot of this chapter. So, I remembered that a few chapters ago Cumo had actually revealed some kind of secret to Crona and Kid, but I forgot about it and the subject was just randomly dropped. I'm really glad that I remembered it because it's an important detail and it would've sucked if I just kept you readers in the dark on accident. So, I incorporated it into our final chapter and I hope you all enjoy what I did with it. I worked hard and I hope it's the outcome all of you wanted. I've been working on this story for more than a year and i'm really proud of myself for making it this far. I honestly thought the story would be abandoned, but you guys kept me in line. Thank you.

Enjoy my wonderful 24,251 words :)

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Maka's POV

"The sun always shines and the creek keeps the air cool.-" I choked on my words as I realized that Crona felt heavier. I knew he was gone. The story that Crona had asked me to tell didn't just help him though, it was keeping me from lashing out and doing something stupid. And so I continued. The knowledge of knowing he had gone made my tears run faster and my throat squeaked out every word I spoke. I held him tighter to me and finished my story.

"We have picnics in the yard everyday and build a fire at night to make smores and watch the stars. Our children grow up happy and we grow old. When it's time for us to go, we still hold eachother's hand in the swinging bench. Happily Ever After." I began to bawl harder than I ever had in my life and Crona's body was as close to me as I could get him to be. I heard Marie and Stein crying silently with eachother. Behind me, Patty, Liz, Amanda, Theresa, and Tsubaki were crying hard. They whimpered and whined just as I did, but not to my extent. The boys, trying to stay strong, cried also. The tears on Black*Star's face were evident. I heard footsteps come towards me and a hand rested on my shoulder.

"We should take him back to the DWMA." Kid told me. I nodded, but I didn't let go of Crona. I didn't want to move him, even though I knew he should be somewhere of respect and not in a dark cave. Kid ran his hands from my shoulder and slowly down to where my hands held Crona. Soul came around and held Crona carefully as Kid removed my hands from him.

"No! I need to be with him! Please!" I thrashed out, trying to get away from Kid's grasp. He held me strong to him though, there was no way I could get away from him I realized. Soul still kept a soft hold of Crona until Stein got up and carried him with Marie at his side. She stuck very closely to him, which I assumed was just in case he had a breakdown. Kid leaned his face to the side of mine and said, "We'll walk with them back to the DWMA, but i'm not letting you go." I nodded and we walked, Kid still holding on to me. He was holding me so I didn't run away, but I honestly didn't have the strength for anything. The fight had exhausted me and feeling my near-husband's soul escape from me had wiped me out. There was no strength for me to fight. Everyone walked slowly on foot as we escorted Crona. Marie and Stein in front, me and Kid in the middle, the rest of us had decided to walk behind me.

"I don't understand why this had to happen again." I heard Patty say. Her sister Liz responded, "I don't know, Patty. It's worse this time, we can't save him." A curious Theresa then asked, "This happened before?" It was silent for a minute or two and I thought that the conversation had dropped, but someone answered her.

"Kind of. Last time, he was unconscious and lost a lot of... blood. Now it's just too late." Tsubaki said. Amanda spoke up, "Are you sure there's nothing we can do to save him?" They all were quiet again. Black*Star suprisingly spoke, "No. He's gone." Then I could hear a choke and it didn't come from any of the girls, it was Black*Star. His footsteps were louder and faster as I watched him suddenly pass all of us. He was running for an odd reason that I didn't know. To get past all of their questions? Maybe. It's possible that him and Crona were closer than I thought. I know that I wasn't with Crona all of the time, so maybe they did become true friends. I'm not sure. The thought of it though made me happy for a moment, but instantly dropped my mood again.

It took us all an hour to get back to the DWMA with our walking pace. Students had gathered around the steps to see the heroes who had saved the day come back. Their faces had turned dark as soon as they saw Crona. Even though an hour had passed, I was still bawling. Not to the extent I was earlier but it was a sad sight to let all of the students see. It made me cry harder when I noticed that people tilted their heads down and removed the hats that any of them were wearing in respect to Crona's death. The students had gained a respect to Crona as he started to get accustomed to the school. He went on missions and helped out any student who would let him. No one was afraid of him anymore. I noticed that I was moving around in Kid's arms and felt his grip tighten.

"No, no, no, no, no, please no." I began to blabber again. I wasn't screaming, it was a soft plead that I knew would go nowhere. These student's faces reminded me of what had happened and I started to freak out again. I was constantly trying to rip myself out of Kid's grasp. I tried jumping off of the steps to get him to let go but he turned around and went up the stairs backwards. I couldn't get him to let go. I closed my eyes and cried harder as I let myself go limp. Kid effortlessly carried me up all of the stairs and to the infirmary. Stein set Crona down on one of the beds and then proceeded to tell Nygus what had happened. I wasn't listening to what everyone was saying now though, my attention was fully on Crona. He was pale, oh so pale, and his lips had turned blue. He was stiff and looked too frail. I was moving again.

"Maka, stop." I could hear Kid say to me. "No!" I yelled, "Please, let me be with him. Let me go!" I was moving a lot more than I was ever before. I really needed to be by Crona's side. Stein stopped whatever he was saying to Nygus and ran over to us.

"Maka, calm down. It's alright." He tried soothing me. "No! Nothing is alright! I need to be with him!" I screamed. Stein then took me from Kid, who was struggling to keep me in his grasp. Stein nodded his head over to one side of the wall, "Grab a chair and set it next to Crona."

"But-" Kid tried protesting. "Do it." Stein said firmly. Kid nodded and moved a chair. I was still thrashing, though it was intensely difficult with Stein than it was with Kid. Stein moved me over to the chair and set me down. I stopped moving then and as soon as Stein removed his arms from me, I sprung foward taking the chair with me, and held Crona's cold and stiff hand. I cried harder. Everyone was staring at me with a deep sadness that made me feel bad for making such a scene. I ignored them though, because Crona was the only important thing at the moment. Stein pulled a curtain, so I couldn't be bothered. No one could really bother me though. Until I heard footsteps enter the infirmary and I knew exactly who entered.

"Where is she?" Spirit, with a desperation in his voice, asked Stein. Stein must of silently pointed because he moved fast in my direction. The curtain moved a little, but not enough to let anyone but Spirit in. He just stood there for a moment and stared at me. "M-maka?" I stiffened. I didn't know how I felt at the moment about him. I usually hated everything about him and I didn't ever want him around. Those feelings were silent though. I had an urgent need to hug him. I turned my head, and saw him, with tears in his eyes staring at me. His hands were clenched into fists, out of nervousy, at his sides and I could tell he was having trouble of knowing what to do. Instead of pulling out a book and Maka Chopping him or screaming in his face, I slowly stood up and walked towards him, flinging myself into an embrace. He didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around me and he held me tightly.

"Oh, my little girl, i'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry." His head rested on mine and his embrace kept me tight to him as I bawled again. I had no idea how much I could cry in one night. "He's gone, Papa, he's really gone!" I cried into his chest. He whispered, "I know baby, i'm sorry. You need to stay strong though." His words weren't reassuring. I don't think that anyone could help me now, no matter what they say or do. Spirit began to speak again, "How about we go and find you something to eat and drink and calm down a little?" I shook my head so fast and hard it's a wonder how I didn't gain a concussion right then and there from it.

"No! I need to stay and be with him. He needs me and I need him." I tried moving, so I could get close to Crona again. I couldn't believe I left his side in the first place. Spirit's embrace tightened and kept me in place though as he said, "Okay, okay. You won't go, you won't leave him. How about I go and grab you something then? And i'll bring it here for you and me to talk and calm a little?" I thought about it for a moment. I knew I probably couldn't consume anything, nothing was appetizing at the moment. I nodded anyway. Talking seemed like a good idea, in fact it sounded blissful. Sure, I could talk to any of my friends and they'd understand. But talking to my father, whom I hadn't had a real chat with for a long time, seemed like it would help.

"Okay. I'll go get you and me something, i'll be back real quick. Okay?" He loosened his grip a little and I tilted my head up to look up at him and I nodded. He gave me an attempted reassuring smile and he walked me over to my chair, set me down, took one last glance at me, and quickly left. I was lonely now, I realized. I looked at Crona, who looked so... stiff. The tears threatened my eyes once more as I took his hand and felt no warmth. A new person entered the curtain just then. I slowly looked over and her face was red splotched, her eyes swollen. I assumed that's what I looked like too, maybe worse.

"Hey, you okay?" Theresa asked. She knew the answer, but it was a question that most people asked to reassure another. I shook my head and looked back at Crona. My dear, loyal, Crona... I kept my gaze on him and I heard Theresa awkwardly shift her feet. She let out a long, deep, and silent sigh before she grabbed the second visitor's chair from the other side of the bed and sat next to me. She sat there and watched Crona's lifeless body with me for a while. It was silent, except for the quiet whispers behind the curtain. She finally broke our calming and eery silence. "I'll be here for you anytime, you know that right?" She waited a moment for a response and got none, so she continued, "I can't imagine this pain you're going through. I can only try, but I know it'll never compare to what's real." I stayed silent. I didn't want to be rude to her, she was my best friend. I somehow didn't have anything to say to her though.

"I'm sorry again, Maka." She apparently gave up on me for the moment because she stood up and started to walk out the curtain. She just opened it enough she could step through when I said, "Thank you, Theresa." I looked up at her. She stopped for a moment, to nod and give me a smile, then left. I was lonely again. I took a shaky breath and turned back to Crona. His hand was so cold and lifeless, but I still held it and focused on the finger that could've had a wedding band in the near future. It took Spirit a while to come back with comsumptions but in the mean time I had fantasized of what our baby would look like. I still had no idea of the gender, but I did notice that Crona said 'she' when he talked about the baby in his dying moments. I decided that the baby would be a girl. During my baby fantasies, Spirit came into the curtain with stuff. He noticed the chair that Theresa had recently sat in and made himself comfortable in it.

"It's way past their hours, but I talked to Deathbuck's boss. He was a little irritated at first, and then I told him about you and he was high in spirits. So he gratefully whipped up your favorites. Chocolate chip muffins and peppermint mocha. Here." He handed me a small bag of four or five muffins and a medium cup of my coffee. He held his own bag of muffins and a small, very strong black coffee. "Thank you," I said as I tore open the muffin bag. He nodded and said, "Of course. I'll get you anything you need, anytime," he paused, "So, Maka, let's talk." I sipped at my peppermint mocha and took a bite of a muffin before answering.

"I don't know what to talk about." I told him, "Is there anything specific you want to talk about?" I knew what he actually wanted to talk about. I didn't really feel like it though, I had finally calmed enough to stop crying and I barely had enough strength to eat. I didn't want my sensitive self to break down again. He tapped his coffee cup with his fingers in thought. Finally he said, "We'll talk about school. How are your classes going?"

"Fine. I was distracted for a while though, I didn't get the highest score on the tests. I usually try my hardest, but this year it just didn't seem so significant. As long as I knew that I knew the material and understood everything I was content." He nodded, "Well, I always loved seeing my baby's name at the top of the list, but being the top isn't always what's important. I'm happy as long as you are." I smiled at the comment but it quickly dropped again. I wasn't happy. I knew I couldn't be happy for a very long time. Spirit knew that though.

"I had some extra studies I think. I did great in classes and accomplished everything in our criteria, but i'm always curious about more knowledge. I somehow stumbled upon learning new languages. Which I thought would come in handy in the future for missions. Once I become Death's handy meister, I could travel to all kinds of places and I think being able to understand the culture and language is important." Spirit nodded and agreed with me. We talked like this for about an hour. Despite the grief and anxiety through my system, I yawned.

"Oh, I forgot, it's like past four in the morning. You've gotta be exhausted. I'm sorry for keeping you awake. Stein sent everyone home already. How about we call it a night, yeah?" Spirit suggested to me. I thought about it for a moment. Could I sleep? At this stage, yes, I probaby could and would. I was afraid of sleeping though. That i'd sleep and when I woke, Crona wouldn't be here anymore. Someone would've hauled him off and I wouldn't ever see him until he was bundled into a casket. The thought sent panic through me and I was nearly awake again. Spirit must've saw my rising panic because he quickly said, "You don't have to leave the infirmary. You can stay here for tonight, with him. No one will take him from you, I promise." I was so moody that I nearly snapped and said that he had broken all promises he ever made, but decided that everyone was as fragile as me tonight and that I should stay as calm as I could be. I nodded in response.

"Okay. Goodnight, Maka. I'll just be staying in the infirmary lobby tonight, okay? If you need anything, i'm right out there." He pointed to the other side of the curtain. I nodded again. He gave me an attempted reassuring smile and gave me a hug before he left. I turned back to Crona. I put my hands in his and I rested my head on the side of his bed. It didn't take long before I fell asleep. I dreamed, surprisingly. It was a good dream, I imagined what our baby would look like and how she acted. She looked a lot like Crona. In the dream, she was about seven or eight years old and she wore a pink sundress with matching dress shoes. Her hair was Crona's lavender pinkish color and it reached to her hips, in twin braids that laid gently in front of her. Her and Crona were in a flower field, that was full of beautiful yellow flowers with splotches of white and pink in places.

"Here daddy!" She said happily. She reached out a lily, one that was rarest among the field of flowers and set it in his hands. He examined it for a moment and then placed it over her right ear. He smiled, "Now look at how beautiful that lily matches you. It's almost as beautiful as you, but most things can't do that." He gave her a wink and she gave him a hug. I heard another voice, one that belonged to me, I realized.

"Are you two coming in? Lunch is ready!" I dissapeared into a house, one that looked similar to the one I described in my story to Crona. Crona and our daughter, held hands as they slowly left the field of flowers to come inside the house. They nearly reached the house when Crona reached down to the girl and said, "You're growing up too fast. Do daddy a favor and stay this way forever." The girl looked up and said, "But then how would I annoy you with bringing boys home?" They both laughed at that and Crona responded, "Don't get too ahead of yourself Tiffany. You know I won't let any boy, or girl, claim you." She smiled at him, "Of course you wouldn't, Daddy." They then reached the house and stepped inside. Crona closed the door and I woke up.

I still had my hands rested in Crona's. He hadn't moved at all during the night. Still cold, stiff, and lifeless. I suddenly wiped a tear from my face that I didn't know was there. My face was actually already soaked, which I assumed that I had cried from my wonderful dream. It caused damage to me when I woke up though. I looked at Crona, after seeing him so happy in that dream, and realized that he'd never be like that again. I'd never get to see his smile and hear his laugh. He would never have a real relationship with our baby. I scooted closer to Crona and cried. I heard fast footsteps as Spirit came into the 'room' set by curtains. He didn't move me away from Crona, he just wrapped his arms around me the best he could without removing me from my spot. He rubbed my hair to soothe me and spoke soft, whispered words. It didn't really help, but I was grateful that he was trying.

"Spirit I need you over here." I heard Stein say from behind the curtain. He growled, surprisingly. "Are you okay, Maka?" He asked me. I shook my head, "No. I can't be okay. I won't be okay for a long time. Stein needs you though, you can go." This time he shook his head, "No, not as long as you need me. Stein can wait as long as you want me to be here." I stayed silent for a moment. Stein was now my dad too, Crona said. My dad and Crona's dad needed to get along and they needed to work together. I knew that they were already partners a long time ago, but were separated and Spirit was weary about Stein for a while. Maybe this could help him become more friendly with Stein. "It's okay. Stein needs you right now, so you can go. I'll call for you." I said. Spirit reluctantly let me go and went to find out whatever Stein needed him for. I resumed my crying.

"There's no way-" I heard Spirit say soon after he left me. I wasn't sure what was going on, but it didn't really matter to me at the moment. I was grieving, I was going to let myself mourn as long as it took. I was also going to spend as much time I could with Crona, even if he wasn't here with me anymore. He was too important to let go. And although he was so important to me, it was hard to see him so stiff and lifeless. So I closed my eyes and set my head down on top of the hand that I was still holding on to. It was warm, because of my hand, but his hand was ice cold. It was hard for me to process. At this point I was crying hard again and I heard people walk into the curtained room. I didn't look up to see who was here. I didn't want to be hugged or talked to, I just wanted to cry. There were two people who came in at first and they walked past me, to the other side of Crona's bed. Then two more entered and stood behind me.

"Maka?" A female voice asked. The voice was so familiar, yet it seemed like I hadn't heard it in years. "She looks just like you." Said another female voice, this one didn't sound familiar at all though. "She hasn't changed since she was six." Then the voice that sounded so familiar had finally registered. I choked, and instantly stopped crying. I slowly lifted my head, afraid that if I did see who I thought she was, i'd be hallucinating. Yet, as I looked up, a tall blonde haired woman stood there with pity and sorrow in her eyes as she gazed at me.

"M-m-mom?" I stuttered. I really thought she might be fake and that I might be going crazy after I lost my base of support, Crona. And although she looked so sad for me, she smiled and said, "Yes, honey." My mom, Kami Albarn, had arrived in Death City to see me. It was such a surprise and I was too shocked to move or say anything.

"Oh, so I don't get any recognition?" The other female said. This one I had never seen before. She had short, shoulder length red hair and seemed to be five or six years older than me. She was nearly as tall as my mom and shared her green eyes. My mother rolled her eyes and responded, "Shush Seirei, she's never even seen a picture of you." This girl, Seirei, smirked. "Figures," she remarked.

"K-k-kami," Papa stuttered behind me, "why the sudden appearance?" He seemed nervous. Then again, if I met my wife once again after I had cheated on her multiple times I would be nervous too. She didn't seem angry at him though, just annoyed, "Why do you think, Spirit? Look at my daughter, she can barely sit as she stares at the one she loves who had died a death that was undeserved." Seirei stared wide eyed up at my mom, "You aren't going to do that, are you? That's not why you said we were coming here. How do you even know Maka is in love with this boy? He could just be a friend." Kami shook her head and gazed at me with an intense understanding, "No, I know about him. I can see it in her eyes. I'm here to fix it."

"W-what do you mean?" I asked, "Do what? Who is she? What's going on?" Kami only smiled though and said, "I'll answer any questions you have after i'm done. I need you to follow my directions right now though." Seirei stepped in, "Mom, do you really think that's a good idea?" Kami only shushed her. I however, stared at her extremely surprised after calling my mother, mom. My attention was snapped back to attention though when Kami removed Crona's hand from mine. I had an instant panicked reaction and reached for his hand again but my mother looked at me with a sweetness that calmed me. I trusted her with whatever she was doing.

"I need you to hold your hands with his and sit on the bed so you can be as close to him as possible. I'm going to start saying some things and when you hear, 'enlightment', you have to close your eyes, rest your head on his, and remember all of the love you two share. Make it your main importance and invoke it." Her directions were really specific and I wondered what this was for. I nodded to her and did as she said. I sat on the bed and placed my hands with Crona's, which Kami had placed on top of eachother in the middle of his chest where his heart is. Kami began saying stuff, which was in a different language, one I hadn't studied yet apparently. I wondered if this was a ritual to help Crona pass on peacefully and be put to true rest. If so, then i'd be happy to know that he was in blissful peace. It still set a dark feeling at the pit of my stomach though, cause' then i'd really have to accept that he's gone and i'd have to leave him.

"Oh, dear, this should be good." I heard Seirei say. Not long after, I heard Mom say 'enlightment' and then continued her chant. Doing as she told me to do, I set my forehead on Crona's. It was just as cold as his poor, stiff hands. I set the thoughts of stiff and cold aside when I desperately tried my hardest to focus on me and Crona's love together. To do this, I decided to play back every moment in our relationship. Our first kiss on the balcony, when we danced at Kid's parties, we became a real couple, we said I love you's, when we made love, when I found out I was pregnant, and finally when Crona promised that he'd become my husband and that he'd never leave me. These moments replayed in my mind and I found myself smiling with happy tears escaping my closed eyes. My mother's chant had suddenly become intense as her voice rised and her words seemed stronger. The last work she spoke was Makoto, and it delivered a fierce effect that seemed like a wind blowing around the room for three seconds. Everything settled down and I heard a thump behind me.

"Kami!" Spirit and Stein yelled as they ran over to the other side of the bed. "No, stop, it's alright. She's just fainted. Spirit, go get her some orange juice and a lot of fruit and atleast three chocolate bars. Now." Seirei ordered him. He must've listened to her because he left quickly. There was a bright light suddenly, one I could see even through my closed eyes. When it faded and I thought I could open my eyes without being blinded, I let myself move away from Crona and I did open my eyes. Crona looked just the same. A hope I didn't know I had vanished and I concluded that she performed a peace ritual. I looked behind me and noticed that Kami had apparently fainted and fell to the floor. Stein and Seirei were at her sides but weren't paying attention to her, they were staring at Crona. Kami didn't look so good though and I was about to go help, but I swore I felt Crona's hand move. I whipped my head back to face him. There wasn't any further movement. I must've just pretended that he moved when I turned to look at Mom.

"I love you." I whispered as I removed my hands from Crona's and hugged him. I cried happily knowing that he was in peace, but I was oh so very sad that he was gone. I think most of my tears were ones of sorrow. I rested my head in his neck and awkwardly leaned to the side, though I was still in a weird sitting position as I hugged him. I heard gasps from behind me, which I assumed were for Kami. But I was wrong. I felt a hand, which was still kind of cold, touch one of my pig tails and traced it to my cheek. I slowly lifted my head and as I did, the hand that was touching my hair cupped my cheek and wiped a tear away with the thumb.

"Why are you crying? I promised I wouldn't leave you, didn't I?" Crona said with a pained smile on his face. My eyes went wide and my breath caught. He was alive. Crona is alive. My once deceased fiance is alive. I didn't know what to do other than hug him again. I flung myself into a embrace with him and he made a loud "ooph" sound as I basically smacked into him and nearly squeezed him back to death.

"Hurting. Wound." He said inbetween his gasping breaths. I let go of him quickly and spoke a million apologies in one second. I nearly just killed him. Again. "H-how?!" I stuttered.

"How, what?" he asked. I wondered if he actually knew that he had died. I looked at the time with the clock above his bed. It was a little after seven in the morning, so Crona was dead for atleast six hours. I couldn't comprehend how Crona could've lived. Even after an hour of an unresponsive heart beat, not even the best doctor in the world could save his soul. I stuttered once again as I answered him, "H-how are you alive?! You've been... g-gone, for many hours. All night. I don't understand. But oh Death am I happy that you're actually here." This time I gently lowered myself into a hug with him. He could actually wrap his arms around me too. Although his voice was strong, but tired sounding, he was extremely weak. He would probably restart bleeding now that his organs were functioning. I sat up and looked over at Stein, who apparently had begun to cry. His cheeks were streaked with fresh tears and his eyes were filled with more.

"Stein! Stitches!" I yelled at him. I knocked him out of his shock apparently because he shook his head and looked at me for a minute. Then he quickly got up and ran out of the curtained area yelling, "Nygus! Hurry! We have an emergency surgery!" I looked back down to Crona, who was gazing at me with a smile.

"I'm fine, really." Crona tried telling me. I knew he wasn't and I was proven right when he began to cough. Blood splattered from his mouth in the process and my fears of his wound reopening were true. Stein was quickly back by then, with Nygus close to his side. Stein scooted me off of the bed and he rolled Crona out of the room. I yelled, "I love you!" As they took him. I was so tempted to follow them but I knew that Stein and Nygus would never let me into the operating room and I couldn't worry myself by standing right outside the door. Instead, I took one look at Mom, who was still unconscious on the floor.

"We can put her in a bed, so she'll be comfortable." I told Seirei, who was holding Kami's head up off of the floor. "Sure," Seirei responded, "You'll have to help me get her there though." I nodded and helped Seirei pick up Mom and take her to one of the beds. We left the curtains open and we sat down in the chairs as soon as we got Mom situated comfortably. Spirit showed up just then with all of the required things Seirei had asked for.

"Oh good, you got them. Thanks. Now we just wait about ten more minutes before waking her up and we can rejuvinate her." Seirei said as she took the items from Papa and set them on the bedside table. It was quiet for a few minutes. I could tell that there was a lot of tension between Spirit and Seirei and I wondered why. I wanted to talk to Seirei though, figure out why they were here, and why she had called my Mom, mom.

"Papa, would you go get me some water? All i've had to drink was coffee and that was a while ago." I asked him. "Of course, whatever you need." He said quickly before bolting away. I guess he was serious about getting me whatever I needed. He was gone and the weird silence resumed. I used this time to ask Seirei about what was going on.

"So... how come you and Kami are here?" I asked Seirei. She was apparently off into space because she shook her head and looked at me confused, "What?" I repeated what I asked her and she frowned. I couldn't tell if it was a frown in dissaproval or a frown in thought. Finally she answered, "Um, well I was told that we were coming to save you. I thought that you were in trouble." She paused a moment, "A-and losing your boyfriend is totally trouble, I agree, but um, I thought you were the one in danger." I was confused. Who was this girl and why would she be concerned with my life? Also, how did she and my Mom know that I was in 'trouble'?

"Oh, well, I was kind of. All of this happened because of a kishin, which I successfully eliminated. My um, fiance, Crona, he had killed his witch mother and she apparently k-killed him too," I explained. "I was in complete distress, and despite my circumstances," I self consciously touched my belly, "I honestly don't think I would of made it without him." She stared at me for a moment, glancing down at my stomach for a moment, and back up to my eyes. "Are you?" She asked, pointing to where my hand lay on my stomach now.

"Pregnant? Yes, I am." Seirei looked at me strangely. I couldn't tell if she was happy for me, confused, or dissapointed. It was a flash of emotions that crossed her face that I couldn't understand. Usually I was good at reading emotions, but apparently not so much with certain people. "Oh, well that's amazing. I just thought i'd be the first. You know, that's great anyway, an early aunt i'm happy to be." She finally said. And I was confused again. I tipped my head to one side, confused, and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Oh yeah, forgot that again. We haven't been formally introduced, have we? Well, I'm Seirei Albarn." She said handing her hand out to me, "I'm your older sister." I slowly stuck my hand in hers, extremely confused. I don't think i've ever been this confused in my life. She shook it and I limped. "S-sister?" I stuttered. She nodded with a smile. "Yep, fully biological sisters. Not half or adopted. You know, I honestly thought you might of put the pieces together after living with Papa all these years. After all of this though, I didn't expect you to." As if on que, Spirit came into the room with a bottled water and more muffins for me. I said thank you and then looked back and forth between him and her. They might as well have been twins, except for her emerald green eyes and well, that she was female. I was surprised myself that I hadn't put the pieces together.

"Well, Papa, how have things been?" Seirei asked him. He tensed a little and answered her, "Okay, I guess. I've done a lot of teaching. I did get some breaks when our kishin, the first one, broke lose. I was stuck teaching though during this one." Seirei processed the information for a moment. Her left eyebrow raised up as she said, "You're teaching? But, aren't you Lord Death's main Death Scythe?" Spirit must of saw this as a demotion, his face turned red and he started to visibly sweat.

"W-well I am. We like to give the kid's opportunities to take on the hard jobs. Lord Death does assign me missions a lot though. Especially if the job is meant for adults to take care of. And when i'm not teaching, i'm always by his side helping him out," he paused and thought a moment, "I've been teaching a lot lately because our Soul Mechanics teacher is seven months pregnant. She's on maternity leave since we can't force her to walk up our bazillion steps. Too much for her. So I guess i've been teaching for... hm, I think three months now. As soon as she hit four months on her pregnancy we told her that she should rest at home." I think I may of paled visibly, because Seirei looked over at me and said, "Oh, really? Well, I guess Maka will be missing scho-" I clamped my hand over her mouth.

"No, I won't be missing any school. Marie said I shouldn't be missing classes just to come help her out." I said quickly. Seirei must've not of gotten my hint. As soon as I removed my hand from her mouth, she gave me a confused look and started, "But I thought-"

"Nope! I even called her the day before yesterday. She persists I stay in school and not worry about her." I interrupted her. She finally got the hint because she shut up. Spirit was already catching on to something though. He stared between the two of us with a majorly confused look. "Hey, Papa, mind getting me a water too? And another one, in case Mom doesn't want her orange juice?" Seirei asked him. Still looking confused, he nodded and walked out. As soon as I knew he was out of earshot I turned on my newly founded sister.

"Why did you say that?!" I asked her. She looked truly innocent as she raised her hands into the air, "I don't know! I just assumed he knew!" I sighed, "No, he doesn't know. Last night my fiance actually proposed to me and Papa momentarily started hell. He eventually accepted the fact and made a side comment saying, 'I don't expect granchildren soon.'" I lowered my head into my hands, I was starting to get a headache. "I'm sorry," Seirei said, "Hey, how far along are you anyway?"

"I'm two days from four months." I answered. It's what I had worried about for so long. I knew that Stein wouldn't let me keep coming to school. I would rather not show up to school visibly pregnant anyway. I was torn though, to know that my education was going to be postponed. Stein said that he'd set up cameras for every class I had and he'd do private study sessions if I ever started to drop in grade average. I still thought it pointless, but I accepted the offer nonetheless. I said, "I already kept my pregnancy a secret from everybody except for Stein, and his wife Marie. My fiance didn't even truly know until last night. I can't imagine telling Papa."

"It'll be alright. By the looks of it, Mom and I will be here for a while. So if he makes any fuss, we'll just sock him in the eye." She gave me a wink. I smiled. I hardly knew my sister for even two hours and we were already making jokes. At least we were getting along for the most part. I still couldn't believe I had a sister though. I wondered why we got separated. I knew that Spirit had cheated on my Mom but I don't remember ever having a sister. I was six when they parted, somehow I didn't remember anything about Seirei.

"How old were you when Mom and Papa split?" I asked her. I think the question took her off guard because she looked a little surprised, "Um, you were six, so I was twelve." I had the look of surprise this time. "You're six years older than me?" She nodded. "How in the world do I have no memory of you?" Seirei then looked a little sad.

"The same reason why she took me and not you." Seirei answered. "What do you mean?" I asked. She sighed, "This is going to be crazy sounding, but not so crazy after what you saw Mom do to your boyf- fiance." I sat up and gave her my full attention so she knew that I was listening. I did listen too. Very intently. "Mom and I, we're what the DWMA sometimes hunt. We're witches," she paused to let that information sink in, "You were human when you were born though. I was a trouble maker, always making you cry and scaring you with my magic. I never meant any harm, I just thought it was funny. Mom tried her hardest training me to use the magic for good and not for making you mad at me. Damn you were a jealous little kid." She laughed. Then continued, "Spirit got drunk, and cheated on Mom. She let it slide the first time, but she was seriously hurt. She was depressed and had more trouble dealing with me and keeping you happy. Then he cheated on her again and she cracked. She let go of all her good wills and screamed and yelled at him. She divorced him. You were still so young and human. She didn't dare take you away from normality-"

"And so I took Seirei with me, to train her to be a good witch, like me. You enrolled in the DWMA and became the best of their students." Mom finished for her. She had apparently woken up just then. I smiled, knowing that she was still here, but I was confused, "Still though, why didn't I have any rememberance of my sister?" Kami gave me a sincere smile, "I didn't want you to remember your sister who hurt you so much with magic. I also didn't want you to stereotype me and her when you began your schooling. That era was filled with hatred for all witches and it still is. Especially after what Medusa has done. It's calmed a little though."

"How did you become such a great meister and make Papa a death scythe if you're a witch?" I asked then. She thought a moment then said, "Well, for one, witches weren't as hated back then. Though they were still majorly shunned. I looked and dressed human, keeping all witch powers hidden. I even used soul protect. A different kind of soul protect, but it worked. It was hard, really hard, but I made it and I was one of the best meisters despite my status as a witch." Seirei laughed, "I feel like you could be a motivational speaker now. Teach lessons about how being different doesn't keep you from being one of the best." I smiled at that and Kami did too.

"May I ask a few more questions?" I asked Mom. She nodded. "How am I not a witch?" Kami answered this one easily, "Genetics, dear. My mom a witch and my father human. It gave both you and Seirei seventy five chances of being witches. But then I had children with a human too, so it was fifty-fifty. This is how it turned out." I asked my next question, "How did you hide from the DWMA after running away with Seirei?" She smiled, "I wasn't hiding from the DWMA. I hid from DWMA students that graduated after me and who enrolled. All DWMA school headmasters knew about me and my witch daughter with me. I was a secret to the students and the rest of the world though. I still technically worked for the DWMA, i've gone on multiple missions for Lord Death after I moved away with Seirei. I took her along on a lot of them. Now she comes with me everywhere I go."

"What are you going to do now?" I asked my final question. She sat up and drank her whole orange juice before answering me. "I don't know. I've been all over the world and lived in so many different houses. It sounds kind of nice to settle down, I just don't know where to. Death City sounds great, especially with my daughter and her needs," she winked at me, "After the kishin though, it sounds like we'll have to go to Utah or something while everything settles down." I quickly said, "If you stayed, you'd have to use soul protect, wouldn't you?" Kami answered, "Yes. I would. That takes a lot of magic to keep up though. And it'd be hard getting along with the community with my status." I felt bad suggesting it. I longed for her to stay though. I haven't seen my Mom in over eleven years and now she was here, right in front of me and even brought me knowledge of my sister.

"It's alright. I'm not asking you to, I was just wondering." I said to her. She smiled at me, which seemed to say sorry. Spirit came back at that moment. Geez, he misses everything. He had two bottled waters in his hands and he hesitated in his steps when he saw that Kami was awake. "I brought you some water." He said as he handed her one and gave the other to Seirei. She said thank you and silence immensed. I noticed that everytime Spirit was in the room everything stayed quiet. I didn't blame Seirei and Kami not wanting to talk to him though. Just then, Nygus came into the room and told us that we had to wait in the hall while they set Crona up in here and get him some rest. She aplogized to me the most for kicking me out but I told her it was fine. I really wanted to see him and find out how he was doing, but I knew that he needed a little time to really sleep and relax so he could begin recovery. Mom was still really lightheaded and so we took one of the visitor chairs with us into the hallway. Nygus stayed in the infirmary and she locked the door once we all left.

"Are you okay?" Spirit asked me. I then realized I was staring intensely at the infirmary door with my arms crossed and I couldn't keep still. Once I noticed what I was doing, I dropped my hands to my sides, which were still balled into fists. "I-i don't know. Sorry." I answered him. "No need to be sorry. You have every right to not be okay." Kami told me. I nodded and I resumed staring at the infirmary door nervously.

"You know staring at that door isn't going to help, right?" Seirei said. I nodded, "I know. I just, I don't know. I feel like I have to be right here." Seirei actually gave me a sad look and started to talk to Kami. Seirei kept asking her if she was still dizzy and if she needed more juice. Taking that as a hint, Spirit left before even getting an answer from Kami. He was taking a lot up trips up to town, I would have to thank him. Speaking of, I remembered my muffins he brought me earlier and realized I was still holding the bag. I handed it to Seirei.

"They're cold now, but they should help. I'm sure you're hungry too Seirei, you both can have this." Mom refused to take them at first but I didn't take them back. I just hung them in front of her until Seirei took them. I gave her a smile and resumed staring at the door and I crossed my arms across my chest again. I must've been standing there for a while because Spirit came back with orange juice and he handed me a peppermint mocha. I felt bad that he kept buying me coffee, because I couldn't drink it unless it was decaf. I sort of lied to him earlier when I told him that all I had was coffee, because I had a sip of it and threw it away. I shook my head when he handed it to me, "I don't think this will help me at the moment, why don't you give it to Mom or Seirei? Or, you can have it." I said.

"You don't want it?" He asked. I was really tempted to just take it, so that I wouldn't feel so bad and so i'd have my favorite drink to comfort me. I couldn't though, the baby was too important. "I-I don't think it's good for me right now. It might set me more on edge than I am now. I already can't stay all that still." I tried explaining. He looked down at it, "Are you sure?" I nodded. Then he said, "If you're worried about caffiene it doesn't have any. I always order decaf for other people." I looked at him surprised. Did he really order decaf because of the reasons he stated or was he on to me? Nontheless I slowly took it from him. "Thank you. I don't mean to keep sending you back and forth from town. It must be tiring." I said.

"It's not a problem. I'm used to going back and forth, it's part of my job." he said, then he gave me a smile and a small hug. "I'm glad this is all working out for you, I was so worried about you. I didn't know if I could save you from whatever would come if he..." He stopped. I knew what he meant. Crona did die. I had to remember that, Crona died. He's here now though because of my mother's spell. He's alive because of a miracle. I just now wondered what it cost my Mom though. Most spells cost a little bit of magic and concentration, but a spell like that, to save the dead, it had to have some kind of catch. I remembered that she fainted right after she finished the chant. That must of been some kind of sign.

"I'll be okay now, that's all that matters." I said to Spirit. I then turned to Kami, "That was a big spell," I started, "What did it cost you?" Kami looked at me with a type of sadness in her eyes, "It's not important and nothing to worry about. What is important is that you'll be happy and be able to continue your life." I refused to take that answer though. "I'm serious, Mom. What did you give up to save my love?" She stopped eating the chocolate bar she was currently chewing and gave me a stern stare, "I said it's not important. It's also nothing for you to worry about, especially not right now. Just let it go, okay? We'll talk about it when everyone isn't so stressed out."

So she basically just forced me to forget about it. I couldn't push it because she was right, everyone was really stressed out already. Especially me and I couldn't imagine what my baby was going through. I felt a little bad. I sipped at my peppermint mocha that I hoped was really decaf and tried to comfort myself. I resumed staring at the infirmary door. I think an hour had passed by the time I realized that my feet and back really hurt. I winced as I tried changing how I stood.

"Maka, how about you take my chair? You ought to be extremely sore by now." Mom said. I shook my head, "No, i'm alright." She tsked, "It's not healthy to be standing in one spot for so long. And you know that, don't you?" I then assumed that my Mom knew about the baby. She was my Mom after all, she probably knew as soon as she saw me. She got up and slowly walked me over to her chair. She helped me sit down in it. Now she was standing though and I wondered if she could still be weak.

"How are you doing?" I asked her. "I'm fine," she answered, "I just needed to rest a little bit and pack up on sugar. I nodded in response and even though I was sitting down, a little ways from the door, I resumed to stare at it. I wasn't sure why I was so compelled to do so, but I just had to be alert if anything happened. My Mom turned towards Spirit, "Have you given Lord Death a report yet?" she asked him. He took a moment to think about it and shook his head. "I think you ought to go do that then." He ran wide eyed, realizing that he had lacked in one of his jobs. I was pretty sure that she did that to get us alone though.

"He doesn't know, does he?" She started the conversation. I knew what she was talking about, I shook my head. "Your love does know though, right?" I nodded, "I told him last night. A little late to be telling him, but I did." She then walked up to me and kneeled so she could talk to me face to face and with straight eye contact. "You're healthy I assume?" I nodded again, "Stein and his wife Marie were the first people to know. Marie brought it up to me when I tried to hide it from her and she's been asking Stein to do check ups for me and give me the proper health stuff." I smiled at the thought. Marie has always been so caring and she was a little hurt when I tried to hide my pregnancy from her. She told me that hiding was no way to deal with personal problems, and so she started to help me. Whenever Crona had his blood check ups, Marie and I would sit in the living room talking about our babies. I loved it and yet I felt like I was too young to be doing this.

"I know I should've waited and i'm sorry, it just happened." I told her. I'm pretty sure that was the line that every teen mom had ever told her parents. Kami smiled though, "I know. It's alright. It would've been better to wait atleast three more years but like you said, it happened." She glanced at Seirei, "You know, I was only fifteen when I got pregnant with her. I was terrified. I didn't have anyone to help me and I didn't have any parents to tell or hide from." I raised an eyebrow, "You were only fifteen? What did you do?" I asked, getting extremely curious. She made a thinking face, "Hm, well, I had tons of friends. Marie was actually my best friend in school. Her aunt, who was an OB that worked at the local hospital, helped me. She also babysat when I went to school and went on missions."

"You and Marie were best friends?" I asked dumbfounded. She nodded with a big smile, "She was. She was my lost loyal friend too. She didn't like me becuase of my performances, my completed missions, or my grades, she liked me because I was me. I was a really uptight girl who always studied and hardly left the house to have fun," she paused a moment, "Marie was my best friend because she loved bringing me out of my study rut. I learned new things with her and I discovered a lot of important things that make me, me today."

"Did she know who you really were?" I asked. That must've been a harder question because it took a minute before my Mom could answer. "No, not at first. She didn't know for a long time and when I finally told her, I couldn't tell if she was hurt for me lieing or because she felt bad that I was constantly in hiding." She smiled and I assumed it was her thinking of memories, "We always got past any fights that ever came up. I think she was the hardest one to leave when I fled the city." She looked down at the floor for a moment before she looked back up at me really seriously and took my hands into hers.

"I just want you to know that you're not alone and if you ever feel scared that you have friends and you have family that'll help you. I can't tell you at the moment whether i'll be staying or leaving but as soon as I know, you'll be the first I tell. I can promise though that I'll be here a week while your boy recovers a little. During that time, I will be with you always. If you have any questions, ask me. I want to be here for you as much as I can while I can." She rubbed my fingers and saw the ring.

"He gave that to me last night. And just so you know, he asked me before he knew about the baby." I explained She laughed, "Oh I wasn't all that worried about that. He seems like a really loyal boy. I can tell you two really love eachother." I nodded. She continued, "I will have to give him a good punch in the arm for not waiting though."

"Mom!" I whined. She laughed, "I'm kidding. I can't wait to meet this boy for real though. One day i'll have to take all of us out of the country and to somewhere really interesting. Like say, London? Or Brazil? Japan?" I stared at her, wondering if she really had to been to all those places. "You can't be serious, have you really gone out that far?" I asked. She nodded, "I have a lot of friends there too. Every city, country, and state i've been to, I have contacts with. I'm a famous girl." She winked. I gave her a big smile.

"Thank you." I said giving her a hug. It was the first hug I got to give her since she arrived. It felt so right and overdue. Nygus then opened the infirmary door and I basically shot like a rocket out of my chair. I couldn't tell if she was smiling because she always had bandages around her mouth, but I guessed that she was with the way her eyes squinted a little. She held her hand up before I could begin to even open my mouth.

"He just barely woke up and he hasn't stopped talking about you. He's persistant that he has you in there before anything else happens. You go ahead." She said moving out of the door entryway. She pointed to my Mom and Seirei, "You two can go in too. I'm sure he'd love to meet you." They nodded and began to enter. I was already at Crona's bedside before Nygus could hold the door open for me. He looked way brighter, his skin a mostly normal color and he had a gigantic smile as soon as he saw me. I reached his side and the first thing he did was that he rested one hand on my cheek and brought me down for a kiss. When we parted he said, "I'm so sorry."

"Why are you sorry?" I asked. He looked at me like I should know, "I scared you. This is the second time too that I did this. It won't happen again though, I know that for sure." I again wondered if he knew that he actually died. The last time something like this happened, he was severely injured and was in a emergency situation to get him stable. This time we didn't have emergency as an option, he was just gone. "Crona, do you know what happened?" I asked him. He looked at me a little confused, "Yes. I defeated Medusa, but she had nearly killed me in the process. I almost broke my promise."

"No, Crona. She didn't nearly kill you. She did." Now he looked extremely confused. "That can't be, i'm here now. Unless this is all a hallucination?" Somehow that made me smile despite the frustrating situation. "No, it's not a hallucination. You're here because of a miracle. That miracle would like to meet you." He still looked confused when my Mom walked up to the side of his bed next to me with Seirei behind her. It took a moment, but I noticed him constantly glancing between me and my Mom's faces and understandment crossed his face.

"I-is this? K-kami?" He asked. He stuttered and it reminded me of his old self. I nodded. My Mom handed her hand out to him, "In the flesh. I assume you are Crona, my baby's baby daddy?" She purposely phrased it like that and I had to roll my eyes. Crona was in the middle of shaking her hand when she said that and his face turned beet red. She laughed. "Mom..." I warned her, although I was still smiling. "Alright, alright. I'm sorry. It really is good to meet you young man. Maka has told me a little about you." She said. "And not enough." I think he took that as a small hint.

"W-what would you like to know?" He asked. She shook her head though, "We can talk about it another time. I need to go talk to Seirei and i'll be keeping Spirit out of here so you two can talk for a while. Then we have some business of cleaning up the city." Kami turned and began to exit. Seirei stood there still though. "Too bad you don't have a big brother, i'm sure he'd love this moment. I can't do it now but i'll have to take up that big brother role." She glanced at Crona. "Thanks Seirei, glad to know you've already fulfilled your role and we've known eachother for barely three hours." She laughed, "Of course little sis', who else is here to do it?" I had hardly known Seirei as my sister for three hours and she seemed so sisterly already. She even called me little sis'. I smiled and, even though it was a little awkward, gave her a hug. She hugged me back. Before she left she pointed to Crona, "You and I have business to take care of." Then my Mom yelled for Seirei and she left quickly.

"W-who was that?" Crona asked. "My sister." I responded. Again looking confused he said, "Wait, what?" I smiled and giggled a little, "I'll explain at a different time." He lifted his head a little to look at the door that Seirei had left in.

"Well, okay... You have to explain to me what you meant by saying that a miracle is why i'm alive and why you introduced your mom to me as the miracle though. I'm beyond confused and things are getting weirder the longer I stay awake." I sat on the edge of his bed and I set my hand on his. "Of course." I said. And so, I launched into the story of how my Mom suddenly showed up and brought him back. That story also launched me into the story about her and Seirei being witches. And that sent me into the story of how Seirei and I were separated when we were little. I also stated how much Papa had been running around for me and how much I was actually respecting him at the moment. I all of the sudden I remembered that I once had a cup of what I hoped was decaf coffee in my hand and now it was gone. Geez, I was losing track of everything... I had talked for about an hour and I had to shift positions so my back wouldn't hurt.

"Wow, well a lot happened. I missed everything." He said. I knew he wasn't dissapointed, because honestly that's probably a lot to process all of the sudden. I somehow managed it just fine. "You haven't missed everything." I said. He turned his head in confusion, "What do you mean?" I looked up at the time, Papa should be back by now. "Now you get to witness the moment when I tell my father about our baby." Crona began to instantly shake his head.

"I'd rather not witness that one." He was legitimately scared and I honestly was too. I knew I had to tell him though and so I decided to. It took me four months to tell Crona, which is ridiculous. I couldn't just postpone the news from everyone else. From my own father even. That would be just plain cruel. "I know. I'm scared to tell him too. We have to though. I can't be cruel and mean to him all the time. It's kinda hard to hide pregnancy anyway." Plans changed though when Stein came in with Marie. I moved off the bed the instant I knew who was here. Stein gave Crona the biggest hug i've ever seen Stein give. I've never seen Stein give anyone but Crona a hug. Well, and Marie too, but either way, it was a shock. Marie stood on the other side of the bed, waiting for Stein to move so she could get herself a hug. When Stein let go he was wiping his eyes and I did have to say that this tragedy was the first thing I ever saw make Stein cry. Marie leaned down and gave Crona a long hug also and she was crying by the time she let go.

"I must've scared you guys so bad. I'm so sorry." Crona said. He stared at all three of us, guilt obvious on his features. I wiped at my eyes and realized that I had started to cry at the sight of Marie and Stein with Crona. "You sure did," Marie said, "But you're here now and that's all that matters. I'm going to call the gang and tell them to come visit." She left to go find a mirror to start a big group call. Stein stayed for a moment. "I uh, have some news." We both looked at him waiting for him to finish, "The kishin and both witches were dead, so we went to go check on Cumo. She's safe and sane now, she can come visit you if you'd like her to." He asked Crona.

"I'd love to see her." Crona answered. Stein nodded, "I'll go get her." Then he left too. It was just me and Crona again, but I knew not for long. I then had an idea, I could tell everyone at the same time about our baby. Then I wouldn't have to tell in small groups, our gang's gossip, or one on one. I could tell my father at the same time too, and we might not suffer too much wrath from him. I also wondered if Cumo would tell her secret...

"M-maka?" Crona got my attention. "Hm?" I responded. I walked back over to the side of the bed and I put my hand in his. "Uh, I-i'm sorry, again, for causing all of this. For putting you and everyone through so much stress. The pain i've caused is so immense and it's so sad. I feel so guilty." He then moved the hand I wasn't holding over his face and closed his eyes. I sighed, "Crona, it's not your fault. I guess it's like you said, no matter what, you would've died. Your move was intended to kill you in the process. We're all just lucky that my Mom was here and she knew that there was something up." I paused, "Crona, when I stared at you. Afterwards, when you had gone... I was so heartbroken and beaten down. I don't think I could've carried on and if I did, I wouldn't be normal. I could never be okay or even near being the same after losing you." Crona's face turned red and I saw a tear escape his eye and roll down his cheek. His hand was still on his face and he gasped for a breath.

"I'm so sorry." Is all he could say. I could see the guilt in Crona and I felt bad that he had to feel it. I felt like it technically wasn't Crona's fault that all of this had happened. He did what he had to do and it ended the way it did. Luckily, we had power to reverse what was done and he was with us again. I don't think Crona would ever be the same again and neither would I. Our relationship is strong though and our baby too, so I think that's what will get us through our emotional stress. I leaned down and gave Crona a kiss on his cheek. My lips were wet from the tears but I didn't really care.

"It's okay, Crona. It's okay. Don't be sorry, it wasn't your fault." I set my hand that isn't holding his on his heart. "Crona feel." I told him. He was still crying and I think he was a little confused. He opened his eyes and stared at me but didn't move, so I gently grabbed the hand that was on his face and placed it over his heart. "Feel that?" I asked him. "As long as you can feel your heart beating, you have no reason to be sorry. Or to be guilty. You need to be happy and smiling. Be grateful that you're here and let the past roll away." I then set my hand on his cheek, "We're here for eachother." He nodded and he sat up abruptly pulling me into a hug. It was strange of Crona for sudden movements. He usually thought about all his actions atleast fifteen seconds before he did them. This action however, was spontaneous and something he needed. He held me so tight, I didn't think he'd ever let go. He cried on my shoulder and continued to whisper that he was sorry. I started to cry with him and hugged him back, more softly though, being conscious of his wound.

"It's okay. You're here now. No need to be sorry." I whispered to him. He tightened his hug in response, which I think meant that he didn't believe that. "Hey, i'm serious. It's alright." I told him again. I don't think he could talk, he was crying so hard and he continued to just hold me. So we sat there, holding eachother until he could calm down. I remembered that our souls were always in a resonation, because of the love we shared, so I sent calming vibes through our connection. I think it helped, because his crying slowed to a few sniffles and our hug loosened. When I thought he was stable enough, I let go of him. He let go too and I helped him lay back down. He technically wasn't allowed to be sitting up, but I wasn't going to whine at him at the moment. It was apparently hurting him to sit up and became comfortable that way cause' when I began to lay him down he winced a lot.

"I'-" He started. I interrupted, "Don't say sorry again. You have no reason to be. You do have to be happy though, give me a smile." He lifted the corner of his lips into what was supposed to be a smile, but it didn't really work. "No... That's not a smile. You have to really smile." I thought for a moment, "Remember when Blair took all of my clothes? And made me where all of my short stuff and then company came over and I was so embarrassed?" He did smile then. It was a real smile too. "I don't think I could ever forget that." He said.

"Good, cause' I know you liked it." His face turned a little pink but he softly laughed and I swear that was the best sound i've ever heard in my life. His smile stayed and he said, "I have a funny story I hadn't gotten to share yet." I sat a little closer to him and listened to every word that he said.

"Before the DWMA party, I went over to Kid's and in the midst of getting everyone ready, Black*Star dissapeared. I can't remember what he had done, but it was obviously about something of Kid's symmetry because when I found him, Kid had hit Black*Star in the back of the head with a frying pan." I smiled and I laughed. It was a good laugh too.

"Well of course Kid would. Black*Star is hard to deal with without force." I said. Crona's smile was significantly bigger as we talked about five minutes more. The door of the infirmary opened and Stein walked in with Cumo. Cumo looked so sad, but happy at the same time. Her hair was very unkempt and her clothes weren't what she had usually worn. It was a simple black t-shirt and black leggings with black socks. I'm not sure why her theme was black, but her face brightened up all those dark colors nonetheless. Then I noticed that her hands were in cuffs and black gloves covered them.

"Hi, Crona, how've you been?" She asked him. I watched Crona glance down at Cumo's cuffs and back up at her face.

"I-I don't know... Good, I guess. And what about you?" Crona responded. She shrugged, "Same answer." Crona pointed to her cuffs and gloves, "What's that for? Isn't the madness done and over with?"

"Safety precautions. For myself, and for others. A lot happened in that cell, Crona. It wasn't fun, but a few discoveries made my sane self keep intact. Though my insanity was strong..." She smiled despite the sad discussion, "I'm here now and it was all worth it. I get to see you and all my friends again. And- well, nevermind. I'll talk about that in a bit. Is Kid coming?" Stein nodded. I moved from the bed and gave Cumo a hug, although her cuffs made that a little hard.

"We missed you a lot Cumo. We were very worried too." I said. I had been worried about Cumo for a lot of reasons. First of all, she was my new friend and I truly felt like she belonged with us. She was just as shy and sad as Crona when he first joined us. I'm sure she's still in that phase, no one had gotten to really know her since the kishin was released. Except Kid of course. In fact, she's in the same boat as me. I was scared for her and what would happen... She doesn't seem too depressed though, so I hope that means all is well.

"The others should be here in less than fifteen minutes." Marie said as she came back. She must've had a long discussion with all of them while telling them to come. Probably telling them what had happened when my Mom resurrected Crona based on what Stein probably told her. "They're all really excited. None of them hesitated a moment to say that they'd come. Kid nearly dropped his mirror." She laughed a little when she talked about Kid.

"He was using a handheld mirror?" I asked. Marie nodded, "I guess so, his screen was really small and he was walking." I wonder what he was doing. Kid never uses a handheld mirror. Number one, because he can't have a call on two mirrors, making it unsymmetrical. Two, handheld mirrors that work with DWMA calls are bulky and awkward to carry around unless you have a purse. Unfortunately, handheld mirrors that are small enough to carry around conveniently don't work with calls. As I was still thinking, someone walked into the room. It was Kid. He made eye contact with Cumo first and practically lunged himself into an embrace with her. She couldn't hug him back, because of the cuffs, but I think he held her with a force that could've counted as two hugs.

"I've missed you so much." I heard Kid say as he hugged Cumo tighter. I was brought to tears at the sight of their embrace. I wasn't the only one. Marie and even Crona began to tear up. Cumo was visibly crying in the embrace, I could tell she really missed Kid too. Crona told me that a while ago she had said some pretty nasty things to Kid while she was dissolved into the madness. I knew that a person consumed by madness couldn't control what they did or said, though they consciously always knew what was going on. I bet Cumo felt really bad for all she's said and done to Kid. He let her go after another two minutes had passed by and gave her a small smile. He noticed the cuffs for the first time and gave a questioning and slightly angered look at Stein.

"Don't look at me like that, she wanted them. She wouldn't let me take her out of the cell until I cuffed her." Stein told Kid. Kid then turned his head towards Cumo with the questioning look, though it had softened and looked a bit sad. "Why?" He asked her. She looked down sadly but then looked him straight in the eye, "I knew the kishin and witches had died the moment they did because the madness had faded. I'm scared still though, Kid. I'm not stable and neither is Crona so soon after the madness dispersed. After what Stein told me though, i'm sure Crona will be fine." She gave a sad glance towards her cousin. "I just want to be sure that I don't do anything. I'm a powerful witch and I can't let myself loose because I know what I can do. I couldn't live with myself if I ever hurt any of you, not even if it was an accident." Kid gave her another hug, one not so long or tight. He let go and looked her straight in the eyes.

"I understand. I'm sorry. I wish I could help you. I wish you didn't have to be isolated or treated differently," his face turned determined, "In fact, as soon as things settle down, i'll be sure that the witches currently attending and those who wish to leave the path of witchy destruction, may come to the DWMA for help. It's a promise." She looked a little bright after he said those words. It also made me brighten, because if he did that, my mother... and sister, could stay here in Death City. "How long do you think that'll take?" I accidentally interrupted. I felt extremely embarrassed for ruining their soft and emotional moment and I felt my face heat up. Kid didn't seem to mind though.

"I'm not sure. It'll be a while. It should take around a month, a month and a half, for things to settle. Then I would have to take the steps of talking to my father. That part, depending on how the arguments start, would take from anywhere of a week to two months. It's a lengthy and confusing time frame." He thought for a moment more, but hadn't said anything. He turned back to Cumo and gave her a light smile and began a new conversation with her.

"I wonder what will happen with Kim." Crona said. I turned to him. "I wouldn't think that Lord Death would kick her out. She's a senior and she's done so much for our school. He knows there'd be a riot if he did anything irrational." I responded. He smiled a little at that and yawned. It had just dawned on me that Crona had just undergone surgery and was still resting technically. He had to be exhausted. I walked over to him and sat next to him on the bed again.

"You should sleep." I told him. He shook his head, "I should see my friends. I shouldn't be sleeping while they visit." I slightly smiled. He was always concerned about others and never himself. "I know, but you know what? You're here and alive, you will be for a very long time. Your friends have all that time to come see you and for you to see them. Right now though, you need rest and quiet." I told him. He looked at me a moment and I could see this information processing in his head. He tilted his mouth in thought and finally said, "Ten minutes. I'll be awake ten minutes that they're here and then i'll rest." My smile grew and I nodded in approval. I leaned down and gave him a kiss to his forehead.

"Maka?" I heard Cumo say. I turned around. "Yes?" I asked. She looked a bit nervous and looked back and forth between Kid and I. "C-can I talk to you in the hall?" I glanced at Crona and then back to her and nodded. Kid looked a little confused, Stein looked understanding, and Marie looked compassionate. I knew exactly what she wanted me to talk about with her. I followed her into the hallway and softly closed the infirmary door behind us. We were alone.

"How about we walk while I talk? I don't like being so close to them while talking about my topic." Cumo suggested. "That would be fine." I told her. So we started walking up the stairs to the next level and began to go through the hallways. It was strange to walk these familiar halls with no people to occupy them. It seemed too empty... I switched my attention to Cumo who began to talk.

"Sorry to take you away from Crona. I know you two should be spending a lot of time together after what happened. I'm sorry by the way. Stein told me everything that happened as he was taking me to the infirmary to see you guys. That's so tragic and scary, i'm sorry that you had to go through that temporarily." I tried to smile, but it came out a little sad, "It's okay. It was like you said, temporary. That's what matters to me." I told her. She shook her head, "You shouldn't of gone through it at all. Especially in your condition."

"Everyone calls it 'condition' and I don't understand why. It's not like i'm sick or dying. I wish you all could say because im p-pregnant." I stuttered over the word. And I sort of understood why it may of been hard for others to say. Cumo was right though. But she also needed to realize that she didn't deserve this herself. "You shouldn't have gone through anything either," I told her, "You have a 'condition' as well." Her face turned a bit pink and she smiled downwards. Then she raised her gaze to mine, "Yeah, you're right. But it is what it is I guess. I didn't know that you already knew. I was actually going to tell you." She stopped a moment, "A-and ask for h-help." I stopped walking and so did she.

"I'll help you with anything," I said, "What do you need help with?" Her lip quivered and her eyes teared up, "I'm scared. I don't know what to do. I've never done this, obviously, but i've never seen anyone else do it either. I've been isolated all my life and i'm scared about this. What do I do?" I gave her a small hug and stepped back, with my hands on her shoulders.

"I'm scared too. You know what helps a little?" I asked her. She shook her head. "If you tell him first." Her eyes widened and she shook her head faster. She stuttered, "No, I c-can't. That's what i'm m-mostly s-scared about." I gave her an understanding smile and said, "I know. It's scary. I was scared too. I finally told Crona and I felt most of the fear lift from me. I felt way better and safer. It might not be the same, but I think it would help you too. You need all the help you can get in this situation." She was still crying and she tried shaking her head again. I rested both of my hands on her cheeks and made her look at me straight in the eyes.

"Hey, you're not alone in this. I'm here and i'm doing exactly what you are. I'll help you the entire journey and in the end, we'll be helping eachother. It's scary, hard, and unbelievable... But we both have plenty of people looking after us and we should look forward to that. Be grateful. Tell Kid and you'll have a stronger, more efficient support." I let go and stepped back a step. "Understand?" She nodded and her tears flowed faster. I gave her a big hug and we stood there for a moment. I let her calm down and let go.

"I'm telling everyone today my secret. As soon as they all gather with Crona, even my father will be there. Care to tell yours with me?" I asked her. I didn't expect her to and I certainly wasn't going to pressure her into it. She was wide eyed and tense for a moment and looked down towards the floor. I watched as her shoulders relaxed and her face turned calm. I think she reached a decision. When she looked back up at me, she had the faintest hint of a smile. "O-okay. I w-will." I smiled back and gave her a small hug.

"I'm proud of you." I said. I looked up at the clock which was placed in the middle of the hallway, for Kid's happiness. "Looks like about ten minutes has passed, I guess that the others should be here now. Do you want to walk a little longer? Or do you think you're ready to go back?" I asked her. It took a moment for her to answer. "C-can we walk for five more minutes? I want to think about how I should t-tell everyone." I nodded and we began to walk again.

"If it helps, i'll start the conversation. I'll even say it first-" Cumo interrupted, "No, no. I-i'd like to say it first. Y-you said your father will be there and I think it'll be harder for me to say it if I saw his face. G-going off of what I know about him, I think i'll know how he'd react." I nodded.

"You're right. Okay, i'll start out the conversation, get everyone's attention and begin a small and subtle speech. Then, whenever you'd like, you may say it first." I explained to her. She nodded in approval, "Sounds like a p-plan. I'm ready to go b-back now." I turned us around and we began to walk the way we came. It was faster for us to return rather than to leave. We hadn't talked on our way back, I assumed that Cumo was processing how she was going to say her news. I was currently doing the same. The time was short though, because we arrived at the infirmary again. I heard Cumo let out a long and deep, shaky breath. I opened the door and let her walk in before shutting it. I was right, everyone else was already here. They were currently laughing. I moved the curtain a bit more to let Cumo and I through and saw who all was here. Kid, Liz, Patty, Soul, Amanda, Theresa, Black*Star, Tsubaki, Marie, and Stein. They were all circled around Crona's bed and it made the room a tight fit for the all of us. Technically this was a fire hazard, but I don't think anyone cared as long as they saw Crona.

"Oh, hey Maka! Where've you been? I expected you to be practically glued to Crona's side." Black*Star announced to the room. I blushed a little, remembering that I was technically, until Cumo wanted to talk to me. "Black*Star, give her a break. She's gone through a lot of trauma." Tsubaki warned him. "Pshh, she's strong. She'll deal." He replied. Tsubaki gave me a 'sorry' look. I waved my hand, "It's alright. And like you can say anything, I saw you crying like a baby too." I replied.

"I-I was not!" He yelled, "Gods don't cry!" Everyone laughed. "Everyone cried," Liz said, "Even the toughest of gods would've cried." Crona looked a little guilty, but a smile still formed on his face. Amanda looked a little uncomfortable. "Is there something wrong, Amanda?" I asked her. She looked up surprised.

"U-uh no. I have a question, but i'm pretty sure that's disrespectful." Theresa rolled her eyes, "Like you really ever thought about what you say before you said it?" She commented. Amanda glared at her. "You can ask it." I said. She looked surprised again and nervously glanced between me, Crona, and her eyes landed on Stein.

"Okay, uh, Stein... How did Crona replenish his blood again? I know he has, um, black blood. He lost a lot of it and he's here now, but I was just confused. People who lose a lot of blood usually get hooked to blood bags and I was sure that you couldn't mix normal red blood with his..." She fidgeted and looked more nervous as she talked. She was right, the question was a little disrespectful, but no one judged her. I was sure that everyone else had the confusing question in their head too, even if it wasn't their top problem. Everyone then looked uncomfortable, but Crona seemed... intrigued?

"M-may I ask the same thing?" Crona asked. Everyone looked at him in disbelief. I guess they expected him to be mad or uncomfortable or something, I had too. Stein cleared his throat, "Yes, well. You're right. You can't mix red blood with his. He has to have black blood. I found Medusa's book, with Kim to decipher, and we discovered the black blood formula. Only we hadn't added the melted weapon. It's normal black blood and it's fused with Crona's perfectly fine." Everyone didn't seem so confused then, but it was strange to remember that Kim is a witch, and that Crona had different blood. I was fine with it, I had gotten rather used to it. I loved Kim as a friend just as much as I did before and Crona's blood had become a normal thing. Hell, even Ragnarok was normal. Wait, Ragnarok! I wondered if he'd lived through all of this...

"How's Ragnarok?" I asked Crona. Crona's eyes widened. "I-I forgot about him.." He said, "I can't hear or feel him. B-but he wasn't very social last time either." Last time Crona nearly died Ragnarok had gone dormant until he gained enough power to make himself known. He'd pop out every once in a while and make his rude and weird comments. Thing is, Crona did die this time. He was resuscitated and so he lives, but I wonder if my mother's magic saved Ragnarok too? Crona lost so much of his normal blood though, which was replaced by a blood substance that didn't have a part of Ragnarok in it. I honestly can't say that Ragnarok could've lived through this... I felt a guilty and sad twisting in my stomach. Damn. I hated that asshole of a partner but I had come to enjoy his company sometimes. Even if he was rude and never stopped calling me 'fat cow', I never wanted him to die.

"I don't think we'll see Ragnarok again." I said sadly. Crona looked sad too, "I-it is different. The blood isn't the same as it was before." He said. I nodded and everyone else looked a little sad. The sadness was wiped away though when Spirit walked in.

"Hey kiddos, what's going o- Ah!" Spirit walked in really fast and proudly but had tripped on one of the other bed's wheels. He fell face first into the linoleum floor. Everyone laughed, even Crona did. I should've felt guilty for laughing at my father, but I guess old habits never die. He stood up a bit too fast after smashing his face into the floor and stumbled into the wall like a drunken man. I just noticed that Spirit, as far as I knew, hadn't drank a drop of alcohol since this tragedy. That made me feel a little happy and proud of him, but I still slightly hated him like I always had since he cheated on my mother. He waited a moment, clinging to the wall, before he stood up again and he cleared his throat.

"Like I was saying, what's going on?" He asked as he regained posture. We were all slightly giggling and Kid answered, "Catching up." Spirit walked around everyone and stood in front of Crona.

"Hey kid, how you doing?" Spirit asked him. Crona looked a bit nervous to be talking to my father so casually but he answered anyway, "O-okay I guess." Spirit nodded and turned around, walking towards the door.

"Papa, wait." I said. He turned around, "What do you need, pumpkin?" I cringed at the dumb nickname. I asked, "Would you stay a minute, please? I want to say something to the all of you." He glanced back. "I need to get back to Lord Death, but I can stay for you. Be fast, please." He said. I felt the fear and nervousy grow in my stomach. I walked over to Crona, sitting on the side of his bed and taking his hand in mine. I exhaled a long, deep, and heavy breath. Cumo got the hint of what I was doing and decided to stand next to me. Kid was on the foot end of Crona's bed and he raised an eyebrow in what seemed like confusion. I glanced at Crona, who looked up at me with the same fear and nervousy that I had. I squeezed his hand lightly and he squeezed back.

"So," I began, "How long have we all been friends for?" I asked the group. I knew that between me, Soul, Kid, Liz, Patty, Black*Star, and Tsubaki, it had been a very long time. I think eight or nine years... Between Amanda, Theresa, and Cumo, it was hardly a year. No one answered me, but they all sat in thought. I smiled. "See? Long enough for you to think how long. Even our three new friends have become our family. That's what we all are, family. Family do stuff together and we trust eachother. We help eachother out whenever someone needs a hand. That's what we all do, right?" I asked. They nodded.

"Yes, right. And we will continue for a long time, till' death likely, to be a big, happy, and growing family. I'm happy to of met every single one of you and get to know you. We're all a part of eachothers lives and we've gone through everything together." I glanced over to Stein and Marie, who looked like they knew exactly what Cumo and I were doing. They looked happy and supportive. "Cumo and I have some strange and, I hope, happy news. I would like to think that you'll all understand and help us both. Um, so, we uh-"

"W-we're pregnant!" Cumo ubruptly yelled. I looked at her a little surprised at the sudden yell of our secret, but I noticed that she had been shaking and near to tears while I was talking. I guess my speech was rather long and she couldn't take the pressure... I looked up at everyone's faces. Everyone was very surprised, some even had their mouths dropped open. I looked down at Crona who was visibily sweating and nervous and maybe a bit confused that Cumo was pregnant as well. I squeezed his hand again and he squeezed tighter. I wrapped my hand around Cumo and rested it on her shoulder, despite the fact that she was tall standing up and I was short sitting on Crona's bed. Everyone was really quiet. Kid's face was beyond comprehensible. I noticed that his eyes had dialated. My father, well I couldn't tell whether he was crying, fumingly angry, or about to faint. Just as I thought of fainting, Kid keeled over. Stein ran and barely caught Kid before he made it all the way onto the floor. Cumo ran away from my grasp and was at his side.

"Surprise?" I nervously and enthusiastically laughed. Theresa, Liz, and Patty then began to squeel and ran to me.

"Why didn't you tell me?" "How far along are you?" "Is it a boy or a girl?" "Are you excited?" "Can I babysit?" They began to throw a bunch of questions at me. I then really laughed at their reactions and tried to answer as fast as they asked. Tsubaki, who hadn't squeeled, calmy walked over to me and then bursted into excited questions as well. All of the girls were happy for me and I was glad that they hadn't rejected me for my choice. Or Cumo either. I was sure that if Cumo was still standing here and not trying to wake Kid up that all of the girls would be bombarding her too.

"Hey, hey, hey girls, give her a bit of breathing space." Marie said pushing them a little away and shushing them. "I'm sure she'll let the baby spend time with you too." She gave me a smile and leaned down to hug me. I hugged her back. Crona was smiling as well and got a hug from her too. I looked over at Soul, who's mouth was still wide open.

"Soul, a fly is going to choke you if you don't shut your mouth sooner or later." I told him. He blinked out of his shock, "Why?" he asked. "Why I got pregnant?" I clarified. Soul shook his head, "No, sorry. That's a dumb question. Ignore that. This is so weird." He cradled his head in his hands. "What's weird?" I asked him. "That you're pregnant! You are the nerdiest and most responsible person i've ever known. This is the last thing I expected to happen with you. Atleast until you graduated or made a Death Weapon." I frowned.

"Are you calling me irresponsible?" I asked him. He shook his head again, "No! Okay, whatever I say, ignore. I don't understand what i'm saying apparently." Soul walked over to a empty chair and sat down. I looked to Black*Star, who atleast looked surprised at first, but not now. "And what have you got to say?" I asked him. He shrugged casually. "Nothing really. I may of sort of saw this coming. I'm surprised about Cumo, but not near as much with you." He answered. "What does that mean?" I asked him. He shrugged again.

"Nothing. Like Soul said, you're the nerdiest and most responsible person anyone has ever known; but Crona has surprised all of us a few times. He's quiet, shy, and a downer but he's done some pretty courageous stuff despite his personality. Why not you?" He explained. I went blank and had nothing to retort. He did have a point... Black*Star, for once in his life, made a logical point. I would have to be sure to go home and print a certificate of honor to him. I looked up to Spirit, who still hadn't moved and his facial expression stayed the same.

"Should somebody slap him?" Amanda asked. Crona shook his head, "I think he should stay that way. I don't want to deal with whatever reaction he has when he comes out of shock." I laughed a little. I knew exactly how Crona felt. I was scared and nervous of how my father would react and what he would say. Could he technically disown me now? I wondered that. I was his daughter and he was always so obsessed with me, but I wonder if this could make him lose that obsession. I'm not that innocent little girl he always thought I was. Though I do remember he sent me sexy underwear as a gift. That, i've never forgiven him for. I was still his daughter to him, right? He couldn't just give up on me? I didn't know and the more I thought about the questions the more sad and depressed I felt.

"Maybe we can pick him up and carry him into the hallway like a billboard?" Liz joked. Patty then clapped her hands and laughed, "Haha man billboard!" She always laughed and came up with the weirdest things. I wondered if she'd ever leave her childish faze, though I somehow knew she wouldn't leave all of it when she became an adult. Marie giggled, "Now now, we should get him out of his shock. I think it would be better to get things said and done with now rather than later. Do you agree?" She asked me. I nodded. I didn't want to figure out how my father felt and I knew he'd attack Crona, but I didn't want to wait it out. Theresa came closer to me.

"Don't worry. We're all here for you. If he get's too mean, we'll kick his butt. If he comes close to Crona, we'll kick his ass and boot him out the door." She gave me a reassuring smile. She knew that I was more worried about Crona than myself and she always said the right things to make me happy. Marie looked between me and Crona then stood up and poked Spirit's face.

"Eh, Spirit? You okay?" She softly asked. He was still in shock but then he blinked a few times and stared at her. "Am I okay? Okay? I'm okay? No, i'm certainly not okay." He weirdly ranted. He fake laughed and stuck both hands in his shoulder length hair. "My daughter, my seventeen year old daughter, is pregnant. She's with child. A baby is in her! How can I be okay!?" He began to yell and Marie took a step back.

"Look, I know it's surprising and it's maybe a bit early for you to accept, but you need to be her father. Quit your yelling, calm down, and talk with her. You don't have to accept the fact that your baby is, uh, grown and is having a baby of her own. But you still have to be her understanding father and be here for her." Marie told him. He glared at her. "I am her father! I've tried being her father for seventeen years! She rejects me! And now look what's happened, I stopped being so strict. I went out drinking and she met a boy. I didn't chase this boy away, instead I let him stay because I thought he may be harmless. Hell was I wrong! Now my little girl is pregnant!" He then turned his attention towards Crona. He pointed an accusing finger at him.

"Now you-" he started. Then Marie got angry. She grabbed Spirit's shirt and tugged him close to her and got in his face. "No, now you listen to me, Spirit. You will not accuse him. You will not accuse her. You shall not accuse anyone in this world of what's happened. Maka and Crona love eachother. They made a choice, one maybe made too early, but it happened. You are not going to yell at either one of them for what they choose. You will be a grown man who is compassionate and loving. Do you understand me?" Spirit shrunk down in his button up shirt and nodded. Marie smiled and let him go.

"Holy shit, Miss Marie." I heard Black*Star say. She smiled at him and straightened out her clothing. "What?" She asked. Spirit then looked around nervously. He glared at Crona, then looked at me hurt, and stormed out of the infirmary. Everyone stared at the door that he slammed behind him.

"That wasn't as bad as I thought, but just as wrong as it could've gone." I commented, "Thank you Marie. You looked scary and because of that, we won't feel his wrath." Marie continued smiling, "He was out of line. As long as he decides to be like that, he will need a stern lecture. It's been a long time since i've done that. Besides, I wasn't about to let him yell at my son and daughter-in-law for being a happy couple." I looked down at Crona who was smiling. I gave him a kiss on his cheek and hugged him. Well, whatever you could call a hug while he's lying down.

"Thank you all, for being understanding. Soul, you're over reacting a bit." I said. He was in the chair and he still looked so stunned. "I am not. You're basically my sister. I have every right to react like this. I am so confused." Theresa raised an eyebrow, "What are you confused about? How it happens?" All the girls laughed and even Black*Star chuckled. "N-no! I don't even want to think about that!" He made a disgusted face.

"Seems like you and Amanda do enough of it for you to understand. Maybe I was wrong." Theresa continued. Amanda's face turned pink, "We do not!" She yelled at her sister. Theresa laughed, "I live with you. I'm sure that i'd know. Especially when my bedroom happened to be placed next to yours." Both Soul and Amanda blushed and everyone giggled. I felt a little uncomfortable because Soul was right. We treated eachother as siblings; though he did get jealous of me at one point and kissed me mistaking his feelings. He thinks of me like a sister and he's basically my brother. I was uncomfortable thinking of his sex life...

"Now let's not get into this conversation." Marie said. She was obviously uncomfortable as well. "He's awake!" I heard Cumo yell. We all whipped our attention from Soul and Amanda to Kid who was unconscious for a while. Cumo and Stein had been slapping him and dripping water on his face trying to get him to wake up.

"How did you wake him up?" Black*Star asked.

"I said seven." Cumo replied. I heard most of us giggle and laugh. Kid was slowly awakening and I heard him groan.

"Why am I on the floor?" He asked. Stein said, "You fainted." I saw Kid frown.

"I fainted? I can't imagine why unless something is unfixably unsymmetrical." Cumo scooted closer to him.

"Are you okay?" She asked him. He gave her a confused face and said, "Why, yes love. Why do you ask?" She bit her lip, "Because I told you something and you passed out. Do you remember what I said?" Kid was silent for a few moments. "I don't recall." Stein and Cumo sat Kid up. Stein handed him a glass of water, which I hadn't noticed someone getting. He took it and began to drink it.

"I'm pregnant, Kid." Cumo said again. Kid suddenly spat the water he was drinking out and dropped the glass which cracked and rolled on impact with the floor. "S-say again?" He stuttered. He was wide eyed and staring at her like she said something tragic. Cumo tried giving him a calm smile. She grabbed his hands and set them on her slightly bulging stomach (trying to make them symmetrical in the process) and said again but slowly this time, "You and I have a baby. I am pregnant." Kid was speechless. His skin turned whiter than a ghost and his mouth dropped a little, then he froze like that. Cumo frowned. Stein waved his hands in front of Kid's face.

"Damn, so many frozen people tonight." Stein commented. He flicked Kid's cheek. He made sure to poke and prod at Kid in the most unsymmetrical way possible. Nothing really was fixing his shock. I was surprised that the unsymmetrical pokes and prods didn't fix him, Cumo even said seven again and he didn't move.

"I don't know what to do." Cumo said looking at Stein. He sighed and said, "There's honestly no way to fix someone's shock except for splashing water and slapping them. Otherwise, you have to wait until they calm and fix themselves." She pouted a little and looked back at Kid. I felt a little bad. Kid thought that he could rationalize and deal with anything that came at him. Apparently he never knew he could have children. He must've thought that since he's basically Lord Death's clone, he'd have to do the same to procreate. He was so wrong. His beliefs ended up getting his girlfriend pregnant.

"K-kid? I-i'm sorry. I didn't want to make you mad, or sad, or shocked, or whatever you're feeling. I w-wanted you to be happy." She wasn't crying and didn't look near to it, but she did look sad and maybe even a little guilty. "Cumo," I said, "Don't think it's your fault or that you should fix this. Kid's just in shock. He isn't mad or sad. He just needs to process." She looked at me and nodded, though her emotions were still displayed on her face. I knew how she felt because I felt the same way once. It was before I told Crona though. Crona reacted nearly right away and he was overjoyed. Theresa slowly walked up to Cumo and whispered something in her ear.

"Do you think that'll work?" Cumo asked Theresa. Theresa nodded and walked back towards us. She gave Patty a hug and watched Cumo. Cumo looked a bit nervous, but she did whatever Theresa told her to do.

"S-stein? May I have the cuffs off?" She asked him. Stein raised an eyebrow in question but grabbed the key out of his pocket and unbound her hands. They dropped from her wrists and she rubbed them softly. There was a red circle where the cuffs were placed. Luckily they weren't on her long enough to of broken her skin. Stein took the cuffs and put them in his coat's pocket. Cumo then turned back to Kid. She leaned forward, putting her hands on his cheeks and kissed him lightly. When she let go of her kiss, she slid down into a hug with Kid and held him tightly. We couldn't see Cumo's face anymore, but we watched as he began to blink. He looked down at Cumo and wrapped his arms around her. Cumo gasped and broke their hug to look at his face. She apparently began to cry because tears were already streaked down her face.

"I'm sorry Cumo. Don't cry." He said as he wiped away her tears. Cumo closed her eyes. "N-no, i'm sorry! I've hurt you and i've dissapointed you. Now i've done this and I can't forgive myself." She was still crying. Kid shook his head furiously, "No Cumo, don't think that. The pain wasn't your fault. I've never been dissapointed and this is my fault way more than it is yours. I was foolish. You were always innocent. You always will be." He hugged her and held her tightly like he had when he first saw her. We all watched this moment between them and I felt a happiness rising in me. It was such a sweet moment, I swore I would cry.

"Cumo, you mean everything to me. I didn't react well, i'm sorry. Truth is, I love that baby as much as I love you. It's certainly a surprise, I never thought I could have kids. But here we are and I know you wouldn't lie to me. I was mistaken and the mistake of mine got us here. This baby is ours and not a mistake itself, but a miracle. You're a miracle too, Cumo. I had never loved in my life and everything changed when I met you. I promise you that I love you and I love our baby." He went on a long rant and had to catch his breath when he was done. Cumo was crying still, but I was sure they were happy tears now.

"Aww, Crona look. Your cousin and I will be prego buddies. You and Kid will be baby daddies and you'll have babysitting wars." Crona looked up at me and said, "That's not funny." I laughed, "It's very funny." He smiled anyway. Then he frowned.

"M-maka?" I stayed silent, waiting for him to continue. "Do you think we may of done this too early? Are you going to be okay? You have school and still need to create a Death Scythe for Lord Death. Doesn't this ruin that?" He asked. I understood his concern, I thought about this many times myself.

"Were we doing this too early? Not necessarily, we just didn't use protective measures. Was this a mistake? No, I don't think so. Will it ruin school and Death Scythe? No, it won't. I'll still finish school and graduate the same day that everyone else does. It'll be a little harder being a mom and taking care of our baby while doing school, but i'll deal with it. Plus our baby has daddy too. The Death Scythe can wait. I can graduate DWMA and still make a weapon for Lord Death. I don't have to be a current student to do that. I have to be a previous, successful student." I brushed his bangs from his face, "Crona, what we've done is for a reason and I don't regret any of it. I'm happy that we're here and gotten this far. Our choices weren't wrong in any way, shape, or form. You're just letting my father's words get to your head and you're taking too much meaning from our friends. You believe in what you think and not what others are influencing your mind to do. Get it?" He looked down for a moment, then his gaze met mine and he nodded. I smiled and gave him a small, quick kiss on his lips.

"Okay, Crona's been awake from surgery for a whole two hours and a half. He's exhausted. Let's let him sleep, yeah?" I said to the group of people in the infirmary. They all looked at me and either nodded or said yes to agree with me. They started to pile out of the room. Stein stopped before he closed the door.

"You can stay in here with Crona. You should have a little alone time with him before he falls asleep. Don't keep him awake for too long though, he still needs a lot of rest." I nodded and he left. He closed the door behind him. I turned around and walked back to Crona. He was looking out the window.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked him. He looked back at me, a little surprised, but smiled. "I-it's nothing. They didn't make you leave?" I shook my head.

"No. Even if they would've kicked me out of the infirmary I would've sat at the door. I can't leave your side for a while." I admitted. It was true. Earlier when I left and walked with Cumo, I had an anxiety that was eating away at my mind. Our serious chat dimmed it a little but it was still there. I knew it was too early for me to leave his side.

"I'm okay, Maka." He said worriedly. I shrugged and said, "I know. I just have this inner feeling that I shouldn't leave you. I can't leave the school. I'd probably go insane if I left. I'm happier here with you than I would be moping at home anyway." He smiled and commented, "You don't mope. You pout and whine."

"Hey! I don't whine!" I defended. He laughed. "Yes you do. It's c-cute though." I smiled catching him stuttering again, "No, it's not cute. But your stutter is adorable." He groaned, "No, that definitely isn't adorable. It's horrible. I'm trying so hard to get rid of it. I was good for quite a while. It sort of came back though."

"I know you hate it. I also know that it will go away, unless you're nervous or embarrassed. It's so cute though, i'll always miss that if it does go away." I said. He shook his head and smiled. He turned his head towards the window again and his expression grew serious.

"How far along are you Maka?" He asked. I was surprised at the sudden topic change but I answered nonetheless, "almost four months. Why?"

"I asked Stein a few questions about this a while ago, for Marie's pregnancy though, not yours. I don't think you were pregnant at the time. He said that when Marie turns four months, she can't teach until a month after she has her baby. It's so she doesn't over work herself and hurt the baby. That means that you won't be able to go to school soon, will you?" I frowned and answered, "No, I won't. I'll have to stay home and Stein will be setting up camera's in every classroom, except for fitness which i'm exempt from, so I can still technically attend class. Why are you worried about this?"

He sighed, "I just feel like i've ruined your schooling."

"I told you. This doesn't ruin anything. Crona, this baby bonds us and I won't let anything get in the way of our family. Yes, there are things I still have to do to become a good mom. Like finish school, which I will do. You shouldn't worry about it, it'll be done and i'll be fine. What about you? You're daddy. You have to be in school too." I said. He responded, "It's different. I don't have to skip school, or carry around weight that hurts my feet and back. I don't have to worry constantly about a life that relies on me." He thought about that last point for a moment, "Okay, nevermind, yes I do. Either way, it's different and it's not fair." I shook my head and gave him a smile. The smile confused him.

"Crona, you're worrying too much. Do you know what you should be worried about?" He stayed silent, "Getting rest. Our baby is healthy and fine, mommy is too. Mommy has everything planned out and she's ready for everything. Daddy just needs to sleep and get better so he can hold the baby when they come."

"I'm sorry. I know I worry too much. I can't help it. I'm so nervous and scared. I feel like i've ruined your life." He said sadly. I set my hand on his cheek and leaned close to him.

"You've never ruined my life and there's only two ways you could. This definitely won't ruin my life. It enhanced it. We started a family and a family is what we'll be forever. Remember the house?" I asked. "Yes," he said quietly, "I won't ever forget how you described our house. It was beautiful. By the way, what are the two ways I could ruin your life?"

"If you ever cheat on me or leave me." I said.

"I'd never do that." He said instantly. I gave him a smile and said, "I know. You haven't left me both times you could've. And you love me and our baby too much to cheat on me." He smiled too and he blushed randomly. I raised an eyebrow in question.

"What is it?" I asked him. He stuttered, "N-nothing."

"No, I know that there is something. Now tell me." I crossed my arms on the bed and resting my head on them while looking up at Crona. He groaned a little and turned his body a little towards me. "It's a awkward question." I shook my head and argued, "Nothing you ask me will be awkward." I knew that wasn't true, but I wanted him to tell me anyway. He opened his mouth for a second, nearly to ask, and then closed it again. His blush deepened. I giggled. "Just tell me," I insisted. He shifted a little again and tried to say it.

"C-can I... Um... I can't ask." His blush darkened and he held his face with his hands.

"Hey Crona." I said. "What?" He asked through his hands. "Did I ever tell you that I love it when you blush?" I giggled. He slid his hands from his face with a big smile.

"I think you did, once or twice. You have a constant thing for bringing up memories, you know that?" He said. I nodded.

"I love reminding you. It makes us both happy. I'm going to make a big collage from all the pictures that our friends took of us and the notes we've given eachother. Then hang it up on the wall for the memories to be there forever." He smiled, "I would love that." He sighed and tried to ask his question again.

"Can I.. Um.. f-feel your belly? To feel the b-baby?" He asked finally. He thought that was an awkward question? Psh, not even. I smiled brightly and stood up. I still wore my yellow vest and black cloak, but I pulled up my shirt a little to expose my belly. It was slightly rounded but a hardly noticeable baby bump. Crona's face turned a dark crimson and he hesitated. So I softly grabbed one of his hands and placed it on my bare skin. His hands were so much warmer now than they were before and I nearly teared up at the thought of it. I let go of his hand so I could keep my shirt up and he placed his other hand on my bump. He stared in awe and I saw his eyes dialate slightly.

"She's so beautiful." He said. I froze a little and stared at him.

"D-did you say she?" I asked him. His hands tensed a bit and he looked up at me. His blush continued to darken.

"Uh, y-yeah. I guess I did. I don't know... I just had a glimpse of something. Like her soul. I'm not sure." I smiled and said, "You said she and then you said her. You think our baby is a girl?" He looked down to where his hands were cradling the small bump where our baby was.

"Yeah. I guess I do. What do you think?" He asked me. I remembered the dream I had when I fell asleep next to Crona. Him and that little girl in the flower field.

"I think she's a girl too." I said finally after a bit of thought. He smiled, "Okay, she's a girl. What would you name her?" I thought about my mother instantly and nearly said, Kami. But I hesitated. The dream popped into my mind again. What was it that Crona called her when they were walking to the house?

"Tiffany." I said. He raised an eyebrow, "Why Tiffany?" I smiled and told him something I told no one before.

"It's my middle name." I admitted. He looked stunned, "really?" I nodded, "What did you think it was?" He tried to look calmer, but failed, and said, "I don't know. I d-didn't think you had one. I don't have one. Er, well if I did then I don't remember."

"I've never told anyone what it was. For the longest time, i've hated it. Some people have pretty middle names like Dawn, or Grace, or Shea. I got a common name, Tiffany. My grandmother's name. I've never even met her. Now though, it doesn't seem so bad." I explained. He looked confused and asked, "No one knows your middle name?" I shook my head, "No one but me, my parents, and you."

"That makes me feel special." He said. I smiled widely, "It should. You are special. Really, really special." He smiled too and looked back down to the baby bump that his hands still held.

"I think Tiffany is a beautiful name..." He paused a moment, "What would we name her if she turned out to be a boy?" He asked. I thought for a moment and shrugged.

"I've never had to name a baby before. Besides, I named the girl, you get to name the boy." I laughed when he groaned and flopped on his back, putting his arm over his face like a tragic moment. "I can't name. I can hardly remember people's names." He whined. I giggled, "Who's the one who whines now?" I teased. He smiled underneath his arm and went quiet for a moment. I watched as he tilted his lips in thought.

"I have no idea." He said sitting up far enough to prop himself on his elbow. He winced and I was about to chastise him but then he said, "Michael I guess." I leaned towards him a little and pulled down my shirt.

"Why Michael?" I asked. He shrugged. "I don't know. It sounds nice I guess, it's the only name that seemed appealing." I thought for a moment, "Maybe you don't remember your middle name and that's what it is?"

He smiled but he shook his head, "I doubt I have a middle name. But Michael wouldn't be a bad one. Medusa wanted a tool and gave me a first name only to put on the birth certificate and call me her child. I doubt she took the time to give me a middle name." I nodded and agreed. He was right. Crona's real name is spelt Kurona and it means 'Dark One'. She changed the way his name was spelt only to keep people from glaring and calling her a horrible mother while she was in civilization and I assume that's what happened with Cumo as well.

"Okay fine. You don't have a middle name, but now you do!" I said.

"What?" He asked. I laughed.

"You said you don't have a middle name and I believe that. You can technically have a middle name and not be on the birth certificate. You name yourself. So your middle name is Michael and if we have a baby boy, we'll name him that too." He looked a bit skeptical. "Oh come on," I said, "It's okay. Not like someone can come up to you and refuse that you named yourself something. It's your choice. Do you want to have a middle name?" Crona thought for a moment.

"Why not?" He responded.

I smiled, "See? Now you're Crona Michael Gorgon." He smiled too and said, "You're Maka Tiffany Albarn." I shook my head and he was confused. I clarified, "I'm not Maka Tiffany Albarn. I'm Maka Tiffany Gorgon."

"I haven't married you yet. We're technically just engaged. That's how it works, right?" He asked. Although he had grown to adjust to most things and learned a lot, he still had a lot to discover. I nodded. "Yes, but I can still call myself a Gorgon. Remember, I can call myself what I want? And you can too." I explained.

"I don't know why you'd want my last name." He said.

"Why not?" I said, repeating what he said. He realized what I did and gave me a playful 'stop it' face. "Because I own the name of powerful witches who caused lots of pain and suffering among innocent people. Even I have ruined my name." He explained. It made me a little sad because he had a point. But he shouldn't let past things form his name.

"No, Crona. It was owned by witches, it's not now, except for Cumo. You said that you ruined it too and you didn't. It was your mother's work. Not yours. So don't say that. I love your last name, and you know why?" I waited for an answer and he shook his head no. "Because it's been insulted. Now here you are, a heroic young man who will retitle himself and his family to fit a beautiful future. As far as I know, you and Cumo are the last Gorgons. You've already started good deeds to fill your name with good titles."

"What do you mean?" He asked. "Which part?" I asked him. "I've already started good deeds." He responded. I thought for a moment of all the good things he's done.

"You better be ready, it's a long list." He stayed put though and didn't say anything. His face told me that he didn't believe he's done any good. I took a deep breath and began.

"You have done some very bad things against your will. You've been abused and enslaved by your own mother. You know what you do? You're offered help and friends and family and you accept it. You don't scare yourself into thinking that Medusa would hunt you down. You look to the future and think of the improvements your life would have to have friends and family. So you joined us. We became your family. You've saved us multiple of times and we've saved you. You've stuck your neck out for every one of us when we had a problem. None of our friends can say anything bad about you because you've done everything right. You're a shy, timid boy who knew nothing about the real world. So we helped you. Well we tried to, but you mostly helped yourself. Every moment you've had with us is a learning experience for you. Even when you struggled, you helped others in need. Crona, you've done so much that it's hard to remember and name everything. Did you know they started writing the new version of DWMA history book this year? They wanted me to send in a few articles, so I wrote up about twenty papers. All of them but two had your name mentioned and, or, you were the main character. They loved them and they used fifteen of them. They're still updating and they've been asking me to write up more articles if anything big comes up. Do you know who will be the headline of the new paper?" I asked, "You. Every paper i've written has had the best and most heroic and truest stories about you in them. Some papers had to be finished and published by Lord Death because I was absent for a few events, but I read over the papers I mailed and even Lord Death had your name in them. You've done a lot for us, Crona. You're blind to what you've done, but the DWMA isn't the same without you." I finished.

Crona's face had slowly turned from disbelief to wonder and admiration as I continued talking. He now looked at me like he maybe was blind. "I didn't know you were writing papers for the updated history books," he said, "you're not exaggerating about my name and the papers?" I shook my head.

"I have no reason to lie or exaggerate about that. I tell all truth." He looked down at the bed in thought.

"I-i'm sorry. I didn't know." He said.

"What are you sorry about?" I asked.

He frowned a little, "Well, you're here trying to make me laugh and happy and I keep downing the topics you come up with." I attempted to give him an understanding smile and said, "Crona, you've been through a lot and it hasn't even been a whole day. It's like half past one in the afternoon, they day isn't near to being over. You were resuscitated from being dead for six whole hours, gone through major surgery and had blood shoved back into your system, then had to stay awake for two and a half hours trying to entertain our friends. You are allowed to be a downer." He looked at me surprised.

"I- wha- um... I don't know what to say now." Crona said. I gave him a kiss on his cheek. "Don't say anything. Sleep." I told him.

"What if i'm afraid to sleep?" He asked. "Why are you afraid of sleeping?" I questioned. He looked a bit uncomfortable. "I'm afraid of never waking up. That I really will leave you and the baby and I won't be able to come back." It was a legitimate fear and honestly I was afraid of that too. For some reason though, I knew that he was safe. Whatever spell my mother casted saved him thoroughly enough that he couldn't possibly die for a while. I scooted closer to him.

"I'm afraid of that too, Crona. But you can't stay awake forever. You need to heal, so you need a lot of sleep. I promise I won't be leaving the room, i'm quite tired, I stayed up till' four this morning and got up at like six forty. I'll stay here and take a nap with you, will that help?" He nodded and I gave him a small smile. I was about to move off the bed to get the chair and Crona grabbed my arm. "What is it, Crona?" I asked him.

"U-um... You c-can s-sleep on the bed w-with me." He stuttered. I took a short glance at the bed.

"It's a small bed..." I said. He stuttered again, "I-it's okay. We're both s-small people. If I put the guard rail up, y-you can fit with me at the edge." He explained. I took a few more hesitant glances at the bed. "I-it'll make me feel s-safer." He insisted. I gave up, "Okay, fine. Let me go grab a few more pillows." He gave me a big smile and I walked off to the closet and found like a bazillion pillows. I grabbed three and went back to Crona. I lifted up the guard rail in the bed on his side and placed a pillow inbetween him and the railing for comfort. He scooted as far as he could and insisted again that he was comfortable and that I should lay down. So I placed my pillow on the bed next to his and scooted to put the guard rail up on my side, then put the third pillow in between me and the rail for comfort. I finally relaxed on my side next to Crona.

"T-thank you." he said. I smiled and said, "Of course. I wasn't going to just say no and make you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. This helps the both of us anyway." He turned onto his side, facing me.

"So do things improve from here now?" He asked. I nodded.

"It should. I doubt very much that anything could hurt us now. Everyone is happy, with their issues resolved... Well, for the most part. It'll take a lot of time for people to relax and begin normal schedules again after this kishin." I explained. He was silent for a few moments and I watched as his eyelids slowly drooped closed. He yawned.

"You know, a while ago I had the strangest dream." He said. "What happened?" I asked. He frowned though his eyes were closed. "I don't remember it all, it was strange. I think in the end it was a nightmare and I woke up screaming, but there was a part that really intrigued me and it felt so familiar." He was quiet for about a minute and I thought he fell asleep but he began talking again, "I just remember the picture frame. Three beautiful kids and two faceless parents. The youngest, a boy maybe three or four, with blonde hair, sad green eyes, and the cutest little face. The middle child, a girl maybe twelve or thirteen, with short purplish hair and round dark blue happy eyes, she looked as if she was ready to launch you into a hug. The oldest who was maybe sixteen or seventeen, a girl with blonde hair in a side pony tail, with saddish but content dark blue eyes and a smile that could warm your soul." He smiled at the memory of his old dream. "They were a beautiful family," he yawned again, "And I hope we'll be like that one day."

His breathing steadied and it deepened into a peaceful rythym. I knew he finally fell asleep. I tried to picture the children he dreamed of and soon fell into my own daze. It was a quiet and sweet moment. I said before falling asleep, "Our family will be perfect. Because they'll always have a caring and loving father."

THE END

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So, what'd you think? Okay, I know the ending is horrible... but I was lost on what to do. So, i'm going to give you guys a choice on what to do to help you guys fulfill your needs in completion of this story. Option 1, I keep the ending as is and thats it so I can begin the sequel (yes, i'm making a sequel and it's about all of their children). Option 2, I create a sub-story about Maka's pregnancy, how she deals with school, Crona, Cumo, and her new family (mother and sister). I'll let you guys pick on that, i'll update the answer in about two or three days and begin my work. You may PM or comment the answer. I do want you guys to PM me what I could've done better to make this story more enjoyable for you. I also want suggestions from you guys for the sequel, because either way option 1 or 2 is picked, it's gonna get done. I hope to hear from you guys soon! Thank you for sticking with me. You guys are the best! See you next story! Bye Bye!