A/N: Got inspired to write this while watching Mr & Mrs Smith which just TOTALLY reminds me of Soul and Maka xD, and the title of this story… I stole from the OST of the film (thanks John Powell for composing such an awesome piece! :P) Slight AU since Maka awakens her Weapon blood in the anime only. M-rating for later chapters, you have been warned ;) Mainly SoulxMaka but slight MakaxKidd hinted and inevitably a bit of fluff… Anyways, happy reading! ^_^

Disclaimer: I do not own SOUL EATER but I do own the fanfic's ideas and interpretations :3

The New Student

"Many of you will know this girl already from your general classes but for formality's sake… this is Maka Albarn. Welcome to the Weapons class," the class fell into hushed whispers as Maka bowed politely.

"Please take care of me," she said fighting the urge to run out of the room as her old but new classmates gossiped away.

"Alright settle down, you guys. Maka, you can take a seat now."

Tentatively, the Meister trotted towards the back of the lecture hall and dropped herself between Tsubaki and Soul, her usual neighbours in general class but not in this new setting.

"How are you feeling Maka?" Tsubaki smiled encouragingly as Maka sighed.

"Not bad… I just have a feeling that the other Weapons aren't exactly thrilled to have me here," she said with a nervous smile.

"Over-thinking is seriously uncool, Maka. Chill, Black Star and I will beat up any protestors besides it's not like they're dumb enough to pick a fight with you and your bookworm of a brain-," Soul said before nursing his book-assaulted head.

…

Soul didn't know what to think. He didn't want to think about it; every time he even brushed upon the subject his heart would plummet and turn horribly cold. She can no longer be mine completely. He knew he was being irrationally possessive over his partner but old habits die hard, if at all. Partner eh? I guess it's ex now. She's going to have an additional 'partner'. Partners are for pairs; once you work with more than one… associate. I'm just an associate now. Soul clenched his jaw disliking the term and he ditched it. Only he could ever be her proper partner. He was never outright arrogant about himself but when it comes down to his and Maka's partnership, he knew no-one else could rival their coolness. It was a shitty situation but he thanked Stein for one thing, being an elite student and total bookworm Maka could continue being his Meister whilst learning how to utilise her Weapon abilities. She's not completely beyond my reach.

The corner of Soul's lips twitched as he remembered how they ended up this strange set up. I guess she has grown stronger…to protect me too, he thought ironically to himself.

…

Maka's eyes widened as she saw the Kishin hovering over her partner its long elongated claws striking towards the centre of Soul's chest. Not again, this isn't happening. I swore I'd become stronger. I swore that he won't have to protect me like that anymore. I swore… that I can protect him!

Soul closed his eyes. It wasn't the first time he had stared into the eyes of oblivion. He braced himself for the cold slicing metal to rip through his already scarred chest. It was seriously not cool that a mere Kishin could snare a Deathscythe like him but shit happens. He smiled a little, at least Maka is safe.

But the blow never came. Wow, did I die that quickly? Strange, I thought it'd at least be painful. Or maybe it's because my soul's been eaten? Soul squinted before both his eyes flew open.

"M-Maka!" he stumbled. Idiot, I pushed you out of the way for a reason-! but his panic was short-lived only to be replaced with confusion.

Her eyes were blank, void of all emotion. Soul looked past her body that shielded his, there was no blood gushing out from where the Kishin had struck her back. He blinked. Glinting sharp curved blades stretched gracefully over Maka's back. The Kishin pulled and yanked at its claws trying to dislodge them from in-between Maka's blades.

"Wh-What the hell…"

Before Soul could utter another word, Maka spun herself with blinding speed taking the Kishin with her. Its body smashed against the rocks with a sickening crack as Maka withdrew her blades. With a screech, new blades emerged from her arms and the backs of her shoulders as she charged with cold ferocity.

Soul watched in awe as he watched his Meister battle with the distressed Kishin.

"Maka, watch out!" the Weapon cried out instinctively as he watched those deadly claws swipe down. Metal against flesh, Maka's Spartoi uniform ripped as the Kishin deepened its attack into her stomach.

Yet no response even flicked across the Meister's neutral face. Unhurriedly, Maka grabbed the claw that was lodged in her and snapped it clean off the Kishin.

Screaming in anguish, the Kishin leapt off its battle-crazed opponent and scurried away. But Maka wasn't going to let it go that easy. Staunching the massive flow of blood from her abdomen with new blades that criss-crossed across the wound, she began a new flurry of attacks with her bladed legs.

Soul watched in awe as the Kishin was cleanly sliced in two.

A-Amazing. He couldn't even start to smooth out his disarrayed mind, questions slammed one after another against his skull. Since when did she have that ability? When did she even have the time to perfect it without me knowing? Why the hell hasn't she told him? But the questions could wait as his Meister collapsed onto the floor, blood gushing out once again as her transformations disappeared along with her consciousness.

…

"Looks like her Weapon ability has been dormant the whole time," Stein said as-a-matter-of-factly through his cigarette.

"I-I had no idea I could even do that," Maka spoke with difficulty thanks to her tight and thick bandages wrapped around her injured body, "I don't even remember that part happening. I'd fainted and when I next opened my eyes I was here."

"If it hadn't been for Soul, you wouldn't even be here. We can't have you suddenly battling a Kishin recklessly like you did when your Weapon abilities activated. Looks like we'll have to give you extra lessons to deal with that on top of your Meister class. Your grades are pretty good anyway, I'm sure a bit extra for you won't be challenging though it does mean you'll need a Meister partner. Anyhow, I'm going to look into this interesting phenomenon, shame I can't 'investigate' you thoroughly although there's always Spirit-senpai…" Stein trailed off as he rolled out of the room on his wheeled swivel chair.

Maka thanked Death silently that she was safe from Stein's creepy lab for now, but the professor's words got her thinking.

"Huh, looks like you've definitely lost what's left of your miniscule social life-," the chair Soul was rocking on gave way under him as Maka landed a blow to his head, "OW! Hey, you're not the only one injured you know!"

However, Soul received no retort. Rubbing his head, he got up and turned away. He knew what she was worried about; he's been around her long enough to even predict her moves – though the clairvoyance of her Maka Chops has forever evaded him.

"Don't think about it, finding a new partner isn't that hard. It's not like you're not useless and ugly so that no-one wants to even come near you- QUIT IT WILL YOU?" Soul shrieked as a hard-back book sailed through the air and collided painfully with his chest.

"Sorry," Soul looked back at Maka at her tone. What the hell, she never apologises for her attacks-, "I've been such a burden to you."

"Tsch, get your facts right Miss Pedantic. It was you who went berserk and woken up the Weapon in you to save me. Technically I'm the burden here?"

"Sorry," Soul scratched the back of his head. Damn, I seriously can't deal with her when she's goes all DMC.

"Just rest it out," Soul knew regardless of what he said, she's still going to lose sleep over it but there was no harm in trying to comfort the over-thinker.

"Mmm," Maka muttered.

Silence stretched between them.

"I'm going to go get some stuff to eat. Don't fall into a coma from thinking too much, I can't guarantee that I won't get Stein to 'operate' on you if you do-SHIT!" Soul cursed as another book attacked his head.

The Weapon made his way across the room but as his hand fell on the doorknob, Soul paused.

"Whatever happens, I'll always by your side Maka," without turning around, Soul opened the door and left.

…

"Not quite there yet," Stein said for the umpteenth time. Maka panted out of fatigue and frustration as she tried for the umpteenth time to do as Stein instructed.

It was almost evening and Shibusen was deserted of students and teachers alike except for Maka, Soul and Stein who were in the practice yard.

"I never guessed trying to adjust my wavelength as a Weapon would be this difficult," Maka said her hands clutching her knees.

So far, she had only managed to transform her arms into blades and produce blades from her back, shoulders and legs. Maka was starting to feel agitated with her halted progress, why couldn't she transform completely? She bit the inside of her mouth. It was like doing a complicated maths question where she'd got all the steps and working right but just not getting the correct answer. And it was driving her nuts.

"It's only difficult because you've never awakened your Weapon form consciously up till now plus your Meister wavelength-tuned body is not accustomed to this new concept. Don't push yourself too much Maka, you've only just recovered. Let's leave it here, class dismissed," Stein said with finality as he exited the grounds.

Maka sighed feeling defeated. Soul, who was slouched on the bench opposite her, watched as a dark cloud formed over his Meister. Stein had asked him to stay to help her awaken her Weapon form by battling her in his semi-transformed state. They succeeded sort of, at least she's now in a conscious state when she transforms. Soul pushed himself off the bench and dropped a hand on Maka's shoulder.

"Let's head off, it's getting late and I'm hungry-."
"You go ahead Soul I'm going to try this again," Soul sighed, she really was impossible sometimes.

"There's no point rushing it, it'll only tire you out," Maka shrugged off his grip.

"I have to do this, now that I'm slowly getting the gist I can't just stop," her emerald eyes sparked with determination.

Soul swelled with pride towards his partner. This was why he was a Deathscythe, this was why they were part of Spartoi and this was why he felt so anguished when he's unable to help her. Yet at the same time he didn't want to help her. Conflict rose within him as he watched his Meister struggle. If he helped her, soon enough she'll have to partner up with some low-grade experience-less Weaponless Meister whose mistake may kill her. But if he didn't he'd be the uncoolest partner in the history of Death plus his heart didn't allow him to just sit by and watch her handle this alone. Whatever you decide to do, I'll always support you through it even if it means sacrificing myself.

"There's no helping it then," he said quietly before smashing his transformed arm down towards her.

The clash of metal against metal echoed through Shibusen as Maka deflected Soul's attack. Soul aimed for her waist but she kicked her legs up producing blades that countered his swing. As Soul pushed against her, Maka used the force to propel herself away gracefully landing on her feet. She lowered her stance anticipating Soul's next attack.

"You're all words and no action, Maka. Reading is just part of the battle, putting it to test is another matter," she narrowed her eyes, refusing to take his bait.

Soul knew that Maka couldn't really all out fight him because he was feeling the exact same. He wouldn't risk the chance of hurting her especially after her most recent injury. The only thing he could do was to bring the fight to him by provoking her. And what ticked off Maka the most? Oh, a lot of things.

"You were all confident last night after reading about it but it seems you must have dozed off or something? I thought you were intelligent naturally but it seems you're only clever because you read like your life depends on it. Ah, but I guess I can't blame you that you can't fully transform especially with those fat ankles of yours-," Soul twisted his body out of attack as blades came hurtling towards him.

"What are you going to do with those puny blades which can't even reach me let alone a Kishin, eh? At this rate you'll never pass the first set of Weapon exams which I breezed through!" Soul smirked as Maka's attacks intensified switching between blades from her shoulders and transforming her arms.

"Eh, I guess I shouldn't have bothered staying to help you could have totally hung out with Black Star to get some hot chicks instead…" he knew he was done for.

"SOUL, YOU IDIOT!" Maka screamed.

Soul crashed into her spinning body with his bladed arms, the drive of his momentum pinning her against the wall of Shibusen as his experience overpowered her. He blinked; Maka was no longer in his arms. Instead where she had been, there was a long double-ended scythe of dark green and black. The handle was of pure white and it reflected the setting sun mysteriously. Soul's mind reeled staring mesmerisingly at her new form, she's beautiful. But his throat seized up as he realised that he'd never be the one wielding that pristine and perfect weapon body of hers.

"Maka," Soul began but was cut off as the Weapon in front of him glowed in a hue of green morphing back into her human shape.
Maka glared at him but the anger was short-lived as she realised her achievement. She's done it. Excitement threatened to bubble over but she contained it as she faced Soul sternly. Even though he's helped her, and she was super duper grateful at that but she wasn't going to let him off that easily with the verbal abuse.

"Maka…CHOP!" she grinned with satisfaction as Soul clutched his head in pain.

"Death's sakes Maka where the hell do you hide those books? And can't you just come off your high horse once in a while and just plainly thank someone?" Maka's grin quickly dissipated.

"My high horse? Who was the one that said he breezed through the Weapons examination when he had a whole week's of mentoring from someone who doesn't even need to take that exam?"

"I was just trying to help you transform the rest of yourself damn it, quit taking it personally!"

"Well you could have done it in a more civilised manner!"

"Didn't work for the whole 3 hours we were practising with Stein, did it genius?"

"That's not an excuse to use for insulting me like that!" Maka retorted heatedly.

"It's not an excuse; I'm telling you a fact!" Soul punched the wall behind Maka frustrated at his partner's stubbornness. It never ceased to amaze him how their arguments escalated so quickly over such trivial matters. Can't she just be happy with the fact that she's achieved her goal? The constricted feeling came back as Soul realised what this meant. She's going to have a new partner soon and here she was jabbering on and on about banter that occurs everyday in their lives. But how long will that last? Soul thought to himself darkly.

"And it's a fact that I don't have to acknowledge because it's untrue!"

"Yeah? Well it's not like you won't have to since you'll be ditching me for a new partner soon!" it came out before Soul could even stop himself.

Her eyes lost its usual fiery spark as his words hit her. She broke their eye contact. Silence stretched between them the evening darkness enveloped them.

"So is that what you think of me? I'm someone that shallow who just moves on?" I hate you Soul.

"I-I didn't mean it that way! Damn it Maka, why the hell would I hang with someone who's shallow?" he rambled on, not caring about the consequences.

"So that's why you were so keen on 'helping' me out when you could have chatted up girls with Black Star," Maka continued monotonously ignoring his retorts, I hate you Soul.

"That's not it! I told you that I said those things to provoke your awakening, it's not true! And I help you out because you're my partner, Maka!"

"But not for long," I hate you Soul.

Soul clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms painfully. Shit, I'm not ending our partnership like this! Screw it it's NEVER going to end! Soul grabbed his Meister's small shoulders shaking her slightly.

"Maka, listen to me! No matter what happens from now on, I'll always be your Weapon. It'll always be us on missions. It'll always be me supporting your decisions. It'll always be me and you kicking Kishins' butts. Our damn coolest partnership is not going to end because you have an extra ability of kicking ass real bad. I," Soul's grip on Maka's shoulders tightened, retrieving her gaze, "can't leave you."

"I hate you Soul," he froze at her whisper.

It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair how she could churn up the calm sea within him into a raging tempest. It wasn't fair how one look from her sends his heart racing. It wasn't fair how close she was to him but he couldn't reach out to her. It wasn't fair how fate could flip their bond without warning. It just wasn't fair. But Soul isn't the idle piece of fate's chessboard. He was the knight of the game, and he wanted to win. Because cool guys never lose to fate, it was his move.

"Hate, is a strong word Maka. You should think twice before using it," Soul replied before his lips forcefully sealed hers and his heart fluttered uncontrollably as she returned his kiss with just as much passion.

He smiled into the kiss. Checkmate.

I apologise for the sheer length of this first chapter! Yes, the SoxMa pairing is THAT awesome for me to just keep writing and forget that this story is too long to be a one-shot xD I also apologise for any escaped grammatical errors after my 2nd check through... Time is forever short these days for perfection :( Oh and please tell me if I'm using too many commas and '...' I've been told that I spam these punctuations in my writing a lot _

Anyways, hoped you enjoyed it so far! I don't know about you... but I LOVE SoxMa :P

Shaari