Claire

Fight for Darkness

Soul's POV

I sat in the chair as she put the stethoscope to my chest to listen to my breathing. "Any pain lately?" She asked. I shook my head. "No. I feel... Normal, I guess." I replied. She smiled. "That's good!" I nodded, standing and pulling on my shirt. "Thanks Doctor Medusa." I thanked her and started out of the ward.

Maka was waiting outside. She looked different, like something was bugging her. "Hey. You okay?" I asked after a moment. She looked up at me and sighed. "It's Kid. Look," She replied, gesturing at Kid down the hall.

She was right; he was definitely upset. He wasn't walking with his normal posture; high head, shoulders back, and a bored frown on his lips. He didn't have any of that. His head was low, and there were bags under his eyes. His lips were turned down in a very concerning frown. This was the Kid we knew. Liz and Patty walked behind him, obviously just as concerned as Maka and I were now.

"Hey, Kid, look! It's Maka and Soul!" Liz said, trying to cheer Kid up. It didn't work. He turned and looked over his shoulder, concern and anticipation flashing across his features. "Did he sleep any last night?" Maka asked Liz quietly. The taller blonde shook her head with a sigh. "No. Not really." I frowned, watching Kid shove his hands deeper into his pockets. Was he going to talk to anyone at all? "What's up, Kid?" I asked, greeting him with my normal smirk. He glanced at me, and opened his mouth, and then changed his mind when Sid and Stein came sprinting down the hall towards Death Hall. Kid immediately followed suit.

After exchanging glances with all the girls, I turned and followed Kid, not exactly sure what I was getting myself into.

Sid was panting by the time they made it there, Nygus beside him. Stein was sanding beside Death Scythe, obviously waiting for Lord Death's permission to speak. Kid was standing outside, waiting for someone to start explaining something. I grabbed his arm. "Come on, Kid. This isn't a conversation we were invited to!" He jerked his arm away from me harshly. "I don't care! I'm not leaving until I figure out what happened to Kira!" I figured as much.

Lord Death finally granted Stein permission to explain. I regretted staying after hearing it. "There wasn't a trace of Kira anywhere on our way there. But we found the path she took to the pasture on the border. And she wasn't alone. Not at all." Lord Death hummed in confusion. "There were traces of Arachnophobia. Including Lady Arachne, herself."

Kid choked beside me, and I watched helplessly as he fell to his knees outside the door. Stein, Sid, and Lord Death all turned their attention to Kid and I. I was gaping at Kid, so I couldn't say I was too worried about being caught eavesdropping.

After about five minutes, Kid dragged himself up, panting in anger. "I," He started, his voice dark, "Am going to kill everyone at Arachnophobia." He declared, turning his back and walking down the Hall stiffly, obviously pissed. "Soul," Lord Death called. I nodded, stepping forward guiltily. "Make sure he doesn't do anything reckless. For his own sake and ours." I hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, sir," and I left.

****

Kira's POV

I stood at a green pillar, leaning against it. I brushed my hair away from my face and glanced at Giriko, who was leaning on the other pillar. He was drinking again, and something deep and unexplainable in me hated him for it.

"Got a problem, girl?" Giriko snapped. I smirked sarcastically. "Name's Kira, boy," I snapped back. Giriko tightened his grip on the beer bottle with a growl. I smiled and waved. "Pathetic." He spat. I laughed darkly. "You wish!" I replied.

Lady Arachne sighed above us. "There will be plenty of time to fight soon enough, Giriko." She explained. I smirked at his angry expression, pissing him off more. But he didn't reply, instead, he pushed himself off the pillar. "Take Kira to her room, Giriko." She ordered as soon as he stood straight. I saw his jaw clench, but he followed orders. I followed him out of the room and down a dimly lit corridor. Giriko was most obviously pissed. "Somebody's angry." I taunted calmly.