Chapter 9

For the past week, Maka hadn't been sure if she should give her boyfriend distance or be consoling. His mood had been less than agreeable and the fact that he was distancing himself wasn't settling well with her. It brought back an all too familiar feeling that she wished to avoid. It didn't make her feel better that apparently, according to Tsubaki, Black Star had been acting strange as well. Finding them was near impossible and it seemed that they were even missing out or late for work as well. Sid had expressed concern as did Wes and both women were becoming anxious, worried, and irritable with the situation. "I. Hate. Him. So. Much. Right. Now." Maka growled out with each punch she landed on the pad in front of her while Patty and Tsubaki watched silently. Kilik lowered the pad he was holding slightly and gave the sandy haired woman an apologetic smile.

"I'm pretty sure there's a good reason for his behavior." He offered, lifting the pad swiftly as a kick was directed at him. Maka grunted in response.

"There's no reason any man should treat a woman so inconsiderately!" she hissed with three more jabs before stepping back with a deep breath. Letting out a relieved sigh, Kilik lowered his arms to relax as Patty came up for her round.

"If it makes you feel better, they're not the only ones that have been MIA for a while." He said before nodding his head at his girlfriend. Nodding her head distractedly, Patty cracked her knuckles in preparation.

"Sis has been acting weird lately too. Kiddo's really been worried about her and she won't even tell me what she's been up to lately." Maka leaned against the wall next to Tsubaki as the young blonde gotten into stance, her face serious. It was rare to see her so serious and was intimidating in a sense. Kilik had taken the punching pads off and faced her in stance s well.

"Have you tried talking to them? There's been weird stuff goin' on in the city lately you know." he stated, making a motion for Patty to make the first move, only to hurriedly move to catch each of her attacks.

"I've been seeing that on the news. Missing people and all." Tsubaki chimed in, sliding her feet further in front of her as she leaned into the wall. "They've been related to gang activity." Maka frowned at this.

"Yeah but Soul isn't mixed up in that any more. He's been doing late nights at the studio."

"I know, but at the same time have you heard who these missing people have been?" Tsubaki asked quietly. Maka glanced at her curiously the taller woman allowed her back to slide down the wall until she was seated. "They're ex gang members."

"You're kidding?" Maka chocked out, eyes widening. Every time she came across the news report she'd simply bypass it or be distracted by something else. She sat next to Tsubaki, pulling her knees to her chest.

"What makes it more interesting is that these people have all started leading normal lives." Kilik cut in, ducking as Patty's leg came at his head. "They've been living every day like us so it's not like these are some every day street thugs that no one cares about going missing."

"But what would that have to do with the guys?" Maka ventured, looking up just as Patty slammed the unsuspecting man to the ground. "If they were in any kind of danger they would tell us wouldn't they?" Pushing himself onto his elbows, groaning and cringing in pain, Kilik turned his attention to the expectant woman.

"There's a chance they would... or this is their own way of protecting you, if they haven't gotten mixed up in it themselves." he offered as Patty dropped onto him, hugging around his chest and giggling. Feeling her best friend shift beside her, Maka glanced to the side to notice the other woman staring distractedly at her hands clenched in her lap. She was fiddling with the ring on her finger.

"Tsubaki?" she ventured but received a simple shake of her head.

"You're all still in here?" Turning her attention from the sulking woman, all eyes fell on Kid, who came walking into the training room, or at least that's what it was turned into for the day, remote in hand and face expectant.

"Hey Kid, sorry. We were just finishing up." Kilik greeted. The dark haired male looked tired and unmoved by the usage of the gym room.

"Right now, that's not my concern." He informed and flipped on the television, instantly changing to the news. All eyes fell on the TV posted high above them as a solemn reporter spoke.

"Today, the bodies of one of the reportedly missing men was found today," Maka's eyes widened and Tsubaki had covered her mouth in shock. "The man was found in an alleyway by a city worker, neck broken yet all of his possession still on him." A photo of the man showed up and Kilik's face dropped.

"Oh my…" All attention turned to him. "I knew that guy…"

"How?" A grimace crossed the man's face as he looked away from the television. Maka noticed that a strange silence had filled the room as their attention turned. He let out a sigh, leaning his forehead into Patty's and closing his eyes. The usually energetic blonde had calmed significantly against him and closed her eyes as well as he spoke again.

"Same way I know Black Star and Soul..."

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She had never seen him like this. So quiet and focused. In fact, the pair of them sitting side by side with nothing sarcastic and moronic to say was something to be recorded… that was if the situation wasn't so serious. Letting out a sigh, she tucked the pistol she had been cleaning away before fixing the pair across the table from her with a serious look. It was time to get down to business. "Who put you up to this?"

"You gonna tell us what you know?" The white haired male asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

"When you tell me who put you up to this." The blonde countered swiftly. A staring contest took place before red eyes rolled in exasperation.

"Giriko came to me." Her eyes turned to the distracted azure haired male.

"Black Star?" He lifted his gaze for a moment before letting out an irritable sigh.

"Capone got me." He answered. Another nod.

"What about you Liz?" she leaned back into her seat, closing her eyes.

"I don't know his name, I just know what he looks like." She answered. There was a silence between the three friends. "He wanted information that only Kid or the Mayor would have."

"Did you give it to him?" She opened her eyes to see Soul fixing her with a stern frown.

"No." She answered simply. Soul had relaxed significantly. "Give me more credit, Soul. I might be living the glamorous life, but I think I should still know how to work someone over. Now what's going on with you guys? Are you seriously doing what you've been assigned to do?" she asked.

"We've been getting off." Soul answered, glancing at Black Star who nodded.

"They've got me going after previous members," He started to explain. "I've gone with Akane on one assignment, Mizune, and Mosquito."

"And none of those heads are yours?" Liz asked. Black Star shook his head, lowering his gaze.

"They haven't caught on but I always go ahead to clear the way if necessary and they do the dirty work." He answered. The other two at the table stared at him in mild admiration. Who would have thought he could think that far ahead? Liz nodded. She had seen the news report about how an entire group of security guards were found unconscious when one of the missing was finally found dead.

"So what do they want?" she asked. "Why're they taking out previous members of their own gang but they aren't after you two?"

"Because the people that they're after have a connection to the Mayor." Soul answered. "And apparently the plan is to strike the fear into people enough for them to distance themselves from him and take control." Liz and Black Star stared at him in a mixture of shock and amazement. "I overheard some of what they were saying the other night when I was coming in for a briefing. There's a woman named Medusa. That's who hired Noah." Black Star scowled.

"He's the bastard that took over Asura's position and is causing all of this drama… What the hell does he have to gain from taking out the Mayor anyway?" he growled.

"Power," Liz answered quietly. Their attention was directed towards the diner television when the chef shuffled his way from the back, babbling on about hiding his wife and kids cause the city was on its way to hell. He had turned up the volume as a stoic looking woman with golden hair and golden eyes, dressed in black, appeared on the screen.

"… It's a shame to think that we can no long live our lives in peace because of these gang wars," The woman spoke. "The mayor has been too kind to these miscreants and it's no surprise that they would go so far as to take out their own. They've been running this city from the shadows. Eventhe Mayor's own son has been known to associate with the likes," Liz's eyes widened.

"Those bastards…"

"Quite honestly, it may be time for the people of Death City to stand. I have a child of my own that I have to raise in this cruel city and I want to know there is a leader who is thinking more about the people who are building this city up, not breaking it down."

"Can you believe this shit?" Liz hissed, turning to Soul and Black Star swiftly. Black Star was clenching his fists and glaring at the table while Soul had his arms crossed over his chest and eyes closed.

"That explains why they've got us doing all of this." He sighed before fixing his red eyes on the fuming woman across from him. "Liz, relax. Kid's been raised around this politician bull shit all his life. He knows how to face it. Your job is to keep him off our asses. Black Star and I have a plan for this." She blinked at them.

"You do?"

"We do?" Black Star looked equally as confused as Soul sat up straight and nodded.

"It's time we ask for some help."

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He couldn't help but to flinch at the icy look sent his way. Beside him, his current partner stood, unmoved by the intense stare sent their way. He would be the type to not be moved by such careless eyes. In all the years he had known this man, he was certain he had never seen an appropriately excited or happy glitter in his eyes. He was something that would probably never be figured out. The smaller male fought back the dread that had taken over. The woman's cloak still draped over his arms as he awaited instruction, his pale blue eyes lowered. "Chrona, I want you to do me a favor." He stiffened significantly but gave a stiff nod. The golden haired woman, his mother, smiled at him almost fondly. "Ragnarok will help you. Black Star and Soul Evans, those two need a little push." She said.

"A push ma'am? B-but I thought they were doing everything you wanted them to?" Chrona squeaked causing the woman to let out a sigh and cross her arms over her stomach as her gaze was directed out the window.

"I've been getting reports of their assignments and while they've taken out each potential threat, I'm afraid something just isn't right." She answered a slight frown crossing her features. "If anything, let Ragnarok do all the talking. I'm certain he knows all the right words needed." The man gave a nod, though his expression was hard to read. "Good. Be on your way. I have a press conference coming up and I need to get some rest." The pair nodded and walked from the room in silence. Glancing at the expressionless man walking beside him, Chrona couldn't help but to wonder what promises he was given.

"Would you really…" Ragnarok's hard eyes turned on him. "Would you really betray your friends so easily?" He received a rude scoff in return.

"They're associates, not friends. Business pawns." He answered. "At the end of the day, I have to take care of myself and my business and Medusa's gonna make sure of that before any so called friend in this damn city."

"I don't think that's fair to say…" Chrona all but whispered but only received a grunt in response.

"Your old lady says she wants to make this city worth something for people like me. And at the same time, those two jack asses have failed to notice they belong in that same world. Like me, they were once considered the scum of the earth and for that, they don't deserve much more than I do." Chrona's eyes widened.

"B-but people change!"

"Maybe, but it's not always for the best." Ragnarok then gave him a calculating look before a sneer crossed his face. "You should understand that."


Author's Note: I have the final chapter of this partially written out and have for the past three weeks. I've been slacking in that aspect BUT I recently read Soul Eater ch 90. OMG DID YOU READ IT? I've been having discussions on Deviantart about it. Overall, I've been inspired to get back to writing the final chapter and do a couple one shots before another ongoing fic.

Anyway, reviews, predictions, and love please :D