Chapter One

"Turquoise Eyes"

Day One

He found her. He called out her name. And so did her. As soon as he stepped into the dimly lit room, she quickly ran into him, hugging him. "No! Soul I won't let you get hurt!"She blocked the blow from the sword that was about to cut his chest open. The black sword went into her body, deeper and deeper. As he held her; he saw her precious life gradually taken away in the process. Blood coming from her back made its way onto the marble floor. Her thin arms slowly slid off of the back of his neck; then off his shoulders. "I love you" she managed to whisper. Her eyes ever so beautiful and sincere, they're no longer open. She died in his arms.

His eyes flew wide open, and he's breathing heavily. Sweat trickled down from his fore head down to his chin. His whole body was covered in sweat; trembling.

"This dream again. Why? It's now the fifth night that I've had the exact same dream over and over. Why did she die..."

He's only been asleep for about three hours. But he can't and won't go back to sleep, afraid that the dream will come back like it did in the previous nights.


"You idiot. You never learn do you?"

"Shut up tiny-tits. I planned this for a whole damn week. It was perfect, if only that idiot Black Star didn't yell it out loud."

"MAKA-CHOP!"

"OW! What was that for? So not cool"

"That's to shake your brainless head even a little! Tried to cheat again huh? You know very well-considering that this is the third time- what'll happen if he caught you!"

"Just shut it and let's hurry home. I'm starving."

~~~~~~flashback~~~~~~

"You have one hour to finish the exam. Now, start."

The moment Professor Stein had given the cue, tension suddenly made the air in the room thick. Very low scribbling noises can be heard from all the pens and pencils scratching on the surface of exam papers.

He made a quick look around, seeing his classmates with furrowed brows, beads of sweat, and intently digesting what was written in the papers. That excludes Maka and Ox of course; the bookworms even seemed to be enjoying it.

He felt a slight disgust over the thought.

'I can't believe these idiots actually take Stein's exams so seriously. I prefer to do it the cool way. I'm gonna ace this freakin' exam and my coolness level will go up big time.'

His famous grin crept upwards, showing his razor sharp teeth.

He looked down on the professor sitting on his stitched green and white chair in front of them. Seeing that Stein was occupied by his book, Soul proceeded. As he gazed down at his exam paper, right hand on top of the desk holding a pencil, he carefully slid his left hand into his pocket reaching for a piece of treasure that he worked so hard for. He scanned through the small and crammed notes, and found the answer for question no.1.

'Found ya'.

He was about to write the answer down, then a yell from behind made him freeze.

"YAHOO! I THE GREAT BLACK STAR, WILL PASS THIS STINKIN' EXAM! HEY SOUL, TILT YOUR HEAD A BIT, I CANT SEE THE ANSWERS CLEARLY."

"…"

"…"

Black Star covered his mouth with his two hands, realizing that he just shouted his and Soul's death cries.

Everyone in the class, shocked, looked at him in disbelief, and then looked at the still-frozen soul. Others have a look of pity- either of Black Star's stupidity or his and Soul's doom, it's hard to tell. While the others, of horror as they watched as the professor made his way over the two boys. A flash of light reflected on his wide eye-glasses and an insane look on his face showed.

"It looks like I have my self two interesting test subjects. Dissections will never be as great as it would be."

~~~~~~end of flashback~~~~~~


Maka made her way into kitchen. She opened the cabinets only to find no ingredients for the stew she was planning to cook.

"Oh, I was so worked up by the exams I forgot all about shopping."

She looked out the window. The sun is still up, but only just. If she's fast, she'll make it before dark.

"Soul, I'll just go get some groceries from the store. It'll be really quick."

She called out to Soul in his room who just finished shower and is now in his comfy clothes. Grabbing her jacket and purse, she quickly made her way out of the apartment. She was running her way to the store while chanting 'flour, tomato sauce, carrots, and potatoes' over and over under each breath.

Soul caught up with her easily. She stared at him questioningly, and then slowed down to Soul's usual walking pace.

"What? I just wanna walk a little. Air is more refreshing at night you know."

"Hmm."

She answered approvingly as she inhaled and exhaled the crisp and cool air. Her walking slowed down. She felt relaxed now that Soul is with her.

The sun has surrendered, and now the stars, together with the grinning moon, shone brightly above them. It's been three years since they first met. She recalled their first stop at the grocery store together. They ended up fighting whether to use tofu or mushrooms for their stew that night. It was still the same store they're now heading to. And he never let her get groceries alone at night, even if they both knew that she can fend for herself. He's just so securing and over protective. Nothing's changed. He's just the way he should be. Just the way she wants him.

She heard him mumble something.

"Uh, Maka...I...uh..."

He trailed off. It's a bit odd; there's something in his voice. 'He's nervous?' Maka looked at him a bit puzzled and curious.

"Yes Soul?"

He turned around to face her.

They're surrounded by trees now. The street was lined with trees and shrubs acting as street borders separating it from Death City Park just alongside to their left. The park had many benches with one street lamp at the side that emitted dim yellow light. The park also had a big white fountain that had Shinigami's mask on top as its center piece and water freely showered from the top of Shinigami's head down to the pool surrounding it. Every sprinkle and shower of water reflected the light. The whole park is gorgeous at night. Such a view is overwhelmingly captivating. Usually there are couples enjoying the romantic set-up of the park. But now there are none. A couple had just made their way past them a minute ago. Now there's totally no one there but only the two of them. They basked under the faint and calming light emitted by a small street lamp. The moon half-covered by the thick branches gave just enough light for her to see his face clearly. The wind's blow tickled every leaf and petal, making brushing sounds. And it tickled her skin as well. It sounded so beautiful and calming. The moment's feel is-as she describes it- enchanting. It's beautiful. Like the ones she read in her books.

The trip to the store usually takes no time at all. But tonight is different. It's as if time stopped only on the exact place where they now stood still. It's as if time froze just for the two of them. Soul stood in front of her, close. She was so absorbed by the park's atmosphere that she hadn't realized that he's gotten real close until she felt his warm breath on her face. They gazed deeply into each others eyes. His eyes are so intense and sincere. She never had gotten this close to his face before. She knew that his eyes were beautiful, but she never thought that they were this beautiful. They're breathtaking. They almost sucked her very soul into them.

They stayed that way for some moment. Surprisingly, such close range between them gave each of them a comfortable sensation. There's no awkwardness. No one flinched; no one inched back. No one dared to talk; afraid that one word will end the spell they're in. Their faces were only just an inch apart. They can feel each other's warm breaths more and more. It's like they can even hear their hearts beat in unison.

They communicated only by looking into each other's eyes. His rubies never left her emerald orbs. Her eyes had him under her spell. He was dumb-struck by their beauty. She is really beautiful. He knew that all along. But tonight, she's just...different.

"Maka., I... uh.. Damn it, so not cool... "

He groaned out of frustration. He can't seem to get just three monosyllabic words together. She chuckled a bit. Having to see him so uptight like this is really rare that it's fun. But still, she too is as nervous as he was.

'I love you'

He's been dying to say it since the beginning of their partnership. But he couldn't. Many questions held him back for three years. What if she doesn't feel the same towards him? What will happen to their partnership? Their friendship? What will happen to them?

With all his might and courage, he was about to continue his cut-off sentence, and yet no words escaped his mouth. His body didn't follow his mind. She didn't need to hear him say anything though. She's smart. And she can feel it. Everything he wanted to say to her showed in the softness of his expression, in his eyes, it showed in the way he gently held her tensed shoulders.

She was giving in. She too was holding her feelings back for years now for the same questions and same reasons. But there's nothing to afraid now. Both of them moved closer, their fore heads met and their noses touched. He wrapped his arms around her waist. She swung her arms around his neck. Already, their eyes are closed, feeling each other, each other's souls. Their lips are just seconds apart… and then,

She felt a very familiar sensation. A sensation so strong that only the split second of its presence was all it takes for her to determine what it is. She froze at the thought. And it was gone.

'A witch! in Death City? No. This wavelength. A kishin? No. I'm sure she's a witch. There are two of them? Wait…A kishin's wavelength… infused with this witch? What are they doing here? Am I picking this up correctly? Is this even possible? Pure sadness, pure anger, pure evil. What on earth is happening?'

These thoughts rummaged in Maka's mind.

The bushes at the distant corner made a rustled sound, breaking the flushed faces of Soul and Maka away from each other. They're startled. Especially Maka, whom expected the worse.

The moment they've been waiting to indulge for so long died. The rustling sound snapped them into reality again.

'Damn it' he angrily thought, not noticing his partner's sudden anxiety as he darted his eyes to direction of the noise.

Something is in there. Waiting, hiding in the bushes.

The scarce light can't reach the area where the sound came from. Now, fairly enough to be recognized, there is something standing from the distance. It's closing in. slowly but surely making its way towards them. Soul pulled Maka's hand. He squeezed it, telling her that he's about to transform into his scythe form. There's no turning back now. The thing now made its way into the light, with them.

A girl showed up. Even in the dim light and her gruesome condition, she was beautiful. Over the years of training, Maka has developed an excellent Soul Perception. No mistake, this girl isn't the presence she felt just moments ago. Her soul is good and pure but filled with agony. And this unknown girl's body seemed to be tortured. She was battered almost to death. Her long powder-blue dress was tattered and covered in dried blood. She can barely stay standing, her body was trembling. The unknown girl barely choked out.

"S-Soul-kun"

She managed to make a small smile of relief and her turquoise eyes seemed to glimmer before finally giving up, and she fell to ground unconscious.

And so did Soul. Only that he was awake, wide awake. He fell on his knees. Horror found its way into every inch of him. Intense fear made his lungs squeeze. He suddenly can't breathe. Pure fear, terror, and horror in his heart made it impossible to breathe, and even impossible to blink.

'What the hell is happening! It can't be!' He thought desperately.

Maka can't see the wrecked Soul because she was standing behind him. She dared not peek at his soul with her Soul Perception. Not even once and never will she do it. Never on Soul. She felt that if she did, she'll be invading his precious privacy, all the secrets within his soul, within his heart, that he needed only for himself. Soul Perception is used only for detecting hostile forces; it is never to be abused and used needlessly. That's what professor Stein lectured her.

He kept his eyes on the pitiful girl in front of him. He wanted to scream but he couldn't.

"No! This is just another nightmare! Those turquoise eyes..."