Soul's POV

"whoa! whoa! whoa! Hold it. Do you mean to say.. you're another of those 'candidate' thing? and you are from the Demon Wolves Clan?" Maka asked as she stepped in. She turned to the wolf, Free, waiting for an answer, Free nodded softly. I let out a soft alarming growl when he took a step forward.

"Haha, I'm not here to harm her Soul.. that's if you won't meddle in our business." he threatened. I crouched and prepared to launch an attack but Maka stopped me with her hand.

"Let's hear him out for a while. I want to ask one thing." she whispered to me. I stood up straight again and shoved my tightly clenched fists in my pockets, while standing on guard beside Maka.

"What do you want to achieve for being my groom?" she asked with confidence like a real queen and stood firm against this werewolf. She really didn't seem like a frail girl at that moment and surprised me a bit. I heard a snort that caught my attention back to him.

"HAHA, simple.. to us wolves, we only care about one thing.. Your power and the Immortality your blood can give us." he chuckled and opened his palm and clenched it like he was crushing a fruit.

"and mostly.. to bring down every Demon Clans and govern the Realm. Oh? It became three things.. three things then." he said menacingly and suddenly changed character. Maka backed a step and her hands trembled. I don't know what it was but something tells me she needed someone to reassure her she's not alone. I grabbed her hand and stepped in.

"Really.. You and your clan are nothing but greedy mutts; you also plan to drag Maka into this when she doesn't have any idea on what is happening with all of us? Stop dragging her in a world she doesn't know! Leave her alone!" I said and put up a barrier, it is a barrier where anyone who isn't permitted in shall be burnt without hesitation. The barrier's glow is red unlike Maka's emerald glow and it's Energy sucking characteristic.

Geez! and I went through all that trouble of taking Maka away from those malicious eyes of those wolves.. seriously.

*Flashback*

"Soul-kun .. please dance with me." a girl said.

"No, please dance with me instead." and another said.

"Shut up! He's going to dance with me." and another.

"No, It would be with me right, Soul-kun?" and another. I glanced over to Maka and found her by the door, going out.

Where is she going?

"Dude, Let's go ask Maka-chan." I heard a boy say.

Huuuuh?

"Yeah.. She doesn't look like she's going to dance with anyone anyway." another said.

"Yeah, It's a popular belief too, that if a girl and boy dances round that fire, they'll end up together." and another said.

"Whoa? Today's my lucky day.. I'm off to ask her. Byebye!" and another.

"hey! that's cheating!" the other's complained.

tch.. These mongrels.. This is not going good. I can't let them dance with Maka! No!

I thought and dashed out of the room, passing through that thick crowd of girls. It was hard passing through I say but I really need to catch up with Maka.

"Uhh.. Sorry but I promised someone already." I said as I struggled to pass through.

"Eeehh? Who is it? Tell us!" They all said almost in unison.

Shit! I can't just tell them it's Maka! Wha-What if Maka won't want to dance with me? They'll know I lied.

"uhh.." I tried to pick someone but too late Maka's gone out already.

"Wait.. MAKA!" I called.

"Eh? so It's Albarn-san?" a girl said and murmurs lifted in the air, while they were pondering, I dashed out the crowd and to Maka.

"MAKA!" I called and got her attention. She turned to me with a surprised face.

"Wh-" she tried to say but was cut when I grabbed her arms and dragged her along.

"Soul?! What are you doing?" she cried while I dragged her.

"Let's go to the dance!" I answered quickly. She fell silent for a moment there.

Why? did she make plans with anyone already?

"I.. But why?" she said softly and quietly.

Eh? Looks like not yet.

"Well.. I don't know too.. somehow 'they' irritate me." I said and smiled awkwardly, turning at her past my shoulders.

Well, those boys really, really pissed me off. I don't know why though, I just felt my blood boiled when they planned to hit on Maka.

I heard a soft giggle and turned back to her.

"That's just so like you." she said while giggling. When I saw her smile, my heart gave that weird loud thumping sound again and felt my cheeks burn.

What the hell? Could she be a succubus? Why the hell is she so cute? Does her bloodline, the Elmers, have a gene of a succubus? Hell, is that even possible?

I thought and looked away. I stopped on my tracks when I felt this annoying aura going round the corner; the aura of that annoying Shinigami brat. Maka bumped my back since I stopped all of a sudden. I turned to my right and checked the window.

Great.. looks like we can pass through here.

I thought and opened the window and turned back to Maka and picked her up in a princess carry.

"He-Hey!" she clearly tried to protest.

What? She wants to be with that annoying brat?

Somehow thinking of that damned brat pisses me off.

"Shh! I won't tolerate any protests! Even if you bind me with your chains but today, you are MY princess and mine only.. So I won't let anyone take you!" I exclaimed and jumped our 3-story building. She suddenly wrapped her arms around my neck and held on tightly.

"Kyaa!" she shrieked as we descended in a fast pace.

hmm? Is it too shocking for her when descending from such a height? It can't even kill you right?

I thought as we landed smoothly and let her down. But she wasn't loosening her grip of my neck.

"uhh.. Maka.. I can't breathe.. you're strangling me.." I croaked. I honestly couldn't breathe with her grip like that. It almost seemed as if she wanted to strangle me to death. She finally let go of my neck with much haste.

"I-I-I'm so-so-sorry!" she stammered while flustering and hung her head. My heart did the thumping sound again.

Oh Shinigami! Why is she so cute?!

"Haha, it's fine.. You're cute when you're scared anyway." I reasoned out. Of course not only was when she was scared but all the time, I really really find her cute all the time. Then suddenly I felt a familiar aura which I haven't felt for years.

That demon is here?

*End of Flashback.*

"Haha! You're taking me on Soul? Don't get too cocky just because you got rank A while we were still young!" He said and charged at us to my barrier.

Shit! I must strengthen the region on where he'll hit. I must not be careless, while Maka is with me. Underestimating a Demon Wolf might spell trouble to Maka.

I thought and opened my palm up. I locked my eyes on him, but he suddenly vanished.

Whaa? Where did he go?

I thought as I looked around. His aura is concealed too.

Shit! This is what I feared.. They specialize in concealing their auras and surprise attacks.

I thought and gritted my teeth, holding Maka tighter and closer to me.

"Show yourself, wimpy wolf!" I cried, trying to provoke him.

"Oh? You still had that uncontrollable temper, I see?" I heard a whisper. Maka slipped off of my grasp as Free pulled her out of the barrier and landed far enough to create a counter-spell.

"Ice Pillar!" he cried as he clasped his hands and tried to coat me with thick Ice but failed due to my Barrier.

"Heh! still good as ever huh? Soul." he snickered and grabbed hold of Maka again. It ticked me off, laying his filthy paws on her. I removed the barrier and prepared to attack.

"Let go.."

"Huh? you said something? Sissy-Prince?"

"I said.. Let go of Maka you dim-witted wolf!" I said and charged at him, raising my fists up, focusing my energy on them.

"Seems like you forgot who you're against with. you aren't a melee type warrior Soul. I know that so well, cause I've defeated you countless of times in melee combat." he said which really just slipped out of my mind and continued on charging at him.

"Wolf tail Wall!" he chanted before I collided and defended himself with his formidable wall. I drew my arms back and hit it again doing the same to my other arm.

"You're just like the pathetic little boy you used to be Soul, throwing random weak punches. We aren't playing here, remember THAT!" he exclaimed and whipped his tail, sending me flying away. I hit the wall quite hard and carved a hole on it.

"Ah! SOUL!" I heard Maka's scream.

"Oh, sorry, my bad princess.. I completely forgot about you, I just had to clean off TRASHES that gets in our way, you see." I heard him say.

"NO! I need to get to Soul!" Maka protested.

"You're not going anywhere, princess. You're mine.. Only mine."

That's it! you've really done it, you mutt! Maka had never been yours and will never be!

"NO! LET ME GO! I NEED TO GO TO SOUL! LET ME G-umpp!"

"I hate noisy spoiled princesses, princess.. so stop bickering.. Oh and the more you struggle, the more it'll HURT."

Hurt? hurt... hurt.. hur..

"damn it.. you mutt.. you really had enough guts as to hurt Maka.. YOU'LL PAY DEARLY FOR HURTING HER!" I exclaimed and stood up.

"Arrows of the Haunted.. fast like the speed of light and sharp as a sword.. Pierce through and gouge out his heart! Silver Arrow!" I chanted and materialized 5 Silver Arrows and launched it all, targeting his heart.

"Heh.. I knew you'd use that Silver arrow, given that I am weak to Silvers.. hehe, clever Soul.. but I have seen through you.. INDEPENDENT CUBE!" he exclaimed again and froze me.

No! Not that spell!

I thought and rushed to them.

"Haha! too late Soul, LOCK!" he exclaimed and locked their barrier which is separated to the world; A barrier in which the occupants are within a different dimension, time and space. I bounced off the barrier when I didn't make it. The barrier remains there but the contents are separated from the world, which is like, they are transported to a different place but they'll be forced back when the time runs out.

"This barrier.. I think it only lasts for an hour.. Should I just wait?" I murmured to myself. I heard a flapping sound and turned, anticipating my cocky brother.

"That would be a wrong decision, Soul. Seeing as Maka is in there too, with her energy, she can sustain this barrier for 720 hours, meaning a whole month. But that would really drain her so much that in exchange she might end up sleeping at least a week. Well, that's if Free realizes it and use it." he said and shrugged his shoulders.

"Then.. What should I do?" I said and turned back to the barrier.

"I don't know too.. Guess we wait for a reaction and try to see if he'll use Maka's strength to sustain it?" he stated and turned to the barrier too.


Maka's Side

"Let me go! I need to help Soul! He's hurt! I must help him!" I screamed and struggled out of his grasp.

"tch.. Would you shut up? You're annoying!" he said and finally let go of my wrist.

"Then let me out of this damned barrier! I just want.. I just want to enjoy this night.." I said as the tears streamed down my face. He turned to me with a flustered expression and slowly paced toward me. I squeezed my eyes close, expecting for another rough treatment but nothing happened. I opened my eyes and saw a handkerchief being offered to me. I lifted my head and saw him, crouched in front of me but won't even look at me in the eye. My eye drifted back to the handkerchief and stared at it for a moment.

"Take it.. and.. uhh.. use it to wipe your tears.. Really, I can't handle looking at a young lady crying."

I reached for the piece of cloth and took it, stunned with his words, and gently wiped my tears.

"So you are a gentleman after all.." I whispered softly.

"Of course.. I am the next successor and am taught how to properly treat a lady and proper etiquette at the least." he said and sat down.

"Then.. Why? Why are you fighting Soul? Weren't you taught proper etiquette? Why are you fighting? Isn't it bad for your name? as a next successor? Wouldn't you just be branded a brawler if you just pick a fight with another prince randomly?"

"I.. I am not doing this randomly.. As a candidate, we need to dispose of the other candidate if possible, to ensure everything. That's what we were taught. That to be a candidate, you must throw everything you hold dear so as not to have a weakness that might drag you down." he said and looked down and in pain for a moment. I was surprised but more than that, a question suddenly popped in.

"Say, were you forced to be in this life-death situation of a candidate and was forced to abandon a person you hold dearly?" I suddenly asked and held his shoulder. He turned to me surprised, and made me soften my gaze.

"I see. You were forced huh? just like someone I know." I whispered and sat in front of him.

"you know.. someone? someone who is forced to be a candidate?" he asked, rather intrigued. I glanced at him before turning away.

"Yeah.. Soul.. He's against the whole 'candidate' idea." I confessed.

"Hah! Liar.. Soul? The Ruthless Demon who never cared whatever happens around him and just lets everything pass by? even if he only looks like a puppet? It has got to be a lie." he said and scoffed. I pouted at him before continuing.

"No.. Well, I don't know lots of things about him, but this I know, he doesn't like being a 'candidate'.. He's against it."

"Why would he be against it? Do you possibly know?"

"Well, He did state a reason.."

"What? What's his reason?"

"hehe, you seem rather interested with Soul huh? Hmm.. He said, He didn't want to be married to a girl he doesn't know and hadn't seen yet." I said and turned back to him, watching his lost reaction.

"I.. I don't get it.. Soul would never think of that.. H-He was just like a puppet.. obeying the King's every command.. He was ruthless, much more ruthless than us.. He was like.. a demon from the underworld.. from the world where demons who are unbearably remorseless reside." he explained.

"There's another underworld?"

"Ah Well.. There exists 4 realms, the sky, where goddesses reside, the land, where humans reside, the Demon Realm, where we, demons, reside, and the Underworld, where Devils, Monsters, Evil-doers, and whatever you call them resides." He explained carefully. I stared at him attentively while I waited for him to continue.

"So.. Yeah, His mercilessness rivals that of from the Underworld." I snorted at his words which caught his attention and turned to me.

"Sorry.. Well, It's just that what you're telling me is completely opposite of the Soul that I know. Yeah, he maybe cold but, most of the time he's bright, cheerful and always smiling, he's kind and sweet too. He helps not only me but others as well." I said and smiled at him.

Yeah, Soul isn't a bad guy. I know that.. I know that, because.. every girl.. likes him, even boys too.

"Oh, He's even really popular in our school." I continued. He fell silent, turned away and stood up. I stared at him as he got up.

"Do you.. uhmm.. Do you perhaps like Soul?" he asked suddenly which caught me off guard. I blushed when I thought about it.

"Yeah.. I like him.." I answered. He took a step away without bothering to look at me.

"I like him, and Black Star too, and Tsubaki too, Kid too, even though he and Soul got into a quarrel, Liz and Patty too even if they can't fully trust me yet, and Blair-chan too. I like everyone." I said and clasped my hands on my chest.

"Everyone is warm, so please don't hurt Soul anymore." I said and emitted strange warm lights, like a firefly. I held one in my palm and felt its warmness. I glanced over to Free and saw his expression turned softer. He smiled for the first and turned to me.

"You were like her. So kind even though everyone hurts her." he said and helped me get up.

"Is she your-" I was cut when a crackling sound filled the space. I turned to its source and saw the space was distorted once again and the one side of the wall was being sliced.

"How? It isn't one hour yet! It's impossible for someone to break in this cube!"

"not when you're holding Maka and using her you dim-witted wolf! I can't just stay idle when you're doing that to her! LET GO OF HER!" Soul's voice reverberated inside and brought a smile of relief to my face.

"No.. If he keeps that up, he'll lose all of his energy.. YOU'LL BE RIP TO SHREDS SOUL! STOP THAT!" he said, worried. I froze on his cautions.

What? It can kill Soul? No.. I don't want that.. I don't want that..

I thought and suddenly surges of energy escaped from me, enveloping my whole being.

No.. I don't want that.. It'll be my fault.

The thought kept on repeating. My hands suddenly moved and then brought it in front of me, brought them together and formed a triangle.

"wind.. water.. fire.."

"Stop Maka!" Soul screamed.

Soul?

"earth.."

"I said STOP IT!" he screamed again.

I can't stop it.. I.. I'm scared..

(He-Help me Soul.. I'm scared.. I.. I'm scared.)

[I'm here Maka.. Don't be scared.. I'm here.. I'll protect you, I promised didn't I? So stop it now.. Please.. Stop it.]

I heard a voice inside my head which sounded like Soul. Is he talking in my head? Or am I unconsciously using telepathy AGAIN?

"O..Obey thy Caster.." I still continued to chant.

"FREE! STOP HER FROM COMPLETING THE SPELL!"

"Why?"

"DO IT NOW IF YOU DON'T WANT US TO DIE! SHE CAN'T CONTROL HER POWER!" I heard them and suddenly a hand covered my mouth and I can't hear myself chanting again. The light that covered the space and the centre of the triangle vanished slowly as I felt my knees go weak. Free held me firmly and never let go till I slumped and supported my weak body. I opened my eyes and saw Soul dashing to me, with his eyes full of worry.

"Maka! Maka.. Are you fine?" He asked when he took me from Free's arms.

"I'm fine.. I.. Why couldn't I control my chanting?" I asked and stared at my hands.

"Well-"

"You aren't ready yet.. You only discovered them recently, am I right?" Free said as he stood up, I turned to him and nodded softly.

"Don't use them for the moment no matter what happens. Didn't someone seal your uncontrollable power?"

"Ah.. Now that you mention it.. Some of it is sealed." I answered and got up with Soul's help.

"SOME?!" they both cried in surprise.

"Uhh.. Yes?" I answered and sweat-dropped.

"Whoa Maka.." Soul only managed to say.

"ehmm.. Well for the moment.. I think I'll stay here and guard her. I could never be in peace when I know a wimpy sissy prince is protecting her." he said and seemed hit a nerve on Soul.

"You picking a fight? you dim-witted mutt?"

"Bring it on Sissy-prince." he said and snickered.

"Both of you, Stop It!" I scolded them and held my head in my palms.

"Geez, both of you really are a handful." I complained and walked to the crack Soul did when he went in from outside.

"How do we get out? The hole Soul made when he entered from the other side has vanished and left a crack." I explained as I traced my fingers between the cracks and looked at them past my shoulders. They both turned to each other and turned to me. Free walked towards me and paused for a moment.

"As far as I remember, this cube isn't capable of regenerating damaged parts. That only shows how you're using Maka's power." Soul accusingly said.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He said and sighed before he continued to walk towards me.

"Unlock!" Free exclaimed and placed his hand beside the crack and the space distorted, with the cube-like barrier regressing back to the ground.

"Hoo.. We can still make it Maka.. I bet the gang is already there." Soul suddenly said. I turned to him and nodded.

"Ah! Wait.. Free-san, would you like to come with us?" I invited him.

"Nah.. I don't like parties and stuff." he rejected and turned me around, pushing me softly.

"Enjoy your night, princess." he said and grinned. I gave him a smile before I ran back to Soul who was ahead of me.

"Ah! Soul, I forgot to say but Free-san didn't use my power.. Somehow, I unleashed it unconsciously again with my emotions as the trigger. I think I unconsciously use my power due to my emotions." I said and clutched my chest. Soul turned to me and back ahead of us.

"What emotion triggered.. uhmm.. the sudden reaction that was made outside? ermm.. I saw falling lights the moment I caught a glimpse inside."

"hmm? ah, I told Free-san that I like Soul." I said and smiled at him. He seemed quite surprised and froze for a moment.

"Li-like? yo-yo-you li-li-like m-m-me?"

"Yes.. I like Soul.. Black Star, Tsubaki, Kid, Liz, Patty and Blair-chan too.. hehe." I said and giggled. Now he seemed rather disappointed and weak.

"Ahh! Let's forget about those for tonight and let's have fun! Ah! There's everyone! GUYS!" I called and grabbed his wrist dragging him toward them.

I wonder why I lost control that one moment. I certainly really felt my heart crushed.. mmm.. Maybe because Soul's a dear friend to me.. hehe, that must be it.


Great! I had free time and was able to do it! Well, to be honest, too much free time.. It's getting boring already, really..

Notes: (In case you forgot)

(blah,blah) Maka's Telepathy

[blah,blah} Soul's Telepathy

Don't forgot my Energy Refill will ya guys? Hehe : ) just kidding .. I believe you remember how to Refill my energy right? Well, That's all for this chapter.. I had a boring week and decided to just work on this than waste it doing nothing. I don't really like not moving my body really. So, Okay! See ya next chapter !