"I can't believe I'm already 25 weeks along," Maka said sipping a cup of tea.
"I know. You're definitely growing," Tsubaki said.
"Yeah, it looks that way, huh?" Maka set her tea down and began rubbing her belly.
"It's really great that you have Soul beside you, especially with Valentine's Day next week."
". . .Is something wrong, Tsubaki?"
Tsubaki shook her head, but it obviously wasn't very believable.
"Tsubaki. . .What's wrong?"
"Other than Liz and Patti I guess, Maka, you're my only girl friend and it seems like-"
"Like what?"
"Like your growing up too fast, leaving me in dust."
"Tsubaki, I would never 'leave you in the dust'." Maka leaned in and gave Tsubaki a hug, she managed to work her way around her belly. "But, I have the feeling that wasn't all." Tsubaki leaned back into her chair. "C'mon Tsubaki."
". . .I feel so," Tsubaki took a breath, "alone."
"I told you I'm not leaving."
"It's not just you or Liz and Patti. Like I side before, you have Soul beside you. Liz is too caught up in her looks to care about dating and Patti, well Patti just isn't in the right state of mind. Kid is still too obsessed with symmetry and everything having to be perfect to worry about girls. And Black Star, he's Black Star."
Maka looked deep into Tsubaki's purple eyes. "You want someone. . .to love, don't you?"
"Not someone-"
"Black Star." Maka finished for her. Tsubaki nodded and bowed her head in shame. "Tsubaki, why don't you just tell him?"
"I couldn't."
"Why not?"
"It's against DWMA's regulations. No meister or weapon shall love their weapon or meister."
Maka cleared her throat and looked down at her belly. "Tsubaki, that rule was kicked out a long time ago, obviously. Lord Death and Kid would never punish anyone loving who they love. It may be how things were a century ago, but not now."
"You think?"
"I know. Go tell him how you feel," Maka said, causing Tsubaki to bolt up and run away. "Promise you won't do anything stupid! Like get pregnant!"
"I won't go that far!" She yelled back to Maka.
Maka laughed and sipped another pinch of her tea.
Tsubaki burst through Black Star's house doors.
"Tsubaki?"
"Black Star," Tsubaki said with a smile on her face.
"What're you doing here? Did you get us a mission!?"
"No, not exactly," she said her face getting redder with every word she spoke with him. It was an understatement to say that she was nervous.
"Then, why are you here? . . .And why are you turning red?"
". . .I wanted to talk to you, can't friends talk to each other?"
"Yeah, I guess," he said rubbing the back of his neck. "Sit down."
Tsubaki did as he said and sat on the couch.
"So, what did you want to talk about?"
Tsubaki smiled as she thought of something she could say. ". . .Dating."
"Dating?"
"Yeah."
"Well," Black Star said.
"Have you dated anyone? Has anyone had the patience to date you?"
"I've dated girls, but not for very long."
"Because of the patience, right?"
"No, actually they thought I was too good for them. My God self, you know."
"I'm sure."
There was a silence between them.
"What did you really come here for, Tsubaki?"
"I did come here to talk about dating!" Tsubaki said, getting mad that he thought she was kidding.
"Okay, calm down, jeez I thought I was the one with the temper."
"You are."
"Just tell me what you want to tell me!"
"I like you!" Tsubaki quickly covered her mouth with her hands. Realizing what she just said Tsubaki wanted to faint, or at least leave. Wait! That's the perfect idea, I'll go! Tsubaki thought to herself. "I have to go, see you later!" Tsubaki jumped out of her seat and ran to the door, but was stopped by Black Star, who grabbed her wrist.
"Tsubaki, wait." Tsubaki turned her head to see Black Star.
Black Star let go of Tsubaki's wrist. "Tsubaki, I like you too."
"But, you can't," Tsubaki said.
"But, I don't want to hurt you."
"I'm willing to take the risk." Tsubaki grabbed Black Star's hair and pulled him closer to her, she made the first move, but he kissed her back.
"So, have you decided what you're going to name them yet?" Kid asked.
"No, but I think Maka's leaning towards the names you gave us," Soul answered.
"What do you want to name them?"
"I don't know."
"C'mon there your kids, don't you want to even help with the names?"
"Of course, but-" Soul paused for a moment and looked at Kid. "But I don't want to push Maka, or anything that might hurt her in some way."
"Picking names would hurt her?"
"No, I don't think so, but lately she's just been on edge with her emotions, more than usual, and hurting constantly. I just don't want to hurt her anymore than I already have, I did this to her."
"I'm not disagreeing with you on that, but it will all work out."
Soul smiled with his sharp teeth. "Totally off subject, but what're you doing tonight? Anyone special out there for good ole Kid?"
Kid's face changed from white to pinkish.
"So, there is!"
"Her name is Aquina, she's smart, beautiful, and has the longest, blackest hair you've ever seen."
"Sounds like a great girl."
"She really is. The best part about her is that she doesn't care about my OCD!"
Soul pats Kid on the back. "That's pretty cool."
"Yeah, I left a Valentine's Day card in her locker that says meet me at So Good at 8:00."
"See, I can't do that kind of stuff that girls like, the romantic stuff. The best I can do is make food for Maka, but that's a daily thing."
"I can help you if you want."
"Could you, really?"
"I think I have just the thing for you."
Maka walked to her locker later that day and found a small card that said: I thought of you all day. And I expect tomorrow to be the same, but I want to see you tonight at Firebelly. Be there at 7:00. Love you, Maka.
Maka smiled and gathered her things from her locker. She dropped her heavy textbooks before she could shut the locker door. She got down on her knees to pick them up, but was stopped by none other than Eita.
"Eita! What're you doing here?" She asked.
"Can't a guy help a damsel in distress?" He asked as he picked up her books.
"You don't have to do that, I can get them myself," she said as she tried to bend over, but failed.
"I thought so."
"I'm sorry."
Eita came back up with Maka's history, english, and math textbooks.
"Thanks, Eita." Maka held her hands out waiting for her books to return to her arms, but they never did. "Eita? My books?"
"Nope. These are too heavy for you to carry."
"Really, Soul has the car just outside."
"No, no I can get them."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." Eita nodded. Eita gently pushed Maka forward.
"Okay, okay I'm going!" Maka said practically power walking to Soul's car.
Before Eita and Maka walked out the doors, Maka stopped in her tracks.
"Something wrong?"
"Eita, Soul told me what you did. I don't think its smart for you two to be in each other's sights."
"I'm not trying to sleep with you! I want to be your friend. Since I left Death City I haven't had a real friend; I haven't been in another town long enough. Please Maka, I just like you as a friend," he begged.
". . .I believe you, but I still don't think you and Soul should see each other just yet."
"Okay, here." He handed the books to Maka and walked away.
"He was right, these are heavy."
Maka wobbled out the doors and toward the car. Soul saw her in the rear-view-mirror and immediately sprinted to her.
"Maka, you shouldn't be carrying those heavy books!"
Soul grabbed the books out of Maka's arms. "I can't believe how generous you guys are?"
"Who is "guys"?"
"Nobody!"
"Are guys really hitting on you that much?"
"Is there a reason they shouldn't?"
"Maka, you're pregnant!"
"Yes, but my boobs have come out nicely and my hips have gotten bigger; both show off amazing curves."
"True enough."
"Except I do feel like crap, and occasionally I want to punch people in the face."
"Also true."
Maka continued to the car and Soul followed, but he stopped immediately when he figured out that Maka never said who hit on her.
"Maka."
Maka turned her head. "Yes?"
"Maka, who exactly hit on you?"
". . .No one, Eita just helped me carry my books to the doors. It was nothing."
"Didn't you understand what I told you!"
"Don't freak out, I know he slept with Rydia! He told me he wants to be friends!"
"You do you really believe that!"
"Yes!"
"C'mon you're smarted than that! He just wants to get in your pants!"
Maka was so shocked, she couldn't say another word. Tsubaki and Black Star walked out of the school and headed to their car.
"Tsubaki! Can I get a ride with you?!"
"Sure!"
Maka looked at Soul and shook her head. "I'm coming!"
"Maka, are we still meeting at Firebelly? Please call me! Someone will come to pick you up at home, if you decide not to come just send him away, but I hope you come. Love you, bye." Soul hung up his phone after he finished leaving his message to Maka.
Maka looked out the window and saw a black limo. "That must be it," Maka said.
"Are you going?"
"I don't know if I should."
"I think you should."
"Really?" Tsubaki nodded her head.
Maka walked to her room and threw on her favorite red dress. It was loose, so it didn't hold anything too tight. And the dress was to her ankles, so she could move easily.
"I'm ready."
"Maka, you look beautiful."
"Thank you."
"You better get out there."
"Is there something you aren't telling me?"
"Me and Black Star have something planned, once you leave anyway."
"I've gotcha. I'll get outta your hair. Bye."
Maka left the apartment and walked out to the limo.
"I'm glad you came," Soul said as he swayed Maka back and forth.
"I think I'm glad I came too."
"Do you forgive me?"
"I'll think about it."
Maka smiled up at him.
