"For long you live and high you fly, And smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry, And all you touch and all you see, Is all your life will ever be"

Chapter 2, Breathe

She's frantic her thoughts as well as her actions. Maka screams as hard as she can, her covered eyes adding to her panic. She kicks the trunk, wherever her long limbs can manage in the tight claustrophobic space. She's praying someone might hear her thrashing. However, she soon realizes the more she struggles the more the restraints around her wrist rub against the tender flesh of her wrists. They begin to sting and she curses in her head, tears brimming around her closed eyes. Eventually her heart rate starts slowing down and she thinks about her dad and how worried he probably is that she isn't home yet. Little did she know that was a huge understatement. She counts the minutes that go by in her head to calm herself. Minutes pass and she starts drifting in and out of consciousness. By the time she gets to 37 minutes she's completely asleep.

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"We got the girl." "Good, but what the hell took you guys so long?" "We're in fucking California, plus the girl had a late shift or something- look it doesn't matter we're on our way. Let Ash know." "Will do." Soul ends the call and puts his cell in the cup holder. He looks at the time on the dashboard, 9:31 p.m. He sighs and reaches in the pocket of his jacket hung behind his seat. He pulls out a cigarette, places it between his lips and lights it with one hand, the other on the steering wheel.

After the long five hour drive back to headquarters, Soul pulls into the lot of an abandoned old warehouse. He parks the car and shoves Black Star. "We're here get up." Black Star jolts awake he rubs his face with both is hands. "Damn I fell asleep?" "Put your jacket on." Soul states as he puts on his gun holster and shrugs back into his jacket. The boss wants his men looking sharp at all times. He and Black Star walk over to the trunk of the car and pop it open. "Ha she's asleep." Black Star states amused. Soul stays silent but is thankful. That should make this easier. Black Star reaches for her and picks her up in his arms as if she were a child.

The men walk towards the dingy building's back door and knock a pattern on it. The door opens not long after. "It's about time." Kid moves out of the way and holds the door open while they walk inside. He shuts the door and follows after them. "Ash said to take her to the basement." Kid informs. They nod and walk to the stairs that lead below the building. When they get to the bottom Soul walks towards the middle of the room and pulls the string of the bulb, which dimly illuminates the pitch black room.

There are crates and boxes stacked on top of each other, a desk with a tattered chair, a coffee table and an old couch towards the back of the room. Black Star walks to it and sets the girl down. The moment he does so, her eyes snap wide open under her blindfold. She sees nothing but darkness. Her chest becomes heavy and heart rate quickens. She squirms and tries to yell. Black Star walks towards the girl and lifts his hand, ready to backhand her and scare her into silence.

"Just leave her, she'll tire herself out again eventually." Soul sighs and places his hands in the pockets of his slacks. Black Star sighs and walks next to Soul. Kid makes his way down the stairs moments later, talking with someone on his cell. "Alright, got it." He hangs up and turns towards the men. "Asura said he was on his way. He's handling some business and he said to watch the girl meanwhile."

The men scoff. "What?" Black Star utters annoyed. "I'm no babysitter." Soul states irritated. "It's just for a while guys, relax. I gotta take care of some things myself, I'll be back later." Kid leaves the men to watch after the now worn out girl. Soul sighs heavily and runs a hand through his snow colored hair. He takes out his pack of cigarettes, pulls one out and lights it, then places it in his mouth. He takes in the familiar nicotine flavor and relaxes himself.

The men stare at the girl, whose chest is heaving up and down from exhaustion, in silence. Black Star looks over at Soul and a smirk spreads across his face. "Well, now maybe we can have a little fun with her Soul? You know, meanwhile." Soul rolls his eyes and replies lightheartedly "You're one sick bastard. That's not my style. Plus I thought you had something with Tsu?" "Pff, the broad keeps fucking making excuses not to get with me. Says I'm like a brother to her or some shit. That's bull. She plays the innocent card when I know what she does with other guys. Whatever I don't need her." Black Star crosses his arms across his chest.

Soul smirks crookedly, amused at his best friend's obviously hurt ego. He takes a drag from his cig then replies. "You're fucking in love with her." Black Star rolls his eyes and tries to retort but comes up with nothing. "Shut up." Soul chuckles. However his expression turns stoic again when he notices the girl is siting up, her head hung low in silence. Was she listening?

Soul furrows his eyebrows but let's it go when Black Star's cell rings. "Yeah? Oh. Yeah sure. Gotcha." Black Star hangs up and turns to Soul. "Got another job with Sid, you're good right?" Soul nods. "See you later." "Later." Black Star walks to the stairs and out the basement. Soul sighs, takes a final drag of his cig, drops it and puts it out with his shoe. He walks towards the only chair in the room by the desk and sits. He looks at the girl who's sitting up with her hands cuffed behind her.

Soul notices her shoulders shaking but is surprised that she isn't sobbing like most targets usually do. Soul is about to break the silence when he hears foot steps shuffle down the stairs. He shuts his mouth instead. Once the person reaches the bottom Soul stands, his hands behind his back. Asura Shinigami, the syndicate leader's eldest son and leader of the 3rd sector in the organization, the one Soul, Black Star, Kid (the syndicate leader's youngest son) and other young recruits are placed in. Asura looks at the girl then at Soul and grins.


AN: For those who are keeping up with this story I did change the title but I will continue the same story line and plot. Sorry for the long delay. Not that ya'll care but I started my senior year of High School so I've been busy with school and stuff. I'll try to update more often so bare with me. Thanks for reading :)