Disclaimer. I disclaim all property rights. That's about as technical as it gets.
Summerier. Well if you've been following you'd know about the uncouth shift in drama. Now unfortunately the last few chapters have been a bit of a filler. Now we get into the nitty gritty once more. Its gonna be long. But I decided a little time and some luxury fluff and suspense would do our little fruit-loops some good. So Soul in this has been procrastinating on his plans and its been a couple days since they've invaded Kidd's home. This is what happens on day three.
ch.3 struggle "through these troubled eyes" the face inside.
Three days. He had planned but waited three days to execute. The thought was just nerve racking. 'nightshade? Really?' this was suicide and he knew it. So he procrastinated his plans choosing to steel himself for the right moment when he would throw caution to the wind and analyze Maka's behavior in the mean while. No one would know surely what strange half baked scheme lay in the bowls of his well fortified mind. So a little time was nothing.
Maka unlike Soul however grew more desperate by the hour. Though Liz had managed to shovel some meager nourishment down her throat she continued to remain sickly pale and her paranoia only served to nauseate her more. She couldn't relax. The windows the sinks the expensive metallic furniture pieces, and even the eyes of her friends held the nightmarish distorted reflection she had so come to fear in the last week. And as such she made it a point to avoid anyone but Soul who she insisted not try to make eye contact out of sheer fear. She was falling apart with nervous apprehension and her eyes now displayed a crazed fatigue that even seemed obvious to Patty who at one point had been violently thrown from the young meisters temporary quarters after attempting to get a closer look at her face.
"Soul" Kidd stopped him outside the room of the estranged young girl "she's not improving is she?" the rare concern from the reaper struck Soul like a moving vehicle.
"no... she's just getting worse." he slid downward back against the wall in an exhausted heap. "i know I need to do something but... Kidd... this is bad. I've never seen her this bad."
"well its quite obvious that unlike Naigus would like to believe its not black blood or ghosts. Otherwise her condition would improve..." he sat next to the scythe in a comforting manner "do you have any idea what it is? Because I think you already knew they were wrong. Crona even confirmed that black blood isn't anywhere near by. So what's your thoughts Soul? She's your partner."
"i dunno... its like she's terrified of everything. Like the old Maka just disappeared. Replaced with this terrified little kid." he sighed. "I'm still trying to get a handle on it myself. This is all just so... exhausting..."
"then maybe you need to stop thinking on it and try acting on it." the reaper stood. "i know you've been thinking about something to do... I've not been blind to your actions nor am I completely unaware of what nightshade is Soul. So what is it you have planned."
"wow... not much gets past you does it." he looked up at him confused and shocked. "well. Its an astral whatever the hell it is... I'm gonna try to see what Maka's thinking. And well... I need to be out for a while to do it."
"then perhaps you should get to it and stop putting it off. Obviously Maka isn't getting any better with you just watching." he offered the scythe a hand. "in the mean time I suggest you trust myself and the sisters a little more. Hiding from me will get you nowhere."
"sorry... just" he hauled himself up "just figured you didn't need anymore hassle that's all."
he scoffed."hardly a hassle when you consider you live under the same roof."
the sarcasm was bound to come out "well technically you have about twelve roofs" he chuckled.
"well it was the symmetrical thing to do." he shrugged it off. "but regardless. You need to trust those around you."
"gotcha... well ill do it tonight. I need you to get Liz to convince her to take this" he removed a vial. "ill worry about the rest. Just... make sure Maka doesn't know what it is."
"and just what is it?" he looked at the object in question.
"well" the albino scratched the back of his head "from what I gather its a potion that'll allow us to almost resonate. But im not quite sure myself. Still im no good at convincing people of my innocence so I think Liz has a better chance of getting her to take it."
"understandable. She needs a little ignorance. But right now I think more importantly you should know that Crona reported in and said he cant find any specters in you home. You're welcomed to stay as long as you need. But you are not haunted." he pocketed his hands "but you knew that didn't you?"
"yeah figure he'd turn up empty handed on that one. Whatevers going on is a personal issue." scoffing Soul pushed the headband he wore back in place. "so we know its not ghosts or black blood. So any idea what pinky was picking up on?"
"not the slightest clue. Either way we can safely assume whatever it is uses mirrors as a medium." he speculated before Soul cut him short.
"i don't think so. Maka apparently doesn't like anything with a reflective surface. So mirrors I don't think have anything to do with it. Its a trigger but I don't think that's the main problem" Soul surprised Kidd for a moment with a sharp wit.
"shouldn't spirit be informed by the way?" he snapped out of his baffled confusion.
"Stein said no go. Death-scythe doesn't need to know. He's got enough problems. Besides Maka's stressed as it is. And he's an idiot." he folded his arms as if agitated. "anyway if you can get her to take the joy juice ill handle the rest. I probably wont like it. But it'll have to be done."
"indeed" he held out his hand to take the vial Soul presented "ill make sure it is done. You just worry about holding your end of the gamble." he displayed a look of knowing telling Soul he knew what he had been hiding.
"alright... hey Kidd" he took a pensive stance.
"yes Soul?" the reaper pocketed the vial.
"thanks... Maka's all I've got ya know... and I cant really do this alone... means a lot..." he stared at the floor "if something happens to her... well..."
"Soul its not cool to doubt yourself." the deadpanned smirk was enough to tell him the thanks had been accepted.
"gotcha..." he walked back in the room to find his meister sitting idly on the bed. Shirt undone to the navel and disheveled, hair in a mess, skirt clinched in a tight fist and her eyes darting from one corner of the room to the other."oh man Maka... you're a sight for sore eyes"
"shhh... your voice hurts." she slapped her hands over her ears staring at him with those sleep deprived eyes that screamed at him with a pleading glare. "its always so loud in here... how does anyone sleep in this house." her hands gripped her hair unmercifully.
"relax... okay" he moved to sit beside her gently grabbing her hands and pulling her to him gently. "you need to come out of here today okay?"
"no... I... I cant..." she shivered.
"look Liz has something I picked up to help with sleep. Why don't you go get it from her. You need to get out of this room. You've been in here all day." he hugged her gently "come on."
"oh..okay... I... thanks Soul... I'm sor he cut her off.
"no apologizing Maka... we've talked about this. Now go on." he helped her from the bed slowly and walked her to the door. "okay. Now you know where find Liz. Just take the meds and ill be here. Small steps right?"
"r..right" she stuttered "thanks Soul"
"cool. Now go on." he cracked her a tired smile as she stalked out the door shakily. "okay... now time to take the good stuff." he reached into his pocket and retrieved the purple vial and his own dose of the odd potion along with the crystal. "she said that we both have to be touching it... so I guess a little cuddle action will help. But first." he stared at the vial. Knowing Maka would be back soon. He pushed his trepidation aside and opened the intimidating substance. "just a drop." he mixed a small amount of the substance with its potion counterpart and crossed his fingers as he tossed the bottle back and downed its contents. "eughhh. Gross." he shivered as the door opened and Maka walked in only seconds after he pocketed the empty bottle and threw on his best innocent face.
"okay... I took the meds... they were gross... I hate Liz a lot right now..." she trudged to the bed and sat in her former crazed position as her partner sat beside her. "i am a little tired though... will you stay with me Soul?"
"of course book worm." he cracked a grin as the feeling in his limbs started to leave 'damn... this stuff works fast' he barely registered her curl up on his chest under his arm. 'gotta reach the Maka' he internally cursed his luck as he struggled to cup the girls hip with a numb hand that gently cradled the blood red gem. "rest well Maka." he wouldn't allow her to see his strain to force his limbs to move.
"Soul..." she was out already and again mumbling in her sleep much to his relief.
"oh good..." 'now... how's this work...' the crystal then began to glow against her skin and he felt himself pulled towards her.
He didn't know when he actually woke up but somehow he knew it was night. But he was no longer in gallows manor and curled up with his partner. He was standing. Outside? Or was it just a spacious dark room? Either way he couldn't shake the feeling of anger coming from the darkness. Or the numbness he felt familiarized only in his mind as his weapon form. "Maka?"
"oh its you?" an angry tone pierced the darkness "i knew she'd drag you into this. You're such a dorky nice guy its almost disgusting. Maybe that's why you're so interesting." it laughed at him. Vaguely the tone sounded like Maka but this voice carried a violent urge that troubled him.
"who are you?" he got the feeling this voice was a direct threat to his meister some how. "show me your face"
the lights then turned themselves on to display a black and white rendition of the apartment. The furniture the walls even the outside looked black and white. Then the voice made its presence known as it spoke. "in the foyer" a slender pale hand urged him from around the corner. "you know where that is right?" this voice kept making him anxious like the feeling he got right before taking the witch hunter form.
"where are you" he rounded the corner cautiously cursing his luck as he noticed he could not transform his arm.
"now now. You aren't in your world Soul. That wont help anything here." it laughed apparently knowledgeable of his attempt to transform. "sit." he was pushed aggressively by a set of slender but strong arms to the couch finally getting a look at his current company. "i think you know me pretty well. But then again I guess you haven't got the hint. A sucker with a big heart and no brains. Kina sad really you're kina cute."
his mouth went agape with the sight before him. It was Maka. She wore a black dress of some strange fashion with a short skirt revealing more legs than he thought his meister to have and just barely covering her. A corset like apparatus extended from her waist line and her hands were covered with thin black and white gloves. The outfit was graced with a final Maka trademark jacket and her legs were cloaked with fishnets and Maka's general boots. Her pigtails were the same though but this Maka was obviously not his. From her eyes he could see hatred, anger, and ill intent the likes of which Maka would never be accused of. From her voice he heard the malice of an ill tempered child and the violence of a homicidal madman all at once.
"Maka? no... who are you" he turned his head to the side with a glare.
"you were right the first time." she chuckled darkly as the shadows under Soul lurched up to bind his wrists to the sofa.
"no... you're not Maka... who the hell are you?!" he didn't struggle knowing well this was Maka's mind and that he was powerless here.
"oh I am Maka. You see you're just to stupid to get it. How else would you explain me being here of all places and don't say black blood, even you know better." she walked forward slowly
"witch magic" he snapped cautiously but with finality.
"get real. I have an anti magic wavelength. That wouldn't work on me." she laughed as she stood just above him giving him a view that would reveal more of her lower body than normally he would feel comfortable with. "whats that you think I don't see you looking huh?" she then straddled him. "ya know if it wasn't for that pathetic little bitch taking the body for herself id have made you a man by now."
"shut up" venom dripped from his words as he lashed out teeth barred attempting to take a bite out of the imposter only to be slapped quickly and having her lips slammed into his.
"im the boss here. You just shut up and take what I have to say. Got it" she glared daggers at the scythe. "i am Maka. Just not your weak little cowered. Ever wondered why it is we blend so well. Its me retard. Ever noticed how you still resonate even when you and her cant get along. Well surprise its always been me!" she grasped his shoulders with tight fingers "I've always been here. I've always been pulling her weight. And now im done being second."
"so then if your not my Maka which one are you" he decided playing along would be beneficial.
"wouldn't you like to know." she pushed a sloppy kiss upon him again "ah but Soul I cant really tell you that can I?" she traced a finger down his lips and chest "you wouldn't have it. Lets just say im that girl you've always wanted" her eyes narrowed at him. "and I refuse to let that little wretch have you over me. Just stay out of the way and I wont have to do anything ill regret. Later."
"so you're some kina imposter Maka who thinks she's getting in my pants. Get over yourself. "he snapped "i wouldn't abandon my meister for some flat chested bimbo like you!"
"honestly I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted" she rolled her head backwards "you're so dense." it was a split second he didn't notice but somehow a blade sprouted from her hand "let me make this clear. I'm the Maka you don't fuck with" her tone became more aggressive. "you're cute but I will not be second to that urchin anymore. And I wont let anyone including you get in my way." her eyes were crazed and Soul looked on in awe as he observed the blades on her arm. Where had he seen them before. "now I don't have time to play with you at the moment. This was fun. Next time you'll be mine. Or Ill kill you... but I figure you'll reconsider once you return. And I'm sure you will."
he blacked out at that and all fell silent but his thoughts.
She remembered feeling secure but also anxious when she woke. Like when a powerful enemy was fighting her friends and not her. She felt worried and rolled over to see Soul sound asleep his face however twisted into an angry sneer.
"Soul?" she shook him but to no avail. Then again several times. "...Soul?..." panic set in and she shook him more only to realize he wasn't waking up.
She finally rose and bolted from the room on shaky legs and ran straight into kid who it seemed was coming to check on them. "Maka? Whats the matter?" he stopped her from falling from the impact.
"its Soul! I cant wake him up! Somethings wrong!" she struggled with her words before her eyes locked on the reapers revealing her twisted reflection. "...WHAT DID YOU DO!" she swung a power filled punch straight at his eye only to find herself on the floor her arm twisted harmlessly behind her back.
"Liz, patty! Restrain Maka for me" the two pistols were not far behind him and pinned the young meister to the ground "i need to check on Soul"
"we've got'er honcho!" Patty squeaked as she found her body weight insufficient to completely weigh down the enraged Maka "sis sit on'er!"
leaving his partners to contend with Maka he made his way to Soul. "Soul if you're playing a joke this is cruel." he noticed the boy didn't respond "its not cool to make your meister think you're dead." now he was worried. "Soul..." remembering the nightshade Soul had tried to hide he opened one of Souls eyes to find he was not responsive. He would normally have panicked but the sound of grinding metal and a blade that penetrated the side of his shirt alerted him Soul had actually awoken.
"damnit leave her alone!" Soul shot up with his blade now inches from Kidd's face his once bladed right hand now gripping his tattered shirt.
"Soul compose yourself" the reaper decked him hard knocking the scythe back to the pillow instantly. "what in god's name!" he stood removing his outer shirt. "oh no! Its hideous."
"give it here" Liz now approached and snatched the garment out of his hands. "we've got bigger things to worry about. Like what patty's gonna do to Maka if she doesn't stop squirming. Soul you alright?"
"my face hurts" he mumbled. "wheres Maka?"
"she's fine" Kidd straightened himself "she was worried about you..."
"damn Kidd... you could've held back a bit..." he rose stroking his cheek for relief.
"you were apparently agitated at whoever was after Maka." he deadpanned.
"that's right... we need to talk to Stein... as bad an idea as that sounds." he sobered up. "its not black blood. But I think I get it..."
a silent nod was all the response Kidd shared with the scythe before an agitated Patty dragged a hog tied Maka back into the room and tossed her on the bed next to Soul "now chill your ass out before I get my belt!" her words did little to quell the disgruntled meister as she thrashed against her bindings.
"a little over kill sis." Liz patted her shoulder. "But at least you didn't try to kill her"