Chapter 8
Soul awoke the next morning to an empty bed. Without opening his eyes, his hands searched for Maka's body. His eyes snapped open when he realized she wasn't there. Soul sat up and looked around his room. He was alone, but he heard Maka somewhere else in the apartment. He realized he was still naked, so he grabbed his boxers off the floor and put them on before leaving his bedroom.
"Maka?" He called.
"I'm in the living room." She called back.
He wandered into the room and saw Maka sitting in the living room eating a small breakfast while watching television. Soul smiled and took a seat next to her on the couch. Maka turned to him and smiled before looking up and down his person.
"Why aren't you dressed?" She asked.
"I just woke up." Soul said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Maka rolled her eyes. "No, I mean my mama is going to be here in half an hour."
"Oh." Soul said his eyes widening. "I'll go take a shower then."
"Good idea." Maka said before kissing him on the cheek. "You stink."
Soul rolled his eyes and left the living room heading for the bathroom. He realized that Blair hadn't been around for a few days and wondered where the damn cat had run off to.
Soul jumped in the shower. He was particularly skilled at washing up quickly. This morning was no different. He finished his shower I just under ten minutes. He relocated to his bedroom to get dressed. He started to get nervous again hoping that Kami wouldn't act as protective of Maka as Spirit did. He sighed as he pulled a fresh shirt over his head.
Soul came out of his bedroom and wandered back into the living room where Maka was. She looked up at him and smiled.
"Much better." She giggled.
Soul rolled his eyes and took his place next to her again. He draped his arm over her shoulders and pulled her to him. He heard Maka sigh contentedly.
"Your mom isn't overly protective is she?" Soul asked not meeting Maka's eyes.
"She's not like my father if that's what you're asking." Maka replied and rested her head against his chest.
"Okay." Soul said softly. "That's all I wanted to know."
Maka wasn't convinced. "Soul, she'll like you. She may not agree to our relationship because of what happened between her and Papa, but she will like you." Maka wrapped her arms around Soul's waist and squeezed.
"I'll believe it when I meet her." Soul said giving Maka a lopsided grin.
A few moments later there was a knock at the door. Maka sprang off the couch to answer the door clearly excited to see her mother. She grinned excitedly at Soul before opening the door.
"Mama!" Maka yelled in greeting before flinging herself at the woman in the doorway.
"Maka!" The woman said embracing her daughter.
Kami stepped inside the apartment and Soul saw her for the first time. Maka held a strong resemblance to her mother—the straight blonde hair, green eyes, and petite frame. Soul watched from the couch before Kami set her eyes on him.
"Oh, you must be Soul." She said smiling at him and approaching the couch.
"I am," Soul said standing up. "It's nice to meet you."
The two shook hands and Maka smiled between them.
"It's been so long since I've seen you, Mama." Maka said.
Kami turned to her daughter. "It has, and you've grown into such a beautiful young woman in that time. Did you receive my post cards?"
"Mmhmm." Maka answered nodding.
"I also hear that you're a two star meister now and you created a death scythe." Kami said her eyes shifting to Soul.
"I am," Maka grinned. "Soul is my death scythe now."
Soul smiled slightly seeing the look in Kami's eyes as she surveyed him. It only lasted a second; Kami flicked her eyes back to her daughter.
"I'm so proud of you." Kami said before hugging Maka.
Soul felt uncomfortable watching the exchange. He wasn't used to this much excitement in their apartment. Not to mention he felt unsure of himself whenever Kami glanced in his direction.
"Do you want anything to drink, Mama?" Maka asked.
"Just some water." She said.
Maka left to room and Soul was left alone with Kami. She looked him up and down and Soul had the feeling that she was perceiving his soul at the moment.
"What are your intentions with my daughter?" She asked.
Soul felt his throat go dry, but his expression never changed. His brain was trying to find the right words. Kami lifted an eyebrow when he didn't answer right away.
"Listen," Kami started as she got comfortable on the couch. Soul sat down, too. "I just don't want Maka to get her heart broken like I did."
Soul nodded still unable to speak. He swallowed before speaking. "Maka and I are in a relationship."
"I thought as much. The way she talks about you in her letters gave that away. But that wasn't my question." Kami pointed out.
"I'm not like Spirit." Soul said and Kami's eyes hardened at the mention of the name. "I would never do anything to hurt Maka; I care about her too much. It took a really long time for us to trust each other, and now that we do, I could never do anything to betray it. I would never be able to live with the guilt. Besides, cools guys don't cheat on their partners." Soul finished with a smirk.
"Now, that," Kami said pointing at him. "Is what I like to hear."
Maka returned to the living room with three glasses of water. She surveyed the situation.
"Mama?" She asked quietly.
"Soul was just telling me what he thinks of you." Kami smiled.
"And?" Maka asked fearing the worst.
"He's a very nice young man, with a good head on his shoulders." Kami answered.
Soul's shoulders relaxed at the comment. Maka smiled at Kami and Soul. She came to sit between them on the couch. Without thinking Soul draped his arm over Maka's shoulders. Maka unconsciously leaned into him and Kami smiled softly at the exchange of affection.
"So, tell me," Kami said. "What's new in your life?"
Maka got to talking very quickly trying to tell her mother about everything she had missed. Soul interjected at times to help Maka get some facts straight. Kami listened completely immersed in her daughter's stories.
In no time the evening came and Kami said that she believed she had overstayed her welcome. Maka looked a little put out by the statement. Soul said good bye to Kami at the door. Maka hugged her mother in the doorway. Kami whispered something in Maka's ear and the two stepped outside. Maka closed the door and Soul looked at them an eyebrow rising curiously.
"Maka." Kami said to her daughter.
"Yes Mama?" Maka responded.
"You've grown up so well. You're a kind and beautiful young woman and you know how to fight for what you want; that's important." Kami told her. "Soul is a really good guy. He admires you and I'm happy you've found someone who appreciates you."
"Mama," Maka blushed. She looked up at her mother when she heard her sigh.
Kami rubbed away the makeup from Maka's neck where a love bite from Soul showed through. Maka averted her eyes knowing what her mother had found.
Kami hugged Maka one last time. "Just be careful." She whispered before letting go.
"I will, Mama." Maka told her. "Will you come by again?"
"Of course." Kami said. "I'll let you know where I'm staying and you can come by anytime."
"Okay!" Maka smiled. "Bye Mama." Maka stepped back into the apartment and saw Soul was still standing in front of the door.
"Hey." He said smirking.
"What did you say to her?" Maka inquired. "I knew she'd like you, but she really likes you."
Soul rubbed the back of his neck. "I told her the truth."
"Which is?" Maka asked eyeing him.
Soul came closer to her and pulled her to his chest. He placed his chin on her head.
"I told her that I cared about you and that I would never do anything to hurt you." Soul said closing his eyes. He took a calming breath. "I love you, Maka."
He felt Maka stiffen in his embrace and wondered if he shouldn't have said anything. He pulled back slightly to see Maka looking up at him tears in her eyes.
"I love you, too, Soul." She grinned as she squeezed him.
Soul laughed and bent his head to kiss her.
"Are you hungry?" Soul asked when they broke apart.
"Yeah, I am." She responded a little confused by the subject change.
"Let's order take out and sit in tonight." Soul smiled. "Just some alone time."
"Sounds good to me." Maka smiled feeling happier than ever wrapped in his arms.
