Soul sat with his therapist in that awfully cold room, feeling as uncomfortable as ever. He'd been able to escape the past couple of weeks because of Maka's return, but apparently it was all the more reason to start going again. He talked a bit, though rarely more than a few words, occasionally a sentence when asked to explain more complex feelings. He didn't lie though, that would be uncool.
Soul felt a growing seed of impatience. He wanted to be back with Maka who had somehow been able to avoid all this drama. He didn't like being away from her. Soul couldn't even begin to think what might happen if he wasn't there and something happened again… Not that it did much help before.
The guilt crept in again, clogging his thoughts, trapping him in that endless pit of apologies, but it receded with each breath he took. No reason to go there now. It was a type of madness that he would have to fight for the rest of his life or else he'd be useless to Maka… Before he could think that he would have to get back to her side first.
He stifled a sigh in fear that he would have to stay here even longer to analyze the mindless action.
"So do you think it might be a good idea?"
The question jerked him out of his subconscious, but cool guys listened so he merely nodded a consent figuring it was a 50/50 chance that he could get this right.
"That's good", he smiled, perhaps he had chosen wrong. "I just figured this type of competition would be good for you, it would give her the chance to prove that she can deal with things without you. I'm not sure how heavily traumatized she is from what she's been through.
Though judging from your report she should be able to do this much. It's not exactly conventional, but nothing about Shibusen really is."
The therapist chuckled twirling his own purple hair. Now Soul had a really bad only got worse when he agreed to the idea.
The competition was a simple affair, not widely broadcasted and available only to members of spartoi, to which had grown a bit in Maka's absence. The rules were simple, nothing that could leave anyone permanently damaged, if you tap out or can't get up then you lose. Winner also gets bragging rights over all the other members.
Soul didn't think it was cool not to enter, but he couldn't exactly fight Maka either so he chose for there not to be the option. Instead he sat brooding on the sideline. Blackstar's catcalls and proclamations of god hood echoed through the gymnasium as the fighters prepared themselves.
Maka's first match was against a new member. She had never been that good at fighting on her own, but she should still be able to beat this kid. Her second match was with Liz. That one was harder to call. "Don't worry Soul, I'm not as bad as I used to be, I've had a lot of time to practice."
An awkward smile graced her face as Maka walked up to him punching him lightly on the shoulder. "Though I am surprised that Mr. Cool didn't jump at the opportunity to show off his manliness."
"Well there was no way I was going to beat Blackstar, and losing isn't that cool" She smiled for real that time, throwing him her towel before asking for good luck. "Good luck Maka, and the way I remember it, you'll need it."
She wouldn't need it, unless she was armed with a book Soul reminded himself as he woke up from his new place on the floor. Looking at the ring he could see that Maka had won her first match, and her second. She was sitting on a bench apologizing to a Liz with a bleeding nose. There wasn't a scratch on her.
Soul patiently kept his mouth shut up until the third match, not wishing to miss it. From his place on the sidelines he could see the wary looks that people were giving her as she walked past them towards the ring. Kirito stood on the other side, a confident smile plastered over his face.
"You may have gotten lucky with Liz, but you luck ain't gonna be enough to beat me." He gestured at his chest emphatically.
Maka stepped silently into the ring, her whole body relaxed, not saying anything, no emotion showing. Kirito made the first move, but Maka easily dodged it, her speed far outmatching his. It went on like this for the first minute, his fists blurred but Maka moved between them like a leaf on the wind.
Finally she moved, darting a leg out and tripping the other meister who quickly regained his balance behind her. She dodged another blow sending out a quick flurry of her own towards his abdomen, all of which were blocked. She darted back to the edge of the ring and someone shouted, "Come on, hurry up, hit her!" Maka flinched as this was shouted.
Quickly she moved underneath one of Kirito's punches and kicked him the abdomen sending him backwards. She then pounced on his prone form and locked his head in her arms. Just before she could complete the hold he grabbed onto her back and flung her over his shoulder.
She sailed through the air, landing on her back before jumping to her feet, narrowly dodging another flurry of punches. Kirito advanced towards continuously throwing out punch after punch. Finally one found their mark and Maka sailed through the air, this time landing on her feet.
The assault continued, and Maka could no longer dodge every punch, yet each time he sent her sailing through the air she stood up once more and began to fight again. Soul could taste blood as his serrated teeth cut through his lip.
Kid's voice cut out through the crowds yelling, the clock was approaching the eight minute mark, "Whoever has the most punches after eight minutes and eight seconds, or can achieve a knockout, is the winner."
Maka seemed to fizzle for a moment, pausing in time as another of Kirito's punched headed for her. He could feel the beat of their bond thrumming in his chest, erratic and loud.
Maka darted forward suddenly, deflecting the punch away from her face and slamming a fist into his chest, quickly followed by an uppercut to his jaw. She crouched quickly, kicking straight up and sending the other meister flying across the stage. He began to get up but Maka had already crossed to him, kicking him once in the side as she began to lay on a flurry of punches.
Soul dragged her off, her panting and his own soft words the only sound in the gym. People began to wake up once again, including Maka who leaned against him for a moment before standing again. And Tsubaki had the good sense to start treating Kirito's wounds.
"Sorry everyone… Guess I'm just used to different rules" The madness had left her eyes, and her soul had calmed down. A thin smile stretched her features as she looked out at the array of expressions before her. Soul put a hand on her shoulder, she shrugged him off before walking out. He could hear her running as soon as the doors closed.
"I knew this was a bad idea." Soul turned towards the doors but someone reached out to stop him.
"Maybe you shouldn't go, I don't think she wants to be around anyone right now." Kid looked at him earnestly.
"Shut up Kid, Maka isn't the type of person to brood alone."
"The one we knew yes, but…she's changed Soul, you've got to be able to see that. After all she's been through it's not really a surprise."
"I said shut up! She hasn't changed, not really, nothing's changed…"
Even as he said it the little demon whispered to him, "That wasn't cool, not when he's trying to help."
His Soul hummed along hers, and he left the gym, his feet pulling away from the pitied looks everyone threw his way. It didn't matter what they thought, she would be there, she always went there when she was sad. He knew where to find his Maka.