Black*Star was known for many things. He was known for being a loud person and an even louder drunk. He was known for making stone-cold Maka Albarn crack a smile on occasion. He was known for his powerful position within Spartoi, the reigning gang of Death City. He was known for being chased by the terrifying "Brooklyn Devil" after pranking her and living to tell the tale.
He was known for being deadly when his friends were threatened.
Which was why everyone, whether they knew who he was or not, parted like oil to water when he walked by. Not that Black*Star took any notice. His mind was set only on getting to the rest of the gang as quickly as possible, and planning a retaliation for Arachnophobia's latest raid. His feet stomped the sidewalk quicker as he neared the club. Turning the corner, he continued into the dark alley until he found the door that marked the entrance. The muffled sounds of smooth jazz made its way out onto the alley. Without so much as a second glance, the men guarding the entrance let him pass, his electric blue hair the only identification needed.
Around him, patrons mingled and socialized, their chatter only serving as background noise. Anyone who didn't have a drink was too busy dancing. Even in his blood lust he could feel the hungry eyes of the women follow him as he made his way across the room. Normally he would have basked in the attention, in the sensation of not being in the middle of the room but still being in the forefront of everyone's minds. If this was another time, he would have found a dame and let her praise him under the dim bar lights. But tonight he was on a warpath. Tonight, he had only annoyance for the hungry stares. Soul and Maka seemed to notice his change in attitude as he approached their table.
It wasn't uncommon to find them in Shibusen, even if they were two of the most wanted people in the city. Nonetheless, they took pleasure in their lives when they could. Their table was well hidden in the back of the club, where it was unlikely to be spotted by anyone unless they were looking for it. Only certain people from the gang would occasionally join them. Under the dull lights Black*Star could see that Liz and Harvar had joined them at the table. No doubt that Patti was off somewhere in the throngs of the crowd, dancing with an enthusiasm she usually reserved for fighting.
Soul had his arm around Maka's shoulder where she seemed perfectly content. Where before Black*Star would have teased them mercilessly, now he didn't even bat an eye. They had spotted him first, but it was Liz who realized that something was wrong.
"What happened?" she asked, instantly alert.
"Mosquito and his people raided one of our supply runs. We fought them off and managed to switch trucks. They chased the one Killik was driving in and made it into scrap metal."
For a moment, no one said anything, Maka's shoulders stiffening in shock. Killik had been with for the last two years, deciding to help with runs to support his twins, who were notorious for their tempers and nicknamed Fire and Thunder because of it. Originally a boxer, Maka had hired him on the spot, saying she liked a man that fought for what he cared for. He proved himself countless times, granting him access to the inner circle of Spartoi. No one could believe that he had been broughten down by Arachnophobia. They were stunned. The moment was brief, though, and the shock was quickly replaced by anger.
"How is he?" she asked, trembling hands the only thing that belied her calm tone.
Black*Star averted his gaze. His previous anger had all but dissipated, replaced by a bitter taste in his mouth.
"Stein's working on him now, he lost a lot of blood. We won't know anything until he's out of surgery."
The moments that followed were the quietest that Black*Star had ever been. No one said anything, only looked at Maka as she sat there, rage rolling off her in waves.
"They're getting worse," Liz said after a moment. "This is the third time that Arachnophobia's targeted one of our runs. If this keeps up…."
She trailed off. There was no need to finish, they all knew what would happen if Arachnophobia continued their attacks.
In the last month, the attacks had suddenly escalated in violence. What before had been a quick and clean operation was turning into a dance with death every time they tried to bring any liquor into the city. With every passing day, a full-out war seemed more and more inevitable. Even their suppliers up north - most of the whiskey having come from Canada - seemed to be getting anxious at the fight for power. It wouldn't be long before Arachne made a move on them. Despite their power and resources, an assault on Arachnophobia would not be won without casualties.
Maka could feel everyone's eyes on her, waiting. Even Black*Star, who to this day refused to call her Boss, seemed to be expectant.
"How much booze did we get out?" Soul asked, breaking the silence.
Black*Star grimaced, unhappy at the subtle aversion.
"Enough to last us another two weeks. It would have been three, but Ox said that the feds were on their backs and it was all they could sneak over.
"Liz. I want you and Patti to go to Stein's first thing in the morning," Maka ordered.
"Check up on Kilik and keep the rest of us posted on his condition. Harvar, talk to the boys who were on the run and find out why Arachnophobia knows about my supply runs. Black*Star, have Ox head over to Hiro's and see how the next shipment is coming."
She paused, and though her next words were mumbled, they all knew what she said.
"Find the person who did this to Kilik and bring them to me."
Everyone moved to go out, the evening brought to an early end. Liz went to inform Jackie, the bartender, of the evening's events. Jackie was not only the bartender, but also one of their main sources of information. If anyone breathed a word of the previous night's events, Jackie would have the team in the know by the time they ordered their next drink.
Soul, who had been silent throughout the entire exchange, looked at Maka and easily identified the fear through her mask of blatant anger.
They had both moved out of the booth and were heading towards the exit when Black*Star called out to them.
"There's something else you need to know." Whatever it was seemed to be weighing on his mind.
"What is it 'Star?" Maka asked.
"The guns. One of the guys who was with Kilik said they saw the guns that bitch's men were using. They were Tommies."
Soul let out a colorful expletive.
"It could be from any—" Black*Star began.
"We both know how unlikely that is," Maka interrupted.
No one wanted to say what they were all thinking.
"Soul, I need you to watch the office for me while I'm out tomorrow"
"Are you kidding me? Every cop in the city is looking for you and now a couple of idiotic...saps are out for your head too! Do you want to get yourself killed?!"
"Soul's right, Maka. You may have the cops fooled, but everyone knows you're connected to Spartoi one way or another. You're pushing your luck‒lay low for a while, and I'll go talk to Spirit," Black*Star interjected.
"There's no way in hell I'm staying in my office while Arachne's still breathing," Maka replied hotly.
Soul seemed close to pulling his hair out
"First you went all gun-ho on Noah, and now you want to go out when Arachnophobia is trying to pick us off the street? If you think I'm letting you out of my sight after what happened with Kilik then you're absolutely—"
"Right," Maka interrupted. "Right, because one of our own got hurt and none of us are going to be able to sit well with that and I need to know things if I want to keep it from happening again."
Soul looked incredulous, as if he were dealing with a child who simply didn't understand 'no.' Normally, Maka would have yelled at him about being able to protect herself and not being a child. Things were different now though, his fears weren't crazy. She would have to be careful if she wanted to protect herself.
"Come on, let's go home," she said, turning so that she couldn't see his worried expression.
They said their goodbyes to Black*Star, and left the speakeasy without another word. Arm in arm, they made their way to the dark alley that the bar's exit led to. They decided to walk the distance to her apartment instead of fighting the crowds for a cab. When they reached her apartment he tugged her to him before she could go in.
"Don't do anything stupid tomorrow," he quietly pleaded.
"Soul, someone has to find out what's going on," she said.
"And that someone has to be you?" he challenged.
"I'm not going anywhere too dangerous. I'm just going to see—"
"Spirit, I know," he interrupted. "Just be careful out there. Kilik was just driving a truck and now he's in a hospital bed. Even if they don't know who you are, they know that you're connected to Spartoi and that's enough for them."
For one short second, his face showed the worry and fear that was eating at him, but as quickly as it came it was gone. Had he been with anyone else, the subtle change in expression would have gone unnoticed. But it was Maka he stood beside, who knew him better than anyone, and she had always been able to see right through him.
She sighed quietly. Curse this incredibly stupid man and all the things he does, she thought. As if I was the one that he should be worried about.
Maka brushed her hand against his cheek and tried to tell him with her eyes that everything would be okay. It was an incredibly intimate gesture and Soul was surprised she'd initiated it in public. Despite his shock, however, he sighed into her hand and reached up to hold the fingers she had to his face.
"It'll be okay, you know. I can handle myself," Maka said quietly.
Soul pressed the knuckle of her hand to his lips and held it there for a while. Finally, he moved her hand away but didn't let go of it as he grinned.
"Yeah I know. Say hi to Spirit for me, and tell him sorry for banging his daughter."
She laughed. "Will do."