"You saw for yourself that the person who put that totem into the courtyard was the Witch Eruka Frog", the interrogator pressed.
"Yeah, it was her face all right…", Soul muttered.
"People were put into therapy because of that gases damage I heard", he added.
"Yeah yeah…", Soul muttered to ignore him.
"So what did you do?" the interrogator asked, leaning forward on his chair, closely expecting him.
"What did you think I did I marched all the way home. Maka wanted to head to the hospital with Lucy while Kid hung about waiting for Stein and the fire department. I excused myself and ran home", Soul continued with the story.
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Soul made his way up the steps of his apartment and roughly shoved the key into the door to open it. Soul kicked the door open and slammed it behind him. He marched straight to Maka's room, fists clenched in anger. He quickly swung the door open to see a slightly startled Eruka sitting at the side of the bed.
"Soul? What is it?" She asked with a worried look. Soul marched over to her and grabbed her bandaged hand tightly.
"ARGH SOUL!" Eruka cried out in pain as she grabbed onto her wrist with her other hand.
"You work for Galorphar don't you? That's how you got that picture! And you were the one that put that totem in the courtyard weren't you?" Soul shouted at her. He wanted everything from her.
"Soul… Please your hurting me…!" She cried.
"Weren't you!" Soul shouted again.
"Yes! Yes! It was the only way to get a picture…Ribbet! Placing the totem here was the only way to get into the city too", Eruka stuttered, trying to pull her hand free as tears started to trickle down her face. He let go of her hand and walked over to the door to shut it. He then pulled a chair from the corner of the room to the side of the bed. He sat down on it and glared at her.
"I want to know everything from you, right now. And after that I'll decided whether or not to let that bounty hunter have you or send you to Kid!" Soul said sternly to Eruka. She held her injured hand lightly and kept her head down.
"What do you want to know…?" Eruka finally asked. Soul nodded at her cooperation.
"Tell me about the army with Galorphar's banner", Soul ordered.
"The army is headed by a very powerful witch, Witch Kendal Pendrike, the Tigress… she wants to bring back her brother to fulfil the prophecy of the destruction of Death City and the reaper", Eruka explained.
"And knowing that you chose to help and put that totem in the courtyard. Innocent people are in therapy because of that gas. Once a witch, always a witch, always hunting down the innocent lives of the academy", Soul berated her.
"YOU HUNT US DOWN!" Eruka shouted, standing up quickly. She winced in pain as she stood on her injured leg but she wasn't going to stop.
"You hunt us down everyday…for our souls…to make you weapons better. We now fight for our survival…our numbers are decreasing and we're slowly becoming a dying breed…There are other ways to make a weapon stronger…but you choose to take our souls", Eruka whimpered, standing up against Soul and expecting to be struck down.
"You're a Death scythe now right? How did the witch die? Brutally? Defending herself?" Eruka continued, now keeping her head down and her eyes shut. Soul sat there baffled. When he got to think of it. Kid murdered the witches in cold blood for not answering a question. The terrified looks on their faces. But then he remembered witches such as Medusa and Arachne. Both cold hearted people that killed innocents and wanted world domination.
"Yes… we kill witches to make weapons Death Scythes…but we have good reason when we are faced with witches like Medusa and Arachne", Soul added, frowning at her.
"We hated them…so much…oh how much I hated Medusa… she took everything away from me…Ribbet!" Eruka muttered. Eruka then looked back at Soul with a defiant look.
"But I respected her as a strong witch, as she fought back against you who hunt us…", Eruka continued.
"You have a destructiveness inside of you…you are born to do nothing but cause destruction", Soul lectured. Eruka sighed and slowly sat down; knowing that there was no point fighting this argument.
"Whatever you say…what else is there that you want to know?" Eruka asked. Soul sat there thinking for a moment when he remembered something important.
"Tell me about this prophecy", Soul then asked. Eruka looked a little surprised at the question then thoughtfully looked up slightly, thinking hard about it.
"It's about a young reaper with three halos of Sanzu that would be the tool of the war that will bring the destruction of Death City. But there is more to it after that…I can't remember…but witches win and live in peace afterwards", Eruka finally said.
"We've just fought the witch Kendal and she also said that the young reaper will create an order of nothingness. Ring any bells", Soul then added. Eruka looked confused at Soul.
"That's the first time I've ever heard that", Eruka said looking at Soul with a worried look.
"She said that the skies will be purple, darkness will strike the land and a rain of blood with fall upon us", Soul continued. Eruka then started to look very concerned.
"She never mentioned any of this to us. She said that we will destroy Death City and the witches will be at peace", Eruka stated shaking her head.
"Clearly you don't know much about Galorphar then. He was a person that wanted the destruction of everything. Think about it. Without a grim reaper no one would die. People will be suffering of eternal pain. He plans to change the entire world into his own personal hell, which will end up collapsing into itself. Making a world of nothingness. Kendal is Galorphar's sister. I'm sure she will follow her brother into anything. This is not a battle to help the witches, it's his own personal conquest on the world!" Soul stressed to her. Eruka shook her head in disbelief.
"I need to find out everything about the prophecy, the only person that has seen it is Kendal", said Eruka frustrated.
"Okay, where does she keep it?" Soul asked hastily.
"No… the prophecy is on the walls of a cave", Eruka corrected.
"Where's the cave then?" Soul quickly asked, wanting this information.
"I don't know… she was the only one to see it remember? I guess the only way I would know where it is…is if I search around camp for clues", Eruka stated.
"Oh no…I know the second I let you walk out that door you will run", Soul said standing up.
"Soul I'm not going to run if I know that my people are in danger…Ribbet! I can't leave them to the mercy of that damn warlock!" Eruka said with a desperate look. She then looked down with a sigh.
"Unless you are going to turn me in to Lord Death or that bounty hunter…", Eruka mutter quietly. Soul looked down to her crossing his arms. Eruka slowly rose up to her feet.
"You know…I'll just go…and get out of your hair", Eruka said keeping her head down and slowly limping past Soul, opening the door to the living room. Soul sighed and turned around after her. Eruka limped her way into the middle of the room, but was stopped when she felt the firm and rough hand of Soul gently land on her left shoulder.
"Come on… the thought of you like this walking through Death City is not cool. I won't feel good about myself", Soul said calmly with sincere eyes. He was taken back lightly when he heard her sobbing as her shoulders shuddered up and down. Soul walked around and stood in front of her. Placing his other hand on her shoulder.
"I care…so much for my people…and I can't even return to them…I want to be a witch and help our lives for the better…and they are about to be lead into a war that in the end would lead to their own destruction…I want to help them…but I'm not allowed near them!" Eruka cried. Eruka stood there crying with Soul holding onto her shoulders lightly. Suddenly Eruka leant forward and held onto Soul tightly in a hug. Soul was completely surprised by this and didn't know what to do. Eruka cried onto his chest, which she felt to be well masculine. Eruka's mind was racing. What was she doing? Why was she hugging him? He hates her and should get off him. Her mind was then cleared of all thoughts when she felt two arms wrap around her back, holding her in an embrace.
"I'm sorry I've…treated you wrongly here…I've no idea what a witches life is like. When you've been trained physically and mentally to kill an enemy you forget everything that's going on with the enemy. The lives you ruin. I'm also sorry for hurting your hand. I got angry and did an uncool thing", Soul whispered to her. Soul didn't know what to think anymore. Was everything he was trained to do wrong? Were witches the innocent ones fighting for survival in this battle? He knew one thing though, that Galorphar's forces and Kendal must be stopped from ever making the prophecy come true. Eruka's mind was blank. She was so confused and didn't know what to do or how to help her people. All she knew was that this embrace with Soul…felt nice. Her heart was beating faster than usual. She quickly tried to fight against these changes inside of her. These reactions to Soul shouldn't be right.
"Don't be sorry…you helped me against that bounty hunter when others would have walked away… you bandaged me up when others would let me rot. Thank you", She said, hugging a little tighter. This did not help her inner battle as her heart raced as she felt more of Soul's body against her. Soul finally pulled away from her, resting his hands on her shoulders.
"Right, feeling a little better now?" Soul asked with his grin. Eruka nodded then kept her head down as she felt a blush growing on her cheeks.
"As soon as your well enough to walk we'll go and find out about that cave", Soul then said. Eruka quickly looked up to him in surprise.
"Hey, the witches aren't the only ones that are in danger here. I've got to do something to help save Death City", Soul said with a smile. Eruka stared at Soul for what seemed like hours before wiping her eyes and nodded to him with a smile.
"All right, I'm heading out again to see if there is any developments with Kendal from the others. Blair should be arriving soon so you'll have some company while I'm out. Stay in the bedroom out of sight okay?" Soul asked of Eruka who nodded in reply and limped back into Maka's bedroom, shutting the door. Eruka waited against the door for Soul to leave the apartment, listening for the front door to close to confirm it.
"What am I doing? Why was my heart going so fast…Ribbet! Why was I comfortable against his…masculine…hard…body…Ribbet! What am I thinking! He's the enemy. We're just…on a truce its all…enemy of my enemy and all that…Ribbet", Eruka ranted quietly making her way to Maka's bed. Eruka pulled the covers and slowly got into bed so as not to hurt himself. She then covered her face with her hands and let out a sigh of frustration and confusion.
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Maka was leaning against the wall, watching Lucy lying in a hospital bed with Lewis sitting on a chair near her, holding her hand. She smiled lightly at the couple that loved each other dearly. A knock was then heard on the door, and everyone turned to see Kid standing there.
"How you holding up?" Kid asked. Maka smiled to him happily.
"I'm sore across the stomach, the burns have been treated and my scratch has been disinfected but other than that… I feel fine", Lucy said with a smile.
"That witch better be expecting a rematch soon", Lewis added with a grin.
"Well we shall be finding out where she is and put an end to her like Galorphar", Kid grinned.
"What about you? You okay Kid?" Lucy asked. Maka turned to face Kid fully, reading his soul and his face.
"Sure. I'm not going to let a witch intimidate me", Kid said with a smile. His face showed no since of lies but his soul trembled as he spoke, showing clear signs of distress. She even glared at the black magic surrounding his soul. Galorphar. Kid then looked up to the ceiling, staring at something that got his attention. The others wondered what he was looking at, and then he lowered his head sighing.
"What?" Maka asked.
"Someone's just died upstairs", Kid said rubbing his gloved hands down his face.
"This is why I hate hospitals… sorry, duty calls", Kid said a light smile and then left the room. Maka sighed and walked out after him. Kid walked into a lift and pressed the button that would lead to the top floor. Before the lift closed Maka put her arm in the way of the doors and they slowly opened. Maka walked in and stood next to Kid with a stern face.
"You may be able to convince others that your fine with your acting but they can't see your soul like I can", Maka said as the door closed. Kid turned to her irritated.
"What do you want me to say? That no matter what I do I'm going to start a war that will destroy what my father and I have protected? Maka I'm the only young grim reaper here and my disgusting lines are now beginning to join up! No matter what I do, I can't get rid of him. He's always with me. He's here right now watching me with his smile. Constantly putting me down on everything while his sister tries to destroy us all. And I have the sick knowledge that they are my father and Aunt!" Kid snapped at her. Maka looked at Kid with pained eyes. Kid face softened and sighed, gently placing each hand on her cheeks.
"I'm sorry… I don't mean to snap at you. It's just… everything with Galorphar and now his sister…I just want things to go back to how they use to be. Before Galorphar and before my father died, everything was so much easier then", Kid said with hints of anger.
"Before…us?" Maka asked quietly, her emerald orbs locked to his golden ones. They slowly glazed over, showing signs of tears coming.
"No…never… no of course not. You are the best thing that's ever happened in my life. You're the reason I keep going on. I love you Maka, nothing… -nothing-… will ever change that", Kid said to her, pulling her face to a kiss. Maka felt his soul in his kiss. He was scared, scared of what will become of the city, scared for all his friends, scared for his love one. She felt his love and his need for her. He treated her like his treasure, something he would give his life to. Maka deepened the kiss and gently gripped onto his arms. She wanted him too; she needed him as much as he needed her. The doors of the lift opened and there stood Spirit, about to walk in. He froze at the sight of his daughter kissing the boy that in his eyes was the reason for her death. His anger built up inside of him at the scene. He stormed in and pulled them apart, the arm pushing Kid soon changed into a blade against his throat.
"What the hell are you doing? I don't want you anywhere near her!" Spirit yelled at Kid, who kept his head down.
"Let him go!" Maka shouted.
"Your not trusted to be near her! Your not trusted to keep anyone alive. Where you walk, death follows. That's what you are and my daughter doesn't need that!" Spirit shouted, glaring at Kid.
"You don't know what I need! Kid stand up for yourself!" Maka shouted, begging for some response from Kid as he is held against the wall.
"Be quiet Maka I am your father and I know what's best for you!" Spirit shouted at Maka.
"…no you don't…" Kid said quietly. Spirit suddenly turned facing Kid. Kid's head slowly rose up to look Spirit in the eye.
"I'm afraid for a long time now you have not been a father. All you have done is spend time in the Chupa Cabra's club womanizing each woman there. You stopped being Maka father's when you betrayed her", Kid said in a low monotone voice. Spirit was at that moment pushed over breaking point. His rage exploded and he punched Kid across the face, refusing to believe what he said. He punched him again and Kid fell out of the lift to the floor.
"You bastard!" he shouted as he punched Kid repeatedly, who didn't defend himself.
"Stop it! Leave him alone!" Maka screamed as she ran and tried to pull him off. Other doctors came to pull Spirit away from Kid. He didn't bother to curl up into a ball; he just laid there and accepted every hit from Spirit.
"Let go of me!" Spirit yelled and pulled one of his arms free from the doctor's grasp. However when he pulled his arm free Spirit's elbow smacked Maka across the cheek and with a shriek of pain she fell down. Kid watched her fall down as if time was slowed. Watching with pain in his heart as his loved one was struck down.
"Maka…I…" Spirit gasped out. He couldn't believe he hurt her. He struck his own daughter to the ground. She laid there not moving, holding her cheek with her hands. Tears running down her face. It was at this moment that he realised what he become. What kind of person he was. What father would hurt his daughter in such ways as he has? There was no place for him in Maka's life. Not anymore. He slowly turned to Kid who suddenly was on his feet with bright purple glowing eyes. Kid immediately sent forth a punch towards Spirit's chest and he was sent flying into the lift with a bang. Knocking him out. Kid glared at Spirit as the lift doors closed to take him down to the ground floor. Father or not, if anyone hurts Maka in any way he will strike them down. He quickly turned to Maka and skidded down on his knees to her side.
"Maka? Are you all right? How hurt are you?" Kid hastily asked looking over her. She looked up to Kid with watery and teary eyes. Her cheek was red and would possibly have a bruise. Kid gently gripped onto her and helped her up to her feet. She quickly wiped her eyes with her sleeve and made a warming smile towards Kid.
"I'm fine, don't worry about it. It was an accident. As much as I hate him I know that he will never hurt me purposefully", She said smiling towards Kid. He looked down with his purple eyes. Maka frowned at Kid and gently knocked him on the head with her hand.
"Hey, get rid of those eyes. I don't want you going all mad at the doctors now", Maka ordered. Kid slowly looked back up to her. His purple eyes dimming back to his golden eyes. Maka smiled back to him and ran her finger through on of his bangs, placing it to one side.
"By the way… there was something I wanted to ask you", Maka asked curiously. Kid smiled to her.
"Anything", he said happily.
"What was that yellow glow in your pocket that made you very strong earlier?" Maka asked. Kid smiled grew as his eyes wondered away from her face.
"Ah… I'll tell you what it is another time. When the time is right. Okay?" Kid pleaded with a smile. Maka made a pouting face and sighed.
"Oh all right", she said unhappily. Kid smiled and placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Trust me, it's worth the wait. No… I've got some business to take care of", Kid added and turned to go into one of the patient's rooms to continue his duty as a grim reaper. Prophecy or not, he was going to continue to fight for good.
A/N: I'm happy people are still reading this far. Two chapters ago I thought everyone would abandon the story cause IMO it now sucks :S I'm happy that my hardcore fans are still with me from the beginning ( XxxBloodyxAngelXxx ). If you guys don't know already, probably not, but I am in the process of rewriting Lord Death the Kid! I have gone up to chapter two atm. So I'll leave you guys a heads up at the end of the chapters of Forgive and Ribbet or Bounty Eaters.
Hope you keep reading!
The3Ryans