Friends

There was a time when they were just friends. If you could call it that.

The occasional compliment would go unnoticed and the close proximity undetected. But a lot can change when a certain cat slips casual comments like, "You two would look great together!" or "Is Kid-kun going out with you?"

Blair was trying to expel Maka's jealousy of whenever she happened to make a move on Soul, and thought it would be good for her to find someone special.

Maka, on the other hand, didn't appreciate the constant embarrassment. Kid was one of the friends she had that could really connect with her on the intellectual level along with respect.

Ever since the cat even mentioned the idea, things had been awkward between the pair and it wasn't the same. Brushing fingers accidentally induced blushing when all it should have been was an apology. Catching each other's gaze was like a mistake. And even while out with friends they couldn't help but be overly aware of the other's presence and be subconscious about it.

But Blair persisted in her observations. And each and every time it became more and more personal. She even went so far as to ask Maka if she'd seen Kid shirtless while he was in the room. The girl ended up stuttering out an answer and Kid was beyond shy.

He didn't come over much after that. However, much to the girl's dismay, the cat continued to harass Maka with her humiliating interrogations and remarks. She finally cracked.

"Blair! I'll do anything; just stop asking those stupid questions and talking about Kid that way!"

"Anything?" The cat purred. It was going just how she'd planned it. (If not better!)

"Yes, anything." Maka sighed. She was ready to do whatever Blair wanted her to in order to save her friendship with Kid.

"Hmm, okay~! I want you to go on a date with him!" Blaire smiled mischievously while idly twitching her tail back and forth.

"WHAT?! He doesn't like me like that!" Maka's face blanched as she imagined the scenario. He would never agree to go out with a 'tiny-tits bookworm,' as Soul would put it.

"I doubt that. It's easy to get men to like you! Here, this is how it's going to happen…" Blair whispered into Maka's ear and with every word, her face turned deeper and deeper shades of red.

"I-I can't do that! I'd be taking advantage of him!" Maka had jumped away from the cat and pointed accusingly.

"I knew it'd come down to this…" Blaire sighed and pulled her hat over her face with mock sadness. She then transformed into her human-form with a devious smile playing on her lips.

"What're you…" Maka didn't get a chance to finish her inquiry before Blair cut her off.

"PUM-PUM-PUM-PUMPKIN!" She sung her incantation before casting magic on Maka.

"What did you do to me…?" Maka looked over herself in horror. What Blair had done was magic a sexy outfit on her. It was pretty much really skimpy bunny lingerie, with matching ears and tail!

"I am NOT wearing this." Maka blushed. She had never in her life worn such…Vulgar attire. And in front of a respectable gentleman like Kid? No way!

"Fine…" Looking downcast, Blair once again used her magic on her friend. This time, using Maka's personality, she gave her an angelic-like outfit. This one was a cute, white dress that stopped above the knees. It was simple, but absolutely adorable.

Blair knew Kid would die from this sight. "That's purrfect! Now go! Gogogo! Now!" She said 'go' so fast that it sounded like a single word.

"E-Eh, are you sure?" Blair was already pushing her out the door. "Yes, it's great! Ask him out!" Maka nodded, still not believing her. She made her way down the street, and when Blair was sure she wouldn't notice, she turned into a cat. After all, something so juicy like Maka going out with a boy couldn't be missed!

Maka knocked on the Gallows Mansion door, feeling extremely nervous. Now that she was this far, she couldn't back down! Maka was the bravest meister in all of the DWMA, and she had to live up to that reputation!

But Maka's courage shrank within her when she noticed the door starting to open. Luckily, it was Kid. If it was Liz or Patty, she knew she'd never live it down. But if this didn't work out well, her friendship with Kid could be ruined…!

"Hey, Kid. Are you busy right now?" Maka kept her eyes away from his in fear of rejection.

"U-Uh…Maka?" Kid blinked a few times, wondering if this was real. His mouth opened several times as well, attempting to say something. With the sunlight behind her, the beautiful dress, and her unmistakable innocence she really looked like an angel.

A blush crept its way onto his cheeks, and he realized he still hadn't answered her question. "Y-Yes."

"You are busy? Sorry for interrupting," Disappointed, Maka turned around, ready to go back to her apartment and forget about this entire thing.

"No, wait!" Kid grabbed her arm and gulped. She turned her head back to him curiously. "I'm not busy. Did you need something?" The blush was still evident on his features, but Maka was entirely oblivious.

"Yeah…Did you want to…" She suddenly stopped talking. Maka had completely forgotten what she was going to ask him out to! She internally panicked, but no ideas came to her.

Kid couldn't do anything but watch. He was still too tongue-tied to really say anything. Maka finally blurted out, "Didyouwanttogototheparkwithm e?" She squeezed her eyes shut, nervous beyond belief.

He blinked once. Was she asking him out on a date? Another blush. Was he…No…Was he really falling for one of his best friends?

"S-Sure." Kid didn't trust himself to say anything else. His brain was on 'Sleep' mode and he could only utter out single-word answers. Maka figured he was trying to be cool. (She spent too much time around Soul.)

Blair was snickering to herself. She couldn't believe the effect Maka was having on the shinigami! And even more astonishing was the fact that she didn't notice! And the cat's Crush-dar was going off; she knew Kid had feelings now.

The pair talked (although Kid's answers were a bit limited and thoughtless, he was getting better) until they made it to the park. Even after they were there, they continued to converse until they were simply sitting under a tree.

Somehow, the discussion had brought itself into awkward territory; Blair. "I'm really sorry about what she was saying. I know how…" Maka blushed while trying to bring the right words together, "Embarrassing it must have been."

"No, it's fine. It's not your fault at all." Kid smiled genuinely at his friend.

"It's been weird between us, you know?" Maka's cheeks turned red. Blair really set something off in her when talking about Kid.

"Friends?" Maka questioned. Once he agreed, they could go back to the way it was before. As friends. But… Somehow she didn't want that anymore.

Kid's eyes gazed into hers intently. "I'm sorry Maka. But I can't consent to that."

"W-What? Why?" Confused and a little hurt, she searched her mind for answers. Does he hate me? Did I do something wrong?

"Because…" Kid took a breath before following what he felt like doing. Both of his hands (For the sake of symmetry) held the sides of her face. He leaned in slowly and kissed her.

There was a time when they were friends. If you could call it that.

Back then, they didn't notice each other very much and didn't have real conversations. All it took to change that was a cat and some suggestive comments. Now they were closer than ever before. They weren't friends anymore, and were proud of it.