Chapter 4

"WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT MAKA WHEN THEY CAN HAVE ME? I AM THE ONE WHO WILL SURPASS GOD!" The statement from Blackstar predictably started an argument with Maka.

While the two of them were bickering, Soul started clearing the dishes. Tsubaki followed him to the kitchen. "What's the matter Tsubaki?"

"I had a similar run-in with the same person."

Soul nearly dropped the plate he was holding. "I bet Blackstar took that well. What did he say about it?"

"He wasn't around. I was hanging out with Liz and Patty when he approached us. He was looking for Blackstar and Kid. When we refused to tell him, he started a fight. He left when he heard Professor Stein approaching. We decided to keep the situation quiet until we knew what he wanted with Kid and Blackstar."

It seems like he's after meisters, but he's trying to get to them through their weapons. How does he know which meister is paired with which weapon?

"Damn it! How are we supposed to protect them if we don't know what's going on?"

"It's not like they're helpless, Soul. All of them have training in combat without weapons on a daily basis."

"Blackstar can take care of himself. He's pretty strong, but the others don't have his strength."

"I know you are worried about Maka, however, she is not weak."

Soul blushed. "I know that." Tsubaki smiled knowingly.

"I have the same worry for Blackstar."

Soul gave her his trademark smirk. "Come on Tsubaki, we'd better get back in there before they kill each other."

The sight that greeted them was typical, yet still funny. Maka was sitting on the couch reading a book and Blackstar was twitching on the floor unconsciously, obviously the result of a maka chop.

The next day in class, Soul pretended to be asleep while he replayed his conversation with Tsubaki in his head. She had made some valid points but they didn't put him at ease. Whispers were beginning to spread about a stranger targeting meisters and the rumors got worse as the day went on. Some weapon-meister pairs hadn't been as fortunate as Soul and Tsubaki. There were quite a few students in the infirmary today.

"Soul I'm concerned about all of this." Maka was leaning against her locker with Soul standing in front her, right hand planted on the locker behind her.

"It looks like everyone is; you could cut the tension in this hallway with a knife."

"I heard that Kid was injured after all."

This information bothered Soul the most. Kid was one of his best friends, so he took the news hard. Apparently after Liz, Patty, and Tsubaki's conflict with the assailant, he managed to track Kid down anyway. Kid suffered a head wound and was still unconscious.

Just then Professor Stein approached them. "Lord Death would like a word with the two of you." They silently followed the professor to the Death Room.

"Maka, Soul, welcome!" Maka giggled and Soul rolled his eyes. It figured that Lord Death would be his usual cheery self, even when students were being attacked.

"Can we skip the pleasantries?"

"Soul!" Maka elbowed him.

Lord Death sobered up a little. "Ah he's quite right. Time is of the essence. As both of you know, there is someone attacking the student meisters and he's quite adept at eluding us. We need Maka's soul perception to help us locate this person and since Soul I one of the few that got a clear look at him and isn't, injured, unconscious, or on another mission that makes you the perfect pair for this mission."

"So what's the plan?" asked Soul.

"It is believed that he has a hideout somewhere near the outskirts of the city. The plan is to lure him out with Maka's ability. He's only striving for those considered more powerful in their abilities. It makes Maka a prime target."

"What will I be doing exactly?"

"Soul, you will be hiding nearby. Maka will be going in alone. In almost all instances the meister was only attacked if the weapon was near or if the meister or weapon put up a fight. You will come to her aid only if she is in imminent danger." Soul was visibly angry.

Lord Death planned to use his meister as bait.