Empty Hands
Part One: Empty Hands
This was originally supposed to be an one-shot but my brain kept on going so it's become a multi-chapter thing. Hopefully the future parts wil get longer but gosh, this and the following two are short! D: Anyways I hope you enjoy and I adore reviews! Also, let me know if there's any mistakes in grammar and spelling. I have a particular issue with tenses. =_='


They were summoned to Shinigami-sama's room, and went with haste. Shinigami-sama had said that it was important that they come quickly.

"We're here," Maka announced their arrival; her and Soul's.

Death turned to them and Maka would like to think that under his mask, he was smiling at their presence.

"Good to see you two, and thanks for coming." He said. Maka bowed immediately.

"Of course," she said, nudging Soul in the ribs to bow as well. He did a sorta-half bow and rubbed his side.

"What're we here for, Shinigami-sama?" Soul asked, straight to the point.

Death nodded his head, "Yes. Well, Soul-kun has become a Death Scythe."

And then Maka instantly knew what was going to be said next, and her gut twisted in her body.

"I'd like to borrow Soul-kun for a while. To give your father Spirit-kun a break," Death said, lightly- as if he wasn't asking Maka to hand over her partner of several years, as if he wasn't asking Maka to give him half of her life.

Soul glanced at Maka, who stared at Death with unflinching eyes. She nodded, daren't deny Death his request- and Soul…Soul wanted to become the best Death Scythe, right? This was his opportunity to show Shinigami-sama. Soul frowned at her and then glanced at Death.

He felt her small hand on his back, pushing him forward. Soul looked down at his technician, who gave him a small encouraging smile.

"Go on," Maka said, feeling as though if she didn't this over with soon and retreat to their apartment, then she wouldn't be able to keep up this smile. "Show 'im what you got!"

Soul stared at her for a while before finally nodding and staking a step forward.

"Yeah," he said. "I got this."

Maka took a step back, clasping her hands behind her back and plastering a smile on her lips.

"Take good care of him, Shinigami-sama!" she said, voice cheerful but heart heavy.

"Yes, I will. Thank you, Maka." Death said as Soul went to stand by his side. They watched her bow low and turn her back to them and leave. Soul stared at the door that shut behind her until Death patted his shoulder.

"Let's get to work, shall we?" he said. Soul nodded and transformed into Death's hands- large and blocky and not Maka's hands.

The walk to their apartment building was lonely and cold at night. Maka entered the dark, empty apartment- Blair was working late again tonight so Maka would be alone. She undid her trademark pigtails, stuffed the ribbons in her pockets and went to sit on the couch.

She sank back against the cushions and let out a big sigh. Maka knew this day would come since their partnership began, but Soul had been a Death Scythe for four years now and Shinigami-sama had never called on him for duty. Soul had been by her side for five and a half-years now-transforming into his scythe form, being held only in her hands.

"Come home soon Soul," she whispered, never missing him more than she did now.

Maka curled her fingers as if holding him again, but the fact remained that they were empty.

fin