Chapter 4: Supply and Demand

Soul could see her well. Was this really happening? Maka had returned, and had nothing but rejoice and care to give back after all the years she'd been gone. Her red plaid skirt waved about in wind at the open door as she stood, simply awaiting for his long lost hold. He quickly began to run towards her in glee, but as he did, the air drew about darkness. The closer he was, the less he could make out of her beyond an outlined figure. Still, her voice was recognizable, and this drove him to keep reaching for her. "I'm home, Soul…" she said, luring him in for a moment of long desired compassion.

"Maka!" Tears shed from his eyes. He couldn't believe what he was seeing, what he was experiencing. It seemed an impossible request, but here she was, right in front of him. Just as he finally reached where she stood, he threw his arms out to embrace her and protect her from the darkness that overcame them.

In that split second, a flash came before his eyes, and the silhouette quickly turned into dust. Fire abruptly surrounded him within the house, leaving no place for safety but to remain standing where he was. Flames were in every direction he tried to turn. "MAKA!" Soul cried out desperately. No, this couldn't be real… Soul felt only the despair of the thought that the pleasant image he had seen before was nothing more than a mirage.

Now he quickly sat up from his bed, panting in horror and throwing the blanket to the side so quick they landed nearly on the floor. Sitting still, Soul caught his breath from the horrific image he'd just had. "Of course…." Disappointment filled his voice as beads of sweat dropped down his face. "Just a dream…." He rubbed his face into his now clammy hands, sighing. "Get a grip of yourself, Soul… it's over and done with." The past always found a way to haunt him in some way, but it had been years since the memory found itself into his dreams as well.

He lied back down and gripped his pillow as if it were a companion. 'Why does the bed still feel so empty again so suddenly? I should be used to this by now.' Soul had become wide awake and restless now. There was no longer any reason to even try to fall asleep again; else it would only come back as he couldn't get his thoughts to stop dwelling on it.

Giving up on slumber, the man stood up from bed at last, resolved to simply prepare a nice breakfast. Too bad Chrona wasn't here to enjoy it with him! The company might have soothed his now-aching heart.

Hours later, he was ready to walk out the door when the phone rang. Noting Shibusen's number on the caller ID, Soul sighed reluctantly. The man really wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone. After such a horrible dream (and oh how real it felt), just another reminder of the lonely feeling in his home, the man really just wanted to get the day over with so he could wake up to a happier one tomorrow where he wasn't reminded of the lack of Maka's presence.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Half the day had gone by and it'd just passed lunch time when Chrona and Kidd strode to where Kidd stood in the Death Room. It's spacious and dark demeanor still carried some magnificence in Chrona's eyes. Little had she any business called into this utmost highly regarded space. Its access to the world was limitless, a mirror on each side where weapons and meisters could be called at Kidd's own whim. Except for now, counting as only the second time she'd been beckoned here.

"Lord Death!" the girl called out for the both of them. Kales eyes were just as attentive, though he, too, discretely tried to peek around the space.

Kidd smiled at their admiration. They weren't hiding their amazement very well, but he'd just stay silent about it and let continue. In due time, the "amaze" factor would die down, and they'd grow used to visiting him here. At any rate, there was no sense in waiting. "Chrona, Kale… How are you two doing today?"

"We're wonderful, sir!" the white haired girl gloated, grabbing her partner around the shoulder and pulling him in tight by surprise. Her sudden grasp nearly knocked the breath out of meister not expecting such a strong response. Of course then again, perhaps he should have looked for it anyway. This was just a part of who she was. Nothing was done only halfway when it came to this girl!

The Death God chuckled slightly. "Well then, I'm glad to hear, because I have a job for you two!"

"Yes sir! What can we do for you?" asked Kale.

Chrona intervened before the Death God answered. "Whaaaaaa?! But I'm still tired from the party! Can we have a break first, you know, to get a snack so we can be at full energy?" Stretching her arms up into a "V" above her head, the girl let out an exhausted yawn. Nice, perfect timing for the yawn to arrive! Maybe today she would be given an exception. There were bound to be plenty of other opportunities to arrive for the two to head out into another battle.

Kidd sighed. He couldn't blame her entirely for this outlook. She was a very new piece who'd grown up in a world without urgency, unlike himself. Emergencies like the ones he'd experienced with Asura didn't occur as often. Still, there were always possibilities of danger, something she needed to learn in her new role. "Only a small one, but please do come back quickly, else I'll have to send someone else. It's rather important." He stated.

Kale nodded sternly and Chrona gasped slightly in response. They were really needed for something urgent?! Talk about V.I.P. status, the weapon thought to herself. Oh, the stories she could tell her class mates! In the midst of her astonished pride, her meister mildly jabbed her in the side with his elbow. This perked her up as she winced slightly, one eye closed. "Alright, alright!" The girl muttered under silent breath.

She was well aware that he knew their responsibilities now. Chrona knew as well, but hadn't expected that they'd have to get serious this soon.

Before she closed the door behind them, Kidd grabbed her attention one more time. "Remember, your role in Shibusen is a serious one, Chrona. Not all tasks can be done at your own convenience, miss. What if it had been an enemy tearing down the school?"

"R-Right sir…"