Maka had finally been granted permission Lord Death to go witch hunting. He had given in under the condition that she stayed far away from Arachnophobia. She had been so excited that she came running to find Soul. She could finally make him a Death Scythe. Just like he had always wanted… He would be so happy.

She smiled at the thought of a happy Soul, since even now that they were dating he spent too much time trying to be "cool" in front of her.

She ran down the halls of DWMA when she thought she heard Soul's voice heading in that direction she came across Kid, running in a panic, seeming to be desperate to get away from where ever Soul's voice was coming from.

"Oh Maka! You had better get in there! Soul is about to get quite the beating…" Kid said with a grimace and worry in his eyes. He pictured Natsumi punching him again and again as she put her highly disciplined body to use.

Maka felt her eyes widen. This can't be good…

Maka ran to the source of the voices. She looked at Soul ready to pry him from some evil Pre-Kishin spirit, or some witch who had gotten into the school again. Instead she discovered that she would have to pry him from Natsumi, who was fiercely kissing him. She gasped, taking a step backwards.

She shook her head, tears filling her eyes. No… this can't be! Maka thought desperately as Soul turned towards her. She saw his eyes widen and she saw the guilt that lay thick in the depths of those red eyes. It couldn't be… He couldn't be… She couldn't accept this!

That's when she thought about Kid's words. "Soul is about to get quite the beating…" Beating… from her? That had to be it. But if Kid knew Soul was going to cheat on her why didn't he stop him… Her head was throbbing with the weight of her questions, and the tears only kept coming as she tried to think up an excuse for Soul.

Soul took her hand, squeezing it like it was a lifeline, "Please, Maka! This isn't what it looks like…"

Of all the clichéd, desperate excuses he could have used, he used the most clichéd, most desperate one. She mustered up the anger to punch him, good and hard, in the face but when she raised her hand she could only continue sobbing.

How could you Soul? How could you?

"Maka, I-"

"Maka, Soul and I are together now." Natsumi said, her voice losing it usual friendly lilt, instead adopting a hard edge and sharp tone.

Maka shook her head, numb.

"Did you hear me Maka? Soul doesn't want you anymore. He called me gorgeous; he told me I was funny and smart. And he kissed me."

For the first time Maka truly couldn't ignore the horrible crookedness of Natsumi's soul. It was ugly and it was pulsating, turning a bizarre color, a blue green almost like the color of envy.

"It isn't true Maka!" Soul cried," She is lying! She kissed me! And I don't like her Maka. I like you! I love you! Don't believe her!"

"But… then she was lying about what you said about her?"

"Well. Um... no…" Soul said uncomfortably, "But I said those things in a friendly way! They are nothing in comparison to my feelings for you!"

"Make a choice Soul. You either love me fully, without thinking about other girls, or you like her. You can't have both. Make a decision." Maka said, suddenly very, very, weary. Tired from her tears and from trying to wrap her mind around what Soul did.

"I'm sorry…" Soul said looking down, not making an effort to come closer to Maka.

It hit her like a ton of bricks. She had expected it but still it hurt so badly. Was he really doing this? How could he hurt her so badly?

"You are really leaving me, for that lop-sided freak?" Maka screamed, her temper finally catching up with her.

"I'm sorry…" Soul repeated, this time turning to Natsumi, "You seemed nice but I Maka is my one and only true love. There can be no other girl except for her."

Natsumi stormed out of the room, roughly pushing Maka aside. She muttered something dark and threatening to Maka but Maka only waved goodbye to her as she walked away.

"I have to admit Soul. I believed her…" Maka said, tears flowing down her cheeks now that Natsumi was gone.

In a second Soul was besides her, gently kissing her tears away as he held her, rocking back and forth.

"I love you forever Maka." Soul said.

"I love you more." Maka replied with certainty.

"We will have to agree to disagree their Maka." Soul said with a smile, leaning down to kiss her.

"Not so fast." Maka said sternly. "You better your mouth before you touch me with the same lips that touched Natsumi's!"

Soul grinned his shark-toothed smile, " If you want me too."

Maka smiled as well, "By the way I have permission to try to turn you into a Death Scythe."

Soul smiled, believing every word.

…

Soul came into Maka's room. His lips were bright red.

"What happened?" Maka said touching them gently.

"I boiled them." Soul said seriously.

"You are kidding?" Maka said hopefully.

"Do I get my kiss now?" Soul asked hopefully.

"Yeah… you do." And with that Maka kissed him, overjoyed with the knowledge that Soul would boil his lips for her. As Soul kissed her passionately she thought to herself, He may have some faults but I have the Best. Boyfriend. Ever.