Yoru and Black*Star strolled into the cafeteria, seeing the others already seated at the table. All looked shocked to see both Yoru and Black*Star being peaceful in each other's presence, but both Souland Tsubaki seemed traumatized.
"Blood, it was everywhere-" Soul whispered to himsef.
"You okay?" Black*Star and Yoru both asked their partners. Both nodded, but it was clear that they had been shaken up.
"So you and Black*Star are friends now?" Soul asked. The meister nodded. "You know what? We should have a party. Celebrate the beginning of a friendship."
"Yeah, as long as you let me set the table this time." Kid sighed, picking at his food.
"The last time we let you set the table you took so long that Maka had to-" Soul began, but at the mention of Maka's name, everyone's head's shot up. They looked at him with surprise, worry, and confusion. Soul, with a slight monotone, sighed. "Yeah Kid, go crazy, do whatever you want."
Soul got up for a moment, scanning the cafeteria. Funny, it was almost as if he'd expected to see Maka sitting somewhere amongst them. "I'm gonnna go take a walk. Catch up with ya later."
He walked to the roof of the DWMA, looking down below. He saw many of his classmates, all of which knew about Maka by now. He was too invested in watching them. Each and every one of them led an individual life, their own worries, their own problems, and it was likely that hardly any of them ever thought about him or how he felt.
"That girl's got a sad story." Soul heard. He turned around, seeing no one. That's when he'd realized.
"We haven't spoken in such a long time, Soul." The Oni smiled, dancing awkwardly. Soul sat in his pinstripped suit, staring at the creature.
"Well when I'm happy, you don't show up." Soul sneered at him.
"I feel bad for your previous partner, you know, you've got her replaced with the new girl."
"Shut it. I haven't replaced Maka, I've just moved on." Soul said sternly. He knew what the Oni was doing, he was going to try to manipulate Soul.
"Listen Evans, I've got a deal with you that I'm quite certain that you won't be able to pass up." The Oni smiled as he stopped dancing.
"Like I'd ever strike a deal with you."
"Just hear me out, Soul, no need to get hasty." He smiled again. "The only thing I need is a favor, and I might be able to get your meister back to you."
Those last words hung in the air for a few moments. There was no way that this little demon could bring Maka back, it was too late for that. She'd already been dead for two and a half months.
"Likely story."
"If you'd let me take over for just two days, I might be able to get her back."
"I'd never let you take over my body."
"Consider my offer, Soul. I'll give you three days to respond." The Oni grinned. Soul, ready to pounce, ready to attack the Oni, was suddenly shaken out of the black room. In front of him stood a certain NOT student.
"You okay, Soul?" She asked. "You looked pretty spaced out."
"What? Oh, hi Tsugami." He sighed. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Listen, Maymay and Anya told me to tell you to tell Maka that-" Tsugami began. She hadn't gotten the news yet. Itt must have only been the EAT students with the knowledge of Maka's death.
"Tsugami, I can't tell Maka anything." Soul said suddenly. He didn'[t want to be the one to tell her, but he had to.
"Why? Are you two in a fight or something?" She asked innocently. Soul didn't want to wipe the innnocent smile off of her face.
"No, Tsugami, she's-" He began. "Maka died about two months ago."
"What?" Tsugami squealed, her mouth agape. "What do you mean?"
"I mean we were on an assignment and a witch killed her." Soul ddidn't go into more detail; it would only hurt both weapons more.
"I'm- I'm gonna be sick." Tsugami began, running off. Soul called for her, asking her to come back, but she wouldn't.
"Hey, Soul? What'd you do to Tsugami?" Yoru asked, apearing in the doorway. Soul sighed as he stared over the city once again. "The truth."
"Oh." She sighed, clearly not wanting to ask more. "Anyways, Lord Death said that he wanted to see us for a special assignment."