Maka grabbed her bag full of fruits and medicinal leafs to trade in the village and stuffed some arrows as well; to catch some meat on her way back. She took a sip of water from the spring Tsubaki and Black Star went to yesterday, and splashed the rest in her face to wake her up.

"The shops should be opening soon; if I wait any longer I'll only get the crap left behind." She sighed while standing up from her sleeping bag that lay on the dirt ground. Maka stepped over Black Star who was to her right and made her way to the ladder leading upstairs.

Before the others moved in, Maka once lived with other outcasts who were the owners of this one level house. Although it wasn't a pretty sight and looked more as an abandoned ware house than a home; it was as stable as any house in the richer side of town, or maybe even more. The owners dug a basement underground to store goods, but Maka decided it's better used as a sleeping ground. Due to its hidden ladder, it was helpful in case there was some sort of attack or guards started poking their noses in.

She slowly climbed and pulled her ear to the door leading outside, as soon as she heard it was clear, Maka crawled out and stretched her back until it cracked. She walked into the kitchen and saw leftover meat and berries on a plate, reaching into her bag she took out a few leafs and began to tear the chunks of meat into small strands. She took out a small plastic bag and placed the three rolls and carefully dropped them into her jacket pocket.

Maka walked outside and kept an eye open for any animals lurking around. By the time she made her way to the center forest she had given up on finding any animals and hoped the villagers weren't hungry for meat. Before she continued though, she remembered the trespasser visiting there forest. By now they probably would have left, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Closing her eyes she rested her hand on a nearby tree and saw a single soul struggle as he came to his feet. She opened her eyes and raised a brow; she was positive there were two souls entering yesterday. Maka shrugged it off and followed the sound knowing she was stuck with leftovers in the shops by now. Pulling a bow out and preparing to shoot, she cautiously stepped over any twigs or branches as to not draw attention towards herself. As soon as she saw him her heart slowed and she calmly watched from behind a tree, bow still in hand and ready to shoot if he were a threat.

Soul gripped his head and slowly stood up from his uncomfortable position on the ground. He squinted his eyes to get a better look at his surroundings, considering it all came out as a blur. He gulped as realization hit that he was lost in the middle of a forest.

The middle, of a FREAKEN forest... This could only get worse. He grabbed a chunk of his hair and tugged on it harshly; he shut his eyes tight and let out a spine tingling scream.

Maka raised a brow and questioned his stupidity, was he trying to attract predators? She frowned as he kicked up dirt and kept smashing his head repeatedly on a tree. What's wrong with him? Maka rolled her eyes and decided he was too stupid to survive on his own.

"What are you doing?" He turned to face her and stared wide eyed as she walked over to him. He just stood there with a clenched fist to a tree. "Well?" He cleared his throat and relaxed a little as she crossed her arms impatiently.

"Someone brought me here..." Maka raised a brow and placed her arrow back in her bag.

"Kidnapped?" Soul nodded and she motioned her hand for him to follow.

"It's best you come with me and let the heat cool down before going back to the village." He stood hesitantly as she walked ahead of him.

"Why can't I just go now?" He said with a hint of annoyance, he just wanted to go home and sleep this day off.

"Someone brought you here for a reason and whatever it is he's not going to like you returning." He growled as she spoke with a condescending tone.

"Then why should I go with you?" He yelled. Maka motioned for him to stay quiet and nonchalantly shoved her hands into her jacket pocket as the morning breeze kicked in.

"You're going to die without food and warmth; I have both." She spoke with a smug tone. "You can come with me and live, or stay and die of starvation, de-hydration, or hypothermia; your choice of course." She looked at him and saw his temper rising, Maka shrugged and motioned to a fake watch on her wrist. "Times running out." Soul growled and nodded as she happily lead him to her humble home.

"Why do you live in the forest?" He asked watching the trees pass by.

"Ran away; no point staying where I'm not wanted." She shrugged and stared up at the trees for any hives or squirrels.

"What happened?" He said; admittedly he was in a mood to piss her off even though she probably saved him from starvation and whatnot.

"My mother was burned on accounts of her being a witch; something about her eyes I believe." Maka stopped and pulled an arrow from the bag shooting a squirrel in the eye. He froze and shivered as she walked to the dead critter, pulling the arrow from its pupil and sliding the bag off her shoulder.

"You're not cannibals are you?" He widened his eyes and pointed to the squirrel she laughed and placed it gently inside so it wouldn't touch the berries and leafs.

"Of course not; we eat off the land," she stood up and placed the bag on her shoulder once more before smiling. "And human heart isn't as good." Soul shivered as she laughed and continued on her way.

"How long have you lived here?" She thought for a while before shrugging and kicking a stone from her way.

"Eight years I believe; I really should start keeping track as the months pass by." He raised a brow and continued walking in silence. Soul wanted to know more as to what happened, but found himself distracted by the riot going on in his stomach.

It growled and Soul clenched it in an attempt to stop, Maka turned and reached for the bag in her jacket pocket. He rose a brow at the things wrapped in leafs; he was about to object, but his stomach had other plans.

"They're not going to kill you, I swear." He was still hesitant and she growled pulling out a ball and placing it in his hand. "Just eat it before you starve." Soul just stared at the thing hesitantly; Maka scoffed and crossed her arms to control her temper. "Their lettuce leaves, not poison ivy, not poison oak, not poison sumac; not poison ANYTHING." He pulled it to his lips and took a bite and chewed on the slightly warm meat and berries. She waited for a response as he nodded and popped the entire thing in his mouth. She rolled her eyes and walked ahead of him.

"What did I just eat?" He asked.

"Squirrel, black berries, and lettuce."

"Not much of a sweet tooth."

"Well it's not like there are any pastries to hunt around here." He chuckled and pushed some hair from his eyes.

"Hey, Stein!" Called a man with a worn out basket ball shirt and jeans. "Did you get rid of him?" Stein looked away from his patient's charts and stared at the man with bored and uninterested eyes. "Well?"

"Yeah I got rid of him." He started to scribble on the paper and ignored the man at the door. "I assume the invasion went as planned?"

"Yeah, right on schedule," he shoved his hands into his jean pockets and raised a brow at the doctor. "The guards took care of it so in a few months he should be ready to go, right?" Stein gave a toothy grin and shook his head.

"I have other plans Sid." Stein looked at him with a smug smile on his face. "I promised an old friend of mine I'd take care of a certain outcast." Sid gasped and his fingers twitched.

"There's a reason her mother was crucified." He clenched his fists and screamed loud enough for him to hear. "The last thing we need is-"

"The same thing to happen to her." Stein cut him off with a roll of his eyes and waved the thought off. "The villagers have no idea who she is and if I asked around on who Maka Albarn is, they'll only say she's a merchant from a neighboring town." Sid kept his gaze on him as he dug his nails into his palm.

"That doesn't mean they won't kill her as well; she could break at any second and when she does they'll ready the cross or whip." Stein sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose pushing his glasses up.

"Don't worry, I have it all planned out."

(A/N) ._.
Man this took too long to write in my opinion, I keep having to take pills in the morning because my throat hurts when I try to swallow any solid food, and no this is not a that's what she said moment, I've been really sick with migraines and pink eye.

I want to go out with my friends, but it's so much of a hassle planning a get together. My families moving so for the time being I'm free, but my friends are being the smart asses they are acting too adult like for my taste.

I bet in a few years they'll be out partying getting wasted because they didn't get it out of there system when they were younger.

~Ruby-Chan