Soul Eater (c) Atsushi Ōkubo and Studio Bones

Chapter 14: Guilty Until Proven Innocent

They were victorious. It wasn't long before the battle started to die down and the armies began to retreat the city. Without a leader, how could they remain? They had won. Kid collapsed onto the ground in exhaustion and relief. But though the city was once again theirs and Lord Death returned to his post in the Death Room, the damage was unimaginable. Now that Ansom was gone, they had a few more decisions to make, decisions he would no longer be required to assist in making. He wouldn't complain, though. The demon sword had earned her place back at the academy, in his opinion. Crona would have to face the same charges as Soul. But when they went to retrieve her, she and Ragnorok had disappeared once more. Perhaps they were fearful of the punishment they knew they needed to endure. Stein couldn't see them as an immediate threat, so their escape went solidly. That left only one more thing to take care of.

It didn't seem fair to arrest Soul again after he and Maka practically won the war and defeated Ansom. Yet rules were rules, and he willingly complied to the structure of the place. Whatever happened now was up to the Council and Lord Death. Still, Kid managed to get him a suitable place to spend the moments before his hearing. His hands would still have to be shackled so he didn't transform and try to escape, but the room was significantly more comfortable than what he had grown accustomed to.

Kami walked down the long hallway, noticing her daughter with her nose pressed against a wooden door. She bit her lip. All of this, and still he couldn't be released. Even she could feel a tinge of unfairness to this. However, he broke the law set out by Lord Death himself, and for that he had to pay the consequences. The look on Maka's face broke her. She felt her maternal instincts kick in as she made her way towards the two.

"Leave her be," a voice from behind her said. Kami turned around to see Professor Stein smoking a cigarette and leaning against the wall. "Let them have their moment."

Kami couldn't stop staring at her daughter. "Thank you," she finally said. "For taking care of her." Her eyes began to fill with tears. "You had more faith in my daughter than I ever did."

Stein sighed. "She's talented, there's no question about that." He stood up and slipped his hands in his pockets. "I just did what any good teacher would do." He began to walk away, having finished his cigarette and putting it out on the ground.

"Franken," Kami said stopping him. He turned around. "I'm sorry. For everything. I didn't know...how much me taking Spirit away hurt you."

Stein stared at her blankly. "It didn't," he said simply. He picked up his feet and turned around. He stopped for one second. "But thank you."

Maka stared at the grain of wood, her head pressed so harshly against it one would think the pattern would engrave itself into her skin. She was listening to Soul explain how to take care of the record player in his room. She didn't want to listen to it. She knew she wouldn't have to. He was going to come home eventually, right? Her heart was cold. ...Right?

"So then when you remove the record you've gotta clean it. Don't clean it with a regular paper towel though otherwise it'll get little white spots all over it..." he said. He was leaning against the door himself, his foot propping him up. "Use the little cloth things I keep in the back room. Make sure Blair doesn't get into them cause last time that happened she got cat hair all over them. Just keep them hidden until you get to Japan." There was no response. "Hey, Maka, are you listening?"

"Yeah, I'm listening," she said.

"You'll probably wanna start with the soft jazz and work your way up to the intense stuff. Promise you'll at least listen to them all once. Or...you know...not. It's your choice, I guess."

"How can you be so calm all of the time?" she said.

Soul sighed. "I just want to make sure everything is going to be taken care of. That's all."

"It's not fair," she trembled. "You shouldn't have to put up with this! You didn't do anything wrong!"

Soul remained calm. "I ate a human soul, Maka. A lot of them."

"But you didn't want to! Ansom made you do it!"

"Doesn't matter."

Maka scowled. "It should."

"But it doesn't."

It was quiet for a long time. Maka finally got the nerve to ask the question she had been meaning to. "What do you think they're going to do?" she asked.

"I don't know," Soul said. He tried to keep his usual cool tone, but there was a shaky fear behind it. "But whatever it is I'll take it."

"Maybe they'll exile you..." Maka said hopefully.

"Doubt it," Soul replied. "If I were in their position I wouldn't take any chances. Letting a kishin out into the world would be too much of a risk."

Maka frowned. "You know, you're allowed to be a little selfish."

Soul chuckled. "I am selfish. But there's a time and a place for that..." he thought of all the times he put himself in danger to save Maka. All of those impulsive decisions he made to make sure she stayed by his side. He was greedy when it came to her. He coveted every moment he had and never wanted to share. Perhaps Ansom did have a point. To the layman's eye, love did look inherently selfish. But he knew better, and so did his wife. "...now is not that time, nor place." It was quiet on the other end of the door. "Look, if this does go sour..."

"Stop..." Maka shook her head. "I can't listen to that."

Soul relaxed. "Sorry," he said softly. "I won't ask you not to cry either."

Maka's eyes focused on the door as though she were in deep contemplation. "I can't cry anymore, Soul" she confessed. "I've tried, but I already used up all of my tears. I...I can't."

Soul gave a half-hearted smile that seemed to drip into his words. "Yes, you can."

Maka could feel her chest grow tight. Her nose started to twitch as her eyes grew starry once again. "S-Soul..." she trembled, tears falling from her face. He couldn't go, he just couldn't. He was the only one who stayed all this time...if he left there would be no one. But it wasn't just that. "W-w-what am I going to do?"

"That's up to you, I think." He cleared his throat. "But I'm sick of running. I'm going to face this thing head on. And so are you."

"But..."

"We'll get through this, Maka," Soul said reassuringly, even though he himself wasn't quite as confident as his words lead on. "We always do."

Maka wiped her eyes clean and rested her hands on the door. "Right." Suddenly, she heard footsteps coming from down the hall. It was Professor Stein. He looked at Maka as she hesitantly stepped away from the door. Stein inserted the key and opened the door.

"Lord Death will see you now," were his words. They were simple and stoic, though the pain behind it was unmistakable. Soul followed him out the door, Maka trailing in next to him. She couldn't look at anyone. Her eyes met the floor and stuck there as they walked down the hall to the death room. She felt a nudge in her side and she looked up to see Soul walking next to her. He lifted his chin slightly, jerking it up and then smiling as though to tell Maka to do the same. Maka stared at him for a long time, her urge to cry suddenly fluttering away. It was replaced by bitter resentment. Still, Soul's words played through her head. Be strong, she told herself. It was the least she could do. She lifted her chin up and looked ahead, not looking at anyone.

They didn't, however, go to the Death Room. Instead, they made their way to the plaza in the front of the school. Soul looked out towards the city. It seemed as though everyone in the entire city had shown up for this trial. He couldn't blame them. If there were a kishin on trial in the place he lived, he would want to be there as well. Spirit sat next to Lord Death near the left of the plaza along with the other Death Scythes. Soul couldn't help but feel ashamed being in his presence again. Maka located Liz, Patty and Tsubaki and took a seat next to them. She didn't say a word, but looked straight ahead. Kid was standing with the Death Scythes, his arms crossed.

"Soul Evans," Azusa announced. "You have been accused of breaking the number one rule at the DWMA, eating human souls. How do you plead?"

Soul sighed, looking straight at her. "Guilty."

Liz practically fell out of her seat. Tsubaki looked on in horror as she stood up and pumped her fist into the air. "Guilty my Ass!" she shouted from the sidelines. "The guy shoved the stuff down his throat!"

"Liz," Maka said calmly.

"Maka! Do something! They're going to-"

"Please, Listen." Maka didn't look at her. Liz slowly lowered her fist as she spoke. "I know it seems wrong, but this is something Soul feels he has to do. As his partner..." She stopped herself. "As his wife, it is my duty to respect that."

Liz bit her lip and sat down. She looked to where the trial was being held.

"Do we have a testimony?" Marie asked.

"Involuntary consumption," Spirit said. "We've discussed all we can. But this kind of thing needs to be dealt with quickly."

Soul nodded. "I understand."

Spirit turned to the Grim Reaper. "Ultimately, it will be Lord Death who chooses the sentence."

Soul knelt down before the death god. "Lord Death," he said. "Whatever punishment you have for me, I willingly accept it."

Lord Death stared at Soul for a long time. He cocked his head to the side. "Hmmm..." The whole crowd grew silent, awaiting the verdict. "Nope, don't wanna."

The whole plaza's face fell. Their jaws dropped to the floor. Spirit inched his way over to the Reaper. "Um...Sir...I know you're still recovering and all, but-"

"Recovering? I feel fit as a fiddle!" The Shinignami replied. "I just don't want to make such an important decision right away."

"You have to give him a punishment! It's your job!" Azusa shouted.

"Hmmm...no I don't think so."

Soul felt his head hang. "You've gotta be kidding me."

"Oh, come on!" Lord Death pouted. "Why do I always have to make the hard decisions around here? It's way too much pressure for one old man."

"You're Lord Death!" Spirit screamed. "You're the one in charge!"

"...Am I?" he asked, a smile creeping up under his mask. "As I recall I was incapacitated for quite some time. It wasn't I who lead this battle." He stepped down from his platform and made his way across the plaza. "I think it's time someone else starting making the decisions around here. And I know just the man for the job." He reached up and took off his mask, looking at Kid who was speechless. Lord Death's voice grew deep. "My son."

"F-Father?" Kid stammered, unable to process what was happening.

"Never before, have I seen more selfless courage and pride of leadership. You were the one who saved us. I have never been so proud to be a father."

Kid could feel his eyes tearing up. "But...Father...I'm not even a full-fledged Shiningami yet."

Lord Death smirked. "Oh aren't you?" He brought out a mirror and showed Kid his hair. The three stripes he used to have on one side of his hair, had extended to reach all around his head. He felt his golden eyes start to water even more.

"I'm...I'm..." he said as he grabbed the mirror. "I'm perfectly symmetrical!" he shouted. "Yes!"

Lord Death blinked harshly. "Yes. Yes you are."

"Liz! Patty! Maka! Tsubaki! Black Star! Soul! Everyone look! I'm finally beautiful!" he gaped. He ran around and hugged everyone.

"Wait, Sir!" Liz said. "Kid can't use any of the other Death Scythes. How is he going to fight?"

"Hmmm...good question." Lord Death pondered. "I guess I'll just have to give you back all the souls I confiscated." He grinned.

"Even still," Liz reflected. "We only have one witch's soul."

"Well...maybe miss Maka can help you out with that." The Reaper gestured towards Maka, who made her way out to the center of the plaza.

"Huh?" She was confused. "Oh! Right! Soul and I defeated the witch Calypso. Her soul is still..."

"Right here!" Lord Death said, gesturing to people bringing in bags and bags of kishin eggs. He held the soul in his hand. "Some boy in a suit came by and dropped it off a few weeks ago. He looked...familiar..."

"Liz, Patty!" Kid shouted as they turned into weapons. They sucked up all of the kishin eggs and the witches souls. They could feel themselves getting more powerful, getting a new sleek black finish with white teeth on the side. They were significantly bigger too. Kid turned to his father, who simply smiled at him.

"People of Death City," he said. "The new Lord Death." Kid watched as his father knelt down before him in a bow. The Death Scythes soon followed, along with all of his friends. He turned around and watched as the entire city got down to their knees. He couldn't bring himself to say a word. "Alright!" Lord Death said finally breaking the silence. His voice was high pitched again. "Let's party!"

"Wait!" Maka shouted. The crowd went quiet as she rushed out. "What about Soul?" Kid turned around to see his friend standing there, awaiting his sentence. He bit his lip. The punishment for devouring human souls was exile, life sentence or execution. Those were his options. It wasn't an easy decision to make.

"Soul...I..." he tried to speak.

Soul gave him a smile. "Do what you need to do." They stared at each other for a moment before Kid hovered his hands over Soul's shackles. In an instant they broke off, crashing to the floor. Soul looked up, terrified. "What are you doing?"

"This man is no threat to us," he announced to the gasping crowd. "He is simply an object of circumstance, nothing more. I'd dare even say he's even less of a threat now than he was before the battle began. However, I can't allow said circumstance to be overlooked. Which is why, I will be keeping an eye on him." He winked, looking at Maka who had tears in her eyes. He took Soul's hand and shook it. "I can't very well get rid of a Death Scythe, can I? You will have to be tested for any remaining black blood, though."

Soul chuckled. "Yeah...I can live with that."

"But...Ki- Lord Death!" Azusa objected.

"I have made my decision." He spoke clearly and aristocratically. "Court is adjourned."

Maka and Soul's eyes met for only a brief second before she sprinted back into his arms. She was laughing so much she couldn't even feel the tears anymore. He pulled her away and pressed his forehead to hers.

"See? Nothing to worry about."

Maka playfully punched him in the gut. He grinned sheepishly.

"Ahem," A different voice came from behind. Maka turned around to see her mother standing there, a piece of paper in her hands. "Now that I know you'll be sticking around for a while..." Maka turned back to Soul.

"It's...just a piece of paper, right?" she said. He kissed her on the cheek.

"It's whatever you make it out to be," he replied. She sighed and turned back to her mother, holding out her hand. Kami held the paper in both hands, folded it up and tore it into fourths. Maka looked up, shocked.

"I was wrong about you, Soul Eater," she said. "I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

Soul smiled a toothy smile. "Sure thing, Mrs. Albarn."

She held out her hand for him to shake. "Kami."

Soul took it and scratched the back of his neck with the other one. "I...don't think I'm ready to ditch the formalities just yet."

"Soul!" A loud, obnoxious voice came from the crowd. "Soul! Where have you been all this time?"

Soul's face flattened. "You're kidding me, right?"

"You missed it! Death City was taken over by this creepy guy and we all had to live with the witches, which was weird. Oh! But Tsubaki ditched me to go on a mission with Maka! Can you believe that? She ditched me! Ugh! So where were you? Didja see anything cool?"

The group laughed at Black Star's ridiculous comments. Maka noticed her mother walking down the stairs and chased after her. "Mama!" she shouted catching up to her. "Where are you going?"

Kami stopped and sighed. "This place just holds too many memories for me to stay. I'm sorry. I'm a horrible mother for leaving her child. But I know you're in capable hands."

"Kami!" Spirit shouted from the top of the stairs.

"Spirit...I'm sorry for not letting you contribute. I would like you to start paying some alimony...if that's okay with you."

"Really?" Spirit exclaimed like a five year old.

"Maka, take care of your father," Kami said kissing her on the cheek. "You know how he is."

"Yeah, I know." She said, blushing. "You'll come back this time, right?"

Kami smiled. "Of course." They watched as the woman disappeared into the crowd, who was beginning to disperse. Maka assumed that meant she didn't have to go back to Japan. She was quite a woman, her mother. Even though the idealistic image of her was erased from Maka's mind, she still respected her. There was nothing else she could do. She was her mom.

Soul at on the edge of his bed, taking off the button up shirt that Kid had lent him. It was nice, but he was excited to get back into his own clothes. He looked over to the side of the bed and noticed his backpack was sitting there. He was confused as to how it got there, certain it had been lost when he was captured by Ansom. Someone must have known who it belonged to. Thank goodness Ma wrote my name and address in every shirt I owned, he thought. After the last button was undone, he reached down and picked up the pack. He started emptying it one thing after the other. His hand finally touched a piece of paper. He hesitated momentarily before picking it up. It was an envelope with his name on it, the seal still unbroken. I wonder...he thought as his fingers traced across the flap on the back.

"Soul?" a small voice called. Soul panicked and and ran to his bedside drawer, stuffing the envelope inside.

"Y-yeah?" he said stumbling back onto the bed.

The door crept open, revealing Maka standing in the doorway. "Sorry..." she began, her face was red. "I didn't know you were getting dressed.

"Oh. No it's cool. Come on in," he said, scooting over on the bed. Maka came over to him and sat down. They sat there in silence for a while, unsure of what to do or say. They made it out of another situation alive. Soul wasn't sure how much more fighting he could take, but being next to her, just sitting there, he felt all of it was worth it.

"It must be nice," she finally said. "Sleeping in your own bed again."

He grinned. "You have no idea," he said. Maka froze. Her silence said something completely different. Soul mentally smacked himself. "Well, actually you do. Heh...I guess that's why I keep you around."

Maka frowned. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Soul rolled his shoulder. "Not quite yet," he confessed. "But everything takes time, right?"

"Blair's out of the house again," she said. "I wonder where she goes at night."

"She is a cat," Soul figured. "Cats are nocturnal. This is probably normal."

Maka looked at the ceiling. "I guess." Soul looked at her as she stared at the ceiling. She cocked her head to the side. Soul stroked her cheek, bringing her attention back to him. He could feel her wavelength tingle through her skin into him. She looked up at him, her heart beginning to race.

"So," he said putting his forehead on hers. "What shall we do tonight, Mrs Evans?"

"I...I don't know..." she said, her voice shaky. "Are...you hungry?"

Soul leaned in closer, tracing his nose down her face. "Not really," he said in a breathy tone.

Maka began to breathe heavily. "W-w-we could watch a movie," she said.

"Hm..."

"Or...read a book?"

"...nah..."

"You could show me some more of your records," she suggested. She could feel his breath on her skin. It was terrifying, yet exhilarating at the same time. "Or..."

Soul couldn't take it. She was right there. Right in front of him. The way things were going, he wasn't sure if they would have many other opportunities like this. He pressed his lips against hers, feeling her entire body surge. He could feel his own heart begin to race. Without realizing it, they found themselves getting deeper and deeper into the kiss, falling onto the soft mattress. Maka caught herself before Soul did, lightly pushing him back.

"Soul...maybe..." she said, his lips making her way down her neck. "We should wait."

He pulled away and looked at her inquisitively. "...no, I don't think so." His lips crashed back into hers, but she pulled his face away once more.

"You know...for the tests to come back?" She looked worriedly into his face. He frowned, knowing she was right. He sat up, his face beat red. He groaned and scooted toward the edge of the bed. "Soul?"

"Dammit, Maka. Why do you have to be so responsible all the time?" he whined. But he turned to her and smiled. "But that's probably best." Maka straightened her shirt and got off the bed.

"I'm going to go see what I have left in the-" She was stopped by a hand grabbing hers.

"Make sure you come back this time," he said, squeezing her hand before letting go. She blushed.

"Okay," she said with a grin. She left the room, giving him one last smile. Her eyes sparkled in the dull-lit room. Soul sighed and stared at the dresser drawer for a while. It'll be okay, he thought. He opened the drawer and pulled out the envelope, hesitating before breaking the seal. He unfolded the paper to see Maka's handwriting, nice and neat and in pen. He took a breath and began to read:

Soul...

By the time you read this letter, I will already be across the world.

Believe me, if it were in my power I would have stayed until I got to see

you one last time. But I didn't want this letter to be about that. I'm trying to see this as a positive experience, as much as it hurts. Don't be too mad at Mama, she really doesn't understand. How could she, right? All she knows is Papa. I just want to thank you. I spent my entire life with people coming and going. I always thought that if Papa couldn't be

with Mama, he couldn't be there with me either. I couldn't trust men after that. I know you know that already, but I don't know if you truly

understand. I don't think you ever really could. It's for that reason that

leaving is the hardest thing I've ever had to do.

But I don't want to leave it there. Change, after all, is a part of life

we all have to go through. I don't want you to feel obligated to do anything about this. In fact, I wouldn't be upset if you decided not to find me. I feel that if fate wants us to find each other again, we will. So don't be sad. You'll be a great Death Scythe, I just know it. I was proud to be your partner, and even prouder to be your wife...even if it was for a short while.

It's not too much of a stretch to say that I love you. Even Mama can't be blind to that forever.

Take care of yourself,

Maka

Soul read the letter three times over and couldn't stop smiling. Maka, you really are crazy.

Maka entered the room and sat down next to the bed. "What do you have there?" she asked. Soul folded the paper up and stuffed it under the bed.

He smiled. "That information is irrelevant," he said. Maka cocked her head to the side, confused. He yawned stretching his arms up. "I'm exhausted. I think I'm gonna turn in."

"Oh really? Okay."

Soul smirked, patting the side of the bed. He laid down on his side, facing his light. Maka blushed and crawled into bed beside him. He had closed his eyes when he felt two arms wrap tightly around him.

"Do you feel safe?" she asked.

Soul chuckled. "That's a loaded question," he responded. "But I feel happy."

"Yeah," Maka whispered, nuzzling her nose into him. It wasn't long before her breath started to even. Soul lay awake for a while, listening to her breathing. Suddenly, he felt calm and relaxed. It wasn't just that the immediate threat was gone. There would always be villains to face, people to fight. The world was one constant struggle for the prominency of ideologies. But in the end, it wasn't really up to him how the end turned out. All he could do was make decisions and hope they were good ones. Fate, whether predestined or changed by the decisions they made, could not be reversed, but only rerouted. That knowledge and understanding gave him a new kind of freedom he had never felt before. And with it, came the strength that he needed. He reached over and switched off the lamp. No matter what life flung their way, they would be prepared for it. That was just the kind of team they were.

Well, that's it! The final chapter of my three part series. Hope you all had as much fun reading it as I did writing it!

Congratulations on your final chapter, Soul Eater. It's been a great run!