"Black*Star! Maka!" A voice called, sounding really pissed off.
"Run!" The blue haired meister shouted and broke off in a sprint.
"What the-!" Maka started and followed her friend down the streets of Death City.
"This way Pigtails!" Black*Star called over his shoulder as he made a sharp turn to the right.
"I did not sign up for this 'Star!"
Black*Star laughed. "Well what are you gonna do about it now?" He challenged.
Maka growled, knowing she could not give him the Maka chop he deserved right now. So she decided he'd get it when they found a place to hide. From the direction they were heading their hideout would be Shibusen.
"You owe me one!" Maka shouted to Black*Star as they started their climb on the stairs. All she got back was another rough bark of laughter from him.
Not even five minutes later – they were used to running the stairs up – they reached the square of Shibusen. "Fuck!" The blonde huffed, catching her breath a little. Then she straightened up and implanted her hard cover book in her fellow meister's head.
"Ow what the fuck!" Black*Star rubbed the back of his head furiously.
"Mind explaining me what the hell all that was?"
"It was nothing."
"Nothing my ass." Maka huffed. "He called both our names. Not just yours. I'd like to know what I did."
Black*Star laughed. "It was nothing I swear, just gave mr. Dibbens a shower. Or actually, we did."
"What the actual fuck."
"You know you swear a lot for a girl," Black*Star deadpans.
"Stay focused Black*Star! What did you do. Precisely. No bullshit."
Black*Star sighed. It's no fun when she's like this. He thought but complies anyway. He did not want to risk another book implant in his skull. "It's a classic. Put a bucket of ice water on top of a door and lure him out so he opens it and the thing'll drop down on him."
"So that's why you needed me!"
Black*Star nodded, grinning proud. "And you played your role perfectly. Dibbens never saw what was coming. If I tried he'd just ignore me."
Maka punched the young ninja. "You jerk!"
Black*Star laughed and pulled Maka in a headlock. "Come on Maka, it was fun. Admit it."
"Ugh, you're so annoying!" But from the way Maka smiled at him assured Black*Star that she wasn't mad.
Black*Star released the girl and grinned. Maka grinned back. "So what did the old man do to deserve such punishment?" she wanted to know as they started their walk to the entrance. Black*Star folded his arms behind his head, eyes closing as he answered.
"Talked shit about the team. Little fucker."
Maka frowned "Are you for real?"
Black*Star nodded. "So I thought he needed a wake up call."
The blonde chuckled. She admired the blue haired meister's protectiveness. He was like the guard dog of Spartoi, ready to lash out at anyone who wanted to 'attack' the team. "You're a cool guy 'Star."
Black*Star grinned. "Thanks but no need to state the obvious."
"What's obvious?" Soul's voice made the two meisters look up.
Both their weapons met them halfway. Soul looked bored – as always – and Tsubaki looked happy to see the two. "That I'm a cool guy!" Black*Star said.
Soul scoffed as he took his place next to Maka. "Who in his god damn mind would think you're cool?"
"Your meister."
Soul shot Maka a glare but the girl purposely avoided her weapon. "Did you really need to stroke his ego?" Soul growled.
"What?"
"You know we'll hear this a lot right?"
Maka looked past Soul, to her childhood friend who was talking with Tsubaki about a mission they planned to take. He didn't look like the egocentric boy he used to be. He was tall, proud and seemed to be ready to take the world on. She smiled, proud at what he'd become.
Black*Star seemed to notice her looking at him as he shot her a glance. When their eyes met he gave Maka a thumbs up, grinning wide.
"I know," Maka said, giving Black*Star a thumbs up back. Then she turned back to Soul. "But strangely I don't mind."
