It Had To Be You

by vivalarapture

It has been four years since Maka left Death City to continue her education in New York. Leaving everyone broke her heart, but nothing broke her more than leaving behind her beloved partner. Coming home could be the best thing she's ever done, or the worst mistake of her life.

4. Animal

It Had To Be You

By Vivalarapture

Disclaimer- I don't own Soul Eater or Animal by Neon Trees.

Chapter 4, Animal-

Waking up in the guest bedroom at Tsubaki's was a lot less jarring the second time. She stretched a grinned,blinking away sleep. She jumped off the bed, excited for another day of her best friends amazing cooking. She walked out of the room and was greeted by another magical smell wafting through the apartment.

She sat down at the kitchen table and smiled as Tsubaki turned to her, "Good morning, Maka! How did you sleep?" Maka cracked her neck on each side, throwing her a thumbs up, "Great! That guest bed is way more comfortable than my bed at home."

Tsubaki chuckled, turning back to the pancakes she was cooking, "Well, you could always stay and enjoy that bed until you find a place of your own!" She sing-songed, flipping a pancake. Maka rolled her eyes, but chuckled as well, "No one's going to drop that, are they?" Tsubaki slid a plate of flapjacks at Maka, grabbing syrup and butter,

"Not on your life, dear! We're going to convince to you stay." She grinned mischievously, and Maka couldn't help but think how out of character that smile was. "Wait, wait, I thought you said whatever I chose would be okay?!"

Tsubaki placed a forkful of food in her mouth daintily, and swallowed before she spoke, "Of course we'll still love you if you want to go back, but it wont be a problem. Liz, Patti, Kim, Jackie and I have already devised a plan." She giggled, covering her face with her hand, and Maka groaned, "Tsubaki, you are acting weird."

Tsubaki placed a hand on Maka's shoulder, a genuine smile enveloping her face, "Maka, we just miss you. We don't want to let go of you again."

Maka smiled sadly, guilt once again finding her, "I'm sorry about leaving, Tsubaki. I know it must have been hard on everyone.I just.."

Tsubaki put a hand up, stopping her, "There's no reason to explain to me, Maka. I already know your reasoning, and I totally accept it. And there's one way to make it up to us for leaving. Don't leave again." She winked and giggled at Maka's exasperated expression.

"We'll see, Tsubaki. We'll see." She began to eat again, but remembered something, looking around, "Hey, where's Black Star? Doesn't he have that food psychic thing?"

Tsubaki snickered at the thought of her boyfriends 6th sense, and replied, "He's training right now. He wont be home until later tonight."

Maka finished off her last bite of breakfast, "I see. So he trains without you sometimes?"

Tsubaki nodded, taking her and Maka's plate to the sink, "Yes, he's just doing physical training. There's no way I'd be able to keep up with him in this aspect!"

Maka grimaced, remembering his more than vigorous training routine. Tsubaki sat back down, placing her chin on her hands, staring at Maka, "So." She started, eliciting an eyebrow raise from Maka, "Tell me what happened between you and Soul last night."

Maka sputtered, face burning and hands waving frantically, "N-nothing! Tsubaki! You know me! I have a boyfriend, I would never-!" Tsubaki burst out laughing, attempting to stifle the noise with her hands.

"Seriously, Tsubaki! We just.. Uhg.." Tsubaki got her laughter under control and reached a hand out, grasping Maka's, "Maka, I'm your best friend. No matter what, you know you can trust me. Be honest with me. This is something you know you need to talk about."

Maka sighed, knowing she was right, "I don't know how to feel about this.. Every time I see him, my chest tightens and my knees get all wiggly. It's just because I haven't seen him in so long, right?"

Tsubaki tipped her head, "Well you didn't see Kilik the four years you were gone, do your knees get wiggly around him?" Maka scoffed, "Of course not." Tsubaki wiggled a finger at her, and Maka groaned, bringing her face into her hands, "I thought I was over all these feelings. I thought I buried everything."

Tsubaki frowned, concern in her eyes, "You shouldn't have to bury any feelings, Maka. Just be open about how you feel."

Maka groaned louder, flinging her hands up, "I don't know how! I think I was born without the ability to be open with my feelings!" Tsubaki held back a giggled, squeezing Maka's fingers, "It's a lot easier than you're making it out to be. Let's start with Ryan. What do you feel about him?"

Maka pursed her lips, pondering that, "He's safe. He won't hurt me, he wont leave me, he's just.. Safe. You know? There isn't anything passionate or crazy about it. I don't have to worry about him cheating on me or me feeling too vulnerable. He's a nice guy who really likes me."

Tsubaki continued, making sure her face stayed passive, "And how do you feel about Soul?" Before Maka even had a chance to reply, Tsubaki got her answer. Maka's face was immediately dusted with pink, and her eyes glazed over as she thought about him.

"I.. Don't know. Back when we were partners, he was my protector, my best friend, my confidant, my hero, my.. I guess, my everything. He knew me so well, and I knew him." Maka took a deep breath and continued, pushing back the walls threatening to come down and stop her from being honest, "I loved him. More than I'd ever loved anything before."

Tsubaki asked tentatively, "Loved?"

She stuck her tongue out, "Okay, okay. Love. But my feelings for Soul are too much. They're.. Too strong. I'd be vulnerable and open and be too terrified that he's leave me. All I can think about is what my Papa did to my Mama. That's why Ryan is the safest route. If he ended up leaving, I wouldn't be broken."

Tsubaki huffed, raising an eyebrow at her pigtailed best friend, "Has Soul ever left you before? In the many years you were partners, has he ever been untrustworthy?"

Maka frowned, "No, he hasn't. I trust him fully as a friend. But I don't know if I can trust him with my heart. I don't know I can trust me if he has my heart."

Tsubaki sighed, giving Maka a comforting smile, "Soul loves you. He would do anything for you and you know it. There is nothing to be afraid of. He's not your Papa, Maka."

Maka inhaled shakily, eying her phone sitting a few inches away on the table, "I missed him so much when I was away. All I could think about was Soul. And now that I'm back, my heart thinks it's okay to break all the walls I've been up just because he's grown a few inches taller and makes me weak kneed." She pounded her fist on the table, making Tsubaki jump,

"I'm 22 years old for Deaths sake! I shouldn't get all 'teenage hormones' over a guy!" Tsubaki giggled, pointing out that it was Soul they were talking about. "Soul has always been your exception to all your rules. Speaking of rules, you need to do something about Ryan.. If you love Soul, you can't stay with Ryan."

Maka nodded slowly, guilt sweeping through her. "But I can't just break up with him over phone.. That's horrible."

Tsubaki tipped her head, putting a finger to her lips, "Would it be worse to break up over the phone, or to stay with someone when you want another?"

Maka groaned, shaking her head, "I'm not cut out for all of this."

Tsubaki stood from the table, smiling at her friend, "Let's go shopping, yeah? We'll clear up your head so you can think of what to say to Ryan. I'll call up Liz and Patti." Maka stood as well, heading for the shower, trying to shake away her guilt. "I'll be ready in 20 minutes!"

She headed to the shower, and opened up her phone, sending out a text, "Hey, Ryan. You should call me when you get a chance. A lot of things have happened since I've been home. We have to talk about everything."

Maka closed the phone and sighed, picking up her towel and extra clothes to head to the bathroom.

"I wonder if this is the right thing to do.." She said out loud, letting the water run down her back, the steam fogging up the bathroom. She leaned against the wall and groaned, letting her mind wander. She liked Ryan, but everything she felt for him was a fraction of how her heart ached for Soul.

She scrubbed herself furiously, rinsing and then jumping out of the shower. As she was drying her hair, she heard her cell phone vibrate. She picked it up, and saw the caller ID, grimacing. Ryan.

She answered, a tentative, "Hello?" Leaving her lips.

"Hey Maka." He knew. She could tell in his voice.

"Hey Ryan. So.. I.." She didn't know where to begin. She didn't know what to do in this situation. She ran a hand through her damp hair, her face skewed with confusion.

"I think I know, Maka. You've decided to stay in Death City, haven't you?"

Maka hung her head, her silence being enough for Ryan to understand.

"I knew the moment you used the word 'home; to describe Death City. IT is your home after all. I knew you wanted to go back after college. I just.. I just hoped, you know?"

She felt her voice breaking, "Ryan.. I'm sorry. It is my home, you know? I don't even know for sure whether or not I'm staying. But I have a job offer here. And my family is here.. And.."

"Soul is there."

Her eyes bugged out of her head, a shocked look crossing her features, "H-how do you know about Soul?"

She heard a sigh, and then a sad chuckle, "We've talked about him before. He was your old partner. He was your first. You made it out to be no big deal, but I've heard you whisper his name in your sleep so many times. I tried to ignore it, but I knew you still loved him."

Maka wiped away the tears forming in her eyes, leaning against the counter in the bathroom for support, "I.. I said his name? Why didn't you say anything?"

"Maka, I love you. I didn't want to think you still loved someone else. That's why you could never tell me you loved me. I knew, but I was in denial. I just wanted to be happy with you."

Maka choked, her eyes threatening to overflow, "Ryan.. You know I care for you."

She could almost feel him smile, "I know, Maka. But You care for someone else more. It's okay. Just promise me you'll come back to say goodbye when you come to get your stuff?"

Maka smiled, nodding even though he couldn't see her, "I will. Thank you, Ryan. For.. Everything, you know?"

She heard him laugh, "You're welcome. Goodbye, Maka."

"Goodbye."

She closed the phone, placing a hand over her heart. She was sad, she couldn't deny that. But it also felt like a weight was lifted off her shoulders. She sighed, continuing to dry her hair. She knew it was the right thing to do. She had let him down, and he had taken it surprisingly well. He was a nice guy after all.

She pulled her hair into her twin pigtails, and stepped out of the bathroom, a small smile playing on her lips.

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"These are so cuuuute!" Liz cooed, holding up a pair of strappy red high heals. Maka grimaced, knowing going out with her friends would end up with her being forced to try on all sorts of girly items. Maka shook her head, eying the 3 inch heals, "I would never be able to wear those.. I'd fall on my face the first step I try to take."

Patti giggled, agreeing, "Yeahh, Maka needs something shorter." She pulled out a pair of pink flats with a flowering pattern, "Like these!" Maka balked, "Those are worse!" They all laughed, and Maka resigned to her silent browsing.

Tsubaki felt her phone vibrate, and she pulled it from her pocket.

Soul- Are you with Maka?

She grinned, hearing a little about Maka breaking up with Ryan. She needed a little Soul time.

Yes! Do you want to talk to her?

She placed the phone back in her pocket, walking over to Maka, who was eying a pair of combat boots, "You're pretty bored, aren't you." Maka shook her head quickly, "N-no it's okay! I'm just glad to be hanging out with you girls again." Tsubaki grinned, and pulled out her phone when she felt the reply.

Soul- Uh.. Yeah. Are you guys busy? I kinda wanted to know if she wanted to come over and watch a movie or something. If you guys are doing something, that's cool. Just.. You know..

Tsubaki smiled, her friends obvious anxiety over Maka a little endearing. "Well Soul just texted me and wanted to know if you wanted to go over to his place and watch a movie."

Maka flipped her head around, her face flushing, "Really? Why didn't he just text me and ask?" Tsubaki raised an eyebrow, "When you moved to New York your number changed. He hasn't had it since you left." Maka gaped at her, a little taken back. She knew they hadn't had contact all that time, but it still left her a little surprised.

Liz chimed in, "He never asked for it. We were all drinking at Kids once and he almost did. But then he mumbled something about not wanting to drunk text someone who was so busy with her new life and then passed out on the couch."

Maka frowned, not being able to discern her emotions. Sadness? Guilt? Remorse? Relief? She shook her head, trying to fling the emotions away, "What a a weirdo. Anyway. I'll go." She turned to the three girls crowding around her, "As long as that's okay with you girls."

They all cried out a unanimous "Yes!" And Maka chuckled, "I guess I can walk. It's not too far. Does he still live at our-.. I mean.. His.. I mean.. Does he still live at the same place?" Tsubaki nodded, pulling out her phone to reply.

Maka said she'll come. Why don't you come pick her up so she doesn't have to walk? We're at Death Boutique.

The reply was almost immediate.

Soul- K.

Tsubaki patted Maka on the shoulder, "He's coming to pick you up so you don't have to walk. He'll be here in a few minutes." Maka felt her heart race, and she swallowed down her nervousness, "Okay. I'll go wait outside. Bye girls!" She waved as she walked outside, cursing herself for being this worked up over seeing him.

10 minutes later, she heard the loud rumble of his motorcycle, and her cheeks tinted red once more. He pulled up in front of her, his face bored as always, but she could see his red eye's shining. "Hey." He mumbled a greeting as she walked over to the bike. "Hey." She breathed, flinging a leg up and feeling a sense of deja vu. She wrapped her arms around him, and she could have sworn she heard him sigh in relief.

He drove faster than she remembered. She gripped him tighter, pressing her face into his back. They arrived at the apartment, and Maka glanced up at the familiar building, feeling her breath getting caught in her chest. She hopped off the bike, Soul holding out a hand to help her. They didn't say a word as they walked up the stairs, Maka's head going a mile a minute. Why did it feel so good to be walking up these stairs with him again?

He placed a key in the lock, and pushed open the door, holding it from her. She gasped when she walked inside, tears pricking at the corner of her eyes, "It looks exactly the same." she whispered, walking over to their ratty old couch. He chuckled and she ran a hand over the old material, "Yeah, I like the old thing." She nodded, turning to him, suddenly aware they might not be alone.

"Did you rent out my old room to anyone?"

He shook his head, head turning to the old bedroom, "Nope. Didn't need to. Death Scythe pay is pretty good. I never needed to. Do you.." He paused, gauging her reaction, "Do you want to see it?" She nodded, walking over to her door. She opening it, and a pang hit her head. The room was empty save a few pieces of furniture she hadn't been able to take with her. She sat down on her old mattress, giggling when it squeaked,

"You could have made this an office or something. You didn't have to leave it empty."

He shrugged, sitting down next to her. He lay back on the bed, looking up at the ceiling, "I was going to, but it just felt too weird. This is your space. Even though you were gone, it felt like I was invading."

Maka swatted his leg, "You're crazy." He smiled up at her, leaning up on his elbows, "So sue me."

She felt her heart once again speed up and a blush creep onto her face. She ripped her gaze from his before heat threatened to over take her body, "What movie do you want to watch?" He rumbled, sitting up and offering his hand out. She took it, standing up and dusting off her skirt, "Something gory. Lots and lots of blood.

He laughed, the sound vibrating through her bones, "That I can do."

He popped a movie into the DVD player and sat down on the couch next to her, making sure to keep a respectful distance away. The lights were off, the room dim from only the screens luminescence.

As they first scene began to play, Maka realized she may have made a huge mistake with picking a scary movie. She had said gory, not terrifying. She was a damn Meister, who defeated Kishin and fought monsters thousands of times before. But ghosts? Why did he have to pick a movie with ghosts in it?

She squealed and threw her hands over her eyes when one screamed its way onto the screen. She heard Soul laugh, and she didn't even care. Suddenly, a woman was dragged off screen by an invisible demon, and she threw herself at Soul, burying her head in his chest. "This is crossing boundaries. Stop it, Maka. Do NOT be one of those stereotypical girls who need a man to comfort them." She thought to herself as she lifted her eyes to the screen again, raising herself off of Soul.

She immediately drove her face into his chest again at the sight on the screen. She cursed expletives at herself, but the damn movie was too much. She could feel Soul becoming tense under her, his breathing shallow. She was about to pull away, demon movie or not, but he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer.

She breathed deeply, inhaling his scent. She loved this smell. She loved it. She was about to take another deep breath when her breath was taken from her. Soul started running his hands down her back, rubbing little circles on her muscles.

She kept herself from arching her back and meowing like a damn cat, but it felt so good. She nuzzled her face into his shirt, lifting her arms to pull around his neck. She felt him staring at her. She would not look up. She would not look up. She would not-

She looked up. His face inches from her, his eyes twin pools of lava, swirling and gleaming with emotion. He pressed a hand to the back of her neck, and pulled her towards him. He let his mouth reach her neck instead of her lips, nipping and suckling at the soft skin.

She moaned, all thoughts out the window. She had dream after dream about him teeth when she was in New York. His teeth, his lips, his tongue, his hands.. She had dreamed of every part of him, waking up sweating and somehow a mixture of aroused and angry.

He let his tongue slip out and flick against the mark he had just caused, making Maka hiss in pleasure. He licked up her neck, nibbling on her earlobe, "Maaakaaa.." He breathed her name, the syllables drawn out. He entwined her fingers in his hair, pressing herself closer to his, pulling his face back to hers.

They stared at each other again, the lust and love swamping her brain and rendering it useless. He pulled her into his lap and ran his hands up her sides, eyes never leaving hers. "Maka." His voice made her shiver, and she saw a smile playing on his lips, "I can't just sit on the couch with you anymore. I can't sit here with you so close and not take you."

Maka let out a soft moan, heat racing up her veins. He ignited a fire within her, one that hadn't been present in four years. She breathed his name, massaging her fingers through his hair. "Soul.. I...' She bit her cheek, and pushed out the words, "Soul, I still love you. I never stopped, and this is driving me crazy."

As the words tumbled from her mouth, his resolve to keep calm was shattered. He pulled her down to his mouth, crashing his lips against hers. Her resolve was broken as well. Those lips she had been fantasizing about for years were far better than any wet dream. He nearly devoured her. He held the back of her neck with one hand, the other skillfully releasing her pony tails.

She opened her mouth slightly, pressing her tongue along his bottom lip. He complied, hungrily sliding his tongue inside her mouth, tangling their tongues together. She heard him let out a groan, and her already crazed emotions heightened. She wanted him. She needed him. She had no idea what would have compelled her to leave in the first place.

Her phone rang out loudly in her pocket, surprising her so much she fell off of his lap on onto the floor. She grunted in pain, rubbing her back. Soul burst out laughing, holding his gut as his body shook with laughter.

She glared at him, and decided to check the text since she was on the floor and the moment was ruined anyway. She flung open the phone to find a text from Ryan, "I have a plan, Maka. I know you broke up with me. But I love you. Just wait."

Maka groaned again, putting a hand over her face. She peeked up at Soul, who was staring at her wide eyed. She chuckled despite the pounding in her heart. She didn't care how stubborn Ryan was. She felt so bad about breaking his heart, but Soul was here. Right in front of her. After four years, he still wanted her.

With one look at Soul's smiling face, she couldn't stay upset, and she smiled back at him shyly. Soul raised an eyebrow, and amused smile on his face, "You want to tell me what that was all about?" She chuckled awkwardly and climbed back onto the couch. "Don't worry about it." He nodded, still confused, but he decided to ignore it when her soft skin pressed against him.

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders as she got comfortable on the couch again. He eyed her from under his white bangs, his body still on fire from touching her. He reached over and nibbled on her shoulder, causing Maka to raise an eyebrow and gasp at the same time. He smiled against her skin.

"I told you. I can't stay away from you anymore."

Authors note-Uhg. I totally rushed this chapter. I had to post it before I went to work, and I regret not taking more time on it. As soon as I have a chance, I'm going to go back and hack it to pieces. And I hate to admit it, but I feel bad for poor Ryan. Damn him for being such a good guy. BUT SOMA IS DESTINY. On a happier note, I absolutely adore the play list I made for this story. I enjoy singing off key as I write. It makes the process a lot more fun.