Since my last update, I had to deal with a science fair project, a five-minute oral report on a poet and poem (fun...), several crappy tests and snowdays in which I didn't get the opportunity to go outside. No, I had to stay in and babysit my 5-year-old twin sisters. Bright side: I get $20! Another bright side: I'm planning to publish another story! I was thinking about Maka, and I decided to write out a story revolving our favorite meister mother-to-be. It's like a side story to this. More explanations in the actual story: The Joys of Pregnancy. (Strange title, but the story's pretty decent) Coming out soon.

Is it really necessary to write out the disclaimer? You all know it.

This chapter is all about Spirit's mission in the magnificent city of New York! He is teamed up with someone from the past. Who? To find out, you have to do a task called reading. It's not that hard.

Enjoy!

New York. He never knew it could be so...bright.

Spirit stared out of his hotel window. Even at night New York City was of human souls. He could see why this would be a good target for kishin. He stared down at his glass of red wine. Lord Death told him that he would be pairing up with someone, someone familiar. He fearfully asked if it was Stein, but it was not, to his great relief. But should he be relieved? Who could be his partner? After all, Shinigami-sama said it was someone familiar, and the only meister he was familiar with besides Stein was...

Spirit heard the door open and saw a woman with the striking image of Maka.

Kami. Maka's mother. The same long, ashen-blonde hair, green eyes and cool, straightforward expression their daughter inherited. She was at the wedding, and unlike her ex, she was ecstatic and embraced and welcomed Soul into the family.

Kami stared at Spirit, her face calm and non-chalant. She had that same face in the wedding. Ever since their only daughter announced her engagement, Kami has been rather polite to him, even nice. Spirit found that a little uncharacteristic of her post-divorce. However, he never really confront her until the reception

(A/N: I practically used a flashback for every chapter! I hope you're not complaining!)

Spirit smiled and thanked the pretty, young lady for dancing with him. She giggled and skipped off to join her friends.

"Still at it, huh?" Stein shook his head at his former partner. The man was growing old (although he was too stubborn to admit it), and flirting with females that young must be sinful. He especially disapproved of this behavior in Maka's party, Death Scythe's only daughter's reception. He could easily screw it up, and Stein could just imagine the abuse he'll get when Maka sees him.

"Come on, Stein, it was just an innocent dance."

"When it comes to you, Death Scythe, you can never be described as innocent." The dissection lover scanned the crowd and saw three particular people. He nudged Spirit and nodded toward them. "Come on, why don't you give your congrats to the bride and groom? Kami is."

Spirit followed his stare and stiffened. A tall, elegant woman was laughing with the bride and groom. It slightly annoyed him to see his wife, albeit his ex, be so...so...accepting to Soul. He went over to hear their conversation.

"It's so good to see you two together. You both look so happy, but you're both pretty young."

"What's wrong? Did the old man get to you now?" Soul questioned, tipping back his cider. They planned on ordering champagne at first ("they" meaning Maka, who wanted a classical wedding with the classic drink), but then the 20-year-old Death Scythe and meister remembered they weren't legal to do so. Cider will have to do.

Kami laughed. "Hell no. I'm not saying that. I'm just saying you two are pretty young. Period. No objections ore offenses whatsoever." The three of them drank in comfortable silence, much to Spirit's annoyance, who wanted to hear more. He got his wish when Kami finished her drink and smiled at the duo. Hoewver, there's always that saying, "Be careful what you wish for." This proves true for Spirit who heard his ex-partner ask, "So, are you two planning to have any children soon?"

Soul choked on his drink while Maka blushed and giggled. Spirit fell over. Children? Why the hell she ask that?

Spirit's fall caused a slight commotion. A small group of people crowded, and the band stopped playing. Spirit met a pair of red eyes and closed them. No way...

Soul shook his head at the pathetic man. "What the hell? Were you listening to us? That's really uncool."

"You were eavesdropping?" Maka pushed through the crowd, looking actively pissed. "Seriously, Papa? How much did you hear?"

"Calm down, Maka. I'm sure he didn't hear much. Besides, it's not as if we're talking about something scandalous about him."

Soul snickered, and Spirit hissed, "I have half a mind to hurt you..."

"That's you'll have, half a mind!" Maka snapped. She still wasn't pleased her papa did something as sneaky as eavesdropping.

The commotion around Spirit eased and the band started playing again. He felt himself being pulled up.

"Why don't we dance, Death Scythe?" Kami suggested with a sweet smile. She took his hand and danced to a slow song.

"You've been very nice throughout this wedding thing. Did you still have feelings for me?" Spirit didn't sound joking or obnoxious. He actually sounded a bit hopeful. Despite what others think, he did love Kami.

"That's a good joke," Kami said acidly. "I was nice because I thought we could put the past behind us what with our daughter getting married and all."

"But why did you bring up children?" Spirit asked, frowning at her. "I don't think I can stand that thought, the two of them having children together."

"What's wrong with having a grandchild? They would make beautiful children-"

"Don't say that! Don't use that phrase 'make children' with our Maka. It's weird."

"It's inevitable, Spirit, so you may as well suck it up. And one more thing. About Maka and Soul's marriage, you seem to make it blatant about your dislike for the son-in-law."

"Your son-in-law, not mine," Spirit muttered.

Kami glared. "Like it or not, he's now a huge part of Maka's life now. He makes her happy, and doesn't her happiness matter to you, as her father?" When Spirit didn't answer, Kami sighed and continued, "Ok, then, don't answer. But whatever you do..."

Kami suddenly looked threatening and deadly. "Do not screw up her marriage like you screwed up ours, or I'll kick your sorry little ass all the way to Australia. Do you hear me?"

Spirit, intimidated by her fierce expression, gulped and nodded. The song ended, and Kami waved him good-bye. "Thanks for the dance, partner."

Meanwhile, on the stage, he heard glass being tapped, and heard Soul start to talk. "Ok, everyone. Now I want to do something special..."

Well, he really didn't confront her during that reception, to be honest. More likely, he asked Kami, got his acidic answer, then got threatened by her.

"So Lord Death sent you here?" Kami asked coolly, not moving from the doorway. She eyed the red wine. "Easy on the drink. We're after serious murderers and I don't want to screw anything up with your drunkenness."

"I didn't know Lord Death was sending you," Spirit said, ignoring the jibe on the alcohol. "Why you?"

"Apparently, you're still scared of Stein," Kami answered, cracking a smile. "Besides, Shinigami-sama knows we both work pretty well together, and this whole thing with the kishin is pretty serious. I hear they usually go out at night, since many innocent, young New York souls go out then. I'm gonna go out and see if they dare to show up."

She turned and walked out the doorway, leaving Spirit with his wine. He tipped the glass back and let the red liquid quench his throat. He slammed it down and followed Kami.

The two of them walked around the city in silence. Spirit observed the energy of New York City, while Kami observed the crowds, deep in thought. 'So many souls here.' She thought. 'I wonder if it's even possible to sense a kishin soul in this crowd.'

As they passed an alleyway, they heard screaming. Kami and Spirit glanced at each other before sprinting to the scene, where a young man with a pistol stood over a scared, defenseless woman. He look rather wild, maybe drunk. He stared at the woman, then raised his pistol and aimed at her. He started to pull the trigger when stopped by Spirit, who changed partly into his scythe form and charged. The man, stunned and turned to Spirit and Kami. The woman whimpered and quickly got away.

"What are you doing?" The man whispered, his eyes and bloodshot. "Do you realize what you have done?"

"Yes, we prevented an innocent soul from being eaten," Kami answered quietly, her head bowed down. "And once we're finished-" Kami raised her head, her eyes fierce. "-there won't be another soul taken. Your soul is mine! (1)"

(1) I tired to end it with Maka's line, so you can see the likeness between mother and daughter. Not sure if I did good.

I'm sorry, sorry, sorry if you expected some SoMa in this. That will happen soon. The next chapter, part 2, is a FIGHT SCENE! But I really suck at writing those. This would require hours of research (that being watching every single fight scene in Soul Eater, which is practically every episode! That research I don't mind!) This would be important to the plot.

I freakin' love Paper Moon, the video for it, especially. The SoulMaka scenes give me tingles, especially at the end with Maka in Soul's arms. *squeals*

Again, still thinking of a story full of SoMa pregnancy drabbles in relationship to this. Could be cute ; )

Please review. I don't have anything to offer ut my love and gratitude if you do.

Bleh, I sound too poetic. Need to listen to Paper Moon again. I can not get tired of that song!