Corn and deadly spirits

by Oblivion-Time

Her mother always told her to never under any circumstances enter the forest. One hot summers day, Maka disobeys her mother's order and enters the forest. What will she find?

2. Part 2

Corn and deadly spirits

Part 2

Patty sits on the couch and combs Blair's fur. "You look so beautiful Blair." She hums happily as she runs the brush through her fur. Blair purrs happily and leans into her touch. "Thank you Maka for getting Blair back."

Maka smiles toward Patty from within the kitchen. "Blair's family." She cleans the dishes from their dinner and watches as the sun slowly sets.

Soul had given her a lot to think about. Judging of her own memories of him, he didn't have any intentions of harming her, all he wanted was to be her friend and put her needs and interesting first. Soul swung Maka on a swing Wes made of his branches, they climbed trees together and they played hide-and-seek. Wes would always give her hints for her to be able to find Soul. And when it was time for Maka to hide, Wes would always help her find the best hiding spots in the forest. Always after all of the fun, Soul would go through his speech about not returning, but he would always be waiting for her at the edge of the forest the next day.

She did enjoy Soul's company, and how weird it is to meet him again after so many years, it was odd. Her memories told her they met like yesterday, but instead it was years ago.

Maka needs to see him again.

"So!" Maka dries the last plate and puts it in the dish rack. "It's time to go to bed. All of you go and brush your teeth."

"Okay!" Patty cheers loudly and the twins run inside of the bathroom.

"What happened in there?"

She cocks her eyebrow and stares at Black*Star, resting his feet on the armrest and rolling his thumbs. "What do you mean?"

"Your clothes were a mess." His eyes lock with hers, his sapphire eyes staring at her. "You were out of breath. What happened inside of the forest? You did enter deeper into the forest than you said you would."

"I heard Blair." Maka clasps her hands in front of her. "I called for her but she wouldn't come. So I had to chase her and it took some time before I caught her."

He slowly nods. "Fine, if that is how it went." He stood up from his seat and enters the bathroom where the girls brush their teeth faster than lightning.

When all of them went to bed, she tugged the twins in their shared bed, Blair jumped up on the covers and slept beside Patty. After all of them were in bed and asleep, it was time for her to start moving.

Inside of the master bedroom her parents sleeps in, which she had gotten the permission to sleep in, she put pillows and blankets under the blanket if Black*Star would get suspicious.

Maka grabs her boots and sneaks out of the window. The darkness was thick and swallowed the farm whole, only the soft glow from the forest penetrated the darkness. Maka quickly puts her boots on and her mantle. She heads toward the forest and to her relief, she sees Soul leaning against a tree at the edge of the forest. He smiles gently toward her as she nears him.

"I'm glad you came." He shoves his hands in his pockets. "Come on, we will go deeper inside of the forest. We wouldn't want someone to jump on us here."

Slowly she nods and allows herself to trust him. He keeps his distance to her as they walk deeper inside of the forest. Surprisingly, the forest is even more beautiful than it is in the day light. All the moss and plants on the ground and the trees light up the forest beautifully. The leaves on the trees pulse with life, as if every trunk of every tree was the heart of the forest. Beautiful. The forest truly deserved the title of Enchanted Forest.

"We can stop here." Soul speaks and takes a seat on a log.

Maka doesn't reply and simply takes a seat beside him.

"I don't one-hundred percent know how to execute this." Soul confesses, facing Maka. "So we will have to experiment a little."

"Oh…" She looks down at her lap. "What will we do? I can't even feel this… haywire… you describe it as."

Soul chuckles and rests his hand on his lap. "It's normal. Souls are spiritual things. Humans can't feel them." His eyes drop lower down and she guesses he looks at her soul. "Your soul sends out wavelengths like tsunamis. It is insane how much power your tiny wings can do with one simple move of them."

"I'm sorry."

His eyes turn back to hers, they lit up in the darkness almost more than the trees. "You don't have to apologize for anything. We're going to fix this. If someone is to apologize, then it's me for failing you."

"You didn't fail me. I think you were the best friend I ever had outside of my family." She smiles toward the man and places her hand above his. "You were good to me. You protected me and I had a really good time. Black*Star was too young to play with and you were the one I could play with."

He chuckles and flips his hand and squeezes hers. "I'm glad I could help." He sighs and swings his leg over the log and faces her completely. "Now, face me and grab my hands."

"O-okay." Maka releases his hand and hitches up her dress so she could straddle the log. Their hands lace together.

"Close your eyes."

Maka nods and her eyes shut.

"Let's start with deep breathing."

"Okay."

Maka inhales deeply, holding it before she exhales. She repeats the pattern as she holds his hands in hers.

"No…" Soul mutters and Maka opens her eyes. "Your soul doesn't even change the slightest." He releases her hands and rests his hand under his chin, obviously thinking. "There has to be some way…"

"Has this always been a problem?"

"No, your wavelength has only grown over the past months."

"Then how come it has grown?"

He shrugs his shoulders. "I think it is because you have aged. You know, your brain and body grow and so does your soul. It adapts to your body and now when you're close to become an adult, your soul will soon be fully developed."

"So what you're saying is it will keep on growing?"

"Yeah, to a certain degree. Maybe two to three years more before it would stop." He drops his hands and rests them on the log. "So this is bad news, knowing your soul hasn't peeked yet. We need to find a solution."

"I was just thinking." Oh Maka was stupid for even thinking about it. "If souls' wavelengths were larger and stronger if the soul itself was stronger. Like, strong souls have stronger wavelength and weaker ones have weaker wavelength―"

"Stop!" He exclaims and his voice echoes through the forest. "I know where you are going with this and I refuse. Sucking a part of a human's soul will shorten the human's lifespan and it would strain the soul. If a soul doesn't dwell well in the body, you bet your body will be damaged as well. I'm still surprised you didn't get any damages when that guy took a sip from your soul."

"Oh." Maka can't shorten her timespan. She has her siblings and parents to be there for. "Then what else can we do?"

"That's what I can't figure out." He sighs heavily and runs a hand through his white glowing hair. "When you were young, you never had those wings to strengthen your wavelength. It is them that are causing the problem."

"Sooo… my soul kind of blossomed into a bird?"

"If that's what you want to express it as being, then yeah. You turned into a bird." He crosses his arms over his chest, his very muscular chest she notices for the first time. "In some kind of way, we need to close your wings to your soul or get rid of them safely somehow."

Maka bites her lower lip and looks away from him. "I think it's time for me to return."

He blinks with confusion clouding his face. "Why? We just got here."

"Patty might wake up and if she does, she will enter my parents' bedroom and see I'm gone and Black*Star will start breaking things. Maybe it's better if we go to bed and use the time to figure something out instead of rolling our thumbs here."

Soul sighs heavily and runs his hand through his hair once again. How come his hair could be so messy if he combs his fingers through his hair so often? "You got a point." He confesses. "I will keep an eye over the farm for anything suspicious. As soon as you can, enter the forest so we can continue solving this problem."

Maka nods and gets off the log. "Yeah, but you got to promise me something."

"What?"

"That if for some crazy any of my siblings or parents decide to enter the forest, you can't eat their souls or harm them."

"Consider it done." Soul smirks and gets up from the log also, his eyes turn away from her. "You heard that Wes? Don't harm anyone in her family! You know how all of them look, right?"

The forest gurgles metal.

"Wes got it. Your family is safe."

Maka smiles toward the man. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." And Soul followed her to the edge of the forest.

…

Maka sighs heavily as she sits on the log beside Soul. "We have tried everything!" Her chin slumps down on her palm. "What in the world are we doing wrong?"

Soul shrugs his shoulders and lies down on the log beside her. "I don't know really what in the world we are doing wrong, but your soul has changed alright. Your wavelength has decreased but it is still far too strong. The question is why."

"We won't ever find the solution in this pace. I will be causing tsunamis in the spiritual world and I will put my whole family in danger and I will end up as someone's food."

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't think like that!" Soul quickly sits up on the log. "We will figure something out." He jumps up from the log and holds out his hand. "But for now, let's do something. Not something that involve your soul or wings. Let's do something fun like back in the old days."

She raises her eyebrow. "I don't know about you, and judging from your appearance, you look the same as years ago, but if you aren't completely blind I guess you have noticed I've grown up."

He chuckles and exposes his pointy teeth at her. "And I'm four-hundred years old. Your point is invalid." He offers his hand. "Come on, I can take you on an adventure."

Maka blinks at him, her eyes wanders to his hand and back to his eyes.

"You've worked on that farm for too long without any fun. I think it's time for you to experience a real adventure."

To her amazement, her cheeks heat up and her fingers tingle. The last time since she truly was on an adventure was when she was with Soul. On the farm there was always something she got to do or take care of. Either it was teaching the kids, taking care of the plants or doing house chores. Being the oldest child did put the heaviest responsibility and for once, she had the chance to do something fun and be selfless.

Go for it.

A smile spreads on her face as she grabs his hand gingerly. "Okay."

He smirks back at her and hoists her up on her feet. "Climb up on my back and hold on tightly."

Her eyes flutter with shock, but she releases his hand and climbs up on his back. Back in the days, Soul would simply hold her with one arm and she would cling onto his chest. She did prefer being carried that way, but something about riding piggyback was comfortable too and allows her to feel younger than she is. Like for once, she wasn't the one carrying the heaviest of responsibilities. She was like Liz when she wanted to ride piggyback on her back to the creek.

She likes it.

Soul takes off. He starts running, faster than a human being can, faster than the guard dog she'd seen the sheriff in the city have. The trees pass her too quickly for her to comprehend. Before she could register the trees were there, they were already long gone.

She gasps when Soul jumps off the ground and grabs a hold of a branch and swings through the air. Maka giggles in his ear and she swears she sees the corner of his lip from over his shoulder. Soul collides with a tree and immediately starts moving upward. He moves expertly up the tree, his feet and hands find branches to climb up on better than a monkey. She guesses Wes has something to do about it.

Before she knows it, Soul jumps straight up and stands on a branch.

Maka inhales loudly as she looks over Soul's shoulder.

The sky. The night sky was only an arm away. The stars hang down all around her and the moon is large in the sky. She'd seen the night sky from the porch on their farm, but it was far away from being the beautiful view she was experience from the crown of the tall tree.

"It's beautiful." Carefully Maka climbs down from his back and onto the branch. His hand immediately lace through hers as she supports herself on the tree trunk. "Do you experience this every day?"

"Nah." Soul's toes gently knocks on the branch. "Wes, could you make the branch wider?" Metal shrieks and Soul grimaces. "Don't be a sore ass, Wes. Cooperate, will you?" Metal gurgles in response and the branch widens and becomes like a wide floor. Almost like a treehouse. "Thank you Wes." Soul grumps and takes a seat on the floor.

"Yeah, thank you Wes." Maka follows and takes a seat beside Soul, their hands still entwined.

A shriek of metal response, making Maka stiffen.

"What does he say?"

"Don't even bother with it―" A branch whips at his ribs. "Wes! Got damned it!" He hisses at the branch as it retrieves toward the trunk. "Someone pissed in his breakfast. He's quite grumpy from time to time. Wes is like a brother or a partner to me, so when he feels threatened, he becomes very grumpy."

"Huh?" Maka blinks in confusion. "Why does he feel threatened? I'm not trying to take his place or anything." Her gaze wanders down to the floor they sat on. "I'm sorry Wes for making you feel that way, I don't mean to jeopardize your relationship with Soul."

Wes mutters.

"Believe me, all apologizes and souls in the world wouldn't make him feel any different. He's very protective of me."

"If he is like a brother to you then of course he would treat you like that." Maka smiles toward Soul and tilts her head. "I'm happy you two got each other. I couldn't imagine living for such a long time without some sort of company."

Soul's eyes widen and he scratches his cheek. "I guess, Wes and I have always been a part of each other. When I became a Soul Eater, Wes was created as well. We were bound to each other. If I died, he would die and if he would die, well, I wouldn't survive for long without him."

"How did you turn into a Soul Eater?"

Soul shrugs his shoulders and lies down on the floor, looking up at the night sky. "Don't really know. It was such a long time ago. I walk inside of an old shed searching for cover from a thunderstorm. The next thing I know, I'm lying in a forest surrounding with trees and a terrible thirst for souls."

Maka lies down on her side, staring at Soul instead of the stars hanging down at them. "So you were human before?"

"Yes."

"Do you remember anything of your life before you turned?"

"Yeah." His head tilts and his red eyes pierce her own. Red orbs glowing in the dark, more beautiful than any other source of light she has ever seen. "I was a messenger. I travelled from city to city to deliver letters."

"Really?" Maka's face lights up brighter than the sunrise. "So you have seen the world? How is it? Are all the other cities similar to Death City? What did you see―"

"Slow your horses." Soul squeezes her hand. "Yes, I have seen a large part of the world. I guess it was fun. I got to see different cities and meet all kinds of people. All the cities within Nevada are quite similar but once you're out they turn slightly different. People talked funny and their culture was even different."

"What was their culture? I've always wanted to see the world. You're so lucky!"

"It was four-hundred years ago since I was a messenger. The world has changed a lot since then."

"Still, please, tell me what you saw." She moves closer to Soul and pouts, trying to convince him somehow. "Please, pretty please."

Soul sighs heavily. "Fine. I will tell you e―"

Metal shrieks and suddenly Soul and Maka's hands are separated, a wall between them shoots out from the floor. "What―" The floor under her disappears and Maka quickly clings onto the small ledge of the floor. "SOUL!" Maka exclaims and clings onto the piece of metal, her feet hang in the air. If she falls, she will fall to her death!

"Wes!" Soul growls loudly and before she knows it, arms wrap around her and Soul's warm chest warms her cheek.

"S-Soul―"

"You idiot!" Soul roars and looks toward the floor board where they had lied peacefully on. "She's a human! If she'd fallen she would've been done for it!" Metal mutters. "You're unbelievable Wes. Absolutely unbelievable." Metal gurgles and a branch wipes at Soul's ribcage. "Hey! Stop worrying about me! I can take care of myself! You don't need to protect me every second of every day!"

Maka blinks in confusion as she watches Soul bicker back and forth with the forest. A smile spreads on her face as she finds herself imagining herself as Soul and Wes as Black*Star.

…

Maka smiles toward the boy resting his head on her lap as she takes the time off to knit. Her wooden knitting tools clasp together as she works the blue yarn what hopefully will be a beautiful scarf for her brother. He'd begged her for so long to knit something for him after she knitted matching grey hats for Liz and Patty.

It was peaceful day. The sun warms the porch and the wind soothingly caresses their skins occasionally. With Liz and Patty taking an afternoon nap, Maka seized the moment to do something nice for her brother. With Maka sneaking off to meet Soul in the forest, she wanted to take every chance she could by spending it with her siblings.

"Maka?" Black*Star mumbles with his eyes closed.

"Yeah?"

"What will happen when we grow up? Will we still be together on this farm?"

"Of course she will." She puts away her knitting into her basket. "You know when we grow up we will want to make our own families with the people we love." Maka ran her fingers through his hair and gently starts making small circles on his temples with her tips. "You would want to follow your dreams and be a father to your future kids―"

"Eww!" He exclaims and shudders. "No kids! Mama was disgusting when she gave birth to Liz and Patty! They were nasty!"

"Black*Star." Maka giggles and starts braiding his hair. "You were just like them when you were born. All sticky and bloodied. You know you don't have to get any kids if you don't want to." Unconsciously, Maka cringes. Even though it is weird picturing her younger brother a father, she would want him to become one. To be happy with a wife and build his own family and earn the love and joy he deserves. "If you chose to move into the city and become a worker at one of those fancy factories, then that's fine. As long as it is your choice then I'm happy."

"I don't know what I want." Black*Star sighs and leans into her touch. "I don't know what I want to do or where I want to go."

"You've plenty of time to figure that out. Our parents aren't going to throw you out tomorrow or anything."

"What about you?" His eyes crack open and he peeks at her. "You're old. Will you stay here on the farm?"

Maka knows what her parents expect out of her. Even though Maka was first born, she wouldn't be the one to inherit the farm. The farm would go to Black*Star and Kid. So her parents would expect her to become a man's wife and take care of the household when he was gone working. With her coming closer to become a legal adult, her parents would start putting her out there on the market. If she wouldn't find someone to marry, she would eventually become a burden to her parents and to her sibling.

She shudders at the thought. As much as she does want love and a family, going about it that way isn't what she wants. Maka wants to fall in love and get a marriage proposal from him, not from some stranger who desired her qualities as a potential wife and found her attractive.

The truth was bitter.

"We don't have to talk about it." Maka finishes braiding a cute little braid in the middle of his blue mess of hair. "I don't want to upset you."

"I want to know."

"You don't n―"

"I want to know."

Maka sighs heavily and rests her hand on his forehead. "Black*Star." She gulps. "I can't stay here on the farm forever. Our parents expect me to find someone and get married. I won't be able to stay here."

He stiffens underneath the palm of her hand and she sees hurt flash in his eyes. "You won't be gone, right? I would still see you, right?"

"Of course you will!" She leans down and wraps her arms around her younger sibling. "I won't ever let someone get in between us. I love you Black*Star and I will come and visit you as many times as I can. And you know what, every time I will bring with me those desserts you like so much."

His smaller arms wrap around her as well and squeeze her tightly. "I don't want you to go!"

Maka rubs his back soothingly. "I won't be gone from your life." She rests her head on his. "I will stay here."

And she did. She even let Black*Star sleep in her bed.

Maka didn't visit Soul that night or the following.

"Where have you been?" Soul questions as soon as she enters the forest.

Her eyes lift and she sees Soul sitting on a branch. He heaves up from the branch and jumps down on the ground in front of her. "I was with my brother." She confesses as both of them stroll deeper into the forest. "He was quite… upset. He needed me and I didn't have the heart to send him away."

Soul slowly nods. "I see…" He halts and his hand grasps hers. "It's just, the madness has thickened. Something is happening and I don't like it. I was unease when I didn't get to see you."

Her heart flutters deliciously in her chest. Her cheeks heat up and she covers it by hiding behind her bangs. Hopefully he didn't detect her embarrassment. "I was fine. I haven't noticed any difference at all."

"But I have. I wouldn't be surprised if the Soul Eater would try to get close to you somehow. Or investigate your farm or doing something." He groans heavily and runs a hand through his hair, his other holds on to hers tightly. "It's just, it's maddening to have you out there. I don't want you to end up hurt."

Her heart must have jumped out of her chest since she can't find her breath. Her eyes are left wide, staring into his crimson eyes. "Soul…" She finally finds her voice. "I'm being careful―"

"Careful isn't enough!" He throws his hands up in the air before he slaps his hand on his forehead. "You don't understand. You don't have any chance against a Soul Eater. You will be easy meal. Just a slap at your back and your body will be severed."

"Soul." Her hands gently cup his cheeks, forcing his hand off his face. His eyes gaze into hers and she takes a step toward him. "I have you. You will help me, right?"

"Of course."

"As long as I have you on my side, we will manage somehow."

A smile spreads on his face. "M―"

A metal wipe to his rib and a jump to the side later, Soul was left rubbing his side and glaring at the closest tree. "Well, thanks Wes." Sarcasm drips from his mouth. Metal grinds in answer.

Maka and Soul strolls deep inside of the forest and they take a seat on a log. Soul lays on the log like usual and she has her legs straight out. They sat both in silence, Soul's eyebrows are furrowed and his eyes distant. His hands rest on his stomach as he stares right up at the trees.

That was until Soul slumps his head at the side of the log, allowing himself to look backward at Maka. "Can I rest my head on your lap?"

Her eyes flutter with confusion. "Okay."

A smile spreads on his face, like he found a hidden treasure. Quickly he scoots over to her and lays down his head on her lap. Maka can't help but to smile at the creature snuggling up in her lap and the white strands spreading on her lap. Almost instantly, her hands run through his hair. Awfully soft. Like silk. If not smoother. Never had she felt something as soft as his hair. "What do you do with your hair? It's so soft."

"What?" He glances up toward her. "Am I supposed to do something?"

"No, it's just, your hair is so much softer than any other hair I have touched."

"I don't do anything with it." His eyes slowly flutter close as she continues to run her hands through it. "It could be a Soul Eater thing. I don't know."

"That would explain it." She can't stop playing with his hair, and the looks on his face, tells her he doesn't want her to stop either. Maka studies every strand on his head, taking in the smooth texture of every strand and the healthy end of it. Every strand had a skittish glow. His hair could only be described as being blessed by the finest of moons.

"It was such a long time ago I socialized with humans." He murmurs. She listens. "I think I have completely forgotten how to act around them."

"I don't think so." Her hand touches his fringe. "I think you are behaving like a civil man. I couldn't tell you are hundreds of years old."

"That's because I think before I do anything. I don't want to do anything that could hurt you or would be mistaken for something else. I don't want you to get the wrong idea of me."

"I won't. My view of you is that you're very caring and thoughtful man. You care about your friends deeply and you try to please them. You fear your friends will disappear from you and you fight to keep them beside you even if it will cause a burden to weight you down when you could easily walk away. You are a very loyal and a very great friend. A kind of friend everybody should have."

He cracks his eye open. "How could I be friends with everybody?"

She giggles and tilts her head to the side. "I didn't mean for you to literally be friends with everybody. I mean, you have the perfect characteristics for a perfect friend. Everybody should have someone with those characteristics in their life."

"Oh…" To Maka's surprise, Soul's eyes drops and a small frown spreads on his face. Before she even has time to answer, his mouth is open. "What were you knitting earlier? I have seen you knitting that blue thing for days now."

"It's a scarf to Black*Star. I knitted hats to the twins so he wanted something as well. Lucky for him, it's soon finished. He's been going on about it for a very long time."

"Soooo… maybe you could possibly… you know… make one for me?"

Maka's eyes flutter. "You want one?"

She detects a light blush on his cheeks. "Yeah, I mean! If that isn't too much trouble that is."

Her eyes soften. "Stupid." A hand escapes his hair and runs down his face. "Of course I will make you something. It can get quite chilly out here in the night."

Soul lights up and suddenly sits up. "Really?" His face is so close to hers. "You will?"

"Of course. I'm not joking about these kinds of things." Maka jumps up from the log and laces her fingers together behind her back. "In fact, I think it's time for me to go home before it gets too late. I got to regain some energy for tomorrow!" And Maka turns around and starts walking back through the forest to the sound of Wes whipping Soul in the side.

…

Maka grips the basket in her hands as she walks toward the forest. Darkness surrounds her as she walks through the cornfield. The basket contains red yarn and her knitting tools. She'd already started knitting on a scarf to Soul, and hopefully he would appreciate it. Maybe enjoying lying with his head on her lap as she knitted his scarf.

Her heart races at the thought of him. His gentle crimson eyes staring right through her being and his pale hair lighting up the magical forest. His touches sending fire sparkling on her skin and her throat to run dry. It was something about him, something that made her being grows lighter, almost levitating with joy for every smile she earns. What it is she's feeling, still remains a mystery to her.

She enters the forest and Soul leans against a tree just like always. Her heart skips a beat when his eyes lift from the ground and his whole face brightens with happiness as soon as their eyes lock.

"Maka." He approaches her and grabs her hand. "Come, there is something I want to show you." She blinks in confusion as Soul leads her deeper into the forest. They walk pass the log they usually find themselves sitting on before Maka has to return. Maka continues to follow Soul as she holds the basket in her hand.

"Where are we going?"

"To a place I think will help."

Help? Help how?

After wandering for a while, Soul releases her hand and approaches a tree. "This is a very… special tree." Before he even finished his sentence, branches drops down from the tree and roots erupt from the ground. All of them aim toward Maka and metal hisses at her. Her eyes widen and immediately she backpedals. "Don't worry about it." Soul's hand starts scratching the iron bark and instantly, the branches and roots start trembling before they go limp. A loud metallic purr resonates through the entire forest.

Maka blinks in confusion. "What happened to Wes?"

Soul smirks wide and continues to scratch and pet the tree. "It's his special place. Wes loves being scratched." He crooks his hand toward Maka. "Come here."

"Is it safe?"

He nods in reply.

Carefully, Maka takes a step toward Soul's outstretched hand. Hesitantly her fingers entwine with his and he brings her close to him and the tree. "Go ahead." He smiles. "You can pet him too."

"O-okay." Her hand slides over the bark. The purr grows louder and the branches on the ground trembles with pleasure.

"Wes hasn't been that happy with you lately."

"With me?" Maka's eyes grow with shock. "What have I done?"

"It is silly and very ridiculous if you ask me. He isn't really angry with you. He's more insecure and since you're easier being upset with than himself." His hand watchfully comes closer to hers. "He likes you. That you are here and all, but he's just scared you will take me away from him, you know. He doesn't want to be abandoned or left behind."

"But I don't want to break you guys apart." Her hand rests on the bark. "I have no intentions of ripping you apart. You are the two who should be sticking together forever you know."

"I know, and that is why I say he's insecure. I've told him plenty of times I won't disappear because of you. He just doesn't like how we get closer to each other." His hand skittishly lays over hers and their fingers entwine, still resting on the bark of the tree. "I just want him to get a chance to know you too."

Her eyes flutter with confusion. "But he has been with us every time we have met."

"I know, but he hasn't been that very involved. So I want you two to really bond because you two are very important to me and I want him to cooperate with you."

"Me too."

A smile spreads on his face and Soul gently takes the basket from her hand. "Good, because he's on his way here."

Maka's eyes widen and Soul gently leads her away from the tree and a log spits out from the ground. "I've talked to Wes earlier and he's on his way here so you could really start forming a relationship." She's still in shock. Wes had a form she could actually see him. Would he be similar to Soul? Would he too have white magical hair and sharp teeth?

She didn't have much time before palms hitting the stiff moss resonate through the forest. Her eyes pop out of their sock when she sees a cute little bear coming running toward them.

"Aww," She smiles wide and kneels and holds her arms out. "You are so cute!"

The bear runs right up to her, he jumps and Maka and Wes tumbles down on the ground with Wes on top of her chest. He roars loudly and bares his teeth at her. Teeth just as sharp as Soul's.

"Wes!" Soul exclaims and rips him off of her. "Polite! You aren't supposed to attack her!" He growls at Soul, his claws are already out and ready to rip flesh. "Wes! No! You shut up and behave. This is your chance to really get involved and truly know her. If you keep attacking her you are the one shutting yourself out of my life. You know I'm in this to help her and I'm going to do everything to help her, with or without you on my side."

The bear slowly stops growling and the claws disappear into his palm.

Maka sits up on the ground and watches as Soul puts the bear on the ground. Slowly the bear walks up to her, the sapphire eyes glow in the dark and his grey fur glow softly, not as brightly as Soul's hair. They stare at each other before Maka smiles toward the little creature. "Hey Wes. It's nice to finally meet you."

The beer's head snaps toward the side and closes its eyes. Soul growls his name lowly. Wes painfully slowly looks back at Maka.

"Is it okay if I touch your fur? It's very beautiful." Maka holds out her hand toward the beer, waiting for him to give her a sign of rejection or acceptation. Wes hesitantly nears Maka and he presses his cheek against her hand. She smiles wide toward the cute little animal and runs her hand through the fur. "Your fur is so soft. And beautiful." The beer purrs happily as he comes closer to her and allows her to work both of her hands through his fur.

Soul happily watches as Maka pets his brother, noticing the wide smile on Wes's face.

…

Maka giggles happily as she tickles the belly of the cute little beer. Wes purrs cutely as he lies sprawled out on her lap. Soul's thigh brushes hers as he peers down at the little beer.

"I have something I want to show you." Soul whispers in her ear, her fingertips caress her shoulder.

"You do?" Maka whispers back and looks up at him. Her fingers still and the little bear peers at her.

"Yeah. Come on." Soul unwraps his arm from her and stands up from the log. "The night is beautiful and they are out." Wes groans and tilts his head.

Maka gently puts Wes down on the ground and stands up. "Okay, but what are 'they'?"

Soul grins wide and laces their fingers together. "You will see." He leads her into the forest, pass the sensitive tree of Wes. Maka blinks as she notices the little beer doesn't follow them. This is the first time in many days he has left them alone. Soul slows down his pace and his wraps his arm around her shoulders instead of holding her hand. They sneak up behind a bush with their backs bend. "Look." Hesitantly Maka moves a branch of leaves away, and Wes helps her move the branch away and creates a hole.

Maka gasps loudly. Stars have descended from the night sky and elegantly float in the air. Twenty, thirty or forty, she has no idea how many there are, only that there are a many tiny stars floating peacefully in the air.

"What are they?" Maka whispers to Soul.

"Those are Wisps." Soul whispers back with his arm wrapped around her shoulders. "They are magical creatures. They are souls of the damned here to damn the living. Once in a while, they can cross the forest. Disturbing them is a bad idea, well, for you, not for me, but it is always better to leave them alone."

"Oh…" Maka keeps staring at them as they slowly float down before they boost upward, then repeats the patters. Sinking before shooting up. "They are so pretty."

"Not as pretty as you." She turns away from the Wisps and looks into his red eyes. Her heart leaps out of her chest at the sight of his soft eyes, just as soft as a feather. "You glow brighter than them. You're more beautiful than the night sky. I haven't seen anything more beautiful than you."

Her heart must have returned. Her whole body throbs in sync with her heart as she turns into a puddle of something sweet and warm. "I don't glow as brightly as your hair."

He chuckles and moves closer to her. Only a thin layer of space separates them. The proximity is new and exciting and at the same time desirable and comforting. "Maybe not, but your eyes, they sparkle vividly and communicates the most amazing message ever."

His nose brush against hers. They're so close to each other. Never before had she found herself in such an intimate situation as with Soul and she loves it.

"What do they say?" She whispers and relishes the sensation of her heart spinning out of control and her skin prickling with delicious heat. What is he doing to her?

"That I have found my Utopia."

Slowly she tilts her head toward the right. Timidly his lips brush against hers and she melts into the kiss. Slowly Soul grows more confident and he kisses her with strength and affection.

Her lips sizzle and her fingers tingle. Her body heats up like never before as their lips gently move against each other's. Her first kiss. Unbelievably heavenly and pleasurable and delicious.

His arms wrap around her waist as he pulls her closer to him. Maka eagerly wraps her arms around his neck and presses their lips eagerly together. Saliva mixes and amateurishly drips from their mouths. It didn't stop them, lips smack and pleasure shoots down their spines.

A metal branch whips and Soul groans into Maka's mouth. Their mouth separate and Soul glares at the little beer glaring back at him. "Thanks Wes, just great." He turns back to Maka. "Sorry about that."

"Don't worry about it." Her hands slide to his face and gently caress it. "I better get back to my siblings. Tomorrow is the day my parents will return from the city."

He sighs and slowly nods. "Yeah. You're right." To her surprise, their lips lock again, a short kiss and a whip from a branch later, they part.

Bear Wes follows Maka to the end of the forest before they part. Maka sneaks inside of the house through the window. After changing her clothes to her pajama, she crawls into the double-bed, glancing at her almost finished scarf to Soul. She's almost finished knitting an S at the end of the scarf.

Maka pulls the blanket over her and slowly her eyes flutters close.

She's startled awake at the sound of the window cracking open. Two red eyes lights up in the dark. "Soul?" She murmurs and rubs her eyes. "What are you doing here? What are you doing outside of the forest?" She whispers beyond surprised.

"I missed you." He whispers back and crawls up on the bed. "I didn't want to be away from you. Not now with the madness and what happened between us."

"Soul." He crawls up to her and his arms wrap around her. "You didn't have to risk your life to come here. What about Wes? He must be worried sick over you."

"He is." He buries his face in her collarbone and snuggles close to her under the blanket. "He's throwing a fit. He did try to stop me, but I needed to come here. I can't take it knowing you are out of my reach and could be harmed at any given moment."

"I don't know what to say." She murmurs into his hair, holding him in her arms. "That you are incredible reckless and I should throw you out of the window, or be flattered that you would do something like this for me."

"Please. Keep me." He pleads to her. "I don't want to leave."

Maka sighs heavily and squeezes him close to her. "That is what I'm scared of. I can't send you away."

His head lift from her collarbone and he stares into her eyes. "Really? Maka…" His grip on her waist tightens. "I just want you to know… I really like you. I like you more than a friend. You mean very much to me."

Her hand gently runs over his face, from his temple to his jaw before she gently cups his cheek. He leans into her touch and enjoys the feeling. "I like you too." Maka confesses, a blush decorates her cheeks. "You know, more than a friend as well. You're very important to me."

"Thank you." He rests his head once again on her shoulder. "For liking me and being here."

Maka giggles and rests her head on his. "You don't need to thank me. I'm just happy to have you."

Both of their eyes flutters shut, but only one of them falls asleep while the other relishes in the wave of her soul.

…

When Maka woke up Soul was gone. Black*Star had breakfast in full swing while the twins played in the living room. He'd the heart of letting her sleep in. After they eat their breakfast and Maka finished Soul's scarf, she hid it in her original bed under the mattress and all of the siblings went out to the farm and started to work.

Maka hums lowly as she waters the corn plants. A weight was lifted from her shoulders and now with hers and Soul's feelings on the table, she couldn't be happier. Soul likes her back and there was nothing better than feeling wanted by someone other than her family. Well, Soul is the first person she's met outside of her family― but that wasn't the point! She was wanted by someone and she feels great!

She twirls on her feet and pours water at the soil.

"You seem awfully happy."

Maka whirls around a large grin with razor sharp teeth glares at her. "Soul!" Left. Right. Left. Right. No siblings or parents in sight. "What are you doing here? Someone could see you!"

"I got to talk to you." He grabs the bucket filled with water from her. "Now."

"Wait Soul." Her hands rest on his chest. "I have chores to do. I need to finish the―"

"I'll take care of them. Do you only have to water the plants?" Maka nods in reply. He puts down the bucket and gently cup her face. "Close your eyes." He whispers in her ear, his lips caress the shell.

Maka shivers. "Soul―"

"Close them and keep them closed."

Her eyes slowly shut. A moment later his warm chest leaves her body and so does his hands. Leaves rustle madly and water splashes. Second later hot and slightly wet palms cups her face and lips press against her forehead.

"Can I open them now?" She doesn't even know if she wants to open them. Feeling his hands on her cheeks and him kissing her forehead, it is heavenly. Never before has she felt like this, was this how it felt to be deeply attached to someone? To be in love with someone?

"Yeah." He murmurs against her forehead.

Her eyelids flutter open and she's met by the stubby and tanned neck of Soul. Unwillingly she looks away from him and at the corn plants. Her eyes widen with shock. The soil is wet at every single plant. "All of them have been taken care of." He murmurs into her hair. "Not just this row."

She wants to ask how, how in the world he could water all of the plants in mere seconds then she remembers he's not human. He isn't restrained by human laws like she is. He could do it somehow.

"What is it you want to talk about?" She whispers.

His hands drop from her face and lace through her fingers. "Come." He starts dragging her toward the forest. Together they run inside of the forest. Before Maka knows it, she's in his warm arms, carrying her deeper inside of the enchanted forest. "No shoes." He quickly says. Her eyes quickly glance down at her naked and dirty feet. He's too caring.

Soul gently sets Maka down on a log and quickly the cute little bear Wes jumps up on her lap. She smiles down and immediately starts running her fingers through the animal's fur.

"I don't know what has happened." Soul confesses and wraps his arm around her shoulders. "But something has happened, something huge."

"What is it?" Her heart grows heavy and her throat thickens. "Is my family in danger?"

"I don't know." His eyes drop down to her chest, obviously looking through her being and at her soul. "This night, as soon as you fell asleep, your soul changed drastically. Your wings closed around your soul and your wavelength reduced drastically. It was almost inexistent."

"What does it mean? We finally did it?"

"We did it somehow, but because of this, it did lure out the other Soul Eater."

Maka gasps loudly and her eyes widen. "What? When? Did he enter the house?"

"This morning right before sunrise. He must've felt the change in air and wanted to investigate it. I was still left in the house so he must've felt my presence and didn't want to come too close. He did wander through the cornfields and I could feel how he gawked at your soul." His arm tightens around her and he holds her closely to her. "The Soul Eater doesn't dare to near you when I'm around. Maka, you need to leave your home and come with me. You could be killed in your sleep or worse."

Tears burn her eyes. A sob wracks her body as she dedicates her attention to the greyish bear in her lap. If she leaves, her parents and dear siblings will be left in danger. The Soul Eater could take them as hostages and hurt them in order to reach her. "I can't leave them." She sobs into his chest and tears leave her eyes. "I can't put my family in danger."

Soul sighs heavily and kisses her head. "I know what you're thinking. You don't have to live in the forest, we could move away and Wes and I could figure out how to move him. We could live away from your family and the Soul Eater would follow us. Your family would be safe."

"You can move Wes?" She doesn't look up from his chest. "How?"

The little beer silences and peers at them both. "We can do it Wes." Soul speaks more to the bear than to her. "We can figure this out. I know we can do it and then we can move somewhere else where we all can be happy."

It was surreal to her. Up to this point was as if Maka and Soul were normal, just two teens sneaking off into the woods to be together. Now, it had escalated and she truly understood what situation she was in. Soul was truly not human, he was a Soul Eater and he likes her, and there was another Soul Eater who wanted to feed on her Soul. Because of her, she could put her family in danger because she was born with an abnormal soul.

"―start tonight. We need to know how to move just like the other Soul Eater. The other Soul Eater could simply move their partner on her farm and easily cage them."

Maka blinks and notices the little bear and Soul riling themselves up. "You think you can do it?"

The little beer smirks, or what she takes is a smirk, which is sort of a weird looking grin where he exposes his teeth. "Yeah." Soul speaks and ruffles the fur of Wes. "Other Soul Eaters know how. Wes and I will figure this out fast and we will be able to move away from here and you and your family will be safe."

"But Soul." Maka gulps and peers up at him from his chest. "Is it all worth it? I mean, I'm human. I can't live for hundreds of years like you and Wes. I'm going to die. Is it really worth all the trouble?"

"I wasn't going to tell you it yet." Soul runs his fingers through her hair. "But what the heck, there is a way for you to be immortal like me. For us to be together. I'm not going to say what, but there is a way."

Immortal. Her? No. Wasn't she supposed to make a family, grow old and eventually die? She wasn't supposed to live forever with the man she fancied. Right?

"O-okay." She gulps and slowly nods. "I think, um," Maka untangles their arms from each other, "I think, I need to go. Black*Star might need help or, um, something."

"Oh." Soul takes Wes from her and she stands up on her feet. "I will come." Gently he set the bear down and scoops Maka up in his arms. He carries her in silence before he puts her down on the grass outside of the forest. They part with a quick kiss and Maka runs back to the farm.