reach across the great divide.
seek the war behind your eyes.
finally slow the racing clock.
try so hard to make it stop.

:::

After Lord Death dismissed the group they all went their separate ways. Tsubaki and BlackStar were going to work on the enchanted sword a little more – not that they needed to at all, they'd come a long way from when they first started using it, now it barely phased BlackStar. Kid and the sisters went to reorganize his house. Stein off to speak with Crona. Then Maka and Soul alone, but quiet. There was something between the two. Soul noticed it, but realized that it was really because Maka was off in her own world.

She had been since the so called soul wave.

It was funny to think how they called their soul wavelengths such, but when it actually came to experiencing it, it wasn't like a wave at all. He wished he could sense and see souls like his partner, but until he could magically figure that out he'd just have to stick by her side.

They walked along the street in silence, as they made their way back to their apartment.

"Maka, you're acting strange," Soul said as he put his hands behind his head leaving his elbows sticking out.

"Huh? Oh… sorry," she answered quickly. "Just a bit tired today." The lie rolled off her lips easier than she would've liked but now that it was out she wasn't going to tell him that there was something wrong. She just had to press through the odd feeling of loneliness.

"You know you can talk to me about it if you want," his voice went serious even though he didn't look at her.

"I know Soul," she said and gathered herself. "A good helping of dinner will get me right back into the swing of things." She smiled brightly.

Then from there things seemed okay again. They talked about the meaningless and trivial things they usually did throughout dinner, and then while she studied in the living room he played a little bit with his guitar in his room. It seemed like there had been no problem from the basketball court, but Soul had an itching feeling that there still was.

…

In a world surrounded by darkness and nothingness stood all of Maka's friends and family. First BlackStar and Tsubaki looked at her, shook their heads and then turned away fading into the blackness. Then came Kid, Patty, and Liz. They seemed sad to see Maka, but just like the two before they faded away. Her father was the next one, and unlike his usual carefree demeanor he seemed sad, he wouldn't look at her. He didn't even have to move before the black took him.

Her mother was next, but she stayed for a less amount of time than anyone else.

Then she was absolutely alone. She looked around turning to try and see if anyone was left, but no one was. She wrapped her arms around herself, when she heard a small voice.

"They'll all leave you," the voice was familiar. "You are utterly alone."

Maka frowned and closed her eyes. "No… This isn't real," she mumbled.

"But it is," said the voice. "Open your eyes."

Maka did as she was told and saw Soul. But he wasn't looking at Maka, instead he was looking at the person the voice came from; a second Maka. This one was simple but beautiful. Green eyes sparkling, a beautiful black dress hanging on that delicate frame, and hair that was as straight as a pin. She had her arm around his shoulder and another along his cheek.

"Even Soul will leave you," the other Maka whispered.

"No he won't," Maka said softly.

"Yes he will," she smiled softly.

Soul looked at the real Maka with a small nod then dissolved into the black. Maka raised a hand to try and catch him before he left, but it was too late.

"It's only you and I," said the second Maka as she walked closer. She extended her hands out. "Don't deny it, just give into me before they all end up hurting you."

"You're not real," Maka said slowly.

"I am you Maka," she sighed. "You know I am… Don't lie to yourself. I will never leave you, I promise."

The voice drifted off, and the world started to cave in on Maka. A sudden fear of closed spaces came upon her, and she started to scream out. The black started to pull at her wrists and legs. Then it wrapped itself around her neck.

"Just give in," the blackness hissed. It wasn't the other Maka's voice, but somewhere in there Maka knew that it was her doing this.

Her body begun to jerk back and forth as she screamed, she shut her eyes and then when she opened them she saw Soul with his hands on her shoulders. His hair was a mess, and he wore no shirt. The scar was visible, and his eyes were wide with worry. Maka stopped and looked up at him.

"It was a nightmare," he said softly.

Blair sat at the edge of Maka's bed, as a cat form and then begun to purr as she went closer to Maka. Maka slowly sat up and looked between Blair and Soul. "Sorry," she said with a soft chuckle. "I wish I could remember what I was even upset about too," she lied. She knew what it was, and she was terrified of it.

This was so unlike the madness she'd encountered. The madness brought power and a carefree life. Loneliness brought nothing but sadness. There was no power, and there was no benefit, but more than madness she felt herself starting to believe in it.

Would Soul always be there for her? She didn't know, but she decided not to dwell on it. She knew that Soul was already worried. She felt guilty for that already, so she wasn't going to make him worry even more.

"It was probably about your birthday party tonight," Soul chuckled as he pointed to a dress that hung up in her closet. "I would be too if I had to wear that dress," he then grinned. Maka rolled her eyes and pushed him.

Blair gave a small snort. "I helped her pick that out."

"Why isn't it any sort of sexy then? I mean sure Maka doesn't have breasts like you do, but she's going to look like a Nun in that dress," Soul chirped, which garnered him another push, this time sending him off the edge of the bed. He hit the floor with a thud, and Maka shook her head.

"Unlike you, I enjoy more colours than just red and black," she said with a shake of her head.

"Oh really?" He asked with a raised brow pulling something out of his pocket. In his hand was a box, it was large, but it had stripes of red and black. "I guess you won't like your birthday present then!"

Maka rolled her eyes, and swiped the box out of his hand before he realized that she was going for it. She opened it up and a smile tugged at the edges of her mouth. She lifted the necklace out of the box and gazed at the simple one angel-like wing pendant. It was a beautiful shade of both green and red together that worked well and didn't make it seem like Christmas.

"Wow Soul, you outdid yourself this year," Blair sang out.

"Yeah you did, thank you Soul," Maka said as she slipped out of the covers. Soul was now on his feet and giving a non-chalant shrug.

"You're welcome."

"Could you help me?" Maka asked as she lifted her hair.

Soul gave a small nod, and then unclasped the hold. She lifted her hair up completely, and felt a shiver go down her spine when his rough calloused fingers danced along her skin. She could even feel his breath on her skin. They'd been close like this before, but tonight it was somehow different. Perhaps it was because they were in their pajama's. When he closed the clasp of the necklace he let it lay on her skin, but his fingers lingered for a second or two more than what was appropriate. Maka felt her cheeks go a little warm, but it was quickly dashed away when Blair gave a small squeek, bringing her back to the real world.

"Wow! It looks so pretty on you Maka," Blair said happily.

Maka let her hair fall back down, and let her fingers run over the wing-pendant. "Thank you Soul," Maka smiled as she turned around. He wasn't looking at her, but giving her another shrug.

"I'm going to go back to bed," he nodded slowly. "I'll keep my door open in case you have another nightmare. "

He then dashed out of the room. Blair following him.

Maka sat down on her bed and then sighed looking down at the necklace. Why would the loneliness be affecting her so much if it was clear that Soul would never leave her? They were Meister and weapon. They were a fantastic match, and as Soul enjoyed saying it 'cool'. The worry still ate at her, but she realized she was still tired.

However, she was able to get back to sleep as she played idly with the necklace.

:::

get up, get out, get away from these liars.
'cause they don't get your soul or your fire.
take my hand, knot your fingers through mine,
and we'll walk from this dark room for the last time.

:::

First song- The Great Divide – Emmy Rossum
Second song- Open Your Eyes – Snow Patrol

Thanks for the reviews and support so far :) More Reviews and Constructive Criticism is always appreciated! I hope you're all enjoying so far!