I knew this would happen. It would have been fine if Tsubaki had just kept her mouth shut. Maka had the same reaction the first time she saw me without a shirt, except that time she's only caught a glimpse of my back. The view was the same though.
"What happened Soul?" she asked while she removed the old bandage.
"My life before I moved here wasn't as pleasant as it is now. I was in a gang and my job was weapons acquisitions."
Maka looked at me with wide eyes. "How did you end up in a gang?"
She put anti-bacterial ointment on the wound and placed a new dressing on it.
"I was sick of the incredibly privileged life that my family wanted me to lead so I kind of went looking for trouble. I did the typical juvenile crap: shoplifting, graffiti, and truancy. Before I realized it, the group of people I was hanging out with at the time convinced me to join their gang. It was a stupid thing to do and paid for my foolishness."
Maka ran her fingers over some of the scars. "Did you kill anyone?"
"No."
"How did you get this one?" She traced the scar that went diagonally from my shoulder to my hip.
"Protecting me."
Both of us followed the sound of Wes' voice to the doorway of the bathroom.
"Don't you ever knock?"
"I did, but no one answered. Are we taking a stroll down memory lane?"
"Not voluntarily."
Maka was undeterred from her line of questioning. "What was Soul protecting you from?"
"Soul was acting funnier than usual. I wanted to know what he was up to so I followed him one evening."
"I was supposed to meet a contact for a weapons shipment; a contact known for slashing first and asking questions later. Wes knocked over some crates. The noise spooked the guy and he charged at Wes."
"Soul took the hit. We almost lost him. Our parents were devastated."
I rolled my eyes.
"That is when I decided to leave. Wes proved that their curiosity would get me or themselves killed."
Maka was thoughtful for a minute. "Why don't you talk to your parents?"
"They will ask questions that I can't answer. It's better this way."
Wes snorted. "For you maybe. Mom and dad would rather you come back and take your place in the family. You are the favorite. You know they will forgive you for anything. Instead, you choose to stay here and slum it."
I stood up. "Now that you have given your unwelcome opinion, would you kindly explain why you are here?"
"I just came over to check on the two of you. I told you I was going to stop by."
"Well as you can see, we are fine."
Wes gave me a knowing look and glanced at Maka. "Clearly."
"It's not like that." He winked at me. "Not yet little brother."
I walked to the front door and opened it.
"Goodbye Wes."
He left and I shut the door behind him.
"How did he get in here?"
"I gave him a key a while ago." I smiled. Small memories were coming back and she didn't realize it.
Maka busied herself in the kitchen with dinner and I leaned against the counter next to her.
"Do you need help?"
"No. I believe I remember where everything is located."
She kept sneaking glances at me and I knew she wanted to ask me something.
"Say what's on your mind Maka."
"How many of those almost killed you?"
"Just the one. The rest are actually pretty shallow."
"Were they all knife wounds?"
"Knives are the weapons of choice. In a gang, everyone knows how to shoot a gun. The best way to test your skills is through a knife fight. Each hit is worth a point and the fight is over when someone is dead or incapacitated."
"So, most of those are from testing out your skills."
"Yeah. I never lost a fight."
Maka stopped what she was doing and lightly ran her fingers over my chest, her eyes full of emotion.
"Did you really place so little value on your own life?"
"Like I said before, I was foolish."
I gently took her hands and kissed the insides of her wrists. "I won't make that mistake a second time."
Maka's eyes glazed over, like she was seeing something that wasn't in front of her. "
Maka, what is it?" She blinked a few times before she registered my question.
"I remember what happened that night. I remember all of it."
I wasn't sure how I ended up here. The last place I wanted to be right now was at Kid's house with my brother, Blackstar, and Kid. I didn't have much of a choice in the matter either. Liz, Patty and Tsubaki ambushed my apartment saying that Maka needed girl time and kicked me out. Tsubaki was kind enough to let me know that I was supposed to go to Kid's house before shutting the door in my face. My door! I really did not want to spend my afternoon catching up with the guys.
"Tsubaki mentioned that Maka's memory was returning."
I glared at Kid. I hadn't told Blackstar yet and I was hoping I wouldn't have to tell him for at least another week.
"Yeah."
Blackstar's widened to the size of dinner plates at my response.
"When did this happen? How much does she remember?"
"Chill out Star. It started the day she left the hospital. She remembers small things without realizing it. It usually takes something bigger to trigger a more important memory. For instance, I was playing a song and she remembered the day the three of us met."
"That's pretty cool."
"Maka remembered the night you put her in the hospital while she was making dinner last week too."
Wes snickered. "I guess you won't be able to lie your way back into her heart after all."
Blackstar stared daggers at him "Shut up Wes!"
The two of them had never gotten along and it didn't look like that was about to change. Kid looked to me to stop their bickering. I just shrugged my shoulders. I was not going to get involved in this one. If Kid wanted them to stop, he would have to do it himself.
"If Maka decides to take Blackstar back, that will be her decision. Fighting about it does not change that fact."
"Kid is right. Blackstar, Maka does have a few questions for you."
He looked at me suspiciously. "Questions about what?"
"Her parents. I haven't known her as long as you have. So, I told her that you would be the best person to answer her questions."
He grinned. "Tell her that I would be happy to answer he questions over dinner."
"Will do."
I carefully maintained my bored expression, although I really wanted to wipe that smug grin off his face. My phone buzzed and interrupted my thoughts. Apparently girl's day was over and I could return to the apartment.
"Well guys, I have to get going. Wes, are you coming for dinner tonight?"
"Not tonight."
"I'll let Maka know. Later."
On my walk home, I wondered how Blackstar would change his plan now that Maka wasn't completely clueless. He was resilient and persevering to a fault. If he wanted Maka, Blackstar wouldn't stop until he got her back. I knew that if I wanted a chance with Maka, I would have to step up my game.
A/N: Yes, I know I'm was late getting this one up, but here is the long awaited chapter 9. What do you think Soul will do to step up his game? Do you think Maka will actually have dinner with Blackstar. Let me know your thoughts. A big thanks to everyone who reviewed and what not :) The story is almost at 50 reviews and it would be great if this chapter pushed it to 60. Reading is great and reviews are love. Plus, it's really hard to not comment in the giant box below. Give in to the urge to review!
~Dawne-Sharlotte
