[Maka]

"...He's not as agile as I was expecting..."

Soul muttered as I used him to block a swing from the katana user in front of me, staring with dark red eyes. I pushed him back, resulting with him stumbling a step backwards, and letting me take a few steps away from him.

"He's tired. It's obvious." I muttered to my scythe. "...He's just driven by insanity."

"How'd you know ?"

"I can see his soul." I made a small smirk. "We just have to knock him out anyways. We don't have to hurt him-just, decrease his stamina until he faints himself."

"Sounds like a good plan."

Kuroshiro made a battle cry as he ran at us again, raising his katana up in the air. I dodged his attack and made one of my own, swinging the blade to cut him in half.

"...Maka-"

He wasn't going to die with that, right ?

Right. Because the blade stopped when it made contact to his skin. Kuroshiro grinned, and started laughing. "You can't hurt me," He whispered to my ear, since my attack made him lean a bit close.

"...I have black blood."

"Of course I know that." I moved the blade out of the way and punched him square in the face. "I'm not aiming to hurt you. You're already hurt, anyways."

Kuroshiro stumbled back, but caught himself quicker than I expected. One hand went to touch his now-broken nose, the other swung his katana at my throat.

"Maka !" Soul yelled, and I was... I was a second lucky because I managed to step back right in time.

But I also was a bit too late because he successfully made a straight line across my neck. Good thing, is, it wasn't deep enough to be a serious damage.

"...Close call..." I mumbled, panting as I stared at the once, innocent friend I knew. I held the light cut he made on my neck, not surprised when it stung at my touch. Damn, he changed so much... And it wasn't even his fault...

"A-are you okay ?" Soul's face flashed from the blade. I gave him a small smile. "Still alive. It wasn't a deep cut, don't worry."

"He almost got you-if you didn't step back you would've had your head rolling on the ground by now !" He scolded in worry, but glared at Kuroshiro anyways. "Tch... Next time, block."

"Again with that ?"

Sure, I almost died. But that doesn't mean I'd be scared. He's still my friend. I still have to save him, for his and (y/n)'s sake.

"Again with that. Always will be."

"...How can you guys still talk...?"

I focused on Kuroshiro, who had his head lowered. "...You're not taking this seriously, are you...?"

I only stared, waiting for his next move. He was stumbling, but still stood, holding his katana tightly. "You guys did something bad to me-is that why ?!"

Something bad...?

"...I don't know what you're saying." I gripped Soul tighter as he spoke, keeping my guard up. Kuroshiro finally raised his gaze, his blood red eyes having the intent to kill.

"...Ella said you... All of you... Wanted me dead because of something-you were the reason I was in a coma for 8 months !"

"We didn't do anything to you ! You left on your own after the incident with Blackstar !" Soul yelled out, making Kuroshiro look surprised. "Blackstar... That boy...?"

"Yes. You went out of control and you've hurt him. And (y/n)." What's this ? He doesn't know ? Soul answered back to him, but I was too busy analyzing.

...Right. Kid said he seemed like he forgot everything. But... How ? Why ? I was too focused on just knocking him out since he seemed so dangerous-I've been missing out on his side !

"......Who's (y/n) ?"

The blade twitched. I turned to Soul, and saw him start to look confused as well. "You don't remember (y/n) ?"

That's it. I know what to do.

"You used to love her." I answered, walking to a nearby tree and leaning him against it. Soul was surprised, of course. "M-maka, what are you-"

"Soul, he doesn't know. We've been focusing on defeating so much... But what if it's not even his fault ?"

Kuroshiro was staring at us with the same, surprised-yet-so-confused gaze. I was completely off guard, and he didn't even attack. "Love ?"

"Maka, he's still armed, what if he attacks ?"

"I'll be fine." I smiled down at Soul. "You'll know when I need you." Without listening to his response, I went and left him there, before facing Kuroshiro again.

"Yes. You loved her. And you still do, right ?"

"I-I don't even remember her-why would I ?!" Kuroshiro growled, raising the katana shakily. "What are you planning ?! We're fighting, why would you let yourself put your guard down ?!"

"I can help you."

"I don't need help-I have Ella !"

"She's lying to you." I sighed, taking a step closer, resulting for him to tighten his hold on the katana. "Don't you feel strange ? Do you feel like something just changes inside you when she stares at you or something ?"

"...I-i... I... S-something changes..." Kuroshiro looked away, but quickly snarled. "Don't come near me-that wound on your neck, I'll make that worse !"

"Do it, then." I smiled, stopping a few meters in front of him. "...But let me help you. We're friends."

"B-but..."

"Give me a chance. Just one. Drop the katana, and take my hand. I'll help you. And if I fail, kill me."

I, then, held a hand out, waiting. I can hear Soul transform back to his human form, alerted by my words. But I'm confident. Kuroshiro clearly needs help-I'll give it.

Kuroshiro gave me a stare, one that said he was hesitating, but... He did. He dropped the katana, and shakily took my hand.

"...O-one chance... Okay then..."

[Tsubaki]

"How do we wake him up ?!" (y/n) asked in pure worry, shaking my meister's motionless body. If his eyes were closed, it's easy to assume he's dead, but... He isn't.

"I-I don't know what's happening, but please... Calm down..." I frowned, gently patting her back.

Twenty minutes have passed since they came. And Kid has the upper hand against Ella since, well, they both are long range fighters. But bullets were faster than her shadows.

"...He's saying things..." I heard (y/n) mumble, holding Blackstar's hand tightly. And he was. He has been for a long time now-almost non-stop.

"...I'm not so sure about this... But I think I know what's happening." I stared down at Blackstar's wide-opened eyes. "...He's under a trance."

"What trance, then ?"

"...His own self, I suppose." I placed a hand on my meister's head, and gently ruffled his hair. "He's been muttering your name lately... And ours. And the word myself."

"...You think he can hear us ?"

(y/n) stared at me with a hopeful gaze, and I can't help but to smile. "...I hope he does."

I hope that's enough for her to finally cheer up.

And I guess I'm lucky.

From those words, (y/n) quickly placed an arm under Blackstar's head, and placed him on her lap. Then, she leaned close to his ear, starting to mutter words.

"...Come back to me." She whispered, tears starting to fill up her eyes. It took a while, but... "...I will."

(y/n) gasped. "H-he can... H-he hears us-" She smiled widely, and gently patted his head.

"G-good, good ! You can do this. You're Blackstar-the greatest god of all time, right ? Don't let me down !"

I can't help but to smile at what she was doing. She loves him so much... And that's a good thing.

"I love you. And I'll wait no matter what, okay ?"

[Blackstar]

"What do you mean, you 'can't take this anymore' ?! Are you giving up now ?!" Sanity scolded as he chased after me. I growled. "It's not like you get it-are you the one fighting here ?!"

"No, but I'm helping you ! You want to give up now ?" Sanity yelled as I sat on the floor of the bridge. "You can't lose, what about your life ?! Your friends, your dreams, (y/n) ?!"

I didn't respond.

I don't know how long it has been. Days. Weeks. Months ? I hope not months.

Sanity was halfway gone-his legs were transparent now and so were both his hands. But luckily, not his arms and upper torso.

Everything took a turn from worse to worst. Now, illusions of (y/n) didn't just yell at me with hatred. Now, they start attempting to kill me. Others start saying words that, I have to admit, are affecting my feelings. Even my friends are here now, actually, saying and doing the same things. Thus, the reason of this.

"...We're not even halfway there... But you're losing already." Sanity muttered, sitting next to me. I sighed, curling up and leaning against the bridge's balcony.

"Sorry." I said blankly. I don't even mean it. I feel like I just want to give this up...

"...Tch... Sad to say, I can't blame you. This has been too much for you to handle, lately. Add in the fact that you're wounded almost all over."

Since recent illusions tried to kill me, too, I had wounds at my chest and more from my back. And a few scratches from my shoulders.

"...Please don't do this. You're going to leave people behind if you really just-give up... Think, just think how (y/n) would grieve if you died here."

"...Come back to me."

I heard the sky roar, and from that, it started to rain. But it's not that... That voice...

"...Speaking of her." Sanity looked up at the dark sky, grinning. "Looks like she heard your bullshit. Shame on you, and you dare give up ?!" He huffed.

He's right... Damn, what was I thinking ?!

...Great. That's great, (y/n) ! Yeesh... If that voice didn't come just now, it might've been too late already...

"I will." I grinned widely, standing up. Sanity stared at me with wide eyes, before smiling wide.

"G-good, good ! You can do this. You're Blackstar-the greatest god of all time, right ? You can do this. Don't let me down.."

Shit. She's outside-she's with me !

Except that I'm stuck in my head, but she's with me !

I grinned slightly. Now I feel bad for feeling like I want to give up. She's right-I can't let her down.

"I love you. And I'll wait no matter what, okay ?"

"...Okay."

Sanity grinned, holding a hand out. Yes, a hand. I was surprised too. I thought it's already...

He's whole again ! His legs were back, too ! Weird, but yes. I think (y/n) got my sanity back together again. Great, huh ?

"Now then," Sanity grinned. "Shall we continue ?"

I grabbed his hand, and chuckled.

"Of course !"