"Soul stop fidgeting." Maka said softly. "It'll be fine. We have to go as representatives of the DWMA to make sure nothing goes crazy with so many souls all together in one place. It doesn't mean we have to be here forever." She turned and smiled at him as she reached up and straightened his tie. "it'll be okay."
"You have no idea what these parties are like, its nothing like home." He told her.
Maka rested her hands on his chest. "I know. But we always make it through everything together. It's just another opponent that we'll crush." Soul smirked at her and shook his head. "Just behave for a little while, okay?" She gave him another smile. "For me?"
Soul sighed. "That's not even fair." She giggled as the door opened and the two turned to the man in a tux.
"Hello, we're from the DWMA." She said with a bright smile. The man bowed and moved to the side to allow them in. they followed the walkway to the grand ballroom. Maka stopped and looked around taking in the sight. "It's almost like home." She smiled at Soul as they stopped at the top of the staircase. He rolled his eyes at her before the room went silent before breaking out into whispers.
"What are your names, so I may introduce you." The old man in the butler outfit said.
"Seems like they already know who we are." Maka said looking at the crowd.
"They know who I am." Soul said softly making her look at him. She could see his body tense as he looked at all the staring faces. "I told you we should have made Kid pick someone else."
"It'll be fine." She said as she took his hand. "Remember, just another fight." She gave a small smile before she looked at the butler. "Last Death Scythe Soul Eater Evans and Master Scythe Meister Maka Evans form the DWMA." She said making Soul smirk at her as she named off their official titles and then turned to stand tall against the whispers and stares. The butler looked startled before he started his announcement, repeating the exact words she had said. She gave Soul a small smile as he smirked at her, offering his arm and letting her loop hers around it before they started down the stairs as the others gasped and the whispers got louder.
"Isn't Death Scythe the weapon of the Lord Death?" Someone whispered as they passed. "Evans? Is that some lost siblings to Wes Evans?" Another whispered. "I heard their Lord Death's second in command." Soul couldn't help the small smile as he listened to the whispered. Maka giggled and leaned into him a bit until they made their way to the end of the room where the two hosts in complete shock.
"Staring is so impolite." Soul smirked. "Never thought you two of all people would forget manors." He grinned as Maka shook her head, she knew it was going to be an interesting night. "Mother, Father." He grinned. "It's good to see you after… how many years has it been now?"
"I was not aware you were to be filling in for your… boss." His father said looking at Soul who smirked.
"Lord Death regrets that he isn't able to attend." Maka said softly, trying to ease the tension. "He is in the middle of discussions with the Witches since we work closely with them to keep the world safe and peaceful now." She gave a small smile. "I'm sorry if we've caused you any trouble, but Lord Death felt that sending his highest advisors would suffice."
"Highest advisors?" Soul's father looked between the two. "What are you fifteen?" He asked looking at her.
Soul couldn't help but laugh making her glare at him. "Shut it, Soul." She said making him grin at her. "You do realize that if I was actually fifteen you would be in so much trouble, let alone a lot of other problems would come up." She sighed making Soul laugh again. It seemed him laughing startled his parents. Maka watched as they looked at him in shock and curious as he grinned at her.
"They introduced you as Maka Evans." The man who looked so much like Soul said as he stepped forward.
"Wes." His mother scolded him. "Mind your manners."
"It's alright." Maka smiled. Soul looked at her and smirked, he knew that smile. "Yes, I'm Master Scythe Meister Maka Evans and my partner is the Last Death Scythe Soul Eater Evans." She explained with the same smile on her face.
"Maka…" Soul said making her glance at him. "It's not worth it, we're on the clock, let's just do what Kid told us to and be done." He watched as she looked back at his family. "Come on." He said and held out his hand to her. She sighed and took his hand.
"Okay, let's follow Kid's orders." She nodded. "He'll end up making us organize the academy if we don't."
"That would be so uncool." Soul smirked as he held her hand and the two walked away from the stunned family as the whispers started again but soon calmed down. "You really think acting like that fifteen year old would have solved anything?" He whispered as he pulled her to him to dance, keeping her from getting herself in trouble.
"So." She looked away before she sighed and rested her head on his chest. "Sorry, I just… I felt your parent's souls and it just… I didn't like it."
Soul smirked and kissed her head. "You're the one who said it's just another opponent and that it would be okay." She sighed but kept her head on his chest. "I'm sure Kid knew what was gonna happen when he picked us to come here, so he can't be too upset if we make some comments."
"No, we need to be adults. We're not those kids anymore." Maka said as she looked back up at him. "Soul…" She said making him grin, but she only shook her head with a smile. "You're ridiculous."
"That's another way of saying, I'm so cool." Maka giggled. "We're stuck here at this stuffy party with people who are probably even worse than Asura, might as well have a little fun."
"Fun but we don't go too far." She smiled. "It's been boring being so grown up for so long."
"That's the Maka Evans I know."
"More like Maka Albarn."
Soul shook his head. "Nope, Evans is so much better." He smirked making her giggle again. He leaned down placing a quick kiss on her lips. "Make's you way cooler too."
She hummed in response as they stopped dancing and started to walk to the side, ignoring the stares and comments. "Soul." They heard making them turn to find an old woman walking over to him with a soft smile. "It's really is good to see you after all this time."
"Maka, this is my grandmother, Martha." Soul introduced.
Martha gave a small smile as she looked at Maka. "Did my ears deceive me or do you bare the Evans name as well?"
"I do." Maka gave a slight smile. "I have for three years now."
"My, and no word has come back to the estates of this. It is a union the world should know of." She said looking at Soul. Soul shoved his hands in his pockets as he looked at the old woman.
"We had good reason to have our wedding just the way we wanted it." Maka smiled and tilted her head, making her look cute and innocent. "Just to be surrounded by the people who love us most and are happy for us to have found love and being who we were, it was the most perfect day." She smiled and looked at Soul.
"Would you like some food, Maka?" He asked. "Black Star would be so sad if he knew we ignored all that food and spent it talking all night."
She nodded with a smile. "It was so good to meet you, maybe one day we'll be able to really talk and learn about each other." Maka took Soul's arm. "Oh and you have a beautiful color brown soul." She smiled as the two walked towards the food.
"You okay?" he asked softly as she let her face drop.
She gave a slight nod. "Yeah, I just don't like the souls I've been seeing. If they're not careful it would be easy to slip and fall onto the path of a Kishin." She said.
Soul stopped her making her look at him. "What are you seeing?" She looked around the room. "Maka, your perceptions a million times stronger than it used to be. That was one reason Kid sent us here to make sure nothing came looking for souls." She looked hesitant. "Maka."
She sighed. "The colors are all dark, it's not like home. Ours are more of a pastel like color, always shining with light. But these people they're dull, the colors are darker." She paused. "And I can feel the…" She shook her head.
"Hate? Disgust?" He asked making her look at him. "I've been able to pick up on that from when I was a kid." He sighed and shook his head. "I told you what this would be like."
"I thought that after so long maybe they would want to change how things were but…" She looked up sadly as he gave a nod.
"I know. It will never change, not with their life style and greed." Soul told her. "We're just here as security." She nodded making him sigh. "Come on, don't worry about the stupid stuff."
"I know." She said softly. Before another call for Soul made them turn away from the food as Wes walked closer. Maka gave a little gasp as she looked at Wes.
"What?" Soul asked Maka.
"He's… different." She said as Wes walked closer. "It's still duller than ours but… he's got a light shining in his soul, and his color is a neutral. He doesn't have those feelings." She gave a small smile, feeling better, as if this room wasn't filled with lost causes.
Soul smirked. "Wes always has been a bit different but still able to fit in." Soul said as Wes stopped in front of him looking at the two with a raised brow.
"What's this about being different?" Wes asked.
"Maka has the ability to see souls and read them." Soul shrugged. She's been seeing a lot of hopeless things tonight."
"Oh?" Wes said looking back at Maka. "I hope our parents didn't offend you too much. I know they can be quite difficult."
"They didn't offend me. I've dealt with much worse." Maka shook her head. "I just didn't expect so much darkness."
"I'm sorry your first time really meeting Soul's family is so disappointing." Wes bowed his head.
"No." Maka shook her head. "Soul told me everything, I knew what we were coming to, it's just… hard to describe." She sighed.
"Yeah, don't go getting all nerdy." Soul told her making her roll her eyes. "Never can understand that gibberish."
"Because you're so stupid." She said giving him a childish face making him grin. "I'm sorry if I offended you, Wes."
"No apology needed." He waved her off. "I'm glad to see my brother has found his place in life." He looked back at Soul who just stood with a small smirk on his face. "This happiness looks good on you."
"Yeah whatever." He scoffed. "I'm only here because Kid threatened to make me organize the academy and Maka asked me to come." He crossed his arms. Maka gave a small smile, she could see he was still tense and holding himself back as his walls climbed higher and higher, but she could also see the amusement. "What do you need, Wes?"
"I wanted to come talk with you, since I've finally managed to slip everyone." He gave a little smile. "I was surprised to hear my little brother managed to find love after he grew up with a permanent brooding face." He teased as Soul rolled his eyes. "Yes, that's the face." He chuckled softly as Maka looked at Soul.
"Guess the nerd wormed her way in." He smirked at her making her giggle and smile.
"I heard rumors that you had become a Death Scythe and that you had gotten married but I never thought anything of it really. I figured if you became a big shot and got married you would have said something."
"Not my style." Soul shrugged.
"I truly am happy for you, Soul." Wes said with a smile. "And I'm glad you've found such a beautiful wife." Maka blushed as she looked a little shocked to be called beautiful. "So what else have you been hiding?"
Soul looked disinterested as he shrugged wrapping his arm around Maka's waist as she leaned into his side. "We didn't really let everything out." Maka smiled. "You probably don't know about our little terrors."
"What?" Wes looked shocked. "Terrors? You mean…?"
Maka nodded. "We've got two little boys. Kaiden is three, Raindyn is thirteen months and then we're expecting two little ones in about seven months." She smiled placing her hand on her belly. "We won't know for another couple months if they'll be more boys or if we'll finally have a girl."
"Four children?" Wes looked at his smirking brother. "How did this not get out?"
"The kids are a guarded thing." Soul said. "Because of our abilities we've made some people and monsters very angry. They could go after them for revenge or because they may have inherited mine or Maka's abilities. All the kids of the Spartoi are kind of a quiet thing." He shrugged. "Just don't go around telling everyone about them."
Wes nodded. "If your oldest is three how long have you been married?"
"Three years." Soul said. "Maka was two months pregnant when we got married." He explained. "We were engaged and planned the wedding out and all. We found out a couple weeks before the wedding."
"I can't believe my little moody brother is all grown up." He smiled.
Soul let go of Maka and pulled something from his pocket as it seemed to flash dully. As he turned it and looked at it. It sparked to life. "Daddy!" A little voice called making Soul chuckle.
"Death Scythe, hang on." Soul said as he spotted Spirit holding the two boys before he shifted them and nodded. "We should take this outside."
Maka nodded and looked at Wes. "Would you like to see your nephews?" Wes smiled and followed them as they snuck from the room.
"Alright." Soul said holding the mirror back up. "We were in the middle of the stupid thing Kid was apparently too good for." Soul said as Maka rolled her eyes.
"Daddy, you coming home?" The boy with ash brown hair and dark green eyes asked while his brother sucked his thumb, blinking his red brown eyes at his father's image.
"Not yet, bud." Soul said. "Mama and me have to stay a little longer." The boy whined and looked about ready to cry. "We won't be too long. We'll be home in time to see you when your wake up in the morning." He started to smile, and he sat back against his grandfather before Maka came into view.
"Mama!" He smiled brightly.
"Hi babies." She smiled at them. "Are you being good for grandpa?" Kaiden nodded. "You're not causing trouble, are you?"
"No mama, we good." He flashed his fathers grin making Soul smirk.
"How are you doing Papa?" Maka asked. "I know the two of them together can be a bit rough."
"They're fine. Nothing I can't handle." He smiled as he ruffled the two heads of ash brown hair. "They just wanted to talk to you before they went to bed."
Maka smiled happily. "You two be good and go right to sleep for grandpa. Daddy and I will see you in the morning. Love you.
"love you Mama." Kaiden smiled brightly.
"Looks like Raindyn's almost out already." Soul smirked. "Good night Kaiden."
"Night. Love you Daddy." He smiled.
"Love you too bud." Soul smirked.
They watched as Spirit sent them both on their feet. "Kaiden, can you help Rain to bed? Mama needs to talk to grandpa for a minute." The boy nodded and took his brother's hand leading him to the spare room in Spirit's house that he moved into after Kaiden was born. He had gotten it to be able to show his daughter he was responsible enough to care for the boy and to have him stay with him once in a while. "Thanks, Papa, for watching them."
"Of couse. I love having my grandsons over." He grinned and glanced away before looking back at the mirror. "What's wrong?"
Maka looked at Soul before he spoke. "Maka's been seeing some souls here that are pretty dark." He said making Spirit look at them more seriously, work mode is what Soul had called it.
"What do you mean dark?" Spirit asked.
"There's no light to them. They're just there with dark colors." Maka glanced at Soul. "Like I told Soul, back home everyone is light colors, pastels and there's a light that seems to shine from them, but here… they're dark colors and shadows. It's really hard to explain but there's also hatred and disgusted feelings."
"I haven't head of anyone describing souls like that." Spirit said as he sat back in his seat. "You think their Kishin?"
Maka shook her head. "I don't think so, at least not right now."
"I've eaten enough of them to know, Kishin souls are bright red." Soul said. "It doesn't sound like anything you're describing." He said looking at Maka who nodded.
Spirit sat for a minute. "I've never heard of a Meister stronger than you with soul perception, Maka. The closest was Joe Buttatoki and he was more like a lie detector. You've surpassed even him so what you're seeing could be something that's never been recorded before."
"So what should we do?" Soul asked. "Maka thought they might be souls on the verge of becoming Kishin eggs, are we supposed to charge in there and stop them being able to evolve more?"
"No." Spirit looked at the two of them. "Continue to monitor. You're there for security, continue your mission. I'll contact Kid and Stein and we'll figure out what we should do. For now, just continue as if everything is normal. You may be a whole new level of meister, Maka." He gave her a smile. "If anything needs to be done, we'll let you know."
"Thanks." Soul nodded as the mirror went blank and he pushed it back in his pocket. He turned to see Wes standing to the side with a small smile.
"The older boy may not have your hair or eyes but he seems to take after you for a lot." He smiled at his brother.
"Yeah." Soul smirked. "He's got a lot of Maka's looks but he definitely doesn't act like her."
"Rain even takes after you." Maka said looking at her husband. "I sure hope at least one of these two takes after me." Soul smirked at her as she sighed. "And I swear if they're both boys…" She trailed off threatening Soul who chuckled and wrapped his arm around her.
"Then you'll just have even more fun. Besides maybe one of them will turn out just like you." He said making her give him another look. Soul looked at his brother. "You should visit sometime. I'm sure the boys would be happy to meet their uncle."
"You would let me meet them?" He asked. "What about the whole keeping them secret?"
"It's not really a secret, it's just not announced to everyone." Maka said. "So one day stop by and meet them." Wes nodded when the door opened, and their mother was standing in the doorway looking beyond angry.
"We've been looking for you for five minutes. What are you doing out here?" She scolded before her eyes fell on Soul and Maka. "I should have known." She looked disgusted. "Come in side right this minute." Wes followed her as Maka and Soul wandered back into the party and stood back against the wall.
It was an hour that they stood to the side. Maka continued scanning the room, monitoring the souls inside and looking for any danger coming their way. Soul had wandered over and grabbed food for them. "I wish we knew what was going on." Maka sighed before she caught sight of Wes talking with several older people, his soul looked as though someone had thrown a sheet over it, to hide it. "He's good at hiding." She said making Soul look over.
"He's always been better at making them think he's like them." Soul shrugged.
"So what did we miss?" They jumped and turned, finding Stein and Spirit.
"Papa… where are the boys?" Maka asked quickly.
Spirit gave a small smile. "Kid wanted Stein to come because of his soul perception and he sent me since we're a good team. I took the boys over to have a sleep over with Marie and Micha."
"Will Miss Marie be okay with the three of them?" Maka asked worried.
"Kaiden's still working out of his terrible twos and Rain is on his way in." Soul said.
"She'll be fine." Stein smiled. "Micha has put her through it all years ago, so no worries." Maka and Soul just gave a nod. "So I hear you're seeing more than most meisters do."
Maka nodded. "It's hard to explain."
"Stein's probably the only person other than Kid who would be able to come close to yours." Spirit said making Maka look around.
"They're all so… dark." She said sadly.
"I see what you mean. They're not as calm and colorful as normal humans." Stein nodded. "They're hard to read as well."
"I was able to pick up some of their characteristics and feelings." Maka said. "None of it is good."
"Excuse me." Soul's mother walked over. "Who exactly are you? This is a private party."
"This is Master Meister Franken Stein and Death Scythe Spirit Albarn." Maka said as she shifted to stand taller.
"They're here from the DWMA." Soul said. "Does that bother you, Mother?"
Spirit looked between the two as they locked eyes. "Not at all." She turned away from Soul. "I was not expecting more visitors from that place. We were not even expecting to see you here." She glanced at Soul.
"Sorry to embarrass you once everyone found out who I was." Soul said as his body shifted.
"Soul." Maka gently took his arm making him look at her before he sighed.
"Yeah, yeah. I know." He shook his head looking away from his mother.
"Interesting." Stein said making everyone look at him. "It's a wonder your soul was created from this one." He grinned as he pointed his thumb at the woman who stood looking completely confused. "Although that rough edges is there too." He smirked making Soul shake his head and look away. "At least it's not as arrogant as when we first met."
"Like you're one to talk." Soul scoffed making Stein chuckle. "Crazy Professor."
"What are you talking about?" The woman looked at Stein.
"Well you see Victoria, may I call you Victoria, okay so anyway Victoria, you see everyone has a soul and their souls can be seen and read in depth by top rated Meisters such as myself and Maka." Stein said looking her straight in the face as she looked at Maka who stood just looking at her. "Maka has taken note of every soul in this building and there are some concerns with her analysis of what she's seen. Thus, why her father and I came to assist and help make sense of the findings."
"What?" Victoria looked at Maka still just watching as Soul leaned on the pillar with his hands behind his head watching from the corner of his eye. "What concerns? What's going on?"
"We've spoken with Lord Death about these findings and he's agreed that it is the beginning phases of a human soul turning into a Kishin." Spirit said.
"You do know what a Kishin is, right?" Soul spoke making her look at him and furrow her brows before she gave a nod. "And you know what we at the academy do to Kishin, right?" Again, she nodded and watched him push from the pillar to face her. "Then you realize that it's just a matter of time before we end up back here reaping your souls." She looked horrified. "More than likely it would be me and Maka sent to collect your souls and end your terror." He smirked at her as she stared at him. "All of this would be gone."
"Fortunately, Lord Death was generous enough and explained there was a way to stop the progression." Stein spoke up. "It will also reverse some of the effect on your soul. It will not cure you, the damage is done but if you follow through, you will have saved yourself from having Soul's blade through your neck."
"Stein." Spirit scolded softly as Maka sighed and Soul smirked at how dramatic the professor was. "As long as you don't revert to your ways, it will stop you from turning into one of those monsters." He told the woman.
Stein and Maka both shifted and turned away looking in the same direction. "What's wrong?" Victoria asked afraid now.
"Kishin." Maka replied. "Soul."
"No." Spirit said making the two look at him. "Kid was afraid of this happening after we told him what you had seen so he asked us to come in case of a fight. You're in no condition to fight."
"I've fought all my life." Maka said.
"Your condition isn't one that you should be placing yourself in danger." Spirit said worried.
Maka gave him a hard look. "I was in the same condition when I was running missions and finding the rogue covens with Kaiden or when we never told anyone until we couldn't hide it with Raindyn. It's no different now."
"Your skills drop, you're reflexes slow." Spirit tried to argue. "You've got three souls, not just one to protect."
Maka glared at him. Stein glanced at Soul who stood listening to the father and daughter argue. He never wanted Maka in danger period and his want to keep her from it all grew even more when they had kids and it was terrifying when she was pregnant, but he knew her, he knew that she knew her limits, knew when she needed to step back. They had developed ways to compensate for shifts in her while she was pregnant, they had even come up with a defense for the tiny soul within her, so it could be safe while they battled. Maka was angry, he could feel her soul buzzing with the emotion.
Soul stepped up right behind her. "We don't have time to argue this out. Maka's right, we've done this before, we have our ways to protect."
Spirit looked at him for a minute before he sighed in defeat. "Let's go." Stein said before looking at Victoria. "Keep everyone inside and don't let them kill each other."
"This won't take long." Maka said. Victoria looked at her and Soul as they seemed to switch into completely different people. "There's three of them coming form the west." Maka said.
"Two from the east." Stein said.
"We'll take the three." She told him. "We can have all three down quickly with the black blood." Stein nodded. "Soul."
"Let's hurry this up." Soul said as he transformed and landed in Maka's hands as she settled the pole on the floor. "I want to get home to the boys before they start trouble."
"Yeah, me too." Maka gave a small smirk before she turned and left with Spirit transforming and landing in Stein's hands before they followed out the side door.
"What was that?" Someone called in shock.
"Everything is fine, just some security being taken care of." Victoria said as she turned to face all the guests who accepted it and went back to gossiping and trying to get more from each other. She made her way to the window watching as Maka stopped and stood looking into the distance.
"What is bothering you, Victoria?" Her husband asked as he came to her side.
"Brent, after this party we much have a discussion with those people from that place." He looked at her confused. "They just said something and I don't think they were lying." She looked back out at the woman who had stolen her son's heart. Maka stood tall as dark figured came closer. She spun the scythe around over her head before taking a stance with the bade behind her. It began to glow as the shape shifted and chanced three times before a wave of light engulfed the young woman as well. As the light faded she stood in a long flowing black dress and black gloves. The blade had shifted into a keyboard as she swung it around and forward. Victoria watched as Maka pressed the blade before she jumped into action, attacking the figures.
Maka twisted and jumped, swinging the blade and striking one making his roar. The guests all jumped and looked around before running to the windows as Maka spun around, pulling the blade free and landing on the ground again. The Kishin egg roared again before the three charged at once. Maka stood tall before she used the scythe to catapult on top of the wounded one. She turned to swing only to be batted to the ground by another one. The guests all gasped and murmured watching the violent attack. Just as she climbed to her feet she was attacked again. She was able to get the scythe up to block most of the attack, but she was sent flying, bouncing off the ground before she came to a stop. The monsters attacked again. It was like a cat with a mouse. As they stomped ever closer Soul transformed to deflect the attack and send the creature sliding back.
They watched him look over his shoulder as Maka pushed to her hands and knees coughing up blood. Soul shifted, his arms turned into blades and his face went deathly angry as the creatures started again. He glared at them before he let several blades come from his arms and legs. He blocked an attack and sent it flying back. Maka was back on her feet, she reached her hand out as another creature ran at them. She closed her eyes and went still before the blade transformed again to the keys of a piano. She lifted her head and glared at the creatures as they charged. She raised the blade and began pressing the keys. The three creatures slid to a stop roaring and shrieking before she spun and lept, slicing one in half. It screamed before the wind picked up and it tornadoed down into a little floating red ball. Maka landed and spun taking the second without pause as it did the same. The third attacked and she caught it with the scythe. it was a battle of will. Both pushing to try to hit the other first. Maka jumped away and threw the scythe into the air making the creature watched as Soul transformed landing on its back, digging his blade into the creature as she ran closer. Soul reached his hand towards Maka's hand before he transformed into his scythe form. She spun and twisted, pulling the blade through the monster. It, like the others roared before turning into the floating red ball.
Soul transformed in time to catch Maka as her legs gave out. He lowered her to the ground and the two sat there for a minute talking. Victoria and Brent watched the son they had always thought of as a monster, a disgrace, smiled, taking Maka's face in his hands as he smiled and talked to her. The two parents looked at each other as if their eyes were finally opened seeing what their son was actually capable of and the happiness he now held. They looked back as Soul nodded to something Maka said and he leaned his head against hers.
Soul sat in front of her, worried as he grabbed her face in his hands making her look at him. "Are you okay?" He asked.
"Yeah." She said softly. "Because we were resonating the black blood was able to protect me and the twins. We're all okay." She said with a small smile as she reached up to take his hands. "They did hit hard, I think they broke a rib or two." She winced as she shifted.
Soul nodded and gave a little smile. "You and the twins are okay, that's all that really matters."
"Maybe we should let the others handle the big stuff from now on. I think having two babies is making things even harder than with Rain and Kaiden. Don't want to be uncool and actually get hurt." She said making him laugh and nod before he rested his head to hers.
"I love you Maka." He said softly. "Even if you're uncool. I know you always do the right thing."
"I'll always do what's best for the kids and you." She reached up touching his cheek as he smirked at her. "I love you Soul. There's no better partner, weapon, husband or father than you."
"Remember that when you go into labor." He laughed making her giggle and swat at him before he pulled her into a loving kiss. The two sighed as they sat with their heads together, gathering their energy to get up and move again.
"You two alright?" They turned as Stein and Spirit came closer.
Maka nodded. "Yeah, we're all okay." She smiled as Soul stood and offered her a hand. "Nothing we couldn't really handle." She said as she let Soul pull her to her feet.
"A few bruises and cracked ribs but we'll live." Soul shrugged.
"The twins?" Spirit asked worried.
"They're fine." Maka replied.
Soul smirked as he wrapped his arm around her. "We figured out how to use the black blood to surround them in."
"A bubble of black blood, interesting." Stein said. "Well it looks like the fights over for now. Hopefully it is the end of the night."
Soul looked at the windows and found the people plastered to the windows watching. "I think it's the end of it." He looked back at Stein and Spirit. "It's unusual for so many Kishin eggs to arrive together and work together."
"Maybe they were after the dark souls that are in the party?" Maka suggested. "Maybe they felt not just a whole lot of souls together but also that they were dark."
"It's a possibility." Stein agreed.
"Come on." Soul said. "Should get the meisters patched up."
"We are the punching bags apparently." Maka laughed making Stein smirk and follow them back into the silent building. "What's going on?" She asked worried as they walked into the main room and the people all turned to look at them, standing silently, staring.
"We saw what you did." Victoria said as she walked forwards a step, looking nervous. "We saw those monsters you stopped and how you did it."
Maka knew that look and she could feel it as the woman looked at Soul. "So now what?" He said looking at her and the crowd behind her. "You're afraid? Of those monsters? Of us?" He paused. "That's good."
"If you all continue thinking your better than everyone else, if you all continue sticking your nose up and ignoring others. If you continue to darken your souls the way you have been. Those creatures you saw us kill will be you. And don't doubt for a second that we will come, and we will take your souls." Maka said. She felt him pulled her closer as he smirked, and she knew her father would have a sad look while Stein just smirked at her words. "You've done the damage to your soul, you will never get that back but you can stop it from getting worse." She turned and looked at Stein. "This is Master Meister, Professor Franken Stein." She introduced, letting him step forward to speak with the crowd.
"Our Master Scythe Meister has the ability to see souls just as I do. Her skill however has surpassed even mine. She is able to see even farther than basic souls and their characteristics. She can see their life, their light and darkness. Their true form. After relaying the information to the academy, we had a meeting with Lord Death who was extremely unsettled by the news of your damaged souls. He asked that we come to help Maka and Soul in security, which you've just witnessed. He also instructed me on how to keep your souls from turning into a Kishin egg and needing to be reaped."
"Soul…" Maka whispered making Soul and Spirit look at her as she paled a bit. "That energy we were talking about… I need to sit." Spirit looked afraid as Soul merely looked worried as he wrapped his arm around her waist again.
"Come on." He said softly turning from the crowd letting Stein continue his speech while he led Maka down a side hallway. They got only a few feet when her legs gave out. Soul scooped her up into his arms. "Death Scythe." He said over his shoulder, trying to keep his voice from drawing attention. But watching Soul carry Maka as Spirit left his partner's side drew enough attention and whispers.
"Soul." Stein paused his speech and look at the death scythe.
"it's double the drain apparently." He said before he turned away and started down the hall with Spirit beside him.
"I'll take you to a quiet place." Wes said as he walked to his brother's side. Spirit looked at Stein who was watching the young man before he nodded. Wes let the two men through the halls to a large room at the end of one of the halls. "It's the only place to really run to when Mother and Father comes to visit the host." He explained and watched as Soul gently laid the now sleeping Maka on the little couch.
"What's going on?" Spirit asked looking from his daughter to his son in law.
"When we use big techniques it takes a lot of energy to create them. When she was pregnant with Kaiden and Rain her energy level would lower, she was always tired and all. The energy it takes to grow the soul and then on top of it create big techniques takes a lot out of her. She's been absolutely exhausted after missions when she had those two. It seems like having two at once is double that drain." He explained as he brushed Maka's hair from her forehead and stood up.
"Why didn't you two ever say anything?" Spirit raised a brow.
"We would have been benched. You know Maka, and we were able to manage. I watched it, but she always called it when she needed to." He shrugged. "She may have always pushed and been annoying with it, nearly getting herself killed but as soon as Kaiden came she stopped."
"I did notice her backing off and not afraid to call for help after she was pregnant with Kaiden." Spirit nodded and sighed. "What about this?"
Soul shrugged as he sat on the edge of the couch. "It's a completely different thing but she still knows." He looked at Maka's sleeping face. "I trust her to make the choices. She is my Meister after all."
Spirit smirked and nodded. "She's smart." Wes stood to the side and shifted, catching the attention of the two. Spirit looked a little worried realized they had just talked about the kids in front of the man,
"You haven't meet my brother yet." Soul said as he stood up with a smirk. "Death Scythe, Wes. Wes this is Maka's father."
"You can call me Spirit." He said as he shook the man's hand.
"Why can't I? I'm your son in law after all." Soul complained.
"Because I don't like you." Spirit said with a small smirk.
Soul rolled his eyes as he turned away. "All because Maka got pregnant before we were married. Jeez, such an old man." He scoffed as he turned back to Maka as Spirit glared at him before looking back at Wes as he watched the two interact. "Maka and me already told him about the kids. He was there when you called us." Soul said as he took his seat back, next to Maka.
"So you know how dangerous it is for word to spread?" Spirit looked at Wes who nodded.
"After that fight is she and the babies going to be alright?" He asked looking worried.
Soul smirked at his brother and nodded. "She'll be back on her feet in a few hours. We've figured out ways to keep the babies safe while we fight." He explained. "One drawback to continuing when she's pregnant is that it takes all of her energy." He shook his head. "Still stubborn but they'll be fine."
"Wes?" They heard as the door opened. "I thought you were taking them in here." Victoria said as she led Stein and Brent into the room. "Oh my. What's wrong?" She asked as she looked at Maka asleep on the couch.
"She's fine." Soul said as he stood up to let Stein look her over quickly.
"You need to watch." Stein said looking back at Soul. "You were right about double the drain. It seems that when you use the black blood her soul needs to work even harder to keep it from infecting them. And with two susceptible souls with no real form yet…" He shrugged. "It may have been a viable answer for the last two but I don't think it's going to be a good idea this time around."
"Could it hurt Maka?" Soul asked becoming slightly worried.
"If she continues to push it, it's possible. It's possible that the black blood would turn on her and since she's worn out and protecting them she won't be able to fend it off." He explained. "I suggest you just be careful with your technique with the two souls."
"Yeah, thanks." Soul nodded and looked back at Maka.
Victoria looked at the two confused. "What's going on? What's he talking about?" She watched as everyone looked at Soul.
He stood looking at her, setting his red eyes on her and he debated if he should say anything or not. "Soul." Wes said making Soul look at him. "It could help them come back from that damage."
"It's possible." Stein agreed. "That knowledge could give them something to hold onto."
"Even if it's one of the most disgusting parts they hated about me?" He tilted his head, his eyes settling back on his parents as they shifted uncomfortably. "One of the reasons I left for the academy in the first place was because they hated what I was. What's to stop them from treating them like that too if it turns out?" He mused as his parents became visibly uncomfortable with his gaze and started looking away. "See. They can't even deal with their own son." He turned away.
"Soul." Spirit said making him look at him. "You know I'm as protective as they come, but this is one choice that you should really weigh. Maka gave me a chance, it took them to show me that I really did need to change. Maybe your parents deserve it as well. Weigh your thoughts before you make your choice. What ever it is, will be right."
Soul looked at him a moment longer before he scoffed. "What are you, Maka now?" He said as he crossed his arms and looked at his wife. He knew what she would say, it was on the same lines as what Spirit had said and he knew what the right choice was. It was just a gamble, a fear that gripped him that he would let his parents into his children's lives and they would treat them as if they were monsters as well. he glanced at his father in law and Stein. He knew these two were just the start of the people who would stop them if they even thought about treating the children like that.
"Not Maka." Spirit smirked and glanced at is daughter. "You just know it's what she would say."
Soul heaved a sigh. "Fine but if it comes down to it, I will end it." He said with a hard look.
Spirit nodded. "As any protective father would." He smirked as Soul turned to his parents as his mother gasped.
Soul shook his head. "If you make me regret this, I'll make you pay. Got it?" He said with a dark look at both parents. All they could do was nod in agreement. "You and Granny made quite a big deal about Maka's name earlier."
"We were just surprised is all." Victoria tried.
"No, you were trying to get her upset and to run, you were trying to make her feel like she's ruined the name." He said as he showed his sharp teeth. "Thing is, Maka doesn't run from anything. All you did was piss her off, so when she wakes up and finds out that you've suddenly had a change of heart, don't look at me to stop her from making you run." He paused with a smirk. "From here on if you say a word to anyone out of this room or Death City you will have Lord Death on your ass."
"Yes." Brent said as Victoria nodded.
"Three years ago, Maka and I got married, we had our Son Kaiden seven months later. Our other son Raindyn is thirteen months and in about seven months we'll have twins." Soul said watching his parents' reactions. His father furrowed his brow but looked at his son as his mother gasped and looked between the two of them. "We are part of the elite team called Spartoi, we're sent on the top-level missions and we've created a lot of issues with rebel witches and humans. All of the Spartoi children are a secret to anyone outside of Death City. Our sons could be attacked and taken or killed, they have the possibility of inheriting Maka's abilities to see souls or they could take after me for the black blood. So, like I said if you tell anyone outside of this room or Death City you will be hunted down."
"Lord Death will be the least of your fears." Spirit said. "You will have the whole of Spartoi after you, let alone their very angry grandfather and their very talented and livid parents hunting you down."
"And we won't make it quick." Soul said giving a dark look before Maka mumbled in her sleep making him turn and go to her side. He gently touched her head and she seemed to relax. He watched her a few minutes. "You said the boys are with Marie?" He asked Spirit who nodded.
"She'll be up." Stein smirked. "Those three are not going to let her go to sleep that easily." He laughed.
"You laugh, but you know you're going to hear all about it when we all go home." Spirit said as Stein just smirked.
"Death Scythe, sit with Maka a minute. I'm going to call Marie and check on the boys." Spirit nodded as Soul pulled the mirror from his pocket. "Come with me." He said softly as he led his parents and brother to a room down the hall. "Don't make me regret this." He said one last time before he sighed and wrote in a number on the mirror. He smirked, he was glad they had worked out a way to do a secure call between partners.
"Hello?" Marie said as the mirror shimmered to her sitting in a large room. Giggling could be heard in the background. "Oh! Soul! Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, just some small stuff with Maka's soul protecting the twins and draining her when we used the black blood. She's resting right now so we'll probably be back a little later than we thought."
"That's okay." She smiled as the background went silent.
"Daddy?" They heard. "Daddy! I want to see!" Kaiden screamed as he ran over to Marie who smirked and shook her head before she pulled the two Boys up and Micah smiled as he peeked into view. "Hi Daddy!" Kaiden grinned.
"Hey, bud, you being good for Miss Marie?" Soul asked already knowing the answer.
Kaiden nodded. "Yup!" He grinned.
"Well then what are you still doing up and running around?" The boy looked at him surprised. "Remember your Mama and me see everything." The boy looked worried. "That's what I thought. If you don't start behaving and doing what Miss Marie says, then I guess we can't go play basketball tomorrow."
"But, Daddy…" He whined.
Soul tilted his head. "Don't whine. You know the rules." He pouted, and Soul couldn't help but smirk as he watched his eldest son look just like Maka when she was younger and would pout about something.
"Soul?" Marie said making him look at the woman. "Who's that with you?"
"These are my parents and my brother. We're trying something." He paused. "I've already warned them what will happen if they don't follow the rules." She just nodded. "I'm sure Professor Stein told you what Maka saw." She nodded again. "Stein thinks it might help with holding the darkness at bay."
"I hope it works." She smiled brightly as Soul nodded.
"Yeah, so there you go." Soul moved the Mirror out a bit, so his parents and brother could get a good look at the two boys. Kaiden was being distracted as Micah ran around and Raindyn sat quietly looking around. "Sorry about this."
"It's no worry. Micha's put me through so much these last few years, I can handle them."
"Daddy?" Kaiden said as he looked back at the mirror. "You and Mama coming home?"
"Mama's really tired so she's taking a little nap before we come home. We're going to be really late, so you better be a sleep when we get there." The little boy nodded. "Rain looks about ready to drop." He chuckled as Kaiden looked at his brother.
"He's trying to keep up with the older boys." Marie nodded.
Soul nodded. "Kaiden, you head to bed and make sure your brother gets to sleep too. Mama and I will come get you as soon as we get back."
"Okay." He said and looked over at his brother. "Rain." The younger boy looked at him. "Say night night." He watched as Rain turned to look at Soul and smile as he waved at him. "Night night, Daddy." Kaiden said.
"Good night bud. Get right to sleep and listen to what Miss Marie says. Mama and I will see you later tonight okay?" He nodded.
"Love you daddy."
"Love." Rain giggled.
"Love you guys too. Now get to bed." The two boys climbed from Marie's lap and ran off to where they were supposed to be sleeping. "Sorry about them."
"It's fine. I think you're the only one they listen to though." She sighed. "Thanks for that." She smiled making Soul smirk.
"They listen to Maka for the most part and sometimes to Death Scythe." Soul said. "They should be fine now. If they act up just call us back. Our missions pretty much finished off." He explained. "We're just waiting for Maka to decide she's had enough sleep."
"So what happened?" Marie asked concerned.
Soul shrugged. "We use the black blood when we fight, we make some of it make a bubble around the baby so nothing can get to it if Maka's hit. We did it when she was pregnant with Kaiden and Rain. Stein thinks that having twins is putting strain on her and then it's draining her even more when we use the black blood since her soul needs to be active to protect her and the baby, and now she's got three to protect."
"I'm sure she and the twins will be fine." She said brightly.
Soul smirked and gave a nod. "Yeah, that's what Stein basically said but I think when we get back Maka and me will talk about benching until they're born. Its too much with both. She's not going to like it but…"
"But I'm sure she'll agree with you." Marie nodded. "Well if you need anything let me know."
"Yeah thanks. Like I said if the boys act up just call us back." She nodded before Soul closed the mirror and put it back in his pocket. He looked over at his mother who was crying, Wes was standing with a small smirk and his father was just watching him. "I swear if you make me regret all of this…" He trailed off.
"No." Victoria said as she looked at him. "I swear I won't make you regret it. They're so handsome, perfect." She smiled at him. "I'm so happy." She cried as Wes smiled at his brother.
"It's going to take some getting used to, hearing you be called Daddy." Wes teased making Soul smirk.
"It's definitely something that takes a bit to get used to." Soul nodded.
"Soul." He turned to see Spirit. "Maka's awake." Soul turned and followed his father in law back to the room.
"Hey." She smiled as she was sitting on the couch. "Sorry about that."
"You good?" He asked as he bent in front of her, looking worried. She nodded with a smile and he relaxed a bit. "Good." He sat beside her as Stein stood. Soul glanced at Spirit who gave a quick nod and ushered his family from the room leaving the two alone.
"You want to tell me why they all left so fast?" She cocked her head as she looked at him.
Soul smirked. "Because they want me to talk you into sitting out from any more missions and all, not just the hard stuff." She gave him a look. "You know I'm not going to tell you what to do, it wouldn't even work if I did." He grinned making her laugh a bit.
"What's wrong?" She asked as she looked at him more seriously. "Why do you seem so worried?"
"Because Stein said some stuff." He shrugged. "He said that when we use the black blood your soul activates to protect you from it. When you're pregnant it protects you and the baby. Being pregnant drains your energy anyway but this time… I know you see it too." She gave a sad nod. "And when we used the techniques it drained you of all the energy you had. Stein said that you were basically drained double since you've got two babies to protect." He gently touched her belly. "He said that if you push it too much and strain your soul to complete exhaustion the black blood could turn on you or even break through to the twins."
"That's what's got you so worried?" She asked making him look at her. She gave a small smile and laid her hand over his. "You know better than anyone that we know our limits. And you know better than anyone that I know when to stop." He watched as she looked at their hands together on her belly before she locked her confident green eyes on him. "It's time."
Soul looked at her and smirked shaking his head. "I thought that would be a lot harder." He laughed making her giggle.
"I can feel it. I just know that this time around we need to bench it earlier than with the boys." She sighed making him smirk at her.
"I love you, Maka." He said making her smile brightly at him.
"I love you too, Soul." She told him before he pulled her into a deep and loving kiss.
"Soul, Maka?" They heard as the door opened making them pull away and look over as everyone stood at the doorway. "Since there's no yelling, I'm assuming you talked her into it?" Spirit said.
Soul laughed as he stood up and held a hand out to Maka who took it and stood next to him. "You know as well as I do that you can't talk Maka into anything she doesn't want to do."
"Must be that Evans name." Spirit scoffed making Soul grin at him before he looked at the giggling Maka. Every moment he loved her more and more. He never could hide it from his face, especially once it was out in the open there was no way to hide his feelings back behind that mask he always tried to use. She always saw through it anyway.
"Maka Evans is way cooler than Maka Albarn." Soul teased making Maka laugh and look at him as Spirit rolled his eyes.
"Okay, don't you two start." Maka smiled at the two men. "Is everyone still here?" She asked as she remembered why they were there.
"I told them what they needed to do and sent them all on their way." Stein said. "If we had let it continue there would be more Kishin Eggs coming for their souls all at once. As talented as you are I don't think another round against them would be very wise, and although we are one of the most powerful teams even Spirit and I wouldn't be able to handle all of them ourselves."
Maka nodded. "No option would have looked very good at the end." She agreed.
"Now we can get home and save Miss Marie." Soul smirked as he wrapped his arm around Maka.
"How is she holding up?" Spirit asked knowing how energetic his grandsons were, especially with the older boy.
Soul smirked. "She's surviving. Had to threaten Kaiden with no basketball tomorrow but they went to bed before we closed the mirror."
"They're filled with so much energy." Stein smirked as he thought of the times he and Marie had baby sat for the two and vice versa. By the end of the visit the adults were ready to drop.
"We should go." Maka said as she looked at Soul. The two stood, staring at each other.
Stein shook his head. "Don't you know it's rude to talk through wavelengths and not share." Stein teased making the two look at him as Soul rolled his eyes. Spirit raised a brow as Soul's family looked confused.
"It's a private discussion." Soul told the professor.
"oh, I'm sure but either wait for that talk or share it." He said giving them a look.
"Not like that!" Maka yelled at him. "You men are ridiculous." She crossed her arms looking at the three as they looked at each other.
"Right, let's get back and report in." Spirit said as he and Stein started heading out of the room.
Maka walked over to her in laws. She did not smile, she stood with her arms crossed and she looked at them silently as if assessing them. She felt Soul walk up behind her. "I already gave them the lecture of what we would do to them." He said but she didn't move making him shake his head. "Told you, she's not one to push." He told his parents as they looked uncomfortable in front of her dark glare.
"We're… we're sorry if we've offended you." Victoria said. Soul felt Maka's wave length shift and he smirked as he looked at her.
"If you were truly sorry you wouldn't have acted as you did. If you truly did love anyone you would have treated them with more respect and care instead of tossing them aside as if they were nothing more than trash. You would have been there through good and bad. You wouldn't have insulted or tried to pull people apart. If you truly were sorry you wouldn't have tried to make me run." She glared at them another moment. "Soul and I aren't stupid, we can smell your disgust and hatred as soon as we walked in this building. We still know the games and masks you try to hide behind. I can see through every single one so let me worn you right now. I know Soul already told you what would happen if you broke your word, but that is nothing compared to a protective mother with insane hormones. You hurt or put one of my children or my husband in any sort of danger and you will wish you had just hidden in the shadows and faded away. Do you understand?"
Her mother and father in law nodded as Wes gave a small nod as he looked at the smirking Soul who pushed his hands into his pockets. "Good." Soul said as they looked at him. "Then I supposed it's time to go see the boys." He looked at Maka who nodded before she pushed through his parents and left to find her father and Stein.
"She's scary." Wes said with a little chuckle making Soul grin.
"She can be much worse. So, if you even think of hurting one of the kids or any one at death city, just remember she will destroy you and then you'll have me and Lord Death and a line behind us." They looked back at him. "She's protective and loving, always has been and she can become a mad woman if it means protecting someone."
"You seem to be immune." Wes smirked
Soul looked at his brother and rubbed his head, remembering all those Maka Chops over the years. "Not really. She can be a monster when she wants to be." He smirked. "So are you all going to stand there or are you going to follow her?" They looked at him confused.
"We're going with you?" Wes asked.
Soul smirked. "She insisted that we invite you to come actually meet the boys." He shrugged. "So what will it be?"
"Yes." Victoria said as a smile came to her face. Something Soul had never seen her do even when he was a child.
"I want to see my grandsons." Brent said as he straightened and stood taller. Soul knew he was trying to look important and in charge, it was something he would do as well when he would feel threatened and needed to seem more intimidating.
"Then you better not act big and tough with Maka around." Soul said as he started towards the door making them look at him. "Let's go." He led them to where the three stood out side talking as they looked at the dark moon.
"One day." Spirit said as they walked over.
"Yeah. And then Crona will get to finally have a life." Maka smiled happily before she looked at Soul who gave a nod. "Together we'll show Crona."
"Together." Soul said softly as he kissed her head. "This mission's finally over, let's go kick Kid's ass then go get our boys." She gave a small laugh then nodded as the group headed for the cars to go back to death city.