Hello!

Here it is! The next chapter! :) Its sort of longish compared to the others. Though it didn't feel that way when I was writing it. I hope to get the next one up quick here. I'm eager to get to some excellent things I have planned for this story!

To everyone who caught on to what I was doing with the storm sense equaling their soul perception, congrats! You're all winners!

Thanks very much for the reviews, fav's, subscriber alerts etc! They inspire me and make me want to get Chapters up as fast as I can for all of youu 3

Without further adieu! enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN SOUL EATER

Ten:

Maka trudged along behind the two pirates with a displeased frown. She had told them how Asura would target her home but when she demanded they hurry off to protect it she had been shot down. Soul's reasons had been perfectly reasonable of course. They had practically no supplies and too small a crew for such a long trip; Maka could not stop being anxious about it though despite his logic.

They had landed in Hael Towns port after four days of sailing. Soul said he had friends there who would help them, or so he claimed. Friends of pirates made Maka suspicious.

"Where are we going again?" Maka asked, skipping a little to keep up with the others through the bustling crowds. Liz smirked and glanced behind her.

"The fortress!"

Hael Town was a lot larger than she expected. It was a busy place, settled on a larger island than Dark Port was. While Dark Port was a dedicated pirate port, Hael was more of a mixture of people, naturally this was why it was so much bigger. Personally, Maka found she liked Hael better. It reminded her of home with its cobblestone streets, classic architecture, and cozy little houses. It was cleaner than Dark Port too with a lot more greenery in and around the town. Hael's most memorable feature though was the fortress built into the mountainous hill side that rose up slightly above the rest of the town.

A formidable limestone building surrounded by a wide river that went out to the sea, it towered over the port town and in the early evening the shadow of it seemed to blanket the town wholly. Vines covered a great deal of it, the grey limestone only appearing in patches throughout.

Apparently, Soul's 'friend' was self proclaimed Lord of Hael Town. In truth he was just a skilled smuggler who had taken it upon himself to make himself a Lord. Also, much to Maka's displeasure, Liz said he wasn't really a 'friend' anymore. Soul hadn't seen him and years and he and Liz had never been more than acquaintances.

"How do you know you can trust him?" Maka hissed at Soul. He frowned and continued walking, not bothering to look back at her.

"I don't truthfully. Though I hope I can. I've known him a long time so I have to try. He's our best bet to get what we need quickly and get back out to sea."

Soul, Liz and Maka. They had left the others behind to guard the ship, they were reluctant to leave it with any fewer people than they had to. As a precaution they had left the ship further out as well, choosing to row into the harbour on one of the skiffs they had on deck.

Liz had been chosen to come with them simply because she knew the Lord of Hael as Soul did. Patti had met him once as well but they were not overly fond of one another. Though the majority of the time Patti was a pleasant girl, on occasion she was known to lose her temper, the time she met the Lord of Hael had been one of those times; so it was decided that it would be better she remain behind. The sisters had been loathe to part but with the crew stretched so thin it was necessary.

The Pirate Captain had 'let' Maka come in the pretence of making it seem like he had a say in the matter. She would have followed whether he allowed it or not.

The little group headed down the walkways through the market district. Their destination, the fortress, was already looming up in the distance. They passed through where the food vendors gathered, the mouth watering scents difficult to ignore. Maka perked at a familiar smell.

She paused, her eyes sweeping over the vendors only to fall on a baker who had a cart full of tarts. Blueberry, raspberry, lemon cream. Maka's eyes lit up. They were her favourite. When she was younger, Girgori's baker used to make tarts like them and he'd always sneak and give her one. Despite his wife always scolding him for it. Unable to stop herself she hurried towards the cart.

Soul stopped his determined forward march as Liz caught his arm to bring him to a halt. She smiled and pointed behind them. Maka was no longer following, she'd gotten side tracked by a bakers cart and was currently in the process of purchasing a tart.

Liz had given the Naval Captain some of her clothes and in truth she had done and excellent job in dressing her. Maka may not be a pirate in spirit but she certainly looked the part now.

She'd dressed her in a black formfitting, gold embroidered vest. The style of it was flattering, accentuating her slim waist and well toned arms where she'd been given a brown leather cuff to lace up on one of her upper arms. Liz had paired it with loose brown trousers; they were worn with one of the knees torn out but they fit well and had been tucked into long black boots covered in buckles that reached halfway up her calves.

Maka had made some touches of her own, stuffing a long handled dagger into the right boot and buckling a leather strap over her shoulder that held a holster for her pistol she'd claimed. Her sword belt was black with an elaborate brass buckle, the cutlass she'd stolen from one of Asura's goons thrust inside and a money pouch tied to it along with a pouch of spare shots for her pistol.

The gunner had also given her a lovely, long burgundy jacket with black trim. Longer in the back than the front with six buttons, three on each side. Maka had left it behind on the ship though, the day was too hot for it.

She laughed at something the baker said and pushed a beaded braid out of her face. Liz had taken it upon herself to style her hair as well. Braiding assorted strands throughout her hair and beading them. She'd pulled most of it back messily a few of the braids along with some wisps of her un-braided hair loose around her face.

He shook himself, realizing he'd been quite blatantly 'admiring' her and her new look (not that her old look had been unappealing, this one was just especially so). Liz chuckled and patted his cheek. "I do good work don't I?" He shot her a glare as Maka started towards them with three tarts cupped in newly bejewelled hands gingerly. "I just wish she'd wear the hat I gave her too," Liz sighed. "It really completes the ensemble."

Maka handed them each a tart with a grin, seeming incredibly pleased with herself. Her left ear winked as sunlight caught the ruby earring Liz had lent her, the other ear bore a long feathered earring. Liz had wanted to pierce her ear again so she could wear two earrings in one ear but Maka had refused quite vehemently.

After devouring their tarts and thanking her they continued on their way to the fortress.

The portcullis was lowered over the river. Entryway open for them without having to ask which didn't surprise him. He assumed that the Smuggler Lord would know he had arrived in port, he had eyes and ears everywhere. As he suspected a pair of guards came out to meet them halfway. He was pleased to see he was familiar with them, a grin spread over his face.

"Harvar, Ox," he greeted. Harvar, stoic as ever, crossed his arms over his chest and said nothing. It is was Ox who responded.

"Soul Eater," he returned formally. "You have been summoned to see Lord Isaac. Please follow us."

The interior of the fortress was built in a gothic style with pointed arches, wide windows, ribbed vaults and flying buttress'. All the furniture was massive and oaken, any shelves or store cupboards carved with a variety of historical motifs.

Moving down the hallway Maka strained to hear Soul's conversation with the two guards where they walked ahead of her. Their voices hushed.

"How is the Lord of Hael Town these days?" Soul asked conversationally.

"Mi'lord is well," Harvar replied stonily. Ox sighed heavily and shot his partner a disapproving frown.

"We can tell Soul the truth Harvar I'm sure." Harvar looked unconvinced though Ox ignored him glanced at Soul again, his bald head shining. "Lord Hawkhurst grows old. He is not the young man he used to be. His mind has become more confused and cruel of late. I fear you won't find him the same as the last time you met." Soul looked pensive, his brows drawn together in thought.

"You don't believe he will be any help to me then?"

"That depends what your cause is I suppose," Ox confessed. Harvar spoke up.

"Though mostly it depends on Lord Hawkhurst's mood."

The three were led into a fair-sized sitting room with a massive, arched stained glass window dominating it. The stained glass was arranged in a scene of the sea, a ship breaking against the waves with a glorious sunset lining the sky. It painted the room in iridescent light giving it a dreamlike atmosphere. The white of Soul's hair was washed out by the colour, tinted indigo one moment and emerald the next.

Maka sat on a plush, velvet upholstered sofa, unable to tell its true colour from the light of the room. Liz sat across from her in a heavy looking chair, snooping through the drawer of a small oak side table. While the pirate woman did this, Maka took a moment to observe Soul. He stood by the window, gazing through the glass though what he hoped to see she couldn't be sure. The images outside would be warped nearly undeterminable with the way the light was currently filtering through.

His expression was quite serious. She watched the coloured light play across his face, from the angle she sat she could truly admire his strong jaw line. He really was quite handsome she realized with a little bit of shock. It was in an interesting and unique sort of way. She had not appreciated it before, being too busy being angry at him to really take his appearance in.

Soul was a mystery to her. So sarcastic and serious with an odd way about him that made him always appear as if the world were eternally amusing to him. He was a pirate and by rights should be callous and sadistic but he had morals and was almost kind at times. He was cocky, stubborn, lazy and blunt to the point of being rude but she…almost liked him she thought. He was going so far out of his way to help her-, no, to get revenge on Asura she corrected mentally. He had made that clear before. Helping her was just to spite Asura who wanted her dead.

The sound of a door opening came from behind them. She watched as Soul turned, the light rippling over him; the wash of emerald that had covered him turned to a pristine blue as he stepped forward. He quirked an eyebrow at her when he realized she'd been watching him. She felt her cheeks warm as she blushed and looked away to the doorway, thankful for the stained glass hiding the pink-tinge.

Ox and Harvar had returned, standing in the doorway with spears in hand as before.

"Mi'lord will see you now," Ox spoke into the quiet of the room. The three of them moved forward but Harvar placed his spear in front of them suddenly, barring the way.

"Lord Hawkhurst only wishes to see Captain Soul Eater, the others must stay." Maka frowned and Soul seemed ready to leave them both but she was not happy with this arrangement.

"I'm sorry if Lord Hawkhurst doesn't wish to see me but if Soul is going then I am going. His cause is as much mine as his if not more so. And I don't let other people ask for help on my behalf." Ox frowned.

"Mi'lord does not wish to see anyone but the Captain, wench." Her eyes narrowed.

"My name is Maka, not wench," she retorted.

"Whatever your name is, it doesn't matter-" he cocked his bald head, his bizarre hairstyle unmoving. "Just who are you anyways? I've never seen you before pirate wench." Temper flaring at this ridiculous man she responded snappishly.

"That's because I'm not a-" a warm hand clamped down over her mouth, muffling her sentence.

"Not a…round these waters very often." Soul finished for her. "She's from the farlands and a very stubborn woman. Just let her come with us or we'll be here forever. You can tell Lord Hawkhurst I wouldn't come without her." The guards exchanged glances but agreed to let Maka come.

She gave him a questioning look and he leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Its better you don't notify these people you're a Naval Captain. They are pirates and smugglers and have no love for the navy." His breath tickled her ear and she shivered at the feel of it feathering across her flesh. He smirked sharply seeming to realize the effect he'd had on her. She blushed again heading after Harvar and Ox.

They didn't have far to go. Just outside the doorway was a short hallway that led to their destination. The 'throne' room of the Hawkhurst Castle.

Lord Isaac Hawkhurst, self proclaimed Lord of Hael town. In his younger years he had been a smuggler, one of the most infamous in his time. Besides being a notorious smuggler he was a notorious money grubber. It was often said he never spent a single copper of the money he earned smuggling and as a result he earned enough to purchase the fortress and name himself a Lord. His collection of ships and men made it difficult to argue his claim.

The throne room was wide and made of limestone, the ceilings arched and reaching dizzying heights. A long sapphire coloured carpet, trimmed in gold stretched down the length of the room and up the dais to where a thick oak throne sat. It was a massive seat, clothed in crimson velvet and carved elaborately. Six massive windows lined the walls, three on each side. In the center, above the throne itself, was a circular stained glass window shaped in the form of a kraken rising out of the sea and pulling down a ship into the depths.

Guards lined the walls, one in each space between the windows, standing in front of statues of former men who'd ruled from the castle. Two additional guards stood on either side of the throne, guarding two small doors that resided behind.

The Lord in question was seated in his throne, looking a great deal older than Soul remembered him.

Steel grey hair and equally steel grey eyes. He sat with a brooding expression, his brows knit together accentuating the twisted scowl he wore. His face was wrinkled and he had grown in a beard since Soul had seen him last, a beard as grey as the hair on his head. Isaac Hawkhurst was certainly dressed the part of a Lord, in rich velvet and furs fit for a king.

Soul wasn't sure what to do upon approaching the dais, bending the knee felt wrong but that last thing he wanted to do was offend the one he was pleading for help to.

Harvar and Ox both bowed a little at the waist and Soul followed suit, he was relieved to see Maka do so as well. "Mi'lord, the pirate Captain Soul Eater," Ox announced. Isaac's frown deepened.

"I believe I told you to bring me only the soul eater," he growled, shifting in his seat. "Who is this wench?" he gestured to Maka. "You'd best have a good reason for bringing her here." Soul grit his teeth, always trouble with this girl. He stepped forward to speak, interrupting Ox who was still trying to find what to say.

"My Lord…this is Maka Albarn. She is my-" he paused, stumbling over what to tell him and then inspiration struck him. "My…my first mate."

"Co-Captain," Maka interjected suddenly. Soul cursed her mentally and shot her a disapproving glare.

"Co-Captain," he conceded, not wanting to make a scene of it now of all times. "I insisted she come with me."

Hawkhurst inspected Maka scrupulously for a moment, looking down his nose at her. Then he suddenly barked out a laugh and gestured dismissively to Ox and Harvard. "You need a woman to help you run your ship 'Eater?" he chuckled as Ox and Harvard exited the room. "You've grown soft it seems. Last I heard you were still short a first mate. Someone told me you hadn't had one since your last," his chuckle became dark. "What was his name again?" he pondered for a moment and Soul set his teeth on edge. Isaac was not as he remembered him. "Oh yes, Asura," he smirked down at them.

Isaac waived his hand contemptuously. "But that is besides the point. What brings you to my Hael town Soul Eater?"

"I come as a friend-" he started. Isaac interrupted with a rude noise.

"Oh yes, a friend I have not seen in six years."

"I had hoped for a warmer reception than this with us not seeing one another in six years."

"As Lord I do not have to warmly receive anyone," he snapped.

Isaac had once been his friend years past, before he'd declared himself a Lord. Soul had found his love of the sea working on the smuggler's ship at the young age of twelve after running away from home, he'd been like a father to him, he'd helped him to purchase the Demon Scythe. Yes, he hadn't seen him since he was sixteen but he hadn't expect all the warmth to have gone out of him. When you didn't see someone you cared for in six years you would think they'd be happy to see you but no, this did not seem to be the case.

His eyes held a paranoid glint as he stared down from his throne. Soul could feel the alarming contempt rolling off him in waves.

"I came to ask you for help-"

"Help!" he spat out a sarcastic laugh. Soul frowned, growing more irritated by the minute.

"We need supplies and a crew if you can spare anyone," he said bluntly. He felt Maka's hand on his arm suddenly, he ignored it though to continue his plea. "I am seeking revenge on Asura and I am coming to you as a friend for help."

The man's grey eyes reminded him distinctly of sheet metal in that moment. Cold. He stroked his beard with a glowering expression.

"You dare to come here and tell me lies?" Soul's mouth hung open in shock, unsure what to make of this accusation. Maka was tugging on his sleeve, trying to get his attention.

"I am not telling you lies." Soul told him bluntly, making sure it was clear he was offended with his tone. Isaac scoffed.

"Perhaps not lies but you are excluding information from me, friend." Maka was shaking his arm now, trying to draw his attention away, he could hear her hissing his name from beside him. "This woman is not your 'co-captain' or first mate, she is a Naval Captain and she is on a mission to sabotage an arrangement that will do our kind nothing but good. And yet here you are begging help on her part you treacherous fool."

"Soul!" Maka said sharply and more loudly this time. Soul's head snapped to the side, Maka was watching him with wide eyes, clutching his arm still. "Soul look!" She almost yelled. The doors behind the throne were opening and the guards from along the walls had slowly moved closer while they had been talking.

Maka tugged on his arm again trying to pull him back. "I will not allow you to ruin things Soul," Lord Hawkhurst said. A familiar individual stepped out of the right hand door, lanky and gaunt, black hair falling around his face. "I believe you know Asura," Isaac smiled. Asura moved to stand by Isaac. "He arrived shortly before you did." He snapped his fingers. "Kill them both."

Her grip on his arm increased and she spun him around, somehow catching his hand as she did so and taking off down the carpet towards the doors. The guards of the room had moved into a circle around them, blocking the entrance. There were too many men for them to stop and truly fight though.

The naval captain vaulted forward, using him to swing off of in the direction of the two nearest guards. He watched in incredulity as she drew her sword in a fluid motion while performing a smooth roundhouse kick. She struck the guard square in the jaw and it was almost like watching something in slow motion as his eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed onto the ground. She twirled out of the second guards way as he slashed down and came back around to lock swords with him.

Soul was not able to observe her for long as impressive as her display was. Other guards had reached them. He drew his own sword just in time to defend himself from a savage cut, he parried the blow throwing his attacker back. The sounds of steel on steel rang out into the room along with grunts of exertion.

Whirling, he swiped his cutlass along the backs of one of his attackers legs and he cried out, dropping. Instead of stopping Soul came full circle to slam the butt of his blade's handle into another guards face before he could even blink.

"Break through!" her shout came from nearby, following immediately by a cry of pain. Soul kicked a guard in the gut and twisted to see Maka run a man through, blood was running down her upper arm from a deep looking cut. She shoved the attacker away from her as he dropped and reeled back to face Soul her eyes shining. They came together and her hand found his again as they took off down the carpet and burst through the first set of doors. He could hear Isaac shouting behind them, his voice booming out into the throne room.

Footsteps pounded behind them and he knew they were being chased. He had caught a glimpse of more men pouring into the room from behind the throne as they left.

Tumbling into the stained glass waiting room they spun to slam the doors shut behind them. He hurried to the heavy armchair, dragging it across the room to prop it in front of the door. Liz stood with a blank expression in the middle of the room, watching them pile things in front of the door. Together they pulled the couch in front along with the wardrobe that had been in the corner.

Maka hurried to one of the other doors as Soul did the same, they jiggled the handles in unison, locked. They were trapped. The two of them turned and moved to meet one another again at the door they'd just barricaded, directly across from the wide window.

"What's happening?" Liz asked, a tremor in her voice. Her eyes were wide. There was a thump on the door and it jostled a little. He and Maka leaned against it to add their weight to the barricade. Everything shook as the thumping on the door turned thunderous. Their barricade would not last.

They exchanged a look, the cerulean light falling through the stained glass made Maka's green eyes shine all the brighter, piercing through the opposing colour. They did not need to clarify what they would do, it was communicated with a glance.

"What's going on!" Liz demanded. "What are we going to do?" The two of them pulled away from the door and slid into a ready position. "Wait," Liz asked hesitantly. "What are you doing? Where are you going?" Her voice was rising in pitch, growing more fearful.

"Through that window!" They told her in unison as they started into a dead run

"What!" The older girl shrieked. "Are you crazy! Wa-it!"

The two of them crashed into her, pulling her along with them as they leapt into the window. The glass shattered around them loudly. Radiant in multicoloured pieces, shimmering in the air around them as they rushed into freefall along with them, each piece gleaming like so many prismatic stars as the sunlight struck them.

His stomach dropped out from underneath him and he could hear Liz's high-pitched scream ringing in his ears as they fell.

They hit the water hard, a huge splash in their wake. His hold on Liz was ripped away from him and upon gaining control again he swam up towards the surface of the river that surrounded the castle. He broke the surface gasping for air at almost the same moment the girls did. Liz flipped her hair out of her face, spluttering.

"You idiots!" She shouted. "You could have got us killed!" She slapped the water in her fit of anger. Soul caught a glimpse of Maka's smile and had to suppress a grin of his own, she spun away gracefully in the water so Liz wouldn't see.

"Yell at us later," she told the other girl. "We're not out of the fire yet. We need to get out of the courtyard before they close the gate, by now most of the place has been alerted."

She began a strong swim towards the shore and the others followed. They dragged themselves up the bank, people were shouting at them from the broken window, four stories up.

"Don't move," a voice told them lowly, coming from seemingly nowhere. Soul lifted his gaze with a sinking feeling, two spear points pressed close to him and the girls, holding them in place.

A/N: Ahh...*bowing and apologizing profusely* I am so sorry this was not as action packed as I promised ehehe...I really wanted to describe Hael Town well as it was so clear in my mind, not to mention some of the other imagery was too vivid in my head to ignore.

The end of this one was action-y...right? -.-

I hope you all enjoyed anyways!

As an apology I will work my hardest to get the next chapter up quick as I can! :D

Reviews win you a great deal of my love and adoration.

-Song :3