Chapter 13: Abandoned

Little Falcon: Yes, the reports weren't true- I'm not dead… yet. If you've been visiting my profile, you know why I'm so late in updating. Nevertheless, here I am delivering your most awaited chapter. You know the drill… tell me what you think, okay?

Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" The young Death Scythe pulled the lapels of Dr. Stein's lab coat even before he can finish elaborating his findings on the weakened meister.

It was only a precaution Shinigami-sama took: he let his son borrow a special item that can hold a being that is neither living nor dead. It looked like a standard stretcher that shrunk into a pocket sized cube at first but it came in handy given the situation just hours ago where no one was able to lay a hand on their dying comrade. With the quickest possible way, they transported Maka back to Shinbunsen Academy- the only place where they know she'll be saved.

"Soul," his two meister friends, Black Star and Death the Kid, restrained him even if they themselves demanded more information than what they've heard.

"That… that can't be true," Shinigami's Death Scythe... Maka's dad… fell to his knees with tears rolling down his face as he watched her daughter's form growing from translucent to almost transparent; she wasn't breathing, her heart wasn't beating… there were no evident signs of life at all.

Pushing his round spectacles back, the good doctor stared at each person present, knowing that everyone there has a strong connection with the patient. With a heavy in take of breath, he reiterated the things he understood in using his words carefully. "She's in a state beyond help. Right now, I don't even know if she's still alive but even if she is… she won't last long," the annoying squeaking of the screw in his head as he tightened it was the only sound heard throughout the room at that moment. It was as if everyone's breathing stopped in the hope that he'll say something else… something positive… something impossible. "You should know what she went through. This was one of the possible outcomes that was hypothesized wasn't it?"

"So… she's just… we'll just let her…" the self-proclaimed assassin can't find the simple words to speak his mind for the first time. His weapon, Tsubaki, squeezed his hand to calm him down. No one in the room wasn't crying… either discreetly or openly.

"Her soul is dissolving as we speak…"

His crimson eyes grew wide as he pushed everyone aside to stand by his meister's side. "Her soul is still here… isn't it?"

"Y…yes,"

"Then maybe I can find a way to connect mine with hers," his gaze didn't leave her pale sleeping face.

"It is possible but you should know that if she…" his sensei was just beginning to give details when Spirit held up his hand to silent his former partner.

His shaking hand fell heavily on Soul's shoulder. "I don't like relying on anyone when it concerns the safety of my daughter," he gripped him so tight it made the young Death Scythe wince. "However, right now, you're the only one who can… so please… Soul Eater… bring her back," the greatest Death Scythe in the history was pleading before an inexperienced one… with his cracked voice and tear-flooded face.

The sight of a grown man crying his eyes out didn't look pathetic to him at all… to him it was the strongest gesture he had ever seen. Showing his complete set of teeth "You don't have to tell me that," the weapon then placed his forehead above hers then closed his eyes. Letting his mind go blank, he searched for the nexus the two of them shared. It surprised him to find that it was as easy as before… a closed white wooden door hovering in the middle of nothing stood before him.

In a heartbeat, Soul turned the knob and stepped inside. A complete opposite of the calm exterior, everything inside was in chaos: random debris were falling from an unseen ceiling but it never landed on solid ground as everything was ultimately empty to begin with. The air around, itself, has visible cracks that seem to spread within every second. It was neither dark nor bright, he can't really tell. Bent on his solid resolution to save her, he looked scanned the area. His feet were running but he never got anywhere. He tried calling for her name but he couldn't hear even a small peep. It was as if he was in Endless Night allover again.

"Soul…" his heart almost stopped beating as he heard a voice in his head he knew all too well better than his own. Frantically looking around, he was still alone but he knew she was definitely around. Maka!The weapon bellowed but it was just a waste of breath.

"Why are you here? Can't you understand what I did? I chose him over you," out of nowhere, she materialized a few feet away from him. Her head bowed in shame, making her long wavy hair fall like elegant curtain halfway to her face. A long, black silk dress hugged her body like a second skin showing her luscious curves, seductive cleavage and long flawless legs. "I've betrayed you," raising her eden green eyes, she met his.

It felt like this was the first time he's ever laid eyes on her. God, she's beautiful! His heart skipped a few beats, his breath caught in his throat, his body paralyzed in awe as his eyes didn't dare to blink. He wanted to walk right up to her and bury her in his arms, never to let go, tell her over and over again how he loves her and kiss her until they both pass out but he can't do anything… he can't even say a word.

She was right there. Extending his hand, he was still a couple of inches short from touching her face. Gritting his teeth in frustration, the weapon withdrew his hand and formed it into a fist. Even if he can speak now, he doesn't know what to say. You didn't do anything… because she did. You didn't betray me… because she did. There are so many things he was unsure of… things that flooded his mind enough to not hear himself think. Unable to form a rational reply, he let his instinct take over. Soul opened his fists, pocketed his hands… gazed deeply in her eyes then made an arrogant smirk- a usual thing he does when she comes home later than him. Welcome back… it says.

Maka Albarn thought she had prepared herself for anything but upon seeing his familiar gesture tears formed and fell all too quickly even before she can control it. No one can really say they're ready to die… no one.

"You shouldn't be here," it was as if the mute button was again pressed- her broken yet melodic voice came from her lips not just an echo in his head. The breaking of the walls, the splitting of the unseen bottom… even the fluttering of the trail of her dress filled the deafening silence a while back. "Leave now while you still can…" she turned her head to the left where a door appeared then opened on its own accord.

"If you really know me then you should know that I won't budge an inch until I get what I came here for," this time he was confident that he would be heard. His tone calm and composed even as everything was beginning to separate into distinct fragments. "I came for my bride,"

She swore she felt her heart leap a thousand heights only to fall and break into a million indistinguishable pieces. The choice has been made; the deed has been done… only the consequence remains. "That's presumptuous," even through their situation, he still managed to make her smile.

"Even before I asked the question, I was sure of your answer. That's how well I know you… better than I know myself… Maka Albarn," Soul began to, again, reach for her hand but this time it was different, this time Soul had no doubt that she would return to him.

The moment Maka touched his hand, everything stopped abruptly as if frozen. "You idiot," muttered the meister before her lips were sealed with his. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him in but Soul wasn't to be beat he locked his around her waist and pulled her against his body. Her fingers dove into his unruly hair while their tongue danced for the longest passionate moment before their lungs demanded air.

Not wanting to be separated even for mere inches, their lips hovered above each other's as their forehead leaned together… their eyes sharing the most romantic conversation for a moment then Soul finally spoke "You're my music… you should know that," he brushed his knuckles against her tear stained cheek.

"Then I guess without me… your life is a silent movie," replied Maka with a wide, mocking grin.

It was amazing how so much have been resolved without an apology or an explanation. The pair was talking as if nothing at all went absolutely wrong.

"Damn straight… and you know how much I hate that stuff," he led the way towards the door; all the time, never letting go of her hand.

"Silent movies are also okay sometimes," she said under her breath when they were at arms length from the doorway.

Raising his eyebrow upon hearing her statement, he glanced at his side only to se no one beside him and nothing in his hand. His body continued to float towards the exit even as he tried to walk back.

"Soul…" As their distance grew farther apart, she felt like dying repeatedly. With the last ounce of her strength, she forced herself to smile. "…make sure your next meister is cooler than me, okay?" Tears rolled down her cheeks with every word.

"No… no… NO! I CAN'T DO THAT! MAKAAAAA!" Resisting against the unseen force, the young Death Scythe struggled to get back but the more he was dragged out. As his fingertips gradually slip from the doorframe, his crimson eyes saw how her world started to crumble again. The last thing he saw was her painful smile then the door slammed shut.

As if landing from a great height, Soul jumped awake when their connection was severed. Everyone's surprise was short-lived. Their glances traveled from him and to his meister. "How did it go…" someone inquired.

Shaking his head violently, tears trickled down his face as he saw how fast her body was turning into nothing. "You can't do that… Maka. Don't go to a place where I can't follow!" Trying to grab her shoulders, his hands just went through her. Again and again he tried to hold her but to no avail.

The others made no attempt to stop him as their eyes were fixated on their dying friend. Maka's body was barely visible now… a few seconds more and… everyone was taken aback when Soul turned into a weapon. The young Death Scythe's handle landing on the spot where her hand was on. In one angle, it looks as if she's holding him… but not really.

"Soul, you're only delaying the inevitable. Once you return to your human form, she will vanish," Dr. Stein was the only one who remained rational at that event.

"Then… I'll stay like this until she returns,"

Everyone knew it was impossible. Soul had just fought against one of the most powerful tainted blood in recorded history. It won't be lone before…

Soul Eater lets go…

Little Falcon: Read and review please…