Authors note: Oh my god guys, sorry for the late update! I'll try to make this longer
Soul groggily looked up at the kid. His face hurt. A lot. "Who the hell are you anyway?" Soul asked, trying to shakily stand back up.
The boy laughed. "Alan. I'm going to be Maka's new weapon." He glared down at Soul with a challenging smirk.
Soul took it gladly. He lunged forward to punch him. He underestimated Alan.
Alan caught his fist with seemingly ease. He grinned before jerking his wrist. There was a snap and Soul screamed in pain. He let go as Soul dropped to his knees clutching his freshly hurt wrist. Alan's foot proceeded to connect with Soul's jaw, slamming hit teeth together with an audible click. Soul collapsed backwards.
Damnit Soul…fight back! Do something! It was no use. He tried to stand up again but his soul was becoming dangerously unbalanced and it felt like his body was made of lead.
Alan reached out and grabbed Soul's throat. He slammed him against the wall, ignoring the hand trying to pry his fingers off. "You should've left her." His grip tightened on Soul's throat as he cut off his air supply.
Soul struggled to loosen his grip but it was useless. His body was failing him. He brought his knees up to Alan's gut in a weak attempt. That wasn't his best decision. His vision blurred as he felt his head leave the wall before being slammed back into with a force. He felt something warm trickle down his neck and back. Thoughts jumbled into his head.
Alan laughed. He brought his fist back. "Too late." He slammed his fist forward to Soul's face.
Soul stared Alan in the face as his fist grew closer. Why me? He thought, closing his eyes to brace for impact. But it never came. He peeked open one eye to see if he was waiting for him to look when he was shocked by the sight. It was Black*Star!
Black*Star stood there calmly with the boys fist in his hand. His grip was like iron, Alan couldn't pull it free. "Don't mess with Soul."
Soul was staring at Black*Star in shock. When did he get here? He looked at Black*Star's eyes. They were strangely serious, not his usual conceited self.
Black*Star swept Alan's legs out from under him, and used his arm as leverage and flipped Alan onto his back. He reached his arm out to help Soul up, not glancing back at the boy he just took out.
Alan struggled to get air back in his chest as he worked his was to his feet. He attempted deck Black*Star in the back of his head but it didn't get close. He felt a foot plant into his gut and the next thing he knew Soul and Black*Star were shrinking. It didn't make sense until the wall made contact with him. He cursed, wanting to kill them. He disconnected himself from wall. "He won't save you next time Soul." Alan threatened before walking away, seeming to vanish as he turned the corner.
Black*Star turned to Soul. "I was heading to class when I heard you scream. Who was that guy? And why was he going to kill you?" He asked in a serious tone.
"I don't know. I don't even know him, but he wants Maka as his partner. Like hell that'll happen. But… um… Thanks man." Soul said rubbing the back of his head with his good hand.
Black*Star flashed Soul a grin. "Of course it won't! Don't worry the Godly me will always be there to take care of my disciples!" With an obnoxious laugh he slapped Soul on the back.
Soul grinned, clutching his hand slightly. He couldn't tell if it was sprained or not. "I should get back to Maka. Don't you have class?"
Black*Star seemed to panic. "Yes! I should return. I can't deprive them of their chance to pay respects to their Gods." Black*Star let out another loud laugh before walking back to class.
Soul sighed, muttering about how annoying Black*Star was before looking at his hand. What am I going to tell Maka? How I just got my butt handed to me by some punk with an attitude? How I'm useless without her? A defeated sigh left his lips as he walked back to the Death Room to face Maka.
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Her reaction was pretty much what he expected. She smiled, waving happily when he entered until she saw him clutching his hand. The smile left her lips as she rushed over, gently cradling his hurt hand. "Soul? What happened?" She asked turning it over trying to see if it was sprained or not.
Soul winced, fighting the instinct to rip it out of her hands knowing that would lead to no good. "I trippe—" He drifted off mid sentence knowing she didn't believe him. He could almost see the gears click in her head.
"It was that kid from yesterday wasn't it? I swear I'll kill him." Maka threatened. "Who is he?" She demanded.
Soul flinched from her glare. He was afraid he'd spontaneously combust under the intensity of the gaze. On the other hand if he told her, he was pretty sure the kid would die. He sighed. "I don't know, he said his name is Alan. I've never seen him before, probably new." He wants to be your partner. He added that last part in his head. Something in his gut told him not to tell her.
"Shinigami, how many new students named Alan have joined recently?" Maka asked not turning her gaze from Soul's hand.
"None recently Maka~" Shinigami chimed in after thinking for a moment. Stein, who had been quiet during this, approached Soul.
He took Soul's hand gently looking at it. "It's not broken luckily, but avoid punching things. He ignored Maka's comment about 'her hand being fine' and continued. "You guys are done for the day. Maka, don't over do it with shifting forms until you're comfortable with it. Soul, don't wield Maka for a while."
Soul looked away as Stein ordered him. He must have been watching his Soul. Even though he could not see his own soul, he could imagine what it would look like. It wasn't pretty if his guess was right. Soul's head was still throbbing from being slammed into a wall.
Maka finally noticed the back of Soul's head when he looked away. She gasped in horror putting her hand against the wound. It was hard to miss the red stain his snow white hair when she wasn't looking at his hand. "Soul you're bleeding!" She exclaimed helpfully.
Soul touched his hand to the back of his head. He winced and saw some blood on his hand. "It's not bad. My head just hit the wall. It just needs some ice, let's go home." He said. He gently stood up heading back.
Maka let out a glare at her stubborn partner's bloody head as he left. She left after him, ignoring the Birthday wishes from Stein and Shinigami.
XxXxXxXxX
Soul dumped his school bag on the floor near his room as he loosened his tie. He gratefully took the ice bag from Maka and let out a relief filled sigh as it cooled his head. He checked the clock, noting the time. "Hey Maka?"
"Yea?" She replied from the kitchen, making a sandwich for each of them.
"Don't forget dinner tonight. We can't let Shinigami's gift go to waste can we?" He said with a smirk, determined to salvage her birthday. He had called ahead to the restaurant earlier to arrange a surprise for her.
Maka's jaw dropped. "You can't be serious. You probably have a concussion, your hand is hurt, and you're worried about taking me to dinner on my birthday? Don't worry we can stay in, I don't mind cooking." She said with a smile.
Soul grinned. "Don't be uncool. Shinigami got us this gift, just because some kid has a problem with me doesn't mean we can't celebrate your birthday. The reservations are in two hours. I'm going to go shower." He said as he got up, taking off his slightly stained dress shirt, disappearing into the bathroom.
Maka couldn't help but smile. He's sweet. The smile wavered as she saw the blood on the ice bag. Her arm raised, transforming into a blade. I'm a weapon and I still can't protect him. Why won't he let me help him? She sighed, letting her arm return to normal. "Oh crap!" She exclaimed noticing the clock. What was she going to wear?
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Soul stood outside Maka's door knocking impatiently. "Come on Maka, we're gonna be late!" He sighed hearing Tsubaki's and Liz's voice come from Maka's room. They had come over a while ago, helping Maka prepare for the dinner. Soul didn't understand why they were making such a big deal about it but it wasn't helping him feel better. He went back to the bathroom looking himself over in the mirror. He ran his hand through his hair, hoping he looked okay. He heard the door on Maka's room unlock and he went to meet her.
He immediately felt someone wrap their hand around his eyes from behind. He struggled but they kept their hold.
"Just wait." Tsubaki's voice said dripping with excitement.
Soul sighed as he heard some shuffling around. He heard counting. "1…2…3…" Suddenly the hands were moved from his eyes and his jaw dropped.
Maka was wearing an elegant black dress that glittered subtly in the light. It hugged her body nicely. The dress flowed down her like a waterfall, and it gently ended half way down he calves. The straps hugged her shoulders. Maka's hair cascaded down to her shoulders, with waves in it. In all, Maka was drop dead gorgeous.
"Close your mouth Soul, you'll catch flies." Liz said with a laugh, clearly pleased with his reaction. She laughed again as Soul looked away, embarrassed.
Maka blushed, fiddling with her purse. "Do I look okay?" Dressing up was clearly something she wasn't as comfortable with. She wanted to dress up but calling Liz was one thing she regretted.
"You look amazing Maka." He said rubbing his head nervously. "Now I feel under dressed."
Soul was not underdressed, to say the least, in her eyes. He was wearing black dress pants with a black jacket over a white dress shirt. His hair was styled his hair was styled into a slightly tamer mess. The outfit was simple, but it flattered his physique nicely. "Don't worry, you look handsome." Maka said with a smile, blushing again. Liz winked at Soul as if to tell him not to worry.
Soul cracked a smile. "Ready?" He liked her cute, nervous smile and took her hand before leading her out the door.
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Sorry for the late update! I was busy the past few days but I'll try to start updating daily again Sorry .