A/N: Hello there! So excited that Malthazar LOS agreed to let me do a sequel, I really hope to do the story justice, and I hope you all find it entertaining. I do appreciate helpful comments, tips, and points you wish to make regarding the story and storyline. As always, I do not own Soul Eater or any of it's characters. Enjoy!

Soul stood in the hazy November sun, staring across the desert as he waited for the bus that would bring the next group of new recruits. He found his thoughts drifting towards this time a year ago, when he had been on that bus. A lot had changed in that time, he'd been an angry child running from his parents, now he was an Army Sergeant with a new last name, a girlfriend he loved, and a brother and sister-in-law, and a mother who was trying, and that was all the family he needed.

He shook his head to bring himself back to the present as the bus pulled up. He watched the recruits fumble out as he smiled, putting his sharp teeth on display. "Welcome, Maggots! Line up! I'm Sergeant Eater, and as of today, your souls are mine!" Soul gave them the predatory smile he'd perfected.

Soon, he had all recruits counted for and heading off to their respective barracks to be squared away. As he got them squared away, Maka and Kidd watched from afar. "Sergeant Eater has a way with the recruits, Colonel.I'm always impressed by how quickly he demands their respect." The golden eyed man looked towards the blonde next to him.

Her green eyes met his. "I agree, Lt. Colonel. He's done well in his role."

That evening, Soul was preparing to serve dinner with Liz when the bell rang and he saw his new recruits walkng in. It was one of his favorite moments, the shock on the cadets' faces when they realized their drill sergeant would also be feeding them. He was quite proud to know he'd been able to work out doing both jobs, as they seemed to find him just as terrifying in this setting, even with his hairnet.

The first of them to be served froze as he reached for the tray Soul was handing him. Soul cracked a sharky grin at him. "Eat up, soldier. You're gonna need it." The hidden threat buried in the order that was thinly veiled in niceties had the soldier's hand shaking slightly as he reached for the food.

"You know, I don't know which of you is scarier, you or my sister. Patty''s crazy and shoots people, but you are damn near terrifying when you want to be." Liz smirked at Soul around the toothpick in her mouth as the cadet nearly ran from the line.

"Why thank you, 1st Lieutenant, I appreciate the compliment." Soul mocked a salute.

When the line was done, Soul took his usual seat at the officers table next to Maka. "Evening, Colonel."

"Sergeant." Maka nodded to him, a smile on her face. "I was thinking of heading out to the gun range after dinner, making sure everything was in order."

Soul smirked, he liked the game they played. "Colonel, it would be unwise to do so alone, allow me to join you, sir."

Maka was cut off from her reply. "Gah! We all know what you mean, stop talking in weird code! Everyone knows you..." Black Star's yelling, which was gathering attention since it was directed at someone other than himself, was interrupted by Tsubaki's hand covering his mouth as she pulled him from the table he had climbed on.

Maka, cheeks slightly pink, met her eyes. "Thank you, Major. Coporal Star, I would thank you not to make our conversation public to the whole camp." Black Star's defiant eyes met her own as he nodded, knowing there was nothing more he could say.

After the Army Games in the summer, Black Star had found a new determination to be an officer and had buckled down and, using Soul as an example, had climbed the ranks to a Coporal. The newly striped soldier still got in to more than his share of trouble, though now it was usually as he was attempting to 'help' his comrades.

"He's right, you know. It is fairly obvious. You should be greatful it's only us around, or everyone would know." Liz piped up from her spot across from Maka, between Patty and Kidd.

"Hey Lieutenant, how's things with the Lieutenant Colonel?" Soul threw out with a fake casualness, though the blush that tinted his cheeks was visible.

This time Liz and Kidd were blushing, averting their eyes from each other and the group. After the Games, Kidd had realized he'd been too harsh on Liz and had apologized, vowing to not try to force her to change. They'd still been on rocky ground for a while, though their friends had helped them back on friendly terms. They had found the rest of the way from there. Soul knew, simply from being one of the closest to Liz, that they were somewhat together now, though they refused to acknowledge it.

breakbreakbreakbreakbreak*

Soul was leaning against the wall by the gun range, staring absently at the targets stretching in front of him, when Maka appeared beside him. "Hey, what are you thinking about? You seem like you've had something on your mind today."

Soul met her gaze. "I've been here a year now. So much has changed, and I guess it just kind of hit me today."

"Do you regret any of it?" Maka looked at the ground, sounding almost unsure.

Soul took Maka's hand as he responded, "Not for a second." His red eyes demanded she see how he meant it.

"My Papa called me earlier. Wanted to know why I won't officially introduce you. I told him you met at the Gala, and the last time you were face to face, he broke your nose and dislocated your elbow."

At this, Soul felt the need to interject to save his pride, "To be fair, I bruised his ribs."

"That you did." Maka placated with a smirk, patting his arm. "I don't think he's going to let the holidays pass this year without forcing me to see him Though he will at least come to us. He was already hinting at having a meeting with Brigadier General Stein at Christmas."

"Great, just how I wanted to spend my Christmas, trying to avoid my girlfriend's father who hates me and commands an army." Soul scowled, sarcasm dripping.

"What about your mom?" Maka watched as Soul's demeanor changed, noticing his expression closing off.

"Haven't talked to her. You know she called back in August, when we were at Wes's. She had Wes tell me happy birthday... a week late." Soul snorted, "She hasn't called since. She's talked to Wes, he says she has a hard time with my dad refusing to allow her to speak to me. Last I heard, Wes and Blair were going to Manhattan for the holidays, since my parents have these fancy parties. I guess since Wes didn't fall so far, they've accepted him back. Blair's not a stripper anymore, so she's not embarrassing now. But a son who won't play for them, who won't marry who they decide on, who ran away to join the Army, that's too unacceptable. No matter what my mother says." Soul slid down the wall and leaned his head back, closing his eyes.

Maka watched him as they sat. She knew, of course, about his limited conversations with his mother. But she had hoped it would improve. She thought the woman was serious when she said she wanted to 'try', but it seemed like she couldn't be bothered. As much of an idiot as her father was, he at least never failed to show that he loved her, a little too much. He certainly never forgot her birthday.

Maka didn't realize she'd been caught staring until Soul spoke up. "I'm ok with it, you know. Don't worry. My mom hasn't ever been that great at this, so I'm not surprised. Getting upset about it isn't cool." Soul leaned over and kissed Maka, after making sure they were alone, of course. "I'm perfectly happy with my life the way it is."

Maka smiled as Soul kissed her again. "I love you." she murmured against his lips.

Now it was his turn to smile. "I love you, too, Maka." After one last kiss, he stood, stretching. "Come on, it's cold out here." He reached a hand down to help Maka up. They started across the camp, walking near but not touching, lest somone see.

Once they reached the officers barracks, Soul walked her to her door, giving her a sweet kiss goodnight, then pulling her against his chest, kissing her on top of her head, causing an unsual giggle from the strict Colonel. "Sergeant, you're such a softy."

"Don't let the cadets hear you. You, pigtails, are the only one who gets this. And only when no one can see. I have a reputation to uphold." Soul smirked at Maka.

"If you dare tried to act like this in fron of anyone, I'd kill you before you knew it was coming. Now go to bed, new recruits are exhausting, and you still have breakfast to make, since you insist on doing both."

"Yes, sir!" Soul balanced sarcasm and acceptance as he leaned in for a final kiss.