We had known each other for years and yet no one had a clue what was happening. I'd known them since high school. Blackstar and Maka were childhood friends. Our entire group of friends thought they were the perfect odd couple. Maka was his complete opposite, the anti-Blackstar. He was loud, obnoxious, and self-centered. She was quiet, shy, and self-sacrificing. Maka was an amazing woman to put up with Blackstar. I would have dated her myself if Blackstar hadn't beaten me to it last year. She wasn't gorgeous, but she was definitely cute, innocent-like even. Her smile could light up a room.

We didn't have a clue how messed up their relationship was until she showed up at my apartment with a black eye and busted lip. At first Maka would have the occasional odd bruise, which Blackstar would blame on her self-defense class. The bruises began to increase in number and her other injuries started to get worse. At one point, I had to tape up a couple of her broken ribs.

On this particular day, it was storming pretty hard and I was watching a movie when I heard a timid knock at the door. I opened the door and tried not to openly flinch at the sight before me. There was Maka, soaking wet from the rain, with a swollen left cheek, countless bruises, and another black eye. Her eyes were red from the tears she'd cried on her way to my apartment.

"Do you mind if I crash here for a few hours?" She was shivering from cold as well as fear.

"Of course. You know you don't have to ask. That's why I gave you a key."

She nodded as she came in. I went and got her a towel.

"The extra clothes you brought are in the closet in the spare bedroom."

"Thank you, Soul."

After showering and changing, she came and sat next to me on the couch.

"That cheek could use some ice, as well as that eye."

She touched her cheek gingerly. "Is it that bad?"

"Well it's about the size of a lemon."

Maka pulled an ice pack out of the freezer and winced as she held it to her cheek.

"What set him off this time?"

"I was supposed to hang out with Tsubaki. Blackstar didn't want me to go. I told him that I could wherever I wanted. He snapped at started throwing things at me."

"Look, I know he is my friend, but you are too. If you need me to step in I will do whatever I can to help."

She shook her head. "I don't want to come between you guys."

"That's a stupid reason."

"Don't worry Soul. I plan on leaving him. I've had my stuffed packed for a couple of days."

"Where are you going to stay?"

"Kid offered to let me stay at his place for a few days"

I felt my heart break a little. I was a little jealous that she had asked for Kid's help instead of mine.

I tucked a loose hair behind her ear. "You know I'm here if you need anything."

She gave me a small smile. "You've done so much already. I couldn't possibly ask you to do any more."

She fell asleep while watching TV soon after. I carried her to the guest bedroom, where she slept peacefully for the next few hours. This was beginning to become a routine and it frustrated me. Just because Blackstar was my closest friend didn't mean I condoned what he had done to Maka. I would have stepped in long ago but I knew he would just take out his anger on her. So, we fell into this depressing pattern of Maka hiding out in my apartment until Blackstar cooled down.


My phone rang. It was Tsubaki. She was probably looking for Maka. All of our friends knew if they couldn't get a hold of Maka, they could call me. Well, everyone knew except Blackstar.

"Hey Tsubaki."

"Hey Soul. Have you heard anything from Maka? We were supposed to go shopping this afternoon, but she isn't answering her phone."

"Yeah, she's here. Blackstar flew of the handle again."

Tsubaki sighed. "There must be something we can do to stop this."

"What do you suggest? He broke two of her ribs the last time we got involved. The last thing I want is for her to get hurt because of us."

"You really love her don't you?"

"What's not to love? I don't understand how he can treat her that way."

My other line beeped in. "Speak of the devil. I gotta go. Blackstar is on the other line. I'll tell Maka to call you when she wakes up."

"Thanks Soul."


I steeled myself for the conversation with Blackstar. "Hello?"

"Soul! What's up man?"

I lowered the volume on the phone. "Nothing much, just watching some TV."

"Cool. Not much else to do with this weather. Anyway, Maka and I had a little fight earlier and she got all emotional and left without her phone. The weather is pretty bad, so I was thinking that maybe she stopped by your apartment. The others haven't seen or heard from her."

There was no way I was telling him that Maka was here, not if I valued her life. "Nope. I haven't heard from her at all today. I'm sure she'll be back soon. There are only so many places she can go."

"I hope you're right. I'll talk to you later."


I looked up as I hung up the phone and saw Maka standing in the doorway. She looked so lost. She had lost that air of certainty she always had. She used to be confident, headstrong, and stubborn to a fault if you got to know her. The hollow look that graced her green eyes frightened me. In a year, my best friend had broken her spirit. It was in that moment, that I decided to throw all caution to the wind. I vowed to get her away from Blackstar and to protect her for as long as she needed.

"Was that Blackstar?"

"Yeah. Tsubaki called as well."

She nodded slightly. "I'll call her when I get back home."

"You're going back tonight? You can't be serious."

"We both know it will be worse if I don't go."

"Maka, why do you keep going back to him? He almost put you in the hospital once. Do you actually want to go next time?"

My brain barely noticed that she was flinching. The next words she spoke were so quiet that I had to strain to hear them

"If I don't make him mad, he's actually a good boyfriend."

I'm pretty sure my disbelief was written across my face. "Oh really? So tell me, what is it exactly that you do that makes Blackstar so angry? Since when is speaking your mind or hanging out with your other friends so bad that he feels he can hit you for it?"

My breathing was ragged. That's when I noticed that I had been on the verge of yelling. Tears started to roll down her cheeks. This was new territory. I'd never seen her cry before. I'd seen her angry, disappointed, happy, and even really sad. But she'd never cried before.

"I'm really sorry. It's not my place to say anything, but, none of this is your fault. No one deserves this, especially you. I just don't like seeing you hurt."

I pulled her into a hug and we stayed like that for a few minutes, until she started giggling.

"I've known you for years and you've never been that sappy. You better be careful or you'll ruin your cool persona."

"I'm not too worried about it."

"You should be. I might tell all of our friends how uncool you can be."

I put a finger under her chin and tilted her face up to mine. "As I said, I'm not worried about it at the moment."

I don't know what came over me but I kissed her. I could sense her shock at first, and then she relaxed into the kiss.

1.) I'm finally kissing the girl I've had a crush on for year.
2.) She's my best friend's girlfriend.
3.) Blackstar will kill me if he finds out.

A knock on my front door killed any thoughts I might have had of the kiss going any further.

"Who is it?"

"It's Blackstar."

I looked behind me to tell Maka to hide. It wouldn't be good for Blackstar to find her here. She was already out of sight. I opened the door and Blackstar pushed pass me.

"She's still not back yet." He was frantically pacing.

"I'm sure she'll be back soon."

"Maka has never been gone this long after a fight. What if something terrible has happened to her?"

"You mean something worse than you?"

His eyes widened slightly. "What are you talking about Soul?"

"I'm talking about a year's worse of black eyes, bruises, and broken ribs."

"How many times do I have to tell you? She gets them from her self-defense class!"

"We both know that she is not in a self-defense class."

"I can't believe that you think I would lay a hand on Maka!" Blackstar's face was flushed with rage.

"I can't believe you think we are all too dumb to notice." I spoke evenly.

"Fine. I admit it. I've lost control a few times. She's fine though. Since when is Maka's well being a concern of yours anyway?"

"A black eye doesn't fall under the category of fine and to answer your other question. She is my friend just as much as you. So it would make sense if I were concerned about her."

Blackstar's eyes roamed the room until something by the couch caught his eye. I followed his gaze. "Why are Maka's shoes here?"

I tried to keep my expression blank.

"These are the ones she had on when she left the house. Has she been here the whole time?"

This was not going well.

"Where is she?"

"I'm not telling you anything until you calm down."

Blackstar scoffed. "I can't believe you would pull this crap. You've wanted her for years and you were always jealous that I landed her instead of you. Did you think you could see her behind my back and I wouldn't figure it out?"

I thought about the kiss Maka and I shared before Blackstar got here. Was I really that underhanded? I didn't think so. I just didn't want to see her sad anymore.

"Blackstar do you hear yourself? You sound ridiculous. You are my best friend. I would never ruin your relationship or our friendship for my personal gain. I'm worried about both you. Maka could get seriously hurt when you go on these rampages. I don't want you to do something you might regret later."

"Screw you. You are dead to me. You can tell Maka that she has one hour to get her scrawny behind home or she will learn what real pain feels like."

"She isn't going anywhere near you."

"Soul, I'm only gonna say this one time. Stay out of her business because it doesn't concern you. You will regret it if you don't!" He stormed out of the apartment and slammed the door behind him.


A/N: I know that the characters are kind of OOC but for the purpose of the story, these are their personalities. To all the Blackstar fans out there, I'm sorry that he's kind of a jerk right now. It'll straighten itself out. Remember, reading is great and reviews are love!

~Dawne-Sharlotte