"Lady Maka you should go to sleep." That blonde Servant is still by her side, pestering her.

"Do hunts normally take this long?" Maka sits in the living room, glancing at the clock. It's almost one in the morning. They've been gone since 12 in the afternoon.

"They can take some time." She offers a smile. "You are going to be tired tomorrow if you don't try to get some rest-"

Maka ignores her. She's been playing Video games all day just waiting for some news. Did they find the witch? Did they find anything out about the witch that cursed her? She can't sleep till she knows. And she doesn't want to go to bed with this woman in her room. It's just her nature but she can't trust just her.

She perks up when the front door opens. Finally. Kid and the Mayor walk through the door. She can smell it immediately. Blood. Kid is wearing a white shirt that's stained with crimson. Maka stands up to make her way over to them, Kid freezes.

"M-Maka! What are you doing up?-"

"Are you hurt?" Maka asks, looking at the blood.

"Oh...No this isn't my blood." Kid reassures. "But Maka-"

"I've been waiting for you two to come back. So what's the news? Did you kill the witch?"

"Yes we did." The mayor gives her a thumbs up. "...But she didn't have much information for us. We did find out there has been another witch roaming around but she didn't know anything about the curse."

"Damn. Well at least she's dead." Maka had a feeling it wouldn't be so easy.

"Aww Maka were you worried about us? You couldn't sleep?" The mayor teases.

"I tired to get her to go to bed but she insisted" the servant speaks up.

"I ain't going to bed till Kid is in the room." Maka crosses her arms.

"Ohh ho!" The mayor starts to nudge Kid who is already starting to flush.

"It's not like that Father." Though Kid can't help looking a bit happy. "Sorry Maka. I'll take a shower then I'll be right in the room. For now could you wait for me in the room?"

"...Sure." Maka walks up the stairs, the servant following after her quickly. She gets in her bed, waiting for Kid to come in. she wants to talk to him a bit more about what happen. "Hey could you get the mattress ready? It's in the closet." The servant gets to work making the air mattress ready. Soon after she finishes Kid walks into the room. He's all showered and into his pajamas. Once he walks in the Servant says her goodbyes and leaves quickly.

"Ah she already set the bed-" Kid starts to walk towards the air mattress.

"Hey Kid. Come here." Maka pats the bed next to her. Kid freezes. After that moment he walks up to her and sits on her bed, on top of the sheets. "So...Tell me more about what happened today. You guys were gone since the afternoon. What took so long?"

"Most of the day was spent trying to pinpoint where the witch was hiding. We were tracking her behavior and the traces of magic she left behind. That's what took the most time. Normally we would have just finished another day but...I wanted to get some kind of information. We weren't sure if we would be able to find her if we tried another day." Kid looks down at his hands. "In the end we didn't get much out of her. Now we have to track down the other witch she's talking about. It...Really seemed like she didn't know anything about the curse." Kid glances at Maka. "...She did say this other witch is interested in young girls."

"I'm not a young girl. I'm eighteen."

"You are still young. It's a witch and we can't ignore that. She could be the one."

"you're right. Honestly the more dead witches the better. We don't have to figure out which one did it if they're all dead."

"It would be near impossible to kill all the witches. Not with a time limit. Even without one, Witches are very cunning. We got lucky we were able to track this one. It's easy if they are reckless. Not so much if they aren't."

"So...How do you kill them?" Maka asks. She watches Kid avert his gaze. She grabs his arm. "I'm glad you killed that witch. I hope you made her suffer. No matter what you tell me, it won't change anything. I just want to know."

"Thank you." Kid nods. "I said I wouldn't keep things from you..." He locks eye with her. " We cut off their hands and decapitate them. We make sure they are dead by setting their bodies on fire and then stomping down the ashes."

"Why do you cut off their hands? Is that just a torture thing-"

"No. Witches channel their magic through their hands. It's important to get rid of the hands as soon as possible."

"So once the hands are gone they can't use their magic?"

"Well...they can't use every powerful spells. As long as they can speak, they can use magic. That's why the next step is to cut off their head or at least slit their throat. Then it's time to burn the body to make sure they won't be able to regenerate."

"They can regenerate?"

"If they have the magic to do so yes." Kid explains patiently. Maka thinks for a moment, trying to keep all that in her head. She's going to need to know this information. She isn't planning on just sitting around while Kid and the Mayor do all the work.

She wants to be the one to kill the witch responsible.

"What do you use to cut them? What's your weapon?" Maka asks.

"Me and my father uses Axes. They are sturdy and can also be thrown if needed."

"An ax? Really? I wasn't expecting that for your weapon Kid."

'What did you think I used?" His eyebrows furrow.

"I don't know. I guess it doesn't make sense now that I know you have to cut them up but when you told me you guys were hunting witches I thought your weapon was a gun. I can see you shooting a gun."

"Guns aren't a good choice. Witches have barrier magic and magic that could send the bullet right back at you. They could also mess with the inside with their magic and make them explode. It's not good for cutting up the arms either. Many witch hunters have tried and failed wielding a gun against them. We avoid them."

"Well that's good to know. No guns." Maka thinks to herself. Does that mean she has to use an ax too? For some reason she doesn't think it would be a good fit with her. "What weapons do witch hunters use? Other then an ax?"

"Some use swords, knifes. Spears and scythes. It all depends on the witch hunter and what they like to use. Ax just works well for me."

"How long have you been a witch hunter? How did you get started?"

"I've been trained to be a witch hunter since I could remember. My father raised me to be a witch hunter."

"Damn so it runs in the family type deal? Was your grandfather also a witch hunter."

"No...My father started this for a different reason." Kid pauses. "I...I don't know if you really want to hear about this-"

"I want to." Maka watches his eyes. She averts her own. "...If you don't want to say you don't have to." She knows that look all too well. A resistance to talk.

"No it's not like that. I just...Well..." Kid fixes his sleeve. "I will just come out and say it. My mother...she was a witch."

"What?!" Maka looks at him with wide eyes. "Wait the why are you guys hunting them down? Also I thought witches were old ugly women?"

"Oh no Maka. Witches are beautiful and look young. They have a charm that makes it easier to get men to do things for them. They aren't like the movies. They look like normal women. My father doesn't talk much about it but...I'm sure my mother was beautiful as well." Kid pauses.

"Then why are you hunting them?" Maka asks. She couldn't imagine hunting her mother just because she was a witch. That's her mother-

"She tired to kill me and my father. My father...still has the scars on his back. That's why he killed her. She lost it when she saw I was a boy." Kid is staring off into space.

"Why? I'm sorry...I...I don't know anything-"

"I know you don't. It's alright Maka. I'll answer anything you ask." he reassures. "Witches...they have a strong desire to have children. What they want is a girl so they can pass their magic along. If a boy is born, they can't pass the magic on. It's a disgrace for a witch to have a boy. They normally will kill the child and the man who gave them the child before trying again."

"Damn. You don't get anything from them? Even though your mom's a witch? Not even like a tolerance to magic or something?"

"oh no. If anything...My father says I'm more susceptible to a witch's charm. Of course I've had no trouble killing them. He says that boys that are born from a witch...have a instinctive desire to be a tool for witches."

"Well shit. It sucks in every way if your mom's a witch and you're a guy. No offense."

"I'm not offended. You are quite right." Kid chuckles slightly.

"But...Why the hell would your dad get involve with a witch? Was she that pretty?"

"My father didn't know. Witches...are cunning. They won't tell their partners what they are."

"So he didn't know what was at stake if she had a boy." Maka thinks to herself. "I...I always kind of wondered about your mom. I'm glad I didn't ask. It would have been awkward for you. I'm sorry you had a shit mom but you have a great Dad to make up for it. It's like we are opposites. My mother was the light of my life while my dad is an asshole. Expect the only one left for me is fucking Spirit." Maka blinks when Kid holds her hand. He's squeezes her, as if he's reminding her he's here. "...I guess what I'm trying to say is...cherish your dad Kid."
"I do." He smiles. "Just as you cherished your mother."

"Yeah." Maka squeezes his hand back. "...I wonder when Spirit is going to be a pain in the ass. I hope he just forgets about me but for some reason I feel like he's going to be a pain."

"My father has already talked to him. He told him you'll be living with us for now. He didn't fight him much about it. Even if he did have a problem with it, he won't be able to touch you. The servants wouldn't let him anywhere near you. With you being eighteen he has nothing legally against us either."

"Get fucked." Maka chuckles. She feels slightly better hearing it from Kid. As long as she's here, she won't have to deal with Spirit. She's a grown woman.

They sit side by side for awhile. It's already two in the morning. She feels wide awake. "So...maybe the next time you guys go out to hunt I can come-"

"It's too dangerous." Kid cuts her off, shaking his head. "Maka you...you don't know anything about witches. I'd never forgive myself if you got hurt out there-"

"Oh come on Kid. I want to see what you guys do. I want in. I want to avenge my mother-"

"I understand that Maka but it's too dangerous. You would..." He pauses. "You would just be in the way."

Maka glares at him. Kid stands his ground for a moment before he lets go of her and moves to the air mattress. "Maka...it's late. Why don't we get some sleep?"

Maka turns on her night light as Kid turns off the lights. "I will avenge my mother." Maka says, laying down and looking towards the wall, keeping her back to Kid. "No matter what."

"..." Kid doesn't respond. He probably knows there's nothing he could say to her in this moment. The air is tense between them. It was so light and comfortable while they were talking earlier. She knows she did that. She gets where he's coming from but she won't accept it. She can't just be kept locked up in this house. Maybe it is safer. Since she's been here she hasn't felt the demon.

But she feels like she's wasting away waiting for justice.

Are you alone?" Maka looks over from the tree she's sitting on to look at someone dressed in a black cloak, a hood covering the person's face.

She knows this person..Her voice sounds so familiar..

Maka doesn't answer, she just looks back up at the starless night.

"Are you alone?" The woman repeats.

Maka thinks about it..

Is she alone?..

She has Kid. She has the mayor's support. They are the only two she can rely on.

"I do not see them here now." The woman moves closer. "So I ask again are you alone?"

"..You're here aren't you?" Maka grunts still looking at the sky. "So I guess I'm not alone."

"Good, good..Then you understand." The woman's voice is soft but she doesn't like it..it's too soft..too gentle.

She doesn't like her.

"Understand what?" Maka looks down at the woman. "You know it's rude to talk to someone you don't know with your face covered."

"But you do know me.." The woman sounds like she's smiling. "..I've known you since you were very young."

Maka looks away..She wants this woman to go away.

"You have grown so very much Maka.." The hooded figure takes a step forward.

"I don't know you." Maka glares at her.

"That hurts me Maka.." She puts a hand to her heart. "..I'm like your aunt..Your mother may be gone but now I'm here. I will keep you safe where she had failed."

"Fuck off." Maka growls.

"..Such hate in your heart Maka.." The woman chuckles. "..You're on your way."

"..On my way to what?"

"...I was surprised that your mother had the strength to approach you. Now everything is all messed up but...I won't give up on you. That boy can't save you. I can."

Maka doesn't answer.

"Come to me...Come to me Maka, i'll bring you to light, I will not hide anything from you." She holds out her hand for Maka to take.

Maka just looks at it.

She doesn't want to touch her.

"So you won't come to me?" The woman pulls back her hand and Maka can hear the smirk in her voice. "Well then..." She takes a step back as she crackles. "I guess I'll just have to come to you.."

The woman fades away.

"Maka..."

She feels soft breathing on her neck so she turns her head.

Crona is sitting next to her, a smile on his face. No. Why. Why is here here? Why must she dream of him? He...He ruined her. Get out. Wake up. Get away!

He grabs her by the neck, those crazed eyes boring into hers. "Why did you leave me Maka? I waited for you. Iwaitedandwaitedandwaited."

She can't breathe. He's choking her out. She tries to dig her nails into his wrist but she doesn't have the strength.

"I always knew you wanted to leave me. I always knew you hated me. Did you like kissing me Maka? While I killed your mother did you like kissing me-"

"Get the fuck off of me!" Maka screams and with all her strength she pushes this boy off of her. She wants to kill him but he just fades away from her crackling with that look of madness. Maka screams in frustration. She hates her self. She hates that she even had a dream of him. She hates he was so close to her.

Maka keeps screaming.

"Maka! Please wake up!"

Maka jumps awake, her eyes snapping open. Golden orbs are looking down at her with concern, his face pale. It's Kid. Seeing him, her heart rate starts to calm down. She looks around, seeing she's still in her room. She's still at Kid's place. There's no one in the bed with her. She's okay. It was just a dream. A terrible dream.

"Damn it." Maka grinds her teeth, gripping her fist.

"Maka it's alright." Kid soothes, cupping her cheeks so shes' forced to look at him. He's always so steady. His eyes so firm. After awhile of just staring into them...she starts to calm down.

"Sorry." Maka sighs. Kid is wiping her face with his handkerchief. She's sweating. "I...I had a bad dream."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Kid asks. He is sitting next to her now. It's only nine in the morning according to the clock. Not that Maka feels like sleeping much after that.

"I don't even want to say. I'm ashamed." Maka can't remember the first part of her dream. She can only remember him. "He...he is tormenting me even now. I'm allowing him to torment me. Why did He have to pop up? That fuck."

'He's not here Maka." Kid must know who she's talking about. "I would never allow him to come near you. You'll never have to see him again. You can't control what you dream about. It's alright. You're awake now. You're here."

"yeah...I'm here." Maka nods her head. She wants warmth. She finds herself leaning into Kid, laying her head on his shoulder. He tenses up. She can feel his warmth and can hear his heart from here. It's beating so loud. He smells good. He's already dressed and ready for the day while she stinks. He slowly lays his head against hers, gently. His heart is beating too fast. "...When did you get up?"

"I get up early. I usually go for a morning run with father before I get ready for the day. Don't worry. A servant was in here while I was gone."

"I'm glad you were here. I wouldn't have calmed down if here was someone random in here." he feels hotter.

"Hearing you say that...I..." He pauses. "...I'm glad too. That I can help you. That...I'm able to reach you. Being close with you like this though...I-I worry."

"What are you worried about?" Maka looks up at him. His cheeks are pink. He looks down at her just to quickly look away.

"W-Why don't we get breakfast Maka? I'll wait for you outside." Kid gets off the bed quickly. He tries to straighten himself out before he walks briskly out of the room. Huh. Kid has always been weird. He got mad at her because she was messing around with that boy. He said it was because it was dangerous but maybe he's just weird with kinship? He's holds her hand like it's nothing and holds her but some times he gets too flustered about it.

She wonders what he would do if Maka tried touching him. How would he react if she touched under his shirt? Or started getting a little too friendly? Maybe it was because that dream made her remember what she use to have. Maybe she's wanting to use Kid again. She doesn't want him to kick her out though.

She wonders why now of all times she was thinking about what it would be like to make him come undone-

Maka flushes. Alright. Now she's being weird. Its strangely exciting though. Maybe...she can try her luck. Or she could behave.

Maka sighs..She better freshen up.

She must be confident to be thinking like that while she smells like shit.

She picks out some clothes before heading into the bathroom. She gets the water running before taking off her clothes. She looks towards where a mirror would be but of course there isn't one. She hasn't been able to look at herself. She realizes she did it more then she thought.

Maka steps into the shower, pulls the curtains. it's too hot at first burning her skin so she turns it down just a notch..

Perfect.

She loves the feeling of a nice hot shower in the morning.

She can't get the thought out of her head. She shouldn't be thinking about it. How much more does she want from Kid? Yet here she is, biting her lip at the thought of playing with him.

How much teasing would it take for him to submit to her? She's sure he'd play hard to get. He's so proper. She's up for a challenge. She could-

Maka hears a noise. It sounded like something dropping.

Maka turns off the water.

"...Kid?" She calls thinking maybe he came into the room.

There's no response.

"..."

Maka just turns the water back on and continues to shower. Get a hold of herself...Kid is just outside of the room. It should be fine. There's charms everywhere. She should be safe. She can't let Fear take over. She takes deep breaths as the hot water hits her.

There's a bump sound right beside her.

Maka can't help it. She looks over. There's a shadow of someone on the curtain..Someone is standing out side of her shower.

"...Kid?" She whispers but she knows it's not him. It doesn't look like him. The shadow doesn't move. It doesn't respond to her voice. She doesn't know what to do. Should she scream for Kid? Is that reacting to it? Is it safe to try to open the curtain? Should she just ignore it and maybe it will go away? Maka swallows, going back to washing herself. She tries not to focus on the presence outside of the curtain. The air is so dense.

After she finishes she glances over at the curtain. The shadow is gone. She jumps out of the shower and puts on a towel, before grabbing her clothes and getting the hell out of there.

She freezes once she's out of the bathroom. Her eyes widen. How...? Is the demon this strong already? There's something on her bed. A black box is there. A box she's seen in her mother's room at the asylum. How is it here? Why?

Maka feels a darkness coming from it but...She slowly walks towards it with a hand out reached...Something about this box..There's something...

She stops herself just as she's about to touch it...What if this is a trap? Shouldn't she tell Kid? Shouldn't she...get rid of it? Yet she can't. She can't bring herself to open it and for some reason she can't bring herself to tell Kid. She feels like this is important. Maybe it's the Demon having it's hold on her but she ends up hiding the box away in her drawer before she gets dressed. She brushes her teeth quickly and messily brushes her hair before she opens the door for Kid.

"Sorry It took so long..." why doesn't she want to tell him? She should at least tell him she saw the shadow right?

"You look nice Maka." Kid smiles at her. She blinks, looking down at herself. oh. She put on some nice dark jeans and a green shirt with a white tank top to cover her chest..

The shirt isn't her style but her mother bought it for her a long time ago.. She didn't even realize she had grabbed it. Had she been that much in a haze from that dream?

"Thank you. It's something my mother gave me.."She smiles looking down at it. She didn't have a mirror to see herself but she's sure she looks better than normal.

"Oh Maka you didn't brush the other side of your head very well. Let me do it." Kid quickly pushes her back into the room so he can get to work on her hair. She sits on the bed with him behind her. He gets to brushing her hair, being gentle with her like he always is. Sitting there with him behind her, she feels safe. She finds herself talking.

"I...I saw the demon in the bathroom."

Kid freezes. "W-What? Maka why didn't you scream for me? Did you see him completely? Did you make eye contact-"

"No. I just saw a shadow outside of the curtain. I...I was scared. I was scared that if I yelled that would be acknowledging it. So I just ignored it. It went away on it's own."

Kid finishes up with her hair before looking at her seriously. "You can't be alone Maka. Even in the shower if the demon is going to show up. I know it will be hard but we will have to have a servant stand inside the bathroom while you shower-"

"I don't want some random person in there with me. Come on Kid. Isn't there something else we can do? Maybe your Dad has something else that will help?" Maka hopes so. She doesn't want the servants on her ass all the time.

"We can ask him." They make their way downstairs. The mayor is at the kitchen table having some coffee he offers a smile but when he sees the look on their faces he frowns.

"Is something the matter?"

"The demon appeared again while Maka was alone taking a shower." Kid locks eyes with his father. "...Is the curse still progressing? Is there anything we can do to slow it down?"

"I can look in that book again to see if there's something that can be done. The biggest thing we can do right now is that insure Maka is never alone...even in those private moments." When the Mayor sees the look on her face, he smiles apologetically. "I'm sorry Maka. It's the safest action."

"It's too much." Maka grips her fist. "Damn it where is this witch hiding?"

"Father we should go out to try to track down that lead. The sooner the better for Maka."

"I agree but are you sure you don't need a break Kid-"

"I am fine.-"

"Hey take me with you." Maka cuts in. "I want to see what you guys do. I want to be a part of it-"

"It's too dangerous." Kid cuts her off again. He gives her a stern look. "Maka you have to stay around the charms. You shouldn't be out and about. The closer you get to the witch that cursed you,, the stronger the curse will be."

"Kid is right. It isn't safe-"

"I'm just a sitting duck here. Can't you train me to be one of you?" Maka looks at the Mayor. "I know you trained Kid since he was little but can't you train me too? I want to kill those witches myself. I want to avenge my mother. The curse is still getting to me even though I'm staying here."

"It will get to you more out there!" Kid won't let up. "you must stay here. I would never put you in danger. You don't want to be a witch hunter Maka. It's hard! If you hesitate for a moment the witch will kill you. You've never killed one before...you've never even seen one. Please let me and my father handle this-"

"Damn it Kid! I just need experience. I can do it. I can kill them. So just-"

"father we should go." Kid stands up, trying to bring the conversation to an end. He walks out of the room.

"Now, now don't fight please. When you glare at my son like that it hurts." The mayor stands up. "...He is just worried about you. Witch hunting is no joke. I understand where you're coming from. There's a lot that goes into training a new witch hunter. With your time limit it would be a rushed process and...Of course I wouldn't want my son to get mad at me now. We will be back and hopefully with some good news-"

"I won't give up. I'll stay here today but I'm not giving up. I want to be trained to be one of you. I have to avenge my mother. I'll do whatever I have to."

"...Even fight my son?" His voice isn't so cheery.

"Even fight you if I have too. My Life...I'd gladly throw it away if I could kill that witch-"

"You'd make my son sad saying that. You need to value your life Maka. Your mother wanted you to live. Don't forget that in your revenge." The mayor seems to think before he gives her a secret smile. "...I'll work on Kid." He gives her a wink ."We could always use more witch hunters."

Maka's anger is cooled hearing that. Her heart beats faster. There's hope. He leaves with a chuckle. Since he said that to her...she feels like she should behave. She'll keep working on Kid too. He always walks away from her when they talk about it but it's probably because he's weak to her. She knows she can usually get what she wants from Kid.

She just has to keep on him.

Maka is sitting on the couch, watching TV with that blonde woman servant again. She's waiting for Kid and his father to come back. Its' always so boring just waiting .she wants news. She doesn't have all the time in the word. It's already been four hours.

Her phone vibrates. She blinks. She almost forgot about her phone. She's been carrying it out of habit but the only one she really messaged was Kid and she's been living here. It's an unknown number calling her.

Maka decides to answer.

"Hello is this Maka Albarn?" A man speaks into a phone.

"Who wants to know?" Maka growls.

"..My name is Andrew, I'm calling about Kami Albarn's will."

"..My mom's will?" Maka's expression falls. "..She had one?"

"Yes, now I tried to get a hold of your father but..he won't return my calls." The man sighs. "But as I was looking at the will I realized I didn't need him..I just needed to get a hold of you."

"..My mom had a will?" Maka blinks.

"Yes..now let me see.." She hears some papers move. "..Do you want to come over to look at it or do you want me to just read it to you over the phone? There is only one item on the will...and I'd like to go home soon"

"..Just read it over the phone I guess." Maka's breathing is starting to pick up.

..What could her mother have left her?.

"'I leave my small jewelry box to my lovely daughter Maka.'" The man reads off.

"Jewelry box?"

Suddenly a picture of that black box flashes threw her head. The black box she already has. In the drawer. That she hidden away. Maka eyes widen.

"Maka?" The man calls her again.

"...thank you. I already have it."

"Well that makes things easy! Have a nice day." he hangs up.

That black box...her mother wanted her to have it? So it can't be bad. Then why did the demon bring it to her? Why would it care to bring that to her? Maka bites her lip. She wants to go up and open the box. She knows she can't be alone so the servant will follow her. Maybe she could hurry into the room and lock her out? She just said she would behave but...What is in that box? What did her mother want her to have? Why...did the demon have it? Did it take it from her?

Maka stands up and starts to walk up the stairs. Of course the servant is following her.

"Where are you going Maka?"

"I just need to get something from my room." Maka keeps walking. "...I'll be fine alone for a moment. If you could just stand outside of the door that would be fine."

"...It will be our secret lady Maka." The woman says. It sounds like she's smiling. Not that it matters. It works for her. Maka walks into the room and shuts the door behind her. She rushes over towards the dresser and pulls out the black box. She places it on top of the dresser, her heart feeling like it's going to beat out of her chest.

The air around her is getting tense. As if the demon used the box to lure her so she'd be alone. It's creeping closer and closer. She needs to open this box. Why...Why does she feel like this? Her mother wanted her to have it. She wanted her to-

Her phone starts to ring. She takes deep breathes, looking at her phone. It's an unknown number again. Despite this feeling in the air...or maybe because of this feeling in the air she answers the phone, hoping somehow it's Kid.

"M-Maka."

She freezes at that voice. It feels like someone just punched her in the gut. She knows that voice. She couldn't forget that voice.

"I-It's me...Crona. My...My m-mother gave me this phone. I-I'm sorry. I-I heard about what happened with your mother...I-I know that's why you haven't been around. I-I'm not mad! I-I...J-Just wanted to make sure you're okay. I-I've been so worried about you-"

"Why?" Maka can't comprehend what she's hearing. His mother gave him a phone? A cell phone? She would have known if it was darkside's number. She wouldn't have answered. How did his mother know her number? Why? Why can't she say anything other then why? She should be screaming. She should be cussing him. She should let him have but. But hearing that fragile voice...it's making her freeze up inside.

"O-Of course i-i'd be worried about you! Y-youre mother... you were s-so close-"

"Then...why did you kill her?" Maka asks. The line goes dead quiet. "Why...are you working with a witch to kill me?"

She hears him make a panicked sound. It almost sounded like a gasp mixed with a sob. "I-I didn't I w-w-would never-"

"I hate you." maka's voice is monotone. This hurts her more than it should. "If I ever see you again. I will kill you. I hate you. Stop acting like you aren't my enemy. My mother...she told me everything."

He's crying. Or maybe he's hyperventilating.

"I'm having trouble with a demon because of a witch that cursed me. I'm sure it's the witch you're working with. So tell me. Tell me the name of the witch. I'm going to kill her."

"F-F-Forgive me." He sobs. Then he hangs up. Just hearing that weak voice filled with guilt. It's all true. He really is the enemy. He wouldn't even give her a name.

"Damn it!" Maka growls, throwing the phone across the room.

"Lady Maka? Are you alright?" That servant asks. Maka tries to calm her raging breath. She wants to go on a rampage. She wants to destroy everything.

Get a hold of yourself. This isn't your house.

Maka grinds her teeth. Where the hell is Kid? Why does he have to be away right now? If she was out with them she wouldn't be dealing with this right now. She turns her glare towards the box only to freeze.

There's' a key next to it the box that wasn't there before. When did that get there? She should get around the servants soon but...she came here for a reason. She won't let that phone call or this demon distract her.

She grabs the key and puts it into the dressing before she picks up the box..

Maka gets a weird feeling from touching it..like a power is flowing through her..A dark power..A dark feeling.

it's just a plain black box. She feels something drawing her to open it..

Maka takes a deep breath but opens the small box. There's nothing inside. She stares at her self in the mirror on the lid. All that work up... just for this? Why would her mother want her to have this?..it's a empty jewelry box but..why does she feel like this is really important?

Suddenly the mirror lights up.

Maka drops it and falls back away from it..She watches in fascination as..words start to appear on the mirror..They're cursive but she can read them.. They're written in red.

"...Oh my baby, if your reading this..then that means I failed you."

The words disappear after she reads them to some new ones.

"I don't have much time left now..I had to do this while I have some of my mind left."

They change again.

"You must listen to me Maka..I know you must think what has happen to me is horrible..but you don't know the half of it."

It pauses.

"If you are reading this..then i'm dead...that demon has taken me..I lost to him...I shutter just thinking about it."

There's another pause.

"Now you must be dealing with him Maka..You must be so scared."

It changes.

"Maka you may not believe what I tell you but..you must listen to my warnings. You are in grave danger."

Changes.

"The demon has taken me..but it wasn't me he wanted Maka, it's been you all along. I've tried my hardest to keep him away from you..Oh I've tired so hard but..if you are reading this I failed you. He has gotten to you."

Changes.

"Now that he's hooked to you, you can't get rid of him. He is a leech Maka, he feeds off of your feelings..feeds off of your hate, anger, and fear..You must not give this to him baby..You must keep your feelings in check. The more you give him, the stronger he grows."

Changes.

"He is a demon Maka..someone has cursed you my child..This demon will not leave till he has your soul. At this point he isn't going to be very strong..He will try to scare you but you can not be afraid of him baby...He feeds off your fear..You will make him stronger."

It changes.

"You must never be alone..He will show anytime you are alone to try to scare you..You must never look into mirrors for to long..He will surely be able to be seen."

Changes.

"..I love you so much Maka..and I'm sorry..I'm so sorry"

The words shake.

"He's coming baby..Don't be afraid..What ever you do don't be afraid!"

The box closes by it's self.

It's all like her mother told her. Did her mother make this just in case she wasn't able to appear before her? That's why her mother left this in her will. There's a bit more information in here but she kind of figure showing fear made it stronger. Her mother...thought of everything. She made back up plan after back up plan just to protect her.

Maka is sure if this was her first time hearing about it she'd be having a mental break down...now it's like old news. Her mother didn't say anything about Crona's involvement here. At this point either it hadn't happen yet or she wasn't aware of it. She's very lucky that her mother was able to tell her the truth. If not...Maka knows she would still be messing around with him. Would still be pampering him...

It makes her sick.

She can't help it. Thinking of his words on the phone, she starts to feel that hatred again. That rage. She can't hold it. In that moment, the air around her gets dark. The bathroom door slams shut, the bedroom door locks.

"Lady Maka!" The servant yells.

The lights turn off and the curtains pull. It's a lot darker in here then it should be...like a mist is surrounding her. She...She can't be scared. She can't be afraid. It's just making it stronger. Yet just like her rage she can't stop the chattering of her teeth.

The air is dense..She can feel eyes on her. She hears foot steps slowly walking towards her. Her heart beat picks up. What the fuck is she suppose to do? How can she not interact with it? How can she get out of this situation?

Suddenly the box opens back up by it's self, red words reappearing on the mirror.

"Reach into the box Maka."

She does as she's told..Her fingers touch something hard and cold. She pulls out a necklace that wasn't there before. It's not the fact that a necklace appeared out of no where that scares the shit out of her. This necklace...is her mothers..

They buried her mother with this necklace on. All the hairs on her arms stick up.

"Put it on Maka."

She doesn't want to but she hears the foot steps get closer so she does. As soon as the necklace of the half crested moon lays on her chest the foot steps stop.

The light turns back on and the door unlocks. She feels a deep relief as the air around her is let go from the dense weight.

Maka stares at the box, new words forming.

"This is the last of my power baby..I give it to you. Always wear this necklace..It will protect you but it can only do so much. You must be careful..this is all I have to offer you..please..you must not die..I gave my soul for yours..but I failed. You must live. I love you Maka..never let that necklace go."

The box closes by it's self.

Maka stares at it speechless as she looks down at the necklace she's wearing..The same necklace that was on her mother's neck when they buried her..

Did...the demon do that too? Or was it really her mother?...how did her mother do all of this if that's true? She was dead when the necklace was on her body...Maka swallows, feeling like she'd lose her mind trying to make sense of it all. Maka stares at the necklace as she grips it..

It's doesn't make sense but it happened...She has her mother's necklace.

The lady servant comes into the room just as Maka hides the necklace under her shirt. "Lady Maka are you alright? I heard some noises and I couldn't get the door open. Oh I should have never left you alone-"

"I'm okay. Sorry I worried you. Let's...watch something funny downstairs." She Glances at her dresser. She put the empty box back in the dresser. She wonders if she could tell Kid about this but...something is holding her back. Why does it feel...dangerous?

She's been relying on Kid all this time so why of all times does she feel like...she can't?

Yet she wants him to come home soon. She wants to see him. She needs his sanity. She needs his comfort. She hopes...they killed some more witches.

She hopes she smells blood.